#in my defense i have to wear a lot of uniforms that have their own pairs of jeans but i'm talking my civie clothes

[uncanny-tranny]

It's very funny being like... a stereotypically (as in, straight masc) masculine queer person. Like it's frustrating because I would love to have cute moments where I share tips with a trans woman or maybe help somebody in that kind of way, but like... why should she or anybody else listen to me when I only got my third pair of jeans recently? 😭

[kedsandtubesocks]

give you something to dream about

joel miller x f!reader

summary: It’s game night at the bar and you stumble upon the most gorgeous man you’ve ever seen

warnings/tags: 18+ ONLY MDNI, no outbreak AU, Joel has both of his daughters, ‘strangers at a bar and maybe something more’ scenario with eventual husband!Joel, mentions of drinking, spicy making out session, Joel gets a bit handsy, gendered language / reader is addressed as “baby” & “darlin” light football discussions and terminology, lovesick and possessive!Joel

word count: 4k

a/n: this is my love letter to Joel, his love for football and maybe my own love for Texas football as well lol. To have this as my first fic of the new year and for it being for Joel means so much. To come back and write for the Pedro fandom is special and means so much. Big thank you to my babe @ahauntedcowboy for letting me scream my sports girl head off about this, and for @lowlights for giving me guidance when I needed it. And lastly - thank you for reading, you are what truly makes this so incredibly special and wonderful

A mixture of bright neon and low soft white lights bathe the bar in a cozy ambient glow. The music is barely audible, a sort of after thought. Instead commotion and the ramble of sports announcers fills the room.

You manage to squeeze through the sea of onlookers dressed in burnt orange. Maria thankfully stays close to you. Now at the bar counter relief floods you as you lean against it.

“Order me a beer, I’m gonna find our table.” Maria yells over the liveliness swirling around.

You give her a thumbs up and thankfully don’t have to wait for the bartender long.

“Like your shirt!”

The bartender’s voice catches you instantly. Bright and direct you blink towards him. He’s cute, young, maybe a grad student from UT Austin who works here.

You can’t help but glance down at what you’re wearing.

Even under your jacket the shirt is comfortably a bit larger on you. The main focus is the old cartoon type logo of Bevo, the Texas Longhorn's mascot. The burnt orange coloring is faded adding to its weathered look.

A warmth flutters through you from just seeing it.

“It’s vintage, cool as hell.” The bartender continues admiring.

“Thanks. Uh, a friend of mine gave it to me.” Thankfully the bartender nods understandingly and doesn’t press the topic more. Instead he soon asks what you’ll be having.

You order Maria’s beer and a drink for yourself.

“So, you a big Texas fan? Well okay, I mean…you gotta be if you’re here.” The bartender, grabbing a drink glass, starts up another conversation with you as his tone becomes playful.

“A lot of people I know and love are. So by default I am too.” You admit with a sleepy grin.

“Aw,” his face melts. “Now that’s sweet. Well glad to have you here cheering for Texas.”

The bartender now even winks at you. You politely laugh but then, the bar erupts silencing the conversation.

Excited yells come so loud you jump out of your skin. Quickly you turn around to view the many tvs and projectors showing the game.

From what you can tell the Texas defense managed to take down the quarterback. You even watch the replay to see what the fuss is about. It was a good tackle and the play kept the other team’s quarterback from even advancing.

The game has you memorized now. You watch as the burnt orange and white uniforms of the players scramble like chaotic ants now trying to rush after the ball was kicked, no, punted to them.

Your lips twitch. You never would’ve thought you knew this much football terminology or could at least follow the game. Yet here you are.

The bartender clears his throat and embarrassingly fast you turn back around.

Not two but three drinks sit before you on the bar counter.

One happens to be a surprise shot that makes your eyes go wide.

“Uh, so the guy at the end of the bar sent it your way.” The bartender explains lowly, trying to be discreet about it.

Your eyes instead whip up to search for the mystery man. Then your heart sprouts wings when you discover him.

Leaning against the bar rail at the very opposed end of where you are, the man seems like something out of a romance novel’s dream.

Ruggedly handsome, his distinguished aged face and striking nose glow against the mixture of neon and dim lighting. It highlights the grays in his beard and gorgeous dark hair. His chocolate eyes bore into you as if you’re the only one in this bar.

His attention on you alone has your knees weak and you wonder maybe you suddenly turned into jello.

Your mystery man lifts his beer up to you, a silent ‘cheers’ and then takes a sip.

Just watching him take a swig of his beer has you dizzy. So you readily snatch up the shot, toast it back to him and down it.

The alcohol burns, but you’re surprised it’s your favorite liquor of choice. You can’t help but cough up wildly and the bartender snickers at your reaction. It’s been too long since you’ve had a shot and you’re thankful to chase the stinging sensation down with your mixed drink.

“Hey!” Maria’s voice calls out and her bright smile greets you as she slides through the packed crowd.

“Hope you didn’t think I forgot about you.” She laughs warmly. She grabs her beer and slides a tip to the bartender.

But then her eyes notice the empty glass.

“Oh? You took a shot without me?” She teases.

You tell her someone bought it for you and her eyebrows fly up fast in eager surprise.

“Oh?” Even her tone is warmly excited. “You get a good look at who your mystery shot buyer is?”

You turn your attention towards the end of the bar, right where he should be. Except your mystery man has vanished.

A bit of disappointment trickles in.

“I did, but guess he took off.” You tell Maria a bit low.

“Well, his loss then. Come on! Let’s head back to our table-”

“S’cuse me…”

A smooth deep and accented drawl, direct and firm enough cuts through the commotion politely cutting in on Maria.

Just as fast, there’s suddenly a deep warmth behind your back. The presence is broad, warm, and smells of the beautiful hint of a sandalwood cologne.

“If you don’t mind, I think I might steal this pretty gem for myself.” The accent seems thicker now and melts off his voice like sin.

He’s talking about you.

Maria smiles wildly entertained while her eyes flicker between you and your mystery man.

Silently you stare back and with pleading eyes you mentally communicate that yes you want to stay, yes it’s okay for her to head back.

“Alrighty then, see you two later.” She says grabbing her beer and gives you one last amused look before heading back to the table.

Your heart races so loud in your ears you don’t even notice the upset yells at a bad call given by the refs.

“…Howdy…”

The voice purrs, absolutely dances against the noise of the bar and beckons to you, your personal siren’s song.

Turning around the shadow of the mystery man falls over you. He stares down with those obsidian pool eyes as his lips turn into a boyish grin.

“I’m Joel. S’nice to meet you.”

You think about all the songs that sing about Texas beauty and how they all must have actually been speaking of this man.

Joel extends his hand out to you and the simple pure southern gentleman introduction has excitement bubbling in you like you’re a champagne bottle about to pop.

Your lips fight back a disbelieved smile as you introduce yourself and shake his hand.

It’s larger than yours, warm and beautifully callous that speaks of hard work. Joel leans closer to you and you can’t help but slide more towards him as well.

“I like your shirt.” His fingers playfully tugs at the bottom edge of your shirt.

“Thanks,” you take a sip of your drink to gain more courage. “A friend of mine let me wear it.”

Joel laughs. It’s warm, touches his face and sounds like it settles in his chest.

“A friend huh?” His voice grows even more amused.

You simply hum a nod as you take another sip of your drink. Your body hums with so many wonderful emotions like a jenga tower trying to hold onto its form on a moving table.

“That friend of yours a boyfriend?” Joel asks, a dark drawl sticky as molasses and trapping you to him.

You can’t help but shake your head no. The taste of your drink momentarily settles you.

“Pretty thing like you single? Ain’t that a shame.” Joel comments with a low rumble and all the ease you had gathered floats away.

Your eyes flicker back to Joel. But your focus goes between his stunning eyes and his lips. You don’t miss the way his eyes gloss over, become hooded with a hazy desire. How much it intensifies his gorgeous features makes your stomach flutter.

The game must have quieted down or maybe you’re just this focused on this man.

He moves to whisper in your ear.

“So…Wanna find a nice quiet spot to chat? Get to know each other better?” His lips softly graze your ear and an electric current runs up your spine.

“Yeah.” You mutter back now tipsy off Joel’s presence.

The moment you agree, Joel’s hand slips towards your waist and draws you to his side. He quickly slams down plenty of bills on the counter to cover for the drinks and tip. Your poor drink and his are forgotten.

Now Joel shifts into a man focused.

Squaring up his shoulders, he stands taller as he takes the lead. His broad shoulders become a guiding force, keeping you close to him. His hand intertwines with yours while he navigates you among the crowds.

His larger hand suddenly squeezes yours, a reassuring pressure that draws you closer to him. Moving through the tables against the crowds, you arrive at the outdoor patio where the early night air clears your mind.

Joel continues guiding you to a smaller area where the bathrooms are outside by the patio. You stand before the family restroom that holds the sweet title of “cowpokes” on it. Opening the door, Joel leads you inside. You take in the slightly larger yet still small rustic bathroom that glows under the murky amber light.

The door locks behind you and you turn around to find Joel staring you down with hunger brewing in his smokey eyes.

That’s all you can focus on before you get caught up in a dizzying whirlwind.

Hastily Joel rushes forward to pin you against the wall. His body firm and large presses so deliciously against you. Before your eyes can even soak in the close sight of him, he sweeps in and kiss you with a ravenous fierceness that steals your breath.

He quickly consumes you.

Joel faintly tastes of beer and something intoxicatingly uniquely him. While his hand moves to hold your face, his tongue licks into your mouth, diving in, almost trying to get drunk off you. You can’t help but draw him closer to you as much as you can. You want your nails to dig into him the same way he’s burning under your skin and seeping into your core

His hips begin to grind against you with an eased pace and you moan into his mouth. You want more, need more.

“Oh baby.” Joel groans out and sounds like sticky delicious sin.

Suddenly the loudest cheers leak into the bathroom.

So fierce in their excitement it echos into the room and freezes you and Joel immediately.

He sighs against your lips.

“We must‘ve scored.” Joel mutters.

“Are you upset you didn’t see it?” You ask gently and kiss his lips soft as the heat begins to settle.

“Nah. I’m aimin’ to score here myself.” He grins and the line has you laughing. Your face goes to rest against his as you continue to snicker. The prickle of his beard gently scratching against your skin feels wonderful.

“Darlin’ you’re killin’ me. I wanted to sound slick.” Joel sighs again, sounding deflated now.

“You did...sort of.” You smile.

“Forgive me,” He smirks and turns to press another soft kiss against your lips. “Been outta practice for a while.”

“You aren’t too bad, cowboy. You managed to get me in here.” You hum amused while your fingers run against his jaw, through his scruffy wonderful beard.

Joel chuckles and it dances within his chest, resonating through him.

“You’re the only one I want in here.” He mutters.

You and him share a few more soft slow eased kisses that are rushed, almost shy now.

With one last kiss, a deeply melting one that now makes you ache to keep him here, Joel pulls away. You hold yourself back from pouting.

But, you’re now rewarded with the sight of Joel fully before you. The dim amber light paints him like something pulled from a sunset dream, an aged handsome man so sweet with his furrowed concentrated eyes.

You watch Joel pat around his jean pockets and suddenly your eyes go wide.

“Joel Miller if you lost them-”

“Calm down!” He huffs cutting you off while he rapidly digs into his deep jeans pocket. He yanks something out in his grasp.

He smoothly slides closer back to you and holds out his palm where two wedding rings sit waiting.

His and yours.

Your heart melts out of your chest seeing them and your ring finger itches for its missing piece. You grab Joel’s ring, leaving him yours and move to slide his back onto his hand.

In the same manner, Joel slides your wedding band back onto its rightful place. The memory of when you did this at your actual wedding faintly flutters in and settles warm in your heart’s chamber.

Joel draws your hand to his lips and kisses your knuckles.

This man, your husband - you yank him towards you again to kiss him.

It’s a kiss that’s like coming home, of sweetness and cultivated bliss reuniting together again.

“Wanna see that bartender try flirtin’ with ya now with that ring on your finger.” Your grumpy husband grumbles adorably.

You bark a laugh. “Oh please, he was being nice for the tip and you know it.”

“Uh huh.” Joel dryly huffs as he stares at you unamused.

“Hey he was nice. He even liked my shirt.” You reply back.

“My shirt.” Joel clarifies strongly. “That’s my shirt.”

You roll your eyes playful.

He is right though. The shirt is his. Your husband is a superstitious football fan. And ever since you wore his shirt and Texas won, Joel used his beautiful brown eyes as weapons to get you to wear his shirt every game since then.

“Come on, curious to see what the score is.” With one last sweet kiss, Joel leads you back out into the evening air.

Hand in hand with him, you find your way to Tommy and Maria. Both of them brighten up at the sight of you and Joel.

“Hey! Look at that! You’re a married man again!” Tommy cries happily and you laugh. Joel, after sliding your chair in for you, rolls his eyes now while you and Maria snicker to each other.

“Bet it was fun while it lasted.” Maria grins.

“Eh.” You shrug but the truth tugs at your lips amused.

A few nights ago, when you and Joel had come up with this idea of going to the bar without the rings, pretending to not know each other, you worried for a split moment that you’d enjoy the freedom.

You worried you would realize how much you missed and enjoyed the playful banter, the flirting and pull that comes with being single. But instead you simply found your way back to Joel.

The excitement of seeing him, of having that same sensation rush through you like it did when you first met him, was nostalgically addictive for a moment.

However, you instead soak in the comfort of sitting beside Joel because it feels like coming home. While being single for another moment again was fun, you want to find Joel in every lifetime, find him as your husband in every universe.

The bar suddenly breaks into wild excitement. Joel as well cheers so loud. You turn to the game and find Texas intercepted a pass.

Now you go to check your phone and find both your daughters thankfully are doing fine. Sarah even sent you a photo text of her and Ellie at the classmate’s birthday party they’re both at. There’s a lightness that settles into your bones seeing them and having their father, your husband, beside you.

Joel and Tommy, as if they’re ESPN announcers in deep analysis, dive back into how Texas needs to sharpen up their offensive line. It’s adorable. It makes you fall in love even more with him.

Maria goes to ask Tommy something about the game and Joel leans towards you.

“You happy to be married again?” His voice drops soft and low. You catch the hint of true curiosity and almost hesitation residing under his tone.

“Of course. It’s my luckiest day all over again.” You truthfully tell him with a warm grin.

“Yeah?” He mutters tenderly as his eyes flicker to your lips again. “Make sure you share some of that luck with the team alright?”

You playfully nudge his arm and Joel smirks. You love him like this, light and teasing.

Joel drops a kiss to the side of your head.

“Don’t worry baby, this is my lucky day too. Goin’ home with the most gorgeous person here and I’m married to her.”

You could say the same thing. You’re leaving with the most handsome man and knowing you’re married to him? You feel honored, proud, and grateful.

Even when he starts yelling at the quarterback as if the poor guy can hear him.

“I could throw a better pass than that!” He argues upset.

You’re not as big of a fan as Joel, but Texas holds a place in your heart forever. It intertwined you and him in its own unique way.

Back when you were dating Joel patiently explained the game, so gently spoke to you without any judgment when you asked questions you were sure would make any other seasoned fan mock you or get annoyed. But not your Joel.

The first big moment you met Ellie and Sarah it was over at his place during a Texas game.

You experienced how wildly invested Ellie got, just like Joel, and how amused Sarah got seeing her dad and sister scream at the tv. From that point - all the days, the games, laughs and moments cultivated into a path that has led you to this moment, to this bar.

And now, here you are.

You love Joel’s love for the game, for the sport. You love how it’s connected you to him.

“Honey, you okay?” The voice of your husband pulls you from your thoughts, like a call home.

You turn to find Joel intently looking at you, your sweetheart provider. You can’t help but grin and nod.

“Yup, just thinking about the handsome stranger I met earlier. Hope he asks for my number.” You tell him.

Joel breaks into a chuckle that touches his earth eyes.

“Between you and me, he’d be a fool if he didn’t.” His hand now slides to yours, his thumb even begins to twist and fiddle with your wedding ring, a sweet habit of his.

You snort amused at how effortlessly he can play along with you.

Before you can tease him again or even wander back into your thoughts, the crowd roars to life with shouts. All eyes including yours snap to the game.

Texas just intercepted the ball and the play breathes life into the bar, into your husband who claps loud and proud.

It’s a great energy to see the end of the second quarter and the start of the halftime.

Suddenly, Joel’s hand begins softly trailing against your thigh. Warm and almost eased, the slow movement ignites a blooming desire in your chest.

Joel easily laughs with Tommy about the game. His eyes stay on his brother. Yet Joel’s hand slides now confidently deeper into the inside of your thigh. Your throat tightens and heat now begins to soak between your thighs, almost daring him to touch you.

Then a collection of happy cheers burst in the bar and steals all the attention.

All the tables nearby including yours turn to find a group of ladies. One of them currently grabs the cowboy hat off a taller man who grins so warmly down at her. She laughs loudly after doing what had to have been a wild shot.

The guy orders her, and her friends, another round causing them to squeal loud and excited again. Maria leans back to talk to Tommy and so you too lean closer to your own husband.

“Maybe I should pretend to be single again.” You tell Joel. “To see if I’ll get free shots and attention like that.”

Not that you’d want any of that. You just enjoy teasing your sweet grumpy husband from time to time.

“Nope.” Joel says with an unwavering sharpness. “You ain’t going anywhere without that ring Mrs. Miller.”

His words are rather light, almost playful, but you catch the underlying possessive simmering. It ignites an even stronger warmth beneath your skin.

“And who says you don’t get free shots? I’ll buy you as many as ya want.” Joel adds and his clipped almost ruffled voice has you laughing.

But as you settle, your thoughts wander. The smell of Joel so close, the mixture of his faint cologne and the detergent you use to wash his clothes, brings back the sensation of having that smell surround you when you were in the restroom with him.

It makes you ache.

Your hand now softly wanders to rub his warm broad chest. A low rumble comes from him, an awareness of your presence as you drape against him now. Maria and Tommy thankfully have begun to make fast friends with the couple sitting beside your table.

Your face leans to rest against Joel’s and the slick honey like desire you felt earlier creeps over you once more. It urges you to be bold.

“Wanna go mess around before halftime is over?” You offer soft and low, only for his ears.

Joel peers over to you, his eyes now smoldering coals.

“You wanna?” He mutters back.

Your answer comes as a soft kiss you place against his cheek. However, your hand now begins to slide up his thigh just like he did to you earlier.

Joel loudly clears his throat and sits up fast which untangles you from him. Immediately he yanks out his wallet to slam his card on the table.

Tommy and Maria now blink back at the sudden action.

“Order anything y'all want. We gotta grab somethin’ from the truck.” Joel lies effortlessly.

But Maria knows as she grins knowingly while embarrassment instead rises in you.

And apparently her husband isn’t as easily fooled either.

“Yeah yeah! Get outta here ya horn dogs!”

Joel barks a sharp ‘hey!’ at his younger brother’s crudeness while you can only laugh against him. Tommy simply makes obnoxious kissy faces while Maria snickers besides him. Unable to endure anymore teasing Joel playfully calls Tommy a piece of shit and with that you wave a quick and thankful to Tommy and Maria.

Joel once again leads the way to the entrance.

The two of you now stay stuck together closer than earlier. An almost giddy frenzy now keeps you both hyper aware of the other. His hands keep you so firmly close to him.

The giddiness you had earlier while pretending to be single with Joel is nothing compared to this. This feeling swirling in you comes from knowing you get to sneak away with your husband. It has you floating, only tied to this world by Joel keeping you steady and protected.

Around you, small chatter about the game hangs in the air.

Texas might not win. But as you slide closer to Joel, a unique shade of triumph washes over you.

Your good man, your wonderful husband.

He is your victory and champion.

Your victory lap and your welcome home party all at once.

And when he kisses you wildly against the side of his truck…you think he might also be your sneaky devilish opponent as his hand already starts to slip under your, no his shirt.

And you wouldn’t have it any other way.

[genshingorlsrevengeance]

Hey, love your work and I hope you are having a great day. If it isn't too much to ask, could you do a imagine where team Defy and AR team travels to an alternate timeline where S/O is a Big Boss like status (owns his own army)? Would be cool to see their reactions compared to normal version(s).

(GFL) AR and DEFY meeting their S/O in an alternate timeline

AR: M4A1, ST AR-15, M4 SOPMOD II, M16A1, RO635 DEFY: AK-12, AN-94, AK-15, RPK-16, Angelia

You activated my sleeper agent response by mentioning Metal Gear, and I love Metal Gear. I hope you're happy now, because this post is 10x longer than what you probably imagined it to be.

M4 fell in love with one of the human officers of Griffin.

They were casual, quite teasing, but most of all, optimistic.

Despite World War 3 passing, their job as a mercenary, and their war with Sangvis, S/O had faith in her, the rest of Griffin, and humanity.

They believed that one day, humanity would be able to live without fear of eradicating itself.

M4 still had no idea how she ended up in another timeline, frankly she thought it was impossible, yet instead of an arctic base, she found herself in the middle of the ocean on top of a metallic catwalk.

Soldiers wearing uniforms she didn't recognize surrounded her, all pointing their weapons.

M4 reached for her own and pointed it back, quickly trying to scan who her attackers were.

Only to realize that she recognized some of the faces, they were other human personnel under Griffin.

They must have recognized her too, judging by their shocked faces, and the way they looked at her.

(S/O's Voice) "...M4?"

From the crowd of soldiers, S/O waded their way towards the front, making M4 lower her weapon.

S/O wore some kind of battle fatigues, a patchwork of newer equipment and an old red Griffin Uniform. An black patch covered their right eye, and they looked far more tired than she had ever seen them before.

(M4A1) "...S/O? What's going on, why are you wearing that?"

(S/O) "Is...Is that really you?"

Before M4 could say anything else, S/O wrapped her in the tightest hug she had ever received from them.

The soldiers quickly backed off and saluted, giving the two alone time once they confirmed there was no threat.

Taking them to a private room, S/O slumped down in the chair and closed their eyes while M4 examined the room in curiousity.

There was not much in the bedroom, only their bed, a shelf full of pictures, and weapons.

Half the pictures she recognized were S/O with M4, AR Team, the Commander, and many other people.

The other half seemed to be brand new, all sporting the uniforms she saw outside.

(S/O) "...You're not my M4, are you?"

(M4A1) "And you're not my S/O."

The two of them looked at each other silently, but S/O still relented, sighing in what she assumed to be a mixture of defeat yet acceptance.

(M4A1) "Then if I may ask, what happened? Judging from your tone, I'm not around anymore."

====

S/O remained silent as they tapped their finger idly against their leg. Their eye seemed to be swirling with emotions, nothing to say of their facial expression as it scrunched up in debate.

They sighed, motioning to the chair across from them. M4 slowly walked over and sat herself, her full attention given to S/O.

(S/O) "It was nine years ago. Griffin's main base came under attack, AR Team and all of the other T-Dolls were the first line of defense."

They turned to face M4, their uncovered eye staring at her with a mixture of sorrow and affection.

(M4A1) "Was it Sangvis?"

S/O nodded and turned away again, closing their eyes as their head faced the ceiling now.

(S/O) "They put everything into their assault, and the end result was that we tore each other to shreds...You, the rest of the Anti-Rain, everyone else...There weren't exactly a lot of us left...You died protecting me."

M4 chose to say nothing, her metaphorical heart aching for S/O. They had always been so full of life and energy, and seeing them with barely anything in their eye left was a pain she didn't know she could feel.

(S/O) "The only survivors were myself, a couple of the guys you saw outside, a handful of T-Dolls, Kalina, and the Commander. It was in the aftermath I learned what we had been fighting for was a lie. Why we fought Sangvis, why we fought at all..."

Their hand clenched, slamming it on the table.

(S/O) "All the friends we lost that day. Every life lost. For fucking nothing. And the higher ups knew the entire time. The Commander wanted us to stick together, I wanted to make the rest of Griffin and Sangvis pay."

(M4A1) "You're at war with Griffin?"

(S/O) "We still are."

(M4A1) "B-But, how could you...?! After everything we-"

(S/O) "I lost my faith in Griffin a long time ago, M4. It died the same day you did."

They got up from their seat and reached for M4's face, gently caressing it. M4 let their hand stay a moment before slowly lifting it off, making S/O walk toward the door.

(S/O) "M16 was the one who convinced me to choose my own path, actually. She's still around, though she's part of Sangvis."

(M4A1) "M16...?"

(S/O) "I want a world where soldiers like us can live without being used as tools. That is why I want Sangvis and Griffin dead."

They turned to her one last time and closed their eye, facing the door after a moment had passed.

(S/O) "I don't know how you got here, but go home, M4. This isn't your war."

====

M4 wanted so desperately to try and comfort the S/O of this time, but knew she could do nothing.

Their cold monotone voice replaced the warm and joyous tone she had grown so accustomed to.

Nothing she could say or do could convince them otherwise. M4 still believed in Griffin, no matter what.

Realizing that, she had no choice.

M4 would have to fight S/O.

M4 immediately engaged S/O in combat, though she was completely blindsided by how deadly they were in close quarters.

Even though she was a mechanical being, S/O was able to match her blow for blow, when the S/O she had known had received only basic training.

And it was then she realized that some of their combat skills were in fact her own.

M4 saw the way S/O reloaded their weapons, threw her against the ground and even dove for cover. It was a mixture of the training she gave them, and more than likely their own experience after nine years.

They were more than a match for her, which horrified M4 to no end.

S/O was never in a combat role in her world, she could not imagine what they had gone through here.

And the absolutely loyalty S/O commanded in their troops as they engaged her was nothing short of awe-inspiring.

They had such absolute confidence in them, even when they were getting injured or worse, they fought on in S/O's presence.

It was almost cult-like in the way they refused to yield no matter how dire.

But before she could make any meaningful progress against S/O, she was forcibly yanked back into her world.

Something she was thankful for. M4 wasn't entirely sure just how much longer she could stomach that timeline.

====

(S/O) "M4! There you are, you've been gone all day!"

M4 eyes fluttered open, reaching for her head and seeing the light come into the room.

S/O was in their Griffin uniform, both of their eyes looking at her with a modicum of concern.

(S/O) "Wow, you're looking pale. Heh, I didn't know you could!...Oh, that's probably not good."

M4 blinked a few times to make sure she wasn't dreaming. Checking her weapon, it was definitely used, which meant what she had seen actually happened.

(S/O) "M4?"

M4 said nothing and instead hugged S/O with an iron grip.

(M4A1) "I-I'm sorry...Could I bother you to stay like this for a while, S/O?"

(S/O) "Sure, but...what happened?"

(M4A1) "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

(S/O) "Try me."

(M4A1) "Well, I just met you from another timeline. And you almost killed me."

(S/O) "...Okay you were probably right, I don't believe that for a second. I can't even beat SOPMOD Jr. in an arm wrestle!"

M4 chuckled and continued holding them, not wanting to think about the horrific 'what if' scenario she had witnessed.

She doesn't bring it up again afterwards, but makes sure to keep an eye on what missions she was assigned afterwards, especially concerning S/O.

STAR is both amazed and in utter confusion that alternate timelines actually exist.

Let alone something so similar to her own world.

But when she sees S/O not looking too dissimilar from M16, her thoughts screech to a complete halt.

(ST AR-15) "What the hell happened to you, S/O...?!"

Seeing their eyepatch, their new robotic arm, and their own PMC was almost enough to fry the logic circuits in her head.

But what broke STAR was how tired and scarred S/O looked, the spark in their eyes had vanished a long time ago it seemed.

STAR wanted nothing more to comfort them, but upon learning what S/O's goals now were, she could not in good conscious get near them.

She tried to justify in her head in order to fight, they only looked like the person she loved.

And she was right to do so, since S/O and their men had adopted the same mindset.

It threw her off with how well S/O had combatted her, in fact they had surpassed her in some aspects which almost got her killed.

Before anything too dire could happened, she was brought back to her own S/O, needing to remind herself that this S/O was hers.

(S/O) "STAR, you're being a little more clingy than usual. Something happen?"

(ST AR-15) "Be quiet for a second, okay...H-Hang on a second, I am not that clingy!"

STAR doesn't dare bring up once what she saw, attributing it all to some weird fever dream, despite the fact it was impossible for her to do so.

(SOPMOD) "...Neat, this place looks new!"

When SOPMOD first sees S/O, she honestly thinks it's just some new outfit they decided to wear, nevermind the fact she had literally been teleported.

Her cheerful energy dissipates once she sees that this S/O was not at all entertained by her usual tone.

It was enough to make SOPMOD go on guard from the moment she arrived.

Surprisingly, she is quickly able to grasp that this S/O had gone off the deep end and was ready to fight.

Her ferocity in combat is matched by S/O's skill, but only barely.

It surprised SOPMOD that they were even able to withstand being on the opposite end of her barrel, given how they were able to dodge a majority of her attacks.

When SOPMOD is brought back to her timeline, she just rushes up to S/O.

(SOPMOD) "Oh my god, that was SO WEIRD! You had an eyepatch and you kind of reminded me of a pirate!"

(S/O) "...But that doesn't tell me where you've been all day, though."

(SOPMOD) "I was probably asleep, I must have been to think of that kinda thing!"

(S/O) "Hah, well I guess you have an active imagination!"

SOPMOD decides its for the best that it was some strange dream she had.

She especially keeps out of mind the fact S/O's robotic limb was in fact her own replaced arm, and how sad they looked.

No matter what happened, SOPMOD would never let S/O look like that!

(M16A1) "...I think I've had too much Jack Daniels tonight."

M16 is convinced what she's seeing is some hyper-realistic drinking induced coma.

Or whatever the T-Doll equivalent of it was.

Because it sure as hell wasn't natural.

When she meets S/O, M16 is about to crack a joke about them stealing her eyepatch, stopping when she sees how depressed and tired they were in comparison to their normal selves.

M16 doesn't fight back at all, listening to what S/O had told her about Griffin and Sangvis.

She wasn't surprised at all, since she knew far more than what she was supposed to as well.

Especially in regards to Griffin's secrets.

M16 never engaged in combat with S/O, instead watching them train their men.

She would normally make all sorts of jokes and tease S/O, but given the circumstances they were in, she didn't have the heart to do so.

It was impressive, but tragic S/O had to become as skilled of a fighter as they currently were.

Getting back was a jarring shift for M16, though she was not even in the alternate timeline for long.

(S/O) "Hey, you alright? You look a bit out of it."

(M16) "Eh? I-I'm fine, thanks."

M16 doesn't bring it up, but from then on, she seems to be lost in thought more often when she sits by herself.

(M16A1) "...Griffin's secrets, huh...?"

RO own train of thoughts could not function as she witnessed a brand new environment materializing around her, despite the fact she was just in an office room not a second ago.

Seeing S/O, RO's first instinct is to help them and check for injuries based on their appearance.

She halts herself once she realizes this S/O was far different than the one she had grown to love.

Looking at their eyes alone was enough to tell her that the person she fell in love with died, and what stood before her was just a husk.

RO does not even hesitate in fighting S/O, though she is quickly overpowered in terms of skill by S/O, to the point it startled her.

What the hell happened in those nine years for a human to match a T-Doll in combat capability?!

As she's thrusted back into her own world, the first thing she saw was S/O looking back at her with a smile and both eyes in tact.

(RO635) "S/O! I swear, nothing will hurt you!"

(S/O) "WOAH! Heh, t-thank you, RO. I didn't realize you'd get like this after being gone for a couple hours."

(RO635) "Hours?...I-I see. I must have fallen asleep then."

(S/O) "...RO?"

(RO635) "Nevermind me, S/O. I have to make sure that AR Team hasn't burned itself down while I've been gone. You're coming with."

RO drags S/O by the hand to see the rest of her squadmates. Half because she was genuinely worried about what shenanigans they had gotten up to, but the other half was to calm herself down.

What had happened couldn't have been real.

...Right?

(AK-12) "...Something must be wrong with my scanners."

12 refused to believe what she was seeing was real.

But it couldn't have been someone hacking her systems. She would have noticed immediately.

When she opened her eyes and saw S/O with an eyepatch and robotic limb, she was immediately convinced someone was playing a prank or trying to confuse her.

Seeing how dead inside S/O looked was enough to convince 12 that whatever this was, it wasn't going to work, and immediately reached for her weapons, smile vanishing completely.

12 commends this look alike that they were able to at least match her in combat, but she still had the upper hand.

But she was going to tear this S/O look alike limb from limb for impersonating such a loving person.

When she realizes she's no longer in that timeline, she's doubly convinced that someone had messed with her systems, or that she had not run proper diagnostics.

Especially when S/O came to greet her with a loving hug.

(S/O) "12!...Oh wow, that's a pretty serious expression. Something going on?"

(AK-12) "Hm?...Ah, it's nothing, S/O. I think I just need some maintenance."

12 stared at her with open eyes, just to make sure the one she was seeing was the proper S/O.

(AK-12) "...A smile suits you better, S/O."

(AN-94) "...I do not comprehend what I am seeing."

94 cannot compute what just happened. One moment she was in DEFY's dorms, and the next she was in the middle of the ocean.

She immediately assumes something is trying to hack into her systems the entire time, and has her weapon raised.

Though when S/O arrives, she hesitates for the slightest moment before going back on guard.

S/O should not look as blank as her own face, which steeled herself even harder.

In combat, 94 and this fake S/O seemed to be nearly a perfect match, but her being a T-Doll gave her the upper hand.

When she blinked, she was suddenly in S/O's bedroom, reaching for a gun that wasn't there.

(S/O) "Woah! 94, what's going on? Why are you like that?"

(AN-94) "...I request to see an engineer. I believe something is wrong with my digi-mind."

(S/O) "...O-Okay?"

94 has an iron grip on S/O's hand the entire time, not budging nor really giving a reason why.

Whatever she saw left her horribly confused. Especially that vision of S/O, it pained her to see them without that usual smile on their face.

She didn't realize how much she would miss it when it wasn't there.

(AK-15) "It'll take more than an optical illusion to make me falter."

15 immediately assumed that she was under attack and reached for her weapons.

And upon seeing unknown soldiers descend upon her, 15's training immediately kicks in to subdue them.

Even though one of them wore S/O's face, it did not make her stop to think about her situation for even a second.

She raised a single eyebrow when the fake S/O seemed to be almost on par with her close quarters fighting, but it made her take the threat of whatever was happening far more seriously.

15 was far too busy to process what she was seeing in the heat of the moment, but it was when she returned to a non-combat state once more did the image of S/O sink in.

They looked as blank as she did, which troubled her.

Although S/O's teasing and loudness was annoying at times, she did not want to think about if they had lost their love for life and the rest of DEFY.

But she stopped thinking about it, and began to think more pragmatically.

(AK-15) "S/O. I request for you to remain the same as you always have."

(S/O) "Awww, does that mean you love my antics?"

(AK-15) "I did not say that."

(S/O) "But your face is telling me-...H-Hey, you look really serious. Did something happen while you were out?-"

15 held S/O tightly, and rested her head against their shoulder.

(AK-15) "...No. I just experienced a strange sensation, and had an the engineers fix a potential issue."

(RPK-16) "...Well, this is not what I expected to happen when I woke up today."

Unlike the rest of DEFY, 16 knows what she's seeing is real.

It intrigued her to how she arrived, but the main star of her interest arrived, that person being S/O.

But the way they looked was drastically different from the one she knew.

And they looked...somehow less human than before.

Their eyes looked machine-like. 16 had seen T-Dolls with more life and human-like qualities than what she was seeing in S/O right now.

Upon learning what happened, 16 remains quiet. So this is what they would become like should DEFY fall in combat.

Well, that was one curiousity satiated.

And she knew immediately that she hated this curiousity.

16 was a support gunner and not a close combat fighter, so for this terrible parody of S/O to overpower her was not surprising in the slightest.

When 16 blinked and found herself back in her room, she breathed a sigh of relief. She had no idea what veil of madness she entered, but she was glad to be out of it.

(RPK-16) "S/O, do me a favor and never lose that smile of yours."

(S/O) "Hm? Why's that?"

(RPK-16) "...Let's just say my life would be terribly dull without it."

Angelia was sitting in her room with a cup of tea in hand before being transported.

She simply sighed and put her cup down.

(Angelia) "Definitely need some more sleep."

But when she felt the ocean breeze blow across her skin, she knew that this wasn't a dream.

Especially when S/O arrived. She had always known them to be a softie, but capable.

What stood in front of her was some pale mockery. They looked too far gone to be anything remotely like S/O.

Especially hearing what their end goals were. Even though she was an ex-Griffin member, they were not the enemy.

Angelia could hold herself in combat, but the startling speed at which S/O moved and was able to disarm here was nothing short of inhuman.

It was as if she were fighting a T-Doll.

When she finds herself in her room again, she immediately calls for S/O.

(S/O) "Hey, Ange~! You call?...E-Er, did I do something?"

(Angelia) "Not really. Just get over here real quick."

S/O did as she asked before Angelia wrapped her prosthetic arm around them.

(S/O) "ACK! A-Ange, too tight!"

They chuckled nervously, which made her ease up.

(Angelia) "Sorry, just trying to give you a hug."

(S/O) "By trying to choke me with a metallic arm?"

(Angelia) "Yup. I thought you'd like it as a nice change of pace."

(S/O) "Hah, m-maybe I would if you weren't smiling while you said that!"

Their banter immediately put her to ease, and she had S/O sleep next to her that night, holding them.

Whatever the hell that was, she did not want a reminder of it ever again.

It was definitely some vivid nightmare she had.

The lifeless look in S/O's eyes was enough to scare her that week alone.

[momolady]

War on the Mists :Author April #2

(This was another novel I was working on. The characters are ones I have used before and would love to use again. Heloise is one of my favorite OC I've ever created, and she's stayed with me forever. I was also super-duper into Revolutionary Girl Utena at the time. Anyways, this was my take on the Arthurian legends. There is a lot more to this if you all want to see the rest.)

Chapter One:

Just beyond the gates of Cleatom Academy is a wide polished stone with a slit in it’s center. It sits in the center of a wide, shallow pond. Water pours continuously from the slit, filling the pond and creating a simplistic work of art for all those you come to the school to see. The students referred to it as Stone Lake.

I had seen Stone Lake first through a brochure that I had come across when I had finally convinced my father to take me off home schooling. It took some hard work and heavy screaming to convince him to let me attend Cleatom. But I already knew all about Cleatom Academy. It is an academy was for the children of powerful people, people like my father. It was a place to turn the children of said people into equally powerful people, the kind of person I was afraid of becoming. Despite my dislike of the place and it’s populace I am looking forward to the transfer. There was a reason I had been needling my father for years about Cleatom. Not only is it a boarding school, which meant I would be able to breathe, I’d be out from my father’s oppressive, suffocating house. But there was something much more. Something I had been fighting for since I was a child. I would be able to see my brother Ty. The most beloved person in my life and someone who has been kept too far out of reach from me for too long.

The moment I was dropped off at Cleatom, I couldn’t help but smile as my father’s limousine pulled away from the boarding house. I laughed out loud even as I stood in the center of my room. I wasn’t even mad when they told me I’d have a roommate within a few days. Please, I begged the air, let it be someone normal! I didn’t have much time to celebrate though, as I wanted to get some sleep for school. But when my mind keep whirring and clicking, thinking about Ty and how I’d get to see him everyday. I just couldn’t turn off completely. I got up extremely early the next morning, the light outside gray and fog as far as the eye could see. I got into my school uniform, a white blouse with a form fitting black vest over the top of it and then a gray plaid skirt. There was also a silvery gray tie and the school’s emblem emblazoned as a pin at my throat. I got to wear whatever shoes and accessories I wanted the head master had explained to me like it mattered. For me, clothes were just the armor I put on for my father and the people he surrounds himself with. Since that was no longer necessary for my defense, I had my attendant back home help me order a pair of high top sneakers in my favorite color, red. I also bought for myself an assortment of odd and colorful knee socks. I was only ever allowed to wear tights or hose before.

Then put on my sneakers for the first time. I never knew comfort like this. I then slipped on the beaded bracelet Angie, my attendant, made for me and went out the door.

The hall was quiet and I heard no activity from the other rooms. But as I began descending the stairs I came across several girls who I assumed to be the attendants of the girls in the dorm. They seemed surprised to see me on the stairs, or just even there. I now wish I had allowed Angie to come with me, but I’m glad she’s getting some respite. Maybe I’ll call her here next semester.

I walk outside, shrouded in mist and cool damp air. I walk through the garden that surrounds the girl dormitories. They have all sorts of plants growing, its very beautiful in the light. Several classes have the students raise and cultivate their own plants. I made sure to sign up for one. I stop just before the gate leading out of the dormitory village and walk off towards the herb patch. The ground is freshly upturned and sprouts are peeking out all over. I think of the little clay pot that sat on my balcony. Angie and I began it when I was twelve. I’m sure she took it home with her to take care of it. At least I hope she did.

I look up, fairly sure I sensed a presence around me. I saw the swaying of the willow trees branches, but nothing else. I stood, looking forward, knowing I could feel eyes on me from somewhere in the mists. I take a cold breath. My lungs freezing as I turn and unlock the gate into the cobble stone path leading to the school.

Stone Lake was much smaller than I pictured. Then again, compared to the castle the school had been built into, everything looked smaller. The stone rested slightly above me. And the small shallow pond wasn’t even deep enough to hold fish. By the time I had come to the pond and sat for a moment students were arriving, not just from the dormitory village but in limos and cars coming through the front gates like I had yesterday. I watched as these cars pulled up at the doors, letting out their pristine cargo. I watched my new classmates. I watched for Ty.

I then heard laughing from around the other side of the stone and when I leaned out slightly I saw a group of girls walking away. All laughing and tossing their hair. It was a victory lap for them. I walked around to see what was so funny and saw a girl sitting in the water, her head down low.

I went towards the girl, standing up on the rocks to get level with her. “Are you alright?” I held my hand out towards her.

The girl looked up, her berry red hair plastered to her face. Her eyes were wide and gold, peering out frightened behind strands of shining hair. I tilted myself down towards her.

“Did they push you in here?” I held my hand out to the girl again.

The girl opened her mouth then closed it, lowering her head and began shuffling her hands through the water. I stepped up onto the platform and kneeled down beside the girl. “Did you loose something?”

“My glasses,” the girl murmured.

I began looking around too. “What do they look like?” I was feeling about the water beside her.

“Silver, with pearl accents.” The girl said.

I looked down to her left and saw the glasses hanging on a shrub. I picked them up and cleaned them with my sleeve. Smiling, I extended them to her. “Here.”

The girl quickly took then and placed them on her face. She looked up at me and nodded, pressing her lips firmly together. “Thank you.”

“Of course.” I replied. “Are you ok? Do you need me to help take you back to the dormitories?”

The girl stood up and smoothed her hand down utterly soaked skirt.

“You must be freezing.” I moved to remove my coat and the girl began stepping out of the water, moving quickly away from me.

“No, I’m fine, thank you.” She picked up her bag from the ground. “You’re an Emerald, you shouldn’t have to.”

I touched the jeweled bauble on my throat, attached to the top of the school uniform tie. It was the school emblem, but encrusted with emeralds. “What do you mean?” I followed after her.

The girl lifted her chin, touching her tie pin. Instead of emerald, her pin was pearl. I arched my brow at this, thinking that all the pins would be the same. “I’m a Pearl,” the girl continued. “And you are an Emerald.”

“I’m sorry,” I was shaking my head. “But I’m new here. I’m not sure what you mean.”

The girl pulled her wet hair and placed it in a heavy bundle on her shoulder. “I am beneath you.” She said simply and walked away. I wanted to follow after her but I had a feeling she‘d be even more humiliated if I did. I decided instead it would be best to find Ty.

Cleatom Academy had been built into and expanded from a castle made of white stone. I’m sure all the students felt even more superior because of this. True royalty! I walked up the ramp into the doors and into the commons area. It was like the food court in a mall. There was a coffee bar, a cupcake place, many tables and chairs as well as several large overly stuffed sofas and recliners. It certainly didn’t look like an antiquated castle.

“Good morning Cleatom!” A voice sang from the speaker system. “It’s another lovely day and I have just a few announcements before we all go to home room. We have three new students joining us today. Gregory W. Mansfield, Diamond. Heloise E. Boniface, Emerald. And Samantha B.D. Lewis, Ruby. Let’s be sure to greet them warmly!” I did not like the sound of my voice being introduced. “Students with birthdays today make sure to make your way to Sweetie Belle Cupcakes today for your complementary birthday cupcake. Today’s special is a chocolate, strawberry glace cupcake with an extra large chocolate covered strawberry on top. Yum!” I also didn’t like how scripted the yum bit sounded.

I walked around a gaggle of girls heading for the cupcake shop then and began zigzagging my way through the tables and chairs. “Also, would Heloise Boniface report to the sound booth.” The over head voice said.

I froze, what did they want with me?

“You can find your way there by heading to the glass elevator and pressing the button labeled SB3.” The voice continued with it’s wide awake voice. “You are in for a surprise.”

As I made my way to the elevator I knew I was the topic of the hour. Most heads turned and looked my way. Girls bent to whisper into ears, their eyes trailing me. Luckily the elevator was unoccupied when I entered. I pressed the button, a shiny chrome one with the letters and numerals illuminated behind it. Once the button was pressed the lettering flashed bright green. I was jostled for a moment as the elevator sprang to life, pulling me up above the crowd and through the levels of the castle until I reached the third floor.

The elevator opened up into a dimly lit room full of dark furniture. Beyond this I saw a huge white room behind glass brightly lit and glowing compared to the room before it. There someone inside talking into an old fashioned microphone and working a control panel of buttons. He removed the headphones he was wearing and pressed a button. Behind me, I could hear music playing in the elevator.

The man inside came out of the white room, running his fingers through his brick red hair. “It’s been a while.” The voice from the announcements said.

I furrowed my brow at him. “Excuse me?”

He turned on a light, illuminating the dark room. “Surely, you remember me a little.”

I stared, recognizing the freckled face, the deep brown eyes. Mainly the toothy smile. “Ty!” I flung my bag aside and ran into his open arms. I noticed that Ty’s pin was ruby.

“I’ve been waiting on you forever.” Ty said, stroking my hair. He stepped back, bracing his hands on my shoulders. “You haven’t grown an inch!”

I scowled at him. My height had always been an issue with my father and a joke with some of the staff. “Some heart warming greeting.” I brushed his hand away and began pacing the room slowly. “What is this?”

“The sound booth where I make all the announcements.” Ty said, following behind me. Mimicking my posture and how I held my hands behind my back. “Normally I have groupies, but I chased them off so I could have you by myself.”

“How kind.” Rolling my eyes, I smile. “Why do they let you make the announcements?”

“I’m the House Speaker,” Ty replied. “I’m an elected official.” He mocked snapping suspenders.

I turned towards him, raising my eyebrows. “Elected?”

“Student government,” Ty said, putting his hands on his hips and cocked his head to the side. “I’m a pretty powerful person around here.”

“I bet Mrs. Jerrick is so proud.” I sniffed.

Ty laughed. “Of course not. Not when my sister is  the VP!”

I looked back at him. He was talking about his half sister Cordelia Jerrick. Poor Ty was born between worlds. The bastard love child of my father and Mrs. Jerrick a world renowned business woman of the cosmetics industry. “So, are you meeting me illegally then?” I looked back towards the elevator doors then, just expecting Cordelia Jerrick to burst forth with soldiers, ordering I be tar and feathered.

“I made the announcement over the intercom, she would have been here by now if that was the case.” Ty replied, a smile in his voice. “She knows she has no control over me here.” He then reached out, taking my pin gently between his fingers. “Lucky you. You’re an Emerald.”

“I don’t get that.” I tap the expensive bauble on my throat. “What do these pins mean?” I had thought my father had simply chosen the Emerald because it was the most expensive.

Ty sighed, leaning back against the wall. “This school has a sort of…caste system.” My eyes widened at this. “It goes all the way from the working class students who serve the higher students, up to the most elite.”

He explained it all to me starting with amber, said working class. Most Amber students are actually the staff of the higher up students. That explained the maids I saw this morning.

He went on to the Pearls, which are students who are children of teachers or have scholarships. The girl this morning was a Pearl. This probably also explains why she was the victim of those girls. She was beneath them, like she said.

Then there are the Diamonds, students who are at the top of their classes or students who have celebrity. He explained that even Pearl students who have worked their way up can become Diamonds.

Rubies, like Ty, are next and they are the children of people who have donated a large amount of money. “Bought students, we’re called.” Ty smirked, somewhat proudly.

Then there was my group the Emeralds. A good combination of Diamond and Ruby. Students whose parents have donated large sums of money. These students could have been Rubies at one point, but moved up the rank because of celebrity status, grades, and etc.

“Then there are the Sapphires, like Cordelia.” Ty hesitated for a moment, gauging my somewhat disturbed expression to it all. “Sapphires are the elites, those who have all of the above and then some.”

I cleared my throat after a moment of it sinking in. “How is she a sapphire when you’re just a ruby?”

Ty laughed “You forget, I’m a bastard.” He put his arm around my shoulder and began leading me out the door. “I had to be bought.” As we approached the elevator it dinged and the door swished open, revealing the young man inside.

“Just in time,” Ty looked at the young man. “Heloise, this is John Whitney,” I saw that the boy’s pin was diamond. “He is going to be your guide.”

“Oh?” I looked from Ty then at John. “That isn’t necessary.”

“I think you’ll find it will be,” John said, a gentle chuckle to his voice. “This place isn’t easy to navigate for a first timer. It’s code that the Student Government assign a guide to each new student for as long as they need them.”

I nodded. “Well then, if it’s mandatory…” I looked John over. He looked like he was a football player from his build. His purposefully tousled dark blonde hair, hiding a scar on his forehead just so. His eyes were the a sort of hazel and gold color. His teeth bleached white. But there was a crookedness to his tie I liked, showed he wasn’t perfect.

“I was chosen because all our classes match up.” John replied, extending his arm and allowing me to stand in the elevator. “The Student Government normally tries to match up girls with girls and such, but I was the only one who matched.”

“It’s quite alright.” I waved to Ty as the doors shut. “I get along better with boys anyways.”

“So,” John said, pushing a button for the fifth floor, “what school did you go to before Cleatom?”

“I was home schooled actually. Well,” I set my bag at my feet. “My father hired tutors.”

John bobbed his head politely. “So what made him send you here?” He looked me over then, knowing Ty couldn’t see his eyes wander. “Excuse me if I’m being a pest.” His eyes immediately snap to my eyes.

I smiled, still looking forward. “No, you’re fine. But, I asked to come here. I’ve been fighting my dad about for a long time.”

John furrowed his brow. “What made him change his mind?”

“My dad is a gambler,” I looked over at John and his raised eyebrows, “so I made him a bet.”

John looked surprised. “What kind of bet.”

I put my finger to my lips as the elevator doors whooshed open into a crowded hallway. I gently dipped to grab my bag and slung it back over my shoulder. John walked a good few paces behind me, like one of my father’s bodyguards.

Turning and looking at him I snapped, “what? Student Government doesn’t allow you to walk beside me?”

“Well,” John blushed. “You are an Emerald, Ms. Boniface.” I arched my brows high at the fact he had referred to me in such a way. “It is not normally-”

I took a step back, aligning myself with him. “It’s not a rule is it?”

“No,” John swallowed, looking around. “Just…tradition.”

I then snapped my fingers, surprising him again. “Oh, do you know a lot of the students here?”

John nodded, swallowing. I was making him nervous. “It’s part of my role in the Student Government.”

I slide my bag down into the crook of my elbow. “Do you know a girl with really, really bright red hair? Almost like a lip-gloss color?” I motioned with her hands the style of the girl’s hair. “Also, wears glasses,” I mimed glasses.

John smirked at my monkeying and thought for a moment. “Maybe that’s Den Anais.” He said. “Why do you ask? You know her?”

I shook my head, looking towards the floor. “No, I just saw some girls push her into the fountain out front this morning. I tried to help her but she brushed me off.”

He nodded, sighing somewhat sadly. “Then that must be Den.”

I must of looked disgusted because his eyes took on an apologetic look. “Does that happen to her a lot?”

John shrugged, opening a door for me. “Sometimes. But I don’t work in her department of the Student Government.”

I balked. “She’s in the Student Government?”

“Hand picked by Head Master Emrys. She’s the Advisor.” John shrugged. “She’s sort of like…a personal consultant. She plans all the school events and dances and the like.”

“You think with a role like that people would like her.” I mumbled as we walked into the classroom. History was my first class, a class the dean of admissions said I would enjoy.

“Oh welcome, you must be Heloise.” I looked up sideways as a man in a dark green suit approached. “I’m Professor Lourdes.” He held out a thin pale hand to me.

“Uhm, yes.” I took his hand, it was warm and smooth. “Thank you for letting me in. I had been told you were full up.”

Professor Lourdes smiled, removing his thin wire glasses. He was an exceptionally striking man, young and beautiful for a teacher. “History is a much more popular a field than I anticipated.”

Something about his smile though told me he knew it was because of his looks.   “But I was more than happy to make a spot.” He waved his hand out. “Please, take a seat anywhere. I’m not picky.” He left, walking up to the white board and his desk.

John leaned to whisper to her. “His class is so popular because-”

“Because he’s so good looking?” I finished for him. “Easy to see now why history would be packed.”

We took our seats at a two chair table in the back. The seats were overstuffed rolling chairs. I had one just like it at home. Father had got it for me when I began complaining about my back during lessons.

“Ari is a good teacher though. He’s also the one who over sees the Student Government.” John explained quickly. “He gives a lot of extra credit and he takes us out on a lot of field trips. They’re mainly trips to museums mind you, but he makes the experience interesting.”

I found I couldn’t take my eyes off Professor Ari Lourdes. He was a lithe mover, and his handwriting was impeccable. “Put a long wig on him and he’d pass for a girl, he’s that pretty.”

John snorted. “I’ve actually heard several girls trying to convince him to do such a thing for the costume balls.”

We both exchanged smiles and then began taking out our text books and such.

My attention turned to Cordelia as she walked through the door at that moment. John continued talking, but I didn’t hear him.

Cordelia was tall and blonde, the kind of girl my father wishes I was. And she sauntered right over to Professor Ari’s desk and sat on its corner like she owned the place. She tousled her hair and laughed, slightly turning to see who was watching her, because she knew everyone was. That’s when her gray eyes fell on me. Her expression becoming instantly blank. Her eyes almost bleeding disgust.

John tugged on my sleeve. “Heloise?”

I didn’t move. “Yes?”

“Are you familiar with the Jerrick family?”

Cordelia was turning and whispering to Professor Ari. I looked at John then.

“I’m only close to Ty.”

John gave me a wary smile. “Cordelia certainly doesn’t seem happy to see you.”

I laughed. “That’s putting it gently.” I cupped my hand under my chin and looked at Professor Ari, trying his best to act genteel with Cordelia.

“She’s the vice president of the Student Government.” John whispered.

I scoffed, rapping my fingers against my jaw. “Now that, I did know.” I smiled back at John. He raised his brow. “She’s part of that bet I mentioned earlier.”

John raised his brows. “Oh?”

I laughed. “Oh, indeed!” I leaned closer to John. “I bet if I acted like I was flirting with you, Cordelia would swoop in and steal you away from me.”

John smiled somewhat deviously, his eyes glancing over to Cordelia and then back to me. “You’re that confidant in her evil, are you?”

I nodded. “If there is one thing I know about Cordelia Jerrick, it’s that she absolutely hates me.” I then reach out, adjusted John’s crooked tie, my fingers lingering ever so.

“Sorry about this.” I snicker.

“Oh please!” John laughs. “I don’t mind at all.”

I then reach up, playing with John’s bangs. “What’s she doing?”

John glances aside for me then looks back at me as I drop my hand. “You should be dead.”

We both burst out laughing, and in that moment Cordelia is standing beside me.

John blanches some, but I look up at her like it is the most casual thin in the world. I am more than prepared to deal with Cordelia Jerrick, in fact, its what I’ve been planning on.

“Why,” Cordelia gasps prettily but it sounds more like a war cry. “Heloise Boniface! What a splendid surprise.” She says splendid like it’s painful, like she’d rather wretch bile.

I nod softly. “Hello, Cordelia.”

Cordelia’s eyes flicker over to John then back to me. “I had no idea you’d be attending Cleatom.” She seems to be running out of nice things to say. “Is Whitney here your escort?”

I look over at John and smile charmingly, he blushes some. “Why yes! He’s a lovely boy, isn’t he?” I reach out, putting my hand over his. “I’m thinking about asking Daddy to hire him as my valet for the summer.”

Cordelia’s tongue to captured between her cinched teeth as she smiles. “Oh? Well how wonderful for you, Whitney.” She then squints her eyes at me in an attempt to smile, but it comes out all wrong. “I will have to talk to you later, Heloise.” She turns on her heel just as the bell rings.

“I feel sick.” John whispers to me.

I look at him apologetically. “I am so sorry.”

“I’ve never felt anything like that!” John chuckles, relieved. “I knew she could be something of a bitch, but I had no idea it was anything like that.”

“If she gives you any trouble, just let me know. I can handle her.” I quickly tack on, “Ty too.”

He nods at me. “You’re the bravest woman in the world.”

A smile perks up at the corner of my mouth. “It’s just one blonde girl.”

We both look up in attention as Professor Lourdes begins speaking. He’s writing on the board in his lovely script and we all follow his instruction. My eyes glance over at Cordelia who is also stealing look at me. She turns away, and whispers to the girl beside her.

John elbows me. “And thus one becomes two.”

We both snicker.

“Quite in the back!” Professor Lourdes chuckles authoritatively.

John and I cover our mouths, trying to surprise our huge grins.

I look to John and nod. “Thanks.”

“For what?”

I shrug. “Just for being on my side I suppose.”

Chapter Two:

I didn’t go with John to the cafeteria at lunch. Instead I walked back out to the front gate and sat by Stone Lake.  I pulled an apple from my bag and took tiny bites out of it. I was neither hungry nor interested in mingling with my fellow students. At least not yet. Considering the only ones I’d want to sit with would be Ty or John, are a Ruby and Diamond respectively. They are both technically beneath me. I doubt I’d be allowed by this ridiculous Caste system to even sit by them.

“It’s you again.” I turned to look up above me at the stone. Standing there was the girl from this morning. I stood, standing back up on the platform and waving to her. She smiled back, nodding gently.

“You seem attracted to this place.”

“It’s peaceful.” I put my hands against my hips. “And I love being around water.”

Den stepped down from the stone and into the water of the fountain, pulling her long skirt up as she did so. “Thank you for the help this morning.”

I bobbed my head slightly. I was unsure of what to make of her newfound friendliness. “Of course. Umm-”

“Sorry if I was a bit rude.” Den waded through the water until she stood before me. “I was scared, so I wasn’t much of a people person.”

“No, of course.” I was shaking my head. “I’m Heloise.”

Den beamed. “Heloise Boniface, yes! You’re new today.” Den stepped out of the water and onto the cobblestone surrounding it. “Ty has been anxious.”

John had mentioned she was on the Student Government. It had actually never occurred to me that she and Ty might know one another, talk to each other as friends. My surprised expression has Den explaining.

“Ty and I talk a lot during meetings.” Den twirls slightly. “He says you came here against your father’s wishes.”

I fold my arms behind my back. This is a gesture I take from my father. A gesture that Angie says makes me look like an old man. “That’s right.”

“But you are meant to be here.”

“Excuse me?”

Den stepped off the fountain and into her shoes just below. “Oh nothing.” She giggled, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “Are you busy at the moment?”

I shake my head.  “No. Why?”

“C’mon, just follow me.” Den waved her hand to follow and began walking back towards the school. I sling  my bag back over my shoulder and walk off after Den.

“We have a special gallery here at the school.” Den explained as we walk, bypassing the glass elevator and going behind it to a small service type elevator. Den pulled open the little iron gate and allowed me to step in first. She closed the gate behind her and locked it.

“Professor Lourdes helped piece it together, but not a lot of students know about it. It’s mainly a sanctuary for the Student Government.”

I tilt my head to my shoulder “Then why tell me?”

Den just smiled, pulling hard on the lever that began dropping the us down and down. “This place has a basement?” I ask, amazed.

“This old place has a lot of hidden places inside.” Den replied, looking up at the darkening ceiling.

I could feel the air dampen and chill around me. I wrapped my arms around me,  wondering just how far down Den was going to take me.  I pictured a cave below the school, massive caverns and alters like the Phantom had under the PAris Opera house.

The lift came to a jolting stop and Den unlocked the little gate and opened it wide, stepping out before me this time. I looked around, it was a massive round room. The walls decorated with tapestries and elegant paintings. Between these hangings were suits of armor, and in the center of it a wide, round table.

“Wow,” I murmured as I looked around, setting my bag on the table. I walk around the table, my fingertips gliding along the smooth, gilded edges.

“The student government meets here most of the time.” Den said, walking around the table, aiming herself at the suit of armor at the very back of the room. It was different from the rest, for one, it was on a raised pedestal and it was more golden. Also, although it’s hands were posed in such a way, it was not holding a sword.

“This one is my favorite.” She said, dusting at the helmet with her hand.

“What is all this stuff?” I asked, approaching a suit of armor that had long green feathers coming down from the top of the helmet.

“It’s a story,” Den said, folding her hands behind her back and turning towards me. “A history really.”

I had the long green feather between my thumb and forefinger. “Of what?” I gently rub the feather, a feeling of nostalgia washes over me and I feel warm and proud inside. The feeling disappears as I release the feather.

“Something that is thought to be make believe these days.” Den sighed, still dusting at the suit of armor. She places her hands over the gold golves, like she reassuring an old friend. “But, it is all tribute to a great king.” She smiles sadly.

I shrug, sitting on the edge of the table and pulling my apple back out from my pocket. “Like King Arthur or something?” I bite into the apple.

“The very same.” Den exclaimed. “Do you like Arthurian legend, Ms. Boniface?”

I grimaced at her formality. “Heloise, please.” Den looked surprised. “And yeah, I’ve heard a bed time story or two about King Arthur.”

Den seemed disappointed. “Only bedtime stories?” A hand slips away from the armor as she turns to face me.

I slide back off the table and walk towards her. “They were the only ones my dad would actually read to me.” I touched the shining helmet of the suit of armor before me. It had a blue, tartan sash going across its chest. “I always wanted Excalibur.”

Den smiled brightly at this. “Oh?”

“Dad said I couldn’t have it though, because Dagonet threw it into the lake.” I looked back at Den. “Is this whole school based on those stories? Castle and all?”

Den shrugged. “Perhaps.” She then sighed and looked down at her watch which had begun beeping. “Excuse me for a moment.” She turned off the alarm then disappeared down a hallway next to the lift.

I walked around the table, looking at each suit of armor and the paintings between them. Knights brandishing their swords, bowing before a king, being awestruck by ethereal women. I then stood before the gold armor, missing it’s weapon. Its mate. I reached up, cupping the helmet in my hand. It felt warm to the touch.

I was so captivated by the armor I didn’t hear the elevator churning behind me. I only noticed it when the creaky gate opened and shut with a tight clang. Turning I found Professor Ari Lourdes standing behind me, a book in one hand a sack lunch in the other.

He saw me. Even though he was some ways away, and his glasses covering them, I could see his green eyes widen.

“Ms. Boniface,” he took a tentative step forward as my hand slipped from the armor and turned from it, and folded my arms behind my back.

Ari removed his glasses. “What are you doing down here?”

I dipped my head to the side. “Den was giving me a tour.”

“Den?” Ari pocketed his glasses. “That’s odd, she’s normally so…shy.” His breath seemed to falter, seeing me posed before the golden armor.

I pointed my thumb over my shoulder. “What happened to it?”

“Pardon?”

I turned back towards the suit of armor. “This suit is missing it’s mate.” I say,  laying my hands over those of the armor. “Den said you helped piece together this exhibit.”

“Ah yes, well, that is said to be a replica of King Arthur’s armor.” Ari replied as he walked around the table towards them.

I cup my hands around the gold gloves, thinking that they seemed small. My hands could fit inside them perfectly. “Then where is Excalibur?”

“At the bottom of a lake.” I looked up, Ari standing a few inches behind me. He smiled, “or so legend has it.”

I smiled back. “I believe that is the main theory, yes.”

“The head master of the school has always been fascinated with the stories of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. His whole family in fact, dating back to the founding of this school.” Ari said, taking a seat at the table. “They wanted to be able to teach children to be chivalrous and brave like Arthur and his knights.”

My smile turns smug for a moment as the idea dawns on me. “So then, the Student Government is very much an attempt to copy the Round Table?”

Ari laughs looking at the table. “You’ve caught on to that, have you?”

My hand glides across the back of Ari‘s chair as I walk by. “A round table surrounded by suits of armor.” I want to tousle his hair but I draw my hand away. “It isn’t hard to catch the drift.”

“I read your records your tutors provided,” Ari said, watching me as I stopped two chairs away. “You’re…you’re actually quite brilliant, Ms. Boniface. You’re father is breeding you to be a great leader.”

“A leader of companies.” I spat hatefully.

Ari looked taken aback by this. “Do you not want to inherit your father’s dynasty?”

I whirl around in a viciously cyclone. “I want my own dynasty!” My hand slams down on the table.

My wild hair flying about my head, falling on my shoulders. Catching myself in his eyes I straighten my back, regaining myself. “I want to build something…with my own…two hands.”

“You could do it.”

I glance quickly at him and then away again. I felt near tears. “He, my father, would never allow it.”

I comb my fingers through my hair then tossed it back over my shoulders. Now that I didn’t have stylists to fashion my hair sleek straight or into to corkscrew curls it was beginning to return to it’s natural wild lion’s mane.

“He didn’t even want me to come here. Afraid I’ll learn to fight him.”

Ari chuckled. “Looks like you already know how to do that.”

Aside from his beauty, it was easy to see why his classes were always filled up. He could see me. Behind all my armor and father’s make-up he could see me. He knew how to reach people by that, too.

I laugh. Covering my hand with my mouth. “Yes. I suppose so.”

“I was surprised when I first saw you,” Ari said, opening his sack lunch. “You and Ty look an awful lot alike.” He pulled out an apple. “The only thing he shares with Cordelia is a name.” He said Cordelia’s name with an acidic bite.

I smile. Not just because he said Ty and I look like siblings but because he could also see through Cordelia. “That’s probably why Cordelia hates us.”

Ari laughed. A knowing glint glowing in his eyes. He looked up though as Den came back into the room.

“I’m done now.” Rather than seem surprised by Professor Lourdes, she smiles knowingly and quite brightly. “Oh, Professor Lourdes, how are you?”

He nods towards her. “I’m fine Den. Glad to see you befriending Ms. Boniface.”

“Heloise.” I corrected him.

Den smiled, not answering him. She turned to me and waved her hand to the elevator. “Ready to go? Classes will restart soon.”

I go back and pick up my bag. “Thanks for the chat, Professor Lourdes.”

He smiles. “Ari.” He corrects. I turn but he touches my elbow. “If you need help catching up to the rest of the students, my door is always open. I’ll help you in any subject you need. Heloise.”

“That’s very nice of you.” I feel my cheeks warm at his touch. “Might take you up on it.” I nod then head back to Den who is smiling at Ari. She follows me into the elevator and shuts it tight.

As the lift clatters back to the student commons, John is waiting for me. He is leaning against the wall reading a book. He stands in attention like a soldier as Den and I step out.

Den tilts her head at me. “Did you enjoy the gallery?”

“Very much.” I nod. “Thank you, Den.”

Den nods then flits off without a word. I stare after her, confused.

“She’s an odd one.” John says. He begins to say something else when the music for the student announcements comes on. “Oh bother.” John huffs. We stand in the middle of the commons.

“Hello Cleatom Academy!” Ty’s voice echoes. “Afternoon classes have been canceled for today.” A low roar comes from the commons as students cheer for their good fortune. “I know? Isn’t that just the bee knees?” I smile picturing Ty in his box. “But feel free to use the rooms for study. Also, it’s happy hour at The Creamery Coffee Shop. All drinks half off!”

Another low roar.

“Want some coffee?” John asks.

I shake my head. “Uhm, no thank you. I think I’ll just go back to my room for now.” I say. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, though.”

John nods as we begin to separate. “I’ll meet you in Professor Lourdes classroom.” He waves and vanishes into the growing crowd aiming for the coffee shop.

I turn on my heel and head back towards the lift. I go to wrench it open when I realize it is gone. I hear it below, churning and working it’s way up. I step aside and watch is rise. I see inside a couple inside. I recognize the sleek golden hair as Cordelia and I step further into the shadows. I see the man she’s with, tall and slender with dark hair. My jaw drops as he walks out, pulling Cordelia with his lips. They separate briefly before she has him locked again.

“I really must go.” Ari is breathless.

“Oh fine.” Cordelia pouts girlishly. She stays in the elevator. “I’ll see you later then, darling?”

Darling?

Ari smiled. “Of course.” He waves her off as she turns the elevator back on.

Disappearing below again. I look at Ari and watch him adjust his tie and collar. He wipes at his mouth and smoothes out his hair. He produces the apple he had been eating when I left him and takes a bite. He then walks away and into the glass elevator.

I’m not sure what to feel. Shock definitely. Betrayal? But why? I don’t even know Professor Lourdes. I only had a brief chat with him a moment ago. But he was nice to me. He listened to me. I thought he saw me. I thought he saw Cordelia.

Why Cordelia?

I slide to the floor. Bewilderment sweeping over my brain. I think about Ari’s apple and decide to throw mine away. It’s probably brown by now. I go to reach for it and notice a little red book in my bag. I take it out. It was the book Ari had been carrying when he first came into the room. How did it get in my bag?

The cover it soft cloth. Once it had been deep red but it was faded now, but the gold emblem emblazoned on the front was just as dazzling as it must have been when it was first published. The gold lion on the front matched the one on the school pins. I opened it up and a pressed flower fell out into my lap. Picking it up I realize it’s a lilac. I read the title page.

Merlin’s Arthur

I flip through the pages and something else slips from the pages. It’s heavy and cold. When I hold it in my palm I see it’s a key, a lion head serving as the top. It’s mouth gaped open, the key serving as its tongue. And engraved on it’s tongue was my name.

Chapter Three:

The academy has long since emptied out and I sit alone at Stone Lake. I thumb the key in my hand, wondering what it means. Did Professor Lourdes give this to me? I hold it against my chest, looking up at the dim windows of the academy. I wonder if he is still in his room? Was he expecting me to take him up on that study session?

“I can see you out there.”

I let out a yelp as a voice booms out over the empty campus. I huff, flustered. Realizing Ty has seen me some how.

“I’ll meet you in the commons.” Ty says and then the intercom goes quite.

I stand. Placing the key in the pocket of my vest before I walk back to the academy. I go in and wait before the glass elevator for Ty. I keep finding myself glancing at the little iron elevator behind. Why do I care what Professor Lourdes does? I convince myself its because it was Cordelia. Nothing more.

The glass elevator swings open and Ty comes out. He’s out of his school uniform, weAring only a pair of jeans and a dark t-shirt. “Wanna have some fun?”

I shrug. “Depends.”

Ty loops his arm around my neck and leads me away. We walk for a long time in silence. It’s hard to think we’ve been separated from one another for ten years now.

“I have a wonderful evening planned,” he tells be just before we reach the dorms.

I look up at him, his arm serving as my scarf. “Oh really?”

He smiles impishly. “You are a very lucky lady. Many women fight for the hand of Ty Jerrick, but only you can have it.”

I scoff at him, knowing him all too well.

He squeezes his arm tighter. “Go up and get changed, quick.” He commands me, pushing me to the front door of my dormitory.

I look back at him before I walk inside, slightly afraid when I come back out he’ll of disappeared into the golden autumn air. It’s where he belongs anyways, my flitting leaf.

He shoos me and I smile at him. “Ok, ok, just a second.” I call to him and rush inside and up to my room. I hurry myself into a t-shirt dress and grab my jacket. I don’t want to miss a moment with him.

We then walk to the school garage. A lot of the students who stay in the dorms have cars they use to go into town. We get into Ty’s car, a 1969 olive-green Mustang, and drive off.

He has the last picture taken of us together taped to the rearview mirror. I’m six, he’s seven. We’re hugging in front of the old cinema.

“I thought I’d take you to the docks.” Ty puts on a pair of sunglasses. “I know how you like the water. Plus, there is something I want to show you.”

“Sounds fun.” I lean back in the leather seat. “Why were afternoon classes canceled?”

He shrugs. “Silly reasons. Works in our favor though.” He says with a grin. It’s the kind of grin that makes me think he had something to do with it. But I know that’s just Ty. Everything he says sounds mischievous. He used to get in so much trouble back when he lived with father and me. I think that was one of the reasons Mrs. Jerrick and my father decided he’d be best with her.

Ty parked his car on the street and we got out to walk. He put his arm around my shoulders again. He probably thought I was cold in the wind.

We stopped at a sweet shop and got hot coco. I got marshmallows and cinnamon. Ty got whip cream and sprinkles, and another with marshmallows and caramel.

I crook my brow at him. “Why’d you get two?”

He mimics my eyebrow, then flips it to the other brow and back. “Too keep me sweet.”

I couldn’t wait to get to the dock. I loved the smell of the wind off the ocean. Even now I dream of the summer house in France, an old chateau overlooking the ocean. I’d fall asleep in the box window, just watching the sunset melt into the waves.

The dock is made of old but hard and sturdy wood. I love it instantly. The sun reflects in glittering cascades off the water. As I race Ty towards the end of the dock a small girl comes into view. The sun glows off her golden hair like she has a halo. I think of the extra coco Ty bought, marshmallows and caramel. I feel like such an idiot for not realizing it sooner. She turns, her pale face flushed from the breeze. I raise my hands to my face and race to her.

“Nissa!” I cry as I scoop her up in my arms. “How on earth?”

She clings to me, gripping on as tight as she can. “Heloise,” she whimpers into my chest.

I cupped her face in my hands, beaming into those blue-gray eyes. “I thought you were in America!”

She was almost crying. Then again she always had tears in her eyes when she was happy. “Grandmother convinced Mama to send me back here.”

I pinched her cheeks. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

She bit her lip. “Grandmother doesn’t like you.”

I laugh and pull her into another tight hug, cupping the back of her head. “I’m so happy to see you. I don’t care what that old bird thinks.”

Behind us, Ty laughs. “I told you you’d like the docks.”

“Are you attending Cleatom then?” I ask, reluctantly pulling back.

She nods. “Yes.” She pulls out her Diamond pin. “Isn’t it pretty?”

I feel upset she is only a Diamond. Her miserly old grandmother is a modern day Ebenezer Scrooge. Plus you add in both her mother’s celebrity and her own, she should be an Emerald. I cup Nissa’s hands in mine, ignoring it.

“I saw your last movie. You were so wonderful.”

Nissa beamed and asked about our father. I told her he was the same as always. I obligatory asked about her mother. Nissa answers that she’s been so busy, with movies, TV, and even a book in the works.  I have no idea what that woman would write about but I nod and smile. I’m just happy to have Nissa back in my arms again.

“How long have you been in Cleatom?” I asked.

“A year,” Nissa admits guiltily, biting her bottom lip. “But I’m moving into the dorms soon. Grandmother’s health is failing and she said it would be best for me to stay away from it.” Poor sweet, darling, Nissa.  She’s covering for the world’s oldest hypochondriac. I bet the bat sent Nissa away, complaining that she was the cause of her warts or something idiotic like that.

“I have us reservations set up.” Ty says, tapping the face of his watch. “I figured we Boniface children should have our long, over-do family dinner.”

Nissa squeezed onto my hand as we walked, she caught Ty’s and we walked in a row down the street. One thing I am grateful to my father about is this, my siblings.

Once we sit down at the restaurant Nissa and I begin peppering each other with questions. She asks me about home. Ty asks her about what celebrities she’s met. I ask her about her travels.

“Oh!” Nissa suddenly exclaims. “I haven’t told you the best thing!” She giggles excitedly. “I’m Ty’s assistant!” She says, touching his hand. “I’m part of the Student Government.”

“Really?” I gasp.

She nods. “Yes! I never thought Ty would hire me.” She blushes some. “I thought for sure he’d pick some pretty girl.”

Ty scoffs. “I did pick a pretty girl.”

Nissa rolls her eyes, same as me. “You know what I mean, Ty.” She looks at me and we both crack up.

“I see what you think of me.” He scoffs, slapping his palm against his chest and turning his head over-dramatically away. “I am saving myself for marriage.”

Nissa and I laugh harder. I’m squeezing Nissa’s hand, not realizing how hard, but she offers no complaint because she squeezes right back.

We leave just as the restaurant closes. Ty drives us back dropping me off at my dormitory. I kiss Nissa goodbye, almost wanting to cry as I watch them drive off.

I suddenly feel exhausted as I get to my room. I strip as I walk to the bathroom where I shower. As I dry my hair with a towel I pick up my dirty laundry and toss it in the allotted bin. One of the staff would collect it in the morning. I picked up my uniform and the key fell out of the pocket.

I had almost completely forgotten about it. I roll it through my hands then set it in my bedside table. I get into my sleep shirt then return to the key. I look up at it as I lay on my bed. I drift off to sleep soon with the key clutched in my hand.

I’m standing on a boat, my body badly injured and bleeding. I’m screaming. Fighting against arms holding me back. I know I have won against these arms many times in the past, but my body is so badly beaten they are winning.

I’m screaming someone’s name. Someone I don’t want to leave. Someone I love.

I finally collapse to the floor of the boat, sobbing their name over and over. I’ll never see them again will I? I look up at the one who was holding me back and he shakes his head sadly. He gently wipes away my tears and leads me into the boat. He sets me down gently on a comfortable chair and he extends my legs, removing the heavy metal boots from my feet.

I’m still whispering the name, over and over.

Two soft hands gently cress my cheeks and pull back my hair, tying it up and away from my face like I like. I look up into her warm, familiar eyes. She is crying too and I am comforted there. I lean my head into her arm as she removed the metal gauntlets from my arms. She’s singing a song to me.

I look down at the man tending to the wound in my belly and I ask him something. He looks at me and answers, “Your loved ones cannot follow you here, my lord.”

I’m baffled.

He doesn’t allow me to argue. I whisper the name again and he shakes his head.

The woman pulls a locket out from around my neck and opens it before me. I preciously cradle it in my hands. Inside is a lock of raven black hair. It sends me into shuddering tears.

I awake from the dream, still whispering the name, still crying. I sit upright and rub hard at my eyes. The name has already been forgotten, but the heart break I felt in longing for it still haunts me.

I realize I’m still holding the key. In the darkness I think for a moment it is glowing, but I decide it is merely the full moon reflecting off it. It is half past midnight and despite that I decide I must act crazy and go for a walk. Anything to subside the pain of my heart breaking.

I put on some jeans and a plain shirt. I stuff the key in my pocket and walk out of the dorm. I walk up the cobblestones of the dorm village. I walk past the boy’s junior dorm. The female senior dorm, and I walk further. I walk past the student garage and into the forest.

I think, perhaps if I keep walking I’ll reach the cliffs over looking the ocean. Instead, I come across a massive cast wrought iron gate. It looked like a palace itself with all the intricate works and towers to it. In the very center, where the gates open up, was a lion’s head. It’s mouth gaping open and it’s tongue serving as the latches.

I touch the key in my pocket. It is iron too. I take it out and compare the lions’ heads. They look like they match but in the moonlight it is so hard to tell. I stand closer to the gate, looking for the keyhole. I suddenly have an idea and hold the key in my hand and insert my hand into the large lion’s mouth. Sure enough, the key slides right in and I turn to unlock it.

The gate creaks open by itself, first slow then it suddenly blows open, sending me back a few paces in fright. I hold my arms before me as I am greeted by a cold burst of air, strong enough to almost knock me over, but I manage to hold my ground.

As I peel my arms away I see a thick, heavy mist pouring out from the open gate. I hold my breath and look all around me. I decide maybe I should head back. Then I think that the key had my name on it, perhaps Professor Lourdes meant to tell me about it and forgot. Perhaps, since I was Emerald, I had special privileges to certain areas on the campus. The campus was massive enough to allow such a thing. So I stride into the mist. I hear the gates close behind me and I am suddenly tight inside with dread.

I take a few steps, barely able to see anything around except for the cold, white mist. My toe hits something and I fall. Breaking through the mist I fall and hit on a set of stairs.

Stairs?

The mist is so thick around me I can barely make them out, rising through and going up in a gentle slope. So I begin climbing the stairs, I remember there being mist in my dream, it completely engulfed the boat I was on. Who else was there with me? A man and a woman of unearthly beauty. It is so funny how you can forget a dream so powerful so fast.

Above me I see the beginnings of a building rising above the trees, but the deep fog is swallowing me up.

Am I in another plain of existence?

At the top of the stairs I see not a building but a huge marble platform surrounded by tall statues of women bearing shells and children, massive lions with their mouths wide open, men wielding swords or embracing a woman. All of them an Atlas, holding up the a massive dome covered in tiny fragments of glass that glittered and glowed in the moon’s radiance.

“Oh wow…” I whispered. I am aware my toes are freezing, and the cold begins climbing its way up my body. Tiny frozen fingers ripping through my clothes and sending my skin into gooseflesh. I shuddered and hold my arms across me.

“Are you cold?” I look up in response to the voice. Before me, coming down from a platform at the far end is a man. “I see you didn’t need my help finding this place.”

I’m confused. The cold seems to be stabbing at my brain now. “John?”

I then see two more appear behind him, a tall figure that remains in the shadows and the second comes out farther than John. She smiles shyly at me.

“Den…” I shake my head. “What is this?” I ask, taking a step forward.

John raises his hand out of the fog and I was stunned to see him holding a sword.

“John!” I exclaim, jumping back.

My back hits a wall, cold as ice. I whip around, there were stairs here just a moment ago. Instead there is this cold wall. A wall of solid ice. My breath comes out in thick white puffs now, fast little ghosts leaving me. A warm hand touches my shoulder and I spin around to face Den.

“Hold still.” Den commands and I stand rigid, her hands touch my chest and I fell a small weight against the collar of my shirt. It is an Emerald pin. Den then puts her cheek to mine.

“Never let go of your key.” She whispers into my ear and then she steps behind me, her warm hand lingering on mine.

I look back up at John, squeezing the key tighter in my hand. “John, what’s going on?” I try to stay calm, but my voice is noticeably shaky.

“What is going on is a rite of passage.” The man behind John responds. His voice is deep and I don’t recognize it.

“For what?” I snap.

“If you have a name on the key.” The voice tells me. “John,” he says in a commanding voice.

John was suddenly charging at me. I hold up my arms, bracing myself. He knocks me upside my head with the blunt end of his sword, and I fall, hitting the frozen ground.

“Get up!” John yells.

My head in throbbing and words and pictures are mixed up in my head. My vision is whirling and spinning.

“Get up!” John barks again. Using his foot he flips me over onto my back. He then takes his sword and touches the tip to my pin. “I’ll break it if you don’t get up.”

“Heloise!” Den whispers demandingly.

I whimper a loud, choking sob. “For the love of God! What?”

John circles me, the tip of his sword pointed at me. “Draw your weapon.”

I swallow and roll to my side, wobbly standing to my feet. I still have my key clutched in my hand. “Tell me what’s happening.” My speech is slow.

John holds his sword up. “Draw your weapon.”

I grip onto the side of my head. “Weapon?”

John sneers. “Draw it, now!”

Confused, hurt, and angry I scream out. “I don’t have a weapon!”

I raise my hand, attempting to throw that damn key and then the sound of steel hitting steel resonates like a gunshot, and a bright flash of light that blinds me.

The mist clears. The light dims. Looking up I see a sword in my hand where the key was.

In my stupor John easily forces my sword down and he raises his against me again, bringing it down towards my neck. I swing upwards, hitting John’s wrist, ripping away at his starched sleeve. He jumps back and I run away, a stupid move because his sword is slicing by my leg, cutting into my thigh. I cry out and fall to my knees.

Den cries out. “Get up!”

I shakily move to stand and I hear John charging towards me. The fog is closing in, engulfing me, swallowing me whole.

I drop back to my knees and suddenly I am gone.

John’s sword hit’s the floor before me and I jump away, still low and in the fog. If I remain hidden in the fog, I think, perhaps I can regain my footing, regain some of the sense John knocked out of me. My ears are ringing, blood rushing to them and to the throbbing lump near the back of my left ear where John had hit me.

What was happening to me?

What the hell was wrong with the people at this school?

I then hear a scream. It’s Den. I jump out of the fog instantly, seeing John approaching Den with his sword ready.

Without a second thought I lunging through the fog and the air. I am flying. I am swinging my sword. As I swing at John, for the briefest flash, I see someone else. I see a man with long golden curls, and a strong yet angelic face. He is wearing shimmering armor almost pearl in color.

I strike him.

John’s arm is braced against mine, his hand pressing hard against my shoulder. I’m staring at him, wide eyed and frightened. I hadn’t been in control of myself.

Someone else had.

“Heloise-” Den gasps.

I hear the slight tink of something hitting the marble, echoed by tiny droplet-like sounds raining on the floor. Looking down I see I only have the key in my hand, the sword has gone away in John’s hand as well. He pulls away from me and the mist begins to recede.  Looking down I see John’s diamond pin on the marble, all the individual tiny diamonds scattered like so many drops of rain.

John is looking at me, hard and long. I look back at him, confused and afraid. Was he going to hit me now?

John lifts his head, looking away from me and towards the back. “You were right.” John says to the man at the back.

“I don’t…” I murmur, slowly shaking my throbbing and confused head. “What do you mean?”

“We’ve been waiting a long time for you to come back.” The man in the back replies.

John is then bowing before me. “The one true king.”

I’m confused beyond reasoning. I clutch my head in my hand. “John stop. What are you doing?”

“Look at your key.” Den is behind me, putting one hand on my shoulder and the other on my waist. “You’ll see your true name written upon it now.”

I lay the heavy key flat in my palm. Engraved where my name used to be read the name: Arthur.

[cerastes]

What are your thoughts of a possible Arknights event where you get to strategize against your own operators?

Like how W was a boss first but became an Operator, but it's you going against waves of Rhodes Island Reserve Ops (the no names) and occasionally Amiya or Texas or Kal'tsit + Mon3tr show up as the bosses.

I've thought about this, whether that be some sort of endgame "Doctor vs. Doctor" scenario or some what if event (something like PRTS replicating a perfect facsimile of pre-amnesia Doctor, or a battle-inside-the-mind existential showdown kind of deal, etc, plenty of ways one could provide context for this). Vigilo specifically made me think about this a lot, and I keep revisiting the concept in my brain palace now and then.

Regardless of how we get there, I'd love to see it. Personally, I'd lean into the vs. Pre-amnesia Doctor angle. Enemies would never really be referred to by name specifically, but gameplay and sprites would make it obvious, or at least indicative, as to who they are. Every enemy unit would have some sort of fuzzy mosaic effect covering their face.

Mooks would be Reserve Ops and the sort of RI/Babel Operator we see in cutscenes, the good ol' generics. Given how much Pre-Amnesia Doctor has been likened to a machine-like chessmaster, I think chess terminology would be fitting, although it needn't be used exclusively, especially for whenever it would be thematically appropriate not to use it. Generic footsoliders would be "Pawns", for example, and would very clearly be wearing Rhodes Island uniforms and colors (blue and black colors, mix of tactical gear and urban clothing). You'd have other more advanced units like snipers (Bishops), specialists (Knights), and hard-hitting, beefier units (Rooks).

There would be plenty of boss/midboss units, and their "tooltip" (the little pop up that appears mid-stage when a new units is introduced) would be entirely narrative. For example, you'd have:

'Ever-Marching Bulwark' - "The giant that carried the world if ordered to. No matter how grim the situation, he would always find a way to dispel the miasma." -> Ace. Effect: [Bulwark]: Ranged units will prioritize him if he's in range. Requires 2 Block to block. [Castled King]*: High HP, DEF and RES; Physical damage will raise his DEF, but decrease his RES. Arts damage will raise his RES, but decrease his DEF. *"Castling" is a chess technique used to protect the King.

'Unsung Champion' - "The hero killed and loved silently, like the shadow of a dear ghost. He could spot weakness in enemies as easily as virtue in friends." -> Scout. Effect: [Gaze of the Wraith]: Uses Ranged Physical attacks with no limit on range. Every 4 attacks, the next attack will target the unit with less DEF on the map. The amount of attacks needed to trigger this special ability decreases by 1 each time it is activated, also increasing damage dealt. Resets upon changing targets. [J'adoube]*: This enemy's route is determined by the number of allied units (the player's units) in its path. Unsung Champion will warp to the route with less units overall (melee and ranged) between it and the Defense Point (practically speaking, it checks every couple of seconds and warps to a tile equivalent to how much progress he's made). *"J'adoube" ("I knight"), or "adjust", is a special call in chess where you are letting your opponent know you're about to move a piece in the board, usually to center it on its square or if it gets otherwise displaced accidentally.

'Selfless Sage' - "Some could call her nosy, some could call her foolish, but the undeniable truth is that even if it dims her own fire, she'll fill this world with as much light as she can." -> Kal'tsit. Effect: [Selflessness & Spite]: Heals enemies at long range. Prioritizes 'Sage's Obsidian Juggernaut', then 'King's Pupa', then 'The King', then Leaders, and finally regular enemies. [Remorse & Rebirth]: Upon reaching 50% HP or if all active Leaders are defeated, spawns 'Sage's Obsidian Juggernaut'.

Making a cut here due to post length.

'Sage's Obsidian Juggernaut' - "A force of nature as unstoppable as it is unexplainable, not dissimilar to the Sage herself." - Mon3tr. Effect: [Meltdown]: The Juggernaut's Ranged attacks deal True Damage in a line, piercing through the targeted ally and hitting those behind them, leaving a damage over time effect for a few seconds. The Juggernaut's Melee attacks deal high Physical damage. After being hit a number of times (10), the Juggernaut's next attack will deal increased True damage and afflict the target with a longer damage over time effect that stacks. [Fallout]: Enemies defeated by True damage instances of the Juggernaut have increased redeployment time.

'Scholar's Mate'* - "Unusually durable and tenacious pieces. They can be reused, over and over. Useful in disrupting enemy tactics." -> W (Ranged Physical), Ines (Ranged Arts), and Hoederer (Melee Physical). They spawn at the same time. [Kriegspiel]**: All 'Scholar's Mate' must be defeated roughly at the same time, otherwise, they revive at 50% HP after a delay. [Queen's Gambit]*: The red-horned 'Scholar's Mate' plants bombs on three units in range, detonating after 3 seconds. Units defeated by this attack or an attack shortly after [Queen's Gambit] have increased redeployment time. [En Passant]*: The black-horned 'Scholar's Mate' presence in the battlefield slows down DP generation by 50%. Cannot be blocked, but moves slowly. [Albin Countergambit]*: The male 'Scholar's Mate' presence in the battlefield reduces SP Recovery rate by 30%. Attacks halt target's SP recovery momentarily, and don't reward SP to "Defensive" type Skills. *Various chess moves. **'Kriegspiel' is also known as "blind chess", in which two players play against each other 'blind', that is, they can't see the opponent's pieces. For this purpose, a third person, an umpire, is necessary to oversee the game.

'The King' - "The embodiment of tomorrow, incarnation of our hopes, and our dearest friend." - Theresa. Effect: [Noblesse Oblige]: Raises the ATK and DEF of every enemy in the field. Effect increased for Leaders. [Civilight Eterna]: Swings sword in a circular area around herself, dealing high True damage and reducing Max HP and DEF of allies hit. Leaves a [Regal Pulsation] behind on each use. [Regal Pulsation]: Every time 'The King' uses [Civilight Eterna], [Regal Pulsations] activate and replicate [Civilight Eterna] wherever they are. Can stack on top of each other. [Dead Position]*: 'The King' pours powerful Sarkaz Arts into the closest Ranged tile to her position, inundating it with dangerous Arts and rendering the tile unusable for the rest of the map. Immediately retreats the unit standing on the tile, and starts spilling onto other tiles. If there's Operators standing on these tiles, the spread is halted and they receive Arts damage continuously. If there's no Operator in the tile, after a few seconds, [Dead Position] spills over and makes that tile unusable. Can spill to Melee tiles. All [Dead Positions] vanish and become reusable if 'The King' is defeated. *A "dead position" is a position where neither player can mate the opponent’s king with any series of legal moves. Effectively a draw.

'King's Pupa' - "With time, she, too, can be a king." -> Amiya. Effect: [Chimera]: 'King's Pupa' slowly charges SP over time. Receives SP each time an enemy is defeated and each time an ally is defeated. Once SP is full, activates [Pawn Ascension]. [Pawn Ascension]*: 'King's Pupa' turns into another 'The King'. Avoid this at all costs. *Pawn ascension or pawn promotion is when your pawn reaches the other side of the board in chess and you can promote it into another piece, such as a rook, bishop, etc. Most players, of course, promote their pawns into queens.

'[NULL]' - "[CLASSIFIED INFORMATION. CLEARANCE IS INSUFFICIENT TO ACCESS THESE FILES. IN CASE OF ANY ERROR OR QUESTIONS, CONTACT THE SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR]" -> Doctor. Effect: [Resign]: '[NULL]' only appears after every other enemy has been defeated. No attacks, slowly trudges forward. They must be defeated to put an end to this. It was a good game.

I really would like to see the idea, the concept, of the current Doctor quite literally having a showdown with their past, current tactics vs past tactics, current ideals vs past ideals, to prove that today's idealism isn't mere bluster, that one needn't rely on sacrifice to get to the finish line, that we can all get there, we simply need to find a way, because it'd be not only a showdown of morality and to prove one's growth, it'd also entail having to defeat the shadows, plural, of the past, regrets, joys, all of it. Uproot the old, and change for the better, even if it means having to say one final farewell to beloved friends. Even if it means testing yourself against yourself, and them. It's because you would test yourself against yourself that it means something, after all.

[logicalalo]

Thoughts on CSM ch. 138

Alright, finally have somewhat organized my thoughts regarding this week's chapter and have some points that I would like to discuss. I would also like to add that some chapters are kinda foggy in my mind (I should definitely re-read them), so if there are errors, please let me know.

Introduction of Fumiko; Denji's bodyguard.

With her introduction and actions, yeah no, but we are stuck with her as she has been appointed to be Denji's bodyguard at school. In other words, Denji will have another figure from Public Safety keeping tabs on him. The way Yoshida explains Fumiko's job is that she will protect Denji so that Denji can enjoy a normal life. AKA since she is Denji's bodyguard, Denji can't have the excuse that he turned to CSM for self-defense. I would like to add that her addition to the cast and being another player for public safety makes me feel like the story is once again highlighting the two prominent sides of an impending conflict soon: Church of Chainsawman and Public Safety. Perhaps, we may have a school chapter soon where we can once again see the dividing attitudes of both groups via the students.

Sword Man

The first time I read the chapter (in my 15-minute break), I had assumed that Sword Man was part of Public Safety/ part of Yoshida's team alongside Fumiko, but I then realize he isn't? Or more like nothing has been said yet about where he stands. For sure not with the Church of Chainsawman. We do see him wearing the school uniform and a Twitter user suggested that he could be the one that helped Denji back during the Falling arc*. Based on his choice of words, he seems to hold CSM in a higher regard compared to Asa who he described with the words "some fresh-nobody" and almost dismissive by saying how she is the Church's poster girl. His re-introduction did bring a lot of buzz, as seen on social media, with many hoping that past hybrids from the series make a return. * Tweet about Sword Man being the one that helped Denji in the Falling Arc

Asa and the Fame

Per a discussion and agreement with Fami, Asa is now actively fighting devils while being the "poster girl" for the church of Chainsawman. Asa and Yoru agreed while each having their own reason; to protect CSM (Asa) and to kill him (Yoru). In this chapter, we see Asa looking tired with a band-aid on her face while staring at the TV. Displayed on the TV, appears to be a talk show where the host describes Asa in a positive manner. The host used the word "beautiful" and Asa repeats the word as if to confirm that she did indeed hear correctly. Yoru then shares that it's not so bad receiving recognition which Asa attempts to downplay by saying that "[they] aren't doing this for the praise...", she is doing it to protect CSM, and that it's creepy. However, Yoru sees through. We, the reader, also understand that it's not entirely true as Asa is shown smiling in a certain manner. Her smile makes me think of those smiles we sometimes make unknowingly when nervous or lying. Either way, the smile Asa gives feels questionable. The smile does low-key remind me of the smiles Yoru would make in previous chapters. Regarding Asa's development in this chapter, it looks like it could take the route where the newfound fame gets to Asa's head. I'll explain a bit below, but most of the time that this conflict is used in media, it doesn't serve the character well. It's sort of always used as a cautionary tale about fame getting to people's heads. Although, I can't blame Asa for feeling the way she did because getting recognition/praise feels good; she seen. It's human to seek approval at times because it also affirms our actions as 'correct'. I could more in-depth about this another time. On a lesser scale, something similar to what is occurring has played out. Remember the Aquarium arc? Asa was all smiles and confident when she pulled out that cell phone because she had others saying good things about her as she became their hope for a way out. Unfortunately, she fell and in came Haruka's criticism that crushed Asa. Wonder if something like this will play out again as falling at important moments has been an explicitly stated problem Asa has. Perhaps, she will deal with a 'fall' during her peak as a Devil Hunter? This is really random, but I suddenly made the connection with Mean Girls regarding Asa's current predicament. To be exact with the trope 'becoming the mask'. I think the trope loosely applies to Asa. Below are the comparison drawn between Asa and Cady (main character of Mean Girls). - Join a group that they were told to join where both were skeptical at first base on what they saw and heard. For Asa, it was Fami telling her to join the Church of Chainsawman and for Cady, it was Janis who told her to join the Plastics. - Once in the group, they become accustomed to it and lose their original self. Here it's where it can loosely apply to Asa since it's implied the fame may be getting to her head, but we still don't see the severity of it. While in Mean Girls, Cady took over Regina's role and lost herself along with her friends/ unrecognizable to those close to her. By the end of the film, Cady acknowledges that being at the top of the chain by being a plastic made her lose her way, her friends, her parent's trust, and made her feel lonely ( ex. eating lunch alone again). Cady reverts to her true self and repairs those bridges; becoming happier. Who knows, maybe Asa will also go through something similar to that as it seems to be a pattern when the problem in a story is about a character letting fame get to them (Shark Tale is another example of that conflict in media lol) I have so much more to say about Asa in general, but I think I will leave that for another day.

Fami better come back soon to clue us in a bit more on what her plan is with the church. Fami said that she wants to save humans, but her planning brings in a lot of questions. There is also the Fakesaw Man, Justice Devil being back, the weird thing that seems to be haunting/advising Haruka, and the list goes on. Only time will tell.

Thank you for hearing my thoughts which can sometimes be all over the place. I was really excited doing one of these posts since it's been ages. If you would like to talk more, don't hesitate to send me a message.

Edit: whoa it got a weird format when it’s posted.

[hoediaz]

hiiiiii zoe “in my defense, i really wanted to” <33333 if it sparks inspiration!!

"In my defence," Eddie says, his arms folded across his chest and his chin raised stubbornly, "I really wanted to."

Buck can still feel the weight of Eddie's mouth against his own, burning like a brand. He presses cold fingers to the edge of his mouth, blinks dumbly.

The kitchen is quiet and dark, mostly everyone asleep in the privacy of the bunk room. At this time of night it's only Buck and Eddie, teasing and laughing quietly as they pick through the cupboards for the snacks Chimney hides behind Bobby's spices.

Buck doesn't remember what they were joking about — maybe the call from earlier, when Ravi slipped in mud and took Chimney down with him, or maybe the book Buck's been reading, a domestic thriller that doesn't make any sense — only that one second they were laughing, shushing each other, their shoulders knocking together, and the next Eddie's eyes were lingering over the curve of mouth, Eddie's hand was curling in the front of his uniform, Eddie's mouth was sliding over his.

He's been kissed a lot in his lifetime, by a lot of different people in a lot of different places, but not a single one of them comes close to this: the press of Eddie's body so familiar he could recognize it half-dead, the fire house so familiar he can navigate it in the dark.

"In your defence?" Buck repeats, incredulous. And then: "You really wanted to?"

"Yes," Eddie huffs, his shoulders shifting in a way that pulls the short sleeves of his uniform over his biceps. He's been wearing the short sleeves more and more since finally coming back to the 118, and at first Buck thought it was some kind of symbolic gesture about starting over, like the haircut, but now he thinks it was just to torture him. "Did you hit your head?"

"No, I didn't — you want to kiss me? On purpose?"

"On purp— no, Buck, I wanted to trip and fall on your mouth. Yes, on purpose."

He knows Eddie, knows him better than maybe anyone on the planet, so he knows that he's only being snappish because he's embarrassed, because he put himself on the line to kiss Buck and now they're standing in the kitchen arguing about it.

But Eddie knows Buck, too, knows him right down to the very marrow of his bones, so that snappish defence only lasts a second before he's tilting his head, his eyes softening. "Buck," he says, "I always want you on purpose. Today, and yesterday, and tomorrow, it's just — I just look at you and want you. You can't blame me for that."

And Buck thinks he might cry in his place of work at four thirty in the morning with the borrowed taste of Chimney's Scooby Doo gummies on his lips.

"I think," he says, and has to clear his throat when his voice cracks, desperate and breaking open. He licks his lips, watches Eddie's eyes trace the movement. "I think I might need some more convincing. You know. Just to be sure."

Eddie blinks, and then a grin blooms across his expression, brightening the dark of the kitchen. "Well," he says, taking a step closer, his hands reaching up to frame Buck's face between slightly sweaty palms, "I guess. But only because I really want to."

Buck grins into the kiss, twisting a hand in Eddie's uniform that tugs it gently loose from his pants. It's a horrible, terrible idea, making out lazily against the fridge in the middle of a shift when they should be sleeping soundly in separate bunks, but they do it anyway. It's been too long since they've let themselves indulge in something just because they want it; months for Buck, maybe a lifetime for Eddie.

But it's a bad idea nonetheless, proven so when the kitchen light flicks on, casting a spotlight on where Buck has one hand halfway up Eddie's shirt, where Eddie has both hands twisted in his hair, their lips kiss-swollen and grinning too wide for having been caught.

"Just so you know," Chimney says from the other side of the island, holding onto the recently open box of his gummies that Eddie stole from, "this is literally my worst nightmare and I'm telling everyone."

Eddie only laughs, bright and joyous and half-muffled by Buck's shoulder, and Buck is warm, wanted.

send me a prompt if u would like

[tngrace]

SNEAK PEEK SATURDAY

The Maverick Chronicles Masterlist this is a sneak peak from ch 2.

Sure enough Tom was waiting for him. Pete throws the lock on the door even though he knows no one ever really comes down here.

“Well…. This is going to be interesting,” he says, as he eyes Tom up and down. Tom definitely knows how to wear the uniform and make it look stunning.

“That it is.” Tom pulls him close by his hips as he does his own appraising. “Two years is a long time.”

“A lot can change,” Pete agrees. He’s not the naive twenty-four year old he was when he met Tom. He’s seen things and done things in the two years since they had their one night. He won’t fully concede and says he’s grown up, but he is a little wiser, a little smarter with his hookups now.

“And yet…. I can’t forget these lips,” Tom murmurs as he drags his thumb across Pete’s bottom lip. In the two years they’ve been apart, Tom hasn’t had many hookups. It’s not easy being gay in the Navy in the eighties, so he has to be careful and discreet. The few he has had though in no way compare to his one night with Pete.

“We can’t… here,” Pete says breathlessly. “It’s too dangerous.”

“You are dangerous,” Tom reminds. He’s heard his own scuttlebutt about Pete over the two years since he’d seen him, and he knows how dangerous and reckless he can be in the air.

“Mmmmm and you’re as by the book as ever,” Pete snarks back.

Tom gives him a genuine smile as they pull back from each other. “You’re right. We can’t do anything here. If…. we wanted to do anything at all.”

Pete steps back into his space. “We can figure it out later. We’re going to the O Club with the others. I’m sure we can sneak away from there together.” His eyes sparkle with mischief and Tom knows he’s in trouble.

Tom’s thumb drags across his bottom lip once more, before he gives Pete a nod. “Anyone know we know each other?”

“Not on my end. Besides Goose…. Well… I’ve got no one. Now that Cougar retired.” He doesn’t feel sorry for himself. Making friends has never been easy, and with his dad’s reputation in the Navy, and everyone assuming he bounced around foster homes after his mom died, well, he’s come to enjoy being on his own besides Goose. It makes life easier.

“I heard.” Tom does feel a pang at the thought Pete doesn’t have anyone, but he can also see and know that Pete doesn’t want any pity over it.

“I’m sure what you heard wasn’t the whole truth.” Pete’s trying not to get defensive, but he knows what rumors about himself get spread around the Navy. But, he also wouldn’t mind being able to tell Tom all of his truths one day. Having someone besides Goose might be a good thing.

“Hmmmm. Guess we’ll have to talk later and see.”

“Guess so.” Pete takes a step back and takes a deep breath. Tom has always been so captivating that Pete gets sucked in easily. “See ya tonight Iceman,” he smirks, before he takes off.

[nagirambles]

Hi you can take your time on this one . I’ve been wondering if you could redesign the star dress how would you redesign them ? (Me for an example I would given Lucy cat ears since loke has cat ears. Virgo star dress chains , Taurus more of gladiator look to be honest . Sagittarius dress not my fave outfit but I do adore her/his magic for that one . That’s all I can think of for now lol )

Whew! Thanks so much for this ask. I think I've mentioned them all over the place before, but I've never actually listed them one by one. I shall now be rambling like hell, be prepared. Before I ramble on mine though-- omg. those ideas are good. Loke's dress should definitely add cat ears that would be the cutest thing. Virgo's needs chains! Taurus' for a gladiator look, oh that would be cool.

Disclaimer: I think all the designs are decent enough and I do not actually want to change all of them. But since I've been asked if I could redesign them, I'll be listing ideas for all of them regardless if I like the originals or not. Also note that I’m not really addressing the fact that this is anime and of course some designs aren’t as detailed as they could be to be easier to draw, I’m just rambling, yeah? I’m also not thinking too much about powersets yet. 

Also note that the pictures I add are just visualized ideas because I’m not very good at explaining, not actual references, alright? 

Yeah this is going to be long lmao. Read more! -> 

Alright, going in Zodiac order! 

Aries. Definitely lots of wool. Either a soft sweater with puffed sleeves, or a cute short flowy winter cape. I'd like her dress to feel a bit defensive, so a puffy cape. I'd like to think of fluffy gloves and boots. Aries is a fairly modest character (she was uncomfortable with being asked to service men) so she'd be dressed comfortably, not showing any cleavage. I think a short dress would be cute, but for a battle dress for someone that fights like Lucy, I think Aries would go for comfy shorts like her own jumper-type clothes-- or maybe a skirt that fluffs at the end to complete the winter look? 

Taurus. It's good as it is, perfect for Taurus. But she could also have a leather jacket, or alternatively, a checkered shirt tied like a crop top to complete the cowgirl look. I kind of like the asymmetrical pants, wish the shorter side was a bit longer. But short shorts or full-length ripped jeans would be good too. I love this dress as it is, so not much changes honestly. If I wanted to add anything it’d be more accessories and badges to make it look wild westy. 

Gemini. I like the court jester/magician look a lot! Super unique. I do wish it were cuter as an outfit, though. They emphasise right now on being different colours, rather than asymmetrical. If I could choose, I'd make them clown or carnival-themed, sort of the cute little roadside magician or maybe even court jesters? Makeup, puffy frill sleeves, suspenders, mismatched high-knee patterned socks, toys and rainbows. They'd appear different each time--- sometimes she'll have a cape to hide a Doraemon-variety of things you just need, other times she'd maybe even wear a mascot head! This is the fun and jokester dress, and Lucy would have a hard time chewing them out for messing with her dress design, because 'awww, it'd have been funny!' 'NOT WHEN I'M FIGHTING IT'S NOT!'

Cancer. Love the Chinese vibes as they are, so if I redesign it, it'll be closer to Cancer's personality and image. Honestly, despite (or maybe because of) the first Celestial World Dress we see, I think when things came down to it for battle, Cancer would choose something that’s practical over something flowing and pretty. Nothing casual though, he’ll choose something that looks smart casual at least, something like a work uniform. I like to imagine a waist apron or belt to put small scissors in. In this outfit variety, I’d love for the main weapon to be huge scissors that Lucy has to make swing her body weight around. 

Leo. Hear me out. If Loke could, he would go immediately for a wedding dress. But that aside, Leo’s dress is gorgeous enough as it is-- if I redesign it, I guess it’ll be for practicality? But anyways. Rather than just an evening gown-- I kind of want fur. Not soft, woolen ones like Aries, but fuzzy ones, you know, like the one he wore as Loke. I’d go for a more ‘punk’ image than a royal one to match his Loke phase. I’m thinking high collars lined with fur, long flowy vest but free arms and legs, because Leo is the leader and he’s extra like that. I’d like to think there are lion connotations everywhere, from gold accents to fur-lined skirt ends, cheetah prints, cat ears and a lion’s tail belt. Definitely stilettos, excess rings and accessories to maximise damage-making capability.

Virgo. Virgo doesn’t mind if she does panty flashes, so the maid uniform can stay. Though, definitely add chains, maybe wound around her arm. Since Virgo’s thing is that she’s a blatant cesspool of sexual kinks... well, first, I think I want to mention that Virgo doesn’t care about herself, but she cares about Lucy’s modesty to some degree (she covers Lucy’s skirt in the hgih winds of Eisenwald arc, leaving herself vulnerable). If she decides that Lucy should go more battle-based, first, I want Lucy to have a slightly longer maid dress, maybe slit in the side or have a design to tuck it up for battle so she can look unsuspecting and harmless when not fighting (something Virgo also does is look the part of being ‘undercover’). Lucy should have a variety of things hidden around her garter, from knives, to guns, to her keys. I love the idea of a combat maid, 

Scorpio? I love the practicality of her current one, but Scorpio could also put her In rockstar clothing. Colourful neon cropped jackets, fishnets, plenty of loose accessories, bright-rimmed sand boots. High ponytail, definitely. Does this make sense for sand? No, so if we went on that route-- definitely armoured boots and arm guards, but go for a more flowy look, loose clothing for sand travel. Not too much though, maybe just baggy pants and a sash to keep it together, and a head scarf. 

Sagittarius. The leprechaun/elf thing is super cute, wish it were a bit more unique than just whole thing green though. I’d give her a hooded cape, probably brown, and instead of just sleeves, a full archer’s brace on both arms.  Of course, the open crotch is stupid on the original dress, give Lucy a short skirt that doesn’t show her underwear to the world. At least one more flap that goes over the front, I’m fine with the slits so they can look like tinkerbell. Though, to be unique, I’d like if her hair was down in a low and/or loose ponytail instead, to be under a hood. 

Capricorn. I’d love if he went the businesswoman route, to look like a librarian or secretary. Glasses, horns, braids, all those can stay. Honestly I’m thinking something like a mysterious bookkeeper in a mystical library. I’d think he’d give her a longer dress, and Lucy would look really studious and modest. It’d really make her writer side shine, and that side of her never gets enough shine. I know Capricorn is a combat-type spirit, but Capricorn’s dress should have been more of an intellectual skill dress than a combat one-- maybe in this dress, she can think faster, decipher faster, and wield magic to almost the same level as maybe Jellal or Mystogan who can write high-level magic from scratch. 

Aquarius. I need y’all to know that aquatic swimsuit designs have so much potential to look extravagant and gorgeous. I can’t believe Mashima would keep giving us disservices with swimsuits when there’s so much potential here. Like, why stop at just the swimsuit-- give us ocean-themed accesories like pearls, mermaid-themed styling choices. I’d love a long, billowing shawl around her, not just around the waist but around her as well. Mashima puts Lucy in a lot of twintails for these dresses and they’re cute, but I think a long mermaid-tail braid, or even a waterfall braid would be gorgeous. 

Bonus: Libra. Definitely Arabian dancer clothes. This is one of the few that kind of go without saying. While Scorpio kind of has sand-weather middle-east clothing as well, I think it should primarily be Libra’s thing. Going full out in this aesthetic--- maybe to be modest, head scarves, layered sashes and skirts, and of course, a ton and a ton of shiny, jingling accessories on every limb. 

Bonus: Pisces. Pisces would go with something skintight, maybe competitive swimwear or diving wetsuits. Definitely let’s not have the stupid open chest thing Mom Pisces has, but it’d be cool to see minimal armour pieces implemented into that kind of design, maybe the suit is made with material that feels like scales? I like to imagine this dress has two forms to be unique, since it’s the paired fish.  One for offensive focus, one for defensive focus. Mom would have a long gorgeous dress that looks like water with plenty of layers, mother of the sea and all. Son would have the wetsuit armour. Of course, they’ll wield a trident. To set them apart from Aquarius, they would have fish-themed accessories specifically. 

Bonus: Leo x Virgo. 

I’ll think of these two ways, if Leo is taking the forefront of the concept, or if Virgo is. If Leo is, I think this can go full royal. Go from a maid outfit into practical royal-esque clothing, shorts and cravat, adorned with as many accessories and badges as possible because both Leo and Virgo are into that. To add in Leo’s animal connotations, a huge, royal cape with fur lining the ends, emblazoned with their logos on the back. Style her hair wild and powerful. 

If Virgo’s taking charge, a cat-eared maid, complete with new animal prints, cuter apron, and shorter skirt for close-combat practicality. 

Bonus: Aquarius x Scorpio. 

Alright, here we go. They clash strangely because one of them wears water clothing and the other sand clothing. I’ll be thinking of Scorpio as the ‘sporty variety’, by the way. 

If Aquarius is taking charge, a long shawl-type swimwear would work, with a high slit. I want to give her a long scorpion tail, but of course, a thin one that can look elegant, not the clunky armour in canon. I’d love if this gave her a bit of devilish connotations, and Aquarius would go on to look a little evil with dark, evil antagonist sort of vibe. I’m thinking of a ‘little devil’ vibe because Scorpio’s got the ‘punk rock’ thing going on, so if she doesn’t let out her infamous violent streak here, when? 

And yes, all swimsuit material. Because swimsuits are versatile. 

I think Scorpio would look for a bit more practicality, so competitive swimwear to emphasize the thighs. Since he wants to emphasize armour so much, let’s see how that can work. As seen here, Azur Lane knows the balance between clunky metal and minimal fabric. So the main problem of the canon AxS dress is the metal parts are way too big and impractical. Give Lucy a smaller tail. Ditch the gauntlets and boots, or at make them much less clunky, leading in to high stockings and sleeve gloves. Honestly, we don’t need the tail for her-- make it a whip sword. Give Lucy a huge clunky sword that can extend like Renji Abarai’s sword, shaped like Scorpio’s tail. 

Bonus: Aquarius x Gemini. 

If Aquarius’s taking charge, it’ll be a mermaid tail dress, alternatively layered with blue and white. Definitely needs a train, frilled like waves behind her. I’m thinking a kind of cartoon queen dress, the kind with really high collars that frame around the head? I think snow white had a bit of it? The original gemini dress has it too. That, plus something like the headdress part too, all patterned and adorned to give the Gemini court jester look. 

If Gemini’s taking charge, then I’m thinking a cuter direction-- a balloon skirt, the type that are round and puffy like a tutu or something with frills around the edges? Not sure if you understand what I mean, but balloon shorts is fine, point is, with string adornments it could look like a jellyfish. There are swimsuits in this sort of design, too, so it also fits with Aquarius! Maybe if we wanna go for sexy, complete this design with a tube top + a bit of a frill choker in Gemini colours.

Bonus: Etc ideas. These are a bit messy.

Gemini with anyone else-- starting with Cancer, they’ll go on the magic Kaito route with the stage magician look, suit and tailcoat, top hat, etc. Of course keep the split-colour theming. For Aries, definitely put her right into a mascot costume. I would think mixing with Virgo would give us a strange butler-maid mix, maybe even literally split down the middle. For Sagittarius, go full on with the leprechaun theme, shorts and suits and hat and toe boots and all. 

For Capricorn, Lucy should transition from modest librarian to sexy librarian. Yes, I just said that. Gemini would piss Capricorn off and that’s the point, I want to see it. It would be the funniest damn thing because Lucy would love it while Capricorn loses his mind about immodesty. I like to imagine it happening and Capricorn just freezing in the middle of battle to go “GEMINI, WHAT DID I SAY.” Jokes aside, a warlock coat or something in a dracula direction would be incredibly cool as well.  

Also, Gemini and Pisces would be interesting. I’m thinking a stuntman-type concept, but that’s about it for what I can think of now. 

I think Scorpio on a delinquent route would mesh amazingly with Aries-- a fun, comfortable casual fit, with woolen hoodies, sweater sleeves, fun, pastel frills, loose socks and sneakers, something right out of instagram outfit aesthetics. Leo would add animal designs on it. Taurus would have so much fun with this clothing theme, especially if we ignore practicality. Cancer and Scorpio can go in a marching band direction. 

Scorpio would probably fit amazingly with Libra, because they’re both middle-eastern inspirations, design-wise. I’m thinking a ‘wandering Egyptian bard’ sort of look, traveller’s cloaks, sashes. But I think I’ll use the ‘rockstar’ theme for the others because it’ll clash too much with Libra. 

I’d like to think Aries is most concerned about looking comfortable over genuine practicality. Anything she gives would look like something people would actually wear on the daily, because Aries is modest and comfy and cute and she’s very concerned about that above all else. 

I’m thinking for an Aquarius mix, she would go for a one-piece dress type swimsuit, with frills instead of wool since that won’t mix well with water. There’s be plenty of sheep designs, though, layers of frills to look fluffy enough. For Capricorn, an old-fashioned peasant dress. I think it’d be cute if Cancer mixes and just straight up turns Lucy into an actual magical girl design. For Virgo who’s in charge of royal connotations today, I’m thinking a unicorn princess vibe. 

Generally, I’d think putting Leo with anyone would give them animal features. Scorpio? Ah, add some cute cat ears on that hoodie, please. For Aries, I think ditch the royal connotations and go straight up animal costume. Fluffy woolen dresses, mittens, boots, cat ears, and of course, comfy shorts so Lucy can go full animal. Cancer or Taurus? Ah, get ready for one sexy cat...

Libra? Oh dear, this needs to be sexy, put some animal prints and fur on all of that, please. Definitely mix the ‘sexy’ aspect of Libra with the punk side of Leo-- that means animals stripes! Loke wears tiger stripes sometimes on his tie, so it’s fair. Cheetah prints, etc, those things would be cute. Definitely something easy to move in like dancer clothing, but more practical eg less sashes, more fur. But definitely tons of accessories for the same reason as the Leo clothes. 

Aquarius with anyone shouldn’t immediately go to swimsuits, it should go to ‘sea connotations’ in general. Sea accessories and wave-like frills, swimsuit fabrics, bikini tops or swimsuits hidden underneath more practical clothing, etc. For a Cancer mix, marine navy uniforms. I think Leo would add a formal captain’s coat, but Virgo would go with a corset and petticoat. 

For those that remain swimsuits, they could add their own flair to it, Sagittarius could make it more fairy-like, water spirits or jellyfish-like (I’m making his thing the ‘fantasy archetypes’). I think Capricorn will give Lucy a long, formal mermaid hem dress, complete with a boa. 

But okay, I have one thing I’m very firm on: Aquarius and Taurus? It needs to be a pirate-themed swimsuit, complete with the hat. IT HAS TO BE, okay? It’s a perfect mix of concepts. Sea bandits, land pirates, cowboys, it just works. 

I like to think Cancer turns everyone into a uniform of some sort. I just think it’d be a cute theme to have since he’s always in smart casual. For Virgo, I’d think he’d go the boyish route, with a sort of young prince’s formal clothing, coat and double-breasted and all. Capricorn, I think it would be interesting to go for a mage priest-type costume. For Taurus, definitely full on cheerleader. I definitely want to make a point that her hair needs to be absolutely gorgeous in all of these. 

For Sagittarius-Cancer specifically, hear me out... equestrian clothing. 

I’d like to think Taurus adds a country vibe to most things. For things he can’t country like the royal suits or Scorpio’s modern fits, he’ll find a way to double up the sexy instead, like off-shouldering maid dresses for Virgo. He’d also make a sexy librarian dress for Capricorn to piss him off, though I think he won’t change it even if Capricorn complains, unlike Gemini. 

He’d clash strangely with Aries, but I think they’ll find a compromise on the little red riding hood route. 

I want Virgo to hold most of the royal connotations, honestly, just to set her apart from the others that are also in formal-looking suits. A mix with Libra could make something like an Arabian queen. 

But specifically, I think Virgo and Capricorn will give Lucy a formal, noble lady’s dress. Something befitting of a fairy tale princess. 

To set Sagittarius apart, I want him to have all kinds of fantasy elements in his dresses, not just elves. With Virgo, he’ll make a rogue hunter. With Leo, a cute werewolf (lion?).  Aries can have full control of this one, a simple black dress with plenty of wool at the ends and the collar, maybe even give Lucy actual horns and style her hair into curls. Of course, all of them will definitely have bows and arrows in some form or another, eg Taurus would be a wild west gunslinger with crossbows? Oh and, magical girl phase #2 with Sagittarius and Cancer, without wool though. 

And Gemini would be just a straight up flamboyant clown, high-collar cloak, two-toned masquerade mask, top hat. Speaking of masquerade, a Capricorn mix could be a full on masquerade theme, evening gown and all. 

Alright, I’m exhausted, I had way too much fun with these.

If anyone read this far, thank you! 

To summarize.

Aries would turn everything wooly, pastel, fluffy, and comfortable. 

Taurus would dial up the sexy x2, or he would give things country, old fashioned- kinda vibes including cowboys, pirates, country girl/farmer/peasant, etc. 

Gemini would take everything in a magician or amusement park clown direction, including magical girls, court jesters, pierrots, masquerades. 

Cancer would turn everything into a uniform of some sort. (Work uniforms, not school uniforms). His theme would be looking professional. 

Leo turns everything in wild, delinquent, and animalistic theming, with a bit of an authoritative ‘leader of the bad boys’ vibe.

Virgo holds all of the royal connotations, from maids to knights, to princesses. 

Scorpio takes a punk, rockstar direction. Musical vibes would be his thing, from fantasy bards to marching bands to opera singers. 

Sagittarius would have all of the fantasy connotations. Starting with elves and leprechauns, to RPG roles like hunter, werewolf, fairies. 

Capricorn would have modesty as his main focus, ‘pride of a noble’ and all. He would focus on making Lucy look fit for an audience with the king, responsible and well-kempt at all times. This is different from Cancer in that Lucy would be the served instead of the one serving, and differs from Virgo in that it doesn’t go as far as ‘royal’. Just noble, beautiful, and proud as a Heartfilia. He’s a bit old-fashioned, too. 

Aquarius would be the sea, of course. Swimsuits, and everything of a marine connotation including navy uniforms, pirates, and mermaid hem dresses. 

Libra would take everything in a middle-eastern inspiration, Arabian kinda. 

Pisces would be marine connotations as well, but they’ll take it in a specifically leotard-armour inspiration, kinda like most mecha anime girls.

[stormxpadme]

Whumptober 2023 No. 2 - Thermometer

"How is it you come from here and your instincts still suck in these woods?”

“I come from there.” Grumpier by the minute, Scott nodded across the lake to the holographically simulated shapes of Anchorage’s landscape. “Living my best rich kid's life, until I was 12 and my parents died in their own damn airplane along with their whole legacy. I didn’t go back there ever since. And as a kid, I spent time with books, not in the woods. Dad was into engines, not hiking.” Shaking off new layers of snow from his uniform, he grimaced a little and spit a small drop of red onto the thick white covering the ground from where he must have bitten his tongue or the inside of his mouth during that last clumsy defense maneuver.

The hint of copper in the crystal clear December air that the computer was creating for them tried to veil Logan’s senses with the memory of a far more comfortable environment and a definitely more pleasant workout in their bedroom the prior night. A rearing up of his own instincts that he shut down with decades of routine easily.

With a similar well-trained reflex, he stopped Scott’s hand before his lover could reach for his VISOR to try and clean the ruby glass from a couple of annoying snowflakes. Which would have ended with his vision blurring thanks to a far more disturbing layer of red than the one of Scott’s powers, limiting his senses every second of his life anyway. “Careful. Told you to wear gloves.”

With an impatient growl of which by now, Logan knew it meant, Scott was rolling his eyes at him behind that quartz shield, Scott pulled some cloth from his uniform belt and hastily wrapped it around the deep abrasion on the back of his hand from that last crash. “And I told you a thousand times, I can’t have anything between my fingers and the VISOR when I’m up against supernatural reflexes like yours. When someone like Creed or Mystique is jumping me and I slip on the trigger wheel, that’s one blast too late I can’t afford.”

“Your aim’s always worth shit, no matter if you rather freeze your balls off than protect your hands or not,” Logan answered mercilessly. “When you guys found Rogue and me back then, you were lucky, that’s all. Creed could just as well have bitten your throat. Once he gets tired of listening to Lehnsherr's orders, he will try. You need to learn how to be fast enough in every condition. I happen to like that thin neck of yours better without torn arteries.”

“Idiot.” Scott was still grumbling a little, visibly impatient to get back to the next round of the track-and-catch they’d been on for half of the day already. But when Logan stepped closer to him to lick a few last drops of snow from the side of his neck, underlining his point, and use his own teeth on that one spot he always liked to leave his mark on in their nights together, heat was immediately radiating off Scott in spite of the inhuman temperatures, and the shiver in his body no longer came from ending up in one snow pile after another. With a lot of reluctance, he pushed Logan away anyway and vaguely gestured into the distance of the electronic room, eager for another attempt of finding and taking Logan out at least once. “Training now. Biting later.”

“It’s Christmas Eve, Slim. Very optimistic of you to think we’ll find time for anything tonight but helping Ororo with preparations.” Since debates with his partner about work morals were always costing him a lot more nerves than it was worth it though, Logan stepped away with an unnerved rumble and briefly let his gaze wander over the thick groups of trees and hills in the distance to find a suitable spot for freezing his own damn ass off next. But he never got around to take even one step away. Something small and hard and round suddenly came flying right towards him, his own apparently slightly compromised instincts reacting almost a second too late to dodge and jump to the side, rolling over his shoulder, his claws already half out, because the first thing coming to mind was some nasty surprise enemy whom Scott had programmed in this simulation of his birth town, just to challenge Logan further ...

Only the fact that Scott was hit right in the chest with the snowball that had been meant for Logan was a pretty good hint, Scott hadn’t been prepared for such a devious but fully harmless attack either.

A delightful giggle from behind some trees a few feet away – a couple of high-pitched ones, and three deeper howls – solved that riddle. Including why Logan’s senses hadn’t picked up in time that they were no longer alone. Kade must have brought the rest of the gang in here within split seconds, and the loud whistling and thick condensation of the fake blizzard had masked sound and scents for a moment.

Well, that was apparently Logan’s lesson regarding sharpening his attention for today.

Decidedly unamused, Scott wiped the new layer of white from his face, glaring at the attackers in that distinctive way only Scott Summers could do without his eyes even being visible. “This is combat training, not play hour. So if you are desperate for an F in your next math test, Pryde, that can b...” But that was as far as he made it before the next snowball almost shut him up, very barely dodged this time, especially since it hadn’t come from a pair of delicate hands this time, but from the invisible force that was Bobby’s power set, accommodated by this environment perfectly.

“So, that’s how you guys wanna play, huh?” Logan was still standing close enough to Scott to be able to inconspicuously reach back for a moment, and give his lover’s wrist a warning, gentle squeeze. Yes, a war like the ongoing one with the Brotherhood knew no holidays and only limited spare time. They all had had to work twice as hard since Jean was no longer around, to fill those huge gaps in terms of education and battle power that her death had ripped.

But Scott and Logan were not the only ones who had lost someone. The teenagers had all been through a couple of rough months, with mutant hostility since Alkali Lake going through the roof.

If a bit of mindless fun could help the future comrades on their team recharge their strength reserves for the new year, maybe even their strictest teacher could call off some sparring early for a change, especially on the day before Christmas.

Scott didn’t get time to protest anyway, because Jubilee and Kade already reached down for a couple of alarmingly huge new snowballs, easily dodging the counterattack Logan was starting. Marie swiftly hopped on the ice ramp Bobby had built to attack from above, holding on to her partner with one arm, one projectile of white in the other hand, and a couple of more stored in her oversized sweater that Logan was pretty sure actually belonged to Bobby.

On Kade’s freckled face, there was a huge, challenging grin in response to Scott’s quite empty threat that only grew when Scott’s first snowball went right through him instead of hitting him in the stomach. “Really?”

“You realize, bringing powers to a snowball fight is cheating, right?” Finally starting to get in the mood, Scott elegantly somersaulted behind a couple of trees for protection from the next attack from three sides at once, not without glaring at the two people who were about to give him even more trouble from above.

“I thought this was combat training, not play hour?” Marie deadpanned, her snowball held high, in an angle aimed a little too closely at Scott’s VISOR for Logan’s taste. An attack that he rather stopped in its tracks before it could happen, which forced him to neglect his own cover though and promptly made him the target of no less than four snowballs showering him in white from his jaw down, one of them particularly unpleasantly hitting below his waistline, which made it official: Bobby was just asking for losing a few icicles today.

Logan drawing the attention of the teenagers to himself gave Scott the time he needed to come up with a small pile of ammo himself in his little hiding place. But when he straightened up with a first small but evilly ice-spiked ball for a little revenge on Kade, a far larger projectile hit him from behind, right between the shoulder blades, with enough force to have him tumble to the ground yet again today, as the earth was slightly shaking from the heavy, quick steps of another player they hadn’t even known was present so far.

Fucking Russian guy and his damn scentless metal form.

Well, that screamed revenge, as soon as Logan wouldn’t be busy anymore, dodging projectiles the size of basketballs raining from the sky as Bobby was seriously starting to show some muscle. Logan had a funny feeling, Scott and he were outnumbered, but seeing the broad, enthusiastic grin on his lover’s lips from the corner of his eyes, one that had become so rare these days, he found, he couldn’t care less.

****

"Yeah, we're not doing that again. You really are the worst Alaskan I've ever met." Logan knew, Christmas was fucked this year the moment, Scott as inconspicuously as unsuccessfully tried to hide the thermometer under his pillow that Logan had had to all but force under his arm, even resorting to the threat of shoving the damn thing up his lover's ass if he didn’t cooperate.

The alarmingly high number on the little mercury instrument made it clear, the little fun workout in the Danger Room yesterday had had more serious consequences than just the small cough that Scott had already gone to bed early with yesterday, matching his reddened, sweat-covered face and the utter exhaustion in his limbs perfectly.

Next time, Logan would make the guy wear some damn protective clothing at gunpoint.

"I'll call Hank." With a deep sigh, he reached for his cell phone, frowning unwillingly when Scott reached out an uncoordinated hand from where he was buried under no less than three blankets to grab his wrist. "Slim, I swear to God …"

"It's Christmas, Logan," Scott reminded him unnecessarily with that alarming rasp like from a rusty watering pot in his voice. "That's the only time in the year when Hank's ex-wife allows him at least a minute on the phone with his kids. If he's lucky. He's gonna wait around for that all day and if it doesn’t happen, he'll drink his weight in tequila. We are not gonna disturb that over a fucking cold. I just need some sleep, and you're needed downstairs. Ororo and Charles can't handle the festivities alone."

The still painful reminder that such cumbersome detours wouldn’t have been necessary if they'd still have the Mutant High's in-house doctor around, hit Logan as ice-cold from behind as some snowballs yesterday and forced him to close his eyes for a moment, swallow that grief with something that had become sad routine right now. Something made easier only by that repeated, silent promise to wherever better place he hoped Jean had ended up in, that he'd take care in her stead of that idiot they both loved equally as he'd discovered shortly after Alkali Lake. That included not losing the stubborn asshole to pneumonia in a week. "You're heating up, Slim, and you sound like that P!nk chick they won't stop playing on the damn radio. We're far beyond cold territory. If you think Imma leave you alone in such a condition …"

"You do realize I've been engaged to a doctor, right?" Scott answered with a tired smile, the usual weight of grief heavy in his own voice and drooping shoulders just as much, easing up only thanks to a soft, slow touch of Logan's lips to his too-hot forehead. "It's alright. I'm only saying, I've inevitably picked up some things. How about a deal? I'll give you a list of drugs you can fetch me from the sick bay and you can watch me complain and grimace over swallowing that shit down. Then you get your hairy ass to the living room and make sure no one's gonna get killed over gingerbread by accident while I sleep this off. And when you get back, you can fuck the rest of all those bad viruses out of me."

"I'm pretty sure that's not how it works." Logan let out an exasperated snort but couldn’t hide even in his worry a hint of heat immediately rushing through his veins at this naughty little promise – it wasn’t everyday, a certain control freak he was in love with offered to bottom so freely. Still not entirely happy, he leaned against the bedframe with crossed arms, arduously fighting the urge to light himself a cigar which wouldn’t exactly have benefited Scott's lungs right now, while he waited for his lover to scribble down those notes. His stomach promptly growled when a scent of freshly baked cookies and the army of turkeys about to be prepared for the festive dinner in the community kitchen hit his nose, now that he was no longer focused on fussing about his boyfriend.

Now, his enhanced senses also picked up on excited giggles and the hustle from the pupils in the hallways. Some of them were fighting about if it would be Santa, visiting them tonight, or some obscure European Jesus baby figure, or some nature spirits from other faraway countries. In the living room, Ororo was humming Mariah Carey.

It wasn’t exactly what Logan had expected when Scott had saved his stupid ass from Creed back at the time but this was his life now. And in spite of all fear of the future and grief, by far not all about it was bad. Especially not keeping the guy by his side happy. And if today, that meant more babysitting duty than usual, well – nothing that an occasional sip from Logan's flask couldn’t solve. "Be right back." Still not entirely convinced, he reached for that note Scott reached out to him at last, about to get up from their bed when he startled so much that he almost slipped from the mattress instead when a third person unexpectedly joined them, right through the wall. "Pryde, I told you a thousand times …"

Kade didn’t even apologize for the sake of it, winking at them innocently from under the short, thick fringe of his brand-new haircut before hurrying to the door to open it for the other teenagers who, completely silently even to Logan's senses, must have gathered there in the last few minutes. "Just dropping a couple of things here, Professor Summers."

Under Logan's and Scott's dumbfounded gazes, the young people came closer to spread out a couple of items covered in transparent gift wrap on the mattress' bottom end, slightly embarrassed grins on their faces. "Hank said on the phone, no getting out of bed before you're feeling better," Marie declared strictly, with her hands on her hips, a mischievous grin on her heart-shaped lips at the growing surprise on Logan's expression especially. Okay, yeah, that kid was seriously starting to mature. "So we thought we'd give you your presents now, before all the chaos downstairs erupts. Jubilee is taking care of the little ones, so no worrying about that. Those cinnamon rolls are from her. Me, I worked on those with Hank. Gave him some hints." She blushed a little as she handed Scott who was still completely blindsided, a pair of new gloves matching his field uniform, unobtrusive at first glance, until Marie pointed out slightly thickened spots in the palm and fingertip area. "Those are sensors connected to your VISOR via some signal. Hank will come by next week for the final adjustments. Means you don’t need the wheel anymore."

"How did you know …?" Scott was audibly completely overwhelmed, barely managing to pull Marie close for a brief hug by her own gloved hand.

"We got ears," Bobby stated dryly. "On that note, I hope you don’t mind that we sniffed around in your file a little. Piotr's little sister helped us make a trip north tonight with the help of a few stepping discs, and we needed some directions." Scott's at this point pretty meager sounding new protest that this was classified and locked information, the boy only answered with a proud chuckle. "You shouldn’t be teaching us so well if you don’t want us able to hack some passwords. Besides, you're gonna thank us in a minute. We dug up a couple of things in one of the abandoned buildings that once belonged to your father's company." With a more solemn, compassionate look, he gave Scott a clearly outdated but perfectly cleaned model of one of those Cessna machines that Logan vaguely thought to remember Scott's father had been specializing in. "We were able to scan a couple of old plans too, when Kade opened some archive doors for us. I'll mail you the documents. It's not exactly Shi’ar tech but maybe you can use it as inspiration for the team vehicles."

"I brought back a few of the heavy parts for starters. They're waiting in the garage for when Hank lets you out of bed," Piotr threw in from where he'd retreated into a corner to watch everything as so often.

"I … am speechless," Scott admitted after a long seconds of just staring at those gifts and the beaming faces of the young people in turn.

"Guess that is our Christmas gift then," Kade commented, ducking his head when Scott made a move to throw his half-full teacup at the boy's head mockingly.

"The gifts for you guys are waiting in the changing rooms," Scott answered calmly, after exchanging a brief look and nod of complete agreement with Logan. They'd talked about that often enough for that spontaneous decision, just hesitating still if they were already there, if the young people were really ready … There had never been a better moment to realize, they were. "It's about high time you all finally got proper uniforms. We'll be starting small. Recruitment quests, 911 emergency calls regarding mutant haters, that kind of stuff. You're not coming with us to face people like Magneto yet. But you'll get the chance now to prove that one day, you can."

The deafening cheers following that announcement hurt Logan's sensitive eardrums, and he soon had to slow the teenagers down a little when they were piling up on Scott's slightly compromised body for enthusiastic hugs but he did it with the biggest possible grin on his lips himself. The first Christmas after Alkali Lake turned out a lot less depressing than it had looked at first.

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Please note that this was once a preexisting oneshot based on a prompt, to which I added lots of the text and the second scene above to make it a legit Whumptober-entry.

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@whumptober | @whumptober-archive

[starrameee]

𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙘 𝙎𝙖𝙣𝙨 ——————-

(Aka Silver)

——

Silver, the older skeleton of two famous brothers. He had taken up a high position in the royal guard, formally, having been drafted for the war; officially joining for some personal grudges of his own.

It was not a war neither him or his brother wanted to fight in. Unfortunately, as the king said. “There are thousands of us, and millions of them.” And with his best efforts he marched into war alongside his brother.

He holds a heavy prejudice against all. Humans.

𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙞𝙣 𝘽𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙚: ——————-

Age: 29

Height: 5”2

65 ATK

30 DEF

0.5/1 HP

——————-

“The easiest enemy-“

He suffers with survivors guilt and PTSD.

Often always on alert. He’s not quick to just trust anyone and finds sneaky ways to discover ulterior motives, he’s quite sly and slippery and when he’s not advising he’s often sent out as a spy. He’s a silent observer and tries to remain as neutral as possible when it comes to internal conflicts of the underground.

He still is playful with his fellow guards, and enjoys a pun or two. He serves as the informant, strategist and advisor to the Royal Guard Captain, Undyne. One rank below her. Often handles last line of defenses due to his HP. Often times he’ll try to convince Undyne to take a break, and often times he’s met with no. He is still quite lazy on the job a lot, leaving Buffet and Asgore to scold him. And despite being a Royal guard and being professionally trained his stamina is still severely low and he is not the greatest fighter. In fact he’s much weaker in comparison to his other guards. But he does have a few unique attacks of his own compared to other classic sans.

He got fatally injured in the war, through uncertain circumstances his soul refused to die.

He doesent baby Papyrus, he admires and sees his individual strength depsite his disability and allows him to handle his own issues and puts faith into his decisions.

Because Toriel is dead in this Au, Papyrus is the one he makes the promise to, to protect the human.

Despite being a part of the Royal guard he is notorious for slacking on duty, or causing mischief for pranking the other guards. When he’s not working he’s sleeping at a station, where is always a various location.

He does not hate or like Asgore. His feelings are better described as respect cause of his role but it was never earned through what he’s done. He remains with a strong neutral opinion on the king.

Black is the guards uniform color in respects to all the losses of the war, also because of the constant ceremonies and funerals. Idealistically it is not a permanent color sheme. But there are a few other constant details in all the uniforms, which is often a vest of some kind or form and often a long cape in back often with the Royal Deltarune on it.

The use of silver Deltarune crests are a Royal Guard uniform standard and the use of Gold Deltarune crests are a Royal scientist uniform standard.

This is roughly the idea of the guards uniform not the actual armor they all wear. They differ depending on the guard, as they are all specially tailored to their proportions.

His birthday is on November 11th! 🎉

——————-

(FYI- this is nothing but a design showcase, not an actual character sheet which I will get around to making at some point for all my characters, I just want to get a good strong general idea first before tearing the layers apart ;P ⭐️✨✨)

[quinntamsin]

She held the helmet under her arm as the droid behind her rolled along without even paying attention to the destruction around it. A loud whistling sound informed the Mandalorian what she was waiting for. "Are you sure H21?" she asked, only to receive a longseries of droid language whistles. After listening and discerning theirmeaning the Mandalorian sighed. "Fine, I will speak to the Duchess once this job is over."

Greetings everyone, it's been a long hiatus, but I am hopefully going to be getting back soon. Depression got real bad lately and even cannabis only can do so much. I've been able write a bit more on my next OC riddled fanfic Poisoned Heart. Anyway let's do Andor! Andor S1E1 "Kassa", the opening to Andor is a black screen seemingly zooming into to reveal the title. A stylized version of the Rebellion's symbol, the Starbird, is above it. Dark rain files into view as we watch Cassian walk a dark industrial walkway back to the city where he's living. Morlana One, a massive corp zone on the planet is where he's hiding. This place s reams blade runner and I like how they embedded a bunch of random weird ads. I like seeing this alien city and hearing the various languages in the background. The music here is very synth and I love the dancing twi'lek holo. I wonder what species the fucking bartender is. Almost utapaun, something with an elongated head and more. The proprieteress of the club pops up and we hear Cassian call the place a company town. Pretty damn accurate, Morlana's Corp Zone represents the worst of the Empire. She getting suspicious before Cassian mentions he's looking for his sister. The darkness punctuated by the blue light really sells a seediness to the place with it being broken by random gold lights. It makes me think we're in a strange almost iPhone owned industrial complex. A guard confronts, well a pair of idiot guards, Both using heavy Corscanti accents. Diego's voice has a short of desperate measure to it that sells his spy infused violence. I wonder if he watched some John Wick with how he carries his head as he kills the two me. That sort of tired, bedraggled expression of "here we go again." One guard dies and the other can sense his time to end., and gets his face blasted out. This is not your clean Star Wars, this is the Rebellion and one where you cannot afford loose ends. Yeah, if you want clear cut good and evil, do not watch this series. It's a james bond or mission impossible series with a grittier take. The filters on the vfx remind me heavily of Altered Carbon. WE come to Ferrix, a dust covered dirty city in the early morning. A droid is our main focus, one that easily heads out into a massive junk and scrap pile outside. I like his four little traction points for transportation. We switch to Cassian on Kenari his home where his sister wakes him up. B2EMO his droid has a pretty interesting stutter, which makes me wonder why it occurs. Maybe a damage to his voice processor? "That's two lies." The droid has to put a lot of energy into lying and just seems to want to spend time with "Kassa". Seems Ferrix is another mining or industrial town of sorts. I'm seeing a lot of bright yellow colors in the pallet along with drab oranges and reds. The usage of stone for a lot of the exterior definitely makes me think of some sort of mineral-based processing. Not to mention a lot of the clothes have padded bits insert into them making me thinking defense. Also more people are wearing ear plugs, definitely a job requiring large machinery. This is a great scene, it tells so much just in its costuming and colors. THe way that Cassina's friend has a cleanish face. WE switch back to the Pre-Mor where an investigator is talking about the seats of the guards. I like how he updated his "uniform" because he wants to act the proper Imperial. The man in charge decides to cover it up since the men in question would all make them look back. The DI just wants to ignore it, the Preox-Moralana company wants shit to look good which means less Imperial Oversight. Heh, love it. We switch back to Ferrix where Cassian has come to visit a friend who does repairs. I wonder is this part of his quest to find his sister? Bix is his connection and he pushes more. She asks Cassian what he did and she stole a fucking Starpath unity. He apparently stole it from his friend's bids. Damn, not the best decision. This episode has already established that Cassian is out for Cassian. He has some connections but they aren't exactly "friends". Flashing back to Kenari, we see that the camp is alive with curiosity. The various colonists have strung together a village mixing technology and various stuff near their home. We see them placing on some sort of paint for something the lines have a meaning for the older kids. I notice a distinct lack of adults in their camp. Back to the DI we see him in the security HQ where he berates a man for ignoring a obvious shi launch. Cassian continues his walk around the story as Nurchi, a loan shark, who wrangles another acquaintance into a discussion. I like vetch, big kind of dinosauroid dude with a cockney accent. Bix leaves work and her love interest follows her. What a fool, the man is going to get himself in a lot of trouble. The music hear continues to give us a sort of casual, but thriller quiet. All of the actions of many here are in the underworld. So my guess is she has to maintain a lot of secrets to keep herself solvent in credits. The Imperial Security folks have a nice level of chatter to make themselves appear like normal employees dealing with their uptight boss. Pegla who is a yardbull watching the various ships warns Cassian, and yet again, Cassian has burned another bridge. In the past we see the Kenari older kids head off somewhere. Strange, are they after that ship that crashed? Moving onto Andor S1E2 "That Would Be Me" we continue our take on the opening triad of Andor series. With quick reminder of what happened at the Industrial Site and the death of the two guards. We get the subtle simple opening of Andor with its string theme, which slowly fades into the jungles of Kenar.  The Kenari are heading off to investigate the crash our band of children are decked out in various weapons as they pass what seems to be an abandoned colony site. Overgrown pieces of machinery come to view as we then see a massive open face mine. The kids seem to be descendants of maybe colonial miners that once dwelt on the planet. Changing scenes we see a man entering a tower to adjust his ear plugs. He drums away on the chime which appears to be a large industrial way of alerting the workers of the town. In the shipyard Pegla is turning down the lights and everyone is heading back to put away their equipment. Another day working in the town has come as everyone cools down for the night. Meanwhile, Kassa is seemingly skulking about as Ferrix falls asleep. We see Bix friend reading her console and the Arabesh is translated as he sees the message for a Kenari male wanted. As he enters who appears to be an adoptive mother of sorts. THey discuss the fact that the Pre-Mor Sec know about him being Kenari. Our friendly droid tells him that Bix wants to meet. She asks what he did and he relays a simplified version of him murdering two shitty Sec Guards. The Sec Commander is intent on hunting down and as Bix goes to have some fun we switch to Syril Karn. The Seargent he brings in is pretty hardcore in ow he sees the Order of the Empire. The talk about how they need have a stronger hand to deal with the "Formenting" as he says. This man is what appears to be a failed or wannabe stormtrooper. His eyes got all beetle-like as he talked about dealing with the "Formenting" Back to the Andor Household we see Maarva (yes I had to look up a list of names because I'm reviewing so many shows) is holding something tight. Cassian meanwhile is in his crash ship room. Going through whatever is on his mind. This makes me think the flashbacks to Kenari are about the trauma of losing his sister I mean that is an obvious point, but there is definitely more to the story. The kids zone in on the crashed ship and we see the oldest heading in to investigate alone. The sizzling of electricity fills the air as she uses a tongue click to summon the kids. As the music intensifies we switch to a ship flying over a planet, this appears to be Ferrix again. Whoever this guy is he's definitely a tad sketch. LIkely a Rebel with how the droid tells him about "Safe Places" to land. And as he heads into the city our drummer dude opens the day to waken everyone. Bix wakes up with Perrin watching her from a seat. Bix and Perrin have a somewhat awkward short conversation over a cup of Caf. In his ship Cassian and B2EMO who seems to be somewhat depressed droid. Maarva pops into what I think is Cassian's room to see an old Kenari fighting staff covered in bits and bobs. Was she the one who the kids ran into? We are again in Kenari, the leader of the group is drawing closer as Cassian notices the bodies of the pilots. They are definitely humanoid, but have yellowish skin as one of them gets up and shoots the Kenari leader. The children take him out with their blow guns (how the hell did I not notice they were blow guns). The kids realize their leader is dead, killed by the invaders. THey pick her up, leaving her blow gun as they watch for more invaders. Cassian watches the dropped ship with an intense hatred as we once again switch to Ferrix. He runs into someone and we learn that yes, the mining venture on the actual planet fell apart. SO yeah, my theory was right, the kids were the survivors of a mining disaster. He pays for what seems to be a ticket somewhere. And as Pre-Mor people are coming in their strange blue and orange Imperial inspired uniforms (including those silly little hats). Mosk who is acting like a rent-a-cop wanting to be an Imperial Stormtrooper speaks to his people. Reminding them that the folk of Ferrix can go complain about Pre-Mor at the Territorial Forum. Karn meanwhile seems a bit unsure what to say as he gives a haphazard speech. I wanna say, their ship is clunking as fuck and I love it. Really shows how these guys mostly work as Industrial SEcurity. Why have a flashy ship when a company carrier does the same? So Skarsgard, is Luthen, our old seeming rebel, is on a sort of floating anti-grav bus. He ends up dealing with a man who just can't stop talking and moves to insert himself into a conversation Luthen doesn't want. The carrier draws closer to the primary town in Ferrix as the dump below shows us Cassian on a Mission. It's interesting how unlike the rest of the cast he's always in dark browns and reds. Everyone else is either in blue, orange, green or yellow.

Episode 3 "Reckoning" opens with the children slowly making their way into the downed ship on Kenari. The kid is Cassian, and we see more of the strangely yellow-skinned figures inside wearing suits with the Imperial Emblem on it. The ship itself appears pretty industrial with a central command bridge filled with various oscillating monitors. A central bank of consoles surrounded by clean mirror-like black surface. We switch back to the dusty mining yards after young Kassa bashes the side of the console. He's waiting for someone. So, quickly I looked it up, the people with the yellowed skin are Republic soldiers which makes their death all the more strange. The man from early, Luthen exists from his transport and meets up with Bix. This is interesting, as we switch to the Pre-Mor fucks coming in out of hyperspace. We switch to Maarva and CLem Andor preparing to salvage the frigate. The kid they find is Kassa, and as we switch back to the weird LAAT like ships coming into the space above the town on Ferrix. This scene as the Pre-Mor Sec goons start looking switches places with Clem and Maarva. She's able to sedate the kid as the Republic Frigate is close to appearing. The Security goons appear at Maarva's place of residence and push after announcing they have a warrant. Bix pops back up at work where her friend Timm stalks off a bit sus. Mosk is going off the deep in with his bully-boys. They detect where Cassian is hiding just as Luthen arrives in the warehouse. The pretty orange and teal blue outfits of the Pre-Mor sec teams stands outa gainst the duller browns and yellows of the people of Ferrix. The darker browns and reds of the buildings also makes them stand out more than a sore thumb. A friend of Bix alerts her that the Corpos are there for Cassian as the rat reveals himself. Kerabast, Timm, you damn fool. Luthen asks cassian where he got his gadget, and Kassa being the foolish impatient bastard just pushes for more money. He wants to know how Cassian got the box, he's either a fucking spy or he's too good for his own good.  Cassian scoffs at how easy it is to fool the damn Imperials. Luthen points out that his life isn't going to stay the same and he mentions how Clem was hanged. Again, Kerabast. Luthen invites Cassian to join his little OPA, I MEAN REBEL cell, and suddenly we are in the town center. Several citizens begin to bang on things to warn rest of the town that the Corpos are there. Mosk calls it intimidation, but the fool likely knows its a warning. If they can get to the bell ringer to sound out a warning everyone on Ferrix including the rebels will know. Corpos have them surrounded as Bix runs ahead of them to find Cassian and is stopped by a Corpo officer. In the old factory Luthe is working out an exit plan as he explodes some slap charges. This start a minor chain reaction with corpo team going down as the team enters with what's left and starts firing. Parts keep falling as Cassian hyperfixates on the box. Dodging bits of metal as men are being harmed and killed. Another corpo goes down as the last one shoots from above. The scene itself is well acted and timed. The falling debris adds a great level of tension as the entire factory comes down around them. They escape out of the factory as the last of the team is likely dead. Luthe and Cassian make their getaway as the younger man asks why they don't go for the box. Timm heads in to free Bix and one of the corpos shoots him. As the shooter is set away by the CO Bix is left with Timm's corpse on the steps. You can really see how Mosk is just a damn weekend milita-goer with his actions. Meanwhile, Karn pops into a room and scares off its inhabitants as we switch back and forth between all of the team. Maarva warns the corpo about what the banging actually means. "When its stops." All of the clanging ends, as all of the town goes quiet. The Sec corpos rush around taking up positions as you cans ee they aren't use to actual combat. Syril finds Cassian with a blaster pointed at his behind him. Luthen calls for Karn's life and Cassian grabs him as soon as he's able to make a call. The corpo who shot Timm is killed when he tries to launch the od and finds it weighed down. The Clanging was a way for the locals to work together to end the corpos. One comes upon Karn whose been tied up, as one of the speeders has been rigged with explosives. An old Ford-looking piece acting as a decoy and drawing the fire of the Pre-Mor Sec. They surround it after it crashes, with Mosk laughing and three of the men getting caught in another blast. Cass and Luthe speed off on a swoopbike leaving the corpos realizing their actions were all foolish and gungho. Switching back to t memories of Maarva we see her crying as she thinks of how she found Kassa and rescued him from Kenari. He himself just trying to find his sister. Bix meanwhile saved from being handcuffed and reaches for Timm only to be dragged off. We see the people of Ferrix in pain and the swoop darts off into the sunset. Karn stares into nothing realizing his foolish actions at listening to Mosk got his loyal men killed. That his actions while maybe correct were just the actions of a mall cop at playing tin soldier. We enter Luthe's snhip as starts to lift off and see the old ANdor ship doing the same. Cassian awakes on it to see the last visage of his planet. We get a swell of the music as Maarva watches them and suddenly we are back in the present and Cassian watches as they leave Ferrix. Hottakes:

The Twi'lek dancer holo in the pleasure house is a good example of how the galaxy sexualizes them.

I like  the style of the blue light and strange usage of triangular walk ways.

The fact this story seems to hinge on him finding his sister is a good lead into his reasons for being a Rebellion Spy.

The two men who followed him were the same kind of fools to start this story.

Bix is a nice addition to SW's growing scrappy technician cast.

I do like that they are translating the Arabesh for us.

Cassian is definitely a desperate motherfucker.

Damn the security fucks are definitely a bit too MAGA for my tastes.

Luthen has a definitely interesting vibe to him.

The Pre-Mor guys are all definitely similar to fucking Imperials with their corporate outfits and armor being straight out of Imperial Naval uniform design.

Their ship and shuttles even mimic the old LAAT gunships from the CLone Wars.

Timm's death was so fucking bittersweet, he ratted out Cassian and was shot for doing the right thing.

Watching the guy who killed Timm crash was cathartic.

[deuterium51614]

My Theories

I’ve got three theories that I posted in the music video comments but the first two got buried, so I’m just putting all of them here as-is, in order of when I commented them. Forget about the third theory, but the first two I posted before the Second Trial Trailer where we saw how the prisoners changed from the First Trial’s results.

Mikoto:

So, judging by what others have said about the voice drama confirming the DID theory, my prediction is:

The violent Mikoto we see didn't kill anyone. His position in the biker gang is to rough people up.

At one point he's burying someone, but I'm pretty sure they're being buried alive.

So, either the person being buried alive or someone connected to them follows Mikoto home to get revenge.

BUT Mikoto already switched to his happy self. The person confronted him, and Mikoto was confused with all the accusations. The person then became violent. Happy Mikoto killed the person, but in self-defense. And maybe the shock switched him back to his violent self, who did his best to clean up the evidence.

Shidou:

So I know it's agreed that those are toe tags, implying Shidou killed lots of people, and the main theory is he harvested organs to save one person.

But I just had a thought: what if it's the reverse? The other prisoners seem to be responsible for only one murder each, so why should Shidou be any different? Like maybe the toe tags are there to show how being around death is part of his job, so he's desensitized to it, and the one tag he tears in half at the end is the one death to break him, because he actually caused it.

So now, on to my main theory:

What if the flower person is a universal donor (for example, O- blood can be donated for anyone to use) and Shidou tried encouraging them to donate blood or something similar. The person didn't want to, and Shidou believed it was a waste. The two of them got into a physical fight, leading to the shattered glass we see towards the end, and the person fainted. Shidou decides to use this to his advantage and keeps the person in a medically induced coma, harvesting organs to save his patients.

Flower person getting up from the bed could be symbolic of them finally dying for real: they didn't actually get up from being "temporarily healed" from donated organs, they just passed on. The person was harvested to the point of Shidou no longer being able to harvest anything else from them.

(Some of the lyrics just give me similar vibes to "One Week" by Barenaked Ladies, which is often theorized to be an aftermath of someone killing their SO in a fight, so that's partially where the theory came from!)

[Then someone said in the voice drama, Shidou confessed to murdering several people.]

I just finished reading a transcript of his drama (couldn't find the audio) and honestly, I'm sticking with my theory. He could be feeling guilty for the one death, and is blaming himself for other deaths that weren't necessarily his fault.

Or maybe in my theory, the organs he transplanted failed in the patients and caused their deaths, which is up to chance, so he's only on trial for the one death he directly caused.

Mu:

Probably not the case, but I have a theory that Mu is an actress, and in addition to being a high schooler, plays one on TV.

Or, at the very least, her murder didn't take place at a literal school. Why?

Well, if you look at Undercover, most of the prisoners seem to be wearing something they wear in their MVs at some point under their straight jackets, except Mu and Amane.

Amane is dressed for school, but in her video she's dressed for the cult. Meanwhile, Mu is wearing a fancy dress with high heels, not a school uniform. If her murder took place at school, why wouldn't she be wearing a school uniform? After all, Yuno wears one in her video and Undercover.

So I feel if she's an actress, maybe her character was unpopular and was going to be written off, so she took matters into her own hands and stabbed one of her costars.

Some of the lyrics seem kinda like an apology video to me, so maybe she was getting written off because she was canceled.

Or, if she's not an actress, the school could be a metaphor to show the dynamic between her and her "friends."

Edit: Forgot to mention another part of this theory, which is the green text on a black background looks like autographs!

[boypussydilf]

Let’s see, trying to round up as many of the thoughts i had on pn/p5 while trying to sleep as i can lol

- There’s a LOT of interesting stuff that comes up about the phantom thieves if you try to take what they’re doing and psychonauts-ify it… Like, for this au i wanna bring in Some of p5’s metaverse/cognitive world concepts but i havent really done that yet and im mostly gonna lean more on the standard rules of the psychonauts universe anyway. And, like, turning the Changes Of Heart into a Psychonauts thing totally changes them! I’m imagining something along the lines of The Mental Connections Oopsy Raz pulls towards the start of pn2, and thats… It’s a very drastically different thing and i Love That.

In p5, most of the kids end up in the metaverse by accident, but in psychonauts going into someone’s mind By Accident issssss not exactly a thing. In p5 the method for changing peoples hearts is really really straightforward. Just take the treasure and now in that one move the problem is solved. With psychonauts mental connections though, there’s a lot more steps, it’s gotta be a lot more deliberate… Basically, what I’m getting at here is, in P5 the Phantom Thieves have this ability unexpectedly dropped into their lap and explained to them, but the Psychonauts Phantom Thieves would most likely have had to Deliberately, Intentionally, Seek This All Out. And I want to run with that, because I think it’s very, very, interesting. Instead of being suddenly given an opportunity to hashtag be the change they want to see in the world, they get up and decide all on their own… “fuck this I am going to go into people’s minds about it now.” Or something like that…

- On the note of alternative character interpretation, AKECHI. Psychic Intern Akechi. For a second i thought, shit, that doesn’t really fit him, but then i was like, it’s cool though so who cares. But like… instead of building a Sterilized Palatable Public Image, he goes and joins a spy organization made up of Psychics, People Who Are Generally Looked Down On Or Feared Or Something Like That I Dont Remember Psychonauts SUPER Clearly But That’s The Idea. Anyway I think this takes us to some very cool paths im just not sure what they are. I don’t know what his whole deal is in this au. But I want to. Also he has to wear one of those stupid turtleneck jumpsuits that seem to be standard psychonauts uniform. Not all the time, like any other Important Character he has his Own Outfit, but like, he has to wear a dumb outfit one time.

- oh yeah, at the very start of psychonauts its casually mentioned that raz has Super Super Strong Mental Defenses and oleander tries to read his mind but just Cant. I think basically the same goes for akira here. This is some of why raz would be like…… is this guy hiding something. Cant know cause he cant figure it out.

- SPEAKING OF, in a world with psychics the thieves would be, like, at way greater risk of getting found out LMAO. Like, in PN2 Milla is doing that thing where she’s like. Oh im looking for Psychic Ripples for mentions of this stuff :) and like, just, you know. There r literal mind readers and stuff in this universe. They don’t necessarily have to do anything except think to be caught. I’m sure they can find a way around that. Not an infallible way, of course.

- OH MY GOD RIGHT returning to the matter of changes of heart via mental connections- FUTABA. Either they use their traditional method up till this point in Futaba’s mind and risk Fucking Something Up, or, they end up doing in Futaba’s mind what Raz does in Everyone’s minds in the psychonauts games, that is, going and helping them sort out their issues so they can start healing. And if they do That, thennnnn it could potentially raise some questions among the thieves along the lines of “shit there was a different way to do this? Could we have been doing this the whole time? Would it even have worked on anyone else?” And that’s FUN cause, again, im kind of a fan of the Somewhat More Morally Dubious angle to the thieves in this au.

- and speaking of futaba! Psychonauts AU is cool cause Everyone Has A Mental World so we can see inside the thieves minds :) i dont have any ideas on what anyones mental worlds would be like at this time though. At least Futaba’s is obvious lol but obviously after they help her it would Change quite a bit…

- Also, none of the phantom thieves r, you know, Trained Psychics. They did not have camp whispering rock or anything like that. They have most likely all been completely hiding the fact that they were psychic up until joining the thieves. Just like in regular p5, the only person they have to help them figure this all out is This Weird Cat They Found.

……..aaaaand i guessthats all ive got for now lmao

[captawesomesauce]

Thoughts on Gun Control...

I grew up around guns, and in my various jobs wearing various uniforms, I always utilized a lot of different guns. I carried on duty and off duty, and I spent a lot of time shooting recreationally too. 

Having said that, I am a strong supporter of various gun control laws and regulations. 

Why? 

Because like I said, I spent a LOT of time around them, using them, and seeing who else does.. in both civilian and uniform service. That taught me just how powerful a responsibility it is to possess a firearm. 

And let’s be honest, when you spend that much time carrying a weapon, and seeing who else does or wants to... you realize that there are a lot of people who really should never, ever, be allowed that responsibility because they simply do not have the mental or emotional balance to handle it safely for all involved. 

I will state one thing though... if your argument is suicide prevention.... I’m sorry, but that’s a non-starter. Guns are used in a lot of suicides in america because they’re easy to obtain and use.. that’s obvious... but when you look at worldwide suicide rates - https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/world/suiciderate.html - banning guns doesn’t prevent suicide at all. Belgium, finland, france, new zealand, sweden, denmark, germany, even canada all have higher suicide rates than we do and some of them have almost no gun ownership. People who have made up their minds to end it... will end it... and banning guns won’t stop them, because it doesn’t anywhere else. 

So what do I think should be done? 

The easy way is permitting through law enforcement. Even more so than background checks, places that have this system have seen a 35% or more decrease in homicides and more importantly, guns being bought by straw purchasers and guns ending up in the hands of criminals either first hand or second hand. Why? Well because if you have just a dealer run a background check, their incentive is to make a profit and make that sale. Whereas when a person first has to go into a police station and interact with law enforcement, that tends to allow trained officers to provide the first line of defense against those who should not have access to firearms. It also has shown to reduce the number of officers shot and killed in the line of duty.

What is my IDEAL thing?

This is going to be very controversial but don’t ban guns.. ban ammo.The 2nd amendment doesn’t say shit about owning bullets, just guns. 

Have it so that no one can posess more than 5 rounds of frangible ammunition, more than enough for self defense if living in a city, or 10 rounds of nonfrangible if working in a rural/farm setting. Whether it’s varmint or snake or other uses, they have a real need for firearms - but not neccesarily .223 AR style. 

If you want to go shooting, if you want to go hunting, if you want to use your gun for xyz... you have to go to a place, fill out a form, and after you’ve shot all you wanted, you must police your brass and return every single one back to the purchase place... no more home reloads which will suck for a lot of people, but hey, tradeoff because no one is trying to ban your guns!

There is a LOT of ammo floating around right now in private hands, a lot of home reloads and other stockpiles, but this can be accomplished with a concertrated effort and in the end, it achieves the goal we all want... safety for everyone, from kids in school to people going to houses of worship to those who simply go to work and want to be safe. 

Guns really don’t kill people, the bullets do... let people have their guns, but take away their ability to kill 20-50 people at a time... and the way to do that is to take away the deadly little things that go inside of them. 

 This whole bullshit about taking away pistol grips, or banning guns based on looks is so fucking stupid. Ban what makes them deadly.... the god damn bullet.  Eveyone can still shoot to their hearts content... go out in the woods and hunt, go to the range and blow 100 rounds, shoot all the ducks they want, kill every clay pigeon made.... but they will have to be responsibile.for every single round out there.. and there will be an intervening step that might make it a lot harder for massacres to happen and even lower gun violence by criminal groups.  

After all if we can ban abortions to “save a life” (fucking bullshit)... we can regulate ammo to do the same.

[gutsposting]

We do almost everything in an old-fashioned way on the ship. When they built it they wanted things to be familiar, for people to get comfortable. The government also had the aim of encouraging people to go outside more than they had in the years before we left Earth, they said they wanted it to be “more like the twentieth century.” I don’t think it worked. We have bars and movie theaters like they did, but sometimes the only customers are robots. They find that kind of stuff quaint, I suppose.

Technically I’m not a cop. “Community Safety Officer” was the actual name of the job, since generalized police officers had been phased out in favor of unarmed civil servants with specialized tasks. I was armed, but only due to the recent uptick in violent anti-robotic activity over the last few months.

Last night I was reprimanded for allowing two of the robots to duel one another at the ball I was running security for. One of them had offended the other, and they were both brought an ancient flit lock pistol, firing at one another the way two rich people might have done five hundred years ago. Because no one’s life was taken, since the robot who lost would simply be replaced, I didn’t think it was necessary to charge the shooter with a crime. My overseer disagreed.

It was an enjoyable assignment. They organized a dance in an old attic they renovated to resemble that of an 18th century chateau. Cramped together, a hundred robots twirled in pairs. Many more mingled together, chatting and pretending to drink champagne. An ensemble band of twenty synthetic musicians played Tchaikovsky with mathematic efficiency. The tin men wore the deep green uniform of old Russian soldiers, the women adorned in white puffy dresses typical of the period.

I know that a lot of people get really worked up about the robots, but I can’t find any reason to be bothered by them. In fact, I enjoy their company quite a lot. Of course I find displays like this to be somewhat strange, but many of the robots have taken the time to remind me of an ancient human tradition called “historical reenactment” that was popular among some older people before we left Earth. Instead of plotting out a battle from American Civil War, they preferred to spend their free time indulging in the antiquated finery that we humans chose to give up a long time ago.

Besides, they provided everything for these occasions out of their own pockets. They paid my salary, stuffed my hands with tips, and usually went out of their way to hire humans to preform any task that they were available for. The only problem was that no human wanted to be a waiter, dishwasher or janitor anymore. Yet they still complained whenever they saw a robot hire another robot for a job.

The Biological League were the silliest bunch of people I’ve ever met. They were the ones who were supposedly “standing up for my rights as a worker” when they tried to shut down events like these. I remember the day they decided to shift away from that kind of talk. I was sitting in a bar, I was a lot more stupid when I was that age, and I was watching the trial of that bot who stabbed a man. Apparently the guy was trying to steal some clothes off of the robot. The robot said he was wearing new boots and that the man demanded he take them off.

The robot was a woodcarver who made toys and figurines and statues that were fairly popular. That day he accidentally kept a tool in his pocket from the shop, something that looked like an ice pick. This became the central thesis of the prosecution’s argument. “No robot does anything on accident. It is impossible for them. We submit that the defendant simply having this item in his possession is enough to prove premeditation.”

The defense objected that their expert witness, who had testified in a hearing I hadn’t seen on TV, “provided clear evidence that the current capabilities of the machines is much more impressive than what the prosecution claims. These modern marvels develop complex personalities based on their experiences with humans, and through the consumption of human culture. This process is so refined, that were it not for legislation that demands the robots retain their current appearance, they could not be distinguished from humans without blood testing or surgical examination.”

All in all, the robot was found not guilty due to self-defense. My reaction was astonishment, I remember shouting at the TV in the bar like it was a fucking sports game. It’s embarrassing to think about those days. Eventually the League rallied behind the family of the dead man. “No robot has the right to take the life of a human.” Became their new message. A general rollback of their rights, with the outward stated goal of “limiting the role the machines play in our lives.”

Not much changed with the case, however it did reaffirm the fact that robots were legally protected in the same way as humans. This wasn’t even fully true. They paid taxes at a rate nearly double that of humans and were banned from representing themselves in Congress or any job that was political in nature. They chose to be doctors, were banned from being lawyers, were forced to become accountants and bankers, and were randomly drafted to take breaks from their normal jobs in order to preform manual labor.

But they never complained. Not publicly, and not ever to me directly. Even when humans spied on them, it could never be proven that they had some kind of rebellious intent or animosity towards humans in any private conversations they recorded. I knew this instinctively, because if even one robot could be proven to be a genuine murderer, I would see it on the news every second of every day. The government might even get up off their asses and pass a law to do something about it.

Back then I believed a lot of the things that “pro-human” organizations said. But when I went to a job center for the first time, I realized it was all bullshit. Rather than “stealing our jobs”, the bratty little man at the center explained to me that I could have my entire education funded by the state if I promised to become a doctor. “Too many people are getting into the hospital or going to their personal doctor, and they keep complaining that the nurses and sometimes even the doctors are ‘being replaced’ by robots. We can promise over 1.25 million a year in salary for your first five years, and after that you can-“

The only thing I had any interest in back then was music. I asked him if he knew any jobs that I could get playing piano, and he shrugged his shoulders. Instead of replying, he handed me a thick brochure titled “Helping us Help You” and stood before saying “just holler if you need anything.” His smile really pissed me off for some reason.

I left without taking any job. I survived off of the checks they pay everyone because of “overproduction” brought on by the robots. It’s enough for no one to ever need to work, but people get restless. Some want to just make more money, I just wanted something to do. I tried finding somewhere to at least make a few bucks playing the piano but I just found myself getting nowhere. Composition wasn’t my thing, and I’ve never been able to concentrate on playing for hours straight.

Eventually I saw a poster that said something about “helping the community” and I looked into it. “Synthetic Patrol?” I asked the guy taking down my information. “What kind of trouble can they be up to? Armed? It says these guys have guns?”

He looked like a soldier from a 1950’s movie. “Yeah, they get guns, but it’s not what you think. See, the rich robots like doing a lot of fundraisers and other B.S. stuff that they want security for.”

“But it’s not like they’re worried about a fight breaking out, right? No drunk machines getting dragged from the open bar, and kicking and screaming and shit?” I felt hot all over when I laughed a little too hard at my own joke, and saw that the other guy wasn’t laughing at all.

“Um… no. Not like that.” He turned his computer monitor around. He had pulled up an article on the screen titled “Twenty Robots Shot at Music Festival, Only One Survives.”

“Why the would anyone do that?”

“You haven’t seen this shit?”

“I don’t really read the news.”

He made a smug look and said “well, you should.”

In my training, it was all about helping the community. Keeping them safe. I agreed with everything they said. Of course it was wrong for them to have to worry about getting shot in public. They might not be alive like you and me, but they don’t want to stop existing. They treat the idea of getting “killed” as though it’s a horrifying thing, and it’s not like they have their consciousness uploaded into a new body. When they get destroyed, that’s it. One bullet to the head or the chest, and they don’t exist anymore.

But I think I’m going to retire today. I was sitting next to a flower bed. Cigarettes are illegal so I have to be careful who sees me smoking. I had a scoped rifle, and all humans were strictly banned from entering the plaza. “Any Violators Will Be SHOT.” I thought the sign was enough.

No humans showed up, but some rat bastard planted a bomb. It went off as they were all listening to a speech from one of their union organizers. Two hundred and fifty of them died, and I failed them all.

I’m done writing about it for tonight. I’m out of vodka anyways.