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snowdice · 4 years

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Finding the Time to Study Fic 2 [Day 25]

Here is my starting post for today’s study break stories session. See this post for more details and feel free to send me asks to keep me going! It’s been a lot of fun so far! I will reblog this post with the story as I write them today. I’ll be constantly looking for ideas of times and places for Janus to have missions, so feel free to send in any you can think of at any point!

If you are a new follower or just don’t want all of these posts clogging your dash, please feel free to block the tag “study break stories” as all posts and voting about it will go there. You can still see the finished product of the story even if you are blocking that tag as I will not tag the edited chapters with “study break stories” but with the tag “folds in paper.” See edited chapters below. Chapters 3-8 and what I have of Chapter 9 are under the cut.

My Masterpost Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

I also have a playlist on youtube (because Spotify didn’t have one of the songs I wanted). It’s short, and not really for serious listening, but I had fun with it.

Alright. I have a midterm that is due in 24 hours so we’re going to be going quite a while today. I’ll probably even stay up late since that class is canceled in the morning and I’ll sleep better if I go to bed at 2am with it done then I will if I go to bed at 10pm with it not done. I have a lot of water, tea, and snacks. Feel free to send me Lo-fi playlists because I’m not sure what vibe I want today and took 15 minutes to pick out my first one. XD

Chapter 7

“Him,” was the only thing Janus said before taking off after the figure who had just disappeared into the game area.

“What?” Remus’s voice followed after him. “Janus! What?!”

Janus did not pause, just continuing to run after Pat, hopping over two barricades as a shortcut. Janus cursed when he lost sight of the man for just a moment near the prize table filled with colorful goldfish, but he was able to spot him once again walking into one of the tents. Janus blasted into the tent. It was a game where they raced rats, and when Janus entered, Pat was cooing at one of them.

“Who’s a tiny little squishy precious baby?” he was asking one of them, wiggling his pointer finger at it.

“You,” Janus growled stepping up to him.

He turned and tilted his head at Janus with a frown. “Um, me?” he asked, pointing to his chest, all sorts of innocent, but Janus could see a spot of hidden amusement in his eyes.

“Where is it?”

His eyebrows drew together, but it was an act. It was clearly an act! “Where is what?”

“The…” he glanced around them at the people surrounding them. “Thing you just took.”

“I didn’t take anything,” Pat said with a frown.

“Oh, no,” Janus said. “Fool me once, shame on you. Fooling me twice is not an option.”

“I’m sorry sir,” Pat said. “I really don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Bull. Shit.”

Just then, Remus jogged into the tent. “What’s going on?” he asked.

“It’s him,” Janus said pointing. “He took it. He has it.”

“I… don’t know what you’re talking about,” Pat said. He looked over to Remus with a confused frown.

Remus looked at Janus. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Janus said. “It’s him. It has to be him. He’s the mask guy.”

Remus squinted at Pat. “He is?”

“Whoever you think I am, I’m not. I haven’t worn a mask all night. I just did the face paint,” he pointed to his cheeks.

Remus raised his wrist and his timepiece lit up green. He looked at Janus.

“I lost sight of him for five seconds. He must have stashed it somewhere,” Janus said. He turned on Pat. “Where did you put it?”

“…Are you,” Pat asked, his eyes going back and forth between Janus and Remus, “… the police?”

“We are, actually,” Khalid said as she stepped into the tent. Remus must have called her. She inserted herself between Janus and Pat. “Agent Khalid,” she said, offering a hand with a smile. Pat looked at it in surprise and then smiled back hesitantly as he took it. “Apologizes, one of the big game prizes was stolen by someone matching your description. Would you mind coming down to security for questioning? Just to clear it up.”

“Oh,” Pat said, hesitant. Janus expected him to refuse outright, but then he said. “Uh, sure.”

“Thank you very much, Mr…”

“Jonas,” Pat told her earnestly. “Do I need to be handcuffed?”

“No,” Khalid said. Janus frowned at her, but she ignored him. “It’s just a talk for now.” She gestured to the tent entrance. “Come with us.”

He did without argument, and Remus and Janus followed behind the both of them. Khalid did not lead them back to the base, but to a little spot that said “security” near the center of the event. Remy was already there waiting for them at a desk.

“Remy, would you please take Mr. Jonas to go sit down?” she asked.

“Sure, boss,” Remy said, standing up. He led Pat away.

Khalid turned to Janus and Remus once they were out of earshot. “What is going on?”

“It’s the mask man,” Janus said, “the one from 1923, and my scanner said the time bomb was on the Millenia Bird outside the games entrance, but then it was gone the next second, and I saw him, and then he ran away.”

“So, does he have it on him?”

“No. I lost sight of him, and he must have stored it somewhere, but I know he took it.”

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“He’s the man from 1923?” she asked.

“Yes! Remus, that’s him, right? You recognize him.”

“Well,” Remus said thoughtfully. “He was in a mask, and it was dark in the room with the necklace. Other than that, I only really saw his back, and he was wearing pants. Mr. Jonas is wearing a dress, so I can’t really tell if their asses match.”

“Okay, but I was with him for hours. I swear it’s him, and I swear he took it,” Janus just about shouted.

“We’ll question him,” Khalid placated, “and Fred and Lena will keep looking in the meantime.”

“He knows where it is,” Janus insisted. “I swear.”

“Okay,” Khalid said, before leaving to follow where Remy and Pat had gone. She stopped Janus with a hand on his shoulder. “I think Remus and I will do the interrogation.” He opened his mouth to argue. “You know the most about him, so observe from the sidelines and see if he makes any mistakes that indicate you’re right.”

“That’s just to placate me and you know it.”

“Observation’s over there,” she said pointing.

He got a thumbs up from Remus as he walked by, and Janus glared at his back before walking off to the indicated location.

He watched as Remus and Khalid entered the room, and Remy left it. Remy joined him in the observation room after leaving and leaned against the wall.

Pat was sitting at a table and watched Remus and Khalid with that same rubbish placid confusion that he had before. “So,” Khalid said, “Mr. Jonas.”

“You can call me Nick,” Pat interrupted.

“Lia,” Khalid replied. He smiled at her happily. “So, are you enjoying your day?” she asked.

“I am!” he replied. “It’s a big day. You only get to see the turn of a millennia once in your life.”

“Ah, yes,” Khalid said. “Doing anything special for it?”

“Um, not really,” he said. “Other than the party. I’m going to meet up with my roommates after dinner. Kevin doesn’t like this sort of thing, and Joe couldn’t come.”

“Your roommates,” Khalid said, considering him. “Do you live around here?”

“Uh huh,” Pat replied.

“Do you have any ID?”

“I do, want me to get it?”

“If you wouldn’t mind.”

Pat unzipped one of the bubbles on his waist and handed her a chip. “Remus, would you mind going out and getting the ID scanner?” she asked, even though her timepiece would be able to read it.

“Ah, shit,” Remy said. “Props. What do those things even look like?”

As Remy scrambled to find something that would pass for an ID reader so “Nick” didn’t get suspicious of Khalid using her timepiece, Janus watched the two alone in the room like a hawk.

“I see you’re wearing a dress inspired by the 2770s,” Khalid noted, as Remus came to stand next to him.

“Yeah!” Pat replied. “Joe made it for me. He’s really good at fashion design!”

“Can I see?” she asked.

With a happy smile, he reached over the table to let her get a look of the sleeves. Janus saw her subtly scan the fabric, probably to make sure it was from the 2990s and not actually from the 2770s. Considering she didn’t mention it, Janus assumed it checked out.

Remy came back with some sort of device then and handed it to Remus who saluted and wandered back into the interrogation room. Khalid pretended to scan the ID in her hand. She handed it back to him without comment. “So, you said you live with your roommates: Joe and Kevin?” she asked.

“Yep!” he replied. “We’re practically like brothers.”

“Would you mind calling them?”

“Erm,” he titled his head like he was confused by the question. “Well, like I said, Joe is a bit busy, but I could definitely call Kevin.

“Here,” Khalid said, “use my phone.”

“I have my own,” he said with a frown.

“Humor me,” she requested.

“Uh, okay,” Pat agreed. He took the offered 2999 phone and dialed a number on it. Khalid reached over to put it on speaker.

“Hello?” a voice asked after a few seconds.

“Um, hey Kevin, it’s Nick.”

There was a sigh on the other end. “Hello Nick, is something wrong? Why are you calling me from someone else’s phone?”

“I’m fine, I think.” He looked up at Khalid. “Why am I calling him exactly?”

“Hello, I’m Officer Khalid,” Khalid said. “I just wanted to confirm that you are Nick Jonas’s roommate, and he does live in Manaus.”

“Yes, we live together with our other roommate,” the man replied flippantly. “Officer? Is something wrong?”

“I believe there was just a case of mistaken identity,” Khalid said.

“Bullshit there was!” Janus hissed, though she could not hear him.

“No need to worry,” Khalid continued.

“I’m good Kevin,” Pat said.

“Are you absolutely sure?” Kevin asked.

“Don’t be Paranoid, Kevin. I’ll see you Tonight for the New Years Celebration. You know I Live to Party.”

“I am hanging up now,” Kevin said.

“No! Comeback.” The line went dead. Pat handed the device back to Khalid.

She took it and smiled at him. “Give us just a couple of minutes,” she requested. He nodded easily, and she and Remus exited the interrogation room. “I… think we’re done here,” Khalid said.

“No, he’s lying,” Janus insisted, and got a dubious look in return. “I know he is! Remus!”

“The alibi is pretty solid…” Remus said, “and he doesn’t have the bomb on him.”

“Oh, come on,” Janus said. “You can’t say there is nothing fishy going on here.”

Khalid and Remus shared a look. “Janus,” Khalid said. “I respect your intuition. It is usually very good, but you have been a bit intense about the man from the 1920s, and I think that may be blinding you a bit...”

“I am not imagining this!” Janus said. “That’s him and he took it.”

“You only met him once while he was wearing a mask,” Khalid pointed out with a frown, “and you didn’t see him take the bomb, did you?”

“No, but he looked at me and I knew,” Janus argued. They both gave him a skeptical look. “Oh, come on!”

“You know that’s a little weak, Jan,” Remus said.

“Let me talk to him,” Janus requested. “Just give me five minutes to talk with him.”

Khalid raised one eyebrow. “Fine,” she agreed. “You have five minutes, but after that, you have to let it go. We can’t waste any more time.”

Chapter 8

Pat looked up as Janus stepped into the interrogation room. “Hi,” he said with an innocent smile that could cut steal.

Janus didn’t say a word as he took a seat; he just watched him intently. He leaned slightly over the table and steepled his fingers in front of his chin. “So, your name is Nick this time?” Janus asked.

“Nicholas Jonas,” he said. “Always has been.”

“Stop it,” Janus said.

“Stop what?”

“Cut the crap. I know.”

Pat leaned forward, mirroring Janus as he leaned closer, interlocking his fingers and laying his chin on top of his knuckles. “What did you say your name was again?” he asked, pleasantly.

“Janus,” Janus replied.

“No, I’m Jonas,” he said, pointing to his chest.

“Not Jonas,” Janus spat. “Janus.”

“Um,” Pat said, eyes alight with amusement. The bastard. “Those are the same words.”

“No, they’re not. It’s Janus. J-A-N-U.-S.”

“Well, that’s confusing,” Pat said with a frown, but his nose was crinkling. “It’s close to my name. You should go by a nickname instead.”

“What?” Janus said. “No.”

Pat hummed. “How about Love Bug?”

“What! No!” Janus sputtered, almost flipping the table, as Pat winked at him.

“BB Good?”

“What does that even mean?!”

“Mandy.”

“No!”

“Okay, okay, how about Macy Misa.”

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Janus stared at him for a moment. “Fine. Whatever. What was I even talking about?”

“Hmm. I Believe we were talking about my name and how you think it’s not my name.”

“Right,” Janus said. “So, Nick. That was your roommate, Kevin on the phone, right? He seemed a bit unhappy with you. Any reason?”

“Nah, we’re Cool” said Pat. “That’s Just the Way We Roll.”

“Not because you’re messing up a mission right now?”

Pat’s eyes crinkled together. “A mission?” he parroted. “I’m not messing up a mission.”

“Oh, really?” Janus growled. “Because you’ve been captured by the TPI, and I know who you are and what you’ve been doing.”

“I have no idea what the TPI is,” he claimed.

“Yes, you do!” Janus said, standing up. “You obviously do! Or you wouldn’t be playing this game!”

“Game?” Pat asked. “Macy I ask you what you’re talking about.”

“This is all just a game to you isn’t it!” Janus said, slamming his hands down on the table in front of them.

“Whoa,” Pat said, putting his hands up. “Calm down. Your face is getting all red. You must be Burnin’ Up.”

“I’m not sure what, but something about what you just said pisses me off.”

“And that is five minutes,” Khalid said, bursting into the room. He felt a tug on the back of his shirt and glared back at Remus who was putting his own body between Janus and Pat.

“There was no way that was five minutes,” Janus growled.

“It was five minutes,” Khalid gritted out. “Remus, get him out of here.”

“Come on Jay,” Remus said, dragging him back towards the door.

“Remus, I swear to god.”

“Just chill, Janus,” Remus said, slamming the door closed behind them.

Janus shrugged him off. “You chill!” he snapped. “He’s playing you all for the fool.”

“Wow, Macy,” Remy drawled like an asshole. “I’ve never seen you so fired up.”

“Oh, my gosh. No one is going to believe me, and he’s going to get away with this.”

“You’re not really helping your case, babe,” Remy said.

Remus grabbed him by the shoulders again. “Here, let’s go get some water.”

“I don’t want water,” he said even as he let Remus lead him to another room to get a glass of water.

“Look,” Remus said. “I know the Mask Guy thing really sucked, but you have to look at the facts.

“I am looking at the facts,” Janus insisted, “and the facts are, he’s fucking with me.”

“You don’t know what mask guy looks like,” Remus said. “You didn’t see Nick take the time bomb, he has an ID from this time period and a roommate in this time he called on the phone, and he legitimately seems to not know what any of us are talking about.”

“Did you even listen to our conversation?” Janus asked. “He was screwing with me the entire time!”

“Janus…” Remus said.

“What?” Janus said, narrowing his eyes at Remus’s tone.

“I know you recently had a bad experience, but not everyone who flirts with you is doing it out of evil.”

Janus’s mouth hung open for a few seconds. “That’s what you got out of our conversation?”

“He called you Love Bug.”

Janus felt his face heat a bit at the reminder. “That’s not… I. I’m stealing your cat and then never speaking to you again.”

Remus laughed. “Ah,” he said. “Young lust.”

Janus elbowed him roughly in the side. “No!”

“Yes!” he crooned, pleased.

“You are the worst partner,” Janus hissed. “When I’m right you owe me 10 loafs of your fresh bread.”

“Branching out from poptarts?” Remus asked.

Janus shook his head. He still wasn’t happy about the state of things, but he could feel himself cooling down a bit.

Khalid came out of the integration room after a few minutes, leaving Pat with Remy. “What was that?” she asked him.

“He got under my skin,” Janus said.

“We’ll talk about it later,” she said. “For now, we’re letting him go and then going back to looking for the bomb like we’re meant to be.”

“Fine,” Janus relented. “Just do me the favor of tagging him before he leaves. Just that. I beg of you.”

“Sure,” she agreed. “If it will calm you down.”

He nodded.

“Then, let’s go,” she said. When they met back up with Remy and Pat, he saw Khalid make the subtle gesture that would tag Pat like they would have for the Millennium Birds. Pat sent him what could pass as a sweet smile if Janus didn’t know better. Then, they walked him outside, leaving Remy on clean-up duty for the make-shift security office.

“So, I’m free to go?” Pat asked. His bemused expression edged far too much on the side of amused verses confused for Janus’s taste.

“You are,” Khalid said. “Have fun at the festivities.”

His hands went flapping about. “Oh, you too!” he said. “Well, I guess you’re working, but you can have fun anyway, I’m sure.”

“We’ll do our best,” she said.

He gave her a blinding smile and reached forward to shake her hand enthusiastically. Janus rolled his eyes and looked up at the heavens. “It was nice to meet you!” he said, “and you too, Remus!” He turned to meet Janus’s eyes. “Macy Misa.”

Janus pressed his lips together.

Then, Pat turned and walked away.

“Well, now that we’re done with that,” Khalid said, turning to them. “We have only a few more hours before midnight and we really need to find the time bomb.

“Oh,” Pat called. He’d paused a few yards away and turned back to them. “Thanks for letting me go so easily by the way,” he said, “and just in the Nick,” he winked, “of time too.” Janus narrowed his eyes at him. He smiled back. “Wrist check,” he said holding up his arm to show off the timepiece there. Khalid immediately looked down at her own wrist just to see that the one timepiece that could move through the time lock was no longer there. Pat made a gesture and disappeared.

All three of them stared at the spot he’d been for a long moment.

Janus was the one to speak first. “I want. The yellow. To be erased. From my record.”

Chapter 9

Khalid immediately called everyone back to base.

“What happened?” asked Fred when he and Lena arrived. The tech people were already scrambling to get through to the TPI and get the time lock broken from the outside.

“Remus, Remy, and Khalid got played by Pat or whatever his name is. It certainly isn’t Nick. He was just setting up a joke,” Janus told him.

“Stop being smug,” Remy said. “It’s not a good look for you.”

“Pat is…?” Lena asked.

“They guy who fucked me over in 1923,” Janus said, “and is currently in the middle of fucking us all over because he stole the pin timepiece, and by extrapolation, probably the time bomb too.”

“It will be fine,” said Khalid, “because what he doesn’t know is that timepiece has a tracker on it. Wherever and whenever he went, we’ll have his coordinates.”

“Speaking of,” one of the techies said. “It’s about to break. You might want to hold onto something.” Janus grabbed for a support beam next to him as the techie put a device on the ground in the center of the base. It blinked once, twice, and on the third blink the ground rumbled. There were sounds of panicked yelps outside. The fail safe for the time lock was not nearly as gentle as ending it correctly.

Everything settled after a few moments, and they all straightened themselves out. Janus’s timepiece buzzed to indicate it was now functioning normally. Khalid had returned her usual timepiece to her wrist and now used it to open a display they could all see. “The pin timepiece’s closest time/space coordinates are…” she trailed off. “Right outside?” She frowned. “That’s strange. Why would he still be here?” She turned to march outside, following the coordinates to a trash can. She pulled the pin timepiece out and stared at it. “Fuck,” she said.

“What just happened?” Remy asked.

“He ticked us,” Janus said. “Again.”

“He was stuck in the time lock,” Khalid said. “That’s why he got our attention. He couldn’t leave with the time bomb unless he had the pin timepiece or we broke the time lock. Apparently, he’s smart enough to know that if he took the pin timepiece away from here, we’d probably be able to find him, but he knew we’d break the lock as soon as the pin went missing. So, he must have stashed his own timepiece and went back in time within the time lock to grab it while we were distracted with the past version of him. As soon as the time lock went down, I imagine he left.”

“Probably with the time bomb,” Janus said.

“Probably with the time bomb,” she confirmed.

And everyone knew the only thing worse than a time bomb was a time bomb you didn’t know the location of.

They evacuated after that, of course, and time locked the location once they were out just in case they were wrong, but midnight 3000 struck without thousands of people dying in Brazil, so the time bomb had defiantly been removed from then.

The, they initiated a time travel lockdown for all nonessentials, not willing to let random history students get caught up in an explosion if Pat decided to set the thing off somewhere.

Then, it was a matter of figuring out everything they could about ‘Pat.’ First, they checked the tracker data as Khalid had tagged him with one of the Millennium Bird trackers. It wouldn’t work outside of the zone they’d set up that day, but the record would show his behavior during the time lock after he’d escaped with the pin timepiece.

There had been many little green dots on the map that day as Fred and Lena had actually been doing the job they’d set out to do, but most of those were running around in the south. There had been one green dot, however, that appeared suddenly in the game area about 10 minutes before the time bomb had been stolen.

They could see Janus’s yellow dot almost brush his when he’d been chasing the earlier Pat down, around when he’d lost him briefly. The earlier Pat must have all but handed it off to his future self.

“He doubled back,” Remus commented when they watched the recorded data. It was a ballsy move and one that most people balked at, because there were inherent dangers any time you interacted with yourself from a different point in the timestream. It was ripe for paradoxes. It made everyone at the agency even more worried, because if he was willing to risk that, then what else was he willing to do?

Because of the lockdown of all nonessential time travel, people working for the TPI were not allowed to go home for the night. They were allowed to pick up anyone or anything dependent on them for care like kids and pets if there wasn’t someone in their home time to care for them, but other than that, they were unfortunately all sleeping in their offices for the foreseeable future.

“You are the only tolerable one,” Janus told the cat who upon being let loose in the office by Remus, immediately jumped on Janus’s lap.

“I have literally done nothing to you,” Lena said, but then added. “Yet.”

“You exist. In my space.”

“Can’t we just all get along?” asked Fred. “It’s only been an hour past when we’d usually go home. I went and grabbed milk and I have my giant thing of different flavored hot chocolate under my desk. We can try them all and vote on which is better.”

“Fuck your hot chocolate, Fred,” Janus growled, having been one of the three who had chipped in to buy it for him on his last birthday.

“Don’t go after Fred, jackass,” Lena spat.

“He’s just testy because his boyfriend escaped,” Remus contributed.

Janus’s lips turned down into a frown and he cupped Diesel Fuel’s face. “We agree we’re eating him first, right?” he asked her.

She purred her agreement.

“I’d have it no other way,” Remus replied.

“There is plenty of food,” Fred said, sounding stressed. “In fact, I was thinking we should all chip in on ordering take-out soon. “What does everyone like on pizza?”

“This is not a slumber party, Fred,” Janus pointed out.

“Shut it,” Lena snapped and turned to Fred. “I’m fine with almost everything, except…”

“Bananas and tuna salad!” Remus interrupted.

“…whatever Remus is about to say.”

Janus rolled his eyes as that started a debate about whether or not fruit and/or fish belonged on pizza. He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, which was when there was a knock on the door.

He froze when he heard the familiar voice. “Hello, hello,” said Emile, cheerfully. Janus looked up to see Emile standing at the open office door. Shit. Apparently, the man had decided to give up on sending lackeys to come fetch him and had decided to track him down himself when Janus couldn’t even escape without breaking a time lockdown. They met eyes briefly and Janus could see irritation if not anger in his eyes despite his otherwise cheerful expression and tone.

“Janus,” he said when he’d gotten their attention. “I’d like to have dinner with you.” The word choice told Janus everything he needed to know. Usually Emile was careful with how he said things to make sure people knew they had a choice. Typically he’d say something like, “I was wondering if you’d have time to have dinner with me tonight,” or “I’m about to go get food, would you like to come?” Today, there was no choice in the statement.

Janus still dried to dodge anyway. “Uh,” he said. “We were actually about to order pizza.”

“Go ahead,” said Fred kindly. Janus wanted to strangle him. “We can order pizza with olives if you’re not here.”

“I…” said Janus. “Guess, I’ll be going with you.”

“Great!” Emile said. “Let’s go.”

“Oh,” Janus said. “Uh, now?”

“Now,” Emile said a bit of uncharacteristic steel to his tone.

Well, Janus was screwed. He swallowed his nervousness and got to his feet, taking Diesel Fuel with him. He turned to hand her off to Remus with a plea in his eye, but he just got an eyebrow raise in return. Traitor.

Then, he followed Emile out of the office door. “What would you like to eat?” asked Emile.

“Uh,” Janus said. “I don’t know. You asked me to eat, don’t you have any ideas?”

“I don’t actually,” Emile replied. Right.

“…Noddle Bar?” Janus threw out the nearest restaurant he knew.

“The one noodle restaurant? Sure,” Emile answered simply. They walked side by side out of the front doors of the TPI building. Janus actually couldn’t remember the last time he’d taken these stairs. He usually used his timepiece to get in and out.

The noodle bar was only moderately busy at this time. They were quickly able to find a table near the back and Emile pulled his menu up in front of him. Emile hummed as he flipped through the different displays. “What are you having?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” Janus said, only then pulling up the menu himself, but still not quite looking at it.

“What about the fortune noodles,” Emile suggested.

Janus shook his head. “I don’t like those,” he said.

Emile glanced at him through the menu displays. “You used to.” Fortune noodles were a bit cheekily named. They didn’t actually indicate anything about your future. They were just supposed to taste like what you wanted from your future. A grad student might experience a feeling like they’d just aced a paper. A child that they got to stay up an hour later that night. Janus had liked the experience when he was younger, but in recent years, he’d begun to taste the underlying chemicals in the dish until that’s all he could.

“Well,” Emile said lightly, eyes on his menu. “That makes me even more worried for your mental health than I already was because of the almost three years of you avoiding talking to me.”

“No small talk, huh?” Janus asked.

“Forgive me,” Emile said, eyes now focused on Janus, and tone much darker. “How has your life been since I last saw your face 5 months ago during a business meeting and you refused to look me in the eye? Anything interesting happen? Shave your head and let it all regrow? Develop an allergy to peanuts? Join a convent and take an oath of silence that you only just broke today?”

“No,” said Janus quietly into the table.

“Great,” Emile said clipped. “Small talk over. Order your food.” Janus reached up blindly to select the first thing that came up on the food and drink menu as Emile punched something into his own and both menu displays disappeared, meaning there was nothing between their faces anymore. “You know, I was willing to give you a year,” Emile said. “I was willing to let you deal with it on your own because I thought eventually, you’d come talk to me about it, but apparently I was mistaken. The next year, I thought maybe you thought I didn’t want to talk to you, so I subtly made myself available, and you never took me up on the offer. I thought maybe I was just not being clear, and I should make my desire to talk to you more explicit, but as you have been routinely, clearly avoiding me at every single turn, I’ve decided I’ve had enough. So, let’s lay it all on the table. Is it me or do you need help?”

Janus closed his eyes. “It’s not you.”

“Then you need help,” Emile concluded.

Janus shook his head.

“Yes,” Emile snapped. “Whatever this is has gone on far too long.”

Janus stood up and slammed his hand down on the table. “And it’s going to keep going on!” he said. The food popped up at that moment. It appeared Janus had ordered lasagna and bubble tea, and Emile had ordered something with spaghetti and a fizzy drink.

“So, you’re just planning to go on being miserable then?” Emile asked, and Janus wasn’t sure if it was worse or better that he didn’t sound angry anymore.

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Janus slapped his hand down on the “To Go” button and his dinner was insta-wrapped by the table. “Yes,” he said.

“What exactly do you think you’re paying penance for, Janus?” Emile asked.

“You wouldn’t understand,” Janus said, paying for both of their meals with his fingerprint.

“That’s a cop out and you know it,” Emile said. “All you’d have to do is talk to me. Or even just talk to someone else. Please.”

“Just…” Janus said, grabbing his bag of food to avoid looking at him. “Just, leave me be.” He walked out of the noodle shop without another word.

Chapter 10

“And I thought Remus was going to be the most disgusting roommate in this equation,” Lena grumbled. Janus and Lena were apparently the earlier risers in the group as Fred was still curled up around a pillow and Remus was sprawled out under his desk.

Janus flipped her off.

“Protein infused Poptarts and caffeinated orange juice for breakfast?” she asked. “Just eat an energy bar and have a cup of coffee like a normal person.”

He took another pointed bite of his Poptart.

“You’re a horrible roommate. This is why they gave us different partners.”

“Yeah, well you snore, asshole,” Janus said after finishing off his meal.

“I’d tell you to go eat shit, but you already did that once this morning.”

A pillow flew across the room and somehow managed to hit the both of them. “S’op fighting,” Fred mumbled. “It’s sleep time.”

“It’s morning Fred,” Lena said.

“No,” Fred mumbled.

Janus ignored them, turning back to his integration port to continue to keep plugging in phrases of interest, but he kept getting nothing.

“What are you doing?” Lena asked after a few moments of him huffing at his screen reader.

“Trying to do anything that may change our current living arrangements.”

She puffed out an amused breath. “Can I help?”

“Can you see any connection between these words and phrases?” he asked, pulling away his screen reader and tapping at the words he’d typed out.

“Paranoid, tonight, I live to party, comeback, love Bug, BB good, Mandy, Macy Misa, I believe, cool, that’s just the way we roll, burnin’ up,” she said. “What are these?”

“They’re things Pat said when we interrogated that struck me funny,” Janus explained. “I feel like he was saying something more than what he said.”

“Hmm,” she said. “PTI for the first three?”

“Maybe,” Janus agreed, “but what about the rest of it? I feel like I’m missing something.”

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“Millennia,” Remus mumbled from under his desk. Janus hadn’t been aware he was awake. “He said something something about it being the only time he could see the change of the millennia.” He turned his head to look at Janus. “Considering he’s a time traveler, that’s definitely a weird thing to say.”

“Millennia,” Janus contemplated. “A different turn of the millennia. Oh no.”

“What?” Lena asked.

Janus sighed, and rubbed his temple. “I know someone who studied the 1700-2200s.”

“Isn’t that good?”

“No,” Janus groaned, “because now I have to go talk to him.” He stood with a sigh and then paused. “How do I even get to Silver Mountains University without my timepiece?”

Luckily Sliver Mountains ended up only being about an hour away from the TPI by time adherent travel, but considering Janus was used to his travel being instantaneous, it was an aggravating trip. He had to show ID and be buzzed up to the fourth floor since it was usually locked to everyone not traveling by timepiece or who worked in the office.

The receptionist was the same man as before. “I’m here to speak to Professor Eran,” Janus said.

The receptionist nodded. “He mentioned you asked to meet him but didn’t know when you’d arrive. He’ll be done teaching his class in about 5 minutes. You can wait over there.”

Janus nodded and sat, waiting for time to slowly tick by. Virgil arrived after a few minutes, lugging a giant bag with him. He caught sight of Janus and wordlessly jerked his head towards the hallway. Janus followed him.

“What’s in the bag?” Janus asked.

“Early 21st century cell phones,” Virgil said, dropping it on his desk. “I let my students mess around with them for their lab.”

“I see,” Janus said.

“What did you need?” Virgil asked. “You said it was official business.”

“You’ve heard about the lockdown, I presume,” Janus said.

“Yeah, it really screws up my research schedule for the summer,” Virgil said.

15412

“Do you know why the lockdown was instituted?” Janus asked. Virgil shook his head, so Janus explained briefly that they had been trying to find a timebomb on the eve of the year 3000, but it had been swiped by a free agent time traveler. “Some of the things seemed to be references to things that I couldn’t place, and I was wondering if you would recognize any.”

“Shoot,” Virgil requested, seeming intrigued by the prospect.

“Okay,” Janus said. “First, the alias he was using was Nick Jonas.” A weird expression crossed Virgil’s face immediately and Janus paused.

“You said the year 3000?” Virgil asked.

“Er. Yes.”

“Nick Jonas. Year 3000,” Virgil repeated with a snort. “Were Joe and Kevin a part of this too?”

Janus blinked. “Yes, how did you know that?”

“Yo-you’re going to have,” his sentence was broken by a giggle, and actual full-fledged giggle, “have to give me a minute.” With that, he sort of listed to the side and seemed to purposefully fall off his chair onto the floor under his desk.

Janus blinked and when he didn’t surface after a moment, he stood up to lean over the desk and look down at him. Virgil had his arm thrown over his beat red face, as he shook from what Janus thought was suppressed laughter.

“What?” Janus asked. “What’s wrong?”

“Just…” Virgil said, sobbing through his laughter. “Just tell me the things he said.”

“Er, mostly he just had weird inflections on words and phrases. There was ‘paranoid, tonight, I live to party, comeback…’”

“Wait, stop,” Virgil said. “Let me guess a few. That’s Just the Way We Roll, Burnin’ Up, Sucker.”

“The first two were, but not the last one.”

Virgil laughed. “Maybe the last one was just implied.”

Janus frowned down. “What are you talking about? What does this all mean?”

Virgil pulled himself out from under his desk and grabbed his bag of phones. He dug through it for a few seconds before pulling one out and handing it to Janus. “I have a lab for my students where they get preloaded phones from the early 21st century and are supposed to guess the demographics of the person who owns it. This one is an iPhone 3 meant to belong to a pre-teen to teenage girl from the year 2009. Look under music artists starting with the letter ‘J.’”

15810

Confused, Janus scrolled through the old style phone, finding the music app and opening it easily. Upon getting to the ‘J’s, he immediately paused on an artist called the ‘Jonas Brothers.’ He clicked on it and read a few of the song titles. They weren’t all there, but…

“That rat bastard,” Janus said.

“Scroll to the bottom,” Virgil said. Janus did and found a song titled ‘Year 3000.’

“You’re kidding me.”

“Click on it,” Virgil requested.

Janus did, listening to the fairly standard pop like intro from the time period. It wasn’t until he got to the lyrics saying, ‘He told me he built a time machine’ that he cursed, understanding exactly what Pat had been doing. When the singer a few lines latter proclaimed that his neighbor said ‘I’ve been to the year 3000’ he almost smashed the artifact to pieces right then and there.

“I have no idea who this guy is,” Virgil said, “but he’s a comedic genius.”

Chapter 11

Khalid caught him on his way back into the TPI building. “I heard you went to Silver Mountains to follow up on a lead,” she said.

“Yeah, but it was garbage,” he seethed. “All I learned was ‘Pat’ knows early 2000s popular culture and likes to fuck with us.”

She hummed. “I’d still like a report about whatever you found. Who knows what we might end up getting from seemingly inconsequential data.”

“Sure,” he said.

“Anyway,” she continued. “I have a mission for you.”

“We’re on lockdown,” Janus pointed out with a frown.

“For nonessentials,” she said. “This is essential.”

“What happened?” Janus asked.

“We picked up a small time distortion in France 2027. At the moment, it is small enough not to cause any disruptions, but it is slowly growing, and we don’t know what caused it. Usually we’d just send surveillance agents at this stage, but considering what’s going on, I think it would be best to send a field agent. And it would just be you, because we don’t want to send too many people out at once.”

“Is this related to the time bomb?” Janus asked.

“I’m not sure,” she said. “At the very least, it’s not it being set off as it was in 2999, but if it’s been altered for some other purpose…”

“I’ll go,” Janus said.

“I’ll send over the mission directive to everyone who needs it. You’ll go in around 3 hours.”

He nodded. “I’ll be ready,” he agreed.

In less then 3 hours, he was dressed for 2027 France and in decontamination. “Well,” he said out loud when he was given the all clear sign, “I hope I don’t explode.” He selected the coordinates on the timepiece and the next moment he was in a small alleyway in the city of Montpellier, France in 2027.

It was a little bit warm, but not stifling even in the mid-afternoon and he could faintly smell the sea on the breeze.

After a moment to get his bearings, Janus made his way out of the alleyway and onto a small street. The street was lined with restaurants and shops as people went about their daily lives. He carefully integrated himself into the crowd and began weaving his way through them. He needed to find the source of the distortion but doing a quick scan with his timepiece told him there wasn’t any sign of it yet. He’d have to wait for it to act up.

For now, he decided to get slightly away from people by heading towards the river. He found a park that had benches along water.

As he walked towards the river, he noticed a man on the bench, angled slightly away from Janus and looking out at the water. He immediately recognized the man. “You!” he exclaimed.

Pat’s head shot around to look at him, and he gave a slight head tilt. Then, he smiled, amused. “You are not the person I’m here for,” he said.

“Well, I am now,” Janus snapped. “Where’s the time bomb?”

“Time bomb?” Pat asked, eyebrows drawing together, but amusement on his lips. “Oh sweetie, the time bomb happened a long time ago for me.”

“What?” Janus asked.

“Oh, you’re just a baby,” Pat laughed. “Don’t you get it yet? The two of us are out of sync timeline wise. You’ve been apparently running around with a much younger version of me, but all of that happened quite a while ago for me. Don’t worry though, it gets better.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The time bomb has been long deactivated. Here,” he reached into his pocket and tossed him something. Janus caught it on instinct. “Proof. Don’t worry, we took all of the dangerous bits out years ago from my perspective.” It was the core of a time bomb, the time bomb Pat had stolen if he was to be believed. “You can tell your people it’s safe to remove the lockdown.”

Janus curled his fingers around it. “I don’t get it.”

Something on Pat’s wrist beeped and he looked at it curiously before he stood from the bench, “and I don’t have time to explain it.”

Janus jerked forward to grab his wrist. “Don’t you dare.”

Pat reached up to pat his face. “Don’t worry honey, you’ll be seeing me later.” He twisted his wrist and a small electric current sparked between them. Janus jerked his hand away, and Pat smiled at him. “Or… earlier.” He winked, and then he was gone.

Janus cursed, but he didn’t have more than a moment to be angry because in the next second there was a yelp, and something landed on top of him. He was bowled over into a tangle of limbs and pained noises.

“Oh my god, we need to figure out the height thing,” a familiar voice groaned, just as Janus managed to pull himself away. Pat blinked up at him and his eyes narrowed. “You,” he hissed.

“…What?”

Pat jumped to his feet, leaving Janus on the ground in front of him. “What are you doing here?” he spat, his tone much different then the one he’d been using a moment earlier. His hair was longer than it had been before, and if Janus looked closely, he did seem like he was a couple of years younger suddenly. Out of sync timelines. I’ll see you earlier. Holy shit.

He was suddenly very glad he’d been forced to let the other Pat (the older Pat?) go, else they’d have a whole thing on their hands.

“What are you doing here?” was Janus’s retort as he stood up and dusted himself off.

“It’s none of your business,” Pat told him.

“It is my business,” Janus said, “because for all I know, you are the cause of the time distortions I’m after. Considering that I doubt you have a license for that,” he waved at the odd looking timepiece of Pat’s wrist, “it’s very possible.”

“What are you?” Pat asked, “the time police.”

“Yes.”

Pat dared to roll his eyes, but then he tilted his head slightly. “Time distortions?” he asked.

“Yes, that’s why I’m here.”

He still had a confused frown on his face. Did… did he not know what a time distortion was?

Just then there was a sudden flash of lightening through the sky despite the absolutely lack of clouds. He and Pat both looked up.

“Is that the time distortion?” Pat asked.

“It’s probably the beginning of it,” Janus said.

“That doesn’t look good,” Pat said as he squinted at the sky.

“Just wait,” Janus answered grimly. He looked at Pat. “Usually I’d arrest you on the spot,” he said, “but I’m alone for this one, and that is far more important at the moment. So, have a nice day doing whatever bullshit you are doing.” He glanced at his timepiece.

Janus turned to walk away from him.

“Wait!” Pat exclaimed, and Janus turned back to him to see that his eyes were wide. Janus raised an eyebrow. “So, this time distortion thing is dangerous, right?”

“Depending on the severity, it could cause time to fracture around this place and time, basically erasing it from existence and killing everyone in it.”

“Well, in that case, I should go with you. To help.”

Janus looked him up and down. “You… have no idea what’s happening, do you? You’re an amateur.”

“I’m not,” he claimed. “I just. Pooling resources. You know?”

Janus sighed. “Well, you going around mucking about this time period without knowing what you’re doing could just exasperate the situation, so fine, you can tag along.”

“I know what I’m doing,” he grumbled even as he rushed to Janus’s side at the permission.

“Sure,” Janus said with an eyeroll. He guessed he was a babysitter now. “I believe you.”

Chapter 12

There was something off about his readings. Clearly the time distortion was starting to pull at this place with the way the weather was flickering between storming and sunny, but he still couldn’t quite pinpoint the exact location of the source of it. He could, however, get that it must be somewhere on this side of the river more into the downtown area, so that’s the way he was walking, Pat close on his heels.

“What’s your name, by the way?” he asked.

Janus shot him a glare. “Elvis Presley,” he said.

Pat frowned, clearly knowing who that was. “There’s no reason to be mean.”

“You did it to me first.”

“…Introduced myself as a famous musician?” he asked. Janus didn’t respond, and after a moment, Pat laughed lightly. “You really don’t understand time travel, do you?”

“Oh, yeah,” Janus said. “Name the three types of time distortions.”

“Just because I don’t know the names of things doesn’t mean I don’t understand them.” He stuck out his tongue. Janus was dealing with an actual toddler. “Unlike you who has a bunch of fancy words, but just caused a time loop.”

Janus scoffed. “I did not just cause a time loop.”

“Maybe not a big one,” Pat agreed, “but you did.”

Janus raised an eyebrow. “I’ve never introduced myself to you with a musician’s name, but now you’ve told me that I will. So, at some point in the future I will have to, thereby making you think to say that now. Time loop.”

“That’s not… that doesn’t count.”

“Does too,” Pat claimed. “Like I have said once before and you may or may not have heard me say before, anything you do to me to get back at me for something I haven’t done yet, just causes whatever that is to happen in the first place.”

“But you’re still going to do it.”

“Then take it up with future me. I haven’t done anything to you.” Then he paused and sighed. “…Which I guess means you’ve done nothing to me.” He seemed to mull this concept over for a long moment. “Well you were a bit crabby about me not knowing what a time distortion was, but I can forgive you for that.”

“And I’m supposed to forgive you?”

“Like I said,” Pat said. “I haven’t done anything yet.”

“You also haven’t done anything to endear yourself to me either,” Janus grumbled.

“Hmm,” Pat said. “Fine.” He pulled something out of his pocket. “You’re obviously not having much luck finding whatever you’re looking for. Tell me what it is and I’ll help.”

Janus squinted at what was in his hand. “Is that… an iPhone 5?”

“No!” he said. “It’s super-secret time travel tech disguised as an iPhone 5!”

“We’re in 2027,” Janus said. “Not a great disguise. Those things have been obsolete for a decade.”

“Well I’ll keep in mind to have my tech disguised as phones from the right year next time,” Pat said, sticking out his tongue. “Now what are we looking for?”

“If my timepiece can’t find it, I’m certain yours can’t.”

Pat rolled his eyes and tapped on the device’s screen a couple of times. “I’m going to guess it’s that,” he said proudly.

Janus leaned over to look at the screen. “Are you using google maps?” he sputtered.

“It integrates time relevant data like traffic conditions and local weather warnings with time travel technology,” Pat explained. “Something seems to be going on in a museum a couple of blocks that way.”

“I…” Janus said. That was actually a really good idea, usually unnecessary with scouts observing that data beforehand, and Janus wasn’t sure how good the accuracy would be considering whatever was taking it into account was automated, but still a good idea. “Well, I guess since we have no other leads, we can check it out.”

Pat looked far too proud for having only used a piece of tech that hadn’t even been confirmed as accurate. “Then, let’s go,” he said right as a chilly wind started to pick up and a couple of snowflakes began to fall around them. “Before that gets worse…”

Janus let Pat lead with his iPhone. Janus’s timepiece still wasn’t picking up a clear signal for some reason, but it seemed to point in the same general direction as Pat’s. Strangely though, as they got closer to their destination, the signal started to get fuzzier. Pat’s tech seemed unaffected leading them closer to the museum.

When they got to the Musée Fabre museum, Janus stopped. “What?” Pat asked. He was shivering slightly in the cold and holding his arms around himself.

“My timepiece stopped working completely,” he said.

“I’m assuming that’s weird?” Pat said.

“It is,” Janus confirmed, turning to squint at him suspiciously. “How do I know you’re not the one doing it?”

“If I was doing it, wouldn’t I have just knocked it out from the get go?” Pat questioned.

Janus pursed his lips. “I don’t know,” he said. “Would you have? Maybe it’s a trick.”

Pat’s eyes narrowed a bit on him. “Think what you want, but I’m freezing. Come in with me if you want.”

He dithered from a few moments before following Pat inside. Pat had already struck up a conversation with the woman charging admission into art museum. She was looking at him, her brow knit as he spoke. Janus nudged him away from her getting a confused glance from him in return. He shot a smile at the woman.

“Two adult passes for the museum and the Hotel Sabatier d’Espevran, please,” he said, placing down 14 euro.

“Ah,” she said, still looking at Pat oddly. “Yes sir.” She gave them the passes and Janus quickly shuffled Pat away.

“What is wrong with your French?” he hissed once they were out of earshot.

“What?” he asked, bewildered.

“You sound like you’re reading Le Comte de Monte-Cristo. No one talks like that anymore.”

“I’m a little rusty,” Pat defended himself.

“Two centuries?” Janus asked. Pat stuck his tongue out like a child once again. “Is that your only way to respond to legitimate criticism?”

“What does it even matter anyway? No one ever expects time travel, at least not for something so silly.”

“It’s not silly,” Janus said. “It’s a legitimate issue. The wrong person who’s watched too much science fiction notices and you’re putting the timeline at risk. Not to mention if there are other time travelers around that aren’t as nice as me.”

“Are there a lot of time travelers around?” Pat asked, sounding intrigued.

“There are plenty, both legal and not.”

“Huh,” he said, “but what are the chances we’ll run into another one?”

“Considering the time distortion? There could be many. Opportunists wanting to capitalize off the chaos, people trying to stop it, like me, and not to mention the person who caused it.”

“Wait, someone made it happen?” Pat asked.

“These things don’t just happen naturally.”

“Huh. So, something like this has to be caused by a person?”

“Yes,” Janus said. “…Why?”

Pat smiled. “No reason. I think we should head upstairs. Whatever I’m picking up says it’s around here, but I don’t see anything. Maybe it’s a floor or two above us.”

“Which is why it’s ridiculous to use Google Maps.”

“Would you rather use yours?” he asked sweetly.

“I’m still not convinced it’s not your doing,” Janus growled. “Why does your tech still work when mine doesn’t?”

“Probably the same reason the ring did,” he muttered.

“What?”

“You may be the most aggravating being in the universe.”

Pat glanced at him with a bit of a smirk. “I can’t tell you,” he said. “It would be a much bigger risk to the timeline than me speaking in French from the 1830s. But, I’m pretty sure the reason mine still works is just a software difference.”

“What the hell do you mean a software difference?”

Pat opened his mouth, doubtlessly to supply him with yet another frustratingly cheeky and unhelpful answer. Yet, Pat did not have a chance to do so as, just as Janus stepped onto the second floor of the museum, the ground started to violently shake. Janus tried to turn to catch Pat as the other man’s foot slipped on the last step, but he couldn’t do so in time. Pat fell onto his hands and knees, sliding back a few steps and smacking his face into the stairs hard once and then a couple of times more after that as he slid.

Chapter 13

The room stopped shaking after a moment. “Ow,” Pat said. He seemed a bit stunned but was still moving at least. He carefully maneuvered himself into a seating position. “Ouch. Owie.” He reached up to poke his own nose. “Ow!” Janus slapped his hand away when he got there. A bit of blood was already trickling from his nose and there was a small cut over his eye, but it wasn’t bleeding too much.

Janus pushed him so he was leaning slightly forward and produced a pack of time appropriate tissues from his pocket. He pulled one out of the package and offered it to him.

He took it and pressed it up against his nose to try to stop the bleeding. He seemed mostly alright though Janus imagined he’d have plenty of bruises down the line. The power in the museum flickered and Janus looked up. Now that he was listening, he could hear people panicking in and out of the museum.

“We should probably get off of the stairs,” he suggested.

“Yeah,” Pat agreed. Janus helped him to his feet, and they climbed back up the steps. Janus looked around and found an employees only sign a few feet away. Usually he’d not risk that as it could get him into trouble he didn’t want to be in, but considering the earthquake that had just happened, he could probably play it off as panic.

He ushered Pat into a small room and found a chair and table. He had Pat sit in the chair and pulled out another one of the tissues to dab at the blood coming from the cut over his eyes. “Here,” he said. “Hold that there. I’m going to go see if there are any bandages about.”

Pat took the tissue with the hand not already holding one to his nose. “Thanks,” he said.

Janus nodded and got to his feet. The lights flickered once again but didn’t stay off for now. He didn’t know how long that would last.

He couldn’t see anything that might hold bandages in this room, but there was a second door. “I’ll be right back,” he told Pat, exiting through it.

The lights flickered once more as the door closed behind him and he cursed. When they came back up Janus’s eyes immediately fell on a man. They both froze.

“Remus!” Janus hissed the second their eyes met. “What are you doing here?”

Remus blinked at him for a moment. “Hi. Janus,” he said. “I… come to France for… tea sometimes?”

“There isn’t any tea back here.”

“So, there isn’t…” he said. There was a moment of silence. “Uh, so I actually cannot talk to you right now.”

“What do you mean?” Janus asked. Remus grimaced in a way Janus had never seen from him before. It immediately set off alarm bells in Janus’s head. “Oh my god,” Janus said. “Oh my god. You’re not from the same time as me.”

“Oh, you have no idea,” Remus mumbled.

“Holy shit, you’re looping?!”

“It’s… not looping if I wasn’t here the first time.”

“Remus, we spend more than 12 hours a day together most of the time. The only thing worse than this is if I looped back to this time myself.”

“…Yeah. Anyway, I need to leave now.”

“Please do.”

He turned to go, but then stopped. “Oh, and,” he reached into his pocket and tossed something at Janus. Janus caught it.

It was Band-Aids.

“Oh, shit,” Janus spat at the clear use of foreknowledge. “I hate this. I hate you. I’m going to kill you the next time you see me.”

“Sure, Jan.”

“Go.”

He did, slipping into the next room while Janus took a deep breath and then turned back to the door behind him. He schooled his face before Pat looked up. “I found some Band-Aids.”

Pat nodded and Janus came over to squat next to him.

Janus opened the box and Pat looked down. His eyes lit up with sudden joy so intense that Janus felt like he’d just gotten a punch to the gut. “Kitty Band-Aids!” he exclaimed. Janus bothered to actually look at the design on the container, only to note the cartoon cats on the front. Pat was almost vibrating off his seat. “Look they’re all so cute!” He grabbed the container from him to inspect the different designs printed on the back with glee even as a bit of blood was still trickling from his nose.

Janus took the box back gently and guided the wad of bloody Kleenexes back to his nose.

“Which would you like?” Janus asked.

“Oh, they are all so cute,” Pat cooed. “Um, how about that one!” he pointed. “Or that one! Or that one!”

“Pat you only have one cut.”

“But they’re all so cute!” Pat said, tongue tucking into his cheek. He contemplated the box again. “Let’s do the black one,” he finally settled on.

Janus selected one of the Band-Aids with a black cat wrapped around a pink ball of yarn and staring back at them with wide green eyes. The think looked like it had partaken in one two many doses of catnip, but Janus didn’t mention that.

Instead, he just carefully unstuck the backing from the Band-Aid and motioned for Pat to remove the tissue from his forehead. He smiled at Janus as he drew back.

Janus cleared his throat. “How’s the nose.”

“It’s slowing down,” Pat replied. “Thanks.”

“No problem,” Janus replied. They met eyes for a second before Pat looked away back at the box of Band-Aids.

“Oh,” Pat said. “There’s a grey one. I didn’t notice.” He pointed to it. “I should have used that one.”

“Do you like grey cats?” Janus asked.

“I like all kitties,” he said, “but one of my roommates loves grey cats. He had one when he was a kid and thinks of them as good omens. Seeing one always brightens up his day.”

“A friend of mine has a grey cat,” Janus said. “She’s much more tolerable than him.”

Pat laughed a bit. “Don’t be mean,” he said.

“Oh, he deserves it, don’t worry.” Janus considered him for a moment. “Here,” he said, pulling out one of the Band-Aids with the grey cat on it. It did, actually, look a lot like Diesel Fuel.

“But I don’t…”

Janus just shrugged and stuck it on his cheek where there was no wound. Pat giggled and touched it with a finger. Janus stood back up.

“Can I have another tissue?” Pat asked.

“Sure.” Janus handed a tissue over to him and he crumpled up the bloody ones in his hand.

“I think I’m good to keep going,” Pat said, putting the new tissue under his nose. “The nose will stop soon.”

Pat got out his iPhone and directed him back out of the room. They checked the second floor and didn’t find anything and so went to the third floor. The second they arrived in the room that Patton’s phone was directing them too, Janus knew that it must be right. There was a strange, distorted whirling sound and the entire room was shaking slightly like they were standing next to a railroad track.

“I’m guessing this is it,” Pat said.

Janus nodded and looked over his shoulder at the screen. They both cautiously walked towards where the little dot was on the phone.

“Is that it?” Pat asked, pointing at a small device on the center column in the room. Janus reached forward to flip the switch on it. The whirling stopped and the room settled. Janus’s time piece vibrated as it came back online. They waited for a few moments. “I assumed… time distortions would be more…”

“They are,” Janus said. “This one is artificial.”

“What does that mean?”

“It’s a simulation,” Janus said. “It causes similar symptoms to a time distortion, but it’s not actually fracturing time at all.”

“That’s good, isn’t it?” Pat asked.

“I don’t know,” Janus said. He took the piece of tech of the wall and carefully stored it in his pocket, “but someone’s trying to get our attention.”

Chapter 14

20204

Janus didn’t feel comfortable leaving France 2027 just yet, still weirded out by the strange turn of events. So, he and Pat ended up sticking around for a couple of hours. They looked through the art museum for a bit, but Janus was having trouble focusing on the pieces, and Pat eventually suggested they get some air. Janus agreed considering the museum would close for the night soon anyway.

They wandered around the downtown for a bit. The people seemed to jump back from the strange weather and earthquake that afternoon rather quickly, and there were plenty still about to blend into.

#study break stories #not writing

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chaoticriderlessb · 4 years

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Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous

Review time! I actually meant to write this up, yesterday...but then, I forgot, and by the time I remembered, again, I had already closed down the laptop for the night ^^;. So now, here I am xD.

Anyway, so yesterday, I finally sat down and watched “Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous”, for the first time. I never bothered to watch it, before, because it just looked so incredibly cheesy, kiddie, and cringey (honestly, I think a lot of people thought this, at first). But, after the pilot episode, I was surprised at how good it was! In my opinion, it was well-written, the voice-acting was really good (then again, maybe it’s just me, but I don’t recall disliking any voice-acting in all my years of watching anime and cartoons and playing video-games), and I even liked the animation. The animation for the dinosaurs looked really well done! I loved that Steven Spielburg is involved as one of the producers, and that the same sound fx’s for the dinosaurs in the movies was also used in this show!

Yeah, I had very low expectations with this show before actually sitting down and watching it ^^;.

As I watched more of the season, I found myself getting totally hooked! The suspense was real, and I liked that the show went into a more realistic route like the movies did. I mean, it’s “Jurassic Park/World”, what do you expect xD? I read, somewhere, that I guess Steven Spielburg was trying to persuade the creators to go down the intense and horror road with this show. I think it kinda worked! I mean, I grew up with the “Jurassic Park” movies, and enjoyed the “Jurassic World” movies, so some things were a little predictable to me (there are just some rules you gotta follow when it comes to dinosaurs, ok? xD). But even with these little predictions, the show always managed to catch me by surprise.

SPOILER ALERT!!! I really loved that the show took place during the first Jurassic World movie. It was funny because when I first saw the I-Rex, I was like “I thought that thing was dead, man!” lol! So I was surprised to see him, again (or her, I don’t remember which), and to realize that the show does take place during the first “Jurassic World” movie. Even the Raptor Squad showed up! Once.... But they still showed up xD!

In case you haven’t noticed, already, I’m a giant nerd.

I also loved how many times the show seemed to throw back to the previous movies. I mean, SPOILER ALERT!!! I never expected to see that velociraptor resonating chamber, at all! I mean, it only showed up, once, but it was still very cool to see! The show had some elements of other movies done by Spielburg, as well. I only recognized a few of them...I never saw a lot of Spielburg’s stuff partly because of disinterest. Some of them were just a definite “no” in my book.

Anyway.... I’m usually one to enjoy music (OSTs) from movies, tv shows, and video-games. I’m gonna be honest, though. For “Camp Cretaceous”, I did not really pay attention to the music. I was focused more on the dialogue and what was happening with the characters. Even when I watched the show a 2nd time (yes, I went back and rewatched it because it was that enjoyable), I still didn’t pay attention to the music. Probably because it’s the kind of music that just doesn’t snatch my attention like a lot of other OSTs do. Oh well.

I liked that the main antagonist was the Carnotaurus! I was expecting Rexy, or yes, even a Spinosaurus, or even a Baryonyx to show up, but neither of them ever did. And the Carno being the main antagonist reminded me of Disney’s “Dinosaur”...I liked that movie, growing up! So the Carno was a nice change. Gives the raptors and the t-rex a break xD. I guess the I-Rex was a main antagonist, as well, but I feel the Carno showed up more often than he did.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this first season, and I cannot wait for season 2...which is happening a lot sooner than I expected, which makes me slightly skeptical because a date for a second season, that soon, makes me feel like the show is being rushed. And when a show or movie is rushed, things tend to not run so smoothly and brings more disappointment to viewers than enjoyment. But, we’ll see! Hopefully, the 2nd season will be just as good as the 1st! I...would not really say this is entirely a kids show...I’m only saying that because, considering it’s “Jurassic Park/World”, things happen that I personally don’t feel like a child should be seeing. At least, not alone. Then again, I feel like “family-friendly” isn’t exactly the right word to describe “Camp Cretaceous”...and honestly, I’m too dumb to think of a right word for it. I don’t know, I suck at describing anything. For all I know, maybe it is family-friendly, and I just don’t feel like it is. Whatevs.

As to who my favorite characters are...I mean, I like all of them! I feel like I relate just a little bit more to Yasmina, though. Like her, I have trust issues, and quite enjoy being in my shell...but I also enjoy hanging out with my friends, so I’ve got that going for me xD. And like her, I draw stuff. Maybe not as often, and I’m nowhere near as talented, but every once in a while, I will pick up a pencil and start drawing.

I relate a little bit to Darius because like him, I am a bit of a nerd when it comes to dinosaurs. I’m not as nerdy as he is...I mean, there’s only a certain amount of dinosaurs that I can remember the names of and what they look like. Maybe if I had dedicated my whole childhood to dinosaurs, I might be exactly as dino-nerdy as Darius is, lol! I think my love for dinosaurs started with the first movie (I can thank my dad for this one!), and the t-rex immediately became my favorite. Mainly because it just looks and sounds cool, and is terrifying. The velociraptor became my 2nd favorite (although, over the past few years, the two have switched ranks in my book).

So, basically, both Yasmina and Darius are my favorite characters.

Also, I just want to say before I end this review: I don’t really ship anybody with anybody in this show. I never saw it (and don’t want to), but the whole romance thing is like the anime, “Attack on Titan”. There is just no time for romance when you are just trying to survive on an island full of dinosaurs...a lot of them being carnivores. And, these are just kids that we are talking about, here. Well, they’re really teenagers, but still slightly young enough to be considered as kids. Another problem I have with shipping these characters is that...if they do get rescued and get off the island alive and in one piece...what are the chances that they’ll ever see each other, again? That’s one of the things they even pointed out in the show.

That’s another thing I like about “Camp Cretaceous”. The kids bring up a ton of good points that I feel like a lot of characters in shows or movies don’t think about when it comes to survival and things like that.

I mean, if you guys want to ship the characters with each other, that’s fine. It’s just me, personally, that I feel like the CC characters shouldn’t be shipped with each other. I also will just never understand why literally everything fictional has to have romance in it in some way. I’m gonna be completely honest with you, I feel like romance has become just a little bit overdone. But only because I see it in every show or movie that I watch. Maybe that’s just also me not being into the whole romance genre.

Anyway, if I were to give “Camp Cretaceous” a rating, I’d give it a fair 9/10. I’m really glad I decided to just sit down and watch this show. It really just blew my mind! I’m curious to see what season 2 will bring.

And that is my review on “Camp Cretaceous”! I hope you all have a nice day, and have a Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays or whatever you celebrate!

Later!

#Mika squawks #Life of Mika #review #tv show review #dinosaurs #jurassic park #jurassic world #camp cretaceous #im bad at explaining things #sorry!#i tried

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marvelsdc22 · 4 years

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The Professor And I Season 2 (pt. 14)

Intro: Hello, lovelies!! I hope you guys are having a good day/night!! It seems I’m in the writing mood, three stories in four days? That’s a new record for me XD, anyways I hope you guys enjoy!! :)

Note: Everything gets explained, Y/N is even more confused knowing the answers, Alex is pissed, plans start to get made, the end is drawing near.

Word Count: 1140

Part 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

“What do you mean my dad’s in danger?” You asked, walking back over to her and watching as she sighed “I’ll explain everything, just not here” Lara, no Vikander, no… You didn’t know anymore said, looking at you and pulling her hood up when it started to sprinkle “Fine, come with me” you said, turning on your heel and heading off with Lara jogging slightly to catch up with you.

After a bit, you both made it back to Maggie’s place and you quickly shut the door behind the two of you, seeing a note on the coffee table Alex came by and I wasn’t sure when you’d be back I went to “help” her look for you, you owe me big time ~ Maggie “I know I do” you muttered to yourself, stuffing the note in your pocket before struggling to get out of your hoodie “Don’t touch me” you snapped when you felt Lara trying to help you out of the hoodie “I’m sorry” she said softly, pulling away and crossing her arms as you finally managed to free yourself from the hoodie, leading her to the spare room you were borrowing.

“Talk” you said, taking your backpack and setting it on your bed as Lara went to awkwardly sit on your desk chair “Where would you like me to start?” She asked, knowing you probably wanted a lot of answers “Start with the fact that me and my dad are in danger” you said, looking at her as you sat down on your bed, going to cross your arms before letting your arm drop to your lap, having momentarily forgotten about your missing arm, you still weren’t fully used to the fact that it was gone.

Lara nodded and took a deep breath as she thought back on everything she knew “Do you know where your father comes from?” She asked, watching as you shook your head “No, he just said that he came from New York, foster home” you said, knowing your dads’ parents had adopted him when he was around the age of six “That’s partially true… Your father was the heir to the throne of the hidden city in Paititi, he was hidden away when Trinity infiltrated its way in years ago… He’s needed for a sacrifice to start a whole new world… Dominguez’s new world” she said, seeming to make you even more confused the more she explained.

“Why do they need my dad’s blood? Doesn’t he have siblings?” You asked, looking at her and watching as she sighed and shook her head “His brother died a few years back and the queen Unuratu hid away their son, so they only know the location of your father” she said, knowing that Dominguez had found your father after seeing an article with him in it, promoting his business “So they need him as a sacrifice? What if they can’t find him?” “They’ll come after you, they already got a taste of it with your arm… It provided them enough blood to find the artifact, now they need more to start over” Lara said, looking at you and watching as you furrowed your brows as you tried to comprehend everything.

“Okay and where do you come in with all of this? And why did you ask Lena?” You asked, having so many questions but also knowing you had very little time for it “I “joined” in about a year ago, they got my father killed… I wanted revenge” Lara said, looking at you and obviously not going to go any further with that “I wanted Lena so I’d have someone on my side, plus I knew you two were together so I had hoped she would help protect you…Stuff happened and she said no before I could explain” she said, looking at you and watching as you wiped some sweat off of your forehead, struggling to comprehend all of this “What is this new world that Dominguez wants?” You asked, scared of the answer since he could go with so many different things.

Lara sighed and looked down at her hands “His intentions are pure… Dominguez is one of your fathers siblings, he wants to protect Paititi, but doing so has the possibility of destroying the world with it… We have to stop him” “We? I don’t remember agreeing to team up with you, I wanted answers and I got those answers, I don’t trust you anymore!” You snapped, glaring at her and watching as she looked at you with a guilty expression “I know, I destroyed any form of trust and relationship that we had or could’ve had, but please I need your help to end this” she begged, looking at you with a pleading look… You wanted to stop Dominguez, you had from the beginning and now was your chance, but trusting Lara? You weren’t sure “Fine, but after this, I don’t want to speak to you ever again” you said, watching as she nodded sadly “Of course, thank you”.

After Lara left, you took the time to think everything over, a lot had happened over the past few days and you had little time to think it all over, hearing the front door open and not even thinking when you left the spare room “Maggie, you won’t believe-Alex…” You said, freezing when you saw Alex look at you, many emotions going through her eyes before anger took over “You knew?!” Alex asked through gritted teeth, glaring at Maggie who took a step back and held her hands up in surrender “They needed help, so I helped… I was going to tell you-“ Maggie said, stopping herself when Alex seemed to get angrier with every word before turning her anger towards you “Are you insane?! You just lost an arm and you decide to escape the hospital?! What the hell were you thinking!?” Alex shouted, causing you to wince.

“Alex, let me explain” you said, trying to calm her down enough to where she would actually listen as you explained yourself, watching as she took a deep breath to calm herself before she looked at you “Explain” she said, crossing her arms as you explained everything, even what Lara had told you not that long ago “She was in on it?” Alex asked, looking at you and just trying to wrap her mind around everything you just told her “Yeah… Now both my dad and I are in danger, we need to stop them” “And you think teaming up with Lara will help with that?” Alex seethed, looking at you and just upset with Lara since it almost got you killed “She’s our only hope, Alex… As much as I hate to say it, she’s our only hope” you said, looking at her and hoping she would understand “Okay… What do we do?”

Permanent Taglist: @rianncreates / @5aftermidnight / @youngandwildx7 / @stewie-castle / @hopingforbarnes

Supergirl Taglist: @x-danvers-x / @aznblossom / @stop-drop-and-drumroll / @worlds-in-words / @wlw-in-space

Lena Taglist: @life2-live/ @ianarec / @thelonewriter247 / @kalistory-blog / @ess0h

The Professor And I Taglist: @youlookterribleilookawesome / @ironsnowstorm / @rebornpoet / @scottishgirl1998 / @lezzzbehonesthere

End Note: I hope you guys enjoyed it!! If you would like to be added to a Taglist, shoot me a DM or an Ask!! Have a good day/night!!

Requests Open

#lena luthor x reader #professor!lena x student!reader #lena luthor x gn!reader #lena x reader #lena luthor imagine #dc x reader #dc #The Professor And I

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my-artblog-is-ssjumi · 3 years

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5, 9, 20, 24, and 25 if you feel like it!!

5) character you were most surprised to end up writing

that one’s kinda funny bc on one hand i barely surprise myself with stuff like that bc i’m usually immediately swept away by the excitement of having found an approach to a character whose p.o.v. i haven’t considered before when inspiration hits

on the other hand i have an Ati/Anzu fic somewhere on my harddrive that i never posted and keep forgetting about and i’m surprised each and every time i remember its existence lol

9) what, if anything, do you do for inspiration?

existing. breathing. being a person. thinking about/watching all the ways in which ppl can and do fuck themselves up. listening to music. that kinda stuff.

20) do you write in long sit-down sessions or in little spurts?

the stories i end up liking the most i usually finish in one session. idk if i’d call those “long” tho since i pretty much only do oneshots these days...

for multichapter stuff i usually go scene by scene like. i only take breaks in between scenes, not within them. (as far as i remember)

tl;dr - both. i think the answer is both.

24) have you ever become an expert on something you previously knew nothing about, in order to better a scene or a story?

love how this question implies that i kept any of that knowledge over time XD which. i most certainly didn’t.

but yeah, while i was writing Placebo i was pretty up to date on topics like depression, drug-induced psychosis, schizophrenia and the medication of latter. which was pretty handy since i was studying psychology at the time and it did help me out later in a meeting with my prof lol. i’m pretty sure what little i remember of that knowledge is mostly outdated by now tho since it’s been like. 13 years or so.

i also used to know a lot about Japanese food and its preparation, table manners, what stuff was available in the 1930s and 1940s, Japanese and American jazz of that time... these kinda things. because of a text rpg i had with a friend that took place over there in late 1945. and yeah. it was as problematic as it sounds lmao

25) copy/paste a few sentences or a short paragraph that you’re particularly proud of

kinda already answered in question 46 of that other ask game from a while ago

i’m struggling a little finding another example. like. i’m pretty satisfied with almost everything i upload and mostly nostalgic about the older stuff i’m not that satisfied with anymore, but also feel like most of it rly relies on the context to make it “pop”. so. tough choice...

here’s an excerpt from a oneshot about Mike’s feelings about ~Bennoda~ tho that i like bc of the topic and the overall vibe:

It's not like it ruined anything, this funny little word and the meaning attached to it.

It's not like it spoiled something.

It's not like it felt invasive or anything, like dozens and hundreds of eyes were on him even when he's all alone with one of his best friends.

It's not like he could feel them breathe down his neck that one time, that one stupid little time they sat underneath the stars in the gardens behind Laurel House, a few days before Chester went to rehab for the second time, drunk and at a loss for words on how thankful they were to know each other, hands reaching out on their own accord, lips meeting, breaths hitching, hearts beating...

It's not like Chester having been the first to pull away with a bitter "ok, this feels wrong" or how he got up after that and went back inside and left Mike behind, hurt or anything.

And it's not like the snap of a twig and rustling in a nearby bush and clouds passing in front of the full moon, casting shadows on the ground all around him made Mike feel watched, seen, surrounded, or made him panic because it felt like all these eyes on him were basking in his vulnerability, the tears in his eyes, his shaking, his inability to breathe properly, his pain.

No, it's not like that at all.

It's fine.

He's fine.

It's funny!

[...]

He just laughs about someone on twitter asking his wife about That Word.

And jokes when Chester ever so briefly fails to pretend he didn't know about it.

And neither the weak smile on his friend's lips nor the bile rising up in Mike's throat are that bitter at all even.

It's funny, actually.

Kind of, at least.

It's fine.

#pandirpus #ask game #Get To Know Your Author ask game #RPF #fanfiction

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maryellencarter · 4 years

Text

(I have cropped any personally identifying information out of the pictures for obvious reasons.)

So here's all the information I have at the moment on the Bonus Situation.

* To recap, the bonus projection software has been telling me for a couple weeks now that I would get a $96.06 bonus. Normally in the past this has occurred on the second paycheck of the month.

* Many of us have noticed the bonus projection software not updating properly since about October 4.

* I called IT the other day and filed a ticket about the frozen bonus projections, on advice from a friend on the support team.

* Today, or rather yesterday by the time I'm writing this, I got my electronic pay stub for the payday coming up this Friday, and discovered that it was unexpectedly short, specifically because the bonus listed on it was $12 instead of $96.06.

* I emailed my supervisor about the shorted bonus. She has forwarded the email up the chain of command but has no firm information yet. We will not both be at work again till Sunday, so I will hear no more from her on the issue till then.

* Later in the afternoon, I received the above email, from the admin in charge of the bonus projection software. Several things are hinky about this email. To wit:

* "The data for the M[onth] T[o] D[ate] numbers has been paused as of early this month because they are used for the calculating of the monthly bonuses, which is still being worked on." I am not here to criticize Mr Admin's grammar, but to point out that this is a blatantly flimsy excuse, for the extremely simple reason that there is a whole separate tab for last month's bonus data, and in fact that tab is still fully functional and showing my $96.06 bonus! It is this month's daily tracking of bonus data which has been frozen.

* Granted, if one were to admit the concept that the bonuses were still being calculated, it could be taken to explain why I'm only getting a $12 bonus on my paycheck. However, the bonuses were calculating themselves in realtime for the whole of September, and the last metrics finalized themselves on October 7. In the week since then, I could have calculated the bonuses for the entire bloody company using nothing more than my smartphone calculator and paper if I was given a paid 40-hour week to do it in, let alone having a software that was already displaying the answers!

* Also, you know, the software has never before needed to be frozen while last month's bonuses are "calculated", let alone a week after the metrics were finalized. And it has always previously told me accurately whether it was going to send me a $500 bonus or none, or something in between. This is, in short, fishy.

* Mr Bonus Admin goes on to state, "You should still be able to access the daily values" (I can't), "but the monthly ones will not update, and in fact should now not show up at all, until the work to change the scorecard and bonus structure is done. That activity should hopefully be done next week."

* The other picture besides the email is the completely blank screen where my outdated bonus projection resided until today. The one about the metrics I'm currently getting for October, not the one about the $96.06 bonus I was supposed to get for September, which may I remind you is still quite visible.

* "Your numbers are wrong? Boom, NO MORE NUMBERS! There, I fixed it." XD

* The referenced "work to change" the software has not been announced to workers at my level in any way, and no changes that could possibly involve shutting down the whole system have been made or announced. I am frankly Suspicious.

* Other agents have also said things about missing bonuses or confusing bonuses. One supervisor announced that the bonuses would not show up till our Halloween paycheck, which I could hypothetically swallow, if I didn't have a $12 bonus sitting there in black and white on this week's pay stub. Seems like there's a lot of misinformation floating around right now. (Also a certain amount of what smells very like disinformation.)

* So, lacking any information what is actually going on, and faced with an email that would have to put on black tights and a domino mask to look any more disingenuous, my brain is going for all the wildest explanations, like "The system has glitched out completely and is assigning random bonuses to everybody, and they're frantically trying to cover while they get it fixed", or even more dramatically, "Maybe the company can't afford to pay all our bonuses and is retroactively revamping the bonus system, and it was supposed to be done in time for payday but they're running late, and also maybe they really are only going to give me $12". That seems slightly less likely though because they did just give me, on the same paycheck, $28.08 in backdated raise.

* I'm also stressing the fuck out about bonuses in general because I had a really bad stats day today. A disgruntled gentleman (whose account was legitimately pretty thoroughly fucked by a previous incompetent agent) gave me a low survey, which busted me straight down from the $2/hour bonus tier to the 50¢/hour bonus tier. If my other numbers are really good for the whole rest of the month I can maaaaybe struggle my way back up to the $1.25/hour bonus tier. :P

* I also only took 9 calls today, averaging a half hour each (not counting outbound callbacks after various calls dropped), which fucked my call length for the month from the truly astonishing 795 seconds I'd been running, just under the wire for an additional 50% on top of my bonus, all the way up to 901 seconds, where I'm barely scraping by under the cutoff for having my bonus cut in half. I'd have to come in under 700 seconds every day for the rest of the month to recover from that, and I can't recover from the flunked survey at all.

* So, you know, I've gone from expecting a $96.06 bonus on Friday and hoping for a $474 bonus next month, to getting a measly $12 bonus, a runaround from tech, and maybe a $79 bonus next month if my numbers don't get any worse. It really feels like a kick in the gut.

* (If a fucking miracle happened and I wound up with upsells over $30 a call, non-repeating callers over 86.5%, and an average call length under 930 seconds, I could hypothetically get a $197.50 bonus. Or if I also managed to squeak my surveys back up above 82% good... okay, that's only one more good survey and no more bad ones, it could happen. More likely, my upsells wouldn't quite hit $30 and any further good surveys I get would go toward making up the difference. But if I had both my repeat callers and my upsells excellent, I'd only need one more good survey -- assuming no more bad ones, obviously -- to squeak back up to the $2/hour tier for a hypothetical bonus of $316.)

* The trouble with that being that I don't... I don't know if I have any faith anymore that I'll actually get my bonus as projected? Like I can't think of any way that mysterious and unspecified "work changing the bonus structure" mid-month combines with an inexplicable $12 bonus to work out in my favor. I feel like I'm bracing for a slap.

#eletelephony #how to care about your future when you don't think it exists #i legit haven't even managed to calculate my budget out #to see if i can make November's rent with my paycheck being shorted my bonus #and normally numbers are so comforting and give me a sense of control #but like #I'm just too depressed and fucked up #like if i can't fucking trust the numbers to follow the rules then what's the use of anything?!#*cries quietly*

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aceofstars16 · 4 years

Text

I’m doing tags again cause I’m really bad about doing them right when I get them xD

I’m not tagging anyone but if you want to do it go ahead!

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Tagged by @morfinwen

Name 10 favorite characters from 10 things

1. Varian from The Tangled Series

2. Tony Stark (or Peter Parker) from MCU

3. Callum from The Dragon Prince

4. Sokka from Avatar the Last Airbender

5. Stanford Pines from Gravity Falls

6. Ezra Bridger from Star Wars Rebels

7. Peter Burke from White Collar

8. Linh Cinder from The Lunar Chronicles

9. Percy Jackson from PJO

10. Nathan Drake from Uncharted

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Tagged by @singpraises

Rules: Answer 21 questions and tag 21 people.

Name: Aceofstars16 (I don’t like putting my real name online)

Nickname: Ace

Gender: Female

Star Sign: Taurus

Current Time: 7:05 PM

Song stuck in my head: Twenty-four by Switchfoot

Last movie I saw: I think it was The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (but my sister has also been watching Song of the Sea and I’ve been half watching so?)

Last thing I Googled: piccata

Other Blogs: A few but I’m too tired to tag them xD

Do I get asks: Sometimes, not as much as before cause I’m not super active oops

Reasons for your url: It’s been my username forever, a play on the title of a movie I only saw once called Ace of Hearts, and I thought ace of stars sounded cool, 16 is my favorite number

Following: 262

Average Sleep: Usually 9 or 10 hours, that’s what I aim for at least

Lucky Number: None, but favorite number is 16

Currently Wearing: Rouge One t-shirt, jean shorts, blue socks

Dream Job: I have no clue, maybe writing for a TV show or helping foster kids or animals

Dream Trip: I really want to visit Iceland or Argentina, but I also want to meet online friends too

Favorite Food: Chocolate xD

Favorite Song: Too many to chose from!

Instruments: I can only kind of play piano but I love the sound of the guitar and violin

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Tagged by @playstationstartupnoise

1. Name: Aceofstars16 (same logic as above haha)

2. Nicknames: Ace

3. Zodiac sign: Since I answered this in the above tag I’m just gonna say my enneagram is Type 4

4. Height: 5′7ish

5. Languages spoken: English, I know some ASL and I took Spanish but don’t ask me to carry a conversation xD

6. Nationality: Caucasian? I know I have quite a bit of German and some Czech?

7: Favorite season: Oooo...Spring probably

8. Favorite flower: Bluebonnets!

9. Favorite scent: Cinnamon candles (I like other things too but...that’s one of my fave scents)

10. Favorite color: Blue!

11. Favorite animal: Hmmm, I have a lot but horses have been my faves for forever so, horses

12. Favorite fictional character: Hahaha bro I can’t pick just one...I’ll say Tony Stark though cause...he’s just so good

13. Coffee, tea or hot chocolate: Tea, I like hot chocolate but it’s hard to make without milk and I shouldn’t have milk so...

14. Average sleep hours: 9-10ish

15. Dog or cat person: Cat! Dogs are sweet though

16. Number of blankets you sleep with: It depends, anywhere from 1 to 3, sometimes 4 if I’m really cold but usually not xD

17. Dream trip: Haha same as the above tag

18. Blog established: October of 2013....wow...that was...a while ago...

19. Followers: 1,956

20: Random fact: Ummm, I have a scar on my tongue from when I bit it as a kid

About me: I am tired pretty much all the time, I like to read, write, and draw but I find it hard to actually sit down and do them consistently. Um...I’m a nerd and I’m okay with this fact xD

About anything: Sean Bean was in Black Beauty and I forgot about this until I watched a clip on youtube the other day...live your dreams Boromir

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Tagged by @captaingondor

Rules: Post the last line you’ve written and tag as many people as there are words in that line (more or less)

The last thing I wrote was a weddings speech written by one of my characters and the last line is just a toast literally it’s just “To Isaac and Ororo” not exciting at all ashdkadf...so I think I’ll do this instead xD

That wasn’t normal…but she didn’t have any energy to think about it as unconsciousness overtook her.

#about the aceo #kind of i guess #that last one is a nova fic surprise surprise #i write her more than any of my other ocs oops xD

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kangaracha · 4 years

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1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 13 :)

de1: of the fic you’ve written, which are you most proud of?

not counting my fics that aren’t zombies, if only we knew. I often feel like I lose the thread of my themes and stuff while writing my like longish stuff, but on this it all just sort of....came together and Worked. also I really challenged myself with the themes of this, and I’ve continued challenging myself with the themes of the sequel, and the chasm grows and I’m really happy I stuck to my guns with it because I think it came out really nicely.

also that one prompt I did for you where zed lowkey killed addison? yeah I’m pretty proud of myself for that. (but really, I turned that out in thirty minutes total, which is probably the fastest I’ve ever had something that feels so complete finished ever, and I was so happy with the twist and the clues I worked in there and it’s probably the only short thing I’ve ever written that doesn’t feel like the pacing is weird or rushed)

4: what are some themes you love writing about?

hmmmmmmmm. I think friendship is my like, go-to, I love building/exploring relationships between characters and generally I latch on to friendships over romantic relationships. death is always a good one, I enjoyed exploring that in if only. I don’t like coming of age or the ‘chosen one’ sort of plots, but I do like strong characters and taking them on a journey of discovery/leadership/growth into being a hero. My one true love is apocalypse stories, and all the things that come with them - the loss of hope, the losing or finding of humanity, the state of the world/humans, corruption, rebellion, the choice of whether to be good or bad, the ability to question if there is a point at which it isn’t worth it to live in a world like that anymore.........there are just endless, really deep and solemn themes to explore there and the added bonus of these twisted and sometimes unrecognisable worlds.

5: what inspires you to write?

in the day-to-day, music is a huge help in just...setting my mind to writing, getting in the right headspace, and it’s a great source of ideas sometimes too. I have a playlist for everything that takes more than a couple of days to write, so when I need to settle into the vibe of a piece or I want to spend some time thinking about what I’m doing with it, I’ll throw on the playlist and spend an hour or so like...sinking into it.

otherwise, my fanfic ideas mostly come just from lines or things I see in the source material - identity came from that scene when they return from zombie containment, zed’s explanation of containment and eliza’s spiel. the beginning of if only came from your prompt fill but the rest of it sprouted entirely from the line ‘we die. we be nothing.’ and you will run and run and run came to me during eliza’s verse in ‘my year’.

my favourite place to come up with fantastic scene ideas and/or plot twists is in the shower, or while driving. on my way to work is a particularly good time, because it’s just so early and my brain is still half-asleep and doesn’t care about plot holes.

8: is there a character you love writing for the most? the least? why?

well I mean, right now I am l i v i n g for that Wyatt-centric fic. he’s a character that’s calm and thoughtful and leaves a lot of room to fit in contemplations and explain plot elements and leave space between dialogue without it feeling out of character like it might for a character that is more hot-headed and faster-paced. I really like Eliza for similar reasons, even though she’s a much sharper character - where Wyatt is slower, a mediator who evaluates options, she is clever and cunning, still a character who is always thinking and who can be used in that way, but for a different sort of outcome (which I desperately hope to explore in run and run one day)

my least favourite is Willa; I took a pass at her in hunters (it’s do or die, to everyone who isn’t keeps xD), and while I really like writing her as a secondary character, I find it really hard to get into her brain while maintaining that ruthless, ruled-by-pride version of her that I’ve built up without accidentally softening her. I just find that she stands up a lot better when I am writing from another point of view looking at her, rather than trying to get inside her head, and the way that I’m going towards breaking her down in a current wip is the only way I’m really interested in doing it - I don’t think I’d ever be interested in writing anything like if only we knew with Willa as the focus.

9: a passage from a wip

this one is just mean because you know that the only wip I have enough to show you of is and the chasm grows, and you know that you’ve seen everything I want to show you and that I’ll want to show you something new because I like it when you yell at me xD

“I don’t need your help, Wyatt,” Wila insists, unaware of the way such a cold sentiment splinters his heart into a million pieces.

“You always need my help,” he replies, his voice rising and rising. “You asked for my help just a few days ago!”

“And then you went and caught a fever, walking around out in the rain!” Her words are hot and angry, but for the first time, it is not directed at him. “I haven’t needed you all week, Wyatt! And I don’t need you when you’re half dead!”

13: who are your favourite writers?

s h i t.

out of the zombies fandom, you and @fist-it-out, although I’ve tried to read all the stuff from you guys in the discord and everyone seems to have their own little niche (even my tumblr friends who aren’t in the discord have their own corner of the fandom, everyone is rocking it, I’m just over here trying to carve out my own piece of paradise). i have nothing to say to you and sarah because I tell you all the time that you’re amazing so I’m just gonna name everyone else I talk to on a regular basis.

@rainfallingfromthesky is honestly the mvp like if I’ve read anything of yours then I don’t remember but you’re a godsend for editing and you’re the only thing holding river cold together and you fix my words when I don’t know what to put there so you’re one of my favourite writers even if you’ve never given me anything to read.

@kokinu09 and @gayce-ventura over here in fluff city keeping the balance on the relevant fanfiction sites between my everyone dies nobody’s happy bullshit and y’know, actual good fic. I don’t get like, pms bugging me to read your stuff so I think I miss it sometimes or I’m like ‘oh I’ll sit down and read that later’ and then I’m busy for four days and that’s honestly pretty shit of me but I’m still reading and I still love your shit, I promise xD

@gogoseabrook i mean..............weather warning. that’s....that’s all.

I didn’t think you’d be writing shit like that brooke like I think I still have whiplash. you’re over here telling me I intimidate you and then you just quietly put the link to that in the discord. like........holy shit

#about roo #asks

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thegayfromrulid · 4 years

Note

Frkm 1 allll the way to 99. Also, the next SAO game eugeo lives as a sword and not die (thank GOD)

@2. chocolate bars or lollipops?

Chocolate bars- I will not eat lollipops.

3. bubblegum or cotton candy?

Cotton candy! I actually get super bad headaches from bubblegum.

4. how did your elementary school teachers describe you?

Probably lonely genius...

5. do you prefer to drink soda from soda cans, soda bottles, plastic cups or glass cups?

Soda bottles!! I feel so fancy!! And old-timey.

6. pastel, boho, tomboy, preppy, goth, grunge, formal or sportswear?

I guess tomboy even though I’m a boy??

7. earbuds or headphones?

Aren’t these the same thing? I think I prefer over-ear headphones, but I don’t really like either.

8. movies or tv shows?

Depends on the genre I guess. But as a main rule, live action- movies, animated- TV shows.

9. favorite smell in the summer?

Potato salad.

10. game you were best at in p.e.?

Frankly, I wasn’t good, but I was really good at pissing all the jocks off-

11. what you have for breakfast on an average day?

I make myself these homemade egg mcmuffins. I enjoy them a lot. I am very picky about breakfast.

12. name of your favorite playlist?

I only have one and it’s very generic: The Gay From Rulid’s Playlist. Yes it’s on Spotify. Yes, it’s 99% anime openings and endings and maybe Bet On It from HSM2. Be ashamed of me. Go on.

13. lanyard or key ring?

Lanyard! Mine is a BNHA one I bought from an artist at Nekocon!

14. favorite non-chocolate candy?

Either Sweet Tarts or Nerds.

16. most comfortable position to sit in?

I usually have one leg tucked up under me and the other stretched out.

17. most frequently worn pair of shoes?

A black and white pair of Skechers. They look like shit. They almost never are replaced by another shoe. Not even in the gross muggy heat.

18. ideal weather?

When it’s just warm enough to wear a t-shirt and sit in the sunshine, but cool enough that I’m not hot, and a little breeze is going. I think of this weather quite often.

19. sleeping position?

On my belly kinda spread out like a shounen protagonist.

21. obsession from childhood?

J.R.R. Tolkien. Have always been obsessed with him and his works.

22. role model?

Redundant, but Tolkien again. Linguist and writer. Living my dream.

23. strange habits?

I unplug things like microwaves, lamps, and TVs when I am done using them. Very little remains plugged in at my place. The modem, the fridge, and the clock. That is it.

24. favorite crystal?

Amethyst. It’s my sister’s middle name. And I especially like the purple ones.

25. first song you remember hearing?

Blue by Eiffel 65. I don’t know why that song sticks out so much in my memory but it’s nostalgic for me. Tiny AJ hyperfixated on this song before anything else ya’ll.

26. favorite activity to do in warm weather?

Curl up in the sun on a blanket and nap.

27. favorite activity to do in cold weather?

Hot cocoa blanket cuddles.

28. five songs to describe you?

Uhhhh...I’m not very musically literate. Let’s go with Born This Way (the first person I came out to sent me that song so it feels special!), I’m Free to Be Me by Jamie Grace, Praying by Kesha, Shake It Off by Taylor Swift ( @delicateeuphorias would you believe it xD), and right now thinking about someone dear to me who’s been gone See You Again is stuck in my brain.

30. places that you find sacred?

Arboretums or big botanical gardens where I can get lost in the plants for a moment and take in how pretty they all are. And old monuments/big things people of the past built. A lot of things were built by people with no rights/freedom and I think about them and how despite the fact that they had nothing, they made such a lasting impact on our world.

31. what outfit do you wear to kick ass and take names?

*slips on my Owari no Seraph cosplay* I will kick ass in this sweet ass cape-

33. most used phrase in your phone?

My phone seems to think it’s “Kirito’s ass” and I want it to not think that.

34. advertisements you have stuck in your head?

O-O-O-O’REILLYYYYYYYYYY’S...Autooo PARTS.

35. average time you fall asleep?

I’m an insomniac it could be 10 pm it could be 3 am who knows I sleep for an hour I’m up again...

36. what is the first meme you remember ever seeing?

Fucking CAN I HAS CHEEZBURGR cats.

37. suitcase or duffel bag?

This all boils down to how much I’m packing. Going for a sleepover? Duffel. Going to con? My giant suitcase with room for all the bells and whistles of cosplay.

38. lemonade or tea?

Tea!

39. lemon cake or lemon meringue pie?

Oh cruel I looooove lemon. The pie!

40. weirdest thing to ever happen at your school?

In high school here- so, aside from me being the resident weirdo (I DID come to school dressed as the TARDIS), my senior class decided to squirt hundreds of bottles of chocolate syrup on the sidewalks. We were an open campus so it’s all in front of our classroom doors- we had no hallways. And then they. They fucking EGGED ALL THE DOORS. The whole campus smelled like...ick.

41. last person you texted?

My father and mother in a group text to cry about customers treating me poorly.

42. jacket pockets or pants pockets?

I prefer the jacket pockets because I still haven’t found a way to get men’s pants under the radar of my ever-watchful parents and women’s jeans pockets are SHITTY. Women gotta boycott this shit it is UNACCEPTABLE-

44. favorite scent for soap?

Peppermint...peppermint ^-^ I like to smell like...mint.

45. which genre: sci-fi, fantasy or superhero?

Fantasy!

46. most comfortable outfit to sleep in?

Recently I was reminded I live alone and my new favorite sleeping outfit...is...just some boxer shorts. Suck it dysphoria. Manly nightwear.

47. favorite type of cheese?

Pepper jack, Swiss, or ricotta.

48. if you were a fruit, what kind would you be?

Strawberry :3

50. what made you laugh the hardest you ever have?

I’m gonna sound so gay but when @disasterbikirito started laughing about a certain GIF and his laugh was so infectious I couldn’t help but laugh too.

51. current stresses?

Are you shitting me it’s everything. Every. Single. Thing. I cannot breathe. I am having meltdowns. Someone fucking save me I cannot deal with COVID well.

52. favorite font?

Garamond for writing in my free time, Doulous SIL for all the linguistics IPA symbols my greedy heart desires.

53. what is the current state of your hands?

Smooth but my fingertips have been gnawed on. I am stressed, okay?

54. what did you learn from your first job?

Gosh, lots of things. But the most important takeaway is that a good boss will genuinely care about you. I miss that man. He was so wonderful and so caring and taught me so much about theater. Technical things and artistic things and historical things. Sometimes I wish I could have made a career out of working under him.

55. favorite fairy tale?

Beauty and the Beast (AH...AH...I SEE YOU ROLLING YOUR EYES BECAUSE I’M TRANS. I KNOW. I *KNOW*.)

56. favorite tradition?

It’s a family tradition kinda unique to my household. Each year, we draw a name from a hat, and that name comes with a lot of words that describe us and what we liked over that year. We then each take a $20 bill and we go to a little hobby shop with cheap things in it and use that $20 bill to fill a Christmas stocking. We then hang them back up and empty the stocking full of candies and random silly things and have a good laugh and guess who filled whose stocking.

57. the three biggest struggles you’ve overcome?

The first one is coming to terms with knowing my dad has a severe illness. It really shook my family up, and it’s terrifying us right now with everything going on, but after a while, I learned that he was smiling, so I could smile, too.

The second one is my mother coming back from her tour in the Middle East on top of the murder of my godmother. Two very stressful things happened at once. My mother got very violent from her PTSD and her best friend died in a horrible way. It was an adjustment for everyone, and it kind of ripped my family to pieces. I can say, though, that my parents are still married and are getting better, and my sister and I are coming back to the family to be more open and healthy.

The third, and maybe some of my followers are aware, was getting rid of my ex-fiance. He was a man who sexually assaulted me repeatedly and I won’t go into details beyond that. It took me 5 years to get rid of him and accept what happened, but I am a much happier person now and while I work through the trauma that caused me, I have the most wonderful partner by my side and if you had told me back then I’d find someone as kind and patient and loving as him, I would have laughed and thought you were insane.

59. if you were a video game character, what would your catchphrase be?

Probably what I put on all my fanfic updates: “I know. I’m an asshole.”

60. if you were a character in an anime, what kind of anime would you want it to be?

Some kind of shoujo romance but it’s bi also I want a sword.

61. favorite line you heard from a book/movie/tv show/etc.?

There was nothing more smartass than Alice Synthesis 30 in SAO 18 asking a reporter to open up his head and prove he was human I’m sorry like OOF-

63. five songs that would play in your club?

Get in losers, we’re playing Steppin’ Out by FLOW, Elle me dit by Mika, Blue by Eiffel 65, ADAMAS by LiSA, and Touch Off by UVERworld.

64. favorite website from your childhood?

I was on Webkinz more than I want to admit.

65. any permanent scars?

Yup. I have one on my toe where I split the skin in half. I tripped. I have three surgical scars from when I had my appendix removed. And...the mystery scar. I was supposedly born with a scar it’s at the part where my foot meets my leg on my left side and you can see how it’s stretched over the years if you run your finger over it. The joke is that the doctor taking out my mom’s appendix scratched me in the womb.

67. good luck charms?

Not really a charm but I do have a little Kirito keychain I carry everywhere I go that I fiddle with when I’m nervous.

68. worst flavor of any food or drink you’ve ever tried?

Artificial bubblegum. Disgustiiiing.

70. left or right handed?

I am right-handed.

71. least favorite pattern?

Zig-zags.

72. worst subject?

History...I am ashamed. It’s interesting, I just suck at it.

73. favorite weird flavor combo?

Gingerbread and marshmallow. I am a bit picky about mixing foods and flavors, so this was the weirdest I could think up.

74. at what pain level out of ten (1 through 10) do you have to be at before you take an advil or ibuprofen?

Can you hear that? It’s my hysterical laughter. 12 on a scale of 10. I get up there pretty frequently. Thank you, chronic crippling pain.

75. when did you lose your first tooth?

I...I don’t remember...I don’t even remember...I think I had to be like what...kindergarten?

76. what’s your favorite potato food (i.e. tater tots, baked potatoes, fries, chips, etc.)?

THIS IS CRUEL I LOVE ALL POTATOS I LOVE THEM ALL SO MUCH-Au gratin.

77. best plant to grow on a windowsill?

Aloe!

78. coffee from a gas station or sushi from a grocery store?

Coffee from a gas station. Mark my words...I will never get grocery store sushi. Ever. Again. My stomach has not forgotten. What a mistake. That was.

79. which looks better, your school id photo or your driver’s license photo?

So, my driver’s license hasn’t had an updated photo since I was 15 and just had a learner’s so I look like I want to murder a man but my school ID I had just run about a mile in the cold because the bus wasn’t running that day and my face is red and I look like I’m crying...probably the school ID...

80. earth tones or jewel tones?

Jewel tones~~

81. fireflies or lightning bugs?

I am from the South and we call ‘em lightnin’ bugs.

82. pc or console?

Errrrr console. I’m not a gamer by any means but there’s way fewer things to press on a console controller.

84. podcasts or talk radio?

Neither...what...no...neither...they will put me to sleep...I will be out in seconds...the most dangerous things...people talking...and then I’m out...

84. barbie or polly pocket?

Barbie, she’s a LOT easier to dress. Those rubber clothes. SMH.

86. cookies or cupcakes?

Cookies but they gotta be the soft ones.

87. your greatest fear?

Being swallowed in the ocean. By a fish or a whale. I don’t play. Church kid don’t play with big things in the ocean with big mouths.

88. your greatest wish?

To make enough of a difference in someone’s life that they learn to love themself.

89. who would you put before everyone else?

Such a selfish thought...gosh...the mere thought of prioritizing someone troubles me.

90. luckiest mistake?

Telling a cute guy sending me dog pictures was an excellent flirting technique as he sent me pictures of his puppy. I immediately thought “oh god I’ve fucked up bad” and at present we’re kinda head over heels for one another so maybe just be stupidly blunt once and a while you might find true love.

91. boxes or bags?

Boxes. My cat didn’t force me to say that. Not at all. Sock, buddy, off the keyboard-

92. lamps, overhead lights, sunlight or fairy lights?

Sunlight. I like the sun. The sun is my friend. It is warm and would never betray me.

93. nicknames?

Sister calls me “spoony” when she’s being ridiculous. No, I don’t know what that means. Mama calls me “cakes.” I had friends who called me “Deku” because I’m a crybaby. Had a few people DM me and straight up call me “Eugeo” or “Eug.” AJ is technically a nickname.

94. favorite season?

Springtime!!!!! It’s...HERE!

95. favorite app on your phone?

I use like three apps...so Discord.

96. desktop background?

It’s. It’s Kirito and Eugeo. What did you expect.

97. how many phone numbers do you have memorized?

Mama’s, dad’s, mine, and my parents’ house number. And does the emergency 911 count (pahahaha).

(I answered the others in delicateeuphoria’s ask!)

#ask #ask me anything #weird asks that say a lot #ask game #weeaboo-god

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lost-combustion · 5 years

Text

GET TO KNOW THE BLOGGER.

can be used for rp & non-rp blogs to get to know a bit about the person behind the screen !

1. FIRST NAME: Stephanie, but call me Bishy <3

2. STRANGE FACT ABOUT YOURSELF: If you were to walk into my apartment, you’d find medieval weaponry hanging up on the walls all over the place. I also was always compared to Iron Man, only because my entire left arm is almost all metal.

3. TOP THREE PHYSICAL THINGS YOU FIND ATTRACTIVE ON A PERSON: Their eyes are the first thing I look at. When I saw my wife first, I looked at her eyes and just. Yes. The next observation I really look at is the smile. Each smile holds part of their personality. Then I tend to notice their height. Luckily for me, my wifey is taller than me. <3

4. A FOOD YOU COULD EAT FOREVER AND NOT GET BORED OF: Ooooof. If I had to choose just ONE dish, I would have to choose Lemon Pepper fish. While I love sushi, and Alfredo, the lemon pepper fish is absolutely amazing and I finally learned how to make it myself. So I won’t starve if my wife leaves for a night or two. xD

5. A FOOD YOU HATE: Spinach. Just. Yuck.

6. GUILTY PLEASURE: Okay so I have a few guilty pleasures. First and foremost is making characters with character creators in games. I just love making them. I also have a huge guilty pleasure for shipping. I’m actually going to copy a statement that someone else made because they describe it incredibly well.

I love healthy ships and unhealthy ships (but like, don’t glorify them. Recognize they are unhealthy and should not be idealized for RL) I just love love, and I love the butterflies and coyness and excited uncertain that leads up to the very first time a ship admits their feelings most of all.

But yeah. More guilty pleasures. I also love editing screenshots of characters. I love playing around with the colors and shadows.

7. WHAT DO YOU SLEEP IN: Pajama pants. It’s rare for me to sleep with a top on, only because my wife is a massive heater and I’ll overheat if I wear too much.

8. SERIOUS RELATIONSHIPS OR FLINGS: Hah, well I’m married soooo. In October it’ll be 2 years, but we’ve been together for almost 5 years. Longest relationship I’ve ever had! <3 We have our difficulties, yes, but we work through it and keep on trucking.

9. IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN THE PAST AND CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOUR LIFE, WOULD YOU AND WHAT WOULD IT BE: If I could go back, I’d tell my boss to fuck off and stay in Texas with my dad for an additional 3 weeks. That was really the last time I got to spend time with my dad, seeing as the next time I saw him, he passed away.

10. ARE YOU AN AFFECTIONATE PERSON: I didn’t grow up around affection. So it took a long time for me to open up and actually showcase affection to people willingly. I’m finally getting better at it though! I want to say yes, I am an affectionate person, but I still struggle at times on whether it’s appropriate or not.

11. A MOVIE YOU COULD WATCH OVER AND OVER AGAIN: This will forever be “Sweeney Todd”. I absolutely adore that movie. Or any of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” just because of the aesthetic.

12. FAVORITE BOOK: Oh gosh. This is extremely hard to choose, only because I love reading. Call of Cthulhu, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones; anything from Stephen King; I read anything and everything, so choosing one as a favorite is nearly impossible.

13. YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP ANY ANIMAL AS A PET, WHAT DO YOU CHOOSE: A skunk <3

14. TOP FIVE FICTIONAL SHIPS [IF YOU ARE AN RP BLOG, YOU CAN USE YOUR OWN SHIPS AS WELL]: Ooooof. I have too many to share. So like, it’s a very toxic ship, but Tsumi ( @tivtastic) and Syat’a are a huge toxic ship that I cannot wait to dive into. Another good ship that I’m kinda adoring is the friendship between Shoto ( @chooseyourmuse) with Astrid. Their closeness just brings me massive feels, and I adore them. Okay, so that’s only two. Let me think. I also am really interested to see the development between Denki ( @persona-de-interes) with Astrid.

Oh! Another super big ship of mine is Caspian with Roselyn ( @sky-gryphon) on discord. Their raw connection just. Mmph. I love it. I also am really in love with the connection between Colette and Zegnes ( @sky-gryphon) on discord as well. While she’s this big bad predator, he’s so soft towards her and I just. He makes her feel things, which results in me feeling wonderful things for them. Now another- OH MY GOSH HOW COULD I FORGET.

How could I ever forget Arron ( @-tiviani-)??? He with ANYONE of my kids. FUCKING ANYONE. Give me that GORY SHIP. So fricken toxic, but YESSSS.

EDIT: HOW COULD I FORGET THIS ADORABLE SHIP. OMG SOMEONE HIT ME FOR FORGETTING. Jupiter with Niel ( @softvorenoms). LEGIT GUYS. This ship is SO SUPER ADORABLE. Every time I think of canon relationships for Jupy, I immediately think of Niel. When I finally sit down to write the actual books for Jupiter and her siblings, Niel will either show up in it somewhere or be mentioned. Because these two. <3 <3 <3

15. PIE OR CAKE: Pie! <3

16. FAVORITE SCENT: I’m more towards vanilla, but I also am really liking cinnamon (even if I can’t say the damn word)

17. CELEBRITY CRUSH: Ooooof! Hmm. Okay, so I don’t really keep tabs on celebrity life, so give me a moment to really think. The actress that plays as Scarlet Witch. Yep, she’s real pretty. I also really adore Felicia Day. She’s just perfection. Then there’s Tom Hiddleston. He’s gorgeous.

18. IF YOU COULD TRAVEL ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD YOU GO: Mm... Probably Italy ( seeing as I’m Italian and have yet to see where my family came from ) or Scotland ( because who doesn’t love their accent?? )

19. INTROVERT OR EXTROVERT: Technically, I’m classified as an “Extroverted Introvert”, but I just like to call myself an Introvert and leave it at that.

20. DO YOU SCARE EASILY: Hah! I don’t think I scare easily, but I jump super easily.

21. IPHONE OR ANDROID: Android

22. DO YOU PLAY ANY VIDEO GAMES: ...Do I play video games?? OOOOOF. Yes, lmao! I bounce between PS4 and PC. From Mortal Kombat, Dragon Age series, FFXIV, and soooo many others; I play pretty much anything.

23. DREAM JOB: I’m actually doing my dream job! I work at a museum; I’m a tour guide. I adore learning new things, and retelling history to others.

24. WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH A MILLION DOLLARS: I would first and foremost pay off any dept that my wife has. Then I’d put half of my cash to the side for saving. The rest would be put into paying off my wife’s vehicle (since mine is already paid off) and helping us settle down in an actual house somewhere we want to live for good. Currently we’re living in an apartment, and it’s comfortable yes, but it’s not forever.

25. FICTIONAL CHARACTER YOU HATE: A fictional character I hate? Hmm. Oh, oh! I know so many others really adore this character and find him “oh so attractive”, but I cannot stand Zenos yae Galvus from ffxiv. Just no. I can’t. At all.

26. FANDOM THAT YOU WERE ONCE A PART OF BUT AREN’T ANY LONGER: I used to be big into Inuyasha. In fact, that was the first fandom I actually got into! But I’m not into it any more, only because finding tons of people that still want to write that fandom is almost impossible. Shout out to @nioiidamaa for pulling me back into the fandom because they write AMAZING.

STOLEN FROM: @bagwormmulti TAGGING: everyone that I already tagged in earlier, soooo @chooseyourmuse, @persona-de-interes, @sky-gryphon, @tivtastic, @nioiidamaa, @softvorenoms. I also welcome anyone else! If you do it and you weren’t tagged, you’re tagged now!! :D

#bishy rambles #i had to make a edit #it was very important

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jibberjibbsart · 5 years

Text

OC Profile Meme

Thanks for @aeducanka for the tag!

Part of me almost chose Jyn, but that’s lame cause they’re basically me. So I’m picking Garrett!

________________________________________________________________

PHYSICAL

Name: Garrett Hawke

Nickname: To most people in Kirkwall, he’s Hawke. When he asks Varric to give him a better nickname, he’s called Furball (Garrett is a very hairy man. It doesn’t help he only wears fur coats).

When Garrett was about five he developed his magic. He was so excited about his new abilities that he told his older cousin Valerie (my grey warden) to call him Sir Magic Hands. The name stuck and now he hates it.

Age: I’ll give you a little timeline of DA2.

17 When the Blight starts and Lothering is destroyed.

18 In his first year at Kirkwall.

21 After defeating the Arishok.

24 At the Chantry explosion.

28 At the start of Inquisition.

Species: Human.

Morality: Chaotic Good. Garrett is a bit of a trouble maker, but he has a strong sense of justice. He believes that in order to do the right thing, sometimes you have to break the law.

PERSONAL

Religion: Oof.

Before the events of DA2, Garrett is 100% Andrastian. He prays to the Maker regularly and he would listen to Lothering’s Chantry Mothers preach. At the end of DA2, Garrett is angry with the Maker. His mother is dead, the Chantry is destroyed, Kirkwall is in ruins, and Garrett is running away as an apostate again. If the Maker was real... If Andraste cared... this wouldn’t have happened.

Sins: greed/gluttony/sloth/lust/pride/envy/wrath.

After Garrett gets his family’s estate back, he becomes a little lazy. His friends drag him out places so he’s not just sitting in bed reading Swords and Shields. He’s prideful when it comes to his abilities. This has gotten him in trouble countless times. Luckily Anders was able to patch him up every time. (Anders: “Maybe, if you didn’t sit around all day and you actually got up and trained, I wouldn’t have to keep saving you from dying!”)

Virtues: chastity/ charity/ diligence/ humility/ kindness/ patience/ JUSTICE

Garrett is the kind of person to see someone in need and help them no questions asked (This has gotten him in trouble a few times). He’s given away lots of sovereigns to the parentless children in Kirkwall. There have been countless times where his friends had to stop him from adopting them. (”Garrett you can barely take care of yourself let alone a CHILD! Just take them to the Chantry!”) Garrett’s sense of justice is almost as aggressive as, well, Justice. He can and will break the law to make sure justice is served.

Known languages: Common. He knows a tiny itty bit of Dalish from Merrill, but he always uses it incorrectly. Merrill swears he does it on purpose.

Build: scrawny/bony/slender/fit/athletic/ curvy/ herculean/pudgy/plus size/average.

Since Garrett is a mage, he never thought that he had to work out. He just lets the magic do the work for him. As he got older, he realized that there’s more to fighting with magic then standing in a corner and waving his staff. He’s got a soft tummy, but his arms and legs are strong.

Garrett doesn’t think he’s much to look at, but he’s not... bad to look at either? Homeboy has self-esteem issues. (I’m not projecting onto my ocs what)

Height: 6′5″

He’s TOL

Scars/Birthmarks: He has a little scar on his cheek from when he was living in Highever with Valerie’s family. When a maid found him and Valerie using magic, Garrett panicked and let out a vicious ice blast that almost stabbed him in the eye.

He has various scars from battles and medical procedures on his chest, back, and legs.

Do I say that the red streak on his face is a birthmark or paint... Meh, I guess it’s a birthmark. This is a fantasy world I do what I want.

Abilities/Powers:

1. Garrett specializes in Force and Ice magic.

2. Garrett was curious about Blood magic for a split second, but when Merrill gave him a crash course he almost passed out.

3. He’s a great leader and strategizer under pressure.

4. However, when he’s by himself fighting, he panics.

5. His favorite ability is Fist of the Maker.

6. He knows one healing spell and it only works on himself. He doesn’t know how to get it to work on others.

Restrictions:

1. Being a Ferelden refugee, a lot of the nobles in Kirkwall don’t take him seriously. This makes assisting or negotiating very difficult. Or killing very easy.

2. Despite his funny and sarcastic demeanor, he will cry if someone makes a joke about him. He’s very sensitive.

3. He’s overly protective with his friends and family. He throws himself in the line of fire a lot.

4. He’s childish. So childish. He blew a raspberry at Grand Cleric Elthina and Sebastian didn’t talk to him for a week.

5. He blew a raspberry at Meredith too. He spent two days in a holding cell.

6. Terrible listener. He wants to be helpful, but he gets distracted easily. His friends have to repeat mission details about 5 times before he understands completely.

7. He’s so stubborn. Not stubborn in a normal way, stubborn in the super frustrating way. It can take weeks for him to say he’s sorry. It can takes YEARS for him to forgive someone.

8. He cheats in games and everyone always catches him, but he always denies. This frustrates everyone.

9. If you handed him any weapon besides his staff, he won’t know what to do with it.

FAVOURITES:

Food: This man loves spicy food. The more it makes him sweat, the better.

Pizza topping: (Modern AU) Hot sausage and bacon.

Color: After the deep roads he really starts appreciating the color of the sky.

Music genre: ... What music genres do they have in Thedas? I mean he’s usually in the Hanged Man so he’s a fan of Tavern music. In a modern AU I guess he’d be into alternative rock or anything that makes his head hurt.

Movie genre: (Modern AU) Comedy! He loves a good laugh. When he’s feeling a little sappy he’ll pull put a good RomCom.

Curse words: He gets creative. He usually says a curse word with an unrelated word, or a phrase with some nasty words sprinkled in. (Example: “Fuck bucket” or “Oh Andraste’s bitch boots”)

Scents: The smell of pine after a storm or a fire after it dies down.

FUN STUFF:

Bottom or top: Garrett exudes top energy. He will tell people he’s a top, but one look at Fenris tells you that Garrett is 100% a bottom. (A brat bottom)

Sings in the shower: Absolutely. And he SUCKS.

Likes puns: He loves them! He wouldn’t be a good Purple Hawke if he didn’t like them!

________________________________________________________________

WOW THIS TOOK FOREVER. I had a whole lot of fun with this! I hope you guys enjoy!

Tagging: @zakuraboi @cutieink @mrdraws @cruxisma ! This took a long time to write so I will not blame you if you don’t wanna do it XD

Tagging back is a-okay!

#dragon age #long post #dragon age 2 #DA2 #Garrett Hawke #valerie #DAO #oc #hawke #Custom Hawke #fenhawke #fenris #merrill #varric #anders #bioware

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xmagicxshopx · 5 years

Text

Moon Monsters - Chapter 6

Genre: Fantasy Adventure, Romance (smut later), Comedy Rating: PG-13 Warnings: none at this time Pairing: Jungkook x reader, Jimin x oc, Taehyung x oc Notes: werewolf!bts au. Not idol!bts. Same goes for GOT7. Single quote marks ‘ ‘ are for thoughts and double “ “ are for talking. Additional Notes: I was the dork who Googled and made sure there were actually McDonald’s in Seoul before writing this. XD And I actually proof read most of this~

Tagging: @och-ako @jiminnies-baby @kfictionstories @justbangtanandjams @lizardsocial @breadcaaat

Summary: You’re the CEO’s new personal assistant. But there’s something strange about him and the company you work for.

SERIES MASTERLIST

Jungkook was normally a pretty light sleeper thanks to his sensitive canine ears. Always being on the alert and whatnot. But with the events having taken place in the last 24 hours, it was to be expected that he’d sleep in a little. He had the super human strength, hearing, anything you could think of, but this morning he slept like a rock.

What helped the most was you. The fact that you, his precious mate, was right under his nose; filling his senses with your delicious scent. Doe eyes fluttering open, he let out a subconscious yip of happiness in his groggy state and finally looked down to see that you were still comfortable as could be sleeping on his chest.

Dear god he was in heaven.

He could get used to mornings like these. Speaking of, it looked to be about mid-morning. Perhaps 9:30 ish? The sun was pouring its natural light in through the slated blinds and curtains both. The way the light fell on you made you look like an angel from heaven itself. Your hair was messy in the cutest way. And your face without makeup was his favorite. He was pretty sure you could be covered in mud and still look absolutely gorgeous.

Yep. He was whipped.

But he could care less. Because he was the happiest guy alive right now.

Just then, you started to stir, looking beautiful as ever while you did so. Your face scrunched up cutely in confusion despite your eyes still being closed; clearly already knowing something wasn’t right. Or rather that something was different. It only took you a millisecond of movement for you to pop your eyes wide open. Within a heartbeat, you were looking up at him and wow you were adorable.

“Jungkook?”

“Morning, beautiful. How’d you sleep?”

He didn’t seem the least bit phased by the fact that they were sleeping on the couch together. That there was so much physical contact right now. You were laying on top of him for goodness sake. Heat rushed to your face and you could practically feel it rolling off in waves, so you knew he had to feel it too. But he just laid there looking perfectly content.

“I um-----Yeah? I think?”

“Aigoo. You’re too cute. You ready for our big day today?”

It was more than obvious that you were flustered. Especially since you didn’t answer his original question. But at least he got the answer he was hoping for. It eased some of his worry and concern knowing that you got some decent sleep. With any luck, that was all because of him. His chest wanted to swell with pride at the idea of it all. Him, protecting his mate.

You knew you should have asked him how well he slept too but you were just in awe over how.....comfortable he was with this. They were coworkers. Sure they hung out after work from time to time but still. This was so......intimate? At least for you it was. Trying to gain focus and answer his question, you nodded a bit and said timidly in a small voice,

“Yeah. I think. But on one condition.”

Those last few words left your mouth and it surprised you both. You for your sudden burst of courage and him because he watched you go from timid and nervous to determined and firm. Watching him nod a bit in understanding, you then sat up and moved to where you were sitting next to him on the opposite end of the couch while he was still laying down.

“I get to pay for my meals today. If you’re going to buy all my stuff for me, then I’m at least paying for my meals. Or we have no deal.”

You knew you didn’t have much of a leg to stand on. You needed things. And a lot of them. Especially your toiletries. So you weren’t really in a position to make deals but you could only hope that he’d bite and show you mercy by accepting your conditions. It was the least you could afford at this point and you felt guilty beyond belief.

Jungkook was now sitting up as well as he sat there across from you; staring at you in thought and concentration. He was considering it. Playing it over in his mind.

On one hand, he wanted to refuse and insist on paying for everything. Then again, he knew you were pretty upset in the guilty sense from everyone paying your way through all of this. And he would rather see you happy. So if paying for your meals today would make you happy, then that’s what would happen. Smiling a warm smile, he nodded and held out his hand for you to shake.

“Deal.”

His hand was warm as it fit around yours perfectly. There was something there......a connection? Something about having your hand in his. There was this soft and warm tingling sensation that went up your whole arm and you wondered if he noticed it too. It actually caused you to let your hand linger in his. It was a lot similar to how you felt in Namjoon’s office when he announced that you’d be working together with Kook.

He knew you could feel it. The connection. The special connection that every wolf has with their mate. Oh how he wanted to just tell you now. Tell you everything. The fact that he was a werewolf and you were his mate. His mate picked by the Moon Goddess and Mother Nature themselves. Speaking of, man you smelled amazing. Your approaching ovulation was killing him.

“Okay! So let’s get our showers and we can have a nice early lunch. Your pick because I’ll eat anything. I’m like a garbage disposal.”

“Aigoo, Kook. You’re too skinny to be a garbage disposal.”

The two of you laughed as you playfully tried to shove him but of course he went absolutely nowhere and it only caused you to lean against him instead. To you this moment probably didn’t seem like much. However, to Jungkook it meant the whole world. Here he was, enjoying his best life. He had a great job, a great roof over his head, a nice car that gets him from point A to point B, and most of all, he had you.

“Alright, ladies first. Surprise me with a cute outfit too.”

Even though you yelped from surprise, the soft and gentle pats to your bum didn’t feel raunchy or inappropriate. In fact, it almost felt endearing. Did you really just admit to yourself that you liked your coworker patting your bum? Yeah. You’re pretty sure that’s what just happened. Good gravy your emotions were all over the place. What was wrong with you? Hopefully this shower would help clear your head.

Wrong. Very wrong.

You ended up smelling just like him. Well not exactly. For you had your own natural scent but this was the shampoo you could smell in his hair and the body wash mixed with his natural scent was intoxicating and here you were literally bathing in it. Yeah. So much for clearing your head. Boy today was going to be a long day. Were you ready for this? Probably not. The only thing you could really do was just take it one step at a time. One foot in front of the other.

It wasn’t that you didn’t like Jungkook or repulsed by him. Surprisingly enough, it was beginning to be quite the opposite. But you supposed that’s what was bothering you. Shouldn’t you be a little more skeptical of living with a coworker? Why did taking a shower in his bathroom seem so......natural? Things weren’t adding up and it was like you were fighting a brick wall. An invisible force of nature. That was silly, right?......Right?

You allowed the water to cascade down your body and over your face; the steam soothing to you. Perhaps you should just....let go? Stop pushing against this odd feeling of comfort. Stop questioning this sensation of tranquility and just.....let it be. Hell, maybe embrace it? You had no doubt in your mind that Jungkook would never harm you in any way. So why not just.....enjoy your stay with him till you find a place of your own again.

Meanwhile, said male was bustling about and getting ready for his day. He had already transferred some more money and picked out a pretty simple outfit for the day. He really needed to shave too. Ugh. For a wolf, he actually hated facial hair. So naturally the stubble he had was driving him nuts. Although he couldn’t help but wonder if you would like him better with a beard of some kind. Hmm....Hopefully one day he’d get to ask you that and it not seem weird or random.

Hearing the hairdryer, he smiled to himself. This was the life. Sitting at home, in his den, his nest, and just enjoying the peace and tranquility of it all. His beautiful and gorgeous mate grooming herself to perfection in the other room. God. Knowing you wouldn’t be able to hear, he let out a happy yip as his leg tried to bounce. His inner wolf was rolling around with happiness too. Man. Was this how Jimin and Taehyung felt all the time? Did their mates make them giddy like this?

“The bathroom is all yours, Kookie.”

Good gravy he just about got caught. There he sat on the couch nearly about to shift from pure happiness when you walked in looking like a goddess yourself. The smell of his body wash mixed well with your natural scent. He could feel drool trying to form around his tongue. Swallowing hard, he soaked up your attire for the day. Man he was going to lose it before the day was over.

You picked out a pretty sundress that was modest and conservative but it still hugged your body in all the right places. You had these really cute matching earrings and he couldn’t help but smile a bright eye smile as he stood up. Surely he must be so obvious. It was amazing that you hadn’t called him out on how much he was staring. Or perhaps you were just that adorably clueless. Walking over to you, he noticed how you looked a bit uncomfortable.

“What’s wrong, beautiful?”

“I smell like a man.”

“Ouch. I thought I smelled pretty good, thank you very much.”

“Yah. You know that’s not what I meant.”

This time when you tried to shove him, he let you win a bit and took a small step back from your outstretched arms. Laughing softly at your adorable pout, he stepped back into place as his hands gently found purchase on your shoulders. Smiling warmly as he faced your pouting lips, he said soothingly with sincerity,

“You smell fine, princess. And after today, you’ll smell like a beautiful rose instead of a pine tree.”

“Aigoo, you’re unbelievable. Shut up.”

Okay so he had to get that last little jab in there. But he just couldn’t help it. Teasing you and watching your face burn red and getting all flustered was one of his favorite things. Laughing and catching your hand when it tried to swat at him, he did what absolutely came natural to him and kissed the back of it.

And that was when you both froze. For different reasons. One in confusion and the other in panic.

Even though it surprised you, the action of Jungkook kissing the back of your hand didn’t bother you nearly as much as it should have. In fact, the only thing that was bothering you was.....why did it not bother you? In all actuality, it felt quite.....normal? Why? How? The two of you barely knew each other till you started working on the same floor as him. This made no sense at all.

‘Way to go, genius.’

Kook wanted to snap at his inner wolf but really.....his wolf was right. Way to go, genius. His knee jerk reaction was to let go of your hand like it was fire but he managed to keep what little cool he had and instead gently let go and cleared his throat. With a soft sheepish laugh and a rub to the back of his head, he said a bit nervously,

“Well I’m gonna go and wash in pine trees too. I won’t be long and then we can head out and get some food. I’m starved.”

And just like that he was gone; nearly speed walking his way to the bathroom. Letting out a puff of air you didn’t realize you had been holding, you took a couple deep breaths before immediately going into your new room and finding your phone. Your mind was swimming as you dialed the desired number. Pressing the phone to your ear, you subconsciously started to chew on the skin of your lips; a bad habit of nervousness.

“Hello?”

“Mama Bird? It’s me.”

“Oh! Yes yes. I’m sorry. I didn’t even bother looking at the caller ID. What’s up, sweet pea?”

“It’s.......I......I dunno.”

You sighed heavily and flopped onto your super comfy bed and stared at the canopy above you. It truly was a beautiful set-up, your bed was. Blinking in confusion and wonder, you finally managed to speak up again.

“It’s Jungkook.”

“Are you okay? Has he done something to you?”

“No no! It’s not that. It’s just......I can’t explain it. He......We were just talking and joking and laughing and then he-----He kissed the back of my hand. Am I reading too much into this? I’m so confused, Mama. I don’t know what to do or how to feel. I feel like I’m gonna----”

“Sweet pea. Breathe. Just breathe for me, okay?”

Listening to you take deep breaths, the petite female was smiling in sympathy. Jimin sat next to her on the couch and could hear everything thanks to his amazing hearing. They both felt for you; knowing what you’re going through. It was tough for the both of them when they first found each other. Jimin had no idea how to act around his mate without coming off as some kind of freaky stalker or something. And Mama Bird couldn’t understand this odd and powerful attraction to the male. It would seem you were suffering the same confusion.

“Did you like it when Kookie kissed the back of your hand?”

“Well.....I mean.....It was nice? I dunno! I shouldn’t though right? We’re coworkers! We’re just friends!”

“Do you want to be more than just friends and coworkers?”

“I------I dunno.”

The two laughed softly in endearment when they heard you whining on the other end of the line. You were just too adorable. Their adorable clueless cutie. But despite it all, they both knew Jungkook was going to have to tell you the truth eventually. With a knowing and warm smile that Mama Bird knew you’d never see, she spoke softly and in a motherly tone,

“Just go with the flow, sweetheart. Trust me on this one. Just let it flow.”

“Mama that’s not very helpful.”

“Just trust me. Now I gotta go. My cookies are going to burn if I don’t.”

“But I----”

But you never got a chance to finish your sentence and the line was already dead. Sighing and not feeling any more clarity than you did before, you let your phone fall next to you on the bed and stared at the ceiling in utter confusion; your heart beating a little faster than usual and your mind a blender.

Sitting up, you decided to grab your purse and make sure you had everything you needed before heading back into the living room to wait for your......whatever he was. You honestly had no idea anymore. Mama Bird’s words swirled in your head. Just go with the flow? Just let it flow? What did that even mean? Ugh. So confusing.

“Okay. I’m ready! Let’s hit the road.”

“Cookies are gonna burn, huh? Nice one, babe.”

“Oh hush. You know I don’t like fibbing. But I didn’t want to risk telling her too much because I don’t like fibbing. I didn’t want to blow your guys’ cover before it was time. Besides, it should be Jungkook that tells her. Not me.”

Mama Bird pouted cutely as she laid there in Jimin’s arms on the couch. It was just a relaxing Sunday day after the events of yesterday. Both were exhausted but being in each other’s arms helped tremendously. Jimin moved them to where they were once again laying down on the couch with her on top of him. Running his fingers through his mate’s hair, he spoke softly in his warm loving tone,

“You did the right thing. Hopefully she takes your advice.”

“I hope so too. She sounds like she’s really struggling right now.”

Suddenly, there was a squawk that shattered the peaceful silence of the living room that followed up with a,

“Jimin’s a pussy! Jimin’s a pussy!”

“I’m gonna skin Taehyung alive the next time I see him.”

Soon enough, you were climbing into the driver’s seat of your brand new Hyundai. It still felt so surreal but at least it got your mind off of your confused feelings for awhile. With both hands on the steering wheel, you were trying to get used to the fact that you no longer needed to insert a key to turn the engine on. Just the press of a button and done; car started. It was like stepping into the future or something.

“So where are we eating?”

“I just figured we could eat wherever was closest to the stores.”

“Works for me. Like I said before, I’ll eat anything.”

The longer you drove, the more Jungkook realized you were shopping on the cheaper end of town. Granted it broke his heart a bit and made him sad, but he understood your reasoning. It was plain to see that you had been forced to live cheap your whole life. Living from paycheck to paycheck. He wasn’t going to scold you for it, but he also had plans to.....broaden your horizons as he liked to think of it.

“Is this okay?”

You had parked them in a McDonald’s and honestly he couldn’t be happier. There was a nice juicy cheeseburger that had his name written all over it. Nodding vigorously with a bright bunny smile, he replied in a little more enthusiasm than he probably should have,

“Absolutely! Let’s go!”

At first, you thought he might just be putting on a show to make you feel better about your pick of cheap food. But upon seeing how his eyes lit up while staring at the menu board, you were beginning to think his eagerness was genuine and real. You watched him place his order and pay for it before taking his assigned number and stepping to the side so that you could do the same.

Your initial instinct was to pick a salad. You didn’t want to look like a fatty in front of him. But then again, that burger looked amazing. And so did everything else. You really didn’t want rabbit food today. It was then that Mama Bird’s words once again floated through your mind. And so the words that came flying out of your mouth ended up being,

“I’ll have what he’s having.”

Not too long into the meal, things were starting to get messy. Literally. Laughing behind his hand as he chewed on a particularly large bite of burger, Jungook tried to say between the chewing and the laughing,

“You’ve got it all over your face.”

“Shut up. So do you.”

But despite your grumpy reply, you could feel your lips trying to curl into a smile of amusement. So much for trying to not look like a fat kid. You hadn’t realized how hungry you were till you had completely cleaned off your tray of food. The cheeseburger had been absolutely delicious and everything else was just as good. You felt full and warm and.....happy.

Perhaps Mama Bird was right. You just needed to go with the flow. Let it flow.

“What are you thinking about?”

You blinked a couple times and noticed that the man sitting across from you was casually sipping on his drink; his face now free of sauce and sesame seeds. Around all of that were his eyes. Those doe, almond shaped eyes that were currently full of curiosity. Trying not to gulp in nervousness, you shrugged as casually as you could and replied as much,

“Dunno. Just......everything. I’m still really overwhelmed with the last forty-eight hours.”

“I can’t even begin to imagine how that must feel. But don’t worry.”

He reached across the table and gently took your hand in his; his thumb rubbing your skin soothingly. Your heart fluttered and you couldn’t fight off the blush that formed in your cheeks as you found yourself lost in his eyes.

“You won’t go through this alone. I’m always here for you.”

“Th---Thank you, Jungkookie.”

And to both your surprise, you gripped his hand back tightly.

As much as he wanted to sit there and chat and get to know his mate better, Jungkook knew the day was half over and they had a lot of ground to cover if they were going to make it back home in time to get any kind of rest for work tomorrow. Work.....Yes they would be working together soon. Which reminded him of one thing on his list. Boots. You had absolutely no nature gear. Like rubber boots. But they could do the clothes shopping later once you had gotten all your toiletries and other necessities.

“So let’s get out of here and get your stuff. Where to first?”

“I was going to head across the street here and stop in the store where my pharmacy is. All my medicine got lost in the fire. Plus this store is where I get all my beauty products and stuff.”

“Cool cool. Let’s head out, then.”

After safely crossing the bustling streets, you made your way into the store and headed straight back towards the pharmacy. Jungkook followed behind you and couldn’t help but want to drool over your backside. Gosh you looked gorgeous all the way around. It was so hard for him to focus when you looked this radiant.

“Well look who’s out and about. What are you two doing here?”

It was Taehyung and his mate, Black Widow. It appeared she must get her medicine from this pharmacy too. After having paid the necessary amount, the black haired female turned around to face you and Kook as well. Both her and Tae were sporting warm smiles and it made you feel a bit bashful. Why? You couldn’t explain but it made you blush shyly all the same. With a small wave of greeting, you replied timidly,

“I’m here to pick up medicine. They didn’t survive the fire.”

“Oh my. Sweetheart. I’m so sorry. It never even occurred to me. It was insensitive of me to ask.”

“Ani ani, Tae. It wasn’t. I promise you. Don’t feel bad.”

With him still flashing you an apologetic smile, Taehyung nodded all the same and then politely stepped aside with his arm around his mate’s waist so that you could do your thing at the pharmacy window. With a glance to his younger wolf brother, the suave looking male whispered into his mate’s ear,

“I’m gonna take Kook to one of the aisles for a talk, keep her company, will you?”

“Of course, TaeTae.”

With a swift peck to the lips, the older male let go of his mate only to drag a clueless and confused looking Jungkook down a random aisle. Of course it would be the liquor aisle. Just as the youngest was about to ask what the deal was, it was Tae who spoke up first.

“You imprinted on her?”

“It was an accident?”

“Kook......”

The younger of the two winced a little at the warning tone that was held in his older brother’s voice. Yeah. He was in trouble. But it truly was an accident....At least in his mind. It just happened so sudden. It came so naturally. Gulping, Jungkook tried to explain exactly that as he lifted his hands in defense.

“Look. Listen. It was so sudden and hyung it felt so natural. I couldn’t stop it.”

“Does she know you’ve imprinted on her?”

“No. Of course not.”

“So then you’ve imprinted on her without her consent?”

“Yeah.......Oops?”

“Yeah. A very big oops. Jungkook. This could have dire consequences for you. She will be fine but if she doesn’t return your affections......we could lose you, Kook.”

The youngest knew his older brother was just looking out for him and that this grumpiness and scolding session was all coming from love. But still. Jungkook never did well when being scolded. It was just the nature of being the youngest, he supposed. With his head slightly bowed in shame and his doe eyes glancing anywhere but at his hyung, he spoke softly,

“She’s worth the risk, Tae. I love her so much.”

“I know you do, buddy. Trust me. I’ve been there. But.....lucky for you....”

Taehyung waited for his younger brother to look back up at him before he added with a bit of a boxy smile,

“I can tell she’s got a thing for you too. She’s just fighting it, is all. It confuses her. Naturally so. That’s why I’m hoping Widow can maybe talk to her and kind of push her in the right direction. Your direction, pal.”

“Thanks, hyung. You’re the best.”

“So how’s things living with Jungkookie?”

You sat there in the small waiting area as you waited for your emergency refills of your medicine. Perhaps the fact that you had missed what was now two days worth of birth control was what was messing you up emotionally? You had always been super sensitive to your birth control; especially if you missed a dose. Looking over at Black Widow, you decided to tell her what had happened earlier this morning.

“Awe! That’s so sweet of him! How romantic! I ship you two, you know.”

“Yah. Widow! You’re not helping here.”

“I can’t help it. You guys are cute together.”

“But we hardly know each other. And we’re just friends. And coworkers. We’re coworkers!”

“So? What’s that got to do with anything?”

You pouted when you realized that you didn’t really have a solid or legitimate answer for that one. Squinting your eyes playfully at your friend, you watched her giggle and raise her hands in front of her in defense.

“Look. I’m just saying, Jungkook likes you. In fact, I think he has a crush on you.”

“Widow that’s ridiculous. Why would he have a crush on me?”

“Well for one, I’ve seen the way he looks at you. All heart eyes all the time. And not just anyone would do what he’s done for you in the last twenty-four hours. He moved Heaven and Earth for you, girlfriend. I don’t think he would have done that if he didn’t have some kind of feelings for you.”

You stared down at your hands in your lap. Maybe she was right. Maybe that’s why Jungkook had so easily kissed the back of your hand the way he had. Perhaps that’s why he was so comfortable with you sleeping on top of him on the couch? It made sense. As much as your heart confused you, what Widow was saying made sense.

“Just go with the flow.”

“You sound like Mama Bird.”

“That’s two against one. So just trust us and let things flow.”

Soon enough, your medicine was ready and it was time to part ways with Widow and Taehyung. They both gave you and Jungkook hugs before taking off for home. As they walked out of the store, Widow asked with a hint of concern,

“You think they’ll be okay? I did my best with her.”

“I think they’ll be fine. She just needs a little push is all. I have no doubt you worked wonders, baby girl. You always do.”

The young woman smiled with her eyes briefly shut so she could enjoy the sweet kiss to her temple as she walked to the car with her beloved. Once upon a time, she was in the same position as you were. It was Mama Bird who had helped her through it all. So she could only hope that she could help you through your journey down this fated path.

“Medicine? Check. What next, princess?”

“Shampoo, body wash, deodorant, face masks, founda----”

“Aigoo aigoo. One item at a time, love. Come on. Let’s head down the hair care aisle first.”

The pet name didn’t go by unnoticed as your heart fluttered a bit and heat threatened to rise up your neck and to the tips of your ears. However, you managed to squash the urges and focused on the rows upon rows of hair care products. Shampoo. Shampoo. You were looking for your usual when you watched a veiny arm move up to pick out a bottle of shampoo as you were asked,

“What about this one? It’s supposed to help keep your hair shiny and healthy.”

As he popped the cap up to take an experimental sniff, you turned your eyes to what mattered most to you; the price. You couldn’t help but notice it was a bit more expensive than your usual but it also wasn’t the most expensive either. Chewing your bottom lip nervously, you didn’t take long to cave before muttering shyly,

“Yeah. That one doesn’t look too bad. And the price isn’t terrible. It’s on sale.”

“Right? It’s like getting the best of both worlds. It smells really nice too.”

The shopping went on like this for the next half hour or so. You couldn’t help but notice the items in the basket that Jungkook was carrying had none of your usual items in it. You were going to walk out of here with brand new everything and you were pretty sure that’s how your new roommate intended it to be. And yet.....you didn’t fight it. You just went with it.

You went with the flow.

“Well this was a pretty successful shopping trip. You’re no longer going to smell like pine trees either. I call this trip a victory.”

“You’re such a dork. You basically picked everything out.”

“True, but you didn’t dispute any of them, did you?”

He laughed as your reply was to simply glare at him. Of course it was mild and only halfheartedly but still. You looked more adorable rather than threatening or scary. Facing your glare with puckered lips as if to smooch you, the both of you piled the bags into the trunk and had started to climb in the front.

However, something across the street caught your eye.

It was your old car. The one that went missing so randomly.

“That’s-----That’s my car! Jungkook there it is! What’s it doing there?”

“Hey---Wait----What---”

But you weren’t listening to him. All you could focus on was the sight of your car as it was parallel parked next to the sidewalk of the local park. It was an absolute mess. Someone had spray painted all over it. Graffiti of all kinds. All four tires were blown. The hood was popped open. A mess. An absolute mess.

Jungkook watched on and thank god you looked both ways before crossing the street. However, as he followed suit, his sensitive ears picked up on something. A ticking. A beeping. With wide eyes, he watch you get closer and closer to the car.

“NO! GET BACK! IT’S A B----”

He managed to grab you from behind as you approached the exposed engine. Not bothering to hide his super human strength and speed, he tried to get you as far away from the vehicle as possible. But he wasn’t quite swift enough.

The blast. It was numbing. Mind numbing. Especially for his hyper canine senses. Jungkook’s ears were ringing and everything swam in front of him. The sky, the trees from the park right next to him. Car alarms were going off and he could hear police and fire truck sirens going off. God. So much noise. He couldn’t think straight as he laid there sprawled on the sidewalk. He could only imagine how you felt.

Wait.......You.........YOU?!?!

What happened to you???

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