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#meanwhile sid… just a ho
goaliekisses · 2 years
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mouth open, booty popped… hockey’s back
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rainismdata · 2 months
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House MD: Original Character
Maddox N. Jagajiva, one of the PPTH's ophthalmologist.
Name: Dr. Maddox N. Jagajiva, MD, MACC
Nickname: Maddie or Max
Specialty: neuro-ophthalmology and ocular oncology
Education: Univ. of Pennsylvania (undergraduate), Sid. Kim. Medical College Philadelphia (medical school), Wills Eye Hos. (residency and fellowships) [shortened for censoring purposes]
Season Appearance: 1, 5, 8
Character informations:
[before I said anything, I'd like to inform you that the "season" that I'd be talking about is me trying to refer the timeline. But could aslo be referred as some episode or additional episodes]
Born: 1970
Her nickname is Maddie or Max. Simply because her friends at school and outside work, also her family called her Max! while mostly her colleagues called her Maddie. She also goes with Maddie for Lisa and Rachel. Getting called Dr. Maddox at clinic and counseling hour; rather than Dr. Jagajiva.
Education and Employment:
Finished residency and neuro-opthalmology fellowship in 2001 (both at Wills Eye Hos.)
Appears only in a few episodes on those seasons for reasons: a. having DDx for psychosomatic case and any case when neuro-opthalmology was needed (season 1), b. helping PPTH's oncology department out of her interest in ocular oncology (season 5), c. having a research/project in a topic for ocular oncology and referring Wilson as her 1st/main advisor (season 8, counted as after House got the car to Cuddy's house), d. Flirts with Cuddy (whole)
Out of PPTH from after season 1 and before season 5; to have a degree of Master of Arts in Christisn Counseling. The first encounter with House after jail was at the middle of season 8; by House teasing her of having studied in christian studies, not knowing how could House know about it, because she basically just ran away from PPTH. House didn't even mention anything about it in Season 5; he's just "joking" about her should join Chase to finish seminary in s5. But then she knew later in late late about to the end of season 8, Cuddy told her that it could be possibly Lucas.
Meanwhile— She's having a fellowship in ocular oncology at the end of season 5 until after lucasxcuddy thing.
Her role in PPTH was as one of a few opthalmologist; doesn't want to have the head of department role because then she couldn't go as free as long as far as she wants.
Health condition:
Sjögren Syndrome, results in having only one eye that could be used for sighting while the other is having black-grey visions, as if having no vision catched at all. She could use a transplant but choses not to. For that, sometimes House would tease her with a few fingers up beside her unworkable eye side and asked her how much finger he got up. She's also bad in pain management but wouldn't having drugs because she could only swallow small SMALL tablet, otherwise then SMASH IT. Also, she's photosensitive but she can managed that (sometimes it was psychosomatic).
Much much information of her:
Did I say she's Asian? Well— Yeah... She is.
Tea lover and coffee enjoyer. At times, she would make herself and drink both tea and coffee in one cup.
She's ambidextrous, mainly using right hand for writing and left hand for things. Plays ukulele and percussions, and alto singer in choir.
Has ADHD and OCD (and doesn't want to confront people about her conditions or would just subtly spoken to them if they manage to bother her), easy to cut people off but hardly forget what they did. That being said, she would just brush it off if someone teasing her about her "perfectionistic" thing.
Was once trained in Karate when she's in high school; never getting back to it since then.
Additional Plot Informations:
Whenever House mildly or severely teasing or debating her about being perfectionist-but-unrestrained, about her being counselor, her faith; it's either she's just giving subtly remarks and brush it off or having Cuddy to do the debating part.
House sometimes called her Mad Dog; while Maddie would then said Mad Doctor or Mad Scientist (yeah, she's referring to Dr. Cockroaches). Also has "Mad Max" as one of her nicknames.
If anything— Wilson teased her for having crush in Cuddy. Thirteen has joined in the course to tease her.
Having "one eye - one leg" convo with House.
She has the basics from calvinist ⛪💒. She's having fun when House, Wilson, Cuddy, and Chase are having a beef about religion/beliefs thing with their patients.
Despite all that convo of House and Cuddy bickering at each other, she would find a smooth sentences to flirts with Cuddy. It was so subtle that sometimes Cuddy would stop whatever she's doing and acknowledge the "smart move". Otherwise, she's just having those broken hearts scenes in movie while in season 7. Non canonical episode or story, she's getting together with Cuddy in season 8. Wilson warned her if IF there's a possibility of House trying to get to know what happened to Cuddy; but somehow Maddie and Wilson would just brushed it off. House has never audibly asked her how's Cuddy doing, and when their eyes met in hallways, she would just gave him a nod.
Maddie as Lisa's Lover:
Doesn't go to House's "funeral", but when she knew Wilson was missing despite of him having only "a few months" to live... she's just hoping the happiest for both Wilson and House.
Also a gamer, mostly for Action RPG. She plays the game series of Final Fantasy, Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, and Dynasty Warriors since the first time the games were came out. She plays multiplayer games with Rachel Cuddy, having Lisa provides them with snacks and would feeding them the foods if she wasn't working on her own.
Enjoys reading bedtime stories with Rachel and Lisa. Sometimes, they would taking turns on who's the one who tells the story.
Her shift is mostly afternoon about to the middle of the night, so she could took Lisa and Rachel to their workplace/school. While she couldn't go home together, she could still having the time for bedtime together.
Still enjoys flirting subtly to Lisa. Sometimes she would just ask Rachel to say to her Mom what Maddie wants to say to Lisa.
Despite being the one who flirts regularly, she would just becoming a tomato every time Lisa was getting her back at flirting.
Is a little spoon.
Both of them enjoyed cooking; it came down to Rachel.
Physical Appearance:
5'3" tall (looks like having broad shoulders, but she actually isn't), black waist-long hair (either always in french/dutch braid, or getting hair bun with hairstick), brown-grey eyes, "honey" brown skin tone, impaired eye is covered with somekind of washable medical mask-like eyepatch for daily use, wears glasses with clear lense for an eye while the impaired one is getting black lense (in the same glasses) if wasn't wearing eyepatch, for regular medical or christian counseling then she wears docmart/maryjane-trousers-shirt-vest-tie (in windsor or christensen knot) also with a doctor coat (medical) or blazer (christian), mostly either wears sleeveless top with long pants/skirt or sleeves top with short pants for daily, fashion/outfit color code are earth, forrest, and monochrome (mainly dark colors).
Disclaimer: (omg I was too late for this)
I'm making this fancanon while trying both realistically and inaccurately, simply for fictional purposes. People in medical/hospital area would obviously know that I'd be wrong (bcs basically I'm not coming from that area).
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tellywoodtrash · 5 years
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sanjivani 12.08.19 lb
gratuitous mumbai shots. cut to idyllic camping scene somewhere in the hills.
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dr. sid instantly established as fuckboi. can't remember what current female company's name is and is trying out all the First World Yoga Names (h/t @theincorrigiblemagpie)
there's something about namit's face that bothers me. it's a veryyyyy fuckboy type face. i just cannot trust it. hopefully the character will grow on me and i'll be able to get over it.
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cute shenanigans turning to tragedy. sigh, already? we are literally only 1 minute and 7 seconds in.
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LMAO WHAT???????? he didn't hear all the screaming, but saw the reflection of the kid drowning in her aviators instead????? HOW'S THAT EVEN POSSIBLE WHEN THEY'RE HIGH UP AND THE KID IS AT LEAST A 100 - 200 M LOWER???
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"sorry babes. duty calls."
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ofc. a true spiritual successor to armaan, this one.
oh ho ab bacha bhi lo. ainvayi suspense ke chakkar mein footage khaana.
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standard uparwaale ka disdain by neechewaala doctor.
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why won't he bloody identify himself as a doctor before taking out a swiss knife to slice into the kid?????
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handy bottle of booze lying around for sterilization.
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HE HAS HAD A SOLIDDDDDD FEW MINUTES DURING THESE SHENANIGANS TO TELL THESE PPL HE'S A DOCTOR AND NOT JUST A PSYCHOPATH HACKING INTO THE KIDS NECK AND SHOVING HIS GIRLFRIEND'S NECKLACE INTO IT, BUT NOPE.......
don't like his dialogue delivery. very stilted.
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swelling music and slo-mo as he states his credo: JUGAAD!
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"saab kahan le jaa rahe ho mere bachche ko?"
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"jahaan logon ki jaan uparwaala nahi, neechewaala bachaata hai; jahaan har ek jaan keemti hai; SANJIVANI!!!"
lmaooooooooo i can't.
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also lol, niceeeely got out of having to remember side-piece's name this way.
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hey girl.
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let's see how long this bright-eyed, bushy-tailed enthusiasm of yours lasts.......
ok the mom won't stop screaming and it's Too Much.
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ok this guy's every other dialogue is like right out of those cheesyass motivational insta posts. i don't think i'll be able to watch this show if this is how it's written.
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funky hanuman sculpture.
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ok kuch zyaada ho raha hai.
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ouffffffffff. first instance of contact itself a goddamn confrontation.
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ladki chalti phirti diagnostic lab hai. and apparently carries around bars of chocolate in case of emergencies, like professor lupin.
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haryanvi girl is talking too fast and i cannot catch 70% of what she's saying.
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they seem to be strangers but are toooooo familiar with each other? who talks to someone they just met like this???
yeah, i don't think i can watch this show regularly. veryyyyy annoying writing. it’s really getting to me.
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henloooooooooooo dr. shashank.
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ohhhhhhh boy. looks like mohnish bahl has already written in his exit clause.
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ominous music, Those Glasses, and the passive aggressiveness towards a man who's clearly not feeling well, tell us ki yeh insaan kaafi kameena hai.
"post chod raha hoon. sanjivani nahi. yahin rahoonga, aapke saath."
yeah let's see for how long........
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oversmart jugaadu is reciting dr. shashank's speech from memory, while ishani toh looks like she might pass out from giddiness and admiration.
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helllllllllllllo anjali! (the only character i'm really interested in tbh.)
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"aaj toh koi operation scheduled nahi tha."
uhhhhhhh.... kinda hard to believe there'd be NO SURGERIES WHATSOEVER in a hugeass multi-speciality hospital like this on any given day? also, emergency cases like this can come up?
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ouff overly emotional scene.
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god, fuck this guy. i already hate him to bits. as an mba myself, i swear to god that mba types should never be put in charge of a hospital (or anything that’s a venture that values something else over bottom line.) 
meanwhile dr. shashank is lecturing over here that they’ve kept sanjivani from being a commercialized business. lmao ok sir, pls look around this hospital of yours and tell me you actually believe this tripe you're spouting.
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haan i was waiting for the chopper fees to come up. coz that shit was notttttttttt about to slide, as dr. fuckboy had hoped. woh toh kuch zyaada hi tha.
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LMAO WHAT, THIS HOSPITAL IS RUN THANKS TO GOVT FUNDING AND DONATIONS?????????????? THIS HOSPITAL, THE SWANKIEST EVER??????? SURE.
also vardhan said this was a private hospital? oprahwhatisthetruth.gif
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oh ho, sid has some well-known scam running, through which he funds these surgeries, but vardhan just can't seem to prove it. the slightest of respect for rebellious fuckboy.
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this overwrought maaii is grating on my nerves. someone tell her to dial it down.
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this one is just a little toooooooo confident with her intrusive questions.
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ohhhhhhhhhhh boy. anjali had hoped to be chief of surgery. and is most likely not going to get it.
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this creep needs to stay away from my girl.
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not a fan of these gendered stethoscopes.
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sure. how ALL of us gals hang out in hospital meeting rooms.
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oh, happy birthday ishani.
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mamaji has called to remind about not eating non-veg on poornima instead of wishing birthday though. and to remind to tell no one about her surname.
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what's the whole deal with her surname though? so are we to take the arora as fake?
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asha's the sapna of this show. very specific regional identity, bubbly, friendly supporting role. i already like her more than the leads (as was the case with sapna too. @ me but sapna and atul were most lovable!)
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ok ishani is QUITE unlikable. itnaaaaaaa bhi hyper hone ki zaroorat nahi hai sis.
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why was she just sauntering around, and just swooping into whatever case is in front of her? doesn't she have some kinda orientation or something to attend? aise hi khula chod diya hai in naye doctors ko?
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also why did this first year resident have to come and take things over? why's that other doctor standing around clueless about the existence of hypothermia and how to treat it?????
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lo ji. dr. awesome ne bacha hi liya. to the point the nurses are like waah waah, aap kitniiiiii sahi thi!
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and this doctor who's her senior too.
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oh god, wohi insta post waala gyaan yeh bhi pel rahi hai. ouff.
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what this dude's name, anyway??? he’s more my type than dr. fuckboy. 
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oh so this is (part of??) his scam. selling unnecessary elective plastic surgery to women, playing on their insecurities. not misogynist atttttttttt all.
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ouffffffff.
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yeh kyaaaaaa faltoo aurat hai??????? she's super fucking annoying. it's literally your first hour in the place and you're already being such a damn pain in the ass to your SENIORS????? TO THE POINT WHERE YOU’RE PHYSICALLY ACCOSTING THEM???????
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yeah i hate both of them.
———————————————————————
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kal aur bhi ainvayi ka unpleasant khit-pit. i don't care.
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oh shit dr. shashank has brain tumour. dr. juhi being called into service.
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crackinwise · 6 years
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Can i rant and ask questions about the entire KH3 finale?
--Wut
--Okay, sorry, seriously: Kairi spent all this time training with a keyblade, right? And i remember her being really gung-ho and up for holding her own in KH2. So in this one... she just has to be rescued again over and over? Um. Yay, her?
--And Riku--right--Riku was just as much a friend to her as Sora and obsessed over helping her in KH1. Sora meanwhile spent every game going “RIKU!” in various outbursts of emotion. (Sora being happy to see Kairi yet falling to his knees the moment he sees Riku again will forever be a hilarious meme to me.) Yet Kairi shares a papou fruit with Sora and neither one is like “maybe i should share with Riku who’s like 20ft down the beach rn.” 
--I mean, at the end Sora wants to find Kairi (who i thought was turned to glass and shattered but apparently not?) and Riku just shrugs. Wut wut?
--This has nothing to do with anything but talking about Riku reminds me of Mickey, whose VA for this was somehow fine in Epic Mickey but horribly off pitch here i cringed so much. I miss you, Wayne Allwine.
--Alright, new topic: Lea is really weak. No, sorry, actual topic: Why does he suddenly care so much about Saix? Axel did not give two shits. The whole Org could burn in a fire for all he cared. Lea apparently was friends with him enough to cry over him?? News to us!
--Time Out to say i really just Do Not Care about everyone getting keyblades. Lea sucks at it anyway and his is a godawful design. Everything from the coat to the fire and chakram say “Axel” as if everything before hasn’t told us the Person and the Nobody are different entities. But the only thing different is how lame this person is. I get it, Square, you’re banking on a fan fave and trying to have things both ways. But...
--Wasn’t it also told to us Nobodies can grow their own hearts? That’s how Roxas could get his own body there. Didn’t Axel grow a heart? So... He has to be stuck inside a dollar store version of himself? Ouch.
--Lea was also friends with Ventus? Enough that Saix implied Axel got tattoos so he wouldn’t have to cry over a lost friend (unless that was something else i misunderstood). And it’s implied his “got it memorized” catchphrase (which i am so sick of by now omg he never even said it this much in KH2 and Lea isn’t even HIM) came from thinking his good friends just would leave and forget about him. But Ventus doesn’t get tears? Or a hug? Okay.
--Roxas all of a sudden cares (yay, but also weird, and just as suddenly doesn’t gaf about Namine) and we get a reunion but it’s very....awkward. First of all the add-on convoluted clone-thing Xion is thrown in, but also everyone is crying like the voice actors AND animators know it’s forced and can’t bring themselves to take it seriously, then there’s a poorly animated 3-way-hug that’s more new-football-player-teammates-in-their-first-huddle than anything.
--No one pronounces Vanitas correctly and i want to scream every time. They say “vuhNEEtus” or something and nooooooo stoppppp
--Is it me or are “Empty Vessels” creepy as shit? Stop showing me beige manikins on the floor like a dead body.
--Okay, so wtf was it Larxene, Marluxia and Demyx were supposed to be doing different than the others? That cutscene with the meeting on natural rock structures in a desert? Did they just pad to talk about nothing??
--Off of that: WHY was Vexen talking to Demyx about sabotaging or backstabbing, then the only thing they did was bring a Vessel to Ienzo?! Who tf cared? No one cared! Every single one of Xehanort’s extra pubic hairs could have seen this in front of them and said whatevs.
--(Was i supposed to know who that plushie was in Final World? Ventus did?)
--Did they forget to explain why 1)Sora got a mental cutscene of the words “Do you seek our liege?” when he talked about Roxas in Twilight Town, and 2)Haynor has X’s all over him and a Nobody protected him? Anyone?
--There’s so many KH chars Square either refuses to let go of or makes up for no reason that FF chars will never be seen again. After almost 20yrs of vague hope, that makes me one sad Turk whore. 
--Quick sidetrack to ask why Hiro would make both Baymax’s fighters when he could have made the returned first robot body a healthcare companion for some person in need like Tadashi intended? They’re not Big Hero 7, ya know?
--The Caribbean world for PotC3 was too long, too boring, and every ship handles worse than my dad’s old gigantic 80′s Oldsmobile. (potc only had one movie i can’t hear you lalalala)
--But Ansem already tried to open Kingdom Hearts in 1 and it just revealed a bunch of light (and an actual door). When did that change? Why is it now an actual giant heart emoji that will reset the world like we’re Wolf’s Rain?
--You’re telling me after all these years and all this work, Mark Hamill just shows up to tell Xehanort he’s acting like a dick and he stops? ...Fair.
--Did Yen Sid die in the sea of heartless or...? Cuz if he was the one training Kairi and Lea, that doesn’t surprise me.
--They’re gonna end it like that, huh? Xigbar was really some big bad, backseat time traveler, original mentor to the Keyblade Furries this whole time? Maleficent and Pete’s mission could have been introduced and ended in that one end cutscene instead of wasteful moments throughout the game? This black box contains “hope” but it’s NOT Pandora’s Box? istg if they continue this in another side portable or mobile game with more retcons and redundant additions...
--Secret Ending: GDI game within a game Inception 20 dreams deep full blown art school student wetdream bs
--TIL there will be both free and paid DLC. Because of course there will.
GAMEPLAY:
--”When i get hit i want to be stuck in a 5 second animation or have no option to escape/block the entire time i’m repeatedly pelted,” said no one ever.
--I appreciate the extra content and fight moves/attractions, but omg if i’m not in a fight why do the fighting options not go away? Do you know how many times i went to open a chest or finish a time sensitive mini-game only for the triangle button to make a fuckin carousel or gd Buzz Lightyear arcade ride pop up uselessly instead???? WHY. YOU HAD 14 YEARS TO CODE.
--So many useless cutscenes! Why! Especially right at the end fights when they lure me in, i swing a couple times (yay, gameplay) then immediately into another cutscene! Each fight! FINISH YOUR CUTSCENE IN ONE SHOT THEN LET ME BUTTONMASH YOUR GAME, SQUARE! YOU ALREADY MAKE MOVIES TOO!
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roseate7 · 6 years
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the ol’ two cents from me fwiw:
While I absolutely agree with this article about GMJR, the one thing GMJR got right in this rant was that team is relying almost solely at this point on the Cup-winning veterans to provide opportunities. It’s why the win over the Yotes broke the streak only in name and did nothing to bolster the flagging areas of the team. It was simply a case of making the unnecessary point that Sid (like a lot of the top guys around 30 on this team) can carry an entire game if needed.
The fact that this was needed so early in the season should have resulted in a stronger effort from the younger and newer teammates tonight against the Devils, absolutely! No denying that. Something should have clicked within the team to make them not just spooked about the playoffs but also a jolt of reality about their own place on the team. What Rutherford failed to realize in this part about his rant was that he - and Sully - haven’t faced the jolts of reality about their own respective places with this team. They haven’t spotted the mistakes they keep making which are instability and choices that lack outside confidence. That the absolute last thing they need to boost confidence and work ethic for this team is yet more drastic change. You don’t need to hold the sword over this particular team’s necks to make them want to get up and move.
I think this is the point where the dramatic move needs to be examining the positions of Rutherford and Sully. I think that’s the shot in the arm - and the galvanizing bond for the younger and newer guys - that the Pens need now. The irony of anyone calling Sid a ‘coach killer’ has always been that, the second a coach decides to kick back and rely on Sid too heavily, it’s time for said coach to heave-ho. These guys foist themselves on their own petard when they assume they’ve struck championship gold simply by being in Pittsburgh. Sully has some kind of flop version of Goldilocks motivation when it comes to goalies and his musical chairs line changes at this point are just working against the fact that he has Cup winning talent on his roster. Meanwhile Rutherford has lost the team so much confidence with his defensive choices, the last of which resulted in losing Knuckles who but for a crossbar would have kept the Pens in the playoffs last season and I cannot believe was asking for an insane amount of money. 
But they’re both making the crucial mistake with this team’s particular dynamic of not letting the team settle in and just be. Now, I am fully aware that changing it up and keeping all but the most drift compatible of lineys on their toes is hugely advantageous on most teams: having lines form into little cliques results in a lot of complacency and the coaching often can’t penetrate the routine as well as they should. Captains normally need to keep a relative subordination to coaches and management because their role is typically of older sibling who the adults sometimes put in charge. That’s the usual way of things with teams and I get why in any other case a GM would react the way Rutherford has.
Normally that kind of settled-in feeling for a successful team is what results in this kind of scenario:
“‘It’s almost like the guys come to the game and say, “Let’s just let the top guys do it. Let Sid and Geno and Phil and Letang carry us and well just get through the game and move on to the next game,” and forget about the work ethic it takes or forget about the role they play,’ Rutherford said.”
But Rutherford seems to be praising only one half of what Sid and Geno do on this team. (And this isn’t me diminishing what Tanger, Phil, Horny, Hags etc are bringing, just that each of them backs up the fact that the system they’ve been working in since 2009 has been Sid and Geno’s.) He’s missing the fact that Sid and Geno are a huge motivation and guidance for taking any new recruit and making them into the best version of themselves. 
Because of the unique nature of leadership on this team, what everyone needs is for Rutherford and Sullivan to settle the fuck down and let that leadership have stability to work.
Sid and Geno lead their team with equal use of carrot and stick respectively. Even forgetting the coaching, the Pens have guidance within the team where Sid shows them what they can be and Geno very bluntly tells them how it is (especially if it ain’t pretty). I’m not blowing smoke up their asses when I say that either one of them on their own would be sufficiently acting as captain and coach all at once when called upon, and the lucky ducky Penguins get two shots of that in one generation. It’s a perfect complimentary pairing that leaves them both room to still be the major superstars on their team in their thirties.
The trip-up with the Pens seems to have always been when the leadership outside the team proper tries to meddle with that existing leadership, or try to reinvent the wheel.
“‘Has this team been together too long? It’s something I always have to watch for,’ Rutherford said. ‘When do you have to make those changes? The players are doing everything they can to tell me now’s the time.’”
No Jim, that’s not the problem. The problem is Rutherford carrying out trades and Sully making line changes that honestly face very little support or corroboration from fans*, sports media and ultimately the standings. This isn’t the first time that both Geno and Sid have been present and healthy but the team around them is juddering away from the playoffs as the season progresses.
Also, the fact that we all know damn well the Pens could easily weather yet another major shake up in coaching and management is precisely why those shake ups needs to happen. If Sid could get ahold of a Time Turner (but also somehow sleep enough) then you could basically ditch the Pens having a head coach entirely.
I genuinely think all the younger guys and the newer guys are capable of being Crosby-Malkin’d into far better than they currently are if the atmosphere were allowed to stabilise and lines kept consistent. Look at the Banff honeymoon and what it did for the team for an entire road trip! The emotions and closeness and trust nurtured in a house that’s got two perfect parent figures has always produced playoff spots and trophies for this team. The Pens’ step-dads either work for that system or they eventually work against it.
No one will really miss them when they go.
______________________
*The bizarre amount of fan support for DeShit is proof that Muzz needs to stay in net more and keep these “you killed Flower!” people shut the hell up. He’s exactly the age when he should be playing a LOT. But while I would love for DeShit to fucking disappear from the NHL entirely (I don’t even want him bagging my groceries let alone in a pro sports league) if the Pens are currently stuck with him - thanks to Rutherford and Sully - then stop giving him Muzz’ starts and games. Keep him in reserve for when Muzz needs to be rested or is injured, but also keep Jars close because DeShit is showing some clear weaknesses that are turning iffy games into outright losses. He’s shown nothing that says he’s the reason why the Pens wins are down to him. Put his ass in his corner.
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waspabi · 7 years
Note
If you are still taking passage requests (I know this was like two weeks ago), the scene in Wolfborn post-Snow Moon run, where Nicky goes "pack is fucked." Or the stand-off between Nicky and Malkin. Thanks! :)
I’ll do BOTH, half because I wanna and half because both scenes revolve around the same questions: how do you be a leader, how do you be an adult, how do you figure out how to be both those things and also yourself?  
Wolfborn is about a lot of stuff (werewolves, the body, a Disney Channel Original Movie of a sports arc, Nicke and Ovi boning down in a big way) but one thing it is pretty obviously is a coming of age story. 
Nicke’s gonna be an outstanding team alpha in our present and his future, but when we meet him he’s a distracted baby who keeps losing his suitcase at the all star game and once left a big money paycheck in his dumb fuckboy mercedes and forgot about it for a month (both facts, can provide receipts). 
So we’re looking at this big q: how does he get there?
Nicke tried to tamp down the irritation bubbling in his stomach. Everything was so frustrating all the time. No one took care of the pack properly, and when someone fucked up nobody said anything about it. No accountability, no reliable hierarchy. He had thought things were getting better but really it was just as fucked as before.
The fun thing about being an idiot baby is that a lot of the time you have no idea what an idiot baby you are, which Nicke doesn’t. He really thinks he’s got this shit handled and if he were alpha right now, he’d be able to fix all the pack’s problems. 
On the other hand, he’s got some fair points Nicke truly. Truly nothing pricks his hide more than mismanagement and a lack of accountability. For fuck’s sake! Basic concepts! He sees a lot of examples of what a bad alpha is, but he doesn’t see any good ones. All he knows is this is not what he wants to be. 
“You always grumpy mornings,” Alex murmured, kissing Nicke’s throat.
That — wasn’t untrue. Nicke tilted his head back, giving Alex more room to work with. He was starting to get hard, which was annoying. He had shit to discuss. Alex was so fucking distracting.
Alex does not wanna talk about this and is gonna pull out all the stops to change the subjects before Nicke gets to the inevitable question, which obviously is about to be sprung:
“Why didn’t you take it? Alex, you will be alpha. Why wait?”
Alex stopped messing with Nicke’s neck and pressed his face underneath Nicke’s jaw. “I’m not ready,” he grunted, voice hoarse. “I feel it. Still young, stupid. Guys see me like annoying cousin, little brother. Not alpha yet.”
Nicke wanted to protest. He wanted to tell Alex that he got to decide how the guys saw him, that he led by example, that he had bolstered the team too many times to count. He brought his hand up to cup Alex’s head instead, fingers moving slowly to detangle his thick hair. It wasn’t his call. He wanted it to be his call, but it wasn’t his call.
Alex doesn’t feel ready. It’s also why he’s refusing the captaincy – which IRL Ovi did because he didn’t think his English was strong enough yet – Alex is really shaped by external opinion at this point in his life and he’s pretty vulnerable despite his big talk. He also doesn’t want to do it alone. He can’t do it without Nicke, and as a rookie Nicke can’t take up that role yet. 
Nicke, on the other hand, is not dependent on external validation, even as a little idiot baby who lost his shoes before the All Star/YoungStars event and had to borrow a pair that was two sizes too small (facts, can provide receipts). 
“Anyway,” Alex said, tilting into Nicke’s touch. “I think is gonna be you. We both gonna be alpha, but. Think you gonna be my alpha.”
OH HO HO! I wrote this part of the scene like three days into writing the story because I was so excited about it. 
I imagined werewolf power structures within hockey were sort of flexible, but at the end of the day, the buck stops with the alpha(s). And within an alpha pair, one of those is the Big Alpha. Alpha Prime. 
I never came up with anything good title-wise for our Big Alpha position, but werewolf language was part of the whole language theme in the fic: there is no good word for any of it. All the words characters use for werewolf concepts are vague gestures at the concept at best: marriage is just the closest human concept for their sort of bonded-partnership-pack parents vibe. 
(honestly a significantly better translation for team alpha would be team mom/team dad, so like, if you wanna know who is the alpha of another team ask urself: who are the team parents, and you’ll know) 
MOVING ON! 
Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby are used throughout the fic as a comparison: another young alpha pair, already in charge of their packs, but doing things very differently to Alex and Nicke. So I went into this scene thinking: how is Nicke flexing his power? His authority? His position as Alex’s partner? It’s all very new to him, and he’s just starting to try it all on for size. 
Nicke’s just got off the phone with Tatyana, and he doesn’t know if he’s met her approval, he’s feeling vulnerable and territorial and as a result he’s feeling particularly prickly. 
Evgeni Malkin smelled of scented deodorant, foreign pack and generic shampoo. He held his phone in one improbably large hand and came right at Nicke, frowning. The NHL forbade wolfborns from marking territory in their game arenas, but usually there were ways of getting around that rule — Malkin was clearly comfortable in his territory. He exuded that particular high-handed alpha nosiness from every pore of his skin.
“Yes,” Nicke said. He put Alex’s phone in his pocket.
“Sasha okay?”
Nicke set his jaw. The wolf itched under his skin. “Fine.”
“Was accident, before.” Malkin shrugged. “Hockey.”
“Yes,” Nicke said, and imagined sinking his wolf teeth into Malkin’s throat.
Geno’s actually being fine. He’s got a question! He’s just got a question, he’s comfortably existing in his own territory, he’s already an alpha, he’s confident in asserting himself and it’s making Nicke so ornery he’s gonna pick a fight for no good reason. 
“Want see if he come? We have plan. Drinks.”
“No,” Nicke said firmly. Alex was injured. There was zero chance he could go to foreign territory injured, without a member of his own pack to back him up.
Malkin raised his eyebrows. “Okay,” he said. “You talk for Sasha?”
Well, this was stupid. Nicke motioned to the empty corridor. “You see him? Right now, yes.”
This is one of those things where when you’re under pressure, sometimes you reveal the core of who you really are. Nicke’s stressed about Alex’s injury, about Tatyana, about his territory, about not feeling in control. 
As it turns out, at his core Nicke is bossy as heck, unbelievably protective of his big idiot husband and completely unwilling to lose a fight (that he started himself for no good reason). He’s truly himself in this bitchfest of a nonsense standoff, and nothing brings me more joy. 
This standoff was one of the most fun scenes to write. Mean Lars emerging from his chrysalis to dead-eye Evgeni Malkin, ah, chef-kissing-fingers.gif, perfect.  
Malkin glowered at Nicke, and Nicke glowered at Malkin. This might have kept on going indefinitely had Sidney Crosby not rounded the corner. Nicke slightly loathed the sight of him, his aw-shucks jawline and boyish curls improbably wholesome despite the vicious way he’d checked Nicke in the second period. Nicke hadn’t managed to get him back, which rankled.
Nicke has more conflict in the story with Geno, but it is Sidney for whom he has true deep disdain in his heart. 
Part of it is because Sid is already alpha of his pack and Nicke is jealous and feeling powerless which stresses him out, and the other part is because Sid does so much to make himself palatable to humans. He’s careful with grooming, careful to seem nonthreatening, careful with what he says – meanwhile Alex, obviously, could not be more of a werewolf stuffed into a suit if he tried
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look at him! just shoved on in there ready to sign his crazy long contract. bout to bust free at any moment. mere hours away from delighted screaming with Nicklas Bäckström in a deserted carpark.
It personally galls Nicke when werewolves act tame or nonthreatening. Werewolf Nicke didn’t have to deal with humans in any real capacity for a very long time in his life, and he has little sympathy for people who feel they need to cater to them. Both Sid and Alex have had to deal with humans a lot but the way they’ve dealt with that pressure is in completely opposite ways, and for Nicke Sid’s way is… hm. Well. 
(Alex, meanwhile, does not care. sure, he doesn’t get that way of dealing with humans and frankly thinks it’s boring but he’s not gonna begrudge somebody their coping mechanism – so basically for nicke it’s all alex ovechkin is a good man. he’s got a good heart. he doesn’t hold a grudge. that’s what he has me [nicklas bäckström] for) 
This whole tangent is not really evident in the fic except in minute hints because it didn’t come up but it’s something I liked thinking about so: ur welcome for the unnecessary detail
I’m realising as I write this that I am essentially writing an essay about What Annoys Werewolf Nicklas Bäckström. Glad you asked: 
pack mismanagement
artifice 
omelets that are hiding secret mushrooms
hotel sheets
Thank you. 
Crosby glanced between them, frowning. “Geno? We have to go home.”
“Bäckström not let me talk to Sasha,” Malkin grunted.
“Uh, okay.” Crosby’s suit was terrible, grey and boxy, and he held a knit hat absently in one hand. “We have to go, though. Come on, Geno.”
Malkin looked between Crosby and Nicke like a dog torn between obeying his human and chasing down a particularly galling squirrel. 
I really liked contrasting Sidney’s very matter-of-fact non-reaction compared to Geno’s histrionics, and the exchange also revealed who amongst them is the alpha alpha: Sidney Crosby, which was confirmed to me by leading expert Eva @agonyandagony​, although I think at this stage of his life it was much less obvious. 
Sid and Geno (and Kolzig and Federov and Tatyana and Nylander) represent different ways of being an alpha. It’s that classic story thing of your minor characters being preoccupied with the same questions as your main character, and representing alternate ways of being. Each of them shows Nicke a way to be a leader, to be an adult, to be an alpha, and we learn along the way what he is going to take and not take onboard on his, like, Big Journey. 
Uh, anyway, thanks for giving me an excuse to write another 20k commentary to my werewolf fabrication, especially to talk about Mean Lars (Werewolf Edition) who is close to my heart and is someone I would give a 2 hour lecture about at the slightest provocation. 
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Season 6 Episode 1: Exile on Main St.
- Dean is working ass a construction worker? Really? Not a mechanic? AWH! He’s teaching Ben the ins-and-outs of a car! He’s... not salting anything? What was that under Dean’s bed? 
- Oooh! Nice title sequence! The shattering glass.
- IT’S BEEN A YEAR??? HAS SAM BEEN DOWN IN THE PIT FOR A YEAR?? THAT’S 120 YEARS!!!! (because if 4 months = 40 years then 1 month=10 years and 12 months=120 years)
- Woman screams in the distance and Dean goes in to investigate. Once a hunter, always a hunter. Well, there’s definitely something going on what with the claw marks and the blood. 
- Oh, ok. He does have a devil’s trap set up at the entrance way. Good. Oh, it’s those claw marks again on the lamp post. HAHAHAHAHA!!!! He nearly shot the puppy. Pfffft!!!! Good cover that you through it was a possum. Possums are harmless! Unless they have rabies and bite you. Then I suppose they do kill you. OH CRAP INDEED! SULFUR!
- I like that Lisa knows and seems pretty calm about it. “Are you hunting something?” And Ben of course is totally in on it too since he was kidnapped by the changelings. 
- AZAZEL????? WTF??? He’s actually really there??? FUCK! “You can’t outrun your past.” That what they kept telling Sam. OH! IT WAS A HALLUCINATION! Dean was poisoned??? I like that he thinks he’s in heaven. 
- WAIT!!! SAM’S BEEN BACK ABOUT A YEAR??? So... there really was no time lapse between Dean showing up at Lisa’s and Sam coming back? And Sam’s been hunting with other people this entire time??? 
- LOL! “My god, you have delicate features for a hunter.” WHAT??? SAM FOUND THIRD COUSINS AND HE’S BEEN HUNTING WITH THEM??? WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON??? HOW IS GRANDPA SAMUEL THERE???
- WAIT! So... Sam got pulled up and Samuel got pull down? I bet it’s Chuck. 
- Ooh, Sam got poisoned a couple off days before Dean by Djinns. Those things are asses. It’s the thing that got the drop on Dean and made him hallucinate that picket fence life of his. IT GOT LISA AND BEN!!!! THEY BETTER NOT DIE!!!!
- OMG BOBBY KNEW SAM WAS ALIVE AND ALSO KEPT QUIET!!!!! I mean, sure, yes. If Dean had known he would have run right back out and gone with Sam. But... They both had a point. Dean, out of all of them, is a family guy. He thrives on family. And even though he was half out of his mind with grief and looking for ways to get Sam out, it likely was the most peaceful year of his life since he was 4 years old and Mary went up in flames. So I get why they didn’t tell him. But still... That was really shitty.
- OH!!! IT WAS THAT WAITRESS!!!! FROM THE BAR IN THE BEGINNING THAT GAVE DEAN HER NUMBER! That’s when he first started hallucinating. 
- OH!!!! IT’S JONAS QUINN!!! FROM STARGATE SG-1!!! HAHAHAHA!!!! WE HAVE COLONEL CALDWELL AS SAMUEL SR. AND JONAS QUINN AS ONE OF THE THIRD COUSINS!!! IT’S A STARGATE REUNION!!!
- Well shit. The Djinn are attacking the family across the street. And there goes Dean to try and save them. And meanwhile one is attacking Sam! Oh! IT WAS SID! Awh... And now Dean’s getting poisoned again! Oh ho!!!!!! Sam and Dean killed their FATHER!
- Dean is tripping so hard right now. And Sam’s facing 3 against 1. And Papa Samuel showed up!!! WHAT?? Get her in the van before the boys get back?? Are they hiding something???
- Awh, Dean offered Sam the Impala. But Sam has his own car now. And Dean is staying with Lisa and Ben? Not for long I’m assuming. I just hope it’s not because they die!!!!
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lynxgriffin · 8 years
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Come Solar Sail Away With Me
Okay, gonna try and squeeze a bit more in here, hopefully will finish up The Grid for both boys…
Man didn’t get to pass on as much drop bonuses as I could’ve
Why is the Solar Sailer a HUGE PAIN in both KH2 and this?!
Meanwhile Riku is standing here having no idea what you’re talking about, Jeff Bridges
Well I guess he gets the important stuff
Oh right at least Riku didn’t have to fight his way across the whole dang Solar Sailer
Although there’s tons to treasure chests in there, aren’t there
Riku you are. SO SHORT
*sings* But you’re not a man, you’re a Peepsta Hoo…
Sam were you just trailing along behind Riku the entire time orrrrr
And dang wow already at the boss battle with Riku.
Well we can be sure of one thing, it wasn’t a giant deadly mantis…oh wait it was.
Yeeeuh that wasn’t too difficult!
Seriously WHY did Riku need to be here
Admittedly Sora does have many more stakes in this world than Riku does
Okay scratch that WHY does Jeff Bridges need to sacrifice himself
Riku is there to prevent CLU from getting the disc and all
Riku like: “…Well I guess that happened.”
Aaand now back to Sora…
Dangit why do I ALWAYS get lost on the Solar Sailer?!
Uugh you know I’ll worry about getting the rest of the treasures here later
Nggg I wanna make more Spirits but none of my recipes have enough ingredients and I don’t know what I should save from the random mix options…
Ho boy Rinzler boss battle, I remember this one being really tough
FEELINGS ABOUT SORA AND TRON BUDDIES AGAIN
Oh and here’s some more Norty weirdness
I’m still not sure how much Xemnas is going unreliable narrator here
Xemnas: Whelp with that cryptic nonsense I’m off for some kind of reality
Hey it’s that one scene I did a prophetic fanart of
ARRGH THIS BATTLE WAS DIFFICULT
DAMMIT WAS SO CLOSE THAT TIME
I know you’re supposed to do the block and retaliate thing but I suck so much at that
UUUGH YES FINALLY
That took WAY more tries than I would have liked
HE USES THE SAME MOVE TO FIX HIM AS IN KH2 I CRY
Way to traumatize the 15 year old here
I will never not be amused by Ienzo seemingly forgetting that Axel was the one who did him in as a Nobody
Also is Aeleus’s voice different or…?
Okay we’ll just start up in Prankster’s Paradise here but probably won’t get far
Sora like SUCKS TO BE YOU RIKU, YOU GET STUCK IN THE WHALE
Jiminy likes to loudly exposition to himself
I do kinda miss Jiminy coming along on the adventures with the trinity
Yen Sid: So here’s my exposition on why you can visit these Disney worlds that we really couldn’t squeeze in otherwise
LET JIMINY SAY JACKASS
How did Stromboli get here…??? Or was it Xehanort being a dick again
Oh okay it was Norty Business
Glad they put the Blue Fairy in here though
I made a Peepsta Hoo! His name is…HOOTRICK
And an Escarglow! Her name is…PRIMESLIME
I can’t believe I still can’t make the panda or the elephant from recipe yet
Okay, I guess Riku will have to get Monstrostuck next time.
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ciathyzareposts · 5 years
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Master of Orion
  Given the shadow which the original Master of Orion still casts over the gaming landscape of today, one might be forgiven for assuming, as many younger gamers doubtless do, that it was the very first conquer-the-galaxy grand-strategy game ever made. The reality, however, is quite different. For all that its position of influence is hardly misbegotten for other very good reasons, it was already the heir to a long tradition of such games at the time of its release in 1993. In fact, the tradition dates back to well before computer games as we know them today even existed.
The roots of the strategic space opera can be traced back to the tabletop game known as Diplomacy, designed by Allan B. Calhamer and first published in 1959 by Avalon Hill. Taking place in the years just prior to World War I, it put seven players in the roles of leaders of the various “great powers” of Europe. Although it included a playing board, tokens, and most of the other accoutrements of a typical board game, the real action, at least if you were playing it properly, was entirely social, in the alliances that were forged and broken and the shady deals that were struck. In this respect, it presaged many of the ideas that would later go into Dungeons & Dragons and other role-playing games. It thus represents an instant in gaming history as seminal in its own way as the 1954 publication of Avalon Hill’s Tactics, the canonical first tabletop wargame and the one which touched off the hobby of experiential gaming in general. But just as importantly for our purposes, Diplomacy‘s shifting alliances and the back-stabbings they led to would become an essential part of countless strategic space operas, including Master of Orion 34 years later.
Because getting seven friends together in the same room for the all-day affair that was a complete game of Diplomacy was almost as hard in the 1960s as it is today, inventive gamers developed systems for playing it via post; the first example of this breed would seem to date from 1963. And once players had started modifying the rules of Diplomacy to make it work under this new paradigm, it was a relatively short leap to begin making entirely new play-by-post games with new themes which shared some commonalities of approach with Calhamer’s magnum opus.
Thus in December of 1966, Dan Brannon announced a play-by-post game called Xeno, whose concept sounds very familiar indeed in the broad strokes. Each player started with a cluster of five planets — a tiny toehold in a sprawling, unknown galaxy waiting to be colonized. “The vastness of the playing space, the secrecy of the identity of the other players, the secrecy of the locations of ships and planets, the total lack of information without efforts of investigation, all these factors are meant to create the real problems of a race trying to expand to other planets,” wrote Brannon. Although the new game would be like Diplomacy in that it would presumably still culminate in negotiations, betrayals, and the inevitable final war to determine the ultimate victor, these stages would now be preceded by those of exploration and colonization, until a galaxy that had seemed so unfathomably big at the start proved not to be big enough to accommodate all of its would-be space empires. Certainly all of this too will be familiar to any player of Master of Orion or one of its heirs. Brannon’s game even included a tech tree of sorts, with players able to acquire better engines, weapons, and shields for their ships every eight turns they managed to survive.
In practice, Xenon played out at a pace to which the word “glacial” hardly does justice. The game didn’t really get started until September of 1967, and by a year after that just three turns had been completed. I don’t know whether a single full game of it was ever finished. Nevertheless, it proved hugely influential within the small community of experiential-gaming fanzines and play-by-post enthusiasts. The first similar game, called Galaxy and run by H. David Montgomery, had already appeared before Xeno had processed its third turn.
But the idea was, literally and figuratively speaking, too big for the medium for which it had been devised; it was just too compelling to remain confined to those few stalwart souls with the patience for play-by-post gaming. It soon branched out into two new mediums, each of which offered a more immediate sort of satisfaction.
In 1975, following rejections from Avalon Hill and others, one Howard Thompson formed his own company to publish the face-to-face board game Stellar Conquest, the first strategic space opera to appear in an actual box on store shelves. When Stellar Conquest became a success, it spawned a string of similar board games with titles like Godsfire, Outreach, Second Empire, and Starfall during this, the heyday of experiential gaming on the tabletop. But the big problem with such games was their sheer scope and math-heavy nature, which were enough to test the limits of many a salty old grognard who usually reveled in complexity. They all took at least three or four hours to play in their simplest variants, and a single game of at least one of them — SPI’s Outreach — could absorb weeks of gaming Saturdays. Meanwhile they were all dependent on pages and pages of fiddly manual calculations, in the time before spreadsheet macros or even handheld calculators were commonplace. (One hates to contemplate the plight of the Outreach group who have just spent the last two months resolving who shall become master of the galaxy, only to discover that the victor made a mistake on her production worksheet back on the second turn which invalidated all of the numbers that followed…) These games were, in other words, crying out for computerization.
Luckily, then, that too had already started to happen by the end of the 1970s. One of the reasons that play-by-post games of this type tended to run so sluggishly — beyond, that is, the inherent sluggishness of the medium itself — came down to the same problem as that faced by their tabletop progeny: the burden their size and complexity placed on their administrators. Therefore in 1976, Rick Loomis, the founder of a little company called Flying Buffalo, started running the commercial play-by-post game Starweb on what gaming historian Shannon Appelcline has called “probably the first computer ever purchased exclusively to play games” (or, at least, to administrate them): a $14,000 Raytheon 704 minicomputer. He would continue to run Starweb for more than thirty years — albeit presumably not on the same computer throughout that time.
But the first full-fledged incarnation of the computerized strategic space opera — in the sense of a self-contained game meant to be played locally on a single computer — arrived only in 1983. Called Reach for the Stars, it was the first fruit of what would turn into a long-running and prolific partnership between the Aussies Roger Keating and Ian Trout, who in that rather grandiose fashion that was so typical of grognard culture had named themselves the Strategic Studies Group. Reach for the Stars was based so heavily upon Stellar Conquest that it’s been called an outright unlicensed clone. Nevertheless, it’s a remarkable achievement for the way that it manages to capture that sense of size and scope that is such a huge part of these games’ appeal on 8-bit Apple IIs and Commodore 64s with just 64 K of memory. Although the whole is necessarily rather bare-bones compared to what would come later, the computer players’ artificial intelligence, always a point of pride with Keating and Trout, is surprisingly effective; on the harder difficulty level, the computer can truly give you a run for your money, and seems to do so without relying solely on egregious cheating.
It doesn’t look like much, but the basic hallmarks of the strategic space opera are all there in Reach for the Stars.
Reach for the Stars did very well, prompting updated ports to more powerful machines like the Apple Macintosh and IIGS and the Commodore Amiga as the decade wore on. A modest trickle of other boxed computer games of a similar stripe also appeared, albeit none which did much to comprehensively improve on SSG’s effort: Imperium Galactum, Spaceward Ho!, Armada 2525, Pax Imperia. Meanwhile the commercial online service CompuServe offered up MegaWars III, in which up to 100 players vied for control of the galaxy; it played a bit like one of those years-long play-by-post campaigns of yore compressed into four to six weeks of constant — and expensive, given CompuServe’s hourly dial-up rates — action and intrigue. Even the shareware scene got in on the act, via titles like Anacreon: Reconstruction 4021 and the earliest versions of the cult classic VGA Planets, a game which is still actively maintained and played to this day. And then, finally, along came Master of Orion in 1993 to truly take this style of game to the next level.
Had things gone just a little bit differently, Master of Orion too might have been a shareware release. It was designed in the spare time of Steve Barcia, an electrical engineer living in Austin, Texas, and programmed by Steve himself, his wife Marcia Barcia, and their friend Ken Burd. Steve claims not ever to have played any of the computer games I’ve just mentioned, but, as an avid and longtime tabletop gamer, he was very familiar with Stellar Conquest and a number of its successors. (No surprise there: Howard Thompson and his game were in fact also products of Austin’s vibrant board-gaming scene.)
After working on their computer game, which they called Star Lords, on and off for years, the little band of hobbyist programmers submitted it to MicroProse, whose grand-strategy game of Civilization, a creation of their leading in-house designer Sid Meier, had just taken the world by storm. A MicroProse producer named Jeff Johannigman — himself another member of the Austin gaming fraternity, as it happened, one who had just left Origin Systems in Austin to join MicroProse up in Baltimore — took a shine to the unpolished gem and signed its creators to develop it further. Seeing their hobby about to become a real business, the trio quit their jobs, took the name of SimTex, and leased a cramped office above a gyro joint to finish their game under Johannigman’s remote supervision, with a little additional help from MicroProse’s art department.
A fellow named Alan Emrich was one of most prominent voices in strategy-game criticism at the time; he was the foremost scribe on the subject at Computer Gaming World magazine, the industry’s accepted journal of record, and had just published a book-length strategy guide on Civilization in tandem with Johnny Wilson, the same magazine’s senior editor. Thanks to that project, Emrich was well-connected with MicroProse, and was happy to serve as a sounding board for them. And so, one fateful day very early in 1993, Johannigman asked if he’d like to have a look at a new submission called Star Lords.
As Emrich himself puts it, his initial impressions “were not that great.” He remembers thinking the game looked like “something from the late 1980s” — an eternity in the fast-changing computing scene of the early 1990s. Yet there was just something about it; the more he played, the more he wanted to keep playing. So, he shared Star Lords with his friend Tom Hughes, with whom he’d been playing tabletop and computerized strategy games for twenty years. Hughes had the same experience. Emrich:
After intense, repeated playing of the game, Tom and I were soon making numerous suggestions to [Johannigman], who, in turn, got tired of passing them on to the designer and lead programmer, Steve Barcia. Soon, we were talking to Steve directly. The telephone lines were burning regularly and a lot of ideas went back and forth. All the while, Steve was cooking up a better and better game. It was during this time that the title changed to Master of Orion and the game’s theme and focus crystallized.
I wrote a sneak preview for Computer Gaming World magazine where I indicated that Master of Orion was shaping up to be a good game. It had a lot of promise, but I didn’t think it was up there with Sid Meier’s Civilization, the hobby’s hallmark of strategy gaming at that time. But by the time that story hit the newsstands, I had changed my mind. I found myself still playing the game constantly and was reflecting on that fact when Tom called me. We talked about Master of Orion, of course, and Tom said, “You know, I think this game might become more addicting even than Civilization.” I replied, “You know, I think it already is.”
I was hard on Emrich in earlier articles for his silly assertion that Civilization‘s inclusion of global warming as a threat to progress and women’s suffrage as a Wonder of the World contituted some form of surrender to left-wing political correctness, as I was for his even sillier assertion that the game’s simplistic and highly artificial economic model could somehow be held up as proof for the pseudo-scientific theory of trickle-down economics. Therefore let me be very clear in praising him here: Emrich and Hughes played an absolutely massive role in making Master of Orion one of the greatest strategy games of all time. Their contribution was such that SimTex took the unusual step of adding to the credits listing a “Special Thanks to Alan Emrich and Tom Hughes for their invaluable design critiquing and suggestions.” If anything, that credit would seem to be more ungenerous than the opposite. By all indications, a pair of full-fledged co-designer credits wouldn’t have been out of proportion to the reality of their contribution. The two would go on to write the exhaustive official strategy guide for the game, a tome numbering more than 400 pages. No one could have been more qualified to tackle that project.
As if all that wasn’t enough, Emrich did one more great service for Master of Orion and, one might even say, for gaming in general. In a “revealing sneak preview” of the game, published in the September 1993 issue of Computer Gaming World, he pronounced it to be “rated XXXX.” After the requisite measure of back-patting for such edgy turns of phrase as these, Emrich settled down to explain what he really meant by the label: “XXXX” in this context stood for “EXplore, EXpand, EXploit, and EXterminate.” And thus was a new sub-genre label born. The formulation from the article was quickly shortened to “4X” by enterprising gamers uninterested in making strained allusions to pornographic films. In that form, it would be applied to countless titles going forward, right up to the present day, and retroactively applied to countless titles of the past, including all of the earlier space operas I’ve just described as well as the original Civilization — a game to which the “EXterminate” part of the label fits perhaps less well, but such is life.
Emrich’s article also creates an amusing distinction for the more pedantic ludic taxonomists and linguists among us. Although Master of Orion definitely was not, as we’ve now seen at some length, the first 4X game in the abstract, it was the very first 4X game to be called a 4X game. Maybe this accounts for some of the pride of place it holds in modern gaming culture?
However that may be, though, the lion’s share of the credit for Master of Orion‘s enduring influence must surely be ascribed to what a superb game it is in its own right. If it didn’t invent the 4X space opera, it did in some sense perfect it, at least in its digital form. It doesn’t do anything conceptually new on the face of it — you’re still leading an alien race as it expands through a randomly created galaxy, competing with other races in the fields of economics, technology, diplomacy, and warfare to become the dominant civilization — but it just does it all so well.
A new game of Master of Orion begins with you choosing a galaxy size (from small to huge), a difficulty level (from simple to impossible), and a quantity of opposing aliens to compete against (from one to five). Then you choose which specific race you would like to play; you have ten possibilities in all, drawing from a well-worn book of science-fiction tropes, from angry cats in space to hive-mind-powered insects, from living rocks to pacifistic brainiacs, alongside the inevitable humans. Once you’ve made your choice, you’re cast into the deep end — or rather into deep space — with a single half-developed planet, a colony ship for settling a second planet as soon as you find a likely candidate, two unarmed scout ships for exploring for just such a candidate, and a minimal set of starting technologies.
You must parlay these underwhelming tools into galactic domination hundreds of turns later. You can take the last part of the 4X tag literally and win out by utterly exterminating all of your rivals, but a slightly less genocidal approach is a victory in the “Galactic Council” which meets every quarter-century (i.e., every 25 turns). Here everyone can vote on which of the two most currently populous empires’ leaders they prefer to appoint as ruler of the galaxy, with “everyone” in this context including the two leading emperors themselves. Each empire gets a number of votes determined by its population, and the first to collect two-thirds of the total vote wins outright. (Well, almost… it is possible for you to refuse to respect the outcome of a vote that goes against you, but doing so will cause all of your rivals to declare immediate and perpetual war against you, whilst effectively pooling all of their own resources and technology. Good luck with that!)
A typical game of Master of Orion plays out over three broad stages. The first stage is the land grab, the wide-open exploration and colonization phase that happens before you meet your rival aliens. Here your challenge is to balance the economic development of your existing planets against your need to settle as many new ones as possible to put yourself in a good position for the mid-game. (When exactly do I stop spending my home planet’s resources on improving its own infrastructure and start using them to build more colony ships?) The mid-game begins when you start to bump into your rivals, and comes to entail much jockeying for influence, as the various races begin to sort themselves into rival factions. (The Alkaris, bird-like creatures, loathe the Mrrshans, the aforementioned race of frenzied pussycats, and their loathing is returned in kind. I don’t have strong feelings about either one — but whose side would it most behoove me to choose from a purely strategic perspective?) The end-game is nigh when the there is no more room for anyone to expand, apart from taking planets from a rival by force, and the once-expansive galaxy suddenly seems claustrophobic. It often, although by no means always, is marked by a massive war that finally secures somebody that elusive two-thirds majority in the Galactic Council. (I’m so close now! Do I attack those stubbornly intractable Bulrathi to try to knock down their population and get myself over the two-thirds threshold that way, or do I keep trying to sweet-talk and bribe them into voting for me?) The length and character of all of these stages will of course greatly depend on the initial setup you chose; the first stage might be all but nonexistent in a small galaxy with five rivals, while it will go on for a long, long time indeed in a huge galaxy with just one or two oppoenents. (The former scenario is, for the record, far more challenging.)
And that’s how it goes, generally speaking. Yet the core genius of Master of Orion actually lies in how resistant it is to generalization. It’s no exaggeration to say that there really is no “typical” game; I’ve enjoyed plenty which played out in nothing like the pattern I’ve just described for you. I’ve played games in which I never fired a single shot in anger, even ones where I’ve never built a single armed ship of war, just as I’ve played others where I was in a constant war for survival from beginning to end. Master of Orion is gaming’s best box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get when you jump into a new galaxy. Everything about the design is engineered to keep you from falling back on patterns universally applicable to the “typical” game. It’s this quality, more so than any other, that makes Master of Orion so consistently rewarding. If I was to be stranded on the proverbial desert island, I have a pretty good idea of at least one of the games I’d choose to take with me.
I’ll return momentarily to the question of just how Master of Orion manages to build so much variation into a fairly simple set of core rules. I think it might be instructive to do so, however, in comparison with another game, one I’ve already had occasion to mention several times in this article: Civilization.
As I’m so often at pains to point out, game design is, like any creative pursuit, a form of public dialog. Certainly Civilization itself comes with a long list of antecedents, including most notably Walter Bright’s mainframe game Empire, Dani Bunten Berry’s PC game Seven Cities of Gold, and the Avalon Hill board game with which Civilization shares its name. Likewise, Civilization has its progeny, among them Master of Orion. By no means was it the sole influence on the latter; as we’ve seen, Master of Orion was also greatly influenced by the 4X space-opera tradition in board games, especially during its early phases of development.
Still, the mark of Civilization as well can be seen all over its finished design. (After all, Alan Emrich had just literally written the book on Civilization when he started bombarding Barcia with design suggestions…) For example, Master of Orion, unlike all of its space-opera predecessors, on the computer or otherwise, doesn’t bother at all with multiplayer options, preferring to optimize the single-player experience in their stead. One can’t help but feel that it was Civilization, which was likewise bereft of the multiplayer options that earlier grand-strategy games had always included as a matter of course, that empowered Steve Barcia and company to go this way.
At the same time, though, we cannot say that Jeff Johannigman was being particularly accurate when he took to calling Master of Orion “Civilization in space” for the benefit of journalists. For all that it’s easy enough to understand what made such shorthand so tempting — this new project too was a grand-strategy game played on a huge scale, incorporating technology, economics, diplomacy, and military conflict — it wasn’t ultimately fair to either game. Master of Orion is very much its own thing. Its interface, for example, is completely different. (Ironically, Barcia’s follow-up to Master of Orion, the fantasy 4X Master of Magic, hews much closer to Civilization in that respect.) In Master of Orion, Civilization‘s influence often runs as much in a negative as a positive direction; that is to say, there are places where the later design is lifting ideas from the earlier one, but also taking it upon itself to correct perceived weaknesses in their implementation.
I have to use the qualifier “perceived” there because the two games have such different personalities. Simply put, Civilization prioritizes its fictional context over its actual mechanics, while Master of Orion does just the opposite. Together they illustrate the flexibility of the interactive digital medium, showing how great games can be great in such markedly different ways, even when they’re as closely linked in terms of genre as these two are.
Civilization explicitly bills itself as a grand journey through human history, from the time in our distant past when the first hunter-gatherers settled down in villages to an optimistic near-future in space. The rules underpinning the journey are loose-goosey, full of potential exploits. The most infamous of these is undoubtedly the barbarian-horde strategy, in which you research only a few minimal technologies necessary for war-making and never attempt to evolve your society or participate in any meaningful diplomacy thereafter, but merely flood the world with miserable hardscrabble cities supporting primitive armies, attacking everything that moves until every other civilization is extinct. At the lower and moderate difficulty levels at least, this strategy works every single time, albeit whilst bypassing most of what the game was meant to be about. As put by Ralph Betza, a contributor to an early Civilization strategy guide posted to Usenet: “You can always play Despotic Conquest, regardless of the world you find yourself starting with, and you can always win without using any of the many ways to cheat. When you choose any other strategy, you are deliberately risking a loss in order to make the game more interesting.”
So very much in Civilization is of limited utility at best in purely mechanical terms. Many or most of the much-vaunted Wonders of the World, for example, really aren’t worth the cost you have to pay for them. But that’s okay; you pay for them anyway because you like the idea of having built the Pyramids of Giza or the Globe Theatre or Project Apollo, just as you choose not to go all Genghis Khan on the world because you’d rather build a civilization you can feel proud of. Perhaps the clearest statement of Civilization‘s guiding design philosophy can be found in the manual. It says that, even if you make it all the way to the end of the game only to see one of your rivals achieve the ultimate goal of mounting an expedition to Alpha Centauri before you do, “the successful direction of your civilization through the centuries is an achievement. You have survived countless wars, the pollution of the industrial age, and the risks of nuclear weapons.” Or, as Sid Meier himself puts it, “a game of Civilization is an epic story.”
We’re happy to preach peace and cooperation, as long as we’re the top dogs… er, birds.
Such sentiments are deeply foreign to Master of Orion; this is a zero-sum game if ever there was one. If you lose the final Galactic Council vote, there’s no attaboy for getting this far, much less any consolation delivered that the galaxy has entered a new era of peaceful cooperation with some other race in the leadership role. Instead the closing cinematic tells you that you’ve left the known galaxy and “set forth to conquer new worlds, vowing to return and claim the renowned title of Master of Orion.” (Better to rule in Hell, right?) There are no Wonders of the World in Master of Orion, and, while there is a tech tree to work through, you won’t find on it any of Civilization‘s more humanistic advances, such as Chivalry or Mysticism, or even Communism or The Corporation. What you get instead are technologies — it’s telling that Master of Orion talks about a “tech tree,” while Civilization prefers the word “advances” — with a direct practical application to settling worlds and making war, divided into the STEM-centric categories of Computers, Construction, Force Fields, Planetology, Propulsion, and Weapons.
So, Civilization is the more idealistic, more educational, perhaps even the nobler of the two games. And yet it often plays a little awkwardly — which awkwardness we forgive because of its aspirational qualities. Master of Orion‘s fictional context is a much thinner veneer to stretch over its mechanics, while words like “idealistic” simply don’t exist in its vocabulary. And yet, being without any high-flown themes to fall back on, it makes sure that its mechanics are absolutely tight. These dichotomies can create a dilemma for a critic like yours truly. If you asked me which game presents a better argument for gaming writ large as a potentially uplifting, ennobling pursuit, I know which of the two I’d have to point to. But then, when I’m just looking for a fun, challenging, intriguing game to play… well, let’s just say that I’ve played a lot more Master of Orion than Civilization over the last quarter-century. Indeed, Master of Orion can easily be read as the work of a designer who looked at Civilization and was unimpressed with its touchy-feely side, then set out to make a game that fixed all the other failings which that side obscured.
By way of a first example, let’s consider the two games’ implementation of an advances chart — or a tech tree, whichever you prefer. Arguably the most transformative single advance in Civilization is Railroads; they let you move your military units between your cities almost instantaneously, which makes attacks much easier and quicker to mount for warlike players and enables the more peaceful types to protect their holdings with a much smaller (and thus less expensive) standing army. The Railroads advance is so pivotal that some players build their entire strategy around acquiring it as soon as possible, by finding it on the advances chart as soon as the game begins in 4000 BC and working their way backward to find the absolute shortest path for reaching it. This is obviously problematic from a storytelling standpoint; it’s not as if the earliest villagers set about learning the craft of Pottery with an eye toward getting their hands on Railroads 6000 years later. More importantly, though, it’s damaging to the longevity of the game itself, in that it means that players can and will always employ that same Railroads strategy just as soon as they figure out what a winner it is. Here we stumble over one of the subtler but nonetheless significant axioms of game design: if you give players a hammer that works on every nail, many or most of them will use it — and only it — over and over again, even if it winds up decreasing their overall enjoyment. It’s for this reason that some players continue to use even the barbarian-horde strategy in Civilization, boring though it is. Or, to take an outside example: how many designers of CRPGs have lovingly crafted dozens of spells with their own unique advantages and disadvantages, only to watch players burn up everything they encounter with a trusty Fireball?
Master of Orion, on the other hand, works hard at every turn to make such one-size-fits-all strategies impossible — and nowhere more so than in its tech tree. When a new game begins, each race is given a randomized selection of technologies that are possible for it to research, constituting only about half of the total number of technologies in the game. Thus, while a technology roughly equivalent to Civilization‘s Railroads does exist in Master of Orion — Star Gates — you don’t know if this or any other technology is actually available to you until you advance far enough up the tree to reach the spot where it ought to be. You can’t base your entire strategy around a predictable technology progression. While you can acquire technologies that didn’t make it into your tree by trading with other empires, bullying them into giving them to you, or attacking their planets and taking them, that’s a much more fraught, uncertain path to go down than doing the research yourself, one that requires a fair amount of seat-of-your-pants strategy in its own right. Any way you slice it, in other words, you have to improvise.
We’ve been lucky here in that Hydrogen Fuel Cells, the first range-extending technology and a fairly cheap one, is available in our tree. If it wasn’t, and if we didn’t have a lot of stars conveniently close by, we’d have to dedicate our entire empire to attaining a more advanced and thus more expensive range-extending technology, lest we be left behind in the initial land grab. But this would of course mean neglecting other aspects of our empire’s development. Trade-offs like this are a constant fact of life in Master of Orion.
This one clever design choice has repercussions for every other aspect of the game. Take, for instance, the endlessly fascinating game-within-a-game of designing your fleet of starships. If the tech tree was static, players would inevitably settle upon a small set of go-to designs that worked for their style of play. As it is, though, every new ship is a fresh balancing act, its equipment calibrated to maximize your side’s technological strengths and mitigate its weaknesses, while also taking into careful account the strengths and weaknesses of the foe you expect to use it against, about which you’ve hopefully been compiling information through your espionage network. Do you build a huge number of tiny, fast, maneuverable fighters, or do you build just a few lumbering galactic dreadnoughts? Or do you build something in between? There are no universally correct answers, just sets of changing circumstances.
Another source of dynamism are the alien races you play and those you play against. The cultures in Civilization have no intrinsic strengths and weaknesses, just sets of leader tendencies when played by the computer; for your part, you’re free to play the Mongols as pacifists, or for that matter the Russians as paragons of liberal democracy and global cooperation. But in Master of Orion, each race’s unique affordances force you to play it differently. Likewise, each opposing race’s affordances in combination with those of your own force you to respond differently to that race when you encounter it, whether on the other side of a diplomats’ table or on a battlefield in space. Further, most races have one technology they’re unusually good at researching and one they’re unusually bad at. Throw in varying degrees of affinity and prejudice toward the other races, and, again, you’ve got an enormous amount of variation which defies cookie-cutter strategizing. (It’s worth noting that there’s a great deal of asymmetry here; Steve Barcia and his helpers didn’t share so many modern designers’ obsession with symmetrical play balance above all else. Some races are clearly more powerful than others: the brainiac Psilons get a huge research bonus, the insectoid Klackons get a huge bonus in worker productivity, and the Humans get huge bonuses in trade and diplomacy. Meanwhile the avian Alkaris, the feline Mrrshan, and the ursine Bulrathis have bonuses which only apply during combat, and can be overcome fairly easily by races with other, more all-encompassing advantages.)
There are yet more touches to bring yet more dynamism. Random events occur from time to time in the galaxy, some of which can change everything at a stroke: a gigantic space amoeba might show up and start eating stars, forcing everyone to forget their petty squabbles for a while and band together against this apocalyptic threat. And then there’s the mysterious star Orion, from which the game takes it name, which houses the wonders of a long-dead alien culture from the mythical past. Taking possession of it might just win the game for you — but first you’ll have to defeat its almost inconceivably powerful Guardian.
One of the perennial problems of 4X games, Civilization among them, is the long anticlimax, which begins at that point when you know you’re going to conquer the world or be the first to blast off for Alpha Centauri, but well before you actually do so. (What Civilization player isn’t familiar with the delights of scouring the map for that one remaining rival city tucked away on some forgotten island in some forgotten corner?) Here too Master of Orion comes with a mitigating idea, in the form of the Galactic Council whose workings I’ve already described. It means that, as soon as you can collect two-thirds of the vote — whether through wily diplomacy or the simpler expedient of conquering until two-thirds of the galaxy’s population is your own — the game ends and you get your victory screen.
Indeed, one of the overarching design themes of Master of Orion is its determination to minimize the boring stuff. It must be admitted, of course, that boredom is in the eye of the beholder. Non-fans have occasionally dismissed the whole 4X space-opera sub-genre as “Microsoft Excel in space,” and Master of Orion too requires a level of comfort with — or, better yet, a degree of fascination with — numbers and ratios; you’ll spend at least as much time tinkering with your economy as you will engaging in space battles. Yet the game does everything it can to minimize the pain here as well. While hardly a simple game in absolute terms, it is quite a streamlined example of its type; certainly it’s much less fiddly than Civilization. Planet management is abstracted into a set of five sliding ratio bars, allowing you decide what percentage of that planet’s total output should be devoted to building ships, building defensive installations, building industrial infrastructure, cleaning up pollution, and researching new technologies. Unlike in Civilization, there is no list of specialized structures to build one at a time, much less a need to laboriously develop the land square by square with a specialized unit. Some degree of micro-management is always going to be in the nature of this type of game, but managing dozens of planets in Master of Orion is far less painful than managing dozens of cities in Civilization.
The research screen as well operates through sliding ratio bars which let you decide how much effort to devote to each of six categories of technology. In other words, you’re almost always research multiple advances at once in Master of Orion, whereas in Civilization you only research one at a time. Further, you can never predict for sure when a technology will arrive; while each has a base cost in research points, “paying” it leads only to a slowly increasing randomized chance of acquiring the technology on any given turn. (That’s the meaning of the “17%” next to Force Fields in the screenshot above.) You also receive bonuses for maintaining steady research over a long run of turns, rather than throwing all of your research points into one technology, then into something else, etc. All of this as well serves to make the game more unpredictable and dynamic.
In short, Master of Orion tries really, really hard to work with you rather than against you, and succeeds to such a degree that it can sometimes feel like the game is reading your mind. A reductionist critic of the sort I can be on occasion might say that there are just two types of games: those that actually got played before their release and those that didn’t. With only rare exceptions, this distinction, more so than the intrinsic brilliance of the design team or any other factor, is the best predictor of the quality of the end result. Master of Orion is clearly a game that got played, and played extensively, with all of the feedback thus gathered being incorporated into the final design. The interface is about as perfect as the technical limitations of 1993 allow it to be; nothing you can possibly want to do is more than two clicks away. And the game is replete with subtle little conveniences that you only come to appreciate with time — like, just to take one example, the way it asks if you want to automatically adjust the ecology spending on every one of your planets when you acquire a more efficient environmental-cleanup technology. This lived-in quality can only be acquired the honest, old-fashioned way: by giving your game to actual players and then listening to what they tell you about it, whether the points they bring up are big or small, game-breaking or trivial.
This thoroughgoing commitment to quality is made all the more remarkable by our knowledge of circumstances inside MicroProse while Master of Orion was going through these critical final phases of its development. When the contract to publish the game was signed, MicroProse was in desperate financial straits, having lost bundles on an ill-advised standup-arcade game along with expensive forays into adventure games and CRPGs, genres far from their traditional bread and butter of military simulations and grand-strategy games. Although other projects suffered badly from the chaos, Master of Orion, perhaps because it was a rather low-priority project entrusted largely to an outside team located over a thousand miles away, was given the time and space to become its best self. It was still a work in progress on June 21, 1993, when MicroProse’s mercurial, ofttimes erratic founder and CEO “Wild Bill” Stealey sold the company to Spectrum Holobyte, a publisher with a relatively small portfolio of extant games but a big roll of venture capital behind them.
Master of Orion thus became one of the first releases from the newly conjoined entity on October 1, 1993. Helped along by the evangelism of Alan Emrich and his pals at Computer Gaming World, it did about as well as such a cerebral title, almost completely bereft of audiovisual bells and whistles, could possibly do in the new age of multimedia computing; it became the biggest strategy hit since Civilization, and the biggest 4X space opera to that point, in any medium. Later computerized iterations on the concept, including its own sequels, doubtless sold more copies in absolute numbers, but the original Master of Orion has gone on to become one of the truly seminal titles in gaming history, almost as much so as the original Civilization. It remains the game to which every new 4X space opera — and there have been many of them, far more than have tried to capture the more elusively idealistic appeal of Civilization — must be compared.
Sometimes a status such as that enjoyed by Master of Orion arrives thanks to an historical accident or a mere flashy technical innovation, but that is definitively not the case here. Master of Orion remains as rewarding as ever in all its near-infinite variation. Personally, I like to embrace its dynamic spirit for everything it’s worth by throwing a (virtual) die to set up a new game, letting the Universe decide what size galaxy I play in, how many rivals I play with, and which race I play myself. The end result never fails to be enjoyable, whether it winds up a desperate free-for-all between six alien civilizations compressed into a tiny galaxy with just 24 stars, or a wide-open, stately game of peaceful exploration in a galaxy with over 100 of them. In short, Master of Orion is the most inexhaustible well of entertainment I’ve ever found in the form of a single computer game — a timeless classic that never fails to punish you for playing lazy, but never fails to reward you for playing well. I’ve been pulling it out to try to conquer another random galaxy at least once every year or two for half my life already. I suspect I’ll still be doing so until the day I die.
(Sources: the books Gamers at Work: Stories Behind the Games People Play by Morgan Ramsay, Designers & Dragons, Volume 1: The 1970s by Shannon Appelcline, and Master of Orion: The Official Strategy Guide by Alan Emrich and Tom E. Hughes, Jr.; Computer Gaming World of December 1983, June/July 1985, October 1991, June 1993, August 1993, September 1993, December 1993, and October 1995; Commodore Disk User of May 1988; Softline of March 1983. Online sources include “Per Aspera Ad Astra” by Jon Peterson from ROMchip, Alan Emrich’s historical notes from the old Master of Orion III site, a Steve Barcia video interview which originally appeared in the CD-ROM magazine Interactive Entertainment., and the Civilization Usenet FAQ, lasted updated by “Dave” in 1994.
Master of Orion I and II are available for purchase together from GOG.com. I highly recommend a tutorial, compiled many years ago by Sirian and now available only via archive.org, as an excellent way for new players to learn the ropes.)
source http://reposts.ciathyza.com/master-of-orion/
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bollywoodpapa · 5 years
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Bigg Boss 13: Shehnaaz Gill tries to woo Sidharth Shukla post their fight, threatens to go on hunger strike
New Post has been published on https://bollywoodpapa.com/252589/shehnaaz-gill-tries-to-woo-sidharth-shukla/
Bigg Boss 13: Shehnaaz Gill tries to woo Sidharth Shukla post their fight, threatens to go on hunger strike
Actor Sidharth Shukla is back in Bigg Boss house and the happiest person in the house is Shehnaaz Gill.
But two days after coming house, the duo get indulge in a fight. In yesterday’s episode, Shehnaaz Gill said that she is open in her love confession for Paras but he has never reciprocated her sentiments. Later, she tells BFF Sidharth Shukla that he never understood her. After some time, Sid tells Shehnaaz that she made him an option in her life just like Paras kept her as the second option after Mahira.
Shehnaaz Gill tries to woo Sidharth Shukla
Well now, in tonight’s episode Shehnaaz will try to woo Sidharth. In the latest promo, Shehnaaz repeatedly requests Sidharth to talk to her but he tells everything is over.
Shehnaz tells him not do any ‘tamasha’ in the Bigg Boss house. She also threatens him that if he doesn’t talk to her, she will go on a hunger strike.
Watch the promo here:
.@Sidharth_Shukla ke aate hi phir shuru ho gayi hai #ShehnaazGill ki masti! Watch #SidNaaz tonight at 10:30 PM.
Anytime on @justvoot. @Vivo_India @AmlaDaburIndia @bharatpeindia @BeingSalmanKhan #BiggBoss13 #BiggBoss #BB13 #SalmanKhan pic.twitter.com/XKRQzkmmNW
— COLORS (@ColorsTV) December 18, 2019
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Kaise manaayegi @shehnaazgill roothe hue @realsidharthshukla ko? Dekhiye aaj raat 10:30 baje. Anytime on @voot @Vivo_India @BeingSalmanKhan #BiggBoss13 #BiggBoss #BB13 #SalmanKhan
A post shared by Colors TV (@colorstv) on Dec 18, 2019 at 1:00am PST
Read also:
Bigg Boss 13: Shehnaaz Gill cries out loud after Salman Khan announces her eviction, watch video
Meanwhile, in tonight’s episode, Shefali Bagga will create ruckus inside Bigg Boss house. She tries to spoil everyone’s sleep. Following which she will be locked up in the bathroom by Vikas Gupta, Arhaan Khan and Sidharth Shukla.
For more updates, stay tuned!
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elliotthezubat · 7 years
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DEATH CITY DAYS CHAPTER 1
it’s long. bear with me
but here be the first official chapter
@soul-dwelling shout out to this amazing dude for doing this RP with me ^^
Stocking: Looks like the party's just getting started huh? Death the Kid: *to himself* "Don't be nervous, Kid...Don't be nervous don't be nervous dontbenervousdontbenervous..." Death the Kid: *Too loud* "Yes! It does look like it is just getting started!" Stocking: Uh, you ok? Death the Kid: *Clears throat* "Yes, I am fine. I am happy to be here with you. Um...May I get you something to drink?" Stocking: Sure. I want to see what they did with the drinks bar this year. Death the Kid: "Shall we walk over? Oh, I think I can see some dry ice fog coming off from the punch bowl..." -it kind of looks like a cemetery. there's even a skull shaped ice block in the punch bowl- Stocking: Woah, cool set up. The tomb cake looks sooo gooood! *she licks her lips* Death the Kid: "Sweets for my sweet, then?" *Nervous chuckle* "Um, well...I wonder how long it will take that ice block to melt...I would hate to see it melt into some ghastly, asymmetrical form..." *camera click* Kimiko: Ya-ho~! So you guys enjoying the party? Death the Kid: *tenses at the photograph--clutching Stocking's hand* "Wh-what's with the camera?" *Adjusts his tie for his Levi outfit* Stocking: Ah! Oh, yeah its pretty awesome so far. Kimiko: Oh this? Well the School paper's photographer is sick today, so she asked me to take pics for her. And I’m taking notes for the AV club announcements tomorrow. ^^ Stocking: Ah. Kimiko: Also, word on the street is a member of the AV club is one of the dance queen nominees. so be sure to make your votes. i think its over there. *she points to a tomb like structure* Death the Kid: "Did we look good in the photo? Er--I mean, did I look good? I'm sure Stocking looked great." *Looks at the tomb* "Oh. Yes. We will definitely vote." *Calms down, chuckles* "I know who I am voting for." Kimiko: cool! oh, there's also a movie room and a haunted house trial of courage if you're interested. i'm going to check the pumpkin carving out, have fun now~! *she goes to do that* Stocking: Hmm, i'm curious to see who the nominees are. *she takes a slice of cake and heads to the tomb* -seems Sid is monitoring the voting booths- Stocking: lets see here....hmmmm one for you and one for.... well, its a secret~ Death the Kid: *tries to peek at Stocking's ballot* "I wonder..." Stocking: uh-uh-uh~ no peaking~ *she puts it in* Death the Kid: *smiles* "Darn." Looks around the dance hall. "An eclectic set of costumes this year, to be sure. But I can't recognize some of those outfits. Could you explain some of them. For example, who is Akane supposed to be?" Stocking: hmmm, i think he's kakashi from naruto? and i think the guy next to him is from some game? Stocking: Looks like your partners are here. Death the Kid: "So Clay is...a fox? I guess?" *Looks behind him* "Ah." *Smiles* "I was wondering where you were…” Stocking: i think they brought one of the new students, dont think i've seen them around. Liz: "Been looking for you--thought we would find you outside rather than indoors." *Crosses her arms* "Oh, hey, Stocking." Patty: "Sweet outfit!" *looks Stocking up and down* "But, um...Who are you supposed to be?" Stocking: Hey Liz. so, who's this with you? one of the new students? Stocking: i'm no one in particular, just a fairy. Patty: *Excalibur face* "If you are a fairy, that doesn't mean..._he_ is here, is he?" *glances at Kid* "Please tell me no." Stocking: ?? Liz: *blushes* "I can't quite remember this first-year's name..." Patty: "Him! He who must not be named! The Holy Sword! The creature with the pointy nose! Excalibur!" Stocking: oh? well i haven’t seen anything like that here. Patty: *sigh of relief* Stocking: well, nice to meet you miss....? Mio: Oi, Hepburn, dont look now but i think you're boyfriends comin' over. Tamaki: "Jeez, you can't even remember my name after meeting me just a minute ago, Stretch?" *holds hand out to Stocking* "Hey. I'm Tamaki. Pleasure." Anya: *puts hand over face to obscure from being seen* "Not again..." Stocking: oh? well nice to meet you. nice costume. *waves* Mio: wanna hide in the haunted house? we'll keep him offa you. Tamaki: "Yeah, I'm a sucker for all things Mew." *grins* "You look like a great fairy, by the way." Anya: "Lead the way. Now." * walks past Mio--even though she just said she needs to be guided* Stocking: thanks. i think i saw you in the tournament on TV earlier today. Mio: sure, Oi Ao-chii, you wanna take her for me? i think Meme got lost somewhere again. Tamaki: *freezes, covers face* "Ugh..._everyone_ saw _everything_ on that tournament..." *crosses hands over chest* Stocking: hmm? what was that? Ao: "Again? Anya, any tips for how to find your friend?" Tamaki: "Word of advice: string bikini top and a lot of running into other people do not mix...I don't know why they don't put a five-second delay on that live coverage. Everyone saw me..." Mio: i'll handle Meme for ya, just hide before fedora-lord gets over here. -_-; Stocking: ok...? Well, i wanted to check out the haunted house, you guys wanna come with? Anya: "Thank you! Oh, Liz, Patty--I didn't see you. Could you lead me to the haunted house?" *Turns to see Stocking and Kid. Looks closely at Stocking.* "Oh! Are you also a princess?" Stocking: oh? no, although my dad does call me that....well, sure, just follow us. -the haunted house is very dark and foggy, it almost looks like you are outside- Kid: *Groan* "Horrible. I can't see a thing." Liz: "That's the point, Kid--increases the scare factor." *Liz nudges Stocking* "If you get scared, you gonna grab a hold of your boyfriend?" Stocking: are you?.... whatever lets just go in. Anya, maybe you're friend wandered in here by accident? Anya: "Knowing my luck, likely. But if that's the case, I'm less worried for Meme--than I am for any fake monsters she mistakes for real, then punches in the face..." -there is a sign. 'this is a haunted house not meant for the faint of heart or the weak of mind. There are specialized candles placed that may mess with your mental perception and make it seem more frightening than they are. remember; you are in no real danger, its all in your head- Patty: "Huh. Good thing I got nothing in my head!" *taps her skull* Liz: "Stop undervaluing yourself, Sis. Let's get in so that Kid and Stocking can get all intimate in the dark. :3 " Stocking: h-hey come on! geez... -the first room looks like the room of an old mansion left forgotten in time- -the silence is almost defining, everything is coated in a thick layer of dust and cobwebs, though no spiders can be seen- -the floorboards creak with each step taken- Kid: "It's horrifying! Look at all that dust!" *Everyone facepalms* -out of the shadows, a black cat with two tails jumps out and down the dark hallway- Anya and Liz: *screams, clutching each other* Stocking: i think it was a nekomata? maybe we should follow it? Kid: "S-sure." *sweating, tightens grip on Stocking's hand* "Um...tell me, what about the nekomata that was so important?" Stocking: hmm? oh, well it ran down that way, so maybe we should go that way? i think this was the planned route anyway? just try not to get lost in here. Kid: "Right. Come along, Liz, Patty, Anya." *Looks back--and sees no one there* "Oh no..." Stocking: *looks at the stairs* Tamaki? You up there? Tamaki: *peeks down* "Oh, hey! Where did the rest of the group go?" Stocking: we're down here. come on, you nearly gave us a heart attack. i heard some people had to go to the nurse after they went in here alone. Tamaki: "Hope it was the actual nurse, and not someone in one of those stupid 'sexy nurse' costumes." *waves at Kid* "Hey, Li'l Death. What happened to your twins?" Kid: *glum* "Separated, I'm afraid. I'm sure we'll see them around here soon. Where did the cat go? Which hallway should we take?" Stocking: oh shit... we better find them. i think the cat went straight up ahead. i just hope they're together...i heard bad stuff happens if you end up by yourself in here... -Meanwhile- -Anya: "What touched me?!" Patty: "That was my hand." Anya: "Why is it on my backside?!" Patty: "Where else am I to grab if not your ass?!" Kid: "...I think you should expect the worst." Stocking: yeah, i heard one kid went in by himself and practically had a panic attack... Kid: "I do hope these candles are not as...mind-altering as I was led to believe." *Tenses* "Did you feel something?! I just felt something like fingers touch my neck!" Stocking: no... remember what the sign said, its all in your head. Stocking: how are you holding up Tamaki? Tamaki: *wide-eyed* "Fine. Just fine. But, um...Stocking? Since when did you grow a third eye in your forehead?!" \those two have become close, haven’t they boy?\ Stocking: huh? *looks at mirror* ....i don’t see anything... Stocking: its ok, just breath. *pats her back* \if that thieving kitten got any closer, your angel might fall in love with her \we can’t have that now... can we boy?\ Tamaki: "Easier said than done--I'm kind of freaking out!" Kid: *listening* "Did either of you hear something? I thought I heard meowing." Stocking: hmm? no, just these creaky floors... \maybe you should lure the other girl away...\ \and break her little neck\ Kid: *eyes widen* "No!" *looks around, sees Stocking and Tamaki looking at him, Stocking looking concerned but Tamaki clenching her teeth in horror* "Sorry...the stress must be getting to me..." *Kid clutches his hand, stares at Tamaki's neck. Whispers to himself* "Never..." Stocking: hmm? *a small shadow goes into one of the rooms, where faint piano music is playing* Kid: *Happy for any interruption* "Did you see something Stocking?" Stocking: yeah, i think it went in here. *opens a door* \she's in the way of you and your angel being together\ Kid: *holds Stocking's shoulders, using her like a shield between him and whatever is inside the room* *squeaks* "What do you see?" *glances back at Tamaki.* ‘How can I get her to leave Stocking and me alone?’ Stocking: just a piano and a fireplace.... the piano is playing though.... though no one is sitting there.... -the bust on the fireplace glances at kid with a twisted smile- \smash her head in!!\ Tamaki: "Maybe it is a player piano?" Stocking: well, i dont see them in he-... huh? -a figure is seen trembling in a corner and crying- Tamaki: "Who is that?" *softer voice, calling out to the figure, approaching them* "What's wrong?" *gets up to the figure, crouches to meet them* \take the bust, now is your chance to bash her brains in\ ????: uhuuuuu... i hate this creepy house, i dont know how to get out, i just wanna go home.... m-mommy... \kill her kill her kIlL hEr KiLl HeR\ Tamaki: *smiling* "It's okay. It's going to be alright." *holds out a hand* "Take my hand. We'll lead you to someone who can find your mother." Kid: *glances at a bust atop the piano. glanced where Tamaki is crouched* ????: HYAAAAAA!!! *throws a punch, smack in tamaki's face* IYAAAAAAAAA!!!! Stocking: AH! hey, you alright? whats the big-... huh? -trembling in the corner is Gopher, dressed like bridget from guilty gear- Tamaki: "Do you know this person?" Gopher: NOOOOO I WANNA GET OUTTA HEEEEEEREEEEE!!!! *blinks and stares* Stocking: i think so.... some weird kid.. dont know if he's a student or not... i think he was one of our enemies at one point? *shrugs* Kid: *walks towards Gopher--and instead heads to where the bust is on the piano* Gopher: *ahem* im fine, totally fine... hey, stupid reaper, where are you going? Examining that ugly bust? Stocking: Kid? are you alright? *taps his shoulder* Kid: *glances up* "Nothing. Nothing at all." *his fingers move towards the bust--then stop, pulled back immediately* "I think we should leave, now." Stocking: yeah, looks like the weird kid is coming with us. Gopher: *glares at her with his ^ frown.* Kid: *glares at gopher* "I could live without having _him_ accompany us...Just look at that horrid frown on his face." Gopher: Believe me, the feeling is mutual, but I have no idea of how to get out, so I may as well be stuck with you for a little while. Kid: *looks at bust* "I could think of one way to get you out of this room..." Gopher: *ducks into the hall* eep! Tamaki: "What was that about?" *to Stocking* "Think if we follow that guy, he'd lead us out of here? And find your other friends, Anya and those sisters?" Stocking: its worth a shot. Tamaki: "I'll lead." (smirks at Kid and Stocking) "Don't fall behind, lovebirds." Stocking: *blushes a bit* you ok kid? Kid: "...I want to tell you something, but I want you to keep it a secret. Please?" Stocking: oh? What is it? Kid: "I think I have been...hearing voices." Stocking: really? …. Shit we need to get out of here… Kid: "...Yes." (Kid thought, "I'm just thankful she hasn't asked _what_ I heard...") Tamaki: "Guys! I found a door labeled "This Way To The Exit!" stocking: hmmm... *she creaks the door open* .... O_____O;;; kid: "AH! Asymmetrical!" Tamaki: "What the fuck?! Shut the door! Shut it!" Gopher: nope nope nope nope NOPE! Kid: "Run away!" Tamaki: "Which way?! Stocking?!" *CRACK* *thud* Stocking: ow….. what did I land on?...you ok? Kid: "Stocking! Where are you?!" Tamaki: "Hey! Whose hand is that?!" Stocking: shit its dark down here…. Kid? Gopher: aaahhh what am I grabbing?! Kid: "Stocking! What do you see?! See calling out! I am listening for your voice! I would read your soul, but the candles--the everything!--is obstructing my soul perception!" Tamaki: "My butt, you stupid brat!" (Tamaki swings her arm in the dark to punch Gopher--and instead knocks over something that starts sparking) "A-a flashlight?" Stocking: maybe try turning it on? Kid: "Stocking! I can hear you! Is anyone with you?" Tamaki: "Let me just bend down and grab the flashlight..." (Freezes, begins sweating) "I-I-I don't think this is a flashlight...I think this is someone's...someone's..." (Removes hand) "Yuck! I touched that weird V-frown person's...his...his...Ew!" Gopher: GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!! *PUNCH* stocking: i think tamaki and weird kid are down here with me gopher: MY NAME IS GOPHER DAMMIT!! Tamaki: "Ow! My face!" Kid: (calling) "Yes, I can hear Tamaki's screaming. I think I'm almost there--whoops!" Gopher: ack! Kid: "Oh. I thought I tripped over someone important. Guess I was lucky I didn't." Kd: (to Stocking) "Are you okay, my dear? (Blushes) I mean--Stocking?" Gopher: fuck you too. stocking: yeah, im fine. tamaki, do you have that flashlight? Tamaki: "Finally, no thanks to this jerk getting in my way..." (Glares at Gopher--then shines the flashlight on him) Stocking: do you think you can shine that around the room? Just to get an idea of where we are? Tamaki: (swings flashlight around--blinding Stocking, then Kid) "At least I can see you two." (points up inadvertently) "Oh, an attic door." (shines in front of her) "A stairway..." (shines to left) "A painting of....someone in a skull mask?" (shines to right) "The door I came out of." (shines behind) "And another door." Stocking: I think that painting is lord death, the school’s headmaster. Kid: (serious) "Yes. That is father." (glares at Gopher. Looks to Stocking) "Do you think the stairs would lead us to an exit? Perhaps this path is more circuitous than expected. Or we may find Anya, Liz, and Patty up there." Stocking: ok, I’ll go first. *she goes up the stairs* stocking: huh? hey! i found someone! you ok? Liz: (clutches Stocking's waist) "I was so scared! Get me out of this hellhole!" (Liz is clutching Anya's necklace) Stocking: ah! Hey, were are liz and patti? Liz: (wraps her hands around Stocking's neck) "I am Liz! I lost Patty! And Anya! And Kid! And--" (realizes she is strangling Stocking) "Oh." (Lets go) "Sorry about that." (Calms herself. Sees Kid. Coughs, embarrassed. Waves sheepishly.) Stocking: *coughs* gah… liz geez… Kid: "Really, letting yourself be so afraid..." Liz: "BUT I HEARD VOICES!" Stocking:………… come on liz, just breathe…. Tamaki: "If we go up these stairs, Liz, where will they take us?" Liz: "I WAS TRYING TO FIND THAT OUT! Then something grabbed Anya! I tried to hold onto her, but all I could get was her necklace! Patty ran off to fetch her--and--and--and I can't find her!" Kid: "Stocking, shall we follow these stairs to see whether they lead us to Anya and Patty?" Stocking: seems like our best bet. Kid: "I'll lead." (glares at Gopher) "Will you watch our back?" Gopher: tch- fine. (Kid leads. The others follow through the rest of the stairs to the second floor.) Kid: "Stocking, you have the flashlight now. Could you shine it to show us what is in this room?" Stocking: ok. -it looks almost like a Shinto style shrine. With various ofuda plastered about the room- Liz: (absentmindedly taps an ofuda) "Should we be worried? Why would you need one of these pieces of paper?" -when she touched them, blue lights appeared down the long path to a door- Liz: (sheepishly) "Please tell me that rave music is going to start playing..." Tamaki: (frowning) "Doubt it." (Tamaki nudges Gopher, smiles) Tamaki: "How 'bout it, shorty? Want to lead us on this path to the door?" Gopher: hmmmm…. *opens the door with a creeeeeak* Liz: (clutches Gopher's shoulders, peeks into the door) "Am I the only one who sees two eyes...looking at me?" *SLAM* stocking: ok, how about the other door? Liz: (Rubs her nose, where door hit) "Ow." Kid: "I'll try the other door." (Grasps handle, opens the door--and light pours from the room) "I can't see what's in here! What is going on?!" Gopher: I think I found your friends. Patty: "Kiddo!" (runs by Gopher, who barely gets out of the way, and leaps into Kid's arms--causing Kid to fall, knocking Stocking down...again) Kid: "This pattern is getting old." Gopher: ick! *jumps out of kid’s arms* how unsanitary. Anya: (seated in a chair, someone's jacket draped over her shoulders, tended to by the haunted house organizer. Glares at her friends) "Took you long enough." (sees Gopher) "Who's the short one with the sour disposition?" Gopher: its gopher. And im perfectly fine, thanks for your concern. stocking: well that was an anticlimatic ending to that adventure. Anya: "I was not asking out of concern." Patty: (wraps her arms around Liz) "Yeah, anti-climbing wall alright. Bet you all are thirsty! Want drinks? Head back to the dancehall and boogie already?" Stocking: yeah, im starving. -a slow song begins playing- Kid: "Very well. We will get you refreshments." (Smiles at Stocking) "And sweets." (Pulls Gopher by the ear) "Come. I will need extra hands for all of these treats." Gopher: ow! Patty: "So, Stocking, you hold up okay through that scary haunted house? Outfit hold up okay?" Stocking: my wings got a bit bent up. Bummer. Liz: "Better fix those up, or else Kid will pass out." (Adjusts the wings to even out the bents) "Ah, better. You can now sing my praises.  " Stocking: ah, thanks liz. *chuckles* hey kid, wanna dance? Kid: (clutching a ton of food) "Oh! Um, yes! Sure!" (pushes the food into Gopher and Patty's arms) (Holds out both hands to Stocking) "I...I'm not the best dancer, though." Stocking: *she smiles and puts a hand on his waist, since she is taller than him, and holds his hand.* gopher: gak! oh sure, make me the pack mule. Patty: "Okay, Pack Mule! I'll take some of it off your hands!" (shoves a cupcake whole into her mouth. Grabs another and hands it to Anya) Anya: "...It has your slobber all over it... >-<" Kid: "...I don't supposed, you would mind leading?" Stocking: *she smiles and leads* Liz: "Check out the happy couple?" (Nudges Anya) Patty: "So, Pack Mule Gopher, you vote yet for the King and Queen?" Gopher: maybe, but why would I tell you who I picked? Patty: (tightens grip on wrist) " 'Cause if it is for anyone but my Kiddo, then that blood around here won't be just fake..." Liz: "Patty. Stop." Gopher: that blonde girl is glaring. rosalie: (oc) .......... Patty: "...What?! You never see someone threaten someone for votes?!" Liz: (Slaps hands across Patty's mouth) "Hi, Rosalie! You dancing with anyone?" Rosalie:…… oh? N-not yet…. Im waiting for him… Liz: (coy) "And who is he? Is he cute?" -it seems its time to announce the dance queen- Kid: (sweats) "Did we miss our chance to vote?!" announcer: our runners up for the title are; Sonia Nevermind, Anya Hepburn, Tsubaki Nakatsukasa, Stocking Pheles, Celestia Ludenburg, Claire Bernard, Isadora Rivenmeyer, Marcy Hamilton, Iris, Mami Tomoe, Layla Richards, and Maki Oze. Rosalie; he is…. Perfect…. Stocking: looks like i didnt get it... announcer: we also had two write-in runners up: Rosalie Carver and Kirika Kure. gopher: WHAT?! BULL CRAP! Kid: "I am sorry. But rest assured, you are the only queen for me." Liz: "Perfect how? Strong jaw? Tall, dark, and handsome? Got lots of money?" Stocking: oh, thanks kid. Rosalie: ………………… *walks away* announcer: and now for our 3rd place winner; Kim Diehl. Mio: 3rd place, not to shabby kim. announcer: and now, the title of our halloween dance queen shall be awarded to.... Nonon Jakuzure! Nonon: HELL YES!! Liz: "Rosalie, why you leaving me hanging? What, are you embarrassed? This isn't some nutjob again, is it?" stocking: looks like you got second place, Tamaki. Tamaki: (Smiles) "Guess people appreciate my beauty." (flips her hair--which collides in Gopher's face) Gopher: oh sure rub it in why don’t you! Kirika: goph, eat a snickers. Gopher:…. *angrily eats it* Tamaki: "Don't get so pissy." (Holds out a hand) "Want a dance? After you have your Snickers?" Gopher: cute, but im here with someone. Patty: (looks at sister) "Corner her in the bathroom?" Liz: (nods) (The Thompsons follow Rosalie) Tamaki: (grimace) "Hey! I'm the princess here!" anya: "No, that would be me--" Tamaki: "Not now, Anastasia! Look, shrimp, if I want to dance, I want to dance! Unless you want a fireball chasing you to the dance floor, you dance now! I'm sure your date won't be that jealous!" announcer: and now the runners up for dance king; Misono Alisuin, Renzou Shima, Tetsuya Kato, Tom Hyung, Hiro Kenshimono, Lewis Hawkins, Oscar De'Arc, Arthur Boyle, Yukio Okumura, Byakuya Togami, Andre Lee, and Akane Hoshii. stocking: come on, knock it off you two announcer: and in 3rd place for the title; Hao. Kid: (leans closer to Stocking) "Well, so much for making the ranking..." Tamaki: (crosses arms) "Well, who's going to dance with me?" stocking: well some weird blond guy named 'Reid' i think doesnt have a date, so ask him maybe? announcer: and our winner of dance king is; Shinra Kusakabe! stocking: hey, second place isnt so bad kid. rosalie: .......... *takes the hand of one boy and takes him outside* Justin: ... ?? Miss Iris? you seem somewhat disheartened. Liz: "Okay, so who was that?" Patty: "I couldn't see who Rosalie had. I think he was wearing a mask. At least, I hope that was a mask." (shudder) Tamaki: "Reid? Who, that guy next to the tall dude? Hmm. I guess he'll do." (shouts across hall) "Reid! You're dancing with me, now!" Reid: HELL YES! Hao: --; Iris: "Mister Law!" (Iris almost drops her drink) "F-Fine, sir. I'm fine. I'm just, well, not used to such crowded social gatherings." Justin: neither am I to be honest, but I do try. Tamaki: "Awesome! Just keep your hands where I can see them, bub." Chidori: well, im glad he found a date tonight. ginka: hey iri-nee, about the dance king, do you like him? justin: !! ginka! its not polite to ask that! Iris: (coughs on her drink. Justin pats her back until she can breathe) "Shinra is, you know, a friend. (whispers) Sure he would rather be around Maki, Tamaki, or someone else..." Justin: ….. well.. hmmm… to be honest, matters of the heart are not my strong suit. So im not sure what I can say… rosalie: *comes back inside alone, her costume looks more red than it did* Iris: "It helps, sir, just to know I'm not alone..." (smiles at him) Patty: "That's weird." Liz: "Did she change outfits?" Stocking: so, want to go to the movie room, I think they’re showing the rocky horror picture show now. Kid: "Certainly. Although, I've never seen that film. Be honest: do you think I'll enjoy it?" Stocking: probably. stocking: unless you'd rather do something else~ Kid: "No, no, a film would be enjoyable, at least to rest our feet and sit. Oh! I see two seats there! Wait...Who is that next to the seats?" Mio: found meme. she was in here. Meme: "Howdy! How's it going, Stocking?" Stocking: good. How’s the movie so far? Meme: "They're about to bring Rocky to life!" stocking: cool. Kid: (eyes widen) "That one person's outfit is rather...outrageous..." Stocking: *flashbacks to halloween 2 years ago* *cringe+Excalibur face* Kid: "Are you okay, Stocking?" (stares at screen) "HOW DO YOU DRIVE A MOTORCYCLE LIKE THAT?!" Stocking: y-yeah, its nothing. Meme: "Their outfits are so adorable! And sexy!" Mio: *blushes* m-m-m-meme-sempai!! Random student: "Oh, don't be such a prude! Come on--wouldn't you like to get into one of those outfits? It is Halloween--you might as well enjoy yourself! Be someone different!" mio: hmmm.... stocking: *smirks* -after the movie- stocking: want to carve pumpkins? Kid: "Oh, is that happening here at the dance? Or elsewhere?" Stocking: I think there’s an area in one of the rooms to decorate pumpkins. Kid: (smirks) "We won't get lost arriving at this room, will we?" stocking: i think there are signs directing us to it. Kid: "Let us follow the signs, then! Um...Why is Patty dunking Anya's head into a bucket of water?" Stocking: I think that’s the apple bobbing. Anya: (Flailing arms) Patty: "Oh! I think she got an apple!" (Tugs Anya up by her hair) Anya: (Gasping) "I DON'T CARE WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS A COMMONERS' GAME!" Patty: (eyeroll) "Let me show you how the pros do it..." (Dives head in, five seconds later comes up with two apples in her mouth, spits them to floor) "There! Now, what's my prize?!" Student: congratulations, you’ve won… hmmm. Ah yes, a set of ear buds! Kid: "...Let's pretend we don't know them and just hurry to start carving...What kind of pumpkin design do you want to make?" Stocking: hmmmm, it’s a secret~ Patty: (stares) "I guess this'll help when Kid starts whining..." Kid: (teasing) "Not even a hint for me?" Stocking: you’ll just have to wait, now wont you~? Kid and Stocking sit at a table in a bright room--with some black lights ready for once everyone is done carving) Kid: "Now begins the struggle: determine a perfectly symmetrical design...Hmmm...Ah! I will carve the Number 8 into it!" Stocking: hmmm… *the pumpkin carving resembles the face of a young girl and a stuffed rabbit* Look, I made Raku-chan and her rabbit! Kid: (wide-eyed) "...That was fast..." (slight chuckle) "Don't let Crona see that rabbit..." Stocking: ok then. your carving is really good. Kid: (blushing) "I think the top curve on the 8 is a bit uneven...But if you like, then I am satisfied." (small smile) stocking: *she giggles* Kid: (laughing along with her) "I am really happy to be here with you." stocking: im glad to be here with you too. (Kid tentatively puts a hand on the table, near Stocking's...) Stocking: *she hands him one of the carving tools* looking for this? *she grins* Kid: (Sweatdrop. Takes the tool. Quietly) "Yes, thank you." (Returns to perfecting some of the carving) -after that- Stocking: so what did you want to do now? Kid: "I suppose we should find our friends first. I hate to imagine what Liz and Patty have done. Would you like to take a walk while we're still in our costumes?" Stocking: sure, sounds like fun. Kid: "Liz! Patty! Are you here?" (Looks at Stocking) "Should we check on that v-frown person and anyone else?" Stocking:…..!!! is that patti playing spin the bottle in there? Patty: "Spin! Spin! Spin! Spin! And it lands on..." [Any choice?] Chidori: oh… oh my! *she blushes* Patty: (wiggles eyebrows, puckers lips) *chuu~* Chidori: *blushes+heart eyes* hehehehehe~ (Patty's leans towards Chidori, waiting to see what she does.) -they smooched- stocking: awww. Patty: (pulls back) "That was super! NOW LET'S DO IT AGAIN!" Liz: (Holds back her sister by the collar) Layla: chidori, you ok? chidori: heheheheheh~ Liz: "I guess it's my turn." (Liz spies around the circle, focused on her target...Who could it be...) stocking: i think we'll leave this ambiguous. Kid: "If they are busy, I am sure they will get home safely. They did not become the Devils of Brooklyn without being able to tend to themselves." (Holds out her hand) "Shall we depart, my angel?" Stocking: what was that? Kid: (freezes) "Sh-shall we depart?" (nervous smile) Stocking: hmmm. Yeah, I think I’ve seen everything here tonight. And we got our pumpkins, so yeah. Kid: "Yes, it is convenient that the school provided us with these containers to take the pumpkins home. Well, wave goodbye to our peers." Stocking: see you guys tomorrow~ Kid: "Good night!" Liz: "Later, lovebirds!" Patty: "Don't do anything I would do!" (Kid and Stocking exited the DWMA and began to descend the stairs) Stocking: I had a really great time today. *she smiles* Kid: "I'm happy for that. Would you like help carrying your pumpkin? I'm sure I can manage." Stocking: thanks, but I can handle it. I appreciate the offer though. Kid: "Very well. I guess we should return to your residence?" Stocking: yeah. I need to get plenty of sleep for the trick-or-treating im gonna be doing tomorrow~ Kid: "Just a few blocks, then." (Looks up) "I'm surprised I can see so many stars--hardly any clouds." Stocking: careful there, you don’t want to fall down the stairs and hurt yourself now. Kid: (trips--sending his package flying up--then assumes a back-defying pose to maintain balance and catch the package) "Heh--I am never off-balance. Now the next problem..." (slowly adjusts himself so he can stand upright again) Stocking: hehe, show-off. Kid: "Guilty." (smiles, slowly adjusts himself until he is upright) "Where do you intend to trick or treat tomorrow? Have you found some decent neighborhoods?" Stocking: right here in death city. It’s a big place, so there are bound to be some nice hot-spots. Maybe I might come over to your place~ *she winks* Kid: (blushes) "That would be nice. I can promise you that we have enough candy to feed an army...Assuming Patty hasn't devoured most of it...Would that be enough for you?" Stocking: maaaybe~ Kid: "Hmm...Maybe I should get more candy tomorrow, then?" Stocking: perhaps~… ah, looks like we’re here. Thanks for a great time tonight…. *she is almost at the door before she pauses* ah! Crap I forgot something! Kid: (raises an eyebrow) "And that is?" Stocking: *she walks up to him and places a sweet, yet firm kiss on his nose* happy birthday kid. Well, early birthday anyway. (Kid is frozen. Slowly, his hands come to his nose--but he stops himself from touching, letting the feeling stay there a bit longer. He gives a small smile.) Kid: "Right in the center...Th-thank you for the birthday wish." (He blushes, unsure what to add) Stocking: see you tomorrow then. *she smiles and heads inside* Kid: (uncertain how to proceed) (calls inside as Stocking passing through the door) "Yes, I will see you tomorrow. G-good night, Stocking." ~the next morning~ maid 1: miss liz? is the young master alright? he seemed in a daze when he came home last night. he isnt intoxicated, is he? Kid: (walking by, humming happily, with a stupid grin on his face) Liz: (sipping coffee brought to her by the maid) "Yeah, but on love." Maid 1: is that so? maid 2: at least he isnt moping about like always. maid 1: Elsa! be nice! elsa: (maid 2) well its true though... Liz: (chuckles) "It's cute. By the way, who's taking care of Trick Or Treaters stopping by? And how are things going with..." (Looks to make sure Kid isn't nearby) Liz: (whispers) "The birthday surprise?" Maid 1: well, we have April and May taking care of trick or treaters, and I believe lord death is discussing those matters with the death scythes. Liz: "Hey, what can Patty be up to? She is going to want to help out, so where do you think she would be most useful?" Maid 1: perhaps with planning the party games? Im sure miss Mjolnir has it under control, but it might be nice to have some extra help there. Liz: (devious grin) "I'm sure Patty's ideas would spice up the party games for the guests. BTW, you made sure to have Stocking on the guestlist, right?" Maid 1: yes, we have made sure of that. But, I heard that she was trick-or-treating tonight so… Liz: "So, what's the plan? Will she be trick or treating and make her way here during that? Or is she gonna be distracted by all that candy and miss this party?" Maid 1: well, since trick or treating is from 5-7, and the party starts at 8, I think there will be plenty of time for her to arrive. Liz: (taps finger on her chin) "Okay. But if she isn't here at 8 exactly, I'll end up having to look for her..." Kid: "Look for who?" Liz: "KID!" Maid 1: looking for Cassidy since she’s so lazy. Ellen is bound to have her head for this. Liz: (sigh of relief) Kid: (raises eyebrow) "Hmm. Well, don't over-exert yourselves--after all, isn't today a great day?! By the way, what is on my itinerary?" Maid 1: well, I believe your father said that he wanted to speak with you. he’s at the school so you should hurry and see what he wants. Melina will be accompanying you. Kid: (slight laugh) "Good thing I am already showered, dressed, and prepped--even though it took me 12 seconds longer than usual...I must be a bit distracted." (snaps fingers) "Come, Melina. Let me bring my coat and pocket mirrors. Liz, call me on the mirrors should you require anything." (marches to entrance's closet) Melina: of course, sir. *she nods and follows* maid 1: excellent, that should keep him distracted long enough to prepare everything. and i believe we should open the cellar door. Liz: "What you got hiding in the cellar?" *the maid opens the door. And for some reason the death scythes are there* maid 1: hello. i take it the mirror is still in good shape down there? Dengu: (hunched over) "I had hoped this cellar would be taller...It is most uncomfortable in here..." maid 1: well, do come in. we have some staff to help you with your assignments. Dengu: "Thank you." (Climbs down stair/door, stretches) Tezca: "Hurry up! I need a bathroom! Justin, move your butt!" Justin: *follows.* Spirit: "I don't see why we had to meet here. We still don't have all the stuff we need, do we? Are you sure there isn't anything left at DWMA to bring? Or any shops you want us to visit?" Ellen: everything is being brought in through the back. *looks at maid 1* thank you Lucille, you may take your leave. Lucille: yes ma’am. *exits* Spirit: "I better call back catering to tell them to drop off the food to the back entrance, then." Dengu: "I would like to begin decorations. Could one of you lead me to a ladder? And to any decorations you already have here?" ~meanwhile at the school~ Kid: (entering the Death Room) "Father? We have arrived." Melina: shall I get you something to drink? Kid: "Just water, please." Lord Death: "Green tea, if you please!" Melina: understood. *she goes to do that* Lord Death: So Kiddo, how did you enjoy the dance last night? Kid: (sighs) "It was eventful." (blushes) "And...satisfying." Lord death: that’s good. I’ve heard you made some new friends too, is that right? Kid: "Yes, some from the 1st and 8th fire Brigade. Eccentric, to be sure. Tell me, do you anticipate shared missions with them soon? Why are we inviting them to Academy social gatherings?" Lord death: well, since many more monsters and such have begun to crop up from the woodwork, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to form alliances with other organizations to preserve peace, such as the 119, True Cross Academy, various guilds, and even a few magical girls. Kid: "That should keep things interesting around here--complicating some things, simplifying more, I hope." (taps his index fingers together) "I've been pleased with at least one person it has put me into contact..." Kid: "Was there something you wanted to discuss? Are there any emergencies?" Lord death: not at the moment, I was hoping to spend a little quality time with you. Kid: (smiles) "That sounds nice. Shall we have a seat?" (looks around) "Um...Where are the seats?" Lord death: ah! Right. *claps and summons chairs* there we go. Looks like our drinks are here. Thank you melina. Melina: of course sir. (Kid seats himself) Kid: "Father...I would like your advice. I feel...confused about my feelings about...someone." Lord death: oho? How so? Kid: (clasping his hands) "There is...someone I know, and when I'm around her, I feel nervous, over-thinking what to say, worried I will make myself look foolish. I do not like to look foolish, and I do not want her to hate me for looking foolish." Lord death: hmm. Interesting. lord death: and how long have you been having these feelings? Kid: "I don't know. Maybe a month into knowing her...which, even that was quite a while ago..." Lord death: do you think about her a lot? Kid: "Yes! Exactly! I mean, I assure you, Father, I am focused on important tasks at hand, especially missions and...well, not schoolwork since that has always come easily to me, but--Oh, I'm rambling! But when I'm not focusing on important work...I mean, I don't mean to suggest she isn't important. But when I am not busy, she is the first person I think about. That's weird, isn't it?" Lord death: sounds to me like you have a little crush. Kid: "Yes, I think that is what I would call it...I'm not sure what to do now. We danced, I walked her home, and she--um, she said she would be out Trick or Treating tonight, so I expect she'll be by the Mansion. What if I look foolish again when she comes by the house?" Lord death: well no need to worry too much. Im sure you’ll be fine. *pats his back* Kid: (smiles) "Thank you. Enough of my rambling. How are you?" Lord death: I’ve been doing quite well. Rather busy, but well none-the-less. Kid: "How are the new NOT students coming along?" Lord death: they’ve been doing quite well. I believe one of them is related to a member of our special ops. Kid: "Seizemore? Interesting. Tell me a bit more: has she had any problems being overshadowed by Clay?" Lord Death: not from what I can tell. Seems like she goes by her own pace. Kid: "And the students who recently switched from NOT to EAT--how are they?" Lord death: they’ve adapted fairly well. Kid: "Death Scythes--how are they?" (looks around) "I'm surprised Spirit or another has not interrupted our talk." Lord death: they’ve been given a top secret mission. Super hush-hush. Kid: (raises eyebrow) "As your son, would it not be in your best interest to inform me?" Lord death: hmm… I would, but I just remembered. We’ve finished re-doing the school auditorium! Kid: "Oh." (eyeroll) "Thrilling. (aside: Brilliant segue, Father. Okay, I'll play along...) Why the refurbishing of the auditorium? Still trying to convince Soul's brother to perform?" Lord death: well, since the school is expanding to suit the needs of the new students, we figured that expanding the auditorium may benefit for the morale of the students and clubs, like the theater club and light music club for example. Kid: "Theater club? Hmm...Well, we are involved with espionage. I expect learning how to improve some students' acting talents would assist us...aside from some large hams such as Black Star who could learn more restraint...Any play you are interested in producing?" Lord death: you’d have to consult with the theater club president on that. Kid: "Oh, you already lined up a president? Student or faculty?" Lord death: each club has a student as president, and one adult chaperone. The club president is usually decided by the club members. I believe you’ve met the school’s AV club already, they are the ones who do the school broadcasts. Kid: "Yes, I did meet her. Who is the adult chaperone for Theater?" ~some time later~ Kid: "Melina? Did Father seem taciturn? I do tend to worry when he seems to keep secrets from me." Melina: while I do not meddle in family affairs, I do know he does what he does for your own well-being. Kid: "I hope you are right..." (sardonic smile) "I would like not to have another Kishin-size surprise explode under my feet..." Melina:…….. oh, I believe that is your friend. *points to stocking, who has just finished dropping off her treat stash at her home and is enjoying a sweet treat* Kid: (freezes, hides behind Melina, turns her around to face him) "How do I look? Is everything in order? Any hair out of alignment?!" Melina: ?? young master? Are you alright? Kid: "YES I AM FINE!" (Covers mouth. Clears throat) "Please answer my earlier questions. I want to look presentable to Stocking." Melina: you look fine sir. Kid: (smiles--too wide, rather nervous) "Th-thank you. I guess I should greet her!" (marches from behind Melina towards Stocking--rather stiltedly) Stocking: *humming* hmm? Oh, hey kid! *she waves* Kid: "Salutations. How was your Trick or Treat endeavour? May I interest you in some Gallows Mansion candy?" Stocking: it was really good! I even got full sized bars in some places. Full. Sized. Bars! Well, I just finished, and I was planning on making your place my last stop. Kid: "Full-size is quite a haul!--er, accomplishment." (blushes) "I don't suppose I should consider this visit as you saving the best for last..." Stocking: *chuckles* maaaaaybe? Kid: "I'm just happy to have you here." (turns to see Melina waiting, turns back to Stocking) "In addition to our fine selection of Halloween treats, could I interest you in a drink? Water? Tea? Coffee? Perhaps a soda or a lemonade?" Stocking: some tea sounds nice. Kid: "Melina? When we enter, please provide tea for Miss Stocking." (Offers a hand to Stocking to lead her to the door) Melina: of course sir. stocking: *she smiles and takes his hand* Kid: (to Stocking) "So, did the heavy amount of candy that you carried home give you a sufficient workout?" Stocking: whats that supposed to mean? You tryin’ to imply something? Kid: (sweating) "I just meant you likely got so much candy that the weight of it probably required a lot of exertion for the average human! Not to suggest that you are average! You're above-average in your strength!" Stocking: well, maybe… oh, looks like your house up ahead… yep, that’s definitely your place. Kid: (teasing) "What gave it away: the perfect symmetrical appearance?" Stocking: pretty much. Kid: (looks into the windows) "Why is everything dark inside?" (frowns) "Did Patty tell the power company to turn off service again?" Stocking: I’ll go ahead. Kid: (glances at Melina) "What do you think has caused this problem?" -a shriek can be heard from inside- Kid: "Stocking?!" (Kid runs by Melina, dashes to the front door, and rips it open) -Stocking is standing in the ballroom- Kid: "Stocking? Are you okay?" (looks around) "Did the lights come back on?" -the lights switch on- everyone: happy birthday kid! Kid: "Ah!" (backs away--and lands against someone, or someones, behind him) Stocking: caught ya~ hehe~ Kid: (freezes, feeling Stocking holding up his shoulders, quickly re-balances himself) "Wh-what is all this? Birthday?" (pauses. Slaps forehead) "I forgot my own birthday...again..." Maid 3: cheer up sir. All your friends came to celebrate with you! Kid: (flustered) "I-I didn't mean to seem like I was taking offense! I am most certainly happy to have everyone here! I just, you know, did not expect to...I mean, for people to..." (clears throat, speaks professionally) "Thank you, friends and associates, for taking time in your busy schedules to organize this surprise birthday party. Your presence demonstrates to me your concern for me, and I am honored to have you in my residence. (And please tell me you wiped your feet before entering...I'm looking at you, Black Star...)" Lord death: well of course son, you’re important to all of us. Kid: "Father?! Is this why you had me meet with you? To not know this was all happening?" Lord death: well, it is a surprise party. stocking: *pats kid's back* come on, enjoy yourself today. Kid: (straightens up) "I think I can manage." (turns to Liz and Patty) "I expect that I owe considerable thanks to the best weapons a shinigami can have, yes?" Kid: (looks around the room) "And who else should I thank for these festivities? Our wonderful maids?" Kid: "I'm...really not sure what to do first. Games? Dance? Food? I know I should treat myself, but there seem to be infinite options." Stocking: how about that birthday dinner? You did promise to treat me to tea after all~ lord death: the death scythes all pitched in too! Kid: (bows to the Death Scythes) "Your service is always appreciated." (turns to Stocking) "I think a meal would be an excellent start. I have been peckish since that meeting with Father." (looks over Stocking at the entrance to the dining hall) "So long as Patty and Black Star have not already eaten most of the dinner..." Patty: "NO PROMISES! :3 " Kid: "Father, would you mind sitting with me and my...friend, Stocking?" Lord death: its no problem. I’d love to get to know your ‘friend’. *elbow nudges* Kid: (blushes) "Stocking, this is my father, as I'm sure you're aware..." Stocking: a pleasure to meet you in person, sir. lord death: as for you *shakes her hand* Kid: "Stocking, please sit opposite me, next to father." (snaps fingers) "Liz, Patty! At my sides!" (points to someone else) "You as well! I need a table with three people on each side of it!" Liz: "...Oh, joy--the birthday boy is delivering orders." Patty: "How is that any different than usual?" Stocking: *chuckles* Kid: (blushed at Stocking's laughter) "Do I see anyone here from our allied organizations, Father? Or are the guests only our friends from the DWMA?" Lord death: that depends if you’ve befriended anyone from those groups. Kid: "More like a friend of a friend, I would say." (Kid spotted one such friend: Shinra.) Shinra: *waves+nervous smile* Liz: "...Why is he smiling like that?" Stocking: I think it’s a nervous tick. Kid: (to Liz, warning) "Be nice." (smiles at Shinra) "I'm happy to see you here. Please, have a seat. This is my...friend Stocking, my partners Liz and Patty, and my father, Lord Death." Patty: "Are you one of those Fire People I keep hearing about?! What's it like? Who does your nails? Can we be BFFs?!" Shinra: well, sorta. It’s a bit complicated. And I kinda do my own nails. *nervous smile+sweat drop* Patty: (leans towards Shinra) "But wouldn't you like a new nail color? Here, let me take your hand!" (Liz smacks Patty upside the head) Liz: "Down, girl." Kid: (sweatdrop) "Um, Shinra, I assume you have met my father? And this is my friend Stocking." Kid: "What do you think of my residence?" Shinra: Yeah, Tamaki told me a little about you. oh, nice place. really.... big. Patty: "Don't get lost here! I did! It was horrifying! Terrible!" Liz: "It was five minutes." Patty: "Excruciating! So, you and Tamaki are close, huh?" Shinra: well, I wouldn’t say close as- we’re’s just aquaintences, that’s all. *sweats+nervous smile* Kid: "We're happy to have you here. I really do appreciate are new allies joining us on my birthday." (Takes up glass, stands up, clicks the glass) "May I have everyone's attention? I would like to have a toast, to good friends, old and new!" Stocking: here here! (Everyone drinks. Patty is about to throw her glass down to shatter it after finishing her drink. Liz pulls it out at the last minute, sets it on the table) Liz: "So, Stocking, what did you and lover boy here do after the party last night?" stocking: *almost chokes on her drink* oh, y-you know... talking and stuff. Kid: (petrified) "Yes. Talking. Stuff. Things." (coughs nervously) "Father, have you heard good things about the Halloween party? Such as how difficult it is navigate that Haunted House?" Lord death: I hear the party was a hoot. As is this one! And yes, I  was meaning to speak to you about that tomorrow. Kid: "Yes, this party is enjoyable. I am happy that the surprise of this party was far less terrifying than what the Haunted House provided." (looks around the room) "What exactly will be on the menu for this birthday get-together? Aside from cake, of course." Spirit: we got all kinds of stuff, we got catering from deathbucks, higanbanas, mortisimos, and Mille Fooly’s bakery. stocking: *drooling slightly* Kid: (offers a napkin) stocking: thanks. *blushes and wipes* Kid: (smiles, blushes as well) "Then may we place an order? What is everyone going to have?" Patty: "One of everything!" stocking: one big slice of cake please~ *licks lips* Kid: (smiles) "I haven't had dinner. I don't suppose I could have one of the vegetarian dishes, please?" Spirit: coming right up~! -after dinner, time for gifts!- Kid: "This is quite an eclectic blend! So many sizes, shapes, and colors!" (picks up one well-wrapped gift) "This one has very careful wrapping--such craftsmanship! Such exquisite beauty!" (eyes dart back and forth...shakes the box and listens to it) "Should this be my first to open? Or should I choose another one first?" Ellen: Here young master. all the maids worked hard on getting this. well. almost all. *glares at some of the lazier maids* -its a finely tailored suit- Kid: (goofy smile and shiny eyes) "Glorious." (puts arms togther) "Squee!" (then resumes serious face, studying every detail of the suit, raising sleeves, examining cloths, checking for missing threads...) "Perfect. Absolutely perfect. THANK YOU!" (Kid proceeds to obsess over the suit for minutes, putting Patty to sleep...) Random guest: hey! Give some other gifts a chance! Kid: (Grimaces. Coughs nervously) "Yes. Of course." (removes one that says "From Your Favorite Papa!") Kid: (opens the box) "I wonder what you have gotten for me, Father -it appears to be a music player- lord death: it plays CDs, cassettes, and records! you an even connect your optical pod! Lord death: more commonly known as 'ipod' Kid: (impressed) "Ooooo...I have been meaning to improve the audio output of the music Soul has given to me in the past. And so pragmatic, playing so many different audio formats." (smiles widely) "Thank you, Father." Lord death: of course son [thinking: YES! VICTORY!] Kid: "I look forward to setting this up in my bedroom. Or maybe in the living room for all of us to share..." (Picks up another gift, reads the label, freezes...) "Oh. Um, this one is from...Stocking." Stocking: yeah, I saw it while shopping and thought you’d like it. Kid: "Th-thank you." (Slowly, deliberately opens the gift, not wanting to ruin the wrapping paper at all..." -its a sleek new phone case. monochrome and symmetrical. with a little skull decal attached- Kid: "So...shiny...So...symmetrical...I love it, Stocking..." (feels his knees weaken) stocking: im glad you do. *she smiles* Kid: (holding eye contact) "Th-thank you." (smiles very happily) "It means a lot to have it. To you have here." (looks at Lord Death and the Thompsons) "And family." (looks around the room) "And so many friends." Kid: "I shall continue with the gifts...Here is one from Liz and Patty.." -it was a vase and a note that said 'sorry for breaking the old one'- Kid: (tense) "When was the old one broken...?" (looks with concern at the Thompsons--who both hide behind Melina.) Melina: i believe it was during the game night when miss patricia knocked mr evans into one of the vases. Patty: "Yep! Don't mess with me in Pictionary--I'll straight up knock you into a vase! So, you like the gift Kiddo?" Kid: (eye twitches over the broken vase, but recomposes himself and smiles) "I do. Thank you, Liz, Patty. You do look out for me more than any other weapon could." stocking: aww. Kid: "Melina, where should I place the vase? And which gift would you recommend I open next?" melina: i believe this is from your blue haired friend. the very, very loud one. *sweatdrop* Kid: "...He's right behind me, isn't he?" (covers ears before he shouts...) black*star: YO THATS A NICE SENTIMENT AND I APPRECIATE IT BUT I, THE ALMIGHTY BLACK*STAR, WISH YOU THE HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY OF ALL TIME!! (Patty and Liz cover their ears) Kid: "I CAN STILL HEAR HIM DESPITE COVERING MY EARS! PLEASE TELL ME HIS GIFT ARE NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONES! Tsubaki: "I'm sorry. Please, Kid, open and enjoy this gift." Kid: "...It won't blow up, will it?" -inside is an autographed photo of black*star and a blank diary- Kid: "Oh, joy. _Another_ autographed photograph of you. But the diary certainly is a welcome gift. Thank you." black*star: well since your other diary is getting full, i thought you'd need a new one. Kid: "...You found and read my diary, haven't you?" black*star: not gonna say, but do you ever write anything other than how much you love sto- Kid: (slaps hands over Black Star) "Breathe a word of this to anyone, and you will be eating all of your meals through a straw!" black*star: *muffled speaking* *licks his palm* Kid: (disgusted look, removes hands from his mouth) "Yuck! Liz! Patty! Hand sanitizer! Please tell me someone here gave me hand sanitizer as a gift!" Tsubaki: "I'm so sorry, Kid!" (tugs on Black Star's ear) black*star: ow -one of the maids goes to get hand sanitizer- Kid: (holds out hands for hand sanitizer) random maid: look! you got a gift from an animal! Kid: "...An animal?" (Glances at Black Star) "Could you be more specific?" maid: i think its from a gopher? Kid: (V-Frown) "Gopher...WHO INVITED YOU?!" Gopher: dont copycat me! and i have my ways.... kirika let me in. Kirika:*waves* yo Kid: (stares at Kirika) "Why would you do this to me?!" (looks to maids) "I ask that the next time we have a social gathering that you please post a "No Gopher" sign!" (looks to Gopher, takes the gift from him) "Thank you. Should I open it, or should I hand it to someone else in case it explodes?" Gopher: oh please, if I wanted to have you dead I’d have done it more discreetly. Consider this as an act of good samaritism. Kirika and I picked this gift out specially and with care- kirika: shut up and open the damn present already. Kid: "Fine." (slowly tugging on the ribbon, fully expecting it to explode--at which point he can toss it) "What is this? -inside the box is a c*ck p*mp, l*bric*nt, diapers, and a note- ‘we hope you enjoy your little gift. Kirika and I worked diligently to make the most embarrassing of gifts to utterly humiliate and shame you. we can see the look of horror and despair on your face. You know you’d never dare speak a word of the contents you have received, lest damage your reputation amongst your peers. Low and behold that we have claimed victorious in this battle.’ In kirika’s writing is a crude drawing and the words ‘go fuck yerself mate XP’- Kid: (shuts the gift, hands it to Melina) "Do not open and burn this immediately." (Snaps fingers) "Liz, Patty? See these two out of this Mansion, posthaste.) stocking: looks like they left. Kid: (fuming) "I am really trying not to let them ruin my birthday party...but I admit it is really hard when there are some really mean persons...At least I am around decent people here." chrona: h-here... i got these. -it was a pen set- Kid: (smiles warmly) "Thank you, my friend. I enjoy getting to work on my penmanship. I appreciate this, Crona. Are you enjoying the party?" chrona: *nods* Kid: "I am glad. Please tell me you will have some of the cake?" (glances at Stocking, teases) "There is some left, yes?") stocking: of course there is. stocking: *pout* i do have some self restraint... Kid: (thinking: "She's so cute...and attractive...") "I can trust that you do. Crona, would you like some? Ragnarok hasn't consumed your slice, has he?" chrona:..... yeah... and he did. Kid: (Frowns. Looks at the Black Blood around Crona.) "If your friend wants to have the extra special dessert I was saving for later--" (glances at Stocking, puts a finger over his lips as a promise she will have some, too) "--you will let Crona have this dessert and not touch it. Are you listening to me, Ragnarok?" Ragnarok:…. *eyes widen* for realsies? stocking: are you sure the special dessert isnt you~? Kid: (smirks) "Realsies." (Hands the cake slice to Crona. Stares at Ragnarok) "No snacking on Crona's cake. Or else no special dessert for you." (from behind him, Kid reveals the dessert--and hands it to Stocking) "She has her slice. You'll get yours once Crona finishes their slice." Kid: (to Stocking) "Eat yours now--before Ragnarok steals it." stocking: *nomnomnom* thank you kid~ *kisses both his cheeks* Kid: (freezes) "Th-th-thank...you..." (smiles--then notices everyone looking) "What?" maid: *slips something into kid's pocket* just in case. Kid: (goes to look in pocket) "Why? What is it?" maid: your dad said it was 'for protection' Kid: " 'Protection'? But I am already armed with weapons." (Points to Liz and Patty) "They are enough protection, are they not? What other protection would I need?" (Patty looks dumbfounded. Liz stifles giggles) maid: in case you and your... *ahem* 'friend' need to....resolve some things. Kid: (Glances at Stocking. Shrugs) "I guess my staff thinks that you and I need protection for something. Weird." (Smiles innocently, taps pocket) "Good to know they are looking out for us, huh?" (Patty is having to put her hands over Liz's mouth to silence her laughter) maid: *whispers* also we left that stuff in that box in your room. minus the diaper and note. Kid: (shocked, angry whispering) "Why would you ever leave that kind of stuff in my room?! When would I ever need that--" (freezes. Realizes what is in his pocket.) "Gah-gah-gah-gah..." (Kid's knees weaken. He seats himself at a chair) Patty: "You almost broke him, folks!" Liz: "Um, maybe we should give him the rest of his gifts? Who's next?!" stocking: kid? you ok? Kid: (leaps back a bit from Stocking--falling out of the chair) "Fine! Just--just wanted to enjoy how nice the floor is! Maybe I could get a lay--lay here! Maybe I could lay here!" (Snatches a gift nearby) "Oh, Maka! Thank you! I will enjoy this gift!" (Kid thinks: "I should lower my voice already.") -its a copy of the portrait of dorian grey- Kid: "Ah! You had recommended this text to me earlier. Thank you, Maka. May we discuss our thoughts on Wilde's novel after I finish reading it?" maka: sounds great. Kid: "Any more gifts? Soul? Tsubaki?" -soul got him a music CD, i think tsubaki got him a mug- Kid: (reads the mug) "Number 8 World's Best Shinigami." (sniff) "I am so blessed..." (wipes away a tear) "And thank you for the music, Soul. Well, then, after food and gifts, I think it is time to dance until this party ends!" stocking: so kid. want to dance? Kid: (calming down after receiving "protection", smiles) "Yes." stocking: *she smiles and dances slowly with him* Kid: (Leans a bit on her shoulder) "Everyone here has been so kind. Thank you for coming." stocking: hey, its no problem. *rubs his back a little* Kid: (inwardly screaming with joy) "I...Would you be interested in going out this weekend? Or next weekend? Or any weekend?" stocking: oh? where to? Kid: "Well, if you were free next weekend, I heard there was a carnival in True Cross Town. Care to visit?" Stocking: oh… well, you might be seeing me there. Kid: "I'll hold you to that." (Holds her closer) stocking: kid... Kid: "Yes?" stocking:.... nevermind. its nothing. Kid: (debating whether to press the issue, decides not to) "Hmm." (draws back, looks her in the eyes. Smiles as he takes both of her hands to continue their dance) stocking: seems you've been practicing. Kid: (sheepish) "Maybe." stocking: so many people here. its surprising for someone to keeps to themselves a lot to have so many friends. Kid: "I have been blessed. And it is up to me to be the friend everyone in this room deserves." (downcast) "I'm not sure I'm doing that well." stocking: i guess... *sight frown* i wish i could be nearly as lucky as you. Kid: (taken aback) "I do think it is the value of your friends, no matter how few, rather than the number of them. Would you say that the friends you have are there for you?" stocking: *sigh* actually, i dont have any, other than my family, the mansion staff, and honekoneko... actually. honekoneko is the one i really consider a legit 'friend'. Kid: (serious) "You have me." (smiles) "And that means you have Liz. And Patty. And Father. If you want to have us." stocking: *smiles a little* thank you kid. *she hugs him* that means a lot.. s-sorry for spilling my guts for you just now. Kid: "If you allow me to, er, spill my guts at to you so often, I cannot refuse to let you do the same. I really like you, Stocking." stocking: i really like you too kid. Kid: (stares into her eyes. Smiles) \do you really want to tell her your feelings boy?\ Kid: "Could I tell you something?" stocking: what is it? \what if she rejects you?\ Kid: (Listening to the voice around him. What on earth could that be?) \she just sees you as a friend. do you really want to ruin that now? foolish boy\ stocking: kid? you were saying? Kid: (Thinks...and thinks that, if he can be specific, and honest, then that is what any other person deserves) "Sorry. I just wanted to say what I'm about to say...perfectly and precisely..." \do you really want to risk it? what if she thinks you're a creep?\ \all these people are only here because they feel obligated to.\ \you’ve only just started to know her. if you tell her now you'll scare her away\ Kid: (Inhaled. Kid thought, better I be thought poorly now than refuse to be honest--because I have been deceived too often for me to hide what I feel and manipulate someone I care about.) "Stocking...I think...I am starting to fall in love with you." (His voice squeaked at the end of that sentence. He blushes, lets go of Stocking's hands, and covers his mouth.) stocking: w-wha? *blushes* Kid: (Freezes. Silent.) "I-I just mean I'm _starting_ to...I just wanted to..." (Looks down) stocking: *she doesnt say anything* ..... Kid: (Keeps looking down. Inhales. Exhales.) "I just wanted to say what I felt, to be open from the beginning. I have made things awkward, haven't I?" stocking: kid... i.... Kid: "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything yet." (lets go of her hands) "I should have waited." stocking:..... i.... *sighs* i need a little time to think about this. see you tomorrow. *slight wave and exits* Kid: (weakly tries to lift arm to wave goodbye, let's it fall...) "What do I do now? Who do I speak with?" shinra: *in deep thought* Kid: (bumps into Shinra) "S-sorry. I wasn't looking..." shinra: oh, hey, its fine man.... you alright? you dont look so good. Kid: (trying to maintain a cold, logical demeanor) "I'm...not. Sorry. I think I just said the wrong thing to...someone." shinra: ah. i can get that. *he nods* im sure you'll make it up to them one day... maybe. Kid: (inhales) "I hope so. I just...I don't know what to do." (looks to Shinra) "I want to speak with her now, but that is outrageous: she deserves to take agency and leave as she wishes. Do I call her tomorrow? Do I wait longer? What if I wait too long?" shinra: hey, calm down. ..... *sigh* im not exactly a girl expert, but maybe you should let her come to you first? Kid: "Yes. I just fear how long that will take..." -later that night, after everyone else has returned home- Kid: (Loud sigh) "What am I going to do?" (Patty walks by Kid in one of the living rooms--and stops to see what the reaper boy is doing. She waves to Lord Death, who is still around to help with clean up) Patti: "Pst! Boss! What's up with Kiddo?" lord death: im not sure. he's been like that since his little friend went home. Patty: "Should we talk with him?" (inches into the room, looks back to Lord Death to see whether he is coming) liz: kid? you ok in here? Kid: (shoots head up--his eyes are red) "F-fine. Just...a bad conversation with...Stocking." liz: oh..... !! kid... your eyes.... Kid: (sniffs, rubs left eye) "Please tell me they are both equally red...One feels more red than the other..." liz: dont tell me you've been crying in here all night... Kid: "No. I've also been regretting my actions and yelling into a pillow." (points to a nearby pillow--which has been ripped apart) "And then crying over how disfigured that pillow now is." liz: what did you even say to her? you didnt like insult her or anything, did you? Kid: "...I don't think I insulted her...But I think I said something that upset her." liz: and that was? Kid: "I said I was falling for her..." liz: and she wasnt? Kid: "I-I don't know what she is feeling! I thought she was...at least interested." liz: im not a mind reader, so i cant say for sure. if she does, then she does. if not, then your life isnt over. there's plenty of nice girls at school. Kid: "I-I know. I think I'm more upset at myself." (puts head in his hands) "I just wanted to say the right thing, perfectly. I'm a shinigami--I should be able to do so at all times...Shouldn't I?" liz: true, you are a shinigami. but you're also a person. you have your good qualities, but you also have your bad qualities. no one is completly perfect, that would be unrealistic. but thats what makes people balanced i think. Kid: "...What do I do when I feel like I'm unbalanced without her?" (sighed) "I sound like a stereotypical teenager, don't I?" liz: and i feel like the mom. *she chuckles* well, for now maybe try focusing on something else? like that new music player your dad got. that sounds like fun. patti! you want to help set it up? Patty: "On it!" (looks at the cables) "Where do these plugs go?" (Kid looks up at Patty) Kid: "How about you untangle them, first...especially since you are now entangled in them?" Patty: "Oh, yeah...Um, Sis? A little help to unwrap?" (Kid then looked to Liz) Kid: "Thank you, Liz. I...am starting to feel a little better." liz: sure any time kid. *goes over to patti* dammit patti how did you even get tied like that. it just looks.... *sigh* here, let me just get you out of there. Patty: (struggling to sit still, waiting for the wires and cables to be loosened) Kid: (reviewing his current music and new gifts) "Any particular genre you all would prefer? Father?" lord death: its your birthday, so choose whatever you like. Kid: "...If I choose a polka, you all will laugh at me, won't you?" liz: patti dont make those noises, you’re making it awkward! lord death: if it helps you, then do what you wish. Kid: "I'll...go with jazz instead. I think we all would enjoy it, especially Liz." (removes record from collection, waiting for setup) "Is the audio player ready for use?" liz: yeah, it is now. finally. Kid: (smiles) "Excellent." (places record on the player) "Patty, you ready for some music?" liz: i am. -fly me to the moon begins to play- Kid: (smiles a bit sadly when the song gets to 'I Love You') liz: *pats his back* Kid: (smiles) Patty: (plops down next to Kid, clutches him in a hug) "We love you, Kiddo! Cheer up!" Patty: "Right, Sis?" liz: of course. *sits on the other side and hugs him* Lord death: *hugs all 3 of them* Kid: (struggling to breathe) "Th-thank you all..." -the next day- Kid: (gets out of bed, showers, dresses, comes downstairs--debating whether to make his own breakfast or ask the maids) Kamille: Good morning young master. i see you're awake now. Kid: "Good morning, Kamille. I am feeling...a bit off. Could you recommend what I should have for breakfast?" Kamille: Would some tea and pancakes help? Kid: "Hmm...That sounds appetizing. May I request a flavor of pancakes?" Kamille: of course sir! what would you like? Kid: "Apple cinnamon?" kamille: coming right up~! Kid: "I trust Father returned to the Academy. And given the hour, I assume neither Liz nor Patty is awake yet, are they?" kamille: i believe they're getting ready now. you've been sleeping a bit later than usual. Kid: (checks watch) "That's still sooner than usual. I anticipate we will be ready for classes." (pensive) "I don't suppose...anyone left a message...on the phone...or in the mail...or by bat messenger..." kamille: well, other than the usual stuff the maid's take care of, that make-up kit miss liz ordered finally arrived. Kid: "Oh." (looks down) "Good for Liz." (taps his finger on the table) "Let me pour some tea. Oh, would you like some, Kamille?" kamille: i've already eaten today. but i appreciate the offer. Kid: "Oh." (taps fingers on his teacup, struggling to pass time) "H-how are you? I hope the post-party cleanup was not too stressful." kamille: not too much. Ellen 'maid' sure everything was in perfect order. hehe~ Kid: (glares at the pun) "Seriously?" kamille: huehehehe.... *sweatdrop* *ahem* carry on sir. -at school- Kid: "Quickly, Patty, Liz. I do not want to be late for our next class." Patty: "Yeah, Sis, get the lead out!" liz: yeah yeah i hear ya. -they arrived at stein's class. a certain someone was sitting near the back- Patty: "Look it is it, Kid!" Kid: (freezes, tenses up) -stocking was reading her notes quietly to herself. she glanced up at kid and looked back down, blushing a little- Kid: "Liz, Patty, we'll be sitting in this row today." (middle row of the class, far enough from the back row--but still close enough for Kid to look back at Stocking) stocking: ..... *slight frown* rosalie:............... Kid: (jots a few words on a sheet of paper) "Liz? Please pass this note to the back row." (the sheet says "STOCKING") liz: cant you do it? liz: *sigh* fine. *she passes the note* -when it reaches stocking, she is hesitant at first, but then opens it- Kid: "Can we talk after class? During lunch? Y/N" -stocking looked at the paper and slipped it into her bag- Kid: (jaw falls) Patty: "Oooh...She didn't even circle yes or no?" Kid: (loud whisper so not to attract teacher's attention) "DID YOU READ MY NOTE?!" Patty: (frowning) "Fine. I'll get her attention..." Patty: "Stocking! Want to talk with me after class?!" Stocking: *she doesn’t say anything* Patty: "Wow. You must have pissed her good." Kid: "Liz? Help? Should I wait until lunch to see what happens?" liz: that might be for the best. Kid: (puts head down into his textbook) "What are we studying, anyway?" liz: barrier rifts and outerrealms.... weird. Kid: "Rift..." (sigh) "So, we're trying to find ways of traveling vast distances in a short amount of time?" -at lunch- stocking: ...... *notices a boy with spiky back hair walk past* excuse me. but see that kid with the white stripes in his hair. can you ask him to come over here by himself? Shotaro: "Sure! Good deed, away!" (runs by Stocking--on all fours) Kid: (holding his lunch tray to find a seat at the cafeteria--and almost collides with Shotaro) Shotaro: "You! Come with me!" (clutches Kid's tray, tugging it and Kid with it to Stocking's table, where he leaves him) "Good deed done!" Kid: (blushes) "Um...Hi. Is this seat taken?" stocking: its fine, you can sit there. Kid: "V-very well." (sits, lays out his napkin along his lap, forces a nervous smile) "I-I appreciate you agreeing to meet with me. H-How are you?" stocking: good. been thinking a lot. Kid: (thinking: " 'Good'? 'Good' is good...right? Or is 'good' bad? Breathe, Kid, breathe--calm down...Just listen.) "Thinking about...?" stocking: about last night actually... Kid: (What do I ask? Do I retract what I said?) "What have you thought about last night?" stocking: mostly what you told me... and how i felt about it.... Kid: "I...see. What...do you feel? Right now?" stocking: conflicted mostly... Kid: "Are there...good emotions that you feel?" stocking: *sigh* well, i'll be honest. i've actually known you liked me. for a while now. i just wasnt expecting you to tell me so soon. Kid: "I was that obvious?" Kid: "I mean, before saying it directly?" stocking: no offence, but you werent very subtle. *she chuckles* Kid: (Thinking: Chuckling. Chuckling is good.) "Ha. I...cannot disagree with that." (looks at her) "I had wanted to be...open and honest." stocking: i guess. but there is a difference between lying and withholding information. Kid: "I...understand. I just worry that...I don't want to make my intentions unclear. And if that means that...I am attracted to you romantically, that I would like to be more than friends, I would like to say so rather than leave things confusing. That is what I mean by 'open'." stocking: *she blushes a little* well.... i guess.... i kinda like you too... but i barely know you. i have a good bit to go on, but im just scratching the surface... i mean, i might want to but... Kid: (puts left hand on table) "Let's take everything slowly. No rushing anything. And I'm sorry that I...rushed things." stocking:.... i guess. *she smiles* s-sorry... its... i had some bad experiences in the past. Kid: "I...didn't know. I'm sorry." stocking: its fine. its all in the past now, all i can do is go forwards. Kid: "I...would like to be with you as you go forward. Whatever that will be." stocking: thank you. *she holds his hand* Kid: (stiffens, then calms down. Smiles at Stocking) stocking: *smiles back* Kid: (rubbed her hand a bit) "I suppose...we can dine together for this lunch? We only have so much time before next period begins." stocking: sure. rosalie: ................ Kid: (noticing Rosalie hovering, trying to ignore her) "H-how is your lunch? Did you get any dessert? Or is that an obvious question?" stocking: um, duh~! Kid: (studying her tray--and ignoring Rosalie, who is right behind him) "I spy cake and something sweet to drink. What are you imbibing?" stocking: some caffe latte~ Kid: "Hmm. Good choice. Should balance the flavor of your cake." (looks left to right) "Pst! Is someone watching me from behind?" rosalie: *is gone* stocking: no? i dont see anyone just your partners. Patty: "Hi, Kid! You make up with your girlfriend yet?!" stocking: p-patti! *she blushes* Kid: "P-Patty!" *he blushes* "Liz! Don't you and your sister have somewhere else to be?!" liz: come on sis, didnt you want to try some of those new items on the menu? Patty: "As long as Kid is paying!" (waves his wallet in the air) Kid: (aghast. Turns to Stocking) "I am so thankful I paid for this meal first before sitting down." stocking: *chuckles* awww. poor kiddo. Kid: "My poor wallet..." (sigh) "At least the meal is enjoyable." (blushes) "And thank you for talking with me." stocking: open and honest, you know~? Kid: (smiles) "Open and honest." (he folds his napkin and sets it on his tray) "Off to next period. Heading my way?" stocking: depends, what class do you have. Kid: "Advanced Meister Studies." stocking: ah, i have history classes. i think we're going to learn about the Roma war? Kid: "Shoot. I was hoping to...talk more. I hope we can speak after class. I imagine that lesson on the Roma War is going to span over a few classes. When is your next history exam?" stocking: next thursday i think. Kid: "Should be enough time to study, I hope." (scratches his cheek) "I could...always lend my notes..." stocking: hehe, i appreciate that, but i think i can manage. Kid: "Heh, okay. Um...May I...see you after classes end today?" stocking: sure. i was hoping to get some part time work someplace. Kid: "Oh? Any particular type of work? Or location?" stocking: not sure, i was planning on checking out the cafe and the movie theater. Kid: "Deathbucks?" stocking: yeah. not sure if i want to check the cafe or the deathbucks on main. Kid: "The Cafe? I'm not sure I know of this one. What's it called? Where is it?" stocking: deathbucks. but apperantly there are two deathbucks buildings in the city. the cafe where i think your partners worked once, and the deathbucks on main street plaza. Kid: "Oh, now I remember! The one on main had a rather different design." Kid: "...Will the cafe on main require a uniform?" stocking: kinda, but it doesnt look as cute. stocking: not implying i want to look cute at work, but. i.. you know how much i love cute clothes~ hehe~ Kid (thinking: "I like her in cute clothes, too...But I already made things badly! So...just don't say anything") (blushing) "O-Oh, really...That's a shame...That the outfits aren't as cute!" stocking: kiddooo~ are you thinking about me in a waitress dress~? Kid: "...Maybe?" stocking: i think you'd look cute too~ Kid: (grimaces) "I don't do dresses..." (adjusts collar) stocking: aw, well im sure you would look nice in either uniform. Kid: "Never. Again." stocking: hmm? Kid: "I-it was one time! I was young!" stocking: did you want to talk about it? i promise i wont laugh. Kid: "...Last year, I was playing a punishment game with my teammates...and I lost to Black Star. My punishment was putting on one of the Deathbucks uniforms...Those skirts are too short..." stocking: aww... now that i think about it, i bet you looked really cute. Kid: "...Maybe...I doubt half as cute as you would..." stocking: hehe, you're such a sweet talker. Kid: (blushes) "I-I don't have a lot of experience at it..." stocking: well, i appreciate it none-the-less. ah, i should head to class. see you then~ Kid: "Yes. Have a good class." -she smiles and waves- (He smiles and waves back) rosalie: ....................... Kid: (frowning) "I know you are right there, Rosalie. Sensing your soul, it is deafening. What do you want?" Rosalie: oh! k-kid. i was.... i was considering a part time job at deathbucks. what do you think? Kid: (eyebrow raise) "Are you seeking employment to supplement your allowance?" Rosalie: yeah, i could use a little extra money to keep on the side. Kid: "And Stocking working there has nothing to do with that?" rosalie: oh that girl? i didnt even know she was considering it. Kid: "You were practically hovering around me. You expect me to believe this is merely a coincidence?" rosalie: oh, i was actually on my way to my advanced weapon studies class. i guess i overheard. Kid: (eyebrow still raised) "O...kay. In any case, how are your weapons classes going?" rosalie: i'm doing much better at it. i'm able to transform my limbs perfectly. Kid: "Really? Would you have time to demonstrate?" rosalie: i would, but i have to do that in class. i dont want to keep the teacher waiting. Kid: "Very well. I hope class goes well. Before you leave, who is teaching your course?" rosalie: i didnt catch the teacher's name, but the assistant teacher is miss Oze. take care. Kid: "Have a good class!" (waves goodbye) Kid: (calling to his weapons) "Liz, I'll be in my Advanced Meister Class. How are you and Patty doing in your weapons course?" patti: doing good! liz:..... Kid: "Liz?" liz: hmm? oh, yeah. im here. say, can i talk to you tonight, just us? Kid: "Sure." (Looks to Patty. Then to Liz.) "Although it is highly unorthodox for only one weapon to be present..." liz: yeah, i know, i know. but. its really important, ok? Kid: (serious) "Of course. After dinner?" liz: with who? what about your little girlfriend, stocking, hmm? patti: dang, you are just crawling in girls. luckyyyyy. Kid: "I-I haven't made dinner plans with her for this evening...Not yet. Why? Should I ask her to join us for dinner?" liz: no i jus- *ahem* i wanted to discuss more.... personal matters. Kid: "O...kay. Just you and me, after dinner." (looks to Patty) "Will you be able to preoccupy yourself while your sister and I discuss this...matter?" patti: caaaan do! -later- Kid: "That was a satisfying dinner. Liz, shall we now speak?" liz: yeah. *she looks around, making sure they are alone* i wanted to talk to you.... about that rosalie girl. Kid: "She seems...odd. Hovering around. I can feel her watching me." liz: yeah, luckily she isnt around right now. but.... she- something about her doesnt sit well with me. Kid: (Leans forward) "I thought the same. I could read something about her soul, but it's not yet clear to me. Tell me, what have you noticed about her?" liz: at the halloween dance. when the king and queen were picked, she took some guy outside. and when she came in, the guy was gone, but her costume looked more red... Kid: (eyes widen) "Do you know the name of the man who was with her?" liz: no. just some random student. Kid: "We need to find that student's name. We will have to interview to learn who that student was, without raising suspicions of Rosalie. And have forensics check where she was in case there is any...evidence of that boy's presence. Have you mentioned any of this to anyone else?" liz: no. just you. Kid: "I do not want someone else attracting Rosalie's attention. But I do we should report this to Sid and Naigus--they have experience acquiring forensic evidence surreptiously." liz: yeah, but what proof do we have? Kid: "We have a student no one has seen since the dance, yes? I think a missing person justifies at least looking into the spot where he was last seen..." liz: maybe... i remember the guy wore a creepy looking mask. Kid: " 'Creepy'? Please narrow that down. Was it more human-like, animal-like, or demon-like?" liz: hmmm... *sketches a rough drawing of what the mask resembled* Kid: "Hmm...This drawing does not adhere to traditional practices of sketching, but I guess it's better than nothing." liz: *glare*...... well, yeah, its something to work with. so where do we start? Kid: "A mask is not going to help us identify a person if they attend the Academy...but perhaps we can find which shops actually sell this mask. What if it is rare?" liz: well, i guess. oh! i just remembered, he was hanging out with a few others, and i could see their faces. maybe ask them? Kid: "Let's do so. It's rather late tonight. I suggest I approach Sid and Naigus tomorrow, you interview that student's friends." liz: yeah. night. --The Next Day-- Kid: "Liz, I will be meeting with Sid and Naigus today. You find those other students around our mystery person. Oh, and do try to avoid bringing any of this up to Patty." Liz: can do. -later, after kid brought things up to sid and nygus- Kid: (bumps into someone) "Oh, sorry." stocking: ah, its fine. Kid: "S-Stocking! Hello! Hi! Salutations! Um...How are you?" stocking: *she chuckles* doing fine. and you? Kid: (Thinking: "I can't tell her about what I am investigating.") (smiles) "I am well, thank you. So, any progress with your job application to the cafe?" stocking: still a work in progress. no pun intended. Kid: "Heh." (awkward pause) "Where are you heading right now?" stocking: actually i was heading to battle tactics classes. Kid: "I as well! Shall we head to class together?" stocking: sure. *she smiles* Kid: "The teacher to this class is a real killer. If you'll pardon the Death City vernacular." stocking: ah, hahah. *sweatdrop* i'm still getting used to it. Stein: "Hurry up, you two. Or you'll be my personal punchingbags for today's demonstration." stocking: well geez then. Stein: (sneers) "Hurry. Wouldn't want to bruise yourself in my demonstration...or lose a limb." stocking: ..... *huffs and takes a seat in the back* Kid: (sits by her) "Best not to lose a limb...quite asymmetrical." stocking: yeah, plus my dad would probably tear him a new one. Kid: "Your father? You certain he could handle Stein?" stocking: well... n-nevermind. may as well pay attention to the class... Kid: (opens book, removed papers, removes pen--and starts intricately writing notes...slowly...) "Darn. That 'T' just doesn't look right." stocking: .......  *writing notes* Stein: "Now, I will need a volunteer for today's demonstration." (Stares at Kid and Stocking with a sneer) stocking: *eyes fixated on her notes* Kid: (burying his nose in his book) Stein: "Who shall I pick...Stocking? You've been awfully quiet today." stocking: (thoughts: fucking shit) oh? i was trying to pay attention to the lesson like a good little student. Stein: "Gee, how kind of you--and also notoriously sycophantic. Down here, now--you're my guinea pig for this demonstration." stocking: .... ok, but i wont get hurt, will i? *there is a light passive aggressive tone in her voice* Stein: "If you don't get hurt, how will you ever learn? But seriously, if you've been doing your training, this lesson should go smoothly. Understood?" stocking: ok... *she smiles at kid* im ready. Kid: (gives two thumbs up) Stein: "Good." (Stands up, pushes chair away--which falls down as he does so. He removes his labcoat. He holds out his arms.) "Come at me. I want you to try to kill me." stocking: do i need a weapon partner for this or not? Stein: "I see no problem with that: you may have a weapon if you wish." stocking: any volunteers? bailey: ohoh! i volunteer! Kid: (nudges a classmate) "Who is that student?" bailey: Bailey Seizemore reporting sir! *waves* stocking: what she said. Kid: (remembers) "Ah. I wonder whether she is as sufficient as her sibling." (looks to Stocking) "Best of luck..." bailey: here i go! weapon form activate! *goes into sword mode* Stein: (stands still) "Well? Are you just going to stand there? Or are you going to show me what you got?" (holds out hand and moves fingers in a "come here" gesture) stocking: *breathes and waits to make a move, then rushes forward with the sword in hand* Stein: (Sneers, waiting motionless.) stocking: haah! *slashes at him* Stein: (catches sword between his hands, holding it before it hits him) "Too slow." stocking: *pulls back, in an attempt to slice his palms* Stein: (ducks, swings leg under him to knock Stocking's legs) stocking: !! *jumps up to avoid getting kicked* Stein: (palm punch heading towards her chin) stocking: *dodges to the side* Stein: (Stocking is now where he was, he is now where she was. As he turns around to face her back, he lifts his leg to kick her in the back stocking: *is knocked down and rolls to get up* Stein: "Sloppy. Are you even practicing?" stocking: *smirks and kicks her legs at his stomach* Stein: "Ugh!" (stumbles back, but still on his feet) "Good." (smiles) "But not enough." (dashes at Stocking, preparing to knock Baily out of her hands with a punch to Stocking's wrist) stocking: ah! *drops bailey but picks her up with her other hand, aiming the blade at stein's neck, panting* Stein: (stops) "Very good, Stocking, Baily." (calmly moves the blade away from his neck with one finger. Reaches into his pocket to remove a cigarette--his hand shaking just a bit, even as his voice is calm) "But there is room for improvement. Baily, you are depending far too much on Stocking rather than resonating with her soul fully." bailey: i guess, but i feel more comfy with mizuki anyways *she smiles* no offence. stocking: its fine. Stein: "It will be important for both of you to have some flexibility, to optimize your resonance." (lights cigarette, drags on it, exhales) "Good work. Both of you. Please return to your seat. And Stocking? Watch on your left." stocking: *looks* ?? Stein: "No. I meant in our battle. You seemed distracted, weren't focusing on all locations." (exhales another smoke) "Come now. I'm not so petty after a loss to dare punch a student on their left as some gag." (sneers) "If I wanted to attack, you'd be dead right now. And serving as my new taxidermy subject." stocking: hmmm... \she would be a pretty little doll\ stocking: *she sits next to kid* Kid: "Excellent work. For Stein, his comments are the equivalent of a high compliment." stocking: yeah, i guess. (thinking: actually, i was really holding back...) Kid: "Cheer up--your form and combat skills just keep improving!" stocking: thank you kid. *she smiles slightly, but warmly* Stein: "Sorry, am I interrupting something?" (Stein is standing in the row behind them) stocking: gah! jeez, i nearly jumped out of my skin! Stein: "Don't let me stop you--you have such fine skin..." Kid: "Would you stop that?! Why are you sneaking around the classroom?" Stocking: *cringes* please don’t touch me. Stein: "Why are you two talking while I'm lecturing?" (stares at Stocking) "Anything you want to share with the class?" Kid: "Enough. I am sorry that we were speaking during your lecture--when you were telling us that, for proper resonance between meister and weapon, it sometimes helps to picture common goals shared by both persons." (holds up paper of his notes--but in Stocking's handwriting) "See? Stocking wrote those notes as you spoke. So what exactly is the problem here, Professor?" Stein: "...No problem at all." (slowly slinks below the row between him and Kid/Stocking's row--surprising students in his row as he seems to disappear....) (and then pops up behind his desk) "I think that will be all for today's class. Or do we have any questions? Stocking? Kid?" stocking: *doesnt say anything, but smiles at kid* Kid: "No, not today, thank you." Stein: (points to door) "Then be off." Kid: (holds up his notes in her handwriting) "Don't forget your 'notes,' Stocking." stocking: *she nods and takes them, looking at them* Kid: "Not a terrible imitation of your handwriting...not perfect. But how can I match that?" stocking: why... *makes sure they are in the hall and whispers* why did you want to try and imitate my writing? is it because i was doodling in class? Kid: (shrugs) "I find that, with Stein, it is best to give him the answer he wants. Otherwise, he will keep poking and prodding." (smirks) "Cute doodles, by the way." stocking: ah. oh, thanks. i tried to keep them relevant to the lesson. Kid: "Is that why Stein has bunny ears?" stocking: what? cant i add a little humor? Kid: (giggles--then catches himself. Clears voice, coughs, smiles) "Um, indeed." stocking: oh, your one friend mentioned that you write poetry sometimes? Kid: (blushes) "I try to write sonnets, but I just do not like the pentameter..." stocking: ah. Kid: "...Would you...like to listen to my poetry, at some time? Or I could lend you some to read?” stocking: maybe i could come over to your place and hear it? Kid: "Th-that would be great! Please let me know whenever would be good for you." stocking: how about tonight? since i basically know the way now. Kid: "S-sure! Yes! Super!" (grimaces at that last one, clears throat) "I would like that. Would you like to have dinner at our place as well? We have cake." stocking: sure, that sounds lovely. Kid: "6 o'clock?" stocking: sounds good. Kid: (looks at his watch) "I'm afraid I have study hall now, but I have to...meet someone..." stocking: oh? is it your girlfriend? Kid: "N-no! I don't have a girlfriend!" (stares a second too long at Stocking) "I mean, I want one. I...have someone in mind..." (clears throat) "No. Professional DWMA business. Very hush-hush." stocking: ahh, i see. (thinking: i think its pretty obvious who it is you're interested in though haha) Kid: "I...guess we depart here. What is your next class?" stocking: looks like... literature. see you at 6~ *she softly kisses his nose before leaving* Kid: (blushing, stammering, standing still) "Wh-where was I going again?" -later at 6- *din don* Stocking: hey kid, im here. Kid: "I STOPPED STAMMERING HOURS AGO! I mean, um...Come in!" stocking: *smiles and enters* so how was your 'professional duties' Kid: (serious but smiling) "Confidential, I'm afraid." stocking: figures, haha. so whats for dinner? Kid: "Our main course has some options. You have a choice: lamb chops with balsamic reduction, or orecchiette with rapini and goat cheese." stocking: wow, sounds fancy... hmmm. i'll take either what is the sweetest or the least spicy? Kid: "I recommend the lamb chops, then." stocking: guess i'll go with that. Kid: "I'm happy to have you here. How did you spend your time after classes today?" stocking: filling out my part time work form. Kid: "With the DWMA? How long has the paperwork become now?" stocking: no, i mean the deathbucks form haha. my dad already took care of everything with the school. Kid: "Oh, good." (Smiles. Then frowns. Then eyes widen.) "Your father?" stocking: yeah. he's...uh.... really wealthy. that explains why i can afford that really fancy apartment, haha! Kid: "Sorry, I just never...heard you talk much about your family." stocking: i guess it just wasn’t brought up a lot. i guess i'm still learning too after 6-7 years. Kid: "Ah." (Debates with himself whether to ask more) "Have you spoken with your father much recently?" stocking: yeah. he said he'd be going to the fall festival on saturday, its kind of a family tradition. Kid: "Oh! That should be enjoyable for both of you, yes?" stocking: yeah, you mentioned wanting to go too, right? Kid: "Y-Yes, I do! I would enjoy seeing you there! And meeting your father!" (realizes he is talking loudly) "It would be enjoyable." stocking: i guess... but be warned, he's a bit...... eccentric... Kid: (smiles) "My father is the Grim Reaper." stocking: so i've seen. *she smiles* Kid: "In any case, I look forward to getting to know your father. Shall we head into the dining hall for our meal? I think Liz and Patty will be joining us." stocking: sounds great! (Kid holds out a hand to offer to guide her) stocking: *she smiles and holds his hand* Kid: "Here we are?" (lets go of her hand to pull her seat for her) stocking: *she smiles and seats herself* Kid: (takes his seat) "I think I hear the sisters arriving." liz: hey, we're here. *waves* Kid: (Waves) "I trust your day has gone well." (Pours water for all four of them) "_And all that you were working on today, yes?_" (he stared at her intently) liz: oh ya know, the usual stuff... they have morning rescue in the vending machines now. Kid: "Hmm. I'm surprised how much material we get from Japan. Of course, given our close alliance with that nation..." (smiles at Stocking) "I don't suppose Morning Rescue is sweet enough for you?" stocking: i havent had the time to try it yet. Patty: "It's really good! You should buy some!" stocking: i'll keep that in mind then. Kid: (glances at Liz to see whether she knows that he is interested in her investigation) "Everything else go smoothly at school today?" liz: yeah. talked to some other students. they told me their friend Tenma hasnt been coming to class recently. Kid: "Tenma." (to Stocking) "Have you met a student by that name?" stocking: no. then again, i havent met too many people here yet. Patty: (sits down next to Stocking) "Then we have to fix that, ASAP! I mean, we can't let Kid menopause all your time, can we?!" Kid: (horrified) " 'Monopolize,' Patty." stocking: ....hehe... i guess... *sweatdrop* Kid: (sweatdrop as well) "Liz, I would like to speak with you later after dinner about...homework." liz: yeah, i'd appreciate that. Kid: "I wonder how much longer until dinner is served." -seems dinner is being served now- Patty: "Yummy yummy! Thanks for the meal you all!" (salutes the maids) stocking: looks good. thanks for the meal~ Kid: "Excellent flavor and texture. You continue to raise the bar for culinary expertise." Kid: "Stocking, would you like something to drink? We have various sweet drinks." stocking: hmmm, how about some tea? something fitting for this meal. Kid: "Thank sounds good. One cup for me as well, please." liz: i'll just have some water. Patty: "Cola! -after that course- Kid: "Was the meal to your satisfaction, Stocking?" stocking: yep~ and now for the best part~! Kid: "We have a variety of dessert options. Any particular fruit, sweet, chocolate, or other amenity you desire for this course?" stocking: ooooh~ lets go with whatever sweet dessert you can come up with~! Kid: "Heh--I should try preparing a dessert for you at some point." Patty: "DON'T DO IT, STOCKING!--He'll take two hours just to crack an egg properly!" stocking: *sweatdrop* Kid: "QUIET, PATTY! *Ahem* We have a delicious Valrhona cacao truffle. Would that be to your liking?" stocking: oooohh. sounds yummy~ Kid: "Liz? Patty? That sound good?" Patty: "Yep!" stocking: *licking her lips* Kid: (glances at Stocking, blushes. Tries to distract himself) "Liz? Everything okay?" liz: yeah, lets go for it. Kid: "Four orders of the cacao truffle, please!" stocking: oooh~ they look so good~ thanks~! *she takes a bite* mmm. MMMMMMM~~!! soo gooood! Kid: "Yes. The staff has outdone themselves." stocking: careful, you get any sweeter and i'll have to eat you~ Kid: (Gulp.) -after dinner- stocking: ahh~ so yummy~! Kid: (dabbing napkin to his lips) "Yes. Exquisite." stocking: ....?? oh, kid. you have some chocolate on the side here. Kid: (symmetry minor panic) "Wh-where?!" stocking: *gets up and licks it off. then licks the other side* there we go~ Kid: (Blushing. Stammering. About to collapse out of his chair--while sitting) "Th-thanks." stocking: no problem~ hehe Patty: (staring, blushing a bit herself) "Um...I'm going to get another glass of cola! Any of y'all want something?" stocking: some tea would be nice. liz: im good... *stares* Kid: "I-I'm fine!" Patty: (stares at Liz, kind of nods her head towards the kitchen) stocking: kid? you ok? Kid: "Fine! I just...am not used to...being licked." (awkward pause) "Sorry. I can't think of any other way to phrase that without having strange implications." stocking:..... *she giggles* Patty: "Okay! I'll be back with my cola." (winks at Liz) "Okay, Sis?" liz: yeah. liz: *gets up and follows* Patty: (loudly talking) "Thank you for helping me bring the cola back, Sis!" (slowly closes kitchen door) "OMG! WTF was that?!" liz: i know! she didnt even so much as flinch! i mean, what the hell? Patty: (struggling to keep her face to a whisper) "She is like...Wow! She is weird! That chick is weird!" (...) "It was kinda hot, though." liz: yeah, she-..... patti what the hell?! Patty: (shrugs) "It was. What, you didn't want to be on the end of a licking? Or to lick Kid's face?" liz: *blushing wildly* p-p-patti! *sighs* i just... that girl barely knows him...i just want to be sure she isnt just using him. Patty: "Oh, she's using him." (smirks) "And he likes being used as her personal licking-post." liz: patti im being serious here! we hardly know a thing about her. how to we know she isnt just pretending to like him because he's rich and good looking? b-because he's more than that dammit! Patty: (Eyebrow raise) "Are you...? You know what? Nevermind. I'll ask later." (looks out the door crack to see Stocking and Kid laughing with each other) "I think you may be onto something. He is our meister, so we have to protect him." (looks at Liz) " Patty: "Any ideas? Should we test her to make sure she is really, absolutely committed to Kiddo?" liz: hmmmmm... i got it. we'll have a girl's night out with her. we'll have to invite tsubaki and maka. maybe those girls from not too. Patty: "Yeah! Yeah! Get her drunk and then make her reveal all of her secrets!" (quiets down) "Or did you mean something else?" liz: no, i mean, just get together and have a sleepover. maybe get to know her. hopefully she wont get too suspicious if there are other girls there. i mean, i dont want to be that kind of girl and be suspicious without really knowing her... (thinking: rosalie on the other hand...) Patty: "Sleepover! That'll be fun! And even if we don't out Stocking as some evil succubus trying to corrupt our Kiddo, at least we can put Maka's hand in water and tickle Tsugumi with a feather and shaving cream!" (then gets more serious) "By the way, what were you up to today? You and Kid seemed...you know...like you're planning something. Or hiding something." liz: i guess. maybe we could prank call some teachers? (thoughts: hmmm.. should i be honest? or just leave her in ignorant bliss) hey, didnt we promise to bring drinks to those two? Patty: "Oh, yeah! Here, I got the bottles of cola and--" (Stops walking. Scowls. Looks back at Liz) "Wait a minute...YOU STILL HAVEN'T ANSWERED MY QUESTION?! ...What was my question again?" liz: thanks. and yeah, i think we are having waffles for breakfast tomorrow. Patty: (thinking: "I'll ask her when she's ready to tell me...") "Goody!" (Turns, kicks door open) "I got the soda! Stocking! You done licking Kiddo?" stocking: you're not gonna let me live that down, are you? Patty: "Nope! But just because it was so adorable and hot!" (turns to Kid) "Cola?" stocking: *blushes* Kid: (blushes as well) "N-No thanks." (Clears throat) "Well, shall we retire to the den? We have some new music, courtesy of Father and from my birthday." stocking: sounds lovely. Kid: (stands, hold out hand to help Stocking from her seat) stocking: *she smiles and takes his hand* Kid: (helps her up, leads her to the den) (Patty exchanges a look with Liz) liz: *doesnt say anything* (Patty and Liz follow, sit with Kid and Stocking in the den) Kid: "Any particular music you all prefer?" stocking: i guess classical or techno. Kid: "Hmm...Well, that's surprising...Soul included this song..." stocking: oh, so he does mix tapes? Kid: "He's a weapon of many talents...Not bad, actually." stocking: ah. i see. Patty: "Not bad--has a good beat! Liz, what're your thoughts?" liz: yeah, not bad. Kid: "Stocking, what do you have in classes tomorrow? Have you finished homework?" stocking: looks like i have history, gym, and art as 3 of the main classes... Kid: "Oh--I have gym tomorrow as well. Second period?" stocking: as a matter of fact yes! Kid: "Excellent! Liz, Patty, and I will see you there! I heard tomorrow's lesson will be meister vs weapon basketball." stocking: looks like i'll be on your team then, kid. Kid: (looks to Thompsons) "Better watch out, you two!" liz: *cracks knuckles* challange accepted. Patty: *cracks knuckles as well* "How about we make this a bit more interesting with a little bet?" stocking: ohhh? and what do you have in mind, pray-tell? Patty: "Hmmm....If your team loses, Kid has to come to school in a dress!" Kid: "What?!" Patty: "And what should Stocking have to do, Sis?" liz: not sure. what can you come up with? Patty: "I would say have them switch clothes--but that's not really embarrassing for Stocking so much as Kiddo. Or we could have her get her hair cut like Kid!" liz: hmmm. how about you wear a bunny suit? im not talking playboy bunny here. im talking shopping mall easter bunny here. Patty: "OOOh! Yes! A dress and an Easter Bunny!" (whispers to Stocking) "Don't go near Crona--unless you wanna die!" stocking: noted. an if you lose... you get to dress up like those old animatronics from the old pizza parlor outside of town. Patty: "But how is that a punishment for me--Ouch!" (Liz elbows Patty) "I mean, um...Oh no! How will I bear with that punishment?!" (grabs Kid and Liz’s hands to shake) "We agree to the terms of this bet?" liz: *siiiigh* alright.. Kid: (determined, confident smile) "Agreed." stocking: works for me~ Kid: "Then I think we all will need our sleep before our big game tomorrow. Stocking, may I escort you home?" stocking: dont worry, i know the way back. i appreciate the offer though. Kid: "Then I will see you out at least." (looks his shoulder) "Liz, when you have a moment, I'd like to speak with you." liz: *she nods* Kid: "Stocking? If was a pleasure as always to have you visit our home." stocking: thanks. maybe one day you can come over to my place for coffee once i get settled in a bit more. Kid: "If you ever need help setting up your home, I would be happy to offer...although, with me, I may do more harm than good, obsessing about the best placement for everything to have maximum balance in your residence." stocking: i appreciate that, but i think i can manage. Kid: "Have a safe walk home. I don't suppose I could trouble you to send me a message once you arrive home, to let me know you got there safely?" stocking: sure kid. Kid: "Good night!" (waves to Stocking. Looks back to see Liz watching him.) "Is Patty still around? Or are we alone that we can speak?" liz: Yeah, i think we're alone now. Kid: "Good. I hope Patty is far enough away." (leads them back to den to sit) "What did your end of the investigation uncover?" Liz: well, we know the guy's name now, Tenma. Not sure if its his first or last name, or if is a nickname, but it something. Kid: "How did his classmates describe him? What was his usual demeanor?" liz: a little laid back, if somewhat gullible. Kid: "So deceived into following our potential serial killer? How was he that night? Was he acting any differently?" liz: same as usual, though i couldnt see his face because of the mask. Kid: "I am awaiting confirmation from Sid and Naigus concerning anything that they can find at Tenma's last known location. Who knows?--Maybe they will have a breakthrough tomorrow?" liz: hopefully. Kid: "Any other information about Tenma I should know?" liz: thats all i have to go on. Kid: "Understood. Well, excellent work. I suggest we get some sleep then." (smirks) "Before you and your sister end up dressed like pizza parlor characters..." liz: well, im just glad she didnt suggest we stay the night in that creepy old place... i heard rumors you know.. Kid: "Which old place? This is Death City, after all." liz: that abandonded pizzaria... with the creepy killer animatronics! Kid: "Ah. Hmm...There is something odd about that location, almost a spiritual energy coming from it...I think we'll have to investigate it ourselves to determine what is wrong with it." liz: why dont we worry about that place AFTER dealing with creepy blondie stalker? i dont want to have my head bitten off thanks. Kid: "We should at least have someone look into it! I'll call Father now to confirm that he has set up a mission. If we have our own investigation, then at least someone else can look into the location." liz: i guess so. Kid: "I will call Father, then go to bed. You heading to bed as well?" liz: yeah. night, -the next day- stocking: *Stretching* yep, today's gonna be a good day! Kid: (stretching as well) "Agreed. With our team of meisters, how can we lose?" liz: *cracks knuckles* well, we have patti on our side. Kid: "Need any help stretching?" stocking: im good. you? Kid: "I think I'm balanced." Patty: "Our team is gonna win! You know why, Stocking?!" stocking: why is that? Patty: "Look at your team, dollface: Kid'll be obsessed with whether there are a symmetrical number of bumps on the basketball..." (spins basketball on her finger) "And your meister team includes the worst basketball player in this school!" stocking: who? the blonde guy? herpes i think his name was? Hiro: "Hi! How are you all?" Patty: "Oh, wow--I meant Maka. But yeah, you got the _two_ worst teammates!" stocking: well, you know what they say about the underdogs in sports movies. Patty: "Look, Missie, I've seen Air Bud twelve times--unless you got a canine on your team, you're screwed." (Pinches Kid's cheeks) "I got a lovely dress for you! Whole Alice in Wonderland theme for you and your rabbit!" stocking: we'll see to that, chica the chicken. Patti: "Chicken?! I'll make you eat those words!" (Liz drags Patty away) Kid: "So we have you, Hiro, Maka, and me. Shouldn't there be another member of this team?" stocking: Well, looks like we have Black*Star, Meme, Akane and Kim. Kid: "Hmmm...Those are enough really good meisters to overcome our competition, even when considering how poor at basketball Hiro and Maka are..." stocking: and those two not girls, the pigtails girl and the glasses girl. they dont seem that physically strong. Kid: "No bunny suit for you, then." (Turns to teammates) "Who is captain for this team? Or should we take a vote?" stocking: rock-paper-scissors for it? Kid: "Very well." Kim: Alright! Let me show you how things get done. Patty: "Oh, is it opposite day? 'Cause that's the only way you're gonna beat us!" -and so the game begins- Patty: "Soul, block your girlfriend! Big Sis, pass! Tsugumi, do something useful!" Kid: (tries to intercept the ball between Liz and Mizuki) -this goes on for a bit, when stocking grabs the ball, she breathes and sends it flying like a shot-put- -the ball knocks Mio off her feet- mio:....ow.... Patty: "Foul!" Yukari: (mizuki's sister) FOUL! That was a completely unorthodox and outright illegal move! That poor girl may have a concussion and get triggered by basketballs because of this! Have you no shame at all?! Inexcusable! Unacceptable! I should have you reported! Mizuki: *excalibur face* Kid: "Okay, okay, let's all calm down" (looks to Kim) "We have to allow that was a foul, yes? At least to get through this short-term problem if we want to win the competition." kim: im sorry what? oh yeah, it hit that one kid, so yeah, foul. Kid: (sweatdrop) "Thank you for your concern..." (tosses ball to Patty for foul shot--knowing better than to toss it to Mio and risk hitting her in the face) stocking: *frowns and continues playing* Kid: "Pass to me! I'm open!" stocking: *passes the ball off* Kid: (catches the ball, shoots from three-point line--and is blocked by Liz) -some time later- Kid: (catatonic shock) "Oh god no..." Patty: "In yo face, Reaper and Stocking!" stocking: *sighs* oh well. Hiro: "Everything okay? Why the glum expressions?" Maka: "Yeah, what's wrong with you two? It's just a b-ball game." stocking: well. we kiiiinda made a bet with the thompsons. Maka: "..." (looks at Kid) "What have I told you about making bets?" (looks to Stocking, points at Kid) "Never let him make bets. I beg you." stocking: what do i look like, his nanny? stocking: also, you might want to keep chrona away from my during my portion of the bet... Maka: "No, you are not his nanny." (looks back at Soul) "But I do know a thing about stupid boyfriends doing stupid things." (smiles at Stocking) "Just like I know how boyfriends prevent stupid girlfriends from doing stupid things." (raises eyebrow) "Wait, why keep Crona away?" soul+stocking: *blushing* wait what?! Maka: (giggles) "Just trying to pass along good advice." Kid: (catatonic) "No...skirts...Or at least make the dress symmetrical." stocking: *kneels next to him* hey kid, you ok? *pats his back* Kid: (takes her hand) "Yes. Just...shocked." (inhales, sighs) "We tried our best, didn't we?" stocking: yeah...... need some water? Kid: (nods) "Th-thank you." stocking: *helps him stand up and brings him to the drinking fountain* Kid: (sips on water, pulls back head) "This is going to be embarrassing..." stocking: im sure you'll look cute. and if anyone laughs, im sure they're just jealous. Kid: (blushes) "You...think I would look cute in a dress?" stocking: of course. anyone can look cute in a dress. you'll just look twice as cute~ Kid: (small smile) "Maybe...I doubt I would look half as cute as you do in a dress..." stocking: *giggles and kisses his nose* come on, looks like its time to get changed back into normal clothes and head to the next class. Kid: "Stocking...Thank you." (takes her hand so they can walk together as much as they can before separating to go to their separate shower/locker rooms) -students changing, please be patient- Kid: "Soul? Why do you have that smirk? My underwear aren't asymmetrical, are they?" soul: so... that girl... are you two like a thing? black*star: hehe Kid: "...We're...seeing each other. I am interested. Very interested. Thoroughly interested." soul+black*Star: ooooooohhhh *snickering* black*Star: smoochy smoochy kiddo's in looove! Kid: (eyes narrow, smirks) "Thank you. I am very happy with Stocking, and I appreciate your desire to see me happy and fulfilled. Now, if you two are done with your mockery, you mind covering up? Your naked asymmetry is even worse than your clothed asymmetry." soul: alright, alright. black*star: so you're gonna wear a dress again huh? Kid: (cringes, then tries to pass it off with nervous laughter) "Where did you hear such an absurd idea?" black*star: patti told me. but in all seriousness, you look pretty dang good in a dress. just sayin. Kid: (frown) "Gee, thanks. I just want to get that whole mess over with...and then hide Patty's Halloween candy stash for outing that bet." soul: she'll probably just sniff it out. Kid: "Hmm...Perhaps I should bury it under a pound of asparagus and cabbage...In any case, I had best finish getting changed to get back to Stock--Class! Classes!" soul: suuuuure. Kid: "Oh, why don't you go take another exam in your underwear!" (Finishes getting dressed, retrieves books from locker.) -at home- Patty: "You think we got enough clothing options for Kid and Stocking, Sis?" liz: yep. seems fitting. Kid (down the hall): "Liz? Patty? Where are you?" Kid: (enters room, sees the range of dresses hanging on mannequins) "Oh no..." liz: oooh yes. at least you get to choose which one you want to wear. Kid: (pokes at one skirt) "I am not wearing this. Look at short it is!" liz: maybe you want a second opinion from your girlfriend? *she chuckles* Kid: (blushes) "I wear that and...people will get quite a view...Couldn't you recommend something a little more conservative?" liz: alright, alright. *mutters* what a prude... Kid: "Just show me what you got.” liz: how about this cute little alice style pinafore? Kid: "Hmph. At least the color is okay, and the skirt is longer. Let's set this aside as the top option for now. I see three other dresses here--" (Blushes) "I-I don't do bare midriffs. Um, what else is there?" Kid: (tugs at the Stocking-like dress) "Where did you find this one?” liz: they were selling a similar dress in one of those fancy dress shops. Kid: "Hmm...Which would you suggest: the Allce, the Stocking, or the Lolita?" liz: *shrugs* Kid: "I-I guess the Lolita one..." liz: aww. cute. what do you think sis? Patty: "I would go with the halter top and pumps--but I guess this'll be good enough for some photogenic opportunities." Kid: "You're going to take photographs of me?!" liz: *whistles innocently* Kid: (growl) "Fine." (snatches the dress) "Let me go change to try this out. You two talk among yourselves." -and so- Patty: "You got your lens and flash for your camera, Sis?" stocking: sup. *she is dressed in a fursuit resembling zipper t bunny from animal crossing* Kid: "Stocking?" (looks her up and down) "Nice...overalls?" stocking: aww, you look so cute~! Kid: (blushing) "This is embarrassing...even if this dress does look rather nice..." stocking: i think it's adorable. its even cuter with those expressions of yours~ Kid: (frowns) "Promise me that if someone flips my skirt up, that you'll deck them." stocking: got it~ Kid: "Could you walk me to my first class at least?" stocking: of course. *she smiles and takes his hand* Kid: "I will be stuck in advanced Meister-Weapon training, so I do not look forward to classmates giggling at this dress...even if its color does flatter my complexion. Er, anyway, what is your next class?" stocking: looks like history class again. Kid: "Good luck. Take good notes. Don't take carrots from strangers." stocking: *she laughs* thanks. and i'll try not to bump into chrona. Kid: "Good." (Looks at Stocking. Kisses the forehead of her bunny outfit. Blushes.) stocking: *blushes behind the mask* well, better get you to class then. Kid: "You as well. I'll see you at lunch! I'll bring carrots! (Sorry! Last carrot joke!)" stocking: sure thing, princess~ Kid: "(Annoyed grunt) Yeah, yeah..." (walks into class--and everyone is standing at their desks) Patty: "Introducing, to the royal court, our fair princess, Kiddo! APPLAUSE, YOU PEASANTS!" Kid: "Liz?! What the hell?!" gopher: *snickering* mio: thats....er...a nice look...i guess... Kid: "Just get out of my way, and let me to my seat." (Kid then feels someone flip up his skirt. Furious, he spins and decks the person in the face, and it is revealed to be...) gopher: *smirks* feh~ i look cuter in a dress anyway~ Kid: "Then let me take it off and strangle you with it!" Patty: "Kid! You can do that after the day is over! Now take your seat. Oh, and, um, cross your legs--we don't need to see that, pal." liz: i think some students in school would disagree with you sis. Kid: (blushes, puts legs together, looks down) -later at lunch- stocking: hey kid. *she waves* Kid: "Hello. How was your class?" stocking: pretty good. we're still learning about the Roma war, and the Romani people in general. Apparently they worshiped a moon deity named 'Izanami'. Kid: "Interesting. When is your next history test?" stocking: next tuesday i believe. Kid: "Good luck. Um...I ended up punching a student today in class..." stocking: you arent in trouble, are you? Kid: "Miss Marie was too distracted by how adorable my dress was to punish me." stocking: well, you are adorable, even without the dress. Kid: "Thank you. If I may say, you carry yourself well regardless what you wear--even a rabbit outfit." stocking: what about a bunnygirl outfit? Kid: (Blushes, looks down) "I...wouldn't mind..." stocking: hmm? what was that? Kid: "I...would like to see that." stocking: or would you rather see less clothes than that? Kid: "...Remember how I said I want to be honest and direct with you?" (blushes, looks down) "Let's just say that...You are very beautiful, however you are dressed...or not." stocking:.............*blushing* well... ok then! seems next class is literature. we're gonna be reading lord of the flies. Kid: "Enjoy. See you afterschool at the front steps?" stocking: sure. Kid: (awkwardly stands up, approaches, and hugs her) stocking: ah- *blushes* Kid: "Thank you for doing this bet with me. I really do appreciate it." stocking: hey, no problem. if it was really that embarrassing for you, i wouldnt want you to have to go it alone. Kid: "I will see you this afternoon. I hope Lord of the Flies makes for an enjoyable discussion." -later- stocking: so can i take the rabbit costume off now? Patty: "Can't we at least get one more picture of Alice and the Rabbit?" stocking: ok. *lifts kid up bridal style* Kid: "...I would be so embarrassed right now...but your physical strength is amazing and so attractive right now." Patty: (snaps pic) stocking: so can i take it off now? Patty: "Sure! Take it off!" stocking: *removes the mask, gasping for air* haaa... finally i can breathe! *her face looked quite hot* Kid: (pulls bottle of water from his backpack) "Here, drink this." stocking: thanks. *she takes a drink* ahhh~ refreshing~! Patty: "Didn't you already drink out of that bottle, Kid?" stocking:........*drinks slowly* Kid: (blushes harder) stocking: *licks lips when she finishes* Kid: (falls backwards--caught by Liz) liz: woah, easy there, lover-boy. Kid: "Thank you, Liz. I hope I didn't wrinkle my dress...Wait...I didn't bring a change of clothes! I'm going to have to walk home like this?!" liz: 'fraid so~ Patty: "Or you could strip down to your undies and walk home." (elbows Stocking and Liz) "How 'bout that, ladies?" stocking: you'd like that, wouldnt you kiddo~? Kid: "...What?" stocking: *innocently whistling* Kid: "...Would you suggest that me in my boxers would be less embarrassing than me in a dress?" Kid: "Or that you would _want_ to see me in my boxers, Stocking?" stocking: as much as you want to see me in my bra and panties....or not~ Kid: (blushes hard, squirms a bit) "That would be a lot..." (crosses his legs a bit, holds his bookbag over his dress) "I'll stick with the dress then. Stocking, would you like to join us at our home for some tea and pie?" stocking: sure. liz: *glances at kid's...*ahem* then looks away* Patty: *stares at Kid's...*ahem* keeps staring all the way home Kid: (walking more comfortably) "Please make yourself at home, Stocking. I am going to change out of this. Liz, Patty, please ask our staff to bring some peppermint tea as well as whatever you all desire for tea and pie." stocking: ok~ *stares at it too, smirking slightly* Patty: "We have all kinds of pies, Stocking! What do you want?" stocking: suprise me....or..sur-pies-me? Patty: "...Make another pun like that again, I'm kicking you out a window." stocking: jeez. (Liz and Stocking can hear Kid coming down the stairs, whistling as he adjusts his tie) stocking: *already her dress* hey. Kid: (smiles) "As lovely as you look in a rabbit outfit, I much prefer you like this." (still fiddling with his tie) stocking: thanks kid.. *she smiles* Kid: "Darn, this tie is being troublesome." stocking: want me to help? Kid: (puts hands to side) "Sorry. I just feel a bit anxious. Would you?" stocking: *after a little while, she gets it straightened out* there we go~ Kid: "Perfect. Thank you, love." liz: so when's the wedding? Kid: (frowns) "If you receive an invitation, you'll know." (winks at Stocking) stocking: sometime after grauduation maybe~ Patty: "But first, pie!" (flourish and bow) "Snacks are served in the dining hall, ladies. And Kid." stocking: yum~! Kid: "Aw, I see you chose a sampler variety of flavors. Which one will you have, Stocking? Or will that be 'which ones'?" stocking: cherry and chocolate or me please! hopefully no one pulled a 'the help' here. Patty: "Doubtful! I'll have some of the lemon meringue! How about you, Sis?" liz: sure. Kid: "I will try the cherry and chocolate as well. And after today's torturous experience, I am happy to be spending time with three of the best women I know." stocking+liz: thanks.....*stares at each other awkwardly* Patty: (clears throat awkwardly) "Thanks Kid! Say, let's go back to talking about how embarrassing it was for Kid today! Like when he had part of his skirt stuck in his underwear after coming out of the bathroom!" stocking: ...... Kid: "Patty! Could we talk about something else?!" Patty: "Stocking, how badly does that rabbit suit smell?" Stocking: could be washed. A lil sweaty. Patty: (sniff) "Yet you have the delightful smell of flowers and cinnamon." (seizes Stocking by the face, smushing her cheeks) "Are you magic? Share with me your fine-smelling secrets." stocking: showering and perfumes. Patty: "Showering! That's what I forgot! Which perfumes should I make Kid buy for me?" Kid: (impressed at how unaffected Stocking seems with Patty's foolishness) stocking: usually i get stuff from arom-amour. Patty: "Kid! You have your shopping trip this weekend! And while you are there, buy some for Stocking, too!" stocking: but it's also the fall carnival on saturday. Kid: (grateful for distraction) "Yes, it is. Wouldn't that be fun, Patty?" Patty: "Then you better buy your girlfriend and me fancy perfurmes next weekend." stocking: there's going to be all kinds of things, like games, rides, and a fireworks show! Kid: "I look forward to it. You had said that your father would be there as well, yes?" stocking: oh yes.... yes he is... kid: "I hope to meet him." stocking: mmmm~ this pie is soooo gooood~! Kid: (raises eyebrow at Stocking changing topic. Takes a bite off of his plate. Smiles) "Yes, it is." -later- stocking: what now? Kid: "I don't suppose anyone would be interested in a game? One without taking bets." stocking: what kind of game? Patty: "We have a variety of options: checkers, chess, Cataan, Monopoly, Guitar Hero, Twister, Trivial Pursuit..." stocking: you have clue? Patty: "We have Clue! And a clue, too!" stocking: sweet! so who do you want to be? Kid: "Colonel Mustard?" Patty: "Mr. Green!" stocking: miss peacock? liz: scarlet. Patty: "Who wants to pick the suspect, weapon, and room cards? Big Sis?" Kid: "Yes, Liz, will you pick the cards?" liz: sure. *she spreads out the cards equally to each person, putting three cards, one from each catagory, into the secret file without looking* Patty: "And Miss Scarlett can start play! Then Kid, then Stocking, then me!" liz: alright. *she rolls the die; 4 spaces* Kid: "Which room are you in?" liz: i think im still in the hall. Patty: "Any suggestion you want to make? Or should Kid roll?" liz: you're up, kid. Kid: "Six..." Kid: "I'm just outside the library. I'll wait and let Stocking go." stocking: six as well, right outside the conservatory. Patty: "Have a suggestion?" stocking: nah, you're up patti. Patty: "Five, between dining room and lounge. Sis, you're up!" liz: 4 and im in the lounge. Kid: "No suggestions?" liz: do you think the candlestick was the weapon used? Kid: (shows Liz the candlestick card is in his hand) stocking: so that isnt it then... Kid: "I have 2. I enter the library. Hmm...I suggest the murder occurred here, in the library." stocking: *shows him the library card* Kid: "So not there. Your turn, Stocking." stocking: 4 again, so im in the concervatory now... Patty: "You want to make a guess, Detective Stocking?” stocking: could the suspect be mr green? Patty: "I can't disprove that. Big Sis?" liz: nah, kid? Kid: "I'm afraid not." (glances at Patty) "Guess we have a suspect." Patty: (sly smile) "My turn then?" Patty: (rolls 6) Patty: "I'll go into the lounge, so I'll suggest the murder happened here!" liz: *lifts up lounge card* Patty: "So much for that. MY MURDEROUS CAMPAIGN CONTINUES UNABATED! Big Sis, your turn." liz: found the secret passage to the conservatory. Patty: "Ooooo! What're you gonna do?" liz: do you think the knife was used? Kid: "I can't disprove that." stocking: neither can i. Patty: "Nope, no disproving. So we know it's the knife by me, Mr. Green." Kid: "My turn..." Kid: "I roll 2. I'll enter the Billiard Room. May I suggest the murder happened here? Stocking?" liz: *holds up billard room card* Kid: "Drat. Cross that room off the list. Stocking, here is the di." (hands it to her) stocking: 4 and moved to the ballroom. Kid: "Hazard a guess?" stocking: you think the ballroom is the place? Patty: "I got nothing to dispute that. Think this is the place, Sis?" liz: *holds up ballroom card* Kid: "That leaves the Kitchen, Conservatory, Dining Hall, Cellar, Study, and Hall, yes?" Patty: "I think so. I'll roll!" Patty: "I got 2!" Patty: "I'm heading to the dining hall, but can't get there yet. Your turn, Sis!" liz: 1, just outside the conservatory. Kid: "2, just outside the conservatory as well. Stocking?" stocking: two, heading to the kitchen....*licks lips* hopefully there will be cake~ Kid: "Easy, Stocking." Patty: "I rolled a 1. I can't get into Dining Hall yet. Your turn, Sis!" liz: 4, now in the ballroom. do you think it was the hall though? Kid: "I cannot object to that." stocking: *holds up hall card* Kid: "Cross off Hall then. 5 options left." Kid: "I roll a 6, I enter the Conservatory. I will hypothesize that Mr. Green used the knife here in the Conservatory." liz: *holds up conservatory card* Kid: "4 rooms then. Stocking?" stocking: 1 space. Patty: "So you can't get into another room." Patty: "I roll a 5." Patti: “I enter the Dining Hall, and I'll suggest I committed the murder with the knife in here! Then I had cake!" stocking: cant disprove it. liz: same. liz: how about you, kid? Kid: (holds up Dining Hall card) "Looks like you had your cake in the Kitchen, the Cellar, or the Study. Your turn, Liz." liz: 3, in the hallway. Kid: "I roll a 1. I leave and am in the hallway, heading towards Ballroom. Stocking?" stocking: 6 and kitchen time. anyone find anything suspicious? Patty: "I don't. And I still want cake. Sis?" liz: it looks clean. Kid: "I have no objections. So, Mr. Green with the Knife in the Kitchen?" liz: no i meant i dont think this is the place. Kid: "So we still have to locate the place? Then it is Patty's turn, right?" liz: yeah i think so. Patty: "I roll a 6! I leave the Dining Hall and enter the Hall, and I think the murder was in the Study!" stocking: nah. *holds study card* i think it was mr green with the knife in the cellar. Kid: "I trust this concludes the game, then?" liz: think so... Patty: "Curses! My murder was uncovered!" (flips the board over) "Sorry. I got excited." stocking: now what? Kid: "Maybe an hour before dinner, if you would care to join us for that. Until then, I'm not sure. Too cold for a swim in the pool, although there is always the hot tub. We have billiards, television. Or we can take a walk." stocking: maybe there are some other rooms in the mansion i havent seen yet you'd like to show me? Kid: "We have an extensive art gallery. Would you be interested?" stocking: sure! Kid: (Offers a hand to stand up) "Let us depart." stocking: *takes his hand and smiles* Kid: "Will you two be joining us?" liz: nah, im just gonna clean up the mess. Patty: "I'll help with dinner! Or make it worse, one or the other." (Pinches Kid's cheeks.) "Don't do anything I would do with your girlfriend!" stocking: *chuckles* Kid: (rubs cheeks) "Perhaps you can assist with cutting the vegetables. Liz, please watch your sister. Well, my dear, let's depart." -art gallery- stocking: wow, this place is huge! Kid: "Father has amassed a large amount of art over 800 years. He likes to acquire art not only that is of historical value, but art as it is made today. He hopes to see those aspiring arts reach high levels of fame. I don't suppose you paint or sculpt, do you?" stocking: if you mean doodling, then maybe-...are these yours? *she points to a framed drawing, looking almost like a child's drawing* Kid: (blushes) "Father also likes displaying my...doodlings from childhood. I suppose this is better than his previous method: buying more and more refrigerators and magnets to put up my art." stocking: awww. thats so sweet! Kid: (smiles) "Yes. I am lucky to have a father like him." stocking: *solumn smile* Kid: "Are you okay?" stocking: hmm? oh! yeah, im fine. Kid: (decides not to press, but makes a mental note for later) Kid: (squeezes her hand) stocking: *she smiles a bit* -after a while in the gallery, they explore other parts of the mansion- Kid: "It's easy to get lost here. So be sure not to separate from me." stocking: i know what you mean. my family's mansion is said to be like a maze. i've actually found a few intruders near death or insanity on a few occasions. Kid: (eyes widen) "I'm sorry--about the intruders. It sounds like your family wishes to keep your home well protected." stocking: yeah. haha. Kid: "I suppose Father should pick up some interior design tips from your family's architect. We haven't had a home invasion in some time here." stocking: maybe. Kid: (stares at Stocking) "how are you feeling? I mean, right now?" stocking: im doing well. Kid: (small smile) "That's good. I'm happy to have you here this afternoon. I have felt so pleased to be around you." stocking: *she smiles a bit. she had really started to open up more around him and his friends* Kid: "Where shall we walk to next? We have other rooms we could visit." stocking: anything you have in mind? Kid: "The balcony gives an excellent view of the sunset." stocking: ah! its that late already! Kid: "I'm afraid so." stocking: wow, guess time really does fly... Kid: "Would you rather head back? Dinner should be about ready." stocking: sure! Kid: "Okay." (leads her down the stairs to the dining hall) "While I love the food our staff prepares, I wouldn't mind dining out. Would you be interested?" Kid: "I mean in the future..." stocking: someday maybe. Kid: "Okay. Ah, here we are. Liz, Patty? How are dinner preparations?" liz: doin' good. Patty: "About done! Take a seat!" stocking: so whats on the menu tonight? Patty: "Grilled lemon-herb chicken or Persian zucchini frittata!" stocking: sweetest one please? Kid: "I'm not sure...Perhaps the chicken?" stocking: as long as it isnt too spicy... Patty: "No worries there! Sis, what about you?" -after dinner- Kid: "Excellent meal, as always. Did you all enjoy?" stocking: yeah. and now for the best part~! Patty: "I went a little more basic--I got popsicles! We have cherry, grape, orange, and lemon." stocking: cherry please~ Kid: "Grape." Patty: "Orange!" liz: looks like i got lemon. Kid: "The grape is rather flavorful." stocking: *enjoying her pop* Patty: "Ah! Brain freeze! stocking: hmmm! yummy~ Kid: (finishes his popsicle) "That was good. I could use a glass of water. Let me bring some for all of us." stocking: thanks~ Patty: "Have a fun tour of our humble abode, Stocking?" stocking: its really nice. *she smiles* Patty: "So things are good between you and the Reaper? Getting along okay?" stocking: yeah. Patty: "That's good." (holds popsicle stick to Stocking's neck, smiles pleasantly) "Because if you ever hurt my meister, I'll cut you." stocking:...i'll keep that in mind. Kid: "Stop threatening her, Patty." (sets glasses down, takes a seat) "You know as well as I do that if I am in any danger, you and Liz will save me." liz:...... Kid: (notices Liz's silence) "So, Liz, Patty, how were your classes today...when you weren't photographing my dress?" liz: pretty good. Patty: "Ah, she's under-selling herself." (pokes Liz) "She managed to get a B on the last advanced weapons test!" (hugs Liz) "All that studying and tutoring!" (frowns) "I just got a C-." stocking: not bad. Kid: "That is excellent work, Liz! You should be proud." liz: *scratches the back of her neck.* hehe... Kid: "You put in a lot of work, and you should be proud of that, Liz." liz: um, thanks. Kid: "Now if only Patty could follow your example." Patty: "Oh, like you're any better! You take an hour just to write your name! Hey, Stocking, how have you been doing on your tests?' stocking: i guess im doing fairly decent....except in math... Kid: "Tutoring is available at the Academy." stocking: thats good to know. Kid: "I suppose it is getting late. Would you like an escort home?" stocking: im good tonight. Kid: "Let us know that you get home safely." Patty: "Later, Stocking!" stocking: *waves and leaves* [in her mind: kid... i wish i could tell you....] Kid: *waves* (In his mind: She is so...amazing.) (Turns back to his weapons, smiles) "Patty, Liz and I have to discuss her grade on the test some more. Would you mind leaving us alone for a few minutes?" Patty: (glances at Kid and Liz) "Don't do anything while you're alone that would upset your girlfriend, Kid." liz: patti please. Kid: "Agreed. Please, give us 10 minutes." Patty: "Oh, fine. You two just can't take a joke. I'll go help the maids wash dishes..." (departs for the kitchen) Kid: "Liz, any updates regarding our investigation?" liz: one student said she smelt something weird behind the track field storage shed... Kid: "Weird how? A chemical smell?” liz: i dont know, but the door to the track field is the same as the door rosalie took our possible victim through... Kid: "Have you notified Sid and Naigus? That shed is a potential scene of a crime. Evidence could be compromised unless we close it off." liz: i sent a text to them, they should get the message. they might 'clean it up'. Kid: "So they'll be able to bag and tag all evidence. Good. Could you send them a text, now, to ask for an update?" liz: i think they'll let me know. Kid: "Okay. But the moment you hear something, you tell me. I don't care what I'm doing: whether I'm in class, whether I'm asleep, or in the bathroom, you come find me, understood?" liz: what if you're making out with your girlfriend~? Kid: (frowning) "Yes, even if Stocking and I are being...intimate." liz: just checking~ Kid: "Cute. Well, let's retire for bed. Patty? Are you done--" (Opens kitchen door--and soap suds fall out) Patty: "I think I used too much soap in the dishwasher! Again!" liz: ack! Patty: "At least I don't need a bath! I smell as clean as Stocking!" ~after some time, the time for the fall carnival had arrived~ Kid: (pacing back and forth) "I can't find her anywhere. Where is she?! Did I miss her?! What if she stood me up? Or did I stand her up?!" Patty: (gnawing on caramel apples) "You keep pacing that much, you'll end up in a rut. Ease up, Kiddo! Stocking'll be here soon!" -on the stage, mephisto is welcoming the townsfolk to the festival. Stocking is sitting in a chair behind him. when she sees kid she blushes slightly- Kid: "Oh, there she is!" (waves--then stops) "Why is she on stage?" -after the entrance show, stocking talks to mephisto and bumps into kid- stocking: ah!! oh...kid! i wasnt expecting to see you so soon... Kid: "H-Hi! I was looking everywhere for you." mephisto: oh? ah! so this is your little friend then, dear? stocking: y-yeah... *blushing* Kid: (thinking: "Dear"?) mephisto: well, im glad to see you are making friends at your new school. or are you something more~? stocking: D-DAD!! *she blushes wildly* Kid: "DAD?!" stocking: *she sighs* yeah... *looks down and blushes* Kid: (to Mephisto) "I...didn't know Stocking was your...daughter." -after that- stocking: *still red in the face* Kid: "I...did say I would like to meet your father... stocking: yeah... at least it wasnt one of my uncles... that would have been hectic.... Kid: (considering the implications of all of this) "From what I know about Mephisto, does that mean...that you are...?" stocking: no, of course not!....truth is... im actually kind of...adopted.... *she looks down* Kid: "S-sorry! I didn't mean anything! I was...I'm sorry. That was absolutely improper of me. Please, forgive me." stocking: hey, its fine. im used to it... its a better alternative than.... n-nevermind.... well, at least you got to know a bit more about me, right? Kid: "I am grateful for that. And I know a thing or two about surprising fathers." stocking: yeah, though i have been suprise myself...to say the least.... *excalibur face* i can never look at omelettes the same way ever again... Kid: (eyebrow raise) "Um...Is this a topic not to discuss at this time? Or should I worry about what I serve you for breakfast?" stocking: hmm? i-its nothing... so what did you want to do first? Kid: "Let's leave the sweets until later, maybe? I would hate to have an upset stomach after some of the rides." stocking: yeah, haha. Kid: "Shall we try the Twin Dragons roller coaster?" stocking: sounds good! Kid: "If you feel scared on the ride, you can hold my hand..." stocking: i doubt that~ Kid: "Very well, my brave angel." stocking: what did you say? Kid: (smiles) "You are brave, and you are angelic." (holds out hand) "And I hope that you would consider me yours as well." stocking:................t-thanks....*she takes his hand slightly* Kid: (smiles warmly) "Off to face the dragons." stocking: yeah. Kid: (seats himself. Holds hand out for Stocking to take seat next to him) stocking: *sits next to him, adjusting everything so it doesnt come off* Kid: "Buckled in for the ride?" stocking: yeah, you? Kid: "Yes." Kid: "Yes." The Dueling Dragons roller coaster takes off--pushing back Kid and Stocking's skin against their faces at its high speeds. stocking: MREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! Kid: "OH, Death, Why?!!!" -after the ride, stocking is shaking slightly. meanwhile a blue haired girl rushes to a trashcan to vomit- stocking: h-how are you holding up? Kid: (covers mouth) "That track was not symmetrical." (removes vomit bag from his jacket pocket) "Just in case I need it...How are you?" stocking: alright...good thing i didnt eat yet...haha....haaa.... want to do something else? a bit less fast? Kid: "I see a Thomas the Tank Engine Kiddie Ride...But that's not the best choice. Patty usually hogs it all day." Carnie: "Ma'am, you should really give the children a chance to ride--" Patty: "Shut up, fascist! I paid for 40 rides, I'm getting my 40 rides!" stocking: how about one of the games? Kid: "I'm game!" stocking:........................*laughs* Kid: (blushes) "Y-Yes. Well...Um, how about skeeball?" stocking: sounds good. Kid: "I'll aim for the center for the maximum number of tickets. What prize should we have as our goal?" stocking: i'll just take whatever. Kid: "Like that giant stuffed doll in the shape of a lollipop?" stocking: seems good! Kid: "Then I shall get the highest score!" (Kid tosses the ball--direct center! Three times!) "Yes! 90 tickets! Just need 10 more." stocking: *aims and aero rolls it into the center* NICE! Kid: "We'll take the lollipop doll, please!" stocking: its so cute! *she hugs it a bit before kissing kid's nose* thanks kid. Kid: (blushing) "Aw...Well, you're welcome. Would you like to get something to drink or eat?" stocking: sure~ Kid: "I'll have an iced lemonade. How about you?" stocking: cotton candy please~ Kid: "Excellent choice. May I have a bite?" stocking: sure. *she takes a piece off and gives it to him* Kid: "Thank you." (takes it from her hand, puts it in his mouth) "Hmm...It evaporates so quickly." stocking: yeah, it does that. h-have you ever had it before? Kid: "Quite a number of times. I remember the first time: I was on a trip with Spirit, out of town because...Father could not. While walking along the boardwalk, Spirit bought me some. It was quite tasty." stocking: ah, thats...one of the deathscythes, right? Kid: "Yes. He is also Maka's father." stocking: ah... *she nods* so what now? Kid: "A bit too soon for another stomach-turning ride. How about the Funhouse? The Maze of Mirrors in it should prove a challenge to navigate." stocking: challange accepted~ Kid: "Bet I can get through the maze and out of the Funhouse first." stocking: winner gets to choose the next ride~ Kid: "Agreed." (holds out hand to shake) -soon, they enter the hall of mirrors- Kid: (runs into a mirror) "Ouch." stocking: *feeling around for the right place to go* Kid: (Finds a mirror--that reflects half of his body over the other. He is symmetrical! He puts a hand to his chin) "Well, hello there, handsome." stocking: *sneaks up behind him* reading my mind, are you~? Kid: (blushes) "Can I help it?" stocking: maybe~ *she leans in to kiss him, then pulls away and continues her way, in order to tease him* Kid: (dumbstruck, frowns) "Can't let her beat me that easily!" (departs...then turns back to his symmetrical mirror, points at it with a smile) "Stay beautiful!" (runs after Stocking--and into another mirror) "Ouch." -stocking's reflecton can be seen through several mirrors, giggling playfully- Kid: "This is...certainly better." (takes his time walking by them) "Are you even trying to reach the exit before I am? Or are you just here to tease?" stocking: maybe~ Kid: (lands into what he thinks is a mirror--and instead is Stocking. Freezes.) "I'M SO SORRY!" stocking: its fine... its not like you groped me by accident. *awkward chuckle* Kid: "...No." (awkwardly tries to slide around her for where he hopes to find the exit.) stocking: *kisses his nose* Kid: (freezes, can't move. But can Stocking get around him?) stocking: *squeezes past him* aaand im out! Kid: "Not if I get by you, first!" stocking: *fast walks to gain momentum* Kid: (tries to slide past her--and instead slips) stocking: *trips over him* ack! Kid: (Stocking lands on top of him) "Ouch! Oh dear! I'm so sorry!" stocking: y-you ok? *she blushes a bit* Kid: "Yes. Sorry." (then he notices his hand is on her hip) stocking: !!! *SLAP* Kid: "Ouch!" Kid: (puts hand to his face--which gets it off of Stocking's hip) stocking:.....s-sorry... i kinda.... i-it was a reflex... Kid: "No, it is okay--absolutely warranted." (then he notices where Stocking's hand is--outside the Funhouse! She won! ...And bystanders are staring at them...) stocking: *blushes and stands up, clearing her throat* *ahem*... well... looks like i won. (Bystanders include Tsugumi, Meme, and Anya. ) Anya: "How scandalous!" Kid: "Yes, you have." (stands up, dusts himself) "And as winner, which ride will you choose?" mio: *also with the not crew* ......*snaps a pic with her phone* Anya: "No photos!" (glances around) "Text it to me later..." stocking: how about the haunted house....i-if you're up for it... Kid: "I'm not afraid." (rubs his cheek) "Not after what I have seen...and felt..." stocking: you want some ice? Kid: "...Would you be willing to slap the other cheek?" stocking:.....*takes him back inside to keep him from view* *SLAP* s-sorry. Kid: "Aw, that's much better!" (now has two hand-shaped red welts on both cheeks) "I will now accept that ice, please." stocking: *she buys two ice packs and puts them on his cheeks* Kid: "Thank you. I should heal within five minutes, then we may explore the Haunted House." stocking:......*kisses both his cheeks* i-if that helps... Kid: "Yes, it does." (blushes, smiles) "Even your slaps are full of beauty." (looks in mirror) "You slapped me perfectly along both cheeks. That takes talent." stocking: *blushes* t-thanks...i guess.... Kid: "Shall we enter the Haunted House? I promise not to slip this time." stocking: sure. hopefully this one isnt too intense.. Kid: "Will it be a walking tour? Or will it be a dark ride, in which we sit?" stocking: i think its a dark ride. Kid: "If I am scared, I'm happy to have you with me to hold my hands." stocking: of course. Kid: (seats himself, holds out hand to Stocking) stocking: *she sits down next to him* (The ride operator, dressed like a creepy house waiter, puts the bar down on them) Operator: "Enjoy, you lovely couple--this could be the last ride you ever take..." stocking: *smiles a bit, not scared in the least* Kid: (blinks, unimpressed, but still clutches the bar as the ride jolts forward at a slow speed) stocking: how are you doing? Kid: "Quite fine. After all I have encountered, the only scary part of this ride is how dusty it is." (rubs fingers, which have layer of dust from the ride-bar) "Yourself?" stocking: doing good. *a skeleton pops out from a coffin. the metalic joints are somewhat visible* oh no im soooo scared~! Kid: "This is disappointing. I only hope it becomes more frightening as we go on." (bat dolls--with strings obviously visible--fall in front of his face, slapping him) "Nope." stocking: *yawns* -a small girl smiles and runs off- stocking: hmmm? Kid: "What's wrong?" stocking: .....probably nothing.... Kid: (a zombie cardboard standee pops up in front of them) "It had to have been more interesting than this..." (pushes the standee away as they pass it) -the little girl giggled and ran down a corridor again.- Kid: (looks at Stocking) "Why are you giggling?" stocking: that...that wasnt me... Kid: "Well it wasn't me!" (eyes widen as he hears giggling next to his ear. He turns around--and sees nothing) "What is going on..." -a skeleton dummy falls from the ceiling- Kid: (Shrieks!) stocking: FUCK! ...damn.... Kid: (nervous laughter) "I can't believe we were tricked by such shoddy construction..." stocking: yeah....haha... Kid: (freezes, stares at Stocking) "What is that...behind...you?" stocking: *turns around, just in time to miss the face of a little girl with empty, bloody eye sockets* Kid: "Her...eyes..." stocking:....? Kid: "There is something wrong here. But I cannot read any souls here! Is it a prank--or something else?" stocking:....... Kid: "Do you have a weapon on you?" stocking: s-sorta....why? Kid: "When I say so, I want you to swing at the target--not to hit it, but to see whether it reacts..." stocking:..... Kid: "Stocking? I really think there is something here...I would rather be safe than sorry." stocking: ok..... (The giggling is now between Kid and Stocking) Kid: "I hear it, but I don't see her!" *PUNCH* ???: eek! hey! that's mean! Kid: "Who is that?" -the girl appears between them, a bit upset- Kid: "Who are you?" ????: Just a stray ghost... just haunting the house to make it a little scarier... Kid: "Well, you certainly accomplished that task--I thought I was going to jump out of my suit!" stocking: so, you're just staying with the haunted house then? ???: Yeah, its a living... or unliving in my case hehehe~ Kid: "Do you have a name?" ???: I actually dont remember it, but i guess 'Fran' works. Kid: "Well, Fran, I am Kid, and this is Stocking." stocking: so, you arent causing too much trouble here? fran: nah, unless you count terrifying the customers as trouble. Kid: "Where were you before coming to this haunted house, Fran?" fran: not sure. i rode this ride but wandered of and got caught in one of the machines... Kid: "We got our money's worth in fear--in fact, you should probably ask for some of the profits." fran: how are you going to pay a ghost? Kid: "...I hadn't thought this through...Is there anything we can give you as...thanks?" stocking: but the way you died.... thats just awful... fran: im used to it.... fran: just letting me do my thing. Kid: "I am sorry for what has happened to you. You know, I am a reaper...I would give your soul...peace." fran: really? i appeciate it, but i'll stay here for now, at least a little longer until they get money for a haunted house that isnt sucky. Kid: "Hmm...Very well. It looks like this ride is reaching its end--I can see the exit." fran: well, see yaaaaa. *she vanishes into the floor* Kid: "The sights we've seen..." stocking: well, as long as she is happy with what she's doing... Kid: "Yes. I just hope she keeps finding such happiness. Here's our exit." -soon, they exit- Kid: (outside) "Is that...your father? Talking with my father?" stocking: *takes kid's hand and drags him to the pumpkin patch before they get caught* Kid: "I cannot blame you for wanting to avoid awkwardness around parents, but we can't hide here forever." (looks around) "But nothing stops us from exploring the patch...maybe for hours." stocking: yeah, we could even make out and no one could see us......wait what? Kid: (blushes, scratches cheek) "I suppose we could...if we wanted to...Would you want to?" stocking: i dunno....*blushing* i mean.....maybe? Kid: "I don't want to do anything that would make us uncomfortable. We can do what you want. We can hold hands, look at the stars...see what happens." stocking: yeah....its still some time till the fireworks show... Kid: (brushes aside some leaves on a bench, takes a seat with space for Stocking to join him) stocking: *she sits down next to him, relaxing* Kid: (inches his hand towards hers) stocking:.....*holds his hand* Kid: (Looks to the stars) "Beautiful sight..." stocking: yeah... i think we might be able to see the fireworks from here... Kid: "I hope so." (he gave a lift squeeze on her hand. It felt so soft) stocking: wish i could have brought cider... Kid: "I'll be sure to have some in the Mansion upon your next visit. I really do enjoy your visits...I like being around you." stocking: *she smiled* (Kid smiled at her. His face was lit by the stars above) stocking: *she blushed slightly.* Kid: (he leaned towards her) stocking: *leans slightly* i...i..... Kid: (gulps) "Stocking..." stocking: y-yeah? Kid: "May I kiss you?" stocking: *she blushed* i.... im.... c-conflicted.... Kid: "Then may I keep holding your hand?" stocking: y-yeah...... sorry.... its just..... its hard for me... to feel those things.... Kid: "It's okay--you are doing nothing wrong. I'm sorry. I never want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable." stocking: its fine.... i guess its because of what happened in my old school that im like that.... Kid: "If you ever want to talk..." stocking: ok... it was when i was 14... i just started attending an all girl's private school. there was one really popular girl i kinda.. h-had a crush on. Kid: (He thought: "A girl?") "Okay..." stocking: at that time, some of the other students were bullying me pretty badly. one day, she said she'd try and get them to stop, so she brought me to the school cellar... Kid: (silent, letting her continue) stocking: they were there....and they ambushed me....the ripped my clothes off and took pictures of me.... they wanted to humiliate me....and she planned the whole thing... Kid: "That's awful." stocking: i thought so, but it got worse.....she brought this fat, horrible smelling man in and he....he..... *she breaks down crying* Kid: (removes his handkerchief to give her, uncertain whether to hug her) stocking: *she hesitantly takes it* t-th-thanks......its just.... been hard to get close to people after that.... Kid: (silent, puts his arms around her) "I'm sorry." stocking: n-no...im sorry...f-for spilling my guts and ruining the evening.... Kid: "You ruined nothing. You have lived with these experiences for so long--and there is never a wrong time for you to be honest about what you feel. I never want to make you feel like you can't refuse. You don't even have to explain--and I should be listening better..." stocking: *she sniffed and buried her face into his chest until she finally calmed down* Kid: (rubs her back) "It's okay. It's going to be okay." stocking: *her breath was still shaky, but she seemed to be doing better* t-thanks....f-f-for listening kid.... Kid: "Anytime, Stocking." Kid: (thinking: "If I ever meet the people who hurt her...I will hurt them...") stocking: i-i really do like you a lot...b-but it's going to take some time before i can really 'love-love' you...or anyone. Kid: "I understand. And I am happy, right here, right now, just being here with you. And I enjoy having you in my life, no matter what." stocking: thank you.... say....d-does your offer for a kiss still stand? i-it might...help me calm down a bit more.... Kid: (small smile) "As you wish..." (He leaned closer but stopped, letting her make the move) stocking: *she was hesitant, but leaned in, pressing her lips to his own* Kid: (thinking how soft her lips feel. He closed his eyes and let her lips stay on his, unsure what to do next--this was his first real kiss) stocking: *she blushed, continuing to kiss him for a while until she pulled back for breath* ah....w-was it any good? Kid: (catching his breath, blushing) "E-Excellent. You are...quite good." stocking: you weren’t too bad yourself..... did you want to try hugging at the same time? Kid: "If you would like to..." stocking: *she wrapped her arms around him and gently kissed him, a bit deeper this time* Kid: (his eyes widened a bit, before shutting. His arms wrapped just a bit more tightly around her) stocking y-you dont have to hesitate.. Kid: "Okay." (he kissed her back, a bit more deeply...he felt her tongue) stocking: *she released a small moan and shuddered* a-ah...i... wasnt expecting that... Kid: "S-sorry!" stocking: i-its fine. Kid: "O-okay." (sly smile) "It felt...pleasant. You?" stocking: it was warm... *she smiled* Kid: (smiles back, gives soft squeeze on her hand) stocking: looks like the fireworks are going to start soon. Kid: (leans back on the bench to get a view) stocking: *leans closer to him* Kid: (quiet, smiles as he nustles against her head) -soon, the fireworks show begins- Kid: (gazes at one firework that forms the shape of the number 8) "Father..." stocking: *stares at one in the shape of angel wings* ................ Kid: "Wings? Interesting design." stocking:..... (another firework forms the shape of the DWMA skull symbol) Kid: (touches his tie's skull choker) stocking: *another takes the form of a heart* *she blushes* Kid: (somehow an arrow firework pierces the heart) Kid: (tugs at his collar, nervously) stocking: *bluuuuush* (multiple fireworks go off at once in a glorious display of light, shining onto Kid and Stocking’s faces) stocking: *buries her face into his neck* Kid: (frozen, slowly leans) "I'm happy to have you in my life, Stocking." stocking: im...i am too....f-for you i mean... Kid: (silent smile, puts arm around Stocking) stocking: *leans in and gently kisses him* Kid: (kisses back, trying to be gentle) stocking: mmmmm.... Kid: (slight groan) stocking: ah, y-you ok? Kid: (gasping a little for breath) "Y-yes! That...just felt good." stocking: ah... Kid: "Really good." stocking: *she smiles and lays in his arms for a bit* Kid: (thinking: "This feels...good. I'm happy to be with her.") stocking: (in her mind: so warm... damn kid, if he keeps this up.... he's gonna make me fall for him...) (Rustling in the patch behind them) stocking: !!!! *whispering* kid.... Kid: (pulls away, looks behind) (whispers) "Someone walking through?" stocking: *gets up to investigate* Kid: (follows, trying to keep up with her) -she then finds the source of the noise- stocking: !!!!! Kid: "What on earth?!" gopher: *screams* gross! how lewd! how scandelous! how absolutly deprived! Kid: "What the devil are you doing here?!" gopher: whats it to you? stocking: *glares* Kid: "I think you are one to speak of depravity." (takes Stocking's hand) "I think we should depart here. Would you agree?" gopher: its not like i came all the way out here to gawk at you swapping spit between you and your fat pig of a girlfri- *PUNCH* stocking: ........ *visably pissed* Kid: (eyes widened as he sees Gopher hit the ground) "Nice punch." gopher: *on the floor* ow.... stocking: oh trust me, i went easy on him. i could easily crush the little peanuts he calls his balls, if you can even call them that, but i wont. gopher: *whimpering* Kid: "No need to get your hand dirty. Let that be a lesson to you, you cowardly miscreant. What she did to you, I will do double." gopher: i was wrong, girls are terrifying... Kid: (smirks at Gopher) stocking: dont worry gonads, im sure someone will find you.......eventually... gopher: its gopher! Kid: (gently presses Stocking's hand) "Let's depart. Oh, and you might want to get some ice for that bruise, you insect." gopher: Q^Q Kid: "Forget about that monster: you knocked him to the floor like the goddess you are." (eyes widen) "...Um..." stocking: well he shouldnt have- hmm kid? you ok? Kid: "Fine!" (starts leading her forward) "How about some more sugary treats?!" stocking: kid? Are you sure you're ok? Kid: "Yes, goddess!" (slaps hands over mouth) stocking: *she blushes* Kid: "I...just thought your feat of strength was impressive." stocking: yeah... hehe... Kid: (rubs back of his neck) "The carnival should be ending...Want some treat to take home? Maybe an elephant ear? I hear they make them perfectly symmetrical here..." stocking: sure. and yes, i think they do. Kid: "Excellent. There's the food bar, and they are still open." stocking: awesome! -and so- Kid: (bites into his elephant ear) "The cinnamon is flavorful. How is your apple elephant ear?" stocking: yummy~! Kid: "May I have a bite?" stocking: sure, if you let me have a bite of yours~ (Holds his out to her) *nom~* stocking: mmmmMMMMMM~! Kid: (bites at hers) "Mmm..." Kid: "These flavors go well together...like I think we do..." stocking: hehe~ oh! kid you have a little... *she licks the corner of his mouth, then the other side* Kid: (blushes but smiling) "If you want an excuse to kiss me, you can just do so...even if that lick is very..." (blushes harder) stocking: hmm? Kid: "Your tongue...on my mouth feels...good." stocking: oh... *she blushes* Kid: (blushes...returns to biting his elephant ear, awkwardly) stocking: *she smiles and noms her own* Kid: (completes his, wipes hand with a napkin) -soon, she finished hers as well- (lights start going out at carnival) Kid: "I suppose we must depart." stocking: yeah... so your place or mine? Kid: "...Are you inviting me to visit your house?" stocking: i guess. i mean, i've been to your place so many times... Kid: "I would like to visit your home." stocking: sure. *she smiles* i've pretty much got everything unpacked now, i still have one or two more boxes to go through but yeah, for the most part its all ready. Kid: "O-okay. Which way should we go? Is it walkable?" stocking: i guess we can take the bus there. Kid: "Where is the nearest stop?" stocking: not far actually. Kid: "Ah, I see the bus stop bench." stocking: you should probably call your friends to let them know... Kid: (pulls out pocket mirror, dials the number for Liz) "Hello, Liz?" liz: *carrying a backpack full of plushies* yeah? Kid: "I will be visiting Stocking's residence. Do you intend to stay in True Cross, or will you be returning to Death Ci--" (pauses) "What is that in your backpack?" liz: plushies....lots of them.... blame patti. Patty: "No carnival game can withstand the power of Patricia Ann Thompson!" Kid: "...Right. Will you be staying in True Cross a little longer, or returning home?' liz: we were gonna head home actually... you? Kid: "I'll be visiting Stocking's house for a while. I'm not sure how long." liz: w-what!? Kid: "It's just a visit. Please, calm down." liz:.... *she sighs* ok, just... dont do anything i wouldnt do... Kid: (smirks) "So don't steal the silverware?" liz: that was patti!...and if it comes down to....*ahem* that... use protection, ok? Kid: (eyes widen, realizes that "protection" from earlier is still...in his wallet...) (high-pitched) "Uh..." stocking: kid? is everything ok? Kid: "FINE!" (clears throat) "Let me conclude this call..." (glares at Liz in the mirror) "Thank you for your advice. I will call once I determine when I am returning. Please be safe getting home." liz: ok. Patty: "Bye, Kiddo! Go get some!" stocking: ?? Kid: (covers up mirror, puts it back in his pocket, puts on fake smile) "Well, that bus should be here any minute now..." stocking:...*raises a brow, but decides not to question any further* Kid: "Here comes the bus." -soon they get onto the bus- Kid: "Would you like the window seat?" stocking: nah, im good. Kid: (looks out window) "This town is truly marvelous to see. I rarely get to spend time in one city for very long, except for home." stocking: yeah, i barely get to see it as well. Kid: "I imagine. It would be nice to have a day, or a week, just to travel through..." stocking: yeah. Kid: "How many stops is your residence?" stocking: my place is in death city, like i mentioned before. -after some time, they arrived at their stop.- Kid: "Where to?" stocking: my apartment isnt far now. (arrive at the apartment complex) Kid: (mouth hung open) stocking: yep, good old Griswald apartments. Kid: "Surprising..." stocking: well, you did come to this place before when you escorted me to the dance. Kid: "It looks different than I remember. It may be the lighting." stocking: yeah, i think thats it. (standing at door, waiting to enter) Kid: "It looks like you have a secured entrance." stocking: yeah. *she checks her mailbox* lets see... Kid: (glances around the entrance, looks at stars) stocking: *she talks to the receptionist* ok, you can come in now Kid: "Thanks." (nods to the receptionist) stocking: *gets onto the elevator and presses the 3 button* Kid: (soft chuckle) "Couldn't you have an apartment on the eighth floor?" stocking: *she rolls her eyes and chuckles* Kid: "I don't suppose your apartment number is at least 8..." stocking: yeah, its 308. Kid: "That looks close enough to a symmetrical number..." stocking: yeah. *she opens the door to her apartment.* here we are, home sweet home. -there was a living room area, a small kitchen area, a dining area, and two doors leading to her bedroom and bathroom respectively. there was also a balcony.- Kid: "For having just moved in recently, it looks good." Kid: "Cozy." stocking: yeah. you wonder why im so tired when i start class in the morning? haha. Kid: "I wish you had asked for help. I would have been happy to offer." (tenses) "Although, given my...obsession, maybe I would have delayed you..." stocking:...!! make yourself at home. *she goes into her room and puts honekoneko under a pillow* im sorry, but kid would freak if he saw you... Kid: (studies one painting waiting to be hung on the wall) "Hmm...Interesting." stocking: *exits her room* hm? Kid: "This painting. It's surprising." stocking: what about it? Kid: "It's not symmetrical, but the use of just two colors is fascinating." stocking: yeah, i kinda won it in a bingo game. Kid: "Oh. I didn't realize you play bingo." stocking: occasionally, yeah. Kid: "That would be an enjoyable game to play with you some time." stocking: that sounds great. Kid: "That balcony outside must provide quite a view." stocking: yeah, you can see the school from here. Kid: (walks to the balcony, puts hands on the banister to look at the school) stocking: want to watch some tv? Kid: "Sure!" Kid: "Which shows are on at this hour?" stocking: i guess whatever this is. Kid: "Well, the music is excruciating, but at least the images have bilateral symmetry." stocking:...i guess.... yeah, this is giving me a headache... want to change it? Kid: "Yes. Oh, what is this?" stocking: *she shrugs* *switches to the news* news reporter: in other news, the november fishing tourney will be taking place over the weekend. Kid: "Fishing?" stocking: *shrugs* stocking: want to watch something else? Kid: "I'm not sure. What's on the news?" Kid: "I mean, what is the next news story?" stocking: looks like its going straight to commercial. *changes channel to an episode of lost tapes* Kid: (rolling his eyes) "I can't believe this kind of programming. They never interview real experts. If someone wanted to see a chupacabra, why not ask me?" stocking: yeah... *she laughs* stocking: 'do they live among us'. yes and then some! Kid: "I'm not familiar with this show." stocking: i think its about some 'totally legit' tapes of 'totally legit' creatures that 'totally legit' happened. haha. Kid: "...What? Are you suggesting this show is not accurate?" stocking: well, i guess it has some points, but the 'lost tape' itself is kinda cheesy at times... Kid: "I encounter 'Lost Tapes' as evidence all the time, but we never can confirm all of their veracity." stocking: sighs and changes to the home shopping network* Kid: "Anything of interest that you are intending to purchase?" stocking: at the moment no... you hungry? Kid: "Sure. What do you have?" stocking: not much, did you want to order out? Kid: "That sounds good. Between the two of us, we know some excellent dining locations. Any style you desire?" stocking: im down for anything as long as they deliver. Kid: "Italian?" stocking: i was thinking pizza. so i guess that works. Kid: "Excellent. Um...which toppings, though?" stocking: just cheese for me please. unless it were chocolate pizza... but i doubt they'd have that. Kid: "That is acceptable for me. And I'll cover payment." stocking: thanks, i'll pay half, how does that sound? Kid: "Well, I am your guest--I thought it was only fair to pay since you are hosting me." stocking: right, so that makes it the host's duty to pay, right? but i'll compromise by paying half. Kid: (laughs) "Okay, fair enough." stocking: so what are you getting? Kid: "I'll have cheese as well. Oh, and could we get some breadsticks?" stocking: sure~ Kid: "I'll let you call." stocking: *takes out her phone and dials the number* Kid: (looks around apartment, sees boxes still unpacked, hovers over one) stocking: yeah, can i get two cheese pizzas and some breadsticks? Kid: (looks at side of box labeled "PRIVATE") stocking: ok, should be good to go. ok.. yes for delivery. ok the address is... -the box looks opened- Kid: (peaks over...and eyes widen) -inside is an assortment of......*ahem* 'toys' and books on....more mature subjects- Kid: (stands up straight, turns around, leans against a wall, trying to look cool and calm--and failing) stocking: ok. see you then. *hangs up* well, the pizza's are ordered... kid? you ok? Kid: (nods silently) "I...look forward to seeing how you decorate your apartment in the future!" stocking: yeah. well, i put my half of the money on the table by the door... pardon me a second, i have to get changed. dont want to get cheese on my dress, haha! *enters her room* (ding dong) Pizza Delivery Boy: "Pizza delivery!" stocking: kid? can you get that? Kid: "Sure!" (opens door) "Ox?!" Ox: "Oh! Kid? What are...Why are you here?" (looks at receipt) "I swore I wrote the right address..." stocking: *exits her room* ok~ im dressed now~ Kid and Ox: ((both momentarily distracted by her outfit)) stocking:....what? Ox: (flustered) "Stocking? I didn't realize...I mean, that you were here, Kid, and--and..." stocking: uh yeah im here, this is my apartment after all... Ox: (looks at name on side of door) "So it is." (turns to Kid) "Visiting, then?" Kid: (serious) "Yes, I am." stocking: yeah, he's spending the night... *she hands ox the money* Kid: (eyes widen, silent) Ox: (take money) "Oh. Um...enjoy?" stocking: thanks, now if you excuse us, kid and i have buisness to attend to~ *she closes the door* Kid: (stiff--frozen stiff) " 'The night'?" stocking: if you wanted to... Kid: "You...would let me?" stocking: sure. now come on, this pizza wont eat itself now~ and i think i still have some big city cola in the fridge. Kid: "O-Okay." (thinking: "...Should I? No, that's too fast...Isn't it?") -after dinner- stocking: that was pretty good. Kid: "Indeed, it was." (quiet for a moment) "Stocking...I have a question, about what you said earlier..." stocking: yeah? what is it? Kid: "What you said earlier...about me spending the night..." stocking: if you want to, i guess it'd be fine. but i dont want to force it on you. Kid: "I...would be interested..." (looks at the couch, shuffles confusedly) "Maybe I could sleep on the couch..." stocking: i guess... although, i'd rather see you sleeping someplace more...comfy... Kid: "Such as?" stocking: there is a bedroom... stocking: *she blushes slightly* Kid: (blushes a lot) "How...big is your bed?" stocking: about a queen size. Kid: "Large enough...for two then..." stocking: yeah.... *blush* n-not like we'd be doing...*ahem* that.... but... i guess cuddling would be fine... Kid: (inhales) "I...would like that..." stocking: great!... *ahem* s-should i lend you some spare PJs? Kid: "Would you have some that men usually wear?" stocking: i think so, let me go check. Kid: (sits on couch, looks around room--then realizes he should call Liz and Patty) Kid: (removes pocket mirror) "Hello, Liz, Patty?" liz: hey. stocking: *gets out some pajamas, and puts honekoneko in the closet* sorry. Kid: "Hello, Liz. I will not be home this evening. I am staying at Stocking's." liz: ..... *eyes wide* Patty: *eyes wide, too* Kid: "So...I will be home tomorrow, likely in the morning." liz:....*falls over onto a sea of stuffed animals* Patty: "Liz!" (glares at Kid) "You just killed Liz!" Kid: (eyes wide) "I-I did not! I'm sure she's fine! Liz! Speak to me!" liz: awawawawawaaa Kid: "...Was that a sentence?" liz: im fiiiine... but....j-just be careful, ok? Kid: "Y-Yes. Of course." stocking: here, i got you some pajamas. Patty: (glares at Kid through the mirror) "If your little bow-chikka-wow-wow makes Liz have another heart attack, I will rip you into seven pieces..." stocking:.....*blushes* Kid: (covers mirror as Stocking arrives) "Yes, thank you!" (stands up, holds up pajamas) "Um...they are...colorful..." stocking: they're just purple. Kid: "Oh, yes. I never really let myself wear something so bright so often. But I like them. Um, where is your bathroom?" stocking: its the door next to the bedroom. Kid: "Thanks." (Thinking: "Good thing I saw her come out of the bedroom.") (Kid enters the bathroom, staying in there for a few minutes as he changes, engages in bedtime preparation--minus brushing his teeth, for obvious reasons--and looking at the design of the bathroom. Meanwhile, Stocking...) stocking: *gets her bed ready and changes into her own nightgown* Kid: (opens door to the bathroom, now in his PJs. Calls aloud) "Stocking? Do you have a new, unopened extra toothbrush I could have?" Stocking: yeah, I think there’s a two-pack of them on the bathroom counter. Kid: (looks at the counter) "Ah, I missed it. Thank you! May I borrow your toothpaste?" stocking: sure Kid: "Thanks." (opens toothbrush two pack, takes one, puts on toothpaste, brushes) -after he finishes, she goes in next. soon, she is ready for bed- Kid: (standing in hallway, looking at the bedroom) "Um...May I go in?" stocking: sure, just dont go snooping around. Kid: "Of course not!" (Kid inches into the room) stocking: *brushing her teeth+washing her face* (Kid stands upright, inflexible, looking at the walls and floor) stocking: *soon, she enters her room* (Kid sees a nightstand, a box to be unpacked, the bed, a window with the curtains closed) stocking: did you want to help me with this box? Kid: "Oh! Um, sure..." -inside was mostly dolls and other knickknacks. one in particular was a photo of stocking and her father, as well as a male with green hair. in the picture she looks around 11 years old and is holding a stuffed cat toy- Kid: (holds up the photograph of Stocking with the male with green hair) "Who is this with you in the photograph?" stocking: one of my uncles. Kid: "Ah. This photograph looks like it was taken quite a while ago. What's his name?" stocking: amaimon. it was actually a picture from when i was taken in. Kid: (makes mental note of the name "Amaimon") "It...was an important day for you." stocking: yeah... it was the first time i actually had nice clothes. stocking: o-of course i had my new family and that was really important, but yeah... Kid: (sad smile) "That is important..." stocking:...hm? kid? is everything ok? Kid: "Yes." (sets the photograph on the nightstand) "Would here be a good place?" stocking:..hmmm. here. *she puts it by her vanity table.* this is where i get ready every morning. Kid: "Good." (removes some dolls) "Should these be lined up somewhere? Perhaps order them by height? Or alphabetically? Or date of acquisition?" stocking: just put them however. Kid: "Then by height..." (takes out of a ruler--out of nowhere--to properly measure) stocking: do you keep that in your secret reaper space? Kid: (sweatdrop) "That's a secret I share only with my closest of allies...friends..." stocking: oh! i was only joking, but ok~ Kid: "It's...a special skill." (slides ruler in and out of his palm) "Similar to how I summon Beelzebub." (eyes widen, slaps forehead) "Ugh...I should have given you a ride on Beelzebub rather than making you pay for bus fare! I'm sorry!" stocking: hey, its fine. *she pats his back* Kid: (lets her pat his back, silent) Kid: (Puts his hand over hers) stocking: !! *blushes a bit* Kid: "Anything left in the box?" stocking: i think that's everything. Kid: "...Anything else to do? Or..." stocking: not really...so... Kid: (looks behind her at the bed) "So..." stocking: y-yeah... *she blushes a tiny bit* Kid: "...Let's go to bed. Um...which side would you prefer?" stocking: i guess i'll sleep on the left... Kid: "The right will be acceptable." (scratches cheek) "Who should...get in first?" stocking: how about you? Kid: "O-okay." (awkwardly gets in--and is so obsessed with getting in well that his butt his hanging up in the air as he tries to find the best position) stocking: *she gets in and pulls him close so he doesnt fall out* there ya go~ Kid: (tenses a bit before relaxing into the hug) "Thanks." stocking: no problem. *she smiles, kissing him slightly* Kid: (lets out a satisfying sigh) "You'll be here when I wake up?" stocking: of course, and if not, im probably making breakfast. Kid: "Hmm..." (Sleepy) "That's good." (Yawns) stocking: night~ -As Kid dozed, his dreams surprised him. He was facing someone who looked just like him--only with five black lines along his chin.- Kid: (in his dream) "What?" ????:......*grins* Kid: (seizes Dream!Mad!Him by the collar) "Wipe that smirk off your face." ????: or what....~? Kid: "Or I'll wipe it off for you, you demon." ????: ufufufu.... AHAHAHAAHAHAHHAHAHA.... oh kiddo, its not nice to call yourself names now~ Kid: (slaps his mad half--then feels the sting along his own cheek. Eyes widen) "What the devil?" ?????: I am you.... you are me.... we're a happy fucking family~ AHAHAHAHAHAHA Kid: "Stop!" ????: stop whaaaaat? Kid: (tries to strangle the Mad iteration--and instead his hands are around his own neck, as he struggles to breathe) ?????: tsk tsk tsk~ you really are suicidal, arent you~? Kid: "Stop it!" (Kid struggles to breathe, is choking) ????: then let go idiot. Kid: (gasps, eyes fly open, sits up in bed) -the clock reads 11:35 PM, stocking is still fast asleep next to him- Kid: (thinking: "Heavy sleeper...She looks so peaceful...") (Stocking lets out a loud snore) (Kid: "...Still peaceful...") (Kid lies back down to sleep.) -the next morning- Kid: (Awakens) *Yawn* "Stocking?" stocking: *yaaawn* mornin.... Kid: (smiles) "Happy to see your face." stocking: *blush* better get ready then. *sits up and stretches* Kid: (stares as she stretches) "Yes...You shall shower first, then? I could help make breakfast." stocking: thanks. there's a pancake mix and syrup in the pantry. Kid: "Good." (sits up.) "May...I hug you?" stocking: sure. *she hugs him too* whats this for? Kid: "Just because." (Pats her back, pulls her back, kisses her cheek) "And that's for being you." stocking: hehe...you want to kiss the other side too? Kid: (does so) stocking: *she gets up and heads to the shower* Kid: (Finds a skillet and sets it on the stove, turns on heat. Removes some cooking spray, pancake mix, eggs, and milk. Mixes the ingredients and, once the skillet is heated, pours the mix into the skillet) Kid: (watches the pancakes cook, flipping them once ready) -after a while, stocking comes out from the shower.- stocking: mmmmm~ smells good~ Kid: "Thanks!" (turns around to look at her) -she's draped in a towel. one around her body and the other wrapped around her hair.- Kid: (drops the spatula) Kid: (jaw hangs open) stocking: hey, be careful there! Kid: "W-what?" stocking: *walks over, picks up the spatula and hands it back to him* Kid: (watches as she bends over and comes back up) "Th-thank you." (turns back to the skillet) "I...Should I tend to these? Or are you done in the bathroom?" stocking: im done with my shower, i just have to dry off and get dressed. Kid: "O-okay. I should wait till you dry and dress, then." -after some time, and some more pancakes have been made, stocking comes back out in an alice style dress- stocking: smells good~ Kid: (smiles) "That dress looks good on you." stocking: thanks. *she smiles* Kid: "I had best have my portion of pancakes quickly, then hop in the shower." stocking: sure. you want butter or syrup with that? Kid: "Both, please." stocking: *she smiles and gives it to him* i'll have syrup please~ Kid: *Pass the syrup to her* "Of course." (Smiles) Kid: "Hmm...I think they turned out well." stocking: *she smiles and enjoys her breakfast* Kid: (finishes his meal) "I'll head to the shower. Where shall I leave my dirty dishes?" stocking: just put them in the sink, i'll get your clothes ready for you. Kid: "Thanks." Kid: "Where is there a towel and a washcloth? May I borrow your shampoo and body wash?" stocking: on the rack and they should be in the shower. Kid: "Thank you." (Kid enters the bathroom, locks the door, and turns on the hot water. He disrobes and hangs the pajamas on the door. He enters the shower. The hot water feels nice against his body. He opens Stocking's body wash--it smells sweet. He cleans, washes his hair--the shampoo also smelling sweet--and finishes his shower. He dries himself off, secures the towel, and proceeds to brush his teeth. He then exits the bathroom.) Kid: "Finished." stocking: *her eyes are fixed on something that had fallen out of kid's pocket.....a certain...rubber....thing...* ....... O//////O Kid: (eyes widen) "IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK!" (holds up hands and starts waving them) stocking: uh....um.... *bluuuuush* Kid: "My...maids are just...They want us--ME!--to be better safe than sorry...in case anything were...to...happen..." (Kid's put his hand to his forehead) stocking: oh....well... *she puts it back into his pocket and returns his clothes* better save it till the-.....*looks down.....* eennn oh my.... Kid: "What?" stocking:.....im sorry what? i was....distracted.... y-your towel.... Kid: "What about it?" stocking:.....you kinda....dropped it.....s-so big.... Kid: (looks down, shocked) "Ah!" (Looks around the room) "I-I'm so sorry!" (holds up a vase over his crotch) "...Why didn't I just grab my towel?" stocking: *blushing wildly* Kid: "Please turn around..." stocking: *does so, though she is tempted to peek* Kid: (places vase back onto the table, retrieves towel, secures it, holds it still anyway) "You may turn around, now. I'm so sorry." stocking: i-its fine, really. Kid: (blushes) "I...Um...Did you say something when you...saw me?" stocking: n-no.... *blushing* Kid: (heard what she said...blushes harder, ignores it) "I'll...get dressed...thank goodness..." stocking: y-yeah Kid: "I'll...get dressed in your bedroom then?" stocking: sure... Kid: (awkwardly takes his clothes with the hanger) "Th-thank you for tending to my clothes. They look well-ironed." stocking: no problem. *turns on the TV for the weather; looks like its going to be cloudy today* Kid: (closed door to bedroom--without locking. Removes towel, puts on underwear.) stocking:...... *blushing a bit* Kid: (finally puts on his socks and shirt, buttoning it) stocking: *reaches down, then pulls her hand back* (thoughts: no stocking! dont do that while he's here!) Kid: (thinking "Did she...dislike what she saw? Damn it, I feel so embarrassed..She probably thought it--I--look weird...") stocking:..mmmmm... (thoughts: fuck, i'll just take care of it later when he isnt here...) Kid: (looks at his underwear. Sighs. Puts on his pants. Grabs his tie, choker, and suit jacket, ready to leave the bedroom) stocking: oh, you ready to head-er, r-ready to go? Kid: "Yes...Stocking, I...feel embarrassed about what happened. I mean, I have nothing to be ashamed of...but...I am sorry that happened." Kid: "Can we put that behind us?" stocking: yeah, sure. of coc-of course! Kid: (sighs, smiles) "Good. Well, let's not dick around--" (Covers mouth) -awkward silence- Kid: "Let's just go already." stocking:...*AHEM* well then!... we better get to it then! Kid: "Yes." (Holds door open) "You have your keys?" stocking: of course....wait today is sunday. Kid: "...We could've slept in then..." stocking: oh well, i better bring you home anyway, dont want your weapons and staff to be too worried now. Kid: "Agreed." -and so they head out- Kid: "Shall we walk? Or bus? Or...Beelzebub?" stocking: lets take the last one for a spin. Kid: "Very well. Let's head to the entrance of your complex." -so they did that, stocking checked her mailbox, and nothing seems to have arrived- Kid: (summons Beelzebub from his palm, letting it land on the sidewalk) "Ready to board?" stocking: *she takes his hand and gets on with him* Kid: "Before we depart, hold on: the board is not that wide, so you must keep a firm grip on me. Wrap your arms around my waist..." stocking: yeah...*holds tightly* unless you want to carry me~? Kid: "I...would like to. But I will need my hands free in case of balance..." stocking: yeah.... -soon, they arrive at the mansion- Patty: (waiting at steps) "What took you so long?!" liz: well, look who's finally back. Kid: "Hello to you, too. Any calls while I was out?" liz: no but....*walks up and tugs his ear* DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW WORRIED SICK I WAS? Kid: "Ouch! Liz! Not one ear! At least pull both ears!" Patty: "I got ya." (tugs on Kid's other ear) "WE WERE WORRIED ABOUT YOU, YOU MORON!" stocking: h-hey now... Patty: "Not yet, toots! We have to lecture our meister!" stocking:..... liz: you two werent doing anything too lewd, were you? if you did you at least used protection? Kid: "I called you last night! What did you have to be worried about?!" liz: true but....n-nevermind... Kid: (eyes widen) "It...never went there." (extricates himself from Liz and Patty) "And it's none of your business what happened to us!" Patty: (wraps an arm around Stocking's shoulder) "Why she squirming and blushing, then?" (stares into Stocking's eyes) stocking: i dont know what you're talking about. Patty: (dawning realization) (whispers in her ear) "Pretty impressive, huh?" stocking:...... *whispers* how would you know? Patty: (smirks) "So you did see him...And to answer your question, it's practically sticking out when he's in his boxers." stocking:....*blushing wildly* Patty: (Pats her on the back) "Enjoy having seen Nirvana, dearie--it's incredible." stocking: oh my god... *facepalms to hide her blush, and failing* Kid: (sees Patty talking with Stocking, squirms. Thinking: "What are they discussing...?") stocking: *whispers* well, between us girls, and dont tell kid this, but im probably going to be thinking about it when i...take care of personal buisness...if you know where im going with this. Patty: (smirks) "Oh, I hear you--and I like the way you think." (gives a playful smack on Stocking's behind) "Let me know how it goes--and when." stocking: *bluuuush* Kid: (to himself) "What are they talking about..." stocking: *walks over to kid* so should i stay over a bit or....? Kid: (smiles, holds out a hand to lead her) "Always." (Gives a look to Patty. Patty whistles, faking innocence) stocking:....*bluuush* Kid: (escapes her up steps and through the door--while Patty is humming the Wedding March) Patty: (nudges Liz) "What you thinking, Sis?" liz: n-nothin... Patty: (frowns) "Something is bothering you, and we're going to talk about it, whether you are ready or not. So pick a time now, or let me pick it." liz: its fine, im just... i want to make sure he's ok... Patty: (studies her, then Kid. He and Stocking are laughing) "Seems fine. If there is something wrong, he'll tell us. He always tells us. He wouldn't not NOT tell us...Right?" liz: yeah, o-of course... Patty: "Hope so. Well, put on a happy face and see if we can tease out from him and Stocking what they were up to last night." (smirks) liz: Ok. Patty: (enters the building, finds Stocking and Kid already on the couch) "So, what were you two up to last night?" stocking: oh you know... stuff... Kid: "Y-yeah. Stuff..." liz: what kind of 'stuff'? Kid: (scratches cheek) "I was helping Stocking set up her apartment." liz: really now? Kid: (holds up hands) "Really!" Patty: "So Stocking had an extra bed for you?" stocking:............ *bluuuuuuuush* Kid: "It is rude to ask a lady how her room is designed. And how we spent our time in privacy is not fair for you to inquire about." liz: so... was it just one bed? or did you sleep on the couch? Kid: (silent) Kid: (looks at Stocking) stocking: ........ *bluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuush* Patty: "So...No comment?" (smiles) "Kid, you sly dog. No wonder Stocking got to see--" stocking: O////////////O Kid: (covers patti’s mouth) "So, have you two had breakfast yet?" liz: yeah. Patty: (wiggles loose) "Look, if you two are sleeping in the same bed, that's fine! Just--stop being all weird about it. Right, Sis?" liz: uh, yeah, i mean, a guy and a girl can share a bed and not have it be weird. Patty: "Why, Kid could share the bed with us again in a Thompson Sister sandwich, with a side of Stocking, and it wouldn't be weird at all!" stocking: y-yeah.... *blush* Kid: (sees Liz's blushing, too) "Let's...have a drink..." stocking: who wants tea? Patty: "Bubble tea?" stocking: sure. Kid: "Sounds good. Liz?" liz: yeah. Kid: "Patty, Stocking, go ahead and brew. I would like to speak with Liz for a moment." stocking: ok. liz: so whats up? Kid: "Two topics. Let's get the less important one out of the way. First, any updates regarding our investigation? Any word from Naigus?" liz: ....yeah.... they found the kid....or.... at least what used to be the kid.... liz: even worse, our prime suspect has gone M.I.A. Kid: (eyes grow sad) "That poor kid...Has his family been contacted?" liz: yeah...... *she sighs* Kid: (calm, then slams his fist onto the table) "I should have been here!" (calms down) "Father or I should have spoken with the family directly." liz: kid, dont blame yourself for this... *she pats his back* Kid: (breathes in, lets her keep patting him, but he is insoluble) "This is horrible. We have to find this suspect, whether or not they did it, to get some answer...Who are this suspect's associates? Where are they?" liz: like i said, rosalie's gone AWOL, she hasnt been seen or heard from in days. Kid: "Then we need someone who can find her. What is her family's contact information?" liz: they're having trouble finding it... liz: so whats the other thing you wanted to talk about? Kid: (still serious) "I wanted to ask how you were." liz: im fine. why? Kid: "We haven't had as much time to talk. I haven't been around as much as I want to be. I always want to be here for you and Patty." liz: kid... Kid: "How was the carnival?" liz: it was great, we got to ride rides, win a mountain of plushies, and there was a really creepy haunted house with a creepy ghost girl! Kid: "You saw that ghost girl, too?!" liz: *shudders* Kid: "Yes, quite. At least you didn't slam into the walls at the Hall of Mirrors." liz: maybe a little... Kid: "You _did_ go into the Hall of Mirrors? Those were...surprising images. And cramp spaces." liz: yeah... Kid: "You see any surprising reflections in the Hall?" liz: i-i dont want to talk about it... Kid: (small smirk) "It couldn't have been that bad. I found a delightful mirror I would like to acquire, one that makes me look symmetrical." liz: heh, good luck. Kid: "Money is no object." (looks around the room) "What did you do with the stuffed animals?" liz: patti's room. Kid: (groans) "Am I going to have to expand her room? Will she have any room to move in that space?" liz: you'd be amazed. Kid: "Liz, thank you for this information. I appreciate hearing it. Let's discuss our investigation once a lead on our suspect emerges." liz: yeah. Kid: "Let's join our friends. Which flavor of bubble tea would you enjoy?" liz: berry if you have it. Kid: "Yes, we should." (offers a hand to help her off couch to go to kitchen) liz: how about you? Kid: "Actually, watermelon would be tasty." liz: alright Kid: "Let's enter the kitchen, then." (Pushes the door to find Patty and Stocking inside) "How is everything in here?" stocking: oh, hey guys. *she has strawberry flavor* going good Patty: "I'm trying to mix flavors, but I don't think the raspberry and cherry are the best mix...What'll you two have?" liz: im having berry, kid's having watermelon. Patty: "Coming right up!" Kid: (stands at the kitchen island next to Stocking. Smiles at her) stocking: *she smiles back* Kid: "What do you have on Monday? Which classes?" stocking: geography, math, music, and literature. Kid: "I didn't realize you took music." stocking: yeah, mostly piano, but i play some electric guitar too. Kid: (slight chuckle) "Have you given a run yet for Soul?" stocking: who. the shark-tooth guy? Kid: "Yes. He practically has a piano attached to his hip. Or hand." stocking: does he? Kid: "He grew up as a famous pianist." (Patty opens her mouth, Kid covers it before she can say anything) stocking: is that right? Kid: (nods) "Odd, isn't it?" stocking: yeah. Kid: "I would love to hear you perform some time." stocking: sure. Patty: "Tea, darlings!" (sets cups down) stocking: thanks~ Kid: "Yes, thank you." (takes a sip) "Hmm...Tasty." -after tea- Patty: (loud slurp for last bit of tea) "Ah, so good." stocking: yum~! Kid: "I wonder what to do with today." (eyes the Thompsons) "You studied?" liz: yeah, i've been helping patti trying to get her grade up. Patty: "I think it's working! Wait till the end of the semester--I'll probably get...Um, what would be higher than an A?" stocking: A+? Patty: "Then I'll get A plus plus!" Kid: "At least make it A plus plus plus plus plus plus plus plus." stocking: *giggles* Patty: (glares) "Overachiever." (pats Liz on the back) "Give Big Sis credit. I don't see you two offering tutoring." stocking: well, maybe kid could tutor me in math? Kid: "Oh, um...Yes, sure. I am a whiz at math, if I do say so." stocking: neat! im not the best with money, so maybe a private session might help~? Kid: (hears only first half) "Well, I am an expert at budgeting money, and you really should yourself." (then realizes the second half, eyes widen) "I....would be interested...if you are." stocking: aw, thanks, that means a lot. *she kisses both his cheeks* Kid: (blushes) "You're welcome." Patty: (pokes Liz's ribs) liz: what? Patty: "Seem really close, huh? Feel good for what Kid has right now, yes?" liz; yeah, i guess. Patty: "Bet you'd like to have something like that, too, right?" liz: what do you mean? Patty: "Maybe your own boy-toy, too?" liz: *blush* w-wha?! Patty: "Or girl-toy. Or gender neutral-toy. Whatever you want." liz: patt geez....i know, i should be getting out there, but i have a busy schedule looking after you and kid. Patty: (eyes herself) "I can watch myself." (looks at Kid) "And with Stocking and me, we can take two-thirds of that job watching Kid. Especially that fine booty of his..." liz: PATTI! Patty: "Fine, you can watch the booty." liz: PATTI!! Patty: "We could ask Kid who should watch his fine booty." liz: patti oh my god. Patty: "So...I won't ask him. But seriously, Sis, you shouldn't worry about only me and Kid--you should worry about yourself, too." (puts hand on his shoulder) "You deserve all the happiness in the universe." liz:.......*hugs patti + happy crying liz sounds* Patty: (awkward sibling hug) "There, there?" (Kid looks and points to Stocking) stocking: is everything ok? Patty: "Just...a sisterly conversation!" (pats Liz) "You know how Big Sis gets when she's so close to her sister? Right, Liz?" liz: *sniff* y-yeah... Kid: (smiles) "I've always been happy close you two are." stocking: yeah, it must be nice. Kid: (notices Stocking's sad smile. Puts hand over hers and squeezes gently) stocking: *blushes and smiles* Patty: (pats Liz's tears off her shoulder) "This lovefest is awesome and all--and I'm happy for all the love in this room." liz: *pulls them all in for a group hug* Kid: (choking) stocking: gack-! Patty: "Yay huggies!" (squeezes Kid, Liz, and Stocking harder) Kid: "WATCH WHERE YOU'RE TOUCHING!" stocking: GYA! Patty: "Huh. Someone's been working out." stocking: oh my god! Kid: "I appreciate the love, but we can stop this!" (feels something curvy) "...Stocking? Patty?" stocking: *BLUSH* oh... Kid: (lets go, pushes away--and lands into Liz) liz: well, this is just getting us nowhere. Kid: (Pulls back from Liz, blushing) "Sorry, Liz. Sorry, Stocking." (glares at Patty) Patty: "You go to admit, we got a lot of love to share." stocking: yeah, haha. Kid: *Ahem* "With this 'love fest,' could we at least be seated? Perhaps in the den? Or is it getting to be too late?" stocking: its still mid-morning. Kid: "Well, let us go to the den, then. Or maybe get some sun by the pool?" stocking: isnt it a bit cold for the pool? Kid: "The pool is covered, but we have comfortable seats and a fine view of the trees as autumn changes the color of the leaves." stocking: sounds good. Patty: "Yep!" (throws on a sweater) "Red leaves, orange leaves..." (throws open doors to the backyard/courtyard pool) stocking: wow! Kid: (smiles, looking up at the leaves) "Colorful." liz: its really something. Kid: (opens umbrella at one table, removes chairs and sets them out) stocking: *she sits down* Patty: (lies down on a beach chair, stretching) "Aw, so comfy." Kid: (sits next to Stocking, smiles. Looks to Liz. Pats seat next to him) liz: *she sits down as well.* Kid: (looks at Liz for a rather long moment) liz:....? Kid: "You have an eyebrow that is slightly asymmetrical..." liz: wha? Kid: (reaches to touch the left one) "Right here." liz: *takes out mirror and looks* Kid: "You see? I could help you. Let me just got my tweezers, drafting paper, and--" liz: hmm? (Kid puts his hands on the sides of her face) Kid: "Let me tend to your eyebrows. Make them symmetrical." liz: uh, ok? Kid: "I'll be back with tweezers!" (turns to Stocking) "Excuse me for a moment." (Kid departs) liz:....?? Patty: (looking back) "So, Stocking, Kiddo fiddle with your eyebrows yet?" stocking: uh, no? Patty: "You should totally let him. He just stares at your face for hours, perfecting every detail about you, getting all close to your face until his lips are almost near yours." stocking+liz: PATTI OH MY GOD!! Patty: (looks back and forth at the two. Devious grin) "Maybe I should ask Kiddo to fix my eyebrows, then..." (points at Liz) "Before he gets to you, Big Sis?" (wiggles eyebrows at Stocking) liz: *siiiiigh* oh my god... Kid: "I'm back..." (Sees two blushing young women and a devious smiling Patty) (Annoyed) "What did you do, Patty?" stocking:..... Patty: "Just singing the praises of your eyebrow grooming! Here, Sis, you should lie here on this beach chair--easier for Kid to focus on the job." liz: *she does so* Kid: "Good idea, Patty!" (moves his chair next to Liz) "May I begin, Liz?" liz: yeah. Kid: "Good." (He placed a hand along her right ear, a bit under her hair, to steady himself) "I will be gentle. Please speak at any moment that you feel pain. Understood?" liz: y-yeah. stocking:..........(her mind drifts to thoughts of kid kissing her) *bluuuuush* Kid: (smiles) "Good." (shifts head from side to side along Liz, studying the eyebrows to see where to trim) "Hmm..." (lowers her head towards hers, studying more closely) stocking: hmmm..... Kid: (Leans closer) "Just need very minor work on the right eyebrow..." -after that- Patty: "Amazing! They look all even now, Sis! Kid even avoided plucking them all out this time..." liz: yeah, thank god. Kid: "Well, I think this was miraculous work!" (then studies Liz's face, getting so close their lips almost touch) "I...think so...Do those eyebrows look quite right?" liz: t-they're fine. *backs up* stocking: hm..... *antsy* ????:................. Kid: (sees Liz wiggle back along the seat) "O...kay." (Kid then tenses up, as if he feels something...near him) stocking: hmm? kid? you ok? Kid: "I...thought I sensed someone...Liz, Patty, be ready to transform if necessary..." -the presence has left- liz: i... i think its gone now.. Kid: (glances nervously) "I hope so..." stocking: .........we should head inside.... Kid: "Yes." (shuts umbrella) -cut to that night- Kid: "Liz, Patty, good night. And thank you for spending today with Stocking and me." liz: hey, no problem. night. -in kid's dream- stocking?:....... Kid: (in dream) "Stocking?" stocking?: Kid... can i ask you something? Kid: (nods) "Yes, anything." stocking?: out of the three of us....me...liz...patti...who do you consider your 'special someone'? Kid: (mouth hung open) "I..." stocking?: i mean... which of us.... do you want to be your bride? Kid: "I...I love you, Stocking. You are the one I want." stocking?:.......... *she rushes at him and tackles him to the ground* Kid: "St-Stocking?!" stocking?: please kid..... i.... i want you..... please, take me..... Kid: " ‘Take you'? What do you--" stocking?: *she kisses him passionately* Kid: (eyes widen, then close--as he kisses her back. His hands hold to the sides of her face) stocking?: fuck me kid.... fuck me like no one else ever could... Kid: "...O...kay..." Kid: (moaning into his pillow) "Oh, Stocking...S-So good..." Kid: (still muttering into his pillow) "Yes...yes..." (shouts) "Yes!" (falls out of his bed) maid: young master? are you ok? Kid: (gets up) "Yes, just had a...dream that caused me to fall out of bed--" (looks down--eyes widen. He's in boxers and...picks up his bedsheet to cover up below the waist) maid: you arent hurt are you? Kid: (gulps) "No, not at all. Um...If breakfast is ready, I'll be done in a moment. I want to...use the bathroom--to shower!" maid: it's only 3 in the morning, sir. Kid: "...Oh. Still a few hours to sleep..." (thinking: I really do need the bathroom...) maid: if you really need to though, then i wont stop you. Kid: "Th-thank you." (awkwardly walks towards the bathroom...) maid: *continues on her way* Kid: (looks down, realizes he is still dragging sheet with him...) "I should get my bathrobe instead." (walks back to room, still trying to keep what is below the waist covered) -after he does that- Kid: (now in bathrobe, awkwardly walks to bathroom, shuts door) "Um...Well, I should take care of business..." --After he takes care of business-- Kid: "...Now I should get back to bed..." -cut to next morning- Kid: (sits up in bed, stretches) "I still feel exhausted." (yawns) "That sleep was...not restful. I had better shower, dress, and head to breakfast." liz: morning. Kid: "Liz?!" liz: just checkin' up on you to make sure you're ok. you alright? Kid: "F-fine!" (looks down for a moment, looks up again and smiles, but sweating) "Yep. Just fine. But, um, you could knock before entering my room, first, please..." liz: i'll keep that in mind. Kid: (notices her attire: pajama pants, sleeveless top. She already has a cup of coffee in her hand) "So...How was your sleep?" liz: decent... you? Kid: (squirms) "I didn't get much sleep...What I did get was exhilarating, er, pleasant, but I feel exhausted." liz:....?? Kid: "I...just had a dream that kept me up..." liz: oh... do you need a hug? Kid: "Um...Yes, sure." (gets out of bed) liz: *walks over and hugs him* its gonna be ok, it was just a dream. Kid: (takes the hug, puts his arms around Liz, letting his head rest on her shoulder) "Thank you..." liz: *pats his back* Kid: (Pulls back, smiles at her) liz: *smiles* now come on, we have breakfast. Kid: "I'll be right there. I have to shower and dress first--" (then realizes he is in his boxers) liz: ok. Kid: (blushes at his seeming state of undress, having just hugged) "Well, I'll see you at the breakfast table!" (takes his bathrobe, puts it on, hurries out of his room, leaving the door open) -does patti dare read his diary~?- Patty: "I DARE!" (covers mouth) "Hope I didn't shout too loudly..." (Opens the diary) Patty: (reading) " 'Dear diary--' Who actually writes that in their diary? Hmm...'Today I met the most fascinating girl...'" Patty: "Blah blah blah my hair isn't symmetrical, blah blah blah why do classes have to start at 7 AM, blah blah blah I am disgusting scum...Ah, Kiddo, you aren't disgusting scum. You're high-retail, state-of-the-art scum!" Patty: (flips page, eyes widen) " 'Ode to Beauty'? He wrote a poem?" (cackles) "This I got to read!" Patty: (reading the poem) " 'My angel's hair hangs low to the ground...'" Patty: (still reading) " 'She stares at me with eyes of cyan, feigning happiness. Yet underneath their shine, I see a sadness...'" Patty: (rotates the book to its side) "Man, this stuff doesn't even rhyme! Maybe it's some nouveau-hipster poetry that I'm just not getting..." Patty: "How does this poem wrap up...Wait, here's another one...'Let me draw her to me, to kneel my head into her bosom and--'" Patty: (eyes widen) "Hot damn! Finally, some smut!" Patty: (blushes) "Whoa, Kiddo...That's kind of hot...but not really anatomically feasible..." Kid: (down the hall, whistling) Patty: "? Kiddo never whistles." (then realizes she is lying on Kid's bed...reading his diary...) "Shit!" Patty: "What do I do?! If I leave, he'll find me! Wait! I could jump out the window! No, that's no good--I already broke one arm that way..." (Hides under bed, then grabs the diary and drags it under the bed with her) Kid: (enters bedroom, shuts door) "At least the shower released some tension. Now to dress." Patty: (eyes widen as she sees the bathrobe fall to the floor) Patty: (dares to peak up a bit...) Kid: (as he puts on his clean set of boxers--all of them properly folded in one of his dresser drawers) "And at least the shower woke me up after that dream..." Patty: (thinking) "A dream? What kind of dream?" Kid: "I have never had such an intense sex dream like that before..." Patty: (shocked, sits up--and knocks her head on the bottom of the bed) Kid: (looks around room. Looks to door) "Yes? Who's there?" Patty: (stays quiet) Kid: (opens door slightly, so not to be seen just standing in his boxers. Sees no one there. Shrugs) "I don't know how I'll act around her today after that dream...But I had better finish getting dressed..." (Puts on his shirt, then sits upon bed to put on socks...) Patty: (the weight of the bed collides on her back--she has to cover her mouth to stop from screaming) Kid: "Just have to make sure nothing is awkward today..." (stands back up--to Patty's relief) (Kid puts on his pants and suspenders, then suit jacket. Then he sits back upon the bed to put on his shoes--and Patty again has to stifle the back-breaking pain) "Well, all done!" (stands up, exits room) Patty: (slowly crawls out from under the bed) "Who made a bed like that...? Is Kid gaining weight or something?" Patty: (finally crawls out, pulls back to fix her back, then slouches) "I'll put the diary back here..." (leaves it on the desk) "And I need a hot shower to fix my back. Then I need to figure out which kind of sexy dream Kid had today...and who was in that dream..." --After Patty's shower, she changes clothes and joins her friends for breakfast-- Patty: "Hey, Big Sis!" (then blushes as she sees Kid) "Um...hi." liz: hey. Kid: "Good morning." (concerned) "Patty, are you okay? Your face is all red. Do you have a fever?" Patty: "N-No." (Kid puts a hand to her forehead--which makes her blush more) Kid: "No temperature. Well, you have a seat--I'll get you some cold water." Patty: (glances at Liz) "Um...Sis?" Patty: "Have you...heard anything...weird from Kid?" liz: he did say he had trouble sleeping... *whispers* i think he had a nightmare... Patty: "Oh...Was it a...um...pleasant nightmare?" liz: ?? Patty: "Like, did Kid mention seeing a certain someone in the dream? Maybe he had a nightmare...with you in it?" liz: *glare* hey kid... was anyone in your dream last night? Kid: "...I...don't want to talk about it." Patty: (frowns) liz:.... Patty: "Just answer the question!" Kid: (blushing) "Can we discuss this another time?" liz: can we? Kid: "...Okay. I'll tell you, sooner rather than later. For now, let's just eat. That...dream was...surprising..." Patty: (grabs the water out of his hand) "Fine. Sis, please pass some of the bacon and eggs." liz: *does so* Kid: (frowns. Thinks) "Please don't be angry with me, Liz and Patty. Some dreams are best kept private given how...intimate they are." liz: you dont have to go into too much detail if you dont want. Kid: "I just...want to think this through. I'm sorry, but for now, this dream is private. I just want to get through today as best as I can..." liz: ...*sigh* ok... -at school- Kid: (Thinking: "How will I react when I run into her?") Patty: (Thinking: "Bummer morning already: don't know who Kid was dreaming about--and I barely got to see him when he was undressed! I wonder what Big Sis is thinking about?") liz: *in her mind, she is planning that sleepover party at tsubaki's* liz: so whats on the agenda for history? Patty: (holds book upside, then rightside up) "Something about 'The 1870 Assault on Death City'?" liz: hm... Kid: "It is one reason why the Immortals have been such a threat against Death City." liz: *listening intently to the teacher* Kid: "I remember Father's discussion about these battles. He tried to make them bedtime stories..." (shudders) "Horrifying choices to tell a child before bed..." liz:..... Patty: "What the hell kind of bedtime stories would those be? Sis, shouldn't we tell Kid some happier bedtime stories?" Kid: "Yes, do you know any bedtime stories I should hear?" liz: i dont really know that many... Kid: "Please think of one. Maybe you could tell it to me tonight so my sleep is...different..." liz: y-yeah.... -next class- Kid: "Do we have the same class together?" liz: yeah, i think we do, actually. Patty: "Which class is it?" (pulls out schedule, looks at it with Liz) liz: looks like we have battle strategy. Kid: "Very well. I wonder whether there will be a training session for us to engage in physical combat, or just a book lesson today." -looks like its a book lesson. basic fort defence- --In class-- Patty: (covers her head with the book) "Ugh, so boring...Can't we learn with our punches? I want to beat someone up!" -cut to next class- Patty: "Is it lunch time yet?" -cut to lunch- stocking: *she's ordered an angel's food cake* Patty: "Stocking! How you doing girl?!" (hugs her from behind) stocking: kyan! p-patti! jeez, you almost gave me a heart attack! Patty: (leaves hands around Stocking's mid-section for a moment) "Or a tummy ache! Looking forward to that angel's food, sweetie?" liz: oh, hey stocking. *waves* stocking: *grumbles* Kid: "Please unhand my girlfriend, Patty." (awkward wave) "Hi." stocking: g-girl-uh.. h-hi kid.... *she blushes brightly* Kid: (blissfully unaware of what he called her--since he's still nervous about the dream...) (Still waving absent-mindedly) Patty: (still hugging Stocking) "You can stop waving, Kid." stocking: g-girlfriend? Patty: (finally lets go of Stocking) "Um, yeah? What else would Kid call you?" Kid: (realizes what he said) "Er...Um..." stocking:..... n-nevermind.... s-so how are you kid? Kid: (blushing, squirming, looking down, hands in front of him) "Fine..." stocking: y-yeah, same... *blushing* Kid: "...Um...Let's have a seat...So, Stocking...did you...sleep okay?" stocking: yeah, i slept so goo- pretty good. Kid: "Oh. Good." (avoids eye contact) That's good." stocking: y-yeah, it is...h-how about you? Kid: (pokes his fingers together) "Not...too good." (Patty's eyes widen. Patty, thinking: "Did Kid dream about...?") stocking: oh, thats too bad... Kid: (silent) stocking:...y-you ok? Patty: (awkwardly sips a carton of milk, glancing between Liz, Kid, and Stocking) Kid: "F-fine. That dream just...got to me..." liz: ???? stocking: do you want a hug? Kid: "Oh, um...yeah, sure." stocking: *gets up and hugs him gently* Patty: (looks at Liz) liz: >,>;;;;; Kid: (smiles softly, gives soft almost purr-like noise at being hugged) liz:....*glances at patti* Patty: (glances back at Liz, then at the hug. Mouths: "What the fuck...?") liz: *looks on at kid and stocking, completely poker faced* Patty: (sad eyes, looks down) Kid: (Pats Stocking) "Thanks." (still blushing...because of lingering memories of the dream...) Kid: "I had better finish lunch already." stocking: n-no problem, and yeah. so whats your next class? liz: i think kid has writing... Kid: "I'm improving! It only takes me 10 minutes now to write my name!" stocking: ah, you're one friend with the pink hair told me you like to write poems? Kid: "Actually, yes." Patty: (spits up milk) liz: ?? Kid: "Are you surprised that I am poetic, Patricia?" Patty: (waves hand) "Actually, no, not at all." liz: not really. Kid: (haughty) "Well, I think my poetry is rather good. In fact, why don't I read some to you, perhaps later this week after school?" stocking: sure. you have a piano at your place, right? maybe i can show you some of my skills. Kid: "Excellent! I could have my poems ready tomorrow. Or we can try later this week." stocking: maybe this weekend? Kid: "Sure! Liz, Patty, would you like that?" liz: sure, why not? Patty: (blushing) "Um...Yeah. I'm sure at least one of your poems has to be better than what I--" (Stops herself) stocking: ?? Patty: "...better than what I heard other people write. I mean, Kid's poetry has to be better than what...um...Maka writes!" liz:......anyway.... time for class then. Kid: "My penmanship can only improve! Where are you off to, Liz, Patty?" liz: seems we have art. Patty: (sigh of relief for change of subject) "Can't wait! We need some new models for that class." (winks at Stocking) stocking: *blush* w-wha? Patty: "Yeah! You're all symmetrical and stuff, so you could be a fine piece of art in paint, or clay, or finger coloring..." stocking: um, thanks. *she smiles* \???: best not let her get to close now, right kiddo~?\ Kid: (hears the voice...and instead is thinking about his dream...and what he felt...and then he gets awkward...) "You...would be an excellent model...Stocking..." stocking: y-you think so kid? *she blushes* Kid: "Of course. Why, if you were modeling, I'd enroll in art class immediately." stocking: i guess.... i could consider it... Kid: (smiles) "Good." (collects items) "I'll head to class." (points to Liz) "Please keep an eye on your sister: I don't want to get another complaint from the art teacher about 'lewd illustrations.'" liz: roger. -cut to literature class- stocking: seems we're reading watership down. Kid: "Ah, good novel. Depressing, though." stocking: and kinda violent... stocking: *mumbles* 'children's literature' my ass. Kid: (smirks) "Language." stocking: s-sorry. stocking: can i talk to you after class? Kid: "Of course." (writes on his notebook paper regarding a quotation from Watership.) -later- stocking: i wanted to talk to you, a-about last night... Kid: (sweats a bit) "What happened last night?" stocking: i...had a dream about you.... Kid: (tenses) "Oh..." stocking: in the dream, we did some.....*ahem*....rather.... intimate things... Kid: (blushes) "Stocking...I have something to tell you as well..." stocking: y-yeah? Kid: "I...also had a dream of you and I...doing...intimate things..." stocking: o-oh.....*bluuuuuush* Kid: (blushing) "What are the chances that you and I would have dreams in which we both..." stocking: *she kisses him* s-sorry....i.... i dont know what came over me just now. Kid: (pauses...then interrupts her and kisses back, with equal intensity) stocking: !!!! K-kid... w-we shouldnt be doing this... n-not in public.... and.... im not sure if im ready to even do...t-that... Kid: (was kissing her neck...and pulls back in shock) "I-I'm so sorry!" (steps away) "I don't...what...What are we doing?" stocking: ..... *blush* i-i need to think about this....i-i'll call you when i get home... s-see ya.... Kid: "L-later..." (watches as she leaves. Then hangs his head) "I'm an idiot..." -later, at kid's place- liz: *whistling and hears something from kid's room* ?? Kid: (thudding noise) liz: kid? kid are you ok? (The door is unlocked. Liz enters) liz: kid? kiiiid? (The thudding is Kid...knocking his forehead against his desk) Kid: "Stupid...stupid...stupid..." liz: kid? you ok? Kid: (doesn't remove head from desk) "I have tremendous lust for Stocking." liz: *almost falls over* w-WHA?!?! Kid: "I am very attracted to Stocking. I don't want to have things go too fast. But I also feel...carnal desires." liz:....bye. *turns to walk away* liz: im calling your dad! Kid: "No, don't!" (runs down the hall) "I need advice from a girl! If you tell Father, he'll make things awkward!" liz: its already awkward!.....*siiiiigh* just what do you want to know? Kid: "How...do I know when it is the right time?" liz: well, i guess its really up to her to decide.... so who knows... liz: hugging and kissing is fine, but when it comes to doing that, she'll let you know when she's ready. liz: until then, you'll just have to make do with your hand. Kid: "...Yes. I do know that...Stocking seems...interested in the idea but not up for it..." (sigh) "I think about her so often. Her smile. Her eyes. Her curves. Her breasts. Her--" Kid: (finally hears what Liz said) "...Yes. I guess so..." (blushes) "I made this awkward, didn't I?" liz: ok ok i get it, you didnt have to get into details. Kid: "Right. Sorry. I...have a lot on my mind..." liz: yeah, i'll say. Kid: "How do you focus, Liz? I mean, how does any person focus when sex can be on their mind so often?" liz: wha-? erm..... *ahem* well either try distracting yourself or just take care of the problem manually.... if it helps.... i can get you a little something to take the edge off... Kid: "What would that be?" liz: well, y-you'll have to wait until tommorrow when i can get it.... Kid: "O-Okay...Um...Thanks." (stretches) "I suppose I should finish my homework..." liz: you do that. -the next day, after school- Kid: (awkwardly shifting on his feet) "I only got to see Stocking today, not speak with her..." liz: i left you your thing in your room. Kid: "Oh, thank you. What is it?" liz: you'll have to look... -in kid's room is a box from a shop called 'Lavicious Luxury'- Kid: "Hmm...Liz couldn't be bothered to tell me what is in here, that I actually have to open it?" (Holds up the box) "She could have at least made it an unmarked box: 'lavicious' has some poor connotations..." -inside is....erm.....how do i put this.... a pleasuring item- Kid: (eyes wide. Screams) "LIIIIIIIIIIZ?!" Patty: (in another room with Liz) "Oh. Kid found his new toy?" liz: you're welcome! *pokes her head in* oh, and it vibrates, just an FYI. Kid: "I AM NOT COMFORTABLE USING THIS!" (tries to hide his face) "I'm so embarrassed..." liz: its basically the same as using your hand, sorta... Kid: "...Just...Thank you for the thought, but...I'll...consider it..." liz: ok. but try to keep the noises down to a minimum if you can, ok? Kid: "I could say the same about whatever you use..." (realizes what he just said, slaps hand over mouth) liz:.................... *exits room, poker faced and blushing* Patty: (standing in the hallway, right outside of Kid's room as Liz exists) "Yeah, it is kinda loud, Sis." liz: *grabs patti and drags her* like you're any different! Patty: "Ouch! My ear!" -once they have left the room- Kid: (Stares at the toy. Dumps it into his nightstand's drawer) "Maybe another night. I have homework to finish, first..." -later- Kid: (closes book) "Finished." (yawns, stretches) "I should ready myself for bed. Brush my teeth, wash my face..." -that night- Kid: (passes by Liz and Patty in the den) "Good night, Liz, Patty." liz: night. Patty: "Night, Kid! Pleasant dreams!" Kid: "And to you as well." -soon the thompsons go to bed- Patty: (lies down on her bed, clutches a giraffe plushie) "Good night, you hellish long-neck abomination against God..." (quickly falls asleep, snoring) liz: zzzzzz -meanwhile in kid's room- Kid: (lying in bed) "Sigh..." (turns) "Just calm the body down and..." (slowly drifts to sleep) -the next morning- Kid: (awakens, scratches under his left arm) "Hmm...Only two children? Eight would've been preferable..." (blushes) "I...don't think Stocking would be interested in that..." *riiiing* Kid: *Looks around the room* "Is that the house phone, or the mirror phone?" -it appears to be his cellphone- Kid: (gets out of bed, walks to his pants) "I forgot to remove my cell phone..." (removes cell phone) Kid: (answers phone) Kid: "Hello?" stocking: h-hey kid....listen... i think i caught a fever last night so im probably not going to be at school today... Kid: "Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you feel better soon. Have you been to a doctor? May I bring you anything, such as soup? Or a candy?" stocking: i-i havent been to a doctor, but im sure it will pass.... and i dont want to get you sick... Kid: (sad) "Okay. Well, feel better soon. I hope to see you soon." stocking: o-ok... s-see ya... Kid: (hangs up, sighs) "Damn." liz: everything ok? Kid: (thinking: "Maybe I should lock that door...") "It's nothing. Stocking was just calling to say she will be out sick today." liz: bummer. Kid: (inhales, sighs) "I had best shower and dress. I still have school." (looks to Liz) "I'll be down for breakfast shortly." liz: ok *exits* --After shower and dressing, Kid joins the Thompsons for breakfast-- Patty: (Yawns) "What's our first class today?" liz: looks like we have home ec. Kid: (Thinking: "Maybe I could cook something for Stocking...Perhaps something sweet...or maybe something for a cold, like chicken soup...") -and so, the new school day has begun- Patty: "What're you going to do for home ec today, Sis?" liz: i think i'll try sewing. need to boost that skill, you know? Patty: "I want to cook something..." Kid: "Then I could use your help: can you help me prepare some chicken soup?" liz: why? Kid: "I thought it would expedite Stocking's recovery from cold. She asked I not visit her apartment, but..." liz: are you sure about this? Kid: (shrugs) "Worst case, Patty and I learn to improve upon a chicken soup recipe." (removes the recipe card from the classroom's collection) "This looks like a good option" liz: seems good. -cut to after school- [kid and patti cooking skill +2, liz sewing skill +2] Patty: (smells) "This soup smells so good..." -at stocking's place- stocking: *napping on the couch* Kid: (stands before door...and hesitates knocking) Kid: (inhales, makes a quiet knock on the door) stocking: nnhuu? -she gets up and opens the door- stocking: h-hullo? Kid: "Hi..." stocking: kid? w-what are you- Kid: (holds up soup) "I thought you could use some hearty food, to expedite your recovery. Patty and I made it." stocking: kid.... *she smiles slighly* you didnt have to go to all that trouble... Kid: "We wanted to." (moves it towards her) "Will you accept it?" stocking:.... *she takes it* thanks.... i'd kiss your cheeks, but i dont want to get you sick, haha... Kid: "I appreciate that. Even still, my shinigami biology is usually resistant against colds. By the way, Liz and Patty told me to wish you a speedy recovery." stocking: thats really sweet kid.... and tell them i said thanks... Kid: "I will. You're welcome. Shall I heat the meal for you?" stocking: sure... (Kid heats up the soup in the microwave, presents it to Stocking in a bowl with a spoon on a tray) Kid: "My lady..." stocking: *chuckles and smiles* thanks kid. Kid: (standing) "While I am here, is there anything you want me to do? Oh, that reminds me: I have your homework and make-up work with me as well" (removes it from his backpack, places it on a nearby armchair) stocking: oh, thanks, i just had history, gym, and art today... Kid: (flips through papers) "Yes, those are the classes." (blushes a bit) "I hope your art make-up work goes well..." stocking: yeah, though i doubt the gym is an option right now, haha... Kid: (Holds up a worksheet) "Your teacher has a wicked sense of humor: they want you to review some stretching exercises and answer questions about which are most appropriate for each muscle area." stocking: i...i dont think i get it *sweatdrop* Kid: "Just some busywork to have you review proper stretching for gym class--something they give any student who misses a day to make sure they still do work even if they are not present for class. Some bureaucratic stipulation." Kid: "It shouldn't take you more than five minutes to finish. I had to do one after I missed weeks of school following an...accident..." stocking: accident? w-what do you mean? *she looks worried* Kid: "I...had a duel my first day of class and...had an injury..." stocking: it wasnt too bad, was it? Kid: "My...hair was cut! It was made asymmetrical!" (Hyperventilating) "It was awful AWFUL AWFUL!" stocking: *pats kid's back* kid, its ok, just breathe kid... (thinking: thats not that serious...but then again....the OCD and OCPD...) Kid: "Thank you..." (Looks at the clock, thinking it is getting late) "How is the soup?" stocking: its nice.... that was sweet of you to do that... Kid: "You're welcome. It is getting late, and I shouldn't have upset you with my own earlier injury...You need more rest. I hope sleep expedites your recovery." (stands up) "I shouldn't kiss you, so..." (blows a kiss to her) stocking: *giggles* thanks kid... *does the same for him* Kid: (touches his cheek where he imagines where it rests) "If you need anything, please call: anyone at Gallows would be happy to provide assistance." stocking: sure thing. Kid: (opens door, exits, then pops back in) "Good night, love." stocking: *blush* n-night kid... *when he leaves, she lays back down, blushing* damn, im starting to feel weird again... *sigh* why do you have to make me feel like this? Kid: (walks down the hall to the elevator...then stops. He clutches his chest) "Stocking...What are you doing to me?" -that night- Kid: "Patty, thank you--Stocking enjoyed the soup." Patty: "She better have! We put in all our love, sweat, and tears into it!" Kid: "...Not actual sweat and tears..." Patty: "Damn! I knew I forgot some ingredients!" Kid: (nervous) "Um...Thanks, anyway. Good night, Patty." (looks around) "I had better find Liz to ask her about...something..." liz: so how's she holding up? Kid: "Ah, there you are. Stocking seems to be recovering well. Maybe another day or two?" liz: hopefully. Kid: (serious) "Any update on our investigation?" liz: so far, nothing... Kid: "Keep me posted." (blushes) "And...about that...item you got for me..." liz: yeah, what about it? Kid: "I...do not know about it..." liz: its really simple... *whispers* you just slide it onto your 'thing' and pump. its like when you use your hand. there's some buttons on the one side, one for vibration, one for vibration speed, one for sucking mode, and for sucking speed. Kid: "...I meant I didn't know whether I wanted to _use_ it. But thank you for those instructions: they are most...enlightening." (blushes, especially as Liz is whispering this right into his ear, as he feels her breath blowing so close onto him...) liz: dont sweat it. im not forcing you to use it, but y'know. Kid: "...May I ask another question?" liz: what is it? Kid: "That shop where you bought...it...Do they also make items for women?" liz: of course they do...*looks* between you and me, i get my... *ahem* stuff from there. Kid: (blush intensifies, as he imagines Stocking with those items...) "Oh..." liz: you feelin' alright? or is it just puberty? Kid: "Puberty. Definitely puberty." (looks at Liz, blushes harder) "I...appreciate the thought...about what you bought for me..." liz:...*ahem* well, its better than using a sock, so yeah... i-im just looking out for you. Kid: "Of course...Well, I had better rest. Good night." liz: night... --That Night-- Patty: (squirming in bed) "Can't sleep." (kicks off her PJ pants and throws them off the bed) "Ah...that's better..." liz: *sleeping* -meanwhile in kid's dream, there is a 3way of kid, stocking, and a male version of stocking- Kid: (in his dream, points at Male!Stocking) "Who are you?!" -the next morning- Kid: (already at the breakfast table, coffee in hand) "What is with these dreams...?" liz: you ok? Kid: (sighs) "Another dream...I just...am feeling really awkward...around Stocking..." liz: again? Kid: "Again. I think I need to relieve some stress." liz: by all means, go do that. Kid: (blushes) "Thanks...Then I'll shower..." liz: *nods* -after that- Kid: (feels some relief, but still nervous. Drying off after shower) Kid: (dresses, exit his room, heads to the front entrance) "Liz! Patty! Are you ready to depart?" liz: yeah. Patty: (still tying her shoes as she hops on one foot towards them) "Coming!" (arrives) "Okay, ready! What's first period today?" liz: looks like math. Kid: "That should be easy enough." Patty: (grumbling) "Speak for yourself. I just hope the tutoring holds up..." liz: yeah. -cut to later in the school day- --At Music-- Kid: (looks around the room) "I assume Stocking is going to miss her period of Music..." (sighs) liz: *picks up the bass guitar* Kid: "Patty, stop goofing around and pick up that tuba before the conductor begins today's lesson." (The teacher enters) -it was wes- soul: you gotta be shitting me! Wes: (smirks) "Hi, little bro." (glances at Liz) "Liz." liz: um, hey? *awkward wave* (Kid and Patty exchange at look) Wes: "I was told you all would be working on a rather interesting tune. I'll need to hear the strings on this one, so brass, pay close attention to my directions. Oh, and Liz: the bass is very important on this one. But I know you can do it." (winks at her) liz: *plays* [music +2] random student: i love this song! Kid: (struggling with violin. Only +1) Patty: (no increase, from playing too loud) Black Star: (tears off shirt and starts twirling it in the air while screaming) "Yahoo!" tsubaki:.... *facepalm* Wes: "We do not have any vocals on this one, Black Star--sit down. Patty, quieter on those notes. Kid, you are a half-beat off..." soul: *rolls eyes* Wes: "I saw that, Soul." soul: *frowns* Wes: (concludes song, catches his breath from the vigorous conducting motions) "Good work, all of you. Room for improvement, certainly, but as good as I expected. Your musical score for your next class's lesson is on the desk: take your instrument's score on your way out." liz: that wasnt too bad. Wes: (overhearing) "Not bad at all." (nods to the others) "Kid, Patty, good to see you both again." (stares at Liz) "How have you been?" liz: um, fine... why do you ask? Wes: "Just curious. I haven't been around the DWMA as much, so I was hoping to catch up with some friendlier faces." (thumbs behind him at Soul, who is glaring at his older brother's demeanor) "Friendlier than Soul's, at least." liz: oh, well, most of us are doing pretty good. soul: *growl* mizuki: yeah, i know a thing or two about annoying older siblings... Patty: (overhearing Soul and Mizuki) "You poor dears..." (whispers to Soul) "But seriously, what is your bro trying to do to my sis?" soul: not sure, but i dont like it... liz: so whats on your mind? Wes: "I really enjoyed getting to talk with you the last time I was in Death City, and I'd be interested in catching up with you. Would you be interested in getting coffee some time?" liz: *light blush* um sure, that sounds fine... any place in particular? Wes: (slight laugh) "I suppose you'd rather not go back to Deathbucks. I know a trendy jazz cafe with excellent brew." liz: sure, sounds great. so how long do you plan on staying? soul: *jaw drops and silently mouths 'WHAT THE FUCK?!'* Patty: (mouth hanging down too) Kid: (mouth hanging down. Thinking: "She...sees something in him?") Wes: "I'll be here through the end of this weekend. Maybe we could meet on Saturday?" liz: um, sure! sounds good. Wes: "Cool! Here, let me give you my number. Call me with a time on Saturday that works for you." (Waves) "Later!" (Walks away--and grabs Soul by his arm, dragging him behind him) "Come, little bro--let's talk." soul: uh... ok? liz: well...that happened... Kid: "...Um..." Patty: (silent) liz: what? Kid: "Nothing." Patty: "You just got asked out on a date!" liz: yeah, i guess i did. Patty: (looks around, whispers in Liz's ear) "Bring protection." liz: patti, dont worry, i have things under control. and besides, its not like its a date-date, its more of catching up with someone i havent seen in a while. Patty: (frowns) "Just be careful. Right, Kid?" Kid: (serious) "Yes." liz: ok. -in the hall- soul: what do you want, wes? Wes: "How are you doing, Soul?" soul: fine, why do you care? Wes: (narrows eyes) "Because if I am going to be here through the end of this weekend, there is one person who is my priority while I'm here: you." soul: just get to the point. Wes: (sighs) "That's all. Just wanted to let my brother know I'm here...if he, you know, wanted to...hang out?" soul *chuckles* thanks for the offer, but i'll pass. Wes: (holds up card) "Call if you need anything. And would it kill you for you and your girlfriend to let me stop by for a home-cooked meal? I'm getting tired of take-out." soul: yeah yea-... s-she's not my girlfriend! she's my partner, her being a girl doesnt automatically make her my girlfriend wes! Wes: (small smile) "Of course not. But you are watching out for her safety, right?" soul: of course i am. Wes: "Then that's all that matters." (smirks) "If you want to join me and Liz for coffee, we could double-date." soul: i'll pass thanks. Wes: (smiles) "Alright. Well, I'm going to peruse the faculty lounge. I'll see you after school." soul: probably not. --Meanwhile, at Kid's next class...— Patty: (has her fishing rod) "Ready! Sis, you got the bait?" liz: yeah. Patty: "Thanks!" (takes some bait and hooks it) "Maybe I'll catch a pike or something." liz: alright. lets do this. Kid: (trying to hold the fishing pole absolutely straight) Patty: "Hey! I caught a salmon!" Patty: "How 'bout you, Sis?" liz: i caught a carp. Black Star: "Look at this awesome guppy I caught!" sayaka: i got a boot.... rin: seems like i got a.. i think a black bass? Ao: "Oh, what a lovely crab." tetsu: a yellow perch, nice. Iris: "What on earth is a sea bass doing in the river?" ginka: WOOHOO! i got a goldfish! Kid: (pouting) "Nothing yet..." (hard tug) "What...?" (harder tug) "Hey! I need some help here!" liz: *helps him pull the fish* arisa: FUCK! *gets pulled in* Patty: (wraps arms around Kid's waist) "Don't fall in, guy!" seira: i got a dace... matsuri: crucian carp get! ryuko: neat, a pike. Kid: (being dragged to the edge of the river) "I can't fall in! Everyone! One more hard yank!" izumo: looks like i got a... is that a student? arisa: hi. *PUUUUULLLLLL* Kid: (Pulls--falling back, but pulling the fish out of the water) liz: um... im pretty sure that isnt a fish.... -you caught a kappa- Tuhl: "What the hell?! Hey, I'm swimming here!" liz: uh.. s-sorry. Kid: "...I guess I don't pass today's lesson..." Patty: (Licking lips) "So, can we cook and eat this guy?" Kid: "Liz, Iris? Please help us escort this kappa back to the river..." liz: alright. sorry about my sister, she's a little weird. Tuhl: "No kidding. I'm not just some garbage that you can fish out of the river, you know!" (dives back into the water, floats away) liz: sorry! *she sighs* well, kappa river isnt that far off from here... maybe he just got lost? Kid: "Does this still count as a large catch of the day? Or do I have to catch another...um...fish?" teacher: well, i guess its something... (all students get a +2 in fishing. except sayaka, who gets nothing. sayaka: aw man...) Kid: "Well, that was something..." Patty: "Yeah, but what _does_ kappa taste like? Chicken?" Kid: "Let's wash up and then head to our next class." -art class again- Kid: (thinks: "It would be nice to have Stocking as a model in art...") Kid: "What will you be creating today, Liz?" liz: i think maybe work on my fashion design skills Patty: "Is there a model today?" -seems tsubaki is volunteering- Patty: "Oooooh! good choice! You look very pretty today, Tsubaki!" tsubaki: thanks... Kid: "Hmm...I think I'll work on my drawing skills today." Patty: "Where you gonna be, Tsubaki? Sitting? Standing?" tsubaki: just sitting here. Kid: (removes his pencils, starts sketching) tsubaki: its kind of embarrassing to be dressed up like this.. i almost look like oichi-san. Patty: "Better than nude modeling!" liz: patti! Kid: "I'm sorry, Tsubaki. Please don't let her distract you: we really need your pose to finish our work." tsubaki: right. Kid: (thinking: "But I wouldn't mind Stocking as a model for class...") -in kid's mind, stocking smiles sweetly- Kid: (smiles at the thought. Thinking: "That smile...I wish to make a perfect copy of it...") -after school- Patty: (holds up finger painting drawing of Tsubaki) "See? Doesn't this look great?!" liz: yeah. -where do you wish to go? [ ] cafe [x] the curiosity shop [ ] library [ ] etc Kid: "You could make the art more symmetrical." Patty: (frown) "The model wasn't symmetrical." liz: hey, want to go to the curiosity shop? i hear they have some new things in. Patty: "I got Kid's charge card! Let's go!" -there is quite a lot of merchandise- liz: this looks nice. (its a dream diary) -there is also an assortment of masks, including a creepy mask with a sharp toothy grin, an all nighter's mask, and a skull mask- Kid: "A dream diary?" liz: do you want it? Kid: "I would. How much?" liz: $12 dollars. Patty: (sneaks up on Liz with the Sharp Toothy Mask) "Boo." liz: you see any-KYAA! Patty: "HA HA HA HA!" liz: patti!....*sniff* eww! that mask smells like a corpse! Kid: *sniff* "Yes. If you intend on purchasing that, you had best clean it thoroughly!" Patty: "Well maybe whoever sold it should've washed it first!" *sniff* "It kinda smells like Sid." liz: .... whats with this wire mask. looks painful... shop owner: yeah, a treasure hunter brought it in, not sure where it came from. Patty: "Maybe it was used for torture..." liz: patti dont be creepy. shop owner: well, the seller called it the 'all nighter's mask'. Kid: "What did this treasure hunter look like?" shop owner: didnt get a good look at the guy. kinda weird lookin i think... then again i get a lot a weirdos sellin stuff here. Kid: (Puts a hand on Patty's shoulder) "I have a bad feeling about this mask...If we were to buy it, I think I would hand it to Academy specialists to study it..." liz: good plan. Patty: (frowns) "Fine. Buy it, hand it to them, and when they found out that there's nothing wrong with it, then I get to keep it!" (pouts) -anything else they want?- Kid: (trying to mollify Patty, looks at other items to buy) -there is a golden jewel encrusted music box- Kid: (finds swords) "No, not giving her one of those again..." (sees the music box) "How about this, Patty?" (opens the music box) -if played, it has a very soothing effect.- Patty: (raises an eyebrow) "You should get that. For yourself. Maybe you'll get better sleep instead of dreaming about St--er, whatever it is that is keeping you up at night." shop keep: that will be $20, i'll give ya a discount for it. Kid: (hands over the $20) "Thank you!" (accepts the bags of their items) "Shall we depart?" liz: yeah. Patty: (pouting) "You two still owe me something good if I don't get to keep that mask..." Patty: (looks worriedly at the mask) "Creepy." -that night- Kid: "The mask has been given to the investigative team?" liz: good. Patty: "Fine." (still pouting, shoving the music box and dream diary into Kid's hands) "But when that mask is proven to be nothing, I'm going to laugh at you fraidy-cats!" (smiles widely) "Good night, then!" liz: night. Kid: (studying the music box) "Good night, Patty. Rest assure, we will find all we can about that mask--or pay you back otherwise." Kid: (looks to Liz, smiling slightly) "Looking forward to your date with Wes?" liz: i guess. Kid: (contemplative) "Good. That's good." liz: at least its something to do, right? Kid: "Yes. Enjoy it." (yawns) "I had best rest." (taps the dream diary) "Hope this helps..." liz: yeah. night. --After Kid washes, dresses, and goes into bed-- Kid: (Has set the music box on his nightstand with the dream diary. Picks up the dream diary and opens it) Kid: "Hmmm...Surprising design to this book...I should write some thoughts in it before bed..." -in his dream, there is a large tree, stocking cuddles with him under it- Kid: (in dream) "I like this shade...Hmmm...You feel so warm..." stocking: so are you. *she smiles* Kid: (in dream) "Two of a kind, then..." (rubs small, soft circles along Stocking's hand) stocking: *she nuzzles into his neck* Kid: (lets her rest there) "I really enjoy being with you." stocking: so do i.... *she kisses his nose* Kid: (tilts his forehead to hers) stocking: *moves the kiss to his lips* Kid: (approaches her lips as well) stocking: *kisses him sweetly* i love you. Kid: "I love you, too." (kisses the corner of her mouth) stocking: mmmm~ Kid: (His hand is resting on the grass under the tree. He places it on Stocking's knee) stocking: *places her hands on his shoulders* Kid: (Returns to kissing her lips) -the rest of the dream is spent kissing and snuggling- -in the morning- Kid: (yawns, looks at the music box, taps it) "Maybe you did give me better sleep..." (opens dream diary, begins writing in it, as well as some wishes for what else he would like to dream in the future...) Kid: "I wonder whether Liz or Patty are up yet." liz: *yawn* Patty: *snore* (Alarm goes off) "Ah!" (falls out of bed) liz: hey kid, how did you sleep last night? Kid: "Excellently! I think that music box was effective! How was your sleep?" liz: pretty good. Patty: (holding ice to her head) "I fell out of bed..." liz: you ok? Patty: "Nothing ice won't help...And maybe some Tylenol..." -at class- Patty: (rubbing her head) "I forget--what's our first class?" Kid: (thinking: "I wonder whether Stocking is back...") liz: gym class it looks like. Kid: "Hmm..." (remembers the bet he had made that he and Stocking lost) "I do wish Stocking was here...At least gym should be energizing. I'll see you two after we get changed." -seems they run laps today- -Patty and Liz enter the locker room to change- Patty: "Hmm...No Stocking in here. Guess she's still out sick." liz: yeah. Patty: (struggles to take off shirt so not to hit her bruise, opens her locker and gets her gym clothes) "Maybe we should go talk with Stocking after she gets better." (smiles) "You and Wes could have a double-date!" liz: wha? *blush* Patty: (giggling) "You know, only after you see how your first date goes! Then you and Wes can join Kid and Stocking." liz: please, i've been on dates before. Patty: (leans head on Liz's shoulder) "What does that mean? You think this date will go well?" liz: hopefully. Patty: "Then I hope so too!" (whispers) "Wear something eye-catching." liz: i plan to. Patty: (out of her usual clothes) "Well, time to get on my gym clothes on! Then it's off to run laps today! I bet you I can out-run you today!" -outside- Kid: (stretching before the run) "Liz, Patty? No sign of Stocking?" liz: nope, nothin. Kid: "Darn." (considers) "I should at least text her after gym, to see whether to bring homework to her..." liz: maybe... -after gym- Patty: "You two sore after all those laps?" liz: *panting* Patty: "So...yes?" liz: im good....kid seems crashed out Kid: (lying on ground, face down) liz: what about texting your girlfriend~? Kid: (still lying face down, pulls phone out of his pocket) "Please text her...whether to bring homework to her..." (Hands phone to Liz) liz: sure... Patty: (head on her shoulder again) "How you want to phrase this text?" -Symmetric_Death; hey this is liz, should kid bring your homework over?- -SugarSweetHeaven: thanks liz, but my dad has a maid taking care of it...- Patty: (tries to take the phone) Patty: "Let me text something to Stocking!" liz: uh... Patty: (snatches phone) "Thanks!" -Symmetric_Death: patty here, liz has big date coming up. advice?- -SugarSweetHeaven: oh a date huh? do tell~?- liz: p-PATTI!! -Symmetric_Death: guy named wes--violin player! tall dreamy with a kinda albino vibe- -SugarSweetHeaven: sounds fancy. well, i suggest just be yourself i guess?- Patty: "Stocking says to be your usual fine, sexy self." liz: *blush* Kid: (getting up) "What did Stocking say in her text? Liz, why is your face red? Are you out of breath?" liz: im fine, just a lil tired.. Patty: "Stocking said she'd have her dad bring the make-up homework to her." (helps Kid up) "Let's get to our next class!" -since i lost track of time, lets just skip ahead to saturday- (liz has her hair done up and is wearing a green dress with a white bolero jacket.) (Wes is in dark slacks, a white shirt unbuttoned at the top, and a black dress jacket with polished dress shoes and an expensive watch) (Wes is already waiting for her at the table) Wes: (spots her, smiles) "Liz!" (stands up) "I'm glad you came." liz: i have to say, this seems like a nice place so far. Wes: (gestures to the seat, not pulling it out for her as he waits for her to seat first before he sits down) "Yes, I had visited here the last time I was in the city. And I stopped by Thursday to make sure it was still as good." liz: well, i look forward to seeing what they have. Wes: (gestures to a waiter for menus) "You're looking well. I really like what you've done with your hair." liz: oh, thanks. tsubaki helped me with it too. Wes: "How is Tsubaki? I haven't seen her or her hyperactive partner around much this week." liz: they're doing pretty well. Wes: (nods) "And your sister?" liz: same as always. and kid's the same too...well, mostly... Wes: " 'Mostly'?" liz: well... there's a girl in school that he has a major crush on. her name is Stocking. no really, it is. Wes: "Let me guess: she wears stockings?" liz: yep. she sure does. Wes: "So how head-over-heels is Kid? Are they official or something?" liz: well....*ahem* its complicated to say... so i guess... half-half? and yeah, he's completely smitten Wes: "Hmm...What do you think of her?" liz:.. well.....i guess she's nice enough... though im still getting to know her myself. im actually planning a girl's night in. Wes: "That should be fun. When is that happening?" liz: im still planning it, so soon hopefully. Wes: "That's good. I'm sure it will be fun. You've seemed like someone who is pretty well organized since I met you." liz: well, i guess i get it from my meister, haha... Wes: "Yes, I see a bit of that with my brother...Hey, could I ask you something? How is Soul doing?" liz: he's been doing good. still training hard to become a death scythe. maka's doing good too. Wes: "Hm. Maybe that is why he seems more irritable than usual." (looks down) "Or maybe he's just annoyed with me being around." liz: *frowns* Wes: "Sorry. Didn't mean to get so depressed." liz: hey, its fine. i mean, kid does it all the time, so im used to it. Wes: (chuckle) "I don't think I could ever out-emo him." (opens up menu) "By the way, your dress looks great." liz: *blush* thanks, you too.. i mean! you look good. Wes: (chuckles again) "Thanks." (Thinking: She looks good when she blushes.) "So, what would you be interested in ordering?" (He holds up his open menu--but even as his head is tilted towards the menu, his eyes stay on Liz) liz: maybe a coffee. and maybe a BLT. Wes: "Ah, the BLT here is good. I am a bit hungry...I'll probably go with the turkey burger." liz: ah. Wes: "Yes, I think that sounds good...Are you ready to order?" liz: yeah im good. Wes: "Waiter?" (He approaches) Wes: "I'll have the coffee with a turkey burger. And you, Liz?" liz: one coffee and a BLT please. Waiter: "Very good, ma'am. I'll put in your meal orders and come right back with your coffee." Wes: (stretches a bit in his chair) "This cafe is very mellow. I like how they tend to play some lesser-known jazz songs. But you should really see this place at night..." liz: yeah i could imagine..... ?? Wes: "Everything okay, Liz?" liz: um, yeah! im fine. -outside the window- soul: do you see anything? Patty: "Not with Big Sis's big head getting in the way! That thing's like a melon! What about you?" soul: nope nothin... Patty: "Hmmm...Oh! Wait!" (removes her sunglasses and lowers her overcoat for undercover) "Ah! Now I can see a bit better. But I think we'll have to get closer...maybe enter through a back door?" soul: .... !! *notices some empty boxes* in there. Patty: "Sweet!" (heads to the boxes with Soul) -a little later- liz: so how's your grandma doing? Wes: "Better..." (taps finger on the table) "After her last hospital stay, the doctors have given her a better routine." liz: well thats good to hear. *she smiles* Wes: (sad smile) "Thanks...Family...is important..." liz: yeah, it really is... Wes: "You ever worry that you don't get to be as close to your family as you want?" liz:.... Wes: (awkward silent, blushes a little) Waiter: "Sir? Ma'am? Here is your coffee! Your meals will be coming soon." liz: you ok wes? liz: thanks. Wes: "Yes." (picks up cup and saucer) "I...had hoped to spend more time with Soul while I was here. He just...I'm just not the kind of brother I should be." liz: what do you mean? Wes: "Whenever I try to hang out with him, he seems...rough around the edges. He has been keeping his distance...and maybe I haven't made myself available to him. It's been so long since I've been back here, and maybe he's hurt that I don't see him enough." liz: maybe.... its hard to say... Wes: (leans back in chair) "I envy how you and Patty get along." liz: well, it isnt all sunshine and smiles, she can drive me nuts... but at the end of the day, she's still my sister... Wes: (smile) "What do you do when you two aren't talking?" liz: oh well... *she continues as the other two watch on* soul: cant...hear...shit... Patty: (cups her hand to her ear...then cups her other hand to Soul's ear) "Does that help?" soul:..... Patty: "So, yes?" -this goes on for a while until...- Patty: "I can't hear shit...Let's just move closer. Can't we duck under a nearby table? Look! The waiter is bringing out their food! Now's our chance!" -skitter skitter- Patty: (now under the table) "Okay...I think I can hear Sis saying something..." liz: oh so thats how soul got his name then? haha. Patty: (whispers) "Darn! I just missed out juicy gossip about you, Soul...If that is your real name..." soul: of course it is! Patty: "Then how did you get that name? Oh, forget it, you can tell me later...What else is Liz saying..." liz: the marriot, huh? sounds nice. Patty: (eyes widened) "Liz said 'the Marriott'!" Wes: "Yeah, you'd love it." Patty: (gasps) "Wes said 'you'd love it!'" soul: yeah, what about it? Patty: "I-I don't know! What if Wes wants to...I-I have to listen to how Liz replies..." liz: i wish i could, but i planned on helping patti with her studies tonight... Wes: "I'm still here tomorrow. I'm taking the red-eye, so my flight isn't until 10:00 PM. Let me know if you change you mind." liz: i'll consider it... Patty: (mouth hung open) "Your bro offered to take my sis back to his hotel room!" soul: shhhh! Patty: "You 'shhh'! They're trying to make in-laws of us, so I get to 'shhh!' you!" liz: did you hear something? Patty: (slaps hands over Soul's mouth) Wes: "No, sorry, I was distracted by this song. Hey, you ever hear this one live?" liz: not really. Wes: "I know someone who does a really good cover of it..." Wes: "But nothing beats the original." liz: its nice. Wes: "Yeah...Hey, when was the last time you went dancing?" liz: well, the last time was the halloween dance a few weeks ago. soul: oh he is not... Patty: (sweating) Wes: "Oh, cool! How was that?" liz: well, eventful... patti and i got stuck in a haunted house *shudder* Wes: "Heh...I think eventful is right...And knowing you, a haunted house is one of the last places you want to be. I'd...really like to dance. But the songs here aren't exactly at our pace, and I know you have to get going. But the next time we meet up, wherever that is, I'd like to go out dancing. Would you be interested?" liz: sure, sounds fun. Wes: "Good. Well, my next performance will be in Vienna. If you ever come around that way, let me know and I'll get you tickets--for you, Patty, and Kid, too." liz: alright then. well, see ya. Wes: (walks to Liz, offers a hand to help her from seat) liz: *she gets up, they pay for dinner then she exits, waving* Patty: (with Liz and Wes gone, knocks table back, exposing her and Soul) "What the fuck?!" soul: come on patti, we better get you home before liz finds out! Patty: "I know a shortcut! Come on!" Waiter: "Hold it! Look what you two did to this table!" soul: send the bill to celestia ludenburg! -at gallows manor- Patty: (climbs through her bedroom window, collapses on the floor, rolls over onto her back to catch her breath) soul: now what? --Meanwhile, at Ludenburg's house-- celes: table damage? the hell?! -back to gallows manor- Patty: (Sees Soul is hanging by windowsill. Stands up, goes to the window) "First, we get you up here..." (grabs his arms, tugs to pull him in--and causes both of them to fall to floor) soul: good thing these plushies broke our fall... at least i screwed over luden-bitch today, hehe. Patty: "Focus, Soul! We got lucky today that Wes and Sis didn't make us in-laws--but what about tomorrow? Is Sis really going to go to his hotel room?!" soul: they could have been talking about other stuff...maybe... Patty: "Tell me the truth: should I be worried about your bro?" soul: to be honest.... i dont really know... i'll probably just let my own emotions cover the truth... so its hard for me to say... Patty: "...I trust Liz...I do...So...I leave it to..." (runs to her dresser) "But not without taking precautions!" (flings items out: socks, shirts--a bra lands atop Soul's head) soul: *nosebleed* Patty: "Ah ha! Here it is!" (holds up an unopened wrapped condom) maid: did you need any-.... soul: O_______O Patty: "Just finding a condom for something later!" maid: 0__________________0 *slowly closes the door* Patty: (thumbs at Maid) "What's her problem?" (sees Soul. Smirks, removes the bra from his head, pats his face) "You're adorable..." -later- liz: patti, kid, im back! Patty: (hides condom in her pocket) "Hi, Sis! How was your date?" liz: it went well. it was nice to see wes again, and the food was really good too. Kid: "That's good to hear. How is he?" liz: he's doing good. his next preformance will be in Vienna Kid: "Oh, that's quite an accomplishment! I'll commend him the next time I see him." Patty: "...Did...anything else come up during your date?" liz: yeah, he told me there was a new restaurant opened at the marriot he is staying at. he wanted to know if i wanted to meet him there for breakfast there Kid: "Oh, that should be good." Patty: (blushing. Thinking: "So...I jumped to conclusions on that one?") "Oh." liz: so, did you get a call from your girlfriend yet, kiddo? Kid: (squirms) "Just a text...Stocking thinks she'll be back in class on Monday..." liz: thats good Patty: (takes Liz's arm) "Sis, could you help me study tonight?" liz: oh, uh sure, of course. Patty: (smiles) "Let's study in my room! Okay?" liz: uh, sure. Patty: "Great! I'll see you after dinner!" (awkward laugh) liz: ?? -sunday morning- Kid: (kissing his pillow, lifting leg awkwardly) "Stocking...Right there...don't stop..." Kid: (falls out of bed--again) Kid: (lifts head off of floor, pulls himself up) "Well..." (pulls dream diary off of nightstand) "I better write that one down..." Kid: "I wonder whether Liz and Patty have dreams this realistic." Kid: "...Maybe I don't want to know Patty's dreams...But I wonder what Liz dreams..." liz: (thinking: well.... that got intense...) Kid: "...Maybe her dreams are no different than mine..." (blushes) Kid: "...But I do feel...anxious...And it is a Sunday morning...I don't think anyone else is up yet..." (Looks at nightstand) -the clock reads 4:44 AM- Kid: "...No. I'm...not ready for that...I'll just go the bathroom." -later in the morning- Kid: *Yawns* (taps the music box) "Thank you for improving my sleep..." (sly smile) "The dreams are a lot better now..." Kid: "I wonder whether this music box would improve the sleep of anyone else..." Patty: (waking up) "No, Giant Dolphin Man--that's too much pudding for one Giant Dolphin Man to eat!" (falls out of bed) "Not again..." liz: *pant* well... im up.. Kid: (puts on bathrobe, departs to see whether the bathroom is occupied and whether he may shower) -looks good to go- Kid: (knocks, hears nothing, enters. Disrobes, turns on hot water to heat up while he brushes his teeth) Kid: (spits into the sink, rinses toothbrush) Kid: (wipes mouth, enters the shower, adjusts the heat) -later- Kid: (dressed, walks downstairs to breakfast table) "Wonder who is up yet." liz: morning. Kid: "Morning!" (smiles widely) "Ah, sleep was so good. How was yours, Liz?" liz: eventful.... *siiiips coffee* Kid: "Oh?" liz: other than that it wes- WAS great... Kid: (blinks, hides small smile behind his coffee cup) "I'm happy that sleep is treating you well..." -later that day- Kid: "I really think that music box and dream diary have helped. Writing my dreams down is...invigorating. Perhaps you should try?" liz: perhaps. -Later That Day- -riiiiiiing- Patty: "I'll get it!" Patty: "Who is it?" stocking: hey, is kid in? Patty: "Stocking! You sound much better! Hang on!" (calls loudly) "Kid! Get your ass down here! Your girlfriend is on the phone!" stocking: *whistling kk bossa* Kid: (runs down the stairs, trips on rug, crawls to the phone) "H-hello?" stocking: hey kid. Kid: "Stocking! Hello! How are you?" stocking: im doing a lot better than i was. i think i might be able to come back to school on monday. Kid: "Oh, good! I've missed seeing you around campus." stocking: thanks i.... i missed seeing you too. Kid: (smile) "Take it easy today so you can finish your recovery. Want Patty and me to bring any more soup or anything?" stocking: i think i'll be fine. i'll probably stay in and play smash bros or something. Patty: (next to Kid) "I heard Smash Bros. Ask whether she has online play enabled!" Kid: "...Did you catch that, Stocking?" stocking: not yet, but i might do that later. Patty: (grabs phone, speaks seriously with an even, loud tone) "Got on that immediately. My Shiek is gonna whoop yo ass..." Kid: (pushes Patty by one finger to her forehead) "_After_ you recover. I really do look forward to seeing you when you get back to school. stocking: same here. Kid: "I have to finish some homework, but I did want to talk with you about something surprising this week: Liz went out on a date." stocking: yeah, she told me about it. so how was it? Kid: "I don't quite know. She said she enjoyed it, but she also seemed, well, a little closed off. I guess that's to be expected for anyone going on a date." Patty: (overhearing, blushing, sweating) stocking: well, what if we went on a date? theoretically speaking~ Kid: (blinks) "I...thought we have...Or do you mean something more, well, typical for a date? Like dinner and a movie?" stocking: maybe something like that. maybe Higanbana's? Kid: "Oh, that would be fun! Maybe...this weekend? Or next weekend?" stocking: this weekend sounds nice. Kid: "Good. I'll pick you up. Say around 6?" stocking: yeah, this saturday? Kid: "Sounds good. I'll see you then!" stocking: yeah, see you in school tommorrow. Kid: (sweatdrop) "Oh. Right. Getting ahead of myself! Or...behind myself?" (flustered) stocking: well, see ya~ Kid: "Yes...bye..." (awkwardly hangs up the phone) "Hmm...Did Liz go to meet Wes for breakfast?" liz: nah, its really far from here, and by the time i get there, the discount will aready be over. i told him, and he seemed cool about it. Kid: "Oh, there you are, Liz. Well, that's too bad." liz: soooo, you got a big date this saturday, huh? Kid: (blush) "Looks like it. Have any advice based on your recent date?" liz: well, try talking to her, see what her interests are. get to know her a bit more. Kid: "Good...That is good advice. Thank you. Is that what you did with Wes? Get to learn more about him?" liz: yeah, mostly just catching up to what he has been doing. but yeah. Kid: "Good. I...just hope the date goes smoothly. I get so anxious that I start fixating on everything, like whether the utensils are spotless, whether the arrangement on the table is symmetrical, whether to move the table for better lighting..." liz: easy there now. Kid: (pulls out a paper bag, breathes in and out of it) "I'm fine I'm fine I'm fine I'm fine..." liz: *pats his back* Kid: "Th-thank you. Well...I better call a reservation in to that restaurant..." liz: ok. -Monday- Kid: *Yawns* -at school- Patty: "School day! School day!" Kid: "Please...stop yelling...I'm still waking up..." liz: well, stocking should be back today... Kid: *Perks up* "Oh, yes!" (Looks around, left and right, even under a table) "I wonder where she is..." -in history class- stocking: *is at her desk* Kid: (approaches her desk) "Welcome back!" stocking: *she looks up and smiles back* oh, hey kid. Kid: "Is this seat taken?" stocking: it is if you're sitting in it. Kid: (smiles, takes a seat) "Have you fully recovered?" stocking: more or less, yeah. Kid: "That's good. I hope you feel back to 100 percent soon...at least before Saturday..." stocking: yeah. Kid: "I made the reservation yesterday, so we're all set." stocking: thats great... looks like class is starting. Kid: (opens book) "What's today's lesson again?" stocking: the lost mountain village of Hoshizora... Kid: "Hmm...I'll have to pay close attention: I'm not as familiar as I'd like to be..." {in the ancient past, there was a village in the mountains known as Hoshizora. it is believed the residents of this village were the early ancestors of the star clan and branch families such as the Hoshi family, the Hoshino family, and others) Kid: "Hmm...So, ancestors of Black Star, Akane, and Ao..." {-due to brigands and harsh mountain weather, the villagers left to other parts of the world. the mountain eventually snowed over, causing it to become the icy region it is now. there are those who wish to find the village, despite the everlasting snow.} Kid: (thinking) "What could be hidden there?" stocking: maybe relics? Kid: "Perhaps. I can't imagine what Black Star and the others feel: to find something of one's past can be thrilling..." stocking: maybe... Kid: "I should get my books and materials for my next class." *Yawn* "I should check my schedule...I'm still so tired that I'm forgetting what is on today's agenda...I think math?" stocking: looks like i have science classes. Kid: "I will have to see you for lunch, then." (leans over, kisses her cheek) "Until then..." stocking: *blush* didnt you want to kiss the other side too? Kid: (smirks) "If you want it, then that's your incentive to find me at lunch..." stocking: hehe~ Kid: (waves, departs for his locker) (Thinking: "Some people are worth giving up even symmetry...") Kid: "I wonder how Liz and Patty are doing..." -at lunch- stocking: hey kiddo. Kid: (smiles, finally kisses the other cheek) "Miss me?" stocking: well, i guess~ but i knew you'd get antsy from not kissing the other side so... Kid: (sigh of relief) "Oh, thank Death..." (stammering) "It is still h-hard, getting out of my comfort zone...But...with you, I am happy." stocking: aw, thanks...*she kisses both his cheeks* Kid: (blushing) "Th-thank you...Shall we dine?" stocking: *nods* Kid: "So...I guess this is a trial run for dinner on Saturday..." stocking: i guess. *she smiles* Kid: "I was wondering...do you...like dancing?" stocking: occasionally, why? Kid: "Maybe...we could find somewhere to dance? Sometime?" stocking: that sounds great. *she smiles* Kid: "I...am a bit rusty. But I do enjoy it." stocking: maybe i could come over and we could practice? Kid: "Oh...Yes! We can use the ballroom!" stocking: nice. should i get dressed up fancy or...? Kid: "Um...S-Sure!" stocking: great. see you tonight~ Kid: "See you then!" -that night- stocking: im here Kid: (dressed even more formally than usual: a tux) Kid: (eyes widen) "H-Hi! Welcome! You look amazing." stocking: thanks. i had to alter it a little bit though. Kid: "They came out well. Good work." stocking: *she smiles* so where is this ballroom? Kid: "Right this way..." (Offers a hand up the stairs) stocking: wow, it’s so big! Kid: "Yes, it's amazing how many rooms we can fit in this mansion. I'm afraid I couldn't get live music, but the audio system is pretty good." stocking: well, I appreciate it none-the-less. Kid: (claps hands, and the music starts. Leans and extends hand to Stocking) "May I have this dance?" stocking: why of course~ Kid: (he gently takes her right hand in his, and puts his right arm along her back) "Is this good?" stocking: yeah, pretty good. Kid: "Let me know how to improve..." (prepares to lead) Kid: (puts his left and right feet together with hers.) "Ready?" stocking: yeah. Kid: "So, I'll take a step forward with my left foot, and you'll take a step back on your right foot..." stocking: ok. *she does that* Kid: "Now I'll step diagonally forward with my right foot, bringing you into a bit of a turn..." (steps forward with right foot, his hand moving a bit down her back into the turn) stocking: oh. *she blushes a bit* ok. ((TBC IN VOL 2 ))
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tellywoodtrash · 5 years
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sanjivani 15.10.19 lb
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rahil playing cuuuuuuuuuupid.
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this one’s getting antsy again. and not in a good way. 
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why do i always end up falling for these kunals playing sassy poets (who are sadly relegated to playing supporting) in every damn show????? i really have a type huh?????
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ouff this one's idk what what insecurities and complexes are jaaging.
siddhant’s mental issues be like....
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ugh.
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pft. i hate him so much. (also, whatcha wanna bet that once she gets mad at this bribery attempt, he'll be like oh no this isn't for you.)
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yeah knew it.
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man gtfo here with your manipulative bs.
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"i'm..... not interested mr. vardhan. iss liye mujhe baar baar uncomfortable feel karwaana bandh kijiye." OH DAMN. HAVEN'T SEEN A CLEARER REFUSAL IN TELLYWOOD EVER.
but watch them go ahead and invalidate it within an episode or two, because ladki ki naaaaaaa mein hi toh haaaaan chupi hoti haiiiiiiii!
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UGH DIE IN A FIRE MAN.
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lmaooooo rahil is STILL shouting bad shayari at sid. i love this idiot so much.
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is this asshole JUST realising that she's in love with him rn? OH MY GOD SID YOU ARE LITERALLY THE FUCKING DUMBEST.
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rahil literally like ok i'm tired of telling you everyday, this is getting real boring for me now, please just do something already.
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woop.
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OH ANJALI. REALIZE YOUR GAY LOVE FOR JUHI ALREADY AND MAKE THIS SHOW BETTER.
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OH ANJALI, NOOOOOOOOOOOOO. FUCKING HELL.
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oh boy, this one is quoting back shayari at him. iske andar ka ypntkh waala siddhant jaag gaya, who has to use bhaari bharkam literature to win intellectual arguments.
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jesus what kinda sad boy bulllllllllshit.
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meanwhile, idhar..........
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chandni is hella cute, my dudes. iss scene mein asha waala accent bhi achcha hai. bas barkaraar rahe, instead of disappearing every other scene.
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rahil is us, horrified at learning the extent of sid's mental issues......... hain, pata tha. PAR ITNAAAAAA??? re devaaaaaaaaaaaa.
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but also this scene is just sooooooooo overdramatic in tone. so outta sync for the rest of this show.
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oh yeah, i really like chandni. she's mega cute.
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rahil trying to backtrack but masti mazaak zyaada ho gaya.
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like getting out of a beanbag isn't already hard enough on your own?
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also lol how awkward must it have been to film this? i saw a bts and it seemed like surbhi had to keep squirming on top of namit for like a relentlessly long time. i could never have been an actor. ever.
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oh sid.
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"tum na, thoda for granted le rahi ho humare iss relationship ko. main tumhara senior hoon, toh jab tak koi medical emergency na ho mere aas paas aake itna free mat hua karo."
OMFG BITCHHHHHHHHHHHH KAUN KISKE SAATH FREE HO RAHA THA
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alexa, play achcha sila diya tune mere pyaar ka.
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what ateeet? is this about your najaayaz thing or jfc, is there a raima type situation here too? abbe yaar, you assholes and your goddamned ateets. WHY CAN'T YOU FUCKERS JUST GET THERAPY??????? GOING AROUND UNLOADING YOUR BS ON UNSUSPECTING INNOCENTS. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE OUR OWN PARENTAL ISSUES AND THE PATRIARCHY TO DEAL WITH ALREADY, WITHOUT YOUR ADDED FUCKERY THAT YOU PROJECT ON TO US.
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god i am sooooooooooooooooooo glad ishani has asha. GIRL LOVE!!!!!!!!!! THE PUREST THERE IS AND WHAT WILL SAVE YOUR GODDAMN LIFE WHEN ALL GOES TO SHIT!!!!!!
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painkiller ka injection for whom???? for some patient or......? coz filhaal toh painkiller ki zaroorat toh isko hai. seedha central line hi daal do, to deliver it straight to his heart.
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lmaooooooooooooooo overdramatic siddhu like "painkiller se bhi yeh dard nahi jayega, sister. yeh dard kabhiiiii nahi jayega."
idk siddhu, have you tried tramadol? that shit gooooooooood. 
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nurse is like bitch i'm talking about a patient, not whatever the fuck dumbass issues you're having rn.
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great, ishani has moved right on to having a panic attack. satyanaaaaaaash ho tera, siddhant. iss ladki ko kya kam masle the, ki tune free-fund mein aake do darjan aur de diye????
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asha gonna start crying too. lord, men are honestly the worst.
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ishani is all i've been alone all my life i don't wanna lose dr. sid and asha's like bitch tf am i here for then???
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ishani is all about that heterosexual nonsense though. pachtaogi, behen. sisters before stupidass misters.
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oh boy asha, your dadi was wrong. hella wrong. please don't kasssssske pakadofy the people you love. like hold them gently and let them know you're there for them; don't fucking forcibly tie them to yourself and stifle the fuck outta them and call that shit "pyaar".
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that's all this one needed to hear tho. ohhhhh boy.
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lbr tho, this is ishani’s *REAL* love story. team #IshAsh for liiiiife.
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lmaoooooooo ishani continues to be a straight disaster (pun intended) by running riiiiiiiight into a glass door.
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wtf is a "badkismati ka saaya"; bitch i'll kill you. 😒😒😒
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