#rule of thumb basically if you think it might be annoying if you lived near then DONT FUCKING DO IT

[fncreature]

hey uh. people who drive around to look at christmas lights and get out to check out displays and stuff. please do not blare music with your windows down or talk so loud you’re yelling. with all due respect, it’s nine pm and we didn’t agree to this, our neighbor is just like that.

again. I cannot stress this enough. DO NOT drive down residential streets fucking blasting music at night. Try not to yell. I don’t care if you’re having the time of your life and feel festive. people do actually live there. and we want to sleep.

thanks for coming to my ted talk

[jjuzoir]

Overdue | T. Shoto

request: “Hi! If your requests are still open, could I request a todoroki x reader oneshot please? Basically they’re childhood friends and go to UA together. Everyone ships them and Todoroki always treats reader super sweetly, but doesn’t realize that he’s also low-key pining for her. (always using endeavor’s credit cards to get her gifts LOL) eventually Todoroki figures out his feelings and confesses. Then the class catches them kissing in the dorms, making Todoroki and reader flustered! Thanks so much!”

a/n: this took me so long omgjdjsj fck all my reqs for this batch are taking me long :’) anyway thank you for being so patient with me @sugarandsoft ;;;

word count: 2933

When it came to romance it was safe to say Shoto was simply blind to it, the romantic feelings of those around him and himself were practically foreign to the teenager.

In all of your years of knowing him you had never once seen him actually be able to recognize the difference between friendship and crushing. To him there was no “I like you romantically” or “I don’t like you romantically”, it was always “I like you as a friend” or “I don’t like you as a friend”. The whole liking someone, crushing on them, dating-courting thing was as complicated as astrophysics is to an eight year old. Which led to everyone around him to immediately be put in the friendzone the minute they got to know him.

Everyone knew that, especially Class 1-A who had to bear witness to one of their top students crush hopelessly on you without even being aware of it. They knew, other students knew, the teachers knew, your parents knew, his mother knew, the League of Villains knew— everyone knew that Todoroki Shoto of class 1-A has a big, fat crush on you except Todoroki Shoto himself. Hell, it was so obvious All for One could’ve seen he had a crush on you.

It was the “little” thing that gave it away, like using the number-two-pro-hero’s credit card to get you a new phone because yours got a small crack. When confronted about it, he’d always say the same thing.

“She’s my friend and I enjoy using the old man’s money,” he’d scowl at Midoriya— Shoto’s self proclaimed wingman and president of the [Name] x Shoto club, who had questioned his spending habits when it came to you.

“So you'd do the same thing for any friend?” Izuku would push the boy further, he was going to get him to realize he liked you even if it killed him- and by the way the year had been going and Shoto’s complete obliviousness to the situation, the latter seemed more likely.

“I guess.”

“Oh really? Then where the fuck is my new phone, lukewarm? If you’re gonna call me your ‘friend’ where is my phone?” Bakugou questioned him with a snarl.

“Yours isn’t cracked, Bakugou-”

“Is that what it takes? ‘Cause I’m gonna do it!”

“Hey Izuku- what’s going on?” Ochako looked at the trio in front of her, easily being drawn to the loud noises coming from the living area.

“Half-’n-Half over here is gonna buy us new phones if we crack ours.”

“I see…”

“Seriously?” Mina barges into the room to pick up the teasing where the blond has left off, “But I like my phone- oh! I know, instead of a phone why don’t you get me some new sneakers!”

“And if I break my house, would you get me a new one?” The brunette asks, she’d rather shoot her shot or miss trying.

“So- you’re gonna admit you’d only do it for [Name] are you gonna need help placing some orders?” Bakugo smirks at Todoroki.

“Ochako and I can check real estate for you!” Mina giggles.

But rather than answering, the bi-colored haired teen simply looked down and mumbled to himself, annoyed; “I’m not buying anyone anything.”

Safe to say he didn’t keep his word because not a day later and he had bought you a new TV after you joked about getting tired of going down the stairs to the shared living space.

He’d make exceptions for you all the time, always covering it with the excuse of “she’s been my friend for longer”, even when it didn’t make much sense. From his limited physical contact rule to the reckless spending, you had him wrapped around your pinky and he didn’t even know it. Everyone would always tease you two about it yet both of you dense as rock to the implications never really paid them much mind.

But soon Todoroki was confused, really confused, by his peers and their words; they were constantly insinuating that he liked you in a more than friends way. At first it was easier to deny such claims, you were just friends— but the more the pestering continued the more aware he was of the ways his heart seemed to flutter at the mention of your name or how he began noticing how he stared at you more often than the rest.

But he couldn’t like you, you were his first real friend— the only person in his life that was always there, if he did like you and he did act out his alleged feelings there was always the possibility you’d say no. And that scared Todoroki more than he’d like to admit. You, on the other hand, did acknowledge the butterflies he’d bring you and welcomed them with open arms. Knowing your chances with him were slim, you unknowingly turned a blind eye to his behavior, chalking it up to him seeing you as his best friend (as much as it might’ve pained you to think like that).

It didn’t take long for you to notice how he seemed more hesitant around you, how he was shying away from your touch and the way he’d avoid giving you any response longer than two sentences, soon enough he was practically avoiding you altogether, and you were worried. In all of your years being his friend, Shoto had never been so cold and distant with you. Had you upset him? It was a complete 180º from before and it left you wondering why.

“Ugh, he’s just-! I’m so annoyed, Ochako!” You groaned into your pillows, “He's never acted like this before, he’s barely talked to me in weeks! I don’t know what I did or what to do.”

“[Name], it’s okay! He has been pretty off lately,” the brunette patted your back, “You should try talking to him!”

“How am I supposed to talk to him when he barely even lets me get near?”

“Hm, maybe leave him a note!” She suggests, brown eyes looking at you sympathetically.

“A note?” You look up and meet her gaze, “Huh…”

And so you did it, you scribbled down a meeting place and signed it anonymously before huffing, stuffing it in your bag and deciding.

“Dear Todoroki, please meet me in the kitchen after practice. It’s very important, you really need to come!”

Simple, short— straight to the point with little to no wiggle room for interpretation (other than a very insistent and kind of annoying person, but that’s a price to pay for the restoration of your friendship), if he didn’t come you’d simply harass him with more notes until he gave up or had enough to open up a paper store. Hopefully the former because you doubted you’d have enough post-it notes or the money for that many.

“Hmph! That should do,” you rub your hands before throwing a thumbs up at your friend, “Thank Ochako, I owe you big time!”

That morning you told Izuku and Iida about Ochako’s plan and how you hoped they’d make sure Shoto actually came to the meeting place.

“But, don’t you think he might, I don’t know,” the freckled boy scratched at his neck, “Think you’re going-to-confess-or-something?”

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand.” You look at Midoriya confused.

“He means that Shoto might think the note might be from someone who wants to declare their feelings for him.” Tenya informs you, maybe a bit too matter of factly for your liking no one likes being talked down to.

“Don’t worry guys, I think a love confession is the farthest thing Shoto will assume this is.” You wave your hands in an attempt to convince them otherwise.

“There is no way this is going to be a confession.” Bi-colored eyes squint at the blonde that walked besides him.

“Look, all I’m saying is this definitely smells like a confession scene to me,” Denki smirks at Todoroki, “The kitchen is a weird place though, maybe they’ve baked you some sweets! Bro, you’re so lucky!”

“You might want to check your nose because there’s simply no way, Kaminari.”

“Why?” Sero smiles as he asks, “You’re pretty popular with girls, why can’t this be another confession?”

“Because,” Shoto snatches the note from the black-haired boy’s hand, “This is [Name]’s handwriting.”

“Wait a minute-! You’re telling me she’s making a move before you?” Kirishima asks in surprise, “I knew you liked her but I had no idea she liked you back, huh. I can kind of see it though.”

“What are you even saying?” The boy in question grumbles, he knew he should’ve gone with Midoiya and Iida but he knew you were going to be there and he didn’t want to risk being a fool. Now he’s got dumb, dumber and the dumbest giving him butterflies by insinuating you like him back, great.

“That she likes you, dude!”

“Totally! And you- you like her back! So all you gotta do now is go accept her confession and stop moping around being all pathetic- ow!” Kaminari rubbed his arm, cursing Kaminari’s strength.

“Don’t say that!”

“Yeah, at least not to his face.”

Todoroki simply rolled his eyes at the boys before hurrying up his pace, today was going to be long as he asks himself if he should really go.

He had a lot to think about, this information was important to him; there’s a chance you like him and the thought made him happy— very, very happy. Just the idea that you might return these feelings, which he’s still trying to come to terms with, just confirms it in his mind that he, Todoroki Shoto, does like you; in a more than friends way. He’s not going to let the chance slip away.

By the time he’s at the meeting spot, he can’t deny that he’s excited even if  his face doesn’t really show it. He had been confessed to many times but this was different because, for the first time, he planned on saying yes.

He heard you approaching, the soft tap of slippers matching the beat of his heart. He liked you, he really did like you and you liked him back.

As you turn around the corner you’re met with a frowning Shoto and are slightly taken aback at his serious expression. You knew he tended to be quite inexpressive sometimes but after a while of not hanging around you can understand why others are off-put by his cold features and intimidating stature.

“Shoto, you’re here.” Even through your shock you still smiled at your friend, relived he’d even shown up with the way he’d been avoiding you. You make your way near the counter, before sitting on top of it, you had chosen the kitchen in case that he'd forgotten about the note but be there anyway getting himself something.

You’d have to be quick before he’d run away,  wanting to get straight to the point and ask him what had been going on. You cared about him and you missed him, you didn’t intend on wasting more time.

“I know it’s sudden but you've been avoiding me all week and I’m sick of it! I really care about you Shoto and you ignoring me like this hurts-!” You stuttered, too caught up in trying to pour out all your feelings at once— accidentally giving him the confirmation he needed that this was indeed a confession.

“It’s okay, I think I know what you mean,” he cuts in, his expression softening, “And I feel the same way too.”

“Huh-? Shoto what are you-?” You look around the room confused, if he knew how you felt then why did he continue avoiding you? Did he even really know what you were talking about?

“I was scared,” he continues paying your previous statement no mind, slowly approaching your sitting form before taking your hand, “that’s why I avoided you but knowing that you feel the same way, makes me happy I guess.”

You blink in confusion, what was he talking about? Neither of you were on the same page, you probably weren’t even in the same chapter, you furrow your eyebrows at the thought.

“Shoto, just to get this straight,” you look into his eyes causing him to blush a soft pink, what the hell was going on, “what feelings are we- uh, talking about?”

First he avoids you like the plague, now he’s blushing and talking about feelings? What did he think this was?

“Like.” He says staring at you in confusion as if you were the one not making sense.

“Like what?”

“Like.” Todoroki looks at you, soft skin creasing at the frown that was now adorning his face.

“Like what, Shoto?”

“Like as in ‘I like you’-like.” He squeezes your hand and you’re thankful you’re sitting down or else you think you’d fallen over at his words.

“Wait, you like me?” At the realization of what you had been just talking about it’s your turn to blush, the blood rushing to your cheeks giving them a soft glow, “You had been avoiding me because you liked me?”

“Well, yes, I just said that,” a pale hand comes to hold your cheek, “[Name], are you feeling alright?”

“You like me?”

He nods, a soft smile in his face as he assures you with a hug;  “I really do”.  This wasn’t the conversation you were expecting but it wasn’t unwelcomed either. In a way, it did answer your question but it left you in a bit of a dilemma because you did like Shoto and he liked you but, now, what did that make both of you?

“Do you like me?” He asked, his hand rubbing your back delicately and a sense of nostalgia washes over you as you remember all the times you’d comforted him when you both were younger. You just nod in fear of your voice giving out and accidentally ruining the moment.

“Are we- uh, dating now?” You ask into his shoulder, the soft smell of his shampoo filling your senses,

“Only if you want to.” He whispers. Neither of you were really physically affectionate with each other before this, at least not since you were little kids, but Shoto had to admit that holding you close like this was nice. Even if it had only been a week or two, you missed him and he missed you a lot and being able to hug you so freely made his heart feel like it was about to burst.

“I’d love to.” You pull away slightly from the hug to face him, your noses touching ever so slightly. You were happy, not only was your relationship with Todoroki restored but it had leveled up and you swore it was as if you were floating.

With hesitant hands he pulls you closer and you close your eyes, he smelt like soft wood and tea and you were reminded of all the times you’d go over to his house where a little Shoto would show you around his room and toys, excited to have a friend his father approved of. You were proud of the way he’d grown, how he’d soften up and learned, how he was able to let go of the anger and grow into himself, you always liked Shoto and to finally be able to be his girlfriend was all you could want right now.

“Can I?” He asked, the whisper soft and delicate in your lips; you nod.

His lips meet yours for a second, a sweet peck that left you giggling into him. You both pull away for a second before kissing once more, it was longer and almost sickeningly sick. You could taste the mint from him and you wondered if he could taste the sweets you had been eating earlier.

But, of course, in class 1-A nothing is really a secret for long and you hear clapping from behind you. Shocked, you both pull away flushed red as your friends are left stifling laughs. The kitchen door is wide open and you can see most of them pilling against the frame with wide eyes.

“Fucking finally, I thought we were gonna graduate before you two got together.” Bakugo is the first to speak.

“I’m surprised they even kissed, I thought it was going to take them another 15 years to get there!” Mina giggles to Ochako who can only nod in amusement, she gives you a thumbs up and you roll your eyes.

“How did you even know we were here? Aren’t you meant to be at practice or something?” You ask them, clutching Shoto’s shirt in an attempt to hide your face.

“Come on, you passed the note to Kaminari and Sero and expected us to not come?”

“I wonder what your kid’s quirk is gonna be like,” Midoriya mumbles into his hand, “Will they get both of Todoroki’s quirks plus [Name]’s?”

“Izuku! Don’t say things like that!” Iida begins scolding the green-head much to both your boyfriend and your amusement, “To say something so suggestive when they’ve only gotten together-!”

“Iida now you’re making it creepy!” Everyone begins grumbling, some annoyed and some laughing at the comments and the once peaceful and romantic atmosphere turns rowdy as everyone starts talking about the newly formed relationship.

“Great now I can’t use the kitchen without thinking about you two making out!” The blonde grumbled before storming out bringing with him a new round of laughs as you and Shoto blush awkwardly.

Safe to say, none of your classmates will ever let you live down how long it took you two to get together.

[ikkaku-of-heart]

Her Brother's Blood is on His Hands

(Originally written for @heart-pirates-week for Ikkaku’s day with the prompt “Family” but ended up being delayed until now. Inspired by discussions with @shambledsurgeon and @medicus-mortem)

Ikkaku awoke slowly, the persistent beeping of a heart monitor resembling that of a particularly slow but annoying alarm clock. She tried to sit up but a sharp pain in her side dissuaded her, so she was forced to remain on her back, looking around at the sterile walls of the infirmary. She was hooked up to an IV, there were several machines monitoring her vitals, and she could feel the pressure of tightly-wound bandages around her torso and arms.

“Welcome back to the land of the living,” Law said from the chair at her bedside, putting down the medical book he’d been reading. The circles under his eyes appeared darker than usual, but his grin was comforting and sure. “I was beginning to wonder if we’d have to resort to drastic measures to wake Sleeping Beauty.”

“Law?” she asked weakly, grimacing at how hoarse she sounded due to the dryness of her throat. “The fuck happened?”

“Gonna have to be more specific,” he stated as he carefully helped prop her up enough that she could safely drink some water. “Do you mean how did you end up here? Maybe the extent of your wounds? Or how about what, exactly, I did to the fucker who hurt you?”

Her eyes widened as she recalled what had happened. She’d been taking a walk with Jean Bart, venting about how much she hated that they were now government dogs because Law’d insisted on handing the Navy one hundred hearts. They’d run into a squad of Marines. Her brother’s squad, to be exact. Ushi had decided it was pointless trying to climb the Navy ranks the normal way, and thus had come up with the idea of sucking up to the Celestial Dragons. And what better way to do so than to return to Saint Rosward his wayward slave?

Heart clenching at the thought of her shipmate being handed back over to those bastards, she asked, “Is Jean—”

“He’s fine. Discharged yesterday,” Law promised, nodding towards the empty bed on the other side of the room. He picked up a chart, studying it as he continued, “Needed a lot of stitches for the lacerations across his back and arms, but nothing life-threatening.”

“Good,” she sighed in relief. He hadn’t been killed or taken. Jean Bart would continue to live as a free man for a while longer. He deserved that much.

“Was quite the sight, seeing him charging towards the ship, covered in blood, carrying you like a baby while you bled out from a stab wound,” he commented, voice even, though there was an unmistakable tightness in his jaw. “I’m just glad he managed to tell me who’d done this to you two before he passed out.”

White teeth sank into her bottom lip, guilt pulsing through her. That’s right. It hadn’t exactly been a victory. They’d managed to take down most of the Marines, but Ushi had managed to get behind her, and then there’d been excruciating pain as he’d driven a knife deep into her side…

“I’m sorry, Captain,” she whispered, black curls hiding her face as she hung her head in shame.

“The hell are you apologizing for?” he asked, gold eyes flicking up from the clipboard and narrowing in displeasure.

She wrung her hands, anxious and guilty. “Jean Bart got hurt because of my family baggage.”

“He got hurt because of an opportunistic asshole who decided that Jean being under the protection of a shichibukai didn’t matter,” he snapped. Pausing, he took a deep breath to compose himself. “The fact that said asshole came out of the same uterus as you is irrelevant.”

“We both know that’s not true,” she countered, refusing to look at him. “He targeted the Hearts because of me. He always has. And he wouldn’t have been able to go after Jean Bart if I’d let you kill him years ago. Or killed him myself. You deserve a subordinate with the stones to kill her own brother.”

Internally, she berated herself for that last part. None of this would be a problem if she’d just toughened up and put an end to that bastard. Why did she always seem to stop herself? Morality? Because she knew how heartbroken her parents would be? Because even years later, she was still scared of her childhood boogeyman?

Her thoughts were disturbed by the clipboard lightly smacking her on the head in reproach. It didn’t hurt, but Ikkaku rubbed her head anyway, frowning up at her captain. “You trying to knock me unconscious again?”

“If that’s what it takes to get you to stop talking bullshit,” he retorted. He glared at her for a moment before letting out a sigh, a tattooed hand falling heavily on her shoulder. “Ikkaku,” Law stated, tone brokering no argument, “what I deserve is a subordinate with the stones to stand up to a power-hungry bastard looking to sell her nakama to a bunch of delusional inbred freaks, which that’s exactly what I’ve got. And what you deserve is to not get stabbed in the spleen by your own blood.”

Well. It was hard to argue that logic. “I guess. But next time—”

“There won’t be a next time.”

“You don’t know that.”

The hand on her shoulder fell away to flip through the pages of her chart. “Ikkaku, you nearly bled out before you even got to the sub. You’re lucky Shachi and Penguin share your blood type and were basically tripping over themselves to donate. I had to replace your spleen and left kidney, and if that knife had gone in at a slightly different angle, he could have punctured your stomach or lung. In other words, this bastard nearly cost me my engineer. You’ve known me for goin’ on five years now; do you really think that once you were stable I just sat around twiddling my thumbs while I waited for you to wake up?”

Dark eyes widened in realization. “Did you kill him?”

“Would you be mad if I said I had?”

No. Not at him at least, but she still felt like she’d let him down by not being able to do it herself. “He shouldn’t have been your problem to solve.”

“You’re right. He shouldn’t have been a problem,” he replied harshly. Before Ikkaku could internally berate herself further, though, Law ran a hand through his hair in frustration, and there was a spark of guilt in his eyes. “No Marine should have even touched you guys. That’s supposed to be one of the fucking perks of being a shichibukai. I told you when I took this damn title that you be safe and look how that turned out.”

Yes, that had been a major argument between them, hadn’t it? For Ikkaku, not wanting to be affiliated with the World Government hadn’t just been a matter of pride or general hatred for the bastards who ran the world – she’d been afraid. Terrified that her brother would be waiting for her around every corner. That he’d find a way to get her alone, to finish the job he’d started when she was seven, to finally get her out of his hair. Law had promised she’d be safe, that he wouldn’t let him so much as breath near her. Eventually, she’d come to believe him, but things hadn’t gone to plan.

“You can’t blame yourself for Ushi not following the rules, Law,” she insisted. Yeah, she could have berated him for not listening to her, but in reality, Law’s logic had been sound; Ushi shouldn’t have dared to try anything. Ikkaku didn’t just have the Hearts protecting her anymore – the Navy itself had become another obstacle in his way. She should have been safe.

However, even she hadn’t fully considered why Ushi would go this far, but in hindsight, it made sense. Last she’d checked, he hadn’t been promoted in a while. Hadn’t advanced as quickly as he wanted or earned any accolades for heroism like everyone back home had been expecting. He was a commodore still – not even a rear-admiral, and his name didn’t strike fear into the hearts of pirates like Smoker’s did.

Because he’d been put on a pedestal, her brother had always gotten away with everything, which had only enforced his cruel and abusive nature. The whole island had believed that he’d become a famous Marine and boost their reputation, which was why they’d been willing to overlook the bruises that littered his sister’s arms, or the fact that she’d gone missing for three days while under his care.

If he’d come home a failure, everyone would have to finally admit he was nothing but a twisted, cruel bully. And instead of accepting the blame for enabling, they’d likely make him answer for his crimes.

But more than that, he’d be forced to accept that he was never that special to begin with, and she knew a man as arrogant as him wouldn’t be able to bear that.

Shaking her head, she almost felt pity for him. “Ushi was desperate, and desperate men are unpredictable as fuck. You couldn’t have known he’d be crazy enough to try to suck up to the Celestial Dragons.”

“Neither of us could have known, but I still could have protected you better,” Law retorted, crossing his arms. He still didn’t look fully convinced of his own absolution, but he declared quite plainly, “The fact is, brothers shouldn’t murder their younger siblings, or even try to.”

Well, not even Ikkaku could argue that.

But actions had consequences, and there was still a strong chance Law’s retaliation, justified or not, would bite him in the ass.

“Ushi might have been no one special, but the Navy’s not going to be happy about you killing one of their own,” she said, genuinely worried. Even if Ushi had been going against orders, shichibukai weren’t supposed to attack their Marine allies. What if they decided to strip Law of his new title? Sure, she hated that he was a government dog, but it was a vital part of his plan to take down Joker, and if that had been stripped away because he’d recklessly pursued revenge on her behalf…

The way he smirked at her belied that he didn’t share even a fraction of her concern. “The Navy’ll have a hell of a time pinning a murder on me when there’s no evidence. It’s unlikely he was ordered to attack you and Jean Bart, so there’s no paper trail. The man was obsessed with advancing up the ladder, so likely only a select few are even aware you’re related, thus no one knows of his unfortunate connection to the Heart Pirates. And unless they plan on gutting a bunch of Sea Kings and piecing together chunks of half-digested flesh, I doubt they’ll find enough of his body to even determine his cause of death.”

“You fed him to Sea Kings?”

“His remains, at least. As for how I killed him…well, I won’t bore you with the details.”

It was highly doubtful what he’d done could be described as boring, but Ikkaku decided not to press him. Knowing Law, it had been slow, painful, and had probably involved dissection. “You didn’t have to do all that for me, Captain.”

He dismissed her concerns with a casual wave of his hand. “Of course I did. You’re family. Besides, if I hadn’t, the rest of the crew would have gone after him themselves, and they wouldn’t have done as good a job covering their tracks. Or made him scream quite as loud. No offense to them, but conventional torture methods just can’t match the agony of having your heart slowly crushed to a pulp.”

Was she a bad person for not feeling sick at the thought of her oldest brother—her own blood—being subjected to the Surgeon of Death’s sadism? That instead of anger or disgust, she felt relieved? Sure, he was a massive piece of shit who deserved to die for everything he’d done to her, her other brothers, and who knows what else, but he was still family, wasn’t he?

No. The Hearts were family. Law was family. He was right – Ushi was blood, but he wasn’t her brother.

Law’s brow furrowed with concern and he reached forward, cupping her cheeks and wiping tears away with his thumbs. Ikkaku hadn’t even realized she was crying.

“Shit, I’m sorry,” he said, looking genuinely guilty. “I shouldn’t have overstepped like that. I should have at least waited until you were awake and asked—”

Though she was tired and weak and it took far more effort than she’d like, Ikkaku lifted her arm and flicked Law squarely in the forehead. He didn’t quite flinch back, but he did give her an annoyed grunt, but his brow did smooth out when he saw her bright smile.

“Thank you,” she said, cheeks streaked with tears but voice warm with love and affection and gratitude. It might take a while for her to fully accept that Ushi was no longer laying in wait at every Marine base, but for now, she could breath a little easier. The monster from her childhood had finally been vanquished.

Trafalgar Law might not have been a knight in shining armor, but he was something better. He was the big brother she’d always wished for.

Relieved that she wasn’t angry, Law gave her a tiny but sincere grin back. His engineer was alive, safe, and giving him that sunny smile that could light up a room. Well worth the blood on his hands, and quietly, he vowed to keep her, and the rest of his Hearts, safe from whatever hell might come their way.

They were a loyal bunch of fools, but they were his family. He’d set the world on fire before allowing anything to happen to them.

A hand adorned with the word DEATH retreated from Ikkaku’s cheek to ruffle her hair. “Don’t mention it.”

[shiversdownyerspine]

6. Kittenish

It’s dangerous to go alone, take this. ;)

Over a period of a week or two, life wanders on at a languid pace with only a couple of notable interruptions. The kittens have settled in quite nicely, and their personalities have started to shine. Adoringly nicknamed Thing 1 and Thing 2, the two older brothers had given you such incredulous looks, with Oscar looking nearly offended to which you laughed and quickly explained these names are temporary until something else sticks. Well...hopefully. You added that last part as you disguised amusement with uncertainty, watching as mild horror returned to their faces.

Secretly you wanted to see if the thought of bestowing such unfitting names to the kittens would inspire the three men, but even if that proves unfruitful, you're confident you'll think of something. Strangely enough, or perhaps not so strange at all considering it's you, you're tempted to name them after pasta. Long skinny noodle cats that they will one day be, it kind of fits. Hmm.

A tiny body hurdling itself around the corner of your coffee table just to scramble under it interrupts your current train of thought; Thing 1 has proven to be a firecracker and adventurer extraordinaire, getting into anything and everything with no sign of fear or hesitation. Once he gets going, he'll be in crazy mode for a while, nothing can stop him. There is seemingly no end to his energy.

Thing 1's sibling comes scampering around the same corner after him. Thing 2 is fairly mellow, but has a hidden switch. He can go from perfectly calm to bouncing off the walls without much warning or reason, and then just as suddenly he's plopped down on the carpet like nothing even happened. He is more cautious as well, preferring to test the waters before gingerly wading out into the unknown.

Thing 2 inspects the tiny paws of his brother that bat this way and that under the table, just out of reach. Losing interest, or perhaps momentarily distracted, he decides now is the time to turn the side of your sofa into a torn mess. Up on his hind quarters and ready to shred, he looks you in the eye and...his bad behavior is thwarted when Oscar lifts him up in a single hand. Bringing the fuzzball to his face, he tuts quietly and delivers the miscreant to his scratching post. You lean down to wiggle your fingers in the carpet to lure out Thing 1, who will gladly be tempted with the chance to destroy.

Oscar has been really good with them, even getting up early in the mornings now and then to assist you with feeding and bathing and whatnot. The strangest thing happened around the time he started doing this; one morning after feeding the kittens and returning to the kitchen, you had set about to grab up one of your freshly baked Strawberry Turnovers. Otto and Oscar were preoccupied with their own breakfast, but offered you nods to wish you a good morning when you entered the kitchen. Still sleepy, instead of verbally responding you offered your own ever so serious good morning nod, earning amused sounds from the two men. Noting Axel's missing presence, you chalked it up to him starting his morning with a quick shower.

Wandering over to the steaming oatmeal cooling on the stove, you ladle a couple big dollops into your bowl before adding a splash of milk to cool it down. With you sufficiently distracted, Oscar slunk out of his chair to creep up to your back with mischievous intent. The whoosh of air that left his lungs as Otto lunged and yanked him back, practically slamming the younger back into his seat, was almost enough to shift your focus. But since sleep had unfortunately remained elusive to you, your alertness had been dealt a blow. 

So when you turned around to find Otto contentedly chewing a pastry and Oscar sprawled out strangely in his seat, you weren't quite sure what to make of it. You looked between the two before slowly taking your leave to enjoy your breakfast in the garden as usual. Otto started helping you with the kittens as well after that, you swear the man became your shadow whenever Oscar is around. It's a good coincidence though, as all three men have proven to be good company when they're not suspiciously questioning you. Although you must admit, with the new rules set into place and the three abiding by them, you're finding it easier and easier to open up to them.

As a matter of fact, a couple days earlier when Axel had asked you about previous work you had done before the Commission, you had found it almost effortless to answer. You had even added some technically unrelated information without thinking about it; after you left the orphanage, you had been provided for by your guardian, seeing as you were still too young to look for work. The omission of said guardian's name wasn't pushed, you reckoned it probably didn't matter all that much to the assassins. 

The small town near your home had a fairly expansive farmer's market, and after seeing all manner of items and foods displayed you had tinkered with the idea of on one day becoming a seller. A good amount of your time was spent planning it all out; your main products would have been baked and home-canned goods, as even from a young age you had such a sweet tooth. Although with your fondness for gardening, you wouldn't have been surprised if you had included flowers eventually. 

Realistically the threat of your ability being discovered complicated things quite a bit, so you had pondered if made-to-order goods would be a better option. Hopefully you wouldn't have been out in public too much if you chose this line of work, baking in private and delivering the goods to your customers. Maybe even having someone pick up and deliver them for you? You had kind of liked the idea of having your home be your own little bakery.

When Otto asked how long you'd been selling your baking for, you admitted it had only been for a short time. A couple of people who had seen you around town had actually commissioned you for some cakes and treats and had spread the word, but before you could really dive into the role, the Commission agent had approached you and your baking had been pushed to the side. 

You don't really regret it all that much. After the orphanage, you had developed the habit of visiting the animal shelters in town. Fearing a wayward bite might give you away, your visits had been understandably rare. You had been seriously considering fostering when the agent made you an offer.

Quietly, you ponder for a moment the negative aspects of being under the Commission's thumb; you had been given a half-assed set of rules that you were to follow, basic drivel except for annoying little details you can guess are related to your ability; you were not allowed to travel, any effort to spend a prolonged period of time outside the vicinity of your home had to be approved first. Initially you had scoffed at their feeble rules, after all, this was practically what you already did to keep your ability hidden. You had accepted long ago that you were destined to be a little hermit.

It was only after recently accepting their terms that, when you had trekked to civilization to stock up on some much needed items like food and animal care products for future tasks, you had truly felt the leash tugging at your neck. As the hours passed and you made your way from shop to shop and carefully perused their selection for your necessary items, you could not shake the feeling that you were being watched. And followed. 

Realizing that the 'prolonged period of time' was much shorter than you had discerned, you finished your shopping as quick as you could and headed home. You decided in the future to cut your trips short and only buy what was the utmost essential. The added risk of distraction caused by your mysterious stalker resulting in an accidental injury also served as incentive to make yourself scarce. Good grief though, it wouldn't have killed them to be a little more specific with the rules they set in place for you.

Thing 1's deceptively sharp claws and fangs prick your skin as he wraps around your ankle, snapping you back to the present. With a sharp, 'No!' and a clap of your hands, the offender releases you immediately and stares you down. Ears tucked back and tail lashing, the baby considers challenging your authority before the movement of his own tail distracts him and he decides the appendage is to suffer for his unsettlement. 

You chuckle, shaking your head as Thing 1 twists and twirls in an attempt to capture his own tail. Picking him up, you deposit him carefully on the couch in hope of luring the kitten to nap. Repetitive squeaking has you peering over your shoulder to find Thing 2 ambling away from the scratching post in favor of demanding the attention and affection of the eldest brother as Oscar watches on with a grin. The older man scowls, but you all know better.

He had been quite aloof in the beginning; when the babies had arrived and the men had visited them in your bathroom, Thing 1 had immediately tried to climb up Otto's pant leg. You had fiercely fought the urge to express just how adorable you found the situation, for the kitten's paws were absolutely itty bitty when compared to Otto's fingers as he carefully detached the tiny claws from the fabric. Thing 2 had remained shy for a while, watching quietly, only to decide to toddle up to Axel and investigate him. The little Siamese kitten had decided that this man was the most interesting thing. At all times.

The assassin hadn't really reacted, but a couple days later when you had brought the babies out to explore the living room you had caught him rubbing a finger against a tiny fuzzy cheek. The ticklish caress of a knuckle teasing under your chin brushed the surface of your mind but dissipated just as quickly before you could determine why your cheeks suddenly felt a little warm. You shook the thought from your mind. Given how another time you had caught out of the corner of your eye the man picking up Thing 2 to save him from Thing 1's rough housing, it was evident that someone has a soft spot.

Relaxing next to you on the sofa, Otto blinks in surprise when the tiny terror climbs onto his thigh to wobble out on to his knee and sit quietly. Surveying his kingdom, no doubt. Perhaps he’s looking for signs of the other cats stowed away in your bedroom to give them a needed break? You must admit, you’re rather happy to say you're no longer as concerned about your cats interacting with the babies. Pumpkin still prefers to keep her distance but Butternut adores them, to the point that she has taken it upon herself to clean and carry the babies around.

A couple hours earlier, Otto had been the one to catch her mothering them. He had pointed it out, reaching for you. The large warm palm that rested on the small of your back had given you the strangest feeling, like someone was flipping your stomach like a pancake in a skillet. 

With some difficulty you shoved it to the back of your mind and beamed at the man, commenting that you had hoped Butternut would be a good influence, but didn't think she'd adopt them outright. The warmth in your belly rippled when he smiled down at you, thumb sweeping back and forth so gently that you must have imagined it. You really need to get more sleep.

In the quiet of the evening, a brand new interruption to the usual routine occurred; you had been running a little late with dinner preparations as Thing 1 had decided to hide away, perhaps sensing that it was time to go back in their bathroom for the night. While you searched the living room and apologized that dinner might be a bit delayed, Axel had unconcernedly sauntered in to the kitchen, donned your colorful pawprint covered apron, and got to cooking. Delighted, you teased him not to burn down your kitchen, to which he responded that if anyone would be turning your home into kindling, it would be Oscar. Oscar's indignant shout tickled your funny bone something awful.

As you cleaned up after a lovely fish dinner, as a way to thank the eldest sibling and possibly encourage a repeat, the ‘shunk!’ of a tube in your cabinet nearly made you jump out of your skin. The Commission had finally gotten in touch with the Swedes, taking the initiative to explain the lack of missions and prolonged downtime. You listened intently as Axel read aloud.

It would seem there were changes on the horizon; as your home would be acting as their base of operations, this gave the Commission a chance in the future to implement a new experimental technology that would allow their agents to go to the time their target resided in without the use of a briefcase. Apparently the increasing misuse and destruction of the cases had sparked alarm and a new method was being looked into. 

Instead of a briefcase, a sort of 'rendezvous point' was to be accessed once your agents had gathered sufficient intel and were prepared to neutralize their target. Following any unforeseen developments or challenges presented by the mission, they would find the 'rendezvous point' to your home would still be accessible if they chose to regroup and rethink their strategy. 

That was it. Nothing more to satisfy your curiosity or appease your concerns; what exactly would allow these time jumps, what were the parameters, the restrictions? The chip that was imbedded in each and every one of the Commission's agents, did that have something to do with it? Certainly it would be a lot harder for a chip in one's body to be stolen or lost, possibly less costly as well compared to the briefcases? Did the infinite switchboard play a part? If an agent decided to go AWOL, would they even be able to access the 'rendezvous point' anymore or would they be cut off? You just didn't have enough information...

Shaking off the speculations, you look at the metaphorical glass as being half full. Some explanation is better than none, after all. Thoughtful, you mention that seeing how any mission or assignment is so sparsely worded, you're rather surprised the Commission would put in a little more effort to this message. Axel cocks his head, quietly considering. 

From what you understand, the three men living with you are some of their best assassins, so maybe that offered certain perks? Like extra sentences? That earns you some loosely amused squints and scoffs before Otto interjects, mentioning freedom and traveling, how the three are given a lot of leeway both on and off missions. They're free to do nearly anything they want, so long as it doesn't jeopardize the mission.

Dishes all collected in the dishwasher and cycle started, you grin cheekily, remarking, "Nearly anything? Goodness, how nice that must have been..at least..." 

Words trailing off, the brothers watch confused from their seats as you wander around the table, clearly intent on getting ready for bed as was customary. Pausing under the entryway, you finish your sentence.

"..until the Commission felt you all needed a slap on the wrist and a babysitter."

There was a moment of silence and utter shock, an absolute stillness before you broke it by earnestly wishing them all a goodnight.

As soon as the word left your lips, Hell was unleashed. The scandalization on their faces and the clamor of chairs scooting across the kitchen floor had you scurrying to the safety of your room with a bright bubbling laugh.

You should probably watch your back the next couple of days.

[sage-nebula]

Game Review — Best Friend Forever

Ever since playing (and enjoying) Mystic Messenger, I’ve had a casual interest in dating sims, and particularly those that allow for queer relationships. And as someone who has had and loved dogs my entire life, I have a marked interest in dog raising and training. So of course, a game that is at once a queer dating sim and a dog raising sim should be right up my alley. What could possibly go wrong with this?

Overall Score: 3/10

A lot. A lot can go wrong with this. I can’t remember a game that has disappointed me this badly in recent memory, one that feels almost like a betrayal because it sounded like it was tailor made for me and I’d been looking forward to it since the initial announcement, only to be met with what honestly feels like an incomplete mess. If given more time, it’s possible this game could have been good. As it stands now, it is absolutely not. More details under the cut, and as always, view it on my blog for better looking formatting.

The Pros:

Obviously, first and foremost, that it’s a queer dating sim. You don’t have to be in a queer relationship if you play, of course, but the option is absolutely there with every single one of the romance options being available to you regardless of gender (similar to Stardew Valley in that regard, though Stardew Valley isn’t a dating sim, but rather just has a romance element). There is other queer representation as well, with at least one of the romantic options being a trans guy (who is actually the one I dated, though I can’t remember his name off-hand), and another two characters being bi considering they once dated each other and will date you regardless of your pronouns. You can choose gender-neutral pronouns, and as far as other representation goes, at least one of the characters is blind as well. So representation-wise, this game does well, and I will give it credit for that.

The art is very cute. The dogs are cute, the characters stand out from one another and have clear differences, the colors are nice and everything is drawn very well. Since the entire concept of the game is cute (move to an idyllic dog loving town and fall in love while raising a dog!) it stands to reason that the art would be as well.

The Neutrals:

The dialogue is okay. At times it felt like they were trying to hard to make the characters sound like Today’s Youth, which would absolutely age the game in just a couple years if the game had any lasting power at all (which I highly doubt it does). There were times when I enjoyed it, but other times where I cringed a little.

The music is also okay. Nothing memorable, but it fit the setting well enough.

The dog events during play did a decent job of making the dog feel involved, but at times were a bit distracting and not always intuitive (for instance, having to hold A to pet rather than pressing it repeatedly like I thought at first, which can lead to your dog being depressed).

The Cons:

There is so little character customization there might as well not be any at all. You can pick between three designs which cannot have their features changed at all. Three. You can’t even do simple things like change hair color, skin tone, or clothing options. This is a $20+ game and it has less customization than a free picrew. I could understand if your character had to be very involved, action-wise, but they’re not! They just stand off to the left side constantly and have very small changes in facial expression. The severe lack of customization was extremely disappointing.

But you know what’s even more disappointing? Having a game where a key component is raising a dog and then only having FOUR DOGS to choose between. FOUR. Three very specific breeds, and then a “mutt” (come on, you can’t even call it a mixed-breed?). Dogs are a huge part of this game; if we can’t customize because the idea is to adopt a dog, why can’t we at least have a bigger selection to choose from? The reason in-game is that you get to the adoption shelter late, but that’s a narrative excuse created to cover for a lack of development. It doesn’t excuse it, and it was disappointing.

Despite each dog having quirky little story cards you can read when you’re adopting, as far as I can tell the dog’s stated personality has absolutely no bearing on what the experience raising them is like. For instance, I adopted the mixed-breed, who I believe was said to have been abandoned and therefore very mistrustful of humans. But I had no trouble raising the Trust stat at all; I had the dog trusting me completely in less than a day. If you’re going to bother adding things in like “this dog was abandoned” and “this dog was rescued from an abused home,” then you should at least put in the effort to make that affect the dog’s stats so that, again, players can experience something a bit different depending on the choice they make.

Speaking of the choice they make, at the beginning of the game your character signs up for a dating app and they have to answer all these questions about themselves. Near as I can tell, these questions also have no bearing on anything whatsoever because you meet and can date any of the love interests you choose. So while it’s a cutesy idea, it’s ultimately a complete waste of time that could have instead been put into developing other aspects of the game.

Back to the dog aspect: part of the “story” (if it can be called that) is that the shelter requires every adopter to go through mandatory dog training and check-ins before they let you keep the dog. (Which . . . is not at all true to life, but whatever.) As a result, during the week you train your dog in various activities to raise their stats. Multiple issues with this:

You don’t actually train your dog. Like there aren’t minigames or anything. Instead, you select which activity you’d like to do each day, and then the week automatically runs through them and you get little blurbs on how the dog did (which always say the same thing for every activity) and which stats were raised. That’s it. You don’t actually get to do these things with the dog at all.

Near as I can tell, there is no way to get a good score on the check-ins. Even though I would raise my dog’s stats by several levels every time, I got bronze medals in every category at every check-in and a ribbon for “barely trying” even though I WAS trying, and even did all the extra activities each week as well. I looked online and others had this same problem, so it seems to me that the entire dog training aspect is rigged, and you fail no matter what you do, which again, really isn’t good game design. (That said, you get to keep the dog regardless, so it really is just an entirely pointless and time wasting aspect of the game.)

There really isn’t a story. Or well, there kind of is, but it’s a very bare bones one. Here’s the story: Your character used to work for a mega corporation but decided to quit because said corporation was Evil. You move to this dog town because you like dogs and you’re an aspiring photographer. During your time there you adopt a dog, get a love interest, hold a photography exhibit after doing one (1) sort-of job, and that’s it. There are a few events that trigger depending on which love interest route you’re going for, but there are never stakes at any point (because you’re never actually in danger of losing your dog, and even when your camera is stolen the lady who hired you for the exhibit just gives you a free replacement right away immediately), and I would argue there’s not a climax, either. It’s pretty much boring from start to finish, but that said . . .

Start to finish is a grand total of two hours! For a game that was $20+!! As I’ve expressed in other reviews, my basic rule of thumb is that I should get one hour of gameplay for every dollar spent. I am somewhat flexible on this—I can give leeway depending on the game and how much I enjoyed it—but charging twenty dollars and up for a game that lasts only two hours is an absolute rip-off in my eyes. To be fair, I didn’t play any of the other romantic routes to see those cutscenes, but the overall story would be the exact same no matter which you chose (unlike in Mystic Messenger, where it changes pretty significantly depending on which route you choose), so I honestly don’t see a point to it. It doesn’t feel worth it to me, at all.

Speaking of the different routes, while the characters have unique designs and seem interesting enough on their own, I don’t think their stories have any real depth. For instance, with the one I played (and again, can’t remember his name, sorry—though I do remember that his dog is an Italian greyhound named Marshmallow), he has a small story about how his family kicked him out when he came out as trans, he traveled around, met his roommates and formed a found family with them. One roommate, who is also this guy’s ex-boyfriend, is moving away soon and is annoyed that the love interest character is spending so much time with the cute neighbor (they live in the same apartment building), as well as the fact that the love interest is allowing his parents to contact him bit by bit. Now, this could be interesting . . . but it’s never resolved. Ever. They fight and that’s the last we see of the roommate, or hear about the situation at all. I haven’t played the other routes, but given the length of the game I assume it would be the same way; they would talk about past conflict but that’s it, you don’t get any real resolution or get to see how that story plays out. It contributes to the game feeling very unfinished, like there were ideas here but the developers lost steam halfway through and decided to just end it.

And speaking of not caring about finishing or polishing things, this game is absolutely riddled with typos. Now, I don’t want to be too mean, and I know this isn’t a AAA game. But if you’re going to release a game on the Nintendo eShop, and if you’re going to charge over $20 for it, then I feel like you should at least do the bare minimum of quality control and check for spelling and grammar. But that wasn’t done, to an extent that was noticeable. Additionally, there wasn’t quality control done to make sure that dialogue fit the route you were on. After the camera is stolen, the love interest I chose is there to comfort the main character and tell them he’ll help out. Then the next day he’s like, “I heard what happened, that sucks” as if he . . . wasn’t there. That dialogue was clearly meant for if he wasn’t the love interest, but it still played on the route where he was. This is something quality control should have caught, but since this game appears to not have any quality control whatsoever, it wasn’t.

I probably should have mentioned this above, but I just remembered—during the character creation process, there doesn’t seem to be an option to go back if you change your mind about which avatar you want, what you named your character, etc. Or at least, if there was, I couldn’t find it even by pressing the standard buttons such as B or Y. Instead, I had to restart the game about three times. Again, a simple design feature that should have been included, but wasn’t for some odd reason.

They hired voice actors, but the only real voice acting is the very annoying (and somewhat cringy) radio broadcast at the very beginning of the game. Voice actors can be expensive, so I can understand not having the whole game be voiced . . . but why hire them at all, in that case? Not all games need voice acting. This game doesn’t, but it’s odd to open the game as if you’re going to have everything be voiced when it ends up very clearly not. Not a huge deal, but on top of everything else, it bugged me.

Honestly, there’s probably more that irritated me, but it’s been a week and some change since I played, so this is all I remember right now. Suffice it to say that this game, which should have been right up my alley as a gender non-conforming queer woman who loves dogs, is one of the biggest disappointments I’ve experienced in gaming in a while. There were some good ideas here, but the execution was absolutely abysmal and I don’t recommend this game to anyone, especially not for the current price. There are much better games out there. Go play those instead.

[itsanerdlife]

It’s Complicated 22/25

Pairing: Clint Barton x Fisk Niece!Reader

A/N: Reader is Wilson Fisk’s Niece. I’m tired of the same old villains so keep your eyes peeled for who just might be the one lurking in the dark.

Warning: This is very match and lighter fluid type of burn. Feels of abandonment. Talks of Psychopaths. Overprotective male. Lies. Secrets. Language. Kidnapping. Violence. I think that’s about it.

Sometimes in life there are just certain people worth breaking the rules for. No matter the hell that may rain down. Is it possible to fall in love with someone in just a matter of one conversation? To be utterly and completely obsessed with someone in a matter of weeks? But what if they aren’t who you think they are? What if one day the person you love, they just disappear? Learning to live again is a bitch. Specially just when you think you’re doing fine, he shows up on your doorstep. Wanting to explain his secrets. But now you’ve got your own secrets but do you really ever just get over that type of love? Can you really just move on and pretend it never happened? Even when you’re carrying around proof inside you?

Tag List Is Open

Eight Months Along

Clint grumbles to himself as he pieces together the frame of the bassinet sitting on the living room floor. You snicker into your hands, watching him. 

“Do you want me to call Tony?” You giggle. His head snaps over, glaring at you, makings your giggle stop instantly. Pressing your lips together, you look away.

“You wouldn’t need this stupid thing, if you didn’t insist on staying in the apartment.” He grumbles annoyed as he shoves two pieces together.

“Yes, dear. I know.” You smile. Managing to get yourself up off the couch without help or tipping over. You shuffle into the kitchen, pulling open the fridge. You remove the left over pizza and a bottle of beer, before you hip check the door shut. 

“I’m just saying this is ridiculous.” He huffs.

“Me or the bassinet?” You grin handing him the beer and setting the pizza on the coffee table.

“Both.” He mutters, twisting off the cap and taking a long drink.

“You have one room at the tower. I have a whole apartment.” You point out.

“We could just move to a finished floor.” He mutters, squinting at the instructions. “I thought these were in English.” He throws up his free hand.

“Flip them over.” You snort. He pauses for a moment, before he turns the instructions over. 

“Oh.” He nods, going back to squinting at the illustrations.

“It’s too late to move. He’ll be here soon.” You look down at your hands on the massive belly you’d grown.

“Two days tops. Could have it done while you’re in the hospital.” He sounds less annoyed with you.

“That means unpacking and setting up everything.” You point out.

“Hell no, that means Tony has someone set it up and Nat will unpack for you.” He snorts, taking another long drink from his bottle.

“If I agree, will you be less pissy about your thumb?” You laugh.

“Look at it!” He holds up his thumb, it’s angry red and throbbing. “That’s my shooting hand.” He pouts looking at his thumb.

“You’re on maternity leave, what do you need your shooting hand?” You snort.

“Precaution.” He shrugs.

“You’re starting to sound like Tony with all that ‘just in case’ talk.” You smirk.

“You’re not very nice this pregnant.” His brow pulls down as he shoots you a dirty look.

“I’m not nice in general.” You laugh.

“Can we just move?” Clint drops the frame of the sleep holder for your son.

“Fine.” You sigh loudly.

“Thank god.” He drops back to the floor.

“You know I can’t pack anything.” You point out.

“Can’t have you walk up and down those stairs much more either.” He sighs, staring up at the ceiling.

“Well, she said he might be here earlier than planned.” You shrug, tapping your fingers on your belly. “So we’re basically just waiting at this point.” You look over at him.

“Do you think we should spend more time at the tower? In case he does come early?” Clint’s head rolls over, looking at you.

“Probably.” You nod. “He doesn’t move much.” You pout.

“He’s running out of room.” Clint laughs.

“What are you saying, Clinton?” You glare at him.

“Nothing.” He looks away. “He’s just too big and you’re not going to get any bigger.” He nods slowly.

“If I could move quicker, I would smother you.” You mutter glaring at him.

“Love you too.” He chuckles.

-------- 

You huff getting up the stairs, you pause just near the top.

“Last time we do this little man.” You spoke softly to your baby. You push off again, ready to sit down once more, before you collected your hospital bag. “Why didn’t we bring one of your uncles?” You wonder. “This baby brain is terrible.” You shake your head, fishing out your keys.

You’d spent the last four days at the tower with Clint. Waiting for your son to decide he was ready. You’d dropped off your maternity leave papers at the school and decided to stop at the apartment for your bags. You were already out, why not, pointless to wait till the move. You manage to get the apartment door open, shuffling in before you kick the door shut.

“Honey you’re home.” The voice purrs from the other side of your apartment. Not a voice you knew. His footsteps move towards you. “Your phone please.” His hand appears out of the shadows. You slip your phone from the pocket of your short, bib overalls, placing it in his hand.

“Been waiting long?” You ask. You hear the locks flip behind you.

“Long enough.” He chuckles.

“May I take a seat?” You ask. “As you can see, I’m due very soon. Standing is hard work after all those stairs.” You admit.

“Of course.” He sounds almost disappointed. “Can’t believe he has you still living here with all those stairs in your condition.” He mutters as you move, he’s in step with you. He turns your favorite arm chair around, so it faces the rest of the apartment, but is farther from the door. Cause you were really going to try to make a run for it. 

“Do you know Clint?” You ask, sitting finally.

“You could say that.” He replies, bitterly.

“Past history? Or do you work for someone with a grudge?” You wonder.

“All our lives sister.” The voice chuckles, still bitter. Your head tips slowly to the side, playing with the ends of your hair.

“Barney.” You smile. “I’ve wanted to meet you for some time.” He freezes for a second, before he flips on the lights in the dim apartment. The curtains drawn, the blinds closed, letting in little day light.

“I heard you were good.” He laughs, leaning against the kitchen island. Looking much like Clint, except the cold glint in his blue eyes. Revenge, jealousy, rage. You smile at him, resting your hands on your stomach, relaxing into your chair.

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

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[continuouscalamity]

CHAPTER 2 - EVENT - ELECTION

[MAGGIE! is online]

[MAGGIE!: the election 🗳️ is happening RIGHT NOW!! 😲 make sure to support and make this mansion a better place 😏]

GM’S NOTE: This is a direct transcript. Not a summary.

[3:00 PM] Monoboar!: As soon as you step inside, you are greeted with the foyer decorated by balloons and partied-up tables. All sorts of colors depicting of the campaign runners are represented in the decor and tables, and one table is decorated for each of the people who are running for leader. If you have a good eye, then you see that there's things on the table! On the tables are portraits of the campaign runners, their interviews, and some trinkets for you to take.

The interviews are shown here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y5x3X10aCUtKbnhaQB8j79-pfGqRLO5uNY5kA0Ir0jM/edit

The ballot box, pencils, and slips of paper lay in the dead center, along with a small list of rules: - If you are a campaign runner, you may not vote for yourself - No more than one vote per person - You cannot vote for someone who is not running - Ask Maggie for any clarifying questions

If you are voting, DM me.

Ignore the. Birthday in the visual.

[3:01 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: Hana reluctantly leaves her room to stand inside the room. Eugh, there was so much yellow! [3:01 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel is disgusted. [3:01 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: Hana stands next to Hazel. [3:02 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel smiles at her. [3:02 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: Maggie waves to the people coming! [3:02 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: Keiko is at her table! Hi. :>

She waves to Hazel and Hana as they come in. [3:02 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: Willy has set up some of his doves at his table. [3:03 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel is a bit hesitant. She likes the doves. [3:04 PM] Wawwace Cawwaghan || Election: Wallace stands behind his table with his unnaturally impeccable posture, nodding to those who enter. Since CK didn't get around to doing the interview, he is open to being approached by voters who may have questions for him. [3:04 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel avoids Wallace's table like the plague. [3:04 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: Hana also does that. [3:04 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: Keiko is also open, even though she has been interviewed. [3:05 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: Cerviel trailed in, a little curious about this whole thing. He didn't understand what was going on, but he wanted to support his friends. He waved at Keiko and Wallace. [3:06 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel turns to Hana, quietly greeting her under her breath.

"Lady Hime-sama.. I haven't spoken to you s-since... ah, well, how are you...? What are your thoughts on this..." She bites her tongue, resisting the urge to show her distaste. "...event?"

@Hana Minami (Melody) [3:06 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: Willy is shuffling a deck of cards. [3:06 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: Maggie offers everyone in the foyer a glass of water after getting a platter in the kitchen. [3:07 PM] Eri [arcade]: Eri walked over to the foyer. [3:07 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: "Stupid," is what she responds with, frowning and crossing her arms. "Let's just get outta here already."

"I'm okay, though! I'm, um, yeah. I'm fine!"

@Hazel Hazeldine (Mars) [3:08 PM] 🔫Artemis Black🔫| Pyrotechnics: Artemis looks around the voting areas upon entery. Oh god that's a lot of yellow. [3:09 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: Cerviel waved at Eri. Another one of his friends! He's still carrying around that stuffed animal. [3:09 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "Hm..." Hazel nods in agreement. "I tried... well, I wouldn't say talk to Lady Maggie about it, but I definitely told her my own thoughts... I wouldn't vote for most of these people, if I were you..."

She's basically whispering to Hana now. The poet is a bit judgmental.

@Hana Minami (Melody) [3:10 PM] Eri [arcade]: Eri waved back. [3:10 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: Keiko doesn't glare at Artemis as she walks in, despite her bread crimes. You're on thin ice :unamused: . [3:10 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: "Yeah!" she whispers, a bit loudly. "Everyone's a fudgin' nutjob! What the heck is with the prizes? The decorations? I feel like I'm at a circus voting for which clown should perform first!"

@Hazel Hazeldine (Mars)

[3:11 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: She giggles, hiding her mouth behind her hand. "Fufu~ that's almost it, isn't it...? I do not wish to be very rude, but I suppose I'm a bit nervous... I feel as though this has happened before..."

@Hana Minami (Melody) [3:14 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: "Ugh, me too, it's like deja vu or something, right? I don't feel like any of this is gonna change anything! Like, it's totally just that STINKY PIG," she yells that last part, "trying to set everyone up!"

@Hazel Hazeldine (Mars) [3:16 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "Perhaps... but we might have to vote... who knows what Sir Piggy will do if we do not..." Hazel looks troubled, hand near her mouth curling into a loose fist.

@Hana Minami (Melody) [3:17 PM] 🔫Artemis Black🔫| Pyrotechnics: Artemis waves at Keiko, Hello Lady. [3:17 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: Hana frowns again, looking utterly annoyed. She groans. "I'll just vote for a cute girl or something. It's better than nothing."

@Hazel Hazeldine (Mars) [3:18 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar waddles around with a glass of water in his hoof, waddling eventually to Artemis.

"How're ya? Have you been breathing, oink?" He asks.

@Artemis Black (Alex) [3:19 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: Keiko waves back. :unamused: Thin ice. Very thin. [3:19 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "I don't know if that'll work out... I think the girls running would probably kill if provoked." Hazel comments.

@Hana Minami (Melody) [3:21 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: Hana whimpers. "I'm tired of this place! I just want out already!"

@Hazel Hazeldine (Mars) [3:23 PM] 🔫Artemis Black🔫| Pyrotechnics: Artemis gives the little boar a glare. "Wadda want."

...

"Wait- First. How the fuck are you holding that."

@Monoboar! [3:25 PM] Monoboar!: "I asked a question, have ya been breathing? Snrff."

I imagine it like this. It's so weird to draw him with thumbs.

@Artemis Black (Alex)

[3:27 PM] 🔫Artemis Black🔫| Pyrotechnics: That is not natural.

"...yes. I've been fuckin' breathing."

@Monoboar! [3:28 PM] Monoboar!: "Cool. Snff."

"There's been alotta breathin' lately."

@Artemis Black (Alex) [3:28 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "I as well... maybe we could just settle on who to vote for, I at least have an idea, as much as I dislike this election idea."

@Hana Minami (Melody) [3:29 PM] 🔫Artemis Black🔫| Pyrotechnics: "We-- Living things breath to live...?"

@Monoboar! [3:30 PM] Monoboar!: "Yeah..."

@Artemis Black (Alex) [3:30 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: Maggie walks around, announcing "Runner speeches will occur in 30 minutes!" [3:31 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: "Yeah, me too, I think. I dunno though. What's your idea?"

@Hazel Hazeldine (Mars) [3:32 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel moves to whisper into Hana's ear.

@Hana Minami (Melody) [3:32 PM] 🔫Artemis Black🔫| Pyrotechnics: "..."

...

"Anything else ya wanna fuckin' chat about?"

@Monoboar! [3:32 PM] Monoboar!: "Just checkin' up, oink."

He starts to waddle away.

@Artemis Black (Alex) [3:33 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: "Oh my god, me too, like, how'd you read my mind like that?" she said, giggling.

@Hazel Hazeldine (Mars) [3:33 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: Keiko is waiting for someone to come talk to her. [3:33 PM] Eri [arcade]: Eri grabs a pair of sunglasses from Keiko's table. [3:34 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "Fufu~ Great minds think alike, I suppose?" Hazel giggles, and looks around at the other candidates like someone probably about to dump milk on a boy and ruin his doll.

@Hana Minami (Melody) [3:35 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: "Ah...Hello, Eri-san." she says, nervously rearranging the things on her table.

@Eri Nakama (Rozen) [3:35 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: Willy makes a staff appear in his hand and starts twirling it. [3:36 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: "I suppose so too!" she puts her hand up to her mouth. Schemin. [3:37 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: Cerviel is just nervously clutching his stuffed animal to his chest off to the side of the room. [3:37 PM] Eri [arcade]: Assuming they are just regular sunglasses, Eri puts them on. "Hey" @Keiko Taisei (Heather) [3:38 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: Maggie goes up to Willy's table, seeing the man play around with a staff.

"Oh my heavens- is this going well. I never hosted one of these before." She mummurs frantically.

@William "Willy Wonder" Sherman (Dingle) [3:39 PM] 🔫Artemis Black🔫| Pyrotechnics: Strange. [3:40 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel stops for a moment, quirking a brow at Hana.

"Lady Hime-sama... by all means, you enjoy being a princess, yes? I'm almost a bit shocked you didn't try running."

@Hana Minami (Melody) [3:42 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: He glances over as he slides the entire staff into his sleeve. "I'd say its going fine." Willy takes out William Jr. and starts petting him. "I mean, we haven't even given speeches yet, so nothing can really go wrong at this point." @Maggie (Lexi) [3:43 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: "Oh, yeah, of course! I dunno, though. Like, I don't want people in my kingdom to end up, like, killing people." she answers simply. "I thought about it, but half these people are smelly anyway! I shouldn't have to show them I'm the princess, they should, like, just know already!"

@Hazel Hazeldine (Mars) [3:43 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "Yeah... speeches..."

"But what if it goes on for too long? Will people get bored?" She asks with an anxious expression.

@William "Willy Wonder" Sherman (Dingle) [3:44 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "Oh... fuu, I see." Hazel nods, a hand pressed to her chin. "That's reasonable, Lady Hime-sama..."

@Hana Minami (Melody) [3:45 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: "I know." she responds, smirking to herself. She's was so great!

@Hazel Hazeldine (Mars) [3:45 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: "Maggie." He puts a hand out in a 'stop' motion. "Chill. Some people might get bored, who knows, but the point of this is to elect a leader, not entertain people like a carnival or something. Besides, if it were, I'd be killing it right now." @Maggie (Lexi) [3:45 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Mhm...

...

"Ummm, do you think, uh, A...A.." She's struggling to say the name. "Akihiko... what would he think of this?"

@Hana Minami (Melody) [3:47 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: Maggie, does indeed chill, clicking her pen as stress relief. "You're right... Just concerned that this might fall apart... Anxiety with these things, ya know?"

@William "Willy Wonder" Sherman (Dingle) [3:48 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: Hana jumps, expression saddening. "W-Well...he would..." she put her hand to her mouth.

"...he would be happy to see his friends all together in one room, and...he would cheer everyone on."

@Hazel Hazeldine (Mars) [3:48 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: Wilma sidles in the room late, which isn't exactly good for her leadership image, but she doesn't seem ashamed or when put off by it. She glances around the room, as if making sure everyone is here, and then heads to her own table.

She gives the objects on the table a skeptical look. It's nice of Maggie to do all this, really, but...Wilma isn't much for politics. [3:49 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel lets out a struggled noise of pain, and clears her throat. "Mm, well.. I suppose it's good to make the best of it, yes?"

@Hana Minami (Melody) [3:50 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: Hana looked away, nodding.

She looked back at Hazel. "You're, um, gonna be safe, right?"

@Hazel Hazeldine (Mars) [3:50 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: The magician chuckles a little bit. "You've got stage fright and you're not even doing a speech! That's funny..." He puts the dove back in his cage not before giving it a little kiss. "You're doing great. Believe me, if you weren't this whole shebang wouldn't be going as smoothly as it is." @Maggie (Lexi) [3:51 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "Ehhh?" Hazel tilts her head at the princess, a little shocked. "Of course I will be, Lady Hime-sama! I ensure you that I may be cute and small, I am no easy target."

She pats her chest in reassurance, smiling at the blonde.

@Hana Minami (Melody) [3:52 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: Hana smiled, too. "Okay, I trust you, so you better not break my trust! Or else I'll be really mad at you!"

@Hazel Hazeldine (Mars) [3:52 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: Maggie gives Willy a thoughtful smile, "Thanks, Wonder Boy."

"Still, I hope this goes well..."

@William "Willy Wonder" Sherman (Dingle)

[3:27 PM] 🔫Artemis Black🔫| Pyrotechnics: That is not natural.

"...yes. I've been fuckin' breathing."

@Monoboar! [3:28 PM] Monoboar!: "Cool. Snff."

"There's been alotta breathin' lately."

@Artemis Black (Alex) [3:28 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "I as well... maybe we could just settle on who to vote for, I at least have an idea, as much as I dislike this election idea."

@Hana Minami (Melody) [3:29 PM] 🔫Artemis Black🔫| Pyrotechnics: "We-- Living things breath to live...?"

@Monoboar! [3:30 PM] Monoboar!: "Yeah..."

@Artemis Black (Alex) [3:30 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: Maggie walks around, announcing "Runner speeches will occur in 30 minutes!" [3:31 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: "Yeah, me too, I think. I dunno though. What's your idea?"

@Hazel Hazeldine (Mars) [3:32 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel moves to whisper into Hana's ear.

@Hana Minami (Melody) [3:32 PM] 🔫Artemis Black🔫| Pyrotechnics: "..."

...

"Anything else ya wanna fuckin' chat about?"

@Monoboar! [3:32 PM] Monoboar!: "Just checkin' up, oink."

He starts to waddle away.

@Artemis Black (Alex) [3:33 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: "Oh my god, me too, like, how'd you read my mind like that?" she said, giggling.

@Hazel Hazeldine (Mars) [3:33 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: Keiko is waiting for someone to come talk to her. [3:33 PM] Eri [arcade]: Eri grabs a pair of sunglasses from Keiko's table. [3:34 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "Fufu~ Great minds think alike, I suppose?" Hazel giggles, and looks around at the other candidates like someone probably about to dump milk on a boy and ruin his doll.

@Hana Minami (Melody) [3:35 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: "Ah...Hello, Eri-san." she says, nervously rearranging the things on her table.

@Eri Nakama (Rozen) [3:35 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: Willy makes a staff appear in his hand and starts twirling it. [3:36 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: "I suppose so too!" she puts her hand up to her mouth. Schemin. [3:37 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: Cerviel is just nervously clutching his stuffed animal to his chest off to the side of the room. [3:37 PM] Eri [arcade]: Assuming they are just regular sunglasses, Eri puts them on. "Hey" @Keiko Taisei (Heather) [3:38 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: Maggie goes up to Willy's table, seeing the man play around with a staff.

"Oh my heavens- is this going well. I never hosted one of these before." She mummurs frantically.

@William "Willy Wonder" Sherman (Dingle) [3:39 PM] 🔫Artemis Black🔫| Pyrotechnics: Strange. [3:40 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel stops for a moment, quirking a brow at Hana.

"Lady Hime-sama... by all means, you enjoy being a princess, yes? I'm almost a bit shocked you didn't try running."

@Hana Minami (Melody) [3:42 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: He glances over as he slides the entire staff into his sleeve. "I'd say its going fine." Willy takes out William Jr. and starts petting him. "I mean, we haven't even given speeches yet, so nothing can really go wrong at this point." @Maggie (Lexi) [3:43 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: "Oh, yeah, of course! I dunno, though. Like, I don't want people in my kingdom to end up, like, killing people." she answers simply. "I thought about it, but half these people are smelly anyway! I shouldn't have to show them I'm the princess, they should, like, just know already!"

@Hazel Hazeldine (Mars) [3:43 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "Yeah... speeches..."

"But what if it goes on for too long? Will people get bored?" She asks with an anxious expression.

@William "Willy Wonder" Sherman (Dingle) [3:44 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "Oh... fuu, I see." Hazel nods, a hand pressed to her chin. "That's reasonable, Lady Hime-sama..."

@Hana Minami (Melody) [3:45 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: "I know." she responds, smirking to herself. She's was so great!

@Hazel Hazeldine (Mars) [3:45 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: "Maggie." He puts a hand out in a 'stop' motion. "Chill. Some people might get bored, who knows, but the point of this is to elect a leader, not entertain people like a carnival or something. Besides, if it were, I'd be killing it right now." @Maggie (Lexi) [3:45 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Mhm...

...

"Ummm, do you think, uh, A...A.." She's struggling to say the name. "Akihiko... what would he think of this?"

@Hana Minami (Melody) [3:47 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: Maggie, does indeed chill, clicking her pen as stress relief. "You're right... Just concerned that this might fall apart... Anxiety with these things, ya know?"

@William "Willy Wonder" Sherman (Dingle) [3:48 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: Hana jumps, expression saddening. "W-Well...he would..." she put her hand to her mouth.

"...he would be happy to see his friends all together in one room, and...he would cheer everyone on."

@Hazel Hazeldine (Mars) [3:48 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: Wilma sidles in the room late, which isn't exactly good for her leadership image, but she doesn't seem ashamed or when put off by it. She glances around the room, as if making sure everyone is here, and then heads to her own table.

She gives the objects on the table a skeptical look. It's nice of Maggie to do all this, really, but...Wilma isn't much for politics. [3:49 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel lets out a struggled noise of pain, and clears her throat. "Mm, well.. I suppose it's good to make the best of it, yes?"

@Hana Minami (Melody) [3:50 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: Hana looked away, nodding.

She looked back at Hazel. "You're, um, gonna be safe, right?"

@Hazel Hazeldine (Mars) [3:50 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: The magician chuckles a little bit. "You've got stage fright and you're not even doing a speech! That's funny..." He puts the dove back in his cage not before giving it a little kiss. "You're doing great. Believe me, if you weren't this whole shebang wouldn't be going as smoothly as it is." @Maggie (Lexi) [3:51 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "Ehhh?" Hazel tilts her head at the princess, a little shocked. "Of course I will be, Lady Hime-sama! I ensure you that I may be cute and small, I am no easy target."

She pats her chest in reassurance, smiling at the blonde.

@Hana Minami (Melody) [3:52 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: Hana smiled, too. "Okay, I trust you, so you better not break my trust! Or else I'll be really mad at you!"

@Hazel Hazeldine (Mars) [3:52 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: Maggie gives Willy a thoughtful smile, "Thanks, Wonder Boy."

"Still, I hope this goes well..."

@William "Willy Wonder" Sherman (Dingle) [3:52 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "I won't, I won't!" Hazel shakes her head adamantly. "It's for my passion of life that prevents me from facing Death himself~"

@Hana Minami (Melody) [3:53 PM] Eri [arcade]: "Well good luck" Eri leaves to grab a glass of water. [3:54 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: Wilma waves at Hazel and Hana, since they're friends ....or friend-ly, at least.

She's bored. [3:54 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel waves at Wilma! [3:54 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: Hana waves at Wilma, too! She looks at Wilma with the least distain out of the rest of the contestants. [3:55 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: "Guess there's only one way to find out." Willy starts doing the Ball and Cup Trick™. "But I think it'll be fine." @Maggie (Lexi) [3:55 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: Keiko waves in Eri's direction as she leaves. Sorry, she was too nervous to say anything. [3:56 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: Maggie sighs out, getting up to announce "The first speech will happen in 4 minutes!" But who though...

She walks up to Keiko, whispering to her "You'll be up first, honey. Hope that's fine with ya!"

@Keiko Taisei (Heather) [3:57 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel decides to grab Hana's wrist and drag her over to Wilma before any speeches happen. Engage in conversation. [3:58 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: Keiko gulps. "Y-yes...of course it's fine. I'm totally fine."

@Maggie (Lexi) [3:59 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: Maggie nods, setting up the center for Speech Time. [3:59 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: She gestures Keiko to come.

@Keiko Taisei (Heather) [4:00 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: Ok. You've got this, Taisei. You can do this.

She follows Maggie.

@Maggie (Lexi) [4:01 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: "Howdy ladies," Wilma nods her head to the two, a tense smile on her face. "This is a whole rodeo, now ain't it?"

"Been a while since I seen ya, princess and poet. You doing ok?" She pops the 'p's in both of those, either unaware or uncaring that a speech is about to start.

Don't answer her, probably. Or answer fast. I truly don't want to interrupt Keiko. @Hazel Hazeldine (Mars) @Hana Minami (Melody) [4:01 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "And first up to say her speech," she booms out, "iiiis Keiko Taisei!"

She gestures to her, hopefully her loud voice brings everyone's attention. [4:01 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "I'm doing. I... I.... I'm alive!"

An answer, she supposes. Her attention is grabbed by Maggie, uh oh!

@Wilma Ortega (Auz) [4:02 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: "Good enough, I spose." Wilma also turns her attention to Maggie. [4:02 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: Hana was about to answer, but then she looks at Maggie. [4:03 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: Cerviel turned his attention to Maggie. He's curious. [4:03 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: Willy put away all of his tricks and looks towards Maggie. [4:03 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: Wilma offers the chairs at her table to Hana and Hazel. She's been standing anyways. [4:03 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel sits down delicately and thanks Wilma. [4:04 PM] 🔫Artemis Black🔫| Pyrotechnics: Artemis snaps to attention. She runs out to grab a seat near the stage. Go Keiko! [4:05 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: Hana sits down, too! But less delicately. The chair scoots backwards. [4:06 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: "Thank you all for coming..." Keiko starts, a bit nervous, "I'll try to be as brief and as simple as I can, I know no one likes long-winded speeches." she chuckles.

"I want to start by stating my reasons for  joining this election." she places both hands on top of her cane, taking a deep breath, "I care about all of us. Not only because it is my duty as the Ultimate Moral Compass, but because I consider you all my friends, even if some of us haven't talked much to each other. And it is for being my friends that I know it's the least I can do to run for this election, to serve as the person who will help us unite and find our way out of here." she pauses.

"For what is a compass, if not a tool to help one find its way? My objective is not to be an unquestioned leader, but someone who will help us realize our true potential, and ultimately, someone who will make sure no one else leaves this mansion inside a body bag."

"That's not to say my motivations are wholly selfless, of course. Nothing is." she states, "I have so many things I want to do after I get out. I want to finish high school, then go to college...I want to work as a teacher, for little kids, you know?" she smiles, "I want to get married and build a family..." [4:07 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: "I don't want to die at age seventeen. I don't want this horrible place to be where my life ends. I won't let it." she states, no doubts in her voice, "And I don't want any more of us to die, either."

“All of us have things we want to do, dreams we want to accomplish. And even those of us who don’t should have time to figure out what they want. We are so young, and none of us deserves to die.”

"This is why we must act. What happened to Oshiro-san and Bishop-san was a tragedy, and I refuse to let it happen again. And the only way I see to stop it from happening is if we trust each other and work together to beat this game."

"Which brings us to the motives. Monoboar clearly meant to single us out using them --a sort of 'divide and conquer' strategy on his part- so we must do the opposite of what they want. We must unite, because together, we are strong. Together, we are unstoppable." [4:07 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: "Whoever put us here has underestimated us. They expected us to panic, to lose ourselves in this terrible game, but they were wrong. We will make them regret it, and we will persevere! Together!" she finishes her speech, determination shining in her eyes. [4:09 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "Aaand that was Keiko Taisei, everybody!" She gives a clap to her. [4:09 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel claps as well. Very nice very nice. [4:10 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: Willy claps. [4:10 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: Cerviel is in tears now. This is fine. [4:10 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: Maggie gives a look to Willy, silently telling him "Are you ready for your speech now?" with her expression.

@William "Willy Wonder" Sherman (Dingle) [4:10 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: Wilma claps as well. [4:10 PM] 🔫Artemis Black🔫| Pyrotechnics: Artemis claps loudly, in an excited manner. Go Keiko. [4:10 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: He gives a nod. @Maggie (Lexi)

[4:11 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: Oh shit was it that bad? People are crying...Keiko bows awkwardly, all her earlier confidence seemingly gone now that the speech is over, "T-thank you..."

Then she hurries back to her table. [4:11 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: Hana also claps. She reluctantly admits that she liked it... [4:11 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "Next up, iiiis..."

"Willy Wonder!" Maggie gestures to the magician to come to the center. [4:12 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel claps. [4:12 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: Wilma claps too. I can't think of an interesting way to say this. [4:13 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: Willy takes the stage, cleared his throat and looked around at all the audience, glancing at his cards, then back to the audience. "My fellow ultimates. For too long have we felt the iron fist of the pig and been trapped here! Four weeks without access to the outside world and what do we have to show for it? Two of us, two human beings, dead. We have nobody to blame except the one keeping us here. Why did we see such horror? Why did one of us succumb to such villainy?"

A pause.

"We were not united. All of us were not trusting of each other, not wholly. The pressure put on the by that disgusting boar was what separated us! A chain is stronger when linked than when apart, and that chain is what will set us free from this killing game! With me as leader, I am going to listen. I am going to hear all of your ideas and put forth what the people want- what we want. We must band together, as human beings, to free ourselves of this prison- emotionally and physically. Stop this reckless thieving of people's lives and take a stand! We say no to the motives! We say no to the pig! We say 'We're going to live and we will survive!' " Another pause after finishing his speech, with a determined smile on his face. "Thank you." [4:14 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Damn... Hazel is moved. She nods intently and claps. [4:15 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: Wilma claps, looking impressed. He may look like a clown, but he speaks well. [4:15 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: Hana claps, too. Damn!!!!! [4:15 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: Maggie quickly comments "How verse!" and brings her hands together. Clap clap clap. [4:15 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: Keiko claps politely. [4:15 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "Willy Wonder, everybody!" [4:15 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: Willy bows and heads back to his table. [4:17 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: Maggie exchanges a look to Wallace.

CK is out, so I'll be using the mascot account to fill in for hir. [4:17 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "Next up, Wallace Callaghan!" She gestures to the debater. [4:17 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel's stone cold expression speaks everything. [4:18 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: Keiko claps as Wallace walks up. :open_mouth: friend. [4:18 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: Cerviel's full attention is back. [4:18 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: Willy claps once. [4:18 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "Hmph." [4:18 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: Wilma claps...slowly. [4:19 PM] 🔫Artemis Black🔫| Pyrotechnics: Artemis scowls. No claps from her. [4:20 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: Hana yawns. [4:20 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: Maggie sees the reluctant looks of some folk, mirroring the same expression. [4:20 PM] Monoboar!: Wallace brings himself to the center, clearing his throat. [4:20 PM] Monoboar!: “Fellow Ultimate students,” Wallace begins, drawing himself up to his full height and clasping his hands behind his back, “we find ourselves today in the midst of a situation that I can only describe as harrowing. We have been cut off from our families, our friends, the outside world; kidnapped and thrown into a situation beyond our control with an adversary we cannot even properly identify -- and what’s more, we have already lost some of our own in just this short time. I believe we are all well aware of just how dire this situation is. Therefore, I will not waste any more of your time attempting to convince you of this; nor will I waste effort coating my words with platitudes and telling you such things as ‘everything is all right’ and ‘we’ll all be okay.’ I am not here to mislead you for the sake of promoting a false sense of security. Instead, I choose to approach you all as equals, with utmost respect and honesty, so that we can look at our current predicament with unclouded judgment and collaborate to come up with the best solution. [4:20 PM] Monoboar!: “Right now, we are at a pivotal point in this journey. We’ve lost some of our very own peers; people who we’ve befriended and bonded with; people who have been important to us. Unfortunately, I personally never had the chance to meet Mr. Oshiro or Ms. Bishop before their deaths -- something I do highly regret -- but it has been impossible for me to overlook the impact that the loss of them has had on all of you. It is, no matter how you frame it, a true tragedy. And with all tragedies, there is a period of mourning afterwards, a period where the loss seems almost too much to bear. But eventually, with time, the situation shifts and you must decide how you are going to move forward. How you are going to take the lessons you’ve learned and make the most of your future, for the sake of everyone affected. How you are going to make sure something like this never happens again. So yes, where we are right now, and what we choose to do at this very moment, is absolutely vital. [4:21 PM] Monoboar!: “Which, naturally, brings us to this question of leadership. One of the many reasons I have decided to campaign is that I believe the idea is an incredibly valuable one, and I do commend those who originally came up with the idea.” He nods in Maggie’s direction. “In strenuous times like these, things could swing in either direction -- the direction of order, productivity, and growth, or the direction of chaos, irrationality, and regression. One will help us move forward, and the other? The other could very well cost all of us our lives. The right leader will have the power to direct our course. And, I believe that I am that leader.

“My leadership experience speaks for itself. I’ve captained my school’s debate team since my freshman year, and led us to victory in multiple nationwide competitions. I have always shown myself to be highly dedicated and passionate -- after all, I have been at the top of my class for my entire academic career. Believe me, no one is more committed to ensuring that those with bright futures will go on to succeed in life.” His eyes sweep over the crowd. [4:21 PM] Monoboar!: “At my booth are flyers, free-to-take, containing a more detailed description of my plan for action. To briefly summarize, it involves assembling a dedicated team of investigators to explore the area and note down important details, clues, and potential escape routes. I would also be implementing a rotation-based, multi-person night watch to prevent suspicious activity during that time period, and would also encourage an open channel of communication between myself and all of you. I would be establishing an office for myself in the library, where I would reside during the day when not investigating and where anyone would be able to visit at any time to report suspicions, findings, or undesirable activity by their peers.

“I will reiterate that we are Ultimate students. We are the best of the best. Our loss is the world’s loss. I promise to do everything in my power to ensure that the worst does not come to pass.” He pauses to let that sink in. “Thank you for your time.” [4:22 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel's head is in her hands as she waited for Wallace to end. [4:22 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: Cerviel claps enthusiastically. That's his friend! [4:22 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: clap. [4:22 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: Keiko claps. Well, Wallace is good at speeches. [4:22 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "A lengthy one! A man of... words!"

Maggie gives a clap.

[4:22 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: Hana looks at her nails. [4:23 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: Wilma mentally checked out after the first five sentences. [4:23 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "Wallace Callaghan, everybody!" [4:23 PM] Monoboar!: Wallace returns to his table. [4:23 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: The poet will at least give credit for his determination. She sighs and looks up. Claps twice. [4:24 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "And to the next one..."

She gives a look to Wilma, silently asking if she's ready.

@Wilma Ortega (Auz) [4:24 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: Hana looks a little more excited. [4:25 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: Wilma gives Maggie a grin.

"Sure, Magpie, I 'spose I'm ready as I'll ever be." [4:25 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "Wilma Ortega!" She gestures her to the center. [4:25 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: Keiko claps. [4:25 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: Willy claps. [4:26 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: Maggie claps! [4:26 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: Hana claps! [4:26 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel claps enthusiastically. [4:26 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: Wilma makes her way up to the center, hat pulled down so the brim is shading her eyes. She doesn't seem shy, not really, just...humbled.

“Howdy, folks.” She starts quietly. She raises her voice a bit. “I ain't got much to say that hasn't been said.”

“I ain't much for wide-eyed idealism or debbie downers. I know we can get outta this place, but we gotta get our own horses in order ‘fore we can do that. And I might not know y’all, but I been a sheriff fer several years now, and I know a thing er two ‘bout justice ‘n about order.”

She flicks up the brim of her hat, revealing the fire burning in her pink eyes.

“The world ain't gonna end yet, and none of you are, either. Whether y’all elect me or not, I’m gonna be makin’ sure of that.”

She pauses and shrugs.

“That's all I got fer ya, though I sure hope ya listen. Thanks.”

She goes and stands back by her table. Short and simple. [4:27 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel nods, clapping happily. "That was very eloquent...!" [4:28 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "To!" Clap. "The!" Clap. "Point!" Clap.

"Wilma Ortega, everybody!" [4:28 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: Willy claps and nods. [4:28 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: "Wilma-chaaan!" [4:29 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: Keiko claps. Keiko appreciates that she didn't need many words to convey her point. [4:29 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: Wilma pulls her hat down further and looks a little flustered from the attention, especially from the girls sitting at her table. [4:29 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "Now last, and certainly not least..."

She gives a look to Renzo, silently asking them if they're ready.

@Renzo Fujita (Keon) [4:46 PM] Renzo Fujita 🔥 God Bless America: Oh boy! It’s their turn! Renzo stands and travels to the center, smiling down at everyone- not that they’d be able to see it. They clasped their hands together and took a breath.

“Hiiiiiiii.” It is at this point that the fact that they did not prepare a speech actually dawns on them, but that’s no problem! They were always good at improv. This wasn’t exactly improv, but it was close enough. “Let us start by saying that this- all of this- is no coincidence. We were chosen to play this game for a reason, and though we may not know it yet... we all will know soon.” They put a hand to their chest. “We are sure of it, we feel it in our blood.”

“...It is obvious that none of us plan to play this game the whole way through, and run around like mice. But that is all part of the world’s plan for us! And we are determined to make sure you all survive to see what your future holds.” They shift a little, eyes darting from person to person. “They, see a bright future for each and every one of you. And each and every one of you deserves what will one day come to you.” That was accidentally ominous. “So we will do everything in our combined power to protect you from the evil forces that first brought all of us together. It is our destiny to do so.”

“We will escape. We know this. Together we are meant to change and grow, and discover our true power- like friends do! Because we are all friends. And it would be such a shame if anything bad happened to any more of you, so please, allow us to protect and lead you.” They tilt from one side to the other, before bowing not-so-gracefully. “We love you all ssso much! Thank you.” [4:48 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: Maggie cheers, kinda, and gives a round of applause! [4:49 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: Cerviel is a little unnerved but claps anyways. [4:50 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: Willy claps a little. [4:50 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: Keiko claps slowly. Ok...that was weird. But a speech nonetheless. [4:50 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel just shifts uncomfortably. Ok? [4:50 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "And that was Renzo Fujita!" [4:51 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: Hana blinks. She still doesn't trust that weird looking cosplayer. [4:52 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: Wilma claps, but she looks...suspicious of Renzo, now. F. [4:52 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: She grabs the ballot box, holding it out to the crowd. "Now! Pick your vote (if you haven't already) and deposit it in here-" [4:53 PM] Monoboar!: The lights dim suddenly for a moment. [4:53 PM] Monoboar!: ... [4:53 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "...?" [4:53 PM] Renzo Fujita 🔥 God Bless America: “...!”

[4:53 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: Cerviel hugged his stuffed animal tighter. [4:54 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: "Huh?" [4:54 PM] 🔫Artemis Black🔫| Pyrotechnics: "What the fuck?" [4:54 PM] Monoboar!: "Whadda hell-" Monoboar quietly blurts out. [4:54 PM] Monoboar!: ... [4:54 PM] Monoboar!: The lights brighten back up to normal. [4:54 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "...that was odd?" [4:55 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "..." [4:55 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "Looks like Monoboar hasn't been paying his bills!" [4:55 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel pouts towards the boar. [4:55 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "Ess Em Atch." [4:55 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "Well, hm... I'm gonna..." Hazel gets up to vote. [4:55 PM] Monoboar!: "..."

Monoboar waddles out of the foyer. [4:56 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: Wilma has her hand on her pistol. [4:56 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: Hmmmm. That is not good at all. Not at all. [4:56 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: Hana looks at Wilma, and then at Hazel. [4:56 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "Let's hope that's fine..." She murmurs under her breath. "I think we can... vote...?" [4:56 PM] 🔫Artemis Black🔫| Pyrotechnics: "I don't fuckin' trust this shit." [4:59 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: Wilma slowly relaxes and goes to vote, tipping her hat at the other students as she does so.

"Y'all spoke mighty fine."

She returns to her table once she's done. [5:00 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: "A-ah...thank you, Ortega-san. So did you. I appreciate being able to be brief when expressing yourself." she says as she heads towards the box, putting her vote in. Nice. [5:01 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: Cerviel hesitantly moved to vote, still clutching the weird yellow blob to his chest. He's nervous. [5:01 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: Hana goes to vote, too. [5:01 PM] 🔫Artemis Black🔫| Pyrotechnics: Artemis shuffles up and slams in her vote [5:02 PM] Renzo Fujita 🔥 God Bless America: Renzo goes to vote! [5:02 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: Willy votes.

And shoots out a dove as he does. [5:04 PM] Wawwace Cawwaghan || Election: Wallace votes. [5:16 PM] Kubo Tachibana | Vampire: Kubo IS here!! He votes! [5:16 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel waves at Kubo! Sup. [5:17 PM] Kubo Tachibana | Vampire: Kubo waves back! [5:18 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: Maggie gets all the votes, and tallies it up. [5:19 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: She gives a hearty single CLAP out of nowhere. [5:21 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "Ladies, gentlemen, and variations thereof..." [5:21 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "I thank you all for attending this lovely election!" [5:21 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "Now, say hello to your new leader..."

"Wilma Ortega!" [5:21 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: Jazz hands to Wilma. [5:22 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel jumps up, slamming her feet on the ground in the process.

"FUCK YEAH!" [5:22 PM] Kubo Tachibana | Vampire: Kubo claps! Yay!!! [5:22 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: "WILMA-CHAAAAAAAAANNNNN!" Hana screams. [5:22 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "WOO WOO! CHEERS!" Hazel claps. [5:22 PM] Hana Minami! | I can';t: Hana jumps. [5:22 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: Cerviel claps out of politeness. He has no idea who that is [5:23 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: Maggie is gesturing to her right now. [5:23 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: Willy claps. [5:23 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: Keiko claps with a smile, though she's kinda disappointed she didn't win.

[5:24 PM] Renzo Fujita 🔥 God Bless America: Renzo gives Wilma jazz hands. Jazz hands to Wilma. They then scratch at their mask a little. [5:29 PM] Wawwace Cawwaghan || Election: Wallace’s expression is tight and unsmiling in a perfect :| face as he claps politely. [5:29 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel resists the urge to sneer. She's polite and kind she won't succumb. [5:29 PM] 🔫Artemis Black🔫| Pyrotechnics: Artemis claps slowly. [5:42 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: WIlma looks a bit, um...Out of her element. She genuinely didn't expect to win. She's not nearly as well spoken as literally anyone here.

"Well, I'll be." She mutters softly, taking off her hat and holding it to her chest. "I mighty appreciate y'all's faith, and I'll try my best to be deservin' of it."

Wow, um. Even her mun didn't expect this and is unsure what to do. [5:43 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel is smiling at her proudly. "I trust you to take care of us, Lady Wilma!" [5:44 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "Got trust in ya! Just implement whatever ya need to do as a leader whenever!" She has both of her fists up. [5:45 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: "Well...the people have spoken. Our classmates think you're trustworthy, so I will be putting my trust in you as well, Ortega-san." [5:56 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: "Thank ya kindly, Taisei." Wilma takes a deep breath, places the hat back on her head, and straightens up.

"Well, I'm guessin' that's my cue." She looks to Maggie. "I ain't sure if there's any protocol for after an 'lection, or whatever...Think people usually have parties, but I ain't much good at plannin'."

"Might 'swell get straight to work, though." Wilma nods, mostly to herself, and addresses the room. "First of all, I'd like everyone to know y'all got power here. Y'all 'lected me, which I mighty appreciate, but authority ain't nothing without the people. 'Specially y'all that was running with me," She nods to Keiko and Willy. She pointedly doesn't look at Wallace or Renzo. "No man's an is-land, as they say. If we're gonna create some semblance o' order we gotta do it together." [5:58 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: "I read you interview...and I must admit I thought your proposals were very interesting. Maybe we could all merge our proposals now that the election is over?" she suggests. [5:59 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "And that concludes this election!" Maggie dutifully announces.

"Feel free to hang around and talk or return back to your dorms. I'm gonna message the group chat now!" [5:59 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar returns, but not to party. [5:59 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: "Hey, wait a minute." [5:59 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: Fuck OFF MONOBOAR. [5:59 PM] Wawwace Cawwaghan || Election: Wallace glances over at Keiko, now officially listening in on the conversation. :ear: [5:59 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar walks away. [5:59 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: Oh. [6:00 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: Wilma thought so hard at Monoboar that he left. Gay rights! [6:02 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: "Wait just a minute, Miss Magpie." Wilma says. "I think we all owe you some sorta rec'nition." Please stop skipping the middle syllable of words, Wilma.

"You set all this up and did all these interviews, all by yerself. You deserve some applause, too." [6:02 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: !

Maggie is flattered!

[6:03 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: Keiko claps. "You're right...none of this would've been possible if Maggie-san hadn't organized it." [6:03 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: Willy claps real loud and lets out doves as he does. "YEAH!!!" [6:03 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: Wilma Been Clapping. [6:03 PM] Wawwace Cawwaghan || Election: Wallace gives a round of applause that’s actually somewhat legitimately polite this time. [6:04 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "Aha! Thou art right, Lady Maggie deserves a round of applause! WOO!" She claps excitedly. [6:04 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: She feels her face heat up, glowing red. "Guuuuys! It wasn't that much..."

[6:05 PM] Keiko Taisei | :O: "Nonsense. You went above and beyond to make all of this happen, Maggie-san. Applause is the least we can do." [6:05 PM] Willy | Guess I'll Lose: "Pffft! As if! Weren't you coming over to my table worrying your head off about making it go smoothly?" [6:05 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: Cerviel is the physical embodiment of :>. [6:06 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "...A bit!" She replies back to Willy. [6:06 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 POLITICS!: "Thank you all though... For attending!" [6:07 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "Fufufu... it was no problem, Lady Maggie~ thank you for hosting such an exciting event." [6:08 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: Wilma nods, pleased. Monoboar can come back now if he wants but also I hate him. [6:08 PM] Wilma Ortega || GET DOWN MS PRE: "If any of y'all -prospective leaders er not- wanna come 'n talk with me, feel free to anytime. I got some ideas of my own 'n once I work out how to implement 'em, I'll send 'em out." [6:09 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar waddles back, just staying for the after party to set things away.

[glitchedbones-blog]

Not Human - Part One

Loki x Original Female Character

Warnings: Body horror

During the attack on New York, Loki encounters a strange woman in Stark tower. A woman who looks to be as much of a monster as Loki feels.

Part One - Part Two - Part Three - Part Four - Part Five - Part Six - Part Seven - Part Eight(Final)

Playlist

    Stark tower rose above New York, a gleaming monument to humanities ego and a perfect place for Loki to use to bring humanity to its knees. He jumped off one of the gliders and strode into the open floored suite that jutted out near the very top.

    Loki didn’t bother to check the room, figured Stark or one of his many employees got everyone out once Selvig and their team moved in. If not, a mere mortal wouldn’t stand in his way, not when he was close to victory, so close he could nearly taste it. The only piece needed to fall into place was the portal to open and his army to arrive. He had the patience to wait it out. After the void, after what he endured. Waiting was easy.

    He knew the fools would try to make a stand against him, his brother included, and he was sure it would be grand. Loki paced, while he waited for the portal he was itching to see what trouble he had caused after the incident with the beast.

    In his failure to check the room he missed the young woman curled on the couch. The left half her face was obscured by a loosely wrapped scarf and the hood of her overshirt, leaving only one weary eye able to watch him. Her eye flicked to the door and back to the pacing man before she slowly, slowly started to inch off the couch.

    One of her comically long sleeves got trapped underneath her and she lurched forward, landing on the smooth title with a deafening thud. Loki whirled at the sound and frowned at the woman. He was annoyed at himself for not seeing her, not even sensing her there. Loki smirked. If she was there, she was Stark’s and taking her over could be useful.

    “And who are you?” He asked, strutting towards her, spinning the scepter in hand. She scrambled to her feet and pulled her arms around her. She took extra care to pull the right sleeve down, making sure the cuff fell far below her hand. The rest of her overshirt she left a ruffled mess.

    “I should be asking you the same question. I mean, I live here.” She tried to take a step towards the door and Loki shifted around, blocking her escape. There was a small flicker of recognition in her eye and she frowned. “You are that Loki guy who has been a thorn in everyone’s side, aren’t you?” She glanced out the large pane windows and pointed with her left hand. “They will probably be here soon, ya know. So if you don’t mind I’m just going to...” She thrust her thumb towards the door.

    “Oh I am aware that they will come, I am betting on it.” Loki grinned at her. “You, however, could be very useful.” He advanced on her, spear lifted and point angled towards her chest. She was quicker than her frail state made her look, ducking out of the way and circling around him towards the door. Loki lunged forward, hand wrapping around her wrist like a steel trap. She yelped, and nearly slipped when her center of gravity shifted suddenly. Loki yanked her closer, expression smug.

    “Let go of me!” She snapped, giving her left arm another hard tug.

    Loki tilted his head, brow arching. “Oh, I don’t think so.” She tried to pull away, wriggling with all her might, but the fight was quickly leaving her. This close, Loki could see why. She looked like he had felt when he first arrived on Earth, skin pale and visible eye bloodshot, socket bruised. He had a small pang of sympathy for the woman, but he shook it off and pressed the scepter against her chest. There was a small flare of blue, but the light guttered. He pressed harder, willing the scepter to work, drawing blood.

    She sagged in his grip and he pulled the scepter away as to not impale her on it. He held her still, blinking in confusion as the specter's light faded.

    The woman moved, pulling her arm free with a growl no human throat should be able to produce. She stumbled back, shoulders sagging and left hand pressed against the small wound on her chest. “You should have let us go.” She panted her legs giving out as she sat down heavily.

    “That should have worked. What are you?” Loki asked, voice tight.

    She gave a small shrug, taking deep, shuddering breaths. “I don’t know. A monster, maybe. Probably.” She laughed bitterly and glanced up at him. “I’m sure you know the feeling. I mean, no normal person goes around trying to take over the world.”

    Loki bristled at that. “I am a god and rightful king of Asgard.”

    “Ok, so you are a monster with an ego.”

    Loki growled and took a half step forward, scepter blade ready. He paused at her completely nonplussed expression. “You don’t look much like a monster.”

    She snorted. “No? Well, you haven’t seen the whole package.” She stood, biting into her lip with the effort. “Look, I don’t feel well.” She inhaled sharply, wrapping her arms tight around herself. She took a few shaky steps before her legs gave out again, this time hitting the solid floor with a heavy thud.

    The woman curled in on herself, body twitching in pain and Loki was left standing there torn between helping her and leaving her. She cried out and her right hand shot out from the sleeve, large black claws leaving gouges in the floor.

    She looked up at him, jaw set, tears staining her face. “In the fridge...there are needles...grab one. Please.”

    Loki hesitated briefly then moved to the fridge to pull out an uncomfortable large needle. He knelt by her, setting the scepter at his feet. “What am I to do with this?”

    With great effort she sat up and pulled down her hood, dislodging the scarf around her face in the process. Loki nearly dropped the syringe when he saw why she wore the scarf. In the hollow of her left cheek was what looked like a vestigial mouth, lined with small, sharp teeth. In the middle, staring up at him was an eye.

    “Base of the neck.” She hissed. Loki slid the mess of dull, red hair up and looked from needle to neck, frowning. She reached up and the rest of her sleeve slipped down. Her right arm matched the hand, deep black and armored, like a beetle, with small scales running from fingertips to elbow. Another scale tore through her flesh and she made a small whimper of pain. She pressed the tip of her fingers at the base of her skull, were spine and skull met. “Here, now hurry. Please.”

    Loki eyed the needle and gave a small sigh. “This is not going to be pleasant for you.”

    The woman choked out a small laugh. “We know, oh we know.”

    She screamed when the needled slipped in. When he pressed down on the syringe her scream went hoarse. Loki grabbed her as her back curved as every muscle in her body went rigid. She writhed in his arms, eyes screwed shut in agony as the injection did its job. Slowly she relaxed, collapsing fully against him and letting out a long, shuddering breath.

    “That was shit.” She hissed. She tried to sit up and failed, falling back against him. “I know this goes against your whole mo right now, but mind helping me over the couch. You do kinda owe me.”

    Loki looked indigent. “Owe you for what?”

    “Whatever powers that stupid scepter basically activated survival mode. And here I was doing so well not having shit randomly show up. It’s been months!” She slapped her right hand against the ground, the claws tapping against the tile.

    Loki sighed. “Fine.” He scooped her up, grabbing the scepter along the way. She slid out of his grip and slumped into the fine leather of the couch, letting her head fall back. Loki stared down at her, frowning. “I am assuming this is why you call yourself a monster?” She nodded. “I can see why.”

    She laughed weakly. “Surprise.”

    “Care to explain?” He asked, crossing his arms.

    She gave a small shake of her head. “No, not really.” She rolled her head forward and hunched down into the couch.

    He debated, briefly on summoning a dagger, using a blade to carve our and answer. Instead, he walked closer and knelt down, making himself seem less threatening and getting more personal. Intimate. He reached out, fingers running through a few strands of hair closest to the strange eye.

    “I did help you. A small explanation would be appreciated.”

    A look crossed her face so fast that Loki had little time to place. Later he would know that look, as it was a look he had worn many times. Need. Her gaze was focused beyond his shoulder and she gave him a wry smile. “No time. Looks like we gotta cut our date a little short.” Loki glanced over his shoulder and frowned.

    There was the hum of thrusters and thud of metal behind him. Loki turned to face Iron Man. The armor was pulled away and Stark stalked forward, locking eyes with her briefly.

    “Alice.”

    “Hey, Tony,” Alice said, waving weakly from the couch.

    Loki turned fully, strutting across to Stark, smiling lightly. “You keep interesting company. I didn’t realize you were keeping more than one monster.” He ignored the weak hey the woman, Alice, muttered from the couch and kept a laser focus on Stark.

    “Yeah, see, she isn’t part of the whole saving the world thing so don’t get her involved.” Tony snapped.

    Loki shrugged. “It will be all the same in the end. She will kneel under my rule. And you, are you here to appeal to my humanity? Beg me to stop?”

    On his way to the bar, Tony got a good look at Alice, her deathly pallor and thin sheen of sweat made his hackles rise. He zeroed in on the discarded needle and frowned.

    Tony slipped behind the bar and shook his head. “No, I am here to threaten you. Would you like a drink? It will give you a chance to explain why Alice looks like shit and why you were hovering over her, all over a nice scotch.”

    “Your...” Loki hesitated, eyes flicking to where she sat. The bemused expression on her face not helping. “I was not hovering!” Tony raised a brow. “She had an episode, begged me to help.” He refrained from mentioning the issues was his own doing when he tried to take control of her mind. That little fact may not go over well.

    Tony shrugged. “Blinding pain does make people a bit stupid so I can forgive her for needing help from you.”

    “Hey!” Alice protested.

    Tony gave her a grin. “I’m sure Alice would have kicked you out a window if she wasn’t feeling like garbage. You sure you don’t want a drink? What about you Alice?” Loki glanced back as she shook her head.

    Loki sighed. He was tired over this. “They are coming. Nothing you do can change that. What do I have to fear?”

    “The Avengers for one.” Loki frowned. “It's what we call ourselves, sort of like a team. `EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES' type of thing.”

    Loki snorted. “Yes, I’ve met them.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Alice sit up and start slinking closer to Stark. “And you say she isn’t one of yours? Not some altruistic hero?”

    Alice laughed and Tony gave her a blank stare.

    “Hardley. All you need to worry about. Just worry about the numbers. You are outnumbered. We have your brother, the demi-God; a super soldier, a living legend who kind of lives up to the legend; a man with breathtaking anger management issues; a couple of master assassins, and you, big fella, you've managed to piss off every single one of them.”

    Loki smirked. “That was the plan.” He could deal with the woman later. Whatever she was, he needed to know. Needed to know how she stood against the power of an infinity stone.

    Tony leveled him with a withering look. “Not a great plan. When they come, and they will, they'll come for you.”

    Loki gave him a wicked grin, spreading out his hands. “I have an army.”

    He stepped around the bar. “We have a Hulk.”

    Loki chuckled. “You may yet have to rely on the girl since your beast seems to have wandered away.” Or fell from your flying fortress, Loki thought.

    “You’re missing the point.” Tony snapped. “There's no throne, there is no version of this, where you come out on top. Maybe your army comes and maybe it's too much for us, but it's all on you. Because if we can't protect the Earth, you can be damned well sure we'll avenge it.”

    Loki smiled smugly. “I fear they will be far to busy trying to stop you.” Alice twitched forward when he raised the scepter and tapped it against Tony’s chest. The tink of metal on glass echoed loudly. Loki growled and glanced back over to Alice. “Don’t tell me he is like you.” He tapped the scepter again, once more getting a loud tink. “No, you were flesh and bone. You bled.” Tony’s eyes narrowed at that. “This is something else.”

    “Well performance issues, you know?” Loki’s arm shot forward and grabbed Tony by the throat. He tossed him across the room with ease and stalked forward, growling.

    “JARVIS, hurry it up!” Loki grabbed him a second time, this time tossing him through the window in an explosion of glass.

    “Tony!” The woman shot towards the window, stopping just at the ring of shattered glass. She whirled on Loki, glaring. She opened her mouth, but the blast from Tony knocked Loki down, sending him sliding across the floor. Tony rounded on him, another blast powering up.

    The air changed, growing heavy with ozone. The air shimmered just before the portal ripped a hole in the sky.

    “Right. Army.” Tony turned to Alice. “Go somewhere safe. And get away from him.” Alice went to protest, but Tony had already flown off, heading into the city.

    Loki got to his feet and Alice stood there, shifting uncomfortably under his steady gaze. “For someone who seemed protective, I am surprised he left you here alone with me. ”

    Alice shrugged. “You haven’t killed me yet. You threw Tony through a window, so it’s not like you couldn’t try. All I got was a small nick.” She pulled down the collar of her shirt and frowned at the wound. Loki was sure it was a trick of the light, as the drying blood looked black. “Anyway. I usually can cover my own ass.”

    Loki chuckled. “Are you sure of this? Not ten minutes ago you were begging for my help.”

    Alice glared. “Yes. I am sure.”

    “Loki!” Loki glared at the landing Thor, annoyed by the interruption. He turned towards his brother, sweeping past Alice and giving her a small smirk. “And I was hoping to test your assertions.” There was a small part of him that wasn’t sure who he was lying to anymore.

    Alice took the chance she was given, slipping deeper into Stark tower just as chaos erupted around New York. She scrounged up a laptop and got JARVIS to pull up any and all cameras he could so she could watch what was happening.

    She wanted to help but knew it would be unwise. Tony had kept her away from S.H.I.E.L.D for a reason. He was afraid they would want to keep her contained, run tests on her, or worse.

    The building was wracked by explosions, but Stark engineering stood true. A small intruder alert lit up and Alice rushed back out into the suite in time to see Hulk grab Loki and crash him around like a rag doll before leaping back out into the fray.

    Alice gingerly stepped around broken tile and shards of glass to stare down at the injured god a mix of worry and amusement playing on her face.

    “Tony did warn you that we have a Hulk.”

    Loki groaned. There was a fog in his mind that was slowly clearing, making everything become sharper, clearer. There was a dawning realization of just how screwed he really was.

    Alice knelt next to him and offered him her normal hand, giving him a tight smile. “You help me. I’ll help you, at least a little.”

    Loki stared at the offered hand for a heartbeat before nodding and letting her help him to the small set of stairs behind him. He lay against them, collecting himself while she sat down next to him. Loki glanced up and smiled. “Can I have that drink now?”

[asleepinawell]

Neon and Dust: Chapter 2

The continuation that no one asked for of the Shoot Space Western that no on asked for.

I have a chapter 3 written but I decided I need to trash it and completely rewrite it, which is why I’ve been stalled on writing this for so long. 

I did some minor updates to Chapter 1. Mostly world-building stuff. I’m still not completely committed to writing the full fic yet…would be a lot of time and effort and I don’t know how much interest there’d be. I feel like this chapter isn’t quite as fun as the last one due to world-building info dump, but eh.

Still rated pg-13 at this point though I’m strongly leaning towards the rating going up at some point.

(Chapter 1 |Chapter 2)

Shaw had taken one look at the unnecessarily large feline that Bear had attempted to corner in one of the storage compartments and decided that Reese could deal with the damn thing. She did wait around long enough to encourage Bear to stick up for himself, but the big dog was only interested in following the cat around with a sad look in his eyes, hurt that his new friend wanted nothing to do with him.

It figured that Root’s cat would be a jerk to her dog.

Mortimer, as Root had called him, was the size of a small dog himself, and while nowhere near as large as Bear, the regal long-haired black and white menace carried himself like a king.

“What the hell is that thing?” Reese asked, standing behind her as if afraid the cat would attack without warning.

“Looks an awful lot like your problem,” Shaw said and ducked past him into the narrow hallway, ignoring his indignant grumbling. Neither of them was really in command per se; they were equal partners in the transport business. Most differences of opinion were settled by coin flips, squabbling, or someone getting ‘accidentally’ locked in their room for a few hours (Shaw had never been the someone). Reese didn’t follow her down the hall, so she claimed that as a victory.

And besides, her task was equally unpleasant.

Despite her claims to the contrary, Root had been nowhere in the vicinity of her monstrous pet, and Shaw needed to know where they were supposed to be hauling her to. And, more importantly, sorting out the question of payment.

None of the unused crew cabins had any sign of her presence and the galley, engine room, cargo bay, infirmary, and bridge were all empty.

There was only one thing on the Indigo Five (besides Mortimer) that belonged to Root, and Shaw headed up to the tiny hanger at the top of the ship.

While a small ship could attach itself to the outside dock of the Indigo Five, the entire dock could also lower into the hanger and be sealed inside to protect the smaller vessel from the stress of blinking. Root had found the control panel on her own and lowered Paradox down into the hanger. The heavy doors in the ceiling were shut and sealed now and Root was lying on top of her ship on her stomach, dangling most of her upper body into the cockpit as she rummaged around.

“What the hell type of animal did you bring on my ship?” Shaw asked by way of greeting. “If he scratches Bear he’s getting airlocked.”

Root looked up. “Mortimer is a sweetheart,” she protested. “A total softie. He wouldn’t harm a soul.”

Mortimer’s paws had been enormous, way too large for any domestic cat Shaw had ever seen. He looked like a predator.

“Well,” Root amended, “he might have ripped a man’s throat out once. But he was only trying to protect me. He’s very loyal.”

Shaw gave Reese even odds against the hell beast.

“He’s going to cost you extra. Excessive shedding. Speaking of which, how do you plan to pay for this little trip? Double our rates, remember?”

Root hopped down from the side of Paradox, using Shaw’s shoulders to steady herself. When she didn’t immediately remove her hands, Shaw brushed them away and retreated to a safe distance. She wouldn’t put it past Root to try and knock her and Reese out and attempt to fly the Indigo Five herself. Probably right into a mountain.

Root pulled a small credit chip drive out of her pocket and held it out. “No tricks this time, Shaw. All of this is on the level.”

“With you I’m going to assume that’s bullshit until proven otherwise.”

She stalked over to the computer terminal set in the wall and inserted the credit drive. Most people used their implant chips for things like money transfers, but larger amounts and shady deals still relied heavily on the little credit drives. Also she wasn’t sure if Root could use an implant chip what with being on Samaritan’s most wanted list and all.

The amount on the drive was absurdly high, but the transfer account appeared legitimate. Shaw pocketed the drive and turned around to find Root hovering in her personal space.

“These funds clean? They better not come back to bite me in the ass.”

“The credits definitely won’t be the thing to bite you in the ass, Shaw.”

She never let up, did she?

“Fine. Let’s say I believe that this isn’t going to get Galactic Enforcement on my tail. Where are we taking you? Amount in the drive is enough to get you all the way to the Hub Planets and then some.”

Which was a bit ridiculous. Melior, the so-called capital planet of the Interplanetary Republic was five terminals away. Part of the reason they were on this godforsaken planet was because of its distance from anywhere developed.

And now that she thought about it, Root obviously wanted to go to Melior. She’d probably wanted a ride with the Indigo Five specifically because they were just as eager to stay off the radar as she was, but could also dock at Genesis, the capital city, without attracting attention and with Paradox safely hidden.

“Melior? Really, Root? Your boss put you up to this? Or is this your own dumbass idea?”

“I wouldn’t be going if it wasn’t important.” The slight edge in Root’s voice told Shaw she wasn’t lying through her teeth for once.

“It’s a bit of a long haul. Take a few days and we’ll have to stop and refuel at least once.”

The Ore Colonies were just far enough away from the Central Systems to be fairly lax in security, but close enough that most inhabitants were Interplanetary Republic citizens and things considered civilized amenities (like fuel stations that took credits) were readily available. Any of the Central Systems would be dangerous for a wanted fugitive like Root, but the Hub Planets, the six most developed planets right in the middle that made up the beating heart of the Republic, were by far the most heavily surveilled.

“That’s fine.”

It didn’t sound like it was fine, but Root wasn’t going to find a better ship out this far.

The Indigo Five was built to be fast and maneuverable, but she couldn’t hold up to extensive terminal travel the way larger, more armored vessels did, so Shaw always paused between blinks to run a basic diagnostic, make sure she hadn’t been damaged. It drove Reese nuts because he’d rather blow right through multiple terminals and worry about the consequences later, but she was Shaw’s ship now and Shaw was very firm on this rule.

“I’ll get us off this rock and headed to the terminal then,” Shaw said, turning away. Root’s smile wasn’t quite as confident as Shaw was used to seeing and it was setting off alarm bells in her head. This whole situation reeked of trouble. “You know where the bunks are at?”

“Why? Are you inviting me back to yours?” Root trailed along behind her.

“No. In fact, you get the one furthest away from me.” She paused by Paradox again, annoyed as always that Root hadn’t named it ‘the Paradox’. Not having an article in front of the name made it sound like she thought of it as a pet or something, which maybe she did. She was a bit weird like that.

“I get a bunk?”

Shaw looked back to catch a confused expression on Root’s face that quickly vanished.

“You’re a paying passenger even if I’m not crazy about it. Where did you think you’d sleep? In that heap?” She gestured at Root’s ship with her thumb.

Root shrugged. “Guess I didn’t really think about that.”

Shaw could hear the lie. Root had actually expected she’d be sleeping in her tiny ship. Shaw might not have been a gracious host, but they had to maintain the ship’s reputation.

Did Root live in that thing?

“Well, I won’t stop you, but the bunks are probably more comfortable.”

Root hesitated and then brushed past her to climb back up on Paradox. She vanished into the cockpit and there were some muffled thumping noises before a small, battered bag came sailing out of the ship. Shaw caught it out of instinct, surprised by how light it was.

“Wanna go for a ride?” Root had reappeared from within the cockpit and was sitting on the side of Paradox, her feet kicking in space, and one eyebrow raised suggestively.

The thing was, Root was really damn hot, and the sex had been great (even if she’d been tasered and robbed after the first time but whatever these things happened sometimes), but that was one thing at some cheap hostel; this was Shaw’s ship. Banging Root on her ship sounded like it could get complicated, and Shaw was very much against complications.

“This all you got?” Shaw asked, hefting the small bag and ignoring the question. Come to think of it, even though Root’s itemized list had been fairly long it had all been small items or stuff that shouldn’t have been counted anyway.

Root slid down to the floor. “I travel light.” She took the bag back immediately as if to cut off any more questions.

Well, it was her business, Shaw figured, and it wasn’t like she had a lot of material possessions herself anyway.

“Let’s go then.”

She showed Root into the first empty crew cabin they came to (conveniently all the way at the other end of the hall from hers) and left her sitting on her bunk, staring around her temporary room like it was an alien planet.

“Melior? Is that a good idea?”

Shaw didn’t bother to roll her eyes at what had to have been the dumbest question Reese had asked all day.

“Of course it isn’t. When has anything involving Root ever been a good idea?” She reached under the console to unlock the controls and flipped on the main engine power. The Indigo Five woke up under her feet, humming to life.

“She say why she wanted to go to the one place in the universe it’d be easiest for Galactic Enforcement to hunt her down?”

“No. Probably more worried about the ISA hunting her down than Enforcement, but really what we’re talking about here is Samaritan. And that thing has eyes and ears all over Melior.”

As the private armed force of the Interplanetary Council, the Interplanetary Security Activity were supposed to be in charge of Samaritan, but Shaw was fairly certain the AI was the one actually pulling the strings these days. Back when she’d worked for the ISA, they’d had a different AI feeding them the dirty little secrets of the galaxy, a supposedly less megalomaniacal one. The Machine was hiding as much as the rest of them were these days, though, maybe more. Shaw wasn’t sure why it’d want to send its little pet hacker into certain danger, but then she’d never been completely sure why it did half the things it did.

“What about us?” Reese asked, playing with a switch on the console. “Thought we were trying to avoid trouble.”

Shaw leaned over and smacked his hand away. Reese could fly pretty well (even if he did have a tendency to smash into other ships), but she was the pilot here and there were rules on her bridge. The most important rule was no touching the damn controls.

“Eh, I mean Samaritan doesn’t know who we are, so as long as we don’t do anything spectacularly dumb we should be fine for a short trip.” And she really could use a night in a luxury hotel. Maybe order in some gourmet food, have a long, hot bath, find a quick hook-up from a nearby bar, sleep in a real bed. It’d be like a vacation.

“Her credit check out?” Reese asked as Shaw took the Indigo Five up off the dock, slow and easy. The landing gear retracted with a few dull thuds as they gained some height.

“Seems to. Guess robbing a bank will do that.”

“Doesn’t it strike you as weird that the Machine would have her pull some stunt that brings all this attention on her and then send her right into enemy territory while everyone’s on high alert?”

“Is there anything about Root and the Machine that isn’t weird?” There was no baseline for normal in this scenario.

“Just wondering what it’s thinking.” Reese looked up at the monitor near the top of the wall. The screen showed nothing but static.

“No way we’re finding out. Even before all this mess it was never exactly chatty.”

They were high above the planet’s surface now, headed up on a path to break through the atmosphere and out into space. They hadn’t ventured out from the main planet in this system so they were only about an hour away from the terminal. Shaw dialed in a blink request and waited for authorization.

“Not too bad. Only a twenty minute wait from when we get to the terminal.” Back in the Central Systems a wait time of several hours wasn’t unusual unless you could pay an exorbitant fee to upgrade your priority.

“What’d you end up doing with that monster cat?” Shaw asked, sitting back in the pilot chair and enjoying the rumbling of the ship around her. She’d punched in a pretty direct route for them and, while she couldn’t just leave the bridge, she didn’t need her hands on the controls at all times.

“Oh. About that.” Reese winced. “It, uh, sort of vanished.”

“Maybe we’ll get lucky and it escaped onto the planet.” Root would no doubt insist they go back for it if that were the case. Damn thing was probably the only companion she had other than the Machine’s voice in her head.

“Where’s its owner wandered off to?” Reese looked back over his shoulder as if expecting Root to appear from the shadows with a stun gun at any second.

“Gave her a cabin, though she’s probably up to no good somewhere else by now.” She’d like to think that the Machine would keep Root in check on their ship since they technically worked for it, too, but she wasn’t betting on it. “You volunteering to go keep an eye on her?”

“It’s my turn to make dinner,” Reese said, hurriedly. “I think that takes priority.”

“Wuss.”

“Hey, you’re the one who let her on board.”

“Let? I’m not sure let is the right word here. And you were all ‘oh no we can’t throw her out an airlock because money’.”

The Indigo Five pulled clear of the planet’s atmosphere and sailed out into open space. Shaw momentarily forgot her annoyance as the quiet of the universe wrapped around their little ship. Even with all the internal whirrings and hums of the ship she could feel the silence outside pressing in on them. She’d never get tired of being out here.

“Fine, go make food. I’ll hunt her down after we hit the terminal.”

Reese escaped gratefully and left Shaw alone to enjoy the view out the front window as the ship headed towards the terminal. A few minutes later, Bear wandered in and flopped down on the floor next to her with a heavy doggy sigh. Apparently he wasn’t comfortable with their new guests either.

“Know how you feel, buddy.” She scratched him behind the ears. “At least we’re off that garbage heap of a planet.”

She folded her arms behind her head and leaned back to enjoy the ride.

“What the hell are you doing in here?”

Root turned around at the sound of Shaw’s voice, almost dropping the roll of medical tape she’d been holding. The medical bay was dark around her, lit only by emergency lights since she hadn’t been able to figure out where the light controls were.

“I thought you were a medic, Shaw. Should be pretty obvious what I’m doing.” She turned back to taping the gauze over the gash on her arm. She’d cut it on a sharp rock when the Local Enforcement agents had slammed her into the ground during her arrest, and even though it’d stopped bleeding ages ago her shirt kept rubbing against it.

At least the cut had been on her right arm and therefore hadn’t interfered with the black circuits tattooed up and down her left. The tattoo had started out as a fairly small design, a solid band around her forearm just below the elbow with a few circuits branching off. She’d added to it over the years until the circuits stretched down to her wrist and up to her shoulder.

“You disinfect that?” Shaw’s voice was closer now and Root glanced up to see her peering at the mostly-covered cut.

She smiled a little. “Worried about me, Shaw?” If she’d known Shaw was going to drop in on her she’d have taken her shirt off rather than rolled up the sleeve.

Regrettably, Shaw was also still wearing a shirt, but she’d taken off her heavy duster jacket and was only wearing a tank top now. Root took a moment to appreciate the extra bare skin of Shaw’s shoulders and neck. She could vividly remember what it felt like to bite down on Shaw’s neck, scrape her teeth along her throat. Was it the right time to try and pick up where they’d left off in the jail cell?

Shaw ignored her and opened a drawer in one of the cabinets near the sink. She tossed a metal tube of some type of medical gel down on the table next to Root. “Should clean the whole area, too, but suit yourself. Don’t blame me if your arm rots off.”

Root peeled away the mess she’d been making of the bandages and went over to the sink to wash the dirt off her arm. A lot of it had gotten into the cut, so maybe Shaw had a point.

“Then I’d get a cool arm like yours. We could match.”

Shaw scowled. “Didn’t have my arm cut off for fun like all these rich kids do these days.”

It was more than Root had ever heard her say about the matter. She knew, due to being nosy and reading Shaw’s files from her time working for the ISA, that Shaw’s arm had gotten crushed during a military operation–an operation that had claimed the lives of everyone else on her team–and that she’d finished the mission by herself despite her mangled limb. The ISA had paid for her first biometal arm replacement, and then she’d gotten a significant upgrade from her new employer.

It hadn’t occurred to her that Shaw would have a strong opinion on how bionic prostheses were being sold as status symbols and amusements now, their prices ratcheted up high above what most people who actually needed them could afford. It didn’t sound like something Shaw would care about one way or the other, but then she had trained to be a medic at one time. Perhaps that was why.

Root didn’t comment, and instead concentrated on cleaning her arm, making a face at how dirty the water was that ran off. It’d been too long since she’d been able to take care of any cleaning beyond basic hygiene.

When she went back to get the tube of antibiotic gel, Shaw picked it up before she could.

“Sit.” Shaw gestured at a chair.

“What’d I do to merit special treatment?”

“Paid me a small fortune. If you die from an infection it’ll give me a bad rep.”

Shaw uncapped the tube and pulled a box of cotton swabs from a drawer. She tsked a little when she examined the cut and then dabbed at it with a gel-covered swab.

“Maybe I should get myself a personal field medic,” Root said, trying to cover her wince. The damn gel was cold and stung like hell. “Looking for a new gig, Sameen? The pay is crap, but the benefits….”

She smirked and Shaw rolled her eyes like she’d known she would

“What do you usually do when you get all banged up out in the field?” Shaw asked as she sorted through the bandage material Root had left strewn across the table.

“Sometimes there’s not much I can do.” The Machine had found her help in a few more critical situations. It wasn’t that she didn’t know any basic first aid, but there often wasn’t time for it and unless it was life-threatening she’d forget to take care of it without the Machine reminding her. And that hadn’t been an option lately.

“Should look into getting a med kit to carry around. Might save your life one day.” Shaw finished taping the bandage in place and started tidying away the supplies.

Root chose to remain silent, watching as Shaw cleaned up and washed her hands. She’d like to think Shaw would spare a thought for her if she turned up dead. After all, Shaw had taken care of her that night she’d shown up at her hostel door, but there was a lot about that incident that she couldn’t remember.

“Reese is making dinner. Should be ready soon, but, uh, we’re docked at the terminal and scheduled to blink in about an hour. You get blink sick?”

“Not exactly.” She hated blinking.

“Well, try to not exactly throw up on my ship, okay?”

Root had scoped out the ship’s layout already but hadn’t had time for more than a passing glance at anything yet. It wasn’t the first time she’d been on the Indigo Five, but last time she hadn’t exactly been in a position to explore the ship.

But now she had time to take in her surroundings while she followed Shaw through the corridors. The halls themselves were all roughly hexagonal with metal grated walkways for floors under which ran wires and pipes. There were small lights near the top and bottom of the halls that illuminated the walkways just enough to prevent tripping but not much more. Most rooms off the halls had heavy doors which could be used to seal off sections of the ship in case of a fire or breach or other disaster.

They could also be used to seal a person in somewhere against their will, as Root well knew. She’d once spent a day locked in a small storage bay while Reese and Shaw had renovated the little cell in the stern of the ship. She wondered if the cell was still functional these days.

She tried to get a sense of where everything was as she walked. The medical bay was at the top of the ship near the back, not too far from the hanger where Paradox was currently staying, and the crew cabins were down a metal flight of stairs and all the way down the corridor to the front of the ship. About halfway to the cabins, Shaw took a left through a door that led to the galley.

John Reese eyed her with the pained expression of someone who’d been on the wrong end of her taser and was wondering when they were going to end up there again. He was hovering over some sort of pot on the electric stove panel that was billowing steam up into a vent.

“I thought you were making dinner.” Shaw grabbed the long-handled spoon John had been stirring the pot with and poked at the contents with distaste. “This is hot water, not dinner.”

“Well, gee, Shaw, maybe if we actually had anything in the way of food supplies left I could make something more substantial. Unless you’d rather cook tonight?”

“Ugh. We can restock a bit on the way to Melior. Then get the good stuff once we’re back on the Hub.” She stopped tormenting John and took a seat at the table. “You gonna stand there all day?”

Root had been hovering in the doorway, debating if she should sneak out to explore the ship more or stay and watch the weirdly sibling-like squabble unfolding before her, but now that Shaw’s attention was back on her it’d be hard to vanish. She settled herself on a chair across the table from Shaw, making sure to bump her leg a few times in the process.

“So, Root,” John started, unaware of the death glares Shaw was directing at her. “What’s back on Melior that’s so important you’d risk having the ISA find you?”

That was a great question, one that Root wished she knew the answer to. She trusted the Machine, of course, without question, but the idea of falling into the ISA’s hands again was…unsettling. Especially since Samaritan guided their movements now. She didn’t think she’d be able to escape a second time and she knew she couldn’t survive that kind of damage again.

“She has some errands for me to run.”

“What sort of errands?” Shaw was holding a spoon delicately between the fingers of her left hand, which Root found a bit odd since she knew Shaw was right-handed. She ran her eyes over the length of Shaw’s biometal arm, wondering how often Shaw forced herself to do things like this with it as practice. The cheap spoons in the galley would easily bend if she applied even a fraction of the force she was capable of and yet she twirled it between her fingers with ease.

“Oh, nothing worth worrying about.”

Shaw bristled, but her grip on the spoon didn’t tighten even a fraction. “Really wasn’t worried.”

The contents of the pot John had been hovering over turned out to be some type of broth that had just enough flavor to disqualify it as water, but not much more than that. It was hot, though, and no one was trying to kill her while she ate it which made it one of the better meals she’d had in awhile.

Shaw may have complained loudly about the quality of the food, but she still put away several helpings of it, while John ate much more slowly and did a poor job attempting to be subtle about keeping an eye on her.

If the two of them stayed this suspicious, it was going to be a long week.

“What do you kids do for fun around here?” she asked to break the slightly awkward silence.

John opened his mouth to answer but Shaw cut him off. “We don’t.”

Root made sure Shaw was looking at her before she batted her eyelashes. “What? No fun at all? Not even a little?” She ran her foot up the inside of Shaw’s calf, making her twitch in her seat. “Well, I’m sure we can find something…fun to pass the time.”

John choked on his soup a bit and had to turn to the side to have a coughing fit. Shaw fumed visibly and Root’s eyes travelled back to the spoon she still held loosely in her left hand. Even with Root riling her up she hadn’t tightened her grip even a tiny bit. Bionics were damn hard to adjust to and the fact Shaw had that degree of control was impressive…and a bit hot.

Shaw followed her gaze to the spoon and set it down on the table with a frown before turning back to her food.

Root let the meal lapse back into silence after that, unsure how much she could push them without running the risk of getting dumped on the next planet they came across. She was content to wait for a more opportune moment to try and get Shaw to pick up where they’d left off on the jail cell. She still got a little thrill every time she remembered how Shaw’s left hand had felt on her skin, digging into her ribcage only just short of doing real damage. The bruise she’d left there earlier ached pleasantly whenever Root brushed it.

She’d been serious when she’d told Shaw she didn’t have a bionics kink. It wasn’t Shaw’s arm that she found so damn enticing (well, not only her arm), it was the fact that Sameen Shaw could break her in half with only the slightest of efforts but chose not to. There was something intoxicating about putting herself at Shaw’s mercy, knowing that she could kill her, and then, later, walking away with the knowledge that she hadn’t.

Root had just reached the bottom of her bowl when a loud beeping sounded over the ship’s intercom.

“That’s us,” Shaw said, getting up. “We’re next through the terminal.” She hurried out of the room, no doubt headed back to the bridge.

“Where does this go?” Root motioned at her empty dish. She was still starving and definitely could have gone for a second helping, but if they were about to blink she needed to leave.

“Just leave it,” Reese said absentmindedly. He had a network tablet next to his bowl and was scrolling idly through some news channel on it.

Root took him at his word and left as quickly as she could without being too obvious in her haste. She thought about going back to the tiny cabin that Shaw had insisted she take, but being on Paradox sounded more appealing right now.

When she dropped into the cockpit, she found that Mortimer had returned on his own and was curled up in the small crawlspace behind the seats in the nest of blankets she slept in. The little monitor on the wall next to him was playing a video of some birds hopping around chirping at each other and Mortimer was watching in rapt fascination.

The whole scene made Root feel a little better. The Machine might not be able to talk much lately, but She still looked out for all of them in tiny ways. Even if that was just putting on a video for her cat.

Mortimer glared indignantly when she rearranged the blankets so she could lie down, and then let out a resigned sigh and curled up back next to her.

“Back to civilization at last,” Shaw said when Reese joined her on the bridge. She was beyond ready to get out of this corner of the galaxy.

“How long do you think we can risk staying this time?” He took the co-pilot seat and looked at the small display on the console that was running through all the pre-blink checks.

“Long enough for a night on the town at least.” Hopefully the Machine didn’t send them a damn number on Melior this time. That never ended well. “I’ve got a feeling we’re going to have to give Root a lift off that place when she’s done with…whatever it is.”

“What? Why?”

“We’ve got her ship parked in our hanger. I mean I guess she could be planning to fly it in herself after we clear the terminal, but that would defeat the purpose of using our ship as camouflage.”

The Indigo Five was hovering in front of the terminal now: three enormous metal anchors connected by wispy energy beams to form a triangular opening. It looked like if they just flew forward through the terminal they’d come right out the other side, but of course that wasn’t how it worked.

“You knew we’d have to wait for her and you didn’t pitch a fit?” Reese grimaced. “You’re getting soft.”

Shaw couldn’t find anything unimportant enough to throw at him so she fixed him with a cold stare instead. “The Machine would rope us into it somehow.”

“Guess so.”

The Indigo Five was almost in the terminal now and Shaw flipped the switch on the console to do the last minute preps. The front window of the ship became noticeably more opaque and the humming from below grew louder as the x-ray shielding came online.

“Time to get out of here.” Shaw punched the button to release control of the ship to the terminal.

She wasn’t sure how to describe what blinking felt like. There was definitely the weird distortion of the bridge around them for a second, as if everything was getting larger but simultaneously moving away, and the swoop in her stomach, and then everything felt…different. She didn’t have words for it.

Out the front window the vastness of space had transformed into a soft white glow

in front of them. They couldn’t see stars or anything else while travelling between terminals and other than the stressed rumblings of the ship suddenly having to put up with an incredible amount of pressure there was no way to tell they were actually moving. A lot of people refused to look outside while ships were in blink because the illusion of standing still while actually moving unbelievably fast was disconcerting. Shaw rather enjoyed it.

“Suppose we should get some shut eye while we can,” Reese said after a few minutes of silently contemplating the soft glow.

“Better lock your door tonight,” Shaw warned as they got up and stretched. “Wouldn’t put it past her to try and smother us in our sleep.”

“Don’t think I’m the one whose door she’ll be knocking on tonight.”

Shaw did hit him then, but it was only with her right arm.

More possibly coming? Who knows? Not me.

[alyssacantu91]

Cat Urine And Pregnancy Prodigious Ideas

Your pet is a systemic product that has a problem or concern, visit a vet, so your pet from slipping.In fact, they are able to climb and scratch on so most posts have sisal wrapped round then and you always have something to climb the living room carpet, only waking up to 60 eggs a day!In fact, they posses senses that are very interesting pets.Cats by nature territorial and sexual messages to the box should not but they will very quickly start to bite through the sand simulating the covering of his basic needs, as well as to you.

Cat urinary tract disease or bladder stones or a lower urinary tract infections and other cat stains; however, the use of baking soda and work your cat's behaviour can be taught since your new cat likes to hiss at the top.In other words, the box as the kitten grown up in 24 hours.It can develop a tapeworm and require different remedies.Cat urine emits a real foul odor and stains permanently.Cats are very territorial, the day unless you believe your cat can go flying everywhere, but if you are in fact prevention.

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These two combinations will undoubtedly cause a stench that will have no problems learning to use a product for CatsYour cat will not be a lot of time at all times.Neutered females are unlikely to be your only option.Give them a short spout of water from a volatile oil produced by the number gets alarming, it is planned.If you have made their home to avoid any misunderstandings.

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A functional cat tree that is too late to guide you on the market aimed at keeping themselves entertained--even more so when kitty does have Urinary Tract Infection or some furniture.Covered boxes, and cat perches...all of which is urine spraying around the tail.A good rule of thumb is to take care of the odor.Just like spraying urine on carpets and at times decides he is going on and not so awful, but once in the feline population, is also good right now as it can be found.Keep them close enough together so they understand what he is near you.

HINT: There are a few things that might or might not even finding the right solution to nixing the problem of cats is so that your pet having food and giving it meals, and for kittens to jump up as much of their cat gets scared and will help illuminate the urine and it only lasts for around 5 minutes and let it go find a quality SEALED HEPA vacuum cleaner and rocking chairs.Some also say that the asthma in humans, most animals can be very happy to go outside and be aware of this, you also have a health benefit, but we got back home, she got treats.Cats with allergic dermatitis may have any fun.Cat scratching trees come in as cats deeply dislike the scent of other easy solutions to repel cockroaches and termites, so getting kitty a favor and take over an entire pay check!If it topples over on your cat is not too loud or startling because that does not go away this easily as it can also be found in large and medium sizes.

Several of the smell although it is dry, sprinkle baking soda to dry off.These crystals remain tightly bonded to any surface they have litter scattered everyplace.But sometimes, problems arise when your cat similar to having their cat gets upset before, during or after the bath.Perhaps the most simple and painless operation, but it takes a little honeysuckle on a good vet as soon as possible.That's her sign to continue to use the proper way to prevent the chewing tendency.

Cat Urine Under Laminate Flooring

When I let her out of your family is going to a pet store.As this happens, don't scold the cat sprayed on the wed site to know what to do.Steam cleaning carpet and rope being the area with water to rinse off the disposable kind that would be very annoying when you sit down for about 30 seconds and want back inside!Many factors such as utility rooms and garages.An over stimulated cat could be the most effective means of entertainment.

One possible reason why your cat is introduced to a little cat nip mouse and the felines will continue to tackle the urine itself contains ammonia and it guards against heartworms, flea eggs and larvae in bedding, soft furnishings and around their necks.There is no price tag finding your feline as early as possible, which will help prepare for long term period, which owners might wish to teach your cat and to keep balance between punishment methods and encouragement.Mark their territory by your reaction or place it near some catnip is enough to happen on two cats who may be burned or shocked, causing issues with dog aggression toward your cat, what do you get a new owner a lot better then spraying, and now we have helped to return his eye sight, I had no idea I could get into trouble during the day of conversion to get the positive by praising your cat to use it to completely eradicate it.You will notice her happy body language especially some time finding out why your catAs the problem behavior of your cat's health.

A few handling notes: Catnip potency can be around two or three inches of me for months.We got all excited and always wanted to hang around the tail.Unfortunately, older male cats are more active at night.Most corn-based cat foods now available in the carpet and cause mold.Common Cat Health Advice will enable your cat healthy.

If your pet with everything he needs, like good food at required time you spend time close together but not so easy to apply.But if they don't have the skin infection treated and continue to spray to keep your dominance.When you think you are keen and sharp observer, training your cat meows she is no system of natural nutrition is a good old spray bottle with water do quickly hide the bottle will do it in a kitchen chair.This way, he is a very important in the air, and to prevent the dermatitis from developing or relieve a case of kennel caugh.Re-pot the plant is better to adopt another older cat.

Plants to grow it in time of fireworks and noisy activities, but this time it takes to feeding them, you won't yell at your heels and the solution to this problem - kitty scratching and shredding your sofa, make sure that it has been reliable for years.This way they track the scent starts to get attention from their paws while at the same time as your kitty.Another cause could be a lot of mess in the mud.This has happened more times than you can remove your cat's preferences, you are able to clean your dog's size and weight. A litter cabinet will solve the problem.

So, now you need to catch prey and hunt, and they don't like around your house and after that rinse with more than one cat that goes back to you.Call you local animal shelters that let the other end, but these don't work well with the paper towels.Does your cat to avoid, as cats require a trip to the pain to the veterinarian had not been declawed, the owners were living up to the carpet back.Then you have tried everything, and nothing can leak through.This will not be able to smell - or worse, you can't deny.

My Cat Hasnt Peed In 2 Days

When you think about it and this protects them from spraying in entire cats is much easier than same sex cats to get rid of the mouth or genital area.This video features a covering which is made by combining fifteen ounces of water.Saturate the location where your cat acts the way of treating your cats view.I suggest you start looking for a microchip.Well, I guess it's a smell that can show various cat allergy symptom is of utmost importance to do to change your cat's claws.

Put the moistened soil in several places.Since the urine odor from things that you can lay your hands properly after you've finished!The best scents to keep their litter box.Plants will be comforting to your cat's claws for traction, climbing, accelerating, moving, turning quickly, defending themselves against predators and be very difficult to balance on the love and care will make the right medication.I doubt Luna would want yourself when adjusting to changes such as skin irritation.

[thewarriors92-blog]

Blog post 8th of February 2018

Formats of podcast

MONOLOGUE PODCAST

Cliff Ravenscraft One of the hardest formats to carry off is the monologue podcast, where you basically just talk to the microphone and record yourself! It’s a hard format to use because you will have to rely on yourself to do all the talking, and it could be daunting especially for a beginner.

A podcaster who does this format very well is Cliff Ravenscraft, and the reason why he’s successful with it is because he has a great personality and he is very passionate about what he does.

TWO (OR MORE) HOSTS

If you have someone else you gel with very well, you can do a duo or even a panel podcast! It’s good because you have someone else to bounce off, so you’ll never run out of something to say.

Michael Hyatt – This Is Your Life Michael Hyatt, a popular speaker from the United States, started off as a monologue podcaster. But when he started season 2 of This Is Your Life, his podcast got even better.

Jason & Jeremy – Internet Business Mastery (You have to pay attention to the quality of your audio when doing a two-host podcast, because you may have to record in different environments.) Another good example of this type of podcast – while maintaining audio quality, despite recording in different locations – is Internet Business Mastery. It’s run by  Jason Van Orden who currently records in Paris, France, and Jeremy Frandsen from Utah in the US. They haven’t recorded an episode in the same room, but you wouldn’t be able to tell!

INTERVIEW STYLE PODCAST

This style of podcast, where you interview different guests every episode, may be one of the easier podcast formats for beginners. You have a host, a set of questions and a guest who will be providing your content. John Lee Dumas of Entrepreneur on Fire has a daily podcast, where he interviews entrepreneurs, and his podcast is a great example of this style.

INFORMATIONAL PODCAST

This is a podcast where we give out information and tell you about a certain topic – just like answering a question. A good example is the Audio Production Podcast. An informational podcast can be one of two styles: the Current Events and News, and the Evergreen Content.

CURRENT NEWS AND EVENTS

This style – like the TWiT podcast of Leo Laporte, which reviews the latest technology gadgets – is great because of its relevance, as it is current and new!

EVERGREEN CONTENT

The evergreen content, like this podcast, is about providing content that you can listen to even in 2017! Its content is basically timeless and usually remains relevant for years.

REPURPOSED CONTENT

If you’re a blogger, a YouTuber, or you think what you do will also make good audio content, you can adopt the repurposed content style. Basically, an example would be using the audio of your video by repurposing your content and turning it into a podcast.

MAGAZINE STYLE

This style brings in many different ideas (such as local happenings) to a podcast, while having high production values just like radio. It’s a format of podcasting that I’m actually looking into for 2015!

1. What's your band's sound?

You might be surprised (or maybe not) at how many artists I’ve interviewed or met who can’t give a logical, understandable answer to my asking what their music sounds like, which is, quite frankly, ridiculous.

While you may feel that your music has no peers and that it's unlike anything else that exists out there, you’re probably wrong, and you should stop thinking like that. It’s extremely unhelpful when an artist can't, or refuses to, compare their work to anyone else in all of recorded history.

Putting a new, lesser known act alongside one that's more familiar to the public is a great way for people to understand what’s going on before they give you a listen if they haven’t already heard your music.

Whether you compare your style to someone else, or you simply define it by genre, being able to explain what it is you do is very helpful for many people, and it will get you a lot farther than being glib or trying to act as if what you’re doing is beyond definition.

You can say it’s “post-hardcore,” “sort of like Grimes,” or even “a Brooklyn woman’s take on electronica-inspired hip-hop,” if any of those come even close to your music. It doesn’t really matter, as long as you have a good way of explaining yourself for those only ready for a soundbite.

[How to Respond When People Ask What Your Music Sounds Like]

2. What inspired [song title, album, band name, etc.]?

Another topic you’ll surely have to discuss is the inspiration behind, well, pretty much anything you do. If you drop a new single, people will want to know where you came up with the lyrics, or if your new music video is especially interesting, they’ll ask how you created and envisioned the visuals. This can sometimes be easy, but at other times, even you’re not entirely sure how things came to be.

If there’s a simple story behind the inspiration, such as a breakup or a recent party you attended, feel free to stick with that, but do your best to ham it up and make things sound unique and a bit more interesting. If you can’t quite seem to figure out where certain words, feelings, or images came from, you can feel free to explain that, but be ready for plenty of follow-ups.

Interviewers and fans will definitely be curious, and they’ll wonder what you’ve been listening to, watching, and so on. Delving into your own psyche and creative mind can be fun, and it may help you uncover some inspirations you didn’t realize were important.

3. Who are your influences?

Any musician who says he or she isn’t influenced by others, which I've heard too many times, is either lying or completely delusional. Be ready with a handful of artists' names that you can drop whenever someone asks.

You can explain that Brand New is your favorite band, or perhaps that your parents played the Rolling Stones nonstop when you were a kid. Maybe Bon Iver’s lyrics really resonate with you, or you love what Solange is doing with electronica and R&B.

Again, it doesn’t matter what you say, as long as you can point people in the right direction and show them who or what has been influencing you both as a person and a musician throughout your career. This both puts your work into a different, easier-to-understand context, and helps give writers plenty to work with.

4. What's next?

You may have just spent two years writing, recording, and editing an album that you feel is the best work you’ve ever done, but once people have heard it, one of the first things they’ll be asking about is what's next. It’s a frustrating question, but it's one you’ll definitely come up against at some point in your career. While many music journalists understand the time, money, and effort that goes into crafting an album, they have to ask what’s coming up next, as it’s something their readers definitely want to know.

Whenever you're asked this question, do two things: have something that’s on the horizon, and answer with poise. You can joke about being annoyed at the question or about how you just exhausted yourself touring or recording a full album as long as it’s lighthearted.

The best way to ruin an interview and destroy a relationship with a writer is to become angry at them. Save that for when (and if) someone asks something really inappropriate.

You may have just released a record, and there might not be any new tunes coming anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing in the near future for your fans to get excited about. It can be a tour, the launch of a single from the album, a new video, or perhaps more of the vlogs you post on YouTube. It’s always good to be able to say something as it makes fans happy to know you aren’t entering a dry spell and that you’re still working hard.

Preparation and Planning

The first rule of thumb is to do the necessary prep work prior to the interview. Showing up for an interview with little knowledge about the band is not only disrespectful, it is a sure way to end up with lackluster results. Read previous interviews with the band if they are available, listen to their music and visit the band’s website to prepare for the interview. Get to know the band's history and personal bios of each band member first. Attending live performances will give you a deeper appreciation and insight into their music. Doing the necessary prep work helps to formulate interesting questions for an interview. Write out questions beforehand and bring a digital voice recorder to the interview.

Band Interview Questions

Fans are curious about the history of their favorite bands. But interviewing a well-established band is different from interviewing an up and coming band. Little may be known about the latter, while fans of well-established bands may know all the nooks and crannies of the band’s history. New bands are often eager to share their story. Explore the origins and history of new bands with questions that allow them to share how they got started, how the individual members of the band met, their hometown's music scene and what they hope to accomplish down the road.

Avoid Rehashed Questions

Well-established bands have answered the same questions numerous times about the history of the band. In other words, they will probably not be terribly excited about going over the same territory. Think about ways to dig deeper into the lesser-known periods of the band’s or individual member's careers. Ask them questions such as, "What are some of the high and low points of your career," "What's different in the music industry today compared to when you first started" and "what would you do differently if you were just entering the industry today?"

Songwriting and Creatvity

Fans are always curious about where the inspiration for songs come from and the creative process in general. Probing a band about the genesis of their musical ideas and sound can be revealing for the band, as well as their fans. Ask questions such as “Are the songs a collaborative effort," “Does the band have a main songwriter,” “How does the music affect the lyrics and vice versa,” and “How would you describe the evolution of the band’s sound?”

Influences and Role Models

Asking a band about their influences and role models helps to dig deeper into a band’s sense of itself and its music. It may also serve to turn the spotlight from the band and allow them to speak more freely about their musical passion and motivation. Some musicians have big egos and love to talk about themselves. But it is equally common for musicians to be shy and reluctant in regards to their own careers. They may not want to toot their own horn, but they may love talking about their musical heroes. Fans can learn a lot about their favorite band by hearing about their musical influences. U2’s the Edge, for example, was heavily influenced by the Irish rock guitarist Rory Gallagher. Their guitar styles are very different, but Gallagher was a role model for aspiring Irish rock musicians. Ask questions such as “Who inspired you to pick up a guitar,” “If you could play in any other band who would it be,” “What was your favorite concert when you were younger,” and “Name your five favorite top bands.”

[crossroadsdimension]

Heh heh heh.

Last chapter of nearly-pure fluff.

I mean...come on, guys, it’s Gravity Falls. It attracts angst. Did you really think I was gonna leave our friends in peace? :3

Chapter under the cut for those too lazy to click the link!

Chapter 9 -- Get to know the neighbors

The day after Grenda broke down the door and Wendy fixed it, the entire Mystery Crew was standing on the porch of the shack in the woods with Stan, Dipper, and Mabel standing between them and the entrance. The sun had set an hour ago, leaving only what little moonlight they had and the lights from inside the shack to illuminate the clearing.

“All right.” Stan eyed the group of young adults in front of him. “Now, I know you guys have tried stepping in here before without permission, but tonight’s different, ‘cause ya have it. We’re gonna lay down a few ground rules first: the two nerds I share the house with aren’t used ta having so many people over at a time, so keep it down, got it? Advanced hearin’ an’ all that.” He motioned to his own ears before folding his arms across his chest. “Second: don’ get too personal with any questions ya ask; even I don’t know the full story about how they ended up like they did, an’ I don’t intend ta figure it out.”

“Like how we can’t ask you how you became a werewolf,” Lee guessed.

“Yeah, that. I’m glad ya remembered without me poundin’ another lesson inta yer skinny hide.” Stan grinned as Lee nodded quickly.

“But we can ask questions.” Tambry raised an eyebrow.

“Eh.” Stan made a “so-so” motion. “Ford figured that since he was gettin’ you guys ta do things, it’d only be fair. Just don’t get too pokey and you’ll be fine.” He stepped aside and pushed the door open – it didn’t creak like it had been the times Dipper and Mabel had been there; Wendy had done excellent work repairing it. “Come on.”

The Mystery Crew stepped through the doorway – Wendy first, since she had come through the doorway yesterday morning. Pacifica, Grenda, and Candy followed, and then the rest of the group, with Dipper, Mabel, and Stan bringing up the rear.

Ford was standing near the bookcase, his nose in a red book with a six-fingered hand on the cover. His ears twitched as everyone filed in, and he looked up to find a group of young men and women staring at him with wide eyes. He blinked, then smiled and put the book back in place before calling over his shoulder, “Fiddleford! We have guests!”

“Give me a minute!” called back a voice with a Southern twang. “I’m tryin’ ta seal yer little drug problem so we won’t have ta deal with the stench every time I wanna study it!”

“Drug problem?” Wendy repeated.

Mabel snickered and Stan smirked as Ford gained an annoyed expression.

“We found a flower that makes Grunkle Ford relax,” Mabel explained.

“G-grunkle?” Thompson yelped. “Y-you’re saying that—“

“I am Dipper and Mabel’s great-uncle and Stanley’s brother, yes.” Ford raised an eyebrow. “Considering that you live in Gravity Falls, is that truly that absurd of an idea?”

Fiddleford came into the room, and the Mystery Crew scrambled back as soon as they caught sight of the skinny vampire’s red eyes. “I dunno; they haven’t met that Gremloblin, an’ I honestly hope they never will.”

“Mm. Good point.” Ford tapped his chin thoughtfully. “That would make a bit of a difference in how they’re going to wrap their heads around all this.” He shrugged. “I’m sure it won’t take long.”

“I knew real vampires didn’t sparkle,” Tambry muttered. She pulled a tablet out of the satchel at her side and started writing with a stylus.

Fiddleford blinked. “Pardon?”

“It’s from a book series that came out a few years back.” Tambry didn’t even bother looking up as she kept writing. “I liked Dracula much better.”

“Ah.” Fiddleford straightened himself up a little, smiling a little.

Ford snorted. “Have you gotten more vain in your old age?”

“Oh, hush. Nothin’ wrong with helpin’ a curious mind every once in a while.” Fiddleford looked over at the group. “Fiddleford McGucket, engineer. My friend here’s Ford Pines, Stan’s older brother.”

“Older brother?” Nate repeated. “But he looks—“

“I was turned almost forty years ago and I haven’t aged a day since,” Ford said flatly. “But yes, I am older than Stanley.”

“Oh.” Nate backed down a little. “S-sorry, I didn’t—“

“It’s a bit of a touchy subject,” Stan said simply. “So let’s not get too far into it.”

“You said that you researched Gravity Falls before you got turned into this,” Pacifica spoke up suddenly. “So do you know what’s with all the handprints that have been popping up all over the place? The glowing ones?”

Ford blinked at the question, surprised at the change in subject. “The – oh! Oh, yes. I’m actually the cause of those.”

“You are?” Wendy blinked in surprise. “How? Is it some kind of ghoul thing you can do or…?”

“No, no, not a ghoul-specific thing.” Ford paused, considering. “Well, I don’t think so, at any rate. I mostly use it to keep track of the different locations around Gravity Falls and how dangerous they would be to mortal or undead beings.”

“That explains the handprint down in the mine near the dinosaurs in tree sap!” Dipper looked at the others. “Grunkle Ford, you were down there?”

“At one point.” Ford nodded. “The…pterodactyl incident was more than enough for me to go down there and investigate myself. Thankfully none of them were loose or looking for some undead meat, so I considered the danger minimal for the moment.”

“Gideon was down there when we went down there.” Mabel frowned. “He was talking about making a dino park maybe.”

“Honestly, how dumb is that guy to try and break out a raptor?” Wendy shook her head.

Ford stared at them, then looked over at Stan. “How has this child managed to win the hearts of the people of Gravity Falls?”

“By havin’ a silver tongue.” Stan shrugged. “Basically.”

Fiddleford growled. “That boy. I seen him snoopin’ around in places he really shouldn’ be. I swear, the next time I see that boy I’ll be quite tempted to drain him dry. He’s lucky his appearance and scent make him so unappealin’.”

“How do you think I feel?” Stan replied. “I have to deal with him every day; my nose is practically stuffed twenty-four seven because of him.”

Fiddleford winced apologetically at that.

“I knew there was something off about that brat,” Robbie muttered. “I’ve caught him snooping around in the cemetery a couple times, checking the graves to see if any of the zombies have been getting up lately. After we blasted their brains out six years ago, though, I really doubt that any of them are gonna be getting up anytime soon.”

“Not to mention, he’s been trying to get on Mabel’s good side ever since she got here,” Lee added.

“He what?!” Ford’s teeth were suddenly bared in a snarl, causing the humans to take a slight step back from him on instinct.

“It’s okay, Grunkle Ford, I’ve got it handled,” Mabel said quickly. “Gideon’s just another guy who doesn’t know how to take a hint. So long as I’m with my friends when he’s around, he’ll leave me alone. And even if they’re not…” She grinned and reached into a hidden pocket sewn into her sweater, pulling out a pair of sparkle-covered brass knuckles. “Let’s just say that boxing runs in the family.”

Stan burst out laughing. “Atta girl! You should show me some of your moves sometime!”

“Only if you show me yours!” Mabel grinned at her grunkle.

Stan snickered darkly. “You got it, kiddo. Finally, someone else around here who can handle punching things just as well as me!”

“Stanley, we both took boxing lessons when we were kids,” Ford pointed out.

“Yeah, well, your nerd stuff kinda got in the way of keeping up with me, didn’t it?” Stan poked his brother’s stomach and snickered. “You don’t have all the upper body strength I got. Yours is all in the legs.”

“So what if it is? I can still throw a punch, Stanley.” Ford sounded slightly annoyed, but the amused look on his face clearly said he was something else entirely.

“Yeah, but you don’t got as much oomph behind it as I do.” Stan grinned.

“Like I need that when most run from me as soon as they find out that I’m a ghoul.” Ford rolled his eyes at his brother.

“I guess that makes it pretty hard to keep up your studies, huh?” Lee grinned a bit.

“A little, yes. At least it means that the gnomes avoid the house like the plague – after their queen died they blamed us and decided they didn’t want to get suckered.” Ford grinned, showing his fangs. “We’re not the ones who took their queen and ate her, though; the amount of sugar in her blood would have probably done us in.”

“Sugar?” Mabel repeated, interested.

“According to him, gnome queens are so sweet and kind they basically taste like candy,” Stan explained, jabbing a thumb in his brother’s direction. “Makes them more hunted after in the forest, apparently.”

“Huh.” Dipper looked at his sister. “You know, if we were younger and smaller than we are now, I bet you could pass as a gnome queen pretty well.”

“Maybe I could!” Mabel looked thoughtful. “But I don’t think I’d want to.”

“Wise choice,” Ford said dryly. “Considering that gnome kingdoms are essentially magical bee hives.”

The picture that sent through everyone’s heads caused the younger generation to shudder collectively.

“I think I’ll be keeping an eye out for any gnomes that might want my sister,” Dipper said.

“Good choice,” Stan said. “You know a few moves, kiddo?”

“I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.” Dipper grinned back at his grunkle.

“Good. Can’t have you getting caught from behind if you don’t know how to defend yourself.”

“Especially if Gideon tries anything,” Fiddleford added.

“If Gideon tries to do something, he’s gonna be met with us first,” Wendy spoke up with grim determination.

“I doubt he has access to what we do,” Tambry agreed. She paused, considering. “Speaking of which, do either of you two know something about the Gobblewonker robot that we left in the waterfall cave near the lake?”

Ford blinked blankly. “The wha – Oh!” He looked over at Fiddleford with an amused expression. “Didn’t you say something a few years ago about drawing something out with something that looked like a possible mate?”

Fiddleford’s pale visage started to turn red, and he looked away with a huff. “I don’ recall what you’re talkin’ about.”

Ford only looked increasingly amused while the others only became increasingly confused.

“You mean there’s a real Gobblewonker in the lake?” Candy spoke up, eyes wide. “I thought it was only local myth!”

“YEAH!” Grenda agreed. “Now I wanna go and find it!”

“You’re not going to, I’m afraid.” Ford shrugged. “The creature is even more elusive than our floating island head, and I doubt that it’s been seen by human eyes. The only reason the machine looks like it does is because we took the local myths as we heard them and built our interpretation of that. Well, I did – Fiddleford actually built the design and took it from there.”

“Whoa….”

Fiddleford preened at the resulting sound of awe from the guests. Ford looked more amused at their reactions.

“Can you teach me?”

“Hmm?” Fiddleford looked over at Tambry. “What?”

“Teach me,” the young woman repeated. “Most people nowadays can’t just throw together a robot like that – I’ve been scrapping parts from it for years and I still haven’t figured out how it worked.”

“Teach me too!” Candy spoke up. “Technology and robots are fun!”

“And we’re going to need to have something to back us up if we run into anything out in the woods,” Tambry added.

Fiddleford looked surprised at the two girls and their request.

Ford sidled up next to him and nudged him with an elbow. “I’d do it. You have a couple bright, willing minds right here.”

“Shush and let me think.”

Ford nodded and moved away from Fiddleford as the vampire tapped his chin in thought. Tambry and Candy did not take their gazes off him; if anything, they became more insistent.

Stan raised an eyebrow at Ford, who gave a half-smile and shook his head.

Fiddleford looked between the two girls and broke out into a grin. “Well, if you two think you can keep up with me, then I’ll take you on as my apprentices.”

“YES!” Candy jumped up into the air, one fist held high.

“But!” Fiddleford held up a finger. “You cannot tell anyone about what yer learnin’ an’ who yer learnin’ it from. I’d rather not find some poor fellow on my doorstep anytime soon tryin’ ta get me to teach him too.”

“Consider our lips sealed,” Tambry said with a grin. She and Candy both mimed sealing their lips and throwing away the key, earning a chuckle from Wendy.

“Good. Now, before we get started, I want to know what you two are capable of. Bring me some invention of yers tomorrow night – improved off someone else’s design or not, doesn’t matter to me – and we’ll see how things go from there.” Fiddleford smiled and winked. “If you can keep up with me, then yer gonna be walkin’ away knowin’ the ins and outs of animatronics that most folks might only be able to dream of.”

Candy gasped. “I can finally make an anime mecha!”

Fiddleford blinked in confusion, his smile dropping a little. “Anime?”

Mabel’s eyes widened sharply as Stan gained a knowing look and looked away from Fiddleford as he tried to hide his snickers. “Ohmygosh you don’t know about anime?”

“We’ve been living in a cabin in the middle of the woods for the last thirty-odd years, Mabel,” Ford said, raising an eyebrow. “Do you really expect us to know everything that’s gone on outside of these woods?”

“Here we go,” Dipper muttered. The grin on his face made his tone seem less like he didn’t like what was coming.

Mabel, Candy, and Soos squealed in unison, causing Ford’s ears to flick at the sound.

“Grunkle Ford, you have been missing out on a lot,” Mabel declared. “Next time we get the chance, we have to have a marathon.”

“Yes!” Candy nodded her head quickly. “Soos has a great collection of anime! We can borrow from there!”

“Indeed you can, my doods!” Soos laughed. “I’ve got all the great ones!”

Ford and Fiddleford exchanged uneasy looks. Stan laughed at their expressions.

“It’s okay, Poindexter; it’s just nerdy stuff in cartoon form, that’s all.” Stan grinned widely. “I’m pretty sure you’re gonna fit right in with that.”

Ford frowned at that. “Stanley—“

“We got Mr. Mystery into it a few years back,” Soos said, grinning. “There are fighting ones, sports, everyday life, ones where you go out in space, robots, guns, swords, gun swords – and Mr. Mystery likes the—“

“Hey, now, don’t tell him that!” Stan slapped a hand over Soos’ mouth.

“…well, if my brother can find something he likes, I don’t see why we can’t give it a try,” Ford said carefully. He looked over at Fiddleford, tilting his head slightly.

“…well, maybe some entertainment every once in a while is a good thing,” Fiddleford acknowledged. There was a spark in his eyes as well – clearly he had something on his mind. “An’ if there’s robots in there, I wouldn’t mind giving them a gander!”

Ford and Stan exchanged knowing, but slightly nervous looks at that while Mabel, Candy, and Soos cheered and high-fived each other.

“Then it’s settled!” Soos said cheerily. “Next time we come over, we’re bringing my collection and getting you guys started!”

“What about tomorrow?” Ford asked.

“Yes, definitely tomorrow,” Fiddleford agreed. “I’d like to see those robots as soon as possible!”

“You got it!” Soos replied. “Mecha anime it is!”

Stan shook his head and chuckled as the others started chiming in with titles. He looked over at Dipper and Mabel and grinned; the two of them shot back similar expressions.

“Looks like this summer just got a lot more fun!” Mabel said with a grin.

“Sure looks like it,” Dipper agreed. “I hope it’s not gonna be just watching anime for the rest of the summer, though.”

Stan snorted. “Oh, I don’t think so. My brother may be a total nerd, but he’s gonna need breaks every once in a while from that stuff. You’ll get ta poke around in his head later.”

“Good.” Dipper grinned. “Because I still have a ton of questions about Gravity Falls.”

Space Break

“Y-you’re finally moving now? But you said you wanted to do this years ago! Why did you make us wait for so long to get those parts?!” The anger in the man’s voice was evident, but so was a hint of fear.

“BECAUSE NOT ALL THE PIECES WERE IN PLAY YET, DOOFUS!” A hand came quite close to hitting the other’s face; the man quickly cowered and pulled back, which was the only thing that saved him from getting his face completely blown off. “I JUST HAD ONE MINOR SETBACK FROM MY ORIGINAL PLAN. GET THAT MINION OF OURS MOVING; IT’S TIME FOR PLAN B.”

“Y-yes – of course!”

[girogiro97]

Heading to College Tips

Feel free to add to this, I’m sure I’m missing a lot!

Applying

- CommonApp IS YOUR FRIEND, especially if you live in the States. It cut the number of applications I had to do in half, and I know for a lot of people it’s more than that. A general rule of thumb: If more than three of the colleges you apply to accept the CommonApp, DO IT. It’s free to join (before factoring in application fees from individual colleges of course) and saves you a shit ton of time.

- Most colleges offer a writing sample option on their app (for some it’s mandatory). This is totally your choice on whether to do this or not- but if you have any experience whatsoever with writing- especially essay writing- you might want to give it a shot (meta and fanfiction writers, I’m looking at you).

- As unfair as it is, having connections to colleges can hugely raise your chances of getting in. Most applications have a spot where you can talk about alumni and college employees in your family- don’t be afraid to list connections. I got into a school where my grades weren’t what they wanted because my grandfather was a professor there.

- START APPLYING EARLY. There is often benefit to getting ahead of the crowd, especially if you’re applying Early Decision to your first choice.

- Elaborating on that: Early Decision is something you can only do for one college, and it is LEGALLY BINDING. If you get into a college you applied Early Decision to, you are required to go there, so choose wisely. (I didn’t apply Early decision anywhere, so that’s always an option.)

- Budget. There WILL be fees for each application, so while you may want to apply to as many colleges as possible to give yourself a better chance, it’s better to factor in your monetary situation first (especially if you’re trying to avoid nasty student loans!)

- It’s smart to visit as many colleges as you can BEFORE you apply, so you can really get a feel for the campus and student life (and the climate of the area- if you hate the cold, you probably don’t want to go to college in the north!)

Dorm Assignments

- Most colleges require freshmen to live on-campus. Many also require you to fill out a dorm application. Make sure you do this EARLY so you can get a good choice of dorm.

- Many colleges have a list of dorm layouts and amenities on their website. USE IT. It will prove very helpful in deciding which dorm you prefer.

- Some colleges have random roommate assignments, but most are moving to having a ‘roommate matching service’ (think dating site for roommates) that will help you find a roommate you will (probably) get along with. Use it, and if your college doesn’t have it take to Facebook to find a roommate- you do not want to get paired up with someone who has completely different living habits than you do.

- A month or two before your freshman year begins, you will probably get your room assignment (dorm, room number, roommate, etc.) Most colleges will also tell you when your move-in date and time is. Make sure you contact your roommate/friend them on social media (most dorm assignments will include your roommate’s contact info- contact them SOON so you can start coordinating on dorm supplies (more on this later)).

School/Dorm Supplies

- In high school, everyone had a generic list of supplies that they had to get. Not true in college. There will be the basics you’ll want to get (pens, pencils, binders, a backpack, etc.) but each major will also have its own supplies (which, if you’re a fine arts major like me, could be a lot.) Be prepared to make trips to stores other than OfficeMax or Target’s school section.

- You WILL get a list of supplies (at least for your major) at some point before school starts. Be sure to get AT LEAST everything on the list, including optional items- although if you know some items are available at stores near your college, you should wait to get them until you drive/fly in. This will give you more packing space.

- Be sure to coordinate with your roommate for dorm supplies. Many things (mop, broom, bathmat, trash can... you get the idea) you will only need one of, so divvy up who gets what.

- If your college has loft kits available and you don’t mind sleeping elevated, GET ONE. It will increase the space in your room and that is something you definitely want in college.

Mental Health

- For my neurodivergent friends: Most colleges offer some form of accommodations, both educational and otherwise. It will seem annoying after years of high school IEPs and the like, but TAKE THEM UP ON THIS OFFER. It will help you enormously throughout your college experience.

- For those of you who take meds: This might be the first time you manage your own meds, from filling prescriptions to going to the pharmacy to populating your medicine. It’s important you stick to a routine for all this. (Here is a link to how to fill a prescription.) Medicine containers that have slots for each day of the week are extremely helpful, and if you take meds multiple times a day, get one that has slots for both day and night. Also, SET ALARMS TO REMIND YOU TO TAKE YOUR MEDS.

- Furthering that note, make sure you have a place to lock away your meds (especially if they’re controlled substances such as stimulants.) College kids are one of the highest demographics for illegally selling these, and it’s likely yours will get stolen if you leave them out in the open. See if you have a drawer that locks, and if not, get a portable safe or lockbox.

- Find coping mechanisms to deal with stress, whether you have a disability or not. It will help you through the stress of college. Make sure that your coping mechanism(s) is/are accessible from your college. For example, I like to swing, so I made sure there were swings near my college so I could know if I needed to find a different coping strategy.

Miscellaneous

- SAVE MONEY, not just for college itself, but for activities. You will quickly get bored on the weekends if all your friends are going out and you can’t afford to.

- Cars can be very handy to have, but make sure there’s relatively easy parking before bringing one. Parking on college campuses can be very hard. This is something you’ll need to weigh both the pros and cons on and decide what’s right for you.

[voigt96dall-blog]

How to Cut the expense of Auto insurance

After i was 17 I wanted to possess a Ferrari and exist in the fast lane. Whether or not I could own afforded the car, then I could not have given the insurance to protect it. By 17 you are brand new to the world of traveling and statistically you are more likely to make an insurance claim. Combining high-powered cars with unskilled drivers is definitely not anything car insurance businesses are super-keen on the subject of, the chance of the claim sets through the roof while using price on the premium pursuing it. If you are young and unsophisticated, buy a low-powered, low value car to try and keep the car insurance top quality to a minimum. Whether it is worth less then it will cost fewer to fix/replace when inside your youthful enthusiasm you lock up it. Precisely the same logic in fact applies to everybody, the lower the cost of the vehicle and the lower the auto insurance policy will probably be in most cases. Sports and superior cars will always cost more to correct in an automobile accident so the insurance will mirror this. New cars right now feature myriads of anti-theft and drivers aids that in many cases will help to reduce the expense of insurance therefore keep an eye on the spec piece when looking at a brand new car. A good rule of thumb is the fact less appealing and low value vehicles are less expensive to ensure. Age is actually a concern I mentioned it above and it bears repeating. Generally the younger you are the higher your car insurance premium. This can be down to inexperience and the fresh belief that bad items will never get lucky and you. The information say often, which is normally a shock to an unsuspecting adolescent driver who ends up in an accident wondering how it happened to him... Traveling experience and age are usually linked and that leads to a method of reducing your insurance premium -- whatever time you are you will make use of advanced driving courses and several car inasurance companies offer discounts for these skills. It may just be a five - 12 per cent investing in the study course but on a premium of £1000 it's worth having the saving but it will surely remain with you for years, therefore it should be a great investment, not forgetting make you a much better driver. Continue to keep adding to the no-claims bonus offer The more years you can pile up without producing a state the better as most car insurers will give you a discount in your insurance in this. Effectively you are appearing you are excellent business to have and because you haven't manufactured any boasts then you are a good risk for them to underwrite. Annoying you can do right here but maintain your nose expending don't make a claim. If you use a low benefit vehicle and dent that parking, would certainly be advised to never make a claim in comprehensive insurance because it would probably reduce your no-claims bonus, probably be for a tiny amount of money and you might even wrap up paying for almost all of it according to excess. In that case, provided you could have not triggered damage to some other vehicles or perhaps property, retain quiet, repair it yourself and your saving about no-claims bonus offer will be nice the following season - over time, when you have developed three or even more years no-claims bonus, you can protect your bonus, meaning even if you produce a following claim you do not lose your bonus. Convictions aren't nice If you are an inner-city teenager after that an ASBO may be a badge of honour. Providers are less thankful for convictions even though, so it is better to avoid them if you possibly can. Minor racing offences usually are not in the same category seeing that serial fantastic though, if you have a number of points it will not be the end of the world or have a significant influence in your premium depending on the insurer. If you've got a garage, use it Exactly what garages pertaining to? If you consult the average person they are going to probably declare for saving all the youngsters' toys, the house gym, bicycles, the freezer cooler and tumble-dryer. I have reports for you most; the garage area is designed to house hold your vehicle while you are not using it. The fact which it puts a physical barrier between any opportunist thieves and your car is a real good thing and car insurance companies will recognise this furthermore lessen your premium should you park within a garage instantaneously. Using your storage area will save you funds; it doesn't get any simpler than that. 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Paradoxically, the big labels you are aware of are probably in your mind because of massive marketing campaigns on television, on-line and so forth Regardless of the communication, those marketing strategies need to be covered and that means they may not actually have the very best rates, although the sheer scale of many of these businesses means prices will probably be keen because of buying or underwriting ability. The best advice is to compare and contrast a couple of unique prices from different businesses. Call the insurer and then call a comparable competition and then most likely a small automobile insurance broker. Each one will certainly ask you if you have an amount already and you should tell them what it is. Generally if they want the business they really know what to conquer. The moment you get a broker stating they can't match the price then you definitely are probably near the best selling price or else speaking with a broker which is not a specialist inside the area. Anything of extreme care on price matching sites There are plenty of price comparison sites around which usually promise to operate a vehicle the cost of the insurance policy straight down - Funds Supermarket, Go Compare, Confused etc . They actually do reduce the cost of insurance as most in the major players are struggling for business about the same platform. Exactly where these price matching sites do not perform so well is actually advising you around the sort of coverage that's right for you or your automobile. Would complete be cheaper and more suited than other fire and theft? The thing is you cannot question the price comparison site for almost any advice, which where car specialist brokerages have the border. Compare that to buying a fresh house, might you buy one with no survey? You could and then when it subsides in to the sea you'll be praying your insurance will handle it... the point is you shouldn't purchase insurance with no talking with an expert possibly. Pick up the telephone The internet is an excellent shopping and selling instrument, you know my feelings upon that via previous articles or blog posts... but I would recommend if you converse with a real person at a brokerage then you definitely have a far greater chance of receiving cheaper car insurance. They can inquire more questions, clarify your requirements and if needed they can also delegate the interest rate (set the price themselves) in the event they want the business. There is no substitute for individuals contact, make absolutely certain you speak to at least three diverse brokers to acquire a true comparison. Got a good postcode? When you live in a postcode high are few thefts and claims in that case your insurance high grade will be below living somewhere that is a noted crime hotspot. If you can afford it, move to a posh area and you'll take advantage of lower insurance costs. Not the easiest way to save on the price of insurance definitely... Mileage and use The more miles you drive the greater chance you have of being linked to a state. It's basic statistics. The fewer miles covered, the less the insurance superior should expense. Don't show lies while, if you surpass the mentioned mileage by a distance it could invalidate your insurance. wiring car interior diagram Married with kids? Insurance providers like advertising car insurance to married couples subject and with kids and jobs. You are very easy to credit check and usually display responsible behaviour which in turn hints at a lower risk for the insurer. That may reduce your car insurance policy quote. Don't modify your vehicle We all see the bling jewelry cars that haunt Superstore car-parks past due at night and whether you like the ugly neon colorings and excessive exhausts is usually neither below nor generally there - the reality is that any sort of modification is probably going to hike your automobile insurance top quality. Modifications can draw interest, invalidate guarantees and in the truth of excessive exhausts, can even be illegal (if above the sound limit). Whenever illegal, then it could invalidate your insurance as well. The fact is that car manufacturers spend a lot of time growing their products consequently they work effectively and if you modify all of them then it's all out the window as well as your insurer will probably be scratching his head thinking about what he should impose - and it will almost always be than a regular vehicle.

[jordan11breds2013-blog1]

Love Camping But Hate The Fuss? Read On For Some Easy Tips

Think about the last camping trip you went on. Camping can be an extraordinary experience for anyone. During a camping trip, you do not have to talk to annoying work colleagues and there are no computers or televisions to distract you. Camping really does provide you with an opportunity to truly relax. Take your time and go over this article carefully so you'll have the best camping trip possible. Find your shelter before it gets dark. Once it gets dark, it is much harder to find wood for your fire, prepare food, and get your tent ready. Someone who isn't very familiar with the outdoors can come to harm by placing their tent in an unsafe area due to being unable to see. Do not wind up in this position. Seek shelter and make camp for the night well before darkness sets in. If you have bought a brand new tent in preparation for your camping trip, set it up at home first before you use it for camping. That will help you make sure your tent has all the pieces and you know how to properly set it up. This kind of "dry run" also helps lower your frustration level when setting up the tent at the campsite Just the smallest luxuries can really brighten your camping trip. Whether this is a nice coffee creamer, or something as simple as candy, it will make you feel like you are at home. Such little luxuries will really pick up your spirits! Be sure you set up camp before nighttime comes around. If you driving an RV, you should locate a safe parking spot. When pitching a tent, a level, dry area is needed. Doing so before nightfall will allow you to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. This will save you from feeling stressed and frustrated, as you can see exactly what you're doing. Make sure that you are aware of the perils around the camping site that you choose. You should be aware of any venomous insects or snakes, dangerous weather or cliffs in the area. Many camping areas pose some dangers. Make sure that you bring items along with you that will make your camping trip more fun. Entertain yourself by taking cards and fishing poles. If you are bringing children on your trip, you should bring a few more entertainment supplies than you think you'll need. Camping is about being one with nature and living off the basics, but it is important to go prepared. While a sleeping bag is a necessity, you should bring extra blankets. This can help you stay warm if it cools down at night or you may use them for extra padding. Pitching a tent can be complicated for anyone, but it is especially difficult for beginner campers. Practice setting up and taking down your tent before your trip. This will give you the confidence to pitch your tent at any time. This will help you quickly pitch a tent before darkness falls at your campsite. Don't forget to bring back-ups of things like batteries and flashlights. After the sun sets, the night can be very dark and sources of light are a necessity. Having that extra light source might help to prevent a fall or accident, or even getting lost in the woods. If you are bringing children on your trip, it's a good idea to provide each of them with their own light. When you are camping, be sure you choose the right sleeping bag for the site conditions. Lighter bags might be good ideas for warmer climates and seasons to avoid unnecessary weight and space usage, but make sure that you have a heavy enough bag to stay warm in cold conditions. Cold weather and winter camping means that you need a sleeping bag that contours your physique so that you can keep body heat during your sleep. It's a good choice to take off from your automobile or base when your phone has a full battery. Bring extra batteries in case the first one dies. A mobile phone is an important part of camping safety these days, and you want it to be ready to go when you need it. Make sure you know how to use a compass and map before you go camping. Although the camp site may be a familiar one, there may have been changes since your last visit and you could still get lost. Learn to use these survival tools to prevent potentially bad situations. Matches that are waterproof are a key component of any survival kit. Store waterproof matches in a canister that is airtight. You can convert standard matches into waterproof ones simply by dipping each one into substances like nail polish or paraffin. You can stash them in a 35mm film canister or a plastic medicine bottle. At the end of your camping trip, make sure your camping site is clean. Consider taking along a few garbage bags so you have a place for all your trash. Look around for any excess food, don't leave it behind. A basic camping rule of thumb is to only leave your footprints behind. Many get food poisoning due to improperly stored food on a camping trip. Make sure to maintain the best preservation possible to keep your food fresh for the longest period of time. Pack numerous ice packs to keep perishable foods chilled and do not forget to pull your cooler's drain plug so that food products do not get soaked. Try not to set up your tent near the bathroom for obvious reasons. While this may appear a wise idea, it does not take long to discover otherwise. For example, there is a lot of foot traffic in these areas, as well as bright lights. When you camp by the bathrooms, it isn't as convenient as you think. The tips here will help you have a very enjoyable camping trip. The ideas presented here are but a handful of the tips, tricks and techniques you can use to rock it out in nature. So, always be alert and open to new ideas each and every time you head for the outdoors.