#so it's at *least* two wrongs don't make a right

[dr-felitas]

you could have anyone you want - aventurine

synopsis: sometimes you can't help but wonder why aventurine chose you, out of all people, as his lover. 

pairing: aventurine x reader | fluff with vv light angst, hurt/comfort, mention of habits such as peeling of skin and biting your nails | wc: 674 ; drabble

a/n: i feel like this is a bit choppy, sorry in advance </3

“aventurine, why’d you choose me as your lover?” 

you glance over to where aventurine currently is. his right arm is loosely draped over the back of the velvety arm chair as he swipes through his inbox, archiving old mails and then tending to the newly received ones before shooting you a look of concern. 

“how’d you think of that now?” he laughs quietly and the corners of his mouth slightly quirk up at your question. did he not make it obvious enough, that you’re the only one for him? the thought makes him flinch, if there is one thing aventurine would never want it’s you feeling unworthy.

“and.” he hesitates. his breath is slightly ragged, as he starts to pick at the skin of his digits on his left hand - a habit he does when he’s nervous. the loose skin bothers him, he wants to rip it off fiercely. it hurts, but what hurts more, is seeing you anxious - it makes his heart ache.

he gulps before reluctantly elaborating. “is it bothering you?” his words are draped in utter solicitude and his eyebrows are furrowed as he bites the insides of his lips firmly while studying your face for any signs of uncertainty. “like profoundly bothering you?” he asks softly.

the insides of his lips are bleeding and he can feel the bitter taste of iron seeping into his mouth. the thin layer of skin above his finely trimmed nails is gone, he peeled it off. he no longer needs to bite his nails though, neither when he was nervous or in times of need, when he was starving. it’s impolite and viewed as disgusting. (he can still remember the earthy and foul taste of dirt that was covered beneath the nail beds - somewhat nostalgic; somewhat awful.) 

but does it really matter when it comes to you? (has any pain ever mattered when it came to you?” - no.”)

“no, it's just curiosity.” you lie through gritted teeth as you try to maintain a somewhat felicitous expression, forcing an awkward smile that falters at the corner of your mouth, onto your face.

“there’s nothing that i detest more than lying. you know that.” he reminds you bitterly. (lies are unfulfilled promises, vows that weren’t ever kept, empty words.) he gets up to where you’re at, comfortably lying your back against the headboard and softly stroking one of the critters the two of you recently adopted. the small critter only purrs in response to your tender touches, nestling against your body as you continue to pet it.

the mattress slightly dips as aventurine sets his hand, followed by his body, down. “please, tell me what’s wrong.” he pleads as he holds out his hand, placing it near your hand, not going further than touching your fingertips. (he’ll let you decide if you want to hold onto his hand - if you give him permission to touch your delicate body.)

don't lie to me, please.

“aventurine it’s just that.” your voice slightly breaks. “it’s just that i don’t feel worthy of being your love - worthy of your love and adoration, in general.” you admit in a hushed tone as you slowly snake your hand towards his, intertwining the two of them. instantly, almost by habit aventurine quickly laces your fingers together, tightly entwining your hand with his.  

“what makes you think that?” belittling or invalidating your feelings is the least he’d want to do, so he carefully squeezed your hand, not once or twice but thrice. it’s become a small pattern the both of you do when the other is nervous, telling them that they’re here. it’s a sign of reassurance.

“you could have anyone you want.” your admission is no louder than a whisper and aventurine needs to make sure that he’s not hearing the wrong things. 

him being able to have his way with anyone he’d want? isn’t it quite the contrary? you’re everything aventurine isn’t, everything he admires in a person - everything he’d wish to be.

“that's funny. i’ve always thought the same about you.” 

azul azul AZUL!!!! @azullumi something dedicated to (y)our lovely honey blonde uhm guy!! yeah... haha... ANYWAY. in the past month you've helped me a lot in my writing but also like mental/developing journey as a teenager. the words you tell me, the experiences you recall (like you being in the hospital - LIKE WHAT), the warm vibe you give off - they make me feel at ease, they make me feel seen and understood, they make me smile. i think i often tell you (in those notes) the same things, but they're utmost important for me to mention because i just want you to know how special you're to me and not just your words. you, yourself are very special to me. i'm very very fond of you, just so you know. i often think to myself "oh azul would like this." "azul would laugh so hard at this." etc. but i also often think about you and your words, i get so happy when i see your messages popping up on my screen i try to answer them asap because who knows when you'll be gone?!??! (NOT IN A DEAD KIND OF SENSE BUT OMFG MAKE UR DISCORD STATUS ON, STOP BEING ON INVISIBLE.) i often recall your words and the advice you give me, it makes me smile but another thing that also makes me smile is your smile. i'm pretty sure i've already told you this once but your smile is so bright, so bright it rivals the rays of sunshine that light upon us. perhaps you're my sun, my blessing that came along the way and makes the cold and hard days easier for me. melting the snow that hid me from the many things unbeknownst to me and revealing yourself to me. just you. whom else do i need? /j/lh. i love you a lot user azullumi <3

© DR-FELITAS 2024. stealing, copying, translating, reposting my works on other platforms or feeding them to ai is not permitted.

[captain-mj]

Absolutely begging for more of the jealousy trope you just posted. That was so good holy shit. Even if its just headcanon or something, thats such a fun snippet you posted. (If not thats ok but figured it was worth a shot since I adore your writing sjekdwkdkdk)

I can deliver that!

Soap wasn't sure when his crush on Ghost started. He didn't really have a moment where it suddenly appeared. It was a very slow build that he could see throughout his journal.

Ghost himself was a good man. Kind to animals, even if he was a bit more prickly with people. Funny. Good listener. Strong. Attractive.

Soap adored him. Everything about him. His little quirks or problems. All of them just made up Ghost.

Recently, he had been avoiding being alone with him for too long. He had some... rumors. The idea of Ghost being with someone else drove him batty. He didn't own the man, though he certainly wanted to. They had known each other long enough though that Soap knew how to get Ghost on a topic.

Soap was lamenting that it had been a while since he got laid. It was just the two of them, with Price being elsewhere in a meeting and Gaz with the recruits. it was good, meant he could test the waters with Ghost. Right now, he was trying to gather intel over the rumors. He found if he was open about something, Ghost was a little more likely to be open back.

"Try harder." Ghost gruffed. "Plenty of willing bodies around here."

Soap paused. "Got someone on the side, Lt?"

"No." Soap bit the inside of his cheek as hard as he could to stay normal over this. Yes, there were rumors but this was close to a confession.

"Keep your mask on?" He prodded.

"Don't even get undressed." Ghost sounded amused, making a startlingly direct amount of eye contact with Soap.

Soap laughed. "What? You just take your snake out of your trousers there and go at it?" He was seething. All internally of course. He went through everyone Ghost interacted with in a day to day basis. Scanned through every interaction to see who made it clear what they wanted from Ghost. God, they weren't like Soap. There was no way they appreciated it enough. Soap would.

"Pretty much."

"Not much of a romantic, are you?" What a shame. He was sure he could convince Ghost to give him the chance.

Ghost narrowed his eyes at him. Soap realized he must've hit a nerve. "No one here wants romance. Least of all with me. They want to get off and get me off and that's where it ends." He looked down at Soap's clear hard on in his pants. "And I can see you're no different. Wanted me to fuck you, Johnny, you could've just asked."

Soap can feel his cock leaking in his pants. "Yes. Please."

Ghost rolled his eyes. "Fucking slag." He got up and walked away with Soap following right on his heels.

Soap couldn't help the grin on his face. After a round or two, he would convince Ghost to do it again with him later. He was sure he could play Simon like a fiddle.

"Oh, God please, Simon." Johnny had his face buried in the pillow as Simon thrust back into him. "You're so big." He was wrong. This man was a demon of some kind. He had come here to swallow Soap's soul and replace it with his fucking cock.

"I love flattery." Simon purred, pulling him back again. Johnny came hard, body tensing so much he worried he'd snap.

"Fuck, fuck, it's so good are you even close?"

"Nope." He popped the p at the same time he thrusted in deep, grinding a little.

Soap groaned. "Don't know how much longer I can take it."

"It's okay. Lot of people can't. I can always-"

Johnny arched his back and clenched tight around him. "No. No. Come on, you want to finish in me don't you?" He didn't want him to go to anyone else. No one else.

"Jealous aren't you?" Simon whispered before leaning down and sinking his teeth into his shoulder.

Johnny came again. And he teetered on a third. Everything shifted until all he could feel was Simon. Simon. Simon. Simon.

The stretch. His fingers. God, the way he smelled.

Simon thrust in hard and came finally. His hips rolling against him until he dragged every ounce of his own pleasure from Johnny.

"I haven't had sex in two years." Ghost informed him. "You never had anyone to worry about."

Soap glared at him.

"Those rumors were fake, love. But I promise, I'm all yours." HIs mask hit the floor with his shirt following shortly after

[septembercfawkes]

How to Fix Talking Heads in Your Story

What is "Talking Heads"? 

"Talking heads" or "talking heads syndrome" is a term used in the creative writing community for a passage of dialogue where all that exists is the dialogue. To the reader, it feels as if heads are floating in space, talking. We don't get any description. We don't get any blocking. We don't get any introspection. Just talking. As an example, it shows up like this.

“Happy Birthday, Cherie!”

“Oh thanks.”

“So, you have any big plans?”

“Nothing much. Just a family thing.”

“Cool, I was thinking we could go to that escape room? It’s tiki themed.”

“My favorite.”

“It’ll be awesome.”

“Is it even solvable with two people?”

“We’ll tell them it’s your birthday.”

While the dialogue itself could maybe use some work, this passage is a problem because the reader doesn't know where the characters are, what they look like, or what they are doing. 

And even if the scene did convey those things in the opening, straight dialogue like this that goes on and on, often has a weird effect on the reader, similar to that of having a blindfold on. (And simply adding dialogue tags isn't enough to fix the problem.)

Instead, it's more effective to flesh out the scene, so the audience feels as if they are there, experiencing the story for themselves.

Fixing Talking Heads

When telling a story, we use five types of lines: dialogue, description, blocking, introspection, and summary.

So the fix seems easy right?

Just add some other lines.

I mean, obviously we aren't going to fix the passage by adding more dialogue, nor does using summary make much sense. So that leaves us with description, blocking, and introspection. 

Fair enough . . . but . . . if you add the wrong lines, it can create new problems.

Consider the passage with these lines added:

“Happy Birthday, Cherie!”

“Oh thanks,” I said, while a jogger ran down the street.

“So, you have any big plans?”

“Nothing much. Just a family thing.”

“Cool, I was thinking we could go to that escape room? It’s tiki themed.” Tiffany had thick, curling hair and eyes the color of pond water. A scar shaped like a bullet hole marred the bottom of her chin.

“My favorite.” I put a hand on my hip.

“It’ll be awesome.”

I wished I hadn't eaten a donut for breakfast. “Is it even solvable with two people?”

“We’ll tell them it’s your birthday.” 

Tiffany sneezed. On my neighbor's doorstep sat a package.

Does this read . . . odd to you?

It should.

The jogger seems a bit random, and we get a description of Tiffany too late. And why do we need to know Cherie wished she hadn't eaten a donut, in the middle of a conversation? Why should we care about a package? Other lines, like the hand on the hip, feel like a lost opportunity to put in something more meaningful.

If the dialogue is what is driving a scene forward, then you don't want to pick lines that detract from it. You want to pick lines that support or enhance the scene--that provide context or create subtext, or that at least feel natural to your viewpoint character. Would Cherie notice a package on her neighbor's doorstep right now? Unless we've established a motive behind that prior, probably not.

When fixing talking heads, it's not enough to just insert whatever comes to mind. You need to choose lines that do the following:

- Add context

- Reveal character

- Reveal the characters' current emotions

- Create subtext

- Add emphasis

- Naturally enhance the setting (without being distracting)

And one of the best pieces of advice is to give your character something meaningful to do. Even if it's not strictly meaningful to the main plot (but bonus points if it is), it could be an activity that is meaningful to the character (which also reveals character), like tying fishing flies or training a border collie or finishing a cosplay. Try not to have too many conversations take place over meals, unless food is an important element of your particular story. Too many beginning writers grab meals for the backdrop of conversations far too often, so it can feel cliche.

Here is a better way to fix our talking heads example:

I zipped outside and beelined for my car, but Tiffany's high-pitched voice hit me before I spotted her curled mane of hair.

"Happy Birthday, Cherie!" She waved and shut her apartment door.

"Oh thanks." I flashed what I hoped was a grateful smile, then quickly dug in my purse for my keys. Why hadn't I gotten them out beforehand?

"So, you have any big plans?" Her high heels clinked closer.

I didn't make eye contact. "Nothing much. Just a family thing." I lingered on the word "family."

"Cool." Tiffany picked a hangnail. "I was thinking we could go to that escape room? It’s tiki themed."

My voice went flat. "My favorite."

"Come on, it’ll be awesome." She shook my arm at the precise moment I'd found my keys. They dropped to the cement.

"Is it even solvable with two people?"

I knew for certain, it wasn't solvable with one. This wasn't a gift. Tiffany was friendless.

"We’ll tell them it’s your birthday."

I opened my car door.

In this example, the description, blocking, and introspection add to the conversation in ways that feel natural. They provide context, reveal character (including the narrator's emotional state), and create subtext (Cherie actually doesn't want to go to the escape room with Tiffany).

So not only are they fixing the talking heads problem, but they are fixing them in ways that are meaningful to the story.

With all this said though, any writing rule can be broken. So I want to close by acknowledging that talking heads can work, if talking heads is the effect you want to create. In Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card intentionally uses talking heads at the start of many of his chapters, as Graff and Anderson discuss Ender's current situation. The instances are short and, to some degree, work as teasers, and where Graff and Anderson are exactly and what they are doing, aren't particularly important, so Card gets away with it.

[doctorcurdlejr]

Niko!! what'd you think of I saw the tv glow. I finally saw it last night and noticed you posting about it so I wanted to know your thoughts :)

Levi!!! I was JUST wondering what you were thinking about the movie after I saw you posting about it as well... we are so media discussion pilled in this way, it's awesome. ANYWAYS I've had so many thoughts since I first saw it and I've been trying to turn them into something coherent for a little bit now.

Ummm okay I have written 1k+ words about this movie, the suburbs, and escapism via teen TV.... clearly I was dying for somebody to ask this I guess so thank you for indulging me <3

First and foremost, I absolutely loved it! I've seen it twice now and the first time I watched it I got to see Jane Schoenbrun talk about the film right after. I already really liked it from that first watch alone. I found it so deeply relatable to my experiences - both in terms of growing up gay and trans, but where I am now in my 20s trying to navigate adulthood. Hearing what Schoenbrun had to say really cemented my feelings and thoughts about the film.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a big influence on the movie (it's why Amber Benson makes a cameo as Johnny Link's mom). Even though I don't have the same emotional link to Buffy since I never watched it, I recognize it as the same type of warmth I experienced growing up with Riverdale. When Owen says he feels like his insides have been scooped out but that he's too afraid to look and have that wrongness everybody knows is there be confirmed, Maddy simply responds "Maybe you're like Isabel. Afraid of what's inside you." Tears forming but not falling, breathing shallowly, I grabbed the paper and pen the theater keeps at the seats for people to order food with and wrote that line down - the slip of paper is still somewhere in my car. Writing it now almost feels lame in its simplicity, but it felt like my insides were being flayed open.

During the director discussion, Schoenbrun talked a little bit about this idea of how truly fucking bizarre it is to grow up in the suburbs. Like, when we think about the pinnacle of normality in American culture, it's the image of middle-class cis-hetero-white suburbia. At the same time, despite this cultural dream of normality, everybody is hyper-aware that the suburbs are one of the least normal things ever. So, the ACTUAL cultural understanding of it is that it's where we go to, like, passively kill ourselves (*George Costanza voice* WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY YOU KNOW!). This idea isn't new, I mean there are so many films and shows about navigating that specific bizarre dissonance from Rebel Without a Cause to Heathers to Twin Peaks. Probably half the pre-teen to teen TV I watched obsessively growing up, stuff like Strange Days at Blake Holsey High, Making Fiends, Truth or Scare, and eventually Riverdale, were never shy about being weird and morbid and saying "yes, the suburbs are exactly as bizarre and lethal in the ways you can already feel in your bones at 13." I Saw the TV Glow does a really good job of keying not only into that mental dissonance but more specifically into how those of us who have felt so intrinsically weird and different and wrong fell back on these shows like they were capable of doing the emotional version of a rescue breath maneuver after being drowned.

In high school, if there were two things about me that any person who even vaguely knew me could list off it was that I watched Riverdale, and I was a lesbian - and I was mocked more for the Riverdale. At that age, I was, without a doubt, the most miserable I have ever felt in my life. I rarely left the house because my family lived in a development that made me want to scratch my skin off when I walked out our front door. Owen didn't leave the house for days, afraid Maddy could somehow force him out. I sobbed constantly and frequently to depressing indie rock on the floor of my closet while hoping my family would just once read the (honest to god) KEEP OUT poster plastered on my door since I didn't have a lock on it. Owen didn't leave his room for days, afraid of what Maddy recognized in him. I didn't go on dates and kept my chest binder shoved to the bottom of my bookbag while wearing dresses that could've come from a how-to-be the perfect 50s housewife manual. Owen didn't leave his bed for days, afraid of Maddy touching his neck and Isabel's dress. I also watched Riverdale with the kind of zeal you see in a Pentecostal who has found God and started speaking in tongues to let you know it. I own a button that says, "Don't Make Me Go Dark Betty On You," I cherish it in a way that is only achieved by knowing exactly how corny and trite it is and then moving straight past that because well actually, and most people wouldn't get this, she's holding back something deeply dark and wild and- and disgusting. something painful yet intrinsically her. but i get it, obviously. or maybe not obviously! hopefully not obviously, but- basically, I'm just saying I get it: the experience of reflection and recognition through the other and all that.

Whatever, the point is that this movie is one big glaring trans allegory about how it sucks dog shit to live in the suburbs, and even at our most repressed we find these little snow globes of actualization in the glow of a tv screen that isn't afraid to show you the world you see. I've seen some people say that, like, in this context accepting or coming into your transness is this monumental death of self, which I get, but I feel there lacks a nuance in that because either way Owen is dying. Unlike Maddy who buries herself alive only to come out renewed, Owen doesn't kill himself upon facing the reality that the world is constructed to keep him miserable and the only way out is to take back what it is that the world wants to keep scooped out of him. Instead he just passively lets it drag him to a much more permanent death. This lack of suicide sucks in the kind of way that forces you to sit in your car on the midnight drive home and think to yourself am I letting myself suffocate because at some point knowing the misery became less scary than admitting I've been capable of doing something about it the whole time?

Clearly, I’ve been enchanted by the film’s narrative and meta-textual language. If you're familiar with it, you can see how Schoenbrun built this movie like a long-form dream episode of a canceled teen show filmed in Vancouver. Lynchian? Yeah, sure. Riverdalesque? THIS we cannot possibly deny. Schoenbrun said they included Amber Benson as an act of healing the inner rage experienced at Tara’s death in Buffy. This is a Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa ending Riverdale with a bisexual polycule after his gay Archie play got ceased-and-desisted type move. There’s probably more I could say about the soundtrack and the visuals, but I’ve hit over 1k words on this, so I’ll leave it at I enjoyed this movie a lot. :)

Maddy is an out lesbian who left town to escape the misery and found it strapped to her ankles. She slinks out, an animal pressed against the gymnasium floor, and says "I'm not telling you anything you don't already know." Owen looks into the camera and narrates. He cuts himself open with a box cutter, fully acknowledges what's there, and the movie ends with his suffocating apology parade for the unremarkable inconvenience of his excruciating suffering. You can be gay and trans, you can know it and you can stop repressing it, but you're not going to stop suffocating until you can find a way to destroy the part of you that truly deeply does want to die, reaching for the comforting euthanasia of normalcy. Stop visiting the dream of the life you want and make it into your reality with the same kind of unrepentant conviction seen in some underfunded but wildly ambitious teen television series. In other words: you must try to survive the ego death of being weird. A weirdo, who doesn't fit in and doesn't want to fit in!

[leonawriter]

To add to "Hakuba wasn't the one throwing the most shade at Hattori," I'm heading into the case itself, since I didn't last time.

Let's start with the fact that Hattori found blood on the doorknob and instantly tried to knock the door down. Hakuba, Junya, and Natsuki all look shocked, Natsuki even saying "Hey, wait a-"

Shinichi's the only one who isn't shown protesting, but he's also not shown actively helping to break down the door. He's right there, yes, but going just by the manga alone, we don't see him in action.

Later on, we get this-

Once Hakuba's said about how the "producer" was still alive, Hattori unties him.

Closely followed by...

First Junya, then Hakuba, saying that he's done things wrong. That he's incompetent.

In fact, Junya says "Even if [Hattori] is a very incompetent detective" while Hakuba says "I'll admit that your actions were unacceptable."

Of the two statements, Junya's is the more offensive to me - there's a difference between "unacceptable actions" and calling someone "incompetent." For instance, Detective Yamamura of the Gunma police is "incompetent" because he barely meets the base criteria to be a police officer, let alone someone in charge of a crime scene. Hattori isn't on that level. His actions were, however, unacceptable.

Moving on, and we see Hakuba point out, in detail, why they should have taken their time.

It's Junya, again, who goes on the offensive, assuming that Hattori was "[eager] to reach the crime scene before anyone else" and "not suited for being a detective." Hakuba says neither of these things. He's judgemental, yes, but he doesn't make things personal.

Funnily enough, Shinichi has a damn good point here. It ISN'T that Hattori is unsuited to being a detective! He is, however, hot-blooded, which does affect how he goes about things.

That isn't a bad thing, all of the time, and if it was, then Shinichi would have been joining the others in criticising Hattori. Thing is, Shinichi knows Hattori, and neither overly defends him (they're kinda right, after all) nor attacks him further (he knows why Hattori is how he is).

Later-

By this point, Hakuba has already seen Hattori acting "rashly" and "not thinking things through" so he feels he has a good reason to make remarks like these.

After that, however, when they do find the person they're after, he's visible from the outside, leaning against the window, bleeding.

This time, it's Hakuba who suggests going back inside and busting the door open, but before he can, Hattori is jumping up to bust through the window.

We're shown him breaking the glass, then unlocking the bolt on the window, in order to get in - unlike the first time, where it's just "bust open, get in."

In other words, we're shown his process.

What's important, to me at least?

Once the investigation gets underway, and now that Junya (rest in fucking pieces, dipshit) is out of the way, Hattori and Hakuba are... able to talk to each other with far more civility.

Sure, there's some checking of "you didn't mess something up again, did you?" but that's a valid question that one of them would ask during any other investigation as well, at some point or other.

That said...

It's only after they've done their preliminary investigation and the actual suspects are mostly out of the way that Hakuba suggests that Hattori be kept away from the crime scenes, since when he's been involved, the crime scene has been messed up, damaged, and... he's basically made a mess of it.

Thing is, this is where it's viable for them to have come to loggerheads with each other!

Hakuba is cool-headed and logical, while Hattori is hot-blooded and emotional.

I've even said before about how they're written as narrative foils to one another, being the rivals and closest male friends of their respective protagonists!

That said... for all that they butt heads here, they're back to collaborating not long after.

And when one of them brings up a point, the other listens. Hakuba doesn't discredit what Hattori's saying just because he's hot-blooded, and Hattori doesn't ignore what Hakuba's saying just because he doesn't like the guy/has bias against him.

On to the finale, and each of our detective protagonists has a different conclusion.

Hattori explains his idea of who the culprit is, only to be cut off by Hakuba, who comes in with his own, in a very disparaging way - "How many more times must you disappoint me," he says, only to be proven wrong and realise that he'd been letting his own bias (that a thief must be the culprit) get in the way of his deductions. Hattori continues with his explanation, which Shinichi tries to say "no, you're wrong!" about... only to prove that he knew exactly what he was doing and catch the real killer trying to hide evidence.

Effectively, this all proves that Hattori is just as good of a detective as any of the rest of them, especially so given the culprit's words at the end:

In other words: those things were done on purpose, knowing what kind of person Hattori is, and she respects him for being the kind of person who hopes that the victim is alive until proven dead. Who hopes for life, more than just another mystery to solve.

In this point here, as well as in assuming that the culprit had to be the same person as the thief, Hakuba is wrong, because he assumed that acting in a "hot-blooded" way was wrong since doing so would disrupt the crime scene.

What he should have been worrying about - and I wonder if this was a minor lesson for him - was "is the person inside still hanging onto life, and if they are, will taking the long route around take too long, and cause them to die?"

So, in these later parts, we do see that:

1 - It isn't even Hakuba, even after Hattori has said things that would legitimately upset him, who throws the first stone in antagonising him.

2 - It's only after seeing behaviour that could be seen as "rash" that Hattori hadn't thought through (unfitting of a detective) that he starts to bite back.

3 - They still work together with respect whenever it's about the actual investigation, and at no point do they get in each other's way, and-

4 - When Hakuba makes a mistake about his deductions, as well as when admitting no one knows where he is, for one thing he accepts his mistakes with grace, and for another thing Hattori doesn't gloat about it.

I wouldn't say that things are mended between them - first impressions count for a lot, and they didn't have a good one no matter how you look at it - but I'd hardly say that they have a non-functioning working relationship, or that they'd constantly be at each other's throats.

[readypanda]

Indigo Park Spoilers (and very long post) ahead

Since Indigo Park is the newest fandom I've been dipping into, I figured I might as well make my own analysis for the game. The question I'll be discussing today is,

WHAT EVEN ARE THESE THINGS?

(sry for bad picture quality lol)

The thing I find interesting about these mascots (Molly, Lloyd, and what we've seen of Finley) that kind of sets them apart from other monsters in the mascot horror genre is...they almost seem like they're just animals. (I'll go over evidence for this in this post)

Think about it. In other mascot horror games, we've gotten:

animatronics possessed by dead children

employees/kids surgically(?) turned into toys

people mutated by a giant ink machine

animals/people who have had their DNA spliced with a mutagenic chemical

A little girl somehow turned into a monster (I think??)(really sorry Amanda I don't know what you are)

etc.

(I'm not up to date on all these properties and I know there's many more, so forgive me if my lore understanding is less than adequate. you know how it is with indie horror)

The important note about all these is that for the most part, these mascots are intelligent, or at least have the capability of intelligence. Almost everything on this list was at one point human, in fact.

So why do I think Indigo Park is any different? What leads me to believe they aren't intelligent? (at least, the animal versions of the characters that we run from in the game. Whether they are separate from the versions of the characters Rambley interacts with is something I'll touch on later)

I think the most obvious piece of evidence in regards to Molly and Lloyd (again, not much info on Finley yet) is how Lloyd acts. He doesn't talk at all, he just stalks the main character and attacks like an animal might (with the exception of a couple times he stands on two legs or props himself up here and there).

As for Molly, I hear you saying, "But she talks! We hear her speak!" And yes, dear reader, you are right. Molly does speak. This would disprove my argument of the mascots being purely animalistic, if it weren't for this kill screen.

Now, do we ever actually hear Molly say something that isn't a repetition or couldn't reasonably be a repetition? Has she said anything to prove her intelligence at all? (genuine question here because I haven't examined every one of her voice lines lol. If I'm wrong about this then whoopsie!)

Despite the past 250 words of speculation, though, whether they act just like animals isn't actually that important. We'll see more of them in later chapters anyway (or Lloyd and Finley at least) so that will likely prove or disprove this point with time.

The more interesting question is, what are they? Like, physically?

When Molly dies, we clearly see blood around her decapitated head. At the very least that rules out animatronics or something mechanical. In addition, in the audio of the hidden tape you get when you show Rambley one of the collectables, you can hear two staff members complaining about being replaced by "new mascots" right after they "got a new raccoon costume." This could mean a few different things, but it seems to imply that the mascots we see in this chapter are meant to be replacements for actors in suits (for meet and greets, promotion, shows, etc) and/or replacements for limited, expensive, and cumbersome animatronics. If this is true, we can also probably rule out them being human. Unless Indigo Park also had a secret human experimentation lab, which I wouldn't put past them.

I think it's too early to definitively state what these mascots are, but based on the evidence of above, I have a theory.

My personal theory is that these mascots are just animals who have been changed or mutated in some way to allow the park to have more "realistic" representations of the characters (also probably to cut down on the costs of paying a human employee). That would explain why they act the way they do and why they are so violent. They literally are just wild animals who have been warped to represent these cartoon characters.

Another important caveat to this theory is that, if this is true, then the mascots who attack us in the game are most likely NOT Rambley's "friends" as he knows them. That would explain why he doesn't call attention to Molly chasing us or Molly's dead body (with the exception of one very small reaction when he talks about the mascots). You would expect him to seem a little more upset if he thought that was his friend, but maybe on some level he knows it's not really her, just a representation of her.

That brings up another question, which is a can of worms I won't fully open here: Do Molly, Lloyd, and Finley have sentient "AI" equivalents like Rambley? If not, does Rambley know his friends aren't real? I'll let you decide.

Anyway, that just about closes my thoughts on this silly raccoon game. Thanks for letting me ramble on about it, and thanks for making it to the end of the post!

Lemme know about your own theories in regards to what these things are, or if there's any key evidence I missed. Kinda threw this together lol. Most of it will likely get disproven by future chapters but hey, thus is the price of theorizing ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[athanasius-symposium-of-writings]

It Is Your Birthday, Enjoy

In honor of my birthday I wrote this really self indulgent thing featuring the first two survivors i loved in IDV lolol

Rated: Explicit | Warnings: Based on AoM, BDSM Themes, Virgin Norton, Voyeurism, okay is just horny man

Orpheus and you are writers.

Two different genres yet both understand the work and details needed to create the pieces you both make.

“He agreed!?” Stopping your pen to give Orpheus your full attention as he keeps writing.

“Mr. Campbell did indeed agree provided he is given extra pay for the trouble.”

You do not know the reason why Orpheus hired Norton Campbell, a former Coal Miner turned unemployed Prospector. You only see him when crossing paths after Orpheus pays him. Considering Orpheus is both a secretive man and one who does detective work as if he is solving real cases (you have to wonder though given most of his books are based on old cases), Norton may be hired muscle.

“I… Am surprised. Are you sure he is willing?” Concern about Norton agreeing to this with no hesitation from what your partner explained in his retelling of the event prior to him visiting your room.

The Oletus Manor, Orpheus claims it from a childhood he is slowly piecing together. The manor was in ruins, barely standing even. However, with the funds of a renowned Novelist, the manor looks as if nothing ever burned or looted these walls.

He is quite proud of it.

“Of course,” Closing his notebook, “Mr. Campbell is willing as long as the money flows into his hands.”

You frown, “You make him seem like a prostitute, Orpheus…”

There is a coy smirk on that devilishly handsome face, “Your words, not mine, beloved.” Getting up from his seat at your desk to kiss your forehead as you are lying on the bed writing. “Upon dawn, all that you desire shall be yours.”

The following morning, you go to breakfast thinking about how you rather eat ice cream right now. Oh, maybe there was that chocolate truffle cake Orpheus snuck in when he thought he was being sneaky. You smile as you enter the dining room then see Norton standing over by the window with his arms crossed and a grumpy look on his face.

“Good morning, Mr. Campbell.” Greeting him.

Norton snaps out of his thoughts to see you walking toward him, “Mornin’,” His eyes skim at you over your form dressed particularly nice today, “Suppose you're expecting something from me right now.” He is not frowning but still looks stern.

“Huh? No, I only wanted to be polite.” Oh, he probably has the wrong impression of you, “Uh-hmm, I wanted to ask about what Orpheus—” Cut off by lips on your, hand pulling you in close by shoulders. His lips are not badly chapped. When he stops kissing you, you realize he tastes of chocolate.

“Happy birthday.” Walking away leaving you confused and frazzled.

This will not be the only time he kisses you.

After breakfast, eating alone as Orpheus said he would be busy until the evening, you find out Norton is to be your company for the day.

“You can't just kiss people like that!” Currently outside on this sunny day at the racecourse, “At least, warn me!”

“Where's the fun in that,” Laughing a bit as he oversees the repairs, “Anyway compare getting a kiss to,” Lowering his voice and leaning into your space beside him, “Being told how you want another man inside of you.”

You are grateful to be up on the tower overlooking the racecourse so no one but Norton Campbell can see you embarrassed and fumbling with your words.

“Lucky you, I don't mind letting you wet my dick.”

“Must you be so crude!?”

“Why bother sugarcoating it when your precious Novelist said much worse.” Pulling back to look at his clipboard full of papers, “The man knows how to paint a pretty picture with those words of his… Especially about you.”

“How much…?”

“I'm sure he told you.” Norton glances over at you to see you looking at him, “Understand, I don't mind this arrangement so long as I get paid and I am only touching you.”

You feel shy, “Only me.”

“Only you, Orpheus will have to add more if he thinks I'm going to be his bitch. Even then, I ain’t taking his fucking dick in me.”

You want to tell him that Orpheus would much rather do the opposite but you stay quiet instead.

A few hours in the racecourse before you both start heading down the tower to go back to the manor for lunch. You only stop when Norton tells you to follow him into the stables.

There are no horses, yet, the stables are barren as it is not the priority compared to the rest of the racecourse. You wonder what and why Orpheus is repairing a place with such a dark story. His book brings back to light the fall of Mary Kreiburg, both by family and by the people's hands. You look around the messy area as Norton walks ahead of you.

“Look over here.” Norton pointed to something ahead of him. You raise an eyebrow as you go over in front of him only to see a broken shelf of trophies and pictures of horses and their riders.

“It looks old— Norton!?” Trapped in his arms.

“Relax,” You do as you realize too quickly his intentions when hands are on your breasts, “We have to be quiet.” You shiver as his breath is hot on your ear. You hold the shelf's frame as Norton touches you with the barrier of your clothes limiting the sensation of his hands on your skin.

“Open your legs,” You do, “When he said you would give in easily, I didn't think you would be this easy.”

“Would you rather I treat this differently?” You bite back though you moan when his hand slips down your pants.

A suit. Orpheus picked it for you when you wanted to be more masculine. Though he adores your dresses, he also enjoys the eroticism of suits on you.

“You can fight, your partner told me everything you like,” Norton gets your pants down your ankles, underlings moved to the side exposing your intimate part to the air, “Who would have thought you were such a—”

“Please don't.” Stopping him mid-sentence, “I know what I am… I didn't mean to force you into this.”

He stopped, your head tilted back to look up at him, “(Name), I ain’t doing this by force.” The sound of his pants being undone follows, “I want to fuck you, writer.” You gasp as his cock rubs between the lips of your pussy, “Going to make sure you are screaming my name all night.”

It is a bit difficult for him to grind against your pussy as you are not wet enough, so he stimulates you by touching more. Rubbing your clit, playing with your breasts, kissing you; you get wet and breathing heavily.

His pace is slow, one can say sweet as he guides you close your legs, kissing your neck and ear. When he goes fast you learn Orpheus made a single rule, one Norton agrees to only because he wants to see the way you are at the mercy of another.

“Don't cum. Boss's orders.”

“Norton, please.” Barely able to keep your voice down, “I need, oh God, please!?”

“No.” Slapping your ass causing you to moan louder, “Damn, you are into anything.” Chuckles at your misery, “You can cum but know you're the one facing the consequences.”

You struggle to not crumble as Norton is not making it easy for you, each thrust closer and closer bringing you to the edge.

It is downright a blessing that Norton cums before you fall, his cum on the shelf and dripping on the floor. You whine with frustration, your body trembling as you are going to have to walk around miserably horny.

“Well look at that, you didn't cum.”

You are going to explode.

“Glad to see you two had fun,” Orpheus is in the small living room with a small glass bottle in his hand, one leg over the other as he sits by the unused fireplace. There are pillows, leather cuffs, and a blindfold on the rug, “Were they well-behaved?” Pleasant as if you are not looking in shock at the things laid out so casually. 

“Very. Like a dog.”

Your arms are crossed over your chest your breasts are tender, “This feels like a chapter from 120 Days of Sodom.”

Orpheus' laugh is rich, loud, and pure, “My apologies but my greed for you will only allow for one another to share in such debauchery. All with the participants' permission of course.” Eyes shifting from you to Norton, “Mr. Campbell.”

“Tsk, I already signed the damn contract, what more do you need?” Moving from your side to stand next to Orpheus.

“Contract?” Curious.

“An agreement between gentlemen, my dear,” Waving it off, “Now this is about you, not us. We are merely your gifts this evening.” Orpheus is studying you, “Undress.”

Norton half expected him to be one doing the work or having to put on a show. Instead, you undress with no nervous moments, and when done after placing your clothes on the couch, you stand there with your hands behind your back.

“Kneel,” Orpheus is stern, “Wrists presented.” Norton is not sure what to do but watch the events unfold, this seems odd. Odd because Orpheus is cuffing your hands together with leather cuffs, tilting your head back as the blindfold is placed. Norton had to look away when you were panting from the silk gloves tracing your skin, applying pressure on the bite mark on your shoulder. The side eye he got from the Novelist has malice, it is amused.

“(Name), lay back,” You do as you are told, “Open your mouth.” You open your mouth as Orpheus pops the bottle open and pours gently the thick purple contents into your mouth.

Once done, you lick your lips then smile, “Grape.”

“It took a few attempts but there you have it.”

There you lay naked on a nest of pillows, you fidget in your spot, “Thank you…Both of you.” Beaming as your lover kisses your cheek before returning to his seat.

“Mr. Campbell, it is your turn.”

Norton snaps out of his wandering thoughts and clears his throat, “About time.” Stepping forward until Orpheus cuts him off with his hand blocking the way, “What?”

“Undress,” Spoken with a lighter tone, “We are the gift.”

“Tsk, maybe if you didn't cuff them maybe they could've unwrapped their gift, Orpheus.”

A hum, “Point made.” Norton curses at the way Orpheus, who looks weak compared to him, can also seem so intimidating, “Shall I take responsibility?” The hand moves up and hooks a finger between the suspenders and the workman's shirt.

“N-no,” Shoving passes as he undresses, “What did you give (Name)?”

“A form of aphrodisiac. They wanted to experience it.” Shamelessly watching the Prospector undress, enjoying the seconds of hesitation when Norton catches those brown eyes on his figure.

Feels like a wolf… A wolf in sheep's clothing. It would be disrespectful to call Norton the sheep, a ram perhaps?

“Orpheus,” You were quiet as the drug worked through your system, “I… Can I cum?”

“As freely as you wish, however,” Norton is not fully naked and feast for the eyes, “You should ask Norton for permission now.”

You whimper, “Norton,” Hands are on your knees opening your legs, “I was good. I didn't cum all day.”

“Begging already? Hah, you are like a dog.”

You hate that made you moan, wetter (bad enough you were wet from before still), and needy as all hell.

“B-bark.” You do not do what he wants, “L-like that?” Genuinely asking.

Orpheus snickers from behind as Norton stares in shock, worse that made his cock stir, “Just say my name, fuck.” Grumbling.

You do say his name, loud enough it echoes in the room, as Norton drives in between your legs without warning. Legs arching as he eats you out as if he has been denied all fucking day. All day as if he has not been the one keeping you on edge by randomly touching you until you were begging— And you beg easily.

Another man is touching you, another man is touching you in front of Orpheus, and Orpheus wants to see you fall apart.

Orpheus had been the one who asked your thoughts on Norton Campbell, he wanted honesty. You think the Prospector is handsome, intimidating, but you said too you understand him. Well, you understand what it is like to struggle against the odds against you, the beating life gives is relentless, and you understand the hatred.

You put that hatred into words in a book.

Orpheus watches as Norton is not the brute with you as he had tried to scare him into believing, the Novelist had simply told Norton to look to him if he needs assistance.

The Prospector is a virgin. Plain and simple, the Novelist does not think little of him for lacking experience. It is natural for a distrustful man not to allow him to be vulnerable, the world is cruel. Seeing you understand that, tell Orpheus of bitter feelings, jealousies, and resents… This is as much a gift to you as it is to Norton.

So indulge, seeing Norton explore a body already claimed; fall into the illusion of lust, see Norton consumed by the wonder that is your presence; often nightmares are the sweet dreams that ensnares, you kiss him as the man enters your welcoming heat.

[kymerawrites]

Sir Simon Riley EP 4

I got carried away, enjoy 8K words ;)

Summary: the whole team goes out to a club but it seems the night takes a twist that makes shym and ghost end up together

TW WARNING: mention of drugs and alcohol

A day has passed, and today we will be interrogating the shadows to uncover their true intentions. We have at least eight of them in custody, so it shouldn't be too difficult to extract some answers. As I walked through the barracks, I spotted one of my teammates whom I hadn't spoken to in a long time. "Roach, good morning! How is everything going?" I called out, feeling a mix of anticipation and relief at the sight of a familiar face with all this drama going on

Roach looked up as I approached, a warm smile spreading across his face at the sight of me. "Ah, good morning!" he greeted me cheerfully. "Everything's going well, can't complain. How about you?"

"I'm still reeling from the injuries I got at the club the other night, but today we have to start interrogating the shadows, using force if necessary." I glanced ahead and saw Soap, Ghost, and four other teammates deep in conversation, their expressions tense and focused.

Roach nodded as he listened to my words, his expression growing serious. "I understand." he said. "I'm glad you're doing okay, but we have to make sure these shadows know they messed with the wrong people."  His gaze followed mine to Soap and the other teammates, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Looks like we're gonna have some fun today." he said with a chuckle.

I looked at him in surprise. "How so?" I asked, my voice filled with curiosity.

Roach chuckled a bit and gestured toward the group of team members with his chin. "Well, there's Soap, and you know how much he enjoys a good interrogation." he began, his expression mischievous. "And there's Ghost, who can be pretty intimidating when he wants to be. And then there's the rest of us." He grinned. "Between the six of us, I'd say we'll have those shadows singing like a bird in no time."

I smiled and rolled my eyes playfully. "I already know, Captain Price is going to love this—if he ever comes out of his office for once." My tone was light-hearted, but a hint of frustration lingered beneath the surface.

Roach chuckled along with me, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Captain Price's been working himself too hard," he agreed. "Maybe a good old interrogation session will be just the thing to get him out of that office of his." He winked at me, a devious glimmer in his eyes. "Who knows? Maybe he'll even join in on the fun."

I looked at roach intently and as he looked back we knew exactly what stunt we would pull, I put on a mask I had and a baclava, also my gear. Roach did the same and now we could do our plan. We ran towards captain price's office and opened the door with much force

"hands up captain!" We screamed. You saw the split second of fear in his eyes when he started laughing "you had me there roach and shym." I laughed

"All funny and games, But sir your coming with us." I nodded at roach to give the sign to do our act and lifted him and his chair up

we walked towards the others and saw a faces of surprise and laughter

"Roach! You really are a jester aren't ya!" He laughed we put down the chair and I begun talking "you have been forced to start interrogating with us captain price. I do not take no as an answer!"

Captain Price shook his head, his eyes still shining with laughter. "You two are incorrigible, aren't you?"

he said, a wry smile on his lips. "But I have to admit, that was a clever stunt. You've got me fair and square."

He looked at the team around us, who were all watching with wide grins on their faces. "All right then, if you want me to join in on the interrogating, I suppose I can't say no. Let's see what these shadows have to say."

I shifted my eyes towards his "don't they know who knocked them out? We are already at war with them. They know who we are" I tilted me head to the side questioning why I had to keep my mask on that was only used for my shenanigans.

Ghost's expression remained stoic as he replied, his eyes never leaving my face. "They may know who we are, but we still have a few tricks up our sleeves. We don't want to reveal our full hand just yet." He gestured towards the team around us, who were all still waiting for instructions. "Now come on, let's get this show on the road. The shadows should be waiting for us in the interrogation room by now."

I nodded, still feeling a little uneasy about Ghost's insistence on keeping our masks on, but I trusted his judgment. We all headed towards the interrogation room where the shadows were being held. As we entered the room, I could feel the tension in the air, the shadows looking at us with a mix of defiance and fear.

Ghost spoke up, his voice low and dangerous. "All right, let's get started. Which one first?"

Captain Price gestured to the first shadow, who was being held tightly by Ghost and Soap. "How about we start with this one?"

The first shadow glared at us, defiance flickering in his eyes. "You'll never get anything out of me." he snarls, his voice cold and defiant. Ghost stepped forward, his mask hiding any emotion he might have. "Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that," he said quietly. "We have ways of making you talk." He gestured to Soap, who immediately grabbed the shadow's arms and held them in an uncomfortable position. The shadow winced in pain but remained stubbornly silent.

I was scanning the room when I found the person I was dancing on the other night. I grabbed a knife out of my pocket and walked behind him towards his neck, right in the spot where his gun was "you might be a good dancer with the ladies but I don't think you haven't seen anything like this yet right?"

The shadow stiffened as I held the knife against his neck, his eyes widening as he realized I recognized him. "Wait, wait!" he cried out, panic clear in his voice. "I'll tell you what you want to know, just don't hurt me!"

Ghost stepped forward, his mask concealing any emotion that might be on his face. "Then start talking. We want to know everything about your organization and your plans."

"If we think you are lying your fellow teammates will feel pain inflicted on them, so I suggest you speak up" I kept my knife right on his neck putting more pressure than before I already saw a little blood dripping from him

The shadow's eyes widened as he felt the knife dig deeper into his skin, a small trickle of blood flowing down his neck. "Okay, okay!" he exclaimed, his voice shaking with fear. "I'll tell you everything I know about our organization! We work for a man called "The Director", he's the one who gives us our orders and pays us for our services."

"This is bullshit" I sighed

" then why don't we even know a single ounce about this group. It should have been on our radar a long time ago!"

I walked to the next guy to him and put my knife behind his ear putting pressure just to scare him

The shadow's eyes darted around nervously, sweat beading on his forehead as he saw the determination in our eyes. "All right, all right!" he said, his voice a higher pitch than before. "I'll tell you everything. The Collective is like a secret society. They operate outside of any government or law enforcement, and they have their fingers in many pies. They're involved in everything from drug trafficking to human smuggling to illegal weapons sales."

"So the artifact was all a lie huh?" I chuckled and looked and price and ghost

"I don't know who made you believe in circus magic but that thing was fake as fuck." I rolled my eyes and continued

Price and Ghost looked at me for a moment, their expressions inscrutable beneath their masks. "We knew the artifact was just a cover-up," Price said quietly. "But now we know who's behind it." He turned his gaze back to the shadow. "Now, tell us who the Director really works for. Who's giving the orders?"

The shadow hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for a way out. "I don't know," he said finally, his voice strained.

"I've never met the Director's superiors before, I swear! They only communicate through heavily encrypted channels, and their identities are always kept secret." 

Ghost and Price exchanged a glance, their expressions unreadable. "Do you have any idea where to find the Director," Ghost asked, his voice cold and toneless.

The shadow shook his head rapidly. "No, no, I don't know where the Director is," he said quickly. "He's always on the move, never stays in one place for too long." 

Soap stepped forward, his expression hardening. "You better start cooperating, mate," he growled. "Or things are going to start getting painful very quickly."

I laughed "my biggest question is how he hired a bunch of rookies to fight against us, it was evident when we took down half of your team the other day."

The shadow's eyes darkened with anger at my words. "Don't underestimate us," he snarled. "We may not have the same training or experience as you do, but we are still a formidable force to be reckoned with."

Ghost stepped forward, his mask hiding any emotions he might have been feeling. "You may have thought you were ready, but you were still no match for us. Now start talking before something bad happens to you and your teammates."

"Let me make it simple for you lieutenant." I got to another male who had a deep scar on his eye I put my knife on the other eye and made a cut he agonized in pain.

Price, Ghost, and Roach all tensed up at my actions. Ghost stepped forward, his voice firm but calm. "That's enough, Shym. We don't want to stoop to their level."

But I was focused on the shadow, not caring about the blood running down his face. I grabbed his hair and pulled his head up, my eyes locked on his. "Now start talking, or the next cut won't just be a scar."

The shadow looked at me, fear and defiance battling in his eyes. "Okay, okay," he said finally, his voice a pained whisper. "I'll tell you everything I know." 

He took a deep breath and began speaking, telling us about the Director's plans and the organization's structure. As he spoke, the rest of the team listened in silence, absorbing every piece of information. 

Once the shadow had finished speaking, Ghost turned to me, his expression hidden behind his mask. "Good job, Shym."

The shadow looked at me, fear and defiance battling in his eyes. "Okay, okay," he said finally, his voice a pained whisper. "I'll tell you everything I know." 

He took a deep breath and began speaking, telling us about the Director's plans and the organization's structure. As he spoke, the rest of the team listened in silence, absorbing every piece of information. 

Once the shadow had finished speaking, Ghost turned to me, his expression hidden behind his mask. "Good job, Shym."

His words were simple, but they sent a shiver down my spine. I felt something spark inside me at his praise, something I couldn't quite place. I nodded curtly, trying not to show how his praise affected me.

Roach smirked at me, a small spark in his eye as he noticed my reaction. He knew exactly what I was feeling and found it entertaining

The briefing continued, we all gathered around a table discussing the information we had gathered. Roach remained close to me, his playful smirk never leaving his face.

He couldn't resist a teasing remark. "You seem a little flustered, Shym," he murmured with a wink.

"You forgot when you felt so flustered when ghost broke down the door of the toilet when u where dismembering ur bowels because of the spicy food you ate huh" I smirked and tried my best not to laugh  (a ghost task scene which was too funny)

Roach winced at my jab, his cheeks flushing a faint pink. "Oh, har har har," he muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"You don't have to remind me of that every chance you get." 

Price chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, come on, Roach. You know we love to give you a hard time about that."

Roach rolled his eyes, a sheepish smile on his face. "Yeah, yeah, I know. But sometimes I really wish I could go back in time and avoid eating that cursed Seychellian food"

Price slapped Roach on the back, a big grin on his face. "Well, mate, it gave us a good laugh at your expense, so I'd say it was worth it."

The rest of the team laughed, the atmosphere lightening for a moment as we all enjoyed Roach's faux pas. Roach just shook his head, a good-natured chuckle escaping his lips. "I suppose it's all part of the team bonding experience, right?"

"The smell that hit my nose that night wasn't that team bonding nor pleasant" I said

Roach grimaced, a mix of embarrassment and amusement on his face. "Yeah, that was a rough night for all of us," he admitted. "Especially me." 

Ghost, who had been mainly silent up until now, finally spoke up, his voice a dry monotone. "I'm still not sure I've fully regained my sense of smell since that night."

I chuckled "well Riley maybe you shouldn't have broke that door, aren't you a curious man huh"

Ghost stiffened slightly at my comment, his expression hidden beneath the mask. "I was responding to a potential security threat," he replied coolly. "I didn't know Roach had a case of food poisoning at the time.", his expression as unreadable as ever behind his mask.

Roach, on the other hand, snorted a laugh. "You know, I still remember the look on Soap's face when he heard the crash." 

Soap's expression darkened, a grimace on his face. "Don't remind me," he muttered. "I've had nightmares about that smell ever since."

Roach looked at me with mock horror on his face. "Oh, please, not you too. Can't I just forget that ever happened?" 

Soap grinned back at him, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, no chance, mate. That memory is now etched in our minds forever."

Roach rolled his eyes, a defeated smile on his face. "You all are never going to let me live that down, are you?" 

Price chuckled, slapping Roach on the back once again. "Not a chance, mate. It's just too good a story to forget."

Roach shook his head, a resigned grin on his face. "Well, I suppose I should at least be thankful you all find it so amusing." 

I laughed, feeling a sense of camaraderie with the team. "Don't worry Roach. You may smell bad in there but outside on the field you're my favorite buddy."

"Anyways guys what shall we do tonight?" I looked around the room to find someone who would give some suggestions but it seems like everyone wasn't coming up with an idea.

I smiled mischievously "we can go back to club soleil tonight? You guys need to get some chicks you all look so distressed.." I looked sympathetic at everyone

"Price shouldn't you be married with this age? You aren't getting younger!"

Price chuckled at my remark, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Yeah, I suppose you're right. I'm not getting any younger, but sometimes life keeps you on your toes." 

Roach smirked, a sly grin on his face. "Yeah, well, maybe we can find Price a cougar to keep him company tonight. Someone who can keep up with his energy."

"So all 13 of you are with me, or not?" I looked at ghost who wasn't so amused with the idea, ofcourse he wasn't, they found me unconscious there 2 days ago. But it shouldn't keep me from having fu, It was an incident nothing more.

Ghost's gaze locked with mine, his expression unreadable behind his mask as he considered my question. For a moment, he didn't respond, and I couldn't tell if he was going to refuse my invitation. Finally, he spoke, his voice quiet but firm. "Fine, I'll go." 

Roach grinned at Ghost's response, a sense of excitement building up inside him. "Well, now we're all in. Let's go have some fun, lads."

"Well one small problem..." I sighed and tried to phrase it as well as I could without making the team refuse our night out "who will watch those bastards we have in custody?"

Roach shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Oh, don't worry, mate. We'll leave that task to Ghost and Soap. They'll keep an eye on them while we're out having fun." 

Ghost and Soap nodded in agreement, exchanging a look that spoke volumes. I could tell they were up for the task, ready to keep our prisoners under control while we enjoyed ourselves for the night.

I grinned and sarcastically said "that is great! atleast now I can sneak someone in here for a good time in my bed tonight!" I winked at roach

Roach's eyes widened at my comment, a surprised chuckle escaping his lips. "Oh, you really are mischievous as hell, Shym." He grinned back at me, a playful glint in his eyes. "Just make sure you don't get caught sneaking someone in. I don't think Ghost would approve."

Price stifled a laugh, a wry smile on his face. "Yeah, Ghost isn't one for romance, especially not when we're on a mission. Keep it low-profile, and maybe he won't find out." 

Ghost remained silent, his expression unreadable behind his mask as he listened to our banter. But the twitch in his shoulders hinted at a silent chuckle. Even he found our conversation amusing, despite his usually serious demeanor.

"That won't be a problem lads, I have my clubbing identity she's called seraphina and loves to dance."

Soap grinned, a wicked gleam in his eyes. "Aye, don't worry, I'll keep the prisoners occupied while you two sneak around. Just don't stay in bed all night, or we'll have to search the whole base for you." 

Roach's face flushed slightly at Soap's comment, his cocky smile faltering for a brief moment.

"Alright let's get ready folks we don't have all night." I walked past ghost and went to my room where I would get ready for this evening

Roach followed me, a mischievous grin on his face. "I hope you're not planning anything too crazy tonight, Shym," he teased, "or Ghost might have a few unpleasant words for us tomorrow." 

I chuckled, a feeling of excitement building inside me as I thought about the night ahead. "Don't worry, Roach," I reassured him. "I just want to have some fun and forget about all the... unpleasant things we've been through lately. Maybe a pretty lady or two wouldn't hurt either."

Roach nudged me playfully, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, you're looking for a little adventure on the side, huh? Just remember, don't do anything that'll land you in trouble with Ghost. I don't want to deal with his grumpy attitude tomorrow." 

I laughed at Roach's warning, a smile on my face. "Don't worry, I'll keep it low-key. I wouldn't want to rile up Ghost any more than I already do."

As we reached my room, I opened the door and stepped inside, Roach following behind me. The room was simple but functional but I tried to make it more to my taste, with a bed, a small desk where I did my makeup, and a closet for our gear and daily clothes. I headed towards the closet and started rummaging through my clothes, trying to find something pretty to wear for our night out. 

Roach plopped down on the bed, watching me with a mischievous grin on his face. "You got your eye on someone tonight, Shym?" he asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

I couldn't help but chuckle at Roach's attempt to act casual. "Oh, come on, Roach. You know me better than that," I teased. "I'll just flirt with whoever catches my eye. You know I can't resist a handsome lad."

Roach pretended to swoon with mock-hurt feelings. "Oh, how could you be so treacherous to me, Shym? And here I thought we had something special." 

I rolled my eyes, shaking my head in amusement. "You're such a drama queen, Roach. But don't worry, you're still my favorite buddy on this base."

Roach chuckled, his mock-hurt expression shifting back to a mischievous grin. "I knew you couldn't resist my charms," he taunted, leaning back on the bed as he spoke.

"But remember, there's a lot of competition out there tonight. I have no doubt you'll have a flock of hungry males following you around in no time."

"Right, let's hope for the best." I turned around and threw a towel on his face "I suggest you leave because you cannot see a lady get undressed in her own room."

Roach grabbed the towel off his face, a smirk on his lips. "Oh, come on, Shym. Don't be shy. I've seen a lot of ladies with different bodies, and I'm sure this won't be any different."

I rolled my eyes, secretly amused by his teasing. "Gross.. Yeah, well, keep dreaming, Roach. You'll never be that lucky."

Roach feigned disappointment, a theatric expression of hurt on his face. "Oh, I'm wounded. You won't even let me get a glimpse of you undressed?" 

I couldn't help but grin at his over-the-top performance. "That's right. Now, out. I'll see you later at the club."

Roach reluctantly got up from the bed and started heading towards the door. "You're a cruel woman, Shym," he muttered playfully, trying to hide his amusement. 

As he reached the door, he turned back one last time and smirked. "Have fun tonight. And don't get into too much trouble... or do, I won't complain."

I screamed at the door "I will see you tonight! I hope ur charms will atleast get u one girl tonight."

Roach chuckled on the other side of the door, his voice slightly muffled. "Oh, you have no idea. I'll have them all swooning before you even walk through the door." 

I laughed, shaking my head at Roach's confidence. Knowing him, he probably would have a flock of girls around him within minutes. He had that effect on people.

While I was getting ready soap and ghost had another conversation mostly about the night out, me wanting to take a man home and them needing to watch the shadows.

Soap and Ghost sat in the surveillance room, the dim glow of monitors casting a pale light on their faces. They were keeping a watchful eye on the shadows, making sure they didn't attempt anything foolish. 

Soap looked at Ghost, a teasing grin on his face. "So, Ghost, how do you feel about our dear Shym's plans for tonight? Think she'll find a special someone to share her bed with?"

Ghost stared blankly at the camera feed, his eyes fixated on the shadows. "I care little for her personal desires," he responded, his voice monotone.

"Our duty is to watch these shadows and ensure our team's safety. Whatever she does in her personal time is of no concern to me."

Soap raised an eyebrow, a smirk on his face. "You say that now, mate. But I have a feeling your thoughts will take a different path when you see her flirting with a handsome stranger on the dance floor." 

Ghost simply grunted in response, not denying Soap's statement. He knew deep down that he couldn't resist the temptation of observing her interactions with others.

Soap chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "Ah, Ghost. Always the stoic one, pretending not to care. But we all know how you really feel. You can't help yourself from wanting her to give you her undivided attention. But maybe, just maybe, tonight she'll find someone who appreciates her company more than you do." 

Ghost's jaw tightened slightly, the only outward sign of his irritation at Soap's words.

Soap noticed the subtle tension in Ghost's jaw and decided to change the subject, sensing that the conversation was veering into uncomfortable territory. He shifted his focus back to the surveillance screens, keeping a watchful eye on the shadows while the gears of his mind quietly processed his observations.

"Well, let's hope tonight turns out to be a good night for everyone," he said, breaking the silence. "We could all use a bit of excitement and distraction from the mundane routine. And maybe, just maybe, some of us might find a little happiness in the process."

Ghost remained silent, his mind swirling with conflicting feelings. He knew Soap's words held more truth than he wanted to admit. He couldn't deny the fact that he had developed complicated feelings for Shym. The thought of her getting intimate with someone else sent a surge of jealousy through him.

Soap shifted the conversation to a new subject "well seems we have a long night ahead of us" he chuckled.

"God, why couldn't we just kill them in that club that night, I could go out and now we are sitting here.."

Ghost scoffed in agreement, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "We were ordered to capture them and extract information, not kill them in a crowded club. " 

Soap shrugged his shoulders slightly, a knowing look in his eyes. "I understand the orders, Ghost. It's just that sometimes, the straightforward solution seems more appealing than all this waiting and watching. But we have our duty, and we must follow it, no matter the circumstances."

Back in shym's room she was getting ready while blasting Sean Paul from her speaker, tonight was going to be better, with foundation she covered the mark she got from the club 2 nights ago and had another very cute dress in her closet this time it was a satin gold dress which she only wore to special occasions

I stood in front of the mirror, assessing my reflection with a critical eye. The foundation concealed the remnants of my accident, and the shimmering gold dress hugged my curves perfectly. I felt confident and sexy, ready to take on the night.

I added the finishing touches to my makeup, applying a coat of mascara and a touch of rosy blush. As I looked at my reflection in the mirror, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement course through me. Tonight was going to be different. Tonight, I was going to let loose and have some fun.

With a final glance in the mirror, I took a deep breath and grabbed my phone, scrolling through my music library for the perfect soundtrack for the night. As the opening notes of a playful and seductive track filled the air, I felt the energy within me rising to the surface. 

Tonight, I was going to dance, flirt, and forget about the worries and responsibilities that had been weighing me down. I deserved to have a night of carefree fun.

I took one last look at myself in the mirror and smiled, my confidence boosted by the vibrant energy that pulsed through me. Feeling unstoppable and ready to dance the night away, I made my way out of the room, shutting the door behind me with a firm click. 

As I sauntered down the dimly lit hallway, my hips swaying to the rhythm of the music in my ears, I felt a sense of liberation. Tonight, I was free to explore the possibilities that the night had in store for me.

The beat of the music grew louder as I entered the common area, my gaze immediately locking onto the faces of Roach, Gaz, and the others. I could feel their eyes on me, taking in the sight of me in my gold dress. 

I strutted towards Roach, a teasing smile on my lips. "Well, well, well, what do you think, Roach?" I asked playfully, doing a little twirl to showcase my dress.

Roach's eyes widened, a wolfish grin spreading across his face as he shamelessly checked me out. "You look absolutely stunning, Shym," he complimented, his eyes trailing down my figure with unabashed admiration.

"My face is here roach." I said

Roach's eyes snapped back up to my face, a guilty look on his face. "Right, sorry, love. Can you blame a man for appreciating a beautiful woman?" he replied, his tone dripping with charm.

I rolled my eyes, playfully smacking his arm in mock annoyance. "You're unbelievable, Roach." I couldn't help but smile at his blatant flirting. It was all part of his charm.

And then soap and ghost came from the surveillance room to the common room where they were met with everyone

As Ghost and Soap entered the common room, their eyes widened slightly at the sight of me in my gold dress. I could feel their gazes on me, their silent approval or possible judgment, it was difficult to tell. 

I stood tall, my confidence unwavering, and gave them a flirtatious smile. "Well, boys, how do I look?"

I looked glum at the guys "you know it's so sad you need to stay here. I suggest you guys grab some beer to make the night a little more enjoyable! While we're gone.."

Ghost's eyes remained focused and disciplined, disregarding my efforts to lighten the mood. Soap, on the other hand, considered my suggestion for a brief moment before responding with a smirk. 

"I appreciate the sentiment, Shym," Soap replied. "But we won't be needing any beer to make the night enjoyable. Our focus is on keeping watch of those shadows." 

I nodded, accepting his response. It was no surprise that Ghost didn't offer any reaction to my suggestion. He was all business tonight.

"Alright let's get going everyone!" I screamed trough the common room leaving the room as fast as I could

Everyone  followed close behind me, eager to start the night, and Soap chuckled softly, shaking his head at Roach's enthusiasm. However, Ghost remained stoic, his expression unreadable. I could feel his gaze lingering on me, but I tried not to pay attention, keeping my focus on the night ahead.

We arrived at the club, the thumping music and flashing lights welcoming us with a sense of excitement. Roach immediately joined the crowd and began dancing like a maniac, his carefree energy drawing attention. Soap stood nearby, bobbing his head to the music but keeping an eye on our surroundings.

I looked at gaz while John and the rest of the team went their own ways "care to offer me a drink gazzy?"

Gaz chuckled at my question, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Of course, love. Can't let you have a dull night." 

With a wink, he leaned in closer and whispered, "You look absolutely stunning, by the way. I don't think there's a man here who hasn't checked you out ."

I whispered back "that's the whole point comrade."

Gaz nodded in agreement, a sly smile on his lips. "Well, mission accomplished. You'll definitely have your pick of partners tonight." 

I smirked, feeling the confidence coursing through me. "That's the plan, Gazzy. Let the fun begin."

After 10 minutes gaz had left me to fend for myself as he made his way to the couch where a few of the others where sitting.

I kept myself at the bar for a little while when a guy stood next to me buying a drink he looked at my direction "would you also like a drink?"

I looked up from my phone and smiled at the guy next to me. His confidence and charming demeanor made him seem like a decent choice for a partner for the night.

"Why not? I'd love a drink," I replied, feeling a warm buzz of anticipation. As he ordered two drinks, I took a moment to study his features, finding myself appreciating his appearance.

He slid the drinks over to me and gestured for us to move to a nearby table. I followed his lead and we claimed a cozy spot near the edge of the dance floor. As the pulsating music filled the space around us, he leaned in to speak, his words barely audible over the rhythm.

"I don't think I've seen you around here before," he remarked, his eyes trailing over my figure admiringly.

I sipped my drink and told the man "I'm not from here actually I'm on a business trip."

His eyebrows arched in surprise, adding a captivating allure to his gaze. "A business trip, huh? That's quite intriguing," he replied, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "What kind of business has brought you here?"

I responded with a vague answer, keeping my true purpose under wraps. "Oh, just some meetings and negotiations," I said, my tone light. "It can be a bit tedious, but it's important for my work." 

He nodded, seemingly satisfied with my explanation, and his eyes roamed over my figure once more, a flicker of admiration evident in his gaze

Sensing his interest, I shifted slightly, making sure to accentuate my curves. I knew the way I moved caught his attention and it was just about time to make my move. 

I leaned in closer, my voice dropping to a seductive whisper. "So, you like what you see?" I purred, my eyes locked with his. 

The man's breath hitched slightly, a flicker of lust passing through his eyes as he composed himself and replied in a low, rough voice, "I wouldn't be a man if I didn't.."

I smiled and looked him in the eye. "Maybe we should grab another drink?"

He grinned, his eyes never leaving mine. "Sounds like a plan. Same as the last one, love?" he asked, already signaling the bartender.

"Ofcourse, that would be fine." I said

Roach stumbled towards me, two giggling girls hanging onto each arm. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his antics, but the girls looked completely mesmerized by his charismatic charm. Roach was having the time of his life, but I doubted he would remember much of it tomorrow.

"Oh roach.. it seems you got urself not 1 but 2 ladies for tonight, I hope you won't bring them home also I think ghost will feel very grumpy tomorrow."

Roach let out a hearty laugh and grinned, shrugging his shoulders. "What can I say? These ladies can't resist my irresistible charm," he said with a wink. "And don't worry about Ghost. He'll just have to deal with it.." 

The girls around Roach tittered with laughter, clearly finding his bravado charming and enjoyable.

I stood up "well ladies enjoy ur evening with this pest, I will now go to the dance floor" I waved them goodbye and when I stood somewhere in the middle I started swaying on the music

Roach's laughter followed me as I made my way to the dance floor. As soon as I found a spot, I let myself get lost in the music, moving my hips and arms in sync with the rhythm. The club lights flashed and pulsed, creating a dazzling display of colors that made the dance experience even more exciting. 

As I danced, I felt the eyes of the people around me, their gazes drawn to the way my body moved, the way my dress shimmied and spun.

Meanwhile back at the base with ghost and soap when they anticipated going to the club

Ghost and Soap remained vigilant, their attention focused on the surveillance screens in front of them. Ghost's gaze remained steady, never faltering as he monitored the various feeds. However, Soap couldn't help but feel a sense of restlessness, his eyes occasionally wandering to the clock on the wall. 

"How much longer?" Soap asked, his voice laced with impatience.

Ghost's gaze didn't waver from the screens as he replied, his voice steady and cool. "We stay until everything is clear, Soap. No need to rush. The club isn't going anywhere. Our priority is here."

Soap sighed, his impatience evident in the way he shifted in his seat. "I know, I know. But it's still just... a bit boring, y'know? Just sitting here, watching for something that might not even happen." 

Ghost finally glanced over at Soap, his expression stern. "We're not here to have fun, Soap. We're here to do our job, regardless of how boring it may get."

Soap shifted his attention from the screen towards Ghost. "Och, how everyone's enjoyin' their night, and Shym will surely bring someone home. But I cannae imagine anyone else doin' the same. We all ken Roach might manage it too," he exclaimed with a chuckle.

Ghost's brow furrowed at Soap's comment, a hint of irritation in his eyes. "We're not here to worry about who's bringing who home, Soap," he responded gruffly. "Our focus is on the mission, on gathering intel. Everything else is secondary." 

Soap shrugged nonchalantly, a teasing smile on his lips. "Ah, c'mon Ghost. Don't play the grumpy ol' soldier. You should loosen up a bit, maybe even find a pretty lady for yourself."

Soap stood op "c'mon what if we just go for an hour to the club? Nothing bad will happen we tied them down pretty good didn't we?"

Ghost's expression hardened, a mixture of annoyance and frustration in his eyes. "Tied them down good enough?" he echoed. "This isn't some game, Soap. Those shadows are dangerous and cunning. We can't afford any distractions, no matter how small." 

Despite Ghost's firm stance, Soap's enthusiasm was undeterred. He slapped Ghost's shoulder playfully. "Aw, Ghost. Lighten up. One hour won't break the rules, and I bet you need a bit of excitement too."

Ghost's eyes narrowed, the last thing he wanted was to be dragged along to a club by Soap, who was clearly in a reckless and carefree mood. He sighed, reluctantly giving in. 

"Fine," he huffed, his tone laced with irritation. "We'll go for an hour but not a minute more. Understood?"

Back in the club shym was with the man she was drinking with earlier having a blast on the dance floor where they were dancing she was pretty drunk and couldn't think straight until the weight on her back changed and felt someone or something else dancing with her

The weight on her back caught her off guard, and she suddenly felt disoriented. The music and lights continued to pulsate around her, but her focus was entirely on the unexpected presence.

Before she could fully process what was

happening, a voice, low and dark like a whispered promise, rumbled softly by her ear. 

"Leaving yourself vulnerable, love? Not too bright..." His breath was hot against her skin.

Shym's heart raced as she realized who it was. She'd recognize that voice anywhere even in the haze of inebriation. The familiar, rough yet seductive tone of Ghost's voice sent a shiver down her spine.  

She mustered up enough composure to muster a witty response. "Oh, Ghost," she replied, her words slurred slightly. "Finally realized I'm the only entertainment you need tonight?" 

Despite her attempt at nonchalance, her body reacted involuntarily, leaning back into him as they moved to the rhythm.

Ghost's laughter rumbled through his chest, a low, husky sound that sent tremors through her body.

He wrapped his arms around her from behind, firmly holding her in his embrace. 

"Quite the opposite, love," he murmured in her ear, his hot breath teasing her skin. "I came to make sure you don're do something that would be... regrettable." 

She could sense the tension in his words, a hint of possessiveness that made her heart race even faster.

My words where slurred and I couldn't think straight, the alcohol was really taking a toll on my mind "s-shouldn't... you be..watching uhh, the camera's in our basement? And why.. do I see Soap right there?" My head fell in his chest trying to find support

Ghost chuckled softly at her drunk stumbling, his grip on her firm and unyielding.

"The base is covered," he responded, his voice laced with a mix of amusement and a hint of something else she couldn't quite put her finger on. "And Soap is there to enjoy the night, just like us." 

He noticed the way her head lolled against his chest, her body seeking his support. He tightened his arms around her, drawing her even closer.

"You know lieutenant" she looked at his skull mask, it never came off and she didn't question it. "This isn't..like you?" I muttered

Ghost's grip tightened as she mentioned his usual demeanor. "Perhaps not, love," he responded, his voice carrying a hint of melancholy.

"But sometimes even soldiers need to take a break." 

His fingers grazed gently over her arms, a tender gesture in the midst of their dancing. He seemed distant yet close, lost in his own thoughts as they swayed to the music's rhythm.

"I need to find the person I was just dancing with... me and roach made a deal to take someone to the base tonight.." I walked towards the bar to find the person I was eyeing but instead took another drink.

Ghost's eyes followed her as she stumbled towards the bar, concern flickering in them. As she reached for another drink, he stepped in, gently taking the glass from her hand. "Perhaps it's time to cut back on the alcohol, love," he suggested, his voice low and tinged with worry.

"Then let me.. find the man I was just with." I looked around the room but i couldn't find him I sighed

"you know I made a pact with roach for the night, which I think the other guys are also following somehow to bring a hottie back to our base, and I will not leave before I got my gift wrapped and ready to unpack at home.."

Ghost's lips curled into a smirk beneath his skull mask, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Ah, the pact," he said, his voice tinged with teasing indulgence. "It seems like a grand mission, indeed. But I assure you, love, you have no need to worry." 

As she searched for her previous partner, Ghost discreetly took in the scene around them, his observant gaze sweeping the club.

Meanwhile, a familiar figure emerged from the crowd - Roach, stillaccompanied by two giggling ladies. He spotted Ghost and me together and approached with a mischievous grin. "Well, look who finally came out to play," Roach teased, his voice filled with mischief. 

Ghost nodded subtly in acknowledgment, his eyes dancing with a hint of amusement. "Seems like we're all indulging in some entertainment tonight," Ghost replied, gesturing towards the women on Roach's arms.

Roach nodded, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Yeah, got myself a couple of lovely ladies too. Can't complain." He turned his focus to me, a devious glint lighting up his gaze. "Ah, there you are, my special lady. Have you found your partner for tonight?"

I looked at the floor I felt like I was spinning "ghost scared him off so now he's the one I'm going for tonight.."

my eyes sparkled and looked at roach "as my last resort.." I grabbed his hand and told him and his girls to help me find someone, ghost as always looked irritated deep down he wanted to make sure he was going to be his last resort

Roach's mischievous grin widened, sensing the underlying tension between me and Ghost. He took my hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "Don't worry love, we'll find you a new handsome man for tonight," he assured, his voice full of determination. 

Ghost's eyes darkened, his fists clenching slightly. As Roach and I weaved our way through the crowd, he felt a mixture of frustration and an inexplicable possessiveness stirring within him.

As Roach chatted up potential candidates, I couldn't help but glance back over at Ghost. His eyes remained fixed on me, his jaw clenched just slightly. There was something more behind those eyes, an unmistakable flicker of jealousy that he tried so hard to mask.

And then I realized, deep down I wanted to make him jealous, deep down I felt something and I knew he did too but he could only be nothing more than my upper rank, someone I could only command to. It wasn't professional at all what we where doing

Roach, ever the observant one, noticed the shift in my demeanor as I glanced back at Ghost. He leaned in, a devious smirk on his face, and whispered, "Ah, I see how it is. You're enjoying this little game, aren't you? Trying to get a rise out of our Lieutenant?"

I chuckled, "it's time I will go outside for a smoke, when I come back I want a guy next to me, I am not losing this bet."

Roach nodded, his wicked grin widening. "Consider it done, darling. I'll make sure you have a tall, dark, and handsome specimen waiting for you when you return." As I stepped outside, Roach discreetly approached Ghost, a playful glint in his eyes.

Somehow being apart of the military made me stressed, and my only resort to become more calm was marijuana I don't do it as often as I did back in the days but right now I felt the urge. Somehow I still had one hidden in my bag and lit it up. That was a bad idea, the effects hit me almost instantly making me feel clouded, and not thinking straight anymore. I ran back inside to see roach. Everything felt disorted though, but I made sure no one noticed my shift in emotion.

Roach's eyes widened as I returned, a hazy grin replacing his earlier smirk. "Well well, someone looks like they're feeling a little... relaxed," he commented, his teasing laced with genuine interest. 

My eyes dilated ever so slightly, my muscles felt a bit looser, and my expression held a hint of giddiness. Roach noticed the change and couldn't resist the urge to egg me on.

I shut him down "quiet, I want to see the random specimen you brought me."

Roach chuckled softly, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Alright, love, your wish is my command." He led me through the throngs of people toward a secluded corner where a tall, dark- man stood in the dark, leaning against the wall.

Roach whispered in my ear, "A beautiful man, isn't he? I promised to deliver, and I never disappoint." His words were tinged with a hint of pride, and he waited for my reaction. 

I observed the mysterious man with a clouded, hazy mind. My eyes roamed over his form, taking in his tall stature and dark features. He was undoubtedly attractive, with a rugged edge that intrigued me in my altered state.

The thing I didn't know it was ghost.

Roach stepped back, a satisfied smirk on his lips as he gestured towards the mysterious man waiting in the dark corner. "There you go, love. A tall, dark, and handsome specimen, just as you requested." He watched me closely, curious to see how I would react. 

My eyes widened slightly,

and I licked my lips, feeling a heat rise within me as I took in his form. Something about the way he leaned against the wall, his dark features blending into the shadows, called to me, drawing me closer.

Despite my clouded mind, I managed to maintain some semblance of composure, but the alcohol and the drugs I did made me feel bold, almost reckless. Taking a deep breath, I approached him with a slow, seductive stride, my steps almost melodic.  

His eyes met mine from under the shadows, and for a split second, a flicker of recognition ignited within them.

[kaida-beifong]

What's the point of you?

Lucius is use to forward questions, he really is. It's hell after all but there is one question that tends to bother him more then others. ------ Alastor: Well if it isn't our favorite little Prince, finally finished cleaning up your mess? Lucius: One, I am taller then you and two.. Piss off. Alastor: My oh my someone's in a wonderful mood today. What's the matter, did your little beau dump you, maybe find out about her little bastard. Lucius: Go do something productive with your time instead of bugging me Coatrack. Alastor: Actually I have a question, that's why I came to you. Lucius: I'm tempted to tell you to trot off elsewhere. Alastor: I suppose I could just go bother Charlie with my question if you're too grumpy, I'm sure she'd still be willing to make time for her favorite manager, even with her condition bein- Lucius: *growls* Okay, what the fuck do you want?! Alastor: Tsk tsk, so hostile. If you're going to be so moody maybe I should go ask Charlie- Lucius: Just ask your question Alastor. Alastor: What's your purpose? Lucius: ..Excuse me? Alastor: Your purpose, what's the point of you. I mean most don't openly choose to have twins right, and if Charlie married another royal, what would become of you. It kinda makes some sense that she has another woman partner, so I assumed that hey, at least the prince will be useful should she ever need an heir. Seeing as magic was an option all along, I'm now wondering.. What is your purpose. Why do you exist. Lucius: Twins aren't usually planned for one, but why don't you figure it out yourself, not that it's your business anyway. Alastor: It's okay that you don't know, not everyone can know everything. Just makes you kinda useless really. I mean why did they even pick Charlie to take over. Why not you, it just feels like you we're more of donor. If not to create a future heir then maybe some kinda limb or organ donor. Seriously what is the point of you. Lucius: Are you trying to anger me. Alastor: Depends, is it working? Lucius: Fuck off. Alastor: Aww, did I hurt your feelings or do you genuinely not know. Lucius: It's not your business there's your answer. Alastor: So you don't know.. How long has that question plagued your thoughts. Hmm, makes me wonder if you have a place at all- Lucus: You ever think I might be an advisor, a guard or anything along those lines. Alastor: ..No. Cause Vaggie is practically Charlie's little guard on top of helping this place and well let's be fair. Charlie doesn't follow anyone's advice but her own.. And maybe Vaggie's if the idea falls into her own. So no, it doesn't sound like you have much of a purpose in that regard either. Lucius: Fine whatever, think what you want. Alastor: So you don't know either, how interesting. Lucius: I just want you to leave me alone. Is that a lot to ask of the oh so mighty powerful radio demon. To just leave me be. Fuck off somewhere. Alastor: Fine. Seems like you don't know anything more then I do. Must really suck to know you don't stand anywh- Lucius: *Growls* I SAID FUCK OFF! Alastor: Very well.. Lucius: ..Annoying fucking coatrack. I need to go somewhere, blow off steam. ------ Charlie: *Sighs* Vaggie: What's wrong babe? Charlie: Lucius is going to Bee's. Vaggie: Gluttony District, why? Charlie: Didn't say but he only goes there when he's not in a good headspace. Vaggie: I'm sure he'll be fine. Don't over think it, he's probably just stressed with this whole baby thing and still trying to figure out how to talk to Clara. He'll perk up eventually. Charlie: I hope so..

[fictionadventurer]

An underrated benefit of love triangles is that they allow you to have a love story where the ending isn't immediately obvious. In your standard romance, the two leads meet, and then it's just a matter of time until they hit the plot beats that lead to the happily ever after. But the love triangle gives you two plotlines! Two different dynamics! Two valid directions for the plot to veer that will still lead to a romantic happy ending without that ending being a foregone conclusion.

The main character can grow and change in multiple different ways because there are two men on equal standing with her, who can have an influence on her in different ways, giving her multiple different lenses to help her understand who she is and who she really wants to be. When it's done right, the story will be satisfying no matter what the endgame is, because the point is going along on the journey and seeing who the characters become. And the great thing is that you don't know who they'll become because there are two valid options, so the entire story can be surprising, which is so refreshing when so many love stories are so predictable.

[cinnamon-phrog]

A mutual reblogged a pr*ship post and their dni is now neutral. Unfallowed. Bolcked.

[kaidanalenkosprmanager]

THE BEST OF PRIORITY: TUCHANKA (PART 2)

Featuring: Cmdr. Sophie Shepard, Lt. James Vega, EDI, Urdnot Wrex, and Dr. Mordin Solus With: Urdnot Bakara And a Special Guest Appearance by: Kalros, Mother of All Thresher Maws I MADE A MISTAKE! I made a mistake... big picture made of little pictures- too many variables. Can't hide behind statistics... can't ignore new data- my responsibility. Need to go- running out of time. Not your work, not your cure- not your decision. Had to be me- someone else might have gotten it wrong... Mass Effect 3: Legendary Edition (2021)

[semercury]

once again trying to research LAYOUTS of buildings and stuff so i have a visual, and since i decided on slaughterhouse/meat packing plant as the location, i got to read articles that reminded me on why i became vegan...

[kisskissgotohell]

i just wanna point out that, like. it's okay to disagree with the main character. just because they're the pov of the story doesn't mean they're infallible or that their word is law? you can like that character that tried to kill the mc. you can think the mc made the wrong choice. you can forgive things that the mc would never forgive, or choose not to forgive things that the mc does, because you're not the main character. you are the reader of the story, and just because you can't change it (and it's not the author's responsibility to capitulate to fans) doesn't mean you can't form your own opinions about it. it's fictional! that's the point! have fun with it!!

[whysamwhy123]

Ain't done this in a while but it's sorely needed because I have had A Week. So, if anyone has any spare serotonin lying around and would like to share, through the form of asks, it would be greatly appreciated.

[scripted-downfall]

Survival of the Fittest

Okay, time out.  I just stumbled across some “anti-hunting” posts and I want to address it.  Before I do, though, I want to make clear my loyalties.  I watch Supernatural and I like the show.  I vastly prefer both Dean and Cas to Sam, while there is very little disparity between my affection for Dean and my affection for Cas.  I recognize that all characters make mistakes, with varying degrees of justifiability.  I recognize that, in some limited ways, hunter-hate can be valid.

But.  I want to address one particular point.  I no longer remember who posted this because I’ve been stewing on it for a while, but I remember that they argued that, “a group of humans going around and killing non-humans for the simple crime of killing a human, even when they were just starving and needed to eat, are the bad guys.”  And just.

No.

And I say no, not because I’m blindly on the side of the hunters — since, as I said, I fully recognize that they’re not always in the right — but because predation exists???  In the natural world???

I mean, put it this way… My family keeps chickens.  Hawks and raccoons eat chickens.  They do not eat chickens because they’re cruel or sadistic; they eat chickens because they’re hungry and chickens taste good.  Shocker of all shockers, the chickens don’t want to be eaten.  If you don’t think the chickens are going to attack any hawk or raccoon that comes into the coop, you’re mistaken.  They will do their very best to attack the predator before it kills them.  Oftentimes, they will fail and they get eaten anyway.

Saying that hunters can’t attack supernatural creatures who are eating humans simply because “the monster is just trying to survive” is like saying that chickens cannot attack the creatures that go to eat them, or that any prey doesn’t have the right to defend itself against its predators.

Also, to rephrase the initial point, it’s basically an argument that hunters have no right to kill supernatural creatures because said Supernaturals are just trying to survive.  In other words, Supernaturals shouldn’t be killed because their mission is survival.  Which… like… sure, I guess I follow the point, but also; the point of hunters is to protect humanity’s survival (albeit on an individual level)?  So the argument is that the Supernaturals’ survival somehow deserves to be inviolable at the cost of human survival?  But that’s deemed illogical by the alleged “logic” of the initial argument; if killing a Supernatural is horrific because they’re just trying to survive, then killing a human is horrific because they’re just trying to survive.

With all due respect… just no.  At this point, the entire human-supernatural conflict should just be a matter of predation and what truly affects the outcome is survival of the fittest.