thorns-on-our-sides

[thorns-on-our-sides]

Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, Córdoba | Spain | 2023

[thorns-on-our-sides]

Glencoe by Kyle Bonallo

[thorns-on-our-sides]

* 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐔𝐓𝐘: 𝐌𝐎𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐍 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐅𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐈𝐈.

feel free to change pronouns / wording! spoiler warning.

" patrol boat, 2 o'clock, get under. "

" keep it quiet. "

" your plan was perfect. "

" plans depend on execution. "

" simple is best... until it's not. "

" power is held by those who seize it. "

" if it was a problem, you should have dealt with it! "

" there are no debts here... only loyalty. "

" i've done everything you've asked. "

" they're hunting for ya, stay low. "

" peace through strength. "

" knife's not gonna be enough. "

" i like your style. "

" you did what needed to be done. "

" you wasted precious time. "

" timing is everything. "

" everyone should own their mistakes. "

" a lie flies, while the truth... it only crawls. "

" if you control what people believe, you control the world. "

" you beat the gas but you still need some time to recover. "

" was worried your face was gonna melt off like those other poor bastards. "

" you ask me, it'd be an improvement. "

" how you getting in there alive? "

" head on a swivel, old man. "

" my weapons are my business. "

" these are very dangerous men. "

" we are all dangerous. "

" i never want to lie to you, but i can't tell you everything. "

" i hope you'll trust me. "

" silent and violent. "

" they know we're here. "

" there has to be a way to disarm it. "

" could go upside down quickly. "

" i specialise in upside down. "

" keep a low profile. "

" hard to walk onto an enemy base without a gun ready. "

" he took one for the team. "

" i'm impressed but... not surprised. "

" i'm giving you everything we know. "

" the opponent of my opponent is my ally. "

" people are dying down there. "

" how do we know we're safe? "

" you have a beautiful family. "

" family is everything. "

" no, no, no, please, there are more - "

" you exceeded my expectations today. "

" somebody beat us here. "

" there's at least twenty guns holding that area. "

" what do you need from me? "

" if only we could kill them all twice... "

" try not to get caught this time. "

" i should've killed him when we had the chance. "

" how did you get in here? "

" who are you with? "

" you going to kill me? "

" that's more... your strategy. "

" you're not safe anywhere. "

" i don't believe in luck. "

" bad luck is just poor planning. "

" every man is replaceable, even me. "

" no one is innocent. "

" war is treachery. "

" i asked you a question. "

" let me finish him! "

" i thought you were the good guys. "

" i've been looking for you. "

" we're not looking for money. "

" without an army, you got nothing. "

" that is not nice. "

" i got a name and a location. "

" i know all about lies. "

" not much for the beach? "

" prefer the snow. "

" no one gets in or out. "

" good to have a laugh while we can. "

" he fell... on a knife... nine times. "

" money can't buy happiness... "

" i wouldn't mind being sad on that boat. "

" special forces, show your hands! "

" i don't have a boss, no one tells me what to do. "

" no one tells me what to do. "

" or else you'll cut it off? "

" not my style. "

" why the mask? "

" wealth opens doors. "

" you're not very good at this. "

" let's make this personal. "

" last call, or he takes over. "

" i'm as good as dead without my money. "

" pleasure doing business with you. "

" that relationship is strictly transactional, i can assure you. "

" i want everyone to know that we won't be stopped by anyone. "

" you're a buzz-kill. "

" if he's still alive, he's still dangerous. "

" is there a single shit show that you are not a part of? "

" they're hunting us. "

" one wrong move, and i'll put a hole through you. "

" i'm freezing my ass off here. "

" got half a mind to let them find you. "

" your intel better be good. "

" my intel's always good. "

" you're a long way from home. "

" stay sharp, and try not to slow us down. "

" i have always had your back. "

" wasn't in the mood for visitors. "

" not an ambush if we hit them first. "

" no one else had the balls to do what i did for you. "

" keep the prisoner focused on their own self-preservation and eventually they will break. "

" good to see you remember your training. "

" i don't forget anything. "

" you can run, but you'll just die tired. "

" three things you cannot outrun in the world, folks - death, taxes, and me. "

" don't let him live inside your head. "

" every man for himself. "

" we gonna let this stand? "

" best way to end a war is to win it. "

" no prisoners. "

" got a light? "

" she's tying her shoe, likely checking if she's being followed. "

" they don't see us. "

" never bury your enemies alive. "

" he was the best of us. "

" who dares wins. "

" you're better than this. "

" this job is about making sacrifices for the greater good. "

" you got a body-count of your own. "

" i am not gonna beg for my life. "

[thorns-on-our-sides]

“Ok then, I'll be back here in about 20 minutes and then we can go back to your group.” He then returned to his post, in order to finish his shift.

True to his words, exactly 20 minutes later he was back, looking around for Nywe. Would the woman still be around? Or would have she gone off in the search of more information for her story?

        Nywe chuckled at Iain's candid remark. True, if she died on the job all her hopes and dreams would vanish without a trace. Maybe the massacre would appear on a newspaper's front page, but her death would ultimately add a tiny drop to the river of blood that would soon course through the country.

It was insignificant and pointless indeed. She would have to keep breathing to make a difference here.

❝ You're right, sergeant Raid. I'm just easy prey out here in the open, without anyone to support me. ❞ A gentle smile adorned Nywe's features as she spoke. ❝ You'll come to see that sometimes I forget this simple yet crucial fact. ❞

❝ And yes, I'd really appreciate it if you escorted me back to my group. They must be worried sick about me, ❞ she added in an apologetic tone.

Maybe she had snuck out to this place without telling anyone, and maybe quite some time had passed since her colleagues last saw her. Well, that was a problem for future Nywe; now she could go back safely with someone that seemed trustworthy.

[thorns-on-our-sides]

Iain nodded grateful that Nywe's group was playing this by the book. It made his job easier.

Still he couldn't help his eyebrow raising and a smile tugging at his lips with the last sentence. He sympathized with the feeling, knowing what has happening and how it was developing was vital in many aspects, but down to the very first casualty? This woman was going to be featured in many stories they told at night back in the barracks summarizing the day and the crazy things that happened during it, he could feel it.

"I understand the need, but try not to stray too far away from your colleagues and the protection squad you get assigned, yes? You can't really do your job if you can't make it out of the place you get yourself into." He adviced, voice soft.

It was harsh, but it was the truth. He had seen his fare share of brothers in arms dying absurd deaths because they wanted to play hero or they didn't stick to their groups. There was strength in numbers and his career kept drilling it into his head.

He checked his watch for the time. "I still have five minutes until I finish my shift, but, if you want, I can escort you, after I reported to my CO, until you get back to your group." It wasn't much, but she didn't seem like she was going to meet with her colleagues any time soon and it maybe it could help keeping her out of trouble.

        Nywe's expression softened as sergeant Raid introduced himself and mentioned the identification procedures for war correspondents. Yep! That checked out. Although he hadn't specified which checkpoint was responsible for verifying the legitimacy of press groups, only a few military squads were informed about this.

Preventing mass panic in the country was number one priority at the moment.

❝ Yes, all of us have been properly identified. My colleagues are filling the protection request as we speak, ❞ Nywe answered. Her gaze then flickered downwards, and a barely audible sigh came out of her mouth.

❝ ...I know I should be with them, but I just can't stand idly by while this country spirals into an all-out conflict. I need to document everything, up to the first casualty. ❞

Surely sergeant Raid would understand, right? He should be well-versed in the cruelties of war, and he should be aware that journalists were restless creatures when it came to their own work.

[thorns-on-our-sides]

Iain looked her up and down. She seemed legit, and the area had swarmed with press for a couple of days now. Still he couldn't help to be on his toes, it wouldn't be the first or last time someone with less than good intentions tried to play the press card.

"Nice to meet you Ms. Baumann. I'm sargeant Raid." He held his vest, relaxing his posture. "Has your group already been through the identification checkpoint? Tensions are running high and, although there's no official war, yet, some press groups are already asking to be assigned squads for protection when they are out of the safe zones."

So far his own squad had managed to avoid being assigned some journalist, and he was grateful for that. Even though it was part of his job sometimes, it still felt like babysitting duty and he had some not-so-great experiences with it in the past.

@thorns-on-our-sides sent:    ❝ I've not seen you here before. Who are you? ❞  ((choose which muse you prefer to be asking this)) First Meeting Sentences, Vol. 1

                       ✦• · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · •✦

        Nywe whipped her head around until her eyes met the gaze of a 30-something male soldier. His hard stare and lips drawn in a thin line suggested that she should identify herself, and fast; at least, if she didn't want to end up with a bullet between her eyes.

❝ My name is Nywe Baumann, and I work for Liberty Press, ❞ she explained in a calm tone, careful to pronounce each word clearly. For emphasis, Nywe gestured to the words of PRESS printed on her bulletproof vest.

❝ Me and some colleagues have been deployed here to record everything in case a war breaks out. As you will surely know, tensions have been running high between the countries these last days. ❞

Nywe paused for a moment, studying the man's face for signs of recognition (or at least a deescalation of hostility).

❝ Do you need more proof of identification? Or maybe I moved past the safe perimeter? ❞ she asked, concern etched in her voice.

[thorns-on-our-sides]

Iain looked her up and down. She seemed legit, and the area had swarmed with press for a couple of days now. Still he couldn't help to be on his toes, it wouldn't be the first or last time someone with less than good intentions tried to play the press card.

"Nice to meet you Ms. Baumann. I'm sargeant Raid." He held his vest, relaxing his posture. "Has your group already been through the identification checkpoint? Tensions are running high and, although there's no official war, yet, some press groups are already asking to be assigned squads for protection when they are out of the safe zones."

So far his own squad had managed to avoid being assigned some journalist, and he was grateful for that. Even though it was part of his job sometimes, it still felt like babysitting duty and he had some not-so-great experiences with it in the past.

"I've not seen you here before. Who are you?" ((choose which muse you prefer to be asking this))

        Nywe whipped her head around until her eyes met the gaze of a 30-something male soldier. His hard stare and lips drawn in a thin line suggested that she should identify herself, and fast; at least, if she didn't want to end up with a bullet between her eyes.

❝My name is Nywe Baumann, and I work for Liberty Press,❞ she explained in a calm tone, careful to pronounce each word clearly. For emphasis, Nywe gestured to the words of PRESS printed on her bulletproof vest.

❝Me and some colleagues have been deployed here to record everything in case a war breaks out. As you will surely know, tensions have been running high between the countries these last days.❞

Nywe paused for a moment, studying the man's face for signs of recognition (or at least a deescalation of hostility).

❝Do you need more proof of identification? Or maybe I moved past the safe perimeter?❞ she asked, concern etched in her voice.

[thorns-on-our-sides]

       ❝𝖫𝖮𝖮𝖪𝖨𝖭𝖦 𝖡𝖠𝖢𝖪, 𝖨 𝖶𝖮𝖭𝖣𝖤𝖱               𝖨𝖥 𝖨𝖳 𝖶𝖠𝖲 𝖶𝖮𝖱𝖳𝖧 𝖳𝖧𝖤 𝖤𝖥𝖥𝖮𝖱𝖳 𝖠𝖥𝖳𝖤𝖱 𝖠𝖫𝖫❞

Indie RP Blog for Nywe, an OC from THE WORLD ENDS WITH YOU ★ Selective ★ Multifandom & Multiship ★ Written by Ribbon (28; she/her, he/him)

〚 home — rules (desktop ⑊ mobile) — about (desktop ⑊ mobile) 〛

[thorns-on-our-sides]

* 𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐒𝐄  𝐎𝐑  𝐃𝐈𝐄.

feel free to change pronouns / wording!

“ you’re fucking lucky i didn’t call the fucking police on you. ”  

“ did you see the way she looked at me? ”  

“ those old movies suck. ”  

“ i don’t know what happened. ”  

“ you think you’re special. you’re not fucking special. ”  

“ i am so fucking smart. ”  

“ you shouldn’t listen to stuff like that, it’s bad for you. ”  

“ you eaten? there’s this karaoke place that does breakfast. ”  

“ reality is cursed. ”  

“ the rats… they’re in the walls now. ”  

“ long as they keep paying me, i don’t give a fuck. ”  

“ you’re not saying ‘when.’  i’m just gonna keep pouring. ”  

“ i’m only messing with you. ”  

“ the words came up right when you said them. ”  

“ i think that maybe we both need some sleep. ”  

“ this is real tragedy. ”  

“ you haven’t called me that in years. ”  

“ can’t have you talking about me. ”  

“ i don’t know how many more times i can explain to you what happened. ”

“ i don’t see how a video game can kill someone. ”  

“ it’s trying to make me hurt you. ”  

“ wait there ‘til i tell you to run. ”  

“ same time again tomorrow for more terror. ”  

“ you have to believe me. ”  

“ gotta make sure you use your powers wisely. ”  

“ do not start a food fight with me, i am a grand master. ”  

“ do you like anything about me? ”  

“ don’t let it play you! ”  

“ it made me do it with my own hands, it wanted to make me suffer. ”  

“ someday you gotta forgive yourself. ”  

“ you doing this ‘cause you wanna help me or you wanna get with me? ”

“ don’t make me listen to your shit. ”  

“ we gotta find something to bust this open. ”  

“ why leave it like this? ”  

“ the more the cursed suffer, the more the curser benefits. ”  

“ that can’t be real. ”  

“ sometimes, a curse can be a gift. ”  

“ why do you have her phone? ”  

“ we’re gonna play happy families. ”  

“ just for a second i thought i remembered you. ”  

“ won’t you sit down? ”  

“ i really am devastated. ”  

“ there’s nothing to be afraid of. ”  

“ aren’t guys like me allowed to be the fucking hero anymore? ”  

“ fuck the 80s! ”  

“ you wanna be the hero? prove yourself worthy. ”  

“ you’re gonna fucking pay for this. ”  

“ you were never here. ”  

“ you saved my life. ”  

“ i like that you made me look like a superhero. ”  

“ somehow you’ve managed to beat my game. ”  

[thorns-on-our-sides]

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[thorns-on-our-sides]

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