#((If you wanted to use someone else just let me know; I just figured Ryoko since she's the main))

[brokerofsecrets]

@nephytale liked for a thing

Generally, he was confident in his ability to get in and out of locations without being noticed. Even if that location was a ship. He had practically made a living out of it, after all. It would seem this time, however, he had mistimed his snooping. Teague was aware of the person approaching before he fully registered the sound of footsteps- inconvenient, as he slid a bit of paper into his pocket. There wasn't really anywhere for him to hide, which was even more inconvenient. He was also generally confident in his ability to talk himself out of trouble. He was charming enough, what could go wrong? "Afternoon."

[tobiasdrake]

The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan, Episode 5 - Her Melancholy

You know what, that's fair. I'm still mad but that's fair.

Again, I love Haruhi, she is my character, but I want the first thing I see this episode to be Haruhi flung violently out the window. Here we go.

Okay, Yuki probably wouldn't violently fling Haruhi out the window. Running away crying in an anxiety panic is more believable.

But you, Ryoko. You can do this. I believe in you. You are the epitome of Lawful Menace and you can hurl that trespasser through that window. Here we go!

She is holding it. She is holding Yuki's chocolates.

I mean. Reasonably speaking, Haruhi is innocent of any wrongdoing here. She had no idea. She met a boy, wanted to hang out, and hit it off. She barely even knows these people. Haruhi has done nothing wrong.

If she and Yuki were pals and she knew about Yuki's crush, then yes. If Ryoko had done this, then it would be a huge betrayal and personal violation of Yuki's friendship. But Haruhi's under no obligation to hang back and refrain from flirting with guys she meets in case someone else had eyes on them first.

As... bizarre as it is to say given her behavior in the other show, Haruhi is not the Bad Guy (TM) here. Reasonably, Yuki is simply running into the brick wall of "You never made a move". A curse that afflicts many a neurodivergent and anxietous person with their first or even later crushes. She had her chance at the Christmas Party and even tried to shoot her shot, but she took it back and let it pass her by. Now a bolder and more confident person is scooping him up instead.

That is a reasonable assessment of what's happened.

However, I have watched Yuki agonize over her feelings for four episodes so I am not feeling reasonable. I want Haruhi hit by a truck.

For real, though, I do feel for Haruhi here. She has no idea why Ryoko's furious.

This is the kind of character drama where nobody's really in the wrong, and that's always the most heart-wrenching of all. Haruhi was right to take her chance but Ryoko is right to be livid over it.

Oh shit, she wasn't even flirting.

(Opportunity to research Japanese Valentine's Day unlocked. Today I Learned Something!)

Episode 4 even set this up with Mikuru and Tsuruya discussing obligation chocolate. Valentine's Day in Japan is celebrated by the practice of women giving chocolate to men, but there are two different kinds: Inexpensive obligation chocolate and handmade true feelings chocolate, the latter of which can be used as a romantic confession.

Obligation chocolates are given to whatever guys happen to be in your social space. Colleagues, friends, acquaintances, etc. Just to avoid hurting anybody's feelings. Which has come under fire for pressuring women into pacifying men, with many opting in recent years to give friendship chocolate instead to just the people they're close to.

But, in any case, obligation chocolate is what Haruhi was doing here. She was just participating in a holiday custom, whereas Yuki and Ryoko spent the better part of yesterday whipping up heartfelt true feelings chocolate for Kyon.

Awww

Okay she no longer needs to be thrown out the window. They totally faked me out back there.

(Partly because I didn't understand chocolate politics. I did think it was odd that Haruhi was casually handing Kyon what is clearly just a Hershey's bar from the corner store but I figured that was just Haruhi being the type to buy her chocolate rather than make it at home. I did not realize there were actually different cultural meanings to the different gestures.)

Did she know that? She popped by yesterday and Kyon told her, "Yeah, everyone went home so club's cancelled." And then the two of them went off and hung out instead.

How would Haruhi know that Yuki was preparing true feelings chocolate for Kyon?

Lawful Menace is as much of an emotional roller-coaster of First Time Feeling Things as Yuki is. She just hides it better.

Ryoko Asakura is this show's MVP. No question. I like how she cherry-taps her punch because she even at her wit's end, she can't bring herself to attack another person over something she knows, in the rational part of her brain, isn't their fault.

So she takes a moment to just. Break down. And cry. And work through her feelings. This is good. Meanwhile poor Haruhi isn't really consoling her so much as she winds up having to be breakdown adjacent.

Sometimes there's nothing you can say or do. Sometimes you just have to be breakdown adjacent.

Yuki is entirely to blame here. She saw chocolate and had a panic attack. Even though, unlike me, she's lived in this culture for her entire life and would know what obligation chocolate is.

Ryoko needs to throttle Yuki. With love. But also throttling.

There we go. Throttling with love.

She doesn't even realize she dropped the box.

So she didn't have a panic attack and flee. She's just. A disaster.

SHE WAS GIVING HARUHI PRIVACY TO WOO THE BOY SHE LIKES

Yuki. Yuki. Why are you the most precious thing ever to walk on Haruhi's green earth?

Yuki sitting there like, "I'll be okay with it if you like Kyon too."

And Ryoko's face like, "I won't. I'll cut a bitch."

[aarcanechaoss]

3. Strength

We learn some more about our outstanding team and we find that Ryoko is a strong girl... she just lifted Dazai over her shoulder with ease.

Okay Bokuto was actually very funny Ryoko found. Akaashi was a seemingly less dead inside version of Fyodor and she appreciated that greatly.

“Fukami Aoba Johsai’s captain wants to talk to you.” Higuchi said, venom lacing her words. The pinkette rolled her eyes making Akaashi giggle quietly.

“Alright blondie where are they?”

“Don’t call me blondie you hoarder.” She snapped. “Over there in the light blue t-shirt.”

“Yikes someone didn’t get their daily dose of Aku today. Nice chat boys talk soon.”

Oikawa wasn’t stupid enough to say he wasn’t nervous to talk to the pink haired girl, he’s a confident man, stupidly cocky and competitive but he knows when he needs to back down from the alpha dog. Ryoko being the Alpha dog. She was terrifying, even mad dog stared towards their team in awe. They looked friendly enough but Toru Oikawa was astute enough to figure out something was up with the Yokohama team.

Strong

Fast

Incredibly keen

He needed to know and he was going to ask each and every player on that team.

Hirotsu fiddled with his monocle and watched as the students mingled, called parents or friends and generally did their own things, the Fukurodani coach stepped beside him.

“Takeyuki Yamiji.” He says. “Your team is something.”

“Ryuro Hirotsu. Yes they are.” He smiled. “Fukurodani is quite strong too.”

“In comparison to your lot I’ll definitely take that compliment.” The man laughed. “I’m sure you know half the reason Yokohama was invited was so we could learn your plays.”

“We know.” Hirotsu said smugly.

“Then I must ask why agree? Some of us definitely aren’t near your level we were surprised you agreed to join the camp.” Yamiji wondered.

“Let’s just say our lot needs some normalcy. Our school is very much performance based they need to be good at everything they set their minds too. They can do it they are strong kids but a misstep would... uh... anger them. We don’t pressure them to be perfect in any way- we want them to do well... and they enjoy teaching others. The third years like being mentors, the second years want to show off just a little and the first years want to be seen outside of Volleyball. A training camp gives them freedom.” Ranpo interjected.

“Very well said Edogawa.” Hirotsu laughed. Yamiji nodded in understanding.

“Shiratorizawa’s coach needs to be more like you, he’s stuck in his old ways- should have seen his face when your girls weren’t managers.”

“Ugh.” Ranpo sneered. If only they all knew what the Yokohama team really was they’d change their tune.

“Ugh indeed.” Yamiji laughed. “I should go make sure Bokuto isn’t planning on kidnapping Fukami from you he looks so sad now that she’s gone over to Oikawa and their Ace.”

“Perhaps, she has that affect on people.” Hirotsu smiled. She carries a warmth about her that gets hidden by a stone like shell with cracks running through it. The warmth would be a raging fire if not held back.

All of the Yokohama team was like that- they weren’t normal the school made certain they knew that, no one at that school was. Could you even call it a school? Principal Fukuzawa wasn’t entirely pleased by the governments methods of teaching.... non of the teachers were... it’s not teaching if the kids pass out.

Speaking of Hirotsu should go with the other coaches to check on the food Ranpo will be alright alone.

“Oikawa and Iwaizumi right? Blondie sent me over.” The pinkette said lazily. She could see the side eyes of her teammates it’s not like she was going to attack anyone that only happened once and she wholeheartedly believes Twain deserved it.

“Just wanted to meet you. We’ll play against you tomorrow and since we’ll be stuck together for a while maybe become friends?” Oikawa answered. Ryoko snorted at his tone.

“If you have no intentions of being friends don’t pretend I don’t like liars. You seem like a smart guy just ask your questions.”

“Okay fine you got me what gave me away?” Oikawa laughed, genuinely laughed.

“Iwaizumi’s face.” Said Ace went to speak before noticing the quirk on her lips, she was teasing them. “But seriously what’s up milk bread.”

Oikawa spluttered, Iwaizumi snorted and all else who heard snickered quietly. Okay maybe not quietly Tendo found that comment extremely funny.

“Well I was offering a branch of friendship for volleyball note swapping but after that comment.” Oikawa huffed.

“In other words what kind of training do you all do?” Iwaizumi asked.

“Oh- you should talk to Oda and Chuuya on that stuff. I just show up and hit things.” She chuckled. It didn’t seem genuine if the Aoba Johsai players were honest. Her fiery eyes darken slightly, “Honestly we just work well together, like all of you we train each section, play and style to near perfection but again those questions are best for the Captains milk bread.”

“I’m not going to live that down now.” Oikawa grumbled.

“No way milk bread.” Iwaizumi teased. Ryoko twitched and pulled on her braid watching them with an awfully calm watchful gaze, like an animal studying something new. “Let’s let Fukami go back to her team I think her manager wants her.”

Ryoko nodded abruptly and walked back towards the dark haired man she was near attached to.

Fyodor had been watching, as had most of the Yokohama team or at least the Akutagawa’s, Ranpo, Junichiro and coach- who knows what the others were up to... Atsushi was making friends, Chuuya was grumbling to Dazai and Oda with the Karasuno and Nekoma Captains and vices. Ryoko had been with Bokuto and Akaashi but Higuchi had soured her mood (she was now as motioned before speaking with Oikawa and Iwaizumi).

Fyodor often watched, he had no reason to interact unless necessary and no one was coming over to him just yet thankfully. His pale bony fingers played with the silver band on his wrist, it wasn’t a nervous tick or anything just caution. Ryoko and Chuuya wore one too and stupidly many people just assumed they were friend (they are but that’s not the point) ship bracelets. Nope just some spectacular silver bands to keep the three of them controlled.

Purple eyes caught stark grey ones, Chuuya had been thumbing his own bracelet but had made a motion towards Ryoko with his eyes. Fyodor followed till he caught her tense shoulders. The pinkette’s head jerked quickly and only just noticeable to those who knew it was a tick she gained while trying to keep herself controlled- one Chuuya shared. Fyodor didn’t have ticks, he had intelligence and poise... he had a terrible habit to mumble not that anyone would tell him less they face the wrath of their stoic volleyball manager. Ryoko looked uncomfortable, like she wanted to itch at her skin and pull her hair, she was tugging on her braid is that close enough. Her chuckle fell through the air as Iwaizumi called Oikawa milk bread again, more mutters, then the pinkette was soon by his side again.

“Are you alright Ryo?”

“Fine. You? You’re playing with the band again.”

“You noticed?”

“Chuuya is too.” She said pointedly. “I hate wearing it.” She muttered.

“Alright Burnabitch how about we go get dinner.” Fyodor raised a thin brow waiting for the pinkette to get his joke.

“Oh fuck you Rat Bastard it was one time and Kaji deserved it.” She snorted pushing him out the door.

Sakusa watched too, less sternly than Fyodor but definitely more than Atsumu and Osamu were. The trio was off to the side, Atsumu searching for his favourite short ginger (Hinata where are you?).

“You think those two are together?” They heard Lev ask. Yaku hummed in response watching the two Yokohama students walk towards the cafeteria.

“They most certainly aren’t.” Akutagawa scoffed.

“Sound jealous.” Dazai snickered.

“Am not.”

“Are too.”

“Am not Dazai.”

“Are too Akuuu!”

“Is the Yokohama team normally this... chaotic? Their energy off the court is so different to their energy on.” Sakusa grumbled.

“It’s like they get to act like kids off the court or something. They aren’t getting in trouble so maybe it’s normal.” Osamu shrugged.

“Maybe. They just were so scary when we played against them.” Atsumu shivered. “Especially their setter... pretty sure he was going to set dunk my face.”

“You were flirting with the female middle blocker.” Sakusa droned.

“HE DID WHAT!”

“That’s you’re cue to run!” Oda yelled gripping what he could of Akutagawa with the arm that wasn’t in a sling.

“Running!”

The evening seemed to go by stagnantly. Everything moving either slowly or too quick bouncing from person to person.

Dinner was nice, sushi and soft drink with some fried chicken if anyone wanted some. Desert was some ice-cream. Pretty simple thankfully. Now everyone was in their designated rooms chatting and messing around until lights out

Atsushi and Tanizaki were bumbling around chatting quietly, Hinata attempted to join but to no avail the two apologised saying their coach sent them a message and ran off. The poor small ginger he was so confused.

“Uh it’s basically bed time man?” Tanaka said as Akutagawa stood to leave.

“Not for me. Good night.”

And with that the door was slammed.

Again the evening felt odd.

“Gin? Ryoko? Higuchi? Where did they go?” Yachi wondered noticing the three empty beds. With hands on her hips she sticks her head out the door but either girl were in sight. “Have any of you seen them?”

“Not since showers.” Kiyoko answered. The girls brows furrowed- where did they go?

“Dazai you can’t go to bed yet.” Oda sighed.

“But I’m tired.”

“No you aren’t dumbass.” Chuuya kicked him.

“Hey what’s going on guys?” Kuroo and Daichi asked.

“We must go coach needs us.” Fyodor answered cryptically. A knock on the door startled everyone.

“Why does this feel like the start of something bad?” Asahi asked quietly before Sugawara whacked him on the head with a mighty negativity be gone.

“Oi Dazai get up lazy ass.”... Ryoko?

“Ryoko?” Bokuto asked with innocent confusion.

“Sup Owlking.” Ryoko grinned with her hands on her hips. “Dazai get up before I make you everyone else has headed over besides you four.”

“I’m going.” Chuuya and Oda said rushing out the door.

“Don’t wanna.” Dazai sung. Fyodor sighed, Ryoko’s eye twitched.

“Don’t say she didn’t warn you.” Fyodor said.

The third years watched as the pinkette strolled into the room slowly towards the seemingly unmovable Dazai and lifted him up.

No struggles or tugs just picked him up and threw him over her shoulder.

The third years sat gobsmacked.

“How?” Oikawa managed to get out.

“I work out.” She winked before sashaying out the door with Dazai swaying and grumbling over her shoulder. Fyodor just sighed again and followed out.

What the hell is up with that team?

[nomoregoldfish]

Imagine Pacho Sends You as a Gift to (Spy on) Amado 2/3

This is getting out of hand again, smh. (Not really) Warning: everyone loves Pacho. Un-betaed, I’ll post the entire thing on AO3 later. For now, you can find part 1 here.

Amado is occupied with all sorts of business affairs after you land in DF, leaving you to his younger brother Vicente. You quickly learn Vicente is in charge of security of all cartel business, that's something, you assume.

When asked why you don't go to Juárez directly, Vicente tells you Amado has several meetings with some important figures in DF. You have to figure out a way to infiltrate the plaza to learn more about Amado, staying at a luxury apartment owned by the narcos won't get you anything useful.

"She's crazy!" Vicente's whining when Amado finally shows up late that night, "She woke up at 5 in the morning for a fucking jog and dragged my ass to a wet market before it even opened. And that's not the end of it, she bought so much fish and my car still smells like a stinky fish tank right now."

Vicente is a bit exaggerating but you do have a fruitful trip to the local market. 

"Yet you finished everything she cooked." Amado points at the empty plates on the dining table, not annoyed at all.

"Do you have some leftovers?" The tall Mexican turns to you. Vicente interrupts, "No, we ate all salmon sashimi because Ryoko said salmon has to be served as fresh as possible, and I ate all wasabi. Oh man, that shit is hotter than serrano peppers. But don't worry, we have a lot of more fish in the jacuzzi." Right, it comes handy to have more than one bathtub in the luxury apartment.

Finally Amado sends away his bratty little brother. Then it's just the two of you. 

"I've got something for you." You remember to smile, which seems to work fine as Amado approaches. "All done?" He asks, you haven't figured it out what he's asking about, the dishes? Yes. Then the Mexican lowers your ponytail, running his fingers through your hair. 

"You don't wanna hair in your grilled pacific saury." You joke, bringing him another set of hot meal you specifically make for him.

"Tell me more about it." Amado takes a large bite, looking satisfied and more relaxed.

You two are chatting over some mezcal and a plate of edamame afterwards. Amado asks about your day, and trades some anecdotes about Vicente when you tentatively ask about his. The fucker is smart and vigilant. 

"I have to tell you something," Okay, you get his full attention, "The bluefin tuna you ate three days ago wasn't served in the best condition. Pacho wanted a show, everything grand and pretty, so I had to cut the red part of the fish and make a bright-colored akami plate right away. It's meaty and chewy, which should have been aged for three days in the fridge to allow the texture to soften and release more flavor," You opens the fridge, showing Amado several chunks of tuna you already cut out, "You can have friends over in three days, I bought enough for a full table."

"What about the pink ones?" He seems genuinely interested. You continue to explain that different parts of tuna offer variable tastes from super fatty pink otoro around the head and collar to chutoro, mixture of fat and meat from the back and belly.

To your surprise, Amado asks for a slice of the fat part, "You said it's the most expensive one. I shouldn't waste your hard-earned money, right?" Both of you laugh.

You take a really fat cut. When you're looking for a plate and the soy sauce, Amado just eats it from your hand. Your fingers are freezing from the tuna and when he swallows them with the slice, the hot and soft sensation around fucking turns you on like nothing else. The sashimi-hater even licks your fingers a few more times, "to clean the fat."

As he claimed, "It's better."

"Now you're gonna show me how you destroy my jacuzzi on day one."

You feel great sitting by the edge of the jacuzzi a.k.a. your temporary fish tank and checking out all the aquatic animals you bought earlier.

"It could've been us in it." What a tease. You laugh then get up, "I don't think it's a good idea to get naked with lobsters and octopuses." 

"Wait," Amado turns you around, still sitting by the edge, "Let me make it up for you."

When Amado decides to give you a head, you simply don't say no. It's like sitting on his face because you can barely stand still. He notices then pulls you closer. The lips used to wrap around your fingers now make you feel like in heaven, and God bless his fucking tongue. The Mexican is driving you mad.

"Shh, you wake up the octopus." You're at the tipping point and the fucker pauses. You open your eyes, an octopus is on the move, two tentacles approaching the edge of the jacuzzi, sucker rings very close to your bare legs.

Then imagine Amado gets up and pushes you up against the tiles in the shower, silencing you with a rough kiss. You taste yourself, and something raw, could be the tuna or the cigarettes he smokes. You get even more aroused by that. 

You're desperate for more of his touch. So you grab his big hand and put it between your thighs, and he's willing to comply. 

This is too much. You cum just after a few rubs against him.  

"I'm sorry for the other night. You're a genius." Amado's playing dirty, sweet-talking while he continues to rub against your oversensitive part, "Would you do me favor? I'm thinking about hosting a few guests, somewhere private, the tuna will be ready by Friday, right?"

You can't believe he falls for the trick. This could be an important business meeting and you're gonna be there.

"Sure. Can I ask something in return?" You already come to your senses while giving Amado a painfully slow handjob.

"Anything you want. Flowers? Jewelry? Cars? I have some better collections than Pacho's Corvette C4. Too flashy." Amado offers generously.

You can't help laughing, "Gosh, how could men make everything a dick comparison contest?"

"You saw his dick?" Amado bites your lower lips. He's rock hard, throbbing.

"I thought you did, too. You two seem very close. I mean, Pacho is a gorgeous man." You keep going, and teasing. You enjoy the fact that you just plant something really dirty in Amado's head. You bet he's having an imaginary threesome with you and Pacho. Not a bad idea though.

By the time you make him come, the Mexican almost forgets what you're asking.

"I ask 'Do you have some dumbbells?' I need my daily training and I don't have time to find a new gym here. What? How do you think I'm able to handle a 150lbs tuna in a line of work mostly for men?" You give Amado a little squeeze before licking it off.

You have a dream that night, being penetrated by Amado in some warm water while a giant octopus sucks you off. You wake up with wetness down there.

You visit several Japanese restaurants in town, unsurprisingly boring. You get the idea that local middle-class see Japanese cuisine as an exotic and cultural novelty. 

You even invite Amado to have lunch at one of those restaurants during his break. He frowns at the food after the first bite, "You can't do this to me."

What? "Asking me to eat this crap is inhumane. I'm spoiled." Amado makes it sound like you're the bad guy, but these smiling eyes give him away. He looks at you the way that makes you feel wanted.

You two end up eating cheap Mexican street food and that's where you find some early blossoms of jacarandas with excitement.

"You want those?" Amado asks, picking up some dried petals from the street. All you can think of is jacarandas flower could be an interesting alternative to sakura, which adds a domestic touch to the food you're gonna prepare for Friday. 

"Yes, please." Amado must find it weird but he just nods.

Once being brought to the outskirt location of the private meeting, you spend more time making rearrangement of the decor, trying to create an authentic Japanese ryotei experience. 

You call Amado once for extra resources. It's tricky because you don't know if you're in a position to ask anything when he's away, busy.

"I'm glad you called. I may not be an Asian culture fanatic like Pacho but I promise you will have anything you want. Whatever rare shit he's bought you, just name it. I'll have an entire Boeing 727 team ready to fly it in from every fucking corner of the world." Yeah, the dick measuring thing is still going on. 

What you don't mention is that you're also glad to hear his voice. "Will you come over?" You almost let it slip, "I mean, to see if you like everything."

"No. I trust you," Amado pauses, "I'll be an hour early."

"Mind the traffic." Bright laughter breaks from the other end of the line.

And thanks to the highly efficient Carrillo Air Express, stuff you request is brought to you the next day including a whole box of violet jacarandas petals.

You ask for a guest list before starting to set the table. "Just set tables for eight people." Vicente clearly has no idea of being a host. You explain that it's part of your job to make sure no one is allergic to seafood. "How the fuck do I know that?" The young man is still complaining.

"Don't worry. Give me a list. I'll look for their office numbers, call their secretaries and find out."

Vicente is easily convinced. You get what you want, a list of high-up politicians and business executives. Not sure how this is relevant but you memorize the names and companies anyway.

Amado makes his arrival almost cinematic. With a chopper still swirling outside, the man in black steps out from the driving seat on the right and waves to you like a king. 

"You're early." You can hide your smile this time.

"Because someone suggested I should 'mind the traffic.' It happens I've owned a few choppers." The fucker looks like a dashing pilot out Hollywood movies. 

You joke that he's nothing like what Pacho used to say, "Low-profile my ass." 

"Oh, Pacho talks about me?"

"Stop. I'm really not interested in which one of you has a bigger dick."

Later Amado hands you a wrapped frame. "I heard you're looking for some Japanese art for decoration. I don't know anything about art but..."

You can't believe he brings you a shunga, tradition Japanese erotic painting, depicting a giant octopus performing oral on a woman with pink tentacles all over her naked body. "You're ridiculous." You frown, it's too explicit you're not sure if it's appropriate for such an occasion.

"I saw something similar at Pacho's house. Well, minus the woman. Just boys." The cheeky bastard winks at you, "You're also serving octopus sashimi tonight? It's a fit then." That's how a print of the famous Octopus and Girl Diver ends up in the main room.

Dinner starts at 8 and everything is ready. You're asked to briefly introduce each dish to the guests when one's presented. Guests praise everything from the chopstick rest made of porcelain with traditional Mexican patterns, to the floral-shaped bream sashimi slices. The tuna sushi is a hit, everyone loves it. You give Amado a knowing smirk when you catch him taking a few himself. The octopus sashimi is a bit tricky but the guests are so "polite", they still pretend to enjoy the exotic food. 

The rest of the time you stay outside the room. You hear things but not in a coherent manner. Amado mentions NAFTA, export-oriented furniture and auto parts factories in Juárez, and two of them are head of the biggest tequila exporters of the country. Nothing makes sense for the drug business. Is the most successful Mexican drug trafficker gonna shift to other legitimate businesses? That might have an impact on Pacho's business.

When dessert is brought to the table, everyone wows — the improvised jacarandas mochi with dried petals is a nice surprise to end the dinner. You tell them the story that instead of the much-anticipated sakura which wasn't well-adjusted to the Mexican weather, how jacarandas was introduced to Mexico City by a Japanese gardener in the 1930s. All the guests finish their plates while giving you a few nods.

Amado seems very pleased with everything you've done. He lowers his voice to ask you to wait for him afterwards.

"Where are we going?" You ask through the headphones. Seems Amado is flying you back to downtown DF.

The Mexican smirks, "To the sky."

You finally land atop the roof of a skyscraper, "This is the tallest building in Mexico." Amado holds you tight when you exit the chopper. The wind at night in early January is insane, let alone you're 700ft above the ground.

It must be some five-star hotel but turns out it's an office building of Pemex, Mexico's state-owned oil company. WTAF? "Put it this way, the biggest exporters of the country hang out sometimes." Amado's sense of humor is something you didn't expect, "Well, I'm not saying they bring as many unattached US dollars as I do, not even close."

When you let the fact sink in — that the Juárez cartel probably earns twice as much as the biggest oil company in the country through exporting "goods," having access to a secret suite on the top floor of the Pemex Tower is not surprising at all.

"You bring people here often?" You ask when Amado pops a bottle of wine. The city view from the 54th floor is stunning.

"I didn't know you're the jealous type." He brings you a glass. You two stand in front the giant window, raising your glasses like you're celebrating. 

"You haven't asked what we're celebrating." Amado takes a step closer.

You put index finger on his lips, which are incredibly soft. Immediately remind you last time you kissed, "I don't want to get myself killed in a foreign country."

"Did Pacho teach you that? Not asking questions, just do your thing." Amado starts kissing your hand.

"Oh, my God. You're so obsessed with him, and it's kinda cute."

"Nonsense." The Mexican disagrees, and turns to the window. 

You sets both of your glasses aside, then leads Amado to the bed. You get undressed first, lying on the bed, waiting.

"You're sure this is something you want?" You ask, completely stripped. Amado stares at your flat-chested body like the first time he found out who you are. 

"You make it sound like I haven't sleep with supermodels. That funny?" The fucker tickles you, "You have no idea..."

Imagine Amado makes you feel adored, marking every inch of your body with his big hands and soft lips. He takes time, mapping your body till he finds the most sensitive spots and makes you moan, shivering.

"Let me warm you up." Amado probably thinks you're cold, so he spoons you. The long limbs of his are like tentacles wrapped around you, fuck, you can feel his erection grinding against you.

You're so wet for Amado. When he finally pushes in from behind, neither of you can resist the sensation.

"Wanted to do this to you the whole week. You're such a fucking tease, aren't you? Dropped at my door in that kimono robe then left without letting me even touch you." Amado pounds into you, with hand reaching your little bean from behind, making you a total mess.

 "Why didn't you make me stay then?" You're nearly breathless, "Is it...because it's within Pacho's territory?" You obviously cross some line with that. The thrusts become harder, feels like Amado is gonna fuck you senseless.

You're not sure if Pacho wants to know you are talking about him when you reach orgasm. 

You decide to leave it out before you pass out.

[tired-college-student-writing]

Tim’s Secret Weapon Pt.7

I’ve been slightly obsessed with @ozmav​ ‘s Damian Wayne/Marinette Dupain-Cheng pairing as of late, and just saw a post that has inspired me more than anything else has in months, so I felt the need to write it

Summary- Tim has always seen the numbers floating above people’s heads, been able to perceive their threat levels with a single glance. After being a hero for so long he thought he was desensitized to seeing high numbers above people’s heads until Damian brings a new friend home.

Part 1 Part 6 Part 7 (HERE) Part 8

This is out earlier than expected because my procrastination sucks ass

____________________________________________

The battle was fascinating to watch, to say the least. The team worked together like a well-oiled machine, making their acrobatic plan flawlessly after Marinette called for her ‘Lucky Charm’ and used the white paint she received along with Ryoko’s water powers to break the connection The Queen of Hearts had with her guards. This gave Abeille the chance to sneak in dive in and freeze her with her venom sting as Chat grabbed her bracelet and turned it to dust.  Viperion seemed to not have an outright offensive move associated with him, but his time travel ability seemed infallible as he effortlessly redirected his teammates around attacks yet to come. 

The Bats were left watching with respect as Ladybug caught the dark purple butterfly in her yoyo. From the second she had left them on the roof to when she tossed the paint can in the air, allowing her magic to fix all the damage done by the fight, only fifteen minutes had passed. 

The five heroes grinned at each other, fist-bumping with a chorus of “Pound it!” before Chat and Abeille went up to the woman in her early 30s that had been the victim of the fight, and the other three turned to take off, Ladybug making a clear path back to the hotel, with the Bats on her heels. 

They passed through the window they had left not long before just in time for Ladybug to flash bright pink once more. Tim flinched slightly as her number reappeared and slowly fell back to her normal 15. Alfred looked up from the chair where he was reading. 

“Welcome back, Shall I call for refreshments?” He asked, placing the book down. 

“Yes please,” Dick answered, “I feel like we’re going to be here for a while. 

“Of course,” He hummed standing up to go to the phone, “Aw and Miss. Marinette, what food does your Kwami favor?” 

The young girl jumped, eyes wide, “What!” 

“Your Kwami, I saw the battle on the news, and assumed your Kwami will be famished after that much magic being used.”

“I don’t-” 

A small red fairy-like creature flew out from Marinette’s jacket. 

“It’s okay, Marinette,” The creature reassured before turning to the men in the room, “Hello I’m Tikki! I’m glad to finally meet all of you.” 

Alfred’s face became unbelievably soft as he held out his index finger to the small creature, “Hello Madam Tikki, it’s lovely to meet you as well. What can I get for you?”  

She giggled as she shook the offered finger, “No need to be so formal with me, Alfred, but I’m partial to cookies if you don’t mind.” 

“Not at all, Tikki,” He said before striding over to the room’s phone, raising an eye at the still costumed Bats, “I would suggest getting dressed in something more appropriate before room service arrives gentlemen.” 

“You dropped her title,” Jason countered instead of moving to change, “You never drop titles when asked!” 

Alfred let out an amused huff, “Arguing with Kwamis over respect is a futile endeavor. Now do not make me tell you again. This is a conversation best suited for the Waynes, not the Bats.”  

The Bats ducked into one of the adjoining bedrooms, as Marinette just blinked in surprise at the exchange. 

“You’ve had experience with the miraculous before?” She asked as he hung up the phone, Tikki settling in her hair. 

“I do,” He confirmed, “For several years I was a hero known as Emrys with the help of a very good friend named Duusu.” 

Tikki gasped, “You’re a peachick.” 

Alfred’s eyes misted slightly, “Yes, and I must admit I never thought I would be able to converse with another Kwami after losing the peacock brooch. I was devastated to hear that the butterfly had fallen into the wrong hands,” 

Marinette was biting her lip as the Bats reentered the room, now in their civilian clothing. 

Damian raised an eyebrow, “Is everything okay, Angel?” 

“I just…” She looked at all of them, “This is a lot, how did we get here?” 

The room glanced at Tim as he sighed and stepped forward and began his explanation once more. 

Marinette took the information on how his powers worked really well, humming at certain parts as she looked deep in thought. Tikki was looking at him strangely, by the time that he had finished. 

“You’ve been able to do this since you were born?” She questioned lightly, nibbling on one of the cookies that had arrived during his explanation. 

He gave a nod, “As far as I’m aware. Why?” 

The Kwami shook her head, “Just making sure.” 

“Well that’s cryptic,” Jason drawled from where he was laying on the floor. 

Marinette giggled, “Welcome to Kwamis, they give the most helpful cryptic insight you could ask for.” 

Tikki stuck her tongue out at her user before both broke down into giggles. 

Tim looked between them before finally asking, “Do you know the other Paris’ heroes secret identities?” 

Marinette cocked her head, sitting up slightly from where she was snuggled under Damian’s arm, “All but Chat Noir’s, as when I took over the Guardian position I was the one that had to pick those that would receive the Miraculous. I’m guessing your powers gave them away?” 

He gave a sheepish shrug, “It’s kinda hard to see a 12, 13, 14, or 15 over someone’s head and not put together their identities. Viperion is the only one I don’t know because I didn’t see him out of his mask.” 

Dick raised a brow from his upside-down seat on the couch, “Was that why you were so weird at the school?” 

“There were six people with 12s or higher,” He snapped, “And that creepy chick that called Damian ‘Dami-Bear’ was a 9.” 

Jason gave a low whistle, “Damn, that’s a lot.” 

Marinette looked surprised, “Six? But there’s only five miraculous out permanently on our side…” 

“Yeah about that,” Tim said, “I’ve seen other users online, have Max or Kim from your class ever held a miraculous?” 

“How did…”

“It’s rare to see people with the exact same shade of a color, even less so when they have the same number,” He explained, knowing his family was hanging onto his every word, “And yet Kim and Max both had a pure white 12, the exact same pure white 12 as Alfred. I think the miraculous might permanently affect the user’s danger level.” 

“You only asked about Kim and Max,” Marinette put in, “But Alya and Nino also held miraculous before, what were their numbers.” 

“Alya was the girl that started recording right? And who was Nino.” 

“Yeah, and Nino was the boy with the bright blue headphones around his neck, red cap, and glasses.” 

“She had an obnoxious orange 5, and He had a mossy green 4.”

“Why wouldn’t they have 12s then…” 

Tikki was the one to answer, “Alya and Nino weren’t true holders, but Max and Kim are both true holders so I imagine that would affect Tim’s powers.” 

All eyes fell on the small goddess. 

“True holder?” Marinette asked. 

She gave a small nod, “The Kwamis are much older than the human race and the miraculous, but when we began using humans to regulate our powers each Kwami blessed a handful of souls. As they go through the reincarnation cycle we can find our true users, who will always be more intuned with our powers than anyone else that could use our miraculous and our true users usually showcase abilities that go along with the concept the Kwami represents. After a true holder transforms for the first time Kwami’s can feel them, and recognize them as one of the blessed souls, though we don’t know what Kwami blessed their souls on that feeling alone.”

“So the 12s  saw were true users that don’t have their miraculous,” Tim summed up. 

“Most likely,” Tikki confirmed, “The others would be the ones that still hold their miraculous.” 

The conversation goes on for a while as Marinette asks questions of Tim and he asks them right back. The rest of the family remaining silent as they soak in the information, all making mental notes on where to go next. 

Bruce finally claps his hands startling the pair out of the intense debate they had gotten over whether his ability could be used to detect a potential Akuma victim before an Akuma got to them or not as the sunset. 

“As insightful this discussion is,” He comments, “I believe it is time that we contact the rest of the League and make a plan on how to out Hawkmoth.” 

“We should change and head for WE,” Damian suggested, “No one would be on the executive floor at this time so we can do a conference call without risk of being disturbed.” 

When Bruce gave a nod all the Bats rose and headed to the bedroom. 

“Before we call the league,” Marinette said quietly making them pause, “I need to do two things.” 

Bruce nodded, waiting for her to continue, her city, her rules.

“Firstly I want to call my team, they should be there when we contact the league,” She said, turning towards Tim, “I would also like to inform them that you know who most of them are, and how you figured it out since it’s their secrets.”

“I’m willing to share with them,” He told her, “It’s only fair that they know the facts before we form.” 

“Thank you,” She breathed. 

“Now what else did you want to do?” Jason asked.  

“Alfred,” She turned to the butler, “There’s something you should know about who we’re fighting.”  

“Nooroo and his user?” He questioned with a raised brow. 

She shook her head, “No, Hawkmoth may have been there from the start but a little less than a year into the fight another miraculous user joined him. Mayura and…  her Sentimonsters.” 

His strangled gasp sent a stab of pain through all the hearts in the room, “Not Duusu…” 

She gave a grim nod, “Mayura is the current holder of the peacock miraculous. Though at first, her appearances were few and far between due to the brooch being damaged, they learned how to repair the damage shortly after I became Guardian allowing for her to make more regular appearances.”  

None of the Wayne’s had ever seen Alfred look so pale, so worn out, so… old.

Bruce wrapped an arm around the butler’s waist pulling him towards the couch, making him sit gently. 

“It’s okay, Alfie,” Bruce breathed as the others remained silent. Alfred was shaking slightly, unable to find his voice as he slowly held out a hand. Bruce clasped it tightly, sitting with the man that raised him in reassuring silence.  

“Master Bruce,” Alfred’s voice was quiet as he continued to stare at their clasped hands, “I don’t normally ask anything of you except for you and the young masters to stay safe, but if I might make a request?” 

“Anything, Alfred,” The man answered without a second of hesitation. 

“Find Hawkmoth and Mayura and free Nooroo and Duusu as quickly as possible. Rescue them, please, no matter what it takes.”  

“I promise,” 

Alfred finally raised his eyes, a hard steely gaze flashing over his ward’s face, “Go.” 

Bruce was on his feet and in the bedroom ready to change within a second, his sons not far behind him. 

“I’m sorry Alfred,” Mari breathed only to be rewarded a shaky smile. 

“It’s not your fault, Marinette,” He reassured, professional mask struggling to raise, “I believe it is time to call your team.” 

“Tikki, spots on.” 

____________________________________________

Thirty minutes later Ladybug found herself staring at her whole team in the art room of her school with the blackout curtains pulled tight over the windows, able to feel their buzzing energy overflowing the room.  

Abeille was looking at her imploringly, knowing slightly what the meeting was about, but the fact that Ladybug had contacted not just the regular team, but the reserve members, Pegasus, King Monkey, and Bunnyx, as well had them all on edge. 

“Is everything okay, bugaboo?” Chat finally broke through the nerves to ask. 

She nodded slightly, taking a deep breath, “Earlier today before the Akuma, Abeille came across two foreign heroes.” 

The rooftop stilled, eyes wide. 

“Who was here,” Vipieion asked first. 

Ladybug gave them all reassuring smiles, “Nightwing and Red Robin, and after making contact with Abeille, I met with the Batman, Nightwing, Red Hood, Red Robin, and Robin. They wanted to offer their help.” 

“They finally answered!” Chat cheered causing the gathered heroes to break out in celebration, even Ladybug couldn’t stop a grin from spreading her lips.

Finally indeed. Three days after Stoneheart the original duo had tried to contact the Justice League, and then again a month later, and again, and again...

A year and a half into the fight against Hawkmoth they finally got a response, telling them the contact was for real emergencies, not for pranks. The response wasn’t even signed past the official Justice League seal. 

For League associated heroes to be here in Paris, and willing to talk, it filled them all with the hope that the fight wasn’t going to last forever. 

Ladybug let them enjoy the feeling for a few minutes before she called them back to order. The bright smiles pointed at her made the nervous twist in her stomach lessen slightly even as she readied herself for the next announcement. 

“Before we met up with the League and determining a game plan, I think it is only fair to have us all on the same page,” She told them, “After speaking with the Gotham heroes they informed me that they figured out not only my civilian identity but, Chat Noir, Ryuko and Abielle’s as well.” 

“What!” Bunnyx roared, “How dare they! The sneak sons of-” 

“Stop!” Ladybug cut her off with a glare, “They did not go digging into our backgrounds to figure it out, and while they will explain in more depth when we go meet them, I can tell you that they discovered our identities because Red Robin is a Metahuman with an ability he can’t physically turn off, it was the same way he figured out who Batman and other heroes were long before he was Robin, and he’s never given away an identity without express permission.” 

The room quieted down but still looked uneasy, She just sighed. 

“That brings me to the next point. With the League finally answering us, I think we need to not waste the opportunity. If we’re going to finish this, we need to use every advantage we have against Hawkmoth and Mayura, which means we need to be able to work at all hours of the day.” 

The room was silent as all the heroes tried to decide where she was going with this, but she just stared at her partner. 

Chat maintained her eye contact, and she could see the exact second he put together what she was saying. 

“Ladybug,” He spoke slowly, “Are you serious?” 

She gave a nod, “I’ve spoken with my Kwami and I’ve decided that if all of you are comfortable with it, I think we should tell each other our identities.” 

____________________________________________

Taglist: @vixen-uchiha @iggy-of-fans @mewwitch @roseinbloom02 @worlds-tiniest-spook-pastry @mochinek0 @royalchaoticfangirl @09shell-sea09 @mystery-5-5 @derpingrainbow @aloha-posts-stuff @hauntedfreakdeputyhero @maribat-archive @blue-peach14 @kae690 @zazzlejazzle @vincentvangoose @be-happy-every-day-please @xxmadamjinxx @celestiacq @peculiarlylostdreamer @dani-ari @melicmusicmagic @themcclan @nyctamaximoff @nataladriana9 @drama-queen-supreme @miraculousbelladonna @urbanpineapplefarmer @graduatedmelon @lexysama @hecate-hallow @ki117h3dr4g0n @vinerlover @interobanginyourmom @bluefiredemon @imanerddealwith @tinybrie @clumsy-owl-4178 @shizukiryuu @whogavemeaninternet @schrodingers25 @lunar-wolf-warrior @urbanpineapplefarmer @xxmadamjinxx @crazylittlemunchkin @littleredrobinhoodlum​ @rougemme​ @dur55​ @phantommeow12 @kand-roo​ @silvergold-swirl​ @officiallyathiana​ @completelypeccable​ @redhoodsdoll​ @nataladriana9​ @mariae2900​ @northernbluetongue​ @sturchling​ @thesunanditsangel​ @reyna-avila-ramirez-alreanaldo​ @bobothyross @taoiichii​ @magnitude101999​ @magicalfirebird​ @nataladriana9​ @panda3506​ @aquariusrunes​ @woodland-queer @sayarock121​ @mindfulmagics​ @magic-miraculous​ @my-name-is-michell @naoryllis @slytherinqueen2432

[danganronpa-ea]

DR: EA2 Chapter 1 Deadly Life - Class Trial part 1

To Read the Prologue click here;

Prologue: part 1 | part 2

Chapter 1 Daily Life: part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4

Chapter 1 Deadly Life: Investigation | CT part 2 | CT Part 3

Chapter 2 Daily Life: part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5

Chapter 2 Deadly Life: Investigation | CT part 1 | CT part 2 | CT part 3

Chapter 3 Daily Life: part 1 | part 2 | part 3

Chapter 3 Deadly Life: Investigation | CT part 1 | CT part 2

Chapter 4 Daily Life: part 1 | part 2

Chapter 4 Deadly Life: Investigation | CT part 1 | CT part 2

Chapter 5 Daily Life: part 1 | part 2 | part 3

Chapter 5 Deadly Life: Investigation | CT part 1 | CT part 2 | CT part 3

Chapter 6 Deadly Life/Epilogue: Investigation | CT | Epilogue

Anyway, all credit goes to respective owners.

Memory Bullets

 Hamoponi’s harm rule; Hamoponi had inform myself, Hana-san and Inoue-chan that if anyone in the ski resort is hurt in anyway, the culprit will be kick out for everyone’s elses safety or we can kill that person if we want to but if we get it wrong or waste time then everyone else besides Hamoponi’s creator will be kick out.

Fuji, Hana and Sunako’s Accounts; All 3 of us were at the iron door pass the plane, seeing if there was a way out. Inoue-chan left a bit earlier but mention that she was waiting for us by the entrance of the path.

Chikao’s allergies; Chikao-san is allergic to animal fur, which gains him a rash that gets so bad that it bleeds – it seems the rash can be cure with medicine that can be found at the pharmacy.

Jobon and Tomohiro’s autopsy; Looks like that there are no wounds, however around Chikao-san’s neck it looks like a heavy rash that is bleeding. Seems like Ueda-san doesn’t know about this allergy.

Fake fur; There looks to be fake fur near Chikao-san, it seems that Hayashi-san could tell based on the texture.

Bedroom doors; Seems all the doors can be lock from the inside unless you have a key the only exception of Katou-san’s, who seem to have left it unlock when he’s sleeping and even rush off to find his headpiece.

Mrs. Kimura’s account; Mrs. Kimura was going on a hike with Kimura-san but it looks likes Hayashi-san, Kobayashi-san and Ueda-san wanted to see Mrs. Kimura about somethings; Hayashi-san was request by Ohta-san about a rocket she saw, Kobayashi-san about the door being block and Ueda-san asking about dinner. Which as Mrs. Kimura was about to go see what Ohta-san wanted to point to suddenly the announcement came on which she and Kimura-san went over to the lodge.

Tomoe’s account; Kimura-san mention that she notices that Ueda-san went to the ice rink but also notice a young boy rush by as he looks to be covering his face as he too was heading to the ice rink which before she could call out to him, the announcement came on.

Doi’s bear paws; Katou-san’s bear paws look to be cover in blood.

Doi’s account; Seems Katou-san was sleeping but look to be awoken by someone entering his room and taking his mask which he rushes out and trying to find his bear mask.

Bloody sink; It looks like the sink was cover in blood, likely the culprit was cleaning the blood off.

No Rope in Warehouse; Kobayashi-san mention that there is no rope in the warehouse near the lodge when he was getting tools to fix the door.

Star Gazing; Hana-san had ask Ohta-san to check about this star she saw this morning which lead to star gazing with her, Mori-san, Kita-san, Hayashi-san and Hanlon-san to go star gazing. Seems Ohta-san mention that the star she saw was a rocket which she ask Hayashi-san to go get Mrs. Kimura.

Circuit breaker; It seems that none of the wires were cut or anything was mess with so the lights might have been turn off by the culprit very quickly so they didn’t have time to mess with the wiring.

Rai’s Account; Seems Nakahara-san was in his room, which he lock the door as he was fixing up Kimura-san’s phone and look to have doze off before the announcement came on which would explain why he was late.

Makeshift Rope; Seems Hayashi-san was using animal fur and wire as a makeshift rope since she notices that we had no rope but when she came back, the rope was gone.

Benjiro’s Hearing; Abiko-san has mention he can hear the voices of the dead and decided to use it which he hears the following - Chikao-san was struggling for air; he even was coughing as well as trying to get it off but then he mentions the last thing he saw was… a bear mask, looking down at him then it went dark. He felt panic and seem surprise by the attack… meaning he didn’t see his attacker’s face or expected it.

 CLASS TRIAL START!

 Hamoponi:  Right then, since this sprung up – welcome all to the class trial, today you all will figure out which one of your ingrates went and killed your classmate! You all have to inform me who is the blacken in this trial which that person will be kick out of the resort but if not… I will kick out everyone besides my creator, so you all better be clear with your decision.

 Kimura Kimika: Wa-Wait, hold on a second… before we start this, can we get an explanation of the rules just so were clear?

 Hamoponi: Pardon? Didn’t I already explain them to you or are you still confused by them?

 Kimura Tomoe:  The Rule? But I thought we were clear on that – I mean if we get it wrong we are kick out… right?

 Hanlon Norman: She’s right, I think he made it pretty clear so let’s just discuss about what happen already!

 Kimura Kimika: But still… I think it’s just that we have to make the rules clear since whoever killed Chikao-san must of known of this rule in advance… right? So I just need to make sure.

 Seems like the others aren’t too sure of that rule… I better tell them.

 Okamoto Fuji: > Hamoponi’s harm rule, I got it!

 Okamoto Fuji: Mrs. Kimura, I was actually informed about the rule before; it seems that if the culprit harm another person and is a danger to us we get to decide if we want to let this person go or kill them ourselves if they are too dangerous.

 Kimura Kimika: Ah, I see then… thank you for informing me; Fuji-san… as for that you get a top score for informing me!

 Okamoto Fuji: Um… thanks, I guess?

 Mori Miwa: Right but that also means the person that knew of this rule likely killed Ishikawa so that means… Fuji-san, you’re the culprit!

 Okamoto Fuji: Hu-Huh?! You’re suspecting me for committing the crime?

 Mori Miwa: But I’m not wrong, am I? We didn’t know about this rule until you say something so if anything, you’re a suspect.

 Hamasaki Hana: Wait wait, why are you suspecting her all of a sudden? I mean she was just explaining the rule.

 Hanlon Norman: But that does line up, even if I don’t agree with her – that means you’re a huge suspect of the crime now confess if you did it or not!

 Abiko Benjiro: Well Fuji-san, have anything to explain yourself…?

 Seems everyone else is suspecting me but… I know for sure I didn’t do it and those 2 knew I didn’t do it either… I got to clear my name!

 Class Debate – Start!

 Mori Miwa: Counting that no one knew of this rule before the crime…

 Mori Miwa: Which means I, Mori Miwa think that <Okamoto Fuji is the culprit> of the case!

 Katou Doi: But still, she could be explaining the rule to us and Hamoponi just inform her…

 Mori Miwa: Are you certain about that? I mean we don’t have <her alibi> so for now she’s a major suspect.

 Mori Miwa: Plus unlike her; myself, Jobon-kun, Ryoko-chan, Hoshiko-chan and that disgusting pervert all have alibis!

 Kobayashi Eito: Wait a moment, wouldn’t that make all of us except you 5 suspects too? That’s pretty unfair…

 Hanlon Norman: And who are you <calling a disgusting pervert!> I mean don’t treat me as lesser, you she devil.

 Kimura Kimika: Please calm down class, I’m sure we can figure this out now let’s focus on the trial.

 I’m being suspected for the crime but I know for sure I’m not the culprit at all… I better prove my innocent!

 Mori Miwa: Counting that no one knew of this rule before the crime…

 Mori Miwa: Which means I, Mori Miwa think that <Okamoto Fuji is the culprit> of the case!

 Katou Doi: But still, she could be explaining the rule to us and Hamoponi just inform her…

 Mori Miwa: Are you certain about that? I mean we don’t have <her alibi>< Fuji, Hana and Sunako’s Accounts>

 Okamoto Fuji: I’m sorry but that’s wrong!

 Class Debate – Ended!

 Okamoto Fuji: I apologize for interrupting, Mori-san but I’m not the culprit…

 Mori Miwa: What? You aren’t – then how can you be so sure?

 Okamoto Fuji: Because I have 2 people that could testify for me; right Hana-san and Inoue-chan?

 Inoue Sunako: Yep yep, she is super duper innocent! We even went to check out the iron door which is far away from the lodge!

 Hamasaki Hana: We even had Hamoponi explain the rule to us as well, so unless your suspecting Fuji-san then you’re going to have to suspect me and Sunako-chan as well.

 Mori Miwa: …

 Mori Miwa: Well, seems I made a mistake on my part…

 Ohta Hoshiko: Well now were done with that mess – counting those 3 got alibis; mind if we continue on the trial…

 Kobayashi Eito: Wait, actually before we do since Mori-san brought up regarding you 5 were together, correct?

 Ohta Hoshiko: Hm? What do you mean by that…?

 Kobayashi Eito: Well – I just find it a bit odd that she says you along with Kita-san, Hanlon-san and Hayashi-san… I mean I saw Hayashi-san. So, I was curious what you were all doing…?

 Hayashi Ryoko:  Actually, I can testify here… us five were together.

 Actually, I can testify for this one, since I did see 4 of them…

 Okamoto Fuji: > Star Gazing, I got it!

 Okamoto Fuji: Actually Kobayashi-san, I did see them looking up at the skies before I went with Hana-san and Inoue-chan but I didn’t see Hayashi-san sadly…

 Kobayashi Eito: Oh, okay then – just to make sure and I see you 3 together so that does give about eight of you solid alibis…

 Abiko Benjiro: But still… we have seven people left, correct? Which includes myself, you Eito-kun, Mrs. Kimura, Tomoe-san, Tomohiro-kun, Doi-kun and Rai-kun.

 Kimura Kimika: Execuse you are you accusing me and Tomoe of a crime?! I swear to my grave; 4 of us have alibis as well!

 Kobayashi Eito: Exactly, we can testify that we were together – while I did leave the door for a moment I do have an alibi as well!

  Abiko Benjiro:  Still the fact remains that you mention to be at the door this whole time, we can’t be sure to trust your alibi; Eito-kun…

Kobayashi Eito: Whoa, I can assure you I do have one – just let me explain it!

Kimura Kimika: If you mind I can testified…

 Abiko Benjiro/Kobayashi Eito/Kimura Kimika: You’re the culprit! /I’m not the culprit! /I have an alibi!

 Geez, I can barely hear who’s saying who but seems like all have a point but one is incorrect…

 Mass Panic Debate Start!!

 Argument 1:

Abiko Benjiro: Seeing as Eito-kun has no alibi which…

Abiko Benjiro: Makes him a <prime suspect>.

Inoue Sunako: I mean he was at the door so it would make sense.

Mori Miwa: You think we could <suspect him>?

Ueda Tomohiro: That does seem possible…

 Argument 2:

Kobayashi Eito: I swear <I am not> the culprit!

Hanlon Norman:  Then can you explain yourself, Eito?

Katou Doi:  So then you likely <kill him>!

Kimura Tomoe: Wait now, maybe we are jumping the gun here!

Kobayashi Eito: Yep exactly, I actually do have an alibi!

 Argument 3:

Kimura Kimika: If you let me testified then…

Kimura Kimika: Then I can <prove our innocent>!

Hamasaki Hana: I’m sure you do, but just tell us…

Kimura Kimika: I would but it’s getting too loud to speak up…

Nakahara Rai: But if anything, WE (HAVE TO BE LOUDER) FOR THE GODS TO HEAR!

 A lot of voices, I can focus… but if I hear it, then I can see the contradiction…

 Argument 1:

Abiko Benjiro: Seeing as Eito-kun has no alibi which…

Abiko Benjiro: Makes him a <prime suspect>< Mrs. Kimura’s account>

 Argument 2:

Kobayashi Eito: I swear <I am not> the culprit!

Hanlon Norman:  Then can you explain yourself, Eito?

 Argument 3:

Kimura Kimika: If you let me testified then…

Kimura Kimika: Then I can <prove our innocent>!

 Okamoto Fuji: I can hear you!

 Mass Panic Debate Ended!

 Okamoto Fuji: Hold a moment, actually Abiko-san… I think I can bring up that Kobayashi-san has an alibi…

 Abiko Benjiro: Oh, he does then…?

 Okamoto Fuji: Yes! Kobayashi-san did meet up with Mrs. Kimura, Kimura-san, Hayashi-san and Ueda-san regarding the door which was block by Chikao-san, right?

 Kimura Kimika: I was going to talk about that but yes; myself, Tomoe were going on a hike which Eito-san, Ryoko-san and Tomohiro-san met up before the announcement so if anything, …

 Ueda Tomohiro: We have alibis before the announcement however, that means we have 3 remaining that don’t have one, correct?

 All turn attention towards the 3 that didn’t have an alibi… Abiko Benjiro, Katou Doi and Nakahara Rai.

 Nakahara Rai: Wa-Wait, are you suspecting me?! But I couldn’t have killed him!

 Kobayashi Eito: But we didn’t see you all evening and if I recall right; you along with Benjiro-san and Doi-san were the only ones in the lodge so if anything, you 3 could have killed Chikao-kun.

 Nakahara Rai: Bu-But I have proof I can assure you!

 Seems like Nakahara-san is getting suspected but I can prove it with this!

 Class Debate - Start!

 Kobayashi Eito: I think our suspect is Rai-san… wouldn’t you agree?

 Nakahara Rai: But I do have an explanation for that!

 Nakahara Rai: I was (fixing up Tomoe-san’s phone) with my powers of electricity!

 Hanlon Norman: Even then that isn’t <enough to prove your not innocent>…

 Hanlon Norman: So confess to the crime!

 Kimura Kimika: Plus <Tomoe never mention this to any of us> so you could be lying!

 Kimura Tomoe: Ac-Actually if I can explain…

 Kimura Kimika: Dear, please keep quiet while I figure this out…

 Kimura Tomoe: …

 Seems the others are suspecting Nakahara-san, I better try and clear his name if I can…

 Kobayashi Eito: I think our suspect is Rai-san… wouldn’t you agree?

 Nakahara Rai: But I do have an explanation for that!

 Nakahara Rai: I was (fixing up Tomoe-san’s phone) <Rai’s Account>

 Okamoto Fuji: I agree with you!

 Class Debate – Ended!

 Okamoto Fuji: Wait a moment, Nakahara-san did say he was working on Kimura-san’s phone when she left for the hike…

 Kobayashi Eito: Wait, are you saying that it’s true?! Tomoe-san – why didn’t you say anything!

 Kimura Tomoe: Well, I figure it wasn’t that important at the time so it wasn’t going to be useful and besides…

 Kimura Tomoe: I figure I be off my phone during the hike since I was bother by the TV and the messages so I figure I give to Nakahara-kun to fix it up.

 Hamasaki Hana: So I guess that that Rai-san has an alibi…

 Nakahara Rai: Indeed, I even lock the door and everything so no one can get in while I work! I even recall dozing off until the morning announcement came on!

 Kobayashi Eito: I see… then I guess I was wrong about that, sorry! I figure with the lights being out that maybe he was a major suspect but anyway-!

CUT IN!

Kimura Kimika: Class is in session!

 Kimura Kimika: Counting he mention the lights were out… I just remember that lights were out but then turn on suddenly which means…

 Okamoto Fuji: Means what…?

 Kimura Kimika: My suspects are still on Rai-san – I mean the fact that Tomoe brought it up suddenly and never told me leads me to suspecting him!

 Cross Sword with Kimura Kimika – BEGIN!

 Kimura Kimika: The fact I did not know about this /slash/ along with this information just recently appearing /slash/ means that Rai-san turn of the lights himself /slash/ thus making him the culprit!

 Okamoto Fuji: Even then, there be no way that Nakahara-san would of done the crime. Because he was in his room all evening fixing up Kimura-san’s phone!

 Kimura Kimika: And what makes you so sure? /slash/ I mean there is a way that he is connected to the crime /slash/ such as <cutting off electricity then heading back upstairs!>< Circuit breaker>

 Okamoto Fuji: I will cut those words down if you don’t mind!

 Cross Sword with Kimura Kimika – END!

 Okamoto Fuji: I apologize, Mrs. Kimura but I check the circuit breaker was not touch or none of the wires…

 Nakahara Rai: Yep, I check the wires myself and nothing was alter with any of the wiring so if I had to guess, our culprit didn’t have time to mess with it.

 Inoue Sunako: Yep so if anything, Rai-kun is innocent! Yep, we can mark him off the major suspect list!

 Kimura Kimika: But the fact remains… only 2 are left, which are…

 I think it is clear who are the only 2 left…

 Okamoto Fuji: -Nakahara Rai and Katou Doi/-Nakahara Rai and Abiko Benjiro/>Abiko Benjiro and Katou Doi

 Okamoto Fuji: This one then!

 Okamoto Fuji: Abiko-san and Katou-san, correct?

 Abiko Benjiro: …

 Katou Doi: Wh-Wh-Whaaaaat?! Little old fluffy me! Bu-But I’m a harmless bear! Truly!

 Abiko Benjiro: I guess it would make sense to suspect me but I didn’t commit the crime...

 Mori Miwa: Oh, and what’s make you so sure?

 Abiko Benjiro: Before the announcement I was getting ready for bed and when I was going to tuck myself in, I heard the announcement – I even was praying and going to sleep plus… like with Rai-kun; I lock the door as well.

 Ueda Tomohiro: I do recall on the first day I couldn’t open the door, which I couldn’t open the door from the outside…

 I think his alibi does check out, because he did this…

 Okamoto Fuji: > Bedroom doors, I got it!

 Okamoto Fuji: Actually, it seems that the bedroom doors can only be lock from inside the bedroom which unless you have a key, however… there’s one person that doesn’t do that.

 Question: Who is the only person that doesn’t keep their door lock when sleeping?

 Okamoto Fuji: >Katou Doi, I believe you did it!

 Okamoto Fuji: Katou-san is the only person that doesn’t keep there door unlock, it was even left unlock as well!

 Katou Doi: EEEEEK!!!

 Kimura Kimika: I actually did check the doors, all of them were unlock with the exception of Doi-san!

 Katou Doi: We-We-Weeeell, you see… I mean, I uh…I do have an explanation for it…

 I can tell Katou-san is cornered and even got proof for it…

 Okamoto Fuji: > Doi’s bear paws, I got it!

 Okamoto Fuji: Katou-san, I notice when speaking with you – you had blood on your paws so I was curious where that came from…

 Katou Doi: O-Oh those things! I mean, I try to clean them off b-but I just couldn’t! I was just-!

 Inoue Sunako: You do, then you better tell us unless you want to kick us all out which we could all die!

 Hamasaki Hana: Dude – just tell us if you committed the crime or not! I mean, out of everyone you’re the suspected so far and hell we even got more evidence to line up! So just tell us if you killed Chief or not?!

 Ueda Tomohiro: Doi-kun… can you please explain the situation to us, I mean… we all want to know if you did it or not then will understand…

 Katou Doi: You… want me to explain? We-Well… Fi-Fine… I’ll uh, tell you…

 It seems like Katou-san will speak about the situation because so far everyone is suspecting him right now and a lot of the evidence, I collected does line up so… his explanation better be a good one.

 Class Trial BREAK!!!

[vgckwb]

P5R: Rebel Girl (A FeMC Story/P5R Rework) Chapter 32: 3 Targets

Friday morning, and Ren has just finished getting dressed for school. She turned around. “Alright, you can look now. Huh?” She was surprised to see Morgana not perched upon the windowsill. Instead, Morgana crawled out from under the bed. Ren sank down to meet him. “What are you doing down there?”

“You said I shouldn’t look when you’re changing,” Morgana said. He hopped on the bed so that Ren could stand up. “I wasn’t looking.”

“Right, but when you do that, you usually look out the window,” Ren said. “What happened?”

Morgana seemed a little embarrassed. “While you were out with Mishima last night, this woman almost kidnapped me…”

“WHAT?!” Ren said, shocked.

“I was worried that that woman would see me and try to take me again,” Morgana said. “Man, why do I have to have this cat body?”

“What happened?” Ren asked, picking up Morgana.

“Wha?” Morgana said, shocked at getting picked up. “Well, uh, I was walking around, minding my own business, when I heard someone shout ‘SNOWBALL!’ At first I didn’t pay it much mind, but she ran up to me and tried picking me up. I ran away from her but she just kept chasing me.

Eventually, I ran toward this old man in the neighborhood. He was confused initially, but when he heard her screaming ‘SNOWBALL!’ he seemed to pick up on what was going on. He tucked me away and shooed her off. If I never see her again, it’ll be too soon.”

Ren set Morgana down and then sat down herself. “Did you happen to catch a name?”

“Well, oddly enough, yeah” Morgana said. “After she left the old man sighed and said ‘Crazy ol’ Ryoko Aino at it again.’ He also looked at me and said ‘She keeps taking cats. How many would you be? 11? 13?’ Why?”

“Well, I was thinking of getting the gang together and paying her a visit” Ren answered.

“Huh?” Morgana said.

Ren giggled. “You’ll see.” Morgana popped into Ren’s bag and the two headed off to school.

After school, Ren got a message from Mishima.

Mishima: Hey, I just noticed a dire request on the Phansite.

Mishima: And guess what? It’s from our school.

Mishima: Apparently this one kid named Daisuke Takanashi is hardcore bullying a bunch of students.

Mishima: Sometimes it even gets physical.

Mishima: Do you want me to make it known that the Phantom Thieves are after him?

Ren: Sure.

Ren: Also, could you do that for two other people?

Mishima: Of course! Anything for the Phantom Thieves!

Ren: Great!

Ren: Do that for Heiji Ono and Ryoko Aino.

Mishima: Done and done!

“That’s what you meant?!” Morgana yelped.

“Shhhh” Ren said. “People might hear you.”

“We’re going to change her heart?” Morgana continued.

Ren nodded. ”If she keeps kidnapping cats, the streets of Yongen-Jaya won’t be safe for cats… Or you…”

Morgana fussed. “I guess it’s fine in some contexts.”

“Alright! So, let’s get everyone together” Ren said.

“Huh? We’re doing these today?” Morgana questioned.

Ren nodded. “I figure it would be easier than jumping three basically unaware people into a palace.”

“Makes sense,” Morgana said. “Hey, wait! Was that a snide remark at me?”

Ren smiled. “Perhaps. But at the same time, I think we needed to steal Kamoshida’s heart in order to get people to believe us. So it’s even.”

“Well… alright…” Morgana said.

Ren messaged the group chat.

Ren: Alright everyone, we’re meeting up today!

Soon, they all met up in the access hall. “Alright! Are we going to give Madarame what’s coming to him?!” Ryuji said.

“Not so loud!” Ann hushed him. “We’re still in public.”

“Sorry,” Ryuji said.

“Well, to answer your question, not yet,” Ren said. Everyone was surprised. “I was thinking of doing a bit of training first.”

“Training how?” Sumire asked.

Ren turned to face Sumire. “Remember that place where your Persona first awakened?” Sumire nodded. “That place is called Mementos. It serves as a palace for the general public, and it’s where we can steal the hearts of people without a palace.”

“Huh” Sumire said.

“So, you wanna head down there?” Ann asked.

Ren nodded. “I figure it might help Sumire, and Yusuke get used to the Metaverse some more, and maybe get Jose some Phantom Thief experience..”

“Well, I could use some practice,” Yusuke said.

Jose nodded. “I guess I might need some assistance working as a team.”

“Well, do we have any marks?” Ryuji asked.

“Three” Ren answered.

“Well let’s hear them,” Ryuji said.

“Yeah, we do have to agree on them before we can go after them” Ann reminded them.

Ren nodded. “First, there’s a bully at our school; Daisuke Takanashi. Apparently he’s even getting physical.”

“No way!” Ryuji said. “We can’t let that stand.”

“I agree,” Yusuke said.

“Daisuke Takanashi?” Sumire said. She thought. “OK, let’s do this.”

“Alright, second is this old man who keeps disturbing the peace in Kichijoji named Heiji Ono. Apparently, he’s also feigning ignorance about it every time he does it.”

“Huh? What does that mean?” Jose asked.

“It means he says he doesn’t know what he’s doing when he does,” Ann explained. “And although it might seem a bit harsh, I say we go for it. I can’t stand people who keep getting away with things due to some special treatment.”

Ren nodded. “And lastly, poor little Morgana here almost got kidnapped last night”.”

“Don’t… Don’t phrase it like that” Morgana said. “It makes me sound less cool.”

“Awww, poor Morgana” Jose said. He started petting him. “It’s OK. We all have weak moments.”

Morgana was slightly embarrassed, but he did enjoy the petting. “Thanks…”

“Taking Morgana would not have been the first time she kidnapped a cat,” Ren continued. “We need to change her heart to keep her from taking cats in the future.”

“I agree,” Sumire said. “Taken away by a stranger to a place you don’t know. It sounds harrowing, especially for a cat. … Oh, but I don’t mean to compare you to just a regular cat, Morgana-senpai.”

“It’s… fine…” Morgana relented. “In this case, I’d be no different than an actual cat.”

“So, it sounds like we’re all in agreement then” Ren said. Everyone else nodded. “Great. I had Mishima alert them on the Phansite already. Now, let’s head to Mementos.” Everyone prepared and headed out.

Once they arrived, Yusuke was taken by surprise. “Oh my. What a strange garden.”

“Oh yeah. Yusuke hasn’t been here before” Ann remarked.

Sumire was silent. “Hey” Ren said. “It’s going to be alright. Things changed since the last time you were down here.” She took her hand. “You’ve changed.”

Sumire blushed. “Thanks senpai.”

Yusuke held his hands out to make a frame. “What an intricate display of madness. I might need to paint this someday.”

“Yeah, maybe hold off on that until we can get Madarame to stop claiming your works of art are his” Ryuji told him.

“Hmmm. You’re right” Yusuke said. “Madarame hasn’t even seen this. To have him take credit for it…”

Ryuji looked at him. “Man, I’d like to live in your head for like five minutes.”

“I’d like that too,” Morgana said. “Then maybe you’ll see why Panther deserves a portrait of herself.”

“WHAT?!” Ryuji snapped back.

“Hm. What clever thinking” Yusuke said.

“Yeah. I’d like that too” Ann giggled.

“If you were to live in my head, then you would know at first glance that Pather’s beauty and radiance deserves a nude portrait unto itself!” Yusuke continued.

“WHAT?!” shouted Ann, Ryuji, and Morgana.

“Huh? Did I not mention that?” Yusuke asked.

“YOU MOST CERTAINLY DID NOT!” Ann shrieked.

“Huh. My apologies” Yusuke said. “However, for what it’s worth, I wouldn’t have asked you to get naked for me if you didn’t want to. I would have just looked up references for the remaining parts.”

“That’s… um…” Ann said, face turning red. “Is that better?”

“I don’t think so,” Ryuji answered. “Why the Hell do you need to draw her nude to show off her beauty, when anyone with two working eyes can see she’s beautiful inside and out?”

“Urgh!” Yusuke said, shaken. “Forgive me. It seems I need to reevaluate my perspectives.”

Sumire patted him on the shoulder. “You’re only starting to break free from Madarame’s grasp. These things take time.”

“Thank you, Violet,” Yusuke said.

“Skull…” Ann said. “That’s so sweet… But… Where the Hell was this last week?!”

“Oh… You’re still mad about that huh…” Ryuji said.

Jose was curious. “What happened last week?”

“Ah, nothing!” Ann said. Sumire and Ren giggled.

“Look, I’m sorry about that,” Ryuji said.

Ann pouted. “I just want to know why that was your first instinct.”

“Well…” Ryuji said, rubbing the back of his head. “Ugh, this is going to sound embarrassing. I just thought, I dunno, we hung out often enough. I thought I said everything else worth saying during those moments.” Ann was surprised. “But I guess Kamoshida ruined that too, didn’t he…”

“No…” Ann said. “No, you’re fine. I just… wouldn't mind hearing those things again, you know?”

“Oh… Why didn’t I think of that?” Ryuji said.

“Hm. What a marvelous duo” Yusuke said. “Would you mind if I painted the two of you together? Fully clothed, of course.”

“Huh? Well, maybe…” Ann thought.

“GAH!” Ryuji yelled. “How did we get onto this? I’ll answer the painting question later. Right now, I wanna change some hearts.”

Ann pouted again. “Skull…”

“He has a point though,” Ren said. “We came down here for a reason.”

“I agree,” Jose said. “We can’t keep those hearts waiting.”

“Right…” Ann said. “Alright Mona, do your thing!”

“Thing? What thing?” Sumire asked.

“Heh. It’s showtime” Morgana said. “TRANSFORM!” he transformed into the car.

“WOAH!” Sumire said. “You can do that?”

“Of course!” Morgana said.

“Then why does Joker-senpai have to walk everywhere?” Sumire asked. Ren burst out laughing.

“Mona can only do this in the Metaverse” Ann explained.

“Yeah. Otherwise I’d totally do that” Ren said, wiping tears from her eyes.

“I see…” Sumire.

“So, Fox, what are your thoughts on this?” Ryuji asked.

Yusuke was fascinated. “While I am familiar with the concept, to see it actually happen… I’m truly amazed.”

“Do you want to paint me too?” Morgana asked.

Yusuke thought for a second. “Well, I wouldn’t go that far. But it is a nice novelty.” Morgana pouted.

The gang entered the Morgana car and they started driving down. Sumire looked out the window. “Man, this place looks so different from a car.”

“Well, Mementos does change every time you enter it,” Morgana said.

“Really?” Sumire said.

Ren nodded. “But I think I get what you mean.”

“Yeah, you were wandering around for a while before we found you” Ann said.

“Wait, come to think of it, WHY did you venture down here anyways?” Ryuji asked.

“Huh. I guess we never got an answer to that” Ann said.

“Well, I’m assuming I gave her the app,” Ren explained. “And she just happened to pass by.”

“Yeah… Something like that…” Sumire said.

“It seems better if we do not push the issue,” Yusuke said.

Ryuji sighed. “How do you think normal is this situation?” he mumbled.

They came to the other platform on the first level. “Huh? We’re at the end already? But we haven’t found a single target” Yusuke exclaimed.

“No, this is just the first floor,” Ann said.

“Of how many?” Yusuke asked.

“No idea,” Ryuji answered.

“WHAT?!” Yusuke shrieked.

“Wait, Jose, would you know?” Ren asked.

Jose shook his head. “There’s this huge door downstairs, and I couldn’t get it open when I was down here.”

“Huh” Ryuji said. “We opened it no problem.”

“WHAT?!” Jose said.

“Well, I wouldn’t say ‘no problem’” Ren added. “The door responds to being part of the collective unconscious. Since you were basically an unknown, it makes sense you couldn’t open it.”

“Huh. I see” Jose said.

“Don’t beat yourself up over it,” Yusuke said. “There are many things in this world that you cannot possibly know alone. For instance, it took coming into contact with all of you to help me realize that something needed to be done about Madarame.”

“I guess you’re right…” Jose said.

“Anyways, let’s go,” Ryuji said. “Time to see what’s even further.”

“Though I don’t suppose we’re getting to the bottom any time soon…” Ann added.

“Yeah,” Ren said. “If Eris is waiting for us at the bottom, I think we need to become more well known among the public.”

“So, let me get this straight,” Ryuji said. “Eris wants us to meet her down there, but we can’t get there yet, so she’s helping us by creating various life-or-death situations based on a plan by a different guy she killed and stole it from.”

“Basically” Ren said.

Ryuji sighed. “Ugh. This couldn’t get more complicated.”

“I wouldn’t be too sure about that,” Morgana chimed in. “Anything can happen in the metaverse.”

“I guess you’re right” Ryuji resigned. They continued down.

They traveled Mementos a little bit until they found one of the targets. They jumped through the portal. “That must be Daisuke Takanashi’s shadow!” Morgana exclaimed.

“Time to put a stop to this bullying!” Ryuji said.

Sumire just looked at him. “...Daisuke…”

The thieves confronted him. “So, you’re the Phantom Thieves, huh?” Daisuke said. “Excellent! Ready to team up?”

“Why would we team up with a vicious bully like you?!” Ann shouted.

“To rule that pathetic school!” Daisuke answered. “With our might combined, we can make the new law of the land.”

“Tch. As if” Ryuji said. “We don’t take kindly to people pushing around others for their own amusement.”

“I agree,” Yusuke said. “It’s time we teach you some manners.”

“So that’s how it’s going to be?” Daisuke said. He transformed into a Jack Frost. “BRING IT ON!” After a quick battle, Daisuke lost. “DAMMIT!” he cried. “Why can I never be strong enough?”

“Strong enough for what?” Morgana ased.

“ANYTHING!” Daisuke answered.

“Daisuke…” Sumire said. “What happened between you and Kimi?”

“Huh? You know Kimi?” Daisuke asked.

“Well, um… yes…” Sumire said. “We’re, um, in the same ballet class… She hasn’t been herself since you broke up with her…”

Daisuke looked at Sumire. “GAH! Fine. I guess I should tell you. This other kid at school caught me shoplifting.”

“WHAT?!” Ann said.

“He told me he’d show them to the police if I didn’t do what he said,” Daisuke continued. “I didn’t want anything bad to happen, so I complied. But over time, I started hating the person I became. I had to break up with Kimi before I did something I’d regret even more.”

“So that’s it,” Ren said. Daisuke nodded.

“Hm. If you can tell us about this person, maybe we can change their heart” Jose responded.

“Heh. Sounds like a plan” Daisuke said.

“But afterwards, you have to promise to make it up to Kimi!” Sumire shouted.

“Of course,” Daisuke said. “I wouldn’t want anything more. I’ll log into that Phansite and put up a post there or something. I’ll also make it up to the store I stole from. Later.” Shadow Diasuke disappeared, and Ren took the treasure left behind.

They left and continued. “Man, this Mementos stuff is paying off!” Ryuji exclaimed. “We found Madarame like this, and now we found someone else too!”

“Yeah, but I don’t think this blackmailer will have a palace like Madarame,” Ann said.

Ryuji pouted. “Well, maybe someone could be bullying him and we keep going up the chain.”

“I doubt we’d get that lucky,” Morgana said.

Ren looked at Sumire. “So, you knew that guy Violet?”

Sumire looked up. “Well, not personally, no. But Kimi would always talk about him. She really liked him.” Sumire grew a blush. “It kind of made me jealous.”

“I see” Ren started blushing as well. “Well, it’s nice that we could reunite them.”

“Yeah” Sumire smiled. They continued driving through Mementos.

They quickly found another portal and jumped through it. “That’s that old guy, Heiji Ono’s shadow” Morgana noted.

“Hmm” Ren thought.

“What’s up?” Ryuji asked.

“My source told me there might be a little more to this one than meets the eye” Ren said.

“What do you mean? Ann asked.

Ren thought some more. “I’m not 100% sure, but I think there might be a deeper reason as to why he’s doing this.”

“Are you saying we should reason with him?” Yusuke asked.

“Well, I think it’s worth a shot at least,” Ren said.

They walked up to him. “Are you those rumored Phantom Thieves?” Heiji asked.

“Um, yeah?” Ryuji answered.

“HA! This is great” Heiji said.

“Why is this great?” Jose asked

“Because, if I mess with you and get away with it, they’ll HAVE to pay attention to me,” Heiji said.

“Um, we’re not going to just let you mess with us,” Morgana responded.

“Oh, but I am just a poor, defenseless old man” Heiji insisted.

“Did you really expect that to work?” Yusuke asked.

“Yeah, you told us your intentions outright” Ann added.

“DId I? Oh dear” Heiji said.

“Who is this ‘they’ person, and why do you want their attention?” Ren asked.

“It doesn’t matter,” Heiji said. “I keep stirring up trouble, and they keep talking to me.”

“Um, could you try talking to them without causing trouble for others?” Sumire asked.

“BAH! They never listen” Heiji said. “And from the sounds of it, neither are you.”

“We’re just trying to help,” Jose said.

“Yeah, well help THIS!” Heiji morphed into a Koropokkuru. “MAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

“Well, it was worth a shot,” Ren said. “Let’s get him!” The thieves fought against Heiji’s shadow. They noticed that whenever Yusuke or Morgana used their powers on him, he’d complain about his bones. So they teamed up to finish him off.

After beating Heiji, he calmed down. “I don’t want to stop!” he yelled in desperation.

“Why?!” Ryuji yelled back.

“Because… They’ll abandon me…” Heiji answered.

“Again, who is this ‘they’?” Ren asked.

“...My grandchildren,” Heiji answered.

“AH!” Sumire yelped.

“That would explain a lot,” Yusuke said.

“They don’t want to spend time with me,” Heiji explained. “But if I make trouble, then they have no choice but to come over. Even if they’re just disappointed in me, they’re still talking to me.”

“Um, have you tried talking to them about this?” Ann answered.

“I told you, they won’t listen,” Heiji explained.

“Well, maybe you don’t need to tell them,” Ren said. “Maybe It's worth it just to talk to somebody about this. Who knows, maybe they could help get your grandkids to listen.”

“Maybe…” Heiji said. “But I’ve made so many people mad. I don’t think any of them will listen.”

“Well, why not apologize?” Ryuji explained. “I’ve learned that a good apology can go a long way.” He looked at Ann and winked. Ann blushed in surprise.

“Heh. You might be right” Heiji said. “You know, you’re all such good kids. Thanks for helping this old man.” He faded out and Ren took the treasure.

“Alright, one more target to go” Ren said.

“Ugh, don’t remind me,” Morgana said.

“Hey the sooner we get this done, the sooner she’ll stop trying to kidnap you” Ren retorted.

“...I guess that’s true,” Morgana said.

They continued onward. On the next floor, they found a little shed. “What’s this?” Ryuji said. They walked in. “Huh. It looks like a place to relax.”

“Well, why don’t we?” Ren asked.

“Yeah, this feels just like a safe room in a palace” Ann assessed.

“Exactly!” Morgana said.

“Well, I could certainly use a break,” Sumire said.

“As could I,” Yusuke added.

“Yeah, I could also use a break,” Jose said.

“Alright then, let’s take five” Ren said. She passed around different healing items to help everyone relax more. After some time had passed, Ren asked “Is everyone ready?” They all nodded. “OK. Then let’s go.” They all got up and continued down Mementos. After a bit of travel, they found the last portal for today and jumped through it.

Morgana gulped. “Well… That’s her shadow… Ryoko Aino…”

“You gonna be alright?” Ryuji asked.

“I dunno…” Morgana said.

“Don’t worry Mona, we’re here for you!” Ann cheered.

“...Yeah!” Morgana answered. “Thanks Panther!”

“Huh, so Mona responds well to Panther. Fascinating” Jose said.

“Indeed” Yusuke added on.

“Well… uh…” Morgana said, embarrassed.

“Hm hm” Sumire giggled. “I think it’s cute.”

“Oh… um… hm…” Morgnana pondered.

“Anyways, we have a job to complete” Ren reminded them.

“Right,” Morgana said, getting focused. “According to the guy who saved me, I’m not the first cat she’s stolen.”

“We need to put a stop to this!” Ann said, raising her voice.

They walked forward to meet her. “Hey!” Morgana yelled, getting her attention.”

Ryoko looked at him. “Snowball? Snowball! You came back! I thought that mean old man took you from me, but you’re here now!”

“OOOOOOOOOOK. That’s weird” Ryuji remarked.

Ren stepped forward. “Are you the one who’s been stealing cats?” she demanded.

“Stealing? No. I’m protecting them” Ryoko answered.

“How does stealing them protect them?” Jose asked.

“There are so many dangers out there for Snowballs out there,” Ryoko explained. “I keep them safe.”

“Well, whatever you think you’re doing, you need to stop!” Ann shouted.

“What?! You… You want all those Snowballs to be in danger?!” Ryoko asked. “NO! I CAN’T LET THAT HAPPEN!” She morphed into a Nekomata. “I’LL PROTECT THE SNOWBALLS WITH MY LIFE!”

Ren stood her guard. “Attack!” She wouldn’t attack Morgana, which was fairly helpful for their effort to take her down. However, she was fairly strong, and the others who took the brunt of her attack felt it. Still, they came out victorious in the end.

After she had been defeated, Ryoko panicked. “NO! I won’t let you!”

“Um, what’s goin’ on?” Ryuji asked.

“I’d like to know for myself,” Yusuke added.

“Hmm. Maybe if we just talk to her…” Ren said. “Hey!” She got Ryoko’s attention. “We want to protect ‘Snowball’ here too. So, could you tell us how you do it?”

“What? No” Ryoko argured. “I’m the only one who can!”

“And why is that?” Ren continued.

“Because!” Ryoko screamed. “Because… it happened to me before… But I won’t let it happen again!”

“Wait before?” Ann said.

“I won’t let Snowball get hit by that truck again!” Ryoko shouted.

“Oh. I see” Ren said.

“Therefore, I will protect all Snowballs!” Ryoko continued.

Sumire stepped up. “You… You really loved Snowball, didn’t you?”

“Of course!” Ryoko said.

Sumir began tearing up. “Well, this kitty here belongs to my friend here. She’d be really sad if she lost him like you lost Snowball.” Ryoko was stricken. “I know how hard it is to lose someone. But the answer isn’t to pass your pain to others, or wallow in it endlessly. You have to move on. I know it’s tough, but Snowball would want that, right?”

Ryoko was crying. “I… I… I… SNOWBALL! I’m so sorry Snowball! I’ll free all of those other kitties and make it up to you! I’m sorry!”

Sumire giggled. “I think he’ll forgive you.”

“Yeah!” Ryoko said. “Thank you.” Ryoko faded and Ren took her treasure. With that, they left that area and continued down Mementos.

Soon after, they arrived at another door. “Huh. We reached another door” Ryuji said.

Ren tried to open it, but to no avail. “Just as I thought.”

“We’ll need to steal Madarame’s treasure to open this door,” Ann said.

“I see,” Yusuke said. “If we are to continue, then I guess we should do it posthaste!”

“I’m not sure rushing this is a good idea,” Jose said. “I mean, after everything we’ve been through today, I’m a little tired.”

“Yeah, and besides, who knows if there’ll be a door later on we’ll need to steal someone else’s treasure to open” Ryuji added.

“Huh. I see” Yusuke said.

“I think pacing ourselves is a good idea,” Sumire pointed out. “If you overwork yourself in ballet, you’ll get nowhere. I’m assuming the same thing applied to Phantom Thieving.”

“Well said” Ren said. “Besides, we’ve change three hearts as well. I say all around today has gone well. Let’s head up.” They went back upstairs and went up through Mementos.

On their way back, Yusuke asked “By the way Violet. Is there a chance that I could sketch you fighting sometime?”

“Wha-What?!” Sumire said, embarrassed.

“Well, it’s just, your fighting style is so expressive” Yusuke said. “I’d like to capture that on canvas.”

“Say, how did we all get so good at fighting?” Ann said.

“Well, about that,” Morgana said. “It’s not like you’re bad at fighting, but the metaverse amplifies any skill you have, or allows you to give yourself one if you aren’t adept to fighting.”

“I see,” Yusuke said. “I guess that’s why I seem to fight with grace and precision.”

“So, why do you fight stylistically Violet?” Ren asked.

“Oh, well, um,” Sumire began. “I guess I’ve just been incorporating my ballet routine into my fighting moves.”

“I see. How marvelous” Yusuke said. “Maybe I can come and watch you perform.”

“Yeah… Provided someone else doesn’t catch your eye…” Sumire lamented.

“I beg your pardon?” Yusuke said.

“Yeah, Violet’s kind of going through some things right now,” Ren said.

“I guess I should explain,” Sumire said. She described what had happened with her sister and her self-esteem.

“Ah! My apologies” Yusuke said. “Forgive me.”

“It’s fine. You didn’t know” Sumire said.

“Still, I commend your efforts,” Yusuke said. “You seem like one of the hardest working people I know, and your fighting shows your spirit. If you ever get to peak performance again, please contact me so I can sketch you.”

“Oh. Well. That sounds nice” Sumire said. They reached the exit, and left Mementos for the day.

Once they got home, Ren was changing into her pajamas, while Morgana was once again on the windowsill. “Ah, it’s nice to be back up here” Morgana said. “The stars, the breeze, the city. Man, it’s so good to feel.”

Ren finished changing.. She walked up to Morgana. “You’ve only been in hiding since this morning.”

Morgana turned to her. “I know,” he said. “But it got me thinking. People find themselves in situations like mine everyday. And it’s up to us to save them.”

“Ah, so that’s what this is about” Ren said.

Morgana nodded. “I know people suffer, but feeling it is a whole other thing. I feel like I have a better understanding of why you fight so hard.”

Ren was taken aback. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I’m just sayin’...” Morgana said. “Between getting arrested and all that stuff with Kamoshida, I can understand wanting to protect people from situations like that.”

“Huh. I see” Ren said. She picked up Morgana. “You’re one insightful kitty, you know that?”

Morgana grinned. “Yeah, but I’m YOUR insightful kitty.”

“Awww” Ren said. She rubbed her cheek on Morgana’s. Morgana purred. “Well, goodnight.”

“Goodnight” Morgana said, leaping down. He curled up while Ren went under the covers. Both were asleep within five minutes.

[writersrealmbts]

Con Amore: Part 13

Bulletproof Melody Sequel

Description: Con Amore– A directive to a musician to perform a selected passage of a composition tenderly, with affectionate emotion, or in a loving manner; an instruction to the player of an instrument meaning ‘with love’ or ‘lovingly’. Three years with all seven of your loves, three years of relative peace. But now everything is threatened as darkness surges from the horizon.

Originally Posted: 04/03/2020

Tags: Superheroes, Ot7

Fluff/Angst: 2,470 words

A/N: One month until my birthday! I’m trying to finish this series. any guesses on the gender of the baby?

Previous Part.

That was as far as you’d gotten, the words seizing in your mouth as you tried to think of how to explain it all and Namjoon’s power wore off.

You were sitting partially against the wall and partially in Hoseok’s lap, trying to think of how to explain it all to them.

They were all gathered around you with pillows and blankets, cozy next to the fireplace you hummed into existence.

Hoseok was braiding lavender into your hair, and Jimin was singing softly as all of you relaxed from the stress of the ‘mission’.

Taehyung was sprawled across the floor and Yoongi, muttering about missing Yeontan.

Jungkook was curled in Seokjin’s lap, wrapped in his arms.

Namjoon was sitting against the wall beside you and Hoseok, waiting for you to be ready to talk.

“I went to the conservatory after my parents…well, after my mother was killed. I needed a distraction, a way to move forward. The conservatory offered training in hand-to-hand and other skills that I saw as useful. I’d only ever been trained in artifact retrieval and care, and self-defense. I thought learning something would help distract me. Everything was fine until about a week after I’d arrived. Every time I tried to just…go outside, to even just go to the gardens, I couldn’t. I asked the dean if I could and he said no. He wouldn’t give me a reason why, and he made it clear I wasn’t allowed to ask anymore.”

“So you went searching,” Yoongi said, smirking.

You nodded, looking to Jin. “You can imagine the secrets I found.”

“The testing,” He whispered, his grip on Jungkook getting taut and causing the younger to glance up at him in worry.

“Among other things. They were testing ways of stealing the students powers, brainwashing, hypnosis…bionic replacements.”

Taehyung sat up, looking worried. “Like Heuning’s wings?”

You nodded. “The man who did that was driven out when they realized it was hurting them, but he wasn’t stopped for quite some time after.” You fidgeted with Hoseok’s hand.

His other hand rested on your stomach, warm and comforting.

“But that didn’t stop the other testing. Or the abuse of the students. Manipulation and hypnosis, brainwashing them into their little soldiers. Maybe if I hadn’t been hiding who I was, I might not have had the backbone to resist their testing, but I was stronger than they knew. The students were prisoners. Test subjects. And they still are.” You let your gaze drop to the floor, thinking about the things you had to listen to, avoid, and endure. “If I hadn’t been able to sneak away to even just my little living-space pocket, I might have gone insane. I would also have been in trouble if I hadn’t been able to keep up with my hair dye. I was using a constant melody to keep my visage hazy, but a change in hair color would have been too noticeable. But getting away was difficult. I actually had to go to restricted areas just to find enough privacy.”

“You two weren’t there at the same time?” Yoongi asked, looking between yourself and Jin, holding hands with Taehyung.

Jin waffled a bit. “There was a little bit of overlap. About three months, actually, but we were always in different places. Or if we were in the same place, neither of us took notice of it. I was trying to escape already, after having exposed the man that did the bionic replacements. He called himself Daedalus. His test subjects had their memories wiped, and most were kept at the school, giving them new identities. After that the youngest kids disappeared before I could rescue them. I’m assuming that was you?” He rested his cheek on Jungkook’s head.

You nodded. “Yeah. After they were brainwashed. I had their files from the lab and I put them in a time-frozen room until I escaped. I met Nadya on my way out. They had been trying to find a way in to investigate. She knew that I was an Archivist, she’d been told she would meet one and that I was the answer. But when we returned to the temple and got the kids settled in with their former identities to help them recover, the time super also told us that the time for her to return to the Conservatory had yet to come.”

“I don’t understand,” Hoseok murmured.

You took a deep breath. “The conservatory fights, but they don’t value the lives of those they send to fight. They’re like toy soldiers. Fighting for whatever cause the conservatory’s dean determines worthy of their attention. Sometimes that means whoever is the highest bidder.”

“Or the fight against super-powered people,” Jin added quietly.

It hung heavily in the air.

“And you and Nadya want to put an end to it,” Yoongi said, nodding slowly. “Make it into a real school for heroes, a safe place for them instead of a nest of evil. But what about your connection to the current dean?”

The boys looked to Jin when you hemmed and hawed a bit, struggling to find a way to explain it.

He shrugged and shook his head. “I don’t remember her at all.”

“Ryoko…she’s…” You sighed. “She was a student. One of the ones that was in charge of keeping me in line after they realized I was an escape artist.”

“And?” Namjoon asked, one of his hands encasing yours.

You stared at the floor. “She found out about me. And I had to use a memory spell on her. But when I did it…I had a lot of ideas. So I gave her an artifact that puts her in the good favor of those above her, one that earns you promotions…but that also let me know what happened at the conservatory.”

“W-what?” Jungkook’s eyes were huge.

Jimin’s mouth was open.

“You…used an artifact on her?” Jin asked, sounding like he couldn’t believe it. “What if someone had taken it from her?”

You shook your head. “It was a rare one, one that can only be used once.”

“So when Nadya asked if ‘She’ remembered you, she was talking about the dean?” Yoongi asked, frowning.

You nodded.

“What happens if she remembers you?” Jimin asked in a small voice.

You shook your head. “Nothing good. She’s always been power-hungry, that’s why she was the perfect choice to become the next dean and be my unwitting spy.”

“I still don’t understand,” Taehyung said. “I mean, I’m getting the feeling that there’s still brainwashing and experimentation being done…but I feel like there’s something else you haven’t told us.”

You met Jin’s gaze and could see he knew what you were going to say.

“None of you have asked about what happens to the students who don’t end up working for the Conservatory,” You said quietly. “Or why none of the students appear to be over the age of eighteen.”

The atmosphere of the room plummeted.

“Oh,” Hoseok breathed, hold on you just a little tighter.

Taehyung looked scared. “What happens to them?”

Jin cleared his throat, taking over. “If they reach the age of 18—”

“If?” Jimin asked, sounding distressed.

“They’re still used as soldiers, Jimin,” You told him, then gestured for Jin to continue.

“If they reach the age of 18, they’re given a choice: stay and work for the conservatory, or go out into the world. If they choose to go out into the world…they’re stripped of their powers, their identity…they become zombie-like. Eventually they can recover a little, but they will never notice supers or anything having to do with powers. They usually die from having their powers stripped from them, though. Or become addicts. I’ve heard of very few leading real lives.” Jin was holding onto Jungkook, like the kid might disappear at any moment. “The only reason I escaped was because I was a teacher, and I managed to leave during the turnover of staff. I wanted…I wanted to help them, but I didn’t know how. The conservatory is strong.”

“But you and Nadya think that this is the chance to change everything, to get the upper hand on the conservatory,” Yoongi said, putting it all together.

“Except I can’t be there.”

“What if we made sure the fight was drawn out, until after you’ve had the baby?” Namjoon asked, slowly and carefully.

You shuddered. “How many might die because of that?”

“Why do you need to be there?” Jungkook asked, frowning.

You looked around at all of them. “Because I can reverse the brainwashing. I’ve had the song for that school figured out for years.”

“Our first time back there you threatened to destroy the school,” Jin said softly.

“Yes. But more than anything else, I threatened to bring Ryoko harm, because it wasn’t the artifact that corrupted her. All of us lost count of how many young supers she has gotten killed.” You shuddered. “And Soobin is actually a former student.”

“What?” Taehyung yelped.

“He caught me as I was escaping and I brought him with me, took him to the home. That’s why he wanted to be closer to us instead of the people from the home. That’s why I didn’t want the boys staying there.”

“What are his powers?” Namjoon asked, frowning.

“Sonic senses, transmutation and peace inducement,” You answered, shifting and resting more on Hoseok. You felt insecure. You wanted them to assure you that they loved you, even if you did break your own rules. Your sacred rules of archives.

Hoseok’s hold tightened slightly, both hands on your stomach. “That is a dangerous power.”

“Which one?” Jungkook asked, frowning.

“Peace inducement,” Seokjin answered. “Under the control of any sort of villain or person with ill-intentions, he could induce everyone to peacefully accept a tyrant to reign over the country.”

Taehyung shuddered and pressed closer to Yoongi

“And the other boys? What are their powers?” Jimin asked, coming over to essentially sit on Namjoon so he could be close to you.

You chewed on your cheek for a moment. “Well, Beomgyu, you know has healing. Soobin told me he would keep the others safe if we made the wrong call about sending him with them. But I think it was the right choice. Heuning Kai has light, photokinesis, and the wings, but he also has air manipulation. Taehyun…I’m still not entirely certain about his powers, but I think…it’s largely psychometry, maybe enhanced memory reliving. Either way, it’s an extremely potent weapon. Especially since he also wears the badge of the high priest, meaning he trains directly with the high priest of time—not with one of the bishops or normal priests like other acolytes. That means he probable has prophetic visions or dreams.”

It was quiet after that.

Finally Seokjin forced in a breath, then forced it out. “And the last?”

“Yeonjun, he had the green robes of a nature acolyte, and his appearance…it’s definitely evidence of it….” You tried to remember what powers you’d sensed from him, working to pinpoint the exact name for them. “He was powerful too. Very powerful, but I was so overwhelmed by Taehyun’s power that I…I couldn’t really focus on his. But he was aware of Jimin, and there was some sort of…nature to him.”

“That would explain the horns,” Jimin whispered. “And the way…I didn’t really say anything but I felt like he was connected to me the moment we reached the archives and were away from the noise.”

You nodded. “I think…don’t quote me because I’m guessing here, but I think he has Ecological empathy…and maybe…something strong that has to do with the elements.” You tangled your fingers with Hoseok’s and vines quickly bound the two of you together by the wrists.

Jimin placed his hand over both of yours, smiling slightly when the vines wrapped around him too. “And are they okay right now?”

You nodded. “They’re fine. I have a song placed on Soobin, he knows how to let me know if something is wrong. I checked in this morning too, through the note-dropping system. He said they’re fine. Yeonjun is completely healed now, and they’re getting along, and apparently Huening Kai is very excitable and screams when he’s excited.”

“I wondered if he was okay, he seemed so uncomfortable and stiff,” Hoseok murmured.

“He’s young and had to go through a lot.” You let your eyes close.

You could hear them all moving closer, joining the pile.

Someone pressed a kiss your temple.

“You did so well today, baby,” Namjoon whispered. “I know it wasn’t easy telling us about what’s been going on, for you or for Seokjin-hyung. I know you probably downplayed a lot—”

“Probably?” Yoongi objected.

“Everything,” Seokjin said at the same time, sounding so heartbroken that it silenced the room again.

You opened your eyes to check on him.

Taehyung pressed a kiss to his lips. “I wish I could say I was sorry you went through that hyung.”

“Tae—” JImin hissed.

“But I’m not. I’m not sorry that you went through it because it’s what brought us together. It’s what brought you to me. You knew how to save me because of your time there, you knew how to help all of us become better people because of your time there. I’m only sorry that this place still haunts you, and that we didn’t realize how much trouble it was before now. You saved me, hyung. I know that might not be enough to you, but it means the world to me.” Taehyung pressed his face into the crook of Jin’s neck as he hugged him from behind.

Jin leaned back into the embrace, one arm still firmly planted around Jungkook, but his free hand going back to rest on Tae’s leg.

“He’s right. Your knowledge is what kept us from getting our butts kicked, now it’s you and y/n keeping us from getting our butts kicked and frankly…I think it’s because you both attended this school. So, we’re going to take it down. We’re going to find a way. Maybe not during this threat, but we’ll find a way,” Namjoon said, voice firm. “After. After our baby is born, and y/n has recovered. Until then, we build up our arsenal of allies. Or, if this fight takes longer than we think, maybe you come back in time for us to take down the school at the same time. Okay?”

There were murmurs of consent from everyone, including you.

Then all of you were just laying there, cuddling.

Because you would have to leave them once the conversation truly ended, and none of you were ready for that.

~~~~

Part 12.   Part 14.

Masterlist.  ~  Series Masterpost.  

Tagging: @ephemeral-mindset​, @alex–awesome–22​, @bryvada​, @missmoxxiesworld​, @knjhe, @i-dont-even-know-fck​

[hunterartemis]

The Assistant: (Theseus X OC) Epilogue (Finale): Nostoi

Words: 5562

Chapter Theme: The Shores of Scotland by Max Richter : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgAQtr8g_mA

Theseus waited behind Ms. Nishimori because he couldn’t see a blooming thing because of the thick shroud of foggy mist.

“The sky was completely clear until now...” Theseus exclaimed, “where did the fog came all of a sudden?”

“Sore wa Kiri ja nai—It is not fog” Ms Nishimori had already advanced few steps, her silhouette hazed and edges softened as she entered the whiteout, “they are watering the trees.”

Theseus stopped for several seconds, watering the trees? He couldn’t believe that such massive amount of mist which only appears in the dawn of deep winter can appear thus by watering the trees. Either the trees were inhumanly massive or the waterbearers were airy sylphs floating around and throwing miniscule droplets of water—but all that seemed possible in the Beedle the Bard’s stories, not in real life.

“You don’t believe me do you?” Someone spoke from his behind.

Theseus swiftly turned at his back, and saw Ume Nishimori standing on a rock with her hand extended towards Theseus, and as their hand joined, with a crack they vanished from the edge of the misty veil near the moonbridge.

When Theseus’ vision adjusted with the views, he found himself standing under the endless canopy. He could not comprehend where Ume Nishimori disappeared, and even after several called, no one answered. Confused with this unexpected abandonment, he nervously where he was. And like the streak of sunlight peaking from the mask of cloud, a strange melody entered through the labyrinth of the leaves.

He had no choice but to listen to the strange song the reverberated through the forest around him. A strange mist felt against his skin and for the first time he felt warm and comfortable. His heart relaxed as he looked around him from the ground to the heights of the ceiling of leaves; suddenly he felt stupid about his loss of direction—it was right there... straight ahead.

His pace lead him steadily towards the lighter section of that forest as he followed the direction of that strange tune. His eyes looked straight up towards the canopy as he saw a great silver blue bird glided over the forest singing that strange song that filled Theseus with surety and direction. At the the same time he felt that he wasn’t alone in that forest, someone or something was running past him with a strange invisibility that felt his heart with ease. He tried to look around to see them and he saw a strange creature. It looked like wolf but had none of it’s feral nature—it had glowing silver coat, beautiful turquoise eyes and many bellowing tails that left a trail of glowing mist as it almost floated alongside him. Theseus knew about that creature; it was the most famous and mysterious Japanese Nine-tailed-fox. It had been attempted to be captured and bred by foreign breeders for many centuries but none of them were successful. He looked at his other side and saw couple of more, each one with different eye colour. Their presence assured that he was never alone, never lost.

He had no idea why the beasts were trying to befriend him, he was unknown, he was a foreigner... he should fear them, as they should be wary about him. He was so mesmerised by them that he didn’t even realise that he was standing at the edge of the forest.

The scenery was something out of a fairytale. A brook flowed with roaring current like a flashing line of thunder through the brown arms of the surrounding mountain. The song of that great bird resonated through the valley and as if to enjoy the song, the endless lines of foreign flowers lolled their head. Pink and white petals blew with the gentle and warm wind like lost love letters from some unknown trees. In the world where everything slumbered in wintry covers, this Eden woke with the spirit of spring. Nature seemed to embrace the unknown man from the faraway land with open arms. Not even the first glimpse of the great forest of Hogwarts evoked such a passion in Theseus’ heart. He put aside his coat and sat on the pebbled shore of the brook...

For the first time, in a long time, he could see the heart and spirit of his brother; for the first time he understood the rush behind the life of wilderness—and it made him tremendously peaceful. However no matter how hard he tried he could not fit Maxine’s silk clad, diamond laden, sharp figure into the peaceful Eden. In his spirit of serenity, a mild tremor arose that compelled him to rethink about the woman who pulled him in this far eastern shore. Like an illusive dream, he felt she was slipping away once again. He felt tremendously jealous of Newt who saw her in wilderness—why else she would voluntarily choose such an obscure job! He tried to imagine Maxine’s face in the midst of those nine-tailed fox or that bird, nothing but haze appeared before him. He looked at the silvery mid-day sky, perhaps hoping that her face will appear there.

In the meanwhile, Ume Nishimori was already other side of the forest, upon the hill from where women watered the trees. With swift feet she entered her living quarters and sat herself down. She needed to make herself scarce lest she mars the union of two waiting people. The moment she saw Theseus, his mind was made clear to her like an open book—she was a skilled legillimens after all. However she did not want the straight-forward meeting, thus under her slightly bitten lip hid a plan of mischief.

“Who are in water-duty today?” she called an attendant, dressed in violet cotton yukata.

“Yoka-san, Ryoko-san, Mine-chan--”

“Tell them that they can take the day off...”

“But Nishimori-sensei, who would water the trees? It is still not spring yet, the trees will lose moisture--”

“I didn’t tell you not deprive the plant, I have just given them a day off. And as for your concern, Matsu-chan would be enough to handle the entire forest.”

“Hai...” the attendant left without another word. After she left, Ume Nishimori poured herself some tea, and through every sip, smiled a mysterious smile.

“Now then, Matsu-chan, let’s see how much you’ve learnt”

...

The moment the attendant reached in the inner sanctum of the living quarters, Maxine knew that either she was summoned for the water duty or for Nishimori-san. As soon as she heard about her duty, she bid the attendant goodbye and started to dress. She picked up a maroon pinstriped juban top and the black hakama pants to put on for today. It was quiet meditative, the process of Japanese dressing, or as she thought. Because a snippet of yesterday’s conversation with Ume-sensei was still plaguing her mind.

“what is going on Matsu-chan?” she asked softly leaning on the door panel as Maxine sat under the window, looking outside ponderously. She glanced slightly and stood up as soon as she heard her professor’s voice. She sat down obediently as Ume-sensei decided to take a seat beside her.

“What is going on Matsu-chan... ” Ume spoke with her meandering tone, “your thoughts are so loud and distracting today, I couldn’t concentrate on the firebirds at all! You know they are ovulating right?” seeing that Maxine didn’t respond at all, Ume turned her student towards her by the shoulder to take a proper look at herself, “look at you, all tensed up—no no, occlumency won’t work on me now—I have seen too many things.”

“Then tell me what should I do?” Maxine asked her sincerely, “my days are getting closer and I have said something irresponsible to someone I don’t know what to feel about—I have told Theseus that I will wait for him before I left.” she looked away from the penetrating gaze of her teacher “how I am supposed to face him--”

“You are having second thoughts about him?”

Maxine couldn’t answer. She silently lowered her face with shame and confusion.

“Any sane person would have told you that you shouldn’t have done it, or advised you to give it some time” Ume said reflectively “but what can I say,you have always been very hasty Matsu-chan. The moment you started Mahoutokoro, I have been watching you. You are hasty, attention seeking--“

“Attention seeking?”

“Yes, and irresponsible—and that it what also makes you insecure and do things that you feel oblidged to do but do not mean.”

“I am not a people pleaser, if that’s what you mean. I never were--”

“Oh yes you are... it’s your survival mechanism, otherwise how else you survived in that house of your family if you were not. Humans, no matter how we claim to be better than the animals, are the same as them. We fit ourself to adjust to our environment long enough for us to leave or change. And as for the dilemma of yours, it’s the same.”

“That seems a little extreme even for a legillimens for to figure out.”

“How would you justify your thoughts about him then? You fall for him but do not pursue him, you get cowardishly angry when he was with someone who was not you. And you found yourself a perfect situation to justify your departure from him, in conclusion you decided to return your poisonous roots—to Anatole.”

“Sensei, you know very well that I do not want to talk about it--”

“—you chase, you cheat but you never try to reach, because you cannot stand rejection. The child that feared exclusion have grown up to be a woman who is too insecure to take a ‘No’. And like a unsatified man with a virgin wife, you loiter around with thirst in your heart and grab the nearest whore who stands in your way”

“—please professor, I beg you to refrain from using that term. Newt was everything that I ever hoped for and he is not the ‘whore’ you are suggesting--”

“—and again that chase begins, that superiority complex kicks in and replacing his fiancee with the mistress begins. You know it, deep down in your heart that you never want to give in—you would rather have a whore than someone your equal. and the further I see, I feel that the man of you is the same also—coward, full of himself, reluctant to be rejected from the person he is mad for and thus he chooses convinience over passion.”

Maxine listened to her without interruption. Her face was low and reflective—never in her life has her entire character been stripped naked in front of her own self. She felt as if she was witnessing her own autopsy.

“—so you are saying that I should abandon him--”

“—no... no.” Ume shook her head irritably as if Maxine got the entire thing wrong, “I am so sick of you feeling afraid, I am sick of seeing you fearing that once more your heart would be broken... in fact I think that I think you’ll leave him the first chance you have--” she stood up on her feet, “when you are insecure you do not only hurt yourself but others as well. I suggest you to think it through like an adult.”

Why would she say something like that? why would Ume-sensei say something like that? She was well aware of her mind games, hell! It was from her she learnt the art of twisting words but this time, she felt everything was piercing through her skin. Does she not believe in her own student, or does she think that her student is not confident enough...

Maxine climbed the mountain with doubts and counter-doubts firing against her mind. She tied the bowstring against her longbow as her frown deepened. Her quiver full of glittering transparent looking arrows fell off her shoulder with her absence of mind—disaster! In Futen Sanctuary, when the rain is scarce and the grounds are dry, specially trained archers fire water-arrows from the highest peak of the mountain towards the forest. The arrow melts into mist and precipitation to moisten the soil. The archer needed to be exceptionally nimble and steady to fire the water-arrows, each of which in their solidified form packed the power of a raging flood that had the power even to erode a mountain. Those who studied Beast Trainership in Mahoutokoro under the governence of Yonomori Family are well aware of how hard it was to master the archery of waterarrows, and very few are as capable. A long time ago it was the art that showed Maxine the centre of peace in her mind when the world she knew fell apart.

The mental state of Maxine requires no explanation at this point; tension of firing the bow properly added into her jeopardised mind. She forcefully breathed in as she lowered her bow to fix her arrow. Her posture erect and fixated at the very top of the forest, the upper canopies fluttering into the gentle wind caused by the Song of the Forest guardian, the silver Heron bird—she warned the occupants of the forest to take cover as the archer is in position to fire the arrow.

Theseus sat on the bank of the brook, that strange songbird that he heard earlier floated like a great silvery-blue kite at the gray sky towards the mountain on the other side. Theseus’ eyes followed his gliding motion, until he saw her.

No, it was no mistake. Despite all the distance, the unfamiliar austere clothing, he knew whom he saw. It was the old familiar figure of Maxine, standing like some tall mast of a ship as her unseen long hair bellowed like some black standard behind her. Something glittering and long was rested upon the peculiar looking bow, and her figure stood still as the marble statue. Theseus rose slowly, without blinking an eye, he could see her drawing the bow taut and far, his heart throbbed like a boy and his whole body couldn’t contain the impulse to call her

Maxine...

WHOOSH

Her hand shook as she let go of her arrow, something which was forbidden on every account. The entire mountain valley resonated with her name, as if the entire forest was calling her. She knew that voice, for a moment she thought she hallucinated but when she looked at the other side, she saw the tall figure of Theseus, standing and looking at her way. When Maxine got into her senses, she had already fired her first arrow—it was going straight towards him.

Trouble.

The arrow followed it’s crooked passage towards Theseus’ heart and he stood there as if he has locked his eyes with the basilisk, he couldn’t even see Maxine’s figure on the rocks. The glinting point of the arrow grew closer and closer and suddenly he felt a pressure on his chest, as he toppled at his back towards the stony ground.

After several moment of darkness, Theseus’ eyes fluttered into the light. In the greenish chroma of the forest, he saw Maxine was leaning towards his face. After a few moment when he realised the close proximity of their distance, he uncomfortably wiggled himself up. However he wasn’t prepared for the next.

“ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?” Maxine thundered as landed a tight slap on Theseus’ cheek, “who stands in the middle of a forest and screams at someone who is about is fire an arrow--”

“It was just an arrow though—I would have stopped it with my wand--”

“Right... you would. Have you ever wondered why you are standing like a soaked imbecile?”

Theseus didn’t notice until now. Suddenly he looked around him: the soil the trees looked like they had been hit by a massive flood. He then looked at Maxine, completely soaked and dishavaled who  was pacing up and down with the great bow tied at her back

“Merlin’s beard, I could have killed you—and lord knows how much blood I have on my hand already”

“Maxine...” Theseus stopped her with a disapproving frown, as if he wasn’t really surprised with her self-guilty, only very concerned that she was still investing in it.

“Why are you here...?” Maxine asked with a tone of surprise, as if his presence didn’t register in her mind earlier.

“I came here...” Theseus stopped in his words, chewing and tasting it. “--to take you home.” Theseus asserted with his head held high and lack of confidence in his voice.

Maxine’s brows gathered in a frown, as if she couldn’t believe what he was saying. Her earlier contemplation starkly clashed with Theseus’ upright confession.

“is that because I asked you to wait for me?”

Theseus stopped for a while, his face reddened and hsi brows frowned as if she had said something offensive, “why does everything have to be about you... everything I do has to be about you isn’t it? How spoiled could you be—no, no, how dense could you be to understand that something does not happen because you ask people to tell so--” he said heatedly. And with natural phenomenon of contagious affect, it caught on Maxine too.

“Why are you being such a prick? I just asked a question—a mere question and you just going around like a--”

“It’s not fair!” Theseus screamed on the top of his lungs, “it’s not fair how you push into my boundaries making a complete fool out of me; it’s not fair how I try to be someone else and do things that I never did for anyone—do you know, I am scared to death to sea and I spend a FREAKING WEEK IN IT JUST SO--”

Maxine could not find the reason behind Theseus’ anger and irritation; as far as she knew him, he was one of the most patient person she had ever seen. Otherwise he wouldn’t have put up with her despite her track records of playing the trickster to get what she wants. He paced and fumed in the muddy soil of the forest as Maxine watched him with a stupefied expression.

“Just so?” she asked tentatively.

She could see a slight change of expression in his face, the frowns unknotting and the lines smoothing. His blue eyes looking straight towards her, “Maxine... I was annoyed and angry when you joined Newt without the ministry notice. I was jealous like a stupid child when I saw you dancing with my brother at Yule Party, I was hopeless when I saw you kissing him at the church—but I never realised what was the reason I felt those emotions towards you--” he came closer to her, speaking with his fullest sincerity, “can you forgive me?”

“No...” Maxine said firmly, “No... It is I who must ask forgiveness...” Maxine stepped two steps closer towards Theseus and grabbed him by the shoulders, “I had been so mean towards you—I had been so jealous when you started with Leta—I shouldn’t have done that. Furthermore, I hurt you the most when you needed me. You trusted me and I hurt you and that’s why all those emotions had been generating in your heart. Truth is, now I realise—I refused you in anger and I sought after Newt when my heart was hungry, I wasn’t in my rational self and I almost ruined three lives—of course I forgive you Theseus, but in return I ask for yours--”

“Tell me...” Theseus’s face darkened like a clouded midday sun, “are you still in love with Newt?”

“Yes, I am... ” Maxine looked upwards, “however there is no expectations in that. I went to him in a distraught mind—I am grateful to him because he looked inside my heart and knew what I was running away from. I caused him pain and his companionship showed me where I was supposed to be--”

“Where were you supposed to be?” Theseus asked with eagerness in his voice, in reply he got Maxine’s meaningful silence.Theseus used this pregnant pause and pulled out the emerald box out of his breast pocket and knelt on the muddy ground to put the ring in Maxine’s fingers. Maxine inspected the ring in the little light she got inside the forest and said with an amused annoyance.

“This is what you get for me, Roses and Filigree?” Maxine replied sarcastically.

“Look closer...” Theseus said with a mysterious smile.

As Maxine looked closer the outer layers of rose-gold melted away and vanished. Instead of the soft rose-gold design, a beautiful black gold baroque ring held a miniature crown; the crown was actually a scepter of a fiery opal that looked like a miniature sunset.

“For the dark and fiery soul—for the trickster and perfection of my life” Theseus said softly, admiring Maxine’s expression.

“So, Maxine Adrienne Odessa Valois--”

“I hate when you take my full name--”

“—stop interrupting me, you minx—“ Theseus rebuked her with a paradoxical smile, “so, Maxine Adrienne Odessa Valois, I would like to ask you, if you are willing to spend the rest of your life with me?” he asked with a deep voice.

Maxine paused for a bit. Her eyes glistened with moisture and her usual Devil’s Attorney crooked smile graced her wet lips, “are you, Mr Theseus Scamander willing to bear my wickedness for the rest of your life?”

“—you are suppose to answer in ‘yes’ or ‘no’” Theseus said with irritability, but his face said he felt otherwise.

“Trust me; it is a great responsibility—so, are you?” Maxine repeated.

“—yes!”

“Then yes... I shall be willing to do the same!”

The forest suddenly filled with claps and laughter. They both looked around and saw the entire sanctuary was applauding to them, as if they were waiting for this to happen. Suddenly out of the crowd the old familiar face peeked through the crowd, Maxine knew her—she was Professor Nishimori. Her face could not be seen from Theseus’ side, as if she was a phantom who appeared only before Maxine. Her black eyes streaming in a motherly joy as she applauded with the rest. Through her tears, Maxine felt as if her own mother was standing behind her whispering that she was proud of her own daughter. Her eyes veered towards Theseus, whose eyes too was streaming with joy. There was a pharse in Japanese community she heard for many times, but never understood its full meaning. Now today, as she stands realising that there was more than the shame, jealousy, rejection and fear she recieved in her life.

Umarete Hajimeta

She was reborn.

...

“Merlin’s beard if I don’t have a firewhisky within three seconds I am going to be petrified--” Theseus murmured as Newt fixed his bow tie, very patiently in their room in the Family home in Scotland. The merry morning rays of spring crept in with the roaring sound of sea through the east window.

“Isn’t the bride be the nervous one?” Newt asked as he straightened up and Theseus fixed his tie with an irritable frown. Newt smiled on his own to see his brother on his toes, struggling to cope with the gravity of the situation.

“—nervous? She? The dead shall rise from the grave just to see her flinch a little—Merlin knows what I have put myself through.” Theseus exasperated. Newt wasn’t particularly impressed with the situation, he gravely commented “—Theseus I thought you were looking forward to marry her--”

“—who said I don’t want to marry her...” Theseus interrupted Newt irritably and plopped on the ottoman to put on his silk socks, “—I am out of the world with happiness—but the problem is not her... it’s her family. As long as she was solo, everything was fine, but as soon as her family made up with her... boom... Saint Chappell all over again.” Theseus pulled his socks so hard that the elastic snapped audibly and painfully, “I am scared to death for their expectations—Newt, you don’t understand, I have met her father and all the time I felt like the worst piece of crap in front of his influence and extravagance—they have booked the Drum Castle.... THE Drum Castle for the wedding--”

The train of rant was interrupted with a warning notice by Tina, who huddled inside in a bright turmeric flapper dress and a myrtle bouquet.

“Five minutes...” Tina huffed as she totted, “They have send a Rolls Royce... a flying one”

Tina hadn’t looked anywhere until now, and when she looked at Theseus tying the strings of shoes through his calves. Before leaving an unexpected snigger left her lips.

“IT’S A KILT....” a desperate scream of Theseus left a trail behind her.

The people on Groom’s side, including Theseus, his best man Newt, Mother of Groom Mrs. Bronte Scamander and finally Tina boarded the car nervously. The Royce flew across the Caledonian ranges of beautiful glen until it landed at the front of the castle. Tina huddled through her heels to Maxine because it was a tradition of Scamander family that the bride is to be dressed by the sister of the groom, since the Scamander had no girl sibling, the immediate choice was Tina, and she was soon to be sister-in-law too, if the circumstances permitted. She may have been difficult in some cases in the past, but she had learned that even the worst of the people can change.

“Oh... Ma chere, you have arrived...” Marguerite was standing at the bottom of the tower, dressed in Mauve bell-epoch dress and tilted pillbox hat—Tina had a mini-heart attack at how well this woman looked, the flaming red hair arranged in beautiful chignon and her entire figure exuded power and elegance. But she had to pay attention to her words, “thank Merlin... would you be glad to ‘elp Maxine to add some final touches?”

Tina didn’t know that such mellow and polite lady can hold so much power in her soft voice. She didn’t know if she even had to decline her.

“Of course Madame...”

They apparated at the top of the tower with a crack, Svetlana who was at Maxine’s service opened the door to reveal the bride sitting upright near the ornate Victorian mirror.

“You look beautiful Maxine...” Tina admired Maxine with a tinge of envy as she beheld her. Maxine had rose from her former seat. The simple satin wedding gown adorned her tall figure gracefully and it added the space to the flowers and jewels to shine. Tina, for a moment compared her soft and fluid look with that of the winter wedding in Paris. This Maxine didn’t look like Ice queen with blood lips and decked in diamond—she looked like a bride.

Tina, with fullness in her heart, added red lacquer in her lips, added the baby’s breath and myrtle flower crown at the back of her perfectly pinned curls. After huffing and puffing over her already finished near perfect look, Tina finally stepped down.

“How do I look?” Maxine looked at Tina through the mirror, a nervous tone disturbed her natural cockiness of voice. Tina smiled internally, even the most confident gets nervous.

“the most beautiful bride I have ever seen” her reaction evoked a stray tear in Svetlana’s light blue eyes.

As Newt and Theseus settled near the isle, Theseus’s nervousness pumped through the ceiling. He had a sip of firewhiskey already, but it did nothing—he was marrying a Duchess for Merlin’s sake. He looked around the wedding hall, all the important figures of European ministry were there, looking at Theseus’ way, sitting at the most elegantly dressed hall. The wedding hall somehow transformed from a stony room to a Baroque palace—golden filigreed chandeliers glowed against rose-motived pink walls, he felt like he was an insignificant part of a French painting. Newt could see the tumultuous waves of inferiority and nervousness on his brother’s face. He softly grabbed him by the shoulder.

“—‘Seus, she is their only daughter—she has no blood relatives left in the world, they are trying their best to make up to it all.”

“—Newt, I am not sure if I can keep her happy or not...”

“I believe in you...”

Theseus looked at his brother with widened eyes, his little brother hid again under the unkempt strawberry blond bangs, but the strength he channeled through his softness made Theseus extremely proud of his younger brother.

Maxine fidgeted behind the great Cypress door of the wedding hall. The door will open at anytime soon. In the absence of father, she will walk alone and her bridesmaids Tina and Svetlana will follow.  

The door swung open and the entire hall blazed with a very non traditional music for a bridal march. Maxine knew it was the choice of her family, who would have opted for some ecclesiastical pieces by Vivaldi, Monteverdi or Faure like her wedding; Arrival of the Queen of Sheba was an unusual choice for a bridal march. Maxine slightly leaned back before walk towards Tina to ask who was the one to pick the music.

“It was Theseus...” Tina said with a smile.

Maxine’s lips curved into a full, genuine smile as she stepped forward with light feet. Her eyes veering towards her wedding guests, who were giving her a standing ovation. She saw Charlemagne, Lucian Carr and entire Auror department looking at her; at her right she saw Bongartz and the other wizards from Romanian dragon reserve smiling at her way; a little further stood her professors of Durmstrang and Hogwarts. Dumbledore looked handsome in his tweed suit, accompanying Mcgonagall and Nishimori sensei in a petal pink Silk kimono and really elaborate hairdo. Everyone important in her life gathered under one roof to witness the one thing she needed most in her life.

“Dearly beloved we’ve gathered here to witness the holy union of Theseus Delian Chrysostomus Scamander and Lady Maxine Adrienne Odessa Valois--”

“So... ” Maxine discreetly whispered, “Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, huh! Nice touch, bit Baroque and old, but classy—you know your Handel”

“I had to resort to it, because Handel didn’t write anything for The Duchess of Croy...”

“Chrysostomus...’golden mouth’, how come I never heard that name before?—”

“Because I hate it... and the person after I was named...”

“Who?”

“My great uncle, Chrysostomus Scamander—he gave that name to himself once he became a Seer; none of his prediction ever came true... including me marrying an ugly wealthy widow--”

“—I don’t know whether I should slap you in the face or the old geezer who dared to call me ugly--”

Theseus could not understand what she was talking about until he realise what he has said, “—Oh... I am so sorry, Maxine I didn’t mean that” he whispered under his breath.

“Concentarte Mr. Scamander, we are at a ceremony” Maxine said with a forced deadpan face, painfully suppressing a laughter.

“Why you always put me in an embarrasing position and don’t let me apologise?”

“First of all, it is not my fault that you have no brakes on your mouth and secondly when someone ignores someone’s embarrasment it means that they have already let it go--”

Theseus stopped for a while, so that is what she has been doing all along? All the scolding and anger outburst he had with her at the later years, the ones for which he tried to apologise and she ignored it—that is what she was doing? Silently forgiving him? He felt a rush of gratitude towards her and a pang of guilt in his heart. But as he looked at his left, he could see the radiance of Maxine’s face even under her veil—nothing bothered her anymore. Before she looked like a shiny outer skin masking darkness, but now she looked like something was cleansed from her heart, a weight she had carried all her life was lifted.

While they conversed with each other, the sermon was mostly complete, they both now looked at the Cardinal who had a look in his eyes that he heard everything, but chose to ignore it.

“Do you, Theseus Delian Chrysostomus Scamander take Lady Maxine Adrienne Odessa Valois as your lawfully wedded wife?”

“I do...” Theseus confessed.

“And do you, Lady Maxine Adrienne Odessa Valois abdicate your position as the Duchess of Croy and take Theseus Delian Chrysostomus Scamander as your lawfully wedded husband?”

“I do...” with her confession the entire hall stood up to applaude.

“Or do I?” Maxine turned towards the audience with her crooked smile and witnessed the flabbergasted audiences abruptly stopped in their standing ovation.

She savoured the audience’s bafflement. Newt almost slipped from his pedestal, the pastor at the side nearly dropped the wine glass and Theseus looked like he was about to have a breakdown. In the midst of the nearly cruel words, she broke out into a heart-lightening laughter, pointing a finger at Theseus like a small child.

“Come here you minx--” Theseus pulled her by the face to kiss her.

Before Maxine closed her eyes completely immersing herself fully, from the corner of the eyes she saw Newt hiding beneath his unkempt bangs, squeezing his temple with his fingers for a brief moment. Perhaps he saw that the bride was looking at him, and he did one of the rarest things he ever did. He looked straight at Maxine’s eyes with tears streaming down his face.

The tears that said so many things he wanted to say.

--

Nostoi: a Greek word taken from Odyssey which means “Homecoming”. You might have noticed that one of Maxine’s name is “Odessa”, which is a female version of “Odysseus”. The entire story of Assistant is Maxine’s journey from returning “home” or to people whom she was meant to be. It is not only about Theseus or their “skinny love”, but also to her own family who finally accepted her, and Newt. She may not have the relationship she wanted with Newt, but without him her “homecoming” would have been impossible.

    It is Theseus’ homecoming as well. He lost hope on Maxine, terming her unattainable, which caused a rift between them and Maxine’s wandering. When he finally came to terms with his heart and mind he could finally pick up the courage to pursue what he had wanted for so long. Theseus too, sought for Maxine, like Odysseus’ son Telemachus went to Voyage to look for his father. (There is another myth I have based on Maxine and Theseus’ story, I will later reveal it it a post as an addendum)

Yukata: The easy version of traditional Kimono, worn mainly informally and inside the household.

Juban top and Hakama pants: mainly worn by archers and samurai, and is still worn as ceremonial outfit in Japan.

Yume or Japanese Longbow: see above picture

Drum Castle:  Drum Castle is a castle near Drumoak in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. For centuries it was the seat of the chief of Clan Irvine. The place-name Drum is derived from Gaelic druim, 'ridge'. Maxine’s family arranged something that would be the last splendor for Maxine before she abdicates. They chose it with the mutual agreement of the Scamanders because the owner of the Drum Castle, the Irwins, were the starting line of the Scamanders. The Scamanders are descended from a Muggleborn Witch named Maud Irwin.

Also I wanted their wedding to be on Scotland to give Maxine a closer; she was wed to Theseus on the same soil where her mother was born. Although Aberdeen and Edinburgh are far apart, but they are both on the west coast of Scotland

Arrival of the Queen of Sheba:  A piece written by  George Frideric Handel from his Opera Solomon. Although it is a popular choice for bridal march today, but it was certainly not in 1920′s. The fast violin conveys the excitement of the mob to see the queen, and the wind instrument convey the welcoming bugle of the entrance of the Queen. Theseus chose this to convey his excitement to marry Maxine who was an Aristocratic Witch. It is also a Baroque or 17th Century piece, a time which was most valued by Maxine’s family (it wasn’t intended by Theseus, just a coincidence). 

Listen to this piece : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TGKJ9MgCOQ

Delian : a name of Apollo who was born in the city of Delios. Notice, how Newt had ‘Artemis’ in his name, so I thought why not give Theseus’s middle names a bit Apollo-centric, but Apollo seemed way too obvious, so I chose this name.

Chrysostomus: Greek for ‘Golden Mouth’ or someone whose speech is always true (an oracle). Apollo is also God of Soothsaying and Oracle.

Thank you for all the support you gave me. 

[letstalksymphogear]

Symphogear, EP. 6

Last Time on Grand Theft Auto:

Tsubasa recovers from the world’s gayest coma as Hibiki trains her mind while putting aside such silly concepts as “the love of my life” and “literally being with my girlfriend.” After cooling Miku’s paranoia with her brand new washboard abs, Genjuro prepares the team for a pizza run across the city to deliver a dangerously hot pizza pie named Durandal. Chaos emerges as the delivery is intercepted by a rival pizza gang, lead by the nefarious Gremlin known as Yukine Chris. But, before the pizza could be claimed, dedicated pizza deliverywoman Hibiki not only steals it back, but eats it, harnessing the power of the pizza and unleashing cheesy pasta based chaos around the location.

Ryoko is so into it that she taps into her superpowers and protects Hibiki after she passes out. The delivery is considered a failure, and no tip is given.

And so, the journey continues...

Meanwhile, in this weird, tricked out mansion...

Chris meditates on some water metaphors of her own.

“that pacman colored freak took only touching it to activate a cheap ass french sword that gave her weird demon powers and its taken me YEARS to use this dumb stripper outfit and the funny cane that goes with it, what the FUCK man, what even is my life”

“maybe... maybe honeybaked hams ARE that powerful...”

“NO! turkey is the superior meat! it’s healthier, lower in fat, and way more tasty! fuck you! i’ll get my goddamned revenge!”

Chris begins musing about Fine’s motivations to capture Hibiki; during these, we’re treated to some brief image flashbacks of Chris’s life.

Suddenly, those jokes about food are a lot less funny.

It doesn’t take a genius to put two and two together as to why this young woman is helping a strange nudist dominatrix spread alien terror across the city of mumblednoises, Japan. She doesn’t really have many an option on the table. It’s either help the weird kinkster with her plans, or die.

Despite everything, she has a high opinion of Fine, for the same reasons someone might have a high opinion of a television show if it were the only show they were ever exposed to. She is deeply afraid of being alone again, because she has lived through such misery that the very thought of existing out in the cold again terrifies the shit out of her.

The Sun rises casually amidst Chris’s thoughts.

“ah shit. it just hit me. i literally have spent the entire night standing here instead of actually going the fuck to sleep. goddamnit.”

On such a devious metaphorical twist, Fine stands behind her as the Sun rises.

“yeah, jokes on you. i couldnt sleep for shit either. turns out, all nude, no blankets? in japan? real bad idea.”

“thats why i decided to GO GOTH, babey! whattaya think? do i give those witchy vibes, huh? real ‘black magic woman’ santana hours? feeling cute, gonna head out with the girls and summon satan in the woods kinda aesthetic looking shit? come on, be real with me. does this not look baller?”

“you look like morticia decided to go to the grocery store to buy some wonder bread, but other than that, its a step up from your usual pussy out attitude, so sure”

“you know i decided to get some brain cells on loan from Brain Cells R Us, and ive been thinking this solomon cane stuff is solomon lame. i dont need this dumb oversized harry potter cosplay prop to get shit done. also, murder is... sorta bad? im still trying to get the brain cell stuff down.”

“i can punch just as good as goody two shoes if not better.”

“lol go do it then champ, im gonna go cut down a forest of trees now”

And so, they both just kinda... stand there.

“QUACK, NEXT SCENE, QUACK”

Meanwhile, Tsubasa is rapidly trying to rehabilitate herself from her wounds like walking like a madman, her IV drip presumably filled with Taco Bell brand Doritos Locos Tacos super spicy nacho cheese. Taco Bell: Live Mas.

“im gonna clear every fucking taco bell in your goddamned memory, kanade”

“think outside the bun! wait, what? that was a taco bell slogan? ah fuck it, im dead. what nerd’s gonna try and correct me?”

“i would, kanade. i am that nerd.”

Tsubasa is hell bent to try and understand Kanade’s simple philosophy of helping others selflessly. Unfortunately, when Kanade died, she took all the brain cells between them in the process, so coming to this epiphany is a work in progress.

“listen its a fucking miracle you are 1. alive and 2. able to have your blood run on the garbage melted plastic taco bell tries to dupe people into believing is cheese so why dont you just lie down and think of better franchises to eat from”

“no! you dont understand! taco bell is a franchise of the PEOPLE! their meals are cheap and filling and- and the chicken quesadillas are of good quality for their price! i promised kanade- my vow to the death. taco bell... ergh... now and forever... i-”

“wait. my gay senses are tingling.”

It’s Hibiki, probably running track with Miku.

“oh yeah... her... i should probably apologize to her. about trying to kill her. and then letting her almost be kidnapped. and just giving her a general hard time about something that wasn’t explained to her in the slightest for months. she’s a good bean.”

Tsubasa proceeds to never canonically apologize to Hibiki throughout the entirety of all 4 seasons of Symphogear.

Look at em run. See, it’s a metaphor, because they haven’t communicated yet and they’re running from their problems! But they’re running towards Tsubasa, who is part of the representative problem these two share! Clearly literary genius.

It’s like someone went halfway into writing an NTR plotline and went “maybe this isn’t a good idea to market our songs on.”

Hibiki is still thinking about her Hellshake Yano moment with Durandal. Mainly how she nearly killed someone with it. Hibiki is very starkly in the “killing is bad, and wrong” camp of morality, a trait currently unique to her that she’ll wind up teaching literally everyone else she meets one way or another.

Some could argue the L stands for Lydian, and they’re wrong. It stands for Lesbian.

“that was one hell of a run, hibiki! im pooped! why dont we go to the locker room and call it a day, have a nice shower and just get some dinn-”

“this is the last straw.

i clean your plates. i cook your food. we eat, shit, shower, and sleep in the same FUCKING area, and this is how you repay me? huh? you think being your wife is easy shit, hibiki? half the damn time you’re running off like clark kent having food poisoning and the other half ive gotta babysit you, the emotional equivalent of a preteen clown, to make sure your life doesn’t self destruct harder than Atlantis sinking into the ocean. im done! i am DONE. im reopening my tinder, im slamming my ass BACK into okcupid, and im gonna date some CUTE ACADEMY GIRLS that treat me BETTER than this ABSOLUTE BETRAYAL OF HEART AND IM NOT CRYING I SWEAR ITS JUST THE SWEAT IN MY EYES AND HIBIKI HOW COULD YOU-”

“oh yeah, sure! hey, lemme just do a few more laps, ive just been feeling judgmental about myself and my figure, you know? gotta push myself further...”

“o-oh yeah, sure. no worries, ill wait for you. love you too, hibiki...”

The girls bathe together, as good friends typically do.

“hey you ever notice the showers here have like, weird psuedo-luxurious minipools to bathe in? like, how rich is this school?”

“whoever made this place is either rich or a pervert. or both, probably!”

Miku remarks that Hibiki has changed since she’s entered Lydian, in a manner most unheterosexual.

“oh FUCK you really DO have washboard abs now! ohhh my god.”

“damn, those abs were heavenly. let’s get pancakes later.”

I won’t screenshot it but something to note is that they actually wear each other’s corresponding underwear colors (or even, if you want to examine more closely, each other’s underwear). Here’s an equivalent scene to give you the mental image.

This is the face of someone who knows what they want and already have it. Such is the power of Kohinata Miku.

Meanwhile, Genjuro comes back from the funeral of the guy the Americans filled violently and with impunity.

“yo that all black look looks baller. i should borrow that look... id look pretty gothy in it.”

“ryoko i sympathize with your sharp, fashionista eye but this was for a funeral, i was paying my respects to the dead. thats the usual dress code.”

“didnt know they updated that. i remember back in my day, we just went in white garments and chanted in latin!”

“shit was fire. literally. lots of funeral pyres.”

“lmao ryoko buddy your larping sessions arent actual history”

“hey dont shit on larping around me. i used to be a professional larper while i was majoring in acting. helped really sell my career when i had to pretend to slay the Dark Lord Jyarloen atop the mountain of skulls in Hargobor after my family was killed by the Dark Army. asshole.”

“haha yeah, larping, thats cool yeah, i do that

i...

i larp.”

“oh yeah? you wanna join my larping session sometime then? we’re gonna do an ancient babylon plot thats inspired by some anime, itll be fun”

“.....................................im super into realism.”

“i know im dressed for a funeral but id like to not part ways with my dignity yet. besides, we’ve got serious shit to talk about. basically, we’re on the verge of getting shitcanned.”

As it turns out, the death of this politician removed the last obstacle of opposition to maintain the 2nd Division, as the average criticism against the 2nd Division is “why are we funding this mystery division when we don’t know what they do”. Of course, the sensible idea for an organization that defeats the Noise is to declassify it, given people of different jobs and positions have physically seen the Symphogear in action, but you know. “Oh no, the other governments will come after us” stick gets shaken.

“im in a union. i know my rights. you’re not taking my acting job here away from me.”

“im not going back to be a preschool teacher. its been ten year. the bites on my ankles still havent healed...”

“yeah man, shit sucks ass. i cant fund my adoption habits if im fired.”

Look at these cinematic parallels. Symphogear truly is a franchise made by someone living in 3030.

“worst part is the new minister is super into america. he’s a... westaboo.”

“a westaboo?”

“westaboo?”

“did he just unironically say westaboo”

“he said westaboo. oh my god. this is the hell timeline.”

“i mean people kept calling me that for worshipping all these fighting flicks so i guess it fit? i dont see the problem here”

Meanwhile, in Lydian Academy...

“so it hit me, right? we’re ALL girls. and we ALL sing. now, humor me a moment. what if... what if we’ve all been recruited to potentially be superheroes... through our singing? like, there’s no coincidence that all this shit happens around us, right? and a famous singer LIVES here? i saw the black cars outside! weird shit is happening here- im not even gonna eat the all you can eat bar anymore!”

“kathy there is literally no such thing as superheroes who sing. this place is more likely to be a organ harvesting op than whatever madness you’re saying”

“what? you need me, a singing superhero, to go stop a problem happening underneath the school, a location meant to recruit young women into potentially becoming fellow crime fighting singers?”

“yeah im too busy poppin’ caps in asses so go kick ass in my place”

“sure!”

“.....................................who ya talkin to, hibiki?”

“the boss! gotta go do a thing again...”

“hibiki, i dont like the fact that capitalism is tearing us apart.”

“you’ve gotta join me in the revolution, hibiki. you. me. luxury automated gay space communism. aint it the dream? share my vision, hibiki. its glorious.”

“n... no...? no gay space communism today? well, what about tomorrow? or the next day? or... maybe the next day? baby steps, you say? but, direction action, hibiki! we’ve gotta strike now!”

“it’s okay hibiki. when i take over the world and destroy all first world government leaders, and unite the globe in my encompassing reign and love... ill make sure to spare you, and be my bride to be.”

“thanks miku. im just not ready yet for the globe to burn in an unending ball of fire as the continents fuse into a new utopia composed of our combined wills. also, ive really gotta go, its genuinely an emergency.”

“for the cause!”

“yes hibiki... for the cause...”

Admittedly, you can see the stages of grief Miku goes through when she sees Hibiki say she can’t join her for pancakes. It’s sad. This side story sucks.

Meanwhile, as it turns out, the problem Hibiki needed to resolve was checking on Tsubasa to see if she hadn’t dissolved into Taco Bell brand hot n’ spicy Tabasco sauce.

“god, cant believe taco bell was closed. now i gotta deliver these lame ass flowers”

“cant wait to get threatened again. wonder what she’ll say. ‘hibiki, i should have killed you when i had the chance.’ or ‘you’re so goddamned weak. i could break your spine with my fingernail’, or some other stuff about metaphors. oh, my stops here”

“HEY BITCH WHATS GOOD-”

“HOLY SHIT”

“you are already”

“dead.”

[askthenewhopespeak]

March 3rd, 2021- Arrivals

Station seven, ??? (Invdia base? Maybe?):

(plan notes: well, here’s hoping the device works as you understood. And also that no one shots you.)

-there is technically a stop at the jail, but Sora doesn’t count it, as she’s there only for a second.

-The device she found, it’s odd, and she has no idea how it works, but she has coordinates and that’s all that’s important.

-There’s a quick stop to figure out what this coordinates mean, but it’s fast enough and soon enough she’s where she hopes is the Invdia base, feeling like she’s about to vomit when she knocks on the door.

(You can’t turn back now, Sora. You went too far.)

Station eight, Invdia base:

(plan notes: don’t die)

*Sora knocks on the door that she hopes is the Invdia base.*

Sora: Hello?

*She doesn’t receive an apparent answer… however, a swarm of small devices begin to seep through the cracks in the door.*

*Sora takes a step back. *

Sora: Is this the Invdia base? I’d like to join.

???: Stand still. *The Nerada begin to surround her*

*Sora freezes in place*

Sora: You do realize that tiny robots surrounding you is creepy, right?

???: Shut up, and stand still.

*Sora obeys, though she slightly pouts as she does so. She doesn’t mean to be rebellious, not so fast, but she can’t stop herself completely.*

*After a few minutes, the Nerada retract, and a male voice speaks.* Drop your phone on the ground and step on it until it breaks.

Sora: Really? I just bought this thing. Man, Dami is going to kill me. *She places her phone on the ground and steps on it.*  Can you actually do break it? It’s a brick, I’m not sure it can break.

*The Nerada come back out and swarm over the phone, and when they retract, it’s been destroyed.*

Sora: Welp, he is definitely going to kill me, given I gave him that number. Anything else you need me to do, Mister?….Miss? Miks? It’s very hard to tell which gender robots identify as, most of the time.

???: You can enter.

*Sora enters, spinning a hair with her finger. It was ages since she walked around with her hair lose like this.*

*She almost walks right into the tip of a crossbow bolt, as an older woman who she guesses to be around her mid 20s is pointing it right at her face. Other people in the room are a young blond man who looks away from Sora, disinterested, and a dark haired man of around the same age who regards her with mild curiosity*

Sora: *Sora pauses* Oh, sorry! Do you always aim crossbows at people like this? This can get very dangerous.

Cate: No shit. You’re what, 13? Why the hell are you here kid?

Sora: I’m four-dammit, fifteen. I keep  forgetting. And I’m here because… well, because I don’t want people to hurt my family.

Cate: I can get that. But I’m sorry, we’re not in the buisness of putting minors at risk. *She retracts the crossbow.* We’re here to keep families safe, kid, not make them watch when some sick freak gets his hands on their little girl.

Sora: I can’t keep them safe from home, and… I can fight for myself! I have a knife and I can use it. *She laughs, a little mockingly. * Dad would probably be proud. He was doing the same in my age.

Ryouko: Sora? *She’s entered the room through a door, and is standing there, shocked.*

*Sora waves to her*

Sora: I have a present for you! *She searches her bag to pull the picture Mitsuru wrote on, one of him holding the baby Mitsuru*, Congratulations, you are a big sister. Please tell this lady I can join Invdia! It’s not like my dad would be mad!

Cate: You know-

Ryouko: It’s a long story that I will explain, if you’ll just give me a minute… *she pulls Sora into another room* What the hell are you doing here?

Sora: *she yells to Cate* I’m going to marry her brother one day! *and then back to Ryoko* I’m going to keep them safe, because I currently have zero trust in you. Isn’t it obvious?

*Ryouko puts her head in her hands* Oh my god… your plan is even worse than mine..

Sora: I let some people know the general idea of what I’m doing before coming here. And I don’t have a baby brother to take care of. So no, I think my plan is still better.

Ryouko: You’re also a fifteen year old throwing yourself into a situation where it’s highly likely you’re going to have to either kill someone or get killed yourself, either by some maniac that Crane thinks we can take or… *she hesitates, but the implication is clear. Ryouko doesn’t trust that other members of Invidia won’t hurt or kill Sora.*

Sora: Aren’t you like five? *she understands what Ryoko means, she actually does, but she is trying to not think about it because she doesn’t want to regret. * I am not going away, Ryoko. I can kill jerks. I am fine with that. *she is trying to convince herself in that too*

Ryouko: Are you? Are you really, Sora? Because I sure as hell am not.

Sora: Already helped to kill one, remember? And… if so, why the fuck are you even here? Just take your boyfriend and go home.

*Ryouko wordlessly holds up her phone, and Sora sees a long list of audio files dating back a good few months.*

Sora: If you planned to turn them to the police you’d have done so months ago. I am not stupid, Ryoko.

Ryouko: I don’t agree with a lot of the stuff Crane does, but there’s no denying that the police are useless. But there’s more here than just a vigilante group wanting to take down criminals for the sake of justice. I don’t trust Crane in the slightest, and I’m pretty sure there’s something bigger that she and the blond guy are cooking up. Do you know that they’re both related to Maverick?

Sora: I didn’t know their names up until three minutes ago, who would I know who they are related to? And didn’t he murder most of his family? I thought I read something about that once, but this may have not been the case here… Or I might just be remembering wrong, honestly.

Ryouko: Exactly. So I’ve got to wonder why the hell they’re still alive. Not to mention… she wasn’t in the room but Alyssa is here. She knows who you are. Sly and I didn’t bother with any sort of cover so she didn’t have that to leverage over us, but you…

Sora: Did anyone actually ever tell her my real name? It’s not like I actually talked to her…. ever… she kind of scares me.

Ryouko: I don’t know. And honestly, she scares everyone… *she sighs* I’m not gonna be able to talk you out of this, am I?

Sora: Duh. I’m too stubborn for my own good… this were your words, by the way. Future-you, anyways.

*Ryouko sighs* Just… let’s keep the exact details about our family a secret, yeah? Especially the whole time travel stuff.

Sora: Never planned on this. Don’t worry.

*The pair exit the room*

Cate: Gonna marry your brother, huh?

Ryouko: So she thinks.

Sora: I’m working on it!

Cate: Look, I can’t say I’m a massive fan of letting a kid into this group-

Kyokuna: You let Alyssa in.

Cate: She’s an exception. But… you are eager, and you found us…

Sora: So, am I allowed in your little organization?

Cate: Don’t expect much in the way of going out and getting too involved with taking down bad guys. At least for now, you’ll be in a mission control type role. out of danger.

Sora: *she pouts a little, but sighs* Fine. But I want that in the record that I have had more weapon training than most adults and definitely more than Ryoko.

Cate: And you’re still a kid.

Sora: Aren’t you the group that lets a nine year old to go to missions?

Cate: Like I said, Alyssa’s an exception.

Sora: This is bullshit, but I do want to be here and help, so fine, I guess. Again, for the record, I’m probably more qualified than Ryoko and have a 3 dimensional eye sight, but that’s your choice. *she is now  arguing for the principal of it, really. she doen’t like being treated like a kid.*

Cate: I’m sure. Don’t get too comfortable though, policy is whenever someone new finds us we move out within a couple hours.

Sora: Sounds like fun. But really, can I get a phone or something to tell my cousin no one shot me? He kept bringing this idea up. Just… So he won’t worry much?

Ryouko: I vouch for her, she won’t give any details about where we are or who she’s with.

*Cate thinks for a moment.* You can, but I want to be right by you to listen to your call.

Sora: sounds okay with me.

*Cate goes digging in a nearby bag and pulls out a burner phone, handing it to Sora.*

*Sora closes her eyes for a moment, and after a moment of thought, calls. *

Sora: Mitsi?

Mitsuru: SORA?! Where are you?!

Sora: I can’t tell you that, and even if I could we’re moving soon. But I wanted to let you know I am okay, and breathing, and no one shot me or anything of this sort.

Mitsuru: I…I can tell. Otherwise, I’d wonder if I’d forgotten when I carried out a summoning ritual’ .

Sora: You say this as if these don’t work. But I’m here, and they are not going to let me do anything, so you don’t need to worry about that, and can you please grab damian from his shoulders and tilt him a lot of he buries himself in work again?

Mitsuru: First things first, are you hurt at all?

Sora: No. I swear, I’m completely fine. Nothing happend.

Mitsuru: What about Invidia?

Sora: I found them. She’s here. I’m still mad at her as a concept. There are other pepole here, but I was specifically was told to not give any details about them.

Mitsuru: Did you find my sister?

Sora: …who did you think I meant when I said she literally a second ago? Because Kaede isn’t here, I can promise that.

Mitsuru: How is she? Do you know?

Sora: she seems fine, as much as I could tell. She is definitely in an okay physical shape.

Mitsuru: Where is she? Where are you?

Sora: She’s right across the room from me, in the place I already told you I can’t tell you where is. I think. Did I not tell you that?

Mitsuru: Why not?

Sora: first, because you will absolutely rat me to m-miss Naomi, won’t you? She currently has better things to do then to go chasing me. second, because I was specifically told that I can’t tell you that.

Mitsuru: By who? You need to get out of there ASAP!

Sora: Mitsi, my cute boyfriend, I told you I was going to do this. I’ve joined Invdia, and one of the terms for this phone call was that I wouldn’t talk about where I am or who is here. So please, just drop it.

Mitsuru: You’re….so insufferable sometimes.

Sora: You have known me for fifteen years? Is it the first time you realized it? How?

Mitsuru: *Sigh* Just…get everyone back here, please. And don’t die.

Sora: I told you, I will keep everyone safe. *she sighs.* I love you, Mitsi. Tell Damian that the phone number I gave him wouldn’t work, my device broke. Have a good day.

Mitsuru: I will. I love you too, Sora. Don’t do anything stupid. Please.

Sora: will do my best, but no promises. *she blows him a kiss*

Mitsuru: *Reluctantly, once she hangs up, he does so as well, sighing*

*Sora hands Cate the phone back, sighing.*

*Cate nods, then turns to the group.* Like I said before. Everyone pack up and get moving, we’re leaving in ninety minutes!

[askthedespairkids]

Letter of Apology

There's a knock on the door to Miaya's office

 "Coming!" *She wheels over to the door and opens it up*

Hey there

..."Nakamura-kun. I'm glad to see the surgery went well."

Yeah, I've been feeling...pretty good lately, actually. Physically, at least. Listen, can we talk? Just for a bit?

"Sure. Come on in."

*He enters her office and takes a piece of paper out from his coat pocket*

I finished that essay you wanted.

 ..."Come again?"

You said you wanted an essay on everything I did wrong, right? I finished it. I know you asked for 3,000 words, but after some heavy contemplation, I finished at 4,516 words

 ..."You actually did that?"

..."No, I suppose this is just like you."

I'm still working on the other stuff, though. Kinda hard to get to that when you're in recovery. I had a lot of time to think though.

"And? What do you have to say?"

I want to live

"Good. That's a good start. Tell me why."

These recent events helped me see something. They got me to really look back at what's happened to us these last few years. Hope's Peak, Tokyo, Towa City, Novoselic, New York...and you know what I've realized? I was selfish. Horribly, completely selfish. Everything I'm responsible for, everything I've seen, all the people we've lost, and all I could really think about was how much my pain bothered me. How much I wanted it to stop. That this, all of this, it was preventing me from being punished for my involvement in the Kamukura Project. 

So I turned to torturing myself. Why not, right? Nobody else was going to. And in a stupid way, I thought martyring myself would...somehow make up for all of that

"And how did all the martyring work out for you?"

Well...going down the checklist. I gouged out my own eye, carved peoples' names into my arm, nearly got several of my friends killed...and actually got one of them killed. I had it too easy, you know? I got lucky. In Novoselic, we had a nuclear explosion, but we all managed to walk away from it. In New York, someone couldn't walk away. That was the one time I was challenged to put my skills to the test...and I almost threw my life away because I couldn't deal with living...*Kyoji starts tearing up*

..."You've been through a lot. There's plenty of emotional trauma you and I will need to work on."

Yeah...but you know what I've decided? All those memories, the nightmares, the pain, the guilt...all of that is my punishment. I don't need to mutilate myself or try to die like a hero when people still need me here. And...I don't want to anyway. I wanna stay here, with you and with everyone

"That's the type of answer I like hearing. I always wanted to talk to you about this, but...I knew you'd be too stubborn to listen to me back then."

Yeah. I was such a shithead back then, wasn't I?

"Oh, absolutely. But it's fine because you got to where you are now."

Yeah. I just need to keep trying to be better than I was before. And I think I have been. If not, I'm going to try and be better

"That's how it should be. We should always try to be a little better than we were the day before."

Exactly. I mean, I'm a father. I should exercise some actual responsibility for once.

"Ryouko'll need you to step up from here on out. Maybe you could look into a transfer to the 2nd base so you can keep an eye on her."

Are you an esper? Because I was thinking that exact thing

"I've been friends with you for years. I know what you're thinking."

Yeah...sure took that for granted though, didn't I?

I couldn't even look you in the eye before we went to New York. All you got was a note saying "hey, thanks for everything, but I'm gonna die now. Sorry about that." After everything we've been through, after I said I'd help you walk again

"And I expect you to keep that promise."

Damn right I will. It's...kind of funny, in a weird way. I used to think not torturing myself or trying to throw my life away would be an insult to everyone who's died. Now I see how much the opposite is true. Life's purpose is to be lived. And to be shared with the people closest to you

And that's what I want to do from now on. With Ryoko, with Karma, with Mikan with Chiaki, with Hajime, with everyone. But especially you

..."Man, you still say some embarrassing things so easily, huh? I don't know how."

Even after life-changing experiences, some things never change, huh?

"I suppose not. You're better like that though. You're bluntness is one of your better characteristics."

Hehehe, thank you, I try my hardest.

"What do you plan to do now?"

Well...there's a lot I want to do in the near future. I am thinking about transferring to the 2nd base. After what's happened there, I figure they could use a good medic. Someone who can show them how to perform emergency surgery in the field. Or the proper way to perform CPR without breaking into song.

"I suppose they don't have much in the ways of a medical team down there."...

Yeah. And it'll definitely be good to spend some time with Ryoko again The downside is that I won't be here. I wonder how difficult it would be to talk Munakata into letting you come with me...

"You know I couldn't do that. I'm the only one that can give everyone the attention they need. Even with Kamisaka-kun and Kin-chan, I have a lot of patients."

"Maybe Tsumiki-san will be able to go with you?”

Yeah...maybe. *Sigh* Miaya...there's still a lot I want to talk to you about. So much on my mind, and it's been there for a while now. But...I don't know if I can.

"I'm here for you to talk to. If you can't say it, I'm not doing my job as a friend or as a therapist."

No, you are. And that's the thing. You're amazing. You're wonderful, beautiful, talented, brilliant, and amazing in more ways than I can describe. For a long time, I've felt like I don't deserve you. You've done all this for me, for all this time, and I've treated you like shit and hurt you so many times. Even when I'm trying not to. I know that's a gross oversimplification of it, but...it's true. Even now, when you're still angry at me for almost killing myself, you're still helping me.

"You've done stupid stuff before. This was one of the worst, but"..."You were going through a lot. It's no reason to deny you help."

I know, and I appreciate that. I really do. But...no matter how much hell you're going through, there are some things you just don't do....one of them is hurting the person you love.

....huh?....huh? Huh?

Oh shoot...did I break you? Do I need to perform a system restore?

Hold on a moment! What's all this now?! I mean...Ts-Tsumiki-san...!

*Sigh* And now you see why I feel like such a piece of shit I care about both of you. I really do. But I never expected this to magically become a ménage à trois. You....well, like I said, I feel like I don't deserve you. With her...I was sure I could protect her. She's looked up to me for a long time, but...she still hasn't spoken to me since I got back from New York. And you...you've never left my thoughts. In the end, I knew at least one person's heart was going to get broken.

...have you even spoken to her about all this? If not...you know I can't accept any of this right now.

I want to...assuming she'll even let me. And...you deserve someone better than me anyway. You both do

...you need to talk to her, if you don't feel the same as you did before. It's not fair for either of you.

You're right. You're really, really right. I promise I'll do my best to talk to her about this. And when I do, I guess then I'll be on my way to the 2nd base.

If Munakata approves, of course.

Yeah...I'm sorry.

You don't need to apologise for anything.

Maybe not, but I still want to. So much for bluntness being one of my better qualities, huh?

No, I suppose even this was good for you.

I feel like I wanna cry, but finally saying it makes me feel a little better

...once you talk to Tsumiki-san and resolve your situation with her, you can talk to me about this again.

Then...I'll get on that right away. The sooner, the better, because I still have a lot of things on my mind.

And I'll be right here to talk through them all.

Thank you, Miaya.

Anytime...Kyoji.

[ikesenlemonadestandstories]

Un-Armed

Afternoon folks! Here is the next installment of the ‘Retrograde Spell’ series I’ve been working on. The other parts of this story appear under the tag ‘Retrograde Spell Series’ or can be found on my Master List. 

Just as a heads up, as this series continues I find that there are a handful of things that may be triggers for readers. Please be advised of the following and read responsibly.  

WARNING: Gore -Graphic Content in the form of Violence, Serious bodily harm, elements of horror included, vomit.

Technically speaking this chapter is more tame than the previous but I would like to ask that those who continue do so with their own mental health in mind :) I’m going to try my darnedest to put this thing under the cut but tumblr and I have never really seen eye to eye on what ‘under the cut’ actually means. 

tagging per request @little-mini-me-world

The name is a terrible pun and I’m a terrible person for it...but either way! I hope you enjoy the next installment!

Always

T~

Un-Armed - p8

[Mitsunari]

If I thought about it logically, she couldn’t be dead. Her barrier was still up, it may have been all I had to go on, but I was usually correct about these things. Kanna had calmed down and was hashing out a plan with Yuuto.

While we stood waiting for directions a young man with long black hair tied in a high ponytail approached our barrier, bowing deeply as Kanna stepped forward.

“Raise your head Ryuji, I’ll take the report. Start from the beginning please.”

“Of course. We were awoken to a surprise attack on the Citadel this morning at 0400 hours by the QA. At 1023 this morning a portal was opened from an unknown source. During the confusion, Yuuto was evacuated; however, general (YN) appeared against orders.”

“What? But we got a may-day call?”

“You received a call from a private line after Aoi-sama issued orders to stay put. Upon her arrival, Yui revealed herself and sent your father to his grave.”

I broke out into a cold sweat as I listened to the report the officer delivered. Watching the field as the others who had fallen through the portal made their way from where Yui laid into position sixteen of (YN)’s long list of tactical placements. My attention snapped back from planning our next movements to the young man in front of us when your name came back up.

“(YN) arrived at the battle with the first and second regiments and engaged with Yui and the QA after Aoi was wounded. They fought fiercely, but Yui prevailed. (YN) was struck in the left shoulder, Yui’s sword embedded there. In a matter of seconds, their arm was taken off, and they were on the ground. Mizuko gave the order to follow Yui. Only the third and fourth regiments made it through the portal.”

My mouth was dry. Did (YN) lose her arm? That is typically a fatal injury, the unease I had been feeling since he started talking settled into the crowd. I looked to Yuuto and Kanna for direction, trying to gauge their reactions. Maybe it was something more survivable in their time, I locked eyes with Kanna’s, and the fear on her face answered my question.

“Are you done talking? I was hoping to have a bit more fun with everyone, but it would appear the jig is up.” a voice boomed over the field. “Plan as much as you want. There’s nothing you can do now, and you can’t stay under that bubble forever. She’ll die of those wounds eventually.”

As if on cue, the barrier surrounding us shuddered. Flashing in and out of existence.

“No. Come on (YN) you can do it.” Yuuto whispered putting a hand on the wall surrounding us “Please.”

My thoughts mirrored his desperate plea to the universe as the sky above us opened and swirled a menacing gray and purple.

[YN]

You were tired, and all your senses were dull everything around you humming low. You were awake but unable to muster the strength to open your eyes. A conversation played out around you.

“The portal’s shot, what are we even supposed to do if she does wake up Mizuko.”

“I don’t know Yoshi, but that’s not a reason to give up now.”

“I didn’t say it was, but-but-”

“I know. We’ll get there when we get there. For now, we just have to focus on keeping her alive. We’ll figure everything else out later.”

They seemed to be arguing about something. You tried to listen longer, but oblivion crept in once again.

...

Pain, a very sharp pain settled deep into your abdomen. Your eyes flew open just in time for you to wretch. Coughing violently as the haze lifted around you.

“She’s awake!” a shrill voice rang out “Yoshiyuki she’s awake!” thunderous steps grew louder, and the door slid open hitting the end of the track with a hard thwack.

“Kanna would have your head if she knew you were flinging shogi like that.” You tried to smile as you looked at your two commanders now crowding around you.

Mizuko knelt down and brushed the bangs from your sweat covered forehead. A concerned look on her face as she moved a bucket closer to the bed you were laying on. Turning to Yoshi, she gave him a directive.

“Go tell everyone she’s awake. I’ll stay here until Ryoko gets back.”

“Mizuko,” your voice cracked, and you swallowed hard trying to ebb the scratchy feeling “What happened to everyone else. How many did we-”

“Just your father and Aoi-sama. Everyone else is fine.” she looked at me with kind eyes “well- mostly fine. The third and fourth regiments were sent after Yui, and we’ve lost contact with them, everyone got some type of injury but they’re all okay. You’re a little worse for wear though, speaking of, how are you feeling?”

“Well-” you paused taking stock of all the new aches you were experiencing “My eyebrows don’t hurt.”

...

Training was hard. Your entire body ached and burned at the slightest movement. Sweat was beading down your forehead as your skin glistening in the hot summer sun. You stood face to face with Yoshiyuki, both of you in defensive stances trying to catch your breath. Ryoko and Mari had outfitted you with a ‘state of the art’ prosthetic that was awesome and way stronger than it needed to be but you had insisted on training without it. You took a step forward and continued the sparring match. The wooden blades locked and you twisted your wrist dropping low into a squat as you changed your momentum. You had him unarmed in three seconds and on the ground in another two. 

“I win.” you smiled down at him “Again, that’s a victory for an entire year straight!”

Deja-vu hit as he smiled up at you, you paused remembering uphill battle you had fought just to get back to this point.

...

“Come on (YN) you’ve gotta try harder to block those!” Yoshiyuki screamed as he towered over you, moments after sending you to the ground. “This isn’t a game if you don’t want to use that arm they gave you to fight you’ve got to be better.”

“I know” you whispered, eyes turning down to look at the ground.

“Do you?” he nudged you with his foot “I don’t think you do. At this rate, you’re going to get yourself killed!”

...

“Yoshi, you really should try harder to block those.” you grinned “At this rate you’re going to get yourself killed.”

not appreciating your taunting he tried to knock your legs out from under you, letting him you slammed your body down on top of his.

“That wasn’t very smart. You okay?”

“I’m fine.” Yoshiyuki pouted and pushed you off of him. “Don’t you have better things to do right now, ya know, like figuring out the portal?”

“Mh~ I was going to read once we finished up here.” you walked over putting the wooden sword back in the rack. “Any new books for me today?”

“Actually. I think I might have one.”

[Yukimura]

Kanna stood in front of the group. Listening intently to the intelligence being offered to her. Recognizing the positions everyone else on the field was taking I focused on the enemies surrounding us, steadily growing in number. Trying to keep my composure as Kanna clearly struggled through the bulk of the information. More details came to light, and both siblings seemed to have more confidence in (YN)’s condition. Apparently, this barrier was only as strong as its caster.

Their aunt screeched over Kanna’s vassal. Oh, how I want to end her prattling personally. The sky above opened again, lightning striking down in numerous locations in the surrounding area. More enemies fell from the sky; If there had been any chance of winning this before there wasn’t much of one now. I looked a Kanna one final time before the barrier around us dropped out of existence. Mournful silence surrounded us as Mitsunari whispered a soft “no” utterly inaudible under the cackle of Yui’s laugh.

Seeing we were vulnerable, they started to creep in our direction, we took a defensive position as Kanna shouted out orders to the remaining soldiers of the third and fourth regiment. Before making our advance the sky above us swirled a menacing black and orange, another portal threatening to open directly above us.

“Sh*t” I ran for Kanna drawing my spear “Where do you need me.”

“Right here.” she smiled before looking up. Walking to the blade embedded in the ground, Kanna reached out for it. Just as she was about to wrap her fingers around the hilt, another flash of lightning ripped through the sky, dropping down in the middle of our group. Not good. I made eye contact with Sasuke who pulled Kenshin and Shingen back, before I moved towards Kanna, using my body to try to block whatever was about to drop from the sky.

[YN]

You sat on the veranda overlooking the garden, reading a book on time travel. As fate would have it, it was written by Sasuke Sarutobi, so you knew there had to be a way to get that stupid portal working again. Even though the citadel’s construction had finished nearly two years ago, the same nightingale flooring had been installed, so it was always obvious someone was around the corner.

“Captain!” Yoshiyuki burst through the door “I think Mari found something. Come quick!” jumping to your feet you followed him out of your room.

In the absence of all your family members, save your mother, Mizuko and Yoshiyuki had become your most trusted advisers; Stepping in to train you and assist in the running of the citadel. In the five years since the attack, the three of you had significantly rebuilt your armies fire-power and had turned it into a lethal force again. Too bad you couldn’t figure out the portal to go save everyone, but you and Mari were working on that.

Ryoko, your brother’s head medic, had done a great job patching you up. The lacerations had healed well enough, and you had been outfitted for one of Mari’s hi-tech prosthetic limbs, engineered to look and function just like your arm had before the battle. You had woken up in the infirmary to quite the shock; apparently, medicine had advanced a bit more than you had anticipated.  

Just because you had been re-equipped didn’t mean you used it to train. If you were going to fight you would do it while proudly wearing all of your battle scars, that included your lack of an arm. Besides if the technology failed, you still needed to be just as deadly without it. Yoshiyuki put your body through the ringer, the rehabilitation had been rough, but you never considered giving up, not once. Instead, you remastered your Uchigatana then switched weaponry; Moving to a double edge Katana for better control and the ability to strike a letal blow from any direction you chose to swing.

The two of you entered the command room together, never one for a quiet entrance Yoshiyuki bellowed a quick “pardon us” as he rushed in.

“So I’ve got an idea.” Mari turned around at her computer smiling brightly as you entered “but it involves a haircut, a bit of blood, and a blessing. Think we could go find your mom?”

[ayekanaru]

{Anonymously or not, tell me who you ship my muse with. || Because this all honestly couldn’t fit into one ask and I didn’t want to split it up into multiple ones}

I know you are aware that I ship our muses for a fanfic I’m trying to write, but I’ve kept mention of it to a minimum on my blog because (1) don’t wanna make it seem like I expect something and force you along with it cuz that’s force shipping and that’s no bueno and didn’t want that coming off as my intention for rping because it really wasn’t. A disappointing and toxic roleplay group plus a mighty need to share my Nappa portrayal with Tumblr was (2) Our muses hadn’t interacted much anyways so who knew if they’d get along well enough?

I’ve been enjoying the threads we’ve had together, they’re worth waiting for and I am pleasantly surprised by how the two muses get along as friends. Their social chemistry is better than I expected, and the banter is so entertaining to read and write for both when they get along and when they don’t see eye-to-eye.  

I know your muse already has @asktenchi as an interested Tenchi and they do an awesome job being IC with him. There are also a great number of other muses that Ayeka gets along with too. However, if you and your muse ever feel a pull towards wanting more than friendship with Nappa, I’m gonna let you know that as of right now she’s one of the few muses I’ve had Nappa interact with that has a legitimate chance of sparking his interest for a romantic relationship. It’s alright if you don’t see it ever going down that road, because that can certainly happen too and both my muse and I would be fine with that. But I figured now was a good time to bring it up since this ask meme has had me thinking about this lately.

I know it may seem like a biased thing, but I’ve been lookin’ around at the other muses who try to flirt seriously with Nappa and…it’s difficult to find muses who have mutual chemistry with the big guy. The only one who did have mutual chemistry with him wasn’t interested in shipping at all so we kept it to flirtatious banter. She left Tumblr because she wanted to focus on her family, understandably. That was so many months ago and since then Nappa’s not felt anything like that from another muse.

Other interested female muses only remark on/compliment his physical appearance – mostly his muscles too lol – as what makes them interested. Honestly it makes me and my muse feel like Odette from the beginning of The Swan Princess. “Thank you…but what else?”

Again, I wanna reiterate that I love and value the friendship between our muses and if it only stays a friendship I’d be perfectly happy with that. And I hope I don’t make you feel uncomfortable bringing it up or make you think I will be counting on things to go down a romantic road. Just wanted to say while we do ship Ayeka with happiness and self-confidence first and foremost, we also wouldn’t turn her away from forming a ship with Nappa. 

////

Some things to clear up first: 1) Sydney @nappainanotherdimension​ and I have talked about this on Discord after this ask was sent [because uh, whoops thesis and grad school, I wasn't on tumblr???] so some of this may seem repetitive to her but new to you, dear followers; 2) Nyuck, nyuck, Odette. Who would be Derek then? 2) *Zsa-Zsa Gabor voice* Please. Ze followers. No drama.

Okay, now that this is already pretty long, my answer to this is under the cut. I'm not going to do point by point, bur rather a general full-fledged answer!

I've already told you this, but when I first found your personal blog, and went through your Tenchi tags, I really liked what you had reblogged and written in your personal text posts. It must have been one of the first pro-Ayeka --or at the very least, someone who appreciated Ayeka, because she might have not been your fave, I didn't know lmao-- blogs that had accumulated enough content related to Ayeka and/or Tenchi. I did notice that you, like me, were a fan of the...crossover ships ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

What I found "whadda heck" worthy was that you shipped Nappa with Ayeka! My first thought, to be honest, was "...the bald guy from the Team Four star memes?"

[ I knew of him from DBZ, but since most people my age apparently found out about him and liked him from the TFS videos, I thought maybe that's where your like of him came from? At the time, because now I know better :y ]

I'm the type of person who isn't a shipper hardcore, and for most ships that don't make sense to me initially, I go "okay, well, whatever floats her boat!" XD I did like the pieces of art there were, and I think I liked your Raditz/Mihoshi icon more because yay, somebody also appreciates Mihoshi! XD And they like the buddy cop angle of things? LMAO

But anyway, time passes, we get to chatting and then you say you want to make a blog. Cool! You want to make a blog for Nappa!

Aw, jiminy christmas.

Your worries that I'd think you were force shipping on me were the same as mine. I've seen it enough times on Tumblr that I honestly was surprised I found myself in a situation where that could've been a possibility. I enjoyed your fanfics, even the lemon ones lmao, just because they were funny but also it was me going okay, how does she believe this ship works again?

and lemme tell you, I am the absurdist around here in terms of crossover ships, both platonic and romantic. [We've talked about some others of our own too, nyuck nyuck.] I really wanted to understand because obviously, I supposed we were going to interact and I'd wanted to know how you saw them so I could back the heck away, ignore it, and try to do my thing with Ayeka properly. I didn’t really want to think of the ship when I wrote, I wanted to approach it as if Ayeka really did meet Nappa for the first time or had him enough time as a guest in your DBZ/TM verse.

Half of my worries went away when yay, you weren't going to force ship and wanted to actually interact! Whhhaaat, true build up of characters through rp on Tumblr dot com? The devil, you say!

And like you say, and I agree, the banter has been really fun? Surprisingly not really, Ayeka finally gets some respect in the manner that sometimes she doesn't get lmao. Her attempts at cooking, her own thoughts and views -- not saying everyone in the Masaki house's a jerk [they're not, and listen, Ayeka really does mean stuff too without thinking or on purpose] but you get different things with different people, and with Ayeka, it's probably getting some maturity and two-way respect in conversations befitting two super old people 8D

To be honest, sometimes I get a tinge of the cynic in me, and wonder if the writing turns out the way it does because maaaybe it's being geared towards something else? But then, like, I remember Nappa and Skuld --and Sasami!-- and how believable your headcanon about him and children is, how real it feels. Of course, the fact that you would write with anyone, and even with my Skuld who you know less about in comparison, just makes the cynic go shoo-shoo. You don’t seek out ships either -- like most people will notice if they peruse your blog, the ladies come to Nappa LMAO.

Plus, again, the threads are fun. I'm still laughing at the Xmas one where Nappa thinks Ryoko and Ayeka are the alpha females XD

In that sense, I can see why Ayeka throughout our rps would have a better chance with him. I mean I've seen your threads, it's pretty obvious who Nappa gets a conversation with, who Nappa gets a Conversation with, and who Nappa gets small talk-y with. Sometimes it's the writing, sometimes it's the character. That's the way rp works. Ayeka and Nappa have Conversations.™

I think I didn't really answer your ask as is, so I'll just say this, which applies to everyone: if the writing takes us that way, it takes us that way. I'm slowly beginning to see your crossover ship as it is, but still feel "hmm, but is it really?" It's like Ayeka and Fang: I didn't expect it, but the writing took those muses to some place along the lines of "are they...or are they???!" I would hope the end result takes us somewhere where we’re both satisfied with whatever relationship our muses have.

Or maybe you know, either polyamory polygyny or Nappa fights Tenchi, I guess. [I vote for the Pay Per View fight during the Space Travels arc of Universe.]

[cutepresea]

10-5 The Sirius of Zwei Wing: A New Power

And that’s half of this thing. I’ll get parts 6-10 up...tomorrow maybe?

If you want to blacklist these, you can use either the tag #the sirius of zwei wing for just this event, or #xdu event scripts or #xdu scripts

Reminder that these are copied straight from XD Unlimited itself, so any grammatical weirdness, mistranslations, and/or mischaracterizations are not my doing.

Shirabe Tsukuyomi: "Pardon us."

Kirika Akatsuki: "Hello."

Aoi Tomosato: "Welcome."

Kirika Akatsuki: "About Tsubasa-san and the others... Have you gotten any news yet from the other world?"

Chris Yukine: "Nothing yet, no."

Shirabe Tsukuyomi: "I see..."

Chris Yukine: "Don't worry. I'm sure Senpai is fine."

Kirika Akatsuki: "I want to believe that too, but..."

Shirabe Tsukuyomi: "Yeah..."

Chris Yukine: "...Okay, then. I'm gonna take a quick trip to the training room."

Kirika Akatsuki: "Senpai's acting pretty normal, huh?"

Shirabe Tsukuyomi: "Is she not worried about Tsubasa-san?"

Genjuro Kazanari: "That's just a facade."

Shirabe Tsukuyomi: "Huh?"

Genjuro Kazanari: "Chris-kun hasn't gone home once since this all started."

Genjuro Kazanari: "In fact, she's barely slept this whole time."

Kirika Akatsuki: "Sh-She what?!"

Shirabe Tsukuyomi: "If she keeps this up, she's going to collapse."

Genjuro Kazanari: "That's what we've been trying to convince her of, as well."

Genjuro Kazanari: "Chris-kun has known Tsubasa and Hibiki-kun for a long time. She can't bear sitting here doing nothing."

Kirika Akatsuki: "So then she's even more worried than we are..?"

Genjuro Kazanari: "It's not just Chris-kun. Ogawa, and all of S.O.N.G. staff are worried about Tsubasa."

Genjuro Kazanari: "They're doing their best to keep their feelings in check and focus on what they can do."

Genjuro Kazanari: "I figured Chris-kun would have asked me to let her go to the other side to check in by now."

Genjuro Kazanari: "But she understands the duty she's been tasked with, and is holding her personal feelings back."

Kirika Akatsuki: "Chris-Senpai said she'd rush to Tsubasa-san if anything happeened. And yet... she's resisting the urge?"

Genjuro Kazanari: "Being more senior than someone means having to get better at holding back, even when you don't want to."

Shirabe Tsukuyomi: "So Chris-Senpai is doing this for us?"

Kirika Akatsuki: "Shirabe... We have to do our best, too."

Shirabe Tsukuyomi: "Yeah. We need to train with Chris-Senpai and make ourselves at least a little stronger."

Genjuro Kazanari: "I'm trusting the safety of HQ with you. Guard it well."

Shirabe Tsukuyomi: "Yes, sir."

Kirika Akatsuki: "Got it!"

Kanade Amo: "Ugh... Tsuba...sa..."

Kanade's Silhouette: "Is saving Tsubasa really what you believe you want?"

Kanade's Silhouette: "Is she even someone worth saving in the first place?"

Kanade's Silhouette: "I don't need her."

Kanade's Silhouette: "Don't you remember? You hated her."

Kanade (Past): "I hate that stupid look on your face! Do I really scare you that much?!"

Kanade Amo: "Huh?!"

Kanade Amo: "Oh... It was just a dream..."

Kanade Amo: (No, wait...)

Kanade Amo: (Could that've been the inner darkness that appears when relics go berserk?)

Kanade Amo: (Is that how I truly feel deep inside?)

Kanade Amo: "...As if something that ridiculous could be true!"

Kanade Amo: (I can't deny, there were times when Tsubasa really ticked me off...)

Kanade Amo: (But... That was a long time ago.)

Kanade Amo: (Meeting her, getting to know her, fighting beside her, and singing together...)

Kanade Amo: (It changed me. It must have.)

Kanade's Silhouette: "Is she even someone worth saving in the first place?"

Kanade's Silhouette: "She's not even your missing wing! She's a different person who just happens to look the same."

Kanade Amo: "She's not the Tsubasa I knew..."

Kanade Amo: "And I'm well aware of that."

Kanade Amo: "But even so, I still feel like I want to save her."

Kanade Amo: "That's just... That has to be how I feel..."

Kanade Amo: "Just like that day... When she saved me..."

Genjuro Kazanari: "Restarting the synchronous control test for Gugnir and Brisingamen."

Kanade Amo: "Okay... I'm going to do it this time!"

Maria: "We'll be right here to back you up."

Hibiki Tachibana: "We've got your back, Kanade-san!"

Kanade Amo: "...I appreciate it."

Hibiki Tachibana: "You seem a little stiff, Kanade-san. Just take it easy and relax."

Kanade Amo: "Yeah... I'll do that."

Ryoko Sakurai: "Is Brisingamen ready?"

Kanade Amo: "Yeah, I'm ready to go whenever. "

Ryoko Sakurai: "All right. Let's start by activating Gungnir."

Kanade Amo: "Croitzal ronzell gugnir zizzl..."

Ryoko Sakurai: "Link coeffecient optimal. No signs of LiNKER backfire either."

Kanade Amo: "There's no room for mistakes at this point."

Ryoko Sakurai: "Okay, now activate Brisingamen."

Kanade Amo: "Right..."

Kanade Amo: "Brisingamen... I'm going to have you under my control this time!"

Kanade Amo: "Aaaaaaaaah!"

Hibiki Tachibana: "Kanade-san, you can do it!"

Kanade's Silhouette: "Heh... You never learn, do you?"

Kanade Amo: "You know I can't give up now."

Kanade's Silhouette: "Why bother putting yourself through all this?"

Kanade's Silhouette: "How much have you suffered gaining the power to get revenge on the Noise that killed your family?"

Kanade's Silhouette: "How much blood have you shed being tossed around by your own unwieldy power?"

Kanade Amo: "B-But..."

Kanade's Silhouette: "Don't forget. You're surrounded by people who only want you to suffer."

Kanade's Silhouette: "The adults who pump you full of LiNKER and use you like a tool."

Kanade Amo: "No. The old man, Ryoko-san... They're different! I chose to use LiNKER."

Kanade's Silhouette: "By the public that demands you protect them, cater to their every whim, and offer nothing in return."

Kanade Amo: "I... I protect them all. I sing for my fans."

Kanade's Silhouette: "Then there's that savant who, unlike you, wields a Gear with ease, strutting around like some hero."

Kanade Amo: "You mean... Tsubasa..."

Kanade's Silhouette: "All they ever do is talk nice to weasel their way in and use you. Isn't that right?"

Kanade's Silhouette: "Do you really think any of them are worth bleeding a single drop for?"

Kanade Amo: "Stop it."

Kanade's Silhouette: "They'll bleed you down to your last drop and throw away your empty husk."

Kanade Amo: "You're wrong."

Kanade's Silhouette: "That's how you'll end. That's your inescapable destiny!"

Kanade Amo: "Please, just stop it!"

Kanade's Silhouette: "It hurts, doesn't it?"

Kanade Amo: "Yeah... It does hurts..." [1]

Kanade's Silhouette: "Then let me handle everything. Forget it all and just close your eyes."

Kanade Amo: "Forget... everything?"

Kanade's Silhouette: "All the pain, the agony, everything. I'll take away every last bit of it."

Kanade Amo: "Grrraaah!!!"

Kanade Amo: "Aaaaaaaaah!!!"

Hibiki Tachibana: "Kanade-san?!"

Maria: "Look at those flames!"

Hibiki Tachibana: "But something seems off about them..."

Ryoko Sakurai: "Your Gears won't withstand the heat! Stay back!"

Maria: "Ngh... How do we stop something like this?"

Hibiki Tachibana: "Those flames are Kanade-san's pain..."

Hibiki Tachibana: "Her negative emotions are crushing her."

Maria: "...Wait, what do you mean?"

Hibiki Tachibana: "I understand her. When you're alone... The whole world can feel like your enemy."

Hibiki Tachibana: "I understand because I used to be like that."

Hibiki Tachibana: "People are right there reaching out to you, but you can't see them. I've been there before."

Hibiki Tachibana: "But... Even so, they just kept on reaching out their hands to me."

Hibiki Tachibana: "That's how I escaped that darkness and got back to the sunshine, back to where I belong."

Hibiki Tachibana: "So this time... It's my turn to reach out my hand!"

Maria: "Wait! You'll get burnt if you get any closer!"

Ryoko Sakurai: "It's too dangerous! Get away from her right now!"

Hibiki Tachibana: "It's okay... Everything's gonna be just fine."

Hibiki Tachibana: "Kanade-san, try to remember."

Hibiki Tachibana: "Remember how warm a friend's touch is."

Ryoko Sakurai: (She grabbed her hand?)

Kanade Amo: "Grrrraaah..."

Hibiki Tachibana: "Remember that the world is full of warm, radiant sunshine that dark thoughts can never overshadow."

Genjuro Kazanari: "Is she... absorbing the burden from Brisingamen?"

Kanade Amo: "Graaah!"

Ryoko Sakurai: "It's not going to be enough! The berserk state can't be subdued. We have to abort!"

Maria: "Wait!"

Ryoko Sakurai: "What are you doing?!"

Maria: "Guh! L-Last time I checked, women were meant to be brave, right?"

Hibiki Tachibana: "Maria-san, watch out!"

Maria: "Guh, it's so hot... These flames won't go out easily."

Maria: "But, I can't let you have all the glory to yourself now, can I?"

Hibiki Tachibana: "Maria-san..."

Maria: "Kanade Amo... There's so much I still don't know about you."

Maria: "But that girl you call your partner... Well, I think that you know her pretty well."

Maria: "I can't think of anyone else that could get you this wound up."

Maria: "But she went through losing you and overcoming so much pain to eventually grow into who she is today."

Maria: "There's no reason that you, someone she respects and admires, can't accomplish the same thing, now is there?"

Maria: "Believe in Tsubasa, and in-turn, yourself!"

Kanade Amo: "Tsubasa... believes... in me..."

Hibiki Tachibana: "Back when I activated Durandal, I was nearly consumed by the darkness."

Hibiki Tachibana: "By an extreme sadness and a terrifying impulse to destroy."

Hibiki Tachibana: "I came close to using that power against people. I was afraid I'd lose my soul to it."

Hibiki Tachibana: "But then... Tsubasa-san and Chris-san were there for me!"

Kanade Amo: "Raaaaaagh..."

Hibiki Tachibana: "Through sheer force of will, I became able to control great power."

Hibiki Tachibana: "Please! Try to remember Tsubasa-san!"

Hibiki Tachibana: "Don't only remember her, though. Remember all of the people waiting for you."

Hibiki Tachibana: "Everyone at Section 2, all of us here with you now, all of your fans. We're all on your side!"

Kanade Amo: "I'm..."

Hibiki Tachibana: "She's coming back!"

Kanade Amo: "I'm not... going... to give up!"

Maria: "That's it! The darkness can never beat you!"

Kanade Amo: "If it's... for Tsubasa... I'll get back up as many times as it takes!"

Kanade Amo: "As long as I have my friends by my side... I'll keep picking myself back up!"

Maria: "Yes! We're right here with you!"

Hibiki Tachibana: "Come on, Kanade-san! We have to save Tsubasa-san!"

Ryoko Sakurai: "The load from Brisingamen has dispersed among the three Gears... It's stabilizing!"

Kanade Amo: "With my own will... I will stay true to how I feel till the very end!"

Ryoko Sakurai: "It's working!"

Kanade Amo: "Rraaahhh!"

Maria: "What is this light?!"

Hibiki Tachibana: "Look! Kanade-san's Gear is transforming!"

Kanade Amo: "Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

Kanade Amo: "Huff, huff, huff..."

Ryoko Sakurai: "Brisingamen overwrote Gungnir? It's almost like the Ignite Module."

Kanade Amo: "This... is my new power?"

Maria: "Looks like you finally did it."

Hibiki Tachibana: "Kanade-san! You really did it!"

Kanade Amo: "Yeah... I can't believe I put you two through all of this."

Hibiki Tachibana: "Ehehe... Come on, all's well that ends well, right?"

Maria: "Well, I suppose it's true that you couldn't have done it without us."

Kanade Amo: "Heh... Yeah, you're right. It was all thanks to you two."

Maria: "I was just giving you a hard time, but you agreeing like that almost makes me feel bad."

Hibiki Tachibana: "Ahahaha."

Kanade Amo: (That's right... I have changed...)

Kanade Amo: (I'm not the same person as I was before I met Tsubasa.)

Kanade Amo: (And I’m not the empty shell I was after losing Tsubasa, either.)

Kanade Amo: (The other Tsubasa saved me, and now her friends are my friends.)

Kanade Amo: (I can't not believe in my self now. Not when they believe in me so much.)

Genjuro Kazanari: "Kanade, great job bringing Brisingamen under control."

Genjuro Kazanari: "As much as we'd like to give you a break, the situation calls for swift action."

Genjuro Kazanari: "We want you to move on to performance testing for your new Gear immediately. Are you up for it?"

Kanade Amo: "Hell yeah I am!"

Hibiki Tachibana: "This heat! Ngh!"

Maria: "Not only the heat... Her power is off the charts!"

Kanade Amo: "We aren't done yet! Yaaah!"

Hibiki Tachibana: "What?! No way!"

Maria: "Guh?! I can't hold her back!"

Kanade Amo: "Time to finish this! Yaaah!"

Hibiki Tachibana & Maria: "Aaaaaaah?!"

Kanade Amo: "Haha. How do ya like them apples?"

Hibiki Tachibana: "I give!"

Maria: "It's unbelievable how powerful you've become..."

Maria: (No, that's not it. She's always had a superb sense for battle.)

Maria: (It's how she's been able to make up for her lack of experience as a wielder till now.)

Maria: (It's just that she now that she has a new, more powerful Gear, her wings are certainly not clipped anymore.) [2]

Maria: "...Nice moves. I'm impressed by how quickly you've learned to tame Brisingamen."

Ryoko Sakurai: "I think we can count on you being able to withstand the Alca-Noise's dissection organs now."

Kanade Amo: "Yeah. This is going to make fights a lot easier."

Genjuro Kazanari: "But Bergelmir is a monster that is even capable of taking attacks from Tsubasa in her Ignite Gear."

Genjuro Kazanari: "We need to find out how that Gear of yours compares to Ignite Gears."

Genjuro Kazanari: "You two, I know you're both tired, but we need you to go for one more round."

Hibiki Tachibana: "Of course!"

Maria: "You only beat us in our normal Gears. The real challenge starts now."

Maria: (I'm a lot more competitive than they realize. I can't say I mind this!)

Hibiki Tachibana & Maria: "Ignite Module! Drawn Blade!"

Kanade Amo: (That immense power than Tsubasa and the others hold... So, I've finally caught up to it?) [3]

Hibiki Tachibana: "Round two, here we come!"

Maria: "We won't go easy on you. We're going to show you what happens when we Ignite!"

Kanade Amo: "Well, you two just take care not to get burned!"

Kanade Amo: (Time to find out if I'm as strong as Tsubasa now!)

Hibiki Tachibana: "Give it your best, Kanade-san!"

Kanade Amo: "All right, come at me however you want!"

Genjuro Kazanari: "You activated Brisingamen and did the performance tests all in one go. You must be exhausted."

Hibiki Tachibana: "I'm completely out of gas. Round after round after round. That was ruthless."

Maria: "Yeah, it would be nice if she could see things from our side."

Kanade Amo: "Haha. Sorry 'bout that."

Kanade Amo: "So, Ryoko-san. How was the actual data on my Gear?"

Ryoko Sakurai: "I think you already know the answer to that, don't you?"

Ryoko Sakurai: "I analyzed the data we gathered, and your new Gear definitely holds up against Ignite on several fronts."

Ryoko Sakurai: "Heck, I'd say it's superior in some aspects."

Hibiki Tachibana: "Great job, Kanade-san!"

Kanade Amo: "Yeah... I can fight them with this."

Ryoko Sakurai: "However... That doesn't mean I don't have concerns."

Kanade Amo: "Concerns? What do you mean?"

Ryoko Sakurai: "The only way you could achieve stable activation was by dispersing the burden among the three of you."

Ryoko Sakurai: "You can't get a stable activation on your own just yet."

Hibiki Tachibana: "Can't we just help her each time she activates it?"

Genjuro Kazanari: "That's not quite going to work, is it? Kanade won't always be able to have you two by her side."

Hibiki Tachibana; "Yeah, you're right. We are from different worlds, after all..."

Kanade Amo: "Then... What do I do?"

Genjuro Kazanari: "You should already know that the trick to activating it lies in your own heart."

Genjuro Kazanari: "Once your heart is at peace, the only thing left to do is to train and train."

Kanade Amo: "I see. I'll be able to control it on my own before you know it."

Ryoko Sakurai: "And another thing. Once you've stably activated it, you won't be able to maintain it for extended periods."

Kanade Amo: "I... I see."

Ryoko Sakurai: "You're using two relics at once. Bearing that burden for long periods will eat away at your life expectancy."

Maria: "So that means she can only fight in it for short battles."

Hibiki Tachibana: "Then we'll just have to up our teamwork!"

Kanade Amo: "Umm... Didn't you just say you were out of gas?"

Hibiki Tachibana: "Well, yeah, but Tsubasa-san is waiting for us, so tired or not, another round is A-okay with me."

Maria: "Haah... I can't say no to that. If you're up for it, so am I."

Kanade Amo: (...Man, they're so good-natured, I think I just might cry.)

Kanade Amo: "Well, if you two insist, we can keep on going until you collapse!"

Tsubasa Kazanari: "Huff, huff..."

Tsubasa Kazanari: "I think I've put some distance between myself and the base..."

Tsubasa Kazanari: "Section 2 HQ, this is Tsubasa Kazanari. Do you copy?"

Tsubasa Kazanari: "Still nothing..."

???: "Huh? Tsubasa-san! Can you hear me?!"

Tsubasa Kazanari: "I got through! This is Tsubasa Kazanari. I hear you loud and clear!"

Aoi Tomosato: "Thank goodness, Tsubasa-san! I'm so glad you're okay!"

Genjuro Kazanari: "Tsubasa! Are you hurt?"

Tsubasa Kazanari: "I can't say I'm in peak condition, but I'm alive."

Genjuro Kazanari: "I see... Tsubasa, what's going on? Where are you?"

Tsubasa Kazanari: "I escaped from the alchemists' base, and now I'm fleeing across a snowy tundra. I don't know where I am."

Sakuya Fujitaka: "I've detected a signal from Ame no Habakiri. It's coming from..."

Sakuya Fujitaka: "The North Pole!"

Genjuro Kazanari: "The North Pole?!"

Tsubasa Kazanari: "I'm in the North Pole?"

Tsubasa Kazanari: (I'm not getting out of here on my own. I need to have Section 2 extract me somehow.)

Tsubasa Kazanari: (But am I going to hold up long enough for that?)

Genjuro Kazanari: "Tsubasa, we're sending a rescue team immediately. Tell us everything you can."

Tsubasa Kazanari: "Comms and other energy signals are being blocked in the base, which is why I had to get away from it."

Genjuro Kazanari: "It's going to take the rescue team some time to find you. Do you think you can hold out?"

Tsubasa Kazanari: "It won't be easy. I'm very tired as it is, and they're gong to catch up with me any minute." [4]

Genjuro Kazanari: "Guh..."

Tsubasa Kazanari: (Even in a blizzard, it can't be difficult for them to follow my footprints on a frozen, barren tundra.)

Tsubasa Kazanari: "Let me tell you what I know before they find me."

Genjuro Kazanari: "...Please do."

Tsubasa Kazanari: "The leader of this group of alchemists is a woman named Alicia Bernstein."

Tsubasa Kazanari: "She appears to be in her late 20s to early 30s, and has bluish white hair and amber eyes."

Tsubasa Kazanari: "Also, when I found her inside the base, she was playing a strange instrument."

Genjuro Kazanari: "A strange instrument?"

Tsubasa Kazanari: "Yes. There's a big hall inside the dome-shaped base, and in the center is a strange, conch-like instrument."

Tsubasa Kazanari: "I can't imagine that the alchemists would simply put something like tha tin there on a whim."

Genjuro Kazanari: "Hmm... But just what are they trying to accomplish?"

Tsubasa Kazanari: "She said they sought to create a world without war, though whether this is true or not is up for discussion."

Genjuro Kazanari: "A world without war?"

Tsubasa Kazanari: "They also said that my song is needed to acheive this..."

Genjuro Kazanari: "Your song? What does that mean?"

Sakuya Fujitaka: "Alicia Bernstein... I've run a search based on Tsubasa-san's intel."

Sakuya Fujitaka: "I have a potential match."

Genjuro Kazanari: "Who is she?"

Sakuya Fujitaka: " I found a list of people who went missing during war."

Sakuya Fujitaka: "Alicia Bernstein is her real name. She was a member of the Sirius Symphonic Orchestra."

Genjuro Kazanari: "The Sirius Symphonic Orchestra? So she was a victim in that incident?"

Tsubasa Kazanari: "A symphonic orchestra? What did they do?"

Genjuro Kazanari: "Either they don't exist in your world, or maybe the incident never happened there."

Genjuro Kazanari: "They mainly played charity concerts in war zones to bring smiles to those affected by war."

Genjuro Kazanari: "But one day, they were attacked, and most of them died. It was a big story in the news a while back."

Tsubasa Kazanari: "But then why is a survivor..."

Tsubasa Kazanari: (No... That's precisely why she hates war so much, and seeks a world without it.)

Tsubasa Kazanari: (But even so, to what means will she go?)

Tsubasa Kazanari: "Tremors! Did they find me?!"

Bergelmir: "Grrrraaah!"

Tsubasa Kazanari: "Guh!"

Genjuro Kazanari: "What's wrong?!"

Tsubasa Kazanari: "The enemy has me cornered."

Tsubasa Kazanari: "It's the giant monster I fought before. Alicia called it Bergelmir."

Genjuro Kazanari: "We have information on Bergelmir as well."

Ryoko Sakurai: "It's a dangerous monster born from a complete relic! Do not engage it in combat!"

Tsubasa Kazanari: "I would love to have that choice, but..."

Bergelmir: "Grrrraaah!"

Tsubasa Kazanari: "Aaah!"

Tsubasa Kazanari: "Gack!"

Tsubasa Kazanari: (Is... this... the end?)

Kanade Amo: "Tsubasa! Old man, what happened to her?!"

Hibiki Tachibana: "Master, we heard you got ahold of Tsubasa-san!"

Genjuro Kazanari: "She seems to be fighting Bergelmir!"

Maria: "Did she escape on her own?"

Tsubasa Kazanari: "Gaaaaaah!"

Kanade Amo: "Tsubasa?! Hold on! We're coming to save you right now!"

Kanade Amo: "Hey, can't we do something?!"

Genjuro Kazanari: "Not from here we can't!"

Kanade Amo: "Ryoko-san! I don't care how you do it, you have to get me to Tsubasa, please!"

Ryoko Sakurai: "Tsubasa-chan is at the North Pole... She's over 6,000 kilometers from here."

Kanade Amo: "The North Pole?!"

Ryoko Sakurai: "Even I don't have any tricks to get you there quickly, I'm afraid."

Tsubasa Kazanari: "K-Kanade..."

Kanade Amo: "Tsubasa, can you hear me? Tsubasa! I'm going to save you no matter what it takes!"

Hibiki Tachibana: "Tsubasa-san! I'll also do everything I can to save you!"

Maria: "Keep it together! You aren't a sword that'll break so easily!"

Tsubasa Kazanari: "Tachibana... Maria?!"

Kanade Amo: "So just hang on! And never... ever give up!"

Tsubasa Kazanari: "Okay... I'm waiting... I'll be waiting for you, Kanade."

Aoi Tomosato: "Tsubasa-san's transmission... It's been cut off."

Kanade Amo: "Dammit!"

Hibiki Tachibana: "Tsubasa-san..."

Genjuro Kazanari: "Fujitaka!"

Sakuya Fujitaka: "Yes, sir! Preparations are proceeding as fast as possible!"

Kanade Amo: (Tsubasa... please be safe.)

Alicia: "Have you finished saying your good-byes to your friends?"

Tsubasa Kazanari: "Alicia... Bernstein..."

Tsubasa Kazanari: (Am I still trapped in the palm of your hand?)

Tsubasa Kazanari: "Urgh..."

Notes:

[1] Should read "It does hurt..."

[2] There's an extra "she" in this line, it should read something more like "It's just now that she has a new..."

[3] "than" should be "that"

[4] "gong" should be "going"

[danganronpa-ea]

DR: EA2 Chapter 2 Deadly Life - Class Trial part 1

To Read the Prologue click here;

Prologue: part 1 | part 2

Chapter 1 Daily Life: part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4

Chapter 1 Deadly Life: Investigation | CT part 1 | CT part 2 |  CT part 3

Chapter 2 Daily Life: part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5

Chapter 2 Deadly Life: Investigation | CT Part 2 | CT part 3

Chapter 3 Daily Life: part 1 | part 2 | part 3

Chapter 3 Deadly Life: Investigation | CT part 1 | CT part 2

Chapter 4 Daily Life: part 1 | part 2

Chapter 4 Deadly Life: Investigation | CT part 1 | CT part 2

Chapter 5 Daily Life: part 1 | part 2 | part 3

Chapter 5 Deadly Life: Investigation | CT part 1 | CT part 2 | CT part 3

Chapter 6 Deadly Life/Epilogue: Investigation | CT | Epilogue

Anyway, all credit goes to respective owners.

Memory Bullets

 Fuji’s missing pen; for the pass few days, my pen was missing and just came back this morning which the killer use to write it.

Masa’s ripped journal; Seems Masa’s journal had a page that was missing, it looks like the killer might have use it along with my pen.

Sunako’s account; Seems Inoue-chan mention that she was planning to get punch but Mrs. Kimura told her not to. It seems she; Mrs. Kimura, Ohta-san, Hayashi-san, Kita-san and Abiko-san were the only ones that didn’t get drunk.

Masa’s account; It seems Masa-san was looking outside the window last night but notice Norman-san, Kita-san and Hayashi-san’s weapons were gone and assumes they took them but notice Kita-san and Hayashi-san’s went to get back there weapons. The Next morning Masa-san notice her journal is missing went to get Mrs. Kimura which the 2 search which they notice Tomoe-san going to the Greenhouse which after Mrs. Kimura went inside, she saw smoke from the window and ran to get us.

Hana’s account; Last night, Hana-san notice that Norman-san put the weapons away which he only told a few people about it. The next morning, she got up when Mrs. Kimura and Masa-san were leaving which she was asked to wait for the others to wake up which Tomoe-san grab a glass which she left and never came back, she had to go to the bathroom which she ask Nakahara-san to be on stand by and wait for the others.

Pink Hair Strands; Seems like the victim had pink hair strands that were in their hand which somehow didn’t get burn.

Note for Kimura; Seems that Kobayashi-san wrote a note that was address to Kimura which it had the following;

‘Kimura

  Hey, I wanted to speak with you about somethings if you don’t mind, but can you come to the greenhouse this morning so we can speak of some personal matters? It’s something I want to tell you for the longest time ever since I met you… so please come.

  Kobayashi Eito.’

Jobon’s Autopsy; Kita-san check over the body and notice there were bullet wounds in the victim which he mentions that the person must of never use a gun before.

Fire to Greenhouse; Seems our culprit use the fire as a cover up to hide evidence.

Jobon’s account; Seems like Kita-san went to get his gun back but notice it was gone, but seems like the next morning the gun return.

Open Window; The culprit uses this to escape and not get caught by Masa-san.

Iron pole by window; Seems some parts of the pole wasn’t completely burn.

Bloody left hand; Our culprit suffers a hand injury, which they likely went to the hospital to take care of which seems the doorknob was cover in blood.

Ryoko’s Knife; Hayashi-san’s knife look to have been use.

Ryoko’s account; Hayashi-san mention to have gotten her knife back but the next morning it seems Mrs. Kimura really needed her knife so she gave it to her.

Newspaper ripped story; Seems the culprit left a newspaper article near the crime scene, likely in a hurry but it had the following;

’August 17th, 1997

  A large scandal was made that resulted in a couple of fortune tellers, being called scammers and even many believe they were at fault for the ships crash which they predicted would have a safe travel which the wife who was a former Hope’s Peak student by the name of Kimura Kimika, who’s husband had passed away and sue the couple for this.

  The pair committed suicide due to not handling the idea that there fortune telling was wrong and could not handle the scandal anymore after that event, which their child had discover the bodies and reported to police the child seem to only mutter revenge which they are by the name of-.’

 Gas for Fire; Seems this was the cause of the fire.

Tree as an escape; Our culprit likely uses the tree as an escape since Masa-san was at the door.

Destoryed Fire Exit; There was a fire exit in the Greenhouse but seems the doorknob was broken and there’s no way in.

Fire Exit Breathing Holes; Seems that despite the exit being destroyed, seems whoever is trap in there still can breath it seems.

Doi’s Request; Katou-san hear screams from the close fire exit and wants to move the tree when we have a break and the tree has stop burning.

Eito’s Handwriting; Seems Kobayashi-san’s handwriting and the killer’s handwriting are quite different.

Norman’s account; Seems Norman-san told Kobayashi-san, Hayashi-san, Kita-san, Nakahara-san, Kimura-san, Mori-san and Ohta-san. Seems he was getting drinks with Kimura-san and Ohta-san – he mentions that he forgot his whip but when he woke up this morning, he found it in the exact place which he assumes someone brought it in but can’t remember.

Struggle with the Victim; seems the culprit might have had a struggle with the victim.

Miwa’s account; Mori-san mention that no one plan to bring alcohol to the party which she thinks is a prank which when she woke up she notice both Kimura’s doors were unlock but as she was getting her hangover drink she mention that Ohta-san was waiting for her to finish her hangover drink.

Benjiro’s Hearing; He has no idea who the victim is but from the sounds of it, it seems to be a woman which she felt pain in the head and heart which it seems she was relieve that ‘she’ is safe and died instantly. Seems like the victim had no idea who the culprit is.

 CLASS TRIAL START!

 Hamoponi:  Right then, since this sprung up – welcome all to the class trial, today you all will figure out which one of your ingrates went and killed your classmate! You all have to inform me who is the blacken in this trial which that person will be kick out of the resort but if not… I will kick out everyone besides my creator, so you all better be clear with your decision.

 Esumi Masa: I see… so the trials and punishment work differently here, thank you for explaining.

 Hamasaki Hana: So, I guess the killing game you were in the trial does differ?

 Esumia Masa: Pretty much – the difference is that Monokuma would punish everyone besides the blacken but seems that from the looks of it Hamoponi’s creator will be the only one in the resort… well, alright then. I guess will start to try and prove my innocence then.

 Nakahara Rai: Prove… your innocence? Well, how to start with that is to begin the spark of this trial!

 Hanlon Norman: Then why not start with who found the fire first, I mostly recall getting up when the announcement came on so… who discover the fire?

 Katou Doi: That’s true, because I was asleep when it came on so who did…

 Seems everyone is trying to figure out who discover the fire first and I know who did…

 Okamoto Fuji: >Masa’s account, I got it!

 Okamoto Fuji: Actually, it was Masa-san that discover the fire before anyone else – she was even with Mrs. Kimura as well which they spotted Kimura-san who look to be heading for the Greenhouse which after Mrs. Kimura went in a fire started.

 Abiko Benjiro: I see so then the first person to discover the fire was Esumi-san then… what happen to Mrs. Kimura?

 Esumi Masa: She went into the Greenhouse, you see my journal was missing when I woke up and I decided to get someone from the lodge to look for it which while we were searching, we notice Tomoe-san was heading over to the greenhouse, which…

 Masa’s Flashback

I notice that Mrs. Kimura look then headed back to the lodge.

 Esumi Masa: Huh? Hey, where are you going…? Shouldn’t we go to the Greenhouse?

 Kimika Kimura: I will just… need to get something, don’t worry will head over quite soon but I won’t be gone for long…

 After that she left and I stood by which moments later she came back.

 Kimura Kimika: Alright, I just needed to ask for something now let’s go…

 Esumi Masa: …Okay then, I’m rather worried where Tomoe-san is heading off to…

 Kimura Kimika: Me too, now hurry along…

 Back to present

 Katou Doi: So, she left for a moment to go grab something…?

 Esumi Masa: Indeed, she never told me what she grabbed… until we discover the body.

 Inoue Sunako: Oh – must be that item you’re talking about, correct?

 Mori Miwa: Huh? She grabbed something before heading to the Greenhouse well it could very well be anything.

 Inoue Sunako: Seriously? I mean it was at the scene of the crime and all that! I thought it was obvious or is the stereotype of blondes true!

 Mori Miwa: Well excuse me but I didn’t have time to check!

 Esumi Masa: I… really hope your not applying that to me as well.

 Inoue Sunako: No, I’m not! Just let me say what the item is already!

 Looks like they are getting off topic – I better have them focus…

 Class Debate – Start!

 Hanlon Norman: So then, what was the thing that Mrs. Kimura brought?

 Abiko Benjiro: Well it could be anything, she could of <grab her bag> for all we know…

 Kobayashi Eito: True but why would she need that…

 Ohta Hoshiko: maybe she senses something was wrong? <Like a first aid kit>?

 Esumi Masa: No, that isn’t it – it was something much smaller…

 Inoue Sunako: Seriously, I (know what it is!) can you all just let me say it already!

 Inoue Sunako: Seriously I feel like the only mature person here…

 They need to focus and Inoue-chan seems frustrated with them… I better say what that item was…

 Hanlon Norman: So then, what was the thing that Mrs. Kimura brought?

 Abiko Benjiro: Well it could be anything, she could of <grab her bag> for all we know…

 Kobayashi Eito: True but why would she need that…

 Ohta Hoshiko: maybe she senses something was wrong? <Like a first aid kit>?

 Esumi Masa: No, that isn’t it – it was something much smaller and easier to carry…

 Inoue Sunako: Seriously, I (know what it is!)< Ryoko’s Knife>

 Okamoto Fuji: I agree with you!

 Class Debate – END!

 Okamoto Fuji: Pardon me but I believe Inoue-chan is referring to the knife that wasn’t too far from the body.

 Mori Miwa: Wait, it was a knife! Why didn’t I notice it?

 Kita Jobon: I think due to the location it was kept pretty hidden so maybe that’s why but was the knife from the kitchen.

 Hayashi Ryoko: It wasn’t, actually I know where she got it from…

 Hayashi-san knows and well, I’m surprise she didn’t say anything about it…

 Okamoto Fuji: > Ryoko’s account, I got it!

 Okamoto Fuji: Your referring to when Mrs. Kimura came to you this morning about the knife, right Hayashi-san?

 Hayashi Ryoko: Indeed, I just notice she look to be in a panic and wanted to borrow my knife, she mentions it was for something important and someone was in danger so she went to me about the knife.

 Hamasaki Hana: Yep but here’s the thing – why would she need that knife, I mean if anything there wasn’t any danger and no threat at all.

 There was a reason she might have needed the knife and one where I could guess what it could be!

 Okamoto Fuji: -To hunt, >To Protect Tomoe, -To kill

 Okamoto Fuji: I got it!

 Okamoto Fuji: Likely to protect Kimura-san, there’s no other reason since she was heading to the Greenhouse this morning.

 Hanlon Norman: Really? That seems like an extreme reaction, huh? Like maybe she was heading there to get a secret weed stash or something.

 Hayashi Ryoko: That… doesn’t seem better but anyway, if that’s the case then Kimura-san went to the Greenhouse for some reason.

 Esumi Masa: She did, likely to meet up with someone.

 Ohta Hoshiko: I see – so she was going to meet up with someone at the Greenhouse but for what reason?

 There was a reason Kimura-san went to the greenhouse and I can think of one…

 Okamoto Fuji: > Note for Kimura, I got it!

 Okamoto Fuji: Actually, it seems someone wrote a note to Kimura-san to get here to meet up.

 Inoue Sunako: Yep yep, it was written like only two people can meet up! I’ll even read it!

 Inoue Sunako: ‘Kimura

  Hey, I wanted to speak with you about somethings if you don’t mind, but can you come to the greenhouse this morning so we can speak of some personal matters? It’s something I want to tell you for the longest time ever since I met you… so please come.

  Kobayashi Eito.’

 Hanlon Norman: So it must have been a love confession then… did Eito commit the crime?

 Kobayashi Eito: Whoa what?! Hey now, I didn’t commit this murder or had anything to do with this! I recall waking up to the Morning announcement.

 Inoue Sunako: Yeah, I saw him this morning he was the first up and even the first to leave as well.

 Abiko Benjiro: True but the fact remains that Eito-kun wrote it, that means if we have anyone to suspect it’s him at the moment.

 Mori Miwa: Plus wasn’t he the one to come up with this party? I wouldn’t be surprise if he drugged the punch too!

 Kobayashi Eito: Se-Seriously, I was not planning it for this! I had good intentions I swear!

 Hamasaki Hana: Wait a moment – I don’t think he would do that at all!

 Seems everyone is suspecting Kobayashi-san for the crime; I better go and show this evidence…

 Class Debate – Start!

 Hamasaki Hana: Guys hang on, I don’t think Eito-san would do this!

 Kita Jobon: But he <did plan the party> for some reason…

 Ohta Hoshiko: And he could trick <Tomoe-chan pretty easily too>, so he did commit the crime!

 Kobayashi Eito: You really think I did this?! I swear, (I didn’t write that note) at all!

 Hanlon Norman: Also don’t forget <myself and Tomoe> also plan this too, y’know…

 Mori Miwa: Then <the lowly pervert> was an accomplice in all this as well and killed poor Tomoe-chan?!

 Hanlon Norman: Oh shut up, I didn’t have anything to do with this – in fact, <I was the second last to leave> and Doi was with me!

 Katou Doi: Yep so he’s innocent, he couldn’t have known about this!

 Abiko Benjiro: But <no one else besides Eito-kun> could of written that note, correct?

 Inoue Sunako: Well, not exactly but…

 Even then, Kobayashi-san couldn’t have written the note and I have the proof here…

 Hamasaki Hana: Guys hang on, I don’t think Eito-san would do this!

 Kita Jobon: But he <did plan the party> for some reason…

 Ohta Hoshiko: And he could trick <Tomoe-chan pretty easily too>, so he did commit the crime!

 Kobayashi Eito: You really think I did this?! I swear, (I didn’t write that note) at all!

 Hanlon Norman: Also don’t forget <myself and Tomoe> also plan this too, y’know…

 Mori Miwa: Then <the lowly pervert> was an accomplice in all this as well and killed poor Tomoe-chan?!

 Hanlon Norman: Oh shut up, I didn’t have anything to do with this – in fact, <I was the second last to leave> and Doi was with me!

 Katou Doi: Yep so he’s innocent, he couldn’t have known about this!

 Abiko Benjiro: But <no one else besides Eito-kun><Eito’s Handwriting>

 Okamoto Fuji: I’m sorry, but that’s wrong!

 Class Debate – END!

 Okamoto Fuji: I apologize for the correction, but Kobayashi-san couldn’t have written the note.

 Abiko Benjiro: He couldn’t of…?

 Okamoto Fuji: Indeed, I ask Kobayashi-san to write down on paper which we saw the handwriting is quite different so meaning Kobayashi-san couldn’t have written it…

 Ohta Hoshiko: Now looking at it, the writing is quite different but still… where did he get the paper and pen from?

 Hanlon Norman: I did check the store and despite it being stock with a lot of things, it didn’t have a pen or anything to write which… is pretty counter-productive.

 Hamoponi: I’ll be sure to stock up on it next time, I apologize…

 Hayashi Ryoko: But still, that does give us a clue where did the killer get it then…?

 I could think of 2 possible items that come to mind, first off; what did the culprit use to write on…?

 Okamoto Fuji: > Masa’s ripped journal, …

 Okay so that’s simple then… what did the culprit use to write with then?

 Okamoto Fuji: > Fuji’s missing pen, I got it!

 Okamoto Fuji: Actually, there is a way, the culprit likely uses Masa-san’s journal and my pen, this could be why the Journal was found at the scene of the crime and to make Masa-san a suspect.

 Mori Miwa: Oh so I guess Masa-chan is off the suspect list but that means you’re a suspect now Fuji-chan since it’s your pen, correct?!

 Inoue Sunako: Hold on, are you accusing her again?!

 Mori Miwa: But even then, the evidence lines up so it has to be Fuji-chan!

 Geez, seems I’m getting accused by Mori-san… again. I better try and defend myself.

 Class Debate – Start!

 Mori Miwa: The only person I could think of…

 Mori Miwa: Is <Fuji-chan seeing as she has pens in her room>!

 Hamasaki Hana: How can you be so sure? I mean, (why would she commit the crime) at all?

 Mori Miwa: But even then, Hamoponi mention to <not have pen or papers>…

 Inoue Sunako: but (anyone could of grab it), y’know! Plus, we have proof that Big Sis Fuji would not commit the crime!

 Hamasaki Hana: Yep, (I even saw her this morning) so that’s your proof right there!

 Esumi Masa: Plus I (saw her with them as well) so she’s innocent.

 Mori Miwa: Hmph, you all are <vouching for each other>, I see…

 Nakahara Rai: No, they aren’t but I did remember <seeing a light when she appear>!

 Mori-san assumes I did it but I didn’t… I better correct her.

 Mori Miwa: The only person I could think of…

 Mori Miwa: Is <Fuji-chan seeing as she has pens in her room>!

 Hamasaki Hana: How can you be so sure? I mean, (why would she commit the crime) at all?

 Mori Miwa: But even then, Hamoponi mention to <not have pen or papers>…

 Inoue Sunako: but (anyone could of grab it), y’know! Plus, we have proof that Big Sis Fuji would not commit the crime!

 Hamasaki Hana: Yep, (I even saw her this morning)<Hana’s account>

 Okamoto Fuji: I agree with you!

 Class Debate – END!

 Okamoto Fuji: Sorry to correct you but I didn’t commit the crime, but I was seen by Inoue-chan, Hana-san and Nakahara-san this morning and they can all vouch for me.

 Nakahara Rai: Yep – she appears like a dream and came to my dreams, so she is an innocent angel~!

 Okamoto Fuji: …

 Nakahara Rai: Wh-What? Is it wrong for me to compliment you…?

 Inoue Sunako: No, it isn’t but it isn’t the time for that but anyway – seems like Big Sis Fuji is innocent!

 Hamasaki Hana: Yep, I did remember going to the bathroom for a bit but I saw Rai-san there so I ask him to wait for the others to wake up.

 Nakahara Rai: Yep, so if anything, the one that sparks me is innocent!

 Mori Miwa: Oh then apologies again, anyway – if it isn’t Fuji-chan and Masa-chan then… who did it?

 Kita Jobon: Along with the victim as well… We still haven’t figure out who the culprit or victim are yet, which it could be any of us.

 Hanlon Norman: That’s true, it seems like… we have no clue who it is, do we have a clue at all.

 There is one clue I have but I’m not sure…

 Okamoto Fuji: > Pink Hair Strands, I got it!

 Okamoto Fuji: Actually when we were investigating, Inoue-chan discover strands of pink hair in the victim’s hand which…

 Ohta Hoshiko: Could you be suggesting that it’s Tomoe-chan could be the victim or culprit? Seeing as she didn’t appear before us and she did go to the greenhouse for some unknown reason.

 Okamoto Fuji: We-Well maybe but aren’t we jumping the gun with this? I-?

 Hanlon Norman: But even then – she isn’t wrong to assume that, correct? We haven’t seen her since this morning and she doesn’t seem to view her mother very positively.

 Hamasaki Hana: I guess but even then, she could be alive in this. I think… we are jumping a bit too quickly.

 Kobayashi Eito: Exactly, plus the victim was burn alive so we can’t tell who it is! She could be alive!

 Hamoponi: I’ve hear enough!

 Cut In!

 Hamoponi: Seems we got a split opinion which I won’t allow so, it’s time to begin… a debate! You all will bring up your points and decide who it is now let’s begin!

 SCRUM DEBATE!

Tomoe is dead: Ohta Hoshiko, Kita Jobon, Mori Miwa, Abiko Benjiro, Hayashi Ryoko and Hanlon Norman.

 Tomoe is alive: Okamoto Fuji, Hamasaki Hana, Inoue Sunako, Kobayashi Eito, Esumi Masa, Nakahara Rai and Katou Doi.

  Mori Miwa: I recall checking <both> Kimura’s rooms, they were empty…

 Okamoto Fuji: Inoue-chan!

 Inoue Sunako: yes <both> went in but there was one body discover, not two.

  Hayashi Ryoko: Still the possibility that <Mrs. Kimura> could of grab the knife is something to look into.

 Okamoto Fuji: Kobayashi-san!

 Kobayashi Eito: But why would <Mrs. Kimura> even grab the knife to kill Tomoe-san?

  Hanlon Norman: How do we know one is dead and another is <dead> somewhere.

 Okamoto Fuji: Katou-san!

 Katou Doi: One is <dead>, I actually heard screaming behind the fire exit!

  Abiko Benjiro: But I heard a <she> and no name mention, so it could be either if anything.

 Okamoto Fuji: Hana-san!

 Hamasaki Hana: But that <she> could mean one of the Kimura’s is alive right now!

  Kita Jobon: You really think that there hidden, then why didn’t they <reveal> themselves sooner?

 Okamoto Fuji: Masa-san!

 Esumi Masa: Maybe there is a reason neither could <reveal> themselves sooner, we have to figure out why!

  Ohta Hoshiko: What makes you assume Tomoe-chan is <alive> at all in this?

 Okamoto Fuji: My turn if you don’t mind!

 Okamoto Fuji: We can’t say for sure if there dead, one could be <alive> for all we know!

 CROUCH BIND!

 Okamoto Fuji/Hamasaki Hana/Inoue Sunako/Kobayashi Eito/Esumi Masa/Nakahara Rai/ Katou Doi: This is our answer!

 SCRUM DEBATE ENDED!

 Okamoto Fuji: Hold on a moment, maybe we need to decide who’s dead and who’s alive before we make any rash judgement.

 Hayashi Ryoko: I guess so but if that’s the case… where could one of them be hiding?

 Kobayashi Eito: That’s true, we just need to know where one of them could be.

 It is true… we have no idea who the victim is or the culprit either, will still stuck on that…

 Esumi Masa: Maybe… it’s time.

 Okamoto Fuji: Time for what?

 Esumi Masa: That request, you know which one I’m talking about…

 Katou Doi: …

 Oh right, I forgot about that! Maybe… it’s time to bring it up right now which if we’re allow then we can figure out who is the victim of this case!

 Class Trial BREAK!!!