#*noises of ensuing scuffle*

[fisheito]

oh, why no.... we shan't... wouldns't dareth...........

[yuuchama]

Sometime during the VDC training camp, when everyone on team Night Raven is sleeping over at Ramshackle Dorm:

Ramshackle Dorm has no shortage of spare rooms, but their condition is another story. You've managed to get enough of them decently clean. They're not as nice as your room, which has had far more time invested in it and is well lived in, but your groupmates should be able to spend a few days at the dorm without issue and are more than free to tidy up rooms as they please.

Yet on one of the first nights, you hear the door of your room creak open. It's dark and you can't see the intruder, though you know it's not one of the ghosts. The approaching footsteps aren't as heavy as Grim's, even after he's cleared out the entire fridge in one sitting. You're also pretty confident Grim is fast asleep beside you.

"Hello?" You groggily lift your head and call out to the intruder. If it's anything malicious, you hope the ensuing scuffle will cause enough noise to wake everyone else up.

A weight pushes the edge of your mattress down and there's a gentle touch at your shoulder. "Prefect, do you mind if I spend the rest of the night here?"

"Jamil?"

You almost don't recognize him in the dark with his hair down. You feel around for a bedside light. Grim groans in his sleep when it clicks on and turns over, shielding his eyes with tiny arms.

Jamil looks exhausted. "Please, I'd really appreciate if you could let me sleep here tonight."

"Yeah, sure. Of course." Maybe it's the sleep addling your brain or your trust in Jamil. You see no reason to turn down his request and didn't question why he was coming to you instead of Kalim. You nudge Grim over to make room for one more on the bed.

The vice housewarden does his best to fit in the cramped sleeping conditions, assuring "I'll pay you back for this. Thank you."

He's turned towards the wall, back touching your side so that he doesn't fall. You wait to make sure he's fully secure in bed before turning off the light. In the calm that follows, you notice he's almost imperceptibly shaking. Sure, the dorm is cold, but not that cold. Especially with three in one bed.

"Jamil, are you okay?" The longer you spend awake, the more concerning this whole situation feels.

"I'm fine. Goodnight, Prefect." Jamil already has his eyes shut and seems adamant about not discussing things further.

"Okay... Goodnight."

You lay down and silence settles over the room once more. It's really warm between your two friends. Sleep is quick to catch up to you, you find yourself nodding off within minutes of your head touching the pillow.

Before you fully drift off, Jamil turns to face you. His hair drapes over the side of the bed and he places a hand on your pillow, lightly grazing your cheek.

"Thanks again," he whispers. "I feel a lot better with you here. Your room doesn't have bugs on the wall."

[alchemistc]

🏒 👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨 (but maybe don't break hearts about it)

👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨

Buck slides a hand into the short hairs at the back of Eddie's head, swallows up the sound of Eddie breathing through his nose, and releases with a slick noise, hand pressing Eddie back, eyes still not leaving Tommy.

🏒

Ten years ago, when he’d charged the blue paint looking to piss off a defender enough to make them sloppy, and instead gotten a stick between his legs and gone head first at just the right angle off the boards behind the net to pinch a fucking nerve, Howie had been the only one during the ensuing scuffle that had noticed the severe lack of movement in Tommy’s lower extremities, the only one with the foresight to call over a medic before skating right in to the melee to keep people away from Tommy. It had been smart thinking — Chim wasn’t the sort of net-minder who did more than chirp from his crease, and even in the heat of the moment it had been enough to make people pause, keep them from engaging, yank their sparring partner away from Tommy as two of his teammates skated the medic over to assess him.

[the-wintry-mizzenmast]

笛花 Dihua/Feihua prompt fill for @magicknightriderjellyfish02 Still riding that burst of inspiration in the groupchat from @lyselkatz's post-canon fanart of silver-haired Li Lianhua and bearded A-Fei.

[How the beard thing became permanent part of their life and llh's reaction towards it, esp when they are intimate with each other]

-----

“That tickles!” giggled Li Lianhua the first time that Di Feisheng scraped the unshaven stubble of his chin across the smooth surface of his husband’s thigh. 

He would have shaved earlier in the morning had it not been for Li Lianhua’s imperious demand that he come back to bed, and between those vigorous morning activities and everything else they’d done during the day, Di Feisheng had simply forgotten. From the way that Li Lianhua’s cock swelled in response to the new texture, it did not seem that it was unwelcome. So Di Feisheng rubbed his chin and jaw once more against his husband’s skin, before taking him into his mouth. 

“Growing your beard out, hm?” asked Li Lianhua the next day during breakfast, noting that his husband had eschewed shaving again. 

“Is that going to be a problem?” 

Li Lianhua reached out a hand, rubbing a thumb across his chin. “No,” he replied, the sunlight glinting off his silver hair lending his smirk a particularly mesmerizing glow. 

Di Feisheng leaned into his husband’s caress, turned his head to kiss his palm, and then breakfast was soon forgotten. 

Two weeks later, Fang Duobing positively yelped the moment he stepped past the threshold of Lotus Tower. 

“What is that thing on Lao Di’s face?”

“A beard,” Di Feisheng replied. “You’d know what it was if you could grow one.”

Fang Duobing made a strangled noise of protest and took a threatening step forward, forcing Li Lianhua to intervene. 

“You can’t possibly like that,” Fang Duobing accused, pointing at Di Feisheng’s face over Li Lianhua’s body, which was positioned squarely between the two of them. 

“Actually, I like how it feels,” said Li Lianhua with a saucy grin. 

Fang Duobing made a small noise of revulsion as the images of what the old fox meant rose unbidden in his mind. 

“It lends him quite a distinguished air, don’t you think?” 

“He looks like my father.”

“Which one?”

“Both.”

And then Li Lianhua had to try a lot harder to keep his husband and his disciple apart, lest another wall in Lotus Tower collapse in the ensuing scuffle. 

It was late into the night, after Fang Duobing had fallen asleep upstairs, his breaths becoming quiet and regular, before Li Lianhua clamped both hands around his husband’s face, and drew it down for a kiss. 

It was a long time before Di Feisheng was allowed to pull away enough to speak. “If I’d known you’d like it this much I would have grown it out ages ago.”

Li Lianhua smiled and shook his head. “You’ve changed, A-Fei,” he said softly. “I’ve changed too,” he added, holding up a lock of his own silver-white hair for emphasis, the result of the dissolution of the Bicha poison. “I don’t think it would have fit you then, as Jinyuan Alliance Chief, but now? Anonymous Jianghu Wandering Uncle? I think it looks perfect.”

“Anonymous Jianghu Wandering Uncle?”

“Xiaobao’s not entirely wrong about the look.”

Di Feisheng growled, his expression darkening. “Come here, you.”

Li Lianhua laughed, gave his husband’s goatee a tug, and then melted into his arms. 

[multipleoccupancy]

@governmentofficial continued from x

Mycroft was back at university - not to study, but to scout out potential new recruits for the secret service. His deductive abilities combined with his age made him an ideal candidate for the task, allowing him to blend in seamlessly and spot potential students that had not yet been noticed. Of course, while he was there, he had to visit his friend, Professor Moriarty. They had remained in touch since Mycroft's graduation, something that he was very grateful for because he had been worried that the man wouldn't keep in contact. That wasn't the case, though. They exchanged letters frequently, and Moriarty had seemed keen to meet up once again. While the Professor finished a lecture, Mycroft waited in his office. Or, at least, that had been the plan. When he arrived, there was already somebody else in there. On the surface, this was not unusual. Moriarty presumably got a lot of visitors - students, other academics, and so on. However, the other person appeared to be going through the man's desk drawers. That was definitely not allowed. "What are you doing?" Mycroft asked, confronting the intruder without a second thought. Considering who Moriarty was (that being, a mathematics professor), he had assumed that the man would not be a threat. That assumption was wrong. Instead of giving an answer, the man pulled out a knife and lunged for Mycroft. Instead of running, Mycroft stood his ground. His hand-to-hand combat training was recent, but he had always been a very fast learner. After successfully dodging, he tackled the man and began the try and disarm him. The ensuing fight was not an easy one. Whoever the intruder was, he clearly had his own combat experience. That was strange. Why would that be? Perhaps somebody had hired a professional of some kind to steal something? Or, perhaps this was someone that knew Moran? After all, he was ex-army, was he not? The intruder had traits of a military past himself, so perhaps this was a disgruntled former soldier that wanted to get back at Moran for a transgression of the past? Eventually, Mycroft found himself in control of the squabble. Getting there had not been easy, mind you. He'd successfully disarmed the other man, but he'd taken a few blows to the head in the process and everything on top of Moriarty's desk had been knocked to the floor, papers now lying across the room in a disorganised mess. Mycroft was not trying to kill the other man, but as the fight went on it became increasingly clear that he would need to be more forceful. In the end, what happened was an accident. Mycroft was just trying to knock the man out but, well, he'd always been a little heavy-handed. He slammed the man's head into the side of the desk and not only misjudged his strength, but also his aim - crashing it into the corner instead of the top. It was immediately obvious what he had done. If the way the man went limp wasn't enough, the blood would have made it clear. Shocked at what he had just done, Mycroft dropped the body - eyes wide as he stepped back. He had never killed anybody before. Of course, he knew that he was likely going to one day, but knowing it was a possibility and actually doing it were two completely different things. Then Mycroft heard movement. His head snapped to the side to view the office's door, where Moriarty stood. The noise of the fight must have covered up the sound of his arrival, so Mycroft had no idea how much the man had seen. One thing was for certain, though; he had just seen him kill a man. For once, Mycroft had no idea what to say or do. Seemingly frozen on the spot, he stared back at Moriarty, waiting to see how he would react.

Even has he was approaching his office after the lecture, he could hear something going on inside from down the corridor. There was some sort of scuffle happening which naturally made Moriarty spare a moment to check who was actually about in what was luckily an empty corridor before he trotted up to his office door to peek inside. He had expected to find Moran dealing with a problem but instead spotted none other than Mycroft Holmes just as he managed to crack the head of another man on his desk corner.

For a moment Moriarty watched to see what Mycroft would do, he was after all part of the intelligence services now and he had been mindful to be careful with him. He waited to see if he would try to look for something, any hint that he was onto him, even a glance around at his now very clean chalk board or bookshelves. Nothing. Just shock. It was not very often Moriarty got to witness a first kill, oh Mycroft looked pitifully shocked and of course he would have to take advantage of that.

So he took half a step back and then a regular step forward with a skidded pause under the doorway to gain his attention, at first putting on a smile in greeting before allowing his gaze to drift to the body on the floor and chose to purposely freeze on the spot, making his face drop before shooting a look between the body and Mycroft as if in some shock before he stepped into the room and immediately closed his office door and locked it. Leaning against it and taking the opportunity to sensibly listen for anyone else on the other side of it that might hear them. Satisfied they were alone, he rounded on Mycroft.

"What the hell happened?" He demanded in half of a whisper, moving over as if going to check the dead man's pulse but of course using the opportunity to see his face. Ah. The thief from the terrorist ring in Germany. Likely looking for the blackmail material on his boss, pathetic attempt if he thought he would find it in his office of all places. Moriarty abandoned his fake attempt at checking the clearly dead man, instead standing and looking at Mycroft seriously.

"You're hurt?" he checked having spotted there was a knife lying amongst the mess of his papers. He kept his eyes on him as if it was filled with concern and while he might not admit it to himself, it was partially very genuine. Moriarty had grown to admire the young man and had been truly disappointed in his decision to join the secret service, what a waste of all of his work and indeed a potential threat!

He absently corrected one of his desk chairs to put Mycroft into it, caringly of course before he pretended to fixate on the dead body in his office, inconveniently bleeding all over his work, even some student papers, which were much harder to replace with forgeries.

[robin-the-wanderer]

[ an audio recording dated back to a few weeks ago. the background noise is messy, but you can hear panicked panting and puffing, and a crowd of clamouring voices in the background, as if someone was being chased. ] “harper! use- use dark pulse-“

[ a terrified scream tears across the recording; and there’s a loud crash before silence ensues. loud panting and puffing is heard in the background. ]

“dispose of the girl. take the beast and go.”

“no-” [ there’s a sound of a scuffle, and another scream. ] “no, please, get that gun away from me, please don’t hurt me- DONT TAKE KONPEITŌ, NO!”

[ a desperate guttural shriek is heard, followed by the sound of a charging gun, before there’s a burst of a pokeball opening. ]

[ loud whirring sounds akin to roaring are heard; you can’t really tell if it’s of terror or of rage. the powerful boom of electricity is heard cutting through the air, followed by the cries of a panicked crowd of women and men. ]

[ there’s a faint “retreat! retreat!” in the background, and after a few more moments of chaos, silence returns once more. ]

“…”

[ another, sadder whirring around is heard this time, as if it was ashamed. ]

“konpeitō. please.”

“they’re gone. let’s go home.”

[ the sound of a pokémon being withdrawn into its ball, and the scuffle of boots against pavement, following shaky breaths that trailed off into the night. ]

…

Oh. Sorry. Arché did not mean to send recording. Arché no know how to delete recording, so Arché will just leave recording there and hope row-tum-blr no mind. Gratitude. Have good day.

[theoakandthemistletoe]

Ancestral Disgrace

As mentioned elsewhere, in their childhood, the Marquis Skullduggan was nearly betrothed to an heir of the Duke of Fajava. The Skullduggans at the time lacked both power and influence, and were increasingly reliant on strategic alliances with other Houses to maintain their position. How did a House which had been influential throughout Anken's history end up in such a situation?

The hot tempers of the Skullduggans are one of their most infamous features. They enjoy provoking people, and none of them will back down when this leads to a fight. Most of them, however, have enough sense to keep this to verbal arguments when it comes to the other noble families. Causing a stir is their favourite pasttime, but it's more fun to wind the other nobles up and watch their frustration when they can't actually hit the Skullduggan causing the annoyance.

Not so for one Skullduggan. Predating the current Marquis by approximately four or five generations, they had an unfortunate predilection for duelling and, worse, were reasonably good at it. It was inevitable that they would end up challenging the wrong person in the end. The nature of the dispute is long forgotten now, but even today the result sometimes gets muttered and passed around in the corridors of court: the death of the eldest child of the Duchess of Rodyn.

Reactions from the other noble families were swift. House Skullduggan found themselves ostracised from polite society, ignored in debates, and struggling to seal trade deals, massively handicapping their influence. It carried over to the next couple of generations, too. Rodyn is one of the most highly-respected duchies, known for being a moderating influence on the other Houses, a rare voice of reason, and a renowned seat of learning, and the other Houses were unlikely to take Skullduggan's side in the feud.

Their fortunes only began to change around the time of Gideon's arranged marriage. Much as the other Houses disliked them, an increasing number of scuffles with the Bos Hwansek were an unwelcome yet unavoidable reminder that the Skullduggans were a military force to be reckoned with, the sole buffer between the kingdom and their southern enemies, with whom tensions were constantly growing.

While Ren rode to Fajava to prevent the arranged marriage, their parent, known as Grand, was summoned to the capital of Dwylionn. Although Grand and the Duke of Dwylionn got along well, and were even related by marriage thanks to one of those strategic alliances, they expected to receive the usual dressing down for kicking off in the south, and were already angry about the potential decision to sell their first grandchild to Fajava, so they turned up ready for a fight. The actual purpose of the visit came as a shock. Duke Tooke instead offered the Skullduggans support in pushing the court for a formal war and funding for their efforts, revealing that he was keen to have their military skill back on side. The Skullduggans and the Tookes share a long history together in the kingdom's founding, as the military and economic powerhouses respectively, and the Duke wanted his right hand soldier back.

Pride nearly ruined the whole deal, but the opportunity to once again be more than powerless background noise couldn't be passed up, and Grand accepted. Dwylionn's support lifted Scrantz back into its accustomed place and ended the shame and ignominy of House Skullduggan, and the other Houses have regretted it ever since.

As a postscript, the ensuing war became known in Scrantz as Ren's War. Ren Skullduggan was instrumental in the kingdom's victory, expanding their territory to the south, and used the respect this bought them to cement their branch of the family as the current core of House Skullduggan.

[voyageofthenemo]

Gone Yonder: Voyage of the Nemo Part 6

(They approach the Palace. Two Killjoys guard the entrance. P.A.T. hides inside Riley's satchel.)

Guard#1: Halt! Who goes there?

Tristan: Just us wandering fortune tellers.

Joel: We have important news for the Killjoy Queen.

Guard#2: Get lost! She has no time for this!

Nate: Then I guess she doesn't wanna hear about the revolt.

Guards: What?

Nate: I said "I guess she doesn't wanna hear about the revolt."

Guard#1: Revolt?

Guard#2: Maybe she would wanna hear this. Come in for a review!

Riley: (whispering to Nate) Nice.

(They enter the Palace, and walk into the throne room, where Vivian sits on the throne. The Star is kept on a pedestal under a glass cover.)

Vivian: What's this about a revolt?

Tristan: We are deeply honored to be in your presence.

Vivian: Yeah, sure. WHAT ABOUT THE REVOLT?

(Unnoticed, P.A.T. peeks out of the satchel. She squirms out and slowly creeps toward the Star.)

Riley: Well, you may have enslaved the people of this land, but when you captured them, you missed a few. Now those rebels are secretly plotting to bring you down.

Vivian: Really?

Riley: Yeah. The crystal ball never lies. Plus they have instruments of their own, so you'd better gather your forces and get out while the going's good, or else things are gonna get crazy.

Vivian: That's ridiculous, we made sure to lock up all instruments to prevent this sort of thing!

Nate: Y'sure?

(P.A.T. lifts the glass cover...)

Vivian: Of course I'm sure! Besides, they would need the Star to-

(Just as P.A.T. reaches for the Star, Vivian spots her.)

Vivian: WHAT THE HECK IS THAT?!

Riley: Uh oh.

P.A.T.: Uh... Hi. Wanna hear a love song?

(Vivian turns on the others.)

Vivian: So, you thought you could trick me into a snafu, huh?! Well, not today! (to the guards) Lock 'em up!

(The Killjoys surround the group and drag them away. Carried under a Killjoy's arm, P.A.T. looks back at Vivian, who meets her gaze before turning away, blushing. Cut to the five in the dungeon.)

Nate: Well, that plan didn't work.

Tristan: And I thought it was foolproof.

Joel: Is there a Plan B?

(P.A.T. examines the walls. She presses a brick, and it gives.)

P.A.T.: Maybe there is! Look, the bricks are loose!

Riley: Hey, she's right! That could be our way outta here!

(Tristan begins pulling out bricks.)

Tristan: This place is pretty ancient. C'mon, guys!

(Joel and Nate help Tristan to pull out as many bricks as possible, until there's a hole in the wall.)

Nate: (looking at the small hole.) That's it?

Joel: I don't think we could fit through there.

Riley: I could!

P.A.T.: So could I!

(The two girls crawl through the opening.)

Tristan: When you're in the clear, go tell Amelie and Ophelia what happened.

Riley: No way! I can't leave you guys behind now.

(A Killjoy passes by on patrol. P.A.T. jumps him.)

P.A.T.: HI!

(The Killjoy freaks out as Riley grabs him from behind. During the ensuing scuffle, he hits his head on the wall, knocking himself out.)

Riley: (to the Killjoy) Sorry 'bout that, but it's for a good cause.

(A few minutes later, Riley is disguised in his uniform and mask. She approaches the Killjoy guarding the cell.)

Riley: Coffee, sir?

Guard: Oh! Sure.

(He takes a sip... and instantly falls unconscious.)

Riley: It worked, P.A.T.!

(P.A.T. peeks out from behind the corner.)

P.A.T.: I still think my lullaby idea could have worked just as well.

(Taking the Killjoy guard's keys, Riley unlocks the dungeon door and opens it.)

Riley: Okay, guys, let's go!

Nate: Nice one, sis!

Tristan: Now let's get the Star and get outta here!

(Cut to the Star, still under the glass covering. Vivian is asleep. P.A.T. sneaks in, lifts the cover and takes the Star, careful not to make any noise. She pets the sleeping Vivian on the head before tiptoeing back to the others.)

P.A.T.: (whispering) I got it!

Riley: Good work, P.A.T.

Tristan: Now for the instruments.

(Transition to the old fort. The group creep up to the entrance, which is guarded by Killjoys. Nate folds a paper airplane and throws it past them. Taking notice, the guards follow it, allowing the group to sneak in. One Killjoy manages to snatch the airplane out of the air.)

Guard#1: Got it!

Guard#2: There's something written on it.

(They unfold the airplane.)

Guard#2: What's it say?

Guard#1: It says... "Killjoys smell".

Guard#2: They didn't even finish it? (takes out a pen and adds to the note) "Good".

(Meanwhile, the five sneak past several sleeping Killjoys and enter a cupboard where the instruments are all packed.)

Tristan: Bingo.

(A light from the window grabs their attention: It’s a Killjoy, his mask emitting a searchlight.)

Riley: Hide!

(They scramble for a hiding place. Nate trips and falls onto a set of bagpipes.)

Tristan: Pipe down!

(Outside, a sleeping Killjoy is roused by the noise.)

Joel: Get that out of here!

(Nate throws the bagpipes out the cupboard. It rolls after the Killjoy, who tries to make a run for it. However, it hits him in the back of his head, KOing him.)

Riley: You think they heard us?

Joel: I hope not...

(Transition to the next morning. The five wake up, stretch and yawn. P.A.T. looks out of the cupboard.)

P.A.T.: They're all still asleep!

Nate: This is a sad day for us.

Riley: Why?

Nate: We've been outslept!

Tristan: C'mon, let's get outta here.

(With the instruments they need, the group exit the building, passing the unconscious Killjoy.)

Nate: (to the others) Shhhhh!

(He doesn’t see the bagpipes in his path until it’s too late; he steps on them, making a loud WAAAAAAAAHH! Immediately, the Killjoys are awakened by the noise.)

Joel: Oh, no.

Tristan: RUUUUN!

(They all bolt.)

Song: Livin’ La Vida Loca

She’s into superstitions Black cats and voodoo dolls I feel a premonition That girl’s gonna make me fall She’s into new sensations New kicks in the candlelight She’s got a new addiction For every day and night She’ll make you take your clothes off and go dancing in the rain She’ll make you live her crazy life, but she’ll take away your pain Like a bullet to your brain Come on! Upside, inside out She’s livin’ la vida loca She’ll push and pull you down Livin’ la vida loca Her lips are devil red And her skin’s the color mocha She will wear you out Livin’ la vida loca Come on! Livin’ la vida loca Come on! She’s livin’ la vida loca Woke up in New York City In a funky cheap hotel She took my heart, and she took my kidney She must’ve slipped me a sleeping pill She never drinks the water and Makes you order French champagne Once you’ve had a taste of her You’ll never be the same Yeah, she’ll make you go insane Come on! Upside, inside out She’s livin’ la vida loca She’ll push and pull you down Livin’ la vida loca Her lips are devil red And her skin’s the color mocha She will wear you out Livin’ la vida loca Come on! Livin’ la vida loca She’s livin’ la vida loca She’ll make you take your clothes off and go dancing in the rain She’ll make you live her crazy life, but she’ll take away your pain Like a bullet to your brain Come on! Upside, inside out She’s livin’ la vida loca She’ll push and pull you down Livin’ la vida loca Her lips are devil red And her skin’s the color mocha She will wear you out Livin’ la vida loca Come on! Upside, inside out She’s livin’ la vida loca She’ll push and pull you down Livin’ la vida loca Her lips are devil red And her skin’s the color mocha She will wear you out Livin’ la vida loca Come on! Livin’ la vida loca Come on! She’s livin’ la vida loca Come on! Gotta la vida loca! Gotta, gotta, gotta la vida loca! Gotta, gotta, gotta la vi'…

(After running like heck, the group finally manage to escape the Killjoys.)

Tristan: We've made it.

Nate: Instruments are ready.

Tristan: Okay, cool.

(P.A.T., wearing a top hat, hops onto a soapbox with a megaphone like she's a circus ringmaster.)

P.A.T.: Ladies and gentlemen, direct from somewhere else, where they are absolutely something else, I’d like to present our four guest soloists: my friends! Take it away, guys!

Song: A Different Beat

Say yeah, yeah (Yeah, yeah) Say ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah (Ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah) Say yeah, yeah (Yeah, yeah) Say ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah (Ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah)

I got a spoonful of sugar That I think you’d like No, I don’t wanna preach But I think you might Wanna cup (Sip it up, sip it up) (Sip it up, sip it up, sip it up)

I might be young But I know my mind I’m sick of being told What’s wrong or right So give it up (Give it up, give it up) (Give it up, give it up, give it up)

Uh-oh, now there you go Out of your comfort zone Cause I’m breaking out Not breaking down, down, down, down Ain’t got nothing to prove Walk a mile in my shoes I know the one thing that counts

I got the right To make up my mind Say it loud and clear For the whole wide world to hear We’re marching for love So turn up the drum Say it loud and clear For the whole wide world to hear

Yeah, we must have different shoes on We’re marching to a different beat Yeah! So baby put your boots on Keep marching to a different beat Yeah

Never in the slow lane Cause I like it fast No time you waste So I keep our feet on the gas (I live it up, live it up) (Live it up, live it up, live it up)

I might be young I know who I am So I don’t follow like a marching band So give it up (Give it up, give it up) (Give it up, give it up, give it up)

Uh-oh, now there you go Out of your comfort zone Cause I’m breaking out I’m breaking down, down, down, down

Ain’t got nothing to prove Walk a mile in my shoes I know the one thing that counts

I got the right To make up my mind Say it loud and clear For the whole wide world to hear We’re marching for love So turn up the drum Say it loud and clear For the whole wide world to hear

Yeah, we must have different shoes on We’re marching to a different beat Yeah! So baby put your boots on Keep marching to a different beat Yeah

I got my head up Shoulders back I’m doing me So they can see I’m marching to a different beat I take a look in the mirror And I like what I see So baby, I keep marching To a different beat

I got the right To make up my mind Say it loud and clear For the whole wide world to hear We’re marching so loud So turn up the drum Say it loud and clear For the whole wide world to hear

Yeah, we must have different shoes on We’re marching to a different beat Yeah So baby put your boots on Keep marching to a different beat

Yeah!

(By the time this song finishes, the color and vigor have returned to Splendorland, its flowers rebloom, and the Splendorlanders are freed, to the Killjoys’ shock. Vivian is especially stunned.)

Vivian: The hills are alive?!

Marvy: (sings) With The Sound of Music-

(THWACK! Marvy gets Vivian's knee to the groin.)

Nimm: Your Highness! They’re armed! They’re fighting back! We gotta go!

(She drags Vivian away by the hand, while Marvy hobbles after them. Meanwhile, the Splendorlanders celebrate their heroes.)

Ophelia: (to Amelie) You made the right choice, after all.

[pikaclan]

Moon 365

Season: Greenleaf

Overarching Events

Mass extinction is toggled on

Ceremonies

Wolfpaw sits beside their new mentor, Fogcrawl, as the meeting comes to a close. Their claws dig into the ground as they glare up at the sky, wondering why Whispering couldn't be there with them at such an important moment

Starlingpaw sits beside their new mentor, Zahra, as the meeting comes to a close. Their claws dig into the ground as they glare up at the sky, wondering why Whispering couldn't be there with them at such an important moment

Hazyseed sits in the crowd, chest puffed out in pride as they watch Scorchpaw be named Scorchbud, and honored for their boldness. They consider themself lucky to have been able to train such an amazing young cat, and look forward to seeing the warrior they become

Misc

Flitchest was seen loudly bickering with the medicine cat of FlightClan

Health

Tumblekick picks themself out of their nest and begins the day anew, a fresh conviction in their heart Shrewdusk overcomes their grief Treestar overcomes their grief Avalanchebeetle caught a cat from another Clan trespassing on their territory and their ear was torn in the ensuing scuffle Cobaltnose's sprain healed Frogcry found a patch of flowering catmint and got stung by a bee Garlicbeam's fleas are gone Riverfish's soreness is gone Galegrowl's soreness is gone Sparrowhollow got heat stroke Wisteriaflare recovered from heat stroke Beamdrizzle is flea-free and their pelt is healed Bluebellknoll is cured from heat stroke but saved Shalenibble from a fox and got hurt Oakstream recovered from heat exhaustion Limethorn fought a rogue and was barely even hurt, only bruised! Wolfpaw got heat exhaustion

Patrols

As the patrol is checking the border lines, they hear the traipse of pawsteps through the territory The patrol follows the noise and comes upon a kittypet. They turn and bristle, hissing at the patrol. Fogcrawl calls out a greeting and engages them into conversation, and ask if they'd like to join PikaClan

Lemon Boy (female) joins the Clan and is intact

The patrol comes across a SplinterClan apprentice, waiting quietly at the border, who begs to join PikaClan Fadedflake is eager to steal a SplinterClan apprentice and Shiveringpaw joins the Clan. He is intact and apprenticed to Frannie

[ahedderick]

Ok. The year was 2016.

My son was trying to do a junior-level woodworking project with some shelves. My father set him up with wood and a couple of tools in the greenhouse. While we were working, someone moved a small board that had been sitting on the greenhouse bench and

ruined a very small mouse nest that had been underneath. The normal thing to do would be try to replace the wood that was moved and wait for the mama mouse to come back and reclaim her (singular) baby. However, we weren't sure we could put that wood back at the exact correct angle so that the mousling wouldn't be squooshed and Grandpa's cat was Right There.

My daughter, who was ten, had some Strong Feelings about the situation and imparted them to me eloquently. Loudly. Unceasingly.

"All right," I conceded, "gather up the Mouse and we'll take her home."

The mouse barely had her eyes open, and would need to be "bottle" fed with an eyedropper.

Back at home K rushed about getting the cage ready, then I had her read the text from the Orphans book and mix the formula. We heated a minute quantity of formula and attempted to install it inside the mouse. No, nothing doing, there was furious whisker cleaning and sneezing and squinchy faces but no actual consumption of formula. Not a surprise, really. I washed the formula off the outside of the mouse, which wun’t easy, neither, and returned it to K for cuddling.

  I suggested the name ‘Maxine.’ Maxine is an inch and a quarter long, sans tail. Everybody with a boxer, bulldog, or pitbull seems to want to name it ‘Max.’ I find some sophomoric humor in owning a mini-Max.   Next morning Maxine had four dropper feedings, and started solid food. Thank heavens she already has her eyes open, this process won’t be very lengthy. K brought her into the kitchen just as I was sitting down to my bowl of oatmeal, so I set one (One!) milky, sweetened oat on my hand. Drama ensued. Maxine wanted the oat, but could not figure how to get it in her mouth. After a great deal of licking, small jumps, and some assistance from her left front paw, she managed to consume. One. Oat.

Whisker hygiene is very important. Oatmeal is not conducive to good whisker hygiene. A lot of post-oatmeal whisker maintenance is necessary. Do not interrupt someone who is cleaning her whiskers. You will get a Dirty Look.

So we settled into a routine. I had 'custody' of Max while the kids were in school. She was one of the most expressive animals I have ever met. It's not that animals can talk, but - some of them let you know so clearly what they want . . . ?

A Play in One Act with Cake:  

Maxine Mouse: A-hem

Me: Er,     what?

MM: It is 11:00, and I noticed that you have tea and cake while I am getting small drops of formula.

Me: Ahh, would . . you like some?

MM: Yes, please.

{small crumb of lemon cake is removed and placed on the table}

MM:  nibble nibble MMMMMMM!!!!  nibble nibble nibble nibble nibble nibble nibble !!

MM: Isn’t sharing nice?!

Me: yyyy-es, yes, very companionable.

MM: Time for a mousenap! I’ll just curl up right here!

Me: That’s my hand. I need my hand. You sleep in your nest.

MM: No! Your hand is warm and cozy! I’ll sleep better right here!

Me: But, I

MM: Wah! I need love and warmth!!

{dramatic scuffle ensues, ending with mouse in mouse nest}

A: Here are your crumbs and fruit. Enjoy!

M: I don’t WANT crumbs and fruit! I want chicken salad!

A: That’s MY lunch; you have appropriate mouse food.

M: (skitters down my arm and starts rapidly eating my sandwich)

A: Oy! You! Vermin! Chicken salad isn’t mouse food!

M: (with her mouth full) I am NOT vermin, I’m a guest. And I want chicken salad!!!

A: Sighs, breaks off a small bit of sandwich

A & M: {Busy munching noises}

Well, anyhow. Mice grow up very quickly. At a certain point, Maxine politely made it clear that she was a big girl, and it was time to say goodbye.

We took her to a field very far from any neighborhood cats, and created a safe 'house' for her. I removed a shovel-full of dirt from the ground underneath a tree, her nestbox went in there, then we set a large flat stone on top so she effectively had a mouse-sized fortress. A dried gourd with a small cache of food and two exits in different directions completed the structure.

When I set her at the opening, she darted inside, then came right back to the entrance. The kids and I watched silently as she darted in and out, learned her way around her 'front yard', and eventually settled in for a wash-up perched in a small shrub. I gave her one last little cheek-scritch, and we said goodbye.

Maximum

Reminder to myself, re-tell the story of Max Mouse later.

[yr-obedt-cicero]

He was going to punch him?? 💀

According to the retelling events of the confrontation at the theater between Eacker, Price, and Hamilton; yes! It's said that Philip (Possibly Price too) was about to assault Eacker before some other folks in the theater lobby stepped between the three to stop them.

Page four of The Salem Gazette, dated; the 4th of December, 1801. Salem, Massachusetts. By Thomas C. Cushing, retells the event;

“He [George I. Eacker] determined to leave the box, and remonstrate with Mr. Hamilton privately in the lobby with his back towards Mister Hamilton and Price, overcome with agitation and shame to be thus treated, he exclaimed "It is too abominable to be publicly insulted by a set of Rascals."—"Who do you damn'd Rascals?" was the immediate enquiry repeated again and again. Mr. Eacker felt anxious to avoid a broil in the Theatre, and observed to the gentlemen, that he lived at No: 50 Wall-street, where he was always found—"Your place of residence has nothing to do with us!" was the reply. Upon this, some person's observing an intention as they supposed to as assault Mr. Eacker, and desires to prevent a disturbance to the Theatre, stepped before the gentlemen, and with difficulty prevented their approaching Mr. Eacker. Mr. Eacker then requested them to make less noise, and proposed retiring to some private place.”

(source)

You can read my transcription of the newspaper here.

Another newspaper, The Historical Magazine and Notes and Queries Concerning the Antiquities, even supports this by claiming;

“which were overheard by Eacker, who asked Hamilton to step into the lobby; Price followed—here the expression damned rascals was used by Eacker to one of them, and a little scuffle ensued;”

(source)

In Philip's defense, one source claims Eacker dragged him out of the box by the collar of his shirt, so I wouldn't blame him for getting infuriated or getting physical;

“This conduct Mr. Eacker resented in a very intemperate manner, collared Mr. Hamilton, called them damned rascals and villains, and said if he did not hear from them, he would treat them as such. Challenges were consequently sent to him by both.”

(source)

[cateringisalie]

Amaranth Cuttings - Chapter 4

Her double told Aeris to find the files she left in Wall Market. Curiosity is a hell of a thing and without Mom admitting anything, Aeris doesn't have many other options. Of course, getting to Wall Market is an ordeal in itself; unlike Sector Five, Sector Six is notorious for lurking monsters.

Aeris headed out a little earlier than normal the next morning. Already tired and the day barely begun; sleep had not come easily last night. Every time she was about to nod off, some distant part of the house conspired to creak.

With each shift of the structure, she tensed up. In the ensuing silence she lifted her head off the pillow and held her breath heart while her heart thundered and she waited for a follow-up noise. Could be a scuffling on the roof; like the monster that saw fit to loiter there three years ago. Or the previously purely hypothetical worse; an intruder - human or monster - moving around downstairs.

Silence. Nothing but the distant roar of the Mako reactor. She held on until at last she was forced to draw breath, the sound explosive in the stillness; too easy for it to conceal a more distant noise. She held her breath again. Nothing.

Aeris closed her eyes and dropped her head back onto the pillow.

Another distant creak; over and over the pattern continued until morning light crept under the upper plate.

"Are you okay?" said Mom as Aeris poured a rarely needed second cup of coffee with breakfast.

Aeris sipped at the coffee flavoured water and willed the caffeine to reduce the build-up of fuzz behind her eyes. "Fine. Just didn't sleep well."

Mom cocked her head to one side in contemplation. "I thought-"

She shook her head. "Just restless. Should sleep well tonight." After a longer than normal walk.

Once out of view of the house, Aeris turned towards the breach in the Sector Five wall. Around her the sector was already bustling, the crowds growing swiftly sparse as she headed sunwise.

Read the rest on Ao3

[adiabolikpastel]

Diabolik Lovers ~ Tormented Reverie ~ Yuuki's Prologue [part 1]

The more I love you,

the more I want to completely devour you.

If we were to become one,

will this thirst, this pain, be cured?

The closer I get, it feels as if

the distance to you keeps getting further.

It is as if you are a hazy mirage at the other end of the desert.

[Lord Ritchter]

☆+ ﾟ .+ .ﾟ.ﾟ｡ ﾟ ｡. +ﾟ ｡ﾟ.ﾟ｡☆｡｡ . ｡ o .｡ﾟ｡.o｡ ｡ .｡

A limousine slowly makes it's way up the graveled drive of a mansion, which looms against the night sky.

Yuuki emerges from the vehicle, it's driver and other occupant shrouded in the darkness. Thunder echoes in the distance, giving warning to an incoming storm.

Yuuki: (This is crazy... with all that just happened...

How can I be expected to stay here? And that man -)

Yuuki attempts to look back at the limo as she walks to the door, but it is no where to be seen.

(What is going on!?

Have I truly been abandoned here?)

Yuuki reluctantly knocks on the door.

Yuuki: ... Hello!!

Is anyone there-?

Yuuki knocks on the door again, after there is no answer.

Yuuki: Hello?

What is going on... it doesn't look like anyone is home.

I don't understand!

Why was I brought here!

-- flashback begins

Yuuki: Mother... who are they?

Mother: Yuuki, stay back!

You cannot take her!

A scuffle ensues with two large men, and Yuuki's mother. It's a blur, and ends abruptly with the sound of a gun firing.

Yuuki: Mom!

In the door way stands a single man, his face smudged out by the smoke of the gunshot.

Mysterious Man: Grab her - the final debt shall be settled tonight.

-- flashback ends

(What am I going to do...?

No one is going to come for me - but if I run...)

Rain starts to drizzle as Yuuki stands alone. She tries the door once more.

Yuuki: Excuse me!

I don't need to stay here but, if I could just get out of the rain.

Maybe there is another entrance?

Yuuki looks about and begins to walk away when the door creeps open.

Yuuki: -eep!

Startled, Yuuki stares at the door. When no one presents on the other side, she slowly opens it more. Welcoming herself into the seemingly deserted mansion.

Yuuki: U-Um...

I-I'm sorry for just coming in but... it started raining - and the door.

Hello...?

A man - I was brought here after my...

Is anyone home?

(Is there really no one here? But the door opened.

This is too creepy!)

Yuuki cautiously makes her way into, what appears to be, a sitting area.

Ahh... This is the worst...

(I wasn't able to grab anything before they took me.

Without a cell phone, I can't even call the police.

This is a kidnapping after all, right?

And what they did to mom too...)

Maybe I can find a phone in here-

Lightening strikes, illuminating the room. What was thought to be vacant, had one occupant. Laying on the far sofa, a body.

Yuuki: Kyaaaa!!

Yuuki screams, fleeing the room. Returning to the foyer, and attempts to leave. The door was closed once more, and bound shut.

Yuuki: No no no!

Let me out please!

I don't want to die!

This is a joke, right!?

I don't wanna be abandoned in a horror house!

???: Such an outburst!

Who is making all this noise?

A voice calls from atop the grand stair case. Yuuki turns, seeing a young man standing at the top. His face a soft glow from a candelabra.

Yuuki: I-I-I...!

???: Honestly, how did you enter this place?

???: What the hell-?

Who's making all that noise?

Can't a guy get any sleep around here?

Another voice nags from the other room. The body from before leans against the wall. As lighting flashes once more, all of the lighting in the mansion springs on as well.

Yuuki: KYAAAAA!

N-No no no no no

This is impossible! Insane!

Just let me go back out in the rain!

Yuuki crouches down, covering her ears and shutting her eyes.

???: Quit all that annoying whining.

Teddy and I just woke-up... Reiji make it stop.

???: Oh-ho~ I had thought that was a girls voice.

I wouldn't mind taking her back to my room, if no one wants to claim her.

As two new voices enter the room, a loud crashing sound echoes to through the sound of the rain. Yuuki looks around, seeing new faces with the other two.

???: This is no way to wake up - would all of you just shut up!

??? Oi!

Quit punching the walls!

I was the first to ask about this human, so I will be answered first.

???: Annoying... shut up both of you or I'll cut you into pieces.

???: So violent~

???: Huh!?

You just try it pipsqueak! You're no older brother of mine!

???: Enough all of you! Even my patients is wearing thin.

No one is 'taking her' until we find out why and how she came to be here.

Yuuki: (This is bad.

Like, really bad, right!?

Who are all of these guys?

What do they think they're going to do to me?)

???: In any case, tell us what brings you here.

-- To Be Continued --

[part two]

[tickle-bugs]

12 for Arrow with Sara tickling Oliver?

12. “I didn’t mean it!”

Please don't send more--ficlet requests are CLOSED!

Cruel Canary

Spoilers for Arrow below!

“He’s ticklish?” Felicity looks between the two of them. “Why did I not know this?”

“I’m not--”

“He likes to pretend he’s tough.” Sara adjusts her position where she’s clamped on Oliver’s back and shoots Felicity a grin over his shoulder.

“No—Sara, get off.” He yanks on her arms and she doesn’t budge.

“Nah, I’ve got a point to prove. Stop lying to your beloved girlfriend—“ She gestures to Felicity— “and maybe then we can talk.”

“I didn’t mean it, alright?” He shoots a nervous glance in Felicity’s direction, and that tells her everything she needs to know.

Oliver lied to her face about being ticklish. Repeatedly. To make matters worse, he gloated about it.

“Yeah? Then why’re you running?” Sara risks falling to get a quick squeeze in in Oliver’s side. He doesn’t flinch, but somehow that reaction isn’t convincing anymore.

“I’m not. You’re heavy. Just trying to get rid of you.” He rolls his eyes. Felicity watches regret pass over Oliver’s face in real time. Sara growls, and, in one very impressive move that she’d really oughta share with the class, takes Oliver down to the ground with her legs.

A scuffle ensues, full of flailing limbs and precise strikes that would worry her if they weren’t highly-trained ninja assassin vigilantes, or whatever.

God, her life is weird.

Oliver comes toppling down to the mat with an oof, Sara perched atop his thighs. Felicity leans over his face with a grin.

“Hi.” She boops his nose.

“Hey.” He returns the gesture with a private smile, and that’s enough for her to completely forget her self-control. She leans down and kisses him, slow and tender, palms flat against his chest. He reaches up to cradle the back of her head, pulling her closer, and she mentally adds ‘upside down kiss’ to the list of strange wonders that Oliver’s brought into her life.

There’s an uncomfortable clacking of teeth, though, when Oliver unexpectedly laughs into her mouth—which, hot—before jerking away. She catches a glimpse of his smile before it dissolves, and it’s like witnessing a shooting star without a wish prepared.

“Oh my god,” Felicity breathes.

“Don’t—“ Oliver leans up on his elbows and stares Sara down. She smirks and spreads her fingers over his knee, scritching in gentle bursts, and Star City’s guardian melts into the floor.

“Y’know, I thought he’d put up more of a fight.” Felicity gives his shoulders a squeeze for emphasis. He makes a sort of offended, squeaky noise of protest.

“Normally, he does,” Sara grins, sliding to pin his calves under her legs, “But his knees have always been the crack in his armor.”

“Sara—“ he tries, grabbing at her hands, but blunt nails fluttering beneath his knee quickly derails his train of thought.

“I feel like I should be taking notes.” Felicity murmurs, shifting to better pillow Oliver’s head in her lap.

“You should,” Sara laughs.

“S-Sahahara!” Oliver holds out placating hands and looks between the two of them.

“Dude, the adults are talking.” Sara rolls her eyes and shoves her hands beneath his arms. He cackles for a moment, genuine and open-mouthed, and Felicity sneaks a picture, for memory’s sake.

“I love you so much.” Felicity pokes his ribs and he chokes on his next bout of laughter, jerking his legs up on instinct. Sara keeps them pinned.

“I lo—“ he breaks hard on another giggle fit— “I love y—“

He’s got a light, breathy sort of laugh—it gets stronger and quieter in waves and she’s really enjoying the tide there. She rarely gets to see Oliver smile—It’s only the private, tight-lipped grins that she’s learned to read during their time together. Now she’s watching him scrunch his whole pinkened face in concentration, so desperately trying to tell her through laughter that he loves her too, and her heart swells.

“I will never forget when we were together—“ Sara pauses so Oliver can finish groaning, because apparently he knows where this is going— “and I had to chase him through a movie theatre just to get a few pokes in.”

“Really?”

“Yeah! We were seeing a movie and I was trying to be cute, y’know. This dork up and ran after I tickled him. Jumped over seats and everything.” She grates her knuckles over his ribs in time with Oliver’s escape attempts.

99.9% of the time, Felicity’s pettier side would rear its ugly-yet-justified head at the mention of Oliver’s romantic past, but with Sara…it’s fine. They’re both happily with someone else. It’s a bonding thing, almost.

“You sound like the Pillsbury Dough Boy.” She pokes his stomach and another bubbly giggle slips out.

“Felicity,” he hisses, grabbing her hands—adorable, that he thinks he can stop her.

“You have no authority over me anymore—I mean, not that you ever did. I can get smiles from you on demand now.” She presses her thumbs into his waistline and he snickers into the heels of his hands.

“Where else is he ticklish?”

“Oh, literally everywhere. I’ll give you a guided tour of my favorite spots.” Sara flips him over easily enough that it’s scary.

“Sara, don’t you dare—“

“Number one,” She says with a flourish, before massaging her thumbs into his lower back, just into the dimples on either side of his spine. Oliver goes boneless, laughter muffled into the training mat, and Felicity can’t help but coo.

“So, no massages, huh?” She bites her lip on a grin. Oliver points a semi-threatening finger at her, but the mirth on his face isn’t helping his long-shattered persona. He makes a grab at Sara’s hands and misses horribly.

“Number twoooo,” Sara sing-songs, reaching back to squeeze at the back of his thigh, and his laughter drops startlingly into second gear. He curls in a little, cradling his torso, and another squeeze sends him slamming back down into the mat.

“Oh my god,” he squeaks—squeaks!—before hiding his face in the crook of his elbow. He tries to crawl away. Sara drags him back by the ankle.

“Number three—“ Sara cackles evilly— “C’mere.” She worms her fingers between his shoulder and his jaw, where he’s scrunching like his life depends on it. Oliver flings himself to the side and squeals, toppling Sara over entirely. She can see the wide-eyed moment of uh-oh cross over his face before he schools his expression into something more neutral.

Felicity’s pretty sure her pupils dilate.

He and Sara enter a staring contest of wills, both feinting at each other, and honestly, Felicity can’t be bothered to care. She yanks him down into her lap by the back of his shirt and immediately flutters her fingers beneath his chin. A flurry of choked laughter bursts from him with ease as he crumples in her arms, trying to avoid the nails avidly hunting for his smile.

Oh, she is so getting revenge for all the times he’s bullied her with his stubble.

He manages to snag her hands a little too quickly for her liking.

“You are going to kill me,” he chuckles, brushing his thumbs over her cheekbones. His eyes dance with light and laughter and it makes him seem so much younger. So carefree.

“Yeah, but like, it’ll be in a sexy way. Have you heard yourself?” She accentuates her point with a kiss to his Adam’s Apple, scraping her teeth a bit, and he yelps into his next giggle fit, desperately scrunching away.

“Gross,” Sara gags, sliding off of her perch. Her work here is done, and she knows it.

“You are so cute,” Felicity groans, collapsing into his chest. It pains her, it really does.

“‘M not cute,” he mumbles, running fingers up and down her spine. She scoffs and tickles up his sides. When he makes another grab for her hands, she leans in to press fluttery kisses just beneath his jaw, and it’s sufficiently—and adorably—debilitating.

“O-Okay, okay—Felicity, c’mon,” he giggles quietly, obviously trying not to flail.

“He’ll snort if you get his hips. Just thought you should know.” Sara winks as she stands.

“Sara!” His face blossoms red.

“Oh, just wait until I tell Barry about this.” Felicity’s only half-joking, but the more she thinks about it, the more she loves the idea.

“No, nope, no you don’t.” Oliver locks an arm around her waist and pulls her to his chest. Whatever facet of him that was apparently only humoring their antics completely dissolves—his hands seek out her ribcage with deadly accuracy.

“S-Sara! Carry on my—ahaha, wait—legacy!” She reaches out a hand towards Sara, dramatic and trembling. Sara gives her a solemn, resolved nod, sticks her tongue out at Oliver, and bolts from the room.

There’s a comfort in watching Sara flee. Her message shall make it to their comrades in Central City. Her noble sacrifice will not be in vain—

Oliver clawing at Felicity’s stomach completely derails her train of dramatic thought. Her world goes upside down as Oliver hoists her onto his shoulder--dear lord--and strolls after Sara.

One of these days, she’ll learn not to get involved in ninja...assassin...vigilante...business. For now, she’ll settle for a free ride and a prime view of Oliver’s glorious backside.

[villain-enthusiast]

henlo! could you write a snippet about a hero who’s like scared of villain after being captured. like when villain threatens them they can barely (if they were even able to) conceal their fear. maybe they break immediately. thanks!!

Hero had only heard the horrid stories of what Villain’s prisoners had to endure in captivity. Or what they could endure, before they broke. Or died.

They never thought they’d become one to experience it.

They sat in the small cell they’d been tossed into a day or so ago, back against the stone wall, wrists in tight shackles that left deep red marks against their skin. Tear marks from their quiet sobs streaked their cheeks, brushing off grime and dirt from their recent scuffle with Villain.

It had been a day or so since they were caught, but they were already flinching at every noise outside their door, cowering at the distant screams down the hallway, shuddering at Villain’s unintelligible murmurs through the walls. They couldn’t block it out, couldn’t ignore it. They curled in on themselves, shivering as they buried their hands in their hair.

A few hours later, the sound of footsteps outside their doorway ensued a nauseating wave of sheer panic.

Please not me. Not today. Please—

All hope drained wholly from their soul when the squeak of rusty hinges filled their ears and the room was suddenly bathed in light.

Hero whimpered, pressing themselves into the corner, too afraid to look up and see Villain’s face. Tears were already spilling from their eyes and their breathing was ragged, choppy. They were going to die here in this hellhole. Villain was going to kill them. They weren’t going to make it back—

“What a sorry sight you are,” Villain’s smooth voice broke through their haze of terror. “The brave Hero reduced to a trembling little ball of patheticness.” They walked closer and fit a cool hand on Hero’s chin and tilted their head up, who in turn flinched so hard at the unexpected touch they nearly whacked their head against the wall.

Villain laughed in disbelief. “Aw, what’s wrong? Scared of me?” They used their free hand to reach into their pocket and bring out a small knife, dangling it in front of Hero mockingly. “Scared of this thing?”

Hero sobbed, unable to form words. They were shivering violently, eyes wide and tearful as they stared up at the face that haunted their dreams.

“Aww.” Villain clicked their tongue, grinning. “How sweet. Too terrified to even talk to me.” They brushed a thumb over their cheek. “That’s all right, dear. After all, screams are so much more lovely than words.”

All Hero could whisper was “Please,” before Villain began to work.

.

part two

[asknarashikari]

Funny minific idea in honor of Shiguru appearing in Senki: Kiramagers meet Zenkaigers. Zox recognizes the handsome actor and goes to flirt with him. How does Juru, Kaito, and Stacey react? (Bonus points for other team members’ reactions)

You do know Juuru’s in the movie too, right? He’s not appearing out of suit, but he’s there as part of the red Sentai contingent. Which means the Zenkaigers can technically meet him along with Shiguru...

“It’s good to meet you guys properly! I’m sorry we weren’t able to talk all that much, but, y’know, end of the world and stuff.” Juuru told his successor brightly.

“Oh, it’s okay, really! I’m glad we got to work together again!” Kaito replied, sharing a tight handshake with the younger man. “We should hang out again real soon!”

“Yeah, we should!”

While the two Sentai leaders were exchanging pleasantries, Zox eyed the blue-clad hero on the other team. Recognition dawned on him as he realized why the man was strikingly familiar to him, albeit he was dressed quite differently than before.

“You...” Zox said, pointing at him. “You were that swordsman that helped Touma. You were with that tree samurai guy and the guy that kept making stupid puns.”

The blue warrior nodded. “If by ‘Touma’ you mean that red Kamen Rider, then yes. I am.”

“Eh? Shiguru, you met this guy during that time?” his red-themed teammate questioned. “No fair... I wasn’t able to meet anyone properly at all!”

“I have to say...” Zox looked him up and down. “I much prefer you like this than in the period getup. Makes you look like the movie star that you are.” Zox winked at him.

Kaito’s jaw dropped and he jumped on Zox as Shiguru’s eyes narrowed in confusion, and Juuru made offended noises. “Zox, what the fuck?! Stop flirting with everyone you meet!” he complained. “Stacey’s gonna kill you when he finds out-”

“Oh, Stacey already knows.” Kaito squeaked as the other man suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and Zox’s eyes widened in horror. “You better get ready to not get any tonight-”

Before Stacey could finish his threat, a blur of red hurled itself on top of Zox with a high-pitched shriek, causing both Stacey and Kaito to step back with surprise. “Stay away from my Shiguru, you shiny bastard!” Juuru screeched.

“Juuru, no!” Shiguru yelled, trying to pull him away from the kouhai.

“ Lemme go! He’s gonna try to steal you from me!” Juuru wailed.

“Wait, you’re this guy’s boyfriend?” Zox asked incredulously, looking between the pair of them.

“Yeah I am!” Juuru shouted as he flailed in Shiguru’s grasp. “Stay away from my Shiguru or I’ll throw hands at you, pirate!”

“Oh, just you try, you shiny pipsqueak!” Zox scoffed at the senpai.

“Zox, no!” Kaito cried, “No fighting the senpai! And no stealing their boyfriends!”

Meanwhile, the rest of the Kiramagers and Zenkaigers looked upon the scene unfolding with exasperation. “They totally forgot the rest of us was still here, didn’t they,” the yellow Kiramager sighed, shaking his head.

“Oh dear, I do hope this doesn’t escalate-” Magine spoke too soon as an scuffle started to ensue. “Well... more than it already has...”