#AAA THE WAY HE POINTED AT SOMEBODY AND SMILED

[lock-my-feelings-in-a-jar]

[ninja-knox-ur-sox-off]

ALRIGHTYYYYY GOOD MORNING EVERYONE AND GOOD DAY! TODAY WE’LL BE REACTING TO

MONKIE KID SEASON 4 EPISODE T W O (2)

Now, I know all the episodes are all out, and I do have access to them, but because I am totally normal about this show I will be watching one ep a week over the next few weeks. I like squeezing every ounce of enjoyment of this show that I can so I shall be pacing myself or else I will lose my mind bG;LKAWMFEW;F

ALRIGHT OFC IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN IT SPOILERS AHEAD, AND IF YOU HAVE, WARNING FOR KNOX ALL CAPS AS ALWAYS BGSDKFMWEF

HERE WE GO

SHOOT WAIT I JUST RECALLED WHAT THE FIRST EP WAS SCREEAAAMS

theme song nothing but good vibes, the best vibes, I’m… v excited for this

.

. . . . . ..

th

;-;

DBK laugh ;-;

hmbgbnk AYO??

OH MY HDDBGLSD;KFMDS

THE

THE OPENENINGDSF

THE WAY TO OPENGLSDKMF THE

AA AAAAAAA

AAAAAAAAAAAAAA

I adore him

You guys I love this guy, look at everybody watching him laughbGLA;KWMEF PLS

(found an animation error, during the first shot monkey king’s tail is yellow and not the usual reddish brown)

SCREAMS ITS A FLASABCKGLS;DKFME

AA AAA

K

SO I KNEW THIS

WAS GONNA HAPPEN I DID

I DID ID DID  ISWEAR

AA

AAAA

aw the fruit n stuff looks so nice, I love the detail of it al being fruit pls

AAAAAAAAAAAA

MACAQUE

*FLIPS TABLE*

HECKING

THE WAY MONKEY KING’S SITTING ON HIS CHAIR PLS

SORRY I HAVENT’ EVEN

GOTTEN PAST THE SECOND SHOT PLS

I NEED TO APPRECIATE EVERYHTING ITS FAMILY DINNER GUYS /J /J /J

ITS THE BACHLOR DINNER

IT FEELS LIKE IT IS DBK MARRIED AT THIS POINT? HECK I DON’T KNOW IT VIEBS LIKE BACHLORS I’M STILL ON THE SAME FRAME SAVE ME NBLA;FKMAWEF

THAT LION FELLA LOOKS SKETCHY TO ME SORRYGBSDFLKMAWEF

B I G  M A N

B I G LADS ON ONE END OF THE TABLE AND SMOLS ON THE OTHER HUH GBSDF;LKAMF

I’M SORRY THE WAY MACAQUE AND WUKONG ARE SITTING P L S

WUKONG LOOKS LIKE HE’S ABOUT TO LEAP OUT OF HIS CHAIR AT ANY SECOND AND MACAQUE LOOKS LIKE A KID VISITING HIS MOM’S FRIENDS HOUSE FOR LUNCH PLS BGS;DFKMAW;OEFMAW;EF M

OKAY OKAY I GOTTA

PUSH PLAY AGAIN THIS

THIS SEASON IS GONNA KILL ME I’M SO READY

I’M OSRRY THIRD SHOT AND IT’S DBK’S SMILE I WILL CRY

BIRD’S LOOKING FUNNY SOMETHIGN ABOUT THAT POSE IS GETTING ME BGS;LKFMAWEF

TELL THEM WHAT YOUS AID NEXT HE’S LOOKING AT MONKEY KING PLS IS HE TELLING STORIES, PLS PLS GBDSL;FKMAWEF

.

you guys i’m going to cry the foot stomp ON THE TABLE, I ADORE THIS MONKEY Y’ALL I’M GONNA BGSLD;KFMAWOEI;FMAEF PLS, HE’S SO!!! AAAAA kay kay kay kay kay I HAD TO PAUSE ON THE TWANG OF THE MUSIC THERE BECAUISE PLS BGSA;DFKMAWE

hmbgdndlmf monke ;-;

HIS VOICE

THE BIG OL INHALE

YOU CAD

PLS HOW INVESTED AND THRILLED AND EXCITED DBK LOOKS

ELEPHANT MANS LOOKS PRETTY AMUSED TOO

MACAQUE DOES NOT BGS;LDFKMAWEF PLS

WHAT’S THE BIRDS NAME?? I’M SURE I’VE HEARD IT FROM SOMEBODY PENG??? OR SOMETHIG?? OKAY WELL BIRD FELLA LOOKING DOUBTFUL AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THIS STORY IS ACCURATEBGL;SAKMFAWEF

get urself a bro who looks at you like Dbk looks at Wukong fellas ;-;7

PLS

PLS WAIT THEY’RE ALL LOSING IT LAUGHING

PLS THEY’RE ALL LIKE TEARS IN THEIR EYES LAUGHING (no sign of macaque, its okay we know it’s cause he’s short /j /J /J I’M /J PLS BG;LSKFMA)

THE SWEEP THINGGBDLKMFAWE

GREAT SAGE EQUAL TO HEAVEEEEN

I AM

GOING TO CRY

I WILL CRY

MONKEY KING OUT

BANANA DROP

HIS FACE

THE THREE OF THEM LOSING IT LAUGHING

y’all young dbk actually has my soul this man is so boisterous LIKE FATHER LIKE SON I’M JUST SAYINGNSLD;FKMAEWF

Red son had to get his screeching from somewhere his mom doesn’t really talk that loudbG;LKAMWEF

SORRY OKAY YES YES, I AM ;-; this season is gonna destroy me i just know it bG;LKMAWEF

PLS I’M ONLY 54 SECONDS IN

.

I’m sorry elephant man you can keep taking in a second

Macaque.

Why

are you making

that face.

sir.

stop.

what is that

cEASE

OKAY LOOKING AWAY FROM MACAQUE MOMENT WHY IS HE SMILING QUIETLY LIKE I’LL THROW HIM INTO THE SUN

WE ARE MOVING ON LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AND PERSONS

BACK TO THE ELEPHANT MAN who has some nice eye markings, pink eyes? excellent work yes correct

pls

I need a second

I’m actually tearing up

“well i’m paraphrasing but- they’re calling it THE HAVOC IN HEAVEN” *HEAVY GUITAR MUSIC*

I’M IN PIECES

EXCELLENT VOICE ACTING FOR THAT HAVOC IN HEAVEN LINE SPICIFICALLY

I’M

I WILL CRYBGDFLKAMOE YOU GUYS I’M NORMAL ABOUT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE CAHRACTERS ALREADY AS YOU CAN SEE

i am curious as to why the lion hasn’t spoken yet tho ig we’re only a minute in…I’MA JSUT PUSH PLAY AGAINGNSDL;KMFWE

BIRD

HITS HIM WITH  A CHAIR

i dunno why i just felt like it

MACAQUE THEME GBSDFKLAWEF

BRUH REALLY SPEAKKING

I DON’T KNWO WHY I WASN’T EXPECTNG THAT LEAVE ME ALONE I’M STILL THINKING ABOUT DBK LAUGHING SO MUCH

THE STARTLED LOOK FROM MACAQUE

WUKONG

WUKONG PLS BGSD;LKFMAWEF

MANS FR JUST LAYING ON THE TABLE

LOVE THIS GUY

i am gonna be here for so much longer than an hour aren’t i

WAILS LOUDLY

“CORRECTION!! WEEEEEE’RE GOING THROUGH WITH THIS”

LIKE ALWAYS

TWO MONKEY BROS GETTING INTO SOME CHEEKY MISCHIEF

THE WAY THAT LINE IS DELIVERED

THE GIGGLE AS HE SINKS OUT OF SCREEN THAT FACE IS HORRIFYING PLS BGSL;FKMWE

MACAQUE’S FACE THE WHOEL TIME I’M GONNGBDSFLKMAOIWEFM

PLS

MACAQUE BEING WORRIED

SCRREAAAAMS

SO WE’VE GOT

I SEE THE APPROACH THEY’RE TAKING OKAY

MACAQUE BEING THE ONLY SANE ONE HERE OKAYGBSDLFKMAWEFO;

NOPE YUP THEN WUKONG

YUP

THERE HE IS

I too lose braincells when surrounded by best bros :pensive_emoji:

PLS ITS THE FACT

HE’S DOING IT RIGHT IN FRONT OF DBK

BECAUSE OFC HE WILL DBK LAUGHS THE HARDEST

Y’ALL WUKONG JUST SEEMS TO REALLY LOVE MAKING HIS FRIENDS LAUGH I’M GONNA CRY

WHEEZING

OH OKAY

COWARDLY

IS THAT WHAT WE’RE CALLING SANITY THESE DAYS- /J /J

AWWW BIG BRAVADO BUNCH

again have you met a group full of 20 year old bros agreeing to do something ridiculous? yeah, the more of them there are the less braincells there will be and that is the vibe BGA;LKWMEFW THEY’RE JUST HYPING EACH OTHER UP PLS GBSDL;KFMAWEF  THIS IS SUCH A BAD THING TO HYPE UP BUT YOU KNOW WHAT GO OFF MY GUYS BGSD;FLKMWE

HMHM

AN UNEXPECTED TURN NGL

LION LAD HUH

BIG??

DBK SIR I THOUGHT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT MAN IS WAY SMALLER THAN YOUGBFG;ALKMFWE

the animation on DBK there tho 10/10

OH BRUH THEY ALL HYPING OVERTHROWING HEAVEN FR HUH??

INTERESTING APPROACH MONKIE KID, INTERESTING APPROACH

oh that voice actor tho

SHUT UUUUUP

SHUT UP WHAT IS THAT SPEECH

WHY IS HE LOOKING AT HIM LIKE THAT

FIRST OF ALL

I DON’T TRUST LIKE THAT

NO OFFENCE BUT ANYONE WHO HYPES UP MONKEY KING SPICIFICALLY GIVING HIM CREDIT LIKE THAT IS AUTOMATICALLY SUS IN MY EEYS BECAUSE NOBODY DOES THAT SO WHAT DOES HE WANT AND DOES HE JSUT WANT WUKONG TO TAKE THE FALL AND BE AT THE HEALM SO HE GETS THE BRUNT OF THE CONSEQUENCES

I’M SORRYYY I’M SUS OF THIS MAAAAN

THIS FEELS LIKE WHEN MACAQUE FIRST SHOWED UP

I’M SORRY IF I’M WRONG SIR YOU SEEM TOO BASHFUL AND GNEUINE TO BE TRUE

SUS

S U S

SUUUUUUSSSS

NOTHIGN BUT SUS

THIS MAN’S VIBES ARE OFF

HE SUS

I’VE WATCHED TOO MANY THINGS TO TRUST THIS LIEK THAT

I CAN’T EVEN CRY OVER THE FACT HE’S HYPING UP EVERYONE INTO SUPPORTING MONKEY KING LIKE THAT BECAUSE I’M TOO BUSY BEING SUSPICIOUS OF HIM PLSSSSS

them teef tho 10/10

THE IMMEDEATE AGREEMENT UHUH HOW HAPPY SWK LOOKS

I’M TELLING YOU GUYS THE LIONS SUS EVERYONE’S LAUGHING AND HIS EYES ARE ALL SHADOWED, HE’S AT THE END OF THE TABLE THAT LOOSK LIEK THERE’S LESS LIGHT I’M TELLING YOU MAN ITS HIM HE’S THE BAD GUY HERE I’MGBSD;LKFMAWEF

if i’m wrong dear lion i am so sorryHGSJDFKJL

HE SEEMS LIEK THE GUY TO HYPE BAD IDEAS AND PUT OTHER PEOPLE IN THE FRONT TELLING IT LIKE GIVING HTEM CREDIT WHEN IT’S REALLY TO SAVE HIS OWN SKIN AND MAKE OTHERS TAKE THE CONSEQUENCES

SU S

MACAQUE LOOKING SO ANNOYED BY THIS ANGY MONKEY MOMENT >:(

AND WUKONG NOTICING AND GOING DONT’ WORRY ABBOOUTTTT ITTTTTT

BUD

CALLED EM BUD EVEN BACK THEN

YOU KNOW THIS EXPLAINS MACAQUE’S SUPER MOCKING “BUD” WHEN WUKONG SHOWS UP TO SAVE MK IN THE MACAQUE EPISODE IT SURE DOES HIT HECK I’M GONN AHAVE TO GO BACK AND RE-WATCH ALL MACAQUE’S EPISODES AGAIN BECAUSE I GET THE FEELING STUFF WILL HIT HARDER AFTER THIS SEASON  

INHALES

WUKONG FR

BRUH FR

LIKE WE ALWAYS WANTED WHY AM I TAKING EMOTINAL DAMAGE FROM THIS

MACAQUES FACE

HE FR WANTS NOTHING MORE THAN TO DO JUST THAT

JUST CHILL AND VIBE WITH HIS FRIEND

SHAKES EVERYOEN AT THE TABLE

SCREAMS

WHATEVER YOU SAY WUKONG

dang tho the lion is actually pretty big i can see it in this last shot here Wukong and mac be TINY

THEY MONKEY UR HONOUR

HECK OKAY

WE’RE THREE MINUTES IN PLS BGS,;FKMAWEF

I’M GONNA BE HERE FOR SO LONG AREN’T I HECK BGSDKL;FME

NGL MAYBE BECAUSE I JUST MET THE OTHER THREE, BUT THE TRIO I CARE ABOTU THE MOST IS JUST MAC DBK AND WUKONG AND IF I HAD TO PICK A DUO I CARED ABOUT MOST I KNOW WE JUST GOT SOME INSANE WUKONG AND MACAQUE BUDS MOMENT BUT DBK AND WUKONG BRO-SHIP IS EVERYTHIGN TO ME RN Dbk edgy teen supporting his bro talking back to the principle fr bGL;KWMFEOWM

AA I’M JUST

SHAKES YOU

THEM

AAAAAA

THE WHOLE GROUP

THEYR’E SO

THEY ARE SO

ELEPHENT GUY’S VIBES ARE OKAY

BIRD IS… NOT THE BEST VIBES BUT LION IS BY FAR THE MOST SUS

ALL HE’S SAID IS THAT

AND OTHER THAN THAT HE’S JSUT SITTING THERE RESERVED

SUS

MEGA SUS

FR I’M CALLING IT NOW HE’S THE SEASONS VILLIAN

IF THAT’S HOW THIS WORKS

IF I’M WRONG I WILL GLADLY ACCPET IT

oh man the transition to

broken chairs

nobody even came to clean it up or take it away ;-;

SCREAAAMS

TAAAANGGGGG

TANG BUDDY

MAH MAN

MY DUDE

MATE

THE DRAMATIC MUSIC RIGHT MONKEY KING HAS BEEN DRAGGED INTO THE ABYSS OF INK AND YES GBSDF;LKMAW;EOF

dbk looking fly as always so true

THE SPLASHING INK ON THE BGSD;KLFMAWEF

YEAH

THEY LOOK HORRIFYING INK

SOMETHING ABOUT NEZHA AS INK SPICIFICALLY IS DESTROYING ME

I’m sorry I’d like to shake the hand of whoever drew Mei in this frame here 3:24 she’s gorgeous

You guys

you guys

I love

the whole crew

sm

hyping Tang i love them

Tang glowing oh so v proud about his powers AS YOU SHOUDL BE OLD MAN YOU’RE DOING AMAZING

but guys

PIGSY

PIGSY ABSOLUTE BELOVED

THE ULTIMATE DAD OF ALL TIME

ch

CHEEKY LI’LL ADVENTURE

YEAH AHAHA

TOTALLY KID

TOTALLY

YES

TAHT’LL BE

WHAT THIS IS :’D I CAN ALREADY TELL  |;A;/ (oh this is gonna devastate me oh maaaan)

MK

TRYING DESPERATELY TO REMAIN POSITIVE

LAD

MY DEAR LAD

MY DEAR DEAR DEAREST WONDERFUL LAD

YOU NEED THERAPY SO BADLY

SHORT SPRINT

THE

SWEAT AND THE HANDS IN POCKETS AND LINES AT THE EDGE OF HIS EYES, EYEBAGS,  SIR IS

NOT OKAY

YA’LL PLS HE’S NOT OKAY

MAN

its the way mei comes over and then pulls him to look away from the crew so its just the two of them and less pressure on him and AAAAA SHE’S CHECKING IN SO MUCH THIS SEASON TO ASK HIM IF HE’S OKAY

I MEAN WE’RE ONLY TWO EPISODES IN AND SHE’S ASKED IN BOTH OF THEM

MK PLS

SHE’S WORRIED ABOUT YOUUUUUUU |;A;/

“YUP”

NO YOU AREN’T LAD BG;LSDKMFAWOEF

AND MEI KNOS IT TOO

MAN THAT SPEED

OH HOW WE’LL LAUGH

PIGSY

GET YOUR SON THERAPY

I BEG OF YOU

YEAH YOU KNOW SOMETHINGS UP

WHERE’D THE INK DEMONS GO

DANG IT I NEED TO FOCUS MORE ON THE PLOT I’M SO BUSY SCREAMING ABOUT THE CHARACTERS I KEEP FORGETTING ABOUT THE PLOT I WANT MY MONKEY BACK

MEI YOU’RE SO RIGHT HOARDER

NOT AGAINGBS;LKFMAW;FEOIMAFAAHG;AKWLEMF

AHBGBSDF;KAMNGOIEHG;OIAWFABWFAW;FMNAW;FGMA;WGBAWFM;AWKEMFA;OIWEFNM

H

HAGNNGBNGMKSDF

HANG ON

HANG ONGSFFNAWL;KEMFAW

FR

FRBGS;KLM;AGOANMWE F

F R

I’M

PLS

PLS YOUI DON’T UNDERSTAND I ACTUALLY STARTED LAUGHIGN PLS BGSLKFME

THEY ACTUALLY

I WASN’T EXPECTING THAT

HE OPENED IT THBGBSDKFMWE

BACK UP

MK MIRRORING MONKEY KING

SANDY MIRORRING MK

PLS

INKS COMING BACK OUT

WELL, RIP

LETS SEE WHAT HAPPENS

you know it’d be comical if it just got sucked back in instantly and nothing happened

I doubt that’ll be it but i’m just saying it’d be funny comedy haha moment bG;LKAMWEF because it already got monkey king so

ANWYAY MAYBE WE’LL LOSE SANDY TOO HECK WAIT ARE WE LOSING SANDY HOLD UP

JUST THROWS TANG

HELPGNSDLKAMSD

THEY’RE GIVING THEM TEETH INDIVIDIUAL TEETH SO MUCH IN THIS SEASON PLS BGS;LKDFMA;WEF

I’M LOSING IT OVER THIS EXPRESSION

nice hair tho Tang

GIVE US OUR MYSTIC MONKEY BACK

DARN RIGHT

ILY TANG

MR. TANG

GIME A MINTUBEKGMS;KFMWE

TRIPITAKA

|;A;/

PIGSY’S FACE

OH THEY LOSE

THE PARENTALS

SCREAMS

SCREAMS SCREAMS

OH ITS THE

CREWGBS;DLKFMAWE

AAAAAA

YOU GUYS IU’MS SCREMAGINSDF

I’M SCREAMING

something about knowing all those echoing words and the people looming over them is from Wukongs memories possibly that’s

that’s something alright

THE GROUP GETTING SNATCHED BY THEMSELVES THO THAT’S SOMETHING

MEI SNATCHED BY MK

I HEARD THE WORD “WEAK” THIS TIME AND HEARD NOTHIGN ELSE

it would be interesting if it switched to theirs tho i’M SORRY I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO THINK ANYMORE I’M JUST SCREAMINGSDFLKMWEF

ARE THEY GONNA GO INTO THE SCROLL LATER AND THE PARENTALS ARE ALL LIKE, THE PAST VERSIONS OF THEMSELVES AND THEY HAVE TO TRIGGER MEMORIES TO GET THEM BACK OR ARE THEY GOING OT BE HAGNGING OUT WITHTHEIR PAST SELVES EITHER WAY I WILL CRY

NOOOOOOOOOOO

MK

TRUAMA

MK SO TRUAMA

MK IS

SO TRUAMA

JUST LOS TALL HIS MENTORS AND PARENTALS IN A DAY AND HE IS NOT OKAGSA;DLKFMAW;EFWAF

SCREAMSNGSA;LKFM

HANGNGNSDF

HANG ON

HANG ON I NEED A SECOND I NEED A SECON DI NENGNDLKFMDF

I NEED

A SECOND I CAN BARELY TYPE GIMME A MINUTE SHUT THE HECK UP

LION

THAT MAN IS HUGE

I LITERALLY PAUSED ON WHEN HE’S WAKLING PAST MK SIR’S MASSIVE THE HECK

WHY’S HE SO B I G  

i mean i know DBK is bigger but somehow this lion guy just feels huge

I’M FEELING FOR MK THO LIKE DANG

ALSO THIS LION GUY IS SUS AS HECK WHAT’S HE DOING HERE

I KNOW HE JUST SAVED THEM BUT I DON’T TRUST LIKE THAT

THE CAPE

SLITS IN THE SHOES FOR CLAWS PROBABLY

LOOK AT THEM PAWS

i can tell the fandom has probably been normal about this guy

yeah okay sunshine i wouldn’t trust you with a roll of toilet paper

FAIR THO MEI THAT IS B I G SWORD

I WANT THATBGSDFKL;MAO;WIEF

MEI PLS

THIS SEASON SEEMS TO WANT TO DO REALLY DETAILED EYES AND TEETH HUHGL;SDKFAWE

HUH

HUH

OKAY SO

HMHMHM

IS IT

HECK

WHAT IS IT

WHAT DOES IT MEEEAAANNN

DO THYE SEE WHO WOULD HURT THE MOST??

ARE THEY SAYING THINGS THEY SAID TO WUKONG OR DO THEY SAY STUFF THAT WAS SAID TO THE PERSON THEY’RE LUNGING FOR Y’KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

WUKONG WHY DO YOU HAVE THIS IN YOUR HOUSE

IS THE LIONS FACE JUST THAT BECAUSE THOSE ARE HIS BROS??

GENUINELY I DON’T TRUST THIS DUDE I KNOW HE LOOKS A LITTLE CRUSHED BUT AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

HOOOOO

NAW THO LETS FREAKING GO??

THAT VIBE???

SWORD SWISHING???

SWINGING??

CALM?? AYO??? SIR??

THAT’S NICE

WOW SEEMS LIKE

YOU KNOW WHAT’S UP

SUS

HELP

HELPGNSD;LFMKAWEF

PLS

I’MGNSDLKFMSD

CHOKINGNSLDKMS

THEY JUST

HELPGNSDKFMAWOEF

YOU KNOW WHAT FAIR EVERYBODY NEW SEEMS TO ATTACK THEM

VERY FAIR

THEY JUST START KICKING HIM IN THE BACK PLS BGS;LKFMAW;OEIFM

HE JUST SAVED YOU GUYSGBSD;FLKAMEW F

THEY ARE SO VALID THO PLSGB;SLDKMF

“NO YOU HAND OVER THE SCROLL” as he’s pointing with the scroll

“we’ve got the scroll”

YOUR HONOUR

I ADORE THEM

WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL

NOW FREE OUR FRIENDS AND WE WON’T HAVE TO GET P H Y S I C A L

PLS BG;LSDKMFAO;WEF

THEY MEAN EVERYTHIGN TO ME BGS;LKFAMWEF

PLS GS;FSAJDFL

“you expect me to believe”

“YUPWE DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT THIS FRIEND NAPPER IS” LOOKING SO PROUD ABOUT IT PLS BGSD;KFMA;WEF

SIX MINUTES AND THIRTY SECONDS IN I’VE BEEN HERE FOR AN HOUR ALREADGSD;LFKAMWEF WE’RE ONLY HALF DONE HECKGNLD;KFMWE

i love them

HECKING

SUS

KICK HIM

SCREAMS

WHY DO YOU KNOW THEM

FIGHT ME

HE SEEMS FRIENDLY BUT I DON’T TRUST HIIM

I LIKE HIM THO

THIS IS LIKE MACAQUE ALL OVER AGAIN CHARISMA AND RANCID VIBES

PLS

THE DRAMA

THE INTRO

YEAH BUDDY THEY DON’T KNOW YOUGBSDF;LKAMSDF

voice actor doing amazing

THE UDNERWORLD

I KNEW IT

WHEEZINGNS;DLKFMWE

YOU MIGHT HAVE

HEARD OF DBK

SOBS LOUDLY GOT A HABIT OF KEEPING PEOPLE ARMS LENGTH

YEAH SO HIM LAUGING AND DANCING ON THE TABLE AND MAKING HIS BROS LAUGH WAS ARMS LENGTH  HUH

S U S

I DON’T TRUST LIKE THAT

MISTAKES WERE MADE WE WERE YOUNG

SIR I WOULDN’T TRUST YOU WITH MY DEODORANT LET ALONE THESE KIDS YOU’RE NOTHING BUT SUS

PLS

GRABS HIS FREAKING MANE AND PULLS HIM THE HECK DOWNGBS;LDFKMAWE

MEI PLS YOU JUST MET THIS MAN

SHE HAS NO CONCEPT OF PERSONAL SPACE I ADORE HER

SWORN UNCLE

MEI I’M NOT SURE

IT WORKS LIKE THAT

WELL I MEAN IT KINDA DOES

WHAT I MEAN IS IT DOES SORTA WORK LIKE THAT BUT ALSO USED TO IS A THING HTAT WAS SAID AND ALSO HE’S SUS AND YOU JUST MET PLEEEAAASEEEE

h

hey mei you know that

monkey king’s not

actually my dad right

PLS

PLS I’M BGL;SKDFMAWEF

SO

I’M

THAT LINE IS ACTUALLY

THROWING ME INTO THE WALL

PLS

MEI ASSIGNED MONEKY KING MK’S DAD FR

SO TRUE GIRL

DW MK WE ALL KNWO IT’S TRUE YOU’VE GOT FATHER FIGURES TO SPARE

SENTIMENTAL AHA

AHA

CALLED IT

MEMORIES OF JOURNEY TO THE WEST, SPICIFICALLY HIS MEMORIES I CALLED IT I MOTHERFREAKING CALLED IT YOU HEARD IT HERE

YEEAAHHHHBOIIIIIIIIIIII

MK’S STOKED

UDNERSTANDABLE

AAAAAAA

YEAH

INTERESTING

A H ??

OH

AHA

YEAH?

Y

YOU DON’T SAY

YOU DON’T SAY

SCROLL TO IMPRISOIN WICKED SOULS IN THEIR PAST MISTAKES LIVING THEM OVER AND OVER AGAIN HUH

YOU DON’T SAY

sO WHO’S ALL IN THERE HUH

I MEAN OBV OUR CREW

BUT DANG

WHY WOULD YOU MAKE A SCROLL LIKE THAT

WAILS

WAILS LOUDLY

too LATE

FISTFIGHT ME

WE’D RISK IT FOR SURE

SO FREAKING TRUE

THAT’S CAP

CAP

CALLING CAP

MEANT EVERYHTING

I’M CALLING CAP

YOU’RE FULL OF CRAP

if not dang that’s p normal of you sir- *GETS HIT BY A CHAIR*

LOOK IF HE’S GENUINE I JUST THINK BROS ARE COOL AND DEDICATED FRIENDS ARE NEAT AND MAYBE QPR’S ARE FIRE, IF HE’S THE JERK I THINK HE IS I TAKE IT BACK BUT I’M JUST SAYING IT MIGHT BE NEAT TO THINK ABOUT GIVEN HOW HE WAS LOOKING AT MONKEY KING IN THE FLASHBACK him and macaque my gosh pull yourselves together, its okay everybody’s a little in love with monkey king platonically and otherwise likely pats pats //J /J /J …/hj I’M KIDDIIINGGGGGGGBGSD;FKMAWEOIFM

MOVING ON

OKAY LOOK MAN HE’S SUS

IF HE’S GENUYINE I WILL RE-WATCH THIS AND CRY BECAUSE THAT’S ALL I WANT TO HEAR ABOUT PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT MONKEY KING BUT THAT’S WHY I’M SO SUS BECAUSE NOBODY SAAAAYYSS THAAAAAAAT NOBDOY NOT ANYONE SO IF YOU ARE IT’S HECKA SUSSSSSSS

I DON’T KNWO WHY HE’S HELPING THEM BUT HE’S HECKA SUSSSS maybe he’s genuine and just shows a selfish side later and blames everybody else for his problems *COUGHS MACAQUE* /j /j i love macaque he’s doing amazing sir really was buddies with monkey king ;-;7

BIG BANG BOOM

sCREEEAAMSSSSS

HYPE MUSIC

HOLY THIS MUSIC

SUS

NO TRUST

KICKS YOU

SUPPORTIVE BFF HAND HOLD

UNCY LION

THAT FELT LIKE A YOU CAN DO ANYTHING MONKEY KING SPEECH PLS BGSD;LFMKAOWE

I DON’T TRUST THIS MAAAAAAAN

WELP THEY’RE IN

HERE WE GO

HECK

AAAA AAAAAA

OH MY GODS HERE WE GO

CHILLS

CHILLS CHILSL\SLSDKFNAN;IOEFMA;WEF;IOAMFSLKFM A

AHAAAAA AAAAA

AHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA

SCREAMS

OH MAN

THAT TOOK ME LIKE AN HOUR AND A HALF TO GET THROUGH AND NI HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO REGRETS THERE WAS SO MUCH I HAVEN’T EVEN PROCESSED YET LION IS SO SUS, BUT ALSO I WANT SO DESPERATELY FOR HIM TO BE GENUINE AND MK GETS ANOTHER FREE PARENTAL UNCLE FIGURE HE CAN HIGH FIVE SANDY PLS IF MONKEY KING COULD HAVE A SUPPORTIVE BRO AGAIN I’D CRY BUT I DON’T TRUST HIIIIMMMMMMMMM AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Mei and Mk’s friendship continues to mean everything to me I adore them i want them to be happy, Mk is NOT okay, and Mei won’t push but keeps checking in and supporting and MK KEEPS TAKING EVERYTHING ON HIMSELF AND AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

why make a scroll that can take over everything just to punish some people y’know? seems like a p stupid move ngl smh

okay well, that was fun, I can… tell this season is going to be the death of me i am

oh boy am i gonna be destroyed this already is just M A N, LIKE HECK

alright, well, thanks for dropping by, good to have you here, tune in next week when i scream about the next episode for another hour as I slowly pause and unpause and make my way through it and scream more about bro’s and friends and PIGSY I MISS YOUUUU MONKEY KIIINGGGG  PUNISH BY TRAPPING THEM IN A LOOP OF THEIR OWN PAST MEMORIES OF THEIR MISTAKES YEAH OKAY MONKEY KING HAS A LOT OF THOSE I’M SURE HE’LL BE FINE I WANT HIM TO BE FINE BUT I ALSO HOPE HE COMES OUT OF IT NOT AT ALL OKAY DESPERATELY WANT TO SEE THAT SOLEY SO HE CAN GET SOME COMFORT SCREEAAAMSS

gotta wonder if the scroll is like, Mk and Mei know they’re in a new place, do the others? and since it’s jttw scroll the crew is probably imprisioned in their jttw memories spicifically. it wasn’t super truamtic to switch to new place ngl seemed p cool and chill all things considered SO I’M GONNA ASSUME NOBODY ACTUALLY KONWS THEY’RE IN THEIR MEMORIES AND THEY JSUT THINK THEY’RE LIVING WHAT HORRORS ARE THEY ALL GOING THROUGH OR WILL THEY BE SIMPLY COMEDY MAYBE THEY’LL GET PIGSY ABCK BY SHOWING HIM HIS LOVE OF COOKING? HECK IF I KNOW I WANT DADSY BACK SO BAD I WANT MONKEY AND TANG AND SANDY AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

okay i’m normal good day see you next week for another one of these thanks for reading till the end you’re just as insane as I am KNOX OUUUUUT

[painted-piggy-ships-archive]

too tired to think of a title aaa

Jack Torrance x Renwick O’Regan

Word Count: 870

Tag List: @heavenshipped @the-schizotypal-cryptid @fangedwife @ghostlyvenus-selfships @cherry-bomb-ships

Summary: Rewrite of Jack’s interview with Ullman, ft. newest s/i Renwick, a descendant of the founder of The Overlook.

Warnings: Murder/s*icide mention (Grady), brief mention of Jack’s past with drinking and allusion to something Bad™ happening to get him fired from a teaching job (Taken from the book as the film doesn’t go into detail), mentions of Jack and Wendy divorcing (though for the betterment of both parties).

REBLOGS > COMMENTS > LIKES

“Can I help you?”

“Hello, yes, I’m Jack Torrance, I’m here for the interview?”

“Oh, yes, Mr. Ullman’s office is just down the way and to the left.”

“Thank you.”

Jack Torrance was a man of pride and seriousness, wrapped in a pretty bow of cheap cologne and sly charisma. A few months ago, he officially divorced from his wife, and years before that he swore off drinking. He felt he was getting along fine, even if his favorite activity, writing, felt more like a burden than a passion, now… that’s why he wanted this job, taking care of a hotel during the winter, why surely that’d spark something in him, right? If anything, he could write about the experience itself.

“Ah, you must be Jack,” Stuart Ullman, the current manager of the hotel, stood and greeted, offering his hand.

“Pleasure to meet you, sir.” Jack shook Ullman’s hand firmly and smiled, like many interviews before.

Ullman introduced his secretary and sent her to fetch himself and Jack some coffee. They spoke on Jack’s past jobs, his family… he was grateful Ullman didn’t bring up why he quit teaching; or rather, why he was fired.

“Did the folks in Denver tell you what happened up here in the winter of 1970?” Ullman asked.

“Only briefly.”

“I don’t typically like to mention it, as it can throw people off from the job… but it’s only fair they know. I wasn’t working this position at the time, but the manager that was hired a man named Delbert Grady as the winter caretaker. It was Grady, his wife, and his two daughters, about eight and ten. Things were going fine, but after a while… Grady must’ve suffered some sort of mental break and killed his family… with an axe. He stacked them neatly in their apartment and then put both barrels of a shotgun into his mouth. Authorities called it ‘cabin fever,’ a sort of claustrophobic reaction somebody can have when they’re locked in with other people for a long time.”

“That’s very unfortunate to hear.”

“Sad but true. You seem prepared to take on this place alone, though.”

Jack nodded. “I don’t see why not. Just heating and clearing snow, right?”

Ullman looked hard at Jack for a moment before tearing his gaze away. “I’ll hire you on one condition.”

“Yes, sir?”

“You work with Renwick O’Regan, I’ll call him in so you can meet him. There’s a chance he’s related to the founder of The Overlook, but there’s not enough evidence to turn the property over to him. He knows the ins and outs of this hotel like the back of his hand, though. I just think it’d be helpful for you if he tagged along, just in case something goes wrong and you can’t reach me.”

Jack mulled it over. It was a snag in his plans, sure, but maybe it would be good to have someone so skilled by his side…

“Alright. Bring him in.”

Ullman called on his secretary again, asking her to send Renwick down. Time passed, to the point Ullman was impatiently checking his watch.

“Sorry I took so long, Stu, I was way on the other side. What did you need?” Renwick asked as he appeared in the doorway, slightly breathless from his jog over. He then noticed Jack. “Oh, hello, are you in an interview right now?? Renwick,” he offered his hand and Jack stood to shake it.

“Jack Torrance.”

Good handshake… focus, Renwick!

“Yes, we are in the middle of an interview. Renwick, I want to hire Mr. Torrance for the winter caretaking job, but I wanted him to meet you first… he’ll be here alone, as he’s divorced.”

“Ah, I’m sorry to hear that…”

Jack shook his head. “It was for the best.”

“Anyway, what does that have to do with me?”

“If I hire him, I want you to work alongside him. You’re likely our top worker, based on familiarity and knowledge of the hotel. That way, if anything goes wrong; something breaks, Mr. Torrance somehow runs out of supplies, etc, he’ll have you to fall back on.”

“That makes sense.”

“More coffee, Mr. Ullman?” The secretary popped her head in and asked.

“Yes, let’s. Then you and Mr. Torrance can get to know each other a bit better.”

~~~

Renwick found Jack wholly fascinating, and Jack was amused by Renwick’s starry-eyed nature and comfort within the hotel walls. He’d swear Renwick was raised there, and he surely wouldn’t be surprised if it came out that Renwick was somehow related to The Overlook’s founder.

"So, how are we feeling about working with each other?" Ullman asked further into the conversation.

"I think we could do well together." Jack concluded with a subtly flirtatious grin for Renwick.

"I agree."

"Settled, then. Welcome to The Overlook, Mr. Torrance." Ullman and Jack stood, shaking hands again.

"I'll see you in a few months," Renwick smiled and stood as well.

"Indeed." Jack went back to his car with a new, slight pep in his step. Though they had just met, something about Renwick made Jack feel… good. Time would only tell, of course, but he didn't even consider the possibility that he was attracted to him.

[fireflyhwufanficwriter]

My thoughts on Dr. Stone’s S02E03 (“Call from the Dead”)

My thoughts after watching Season Two, Episode Three:

01. Taiju and Yuzuriha have different types of shoes – that’s a nice detail 😊

02. Leave it to Yuzuriha the arts and crafts club member to notice a detail like the dirt around the grave being different!

03. Day after day… I wasn’t expecting them to visit the grave THAT often. I like that they used the same phrase (“mainichi mainichi”) as last time – in Season One, Senku used it to describe Kohaku’s dedication to her sister, and now in Season Two, Nikki used it to describe Taiju and Yuzuriha’s dedication to their friend 😊

04. I liked Kohaku and Ginro’s excitement at hearing Taiju’s voice. This is the first time they’ve heard an outsider who they knew right away wasn’t an enemy! (Well, second time for Kohaku, since Senku saved her the day they met.)

05. The next time I’m on the phone with somebody, I’m going to imagine the same huge arc of electricity that Kaseki did 😁

06. Senku was so emotional – eyes shining with tears, smiling as he listened to Taiju – and then it all went away because he had to remind his friend that HE was Senku 😆

07. Just like how Gen is the stand in for the audience (modern timers, but generally clueless compared to Senku), Kokuyou and Ruri are the stand-ins for how incredible the phone must seem to Ishigami Village 😁 Come to think of it, Kokuyou’s had that role since last season – he’s far away enough from the main cast that he doesn’t know all of their adventures (and that distance makes him like the “normal” villagers), but close enough that he gets to share his thoughts and theories. It was through his eyes that we saw the big impacts that bottling and furnaces had on Ishigami Village 😊

08. I know it was short, but I like how Senku greeted Yuzuriha separately. They haven’t had that much screentime together since the anime began, but I like how Senku and Yuzuriha have their own friendship, instead of Taiju being their go-between or something like that.

09. “He’s been screaming all day.” All day? Have they been there longer than just the few minutes we’ve seen?

10. Kohaku noticed the defensive reason for why they had to speed things up! 😊 And I liked her observation about Senku and Taiju 😊

11. It’s could be easy to just write Taiju off as a loud blockhead, but it’s scenes like his allowing Tsukasa to hit him in Season One and his question about bloodshed in Season Two that really show you the kind of admirable, pacifistic guy he is 😊

12. “Gen will be back tomorrow or so.” Okay, so we have an estimate of how far the two kingdoms/empires are from each other. I’m glad they mentioned this!

13. Magma and Chrome’s loud conversation really shows how much anime can improve upon manga. When you’re just reading, you do know characters are talking and being loud, but when you’re watching anime, it drives home the fact that they’re being SO LOUD and that they need to SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP! Poor Gen… 😆

14. Thank you for finally saying Ukyo’s name, Gen 😆 Anime only folks get important information, and manga readers can sigh in relief that another character’s name has been revealed 😁

15. I’m with Magma. Chrome’s so selfish, worrying about his own life like that! 😡 Not like Magma, who’s strong and noble and self-sacrificing and only thinks of others and their safety 😁

16. You have to feel sorry for Gen… he’s trying to get the two of them to just SHUT UP 😆

17. I doubt Magma was seriously thinking that Chrome would go along with that plan, so he must have been joking… and the fact that we have Magma JOKING around with main characters after being the main antagonist in the middle part of Season One… they’re really pals now, aren’t they? 😲😊

18. Chrome’s battery has 15V… how much is that compared to an AAA battery for a remote control? I'll look it up later 😁

19. I’m a modern era person and it would have never occurred to me to use a wire to connect two ends of a battery and throw it into the grass to start a fire. Either Senku told him that battery stuff fairly recently and it was stuck Chrome’s mind because he was in charge of the heating team, or he’s just that much of a genius that nobody explained that to him but he intuited it anyway… or I’m just that stupid 😆

20. It’s expected that Chrome would sacrifice himself, but Magma… very impressive character development 😁 (I mean, I’m a manga reader, so I knew this was going to happen, but still 😁)

21. Gen’s eyes are blue? I never noticed until this episode.

22. Poor Gen… first, in Season One, he had to run like the wind from the shed of science to the Cave of Miracles while he was SEVERELY injured, and he had to do it as fast as possible to help Senku stay safe, and he was the only one who could do it… and now, he has to run like the wind while dealing with the knowledge and guilt that two of his comrades sacrificed himself for him, and he has to do it as fast as possible to be able to start his extremely important deception mission, and he’s the only one who can do it.

23. Gen really needs to get Kaseki to build him some kind of cable car system or a limousine so that he can travel in style between the two kingdoms/empires instead of exhausting himself all the time running back and forth 😲 Or at least a bicycle!

24. Since it’ll take Gen at least one day, possibly longer, to reach the shed of science, that means that Taiju and Yuzuriha must have talked to Nikki one or more days after they spoke with Senku. Anime helps with some things (like sound), but it can sure confuse people about the passage of time…

25. Copper swirly! 😊 I like Kaseki’s name for it better than Senku’s name for it 😆

26. Kohaku’s eyes! She’s SO fascinated by how the copper swirly is being used 😁

27. Nikki’s SO hostile 😲 I get that she’s a guard and everything, but she doesn’t really have a reason to be this hostile to Taiju and Yuzuriha, does she? It’s weird O.o Unless maybe she wanted to do something else (hunting/training/etc.) but she was forced to be their guard specifically because she’s a woman and can stick to Taiju AND Yuzuriha like glue? (Like Brienne from Game of Thrones.)

28. Why are her eyebrows a darker shade than her hair? This is sort of like Kokuyou’s weird hair colors, but to a lesser extent.

29. The punches are… she’s really hostile. Maybe it’s just to emphasize how much she changes later on and the episode, but it’s still so weird.

30. Didn’t Senku “die” on a cliff, out in the open? Kohaku was able to see him from (presumably) far away, and all that stuff with the gunpowder and the huge rock… am I remembering it wrong? Was it NOT a cliff after all? Because the rocks around this grave make it look like some kind of natural, concealed fortress!

31. Senku’s Sebastian voice sounds so silly 😆

32. I wish they had done Lilian’s voice differently. Gen’s fake Lilian doesn’t sound like a native English speaker while speaking English. Maybe they’re counting on the people they’re talking to not knowing the difference between foreign language accents… but still, this could have been done better. Maybe the studio just didn’t want to hire a new person to speak just a few lines. Or maybe they did this on purpose so that Nikki could notice something was off with her voice?

33. Yuzuriha being quick on the uptake again! 😁

34. This has to be the most stressful, rushed, and mathematical estimating of CD sales and body measurements ever 😆

35. The video game music was used in such a fun, light way last season (choosing the third mining team member) that hearing it in this scene for this situation sounds so weird 😲

36. That crouching backwards, pointing straight ahead Lilian pose seemed really out of place when the music is this really soft, gentle song 😲

37. I wonder if the stadium they showed us is based on a real stadium in Japan?

38. “Lilian doesn’t exist in this world anymore. Am I right?” Oh, Nikki… 😭

39. Senku’s eyes were shining when he replied to Nikki… I wonder if talking about Lilian reminded him of Byakuya… somebody who was in space with Lilian and also doesn’t exist in this world anymore… 😭

40. I love how Senku doesn’t lose anything or inconvenience himself at ALL by making that promise, since he’s going to protect the glass recording anyway because of Byakuya 😆

41. Okay, after Nikki committed to the plan (welcome, Nikki!), they zoomed out and the grave is seriously surrounded by all those vertical rocks. There is NO WAY this grave is in the same place Senku and Tsukasa last talked. No WAY.

42. I was SO surprised when the episode ended there 😲 That was NOT what I was expecting. This episode felt so short!

43. I still love this ending theme! 😁

44. About the ending theme (“Koe” / “Voice” by Hatena), songs mean a lot more to me when I understand what the lyrics mean, so I went to YouTube hoping to find an English cover or English subtitles or something. I found this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scv09Dtby-8) by a YouTube channel called AniComet Music, and from 0:12 to 0:34, the lyrics are, “I keep struggling and suffering, but still / I’ll gain strength from the feelings I’ve had for you / It’s a story that will never change / Even though I knew I’d never be a match for him.”

45. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel the song is from Senku’s point-of-view, and both the second and fourth lines could be about Byakuya (especially the fourth line) – in a father/son context, of course – of how he gets strength and inspiration from Byakuya and how he feels his father will always be beyond him and more than him 😭

46. With that said, even though my interpretation is really meaningful to me, it doesn’t really make sense, since “you” and “him” are obviously different people, and when you read more of the lyrics, “you” can’t really be referring to Byakuya. Maybe my interpretation will change when I listen to the song more and read more translations, but this is the first English translation of the ending song that I’ve read, and it really speaks to me 😊

https://firefly-hwufanficwriterrrrr.tumblr.com/MyDrStoneEpisodeMangaThoughts

[lilacslovers]

💎 Lilac x Gordie {Royalty + Royal Guard AU Fic} Chapter One | The Meeting 💎

aaa i’m so happy! i’ve finished a fic of the first meeting of my s/i and gordie in the royalty au <3

yes it does say chapter one but. idk if this a proper series, its possibly a figurative ‘lets start from chapter one !’ its also just. omg it’s just a chapter like. not even a drabble. just a whole chapter HSJSND

but i truly hope you guys enjoy this! :0 (fic is in the keep reading !! ^^)

•••

The dark oak-stained carriage rattled around Lilac with every prance of Rapidash transporting it, the tight space and cool, pillowy seats barely making up for the sheer cold she was moving into.

In her gloved hands lied a handwritten letter from the Royals in Circhester; a neat cursive paragraph requesting her and her other guard apprentices to protect their home. After all, they would need good protection to hide their most precious jewels in the family, and they required the best of the best. In a way, it flattered Lilac to know they wanted her to assist them.

She folded the letter back into her sac tied at her waist, cuddling into her cape in shock from the sudden Circhesterian chill; she wasn’t too far from the castle now, and wished that they could’ve made her Royal Guard uniform more cozy inside. Perhaps they considered this weather late spring or summer temperatures...

Off guard, the shrill of Rapidash’s cry as it finally came to a halt nearly catapulted her into the rock-hard wood in front of her. She gasped in relief to have caught herself in time, straightening herself to correct such unawareness.

A crunch came from the snow as she dropped down from her carriage, a bag with her necessities slinged over her armoured shoulder. Walking to the near entrance, she turned to the coachman.

“Brr, it’s quite cold around here! You better stay safe in that house, Lilac!” he said, smiling cheerfully.

“Thank you, coachman.” she replied, turning next to the Rapidash, stroking its soft mane.

“And thank you, Rapidash.” she grinned at the Pokémon, in which it whinnied gleefully in response.

Walking across the tiled road to Circhester Castle, the snowy bushes brushed up against her, gorgeously grown flowers to withstand the eternal cold peeked their heads out of the fluffy hedges. Already employed guards outside were gossiping to each other about the family; perhaps they were new guards, like herself. Lilac halted, gaining the attention of the two guards at the grand door they stood up against.

Lilac decided to break the tension between them.

“I am incredibly sorry to interrupt. I am Lilac. I am here to sign myself into the occupation of Guard. I have a letter from the castle itself if you were to want it-“

Before her quiet voice were to finish her sentence, the doors loudly creaked open, revealing the Queen herself; the entrance surprised all three of the guards, yet they all retained the same serious face to show their composure. The Queen gave Lilac a stern look...

“Oh!” came the cheery exclamation of the Queen Melony, holding her hand to her face. “Welcome, dear! I suppose you must be the new Indoor Guard, correct?”

“I- um,” Lilac mumbled, clearing her throat to free the words she had before being surprised. “Yes, your Majesty. I have brought your letter. It is an honour to work with you.”

“Come inside!” invited the Queen. “‘Tis warmer in here, after all! I’ll show you to your position here in the castle.”

“Ah, thank you, your Majesty.”

•••

The warmth of the castle quickly defrosted Lilac’s freezing arms, and the sudden relaxation couldn’t help but make her stare in wonder at the details within: the castle walls were extremely high, regal tapestries hung. Across the tapestries came multiple family portraits from popular artists, and looking closely at the painting would reveal details drawn ever so to-the-point, it made Lilac ponder how someone could even make such a realistic piece in a time limit...

“Oh, I must say,” the Queen began to state. “My children can be quite the troublemakers, hoho... My youngest, a daughter and three sons, I believe they sometimes choose whom they like to see more often, more with my sons, I think. But... my oldest...”

She stopped in her tracks, and so did Lilac.

“... Well, he’s heir to the Throne, now. He possibly cannot choose who he works with, hoho!”

“I see, your Majesty.” Lilac lightly smiled to match the emotion of the Queen’s conversation. “I shall wish the Prince congratulations on being first to the Throne.”

“Oh, he would simply love that,” the Queen chortled. “He is quite the sensible man. I do hope he is excited to rule... I’ve had quite the years around here.”

It was hard for Lilac to decipher who this Prince was; after all, the long generations of family portraits across the wall couldn’t help Lilac’s imagination at all.

Queen Melony pointed to a space by a door, where Lilac stationed herself onto.

“Perfect! Your routine will to be to guard at this area, as well as to watch the household members around here if needed.

You will also patrol around here with other guards around 12 to 1 o’clock PM. Is that understood?”

“Yes, your Majesty.” Lilac agreed, straightening herself stoically. The Queen promptly smiled, and as she went out of sight, another guard poked their head out from the corner.

“Psst, hey. New guard.” they squeaked.

Lilac made eye contact with the other new guard.

“Have you seen Prince Gordie yet?”

“Who?”

“Prince Gordie!” another guard peeped. “C’mon, ‘who?’ Like, the Prince that is, like, constantly just... around? And cool?”

“I really don’t mean to be out of the loop, but...” Lilac held her chin to think. “I haven’t heard anything about any Prince Gordie... All I heard back from my town was when the Queen of Circhester came to visit, and when she did, it was never a ‘visit’ visit, only a ‘come to check out the best carriages’ visit.”

“Oh my Arceus, the Prince...!” yet another guard joined the conversation. “He looked shortly at me once. I just... I felt so seen...”

Oh, brother. Lilac looked away, until the commotion of the group caught her attention once again.

“Ah, look, there he comes...!”

A man came from the depths of the hallway, and suddenly it felt like everything was going slower - or perhaps Lilac was imagining things...

The man had his soft hair tied into a well-kept short ponytatail, as well as his soft and cute lapis eyes kept relaxed and sensual.

He walked with such confidence only a prince could ever have, his cape drifting gently across the satin carpets below. A slight jingling sound came from his minimalistic, yet beautiful necklace around his collar, the pendant resting on his chest where his relaxed blouse shaped the area around such jewellery.

His shoes lightly skipped across the satin carpets to not make even one noise, yet his heels made an dull tap that satisfyingly echoed across the area.

Whatever decent vision Lilac had of the Prince completely went from her mind; the Prince of Circhester, in her eyes, was indeed quite more handsome than she thought.

The guards squealed in delight, making all sorts of gestures to make Prince Gordie look over.

“Gordie! Could you please have a quick discussion with us? We need to talk to you about something?”

... And suddenly, all light the Prince had in his eyes disappeared as soon as he looked at them.

“... Gordie?” his deep, muttering voice repeated, his eyebrows furrowed. Lilac could see the optimism drain from the group, herself shivering along with them even if not involved.

“Never, in all my life, have I heard a stranger call me only by my first name. From what I recall, my title here is ‘Prince Gordie of Circhester’. Is that correct?” his angered voice paused for a while to let the guards rapidly nod their heads, truly attempting to not get into trouble.

“Yes. Now, all I want to hear from you few now is to refer to me as ‘Prince Gordie’. If you cannot, then ‘your Highness’, but if you can’t even manage a formal tone with a prince, you shall expect to be evicted from this castle. Is that understood?”

The guards nodded once again, mumbling out a few ‘Understood, Prince Gordie’s out from their held breath.

“Now. Don’t you have some patrolling to do? It is, after all, 12 o’clock. Go.”

The guards scurried away slowly, cowering from the unfortunate interaction.

Lilac, afraid herself of getting into an altercation, began to steadily inch her way around one corner.

“Please wait.” the Prince interrupted in a much normal, albeit naturally deep tone. Lilac hastily straightened her back once again, turned to face him.

“I did not mean you, I apologise for any confusion.” he stated, grinning. “It’s not actually 12, I just wanted them to leave, hehe.”

“My complete mistake, your Highness.” Lilac replied. “That is quite a tactic to make somebody leave, it’s certainly impressive, your Highness.”

“Hm,” Prince Gordie hummed, taking his chin with one hand. “Tell me, what is your name?”

Lilac paused, finding herself quite confounded at his question; oftentimes, asking for a guard’s name would be informal, as was taught in training.

“Ah, um, if you want it, It’s Lilac, your Highness.”

“Lilac, eh?” Prince Gordie grinned to himself. “A fitting, lovely name for a lovely guard.”

Lilac’s heart struck from the compliment, trying not to show any emotion upon her face, but the Prince began to speak again.

“I must go. I have quite a lot of errands to do.” he sighed, flicking his hair away from his vision.

“But, I do hope to see you again... Lilac.”

Prince Gordie gave a wave as he walked back out of the corridor, Lilac waving goodbye at the same time. As soon as he went completely, she faced the brick wall, intensely pondering the peculiar conversation she had had...

Surely...? Surely, he wasn’t trying to get her into trouble...? But, why would he take interest of only getting her name? Perhaps he was... No, absolutely not, Princes don’t form relationships with their servants...!

Unless, Prince Gordie wanted to?

Nevertheless, Lilac herself had duties to do. But, as she began to walk away, she couldn’t help but think as she rested her palm on her blushing cheek...

[sanderssides-springfling]

hello! this gift is for @sanderssnoots! i had. so much with this ngl, may have gone a little overboard but aaa. i tried to incorporate all three of the prompts and hopefully this turned out ok haha. i really hope you enjoy this dude ^^

summary: after moving to a new school in an old city, virgil meets remus, a particularly attractive fellow who seems familiar somehow...

TW: Panic attack, Remus, threats, homophobia, curing

"Breathe for me," a muffled voice said.

Virgil closed his eyes, wishing for everything to just stop.

"C'mon, count with me," the voice said, clearer now. It was soothing, calming, real. Not like the other voices Virgil was hearing.

The voice began to count and Virgil attempted to copy it in his head. One, two, three, four. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.

Wait. He knew these numbers. He was supposed to breath, wasn't he? That's what the voice had told him to do.

He continued to count and tried to get a steady breathing pattern whilst doing so. In for four. Hold for seven. Out for eight. In. Hold. Out. In. Out.

He opened his eyes and his big brother was there besides him. Virgil collapsed into Remy, burying his head in his chest and breathing softly. Remy gently wrapped his arms around Virgil, circling his hands over his back in a comforting pattern.

"Do you want to talk about what happened?" Remy asked.

Virgil shook his head.

"Was it school again?"

Virgil did nothing, seemingly indicating to Remy that it was indeed school.

"It's okay, Virge. You'll be out of there soon."

~*~

Virgil leant his head against the window, feeling the vibrations as the car sped down the road. They were moving, finally. Moving to a new city - or an old city, really, back to where Virgil had grown up. He guessed that his family finally realised that things in their new city weren't going great, or maybe things weren't going great for them. Either way, Virgil was more than happy to be returning to his real home.

He glanced over at Remy, unable to decipher whether he was sleeping or not - despite it being close to midnight and not even summertime, Remy was still wearing his sunglasses. But Virgil noticed the side of Remy's lips tip up into a sort of smirk, so he assumed that his older brother was awake, and watching him.

The street lights blurred in front of him, casting neon lights into the air. It wouldn't be long until they were at the new house, and then soon after a new school, and maybe everything would go back to normal.

~*~

Virgil peeked into the classroom, glancing around to find the least threatening person there. It was half way through the year, so he imagined that there wouldn't be many options anyway, but he could try.

Somebody barged past him, causing him to stumble to the side. After that, he was pushed into the classroom by whoever followed, and forced to stand awkwardly at the front. Brilliant.

"Hey," a voice said from the front row, "are you lost?”

Virgil glanced down at the person sat there, trying not to show them any emotion. "No, I..."

"Oh, are you new?" they asked.

Virgil nodded.

"You can sit with me," they said, patting the seat next to them. "My desk-mate just left."

Not wanting to argue any further, Virgil quickly took the seat besides them. He let out a breath. Front row seat wasn't... ideal, but at least he wasn't intruding on somebody else. This person had wanted him to sit with them, right?

"I'm Patton," they introduced, grinning at Virgil.

Virgil offered a small smile back. "Virgil."

"Oh! My friend Logan always goes on about a poet with that name-"

Patton went on to talk to Virgil about their friends, and about the school, and Virgil allowed himself to kick back and listen. He supposed they already had their own friends, their own life, and that was fine - Virgil wasn't really planning on making loads of friends, only planning to not make a complete fool of himself and end up making loads of enemies. And maybe Patton couldn't help with the friend situation, but they could certainly protect him for a little longer, at least for this hour...

"I'm sure they wouldn't mind you sitting with us for lunch, either," Patton said.

Virgil blinked. What? "Really?"

"Of course! Unless you have other friends, that is."

"I wouldn't want to intrude."

"You won't be intruding," Patton said, laughing. "I'd certainly be happy to have another friend around!"

Christ. This person was too friendly for their own good.

"Alright, then," Virgil said anyway, "thanks."

Patton grinned. "No problem!"

~*~

Virgil threw his backpack to the floor as he entered his new house, stepping into the living room only to be ambushed by Remy and tackled onto the sofa. For a moment, his body went into shock, before his reflexes kicked in and he kicked Remy off the sofa.

"Hey!" Remy protested.

Virgil stared at him, mouth open wide. "You're the one who tackled me onto the sofa!"

"You didn't have to kick me, though!" Remy scrambled back to his feet and sat on the sofa besides Virgil.

"That kick was utterly deserved," Virgil said, determinedly.

Remy sighed. "Well. Maybe you're right."

Virgil smirked. "Of course I'm right."

"How was school?" Remy asked, immediately changing the conversation.

Virgil shrugged. "Okay. Better, I think."

"Made any friends?"

"Kinda?" Virgil hummed. "Sat with a couple people at lunch. One's in my classes - Patton, their name is."

"Patton?" Remy considered that for a moment. "Sounds nice."

"Yeah." Virgil leant back. "You?"

"Oh, you know me," Remy said. "I'm already the most popular guy in my year."

Virgil rolled his eyes. "As if. Tell me the truth."

Remy looked kindly offended. "Hey! I'm good at socialising!"

Virgil raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"Okay, maybe I'm a bit of a disaster," Remy admitted. "But! I did meet up with some friends from before and I think I'll be able to reconnect with them."

"Oh! That's good!" Remy's life really was well more put together than Virgil's. He'd managed to stay in contact with his friends from before, something that Virgil had tried but ultimately failed to do. Of course, it would have helped if he had any good friends from before, or even just somebody who did more than just tolerate him. But it was whatever. Most people probably didn't recognise him now, let alone remember him.

"Well," Remy said, "maybe you can invite some of those new friends round."

Virgil laughed.

"What? I'm being serious!"

"I barely know them!" Virgil argued. "We're not on inviting-each-other-to-our-houses terms yet."

"Mom and Dad would get a kick out of it, though."

"They don't care," Virgil said. "As long as I'm emotionally stable, they won't care. Or, like, not on the verge of a breakdown."

Remy ruffled Virgil's hair. "They do care! I care, at least." He smiled. "I wanna meet them!"

"Absolutely not." Virgil crossed his arms.

Remy groaned. "Fine! I'll find them, though."

"How are you gonna do that?"

"I have connections."

"Like what?"

"I just made friends with this guy called Roman," Remy said. "He knows everybody."

Virgil giggled. "Well, good luck, then." He stood up. "Don't come in my room."

"You can't stop me!"

"I can!" He retreated upstairs.

~*~

Virgil glanced at a guy from the other side of the cafeteria. He had bleached blonde hair with the tips dyed a neon green, and wore a black denim jacket covered in band patches and pin badges. And Virgil couldn't stop staring at him.

"Who's that?" Virgil asked, turning to Patton. He had been sitting with them for a few days now, and was beginning to get the courage to actually talk to him.

Patton frowned. "Who?"

"Him," Virgil said, pointing to the guy and leaning in to Patton.

For a moment, Patton stared at the person too, before biting his lip. "Don't talk to him."

Virgil blinked. "Why?"

"That's Remus," Patton said. "Logan knows his brother. He, uh, well..." Patton hummed. "He's probably a nice person, but Logan's heard that he gets up to some... stuff."

"What kind of stuff?" Virgil wondered.

"Stuff that I probably shouldn't talk about in school," Patton said. "Just... I'd stay away from him, if I were you."

Virgil glanced down to the table, not really sure what to make of that. On the one hand, he somewhat trusted Patton, at least enough to believe their judgement, but on the other hand the guy didn't seem so bad. He looked like somebody that Virgil would get along with. Maybe someone he could get some fashion tips from.

But if Patton said he was bad, then maybe Virgil should listen. He had friends now, anyway. Things were gonna be okay.

~*~

"Hey," a person said, sitting down next to Virgil in the library. Virgil glanced at the newcomer, looking them up and down. They wore somewhat simple clothes - plain yellow t-shirt, black jacket, and a black beanie covering their natural blonde hair. Virgil noticed a few pin badges stuck to their jacket, including the bi flag and the nonbinary flag. He couldn't seem to stop staring at their eyes - one a light brown and the other a sickening shade of green.

"Hi?" Virgil whispered back, just slightly uncomfortable.

"You can call me D," they said, simply.

"...okay?"

"I saw you staring at Remus last week," D continued.

Virgil blinked. "Oh."

"If you have a problem with him, then that goes through me, okay?"

Virgil frowned. "I don't have a problem with him."

D glared at him. "Why else would you be staring at him?"

"I..." Virgil shrugged. "I don't know. I didn't mean to. I just liked his jacket."

D didn't seem to know what to make of that. "Oh. So... you're cool with him?"

"I guess?" Virgil looked away. "I mean, I don't know him, exactly. But I have no reason to dislike him."

D hummed. "You're friends with Patton, right?"

"Kinda?" Virgil tapped his fingers on the table. "I've been sitting with them. They haven't been mean to me."

"Huh." D sighed. "Well, whatever." They stood up. "Stay away from Remus. You made him kinda uncomfortable."

Before Virgil had a chance to ask what D meant, let alone say goodbye, they were gone again.

~*~

Virgil walked into the kitchen to find his brother and... another person burning some pancakes. He didn't recognise the other person, but assumed he was in the same year as Remy. He wore a floor length red dress and an almost perfect smile on his face, despite the fact that the stove was very nearly on fire.

"Jesus Christ, Remy turn the heat down," Virgil said, rushing over to the stove and turning the heat down. "You're gonna burn down the house."

"No we’re not," the guest said. "If we cook at a higher temperature than the recipe says, the pancakes will be done quicker."

Virgil breathed in, deeply. "That- That isn't how cooking works."

"Of course it is!"

"Sorry, Virge," Remy said, taking the pan off the stove and turning it off completely. The pancake - or, at least, what could loosely be described as a pancake - was burnt to a crisp. "Roman and I were curious."

Virgil hummed. "Roman?"

"My friend," Remy said, grinning.

"He seems like a bad influence."

"Hey!" Roman exclaimed, looking highly offended. Virgil smirked a little, as it reminded him of his own brother.

"Who taught you how to cook?" Virgil asked.

"I did," Roman said, proudly.

Virgil snorted. "Well. Maybe get some actual lessons." He sighed. "I'll make the pancakes. You two stay far away from the stove."

Apparently not wanting to argue any further, Remy and Roman retreated to the table, whilst Virgil took over cooking, throwing out the burnt pancake and starting to make a fresh one. As he cooked, he half-listened to the conversation behind him, not really paying attention until-

"-my brother, Remus-"

"Remus?" Virgil repeated, glancing back.

Roman stared back at him. "Do you know him?"

Virgil hesitated. "We, uh, assuming we're talking about the same Remus, I haven't spoken to him, but I've heard about it, and seen him around..."

He put the final pancake onto the pile and moved them to the kitchen table, moving to grab three plates and a few toppings for the three of them to eat.

"Remus would probably like you," Roman said. "From what I've heard from Remy at least, it sounds like you two have a lot in common."

Frowning, Virgil replied, "Really?" He dragged a pancake onto his plate and drowned it in maple syrup.

"I mean, you listen to a lot of the same music," Roman said, shrugging. "He likes horror games. He dabbles in stage makeup."

"I don't dabble in stage makeup," Virgil said, noticeably not disagreeing with the rest.

"Oh my God, Roman, you should have seen him when he was fourteen," Remy said, leaning over the table closer to Roman. "I swear to God, I've never seen somebody wear so much eyeliner-"

"Shut up," Virgil said through gritted teeth.

"Honestly," Remy continued, "I don't think he's ever fully come out of his emo phase, but at least he's learned how much eyeliner is generally acceptable."

"I'm right here, you know."

"Oh! You should've seen Remus a couple years ago!" Roman chuckled. "He was very much falling with the eyeliner as well. And everything else. I had to teach him everything just so he wouldn't go out looking like a complete idiot."

Remy asked. "Wait, maybe you could give Virgil some tips!"

"I don't need any tips," Virgil said, dragging the plate of pancakes closer to himself so the other two would find it harder to reach them - a tiny act of revenge.

"Oh my God, I'd actually be so down to teach him, though! I could go through some cool eyeshadow stuff, like different colours and stuff, Remus and I did some pride flag ones a couple years ago when we went to a parade-"

Virgil stood up. "Okay, I guess I'll leave since you guys already think I'm not in the room." He made his way back to his bedroom, taking the plate of pancakes with him.

~*~

Virgil couldn't stop staring at Remus. He seemed to see him every single day, always walking in the same places, almost as if they were following each other. And Remus never caught him staring, but sometimes Virgil felt like he was staring back, even if Virgil himself couldn't see him in the area.

Patton and Logan stopped taking notice. For a while, they would ask Virgil about it, continuously warning him that Remus wouldn't be good for him. But soon they stopped. Maybe they realised that Virgil wouldn't stop.

And despite the fact that the two had never interacted, Virgil found himself completely obsessed with Remus. It almost scared him.

One day in Spring, a month or so after Virgil joined the school, he was standing alone in the hallway, waiting for Patton to leave their class, when somebody bumped into his shoulder. Adrenaline immediately kicked in as his brain told him that it was going to be exactly the same as last time, that the safety he was beginning to feel at this new school had been shattered, but then he saw who it was and he froze.

Remus stood a few steps away from Virgil, glancing back and smirking. He began to slowly walk down the hallway, glancing back every few seconds, almost as if he was expecting Virgil to follow.

He did. Virgil stalked behind him, still a few metres away. Remus sped up, and Virgil copied, following him until they had made it out of the school and round the corner, to a small garden behind the school. Remus sat down on a bench and looked Virgil in the eyes, patting the seat besides him. Frowning, Virgil went over and sat down.

"Hey," Remus said. "What's your name?"

Virgil blinked. "Uh, Virgil."

"Virgil," Remus whispered. "Huh. Roman mentioned a Virgil..."

"He- what?"

"Oh, nothing." Remus hummed. "Have you been following me?"

"What?"

"I see you everywhere," Remus said. "D has, too. They were starting to get concerned-"

Virgil glanced down. "D spoke to me ages ago. They told me to stay away from you."

Remus raised an eyebrow. "Oh, did they? And yet you still continued to follow me everywhere?"

"I haven't been following you," Virgil said, truthfully. "I actually thought you were following me."

Remus laughed.

Virgil frowned. "What's funny about that?"

"Well, other than the fact that it is a tiny bit true, I just think it's funny that we both thought we had stalkers."

"I didn't think you were stalking me," Virgil said.

To that, Remus just smirked at him. Virgil tried his best to avoid his gaze.

"I know you from somewhere," Remus claimed.

Virgil fiddled with his fingers. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." He hummed. "I can't... I've been trying to figure it out but can't for the life of me. You are new at this school, right? Like, you weren't just hiding?”

Virgil breathed in. "I'm new. But I lived in this city when I was younger."

Remus' eyes widened. "Wait, shit, are you Virgil Sanders."

Virgil glanced at him. "Yeah?"

"I'm Remus Prince," Remus said.

Virgil blinked. "Okay?"

"We... You went to Saint John's Elementary School, right?"

Virgil's eyes widened. "Wait, Duke?"

Remus held his arms out. "The one and only."

"Oh my God!" That's why Virgil couldn't stop staring at Remus. They were... God, Remus was...

~*~

Virgil didn't have many friends back in Elementary School. Well, he didn't have many friends period, but at least in Elementary School he had the fantasy gang.

He wasn't exactly friends with anyone in the fantasy gang. They would just play together during the breaks. He wasn't even sure on all of their names - none of them were in his classes, so he only ever spent around twenty minutes with them every day.

There weren't a lot of them. There was Virgil, playing the Knight, and the others - the Princess, the Dragon, the Queen and the King.

And then there was the only one that Virgil was particularly close to - the Duke.

In the fantasy world the six of them had created, him and the Duke spent a lot of time together, as both of them set off on the quest to save the Princess. They would often fight the Dragon side by side, and during scenes with just the royals they would both sit to the side and chat, with no real reason for them to join in on the action.

He remembered that the Duke liked swinging on the trees. There was one tree in the corner of the playground which had branches low enough to climb, so the Duke would make his way up there and hang upside, mostly just to make Virgil laugh. Maybe he realised that things weren't going great for Virgil, and that by doing that Virgil would gain a tiny bit of happiness. To be fair, it worked. Virgil himself never wanted to climb the tree, for fear that he might fall down, but that was fine - he enjoyed sitting at the bottom and watching the Duke from afar.

They never talked much about themselves, but sometimes Remus would mention his older brother, and Virgil would talk about his older brother too. A lot of the time, though, they'd just sit together under the tree as they watched the rest of the fantasy gang play, waiting for their own turn.

One day Remus leant his head on Virgil's shoulder, and that was the day that Virgil realised he had made a friend.

~*~

"We have a problem," Roman said, shoving Remy's school books out the way and sitting on the desk in front of him.

Remy looked up, looking slightly annoyed. "I was doing that, y'know."

"Okay, but I have tea," Roman said.

Remy immediately refocused his attention onto Roman. "Spill. Now."

"My brother has a crush," Roman began.

Remy hummed. "Yeah, not surprising."

"On your brother."

Remy slammed his hands on the table. "No way."

"Yes, way." Roman grinned. "Remus and Virgil are in love and they're both too dumb to realise it."

"How do you know?" Remy asked.

"I'm an expert on romance, obviously."

Remy rolled his eyes. "Seriously. Has Remus said anything?"

"Well, no, not exactly, but-"

"We've gotta be sure," Remy interrupted. "I wouldn't... Virgil's already been through so much."

"I'm sure that Remus likes him. He won't shut up about him," Roman said. "I was reading some of his writing the other day, and I swear to God one of the characters in it was some sort of fictional version of Virgil. The love interest, as well."

Remy raised an eyebrow. "Your brother writes?"

"He does murder mysteries," Roman quickly said. "He doesn't really like me reading them, but he's always stealing my sketchbook so he can't really say anything." He breathed in. "Anyway, I'm certain that Remus is into Virgil."

Remy hummed. "I'm not sure if Virgil is, though."

"No, he definitely is," Roman said. "I have a friend - well, not really ‘friend’, but we're in the same theatre company. His name's Logan. And he's also friends with Virgil, I think..."

Remy nodded. "Yeah, Virge mentioned a Logan at one point."

"Right. Well, I was talking to Logan, and he told me that Virgil is always staring at Remus. Like, an unhealthy amount." Roman sighed. "I'm just... why else would Virgil be staring at Remus?"

Remy pursed his lips. "We should set them up."

Roman gasped. "Oh my God, yes!"

"I don't know how, though. Convincing Virgil to leave the house would be a nightmare."

Roman smirked. "I have an idea."

~*~

He was in his kitchen. Why the fuck was Remus in his kitchen?

"Oh, hey Virge," Remus said, ignoring Virgil's puzzled expression as he raided the fridge.

"Who let you in my house?"

"Oh, my brother is hanging out with your brother and I'm not allowed to be in the house by myself," Remus said, as he took out a salad - Virgil's salad that he was saving for later - and began to eat it.

"And now you're stealing my salad," Virgil sighed.

Remus blinked. "Oh, shit, is this yours?" he asked, shoving it towards Virgil.

"Well." Virgil smacked his lips together. "It was. But I can make another." He climbed onto the table and sat on it cross legged, as Remus took a chair and placed the salad in front of him. "So. Why aren't you allowed to be home alone?"

"That's... a long story."

Virgil shrugged. "I'm not doing anything."

Remus eyes lit up. "Well. I'd imagine it has something to do with that time I almost burnt the house down trying to find out what would happen if I put eggs into the microwave."

Virgil blinked. "How- How did you almost burn the house down doing that-"

Remus grinned. "Well, the microwave exploded 'cause I put, like, ten eggs in there, and then it set fire to the curtains in the kitchen, and long story short, the fire engines didn't take long to arrive."

Virgil breathed in. "Was everything okay?"

"Yeah, it was fine. The curtains are just a little scarred." He hummed. "Although, it could also have something to do with the fact that I attempted a blood sacrifice in the living room..."

"You what?" Virgil exclaimed.

Remus laughed. "I was, like, ten, okay? And I didn't get very far. I found a dead rat in the street and thought that if I used that as a sacrifice I could summon a demon, which would be so cool, y'know?"

Virgil chuckled. "I mean, I guess that would be cool."

"Right?" Remus shook his head. "My parents, however, did not think it was cool."

For a moment, the two just stared at each other, smiling softly, because Virgil finally said, "I missed you, y'know?"

Remus blinked. "Huh?"

"When we... Well, you were just about my only friend," Virgil said. "And I know we didn't hang out much, but we always had such a good time."

Remus smiled. "Yeah. The fantasy gang was great."

"I didn't care about the rest of them," Virgil said. “Just... Just you."

Remus fell silent. "Oh."

"And when we did move away, I didn't really have anyone else. I mean, I had Remy, but..." He glanced down, fixing his eyes on the table.

"Did you... not make any new friends?" Remus wondered.

Virgil plastered on a smile. "I've never been one for new people."

Remus hummed. "You made friends with Patton pretty quickly, though."

"They didn't really give me much of a choice." Virgil sighed. "Things... weren't great at the new school. I mean, they weren't brilliant back when we were friends, but... at least we were friends."

Remus smiled, staring at Virgil for a moment longer with fondness in his eyes. "How come you didn't speak to me sooner?"

Virgil blinked. "What?"

"I mean, you saw me weeks ago, right?" Remus said. "Like, you could've spoken to me then."

"I wanted to," Virgil admitted. "Not because I recognised you, but because... I don't know. I felt drawn to you, I guess." He fiddled with his fingers. "But Patton told me not too. And then D told me to stay away from you. So..."

Remus reached over and grabbed Virgil's hands, squeezing them a little too tight, but Virgil didn't protest. "Don't listen to them. I... felt drawn to you too, I guess. I still do."

Virgil smiled.

~*~

"Oh my God," Remy moaned, stepping back into his bedroom, where Roman waited sprawled across his bed, after having spied on Virgil and Remus.

"What's going on?" Roman asked, immediately jumping up and readjusting his skirt.

Remy collapsed onto his bed. "They're being insufferably cheesy. And they haven't even realised that they're in love yet!"

"What are they talking about?" Roman asked. "Tell me everything."

Remy sighed. "They're, like, talking about how they used to be friends or something, and how they missed each other, and then they start saying that they're drawn to each other. Like, what does that even mean?"

Roman grinned. "It means they like each other, Remy. They're soulmates."

“Soulmates aren’t real, Roman.”

“Shut up, they totally are.” Roman clapped his hands together. “Maybe we should talk to them. Help them to realise.”

Remy hummed. “They won’t confess today, will they?”

“Unless we can talk to either of them in private,” Roman said.

“I’ll talk to Virgil after school tomorrow,” Remy decided. “You talk to Remus?”

“Sounds like a plan.”

~*~

When Virgil walked through his front door the following afternoon, he stopped in his path as he saw Remy leaning against the wall, a smirk upon his face.

Virgil blinked. “What have you done now?”

“So.” Remy pushed himself off the wall, stepping towards his younger brother. “You and Remus, huh?”

Virgil frowned. “What… What about us?”

“I heard you two are pretty close,” he said, raising an eyebrow.

“I mean, we’re friends, I guess?” Virgil attempted to walk further into the house, but Remy blocked him.

“Just friends?”

Virgil blinked. “Wh-What else would we be?”

“Well, what do you think of Remus?” Remy asked.

“I- I don’t-” He breathed in. “Wait, do you think I like him?”

Remy hummed. “Perhaps.”

“We’re just friends,” Virgil said. “He’s a nice guy, I guess. We were friends when we were kids, and now we’re friends again.”

“Hmm.”

“What?” Virgil sighed. “Is this because I stare at him a lot? It’s not my fault that he has such an amazing fashion sense. And a beautiful white strip of hair always falling over his eyes. Beautiful eyes, actually - have you seen them? They have, like, little green specks in them.”

Remy giggled.

“What?”

“Just, the way you’re talking about him is proving my point.”

“I’m not…” Virgil’s eyes widened. “Shit.” It made sense, actually. It explained why he was so drawn to Remus, why he couldn’t stop staring at him, why he couldn’t get him out of his mind. “Fuck, maybe I do like him,” he whispered.

Remy’s giggling grew louder, until he turned around and walked upstairs.

“Remy, wait, I-”

Remy slammed his bedroom door, leaving Virgil alone with his thoughts.

~*~

Virgil stared at Remus across the cafeteria. Watched him laugh with D, play with his food, just be an absolute dork, and Virgil couldn’t help but be mesmerised by his every action. Remy’s words from the day before circled around his head, the revelation that he had since come to accept as the absolute truth. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could keep this up for.

He stood up.

“Virgil,” Patton said, “are you-”

“I’ll be right back,” he said, walking away from the table despite Patton’s protests.

He came up besides Remus and placed his hand on the table next to him, ignoring the glares he got from D. Remus looked up at him, a little alarmed.

“Uhm, can I-”

“Come with me,” Virgil said, grabbing Remus’ wrist and dragging him from the scene. Remus followed willingly, but Virgil didn’t let go of his wrist. Virgil led him out of the cafeteria and around a corner, to a corridor devoid of students.

“Virgil, what-”

“I know we probably shouldn’t be talking right now,” Virgil said. “Since D and Patton probably aren’t too happy. But…”

“It’s okay,” Remus said. “D won’t mind. And if Patton says anything I will fight them.”

“You absolutely will not fight them,” Virgil said. “Patton may be wrong about you, but they’re still a good friend.”

Remus shrugged. “Okay then. But what did you want?”

Virgil breathed in. “Okay, so, I’ve been thinking an awful lot lately, and I’ve realised that…” His hands were getting sweaty and his heart rate was beginning to increase. “I, uh…” Why had he thought this would be a good idea?“

Remus frowned. "Are you okay? You look a little pale.”

Virgil cleared his thought. “Yeah, I’m fine.” He breathed in again. “Um, basically, I…”

“Let me guess, you’re madly in love with me,” Remus joked.

Virgil glanced down, avoiding Remus’ gaze.

Remus blinked. “Wait, shit, was that right?”

Virgil smiled nervously. “Uh… maybe?”

Remus laughed. “Seriously?”

Fuck. Remus thought it was funny. That… That must mean he didn’t feel the same way, right? That must mean that Virgil had majorly fucked up somehow. Shit - what if Remus wasn’t even gay? He did have a rainbow pin in his jacket, but he was also friends with D so maybe that was just to show his support. Virgil didn’t remember Remus ever mentioning an attraction to guys.

God, why had he just jumped into like that? Under any other circumstances, he wouldn’t have. Under any other circumstances, he would have stood back and thought about it, made sure that he wouldn’t ruin his life by acting upon his impulses.

What if this meant that Remus would stop being friends with Virgil? What if he thought it was weird? What if it made him uncomfortable? What if Remus hatedhim because of this? What if?

Remus stopped laughing. He placed a hand on Virgil’s shoulder, now looking serious. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

Virgil used all of his willpower to stop himself from shoving Remus’ hand off. “I’m sorry. I… You don’t feel the same way, I get it. I shouldn’t have sprung that on you. And, um, if it makes you uncomfortable-”

Remus snorted. “Sorry, if it makes me what?”

Virgil blinked. “I- If me liking you like that is, like, weird? I mean, I get it. You’re not gay, or whatever, and we’re just friends, so…”

That made Remus laugh even harder.

Virgil tried to steady his breathing. “Wh-What’s so funny about that?”

After composing himself, Remus shook his head, a massive grin across his face. “Sorry, I just… I’m offended that you’d even think that I’m straight.”

Virgil blinked. “You’re… You’re not straight?”

“Are you kidding me?” Remus closed his eyes. “I am a massive homosexual. I don’t know why anybody would think otherwise.”

Okay. So he was attracted to men. That was at least one good thing. “But…”

“And I don’t find it weird,” Remus continued. “At all. I mean, I’d be lying if I said I haven’t thought about kissing you on multiple occasions.”

Virgil’s eyes widened. Did… Did that mean…

“I guess what I’m trying to say,” Remus said, taking Virgil’s hands, “is that I feel the same way.”

Virgil looked back up, making eye contact with Remus, and smiled.

“I’m fact, if it’s something that you want, I’d be honoured to be your boyfriend,” Remus announced.

And in that moment, Virgil was sure that he would cry.

~*~

“We need to talk,” Patton said, as Virgil left his final class. The two began to walk down the hallway and out the school, Virgil’s anxiety beginning to kick in.

“Am I in trouble?” he asked.

Patton frowned. “No? Why would you think you’re in trouble?”

Virgil shrugged. “I don’t know. Why else would you want to talk to me?”

“You’re not in trouble,” Patton promised, eyes darting around. “I’m just… concerned.”

“About what?”

Patton pursed their lips. “You talked to Remus earlier, right?”

“Yeah,” Virgil confirmed. “He’s an alright guy, actually.”

They stepped out the school, Virgil adjusting his backpack slightly.

“I know you and Logan have something against him, or whatever, but…” Virgil shrugged. “I knew him when we were kids. And we’ve reconnected, I guess. I promise he’s an alright guy.”

Patton glanced at him, skeptically, but apparently gave in. “Well, alright. Be careful, though. If he hurts you, tell me.”

Virgil faked a smile. “Yeah, of course.”

Patton nodded. “Well. Take care.” They smiled, and then ran off to join Logan on the other side of the field, leaving Virgil to walk home alone.

~*~

“Remus,” D said. “Are you even listening to me?”

Remus tore his eyes away from Virgil and looked back at D. “Huh?”

D sighed. “I was saying that you seem a little distracted lately. So I guess that proves my point.”

“Yeah, definitely,” Remus said, eyes drifting back towards Virgil.

“Remus,” D said again, more forcibly. “What’s going on?”

Remus blinked, and returned his attention to D. “Oh, I have a boyfriend.”

D frowned. “You do?”

“Yeah,” Remus said. “Sorry, did I not mention?”

D glanced to the side, trying to follow Remus’ previous gaze. “No, actually, you didn’t.”

“Oh. Well. Now you know.”

“Who is it?” D asked.

“Just some guy, you wouldn’t know him,” Remus said.

“Remus.”

“Okay, okay.” He breathed in. “His name is Virgil.”

D gasped. “As in, Virgil the stalker?”

“He’s a stalker!” Remus defended. “If anything I’m the stalker.”

“I thought we decided that you should stay away from him,” D recalled.

“Yeah, well, me and him go way back, okay?” Remus sighed. “I know what I’m doing. Virgil is good for me.”

“I don’t want you to get hurt,” D said.

“I’m not gonna get hurt.” Remus smiled. “If he ever breaks my heart, I give you full permission to murder him.”

D raised an eyebrow.

“Actually, no,” Remus decided. “You can’t murder him. Because I like him. But if he hurts me you can definitely fight him.”

D smirked. “Wow. No murder. You must really like him this time.”

“Shut up,” Remus said, chuckling.

~*~

Virgil rested his head on Remus’s shoulder, as Remus absentmindedly stroked through Virgil’s hair. They were sat on Virgil’s bed, trying their hardest to ignore the noise from Remy and Roman next door. It was nice like this. Just the two of them.

Turning his head to the side, Virgil stretched his neck out and pecked Remus on the cheek, something that he’d been wanting to do for a while. And although Remus tried to play it off, Virgil caught his cheeks turning a light shade of red.

Virgil snuggled further into his side, slowly wrapping his arm around Remus’ back and beginning to draw invisible circles on his arm. He listened to Remus humming in appreciation, and Virgil allowed himself to melt into his body, feeling perfectly content.

After a few more moments of pure bliss, Remus twisted his head down to look at Virgil. He leant down, so close that Virgil was able to feel his breath on his face, and then their two lips interlocked, and Virgil’s heart burst.

It wasn’t quite how he imagined, but that was okay. Somehow, it was even better. Remus was passionate, and daring, and didn’t hold back, and Virgil couldn’t have been more happy about that fact. Virgil himself was timid, and he knew that, and it was a part of him he was willing to accept, but having Remus here… well, it made him feel alive. Made him feel like he could do anything.

Like, for instance, it made him feel as though he could kiss Remus back. Still connected to Remus, Virgil pushed himself up so he was no longer slouched on Remus’ body. He pushed Remus against the wall, kissing back harder. At first, Remus seemed a little surprised, but he soon caught on and kissed back, sending the two into battle.

A battle to see who’s love was stronger, who’s passion was larger. And there wasn’t a winner, exactly. Or a loser. Just the plain, simple evidence that the two’s hearts were better as one, that they were meant to be.

They danced around each other, wanting more and more, and never wanting to stop.

They were happy.

~*~

Remus nudged Virgil’s shoulder. “You’ll have to tell them eventually, y'know.”

Virgil glanced down. “I… I know. It’s harder with them.”

“They do know that you’re gay, right?” Remus checked.

Virgil nodded. “Well, yeah, of course. Who doesn’t?”

"So what are you so afraid of?”

Virgil breathed in and out. “Look, Patton’s having a hard enough time wrapping their head around the fact that you’re my friend, let alone boyfriend.”

Remus backed off a little after that statement. “Ah. That would be an issue.”

“Yeah.” Virgil shoved his hands in his pockets. “I just… I need to wait for the right time. I’m sure they’ll come around eventually.”

“Why do they hate me, anyway?” Remus wondered.

Virgil shrugged. “No clue. Apparently Logan told them something. They won’t tell me what.”

“Oh.” Remus hummed. “Logan is friends with Roman, I think. Wouldn’t be surprised if Roman has told him horror stories, or something. Either way, they’re probably not true.”

Virgil laughed nervously. “Probably?” he repeated.

“Well, I have done some shit,” Remus admitted. “Nothing dangerous.”

Virgil raised an eyebrow. “Anything illegal?”

Remus thought for a moment. “I mean, probably.”

“Oh, shit, am I dating a criminal mastermind?”

“Would that be a problem for you?”

“No, no.” Virgil chuckled. “Actually, I think I’d be pretty into it.”

“Oh, in that case, I do in fact break laws daily,” Remus said. “I’m wanted in all seven continents and constantly on the run. Crime is my favourite thing to do.”

Virgil laughed, not even attempting - or wanting - to hold it back.

“I’m all seriousness though,” Remus said, “I haven’t broken any serious laws. I haven’t done any of the drugs and I haven’t murdered anyone just yet.”

“Should I be concerned about the yet part?” Virgil asked.

“Honestly if I were dating me, I’d be a little concerned in general.” Remus grinned.

Virgil smiled back. “But if you haven’t done the drugs or the murder yet, what have you done?”

“Oh, y'know. The usual.” He shrugged. “Pirating. Underage drinking. A little light shoplifting.”

“Eh. Who doesn’t do that?” Virgil shook his head. “I mean, asides from the shoplifting, I don’t think many people do that, but if it’s from a large corporation and you need the stuff I don’t really see the issue.”

Remus smirked. “So… you don’t mind?”

Virgil shrugged. “Be gay, do crime, am I right?”

“Oh thank fuck.”

~*~

Virgil sat at the dinner table, feeding himself spaghetti and trying to ignore his fathers gaze.

“So,” his mother said, looking expectedly at Virgil, “how come you never invite your friend around when we’re home.”

Virgil frowned. “What friend?”

“Y'know, that friend,” his mother repeated. “The one that’s always around.” She turned to his brother. “Remy, dear, what did you say his name was?”

“You mean Remus?” Remy offered.

“Remus! That’s it.” His mother turned back to Virgil. “He’s come round a few times now, hasn’t he?”

There was a brief silence as Virgil sucked up his piece of spaghetti, mostly to avoid the question. “He’s a friend,” he finally said.

His mother smiled, but it seemed somewhat bitter. “I’m glad you’re making friends, Virgil, but it just seems odd. You’ve never really invited anyone over before.”

“Oh. Well.” Virgil shrugged. “He’s my boyfriend. So I guess that’s a little different.”

His mother giggled. Remy glanced at Virgil, looking alarmed. His father just stared harder.

“What?” Virgil felt his shoulder tense up. “I’m not joking. Remus is actually my boyfriend.”

His mother snorted. “Yeah, real funny Virgil. We know you’re not… that.”

Virgil frowned. “Actually, uh, I am. I’ve known that I’m gay for a while now. So.”

His mother stared at him. “You’re not joking, are you?” she said, sounding serious.

Virgil locked his eyes on the table. Why the fuck had he done that? He… He should’ve known that his mother would react that way. The family always tended to shy away from that kind of stuff - asides from Remy, of course, supportive as ever - so why would he even think that his mother would be okay with any of this?

Remy raised a hand. “Uh, if it’s any consolation, I’m also gay. And I’m pretty sure Dad’s bisexual, not gonna lie.”

His father glared daggers at Remy, and Remy lowered his hand.

“Okay, maybe he isn’t bi, but I am actually a massive homosexual.”

“Remy, you’re not helping,” his mother said, through gritted teeth. She turned back to Virgil, plastering on a fake smile. “How long have you been like that?”

Virgil frowned. “Well, I’d imagine my whole life, but I realised when I was, like, thirteen? Fourteen? Some time around then.”

His mother shook her head. “No, that can’t be right. I mean, you haven’t had any… any boyfriends before, have you?”

Virgil rolled his eyes. “I haven’t really had any friends period. I’m just nowstarting to get friends and the fact I also just happen to enjoy kissing one of them doesn’t change that.”

“Don’t talk about kissing boys at the dinner table,” his mother chided.

“If I was talking about kissing girls would you think differently?”

His mother spluttered, not able to get any words out.

“Thought so.” Virgil stood up. “I guess I’ll just got talk about kissing boys somewhere else.” He left the kitchen, taking his spaghetti with him.

~*~

There was a gentle knock on his bedroom door. Assuming that it was his mother, Virgil wrapped his blankets tighter around him and tried to wipe away his tears and steady his breathing. Maybe if she thought he wasn’t in here, she would go away.

He heard the door open, footsteps creeping towards his bed, and felt somebody weigh down on him, sitting on the end of his bed. He buried himself deeper into his mattress, trying his very hardest to disappear. The person placed a hand on Virgil’s back - or his duvet, really - and rubbed gently. Virgil wanted to swipe the hand away, until he heard a voice.

“Hey, Virge.” It was Remy. Just Remy. “I’m… sorry about back there. I know Mom can be a little intense.”

Virgil turned over, unwrapping his blankets slightly so he could see Remy. “That wasn’t intense. That was just…”

“I know, I know.” Remy sighed. “She’ll come around.”

Virgil closed his eyes, trying to stop his tears. “I don’t think she will.”

“She will,” Remy promised. “And… if she doesn’t, if it gets any worse, I’ll just take you away. We can get our own place and you can have as many boyfriends as you want. I mean, I’m assuming you just want the one, but you know what I mean. We’d never even have to see her again.”

“And Dad?” Virgil wondered. “He didn’t even say anything.”

“He’ll come around too,” Remy promised. “They both will. Things will get better.”

Virgil lifted his blanket over his head again.

“If it makes any difference, I’m happy for you,” Remy said. “You have an amazing boyfriend, and being gay is just about the best thing you can be.”

Virgil huffed, smiling a little.

“Do you want me to stay here?” Remy asked.

“No, it’s fine,” Virgil said. “You go back to bed.”

“Okay.” Remy patted him. “I’m next door if you next anything.”

~*~

Virgil felt himself get pushed against the wall. He had just left his class before lunch, and turned into an empty hallway when the attacker stuck. His heart rate increased, brain screaming that things were going back to the way it was before, but then the ‘attacker’ pressed against his lips, kissing him, and Virgil realised what was going on. He relaxed a little, kissing back.

Eventually Remus pulled away, and smirked at Virgil. “Oh my God, you should’ve seen your face then.”

Virgil breathed in. “That wasn’t funny, Remus. I was genuinely afraid for a second.”

“What did you think I was gonna do?”

Virgil sighed. “I dunno. Punch me. Kick me. Threaten me with a knife.”

Remus seemed a little upset about that. “Why would I do any of that?”

“Usually when people push me against a wall, it means one of those three things are coming,” Virgil said, through a smile. He began to walk down the hall again, towards the cafeteria.

“Has… Has that happened to you before?” Remus asked, jogging a little to catch up.

“Well, asides from the knife part.” Virgil shrugged. “I mean, you know about my last school, right?”

“I know you said you had a hard time there, but…”

“Well, that was what I was talking about.” Virgil shoved his hands in his pockets. “I mean, not just that, of course, but that was a big part of it.”

“Virgil,” Remus said, softly, “I’m sorry.”

Virgil shrugged. “Eh. It’s in the past. Nothing bad has happened at this school yet. And I’ve got you to protect me.”

“Still.” Remus wrapped an arm around Virgil’s shoulder. “You never should’ve had to deal with that. I’m… I’ll find everyone who did, and threaten them with a knife.”

“You really don’t have to do that,” Virgil said.

“They did it to you.”

“Nobody threatened me with a knife.”

“That doesn’t mean I can’t threaten them.”

Virgil smiled. “Okay, well, thanks anyway. I don’t… I don’t really think any of them deserve to be punished for what they did, but…”

“Of course they do,” Remus said. “They hurt you, Virgil.”

“Yeah, and I’d never want the same to happen to them.” Virgil sighed. “We were young and stupid. They probably didn’t know any better. I just… hope they learn something from it. Hope they grow out of being massive dicks.”

Remus hummed. “Well. I won’t dig any further, then.”

They reached the cafeteria, and split off, Remus going to join D and Virgil going to join Patton and Logan.

~*~

Virgil laid in his bed, holding his phone up in front of his face. It was now or never, really. He had to tell someone about Remus, especially after what went down with his parents a couple nights previously. He was fed up of keeping this a secret from his friends. But it was harder than it looked.

He read over his message one more time:

hey guys, so i know this may come as a shock to you, buuuuut i just so happen to have a boyfriend. and i’ve been meaning to tell you for like ages but apparently can’t bring myself to say it to your faces. so yeah uhhh please don’t hate me thanks bye

Cringing a little but trying his best to ignoring his brain, he closed his eyes, pressed send, and threw his phone to the side. He brought up his hands and covered his face, taking deep breathes. His phone buzzed about fifty times, but he ignored it, scared to see what the others would say. Eventually, the phone started ringing.

He glanced over, seeing Patton’s name pop up on the screen. He groaned. Really wasn’t in the mood to talk. Texting was one thing, holding a conversation was another.

He let the call go to voicemail, then picked up his phone, reading through the messages in the group chat.

Patton: :O

Patton: Virgil!

Patton: that’s awesome!!!

Patton: who is it?

Logan: Oh, that is great news Virgil. If the reason you were afraid to tell us is because of the implications of having a 'boyfriend’ rather than a 'girlfriend’, I’d just like to let you know that I support you regardless of that fact, and I assume Patton does as well. I’m sure you’re aware of Patton’s pansexuality and my own homosexuality, so really no issue. That being said, I’m very happy for you.

Patton: tell me everything!!!!!

Patton: oh yeah Logan’s right of course we accept you v

Patton: Virgil? You there buddy?

Patton: Virgilllllllll

Virgil breathed in, and quickly typed out a response.

Virgil: yeah, uh, thanks guys. i mean i wasn’t afraid about the whole gay thing anyway but i’m glad to know that y'all accept me and shit.

Virgil: anyway. uh.

Virgil: i’m dating remus.

~*~

The next day at school, all six of them sat together for lunch. Patton invited Remus and D over to their own table, which Remus quickly accepted and D more reluctantly accepted after heavy persuasion from Remus. After texting his friends the night before, Virgil had managed to convince them that Remus was good for him. Upon explaining that he was in love and all that, Patton was pretty quick to accept it all. And Logan didn’t really need much convincing - he never really had that much of a problem with Remus in the first place, only knowing what Roman had told him.

But he and Remus were together now, and nothing could stop that. Maybe his mother hadn’t spoken to him since that dinner, but Virgil didn’t care too much about that - it wasn’t as if she spoke much to him before. Same with his father. He had Remy, at least, still supporting him from the side, and Roman now as well he guessed.

Remus and Virgil held hands under the table as they ate. And that was fine. Everything was fine now.

~*~

Virgil collapsed against Remus’ body, closing his eyes. It was after school, and neither particularly wanted to go home, so they sat together on the school field, watching the clouds float by. Remus wrapped an arm around Virgil’s shoulder, pulling him in tight.

“Thank you,” Virgil whispered. “For being here.”

Remus began to stroke Virgil’s hair. “You don’t need to thank me.”

“But this is exactly what I needed. After all the shit that went down in my last school,” Virgil said.

Remus shook his head. “You don’t need a boyfriend because of that. You need a support system, and you have it. I’m just glad your friends don’t hate me anymore.”

Virgil giggled. “Yeah, I guess that’s a plus.”

“I’m glad you came back,” Remus said. “I missed you so much.”

“Well.” Virgil smiled. “I’m never leaving again.”

They kissed, all of their worries fading away into the air around them.

[poetatertot]

It’s Not So Bad (In LA): part two

“So.” Wei Wuxian perches on the couch arm. “The summer camp seems to be working out.”

They’ve ordered a pizza for dinner—the sweet luxury of pay day. Jin Ling has sauce all over his chin, and greasy cheese fingers. Jiang Cheng watches him rip two pepperonis off the top and stack them in his mouth. 

“Yeah.” He sips his water. “You really like it, don’t you a-Ling?”

His nephew grunts through his mouthful. “It’s alright. Coach Xichen is too nice, though.”

Wei Wuxian lifts an eyebrow. “Too nice? How can someone be too nice?”

Jin Ling shrugs one shoulder. “He smiles so much. He makes us all share. He listens to all of Lan Jingyi’s stupid stories, even though he tells the same ones ove and over.” He scowls. “Lan Jingyi is stupid.”

Jiang Cheng snorts. “Big words coming from you.”

“What does that mean?”

Wei Wuxian cackles. “Uncle thinks you’re a clown!”

Jin Ling’s face screws up around his food. “But didn’t Wei-gege say Uncle was a fat—”

Wei Wuxian lunges across the table and slaps one hand over Jin Ling’s greasy mouth. 

Jiang Cheng swallows his crust. “No, go on, a-Ling. Tell me.”

Jin Ling’s eyes flick between them. “Um.. He scoots back his chair. “I have to pee!” He runs down the hall and slams the door behind him.

Jiang Cheng glares. “What bullshit are you telling my nephew?”

“Ah-ah, our nephew, a-Cheng!” Wei Wuxian ducks under Jiang Cheng’s swing. “He just needs to know the truth is all!”

“I’ll show you truth, you big, mangy—” 

They tussle, pulling hair and knocking plates until Jin Ling returns and squabbles at them for fighting. 

The next morning, Jiang Cheng wakes early enough to catch Wei Wuxian in the kitchen. Coffee brews from their old Kitchenaid, filling the living room with cheap-bean-smell. Jiang Cheng wrinkles his nose.

“I’m taking a-Ling to camp.”

Wei Wuxian peeks up from under his bangs. “Oh? Have something to do afterwards?” He frowns. “I thought it was my turn to get groceries.”

“It is.” Jiang Cheng fiddles with the peeling edge of the countertop. “I’m going to just drop him off and come back before work.”

They stand in silence for a moment. The Kitchenaid beeps feebly and turns off. 

A warm flush threatens to betray Jiang Cheng’s composure. He turns away, pinching at the behavior update Jin Ling came home with—a whole page of pen-written characters, signed at the bottom with elegant flourish. 

Lan Xichen.

“If you say so,” Wei Wuxian sing-songs. “Should I get those loquats you like while I’m out, then?”

Jiang Cheng thumbs over the signature. “I don’t care. You’re the one that likes them, remember?”

“Hmm.” 

He looks up. Wei Wuxian smiles back at him from the kitchenette, dark eyes bright. 

“What?” Jiang Cheng demands.

“Nothing,” Wei Wuxian says, but he grins into his mug as he lies, and Jiang Cheng knows he’s been caught. “Shall I pick him up this evening, then? Before groceries?”

The idea of Wei Wuxian laying eyes on Lan Xichen makes Jiang Cheng want to hide in the closest dumpster. Or move back to San Francisco. Or both. 

But he can’t be irrational. He has work; Wei Wuxian knows this.

“Do what you want,” he mutters, and lets the report fall from his fingers.

When they pull up to the Y—Jiang Cheng parks Zidian in the right spot this time—there aren’t too many kids. In fact, they’re a whole half-hour early. 

Jiang Cheng likes to think this is a coincidence. 

“Come on, a-Ling.” He pats his nephew’s leg. “Unbuckle. We’re here.”

Mianmian—because Jiang Cheng still hasn’t figured out her real name and doesn’t want to ask—sits at the front desk again. She looks up and actually beams at the sight of them.

“On time for Day 2!” She waves her pen. “That’s the spirit!”

“Er, yeah.” Jiang Cheng shoves Jin Ling in front. “Where’s today’s meetup for the 8-12’s?”

“Second door on the right.” Mianmian checks her monitor. “Looks like today is Morning Craft-Making! Have fun a-Ling!”

Jin Ling flushes an impressive shade of pink. “Thanks.”

The room in question is like a clown-house: bright tiles, walls covered in handprints, art tacked on every available surface. The smell of glue and paint hangs like nostalgic cloud; Jiang Cheng inhales deep and instantly is flung back to fifth grade when he painted purple dragons the whole year. They still have a few of them stored away. Somewhere. 

Lan Xichen pokes his head out of a cabinet. “Oh! You’re early today.”

“Yes, Coach.” Jin Ling throws his backpack into a chair. “Uncle said we had to.”

Jiang Cheng flushes. “I, ah. I have work.”

Lan Xichen nods—and then he steps out fully from behind the cabinets and Jiang Cheng has to close his eyes for a moment. Nobody should look that good in an apron and sweatshirt. He even has the sleeves pushed up, baring muscular forearms, showcasing elegant fingers and a cute little friendship bracelet.

Jiang Cheng’s palms are starting to sweat. He crams his hands in his pockets.

“Well,” he forces out, “a-Ling. Are we going to have another good day?”

“Yes Uncle,” Jin Ling drones. He wrinkles his nose. “As long as Lan Jingyi isn’t here.”

“Now, now.” Lan Xichen puts his hands on his hips. How did Jiang Cheng never notice how nice his hips were? “Is that any way to talk about our family?”

And it’s stupid. Our family is decidedly not Jiang Cheng’s family. He knows this, so why is his face getting red anyway?

Jin Ling peers up at him. “Uncle, you’re all sweaty.”

Oh my god. Okay. It’s definitely time to go.

“I’ll just be.. Leaving.” He points towards the door. “Um. Have a good day, Jin Ling. Lan Xichen.”

Lan Xichen smiles with all of his perfect teeth. A dimple pops on one side. “Certainly,” he says. “You too.”

Jiang Cheng is totally a goner.

He floats on that smile all day. Nothing can bring him down. Not when Zidian fakes her own death on the I-5 freeway. Not when AAA informs him there’s a waiting time of over an hour. Not when he arrives to work late, and then has to spend extra time cleaning all the bathrooms by himself. 

He has a dimple, Jiang Cheng thinks to himself. Oh god. He has a dimple.

He nearly drops his rag into the toilet.

Jiang Cheng floats on Cloud Nine all the way until he pulls into his shitty parking space and trudges up two flights to the apartment.

The living room light is on.

“Wei Wuxian?” He locks the door, toeing off his sneakers. “What are you doing awake?”

His adoptive brother should be asleep by now. Not that he follows a schedule—even with work, Wei Wuxian’s proclivities for late-night reality TV is well-documented—but it’s a Tuesday night, and Wei Wuxian usually opens Wednesdays and Fridays.

Wei Wuxian looks up from the table. “Oh, hey. Just..” He waves a hand. “Making a playlist.”

“At midnight? Don’t you have work tomorrow?”

His brother blows a raspberry. “It’s for somebody. I wouldn’t expect you to understand. Don’t you have, like, two friends?”

Jiang Cheng has one. It’s his brother. “So? Can’t you make that in the morning?”

“But I told Lan Zhan I’d have it done tomorrow.” Wei Wuxian sighs, twirling a lock of hair around one finger. 

There’s leftover pizza in the fridge. Jiang Cheng doesn’t even bother with a plate. “Lan Zhan?” 

Wei Wuxian has the audacity to blush. 

“Don’t worry about it,” he mutters, which means Jiang Cheng should absolutely worry about it. But then: “Here’s Ling-er’s report from today.”

Jiang Cheng swoops to snatch it from his fingers. All smiley-faces again. Whatever black magic Lan Xichen has at his disposal, he’s doing some serious legwork with it. Jin Ling never gets along well with other kids.

Another wonderful day, he’s written at the bottom. How lucky for Jin Ling to have such a good role model! There’s a little waving stickman next to his name.

“So,” Wei Wuxian says. “Coach Lan Xichen, huh?”

Jiang Cheng gives him a look over the paper that would kill small birds. “Don’t.”

“What? I didn’t even say anything!”

“Yeah. Yet.”

“You’re such a sourpuss,” Wei Wuxian complains. “No wonder you never get any dates. Your aura repels people from a mile away.”

“What does this have to do with getting dates?” Jiang Cheng can see the gears turning in Wei Wuxian’s brain—no, they’ve already been turning. He just happened to walk in right at the end. “Wei Wuxian—”

“Jiang Cheng,” his brother mimics. “I think it’s time we try again.”

“‘We?’ There is no we in this! And I’m not going on any dates!” He crinkles the paper in his irritation and pauses to smooth it out again. “You’re delusional.”

“And you have a crush on the hot YMCA supervisor,” Wei Wuxian sing-songs. 

“Do not!”

“Do too.” Wei Wuxian leans in, eyebrows waggling. “Come on. I would too, if I were you. Thank goodness I’m not, though—you’re bound to get premature grey hairs.”

Jiang Cheng’s eye twitches. “Do. Not. Meddle.”

“So you admit there’s something to meddle with?”

“Don’t you have a playlist to make?”

Wei Wuxian rolls his eyes. “I’m almost done! Don’t change the subject.” He leans in. “Picture this: you. Mr. Hunky Coach Man. On a date.” He pauses, considering. “A good date.”

“I don’t want to picture anything,” Jiang Cheng says. It’s a lie. He’s already picturing them on their second date. And their third. And when they adopt a dog together after he moves in.

“Uh-huh.” Wei Wuxian wags a finger. “I know you. If I don’t help out, you’ll be a sad, lonely hermit for the rest of your life! Come on, a-Cheng. When was the last time you went on a date? A year ago? Two years ago?”

Jiang Cheng knows when it was. A cold rush of something bitter seethes below his skin, poisoning his already-failing mood. He drops his pizza on the table. He’s not hungry anymore.

“Try five,” he snaps. “Some of us have bigger problems, you inconsiderate twat.”

He sees Wei Wuxian do the math. The way his eyebrows raise, and then fall. His lips part in a silent o, but for once, he has nothing to say. Jiang Cheng wishes he could call it a victory.

“I..” Wei Wuxian swallows. “I didn’t—”

“No, you didn’t,” Jiang Cheng snaps. “It’s all just a big, fucking game to you, is that it? My life isn’t one of your TV shows! At least one of us has to take care of Jin Ling, and if it has to be me then I’m fine with it. I don’t need you giving me shit while you’re off making playlists for random pieces of ass!”

“Lan Zhan is not a piece of ass!” Wei Wuxian snaps. He stands, lips twisting. “Just because one of us knows when to move on—”

“Move on? Move on?” Jiang Cheng lunges over the table and shakes him. “How can you fucking say that? Are you listening to yourself?” He sucks in a sharp breath and lets go. “Forget it. I’m going to bed.”

“Jiang Cheng, wait—”

He slams his bedroom door.

The next morning is rough. Jiang Cheng hardly slept. His eyes feel like someone’s kicked a whole sandbox into them. His body aches more than when Jin Ling accidentally gave him the flu. He almost wishes he were sick. Maybe then he wouldn’t have to leave his bedroom ever again.

But no. It’s a Wednesday, so there’s still a-Ling’s summer camp to go to.

“Uncle, you look bad,” his nephew tells him plaintively. 

Jiang Cheng squints over his cup of coffee. Jin Ling blinks up from his bowl of Cheerio’s, the picture of seven-year-old innocence. 

“Thanks,” he deadpans.

At least Wei Wuxian already went to work. There’s no morning awkwardness to deal with, no avoidance tactics Jiang Cheng has to employ. It’s just him and his nephew, alone in the apartment at 8AM. 

Jiang Cheng looks at Jin Ling—really looks at him. He’s grown a ton over the past year, shooting out of all of his pants. His hair is getting a little long; Wei Wuxian will have to give him a trim soon. 

Every day he looks more and more like his mother.

Jiang Cheng wonders what Jiejie would think if she could see him today. Would she be happy with the way they’ve raised her son? Would she scorn them for living like this? What would she do in this situation?

A-Cheng. I know you’re not good with words, but you have to apologize.

For what? I didn’t do anything wrong!

Maybe not. But isn’t it best to mend the bridge before it breaks?

His fingers curl tighter around his coffee mug. 

“Come on, a-Ling,” he says. “It’s time to get dressed for camp.”

☁️

It’s Pool Day. 

It’s Pool Day and nobody warned Jiang Cheng about it being Pool Day, because what happens on Pool Day but the most beautiful man on Earth walking around in tight swim trunks and a tank-top? With sunglasses? 

His long hair is twisted into a messy bun. His arms are defined enough to make a sculptor weep. And his collarbones— 

Jiang Cheng likes to think he isn’t a weak man, but sometimes? There are exceptions.

“Coach!” Jin Ling shrieks. “Look at my swim trunks!” 

They’re bright yellow with little elephants. Lan Xichen beams.

“They suit you,” he says. “Very bright. Just like you!”

Jin Ling smiles wide enough to practically close his eyes. He tosses his backpack aside and immediately makes for the group of kids in the warm-up zone. In a moment, he’s merged into their group entirely.

It makes Jiang Cheng proud. He doesn’t know what Lan Xichen’s done to improve his nephew’s behavior, but it makes Jiang Cheng hopeful for second grade. He wants Jin Ling to grow up surrounded by love, by friends and affection. Seeing him do warm-up stretches with the other kids gives Jiang Cheng light.

Lan Xichen turns the loveliest shade of pink when Jiang Cheng tells him this. He even blushes all the way down his chest. Jiang Cheng is utterly delighted.

“I’m just doing my best,” Lan Xichen says. His honesty warms Jiang Cheng all the way to his toes. “I want them to feel like they’re really part of a family.”

“Yeah,” Jiang Cheng breathes. He follows Lan Xichen’s gaze to the group of laughing, smiling children. “I know what you mean.”

[kishimoto-did-us-dirty]

Aaa, I'm not sure if the prompt list is still open, but if it is, could I ask “When I’m with you, I’m home.” for Gaara and his s/o? Which of the two says it is up to you, anything would be cute! Thank you in advance

Ofc~ Enjoy!!!

The resolution is a bit of an oof (just to me as an author), but I still do like this piece, although admittedly it’s not my best. It’s still rather okay at some points though lol

Also, to anyone who is requesting from the prompt list, please specify who says the lines. I will automatically default to the actual character speaking them, but it makes my life 1000x easier when writing these scenarios to not try and figure out clever ways in which a character can say all the requested lines. I will do it if not specified and if wanted, but if it is flexible, please tell me.

Apologies for any spelling mistakes!!!

Querencia

“When I’m with you, I’m home”

Those of whom are averse to the fact that individuals may be willingly apparent to change, due to their inherent abilities or lack thereof afforded by society, betray the notion that they will forever be stuck in their own senseless limbo as they simply await for things to happen to them. Why? Because of their inherent abilities or lack thereof afforded to them by society.

This was something of which your significant other, Gaara, had realized long before he had decided to rise up above what it was that he had been afforded by society, and take the highest heirarchical military position available in his counrty: Kazekage.

You see, while we all know you’re aware, dear reader, we must address those who aren’t; Gaara, our now Kazekage, has a complicated past.

Usually I would skip over the specifics, but everybody came from somebody, and every somebody came from somewhere. These people and places may not be relevant to all when telling their stories, but it is relevant for this one. Allow me to explain.

They say that everyone is someone’s everything, and that home is where the heart is - this did not reign true for Gaara. The reason being? He was born as what we all refer to as a Jinchuuriki. To all those who don’t know, a Jinchuuriki is a special term for a special type of host. Jinchuuriki had the job, whether they had interviewed for it or not, to host and keep wild beasts within them. These beasts were known for their tails. These beasts were known for their power. And these beasts were known for their danger. And within Gaara, did one of them lay.

It was a tanuki, and it held grave power within its one tail. People shuddered at the name: Shukaku.

The tanuki had once went wild in the midst of Gaara’s country, Suna, and in its rage, killed hundreds of innocents. Men, women, children, babes, elderly, and mostly, shinobi (the leading militia force).

And so when the beast had been tamed that same night it went rampant, and placed inside the body of an unborn babe, fate had seemingly sealed itself, and placed a lid on the container; the babe, Gaara, was to lead a life of hardship and sorrow. One led by the pains of others as they looked upon his being, and saw another that caused the deaths of those they had loved. Gaara was to lead a life in which he was ostrascized; one of which he was completely, and utterly alone. And he did.

I won’t go into detail, but for a long time, Gaara felt that he was not everyone, and no one viewed him as their anything. And if he had no one to give his heart to, then he had nowhere to go for home. Simply a house.

This is where you came in, dear reader. You had watched from afar at first, as Gaara struggled to cope with his sense of self, never really thinking too much. You had seen, as he rose from a troubled boy to a quietly determined teenager. Until eventually, you stood before him in his office, and viewed him as a man.

It had started slow at first, with you obligingly taking orders from your leader, being a shinobi and privy to his orders. Until little happenings began to take place, from bumping into him around his office’s building, to seeing him around the village and having small talk. Eventually, it went from “Y/n” and “Gaara,” to “Y/n and Gaara.”

You, having seen his struggle to become who he is today, and fight the voices who believed him to be a monster, knew that he had changed from before, when he was unstable and raw. You had watched him, and you knew quite honestly that no man who regarded his cacti collection with such delicacy could ever be the monster others once claimed he was. No man who brought you cacti flowers and trinkets from his travels, and protected you after he had gotten so used to only protecting himself could ever be that monster. Most would agree with you.

Most.

There were still some, even after Gaara had taken up the Kazekage position, who held onto the belief that Gaara was not human, and was to be hated vehemently. They believed him to be the monster within, rather than the human host.

Gaara payed no mind, however.

“y/n, I don’t mind it, I swear.” A small smile placed itself upon his lips, the fullest it would get for your boyfriend.

Sitting on his office desk, you lightly trailed the grains of the old, hardended wood under your fingers, absently swinging your legs as you gazed up at the ceiling, a frown on your face.

You gave a light sigh. “I know, but I do. They don’t even know anything about you.” Turning your head, you gazed down at your boyfriend sitting at his desk, an amused smile playing at his lips as he finalized the contents of his recent documents. “I just wish they saw you the way I do.” 

Gaara set down the documents and turned toward you, his smile growing as he looked into your eyes. “What? You want the whole village to view me romantically?”

Your legs stopped swinging as you felt heat raise to your cheeks, turning your body to face Gaara more so than it had previously been. “Well no, but it’d be better than having some of them hate you. They don’t know how to seperate you from the tanuki – they blind if they can’t see that you’ve changed.” You gave a little huff as your gaze travelled from coral green eyes to large window panes overlooking the village.

Now Gaara was really never quite the happy one, no matter how the recent years of his life had turned out. However, when he was with you, things turned a little lighter, and even I, the detailer of this tale, may have been fooled into forgetting his past. But perhaps there was no fooling to be done; people can forget even the prescence of gravity when they are in love.

Smile never fading, Gaara regarded you with yet another gaze. “I do not care, y/n. I overcame most of those people, and I have achieved enough acceptance in my life to be happy.” He stood up from his chair and circled to desk until he stood in front of you. “I can’t expect everyone to accept me for what and who I am.” By now he had grabbed your waist, and your gaze had long since returned to the coral green eyes in front of you. Heat raised to your cheeks once more. “And above those achievements, I achieved you.” 

Whew, I wasn’t even there and yet I can still practically feel the heat on your face, dear reader.

Gaara continued to speak, his fingers tracing lights circles into your skin. “I view you as the one thing I never had: everything.”

Momentarily closed eyes, and a short but sweet pressing of both of your lips passed, and Gaara looked toward you once again, the heat of his forehead burning against your own as he pressed his to yours.

“I am still Kazekage, am I not? They cannot do anything but simply wait until the hat has been passed onto another.”

Pulling away from you, Gaara’s eyes gave you a look with a teasing light prancing about within them as his hands grasped your waist firmer than before. “All that matters is that I am with you here and now, and that you see me as who I am. It is how you see me that I care about.”

By now, a smile had grown on your face, and the blush encompassing it had faded to a pleasant pink as you stared up at him. Hands now on his biceps, you tugged your boyfriend toward you for another kiss.

“You know my heart will always be with you, right?” You asked. “No matter what others may say.”

Gaara gave a light chuckle, and gave his affirmations of “of course he knew that,” but it didn’t stop you from smiling any wider.

You gave a light chuckle. “There is something that others say that I agree with, though.” Gaara made a small sound of curiosity as he looked down at you, fingers once again tracing vacantly into your skin. “’Home is where the heart is.’ You know, if that’s true,” your face turned pink once more before you continued, Gaara’s own beginning to take on a similar hue. “Then when I’m with you, I’m home.”

And for someone who had, for a long time, never had a home, the moment meant all the more when he replied with “Likewise.”

[fa-nfiction]

Thunder #40

I woke up from the touch of his hands. Slowly, lovingly, he dragged his fingers from my knee and upwards, across my thigh, lingered on the skin of my waist and stroked downwards once again. I pretended to still be asleep so he wouldn’t stop.

He was laying behind me, naked and warm beneath our covers, and it was quite a feat to stay put and keep still. Even more so as he kissed the corner between my shoulder and my ear. It felt like I could just melt away into his touch.

“Ca-aaas. I can hear your breathing.” He chuckled lowly into my ear. Damn. Busted.

“So? Everybody breathes.” I retorted, teasingly. I felt hoarse and drowsy, but blissful.

“You breathe in that way when you don’t want me to think that you’re awake.”

“Bollocks. I don’t.”

“Bollocks. Bollocks, bollocks, bollocks. ONE day in London and you’re a real proper Brit.” He snickered.

“Hey!” I wanted to nudge him in the stomach, but he was too quick. He grabbed my arm and laid on top of me before I could do anything.

“Hey what.” The weight of his body was pinning me down, and I apparently had to endure the smugness of his face through all of this teasing.

“You’re an ass.”

“Ooh,  naughty words. I had no idea such a proper lady could speak like that. Tell me … how did someone this posh end up in a pub like this?”

“I have no idea, to be honest. I was lured in by something.”

“Mmm-hmm. Like what?”

“I don’t know.” I managed to wriggle a bit free from him so I could wrap my legs around him. I heard his breathing hitch as our bodies touched.

“I think it’s me that was lured in, honestly.” He grinded against me, and I had to close my eyes with the sensation.

He did the movement again and I wanted nothing more than him inside of me. Even more so as he began to kiss me. His kisses were deep and long and left me desperate for more.

“Wait …” I bit my lip as I could feel him a bit too close. “Rain coat.”

“Right. Sorry.” He smiled apologetically at me and pulled away. “Old habit.”

“It’s alright.” I had fallen out of breath. “It’s just that the two of us are a bit too … “

“Too what?” He looked at me, curiosity written on his face.

“Too good at getting me pregnant.”

I could see his face going from confused to curious until finally, shocked.

“You’re not serious.” He sat up and sat on the bedside. “The … pregnancy?”

I nodded. The atmosphere in the room had changed into something a lot more solemn.

“Why didn’t you tell me? Cas?” He looked at me in complete disbelief.

I shrugged and tried to not think too much about it.

“I figured that … I don’t know, maybe you’d put two and two together.”

“How could I do that? I thought it was … somebody else.”

“Who would that be?” I sat up on my arms, frowning at him.

“Don’t take it like that, Cas. We were just together that one night, and you …”

“I what?”

“You met a lot of guys back there, right? I saw you at the pub.” He paused and looked sad for a second. “You made sure I saw.”

“Don’t give me that bullshit. And I didn’t fuck them.”

“But … why didn’t you say anything? I sat with you every night. We watched Miami Vice, you slept and I was right there. Why didn’t you tell me?”

I sighed and fell back into the pillows.

“I wanted to … I really did. But it felt like I had deserved all of that. It was me that had to go through it. I was just … happy that you were there. I didn’t want to scare you off.”

“Scare me off? Scare me OFF, Cas?”

“I know.” I felt my eyes beginning to tear up. “It was just … so fragile. I had kicked you out and I didn’t feel like I deserved you being there. I felt so … terrible.”

I could see his jaw clenching as he thought about those nights. The atmosphere between us had been so heavy and dreadful, unlike anything we’d ever tried before. I would cry in the daytime and watch Miami Vice at night, looking at the back of his head and wondering if he’d ever talk to me or touch me again.

“I thought you didn’t want anything to do with me.” He said. “That’s why I wrote to Nathan. If he had a job for me, here.”

“And he did.”

“He did.”

I couldn’t decipher what was on his mind. Maybe he was sad, maybe he was relieved. No matter what he felt, he didn’t let me in on it. As always.

“I’m going to get burgers for us. Alright?” He asked, his back turned towards me. I understood. 

( … )

The short walk from here, to the pizza place and back, had helped. He seemed to be feeling a lot better as he returned.

Not that he said much, but it sufficed. And like this, we ate our burgers and french fries, until a text on my phone ripped through the silence.

“Teddy’s running a fever. Going to the doctor’s with him. Call me when you have the time. Xx - Mum”

From there, everything happened in a blur. I dropped everything I had, got dressed and began to panic, before my rational mind had even reminded me to call my mother and ask her for the details. She didn’t say much, as she was on her way to the doctor. Michael was quickly filled in, and he seemingly panicked just as much as I did. It was with hands shaking that I made the call to the airport to change my flight to an earlier one. Michael jump-ran to the car and tried desperately to get the ice off of it, so we could get going. Had the lock not opened in that very second that it did, I’m sure he would have found an axe and simply chopped off the door. There was nothing calm or collected about us, but somehow, we seemed to accomplish it all in time. Whenever one of us was panicking too much, the other would comfort, if even for a few seconds.

 “What did she say? Should I go with you? I can’t go with this one, but I can take a later flight -” He was rambling on, every once in a while running a hand through his hair, as if that would somehow help him to find a solution.

“She said it was nothing bad, that it’s just a fever, so … I don’t KNOW, honestly.”

He took a few deep breaths and seemingly calmed down. There was a long queue for the check-in, and now, it had become my turn to worry. What if I don’t make the flight? My baby needs me … oh god, my baby needs me. MOVE, PEOPLE.

“Easy, darl’. You’ll make it. Don’t worry.” He said, as he rubbed my shoulders. Apparently, it had been easy to read my mind.

“I just want these people to move, damn it.”

“You’ll make it.” He grabbed my hand and squeezed it hard.

“I’m going to miss you, Michael.”

“Likewise.” He bent down and kissed me on the forehead. “Next time, I’ll be coming over to you.”

“How long will we be doing that? Going back and forth?”

“Until you move over here, Cas.”

“What if I can’t?”

“It’s easy. You can.”

“Uuuugh. You’re so annoying.”

“I know. But you love it.” He leaned down and kissed me. It was soft and warm and, most importantly, made me want more. I longed for long mornings, with he and I and Teddy, sleeping in and going for English breakfast somewhere. I didn’t know if that would ever happen.

“Your turn.” He broke the kiss and pointed to the clerk at the desk. It was time.

( … )

Of course, just like my rational mind already knew, Teddy was absolutely fine. Probably just a cold, the doctor had told my mother, and as they’d made their way home he already felt better. As I’d almost kicked her door in to see my boy, hugged him for the longest time and cried a little, my rationality began to set in and I felt like a fool. Of course, I called Michael and reassured him, my mom chuckling at our nervousness in the background.

...

“Really, there was no point in going home earlier. I could have handled him fine, even if he had been worse. Not the first time I’m taking care of a baby, you know.”  My mom teased me, as we sat in front of the T.V. in the evening time.

“Ugh. I knoooow, Mom. I just got so worried.”

“And you lost precious time with that guy of yours.”

“He’s not … my … guy. Do people even say things like that, mom?”

“But you want him to be. And the other way around, too.”

“Don’t say things like that, Mom. It’s not that simple.”

“It is, Cas. It really is.”

“I can’t have that … long distance thing going on. And with all the things we’d been through, I’m just not … I’m not really sure of anything.” I felt a  sting in my heart as I lied to my mother. I knew exactly what I wanted. Michael’s arms, around me, in London, raising our boy and being together forever.

“I think you should move over to  him, darling.”

“Give me a break. It’s not that simple. What about you and Mr. Secret? I don’t see you and him running off into the sunset, either.”

She smiled as she looked down. She always looked so serene and universally happy when we talked about her boyfriend.

“He’s working a lot. He’s running a company, of sorts. But it’s not like we haven’t talked about it.”

“Well? What’s holding you back?”

“Things. I don’t know. All of our goddamn kids, maybe.” She said and I immediately burst into laughter along with her.

“No, it’s not that.” She said as we’d both recovered from the laughing. “He lives a bit far away, too. We want to make sure that this is going to work.”

“You see? Things are NOT that simple, mom. And with Michael, I’m just not … I can’t take that leap and just trust him forever. I can’t.”

“He did those things because he loved you, Cas.”

“That was a really weird way of showing it.”

“He’s a complicated guy.” She spoke softly as she looked at me. Something clicked inside of my mind, and I realized I had a question for her.

“You’ve never told me how you two met.”

“Oh, honey. That’s a long and dull story.”

“I have all the time in the world. C’mon, spill.”

“Uuuuugh.” She sighed and began to rub her forehead. Her telltale sign of “I reeeeally don’t want to do this.” Naturally, it only served to pique my curiosity.

“You’re going to hate me for this, Cassie.”

I was now beginning to become desperate for the information. What? What is it?

“I honestly believe that it’s not a scenario that hasn’t already played in my head, Mom. What is it?”

“Uuuugh, Cassie.”

“What? Is it that bad? Did you sleep with him or what?” I tried to not shudder at the thought, but the scenario wasn’t completely unrealistic. Michael being Michael and all. My mom having left a loveless marriage. It was clearly an option.

“What? God, no. Oh my God. That was NOT what happened.”

“Then what? And he’s not that hideous, Mom.” A small part of me was secretly relieved.

“Oh, Cas … how should I put this, honestly.” She rubbed the palms of her hands against her temples. “Well, I’ll just say it as it is. I contacted him, some time ago.”

“You … what? Why? How?” I looked at her, bewildered.

“You’ll have to understand, I did everything out of love, Cassie. I had never thought things would become so … complicated. With you falling pregnant again, and all that. I’m so, so sorry.” Her eyes were large and apologetic, the small lines around them making her look worried.

“When? I’m completely lost here, Mom.”

“It was … Teddy was around 5 months old. It was before that night when he was so fussy due to his shots.”

“Yes?”

“I’m sure you remember this better than me, darling, but you weren’t really well back then. Richard had just left, and you were struggling a lot.”

The sound of his name always felt like someone was ripping my heart out. A small glimpse of him, writing his farewell letter, played in my head like a bad movie.

“That’s true.”

“I wanted to help so much, Cassie. I really did. But with the divorce from your Dad and all … I couldn’t be there as much as I wanted to. I’m so, so sorry.”

I couldn’t believe my own ears. In an attempt to help me, she had … reached out to him?

“And I won’t ever forgive myself for letting you down that day. I am so sorry. I’ve yelled so much at myself for not helping you that day.”

“That … day?”

“The day with the breakdown in the supermarket. I’m absolutely heartbroken, Cassie. It should have been me that helped you. Not him.”

I felt my brows furrowing at the thought of past events.

“He told you about that?”

“Of course he did, honey.”

“I’m … I can’t believe it.”

“I had no idea you were so -“ She was struggling to find the right words.

“... far out.”

“I really didn’t.”

“It’s okay, Mom. I’m okay now.”

A strange silence fell upon us, my Mom looking down on her hands and me, trying to find out what we were even watching on the T.V.

“So, you don’t hate me? For having contacted him?”

“What? No, Mom. Oh my God.”

“Even with the … “

“Even with everything.” I smiled at her and took her hand in mine.

“I still think you should go to him. Go and live there. You’ll find an apartment and Teddy will go to daycare, and things will work out.”

I sighed. “I can’t. I can’t leave all … this.”

“He loves you, you know. And I know you love him.”

I looked at her, defeated and tired.  She smiled back at me like only a mother could.

( … )

“Are you actually right outside?” I asked the face on my phone screen, as I struggled to get a new nappy attached to Teddy. My Mom’s kitchen was way too small for this kind of work, and it took a lot of skillful planning to change a baby all the while not dropping any of the required items on the floor, and like that I had simply put the phone on a shelf so I could finish up.

“I am.” He smiled back and exhaled a puff from his cigarette. The sun was illuminating his face, and I couldn’t remember when he had looked this happy. I couldn’t wait to go outside and throw my arms around him.

“I have the weirdest surprise for you, Cas.” He half-chuckled into the phone. “You’re never gonna believe it.”

“What? Aaaaand there we go, Teddy. Look! There’s Daddy!” I took the boy on my arm and took the phone so the two of them could see each other. Teddy giggled happily at the sight of his dad, and Michael’s face turned into an even happier one.

I went out the kitchen and through the hallway to fetch the door to let Michael in.

“Moooom! He’s here.”

“Okaaa-ay!” I heard a muffled reply from the upstairs bathroom.

I opened the door and Michael was there, hugging and kissing both Teddy and me. I felt tears of joy running down my cheeks and promised myself that I would never be apart from him for this long again.

“What was the surprise?” I asked as I handed Teddy over to Michael. Teddy immediately began to pull at Michael’s beard.

Michael simply smiled at me as he took a step to the side, revealing the broad, large man behind him. I hadn’t seen him in ages, and I was beyond surprised.

“Nathan! Oh my God! What are you doing here??” I exclaimed as I pulled him in for a big hug. As we stood there, I heard my mom clearing her throat behind us.  She had finished up and had come down the stairs to greet our guests.

“There’s … there’s something I wanted to tell you for some time now, Cassie.” I let go of Nathan, and in the next second, my mom ran into his arms.

My hands flew to my mouth as the surprise set in.

[razieltwelve]

Flock (Final Rose)

Sazh was angry. He was really, really damn angry. Nobody came onto his ranch and tried to steal the chocobos. But what really made him see red, what had him reaching for his weapons and firing without a shred of mercy was the sight of Chirpy surrounded by more than a dozen men with the sort of weapons normally reserved for fighting powerful Grimm. Not far away, a couple of other chocobos were down, and the smell of gunfire was still heavy in the air.

He didn’t didn’t shout a warning. He didn’t tell them to surrender. He just started shooting. 

See, the biggest mistake people made was forgetting how deadly he was. Sure, he was arguably the greatest pilot who’d ever lived, as well as one of the finest trainers and instructors in the world, but he was also qualified as a huntsman. Oh, he’d never be able to hack his way through an army the way some of his students could, but there was a reason even S and SS Ranked huntsmen and huntresses were told to avoid combat with him if he turned hostile. Heh. If they ever wanted him dead, they’d probably send one of his old students after him.

His Semblance was perfect for training people. It let him identify their strengths and weaknesses, and it allowed him to grasp all of the ways people and things could work together to bring out the best in each other. But it could also be used in the opposite way, to point out every flaw, every weakness, and every little bad habit somebody had. He could enhance people and things too… or make them weaker.

He put bullets through the eyes of seven of the men before they’d even realised he’d started shooting. As the others scrambled to get a bead on him, his Semblance roared to life. He fired again, targeting the ones with better aim and defensive skills. Their aim suddenly turned shaky, and their guns jammed. Their Auras and Semblances stuttered, disrupted for a split second. Enhanced by his Semblance, Sazh’s bullets were travelling at more than three times the speed they should have while packing more than five times the punch. He might as well have been shooting shotgun shells that travelled at the speed of sniper rifle rounds. And that wasn’t even counting the fact that the bullets used Dust and had been custom made for maximum damage.

Another five of them fell, their Auras flaring and then winking out so rapidly that it was like they weren’t even there. As the other finally began to return fire, Sazh jerked to the side, throwing himself into a roll as he fired smoke rounds into the ground to conceal him from view. He knew how to fight without relying on his eyes - and so did Chirpy.

The instant the men took their eyes off Chirpy, the chocobo burst into motion. Sazh heard the wet thump of Chirpy tearing someone in half with his claws before several more men fell in quick succession. A thunderous ‘kweh’ shook the night, and the screaming got louder as Chirpy began to warm up. He’d been caught off guard, and with so many of the other chocobos around, he hadn’t been able to fight at his full strength. But Sazh had gotten the initiative back, and the other chocobos had scattered as soon as the shooting started.

Neither of them were playing nice anymore. An explosion followed, a blur of gold, as Chirpy rushed forward, his whole body coated in Aura. He was basically a chocobo-sized wrecking ball moving at more than three hundred miles and hour.

As Sazh burst out of the smoke, his twin pistols locked together and turned into a shotgun. He tripped a man over, shoved the gun into his face, and pulled the trigger. The roar of the shotgun was still in the air as Sazh ducked under a stream of gunfire and then replied, the shotgun roaring over and over again. The modified and enhanced shotgun shells were basically mini-artillery. They didn’t blow holes in the men, so much as they blew them apart.

One of the men managed to close in, and Sazh jerked away from a knife thrust. With clinical precision, he caught the man’s wrist in one hand, yanked him off balance, and then blew him apart with the shotgun. Blood and viscera sprayed outward, and Sazh continued forward, grimly blasting opponent after opponent apart.

When there was only one of them left, he let Chirpy knock the man to the ground.

“Who hired you?”

“Please…”

“Tell me who hired you, and I won’t kill you.” The man told him. Sazh smiled. “Thanks.” Then he turned and walked away. “I never said anything about Chirpy though.”

The man’s screams were cut short a moment later.

X     X     X

A week later…

Sazh walked forward, his boots loud in the bloody stillness of the warehouse. A man in a suit was pinned against the wall of the warehouse, a long, sharp piece of metal driven through his shoulder and into the wall. Around them, the bodies of more than a hundred men and women were scattered around the warehouse.

“You had to know this was coming,” Sazh drawled. His eyes were cold. “The moment you sent people around to my ranch, you were a dead man walking.”

“They’re just chocobos,” the man in the suit screamed. “They’re just damn animals.”

“Not to me, they’re not.” Sazh bared his teeth. “I should have seen it coming, but I didn’t. Oh well. I’ll make sure nobody ever even thinks of it again.” He chuckled. “Do you want to know how?”

“…”

“Because I’m going to make an example out of you, so that the next time someone thinks of coming to my ranch to make trouble, they don’t.”

X     X     X

James Ironwood stared at the headline. Good grief. The entire Northern Eagles cartel had been wiped out. Their leader had been found nailed to the wall of a warehouse with gunshot wounds to his knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, wrists, and ankles. He’d died only a few minutes before police had arrived, and the scene around him was even worse.

A hundred or so people slaughtered. Gun shot wounds. Pistols. Rifles. Shotguns. Someone had used those three weapons to wipe out the lot of them. Most troubling were the sheer number of critical shots. Almost half of the people had been killed with a single gunshot wound, and none had needed more than three to be killed.

The first thing that came to mind was Saviour. Lightning’s Semblance could enable that level of accuracy, but she’d been at home, apparently forcing her children to eat vegetables if Vanille’s comments had been anything to go by. That left only one person. Sazh.

He picked up a phone. He wanted a secure line for this. It didn’t take long for Sazh to answer.

“Sazh, it’s James. I need to know. The Northern Eagles… was that you?”

“They came around to my ranch, James. Hurt some of my chocobos really badly. They were going to hurt Chirpy too. I didn’t take kindly too that, so I thought I’d make my feelings known.”

“You left quite a body count.”

“My feelings were not very charitable.”

“I see.” James rubbed his temple with one hand. “I don’t condone this sort of thing, you know.”

“I know.”

“However, the Northern Eagles have been a thorn in Atlas’s side for years now. Please, tell me the police won’t find anything that can be traced back to you.”

“Of course not. Those rounds were all custom cast using machinery a friend of ours threw together - machinery that was destroyed after it was done making them. I didn’t use my normal weapons either. The ones I used were made the same way as the ammunition.”

“I see.” James sighed. “Be careful, Sazh. You’re a good friend, and it’d be a shame to lose you. I’ll keep an eye on things here. I doubt the police will be able to find anything if you’ve been as careful as you say, but I’ll step in if I have to.”

“Good.” Sazh paused. “But if there are rumours… leave them be. I don’t want anyone else getting any ideas.”

X     X     X

Author’s Notes

There is a reason Sazh is considered scary by people in the know.

Sazh’s Semblance has two main components: identification and action. The identification component allows him to identify people’s abilities (e.g., strengths, weaknesses, Semblances, etc.). This allows him to instantly determine which opponents are most dangerous and what makes them dangerous, as well as any flaws they might have. The action part of his Semblance can be used to buff people and objects (e.g., boosting someone’s speed or making a weapon sharper), but it can also be used to do the opposite (e.g., making someone’s aim worse or making a weapon fragile).

As a result, Sazh is exceptionally dangerous. The group that hit his ranch had multiple members that could be class between A to AAA (they knew about Chirpy and some of the other chocobos and were prepared), but reading the story, you wouldn’t realise they are that powerful. The reason is that Sazh’s Semblance is perfect for ambushes and gunfights.

Sazh immediately identified who they were, and he attacked them first, using his Semblance to lower their abilities while simultaneously boosting his weaponry. By the time they realised their Auras and Semblances were not working properly, Sazh had already shot them, and they were dead. He used similar tactics to slaughter the Northern Eagles.

Sazh’s weakening ability doesn’t work for very long if it’s being resisted, which is why he likes using guns. A single bullet can be deadly if its well placed. There are limits though. The more Aura someone has and the better their control over their Semblance and Aura they have, the less effect Sazh’s Semblance will have on them.

This means that anyone below S Tier is probably just dead when fighting him. However, people above that should still be able with withstand some level of gunfire when fighting him, and once they realise what is happening, the technique will be less effective. In practice, Sazh’s weakening ability is not going to let him kill someone like prime Yang with firearms. Prime Yang’s Aura is simply too large, and her grasp of it and her Semblance is too good. 

Against an opponent in the S and EX Tiers, Sazh will rely primarily on enhancing his own abilities and using the identification part of his Semblance to work out what their weaknesses are.

Sazh’s weakest match ups are against people who can overwhelm him (e.g., prime Yang, Fang, Lightning, and Elsa), or people who can nullify his preferred way of fighting. For example, Taren is a hideous match up for Sazh since he has the Aura and control to withstand Sazh’s weakening ability, and his space manipulation makes projectile weapons completely useless. Sazh’s best match ups are against finesse fighters or those who have skillets with holes in them. For instance, he basically murders even prime Weiss since he can instantaneously tell what her Glyphs do and most likely disrupt them while Weiss isn’t durable enough to shrug off his attacks while being hit with his weakening effect (she will have EX level control, but her reserves are not large enough to shrug off multiple hits if he commits heavily to it). Likewise, a guy like Ren is going to be in a world of hurt against someone like Sazh.

Basically, Sazh is tailor made to go after people below S tier and to hunt support types. In an ambush situation or with the right preparation and weaponry (his weakening effect gets more dangerous as his weaponry gets more powerful), he is a legitimate threat to anyone except the most obnoxiously broken of people (e.g., Lightning, Fang, Caius, Snow, prime Elsa).

Sazh is actually correct in that if he ever goes rogue, the recommendation will be to send Lightning or Fang after him, or failing that, Caius or Snow.

[fearofaherobrine]

Roleplay Server Log #337

"Organ Harvest, Yster and Locklear, Flux in Love”

[Locklear] Had returned to Yster's apartment and was a little concerned at not finding her there until he recalled that she was familiar with digital entities. Deciding to wait for her return from wherever they had taken her he sits in one of her chairs and pulls out a book and pen from his jacket to pass the time with-

-There's a hush and the shadows seem to deepen, the already dark walls leaning inward like existence itself bowing to a superior force.

[Azrael] is suddenly there, filling the small space. He opens a wing, sweeping part of his voluminous cloak away to release Yster-

[Yster] Blinks- THAT WAS SO COOL. THANK YOU! ... SIR!

[Azrael] Tiniest bit of a smile- YOU ARE WELCOME.

[Locklear] - Well that's not something seen everyday...

[Azrael] AH, ANOTHER OF THE DOCTORS...

[Yster] Locklear! I'm sorry, were you waiting for me?

[Locklear] - Not long, it took me a bit longer than usual to find a location for the...  Surgery

[Yster] ...Surgery?

[Azrael] Eyebrow ridge at Locklear. - MORE WORK FOR ME I ASSUME.

[Locklear] - I'm afraid we haven't met

[Azrael] NONETHELESS, YOU ARE WELL ENOUGH KNOWN TO ME.

[Yster] Urgent whisper- He's the angel of Death, duh!

[Locklear] - I see- The glint of Insanity is increasing in his eyes

[Azrael] THE KEEPER OF INSANITIES PLAYTHINGS IS ALSO WELL KNOWN TO ME.

[Yster] Is unsettled by Locklear's look-

[Locklear] - I'm assuming you're referring to the Master of the Manor?

[Azrael] THE DEMON OF THE WOODS. SLENDERMAN. YES.

[Locklear] - How interesting

[Azrael] His pinprick eyes flick to Yster - HAVE YOU SOME INTEREST IN THIS HUMAN?

[Locklear] - None of the murderous sort I assure you

[Azrael] -there's the tiniest ping like someone flicking glass and he consults a shiny object that's appeared in his hand before waving it away again- I CAN SEE THAT...

[Yster] Tries to see but isn't quick enough- I can make some tea..?

[Azrael] IT IS APPRECIATED, BUT I HAVE WORK TO DO. PLAY... GENTLY WITH ONE ANOTHER. - There's a hush and he's just gone -

[Yster] Lets out a huge breath- THAT WAS SO AMAZING.

[Locklear] Laughs a little- You seem excited now, a much better expression than what you had earlier

[Yster] I am! - She gestures at the very pointedly gothy decorations all around the apartment. - That was the best! Better then meeting any famous person alive!

[Locklear] - I'm glad you are in a better mood then

[Yster] I had lunch on a Minecraft server, visited a tropical island and talked to a dead man on a foggy moor. I'm so... just .. wow!

[Locklear] - Would you like to add to your day?

[Yster] What... what did you have in mind?

[Locklear] - A bit of revenge on the man who harmed you this evening

[Yster] I'm listening.

[Locklear] - I was wondering if you'd like to observe a surgery?

[Yster] Maybe...?

[Locklear] Stands and offers Yster a hand- You're welcome to back out at any point

[Yster] Tenatively takes his hand-

[Locklear] Leads her outside.  A very nice looking rental car is waiting and Locklear opens the passenger door for her-

[Yster] Gets inside, still wearing Dawn's orange flip flops.

[Locklear] - You'll want to be careful where you step.  Unless you wish for me to grab you a different pair of shoes?

[Yster] Umm... I'm okay with these...

[Locklear] - Very well- He shuts her door and gets in the driver side, starting the car and beginning to drive through the city

[Yster] Is a bit uncomfortable and plays with her phone a little-

[Locklear] - Would you prefer the radio be on?

[Yster] No, I'm okay... - there's the faint tic tic tic of a pick hitting stone. She's playing MC pocket edition.

-After several silent moments Locklear pulls up in front of an abandoned factory which is fairly isolated-

[Locklear] - Here we go- He leans over and opens the glove box in front of Yster.  He pulls out a surgical mask and his own trademark mark.  He hands the surgical one to Yster- So you don't breath in anything you shouldn't

[Yster] Puts it on curiously- I like the plague doctors mask. Very theatrical.

[Locklear] - Thank you- As he pulls it on a few strands of his black hair fall in front and his voice is now slightly distorted when he speaks- Remember, be careful where you step

[Yster] Just follows quietly-

[Locklear] Pushes open one of the old doors in front of the building with a creak.  Old and rusted equipment surrounds them and the light is dim except for where it filters in from holes in the roof.  Tied down in the center of the building on a table is Yster's assailant-

[Stranger] Is gagged but would obviously be spitting insults if he could-

[Yster] Oh... do creepypastas have some weird way of not getting caught by cops for the things they do?

[Locklear] - You could say that, we do have an increased speed, and we all know how long it usually takes the cops to arrive.  If we really get in a bind Slender can always teleport us to the manor.  Unlike most of the others though I prefer to choose isolated places like this where I'm less likely to be heard and if you walk into an abandoned place as if you own it?  Well, anybody who see's it will not question it

[Yster] And the... evidence?

[Locklear] - Can be found, but doesn't always trace back to us.  We do all have our trademarks though

[Yster] She gives the tied up guy a calculating look. - Mind if I do something?

[Locklear] - So long as it doesn't damage his organs?  Go right ahead

[Yster] Reels up and elbow drops the guy in the junk as hard as she can-

[Stranger] Gives a pained muffled scream-

[Yster] I hope your balls explode. Disgusting creep.

[Locklear] - Well he won't be alive long enough to find out

[Yster] I kinda figured. I'll just... back off a bit...

[Locklear] From his jacket pulls out a satchel full of surgical tools.  He starts by cutting away the mans clothes.  His eyes scan the body before him, as if it were already a corpse and not a struggling living human.  He begins by placing his scalpel at the man's collar bone and pressing it in before dragging it down the length of his body-

[Yster] Is thumbing her phone nervously-

[Locklear] Continues with a practiced ease, ignoring the squirts of blood which stains his coat as he opens the human before him.  He gets the flesh pulled back and away and reaches in, beginning to break the ribs so he can get at the vital organs more easily- Remember, you may leave here at any time Yster

[Yster] Forgets that her game was still on and jumps at the small explosive noise as her avatar gets blown up by a creeper- Aaa!

[Locklear] Pauses and glances at her- Is everything alright?

[Yster] Just... forgot to turn my game off. I got dead...

[Locklear] - I see, would you be so kind as to grab the containers off the table behind me?

[Yster] Uumm okay..? - She takes the containers and creeps a little closer to hand them to him, but makes sure he's between her and the victim so she can't see much-

[Locklear] - Thank you, just put them down next to him, my hands are a little full

[Yster] puts them down and scoots them over before stepping back again-

[Locklear] Begins to pull out organs, starting with the ones the assailant can survive the longest without and listing off places as he places them into the containers-

[Yster] I'm almost afraid to ask...

[Locklear] - For children.  The least this man can do is provide hope for another

[Yster] I thought Insanity just drove creepypastas to kill... is it just because you can decide what to do with the remains?

[Locklear] - Partially, but it's also how I started.  There was a young girl...  I was her doctor and she desperately needed several transplants.

[Yster] I understand. But still... couldn't you just kill him first?

[Locklear] - After what he's done?  He doesn't deserve that pity- There's a large spurt of blood and some of it lands on Yster

[Yster] Dammit! But you're making a mess. And letting him scream, even muffled, could attract attention.

[Locklear] - The closest occupied buildings are bordered by busy streets which drown out his noise.  The ground around here is covered in broken glass and other things you wouldn't wish to step on at night so nobody will walk near here either- He pulls the liver out and places it in a larger container

[Yster] This is still making me really nervous. You understand I have legal training right? I'm going to have to dispose of my clothing somehow now!

[Locklear] Sighs and stands up straight before taking his bright red jacket off to reveal the crisp white shirt underneath and offering it to her- I can easily have your clothing cleaned of any evidence by either Solace or Trender...  Although now that I think about it Trender would probably just make you new clothes entirely

[Yster] I think I need a break... Just some quiet time to think- She takes his coat reflexitvely-

[Locklear] - The car is open

[Yster] Yeah... I think I need to sit down.

[Locklear] - I won't be much longer

[Yster] Wanders outside in a bit of a daze. She glances at the phone, it's still showing her death screen. Wordlessly she closes the window and the phone shows her messages as the top window. Her finger is hovering over the dial button. She slides into the car and feels a lump as she sits. Curiously pulling Locklear's phone out of the pocket. It falls open easily and Cp's number is the last call. She pokes the button decisively.

[CP] Groans mentally before responding- What now Locklear?

[Yster] Very quietly- Cp... it's Yster again. Please don't hang up.

[CP] - What now?  Lie and I were just about to go to bed...

[Yster] Locklear is cutting up a victim and I got blood on me and I'm not sure where I am and I need help.

[CP] - For fucks sake, have a little more trust in the doctor will ya?  He's not going to let anything happen to you

[Yster] It has nothing to do with him! I'm sitting in a car with evidence of murder on me outside a place where it's actually happening. I'd like to not go to jail thank you.

[CP] - You wont go to jail.  Locklear is good at what he does.  By the time the cops are even aware that somebody is missing there's little or no evidence the murder even happened

[Yster] Let me put it another way. I know you can drag people in there easily. Grab me and let me crash on your couch for a few hours and I'll play a mean prank on Jeb in return. Deal?

[CP] - And piss Locklear off?  I don't think so

[Yster] What are you talking about? I barely know him. If you won't do it, I'll walk home.

[CP] - Yster, inviting a normal human to one of his surgeries isn't normal for him.  Treating somebody who isn't a child isn't normal for him, for some reason you've caught his attention and making him worry would be a bad idea.  Besides, keeping him around will probably mean that you'll be a lot safer

[Yster] Fine. I'll just call Doc instead.

[CP] - And I'll tell them to leave you there.  Trust me on this, you'll be safe

[Yster] Hangs up on him and starts texting-

[Locklear] Has finished up his murder and is bringing the containers out.  He opens the trunk of the car where an ice chest is waiting and carefully stores the organs there-

[Yster] Gets out of the car without noticing him and starts walking quickly, she's turned the stained shirt inside out and left his jacket in the car-

[Locklear] Hears her- Where are you going?

[Yster] Breaks into a run and darts around a corner-

[Locklear] Hurries after her knowing she's heading for a dead end- Yster...

[Yster] Holds the phone in front of her and is suddenly dragged into it by a huge purple paw with black claws-

[Locklear] - YSTER!

-The phone clunks on the ground, protected by a rubbery case, and the night is quiet again-

[Locklear] Approaches it and picks it up- Damnit...

-The text on the screen is a message to Doc and their reply-

-Yster- Panicking, please help!

-Doc- Be there in five!

[Locklear] Scowls and goes to retrieve his own phone to call CP-

[Yster] Squeaks in alarm as she's grabbed and falls with a 'fump!' onto the belly of the big yellow dragon-

[Doc] Sorry I took so long! I was taking a shower.  We should get inside before the mobs take an interest. - Xe rolls her onto hir back and makes a fast trot for the castles back door- Hop off and run in, I'll follow you.

[Deer] Is in the kitchen making food-

[Yster] Gets bogged down a bit on the sticky mycelium and scoots inside.

[Doc] Shifts and follows her only to be pounced and hugged-

[Yster] Thank you! I thought I was going to just start screaming and never stop.

[Doc] Helps her downstairs- Did Azrael drop you off somewhere weird?

[Yster] No... he took me home. but Locklear was waiting for me. And.. he killed a guy... the one that stabbed me, I mean fuck that creep but still... I think I might be losing my compsure. And OH MY GODS Noodle and Rex!! I don't know how long I've been gone!

[Grinny] Watches them from a corner-

[Doc] Rex and Noodle? Are they your kids or something?

[Yster] Distressed- No! They're a spider and a snake respectively- sniffles.

[Doc] Pats her arm- I know where you live, I'll get them and come right back. Just relax- steps away for a moment-

[Grinny] - Well what do we have here?

[Yster] Startles at the voice- Is someone there?

[Grinny] - Down here human

[Yster] Oh, a kitty. And you talked? Um, I'm Yster.

[Grinny] - Grinny, my, you smell like Locklear...

[Yster] Rubs her arms- I had his coat on for a few minutes.

[Grinny] - Oh now that is special, he never let's anybody else wear his coat...

[Yster] Yeah... special... he seems to be interested in me for some reason.

[Grinny] - I wonder why...

[Doc] Comes back with her pets inside a pair of dungeon spawn cages. The snake could get out, but she seems too sleepy to try. - Hey Grinny.

[Yster] Oh thank you!

[Grinny] - Fuck off

[Doc] Sour as always. It smells like Deerheart is making a snack. You could join us Grinny, if you want.

[Grinny] - And I'd want to do that why?

[Yster] Cats who hang out in kitchens usually get treats. - [She's much calmer with her pets around]-

[Doc] Nods

[Grinny] Huffs and looks away from them, his tail flicking-

[Doc] Gives him a gentle pat and ruffles his ears a little before moving that direction.

[Yster] Please?

[Grinny] Just lays down-

[Yster] Oh... well, your little sweater is fetching. Nice to meet you Grinny. - follows Doc.

[Deer] Is just finishing up a couple of midnight snacks- Oh Yster!  You're back already?

[Yster] I was in a bad place and just needed out...

[Deer] - I'm sorry to hear that

[Yster] It's nobodies fault. I shouldn't have gone with him. But I was concerned that saying no would cause bad things to happen as well.

[Doc] That's rather unfair...  I'm glad I could help at least.

[Yster] And Cp just acted like I was overreacting. He really pissed me off.

[Deer] - Yes but CP also knows them better than we do

[Yster] He did a vivisection on a live person Deerheart....

[Doc] Little hiss of indrawn breath-

[Deer] - Well, he does still have Insanity...- She is appalled by the idea as well

[Yster] Yeah... - she looks over- Why... why do you have a bed in your kitchen?

[Deer] - Lie

[Doc] It gets used. Anyone hurt usually gets brought to me. The house is full of random beds.

[Yster] Sits down on it and puts the cages on the table.

[Deer] Brings the food out and see's Noodle- What's that?

[Yster] That's my snake, her name is Noodle.

[Rex] Is bigger here, about the size of a hand with splayed fingers- He scuttles over to the side of the cage closest to Deerheart.

[Doc] Aww he's such a tiny spider.

[Deer] - Eliza might like the spider

[Yster] They mean a lot to me. - she offers the spider a finger through the bars and it pats her digit with two legs.

[Deer] - Do you want anything to eat or drink?

[Yster] Maybe a little milk? My stomach is doing sumersaults.

[Doc] Sits down and examines Noodle. - Such pretty little scales.

[Deer] - I'll be right back

[Grinny] Slinks down the stairs-

[Doc] What do they eat?

[Yster] Bugs, mice

[Doc] Well if TLOT's cricket got eaten he'd probably be annoyed, but mice I can give you in spades.

[Deer] Comes back with a bottle of milk-

[Grinny] Slinks behind the kitchen counter-

[Doc] See's Grinny but pretends not too so he won't leave again. - Xe takes a mouse egg out of a trunk and holds it up. - Would one each be okay?

[Yster] I'd say not for Rex, but at this size he'd probably eat it. Go ahead.

[Deer] Sits down and grabs an apple-

[Doc] Taps a mouse in each cage and then watches interestedly-

[Noodle] Eyeballs the mouse but ignores it for now.

[Rex] Pounces the mouse and bites it excitedly, making it pop into a morsel that's quickly scarfed up-

[Yster] Good Rex... -yawns

[Deer] - Do you just want to crash here?  You might get woken up by somebody coming in for breakfast, but it's the closest bed

[Yster] If you don't mind. I'm so tired....

[Deer] - Go right ahead, we'll let you get some well deserved sleep

[Flux] Is waiting by the bath for Notch-

[Notch] Gives Stevie a hug as Ever darts into the house, it's already getting dark.

[Stevie] - See you around father

[Notch] I had fun, and I'm proud of you for trying to include your brother.

[Stevie] - That was your idea, not mine

[Notch] Gives him a wry look- Good night Stevie.

[Stevie] - Night

[Notch] Goes inside and stows his tools by the door. He's dusty but elated. - Flux?

[Flux] - Down here

[Notch] Follows the sound down the ladder- You're so nice to come home too.

[Flux] - And you're filthy, come here and wash off, it's nice and warm

[Notch] Pft. I've been working. It's tough bonding two kids with so much bad blood between them. - He kicks off his shoes and works on pulling off his shirt as well.

[Flux] Approaches and kisses him- Would you like company?

[Notch] Please. I have a little bit of news. We found the Honedge. So that's one less thing to fret about.

[Flux] - That's wonderful, that will keep CP calm as well which should be helpful to Lie

[Notch] Kisses her back- I think they'll be okay. I saw how Cp was with Stevie when he was small.

[Flux] - So did I, he'll be a wonderful father, and you an astounding grandfather

[Notch] Blushes- Oh, you mean because of Endrea. Yeah, that was fun. She's awesome and so are her little ones. - He hops out of his pants and nearly falls in the tub-

[Flux] Laughs a little before dispelling her clothing and slipping in next to him- Careful...

[Notch] I'm trying. I think I wore myself out a bit. I should have eaten while I was walking back.

[Flux] Smiles and reaches over the edge of the tub into a trunk and offers Notch an apple-

[Notch] Coming from you, I'm suprised it's not golden my love. - Makes sappy eyes at her and reaches out for it.

[Flux] Teasingly keeps it away to draw Notch closer- Would you like it to be so?

[Notch] Going to flaunt your magick, my mystical lover?

[Flux] - Perhaps- She oscillates the color of the apple between red, yellow, and gold

[Notch] Reaches for her instead - I will accept whatever you choose to give...

[Flux] Lands on the gold and offers it once more-

[Notch] Takes it reverently and eats it- I may need my strength...

[Flux] - For what pray tell?

[Notch] One never knows. - He scoots over closer to her-

[Flux] Leans over and takes a bite of the apple for herself-

[Notch] Steals a kiss on her cheek as she does so-

[Flux] Moves a bit faster to steal a kiss from his lips-

[Notch] Mmm, apples are lovely, but you taste even sweeter.

[Flux] - Then come and taste more

[Notch] Snakes his arms around her and places a kiss on the nape of her neck. His messy hair brushes her chin and it smells of iron, coal and soil.

[Flux] Lifts her hand, cupped with water and runs it through his hair as her other hand came to rest on his waist-

[Notch] Kisses all along her neck and down towards her breasts, threading his fingers in her long hair. He takes a deep breath, - You always smell so divine... like crisp snow on aspens and spruce. Bright and sharp like dawn's first rays over mountains...

[Flux] - You usually smell of the earth

[Notch] Chuckles- I was always a daydreamer, never got out that much, but collected lots of photos of pretty outdoor stuff. Then I dreamed of a wild world without a lot of the things that kept me inside out there. - He holds her tighter, nuzzling into her bosom.

[Flux] Bows her head to kiss his head- If you had not, then I would not exist

[Notch] You are a dream come true. And I want to show you in every way I can... - He goes a bit lower, cupping her rear, she's easy to lift in the water.

[Flux] Makes a small noise of surprise and rest her hands on his shoulders to balance herself-

[Notch] Kneels down and lifts her legs onto his shoulders, nuzzling between them-

[Flux] - Ah, wait, you'll drown...

[Notch] Lifts her a bit higher- I'm okay right where I am. - He laps at her ever so gently-

[Flux] Moans and runs her fingers through his hair- Notch...

[Notch] Just nips at her lightly and wiggles his tongue inside a little more.

[Flux] Let's out a small yelp and clutches more tightly at him- Notch, please, this is...

[Notch] Yes? - lap lap lap

[Flux] Just moans as her head falls back in pleasure-

[Notch] I thought  so.... - He gets her into a better pose on a stair leading down to the water and rubs at her with two fingers as well.

[Flux] - Notch...  Notch please...  My love...

[Notch] Feels a little thrill at her words and looks up - Flux?

[Flux] She brushes Notch's hair aside- My love

[Notch] And you are mine.

[Flux] Smiles and leans down, drawing his face to hers to kiss it-

[Notch] Kisses her back, his arms wrapped around her- How did I get so lucky...?

[Flux] - You created your own luck by creating the game

[Notch] But how could I have ever guessed... Now I know how Doc must have felt, learning that the land itself gave them Deerheart... I love you Flux. I'd give you anything.

[Flux] - And I would do the same for you

[Notch] I want you Flux... your taste, your scent, yourself pressed up against me. - He leans against her warm belly, his short nails lightly scratching the base of her spine.

[Flux] - I want you close as well, please Notch, work your own magic

[Notch] Goes back to work on her, teasing and warming her, he's hard and ready but wants to make sure she is as well.

[Flux] It doesn't take long for FLux to be ready and she tugs at Notch's hair with want-

[Notch] Works his way up and nips at her nipples, his member bumping lightly against her thigh.

[Flux] Reaches down with one of her hands and begins to stroke his member, encouraging him closer- I think...  I think you are just as wanting

[Notch] I always am. I worked today, but I saved my best for you. - He mounts her, teasing her with the tip before sliding inside with a sigh of relief- So perfect...

[Flux] Moans as well, pulling Notch closer to herself and calling out his name-

[Notch] Is lost in her eyes, moving in perfect time, his fingers are tangled in her hair as he bears down on her. Biting his lip to not ruin the moment with unseemingly panting.

[Flux] Draws closer to his neck and peppers it with kisses and nips-

[Notch] Arches into her kisses as well, mumbling her name like a prayer. She's warm and wet and inviting, wrapping around him and warming his hearts as well as his loins.

[Flux] Cries out as she feels her climax coming closer-

[Notch] Goes harder, feeling himself tighten as she squeezes him perfectly. He lifts her as not to bruise her against the floor, trying to wring the noises of pleasure from her that he knows so well of late.

[Flux] Cries out and feels herself begin to disperse from the overwhelming feeling of her pleasure- Notch...

[Notch] Hold on for me.... just a bit longer... stay with me please...

[Flux] - For you, I will

[Notch] Gives a few more thrusts and then pulls back. Cupping his hand to catch his flow so it doesn't get on her. His knees wobble a bit and he lets himself down easy onto her- Thank you...

[Flux] - I'm sorry- She disperses, unable to hold her form

[Notch] Flops the last few inches onto the floor- Oof! It's okay. I'll just... - He lets himself gently back down into the hot water. - I'm good-

[Flux] Reforms and reaches for him- I'm here

[Notch] Cuddles her- Thank goodness for that....

[Flux] - Rest, I've got you

[makku-ruko]

Background scenes from various arcs

Lie lie lie

Akumu akumu akumu akumu aa Namida nagasu dake uso ga tamaru

Ruru ruru ruru ruru-

Ikita ashiato wa koukai no katachi

Ruru ruru ruru rara-

Kowashite, ah-

Kowashite, ah-

Rairairai rairairai rairairai rai-

Tsuita uso tsuita uso zenbu zenbu CHARA ni shite

Rairairai rairairai rarara ra-

Omoide wo omoide wo zenbu zenbu keshisate

Rairairai rairairai rairairai rai

Tsuita uso tsuita uso zenbu zenbu ZERO ni shite

Rairairai rairairai rarara ra-

Omoide wo omoide wo zenbu zenbu tokashikitte CHARA RIRA RIRA RU-

Ah-

Saigo saigo kyou ga saigo guruguru ruru ruru

Moushi mekara moushi mekara souki meruto sugasuga shii kara

Kowashite ah-

Owari ni shitekure ah-

Rairairai rairairai rairiarai rai-

Kiesate kiesate zenbu zenbu owaraseyou

Rairairai rairairai rarara ra-

Nigeran nai nigeran nai donna donna bashodate

Rairairai rairairai rairairai rai-

Tsuita uso tsuita uso zenbu zenbu ZERO ni shite

Rairairai rairairai rarara ra-

Rarara rarara rarara rarara

Rairairai rairairai rairairai rai-

Rarara rarara zenbu zenbu owaraseyou

Rairairai rairairai rarara ra-

Rarara rarara donna donna omoide mo

Rairairai rairairai rairairai rai-

Rarara rarara zenbu zenbu ZERO ni shite

Rairairai rairairai rarara ra-

Rarara rarara rarara ra-

((This is a recurring theme song for Liar. It makes sense when his mental state begins to deteriorate.))

—————

Liar: //In the forest, looking up at the leaves.//

Mahogany: ...//also there. Picking some herbs. He looks behind.//....

Liar:...! //Short stare.//

Mahogany:...//Opens arms.//

Liar: //Immediate hug.//

Mahogany: //Strokes his hair.// it’s okay..

Liar: //cling//....do you...blame me for leaving?

Mahogany: Never.

Liar: Is it....my fault..? Could I really have done more..? Did I give up?

Mahogany: It isn’t. And most likely....if you weren’t plagued by so many other things....you did give up..but I understand why..

Liar: mm...I ....want to stay cursed...until the end...

Mahogany: //tighter hug.// I know why but...I can’t allow it... even if it means you’ll have to suffer with your internal problems...but I just can’t risk losing you..

Liar: Guess I’m just being selfish...

Mahogany: You have your reasons, Tsuki..somehow. One day. You’ll stop struggling...and I’ll be right there waiting to see your true smile... stay...if not for the others, stay for us.

Liar: I always did...

Mahogany: We’ll figure it out one way or another. Just...don’t listen to the people who say they know you...We know you. You can trust that. We’ll never blame you for something that wasn’t your fault. We know your story...and we’re your support...if you felt you couldn’t talk to me about anything before, you can...

Liar: You go through...enough already...I don’t want t—

Mahogany: I’m not burying my little brother because he felt like no one understood or no one would listen. I’m here. No matter what, I am. And I’ll always be...you aren’t alone...

Liar: //tighter cling. Tears up.//...mm...

Mahogany: I love you.

Liar: //sniff//...I love you too...

((This took place after Liar returned from being kidnapped by Xekiel.))

————

Xekiel: //Descends behind Liar.// Hey.

Liar: AAA—!!! ...d...DONT DO THAT Ò0Ó!

Xekiel: //Chuckle. Pat pat.//

Liar: //jingle jingle.// •^•?

Xekiel:...//Smoll blush. Ruffles hair.// Why are you so cute to me....I don’t get it..

Liar:...are you hitting on me dude? 0^0

Xekiel:.....maybe...

Liar:..//stands at attention.// So..? What’s up..?

Xekiel: //Scratches back of his head. Mumbles.// If....if that thing with demon dude and Mikhail doesn’t work out...just...I’m here....I know how much it...plagues you..

Liar:...I’m not falling for you again.

Xekiel: ...Thought so...//Smile.//..You close up really easily...but...//Caresses cheek.// Even so....didn’t stop me..

Liar: •^•....(//////)....can’t. Don’t do that.

Xekiel: //Cups face// you’re precious to me...so I only want you to be happy... //Releases.//

Liar: >\\\\\< how tf do I attract attention aaaaaaa!...hhhhhh...I mean...idk what’s gonna happen. I’ve chosen Mikhail but still love Oni. He’s reciprocating more now I guess to test and tease me...but I think it’ll end with Mikhail. I don’t wanna let him go..

Xekiel: I know...But the offer is there. I’m not necessarily going to back off though.

Liar: w-what’s that supposed to mean??? Ò0ó

Xekiel: Nothing plushie.

Liar: p...plushie..?

Xekiel: Yes. Plushie. Deal with it.

Liar: S-shut up edgelord!

Xekiel: //Grin. Pat pat. Thoughtful expression.// Alright...

((After the kidnapped saga, Liar and Xekiel became friends...but Xekiel ending up falling for Liar during his captivity.))

———

Omo: ...//staring. The dark aura still repels him.//....Tsu...ki?

Liar:..//He’s hugging his knees. Seemingly not feeling anything.// mm?

Omo:..are you oke?

Liar:...I guess...I should be shouldn’t I..?

Omo:....imma get Maho! ò0ó //runs off.//

Liar: //He stares at the sheets. Thoughts merely floating in and out of his head. His eyes devoid of life, somewhat temporary. Nothing major. Just dull.//

————

Liar’s arc progression:

-Villainous Joker (comic relief)

-anti-hero (Mikhail added)

-Lovestruck (double realisation)

-suffering sanity

-grief

-Cursed darkness (kidnapped saga)

-Last chance for good= empty/acceptance

-Chosen Darkness (final resolve)

-Questioned existence. (Need for power. Under the Goddess’ light)

———

Mahogany: //enters the room.// Tsuki...

Liar: //same place//...mm?

Mahogany:..I heard what you did..//sits by him.// And...I want to say that it’s an incredible thing to do for somebody...but what about you...?

Liar: ....I feel nothing.

Mahogany: Are you sad? Grieving? Heart broken?

Liar: No. I finally got rid of him...so I don’t want to see him anymore. Not like it’d matter now. She’s back. She can take fucking care of him.

Mahogany: So...you’re mad.

Liar: //wry chuckle.// hahah, I don’t even know. I feel like....why the fuck would I do something like that for somebody else? What’s the point of trying to be that good??? What’s the point in trying to give someone the happiness that you never got???

Mahogany: Do you...miss him?

Liar: I just...I don’t want it. To think about those feelings again. To get close to somebody again and to CARE that much. I...I don’t deserve Mikhail and I sure as hell need to forget Oni...I just...wish it was back in the beginning...when I was the problem child that bullied everyone. I’m not a good person. That was it...my last chance to decide whether or not I want to be a prick or not...this internal struggle....//croaky voice.// I’m tired bro.....I’m just so tired....of not feeling like I fit into my skin anymore. I had a dynamic. I never opened up....now I have. And I can’t go back. What do I do??? //looks at him, teary-eyed.// I can’t run anymore! I can’t ask someone to erase the memories. So what? Am I supposed to just deal with it??? I don’t even know how to feel!

Mahogany: Tsuki—

Liar: Heh...I’ve always been drawn to darkness and power. It makes me happy. It makes me feel like myself....this...this shit about being concerned and putting myself in harm’s way for people??? Not doing that again.

Mahogany: But what about Mik—

Liar: Stop fucking asking me about Mikhail! You think I don’t feel guilty enough that he’s aware of how hard I’m taking trying to get over loving somebody that wasn’t him??? That’s why I brought her back. To sever ties. And Mikhail....this final choice...when I’m finally where I’m supposed to be...that’s the last chance to prove whether he really will love me through whatever..

Mahogany:....

Liar: I’m going to change Maho. I’m done feeling discomfort and being obligated to be a better person — fuck that. Maybe in ten years but certainly not now. You can be disappointed in me afterwards..

Mahogany:....//hugs him tightly.// I just....want you to be happy...//sniff.//

Liar: //tighter hug.//....same here...you suffer too much as it is...let me protect you this time...

Mahogany: by doing what...?

Liar: Taking care of myself...I won’t kill anybody but I won’t leave them unscathed either...I envy Cyan and how he can switch....I want that...

Mahogany: Tsuki...

Liar: I’m not okay Maho...so why should I pretend to be? I’m a natural villain. My internal turmoil being kept in only makes me unhappy...I just...want to be me again..

Mahogany:...All I know is the inner you...it’s that’s the best part about you...please don’t change it..

Liar: it’s remaining under lock and key, don’t worry.

Mahogany:...you’re loved Tsuki...never forget that...

Liar:...//softens. Buried face in shoulder.// mm.....

Mahogany: if only the others could see...

Liar: All they’d do is make fun or ask questions...I still don’t trust them...to be careful with it...I wish I could though...show them... or at least let it out for longer..this constant guarding business is so tiring...I want to be soft and devoid of anything....emotionless...

Mahogany: Soon Tsuki...soon...you’ll get a break...

Liar:....mm...

((This took place after Liar resurrected Oni’s wife, shortly after returning from being kidnapped.))

[ciathyzareposts]

Nippon Safes Inc. – Back with a wrench-ance

By Torch

Doug Nuts here again. Being a genius, I usually like to get by in the world using my brains. This time, however, my legs have done most of the job

Last time I left off trying to figure out how to win the grand opening competition at the restaurant Kaizen-Sushi (or Kaiten-Zushi. I’ve stopped caring). The prize is an all-you-can-eat meal at the restaurant. I’m 99% certain I need this to give to Dino, in exchange for a ticket to tonight’s Sumo match, which I need to give to the taxi driver to have him take me to the monastery.

Also, I had a voucher for a free bean tasting at the very same restaurant. I couldn’t figure out if Doug already received the beans when I presented the voucher, or if I was supposed to pick them up somehow, but according to commenter Vetinari, Doug ate them on the spot. So I hope I’m good.

Back to the job at hand. Now, maybe my adventure gaming skills are getting rusty in an age of easily accessible, hand-holding AAA-games, but I feel that a lot of this play session was all about brute force. It’s a good thing my metro ticket is an all-day pass, or I would be in big trouble. Also, I’m all but ready to declare Doug’s wrench this chapter’s MVP ( Most Valuable Pocket-filler ).

I’ll spare you most of the back-and-forth, train trips, park strolls and such, and jump right to my first new discovery. Let’s head back to Doug’s apartment and take a new look at his “larder”. You may remember me mentioning a radio in the previous post, that I could do anything with. Well, turns out that I can.

Strange choice of words. And I think using a screwdriver would be more realistic, but I’ll take it. 

Using the wrench I’m able to “dismount” Doug’s radio, and I’m rewarded with…. a… thing! Ok, it looks like a speaker. Why oh why, game, couldn’t you include at least a mouse-over description of inventory items?

Lower left item. It’s either a speaker or a propeller. Or a really weird hat. 

With my newfound appreciation for the wrench, I decide to use it wherever I can, and lo and behold:

Chan to the rescue

Finally some progress. Honest Chan accepts the wrench and will let me trade it in for either a large or a small pot. (He also lets me trade back afterwards). At this point, some cogs in my brain that I believed to be rusted shut, start moving again. My theory is: If one of the pots is the same size as the one in the restaurant, perhaps I can somehow fill it with balls and count them, so I can “guess” the correct number of balls and thus win the competition. Great stuff, but there’s one problem… What kind of balls are they, and where can I get some? Anyway, for now I’ll take the big pot.

  Yay! The pot is my

I go check the department store again. I still have some flyers (dispensed bills), and one of them says something about “Sento baths” and something about soap. Maybe the balls are tiny soaps? But the department store still won’t open. I wonder how they manage to stay in business without customers. Maybe it’s invitation only.

Sigh, and here I had my hopes up. I roam around some more, and after a while, on my 56th (or so) ride on the metro, I notice a poster that I can interact with after the train leaves the station.

More like come and lose, amirite?

Ok, there was a section on Pachinko in the manual. I’m pasting in the whole thing for reference:

Pachinko is a typically Japanese form of fun, and also the most widespread. In Tyoko, for example, where the number of inhabitants is 1.732.461, at least 70% of Japanese men and 30% of the women play regularly. It consists of a machine half-way between a slot machine and a flipper. The game takes place on a vertical surface with holes in it and the nails hammered into it. The players ability consists of making a metal ball bounce on the nails so that it falls into the holes. In this way he can win more balls, until he has won enough or all the balls are finished. The balls won can be exchanged for prizes in proportion to their number. They usually consist of things one uses daily such as chocolate, perfume, cigarettes, and so on. Strictly speaking, exchanging the balls for money is prohibited, although it is a common practice throughout Japan. Scattered all over the country there are over 15.000 Pachinko halls. Each of these contains an average of over 200 machines, and when in use they make a deafening sound.

These tidbits of information about Japanese daily life are fun and interesting, but the thing that struck me about this was the word “balls”. They use little metal balls. Maybe the same ones that can fill my pot? Ok, I’m game. But where’s Subu? Is it a station like Kinza? I still have 100 yen, so I go back to dishonest Chan’s, and, as luck would have it, he sells me a ticket to Subu. One short metro ride later, and I have arrived at a brand new location! Now we’re getting somewhere.

Expectation: Look at all the exits! I can go anywhere! – Reality: Only one works

The Pachinko house is on the right, and boy are they all over this thing called “capacity management”.

This guy is a placeholder for 70% of the city’s male population

I don’t have any money or anything to play with, but I find a single ball in the deposit slot on the machine on the right. This is apparently where you buy ball, or exchange them for other stuff. I can insert the ball in the machine on the very left to play.

Ignore the fact I’m supposed to be playing on the leftmost machine…

Ok, so if I put the ball in and play, I will randomly(?) win or lose a ball. I can’t say I’ve done exhaustive research, but in my attempts, I never went below one or above four. Hardly enough to fill a large jar. To speed up the regular walking animation, I’ve cranked up the performance of Dosbox, and this probably caused me to not discover sooner that you can use items while the ball is in play. The game pauses when the action menu is up. Now, I didn’t have my wrench at the moment, having traded it in for the jar, but looking at the options, I remembered that loudspeakers are built using magnets, so perhaps that could be used to affect the ball? Yes!

Ballsy

Ok, great. But how do I get them into the jar and count them? As I noted during the intro post, it doesn’t seem like it’s possible to combine items…. Only, suddenly it is…

Usually after I select an item, and then bring up the inventory/action menu again, the pointer changes back to the default one, but this time the balls remain attached to the pointer… I’m not 100% sure of the order of left-right clicks, but after some persistent mousework they combine successfully. With the balls in the jar, I can click the whole thing on Doug to count the balls.

Fun fact. When guessing wildly at the restaurant before all this, Doug guesses 7153, and the chef tells him it’s way off….

Back to the restaurant then. When I get there and talk to the chef, though, there’s no dialogue option to guess the number of balls again! Drat… oh, but after I look at the contest jar one more time, I get the option back. Whew! Nice scare there, game. Doug guesses the correct number, and receives a voucher for an all-you-can-eat meal. Fast forward to the Kinza district, I meet Dino again and give him the voucher in exchange for a ticket to the sumo match.

Err… Sure whatever, just give me the dang ticket.

Another quick trip on the metro to meet the taxi driver, who thankfully is back in his spot. Giving him the Sumo ticket totally changes his tune.

Fascinating how his forehead vein remains even when he’s smiling

I could probably order a hit on someone after this, but I settle for asking for a ride to the monastery. Note that after this, the left exit on this screen leads right to the monastery, which is a nice touch.

One does not simply *walk* into the Monastery

As you can see from the screenshot, getting in to the monastery is going to take some effort. So far I haven’t found a jetpack, but if somebody could make one, it would have to be Doug “Einstein” Nuts, right? Anyway, there’s an intercom in an alcove in the wall that lets me call the gatekeeper or whatever. As I approach it, they greet me by my name. How did they know? Well, their zen discipline gives them some supernatural powers.

The “intercom” looks like it’s just a duct that goes up

 Doug presents himself as a wannabe initiate, but the only way to join the order is if one of the other members “reaches a state of universal harmony with all” (read: dies) or I get a letter of introduction from someone very high up. Though they all look pretty high up from where I’m standing…

So it’s back to Tioko (sorry TBD) again to try to find out what I might have missed. At some point I try to trade the jar back to honest Chan. I get my wrench back, and I keep the balls. Hmm… ok? What did the manual say again… The balls are traded in for various items at the Pachinko halls. Ok, back to Subu district. When there I have only one option to trade for.

There’s a Clinton joke in here somewhere

So ok, cigars… New theory coming up…. What if… I go find one of those monk dudes who walk around the city aaaaand…. Offer him a cigar. He smokes himself to death, and…. No, it’s too silly. I still try, of course. But it doesn’t work. The only other thing I can think of using cigars for is to bypass laser based intrusion prevention systems (Yes, Space Quest 4, that’s on you)

I walk around town trying to offer the cigars to everyone I meet, and some point I enter Doug’s home, only to come face to face with a familiar…eh..face.

  Well, for you, I COULD be… Oh wait yeah, that IS me

So I’m guessing each chapter will have some intersection with the others, which is a neat idea, in my opinion. As with Dino, Donna needs Doug to get her something, and she will in return provide something that Doug needs. More specifically she needs a sword, the “Katana Shinjuku”, but the person who has it is in prison. So she wants Doug to break her out. She sought out Doug because he’s an expert in “Money surgery”, which is a good example of the game’s at times strange English.

Er… I think the word you’re looking for is “transplantation”, Doug

In return for freeing the prisoner, Doug requests a letter of introduction from someone high up, and Donna claims to know the emperor (of… Ti/yoko? Of Japan? Why does he live here?), so she agrees to provide this. She leaves Doug with a parting gift before exiting stage right.

Donna certainly lives up to her last name (Fatale)

I haven’t the slightest idea how to get back to prison, or if it’s even the same prison, but I figure it’s time to talk to Max & Kos again, the fourth wall breaking game developers sitting in the Hot Sushi bar to see if they have any more information. They do in fact know how to get to the prison, but they will only part with this knowledge in exchange for some cigars. For once, I’m ahead of the game, even though this puts a damper on my plans to get a monk to smoke himself to death. They tell me you can get below the prison by entering the metro tunnel at the Subu station, so I head there. At the station, I can leave the screen on the right side.

Doug sees hatch. Hatch has bolts. Wrench sees bolts. Bolts go bye. 

Going through the hatch, I arrive once again at a place similar to the one in Doug’s intro: The sewers.

Hope it’s not a maze

It IS a maze, but it’s not too bad this time, as I can find my way around it without having to map. On one screen I find a pick (maybe Doug’s from before?), and on another I end up below the prison.

What’s behind window number 3?

This screen is another example of my issues with the interface. Nowhere on the screen is there any indication of a hotspot if I just mouseover with the default pointer, but if select the pick, I get the option to make a hole on the third wall section from the left. Ok, fine. I make a hole, but it’s kind of small. Not large enough for a person to fit through. More like the one in the intro where I placed the plastic explosives…. Only I don’t have plastic explosives, just the detonator that came in the mail. Ok, I head home to check the mailbox again, and hooray! The explosives have arrived. I don’t quite understand why I couldn’t have gotten these together with the detonator, but there’s probably a reason. Back to the sewer.

I plant the explosives, move away and activate the detonator. Ka-BLAM! A woman emerges from the hole. Good thing she wasn’t sitting near the wall or anything in her probably gigantic cell with multiple walls that would surely protect her from unannounced explosions. Doug’s not too big on EHS, I presume.

Well, first the dinosaurs came….

As a reward for freeing her, she hands me a key to the sword, which is in a secret crypt in the “Residence”, which I presume is the house near the park, where I couldn’t interact with anything. Oh and, don’t they like, take away your belongings when you get sent to prison? Where exactly did you keep this key? Or maybe I don’t want to know…

I head back up and go to the Residence, where I still can’t do anything. But perhaps Doug isn’t supposed to get the sword by himself? I try going home instead, and meet Donna again. We exchange quest items, and I think I’m finally ready to go monastery…ing.

Back at the monastery, the guy in the intercom seems to accept my letter of introduction, so they lower a makeshift elevator.

Eh… where’s the rope?

According to Google Translate, it means “I don’t like bride position”.. Reiko..?

Ahem, if I may direct your attention to this letter by the EMPEROR…!

Despite coming highly recommended by the emperor himself, they want me to perform chores to prove that I’m worthy. More specifically I’m to pick up the leaves scattered around on the ground. Leaf on, leaf off? Oh well. I’m given a stick and a sack to help me. After I’m done, I’m taken to see the Elder, which is a guy that floats upside down in the air.

Yes, I too want to learn that floaty stuff. 

To be accepted I have to pass another test (of course), which is to answer 2 riddles correctly in a row. If I fail one of them, I have to go out and pick leaves again, then come back and try again.

It’s a big plus for the game, that so far it doesn’t seem to be possible to get dead-ended. I guess I’ll reserve final judgment for when I finish it, but so far, so good.

The elder’s riddles are mostly logic or sometimes math based. I’ll give you an example:

“The forbidden city is half as old as time. One thousand million years ago, the forbidden city was two fifths as old as the age of time in a thousand million years.”

This required a little bit of math to solve, but you get a choice of three possible answers, so you could also just guess. In case you want to try to solve this yourself, here’s the answer in ROT13: Gur sbeovqqra pvgl vf frira gubhfnaq zvyyvba lrnef byq.

I fail a couple of times, and one of the times, the guy with the glasses is gone when I enter the main building, which looks to be the monks’ dormitory.

There are several small chambers in here, and scattered throughout are many new additions to my inventory. To save some time, I’ll sum them up. I find: A Buddha figure(not jade), a sheet, some poison(!), 2 floor mats, a sexy magazine, a knife and a bowl of rice. That’s pretty random, but ok. One of the rooms also contains a large, golden Buddha statue.

Thankfully it’s not the jade one

I get back to leaf picking and riddle guessing, and after a couple of tries I’m admitted into the order, whatever that entails. The only difference I can spot, is that I have a new inventory item, that looks like Doug chanting or meditating.

Or he’s been hit over the head with a large cartoon hammer

A lot of new toys to play with, and I’m not sure what to do with them all, but the area to move around with is rather small, so brute forcing is a viable strategy. In the room with the Golden Buddha, I can use the meditation action/item to make the statue float. Guess Doug’s a pretty fast learner.

If I were a buddhist, I’d take offence to somebody trying to speak “whale” to my idol.

The statue rises a bit, but then goes back down. I’m not sure what the point was, but I’m here looking for a safe, and I’ve not seen one so far. Maybe the statue hides one, or a passage to it? I try to humm again and use the stick to hold the statue up, but it doesn’t work. It would probably be way too flimsy to support the weight of the statue anyway.

Out of options here, I go outside to try to find something to use my other newly acquired items for. One strange option presents itself.

No! Bad Doug!

Now this whole next sequence bit I didn’t understand until way after I was done, but it’s sort of starting to make sense now. I poison the fish in the pond, then throw them in the pot in the kitchen to make “fish glue”. Is that a thing that people know..? You can cook fish to make glue?? I had no idea, so I had to Google it, and apparently you can make some sort of glue from fish bladders. All the wiser now, I guess.

On the other side of the courtyard, there are a couple of birds nesting in the trees. During one conversation with the guy who introduced me to the elder, one of them echoed him as he was speaking. Just trying to combine stuff in my inventory I manage to apply the fish glue to one of the floor mats. I discover that I can leave the floor mat on the ground near the trees and put the bowl of rice next to it. Then the birds will fly down to eat rice and get stuck on the mat, after which I can capture them and stuff them in my sack. Poisoning fish and stuffing birds in sacks…. Don’t tell PETA about this game.

With the birds in my posession, the next time I humm the Golden Buddha, one of birds take over afterwards. And the statue floats all the way up, revealing a jade Buddha underneath it. Score! So I guess the statue WAS the safe.

Guess the bird outranks Doug in the monk order hierarchy. Must be why he has that rad mohawk

I’ll just levi-take this

Ok, goal achieved. Time to split. But how? I can’t seem to work the elevator. I thought about tying sheets and mats together to make a rope, but they can’t be combined.

Out by the fish pond, though, there are a couple of ropes tied around some poles, and with the knife, I can cut them down. Note that they do not show as a hotspot unless I have the knife as the active pointer. I’m still not too happy about that, but at least they’re fairly visible on the screen.

Again I struggle with combining things in the inventory. If I pick the ropes and try to use them on the sheet, it doesn’t work. If I pick up the sheet though, I can click it on the ropes to make a parachute. I can’t use the parachute explicitly, but if I run to the edge of the wall above the fish pond, Doug jumps off the side of the building.

Why can’t I see my house from here?

After I land though…. Dun dun DUH! Plot twist!

Chapter completed

With that, the chapter completes, and I’m back to the character selection questionnaire.

What, can I play Doug again..?

Who will I play next? Only time (and reading my next post) will tell!

Tyoko/Tioko (only 2 mentions this time): Tioko: 8 Tyoko: 6

Times wrench used: 4 Inventory items:

source http://reposts.ciathyza.com/nippon-safes-inc-back-with-a-wrench-ance/

[fearofaherobrine]

Roleplay Server Log #289

“Alan Retrieved, A Visit to the Office, Bath Time”

[Notch] It's the people who aren't normally their second forms I'm worried about...

[Deer] - Like Steve?  He seemed pretty distressed over it

[Notch] Wait, what? Steve has a second form? I thought he was just a normal Steve.

[Deer] - Yes, apparently he has a second form.  It looks kinda like the light foots that NK brought here

[Notch] Light foots? Are they a tribe or something?

[Deer] - No, like a upright reptile?

[Firebird] Those raptor heathens? They stole my pie once. Not sure how they got up the tree to do so.. -Huffs-

[Notch] Huh. Wait, RAPTORS?

[gem] -waddle over to the group-

[Notch] AAA! - At huge space dragon-

[Gem] -flops over-

[Firebird] -Looks up at Gem- ..Huh.

[Gem] learning to walk is harder on four legs

[Deer] Bristles a little at the other dragon in surprise-

[Yaunfen] Looks up- Gem!

[Notch] Gem?! Since when did you....? Is this a space angel thing?!

[Gem] hey and doc made it for me.

[Deer] - I see, how are you holding up?

[Gem] we had to blow up the side of my house to get out of the hall way and I am still not use to walking in this form

[Yaunfen] - I'm stuck human!

[Notch] Human-ish kiddo. You still have your cute little horns and tail.

[Firebird] Same here... ..... Wait. Does that mean Flowey is stuck as his bear form? Oh hell..

[Yaunfen] Giggles-

[Notch] Flowey is a bear?

[Firebird] Yeah. A play on the term Ursa Minor/Major, I'm pretty sure.

[Notch] Geeze... half the server can shapeshift. I know it's aggravating to be stuck, but I'm almost jelous.

[Deer] - I'm just glad nobody is stuck anymore...  At least not to my knowledge

[Notch] Um.... - he quickly types in the chat- Is anyone who shapeshifted trapped anywhere?

[NK] Not anymore. There way be a very large hole in the desert right now though.

[Flowey] No.

[Notch] Why in the desert? I thought your group was either underwater or in a tree?

[NK] I was helping Liz with hir little lair thing when I got transformed. We are beside the desert and Liz dug into it.

[Notch] Aww. Their making their own house? That's cute.

[NK]  Very cute.

[Yaunfen] Goes over and tugs on Notch's tunic-

[Notch] still idly petting Cp- What's up Yaunfen?

[Yaunfen] - Um, you should let Gambet know where Alan is

[Notch] OH... yeah, probably. I heard he was kind of a dick though... I'm not sure I want to talk to him...

[Deer] - Notch, he's probably very worried

[Notch] Yeeeeaaahhhh, but I don't want to get stomped for having the little guy. And I don't want Lie's house to get wrecked because he ripped into it.

[Deer] - Then what should we do?

[Notch] You're a dragon right now. Could you take Alan home? I can watch Yaunfen if you want.

[Deer] - Sure

[Stevie] Comes running over covered in mud and water-

[Notch] At Stevie - just... why?

[Stevie] - It's fun

[Gem] i'll come with you to help take alan home

[Deer] - Thank you Gem

[Gem] no problem

[Deer] - Could somebody get Alan?

This message has been removed.

[Yaunfen] - I'll get!- Runs inside

[Endrea] Looks as Yauinfen approaches- Did you forget something?

[Yaunfen] - Mama is going to take Alan home

[Endrea] - Ah, I see

[Alan] -look at the Yaunfen-

[Alan] -Snuffles-

[Yaunfen] - Come on Alan, it's time to go home!

[Alan] -Gets up and hesitantly scuttles up to Yaunfen-

[Yaunfen] Leads them outside-

[Alan] Going home now? -stretches and pauses just inside door- ... -Hesitantly scuttles out-

[Deer] - Hello Alan, are you ready to go home?

[Alan] Nope.

[Deer] - Well I think it's time.  Your father has to be very worried about you

[Alan] -Huffs but nods- Ya..

[Deer] - Come on, lets go- Starts walking off slowly so Alan can keep up

[Alan] -Trots after Deer-

[Yaunfen] Follows after them-

[Gem] -follows after deer-

[Deer] Heads towards the castle, scanning the skies-

[Gambet] -soaring over the castle-

[Deer] - Gambet?

[Gambet] -Head turns and homes in on Deer-

[Gem] I just realized I left the gates at my house open I will see you guys later -is trying her best to run back but it's sloppy-

[Deer] - Be careful Gem!

[Gambet] -Glides down to Deer, spotting Alan-

[Deer] Waits patiently-

[Gambet] -As he draws near- What are you doing with it? -Squints at Deer as he lands-

[Alan] I was adventuring! She brought me back! -Scrambles up to Gambet and tries to scale up one of his legs-

[Gambet] Oh.

[Deer] - I believe xe spent most of the day with Endrea and her children

[Gambet] -Squints a bit at Deer- Ah.. so it was having a very productive day without telling me where it was going. -Cranes neck to give Alan an unamused look-

[Alan] You were asleep!

[Deer] Smiles a little- Yaunfen's at the adventuring stage too

[Yaunfen] - I like adventure!

[Gambet] Adventuring would be fine if it told me first. Just could have woken me up, Alan.

[Alan] You're grumpy when you're woken up.

[Gambet] ... -Sigh- True.. A note, at least.

[Deer] - Don't worry, there's plenty of adults around to keep an eye on them

[Gambet] Either way, I'll be taking it home now. Say goodbye, Alan.

[Alan] Bye!

[Deer] - Good bye

[Yaunfen] - Bye bye!

[Gambet] -Makes sure Alan is snug on his back before turning and flying off-

[Stevie] Is still splashing in puddles-

[CP] Irritated tail flicks in Notch's arms-

[Notch] Looks down at him- Just focus on your little brother being happy and settle down.

[CP] Grumbles-

[Stevie] Trips and falls into a particularly big puddle-

[Notch] checks on him- You're a mess. I think it's gonna be bathtime for you soon.

[Stevie] Giggles and runs towards Notch-

[Notch] Careful there, the cobbles can be slippery!

[Stevie] Hugs Notch's legs and looks up with a big smile- I love you father

[Notch] Smiles warmly- I love you too, even when you're a muddy mess.

[Stevie] Sneezes-

[CP] Squirms-

[Notch] Yeah... warm water bath.

[CP]  Squirms harder-

This message has been removed.

[Notch] Looks back at the house - Um... Lie doesn't have a warm tub, or one at all, does she? Darn it... I've been putting off working in the basement and mines not done... - kinda deflates- I guess we're going to the castle... And Cp, stop squirming! - looks back- Hey Lie? Flux, is Lie awake?

[Flux] - Somewhat

[Notch] Hmmm..... I think I still have it... -Walks to the door- Hey Flux, I don't want to track mud in the house. Can you look in my trunk by the bed for that basket TLOT dropped off? Stick a wool square in it, I'll just carry Lie.

[Flux] Looks around and finds the basket.  Putting the wool in before carefully picking Lie up and putting her in the basket- Here, I'll carry her

[Notch] Thank you. Come on Stevie, let's go.

[Stevie] - Okay- He reaches up for Notch's hand

[Notch] Sniffs a bit. - Cp? when was the last time you bathed? Actually I have an idea! - he kneels down and holds Cp out to Stevie. - Do you want to carry your brother? I'm sure you've ridden on his shoulders lots of times. You can be the big brother today.

[Stevie] Gasp and wide eyes as he reaches for his brother who goes limp in his arms-

[CP] Murder eyes at Notch-

[Lie] Snickers from basket-

[Notch] Corrects Stevie's hold so Cp is comfortable and resumes leading with a happy little whistle

[CP] Would spit a fire ball at Notch if he thought he could get away with it-

[Notch] Jumps a little as his phone rings.

-There are two female voices on the other end as he picks up. They're obviously on speaker phone -

[Notch] Hello?

[Dofta] Way too excited- Fangbo told me your son is temporarily a little kid?!

[Fangbo] She wants to see.

[Notch] Weighs how much shit he'll be in later and makes a snap decision, he swings around quick and takes a photo with his phone of the muddy child happily cradling his catified brother. There's an answering loud chorus of AWWWWWWWWWWWW from the phone-

[Stevie] Tilts head curiously- Father what did you do?

[Lie] Peeks over the edge of the basket to check on her husband-

[Flux] Just smiles at the brothers-

[Notch] My friends heard you were a cute kid and wanted to see. Cuteness confirmed.

-Small amount of soft giggling from the phone-

[Dofta] He's adorable.

[Stevie] Gets closer and yells- Hi!

[CP] Ears flatten a little at the loudness-

[Dofta] Hi yourself! You look like you've had a fun day playing outside.

[Stevie] - Uh huh!  We're going to go take a bath!

[Fangbo] Don't you have one in the house?

[Flux] - It's still in the process of being made

[Dofta] Who else is there?

[Notch] Stammers a little bit - That's my girlfriend Flux. - You can hear the smile in his voice-

[Flux] - It's a pleasure to meet you

[Dofta] Hang on a sec- theres a click and a picture pops up on the phone of Fangbo and Dofta waving in a selfie. Behind them is part of the office.

[Notch] Turns it so she can see and points to them. - This is Dofta and here's Fangbo-

[Flux] - And your relation to them?

[Notch] They helped build the game. They're programmers. Old coworkers and friends.

[Dofta] Aww

[Flux] - Ah, so from your world

[Lie] Stretches and rolls over- I'm so comfy right now

[Notch] Can I... send them a picture of you?

[Flux] - Of course

[Notch] Grins and moves around her a little to get a flattering angle. He snaps a pic and sends it.

[Fangbo] That's your girlfriend? She's so elegant!

[Dofta] And she's a server?!

[Flux] - Yes, I was made from CP and Stevie's original seed

[Dofta] It's just... and we thought it was just a game...

[Fangbo] No one ever expected it would be able to create artifical life. Not just once, but in multiple ways?!

[Dofta] I see cat paws? Are you carrying a cat in a basket?

[Flux] - That would be Lie

[Lie] - Tell them I say hi

[Notch] That's Lie, she says hello. we're all a bit out of sorts with this bad update.

[Dofta] So I heard. I can get you a clean copy straight from the mainframe, but someone will have to come get it.

[Lie] - CP or I could sneak out as a cat...

[Notch] We'll still have to find Doc to get it patched in though...

[Lie] - Good point, so let's wait on that a bit

[Stevie] - Father?  I feel mud in my underwear...

[Notch] You could get it and just hang onto it for now. We will need it. I'm sorry Stevie, let's walk and talk.

[Lie] - Do they have it ready now?

[Dofta] I'll go find a flash drive. Give me a minute.

[Fangbo] I'm staying on the line, you can use my computer to come out if you want. My laptop is on Dofta's desk-

[Lie] - Coast is clear?

[Fangbo] We're in a closed office. It's okay. Dofta just went down the hall, the mainframes near the rotunda.

[Lie] Stands up- CP?  A bit of help?

[CP] Huffs a little but creates an opening for his wife-

[Lie] Jumps through and ends up on the desk-

[Fangbo] Awww, you're so fluffy and cute.

-There are several new pokemon dolls on Dofta's shelves and she's also aquired a spider plant.

[Lie] Purrs a little- Thank you

[Fangbo] Sorry about the update. I don't know how the bad copies got into the mix.

[Lie] - Well sometimes Doc can be impatient

[Dofta] Comes back with a rather fragrant ham and cheese sandwich and a tiny green flash drive. - OH! You're so adorable! I've got it right here! I even brought you a sandwich for your trip.

[Lie] - Thank you, but in this form I only have room for one item in my inventory

[Jeb] Pokes his head in and starts to say something, but it's cut off by a squeak of fear at the sight of the cat-

[Lie] Crouch down and butt twitch before leaping at Jeb-

[Jeb] AAAAA!

[Notch] What's going on out there!?

[Lie] - Tell him bitchy cat

[Fangbo]- Holy shit!

[Dofta] Lie says bitchy cat?

[Notch] Oh dear....

[Lie] - It's fun to do that

[Jeb] Is on the floor in the hallway- Ow....

[Lie] Jumps back up on the desk-

[Dofta] Tell you what, take my kerchief - She lays the drive and the wrapped sandwich in the middle of a small floral scarf and ties the corners into a neat bundle-

[Jeb] From the floor- What are we giving them now?

[Fangbo] Just a snapshot copy.

[Jeb] Thumbs up but doesn't get up-

[Lie] Picks the bundle up delicately in her mouth- Thank you, is there anything you guys need?

[Dofta] Nah. I hope this helps out.

[Fangbo] Grins-  Just send us more cute pictures.

[Lie] - Okay, we will- Hops back through the still open portal and into the basket

[CP] Closes the opening-

[Notch] Thanks guys. I'm going to go take my kids and get them cleaned up. I'll call you back when the hub-bub is over.

[CP] - I'm not a kid!

[Notch] How do you figure? I'm still older then you.

[CP] Grumbles and lays a bit flatter-

[Notch] Gives him a pat on the head. - I'm not rubbing your nose in it. Feel loved dammit. - He opens the side door to Doc's house and looks around the room. - There's a shower in here, but we should probably use the low pools in the lab, they're bigger and heated.

[Stevie] - We're going swimming?

[Notch] You can swim in it if you want. They're decently large. - heads down the steps- It's so quiet...

[Flux] - I wonder where everybody is...

[Notch] Deerheart is likely either hiding with Doc or looking for them, apart from that, I don't know. - The door gives a squeaky groan as he heads down the hall.

[Lie] - Who knows where Steve and TLOT are...

[Notch] Comforting eachother I hope. Whoops! - He steps on the button and the armor stand pops up from the floor and wobbles into a standing pose.

[Stevie] Jumps in surprise and almost drops CP.  He whimpers a little-

[Notch] It's okay Stevie! You know Doc has a weird sense of humor.

[Stevie] Holds his brother a bit closer- Okay...

[Notch] Glances at the caged Endermites and bouncing slimes as they pass. - There it is. And thank goodness. I'm a muddy mess.

[Stevie] - No I am!

[Lie] Pops up to look over the edge of the basket- I think you both are

[Notch] Let me have Cp so you can strip off. - Reaches for him-

[CP] The moment he's out of Stevie's arm he starts trying to escape-

[Stevie] Is just throwing his muddy clothes everywhere-

[Notch] OW OW OW Cut it out or I'll just toss you in the lava side!

[Lie] - That would be bad, he's not fireproof like this

[Stevie] Standing stark naked and still covered in mud- I'm ready!

[Flux] Sets down some carpet near the edge of the pool and sits down with Lie-

[Notch] Freezes- He's NOT? -looks down at the cat-  Oh geeze.... I'm sorry Cp... You know I wouldn't hurt you. -winces- Even though you're hurting me! OW!

[CP] - I will murder you if you put me in that water!

[Notch] Go ahead and get in Stevie. And Cp, you're filthy. Do you really want to lick that all off?!

[CP] - Who says I lick anything other than my mate?

[Stevie] Jumps in and it's up to about mid chest on him-

[Notch] Exactly- He casts about for a moment but it's impossible to hang onto Cp and get his clothes off. With a resigned sigh he hops in fully clothed and still holding Cp.

[CP] Loud angry cat noises as he tries to scramble for the edge of the tub-

[Stevie] - Father you're silly!

[Notch] My hands are just full of angry cat! - He's trying to get Cp moderately clean at least. The water is nice and warm.

[Lie] Snickers from her basket-