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dankusner · 4 months ago

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jason kohler — is exhibiting ALL the telltale signs of a liar.

from shrugging his shoulders

to touching his lips...

to smiling when he says, "HONESTLY kind of sad."

raising his eyebrows for approval...

lack of details when questioned....

all are deceptive traits.

"you never know"

"they JUST made fun of him"

makes sense since the guy is so young he think he could pull off racing to a newscamera.

everyone who said columbine was because of trench-coat mafia and eric & dylan were losers...

all of that was false, misleading and deliberately perverted our grief. what way can you explain um I mean he would sit alone at lunch I mean he was just the outcast and you know how kids are nowadays so they're going to see someone like that and they gonna target him because they think it's funny or whatever so it's the best way I can describe it and it's honestly kind of sad like I don't want to say this is what provoked it but you never know said he yeah um I want to say he was a loner more because he was just he was quiet but like he was just bullied like he was bullied so much so much this is high school yeah what did they do you remember at all what they said to him or called him no um he just made fun of I guess for the way he dressed his appearance how do he dress uh like they were just saying jeans he'd wear hunting outfits sometimes uh I he would always wear a mask even after covid he he wore a mask like a CO mask like even after Co was over and all that yeah like a Former student Max R. Smith remembered Crooks as an intelligent classmate with conservative political leanings.

Smith recalled participating in a mock debate in a course they took together, where their teacher posed questions on government policy and had students stand on opposite sides of the classroom to signal their support or opposition.

“The majority of the class were on the liberal side, but Tom, no matter what, always stood his ground on the conservative side,” Smith said.

“That’s still the picture I have of him. Just standing alone on one side while the rest of the class was on the other. ... It makes me wonder why he would carry out an assassination attempt on the conservative candidate.”

https://amyletter.substack.com/p/teenage-suicide-dont-do-it-heathers

https://youtu.be/sO3WEfBIPvM?si=wCtEN5jGPTC8ZSpV HEATHER DUKE In the distance, a T.V. CAMERA CREW is interviewing STUDENTS. HEATHER DUKE dashes toward them. HEATHER MCNAMARA freezes. HEATHER MCNAMARA Oh God, Veronica. My hair! My clothes! HEATHER MCNAMARA moans, vibrates, then suddenly races toward the cameras. VERONICA looks down at the soaked, stopped Swatch on her arm. She takes it off and drops it in a nearby trashcan I choose to remember the good times, like when we got our ears pierced at the mall.

TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT

Shooter on roof with cops inside

Security decisions around sniper’s roost raise further questions

Police who were assigned by the Secret Service to help spot threats in the crowd at Donald Trump’s rally Saturday were inside the building where a gunman positioned himself on the roof to shoot at the former president, according to a Secret Service official briefed on the incident.

From inside the Agr International building, they saw a man acting furtively, walking back and forth around the building with some gear, and radioed a Secret Service command post to alert them, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation.

The revelations add to the growing list of questions about the Secret Service’s plan for securing areas outside the perimeter and about the failure of law enforcement to act quickly enough on multiple early warnings of suspicious activity.

The Washington Post reported in a video analysis Monday that bystanders at the Trump rally in Butler, Pa., warned local police that they had seen a man clambering onto the roof of the building.

A video posted to social media shows one man shouting, “Officer! Officer!” as others point toward the building. “He’s on the roof!” a woman says.

Emerging tensions

The account from a Secret Service official also underscores emerging tensions between that agency and local authorities over who is to blame for the fact that the gunman was able to access a clear view of the event.

The Secret Service was responsible for the overall security plan, but the agency has said it relied on local law enforcement in areas outside the security perimeter.

The Agr building was not inside the perimeter, which required members of the public to pass through a metal detector before entering.

The Secret Service official said the sniper team inside the building was from Beaver County, which neighbors Butler County, where Saturday’s rally took place.

Local authorities said it was common for SWAT teams in nearby counties to supplement security for large events throughout western Pennsylvania.

The Beaver County district attorney’s office confirmed that a SWAT team from the county was at Saturday’s rally but declined to release additional information, pointing to ongoing investigations by state and federal authorities.

In a written statement Tuesday, the county district attorney’s office said, “We are proud of the heroic actions taken by our officers.”

Richard Goldinger, the Butler County district attorney, said in an interview that the SWAT teams from his jurisdiction were all inside the secure perimeter.

“Secret Service was in charge, and so it was their responsibility to make sure that the venue and the surrounding area was secure,” he told The Post.

“That’s common sense I think. That’s their job.”

He added, “For them to blame local law enforcement is them passing the blame when they hold the blame, in my opinion.”

The local newspaper, Beaver Countian, reported on Monday that counter-snipers were inside the building beyond the security perimeter for the event.

The outlet reported that a Beaver County police officer warned a command center that he had seen a man with a range finder — a device the helps estimate distances — before gunfire erupted.

A police sniper reportedly took a picture of 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks before bullets began to fly, but never took a shot at him.

Counter-sniper

The Secret Service counter-sniper who killed the gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, had him in his sights and was trying to assess whether he had a weapon and was a threat, the official said.

Secret Service radio traffic had relayed that local police either spotted or were trying to find a suspicious man around that building.

The counter-sniper was a veteran marksman who is considered a legend in the Secret Service because of his high ratings for accuracy at long distances.

The counter-sniper who killed Crooks fired as soon as he saw Crooks lift a weapon, the official said.

That counter-sniper killed Crooks in one shot but seconds after he had fired at Trump, the official said.

The Secret Service’s advance security plan for addressing one of the main risks at the event — someone shooting from higher ground from outside the perimeter of the rally — was to have two teams of Secret Service counter-snipers stationed in front of the crowd, on the roofs of two barns behind Trump’s stage.

The local counter-snipers inside the Agr building were to provide “overcover” and surveil the crowd from the back and outside the perimeter.

Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle said in a television interview Tuesday morning that part of the reason the agency did not require a police officer to stand atop the roof of the Agr building was its slope.

“That building in particular has a sloped roof at its highest point, and so there’s a safety factor that would be considered there that we wouldn’t want to put somebody up on a sloped roof,” she said. “So, you know, the decision was made to secure the building from inside.”

Sloped roofs

The roofs of the barns where sniper teams were located are more steeply sloped than the roof of the Agr building, a Post analysis of visuals from the event found.

The risk of an open line of sight for a shooter has been a security concern that the Secret Service has sought to address in planning for public appearances of presidents ever since John F. Kennedy was assassinated by a rifleman positioned in the sixth-floor corner window of the Texas School Book Depository in Dallas in 1963.

Secret Service agents current and former have expressed shock that a gunman was able to get this close to the former president, an incident that is considered the most serious Secret Service security failure since the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan in 1981.

The Post ’s video analysis shows a police officer in a black uniform looking up toward the top of the building.

Crooks began firing two minutes and two seconds after the starting point of the newly published video, which begins with a man’s voice saying that people were pointing toward the roof.

The shots began 86 seconds after the first audible attempts to alert police, according to the analysis, which synchronized several clips based on the sound of Trump’s voice over the public address system.

ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT

Shooter was ‘an outcast’

Classmates, FBI weigh in on motive for Saturday’s attack

BETHEL PARK, Pa. — After three days, an enigmatic portrait has emerged of the 20-year-old man who came close to killing former President Donald Trump with a high-velocity bullet:

He was an intelligent loner with few friends, an apparently thin social media footprint and no hints of strong political beliefs that would suggest a motive for an attempted assassination.

Even after the FBI cracked into Thomas Matthew Crooks’ cellphone, scoured his computer, home and car, and interviewed more than 100 people, the mystery of why he opened fire on Trump’s rally Saturday, a bullet grazing Trump’s ear, remained as elusive as the moment it happened.

“He sat by himself, didn’t talk to anyone, didn’t even try to make conversation,” said 17-year-old Liam Campbell, echoing the comments of classmates who remembered the shooter in this quiet community outside of Pittsburgh.

“He was an odd kid,” but nothing about him seemed dangerous, he said. “Just a normal person who seemed like he didn’t like talking to people.”

No apparent motive

So far, there has been no public disclosure the shooter left any writings, suicide note, social media screed or any other indicator explaining his reasons for targeting Trump.

Crooks was registered as a Republican in Pennsylvania, but federal campaign finance reports also show he gave $15 to a progressive political action committee on Jan. 20, 2021, the day Democratic President Joe Biden was sworn into office.

The absence of a satisfactory explanation has led Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to recount the lengthy federal investigation into the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas, the deadliest such attack in the nation’s history.

That probe closed after 17 months without finding any motive for what drove the 64-year-old gunman to fire more than 1,000 rounds into a crowd of concertgoers other than to “attain a certain degree of infamy.”

Crooks, with a slight build, wire-rimmed glasses and thin hair parted in the middle, went by “Tom.”

He was described by classmates at Bethel Park High School as smart but standoffish, often seen wearing headphones and preferring to sit alone at lunch looking at his phone.

Some said he was often mocked by other students for the clothes he wore, which included hunting outfits, and for continuing to wear a mask after the COVID pandemic was over.

“He was bullied almost every day,” classmate Jason Kohler said. “He was just an outcast.”

Historic precedent

After graduating from high school in 2022, Crooks went on to the Community College of Allegheny County, earning an associate’s degree with honors in engineering science in May.

He also worked at a nursing home as a dietary aide.

A 1997 Secret Service study into those who had attempted assassinations since 1949 found there was no single indicator that a person might seek to take the life of a public figure.

However, two-thirds of all attackers were described as “social isolates.”

Like Crooks, few had any history of violent crime or criminal records.

Most attackers also had histories of handling weapons but no formal weapons or military training, according to the study.

As a freshman, Crooks had tried out for his high school rifle team but was rejected for poor marksmanship, the Associated Press has reported.

Through his family, he was a member of the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club, a shooting range about 11 miles east of Bethel Park.

“We know very little about him,” club president Bill Sellitto said. “That was a terrible, terrible thing that happened Saturday — that’s not what we’re about by any means.”

Access to range, gun

The club has an outdoor range for high-powered rifles with targets set at distances of up to 187 yards.

Crooks was well within that range when he opened fire on Trump on Saturday from about 147 yards from where Trump was speaking, unleashing two quick volleys of rounds at the former president with an AR-15 style rifle.

His father, Matthew Crooks, bought the gun in West Mifflin, Pa., in 2013 from Gander Mountain, an outdoors chain.

Access to the Crooks home remained blocked by yellow police tape, with officers keeping watch and preventing reporters from approaching.

The day before the shooting, Thomas Crooks went to the sportsman’s club and practiced on the rifle range, according to a federal intelligence briefing obtained by the AP.

On the day of the attack, he purchased 50 rounds of 5.56 mm ammo for his rifle from a local gun shop and drove alone to Butler, Pa., the site of the Trump rally.

He parked at a gas station lot about a third of a mile from the event.

He wore camoflauge shorts, a black belt and a gray T-shirt with the logo of a popular YouTube channel dedicated to firearms.

Witnesses and law enforcement officials say Crooks walked around for at least a half-hour before climbing onto the roof of a building adjacent to the Butler Farm Show grounds, where Trump was speaking.

As spectators screamed for police to respond, Crooks opened fire, letting loose two quick bursts.

A Secret Service counter sniper fired back within about 15 seconds, killing Crooks with a shot to the head.

https://www.clairtonsc.org/new-shooters

Trump shooter had limited prep time

Crooks left little trace of deadly plot or ideology

Thomas Matthew Crooks wasn’t an ex-CIA agent with a homemade gun that could slip through metal detectors.

He didn’t carry an Uzi and wear a black tuxedo.

He was not a professional killer in the image of a Jason Bourne or John Wick.

Crooks was an isolated Gen-Zer with an associate degree who worked a low-wage job and lived with his parents.

Yet in an increasingly online world, where digital surveillance is easier than ever, the 20-year-old stayed unusually hidden while devising a plan to murder a former U.S. president – nearly successfully – in just 10 days of planning.

Butler, Pennsylvania, population 13,000, would not have been the most likely campaign stop for Donald Trump.

In fact, he had visited just once before his now-infamous July 13 rally, on Halloween night in the days leading up to the November 2020 election.

It wasn’t until July 3 that The Butler Eagle and other outlets reported that Trump would become the first-ever president, current or former, to return to the city for a second rally.

Until that point, there would have been no way to predict that this rally would be held at the Butler Farm Show grounds – putting the Republican nominee for president 54 miles from the Crooks family home.

Or that Secret Service agents and local police would leave the rooftop of an industrial building 150 yards from Trump’s podium unmanned.

Hours before the shooting, Crooks stopped at a Home Depot in his hometown of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, and purchased a ladder, CNN and NBC reported.

Somewhere outside the rally venue, he parked a car with an explosive device in the trunk.

Although police were reportedly stationed inside the building, Crooks appears to have climbed on top with an AR-15-style gun, undetected, until some in the crowd spied him and began pointing and shouting.

'The security failures by law enforcement that day helped him look a lot more sophisticated than he would normally,' said Seamus Hughes, a researcher at the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology and Education Center at the University of Nebraska Omaha.

Still, Hughes said, it seems clear that Crooks demonstrated 'a level of sophistication,' plotting the attack on short notice, without amassing an internet footprint delineating any ideology – or even hitting law enforcement’s radar.

Crooks grew up in a three-bedroom brick house in Bethel Park.

It’s a red-leaning suburb of 13,000 residents near Pittsburgh where the median household income is $100,000 and grass yards blend together without fences.

His parents were licensed counselors, dad a Libertarian, mom a Democrat.

He had a sister, also a Libertarian, two grades older.

His own political leanings remain unclear.

He donated $15 to ActBlue, a political action committee supporting Democrats, in January 2021, the day of President Joe Biden’s inauguration.

Eight days after his 18th birthday that September, Crooks registered to vote in Allegheny County as a Republican.

He liked to shoot guns.

He and his father were members of the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club.

Some former classmates described Crooks as a loner – a smart kid who kept to himself and had few friends.

He went by 'Tom,' said Sean Eckert, who went to school with him in Bethel Park from fifth through 12th grade.

He rarely spoke up in class.

He often wore hunting clothes.

Eckert said he didn’t remember Crooks playing any sports, belonging to any clubs or student groups or going to school events.

Jason Kohler, who attended Bethel Park High School with Crooks, said he sat alone at lunch and was 'bullied every day.'

Kids picked on him for wearing camouflage and for his quiet demeanor, Kohler said.

Others, though, insisted he was not bullied at all.

Colan Saffer, who had known Crooks since elementary school, said they both tried out for the Bethel Park High School rifle team their freshman year.

Kohler said Crooks was asked to leave because he was 'a bad shot.'

A year before he earned his diploma in spring 2022, Crooks dual-enrolled at Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh, studying engineering science.

He also worked as a dietary aide at a nearby nursing home, a food preparation job that pays $16 an hour, according to a job listing.

He completed his associate’s degree in May, school officials said, graduating with high honors and no discipline record. He planned to enroll at Robert Morris University in the fall.

This summer, Crooks was still too young to buy a beer, but he could legally buy an AR-15-style rifle. He didn’t need to, though; according to FBI officials, he used his dad’s. Law enforcement officials remain flummoxed so far about Crooks’ motive, multiple news outlets reported.

Although they gained access to his phone, CNN reported that they still haven’t found evidence of a political or ideological impetus and that his search history did not show he had researched homemade explosives.

In some ways, Crooks resembles a typical mass shooter, said Hughes:

Namely, he was young, male and apparently a loner.

In other ways, Crooks seems to buck trends.

Those who threaten public officials are typically twice Crooks’ age.

Whereas more than two-thirds have documented criminal histories, Crooks had none.

The National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology and Education Center, where Hughes works, studies such threats.

Among people arrested on federal charges for threatening public officials, those with an ideological bent veered toward right-wing, racially motivated – and often misogynistic or religious – violent extremism.

But of the 503 arrested individuals, more than half did not display any ideological bent, Hughes said, which can be frustrating for the public and law enforcement to accept.

In that way, he said, Crooks more closely resembles the man who shot more than 400 people at a Las Vegas concert, killing 60, whose motive police still don’t understand.

'He may fall in this category of what we call ‘The Joker Effect,’' Hughes said.

'Some people want to become infamous, or they just want to watch the world burn.'

Secret Service under scrutiny after shooting

Homeland Security investigating rally security failures

The Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general’s office said Wednesday that it will investigate the Secret Service effort to provide security at Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Pennsylvania where the former president was shot and a rallygoer killed .

A notice posted on the office’s 'ongoing projects' website said the goal is to 'evaluate the United States Secret Service’s (Secret Service) process for securing former President Trump’s July 13, 2024 campaign event.'

The Secret Service falls under Homeland Security.

Also Wednesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced a bipartisan task force within the House to investigate the assassination attempt, saying 'we need answers for these shocking security failures.'

President Joe Biden previously ordered an 'independent review' of the security measures at the event.

Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle called the shooting 'unacceptable' but said she will not resign.

The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability has subpoenaed Cheatle to appear at a hearing on Monday.

Trump was speaking Saturday before throngs of supporters at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Pennsylvania when a gunman opened fire from the roof of a nearby building.

Trump, his face bloodied from a bullet that apparently injured his ear, was hustled off the stage by Secret Service personnel.

Trump supporter Corey Comperatore, 50, was killed and two other rallygoers were critically wounded before a sniper fatally shot the gunman, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks.

The Secret Service has drawn criticism for failing to keep the shooter from gaining access to the roof - 150 yards from the rally - with an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle.

Local police officers had been stationed inside the building but none on the roof.

A tree close to the roof may have blocked the view of one of the sniper teams in charge of protecting Trump, CBS News reported, adding that another sniper team oriented in a different direction reacted to the shooting and killed the gunman.

The two people who were injured in the shooting, James Copenhaver and David Dutch, have been upgraded from critical to serious condition, Allegheny General Hospital said Wednesday.

The family of Copenhaver issued a statement Tuesday thanking first responders and those who have provided him with medical treatment since the shooting.

The statement said Copenhaver, a 74-year-old Pennsylvania resident, sustained 'life-altering injuries' in the attack and is in critical but stable condition at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. The family also asked for privacy as Copenhaver recovers.

Friends and family of Comperatore will gather Thursday in Freeport, a small town on the Allegheny River, to pay their respects.

Funeral services will be held on Friday at his longtime Butler County church.

Comperatore has been proclaimed a hero after Gov. Josh Shapiro said the former volunteer firefighter dived onto his family to protect them when the shooting started.

James Sweetland, a doctor from Dubois, Pennsylvania, who was at the rally, rushed to help Comperatore.

But he had suffered a shot to the head above his ear and never regained consciousness.

Biden did not mention guns or gun violence during his first three public remarks on Saturday’s shooting including during a primetime Oval Office address Sunday night.

But in a speech Tuesday in Las Vegas at the NAACP National Convention, Biden finally did − declaring it’s time to ban assault weapons like the one used to shoot Trump.

Biden has responded to multiple gun massacres in recent years by reviving calls for stronger gun laws, including reinstating the nation’s ban on assault weapons, which expired in 2004, and requiring background checks on all gun purchases.

But the proposals have repeatedly failed amid Republican opposition in Congress.

'An AR-15 was used in the shooting of Donald Trump, just as it was assault weapons that killed so many others including children.

It’s time to outlaw them,' Biden said, drawing applause from supporters.

The gunman’s father, Matthew Crooks, called police after the shooting, worried that his son and a gun were missing, three senior law enforcement officials told NBC News.

Meanwhile, Fox News is reporting that the family called authorities before the shooting took place.

Iran rejected 'malicious' reports of an alleged plot to assassinate Trump, saying the Islamic nation seeks a 'legal path to bring him to justice' for ordering the assassination of an Iranian general in 2020.

The White House confirmed to USA TODAY a report that Trump’s security was increased in recent weeks after intelligence showed Iran had been plotting to kill him.

National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson, in a statement issued Tuesday, said Iran has sought revenge since Trump ordered the killing of Qassem Soleimani, who Trump later described as 'the number-one terrorist anywhere in the world.'

Are We Already Moving On from the Assassination Attempt on Trump? Less than a week after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, on July 13th, in Butler, Pennsylvania, it appears that most of the public and much of the media have already started to move on. This should not be surprising, given all that we hear these days about our short attention spans and the speed of history. But I admit that I have found it somewhat disturbing—not because I believe a great national trauma has taken place and that the country has decided to bury it deep under the ground, but because this swift diminishment of interest seems to reflect the manner in which we prioritize and value different types of violence. When I began writing this column, this past Tuesday, around 5:30 P.M. on the West Coast, there were no stories about the shooting in the top slots on the Web sites of the New York Times, the Washington Post, or the Wall Street Journal, all of which were focussed, appropriately, on the Republican National Convention. Evidently, the gunman, a twenty-year-old from suburban Pittsburgh named Thomas Matthew Crooks, did not leave behind a manifesto or some lengthy and lurid trail of online crumbs, and so, it seemed, there was no real story to tell. We still know little about him, save for a few details that already feel rote: he was a registered Republican who had donated to a liberal voter-turnout group; he worked in a nursing home; he showed passing interest in both computers and guns; and the few people who crossed his path never saw anything like this coming. On Wednesday, the F.B.I. reported that its agents had conducted numerous interviews, looked through documents, and could find no motive. Rather than regard the assassination attempt as an incident of political violence, many have begun placing it within a more common, even sadly pedestrian classification: the random shooter. A loner with an AR-15 commits an act of violence, and we typically have nothing to say except that this seems to happen all the time in America.

Is there more to say? Perhaps not much, or at least not much that would be especially newsworthy. Some of Trump’s supporters at the G.O.P. Convention are wearing faux bandages on their ear, in tribute to their hero; many commentators have demanded answers from the Secret Service, and have argued that Crooks’s near-success reflects major failures of the agency. But the lack of any serious and meaningful interpretations of why the shooting happened—outside of a few limp attempts to peg the shooting on one party or the other—suggests that we are not waiting for more details about the event, and that a flood of meaning will not likely come later. It seems that the public memory of violence in the United States has come to depend on our ability to ascribe a motive to the perpetrators that tells us something about our politics. Unexplainable tragedies vanish from the spotlight much more quickly than we expect, regardless of the scope of human suffering and death they inflict.

I was thinking about this kind of forgetting on a recent trip to Las Vegas, as I looked at the golden windows of the Mandalay Bay. In 2017, a gunman named Stephen Paddock busted out those windows and shot more than a thousand rounds into the crowd at the Route 91 Harvest festival of country music, killing sixty people and injuring hundreds more. Ten months later, Clark County’s sheriff said, “What we have not been able to definitively answer is why Stephen Paddock committed this act.” The windows of the Mandalay Bay have since been replaced, of course. The resort, which stands at the far edge of the Strip and thus is not squeezed between other audacious buildings, looks almost lonely, as if it is waiting for another hulking title to sidle up along its empty northern edge. The memory of the Route 91 Harvest massacre is, for most people, almost purely statistical: it is the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. If or when that record is broken, Route 91 Harvest will become harder to distinguish from all the other mass shootings. I spend what can be called an unusual amount of time in Las Vegas, which means that I find myself looking up at those golden windows a couple times a year. Each time, I find myself searching for some profound, perhaps even Sebaldian thought, about ghosts, forgetting, and the glaziers of history. But I can never tease it out, at least not fully.

Why do these apparently senseless acts fade from our minds? The obvious answer is in that very senselessness. Because these events do not seem to reflect something explicit and obvious about our politics or our culture—and because it is difficult to blame anyone other than the gun manufacturers and the gun retailers and the shooters themselves, who are often dead—the acts don’t lend themselves to the narratives of the news or of history. But, in truth, many of the acts that have become sizable parts of this country’s collective memory, events that were more easily adapted into a familiar political narrative, were interpreted using messy bits of online commentary, deranged manifestos, a few evocative details dug up by the press or found by the police. If Crooks had joined a worrisome WhatsApp group or posted a few things on Discord, he might have become yet another example of online radicalization; there would be politicians to blame, and histories to be recounted about other violent splinter groups. But I believe this is generally a stupid way to think about these events. The difference between a supposedly meaningless mass shooting and a properly memorialized tragedy that prompts reflections on the state of politics in this country should not come down to whether a deranged young man clicked a particular box or typed a short message on some terrible Web site.

There is, of course, a conspiracy-minded segment of the American public that does not accept the standard interpretations of these events. They gather online and pore over aerial photos, scrub through every published news story, and actually read the dutiful government reports that come out long after the rest of the country has moved on. These people are suspicious of the sameness of these shooters, the way they seem almost engineered to ward off commentary or inquiry; these people fill in the gaps with fantasies of motive and causation. The attempted assassination of Trump has been ceded to conspiracy theorists with remarkable speed. The conspiracists, more than the media or historians—and perhaps even more than Trump, who, beyond some predictable self-aggrandizement, has not noticeably changed his rhetoric since the shooting—will keep the story alive. There were long stretches when Alex Jones almost single-handedly kept the Sandy Hook shooting in the news, because he repeatedly and falsely claimed that the killing of twenty children and six adults at an elementary school was a hoax, and was eventually sued by parents of those children who had been harassed by his followers. The Route 91 Harvest massacre has similarly, if more quietly, become a central fixation of the conspiracy community. This online imprint, shoved away in corners of the Internet—bulletin-board forums, subreddits, group chats—is like a ghost in the public memory. Here, the images, the texts, and the audio of these massacres—even those that do not have the political valence of the march on Charlottesville in 2017 or the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6th—are continuously refreshed.

I imagine that is where the attempted assassination of Trump will ultimately reside: as a story in conspiracy land, shoved somewhere near the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan, forty years before—an event which has remained much clearer in our minds, it must be said, because the shooter had seemingly done it to impress Jodie Foster, putting the act into the realm of pop culture. For the rest of us, the already infamous photo of a bloodied Trump raising his fist in the air might be all that remains, an icon of the defiance that his movement has embodied.

But, with each act of mass violence, the population of conspiracy land grows. Almost instantly, there were thousands of people online speculating about what the Secret Service might have been doing in the moments leading up to the shooting, how a twenty-year-old in 2024 had no social media presence at all, and whether the entire thing was staged for Trump’s benefit. The speculators are not all disaffected men or people who live entirely online; many are ordinary people who are trying to recount a story that everyone else seems to have agreed is inexplicable. Some of them will find other conspiracy theories and other people asking similar questions. Before too long, their world views may have profoundly changed. A culture of conspiracy is one of the inevitable costs for a country with so much violence, and so much forgetting, and so much insistence, however implicit, that a tragedy is only worth dwelling on if we can fit it into one of the political stories we already like to tell.

https://x.com/BackThebluecool/status/1814489451051049093

youtube

UPDATE Requests rejected Lack of motive in attack upsets public However, analysts say it fits pattern of event defying categorization

In the week since the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, details have emerged about sniper positions and Secret Service agents, witnesses and warnings.

But the answer to the biggest question remains elusive: Why?

So far, investigators say, they have found little evidence of an ideology driving the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old nursing home aide who was killed at the scene. The information gleaned from his phone, family and friends doesn’t offer a motive, national security analysts say, and the absence of a quick explanation has left room for the rapid-fire spread of partisan and conspiratorial theories shaping how millions of Americans view the attack.

Barring a breakthrough in the investigation, Crooks appears poised to join a string of high-profile attackers with no discernible ideological driver, or with influences from a mixed bag of beliefs. That outcome is frustrating for a nation struggling to make sense of the event, analysts say, but it fits into a pattern of bloody episodes that defy categorization along a traditional left-right spectrum.

“It’s hard, because when you go after a political target, you do assume political motive,” said Daniel Byman, a terrorism researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a national security think tank.

Investigators haven’t produced evidence showing an ideological motive that meets official definitions of terrorism, Byman and other analysts say.

Authorities typically explore other theories, too, including mental illness or a quest for notoriety.

The lack of conclusive findings has been difficult to accept for many Trump supporters. Attacks without clear motivation aren’t unusual and have increased, researchers say, in part as a reflection of the ideologies that swirl together on social media and gaming platforms, creating a toxic soup of grievances with no cohesive political agenda.

In 2022, an attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), was carried out by a hammer-wielding man who had been involved in nudist activism and Green Party support before more recent racist rhetoric and expressions of hatred toward Democrats, according to analysts who have studied his writings.

As with Trump’s would-be assassin, extremists and partisans quickly stepped in to exploit the vacuum where a clear-cut motive would be.

The deadliest recent example was the 2017 mass shooting at a country music festival in Las Vegas that killed 60 people and injured hundreds. To this day, it’s unclear precisely why 64-year-old Stephen Paddock opened fire on concertgoers.

The FBI has released a trove of documents that showed he had a serious gambling habit but never declared a motivation for the rampage. Paddock killed himself before authorities reached him.

While many have assumed the motives behind the July 13 shooting were rooted in the heated rhetoric of a presidential campaign, a 1997 Secret Service study of American assassins and would-be assassins of public figures found that “attackers and near-lethal approachers of public officials rarely had ‘political’ motives.” Karl Schmae, a retired FBI supervisory agent, said the most relevant comparison to Crooks may be John Hinckley Jr., who tried to assassinate President Ronald Reagan in 1981.

“John Hinckley was a troubled guy and he just wanted notoriety,” Schmae said. “There was nothing in particular about Reagan other than killing him would make Hinckley famous.”

Top officials at the U.S. Secret Service repeatedly denied requests for additional resources and personnel sought by Donald Trump’s security detail in the two years leading up to his attempted assassination at a rally in Pennsylvania last Saturday, according to four people familiar with the requests.

The Secret Service, after initially denying turning down requests for additional security, is now acknowledging some may have been rejected as the organization was forced to make difficult decisions amid competing demands, a growing list of protectees and limited funding. WASHINGTON

Secret Service chief facing calls to resign

Champion for diversity hiring, she refused to bolster security for Trump events

WASHINGTON — When Kimberly Cheatle led the Secret Service’s operations to safeguard the American president and other dignitaries, she said she would talk to agents in training about the “awesome responsibility” of their job.

“This agency and the Secret Service has a zero fail mission,” Cheatle, who is now director of the agency, said in 2021 during a Secret Service podcast called “Standing Post.”

“They have to come in every day prepared and ready with their game face on.”

Now, the Secret Service and its director are under intense scrutiny following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a July 13 rally in Pennsylvania that wounded his ear.

Adding to that scrutiny is the agency’s acknowledgment late Saturday that it had refused to grant some of the Trump campaign’s requests for added security at his events, after initially denying that it had done so.

Cheatle, who will testify before lawmakers Monday after congressional committees and the Biden administration launched a series of investigations, told ABC News that the shooting was ��unacceptable.”

When asked who bears the most responsibility, she said ultimately it is the Secret Service that protects the former president.

“The buck stops with me,” Cheatle said. “I am the director of the Secret Service.” She said she has no plans to resign, and so far she has the administration’s backing.

Democratic President Joe Biden appointed Cheatle in August 2022 to take over an agency with a history of scandals, and she worked to bolster diverse hiring, especially of women in the male-dominated service.

The second woman to lead the Secret Service, Cheatle worked her way up for 27 years before leaving in 2021 for a job as a security executive at PepsiCo. Biden brought her back.

Details are still unfolding about signs of trouble the day of the assassination attempt, including the steps taken by the Secret Service and local authorities to secure a building that the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, climbed within an estimated 147 yards of where Trump was speaking.

An ex-fire chief at the rally, Corey Comperatore, was killed and two others were wounded.

The Biden administration has directed an independent review of security at the rally.

The Homeland Security Department’s inspector general has opened three investigations and congressional committees have launched others as calls mount for Cheatle to resign.

Two Republican senators demanding answers followed her as she walked through the Republican National Convention this past week.

The House Oversight and Accountability Committee subpoenaed Cheatle to appear Monday, and she is expected to be there.

Kristie Canegallo, Homeland Security’s acting deputy secretary, said the department has the “utmost confidence” in Cheatle.

The committee chairman, Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., said “the American people have lots of questions and they deserve answers. And this hearing tomorrow will serve as the beginning of that process to get answers for the American people as to what went wrong with an agency that has a no-fail mission.”

He told “Fox News Sunday” that Cheatle should expect about a six-hour hearing with “hundreds of questions that she’s going to have to answer and the American people will be watching.”

The Homeland Security Department did not make Cheatle available for an interview, but Canegallo defended her work.

Women in security roles

AFTERMATH:

After the assassination attempt, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and the female Secret Service agents who protected Donald Trump have faced scathing criticism and questions about whether Cheatle lowered hiring standards. Supporters are adamant that has not happened.

‘DISRESPECTFUL’:

“It is disrespectful to the women of the Secret Service of the Department of Homeland Security and to women law enforcement officers around the nation to imply that their gender disqualifies them from service to the nation and their communities,” said Kristie Canegallo, Homeland Security’s acting deputy secretary.

RECRUITING:

Like many law enforcement agencies, the Secret Service has been wrestling with how to attract and retain agents and officers. Women account for about 24% of the agency’s staff, according to its website. In a May 2023 interview with CBS News, Cheatle said she was conscious of the “need to attract diverse candidates and ensure that we are developing and giving opportunities to everybody in our workforce, and particularly women.” Pa. sheriff:

Officer encountered shooter on roof before Trump assassination attempt

“The officer had both hands on the roof to get up on the roof [but] never made it because the shooter had turned towards the officer, and rightfully and smartly, the officer let go,” Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe said

Police1BUTLER, Pa. — Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe has confirmed that an armed municipal officer encountered shooter Thomas Crooks before he fired shots at former President Donald Trump’s rally on July 13, KDKA reported.

Slupe stated that the officer was alerted to a suspicious person and was hoisted by another officer to the roof where Crooks was positioned. Election 2024 Trump

The gunman, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, fired multiple shots at the stage from an “elevated position outside of the rally venue”

The officer let go and dropped off the roof when Crooks pointed his rifle at him, according to the report.

Crooks then began firing into the crowd, grazing Trump, killing one bystander and injuring two others.

“All I know is the officer had both hands on the roof to get up on the roof, never made it because the shooter had turned towards the officer, and rightfully and smartly, the officer let go,” Sheriff Slupe told KDKA.

Crooks was ultimately killed by sniper fire.

Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company chief Corey Comperatore “died a hero” when he “dove on his family to protect them,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said“I would have done the same thing, absolutely,” Slupe said.

“I mean, people think the officers are supermen like you hold on the roof with one hand while you are hanging on for dear life and pull a gun out. It doesn’t work that way.”

Slupe acknowledged there may have been a security failure but stressed the importance of waiting for the investigation’s results.

“There is not just one entity responsible; the Secret Service plays a key role in protecting, in this case, former President Trump, but they don’t act alone,” he said.

The Secret Service receives support from local police departments, which form a secondary ring of security around high-profile figures.

Election 2024 TrumpEffective presidential protection relies on more than just federal efforts.

Learn how local officers can contribute, stay informed and maintain crucial roles

Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger noted that multiple local agencies assisted with SWAT teams and snipers, according to the report.

“We provided some snipers for them. Some quick response teams. We didn’t have any responsibility with securing the perimeter or anything outside of that venue,” Goldinger said.

He explained that the hierarchy of command for security was led by the Secret Service, followed by state police, and then local municipal departments.Slupe expressed concern over how Crooks accessed the rooftop and remained undetected.

Election 2024 Trump

The Trump rally shooting demonstrated commendable actions like quick thinking by citizens, as well as shortcomings such as poor site selection and training gaps

Election 2024 Trump

Effective presidential protection relies on more than just federal efforts.

Learn how local officers can contribute, stay informed and maintain crucial roles

Election 2024 Trump

TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT

Secret Service chief: ‘We failed’

Bipartisan calls for her resignation come after congressional hearing

Republican and Democratic lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee called for U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to resign Monday, saying she had lost the nation’s confidence after failing to answer detailed questions about the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

Republican Chairman James Comer of Kentucky and ranking Democrat Jamie Raskin of Maryland were among the Congress members who urged Cheatle to step aside after she testified for 4 1/2 hours at the first congressional hearing since the attack on Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.

Raskin said both parties were united in their “bafflement” over the stunning operational failures that led to the shooting.

He lamented the “extraordinary communications gap” between Cheatle and Congress during the hearing.

“I will be joining the chairman in calling for the resignation of the director just because I think that this relationship is irretrievable at this point,” Raskin said at the hearing’s end. “I think that the director has lost the confidence of Congress at a very urgent and tender moment in the history of the country and we need to very quickly move beyond this.”

Cheatle has faced growing calls to step down as director after the security failures at the Trump rally, the first attack against a U.S. leader on the protective agency’s watch in more than 40 years.

She has said she will not resign.

Cheatle remained stoic as several lawmakers with the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability berated her and called for her resignation.

Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of Cailfornia urged Cheatle to resign because the assassination attempt has shaken public faith in the Secret Service and her ability to lead the agency.

He said the issue transcends politics.

“I think you need to reflect,” Khanna told Cheatle. “You cannot go leading a Secret Service agency when there is an assassination attempt on a presidential candidate.”

Cheatle told lawmakers she accepted responsibility for the failure to stop the attack and acknowledged that it was the most significant stain on the agency’s record in decades.

Cheatle also told the panel she does not personally review the security plans for thousands of events attended by the 36 people under the agency’s protection.

Those reviews are conducted by a team of Secret Service officials, she said.

Questions

The lawmakers questioned why Trump was allowed to take the podium about 15 minutes after officers at the fairgrounds sighted a suspicious individual, later identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks.

Cheatle sought to make a distinction between suspicious behavior and a direct threat, saying the Secret Service would have “paused the rally had they known there was an actual threat.”

Cheatle said the agency is reviewing when agents were notified about Crooks, the 20-year-old gunman, and what they did about it.

Crooks gained access to an unsecured roof less than 150 yards from the stage of Trump’s campaign rally in Pennsylvania, where he opened fire with an AR-style rifle, injuring Trump, killing one man in the crowd and seriously wounding two others.

He was killed at the scene by a Secret Service countersniper.

Cheatle said the Secret Service is conducting an internal “mission assurance investigation” and that the report is due within 60 days.

She told the committee members she shared many of their questions and would report back with the answers once the investigation is complete.

Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York told Cheatle that 60 days is “not acceptable.”

“It has been 10 days since an assassination attempt on a former president of the United States regardless of party,” Ocasio-Cortez told Cheatle. “There need to be answers.”

Probes into attack

The internal report is in addition to the FBI’s criminal investigation and other probes into the attack.

Cheatle shared some preliminary findings, acknowledging that the gunman used a drone in the area before the shooting.

“That information has been passed on to us from the FBI,” she said in testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.

Cheatle also confirmed that a detonator device was found with Crooks’s body.

Cheatle told lawmakers that the FBI found explosives in Crooks’s possession and is investigating who may have shown him how to make them.

She confirmed that he appeared to have acted alone.

Cheatle frustrated several committee members by declining to answer detailed questions.

She would not say how many agents were assigned to Trump that day but said the number was “sufficient.”

Cheatle did not say whether the Secret Service deployed a drone to surveil the area and declined to answer questions about how Crooks was able to get his rifle onto the roof and when the area would have been “swept,” or inspected, before the rally.

“So can you answer this question, which I think is on the mind of most Americans thinking about this?” Raskin said. “How can a 20-year-old with his father’s AR-15 assault weapon climb onto a roof with a direct 150-yard line of sight to the speaker’s podium without the Secret Service or local police stopping him?”

She did not have the answer.

“I will say we are nine days out from this event, and I would like to know those answers as well, which is why we are going through these investigations to be able to determine that fully,” she said.

Dodging questions

Lawmakers’ frustrations grew as Cheatle continued to dodge questions about what constituted a threat.

She said she did not want to speak prematurely about an ongoing investigation.

But lawmakers said she could at least tell them what she knew.

The tone of the hearing grew more heated as lawmakers accused Cheatle of stonewalling.

One exasperated Republican lawmaker, Rep. Pat Fallon of Texas, derisively told Cheatle to “go back to guarding Doritos.” Cheatle worked as a top security official at Pepsi Co. North America, which manufactures the snack food, before her appointment as Secret Service director in September 2022.

Under repeated questioning by Rep. Jake LaTurner, R-Kan., Cheatle confirmed that the FBI informed her that the Beaver County emergency services unit noticed Crooks on the roof and photographed him before Trump took the stage.

Cheatle did not say when the FBI relayed that information to the Secret Service or when the agency deemed Crooks a threat.

Cheatle confirmed at the hearing that Crooks arrived at the rally with a range finder, a tool used to gauge outdoor distances for use in photography, surveying or shooting.

But she said that a “range finder is not a prohibited item” and that carrying one did not necessarily make him a threat.

LaTurner asked Cheatle when agents might have identified Crooks as a threat.

“If that same individual with the range finder is found on a rooftop, is that still just suspicious, or is that considered threatening?” LaTurner shot back.

“That could be termed still as suspicious,” she said.

Calls for resignation

The initial part of Monday’s hearing was notable for members’ sober, serious tone, with a methodical approach to questioning Cheatle by Republican and Democratic members.

Some Republican members started shaking their heads and audibly saying “no” when Cheatle declined to say whether Secret Service agents were positioned on the roof used by the attacker.

Republicans berated Cheatle and some called for her resignation because of the lack of answers and concern that the security flaws exposed at the Pennsylvania rally are ongoing.

Cheatle signaled that she intends to stay.

“I think I am the best person to lead the Secret Service at this time,” Cheatle said in response to questioning from Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina that cast doubt on her leadership qualifications.

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina asked Cheatle if she would like to use the lawmaker’s five minutes of time to “draft her resignation letter.” Cheatle quietly responded, “No, thank you.” Republican says he re-created shooting

Frisco lawmaker tells panel it’s ‘a miracle’ Trump lived

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Pat Fallon was in prone position on a sloped roof, holding his AR-15 rifle. The time was 6:30 p.m. Distance to target, 130 yards.

The Frisco Republican sought to recreate the conditions that faced a would-be assassin who opened fire on former President Donald Trump during a July 13 rally in Butler, Pa.

Fallon recounted the simulation Monday at a House Oversight Committee hearing, during which lawmakers delivered a brutal, bipartisan tongue-lashing to U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle over the agency’s failures in Butler and what they characterized as a lack of information since.

Fallon said he wasn’t sure which of two kinds of scopes the shooter had used, so he took eight shots with each type during his exercise.

Behind him, an aide displayed two human-shaped targets riddled with bullet holes.

“You know what the result was? Fifteen out of 16 kill shots,” Fallon said as his voice rose and he banged his fist on the table. “And the one I missed would have hit the president’s ear. That’s a 94% success rate. And that shooter was a better shot than me. It is a miracle President Trump wasn’t killed.”

Fallon said he’s never received long-gun training and had shot his AR-15 only once before, six years earlier.

Cheatle testified her agency failed in its mission, promising to discover what went wrong and “move heaven and earth” to ensure it never happens again.

Frustrated Republicans and Democrats grew more pointed in their questions as she repeatedly refused to provide specific answers about what happened and why.

Cheatle often referred lawmakers to the FBI, which is conducting a criminal investigation.

The Oversight Committee often features bitterly partisan fighting, but there was plenty of shared frustration on both sides of the aisle over Cheatle’s lack of answers.

Members from both parties, including its Republican chairman and top Democrat, called for her resignation during the hearing.

U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Waco, cited her nearly 30 years of experience with the U.S. Secret Service and said Cheatle should be able to provide some analysis of where protection broke down.

“How long do we have to wait before you can give us credible answers?” Sessions asked.

Cheatle said the agency’s goal is to complete an internal investigation within 60 days and cited various other investigations in progress.

U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, used her time to make points about addressing potential bias among law enforcement officers, the role of gun regulations in preventing shootings and the need for politicians to tone down their rhetoric.

She added that Cheatle’s lack of answers could feed conspiracy theories about the shooting.

“I don’t doubt the Secret Service is on the side of the American people,” Crockett said.

“But right now, so long as these conspiracy theories continue to fester, it is going to make your job that much harder.”

Fallon was deeply biting in his assessment, questioning how anyone could have confidence in the agency’s ability to stop trained foreign professionals if its personnel could be outsmarted by a 20-year-old loner.

He brought up claims security personnel weren’t on the roof used by the shooter because of safety concerns about its slope. He said those are “pathetic excuses” and “cow dung.”

He mockingly referred to Cheatle’s previous job as senior director in global security at Pepsico, which manufactures snack foods.

“Your horrifying ineptitude and your lack of skilled leadership is a disgrace,” Fallon said. “Your obfuscating today is shameful. And you should be fired immediately and go back to guarding Doritos.”

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And right after they passed that law, we ended up with Uvalde.

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causeiwanttoandican · 3 years ago

Text

Robert Lacey excerpt

I fully expect them to say William was the one commenting about the baby’s skin color after this. Battle stations! Book excerpt

The Times

Prince William ‘split his household from Prince Harry after Meghan bullying claims’

June 07 2021, 7.00am BST

‘So, are you saying,” asked Oprah Winfrey, talking to Meghan and Harry in their famous interview of March 2021, “that there were hints of jealousy?”

She was inquiring about the Sussexes’s wildly successful tour of Australia and the South Pacific of late October 2018, and the couple shifted uncomfortably in their plush wicker chairs.

“Look,” replied Harry, “I just wish that we would all learn from the past.”

By bringing up “the past”, the prince was venturing into an area that was almost taboo. He was making a sensational comparison between his mother and his wife. Harry was suggesting that Meghan had demonstrated in Australia the same massive star quality as Diana and was now having to face the family envy that went along with that.

“It really changed,” he said, “after the Australia tour, after our South Pacific tour . . . it was . . . the first time that the family got to see how incredible she is at the job. And that brought back memories.”

Memories of what? Again Harry shied away from putting words to the almost unmentionable. But Oprah had prepared and polished this moment, like so many others in the interview, and she had a reference ready to prompt her prince’s revelation. The latest, fourth season of TV’s The Crown had depicted Charles and Diana’s 1983 tour of Australia, showing how Diana had been “bedazzling” in her ability “to connect with people”. Episode six had depicted how the crowds would groan when they realised that Charles, not Diana, was walking down their side of the street — hence the beginnings of the “jealousy” on the family’s part.

“So is that what you’re talking about?” asked Oprah. “It brought back memories of that?”

“Yeah,” Harry finally replied in a fashion that was both dismal and unmistakably aggressive.

What on earth had happened, viewers had to wonder, to the old and once-familiar happy side of Prince Harry?

When trying to define the moment that marked the decisive rift with his brother William — the break-up and actual separation of the joint household they had established together in 2009 — Harry would fix upon his triumphant return with Meghan from their Australian tour at the end of October 2018. But if asked the same question, William would have fixed on a more specific event: the explosive argument he had had with his brother earlier that month.

Both brothers agreed how bitterly they had clashed back in the early days over William’s attempt to slow Harry’s courtship of Meghan — “Don’t feel like you need to rush this . . . ” But both of them had subsequently moved on. Harry’s transparent contentment with Meghan had relaxed the tensions, give or take the odd row over bridesmaids’ dresses. The “no speaks” had eased just a little by the time “best man” William escorted his brother down the aisle in May 2018.

Then five months later came the conclusive and determining rupture — the division that has lasted to the present day — though here the brothers’ retelling of history diverged. As Harry explained it to Oprah, Meghan’s Australian tour success sowed the jealousies that caused feelings to “change”. According to this scenario, William and Kate resented the Diana-like popularity that was generated by Harry’s wife. William had a different recollection.

We now know that Princes William and Harry were no longer on speaking terms before the Sussexes set off for Australia. Feelings had already “changed”, as Harry put it, and drastically so. The brothers had parted on extremely poor terms, with the trouble centring on Meghan’s stringent treatment and alleged bullying of her staff.

Most Kensington Palace courtiers were noted for the comparatively long tenures of their comfortable and prestigious jobs. But it came to look as if employees could not wait to escape service with Harry and Meghan. Those who left formed themselves into an informal fraternity that they titled the “Sussex Survivors’ Club”. They had finally hit back, and their organising agent had been PR man Jason Knauf.

The joint communications secretary for Kensington Palace — who was still, at that date, working on behalf of both of the brothers and their wives — had become concerned by the numerous stories of mistreatment being brought to him by colleagues whom he knew well and trusted.

Texas-born and New Zealand-educated, Knauf, 34, was a popular character in Kensington Palace, widely noted for his friendliness and loyalty towards his colleagues. He had been considered a real “catch” when the brothers snared him from the Royal Bank of Scotland in 2015, and one of his concerns was that professional management practices should be more effectively enforced inside the traditional British palace. Knauf’s American sensibilities caused him to see the Meghan situation as raising principles of human resources management in the palace system that needed to be formally addressed.

Knauf’s first priority was to set down the facts, as he saw them, for the record: “I’m very concerned,” he emailed to William’s private secretary Simon Case, in a document he drafted in October 2018, “that the duchess was able to bully two PAs out of the household in the past year.”

Knauf described Meghan’s treatment of one aide as “totally unacceptable . . . the duchess seems intent”, he wrote, “on always having someone in her sights”. Specifying another staff member, Knauf alleged Meghan had been bullying her as well, “seeking to undermine her confidence”. His office had received “report after report”, he wrote, from people who had witnessed “unacceptable behaviour” by Meghan towards this member of staff.

“Meghan governed by fear,” claimed one courtier. “So many people said it. Nothing was ever good enough for her. [She] humiliated staff in meetings, [would] shout at them, [would] cut them off email chains — and then demand to know why they hadn’t done anything.”

As early as 2017, around the time of the couple’s engagement, according to a subsequent report in The Times, a senior aide had spoken to the couple about the difficulties caused by their treatment of staff. “It’s not my job to coddle people,” Meghan was said to have replied.

“Americans can be much more direct,” wrote the authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand in defence of the duchess, “and that often doesn’t sit well in the much more refined institution of the monarchy.”

A Brit might have raised an eyebrow at Meghan’s alleged behaviour, then looked the other way. The Yank decided to act. Knauf was actually one of Meghan’s most senior advisers — her chief adviser, in fact, when it came to public relations. Earlier that year she had gone to Knauf for help when drafting the disputed letter of severance that she sent to her father. She valued his PR expertise.

Before that, Knauf had helped Harry to word the fierce anti-media statements that he had framed to try to protect Meghan from press harassment, both as his girlfriend and then as his fiancée. The PR man had taken considerable stick from some of his non-royal contacts who criticised him as being overprotective in fighting the newcomer’s corner. Like so many people in all the palaces, Knauf had started off on Meghan’s side.

But as the months went by the American’s feelings became more ambiguous, as numerous colleagues — women whom he greatly respected — continued to bring him stories of what they said they had suffered at Meghan’s hands.

“I can’t stop shaking,” one aide had told a colleague in anticipation of an encounter with Meghan. Another reported that the prospect of confrontation with the duchess had made her “feel sick”. “Emotional cruelty and manipulation”, were the words of a third, “which I guess could also be called bullying.”

The b-word featured prominently in the accounts of several, along with an even more sinister set of initials: PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder was a deeply serious condition to allege — flashbacks, nightmares and feelings of deep anxiety — but that was how one complainant said that they had felt.

Several people maintained they had been “humiliated” by the duchess, and that criticism extended to Harry as well.

“I overheard a conversation between Harry and one of his top aides,” recalled one Kensington Palace courtier. “Harry was screaming and screaming down the phone. Team Sussex was a really toxic environment. People shouting and screaming in each other’s faces.”

Shouting and screaming? PTSD? Making people feel sick? Prince William went ballistic when he heard the “dossier of distress” that Knauf had gathered. We do not know whether the communications secretary brought his allegations directly to his boss or submitted them via Simon Case. What we do know is that the prince was astonished and horrified. He was instantly furious at what he heard.

“I remember Christian Jones [William’s press secretary and later private secretary] explaining to me how the Cams [the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge] are paternalistic with their staff,” recalls one royal correspondent. “They copy the Queen in that respect with all her Christmas parties and Christmas presents to her people. They’re proud to treat their staff like family. They recognise that they don’t get paid loads of money, so they are just really nice to them. So this was a very deep clash of philosophies, with Meghan being used to a Hollywood service culture — getting exactly what she wanted whenever she wanted in that famous way that Harry said.”

William personally knew and liked all the individuals whom Knauf had named in his dossier. The prince regarded them as assets to his household — colleagues to be cherished and for whom he was responsible. Human beings. Like Knauf, the prince was appalled that his respected staff may have been put in this position.

For William, Knauf’s allegations also clarified something that the prince had long believed — that Meghan was fundamentally hostile towards the royal system, which she failed to understand as an outsider. William wondered if she had not wanted to leave from the very start — even dreaming, perhaps, that she could whisk Harry back with her to North America.

But Meghan’s lawyers and PR representatives said this was quite the wrong interpretation of their client’s thinking and behaviour in a statement that they issued to The Times early in March 2021. They denied all allegations of bullying as inaccurate and the product of what they described as a “smear campaign”. The duchess wished to fit in and be accepted, they insisted. She had left her life in North America to commit herself to her new role.

I have never met Jason Knauf. What you have just read is based upon the published accusations that Knauf set down on paper — refuted as “defamatory”, it must be stressed again, and “based on misleading and harmful information” in the view of the Duchess of Sussex’s lawyers. It also relies upon William’s personal account of these events to one of his friends who then spoke to this author.

The moment the prince heard the bullying allegations, he related to this friend, he got straight on the phone to talk to Harry — and when Harry flared up in furious defence of his wife, the elder brother persisted. Harry shut off his phone angrily, so William went to speak to him personally. The prince was horrified by what he had just been told about Meghan’s alleged behaviour, and he wanted to hear what Harry had to say.

The showdown between the two siblings was fierce and bitter. William’s pre-engagement questioning of Meghan’s suitability had been quite reasonable, in William’s opinion. His fraternal doubts had been provisional, based upon how the new recruit appeared to be. The elder brother did not really know Meghan in those early days.

But now William had seen enough of his sister-in-law to feel sure that, sadly, he did know her and that many of his reservations linked unhappily with what Knauf’s colleagues had alleged. William believed Meghan was following a plan — “agenda” was the word he used to his friend — and the accusations he had just heard were alarming. Kate, he said, had been wary of her from the start.

Meghan was undermining some precious principles of the monarchy, if she really was treating her staff in this way, and William was upset that she seemed to be stealing his beloved brother away from him. Later courtiers would coin a hashtag — #freeHarry. It was only half a joke.

“Meghan portrayed herself as the victim,” recalled one Kensington Palace staffer, “but she was the bully. People felt run over by her. They didn’t know how to handle this woman. They thought she was a complete narcissist and sociopath — basically unhinged. Which was why the pair of them were drawn to each other in the first place — both damaged goods.”

William felt deeply wounded. “Hurt” and “betrayed” were the two feelings that he described to his friend. The elder brother had always felt so protective. He had seen it as his job to look out for Harry but this was the moment the protection had to stop. At the end of the day the British crown and all it stood for with its ancient traditions, styles and values — the mission of the monarchy — had to matter more to William than his brother did.

Harry, for his part, was equally furious that William should give credence to the accusations against Meghan, and he was fiercely combative in his wife’s defence. Some sources maintain that in the heat of the argument Harry actually accused someone in the family of concepts that were “racist”. But it must be stressed that neither brother has ever confirmed that the hateful r-word was used face to face.

Only William and Harry can know what they said to each other and they have respectfully maintained their silence on that. But Harry made clear to the world in his interview with Oprah that he considered his family’s response to Meghan to have been essentially racist — using the heavily freighted code words “unconscious bias” to provide an intellectual framework for his analysis.

Where could the two brothers go after such painful and damning notions had been thrown into their debate?

We have reached the crux of the drama. What painfully unforgettable and surely unforgivable things have been said? These are not passing differences. They are two core sets of values in conflict — love versus duty — going to the very heart and deriving from the deepest beliefs and loyalties of each man. Two opposing identities butting heads. In the months following the tragic and not-obviously bridgeable rift of October 2018 between William and Harry, the younger brother solidified his belief that his family were suffering from “unconscious bias”.

William, for his part, felt just as strongly about Meghan and the need for her subversive “agenda” to be removed from the operations of the British monarchy, which she did not appear to understand or respect. He certainly wanted Meghan removed, for a start, from the hitherto harmonious joint household that he and his brother had operated together for the best part of a decade. William simply did not want her or Harry around any more.

When accounts of the rift started seeping out through the winter months that followed, it was generally assumed that the volatile Harry must have set the pace in the splitting up of the joint Kensington Palace household. He was the brother who visibly departed, stalking off to set up a new home in Windsor, with offices for himself and Meghan in Buckingham Palace.

But the reverse was the case. It was William who made the decisive move. Following his furious confrontation with his younger brother in the autumn of 2018, the prince instructed Simon Case to start the process of dividing their two households immediately. William wished to be separated from Meghan on a day-to-day basis — and that meant being separated from his brother as well.

“William,” says a friend, “threw Harry out.”

©Robert Lacey 2021 Extracted from Battle of Brothers: William, Harry and the Inside Story of a Family in Tumult by Robert Lacey, to be published by William Collins on June 24 at £9.99

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betweentheracks · 4 years ago

Note

can you tell us what your credentials are and what sort of studies/coursework did you have to take up to get to your position? and, if not too personal, what your day to day work life might look life in and out awards seasons or other big ticket events your clients might need styled for?

This is long and rambling, I do apologize.

Regarding coursework and education routes into becoming a pro stylist, the thing is that there isn’t necessarily a need for a specific type of education. You could literally drop school and strive for success by the grit of your teeth and iron will alone if you really want and still could gain great acclaim. It isn’t exactly common but it does happen if you strike upon fortunate circumstances and garner experience wherever possible to form the base of your portfolio and profile which will later shape your reputation.

As it is, most studios and clients do tend to give more consideration to those that come from an academic qualifications and learning. While experience if the foreground on which all stylists (and any other set of industry workers) tread, having the support and security of studying styles and fashion and marketing and all manner of related blather gives a sense of merit and provides opportunities for your to be selected for a job despite a lack of reputation or experience. The best stylists fall from both trees and the worst do as well; there is no guaranteed recipe for success in this field as fashion itself is too fluid in expression to be quantified.

As for what I did; I had hands in both pots and have the educational background that assures I know what I am doing in terms of textual/technical understanding as well as experience from moments of pure luck compounded by my audacious efforts. I have a Bachelor’s compromised of fashion merchandising, fashion retailing, marketing, and visual arts. I took side courses at a fashion technical institute with a more tailored program that catered to the fundamentals of fit, body (and measurements) assessment, design and trends, media styling, and fashion industry principles. Additionally I did half a semester of social skills in a business. From there I went on to snatch up an internship and spent a bit more than a year being a shadow of the stylists for the company I work for before grasping a golden chance to become notable and step beyond that restricted role. I also have the certifications of AICI CIC and AICI CIP with hopes to one day finally snag the coveted AICI CIM (respectively; certified image consultant, certified image professional, certified image master).

I had friends that have worked in and out of this end of the industry and knew from the jump that I wanted to pad my portfolio with the safety net provided by academia and use it to bridge the gaps in my experience early on. I figured if I had the knowledge of how to deal with the business side of things as well as the styling side then I was a bit more valuable and, worst case, could go be a consultant or advisor for retailers or big wig company heads. As it is, the only reason I have any clout to my name at all is due to my internship - it paved over all the potholes in the road I was on and has been very favorable, but not everyone is as fortunate as I have been and this is not an easy path to undertake and forge into a career with any real sense of stability or security. Freelance stylists have a completely different struggle despite the majority coming from similar backgrounds as myself.

Now, onto the daily scope and specs of wardrobe styling ~

Please take into consideration that I am an admitted workaholic/perfectionist/overachiever within the boundaries of my work. I’m quite lazy in almost every other sense of living and make existing seem like a wreck and I’m the one driving the struggle-bus that caused it, but for the job I have I am a supremely different breed (though still a lunatic). So yeah, I do a lot more than most would in my position and it is actually something that my company head both loves and hates and is rumored to be writing a clause for all employees regarding allowable working methodology due to the sheer amount of paperwork I alone generate. I am the hazard of our company, but I am also an asset.

Anyway, I start most of my days with a lot of reading through emails that range from client comments and commands to vendors looking to use my company or clientele to bolster their credibility, to brands extending offers of product usage for marketing and campaigning reasons, and a variety of back and forths between me and the PAs or clerks of photographers, other studios, and fashion houses. Next comes hours of phone calls and reviewing schedules to ensure there is no intersections between client-oriented event slots. For one photoshoot I typically spend 3-4 weeks on the semantics of lighting quality and set features and then the rest of the time is dedicated to wardrobe and piecing out however many styles are called for, and then usually adding in at least 2 extras just for good measure. There's so many meetings my butt goes numb and touching base with the other members of my glam teams to reaffirm that we are all working on tandem and on the same page as far as vision goes. I sometimes have a turn in taking care of a new trainee or intern that is wandering our workplace like a fawn on clumsy legs and have questionable instincts.

When it comes to pulling apparel to make up sets, I have been known to be in the rack rooms and show rooms and fashion archives for over 7 hours a day. Our archivists know me as personally as I know my assistants and friends from how often I am in there territory and have to rely on their hardwork and favor. I spend days doing this until I have what I need and then dedicate every bit of my attention designing and creating looks which is another 5+ hours of one day, over the course of many. I have had days where I have been at work for 16 or 17 hours before I realize it, which is why I am such a thorn in my boss’ ass and often told to take a day off or get sent home midway through the morning - my hours alone could have business bureaus raising their eyebrows at the legality of my working hours. (This is cranked to max when shows and events are in the schedule; Awards Season is a nightmare and tours are the bastard offspring of Hell actually. The amount of hours put in are truly horrific).

Also worth mentioning for the sake of perspective is that my job is as expansive as my clients allow; if they request me for one of their various activities in the public eye or in media, if available, I am obligated to prioritize their needs above the projects that my company has assigned to me as per our contract and am expected to either find a replacement or delegate to my assistant and apprentice when possible. The opposite is also true: if my clients have a light workload or are on break from their careers, I am typically doing the busy work of in-studio tasks or tracking rising trends and other features of the fashion forecast. I also host a multitude of temporary contracts with all manner of clientele from brand ambassadors to photographers to celebrities to commercial shoots & services. These jobs come upon official requests made through the company and then negotiated into the terms of how short the working schedule will be, what work I will be undertaking, and an assessment of skills vs revenue to maintain a balance of my time as a professional being properly valued within the sad decline of styling budgets before it will be officially taken on in my name. For these I tend to make better use of my status and hand off most of the project unless I am specifically needed. I make appearances as necessary but am mostly an advisor rather than the producer, instead focusing on my exclusive clients all while staying keyed in so that the work isn't below standard. This is all a badly kept secret of my company and myself - the clients do typically know and accept this is how I handle things in general and are aware that they are paying for an absent role of by way of my name/credentials unless they specify otherwise. There have been times when a side job like this has more prestige than all the years of my experiences combined could generate which ostensibly is treated with much more care and most of my other work pauses in deference to this.

Being a stylist, especially a wardrobe AND fashion stylist, is just so much I don't think I could fully capture the scale of it for a proper index of what we do.

In short, I don't have routine days. I have days that are at the beck and call of a workload that changes at the drop of a pin or the half digit uptick that dictates the emergence of a new trend or the downwind of when a trend skews into becoming mainstream. I can be paced out and looking at a light day at my desk and suddenly be crammed into a pitch meeting or called out to a set. I've also spent many days lounging on the sofa in a client's dressing room playing on my phone and cracking jokes with the glam team as we wait for our client to return between performance takes. And then there are days when I only go into work for our weekly meeting and review before heading back home. It's constant and consuming and sometimes I can't catch my breath before I'm shoved into the show room under a daunting time crunch because an entire ensemble has been misplaced or ruined. Just a matter of days before I was felled by COVID-19 I was having a nap during a photoshoot which I had already fulfilled my purpose and had no further need to participate in.

The reality is that I spend the majority of my time carving out a balance of my work life not superseding my time dedicated to being with my son and making sure he knows no matter what, he is above my hectic career always.

#racks asks

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elsanna-shenanigans · 4 years ago

Text

December Contest Submission #13: Shadow Dancing

Words: ca. 4500 Setting: Babylon 5/Legends of Tomorrow AU Lemon: Not full lemon, but citrus C/W: None

Day 0

Elsa stood at the transport gates with Anna, holding one of her carry-ons. The PA overhead crackled to life. “Virgin Galactic Flight 1840 from Mars Colony to New Ahtohallan Colony boards at Gate C7. All passengers must have Identicards with them at all times,” the pleasant monotone droned, causing Elsa to wince from the sheer volume of it.

She turned to regard her sister, who was bouncing with excitement. “Elsa, don’t look so glum! I won’t be gone that long, okay?” she beamed, hugging her tightly, her green plaid shirt wrinkling in the hug.

The overhead PA called Anna’s flight. She grabbed her Interplanetary Expeditions carry-on from Elsa with an eager smile. “Hey, I’ll be back soon enough, and then you can tell me what it was you wanted to talk about this morning, okay? See you in two weeks.”

“Do you have to go?” Elsa asked plaintively, looking out the window at the starships lined up on the runway, ruddy from Mars’ red skies.

“You’ll be fine, Elsa,” she grinned, giving her sister a peck on the cheek.

“Anna… I love you. I-”

“I love you too, sis!” Anna shouted as she flounced down the boarding area, nearly colliding with a dozen other passengers as she tried to both wave to her sister and dig her holographic ID out of her purse.

Elsa sighed as her sister scanned her boarding pass and entered the spaceway. I’m in love with you, she thought, completing the sentence that stuck in her throat. I’ll confess everything when she gets back.

Day 1

Elsa sat in abject shock as the wallscreen in her tiny apartment’s living room played the news on endless repeat. The computer-generated newscaster re-read the story again.

“Virgin Galactic Flight 1840 went missing earlier today, failing to check in at the transfer point on Io. Patrol ships from Ganymede were unable to find any evidence of foul play, and security forces from Mars Colony are en route to assist with the investigation.”

I’m sure everything’s fine. Maybe their transponder just broke and they jumped normally. Anna will call me when she gets to New Ahtohallan tomorrow.

Day 3

Anna never called.

Day 7

“Earthforce patrols still have not located Flight 1840; Governor Montoya told ISN News earlier today that Mars Colony has declared it lost and called off search efforts.”

Elsa sat on the couch, sobbing into her hands. She’d barely slept for a week, eaten nothing, and just watched ISN for any word of her sister.

Declared lost, she repeated over and over again; whether in her mind or aloud, she couldn’t tell.

Day 21

The memorial service was small and quiet; she’d paid enough to get holographic bandwidth on Stellarcom so that her parents could virtually attend. They consoled her as best as they could while processing their own grief.

“There’s so much I didn’t tell her, Papa. So much I left unsaid,” she cried softly.

Her father reached out as though to pat her on the shoulder, the gesture futile. “Were your last words in anger, Elsa?” he asked quietly, his arm around his wife’s waist.

“No, no, of course not. The last thing I told her was that I loved her,” she sniffled.

Iduna gave Elsa a small, sympathetic smile. “That’s all that matters, dear. Whatever happened to her, she knows you love her. We all love her. And we’ll hold out hope that perhaps there’s something mysterious at work, and maybe she’ll return to us one day somehow.”

Day 30

Elsa touched the holographic screen at her workstation with a heavy sigh, closing down her cybernetics work for the day. As one of the top cybernetics experts at Edgars Industries, she helped build the most advanced AI for Earthforce starships. Prior to the incident, she’d loved her work, designing and building the most complex, elegant neural architectures that could steer ships through the chaos of hyperspace or dance like butterflies during the fog of war. She’d had almost a month of personal leave to deal with Anna’s disappearance, but had to get back to work eventually, and now every day felt like drudgery, her mind lost in a fog of fading memories she desperately tried to hold onto.

As she walked the streets of Solis Planum to the surface transit tubes, ad after ad assaulted her, from pharmaceuticals to robotic servants to seedy brothels. She rolled her eyes at most of the ads, but one caught her eye in the transit shuttle from the AVA Corporation.

“Our new Enhanced Labor Service Androids can ease your stress and give you more time back in your day. Stop struggling and working 25 hours a day. With our E.L.S.A.s, help is never far away! Call now or stop by our showroom on Syria Planum,” the ad blared. Elsa chuckled slightly at the name of the machines, but looked more closely at the models shown. One had its artificial hair colored and braided just like Anna’s…

Day 61

“Ah yes, Miss… Agnarsdottir. You called us about our E.L.S.A. models?”, an overly slick salesman with greased-back red hair and absurd sideburns greeted her, electronic clipboard in hand.

Elsa nodded, her shyness making her cringe. “I… I was interested in a model that could support custom code. Do you have any?”

The salesman arched his eyebrow at her. “Well… yes, we do have some more elite models like the N-9 that can support… customization. But pardon me for saying so, those are very… expensive. I’m not sure that they’d be the best fit for someone like you,” he oozed condescendingly, eyeing her casual state of dress.

Elsa rolled her eyes and waved her Identicard over his clipboard. The display immediately flashed her name and public financial history, with a “NO CREDIT LIMIT” indicator pulsing on the customer form. “That should be more than satisfactory, Mr…?”

The salesman coughed. “Err… yes, yes it is. And it’s Hans, Hans Westergaard, Miss Agnarsdottir. Now,” he grinned rapaciously, visions of fat commissions dancing in his mind’s eye. “What exactly did you have in mind?”

“I need a model that has the processing power to support a custom neural model and as much storage as possible.”

Hans whistled and made a show of tapping on his clipboard. “I see. Well, we have some of the N-8 LMDs available with added processing power, but if you want the best of the best, you’ll be wanting an E.L.S.A. N-9. Will you be using it for business or pleasure?”

Elsa’s stomach lurched at the salesman’s intimation. “Why would that make a difference?”

“Oh, well, you know, some people need them to be a little more… fully functional, if you know what I mean. Anatomically correct,” he smirked. “Of course we want to make sure all our customers are fully… satisfied. Most of our customers who just need menial labor don’t bother with details like anatomy, but I’m guessing if you need neural support, you probably want… fine detail,” he winked at Elsa. “I have one of the N-9s and believe me, if you’re after, ahem, pleasure, they certainly satisfy.”

Elsa managed not to throw up in her mouth and grabbed the clipboard out of Hans’ sweaty hands. She tapped in her order exactly and handed it back to him. “Don’t say another word.”

He naturally began to speak, and Elsa immediately shushed him. “Not. Another. Word. Authorize the purchase, collect the commission of a lifetime, and then never speak to me again, are we clear? Nod if you agree.”

Hans mutely nodded, angered by the woman’s boldness, but cowed by the fact that the commission on the order was larger than any sale he had ever made thus far. He entered in a few final details, silently authorized the sale, the board turned green, and he walked away, fuming.

Day 102

The massive shipping crate from AVA Corporation rested on her apartment doorstep. She wheeled it inside, pressed the release buttons to unseal it, and rested her eyes on the android within. She reached out and tentatively touched it, recoiling immediately. The android was incredibly cold to the touch.

She burst into tears. She’d had the android made to Anna’s exact likeness, but seeing it in front of her, icy cold from shipment, made her feel like her sister’s body had been retrieved from the black void of space. Elsa laid her head down on the android’s unmoving chest, hugging the lifeless body, chanting her sister’s name over and over again through her sobs.

Day 103

Elsa managed to get the android’s body out of the crate and roll it over gracelessly to the couch. Despite its identical appearance to Anna, the android was considerably heavier. Her fingers threaded through the brilliant auburn hair to find the access port on the back of its head and gently opened it up, then plugged a fiber cable into its processor.

She activated the holographic interface at her home workstation and her On-Line AI Facilitator sprang to life. “Hello, OLAF,” she greeted it, its interface a cheerful, simplistic snowman based on a drawing Anna had made as a child.

“Hi Elsa! What are we going to do today?” the snowman asked earnestly.

“I need you to gather training data for a new neural model. The target is an AVA N-9,” she said, weaving her fingers in the air as she began to construct what she intended to be a masterpiece, her life’s work.

“Okay, Elsa. Hey, while I was offline, I was doing some reading. Did you know that gorillas burp when they’re happy?”

Elsa closed her eyes and brought her palm to her face. OLAF was one of her very first neural models, an artificial intelligence that was childlike compared to her recent work, but Anna had loved him, so she couldn’t bear to decommission him.

“Did you know we blink 4 million times a day? Did you know wombats poop squares? Did you-”

“OLAF! Stop. Reset language processor.”

The AI’s snowman face froze in place for a moment before grinning again. “Ready.”

Elsa swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. This was it. Once she issued this command, there was no turning back. “Training data set: download and process all media with Anna in it. Directed graph, eigenvector centrality measure, please.”

After a few moments of processing, OLAF looked up at her. “Hey Elsa, just asking, but do you want to unlock Anna’s private data?” The snowman’s face grew somber. “As her formal next of kin, you have the legal authority to access all her private recordings and logs.”

Elsa paused, sorrow overwhelming her. She’d avoided taking this step as a way of refusing to acknowledge that Anna was gone and not coming back; she’d held out hope for over 2 months that Anna’s ship had just fallen off course in hyperspace or some explanation, any explanation other than the inevitable and obvious, but taking this step would mean admitting to herself that Anna was truly gone. She hunched over, her head in her hands as she sobbed quietly.

“I’m sorry for asking, Elsa. I wish I could give you a warm hug and make it better.”

Elsa caught her breath, the hitching sobs receding. “It- it’s okay, OLAF. Thank you. Y-yes, I would like to incorporate all of Anna’s private data.” She held out her hand over the workstation for DNA identification, authorizing access.

The snowman’s head bobbed as his default smile returned. “Loading. Time to process: 11 days, 7 hours, 5 minutes, 31 seconds. Beginning data import now. Hey Elsa, did you know turtles breathe through their butts?”

Day 113

OLAF chimed gently to let Elsa know the neural model training data was ready. The blonde rolled out of her bed and blearily stumbled over to the workstation. “OLAF… it’s 3 AM. You couldn’t have waited until morning to let me know?” she groaned.

“Oh hey Elsa! Glad you’re awake. Say, did you know-“

“Not now, OLAF. Show me the architecture, please?”

A brilliant, luminescent diagram appeared in front of her, like a giant loom made of golden light, covered in glitter. She touched a sparkling point here or there and was rewarded with an image, a sound, a hologram of different moments in Anna’s life. Golden threads linked one memory to the next.

“OLAF, some of these linkages are much stronger than the others. Look here,” she tapped, revealing an image of her and Anna hugging next to a holiday tree, “and here,” she gestured at hologram recording of Elsa coming home from university and Anna tackle-hugging here. “Why?”

OLAF’s avatar laughed, the snowman’s head coming loose momentarily from the body. “Oh, right. You asked for a directed graph showing how memories are linked together. Those are anchor memories, moments that were reflected strongly in others. If you select the anchor memory and run a trace, you will see the memories that reference it.”

Elsa paused, her hands hovering over the golden lattice. What was she about to discover, delving through their shared history? She gestured at an image of the two of them sitting on her couch in front of the fireplace, mugs of cocoa in one hand as their other hands were laced together. Elsa’s eyes teared up looking at the memory. She ran a finger along the golden line from that to the next node in the lattice, and a hologram of Anna appeared.

She couldn’t. Not yet. It was too soon for her, even now, months after the… incident. Opening this memory, something that Anna alone had made, would be the final acknowledgement that she was gone from her life forever.

Elsa closed the lattice and powered down her workstation, then crawled back into bed.

Day 114

Elsa opened the lattice and looked at the softly glowing memories, then closed it again.

Day 116

Elsa flipped on the fireplace, bright flame and warm air heating her tiny apartment. Martian nights were always cold, even under the dome. She looked at the android propped up against the couch, remembering a time when she and Anna would camp out on her couch, binge watching movies and eating popcorn.

Nostalgia gripped her heart with an icy fist as the android stared lifelessly at the fire, an inanimate reminder of better times.

She pulled open the lattice, saw the memories floating like sparks from the fire, glanced at the android, and closed her workstation.

She still wasn’t ready to hear her sister from beyond the grave.

Day 117

Curiosity got the better of her. She wiped a tear away from her eye with her thumb and, hand shaking, tapped on the linked memory. Anna’s face filled the display space, taking Elsa’s breath away.

“It’s January 3rd, and I have a confession,” Anna said aloud to the camera, clearly nervous even though she was alone. “I just spent the entire evening with Elsa, watching vids and sipping hot cocoa. She made the nicest fire in the hearth for us.” Anna looked down, fidgeting with something out of view. “She- when we held hands tonight, I felt something.”

Anna looked straight ahead into the camera, and Elsa felt like her sister was talking directly to her. She couldn’t breathe, and it felt like her heart had come to a halt.

All of Anna’s nervousness vanished, and her teal eyes flashed as a wry grin appeared on her lips. “I know what I felt tonight. It was true love. I am in love with Elsa. God, it feels so weird to say that. But I know it, I know it’s true love. I’m in love with my sister.”

Elsa came undone.

Day 124

“Language model is complete, Elsa. The neural model is fully rendered,” squawked OLAF cheerfully. “Ready to upload whenever you are, Elsa!”

Elsa paced around her tiny apartment, dodging discarded clothing and other detritus. She’d let things go in the months since Anna vanished; the clutter was a symptom of just how lost she felt without her sister and lover. Subconsciously knowing what she was about to do, she started picking up the laundry and food containers.

“OLAF,” she said quietly, tossing another work blazer in her laundry hamper, “initialize the neural interface and begin transfer.”

OLAF made a series of chirping and squeaking noises, and the android propped up against her desk suddenly opened its eyes as they turned a vivid green, the data transfer beginning. “Hey Elsa?” OLAF asked cheerfully.

“Y-yeah?” she looks up, a load of food delivery cartons in her arms.

“Approximately 44 hours remaining on the transfer. Want to play trivia?”

Elsa pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed.

Day 126

The android’s eyes cooled from vivid green back to teal and a soft chime sounded from it. Elsa stared pensively at it, spinning around slowly in her desk chair. She’d propped the android up in her armchair, waiting as the last of the data transfer completed. Her stomach ran laps around her insides.

She glanced at her workstation’s calendar, the day circled to remind her of Anna’s birthday. She suppressed a tear as she turned her attention back to the android.

This is it, she thought. Time to find out whether this was all worth it or not. She unplugged the data transfer cable and closed the port in the android’s head, smoothing out the red hair over the interface. Her hand hovered over the little black control box with a comically large green button lit up on it.

Her hand twitched, as though her body had its own desires to see Anna again. Finally, she took a deep breath and pushed the button.

The android - Anna, for all intents and purposes - blinked.

Elsa cautiously leaned forward in her chair. “H-hi.”

Anna blinked again. “Hi. Hi me?” she asked, pointing at herself. “I am…” her eyes flicked side to side, “Anna. You are… Elsa. You are my… sister?” Wave after wave of memory and information washed over Anna’s mind as she consumed the massive data store Elsa had built. She stood up from the chair and walked over to Elsa smoothly and gracefully to embrace her in a hug.

Cold, she’s so cold, Elsa thought as she wrapped her arms around Anna’s doppelgänger. She doesn’t feel alive. “Hi, Anna. It’s… it’s me. I- I’ve missed you so much.”

“What happened, Elsa? The last thing I remember is leaving you at the spaceport,” she asked. Her memories had included everything up to the last time Elsa had seen her.

Elsa sat down hard on the couch, attempting to control herself and failing. “You… your ship… it vanished after the transfer point on Io. No one has seen or heard from anyone on board that ship since.” A tear leaked from her eye.

Anna reached out with her thumb and wiped the tear away. Elsa shivered at her cold touch.

Day 128

“So you want me to reference the holography and intentionally be clumsy, imitating Anna?”

Elsa nodded, turning around in her workstation chair. “Yes… you, uh, you’re too graceful. Anna had a tendency to not pay attention all that much and stumble over things. It’s… it’s one of the reasons I had to keep our apartment so clean,” she sighed.

The android’s eyes flashed bright green as she processed years of video information. “Got it,” she smiled. She stood up and walked over to Elsa, intentionally catching her foot on the sofa leg and almost perfectly imitating one of Anna’s careless stumbles, her arms pinwheeling in the air before catching her balance.

Elsa’s breath caught in her throat. That was Anna. That is Anna.

Day 131

Elsa woke up to the smell of bacon and eggs. She sat up in bed, confused; rations on Mars due to recent shortages meant limited supplies of fresher foods. She tied on her nightrobe and walked into her kitchen to find Anna at the stove.

“Anna? What- where did you get bacon and eggs?”

Anna turned around with a smile. “Oh, I remembered that you love bacon and eggs, and by my count, you haven’t had it in 172 days, so I synthesized some with the protein sequencer you had on your workstation.” She handed Elsa the place, watching her with a small smile.

“It… oh my god, it tastes so real. This is amazing, Anna! How- how did you know how to do that?” Elsa said between bites, a look of bliss on her face. “Anna - my Anna - umm, your predecessor… was an archaeologist. Biochemistry wasn’t exactly her strong suit.”

The android laughed, a perfect imitation of Anna’s laugh. “I know I’m Anna, but I’m also an AVA N-9. I don’t mean to break character, but we all come equipped with varying levels of knowledge we need to do our jobs as servants, and in your case, you bought the most powerful version available, so I come with expert knowledge of just about every profession and hobby. We’re supposed to be whatever you want us to be.”

“I wish you weren’t so cold to the touch,” Elsa mumbled, taking another bite.

“Oh, I might be able to fix that.” Her irises flashed bright green for a moment before she burst into a broad smile. “Yup, you bought that option. The basic service models don’t have a need for body heat, but according to my records, your sales associate authorized the intimate partner upgrade. I can activate it if you want?”

Elsa almost spit out her food, catching herself at the last moment to avoid wasting the delicious breakfast. “Intimate partner upgrade? That slimy, arrogant little shit. How dare he… uh… anyway… yes, activate the… upgrade,” she grimaced, her face colored with embarrassment.

Anna’s pale white skin flushed and colored, and she did a little pirouette.

“Do all your system upgrades involve little dances?” Elsa smirked, giggling a little. She reached out and touched Anna’s arm as the android bowed, hamming it up.

She’s… so warm. She feels real. She feels… like Anna. Elsa practically leaped out of her chair and hugged Anna, savoring the warmth coming from her body. Tears flowed freely as she sobbed in happiness, her arms around her sister once more.

Day 160

Elsa lay in bed, shivering. Damn, the cold never used to bother me, she sighed, wrapping herself up in her blanket. The clock on her nightstand glowered angrily at her, the red digits practically making a scowl at her. 2:12 AM.

She tossed one more time before she heard a familiar knocking on her door.

“Elsa?”

Anna opened the door slowly, dressed in a green nightgown. “I heard you tossing and turning. Are you okay?”

Elsa’s teeth chattered. “I- I’m f-f-fine.” She cradled herself with her arms. “Okay, I’m n-n-not fine.”

Anna climbed onto the bed and pulled the covers aside. “Elsa, you’re freezing! Come here,” she said, pulling her into a hug. “I’ll keep you warm.”

“I… I… Anna…” she stuttered, “Oh, how I’ve missed this, so much.” Out of habit, she cupped Anna’s cheek and brushed her lips against Anna’s. Anna’s lips were perfect. Smooth, warm, firm… Elsa flicked her tongue against Anna’s lips and moaned into the kiss.

“Elsa… I have to tell you something,” Anna mumbled sheepishly, still holding her close.

“W-what is it, Anna?”

Anna laid down on the bed, her auburn hair spilling over the pillow. “The one thing that I’m missing… that I’m sorry I can’t give you, is what it was like to be intimate with you. Neither you nor Anna ever recorded anything; in fact, both of you made a point to turn off the monitoring in here,” she said, eyes flicking at the holocams recessed in the walls. “So… I don’t know what you do or don’t like when it comes to being intimate together. Would… would you teach me? Teach me so I can fully be who you want me to be?”

Elsa bit her lower lip and nodded softly. “I’d like that, Anna. Let’s start with kissing…”

She turned off the lights.

Day 201

Elsa woke to her sister spooning her, Anna’s arm around her middle, and smiled. Anna - she increasingly forgot that Anna was an android she’d built - had not only learned every mannerism and detail of their prior intimacy, but improved on it. She’d never felt so loved, so satisfied, so enveloped in her sister’s warmth and love as she did now.

She sighed happily, then felt the faintest stirrings of arousal. Anna’s hands had started to wander, slowly and gently, tracing small circles around her navel.

“I know you’re awake, Elsa,” her sister whispered in her ear, her lips brushing the back of her neck. Elsa shivered in delight as Anna’s fingertips walked up her torso, tracing the curves of her body with a feather-light touch. “I can hear your heartbeat. I can see the changes in your breathing. And I can smell your arousal.”

“Yes, I’m awake,” Elsa mumbled, blushing.

“Want me to wake you up fully?” Anna giggled, her hands gliding down past Elsa’s navel.

“Oh god yes,” she breathed, biting her lower lip as she turned to face her sister.

Day 491

Elsa peeked over the covers. “Psst, Anna!”

“Yeah?”

“Happy birthday!”

“To you?” Anna cocked her head, confused.

Elsa laughed. “It’s your birthday!”

“To me? It’s my birthday?”

“Mhm. And it’s going to be perfect, because you’ve never had a real birthday before. You came online exactly a year ago today,” she smiled, drawing Anna into a hug.

Elsa sighed happily. After the first weeks, Anna had mastered all of her predecessor’s habits, quirks, and mannerisms in almost every aspect of life. And what she didn’t have data for, they recreated.

Except for the occasional quirk, Elsa had almost completely forgotten that this wasn’t her biological sister. In every other way, this was Anna, her sister, her lover, her best friend.

“What do you want for your birthday, Anna?”

Anna tamed her wild mane with her fingers, then grinned devilishly at Elsa. She grabbed Elsa by the front of her dress and pulled her down into the bed, pressing her lips against Elsa’s.

“What I want for my birthday is…”, she licked her lips and grabbed Elsa’s ass, “you.”

Day 900

The door to their apartment slid open, and Anna walked in, weary and haggard. She glanced around. So much had changed.

I suppose that was inevitable. I wonder if she moved on from me?

She looked around the quiet apartment before gently opening the bedroom door. Elsa lay on the bed asleep. Next to her, Anna saw… herself. She gasped.

Elsa shot up out of the bed. “Anna?”

#elsanna #submission #december 2020 contest #prompt: warmth #lemon

8 notes · View notes

pcwpolwrestling · 4 years ago

Text

PCW’s Extreme Election Night 2020-Part Two

================================

[ON SCREEN GRAPHIC: Blue background. The top of the Capitol Building occupies the left hand side of the television screen.

Centered in the middle of the screen: “P-SPAN. THE POLITICAL CHANNEL.”]

P-SPAN Announcer (off screen): The P-SPAN Network bring you long-form public affairs programming from the nation’s capital and are a public service of…

[ON SCREEN GRAPHIC: Logos of twenty three different cable and satellite television companies replace the Capitol Building and P-SPAN graphic.]

P-SPAN Announcer (v/o): …your television provider.

[ON SCREEN GRAPHIC: Returns to the blue background with the top of the Capitol Building occupying the left hand side of the television screen with “P-SPAN. THE POLITICAL CHANNEL.” centered in the middle of the screen.]

P-SPAN Announcer (v/o): P-SPAN. The Political Channel.

===============================

Political Championship Wrestling Extreme Election Night 2020-Part Two Hack’s Rusty Nail Saloon Wauseon, Ohio Taped Tuesday November 3rd, 2020 Sunday January 3rd, 2021

PART ONE-PCW EXTREME ELECTION NIGHT 2020 -PCW Owner Dawn McGill welcomes everyone back to PCW. She then announces a ‘compromise’ with Mitch McConnell (American Patriots) and Nancy Pelosi (Progressive Alliance) and ‘Stars N. Stripes’ Kevin Scott of the American Patriots with Donald Trump in his corner will face ‘Mr. Hollywood’ Kevin Daniels from the Progressive Alliance with Joe Biden in his corner and Kevin Daniels of the American Heartland Coalition for the PCW Title. -McGill also announces that at the end of the show- she will announce who the new CEO of PCW will be: Donald Trump (American Patriots) or Joe Biden (Progressive Alliance) -MATCH #1-Kayleigh McEnaney defeats CNN’s Jake Tapper and Brian Stelter in a handicap match -MATCH #2/ARIZONA SENATE MEDALLION MATCH: Mark Kelly (Progressive Alliance) defeated Martha McSally (American Patriots) -Gavin Newsom (CA-Progressive Alliance) makes a case for PCW to come to California. -MATCH #3/SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE MEDALLION MATCH: Lindsey Graham (American Patriots) defeated Jaime Harrison (Progressive Alliance) -Both Joe Biden and Donald Trump interview with PCW Owner Dawn McGill for the PCW CEO position. -MATCH #4/PCW TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH: Jill Berg Enterprises (Conservative Inc./American Patriots) defeat The Green World Order (Progressive Alliance) and The Deplorables (American Heartland Coalition) -MATCH #5/ALABAMA SENATE MEDALLION MATCH: Tommy Tuberville (American Patriots) vs. Doug Jones (Progressive Alliance) joined in progress. The show is stopped at that point by Pennsylvania State Attorney General Josh Shapiro, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and former Georgia Gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams- all from the Progressive Alliance.

Cut to a replay of the end of PCW Extreme Election Night 2020-Part One:

EPILOGUE Darkened room. Dim light.

Shadows move around.

George Moros- billionaire financier of the Progressive Alliance.

The Coke Brothers- billionaire financiers of the American Patriots.

A door opens. Then closes.

Charles Coke: Sarah.

The woman is Sarah Lenti, executive director of the Lincoln Project- a group of American Patriots and former American Patriots dedicated to preventing Donald Trump from winning a second term as PCW CEO.

Sarah Lenti: What the hell is going on! I thought you had things under control.

David Coke: Sarah, I know things haven’t exactly gone to plan-

Sarah Lenti: Not gone to plan? Dawn McGill is still in control of PCW with all her ‘PCW is for the people’ bull-*BLEEP*.

George Moros tries to reassure her.

George Moros: Look. We stopped the show for the evening. That gives us time to figure this out.

Sarah Lenti: Dawn McGill is going to hand the reins of PCW to Donald Trump for another four years!

George Moros: No she won’t. Clearly, it’s time to take this to the next level.

Moros pulls out a cell phone and hits a button.

George Moros: It’s time. Operation Dominion is in effect.

Announcers: ‘The Voice of PCW’ Johnny Suave AGE: 50 / HT: 5’ 11” WT: 195 HOME: Philadelphia, PA HAIR: Brown / STYLE: Like Ronnie Dunn / FACE: Goatee DRESS: Brown suit without tie

Colleen Crowder ‘Low Level New York Times Reporter Trying to Make a Name for Herself’ AGE: 38 / HT: 5’ 5” WT: 142 HOME: New York City, NY HAIR: Black / STYLE: Curly / FACE: Narrow face with rounded jaw, turned-up nose, faint freckles, and thin lips. Bulging blue eyes, thin eyebrows. DRESS: Black pants suit

Crowd Chant: “PCW! PCW! PCW!…”

Suave welcomes everyone back for part two of PCW’s Extreme Election Night 2020.

Colleen Crowder: “BLUE WAVE BABY!”

Johnny Suave: “Well, not quite.”

Suave introduces the Alabama Senate Medallion Match that was going to be shown via highlights on Extreme Election Night 2020 Part One.

VIDEO-Alabama Senate Medallion Match: Doug Jones (Progressive Alliance) vs. Tommy Tuberville (American Patriots) –Tuberville finishes off Jones. Cover. One – two – three!

WINNER: Tommy Tuberville (American Patriots)

Johnny Suave: “Tommy Tuberville rolls past Doug Jones and that’s another win for the American Patriots.”

Colleen Crowder: Again, we the media have not called that match so there’s no winner.

Suave notes that with the win, the American Patriots hold a two match to one advantage over the Progressive Alliance and that it all comes down to the Gary Peters-John James match later on tonight.

Crowder objects again. “It’s one to nothing Progressive Alliance as both the earlier South Carolina match and the Alabama match have NOT been called by us,” Crowder maintains.

Suave rolls his eyes and runs through the lineup for tonight’s show.

FACTION WAR GAMES HOUSE MATCH: Progressive Alliance vs. American Patriots

MICHIGAN SENATE MEDALLION MATCH: Gary Peters (Progressive Alliance) vs. John James (American Patriots)

PCW WOMEN’S TITLE MATCH: Kathryn Randall Collins (Progressive Alliance) vs. ‘Alaskan Rogue’ Sierra Whalen (American Patriots) vs. ‘Extreme Pizza Delivery Girl’ Tessa Martin (American Heartland Coalition)

MAIN EVENT/PCW TITLE MATCH: ‘Starz N. Stripes’ Kevin Scott (American Patriots) vs. ‘Mr. Hollywood’ Kevin Daniels vs. ‘Prairie Populist’ William Daniels Bryan (American Heartland Coalition)

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For the second time at Extreme Election Night 2020, PCW Owner Dawn McGill makes her way out- this time she goes to the ring.

Dawn McGill “The 6 Foot Demolition Machine in a Short Skirt” HT: 6’ 0″ WT: 130 / HOME: Dallas, TX FIN: McGill Bomb

Colleen Crowder: “What is SHE doing out here?”

Johnny Suave: “Um. She’s the owner of PCW. She’s got news to deliver?”

Colleen Crowder: “That’s OUR job! We determine what’s newsworthy for the people.”

Johnny Suave: “And that’s why Donald Trump uses Twitter to go around people like you.”

Colleen Crowder: “HEY!”

McGill climbs in. Suave sends to the ring for remarks from the owner of PCW.

TALKING BOUT HEROES The first thing Dawn McGill does is profusely thanks everyone who came to the show tonight.

Dawn McGill: “I keep saying this but you have to understand that I truly mean this. PCW isn’t about the big shots. PCW is all about YOU – the people. We do this for you.”

She then asks if there’s any first responders on hand tonight.

A few stand up.

Dawn McGill: “Let’s show them our appreciation.”

The crowd responds in kind and gives the first responders on hand an ovation.

Dawn then asks if there’s anyone here who recovered from having COVID. Again, a few people stand up and again the crowd gives out an ovation.

Colleen Crowder: “She’s just sucking up to the rabble.”

Johnny Suave: “Or she really means what she says and doesn’t have a narrative in mind.”

Crowder’s offended but McGill continues. She next asks if there’s anyone here tonight who runs a small business to please stand up.

Several do and they are greeted with an ovation from the PCW fans.

Dawn McGill: “Okay. Finally, everyone please stand up.”

They do.

Dawn McGill: “These have been unprecedented times. Yet, you’ve persevered. You’ve kept going. You’ve weathered or continue to weather the storm. You’re here. You are all heroes. Give yourself a hand.”

They do.

Dawn McGill: Thank you so much for coming out here tonight. You get it. But they don’t get it. Adam Schiff, Jerry Nadler, Nancy Pelosi, and Chuck Schumer. They just don’t get it. Conservative Inc.- people if given the chance would sell our souls for the corporate dollar. They just don’t get it. So let me make this clear to everyone inside the Washington Beltway. PCW is-NOT-here-for-you.

RAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Dawn McGill: PCW is not here for the American Patriots. PCW is not here for the Progressive Alliance. PCW is not here for the big money special interest groups. PCW is here for YOU…

RAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Dawn McGill: …the fans. People like me and people like you who pay their bills on time – don’t spend money they don’t have – who don’t run up debt with no intention of paying the money back. You know, the stuff the people inside the Washington D.C. beltway are unwilling or completely incompetent at doing.

RAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Johnny Suave: HOLY CRAP!

Colleen is momentarily startled by Suave’s outburst.

Johnny Suave: Dawn McGill just virtue signaled!

Crowder grumbled something under her breath but doesn’t actually respond- or maybe no one can’t hear her as the noise level is deafening

The video screen comes to life.

Johnny Suave: “What the hell is going on?”

The video screen zeroes in on a scuffle backstage.

Who’s Involved? Berkeley, California Professor McCarthy’s Progressive Flock -The Green World Order: GreenPete, PeaceNick, ‘Extreme Vegan’ Brock Cole Lee, Peta from PETA -The Young Jerks: Zenk Cryger, James Idahola, and Anna the foul-mouthed sidekick -Code Pink and Emily S. List -The League of Anti-Fascists: Ted and Chaz

American Heartland Coalition -Charlie Blackwell -‘PCW’s Extreme Pizza Delivery Girl’ Tessa Martin

Johnny Suave: “Professor McCarthy’s Flock are beating down Charlie Blackwell and Tessa Martin. Both are scheduled to wrestle later on in the evening!”

Colleen Crowder: “It looks like a peaceful protest to me, Johnny.”

Blackwell gets flung into the wall by GreenPete and Brock Cole Lee.

Code Pink glitter bombs Tessa – she’s blinded. Emily S. List then DDT’s her to the floor.

“Yeah. Totally peaceful,” Suave says in a tone totally dripping with sarcasm.

Dawn immediately rolls out of the ring and takes off for the back.

Johnny Suave: “While Dawn checks out the situation, let’s show some of the House War Games Match between the Progressive Alliance and the American Patriots.”

Suave explains that two years ago, the Progressive Alliance ended the American Patriots run of victories that dated back to 2010.

Colleen Crowder: Two years ago, the Progressive Alliance won a decisive victory. Tonight, our polling states they will win and win easily.

————————————————-

MATCH #6/HOUSE WAR GAMES MATCH: Progressive Alliance vs. American Patriots

American Patriots: Lauren Boebert (CO)) Burgess Owens (UT) Jim Jordan (OH) Kimberly Klacik (MD) Lee Haywood (NC)

vs.

Progressive Alliance: Adam Schiff (CA) Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY) Deborah K. Ross (NC) Kathy Manning (NC) Ben McAdams (UT)

————————————————-

Johnny Suave: “The time limit is twenty minutes. Whomever has the most wrestlers left at the end of twenty minutes wins the match.”

Adam Schiff and Kimberly Klacik immediately lock up in the middle of the ring to start the match.

Johnny Suave: “Maryland’s Kimberly Klacik came out with a campaign video that went viral.”

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Johnny Suave: “She’s gained a lot of attention and she’s trying to be successful in a district that overwhelming supports the Progressive Alliance. How far can she go tonight in this match?”

Schiff pushes Klacik to the corner. Side head lock by Klacik, but Schiff breaks free and hits a drop kick. Then he near decapitates Klacik with a clothesline. Schiff covers. One. Two. Three.

Kimberly Klacik (American Patriots) eliminated.

Johnny Suave: “Apparently not that long.”

Colleen Crowder: “BLUE WAVE! IT’S A BLUE WAVE!”

Jim Jordan lands a punch to Schiff’s jaw but misses a kick. Ross misses a Pelé kick. Jordan rolls her up for a two count. Jordan hits a back drop to Ross and Lee Haywood whips her to the corner. Lauren Boebert levels Ross with a stiff punch. Burgess Owens tags Ben McAdams with a right hand. McAdams counters an Owens’s suplex into a sleeper – Owens flips him forward to break the hold and goes to work with a volley of kicks. Boebert goes after Manning’s ankle.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez charges around the ring and levels Boebert. Ocasio-Cortez rolls Boebert into the ring and goes to work on her. Jamaal Bowman tags Owens with a right hand. Bowman and Owens circle each other and then lock up in the middle of the ring. Bowman locks in a standing side head lock and goes for shoulder tackle, but Owens barely budges. Bowman misses a splash in the corner. Bowman lifts Owens onto his shoulder, but Owens escapes and lands on his feet. McAdams comes in and finally takes Owens off his feet. Head butt by McAdams and he works over Owens in the corner. McAdams runs the ropes and takes down Owens with a drop kick. McAdams for the pinfall – Owens kicks out. McAdams runs the ropes again – Owens catches McAdams on the return with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Owens hooks the leg. One. Two. Three.

Ben McAdams (Progressive Alliance) eliminated.

Colleen Crowder: WHAT?

Johnny Suave: “BURGESS OWENS DEFEATS BEN McADAMS AND THE AMERICAN PATRIOTS TIE THIS MATCH UP!”

Crowder pulls herself together.

Colleen Crowder: “Still plenty of time for the Progressive Alliance to win. We’ve already projected it.”

Manning levels Haywood and heads up top. Haywood catches her and slams Manning to the mat. Cover. One. Two –

Johnny Suave: “MANNING KICKS OUT!”

Crowder almost appears relieved.

With time running short, Jim Jordan goes to work with super kicks on Adam Schiff and the two men battle back and forth. Lauren Boebert blocks a running power slam from Ocasio-Cortez and posts her in the corner. They get into a heated back and forth battle. Deborah K. Ross hits a forearm shot over the top rope on Lee Haywood. Kathy Manning follows with a kick to Haywood. Schiff throws Jordan over the top rope and then engages with Burgess Owens. Manning and Ross drag Haywood to ring center- DOUBLE DDT! Manning covers. One. Two. THREE!

Lee Haywood (American Patriots) eliminated.

Neither team could score a pinfall the rest of the match. When the bell sounds the Progressive Alliance hold a slim 4-3 advantage and pick up the win.

WINNER: Team Progressive Alliance @ 20:00

Colleen Crowder: “YES! Just like we called it!”

Johnny Suave: “For the second consecutive Extreme Election Night, the Progressive Alliance win the House War Games Match. This one was very close though.”

Crowder calls it further proof a ‘blue wave’ is taking over PCW. Suave ignores her.

BACKSTAGE PCW cameras find Charlie Blackwell and ‘PCW Extreme Pizza Delivery Girl’ Tessa Martin laid out on the floor backstage being attended to by Nurse Nellie and the PCW Clean-Up Crew. Also on hand, ‘Red Solo Cup’ Ray McAvay and the Deplorables.

No sign of Professor McCarthy’s Flock.

More worrying, no sign of PCW Owner Dawn McGill. One of the Deplorables finds a heel shoe McGill was wearing on the floor and brings it to McAvay.

McAvay asks if anyone’s seen McGill? The PCW Clean-Up Crew tell him the only people they found were Blackwell and Martin.

McAvay immediately sends the Deplorables out to look for Dawn McGill.

**********************************

MATCH #7/MICHIGAN SENATE MEDALLION MATCH:

Gary Peters (Progressive Alliance) vs. John James (American Patriots)

**********************************

Peters goes right after James. Rights to James. James pushes him down. Peters pops back up. A dropkick to James. James sends Peters out of the ring.

Johnny Suave: “That was a tough fall. Peters is a little shaken up.”

Colleen Crowder: “He’s just giving James false hope. This one’s in the bag.”

Peters back in. James hits an Enziguri and beats down Peters a bit. Hangman’s DDT. Cover. One. Two- Peters kicks out. James runs the ropes from side to side and dropkick’s Peters’s leg! Peters hobbles into a single leg takedown! Cover. One – TWO! Again Peters kicks out. James keeps the pressure on. He goes after the leg with a standing kneebar. Peters endures. James takes him down again and covers. One – Two – NO!

Johnny Suave: “Gary Peters stays alive in this match.”

Colleen Crowder: “He’s got John James right where he wants him, Johnny.”

Peters throws a haymaker and rocks James! James returns the favor and throws haymakers right back. James kicks the bad leg – Peters falls to the mat. James with a sunset flip – cover. One – TWO! Peters survives again. James stands and takes Peters’s bad leg. Spin.

Johnny Suave: “FIGURE FOUR LEG LOCK!”

James has it in tight and Peters’s is in a lot of trouble.

Johnny Suave: “THIS COULD BE IT!”

Colleen Crowder: “Nope. It’s all under control.”

James releases the hold and hooks the leg.

Colleen Crowder: “We’re projecting that Gary Peters is going to WIN this match!”

One. Two. TH-

But before James can get to three, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson run down and pull the referee out of the ring.

Johnny Suave: “HOLD IT!”

Whitmer sprays mace into the referee’s eyes. He falls to the floor and is out of commission.

James goes over to the ropes to find out what’s going on. Bad idea.

Johnny Suave: “HOLY CRAP! SHE JUST MACED JOHN JAMES!”

James stumbles back and falls over Peters. Peters immediately rolls him up.

A new referee slides into the ring.

ONETWOTHREE!

Johnny Suave: “QUICK COUNT!”

The referee calls for the bell and then takes off towards the back.

Colleen Crowder: “BLUE WAVE! BLUE WAVE!”

WINNER: Gary Peters (Progressive Alliance) @ 8:10

Suave can’t believe it.

Johnny Suave: “John James had this match won but Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson pulled the referee out of the ring. Whitmer maced the referee, then John James. Peters rolled up James to get the win.”

Crowder interrupts and informs Suave that the Progressive Alliance are now 2-0 against the American Patriots in the Senate Medallion competition. Suave no-sells Crowder and corrects her.

Johnny Suave: “With the win, it’s now tied up at two and two for the night. Mark Kelly and Gary Peters win for the Progressive Alliance. Lindsey Graham and Tommy Tuberville for the American Patriots. The Progressive Alliance won a tight House War Games Match. And now it’s down to our final two matches of the night. The PCW Women’s Title match. And the PCW Title match.”

Crowder attempts to cut in but Suave gets a message in his earpiece. It’s breaking news…

BACKSTAGE Nurse Nellie and the PCW Clean-Up Crew are back at work attending to Ray McAvay.

Johnny Suave: “Dawn McGill is missing. Charlie Blackwell and ‘PCW Extreme Pizza Delivery Girl’ Tessa Martin were attacked and can’t wrestle now in their matches. And now Ray McAvay has been taken out.”

Colleen Crowder: “The important thing Johnny is our narrative and our narrative states the Progressive Alliance are doing well tonight- the Donald Trump era of PCW is mercifully coming to an end.”

Quick cut to the American Patriots’ box.

THE AMERICAN PATRIOT BOX The Coke Brothers-Charles and David, financiers and mover and shaker of the American Patriots, and Executive Director of the Lincoln Project Sarah Lenti continue to watch the show from their suite. The Cokes glance over and meet eyes with…

Quick cut to the Progressive Alliance box.

PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE BOX …George Moros, big money spender and mover and shaker in the Progressive Alliance. There’s smiles all the way around.

Johnny Suave: “Well. The Cokes and Moros seem pleased with the turn of events here. Too pleased.”

Suave thinks something is definitely up.

A STREET CORNER IN STANSTEAD, QUEBEC Along the banks of the River Tomifobia at the street sign marking the corner of Rue Dufferin and Cordeau and with a large blue sign welcoming people to the province of Quebec in the background, stand Meghan Markle and her bonny Prince Harry.

Meghan Markle: As long as that contemptable Donald Trump is the CEO of the Political Universe, this is as close as I’m going to get to the border of the United States.

Prince Harry: Yes dear. Whatever you want, dear.

Markle is at least happy that a proper woman will hold the PCW Women’s title after tonight- Kathryn Randall Collins.

Meghan Markle: She’ll be much better than that awful Sierra Whalen.

She adds that KRC’s win will be another shot across the bow to get rid of Trump and allow her to return to Los Angeles- home of the enlightened people.

Prince Harry: If we could could just fly in for a weekend, we could get to see KRC wrestle and-

And that sends the royal into a fit.

Meghan Markle: NO. NOnononononoNO!

Markle hops up and down and screams.

Meghan Markle: I will NOT set foot in that country until that horrible man is out of power. She turns to Harry who sighs.

Prince Harry: Whatever she wants- she gets.

Cut back to the broadcast desk…

Johnny Suave: Well, I’ll give her credit for sticking to her guns and actually staying out of the country – unlike the other celebs who swore up and down they were going to leave the country and didn’t.

Colleen Crowder: It’s not fair. If Donald Trump would just go away, Meghan Markle could finally come home.

Johnny Suave: Well, there’s another reason to hope Donald Trump prevails in 2020.

Colleen Crowder: JOHNNY!

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The entrance music of Sierra Whalen comes on and the Alaskan Rogue appears.

‘Alaskan Rogue’ Sierra Whalen AGE: 29 / HT: 5’ 9” WT: 120 / HOME: Palmer, AK FIN: Eskimo Pieface

Johnny Suave: “KRC versus Sierra Whalen. It’s time for our first main event of the night. The PCW Women’s Title match.”

Whalen makes her way down towards the ring.

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KRC comes out next.

Kathryn Randall Collins “KRC” AGE: 37 / HT: 5′ 11″ WT: 145 / HOME: Ft. Myers, FL FIN: Gogoplata

Colleen Crowder: I agree wholeheartedly with Meghan Markle. If there’s any justice in this world, that little inbred redneck will not get a sniff of a chance to win the belt. Kathryn Randall Collins is a proper role model for women and we believe she will win.

The national media has also arrived at ringside: CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, MSNBC, Fox News, One America News, and NewsMax. Immediately, the ‘traditional’ news outlets (CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, and MSNBC) object to OAN and NewsMax being at ringside and there’s a lot of back and forth chirping between the two sides.

The referee is ready to go and the match begins.

**********************************

MAIN EVENT #1/PCW WOMEN’S TITLE MATCH:

Kathryn Randall Collins (Progressive Alliance) vs. ‘Alaskan Rogue’ Sierra Whalen (American Patriots)

**********************************

Johnny Suave: “This is for the PCW Women’s title!”

KRC and Whalen eye each other as they slowly meet at the center. Lock up. Whalen looks to have gained the advantage but KRC swiftly takes an arm wringer. Whalen reverses – KRC reverses back – Whalen reverses and shoves KRC away. We start over. The crowd buzzes as again KRC and Whalen glare at each other. They circle. Lock up – Whalen takes a chop from Parker. Whalen returns the favor. KRC feints a chop and drives a thrust kick into the chest of Whalen. Whalen down – cover. One – two – Whalen shoots the shoulder up and rolls out of the ring. KRC paces back and forth impatiently.

ABC’s Martha Raddatz and Jon Karl immediately grab Whalen and throw her back into the ring.

Johnny Suave: “And there’s our impartial, independent media at work again.”

Colleen Crowder: “They’re just doing their job Johnny.”

Lock up. KRC takes control. Belly to back suplex. Collins then hits three rolling gutwrench suplexes in a row. Cover. One – two – Whalen kicks out.

Suave thinks that was a ‘fast count.’

Colleen Crowder: “That was a perfect count.”

Whalen slowly climbs back to her feet. KRC waves her towards her – Whalen swipes at KRC. KRC boots Whalen again! KRC rocks Whalen with an uppercut – another uppercut. She runs the ropes and eats a shoulder block from Whalen. Whalen covers. One…………two…….. KRC kicks out.

Johnny Suave: “Okay. That count seemed to be a little on the slow side.”

Colleen Crowder: “All these complaints about the counts. Gosh Johnny, it’s like you want Sierra Whalen to win.”

Johnny Suave: “Actually Colleen, it’s glaringly evident to everyone with the IQ of a brick that you want KRC to win.”

Crowder goes indignant but the match continues.

KRC takes Whalen to the ropes and drags her head across the ropes. She backs up and throws another haymaker. KRC runs the ropes – Whalen backdrops KRC and then follows with a snap suplex. She lays the boots to KRC and drops a leg on her thigh. Whalen’s elbow connects. KRC pushes back and staggers to get up. Whalen pushes her backward and rushes in to ram into her against the corner turnbuckle. Whalen fires off furious fists. She’s admonished by the referee for using a closed fist. KRC returns fire and Whalen backs away. She looks at the referee- the referee shakes his head.

Johnny Suave: “And that wasn’t a closed fist?”

Colleen Crowder: “Stop being so obvious. You want Whalen to win.”

Whalen launches herself forward and whips KRC into the corner. Now Whalen charges in – MSNBC’s Joy Reid and Rachel Maddow to the ring apron – THEY PULL KRC OUT OF THE WAY! *COLLISION* Whalen slams into the corner turnbuckle and slides down to a seated position. Now MSNBC’s Brian Williams, CNN’s Chris Cuomo and Anderson Cooper blatantly choke Whalen while the referee is ‘distracted.’

Johnny Suave: “WHAT THE HELL?”

The referee finally puts a stop to the Whalen mugging. KRC back on offense. Scoop slam. Cover. One-two- Whalen kicks out. KRC lifts her up- DEATH VALLEY DRIVER TO WHALEN! Cover. One-two- Whalen just kicks out.

Johnny Suave: “This match has been turned on its ear by blatant outside interference.”

Colleen Crowder: “That’s simply not true Johnny and shame on you for spreading fake news. We are now projecting that Kathryn Randall Collins will become the new PCW Women’s Champion.”

Whalen reaches for the ropes but her hand’s about a foot and half away. She tries to inch closer. Finally, KRC whaps her in the back of the head and pulls her to the middle of the ring. Whalen tries to kick her way out. KRC sits on her back and grabs hold of her wrists. She crosses Whalen’s arms under her chin and pulls back on the arms.

Johnny Suave: Straitjacket by KRC and she is in control of this match.

Whalen fights out and tries to pull herself up – KRC collects her and drives her to the mat with a powerbomb. Whalen hits hard. KRC moves in for the kill. She hooks the leg. One–two–THREE!

Crowder nearly jumps out of her chair. She lets out a loud ‘whoop!’

WINNER AND NEW PCW WOMEN’S CHAMPION: Kathryn Randall Collins (Progressive Alliance) @ 10:04

Johnny Suave: “With an assist from the media, Kathryn Randall Collins of the Progressive Alliance has defeated the American Patriots’ Sierra Whalen and she is the new PCW Women’s Champion!”

While KRC celebrates inside the ring, OAN and NewsMax get into a heated argument with CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, MSNBC, and even Fox News over what just happened.

Before Crowder can get started, Suave pre-emptively sends it to a commercial break.

NEW YORK STATE OF MIND New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio stands outside his house to make his plea for Joe Biden to bring PCW to the Empire State- New York.

Bill de Blasio: “Joe. When you become the new PCW CEO tonight, please think about New York City!”

Johnny Suave: “Business leaving in droves.”

In the background, an endless parade of moving trucks pass by.

De Blasio says with all due respect to California, New York City is a big event city. He hails New York City as the place where nobody sleeps.

While the Mayor speaks, Harry and Marv of Home Alone fame remove furniture and valuables from de Blasio’s house.

Johnny Suave: “Oh. And a crime problem, too.”

Bill de Blasio: “New York City is the place to be.”

Several moving trucks honk as they drive past.

Bill de Blasio: “So come on Joe. Move PCW to the big time. Move to New York City…”

Harry and Marv remove de Blasio’s watch and steal the keys to his car.

Bill de Blasio: “…so you too can live the New York dream!”

*********************************

Suave begins the pre-match run-up to tonight’s main event by showing highlights from the Progressive Alliance convention.

(VIDEO: PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE MATCH RESULTS) Deval Patrick, Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden, Michael Bennet, Andrew Yang, Amy Klobucher, Tom Steyer, Michael Bloomberg, Tulsi Gabbard, John K. Delaney, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigleg

Elimination is through being tossed over the top rope.

-Tulsi Gabbard is not allowed into the arena and prevented from participating in the match.

-Delaney and Patrick, Bennet, Steyer, and Yang go really early.

-Klobuchar and Buttgleg put up more of a fight but then they fall away.

Mike Bloomberg labored throughout the match and gets rolled up out of the blue by Elizabeth Warren. Bloomberg finishes a disappointing fourth.

Warren goes next. Sanders pins her.

Then it’s down to two- Sanders vs. Biden.

This comes down to Sanders and Biden grappling on the mat. Sanders rolls him up.

One…

Two…

South Carolina Senator Jim Clyburn, with the blessing of the Progressive Alliance establishment, runs in and rolls Biden on top of Sanders.

One…

Two…

Three! The referee calls for the bell.

WINNER: Joe Biden @ 19:50

(END VIDEO)

Johnny Suave: “That’s how Joe Biden won his math. Let’s see how Donald Trump got here as he faced off against Joe Walsh (hint: NOT the guitarist) and William Weld in the American Patriots match at their convention.”

(VIDEO: AMERICAN PATRIOTS MATCH RESULTS) CEO of the Political Universe Donald Trump (R-NY) vs. Joe Walsh (R-IL) vs. William Weld (R-MA)

The bell sounds.

Trump comes out and kicks Walsh in the balls. DDT by Trump. Cover.

Walsh is eliminated. (:12)

Then Weld rushes in. Trump drop toeholds Weld and he hits the corner turnbuckle. Cover.

One…two…THREE- Weld’s done. (:25)

WINNER: Donald Trump @ :25

(END VIDEO)

Johnny Suave: “Donald Trump took an easy victory over Joe Walsh and William Weld and now we’ve reached the moment of truth. Our ring announcer is Kimber Marshall and let’s send it to her now.”

Marshall stands in the middle of the ring.

Kimber Marshall: “Ladies and gentlemen, this match will be…”

Crowd: ONE fall!

Kimber Marshall: “And it will be for the PCW Title! Introducing first…

youtube

Johnny Suave: “Ah. Bruce Springsteen. Another one of the many celebs who’ve promised to move out of the US if Trump wins.”

Colleen Crowder: “Don’t you bad mouth ‘The Boss.’ Springsteen speaks the truth.”

Joe Biden comes out with his wife Dr. Jill Biden (and don’t you forget the ‘Dr.’ part). Behind him is his choice for Aide de Camp Kamala Harris.

Then Marshall announces the Progressive Alliance wrestler taking part in the match.

‘Mr. Hollywood’ Kevin Daniels HT: 6′ 0″ WT: 200 / HOME: Hollywood, CA FIN: The True Hollywood Blockbuster

Daniels comes out and shakes hands with both Bidens and Kamala Harris.

Kimber Marshall: “And their opponent…”

https://youtu.be/-bzWSJG93P8

The supporters “TRUMP! TRUMP! TRUMP!” chant merges with the melody of the Imperial March and becomes:

“TRUMP.

TRUMP.

TRUMP-TRUMP-TRUMMMMP

TRUMP-TRUMP-TRUMMMMP”

Dressed in all black complete with a flowing black cape, Donald Trump and his spokesperson Kayleigh McEnaney walk out on stage to a big ovation from the American Patriots.

Kimber Marshall: Residing in the Trump Tower in the great city of New York, New York! He promises to…

The Trump supporters shout out: “MAKE PCW GREAT AGAIN!”

Kimber Marshall: Accompanied by his Aide de Camp Mike Pence and representing the American Patriots! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! THE CURRENT CEO OF PCW- DONALD J. TRUMP!

Again, the Trump supporters let loose with thunderous roar that shakes the building. Trump nods and acknowledges the fans.

Johnny Suave: “Here he is. The current CEO of PCW. Donald Trump.”

Colleen Crowder: “Ugh. And he’s being led to the ring by… her.”

Johnny Suave: “You’re just saying that because Kayleigh McEnaney won’t play the ‘game’ the way you want her to play.”

McEnaney leads the way as Trump, black robe ruffling behind him as he strides, makes his way down the steps from the stage toward the ring followed by Mike Pence and Pence’s wife Karen.

Marshall then announces the American Patriots’s wrestler.

‘Starz N. Stripes’ Kevin Scott HT: 6′ 3″ WT: 250, HOME: Ottumwa, IA FIN: American Stars and Fujiawa Arm Bar

Scott walks out on stage and shakes hands with Trump, Pence, Mrs. Pence. Then the entourage heads towards the ring.

Johnny Suave: “So here we are. This is for the PCW title and then we will find out who will be the PCW CEO for the next four years.”

Colleen Crowder: “We already know the answer. It’s going to be Joe Biden.”

Biden shouts encouragement to Kevin Daniels- but he’s facing the wrong way. Harris subtly turns him around towards the ring.

Before the match starts, Suave and Crowder are joined by a special guest- the CEO of Facetwitogram Jack Buckenberg.

**********************************

MAIN EVENT #2/PCW TITLE MATCH:

‘Starz N. Stripes’ Kevin Scott w/PCW CEO Donald Trump, Aide de Camp Mike Pence (American Patriots) vs. ‘Mr. Hollywood’ Kevin Daniels w/PCW CEO candidate Joe Biden, Aide de Camp candidate Kamala Harris (Progressive Alliance)

**********************************

The bell sounds and the match begins.

Scott rushes forward. Daniels side-steps him. The two men circle. Scott aggressively comes forward. Daniels plays defense and makes him chase. Daniels connects with a spin kick that gives Scott some pause. Quick lock up – Scott takes a headlock – Daniels slips out. Scott fires off right and left hands. He follows with a standing spinebuster. Hooks the leg – one – two – Daniels kicks out and calls a ‘time-out.’ He rolls outside the ring and confers with Biden and Harris.

Johnny Suave: “Kevin Scott off to a fast start here causing Mr. Hollywood to bail out of the ring.”

Jack Buckenberg: “Actually Johnny, before you share this content, you might want to know that fact-checking sites, Snope.com, and other media sources have disputed the accuracy of it.”

Colleen Crowder: “Yeah! Kevin Daniels is probably just getting warmed up and wanted to talk strategy with Joe Biden.”

Once back in, Daniels and Scott tie up – Scott gains control. He wrenches, hammerlocks, and throws forearms into Daniels’s back. Headlock by Scott and hits the takeover. Scott tries to grind Daniels down. Daniels fights up and around but Scott wrenches the arm again. Scott takes a wristlock. Daniels throws a couple body shots. Surprise roll into a REAR NAKED CHOKE! Scott elbows out. Daniels with a drop toehold and gets the legs to hook them. One – Scott powers out. Scott goes for a rear bear hug – Daniels fights his way out with elbows. Daniels backdrops Scott to the mat. Scott up – Daniels legsweeps him back down. Cover. One – two – no. Scott powers out.

Johnny Suave: “Better from Kevin Daniels there. He seems to be coming into the match.”

Colleen Crowder: “Johnny, I don’t know what match you’ve been watching but it’s clear Daniels is totally dominating the match.”

Johnny Suave: “That’s debatable.”

Jack Buckenberg: “Actually Johnny, we’ll allow it. It’s a factual statement.”

Johnny Suave: “Of course you will.”

Scott nails Daniels with a kick to the jaw. Cover. One – two – 2.5 – Daniels just kicks out before the three count. Scott boots Daniels in the gut. Daniels drops to a knee – Scott drags him right back up. He goes to whip Daniels – Daniels reverses and knees Scott low and hard! Daniels hits the ropes and Scott ducks under. Another boot to the gut and a Sling Blade takes Daniels down. Cover. One – Two – NO! Daniels just gets the shoulder up.

Johnny Suave: “Another close pinfall for Kevin Scott. He is really doing well here tonight.”

Jack Buckenberg: “Again Johnny, before you share something like that, you should know that independent fact checkers dispute its accuracy.”

Johnny Suave: “It’s an opinion Jack that I’m entitled to based on what I’ve witnessed here during the match.”

Jack Buckenberg: “Once again, what you said is disputed by third party fact checkers.”

Johnny Suave: “*BLEEP* your third-party fact checkers.”

Daniels grows a little frustrated. He goes to the referee and starts to berate him. This allows Kamala Harris to sneak into the ring with a steel-folding chair. She raises it up – Mike Pence runs in- followed by his wife Karen (Pence never eats alone with a woman other than his wife and won’t attend events featuring alcohol without her by his side). Mike grabs the chair and stops Harris – the chair falls and accidently lands on Harris’s foot.

Colleen Crowder: “MIKE PENCE DID THAT ON PURPOSE!”

Johnny Suave: “Harris was going to hit ‘Starz N. Stripes’ Kevin Scott with that chair.”

Jack Buckenberg: “Er. Independent fact-checkers say that statement contains false information-“

Suave turns off Buckenberg’s microphone.

Crowder goes ballistic and demands Suave turn Buckenberg’s microphone back on.

Johnny Suave: “I guess it really does suck when you get censored, huh.”

Pence apologizes to Harris for the incident.

Harris kicks him in the groin.

Johnny Suave: “Ooooh. Apology not accepted. And Kamala Harris did that on purpose.”

Colleen Crowder: “She did not! She……….um, slipped.”

Karen Pence then tackles Harris in the ring and both women roll around on the mat.

Johnny Suave: “CAT-FIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT! CAT-FIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!”

Colleen Crowder: “Okay. That was totally offensive, Johnny.”

Meanwhile, Daniels runs the ropes – Scott ducks a clothesline and waits for him to come back to clock Daniels with a right hand. Scott blocks a suplex attempt using the power of gravity. Daniels walks into a body slam. Scott covers. One – two – 2.999! Daniels just gets a shoulder off the mat. Scott CLOBBERS Daniels with a right hand. Cover. One – two – THR-THE REFEREE GETS PULLED OUT OF THE RING!

Johnny Suave: “WHAT THE HELL?”

All three members of the Guild of Low Level Media People Trying to Make a Name for Themselves Colleen Crowder- New York Times, Sharon Johns- CNN, and Dan Miller- Washington Post yank the referee out of the ring.

All hell breaks loose. The media climb into the ring while another referee appears and rolls in under the ropes.

Scott’s trying to figure out what’s going on. Daniels just gets back to his feet and even he’s wondering what’s happening.

The referee calls for the bell. He goes to ring announcer Kimber Marshall and tells her what his decision is.

Marshall climbs into the ring and makes the announcement.

WINNER AND NEW PCW MEN’S CHAMPION: ‘Mr. Hollywood’ Kevin Daniels (Progressive Alliance) @ 10:48

Johnny Suave: “WHAT?”

A huge celebration erupts in the ring as Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, Pennsylvania State Attorney General Josh Shapiro, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and former Georgia Gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams join Daniels, the Bidens, Harris, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, and the Guild of Low Level Media People Trying to Make a Name for Themselves (Crowder-NY Times, Johns-CNN, and Miller-Washington Post).

Outside the ring and around the bar- not so much. The PCW fans are shocked. Kevin Scott is stunned at the decision. Trump is furious and tries to corral the referee but the ref is in the middle of the Progressive Alliance party going on in the ring.

Johnny Suave: “Kevin Daniels has been named the new PCW champion even though he did not pin ‘Starz N. Stripes’ Kevin Scott.”

If the PCW fans didn’t like the Daniels decision, they definitely didn’t like what happened next…

THE DECISION. TRUMP OR BIDEN? The Coke Brothers (Charles and David), George Moros, Lincoln Project Executive Director Sarah Lenti slowly make their way down to the ring.

Johnny Suave: “HOLY CRAP!”

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Johnny Suave: “The fans have already connected the dots on this one. Dawn McGill- missing. The DC Establishment is here.”

The Cokes, Moros, and Lenti have to duck and dodge debris.

Biden stands in front of the big group that’s gathered inside the ring for the announcement. Donald Trump stands on the outside.

The four climb into the ring. Moros has a microphone and he doesn’t waste any time.

George Moros: “Joe Biden-“

The Progressive Alliance explode with joy inside the ring.

Johnny Suave: “THAT’S IT! JOE BIDEN HAS BEEN SELECTED TO BECOME THE NEW CEO OF POLITICAL CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING!”

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Biden looks towards Trump for the traditional post-match handshake- but Trump has already left ringside and headed towards the back.

Johnny Suave: “NO HANDSHAKE. TRUMP’S GOING TO THE BACK.”

Suave wraps up the show by reviewing the results.

-MATCH #1-Kayleigh McEnaney defeats CNN’s Jake Tapper and Brian Stelter in a handicap match -MATCH #2/ARIZONA SENATE MEDALLION MATCH: Mark Kelly (Progressive Alliance) defeated Martha McSally (American Patriots) -Gavin Newsom (CA-Progressive Alliance) makes a case for PCW to come to California. -MATCH #3/SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE MEDALLION MATCH: Lindsey Graham (American Patriots) defeated Jaime Harrison (Progressive Alliance) -Both Joe Biden and Donald Trump interview with PCW Owner Dawn McGill for the PCW CEO position. -MATCH #4/PCW TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH: Jill Berg Enterprises (Conservative Inc./American Patriots) defeat The Green World Order (Progressive Alliance) and The Deplorables (American Heartland Coalition) -MATCH #5/ALABAMA SENATE MEDALLION MATCH: Tommy Tuberville (American Patriots) defeated Doug Jones (Progressive Alliance) -MATCH #6/HOUSE WAR GAMES MATCH: Progressive Alliance vs. American Patriots -MATCH #7/MICHIGAN SENATE MEDALLION MATCH: Gary Peters (Progressive Alliance) defeated John James (American Patriots) -MAIN EVENT #1/PCW WOMEN’S TITLE MATCH: Kathryn Randall Collins (Progressive Alliance) defeated ‘Alaskan Rogue’ Sierra Whalen (American Patriots) -MAIN EVENT #2/PCW TITLE MATCH: ‘Mr. Hollywood’ Kevin Daniels w/PCW CEO candidate Joe Biden, Aide de Camp candidate Kamala Harris (Progressive Alliance) defeated ‘Starz N. Stripes’ Kevin Scott w/PCW CEO Donald Trump, Aide de Camp Mike Pence (American Patriots) -Joe Biden named the new CEO of PCW.

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allie1804-fan · 4 years ago

Text

Please Assist Me (Chapter 18)

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Ch6apter 10 , Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15 , Chapter 16, Chapter 17

Warnings: Explicit Content

He Said

At last in January of 2021, the schools opened and we felt like there was more every day normal going on. There were a few more restaurants open with outdoor service too so Sophia and I had the occasional lunch out together when he had free time. I was training hard though so I didn’t have much free time which meant we tended to need to stick to Hollywood rather than driving out to the coast off the beaten track and that was our first mistake. Sophia had been my assistant for almost 2 years now so it wasn’t odd for us to be seen together but as there was almost never any other women seen with me, Cheryl alerted me that pictures started appearing in gossip rags, putting 2 and 2 together based on their (correct!) reading of intimate gazes and body language.

She Said

In the new year, a few photos started to come out of me with Keanu online and in gossip rags. The publicity wasn’t hugely invasive and I wasn’t too bothered by it - my family and friends knew the truth so this only really attracted random contact on social media from acquaintances being nosy rather than any real invasion at first.

My first direct experience that the attention was getting invasive came one day at the school pick up. I had noticed a man hovering at a distance from the gates who I was pretty sure wasn’t a parent. My attention was torn away when my kids came out but as I turned to take them to the car, I saw a teacher cautiously approach him and after a brief exchange he turned on his heal and left. That’s when I spotted the camera slung over his shoulder. A couple of days later, pictures of me and the kids were published on-line on a gossip site. The kids’ images were a little blurry but still, I was furious.

He Said

“Fuck!”

I’d just clicked on my phone on a link Sophia had sent to me for a photo news site showing pictures of her and the kids at their school gate. Some low life pap had tracked them down and deemed them newsworthy because of her link to me that had been emerging more and more frequently of late.

I forwarded it to Cheryl and asked her to arrange an urgent call with her and my lawyer to work out an action plan. Then I called Sophia, nervous that I might be in for a tirade of Spanish insults.

“Hun, you OK?”

“No, I’m not OK. Que pendejo insoportable!”

Here we go, I thought!

“who me?!”

“No, no, the photographer, this isn’t your fault!”

“kind of is though isn’t it?”

“No, I won’t let you take the blame – but we have to stop them. The kids need to be kept out of this right?”

“Yeah, I’m waiting to hear back from Cheryl. I asked her to arrange a call with the lawyers. I’ll let you know when they can set it up OK? And I’m sorry, even if you say it isn’t my fault, it wouldn’t be happening if we weren’t in a relationship.”

She sighed.

“We’ll figure it out, OK, I just, I need to keep them safe”

“I know, I know sweetheart”

We managed to issue a cease and desist order on that particular photographer to not take further photographs of the children and put out a general statement asking the press to respect their privacy but that did seem to have the effect of making them more thirsty for pictures of Sophia and I – we were still game. As pictures circulated of us eating out or on bike rides, this apparently spawned a trend of what I understand are called “Trolls” seeking out Sophia on social media to send her hateful messages to ‘leave me alone’ and to stop ‘trying to wheedle her way into my life’ and ‘get her grubby Latino hands on my money’. And, she said, if they didn’t do it directly, there would be comments underneath her photo on fan sites with people expressing their disgust at my choice of romantic partner. On top of that, there was a lot of denial - people saying that Sophia was and could only ever be my PA – just like Janey they said. Good grief the world really had gone to hell - why did who I was dating even matter?

Apparently there were many people being kind and saying it was nice that I’d found love and that she was beautiful, might give me the babies I’d missed out on etc etc but I could see the comments of the trolls weighed on her mind and lodged there far more than anything positive. Eventually I said she should really just follow me into the social media free wilderness. She could keep an active messenger service for group chats with friends and use a cloud service to share photos of the kids with our parents but for her sanity, she needed to drop Facebook, Instagram and Twitter before she went insane!

She Said

I knew I shouldn’t get drawn into looking at what Keanu’s fan base were saying online but the curiosity was hard to control. I actually only started getting drawn in after the trolls started tracking my down and sending me abusive DMs. That made me want to know if there were any positive voices or if these nasty people basically spoke for the whole of his fandom. I found myself wasting so much time going down rabbit holes trying to find out who these people were but there was no way to do that really.

When my general tetchiness finally got too much and Keanu said I should join him in the 1990s and get off social media, I knew he was right but at the same time it was infuriating as I had got so used to using it for sharing news, family photos, jokes etc as well as using all the messenger tools to connect with my friends. After all the isolation of 2020, this new isolation felt like a kick in the teeth but I felt so childish to think that way and didn’t dare say anything to Keanu. Having never been on social media, he just wouldn’t get it! After about a week though, I had to admit I felt better and admitted that his way was probably the sane option – after weeks of anxiety, I finally felt free from the worry of silly people out there who didn’t know us personally having an opinion about whether we ‘should’ be dating.

Happily, we also had a trip to New York to look forward to - Keanu would be starting filming on John Wick 4 and we were heading there as a family with around a week free to enjoy the city together before he would start on set.

The kids were beyond excited to be flying, not ever having done so before. They each had a little pull-along case and we booked first class so we would have as little time as possible milling around in the public spaces at the airport. I was sure there’d be paps about - we couldn’t ban them from taking our photo altogether even though we’d asked for their privacy to be respected so I was desperate to minimise their chances.

When we got to LAX, it was literally minutes after we’d got into the building when a fan approached asking for a photo. Keanu started to try and explain that he was on his down time with his family and would they mind if he didn’t take one today but he hated the crestfallen look on their face and he quickly suggested that we split up and meet up in the lounge. I rummaged through my bag to get his ticket out and handed it to him with a pointed look at the woman before heading off to check in with the kids, not caring that my silent displeasure might make it online somewhere to be used as evidence of what a bitch I was!

We went on through to departures and waited a good half hour before he showed up.

“Hey Keanu why did you take so long” Eva whined.

He chuckled.

“Sorry honey, but I guess it’s because ‘I’m Duke Caboom, Canada’s greatest stuntman’ he boomed, tickling her sides “and sometimes that means people want to say hi and take a photo so it took a while to catch you up.

“Oh OK” she said matter of factly not at all phased by that idea. I guess she knew how excited Julie and Miranda’s kids had been when they zoomed with him when he was in Berlin so it made sense to her even though Toy Story 4 was the only thing she’d ever seen with him in so she had no idea just how truly famous he was!

“You’re too good to them” I said, still a bit put out that we’d already been separated for a while right at the beginning of our trip.

“Yeah, but it never ends well if I’m an ass…. I mean not nice and you’ve got to remember that I’m usually ‘so high’ on a screen and seeing me in real life is exciting …. to them at least” he said cocking an eyebrow at me as if to say that I no longer saw him as special.

“You’re exciting to me too silly!” I said, relenting a bit from my sulk.

He squeezed my hand.

“Don’t worry, I’ll try to give off some ‘stay away’ vibes in New York so we can all hang out like real people.

“I know, I’m being a bitch, I just wanted this to be, you know, normal”

When we arrived in New York, we had a car waiting so were quickly away from the airport and managed to pass through it without being bothered. On the journey, the kids were pressing their faces against the car windows to see the famous sky-scrapers and there was much anticipation of getting to his apartment to see how their bedrooms looked. We’d arranged to have them decorated and bought new duvets and drapes which Keanu’s maid service had taken care of putting up for them. We got take out pizza for the first night and once again I felt safe and cocooned from the outside world of fans and paparazzi.

He Said

It was strange that Sophia and I had been together for not much short of a year before the public interest in me, and its impact on living our lives, really became a pain in the ass and the source of some conflict between us. I had to remind myself that I’d been living this way for about 20 years and had learned to just allow a little extra time in my day for stopping for a photo. It only affected me when I was on my own so I had to learn to see if from her point of view - it was a shock to her system basically. She’d been my PA for 2 years but we had rarely needed to conduct our business in the public eye so she hadn’t even experienced the attention when we weren’t dating – it was all happening in the context of her being my significant other and with the backdrop of the online trolls and the need to protect her kids.

I guess it would have happened much sooner if I hadn’t been away filming for almost 5 months shortly after we started dating so we’d had an extended time of being together but with no-one outside of friends and family knowing. I tried to tell her we should be grateful all this hadn’t started sooner. I’m not sure that was the right thing to say!

My celebrity did have some advantages though and in New York I’d managed to arrange a private tour of the Empire State Building and rink side seats at a Rangers game. Those earned me points but we weren’t so lucky in Central Park. My apartment isn’t far from there so we headed out for a walk one afternoon, ending up in in the Conservatory Garden figuring that this would be a nice place to be by some water but not where most people would be like Bethesda or the model boat pond.

We’d bought some sandwiches on our way (my time to enjoy the pastrami, pickle and Russian salad I so love) and settled on a bench to chill and rest the kids’ legs when I saw a guy across the other side of the pond raising his camera. It was clearly a Pap with a long lens. I’m normally not a hot head but it was such an intrusion to our pleasant afternoon that I handed Sophia my sandwich and marched up to him.

I was striding fast, not caring much that my stance was clearly threatening and some people idling by the pond scuttled out of my way. The Pap, surprisingly stood his ground until I reached him, squaring up to him.

“Just what in the hell do you think you’re doing? We’re just having some private time as a family and you come along determined to ruin it!”

I was yelling and drawing the attention of others by the pond but I didn’t care.

“hey man, you’re fair game” he responded brazenly.

“Yeah that’s right, I, me, I’m fair game, me not them ,now get the hell out of here”

He was a short weasel of a guy and I was towering above him. He soon thought better of trying to take a picture and scurried away. A woman a few feet away spontaneously clapped!

“Good for you Keanu” she said.

I blushed, coming down suddenly from the adrenaline of the confrontation. It has been a long time since I’d even spoken to a Pap. I usually just ignored them, occasionally putting my hand in front of my face to ruin the shot. It generally wasn’t worth antagonising them but this dude had pushed it too far.

I thanked her and returned to the bench. Sophia handed me back my sandwich while the kids eagerly asked why I’d been shouting at the man. I explained as best I could and I think they were grateful that I just wanted their mom and them to enjoy their time without strangers photographing them.

A couple of days later, Cheryl let me know that the guy made a claim on-line that I’d assaulted him – no actual legal claim was made, I guess because he knew it was bullshit. That was quickly proven when people quickly came forward that they had witnessed it and no such thing had happened. I wondered if the lady clapping was one of them.

She Said

After the Central Park incident, I was so proud of how Keanu had stood up to the paparazzo but we still made a decision to do most of the tourist things without him after that. I couldn’t see us being in Time Square, The Lego Store or the M&M store with him alongside us comfortably. And that was strange and a little sad for me to be back to the single parent feeling, having experienced some very cherished family days.

Our time to go home was fast approaching and I was keen to get one day just for the two of us. Luckily I have a cousin in New York who wanted to spend time with the kids and they offered to take them on the boat trip to the Statue of Liberty for the day. We made the kids breakfast and handed them over to my cousin with backpacks, ready for their adventure.

We just had coffee ourselves as we were planning on a brunch out for ourselves later after some us time between the sheets!

The minute the door was shut, Keanu was pulling me by the hand back to bed.

We quickly shed our pjs, climbed under the covers and started to kiss

Keanu soon reached down and started to gently tease my folds. I moaned into his mouth thrusting myself against his fingers.

A thought came to me and I pulled back and asked

“Can we um, try something today ?”

“Mmmm - what?”

“Well you know your movie, Siberia? “

He nodded

“Well, I watched it while you were away and, um that thing with your thumb ....”

“Oh you want that do you?” - a wicked grin spread across his face

“Well we can try that lots of ways ….. so, we can try that from behind. Get on all fours for me”

I obliged and I felt him slip his stiff cock into me, my folds parting with a pop. He was moving very slowly, then after a few thrusts as I was moaning softly, I felt his wet fingers reach around to gently tease my clit. He did it just enough to make me moan louder but not enough to make me cum. Then he pulled out leaving me bereft

“What?” I cried out

Then he rolled over on his back and pulled me onto him.

“And then there’s lady on top”

I happily sank down on his cock and started to ride him. I was groaning but at the same time I could hear my voice quavering as I neared orgasm once more. He licked his thumb, this time, re-enacting the Siberia moment making me throw my head back in pleasure. I was about to lift off, my voice raised in pitch but again he stopped me before I could, holding my hips to stop my movement.

The he flipped me over onto my back and straddled me, making me wait a few moments as he played with my breasts and smoothed his hands down my sides .

“And finally we can try man on top”

“Will you do that thing ?” I asked

“What the thumb ?”

“No, well yes, but first the thing where you lift me onto you”

“Oh like our first time?”

I nodded, glad he remembered.

He obliged lifting me onto him, pulling me up, ensheathing him slowly so I could feel every vein of his rigid cock and he could feel every ridge of my tunnel.

I was wailing by now each time he pulled me up then released me – I could feel his cock getting even harder when he asked simply

“Ready?”

I just whimpered and nodded my agreement.

He Said

I was so close to coming, I needed to really focus to give her everything she deserved.

I manoeuvred her fully onto her back and encouraged her to lift her legs up over my shoulders.

This allowed me maximum access to thrust in all the way to her cervix and pump in and out.

I could already feel the beginnings of her orgasm, her pussy pulsating around me. It was as if she was a beautiful flower, attracting me with her petals then sucking me in, holding me there in a vice like grip to take what she needed from me. It was primal and all encompassing

As I felt the ripples get more intense, I managed to balance on my left hand and free my right hand, lick my thumb and circle it over her clit.

That was it, it was all over for both of us. She clamped around me, her legs quivering and I shot my hot load inside shouting out as she screamed “yes, yes oh god, yes”

My thrusts gradually slowed, I was still moaning and fighting to catch my breath. I eased her legs down and lay on her just holding my weight off her by resting on my elbows. I gave her a sloppy kiss before easing off her onto my back. I still couldn’t speak. and just squeezed her hand. Tears leaked out of my eyes and I gulped, looking across, I found her in a similar emotional state.

“Wow that was - god I don’t think I’ve ever, ever come so hard”

“Me neither - love you so much Mr Reeves”

“Why do you always call me that after really great sex?”

“Dunno” she chuckled “maybe to give you the respect you deserve for making love to me so, so ….”

“What?”

“So masterfully, so beautifully”

“Mmmmmmm”

“Let’s have a snooze before brunch yeah?”

“Mmmm”

I think she was almost asleep already as she turned away and I spooned behind her, holding her warm breast in the palm of my hand.

@fortheloveoffanfic @kindainlovewithk’eanu @omg-imagine @iworshipkeanureeves @fics-not-tragedies @ficsnroses @keanureevesisbae @penwieldingdreamer @witty-wallflower @paperplanesandwallflowers @bitchyslut99 @ladyreapermc @toomanystoriessolittletime @fanficsrusz @keanuficfiles @bitchyslut99

#keanu reeves fanfic #keanu reeves fanfiction #keanu #keanu reeves #romance with boss

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princessanneftw · 5 years ago

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The truth about the Queen's relationship with Princess Anne - the trailblazing royal 'Daddy's Girl'

by Camilla Tominey, Associate Editor of Politics and Royals for the Telegraph

Having inherited her father’s no-nonsense approach to life, it is well known within royal circles that Princess Anne has never been one to suffer fools gladly - even if they are the leader of the free world. That might explain the footage that went viral on social media yesterday, seemingly showing the 69-year-old dodging a meeting with Donald Trump.

As the Queen greets the US President and his wife at Buckingham Palace, flanked by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, she spies her daughter lingering in the doorway and lifts a black glove to beckon her over. Princess Anne appears to respond with a shrug and stays exactly where she is.

An aide has explained the moment as “some mother/ daughter banter”, insisting that Her Majesty was “just encouraging the family and staff to come through” (others have suggested that a bemused Anne was telling her mother there were no remaining world leaders in line to greet). But Twitter users have interpreted it as a show of amused defiance and Anne has been praised for “not giving a s---” about shaking Trump’s hand. “She’s always been my favourite royal,” wrote one.

It’s a sentiment that seems to be spreading. the Princess has also unwittingly enjoyed a renaissance as one of the sassiest characters in the latest series of The Crown on Netflix – her straighforwardness, raised eyebrows and determination to live an independent life all endearing her to a new generation of admirers.

Always known as a “Daddy’s Girl”, the Duke of Edinburgh once famously remarked of his horse-mad only daughter: “If it doesn’t fart or eat hay, she isn’t interested.”

Having grown up in the shadow of her older brother and heir Prince Charles, Anne has won respect for not only carving out a successful career in equestrianism, but also as one of the hardest working members of the Firm. She carried out 518 royal engagements in 2018 and shows no sign of slowing down, even as she approaches her 70th birthday next August.

Her steely demeanour has long hidden a genuine passion for the compassionate care of others, be it through charities such as Save The Children, the Princess Royal Trust for Carers she set up in 1991, or her work in poverty-stricken African nations.

Indeed, such is the recognition of her trooper-like reputation behind palace doors that the Queen has allowed documentary makers to film the Princess Royal for a special programme due out next year - to mark not only her 70th birthday, but half a century of public service, which she began in 1970, aged 20.

It highlights an increasing intimacy between mother and daughter. The pair have already grown significantly closer since the Queen lost both her mother, the Queen Mother, and her sister, Princess Margaret, in swift succession in 2002.

“I was surprised she would cooperate with something like this [the documentary] but the Queen clearly thinks recognition is due for all her daughter’s hard work over the past 50 years,” says Joe Little, editor of Majesty magazine.

Royal author Phil Dampier believes Her Majesty will also hold a party to mark Anne’s auspicious birthday: “Last time, she had to share with Prince Andrew, who is exactly 10 years younger, but this time the Queen will throw a party just in her daughter’s honour. Although Anne wouldn’t want it, her mother will insist.”

It is perhaps worth noting that plans to mark Andrew’s 60th have reportedly been shelved, given the recent furore surrounding his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Both royal experts agree that the Duke of York’s fall from grace will have an impact not only on Anne’s workload, but her relationship with the 93-year-old monarch. According to Dampier, “Anne is much closer to the Queen than she used to be. She’s always been close to her father, because she’s very similar to him. His philosophy is just get on with it - and that’s just the way she is, too.”

As Kevin S. MacLeod, the Canadian Secretary to the Queen, has said of Anne: “Her credo is: “Keep me busy. I’m here to work. I’m here to do good things. I’m here to meet as many people as possible’.”

But there has always been more to Anne than her 300-plus string of patronages - not to mention the somewhat bizarre fascination with lighthouses that has seen her tick off almost every example on the British coast.

As the first member of the monarchy to compete in the Olympics, in 1976, she was arguably the trailblazer for royals breaking with tradition and living an independent life. In 1987 - the same year she was given the title of Princess Royal - she memorably became the first member of the family to appear as a contestant on a television quiz-show, when she competed on the BBC panel game A Question of Sport.

In 1974, she famously became the victim of a kidnapping attempt by a pistol-waving man named Ian Ball, who stopped her car on Pall Mall. When Ball demanded Anne get out of the limousine, she replied with characteristic gusto: “Not bloody likely!” and reportedly considered hitting him, before exiting out of the other side and being rushed to safety. She later told Michael Parkinson that she was “scrupulously polite” to her would-be abductor, as she thought it would be “silly to be too rude at that stage”.

But there have been moments of rudeness - most notably to the press, who Anne insists do not accompany her on any official engagements. Having gained a reputation for spikiness, she then courted all the wrong headlines when she had a fling with her royal protection officer, Sergeant Peter Cross, while still married to her first husband, Mark Phillips. Because the romance happened when Anne had two young children - Peter and Zara - it sent shockwaves around the palace. But there was some sympathy for the royal mother-of-two when Cross, who by then had left Scotland Yard, sold the sordid details to the News of the World in 1984, and when Phillips himself (whom she divorced in 1992) was later revealed to have fathered a love child.

Yet, since marrying her second husband, Tim Laurence, then a Commander in the Royal Navy, in December 1992 - Anne’s life has largely been blemish free.

So could the Queen’s increasing reliance on her only daughter - and the decision to remove Prince Andrew from the Firm’s front line - make the House of Windsor’s most industrious member even busier?

“She’s likely to become a much more important figure,” explains Phil Dampier. “Unlike her younger brother, she’s extremely discreet and not likely to make any faux pas. She’s a safe pair of hands.

“Thirty years ago she was seen as the black sheep. She got a bad press because she was quite rude to journalists. She had an affair and then came the break up of her marriage. But she has put it all behind her and is now one of the most reliable members of the family. She’s had her own scandals in the past but got through them, while it’s probably much too late for Andrew to do the same.”

One consideration for the Princess Royal is likely to be her relationship with her grandchildren - Savannah, 8 and Isla, 7, Peter’s children with his wife Autumn Kelly; and Zara and Mike Tindall’s daughter’s Mia, 5, and Lena, 1 - who all live on her Gatcombe estate.

A royal insider revealed: “They are an incredibly close family. I know the Princess has got a bit of a reputation as an ice maiden, but she absolutely dotes on her granddaughters. She works so hard that she doesn’t see them much during the week, but loves to spend her weekends with them. I wouldn’t imagine she’d want to sacrifice much more of that precious time together.”

Yet, Joe Little insists that Anne will remain a vital cog in the royal machinery, even though Prince Charles is reportedly planning to slim it down in the future.

“She’s in her 70th year but in remarkably good shape mentally and physically, so there is no sign of her slowing down,” he says. “Whether she can take on any of her brother’s workload remains to be seen, but Charles couldn’t not have her around. When they do see each other they get on like a house on fire, but they’re not in each other pockets. He trusts his sister implicitly.”

With her father, oldest brother and now her mother increasingly looking to her for support, one can’t help but think that Princess Anne could yet prop-up the Firm, as well as The Crown, for some time to come - whether she agrees to shake hands with world leaders, or not.

#for anyone that cant get behind the telegraph paywall #im lookin at u danelle #enjoy #few off points but ultimately a good piece #princess anne #princess royal #british royal family #brf

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bowandarrowgirl · 6 years ago

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Chapters: 6/? Fandom: Guardians of the Galaxy (Movies), Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers (Marvel) - All Media Types, Marvel Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Gamora/Peter Quill, Michelle Jones/Peter Parker, Phil Coulson/Melinda May, Pepper Potts/Tony Stark, Steve Rogers/Natasha Romanov, Scott Lang/Hope Van Dyne, Brunnhilde | Valkyrie/Thor (Marvel), Groot & Rocket Raccoon, Ned Leeds & Peter Parker, James "Bucky" Barnes & Steve Rogers, Steve Rogers & Sam Wilson, James "Rhodey" Rhodes & Tony Stark, Phil Coulson & Skye | Daisy Johnson, Leo Fitz & Jemma Simmons & Skye | Daisy Johnson, Leo Fitz/Jemma Simmons, Lincoln Campbell/Skye | Daisy Johnson, Peter Parker & Gwen Stacy, Peter Parker & Peter Quill, Shuri & T'Challa (Marvel), Peter Parker & Shuri, Gamora & Shuri, Nakia (Black Panther)/T'Challa, Okoye & T'Challa (Marvel), Wanda Maximoff/Vision, Christine Palmer/Stephen Strange, Gamora & Natasha Romanov, Natasha Romanov & Shuri, Peter Quill & Natasha Romanov, Peter Quill & Shuri Characters: Drax the Destroyer, Rocket Raccoon, Gamora (Marvel), Groot (Marvel), Ronan the Accuser, Guardians of the Galaxy Team, Taneleer Tivan, James "Bucky" Barnes, Clint Barton, Bobbi Morse, Lincoln Campbell, Nakia (Black Panther), Brunnhilde | Valkyrie (Marvel), Skye | Daisy Johnson, Peter Quill, Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy, Nick Fury, Maria Hill, Wanda Maximoff, Vision (Marvel), Natasha Romanov (Marvel), Steve Rogers, Michelle Jones, Phil Coulson, Melinda May, Pepper Potts, Tony Stark, Scott Lang, Hope Van Dyne, Ned Leeds, James "Rhodey" Rhodes, Sam Wilson (Marvel), Leo Fitz, Jemma Simmons, Shuri (Marvel), T'Challa (Marvel), Okoye (Marvel), Thor (Marvel), Stephen Strange, Christine Palmer Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - High School, SHIELD, Alternate Universe - Teenagers, Past Relationship(s), Long-Term Relationship(s), Unrequited Love, Falling In Love, Friendship/Love, Idiots in Love, Dorks in Love, Friends to Lovers, Peter Plays Football, Peter's in Choir, Alternate Universe - Boarding School, Lincoln Campbell Lives, Gwen Stacy Lives, Slow Burn, First Kiss, Best Friends, Teen Years, School Dances, Talent Shows, Hidden Talents, Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) - Freeform, Gamora Loves Music, Gamora Can Sing, Gamora-centric, Peter-centric, SHIELD Academy, Tony Being Tony, Gamora & Shuri (Friendship), Gamora & Natasha Romanov (Friendship), Meme Lord Shuri (Marvel), Gamora Doesn't Understand, Peter Quill Needs a Hug, Gamora needs a hug, Platonic Kissing, Forehead Kisses, Fluff, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Cute, Gamora Opens Up, Illiterate Gamora, Peter Despises Thor, Singing Competitions, Acapella Choir, Peter and Gamora Click, fast friends, Hurt/Comfort, Shuri Gets Excited Easily, Protective Natasha Romanov, Nat is the Mom Friend Summary:

High School AU: She wanted freedom. He wanted to be loved. They both wanted to escape their abusive father figures.

"Are they supposed to fit this tightly?" Gamora asks, adjusting the black, capri jeggings she is required to wear for choir competitions.

It is now October 26th, only a day away from being two months since school started. Somehow, she managed to get out of community service-probably because of the fact that she didn't do anything wrong. In that time, she also couldn't believe she would've been able to become so close to people. Of course she's close to Nat, having to be her roommate, but she also got close to Shuri, and the rest of the kids in the choir-Wanda, Tony, Daisy, and Little Peter (as the group calls him). The other Peter, however, is a completely different story.

Peter Jason Quill makes her feel like time freezes whenever he's around her. He causes her stomach to feel weird-similar to the feeling right before you vomit, but pleasing in a way. There was a time, a few weeks ago, when he started giving her nicknames: G, Gam, Gammy. He even calls her 'Songbird' at times, noticing the way it makes her heart melt below her stoic mask. The reason behind it was simple as Peter notices the way Gamora adores the Fleetwood Mac song of the same name. The way he cares about her-teaching her how to read, how to sing, being kind-she wonders what she ever did to deserve him as a 'best friend' as he calls her.

It's the day of their first competition of the year. Of course, of all the places it can be held, they have to compete inside of their own auditorium against various of other ensembles from different schools around theirs. The majority of the group is pretty nervous, with the exception of Tony and Peter, whose egotistical brains convince them that their entire performance is going to be awesome.

Right now, however, they are in the choir room, having just finished running through their act for the last time before having to perform in front of the audience and judges. Peter walks over towards the piano, panting, and grabs the opened bottle of water that sits on top of it, taking a huge swig. He places the cap back on and sets it back down in its original spot. His hazel eyes shift towards Gamora.

Like the rest of the girls in their group, she is wearing a red, loose halter top with a black sash stitched into the shirt, right below her breasts. Although, they have matching pants and shirts, the girls are allowed to add their own flare to make their uniforms unique. Gamora settles for two, large chained bangles-one in black, the other in white-and her go-to set of black bands on each finger, with the exception of her ring. The girls don't have identical shoes to wear either. The only request is that they match in black. Unlike the rest of the girls, who are wearing different styles of boots, Gamora is wearing a plain, pair of flats. Her black and red hair is half up in a topknot, the rest framing her face in ringlets.

The soft, yet darkness of her irises, meet Peter's as a small blush crawls upon her cheeks, causing her to focus her attention somewhere else. She is trying not to think about how out of all the guys in the same low-cut, maroon, long-sleeved v-neck and black, silky vest, Peter is definitely NOT the most attractive, showing off his muscular arms in a pleasing way.

Before her thoughts can get any filthier, Peter clears his throat, instructing everyone to form a circle in the center of the room.

"OOH! Is it time for our ritual?!" Shiri asks excitedly, jumping up and down, while clapping her hands as if she was a little kid again.

"Ritual?" Gamora questions, raising an eyebrow in concern as she crosses her arms. "Like in a cult?"

"Psh! No!" Peter waves a hand, brushing off her concern. "Before every competition, we have the same ritual as a good luck charm."

Shuri turns towards Gamora, still in her childish state and grabs both of her hands. "We came up with it last year. It is a lot of fun!"

"Do you know how to do the rain dance?" Peter asks, gaining Gamora's full attention as Shuri releases her. She shakes her head. "Okay, well, I don't think it'll hurt to perform the ritual twice. We could show you how to do it the first time and then you could join us the second!" Gamora shrugs and hesitantly nods her head, before stepping out of the circle.

"I already taught Tony how to do it!" Little Peter says in almost as much excitement as Shuri.

"Okay, cool! Everyone ready?" As soon as everyone nods, they begin.

Peter explains each movement as the group starts off by rubbing their hands together. A few seconds later, every other person in the circle starts snapping both of their fingers. Then, every third person in the circle starts patting their thighs. Finally, everyone who was still rubbing their hands together, is now stomping their feet hard against the tile floor. Suddenly, Peter shushes everyone as they all smirk at each other and begin to rub their hands once again in unison. That's when Peter starts singing, "Just a young gun with a quick fuse,". Meanwhile, the same pattern that started with the rain dance begins once again, with the rubbing hands, and stomps and snaps in a beat-stomp...snap...stomp-stompstomp...snap. "Not a yes sir, not a follower," Peter sings as the movements continue in the same pattern. Eventually, the girls start singing staccato 'thunders' as the people who were rubbing their hands together, start clapping in a steady rhythm. "Thunder, feel the thunder," Every other person jumps three times to the beat in unison. After the song ends, they gradually ease back into the rain dance, ending in everyone stomping, before jumping up and shouting 'LET'S GO, S.A.!'.

"Man, I feel like a cheerleader now." Tony admits, placing his hands on his hips.

"Wouldn't surprise me if you were." Nat chuckles.

"Hahaha, hilarious."

Peter gives Gamora a crooked smile, gesturing for her to come and join them. She gives him a soft smile in return and joins the group in the circle. They do the ritual for a second time and Gamora finds herself laughing with everyone as she repeatedly messes up.

As soon as their feet touch the ground after shouting for the second time, the students spread out around the choir room, retreating to their water bottles. The only exceptions being Peter and Gamora who found themselves approaching each other with wide beams, until their fronts were pressed up against each other. Gamora tilts her head up to gaze into Peter's eyes. They begin to lean in with their eyes fluttering closed. The distance between them is so limited that they could feel the other's warm breaths against their lips...WHOOSH! They jump apart when the choir doors are pulled open with much more force than necessary to reveal no other than Coulson.

"What are you guys doing?! The competition starts in five minutes! You guys better get in there, now or you're gonna be eliminated!" The kids look at each other with wide eyes, before sprinting past Coulson and heading towards the auditorium.

A loud applause fills the auditorium as a short blonde girl from one of the prep schools, finishes her emotional solo with glassy eyes. She curtsies with the rest of her choir as they exit backstage, passing a nervous Gamora, who looks as if she's literally holding herself together. The Zen-Whoberian starts pacing back and forth, noticing that every choir that exits backstage is another choir closer to their performance.

On the opposite side of the stage, Nat, Peter, and Shuri are all watching each choir perform. As the next choir enters the stage, Nat glances at Peter. "So...homecoming is next weekend..."

"Steve ask you yet?"

"Yeah. Actually, right before we left. You didn't notice?"

Peter shrugs. "I wasn't really paying attention..." He thinks back to what he was paying attention to earlier that day-Gamora. Not very surprising, but it was the truth. They had gone to the park, which had become their special place to hang out. He remembers swinging with her and talking about how much she had changed in just the two months they knew each other. They laughed about it, in fact.

"'When are you gonna ask her?"

Nat's voice breaks him from his thoughts, making him realize that he'd been staring at the said woman the entire time. "Wait, who...Gamora?"

"Who else, Dummy?!" Shuri exclaims quietly, while playfully raising her brows.

"Listen, I really appreciate you guys shipping us, but as you can probably tell, she clearly does not-"

"BULLSHIT!" Nat yells, a little louder than she meant. She apologizes quickly before turning her full attention back to Peter. "Don't pretend like nobody saw what happened before Coulson walked in!" Her voice is quieter now-merely a stage whisper. When Peter opens his mouth to speak, Nat continues to talk, "Listen, if it makes you feel better, Shuri and I will help you like we always do." She put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Now get over there and calm her down before she has a heart attack!" Shuri instructs, shoving him in the direction of Gamora.

The boy glares at her before making his way to Gamora, who continues to pace. "G?"

The Zen-Whoberian whips around to face him, forcing a fake smile. "Hey, you ready?"

"Well, yeah." He replies awkwardly, running a hand through his hair. The mask Gamora is hiding under slowly disappears as Peter notices the worried look underneath it. "Hey, it's gonna be okay! I promise."

"But, I always mess up that one part-" Gamora's gaze goes everywhere, but his.

"And you stayed up all night, practicing."

"I told you, I'm not a performer. If I still can't get it right-"

"As much as I want to say that there are perfect choirs out there and we're one of em', there aren't and we aren't. Everyone screws up. It's a part of being human, I guess, but you can't let that get to you." Gamora finally allows herself to lock her eyes with his as he firmly grasps her arms. "You are way more talented than you give yourself credit for." He loosens his grip and continues to gaze into her beautiful, brown eyes. To his surprise, she breaks out of his grasp and wraps her arms around his neck. His arms slowly snake their way around her waist.

"Thank you." She whispers into his ear.

'Next, can we have the Shield Academy Acapella Choir please enter the stage?' One of the judges call from in front of the curtain as the last choir exits.

Gamora's grasp stiffens a little before she lets go. Peter gives her a soft smile before winking. She playfully rolls her eyes at him as he rounds up the rest of their group.

"Okay, so I'm gonna give a quick little good luck speech; we're gonna be awesome. We're gonna kill it. We're gonna get through to the next round. Let's go out there and show them what we can do!"

They all smile at one another before running onstage, grabbing cordless microphones and positioning themselves into a vertical line. The order, starting from the front: Peter, Gamora, Little Peter, Shuri, Nat, Tony, Wanda and finally, Daisy. Peter pulls out a circular pitch pipe and blows into it, producing an F chord. The group starts singing the instrumental to 'You Make My Dreams' as each kid leans to the opposite direction as the person in front of them, with the exception of Daisy. By the time the first verse starts, Daisy is revealed as the rest of the kids stand up and take a step to the side. She starts singing the first verse as she approaches the front of the stage. The rest of the kids form a horizontal line, following her from behind. They all turn their backs to the audience before the second verse starts. Daisy turns her head enough to face the audience as she begins to sing again. The group behind her faces the left side of the stage as the song enters the chorus. They take two steps forward before pointing to the audience. "Well, well, well, you-you make my dreams come true!" Daisy sings with a smile a mile wide.

Their time on stage goes by in a flash as everyone holds their last notes before the auditorium goes eerily quiet. Suddenly, the audience, including the judges, applause, louder and crazier than for any of the other choirs before them. Each member is beaming and the group stands in a horizontal line, grabbing each other's hands and bowing as a group.

As soon as the judges dismiss them, the group runs backstage continuing to celebrate their success.

"Peter!"

Gamora uncharacteristically runs to Peter and jumps into his arms. He twirls her around, unaware that his smile could get any bigger. "You didn't mess up! Gam, you were awesome!" He exclaims after setting her back down.

The green girl can't say a word and so, she doesn't. She just stands there and continues to smile at him like an idiot. Only Peter Jason Quill can make her do such a thing and although she knows why, she acts as though she doesn't.

Peter sees Daisy and wraps her in a side hug. "You, Miss 'I-aint-gonna-get-the-solo', nailed it!"

"Thanks, Peter!" Daisy says with a soft smile. She notices FitzSimmons waiting for her near the entrance of the dressing room and speed-walks towards them in excitement.

"When do we find out if we made it?" Gamora asks in curiosity.

"Coulson will let us know tomorrow."

"Are we allowed to leave?"

"Yeah, I guess. Why?"

"To be completely honest, I didn't think I was gonna like performing. After we finished though, when nothing happened, I felt sick to my stomach. Then, the audience...I think that's the first time I have ever been applauded for anything." Gamora admits, rocking the swing back and forth with her hands clasped in her lap.

"So, you're admitting that you are a performer?"

"I never said that. I just said that maybe, performing isn't as bad as I thought it was gonna be." They both chuckle wholeheartedly.

The sun has almost finished setting for the night. Peter and Gamora watch it in silence, the only noise coming from Peter's music as usual. This was a newer thing for them. Sure, the park was deemed their 'place', but watching the sun set every few days and reading together afterwards has been a new routine they've both become accustomed to.

"It's beautiful."

"You say that every time." Peter chuckles.

"It's true, though." Gamora faces Peter with soft eyes. "Isn't it?"

"Yeah."

Loneliness has always been a friend of mine

I'm leaving my life in your hands

People say I'm crazy and that I am blind

Risking it all in a glance

"Gamora?"

The girl takes her attention off the newly dark horizon, realizing that Peter had stopped his swing and was now standing next to her with an extended hand. He hasn't requested to do this in a while-dance. In fact, the last time he had requested, was the only time he had requested, and resulted in him getting slapped. However, she's known him for two months. She knows him enough to know that he won't force her to do anything that makes her uncomfortable. Sure, sometimes he'll try to talk her into things, but he would never force her to do them. Which is why she gave in.

Peter pulls her off the swing, glancing as it squeaks lightly and slowly halts to a stop. He places her hand on his shoulder, before placing his own, lightly on her waist. The fingers from his freehand intertwine with hers. The begin to sway to the rhythm of the song, gazing into each other's eyes.

I don't care who you are, where you're from

What you did, as long as you love me

Who you are, where you're from

What you did, as long as you love me

"Hey." Peter whispers with his signature crooked smile. "So, you know that dance Nat has been going on about?"

Gamora raises her eyebrows. "You mean the one she's been trying to get us to go to, together?"

"Uh-"

"Peter, I'm not stupid. I know Nat has been trying to set us up since we met." She glares, but somewhat softly, at him.

"Yeah...I'm sorry about that."

Gamora's glare fades away, a look of curiosity in its place. "What about it?"

"Well, I was thinking-"

"That we should go along with Nat's little plan?"

"No! I mean...not like that. I was just thinking it'd be fun?" When Gamora doesn't respond right away, Peter continues to ramble on, "Um, if you don't want to-"

The Zen-Whoberian tightens her grip on him and pulls him closer to her. "I'd love to, Peter."

"Really?"

"Yeah. You are my-what do you call it-best friend, after all." She gives him a playful smile.

The boy returns the gesture as they continue to dance. He tries something new and possibly dangerous, pressing a soft kiss to her hairline. It isn't long until she responds, laying her head against his chest.

I've tried to hide it so that no one knows

But I guess it shows when you look into my eyes

What you did and where you're coming from

Well, I don't care as long as you love me

#starmora #stamora #peter quill #starlord #gamora #gamora x star lord #gamora x peter quill #peter quill x gamora #starlord x gamora #quillora

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fewfavoritethings · 3 years ago

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Prince William “split his household from Prince Harry after Meghan bullying claims”

June 19, 2021

Allegations against the Duchess of Sussex led to a bitter row between brothers who were once inseparable, says the author Robert Lacey in this extract in The Times from his book Battle of Brothers.

“So, are you saying,” asked Oprah Winfrey, talking to Meghan and Harry in their famous interview of March 2021, “that there were hints of jealousy?”

She was inquiring about the Sussexes’s wildly successful tour of Australia and the South Pacific of late October 2018, and the couple shifted uncomfortably in their plush wicker chairs.

“Look,” replied Harry, “I just wish that we would all learn from the past.”

“So is that what you’re talking about?” asked Oprah. “It brought back memories of that?”

Harry and Meghan spoke to Oprah Winfrey in an interview broadcast in March this year.

“Yeah,” Harry finally replied in a fashion that was both dismal and unmistakably aggressive.

What on earth had happened, viewers had to wonder, to the old and once-familiar happy side of Prince Harry?

Knauf’s American sensibilities caused him to see the Meghan situation as raising principles of human resources management in the palace system that needed to be formally addressed.

Several people maintained they had been “humiliated” by the duchess, and that criticism extended to Harry as well.

Where could the two brothers go after such painful and damning notions had been thrown into their debate?

Harry and Meghan appeared to be the ones who visibly departed after the row.

“William,” says a friend, “threw Harry out.”

©Robert Lacey 2021 Extracted from Battle of Brothers: William, Harry and the Inside Story of a Family in Tumult by Robert Lacey, to be published by William Collins on June 24 at £9.99.

@talkingtarot @anonymoushouseplantfan @keepingupwiththebananadramas

@the-best-soap-opera-ever

#prince william

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mhsn033 · 4 years ago

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Coronavirus: Beauty salons and tattooists in Wales reopen

Reveal copyright Jules Lee

Reveal caption Louise Pritchard arrived at Jules Tattoos in the dull of night in characterize to make a choice up a half-completed form executed

Magnificence salons and tattooists in Wales are allowed to reopen for the main time since lockdown.

The Welsh Authorities’s most smartly-liked easing of restrictions design nail bars, spas, and tanning outlets can originate again on Monday.

But of us will want to wait longer for facials and to make a choice up their eyebrows and eyelashes done, with pointers warning the treatments are “too high menace”.

One salon owner in Vale of Glamorgan acknowledged she had neglected out on trade all the design through her busiest time of yr.

And a tattooist in Gwynedd opened in the dull of night to enact off a girl’s tattoo she had started earlier than lockdown.

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Media captionExistence is “imperfect” with out his fillers and Botox, Iwan Steffan says

Welsh Authorities guidance has outlined which companies can originate on Monday, and measures they must soundless set apart in situation, alongside side:

Magnificence salons, alongside side nail bars and tanning outlets, can reopen, but facial treatments are no longer suggested

Spas can resume enterprise, but handiest for magnificence treatments and no longer for saunas and swimming pools

Tattooists can resume, but stroll-in appointments are no longer allowed

Businesses providing piercing, electrolysis and acupuncture accept as true with also given the golf green gentle to reopen

Hairdressers accept as true with been ready to originate since 13 July.

However the Welsh Authorities guidance has “strongly suggested” beauticians no longer to manufacture facial treatments, as a result of high menace of of us being face-to-face for long sessions of time.

This entails eyebrow tinting, waxing and threading, fillers, eyelash treatments, dermaplaning and microblading treatments and makeup.

If beauticians purchase to manufacture treatments on clients’ faces, they need to wear a fluid resistant surgical face masks, goggles, disposable gloves and an apron, and be fully trained in using private protective equipment (PPE) safely, the pointers tell.

The Welsh Authorities acknowledged it had “worked with public smartly being experts and the magnificence industry to create the guidance and accomplish it’s as particular as that you just would possibly maybe well maybe maybe also imagine for an industry that covers a astronomical vary of different procedures all the design in which through a massive diversity of settings”.

The dedication to restrict facial treatments relies on Public Health Wales guidance, it added.

Magnificence salons

Reveal copyright Jayne Goodings

Reveal caption Jayne Goodings, owner of Lemon Tree Nails and Magnificence Salon, says she has neglected out on most of her busiest time of yr

The owner of a magnificence salon acknowledged companies would be attempting to carry out up for a massive lack of earnings, but predicted some would be unable to originate directly because of receiving the guidance at such short peep.

“Our busiest time of the yr is from April to September as soon as we buy perhaps more than 50% of our annual takings so for us it has been a massive hit on our enterprise,” acknowledged Jayne Goodings, owner of Lemon Tree Nails and Magnificence Salon, in Cowbridge.

“The guidance became as soon as issued [Friday] and we’re because of originate on Monday.

“I’m lucky that I’ve obtained the measures in situation but there generally is terribly a few salons that have not and are now attempting to supply PPE in readiness for Monday.”

Ms Goodings added: “It has been refined. Sourcing PPE in itself has been a marathon to insist the least.”

Reveal caption Sarah Bruton acknowledged magnificence therapists were already smartly trained in limiting immoral-infection

Sarah Bruton of Captiva Spa and Lounge in Caerphilly says she will be able to now originate seven days per week to take care of set apart a question to and allow workers to work the identical hours but with more position round them.

She has launched perspex monitors, hand-sanitising stations and temperature assessments, and eradicated issues take care of fluffy towels and robes.

Sarah acknowledged: “We now accept as true with changed a few of our working processes so we create treatments in a a microscopic bit different formulation and now we accept as true with procured heaps of PPE, so issues take care of aprons, visors and gloves and masks, to carry out our working practices as proper as that you just would possibly maybe well maybe maybe also imagine.”

She added: “We’re trained to create issues take care of restrict immoral-infection and stop contamination, so we’re already very smartly positioned to be ready to provide protection to of us against Covid.”

The tattooist

Media playback is unsupported on your tool

Media captionJules Lee acknowledged tattooists were already “one amongst the cleanest locations”

Jules Lee opened her tattoo shop in Bangor in the dull of night. Her first client became as soon as a girl whose tattoo became as soon as left incomplete when lockdown became as soon as announced.

Thanks to the strict hygiene guidelines governing tattoo outlets earlier than the pandemic, Ms Lee acknowledged Covid-19 requirements must soundless no longer be too unparalleled.

“Tattooists are one amongst the cleanest locations you would possibly maybe well maybe maybe also even be,” she acknowledged.

“There would possibly maybe be a need for more PPE – we were already using PPE anyway, but now we want to make exhaust of more now.”

Reveal copyright Jules Lee

Reveal caption Ms Lee completed a tattoo of a rose, inspired by the Disney movie Magnificence and the Beast, on Louise Pritchard’s leg

Louise Pritchard, Ms Lee’s first buyer after reopening, acknowledged: “I accept as true with waited for this since Jules needed to terminate, [it] feels take care of perpetually. It feels take care of a lifetime ago.

“I agreed to near in the dull of night on yarn of I’ve been watching for ages and I became as soon as genuinely taking a peep forward to it.

“I take care of my ink. I create no longer take care of issues being half completed and Jules has been gargantuan fitting me in, and it’s genuinely therapeutic.”

Ms Lee acknowledged the tattoo, on Ms Pritchard’s decrease leg, became as soon as inspired by the movie Magnificence and the Beast and became as soon as section of a wider part.

“Louise is a Disney mega fan,” she acknowledged. “We’re engaged on a Disney-themed leg sleeve for her.

“She’s a very proper client that I’ve been tattooing for months and he or she became as soon as very moving to make a choice up more ink as quickly as.”

Reveal copyright Jules Lee

Reveal caption Unusual PPE requirements are the largest trade, Ms Lee says

Ms Lee acknowledged clients desired to e-book upfront and need to no longer flip up more than five minutes earlier than their appointment or loiter round afterwards.

Hand sanitiser would possibly maybe be offered for clients and he or she will be able to leave an hour between appointments to permit her time to “deep intellectual”.

After a “caring” time with out income, Ms Lee acknowledged she would possibly maybe perhaps maybe also no longer wait to reopen.

“I’m so angry – I true worship my job,” she added.

What else is altering on Monday?

Reveal copyright Getty Photos

Reveal caption The housing market can fully reopen on Monday

The housing market can fully reopen to consist of viewings of occupied properties

Cinemas, museums, amusement arcades, galleries and archives would possibly maybe be ready to originate their doors. But whether or no longer they invent or no longer will depend on the venues themselves. The cinema industry has warned “few, if any” cinemas will reopen on Monday

Driving classes can restart – classes started again England earlier in the month, on 4 July

Face coverings would possibly maybe perhaps even become crucial on all public transport, alongside side taxis.

What’s next to reopen?

Reveal copyright PA Media

Reveal caption Pubs in England reopened indoors on 4 July

Pubs, cafes and restaurants in Wales accept as true with been given a doubtless date of 3 August by the Welsh Authorities for after they can originate indoors – even supposing they’ve already been allowed to create so outdoors since 13 July.

But regardless of the easing of many restrictions, some sectors remain shut with no plans to restart.

They consist of indoor gyms and leisure products and services, reminiscent of swimming swimming pools, as smartly as theatres and song venues.

What has already reopened or restarted?

Reveal caption Hairdressers reopened earlier this month

The principle locations to reopen in Wales were recycling centres, libraries and some garden centres on 11 Also can – the identical day the main minister allowed of us to command outdoors more than as soon as a day.

Non-crucial outlets and colleges for all pupils were allowed to reopen final month whereas small marriage ceremonies and outdoors sports were also allowed to originate again.

Then, self-contained lodging with out shared products and services reopened on 11 July.

On Saturday, it became as soon as expanded to consist of lodging that does share products and services, alongside side campsites and all resorts, and underground sights can resume trading.

Hairdressers, church buildings, church halls, playgrounds, outdoors gyms and funfairs accept as true with already reopened whereas companions are now allowed to abet antenatal appointments .

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landenoxgj503-blog · 5 years ago

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11 "Faux Pas" That Are Actually Okay to Make With Your doll clothing closet

Top Barbie Dolls Clothes Choices

The New Angle On Barbie Dolls Clothes Just Released

The majority of them are made from a significantly thinner material and possess the black and white irises, exactly like the Number 1 Barbies. Employing a specialty yarn it is possible to produce the jacket fuzzy or nubbly just make certain to use an extremely thin yarn. All of them have the Jem logo on each side.

I really like that print though! Taking away the polish also removed her paint so I opted to totally redo her. Play-Doh, Silly Putty and other hands-on materials permit the child to create toys of their very own.

The track is known as Barbie World. Not positive if that's exact, but it's close. Otherwise, you can call us.

New Step by Step Roadmap for Barbie Dolls Clothes

Find a region that receives indirect sunlight. Rather than buying it from the sector, you can just apply your crochet experience and expertise to crochet a beautiful one at home! They supply entertainment when fulfilling an educational function. It ought to be an intriguing discussion. They aid in the growth of physical and mental skills that are necessary in later life.

I'll attempt to have a better one at some point. I am liking the simple fact that they're on a little scale and can be finished rather quickly, well not so much when you're making the pattern. Some individuals have a massive selection of barbies since childhood, and it has spent handsome sum of money purchasing it. Some folks spend large quantities of money in an attempt to acquire larger and more complete collections. Listen to get a power your entire life story of us with antilock brakes and loves to be sure that combined.

The Barbie Dolls Clothes Chronicles

Information provided to buy a solution or Mattel Service, including details essential to fulfill the transaction, like products ordered, payment info, and personal contact details. You will be able to handle videos in My List, keep an eye on your favourite shows, and a whole lot more! Content available is dependent on pack purchased. Cannot be combined with different offers.

The Barbie Dolls Clothes Game

The pattern printed in the right size that was wonderful! For this top, you will want to learn how to single crochet, double crochet, the best way to do chains, how to create a puff stitch, and the way to earn a picot. You don't have to spend an outstanding deal on yarn. However, totally free patterns means that you may make Barbie and her friends clothing for minimum cost.

Therefore, the name for the ailment is green ear. Barbie's eyebrows aren't usually totally symmetrical, and that means you won't need to copy the correct and left exactly, but you will need to find the look'' right and utilizing a doll with good brows as a guide will provide help. If there's a minimum on a doll accessory it will tell you once you order. They aren't complete but there are just a few pieces missing. Prior to beginning a project, you should make certain that the pattern you have works for the doll you've got.

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Parents can decide to present their children dolls that don't promote an unrealistic or even unhealthy body image, like the new Barbies provided by Mattel. For a woman just in her 30s, Valeria has made a significant splash in the worldwide media. With Betterhelp, you can talk to a therapist as frequently as you like, and don't even have to use your real name. I would like to tell you, you're never too old to get a Barbie doll! Our Barbie Dolls have a good deal of clothes.

This is on purpose so the baby doll's head will reveal through. Leg stance may be splayed. I sewed an assorted shirt, you can locate it here. Plastic dolls can smell bad when they're degrading, or else they can acquire sticky. In addition, there are Barbie Collectible dolls for the older girl who wishes to improve her collection. Just take a good look at the doll.

You're accountable for inspecting items before purchase. Additionally, doll clothes this is true of props. Convention coasters may also be found, though these are incredibly rare. You may not be in a position to make it to the live auction however, you can still make the most of an opportunity by really being a remote bidder (or `phone bidder').

Items with a reserve isn't going to be sold unless the reserve price was met. With multiple payment alternatives, you cannot receive any excuse to put it off. Make certain you only use a term when you're sure it applies to your item. Some can be found if you are in possession of a high enough budget and know just where to look. To do so, many sellers prefer to set an opening bid below just what the merchandise is in fact worth.

However, if you've selected the proper match and should you take care of them they'll look after you. The majority of these seek to limit prospective hazards, like choking or fire hazards that could result in injury. Which definitely predicted the growth of Chipotle. Before surgeries Let us begin at the start. Over time, there have been a good deal of Barbie brides.

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You will discover that there are many different events that your Barbie will have to attend, and having an ideal evening wear is critical. It's definitely a fair idea for a kids' toy. On the other hand, the veteran also wished to engage in a modeling career. `Finally together' The urn is going to be placed at their house and from now on Tsai is going to be regarded as a member of their family members. It appears like there might have been something else but there are just a few marks and nothing is legible. Simply take a peek at Barbie's cultural revolution over time.

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deepwithinmybonesfic · 7 years ago

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Ch 19- Gold

It took an hour to fight through the media and the fans. By the time he reached Yuuri, he was out of his costume and in a wheelchair. A new tissue box was on his lap, his fingers tangled in the soft fabric as his head lolled back in his sleep. Phichit was next to him, keeping the headphones on Yuuri’s head, blocking out the noise of the crowd.

It felt wrong. Not the kind of wrong where it felt like everything in the world had shifted an inch to the left. Not the kind of wrong where they had a fight and left it hanging in the air without dealing with it.

The kind of wrong where Viktor should have been the one taking care of Yuuri. Instead, he had a heavy medal hanging on his chest over an even heavier heart. He had worked so hard to make sure Yuuri got to fulfill his dream of skating on the same ice as his childhood idol that he let his mind get clouded with anger. The anger at the judges had solidified, lashing out and hurting Yuuri. The fact that Yuuri didn’t get mad or spill a single tear, made it sting a hundred times worse. This was supposed to be a high point in Yuuri’s life, a taste of a life he could have if he kept fighting… not another cross to bear.

Phichit looked up from his phone, finally noticing Viktor’s presence. Viktor expected him to recoil, or chastise him for hurting Yuuri, but he just stood up. “He’s a little woozy.” He said, gesturing to the now empty spot besides Yuuri. Viktor immediately sat, stroking the side of Yuuri’s face. His hair had grown longer since they had first met, and it was now curling around his ears. He tucked a curl behind his ear, pink from the chill of the rink. It probably wasn’t a good idea to keep him in the cold, but Viktor knew that Yuuri would have refused to leave. His eyes opened at the touch, blinking slowly. Viktor had stared at the dark lashes, admired them against Yuuri’s cheeks before, but this time in particular made his heart ache.

“Vik…Vitenka.” He whispered sleepily, his voice thick. His hands left the tissue box in his lap and went up, the weight of the medal lifting off of his chest. He stared at Yuuri kissed it, and then as Yuuri smiled as he pressed a kiss to Yuuri’s cheek.

“Congratulations, Vitenka.” Yuuri turned pink at Phichit’s excited clapping. He must have forgotten the Russian lessons back in Detroit, or maybe he was more obvious than he thought.

“How are you feeling?” Viktor looked down Yuuri’s chest, to the tissue box, and to his prosthetic-less legs.

“Gold.” Yuuri said simply, setting the medal back onto Viktor’s chest with a forced smile. “Maybe a little hungry.” He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, swallowing again.

“Yuuri.” Viktor said, his voice becoming thick as well. Yuuri looked up at him, the smile replaced with confusion at the Russian’s unreadable expression.

“Yes?” He said uneasily, watching as Viktor slipped the ribbon over his head and held the ribbon out to Yuuri. “That’s yours, Viktor…” He sounded uncomfortable, looking from the medal, up to Viktor’s face, and back.

“I know. But it is the only round and gold thing I have right now. “ He melted at Yuuri’s incredulous expression. “Yuuri, will you marry me?”

Phichit made the sound of a dying raccoon. Yuuri choked.

“You… what?” He stuttered, nervously picking at the tissue box cover. “Don’t joke like that, Viktor…” His voice wavered.

Viktor knew that it wasn’t meant to be a knife slid perfectly into his heart, and that it was Yuuri’s own monster speaking… but it still hurt.

“I know that it comes out of the blue, and that it is strange when there’s no name to what we are, Yuuri… but please…” Viktor swallowed back the emotions pushing at the back of his throat. “Answer me.”

Yuuri stared wide-eyed at his lap, tears threatening to spill over his red cheeks.

“O…okay.” He bowed his head as Viktor slipped the medal over his neck. “I mean—yes—“ Viktor cut him off with a kiss, much softer than he expected from such an emotionally charged moment.

The camera-click sound effect broke the silence.

“Not for Instagram!” Yuuri squeaked, waving his hand as Phichit clapped vigorously.

They called a taxi , returning to the hotel for a much needed break. Yuuri fell asleep before room service arrived with an early dinner, the gold medal still resting over his heart.

Viktor debated waking Yuuri up, enjoying watching sleeping beauty breathe and snuggle into their shared bed. But logic took over, and Viktor didn’t dare risk letting Yuuri go any longer without any food in his already weakened body. He leaned over, kissing his spur-of-the-moment fiancée on his lips. He relished the Yuuri that existed momentarily before his brain took over, the Yuuri that kissed him back automatically.

However sweet he thought Yuuri, it didn’t transfer. He tasted metallic, as if he had kissed a metal instead of his fiancé. It didn’t sit well, but the thought was banished the moment Yuuri opened his eyes.

“Are we late?” He yawned, before setting his eyes on the tray set on the end of the bed. It wasn’t hot pot, but it what the hotel had. Viktor had ordered the fruit sherbet just in case.

“No. Another two hours or so.” Viktor said softly, moving the tray closer to Yuuri. He poked around at the food, before settling on a bowl of plain rice.

“Are you still….?” Viktor trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence. Yuuri didn’t answer, adding a pile of bok choy and marinated meat on top of the rice. He ate slowly, but still struggled to eat. Half of the bowl remained when he set it down, sinking back into the pile of pillows set against the headboard. Yuuri thought Viktor would let it slide again, closing his eyes, before he felt cold metal pressed against his bottom lip.

“Vi—“ the spoon slid into his mouth as soon as he opened it, and he choked back the sherbet. He opened his eyes, narrowing them, but Viktor only smiled sweetly.

“Open up.” He sang, the smile cracking at the corners, scooping up more sherbet.

“I’m not that tired.” Yuuri mumbled, lifting his hands to take the spoon. Viktor scooted, almost too close, reminding Yuuri of his missing limbs and the phantom ache that had plagued him all day. “Viktor,” Yuuri huffed, leaning forward and taking the next bite of sherbet before it melted onto the sheets.

“It’s not funny.” Yuuri pouted, Viktor stabbing the rest of the sherbet with the spoon.

“No, it’s not. You said you wouldn’t compete if you weren’t up to it.” Viktor said coldly.

“I did. I was. Up for it.” Yuuri’s fingers tightened around the sheets, his anxiety beating against the back of his throat and the pit of his stomach.

“Eat. Please.” Viktor held out the spoon, holding it delicately enough that Yuuri could take it from him. He breathed out a long sigh of relief. The ice cream wasn’t so bad, after all. It didn’t help for long, but it disguised the thick copper taste that coated his throat better than the rice.

Finishing the sherbet seemed to satisfy Viktor enough to ease off of nursing his brand new fiancé. They laid on bed, Viktor playing with Yuuri’s hair as he caught up on social media.

“Mmmm. Don’t you want a shower?” Viktor mused, Yuuri immediately shrinking away. Damn. Way to go, Viktor. “I just remembered the hair wax we put in this morning…” He added, trying to smooth over the faux pas.

“Yeah… but I haven’t felt like getting back into my legs just to take them off again.” Yuuri said in a small voice.

“I could carry you.” Viktor smiled, tracing a circle on Yuuri’s cheek. He frowned, batting his hand away.

“Please, Viktor. I’m not a baby. I’m just tired.”

Viktor’s smile dissolved. He could feel the soil pile up behind him as he dug himself a deeper and deeper hole.

“I didn’t mean it like that. I was thinking, we could shower together..”

Finally, that familiar blush was back.

“What Yuuri, is that too much?” He teased, moving to trace a finger around the medal around Yuuri’s neck. “We’ve bathed together so many times, what’s the difference?”

“Those were hot springs..” Yuuri muttered. “This is a hotel room, and I could do it myself.. I’d just rather…”

“Rather what?” His eyes shone and his smile curled into a mischievous one. He waggled his eyebrows at Yuuri, who sighed.

“Stay in bed with you.” He mumbled, hiding his face.

“And?” Viktor pushed closer to Yuuri, hovering over him.

“ And… celebrate?” Yuuri dropped his hands, reaching deep inside himself for the Eros he’d brought out on the ice earlier that day. He lifted the gold medal from his chest and pressed it against Viktor’s lips, lifting his head and pressing his own lips to the other side.

Mission accomplished. Viktor melted, collapsing against Yuuri and cuddling into him, hugging him tightly.

They pulled apart only when the reminder alarm rang on Yuuri’s phone. Viktor’s nursing tendencies did not stray far. He helped Yuuri slide on the socks and prosthetic liner, resting his hand on Yuuri’s thigh a second longer than he needed to. Viktor watched Yuuri, his heart full, as he kept the medal on even after pulling off the rest of his clothes to scrub his face clean and freshen up. He was so enamored with it, he had no peace of mind to worry about Yuuri’s fidgeting and slowness. He was nearly humming to himself, leaving the bathroom to get dressed, when Yuuri finally reached for his toothbrush. He brushed, rinsing his mouth, before looking heavenward and trying to gargle as quietly as he could. He watched the door, before spitting into the sink, turning on the faucet before the thick red liquid could cling to the porcelain for long.

“Why aren’t you wearing it?” Viktor whined, when Yuuri finally had the new suit Viktor had bought him buttoned properly.

“There’s no way, Viktor!” Yuuri turned tomato red. “I’m not wearing your gold medal to the gala. People would think I’m crazy!”

“Then I’ll tell them it’s for our engagement.” Viktor crossed his arms. “How else will the world know?”

“Usually by rings.” Yuuri muttered under his breath, playing with the ribbon in his fingers.

“Then I’ll find someone to melt it—“

“Viktor!” Yuuri squeaked, then cleared his throat. “Phichit knows, and that’s all that matters right now.”

“What about your family?” Viktor sounded a little wounded. Yuuri hesitated.

“Mari-nee-chan would just say she called it, and my parents wouldn’t understand.”

“Understand what? They’ve been okay with what’s been going on for the past year. Are you saying they wouldn’t approve?” Viktor’s heart started stuttering, beating fast between skipping a beat.

Yuuri rubbed his thumb against the round edge of the medal. “They don’t understand what it means to me. “ He said quietly. “I want to tell them in person. “

“Yuuri, why do you do this to me?” Viktor sighed, dragging his hands down Yuuri’s body as he sunk to his knees.

“Do what to you?” Yuuri asked, the emotion of the moment dispersed by the placement of Viktor’s hand. “Vitenka, we’re going to be late. “ He whined, setting the medal down on the nightstand.

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artificialqueens · 8 years ago

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Check You Out - Chapter 3 - May

A/N: So, I recently made the incredibly intelligent mistake of deleting the file with this chapter off my phone, and emptying the recently deleted folder accidentally, so this is a lot later than I expected it to be. Anyway, I hope you guys like it, feedback is always appreciated 💝 (also I set up a side blog if you want to check it out @artificial-may)

The early morning sunlight filtered through the window, lighting up the dust mites mottling the air. Bianca turned her phone on and off, counting down the minutes until she could open the large roller doors at the front of the store and let the day’s customers in.

She glanced out the window, and noticed that the car park was abnormally empty. Usually, the car park on a Saturday morning would be a third full, today there was a red ute and and a bike propped up against a tree. Groaning, she leaned her head on the wall. It would be a slow day, and that kind of day was the worst. Slow days meant customers thinking they could have long conversations with her just because there was no one else in the queue, which made it hard to bite back the cutting remarks that often rolled off her tongue. It was a little mantra Bianca had. The customer is never right.

Her phone buzzed on the till, signalling it was time for the store to open. Unlocking the heavy bolt she heaved the roller up and returned to her till, and tapped her acrylic nails on the bench. The store was empty, which wasn’t abnormal, but Bianca had gotten used to one little thing. Adore.

Since their last meeting, Bianca had indeed checked out Adore’s Instagram, as well as every other social media account she could find. She’d almost fallen into the habit of expecting the green haired girl in the early morning. Rolling her eyes at herself, she ceased her tapping as an elderly man entered the store.

A few minutes later, the sliding doors opened with a faint puff of air, and Adore rushed through them, obviously in a hurry. Only stopping to give Bianca a quick hello, she disappeared into the aisles, only to reappear holding her drink.

“Sorry I’m in a rush,” she said, too loudly, “I have work soon but I overslept and was late here-” “Hold up,” responded Bianca, “you have a job? Isn’t your job getting drunk and being the pretty little indie musician you are?” “Well, yes,” said Adore, “but that doesn’t pay for petrol, so I work as a receptionist down the road. I go from here to work, and it just so happens that today I was due to start five minutes ago. So sorry to be like this but see ya Bianca.” And then she was gone, the coins for the drink left in a little pile on the counter.

Picking them up and putting them into the till, Bianca looked once again out the front window, at Adore’s retreating figure, and the very slow trickle of people coming in through the doors. She realised she was grumpy, and she was grumpy because she hadn’t gotten to talk to Adore that morning.

Smiling to herself as an idea popped into her head, she left her till, and went and grabbed a bottle of Berocca. In no particular hurry, she returned, and tucked the drink just under her counter.

That gives you plenty of time to talk to Adore tomorrow, thought Bianca, her stomach fluttering a little in anticipation. •••• “Do you even see the point of having a break today?” asked Courtney stormed into the staffroom. Willam shrunk a little into her chair. Although they always had breaks at the same time, Courtney never really spoke to Willam, except to maybe toss a weak insult. Despite the friendliness Courtney had showed just a few weeks earlier it had all dissipated over New Years.

“Well,” quipped Willam, “the demand for fresh fruit and vegetables stops for no man.” Courtney turned, wide eyed. “But it has!” she exclaimed violently. “The store’s practically empty.”

Willam had noticed that. There had been fewer price checks, fewer people at the deli counter, fewer jobs to do. It had been great, in Willam’s opinion, but for someone obsessed with their work like Courtney, Willam could understand how the busy days could be curses.

“Well if you want something to do you can always clean the fridge or something.” Courtney’s nose wrinkled. “I don’t know the last time this thing was cleaned,” she said gesturing to the fridge. “I don’t use it, ever since people started eating my food out of it.” Willam swallowed, knowing that she had been one of the people who had eaten Courtney’s salads and smoothies when they had first started appearing in the communal fridge.

“I mean,” said Courtney, the fridge door now open, “I don’t know if this gnocchi has pesto on it, or if the green stuff is mould,” she continued, brandishing a Tupperware container with some sketchy looking pasta inside. Willam grimaced.

Shutting the fridge with a bang, Courtney slumped back down into another plastic chair. “This sucks,” she said. A long pause ensued. Willam recrossed her ankles, and waited.

The awkward pause stretched on.

“So…” she said, trying to relieve the tension that was thick enough to be cut with a knife. “Why did you go vegan?” Courtney’s delicate eyebrow raised. “That’s heavy for small talk.” “It is?” asked Willam, mentally kicking herself. “Look, there’s a lot of factors, I guess I just didn’t like the connotations meat and all that had. I don’t like the idea of something being harmed just for me.” Willam nodded, and Courtney checked her watch, then sighed. “I’m supposed to receive a call soon,” she said, apologetically, “see you later.”

She left, Willam watching her go pensively, wondering at the change that had occurred between them. •••• “Is there any point me being here right now?” asked Sharon. “What do you mean?” asked Phi Phi. In the past few weeks Phi Phi had found that Sharon had mellowed a bit, turning from hatred and contempt to everything in the store, including Phi Phi, to just general dislike of the job. “I mean, no one’s here, no one’s going to be here and if they are, you and Violet can deal with them easily,” said Sharon. “I don’t need to be here.” “You’re getting paid,” Phi Phi reminded her. “Yeah for doing nothing. I could be doing something I actually want to be doing.” Phi Phi leaned forward on her till. “What do you want to do?” “Like right now-” “Nah not now. What would you prefer doing with your life. What’s your endgame?”

“I don’t really know for sure, but I want to sing and I want to travel and I want to spend my time before I have to be an adult actually enjoying myself, not stuck in a box, waiting for customers that aren’t going to come.” Phi Phi nodded. “That’s good, you know that you have passion I guess.” “Everyone does, what are you passionate about?” “I-I’m doing a law degree at the moment,” she responded after a pause. “But it’s not what you want to do is it ” “Well, no.” “So what do you want to do?”

Phi Phi hated this conversation, she normally would weasel out of it with some half hearted excuse about law was her passion, but for some reason she found herself telling Sharon. “I want to go into fashion design,” she said, her voice low. To her surprise, Sharon didn’t laugh or snicker as she’d expected her to, instead she nodded her head. “That’s cool. I reckon you’d be good at it.” “My parents don’t want me to,” said Phi Phi, “they-” “Who cares what your parents say,” responded Sharon, twisting a ring around her finger. “Do what you want, it’s your life isn’t it?” Phi Phi turned to respond, but was stopped by a group of teenagers queuing at her till. She smiled at Sharon, and lifted up her closed sign.

As she turned to the customers at her till, Phi Phi’s mind was racing with dangerous questions. Why don’t I quit my degree? What’s stopping me from design?

Why does Sharon’s opinion matter so much to me? •••• Violet was bored out of her mind. Her shift, which had started around two hours ago, had inched on slower than she’d ever known time to pass. Rather than serving customers, she’d spent the majority of the time picking at her nail polish and planning her schedule for the next week. She was contemplating sitting on the floor and taking a quick power nap, when a woman came into her line of sight and placed a basket of groceries and a reusable bag on the conveyer with a heavy thud.

Looking around the store, Violet could see the store was getting busy - or at least as busy as it could be. She also spotted a familiar head of blonde hair headed toward her till, and her heart skipped a beat.

“Hello?” asked the lady in front of her. “Can I get some service?” Violet apologised profusely, and began to scan items as quickly as possible, because there was now a blonde figure cloaked in layers waiting patiently. Violet sent a half smile at Pearl, and was pleased to see she had received one back.

After what felt like far too long, Violet finally handed the lady her receipt, and turned to Pearl. “‘Sup,” said the blonde. “Hey Pearl,” responded Violet. “How are you?” “I’ve been going well thanks,” said Pearl and they both chuckled at the awkward formality between them. Violet scanned Pearl’s groceries languidly, in an attempt to stretch out what was sure to be the highlight of her shift. She was about to ask if Pearl was doing anything that evening, when her register let out a long beep, and the screen turned completely black.

Shit, she thought, searching behind the register for the on button, thinking the can of tomatoes in her hand had knocked it. Pressing on the button, the screen stayed black.

Very slowly, but surely, people were lining up behind Pearl, and the line was slowly stretching further into the store.

Shit, she thought again, banging her till with her hand, shaking the screen desperately trying to get the till to work again. Supervisor to lane 4,“ she called over the PA, hoping Phi Phi would be able to come and sort out the situation, but the supervisor just shook her head sympathetically as she gestured at the queue trailing from express.

Of course the one time the till breaks it gets busy, thought Violet. “Is everything alright?” asked Pearl, eyes wide with concern. “Yeah, um my monitor’s just having a moment,” replied Violet, watching the queue. Banging it one more time with her fist, the screen flickered back on, showing the can of tomatoes had been scanned 75 times. Groaning, Violet called Phi Phi again, knowing she’d never be able to void such a large amount without the supervisor code.

After everything had been sorted out, and Pearl was finally paying for her things, she said, “sorry to be such a problem today.” Instantly Violet responded, “you’re not a problem, it’s good to see you,” cringing at how she sounded. Pearl smiled, and flushed a small amount, although it could have just been a trick of the light. “It’s good to see you too. Enjoy the rest of your shift Vi,” she said as she walked off.

“Why am I not a supervisor yet?” asked Violet, as she handed her till to Phi Phi at the end of her shift. “I’m one of the best workers here.” Phi Phi snorted. “Maybe it has something to do with the fact you keep flirting with certain customers,” she responded, laughter in her voice. Violet smirked. “What’s the difference between flirting with a customer and flirting with the new employee.” Violet felt a sharp sense of satisfaction at Phi Phi’s mouth dropping open. “I’m…not…” she stuttered.

Just at that moment, Sharon walked back in to the store on break, looking stormy. Phi Phi went a deep shade of red. Violet chuckled as she pranced out the door. •••• “Do you want to catch up sometime outside the calming fluorescent lights of this supermarket?” Katya asked half an hour before they closed the store, “like go to Chipotle or something?” “Will you pay for my guacamole?” “Bitch who do you think I am? I work minimum wage at a supermarket!” Trixie laughed loudly, and responded, “but seriously that’d be great. I’ll just double check I’m not going out with my boyfriend or anything and I’ll text you.” She smiled at Katya but the blonde’s face had fallen a tiny, almost imperceptible amount. “I didn’t know you had a boyfriend?” “Yeah, it’s um kind of new,” responded Trixie. She felt suddenly awkward for some reason, her insides knotting with a strange emotion that she quickly recognised. Dread. “It’s not a big deal is it?”

Katya’s face lit up again, a goofy smile stretching from one ear to the other. “No of course not.” Though her tone and face was cheerful enough, Trixie couldn’t help feeling as though there was something off about the whole expression. Come on Trixie, she thought, you’re allowed to have a boyfriend. If Katya can’t get over that it’s her fault. “What else are you keeping from me? Next you’re going to tell me your entire family is actually the mafia’s founders!” “Well, now my secret’s out you rotted Gila monster.”

Trixie laughed, thankful for the relieve, though there was still something dark and uneasy in Katya’s eyes.

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