#Fickle Pickle

[rastronomicals]

3:18 PM EDT October 5, 2024:

Fickle Pickle - "Our Time Is Thru" From the album Heavy Nuggets Vol. 6 (October 2022)

Last song scrobbled from iTunes at Last.fm

Giveaway with the December 2022 Mojo, you know, the one with Arctic Monkeys on the cover.

[fickle-pickle]

Fickle pickle Thought of the day I am being a fickle pickle about Saint Judes today because I really believed in this Children's Hospital and I'm very disappointed in them now.

I am sickened and appalled by something that I was told over the weekend that a 5 year old little girl was turned down from Saint Jude's because her cancer was deemed to be incurable. I understand that Cancer might have been incurable, but I thought that Saint Jude was supposed to always try to help a child, never give up. And always welcome everyone. So this was really really hard for me to. Hear about I am very disappointed in Saint Jude's. I understand that they're not going to be able to save every child. I understand that You know, as much as I thought that they wanted to save every child, I understand that it is impossible. Task to try to do. But at least give this little girl a chance. I'm. Just so upsetting by this.

[tealeavesandthorns]

//Listen remember when I was like no usfw apart from in drabbles, well maybe I've changed my mind on that..... Maybe what I actually meant was I'm going to be Highly Selective about who I thread usfw threads with....

[faggotfungus]

These are the best pickles I've ever had in my whole god damn life, and I love myself a good pickle. I have not shut up about them since I first tasted them. They're sweet and a little spicy, but not the kind of spicy that tastes like a gimick and doesn't lend anything to the overall flavor, no this spicy adds so much to what I'm tasting. It has a purpose.

Ya know how you got that food that you can just crack open and eat the whole thing right then and there? I could totally see myself doing that with this jar of pickles.

Anyway, you can order them online from Texas here.

[sl33p3r-fr4ud]

try to go to bed at a good time challenge:level impossible

[simiansmoke]

Can't be romantic at all? Is a show off but fumbles when it comes to actually doing anything as a couple like hold hands?

He's extremely comfortable showboating and hamming up how great he is. Muscles flexed, feats of heroics...but intimate gestures are harder for him to initiate. Maybe if his partner showed signs of wanting extra attention, he'd feel more emboldened to comply. It might be a reaction to not wanting to experience rejection upon showing some vulnerability.

[doma-uppertwo]

PFFFFT IT LOOKS JUST LIKE HIM!

Bruh I drew akaza 😭

That certainly is ... what my view is ... from my height ...

[rigbee]

I made another human bill (smiles) cause I’m fickle as a pickle 😁

[christiansorrell]

d6 Little Events Happening In Town

A small, hairy man is hooting, hollering, and stealing all manner of produce from the market in town. It's just a monkey, but no one here has ever seen one.

Two brothers running the town's only tavern, The Original, had a falling out. One of the brothers is holding the grand opening for his new tavern, The Original Original, immediately across the town square from the old tavern.

A woman is in emotional distress after seeing her sister, who has been dead for almost exactly a year, outside her window the last several nights. A group of particularly cruel teenagers are to blame for the look-alike sightings. Secretly, the woman is fearful of a vengeful spirit, having killed her sister.

Everyone in town keeps singing a strange little song to themselves: "A fickle little trickle of the juice of a pickle." It's an earworm enchantment, a bit of misguided marketing, started a week ago by a traveling pickle merchant.

All of the shops, taverns, and smithies are being run by children, some surprisingly well. One week a year, the town hands the reigns of everything to the children as part of the "Little Leaders" ritual.

Lewd graffiti begins appearing around town, often in the wake of newcomers. A local constable with a ring of invisibility, nearly out of a job from the town's total lack of crime, is attempting to make a case for their future employment, at any traveler's expense.

[kvetchlandia]

George Mitchell Michael Bloomfield and Sunnyland Slim at the Fickle Pickle, Chicago, 1963

[deafarcher]

"Just like my beloved dragon."

Would you rather:

Go on a search for the Secret's treasures?

Or

Go after Henry Avery(Every)'s Pirate Treasure in England?

---

Why did you choose and if you had yo take someone who and why?

Pirate treasure in England. And I'd take Morgan (@icouldkillyouwiththistray ), cause dragons can smell gold....right?

[rastronomicals]

4:51 AM EDT October 3, 2023:

Fickle Pickle - "Our Time Is Thru" From the album Heavy Nuggets Vol. 6 (October 2022)

Last song scrobbled from iTunes at Last.fm

Giveaway with the December 2022 Mojo, you know, the one with Arctic Monkeys on the cover.

[the-bad-batch-baroness]

Caution to the Wind

Wrecker x Fem!Reader

Summary: For her birthday, Omega asks you and Wrecker to ride the roller coaster with her at the fair.

Pairing: Wrecker x Fem!Reader

Characters: Wrecker, Omega, Hunter, Echo, Crosshair, Tech

Tags & Warnings: modern!AU, family fluff, roller coaster, anxiety, fear of heights

Word Count: 2k

Author's Note: Two fics in one weekend 😱 I think I broke a record 😂 Even though it's shorter than most of my one-shots, rest assured, this idea was predetermined at the beginning and didn't come from my panic that I only have a week left to finish my bingo card 😅 I love the Bad Batch and their characters, but inspiration is a very fickle thing. As always, please enjoy 💚

@clonexreaderbingo Square: Wrecker

It's a beautiful summer day, and as you walk through the crowds of people your senses are filled with the smells of funnel cakes and fried oreos, and the sounds of kids screaming on the fast, colorful, rides at the midway. Today is Omega's birthday, and to celebrate she wanted to spend the day at the local fair with her brothers. Their girlfriends were also allowed to come, making for a fun family day for everyone. It's been forever since you've gone to a fair, so you're also excited.

Omega sits atop Hunter's shoulders and points out everything she wants to do, eat, and ride. Tech keeps a running list of what she says so they don't forget something, including the firework show at the end. Echo is in charge of the map to make sure they take the most efficient path. Crosshair isn't much of a fairgoer, but he would never pass up an opportunity to wipe the floor with the dads at the fair games and win Omega the biggest stuffed animal available.

Then there's you and Wrecker. He's just as excited as Omega to enjoy the fair, but what he's most excited about is the food. Fair food is the best. There's nothing quite like deep fried candy bars and cheap corndogs smothered in ketchup and mustard. You're not sure where he keeps packing it away, but you had to stop after the fried pickles and take a break. You sit down on a bench to rest for a minute, when Wrecker walks over carrying a massive red and blue slushy.

Your eyes widen. "Please tell me that's not for me."

Wrecker laughs. "It's for both of us."

"Oh, thank God," you breathe in relief. You rub your stomach when you feel it gurgle.

"Not feelin' well?" Wrecker asks as he sits down and rubs your back.

"Just ate too much," you answer. "I'll be fine in a bit."

"Guess I'll have to drink this myself then," Wrecker says.

"Knock yourself out," you chuckle.

You continue to relax on the bench under the shade of a tree while you wait for your stomach to settle. It's the middle of the day, and the sun is beating down hard and hot. Everyone is taking a break now around the same bench, making sure to hydrate so the fun can continue without issue. You also end up taking a few sips of that slushy. Omega becomes restless as she plucks pieces of grass impatiently while sitting on the ground waiting to have fun again.

"Can we go now?" Omega asks while tugging on Hunter's pant leg.

"Ten more minutes," Hunter says as he leans against the tree and looks down at Omega.

Omega flops onto her back and groans. "The fair will be closed in ten minutes."

"Actually, the fair will close in approximately eight hours," Tech adds.

 "See?" Echo says as he pats Omega's leg. "Plenty of time to enjoy the rest of the fair."

Omega sits up and rolls her eyes.

"So," you begin, while trying to change the subject, "what's next on the list?"

"Hmm," Omega thinks. "The rides! Definitely the rides."

"Are you sure you don't want to save those until it gets dark?" Echo asks. "The lights on the rides are pretty at night."

Omega pouts.

"Let the kid go on the rides," Crosshair argues. "We've got the wristbands, so we can always come back after it gets dark."

Omega's face lights up and she tugs harder on Hunter's pant leg. "Hunter, please? Can we go now? I want to go on the rides."

Hunter sighs.

"Aw, c'mon, Hunter," Wrecker says. "It's the kid's birthday."

Hunter glances at Echo and Echo shrugs. "Fine. Let's go."

"Yes!" Omega exclaims as she jumps up from the ground.

You smile at her excitement, and stretch your arms above your head as you get up from the bench. You definitely feel more rested, and your stomach has settled since you sat down and stopped eating food. You're not sure about going on any of the rides though. You love the fair as long as you stay on the ground. You mostly enjoy the little shops, stands, music, food, and the animals, but not the rides. They make your stomach queasy, but mostly, you're afraid of heights.

However, for Omega's birthday, you will play along for as much as you can, even if you stay behind to hold everyone's belongings while they go on the rides. Someone has to do it, so it might as well be you. The first ride Omega chooses is an easy one, the carousel. Now that's a ride you can handle, and everyone can still carry their belongings onto the ride. It's not too fast and not too high, just perfect for someone like you, and possibly the only ride you'll go on.

After the carousel, the group hops from one ride to the next. Your plan of staying back and holding everyone's belongings is working out very well, and so far, no one has questioned it. Wrecker knows your apprehension towards rides and fear of heights, so he doesn't have to ask. Even through his own fear of heights, he still goes on the rides with Omega and everyone else. You admire him for working through his fear, for his little sister's sake, and wish you could too.

After a couple more hours of rides, the sun starts sinking lower in the sky and the heat of the day passes, with a slight breeze blowing in from the east. You thought that Omega would be tired by now from all of the walking and rides, but no, she is still moving like she was this morning. You don't know where she gets all of the energy from, but you now understand why Hunter is so tired all of the time. Keeping up with that ball of energy must be exhausting for him.

Just as you think you'll be leaving the midway to get more snacks and drinks before the firework show, Omega pulls everyone to one last ride. The roller coaster. You look up at the colossal giant of twisting metal and lose your breath as a cart of screaming people flies by across from you. That's one big nope from you. You are happy to just stay on the ground and let everyone else fly down that hill to their deaths. You take a seat on the bench by the line and try to relax.

"C'mon," Omega says as she pulls on your hand. "We're going on the roller coaster!"

You instinctively shrink down further onto the bench. "Oh, no, Omega. I can't."

"Please?" she pleads. "I want us all to go."

"Really, I–"

"It's for the kids' birthday," Crosshair interrupts. "If I have to put up with it, so do you."

"I don't like roller coasters," you explain. "They're way too high and scary."

"The probability of getting hurt on a roller coaster is one in one hundred and seventy million," Tech adds. "You will be fine by my calculation."

Echo elbows Tech and gives him a look. "Really?"

Tech pushes his glasses up. "My calculations are never wrong."

"Guys, please," you say. "I'm really afraid of heights. I can't do it."

"Wrecker is afraid of heights," Hunter notes, "and he's gone on everything."

"Well, maybe my fear of heights and his fear of heights are different," you argue.

"Mesh'la," Wrecker says as he sits on the bench next to you. "If you sit next to me, you know I won't let anything bad happen to you."

"But–"

"Just this once," Wrecker insists. "For Omega."

You sigh and look into Wrecker's soulful eyes. "Promise nothing will happen?"

"Promise," Wrecker says with a comforting smile.

You take a deep breath and exhale slowly. "Okay, let's go before I change my mind."

"Yes!" Omega exclaims. "Roller coaster here we come!"

The wait in line for the roller coaster is rather short, so you don't get a lot of time to overthink your absolutely horrible decision. You're not sure how you let them talk you into it, but here you are, stepping into the car of a roller coaster and regretting every second of it. You chose a car in the middle of the roller coaster, because both being in the front or the back is terrifying, then Wrecker squeezes in after you. He pulls the safety bar down and drapes his arm over your shoulder.

"Wreck," you say with a shaky voice. "I don't think I can do this."

"Just hold onto me," Wrecker says. "I gotcha."

You clamp your hands onto Wrecker's arm as best you can and squeeze your eyes shut. You want to get off, but the ride hasn't even started yet. You can hear Omega in one of the cars in front of you giggling in anticipation, while you, on the other hand, are hyperventilating and hanging on for dear life. Every terrifying possibility and horrific outcome races through your mind all at once and you wonder if you should have written a will before you let yourself get on the ride.

It's too late now. You feel the car jerk beneath you and the chain clanking as it pulls the line of cars down the track and towards the first hill. Every muscle in your body is tense and you don't dare to open your eyes, but you still feel it. You feel it moving beneath you along the track and your anxiety grows when your body leans back against the hard seat as the coaster is pulled up the first hill. Every alarm bell in your head is going off, warning you that you won't survive the drop.

Then it stops, and for a moment you let yourself relax, thinking you must be at the top of the hill. Of course, where else could you be? The anticipation of what's to come overwhelms your already tense body and you steal a peek, but instantly regret it. You're up, high up, very high up, and the only way down is to let the coaster take you there, but you don't want it to move. You feel sick and you hold onto Wrecker's arm even tighter, wondering if he feels the same way.

Before you can get the answer, you're careening down the hill at top speed. The rushing wind blows your hair wildly as your stomach enters your throat as the feeling of weightlessness takes over. But before you can pass out, your weight returns, pushing your butt back down into the seat. Now that your breath is back, you can finally scream. You scream for dear life, and you're pretty sure Wrecker is having as much of a horrible time as you are, but he stays strong for you.

Thankfully, the ride comes to a stop back at the station. The safety bars release, but you've got one solid grip on the bar and another on Wrecker's arms, refusing to let go, even though the ride is over. Your body has clamped down and you're stuck. You won't even open your eyes. Even if you try to move, you know your legs will be wobbly and you'll probably fall over, or at the least look ridiculous trying to exit the ride. Then you feel two strong arms lifting you out of the seat.

"I've got you," Wrecker soothes. "You're okay."

"Am I alive?" you ask with a shaky voice, eyes still squeezed shut.

"I think so," Wrecker says, then pinches your arm.

"Ow!" you yell and open your eyes.

"Yup," Wrecker says. "Alive and well."

You can't help but laugh. "Thanks."

Wrecker smiles and gives you a soft kiss on the forehead, which you lean into to help soothe your shot nerves.

"C'mon, guys!" Omega calls. "We're gonna miss the firework show!"

"Can you handle that?" Wrecker asks.

You sigh as your body begins to relax. "As long as I get to stay on the ground I can."

"Can do," Wrecker smiles, then drops your legs so you can stand.

"Actually, can you carry me?" you ask with big doe eyes. "I'm so tired and my legs feel like jelly."

"Always," Wrecker says, then picks you back up and follows after the rest of the group.

Masterlist

AO3

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[seraphimcollections]

fading part. i

pairing: johnny silverhand x reader

summary: mortal enemies from birth. the devil and the angel, good versus evil. you, the prodigy netrunner and hidden child of the Arasaka global empire. him, rebellious outcast and infamous rockstar of Night City. Sworn enemies with the odds stacked against them, but fate is fickle thing.

warnings: gun violence, murder, blood, kidnapping, grooming (not by johnny), rockstar behavior, angst angst angst! sexual implications, eventual smut, slowburn, secret enemies to lovers, fluff.

a.n: hey everyone! thx for the love and for your patience. luv ya!

word count: 2.8

masterlist

//…memory shard detected…[uploading]]]///…[year 2010]]..//..memory upload [complete.]///

The days started like any other. The gentle pinging of the alarm clock summoned the curtains to slowly pull away from each other, letting in the sunlight. You groaned at the sudden intrusion of the warmth of the sun, burrowing deeper into the 1000 count sheets that clung to your frame. You tried your best to hide from the beginning of the day, but you knew your AI companion wouldn’t allow it. Tomie materialized first as a disembodied voice.

“Good morning, Hina-san,” she said cheerfully.

You sighed as you rolled onto your back, finally letting your eyes crack open. Your long dark hair pooled underneath you as you laid there, sleep still creeping at the back of your eyelids. The rest of the room came to life, the gentle LED lights illuminating the marble floors.

“Morning, Tomie,” you sighed, a hand running over your face.

“The weather is superb today in beautiful Osaka, temperatures sitting at 23 celsius. The itinerary for the day includes breakfast, grilled mackerel, pickled vegetables and steamed rice. After breakfast, Sanada-san will pick up where you left off…”

Your mind wondered as Tomie listed off the rest of your day like she did every day. There wasn’t much divergence from your daily schedules which usually consisted of sustenance, hours upon hours of lessons ranging from history, homemaking, advanced quantum mechanics but your favorite, netrunning. This came all too easy for you and it was almost an escape from your mundane life. It came to you like walking, something that your uncle was impressed by, but he’d never show it. By the age of 12 you had already cemented yourself as one of the best, something that even your stoic uncle could find pride in. A nameless prodigy. All because of this namesake. A name that every person on this godforsaken planet knew of, either fondly or with despair, but a name they knew all the same. Arasaka.

It was a name that held great power, a name tied to a megacorp that had it’s hands in practically everything. From what you knew from your uncle Saburo, the corporation dealt in corporate security, manufacturing and banking -- and that’s all he would explain. Saburo practically raised you after your mother passed in complications with an unknown sickness that befell her days after your birth. It was a tragedy that brought mourning looks directed toward you whenever you dared ask about your mother. But just like everything else, that’s all you knew. Even when you tried to pry answers from your servant staff, it was always the same:

“Ah, Hina-san, unfortunately that isn’t for me to say…”

Perhaps a few years ago you would have swallowed these empty answers and carried on with your day but now, as the days rolled helplessly into the next, you could feel yourself getting restless. It was hard enough that you hardly ever got to leave the giant yet empty penthouse you’ve called your home for as long as you could remember, bad enough that you couldn’t do anything without being supervised. Again, in the beginning, having servants follow and fulfill your every whim didn’t bother you, but just as these unanswered questions began to eat at you, so did these instances.

You sighed as you swung your feet over the edge of the bed, letting them hit the chilled white marble. You raised your arms above you, letting out another groan.

“Tomie, start the shower please,” you said tiredly.

“Yes, Hina-san.”

You could hear the shower start from the connected bathroom as you settled onto your feet. You sighed as you stared over the city of Osaka, the tall skyscrapers aflame with giant advertisements. You stared down to the street, squinting to see if you could spot the people, only to find small specks. How could it be that every little speck down there had their own lives, their own hopes and dreams? Their own freedom to make decisions? You sighed as you looked back over the glittering skyline. There’s so much world out there, and yet it all seems…far.

“Hina-san, the water is at the temperature you prefer,” Tomie snapped you out of your thoughts.

You turned and walked into the connected bathroom, steam misting up the shower glass and vanity mirror. You stripped yourself of your cotton pajamas, leaving them in the hamper before stepping under the water. The warmth coaxed a groan from you as the water poured over you. You stood under the waterfall, letting your mind wander. Your mind felt somehow heavy, clouded.

“Tomie, run a diagnostic, please,” you ran your hands through your locks, before stopping to stare at the palms of your hands.

“Are you feeling unwell, Hina-san?” Tomie said, programmed to sound concerned.

You shook your head, “no, I don’t think so? Can you run it please?”

“As you wish.”

You let out a heavy breath as Tomie scanned your biometrics, their data scattering over your vision. It was over in seconds.

“There is not anything I could sense to be the matter,” Tomie said. “Can you describe the symptoms?”

You rocked your head back with a sigh, “overwhelming loneliness and hunger, but not for food. For…anything, I suppose.”

“Hm, I see,” Tomie said, “it appears you are suffering from another depressive episode. Should I call your guru?”

You shook your head as you shut off the water to the shower, “no, just cancel all of my lessons for the day.”

“Are you sure? You canceled them yesterday,” said Tomie as you began to towel dry yourself.

“Just do it, please,” you said gently, wrapping your hair up into the towel.

You stepped over to the cup of real water sitting neatly next to a small dish containing one blue pill. You grimaced as you picked up the pill, examining it once more. Something else key to your daily routine, your medication. You had begun taking it regularly when you first told Saburo how restless you were becoming. Your restlessness manifested mostly in your dreams. These dreams felt so real but it was like you were living in someone else’s body. It scared you, deeply. Once you brought it up to your uncle during one of his rare visits, it was then did you see another type of emotion besides stoicness. He was actually concerned, something that frazzled you even more back then. He quickly referred you to the guru and got you on the most expensive of drugs, and like magic, the dreams went away but not so much the anxiety. With a sigh, you swallowed the lone pill and chased it down with water.

You walked out in your wardrobe picking the same pressed and virgin white loungewear. Once dressed you finally stepped back into your room, collapsing back onto your bed. You let your mind go into autopilot as your hands brushed through your damp locks.

“Would you like your food brought to you, Hina-san?” Tomie said.

You shook your head as you set the towel beside you, “not hungry. I’ll be in my chair.”

You walked out of your room, entering the towering hallway that led to the other connected room and eventually the living parlor (never once used as intended) that led onto the remotely operated elevator. The first servant stood at her post directly beside your door. She bowed deeply, greeting your softly. Her uniform was simple and reminiscent of a traditional style. You bowed your head out of respect.

“Thank you, I’ll be in my den,” you said.

The young woman stood to her height, her expression concerned. You were beginning to get tired of this look.

“Will you not be enjoying your breakfast, Hina-san?” she asked.

You smiled gently, trying to ease the young woman’s worry. You couldn’t blame the difficult job that was handed. Getting to this position was not an easy feat. Saburo was a fickle man who craved nothing but perfection, something that wasn’t lost on the personnel he hired.

“Yumi-san, please don’t worry about it,” you smiled.

Yumi smiled childishly and nodded. You headed down the steps until your reached the below level. You stepped through the automatic clear door into a netrunning den. The walls were lined with countless state of the art servers, the wires stemming like tentacles from them only for them to meet in the center of the room where you chair lie. You sighed, an invisible weight lifting off your shoulders as you stepped deeper into your den. Your hand glided across the white leather of your chair before climbing on. You settled into the leather with a sigh, grabbing the large port that would be your entrance into the net. You move your hair over your shoulder before plugging in, your optics lighting up like a Christmas tree. You relaxed back into the chair, eyes flickering over the data flooding your brain. Perhaps at one time the amount of sheer data held by the entirety of The Net, worldwide, would have been too much to handle -- but you weren’t any normal run of the netrunner. You were the best.

“Ok, see you on the other side, Tomie,” you sighed, eyes falling closed.

“Enjoy your trip, Hina-san.”

Your vision bloomed into pure white, blinding you. For a moment, it felt as if you were falling through cool water, the feeling completely enveloping your being. For a moment, it felt like you would be falling forever before the feeling stopped abruptly. The hum of the net vibrated against you as you finally opened your eyes. Before laid a field of darkness gently illuminated by grids of blue and white light. You looked over your virtual avatar materialized in your space, finding the only difference being your white netrunning jumper. The silence was threatened by the hum of the never ceasing net, which you were well aware was the voices of millions of people scattered across the globe. In the beginning, having access to such a delicate and ruthless place as the net was thrilling. For a while you found pleasure hacking into rival corporations like Millitech or Biotechica, but even this became too easy. Too boring. Not even slithering past the NUSA’s best netrunners brought suspense. It was all too easy.

“Tomie, where are you?” Your voice glitched and echoed in the endless chamber.

In a blink, Tomie’s digital body materializes beside you, her tall frame donning a traditional yukata with her hair tied neatly in a bun.

“I’m here, Hina-san,” she smiles politely.

You smile back at her before waving your hand, selecting a direct strand of the net, its glow illuminating the space around. Your fingers tinkered with, threading through the threads of light and combing out any discrepancies and viruses with ease.

“And how is the Arasaka estate doing today?” Tomie asked, peering over your shoulder.

“Well…” You spread your arms apart, the column of light growing to surround you both comfortably.

Your finger dreamed against your lip as you peered over the collected abstracts that held all secrets and deals of Arasaka. Everything that was Arasaka lied right in front of you, your duty to protect it at all costs.

“Hm, same old things,” you sigh, crossing your arms, “Millitech rearing its head again -- honestly, what could they possibly wish to achieve.”

“Possibly another Corp War for them to benefit from?” Tomie answered.

You sighed, your eyes narrowing in a red speck of flickering light. You curled your fingers toward yourself, the red speck instantly falling in front of your eye.

“How interesting,” you murmur as you inspect the little virus closer.

“What is it?”

“It seems that NetWatch has thrown a little interest toward Arasaka,” your brow furrowed. “It looks like a simple recon virus, I want to believe that they wish to keep Arasaka in check.”

“Hm, how arrogant,” Tomie frowned. “Will we retaliate?”

You took the small speck between your fingers before crushing it between them.

“There’s no use, report this to my uncle’s assistants,” you said with a sigh, restricting the Arasaka database back to a single strand of light. “Tomie, I think I’ll be here for a moment, I’ll call for you later.”

“Yes, but I should inform you about-”

“No appointments or lessons today, remember?” You smile gently urging the AI to simply nod and disappear into the nether.

Once you knew you were alone, you let out a sigh as you looked out into the endless chamber. Your mind settled into your usual routine, preparing to do a thorough sweep of all of Arasaka’s servers and protected data, when you heard something that shouldn’t have been. A voice. Your brow furrowed and you came to stop. Your tuned your ears to listen, only to find the same familiar silence. You shook your head.

“Maybe a rogue AI hiding somewhere, I-”

But there it was again. But this time it wasn’t a whisper, it was a shout. It ripped through cyberspace, shaking you. You gasped as you looked around to see that the space around you rippled and shook from the sound.

“What is this?” You wondered.

Your eyes squinted as you peered into the depths of the Net, hearing the static humming begin to get louder and louder. Scanning the disturbance, you detected the noise was coming from within the Arasaka security servers. Typically such servers were quiet, something that the other netrunners were mainly in charge of since it was typically more local problems that were easily snuffed out. But this was different.

Your eyes narrowed as the endless space began to move past you, speeding through the Net and hurtling toward the noise. The noise became louder and louder the closer you came until finally the shouting and buzzing was deafening. You stopped with a gasp before a glowing red strand that pulsated in rage. It looked almost…alive. That’s not possible, you thought. The noise was almost overwhelming, completely taking over the space around you. Hesitantly you reach out for the strand, flinching at the moment your fingertips brushed against the digital cord, media burst out from it. Your eyes widened in shock as numerous screens appeared around you, the source of the noise becoming clear.

You twirled around, looking at all the screens in bewilderment.

“What’s going on?” You spoke to yourself.

Your gaze stopped on a particular screen. Quickly scanning it, you deciphered it as security footage of an angry mob of people congregating in front of a barricade held up by Arasaka men. The mob had destroyed the front of the building, small fires littered across the crowd.

“Death to Corps!”

“Arasaka is the real terrorists!”

Your heart dropped. They were angry - no, they were vengeful.

“Tomie?” You shouted over the video.

“Yes, Hina-san?”

“Where is this?” You said, your eyes never leaving the screen.

“This is Arasaka Tower, located in Night City of Pacific Coast, North America.”

You swiped away the screen, bringing up another. You listened to their chants, all calling for the end of corporations, but Arasaka specifically.

“Why the anger?” You wondered cluelessly. “I don’t understand, Uncle said that because of our position there, Night City has been able to remain free from the NUSA. So why?”

“There is no use in ever understanding the human condition, especially its relationship with anger and vengeance,” Tomie bodiless voice said.

You shook your head. You couldn’t understand why Tomie was being so cryptic all of sudden. Of course you knew that Arasaka had its enemies, clear by the daily nuisances of the other corps, but you never knew there was this much…hatred. But there was a voice that was the loudest amongst the crowd. Just one. You scanned and searched for who the voice belonged to until you finally found them. Your eyes widened in wonder when you looked over the man. Because that’s all he was, a man. His hair long and shaggy and his eyes obscured by gold rimmed aviators. He wore a bullet proof vest and held a guitar strapped to his back. A guitar?

“Yes, it seems to be of the older variety,” Tomie said.

The man shouted into a megaphone, the crowd echoing his chants. For all extensive purposes, it seemed that this single man had rallied all of these people for this cause. A cause you still were struggling to wrap your head around. You found yourself studying the man closer, partially listening to his hurtful chants. As you watched you couldn’t help but wonder who this man was.

“Tomie-”

A searing white light obliterated everything around you as you were pulled out from the Net. Your bio eyes snapped open in shock, beads of sweat rolling down your brow. As your optics flickered back into frame your den became clear. There was a figure stood over you, blocking out the harsh fluorescent lights. Your chest heaved as the all too familiar voice reminded you just where you were.

“Were you not expecting me, my dear?”

You gulped as you saw your reflection in his glasses.

“Uncle…”

///Memory shard complete…awaiting/transmission…///[ERROR] - MEMORY LOST///

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[theholytaint]

she nickel on my pickle till i fickle

[nnnyxie]

donnie 💜🍇🔮👾☁️

Donnie, who is the first to intercept April’s call that fateful day.

Donnie, who doesn’t know how to feel when he’s made aware of the whole situation. He had answered April’s call with his usual flair, relaxed and amused at the fact that their best friend was still outside in the bitter New York autumn–winter weather; he slurped loudly on his steaming mug of coffee for emphasis. Because he’s a little bastard.

Donnie, who’s the first one out of his siblings to know.

Donnie, who sets his dumbstruck-ness aside in order to put forth what he does best: work and help. April sounded so distressed and that was enough. He could tell she was masking it, though, and that just augments the entire situation. He doesn’t bother saying much – seeing as Leo had been there to hear the main gist of the conversation. The twins move in perfect sync as they prep their individual stations: he’s set in one part of his lab while his robotic arms are in another, and by the end of it, the Med Bay is set up to his impeccable standards; his monitors are set separately with April’s tracker and a loaded screen ready for data collection on another.

He ends up doing a dramatic arm sweep when cleaning off one of his desks– a desk which was previously occupied by a load of junk that Leo had brought in earlier: snacks, a couple takeout containers, comics, a unicorn lovey, a half full pickle jar for some reason?

–and Leo can’t even be mad. He’s too preoccupied in his own mind.

But it’s a funny memory for them to look back on – solely for the way Donnie was so aggressive with it while focusing on something else entirely.

Donnie, who keeps a neutral standing once you and April arrive, but he’s just as worried as everyone else. When you both make eye contact– he feels it. The shiver at the center of his ninpo. The sense of familiarity is strange and overwhelming . . . he’s never met you before. So, what in the name of Ohm’s Law is this?

Donnie, who feels a fickle sense of kinship with you right from the beginning. He won't be the one to tell you that outright, tho. He was far more taciturn in his approach to you; compared to his blue banded brother, at least. He mirrored Leo's tactic of telling you what he was doing before or as he did it, and he moved with the hands of a kind-hearted scientist. Gentle, swift, and efficient. He may not have joined in on Leo's jokes or cute little comments to distract you – but he did give you a sympathetic expression in spite of himself.

Donnie, who runs a RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF BACKGROUND CHECKS ON YOU. I’M TALKING METRIC TON WORLDWIDE DATABASE SEARCHES. HE BYPASSED SEVERAL GOVERNMENTAL HEADQUARTERS, PROBABLY ALERTED THE PENTAGON ON ACCIDENT BUT HE’S NOT FOCUSED ON THAT RIGHT NOW–HE KNOWS WHERE YOU’RE FROM, WHO YOU COME FROM (??), HAS ACQUIRED A DIGITAL COPY OF YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE SOMEHOW?? (which, might I note, got completely destroyed in the Invasion and there are literally no known traces of it anywhere else–) His statistics are simply unmatched. Bro’s weird. And terrifyingly capable.

Donnie, who offers his own bedroom to you when Leo and he are finished dressing your wounds. He had spoken with Mikey about what would be the best things to feed you, and after the intrinsic nudge he sensed, left the kitchen to whatever aftermath of thinly controlled chaos his brothers would achieve this time. After all, it's not everyday you come into caring for a whole child.

Donnie, who had kept track of your vitals the entire time you were asleep, dropping everything to check on you when something went awry. He forced April to go with him (though it didn't take much convenience) but blessedly, you didn't rouse to full consciousness outside of twitching in your sleep. He left April to soothe you even further back to slumber, loitering nearby, stiff and simply watching.

Donnie, who isn't good at emotions. At all. Didn't really like them, either. They were something that was difficult for him to properly process through and were unpredictable. But he does swear then and there that, in spite of all things… you were important.

Donnie, who says as much while they all discuss what to do with you at the living center of the Lair. Despite his desperate masking of his very off-kilter emotions, he was an open book.

He grit his teeth, he worried his lip, he returned Leo's incredulous eyebrow ridge raise with a glare so cold you could've put it in a drink and called it refreshing… and found that in the grand scheme of things, he didn't care.

There were much more important things to worry about at the moment.

That's what he tells himself.

That's what he tells himself as he ignores the fact that he's the one who's most adamant on taking you in. That's what he tells himself as he and Leo share a knowing look again. That's what he tells himself as his gauntlet beeps to alert them all that you're fully awake now. And that's what he tells himself as he and April descend the halls to you. To you. You.

Donnie, who doesn't stay around for all the excitement once you agree to staying. He had turned away and immediately went to work at getting the whole process started – and he most certainly did not turn away so quickly so everyone couldn't see the palpable shift in his aura. He would never admit it, but he was excited. And that was scary. He hardly ever knew you! As far as he was concerned, you were just a random street child that his best friend who wore their heart on their sleeve took in. And yes, that's true in every sense of the word, but everything happens for a reason, no?

Donnie, who's excited for change.

Donnie, who's entirely terrified that he's excited. For change.

Donnie, who may be terrified of what he's feeling, and when he can't filter through these new feelings, shoves them deep down to work through later. Much, much later. For now, he puts on his Big Boy gloves and rocks it as the genius he is.

Donnie, a veritable professional in all things [Name]. Albeit the road to get where you guys are now was paved with . . . well. Oddities. In instances, he regarded you as another “project” or living statistic breach. As peculiar as it may sound, this process is what aids Donnie in becoming much closer to you in such a short amount of time.

He wouldn’t consider himself to like kids: they were sticky, loud, nosy, reckless and gross . . . but you? You were an exception. You always are.

Donnie, who doesn’t admit you become his favorite in a first-rate amount of time, but it’s blatantly obvious that you become his favorite in a first-rate amount of time.

When you get over the initial shyness and come out of your shell (HA.) a lot more, you find yourself wandering into Donnie a lot. Be it in his lab — ... where this whole thing started, really. The catalytic incident happened like this: you bypass the extensive security system without a cinch, he nearly unleashed all seven gates of tech-grade hell on you by reflex because you actually scared the Softshell out of him– but when he realized it was only you, he simmered down to a cold and sulky puddle, if only a little tense. Turning you away was on the tip of his tongue but . . . something, something, stopped him.

Long story short, you ended up staying. He set you down on a nearby beanbag after a very lecturing warning to not touch anything, and turned back to his work. It might’ve come off as annoyance, but he just didn’t want you to get hurt: physically and emotionally.

(He just sucks a–word at showcasing his emotions /aff◝(ᵔᵕᵔ)◜ Y’all get there eventually, don’t worry.)

Then you prove your worth! You’re respectful, and though your eyes shine with childish curiosity, you don’t disobey Donnie’s words and stay put. Lookie, no touchie. And that’s probably what catches Donnie’s attention at first– very early on; he doesn’t outwardly show it, and Donnie is not one to be easily impressed, but you? You impressed him. Greatly.

Also, you’re willing to listen to him!! He rambles on and on and you sit there with a cute little expression on your face. You’re invested, despite what may be showing on the outside, and just when Donnie has it pegged as everything he’s saying isn’t registering to you, you ask him relative questions.

He’s pretty much hooked from then on out.

You get privileges that nobody else does! He sets up a little corner reserved just for you in his lab, stocks up on your favorite snacks and drinks, and he creates so. many. things for you! Gift giving is his prime love language after all.

He sees you as a ~fresh mind~ And when you initially don't decline his interests in the sciences, he is practically vibrating with excitement! Proceeds to stuff your hungry little brain chock full of everything he knows, and beyond that!

However, even if you don't have a STEM-dominant mind, it's okay! If you happen to doze off while he's well into another one of his infodump rambles, he doesn't get mad. If anything, he's kind of... endeared?

He might tease you a little, but it's all from a place of love.

Concerning academics, the help from Unca Don-Bon always ensures that you at most get a passing grade for all your science-centered subjects! Not to mention the science projects and fairs. Oh man.

Y'all either dominate the entire school every time, or you come within nano inches of getting expelled every time.

Oh also also— this man scoffs at modern-age technology, you can't tell me he doesn't. You ALSO can't tell me he didn't create his phone from scratch. Heck he might've created his entire family's phones from scratch. Bro has his own OS and — when you come of age to start holding onto your own electronics — everything you own is patented by Genius Built™. Of course.

Don't insult him (or do. just for the laughs) by utilizing said modern-age technology. Just don't. (Do it. His reactions are golden every time.) He can appreciate good technology where he sees it, but it's not often. That's why it's so funny.

The most he did once when you gawked over the PS5 was scoop you up into his arms and give a condescending look so low to the contraption, it had you cackling the entire way as he ranted about the highs and lows of technology.

But hey! All your electronics are one of a kind! You can't ever say that~ Any updates or features that you want, he makes it happen. He completely personalizes it to your tastes to make it as comfortable for you as possible.

Your acquaintances are mad jealous of your cool tech and you can only knifecatmeme.jpeg your way through like a boss. (Golden ref. 🙌🏼❤️)

Donnie, who all too gladly helps you with your homework! April has to stop him from literally doing all your work for you.

—y’all be getting into the dumbest situations fr 😭 Be it conversations or infiltrating multiple high–standing scientific research facilities or simply discussing the economic state of the world or literally what's better: flavorless juice or pineapple smoothies, y’all gone be the main ones. That’s all.

(He gets you something yummy afterwards tho! As a treat. Bonus points if you don’t snitch. He always takes responsibility. He throws in an extra head ruffle or two. But he always, always makes sure you don't get in trouble. He's got your back, you have his. Partners in crime, best way to describe y'all.)

“If Little Jimmy has 12 apples and he gives 5.7 of those apples to his friend Becky, multiplies by the 7 to the nth power, then divides that all by the median of an octagon, how much horsepower was Little Jimmy’s dad conducting the neighbor’s car after 15.5 minutes exactly of installation?”

“. . .”

“. . . .”

“. . . . . Seven–”

“What in the fresh hell are they teaching you at that wretched, poor excuse of a school?”

(And Donnie loves school. That’s how you know it’s bad. Zeep, blatantly dissing the public education system? More likely than you would think!)

Cue April walking into the kitchen in her pajamas, all sleepy-eyed and confused, only to see her best friend and child reciting PEMDAS at the table. You start crying and Donnie sings the Pi Song with his best opera voice in support.

Donnie, who is very, very protective over you. He's the type to show, not tell, but believe me - once you're out of sight, he has a lot of colorful things to say to your offenders . . .

your foster mother being a prime example.

Needless to say, your foster mom is now completely ineligible to foster in the system any longer (as well as any and all forms of careers in all of New York. And the surrounding states. Probably the whole world.)

—and if anyone has anything to say about it, all he sees is the flashing image of a sweet little child, homeless and scared and alone, braving it out on the streets.

He'll never let anyone hurt you. His tech is always on standby when it comes to your safety.

And I mean, all his tech.

Donnie, kooky, scientific and calculating uncle Donnie –

. . . forthcoming, thoughtful, heart full of love Donnie, who may not be the best with his words, especially when expressing how much he loves you, but is one of the beloveds in your corner who says it the most.

“Haha! Aw, man. I love you, Purple Rain.”

“Mhmm. And I do suppose you’re enjoyable at most, my Young Apprentice!”

“Unca’ Don-Bon . . .”

“ . . . Ah, Sweet Galileo. I love you too, [Name], you already know I do.”

🫐‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪🪻 ִֶָ☾.

(we did it boys *passes out on your lap* Donnie Bonnie is doneeee!!! it was under high construction for quite a while, especially after Tumblr ate it, so this is a revamped version! but just as well, no? :'3 hope you enjoy this one, ceejie pie!! 🥰🤍)

ZEEPIE🫀

i’m still a little sick (& delirious) so i’m so sorry if my reply doesn’t make sense—

okay so— as much as i LOVE and ADORE uncle don….

what if…. NOW HEAR ME OUT OKAY?!

WHAT IF ………. it was dad don™️

dad don that ensures a proper education. he’s explaining the (poorly taught) subjects to you better than any teacher ever could. is he a bit aggressive about it? yes. but does he reward you afterwards? also yes!!

dad don who never expected to be seen as any sort of father figure.

it’s donnie who nearly cries when you accidentally call him dad one day.

dad don who raises you to be strong, smart, and independent. dad don who’s so proud of you when you get awarded for any subject.

and donnie— he never expected to adore a child as much as he does you. but— the moment you looked at him and his inventions with such passion and curiosity… he just knew that you would be the only exception (youuu are the onlyyy exceptionnnn). the only kid he’d ever care for.

but going back to uncle tello— he’s the kind of uncle to do illegal pranks with you— especially when it’s towards your school (again, illegal?).

uncle tello can’t even hear you say “love you, uncle” without wanting to burst into tears— not because it’s uncomfortable but— because, he’s so overwhelmed with joy.

uncle donatello that secretly goes to your school on the first day of kindergarten because, he’s so scared that something bad could happen to you. he doesn’t want a ‘purple dragons’ incident (you’re literally 5??).

uncle don and dad don are both so attached to you because, he’s been one of your main caretakers since you were just 3 years old.

donnie has watched you grow into such an amazing person and he can’t help but feel so happy that he was able to witness it all.

teehee (michael jackson style)

(i really hope this makes sense…. i am loopy from meds)