#I really need to do another spittake bit

[kayzig]

you roll out of bed, get your mug of wine, and are immediately informed by an underling that one of your schemes was foiled by your archnemesis 😔

[iturbide]

thinking about the multi-lingual headcanon’s so fun because it doesn’t need to apply to just Robin

Tharja gets so done with Frederick’s bullshitTM that she starts speaking only Plegian whenever he’s around just to mess with him.

Henry almost immediately joins in because he’s also done. Robin takes a bit more time, but eventually reaches the end of their rope and starts doing it too.

Frederick walks into the barracks? Tharja looks him directly in the eye and says something shitpost-worthy in Plegian that makes Robin and Henry do spittakes.

this spreads to the other Shepherds. Gaius knows some Plegian (enough to comfortably hold a conversation anyway) and joins the “passive-aggressively call Frederick out on his shit” club. the club ain’t Plegian-exclusive either. you speak Chonsinese, Valmese, ancient Archanean? sure, why not, you’re invited. can’t speak anything other than modern Ylissean? that’s cool, as long as you don’t condone/promote what Frederick does, you’re invited. and hey, free linguistic lessons!

Chrom and Lissa decide to dust off their old foreign language textbooks just so they can join in on the fun.

the Shepherds start to feel more comfortable speaking languages other than Ylissean around each other; people start learning other languages, and as they do so, about other cultures. eventually everyone celebrates the cultures they represent with everyone else.

tl;dr Tharja accidentally started a “fuck you, Frederick, we’re multilingual/multicultural now” club and everyone else is invited

(btw i don’t totally hate Freddy, but i also don’t feel bad about bullying him lol.)

the idea of Tharja spiting Fred by openly speaking Plegian in front of him. kinda spiraled woops

I do love the multi-lingual promise of the Shepherds, it's so under-utilized. We've got people from Plegia, Ferox, Valm, Chon'sin, Roseanne...being able to celebrate one anothers' cultures and languages really isn't explored enough. Picking up at least a few different words, like greetings or cheers and curses, let's be real, everybody's gotta be able to swear in as many languages as possible is something that should happen, without question, and I always want to see it.

I definitely see Tharja as the kind of person who would express her dislike of someone by shifting over to a language they don't understand, and Frederick is definitely someone who warrants that treatment in her book.

Henry, though...I can't see Henry expressing his dislike of people in sidelong ways. He's very direct: if he doesn't like you, he will make sure you know it, probably by hexing you. (He joins Tharja in the Plegian only because it's his native tongue and he'll answer in it when addressed on instinct -- and probably ask later why they switched over, not realizing it was a dig at Frederick).

Robin, while certainly vindictive, I can't see being that petty. As much as they dislike Frederick, they would insist on keeping the conversation in a language Frederick can understand for the sake of politeness. (As soon as Frederick's gone though they would absolutely trash talk the man in Plegian to blow off steam though because good gods Frederick drives them up the wall). When they're fully done with Frederick, they will tell him to his face, likely publicly, in a language Frederick knows so that he understand just how fed up Robin is and how unacceptable they find the great knight's behavior.

It's worth mentioning that Frederick does hold a position of power in the Shepherds -- he's not the Captain, but he generally seems to take charge of day-to-day affairs. Tharja couldn't care less if she pisses him off and gets scolded for it -- but other people, who do care about their position in the Shepherds and can't risk potential dismissal, might not be comfortable sticking it to him so brazenly. Sharing languages is one thing -- using them to spite someone in a position of power is another entirely, and could even be dangerous: Gaius, who has already been to prison and left branded as a thief, probably wouldn't want to take the risk despite his discomfort with Frederick's behavior.

Which is kind of a long way to say that I'm always a fan of the Shepherds embracing their multiculturalism, but I'm not really a fan of them using it in such a petty, spiteful campaign against someone, no matter how much he tends to deserve it for how prejudiced he is. It should instead be called out directly and dealt with.

[pretending-you-are-here]

"I'm here." With the siblings of the week... shigeo and ritsu!!! I've been thinking a lot about the kids lately, and also thinking a lot about how you're such a good relative to them. You take good care of them... so continue taking care of them, okay? Hugs and hugs, reigenquest

(Aw thanks, I try, ahah! And of course I will~ These kids are so special to me...)

It's no secret to my cousins that I'm not exactly, well, straight. Or binary. Over the years, they've seen or heard me pine for people all across the gender spectrum, and I've tried explaining to them in their even younger, much more curious years what my binder is for, and why I wear it sometimes. I always did hope that my example would, at the very least, help normalize people like me, in their eyes, and that would have made me happy all on it's own.

This weekend, we were all hanging around at my place--it wasn't uncommon for them to come over, play some games, talk about whatever came to mind, maybe sleep over. I did my best to make my tiny apartment a safe haven, somewhere they knew they could take a load off. Yeah, they were just kids, but a kid's life can be stressful, especially that of an adolescent, and ESPECIALLY that of an esper, trying to navigate a world that widely doesn't understand, or even fears, them.

It's even worse when you aren't what society expects from you. I knew that too well.

As night began to fall, our conversations turned a bit more serious, as they tended to. One thing led to another, and a conversation I hadn't totally expected sprung up.

"Hex? Um...R-Ritsu and I...we wanted to talk to you about something."

"What's up?"

Shigeo turned to his brother.

"...Do you...want to start, or should I?"

"I mean, you actually have it kind of figured out, so maybe you should?"

"Okay."

Shigeo took a breath. I could tell both of them must be nervous.

"I'm here. Take your time, kiddo."

Shigeo nods.

"Um...well. So...y-you know how I like Tsubomi-chan?"

I nod.

"Well, um. I thought for a while I only liked girls...but, um. That's not true. I...I like boys, too."

I smiled at him--to be honest, there was an inkling of a thought at the back of my mind that he and Teruki might like each other, but I also figured it was none of my business until they made it my business.

"A-And, um. I...don't think I'm a boy? Not completely. Do you remember when master Reigen and I had those high school clients, and I had to dress up like a girl?"

Oh man, did I ever. I saw Reigen's disguised mug on TV the day after, and I didn't realize until then that a spittake was something one actually did in real life.

"Yep, I recall"

"Well...I. I actually kind of...liked how I looked, when I think about it. The outfit wasn't that bad, and the braids were...cute. i realized it was just the situation that made me uncomfortable. S-So maybe I'm...like you?"

"Nonbinary?"

"Y-Yeah."

I grinned, excited at the prospect of helping him. Maybe I could help with makeup tips, or cute femme outfits, or--wait, slow down, putting the cart before the horse again.

Shigeo turned to Ritsu, indicating he said his piece, and Ritsu began.

"I don't know if I'm like Shige with the gender thing...and I haven't really figured anything out for sure...I just know I'm...not straight either. But I don't know if I'm gay, or bi, or pan, or what, and honestly, it's driving me a little nuts, because it feels like I HAVE to know, or have to have a word for it, but I don't have one...I just know there's a guy I like..."

I pull both of them into a hug.

"I'm so glad you came to me about this. And Ritsu, you don't necessarily NEED a label, but if you would feel better with one, well. It's okay to change it as you figure things out. You two can always come to me about all of this. I will always be there to help you through, okay?"

"Th-Thank you..."

"Yeah. We figured you'd understand, since, well."

"Yeah, I getcha."

I released the embrace.

"Unrelated, but hey, who else wants to make a cake? Coming out is special, we should celebrate."

[punkscowardschampions]

Janis & Jimmy

Janis: hey Janis: I hope you're alright, like Janis: I am and Janis: yeah Jimmy: 👍 Janis: sorry about that Janis: just Janis: family shit Jimmy: Alright Janis: it's not Jimmy: if any dickhead gets that, it's me Janis: yeah Janis: but Janis: I said I'd try Jimmy: we've both said shit Janis: I meant it though Jimmy: that'll be why you're here now then Janis: trying don't mean I'll always get it right Janis: and will you let me in when I am or Jimmy: you know where the spare 🔑 is Jimmy: and I meant when I said I weren't kicking you out Janis: would it help if I explain or don't it matter Jimmy: would it? Janis: I don't know Janis: maybe Janis: so you know it weren't nothing to do with you or Jimmy: would it help you? Janis: I care about you Jimmy: I care about you Jimmy: stalemate that Janis: It's hard Janis: but this is probably easier than in person Janis: for you too, it's Jimmy: I'll put the kettle on then Janis: you'll wanna Janis: just careful you don't scald yourself with any spittakes Jimmy: I'm not at work and Ian's not gonna comp me Jimmy: 💔🎻😭💸 Janis: no flat whites for him Janis: really like this story and all so jokes on you, sir Jimmy: all black everything for him Jimmy: that's the dress code when you're mourning not being 24 still or at whatever point his #heyday began and ended Janis: definitely several jokes to be made there but I'm not really black enough and you look good so Jimmy: there's been enough #bants Jimmy: it's obvs a mancave for lads lads lads the second you leave Janis: gutted, truly Jimmy: #relatable Janis: ugh Janis: right Janis: what have you heard about my sister, Rio Jimmy: she's fit Janis: is that it? Jimmy: yeah why? Jimmy: like I've heard she's a porn star but I didn't feel the need to do a search Janis: just so I know where to start Janis: so that's her, right Janis: but on top of that she Janis: it'll sound like a joke but it ain't so go with it Janis: married our cousin when she was like 18 Jimmy: hang on, your cousin or your mum's friend's kid who you call your auntie but ain't owt to do with you actually Janis: actual cousin Janis: as in they have the same fucking grandparents Jimmy: how did that come about? Janis: good question Janis: this family is fucked Janis: it's not like they didn't know each other growing up or anything, like they didn't know each other from any fucker Janis: it's Jimmy: I get that, the fucked families bit Janis: yeah Janis: well, that was 5 years ago and they did it basically in secret 'cos yeah, they would've been stopped Janis: hopefully Janis: but now they're deciding they need to renew it and force us all to come Janis: and grace just dropped that in a DM like that was something I knew or would be chill with Jimmy: bit rude Jimmy: all round Janis: you're telling me Janis: she didn't know I didn't know apparently but still Janis: it's just so Jimmy: you're not gonna go and play happy families Jimmy: why would you Janis: exactly Janis: but they all will Janis: they always do Janis: they've got kids and that's a whole other tale too Jimmy: together? Janis: one, she has one that ain't his too Janis: surprisingly normal looking Jimmy: is it? Janis: [sends Grace's insta] Janis: boys theirs Jimmy: he don't look like a 🐙 or owt Jimmy: your sister must be fit Jimmy: rumour mill got one 🏆 Janis: they're both obsessed with themselves Janis: still think we could've diluted the DNA tbh Jimmy: 😂 Janis: alright, you can laugh Jimmy: sorry Janis: would if it weren't my family Janis: try to anyway Jimmy: she cheated on him and they're still doing another 💍👰? Janis: that's the other story Janis: she was meant to surrogate for my brother Junior Janis: who you'll have heard fuck all about 'cos he keeps to himself and everyone forgets he exists Janis: but then she didn't wanna give it up and it was stupid anyway 'cos he was fresh into uni and dating a lecturer like that situation needs a child Janis: and her life's such a roaring success she should be giving a hand Jimmy: what? Janis: I'll give you a sec Janis: it's literally the most blatant and stupid way she's wrecked a life, like Jimmy: 💔 Mia ain't told me 'cause I thought we had something 💕 Jimmy: but it's alright, I'll live Janis: who knows what Grace told her Janis: that one might actually be family only 'cos as I said, no one gives a fuck about him Janis: he stays well away now, sensible Jimmy: fucking hell, mate Janis: just the local freakshow Janis: it's neverending, the amount of shit there is like that Jimmy: I'll keep it 🤐 about Ian from now on like Jimmy: you can have 🥇 Janis: nah Janis: not a competition Jimmy: is a bit Jimmy: just 🤏 though Janis: well I don't want him feeling left out Janis: still a 🏆 for being an outright twat Jimmy: he ain't 💀💀💀 yet Jimmy: still time to #flex Janis: him and shaz can make it down the aisle 'fore them Jimmy: she ain't been back 🎻🎻 Jimmy: can't keep a mum me Janis: letdown Janis: really wanna be a bridesmaid but can't on principle Jimmy: no 😭😭😭 in my kitchen Jimmy: we're all 💔 Janis: stay strong, boy Jimmy: alright fine I'll bring my proposal forward so we can get 💍 before them Jimmy: stop begging Janis: it'd be worth pissing off the pope to piss them off harder Jimmy: 💕 taking that as a yeah Janis: go on then Jimmy: 😍😍😍 Jimmy: brb stealing my dad's 💳 to buy a 💎 Janis: 😂 Jimmy: gold or silver? Janis: it's called white gold, so silver but make it expensive #weirdflex Jimmy: #goalsforever Janis: put that in the vows Jimmy: obvs Jimmy: I'm writing them rn Janis: Thanks Janis: for making me feel better Janis: 🤏 Jimmy: if I can't do that then you'd have nowt to come back for Jimmy: have to hang up my boyfriend 😎 Jimmy: put on my 💔 ones Janis: I wasn't leaving you Jimmy: for now Janis: I won't Jimmy: don't promise owt to me, you've been warned, girl Janis: it's a threat Jimmy: hot Jimmy: alright then Janis: I mean it Jimmy: you don't scare me Jimmy: 😘 me or 💀💀💀 me ain't that the phrase Janis: you can't die right now Jimmy: might do Jimmy: you're really beautiful Janis: you don't know Janis: I'm a state Jimmy: bollocks Jimmy: that's fake news Janis: shh Jimmy: Alright Grace, put your sister back on Jimmy: 🙄 Janis: it's a good thing you can't see her too tbf Janis: not practical having to hide from you for life when you marry in Jimmy: wait, you're with her? Jimmy: I'll hide the body but bit of warning, babe Janis: ha Janis: yeah Janis: IOU on the rescue she wanted to cash Jimmy: if Mia's there an' all & you don't say hey from me I'll be fuming Janis: she's definitely not Jimmy: have you checked the boot? 👀🍿🔪 Jimmy: folds up like paper, her Janis: wouldn't pit it past her Janis: I'll dry my eyes and get on it Jimmy: 👍 Jimmy: tell Grace she ain't having a tea unless she's 💰💰 Janis: She's taking my spare bed at nans Janis: musical faves atm Jimmy: I won't go throw shit at her window tonight then Jimmy: tah for the head's up Jimmy: soon my dear 💕👵 Janis: subtle Janis: find somewhere else to kip, it's alright, like Jimmy: no Janis: 💕 Jimmy: I mean it, don't Janis: okay Janis: if you'll have me Jimmy: I want you Janis: I love you Jimmy: do you? Janis: I said it like Jimmy: yeah but Janis: you can pretend I didn't Jimmy: we don't do that it's like the only rule Janis: if you need a free pass then take it Jimmy: I'm not saying I do Jimmy: just Jimmy: It's nowt I ain't heard before and Jimmy: for what? Janis: what do you mean? Jimmy: she said it and she still went Jimmy: my mum Janis: it's okay, it doesn't have to mean anything Janis: I already didn't promise you, yeah Jimmy: it's not Janis: no Janis: it's not Janis: but Janis: I don't know Jimmy: why couldn't she just Jimmy: why did he have to be so Jimmy: fuck's sake Janis: it's bullshit Janis: and it's unfair Jimmy: you know that I Jimmy: so important you Jimmy: Alright? Janis: I know Janis: it's all good Janis: isn't it Jimmy: Yeah Janis: I'm sorry everythings shit Jimmy: not everything is Jimmy: you're Jimmy: 🥇 Janis: I like you too Janis: you're about all I do like Janis: no pressure Jimmy: is that what you wanted it to mean? Jimmy: when you said Janis: I meant Janis: that I give a shit about you and I think you're funny and nice and fit and I wanna be around you Janis: and I don't wanna fuck you over Jimmy: then I love you too Janis: yeah? Jimmy: I said what I said Janis: allright Janis: I'll come in then Jimmy: were you waiting for me to say it before you got off the doorstep or what? Janis: not exactly Jimmy: [is at the door like oh hey] Janis: [the most dramatic hug flinging yourself at him like it's been 84 years 'cos lowkey] Jimmy: [we're never letting go bitch thank god its april and not the dead of winter] Janis: [you need all the moments so deal] Jimmy: [has he ever held onto anyone this tightly, no he has not] Janis: [the casual state she is godbless] Jimmy: [when you still look more beautiful than anyone ever probably] Janis: [rude] Jimmy: [this is why Grace hates you girl but pop off] Janis: [when you say it out loud but really quiet] Jimmy: [just really snuggling into her like we're not all dying okay bye] Janis: [just saying how she's gonna stay and how scary it was and not making a whole load of sense 'cos didn't even get to that bit honey] Jimmy: [all the comforting touches ever because now isn't the moment to be like um what but we'll get to it] Janis: [too much to try and be reasonable and logical rn 'is everyone asleep?'] Jimmy: [nodding because you can't trust yourself to speak rn because if you start what are you even gonna say like] Janis: [just like yes good 'cos we don't need to be starting any more scenes do we 'this was not how I planned any of this going'] Jimmy: [especially not with Ian cos at least cali wouldn't give you a slap 'bit shit at plans, us'] Janis: [nods and does a little lol like 'understatement'] Jimmy: [just sitting on the step so you can 🚬 cos so needed but pulling her into your lap cos you don't wanna let go still] Janis: [could be worse, could be meth] Jimmy: [true facts] Janis: [now everyone calm] Jimmy: [take all the moments you can to be soft] Janis: [just got no business being this close and smoking but at least you both are so it's fine] Jimmy: [I'd die literally] Janis: [my poor boo can't speak 'cos she can't breathe] Jimmy: [don't like set anything on fire either tbh] Janis: [lmao not a mood] Jimmy: [that'd be next level drama] Janis: [winnie drama] Jimmy: [that silly old bear] Janis: ['is my tea going cold?'] Jimmy: [lols because he's obvs not made it yet because #distracted we've all been there boy just put the kettle on and get no further like] Jimmy: [but puts his hand out like help me up so they can go inside] Janis: [does but pulls him towards her first and is just looking like !!?! all the emotions] Jimmy: [says 'what' in the softest way literally ever] Janis: [just gonna kiss him but so soft 'cos you're unsure but also don't know where to begin with anything] Jimmy: [all the soft kisses and comfort ever because he's never seen her like this before so he's like must not say or do the wrong thing] Janis: [have a brew lads] Jimmy: [fixes everything so actually go and make it boy give her chance to work out how she's gonna do this like] Janis: [makes me lol but also sad like there's so much you gotta explain before you can get to the now] Jimmy: [literally like no wonder Grace don't wanna see a therapist how exhausting] Janis: when did your mum go Jimmy: does it matter? Jimmy: she's not gonna show up here tonight Jimmy: you're alright Janis: obviously Janis: just thinking Jimmy: what? Jimmy: we've got enough milk to see us through if that's what she went for Janis: doesn't matter Jimmy: go on Janis: if it was about the same time Janis: as my sister Janis: Bobby is 6, yeah Jimmy: She didn't leave him in the hospital or owt like that Jimmy: let him get to nursery age, like Janis: that's something Jimmy: might've been better Jimmy: wouldn't remember her then Janis: does he Janis: remember, like Jimmy: a bit Janis: yeah Janis: Grace said he asked if she had a mum Janis: at the fair Jimmy: he's always doing that Jimmy: tries to go home with kids if he likes the look of theirs an' all Janis: fair Jimmy: 💔 I can't get away with it, me Janis: you probably could Janis: some of them have very unsatisfying marriages, babe Jimmy: just trying to get a tea I don't have to cook myself, babe Jimmy: but tah Janis: don't get nothing in this life for free Janis: soz Jimmy: alright, rich girl Janis: shut up Jimmy: 🤐 Janis: you're taking forever Janis: am I getting a biscuit too, like Jimmy: ruin the surprise Janis: I can pretend Jimmy: you're not that good of an actress Janis: rude Jimmy: only if that's your back up career Jimmy: and you'd have to get well fed up of the modelling first Jimmy: unlikely love the 📷 you Janis: now I'm an attention seeker Janis: charming Janis: and the 📷 loves me, tah Jimmy: nah just a 🥇 muse Jimmy: so supportive of my talents you Janis: you are good Janis: no lie Jimmy: [brings in the tea and a mug cake he has made for her to be comforting cos cute nerd] Janis: [what a sweet boy] Jimmy: [when that's about the extent of your cooking ability bless him] Janis: ['you're so-' does 🙏 hands to show 😇] Jimmy: [😏] Janis: [she sits she sips] Jimmy: [likewise just drinking that tea] Janis: [just shrugging 'cos gotta be blase like this is so casual and matter of fact okay 'my sister did run away, like, but then she had a car crash so, dead now'] Jimmy: [just looking at her like ???!! cos what can you even say 'shit, sorry' so awks] Janis: ['was four years ago so it's whatever'] Jimmy: ['did she leave 'cause of all that bollocks with your sister and cousin?'] Janis: ['partially but Janis: 'partially but-' sighs 'she was fucked up because she weren't my dads, third kid in and white, not an easy time'] Jimmy: [just looking at her cos even if you have heard that rumour you'd have thought it was too ridiculous to be true] Janis: [nods like yeah, I know] Jimmy: ['I get why you don't wanna be here, it were like that for us before we moved an' all' a shrug too because obvs also so casual for you] Janis: ['people must've had a field day' sympathetic look 'probably why I said yeah, to the plan, why I give a shit what people say still' shakes her head 'stupid but'] Jimmy: [when you're just having a moment remembering what it was like and you have to shake yourself out of it cos not about you rn 'people are twats, no dickhead but Ian's loving that kind of attention' gives her a look like you're not stupid] Janis: [giving him a nudge like sorry but not wanting to say it 'cos what use is it] Jimmy: [giving her one back as a shameless excuse to then just lean into her shoulder with his for an age like it's not a hug it's so casual bye] Janis: [leaning into it too, which is good 'cos voice is strained now 'cos emotions 'but she thought it was fucked up too, what they're doing, what they all do, she got it, you know'] Jimmy: [nodding cos he agrees that it is fucked up and is also having many emotions but eye contact anyway because wants her to know he gets it and is not going anywhere even though he doesn't know what to do or say about any of this really] Janis: [maintaining even though you'd be trying really hard not to cry for a hot sec there before being so meh it's chill again 'cos easier lbr 'know this is a lot but otherwise you'll just think I'm even weirder, yeah'] Jimmy: [touching her hair for literally no reason like is it even in the way, probably not 'everyone's got something that makes them weird, but you're alright an' all, got loads more shit going for you that counts towards that'] Janis: ['I don't wanna mess this up' and then going in on a kiss 'cos that'll fix this] Jimmy: [letting it happen even though you probably shouldn't because you just wanna make her feel better and also don't want her to think you think she's weird/you don't want her anymore when you obvs love her] Janis: [will stop at a kiss 'cos it'd be clear he weren't into it like per and we don't need that to be a thing for either of you] Jimmy: ['I ain't gonna let you mess this up if you don't let me either' holds his hand out like shake on it with me cos nerd] Janis: [is like 😏 really? but does] Jimmy: [then draws a heart on her with his fingertip like he did at Cali's but on her palm this time after the handshake] Janis: ['you really are the biggest nerd though' but 😍] Jimmy: ['piss off' but a little genuine smile] Janis: ['still like you anyway'] Jimmy: [😏 a look like yeah? and a IRL 👍 because committed to being a nerd now] Janis: ['don't push it, mate'] Jimmy: [playfully pushes her but really soft] Janis: [playfight forever] Jimmy: [just 😍 the whole time like] Janis: ['you really are so'] Jimmy: ['I like you so much'] Janis: [nods 'cos words are risky] Jimmy: ['I- I love you so much'] Janis: ['I love you too, Jimmy'] Jimmy: [gotta just hide your face in a snuggle because dying]

[fara-a-way]

GENIE HIKIKOMORI

Kailey Heather Cruz. Logical, reasonable, down to earth hard worker. Doesn’t believe in short cuts. Doesn’t believe in laxness. Remains true to her beliefs.

One of her hobbies includes porcelain and china shopping. One day, she comes across a copper teapot, perfect for boiling tea water. So she buys it. Then when she gets home, clans the map and rubs it free of dirt, she is suddenly faced with a Genie.

Genie eats her snacks, eats her dinner and asks she uses up her 3 wishes as fast as possible so he can get back in his lamp for another 10,000 Years.

Why 10,000 years?

It is the rule, my power requires such time to recover.

Oh, ok. Hey, why don’t you hang around here a bit more? I don’t really have a wish yet so can you wait a bit?

As you wish master. I shall wait for thee three wishes. Then be out of thy life and back safely in my lamp, forever lost in the sands of time.

It’s a tea kettle, but can I use it to boil tea? 

Nay! Thou shall not flood my home! D:

ONE WEEK LATER

I am with nothing to do…

I didn’t ask you to watch over my house all the time. Can’t you chill in your lamp?

I do not know of which you speak.

The way you talk is proper and old. You should watch some dramas on Netflix. Here. This is how you use it…. And all the movies you’d want to watch is all at the tip of your fingertips.

Fascinating. This… this is magnificent! I shall use this to understand the ways of the modern world!

THREE MONTHS LATER

Master! Please MAKE YOUR FIRST WISH ALREADY!!!!

Why are you so desperate for my first wish? I’m not ready yet. (*Blushes shyly because the genie bombards her after she finished her bath and is currently just in her towel.)

Noooo!!!! (breathes. Huffs. Fixes hair.) It’s simple as fuck. Make a wish. Any wish, any thing you desire. I will give it to you. Is there anything at all that you crave for? That you’ve wanted since forever? Anything- At all?

I… I… Damn it! Stop breathing down my neck! Pervert! *smack

FOUR MONTHS LATER

I have finished all there is in your English Netflix.

And are you done overusing the words fuck and shit?

After you’ve told me their meanings, I had decided to no longer to use them.

Very good… So, what did you do today other than eat and sleep?

I watched Asian drama. *Wo xuehuile Zhoungwen Mandarin. (I leanred Chinese Mandarin)

SIX MONTHS LATER

Merry Christmas! Here, I got you a present. Not that you don’t already eat my food and make my bills higher.

You know, you wouldn’t have to deal with me if you just made three wishes.

I know, but I’m saving my wishes, and I’m keeping you in my closet.

Creep!

Loafer.

Thank you, master… I didn’t know if I should get you something… and usually, I don’t have anyone else to spend Christmas with. Funny enough, I only learned about it after watching Home Alone.

You never spent Christmas with anyone before?

Uh… no. 

Then you’re spending Christmas with me this year. C’mon lazy butt, let’s go out.

Where are we going?

To the mall. It’s the best place to be at Christmas!

—

How was your first Christmas Genie?

I hated the mall at Christmas… but I don’t hate the lights.

Yeah… This is the best part of it.

... Hey, Merry Christmas you loafer.

Merry Christmas master.

EIGHT MONTHS LATER

My mom is dying. She... She has stage 3 cancer in the brain.

You want me to heal her then?

No. Humans are meant to die anyway. And my mom lived a relatively happy life with only one regret.

And that regret would be your first wish, I presume?

I need a fiancé . You’re my closest friend that’s a guy so I wish you’d be my fiancé and propose to me with a ring and everything romantic like that Asian drama Goblin, except none of us are dying.

… What did you friggin’ do?

I… wished for a fiance? :/

Why did you make it so specific? Fuck, I didn’t even tell you and you made a perfect wish. :(

Yay! Now, let’s go and I’ll show you to my mom. :D

Wait… Are you sure you’d want me? To play your fiancé?

Well, we’re practically living together. You don’t pay the rent. You feed off of my salary. It’s like I’m your sugar momma.

(Remembers trailer he was watching months ago…) Gross. I’m finding a job.

Wait! I need to show you to my mom first!

Nope! I’m finding a job. Until then, I’m stalling her “illness” and proposing to you properly. Like a decent person, not like Lucifer Morningstar did with Eve or Ross with Rachel on their Vegas wedding.

I’m not a girl in debt nor drunk! And we’re not really- And he’s already out.

NINE MONTHS LATER

Nice to meet you Ms. Cruz. I’m Hailey’s fiancé, Jean. I’m just a humble freelancer (they came in a luxury car)… oh that. It turns out that my father in the Arabs struck oil and gold… He’s an oil tycoon now and he’s hoping I’d move back there to inherit and manage his fortunes… No, I won’t be living back there when the love of my life is right here.

Isn’t he a character mom?

He certainly is… I can rest easy knowing you’re well taken care of.

(When mom turns away, the two high-five. Yes! They fooled the mom!)

TEN MONTHS LATER

Dude, family meeting.

I’m not part of your family!

Yet. You’re my fiancé, remember?

What does your family want now?

My mom. She wants grandkids. (*Jean Spittakes his coffee.)

It’s too early for this.

We don’t have to make grandkids seriously, like the regular way.

Never in my life did I ever think I’d need to do that-…. My god, just, make your two remaining wishes already and send me back in my warm, safe, cozy lamp! Please!!!! You’re life is like a drama rising up to the climax! You’re digging your own grave! Hailey! DX

I know! That’s why I’m gonna wish for a marriage contract which would give you freedom to do whatever you want in the current wish living your own persona for the next 60 years when the kids I’m planning to have with you are all grown up and independent, in addition, in order for you to live a more comfortable life without worrying in your financial, social and economic life, a prenuptial agreement that would state you keep your shit and I keep mine and we have joined custody of our kid’s expenses and only the finances transferred in a shared bank account can be used for them and considered our communal funds. Would- would you accept that?

… You thought this out, didn’t you.

Look, you may be a genie who’d rather live in a lamp than be free; and still calls me master, then steals my bagels and cottage cheese from the fridge.

But they’re so good.

BUT… I need a person I can trust, and you’re the only person I can trust enough to marry.

Because you can control me.

Because I can control you.

.

.

.

*sigh. I understand. 

ELEVEN MONTHS LATER

Why can’t you just wish for a happy life instead of playing with my heart?

What are you talking about?

We’re getting married, Hailey.

I know. I’m arranging it.

You wished us into a contract of sharing communal funds. Just tell me to put in more and you won’t have to be working your day job and a night job. Just…

I don’t want to inconvince you. You even got yourself a job for the ruse.

It’s not a ruse. It’s real. It’s a wish, and the whole point about wishing from a genie is getting what you want in your hands. Tangibe, Visible and REAL. Don’t you get it?!

I KNOW!

Then Why Don’t You Just Wish???

Because Wishes Don’t Come True Just like that… You earn your keep. You work hard for what you deserve. If I don’t work hard I’ll feel like I won’t- like I don’t deserve you.

Hailey, you know… Coming across a genie is a one in a zillion thing. Getting a hold of a genie’s lamp… It’s not something hard work can do… It’s something only fate can decide.

I… know that too… but I still feel like I don’t… I’m not doing something right by you.

Hailey, you’re the most caring master I’ve ever gotten. You let me lay around your apartment for almost a year. You let me eat your food. Let me watch movies. Heck, you even let me use you as a pillow. You’re the best master a genie can ever ask for.

But you want to go back to your lamp… I kept you from that.

I have a few hundred years after to do that. So for now, please just tell me what you need and I promise I’ll do it.

I won’t wish, but you’ll still promise to do my requests.

I promise. I’ll swear and I’ll promise. When we get married, I’ll promise to do everything I can to show you how much you deserve me and I’ll swear it’s because you’ve shown me how much I deserve you.

Haha, you’re confusing. - Thanks. I feel so much better.

So you’ll quit the night job, and spend some time watching movies and shows with me?

Fine. But when I ask for 40,000 in the shared account, I expect it to be there before the next 24 hours.

And Done.

You- didn’t even take out your phone to transfer…

And as I’ve told you. I’m a genie. And you deserve an efficient one.

TWELVE MONTHS LATER (The day of the lamp’s purchase.)

I’m suddenly feeling very sick. I can’t go through with this.

Hunny, relax. It’s your wedding. You look beautiful in your dress, and he’s a lucky guy. 

(*If only you know how unlucky he is to get me. I’m practically forcing him to marry me, and staying another 60 years in the world instead of his lamp.) I- I know…

XXX

Haley, In the years I’ve lived my life, I’d never have thought I’d ever get married. I threw all of that away the moment I suddenly got my dead-end job and I never quite regretted it until you came along. Suddenly, I want to do better, for you- and I want to love you right as you’ve shown your kindness and care for me as the last year I suddenly landed into your life. I swear, I will never let you down. That I’ll do every wish you mean for the next 60 years or more we’ll be together in our lives, without counting them one-by-one, without twisting them wrong and messing them up. I promise to be the best I can be for you, for our future. I swear to be someone you deserve because in my eyes, you deserve the best. I love you.

Jean, I- I love you, you know that. I’m not the type to say that freely, thank you for accepting me. I know I can be strict at times, and hard to get along with at times, and I can never thank you enough on how you can deal with me. You turn my anger and frustrations into a small problem instead of a volcano, you take all the regrets I have and wash them down the drain. You give color to my life. You- You’re my best friend. You go along with my whims, and take me to places outside the path I walked into a trench. I also never expected you’d be in my life. Of all the people in the world who could have found you, sometimes I wonder why me? — But whenever you hold me, whenever I see you and hear you and laugh with you, I don’t question anything anymore. I swear I’ll only ask for things that’ll make us happy. I swear, to make this the best life you’ve ever lived… and when it comes to the end of it all. I promise, I’ll make you as happy as you’ve made me.

-I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride.

XXX

So… how exactly are we gonna do this? Magic? Science? Or or…

How about we do it how actual lovers do- mmmph

[armor-goblin]

Belated OTP questions!!!! Josie x Ralaferin: 8, 5, 25; Brynn x Sera: 23, 11, 1, 26; Sera x Tabris heist au: 13, 17, 24, 28; Miri x Cullen: 6, 15, 23 again, 30! (I picked my favourite questions and then mixed up for the various ships, feel free to answer whichever questions come easy!)

OH BOY this is a massive list and it’s mostly under the cut!!! 

5. What activities do they enjoy together? (Josie/Sule)

i think they both have their distinct interests; sule’s is to be alone and outdoors, sketching, learning, examining, while josephine’s lies in words and phrases and talk and socializing. sule gets her to enjoy the occasional day hike or climb, while josie gets her to dress up once in a while and go to a party. they probably really like working together in the evening, sitting in the same room within touching distance.

8. What were their first impressions of each other?

sule is attached to the inquisition as clan ralaferin’s expert on elven architecture and history, and shows up with the rest of her clan’s delegation basically because the keeper offered her services. she hasn’t been expecting much from a big castle full of shemlen. josephine, in turn, has almost no experience with dalish clans, so she’s half expecting an elderly expert with decades of knowledge. they are both surprised.

sule’s immediate impression is “oh shit she’s eloquent and gorgeous, oh creators why can’t i speak and why didn’t i wear something nicer???? there is MUD ON MY TOES. she is so pretty. i love her accent. i want to listen to her talk. i hate listening to people talk, why do i want to listen to her talk. mythal help.”josephine’s immediate impression is about 50% “oh she’s MUCH younger than i thought” and about 50% “why was this person chosen as a liaison, all she is doing is frowning and she’s not saying anything and wait. now she’s blushing. oh that’s actually really cute.”

25. What moves do they know work on the other?

you can pry elves with big sharp teeth from my cold dead hands so i think neck kisses and nibbles just like…make josephine melt completely. sule is just completely overwhelmed by holding hands with a pretty girl, tbh. sex she can handle without embarrassment, but josephine rubbing a thumb along her hand instantly makes her blush and stammer.

brynn/sera, sera/tab, and miri/cullen under the cut!! all from this prompt list, btw. 

1. What are things they both find funny? (Brynn/Sera)

pranks are HILARIOUS, especially when they are subtle, and more likely to confuse or mildly annoy than to damage. also, so are spittakes. they are five years old.

11. What causes them to fight?

i think sera can be a little callous, and she’s often inclined to strike out before she thinks if she feels offended, but she’s also got a very clear moral compass of her own despite her style of justice being very retributive. to brynn she’s both a breath of fresh air and a bit of a pain in the ass. in contrast, brynn can come off too stolid or stuffy, and she tends to push herself through pain, which then gets misread as not actually being in pain, and causes conflict between them – and brynn’s a little more ‘help everyone’ in her morals. neutral vs chaotic good. i think they argue about consequences too – sera who avoids them like the plague because they feel confusing, and brynn who ran face first into a pile of them and can’t ignore them anymore in good conscience.

23. Write a ~300 scene between them with no dialogue, only body language.

outsourcing this to another post because. i have. an idea. i have several ideas. stay tuned it’s the scene where they meet for the first time and i have pLANS 

26. What are their favorite parts about physical affection/sex?

sex is just fun for them. sera is twenty-something and stupidly flexible, brynn is thirty-something and has both experience and muscle. sera is also, i think, a very physically affectionate person when she’s allowed to be, and she likes touch and needs touch; to someone like brynn, kind of touch-starved who also loves and needs touch in her life, this is a fucking godsend and there is a lot of ridiculous cuddling positions. they make a point to try new different things for novelty, and then they go back to the same sweetness all over again, over and over. it’s light and fun and adventurous and never quite the same twice.

13. Name something they would never do for the other person. (Sera/Tab)

compromise their principles, i think it boils down to. sera’s not going to dress up like an elven servant and be berated for any reason, even for a good heist or to save someone. she’s going to find another way around that doesn’t involve her being humiliated because being humiliated is pretty much her worst nightmare, whereas for tab that’s a little more par for the course; she’s used to it and can abide it for the sake of a job, while sera can’t. and tab can’t just abandon people in need. forcing herself to leave denerim was one of the hardest things she’s ever done and she has literally no ability not to throw herself in and meddle when she sees a problem. chevalier pushing an elf around? yeah, she’s going to be an idiot and walk into that fight, whereas sera is going to push her to walk away because it’s not their business.

17. What senses (sights, smells, feelings, etc). remind them of each other?

sera for tab: the heavy metal tang of coated chainmail that gets up in your nose and sits on your tongue. the sharp high-nasal smell of hair bleach, and the fine cobwebby feel of damaged dyed hair between her fingers, and the scrape of a razor over warm dark skin. the intimacy of shaving someone’s head for them, and feeling their pulse in their neck as you turn their head to catch the last of the long hairs. small pastries made sweeter by the stealing of them, eaten in the high-up places where nobody sits but you and her, crumbs all down your front and a flask of shitty warm wine and the breeze you’ve missed down in the alleys.

tab for sera: shoulders. ripped cloth, patched until it can’t be and then left to hang loose anyway. the gentle clatter of arrows in a quiver and the twang of a bowstring as it’s strung lost under the grunt of effort it takes to string it. when you leap off a roof and for a minute you are flying and you hit the landing and all your bones crunch together but you still feel a little bit flying, trusting nothing but your body to carry you across the next gap.

24. What is something they have each had to forgive the other for?

their mistrust. tab comes to sera hot off the heels of another failure, shianni killed in her own bannorn, and her abiility to trust is eroded; sera has never been all that trusting in the first place, and she has no idea what to do with this hard-eyed brooding woman at first. they just aren’t in a place to trust each other at first.

28. Write a ~300 fantasy one of them has about the other. 

Minna watches her, in the noon light.

She’s pretty, and animated, her hands mouth eyebrows ears all working in furious concert as she fletches an arrow. She doesn’t do it well but she does it anyway, with an old paint tube full of homemade slug glue between her teeth and her hair like wisps of straw or willow leaves in fall or something pretty like that, flying every which way in the breeze up here. 

She likes Sera’s hands. They’re not dainty so much, they’re broad and thin-fingered and usually covered in nicks, but they’re….nice. Minna’s aware hers are blocky in comparison. She’s chosen to ignore that for now, watching Sera do a finicky task gently with intense, exclusive focus, her fingers sure and precise as she sticks the feather in place. 

She’s supposed to be sharpening a dagger. Her hands are still doing it, but her eyes are on Sera’s fingers. 

Sera would be good at touching, she decides. They’ve been here in Val Royeaux for something like a month and what Minna misses most about the rotten-tooth ache of Denerim Alienage is touch, kind and caring touch. She misses her father’s pat on her shoulder before she falls asleep and she misses Shianni curled up behind her on a lazy winter morning, hogging the blanket. She misses Soris’s arm around her shoulders. She misses ruffling the hair of children and tweaking Shianni’s ear when she swears particularly colorfully. Sera was never really part of the alienage, but she could see Sera fitting in, running her fingers along the bricks. Running her fingers through Minna’s hair. 

Mm. That’s not a thought she’s supposed to be thinking. She’s supposed to be paying attention, running over the plan, the entrances, the cover if she’s caught, the lock she’ll have to pick. Sharpening the dagger.

Okay, okay, for maybe two seconds she’ll think about Sera. She’ll let herself think about sitting on the floor and Sera cross-legged behind her, knees on her shoulders, doing…something to her hair. Combing her long thin fingers through it, scratching her scalp a little bit. Rubbing the short shaved hair just above her ears? Yeah, that’d feel good. Getting a few of the knots out, maybe, her hair’s knotted much more since she’s started bleaching it. She’d be gentle with it. Tug and tug until the hair comes loose and then scratch Minna’s scalp in reassurance, maybe even rub her ears a little bit – 

Sera looks up and says muffled around the tube of glue, “What?”

Minna very nearly cuts her fucking thumb off. 

15. What are traits they dislike in one another? (Miri/Cullen)

HAHA. THE LIST GOES FUCKING ON. really tho, a lot of the traits miri and cullen dislike in each other are traits they also dislike in themselves, reflected across each other and more visible for it. mireille gives cullen a lot of shit about glossing over his past because she’s deathly afraid of the things she may have forgotten, the hurt she could have caused, and the fact that she can’t remember to hold herself accountable makes her sharp with him. cullen finds her hypocrisy and her utter, bone-headed stubbornness infuriating because he sees the same concepts in himself – he unconsciously lets rules apply differently to himself, despite the fact that he too needs to practice self care and needs to actually acknowledge his flaws in constructive ways instead of martyring himself, and he knows it’s unhealthy, but seeing it in her means he can latch onto it. miri hates that self-martyring streak in him because she has a bit of one too, and must take on the brunt of the pain for everyone, no matter what. cullen hates the denial in her because he sees it in himself and knows it doesn’t help (and yet he does it anyway). they both can be a little single-minded and they both can be very…set in their ways? they’ve both got specific, prescribed ways to solve problems, and they both default to those methods instead of looking for compromises.

traits that they don’t each have: mireille can be a little bit pedantic, which cullen finds a little bit exasperating, and sometimes she gets distracted by her own wit and plays around being sarcastic and biting when he’s trying to be serious about something. cullen can be a little too stern and serious and sometimes takes her flippant complaining more seriously than she intends it, which is a bit frustrating for miri on occasion. 

23. Write a ~300 scene between them with no dialogue, only body language.

[undadasea]

like a drum, my heart never stops beating (for you)

Part 1/?, I’m going to post the whole thing to Ao3 once I finish but have a teaser! also i’m just desperate to put out some content hgnn

"You like him!~"

"Shut up!"

Victor blinked at the familiar voice. Katsuki Yuuri, sits behind him in history, and in front of him in math. Definitely a bigger fan of math where he fairly actively answers questions, usually correctly. Victor had tutored him in history for about a week before something came up and suddenly he was tutoring an upstart who's name was also Yuri, but was considerably younger and considerably less cute.

But back to the present, Yuuri likes someone? He turned to look at who Yuuri was talking to only to lock eyes with Yuuri's brown ones, gone wide at being caught staring. Of course, it was only natural that Victor fuck it up by winking at him, causing him to turn away and smack the shoulder of another student, a freshman who Victor has seen Yuri talking to before.

He sighed and turned towards his locker. Yes, you may have guessed it. Victor has a huge crush on Yuuri. Shocker, right? And he also may or may not really want to ask Yuuri to the senior prom next week. Only problem? Yuuri is really good at avoiding him. Like, really good. The only reason Victor even saw him on a regular basis is their two shared classes. But Yuuri is also really good at being the first out of class most of the time.

That one week tutoring him and been hell on Victor's heart. They met up every single day and sure their time was mostly spent talking about old dead people, but Victor had learned that Yuuri has a miniture poodle and enjoys acting, and he had shared how he has a full-sized poodle and loves figure skating.

Right now though, it was as if that week had never happened, him and Yuuri being as far as they had been at the start. The only difference being that they had each other's numbers, but they never texted or anything.

Basically, Victor was suffering and everyone but Yuuri seemed to realize this.

"You should ask him to prom!" Victor's friend Chris said as he bumped into his hip.

"I want to," Victor sighed. "But I doubt he'll say yes, he's very shy."

"You-" Chris shook his head, cutting himself off. "You know what? Nevermind. You do you, Victor. Just don't miss your chance, yeah?" He patted his friend on the shoulder and walked away, making his way with the crowd to leave the building and head home. Victor banged his head into his locker and sighed again. He did want to ask, and he was slowly deciding to do it despite everything else, Yuuri's shyness be damned.

Problem though? He had NO idea how to ask.

He knew ways he could possibly ask, of course, but he wanted one that would garuntee that Yuuri would say yes.

He was one of the last students to leave the building, not having to rush out due to the fact that he walks instead of taking the bus.

His apartment wasn't a far walk, thankfully, because he was too tired to walk far.

And halfway there, he froze as his eye caught a flash of light-blue glasses. There he was, sitting in a cafe, drinking something out of a coffee cup and smiling at the person across the table. Victor stopped walking when he saw him, and watched as Yuuri set down his drink and walked further into the familiar cafe towards where Victor knew the restrooms to be.

And maybe it was a bit dramatic, and maybe Victor could have been calmer about it, but damnit, he had a crush that he wanted to ask out and here they were, with someone else. He got curious.

So Victor walked briskly into the cafe and over to the table which Yuuri had just vacated.

"Hi." He greeted the other teenager who was sitting there.

"Um, hi?" They smiled uneasily at him.

"This is going to sound insane but, the other person who was just sitting here, where they Katsuki Yuuri?"

"What's it to you?" The other leaned back in his chair, arms crossed and brows furrowed.

"I just-" Victor took a deep breath. "I need to know if you're- if you and he-"

"Are dating?" Victor nodded meekly, causing the other teen to laugh. "No. No no no. Not that he's not great and all, but he's my best friend, and that's just weird. Why do you care? Who are you, anyway?"

"Oh thank God. I'm Victor." He stuck out his hand for a handshake, only to have hot coffee spit all over it as the other did a spittake and doubled over coughing. "Oh!" Victor patted his back gently, waiting until the other stopped coughing to grab a napkin and wipe off his hand. "Are you okay?"

"Ah, mhm yup, yeah I'm fine. Victor, huh? Phichit Chulanont, what can I do for ya?"

"Phichit, okay, here's the thing. I really want to ask Yuuri to prom and I need your help."

"You WHAT? I'm sorry, sorry, ahem. Okay, I'll help, but I can't right now because Yuuri's going to be coming back any second now so," Phichit slid a peice of paper across the table to Victor, who picked it up and put it in his pocket. "That's my instagram. Follow me, I'll follow you back and send a message as soon as I'm free to chat. Keep your phone charged, on, and near you. Now get out of here before Yuuri gets back, got it?"

"Not really, but okay." Victor nodded before running back out and all the way back to his house.

[auroraknux]

Another short thing I wrote for my Boom fanon. It was supposed to be a scene in a longer story, but I’m kind of stuck on it right now, so I guess now I’m just writing out random bits of it in no particular order (and seeing how people react to the ones I post).

Anyway, I’ll stop rambling now. Hope you enjoy!

Shadow sat quietly, lost in his thoughts. He wasn’t sure why he had come here specifically to do his thinking, yet here he was.

…actually, he did know why. It was the only other place he really knew of aside from his old home, and his new (temporary) one, that was far away enough.

So lost in his thoughts was the ebony hedgehog, he didn’t even notice that someone was approaching him, until a voice startled him out of his thoughts.

“Shadow? What are you doing here?”

“N-nothing!” Shadow said quickly. “I mean,” he added with a cough, “it’s none of your concern why I’m here.”

It wasn’t like him to be acting so nervous around his archrival, but then again, he hadn’t been the same since everything that had happened to him recently…

Sonic raised a brow. “Ya feeling okay?”

“I’m fine,” Shadow replied, gritting his teeth. He just wanted to be left alone…

…but Sonic clearly wasn’t planning on granting that wish. Instead, he sat down next to Shadow, a concerned look on his face.

“Come on, what’s up? I know you hate me and all, but…you can talk to me. Whatever’s eating ya, I won’t judge. Maybe I can even help!”

Shadow didn’t respond for a while. On one hand, accepting help from Sonic would be the fatal blow to what little remained of his pride. But on the other hand, Sonic probably had a lot of experience in this area–and it didn’t look like he was leaving anytime soon…

Shadow sighed in defeat. “Alright, fine. I’ll tell you: long story short, I made a friend. And…I’m very confused.”

“About what?” Sonic asked.

“Well…” Shadow paused, trying to think of how to explain it. “Is…is it normal to feel nervous around a friend? Like your heart beats really fast, your face feels warm, your stomach twists in knots…”

He glanced up, a worried look on his face. “Am I getting sick?”

That was the last thing he needed right now (he’d just recovered from his injuries, after all)…

Sonic was silent for a moment, looking quite shocked. Then he laughed.

“What’s so funny?” Shadow asked, confused and annoyed.

“S-sorry, it’s just…” Sonic chuckled. “Shadow, I think you’re in love.”

“W-WHAT?!” If Shadow had been drinking anything, he would’ve done an epic spittake right at that moment.

“You heard me.”

Shadow put his forehead in his palms, staring blankly at the ground as he tried to digest this information. Could it really be true? Could he really be falling for Rouge?

After a long silence, he was finally able to speak again. “…what do I do?” he asked quietly.

“You should tell them how you feel,” Sonic replied.

“But she might not feel the same way,” Shadow pointed out. “What if she becomes uncomfortable with my presence? I…I don’t want to risk ruining what we already have…”

“If she’s a real friend, then she won’t hate ya for it,” Sonic assured him. “Besides, what if she does like you back? Wouldn’t you want to know that?”

“I suppose you have a point…” Shadow mumbled, stroking his chin in thought.

“It’s up to you what you do. But if you want my advice: go for it.”

“I take it you’ve been in a similar situation,” Shadow mused.

Sonic blushed a little. “Yeah…”

“And…did that work out for you?”

Sonic smiled. “Yeah. It sure did.”

He got to his feet and stretched. “Well, Egghead’s gonna show up any minute now. If you decide to confess, let me know how it goes, okay?”

Shadow nodded half-consciously, deep in thought once more.

Sonic turned to leave, then stopped. “By the way, I’m really happy to hear you made a friend. I’m proud of you, Shad.”

Before Shadow could even acknowledge his words, Sonic sped off into the distance.

And once again, Shadow was left alone with his thoughts.

[rubiaryutheroyal]

Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth gets a new secretary. The kind of woman who's a bit too loyal to her boss and acts really bossy and bitchy towards other women (Kay, Maya, Courtney etc) who want to talk to him at the office. Of course this results in conflict.

[One day at the Prosecutor’s Office…]

Secretary (via speaker): Good morning, Mr. Edgeworth, sir! A polite reminder that you have 3 scheduled appointments later today: one at 10:30 am, another at 1:30 pm, and the third at 3:00.

Edgeworth: Thank you. I’ve added them to my scheduler. A quick confirmation: are there any more cases for this or next week that are still pending review? I had heard one faced an issue during filing and was thus delayed…?

Secretary: One moment, please… Good news, sir! I can confirm you’re set. That last case’s trial was cancelled in a timely manner. It seems the leading investigator has a few more issues with it to address first, so we will be waiting on them in the meantime.

Edgeworth: Very well. Thank you again.

Secretary: It’s no problem, sir! I’m happy to help! Oh, Mr. Edgeworth?

Edgeworth: Yes?

Secretary: I know I haven’t been around for that long, but I think we don’t need to be so distant with each other. Please, call me Cheryl!

Edgeworth: …I’m sorry, Ms. Hikiyo, but I’d rather we keep matters professional between us, especially while we’re still on duty.

Secretary: Oh, that’s fine, sir. But I was wondering if you had an opening this Saturday?

Edgeworth: Unfortunately, I do not. Why do you ask?

Secretary: Oh, it’s nothing, really. I just thought we could take a bit of time and get to know each other a bit better? Sunday works too. Or maybe we can try next weekend?

Edgeworth: …Ahem. Again, my apologies, but Sunday is unavailable as well. Likewise, I can’t confirm anything for next weekend.

Secretary: Oh, alright. I can wait. And I know I’ve said this already, but thank you so much, sir! It’s an honor to work for you~!

Edgeworth: Yes, Ms. Hikiyo. That will be all for now.

Secretary: I wish you smooth sailing as usual today, sir.

[And she finally hangs up.]

Edgeworth: *sigh* (When the former chief recommended this woman to me, I didn’t think much of it… No, she’s still new. I should remain impartial until she’s worthy of judgment…)

–

[But as any day with Edgeworth goes, something unexpected happens.]

Secretary: The chief prosecutor is busy all day today. If you wish to make an appointment, then please follow procedures online and we will get to you accordingly.

Maya: …Well, that’s disappointing. We’ve never encountered this much resistance ever since the first time we did this.

Kay: *sigh* Times really do change, don’t they? I much preferred the last one.

Secretary: Excuse me, ladies, but I can’t permit you head up that elevator without authorization, and I’m not going to give you any if you keep insisting like this.

Kay: Listen, ma’am. I know you may not be too familiar with us, but just ask Mr. Edgeworth! He’ll know us.

Maya: And make exception for us.

Secretary: For the last time, I’m not doing anything for you! Get out of here before I call security.

Maya: Hey! Do you have to be so rude? We already explained that we’re friends of his!

Secretary: And did you make an appointment?

Kay: We told you, it’s supposed to be a surprise visit! What kind of surprise would it be to make an appointment?

Secretary: Well then, if you didn’t, then you can’t see him. Plain and simple. Now go frolic elsewhere. This is a place for professionals.

Maya: Excuse me, but as Master of a spirit channeling school, I’m as professional as they come!

Secretary: Security!

Kay: *sigh* There’s no getting through to her… Maya, plan B.

Maya: Plan B?

Kay: *whisper* (I know a way in that doesn’t go by the first floor. Follow me!)

[And there they go.]

–

[A little while later, on the 12th floor… the chief prosecutor is enjoying himself a pleasant tea break and staring forlornly out the window. Actually, it’s more because he needed a break from staring at a computer screen for so long. It’s starting to get to him, and these glasses are really just for show.

…Not that the peace lasts for long. A shadowy figure creeps down by his window, but it’s too large to be just a bird and there was no call for any paint job. When he turns to look…]

Edgeworth: *spittake* Kay!? …And Maya?

[The two ladies are hanging from the roof of the building by a wire harness and have literally dropped by his window to wave “hi”. Kay then points down and makes a “one”, then moves her arm horizontally.]

Edgeworth: (Is… she talking about the 1st floor?)

[Then Maya follows up by sticking her tongue out and a thumbs down.]

Edgeworth: (Uh… something down there is awful?)

[And Kay finishes up by pointing to their wired lift and raises him a thumbs-up.]

Edgeworth: (…What am I doing, playing charades!?)

[He fetches his phone and gives them a call.]

Edgeworth: Kay! What in the world?

Kay: Hey, Mr. Edgeworth! Sorry about your tea!

Edgeworth: What are you two doing!? Don’t you realize it’s illegal to scale state property, especially a building as high as this one? Pull yourselves back to safety, please! It’s worrying to see you two hanging on a wire!

Kay: Don’t worry, we’re fine! I’ve tested this wire with a lot more weight before and it holds… *to Maya* Huh? Yeah, I wouldn’t try this if I wasn’t confident.

Edgeworth: *having a headache* In any case, just pull yourselves back to solid ground. Honestly, can’t you two pay a visit like normal people…?

Kay: Fyi, the only reason we’re doing this is because we were shooed away at the front desk. The secretary wouldn’t listen to us when we told her we were regulars… Oh, Maya says, “And she dared to tell us to ‘frolic elsewhere’, as if we were kids! The nerve!”

Edgeworth: (To be fair, I feel like I’m talking to a couple children at the moment…) Alright, I’ll see what I can do.

Kay: Can we meet inside your office? We should settle it with her in person.

Edgeworth: Certainly.

Kay: ‘kay. One moment.

[She hangs up and they zip back up to the roof. As promised, they return to the first floor. While the secretary still refuses to serve them, again threatening to call security, she shortly receives a call from the man in charge and begrudgingly escorts them to his office.]

Maya: Now that’s service! Thanks, Mr. Edgeworth!

Kay: See? That wasn’t so hard, was it, ma’am?

Secretary: Mr. Edgeworth, sir… is something the matter?

Edgeworth: As it happens, yes. These two ladies came to me personally to complain about some poor treatment they received when they first arrived.

Secretary: T-they what? I mean, oh, I’m so sorry you had to get involved, sir! These two just marched up here earlier demanding to meet with you, even if they didn’t make an appointment as per procedure. Of course, I couldn’t just let them walk in unannounced! I was just doing my job, sir.

Maya: Okay, I admit we did seem a little suspicious, but did you really have to treat us like kids?

Kay: And the least you could have done is call him to check, but you didn’t even bother with that.

Secretary: Well, excuse me, but I’d rather not have him bothered by a couple of nobodies who don’t understand the concept of “waiting in line”!

All: …

Edgeworth: Ms. Hikiyo.

Secretary: Y-yes, sir? I’m sorry if I came off as a little rude, but sometimes you just need to put your foot down…

Edgeworth: Yes, and that’s exactly what I’m doing. I was willing to overlook your first offense when a certain justice came to visit, but I see the issue has come up again.

Secretary: Er…

Edgeworth: I suggest you look forward to a re-evaluation of your salary next month.

Secretary: W-what? But, sir! I already apologized for that matter!

Edgeworth: But these ladies are still waiting.

Secretary: For what, exactly?

Edgeworth: A proper apology. Even if they weren’t following procedure, it doesn’t give you the right to dismiss them in such a manner.

Secretary: …If I may ask, just who are they?

Edgeworth: They’re a couple friends of mine. That’s all you need to know.

Secretary: A-and you just let them walk in without permission?

Edgeworth: It’s a bit more complicated than that, but in short, they already have my permission in advance… That they insist on making each visit a “surprise” is beyond my control, however.

[He glares at them, and they just grin back.]

Secretary: …Sir, I don’t mean to be patronizing, but that would be applicable for a lawsuit.

Edgeworth: There isn’t any worth to bringing something this trivial to court.

Secretary: Yes, sir. I understand…

Edgeworth: Now how about that apology?

Secretary: *sigh*… Yes, sir. *to them* I apologize for treating you two as children and I realize we could have avoided this hassle if I had just called.

Maya: You’re forgiven, as long as you’ve learned.

Secretary: Will that be all, sir?

Edgeworth: Yes. You’re dismissed.

[And she walks out without another word.]

Kay: …So, Mr. Edgeworth, have you considered getting the old secretary back?

Edgeworth: That’s out of my power. She retired on her own.

Maya: Aw, that’s too bad… Well, old people gotta retire eventually.

Edgeworth: In any case, just why have you two come here? What is so urgent that you couldn’t call me first?

[The ladies start giggling.]

Kay: Okay, so! Samurai Con. We got ideas for cosplay.

Edgeworth: *facepalm* Oh, for goodness’ sake… can’t this wait? I’ve already agreed to join you for it…

Maya: We’ll only take a bit, Mr. Edgeworth! Now, we’re debating between dressing up Pearly as Lady Misola or Princess Strawberry, and we only have enough cloth ready for one of them.

Kay: Actually, we’re still missing a few things here and there, but they should be arriving by mail soon.

Edgeworth: …So just why is it that you two had to come ask me in person?

[Maya pulls out a piece of paper from her obi and unfolds it for him. It’s a layout of various shades of pinkish-red and light blue.]

Maya: We’re stuck on the shade of color.

Edgeworth: …

Kay: Well?

Edgeworth: Well… couldn’t one of you have sent me a copy of that paper electronically, so we wouldn’t need to be here talking about this right now?

Maya: But I don’t have a scanner or copier back home.

Kay: And mine ran out of ink.

Edgeworth: You can buy more ink!

Kay: That’s too much trouble! We’d rather see you in person!

Edgeworth: *grumble*

[After a bit of examination, he helps them pick out the most appropriate shades. And so yet another morning is ruined thanks to the shenanigans of Kay Faraday and her partner in mischief, Maya Fey.]

Kay: Hey! Don’t word it like that! We had good intentions behind it!

Maya: Anything done for Pearly is worth going overboard!

Edgeworth: Yes, of course… Now get out.

[elliotthezubat]

DEATH CITY DAYS CHAPTER 117

 Duncan: *approaches the library desk* "..." *rings the bell--*

Poe: "EEEEEK!" *falls back*

Duncan: "..." *drops a pile of books* "Isn't there usually another librarian here?"

rowena: she's currently out on a mission.

Poe: "S-She's on a mission?" *picks himself up*

Duncan: "..."

*the books seem to be about weapon abilities...*

Poe: *flipping through the books, and as he scans one--*

Duncan: *spots an image of something called the Holy Sword* "What is--"

rowena: isnt that-

hiro: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! *KICKS THE BOOK INTO A WALL*

Duncan: "?!! I was reading that--"

Poe: "THAT IS DAMAGING LIBRARY PROPERTY!"

rowena: 0____0

hiro: trust me, the less known about that-...that THING...the better!

Duncan: "..." *wipes his eyes*

EF: *enters, panting* h-hiro..h-how do you even run that fast?

hiro: sixth sense.

Poe: "Oh, that's fascinating! Look, Rowena--psychic abilities..."

Duncan: *grabs the books, hugging them close as he walks away*

EF: *notices him* ??

rowena: is that true?!

hiro: only in regards to this subject.

rowena: is that so? could it be....you're a descendant of king arthur pendragon himself?!

*loud steps are heard running into the library*

rowena: hmm?

*the doors kick open--as Arthur slams his foot into Hiro's head*

EF: D8

hiro:......HOW DID YOU GET HERE ALL THE WAY FROM THE 8TH BRIGADE BASE?!

Arthur: "I AM THE KNIGHT KING--MY SPEED IS LEGENDARY!"

Poe: >3< "Shhh!"

EF:.....perhaps it's best not to question it anymore. *sweatdrop*

-elsewhere-

present mic: you guys ever think about having kids?

midnight: *SPITTAKE*

blood king: what brought this up?!

present mic: *shrug*

Aizawa: "...I already have cats and 2 morons."

midnight: oh, i could never have kids. i mean, i could, but i dont think i'd be able to look after small children. they may be cute, but they're crafty little buggers.

present mic: is it cuz your paranoid they'll get into your stash of stuff?

midnight: YOU DONT HAVE TO BE SO BLUNT ABOUT IT!! DX<

Aizawa: -_______-

*knock on the door*

blood king: ??

Shinso: *slides the door open...he's with Yuuji*

Aizawa: "Oh, there you are. Finish cleaning up?"

yuuji: yeah.

Shinso: *writes on whiteboard* <I can keep them quiet.>

yuuji: well, i've had several younger siblings during my times in foster care, so i think i can handle them well enough.

blood king: *ahem* as i myself was about to say, my sister sometimes asks me to look after her little ones. *shows a picture on his phone of two young boys and a young girl, all with the same hair color and fangs as him*

Aizawa: "..."

Shinso: <Strong family resemblance.>

blood king: they certainly are popular among my students.

{pony: SO CUUUTE!!}

{itsuka: they look just like you!}

{shouda: i wonder if their quirks will be the same as his.}

{kinoko: dude, that's rad}

yuuji: i see.

Aizawa: "You stop class to show baby photos?"

blood king: -_-; this was during homeroom.

Aizawa: "Still class."

blood king: >n<

midnight: boys, just because we're talking about children doesnt mean you should be acting like children.

Shinso: <Ha.>

-elsewhere-

Chuuya: *lying back in a beach chair* =u=

miyuri: *pokes a hole in the sand with her shovel until a crab comes out* oh!

Crab: "..." *steps to the side*

miyuri: *staring intently, with shiny eyes*

Crab: "..." *steps again to the side, picking at the sand*

sonia: *collecting rocks and shells*

*there's a shiny rock by the tide*

sonia: *picks it up*

*it sparkles like diamond under the sunlight*

sonia: *puts it into her bucket and walks over to chuuya*

Chuuya: *stretches* *looks* "Hey! How you enjoying the beach?"

sonia: pretty good. i found this.

Chuuya: "Wow, that's shiny!"

-near the rocks, the sound of a little girl crying can be heard-

miyuri: ??

sonia: do you hear that?

???: *sniffle* waaaah! mamai! w-whe-where are you? *crying*

miyuri: *goes over*

sonia: miyuri!

miyuri: *peeeeeeks*

-there's a young girl sitting on one of the rocks, her lower half not visible from where miyuri is standing-

miyuri: HI FRIEND!

girl: ?!?!?!? *turns to look*

Chuuya: "..."

sonia: are you alright? we wont hurt you, promise.

girl: um..i-i...i got lost a-and i-i cant f-find my mu-mama. *hic*

Chuuya: "Where did you last see her?"

girl: w-we were going t-to the docks b-bu-but then i got s-swept up in the current.

sonia: ?? !!! papa....her lower half....

-the girl has no legs.....but a tail?-

Chuuya: "...Forgive me being obtuse, but are you a mermaid?"

girl: *nods* i-i came with mamai for her job. sh-she trades pearls with the land people. b-but i-i dont know where she iiiis! *crying*

miyuri:...it's ok! we'll help you find your mommy!

girl: y-you will?

Chuuya: *looking around* "Maybe the docks, but that's some distance."

miyuri: miyuyu....ah! miyuri has an idea! *drawing something in the sand*

sonia: ??

-miyuri has drawn a walking bathtub full of ocean water-

miyuri: TADA!

girl: oh!!

Chuuya: ._.; "That's something alright. Let's help you in, um...What's your name?"

girl: my name's Elodie.

Chuuya: "Okay, let's help you in, Elodie."

-elsewhere-

Crona: *lying down* "..."

mami: *sitting next to them* how are you feeling?

Crona: "I feel wiped out--like every bit of energy pulled out of me."

mami: i could imagine.....im just....so glad you're alright....

Crona: *weak smile, sniffles* "I-I'm not sure what to feel."

mami: well. im hoping for the best...*pats their hand*

Crona: "Hee..."

mami:...*gently kisses their knuckles*

Crona: =\\\\= "Mami..."

mami: ^////^ your blushing is different now.

Crona: "Wh-What?!" O\\\\o

mami: *hands them a pocket mirror* the color's different now, see? it's more of a pink color now.

Crona: "... ... ..." *crying*

mami: !!!!

Crona: T~T "I-I can't believe all of this..."

mami:......*hugs*

Crona: *hugging her* "I-I am happy but scared...Mami..."

mami:....it'll be ok....its going to be ok.....

Crona: *nod nod* "*hic*"

-elsewhere-

Asher: *sitting at a fast food restaurant with a box of chicken nuggets in front of them* "..." *has been dunking one in ketchup for a minute*

izumi: hey, you ok?

Asher: "Hmm? Yeah. Why?" *the entire nugget is just ketchup now*

izumi: your nugget....

Asher: "...I was wondering why my fingers felt gross." *wipes them on a napkin* "Distracted."

izumi:...wanna talk about it or...

Asher: "...Just the training camp..."

izumi:.......

Asher: "...You could've gotten killed."

izumi:.....

Asher: "...I wasn't of any help."

izumi: that's not true, you helped zeke.

Asher: "But not to you. I don't know what exactly a weapon is supposed to do when--whatever that thing was attacked..."

izumi:......

Asher: "I don't know that I could've done anything...You seemed to reach her well enough."

izumi:....i guess so.....i could have easily just left her behind, after everything she did......

Asher: "But that's not who you are."

izumi: if i did leave then, i wouldnt have been able to forgive myself...

Asher: *nods* "That makes sense...You're a good person."

izumi: so are you.

Asher: "...Thanks."

-elsewhere-

sonia: there's the docks.

Chuuya: *guiding the bathtub* *looks around*

-a woman in the water is talking to a man in a boat, she seems frantic-

elodie: !!!! mamai!!

Elodie's Mother: "?!!" *turns* "Elodie!" *swims towards them*

miyuri: *waves*

elodie: *jumps into the water and hugs* TT~TT

Elodie's Mother: *stroking her head* "My poor baby! I was scared to death!"

miyuri: miyuri, sonia, and papa found her by the rocks and helped her find you! ^^

sonia:..........

Elodie's Mother: *shaking, looking at them* "Th-Thank you..."

miyuri: you're welcome. ^^

Chuuya: "Y-Yeah..." ("Didn't think I'd see a mermaid.")

-elsewhere-

Monica: -_-# "So, you going to rat me out to Mom and Dad?"

lorenzo: well, obviously they need to know what happened, right?

Monica: >_<# "You don't have to narc on me to them about a two-week suspension! Just make something up!"

lorenzo: hmmm. how about we break your leg?

Monica: "?!! YOU WOULDN'T! R-Right?"

lorenzo: <chill sis> im bluffing.

Monica: -~-; "Ha ha..." <Asshole.>

lorenzo: well, mom and papi are probably still at work, so you want something to eat in the meantime?

Monica: "Duh--I was stuck in the desert and then getting poked and prodded at school all day--I'm starving."

lorenzo: anything in mind? *putting on the apron*

Monica: "Whatever is fastest--even leftovers."

-elsewhere-

Saria: *texting* [i think i'm on house arrest for the next millennium. : p ]

hibiki: [ouch, that bad huh?]

Saria: [the dads were not pleased. but i think they'll calm down with time. how are u?]

hibiki: [death by lecture from the fam via phonecall #riparroni]

Saria: [oh no! i'm sorry. are u alright?]

hibiki: [it's cool. axel + zeke got a lot of shit from their mom, tho. other than that, all good]

-zeke joined the chat-

Saria: [speaking of which...]

zeke: [axel's writing his will as we speak. he wants the space jam theme played at his funeral]

hibiki: [is that meme still a thing? wtf?]

zeke: [memes R forever]

Axel: [it makes my heart soar. like that song]

hibiki: *she sends a pic of herself facepalming*

Saria: [ ^^; i see u 2 are in well enough spirits]

Axel: [i am happy not to be dead]

-elsewhere-

miura: sir? are you drunk? -_-;

Mori: *hic* "I'm so lonely!!!"

elise: sucks to be you.

Mori: TT~TT "So mean!"

miura: -_-; why not call up an escort?

Mori: *sniff* "My favorite blacklisted me."

elise: not surprised.

Mori: "I need to find an-an-another..."

miura: then why not try a dating site?

Mori: "R-Really?"

miura: it's worth a try, isnt it?

Mori: "...Elise, bring me my laptop."

-elsewhere-

higuchi: ...gin, did you feel that too?

Gin: "Oh, yeah."

higuchi: *urk*

Gin: -~- "I'll get the ginger ale."

-elsewhere-

Kid: "Stocking, come to bed--you can continue tomorrow."

stocking: just...a little....*yaaaaAAAAWWWwwn* more....

Kid: *holds her up* "It'll be here tomorrow. Let's get you some sleep."

stocking: =~=

Kid: ^^; *walks with her*

-elsewhere-

Kau'i: *crushes a soda can on his forehead* "That was insane! What the hell was that black stuff?!"

dagon: i'll start looking into it now, sir.

audrey: Q~Q i've never been so scared in my whole life!

Derek: "Quite scary indeed." *shivers* "I don't think that was what Mr. Barret was anticipating on this trip."

lumina: do you think it could have been related to the moon incident?

nisha: that's a possibility.

Kau'i: *suddenly has a giant muffin in his mouth* "Huh? What Moon thing?"

lumina: didnt you see the news? *pulls up an article*

Kau'i: *munch, chew, swallow* "I don't read the news. That's how you end up having to debate people who really think the Earth revolves around the Sun."

Derek: "..." *opens his mouth...then just shuts up*

-elsewhere-

Ragnarok: *gobbling Jell-O* "OH MY DEATH, MY TASTE BUDS ARE INCREDIBLE!!!" *shakes an empty glass* "MORE MILK!"

nurse: how much is he going to eat? .____.;;;

Blair: *hiding behind the nurse* "I don't know--and I'm really scared!" >~<

Crona: .______________.

mami: oh dear.....

Ragnarok: *staring at Crona and Mami* "...Dang, Crona, you look scrawnier from this angle!"

Crona: >_<; "It's not my fault that I had to eat for both of us all this time!"

mami: hmm. that just leaves the rooming situation...

Ragnarok: "... ... ...I don't think the bed is big enough."

mami: you're on the couch.

Ragnarok: "WHAT?! We're not even going to flip Crona for it?!"

Crona: "Flip a coin!"

Ragnarok: "You heard what I said!"

mami: *protective hug for chrona as she GLARES at ragnarok*

Ragnarok: *frowns...then opens his mouth, a giant slithering pink tongue blowing a raspberry and revealing rows of teeth*

mami: ._.;

Crona: O_O; "What the heck kind of body did they give you?!"

Ragnarok: "...The kind that lets me lick the peanut butter out of the bottom of the jar now--WOOT!"

-elsewhere-

Black Star: *holding the broken sink...as the pipe that once connected it is leaking water* O_O;

himawari: D8

tsubaki: what on earth??

Black Star: "I DON'T KNOW MY OWN STRENGTH RIGHT NOW, AND IT'S FREAKING ME OUT!" *steps forward--and his foot falls through the bathroom tile* "SHIT!"

tsubaki:....im calling stein.

Black Star: "This can't get any worse--"

*Black Star crashes through the floor*

Black Star: "AAAAAAAH--"

*BOOM*

-elsewhere-

Chuuya: *studying a string of pearls*

miyuri: *asleep*

sonia:......

Chuuya: *sets them down* "Did you have fun, Sonia?"

sonia:....*nods*.......

Chuuya: "Same. We'll have more tomorrow."

sonia:....im glad....we helped elodie find her mama......

Chuuya: "..." *nods*

sonia:.....it must be nice. being hugged by a mama....

Chuuya: "Sonia..."

sonia:....am i a bad person? for being jealous of her?

Chuuya: "No--feeling that way is completely normal. What we do with those feelings is what matters."

sonia:.....may i have a hug?

Chuuya: "Always..." *hug*

sonia: thanks papa.....

Chuuya: "You're welcome. I love you."

-elsewhere-

Harvar: "Ugh, no one here sees anything..."

kim: they seem a bit hesitant....

Jacqueline: "Give them time to get used to us..."

kim: what are we even supposed to be doing on this mission again anyway?

Harvar: "Locals and their livestock and crops have gone missing."

kim: ah.

Jacqueline: "Disappearances tend to happen overnight, so we'll need shifts to be nightguards."

ox: right.

Thunder: *yawns* =A=

-the next day-

suzune: *yaaaawn*

arisa: wakey wakey! we have a busy day today!

Chisato: *making breakfast*

suzune:.....how long have we been in kamihama now? -_-;;

Matsuri: "Quite a while, actually." *sets out a cereal bowl*

-elsewhere-

Kid: *yawns...reaches across the bed--and finds it empty* "???" *sniffs*

stocking: *looking exhausted* good morning darling. =u=

Kid: "??? Hey. Were you working again?"

stocking: yes.

Kid: ^^ *leads her to bed* "Now, lie down, and think of pleasant, happy dreams."

-elsewhere-

gin: ryuu, its time for breakfast!

Akutagawa: *grumbles*

gin: we're making omurice!

Akutagawa: "..." *walks out* "Coming."

higuchi: looks like theres going to be a night market at the park tonight.

Akutagawa: "Hmm." *nom* "You going?"

higuchi: yeah, might find some nice deals. ^^

Gin: "We could use something to make the living room look a bit more complete. Maybe a sculpture."

-elsewhere-

Black Star: *sticks out his tongue*

Stein: *looking in his mouth* "Well, it's not fuzzy..."

nurse valentine: *taking notes*

Stein: "Well, it's obviously a soul strengthening that is channeling your latent and trained muscular power to exert greater force."

Black Star: "... ...Obviously. Now put it in a way I can understand."

Stein: "Whatever has altered in the atmosphere is giving your soul more power, which is strengthening your body."

Black Star: "..." *rubs his eyes, then looks at Valentine--* "?!!!!"

nurse valentine: what he said.

Black Star: "Nah, nurse--what the hell is that stuff on you?!"

Stein: "..." *looks* "There's nothing on her."

*Black Star is seeing...something glowing around her and Stein...*

nurse valentine: what exactly do you see?

Black Star: "It's all glowy and wavy!"

nurse valentine: *glances at stein*

Stein: "I see...Your soul perception up to now has been pathetic. Now this power boost is letting you see them--"

*SPLASH*

Stein: *dripping wet* "..."

Black Star: *holding an empty glass* "...IT'S STILL THERE!"

nurse valentine: -____-;; i see his mental perception still leaves much to be desired...

Stein: "Small miracles..." *takes a surgical cloth to wipe his glasses, while looking at Black Star...he sees his soul* "But it is as I said: his power is increasing. And given what happened to Crona, I would not ignore the common cause."

nurse valentine: meaning this is related to what happened with the moon....

Stein: "A power...out of madness."

-elsewhere-

atsushi: *yaaaaaawn* -~-;;

Kyoka: "Good morning."

atsushi: i see you're already awake.

sylvia: *resting on the couch*

Kyoka: *sets out rice* "Yes. What would you like to drink?"

atsushi: some milk would be fine.

Kyoka: *nods* *walks to the fridge, looking out the window* "...Oh."

atsushi: *goes over to look*

*Dazai is setting up bricks in the yard*

atsushi: *sigh* i'll go check it out. i'll get the mail too while im down there. *exits and heads over to where dazai is* do i even want to know?

Dazai: *sets a board over the bricks* "Good morning, Atsushi! I'm making a see-saw!"

atsushi: for...?

Dazai: "The baby, of course!" *stands on one side of the board* "See? Then I add the hinge to let it swing up and down."

atsushi: i see. *examining the see-saw* points for innovation, but im not sure it's exactly....child safe. *sweatdrop*

Dazai: "Fortunately, I have determined a good way to test this." *looks up to the tree* "Okay, Kenji--let 'er rip!"

kenji: *waves*

atsushi: O____O;;;

Dazai: *readies himself*

kenji: *drops an old car onto the board*

*Dazai goes flying up--and crashes into barrels behind him*

atsushi: *wince*

Dazai: "I'm okay! ...Oh, I found a mouse--AH, GOD, MY FACE!"

-elsewhere-

chie: *filling up a kiddy pool*

Yohei: "Looking forward to this, kiddos?"

io: yappi!

toru: ah!

Tool: "Careful with that--maybe a floatie is needed..." *holds up a rubber ducky to Io*

io: *squeaks it* *laughs*

Yohei: "Cute." *picks up Toru, carefully putting him into the pool*

toru: *splashes his hands on the water*

Yohei: *rubs his own arm* "You seem pleased."

Tool: "Up you go..." *lifts Io and puts them into the pool*

-elsewhere-

Chuuya: *looking under the bed* "??? Um, Mito? Mito? Where are you..."

mito: *mrrp* *sitting on the couch*

Chuuya: *stands up--and hits his head under the bed* "OW!" *looks at the couch* "Ugh...There you are."

mito: *purrs*

Chuuya: *strokes her back* "Where did you run off to?"

-elsewhere-

Crona: *looking out the window*

lord death: good morning.

Crona: "Oh...Hello, sir."

lord death: how are you feeling?

Crona: "Okay...A little different."

lord death: *nods* i see.

Crona: "...Thank you for this. I never felt I deserve this..."

lord death: it's not about 'deserving' or not.

Crona: "I-I'm sorry--I'm not used to thinking that way."

lord death: it's quite alright. have you had breakfast yet today?

Crona: *shakes their head* "Still getting used to adjusted hunger--as I'm not two people now."

lord death: ah... well, im going to be doing a soul scan for you now, to see how the proporties of your soul have changed.

Crona: *gulps* "I-I see...Or don't. Should I be worried?"

lord death: not to worry, this will only take a moment, and it's painless.

Crona: "..." *nods* *sits still*

-later-

lord death: hmm, interesting.

Crona: .~.;

lord death: seems you have magic potential within you. although given your parentage, i suppose this is unsurprising.

Crona: "...It's a little surprising!" *looks at their hands* "I never tried..."

lord death: never to late to learn, i suppose.

Crona: "Who would even teach me?"

lord death: i can think of a few people...

-elsewhere-

Kimizuki: *staring at his phone*

hyakuya: *taps her foot as she stares out the window* boooriiiiing.....

Kimizuki: "It's called off-time. Enjoy it."

Yoichi: *reading a newspaper*

mitsuba:.....how about we go over to the batting cages?

Yoichi: "Oh, fun!"

Kimizuki: "Hmm...Could be good for aim."

hyakuya: sounds great!

-and so-

Yoichi: *puts on the helmet--and it's too big* ._.;

mitsuba: ^w^ not to brag, but i _was_ on my elementary school's baseball team as a kid.

shinoa: i think i remember that. you were known as the blonde ogress who made 5 boys cry.

mitsuba: >n<#

Yoichi: ^^; *backs away*

Kimizuki: "Checks out."

mitsuba: HEY! D8<

hyakuya: loser buys lunch! *takes her stance*

Yoichi: "Good luck!"

-the ball is thrown-

hyakuya: *swings....letting go of the bat and getting hit in the face* GRF-

Kimizuki: "..." *facepalm*

Yoichi: D8 "Oh no!"

hyakuya: *nose bleeding* IM OUT OF PRACTICE! CUT ME SOME SLACK! >n<

mitsuba: that.....that was the worst baseball fail ever......in the history of literally everything.

hyakuya: YOU ARENT HELPING!!

Yoichi: *offers tissues*

-shinoa's phone dials-

shinoa: ?? *answers* hello~? ^^

Guren: "Mission briefing in 10 minutes."

shinoa: ok. we got a mission

Kimizuki: "Oh, joy. So much for rest."

mitsuba: *pouts*

-elsewhere-

chess: hmm.... im soo booooored!

crowley: *checking his phone* ooh! text from ferid!

chess: oooh! what'd he say!

crowley: you know that guy shahal?

chess: he's in charge of keeping livestock, right?

crowley: well, apparently he's been neglecting his duties as of late, and several humans have escaped.

Horn: "Oh, that's no good. Is our priority to retrieve the humans, or punish Shahal?"

crowley: given how often humans make more humans, i say our main priority for now is shahal.

Horn: "...Flawless logic. Very well."

-elsewhere-

stocking: *checking recipes*

Rin: *tapping his fingers* "So what're you thinking?"

stocking: im thinking a brownie coffin filled with little candies for the desert.

Rin: "Oh, creative! Would definitely appeal to the Death Children..." *opens a book* "How many courses is this again?"

-elsewhere-

Giriko: "Then the entire blob thing went *BOOM* and took out Gruk, too."

arachne: hmmm....this is rather concerning...

Giriko: "What you think it was?"

arachne: *takes out her journal* since i've lost most of my old spellbooks, i've taken notes in here......just as i suspected. it's likely black blood.

Giriko: "Uuuuuum..."

arachne: what?

Giriko: "Isn't that what your dipshit sister worked on?"

arachne: *nods* according to lord death, she's still at large somewhere, supposedly....

-elsewhere-

Medusa: "... ... ..." *rubs her nose* *looks along the forest path*

-it's surprisingly dark and a bit foggy-

Medusa: *holds up a small orb...something shines inside, pointing to the left* "..." *turns left*

-elsewhere-

shinoa: *takes a seat*

-at the other end of the table, a woman seems to be distressed. -

Kimizuki: *holding a notepad* "We received initial details. Tell us about her."

woman: *sniffles* y-yes. about two weeks ago, my daughter, riko was abducted by a vampire.

shinoa: guren told us that one of your maids made a sketch of the vampire, correct?

Kimizuki: *looking*

riko's mother: of course. *hands them the sketch* i-i-im not sure how accurate it is, but-

Kimizuki: "No, this is useful."

hyakuya: hmm. how exactly are we going to find him?

Kimizuki: "Good old fashion sleuthing."

-elsewhere-

-in a room in an old cathedral, a young girl is looking out the window-

girl:......

Shahal: "Back away from there."

girl: *looks over at him*

Shahal: "You don't want to fall down--it's not the best window." *holds up a plate* "Sugar cookie?"

girl:....um....*gingerly takes one*

Shahal: "I hope they're okay. You need milk, Lana?"

girl: t-they're alright....a-and i already told you, my name isnt lana, it's riko.

Shahal: "??? Since when? Is this some phase? Like when I insisted on wearing my shirt backwards--"

riko: erm.... ^^;

???: "Oh, wow--a pet?"

riko: ??

Shahal: "?!" *stands up sharply*

horn: so _this_ is why you've been abandoning your post, shahal?

chess: aww, she's so cute! *grabs her*

riko: *yells*

chess: she's so adorable, i could just EAT HER UP! *bears fangs with a feral fervor*

Shahal: *grabs Chess by the neck--and tosses her into the wall*

horn: !!!!

chess: OWIE! >n< ugh, so RUDE!

horn: such ungentlemanly conduct...

Shahal: "Back away from her. She is not a part of this."

horn: oh? it looks to me that she's the reason for our little visit.

riko: *trembling*

Shahal: "State your business and leave us be."

chess: jeez, if you're gonna be so hostile, maybe we _wont_ tell you that an extermination group is coming for you tonight~ whoopsie~ i let it slip~ *cute fist bonk on her head as she winks with her tongue out*

Shahal: "What?!" *looking out the window* "..." *studying different escape paths*

horn:.....unless you're going to return to your post and hand the girl over as livestock-

Shahal: "Lana stays here!"

horn:....very well, you've made your decision. but when death is at your doorstep and that girl is taken and drained of every last drop of blood in her, dont come crying to us. come chess, let's go.

chess: yes ma'am!

Shahal: "..."

riko: *still trembling*

Shahal: "Hey, it's going to be okay."

-elsewhere-

Crona: *buttoning up*

mami: *waiting outside the room*

Blair: *brings up the wheelchair* "Crona almost done?"

mami: i think so....

Crona: *buzzes the button* "I'm done"

mami: *opens the door*

Crona: *in jeans and a black t-shirt...smiles*

mami:...*hug*

peg: we got this one too. *brings out ragnarok...strapped to a gurney a la hannibal lector*

Crona: *holds Mami close* "Don't look behind you." ^^;;;;;;

Blair: O_O;

Ragnarok: "Hello, nurse." *slithering tongue noises*

mami: ......

peg: mister dont _make_ me put the mask back on. -_-#

Ragnarok: "Look, I just got this body, and I got years of experiences to make up for it. I've already exhausted myself on 2 out of 7 deadly sins--want to go for 3 more?"

mami: *GLAAAAARE*

Ragnarok: "?!!!" *looks away* >_>;;;

-elsewhere-

Black Star: *meditating--under a giant waterfall*

child: mama, what's that guy doing?

Mother: "Oh, I think I saw this in a kung fu movie once! Warriors do that for training to improve their minds."

child: wow cool!

Mother: "I wonder whether it's working--"

Black Star: *collapses under the water*

-elsewhere-

Chuuya: "Careful not to tap on the glass." *looking at the fish tank*

miyuri: *face plastered against the glass* oooooh!

Fish: O_O *swims away afraid*

sonia: *looking*

*there's a hermit crab on the tank floor, changing into a new shell*

sonia: .....

Chuuya: "Really surprising creatures, aren't they?"

sonia: yeah....

Chuuya: "...I think they let you hold a sea urchin..."

sonia: ??

Chuuya: "Those little spiny sea creatures."

sonia: wont they hurt?

Chuuya: "The trainer shows you how to cup your hand so it won't."

sonia: ....

miyuri: WOOOAH LOOK AT THAT THING!

Chuuya: *looks*

-seems to be some kind of whale-

Chuuya: "?! Wow!"

miyuri: IT'S HUUUGE!! IT'S LIKE A WATER ELLYFANT!

Chuuya: "Y-Yes, indeed..."

-elsewhere-

Mori: *seated at the outdoor cafe table, sipping a coffee* "..." *looks around, then at his phone* *texts* [she's not here]

miura: [perhaps give it some more time?]

Mori: [it's already been 20 min]

Waiter: "Refill, sir?"

Mori: "...Check, please."

-elsewhere-

tomura: *SCREECHING* IM MISSING ONE OF MY HANDS!!

Kurogiri: "Okay, take a deep breath, and let's retrace your steps."

Dabi: *whistles* "Yo." *waves a hand...holding a hand*

tomura: *looks*

*two of the fingers are curled into a circle*

tomura: FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF-.....one day i will kill you in your sleep.

Dabi: "Sure." *tosses it*

spinner: bold move, my dude.

shaula: AW SHIT SON HE ACTUALLY DID IT THE ABSOLUTE MADLAD!

Kurogiri: "...I'm confused."

Dabi: "Please, I'm no hero. Literally."

banshee:.....we _are_ professional villains, arent we? -_-;

Kurogiri: "We try."

-elsewhere-

*knock on Kanin's apartment door*

amelia: *peeks out the peep hole*

*looks to be Genny, Duncan, and some others*

amelia: kanin, we have guests.

free: *wave* ^^

Kanin: *cooking* "??? Oh...Hello." *aspects of his werewolf appearance remain but have gradually reverted back to slightly more human*

lei-lei: how're you feeling? we brought some ingredients for a hotpot! ^^

Kanin: "...I'm fine." *takes the ingredients* "...Um...Amelia, can you see about more chairs?"

amelia: *nods*

Kanin: "...I-I'll be busy cooking. Help yourselves to..." *gestures to an old-fashion candy bowl full of what can be described as grandparents' candy choices, as he hurries away*

genny:....

Duncan: *picks a piece of candy--that is stuck to the top of the pile of them* -_-; "Old fashioned... ...You know, maybe he needs help in the kitchen."

-elsewhere-

hyakuya: .......

Kimizuki: *looking through binoculars*

mitsuba: see anything?

Kimizuki: "The door looks like it was forced open."

mitsuba: should we go in?

Kimizuki: "I think when it gets darker."

hyakuya:.....(mika……)…..

{Mika: *sad smile*}

hyakuya: *bites her lip*

shinoa:...akane?

hyakuya: !!!...im fine. dont worry about it....

Yoichi: "..."

-that night-

Shahal: *standing guard*

riko: *asleep*

{???: big brother?}

{Shahal: *shivering* "Yes?"}

{girl: will we be able to eat soon?}

{Shahal: "Yes, soon...Just be patient. Please..."}

Shahal: "Not again...I'm protecting you this time."

-meanwhile-

shinoa: *looks inside* ok, this should be the back entrance...

Kimizuki: "How reliable was your intelligence?"

shinoa: i chatted up some urban explorers for advice. ^^

mitsuba: so far so good.....

Yoichi: *looking at the stairs...they look rotted*

hyakuya: this place sure has seen better days....

Kimizuki: "So keep an eye for debris used for this vamp to hide."

shinoa: and keep silent. our primary objective is to retrieve riko.

Yoichi: *nods*

-crash-

hyakuya: ????

Kimizuki: "?!" *aims*

???: spread out, he should be here somewhere.

???: of course, lady enacotta.

rubile: *grins* (once i claim that traitor's head, i'll go up in the ranks for sure!)

mitsuba: *whisper* shit, vampires? here?

shinoa: this is bad. if they're here for shahal, then riko's at risk as well...

Kimizuki: "...Then we need to find her first. With the stairs broken, he's likely holding her upstairs to discourage people following up."

hyakuya: i'll look for a way up.

Kimizuki: "While we keep the vampires away..."

hyakuya: *nods and heads off*

Kimizuki: *following the vampires' path*

vampire: *looking around*

Kimizuki: *hides behind the vamp...readies his sword*

vampire: ?? *turns*

*slice*

vampire: GRK-

Kimizuki: *stabs them through the chest*

vampire: *SCREAM*

Kimizuki: *beheads*

Shahal: "?!!!"

riko: hnn??

Shahal: "Shh."

riko: what's going on?

Shahal: *quietly* "Come on. Hide in here..." *leads her to a wardrobe in the attic* "Stay here."

-meanwhile-

rubile: *slashing with her sword*

mitsuba: *blocking with her axe*

Yoichi: *behind debris, aiming*

shinoa: take this! *SLASH*

vampire: GRAHH!

Yoichi: *fires off shots*

-outside-

hyakuya: *looking around* (come on, there has to be something...)

*a brick in the side of the building falls, rolling down to her feet*

hyakuya: !! *looks up*

*a vampire can be seen scurrying down the hall--then blood splatters against the hallway wall*

hyakuya: .....*looking around for a way up*

*there are missing bricks in the wall--and a buttress above the window*

hyakuya:...that'll work. *spits on both her hands and rubs them together* here we go. *starts climbing*

*a window she passes breaks, as a vampire is tossed out of it*

hyakuya: OxO;;

*the noise seems to have stopped...*

hyakuya: *keeps climbing*

-inside-

rubile: tch- damn...you humans dont know when to quit...*she's holding her arm, which has been cut along the bicep*

Kimizuki: "Call us stubborn." *aims*

rubile: *lunges at him*

vampire: lady enacotta! we need to retreat!

rubile: NO! we've come this far already, im not going to leave without our prize!

Kimizuki: *sweeps his leg at hers while he swings his blade at her neck*

rubile: !!! *dodge*

*there's a wardrobe*

hyakuya: *looks inside*

Riko: *curled up in the corner*

hyakuya: ...hey, it's ok.

Riko: "Wh-Who are you?"

hyakuya: you can call me akane. *small smile*

Riko: "...Are you a vampire?"

hyakuya:....no, im human, like you.

Riko: "...Like Shahal was."

hyakuya: shahal, that's the one who kidnapped you, right?....wait- so he wasnt born a vampire?

Riko: *shakes her head no* "He keeps calling me Lana. His sister. She died."

hyakuya:....how did you figure that part out?

Riko: "I-I kind of read his journal...Don't tell him I did that."

hyakuya: i wont...did he try to hurt you at all?

Riko: "No--he really misses his sister, and he keeps treating me like her."

hyakuya:.......(mika..........) do you miss your mom and dad?

Riko: *nods*

hyakuya:.....dont worry riko, i'll help you get back to your parents. you can count on us. *smiles*

Riko: "A-Are you going to hurt Shahal?"

hyakuya:....i'll try to talk to him.

-downstairs-

mitsuba: WOAH!

Kimizuki: *crashes into furniture, collapsed*

mitsuba: *charges at him, yelling*

rubile: there you are! *charges at him as well*

Shahal: "..." *leaps just as they are close to him--*

rubile: *has her arm hacked off* *SCREAMS*

mitsuba: *gets her side sliced* GAH!!

Shahal: *grabs Mitsuba by her wrist* "Now leave."

hyakuya: HEY YOU!!

Shahal: "..." *holds Mitsuba up by the arm* *looks at Hyakuya* "Leave, before there is more bloodshed."

hyakuya: let her go!

Shahal: "Of course--" *and flings Mitsuba at Hyakuya*

mitsuba: oof! nngh....

hyakuya: mitsuba, are you alright?

mitsuba: bleeding, but otherwise just peachy.

Shahal: *aims at Shinoa*

hyakuya: leave my friends alone!

Shahal: "Leave my _family_ alone!"

hyakuya: your ‘family’ is dead!

Shahal: "?!!" *rushes at Hyakuya* "What did you do to Lana?!!"

hyakuya: i didnt do anything to her! that girl riko, she's not lana! i dont know what happened or how she died, but your sister isnt here anymore!

Shahal: "WHY DOES EVERYONE KEEP LYING TO ME?!" *swings the blade at her head*

hyakuya: !!! *blocks with her own sword* im not lying!

Shahal: "Yes, you are! Everyone is trying to confuse me! But I remember what was done--and I am not letting you take Lana!" *presses the sword forward*

hyakuya: listen! i know what it's like, to lose a loved one. i've lost my parents, and my adoptive family, and every day it hurts thinking about what i could have done differently to save them, but the past is in the past, isnt it? the only thing left is to go forward. accept what's happened and move on, so quit living in the past and face reality already!!

Shahal: "..." *just staring at her* "...Lana..."

shinoa: *charges*

Kimizuki: *follows Shinoa--*

Yoichi: *gives them cover*

Shahal: "?!"

shinoa: take this!

Shahal: *tries to block--*

-SLICE-

Shahal: *howls in pain*

hyakuya: please listen, i dont want to fight you, but if you dont stop this, i wont have any choice! you were human once, remember??

shinoa: (what on earth has gotten into her...?)

Shahal: *holding his arm* "Lana...stop this. I'm not human anymore--but I need to protect you!"

hyakuya: im not lana either! if you keep deluding yourself like this, you're only going to hurt yourself even more!

Shahal: "I'm willing to get hurt if it means my sister can live! I can't let her die!"

hyakuya: she's already dead!

Shahal: "She can't be!" *approaches Hyakuya* "Stop lying!"

-SLASH-

Shahal: *stares wide-eyed*

riko: *collapses*

hyakuya: *stunned* !!!!!

Shahal: "N-No!" *cradles her* "Why would you do this?!"

riko: i-it's ok....it wasnt that deep of a cut...

hyakuya: riko....

Shahal: "...Riko..."

riko: *smiles* im not mad at you, shahal. because i think, despite everything...you're still a good person.

hyakuya:....*shaking slightly* mika.....

Shahal: *crying* "How can you think that? I thought..." *holds his head* "I'm so confused."

riko: you took care of me and made sure i was safe, and you never once bit me or drank my blood.

Shahal: "...I just wanted my sister back."

riko:....but im not her. i dont know how she died exactly, but im sure she misses you too...

Shahal: *sobbing* "I can never see her again..."

hyakuya:...........yuu.....chihiro....ako....kouta....fumie....taichi.....

Shahal: *looks at Hyakuya* "Who...?"

hyakuya: my siblings....ferid killed them....i was....the only one who got away.....(liar...mika was.....)

Shahal: "...Oh God...I'm sorry..."

hyakuya: ever since then, i've hated vampires....and wanted nothing more than to kill every last one....but after seeing....my one sibling....mika....turned into one of them....and seeing this...i....i dont know what to think anymore...

riko:.......

Shahal: "...You end them."

hyakuya: ??

Shahal: "You don't leave one standing that can and will hurt humans, eventually."

hyakuya: ......

Shahal: "You can bring them peace...to let them die and reunite with their lost family."

hyakuya:...are you...asking me to kill you?

Shahal: "...Yes."

hyakuya: but what about riko-

Shahal: "She deserves to be with her family."

hyakuya:.....*bites her lip, clutching her sword*

-as the sun rises, hyakuya screams out, piercing her blade into shahal's heart-

Shahal: *shudders, coughs...starts to disintegrate at the heart...looks at the sun with a smile* "Lana...Thank you."

hyakuya:.....

lana?: big brother!

-a spectral girl seems to be waving to him-

Shahal: "?!!!" *reaches up, his hand disintegrating as he does...*

lana?: i've been waiting for you for so long now! come on, i have lots of people to introduce you too!

-soon enough, they are both gone....-

hyakuya:.............

mitsuba: hey....akane....

hyakuya: hehe...hehehehe....hahaha..HAHAHAHAHA!! *cackling madly*

Kimizuki: *grabs her by her shoulders* "Hyakuya! Hyakuya! Damn it, Akane, get a hold of yourself..."

hyakuya: *sharply inhales and starts hysterically sobbing into his chest*

Kimizuki: "..." *holds her, letting her cry*

mitsuba:.....

shinoa:.....we should probably give riko first aid.

mitsuba:...yeah....

Yoichi: *holds up the kit*

-elsewhere-

Kid: "Absolutely adorable."

shiori: *in a new little jumper* lookie!

Kid: *shivering* "IT'S SO CUTE I COULD DIE!"

stocking: ^^

lord death: TOO CUTE FOR WORDS!

Yumi: *snaps a photo* "Indeed."

-elsewhere-

Monica: *buried under blankets* =_____= "I'm boooooooooooooooored!"

mrs ramirez: mija! your friends are here!

Monica: "... ... ...YOU DIDN'T CHECK THEM FOR KNIVES AGAIN, DID YOU?!"

mrs ramirez: first thing i did, honey!

yolanda: jeez mrs R, have some faith in us. -_-;

Zarya: *grunts*

Monica: -_-; "You here to rub it in before you go off to school?"

yolanda: just wanted to see how you were?

Monica: "Bored out of my f--" *spots her mom* "...freaking skull. I need to dunk someone's head into a toilet now!"

mrs ramirez: that reminds me, that nurse from the hospital, mrs albarn, wanted to have coffee later and to chat. she's your friend izumi's mother, isnt she? ^^#

Monica: "... ... ...She's not my fucking friend."

Zarya: "... ... ..." *takes one giant step back away from Monica*

mrs ramirez: .........

stephanie: welp we're totes late, bye! *RUNS*

Monica: "?! YOU TRAITORS--"

mrs ramirez: monica, i'd like to have a little talk with you. in private. ^^#####

Monica: D8 *loud whimpering noise*

mrs ramirez: monica rosa-marie ramirez, you arent going anywhere! *smiles with a demonic glare*

-elsewhere-

Asher: "... ... ..." *small smile*

cassidy: asher? you ok?

Asher: "...I think I feel lighter."

cassidy:...

-elsewhere-

kyouko: hey rin, is shiemi doing alright? last i saw her, she seemed kind of down.

Rin: *sighs* "I think she's trying to figure out some stuff with school."

kyouko: hmm....is she having problems?

Rin: "Kinda. She's leaving the exorcist class."

kyouko: wait really? what happened?

Rin: "She said she wanted to focus on what she can do for now--without getting in over her head. It's rough when you really want something but are not sure you're ready."

kyouko:.....

-rin's phone starts going off-

Rin: *checks*

-text from renzou-

Rin: *reading* "...??? It's from Renzou Shima. He's...ranting about diapers?"

kyouko: i'd rather not know -__-#

renzou: [CODE OMEGA! I REPEAT! CODE FUCKING OMEGA!!]

Rin: "Neither do I . But now he's yelling 'Code Omega.' I think his bro told me that means to meet up." *looks at the key hooks* "Tell the old man I'm stealing his keys."

kyouko: ._.

-and so-

Bon: *holding his stomach* "Ugh...I hate traveling with keys." >~<;

izumo: you guys got called too?

Shima: -_-; "Yep..."

Rin: "WOOOOOOOW! It looks so different at this time of year!"

izumo: we were here last year around summer, in the longest fucking summer ever -_-;;;

shiemi: im surprised we were invited to juuzo and mamushi's baby shower.

unagi: it'll be nice to see my family members again.

Shima: "Don't curse in front of my fam, Izumo--I want to keep a good impression with them."

shura: yeah, so behave yourself.

izumo: sure thing-....wait.

konekomaru: how long were you-

shura: kunoichi skills bitches.

izumo:.....-___-;

Bon: *shoves Shima* "You're one to criticize anyone, spy."

Shima: ^^; "Former spy?"

shiemi: well we better find the restaurant then.

shura: you kiddos go on ahead, im gonna have a quick chat with the okumura bros for a minute, kaaay~?

Rin: "What?! But I'm starving!"

shura: *waits for the others to go* welp, now we can talk.

Yukio: "What is this about?"

shura: yuri egyn. your mother.

Yukio: "?!"

Rin: "...What?"

shura: it was around the time i met shiro...

{-knocks-}

{yuri: who is it?}

{shura: *flailing* putmedown! pummedown!! >n<#}

{yuri:.....is...is that a kid?}

{Fujimoto: "Um, no. It's obviously a new species of mountain rat. A smelly, dirty mountain rat--"

{yuri: .___.;}

{shura: I'LL BITE YOUR ANKLES IN HALF!}

{yuri:....why dont i make you something to eat? ^^;; }

{Fujimoto: ^^; "I actually have some tasks to attend to, so that would help me--OW! DID YOU JUST BITE ME?!"}

{shura: *HISSSSSS* *STOMACH GURGLE*.........food please.}

{Fujimoto: T^T "What do you even eat, kid?"}

{shura: squirrels mostly. sometimes birds. hachirou got me a boar once.}

{yuri: .______. shiro....where did you find this girl exactly?}

{Fujimoto: "In the mountains. Meet the fabled wild child of Towada. I've named her Shura."}

{shura: offer me food, mortal!}

{-...-}

{yuri: eat up!}

{shura: *ravenous eating*}

{Fujimoto: ^^ "Better than tiny squirrels with hardly any meat on their bones, right, kiddo?"}

{shura: *pulls the food closer and snarls* MINE!}

{yuri: goodness, she's got an appetite. ^^; }

{Fujimoto: "And needs to learn some manners..." *sniffs* "Ugh...and a bath."}

{shura: a what?}

{-...-}

{shura: *asleep*}

{yuri: so, what are we going to do about her?}

{Fujimoto: "Mephisto ordered me to keep an eye on her, and after seeing that Hachirou thing, I don't want her going back to it. After that? I'm not sure..."}

{yuri: maybe she could stay here? it gets lonely up here, so it'd be nice to have some company. ^^}

{Fujimoto: "??? For real? Mephisto was pretty insistent on not letting her out of my sight..."}

{yuri: you could stay here too, if you'd like. it'd be like a family.}

{Fujimoto: "..." *pulls out a cigarette, lights up* "Don't say it like that."}

shura: from what i remember, she was a really kind woman, she had eyes like yours, rin. and lots of moles, like yukio...and that concludes story time with shura for today!

Yukio: "..."

Rin: "...YOU COCKTEASE! DON'T STOP THE STORY THERE! TELL US MORE! What did she sound like?!" *grabs her by the shoulders* "Why didn't you tell us this before?!"

shura: now if you boys excuse me. im gonna go hit the bar. cheers! *walks off*

-later-

torako: <enjoy your stay with us.> *walks back to the front* !!!! <ryuuji!>

Bon: <Hey...>

-a child runs up and tackles shima-

child: <ANKO WENZO!>

Shima: <OW! ???>

woman: <ten, sweetie, there you are! what did mama tell you about running off?>

ten: <sowwy mamai>

woman: *looks* !!! <renzou!>

Shima: <?!!>

izumo: you know this woman?

woman: <oh, you must be renzou's friends. koneko and bon know me already, but im Jun Shima. renzou's sister.>

unagi: <a pleasure to see you again, ma'am'>

jun: <unagi! i was surprised to hear that you enrolled in true cross. how are you doing?>

unagi: <im very well. i've been learning a lot of english.>

???: <UUUUUUNAAAAAAAGIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!>

-a woman comes barreling down the hall and clutches unagi-

woman: <MY SWEET BABY GIRL! ARE YOU ALRIGHT?! HAVE YOU BEEN EATING?! IS YOUR TEMPERATURE WELL?! DO YOU HAVE ANY INJURIES?!>

uwabami hojo: ^^; <easy now, orochi, she's just fine.>

Bon: <We've been keeping an eye on her, ma'am.>

unagi: <hello mother, hello to you too uncle.>

Konekomaru: *sad smile, steps back*

girl: <hey sis, do we have any more- !!!! k-k-k-k-KONEKOOOOOO~<3 > *TACKLE* >///w///< <3<3<3<3

Konekomaru: .\\\\.; "Um..." <You can let go now?>

girl: <KINZOU TOLD ME YOU WERE HERE _LAST_ YEAR TOO! WHY DIDNT YOU TELL ME? I WOULD HAVE BAILED ON THE CLASS TRIP TO EUROPE IF I KNEW!!>

Konekomaru: ^\\\^; <We were a little busy on an investigation and--well, things got away from us. Sorry.>

Rin: -_-; *has a big handprint slapped on his face* "Freaking boobzilla..."

Yukio: -_-; "Please don't embarrass us more while we're visiting someone else's house."

jun: ?? <more friends of yours?>

Rin: <He gets that a lot.> *waves at the child*

girl: <hey. you smell different koneko, are you using a new bodywash?>

Konekomaru: >\\\\\\< <Wh-Why would you sniff me?!>

ten: <mamai! this guy has a tail! is he a kitty?>

Yukio: *facepalm* <Oh good lord...>

jun: .....^^; <why dont we help uncle gozo with the garden, ok?>

ten: <ok!> *runs off*

Yukio: <I am so sorry.>

-outside-

nishiki: *eating watermelon shaved ice*

???: <over here sir?>

Tatsuma: <Yes, that's a good spot for it.>

???: *sets the statue down, wiping sweat from her brow* <yep, i reckon that's a mighty good spot for it>

Tatsuma: <Looking good! ...Maybe rotate it a bit more towards the morning sun.>

torako: <tatsuma! yoshikuni! bon and his friends are here!>

yoshikuni: <REALLY?!>

Tatsuma: <!!! My baby boy!> *gets up quickly--and throws out his back* >n< "AH!"

torako: D8

Bon: *steps out* <?!! Old man!> *runs up*

yoshikuni: <LIL RYUU! long time no see!>

Bon: <?!! Yoshikuni?!>

izumo: another friend of yours?

yoshikuni: <im his fiancee~>

izumo: O/////o W-W-WHAT?!?!??!

Bon: -_-; <Yoshikuni, please.>

yoshikuni: <LOL! JK JK! it's just a joke!>

izumo: *beet red* <I SHOULD THINK SO! WHO'D WANT TO MARRY A STUBBORN OX LIKE HIM!?>

Tatsuma: *trying to sit up* <Ha ha ha! ...I don't know what 'luul' means.>

Bon: <?!!! I will have you know I am desirable to people who like men with a strong will, you stubborn mule!>

izumo: <BEEF HEAD!>

Bon: <POLKA-DOTTED MUTT!>

izumo: <ROOSTER HAIR!>

Bon: <HA! I STOPPED DYING IT, SO YOU CAN'T EVEN USE THAT ONE ANYMORE!>

torako: <my my, they're acting like me when i was that age.>

{young!torako: <GET BENT, BALDIE!>}

{Young!Tatsuma: <Babe, I _shave_ by choice because it makes me look cool!> *wink*}

torako: <so persistent.> *sigh* <i feel so old.>

Tatsuma: <And yet still so beautiful.>

torako: >/////< <oh stop!>

Bon: <OW!> *slapping his hand on the ground* <I YIELD, I YIELD, YOU SHRIMP!>

-elsewhere-

Kanin: *puts bento boxes of leftovers into their lockers* "Okay. I'll see you for lunch after morning classes."

genny: *nods*

Kanin: "... ...Well..." *rubs the back of his head...he's managed to revert almost back to human appearance*

genny:....i-if you want to talk...a-about anything, you can-

Kanin: "I-I appreciate that...M-Maybe later..."

genny: .///. r-right...see ya! *runs*

Kanin: "..." >\\\< *knocks his head against his own locker--and instantly hulks out into werewolf form, ripping his shirt* "...Aw, man..."

marie: kanin? are you alright? ._.;

Kanin: "?!! S-Sorry, Miss Marie! I'm fine, really! I'm not going feral..." *struggles to slowly revert to human form, as he takes off the torn shirt and opens his locker to retrieve a new shirt* "J-Just, you know, typical teenage hormonal stuff..."

marie: do you want to talk about it?

Kanin: "..." *nods* "Did other students ever deal with this kind of thing?"

-elsewhere-

arisa: so what do you guys want to check out next?

kanami: im kinda hungry, maybe we should get lunch?

suzune:..... !!!

arisa: suzune? you oka-....OH.....MY....G!!

kokoro: hmm?

masara: *looks* !!!!!

arisa: Y-YOU'RE KOKORO AWANE!!

kokoro: yep, that's me alright.

arisa: do you remember me? im arisa narumi!

kokoro: oh right! you're that girl from back then!

arisa: you were so cool and inspiring that i became a magical girl too, see? my friends are-

-CLANG-

suzune: *blocking masara's knife with her sword*

masara: what are _you_ doing back here, magical hunter?

suzune: im not here to fight, honest.

masara: a likely story. im not about to let you hurt kokoro.

Chisato: *gestures to her own weapon* "Let's all calm down. This is not a place for any fight."

masara: how can you be so calm when a murderer is among you?

suzune:.....

Matsuri: "This is about giving people another chance, you know?" ^^ "She may have done bad things, but that doesn't make her a bad person!"

suzune: matsuri....

Matsuri: "Just give her a chance."

kokoro: easy there masara. sorry about my friend, she can be a bit protective, but she means well. ^^;

arisa: i take it you met suzune before?

kokoro: yep. say, you mentioned being hungry, right? it just so happens we know a great restaurant called 'Walnuts'. ^^

-elsewhere-

Monica: *glare*

izumi: .___.;;;;;

Sachiko: ^^ "I always come by here--I didn't know you managed it!"

mrs ramirez: well, assistant manager, but still. ^^

Monica: *takes her drink, sips--and crunches on the ice loudly*

izumi: ._.;;;;;

mrs ramirez: mija, dont you have something to say to mrs albarn's daughter?

Monica: "..." *mutters something*

mrs ramirez: speak up honey, no one can hear you when you're muttering.

Monica: *inhales* "I SAID 'I'M SORRY'!"

izumi: um...thanks..f-for apologizing...*shifts in her seat*

Sachiko: *uncovers her ears* "Y-Yes, thank you...How about you kids get a treat?" *hands Izumi some money* "The cookies looked good."

-elsewhere-

Rin: "So, Konekomaru, who's the girl?"

girl: *clinging to his arm* ^////^

konekomaru: this is yumi, shima's younger sister.

Rin: "Ah, so you all grew up together?"

yoshikuni: pretty much. <so you guys really defeated the impure king last summer?>

Bon: <We...did the best we could.>

Rin: <Well, us and my girlfriend, too.>

konekomaru: <come to think of it, where were you?>

yoshikuni: <i was at a convention in tokyo.> ^^

Juzo: *fretting back and forth in front of the building*

gozo: <easy bro, she's not due for another two months yet.>

Juzo: <I know! I keep reading the books--did you know you're not supposed to put a blanket over the baby?! THEY COULD SUFFOCATE! HOW WOULD THAT LOOK IF MY CHILD SUFFOCATED?!!>

gozo: <take a deep breath and chill.>

kinzou: <yeah, you're gonna give yourself a hernia!>

Shima: <Yeah, don't think of dead babies--that thought'll stay in your head forever.>

Juzo: *GLARES AT SHIMA*

-elsewhere-

Kanin: *staring at the tea* "I don't know. I never had these problems controlling my appearance. But since that...thing got in my head and down to my soul..."

marie: perhaps it was an effect of madness from that clown.

Kanin: "I think so...But it hasn't gotten back to normal. I don't know when it will, if ever."

marie:.....

Kanin: "I don't know who could even help."

marie: i can think of a few people...

-elsewhere-

mami: lunch is ready!

Crona: "Smells great."

mami: the doctors recommended this to help you regain your strength.

Crona: *nods*

Ragnarok: *has on a bib* "AND FOR ME?"

-elsewhere-

naoya: how is he?

kouyou: still locked up in his office, crying. how unprofessional. -_-;

miura: -___-; *patting mori's back*

Mori: *head resting on a pillow* TT~TT "It's like I'm cursed."

elise: wouldnt be too shocked if that were the case.

Mori: "I need some good luck..."

-elsewhere-

Kimizuki: "..." *sets down a bottle of water*

hyakuya:.....thanks....

Kimizuki: *nods* "You're welcome...The ride will be here in another hour."

hyakuya:........

Yoichi: *packing the first-aid kit* "Any more cuts and bruises?"

riko: i-im ok....

Yoichi: ^^ "That's a relief."

riko:.....

Yoichi: "...Happy to go home?"

riko: i guess so....

Yoichi: "That man...did release you."

riko:.....do you think....he's in a better place?

Yoichi: "...I like to think so."

-elsewhere-

arisa: mmm~ this is so yummy!

kokoro: i know right?

masara: *eating, not taking her eyes off suzune, staring intently*

suzune: *looking down at her plate, sweating nervously* ._.;;;;;;;;;

Chisato: "...Masara, how is your meal?"

masara: *nom, still staring at suzune* delicious.

suzune: *gulp* ._.;;;;;;;;;;;

Chisato: "...So, what are everyone's plans this afternoon?"

kokoro: well, masara and i were going to go hiking for a bit later.

Chisato: "Ah. It'd be good to get into the outdoors."

-elsewhere-

Guren: "Welcome back."

hyakuya:...*nod*

Guren: "We'll begin debriefing...You look like a mess. Go lie down."

hyakuya: *grunts and walks off*

Guren: *looks at the others* "Shinoa, walk with me. I'll start the debriefing with you."

shinoa: right.

Guren: *walks with her into the interrogation room* "What happened to Hyakuya back there?"

shinoa: she took the vampire down...

Guren: "I've seen her take down vampires--I haven't seen her acting like this."

shinoa: i'll speak with her about it when i can.....she has been different since our encounter with ferid....

Guren: "And that can be a liability. We need her in the field--and if her head is not in this, that will be a danger."

shinoa:....understood.

Guren: "Tell me about this vampire and child. Why did he take her?"

-shinoa explains the situation-

Guren: "Hmm...I knew vampirism can do things to the brain, but this is something else entirely."

shinoa:...perhaps vampirism has nothing to do with it....

Guren: "??? Explain."

shinoa: based on my observations, his reactions seemed rather human. perhaps relating to his previous life. sadly, without any official documents on him, we can only go by word of mouth for information.

Guren: "Hmm. So, what, he got confused, had memories of his pre-vampire life, and those influenced his mind? That still sounds dangerous."

shinoa:......

Guren: "I'll ask C3 to check on this--they may have a bit more information on neuro influences after the transformation."

-elsewhere-

Rin: *pats his belly* =w= "Tasty meal..."

torako: <you seemed to enjoy it. ^^>

orochi: <will you be staying the night?>

Rin: <I should probably get back to the old man.> *pats Bon's shoulder* <But I'm sure Bon would be happy to stay with family for the night!>

Bon: -_-# *twists Rin's arm* <We're studying for exams right now.>

Rin: Q_Q *slapping his hand down on the floor*

shiemi: ....

Shima: <I mean, some of us don't need to worry too much about studying! And how often do you get to see family?>

izumo: *GLARE*

Shima: "?!!!!" *averts his glance* <Granted, that also depends on whether your own family wants to see you...> >w>;;;;;

-elsewhere-

higuchi: *washing Q's hair*

Q: >~< *whining*

higuchi: ^^; the water wont hurt you, and that visor is supposed to keep the shampoo out of your eyes.

Q: "It feels slimy!"

higuchi: ^^;

Gin: *sets out a towel* "It's that, or your hair will get covered in dirt, disease, and fall out, leaving you as the youngest bald person on this planet."

Q: Q_______Q "What?"

higuchi: .-.;

Q: *flailing* "AAAAH! PLEASE WASH MY HAIR, MOMMY!"

higuchi: *getting all wet from the splashing* ah! ok! ok! >-O;;

Gin: "My work here is done." *turns away*

Q: =~= *relaxes*

higuchi: *sigh* *mutter* next time _you're_ in charge of bath time...

Gin: *walks into the living room* "Kuniko, Ryu, your chores?"

kuniko: dishes are about 78% done!

Akutagawa: *uses Rashomon on a dish towel to dry*

Gin: "As for homework?"

-elsewhere-

Mephisto: "Then we use this key to open the closet, and..." *opens the closet to reveal Death City from the top of a building*

shion: bwoah! *shiny eyes*

Mephisto: "Impressive, yes? You can see our house from here! And there's Mephy Land!"

shion: ^o^ dada! dada!

Mephisto: "Hee hee--that's my head on that ferris wheel! But you need to be a bit taller to ride the roller coaster."

-elsewhere-

sonia: *eating ice cream*

Chuuya: *hands out napkins*

miyuri: *LICK LICK LICK* >~< GYEEK!

Chuuya: "Brain freeze?"

miyuri: miyuri's head feels bad! >A<

sonia: you shouldnt eat it so fast.

Chuuya: "Try putting your tongue on the roof of your mouth to warm it up."

miyuri: *does so*

Chuuya: "Feeling better?"

miyuri: *nods*

Chuuya: "That's good. Now, eat more slowly--we got plenty of time."

-elsewhere-

Hibana: =_____= *sneezes*

mikami: are you feeling alright, commander?

Hibana: "No--I haven't been sleeping."

ryuuko: do you need to see a doctor, or would that be too much?

Hibana: *groans* "Why would I need that?"

ryuuko: it's important for one to look after their well-being. perhaps some tea and meditation might help? that's what my father does when he's stressed.

Hibana: "I already do that--I set aside 5 minutes for meditating in-between the 10 AM and 11 AM meetings, and some tea when I get home at 9 PM."

Rino: *holds up a schedule* "She's booked solid 8 AM to 8 PM. She's killing herself. _It's not going fast enough_."

mikami: rino!

gabriella: princess, please rest.

Rino: >_>;

Hibana: *slams her fists down* "I have work to do! I have some genetic experiments out for my head! I have to figure out what the hell Haijima is doing with those kids! I--I--... *collapses*

gabriella: D8>

Rino: "?!!!" *tries to hold her up* "Jeez, she's heavy..."

Hibana: *unconscious*

-elsewhere-

sasori:....

nana: so, is sasori your actual name?

sasori:...not really.

ivy: is that right?

ria marcelo: yeah.

Joker: "Well, a lot of people change their names. Take Red for instance."

scarlet: ........

nana: and my name is seven.

Joker: "Nana, what did we agree? Your name is Nana now."

nana: EAT SHIT.

ria marcelo: .....she seems to have high regard for you.

Joker: *sniffs, wipes his eye* "I know--makes a father proud."

scarlet:.... -_-;

Joker: "So, Ria, ready to scope out Hibana's latest work?"

ria marcelo: im listening...

-elsewhere-

Hajiki: *somehow stuck behind the vending machine*

hito:......why.

Hajiki: "I don't know--I was trying to get food, then I forgot what I was doing, and I ended up here."

hito: have you tried shimmying out?

Hajiki: "Let me see..." *shifts--and the vending machine starts rocking*

-elsewhere-

Asako: *runs out of a patient's room* "EEEEK!"

vivian: ??

*fire shoots out of the patient's room*

vivian: !!!!

Patient: *frowning, lobbing another fireball* "THAT THERMOMETER WAS COLD AS HELL!"

vivian: OwO;;;

Asako: >~< "That's only if you pursue the Dantean understanding of Hell--"

Patient: *throws another fireball, this one nearing at Vivian*

vivian: *dodge* gyah! how rude!

Patient: "I didn't want to be some fucking second generation flame person!"

Asako: >~< "Third-generation pyrokinetic, sir!"

Patient: "SHUT UP!" *tries to get out of bed--and falls face-first into the bedpan*

vivian: ._.;;

tao: owo~? what's going on here?

Asako: *sigh* "We've had more patients coming in awakening pyrokinetic abilities. And he's been the nicest of them..." -_-;

-elsewhere-

Kimizuki: *carrying a tray of food to a room* *knocks*

hyakuya: it's open....

Kimizuki: *enters* "Hey. Brought your dinner."

hyakuya:..thanks...

Kimizuki: "I wasn't sure what you would like, so if you want more of anything, I got more on the stove to heat up."

hyakuya: *nods*.....kimizuki?

Kimizuki: "Yes?"

hyakuya: did i do the right thing?

Kimizuki: "...Our job is to neutralize vampire threats. Who knows what he would have done next."

hyakuya:.....i saw mika in him.....

Kimizuki: "...So when you see Mika again..."

hyakuya: NO! i cant....i have to get him home....i just.....ever since that day my head's just been all tangled up...

Kimizuki: "How do you convince him? He's not the same kid you knew back then."

hyakuya: what would you do if you were in _my_ position? if it were mirai that was a vampire? would you just kill her without a second thought?!

Kimizuki: "?!! Okay, that's a low blow! It's not my sister that is a vampire, now is she? This is your friend who is suffering--and that's the reality you're dealing with!"

hyakuya:.............

Kimizuki: "...I'm sorry. I don't know what I would do either."

hyakuya:...h-he's my family....*curls up into fetal position* i already lost him once....i cant lose him again....

Kimizuki: "...Then let's bring him back."

hyakuya: *looks up at him*

Kimizuki: "We figure out how to convince him, we figure out what C3 has already done about containing vampires without imprisoning or killing him. If he's that important to you, then I'll help."

hyakuya:...thank you......sorry....about what i said-

Kimizuki: "It-It's fine. If it was me, I would've said something as...passionate.”

hyakuya:...heh...you jerk...*wipes her eyes*

Kimizuki: "Me, a jerk? You're a jerk yelling at me like that..."

hyakuya: *laughs a bit* yeah, got me there....

Kimizuki: *small smile* "Then I win."

hyakuya:....*hug*

Kimizuki: "... ..." *pat pat, hug*

hyakuya:....*looks at him for a bit*

Kimizuki: *looks into her eyes*

hyakuya: kimizuki...i-

shinoa: *opens the door* hey guys~!

hyakuya: *YELLS AND PUNCHES KIMIZUKI IN THE FACE*

Kimizuki: "?!" X_X *knocked to the floor--flipping over the food tray onto Hyakuya*

hyakuya:......

shinoa: oh goodness. was i interrupting something~?

hyakuya:....nothing. nothing at all. -_-#

-elsewhere-

Jeje: "Johannes has not left the basement in days."

metsu: should i check on him?

Jeje: *hands her a taser* "Stay armed."

metsu: *nods* i need to bring him his dinner anyway.

Jeje: *nods, as he rummages through a box of vials*

metsu: *heading downstairs* johannes?

Johannes: *curled over his desk, looking at blood samples*

metsu:....i brought your dinner. *sets the tray down and collects the dishes from the last meal*

Johannes: "Huh? You say something?" *looks up--and has a long white beard*

metsu: ......... ._______.

Johannes: "What's with that look? ..." *glances down* "Oh, right--" *grabs the fake beard, rips--...then covers his mouth to let out a tortured scream* "I forgot the glue!!!"

metsu:........im not even going to ask. *heads upstairs*

Johannes: "Thank you for the meal! Bring down body wash!"

Jeje: *pulls out a vial...swirls its contents into a mug of hot chocolate*

-elsewhere-

Rin: *lies down*

-knock knock-

shiemi: rin? may i ask you something?

Rin: *sits up* "Hey, Shiemi--what's up?"

shiemi: well, pardon if it's intrusive, but i noticed you and yuki werent talking much during dinner....you two didnt have a fight, did you?

Rin: >_>; "That's...kind of personal. It's nothing..."

shiemi:....ok. well, good night.

Rin: *grunts* "Night..."

{Rin: "What brought this on?"}

{yukio: dont you want to know about our birth? according to the knight of true cross, she was the one who bore satan's sons, and most information on her is classified. but i want to know more about her...}

{Rin: "After what we've heard so far, and what we've gone through? No, it can't be a good story. Just knowing that she was a kind person is enough for me."}

{yukio: why are you trying to avoid this? dont you even care? this is our mother for god's sake!}

{Rin: "..." *frowns* "Why are you needing this so badly?"}

{yukio:......he...heheheh...haha...AHAHAHA!!}

{Rin: "?!!! Yuki? Wh-What's wrong?"}

{yukio: HAHAHAHA.....that's right....we can never truly change how we think, right? we're both right and both wrong......it's funny.....we're twins, yet we're total opposites....well....just....just forget we had this talk, ok? come on...the others are waiting...}

Rin: "...What the hell, bro."

-elsewhere-

gozo: <tatsuma, sir, are you in?>

Tatsuma: *reclining in a chair, a book resting on his lap* "???" <Yes?>

gozo: <i wanted to talk to you about that one matter.>

Tatsuma: "..." <I see. What have you found?>

gozo: <nothing much yet, but we are researching it at the india branch's underground library. sadly, we havent yet found a way to summon a demon possessing another person.>

Tatsuma: <Hmm...> *holds up his book* <I'll have to finish this reading on exorcising Karura from Todo so to resummon...>

gozo: <there is a problem. based on renzou's observations from aomori on todo's appearance, it seems karura is bonding to its new vessel...>

Tatsuma: *sighs* <Then it is up to me to hurry. Thank you for this information. Please, continue your investigation.>

-elsewhere-

Fire: *yawns* *gets out of bed, looking out the window*

kim: .....

Jacqueline: "??? Fire?"

Fire: "I think I see something."

kim: ??

Fire: "I saw something glowing and moving in the forest."

kim: *looks to the others*

Jacqueline: "...Maybe wake the others." *nudges Kilik*

-elsewhere-

Kanin: *tucks Amelia in*

amelia: good night.

Kanin: "Good night, Amelia. I'll see you in the morning." *walks away...*

amelia:.......

Kanin: *gets to the door* "...Should I leave a light on, or...?"

amelia: im fine.

Kanin: "O-Okay...Good night." *closes the door*

-elsewhere-

Crona: *lying awake in bed* "..."

mami: *asleep*

Crona: ("It's so quiet now...I used to hear his voice even when he wasn't talking...It's hard to get used to.") *looks at Mami* "..." *hug*

mami: *she seems quite relaxed*

Crona: *closes their eyes, sighs quietly*

-morning-

Bon: *walking through the temple*

izumo: *cleaning*

Bon: "??? What, Mom has you working?"

izumo: i volunteered, for your information.

Bon: -_-; "Well, thanks--it's looking better."

-elsewhere-

Relan: *walking with his shoulder in a sling* *cringes*

iris: how are you feeling?

Relan: "The meds help, but it still hurts a lot."

iris: hmm...

Relan: "Enough of that--another day is ahead of us...How did the talk go with Mr. Fulham from the 1st?"

iris: well....

-she explains what happened-

Relan: "I'm so sorry. This can't be easy on everyone in the Church."

-elsewhere-

Yoichi: ^^ "Welcome back to work!"

hyakuya: morning.

shinoa: oh, that reminds me, riko's family invited us to their mansion for a celebration. ^^

Kimizuki: "What's to celebrate? We did our job..." *awkward glance at Hyakuya*

shinoa: they wanted to celebrate the return of their daughter, of course. so get your formal wear~

Yoichi: "Yay! ...I don't have really good formal wear, so I may need to shop a bit."

hyakuya: i dont have any formal wear!

Kimizuki: *sighs* "Looks like a few of us are shopping."

-elsewhere-

Monica: *in the cafe uniform* -_-# "Welcome. May I take your order?"

girl: i'll have a Frappuccino.

guy: do you still have the shamrock shakes?

Monica: "...It's June. Not March. So no. Is there something else you want to order?"

guy: can i have a mint green mocha then?

Monica: "..." *writes it onto a cup* "Sure. Name?"

-elsewhere-

Harvar: *looking at footprints* "Well, someone was here."

ox: or something....

Fire: .~.; "Like the thing we're supposed to find?"

kim: most likely...

Jacqueline: *following the steps' path--that lead to the edge of a cliff* "..."

-elsewhere-

*a man in a monocle opens his car door*

???: mr dragulsec i presume?

Dragulsec: "???" *turns--*

-WHAM-

*Dragulsec is knocked to the street*

Dragulsec: *groans, sitting up* "L-Lighting?!"

lewin: salutations, doc!

Dragulsec: "What the devil is wrong with you?!"

lewin: word on the street is you've got connections to the illuminati.

Dragulsec: "Balderdash! Your 'word' would tell you I already entered a contract that would prevent me from cooperating with them!"

lewin: but that's the mystery i need to solve. after all, not many people can get away with a massacre and stay in the same line of work for over a decade...

Dragulsec: "Absurd! Hollow reasoning! You have no idea how such a massacre continues to affect me!"

lewin: talk is cheap, doc. but i'll still need a bit of proof. teyonebuse and so on...

*something buzzes around Dragulsec, striking him*

Dragulsec: "GAAAH! Stop this!"

lewin:...mortem.

Dragulsec: *screams, as his collar is ripped*

lewin:....so _that's_ it, huh? welp. thanks for your time, doc. im gonna vamoose, as it were.

Dragulsec: *coughing* "Y-You won't get away with this! I'll report this! They'll lock you away, Lightning, you madman!"

lewin: funny you should say that. i intend to have you prosecuted~

-elsewhere-

Lucy: *waves to the cafe manager* "Hello!"

manager: good morning, lucy. ready to start the day?

Lucy: *smiles, nods* "Ready!" *grabs the apron* "I wonder how busy it'll get."

*the door opens*

manager: welcome.

Q: ^w^ *waves his doll's hand* "Hello!"

higuchi: *nods*

Lucy: ._.;

-elsewhere-

kirako: ok, i brought everyone's orders. ^^

Kyoka: "Thank you." *smiles*

Kunikida: "Thank you very much. That was very kind of you."

fukuzawa: .....

Kyoka: "...Sir? You aren't touching your food. Do you anticipate it is poisoned?"

fukuzawa: im more concerned for miss haruno.

kirako: sir, im fine, really.

Kunikida: "Did you make sure to buy a meal for yourself?"

kirako: just something light.

Kunikida: "I see..."

Kyoka: "Can always have my fortune cookie." *holds up hers*

kirako: thank you kyouka.

sylvia: *noms her food* t-thank you!

Kyoka: ^^

Kunikida: "How did your check-up go?"

kirako: well, i did get a good report.

Kunikida: "Oh? That's great."

-elsewhere-

nana: *intently staring at a book*

Ria marcelo: "It's okay--try saying it aloud."

nana: hmm......aaa....pp...ley?

Ria marcelo: "Apple?"

nana: yeah, this thing. *points to a picture of an apple in the book*

Ria marcelo: "Right. It's a fruit that comes in a variety of colors and flavors varying by sweetness and tartness."

nana: uhhhh.....huh?

Ria marcelo: "It's food."

nana: oh. ok.

Ria marcelo: "And it's a common word when learning English and other languages because it starts with the first letter in the alphabet, 'A.'"

nana: ah...which one is 'A'?

Ria marcelo: "The first letter." *circles the "A" in "apple" with her finger*

nana: oooh! i see.

Ria marcelo: "..." *small smile* "There are some other words that start with 'a,' too."

-elsewhere-

Kimizuki: *looking at ties* "Hmm...Red may be too intimidating."

shinoa: alright, we've picked out our dresses.

hyakuya: 7,7;

Yoichi: "Great! This'll be fun, like playing dress up!"

mitsuba: wouldnt be my first formal dinner party.

shinoa: same.

Yoichi: ^^; "I'm out of practice on formal dining etiquette."

mitsuba:...*glances at kimizuki*

Kimizuki: "Hmph. I'm familiar enough with the dining practices." *picks out a black tie*

-elsewhere-

Saria: *walks up to the counter* "Hello! I'll have--" O_O; *hides behind Lukas*

Monica: -_-# "Just give it to me."

lukas: um... ._.;

Monica: "SPIT IT OUT! I DON'T HAVE ALL DAY!"

Saria: >_< "Iced tea, please!"

-elsewhere-

kyouko: ......

Fujimoto: *reading, looks up* "Hey, kiddo--feeling a bit bored?"

kyouko: a bit stressed from studying and work, i guess. *sigh* i havent been this exhausted since working to pay off your medical bills.....

Fujimoto: "...You know, you had been saving up some money for a bit of travel..."

kyouko: ?? are you sure?

Fujimoto: *nods* "I think you need a break. Maybe I can help with your trip..."

kyouko: hmm.....

-elsewhere-

mami: feeling any better?

Crona: "Still lethargic, but less affected by whatever happened...Ragnarok has been a bit more unhinged but nowhere near as mindless when we were together."

mami: i see. do you need anything at the moment?

Crona: "...I'm kinda hungry." ^^; "Maybe pudding?"

mami: ok, two puddings coming up. ^^

Crona: "Thank you..." *looks out the window* "Maybe we could go out when I'm a little stronger."

mami: *nods*

*giggling is heard in the hallway*

mami: *looks*

Ragnarok: *in the apartment hallway, talking to a neighbor* "--then I said, 'It's supposed to be flat--it's roadkill!'"

old woman: ._.;;

Ragnarok: "So, how long you been living here? Since Peloponnesian or Trojan War?"

mami: hello mrs onozuka. he isnt bothering you is he?

mrs onozuka: hello mami, dearie. is he a friend of yours? ^^;

mami: more of a permanent house guest. 7_7;

mrs onozuka: that reminds me, how is chrona? i heard they were in the hospital.

mami: they're doing much better. i was actually about to make some food for them.

Ragnarok: "Not since they pulled me out of Cro--"

mami: *shoves ragnarok back inside*

Ragnarok: >_<# "You jerk! I'm making headway with that octogenarian!"

mrs onozuka: if you'd like, i could bring over some of my homemade ohagi. ^^

mami: that would be lovely, thank you. ^^

Ragnarok: "MAKE ME SOME TOO, MRS. O!"

-elsewhere-

kim: ugh...feels like we've been walking forever!

Jacqueline: *looking at the trail* "Maybe they are trying to confuse us--meandering."

kilik: ......

ox: *shivering*

Harvar: "This is the part in the horror film where someone gets pulled away screaming to their death."

ox: can you not? im cold enough as it is!

Thunder: *striking a stick along the trees*

-something growls-

Fire: O_O;

ox: EEK!

kim: ?!?

Harvar: *gets in front of Ox*

-something comes charging at them-

kim: jackie!

Jacqueline: "Right!" *transforms*

kilik: fire, thunder, let's go!

Fire and Thunder: *transform*

-a large green creature charges-

creature: *GRRAOOOOOOO*

Jacqueline: "!!!"

Fire + Thunder: "HOLY MOLEY!"

Harvar: "??? Are we in The Green?"

-the creature swings a fist at them-

Jacqueline: *lets out a fire in the air* "Get back, Kim!"

kim: *jumps back* jackie, blast it!

Jacqueline: *blasts it*

creature: *SCREECHES*

Thunder: "??? Are they upset we're on their land?"

kim: why dont we try asking it. OOOI! WHAT DO YOU WANT!

creature: *SHRIIEEEK*

ox: *dodging* ?? hey! there's something in it's back!

Harvar: *looks*

-in the creature's back is a black shard that looks like glass, but has an orange glow to it, similar to the creature's eyes-

Harvar: "Looks magic-y."

kim: *looks* !! we need to get it out!

Jacqueline: "Touching it directly may be dangerous. It may be safer to use a weapon to dig it out. I suggest using Harvar."

Harvar: -_-; "Thank you for your concern."

kim: and after we get it out, we need to destroy it.

kilik: you recognize it?

kim: *nods* it's a binding shard. witches use them to control living beings sometimes.

Jacqueline: "Who wants to be the distraction?"

kim: hey you big lug! over here! >XP

creature: *ROARS and attacks*

Jacqueline: "Oh boy..." *blasts up to let Kim fly over*

creature: *swings a fist at them*

Fire + Thunder: *charge up*

kilik: *runs at the creature*

Fire: "FIRE FIST!"

Thunder: "THUNDERSTRUCK!"

-SHAFWOOM-

creature: *SCREEEEEEEEEEEE*

Harvar: "Ox, now!"

ox: HYAAAH!!

*direct hit*

creature: *SCREEEEEEEEE*

Harvar: "Now get back!"

ox: *jumps back*

Jacqueline: "Kim, what happens now to it?"

kim: we need to smash the shard!

Fire: "Punch it!"

-POW-

-SHATTER-

Thunder: ^o^

-the beast stops. then a blue light appears in it's eyes, staring at them-

Jacqueline: "Did it work?"

Harvar: "No, the beast got contact lenses."

Jacqueline: -_-#

-the creature looks at them, letting out a low growl, as if to say 'thank you', then walks off-

Fire: "Bye bye!"

kim: well, i think that's case closed...

kilik: guys....i think that thing may have been the forest guardian...

Thunder: "Huh--that would make a lot of sense."

kim: i thought forest guardians looked like huge bucks?

kilik: in some cases, they do. the appearance of the guardian changes depending on the state of the forest it protects.

Jacqueline: "So this mossy forest..."

kim:...we should probably go now.

-elsewhere-

Black Star: *huffs, puffs* "...OKAY! AGAIN!"

Hyde: *operating a wrecking ball* "Okay!" *swings the wrecking ball--*

Black Star: *stares...pulls back his fist, and--*

*CRACK*

tsubaki: what on earth?!

licht: idiocy. idiocy is happening.

Black Star: *knocks the freaking wrecking ball away--as it flies off the chain and towards Licht and Tsubaki*

ochako: *gravities the chain and sends it up*

Hyde: "Woot! Look at that sucker fly!"

Black Star: "Damn! I can't believe I knocked that thing away! Looks like I'm getting this strength thing under control!"

Fitzgerald: "THE HELL ARE YOU PEOPLE DOING WITH MY WRECKING BALL?!"

Hyde: "..." *runs for it*

ochako: YEEP!!

Mr. Uraraka: "Oh, hey kids! Careful on the equipment."

Fitzgerald: *picks up a pebble, throws it--and it smashes Hyde into the ground*

ochako: D8>

licht: ?!?!?

Hyde: *buried*

Fitzgerald: "Hmph. Not even worth $25."

-elsewhere-

Tetsutetsu: *staring at the list* "So many flavors...So many desserts..."

pony: they all sound so delish!

Sen: "Hmm...Maybe just something simple--like fudge ripple..."

Tetsutetsu: *staring at the sundaes*

Yosetsu: "Just a little bit before our training kicks into high gear!"

nirengeki: maybe i'll just get something small.

reiko: i suppose i'll treat myself to the chocolate fudge.

tokage: you sure, yanagin? it's a bit pricey.

reiko: *nods*

Hiryu: "Ibara, you want anything?"

ibara: i'll just have vanilla.

kinoko: dude, that's rad.

Hiryu: *nods* "That red velvet is calling my attention..."

-elsewhere-

mina: you think horses have dreams?

Jirou: "??? Probably. Animals make noises when they sleep and all..."

mina: what do you think they dream about?

eijiro: horse stuff i guess?

Hagakure: "Like winning the Derby?"

mina: maybe.

-elsewhere-

Todoroki: "??? What happened to your friend?"

Hyde: X___X

ochako: antics happened. ^^;

licht: *staring at todoroki*

Todoroki: "...Oh. Hello, um, 'bro.'"

licht: hello again brother, angel of the frozen flame.

Todoroki: -_-; "Not the moniker I intend to use for superheroism, but poetic."

-elsewhere-

Rin: *sitting under bamboo, has a monkey on his head* "I don't see what the big deal is..." *hands a grape up to the monkey* "The baby isn't out yet, so you still got time..."

Monkey: ^w^ *eating*

izumo: i guess they wanted so celebrate anyway.

Rin: "Yeah, but I mean his panicking over something that isn't happening yet--still got time to learn diapering, burping, cholic, warming up milk--"

izumo: how do you know about all this stuff?

Rin: "The old man kept seeing mothers all the time, so someone had to look after the kids while he was doing whatever with them."

izumo: i see...

Bon: "What a mother."

-elsewhere-