#Mercer Warehouse

[rabbitcruiser]

Edmonton, AB (No. 8)

Ice District is a $2.5 billion mixed-use sports and entertainment district being developed on 10 hectares (25 acres) of land in Downtown Edmonton and a portion of the neighbourhood of Central McDougall. Its main attraction is Rogers Place, the home arena of the Edmonton Oilers professional ice hockey team. When completed the area will be Canada's largest mixed-use and entertainment district. The developers of the district are the Katz Group and the ONE Development Group. On July 13, 2015, it was announced that the area of the city surrounding the arena from 101 and 104 Street to 103 and 106 Avenue would be referred to as "Ice District" – a name created by Daryl Katz.

Rogers Place, the home arena for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League, is the main attraction of the district. Opened on September 8, 2016, it seats 18,500 people for hockey games. The cost of the arena was around $480 million.

Source: Wikipedia

[imogenlaudna]

Laura Bailey, about the faceless woman they left in a flaming warehouse: Oh, no. That’s right, she got roasted in the fire. Matt Mercer, with a bright smile: You have no confirmation, but it’s likely. That’s a rough one to get out of. Good news, probably not from the smoke inhalation. Bad news, the rest of it.

[metropolitanmutantofark]

Leverage gang gets stuck in the middle of the road somewhere in the desert in Utah

Nathan Ford: Alright gang, let’s go steal a 2007 Honda Civic *Leverage theme music*

Alec Hardison: alright the mark’s name is John Johnny McBingleBangle he’s been using his 2007 Honda Civic for 23 years now running over orphans puppies orphaned puppies AND puppied orphans but to get into his car we’re gonna need his keys now Parker-

Beloved Country Singer-Songwriter and Matt Mercer look-alike Christian Kane: damn it Hardison can’t you just hack the 2007 Honda Civic with your hacker van

Parker: actually guys-

Alec Hardison: Lucille broke down dingus that’s why we’re stuck here in the middle of Utah

Nathan Honda: Yeah that’s why we’re gonna go steal a 2007 Honda Civic gang *Leverage theme music*

Sophie Devereaux: if he’s been driving his 2007 Honda Civic that long then surely he’s got to go to the gas station sometime or another

Nathan Chevrolet: Right so we’re gonna disguise Sophie as an orphaned puppy and she’ll keep mr. McBingleBangle at the gas station long enough for Parker to get his keys and for the rest of us to get inside the car, let’s go steal a 2007 Honda Civic *Warehouse 13 theme music*

Parker: *swinging keys around on her finger* guys no but really-

Alec Hardison: it’s not gonna be that easy his 2007 Honda Civic has a dash cam protected by an enhancement modifier now that means we’ve gotta get not only his keys but also his driver’s license and also his keys’ driver’s license

Sophie Devereaux: *already adjusting her orphan wig* I could pretend to be an orphan who works for the DMV then

Nathan Mitsubishi: Nah no this con’s gotta be clean or we’ll never make it to Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza for Parker’s birthday party, we’re gonna go steal a 2014 Ford Focus *Grimm theme music*

Eliot Spencer: wait Hardison rewind that dash cam footage

Alex Trebek Hardison: alright sure

Parker: *holding McBingleBangle’s entire personal records collection in hand* who’s that in the passenger seat?

Eliot Spencer: damn it Hardison that’s two-toe Tony Tommy the biggest baddest meanest guy in all of Uzbekistan this is really bad

*flashback*

Two-toe Tony Tommy, the biggest baddest meanest guy in all of Uzbekistan*: I’m gonna punch you Christian Kane

Eliot Spencer without stubble to indicate he’s younger: not if I punch you harder first Tommy

*they punch each other and they both look super cool end flashback*

Nathan Tesla: don’t worry guys Eliot’s just gonna punch him it’ll be a classic punch the guy steal his car con let’s go steal a leverage theme music *2007 Honda Civic*

Sophie Devereaux: *over earpiece* Guys this is bad Mr. McBingleBangle is gonna run me over he thinks I’m really an orphaned puppy

Parker: what you’ve never been run over before? I did that all the time as a kid

The gang: . . .

Parker: continue

John Johnny McBingleBangle at the wheel of his 2007 Honda McCivic: Man I’m so evil I love running over orphaned puppies like this they’re my favorite watch me hit this sick puppy-grinder Tony

Two-toe Tony Tommy, the biggest baddest meanest guy in all of Uzbekistan: why do i even hang out with you

Parker who is already in the backseat of the car: You wanna say that again?

John Johnny McBingleBangle: huh what who said that ***THUNK***

The crumpled broken form that was once Sophie Devereaux: ouch now im dead lol

Two-toe Tony Tommy the biggest yeah you know the rest at this point: my god John we’ve gotta call the police

John Johnny McBingleBangle: we’re not gonna

Two-Toe Tony Tommy: huh what

John Johnny McBingleBangle: we’ve gotta get rid of the witnesses *cocks gun* nothin personnel kid

Gun: bang

Eliot Spencer: damn it Hardison why didn’t you hack the gun so it wouldn’t kill Sophie

Sophie Devereaux: because I’m not dead

John Johnny McBingleBangle: HUH WHAT

Alec Hardison: *getting out of the car* look again Johnny

Orphaned Puppy, standing next to a life-sized cardboard cutout of Sophie Devereaux: *whine*

Nate Subaru: yeah while you were monologuing about how evil you are we got Sophie out of the way so you’d leave your 2007 Honda Civic exposed now let’s go steal a 2007 Honda Civic *Alphas theme music*

*flashback*

*they do that cardboard cutout thing*

John Johnny McBingleBangle: but i just shot her in the head with my bang bang shooting gun

Nathan Dodge: nah uh uh

Sophie Devereaux: *peels off her bulletproof orphan wig and novelty dog ears*

John Johnny McBingleBangle: HUH WHAT THE WHAT

Sophie Devereaux: And now you’re under arrest

John Johnny McBingleBangle: you can’t do this to me

Two-toe Tony Tommy: yeah they can bub

*flashback*

Two-toe Tony Tommy, the biggest baddest meanest guy in all of Uzbekistan*: I’m gonna punch you Christian Kane

Citizen Kane: Wait zoom in on that asterisk

The Camera: *zooms*

Uzbekistan (oh but actually he’s FBI Agents Taggart and McSweeten in a trench coat)

*they laugh clink wine glasses and pretend to fight end flashback*

FBI agents taggart and mcsweeten in a trench coat: you’re under arrest for running over orphaned puppies with your 2007 Honda Civic

John Johnny McBingleBangle: No no this can’t be happening to me don’t you know who i am I’m John Johnny McBingleBangle I am THE GUY who runs over orphaned puppies you can’t do this to me

The gang: *gets in the car*

Sophie Devereaux: Looks like we’ll be making it to Freddy Fazbear’s pizza after all eh Parker

Parker: yay

The car: *vroom*

Frederick Fitzgerald Fazbear III: wow thanks guys you locked up the guy who’s been running over orphaned puppies outside my restaurant

Nathan Kia: no problem Freddy let’s go steal a 2007 Honda Civic *leverage theme music*

Alec Hardison: wait didn’t we already do that y’all

Nathan Toyota: i may have a problem

[quicksilverdrabbles]

At Snow Veil Sanctum-

Mercer: Oh, and one other thing...

Veda: Hm?

Mercer: *pointing at the six people behind her* leave them behind.

Khash: What?!

Lucien: We're not waiting out here!

Caryalind: It's out of the question! We go with her everywhere!

Mercer: Think about it this way, girl. Karliah would more likely be able to hear us coming if we were a party of eight than two. We have a higher chance of catching her off guard if they stay.

Xelzaz: She probably already knows we're here anyway! Vee, tell him! This is an absolutely ridiculous idea!

Veda: Mn.. Maybe it is for the best.

Kaidan: You're agreeing with him!?

Veda: Last time we tried to be sneaky as a group you guys killed all the wardens in the East Empire Company warehouse.

Inigo: I do not like this plan.

Mercer: Decide quick. We need to hurry before she escapes.

Veda: Guys, come on..

Kaidan: The last time we sent you off alone, the Thalmor found you and nearly killed you!

Veda: To be fair, my injuries were moreso the dragon that attacked in the courtyard. I got out fine! And I can handle myself, nobody even knew I was in Goldenglow until I escaped!

Xelzaz: I don't like this, Vee. It's dangerous.

Veda: Please, I'll be fine. What's the worst that can happen, really?

[thedemocraticallyelectedovahkiin]

Scoundrel's Folly

So I started off by speaking to Mercer Frey

who sent me off talk to Gulum-Ei along with the option to talk to Brynolf

which I did. i then set off to Solitude to met with Gulum-Ei

Who I then bribed with a stolen case of Firebrand Wine from the Blue Palace

Upon returning he gave us a little information but not enough so I Proceeded to shadow him to the East Empire Company warehouse

It was upon entering that I realised that when I picked up this days equipment I forgot something rather integral to archery

arrows.

Luckily I managed to stealthily swim across the warehouse to where I knew Gulum-Ei would be and avoid most of the guards before entering Brinewater Grotto.

It was here that I managed to scavenge what arrows I could while allowing Uthgerd, Serana and my Undying Ghost to tank while I took pot shots at the bandits.

After fighting through the bandits I confronted Gulum-Ei once more

Where he confessed that the person who hired him for the Goldenglow estate job was Karliah. I then set off to tell Mercer this information before remembering to go back to pick up the East Empire Shipping map to give to Delvin

And it was after that alongside ransacking the warehouse for sellable goods I returned to Mercer and ended the quest

Quests:

quest lines active: Before the Storm (main), Speaking with Silence (thieves guild), Good Intentions (college of winterhold), Whispers in the Dark (dark brotherhood), Bloodlines (dawnguard)

quests started: The Grey Cowl of Nocturnal, A Soul Divided, The Rising Dead, Forbidden Legend, Guest for Dinner, Hendraheim, No Stone Unturned, Dawnguard, The Break of Dawn, When the Cat's Away

mic quests: learn more about the thieves guild from Delvin and Vex, return the queen bee statue to Delvin, return honingbrew decanter to Delvin, return east empire shipping map to Delvin, join the Imperial legion, join the Stomcloaks, Talk to the companion leaders for work, speak to the Jarl of Falkreath, speak to Constance Michel about adoption, participate in a drinking contest with Sam Guenvere, Bring a Dwarven arrow to Calcemo, visit the museum in Dawnstar, Find gold ore a mammoth tusk and a flawless sapphire for Madesi, Read Eltry's note

Places Discovered:

Solitude

Blue Palace

Enchantment's learned:

N/A

Spells learned:

Turn Lesser Undead

Shouts learned:

N/A

Apparel:

Head: Dwarven crown of Winter (Increases your stamina by 40 points. One-handed attacks do 15% more damage. Two-handed attacks do 15% more damage. Stamina regenerates 10% faster.), Silver helmet, Scaled Helmet of Eminent Magicka (Increases your Magicka by 50 points.), Scaled helmet, Fine hat, Shrouded hood (sneaking is 25% better)

Body: Ward of Seasons (Increases Fire Resistance by 10%. Increases Frost Resistance by 10%. Increases Shock Resistance by 10%. Increases Poison Resistance by 10%.), Orcish plate armour, Thieves guild armor (carrying capacity increased by 20 points), Scaled armour, Fine clothes, Shrouded robes (destruction costs 15% less to cast)

Hands: Steel Plate gauntlets, Thieves guild gloves (lockpicking is 15% easier), Orcish scaled gauntlets, Gloves, Shrouded hand wraps (Double sneak attack damage with one-handed weapons)

Feet: Dwarven boots of waning fire (Increases fire resistance by 30%), Steel plate boots, Thieves guild boots (pickpocket success is 15% better), Scaled boots, Boots, Shrouded shoes (Wearer is muffled and moves silently)

Shields: Dwarven shield of dwindling magic (Increases Magic Resistance by 15%.), Falmer Shield, Elven Shield

Amulets: Amulet of Arkay (Increases health by 10 points), Amulet of Dibella (+15 Speechcraft), Amulet of Kynareth (Increases your Stamina by 10 points), Amulet or Stendarr (Block 10% more with your shield), Amulet of Talos (Time between shouts is reduced 20%) Saarthal amulet (Spells cost 3% less to cast), Gauldur amulet fragment (Increases magicka by 30 points), Gauldur amulet fragment (Increases health by 30 points)

Rings: enchanted ring (Increases health by 20 points), Muiri's ring (Created potions are 15% more powerful)

Weapons:

Forsworn bow

Crossbow

Orcish battleaxe

Dwarven greatsword

Elven warhammer

Ebony war axe

Dwarven mace

Honed Flamer sword

Dragon Priest dagger

Staffs:

Staff of Jyrik Gauldurson(Target takes 25 points of damage, and twice as much Magicka damage)

Staff of Magelight(Ball of light that lasts 60 seconds and sticks where it strikes)

Goblin totem staff (Lightning bolt that does 40 points of shock damage to healt and half to magicka, then leaps to a new target)

Staff of Sparks (Lightning that does 8 points of shock damage to health and magicka per second)

Steel staff of War (Elemental damage that does 4 points per second to health, magicka and stamina. Targets on fire take extra damage)

Staff of the Familiar (Summons a familiar for 60 seconds whereber the caster id pointing)

Wooden Staff of Shaming (Creatures and people up to level 8 flee from combat for 60 seconds)

Staff of Fury (Creatures and people up to level 4 will attack anything nearby for 60 seconds)

Forsworn Staff of Flames (A gout of fire that does 8 points per second. Targets on fire take extra damage)

Staff of Calm (Creatures and people up to level 8 won't fight for 30 seconds)

Staff of Frostbite (A blast of cold that does 8 points of damage per second to Health and Stamina)

When polling please be aware bows and two handed weapons will be included in the right hand poll while crossbows, staffs and shields are in the left. Also I have decided to implement a rule where if an option is chosen twice in a row for the next two polls it will be left out of rotation. This is to help to encourage us to mix up what we do a bit more.

[beyondspock]

Bernie Smith is a fictional character in the ABC daytime drama General Hospital. He was portrayed by Leonard Nimoy on April 23, 1963.

Nimoy played a drug dealer named Bernie in the 17th episode of season 1 of General Hospital in 1963! His character showed up on the doorsteps of Peggy Mercer to drop of pills for her friend, Roy Lansing. (Source)

In assembling his handsomely produced General Hospital: The Complete Scrapbook (General Publishing Group, $30), Gary Warner left no scrap unturned.In a dusty warehouse somewhere in Southern California, the self-described “resident historian” of ABC found the crumbling payroll records of the 32-year-old soap. While sifting (and sneezing) through the pay stubs, one star’s name jumped out at him: Leonard Nimoy. “I looked at [the payroll] and said, ‘Leonard Nimoy? Leonard Nimoy!’ ” Warner raves. “This is like gold.”Nimoy played Bennie the Pill Pusher in 1963, just a few years before he became a pop culture icon as Dr. Spock on “Star Trek.” He earned $145 per soap episode he was on. Such trivia is the secret weapon of these television memory books (...)  A video still of Nimoy appears in the book as does one of Warner’s other finds--Emmy and Tony Award winner Tyne Daly. (Los Angeles Times) 

[secondscns]

jack corvin

AGE: 40 DATE OF BIRTH: may 10, taurus PLACE OF BIRTH: seattle, washinton GENDER: cis man OCCUPATION: public defense attorney RELATION TO HOPE: n/a PERSONALITY: obsessive and addictive personality, cutthroat in work, ignores his personal life, desperate to prove he can make a change

bio

rough childhood, alcoholic father, dead mother, anarchist teen years, blah blah blah, it’s all been heard before. no one really wants to hear about the band where he fried his voice and did drugs at sixteen until it started burning his friends alive. they don’t want to hear about how losing people, friends who were more like family, drove him to want to make a change beyond just screaming at a crowd in a warehouse full of people who already agreed with him. he got through law school through the force of a chip on his shoulder and working whatever odd job meant he could afford tuition, rent, or food. hopefully two out of three.

but that was years ago.

he graduated, he passed the bar, he got his job. and he ended up in rehab and aa when his job burned him out and he crashed hard. he had to realize how much like his shitty dad he really was. he had to dedicate himself to changing. he can't say he managed to stay sober, but he did blow up his career, get through most of a 12 step program, and decide a change of pace was for the best.

but that was years ago.

now he’s a small shot public defender in mercer hollow because he just isn’t cut out for big city life anymore. he figured he’d slow down a few years, do easy cases like jaywalking and selling weed without a license. wasn’t really expecting to have to deal with a murder investigation in a town that hasn’t seen a murder since the seventies.

this would all be much easier to handle if he ever actually put his life together and got himself to a place where he could handle it. instead he throws himself into the problems that aren't his and manages those.

wanted connections

the defendant - maybe they can't afford an attorney or maybe they think they don't need one, but jack corvin will go to bat for you and get you off the hook. (0/?) the inside man - a cop or investigator who is willing to give up information about the investigation in exchange for cash, goods, services, or perhaps they don't even know they're being used for information. (0/1) the broken heart - he hasn't ever held a half-decent relationship, except for this once. except for this one beautiful part of his life that he held onto for as long as possible, then royally screwed up. he'd do anything to get this person back. (0/1) the accountabili-buddy - sobriety isn't entirely possible him, but at the very least he can stick to alcohol and nothing else. but doing it alone isn't easy. this person sticks together with jack corvin in keeping it together, even if it means smacking sense into him. (0/2) the one who has it together - they had their rebellious youth together, but this person grew out of it, had a good life, maybe a family and kids, and never really misses the days of spraypainting denim and wearing spikes while jack thinks about it as the best time of his life. (0/1) the bad influence - this person is chasing the feeling of rebellion the same way that jack does, and it is ruinous for both of them. he's not a teen anymore who can go wild, but that part of him is always just below the surface and this person makes it dangerously close to happening. (0/1)

[zooterchet]

Stormfront Rejected (Pissing Themselves in Humilation)

German Trade Federation: Disney removed, for Warner Brothers.

Puerto Rican Navy: Jewish-Romalian, Larry David, creates Hamburger Helper, on television, begging for forgiveness.

Capcom Games: Megaman X, son of hunter of Whitey Bulger, faces own system, Montessori Sigma.

id Software: Doom too late, to help struggling students, Catholics, called "Christian" by enthusiasts; old uncle, Danny, "Subgenius", "Bob".

Dragonball: Kakarot, as Goku, the latter a slur, the former as same as "Freiza", American nuclear option.

AIDS Quilt: Own dystentary immunity, Tommy Lee, as Tommy Lee Jones, "Batman Forever", "Spider-Man" standup; removal of testicles, "Robocop" as directed by Paul Verhoeven.

UseNet Hentai: Jelly roll, Chinese-Korean, as having proven valor, through bust of Mossad Taiwan, as 9/11 attacks.

Rhode Island PD: Buddhist League, "James Knox Polk", as "Zoolander", Stiller Clan, as having removed optomitrist's spectrum, rape glasses as contact lenses, "better than perfect" vision.

Rhinoceros Party: Placement as drug, upon party, "People of Lot"; first romance, with North Korea, as "Rolento", Match of the Millenium MUCK; Rolento Schugerg, West Point Academy.

Orange Order: Hawaiian Naval Engineering, as catch of Osama Bin Laden, considered weak, for Kazakh, precongitive, Abu Bakr; Dead End, own volunteer, as Starscream; Scott Beamer, Swindle, as owner of Transformers; Optimus Prime; Saladin, with Osama, as Kup, Ghandhi.

Hell's Angels: High conference, of Rabbinical, as removed, through "Paste Pot Pete", Lansky.

Canadian Freemasons: Nixon Laird, as given to Northampton Nixon, five point Slayer spot as removed, instead of implanted; Slayer, ruled poor music, compared to Motorhead, thief of Scottish Cross, Kaisers.

GI Joe: Mercer, as the Billy, the Cobra Commander's son; full insurance intelligence on MetLife given, however through "Apples to Oranges", Prudential Life; "black ops", as "wet works", "slush funds"; all appropriations, now through arts, "James Bond 007".

Marvel Comics: USMC child molester, Rabbinical, by virtue of US Marine, as a child molester Catholic, having memorized issue, of own molestation; never having called historical figure, as investigated by Catholic priest, a frame from Orange Order, Zulus. Prison rape.

Northern Alliance Reagan: Marked as "loser" in warehouse, attending college, for transit of Marblehead Beach, to Taliban, victory over CVS poppy crops; instead, "Pom", terrorist market, in pomegranates, Afghan resistance. Karzai.

Ba'ath France: Saddam Hussein, as hung as if CIA, "Kakarot", Hopkinton Lodge, not "Goku", enemy of Freiza, "MI-6"; therefore, "Luke Stetson", as "Superman", running through woods forever, new model of cinema; sarcastic joke on accused, as hero in art. Contrary to Hitler and Goebbels, hero in art as favored.

Likud Dallas Wights: Cain, David Charlebois, as favored, however John Remby, as opposing; picking "John Doe" as self, for Whitey Bulger, FRG/IDF agent, with David Charlebois as "Grim Reaper"; Whitey Bulger executed as David Berkowitz, frame of veal at meal on Whitey Bulger, instead of Prodigal Son age 18, Temple. David Charlebois, raised Catholic. Whitey, raised Jewish.

United States Marine Corps Tourism Fund: Demand of Marines, for transgender operations, advertised by Robin Williams, Israeli Juden actor, slave owner, Confederate; against Edward Norton, German Nazi actor, freedom from thralldom, Emancipator. Those siding with Robin Williams, as slave owner, to be refused of court's reference, given media attention instead; media actor, as shamed.

United Health Associates: Dr. Golden, as blintzes and latkes man, claiming Israeli heritage, despite being Gestapo; own form of German ministering, oppsed by Donald Trump, siding with Israelis.

NORML: Spraying of weed, with Pinesol or Lysol or Hair Spray, however "Lemon Heads", same scent, puking if sprayed. The freedom of American weed dealers, and tree surgeons, to legalize marijuana, outside of Holland German interests, straight jacket of economists; any claiming otherwise, as raped, and wives relocated.

INTERPOL: Prostitutes' wives, and husbands, and blood of Christ, to be taken from common ampitheater of politics, "Batman"; children having seen Batman, in the nude, a Buddhist, causing school shootings for sharing of independent pornography; porn stars, as having received GHB, for survival in prison.

On Leong Tong: Taiwanese Triads, "Ghos Shadows", outed as David Carradine's death, and farts on food of clothing distributed through cuckold husbands; the John Hancock structure, dissolved, under Amway, revealing American politicians as serving Britain, to be crossdressers, in refused of Chinese women's rights and African musician's melodies

Unitarian Church: The refusal of marijuana and cannabis noted, in jobs and roles essential, the white collar; not the pink collar, as if nursing, a blue collar job with opium given by Israel; still hunted, by nurses and mental patients, to this day. " I Fuck Kids ".

MI-6 Windsor: Removal of laureates of disabled, crippled and removed of law given prosecutor; the murders of those endowed to Mossad, Musashi and Rohm, otherwise removed from precips, if calipers used on bones; falsely advising, children as rape victims, a house husband; "Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell".

Friends Stand United: Indebtment, to Robert Redford, from house busts on Halloween, massive rapes of Boston extra-range PD, for offering exorcisms as drugs, instead of attorneys at law, the refusal of Marvel and DC Comics and the Democratic Party; Boston police, revealed as racist for voting Democrat, Catholic African.

Wiccan Federation: The consumption of meat, as unethical given worker, however framed as others being slave labor; martial arts federations, outside of Papal Advocacy, the self; the crippling blow, as self-defense, instead of first strike, the murder of a physical arts fighter, especially a Marine.

Trump Organization: The sales of Sulla, to Barack Obama, however as John McCain, destroying entire Pyramid Structure sought by MI-6 and constructed by alien UFO briefings since 1990s, before George W. Bush. Obama, Trump, and Biden, revealed as fake

Mossad. Code of silence, Italian Mob blueprints of arrests, violated, to keep from Oath's Silence, Kapo, Capo, Captain, on John Gotti bust; supporting Friends Stand United and the Cottonmouth Kings, "Jewing' as wise finance, outside of "tips", Alcoholics Anonymous and Lids, an NYPD Hitler Youth investment.

[lleeroon-blog]

Moira and Leeannes journal, Loredas, 4th of frostfall 4E 201.

Moira has been silent since her and i set off to solitude to deal with the wedding and the lizard. I've had to personally see to the death of the emperors cousin, which she bled like a struck fucking pig, and then had to run out of the city via the emperors tower escape. After that, i broke my way into the east empires warehouse, looted whatever i could, and spoke to the lizard that fleeced us on the bee farm. It turns out the mastermind behind everything was a Karlaiah, who, upon returning to Riften, i had learned from mercer Frey himself had been responsible for the murder of the previous guild master. He had tasked us with traveling to a Nordic tomb to kill her ourselves. I can feel Moira waking up now and once she does, ill hand control over to her, fill her in on our recent happenings. Hircine Guide Us.

I had spent the time between hearing the corpses words and arriving at snow veil sanctum deep in thought as to what this all could mean. Why was I chosen as the listener of the night mother. Why me? Ciceros been tending to the damn thing for who knows how long, but she chose me? I cant understand why this is happening. Hopefully killing this Karliah person can help me figure out what to make of this. Although i should watch my back around Mercer Frey. He knows more than he lets on.

[the-dragonthief-passages]

11th of Heartfire, 4E 201

I left home for Solitude, this time with Kodrir's letter for whenever I end back up at Anga's Mill again. I hoped this time when I saw him, he'd actually tell me what he wanted from me. The trip to Solitude was quiet and boring.

It wasn't hard to find Gulum-Ei. He was in the very first building I checked, the Winking Skeever. He tried to pretend he didn't know, until I pulled his fake name out, then acted like he misheard. The only way I could get him to talk was grabbing him a case of Firebrand Wine from the Blue Palace. Easy enough, I've looted that place before.

I walked in, grabbed the case, and walked right back out. I needed to wait until later to grab the Stone of Barenziah from Jarl Elisif's room, she was in there when I was inside. I gave the case to Gulum-Ei, and he told me that the buyer was a very angry woman who clearly wanted revenge on Mercer Frey, for some reason. He said he didn't get her name, but I didn't believe him for a moment, so I shadowed him. I followed him all the way down to the East Empire Company warehouse. I knew this part was going to be fun. I found some noble clothes, as well as the East Empire Company's shipping map. Delvin would definitely like this little beauty.

Gulum-Ei's trail led me to a back entrance to a cave called Brinewater Grotto. I headed inside, and immediately took notice of bandits inside. This was quite the setup, a secret direct entrance to the warehouse of the biggest shipping company in Tamriel.

I snuck and fought my way through the grotto before I eventually got to Gulum-Ei, who immediately folded and told me everything. The buyer's name was Karliah. Apparently, she killed the previous guild master Gallus, and now she's after Mercer. The only clue I got of her location was "where the end began." Mercer might know what that means. I looted the bandit's camp, rushed out past the horkers, and made my way back up to Solitude to rest at the Winking Skeever.

[a-play-of-my-obsessions]

Help

My gf is stuck in the same house with her abusive ex... We want to buy her out but are gonna need some financial support. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Use my PayPal, https://www.paypal.me/lauriercook or my go fund me https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-my-friend-get-out-of-a-toxic-situation?utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&pc_code=ot_co_dashboard_a&rcid=f63f316c73d2401bae864f1110933b1c

[pocketgalaxies]

this woman is just beating up beau in a warehouse?? is that allowed??? matthew mercer is that allowed?????

[nocturnalswarehouse]

Chapter 13 - The Argonian

Fic Series: At Long Last

Pairing: Brynjolf x Female Dovahkiin|Dragonborn (Adranelle Rolaine)

Premise: Eight years after being declared the Dragonborn, and three years after Alduin is defeated, Adranelle (Adi) Rolaine finds herself back in Riften to help Brynjolf with the Thieves Guild’s reputation.

Masterlist

Taglist: @thequeenofthewinter, @oblivions-dawn

Word count: 1,434

A/N: The chapter is longer this week to make up for the last one! Hope you enjoy it, and let me know if you want to be added to the taglist :)

"I can't believe Gulum-Ei's mixed up in all this; that Argonian couldn't find his tail with both hands.” Brynjolf and Adi were only half an hour away from Solitude, having paid the carriage to take them to Dragon Bridge. Brynjolf wanted to discuss the game plan for the job and didn’t want to risk interference, despite that carriage driver having heard a lot worse after working in Riften. “Don't get me wrong, he could scam a beggar out of his last septim... but he's no mastermind."

“Think he'll give us trouble?” Adi practically jogged next to him, trying to keep up with Brynjolf’s long strides. Being half his height meant shorter legs and more effort needed to keep up the pace. 

“Trouble? He's one of the most stubborn lizards I've ever met!”

“So, how do we get him to talk?”

“We’re going to have to buy him off; it's the only way to get his attention,” he said. “If that fails, follow him and see what he's up to. If I know Gulum-Ei, he's in way over his head, and we’ll be able to use it as leverage.”

“He's going to owe us for this betrayal.” Adi’s eyes darkened, not unnoticed by Brynjolf. 

“Aye, he does indeed... and with his fingers in the East Empire Company's pie, we'll make good use of that debt.” he agreed, then hesitated before continuing. “If I'm not being clear enough, that means we don't want him killed. For now, just keep on his tail, and he's bound to step into something he can't scrape off his boot.”

“If we get information from Gulum-Ei, what then?”

“Just head right back to the Guild and get the information to Mercer. Nothing else is more important. If you discover Gulum-Ei's holding out on us and has more loot stashed away than he claims, we'd find that information quite valuable as well.”

They walked in silence while Adi mulled over his words. This was the most ambitious job yet, and she was grateful to have Brynjolf with her. Without him, she wouldn’t know what to do or say. Especially if Gulum-Ei wouldn’t cooperate… 

“Anything else I need to know?” 

“There are thieves, and then there is Gulum-Ei.” Brynjolf began to explain. He took her hand in his and squeezed it assuringly. “No honour, no code at all. He'd shake your hand and stab you in the back at the same time. The cut he's supposed to provide the Guild has dwindled as of late. He says pickings in the Warehouse are slim, but I'm certain he's lying. Keep your eyes on him; he's quite crafty.”

By the time they finished mapping out the main plan and the backup plan to shadow the Argonian, the thieves reached Solitude. Making their way to The Winking Skeever, they passed a public execution - of which Brynjolf kept Adi from looking at. Assassin or not, she didn’t like to see innocent lives taken. Especially when the accusations and sentences were baseless. Just like the Thieves Guild, the Dark Brotherhood followed a code. Being in the city of the Imperial Legion made Adi sick. 

“I already can’t wait to get out of here,” she whispered. 

“I know, lass,” Bryn replied gently. He placed a hand on the small of her back and led her into the tavern. The place was busy, but it didn’t take them long to spot Gulum-Ei. The Argonian sat alone in a small alcove, sipping an ale. They approached him carefully, Adi a step behind Brynjolf. 

“So, what do we have here?” Gulum-Ei sized them up. “Hmm. Let me guess. By your scent, I'd say you were from the Guild. But that can't be true because I told Mercer I wouldn't deal with them anymore.”

“We’re here about Goldenglow Estate,” Adi said. Being direct was the best way to go, according to Brynjolf. Beating around the bush would allow Gulum-Ei to redirect their focus to something else entirely. 

“I don't deal in land or property.” he scoffed. “Now, if you're looking for goods, you've come to the right person.”

“You can drop the act now... Gajul-Lei.” Brynjolf raised an eyebrow. They had him cornered, and there was no way for him to get out of this. 

“Oh, wait... did you say Goldenglow Estate?” the Argonian spoke nervously. “My apologies. I'm sorry to say I know very little about that... bee farm, was it?"

“You acted as a broker for its new owner.” Brynjolf took the lead in the conversation, as per the plans discussed. His silver tongue would get more out of the Argonian than Adi would. 

"Maybe I did, maybe I didn't. I can't be expected to remember every deal I handle.”

“Identify the buyer, and we'll forget what we know.” the tone was almost forceful, and his expression showed he wasn’t to be messed with. If Adi didn’t know Brynjolf personally, she’d be scared out of her wits. 

“All right.” Gulum-Ei caved. “Had I known the deal would bring this much trouble, I never would have accepted the gold. I was approached by a woman who wanted me to act as the broker for something big. She flashed a bag of gold in my face and said all I had to do was pay Aringoth for the estate. I brought him the coin and walked away with her copy of the deed.” 

“Did she say why she was doing this?” 

“Not at all. I tend not to ask too many questions when I'm on the job. I'm sure you understand.” Adi couldn’t argue with him there. She tended not to ask any questions when given a job. It was a waste of time, and often it was better to have less information. Although, it seemed like he purposefully left out a key piece of information… “However, I did notice she was quite angry, and it was being directed at Mercer Frey.”

“That's it? No name or anything?” Brynjolf looked displeased. He and Adi shared a look, telling each other he wasn’t being believable. 

“In this business, we rarely deal in names; our identity comes from how much coin we carry.”

“I think you're lying to us.” Adi gave him a look, but Gulum-Ei just laughed it off. 

“Look, that's all I know.” he shrugged. His voice wavered a bit, but he tried to keep it steady. Luckily, the change in tone wasn’t lost on either thief. “I never promised you I'd have all the answers. Now, since our transaction is done, I'll be on my way.”

The Argonian pushed past the two of them and headed out of the Tavern. He looked back at them before heading out, clearly to make sure they weren’t going to follow. Unfortunately for Gulum-Ei, that was the backup plan the two of them devised. 

Adi waited a few seconds before walking out of the Tavern with Brynjolf right behind her. She was to take the lead in this, having the skills needed to blend in with the shadows. Brynjolf wasn’t as quick and subtle as she was, so he was to follow her and be backup when needed. 

Sticking to the shadows, Adi kept her eye trained on the Argonian. The distance between them was large enough that he would be unable to spot them by a wall or in a tree grove. Even if he did, it was unlikely they would be recognized. At least not immediately. 

Getting to the docks proved to be the easiest part of shadowing. There were no obstructions to hide behind, and Gulum-Ei kept looking left and right consistently. Adi and Brynjolf had to crouch down and wait until he was somewhat out of sight in order to move forward. From there, they walked slowly, Adi keeping her eyes on the Argonian once they spotted him again. 

When he disappeared behind the door that led to the warehouse, Adi had Brynjolf watch for any guards as they approached it. She took out her lockpicking set and began to work. Brynjolf shielded her with his body, trying to act natural as guards walked up and down the docks, never stepping past Vittoria Vicci. 

“We’re in.” Adi pushed the door open lightly, trying to avoid making a sound. They slipped through with ease and kept to the walls. Gulum-Ei was nowhere in sight, and the place seemed like a maze. Luckily, Adi noticed a ramp that led to the top of the boxes, and the thieves climbed up as silently as possible. Once she spotted Gulum-Ei, they moved. 

They were going to get the name of the buyer no matter the cost.

[dndeed]

Crit Role Miniature Rollout: C3E1 The Draw of Destiny

With Andrew Harshman

An archive and review of the minis used on CR.

Campaign 3 is underway! Folks, we got a new campaign and a new post format. I will continue to document the list of models used in each gaming sesh. In lieu of full thoughts and opinions on each new miniature, I will be naming a favorite mini of the sesh and a least favorite mini of the sesh. Oughta be a good ol’, grand ol’, fun ol’ time.

The Episode Mini List

Dwarven Forge City Builder System

Dwarven Forge Cottage Set - Stone

Dwarven Forge Cottage Set - Tudor

Dwarven Forge Wicked City Smuggler’s Wagon

Dwarven Forge Wicked City Stalls

Tiny Furniture Mason Stone Walls

Maze of Death Dressing: Fountain

Printable Scenery The Warehouse

Miniature Building Authority Corner House with Turret

D&D® Icons of the Realms: Spell Effects: Mighty Conjurations Arcane Eye

Bertrand Bell HeroForge Mini

Custom Campaign 3 Party Minis

Pathfinder Rusty Dragon Inn Farmer

Dwarven Forge Garn Mini

Pathfinder The Lost Coast Brodert Quink

Pathfinder The Lost Coast Shoanti Gladiator

Archfiends Sage

Baldur’s Gate Descent Into Avernus #034 Sylvira Savikas

Pathfinder Battles Sajan, Iconic Monk Iconic Heroes Set 1

Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica #17 Blood Drinker Vampire

WizKids 4D Settings: Medieval Farmer Farmer

Angelfire #12 Village Priest

Tomb of Annihilation #021b Tabaxi Hunter

Aberrations #19 Longtooth Barbarian

Human Ranger Epic Level Starter Set

Critical Role Righteous Brand Soldier

Critical Role Kryn Noble

Critical Role Trader of Kryn

Unconfirmed Critical Role Dwendalian Crownsguard

Dungeon Lair Table

Mantic Games Terrain Crate Long Carpet

Assorted custom animated object miniatures

Assorted crates

The Party

Left image sourced from ExU E1 Right image sourced from C3E1

I do not yet know who manufactured the party miniatures. But the deduction process has begun. I’ve narrowed it down slightly. The ExU character miniatures are not the same Eldritch Foundry models featured in the ExU episodes. So I’m not ruling Eldritch Foundry just yet, but they were at minimum redesigned if not modelled completely from the ground up.

All the Campaign 3 PC models have clear bases. A basing concept I am quite keen on, particularly for roleplaying game models. Helps the models blend with the terrain. Almost too well in the wider camera angles. The new Wizkids prepaints have clear bases as well. So I spent some 15 minutes trying to ID Ashton’s miniature, thinking that they were a newer D&D or PF model. How rockheaded mineral domed of me. I need extra miniature research work like I need a hole in the head, am I right folks?

Bertrand Bell on the other hand is pretty definitively a Hero Forge figure as denoted by his very heroic and very forge-like tunic. This, sadly, seems to support the theory that he is a temporary character. Unfortunate, I am really enjoying his involvement in the story and Travis’s performance.

Favorite Mini

Townsfolk Critical Role Trader of Kryn Mini image sourced from minisgallery.com

I hereby award the first Favorite Mini title to Critical Role’s own miniature line, the Critical Role: Factions of Wildemount Kryn Dynasty & Xhorhas Box Set Trader of Kryn. A miniature that is somehow both very unique and very versatile. Great NPC, monk, barbarian, or even wizard. That hefty sack could be full of spell components! Matthew Mercer clearly had a hand in designing this one, what with all the wristwear. 

Least Favorite Mini

Townsfolk Angelfire #12 Village Priest Mini image sourced from miniaturemarket.com

In a previously review, I may have been too kind to this one. The prepainted paint is even worse that I had given it credit for in the past. Those eyes, positively haunting. 

Closing Thoughts

A few extra bits of assorted miniature trivia for ya. The Spire by Fire (which may be a Burning Man reference?) is a 3D printed building. Looks really great, nary a resolution line in sight. This encounter features both the mini used for Jamedi Cosko and the mini used for the Ruby of the Sea. 

What will we see in C3E2? New miniatures for sure, perhaps even a new player character figure? Maybe a Mats by Mars mat or two? Oh the possibilities.

See ya next sesh!

#critroleminiaturerollout

[tommytranselo]

if mafia 2 was a movie with a soundtrack that worked like goodfellas’, what songs would you play over which parts? eg. when vito goes to prison, when henry dies, end credits, etc etc. (or just what songs in general if you can’t think of any for specific scenes) :3

ok sorry this is so late, i’ve been thinking about this in detail (also, anon how does it feel to be a genius coming up with this question)

“money (that’s what i want)” by barrett strong has gotta play at some point, it’s such a vito song–i know originally “let the good times roll” by sam butera & the witnesses plays over the montage after they get made, but tbh (assuming the movie also has this montage or similar) i’d replace it with “money,” and bonus for if it starts to fade in over the end of the getting made scene.  would also make excellent opening credits–actually, i think i like that better.  and speaking of montages, keep “bo diddley” for the drug deals, i love that part, and “long tall sally” over the hot rod drive from chapter 7.

either when vito ships out to war or when he gets back, “sam’s got him” by johnny mercer for sure.  reminds me of him and joe (especially as it’s quite literally about the wwii draft).  and “g.i. jive” playing when he first arrives in sicily–there are a few versions, but i’d say johnny mercer just to keep the consistency.

“i can’t use with the stuff i use” by lester williams plays when they first meet henry.  later, it fades in over the end of henry talking vito and joe into the drug deal, then continues playing on the car radio as they drive to the sea gift warehouse.

definitely “quiet whiskey” by wynonie harris over the cathouse scene, and then obviously “return to me” plays in the car ride back from burying frankie potts.  also, “gangster’s blues” by peetie wheatstraw needs to play at some point, maybe when vito goes to prison.  “oh marie” by louis prima also...maybe during the distillery shootout or when henry’s bleeding in the back of the car; honestly i kind of like that second option.  it starts to fade in when he realizes he’s been shot, and then cue full volume as they scramble to get out of the burning distillery, henry complaining the whole time, and the ensuing high speed drive.

@samtrapani once suggested “knocking on heaven’s door” by bob dylan over henry’s death, and i think it fits beautifully, but if it’s not quite time period accurate enough my suggestion is “we’ll meet again” by vera lynn, it’s always made me think of henry in 1945 making some friends finally only to immediately lose them.  actually...that would make good ending credits too.

that’s all i’ve got, but i’ll make a playlist someday.  excellent question, anon.

[whumpinggrounds]

All Caught Up

woohoo here for day 1 of @whumptober2021 with some superhero/sidekick content :) as i’m sure you’ll figure out, this is for the barbed wire part of the prompt

tagging @whumpy-writings, please let me know if you’d like to be added or removed :)

CW: barbed wire, (duh), blood, field medicine, cuts, pain, crying, sidekick whump, environmental whump (kinda??)

The mission is going well, as far as August can tell. He’s been relegated to recon, which is a nice way of saying that he’s spending the night running circles around the action. Beck, ever the diplomatic leader, makes sure to talk up the importance of it, emphasize how August is keeping them safe by watching everyone’s back. August, young and green though he might be, is smart enough to know that it’s a little less dramatic than all that. At least he’s contributing, August tells himself. Mercer, his fellow trainee, is back at the compound with the medic girl, Valerie. Perhaps it’s only because August’s power is more useful, but he’d like to pretend it’s a little deeper than that.

By his fifteenth lap around their perimeter, August has to call his wishful thinking what it is. He’s not any more capable than Mercer, and certainly he’s less useful than Valerie. He’s just convenient for the current mission, which, by the way, he doesn’t even get to know about. After just a few minutes of the task, he has to admit what he’s really doing, which is running pointless circles around a warehouse in the dark, keeping his eyes open for anyone suspicious.

“What kind of suspicious person should I be looking for?” August had asked, overloaded on adrenaline as Beck and Donovan briefed him on the mission. Beck had nodded at the question, but Donovan had looked nothing short of disgusted.

“We’ll be at an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city in the middle of the night. Anyone shows up, they’re suspicious. Is that simple enough for you?”

After weeks of training with him, August was well used to Donovan’s digs, but hearing it in front of Beck made him flush like it was the first time. He ducked his head, cringing from the friendly pat Beck tried to land on his shoulder.

“Don’s just stressed,” Beck had explained with an apologetic smile. August had forced a smile. If that was true, Donovan’s spent the past several weeks stressed, every minute of every day.

The memory of the conversation cheers August, just a little. It reminds him that he’s out here, jogging easy laps around the warehouse, instead of inside, within range of Donovan’s caustic comments. At a steady, sustainable lope, August cuts through the clear, slightly cool night air like a knife. He’s dressed in black from head to toe, including a mask pulled down over his face that hides his spiky, strawberry blonde hair. When he first dressed out like this, August had been tempted to ask what would happen if someone thought he looked suspicious, skipping around dressed completely in black. Before he got the words out, though, he imagined Donovan’s withering response, and Beck’s awkward pity. August decided it was better just to keep his mouth shut. Now he focuses on watching the world around him, scanning alleyways and empty roads in widening circles. It’s easy, meditative, the most familiar motion August knows.

Around him, the night is thick and silent. His footsteps echo down quiet streets, only the sound of buzzing streetlights and distant sirens there to keep him company. Of all the sketchy parts of the city, August wouldn’t have picked the warehouse district for a criminal hotspot – most of these places are legitimate shipping contract, complete with a rent-a-cops posted outside their chain link fencing. This building is on the edge, though. August examines it on his closer loops, trying to glean from the outside what must be going on within. He has a lot to learn, and it’ll take him twice as long if Donovan and Beck won’t explain things to him outright.

They’ve been in the area almost an hour when a new noise makes August’s ears prick up. Something rattles in one of the side streets, a way that’s been empty the last three times August checked it. Tightening his circle, August trots toward the sound, not sure whether he should hope for a stray dog, or something a little more exciting.

As he draws closer, August tries to note the ways the alleyway might’ve changed, but he just hasn’t been paying enough attention in all this quiet. There’s a bottle, gleaming empty, in the center of the alley, which may not have been there before. Slowing to a walk, August scans both sides of the way carefully, making sure to check the window sconces above him. He gets to the street on the other side, ready to give up, when he sees him. Across the way, there’s a man watching him – dark clothes, shifty eyes. Their eyes lock, and August feels his heart rate pick up.

Before he can say anything or start to move, the other man is turning and running. Despite himself, a smile spreads across August’s face. Perfect.

Springing into action, August throws himself into the chase. After all the casual jogging, it feels so good to run – muscles firing at top speed, peak efficiency. The world blurs past his face as August’s legs pump beneath him, fine and strong. Fully confident in his abilities, August charges forward, fighting the urge to grin.

Up ahead, the stranger doesn’t look back. Presumably, he can hear August’s footsteps, catching up to him in leaps and bounds. The guy darts into a nearby building, dodging through dilapidated rooms, no doubt as a last-ditch attempt at evasion. Smirking, August tears after him.

The only thing that keeps the man out of August’s reach are the doorways and minor obstacles that block August’s path. He has to slow down to dodge, and the stranger pulls ahead again, fleeing out the back door a few precious yards before August. Growling, August hurls himself forward again, springing off the bottom steps of the house. He takes two massive strides and then –

And then August is on the ground, for seemingly no reason. Heart pumping hard, adrenaline surging through his veins, August tries to bounce back to his feet without even checking what might be wrong. That’s when the pain hits.

It’s stinging, at first, in his legs, and then a strange, metallic rattling sound. August lies still, brain still trying to catch up to what exactly is going on. Slowly, tentatively, he tries to separate one leg from the other, and then sucks in a breath as the tearing pain sharpens. Peering down, he whimpers as the source of his agony is revealed.

A bunch of old, rusty strands of barbed wire are wrapped around his legs. He must’ve run into them, almost full speed. If they were stapled to something before, his momentum must’ve carried him straight through, but it’s just as likely that the coils were just sitting there. Either way, the wire is now wrapped tight around his legs, digging in with every little motion he tries to use to escape.

Okay. Okay. August tries to keep his breathing level, but it’s hard. It’s getting shaky. Okay, he tells himself, just, just sit up-

But sitting up moves the wires, makes them tear at his skin in new and agonizing ways. Hissing through his teeth, August gives up for a second, lies panting on the ground like a landed fish. The weight on his legs makes the barbs dig in all the deeper. Whining, August pushes himself up on his elbows and, fighting pain, reaches back to try to pull the damn thing off. Every single motion makes the barbs dig deeper, rip and tear at August’s skin like they have teeth and independent, vicious will.

Despite his gritted teeth, his clenched fists, his desperate attempts to control himself, tears leak from August’s eyes. Angrily he swipes them away, panting through the waves of stinging pain, trying to think. He needs to…he needs to…he needs to get upright, so he can untangle himself.

The thought of standing, of all the maneuvering he’ll need to do, puts a sob in August’s throat. He just wants it to stop hurting. Adrenaline is draining from his system, leaving him with helpless, useless pain. August wants someone to come help him – but even if Donovan and Beck are out looking for him, he has no way of knowing when they’ll find him. Besides, he’s a full-on adult. He’s supposed to be a superhero. He’s supposed to help on this mission, not hinder. August needs to fix this himself.

Drawing in a long, unsteady breath, August steels himself, eyes closed. He can’t fix anything from his current position, facing the ground and unable to see just how bad the knotting is. Trying to stand is going to dig the barbs even deeper into his thighs and calves. Flipping over on his back will tangle him further in the loose strands of wire. There’s no good option, but he can’t just lie here on his face and let the barbs bury themselves in his skin, hoping someone finds him soon.

Gritting his teeth, August makes his move fast, giving himself no time to chicken out. Throwing his body to the side, he flips himself onto his back, dragging the strands of wire with him.

The pain is blinding. Either the wire is still attached to something, or its own weight resisted August’s move – whatever it is, the wire wrapped around his legs drags hard against August’s flesh. Caught off guard, August screams, a harsh, ragged sound that echoes loud into the night. He screams just once, and then bites down savagely on his cheek, pressing a fist to his mouth to muffle his sobs. Below the waist, his pants grow wet with blood.

Fuck. Fuck. It hurts so bad his body shakes with his tears. It hurts. Inside his head, August is wailing, but on the outside, all he can do is lie on the ground shaking, pressing his fist so hard against his teeth that his knuckles split and bleed.

Fuck. Fuck. Just breathe. He has to breathe. He has to breathe, and then he has to get it together, and then he has to fix this.

After a few minutes of regaining his composure, August sits up gingerly. In the dim glow of flickering streetlights, he looks at the mess wound tight around his legs. Just seeing it makes his stomach drop. He has no tools with him, nothing that could be used to cut spiky steel wire. August will have to sit here and peel each piece away from his skin by hand, even as tugging at one strand pulls another strand tighter.

It's going to be agony. But August doesn’t have another choice. Already, his pants are damp, and it won’t be long before a puddle starts to form. He can’t just sit here and weep until his mentors come to save him.

With one shaking finger, August tries to trace the wire, to figure out where and how to start. Eventually, he abandons that idea – he’s held by at least two, maybe three separate pieces of wire, and they’re all twisted together, a chaotic tangle that engulfs his legs in too many different places. Locking his jaw together and vowing that he won’t scream, August sets out to free himself.

It feels like it takes forever. A few times, August wishes dizzily to pass out from blood loss, or pain, but though the barbs cut deep, he’s not losing a dangerous amount of blood. The pain, rather than knocking him out, seems determined to keep him inescapably, unbearably present, aware of every little agony that razor wire can cause. Every shift, every tug, every careful little motion sends searing pain reverberating through his body.

Driven to distraction by the pain, by gritting his teeth and reducing his screams to grunts, August casts around him, finally landing on an old cardboard box collapsing in on itself nearby. With greedy fingers he hauls it to himself, folds it into a packet as thick as a wallet, and stuffs it in his mouth. Cringing from the taste of earth and mold and damp, August draws in a difficult breath around the mouthful and then attempts a particularly hard yank.

Head falling back, August yowls into his makeshift gag, biting down so hard he chokes on his trapped tongue. Coughing, crying, keening into the cardboard like a wounded animal, August works an especially tight strand away from his calves, not letting himself stop, no matter how painful or loud the going is.

When the loop is finally loose, August lets his teeth creak apart. His jaw aches from the clenching, and his teeth have worn deep, blurred impressions in the old cardboard. His hands are trembling, stained with blood from his legs and from where he’s cut his palms heaving at the wire entrapping him. Swiping a bloody hand across his mouth, August tries to get his breath back, all the while moaning, letting out little repetitive whimpering cries, like an animal caught in a trap and begging for aid. Distantly, he’s surprised at himself – he’s never heard these little pleading whines before and wouldn’t have thought it was something he would do. He’d always thought of himself as a yeller, before, someone who outright bellowed their pain. Tonight, he’s timid and pathetic as a child.

By the time Beck and Donovan find him, August is working on the last round of wire, surrounded by the bloody remnants of his prior successes. He’s too exhausted and pain-sick to focus on anything but freeing himself, so he isn’t alerted to the presence of the other supers until he hears Beck’s murmur. “Oh, fuck.” The leader sounds horrified, sick. “Oh, fuck, August, what happened?”

Too weary to have dignity, August just opens his mouth and lets the cardboard fall out, hands dropping to his sides and away from the barbed wire still stuck in his legs. “Saw som’n watchin’ the warehouse.” It’s been so long since he tried to talk that August isn’t sure why he’s slurring – maybe exhaustion, maybe the pain. Maybe because he’s been biting down so hard on cardboard his jaw feels like it won’t work right ever again. “Trieda chase ‘em. Didn’ see…didn’ see the wire.”

“How long have you been here?”

“Don’ know. Feels like…a long time.”

August looks up at Beck with total, hopeless, bottomless despair. Swallowing hard, Beck drops to his knees beside August, hand slipping down to his toolbelt. In seconds, he has a pair of wire cutters out and ready, and August feels hysterical laughter well within him at the thought of how easy this all would’ve been if only Beck had been around.

From another street floats a familiar, four note whistle. Beck replies in kind through his teeth as he brings the clippers to rest against the wire. August grits his teeth, steeling himself for the snap, the sudden retraction of the coils. Hesitating, Beck peers at him. “This…this could hurt.”

“’ve peeled…plen’y of it off m’self,” August grits out. “Jus’…hurry.” He drags in a shaky breath and wills himself to be brave. “…please.”

Squeezing his eyes shut, August remembers the cardboard too late. Without it, he lets an agonized grunt escape his lips as the wire cutters sever the last loop. Even the minute relaxation of his newly released legs is enough to jerk cruelly on the barbs embedded in his thighs. Fresh tears spring to his eyes beneath his mask, and August wonders wretchedly if Beck can see them.

If Beck does see his youngest trainee crying, he’s good enough not to say anything about it. When August peeks through slitted eyes, he sees his leader bent over the wire, focusing hard, drawing each barb out carefully and trying not to jostle as he does.

It hurts only a little less than August’s work on himself, but it’s over blessedly quick. When Beck finally sits back on his heels, August is left panting and bloody, but finally free. For a long moment he just sits there, leaning back on his elbows, trying to catch his breath. Opening his eyes, he discovers that sometime in the last few minutes, Donovan arrived, and is now staring at him, green eyes unreadable under his mask.

“August was trying to chase down a possible spy and ran into some razor wire.” Beck’s voice is low, distracted. “Maybe night vision goggles next time? Or-”

“Or the trainee learns not to run into shit like fences, walls, and goddamned barbed wire.”

“Don-”

“Can’t teach common fucking sense, Beck.” Donovan snorts. “Or maybe you can, but you shouldn’t waste your time.”

Letting his head drop, August bites his lip hard to avoid dissolving into tears. He’s tried so hard to be brave. When he speaks, his voice comes out as a wavery, exhausted whisper. “I’m sorry.”

There’s a long silence from his two mentors. “Come on, Donovan.” Beck sounds tired. “He’s lost a fair amount of blood.”

Donovan just grunts, and crosses the courtyard, and scoops August up in an effortless bridal carry. He isn’t especially gentle, but he isn’t especially rough either, and he carries August, bloody and teary and exhausted, all the way home.