#Not to test her like a guinea pig but he's always so curious about new things!

[chiropterx]

I see.

Send me “I see” and I’ll tell you how my character perceives yours

"Plants might not be part of my research but I'd be very interested in talking to Miss Foxglove if we ever crossed paths. I've heard one or two things about her powers and the things she can do, it's quite fascinating." Kirk hums thoughtfully. Humans with powers. It wasn't unheard here in Gotham, though he dared imagine Foxglove was likely far more approachable and open to discussion than the likes of Poison Ivy and Mr. Freeze.

Strange. Man-Bat hissed lightly, not out of anger or dislike but wariness at the unusual scent he'd picked up. It was more than human, Foxglove's trail enriched with a deep earthiness and sense of life unlike anything else to be found in this labyrinth of neon lights and stone. Sterile the city was, bereft of the sights and smells calling to his blood but this scent brought back distant memories, harkening back to places that was yet was not quite home.

[vaporvipermedia]

Kei’s Relationships

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Wanted to go more in depth with Kei’s Relationship with some of the main cast. This is just a few by the way! If you’re curious about Kei’s relationship with other main cast characters my ask box is always free!

First up is…

Ramshackle-

Grim:

At first, Kei found Grim to be slightly annoying. His tendency to get in trouble and tiresome attitude really got on her nerves. These two would bicker at each other everyday whenever they couldn’t come to an agreement on something. 

But overtime, Kei started to tolerate Grim and learned more about his personality. Most importantly, Grim’s love for attention. She would often sneak in some head rubs and chin scratches when he gets all huffy. He would be caught off guard all the time and say that Kei was wasting his time with this affection. But of course, he actually enjoyed it.

Their bickering turned playful and the moments between them became more pleasant. They also began to partner up with each other during investigations. Even if Grim still has his moments, Kei is happy to have a friend like him.

Heartslabyul- 

Ace:

Ah yes, Ace…Kei’s second pain to deal with. He was put off by his behavior on day one. From Ace making fun of him for having zero knowledge on the Great Seven, ditching Kei and Grim when they were meant to clean all the windows in the school. Yeah, let's just say they had a rough start with one another.

Even after adapting to his behavior, Kei still can’t help but find his mischievous side tiresome. But after all of those hardships, she started to treat Ace differently. From

“Oh you got in trouble again? Of course you did, and I’m not helping you either” to “I can’t believe you…Fine! I’ll help you out just this one time.”(She then continued to get Ace out of different situations)

Although Ace still teases Kei, he’s still loyal towards her and tries to help her out whenever she’s in a messy situation.

Deuce:

The person Kei tolerates most. She always found Deuce’s drive to be an honors student admirable. Kei didn’t mind if he was a slow learner, she sees how much effort he puts into his school work. 

Anytime Deuce finds himself struggling on a subject, Kei takes time out of his day to help him out. Which makes Deuce feel a little bit bad, thinking that he’s wasting his time. But, Kei doesn’t mind at all! Often studying with Deuce and helping out whenever he could. From sending online sites to review on to writing important words as well their information on index cards, Kei does everything in his power as a way of helping out a friend.

Despite the fact that Deuce has a long way to go before he betters himself fully, he’s still appreciative towards Kei’s help and will make sure that no one disrespects her after all she did for his studies.

Pomefiore-

Vil:

It’s safe to say that Kei is Vil’s Guinea pig when it comes to makeup and outfits. As it turns out Vil himself started this relationship when he first met Kei in the school halls. He was struggling to find someone new to use his new skincare brand on.

Everyone in Pomefiore had their own collection of his products on hand so Vil needed someone new and willing for his test run. Lo and behold, he happened to bump into the prefect himself. But when taking a closer look at him, Vil saw how smooth Kei’s skin looked. As if he had his own routine he practiced daily. When asking what type of products he used, Kei just responded with “I don’t really use any. I have no money in this world to buy cleanser, so just I just sticked with splashing water on my face-“

Vil then grabbed Kei's wrist and dragged him to Pomefiore for an emergency facial cleansing. After that disastrous moment, Vil decided to teach Kei how to use his facial products and makeup properly. Inviting him daily to his dorm to make sure if he improved or not.

He was too traumatized by Kei's confession, doing everything to assure that his teachings stick inside Kei's head. Vil decided to declare Kei an honorary member because of how much he welcomed him over. He did it to check on his progress and so Rook could shut up about making him part of the dorm. Killing two birds with one stone.

Their relationship did eventually did switch from master and student to makeover mutuals months later. Doing each other’s makeup and fixing any visible mistakes. Vil has gotten over that “traumatic” moment ever since Kei improved for the better.

But he’ll never forget it for the rest of his life.

Ever…

Rook:

Oh boy I bet yall were just waiting for this one. 

Kei at first didn’t like Rook. She thought he was just weird and too over the top for her to like. But, in later chapters his behavior started to be more tolerable towards Kei and she even accepted her given nickname “Chercheur de vérité.”

The more Kei looked at Rook’s eccentric nature and his obsession with beauty the more she became curious of him. Actively trying to go seek him out to learn about his personality. Rook even found this behavior to be quite intriguing for him. Usually, people tend to stay away from him, finding his behavior creepy and suspicious. But to see someone trying to come to him with such curiosity made Rook quite fond of the detective. Eventually inviting Kei into personal spots of his like studying in the forest behind Pomefiore or taking a stroll in the Botanical Garden.

Kei during these hangouts would just sit there intently listening to Rook’s outlandish stories that she wanted to believe were fake but couldn’t shake off the feeling of truth from each tale. Along with Rook consuming small parts of Kei’s personal history he was so greedy to learn more of her interests. Waiting for the day she could finally be vulnerable with him. 

With their hangout sessions becoming more frequent, Kei started to look forward to their interactions together. Often finding himself thinking about Rook during his regular routine. From enjoying the way he laughs to wishing to hear more of his voice, Kei finally came to the realization…

Kei: I…I actually want to be with him. It was just out of interest before. Why is it different now? I think I have gone insane.

Grim: You think!?

When they met up inside the forest surrounding the sports field behind the school, Rook was bracing his bow while having idle chat with Kei. 

Rook: Chercheur de vérité having these moments with you are quite enjoyable. It’s as if the Great Seven themselves bestowed you upon me to brighten up my day. Oh how poetic that scenario sounds! But enough of my ramblings. I’m interested in hearing more about your interest mademoiselle-

Kei: I want you.

Rook: Pardon?😀

Kei completely threw Rook off so much that he dropped his bow right out of his hands. He didn’t expect him to be so forward about his feelings. Rook had feelings for Kei as well but he thought that was going to confess first. He had a whole confession scene in his head for the past few months even telling Vil his plans on wooing Kei’s heart. He couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Not only by the suddenness of the confession but also how easily Kei shut down his original plan.

Once he calmed down, Rook cupped Kei’s hand, giving it a small peck saying “I want you more” to the already flustered prefect. Who knew that a detective could woo such an enigmatic hunter.

TL;DR

Two bitches fell in love because their fucking whimsy and pulled each other with their autistic rizz.

Epel:

Now if I were to describe Epel and Kei’s dynamic, it would be a rebellious nephew who likes hanging out with his cool uncle that lets him do whatever he wants. On any occasion Rook isn’t available to watch Epel, Vil puts Kei up to the task to keep an eye on him.

Big mistake on his part because these two had the most unforgettable moments together. Epel would always pretend to be annoyed about it in front of Vil, making him believe it was some kind of punishment for him. But drops that whole act as soon as they’re both away from Pomefiore. They made the most of their time together, from apple carving to browsing Sam's shop for unique trinkets. They not only find each other amusing, also relate to each other when it comes to being reliable to others. Having conversations about how they wish they could do more for their family and friends instead of being “useless” as they put it. Promising that they’ll work on their struggles together for others and themselves.

It’s safe to say that Epel is Kei’s favorite out of the first year group. She doesn’t want Ace & Deuce to know ever since she stated she doesn’t pick favorites before. They would never let her live that down.

Diasomnia:

Malleus:

It’s honestly so funny thinking about how Kei and Malleus met. This man has literally appeared out of nowhere multiple times in the middle of the night outside of Ramshackle, talks all mysterious and vague like an old scholar, then just disappears with a bunch of firefly-like lights surrounding him. And what is Kei’s response to this? 

Kei: Hm. Yeah not surprised anymore.

And he just lets him come back every time he wants to talk. It was largely just them hurling their hyperfixations at each other to the point where they learned a lot from each chat. Kei now understands the distinction between Gargoyles and Grotesques and is more versed about Gothic architecture. Malleus has a better understanding of human psychology, often psycho analyzing his fellow dorm leaders. Much to their distaste. (They probably assume he has mind-reading abilities now.)

Even after knowing his real name, Kei still calls Malleus, Tsunotarou much to Sebek’s dismay. It’s just what he’s used to. If a funny magic man can call him “Child of Man” a simple little human can name him “Tsunotarou.” 

With how much they bonded in the later chapters, it's no surprise that they're both in the same club. They'll most likely be present anywhere there's a Gargoyle. Whether it’s late at night or in the afternoon. Photographing the statues and themselves. Malleus puts them in his bedside table drawer for the sake of memory. It makes him happy that he has a friend who isn't intimidated by him and actually asks him to hangout. He’d be devastated if Kei were to, oh I don’t know…leave Twisted Wonderland and find his way back home. Yeah that’d be crazy right?

…Right?

In conclusion these two neurodivergent besties should not be separated. Malleus will raise hell if that is the case.

[sadrichie7]

Richie’s insane rambling time: VTSOM ⚠️SPOILER⚠️ edition

Ok, I feel like I’m the only one who is super curious about this fact? What is the “accident” Victor got into that caused him to loose his arms and eyes and why did it happen? I’m sorry but knowing what we know about this world there is no way it was just a simple “accident” there has to be more factors at play. I’ve been developing on my own theory on why and what could have possibly happened. (Keep in mind this is just a theory about what could have happens in why that have been formed in my tiny reptile brain based on the limited time I’ve known about the game, so knowing me it’s all probably completely wrong and I’m doing Olympic level mental gymnastics, but hey, that’s the fun of theories to me)

We only really get one instance about him talking about his accident (and by talking I mean dodging the question). It’s when Vanora first wakes up without her memories and we see him in the guest room with her. If the player chooses to ask about his arms and eyes, he gets noticeably uncomfortable by the question before replying “Well what can I say? There are things in our lives that won’t always go our way huh?” then shrugs off the question. Now he could have very well just been caught off guard by such a personal question and didn’t want to talk about something that brings back traumatic memories with someone he just meet or he knows is an enemy to Vincent, sure, but I still think that interaction says something

Ok, so my main theory is going off of the “Victor is the Chaser” theory. However I don’t think Victor would willing be able to betray Vincent in such a horrible way. From their college memories and flashbacks, their bond seems very genuine in my opinion. So why would Victor willing work for the person that ruined his “purpose in life’s” life. Now he could have been with Myers from the very beginning, has never cared about Vincent, and is just a very good actor. However that would mean he was like 18-19 at oldest when joining Myers and was told to keep an eye Vincent (whom was in college at that time to, he wasn’t a threat to Myers yet, he wasn’t even hired by them yet). I also doubt he would forfeit his memories to make Draco if he didn’t care about Vincent. So why then? I think he’s being forced to be the chaser under threat of something (if it’s his own life, Vincent’s, or something else entirely). I believe Myers had something to do with his “accident”. If Myers wanted to use him as a guinea pig to test the robotic limbs and eyes they may have fabricated an “accident” (similar to Vincent’s car crash), or they could have just called him into a room before brutally mutilating him and threatening him with something (like his life or someone else’s). So now he’s trying to help Vincent get his revenge on Myers (whom also wronged him as well) while reporting back to them against his will, likely trying to keep information as vague as he can. He may feel that his is in debt to the Myers corporation (to me it’s the most likely place that would have made something so advanced) for his arms/eyes and also follows for that reason. If I remember correctly he had his new arms/eyes before the G4 incident as we see in the flashback with Winston. Therefore his “accident” happened before Vincent was turned into a cyborg and had a reason to hate the Myers corporation. So he may have just been someone Myers tested on before then he was made to become the chaser to keep an eye on Vincent.

Again i may post a more clean and properly formatted version is this insane rant (I wrote this during a four hour car ride so I was pretty delirious lol) and going on my past luck with theories in works of media I like, it’s probably completely off and I look very dumb to everyone right now, but like I said, I think that’s the fun of theories when in comes to things like books, shows, games, ect. Putting together little puzzle pieces yourself and seeing if you happen to be right, and if your not, oh well! Theorizing about works of media and it’s world/plot says to me that you really do enjoy it! It’s just another way to show you’re so passionate and interested in it.

So moral of the story……. Theorize all you want about media and don’t be discouraged if your wrong! The fact you have so much thought to your theory in the first place shows how much you love that piece of media! Part of the fun of puzzles and mysteries is learning along the way, and it’s especially true with works like VTSOM. Don’t think your “not a true fan” or something if you didn’t subscribe to a certain theory or your isn’t correct. Hindsight is a powerful! So yeah that’s my rambling, it’s probably full of spelling mistakes and bad grammar but that’s how I do thing lol.

[thoughtfulfoxllama]

So, appearantly I can't be screened for Autism because I'm an adult, and only kids can recieve a diagnosis. At least that's what my psychiatrist told me

Like, why? Autism isn't a Childhood Disability, it's lifelong. So, am I supposed to go without the accommodations I need because no one cared enough to get me tested as a kid

Actually, I'm curious about that. I had an IEP from Elementry onward, for "Emotional Disturbance," but not once did anyone ask me what was wrong. People who knew me when I was young are either ableist ("you don't look autistic," from my Bio mom), or say I should've been tested, because it's obvious (one sister in my ward asked my grandmother, and she said I was, but my Bio mom says I never was, and I think she would've known, because that's when she was still around). So, that begs the question, why did none of my teachers say anything. I've had bad teachers (my Sped Teacher in Middle School straight up told us that "students didn't deserve rights," and that she'd send us to the principal for not saying the Pledge of Allegiance), but I had legit awesome teachers who cared for me so much, and did everything to help me (even going beyond what the IEP said & just asking me what I needed). Were they just powerless, or did they assume I was diagnosed, or did they just never notice

Actually, that's one of the reason I loved the Church. I'm weird about it now (I can explain later, but let's simmer it down to Sensory & Social Issues). Sure, no one said "hey, maybe you should get tested" (except the RS President who's son would later adopt me, and my Best Friend's Mom), but I was noticed & accepted (which is all I really wanted). My friends were almost all Neurodivergent, and I just had a place where I belonged. Ironically, everyone says the Church pushes you into a box, but it helped me come to terms with myself. I am Autistic, I am Bisexual, I enjoy myths, have tarot cards & runestones, I am untraditional in basically every way, but the Church gave me the courage to say "I'm following my own path," taught me how to listen to the Spirit which says "I will guide you safely & comfort you when people don't understand," the ability to see myself as a God in Embryo & realize I am valid, as an Autistic Bisexual Mormon Witch who has questioned my Gender Identity on a number of occasions (it's weird, but I don't really feel any gender (what's gender even feel like anyway). I use he/him because it's easier, as I am a Bio male, but I don't care, and think I look slay in either genders clothes (although, I do prefer Androgynous Style, but T-Shirt & Jeans works as well))

I'm actually reminded of Elementry School. I did awesome in classes, straight As until 4rd grade. But my 4th Grade Teacher noticed something odd. When I was away from the board, I would play with my eyes. I was Nearsighted, and for 4 years, no one noticed (for a number of reasons, including because I did the eye thing, asked questions, read the book, and always sat at the front of class). Now, that teacher was Awesome (she even inspired me to get my first pet, a Guinea Pig named "Fluffy"), and she saw a problem no one else did. I am going into education, and I wanna be that teacher. I want to be the teacher who not only cares, but notices things other people don't. I want to do everything in my power to make sure no one goes without what they need: be it new glasses, a diagnosis, or just a few minutes alone with an apple (because school's hard, and sometimes you just need quiet time & a snack)

TL;DR- I can't get screened on my insurance, someone should've noticed when I was a kid, my 4th Grade Teacher & Mormonism both rock & helped me realize my validity (so has my awesome wife, but I didn't mention her in there, even though I met her at church, and she's most likely also ND), and I wanna be better when I'm a teacher so no one goes without

[beewolfwrites]

And When I am Formulated, Sprawling on a Pin - Chapter Nineteen: I May Think of You Softly

The angst is starting to hot up now, because we can’t have a Chishiya fic without it :) 

As always, you can also read this on AO3 here. 

Just adding this because I’ve gotten a few messages about it, but once this fic comes to an end, I’ll start reading the manga properly so I can eventually write a part 2/sequel! 

While I’m reading it though, I want to make a collection of one-shots based on this fic from Chishiya’s pov. I have a few scenes in mind to focus on, but if there are some you’d like to see, just drop me a message, comment, carrier pigeon etc... and let me know! 

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‘It’s time.’

They were simple words, but they carried an awful lot of weight. The plan had to go perfectly, otherwise we were finished.

Arisu’s voice sounded from the other line. ‘Is everyone getting into position?’

I picked up the walkie talkie and headed to the door, only for Kuina to grab my arm and stop me. Perplexed, I opened my mouth to ask her why, but her pleading expression silenced me as she took the walkie talkie from my hand.

At the same moment, a new voice – Usagi’s – came through. ‘I’m in the hall, keeping lookout.’  

Never taking her eyes from mine, Kuina’s hand tightened around my arm. She pressed the button to activate the walkie talkie. ‘We’re watching over the elevator to the top floor.’

Except we weren’t. We were here, in my room.

Kuina??

Once again, I began to ask her what was happening, but she shook her head, shushing me. The guilt in her eyes was unmistakable. ‘The coast is clear,’ she said into the walkie talkie.

Then it became awfully, awfully apparent what was going on.

‘The new leader is making a speech in the lobby,’ Chishiya said, ‘and all the executives and militants are at the annex. I’ll let you all know if there are any changes.’ There was a pause. ‘This is our only chance. I’m counting on you, Arisu.’

Shrugging out of Kuina’s hold, I sat down on the bed, trying to process the situation. This had been his plan from the start. Not the official plan, but a fake one: to use Arisu and Usagi to locate the safe, and to let them take the fall. Chishiya may know the passcode, but the location of the safe is something that can only be discovered once you actually go into the room.

He’s using them as his guinea pigs.  

‘I’m in the Royal Suite now,’ Arisu said. ‘Though I can’t see anything that looks like a safe. Just give me a minute.’ My knee began to bounce nervously as the line went quiet. Then his voice crackled through, triumphant, ‘I’ve found it!’

A puff of air sounded from the other line, and I could practically hear Chishiya’s smirk. ‘The code, it’s 8022.’

There was a pause. ‘How do you know?’ Arisu asked. ‘Did you see inside the black envelope?’

I leaned forward, curious about how Chishiya had managed to figure it out simply by sitting in the same room. There were two possibilities here. Either Chishiya knew perfectly well what the passcode was, and he would concoct a lie to give to Arisu, or he only had an inkling about the passcode, and he was using Arisu to test it out.

‘No,’ Chishiya said, ‘but I didn’t need to. Aguni’s expression told me everything. He was surprised at first, then he was confused. I believe the paper inside was blank.’

‘Blank? But what about the passcode you just told me?’ Arisu asked.

There was an amused hum. ‘The wax seal. You remember Hatter’s ring… it was stamped with the word ‘BOSS’. When the wax seal was stamped, the embossing left numbers. That was the true code.’

You really are incredible, and not necessarily in a good way.

It certainly sounded convincing enough, though until Arisu tested it, there was no way of knowing whether this was the genuine truth, or an impressive sounding lie. And judging by the way things were going, he would find out very quickly.

My heart broke for Arisu as he spoke with pure, blind amazement. ‘Chishiya, I’d hate to be your enemy.’

I held my breath, waiting for the worst as silence ensued. This was a setup, after all. I glanced at Kuina, but she only looked at me apologetically.

Why does he have to be so cruel?

‘Chishiya??’ Arisu’s voice shook. ‘Chishiya, the code’s wrong?’

The static shut off into silence.

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Even the stale air of my room tasted bitter as I gripped my walkie talkie, turning it over in my palm. It was tempting to just toss into the dustbin and wash my hands of the whole thing, yet I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Chishiya had backed me into a corner. It would be too dangerous to stay at the Beach now that the militants had taken over, but I also resented Chishiya for stringing me along in such a dreadful scheme.

Kuina was waiting for me in the hall outside. Now that the militants were busy with Arisu and Usagi, the royal suite was unguarded. This was the final test. The real plan. But as for whether or not I joined them…. I didn’t have a choice, or at least, it seemed that way. I remembered the words that I’d told Hatter when I first arrived at the Beach.

‘I still have a choice. It’s just that one of the options doesn’t look too great.’

There was always the option to stay and pretend that I had nothing to do with it. Except there was an obvious downside; Niragi wouldn’t settle for that. He’d be out for blood. My blood. It was either possible death or certain death… freedom or confinement. I knew which one I preferred.

‘Though wise men at the end know dark is right, because their words forked no lightning they do not go gentle into that good night.’

It was funny how fittingly Dylan Thomas’ poem sprung to mind now. I was going to die. That was inevitable. But I still wanted my voice to be heard. I still wanted to chase the meaning of it all.

Pocketing the walkie talkie, I walked towards the door. It almost felt sad. All the textbooks I had been given, the books that had kept me sane this entire time… I would have to leave them behind. They were gifts from Chishiya, but after what he’d done to Arisu, they were tainted. I shut the door behind me, quite possibly for the last time.

Kuina was leaning against the opposite wall, and when she saw me, her expression was one of relief.

‘For a minute, I thought you weren’t coming.’

I tried to smile. ‘For a minute, so did I.’

The hotel was quiet as we made our way to the top floor, it became apparent how quiet it was. The militants and executives were likely dealing Arisu and Usagi by now, and I hated to think of what was currently happening to them. Perhaps this was another reason Chishiya wanted to use them; as a distraction.

‘I don’t like it either,’ Kuina said. Her jaw was rigid. ‘I really don’t like it. But I have to get home to my mother.’

Some of the bitterness I felt softened. I couldn’t fault her for that. Not really. She had told me once, while we were on the rooftop, about her mother being the only one to accept her after her gender reassignment, and now her mother was ill, yet she was stuck here, unable to help. She had tried asking about my own life, although I’d brushed it away at the time.

‘My brother,’ I said after a moment. ‘I want to get back to him. He’s older than me, a psychologist. He went into psychology to research treatment options for certain mental health conditions. My mother isn’t happy… to put it mildly. She’s a mess. Probably it’s something to do with being married to my dad, or maybe it’s genetic.’

Kuina went quiet at first, then took the quit-smoking aide from her mouth. ‘Are you two close?’

I shrugged. ‘I suppose we are. We both grew up in the same place, and we both have that understanding. He was always the one who went first, and I’d follow him. He wasn’t scared of anything, not even my dad.’

Kuina and I didn’t say anything more after that. We were nearing the top floor now, and even though I couldn’t see him, I knew that Chishiya was lurking somewhere, waiting for us to give him the all-clear.

As planned, Kuina handed me a second walkie talkie, and I took my place at the end of the hall, looking out for any executives. Meanwhile, Kuina took watch outside the royal suite, where she could see Aguni’s room. So far, Aguni had remained in his old room, despite being the new number-one, and since Arisu and Usagi’s capture, he had yet to emerge.

Chishiya’s voice sounded through the walkie talkie. ‘You two, how are things on your side?’

Just the sound of his voice brought with it a mixture of anger… despair… betrayal… relief… and love. Even that. How was it that now, when I had never been more hurt by him, I still craved the safety I found in his voice.

I don’t know who I hate more, him or myself.

I didn’t particularly want to speak with him. But ignoring him wasn’t an option either. ‘You’re all good to go from where I’m standing.’

‘Aguni’s still in his room,’ Kuina’s voice crackled through. ‘We’re getting bored now.’

‘Then should we get going with the plan?’ he suggested.

I clicked my tongue, eyes scanning either side of the empty hall. ‘We’ve already gotten going. It’s you who needs to hurry up.’

‘Patience,’ was the curt reply.

I didn’t hear anything, but I knew that somewhere down the hall, Chishiya was entering the royal suite. ‘I don’t know if Arisu is stupid or intelligent,’ he said. ‘Hatter was paranoid. He wouldn’t have hidden the cards in a normal safe.’

Did Arisu try breaking into one of the hotel’s guest safes?

‘Where’s the real one then?’ Kuina asked. She sounded tired and weary.

‘When Arisu was caught,’ Chishiya replied, ‘Aguni wasn’t paying attention. He was looking towards a certain picture on the wall. It turns out the paper wasn’t empty after all. It contained a drawing instead.’

It was impressive how Chishiya was able to figure these things out through body language alone. For someone who seemed to have no concept of how people behaved, he sure paid attention to our behavioral patterns.

‘So, you had no idea where it was until then?’ I asked.

‘Exactly,’ Chishiya said. ‘What happened to Arisu was necessary if we were going to find the real safe. Speaking of which, I’ve found it.’

The way he talked about it was chilling. Not so much the words themselves, but the ease in which he spoke them, the lack of hesitation.

Kuina seemed to be thinking the same thing, as she sighed into the walkie talkie. ‘You used him just for that?’

The response was immediate. ‘In order to gain something, you have to lose something. He’s just a sacrifice. Things like this happen a lot, don’t they?’

The level of self-assurance behind those words… it was brutal. I always knew he was like this, but what did that mean for me and Kuina? Were we just pawns like Arisu and Usagi? Would our deaths be necessary too?

‘No, they don’t.’ Kuina said. ‘Not at all. I really don’t want to be your enemy.’

At this, I almost laughed. When I first met Chishiya, I had thought the same thing, and earlier today, Arisu had said something similar himself.

‘I get that a lot,’ Chishiya replied.

Perhaps everyone is his enemy. Perhaps the only person he sees surviving the Borderlands is himself.

The idea was a harsh philosophy, but it made sense. Chishiya had always made me feel like insignificant just through his calculating gaze alone. In that sense, he was just like my own father, and chances are that was why I was drawn to him. In this crazy parallel world, feeling small was the only thing familiar to me.

Maybe, in order to gain my own freedom, I have to lose Chishiya.

--------------------------------------------

Now that the sun had set over the skyline, the evening had turned still and cold. Aside from the hum of cicadas and the chatter of crickets, it was quiet. Leaning against the outside wall of the hotel, I wrapped my arms around me, although it did nothing to stave off the shivers that tickled my skin. Nor did it melt the wedge of icy determination that had buried itself within me.

I’ll follow him for the sake of leaving the Beach… but I refuse to let myself love him.

I had never been a good liar.

To my right, Kuina was leaning against a lamppost, staring guiltily at the ground. Meanwhile, Chishiya removed his numbered wristband as he strolled towards a decorative brick archway that led out of the hotel grounds. ‘I guess we won’t be needing these anymore.’

‘Don’t you feel sorry?’ Kuina asked quietly.

He stopped. ‘Sorry?’

I looked at him curiously, wondering how he could seem so calm. ‘About what happened to Arisu… I feel really sorry for him. We both do.’

Kuina nodded, folding her arms tighter. ‘Don’t you?’

Chishiya’s eyes flitted to mine, and for the first time, I saw genuine surprise there.

Show me a sign… please give me a reason why I should trust you.

‘Is there anything we wouldn’t do in order to survive?’

A shudder ran through me, and this time, it had nothing to do with the breeze. His words confirmed my every suspicion, but I couldn’t let myself feel so disappointed. I needed to block it all out… block everything out.

Then he smiled. It would’ve been easy to mistake it for his usual smile, if not for the hint of bitterness there. ‘If you both feel so worried, then maybe you should go and help him.’

Kuina looked at him, eyes wide with regret. However, she didn’t move. Neither of us could. We both had our own reasons why we needed to survive and return home. Knowing this well, Chishiya took a step towards the arch, only to stop once more. His brow furrowed as he whispered something under his breath.

Growing impatient, I pushed away from the wall and walked towards the exit… towards freedom.

‘Stop.’

Chishiya’s hand clasped around my wrist, dragging me back. I yanked my arm away immediately, both hating and loving the feeling of his fingers on my skin. ‘What do you think you’re doing?’

Kuina appeared at my side, and the three of us watched tentatively as Chishiya tossed his wristband through the arch. A red laser burst through the plastic, leaving behind a singed hole.

I stepped back, horrified. This couldn’t be… could it?

The Beach is a game arena??

[mythicamagic]

The Colour of Love: Sesskag oneshot

This oneshot is dedicated to @chierafied​ as thanks for all her hard work and organisation in the sesskag community, particularly on tumblr for sesskag week and monthly prompts. She's also a wonderful sesskag author and always offers advice or a kind word ^^

Rated T

Summary: Shippo puts a spell on Kagome that allows her to see emotions in colour. It's fun to test out on her friends, but why is she seeing an awful lot of magenta around Sesshoumaru whenever she comes near? Sesskag oneshot

The Colour of Love

"I just need to test it on someone. You'll help, won't you?"

Kagome eyed the ominous glowing beverage in the fox's hands dubiously. She winced and picked up a basket, walking away with every intention of weaselling out of the conversation.

"Shippo, no offence, but the last time you tested something on me for class, horns sprouted out of my head and green pimples covered my face for an entire week. I'm not super keen on being your guinea pig this time, buddy."

His tail twitched and lowered, but her words did little to deter Shippo. He followed the miko as she attended to her chores; freeing swaying sheets from where they'd been hanging out to dry and folding them neatly into a basket.

"Oh pleeassee, Kagome! Sensei oversaw my casting process this time- there's no danger, honest! It's not even that cool of a spell."

Kagome arched a brow, lifting off another sheet and smoothing the cool creases. That was odd, Shippo always preferred the flashier spells. "What does it do?"

"It would let you see everyone's emotions in colour."

She tilted her head, "in colour? How would that work?"

Shippo grinned mischievously, holding up his cup and shaking it gently. "Wouldn't you like to find out?"

Giggling, she thought for a moment, biting her bottom lip. "I guess it sounds pretty harmless. And this is for a grade?"

"Yes!" he nodded rapidly, eyes widening as his tone became pleading. "Sensei already graded all the other kids! I'm the only one who hasn't passed yet, and everyone else in the village refuses to help me! I'd owe you big time, Kagome. Please?"

Giving a large, put-upon sigh and folding the last of the sheets, Kagome squatted down before him. "Alright, alright. I just have to drink it?"

Green eyes brightened, and he handed the cup over eagerly, the contents nearly spilling. "Mhm! The effects should only last for a few days~!"

The glowing blue shimmer within her cup didn't exactly fill Kagome with confidence, but she didn't want to stifle his progress. It was wonderful that Shippo could advance in his magic at a kitsune school. Secretly, she felt somewhat guilty about the subject. She hadn't been able to witness his growth for three years after being stuck in the future.

Steeling herself and deciding to support him, Kagome downed the foul-tasting concoction. Coughing and blinking away thick tears that stung her lashes, her tongue roved around in her mouth as though trying to escape the taste of sour candy mixed with spices and mint leaves. What an odd combination. Shaking herself and noticing Shippo watching her worriedly, blue eyes widened as a faint shade of grey coiled and moved around the outline of his body like a shining aura.

"I-I think I see it?" Kagome gasped, reaching out and trying to touch the thing, though it had no solid form.

"Really?" Shippo lit up, the colour immediately becoming a tentative yellow, which only shone brighter into a canary hue when she nodded.

Giving a happy cheer, Shippo asked her about any side effects, which were none as far as she could tell.

They then decided to walk around Kaede's village together, Kagome noting any people they passed by and the colour of their current emotions. Shippo hurriedly took notes.

"There's Miroku meditating-" Kagome pointed to the quiet meadow they passed where the monk sat calmly, having gained two pupils to teach. Monks in training. Inuyasha had voiced his doubts that it would last long once the monks witnessed Miroku's less than savoury habits.

"His aura thingy is lavender and seems controlled," she observed in a hushed tone.

The little kitsune made a noise of affirmation, writing that down on a trailing scroll. "I think purple must be linked with spirituality then? This is great info!"

Giggling, she nodded, noticing how faint the pupil's auras were. She wondered if her own focus on spirituality would be strong or weak.

Moving on, noticed Sango outside her hut, who seemed absorbed in rocking her infant son while he dozed. Her twins were playing with some spinning tops that Shippo had given them.

"What do ya see, Kagome?" he tugged at her pant leg.

She hummed, gaze gentling. "Sango is radiating a kind of baby pink glow. The twins are like yours earlier- yellow and excited."

"So I guess love is pink," Shippo nodded.

Noticing something, Kagome waved a hand slightly. "Hold on-"

"Hm?"

Kaede and Rin were walking towards them, engaged in conversation. The little girl chirped on about something or other, while Kaede nodded indulgently.

"Kaede and Rin have pink auras too, but it's different. It's a pale pink, more like a pearl."

Shippo tapped his small chin with a pen Kagome had lent him. "Hmm…"

"I guess it makes sense since there are different types of love, don't you think?" gently prodding him, she smiled.

"Oh! So like they're feeling something kinda similar to Sango, but different."

"Right," Kagome grinned wider, proud of him. "Familial love for Sango, and platonic, friendly love for Kaede and Rin."

The old miko and her charge stopped to greet them on the path. "What are ye both up to today?" Kaede's single eye slid down to the scroll questioningly.

Kagome waved it off. "Just some schooling."

"Yeah, but it's fun! We're testing magic!"

Rin gaped at Shippo, aura turning green. "Aww, can I help them?" she turned to Kaede with a pout, clasping both hands and making big brown eyes even wider.

"Ye have your own training to attend to, Rin. Come along," the old woman kept walking with a dusty chuckle.

Whining good-naturedly with a now agitated orange glow about her, Rin trudged after her guardian, giving a despondent farewell to Shippo.

At that moment, foul cursing filled the air. The loud, booming swear caused nesting birds to take flight from their trees near the village.

The miko and kit shared a dry look.

"Inuyasha," they sighed in unison.

Needless to say, their former travelling companion's emotions glowed a vibrant red- outshining even the robe of the fire rat. He held his sore thumb, having accidentally hammered it while fixing a neighbour's chicken coop. Kagome wisely hid her laughter, feeling a plume of affection for him, since he'd taken it upon himself to help a neighbour.

I wonder what colour surrounds me when I look at Inuyasha, she wondered, fishing out a small mirror. Unfortunately, she couldn't see the colour. Though they'd broken up after a couple of weeks of dating, that candle of first love between them wouldn't be snuffed out completely. Since she couldn't coax that flame any higher than a tiny, nostalgic flame, she wagered it to be a kind of pastel pink colour.

After a few hours, Shippo looked down at the list of emotions they'd observed. "I think I got most of em' for now. We did great today, Kagome! Thanks so much!"

She giggled and ruffled his hair. "Don't sweat it, kiddo. I need to collect some herbs now, so if I see some new ones while I'm out, I'll let you know," Kagome grinned, leaning a basket against her hip. "I'll be able to see these emotions for a few more days, so no sense in turning in your test results early."

Shippo gave her a brief hug, before racing off to go organise his notes. Beaming with pride, Kagome walked out of the village and up a hill towards Inuyasha Forest with a small skip in her step. She'd helped! And luckily there'd been no side effects or worries of any kind.

Maybe I should help him out more often, she mused, noticing a certain Daiyoukai step out from beneath the shade of trees, powder blue shifting around his aura calmly. Smiling amiably, Kagome lifted a hand in greeting as their gazes met- before freezing.

Sesshoumaru's expression didn't change from its usual combo of placid, haughty and stoic. However, the energy surrounding him immediately dyed a deep, vibrant colour.

Kagome's breath hitched, eyes widening.

It plunged into a bold magenta hue, becoming a solid outline that coiled and thrummed.

She did not understand what it meant, but that she could elicit a change in emotion from him at all felt startling.

He stared at her, unblinking. As he drew closer and closer, Kagome tried to make sense of what he could be feeling, but his guarded eyes refused to risk any secrets being revealed.

"Miko," he acknowledged in his usual crisp, silky baritone. His way of a greeting.

"Sesshoumaru," she said, muscles tensing as he passed by, the silk of his billowing sleeve brushing the hypersensitive skin of her arm. Kagome blinked rapidly, reeling.

Shifting to watch him leave surreptitiously, she watched the magenta remain long after they'd parted ways, spying him duck into Kaede's hut to pay Rin a visit.

What the heck was that about?

Maybe it wasn't anything worth noting. Surely, just like anyone else, the Daiyouki had various emotions linked to things. People elicited different feelings from him; that was perfectly normal. But his mood had changed so swiftly upon seeing her that Kagome couldn't help but feel curious. What did magenta mean? Had she offended him? Did he always feel that specific emotion around her, or was it a one-off?

Turning on her heel, Kagome dismissed her task of fetching herbs in favour of seeking Shippo out again.

---

"What does magenta mean to you?"

"To me?"

Kagome nodded seriously.

Thinking for a moment, Shippo hummed and nommed on a lollipop, leaning back on the log he'd perched upon outside. "I dunno, it's a pretty colour but not a favourite. Can't get much use outta it with my crayons."

"No, I mean like - surely there has to be some demon opinion of magenta? Is it associated with a powerful emotion or something?"

Shippo shook his head, consulting the forgotten scroll. "My guess is- since purple is spiritual stuff, Sesshoumaru feels uh...like you remind him of holy things?"

Huffing out a sigh, she flopped down beside him, placing her chin in her hands. "Doubt that. He didn't seem calm," she mumbled, remembering the vivid intensity of his unblinking stare. "Hm, maybe since red- which is anger- and darker blue- which is sadness- has to mix to make the right shade of magenta, that means Sesshoumaru is both angry and sad when he looks at me." Kagome's stomach dropped. "Oh God, do I make him smad?"

Shippo snorted and tossed his lollipop aside to shake her arm, noticing the dazed look of worry glazing her eyes. "You don't make him smad."

Kagome remained unconvinced. The kit groaned, hopping up and grabbing her hand. "You don't! I'm sure it was just a coincidence he was feeling magenta around you. Let's go see!"

The miko stumbled after the exuberant fox, not fully realising where he intended to go until it clicked they were heading toward Kaede's hut. Kagome's heels abruptly dug into the earth, dragging. "Shippo!" she hissed. "He's visiting Rin- I don't want to interrupt."

"You won't be, it looks like they're saying goodbye already."

Blue eyes widened and her attention snapped up from the fox to land on some distant figures up ahead. Even from far away, Kagome could see the pearl pink aura coiling around Sesshoumaru as he lay a gentle hand upon Rin's head of brown hair. The girl beamed, giving off her own warm shine.

Kagome bit the inside of her cheek, heedless of her own approach now. She realized then just how personal and vulnerable the emotion spell could be- how rare and revealing it was to witness Sesshoumaru experiencing such a wholesome bond, free from violence. Enemies could potentially use it on each other to find out secret information easily.

The Daiyoukai seemed to inhale- abruptly stiffening and lifting his hand away from Rin as claws twitched, curling into his palm. Kagome witnessed the moment his aura bled darker, slipping from innocent pink into the strong shade of magenta- just as he turned his head in their direction. Golden eyes pinned her in place. Sesshoumaru seemed to grow tense and watchful, showing none of his previous warmth.

Shippo paused when they weren't too far away, glancing up and noticing Kagome's pale expression. "Uh... has it happened again?"

"It's even worse than before," Kagome whispered.

"Kagome, Shippo!" Rin called over to them, waving. "Are you still playing with magic?"

This seemed to catch Sesshoumaru's attention, ripping his heavy gaze away to land on his ward. "Magic?"

"Mhm! They're doing some kitsune homework with a spell," she smiled, seeming to gain a devious expression and hurrying over to grab Kagome's freehand, pulling her the rest of the way towards her lord. "Kagome! You should take a quick break and sit with Lord Sesshoumaru. Share some tea together!"

Horror churned fierce and fast through Kagome's system. She didn't want to make him uncomfortable, and prolonged exposure to her would no doubt suck for him if magenta was an irritated colour.

"That is unnecessary, Rin," Sesshoumaru uttered, confirming Kagome's suspicions. She winced a little anyway, wondering why it stung. "This one was just passing through, I will leave now."

Making a noise of complaint, the girl's grip tightened. "Well then, she should accompany you! W-we need medicinal herbs and you didn't gather any earlier, did you Kagome?"

She willed the earth to swallow her whole. "N-no…"

"Then it's decided! She can walk you to the forest since she's heading that way." Rin poked and prodded them to get moving. In all the confusion, Shippo slipped away to make some notes, giving Kagome a thumbs up- which she returned with a death glare.

Wondering what had come over Rin but being trapped by politeness to refuse, Kagome grimly started walking alongside Sesshoumaru, picking up a basket from Kaede's hut.

I shouldn't feel guilty or weird around him, she thought, trying to ease her worry. If he's getting bent out of shape just from seeing me, that's his problem. I'm pretty confident I haven't insulted him recently.

Kagome nodded silently to herself, endeavouring not to let Sesshoumaru's secret magenta emotion matter so much-

"You appear well."

Jumping, Kagome whipped her head up to the regal demon. "Huh?" she blinked, heat touching her cheeks. "Oh! Thanks!" the magenta outline grew bolder, much to her chagrin. "You look nice too. Aha-! I mean not nice- well, you look handsome- but in a good health way! Not a 'compliment on your looks' way. That's totally what I meant. "

Open mouth, insert foot.

His aura only seemed to fluctuate more, and Sesshoumaru's lips thinned. Kagome inwardly groaned. No doubt he hated her even more now!

She decided an attempt to smooth over everything was in order. "Sesshoumaru," she said, taking a breath. "I know we might not be what you'd consider close, but I'd be totally fine with talking about anything that might be bothering you. Even allies can talk about that stuff."

Sesshoumaru blinked languidly, looking as though she'd blurted out a foreign language. He then faced forward, features becoming tightly controlled. "Nothing unsettles me, miko. It is a foolish, human sentiment that I should be 'bothered' by anything."

Kagome rolled her eyes, mouth twitching. Proud, stubborn guy. She didn't know why she found it kind of endearing.

"Why are you so certain I am troubled?"

Her steps faltered before she strode on, biting her bottom lip. "I have a knack for feeling out these things. A woman's intuition," she grinned, noticing his stare rove lower, south from her eyes.

"Hn," golden eyes lingered. Kagome wondered if she'd gotten something stuck in her teeth. "Your intuition is certainly lacking if you are only just noticing something amiss."

A victorious noise escaped her and she immediately swooped in on the slip-up. Sesshoumaru seemed to wince. "Aha! So something IS wrong!"

"Miko-"

"It's just that you've been dealing with it for such a long time that it's become almost normal to you. That about right?" she grinned.

Kagome took his moody silence as a 'yes.'

"I'm sorry I didn't pick up on it earlier. Shippo's um...spell...has made me extra sensitive to how others are feeling," she revealed a half-truth. "I just can't work out how you're feeling. Heh, you're mysterious even when I've got magic to help me understand you."

"You wish to understand me?"

"Well, yes? You're our ally. As established; I'd like to be your friend too."

"I see."

"Sooo...?" Kagome hedged as they arrived at the border of the trees. The Daiyoukai stopped and turned to her once they were beneath the branches, having stepped under cool shade. Kagome quieted, wondering at the assessing, guarded look he pinned her with. Why should the mighty Lord Sesshoumaru guard himself against her of all people?

Pale lips quirked, and he hummed, giving a haughty, arrogant smirk. "Figure it out yourself."

Her mouth fell open. Ire immediately simmered real and hot beneath her skin. "That's not helpful, Sesshoumaru! The whole point of having friends is to share stuff! You can't expect people to know how you're feeling without you telling them, I'm not a mind reader."

He moved in slightly closer then, leaning down. Kagome swallowed but tensed her legs to keep from bending back, holding her ground and straightening her spine. It proved difficult. Sesshoumaru's cold features had a way of unnerving even the most hardened warriors. It was the lack of empathy or emotion in his animalistic gaze; the terrifying sense that something was missing; humanity.

But...

Kagome's eyes strayed to the magenta aura that only blazed thicker and larger, practically drowning her. The spell revealed, albeit without his consent; that Sesshoumaru was a man of feeling. In fact, whatever emotion plagued him, it roared stronger than any other persons she'd seen that day. Besides all that, she'd witnessed his care of others before. Been on the receiving end of it when he'd saved her a few times.

In the shade's hush, he tipped his head slightly, silver hair falling free from behind a pointed ear. "I am not a being that 'tells' other's information freely. Demons can glean enough from my body language, scent and actions enough to understand my feelings."

"And I appreciate that," Kagome said in a softer tone. "But I'm not a demon."

"Rin-"

"Is a child who has spent a lot of one-on-one time with you. I'd also wager that while she understands a lot of your intentions...she doesn't always understand you either."

Sesshoumaru begrudged her point, though seemed ever unwilling to let his mask slip to reveal anything.

Searching his gaze, she wet her dry lips. "What does the colour magenta mean to you?"

His aura flared, and Sesshoumaru surprised her by leaning back and stepping away. His features became a mix of things, the colours changing for the first time around him- grey, yellow, black, fluctuating on magenta and orange before settling on a particular shade of red that made her squeak.

No way- is he embarrassed?

"Why ask that?" he asked in a removed, steady tone. If she focused though, Kagome could pick up on the faint slip in his voice.

Kagome for once couldn't answer, heart hammering in her ribcage. She wasn't sure what to interpret from his reaction, but the colour obviously meant something to him. Shaking her head, Kagome waved it off.

"Never mind. I'll take your advice and work it out for myself."

He blinked and arched a brow, seeming to recover from his surprise. "Oh?"

Kagome made a noise of affirmation, turning on her heel and taking a few steps away. Pausing, she flashed him a smile over her shoulder. "And if I guess correctly, you agree to start telling me the important stuff. Deal?"

Sesshoumaru's face flashed with intrigue. Slowly, thin lips curved. His expression transformed into something quietly eager, the colour aura deepening into blazing magenta once more.

"Hn."

---

After asking near everyone she could think of for their input or ideas, Kagome ran into a brick wall, utterly stumped. That was- until she heard a certain irritatingly high, grating voice.

"But WHERE did Lord Sesshoumaru go?"

"I don't know, he said he was just passing through."

Jaken.

If anyone had insight into Sesshoumaru, it would be the little green imp. Kagome hurried in the direction of the helium sounding voice.

Finding Rin and Jaken by the village well, and struggling to pull a bucketful up together- Kagome quickly lent a hand, hefting the bucket up onto the side. The little girl grinned and thanked her, while Kagome crouched before Jaken, causing him to squeak.

"W-what is it? What do you want?!"

"I need to talk to you," Kagome said seriously. Resting her hands over her knees and leaning forward intently. "Magenta. Tell me your thoughts on that colour."

Bulbous yellow eyes widened. "Hah? Have you lost your senses, strange girl?"

Rin pouted and lifted the heavy bucket down, spilling some water. "Just do it, Master Jaken. If Kagome is asking, it must be important."

Kagome smiled a little, before schooling her features back into complete seriousness.

The imp sighed and squinted, before thinking for a moment. "Hmm, well. I would of course associate it with the most illustrious Lord Sesshoumaru!"

"H-huh? Why?"

"His cheek and wrist stripes are that exact shade! Don't you pay attention to anything?"

Kagome realised he was entirely correct. They matched up perfectly. Excitement built in her chest, feeling like she was FINALLY getting somewhere with the big mystery. "So it's linked with him… I see. What do you think the colour represents?"

"Haven't the faintest idea," he tilted his head back with a haughty sniff. "But since they adorn Lord Sesshoumaru, I can only conclude that it must be a royal, prideful colour."

Her elation fizzled out. Kagome wilted, sighing and standing once more. That didn't fit at all. No way would Sesshoumaru feel pride while looking at her.

Stepping away with the dismal thought that she was back at square one, she paused upon noticing a tugging on her sleeve. Rin clutched the trailing end of it, looking up at her in quiet earnest. She bit her lip and seemed to struggle with something. "I-I'm sure the answer is there if you just try asking more questions, Kagome."

The miko softened and petted her wild hair, smoothing the locks back from her face. "You really think so, kiddo? Because I'm kind of stumped right now."

"Mhm! I don't know what homework you're helping Shippo with, but if its causing you to take an interest in Lord Sesshoumaru, I encourage you to dig deeper!"

Kagome wasn't sure why she felt so strongly about the subject, her smile becoming a little confused. Nonetheless, she decided to take the advice and try again.

The right question…

Grabbing the back of Jaken's robes and tugging him back before he could walk off, Kagome knelt down. She decided to shift her focus. "Those markings on Sesshoumaru's face and wrists- I was wondering if they mean anything."

"Bah! Such things have a multitude of uses! Ahem!" he lifted up a tiny green claw. "Firstly, they are to show that he is poisonous."

Kagome stifled a giggle behind her hand, smiling with her eyes at Rin. "So he's like a flower."

"No! Nothing like a flower! He is deadly!"

"Poisonous flowers exist- but never mind that," she waved off. "What else?"

"Second, the positioning of the markings represents various things. The ones on mi lord's cheeks represent superior jaws, the wrists and ankles represent superior strength in his arms and legs, while the hips represent that he will produce superior offspring."

Kagome turned steadily red, wondering how low those stripes hooked down his hips. She hadn't even known he possessed hip stripes and was now picturing him half-naked. Kagome quickly shook the fantasy away. Rin didn't seem to understand that last part but thankfully remained quiet.

Jaken continued on, bolstered by such a captive audience and happy to talk about his favourite subject. "Lastly, they are to catch the interest of a mate."

"They... are?"

The imp nodded with vigour. "If you were the slightest bit observant, you'd notice that the vibrancy of his markings has emboldened recently. This means he is displaying for a female."

She had noticed that, actually, but Kagome hadn't thought anything of it. She felt close to a conclusion then, so achingly near to the truth. Swallowing to moisten her suddenly dry mouth, Kagome soldiered on.

"I saw that the ones on his cheeks had become bolder. What about his crescent moon?"

Jaken waved a tiny hand, "the moon is just to show which clan he belongs to. In relation to your original question, it is the magenta markings that are paramount. They are intrinsically linked with all that I noted; intimidation signals and mating."

Kagome nodded, inwardly reeling. She mulled this over and thanked him for the valuable insight. Magenta obviously meant more to Sesshoumaru than she'd ever thought.

In light of Jaken's words, Kagome found herself having to observe a certain set of emotions. Since mating was on the list, she reluctantly wandered in search of a known pervert.

Sweat beaded on her forehead as she took Miroku to one side. After explaining the situation in a succinct manner, she took a breath.

"I need you to get horny for your wife."

Miroku stared. He then pushed back his sleeves, clearing his throat and righting his collar. "My time has come."

Kagome's eyes widened and she held up her hands, "wait- I'm not asking to be weird or anything. M-maybe I should explain more."

He lay a comforting hand on her shoulder, patting. "No further explanation necessary, Lady Kagome. If this is in service of deeper understanding between allies, I am more than happy to help. Observe."

Miroku breezily walked away, gravitating towards Sango who had set down their son, attention on the crawling toddler. Kagome groaned and buried her face in her hands- shifting some fingers aside to witness the moment Miroku's calm blue aura darkened.

For a moment, panic leapt down her windpipe as it deepened into purple, hovering over magenta- before the aura settled on a lush hot pink.

The sound of a slap sounded out, Sango moving away from Miroku's groping hand. "I've told you before; not in front of the children!" she hissed.

Her husband laughed airly, stroking his cheek and giving her a fond smile. Kagome's heart warmed slightly, witnessing the hot pink glow into a warm pinkish red.

I think that must be the colour of love.

This, unfortunately, didn't answer any of her questions.

The possible things Sesshoumaru could be feeling toward her made the miko's stomach twist into knots. She went over what to say in her head a dozen or so times- and then a dozen more. It was no easy feat to wait on pins and needles for the demons' return. Inevitably though, word of his return reached her a few days later.

---

Sesshoumaru had been spotted by the trees bordering Inuyasha Forest so she'd set off alone immediately.

Since the sun beat down mercilessly, Kagome was unsurprised to find him by water. Elevated temperatures were likely brutal on those who regularly wore armour- evidenced by the fact that she walked in on him very much without it. Sesshoumaru knelt by a river, eyes closed and hankimono parted- exposing a thin sliver of firm, pale muscle. His head slightly dipped forward, hair held over one shoulder as one hand cupped cool water and splashed it over the back of his neck. Droplets ran down the length of his throat to dip around his collarbone- some sliding down his back. Sesshoumaru massaged the base of his skull, before cupping more water and repeating the process, long fingers running over the back of his glistening neck.

Kagome stared. She'd suddenly never been so thirsty in her life.

His lashes fluttered open to glance at her. His continued silence prompted her to clear her throat and murmur; "I'm not sure if I've got it right."

"Explain."

Kagome felt a blush rise to her cheeks and panic erupted in her chest. She suddenly wasn't ready. She wasn't nearly as ready for this as she needed to be. Approaching the Daiyoukai dressed in a white tank top and dungarees had not been the plan but she'd impulsively sought him out without thinking about it.

His voice turned softer, almost coaxing. "What conclusion did you reach?"

Kagome bit her lip and felt the need to explain her process of elimination. "First off; I feel like I should be honest with you. I can see the colours of people's emotions around them due to a spell Shippo used on me. That's why I was asking about magenta. It's...it's the emotion you keep feeling whenever you see me- I just had no idea what it meant."

Golden eyes cracked a fraction wider, exposing the liquid honey swimming inside, glinting in the afternoon sunlight with interest.

"I asked Jaken about the colour since he has an insight into you more sound than other people. He told me that magenta was linked to your markings- which can represent intimidation signals and m-mating interest."

He arched a brow, something unnamed flickering over his expression. Kagome began pacing back and forth before him. "So! The first thing I did was follow Inuyasha into a fight. There was a weasel youkai bothering a farmer. I noticed Inuyasha's aura turned a brownish, orangey-red during the fight and concluded that was likely aggression! So I figured you weren't feeling defensive around me," she gave a nervous giggle. Why was the sun so damn bright? The humidity only elevated the spike of nerves pricking the back of her neck.

"Next came the... other thing," her voice dimmed and Kagome evaded eye contact. "I noticed Miroku feeling uh...frisky around his wife. His aura turned hot pink- so it wasn't magenta- not that I thought you could ever feel that way about...me," she babbled. "Hell, I've consulted Shippo's scroll a thousand times. I've run through all the emotions we could find and- gah! I couldn't find anything that explained magenta. I guess I failed in figuring out what's bothering you," her shoulders slumped in defeat.

"You went to all that trouble?"

Kagome lifted her gaze to his, loosely holding her arms. "Well, yeah. I kind of realised that I wasn't being fair to you the other day. You shouldn't be expected to verbalise your problems if you're not comfortable doing so. It's a different method than what I'm used to in order to communicate- but if you're happy doing that I won't push you to open up to me."

Since she'd failed to work out his problems, however, Kagome grimly figured there was no hope of them being friends. The thought somewhat bothered her. Sesshoumaru was a solid, assuring presence to have around. It would've been nice to have a deeper insight into the inner mechanisms of his cerebral mind.

Maybe priestesses and demons just can't understand each other.

A shadow fell over her, bathing Kagome in shade. She looked up, finding his curious, burning gaze bearing down on her.

As usual, magenta coiled and expanded around him. So large and encompassing.

Sesshoumaru tilted his head slightly. "Some actions do not require words in order to understand them."

Kagome could only blink, face heating as he hooked a finger beneath her chin and tilted it up- before her heart burst into overdrive in time with lips pressing against hers.

Her squeak came out muffled, hands scrambling uselessly and finding his shoulders, quickly lurching away from the firm muscle to hover uselessly in the air. Sesshoumaru grabbed one of her hands and forced it to his broad shoulder, holding it there as he explored her open mouth.

The miko reeled, dazed eyes picking up the shining magenta aura before her lashes slid shut. Kagome let out a breathy noise as his tongue slid over hers, reciprocating for a moment before her mind caught up with the situation and- WHAT THE HELL WAS SHE DOING?

Kagome's palm pushed against his broad shoulder, ripping her mouth away from his and panting. Sesshoumaru remained close, breath shuddering slightly, gaze hooded.

"That-" she started, having to lick her lips. "That requires MANY words, buster. So many words are needed to explain what the hell just happened."

The Daiyoukai managed to look put out, eyes turning flat. "It seems your ignorance requires a lack of subtlety, but I do not mind. If it is necessary to have you- I will adapt and explain myself."

"To... have me?" Kagome's breath hitched. Somehow magenta was all she could see- his cheek markings so bold and bright.

Sesshoumaru's jaw ticked, eyes squinting and attention shifting away as he seemed to gather his thoughts and construct them onto his tongue.

"Magenta is the colour of love to inuyoukai."

He said it so easily. After all that confusion and so much second-guessing, Kagome was almost angry with him. Almost. The rest of her brain was too focused on processing the unthinkable thing he'd just said and the implications behind it.

"But...your markings…" she croaked.

"Have little to do with it- though Jaken's explanation was not incorrect."

Kagome shook her head, searching his face. "I just...I'm struggling to understand h-how? I mean, you can't feel that way about me."

"Why not?"

"B-because!" she squeaked, cheeks blazing red. "Isn't love a bit of a leap? You barely know me."

Sesshoumaru huffed, placid features shifting to become slightly guarded. He didn't know when it had started happening for he was in the middle before he even knew he had begun, but more and more, he sought her opinions and company. She spoke well and intelligently after all- had destroyed Naraku and the jewel with such power and finesse that had made his instincts stir. "I know enough. This is not something recent. I have watched... and wondered for some time."

"Wondered... what?"

"If it was possible to bridge the gap between us. Perhaps it was foolish to think we could be compatible."

He had a point. Even a spell hadn't helped her understand him any easier. But when Sesshoumaru slowly stepped back, quiet disappointment simmering behind his blank mask yet clear in his eyes- something like panic possessed her. Kagome grabbed his sleeve, blushing harder.

She wasn't sure why alarm had shot through her- but the idea of losing their soft, hopeful flickering flame before they'd even coaxed it brighter to see what heights it could reach felt like something she'd regret forever if she let him go.

Kagome stepped closer. "Not foolish. This is just really unexpected for me."

Golden eyes roved over her face questioningly.

"The colour of love is different for humans, so it never even crossed my mind that THAT was what you've been struggling with. Jaken mentioned you were displaying for a female but- wow," she murmured, gentling. "Thank you... for telling me. No one's ever said that to me before."

Sesshoumaru's expression warmed, just a touch. He inclined his head slightly and Kagome felt an odd flutter in her belly.

"I'm not in the same place as you emotionally but- if- if you'd want to try this human thing called 'dating' we could give it a shot and get to know each other better."

"Hn," Sesshoumaru gave her a considering look, and she almost thought he might decline before the ghost of a smile tilted up his lips. "What is 'dating?'"

Kagome's face burst into a grin, and she took his clawed hand. "You're gonna love it. It involves a lot of talking."

He gave a mock groan, aura glowing brighter.

Naturally, Shippo passed his test with flying colours. His sensei was particularly impressed by his observation of both human and inuyoukai emotions in particular.

He decided to use the spell on himself several months later, laughing and chasing Rin around the village, happy to see the yellow aura dancing around her. Something of note he noticed when rushing by was a certain miko and demon lord practising archery together in a field. As Kagome corrected his large stance, hand guiding his elbow down slightly as he aimed, the warm colours of pinkish red and magenta entwined, lacing like long, seeking fingers gently interlocking.

End

[p1harmonyofficial]

[📰] P1Harmony May Be New to K-Pop, But They're Beauty Experts

By Devon Abelman

"Pots-and-pans music" is what Keeho, the leader of P1Harmony, lovingly calls the K-pop group's songs. They're loud, explosive, and essentially caffeine mainlined through your eardrums — all in the best way possible, of course.

"Because our music is so strong, we try to portray that in our hair and makeup as well," Keeho continues. "For me, my hair is all slicked back for our new song, 'Scared,' and our makeup is a lot darker than [for our debut single,] 'Siren.'"

In fact, Jongseob, P1Harmony's youngest member, adds their strikingly different hair colors, like Theo's whimsical light pink, Intak's sleek jet black, and Keeho's enigmatic navy blue, balance each other out and express the range of emotions portrayed in their lyrics and melodies.

But this is just a basic overview of P1Harmony and the intense aesthetic they've been building for the past six months since debuting in October 2020. In advance of the release of their new EP, Disharmony: Break Out, today, April 20, I sat down with the rookie K-pop group via Zoom to get a deeper look at each member, their individual relationships to beauty, and how they are choosing to present themselves now that they are on the world's stage.

Keeho

When I ask Keeho which P1Harmony song fits his personality best, he replies, "You can't really fit me in a box like that. There are various characters I can be." The 19-year-old from Canada even wears many hats throughout our interview. Not only is Keeho the group's official leader, but he's also their unofficial translator, color commentator, and storyteller — he truly has an aside or anecdote to share about everything.

The first tale Keeho tells dates back to second grade, when he begged his mom to let him get blonde streaks in his hair. "I was that kid in class," he remarks.

Then, Keeho delves into how his family introduced him to the wonders of beauty growing up. His mom, in particular, made him "do a five-, six-step skin-care routine," he recalls. Every morning before school, he'd splash his face with warm water ("must be warm water, so you open up the pores") and wash up with cleansing foam. Then, he'd rinse it off with cold water ("so you close them").  Although this isn't scientifically true, I'm glad this worked for him.

When layering on his serums and creams, "the first one you need to do is the most liquidy one and the last one you need to do is the one that is not liquidy at all," Keeho recalls his mom instructing him — a fact I confirm for him. Also, she'd tell him to never rub his skin-care products on, only pat.  

Last but not least, Keeho would (and still does) reach for sunscreen — "always sunscreen," he emphasizes. "My mom said, 'If you don't put it on, you're going to age like a raisin.'"

Keeho's older sister, on the other hand, brought him into the world of makeup by employing him as her guinea pig for testing out new looks. "I would let my sister put makeup on me all the time," Keeho says, mentioning Halloween as a common occasion for her artistry. They even playfully filmed YouTube beauty tutorials and challenges together.

One aspect of beauty Keeho has yet to try is a manicure, but he's ready to dive into that realm. "I think it would be fun," he says. A$AP Rocky's eye nail art that he showed off front row at Prada back in October 2019 is Keeho's major inspiration.

Intak

Another unofficial title Keeho has taken on within P1Harmony is hairstylist. Intak, the group's 17-year-old charismatic rapper and star dancer, credits him for his hair-care routine. "I learned how to use hair serum to volumize my hair when I go out," Intak says. Keeho goes on to explain that they both have incredibly dry hair, so he recommended his favorite moisturizing products to Intak and told him to rake them through his hair while it's still wet and only slightly towel-dried. Intak was so pleased with the result that he went out and bought the same products that day.

Although he has kept his hair black throughout his career so far, Intak is quick to share he's very experimental with beauty. For performances in the past, he's adorned his eyes with bloody scratch-like liner and ultra-sooty smoky eyes. Plus, you're about to see some cheek art on him and dramatically flushed cheeks.

Unlike Keeho, Intak didn't get into skin care until after debuting. "I've started visiting the dermatologist frequently," he says. "They gave me a set [of products] that includes [everything I need]." His favorite is a mask infused with avocado and peppermint, like the Tonymoly I'm Real Avocado Mask Sheet or Skinfood's Pear Mint Food Mask, which quenches his dehydrated skin.

Jiung

Spoken like a true Libra, Jiung is the first to mention he enjoys expressing himself through beauty and fashion. "[They are] really important things," the 19-year-old explains in English. "I always try to learn how to express myself that way. So the more I know, the more I can do."

However, when I ask Jiung what kinds of looks he feels the most confident in, he laughs before taking time to think about it. (In the meantime, Keeho shares he knows what he, personally, is least confident in: T-shirts, due to his long arms.) "This is hard," Jiung groans. I must say his short honey-blonde hair — a look he's always been curious about trying — is definitely bringing out a particularly magnetic side of him, as seen in the P-side track video for "If You Call Me."

When he was younger, Jiung dabbled in all different kinds of haircuts, colors, and perms, he lists off. The latter of which he looks forward to trying out again now as a K-pop star.

When the members were just trainees, Keeho helps Jiung recount a time when he wanted to fill in his eyebrows. "He did not how to do it at all," Keeho says. "He got a Sharpie and started coloring in his eyebrows. It was devastating, to say the least, for the people who had to see it."

"It was art," Jiung interjects. Now, he proudly declares he has a proper brow powder.

Theo

Theo, P1Harmony's straightforward vocalist, is admittedly a sneakerhead. He strictly wears Jordans, according to Keeho's translation. Air Jordan 1s are Theo's favorite style, but he can't pick a color that he's the biggest fan of. He can tell you what he feels least confident in, though: shorts and short-sleeved shirts. So if you barely see Theo in summery clothes, now you know why. (However, he doesn't offer up an exact explanation.)

Since elementary school, the now-19-year-old has permed and colored his hair every shade of ROYGBIV, including red, gray, and even blue for one summer break — all thanks to his mom, who is a hairstylist. This is a revelation even many of the other members weren't privy to, much to the chagrin of Keeho. "It's annoying me right now because his hair is healthy," he remarks. "My hair looks like a broom."

Knowing his hair is healthy comes as a shock to me, though, as Theo has gone from white-blonde to rosy-pink over the past six months. (Let's be real, that's a transformation few people's hair can handle.) He's also been able to grow out hair; it falls past his eyebrows and is starting to graze his shoulders in the back.

Honestly, Theo is ready for it to be short again, he shares. "I like my long hair, but I don't like it being in my face," he asserts. "I can't really maintain it. I bleached it so much that it flips in all different directions."

Soul

Before our interview officially started, the members and I exchanged weird facts about ourselves to get to know each other better beyond our beauty routines. Keeho revealed his left eyebrow has been twitching lately, and he needs to cuddle a body pillow to fall asleep. Intak has a freckle on his finger that his grandma often mistakes for dirt and tries to wipe off. Jiung had pet geckos, scorpions, and tarantulas growing up. Jongseob loves mint chocolate. Theo can't burp, and Soul enjoys petting insects.

But that's not the weirdest thing about him or any of the members. The strangest thing about the boys is that "Soul doesn't do anything at all [for his skin-care routine], and his skin is actually pretty good," Keeho says. (You can scroll through Soul's selfies on P1Harmony's Twitter to confirm this, but spoiler: His complexion is immaculate.)

Soul, 16, goes on to explain that his skin is incredibly dry and sensitive, so much so that even cleansing makes his face turn red and any bit of friction causes bumps to form. Needless to say, he's scared to put anything on his face. "I just do cleansing foam and leave it at that," Soul admits. Makeup isn't off the table, though. Soul is no stranger to subtle washes of pink shadow on his lids and fake eyebrow piercings made out of silver studs.

Although Soul is seemingly one of the shyest members and keeps to himself for most of the interview, he's an intense rockstar at heart. He favors P1Harmony's more aggressive, hard-hitting songs, like their new title song, "Scared."

Raise your hand if you'd like to see Soul with thick, black kohl or graphic blue liner and long, raven hair, perhaps paired with a studded leather jacket over a ripped-up T-shirt. OK, great; I'm not the only one. For now, we'll have to appreciate his bob-length ashy-blonde hair.

Jongseob

Other than his nuggets of knowledge about the way P1Harmony reflects their music in their hair and makeup, Jongseob mostly listens throughout the interview. Luckily, the 15-year-old rapper/songwriter did pipe up to share his skin-care routine.

First, Jongseob double-cleanses to remove his makeup, starting with cleansing oil and following up with a foam cleanser. Serum is slathered on next, then moisturizer. When his skin is feeling especially dry, Jongseob layers a gel cream on top as a sleeping mask — a tactic I'd never considered before. Typically, I reach for them in reverse order.

Jongseob's hair has also been through the wringer since P1Harmony's debut. Last October, he colored his hair lilac and gradually went darker shades of purple until it was an electric violet hue. Most recently, though, his dye job has been a fiery orange. Next, Jongseob says he wants to try gray with an ash tone.

And this is just the beginning of P1Harmony's journey through the mystical world of K-pop beauty. This time next year, they're sure to have experimented with even bolder, brighter, and more eccentric looks. For now, you can check out a teaser for their brand-new music video for "Scared" of their latest EP, Disharmony: Break Out, below.

[leah-the-lioness-archived]

Rules And About

General Information:

Leah is better off known as a forgotten one, a prototype, more or less. She is often used as a guinea pig for the newer technology that would be then implemented into the animatronics if the tests were successful after she was pulled from the stage and basically left to rot, and to be forgotten. She had been only a memory, until now.

She was originally built to compete with ‘The King’ animatronic, which was developed by one of Fazbear Entertainment's biggest competitors. The King animatronic was a lion dressed in Elvis garb, referring to Elvis with his title to ‘The King of Rock’. However, her time on stage was brief. Her model was planned so haphazardly and quickly with little testing, meaning she was constantly having issues, and breaking down. Eventually, she was pulled from the stage and permanently put into storage, being used for spare parts, and experimenting on newer technology, which had mixed results. She is rather weak compared to other animatronics, and will prefer to run rather than fight.

It is unknown if she is possessed or not. Regardless, she has some sort of sentience.

She is extremely timid, and easily startled.

Description:

She has become worn down over the years. Sometimes her back does not function the way it should, losing hydraulic pressure from time to time, forcing her to look hunched over. However, she can still move around, and move her limbs.

Her tail is as long as she is tall, and often drags along behind her on the floor. Her tail is a tripping hazard, please be mindful of where you step, you may trip over her tail and risk injury. Not to mention the fact her tail is like a whip, oftentimes leading her to accidentally knocking items over, or hitting others with her tail. No one is quite sure why her tail is so long. Regardless, her tail can inflict some damage if she’s not careful.

She is not the tallest animatronic by any means, being only 5ft 3in, or approximately 1.6 meters tall.

However, when she was new, she was able to move around much easier, but her tail was still a massive tripping hazard. Thus version of her is available for rp upon request, as well as her withered state.

Gabriel:

Gabriel is essentially Leah’s cub in the Glamrock Leah verse. He is about the size of a toddler, and is a little ball of energy. His role in the pizzaplex is unknown, but he’s almost always with his mother, Leah. Wherever Leah goes, Gabriel is quick to follow.

He frequently visits the daycare, as that is the only place where Leah feels comfortable letting Gabriel play on his own under the supervision of the daycare attendant. He has never caused much trouble, and is curious about his surroundings and the other animatronics. He has taken a shine to Monty, and often asks him if he can play a few rounds of golf with him after hours.

He is an absolute momma’s boy, and wants to be big and strong like his mother one day. He has even gone as far as practicing his little roar to try and match his mother’s more deep and powerful roar that can usually be heard throughout the entire pizzaplex. As he gets older, he will receive upgrades, making him bigger, and eventually giving him a mane and system update to make him more mature.

Gabriel is very interested in other animatronics, and is eager to make new friends. He is only available upon request.

Rules:

This blog is selective. I reserve the right to refuse an rp.

Make sure to like my pinned post before interacting. This is basically letting me know you have seen and read this post. Basically, proof you read it. Otherwise, I will not reply to any RP or prompts. This is a precaution.

I’ll RP just about anything, except smut. I prefer to keep it PG-13.

Same with asks. Both the mun, and the muse will answer almost any question.

I will RP on the spot if you like, or we could plan a RP through messages.

AUs, ocs, and other fandoms are welcome, as well as canon. I’m open to everyone.

If there is a triggering topic you would like to be tagged, just send an ask or message me. I’ll start tagging them right away.

Open for ships, as long as it’s not illegal, or harmful.

This is a side blog. Follows, and likes will be from fantasy-writing-and-more.

This may be updated as time goes on, and will be updated accordingly.

There will be triggering content on this blog such as violence, blood, etc. Said posts will be tagged. If there is something you want tagged, please don't hesitate to tell me.

Other Blogs:

(Main)

(Fandom side blog)

http://the-musical-monster.tumblr.com

Verses:

Here is a list of the different universes I offer in this blog. All of which are crossover friendly not just in fandoms alone, but with other universes as well.

Canon (Regular): Pretty much follows cannon, but she still possesses a complex AI.

Withered Verse: Basically during the events of FNAF 2, and onwards. Leah won’t be able to do much due to her hydraulic system being essentially on its last legs. It will need to be repaired before it’s too late.

Machina AU: My biggest AU for this fandom. Lore will be featured in posts on this blog under the tag: Machina!AU. It is essentially another dimension that follows after the canon events, and all of the machine characters have been separated from the children’s souls, and remnant, thus allowing them to live their own lives to their own accord. The machines here are bio-mechanical beings. If you have any questions, or would like for me to cover certain topics, please don’t hesitate to fill my inbox, or message me. I’m more than happy to answer any questions you may have!

Glamrock Verse: The new and revamped version of Leah is a prototype. This version of Leah was constructed as an attempt to add a bigger variety to the main band. Now she has been put into storage, and is often used as a backup animatronic if either Glamrock Chica or Roxanne have a malfunction or are due for maintenance. Even then, she’s rarely brought out of storage. However, she is routinely maintained in order to ensure that she will be ready to substitute either Chica or Roxanne should the time come. That time is yet to come. The only time she will ever leave storage to not act as a substitute is when the mall closes, then she may roam the mall as she pleases, while staying out of sight of course. Unlike her older rendition, she does not have any issues with her hydraulic systems. She also has a cub built for her in this verse.

Preservation Verse: Essentially, Leah had been found beneath the pizza plex and has been restored to her former glory with her hydraulic pump being fixed. She acts as an interactive exhibit. However, she is able to roam the pizza plex at night if she chooses to.

Personality: Her attitude and personality have not changed a bit. It is not known if she could possibly be hacked by Vanny or not. She might run on a different program than the rest, an older program more or less perhaps, but she most certainly isn’t immune to it.

[dragonrajafanfiction]

The Island

Fingel Von Frings took a deep drag of his cigar and exhaled smoke against the glass that allowed him to see into the cryo chamber while the people inside couldn’t see out.

Cassell medical personnel wrapped in thick cloth hazmat suits with protective helmets and visors worked quickly to secure Tom Allman for transport. His thick claws were wrapped in cut proof mittens. HIs arms were twisted tight in a straight jacket. On top of that, thick straps reinforced with kevlar tied his arms together. Finally, a helmet faced with a titanium alloy cage  was fitted over his head.

There was no point in wasting any more serum on this young man. He had passed the point of no return. 

As the Vice Chancellor, he’d only had the responsibility to sign off on his expulsion from Cassell. He didn’t have to be here. But he always made it a point to see off every student who left academy without an official ceremony.

A wheeled metal coffin was rolled in. On the count of three, the medics lifted his body and placed him inside, closing the lid. A pneumatic pump, sealed it with the push of the button and the glass that showed his sleeping face inside was frosted over as liquid nitrogen filled the tubing in the metal casket dropping the temperature inside. At this point, all of his body processes would cease functioning.

Fingel took a deep breath and let it out.

Footsteps approached him. Mr. Baldwin, the head of the executive department came up to him and held out a stack of papers. He stared at it. He was starting to hate those 8 x 10 white sheets as much as he hated doing his classwork.

But after a seconds hesitation, he took it from Baldwin’s hands and started to flip through it. “Runes, in Norton Hall?”

“First I’ve heard of it. Of course, it’s not the strangest thing I’ve heard. We scanned the entire place. No sign of any runes.”

“Have it tested for Longwei.” He pulled a pen from his pocket. It gleamed golden, a diamond at its head. He signed his name and handed the papers back to him.

“Yes, sir.”

“How is she?”

“Emotional.”

Fingel turned to him and stared coldly, his hands in his pockets. “What emotions.”

“Sadness, betrayal, distrust...”

“Has she talked to anyone?”

“She refuses all visitors. She believes Tom is dead. I’m fine with that. No one ever comes back from that island.”

“Does she want to leave?” Fingel began to walk out of the medical ward, still puffing on his cigar.

“She hasn’t said that. She hasn’t called her parents either.”

The chill wind from the rotors of a helicopter tossed Fingel’s golden hair about his face. The coffin was wheeled from the high security facility and into the open cargo bay of the helicopter.

“That’s strange. She talks to them every day...”

“Yes, her father has called the main office several times asking to speak with her. No word from her mother though.” Baldwin said this casually.

Of course, Fingel and Carli - otherwise known as Meixiu - talked frequently and Baldwin knew this. She had to be informed of new patients admitted to the island. “Do you want to know her opinion on the situation?”

“I do actually!” Though he was raising his voice to shout above the roar of the helicopter engine, Fingel could still hear the anger in his voice.

The machine lifted off and gained in altitude before swinging its nose to point towards the northwest and speed out of sight.

Once it was quiet enough to speak normally. “I want to know how long she plans to continue this cruel exercise. It would have been much easier to just expel him and put a bullet in his head. Which is what I suggested from the outset! And what I suggested after he went berserk and almost killed her the first time!” “Well, you went against your own orders the first time...” Fingel was quick to correct him.

“Which... I sincerely regret.”

Fingel turned to face him directly. “Why? What gave you hope the first time that has left you now?”

“There was a theory. I’d say it’s more of a myth than a theory. It stemmed from the report of Akira and Kogure Sakurai. Those two unstable Hybrids were part of the Devil Clan and had dangerous bloodlines. Both of them were held in the black jails run by Hydra until they escaped. Kogure, however, never harmed anyone, and Akira, after running on a spree of rape and murder, suddenly stopped.”

“The common denominator of the two was personal attachments. Kogure was attached to Chimei Gen. It was only after she felt that she had lost him that she finally gave in to her blood. And Akira had given in to his blood until he met a girl on the subway, which was actually an undercover agent for Hydra. He switched from killing every woman he met, to trying to protect her.”

“Ah... the power of love and friendship!” Fingel said without any mocking tone.

“Of course, this has been impossible to study. But when I saw how attached Ru’Yi was, I hoped she could act as a restraint for him. I knew this also posed a danger, so I put her under constant surveillance. But... this only served to put her in danger. The result was the same. She’s in the hospital, and he’s her mother’s guinea pig. The results were the same for Akira and Kogure as well.”

Fingel raised his hand and put it on Baldwin’s shoulder without looking at him. “Science has progressed and will progress. Even if he is a guinea pig, it may be one on the road to a solution.”

“We have a solution... Vice Chancellor.” He shrugged off his hand. “She just doesn’t want to accept it.”

Mr. Baldwin left Fingel to make the slow and long walk back to his office in the drifting snow.

The helicopter traversed the continental United States, briefly stopped for fuel in LA and lifted off again over the endless blue ocean of the Pacific. Eventually, the sun set and the pilot only had the instruments to go by. According to the official maps, there was no island on the coordinates. The helicopter was headed for a deadzone. The pilot turned the navigation to auto and stood up, walking back to the cargo bay.

The pilot removed the heavy flight helmet, revealing falling cascade of ebony hair which she shook out and ran her hands through.

Mai Sakatoku then reached into the onflight fridge for a can of beer which she opened and took a sip. “You make for quiet company.” 

She leaned over to see into the window of the coffin. The young man’s eyes were still closed, frozen in place by tears that couldn’t be shed. She lightly tapped the glass with a delicate fingernail. “You and Miss Chu’s daughter, hm?” 

She leaned against the coffin, her mind going back to the countless so called boyfriends of the past. “I suppose it’s fitting. Her father was also a berserker, before he fell head over heels for a certain dragon. And in the end, that was what saved his life.”

“She never got to tell you the story, because she doesn’t know it. In fact, I think it’s just me, my fellow Nanny and Mingfei Lu that know the end of that story.”

“Let’s hope yours ends a bit differently.”

There was no signal out here. So Mai had to content herself with whatever she had already downloaded on her phone, bingewatching her favorite movies and K-dramas. Meanwhile, she kept a close eye on the casket, making sure the temperature was kept cold enough to keep this guy from waking up.

A sudden alarm shook her from her reverie. She stood and went to the cockpit. Another plane, flying low, almost out of radar range but nearly directly below her. “Ah... we have a curious jet?”

She tried to get a picture of it, but it appeared invisible against the dark waves of the ocean. “Cloaking technology?”

Her eyes narrowed. This was no normal inquiry from a nation-state. Few nations could approach this level of high tech on a plane. Hybrids were higher functioning physically. The technology they surrounded themselves with was likewise ahead of human technology. 

That made this jet fair game. She did not change trajectory. Instead, she reached for a large gun on the back of the the plane. She hoisted to her shoulder with a soft grunt and strapped it to herself. She then hooked herself to the interior of the helicopter and opened the door.

The ferocious wind was enough to tear her away from the helicopter and she grit her teeth and let go. She was like an out of control kite, fluttering precariously in the wind. It was like being on the worst carnival ride. Still her powerful muscles braced themselves and forced the sight to her eyes. It wouldn’t do to have any reports getting out about the island.

She aimed directly for the cockpit of the jet. A tiny target to be sure. She took her time fluttering back and forth. Eventually her mind caught the rhythm of the wind, the speed of the aircraft, and linked it to the knowledge of the speed of the missile. She aimed at a spot far ahead and after a few more seconds, she pulled the trigger.

There was a bright flash of light. She blinked and the target had disappeared. She imagined the pilot getting vaporized instantly, the instrumentation getting blown apart. She turned her head to look, there wasn’t so much as a ripple that could remain in the open ocean.

[whumpiary]

shout out to that anon who sent the ask about Cass’ weird relationship with being high. this is low-key for you!

[content warning: drugs and drugging, victim blaming/self-blaming, betrayal of trust, implied noncon, emeto]

-

Cass is shaking so hard that his teeth are clattering together and his t-shirt is stuck to his back with the wet paper cling that comes with a cold sweat. Every few minutes his stomach lurches and either he spits up bile or he doesn't but either way his body convulses like it's trying to purge his whole fucking soul. 

"The fuck did you do to me?"

Tucker is leaning up against the wall, texting somebody or playing fucking Tiny Towers or some shit. Cass wouldn't have a clue. His minder glances up briefly and smirks. 

"You did this to yourself," he says, attention back on his screen.

Cass can’t even argue because he’s curling around the bucket again, throat burning, body shuddering.

“You gav-” he can’t even keep his fucking throughts straight he’s shaking so bad “You gave me something”

A chime goes off on Tucker’s phone, equal parts bright and mechanical. The sound makes something like rage flare in Cass’ head numbly, and he wants to slam it through the wall but honestly he can barely lift his hand to wipe his mouth.

“No, Ace, you took something,” Tucker says as he passes him a glass of something orange “I’m just here to get you clean. Now drink up”

---

Cassius raises his hand, his arm feeling heavy and not there until he sees it in front of him, trying to reach for the older man's face. His depth perception isn't quite right. Nothing's quite right. He can't seem to touch anything even as he tries.

He's swimming. Floating. Dreaming. Everything's a haze of soft and delicious and it would be so wonderful if his heart wasn't jack-rabbiting in a fear he can't place.

"Don't… i'dont feel right'" and his voice is thick and fumbling. Rubber marbles over a cotton tongue. He can’t reach Christopher's face until the man leaves forward to kiss his fingertips. That's nice of him. So nice of him. So beautiful. So wonderful, being here. He frowns as the memory of a half formed thought tugs at him "Why…?"

"You don't remember?"

The older man's voice is soft and warm. Like his hand is on Cassius' cheek, along his back, through his hair. He was asked a question and he doesn't know what. He shakes his head.

A low hum. Christopher does that when he's thinking. A low hum in his throat like he can speak without words. Cassius tries it out, feeling the vibrations along his own throat, against Christopher's hand, resting there.

"Would you like another chocolate?"

Cassius tilts his head back, parts his lips. Of course he does. Of course. The chocolates make him feel so, so good.

---

He crunches down on the little pellet without thinking and the taste is bitter and familiar and not at all what he’d been expecting. A smarter person would maybe spit it out but Cass just swallows it, stops in his tracks and waits for Tucker to turn around.

“Okay, so that wasn’t a fucking mint,” he says “What did you just give me?”

“A Skittle”

“That’s hilarious, you should go to the open mic down the road”

Tucker laughs like a jackal but doesn’t offer up any more info.

“At least tell me what the fuck it’s gonna do to me,” Cass says, trying for anger and irritation in the hope that it’ll cover the way his throat’s gotten tight with fear.

“New compound. Won’t know until it’s happening”

It’s probably a lie. Probably some kind of fucked up game that Cass isn’t privy to knowing he’s playing. Definitely, actually, considering they’re partially in public, out of town like this.

“When did I get demoted to guinea pig?”

Tucker shrugs, looking equal parts bored and very, very pleased with himself. It’s an expression he wears almost professionally these days. “When I realised how easy you are to test”

And Cass has a thousand responses, all lined up and ready to go, but he can’t seem to shoot any of them off.  Because normal people don’t swallow down poison once they know what it is.

Nah. That’s just him.

---

"Isn't this the little firecracker you had last time?"

"Hm?” Christopher says, barely even glancing up at his guest, fingers still stroking absently through his boy's hair. “Oh, yes. Probably"

Definitely, actually, but his guest doesn’t need to know that for certain. No need to make it obvious that Christopher’s developing a certain attachment.

"Couldn't even get the little bastard to shut up last time,” his guest says, amusement on his tongue. ���What did you do? Lobotomize him?”

"Oh God, no. Nothing quite so permanent,” Christopher says, almost offended at the thought he’d blunt such a beautiful thing. “It'll wear off in an hour or so. But for now…"

He brings his fingers to Cassius’ lips, indulging in the way the boy sucks them into his mouth, the way his tongue curls around them, the way the happy hum vibrates against his fingers.

It’s not always that Christopher wants him like this. He usually quite prefers the eyes glinting like knives, the attitude of a serpent ready to strike, matched with a body so wanting that cusses turn to keens with a touch. But just occasionally he wants to see him just like this. Lascivious and soaring.

And, God, when he does— 

“So perfect, darling boy”

Dark eyes look up at him. Long gorgeous lashes. Flushed cheeks. A slow blink. Christopher pulls his fingers back. Cassius kisses the tips with a sigh, “You gonna hurt me now?”

Christopher smiles softly. There’s no fear there, no fury. Just the question, loose and curious, almost forgotten as soon as it’s asked. He glances to his guest and then back to his charge, knuckles grazing the boy’s cheek.

“Maybe. Maybe my friend will instead,” he says. “Does it matter?”

“No,” the answer comes so quickly, so sweetly that Christopher nearly gathers him up in his arms and takes him to bed right there “Just prefer to know beforehand.”

His guest chuckles, clearly amused by the exchange. Christopher looks up at him just in time to watch him lick his lips. “Little masochist, huh?”

“No, he just loves me,” Christopher says, only a little bit sardonic.

“He loves ya when you lace his food, you mean”

“Oh, I don't have to lace anything,” the older man says. "He’d be like this all the time if I let him.”

Cassius keeps trying to swim to the surface but the surface doesn’t exist when everything is fog and mist.

“Sounds like masochism to me.”

He wants to protest or at least make a sound but his thoughts are silver glitter and he can’t catch them as they fall, especially with Christopher trailing his fingers down his rib cage like that, trails of sparks and broken glass laying in the wake of his touch.

Maybe he would be like this all the time if he could be. Maybe he loves this.

---

Cass’ head keeps lolling to the side without him meaning to. He keeps barely catching it before it hits the couch cushions, before he hits sleep. He’s been awake a long while, he knows, but he’ll be fucked if he lets himself drift off now, he’ll be fucked if he lets himself let his guard down while it’s still not safe, while he’s still not sure, while he’s still so... while he’s so...

His head is full of smoke and it’s making all of him heavy… and heavy… and heav-

This time as his head snaps up, his eyes catch his mug, focusing on the tag of the tea-bag, still hanging out of it. The tea-bag. The tea. Even through the fog he realises he knows what this feels like. He knows this weight behind his eyes, and the white noise in his veins.

They’d had dinner and he hadn’t eaten it. Lou suggested a movie and they’d put it on. He was cold and Josiah suggested tea and like an idiot he’d taken it. 

He doesn’t just feel heavy. He doesn’t just feel tired.

He feels dragged under.

“Oh my god,” he says and once the words leave his lips, he’s not even certain anymore if he’s actually spoken “You… you fuckin’-... oh my god”

Josiah and Lou share a look, but they don’t look at him. They don’t look at him at all. He knows he’s right.

He knows, he knows, he knows.

“Oh my god,” he says. His voice isn’t his own. Nothing is his own. “What the fu…in my… in th’ tea. You were meant to be- you, you were mean’ta…”

“I’m so sorry, love,” Lou says, and her voice is too gentle for a viper. “I didn’t want to. We didn’t want to but... Cass, it’s been nearly four days. You need to sleep”

He pushes up from the couch and the world is tilting and his staticky limbs just barely keep him from falling to the ground, braced against the arm of the couch. He registers, too late, that Josiah’s at his elbow, holding him gently upright, and he shoves him away, not sure if his hands actually do the work that he wants them to or if the other man is just appeasing him by making distance.

“Don’ touch, don’ touch me,” but it’s weak and strained. He wants to sob. He wants to cry. He wants to scream. “You, you, you, you drugged me. You dru- oh my god. Oh my god”

He’s trying to move to the door but his legs aren’t responding and the world is falling down and so is he and oh my god, this was not supposed to happen, this was meant to be the place this didn’t happen. 

“This wasn’... You, you, you weren’t mean’to… oh m’god, …” and he’s fading and fading and fading and he can’t believe it’s happening again. He can’t believe it’s happening all over again. “You were meant to be safe”

[bloodyimmortal]

・♔ * { imported thread // to be continued with @villainyandvillainousvixens​ }

         A quick glance at the clock told it was almost that time again. Time for what exactly, Adam still was attempting to figure out. First, the echo of high heels would fill the hallway, then a moment later, striking blue eyes would peek through the blinds. The first couple of days, he thought he was just being paranoid. But then he set an alarm to wait and watch. Today would be the fifth day of this little game and Adam’s curiosity was making him impatient. Sure, there was the occasional female employees peeking in every now and then, but this was on a schedule.

       Adam would wager this was someone new. Or at least, someone new to this level of the facility, since they would have had to work their way up the ladder to get access. And this someone had to have heard the rumors about him since they never stopped at any other cell. Was this someone intrigued...? Possibly even infatuated with him? How could someone who’d attempted such horrible deeds be this handsome, am I right? Yes, he supposed that would make anyone curious. And so, to lure them closer, today he would be waiting with a surprise when they peeked through the blinds. They would be witness to a little show.

       So Adam sat there, laid back against the headboard of his bed, shirt off, and a devilish grin on his lips. Luckily his regeneration had kept his body decently toned or he wouldn’t have considered this plan of action. As he heard the clicking of heels getting closer, he also decided to allow his pants to hang down from his waist, showing off the little V dip there that women seemed to adore so much. And if that wasn’t enough, the beginning of his blond treasure trail also made an appearance. Normally he wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to meet a woman, but being in a cell for about thirty years, one got bored. Finally, once their blue eyes met, Adam gave her a playful wink and motioned for her to come inside. The immortal had no idea what he was soon in for.

It wasn’t that she needed to go down to his level but after hearing so much, she needed to know.  One time, that’s all Elle was going to do until she peaked in and something about him pulled her in.  When their eyes connected for the first time, for just a moment she thought she could feel something.  Dropping the shade she told herself that coming back was out of the question.  

That night, while she slept his face continued to haunt her, his lips, his eyes, the darkness inside of them that seemed to burn into her soul.  Waking up, her heart raced and she knew that she needed to see him again.  Laying back down in her bed, she couldn’t help but continue to see his blue eyes as she fell into a deep sleep.

What had it been two, maybe three days that she’d been watching him?  It wasn’t that she needed to check on him or that she was fascinated, it was this pull towards him that she couldn’t explain.  Running her fingers down the wall, Elle stopped in the same place that she always had, her fingers lifting the blind but something was different.  There he laid, and when he winked at her, she dropped the blind.  It wasn’t that she couldn’t get into his cell, it would open, her powers would make sure of that but what would she say.  Taking a deep breath, how could she resist the challenge.  

She reached out, touching the lock, blue sparks showing on both sides before it clicked open.  Elle stepped inside, leaning against the white wall, arms crossed.  Sure part of her wanted to smile at him, move closer but this wasn’t her first rodeo with others who were dangerous.  Her blue eyes looking over him before rolling just slightly and looking over her should to the door behind her.  “I see that they’ve forgotten to give you a shirt.  That’s not my job but– I’m sure I can find something so you don’t catch cold.”

Her words were playful and when she’d finished a sly grin rose out of the corner of her mouth.  Knowing she should stay by the door, Elle stepped forward a bit closer to the strange.  “You know, for the stories, you really don’t look that tough.”

         The sound of the lock being picked in a rather uncommon way pulled a smug grin from Adam as he knew whoever it was couldn’t have resisted his little show. Once the door was fully open and the mystery woman revealed, brows raised in both surprise and interest. All these years in this cell and never had he noticed anyone under thirty on this floor of the facility. Interesting.

         At her words, Adam turned to sit sideways on the bed, facing her to give his full attention. “Yes, I’m more than confident you have the ability to warm me up in the most satisfactory manner possible, love.” It was full on flirting but the immortal hadn’t had this little luxury in so long that he couldn’t help himself. She was beautiful... and obviously knew not to walk too far into the lion’s den. No matter, he could smell her perfume from there, although faintly.

         “Ah, so it was the rumors that led you to me.” Now he stood to take a step or two, hoping to at least get a little bit closer, even if it was just to admire her and catch whiffs of her scent. Hands were held up to show he was posing no threat. “Yes, I’m sorry to disappoint. Perhaps all those rumors are not true? Perhaps I’m just their guinea pig... Perhaps you’re the angel sent to be my new caretaker?” At this, Adam’s expression was giving an Oscar worthy performance as big blue hues attempted to tug at her heartstrings. Or at least, he could find out what kind of person she was by the way she reacted and then go from there.

There was this fight or flight feeling that went through her even if he’d been so flattering to her.  Her head tilted to the side as her hands moved down to her side with him stepping forward, light blue sparks released involuntarily before she took her own step forward, not letting him thinks he was backing down.  “Honey you have no idea how much I could warm you up.” One more step towards the monster in front of her, more sparks coming from her fingers.

She would have thrown a bolt at him but the moment that he could be like her, held and tortured made the electricity subside and now she focused on his face, such a lovely face he had. With his hands raised, she reached out with one finger, almost touching his palm.  A blue arch passed between her finger and his own and she waited for him to pull back.  The moment he didn’t her eyes moved from his hand back to the man’s face. “I think  you have me mistaken, Mr. Monroe.  I’m no one’s caretaker.”

Letting her hand fall from his, she started to take a step back from him and paused, the memory of Sylar coming back to her.  Could this be the same thing, had she learned nothing from the broken heart she felt with him.  He interested her and that wasn’t something that happened often but she needed to keep him at a distance.  Why had she not moved, not pulled away from being in his space.  A deep sigh escaped her lips as she took the final step to close the gap between them, her eyes still focused on his face. “I could be other things for you though.  I’m not the best at caring for things.  You need to feel something for that to work.”

Was it a lie? No.  Elle hadn’t felt anything in so long that she really believed that there wasn’t a soul on Earth that could bring that back to her.  “I don’t have much to do lately though, so if you’re as entertaining as I think you could be, I’m sure I could continue to come see you.”

         “Mmm, feisty,” he said, tone soft and velvety with approval at her little display of power. Although impressive, whatever she could possibly do to him was a walk in the park compared to what The Company had already subjugated him to. So needless to say, her light show had a better chance of turning him on than frightening him. Perhaps she’d figured that out when not a flinch was given as she shocked his palm.

         Blue hues watched her, waiting for her next move. Not simply watched, but also analyzed the little blonde’s body language. As she stepped even closer, Adam wasn’t about to celebrate a victory yet as this could very well have been a trick. Other things for him? Brows gave a subtle jump at this and the rest of her phrasing. Scheming took a back seat for the moment as a hand raised to gently cup her cheek, testing her reaction, seeing if she’d truly meant what she’d just stated.

         Adam opened his mouth to use his silver tongue but instead found he couldn’t let her words about needing to feel something fade without commenting. “What in the bloody hell have they done to you, love?” Softly, thumb stroked her cheek in a sincere, caring manner. Since electricity manipulation was her power, she probably didn’t have regeneration. She would have had to went through all those grueling tests without that safety net. The thought added more fuel to the fire onto the grudge he’d already held for The Company.

         As for her continuing to visit him, Adam answered honestly, “Yes, I do believe I’d like that. I enjoy your company already.” There was a vibe about her. It wasn’t just her beauty, no. There was more there, under the surface. This mystery, he allowed himself to be a sucker for it, for the moment at least.

Her eyes were still connected to his as she felt his fingers on her cheek.  She wanted to lean into it, to feel the affection she’d wanted.  Her eyes closed for a moment but she didn’t move.  After a few moments that felt like an eternity, he spoke.  She’d heard of the things done to him and if anyone could understand what it felt like to trust others and then turn that love around and use it against them, it was Adam.  

At his question, her eyes fluttered open, her teeth biting down on her lower lip.  Do I tell him of the shock, the torture— constantly pushing her almost to the point of death but never letting her go. Her eyes now looking down but she didn’t move, didn’t pull away. “I needed to be trained so I could go into the field.” She looked up at him, wanting to pull herself away from him but just couldn’t get past his eyes looking down at her and she finally felt his thumb run over her cheek.  

Elle couldn’t push this gesture away and she found herself leaning into his touch, her hand moving up to cover his.  There was a screaming voice in her head, the one that protected her. It was screaming for her to pull away.  In an instant she came back from the tender moment between them and felt reality crash down on her.  Her hand dropped and she pulled away.  She crossed her arms over her chest and scoffed. “ I don’t know, I’ll see if I can find some time to come back.”

The attitude was fake and although she was quite convincing when she wanted to be, part of Elle knew that he wouldn’t believe her.  They’d had some kind of moment and there was very little that would keep her from him.  Her head tilted to the side for a moment before shrugging her shoulders at him.  Elle hadn’t paid attention before speaking and although she’d stepped away from their close encounter, she was still too close to be quite so cavalier with someone so dangerous.  

“I’m not so sure why everyone’s so afraid of you.  I get that your handsome and maybe others fall for that charming accent but I’m smarter than that.”

         Simply observing her reactions told him much. Adam could have been wrong, but based on his own experiences, they’d done terrible things to both of them. And if he was remembering correctly, he had probably seen her in the halls as each one was being escorted to another test. She was much younger then and just the thought of such experiments being conducted on the small child in his memories caused internal seething. The immortal had to push back those feelings for the moment though, as his actions now would be for both of them. When he escaped, he would take her with him.

         “I’m so sorry,” he said as she leaned in, seemingly accepting the olive branch he’d offered. As she looked up at him, Adam gave an actual, sincere expression of pity. Before he could do anything else to comfort her, she’d shifted gears on him, pulling away, demeanor cold. Adam knew this wasn’t going to be easy, but he was up for whatever challenge she threw his way as she was probably their only hope of getting out of there.

         Hand dropped to his side as she stood back before reaching to put on a shirt. “True. I would never doubt your intelligence -- your beautiful blue eyes brim with it, love. But perhaps, in this instance, it is wise for you to trust instead of rebel? Think about it -- I only have my regeneration to defend myself. I am no more a threat than any other regular human out there. They keep me only for tests... And these rumors? How else to get everyone to go along with such barbaric treatment?” An audible sigh was given. “I simply want my freedom.” Eyes locked to hers. “As you do.”

She stood in place listening to his words and a sigh escaped her lips.  “They do like to make others out to be more dangerous than they really are.  We aren’t all like Sylar.” Running her tongue over her lower lip, she turned back towards him, her eyes almost the same color as her fingers were. “Trust isn’t something I usually give away.  The last time I trusted someone— I ended up here.”

Elle couldn’t help but scoff wondering what it was that he wanted.  No one had ever shown interest in her without a motive for doing so.  Reaching up, she began to chew on the end of her finger but didn’t move away from him.  “so if the rumors aren’t true, then what’s such a big deal about you?  They only put the worst of the worst down here.  The ones that are fractured.”  Part of Elle knew that with the way she was going, it wasn’t long till she’d be added to the numbers down here.

Her thoughts returned to what he said about her.  “I don’t need my freedom anymore.  I am part of the teams that get to go out— but—-” The thought of what she could do if she was free of the rules, free of Noah for the first time in her life. She took a deep breath before stepping back closer to Adam. “You’re just talking to me so I can set you free, aren’t you?”

         Poker face remained as she seemed to go along with his story. Which, actually made a ton of sense. How convenient, that. “Understandable. I, too, know how it feels to be betrayed in the worst possible way. So, if it’s any consolation, I would never put you through that. I don’t know you, but it appears you’ve been tortured as much, if not more, than me. You deserve some peace as much as I do.”

        As for explaining the rumors, Adam shrugged. “If you had conducted nasty experiments on someone who knew several languages, still had many outside contacts, knew how to use anything he got his hands on as a lethal weapon, and was handsome to boot, wouldn’t you lock them up in the worst way possible never to be heard from again?” And although he wanted to address the fractured part, he’d left that alone for now. Perhaps he really was fractured? It wasn’t his fault.

        Adam crossed his arms and tilted his head in disappointment as she attempted to explain why she didn’t need her freedom any longer. They’d had her brainwashed good. Just as he was about to counter her argument, she asked a question that pulled a sly grin from him. “If you think that’s the only reason I’m talking to a beautiful woman in my room after thirty years with nothing but my hand to satisfy me, you should think again, love. You are by far the tastiest steak this tiger as seen in a long time.” Tone turned serious as did expression. “No worries, I am a gentleman. Simply speaking with you is a treat. Sincerely, you have made my year already.”

There was something sincere about his words and she couldn’t help but smile at him.  How did this happen?  It was supposed to be a quick in and out to see what he was like.  Now she was standing her while he spoke of things she believed no one else would understand.  She brought her attention back to their conversation when he started talking about himself. Elle nodded at his question and then laughed.  “No I’d probably find him interesting and would want to let him out and see what kinda trouble he would cause.”

There was a mischievous grin now plastered over her delicate face.  The mood seeming to lighten and this made her feel a bit better.  She feared feelings and connections with people, although she seemed to always be looking for them.  And if she thought it had gotten too serious, his next comment brought a flush to her cheeks. “A tasty steak, huh?” She knew that she needed to say something more and biting down on her lower lip, after he’d explained what a gentleman he was, she stepped into his space once more.  Reaching up, her finger traced over his lower lip, the lightest amount of shock carried through it.  

Her eyes focused on his and she sighed. “Who said you get to be the tiger in that analogy? Besides, what would make you think you’re my type anyway?” She could feel herself wanting to backdown but gathering all her courage she stood fast, eyes still focused on him. “I can have whoever I want— so tell me what you’ve got that I’d want?  You’re locked up in a cell.”

         Her replies pleased him, as did the blush he’d managed to pull from her. She was magnificent and adorable at the same time and when she moved closer, Adam couldn’t help filling his senses with her perfume yet again. How he'd missed having a beautiful woman nearby. “The finest, most savory steak I’ve ever witnessed in my life,” he added at her question as he was growing fonder of her by the moment. Whether that was because of the loneliness, his scheming, or genuine want to be close to another human being again, making a connection, or a combination of all three, he wasn’t sure yet. The only thing he was certain of was that he wanted out of there, with her by his side.

          The touch and subsequent spark to his lip pulled a grin from him as he was tempted to tease her finger with his tongue, but resisted, not wanting to appear too forward just yet. Her next words though, Adam crossed his arms at. She was challenging him? Standing up to him to see what he’d do? First brows raised before furrowing as she spoke. Cute. Very cute. "I would not mind being your steak, I do love a dominant woman who can handle me. If you think you’re up to the task? As for being your type, I am simply every woman’s type -- charming, handsome, intelligent, English, a gentleman, excellent stamina, well endowed, several bank accounts waiting for me on the outside... I could go on, but I think you get the picture.”

         What would she want that he had? Seeing as he’d just given her a list, the only other thing left to do was show her. A strong arm snaked around her waist to pull her petite little body against his as more than eager lips pressed to hers. Oh they were so soft. To be honest, he’d wanted to kiss her ever since she opened that sassy little mouth of hers. The other hand moved to cradle her head, fingers gripping her golden hair lightly as he did, holding her in place unless she resisted. If she refused, he would let her go, but he had a feeling she wouldn’t. The rush of the whole situation had his pulse racing, taking all his willpower to keep from deepening the kiss and possibly ripping her clothes off right then and there.

Her eyes widened at his comment, wondering if he’d really be alright with not being in charge.  There was a natural predatory feeling around him that if he wanted something, he would get it.  Swallowing hard and hoping that he wouldn’t notice, she didn’t back down or flnch at his comment.  She wasn’t going to be his prey, no matter how terrified she felt at the moment.  Wasn’t this what she’d been working for, so that when someone intimidated her, it wouldn’t effect her.  

God why did he have to sound so sexy?  Why were his eyes just so beautiful.

Then just as she was about to say something, he told her why she’d be attracted to him.  Her brow lifted as she listened to a man who was so confident and in that moment, she’d decided he was what she wanted.  Her mind raced of things they could do together as her eyes focused on his soft lips trying to imagine what they would feel like on hers but she snapped out of it and grinned.  

“I don’t desire what other women want, Mr. Monroe.  I am quite unique in I just want someone that can keep me from being bored.  Although the English accent is nice.” She scoffed, “as for well endowed, I’ve found men that brag about it usually aren’t what they let people believe. Honey, you’ll have to do better than that.”

Elle was watching him, searching for something to dislike about him when she felt his arm wrap around her.  Her hands immediately went to his shoulder to balance her body against his and their lips connected.  In truth, she hadn’t kissed many men and getting this close to someone was something she hated doing.  Sure she wanted attention, wanted people to desire her but to actually go through with it, well, it was overwhelming pleasant.

As his hand moved to her head and his fingers were tangled in her hair, she in turn reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, closing any space that remained between their bodies.  God, he was hot and although this wasn’t ideal, it was what she wanted.  As he didn’t break away from her, she parted her lips letting him deepen the kiss between them.  And she could feel a surge of energy building between them.  Part of her wanted to calm down but the other side, she wanted to see what he could handle of her.  Reaching up, her fingers ran over the nap of his neck, small sparks flying between them.

Pushing away from his kiss, her breath hitched and a slight whine escaped.  When she opened her eyes, they were the color of the sparks that emitted from her hands. Still breathless, her eyes connected with his. “I should go.  I don’t want to, but I should go before we do something we might regret.”

         Something stuck out in her words that Adam could relate to -- wanting someone who could keep him from getting bored. If anyone could do such a thing, he would wager to guess this little firecracker in front of him could. Perhaps that was why they kept her in this huge cage of a building with only the illusion of freedom when she went out? She would cause too much trouble otherwise? That is something he would love to find out in time.

         But at the moment, as the kiss deepened, Adam found his pulse racing in a way it hadn’t done in years, probably decades. Although technically he was around four hundred years old, the regeneration kept everything about his body working as though he was twenty six or so. And so, he reacted as such, no matter what his mind might have had to say about it. The shock at his neck only urged him on as a hand snaked lower to grip her ass in response, ensuring her warm body was flush against his as could be.

        As their lips parted, Adam attempted to hide how much one little kiss had turned him on. The isolation combined with how alluring she was did quite a number on him. That soft whine she made did not escape him either, only adding to how much he wanted to continue, possibly with backing her up against the wall... No, no, it was time to concentrate. As she spoke, he swallowed and gave a slight nod of understanding. “I do not think there’s anything I could do with you that I would regret. But yes, I understand completely. You must do what you must do.”

        Hands moved to her waist before taking her hands into his. “Perhaps, you can visit again tomorrow... and before you arrive, your clearance should get you into the security room. When the guard isn’t looking, you could run the tape of my cell back an hour or so. That way, if we did want to partake in activities we’d regret, we could do so in private.” A hand moved to brush strands of her hair behind her ear in a casual motion. “I personally do not mind putting on a show, but I figured you might.” At that, he leaned in to place a kiss to her forehead, an innocent gesture in contrast to his words.

[mythicvls]

          WHAT’S CRACK’A’LACKIN Y'ALL ?!?!  my name’s sun  AND  i  live in the cst time zone. ( T E X A S  BBY 🤠 )  i hope ya’ll are all having a good day, afternoon, night !! whatever time it may be where you are out there in the WORLD. sorry i’m a bit late but i’m super excited to get this show on a roll. <3333  . i suck at intros, so pls bear with me.,  buuuuut !! i’ll be introducing, brianna and leo . one is your crazy inventor who works in the forge, and the other is your uptight hero who is obsessed with doing everything by the book. if you wanna know more about them, check out what’s below !!  like this and i’ll go to your messages to spam u with love. THANKS  . 

♡    ——    MEET  BRIANNA   !!

[  PARK CHAEYOUNG, SHE/HER, CISFEMALE  ]  —  [  BRIANNA  BANG  ]  is a child of  [ HEPHAESTUS ]  with the power of  [  TECHNOKINESIS & ENHANCED CRAFTING  ] .  they were born in  [ 1997 ]  and have been in nemean lion since  [ 2013 ] .  with the change, they  [ HAVE GRADUATED FROM ]  the  [ TECHNOLOGY ]  role which makes sense since they’re usually  [ CREATING NEW GADGETS & GETTING OTHERS TO TEST THEM OUT ]

(  ABOUT PAGE  )

its ya girl , brianna bora bang !! aka bree !! daughter of hephaestus and one of the smiths who works in the forge .

growing up, bree’s childhood was relatively calm and uneventful. she was raised by her single-mother, who worked as a mechanic and though they didn’t have much , her mom still managed to get by , supporting them both the best she could. :’))

tbh, bree didn’t think a lot about her family’s financial situation when she was little. though, with that said,  she was a bit of a pain. 

not because she asked for, or constantly wanted material things, but rather, from a young age she had a knack for taking stuff apart and trying to put them back together again. fascinated by figuring out how certain devices worked. 

that habit eventually turned into bree taking things around the house, and makings ‘ improvements’ or crafting something completely new with the different parts she’d collected from items lying about.

 her mother living pay check to paycheck , was certainly in awe of brianna’s talents, but the young girl’s creative outlet definitely caused  some strESS !!

as one can imagine, she got in a lot of trouble as a kid. having a bit of a mischievous streak coupled along with her curious and imaginative tendencies. her mom wasn’t too happy when she came home to find the vacuum deconstructed , with brianna claiming there was a certain component she needed for the jet pack she was planning on creating

throughout her life, bree was always gathering attention, whether is was due to her odd personality, or the things she was creating. however she was especially attracting people’s attention when it came to the science fairs she enjoyed participating in while she’d been in elementary and middle school --- bringing something completely unexpected to ANNIHILATE ( as she would say )  the competition. 

but, brianna created so much buzz, it wasn’t uncommon for her to end up in local news papers as a young ‘genuis’. 

one time, even recruits from MIT came to check out to see what all the talk had been about. 

 when expressing their interest in her, her mother politely declined their offers. thinking bree may have been too young to consider making decisions like that at the time.

 [ yet, because of the news circulating bree, nl had been another group to approach her mom, along with hephaestus in hopes to provide brianna a safe haven from the potential threat of monsters (etc.), though her mother also refused that offer at the time ]

SO basically, bree just vibed through her early years creating a bit of mischief and making cool stuff with her handy dandy tool box ( or more like her mom’s tool box lmfao) 

she went about every day life as a regular kid, completely unaware of her relation to hephaestus until she neared the age of sixteen.

as she got a bit older, her mother fell in love with a pretty well-off guy who worked as an developmental engineer for the united states milt.. they got married and brianna then had a new step father in her life. despite him being much more strict with her. more than what her mom had ever been , they all got along pretty well. more than anything , bree was jus happy for her mom. 

and, it was a plus that they weren’t struggling as much as they originally had been thanks to his financial help.

however, due to an unfortunate turn of events , and a christmas tree having caught fire; their house burnt down. her mom and her stepfather were rescued by the fire department. unfortunately the same couldn’t be said for bree. watching the house engulfed in flames, they worried frantically about their daughter who’d still been trapped inside. but when bree had escaped through the fire by herself , uninjured and not suffering any burns whats so ever. her step-father , along with the fire fighters that had come to help , were hELLA FREAKED OUT. 

her step-dad was straight up like, i don’t fuk w demons.

and it was after the incident that her mother finally revealed the truth to bree about her biological father, and eventually gave her the option of going to nemean lion. which was information brianna’s mom had for quite some time, but had chosen to keep it to herself , simply cause she wasn’t 100% comfortable with bree leaving her so young.  

THANK GOODNESS THEY NEVER EXPERIENCED A MONSTER ATTACK.

though with what had happened, and her step father’s reaction, bree and her mother came to the agreement that it was probably best if she left for nl. 

she eventually moved in after a couple months of trying to make things work at home ( a compromise she made with her mom ). it didn’t work out sadly, and as soon as she turned sixteen, brianna became an official resident at the hotel.  having stayed at nemean until now !!

when she first got to nl she pretty much just embraced the change. throwing herself into training and what not, trying to figure out where her place was , all that teenage stuff. ‘tryina find urself uwu’ . 

AND she did go on missions quite a bit before the change happened !! having enjoyed tagging along to make some extra money, but her obvious calling was always at the forge. 

brianna now and before, has always had a reputation for walking around nl trying to convince people to give her latest weapons or gadgets a go !!

before the change happened at nl, bree was sorta all over the place. (  A MESS !! )  but her goals have become more focused thanks to entering the technology track. so once again, she embraced change with open arms. 

she’s totally digging the improvement that nemean lion has made.

after graduating from her track relatively fast; working on stuff  is what she mainly does nowadays. 

she’s most often found at the forge. cause when she gets an idea, she’s gotta get it done. she has no chill.

yeah, brianna is smart. but on the highkey, she’s only really knowledgeable in her field of expertise. 

SO, SHE DOES HAVE THAT CHAOTIC STUPID ENERGY COURSING THROUGH HER VEINS. if you ask her to do something dumb, she more then likely is gonna be down / say yes. skdjlfsjd

though bree isn’t necessarily materialistic, she is kinda obsessed with money, and making money. $$$$🤑🤑 part of it has to do with not having  had much growing up, and she wants that security YA KNO. but also , she doesn’t feel totally comfortable asking her mom/step-dad for money. so she out here making her own!!

 money is a big motivator for her.

overall, brianna is a brash, outgoing, oddball who is incredibly determined and hardworking. 

cause she’s always tryina get that promo, she can come off a bit opportunistic, selfish, and conceited when it comes to her inventions. typically she means well, she’s just a bit on the crazy side. 

 she has those mad scientist vibes.

POSSIBLE CONNECTIONS !!

first friend brianna made at nl ( someone who was around in 2013 ) 

people she often trained with / went on missions with before the change happened

friends she’s known for a while here at nemean lion

loyal customers who commission weapons ( etc.) from her regularly. cause she likes you, she’s always down to give you a good deal.

double trouble --- just two chaotic souls, come together to do fun shenanigans. 

other people who work at the forge with her

brianna’s go to guinea pigs !! basically she goes to ya’ll when she comes up with a spicey new gadget, weapon, invention, knowing ya’ll are almost always game to get your hands on what she’s got for you.

impulse control --- pretty self explanatory, this person just settles her down. probably a mom friend who keeps her from doing dumb impulsive things.

people she just bothers bc she’s got a cool idea for you, but maybe you’re just like nah.

this person has been on the end of one of brianna’s failed inventions that didn’t turn out so hot. so now you REFUSE to try anything for her again.

people in the ambassador track she is constantly trying to get seen with her gadgets for that promo. she really wants to sell her inventions / sell her patents to big companies. $$

exes !! maybe there was DRAMA, or maybe it was a super chill split. if you wanna snatch this up, we can really do whatever ur vibin’.

enemies

frenemies

a mentor when she first arrived at nl ( someone who was around in 2013 ) they really helped her have an easier time adjusting to everything when she moved in at sixteen.

♡    ——    MEET  LEO  !!

[ KIM DOYOUNG, HE/HIM, CISMALE ]  —  [ LEO PARK ]  is a child of  [ ATHENA ]  with the power of  [ ENHANCED OBSERVING  &  ENHANCED STRATEGY ] .  they were born in  [ 1996 ]  and have been in nemean lion since  [ 2011 ] .  with the change, they  [ HAVE GRADUATED FROM  ]  the  [ HERO ]  role which makes sense since they’re usually  [ TRAINING or READING IN THE LIBRARY  ]  

(  ABOUT PAGE )

the son of athena, and a graduate from the hero track !!

honestly, leo’s life before nl was pretty boring.

 he grew up in a super small town and was raised by his grandparents after his dad pretty much bailed .

leo was an incredibly bright kid. he learned to read as well as write at a crazy young age, but because he was brought up by his grandparents his taste pretty much reflected his upbringing.  he likes super old music, movies. etc. and he’ prefers considerably less exciting pass times such as  reading books or playing games like chess. he always goes for a walk super early in the morning too which is something he picked up from his grandpa.

leo’s grandparents took care him when he was very little, but as leo grew older he found himself returning the favor and  instead helping his grandparents as they themselves aged over the years.

no one in his household was aware of leo’s ties to his biological mother athena. mainly cause his father never explained anything before he left the family to be on their own. 

leo’s life dramatically changed after he experienced a monster attack when he’d been fifteen years old. 

basically some demigods from nemean lion saved the day and thankfully nothing terrible happened. but leo’s identity as a demigod was finally exposed  to himself and to his family.

 he had a really hard time saying goodbye, as he worried how his grandma and grandpa were gonna do without him. however, he feared putting them in danger above all else. 

he was then taken to nl, where he spent his time up until now.

after he was rescued, leo couldn’t help but look up to the others who regularly went on missions and hunted monsters. naturally, he worked hard with the aspiration to be like them. 

 a lot of that also had to do with why he picked the hero track when the change had come about at nl.

if it wasn’t for moving, leo would have never realized his supernatural abilities. and it was through persistence and intense training that he was able to develop his powers over time, as well as pretty fast.

he has always been incredibly dedicated and disciplined. 

tbh he kinda has those old man vibes, even when he first arrived at fifteen.

 he takes missions and everything a little too seriously. 

he doesn’t really know how to have fun either. so when he is on hero duty, he is super STUBBORN about doing everything by the book. trying not to get too crazy and always wanting to make sure extra precaution is taken. 

he’s not about them risk. he really wants to ensure that there’s little to no damage that will be done if he can help it.

comes off grumpy most of the time, but it’s like 95% bc he kinda just sucks when it comes to people.

 social interaction is not his thing which is why he could have NEVER gone into the ambassador track lmfao.

LEO IS A RULE FOLLOWER, NOT A BREAKER. 

though he’s diligent, responsible and honest, he can also be EXTREMELY gullible, too straightforward, and at times, come off  as nagging or bossy.

overall, he just wants justice, and to ensure things are done right. but he’s not the best communicator, so instead of being diplomatic about it, a lot of the time he’s just like, ‘i’m right, you’re wrong’dkjsldjf

POSSIBLE CONNECTIONS !!

people leo has known or been friends with for a while

other demigods who he used to train with or currently trains with regularly

( friendly ?? ) competition --- likely another hero who has graduated from the hero track

someone currently training in the hero track who has asked to shadow leo ( BONUS POINTS IF THEY ARE CHAOTIC AND LEO IS DESPERATELY TRYING TO WRANGLE THEM IN FROM THEIR WILD WAYS, ESPECIALLY WHILE THEY ARE OUT DOING HERO TINGZ )

the demigods who saved leo when he was fifteen ( someone who was around nl in 2011 / before )

unexpected duo----no one would have thought these two would be super close. after all, they are polar opposites, but this person gets leo to come out of his shell 

leo is super uptight, and because of that, this person enjoys messing with him. 

another person that frequents library just as much as him

maybe leo lowkey has beef with someone because every time he wants to check out a book, the mysterious person ‘insert muses name’ always has checked it out before him. one day when he’s talking about it, he finds out it’s YOU!!!!!!! how it plays out is up to whatever u’re feelin. but turns out they have the same taste in books. 

other people that are also uptight like leo and that’s why they get along so well

enemies---for whatever reason the two don’t mix

someone leo has an unrequited crush on , bc he’s lame

[tisfan]

I Take Thee, Witch

1 

Bucky Barnes noticed the woman in aisle seven, struggling to reach the set of mixing bowls on the top shelf almost immediately.

He noticed her because he’d run into her earlier that day, literally.

She’d been walking through the mall, head down over her phone, consulting some coupon site and she’d plowed straight into him, nearly knocking them both over. Bucky apologized, even though she was the one on the phone, because at this point in his life, apologizing was what he did.

She barely even blinked at him, certainly failed to notice his cyber-arm that Stark Industries had made and that Bucky tested routinely as part of his job. “Oh, it was me,” she said, smiling, “I should put this thing away and watch where I’m going. I just-- I’m new in town, and I need stuff for my house, do you know where the household goods department is?”

Bucky pointed, and she stepped closer into his personal space so that she could look down his arm as if he was sighting a gun. “Oh, thanks so much.”

“Any time,” Bucky said, and watched her go. She was beautiful, from the crown of her mahogany hair to the tips of her perfect toes. He knew they were perfect because she was wearing open toed sandals.

He knew she was wearing open toed sandals because the next time he saw her, not twenty minutes later, she was turning a corner too sharp, bumped him, and dropped her purchases all over the floor. While Bucky was scrambling to pick them up, he got an up close look at scarlet painted toenails, a single silver ankle bracelet, and the strappy little shoes she was wearing.

“Oh, it’s you again,” she said, “I’d say how delightful, but perhaps I’m more of a bother than a delight.”

“You’re fine,” Bucky said. “Is this everything?”

“I have a bit more shopping to do,” she said. “You work here?”

“In a manner of speaking,” Bucky said. “I’m doing research for my boss.”

“Ah, well, perhaps we’ll bump into each other again.”

Which meant when he saw her, practically climbing the shelves like a ladder, he knew exactly who she was, even if he didn’t know anything about her, including her age.

But he was also able to guess well enough that she was about to fall. He had just enough time to consider the dilemma of startling her by asking if he could help when she did fall and he was close enough that a quick jump got him there right on time.

To have her land neatly in his arms.

He hadn’t done anything like that in years; the cyber-arm from Stark Industries being a relatively new invention, and for almost six years before that, Bucky was a one-armed bandit. So to speak.

She gasped, her eyes going round, and then soft.

“Well, my hero,” she said as he helped her get her feet under her.

“We’re making a habit of it, at least,” he replied. 

“Third time’s the charm,” she said, and there was a strange emphasis on the way she said it, and through her wrist, which Bucky realized he was still touching, he detected a little pulse of energy, something like a heartbeat, only moreso.

“My name is Bucky,” Bucky said, “Bucky Barnes.”

“Wanda,” she said. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Right,” Bucky said. “Here, let me get that down for you.” She wasn’t really all that short, but the shelves were stupidly high, and Bucky snagged it down from the top and handed it to her. “Maybe we’ll bump into each other again.”

“Well, if we do, we ought to sit down and talk about it, because we’re just an accident waiting to happen,” Wanda said. “I run into you one more time, and we’ll be in the ER, hoping to get triaged sometime in the next six hours.”

“No, no, I pass on that part,” Bucky said. “I see enough doctors as it is. But-- maybe I could take you out for a coffee?”

“Oh,” Wanda said. “Oh, well, yes, yes you could do that, couldn’t you? I-- I think I would like that. Very much. Coffee. Did you-- did you want to do that now, I mean, can you do that now, you’re still at work, right?”

“My work,” Bucky said, holding up his left hand as if maybe she’d missed it and that’s why she was considering going out on a date -- was it a date, a coffee, did that count as a date? Bucky didn’t date much. At all. Really. “Is to test this in everyday circumstances and to keep an exacting journal on everything that happened. Stark’s going to love this, having caught you, that’s a stress test we hadn’t even considered yet.”

“That’s… that’s good?” She reached out, then snatched her hand back. 

“You can touch it, it’s okay,” Bucky said. People were insatiably curious sometimes, and Bucky always prefered the ones who considered maybe he didn’t want to be touched. Or kids. A lot of kids just grabbed his hand, latched on to it.

It was eye catching, silvery and mechanical.

“Thank you,” she said, and she turned his hand over like she was a fortune teller planning to read his palm. A whisper of sensation along the metal skin-- pressure, mostly. He didn’t really have feelings anymore. Stark was working on it, but hooking into a human’s neural network was tricky. They’d been doing work with sea life-- so Stark had said, but Bucky wouldn’t be even close to that part of the process. He was just a very expensive guinea pig. “It’s astonishing what humans can do, don’t you think? Like… magic.”

“I wish,” Bucky said. “Magic seems like it would be a lot easier.”

“No,” Wanda said. “Probably not.”

“Well, maybe. Don’t know anyone who can do magic, so it’s kinda a moot point.”

“For now,” Wanda said. “So, does that mean you can go out to coffee, now?”

“It does,” Bucky said. “Why don’t we buy your things, I’ll help you load up your trunk. There’s a nice coffee shop about a block south of here.”

“Why don’t we do that, then?” Wanda said, smiling up at him.

*

Stark Cyberlimb Mark III, subject James Barnes, Day 62

Stresses on the arm included:

-- attempt to write in pen, unsuccessful

-- banging into a wall accidentally. Small scuff on third plate noted, buffed out easily with application of new formula

-- caught woman mid-fall, approximately 140 pounds from a height of no more than eight inches. No alarms or mechanical failures noted.

-- some brief possible sensation 

For @livewire28

[cruesins]

FINALLY  ,  these are some little somethings  !  if you’d like to plot with either of these muses  ,  please hit that like button  (  don’t forget to check the connection’y thingies plz  )  i’m not good with discord so i apologize for taking so long to respond to messages  .  happy day~   (  deni  ,  she/her  ,  gmt+9  ,  disc  :  gay fairy#6371  )

                                             𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐍

            †   ◞    𝚒'𝚍  𝚋𝚎  𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚢  𝚘𝚏  𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖  ,  𝚖𝚢  𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍  ;   that  there  is  ONYX  SEO , notorious  for  being  (  materialistic  )  and  (  temperamental  )  ,  but  there  are  times  when  he  can  be  (  individualistic )  and  ( optimistic  )  .  i’ve  heard  that  he  could  pass  as  a  KIM  TAEHYUNG  doppelganger , but  i  don’t  see  it  .  the (  twenty  four  )  year - old  demi  male ( witch  )  has  been  in  town  for  (  a  year  )  and  they  are  a   (  cashier  at  one  man’s  treasure  )  affiliated  with  (  the  blackwood  coven  )  .   they  tend  to  spark  images  of  skyline  views  from  a  water  tower  ,  popped  bubblegum  &  the  feathered  ,  frayed  edges  of  well-loved  tarot  cards  .

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲.

            onyx swore when he moved to town a year ago that things would be different  .  he’d handle his deceased grandparents’ affairs for his mother  ,  join a nice little coven  ,  and most importantly  :  stay out of trouble  .  after That Day in jeonju  ,  some peace and quiet in a podunk town was just what he needed  .  months have passed with few issues and onyx is basically a kept young man with a full-time job  ,  a trailer to call home  ,  and coven mates to call mentors as he learns to temper his ill-behaving  ,  wild magic  .  recent discoveries in the creaking bones of his grandparents’ home re-awaken a curiosity about the power running through his blood  ,  and this time  ,  the cards he lives his life by promise a different ending  .  

𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬.

date of birth.  january 29th  ,  1996      ∕      sun sign.  aquarius      ∕       moon sign.  taurus      ∕       chinese zodiac.  rat      ∕       character alignment.  chaotic neutral      ∕      personality type.  enfp      ∕       temperament.  sanguine      ∕       hometown.  jeonju  ,  korea      ∕       sexual attraction.  pansexual      ∕       romantic attraction.  panromantic      ∕       home.  huntington trailer park      ∕      haunts.  the swimming hole  ,  lafayette cemetary  ,  the scoop  ,  big slice  ,  wickery forest

personality.  curious  ,  naive  ,  rebellious and intuitive  .  onyx grew up placing a lot of trust in his coven leaders and mentors  ,  but has grown and more and more excited about the prospect of pushing his magical abilities to their limits  .  he trusts himself most of all  ,  follows his gut and the way the world whispers to him no matter what others say  (  and now those whispers say more  ,  more  ,  more  )  he’s intrigued by other people and supernaturals  .  messy  ------  impulsive  ,  slightly erratic in the way he handles things  .  he’s made messes before and he’s bound to do so again  .  generous and compassionate  ,  but confident to the point of vanity  .   

an elemental witch with ancestral legacies

came to town to handle his grandparents’ estate after they passed  .  they were estranged from his mother  ,  so he’s learning a bit of familial history  .  they were ancestral witches  ,  but fell out of the coven after dealing with demons to enhance their powers  (  connections  :  demons  ,  person who bought very recently bought their house   /  is buying their house now  ,  townsfolk who knew them around town as the weirdos who went Hella Weird as they grew older  )

very much tied to the earth  ,  but is Tempted by the power ancestral magic promises  .  will discover a tome  ,  spells  ,  and more from his grandparents’ home that heighten that urge to explore magic  (  connections  :  “guinea pigs”  ,  a best friend / confidante  ,  coven members who sense his distancing  ,  tempters  ,  clients for divination  /  herbal magic  )  

currently lives at huntington trailer park  .  big into plants and reptiles  . spends a lot of time at the swimming hole  ,  in the cemetery and anywhere that sells cheap food  (  special notes  :  vegan  ,  wears vintage only  .  talks to furniture and incredibly sensitive to changes in the weather and atmosphere  )   makes herb-infused candles and tattoos temporary protective runes for extra cash  .  always has a tarot deck with him  .   (  connections  :  friends  ,  neighbors  ,  clients who either trust his witchcraft and those who just think they’re amusing him  ,  fellow supernatural enthusiasts  )

pulled a bill gates and dropped out of witch college  ,  felt like learned more through personal trial and error  .  (  connections  :  more “bookish” witches  ,  fellow coven mates  ,  other witches he vibes with  ,  “bad” influences  )

wanted arcs  :  destruction  ,  exploration  ,  finding stability

                                             𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐈𝐓

            †   ◞     𝚒'𝚍  𝚋𝚎  𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚢  𝚘𝚏  𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖 , 𝚖𝚢  𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍 ;  that  there  is  LILITH  ,  notorious  for  being  (  judgmental  )  and  (  aloof  )  ,  but  there  are  times  when  she  can  be  (  maternal  )  and  (  generous  )  .  i’ve  heard  that  she  could  pass  as  a  MICHELLE PFEIFFER  doppelganger  ,  but  i  don’t  see  it  .  the  (  unknown  /  sixty  )  year - old  demi  female  (  demon  )  has  been  in  town  for  (  three years  )  and  they  are  a  (  principal at watermount middle school  )  affiliated  with  (  lucifer  )  .   they  tend  to  spark  images  of  crushed velvet and dark lace , freshly rolled cigarettes ,  blood red is the new black  .

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲.

cw  :  depression’y  ,  kind of  ??

          immortality isn’t so heavy  .  days bleed into decades which bleed into centuries  .  maybe lilith’s known it all along  ,  but she’s finally starting to look up and notice how the world’s passing them all by  .  after losing children and lovers  ,  she’s settled in watermount in search of a peace of mind  .  she doesn’t know whether it’s the body she’s chosen to live in or what  ,  but she’s just now starting to imagine what eternity may feel like  ------  bleary  ,  bland nothingness  .  same cycles every century  .  always the same problems  ,  always the wrong answers  .  it hasn’t fucked with her groove before  ,  so why now  ?  believing a taste of her old comrades may help awaken the desire to exist again  ,  lilith’s settled in this small  ,  creepy town and is hoping --- hoping --- the foggy streets will cure her of the blues  .

𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬.

date of birth.  unknown      ∕      sun sign.  unknown      ∕       moon sign.  unknown      ∕       chinese zodiac.  unknown      ∕       character alignment.  lawful evil      ∕      personality type.  enfp      ∕       temperament.  choleric      ∕       hometown.  depths of hell      ∕       sexual attraction.  pansexual      ∕       romantic attraction.  panromantic      ∕       home.  the village      ∕      haunts.  the town square  ,  cafe on main  ,   crimson  ,  moonlight salon

personality.  angry  ,  weary  ,  protective and territorial  .  whiskey grandmother energy  .  spent centuries as a young little sprite doing her thing and now she just wants to chill for a while  .  falls in love incredibly easy with innocent faces and is drawn to youthful energies  .  not a fan of noise or showy things  ,  most comfortable taking naps in her home with her array of stray cats and house guests  .  plays favorites without a doubt  .  oddly competitive  .  loves being pampered  .  a little lazy  ,  lethargy heavy in the bones  .  clicks her tongue disapprovingly a lot and has mastered The Stare  .  hates and loves people and thinks everyone’s an idiot  .  antagonistic as hell towards holier-than-thous  .  doesn’t have time for your shit and your problems  .

lilith is actually a very good principal —— though somewhat disorganized , she’s managed to corral  (  scare  )  test scores up by 30% overall the past few years  .  she has the PTA in the palm of her hand and attends all of the after-school events  (  though she’s likely to be spotted in heavy sunglasses in the smoking section  )  (  connections  :  old students  ,  current students  ,  parents around town  ,  fundraiser attendees and coordinators  ) 

lives in a “haunted” old victorian  .  heavy drapes  ,  wrought-iron fences ,  overgrown vines ,  close to a cemetery and with furniture that’s mostly covered in dust protectors  .  despite the taboo appearance ,  it’s a known safe place for runaways or misfit children who need a place to stay  ,  regardless of affiliation  (  connections  :  former house guests  ,  current house guests  ,  young demons she’s --- gruffly --- keeping an eye on  ,  neighbors  )

can change her appearance at will to look younger  .  normally does at clubs because its’ easier on the ears and eyes  ,  but sometimes she just does it just Because  (  connections  :  past lovers --- in this life and in the past --- her own demonic spawn  ,  catfishes  )

disappears back into hell when she’s in mourning  ,  and she’s incredibly protective over her children  (  even the ones she doesn’t like  )  (  connections  :  hunters  ,  Too Curious Humans  ,  angels and nephilim  )  she despises the angelic taint and curses heaven for all the pain they’ve caused her and her kind since creation  .

wanted arcs  :  healing  ,  empowerment  ,  crusade

[askiisoft]

FAN ART FRIDAY: ALL THE WARRIORS, Part 3

Welcome back to Part 3 of “All the Warriors”, a month-long celebration of the Katana ZERO community’s fan characters that populate the war-torn cityscape and seedy underworld of New Mecca. 

For those just joining us, be sure to read Part 1 and Part 2 first.

Remember, Friday, August 16th is the last day to submit your OC for next week’s feature!

This week is full of tragedy, loss, and pyromania, so have a handkerchief (and maybe a fire extinguisher) on hand as we dive into this feel-bad parade of forgotten soldiers. Let’s have a look!

[WARNING: The work herein is based on fan creations, and should not be considered canon.]

Alpha 3, by @nizioroMOMO

There was once a cheerful young girl who loved nothing more than all that glittered and shined, from the brightest jewels to the starry skies. Unfortunately, on the battlefield most things that glitter also explode, which robbed poor Alpha 3 of her sight and thus her most beloved pursuit in life.

It’s terrible to be wounded in combat, but losing your passion is something much worse. Imagine if Zero went deaf, forced to massacre mafioso without synthwave blasting from his headphones. Would life still be worth living?

Her character design clearly communicates the eager naïveté of the young Three compared to her stately, serene self now. Whatever happened, it seems she’s made peace with her past, which is more than can be said for most NULL.

By @nizioroMOMO

—

Subject X2 by @teknopathetico​

“Chronos wasn’t the only drug the government developed for the war.”

We may never know what chemical cocktail the Psychiatrist injected to transform into a writhing mountain of flesh, but whatever it was, Subject X2 has had years to perfect its use. Rather than an amalgam of body horror, X2 seems able to tap into each enemy’s individual phobias to instill doubt and gain the upper hand.

“I know what you’re afraid of.” By @teknopathetico​

Since the drug’s effects were stated to be purely psychological, fear-inducing pheromones are the only feasible explanation for X2′s feats of transformation that defy all physical laws and vary wildly between witness testimonies. 

By @teknopathetico​

—

Beta 7, “Bullet” by @stanio_kz

As far as dying wishes go, simply “live” is no tall order. But that one word carries a lifetime of survivor’s guilt for Bullet. Was it his fault the Cromags managed to get past their lines that day? Should they have made a retreat, despite their orders? Could he have done something for Shadow in the last few moments together in those muddy jungle trenches?

Some days, simply slogging through a guard detail and enjoying a hot meal is enough to convince Bullet he’s living up to his friend’s memory. But each time he visits the grave, he wonders if Shadow wouldn’t wanted something more—revenge on his killer, perhaps, or for Bullet to lay down his old knife and stop fighting for good. 

“I don’t know what’s right anymore. Shadow..what do I do?” By @stanio_kz

—

Beta 9, “Shadow” by @stanio_kz

—

Gamma 68, “Cheshire” by @lesbianakechi

There is, however, a darker side to losing a dearest comrade—namely, the urge to inflict that same loss on others. To be hunted by a Gamma NULL is truly terrifying; to the hapless police investigators, there is no modus operandi linking the “Chesire” murders, beyond targeting assorted outcasts and junkies. But to those who knew Sasha as a model commander and caring mentor, seeing how far he’s fallen is as disturbing as his sickly rictus grin. 

There are whispers that the New Meccan government has stymied several investigations against him—one by one, he is cleaning up vestiges of their war crimes more effectively than their own agents ever could.

—

Beta 70, “Cherry” by @zenixdd

For all his rage against his former masters, Gamma Fifteen was positively blessed compared to the miserable fates of his comrades like Cherry, who lacked any hope of leading a normal life.

Maimed and orphaned before she even joined the NULL project, Cherry received prototype prosthetics that elevated her far above a line trooper. However, she was treated as a weapon by her commanders, and her joy at her newfound mobility turned to horror and, eventually, resignation. 

Once the nigh-invincible Gamma subjects were introduced, her prosthetics program was deemed redundant, and she was reduced to becoming a guinea pig for their horrific experiments. 

By @zenixdd

With the shuttering of the NULL program, Cherry’s fate was left a mystery. Most assumed her death as a matter of course, executed and ‘disposed’ of like so many other expendable test subjects. But there were a few rumors of her miraculous escape—either as a sole survivor, freed at last, or a fearsome revenant, bent on exacting revenge on the Gamma NULL she blames for condemning her to suffer in the labs...

“I’ll kill them all...especially those f*cking NULLs!” By @zenixdd

—

Gamma 17, “Robin Hood” by @RollingRubic

To erase the the NULL program from history, the head researchers resorted to extreme measures. All across the country, records were burned, training centers demolished, and subjects ‘disposed of’—all except one. Cleanup crews reported a ransacked facility, its research staff dead and riddled with arrows, its holding cells empty, and its Chronos stockpile gone. 

In a time when it’s every NULL for themselves among an ever-dwindling supply of Chronos, it’s heartening to see at least one person showing charity and concern for the helpless. But in his heart, Robin knows his ‘family’ can’t subsist on stolen Chronos forever—as long as they live, they will be hunted. 

His ultimate goal has become procuring the formula for Chronos to start synthesizing a fresh supply, something the New Meccan authorities fear above all else. In his eyes, the lives of dozens of orphaned children far outweighs the risks, even if it forces him to work with some less than savory characters...

"We’re family.” By @RollingRubic

—

Alpha 20, “Twenty” by @erinwenke​

For a time, the deployment of NULL was considered a state secret, the disappearance of entire villages attributed to natural disasters or sudden epidemics. This was all thanks to ‘cleaners’ like Alpha 20, who were tasked with razing any ‘assets’ the Cromags could use, including the local population.

In the wake of how often NULL were deployed against civilian targets, the then-cumbersome weight of his fuel tank was nothing compared to the crushing burden of guilt he carries now.

—

Gamma 216, “Candy” by @Mochisticker274

During pangs of Chronos withdrawal, it was common for NULL to develop lesser addictions to cope with their major one. For some, it was cigarettes, caffeine, or alcohol. Candy instead found relief in vast quantities of sugar, though any colorful and bite-sized would suffice. Following multiple reprimands for rifling through pockets of fallen Cromags in search of treats, her superiors quickly relented after witnessing her fierce temper from being denied “snacky-time” one time too many.

Considering the loss of her left eye, hair, and part of her sanity, Candy’s attitude is admirable: rather than sulk over her former girlish charms, she took the opportunity to further indulge her sweet tooth. At least that’s an addiction that’s easily satisfied.

—

Gamma 95 by @Tomacocandy

I’m surprised it took this long to encounter an OC with heterochromia (differently-colored eyes). 

On account of her nascent amblyopia, Gamma 95′s miserable marksmanship earned her ridicule at the shooting range and scoldings from her drill sergeant. When she disappeared on the eve of inspections, some speculated that she had deserted in shame or been ‘retired’ to become the labs’ latest test subject.

But when 95 emerged from the jungle depths days later, clothes torn and smelling of ash, she had found her calling. Soon, she realized she didn’t need perfect eyesight to sweep a ten-foot-long gout of liquid flame across a battlefield...and thus, a legend was born.

Most pyrotechnicians were relegated to ‘cleanup’ duty away from the frontlines; only Mondsa possessed the Gamma reflexes necessary to employ a flamethrower in live combat, a tradition that Subject Zero would proudly continue.

—

Gamma 18 by @ruko_ruho

Short of getting banned from every casino in Chinatown, fortune-telling is a decent way to make a living off of one’s precognitive ability, so long as you’re only curious about events sixty seconds into the future. 

For Gamma 18, risking his life as a test subject and frontline trooper was preferable to scrounging for scraps in the streets of New Mecca. However, his street-smarts proved just as valuable in the field as his drug-induced powers, using improvised traps, terrain, and trickery to his advantage almost as well as the Cromags he hunted. When that failed, his skills with knives more than compensated.

Once locals noticed the absence of his folding card table along the main Chinatown plaza, rumors abounded of government bogeymen abducting him in the dead of night. But those who fought alongside Eighteen know that he’s far too clever to let anyone get the best of him.

By @ruko_ruho

—

Beta 8 by @2M_i_W_5

Hopelessly addicted to gambling despite your rotten luck? Still single at the depressing and decrepit age of 25? What’s the point in going on, Beta 8 asks?

Suicide is a very serious topic, let’s be clear. But like how the captive Prometheus cursed his godhood as eagles ate his liver in Greek mythology, the age-old irony of an immortal being powerless to end their own life has always been a rich vein for drama...and it seems drama is what this woman hungers for.

By @wqwrppwu

Unlike so many veterans who fit the trope for ‘wounded warriors', Neith radiates the energy of ‘recently divorced working mother’: she may be pounding back martinis and sobbing like the world’s ended right now, but after a heart-to-heart with her old comrade Beta 11 and a cuddle session with her newly-adopted cat, perhaps she’ll conclude there’s still some things worth living for. 

By @2M_i_W_5

—

Gamma 6, “Firecracker” by @whycantIrungood

Just like a wildfire, Suzy the “Firecracker” was both notoriously destructive and difficult to control. She scoffed at the slow, surgical tactics of executioner-class NULL in favor of the loudest and most direct path to her objective, be it through enemy lines or solid structures; neither withstood the roar of her twin rotary guns for long.

Since the end of the war, Suzy’s learned that she is both immensely talented at arson and intensely bored by it. What’s the point of torching a crime scene when the killing’s already done? Despite the suspicious deaths of so many other ex-NULL who remained in the government’s service, Suzy knows her skills are far too valuable and dangerous for the higher-ups to make an enemy of her.

—

Beta 18, “Cerberus” by @zhraekk

The ghettoes of Chinatown have become a welcome refuge for NULL seeking protection from government spooks and bounty hunters. But for Cerberus, joining the underworld was never his choice to make. 

Whether due to Chronos dependency, blackmail, or his ‘Aunt Meta’ simply needing a new enforcer, it seems his post-war life involves feigning respect for his doting boss while pining for his NULL days. Violent though they were, they’re also his last precious memories of his missing brother.

As the ranks of New Mecca’s crime syndicates swell with former NULL acting as guards and assassins, he’s come to understand the city’s underworld politics are every bit as fraught as the trap-laden Cromag jungles.

By @zhraekk

—

Beta 5, “Boots” by @sekaaliart

With their finger on a trigger, a child is as dangerous as any adult. Beta 5 earned her nickname “Boots” after her child feet barely filled even the smallest combat boots the barracks could find, a light-hearted anecdote that belies just how early she was indoctrinated into a life of conflict. As her kill count skyrocketed, the ‘shorty’ and ‘kid’ jokes among her squad quickly ceased. 

For Boots, the end of the war was simply a move from jungle to urban warfare, a sniper’s paradise. She gives no warning, and leaves no calling card. With NULL powers now fully developed, not even her former comrades are safe from her crosshairs.

—

Beta 13 by @818CoffeeCat

When public expectations for a speedy invasion were dashed against the realities of waging war in thick Cromag jungles, the top New Mecca brass commissioned a solution for rapid defoliation. Through testing countless chemical weapons, their top prospect was (somehow) Project “Flame Force”, a platoon of prototype terror troopers trained to raze entire forests in minutes.

The project was not a success.

Now armed with a high-tech chemical flamethrower, his fireproof avian partner Ernesto, and a crazed look in his eye, the sole survivor of that ill-fated project marches on the oh-so-flammable city. Beware.

—

I made quite a few errors with last week’s post, so if you notice any glaring mistakes, please let me know via Twitter. Remember to send any last-minute OC submissions by Friday, August 16th. 

Otherwise, click here to read Part 4, the jumbo-sized final entry of “All the Warriors”, and stay safe out there. 

Thanks to @818CoffeeCat for letting me use that “Beware” sticker all over the place!

By @55_yamisan

[blueyesandleatherjacket]

The Fallen, 8/17

Volume: 1.

Number of parts: 8/17.

Pairings: Nine x Rose.

A/N: Tagging @thebookster on her demand.

“We've all fallen, but at the same time we're not broken. There is the hint that we are going to get up again.” - Amy Lee.

CHAPTER 8:

“So, you’re fresh from the war. Damaged. Broken. Shattered. And you meet that girl. Rose Tyler. She’s showing you that life is worth fighting for. Traveling with her makes you feel alive again. Until her life is threatened. You sacrifice yourself for her to life.” “Don’t say that like it’s a bad thing.” Nash shrugged. She had to pretend that she couldn’t understand the beauty of such a sacrifice. The concept of giving a life to save another should have been unknown to her as an assassin. Giving a life to save the one of the persons you loved was out of her reach though. She never had the chance to meet her soulmate but she had people she would die for. “But it doesn’t go as planned. You feel something is wrong…” “No, that’s not how it went. I just realised I didn’t want to leave her or my ship.” “Your time machine.” “Oh, she’s so much more than a time machine.” “A space ship.” “You’re so far from the truth.” “Anyway, the Doctor was gonna change into another man…” “Yep. And I was gonna die. And I had that irrational and universal thought that I wasn’t ready to die, that there was more to live. I made the wish to be sent back on Earth to stay around the woman I love.” “Even unsure that she would follow you?” “She was left with a new man. She trusted me, my daft old face… He certainly was prettier and younger and funnier to make a perfect match with her but he still remained a stranger. What would you have done?” No response. “I wanted to stay in her life but I woke up in Manchester with that deep conviction that something was wrong.” “Because you sensed that you had half of that Bad Wolf left in your mind.” “And since I could feel the other half around, it meant Rose still had it in hers.” “Which could be fatal to both of you.” “You’ve got it.” “So that Bad Wolf has quite amazing abilities. Meaning you’re some kind of superhuman now. You’ve got the control of Time and you can change whatever you want to. You’re also a telepathic being and you can access people’s mind and create a real mess in there. Change someone’s history, create false memories or erase it all.” “That’s not exactly how it works. There are rules.” “Who cares for the rules when you’re that powerful?” “I have a consciousness. So does the Bad Wolf. You can’t use its power for personal or evil purposes. Time Lords made the rules. They engraved it in their genetic codes. Anyone meddling with Time would go mad.” “Time Lords are megalomaniac. How could they not go against the rules?” “Oh, some have tried. And they paid the price.” “What about you?” “I ran away from home as soon as I could. Their philosophy wasn’t for me. I had my own dreams.” “What now?” “I intend to leave this place, find my Rose and survive this almost human life. Quite boring, I know.” “And the Bad Wolf?” “I only possess a part of its power. I can’t do much. Need my other half to be able to really do something with that power. Unless…” The Doctor voluntarily chose to stop his sentence there, to show a hesitation. Nash would get more curious if he wasn’t giving her all the answers. Or pretending to giving her the answers. He couldn’t forget that she was manipulated by Jeremy Backfire and that his goals weren’t clear enough. No need to give him what he desired by mistake. Better not give them Rose and the other half of the Wolf. He would die protecting them. Dying was exactly the card he was gonna play. So far, the Wolf and him had worked together but he was always in charge, except for some incidents that had happened now and then. The Wolf was remaining hidden for its own safety. I t was just fixing the damages Nash was creating to its human shell when she was done. He would have died a long time ago without this power, which ironically was also killing him. “Unless what? Is there another card you wanna play? You think that talking all the way through that session will save your ass? We can’t even tell what’s true and what’s not.” “It’s up to you to believe me or not. But just so you know, I am fully human and humans can’t handle the power currently stuck in my head.” “Which means?” “I’m slowly dying. The power is burning everything in me and you’re speeding the process up with your methods.” Nash smirked. Maybe she believed him and was concerned for him deep down, but on the outside, she had to act like she didn’t. She had to pretend it was a trick when the doctor inside her wanted to check his words and save him. She couldn’t see it, the power burning his mind and causing rage fits and complete blackouts when he was alone in his cell. He was holding on pretty well so far but he didn’t have much time left. They would realise it soon enough. “Nice try, Doctor.” That new voice turned his blood to ice. Jeremy had been there all along the session and had witnessed their exchange. That explained why she was so tensed and acting like the Quiston Assassin she had once been. Well, you never ceased to be an assassin. You just learnt how to hide this part deep inside you. The Doctor was well placed to know that. Jeremy was done with these games. Now was the time for round two. If the Doctor didn’t want to say the truth, he was gonna talk to his other self, the one he was keeping hidden all the time, and there was only one way to force him out. He came in the room and dismissed Nash who obeyed wordlessly. He pushed the machine to the maximum. However, the Doctor was strong and he resisted. Him and his Wolf were a powerful team. Powerful enough for Jeremy to fly off the handle. The yellow room wasn’t enough. He had to hit harder. The Doctor was breathless. All his body was suffering from the electricity that had just gone through it. He laughed in Jeremy’s face instead of complaining and raging. He was rewarded with a punch in the face. It added more to his physical pain but didn’t affect his mood. He was determined not to let Jeremy win, no matter the cruel things he had in mind to torture him. It was certain that he wouldn’t like them at all. Jeremy was furious. He turned around, opened a drawer and pulled out a needle. He checked the label on it. They had invented a special mix for him. One that wouldn’t wear off in the minutes that followed the injection. One that would keep him awake but unable to move or speak or think. The fluid was injected straight in his jugular vein and slowly followed the course of blood to spread in his whole body until there was nothing of him that could react to Jeremy’s threats. When the Doctor was completely paralysed, Jeremy called a bunch of his subjects to transfer the patient in another room he had never seen before. It looked like an OR, with red walls. There was a metallic table in the centre where he was strapped down. He couldn’t move at all but they were taking no risk. His head was placed in a surgical vice? All around him, the walls and furniture were immaculate, sterilised. There was a whole collection of tools for surgery, all perfectly sterile and waiting to be used on a new Guinea pig. Behind the strong smell of bleach, there was the smell of terror, of blood, of urine. Many had been taken there before him and many had suffered from irremediable damages. Today, the Doctor was gonna get familiar with the red room. Here, they weren’t gonna flood his brain with electricity. They were gonna go further. They were gonna explore the brain itself, for real. Jeremy Backfire was nowhere close to being a neurologist. That was gonna be a disaster. “Well, Doctor, it’s about time we use brand new methods. Forget about the soft ones Nash was using on you. Now, I’m taking the control of your case.” Jeremy slipped a finger down the collection of tools, seemingly looking for the proper one to choose. His mind was already set on the scalpel but making the choice last was playing on the Doctor’s nerves. Everything to make the unwavering man drop his mask of confidence he was wearing so proudly. “See, Doctor, I want something from you and I’m ready to get it at any price.” Jeremy placed his cold hand on the Doctor’s face and folded his ear to clear the way. The scalpel stroked his skin, just above the ear, and cut the tender skin deeply. Blood flowed and ran down his neck. Jeremy put the scalpel down, grabbed a drill and tested it. He pressed the trigger a couple times to make sure it was working. Then he drilled a hole in the Doctor’s skull. The patient was conscious. He was feeling everything and couldn’t defend himself or scream. A brain surgery without anaesthetics. It was gonna push him beyond his limits and forced the Wolf to come out. Exactly what Jeremy was wishing for. He inserted a little sensor in the hole. The Doctor didn’t see it properly but he felt it. A sensor inside his brain. It could have been a sensor to monitor his brain’s activity but he sensed that it was for another purpose. Another method of torture that needed two holes and two sensors, one on each side of his head. He had been scared of death once. Right now, he surprised himself to think that it would be a relief. Jeremy wouldn’t give him that. “Oh, now, you’re scared, big ears,” commented Jeremy, amused. “Excellent. That’s the right attitude. It means you’re gonna give me what I want.” The Doctor did, and not because he chose to. Actually, he tried to resist as much as possible but being electrocuted straight in the brain was proved to be efficient as a torture method. The human abandoned the battle in less than ten minutes. The pain and death threat hanging above its host’s head compelled the Time Entity sleeping in his mind to come out and protect him. So far, it had been too weak to even show up but it had found out that feeding on the evil vibes and negative emotions that were filling this place was more satisfying than feeding on a Time rift like the TARDIS needed. Being in a human body didn’t only have drawbacks. It could now take control and show that damn man who was the real boss around here. The Doctor’s eyes turned gold and a loud growl came from his throat. In the second, all the restraints and sensors vanished in golden particles and the Doctor, possessed by the Wolf, was on his feet. The cuts healed themselves. Jeremy stepped back, a smirk on his lips. He was scared of course. He knew partly what the Wolf was capable of. It was better not to make it angrier. It was mad enough at the moment. “There you are.” “Oh, so I’m the one you expected to see? You happy? Good. Because that’s the last thing you will ever have done in your miserable little life.” The Wolf took another step toward Jeremy. It wanted to lay its hands on him and feel his body disintegrating as it erased him from time and space, as he reduced his whole existence to dust. It had been provoked, but it also had been given the strength to finally be in charge. Wiping Jeremy away would also wipe Maxence away and that wasn’t an option. It had to reduce Jeremy to nothing and yet, keep him alive. There was one simple way to have its revenge on him and run away from here to find the real Doctor. “You think we didn’t plan it all? That we didn’t take any measure for the day you would come out again?” “Oh, you’re getting clever.” “Always have been.” The Wolf snorted, “What do you want from me?” “Do you even have to ask?” “Pure politeness.” Because the Wolf was already in his head and looking for the information it desired. Which wasn’t complicated. Humans were open books. They didn’t have any lock or any barrier to protect their minds. If they knew what was living among them, what was coming for them in the future, they would protect themselves better. At the moment though, it was an opportunity. “Hm. Humans are predictable but you have the merit of being different. On some points at least.” That hospital was only a façade. They were using this asylum to hide their real activities. Their basement had been turned into a lab and a prison for non-terrestrial species. The place was protected by all the human technology available at this time and it was doubled with some alien technology. They were capturing every alien specimen they could find and experimenting on them to get as much information as they could get. Worse than Van Statten and Torchwood. Jeremy had even offered himself some upgrades with this data. And one day, he had heard about the Doctor. “You want me. You want my power to rewrite yourself. My power and my immortality. Basic.” “I want the Doctor and I can’t reach him without you.” “You want to use me to get him?” The Wolf scoffed. “The Doctor left me on Earth, stuck in the mind of his now human former self who didn’t want to die. Do you think he cares about the bomb I am? If he did care, he would have taken me out of here and you wouldn’t have known a thing about it.” “He hasn’t come because he doesn’t know. We caught you before you could do anything and this place intercepts most of the calls. Telepathic or not. You did call him but if he got the message, he never came around.” The Wolf clenched its fist and a golden glow travelled through his veins. The anger burnt in its hosts body and mind. If it had any limit, Jeremy would have crossed them. It was about time to break the man once and for all. “You can’t have me or my power. I won’t let you. And if you want the Doctor to come, draw his attention with something big. Big ball of troubles. He loves that.” “I don’t remember giving you the choice.” Jeremy wasn’t losing his impertinence. “I can’t do anything to neutralise you completely and force you to obey, but I can still break your human shell.” “Go on, try.” Jeremy smirked. The Wolf pressed a hand on his face to reduce his brain to a puddle of grey cells, to make a vegetable of him. It should have seen it coming but it was one of those grey zones. The moments always in flux. The ones where a decision needed to be made. And Jeremy had just taken his when the Wolf chose to attack instead of submitting. There was a whistle caused by a flying object and the Wolf felt a distinct sting in his thigh. A needle. “YOU THINK IT’LL STOP ME?” it roared. It was really mad now. It began the process of killing Jeremy from the inside. Its other hand grabbed his throat and lifted him from the ground. He was struggling against the hand strangling him, his feet dangling in the air, but his face showed a clear victorious expression. “I was just the distraction,” he panted. The door of the room flew open and someone shot five times. The Wolf roared louder as the five needles jabbed in its back. It let go of Jeremy to run to the person who had dared shooting it. But it found itself unable to move anymore. It was losing its power, its control and slowly being numbed by the drugs he had been given. The Doctor couldn’t take over for the moment so the Wolf fought. In vain. It fell to its knees, to Jeremy’s feet who was watching him with a victorious smile. “I always get what I want, Maxence. You should know that.” Those were the last words the Wolf could hear before it completely fell to the ground, beaten by the high dose of modified drugs they had shot him with. Nash would have a furious Wolf to deal with on their next appointment. It wasn’t gonna forget or forgive that. Jeremy would pay for that. Not from the cell. It wanted to face this asshole when it would get his revenge. Just for fun. It would carve it in its memories to never forget. It would laugh about it. However, it would have to wait until later. The nurses chained up the Doctor’s body again and dragged him to his room. Since he was deeply asleep, they didn’t even bother carrying him. Dragging him was less tiring. They threw him in his cell and took away the chains before they left and locked the door behind them.

To be continued...

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