#WHY DID IT TAKE ME MORE THAN A MONTH TO FUCKING FINISH THIS. AUGH

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bloom forth

[avauntus]

Supernatural - a retrospective

This is super self-indulgent, and I have so much else I’ve promised-- I owe a long-fic rec post, and ao3 comments, wip work, and that’s just my fandom stuff I’m behind on. *sigh*

But it’s late on a Saturday and now I’ve finished Supernatural, I want to share what I think are my top few eps, and a few other comments. I promise some of this will be different from the “greatest hits” you probably usually see, and I’ll try to make it worth your time. *wry smile*

Look, we have to have categories like: “Most Likely to Live in My Head Rent-Free for the Rest of my Life” and “Most Likely to Inspire Unnecessary Fanfiction” that are different from “Favorites,” because that’s just the cursed energy this show has. ;-)

My top five

#5 - 13.01 - “Lost and Found”

Written by: Andrew Dabb | Directed by: Phil Sgriccia

In fandom, this is most often referred to as the start of the “Grieving Widower” arc, tongue-in-cheek. Also has Alexander Calvert (Jack) walking around completely in the nude for the first third of the ep. (Neither of these are why this is in my top 5, but he has a good story about wardrobe for his ‘first day.’) 

I didn’t expect much out of this episode the first time I watched it, but I’ve gone over this ‘section’ of the show maybe 3-4 times in my Netflix catch-up, and I watch this one in full every time. From Jack being...not at all what anyone expected and an unsteady vindication, to the stunning cinematography (there’s a post that compares shots to Brokeback Mountain, but I think the shots here might be better), to the sheriff who takes the time to remind her deputy that “...there’s no such thing as ‘weird.’ Everyone’s normal in their own way,” to the slow reveal of exactly how hard the events of the previous night (12x23 - All Along the Watchtower) are hitting Dean and Sam and in different ways...(how long the episode takes to reveal to you how Dean fucked up his hand, and what he was saying when he did. Augh!) The Winchesters are trying to rally, but they have been taking hits for a long time, and the cracks are showing.

 #4 - 15.06 - “Golden Time”

Written by: Meredith Glynn | Directed by: John F. Showalter

Supernatural  has a terrible track record with representation in all stripes. It is infamously consistent in killing off anyone minority, female, or non-White. One of the interesting things about the chaotic meta-narrative of season 15 is you can see the lack of fucks some of the writer’s room had to give about not even being subtle about tearing down that type of ‘White-male-hero-journey” now that they were in a literal “what will they do, fire me?” situation.

I’m a Cas fan, and this episode, which gives him an actual, ‘case-of-the-week’ hunter’s narrative where he gets to save the day on his own, successfully, was wonderful. I love that for him! But more than that, for me, this episode is emotional to me for other reasons-- the way Dean and Cas circle around each other on their angry phone call (with the body language! They are broadcasting so LOUD and neither can see because they’re on the phone!), Sam’s story here, where he’s inheriting things from Rowena that allow him in turn to save Eileen, to Cas’ speech and quick anger at the lake when you reflect on his entire journey of self-realization from a soldier of blind faith to an agent of free will... “You selfish little men in your positions of authority...” I just... *clears throat, grabs tissue* 

#3 -  6.20 - “The Man Who Would Be King”

Written & Directed by: Ben Edlund

Speaking of Cas’ journey... I know some folks don’t like the angst and drama of the ‘Heaven and Hell’ plots of Supernatural, but I am here for it. Oh, did we need another reason to include this episode? This has some of the most metal quotes I have heard from any TV show. Ever.

I mean, look at this:

“If I knew then what I know now, I would have said: Freedom is a length of rope. God wants you to hang yourself with it.”

“Explaining freedom to angels is a bit like explaining poetry to fish.”

The delivery of: “It's not too late. Damn it, Cas! We can fix this!” “Dean, it’s not broken!” is one of those Supernatural bits that will live in my head until the end of time. All of Edlund’s episodes are among my favorites, but this (along with “5.04 - The End”) was on another level. 

#2 - 5.16 - “Dark Side of the Moon”

Written by: Andrew Dabb & Daniel Loflin | Directed by: Jeff Wollnough

I think of this episode every time  I hear Bob Dylan sing “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.” This is kinda a giant montage episode, but the connecting concepts are so...satisfying. 

“Heaven is your favorite memories.” “ It’s called the axis mundi. It’s a path that runs through heaven. Different people see it as different things. For you, it’s two-lane asphalt.” “This is your idea of heaven? Wow, this was one of the worst nights of my life.” “I don’t think I realized how long you’ve been cleaning up Dad’s messes.” “It’s awesome to finally have an application—a practical application—for string theory.” “Everyone leaves you, Dean. You noticed?” “Why is God talking to me? Gardner-to-gardener, and between us, I think he gets lonely.” “You son of a bitch, I believed in... ” Whoosh.

#1 - 4.01 - “Lazarus Rising”

Written by: Eric Kripke | Directed by: Kim Manners

So...this is the episode where Castiel, angel of thee Lord, shows up. And that’s primarily why it earns the no. 1 spot, because 80% of my enjoyment of Supernatural from this point on was Cas-adjacent. Plus this entire episode just hits. ALL OF IT. Dean’s homecoming. Ruby, my darling. Bobby’s entire vibe. Pamela Barnes, easily one of the most interesting women Supernatural ever introduced. Cas being so hot to say “Hi” to Dean he forgets he wounds people. 

But beyond that-- the way the show writes their ‘oh, by the way, angels’ narrative! If you haven’t seen this episode, would you believe me if I told you that THIS EPISODE, the episode where Supernatural said “canonically, Judeo-Christian Heaven is real, btw” involves no churches but does involve a séance, a soulmark handprint brand, and a himbo angel that “gripped you tight and raised you from Perdition”...but they were all “no homo, guys�� for years?

Truly no one was out here doing it like Supernatural even back in 2008.

Others--

15.18 - “Despair” 

“Most Likely to Live Rent-Free in My Head for the Rest of my Life”

Written by: Robert Berens | Directed by: Richard Speight, Jr.

You know why this episode is here. It broke reality. I could be wrong-- but I’d put good money on this episode being the subject of academic theses in the future. That doesn’t automatically make for interesting story, but...

Has there ever been a case, in a mainstream US TV show where a major lead character (Cas) came out as queer so late in the game in a narratively-important way? I’m not aware of it, but I might just be behind on my television.

This episode has great writing, and (blessedly) amazing direction and blocking anyway. Check out the above gif - that is some next level foreshadowing going on in the cinematography, and this isn’t even the most remarked upon shot in this episode. (Seriously, I had to search for 40 minutes for this gif, please respect my game, lol.) Everyone who was involved in 15x18 is giddy talking about their investment, from the costume designer to the actors to the director to the writer...

...And then a bunch of them steadfastly have avoided posting much Supernatural-related since. So that’s...loud. There is a bunch of subtext in this episode that is screamingly loud; there is a bunch of text in this episode that makes several things clear fandom has been chattering over for years and years. The meta-commentary around this episode continues, months later. There are over 700 fics on AO3 with this episode tag.

I have more to say about the themes of ‘free will’ and ‘love’ and ‘identity’ tied to this episode, but seriously-- you’ve probably read 17 versions of it on Tumblr already, so.

This is the last time we see Cas, and the last time Supernatural can claim anything close to narrative consistency. For that alone, it’d earn free head-space.

Runners-up: “4.20 - The Rapture”; “5.04 - The End”; “7.21 - Reading is Fundamental”; “8.21 - The Great Escapist”; “9.06 - Heaven Can’t Wait”; “12.19 - The Future”; “14.08 - Byzantium”

6.17 - “My Heart Will Go On”/8.07 - “A Little Slice of Kevin”

“Most Likely to Inspire Unnecessary Fanfiction”

Written by: Eric Charmelo & Nicole Snyder (6.17); Brad Buckner & Eugenie Ross-Leming | Directed by: Phil Sgriccia (6.17); Charlie Carner (8.07)

Usually the show kills off it’s “one-episode” female characters, but do you know one time it didn’t? When the Moirai (the Fates - specifically Atropos, the shearer of the Threads of Fate) showed up in canon in 6.17. She was posited to have “two older sisters that were bigger than her- in every sense of the word,” ...and Castiel had to back down when she challenged him to a cosmic game of chicken over the Winchester’s lives.

Then they never returned to that idea again. 

“A Little Slice of Kevin” is on here for the opposite reason -- an amazing idea that was really underwritten in the episode it showed up in. Dean Winchester has been dragging himself across the fabric of universes; the literal Word of God is in play in a warehouse in Middle America; Cas is back from Purgatory, but what does that mean, micro and macro? As a person on the street, what would it mean, or feel like, to learn you were a Prophet of the Lord, uncalled? That what you are, everything you are, is a cosmic contingency?

Maybe Fate has an opinion on all these shenanigans?

Perhaps all that doesn’t make sense, but it certainly made an impression on ~2012 me. To this day, it remains the WIP I can open up and fool myself with the ‘twist.’ I wish I remembered where I was going with it so I could finish it.

Runners Up: “2.20 - What Is and What Should Never Be”; “5.04 - The End”; “6.15 - The French Mistake”; 12.12 - “Stuck in the Middle (with you)”; “13.05 - Advanced Thanatology” “14.03 - The Scar”; “14.10 - Nihilism”; “15.15 - Gimme Shelter” ... and “15.20 - Carry On” (obviously)

Fifteen seasons. There were plenty of other episodes I loved that didn’t make these limited lists. But overall -- thank you, Supernatural, for the run. Even if I’m upset at the ending, I can appreciate the game. If you watch the show, what were your favorite episodes?

[tfw-no-tennis]

huntoxhunto

we watched 2 whole more eps but we’re abt to vacay so i better recap this biz now before i forget

ok so we finished the zoldyck arc and uhhhh gotta say we werent expecting like any of that to happen lol 

ok ill back up so we start w/killuas mom (i dont think we ever heard her name) confronting gon & co....and canary (i lov her) is not dead which i assumed but thank goodness. 

zoldyck mom was totally using nen. also she is off her rocker gotta say. tho that visor is super cool, albeit confusing - is it connected to a bunch of security cameras or something? how does she see all that shit? 

granpa is wild. his tunic thing that says ‘one kill a day’ or w/e is kinda hilarious, it reminds me of the ‘apple a day keeps the dr away’ saying...a murder a day keeps the....idk away????

i love that killua makes it abundantly clear that he couldve like escaped at any time lol. also tho why didnt he just escape....baby boy just leave 

killua getting all serious and threatening milluki if he messes with gon....my boys got it BAD 

this family has so many communication issues hvbjadkfbjaskdfj nobody is on the same page at all 

the butler guy continued to remind me of kuro one piece this whole time...i was waiting for him to bust out the ridiculous cat claws

oh my GOD wait the flashbacks of EVEN BABIER KILLUA were so precious ;_; he was soooo tiny and cute oh my god. so precious. and canary was also so tiny and cute 

baby killua really just wanted a friend :(((( and canary wanted to be friends w/him but knew that mom zoldyck would kill her if she overstepped like that :( thats so tragic mannnn

also canary is so cool man. her beating up all those guys was epic

ok that whole scene with killua and his dad was like, such a rollercoaster lmao

like....it was all over the place for me...first of all the ambiance was wack, the room lighting was weird and im p sure killuas seat was an electric chair??? and the dad was in a coffin thing..???? like....interesting aesthetic choices all over the place here 

also i see now where killua got his hair and also his catboy tendencies. the zoldyck catboy genes seem to trace back to zoldyck dad, who has kinda scary cat eyes 

also im guessing that the dad is the blood zoldyck and the mom is the one who married in. they sure seem to put a lot of emphasis on like, family legacy or w/e, but the two parents certainty go abt it in different ways 

the whole convo b/w killua and his dad was wild, it totally didnt go where i was expecting it to. his dad was weirdly chill while also being super intense? 

killua happily telling stories abt gon was so sweet....baby boy baby 

and his dad telling him ‘never betray your friends’ was rlly interesting...i wonder what his reasons were for saying that 

cause then he tells killua he can leave, and killua does, but then dad zoldyck tells mom zoldyck (i rlly need to find out their names) that he thinks killua will come back on his own time....inch resting 

i wonder if dad zoldyck made killua promise that bc he was trying to set killua up for failure - as in, he tells killua to never betray his friends, thinking that killua inevitably will & be distraught abt it, and then turn back to the zoldyck family when this happens. idk

also its interesting to me that zoldyck dad wants killua to lead the family someday. like, illumi is right there, hes the oldest and clearly dedicated to being an evil assassin, and he seems p good at it...i wonder why killua is the favorite....the grandpa (i think) did say that killua is Special(tm) which...yes he is a special baby boy i love him. i wanna see more zoldyck family flashbacks/interactions so we can see what led them to this point 

oh lord that reminds me of illumi briefly appearing in the killua flashback and hes just like, suddenly there, wearing some gay ass sweater....like ok dude did you just come back from the Evil Assassin Library or st?????

that reminds me too, ruth tells me that apparently in the manga illumi and hisoka got married or something???? to which i say, thats fucking wild, but also it makes sense, those two are both horrible and disgusting and they absolutely deserve each other hbvajvhsdfjbak peak evil nasty gay rep, i love it. i cant wait to see whatever the fuck the context to that is bc, thats fucking wild

ok back to the plot so like its so wild to me how smoothly everything went hvubsjduhfbjsh like....killuas dad was rlly like ok u can leave and killua just went to the butler house and then canary woke up and was like ok gon & crew lets go to the butler house to see killua, fuck the rules, (and she didnt even get killed for ‘disobedience’ or w/e, or more likely - in most big shounen, she wouldve been attacked by the other evil butlers and gon wouldve had to fight them)

killua Rlly was like fuck this place im leaving my boyfriend and his parents are here to pick me up [puts on gayest outfit he owns and skateboards away] hvbhsjdfbjdkf

i love killuas weird gay preteen fashion so far and i cant wait to see more 

killua telling the butler guy to let him know as SOON as gon gets there cause he wants to see him AS SOON AS HE CAN ;_; bro they r....in love 

of course the butler is trickey tho lmao, any other shounen this wouldve turned into an 8 ep long fight scene sequence where gon has to fight the butlers in order to see killua 

and the of course gon is the same way, gon is like i need to see killua RIGHT NOW take me to him!!! ohhh my god babies

the whole coin game was wild, it was funny when the other butlers got involved too lmao 

when gon was like ‘hey leorio can i see your knife’ i was like OH NO I DONT LIKE WHERE THIS IS GOING. and i was right bc OWWWWW baby boy oh my god!!!! but that seems to have solved it even tho thats NOT how swelling works at ALL- 

anyways gon is a cute smart good boy and i also find it funny how killua eventually gets impatient and just busts in on this whole dramatic situation (and the tension immediately deescalates as a result lmao) 

tangent but god its so funny seeing all these butler guys deferring to killua, an actual 12 yr old....i wanna see the hilarious and hijink-filled results of killua being raised as a rich spoiled assassin prince. thats a lethal combo thats gotta result in some wildly skewed perceptions on how things work, especially paired with gon ‘probably eats dirt for fun and sleeps in trees’ freecess 

godddd gon and killuas lil reunion is SOOO cute they were so happy to see each other ;_; bro they are SO cuteeeee augh. two tiny babies

killua being like oh hi also uh kurapika andddd [looks at smudged writing on hand] lorpo 

hvhhbajfbs dont do my man leorio like that killua hes a hardworking father 

the fact that they just like. LEAVE...thats so wild. i cant believe how little fighting this arc had. this all wrapped up SO much faster than i could have ever anticipated lmao 

where the heck was alluka!? i assumed she’d show up here but uhhhh guess not......in the silhouette shot of all the zoldycks she and killua were holding hands ;_; my fucking uwus bro 

we also didnt see the grandma or great grandpa so im guessing theyll appear later 

gon being like fuck it im not using my hunters license til i punch hisoka in the fucking face hvbhahsfbjsk thats hilarious 

also a convenient way to let him have his hunters license but not utilize it til later in the story...its so early for him to have achieved that big chunk of his goal, which just shows that hxh is Not your typical shounen and isnt gonna just be centered around gons quest to become a hunter 

so we finally found out what hisoka said to kurapika....just as i thought, it was st to do w/the phantom troupe. so theres a handy setup for the yorknew city arc later. bam 

hisoka just being like ‘hey meet me in this (presumably) very large city on this date. no i will not tell you where in the city to meet me. bye seeya there’ 

tbf hisoka is very hard to miss 

god when they arrive and kurapika is just like ok well we got killua so im out lol bye everyone....bro hvbjkhgbfjhdksfhjk that felt so abrupt 

and then leorio was like oh yeah same i gotta go study time to take the fantasy MCAT or w/e

AND THEY BOTH LEFT....now gon and killua r chilling but im like oh my god no leorio kurapika come back, we need some (questionable) adult supervision over here 

and like immediately killua is like ok gon do you have money. and of Course gon doesnt have money. so killua is like well you need money and you need to train so you can deck hisoka, so lets go to a fantasy version of an underground fighting ring! this is why kurapika and leorio needed to stay 

tho they probably wouldve just gone along with it 

they did all promise to meet in yorknew city, but thats apparently like 6 months away. are gon and killua rlly gonna spend 6 months at heavens arena

the part where killua draws the diagram demonstrating how much of a n00b gon is....hvbajdkhfbhajskf

AND THEN when he drew himself into the diagram and was like :3c wow im so modest HBJHSKHDFHBJS that was so funny

it was like that post thats like ‘you can tell when a cats pupils change and they just shift into Silly Mode’ thats what killua looked like...catboy

so thats basically it i think, gon and killua are heading to heavens arena to join fight club or whatever. tournament arc time! 

PREDICTION CORNER: 

i doubt this is the last weve seen of the zoldyck family. i mean we havent even met 3 of them, and we barely saw the ones we did meet...idk when theyll come back but i suspect theyll be making some big money moves later on and fucking shit up somehow 

i think maybe illumi or someone will like, spy on killua sometimes to keep track of him. or theyll track him by other means

ill use the prediction corner to reflect on incorrect predictions so heres a few. i rlly thot killua was gonna be more edgy than he is but hes rlly just a good boy huh. like hes a gay baby assassin catboy but hes so cute and good too. he just wants to live his life and hang out with his tiny bf like... omg :’) 

also i thot hisoka held a totally different narrative role lbvahkfjhjjaksfl i thot he was like main villain guy....hes more like an annoying creepy clown dude who (probably) shows up a lot to bother the main cast. we’ll see, but thats what i think of him now

like i thought hisoka would be like p1 dio, where hed be/quickly become a powerful antagonist who would amass a bunch of followers/minions (when actually the only person he seems to hang out w/is illumi, and theyre more like equals than an evil guy/minion dynamic)...or like i thought hisoka would be very well known as a scary evil guy but nope he was just another participant in the hunter exam, albeit a weird freaky one whose rancid vibes everyone seemed to pick up on 

anyways actual predictions, i think hisoka is gonna be at heavens arena, which would be super funny. gon is like im gonna train to beat hisoka and he shows up to do that and hisokas just there like >;) hey

i think if i had to guess, the zoldycks will show up again (in a plot important way) at the end of the yorknew arc/before the greed island arc. i know basically nothing abt any of the arcs but i do know the order they go in so theres that

i do think illumi will show up earlier than the other zoldycks tho, since he seems to be out doing his own thing more than the rest. also we still really havent resolved the whole mind control thing that im still convinced of 

i think nen will finally be introduced/alluded to heavily in this arc...or like, characters will use nen and gon will be like whoa whats that 

i think killua knows what nen is...maybe? it would make sense since im sure all the zoldycks can use it (at least, we saw mom zoldyck use it, probably)

can killua use nen already? that would be pretty funny. i dont think so tho. maybe u learn nen at a certain age. i have no idea what nen is 

also isnt gons nen power the power to like, turn into a really buff version of himself or something. how the fuck does that work 

ok enough nonsense its bedtime zzzzz

[goblinswamps]

“Howdy sir, can I top you up?”

Abigail wraps her hands around her mug and smiles thinly, the chapstick on her lips feeling suddenly too slick. “No, thanks,” she says, even though her mug is barely half-full at this point, all the warmth leaching out and into her palms. “I’m good.”

“Me too,” Max pipes up before they can be asked. “Can we get some fries, though?”

“Sure thing!” the waitress says brightly – her nametag says Lauren, but Abigail isn’t feeling particularly generous. She focuses on the smoothness of the mug under her fingers, the chip in the rim where the diner doesn’t have enough spare cash to buy new ceramics, and tries to filter out the click-click-click of the waitress’ heels as she walks towards the kitchen. Max leans over and takes her hand.

“The fries are better than the service,” Max promises, smiling apologetically. Abigail swallows the heavy feeling in her stomach and musters up a smile in return.

“It’s okay,” she says. It sounds hollow.

“It’s not,” Max says, expression suddenly serious. “Here, finish off my coffee. I can feel myself getting all jittery with caffeine; I’ll probably have a heart attack or something if I drink much more.” They pour the rest of their coffee into Abigail’s mug, slopping a little over the side and grimacing as they grab a handful of napkins to mop it up. “Shit, sorry. Did I get you?”

Abigail smiles again, more genuinely this time. “No, you’re good. Incurably clumsy, though.”

“Clumsiest bitch alive,” Max proclaims proudly, tossing their dark hair over their shoulder and then making a face. “You got a tie?”

Abigail hands over one of the hair ties clinging to her wrist, watching Max’s clumsy fingers tie their hair into a neat ponytail with uncharacteristic deftness. It’s one of the things they never seem to fumble, for some reason. Abigail pretends she doesn’t find it as endearing as she does.

“Cheers,” Max says, letting the hairband snap into place and pulling out a couple of strands near the front to frame their round face.

“No problem,” Abigail says, and tries not to think about how soft she knows Max’s hair is, the smell of the coconut shampoo they use because it keeps their hair moisturised better than expensive brands even though it’s one of the cheapest out there. “What did you wanna talk about?”

“Oh, I- let’s have our fries first, yeah? I’m starving.”

“…Sure,” Abigail says, even though their fries are probably a good ten minutes away and she’s been dying to know what Max is thinking ever since she got their text to meet here. “How’s your day gone so far?”

Max, looking perceptibly grateful, seizes on the topic immediately. “I didn’t wake up until like 2pm, honestly,” they admit, grinning. Abigail hides a laugh behind her mug, taking a gulp of lukewarm coffee. “Dad was yelling about something so I snuck out the window and spent a few hours in the woods. Hey, you wanna see the bones I found?”

“No! Gross, you haven’t even cleaned them yet!” Abigail says, wrinkling her nose, laughing as she dodges what looks like a dirty bird skull as Max thrusts it towards her. “Is that just in your pocket? You got pockets full of bones in the middle of this respectable diner?”

The waitress, who was bringing their fries over with a smile, pauses as she reaches the table and hears that sentence, her hesitant look morphing to horror when she sees the skull in Max’s hand. Abigail thinks there might still be some flesh on this one, if she looks closely, which she decides not to do.

“Fries,” the waitress says quickly, almost throwing them onto the table and fast-walking away.

“Thanks!” Max shouts after her, and abruptly they and Abigail are both laughing too hard to breathe, Max’s hand almost crushing the bird skull before they shove it back in the plastic bag in their pocket so they can press their knuckles against their eyes. “Did you see her fucking face? Oh my god…”

“Max! Don’t touch your face with your dead bird hand, come here-” Abigail gets out the hand sanitiser she’s been carrying around pretty much ever since they met, because Max has a habit of getting themself into improbable and unhygienic situations on the regular. Max holds out the hand and lets Abigail squirt some sanitiser into their palm, smacking their hands together a couple of times before rubbing it into their skin.

“Thanks, Abi,” they say fondly. “You’re a lifesaver.”

“Yeah, well,” Abigail says, flustered as always by the affectionate tone. “Can’t have you getting necrogerms all over these apparently delicious fries, can I?” She takes one and bites into it and jeez, Max wasn’t kidding – they’re crunchy on the outside, fluffy and soft on the inside, perfectly salted and maybe even lightly dusted with paprika? Abigail finishes the fry in one bite and immediately takes another, dipping it in the provided paper cup of ketchup. “These are so good!”

“Told you,” Max says smugly, taking a fry of their own and biting decisively into it, a flash of sharp teeth. Their tongue darts out to lick up a smear of grease on their broad lips; Abigail averts her eyes. “Okay, so. What I wanted to talk about.”

“Yeah?” Abigail says encouragingly. She watches Max squash a few fries together into one gross, salty, oily lump and shove the whole thing in their mouth. They must be nervous; their eating habits get grosser when they’re anxious.

“Okay, so,” Max says again, “What I wanted to talk about. Okay, so,” and then blurts out in a rush, “I have a crush on you,” through a mouthful of potato. Abigail chokes on her food.

“What?”

“I have a crush on you!” Max says again, their eyebrows pushed together, their eyes screwing shut as though they can’t bear to see Abigail’s response. “I’ve had a crush on you for months and I super don’t want to make this weird and shit but whenever we hang out I just want to kiss you and hold your hand and I can’t stop thinking about what if you were my girlfriend, y’know? It’s okay if you don’t like me that way, honestly, I can deal and I’d rather be friends than not be anything, but I just wanted to tell you in case you, y’know, also maybe like me, but if not then-”

“Oh my god,” Abigail interrupts. “You like me? Like, romantically?”

Max makes a noise like something on the verge of a really painful death. “Augh, yes!”

“Like…” Abigail lowers her voice. “Sexually?”

Max makes a noise like something that is currently experiencing that really painful death. “Do you have t- yes! Romantically, sexually, all of that. God. I want to kiss you and-” There’s a blush rising in the olive skin of their cheeks. “- I want to, ugh, make out with you, and fucking… take you out on dates, and buy you gifts, and do all of that gross shit with you. I want to feed you strawberries on a picnic blanket on a hill, and play your weird porn games-“

“They’re dating sims, not porn!” Abigail defends automatically, a well-worn argument. Max’s eyes open and they flash an unusually shy smile, the familiarity of the protest seeming to soothe their nerves.

“Whatever they are, I wanna play them with you. I want to watch horror movies with you even though they scare my ass clean off; I want to do anything and everything you want together. I know we’ve only known each other for like, a year, but I really, really like you, and I just… thought I should tell you. I think I’m kind of in love with you?”

“Oh,” Abigail says, stunned.

“Yeah.”

“Oh.”

“Did I ruin everything? Fuck, I did, didn’t I, let’s just pretend I didn’t say anything and we can-“

“It’s been a year and three months,” Abigail interrupts. “That’s how long we’ve known each other. I put it into my phone a while back so I’d know our friendiversary.”

“Aw,” Max says. “Gay.”

“Yeah, actually,” Abigail says, aiming for casual and missing it completely. “For about 8 months, now.”

“Wait. Wait a fucking s- you like me? Like, girlfriend-like?”

“Yeah,” Abigail says, grinning. “Why do you think I keep stealing your clothes?”

“Oh my god… I thought that was just because your parents wouldn’t buy you feminine clothes and mine won’t buy me anything else!”

“I like wearing your clothes! I steal your plaid all the time, too, not just the feminine stuff. Not that I don’t appreciate you letting me keep the fem stuff,” she adds. “But I’d totally have stolen half your wardrobe even if your parents let you have all the butch stuff you want.”

“You bitch!” Max exclaims, laughing. “I can’t believe you’ve been using your shitty parents as an excuse to steal all my stuff!”

“I didn’t know you felt the same!” Abigail says defensively. “I just like smelling like your cologne, but I couldn’t exactly just say that!”

“Oh my- we are the epitome of useless lesbians,” Max groans, dropping their head to smack against the table. “I could’ve kissed you 8 whole months ago?”

“I mean, you still haven’t kissed me now, let alone 8 months ago,” Abigail says, hoping that Max will take it as the challenge it is. They do, of course, smiling in a way that’s somehow both sharp and soft, standing up to come round to Abigail’s side of the booth. Abigail shuffles towards the window to give them room to sit down; they do, kneeling on the soft padding of the bench and reaching out to take Abigail’s sweaty hands in theirs. Their almost-black eyes are mesmerising this close, the dark freckles clustered across their nose individually visible in a way that they aren’t from across a table.

“Hey,” they say softly, pressing their thumbs against Abigail’s palms, both of them just taking a moment to appreciate skin against skin, the intimacy of the movement spellbinding.

“Hey,” Abigail says, voice hoarse and stuttering. She’s been thinking about kissing Max for so long, been daydreaming about it looking at their lips, but now that the moment is here she thinks she might pass out with nerves before Max can even kiss her.

“You okay?” Max says, tone still so gentle. Abigail is suddenly glad the diner is so quiet, so empty; she doesn’t want anyone else seeing this.  

“I’m just… nervous,” Abigail confesses. “I’ve only ever kissed one person before. What if I-”

“I’ve been wanting to kiss you for months,” Max interrupts. “You could probably sprout fucking tentacles at this point and I wouldn’t care.”

“Oh, well, in that case I should probably tell you,” Abigail starts, trying and failing to keep a serious expression; Max’s eyes crinkle at the corners, their lips curving upwards, and then there’s soft, warm pressure against Abigail’s mouth. Max kisses her gently, their hands reaching up to cup Abigail’s jaw, not seeming to care about the roughness of her skin, the bump of a nearly-healed scab against their fingertips where Abigail cut herself shaving a few days ago. Their lips taste of coconut, just like their hair smells of it, and for a second Abigail forgets to even kiss back, so caught up in how good they feel that her brain goes completely offline. Max pulls back ever so slightly and whispers, “This is usually a two-person thing, Abi,” against her lips, and they both laugh quietly for a second.

“But you were doing so great by yourself,” Abigail murmurs. Max laughs a little louder, tucking their face against her neck and snaking a hand down to hold one of Abigail’s again, both their palms kinda sweaty now. Abigail doesn’t even care; it’s perfect.

“Dork,” they say, and now the fondness in it takes a different meaning, one that makes Abigail’s chest feel a little too big and too small all at once.

“You love it,” she says, daring to press a kiss to the top of Max’s head.

Max lifts their head to press another kiss to Abigail’s cheek. “Damn right I do.”

[supernatural7543]

Guns and Golden Wings part 8

First off. This is my first fanfic and first time using tumblr.  I do not own anything in this except the plot. Disclaimer mentions of torture/blood and swear words. please enjoy!

One month later 

   You and Gabe were still together and he had gone on a trip. You had been hunting with the boys but there were no cases right now and without Gabe you were really really bored. You still hadn't told them about how you were dating the archangel. You just didn't know how.  Sam's voice brought you from the book you had been reading “y/n we got a hunt. Should be pretty easy want to come?” You nodded and soon you were on your way as Sam filled you in. “7 young women have gone missing and 5 of the 7 were found dead. We’re thinking ghost or dragon.” You nodded 24 hours later you found out it was a ghost and were already on the hunt. You turned the corner and saw the 2 remaining girls tied up. One was already dead and the other was in pretty bad shape. You ran to her “ we are gonna get you outta here ok?” You said and she nodded. While you were fighting the ghost something went wrong. You had put the girl in a salt circle but she stepped out, and right into the ghost’s hatchet. You gasped and ran to her. The boys finished up the job as the girl died. “ you promised.” she said before she died. Those words still ring like a bell in your ears. Sam and Dean weren't exactly happy to, they had gotten in a fight and were still pissed. You got back to the bunker and the boys started yelling at each other you could tell this was gonna get violent if you didn't do something you got in between them trying to get them to stop. That's when the punches were thrown. One hit you in the ribs and the other hit your hip. You could feel the broken ribs and was in a ton of pain. Dean pushed you out of the way and onto the ground. You had to crawl to Gabe's room. Once you got there you locked the door and leaned against it. You held the necklace Gabe had given you for your one month anniversary. Gabe. You prayed  I really could use some help right now.  The pain was getting worse and it hurt to breathe. You heard a flutter of wings and felt Gabes hand on your cheek. Your eyes fluttered open as he put his hand on your chest. You felt a warm sensation go through your body and your ribs didn't hurt any more. You got up and Gabe held you. “Who did this to you?” He asked. “Sam and Dean.” You replied quietly. You could see his anger “ they got in a fight and I got in the way.” You told him everything that had happened. Yep he is definitely mad! You thought. He laid you down on his bed and you soon fell asleep. 

                              Gabriel's pov

   He couldn't believe that they had hurt you. “Castiel you better get you feathery ass down here before I kill your boyfriend!” He growled. He walked into the room the boys were in. They sat at different tables and were clearly still mad but it was nothing compared to Gabriel's anger. They stood up and  just as Gabe started to run towards them, cas appeared and held him back. “You will be sorry for what you did to her!” Gabe yelled. The boys looked confused. “You should really watch who gets caught in the crossfire.” He glared at them. “You will be sorry!” The boy's vision started to fade and soon they were passed out. 

                            Your pov 

       You woke up and saw Gabe lying next to you asleep. You got up and went to get breakfast. Once you were in the kitchen you poured yourself a bowl of cereal. You were sitting comfortably and eating when a tall girl with long brown hair dressed in running clothes came in. “Hey y/n” they said. You stood up and pulled out your gun. The woman turned around and looked super surprised at the sight of your gun trained on her “Wow y/n calm down it's just me”  you glared at her “who are you and how did you get in here?” You asked, gun never leaving its trained position on her head. “Uhh I used the key? Y/n it's me, Sam?” She said. “Prove it tell me something about dean no one else knows!” You said. “Uhh dean's favorite movie is porky’s 2!” She said quickly. You lowered your gun. “Sam? What happened to you?” You said trying to stifle a laugh. “What do you mean?” Girl Sam asked. “Did you look in the mirror this morning?” You asked. Girl Sam shook her head. Just then another girl walked in, girl Sam pulled out her gun and the other girl whipped her gun out too. She had blondish brownish hair that was a pixie cut. She had green eyes and was dressed in an old AC/DC shirt and some plaid pants. Then another girl walked in. She was wearing a tan trench coat and her hair was shoulder length and dark brown. You were practically on the ground. You knew that it was girl Sam girl dean and girl cas but they didn't know that. “What's so funny y/n!” Girl dean yelled “ h-hi dean” you said through giggles. Girl Sam looked at girl dean “dean?” She asked. Girl dean rolled her eyes “duh and who are you?” She said you cleared your throat “ok so it seems that you all have been gender swapped. That's Sam, that's Dean, and that's Cas.” They all stared at each other in surprise. “Oh my god!!” You said “I just came up with your girl names! Samantha and Deanna and castiel. Cas’s name can stay the same.”  The boys, well girls now, looked pissed. “We  need to talk to Gabriel.” Samantha said. “Okay” you said. you all walked down to his room and knocked on the door. Gabe answered and almost fell on the floor laughing at the sight. You smiled. You loved his laugh, it was so cute. The boys/girls glared at you and him. Once you both regained your composure Deanna started yelling at you “ What the HELL did you do Gabriel!!” you both laughed a little. “Ok feathers it was funny but you should really turn them back now.” you said. Gabe turned red. “What did you do?” you asked with a sigh. “Well I didn’t use my archangel magic. I used a spell that lasts 24 hours.” he said hesitantly. You saw the girl's eyes go wide. “ you mean we are stuck like this for all fucking day?!” Deanna yelled. Suddenly she grasped her abdomen and fell to the ground. Samantha followed suit. “Augh!” she screamed “ what the fuck is happening to me?!” it took you a minute to realize what was happening. You almost fell to the ground laughing but gabe caught you. You both struggled to stay upright as the realization slammed into you like a freight train. “What AUGH are you laughing about?! This isn't funny!” Deanna yelled. You caught your breath “ you're on your period!!” you fell to the ground, body shuddering with laughter. Her eyes went wide. Samantha looked to you and then down to her parts. You ran off and when you came back you had a box of tampons and a box of pads in your arms. You gave them the boxes and they went to the restroom to clean up. You and Gabriel were sitting on the couch when the girls came back in. “ how do we stop the pain?” Samantha grunted. You tossed them a bottle of ibuprofen. “Take two pills. The pain will slowly fade away. Do not take more than two at a time.” they stared at you like you were some sort of expert on the subject, which compared to them you were. They popped the pills and sat down in the chairs opposite of you, aguasted. “ you have to go through that every month?” cas asked. She didn’t have to deal with a period because she was an angel. You nodded. “That must be horrible.” she said. You shrugged, you had sort of gotten used to it. You stood up and Gabe stood as well. He threw the girls a few boxes of chocolates before following you down the hall. When you both had gotten to your room you asked him a question. “Why didn’t you use your angel powers?” he grinned “I did. But I wanted them to feel what it was like for at least a day” he stated. You laughed. “Wow j-just wow!” he walked over and popped a chocolate in your mouth. Then he leaned forward and kissed you. You grinned. “ you just had to get some of that chocolate huh?” he smiled and kissed you again. About five minutes later you both were lying on your bed in nothing but you undergarments having passionate sex. You loved him so much. “I love you feathers.” you said. He pulled you close and whispered in your ear. “ I love you to sugar.” and you soon fell asleep on his shoulder. 

[verdigrisprowl]

Jan 20 Bevel’s Movie Stream - Star Trek: Discovery Ep. 5 & 6

Prowl was about ready to give up on the series, but then the thoroughly dislikable people being documented in this series became about 1% more likable, so he’s giving it another week.

Bevel 7:30 pm *the usual set up, a few bedraggled couches and a table of snacks, nothing fancy but it'll do* ItsyBitsySpyers 7:32 pm *Soundwave was already out and about on errands today, so instead of bridging he'll just swing round and fly right up before unfolding and skidding to a halt at his couch. Hooray for buildings still under construction!* Ratchet 7:32 pm Thriller! *pops in and immediately starts dancing* ItsyBitsySpyers 7:33 pm *And then gracefully takes his seat like he didn't just risk crashing into the damn thing for the tiniest of inefficient thrills.* [[Bevel, Ratchet.]] Bevel 7:33 pm *grins* Ratchet 7:33 pm Evening. Bevel 7:34 pm I found more of the Starfleet stuff! FakeProwl 7:34 pm *arrives just in time to miss this act of reckless grace* Ratchet 7:34 pm Heya, Prowl! FakeProwl 7:34 pm Evening. Bevel 7:35 pm *small wave to Prowl* FakeProwl 7:36 pm *hesitates, then nods. would be rude not to acknowledge the host.* Bevel 7:36 pm *internal yay* Ratchet 7:37 pm *hovers a few moments to see where Prowl will sit* FakeProwl 7:39 pm *with soundwave, as usual* ItsyBitsySpyers 7:39 pm *Nods to Prowl.* FakeProwl 7:39 pm *nods back. hello.* Ratchet 7:40 pm *ah well. he'll sit with Bevel then* ItsyBitsySpyers 7:40 pm [[You do know he doesn't have the capacity to bite.]] *Taps his visor at Ratchet.* Bevel 7:41 pm *giggles* Ratchet 7:41 pm Cute. But I'm all right over here. Tarantulas 7:42 pm *stepping thru a portal, tarantulas almost says "false" to sw's claim, but stops himself just in time* Bevel 7:42 pm ((last song and then i'll start ItsyBitsySpyers 7:42 pm *BOI* Tarantulas 7:42 pm *he'll just stick with a snicker* FakeProwl 7:43 pm *had to fight the urge to say "i would know if he was." you're surrounded by reprobates, soundwave.* Tarantulas 7:43 pm *at least sw is the only telepath in here tho, be glad for that* ItsyBitsySpyers 7:44 pm *Primus below. How is he supposed to keep personal secrets with you lot around.* Ratchet 7:44 pm *it's fine, Ratchet is blissfully unaware* Ratchet 7:46 pm *let's keep it that way, shall we? the last thing he needs is _another_ reason to.... nnnnot lust after Soundwave. that one* *look he just doesn't need to know about any aspect of Soundwave that's attractive. cool? cool.* ItsyBitsySpyers 7:47 pm *Mmhm. Sure.* [[Ah! We return to the Starfleet timeline. Good.]] Tarantulas 7:47 pm *also thanks for the amenities bevel but tarantulas brought his own seat, he's currently busy slinging it from the ceiling* Bevel 7:48 pm *enjoy, there's plenty of ceiling to hang from* Tarantulas 7:49 pm *he's set up right behind and nearly on top of prowl and soundwave, hello there* ItsyBitsySpyers 7:50 pm *Soundwave raises a feeler to offer a greeting tap and/or a hold if Tarantulas wants thought contact.* Tarantulas 7:51 pm *paw-bump the feeler* ItsyBitsySpyers 7:51 pm [[And where do they plan to GET the other... tardigrades? That they found one was a fortunate accident.]] FakeProwl 7:51 pm ((SDLFIJLJ WHY)) Tarantulas 7:52 pm If I were younger and more naive, I'd say they should clone it. Bevel 7:52 pm ((oh snap, warnings, i forgot warnings FakeProwl 7:53 pm Hm. Finally. Someone who recognizes the possibility that blaming her for the war might NOT be justified. Bevel 7:53 pm ((mention of rape, torture, violence, blood, all that goes with the TV-MA warning FakeProwl 7:54 pm ((and things straight to the eyeball in closeup)) Bevel 7:54 pm ((yes i'm soooooooo sorry FakeProwl 7:54 pm ((im ok ill live)) Bevel 7:54 pm ((i legit forgot he did that, probably to protect my own dang self because augh ItsyBitsySpyers 7:56 pm *Stretch arm across couch and settle in. He is ready to find out what's going on with the second-in-command Klingon. What is her name... L'Rell? Yes. What is she doing while the Voq Klingon is away?* FakeProwl 7:56 pm *... Would that arm be across the couch in Prowl's direction?* Bevel 7:58 pm Aw, no. I hope they find out what is wrong with the tardigrade. Ratchet 7:59 pm [[ saru's ganglia squick me something fierce goddddd. why they gotta do that. ]] FakeProwl 7:59 pm *... Is Saru going to try to eliminate Michael. Please don't. He'd like them to get along.* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:00 pm *And yes it is.* FakeProwl 8:02 pm *WELL then. Sits up straight. That's a bit much for mixed company.* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:03 pm *Well. He's... sort of glad that part is over. Now that he's out of the war, he tends to avoid thinking about all the times similar actions were taken during its run. And thinks about other times. ... Never mind, there it is again.* *Tiny glance. Too much, he supposes. Pulls his arm back onto his lap.* Tarantulas 8:05 pm S-Stuart. Hyeh. ItsyBitsySpyers 8:06 pm [[Hm. The little creature reminds him of Zori.]] Tarantulas 8:07 pm *chinhands happily* Tarantulas 8:08 pm *agrees, this is definitely Fucking Cool* Bevel 8:08 pm *giggles* FakeProwl 8:09 pm *... no one in this show is likable.* Bevel 8:09 pm *hopes they find a workable solution* FakeProwl 8:09 pm *no one is likable and no one likes each other.* Bevel 8:09 pm ((fun fact, Klingons have two of everything ItsyBitsySpyers 8:10 pm ((*throws bricks*)) FakeProwl 8:11 pm *it even takes the joy out of the science.* Tarantulas 8:11 pm *science IS joy, shh* Bevel 8:13 pm 😔 FakeProwl 8:13 pm *not when every single person performing it is insufferable* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:14 pm *ALARM BLIP* Bevel 8:14 pm Hey! It was just a bug. It only did what it was told 😔 ItsyBitsySpyers 8:14 pm [[Will it be all right?]] Bevel 8:14 pm He said Lorca almost killed him. Maybe Stuart is ok then? ItsyBitsySpyers 8:15 pm *Has finished deciding that he does not like Lorca at all.* [[He hopes it is.]] Bevel 8:15 pm Ha. Tarantulas 8:16 pm *pings prowl a set of data that, if calculated, will predict if stuart died, and if not, how badly injured he'll be - all prowl need do is add his own numbers and calculate* Ratchet 8:16 pm I don't think the civilian is the spy. ItsyBitsySpyers 8:17 pm *Another alarm blip, quieter.* Tarantulas 8:17 pm You can't simply rehydrate the tardigrade, pft. See? Bevel 8:17 pm Good doctor trying to protect it. ItsyBitsySpyers 8:18 pm *They've almost killed a creature capable of calculations like those required for a space bridge. How displeasing.* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:19 pm [[Why don't you believe the civilian is the spy, if he may ask?]] FakeProwl 8:20 pm *... what, is this a simulation? based on what data?* Tarantulas 8:20 pm *guesstimates* *he has a lot of zori's data* *well, not a LOT but some* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:20 pm *More than most.* FakeProwl 8:21 pm *meh. plugs in a couple of numbers before he gets bored of it.* Ratchet 8:21 pm Seven months. ItsyBitsySpyers 8:22 pm [[What of it?]] Ratchet 8:22 pm The Captain thought it was a long time for someone to survive captivity. Tarantulas 8:22 pm *ur supposed to reassure sw, prowl, tarantulas was being strangely nice* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:23 pm [[The L'rell Klingon... favored him. She would not allow something she considers a preferred toy to perish.]] Tarantulas 8:24 pm Oh dear. ItsyBitsySpyers 8:24 pm [[Just as she did not want to let him leave.]] Ratchet 8:24 pm I continue to be suspicious. Bevel 8:25 pm ...oh no. ItsyBitsySpyers 8:25 pm *Scoots forward a little. Is that--?* Tarantulas 8:25 pm *snickers along with stamets' laughter* FakeProwl 8:29 pm *oh thank god, finally SOMEONE is getting along with each other.* Bevel 8:29 pm *hopes this works* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:30 pm [[...Good.]] FakeProwl 8:30 pm ((fire the tardigrade cannon)) ItsyBitsySpyers 8:30 pm ((LOL)) Tarantulas 8:30 pm Why did they - awh no. Ratchet 8:31 pm [[ oh no they're cute ]] FakeProwl 8:31 pm ((it's about damn time)) Bevel 8:31 pm ((dear doctor <3 FakeProwl 8:31 pm *oh look! two more people who like each other! FINALLY.* Tarantulas 8:31 pm (( fuckin cute ItsyBitsySpyers 8:32 pm [[...Is that - that is not normal for human mirrors. Is it?]] Ratchet 8:32 pm [[ why........ why did it end like that ]] Tarantulas 8:32 pm (( wait what happened at the end i missed it Ratchet 8:32 pm [[ i missed what happened but something was weird and now i;m concerned ]] ItsyBitsySpyers 8:32 pm ((he walked away. his reflection stayed in the mirror a little while before smiling and leaving)) Bevel 8:33 pm ((ok, warnings for... Vulcan mind melding to the extreme and that's the only thing I remember from this episode but keep in mind past warnings just in case ItsyBitsySpyers 8:34 pm *Lovely angular architecture on a hot desert-y planet. How wonderful, their planet.* Ratchet 8:34 pm [[ anyway i'm just saying, it's real convenient that there was one spy in that room and now someone from that room has accompanied captain lorca back to the ship with the new propulsion system ]] Bevel 8:35 pm Mirror do not act like that. Ever. They are just glass. ItsyBitsySpyers 8:36 pm *Back on a ship?*

[[Then that does not bode well.]] Ratchet 8:38 pm Hmm. Bevel 8:40 pm That was Michael's dad, right? ItsyBitsySpyers 8:40 pm [[The one who was not making a martyr of themselves.]] Bevel 8:40 pm Yeah. Tarantulas 8:40 pm Father? I assumed he was adoptive or something of the sort. FakeProwl 8:41 pm Well, we know he survived. Bevel 8:42 pm Yeah, Michael said foster parents. They are still parents. ...scuttlebutt FakeProwl 8:42 pm I knew a mech named Scuttlebutt. *he's wrong. the mech's name was Shuttlebay.* Bevel 8:42 pm *omg* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:43 pm [[...One hopes he kept his aft away from boats.]] *Oh. He knows this feeling.* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:46 pm @P: [[...Not unlike this when they died.]] *Tiny glance to see how he's doing with all this mental melding talk.* FakeProwl 8:46 pm @S «... Through the spark bond?» FakeProwl 8:48 pm *it's between people who get along with each other, not forced by a puppetmaster upon an unwilling puppet, and no mind-control is involved. he's fine.* Bevel 8:49 pm *Bevel would be glad if she knew* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:49 pm @P: [[Correct. Together with telepathy, in some cases.]] *Not the twins. And, good. Looks like no emergency avatar deactivations.* [[Ravage was - the worst. The others perished quicker.]] FakeProwl 8:50 pm *huh. the scientist has become more tolerable.* Bevel 8:50 pm *mimics the explosion sound* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:51 pm *Nods to Bevel. Approves.* Bevel 8:51 pm *grins at Soundwave* Tarantulas 8:52 pm *tarantulas makes a mental note to poke soundwave about how his telepathy works bc of this katra mess. he's not quite believing the science of it* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:52 pm *That'll be an interesting conversation.* Bevel 8:54 pm Why is genetic manipulation so bad in this universe? FakeProwl 8:55 pm Haven't they made allusions to some sort of war with genetically-manipulated humans? Or a rebellion or something? ItsyBitsySpyers 8:55 pm @P: [[...Your alternate signed off on Ravage's interrogation. He has always wondered if she knew what was happening.]] *Another small look. He's searching for - something. Confirmation? Denial? Who would be able to calculate the probability better than an alternate?* FakeProwl 8:58 pm *he doesn't pick up the implied question.* @S «... I see.» *but he does feel like he's supposed to say something.* «... I'm sorry. To hear that.» ItsyBitsySpyers 8:59 pm *Waits a moment to see if he will say anything else. But, that'll do for now. Apologies are better than nothing.* @P: [[Thank you.]]

*And broadcast more widely:* [[They have. There was a... where are his files on this. One moment.]] Bevel 9:00 pm Have they? *might have missed some things, or they might be in episodes she hasn't actually seen* Tarantulas 9:01 pm *tara's gonna conduct an experiment as they watch - down comes a thread to touch sw's shoulder* @SW: [[Push me a thought if you can hear this.]] Tarantulas 9:02 pm (( OH DAMN FakeProwl 9:03 pm *... all right, okay. NOW it's getting uncomfortable. what with the aggressive insistence that he let her into his mind.* *but it's over quickly.* Bevel 9:04 pm *oh wow a dad worse than hers, have all her sympathies, Michael* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:06 pm [[In other pieces. And Saru mentioned it.]]

[[The humans attempted genetic manipulation and upgrading a couple of hundred years before this time period.]] *Gesture to screen.* [[The humans produced used their new bodies and minds to seize power in many countries across the world. They were the cause of multiple extreme wars and eventually lost.]]

[[Some were finally captured and tried as war criminals. They disappeared before they could serve their sentences.]] [[...And it is satisfying to see his abilities used for good. For once.]] *Soundwave is intrigued by the thread - and what he heard through it. He winds the end around a finger and looks at it.* @T: [[Confirmed.]] Bevel 9:07 pm Oh! Then yeah, it really is. Stamets is being really helpful. Even with the mirror being weird. Bevel 9:09 pm *cheers Michael on* FakeProwl 9:10 pm Emotions are not Vulcan. But passive-aggression is. Tarantulas 9:10 pm *curious quirk of his visor. hmm* @SW [[Humor me - just a moment.]] *and the thread is withdrawn* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:10 pm *Finds it interesting that he acts different from the others yet chose - HUFF, Prowl, that was lovely - the "superior" partially Vulcan child over the fully human child.* *And that he did not know Spock well enough to predict Spock's actions.* *Lets the thread go and watches its slow retreat, curious.* Bevel 9:13 pm I really like Michael. Bevel 9:14 pm *somehow not surprised by this turn of events* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:15 pm *...Suspicious.* FakeProwl 9:15 pm He's quite pleased to leave her there, isn't he. Bevel 9:15 pm He just wants to keep his ship. ItsyBitsySpyers 9:16 pm *Oh good. It's not just him.* [[It seems so.]] FakeProwl 9:16 pm Selfish. Tarantulas 9:16 pm This message has been removed. FakeProwl 9:16 pm *all the same, he wants to know how he cheated his psych evals.* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:20 pm *Soundwave responds every time a thread still attached inside the generation point touches him. Not so much any held in a paw.* Bevel 9:20 pm ((i'm so sorry ((did not mean to do that, i click and highlight things i'm reading and did it by accident Tarantulas 9:21 pm (( oops lol ItsyBitsySpyers 9:21 pm *And cheating on tests seems to be a common problem in Starfleet commanders. Hmm.* *Can't decide if he approves or not.* Bevel 9:21 pm ((*buries face in hands* Tarantulas 9:21 pm (( puff did u happen to log my comment or should i rewrite jic? FakeProwl 9:22 pm ((i did not, on rabbit i don't log it til the end)) Tarantulas 9:22 pm (( o7 ...actually nvm, we all know what happened, tarantulas sent down different threads etc Bevel 9:23 pm ((all the threads Tarantulas 9:24 pm *curiouser and curiouser, sw. tarantulas notes the organic interference, then eventually pulls all the threads up and disposes of them* FakeProwl 9:24 pm *... bevel are you trying to get prowl's attention* Bevel 9:25 pm *...you can't prove anything* FakeProwl 9:25 pm *you're playing The Titanic Song* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:25 pm [[...This is a rearrangment of the Titanic music.]] *Pause.* [[He likes it better than the original.]] Bevel 9:25 pm Yeah, same. ItsyBitsySpyers 9:25 pm @T: (txt): Experiment successful? Bevel 9:25 pm *did it work?* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:26 pm [[It is not as wistful, but it sounds more - celebratory. That feels like a better ending.]] FakeProwl 9:27 pm The end of the Titanic wasn't celebratory. Bevel 9:27 pm The ahistorical ending? Tarantulas 9:27 pm @SW: ::Every experiment is successful if you come into it with an open mind.:: ItsyBitsySpyers 9:28 pm [[No, no. Celebrating her memories of when she was content with the Jack human.]] *Tilt. Tilt the other way.* [[Or believed she was. He still does not think it was a good relationship.]] FakeProwl 9:29 pm Oh, it was absolutely not. ItsyBitsySpyers 9:29 pm @T: (txt): New viewpoint heard, considered, appreciated.

*Hmm. Does Shockwave think like that?* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:30 pm [[Then this song following it was a good choice. Well done, Bevel.]] Bevel 9:30 pm *grins* Tarantulas 9:31 pm *shockwave would be a shitty scientist if he didn't, in tarantulas's opinion, therefore he must* FakeProwl 9:31 pm His death was the best thing that could have possibly happened to her. It allowed her to leave with the memory of the brief freedom she thinks she experienced and opportunity for liberation that that experience provided her, while saving her from the eventual and inevitable controlling, manipulative, and abusive behavior he would have strangled her with. Tarantulas 9:34 pm *hhhm. briefly tarantulas wonders if that's what prowl thinks of him in turn* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:35 pm [[...Like the timing he suggested with the Council. A similar concept.]] FakeProwl 9:36 pm ... Still on that? ItsyBitsySpyers 9:37 pm [[Not on that discussion specifically. He understood what you were going for.]] *No need to fret all over again.* [[But it is a thing he has often thought about over the years. Among other problems of timing.]] Bevel 9:37 pm Council? FakeProwl 9:38 pm *he reacted extremely strongly in the negative for someone who supposedly understood what he was going for* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:38 pm [[It just reminded him of that. Removing a controlling force and then disposing of the one that would turn corrupt.]] *Small shrug.* [[He thinks in terms he understands.]] ItsyBitsySpyers 9:39 pm *Perhaps, but he did demonstrate that he got it once he stopped focusing on the example itself.* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:41 pm [[He also wonders what would have happened if he himself took certain data to the Council instead of bringing it to Megatron, back when he had that moment of doubt. And whether he should have spilled certain secrets to save his life or died to keep them quiet.]] [[They're just moments that gnaw at him and give him frames for processing other contexts.]] Bevel 9:43 pm *didn't get an exact answer but she's read enough history to follow where Soundwave was coming from now* It is important to think about the things you did and think about how you could have done better so you can make better decisions, in the future, right? ItsyBitsySpyers 9:44 pm *Soundwave leans to one side to get a better look at her.*

[[Now where did you get a lesson like that...?]] Bevel 9:45 pm *looks away from Soundwave and at the ceiling for a moment* From talking to people. FakeProwl 9:46 pm *is people* Bevel 9:46 pm *indeed* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:46 pm [[He's a telepath, Bevel.]] Bevel 9:46 pm 😐 You are a polite one. ItsyBitsySpyers 9:47 pm [[True.]] *Leans back. Like he's gonna poke at her thoughts too much in front of Prowl.* [[But he IS curious, still.]] Tarantulas 9:48 pm *visor quirk, what the heck is this chattering about* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:48 pm *Some suggest asking when it comes to things you want to know. He's a big voice for that.* Bevel 9:51 pm I... *her armor and paint start to change subtly to match the couch she's sitting on, but she controls the urge and settles back smoothly into the frame she's been wearing all night* I have been thinking. About stuff. Important stuff. Not council important! But important to me. Tarantulas 9:51 pm *tarantulas is too stubborn to ask about things he'd rather pretend to know or to figure out himself, if you're referring to him, sw* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:55 pm [[Go on. Such as?]] *He was.* Bevel 9:55 pm Not now. *she has to talk to someone else first, else word get around somehow, she only trusts like one and a half of the bots still here* Tarantulas 9:57 pm *wait what the heck was that, bevel. weren't YOU the one who was saying mirrors don't behave like that? strange, when tarantulas just saw you behaving in a way wholly unlike a typical mech. no way was that a trick of the light* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:57 pm [[As you wish.]] Bevel 9:57 pm *grateful smile at Soundwave* Tarantulas 9:59 pm *tara's gonna keep that to himself for now. he's got enough to chew on from this evening as it is* Bevel 10:01 pm *gonna just.... go back to picking music clueless about what's going on with Tara* Tarantulas 10:06 pm ...Oh! Bevel 10:06 pm ? Tarantulas 10:08 pm Do forgive me for forgetting for so long. I owe each party in this room three cephalopod acquaintanceships, don't I? ItsyBitsySpyers 10:08 pm *SNAP ALERT AWAY FROM MUSIC congrats that was the impossible* [[Yes. You do. Does this mean...?]] Bevel 10:08 pm Yes! *sits up* Tarantulas 10:10 pm What this means is that I don't yet have the specimens, but I can acquire them, say... before we meet here next? FakeProwl 10:10 pm *turns slightly. go on, he's listening.* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:11 pm [[All of them?]] Tarantulas 10:13 pm Of course. *a bit affronted* Bevel 10:13 pm You have some time. It will be a little bit before I can get everyone here again. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:13 pm *No harm meant. He's just - quietly excited.* Tarantulas 10:15 pm If meeting here is the problem, we could all meet elsewhere. That is to say, you'll all be coming to my lab anyhow. FakeProwl 10:16 pm ((IS THAT FUCKING SAX FLAMETHROWING)) Tarantulas 10:17 pm (( oh my god FakeProwl 10:17 pm ((MAD MAX: POSTMODERN JUKEBOX)) I'll be able to come unless some emergency comes up that requires my attention. ((so that's why he's by the open window)) ItsyBitsySpyers 10:18 pm [[He will make the emergency wait for his attention to exist.]] Bevel 10:18 pm *giggles* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:19 pm [[Which is impossible. But that is how much he looks forward to this. If it wasn't yet clear.]] FakeProwl 10:19 pm Unfortunately, emergencies that require a police captain's attention frequently don't care what other people think. Even when cephalopods are involved. If I can't come, don't delay it on my behalf. Soundwave can record the event for me to watch later. Tarantulas 10:20 pm Nono, you /must/ come, really. Bevel 10:21 pm Yeah, we planned this with you, Prowl. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:21 pm [[Perhaps he can bribe all of Iacon into behaving for a single day...]] *That is a joke. Please do not arrest him for bribery.* FakeProwl 10:21 pm It's all right. I'm not planning to touch them, so it doesn't make a difference if I see them in person or via video. Bevel 10:21 pm That would be a lot of bribes. Tarantulas 10:22 pm You're coming. *stated definitively* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:22 pm [[Never underestimate his abilities, Bevel.]] FakeProwl 10:22 pm *honestly Prowl's pretty neutral on the whole thing. The only reason he asked to come was so that he could request another couple of creatures for Soundwave to see.* Bevel 10:22 pm Never. *laughs* FakeProwl 10:22 pm *but if Tarantulas seems determined that it won't happen until Prowl CAN come...* ... Very well. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:22 pm [[...They won't be exposed to the Noisemaze, correct?]] Bevel 10:23 pm Noisemaze? Tarantulas 10:24 pm Ah, no, of course not. They'll be directly bridged in. FakeProwl 10:24 pm *... is that alright to mention in front of Bevel? PROWL wouldn't have mentioned it in front of Bevel* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:24 pm *Prowl wouldn't be the one getting his aft beaten to within an inch of his life if Bevel went to the lab and was lured out there and hurt somehow.* *Soundwave would really like not to anger Ratchet like that. Tarantulas already tried to convince her to be a Science once.* Tarantulas 10:26 pm *he plans on convincing her to be a Science somehow through the cephaloparty as well, but sw need not know that* FakeProwl 10:26 pm ((*judges song intensely for changing the pronouns*)) ((make them lesbians you cowards.)) Tarantulas 10:26 pm (( make it GAAAAY Bevel 10:27 pm ((*same, hadn't heard this one yet* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:27 pm *Tarantulas better hope Soundwave doesn't find out* FakeProwl 10:27 pm ((the music video was about gay men. you can make the song about lesbians. it's okay.)) Bevel 10:27 pm ((just for this i'm gonna play a cover of rude after this that I know is gay af Tarantulas 10:28 pm *is ignoring bevel's question ftr* Bevel 10:28 pm *is ignored boo* *will just assume it's a maze. with noises* FakeProwl 10:30 pm ((a hedge maze and from the hedges comes the wild dooting of kazoos)) Tarantulas 10:30 pm (( a kazzorchestra Bevel 10:30 pm ((and now for something not post modern ItsyBitsySpyers 10:32 pm ((soundwave volunteers to hunt down the wild kazoo)) Tarantulas 10:35 pm *claw tap to mandibles* ...I haven't thought of what to do with them once we've wrapped things up, though. FakeProwl 10:35 pm ... Take them home, I'd assume. Bevel 10:35 pm Let them go? Tarantulas 10:35 pm *funny look as if that hadn't occurred to him* Well, maybe. Though they might not be safe to return. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:36 pm [[Why wouldn't they?]] Tarantulas 10:37 pm I'm trying to think of the logistics, hold on. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:37 pm *Growing vaguely alarmed. He does not want them to be made into a Science.* FakeProwl 10:37 pm Are you concerned they're going to share the awesome things they've learned about Cybertronian technology with their octopus militaries? Tarantulas 10:38 pm *SNORT* No, not in the least. FakeProwl 10:38 pm Then I don't see what the problem with taking them home is. Tarantulas 10:38 pm One does not simply take a cephalopod home, Prowl. FakeProwl 10:39 pm Why not? ItsyBitsySpyers 10:39 pm *Has a worse thought than Science.*

[[-No eating them.-]] Tarantulas 10:40 pm Hyah, nono, I'm not going to eat them. I'm not partial to seafood. Tarantulas 10:41 pm The matter of putting them back - much less taking them back - is that I can't just reverse the process, that's all. (( I LOVE THIS ONE FakeProwl 10:42 pm Why not? If anything, it should be EASIER to return them than to pick them up. Picking them up involves effort to figure out where they are so you can get them. Taking them back involves only taking them directly back to the very spot you took them from. Tarantulas 10:43 pm This message has been removed. I mean, I could do that I suppose, it'd just be a mess, and not worth the time. FakeProwl 10:44 pm So open the bridge horizontally, one inch over the ocean, and drop them in. Tarantulas 10:44 pm No - but - hyah. *starts laughing* Bevel 10:45 pm ((gd self stop clicking things ((*puts mouse in corner* FakeProwl 10:45 pm ((for the chat record, could we get a re-statement of the now-deleted quote)) Tarantulas 10:46 pm (( something something "unless someone has tech i don't have, i can't just open a hole in the ocean and stick them back in" Bevel 10:46 pm ((yes plz i'm so sorry there needs to be a way to undo that omfg ItsyBitsySpyers 10:48 pm [[Could you not build a container to hold all the water coming in as you replace the creature, then bridge all that water back over the ocean?]] FakeProwl 10:53 pm ... What's wrong with the bridge one inch over the ocean? *all he got was a no and a laugh.* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:59 pm [[Oh, yes. From what he understands, not all life in the Earth's ocean can sustain itself at the same level because of the pressure, lighting, and fuel available to them at different depths. If some of these creatures live lower down, we may well be condemning them to death by dropping them in at the top.]]

*...What? Anglerfish and their horrible fangy deep sea brethren with their own biolights fascinated him just as much.*

*At least you know he values -some- organic life forms, Prowl.* Tarantulas 11:00 pm *finishes laughing with a huff* I just adjusted my capture plans. I'll be able to put them back. ItsyBitsySpyers 11:01 pm [[Are you sure? How?]] FakeProwl 11:01 pm So put them in a container that maintains their needed pressure, put it on a cable, and lower it through the bridge. And have it open when it reaches the proper depth. Tarantulas 11:03 pm I don't remember the species, but the ocean is rather deep, which means that'd entail more effort than I'm willing to put in for a small party like this. But it's alright, the solution is similar. ItsyBitsySpyers 11:03 pm *Excuse you. Every single one of those beings is worth all that effort. Not that he'll say as much out loud. In front of Bevel, anyway.* *He's still listening though.* Tarantulas 11:05 pm I'll prepare pressure-contained tanks, fill them with the appropriate environment, hook them up to my portal one at a time, target the creatures so they navigate into the chambers when the portal's opened, and voila. Simply do the reverse for release. (( IT'S MY JAM Bevel 11:06 pm *is listening to make sure all the cool critters will be safe* Tarantulas 11:06 pm (( *sings along* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:06 pm *Soundwave taps his fingers against his leg.* [[That sounds... reasonable.]] Bevel 11:07 pm ((This song is so damn good Tarantulas 11:07 pm (( also the music vid A+ ItsyBitsySpyers 11:07 pm *He was about to start researching what it would take to keep them on Cybertron. So, y'know. This is better.* Tarantulas 11:07 pm *no more additions to your collections, sw* Bevel 11:08 pm ((So good, ladies supporting ladies ItsyBitsySpyers 11:08 pm *One plant is hardly a collection!* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:10 pm *...And he never brought the human into the habitat that was built for them, so there.* Tarantulas 11:10 pm *keeping humans is amusing, sw should try it sometime* FakeProwl 11:11 pm *NO* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:11 pm *IN HIS DEFENSE, THEY WEREN'T ENTIRELY AGAINST IT* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:12 pm *He's definitely never mentioning the idea to turn them into a cassette though. That'll just. Stay out of an entire timeline's worth of hearing range of Prowl.* Tarantulas 11:13 pm *divert it in tarantulas's direction, he'll never speak a word* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:13 pm *It was a more desperate time. Don't you judge him.* Bevel 11:13 pm *the brief mention of a plant reminds the mun that Bevel needs to identify the plant she traded for that one movie night* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:14 pm [[...He will bring some patterns for them. Buzzsaw can make them.]] Tarantulas 11:14 pm Patterns for - ? ItsyBitsySpyers 11:14 pm [[The cephalopods capable of changing their colors.]] [[Something for them to exercise their minds on.]] Bevel 11:15 pm Can I help? Tarantulas 11:15 pm Oh, oh, yes, I see. Mind you, I'm not certain how much of their mind is exercised by their color changing. Bevel 11:15 pm *she's gonna be having a hard enough time resisting the urge to shift and see if they'll change colors to match* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:17 pm [[Yes, Bevel. He would like that.]]

[[And neither is he. If nothing else, it will be something they do not have in the ocean. It is all he can think of they might li... jars. Jars and - fish. He will procure fish.]] [[Ravage should be able to gather some of that.]] ItsyBitsySpyers 11:19 pm *Maybe a couple of crabs? Or clams dug out of the sand? Some of them might have preferences...* Bevel 11:20 pm Awesome. FakeProwl 11:20 pm ... Do they like jars? *that seems like an odd thing for them to like* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:22 pm [[He thinks so. He has seen captive ones open them to get what it is inside. There are some that carry large seed shells with them as well.]] Tarantulas 11:23 pm Hyeheh, it's true. I'll leave you in charge of their entertainment and mental stimulation, then, Soundwave. ItsyBitsySpyers 11:24 pm *Soundwave plays back a small fanfare. He is legitimately happy to be assigned this role.* Bevel 11:25 pm *grins, this is gonna be the coolest trip* Tarantulas 11:26 pm *tarantulas hopes so. maybe he can trick you into revealing some of your tricks too, bevel* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:26 pm *Agreed. Whole-sparkedly.*

*...Not on the revealing tricks bit, but he can't hear that hope.* Bevel 11:27 pm *is gonna try to be good but she never found a shapeshifting teacher* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:27 pm *Unable to quite contain himself, he allows himself to send Prowl a gif of falling foil confetti and an accompanying excitement tag. And a restraint tag. Just so Prowl understands he's not going to burst out and suddenly start yelling or whatever it is other people do.* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:28 pm *He then sends Bevel a task: acquire the largest pair of co-co-nut shells she can find and make a replacement out of sturdier supplies.* *There is a promise of payment attached.* Bevel 11:29 pm *can definitely do this! excited ping back* Tarantulas 11:30 pm *is sliding out of his sling/hammock and casually disattaching it* FakeProwl 11:31 pm *... ping ping ping.* Bevel 11:33 pm ((cro has request, i play that instead ItsyBitsySpyers 11:33 pm *And one of intense affection.*

*Ah. Are we leaving? Tarantulas is leaving. He should take the hint.* [[He should be on his way shortly. There is something he must do tomorrow.]] FakeProwl 11:33 pm Oh? ItsyBitsySpyers 11:33 pm ((the mun says as she promptly forgets what she was going to have him do...)) Bevel 11:33 pm ((whoops Aw, ok. ItsyBitsySpyers 11:34 pm ((OH YEAH i remember now)) [[Yes. He ordered a special item. Its creator informed him earlier today that it is ready.]] [[Among our other trades, per usual.]] FakeProwl 11:35 pm Ah. So you need to be in to pick up the delivery. Bevel 11:35 pm Can you say what you ordered or is it a secret? Tarantulas 11:36 pm Can you say who you ordered it from? That might be more informative. FakeProwl 11:36 pm *asks absolutely no questions about it, which may be informative all by itself.* Bevel 11:37 pm ((not at all ic Tarantulas 11:37 pm (( lmao ItsyBitsySpyers 11:37 pm [[He does.]]

[[Ah. Rumble and Frenzy have been asking for Arcade to replicate a new game console.]] *Not technically the item he meant, but also something he has to pick up personally. It's a surprise for them. And it'll stop them asking why Prowl isn't asking. He hopes.* Tarantulas 11:38 pm *doesn't 100% believe sw but doesn't feel like poking* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:38 pm *He can call in and check if he wants. It's true.* Bevel 11:39 pm *isn't observant enough to wonder why Prowl isn't asking, besides Prowl might already know since he's a, uh, friend* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:39 pm *FUNNY YOU SHOULD THINK THAT...* FakeProwl 11:39 pm *... now not sure if that's actually what it is, or if that's the cover story for the others* Bevel 11:39 pm I bet they will really like that. *100% believes him* Tarantulas 11:41 pm Certainly. *stretching* I must be on my way as well. ItsyBitsySpyers 11:41 pm [[Oh yes. Something about being a... what is it called. Switch? In any case, it's supposed to be important.]] Tarantulas 11:41 pm (( is that a double entendre (( it is isnt it Bevel 11:42 pm I do not know much about Earth games. *Bevel no* FakeProwl 11:42 pm *... okay now it's definitely the handcuffs.* *mystery solved* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:42 pm *Soundwave rises, enormously pleased with himself for that one, and nods to them all in turn.* [[Goodnight, all.]] Tarantulas 11:42 pm (( i cant fuckin believe you cro FakeProwl 11:42 pm Evening. ItsyBitsySpyers 11:43 pm ((u better believe it)) Tarantulas 11:43 pm Until next time. I'll be making preparations, hyeh. FakeProwl 11:43 pm ... Let me know if you're going to need help playtesting the new machine. *so very, very cool and casual* Bevel 11:44 pm ((*physically resists having Bevel query about that remark because tired ItsyBitsySpyers 11:44 pm *With any luck, so will he.*

[[Thank you. He'd like to make sure it doesn't have problems with locking up.]] Tarantulas 11:44 pm *since when has prowl been into gaming, tarantulas wonders* FakeProwl 11:44 pm (("what, do you think i don't play video games?" says prowl, who probably doesn't know how to hold a controller right-side up)) Bevel 11:44 pm ((Prowl, expect Bevel to ask you about how playtesting went later. FakeProwl 11:45 pm ((GOOD)) Tarantulas 11:45 pm *is off home now, au revoir* Bevel 11:45 pm *waves* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:47 pm *Follows suit by heading to the edge of the open wall, jumping off, and zipping on home in alt mode. There's some energy to work off after that last little innuendo-laced exchange.* FakeProwl 11:47 pm *SOUNDWAVE THIS IS A CITY* *WHAT ARE YOU DOING FLYING BETWEEN BUILDINGS* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:48 pm *WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO, ARREST HIM?* FakeProwl 11:48 pm *HE COULD CALL HIS ALTERNATE* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:48 pm *-HE WOULDN'T DARE.- BEVEL DON'T LET HIM DO IT, DISTRACT HIM* *SOUNDWAVE WILL PAY YOU* Bevel 11:49 pm *this universe's Prowl does not look forward to that call because she'll have to send someone to follow up on it* *don't do that to Chase, he's barely an adult, Prowl* FakeProwl 11:50 pm *would having an uncomfortable rescue bot awkwardly asking questions be enough to discourage soundwave from RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING HIMSELF AND THE NEARBY ARCHITECTURE again* Bevel 11:51 pm *Bevel used Distraction! It's... not very effective. Especially since she's trying to think of how to complete the task Soundwave gave her* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:51 pm *Who's recklessly endangering anything? Is this not common where Prowl's from? Why the Pit do they have balconies on their apartments then? Is this why he's getting odd looks all the time?* FakeProwl 11:52 pm *you're supposed to go UP in the SKY and be OVER the buildings* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:54 pm *That's for work. And most every other time. Today he wants to feel his wings.* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:58 pm *But anyway, he's gone. He'll attend future meetings a lot less recklessly.* FakeProwl 11:59 pm *HE'D BETTER* Yesterday Bevel 11:59 pm *awkwardly waves to Prowl, who she assumes is probably not staying long since everyone else left* FakeProwl 12:00 am *now that he's done gaping in outrage at soundwave's departure? no, probably not.* *farewell, he is gone.* Bevel 12:01 am *oh good no stilted attempts at conversation, she'll get to cleaning up now*

[cwdcshows]

Arrow - S8 E7 - Purgatory

Well this just proves my theory, I think, that Oliver isn't going to die in Crisis - I had to double check what number episode this is, because it's honestly hard to remember between all the different show, even though they air clustered together bit, some take breaks at different time. I knew this was close to the end of the run, but I figured this must be episode 9 with Crisis coming up, but it's episode 7. Depending on whether the 5 episode arc counts towards the individual episode count for a given series or not, means there are 3 episodes left after this one; which may or may not include the "Arrow contribution" to Crisis, meaning there's at least two episodes after Crisis which finish out the series and it seems implausible that Stephen Amell wouldn't be in the last two episodes.... And here, I thought half the reason they planned this out the way they did was to basically end the series with Crisis - although I couldn't quite reconcile how they were going to give the series its due with a proper finale, without it being overshadowed with the crossover event.

Wait, what fuckery is this; how was what happened in the last episode meant to teach Oliver to "work with the Monitor to save the multiverse"??  Fuck you.  Last week you said the lesson was to learn to accept your fate or whatever bullshit. And again, I repeat, this should arguably have been Barry's story.  I get that Arrow is the grand-daddy of the Arrowverse and this is its final season, but one of the reasons I feel this way is that there's something dissonant about hearing Oliver Queen talking about saving the multiverse.  Obviously exists in such a world where travel between universes and metahumans and all that shit is a thing, but this isn't his jam, it's Barry's; Oliver is ultimately just a regular guy with good aim.  Obviously he's going to play some type of role in all of this, but for a series that started out so earnestly, grounding itself more in reality, before giving in to the more surreal elements of the comics in order to pave way for the spin-offs, a cosmic journey doesn't seem like the right arc to go out on.  Yeah, do a victory lap and revisit your places your greatest hits took place in, but this shit just seems weird. Add to that, that both Oliver and Barry have spent this whole season assuming themselves to be dead men walking, it makes the two personal arcs for the two main characters of the respective shows seem redundant.   If the Monitor was going to ask anyone to go on missions for him around the universe or expose him to an alternate reality to teach him to trust the Monitor and agree to help him, it arguably should have been Barry.  I'd like to think it would have been more entertaining than the shit we've been watching for the last two months with Bloodwork, but honestly, having watched the way they played some of this shit out on Arrow, I just don't know. I don't know what that would leave for Oliver and crew, but arguably they could have taken a page from Supergirl, which has been to largely ignore that a Crisis was coming; which apart from the meandering stories they chose to tell in the interim, was largely a refreshing choice.  Who knows, maybe Barry could have fought Rama Kahn - Supergirl sure as hell didn't need both him and Lena to deal with at the same time; and the whole Rama Kahn/Leviathan thing seemed half-assed.  It's probably not done, but God I hope it is. Whether that would have meant the brat pack still arrived from the future when they did, I don't know.  It was such a deus ex machina, it really doesn't matter if it would have fit with any other story, because it didn't really fit with the story they did end up doing; and given their role in the last episode or two, it probably could have waited until it got closer to Crisis and worked it in as the early indicators of the Crisis and anti-matter wave, where the walls of time weaken. Wait, what? I swear Oliver already told them that he wasn't meant to survive Crisis.   You know what they say, showing is better than telling - with all the pointless filler bullshit we've had this season of Arrow, the least they could have done was take 5-10 minutes to give us a flashback of Lyla encountering and joining forces with the Monitor to fill int he blanks.  Her explanation of it just lacks any substance to care or believe that she made the right decision.   Plus, I don't feel like it does Harbinger's character from the original Crisis justice.  She was devoted to the Monitor for saving her life, which made her being infected by the Anti-Monitor and betraying the Monitor that much worse for her.  I don't know if they'll still have that plot line play out, but I figured I'd use spoiler tags to be safe. Oh, no, the B Team and Roy's plane is being shot down....?

"Gee, thanks." Fucking William.... "I was raised by Felicity too." Fuck you, William wasn't fucking raised by Felicity.  She was in his life for like, two year, tops; and that's cumulative, not even consecutive.  That includes Felicity tutoring him before she and Oliver got back together. Can I say how much I'm enjoying the lack of Felicity?  I don't say it enough, because it's so easy to overlook, but it is perhaps the best part of the season. Well that was the stupidest fucking thing to ever be fucking stupid.  Why the hell did the mercenaries even let Oliver draw his weapon, let alone do whatever bullshit he was doing putting his hands over his head and turning around first?  The second he reached for his own gun every single one of those mercs with a gun trained on him should have emptied their ammo in him.  Why?  SO HE CAN'T SHOOT THEM FIRST!  You know, the thing he was able to do, because they didn't fire as soon as he went for his weapon. I'm not saying I want Oliver dead, but come on; the only reason he isn't is because the writers made his opposition too fucking stupid. Huh... I hadn't necessarily forgotten that Roy lost his arm in the comics, but I hadn't really thought about them adapting that on the series.  Bold choice, maybe a little forced here, what with enemies on the way and sparks near jet fuel... could be worse, I suppose.  Kind of feel like maybe Oliver should have been the one in Diggle's position, but on the other hand (no pun intended) I'm not sure which of them, Oliver or Diggle, had the closer relationship with Roy.  I want to say Oliver, since he invariably provide his major training for a very brief period, but man, it's been a long time since Roy was part of the core group. Augh....Fucking Mia.... I'm really not looking forward to Green Arrow and the Canaries or whatever they're calling the prospective spin-off series.... So the nets they're caught up in are braided steal, but the one rope securing both of them is apparently made out of match sticks... When given the order to kill Team Arrow, why the do some of the bad guys start rushing them instead of firing the guns they all presumably have; especially when some of them do start firing and those rushing towards Team Arrow are putting themselves in the line of fire? Also, lining up like they did might look like a novel display of force, but it also seems like a tactically bad idea, seeing as if the bad guys were half-way competent they would have all started firing and mowed Team Arrow down before they could pull an arrow or do whatever they were going to do.  Here again, the heroes live only because the bad guys are too fucking stupid to kill them. Fucking William.... Why the hell didn't you check and confirm whose DNA sequence was needed to activate the weapon, before pulling Oliver (and inexplicably Diggle) from the battle?? "How much time do we have before the Crisis?" Well, it apparently starts at midnight in Central City.  Looking up where Central City is in the comics, it might be in Kansas or Pennsylvania.  Interestingly enough, there's a real Central City in Kentucky and in Colorado.  Lian Yu is in the north China sea, so spit-balling the time difference between China and Pennsylvania is 13 hours and China and Kansas is 14 hours - so around 1-2 pm.  Seriously, he's giving Rene and Dinah a farewell before talking to Mia?  That's cold, Oliver.  Especially seeing how, when he addressed "you two" I was looking away from the TV and assumed, naturally, that he was finally talking to William and Mia - you know, like how that was a plot point earlier in the episode, that he needed to do that? "Something tells me you're going to create your own stories." I half expected a scrolling promo or something to appear on screen saying, "Green Arrow and the Canaries, coming this fall!" "Lyla?" "Not anymore.  I'm not a harbinger of things to come." Fuck you writers. That was so fucking forced......

[pseudocitrus]

♡kirishima week day 4: ayato♡

another fic for @kirishima-week! this is the first time this year i’ve completed more than one story a month...not bad :’)) ✨

this fic is related to events up to like tg:re:131, though the timeline may not match whatever’s happening in canon. and, mostly it’s 4 some ayahina fluff ♡ i hope u like it & have a good day ahead of you!

~1300 words // excerpt:

Ukaku-types can take so long to heal.

Hinami nibbles on her thoughts a little, and then just lets them out.

“Hey. Have you seen Onee-chan recently?”

“Yeah,” Ayato says. “I have.”

Not Yeah, why? Or, Yeah, and? He says it with the kind of certainty that tells her that he knows exactly what she’s talking about.

“That whole thing, about having a mark like that given to you — it’s pretty amazing, huh?” she says. She watches his face carefully, but his expression doesn’t shift.

“I guess that’s a word for it,” he answers finally.

“Ayato-kun. Ayato-kun. Ayato-kun.”

His hearing isn’t that bad, but she has to repeat it several more times before Ayato finally jerks and peers over at her, blinking.

“…huh?”

Hinami frowns at him, and then quickly smiles. “Um…do you mind if I join you?”

“Ah…yeah.” He seems confused, but then he shakes his head, and speaks out more firmly. “Sure. Come on up.”

Her heel was already on the bottom step of the ladder. She climbs.

:::

There’s a certain set of platforms down here that Hinami has come to know well. The scent is faint, but there’s a definite coffee-ish aura that hangs around here somehow, like magic. Sometimes she arrives to see Yomo-san perched up here, with a manga over his crossed legs; sometimes, it’s Touka, reading or scribbling on some spare calendar paper; and sometimes, like now, it’s Ayato, with legs swinging off the edge.

“Hi,” Hinami says cheerfully.

Ayato spares her a glance, and a nod, and then looks forward again.

“It’s been a while,” Hinami offers.

“Mmm,” Ayato says, in what seems like agreement.

She arranges her dress, and sits down beside him.

:::

The last time she was up here, it was Touka that she saw, though Hinami hadn’t seen her from below. Hinami climbed up just to have a little space away from the rest of everyone else — something she picked up from Ayato, maybe. She carried a book in her mouth (carefully), and it dropped as soon as she stood on the platform and saw the blood.

“Onee-chan!” she gasped. “What — what —”

“It’s fine,” Touka told her, quickly. “It’s fine.”

“But — your neck —” Hinami started, and then, she stopped.

:::

Ukaku-types can take so long to heal.

She nibbles on her thoughts a little, and then just lets them out.

“Hey. Have you seen Onee-chan recently?”

“Yeah,” Ayato says. “I have.”

Not Yeah, why? Or, Yeah, and? He says it with the kind of certainty that tells her that he knows exactly what she’s talking about.

“That whole thing, about having a mark like that given to you — it’s pretty amazing, huh?” Hinami says. She watches his face carefully, but his expression doesn’t shift.

“I guess that’s a word for it,” he answers finally.

Is he not happy about it? She knows there’s been stuff between Ayato and Kaneki before. Not to mention between Ayato and his own sister. But somehow…she thought…

Well. Maybe it was stupid to assume anything.

It’s been a while, she’d said. It was true: and underground, the months that have passed in their friendship have become even further warped. The first time she saw his face, she remembers that she felt tears come to her eyes. I know you!

But.

It’s been a while.

Abruptly, she wavers. The things that she had leaned on to keep herself connected to him — Touka, or even the gardens they wordlessly perused at their old HQs…

It’s been a while. Maybe…maybe now, they aren’t really…

Ayato is still staring into space.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen…something like that,” Hinami muses aloud. “That…kind of marking. I, um. I noticed that there weren’t a lot of ghouls at Aogiri that had it.”

“Lots of scars,” Ayato says. “But none there.”

“Yeah! Yeah.” She pauses, trying to collect her thoughts. Trying to find the reason why she came up here at all.

“My parents had it,” she says, finally. “That mark. It was so faint, but I noticed it, on my mother. I never saw it on my father, but…I mean…it was probably just hidden all the time.”

Beneath his coat. Beneath his uniform. Never seeing the light of day until finally that scar, and everything else, sloughed off into the earth, and then was seen by no one.

Hinami picks at the edge of the platform, her hand twitching. She doesn’t know what she’s trying to say. Her vision is blurring, the way it always does when she thinks of her parents. Ayato still isn’t even looking at her. Maybe he just wants to be alone. She starts to settle her weight into her palms, to push herself up.

“I saw it too,” Ayato says. “But only on my father.”

“Oh,” Hinami says.

“Maybe I saw it on my mother too,” Ayato says, shrugging. “I don’t remember. But my father was always rubbing his, all the time. I don’t even think he noticed anymore what he was doing. One day I got worried about it or something and I asked Aneki if he was hurt, and she explained it.”

He starts to pick at the edge of the platform too, flicking a couple splinters down to the floor.

“I’d forgotten about that…thing. That gory old tradition. Whatever,” he says. “Until I saw it.” He scoffs. “Gross.”

Hinami chuckles, a little. “So you probably wouldn’t…do that?”

“I’d rather do other things with someone that I like,” Ayato grumbles, and Hinami stares at him, and covers up an embarrassed smile. Is he talking about — what she thinks he’s talking about?

“W-well,” she ventures, “I mean — I mean, they probably did those things too,” and before the words even finish leaving her mouth she feels her face heat impressively, and Ayato covers his ears and groans.

“What the fuck! The last thing I want to think about is that stupid half-breed doing — augh! Shut up!”

But now that she has a little momentum, she finds herself barreling forward.

“Ayato-kun, you know, Onii-chan is a pretty important person now. You should probably stop calling him that and start calling him something like — ‘Aniki.’”

“Shut up! I’ll die first! Ugh!”

“Sorry!” Hinami tells him, brightly, and not entirely apologetically. “Sorry.”

Is this closer, to what it used to be like between them? She can’t remember. But this feels…good. Safe. And…

And after a while, Ayato straightens, and crosses his arms over his lap again, and Hinami starts to wring her hands. She swallows, and then swallows again.

“Um. Ever since I saw Onee-chan, I, um…I keep thinking,” she says. “About how…well. Maybe soon…maybe there won’t be anyone else who knows about…that gory old tradition.” Her voice, just a little, is shaking. “Or…anyone left to teach it to.”

“There will be,” Ayato says. His response is immediate. She blinks up at him, and, for the first time since she arrived, she finds that he is looking at her, straight-on. His face is serious.

“There will be,” he repeats, plainly. “That…Kaneki is making sure of it. And,” he says, “I’m also making sure of it. Doing my best about it. I know that it sucks down here and it’s fucking terrible up there and the only interesting thing there is to talk about is who left a huge bloody gash on Aneki’s neck that’s going to leave a scar forever, but.” He takes a breath. “It’ll be okay.”

“Oh,” Hinami says, surprised by his vehemence. Ayato grimaces at her, and then looks away, again.

“I mean,” Ayato says, “you can believe in…that guy, even if you don’t believe in me. Right?”

“I do believe in you,” Hinami protests.

“…good,” Ayato says, more quietly. “So, don’t worry. You’ll be just fine. And one day we’ll all get out of here, and probably one day someone will bite you, if that’s what you really want.”

Hinami laughs. It bursts out of her, more genuinely then she can remember laughing in…however long it’s been since they’ve been down here. When the tears clear out of her eyes, she thinks that she sees Ayato watching her, maybe, before he sighs and leans back to gaze at the bare tunnel ceiling.

“Is that all you wanted to talk about, Hina?” he asks. “Or is there something else that’s bothering you?”

“Um…no. That was it,” she realizes. Yeah. That was what she wanted to talk about. She brightens, and scoots toward him, just a little closer.

“Do you have any other stories?” she asks shyly. “About your parents, I mean. I…haven’t heard much about it. Aneki never talked about them much. I can tell you some about mine, too. My parents, I mean. If you’re interested.”

“Oh? Alright,” Ayato replies. He leans back further, making himself comfortable. “You start.”

[theemperorsfeather]

I had a totally reasonable, couldn’t have gone better, interaction with a neighbor yesterday about how he needs to clean up after his dog when he lets her run into our side of the yard (no sarcasm here, it truly went fine), but to parts of me, any confrontation, especially with a basically unknown person, is a reason to flip the fuck out and panic. Fortunately, I’d planned to talk to the guy well in advance, so the panic mostly set in after I came back inside because I just followed a script I’d rehearsed and that ability to autopilot did me well.

The worst of the reaction was over pretty quickly, but I felt rattled and unsettled and AUGH. Needed to go out somewhere soothing and move around. So I went to the plant nursery, because that’s a nice place, and maybe they’d have hornwort in stock and I could get some for the water garden, and I had a feeling that I needed to do that.

They had hornwort, and meandering around semi-randomly - a mix of “oooh, that looks neat!” and *nudge* *tug* - also introduced me to the outdoor discount rack (previously I was only familiar with the indoor discount rack at this location) and I grabbed a gerbera daisy whose only problem seems to be that it had been in flower, and the blossom had gotten snapped off. It will keep blooming over the season, so no biggie.

As the sky got darker and more stormlike, I headed to the pavilion where they have lots of annuals. After a few minutes there, I felt a tug to turn around and look. The plants I saw on the table were unfamiliar and looked unremarkable - none were in bloom, and the foliage wasn’t particularly striking - so my first reaction was *shrug* what’s the deal? I stepped a bit closer to read the tag and flinched, because it said Datura metel and hey wow there was a nudge with that wasn’t there shit fuck shit oh no.

There was a pretty insistent nudge and oh yes, it was intended, and not just “hey look at me” but “you need to take that plant home, yes you do” and someone was quite insistent and maybe a little cranky-sounding about it, so. I did.

I’ve admired them in the past but been grateful there’d never been a clear “get the plant” nudge - I bring home a lot of my plants based on feels, right? but some of them with the more powerful reputation I have . . . well, quite honestly, hoped to avoid their attention, though I’ve known for about 2 1/2 years that this might be a hope in vain. I never got a list of names; I figured I’d just wait and see Who reached out. So anyway. I’ve felt paranoid that this one might be very subtly stalking me (a former coworker offered me seeds last year, among other things; I said I’d think about it, and screamed internally, and then forgot), and given this one’s reputation for being trickier to work with than pretty much any other poison, I don’t feel like being nervous as fuck is unwarranted.

As I was hauling my plants around the nursery, and then home, I was thinking, “Okay, I guess I need to start learning how to care for this plant, and maybe after I’ve done well, then there will be meeting with the spirit. Yeah, that sounds reasonable. Prove I can care nicely for the green plants, then next steps.”

The sense of presence kind of ebbed after I got the pot set down in the backyard, but then once I got inside and got back online, I felt it return a bit, which made me just a bit nervous, because I was not sure I felt ready for any next steps, omg why what do you want. I hadn’t even gotten to doing any divination to try and find anything about this, okay, I wanted some time to freak out a little more, and then calm down, and then ask questions.

But no, I needed to lie down and listen/attend now. There was no sense of threat, nor any of the somewhat grumpy insistence I’d sensed when I was deeply unsure I should pick up that pot on the nursery display.

And . . . it was not terrifying at all; it was no different than many other encounters with spirits I’ve had, and afterwards I felt much better. The edginess I’d still felt from talking to my neighbor, and the edginess from having this plant reach out and be all “you, me, now,” it was pretty much gone. I felt good.

I can’t help but see some parallels between the encounter with my neighbor and this with the plant: a situation I was nervous about, even fearful about, but I did it anyway, and the results were good. Timing, huh?

I still haven’t got around to doing divination to ask for more details about this particular relationship. Another assumption I had made was that I wouldn’t meet a new one of this group of plants until I’d finished with the one I started with some months ago. Go on, laugh, I don’t even know why I assumed things would go like this, only that progress with the first one has been quite slow, so why on earth would there be another until more time and progress? *facepalm* (I suspect I made those assumptions because I’ve been hoping things would proceed that way, r e a l slow and gentle, because the whole “getting to know the poisons” thing has never stopped being a source of consternation . . . I’m probably winding myself up too much. But why should this part of my life be any different, right??)

So I’ve got a pot with three Datura plants in it sitting in my backyard, and I’m going to have to figure out how big a pot to move it (them) into, and probably provide stakes or a cage or something because apparently they can get 6 feet tall. Six feet!!!! omg.

[khaleesimaka]

@cronashy-absentia asked for Burn + SoMa

This is set in my old Maid Sama AU because I got struck with some feels for it and needed to write something. I hope you enjoy this ❤︎ and it makes you smile ❤︎❤︎

“Augh, shit,” Maka curses, promptly dropping the hot tray to the floor. Inspecting her scorched finger, she sees the top half of her palm and index finger blooming red. “Dammit.”

“What happened, kitten?” Blair asks coming up behind. “Oh, that looks bad. Come, we’ll run some cool water over it before we patch you up. I can’t afford to lose my best maid at the start of peak season.”

Maka half-heartedly glares at her boss as she’s lead over to the sinks and mutters, “Why am I not surprised you care more about making money than my well-being?”

Blair throws a feline grin over her shoulder as she flips the faucet on. Without saying a word, she sticks Maka hand under the cold water, causing Maka to hiss at the sting, but it isn’t so bad compared to when she had burnt herself. The other girls at the maid cafe had taken it upon themselves to do the cooking for patrons since their chef had up and quit the other day and Blair had yet to hire someone new, much to everyone’s dismay. Maka likes to think the woman is biding her time because she wants to save on paying someone else, but Blair has promised this isn’t the case. Apparently, no one has applied yet.

“There,” Blair says patting Maka’s wrist after she finishes bandaging her up. “Good as new.”

“Thanks,” Maka tells her.

While the bandaging isn’t the best (loose strips are still hanging out on the side) it’ll do for the time being. At least until she gets home later.

“Maka,” comes Liz’s voice from the entrance to the kitchen, “your little boy toy is here. I think he wants you to take care of him ‘cause he hasn’t said a single word to me since he sat down.”

“Tell him I’m busy,” Maka scowls.

“I did, but he still isn’t talking to me.”

“Then let him leave on his own,” she sniffs, going back to where she had dropped the tray and clean up. “Like I care if he leaves on an empty stomach.”

She manages to scoop up a handful of the ruined cake before a pair of strong hands lift her up. The smell of honeyed perfume invading her nostrils and the glimpse of dark, purple hair tells her who it is, and she sighs. Of course Blair would refuse to allow her to ignore a customer. Even when the customer is the douchiest guy in the world.

“Now, now, kitten,” Blair mewls. “That isn’t how we treat our paying customers.”

“But it’s Soul,” she hisses his name. “He isn’t a real customer, and you know it.”

“He pays. He’s a real customer.” Blair sets her on her feet, smoothes out the black maid uniform, adjusts the ribbons in her pigtails, and smacks her butt. “Now get out there and put on that award-winning smile and please your master!”

Heat blossoms over Maka’s cheeks as she stares wide-eyed at Blair before harrumphing out of the kitchen and into the main dining room. If she didn’t need this job to help pay for her college tuition and living expenses, she would have quit long ago when Evans first showed up at the maid cafe. It was enough to be working such a demeaning , minimum wage job in Death City, but with him knowing about her special secret, it made things particularly awkward. Especially when he shows up at the cafe, unannounced, or saunters around with her at school with the looming threat of telling everyone where she works.

Her life is hard enough trying to maintain her high grades and getting herself through college without her papa’s help. She doesn’t need Evans fucking everything up.

Plastering the sweetest smile she can muster, Maka says in a too perky voice, “Good afternoon, Master. How may I help you today?”

Those deep burgundy eyes of Soul’s turn to her, and she hates the way her stomach tightens and backflips under their gaze. He’s a dumb, pretentious dick who was born with a gold spoon in his mouth, she reminds herself. There isn’t anything cute or endearing about him.

The lopsided smile he seems to always save for her begs to differ, though.

“I was wondering when you’d show up,” he smirks and stretches out in his chair, resting his feet on top of the other as they peek out from under the table. “I prefer my favorite maid be the one to service me instead of her co-workers.”

“How you manage to make the word service sound perverted, I’ll never know,” she says maintaining the sweet voice and smile. “Did you want anything to eat, Master?”

“What about a Cutesy-Cutesy Rice Omelette?” he says with a semi-straight face.

“Of course! Coming right–”

“And how about a date with me on Friday?” he tags on.

A strangled sound comes from her throat and her blush deepens, but she tries not to ruin the facade of being a cute maid.

“I think the omelette will do for now,” she tells him, turning on her heels to head back into the kitchen.

Before she can get far, though, Soul gently grasps her elbow and spins her back his way. She’s ready to reprimand him for touching her, but the softness in his eyes as he stares at her hand halts her from doing so. Long gone is the smug boy she’s come to know over the months and has been replaced with someone who seems to be the complete opposite. She can’t put her finger on what caused the sudden change, but it is interesting.

As soon as the magic appeared, he gives her his signature smirk and says, “I’ll also take tea. Thanks.”

“Coming right up, Master.”

Maka heads to the back of the kitchen to put Soul’s order in, muttering under her breath how stupid and annoying white haired boys are as she works. It’s ridiculous how her body reacts to his smug face, how the timbre of his voice sets goosebumps to prick her skin; utterly and madly ridiculous because she hates the boy. He’s smug, arrogant, pretentious. There isn’t a redeeming quality about him as far as she can tell. Soul Evans is just another trust fund kid who’s never had to work a day in his life, and she doesn’t understand how he still manages to make her flustered and warm.

“He’s an idiot,” she tells herself before going back into the dining room and jumping back into her role as a maid.

“Here you are, Master!” Maka announces. She sets the plate of food in front of Soul followed by his tea and grabs the bottle of sauce she had brought with her. “Would you like me to write something on your omelette today, Master?”

Soul seems to mull it over before saying, “Surprise me.”

“Are you sure?”

Out of everyone who comes to the cafe every day, he should know better than to give her such free reign considering the last time he said surprise me she had written the word dumbass in Japanese on his omelette.

“I trust you,” he says simply.

Inwardly shrugging, she bides her time with opening the sauce bottle trying to decide the correct words to write on top of his meal. Maybe something along the lines of pervert or pain in the ass or bag of dicks will suffice. He hasn’t been particularly mean to her lately – either at work or school – but a part of her does take enjoyment in being petty for his past actions. She’s settled on the perfect word when Soul’s voice breaks through her thoughts. A soft, kind voice low enough for only her to hear, and it sets her heart to stumble a beat.

“What happened to your hand?”

Green eyes flit over him as she hesitates before going to her bandaged hand. “I burned myself on a tray I was taking out of the oven.”

The softness in her voice surprises her. There isn’t a hint of malice in it which Soul notices if the slight rise of his brows is anything to go by.

“Why were you taking something out of the oven? Isn’t that what the cook is for?”

“He quit a couple days ago, and Blair hasn’t found a replacement yet.”

“I see,” he simply says.

She holds his gaze for another second or two before going back to the task at hand. In the end, she doesn’t feel like mean words suit him in the present matter so she settles on writing kindness in Japanese instead.

“Enjoy your meal, Master,” she smiles.

Soul looks down at his omelette, and she sees the ghost of a smile float across his lips. “Cool. I thought today you’d write something inappropriate and mean.”

Her brows knit together in confusion. “You can read Japanese?”

He shrugs before picking up his fork. “I’ve been learning it if that’s what you mean.”

“I see,” she nods.

Something warm and bright flickers in her chest at the idea of Soul Evans bothering to learn anything that isn’t a required part of his major. From the few times she’s seen him with Black*Star, he always seemed like the kind of kid who didn’t bother to go above and beyond, settling for the bare minimum as it is, and was the epitome of a stoner kid. But something about him learning Japanese – a difficult language in its own right – speaks to her. It’s cute how he decided to pick up on the language now, and a sense of pride sparks within at her at being the person behind it.

Before she can be overwhelmed with it, though, she simmers the fire out. Soul is still a pretentious, pile of dicks no matter how she spins it.

Maybe even a cute pretentious, pile of dicks.

The next day Maka stares wide-eyed at the cute, pretentious, pile of dicks standing next to Blair wearing one of the chef uniforms.

“Everyone,” Blair coos, “I want you to meet our new chef! Soul Evans.”

While everyone around her claps and welcomes the new chef, Maka silently fumes and glares at him and the stupid smirk he gives her. In a way, it feels like the universe is taunting her by throwing him in her face like this, but it also means Soul won’t be acting as a patron anymore.

No. She gets the delight of seeing his stupid, shark face every day when she comes to work.

She doesn’t know which is worse.

When everyone disperses, Soul walks over to Maka with his hands stuffed in his pocket and she very much wishes to wipe that stupid look off his face. Permanently.

“Evans, I swear to god if this is some kinda–”

“Relax, Pigtails.” He rests his hand on her head and musses her hair, causing Maka to growl like a small kitten and wave it away. “I need the extra money. I’m not here to ruin your life or anything.”

“Good. Because if you so much as–”

“‘Sides, now you get the pleasure of seeing me every day at work. I think that’s a win your book.”

A sound that isn’t human emits from her throat as she goes to kick him, but he jumps out of the way of her blow and walks off chuckling to himself under his breath.

This is definitely worse than him being a customer, she decides.

[keahilanii]

Experiment Gone Wrong

This is my oc’s introduction/backstory, I hope you like it!

(1082 Words)

March 22, 1999

Rick Sanchez was a flurry of action today, practically flying through the house trying to prepare for what was to come.

“Dad what’s the matter?” asked Beth, as she watched Rick sprint upstairs with an unknown gadget.

“N-no-*ough* time to explain sweetie.” Rick yelled from upstairs and reappeared without the gadget. He walked towards Beth and put his hands on her shoulders, “Today is the day I set to have my greatest *eugh*-experiment arrive.”

He hurried to the garage and shut the door behind him, locking it with a loud click, followed by a few beeps and other noises to seal the garage off.

Ricks garage was a mess. Papers were askew, taped to the ceiling and littering the floor, gadgets were either half finished or smashed out of frustration. Rick swiped a smashed gadget to the floor in one motion and quickly punched in a complicated code to an imaginary lock on his desk. In the middle of the room, the floor slowly opened in a circular shape and began to lift a vat full of lava.

“W-wh-*augh*-at the fuck was I thinking when I made this stu-*ough*-pid shit slower than fucking molasses?” Rick spit out in impatient anger and punched a few more hidden buttons on his desk to drain the vat.

Inside the vat was an obsidian egg that caught the many lights of Rick’s garage and shimmered with an unearthly shade of purple and pink. The egg twitched ever so slightly, something that would have been missed if Rick had not been watching it like a predator to prey.

“C’moooon, you can do it,” Rick whispered and pushed his face against the vat trying to coax the egg into hatching, “C’mon out, it’s okay.”

Rick had spent months talking to this obsidian egg through speakers he had installed into the vat. He made sure to dedicate at least an hour to talk to it everyday, right after every meal he had, wanting to make sure when the egg hatched it didn’t kill him, that is, if it did hatch.

He had performed this experiment a numerous amount of times, and each time it had failed, but it only made him more determined to get it right. He tapped the glass, becoming anxious to see something, anything, and the egg moved. Rick shouted in delight and the egg moved again, beginning to fracture right in front of Ricks face.

“There you go! Keep pushing, c-*ough*-ome to papa.”

As if in response, a thick chip of the shell fell off the egg and hit the ground with a thud.

Huh, so maybe that’s why the other eggs couldn’t hatch, Rick thought as he observed the glimmering chunk of egg on the floor of the vat, and with an almost power-crazed smile, So that means this one is a strong one.

Chunks of the shell began to fall onto the floor now, and a human baby hand reached through a gap. More chunks fell until there was only a baby left laying in the scraps of its egg. This didn’t catch Rick by surprise though, he knew what he had made and it was perfect from what he could see. The hair was a vibrant, almost blinding, glow of red, orange, and yellow but there seemed to be a few shades of blue here and there. It looked like a perfectly healthy baby… girl? That caught him by surprise, he thought he had altered the genetics to create a boy, but a girl was exceptional.

“Hey there, I-I’m Rick,” he introduced himself, as if the baby could understand.

The baby just stared at Rick from inside the vat, it had not cried the entire time and Rick was already beginning to take a liking to it. He put his hand against the vat glass, a test to see how much the baby had developed while in the egg for 9 months. Ricks calculations couldn’t determine how much his creation would be capable of when it was ready, so he decided he’d figure it out if the egg hatched. Her eyes left Ricks eyes to study his hand against the invisible barrier separating them.

“It’s-It’s okay, y-you can come close, I won’t hurt you,” Rick said in a soothing voice, trying to relax his features into a more gentle look.

Recognizing his voice, the baby began to scoot forward, clumsy at first, but quickly learning how to make her voyage a little less complicated. She now sat right in front of Rick and pushed her face against the glass, lowering her head so her nose lifted, making her look like a pig.

Whipping his head back, Rick let out a hearty laugh but quickly turned his attention back to the baby girl as she jerked her face back in confusion of this new sound. She looked at his hand again and leaned forward, curiosity taking over, and she lifted her own hand. Slowly she brought her hand forward, but used her index finger to poke at Rick’s palm, only to hit the cold glass of the vat. This was not a pleasant feeling for her, and she made the first sound since the cracking of her shell.

A blood-curling scream erupted from the baby, and a fire burst to life, consuming the baby and filling the vat.

“NOOOO!” Rick screamed and jumped back, removing his hand off the glass as the heat nearly burnt his skin.

As quickly as the flames had begun, they were gone, and still sitting next to the glass shield of the vat was that precious baby girl. Rick’s heart was in his throat and his stomach on the floor as he stared in shock. He dropped to his knees and got as close as he could without the vat burning him from its newfound heat source.

“You sc-*augh*-ared th-the shit out of me,” he said in a low voice, raking his fingers through his hair in thought. “I’ll name you Keahilani,” he declared.

Keahilani tilted her head at this new word and Rick took this as a sign to continue.

“I-It means “heavens fire” in Hawaiian o-*ough*-r some shit,” he paused to take a swig out of his flask and then raised his eyebrow at Keahilani. “Y-Yeah that’s right, I travel the US, n-not just th-the infinite galaxies. I like to learn hu-human shit too,” he grumbled.

“To me, for be-*eugh*-ing a fucking genius,” and Rick clinked his glass against the vat as a form of toast.

[insanetwocubes]

I need to rant about a few things because I don't have any other outlet.

But if I start ranting I might become angry.

I'm just frustrated. I haven't been able to do anything on my to do list for days including my daily goal.

The manager at work. Ooooh the manager at work.

Okay. Lyke. She keeps doing this THING where she says things like "you know you're not doing this right" and I'm lyke ???? Bitch HOW THE FUCK do you know what I do and do not know? I'm sorry, I wasn't aware that we were the same person. What, can we mindspeak, too?? Are you fucking psychic? Of course you're not because if you were! You would know!! THAT I'M NEVER CHOOSING TO NOT DO MY BEST AT THIS JOB!

WHERE THE HELL DOES SHE GET OFF basically accusing me of being lazy and not doing my best?! And it's always "do this faster" "do that faster" "but also do it correctly." I'm sorry! I'm slow at doing things! I like to take my time. I don't like being rushed! Hey, that's why I hated school! It was always rush rush rush and no time for yourself.

And I don't! Have any time for myself! I work so hard I keep falling straight asleep as soon as I get back! And it's so annoying because I haven't done any of the things I need to do and oh apparently, I need to go buy new work shoes because these aren't good enough I guess. But it's okay because "it's only 20 dollars." I can't afford health insurance. I don't have a 6 month emergency fund. I can't even afford a data plan. Or have enough money to put into savings. "Only" 20 dollars is not ONLY 20 dollars. And I need those shoes yesterday I guess. Just let me slip and hit my head and die already, why do they fucking care.

Aand! So food topic. I'm getting skinnier. Apparently. As multiple people have mentioned. I looked in the mirror though and I have no fucking how they notice any change but whatever. Which would be fine if I was exercising but I'm not! I'm still so anxious about spending money, even on food. I guess I'm not eating enough, meaning less than once a day. That's why I was looking up healthy diet stuff. Lmao I feel like a rabbit because I'm filling my diet with so much fruit and vegetables. So that stressed me out because, I don't know if I mentioned this in so many words but, it's against system rules to weight watch and count calories. A long time ago I realized that I have a really bad habit of punishing myself/my body when I'm upset. And I know it's very common for people who suffer from eating disorders to beat themselves up through starvation and other means. And with me already having a dibilitating complex about what people think of me, I know messing with weight and food will just make everything worse. So I don't mess with it. But I do still forget to eat apparently. Which is great. Sarcasm. I hate it. It's so annoying. I can't tell when I'm hungry and I don't often get a feeling of being full. And lyke the last goal involved lots of programming, which is one of the things that make me forget to eat in general. Programming and video games.

And okay so the other manager. Idk where he got this bullshit from, I'm just being a decent person. But apparently he thinks I'm kind. I think I mentioned this. And he's lyke. So he wants me to put my hair in a bun. And it's really annoying because now I have to add 10 minutes of messing with my hair before I'm ready for work. And he keeps saying that it looks proffessional, and whatever, but Four and I both agree that buns are too much hassle and not worth the look. So whatever. But it makes me feel like I'm changing my looks for him.

Oh don't get me started on his manipulative ass. He keeps using these psychological tricks and it was fine when it was no harm no foul. But then he guilt tripped me when I asked for a break. And y'know this other manager keeps fucking confusing me. I thought I had to take a break (because she keeps lyke over stepping her bounds and being all in my business.) under labor laws or something. But apparently I don't??? But she made it seem like I do. And now I got used to these long breaks and it's impeding my work because I'm not finishing my closing duties. And hey btw. I hate closing. According her, the manager, apparently I'm not mopping right and not mopping fast enough even though I'm doing it the way she told me to in the first place!!! Lyke I genuinely don't know what she wants but "you know you're not doing it right" I!!!!!!! DON'T!!!!! I genuinely don't get how she wants me to do it! But "oh it doesn't take that long." What!!! Ever!!!! I fucking hate that phrase because yess!! Apparently! It does take that long.

And lyke I mentioned I'm having trouble finishing all the cleaning duties but okay. Listen. It doesn't matter how early I start (if I even could) because I can't clean the bathrooms, mop, or take out the trash before closing if I'm the only one in the front (because I need to do the other part of my job, serving the customers). And the utensils don't get washed until about 10 mins before we need to leave and it takes 20 minutes to fold a LIGHT load of utensils, not to mention an average one. I'm convinced that it's mathematically impossible for me to finish everything in an hour. And she just keeps piling more shit for me to do!

Okay and now the customers. Usually they're not bad, but there is one customer that pissed me off yesterday. He was lyke "I get the same thing every time" lyke dude! I'm sorry I can't fucking remember your order when I've only seen you lyke once before. Lyke he acted so entitled. I remember plenty of regulars' orders. So the fact that I don't automatically know his means I haven't seen him enough to remember it!!! Augh!

Aand! There was this other customer. He's trying to be nice and all but he completely overstepped his bounds, I think. Told me I should get into vocational work like programming. Bitch! I'm already trying!!! It's not exactly going well. Thanks for the useless, invasive advice that I didn't ask for.

Y'know Four is usually the one to get annoyed over people lumping her in with humans, but lyke so many people have projected themselves on me and they don't know anything! They just don't know me! They think we're the same but we're not! I'm not some extension of you, stop thinking you know me before I openned up to you at all!

Gah! It just like Wrong and Loveless. They think they know what's best for me when they don't and they just refuse to give me an out out of their assumptions. Advisors, too. All adults. Why is everyone projecting themselves on me! I make a point to claim I'm not even be human!!! Okay I never actually tell people that, but they are lumping me as a normal at least. Augh, whatever. I'm too.....not like them for this.

And I hate how the shift manager acts, she's too controling. Lyke every little thing I do that she's not expecting is "not the right way" to do things. Well, she liked one thing I did, change up how I mention the survey. But see! Just like Loveless, if I don't completely impress them, then I'm doing it all wrong. The way she lyke is and does things made me think she didn't want me to work because I forgot my nametag one time. And then when I tried to explain why I thought she didn't want me to work she cut me off and said she never told me to not work. And I get that miscommunications happen but lyke I never even got to explain my logic! Aughhh!!!!

And that stupid quiz! I hate that dumb. Fucking quiz! Just fucking! Stop reminding me of school! I hate school! I'm never going back to school! Stop making this feel like school!

I used to have fun at that job, man.

Maybe now that the rant is over I can find the good parts again and have a good day. If you listened, thanks.

~Flare

[katherine-rambles]

now for my more spoilery, discuss-all-the-things-in-detail BOTW finishing post

spoilers ahoy mateys

the final boss was pretty easy. actually, scratch that, almost all of the bosses were easy. i have more trouble defeating fucking lynels and getting dragon horn shards than i did defeating Ganon. (toooo be fair, if you don’t do the divine beast quests i’ve heard the ganon fight is a LOT worse, but even so.) i also had the ancient arrows by the time i did my first divine beast, so i’m sure that was a large part of the ease i had. 

as a result the main challenges in the game came to me through Trying to Upgrade My Damned Equipment and Shrine Puzzling. i really appreciated the variety and just.... fun that the shrines were. 

though, Fuck Eventide Island. first time i went i was super underleveled, landed on the weapon-poor part of the island, died. second time i went i was way overlevelled and landed right near the goddamn 26 atk soldier’s sword. the first time i’d gotten to the island, the 3 atk goddamn axe was my most prized weapon. 

goddamn axe! ugh. after fucking rafting my way there? augh. 

also, why am I hearing nothing about Yunobo? soft boyfriendo. good buddy. i sincerely don’t like how people prefer sidon/kass to yunobo. a.) kass is married with kids and it’s adorable don’t mess that up and b.) sidon is a good boyfriend too but i KNOW the goddamn reasons why people prefer sidon and i’d bet my horse that sizeism has a large part to play. 

i’m glad trans gal link is a decently common headcanon. after finishing that story i realllllyy hope that we get good platonic link/zelda stuff. but knowing Fandom and Heteronormativity, my hopes are low. 

anyway my fave outfit style by the end was gerudo voe headband w/ gerudo vai top and the barbarian booty shorts. i feel like it fit my Link p. well

zelda X urbosa and trans lesbian link x mipha are my ships pre- calamity. post-game, cis gay link X sidon, cis gay link X yunobo, cis/straight m!link x paya, zelda X paya, trans lesbian link X moza, and link w/ a couple other npcs i can’t recall the names of right at the moment. there are. a lot. of npcs in this game. 

as far as post-game headcanons go.... i’m not actually super sure yet. clearly zelda and link are BFFs. zelda finds herself very lonely, perhaps even depression-levels so. it’s not Super Clear how she experienced time during the 100 year interlude, but no matter how that went, she’s coming back to a world where she is all but a legend and all but like, three of her ENTIRE SUPPORT NETWORK is Dead. because of her, too, because I can 100% guar-an-tee that that many years of internalized blame do not Fade Away so easily when you add survivor’s guilt into the mix. she takes it... better than she would have were she younger, but it’s still A Lot. 

plus she ain’t rich anymore which is usually a culture shock on top of all the shit she been through. not like she can demand taxes on royal lineage alone

i think zelda becomes a mentor to chief riju. a listening ear, good to bounce ideas off of. her being not super tied into the whole gerudo town political mess makes riju trust zelda’s judgement a little bit more than she might someone who also knew riju’s mom. 

actually, zelda becoming a sort of... tech diplomat or teacher doesn’t sound too far off the mark in the long run. 

link helps zelda, of course. which is a balm on her own grief, if not a cure. gives her something to focus on in the immediate aftermath of The Battle. link really wants to make a life for herself, though, and makes an effort to spend time at her House in Hateno. (zelda moves in for the first couple of months, so that part’s easy.)  hateno serves as an interim HQ as zelda sets up the political pieces to start rebuilding Castle Town. brings the town business, and is conveniently located so as to be close to Kakariko and the various other hylian settlements. trips to the various village leaders are common, and really it’s only through link’s insistence that they spend much time in hateno at all. but link needs the downtime, after everything. and though it drives zelda a little mad sometimes, she needs it too. 

for the most part, zelda pursues a reconstruction of Hyrule because she thinks it is what must be done. she continues to research on the side, becoming more of a historian than she used to be in the effort to reclaim & preserve the knowledge lost in the calamity. 

link, for her part, finds herself adrift when not part of the Pair that she & zelda are. sure hyrule is dangerous still, and zelda needs protecting, but link fears (knows) that being a royal guard can’t be her endgame. the sheikah are good enough at it when not facing Ganon & company. and who needs a knight errant, anyway? she’s not really sure. 

of course, this problem resolves itself naturally as link falls into the role of diplomat, without her or zelda really even ever having to think about it. zelda was always worse at that stuff anyway, her attentions having been split between prayer and research as she was growing up. 

god i’m sure i’ll have more to add to this as i like. remember shit but that’s it for Vol. 1: Katherine Just Finished and how The Fuck is it 3 AM again?!