#Welcome to Purgatory|| musings

[phantasmagorianfantasy]

Freak Next Door: Part 1

Read Part 2

Read Part 3

18+ only! Josh x OFC

Some Jon Bernthal goodness for a character I don't see a lot of fanfiction about. Sharp Stick was quite a movie, and those scenes now live rent free in my mind forever. Even if Josh was a loser.

Warnings: masturbation, voyeurism

@grippingbeskar This is YOUR fault. I am working on two different pieces right now, and you have been a muse. Thanks!

This is the first part I have written for a Sharp Stick fanfiction which will be inspired by this post by @chellestrash. I think Josh is pretty much a fuckboy of a character, but I would love to see someone torture him. In the fun ways. More to come ASAP - just getting my sea legs.

Comments welcome! Thank you!

Updated June 22nd

Josh stared open-mouthed out of the window. He had been doing this for days now - he'd wake up, say goodbye to his wife before she took the kids to daycare and climb back into the guest-room bed, sitting up against the headboard.

This window gave Josh a perfect view into his neighbor's bedroom. A room with a view, he mused.

After his last stunt with the babysitter, he was still in the dog house, and he had been relegated to the extra room on the opposite side of their home. Married, but in the same purgatory he had found himself in previously. Josh felt his heart clench as he thought about how that last affair had ended.

That wasn't his fault, though. There had been a lot of pressure on him, and with Heather the way she was... Still. He really hadn't meant for any of that to happen.

How long had it been? It must have been two years now.

Such a fuck up...he thought to himself, guilt filling every sense. In this moment, he even considered stopping, not going through with his new ritual, saving some sort of semblance of honor and decency for the mother of his children. But the memory of their first meeting always tugged him back into the filth and away from any honorable thought or intention.

Josh had first met her at a community barbecue down the street. He swallowed hard, running a hand lazily along his chest as he remembered her in that checkered blue and white bathing suit top, still wet from the pool. She had a smile that could dazzle, and he loved how her eyes crinkled at the sides when she threw her head back when she laughed. Josh remembered how he had unconsciously eyed the fabric clinging to her body, to every single curve.

Josh closed his eyes, thinking of the sweat that languidly dripped down her neck into the valley of her breasts as the sun shone gold through the wisps of her blond hair. He imagined himself running a tongue through that trail and a shudder ran through him.

Josh groaned, the self-depricating thoughts at war with the growing arousal in his stomach. That day... he remembered that woman's delicate fingers picking up a strawberry from the buffet table and sinking it in between her lips in a way he felt was meant for him. Her eyes were boring into him, this tight 30-year-old shamelessly making eye contact with him as her red lips pursed against the curve of the berry. Her eyes fluttered, rolling back as her teeth sank into the fruit. A small trail of juice had eeked out of the corner of her mouth. He had been halfway through raising a beer to his lips, and Yuri was blabbing away about his current hot piece, but that had stopped him in his tracks too.

'I said goddamn Josh, was she lookin' at you or me?' Yuri had nearly gasped these words out beside him. Josh hadn't known the answer.

His mind flipped back and forth from memory to reality, and Josh licked his lips, the memory of that damn barbecue sending an electric shock through his body. He pulled off his shirt, throwing it unceremoniously into a ball near the hamper. He bit his lip, waiting with trepedation and a little bit of guilt as he looked through the window into her bedroom.

From here, he could see her golden curls splayed on the sheets, her legs twisted in them. Josh dragged his hand from his neck down his own chest, his eyes closed for a moment, imagining her delicate hands following this very trail. His throat was so fucking dry as he tried to create what he imagined she would do...his finger tips barely putting pressure on his skin, alternating from petting to a slow, light draw of fingernails.

Josh felt his phone vibrate as the 10am alarm sounded. His eyes opened lazily as he sent the alarm into oblivion. She'd be waking up any second now. His eyes darted back, praising whatever diety allowed the bedroom a view straight into her bed.

His breath caught in his chest as he saw a pair of legs slide up. She was awake. He was thankful that the curtains allowed this small space where he could see her in bed. That woman always slept naked, and seeing her legs emerge sent a jolt straight to his growing arousal. He could see her hand lazily playing with the inside of her legs, and he imagined the murmurs she might make if his hands replaced hers. Josh stiffened, watching her sit up in bed. They were nearly facing one another, the distance seeming paradoxically close and yet so so far as he watched her fingers squeeze around her breast and then trail down her stomach to the curls below. He wondered if she tasted sweet like that strawberry, wondered how it would feel to have her grinding herself into his mouth as he cleaned the juices from her. He groaned softly, his hips rising slightly at the thought of being in between those legs, gripping her thick thighs.

Another whsipered moan escaped his lips, all thoughts of resistance chased away in a moment. He jerked his sweatpants down just above his knees and streched out his legs. He spat into his hand, pumping his length lazily a few times before turning his eyes back to her, who was mirroring him now, her back against her headboard and fingers slipping in and out of her.

He choked as his length pulsed, seeing her slowly raise her hips to meet her hand. He hoped that her eyes were closed, afraid of the consequences of her realizing his little fantasy. But Josh wanted nothing more than see her gaze cutting into him, burning him, making him squirm. His grip tightened, and he released a breath he had been holding in earnest.

Her lips were curled into a smile though slightly parted, and he watched her hand circling her clit. He moaned softly, watching her alternate between her clit and sliding a finger into her own folds. He could tell she was moaning from the way her chest rose and fell, by how her hips rose off the bed.

He looked down at himself for a moment, considering how it would look to have her fingers wrapped around his length. His grip tightened, and the pleasure was double edged. He continued to slide his hand in time with her motions, and his mouth hung open as he saw her plunge two fingers into herself. He could see everything, and the pressure building within him made his stomach tight. His grip was firm and deliberate. He was not rushing, yet.

God, she was beautiful. He praised her in his mind, his eyes locked on her hands and how her hips rose as she pumped her fingers. He felt his release on the horizon, and moaned softly as she continued her assault.

Josh felt his end approaching, the pre-cum leaking and mixing with his spit as his speed increased. He imagined what those breathy moans would sound like if he were the one sinking his digits into her, the one licking up and down her slit before taking her clit between is lips and sucking gently. He groaned again, his speed increasing as his eyes locked on her face.

He moved away from the headboard, his legs hanging off the side of the bed as he ached to get a closer look at her as he came. He felt a shot of panic run through him as their eyes made contact. He was unsure if she'd actually seen him until she too began to scoot away from her headboard and closer to the window, knees up and legs perched at the edge of the bed as she fucked herself for his eyes only. Her eyes were alternating from her own body to him, and her other hand slipping a pair of fingers into her mouth.

Josh gasped, imagining the filthy sounds he imagined she would make. His minstrations became erratic as the woman next door laid on her back, her hips bucking up as she fucked herself for him. He watched his cock jump, his hands tightening and releasing pressure as he considered how she would feel under him, panting and mewling. When his eyes returned to the window, she was leaning back on her elbows, looking straight back at him. Her fingers were still plunged inside her, and he watched as she pumped them quickly before her other hand joined in order to rub quickly against her bud. The quiet of the morning allowed the muffled sounds of her moans to drift into the room, and Josh groaned again, his insides twisting with pleasure. He watched as she threw her head back, thrusting into herself as her hips jumped forward.

He gasped, an "Oh fuck" escaped his lips before he threw his head back. He moaned as his cock throbbed in his hands, cumming over his own stomach. He felt his cum as it landed on the sweated sheen of his chest. He couldn't stop the grip of his hand, unrelenting as he came hard, even as the orgasm began to abate. He felt a little pathetic, hearing his own breathy moans as he fucked himself life a teenager. As he finished, he did feel the knots in his stomach release just slightly. Josh's eyes were momentarily fixed on the mess on himself, a feeling of slight shame and nervousness as he thought of how his eyes had locked with hers.

He didn't know if he should move, hide the evidence of what he had been doing as he watched her. He bit his lip and chanced a peek back up. She was looking straight at him, her mouth opened with a look of gasping elation.

Josh slowly threw his legs over the side of the guest bed and walked to the window, unable to take his eyes off the quivering mess in that beautiful woman's hands. He swallowed hard seeing the look in her eyes.

She didn't look completely satisfied, and the idea both thrilled and terrified him. He still hoped in the back of his mind that he was imagining her eyes boring into his. Perhaps she was just staring into space, overcome with pleasure like he had been.

However, his breath caught when she slowly slid off the bed and approached her window. The space between the houses couldn't be more than 30 feet, and he groaned as she raised a hand to wave, a playful grin spreading across her face.

Oh fuck.

[wol-fica]

《𝓟𝓾𝓻𝓰𝓪𝓽𝓸𝓻𝔂》 - Chapter I

summary - a new semester has dawned on wednesday, bringing new people and new feelings with it warnings - lil bit of xavier hate 🤷 an - welcome to chapter I, let’s get this shit —————————

Wonder

Wonder is a very useful word, it can be wound into almost anything. You can call someone or something wonderful, alluding to them being nice. You can also say something is wonderous, which would mean you would see something as interesting or complex. Now as normal, you can also just wonder; to think and imagine.

Currently right now, Wednesday is wondering how she is in the predicament of her younger brother Pugsley squeezing the life out of her. He always was the hugging type, just not this extreme.

As of the moment, her family was stationed outside the large burgundy doors of Nevermore school as they sent Wednesday off for a new semester of learning useless information to “guide her in life”. Her father, doting as always, stood by her mother while giving her the ever-so-usual heart eyes. That was one thing Wednesday vowed to never do; fall in love.

“Pugsley, let go of your sister before you flush her face with color.” Morticia mused, waving him back.

“My little viper, we will miss you so much.” Gomez sighed, giving Wednesday a gentle hug after cupping her face.

“Likewise.” Wednesday droned out, keeping a close eye on the doors in case someone stumbles outside to witness her sappy family.

“We shall see her in due time, four months correct?” Morticia asked Wednesday as she clasped her hands together.

“Unfortunately.”

“Well then, have a wonderful time darling.” She said before heading to the car, Gomez and Pugsley on her tail. 

“Wonderful is an interesting word for sending me into purgatory…” Wednesday muttered before turning around sharply to head inside.

Once she pushed the large doors open and made it inside, she started on her direct path to her dormitory. Footsteps echoed harshly against the cool-tiled floor as Wednesday walked, giving harsh glares to anyone who spared her a glance. 

The semester wouldn’t be starting for another two weeks, but she decided she wanted to be early as to settle in and have time with her group before classes overwhelmed them all. If she had chosen to wait, she would sure be bombarded with people in her face and questions all around about the events of the past school year. 

Even though Crackstone had been defeated, Wednesday still had a feeling of uncertainty in the back of her brain. His demise was too easy, to say the least, and it was perplexing to her that the so-called “battle” didn’t last that long. Tyler has been missing recently; he had broken out of his imprisonment and whisked Thornhill away with him, so who knows of their whereabouts. 

Her thoughts had overcome her senses so much that she didn’t even realize she made it to her dorm. The familiar dark oak wood door welcomed her with open arms as she made her entrance into Ophelia Hall’s glorious expanse. The scent of taxidermy remnants and aggressive vanilla perfume practically slapped her in the face, causing her to stop abruptly in disgust. 

“Wednesday!” 

Wednesday turned her head to the left to see a colorful mass running straight towards her. Enid engulfed her in a hug, jumping up and down in excitement of seeing her roommate.

“I didn’t know you would be here early!” Enid squealed, squeezing the life out of Wednesday’s midsection.

“Enid, let go.” Wednesday growled, trying ever so hard to keep her composure.

Enid pulled back, keeping her hands on Wednesday’s shoulders, and seemed to look her up and down in surprise, “You grew! What are you, 5,6?”

“5,3.” Wednesday corrected, wiggling away to head to her side of the room for unpacking, “Still shorter than you.”

“Don’t be such a grump about your height; people like small…er…people!” 

Wednesday suppressed an insult, knowing that Enid wouldn’t take it seriously, and instead opted for an eye roll. Living with her again will be a wild ride, to say the least.

<€€>

The quad was alive with noise when Wednesday arrived to meet up with her friends for a nice trip to Jericho. Students wandered about, smiling at old friends and greeting new ones with the same forwardness. There were only about twenty or so people in the area, as school wouldn’t be starting for a while and some believed that they should arrive at the very last second. 

Wednesday grimaced at a couple making out as she walked by, mentally noting to never fall in love while she is alive. She glanced around, searching for some familiar faces, and spotted Enid with Ajax, Bianca, Yoko, and Xavier. 

Xavier. The names rolled off her tongue with distaste. As much as she did care for him and found his brave act of archery very noble, she did not care for his flirtatious antics, at all. As most men go, he was as stubborn as a blunt stick and as persistent as a sea otter in heat. The way his arm would casually drape over her shoulder, or how his hand wound up always brushing Wednesday’s; at that point she was mildly uncomfortable. And not in a good way.

“Wednesday! It’s nice to see you again.” Bianca sneered playfully, clearly faking a rivalry.

“You finally decided to show.” Xavier smiled, pulling Wednesday in for a quick hug, in which his hands went an inch too low for Wednesday’s comfort, “It’s good to see you.” 

“Likewise.” She droned, stepping back and giving the group an exceptionally dry stare, “Can we go now?”

Everyone nodded, grabbing their things before heading out of the quad and down to the gate where their shuttle was waiting. The ride was quick and quiet, most everyone just enjoying the calmness. Once they stepped off of the bus though, they were bombarded with sound and an exceptionally aggressive mob surrounding outside of the Weathervane.

“Freak!”

“Outcast!”

“Go back to the forest!”

“You’re a curse!”

Wednesday wrinkled her nose as she listened to the insults being spat about. She craned her neck, trying to see who was being poked around, but before she could get a glimpse, Enid stormed forward in a fiery rage. 

“Get away, all of you! Screw off!” She yelled, causing the crowd to disperse immediately. 

Who knew she was so well respected, Wednesday thought, but her quips were cut off when she finally saw who was the center of attention just moments ago.

A taller girl, about five foot seven, stood shakily in front of Enid. Her hair was a stunning ferrari-red pulled back into a ponytail while two snow-white streaks rounding her beach-tanned face. Freckles danced across her nose while a handful of old scars littered her skin. Her eyes glowed a sunny yellow, matching with the pale daisy-colored sweatshirt she wore with her dull brown cargo jeans. The most eye-catching part of her, and probably why she was being targeted, were her large black wings protruding from her back. Their bold exterior had a slight iridescent shimmer to them as she spoke her thanks to Enid. 

Wednesday was speechless, but not just because of the girl. Her heart was hammering in her chest at an alarming speed while her breathing seemed to be cutting short. A feeling, one that Wednesday cannot describe, was rising in her throat. Her stomach seemed to flutter uncontrollably as her lips parted in shock. 

“Beautiful.” Wednesday whispered almost inaudibly before slapping a hand to her mouth in utter shock. 

I did not just say that. Why did I say that?!

————————————

[shdwtouch]

like for a sims build inspired by your muse / blog ! || accepting @butnobodyhome, specifically for annas fallout verse !

welcome to the flowering vine, a speakeasy style jazz bar known for its elegant atmosphere, strong cocktails, and the gilded nightingale that graces the stage. said to be a favorite haunt of Mr. House, his back corner booth has the best view in the -ahem- house of the stage and the singer on it, rumored to be one of his "girls". whether the countless gifts she receives are from him or any one of her many admirers, it can certainly be said her performance isn't one to miss !

listen, I came up with LORE for this build. it was really fun, honestly. it kinda all came together once I put the booths in and was like !! but then, as I was adding details... I got this "gilded cage" energy, like whoever was singing in this bar was trapped. it kinda became a purgatory space in my mind. thus the concept of a gilded cage, and maybe a bird that likes to sing but doesn't necessarily like the attention.

still, thats just the lore I came up with. you can take this at face value, I actually really enjoyed it. I don't make a lot of commercial lots, so this was different ! also, just want to say, I'm very proud of the stage area and the booths. a bit of finnagling was required, but I think it all turned out quite nice in the end !

I also tried taking some first person screenshots to really showcase, those are below the cut. as always, you are welcome to reblog <3

as a note, in my head the painting backstage is supposed to be of anna, and the painting on the stage + all the flowers and gifts etc are courtesy of Mr. House.

P.S. I love your fallout verse, even if I don't know a lot about it.

[as-mod-eus]

𝑉𝐸𝑅𝑆𝐸 𝐼.          𝐼𝐿 𝑃𝑈𝑅𝐺𝐴𝑇𝑂𝑅𝐼𝑂

𝑫𝑬𝑨𝑻𝑯 𝑰𝑺 𝑪𝑶𝑴𝑰𝑵𝑮. 𝑯𝑬 𝑹𝑰𝑫𝑬𝑺 𝑰𝑵𝑻𝑶 𝑻𝑶𝑾𝑵 𝑶𝑵 𝑨 𝑯𝑶𝑹𝑺𝑬. This is a tale of retelling, a life flashing before eyes, and the one who goes by 'Reaper', there to comfort and reassure in the final moments of consciousness; the bridge between breath and air—purgatory in its quintessence. Death should not be regarded so solemnly by the conscious. Grim is unfitting. Rather, the Reaper is an embrace wide open, welcoming, back into the pendulum of existence. Life and death, death and life. It's all pendulous, you see?

𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃, 𝐁𝐔𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐒 𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐔𝐓.

𝑷𝑬𝑹𝑻𝑰𝑵𝑬𝑵𝑻 𝑰𝑵𝑭𝑶. ⤿ This plot is less setting oriented, and more dynamic oriented and explores the concept of death and spiritual companionship throughout the passage over. The setting is within a dream-like spiritual purgatory, where there is nothing and everything, all at once.

⤿ This plot is memory-based and will rely heavily on the timeline of the dying muse's life. Execution wise, the dying muse’s life will “flash before their eyes” in a more peaceful, observatory way, in which the Grim Reaper will guide them through a reprocessing, reliving of that moment together, and take them through any necessary emotion—grief, nostalgia, resentment, ect. The general vibe will be similar to Ghost of Christmas Past.

⤿ The Reaper will be played by myself! They are an agender muse played by Raymond Ablack, however the faceclaim can be changed or omitted entirely as you're comfortable with.

⤿ Please read my rules before reaching out for this plot. This is not a romance plot and will not include any smut whatsoever. Do not inquire if you intend to create a ship from this plot. It is more of a spiritual mentor/mentee dynamic during the pass over from life to death. I will be highly selective about who I write this plot with.

Potentially triggering content includes: religious descriptions and imagery Note: Religion is one of my personal triggers so it will be alluded to and not gone into depth!

[witchcraftandburialdirt]

🎶 - Danny and Robin

🎶 - Tarhos and Haru

send me 🎶 for a song that reminds me of our muses . You get two each because I have rot and I love them.

Danny and Robin: Dancing After Death - Matt Maeson

Do I know better than this? You're a word that I can't forget Though the thought rattles my brain Will you fold, or will you remain? As the sun waits to eclipse And the taste teases my lips I'm too tired to wrestle with it Will we burn, or will we repent? If I don't get better than this man in my skin If I don't get better than this man in my skin If I let go, would you hold on? Would we fly? Is it safer if we just say that we tried? Are we laughing at the danger? Are we dancing after death, you and I?

Danny and Robin: Villainous Thing - Shayfer James

Welcome, won't you come inside? Oh I fear the passing year did not deserve you By some devious design Suddenly you're very near, as I prefer you Soaked and shivered from the rain You have always been a delicate disaster Fine in fire and of frame Me and you are overdue for fiendish laughter Oh dear, let me see those smokey eyes 'Cause you're a villainous thing And we can't have you living a lie Oh dear, let's remove those pretty clothes 'Cause you're a villainous thing, oh And I don't think anyone knows, oh oh oh Waste no worry for the world Let it be a tragedy of love and glory While they wait by gates of pearl We'll be building palaces in purgatory

Tarhos and Haru: Carry Me - Eurielle

While you sleep, dream of me I'll be keeping our memories Living in my heart and soul Waiting for the day When we will be together again Carry me to my love O'er the sea to the clouds above Where I know he's waiting for me Carry me to my love O'er the sea to the clouds above Take me away to the shining light Over the waves peaceful at night There among the stars glowing in the dark You watch over me Smiling down patiently

Tarhos and Haru: Hearts a Mess - Gotye

Pick apart The pieces of your heart And let me peer inside Let me in Where only your thoughts have been Let me occupy your mind As you do mine You have lost Too much love To fear, doubt and distrust Its not enough You just threw away the key To your heart

[sallowhillshq]

.✾. ═  welcome to sallow hills.  enjoy your stay.

i see we have a new member to our town.  welcome, welcome SAM WINCHESTER.  we truly hope you enjoy your stay.  please feel free to head over to bevin & cecil’s until you’re settled.  i know it might be difficult right now and you might be missing your home.  Dean is already here, so you won’t have to be alone.

══ scout we’re so excited to have your newest muse in sallow hills!  you can re-find the welcome package in the source link & if you are using side blogs, make sure we know where your character is going.  

╔═.✾. ═  LOG *** :  sam winchester  |  cis man, he/him |  31 years old. 

Just spotted SAM WINCHESTER around town.  Our records show that they remember [most things] from their source : supernatural (canon).   They were first spotted in November 2022 and our best guess is that their last memory is/would be losing cas and dean to purgatory and running from the hunting life.  Archivists watching them state that they still have the youngest child syndrome, sleepless nights, cups of coffee gone cold, nose buried in a book vibe about them. 

━  from Armes E. Sallow’s  personal archives. ═.✾. ═╝↳・゜aaron tevit . ↳・ scout (they/she). 20. gmt. 

↳・゜I blame Moony entirely for dragging me into this. Anyway. I’ll be playing a Sam heavily influenced by fanon and my own personal headcanons, but being pulled from between seasons 7 and 8. Sam suffers from extraordinary amounts of PTSD and trauma, especially around the things he has endured in the past few years. Despite him being physically alright from the aftermath of being trapped in the cage with Lucifer, he is mentally in shambles. He is lost without his friend and his brother. At this point, he’s doing what he feels he does best: running away.  When he arrives in town he does his best to keep his head down and work a far more average job than before. Despite the ease of that, he remains ever haunted by his past.

[geek-22]

Purgatory: Chapter 2

Summary;

After being pulled into the portal Artemis wakes up in a forest with no idea how he got there. He's stuck in Purgatory with an infuriating vampire, trying to find a way out. Unfortunately for Artemis, greater things are at work... Or: Heaven is really bad at orchestrating the universe. An angel loses Artemis' paperwork and all hell breaks loose. Literally. Or: Artemis is stuck in Purgatory, makes a friend, falls into Hell gets tortured/Stockholm syndrome and generally loses his shit.

Pairings/characters: Artemis Fowl, Benny Laffite

Word count: 2,972

Warnings: Violence.

AN:

Full credit to my wonderful beta, Anastacius_Arklov! Drop a comment below if you feel like it! Any comments welcome and encouraged! What did you guys think? I am so excited for my plan! *cackles evilly* MWAHAHAHA

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

Dragon Protocol

It had been a week since their first meeting, and despite his mistrust Artemis had taken to chatting amicably to Benny, the vampire was, after all a scientific marvel. “Do vampires cease to age when turned or do they merely age slower?” Artemis said.

“As far as I can tell, we don’t age, can’t get sick. Hell, the only way for one of us to croak is if we get our selves decapitated or poisoned,” said Benny

“Do you actually have to feed on blood, can you eat normal food?”

“We could eat normal food but it just kind of goes straight through, if you know what I mean.” Benny said

Artemis winced “I do.”

Benny looked at him, amused “Too much explanation? If I remember correctly humans are quite squeamish about those things.”

“And you’re not?” Artemis asked

“Good point” Benny conceded

“How does one become a vampire anyway?” asked Artemis

Benny frowned, “Swallowing vampire blood will do it, injection of blood should work too. other than that, I’m not sure.” Benny’s face was contorted into what Artemis liked to call his ‘brooding face’ which cropped up every time Artemis asked him anything approaching personal. Artemis guessed that his transformation was a sore subject.

Artemis wasn’t an expert on social interactions, but he knew when a swift subject change was called for, “How close are we to the portal”

Benny thought for a moment, “We’re about an hour’s walk from the small lake so we should be about a quarter of the way there”

Artemis frowned, “How do you know?” he stopped for a second, “I don’t even know how you navigate this place; how do you know where the portal is?”

Benny shrugged, “A bit of trial and error.”

“Trial and error.” Artemis ground out “Please tell me we are relying on more than trial and error”

The corner of Benny’s lip quirked up, “The whole place is almost exactly the same apart from the water. there are fixed landmarks, streams, rivers, lakes. they are almost the only way to navigate.”

Artemis looked at Benny incredulously, panic rising “We haven’t seen any water... are... are we lost.”

Benny snorted, “Calm yourself chief. I keep forgetting how limited humans are. I can smell the sand, the rock, and the minerals in and around the water. Lakes and rivers have a much more distinct scent then the rest of this place”

Artemis’ relaxed, “I cannot believe I didn’t think of that sooner. It’s this place, its throwing me off.”

“Purgatory will do that to you.” Benny said, amused by the boy’s antics

Artemis glared, “Do you think this is funny?”

“I think it’s hilarious”

“I hate you.” Artemis grumbled. Artemis spoke in a character of Benny’s accent “I forgot how limited humans are. Do you know how ridiculous you sound sometimes?”

Once the conversation had juddered to a slow and comfortable stop, Artemis’ thoughts returned to their usual musings. What if his condition deteriorated further in this place? What if he took control again? Artemis knew the answer, he would surely perish here.

The only solution to this conundrum was (as always) to tell Benny. But he couldn’t do that, he had barely known Benny a week and the man himself had told Artemis not to trust anyone here.

And so, (as always) Artemis was left in a limbo of uncertainty stuck between trusting a man who had killed all his companions on a whim and well... the alternative, risking... it happening again with no one to ground him. The anxiety that arose as a result of this line of thinking caused him to tap his breast pocket five times and then his blade five times and then it was hard to stop, everything five times

He was so focused on these thoughts, that revolved in circles like a merry go round, that he didn’t notice the concerned looks Benny was throwing at him.

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

After arriving at the lake, Artemis realised that Benny was more on edge than usual and upon enquiry Benny had informed Artemis that, “The lake is easier to locate than the woods, it’s a landmark. If something finds us here, all of purgatory could descend on us.”

Artemis rolled his eyes, “I feel safer already.”

They walked along the edge of the lake while Benny looked for landmarks to point them in the right direction. The area around the water was rocky and devoid of trees.

Benny tensed then looked around.

An almighty flapping filled the sky followed by a roar. Artemis looked up just in time to see the two dragons clash. They screeched and grappled in the sky.

Artemis stopped. Was this just another delusion? He wasn’t sure.

The smaller of the two dragons swooped down to escape the larger one.

“Get down!”, Benny yelled and suddenly the air was filled with fire and the air was unbearably hot and dry.

Artemis felt a white-hot pain move up his leg. Fire, his leg must be on fire.

His leg was not on fire. However, the super-heated air was burning his leg.

He looked around him to see the lake and he jumped. He saw the water rise to meet and braced himself just as he plunged into the icy waters. The pain in his leg ceased. He froze for a moment, The shock taking him as he sank further down.

He snapped out of reverie and clawed at the water desperately. His lungs burnt as he tried to stop himself from taking a breath. He broke the surface of the water, gasping. He swam to the edge of the water and saw an outstretched hand. Artemis looked up to see Benny and grabbed his hand. Benny pulled him out of the water, and he lay face down on the ground, gasping.

“You alright cher?” Benny said, sounding entirely too calm, but concerned.

Artemis rolled himself onto his back with much effort and rasped, “What was that?”

“Dragons. They’ve moved on.” said Benny, who was kneeling down next to him and examining the burn.

Artemis groaned, “You know, once the shock wears off, burns really hurt.” he said, his voice becoming slightly high pitched.

He then promptly fainted.

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

Artemis woke to a crackling fire and a night-sky dotted with glittering stars. He was wrapped black coat a next to the fire. The coat, he recognised, was Benny’s and was so large it reached his ankles. his clothes were slung over large rocks and his shoes were warming by the fire and a quilt ferns were tucked under him, creating a barrier between the coat and the ground.

Benny was tucked next him, sheltering from the wind and allowing warmth to radiate through the coat. Benny was peering down at him, “How you doing, cher?”

“Leg hurts. Cold.” Artemis groaned.

“I figured” Benny said.

Artemis frowned, his mind foggy, “wh-uh. what happened to fire attracts monsters?”

Benny looked at him raising an eyebrow, “It does. But being soaked through on a cold day will make you catch your death.”

Artemis seemed confused but nodded dumbly. He started to tap his leg in fives and felt some of his anxiety leave him.

“For future reference, kid, jumping into a lake with serious burns is not a good idea, you could get an infection.”

“I’ll just keep that in mind for the next time I see a dragon then”, Artemis said, flatly.

“Seriously, that is the worst thing you could have done in that situation. I’m actually struggling to think of anything worse.”

Artemis raised his arms in surrender, “Fine, No jumping into lakes with burns, I’ve got it.”

“Anyways the likelihood is you probably won’t be in that situation again, dragons aren’t usually that dangerous, most of em’ are too busy to deal with the likes of us. They’re vegetarian, so the only time they fight is in self defence or to ward of a rival. Barely happens though. Mind you, they don’t need to try to be violent to be danger, like today,” said Benny.

Artemis frowned “Of course they were” Artemis did his best to mimic Benny’s accent, ‘trying to be violent’ they were attempting to kill each other.”

Benny snorted, “Cher that weren’t a fight, that was a mating ritual.”

“...” Artemis frowned, tilted his head then his face melded into a mask of baffled amusement “I suppose it is no more odd than some human mating rituals.” Artemis sat, groaning. He gazed at his leg which had been wrapped in cloth from Benny’s shirt.

Benny saw him looking, “It was the best I could do with what we have here. I had to wrap the leg up to stop it getting infected, but it isn’t that bad. If we’re lucky it’ll heal in two weeks.”

“Two weeks is too long.” He fell back, his head hitting the ground with a ‘thump’.

“We’ll manage. you’ll be standing in a day or two.” Benny said, his voice light.

“How are you so obnoxiously cheerful all the time?” Artemis asked

Benny snorted, “I’m not, you’re just a grumpy bastard.”

They fell silent for a long moment and all that was audible was the crackling of the fire, and the whisper of the wind through the trees.

“Can I ask you something?” asked Benny

“You may certainly ask.” said Artemis, although his voice sounded thin, and his eyes were distant.

“Why do you do that?” said Benny, curiously.

Artemis looked up, confused “What?”

“The tapping. At first, I thought it was just a habit, but you count them. It’s always in fives. I think you count other things too. sometimes I hear you counting before sleep.”

Artemis glanced at him tentatively as if weighing up options in his head, then after a long pause he spoke “I have a.... condition” At this moment he was very aware that the last time Benny had been on earth was fifty years ago.  Artemis couldn’t meet Benny’s eyes, his compulsion screaming at him to shut up. “Obsessive compulsive disorder. I constantly feel the urge to sort, organise, and count everything around me.”

Benny tilted his head, “Why?” 

Artemis took a breath. This was a risk; he was not yet sure if Benny could be trusted, but if his symptoms worsened it would be advantageous to have someone to ground him to reality. “I can’t... I don’t... I hate to feel out of control of my situation. Some of my life events were particularly... stressful so it was easier to believe that arbitrary things caused these traumatic events. That way, I could prevent things that were out of my control easily. It’s a self defence mechanism to prevent me from feeling so helpless.  My mind began to find patterns everywhere and I began to experience delusions and paranoia.”

“You say that like it’s over and you seem perfectly sane to me, what happened?”

The corner of Artemis’ mouth quirked upwards, “My friends noticed I had changed, they know something was wrong, they helped me get treatment for it. I saw a doctor and I underwent several months of therapy. The symptoms were completely gone till I arrived here. The stress must have triggered some of the symptoms.”

Benny nodded slowly. “Aren’t you scared?”

“Of what?”

“How do you know what’s real? How do you know if you actually have to be concerned or if you’re just being paranoid?” he seemed to be deep in thought for a moment, it looked painful, “How are you not paranoid by that?”

Artemis sighed, “You know I hadn’t considered that for the precious few hours I had been unconscious, so thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Benny said jovially.

Artemis considered the question, “Since I’ve been here, my symptoms have been getting worse. I don’t think I’m paranoid or deluded right now but... If I was, how would I know? It is quite disconcerting, I have to say.”

The silence followed was more uncomfortable than usual, in Artemis’ opinion at least.

“I could... let you know if... you are going a bit” Benny made a winding gesture beside his ear, “funny in the head.”

“Thank you... I think.” said Artemis, slowly slipping into sleep, comforted by the awkward declaration.

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

When he awoke the fire was smoking and Benny was sitting, sharping his knife made of wood and bone. Carcasses of fallen various assorted creatures were strewn in all directions around the camp.

Benny didn’t look up from his knife, “Morning kid. Don’t mind the bodies, just some trouble during the night.”

Artemis sat, wincing “Huh. You have been busy.” he frowned at the knife and asked something he had wondered for a while, “Did you make that weapon? Or did you bring it with you?”

Benny remained focused on sharpening his blade, “Had to make it out of dead werewolf bones. I didn’t have a weapon on me when I died.” Benny’s usual sunny disposition seemed to have evaporated like water on a hot day.

"How did you manage to wake up on the wrong side of the bed without a bed? Honestly, it’s baffling.” said Artemis groggily. Artemis’ voice took on a serious tone, “Are you okay?”

Benny sighed, “Yeah, I’m fine cher. I just... didn’t sleep. In this place you’re usually runnin’ or sleepin’. I haven’t had time to think for a while.”

“What about?” Artemis asked.

“My death. My life. A lot of things.” said Benny morosely.

“Tell me about your life, what did you do?” Artemis asked.

“It’s not a nice story cher.”

“Well, we have nothing else to do. I can’t stand on this leg, and you can’t carry me and protect yourself.” Artemis paused expectantly “So? You can’t sit there brooding forever. I will annoy you till you tell me something.”

“Alright, alright.” said Benny, defeated “I lived in Louisiana. I didn’t do much with my human life to be frank, I married when I was expected to, had kids when I was expected to, I earned enough money to support them. I barely knew my wife; I didn’t love her, it wasn’t her fault, she was just some girl. I did love my children though.” Benny smiled fondly, “Helene, Marie and Louis. Louis was the youngest child, it’s a shame- I would have wanted to see him grow up. Helene and Marie grew up to be intelligent young women, I was so proud of them.” his expression darkened “Anyway, I was turned when Louis was ten. I never saw them again.” he said sounding final.

Artemis was not one for platitudes but now he said the only thing that came to mind, “I’m sorry.”

Artemis knew when to drop a subject, but the thought still nagged at him, why didn’t Benny see his family again? Surely, he could have just visited them. Benny stood and Artemis felt the chill in his bones return.

“It is what it is. The fire’s gone out, I better collect some wood” said Benny, sniffing, his eyes suspiciously glassy.

Artemis allowed him the excuse; he could not begin to understand what it was to lose a child, but he thought that it would be something akin to never seeing his brothers, Miles and Becket again.

A trickle of icy fear spread out from his chest to his veins, raising hairs on the back of his arms when he realised that may well become a reality for him.

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

Benny returned with a bundle of firewood under his arm and restored the fire to a roaring blaze.

handing him a bundle of clothes Benny said, “I dried your clothes last night, they should be fine now.”

Artemis tilted his head, “How?”

Benny went back to sharpening, “I heated a rock in the fire for a few hours then took the rock out with a stick so I could put the clothes on the rock.”

“Creative. Thank you” Artemis had been saying that a lot lately and didn’t want to make a habit of it. He would just have to make sure he didn’t have a reason to thank anyone. Oh well... there wasn’t much hope of that now.

Benny gestured in his general direction, “Will you need help with getting changed

Artemis felt a jolt of embarrassment, “No! I mean, no, I’ll be fine.”

Benny snorted, “kids never change. Anyway, I’ll be over there looking at something else, yell when you’re done.” and with that Benny walked off.

After ten minutes of awkward and slightly painful manoeuvring Artemis was dressed in his usual attire and looking extremely bedraggled due to the fact that this suit was dry clean only. “You can come back now” he called to Benny who came wandering out of the tree line.

“Here” Artemis offered holding up Benny’s coat to him.

“Cher I’ll be fine. You on the other hand, need to keep warm considering that stupid stunt you pulled yesterday.”

Artemis slipped the coat on, feeling slightly ridiculous in an Armani suit and a moth-eaten coat that was made for someone much bigger than he was, “Forgive me for not knowing what the protocol is for dragons.”

Mirth glinted in Benny’s eyes, “Well, neither do I, but it ain’t that.” Benny sat next him, “You’re taking all of this awfully well, have you run into this type of thing before?”

“I’d encountered fairies and time travel before, so this didn’t seem like a massive leap.” said Artemis.

“Fairies?” Benny asked, “As in tiny creatures glowing with little wings, those fairies?”

“Only some fairies have wings, and they aren’t as small as you would think.”

“You can’t be serious-” Benny’s head swivelled around to the trees and he held up a fist to signal to Artemis that he should stay put and quiet. Benny walked out into the forest warily.

They were (as Butler would say) sitting ducks here. It would be a long week.

[king-of-better]

Number.07: Purgatory -RENGOKU-

1

Yamatsumi docks with Orbit Base, and discharges 4 people who are returning there after a long time. Acting GGG Green Chief Shishioh Gai welcomes them back, but, remembering their actions as Conqueror Acolytes, the 4, Hyuma Geki, Entoji Kosuke, Ushiyama Kazuo and Nakai Akiko are all depressed over their actions. Hyuma has to be scolded by Stallion White over how to properly address Gai, as a way to try and lighten their spirits. It's been a month since the 4 were purified from Zero Cores by Gai and Mamoru. They note how the 6 of them constitute the current whole of GGG Green. Kazuo finds it weird to think of his brother's serving in GGG Blue, something his maintenance junior Akiko agrees with, all of their colleagues who hadn't gone to the Trinary Star System are now in GGG Blue. A group arrive to greet them, first Tsuguo and Sueo have their first in person meeting with Kazuo, who now feels like Tsuguo has surpassed him, married with a child while his relationship with Akiko is barely started. Kazuo muses over Mitsuo, his brothers now know thanks to Keita he is working with Chandi. Entoji and Inubozaki have a polite reunion, while Urchin enthusiastically greets his old comrade Hyuma. Mamoru and Ikumi are the last to come meet the returnees. Mamoru reminds Hyuma of the words he was reminded to say when he got back, finally breaking them all out of their doubts. Stallion privately promises his sister he will make sure she is supported too. 

Gai’s public appearance as GaoFighGar after Conqueror King King J-Der appeared revealed his return to the public, and the UN had revealed all they knew to the public about the Conqueror Acolytes. Thanks to Hinoki's determine Triple Zero essentially acts as a drug, the public understands the remaining GGG Green are not themselves, sparing Gai much heartache. Major areas of Zero Robo emergence have been evacuated rapidly, currently Zero Robos occupy 20% of the land, attempts to oppose Conqueror King King J-Der, Conqueror GenRyuJin and Conqueror GouRyuJin have all failed. At present, it seems in 4 months Zero Robos will control all land.

2

Lamia emerges from his cocoon in a Sepulchrum, Rakan has already recovered, but it has to be pointed out the only reason any of them survived it because all were able to work together to get then out. Lamia thinks they need Deus.

2 days after the recovered GGG Green members resumed duties, having been assigned to the Second Order Room, they are ready to participate in the counteroffensive against the Conqueror Acolytes, Operation Daybreak. GGG Blue and GGG Green are the key to the operation, receiving support from GGG America and GGG China. The operation will be overseen by the Main Order Room, commanded by Akamatsu, Urchin and Yang, with operators Yamajii, Tamara, Tsuguo, Hana and Alouette, and Second Order Room is staffed by Nozaki, Inubozaki, Hirata, Stallion and the returning 4. GaoGaiGo, GaoFighGar, Kakuseijin V2 and the GGG Blue’s Brave Robo Corps are being mobilised outside St. Petersburg, supplemented by GGG America and GGG Russia’s Intelligence Robos, and other countries GS-Ride equipped machines. The key to the operation though is GGG Green’s newly reinstated member Mic Sounder XIII, atop Stadio 7 with a newly tuned Disc X, prepared by Yang to the best of his abilities, to counteract the terraforming occuring in Zero Robo territory. Despite the trauma from his own actions, Mic has been encouraged to fight his guilt, rather than simply delete it. Keita has finally signed on with GGG Blue at Akamatsu's insistence, being persuaded to fight until there's peace and then run his modest business. The Zero Robos approach the assembled braves, and Mic uses Disc X, Operation Daybreak commenced. 

2 (cont)

The Solitary Wave is destroying the terraformed earth, and the assembled Brave Robos defend him from Zero Robos, Tamara reports an effective range of 230% the predicted area, Akamatsu cheering his deadbeat father’s creation.

Yamajii reports two heavy readings of Z0-Similar approaching, and Gai and Mamoru order all units to retreat while they handle the approaching Conqueror GouRyuJin and Conqueror GenRyuJin, Mic has to be pressured to leave. Conqueror GenRyuJin launches Freezing Rifle and Lei Dun, and Conqueror GouRyuJin uses Feng Dao Dan and Melting Rifle, trying to destroy Mic, but are blocked by a double Protect Wall. In response, the brothers ready their ultimate technique. Gai orders Ikumi to get Mic away, as the Maximum Tou Long is fired. 

A gash appears in space and Nebula, Ougu, Turbo, Lume, Ahriman and Pondus emerge, and to Gai’s shock, block the Maximum Tou Long, Turbo creating A compressed oxygen wall, Ahriman enhancing Nebula’s cancelling out vibrations, Lume softening the attack, though the attack is blocked for mere seconds before they are defeated. The opening is made though, and Ougu flies Pondus over the dragons, where he creates a micro black hole, dragging the brothers to a point. Lamia warns Mamoru over the Limpid Channel there is only one shot, giving GaoFighGar the chance to escape. A second Maximum Tou Long destroys the already abandoned shells of Ougu and Pondus, but all their goes are already gone. 

3

The plan had always been to retreat when either Conqueror King King J-Der or Conquer GenRyuJin and Conqueror GouRyuJin showed up, due to Mic’s stubbornness the operation was almost a failure if not for Betterman, but Entoji opines the operation wasn't enough, barely achieving anything, undoing 3 days terraforming when Disc X needs 10 days to manufacture.

The Branch Order Room arrives at the Second Order Room for debriefing, and Yang clarified the operation was successful, they proved Disc X would work, but now need a way to produce Disc X faster, Stallion this explaining their next objective is the recovery of the genius who created it, Shishioh Liger. This promises to be a challenge though, for Liger is assuredly a Zero Core in either Conqueror GenRyuJin or Conqueror GouRyuJin.

4

2 days after Operation Daybreak, GaoFighGar, GaoGaiGo and Mic are still being repaired, and Gai is meant to be resting, but keeps thinking about his comrades. Aside from the Conqueror Acolytes, Zero Cores have appeared in individual Zero Robos among the infinite legions. The Division Fleet had a crew of several hundred when it went to the Trinary Star System, and so far only 30 have been recovered. Zero Cores being mixed in along the Zero Robos appears to be a moveof Taiga to prevent any mass destruction weapon being used on the legions. He has determined Conqueror King King J-Der must have J and Renais inside, and thus GenRyuJin and GoRyuJin probably have Liger, Taiga, Swan, and the person he wants to see the most. He still hasn't been able to have the talk he wanted with Mikoto after the battle as Genesic GaoGaiGar, and he seems to have lost his locket of her in the Trinary Star System.

Mamoru also unable to sleep, is visited by Hana. He tries to make smalltalk to reassure, but notices her timid shanking is wrong as he sees the clock show 26:00.

4 (Cont)

Mamoru calms, and sees Hana’s eyes shake with tears. He finds himself thinking how beautiful she is, she asks what he thinks of Alouette. Mamoru can guess it has to do with Ikumi, Hana had overheard them talking together in the cafeteria earlier.

Ikumi has asked Alouette not to eat with him anymore, she said she would if that was what he wanted, but wanted to hear the reason, and when he tried to say she could work it out, she asserted she didn't know him enough to know, leading him to admit he hasn't told her enough to know either. Hana was shocked to notice a slight quiver to Alouette's voice, and is surprised to hear the two have eaten together before, enough for Ikumi to stop it. So he admitted to her there was another woman in his life he wanted to treasure. Alouette accepted and left, saying she was glad to have fallen in love with him. 

Mamoru and Hana don't know what to do, Ikumi did nothing wrong, but they feel sad for Alouette. Mamoru remembers when Alouette called Yuka to Ikumi's side in Australia, but they still worry for the situation. 26 minutes and 26 seconds have passed as Hana leaves, not revealing the other concern she has for herself.

5

UN Secretary-General Heart Clover is guided through approving the GGG Blue budget by his beautiful secretary Miss Cherry, who offers him her handmade food, admiring his earnest enjoyment. 

GGG’d major auxiliary arms include GGG America Space Centre, GGG China Scientific Aeronautics Division, GGG France Technical Research Institute, and GGG Germany Research Centre, which is now visited by Urchin Prickle via Atmospheric Excursion Ship Tenazuchi, he meets with leading scientist Doktor A. While GGG Blue normally operates in Japanese, which Urchin struggles with, they're English conversation is perfect. While Urchin is still is excellent shape, Doktor A is only ale to move as much as she can thanks to one of her mechanical legs being able to shift into a chair the work of Doctor Leo, all of A’s limbs are artificial now, including magic hands. Doktor A had once been part of the Jupiros program, alongside bother Shishioh Kizuna and Cactus Prickle, both long dead. She reports Research Centre currently will not complete their project before total umbrage, this is true of the other major centres too. The auxiliary arms not being able to keep up to the rate of Leo and Liger has been a regular issue the past decade, even Doktor A, a prosthetics expert who became her own subject, heavily involved in both Cyborg Guy and Renais Kerdif’s mechanical bodies, which had helped the framework of the Brave Robos, cannot match those two. It looks like the risky Plan B will have to be enacted. 

In the Big Order Room, GGG Blue Head Divers Mamoru, Ikumi, Keita and Hinoki and Brave Robos Porc-Auto, Getsuryu, Nichiryu, Shoryu are gathered, as are GGG Green’s acting chief Gai, Mic, Volfogg, and the new improved GoldyDoubleMarg, Goldy’s AI block placed into the remains of DoubleMarg. Volfogg questions the absence of Koryu and Anryu, but Gai tells him to wait for Chief Akamatsu to explain. The crux of the plan, which requires defeating Conqueror GenRyuJin and Conqueror GouRyuJin, is revealed to be Koryu and Anryu, whose bodies are in vehicle mode, but their AI blocks have been left disconnected, only to be reconnected for the battle to come, so they can achieve a miracle Symmetrical Docking with Getsuryu and Nichiryu. The body of TenRyuJin has been left with Triple Zero still infecting it, surrounded by G-Liquid to prevent it spreading. Once the AI are reconnected they will need to achieve Miracle Symmetrical Docking to defeat the Conqueror Acolytes before they become Acolytes again themselves. Naturally, the risk exists that they will fail, and two new Acolytes on the level of their brothers will be born, this Akamatsu entrust Mamoru and Ikumi with boarding the sisters and using their purification powers to slow the spread of Triple Zero. The captains and all 4 sisters agree to the plan knowing the risks, so as Conqueror Acolytes are detected at Chicxulub Crater, the plan is launched into action. 

5 (Cont)

In the Yokohama Sepulchrum, Animus Flowers bloom, for Somniums have taken humans in the brink of death and planted them as seedbeds. For some reason, only humans produce Animus fruits, it is perhaps only for this reason that the Somniums safeguard humanity. Deus has infiltrated the Sepulchrum, Lamia asking what he wants. All of the Somnium, except perhaps Rice, are wary, treating him with a sense of hostility. Deus appears to be a boy of ten in ancient greek stylings, he informs them the time of battle is coming, and informs them if his involving himself in the last battle, claiming responsibility for the safety of Sai Hinoki, the source of Vivele, the Somnium's hope. They ask the oldest of Somniums why he has involved himself, he says he thinks fondly of both them and humans, but also is an observer, only able to change things by prompting others to act, indeed Rakan notes records claim Deus has interfered in many events that might have caused the Somnium's extinction. Deus is unique even among the Somniums, although they are long lived, they will eventually age and die, as Pachira had, yet Deus is still youthful. Deus notes that humanity and the Somnium were capable to handling the threats of the Zonders, Primevals, Planetary Masters and Kankel without his interference, but the Dawn Aura is a major threat, they must weather the time of demise thrice more.

Wadatsumi launches on Gai’s order, and he continues briefing the Head Divers. Akamatsu has promised Keita special bonuses for his work, and he’s likely to earn a good amount this day, as he and Hinoki are deploying in GaoGaiGo. Gai finds Keita hard to talk to, as a legendary hero Keita insists on treating him with respect, and while technically older, refuses polite speech from Gai. Gai spies on a conversation between Mamoru and Hana where he tried to reassure her, touching Nichiryu, then asks a favour is Ikumi in Getsuryu, to reassure Alouette, forcibly connecting her. Ikumi thanks her for her consideration, and she finds herself emotional, they both seek to ensure everyone is rescued. 

The GGG Blue executives monitor things and discuss strategy. Akamatsu has to be reminded that Chicxulub is where ChoRyuJin crashed 65 million years ago after the ZX-06 incident, sent back in time by THE POWER, vestiges of energy have always been there, but not enough they should be usable. 

6

Yucatan is overrun with Zero Robos and is being umbraged. Present are Conqueror GenRyuJin and Conqueror GouRyuJin, at their feet 4 figures. The tall blonde man in the dark jacket has answered the short moustached man with pink hair that their presence their is simple pretense, luring GGG Blue out before they can prepare counterstrategy, the blonde woman understands. Taiga Kotaro, Shishioh Liger and Swan White, all corrupted by Triple Zero, have made their plan. The last member swears to Gai they will be together again soon. Her name is Utsugi Mikoto.

Sakura predicts everything is ending. 

6 (Cont)

Aboard Wadatsumi, Koryu and Anryu boast about their brothers, Getsuryu and Nichiryu are jealous, as they only met their brothers a couple of times. Mamoru listens to the conversation. The planned upon Symmetrical Dockings required SympaRates of 100%, and the Miraculous Symmetrical Docking created by THE POWER required SympaRates of 200%. Getsuryu and Nichiryu normally only hit 100% when motivated to protect Shoryu, and while they had met their sisters before the exile, the current bond is nowhere near strong enough. It could be that this thinking about their brothers is the only way to get there. The younger sisters are launched, and the older sisters have their AI blocks reinstalled, immediately feeling the sensation of Triple Zero. They put all their will into resisting. 

Getsuryu and Nichiryu are Mirror Catapulted, followed by Koryu and Anryu

7

Shortly before the Dragon Sisters deploy, from Yamatsumi, PhantomGao and Kakuseijin GaiGou deploy, turning from very different forms to two very similar Mechanoids. GaoGar and GaiGo descend on the area directly to where the two Conqueror Acolytes are, witnessing them place 2 Zero Cores each inside their cockpits. Final Fusion if approved, Hana and Alouette slam down their hands for Program Drive, entrusting the safety of the boys they love to their respective pilots, as twin EM Tornados from. The Acolytes launch their powerful attacks, but are intercepted last second by Daikaiten Ma'dan and Daikaiten Ma'rin from Big Volfogg and Big Porc-Auto, knocking them off balance beford they have Maximum Tou Long. Mic had empowers the two using Disc P, but is hit by a Jiao Dan Ji, and lands in the gulf of Mexico, the Intelligence Robos sneak away beige a Dian-Zhuanghou can follow. But the Acolytes have been delayed successfully, as GaoGaiGo and GaoFighGar land to face them. The Conqueror Acolytes are prepared for a tough battle against the Captains, but Keita accidentally lets slip Mamoru isn't there. As Conquror GenRyuJin and Conqueror GouRyuJin try to comprehend, their true opponents are announced. Getsuryu and Koryu land properly, Nichiryu and Anryu both faceplant. Mamoru and Ikumi do not reveal their own presence. The Acolytes attack, and each sister has their thoughts race.

Hana witnesses a shocking rise in the SympaRates, rapidly approaching 200%, this is more surprising to the GGG Green staff, but the existing purpose seems to have allowed them to reach this point faster than their brothers did, and Akamatsu orders Symmetrical Docking.

A dragon shining like the sun, KiRyuJin is born, as a is a dragon like the new moon, ShinRyuJin. Like the Conqueror Acolyte forms of their brothers, these mismatched forms were not considered in the planning stages, only achieved through external influence of THE POWER, and now Triple Zero. Unfortunately, the effect of Triple Zero in them immediately starts affecting Nichiryu via Koryu and Getsuryu via Anryu, but their Super AIs try to resist, even as they experience their sister’s memory of previous corruption. Mamoru starts using the G-Stone to fend off corruption of KiRyuJin, and Ikumi and the J-Jewel do so for ShinRyuJin, the two sisters are wreathed in an orange aura. Conqueror GenRyuJin and Conqueror GouRyuJin are impressed, but intend to see them submit. 

GaiFighGar and GaoGaiGo, supported by Big Volfogg and Big Porc-Auto fight the Zero Robo hordes, while Gai feels a resolute certainty that if the battle drags out, the greatest foe will come, and only he will stand a chance of facing him. Hinoki sends Tamara analysis data, so 4 Zero Cores among the Zero Robos are identified. Big Volfogg uses Daikaiten Daima'dan to give Big Porc-Auto a chance to rescue his partner, but even as he grabs the Zero Core the French intelligence unit knows Renais won’t be there.

GaoGaiGo and GaoFighGar have also recovered Zero Cores, and the last is recovered by cooperation of Shoryu and Mic. A dark shadow appears in the sky, Conqueror Carrier J-Ark, and two voices emerge, calling out Porc-Auto and Gai, and in a few moments the fray has properly been joined by the Conqueror King King J-Der.

7 (cont)

Conqueror King King J-Der is titanic compared to the opponents it has landed in front of. When GaoFighGar moves to defend GaoGaiGo, the voice of Renais Kerdi Shishioh emerges from within, her presence within King J-Der means that beneath the fiery aura the Mega Mechanoid is probably shining silver. King J-Der is more powerful that GaoFighGar and GaoGaiGo anyway, and now it is empowered by both the resonance of G+J and Triple Zero. While they have met in battle a few times over the months, Gai knows he cannot run from this battle until the Acolytes are stopped, even as Soldato-J declares their rivalry will be today settled. Gai counters with J’s own words that they will settle things when J is himself, Renais reminds J of their mission, and he prepared the Five-Linked Maser Cannons, Anti-meson cannons and ES-Missiles. GaiFighGar is caught by attacks due to needling to defend GaoGaiGo, as Keita hesitated. Goldy tries to get one of the Kings of Braves to use him, but the time taken to dock would use too much time. 

8

Conqueror GenRyuJin uses an Aurora Illusion to confuse the sisters, and Conqueror GouRyuJin unleashes a Melting Hurricane, but ShinRyuJin anticipated this, countering with New Moon and Dark Night Haze, combining the Protect Protector with the Multiple Armed Container, KiRyuJin follows up with Sun and Splendour Bow and Arrows, launched the Broken Breaker to get guard up, and attack the exposed side with the Maser Cannon, the Conqueror Acolytes allow themselves to be impressed. ChoRyuJin and GekiRyuJin were designed to be balanced, and this was largely true even as GenRyuJin and GoRyuJin, but Koryu and Nichiryu are both attack oriented, while Anryu and Getsuryu are both attack oriented, this Mamoru is in attack oriented KiRyuJin, and Ikumi in defence oriented ShinRyuJin. Their passengers have to encourage them to finish things soon. Both sides try and encourage, out of sincere feelings, their siblings to come to their side, but the brothers press the advantage that they know Triple Zero is already affecting their sisters. Mamoru and Ikumi need to let the sisters act on their own, and the sisters as one refuse, knowing both the guilt of their actions the French sisters feel, and the sorrow of facing their comrades the German sisters felt, and insist that their brothers are coming home with them. 

In Orbit Base, Akamatsu is touched by the bond, while Yang warns they must settle things now, as he estimates less than 200 seconds before the Super AI of the sisters are totally corrupted. 

The Conqueror Acolytes use Dian-Zhuanghou and Jiao Dan Ji to fly, doing so in their combined state thanks to Triple Zero enhancement, in response to this enhancement the sisters both call for Shoryu, spotting him, the Conqueror Acolytes ready Freezing Gun and Melting Rifle, and seem to blast their brother apart, but this is an illusion thanks to Utsusemi, the distraction, allowing him time to use Trinity Docking, and ShoKiRyuJin is born. As ShinRyuJin watches her sister fly up, she reflects how they had always planned on this Trinity Docking being born, deciding offence would take priority. Mic decides to lend Stadio 7 to ShinRyuJin, but due to her weight the platform is considerably less mobile for her.

ShoKiRyuJin is not at a total disadvantage, as her brothers are each forced to use an arm for flight, while both her arms are free for attacks, an she can dodge. The brothers create a strategy to blind her, and then grab her, intending to hold her until she two becomes a Conqueror Acolyte, Shoryu too can feel the corruption affecting him. Mamoru encourages ShoKiRyuJin to keep heart.

Mic contemplates using Disc P to empower ShoKiRyuJin, then realises that will also empower Conqueror GouRyuJin and Conqueror GenRyuJin.

ShinRyuJin, slowly rising, is entranced by the crisis. Ikumi tries to work something out, as does Mamoru. A girl's voice suddenly rings out that Betterman is coming. The Socius Road appears alongside Sara’s agonised scream, Lamia, Yewya, Rice, Hiiragi and Gajumaru emerge. All are reluctant to be Deus’ pawn, but as they are there, they must act. Ougu, Lume, Turbo, Pondus, Ahriman and Nebula appear. Rakan uses Sanctus, and Lamia informs Ikumi over Limpid Channel that the Betterman will become the being of shadows limbs, as the Six transformed Somnium are equipped over ShinRyuJin like armour. 

8 (Cont)

Everyone in the Main Order Room is shocked by the proceedings. Akamatsu decides to dub the form Bonderman, to Yang’s exasperation. Alouette is concerned, but Hana encourages her, Alouette reflects on how strong Mikoto was, feeling like if she was backing up Ikumi alone she'd never bear it. 

Lamia tells Ikumi they will use Pondus’ manipulation of gravity to make Bonderman ShinRyuJin reach ShoKiRyuJin, Ikumi agrees with a condition, an explanation on why they consider Shishioh Gai so dangerous, but when Pondus acts he's convicted to focus on the Dawn Aura for now. As the Conqueror Acolytes hold ShoKiRyuJin, Mamoru decides to make his presence known, asking if they really want this after everything they've done to preserve earth and humanity. The brothers realise what Mamoru's presence is in aid of, and shakily decide they must kill him, but that turmoil allows ShoKiRyuJin to be snathced out their hands by the rising Bonderman ShinRyuJin. It takes all combatants a moment to compose themselves. The Ruin Acolytes are now at a disadvantage, as both their sisters are freely mobile, and so descend for ground combat where both their arms are free. The sisters charge, with 100 seconds left.

9

All GaoFighGar and GaoGaiGo can do in the face of Conqueror King King J-Der’s ongoing barrage is dodge. Gai decides he has to connect to Goldy, Keita shakily promising to buy time. GoldyDoubleMarg readies himself, seeing the new tool, J and Renais refuse to let Gai use it. Keita activates Protect Wall, but then leaves Hinoki in Left Control, while he works in a Break Synthesise. Gai approved the use of the Double Hammer, activating his two virtual space keys, and Alouette follows with a Double Safety Relieve. A J-Quath tries to block the Hammer Connect, but Hinoki pits all her might into defence. The Wall Ring starts to crack, but Keita is finally able to launch a Double Synapse Attack, not at King J-Der, but to repair the Wall Ring.

Yang is impressed by Keita's ingenuity, Akamatsu bragging about him as he might a brother or son. GaoFighGar now holds the Goldion Double Hammer, and immediately has the GS-Rides run as powerful as possible, shining gold. GaoGaiGo is at its limit, Keita near collapse. The J-Quath penetrates, but Big Volfogg and Big Porc-Auto pull GaoGaiGo out of the way, and Gai activates the Goldion Clacker, the balls repeatedly striking the J-Quath until even it is made light. With the Double Hammer the Gravity Shockwave Generating Tool is in the Clacker, so a single hit is not as powerful, but multiple hits in short order can be made. Conquror King King J-Der now engaged close range, and Gai switches to the Goldion Slicer, honing the Gravity Shockwave via the inbuilt Goldion Motor, thin blades slice of King J-Der’s fingertips, then the Anti-meson turrets and ES Missile launchers. Conquror King King J-Der falls back, J admitting he was wrong about where they would settle things. As Hinoki and Keita talk quietly, Gai wonders why J has fleed, even though Conqueror King King J-Der would quickly regenerate it's weaponry and hadn't even used the ultimate technique available to it when J and Renais were both Fusioned into it, the J-Phoenix. 

10

The dragon siblings are now battling within Chicxulub Crater, Conqueror GenRyuJin and Conqueror GouRyuJin against ShoKiRyuJin and Musou ShinRyuJin. Conqueror GenRyuJin fights Musou ShinRyuJin, who uses Forte’s strong arms and Ougu’s saber, Conqueror GouRyuJin takes over, but Turbo counters his windstorm. ShoKiRyuJin fires attacks that Musou ShinRyuJin reflects at the brothersnat an unexpected angle. The brothers are shocked they are fighting this well in these never used configurations,.it is because of their United goal they can do this. The brothers see their sisters have them on the ropes, they cannot wait for the corruption to complete, and they increase the distance from their foes. 

In the Order Rooms, they know what the Brothers are preparing. If the sisters fail to survive the attack is all is lost. 

The Maximum Tou Long is readied, however, the sisters had anticipated this, and make matching movements, and 4 voices yell out Maximum Tou Long. A blue/yellow and a green/red dragon meets a white/gold and a silver/black dragon, the force of the collision enough to shake the bodies of the dragons themselves. Slowly but surely, the brothers start to gain the edge, even then Mamoru and Ikumi assure their allies they're with them. The ground beneath the Acolytes’s feet crumbles, Ahriman channeling Pondus' gravity powers there, causing them to fall. The Somniums are at their limits, Musou ShinRyuJin sees her armour petrify and crumble away, and the Conqueror Acolytes proclaim their victory. Their sisters remind them the battle isn't 4 on 4, but 4 on 5, as the smaller, green dragon Shoryu’s contribution, is able to avoid the Maximum Tou Long clash, the youngest sibling strikes his brothers in one strike, causing them to fall. The sisters cancel their Maximum Tou Longs, and leap upon their brothers, launching a Lime à Ongles und Nagelfeile. ShoKiRyuJin thrusts energy blades into Conqueror GenRyuJin, and ShinRyuJin does the same to Conqueror GouRyuJin, at once 4 sister's arms pull out 4 brother's AI Units. However, the countdown is already at zero, there is no time. Mamoru and Ikumi have already evacuated the shoulders, and apologetically trigger the explosive bolts to forcibly eject all 5 AI Blocks. The smoke clears, the bodies of the Conqueror Acolytes are now wrecks the Triple Zero dissipated, and Nine AI blocks rest in the crate, and near to Ikumi and Mamoru, are 4 cockpit units.

11

While the orange sunset over the Pacific Ocean almost makes it appear as though Triple Zero has taken it, it has in fact been protected. GaoFighGar lands by the bodies of 4 Dragon Gods, and witnesses the 4 intact cockpits, extracted by combined work of Broken Breaker and Protect Protector in a psuedo Hell and Heaven. Gai knows the Zero Cores in these units include both his top priority and GGG’s, before he can work to extract them though, something impossible emerges from the cockpit that had been Conqueror GoRyuJin’s right shoulder. Zonuda. Gai immediately Fusion Outs and leaps down, Mamoru and Ikumi come after, Mamoru as shocked to Zonuda after Shinjuku 10 years ago, as Ikumi is to see a Machine New Species after Australia during his year with Yuka and Bear, aka Armstrong, host to the Arm Primeval. 

Gai demands to know why Mikoto has taken that form, shaped her Zero Core into this form deliberately. She begs Gai not to come closer, over the Limpid Channel, an ability she gained while near death in the Trinary Star System. At her feet is a last resort device Yang had installed to protect classified intel, the same device had been key in the battle on Repli-Earth, but regenerated at Orange Site. Gai asks terrified is Mikotonis planning to die with him, and due to Triple Zero, she is, but she wants him to live still, so she tells him not to come. He steps closer, and holds her. Mamoru begs her to step away from the devicd, but she reveals any of the others could use it, it only hasn't been used to allow the two a moment. 

Lamia mentally contacts the root of evil, and the assembled Somnium are now stood there as well. Despite the dander he poses, they help him this once, and allow the thoughts of everyone in GGG to reach the Zero Cores. The voice of Sakura begs to leave the box closed. Hyuma demands Taiga remember their promise to Momoko, Koichi and Kaasuke, to not repeat what happened to Momoko with Jupiter X ad recalls their vow as ID5. Stallion tells Swan they need to perform together again. Akamatsu tells at his worthless father to come see his granddaughter already. Mikoto can hear her fellows hesitate and can't bear it. Gai holds her, telling her while being together in death would be okay, he wants to be with her in life, reminding her of the charter to live come what may. Her will starts to be shaken, and now there is no one left to trigger the last resort device. Together, Mamoru and Ikumi use their purification rituals to restore the four Zero Cores. For the first time in either months, decades, or 15 billion years, Shishioh Gai and Utsugi Mikoto speak to eachother with words.

12

Cheers ring out in the Main Order Room. Now almost all GGG Green members corruoted by Triple Zero have been saved, and it is hoped that after a shirt recovery Shishioh Liger can work to fix this situation. While everyone else celebrates, Yang ponders on what happened to ChoRyuJin 65 million years ago. Is ChoRyuJin had been pinned under the meteor when it landed, then even with THE POWER he would have been obliterated. Indeed, he must habe broken off and landed in the Pacific, wherehebwould be found on a island that broke off from Yucatan. But is it even possible he could have not bee discovered until 2005, so soon after his disappearance, it seems almost more likely that he was only placed within the stratum after vanishing into the ES Window, he fears they dance in the palm of another. 

In a canoe far off from Yucatan, the Somnium Deus notes twice more.

Conqueror Carrier J-Ark arrives in Japan, having lost satellite surveillance, and enters Mt. Aso. Lurking their are 3 ships that were supposed to be lost in the Trinary Star System, just finished being regenerated from the core, Kushinada. All this time has been worth it for the two Acolytes, Soldato-J and Renais Kerdif Shishioh, as their ultimate weapon is now ready. Conquror Tsukuyoki, Conqueror Hirume and Conqueror Takehaya. J holds one approval key, Renais the other, which will allow them to activate the ultimate tool, Conqueror Goldion Crusher.

[lightcreators]

It wasn't the first time inside his long lifespan he was doing something for the Doctor. Though, usually, where it came to the TARDIS, he always had been the one meddling with it … instead to react like an welcoming being that would correcting everything that need to be corrected. It was long time ago memories, something he more or less searched to forget inside his brain, but he remembered vaguely how offended he had been when that fifth incarnation did entered inside his TARDIS for alter it … long before, decades later, there was that latent happiness an fragment of his past had been saved. Questions he actually never asked directly Featherine with. How long his old TARDIS had been protected ? How many years his old TARDIS had been removed of the common timeline, for sleeping inside an timeless time ? How long it had been for Featherine since the last time the event he could referring to himself had happened ? How long he had burning in front of him ? Other questions were left in the shadows. Did he had mourn him a little ? Did he miss him ? Considering he get his whole existence saved by the being called Featherine, an strange emotional conflict endlessly echoed where that incarnation was concerned. There had been silent reconsideration about everything he did. There was that dreadful whispering questioning if he did something wrong …

Internally, he sighed once more. He was doing the repair for the sake of his parallel self … Many comments to been bring about being the Doctor's pet, and would have many opportunities to bring such things aloud. Emotionally, he was searching to found once more that first sensation of peace he experienced by wake up. The impression of calmness who had been robbed for him with endless gaze watching over his little being … Though, at Missy's remark, he simply smiled with amusement. He would be the last person rejecting the opportunity offering by circumstances. He would be the last person rejecting a paradox. It wasn't his timeline. He wasn't truly concerned by the events of that universe, even if, such landscape was a new ground in which he could find new toys to be play with ! ❝ Oh, I take all experiences as something useful. ❞ He mused carefully. In some manner, Featherine pushed him to becoming once more a student in middle of the universes. No, Gallifrey learn him nothing about witches. No, Gallifrey never explained to Time Lords there could have another species called witches, living inside another dimension, that could interfering in middle of concepts, neither how their births were made, neither words for calling their consideration of their world. Purgatory was an human word, but he didn't knew it was actually existing as another dimension --- Regardless about being Death's champion for decades, he never perceived Thanatos, never had been welcomed by dangerous wind of the Underground. No, he never learned it was possible for someone perspective to turn so condescending to watch their own species as amateurs.

He sensed her inner questioning about the unnamed MIB. Sadly, he asked nothing for their presence in the first place. It had been the surprise coming from circumstances inside his universe --- to becoming the playground of something bigger, to let him trapping himself. He did it himself. He allowed that himself. If he had listened his bad impression towards the situation, if he had listened to the sensation of paradox who embraced the Doctor's TARDIS … as much the Year Who Never Was AND his conquest of the Earth won't have happened, maybe circumstances would have take another turn. It would never know … and circumstances were lost in a box that will not be remember. Nevertheless, an betrayal pout betrayed his feelings. She guessed that right. It was what he desired. However, now he had been called out, he didn't wanted to admit it. Everything he asked, as strange as it was, for be someone attracted to chaos, was peace. He wanted be alone somewhere without be tracked down for one second. He could go anywhere he wanted on Earth, he would be watched. He could try any kind of other planet --- especially some planets where MIB settled down --- he would be found … The universe wasn't big for find an solace somewhere. The universes weren't big for be spared of the presence of the MIB. He swallowed painfully. ❝ Keep discrete for a while. ❞ Being unspotted by Featherine was his only solution. There was also the option to showing his good faith towards the MIB for be eventually accepted --- but it was something he would need to put lot of efforts. Any kind of betrayal would end up by his death. He can't hope for tender eyes and be forgiven if some day he pick another bad decision for his own selfish needs. Watching over her gaze, he finally admitted. ❝ They found me first. They watched me for a long time when I did nothing particular during that time … realizing slowly the threat they were. Realizing how I have been trapped. Do you imagine ? The Master becoming the puppet … ❞

There was no reassurance he could give on the second part. They didn't need permission for enter somewhere … Playfulness smile cannot helped to showing up inside his face. No, for his personal case, he was safe with the paradox, but maybe it wasn't the case for his parallel self in which his presence could be some kind of strange attraction ? ❝ Paradoxes are my personal holidays so I can assume you are yourself in trouble if I can bring attention. ❞ Which wasn't really what he desired. He given less attention towards troubles of his other selves inside another universes --- he watched that as an personal authorization to kill. He wasn't personally involved. It wasn't something he could be blamed. It was something he will do, as an well-known M A S T E R ! ❝ I will know if they found me. Can be never. Can be someday. Believe me, you're will be last of their concerns. ❞ He playfully mused gently with a smile. ❝ Concerning the people seek you, best they don't fall on me. It won't be my fault if they die. ❞

It had been an conclusion he made along the way of their current conversation. He was running away of his observers, but as much he didn't showing off too much, didn't interfered without thinking and wasn't trying to meddle without consideration, he risked nothing. It was part of the lessons given by Featherine to learn how to fit her world. On the contrary, his parallel self problems seemed far more … grounded. He was experienced within emotion of fear, hence, had an inclination to understanding it from himself. Her threats were different of his. Actually, he seemed the one lucky. After all, his observers were coming from an past incarnation of the Doctor … It was the little plot twist who remained unsaid, the little surprise making it worse ! ❝ I'm pretty much accoustumed to the feeling. I can realize it within myself. ❞ He expressed with an teasing tone. As an distraction, a deep care was took over the repair of the chip. Studying every corner as he could showing all his good faith of his observers, and playing around about how innocent and psuedo-innocent he was. It was one step for became the Master somewhere. Another smile followed her lie. He didn't even commented and rejected it. In same manner, he was scared. In same manner, some remembrances were able to terrify him. ❝ It's funny how decades apart, we look so much alike. ❞ Another realization, though, so easy to catch up, hit him. If she wasn't running away of the Doctor as he implied inside his playfulness, he was the one longing for the Doctor's presence … In some manner, he was running from the fifth incarnation… at the same time he longed for the presence of his friend. He missed his old friend. Another time, he swallowed painfully. The confession would exposing lot of questions. The admission would say so much … ❝ It's me … ❞ He slowly admitted, as the words were difficult to escaping his lips. ❝ It's me who was longing for the Doctor … ❞ Because, inside his personal timeline, Theta wasn't called the Doctor anymore … Because inside his universe, his old friend had becoming a witch, and everything changed … Everything was different …

              ˜”*°•.      Fixing  something of  the  other Timelord .  It  was funny  to  think about  it ,  wasn’t it ?  For  there  she  was  standing with  her  own self  and  repairing a  chip  from the  TARDIS  - not  thinking  about conquering  the  world , about  causing  destruction , about  bringing  everything upside  down .  Had he grown  as  well  ?  Once vibrant ,  once  carefree, suddenly  enslaved  to  fear .  What had  he  seen that’d  changed  him   so  much  ?  What had  happened  that’d made  him  careful ?  ❝ Embrace  the new  experiences  ,  my  dear . You  never  know when  they  might come  useful . ❞  But  it’d  be  humiliating ,  wouldn’t  it now  ?   Two versions  of  the same  person  still  failing  to fix  the  time  machine   -  oh  the days  at  the Academy  felt  so far  away .  So much  retained  and yet  some  others …

At  his words ,  eyebrows  furrowed . A  race  that could  invade  this timeline  just  by  having  their name  mentioned  ?  Where had  he  found them  ?  And most  importantly,  how had  they  found him  ?   ❝ So ,  your plan  is  to  spend  the rest  of  your  life  hiding ? ❞  She  asked curiously  .  But at  the  same time ,  she  believed she  understood  ; tales  of  such species  often  travelling across  the  universe . Their  existence  nothing but  a  nightmarish rumor .  Life  and death,  sometimes  the line  was  rather thin ,  the  price one  had  to pay  to  breath sometimes  immense .    ❝ I  am  a big  girl ,  I believe  I  can handle  this .  But either way,  if  they  can’t enter  here  without permission,  two of  us  still attract  the  attention. ❞  The  attention of  people  that  hadn’t much liked  her .

Running  away from  the  Doctor … it  was  an interesting  theory ,  wasn’t it  ?  Stealing his  TARDIS ,  flying as  far  as possible ,  landing  on a  nice  vacation spot  and  drinking margaritas .  Maybe  someday . Maybe  in  a different  lifetime  -   for right  now  she needed  the  TARDIS back  into  the Doctor’s  hands .  She needed   to  act like  his  well-behaved puppy  that’d  never betray  or  disobey him .  What  would her  other  self think  if  he found  out  ?   He was  running   away from  someone,  too   -  dangerous people ,   terrifying people .  And  maybe in  the  very end ,  this  was  the  way  their lives  passed ;  by running ,  by  trying to  survive .   ❝ Is  it so  obvious  ?  ❞ She  smiled  his way  -  sticking to  the  excuse of  the  bad girl ,  much  more preferable  at  the moment .  He  didn’t need  to  know -  didn’t  need   to  be  aware of  the  punishment  that  seemed  to be  coming  with  no end.   ❝ And  I am  not  scared , no .  ❞  She confidently  stated  - but  it  was a  lie ,  wasn’t it  ?  For she  didn’t  know what  she  was scared  of  the most .  Her  oldest friend  thinking  that she  betrayed  him  ?  that she  didn’t  deserve a  second  chance ?  or these  people  from the  trial  finding her  ?  finding them  both .  

He was  right.  The TARDIS  deciding  to come  there  on  its  own , leaving  the  Doctor behind  on  a  planet  they barely  knew,  was more  than  just weird .  And  how convenient  to  start malfunctioning  the  moment  she arrived ,  the  moment they  got  there . ❝ Why this  timeline  ?  Why not  some  other one  ?  ❞   She asked  much  more interested  now  - for  if  he’d been expected,  if  somehow she’d  been  dragged there  while  both of  them  were facing  serious  threats , well …  she  needed to  know  as much  as  possible  and so  did  he .  ❝ You  said  something about  me  running away  from   the Doctor .  Truth  is , I  wasn’t .  ❞  

[daydreaming-in-letters]

The Banana Club Auditions

Audition 4: Ransom "The Playboy" Drysdale

05/12/2022

Pairing: stripper!Ransom Drysdale x strip club owner!reader (2nd person)

guest starring: stripper!August Walker

Word Count: 4,071

Warnings: August is back and very protective, Ransom being Ransom, language, jealousy and frustration, touching, grinding, fingering, bodily fluids, hints at future sexy times

Summary: August is just about to spoil his princess again, when Hugh Drysdale, one of the most successful male entertainers in the business, enters the Banana Club. And while August can hardly hold himself back from punching him for the rude interruption, you find yourself more than intrigued by the nature of his visit.

A/N: Here we go again. Writing cocky Ransom was much more fun than I had anticipated. Hope you enjoy!

If you like my story, you are very welcome to like, comment or reblog. Please don’t copy, repost or share my work on other platforms. 

Audition song: Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake

The club had fallen quiet after the enticing melody had died away. An unusual silence, but not unwanted. The only sound came from the soft tapping of his feet as he made his way over to the bar where you already awaited him. A drink in hand, you had deliberately chosen this place to watch him practise. He hadn’t noticed you, blinded by the spotlight, at least not until you had applauded his marvellous performance and made yourself known. 

“Like what you see, princess?”

He smirked, his moustache twitching as he drew in on you. Leaning on the counter, his huge paw wrapped around your glass and he gulped down the bitter liquid in one swig. You loved when he was like this, all flirty, a little cocky, his dominant nature shining through. He would never take such liberties with you in front of the other boys, in fact, it only ever happened when the two of you were alone and to your great dismay, that hadn’t occurred too often after his audition. 

Still, you chose not to answer his question. August knew very well how much his dancing had turned you on anyway and if he didn’t, your hungry gaze that so blatantly wandered up and down his naked chest wouldn’t leave any room for misinterpretations.

“I really don’t know why you are putting yourself through all these hours and hours of rehearsals,” you mused. It was true, his performance was immaculate. So why bother?

“There is always room for improvement. Or…”

Your eyebrows shot up as he stopped and left you hanging.

“Or?”

August leaned in, his whiskers arousing a shiver that spread across your whole body as he spoke. “Or maybe I just hope you’re lurking somewhere in the shadows and watch me while your fingers can’t refrain from doing what you would rather have me do to you.”

He drew away without the slightest hint on his face that his words had just succeeded to send you into the blazing fires of purgatory. Being so close to him didn’t help either. Your eyes refused to leave his form, transfixed by the beads of sweat that decorated his forehead and soaked a lock of his hair that had come loose during his training. His chest glistened from the transpiration as well, shining in all the colours of the rainbow in the club lights. 

And before you knew what you were doing, you reached out to touch him. Your fingers were in no hurry as they outlined the curves of his pecs and six-pack, but their roving excursion faltered for the tiniest moment when he reciprocated your touch. Your sanity didn’t stand the slightest chance against the desire his knuckles sparked as they glided up and down your upper arm, his thumb losing its path every now and then to brush teasingly against your pebbling nipple. 

“August,” you whispered, eyes begging him to stop this agony and make do on the promise his gentle caress held. And it seemed he wouldn’t deny his princess her most ardent wish any longer. He was already leaning in, his eyes falling to your lips that had begun to part the slightest bit in anticipation, ready to be devoured by him, when he suddenly abandoned his mission.

His eyes were on full alert as they broke contact and fixed on a point behind your back. You felt him stiffen against your palms as he rose to full height, ready to shield you with his whole body.

His vigilance alarmed you as well, and as you turned, fearing the worst, you almost laughed out loud when your eyes fell on the intruder that had caused August’s defensive mode. No one other than local celebrity Hugh Drysdale had walked into your club as if he had done so a thousand times already. His camel coat swayed around his thighs, his sure stride making the scarf that hung around his neck flutter from the speed of his movements. He looked everything like the snobbish prick he was with his neatly slicked back hair, the pair of designer sunglasses he dramatically pulled from his nose and the ring on his left hand that twinkled in the spotlight as he did so. What was it about men and those pinkie rings these days? you thought while you watched him looking around the room as if it was beyond him to even be here. 

When his eyes finally landed on you and August, he seemed to have found what he had been looking for. There had been a time when you had envied everyone with a determination to their pace like the one Hugh Drysdale displayed, the smug smile that sat on his lips on the other hand, well, you could have done without that. 

Professionally speaking, though, the fucker had every right to be presumptuous. Everyone knew that he was one of the best in the business, if not the best, and his reputation preceded him far beyond the borders of this city. And even though it was hard to believe, he had worked tirelessly for his success. 

Coming from a rich family, he had grown up with a silver spoon in his mouth, but his days of sweet idleness had come to an abrupt end when all of a sudden, they had all turned on and disinherited him. He had started from scratch back then and worked his way up onto the Mount Olympus of male entertainers in lightning speed. 

Unfortunately, his priggish demeanour had stuck and only grown in unison with his rise to stripper fame. Hugh Drysdale might be a diva, probably the greatest diva this business had ever seen, nevertheless you had dreamed of recruiting him for years because as soon as he entered the stage, the magic of his performance was able to ensnare even the most prudish of ladies and turn them into wild, screaming beasts.

The only question was, why had he chosen to come here?

“Hugh Drysdale,” you hid your irritation behind a beaming smile, “what on earth brings you to my humble business?”

“Ransom. Call me Ransom,” he insisted while his eyes wandered from you to August and looked him up and down. “That’s my middle name. Only the help calls me Hugh.”

It neither surprised you that he had personnel nor that he treated them like shit, but it said a lot about the kind of person he was. And about the amount of money he earned simply by swaying those illegally slim hips. 

You gave him a moment, although you already knew he had no intention to state the reason for his visit. You would have probably let it pass, had he not chosen to consider August with a look of pure disdain. You could feel him tense up next to you, and your fingers drove up and down his biceps affectionately to soothe his growing agitation. A deliberate gesture, meant to catch the attention of your guest.

“You didn’t answer my question, Ransom.”

Satisfied, you watched his jaw clench, although he still chose not to indulge your curiosity. Instead, his eyes fixed on August again when he pressed out, “I would like to discuss that somewhere private. Maybe your office?” He turned his attention back to you now, spite seeping from every single one of his next words, “If you have one.”

Jerk, you thought as you willed a perfectly charming smile to remain on your lips.

“Be my guest.” 

You gestured for him to walk ahead, but he didn’t move. Not before he had shot August a snotty grin.

“See you later, Selleck.”

August jolted, his arms twitching, hands balling into fists, every fibre of his body readying itself to punch the two perfect lines of white teeth out of Ransom’s face, but under your warning gaze and the soft press of your fingertips against his chest, he relaxed.

“Be right back,” you promised, mischief glinting in your eyes and a rush of heat exploded in your core when the faintest tinge of his ravenous hunger for you resurfaced in his baby blues.

You hadn’t even reached the chair behind your desk when Ransom slumped down into the one on the other side with an annoyed grunt. He let his gaze wander around the room as if House & Garden had sent him to do a spread on your office. Maybe he could do a spread on you sometime instead, you thought, and swallowed a chuckle upon your childish comment.

“Well, Ransom, I fear it doesn’t get anymore private than this,” you gestured around the room, “so if this still isn’t enough to make you answer my question, I will have to ask you to leave.”

He sighed as his eyes snapped back to you. Hands rising in defeat, he smacked his lips before the tiniest smirk crept onto them.

“I guess here we go then.” He paused dramatically. “Perry and I decided to end our business relations last week.”

Of course you knew that already. News spread fast in this scene. Still, you wanted to hear it from himself. 

“Oh?” 

“Yeah, I know, I know. Guess you didn’t see that coming, huh? But it’s true. Irreconcilable differences. Happens to the best of us.”

You let his words hang in the air for a moment. Slowly you leaned back, crossed your legs and folded your hands in your lap. The longer you postponed your reaction, the more his eyes narrowed. Did he really think he could stare you down like this? Adorable.

“Not what I heard.” 

Immediately his gaze fell to his lap, jaw twitching again and when his fingers finally started to massage his earlobe, you knew that your source hadn’t lied to you. Perry Jackson, owner of the “Aphrodite’s Palace”, the most legendary male strip club far and wide, had taken Ransom under his wing from the very beginning. His experience paired with his protégé’s exceptional talent had turned Ransom into the premium stripper he was today. You had always admired Perry’s patience with the little brat, how he had managed to soothe ruffled feathers all the time and calm the pouting diva whenever he threw one of his famous tantrums which invariably peaked in a threat to leave the Palace. But it seemed that Hugh Ransom Drysdale had strained his boss’s nerves one too many times and had been kicked out unceremoniously a few nights ago. And now, for the first time in his outstanding career, Ransom found himself in the unfamiliar position of having to ask for a job.

“Nevertheless, I’m flattered you thought of the Banana Club first.”

Your remark had resulted in a devilish smile on his plush, pink lips. Of course, a spoiled enfant terrible like him had never learned to choose the diplomatic answer, and so it wasn’t surprising that the only strategy he knew was attack.

“Well, maybe not exactly first…”

“You’re aware you’re not really increasing your chances of employment with comments like that, right?” you retorted solemnly. You would not grant him the satisfaction of playing his little game. 

He leaned forward, his forearms resting on his thighs while he raised one eyebrow defiantly. “Do I need to increase them? We both know I’m the best.”

“You sure were. That’s why Perry chose to keep up with your bullshit for so long. Which makes me wonder why he doesn’t anymore. Is it maybe because your appeal on the ladies is slowly starting to wane, Ransom?”

You both knew that wasn’t true and you didn’t resent him for clenching his jaw again. But it also wasn’t a secret that his success had made him a bit lazy. It seemed he finally understood where he was standing in this negotiation and although his heated gaze still tried to convince you that it was you who needed him and not the other way around, you were sure you almost had him where you wanted him. 

“Let me make you an offer, Ransom. You can work for me. For starters, I will give you 60% percent of the last salary you got from Perry.” He was about to protest, but your rising hand stopped him. “You have two months to convince me you’re worth your money. If you do, I’ll make it double.”

“And if I don’t?”

“I didn’t even think that was an option, considering you called yourself the best not even a minute ago,” you stated, your voice sweet as honey.

“I am,” he snapped, jumping to his feet, his forefinger pressing into the dark wood of your desk as if that would prove his point.

Oh, how you wished you could have laughed out loud from the sheer joy your triumph sparked deep within you. But this wasn’t over yet. And so instead, you crunched your nose.

“Are you though?”

“The hell I am!” his booming voice echoed from the walls of your office, thick veins winding along his forehead and neck. For a tiny moment, your heart stopped, fearing that August might have heard him and would seize the opportunity to punch Ransom at last, delighted to be given the reason of your defence. But he didn’t.

“Then show me.” Adding fuel to the fire, you pushed back your chair. Slowly your hands glided along your thighs while they fell open for him. What a shame you had decided to wear trousers today. Still, his eyes were caught by the hypnotising view. “Show me that you can make this pussy wet, Hugh Ransom Drysdale.”

It took a few seconds before his brain had fully processed your order, but then his eyes held your challenging gaze, sparkling with determination as he went to work. You had never seen anyone shrug off their coat with an aggression that matched Ransom’s. He looked like a boxer readying himself for combat as he tilted his head left, then right, shaking his arms and legs in the most dramatic manner of loosening up you had ever witnessed. You were almost beginning to regret challenging him, positive he would totally overdo and blow his performance, but when his narrow hips began to move in tune with the base that boomed from the speakers of his phone, there was no doubt he would make the juices of your pussy flow like the Niagara Falls.

His movements were raw, contentious, and somehow smooth and beguiling all the same. As you had anticipated, he was a huge tease and he very much enjoyed killing the hope in your eyes every time he lifted his ragged cable knit for a preview of his trained stomach, just to let it fall back into place seconds later. You were almost about to intervene and simply order him to get rid if that darned thing, when he came towards you with a raunchy smile on his lips. 

Gripping the armrests of your chair with a vigour that made your walls clench, he hauled you towards himself. His wide shoulders hovered above you, caging you in with his massive chest and your heart sped up as he leaned down. He didn’t halt until his lips were mere inches away from your own. Like sizzling flames, his breath licked at the soft pillows, withholding the kiss they so eagerly awaited. 

“This what you want?” he rasped and you jolted when your fingertips suddenly made contact with the heat of his skin. The bastard had distracted you so well, you hadn’t even noticed that he had taken your hand and guided it underneath his jumper. You almost lost the fight with yourself when he let your fingers glide along his pecs, encouraging you to weave them through his fluffy fur. And when you brushed one of his nipples as if by accident, you noticed with satisfaction that he seemed to be fighting the same battle within himself. 

“Say it,” he pressed out through gritted teeth and you yielded.

“It is. It’s what I want.”

Victory looked good on him, making his eyes shine brighter than you had ever seen before. It was almost a shame that you wouldn’t see him win the entire war but only this one battle.

Without further ado, Ransom escorted your hand to the hem of his pullover—your reward for submitting to his will.

“Then take what you want,” his lips ghosted over yours in a whisper and you didn’t dare breathe again until the cream-coloured piece of clothing finally hit the ground. 

A few strands of his pomaded hair had come loose in the process and you bit your lip as you envisioned the delicious sight of his dishevelled state after a night of passion. And as if he had read your thoughts, his hips began to move above yours. Slowly at first, imitating those long, deep strokes that always got you going, then faster, until they snapped back and forth in an angry staccato as if he wanted to fuck the frustration your doubt of his talents had caused out of his system and into yours. 

And you had to admit it worked. You hated that he didn’t touch you, that he had put himself so deliciously on display right before your eyes, moving like a mortal god and sparking the most rampant visions of your bodies tangled in ecstasy without giving you anything to soothe that aching need he sent pulsing through your core.

You were about to break your own rules and lean in to drown his smug smile in a searing kiss when he suddenly abandoned you. He stood for a moment, continuing to sway his hips and looking down at you in elation. Asshole, you wanted to spit at him, but the word died in your throat as he pushed your thighs against each other before he turned to sit on your lap. He rolled his torso until it rested against your chest, the heat of his back seeping through your thin blouse to set you on fire. To your own surprise, he managed not to crush you under his weight, but granted you full contact without leaning on you. 

This was torture, and you knew the price you would have to pay to stop it. You could already feel the words forming on your tongue when his hands closed around your wrists and ushered them to his chest. Silky skin and fuzzy chest hair pressed into the palms of your hands, providing the most enticing kind of friction as he pushed them south along the ridges and valleys of his flawless physique. 

You were sure he was set on murdering you when his hands refused to halt as they reached his jeans and manoeuvred your fingers onto the prominent bulge that rounded his trousers. Enough, you thought, as he twitched in your hands, making your breath hitch in your throat while you felt the rumble of a haughty chuckle against your chest.

But Ransom wasn’t finished with you yet and even though he let go of your wrists and rose from your lap, you could see hellfire burn in his eyes as he turned to face you again. Petrified, caught in the no-man’s-land between reason and lust, you watched his fingers unbutton his trousers and pushing down the zipper. As the jeans fell from his hips, you gasped, your eyes glued to his manhood, the growing erection now shielded by nothing but a thin layer of black cotton. 

The shameless display of his virility clouded your mind and you made the mistake of looking up at his face. He was licking his lips, smirking down at his bedazzled prey, before he reached out and closed one of his strong hands around the rim of the backrest. With the other he grabbed your thigh, hoisting it up around his hip before he lowered his whole body onto yours. And this time he didn’t stop.

A heady moan broke from your lips when his hardening cock pressed into you. And then he moved, grinding his hips against yours, gyrating, rolling, thrusting until you wanted nothing more than to be filled by him. You were about to close your eyes and let him have his way with you when you saw his hungry gaze fall to your lips. At first, you thought you had just imagined it, until he leaned in, closing the gap inch by inch until you could almost feel the touch of his lips upon your own. Almost.

But then the heat of his breath diverted, gliding along the line of your jaw instead and you groaned in frustration, your body winding in agony underneath him. It was only when his lips pressed against the sensitive spot right underneath your ear that you stilled.

“Tell me, boss, was that enough to make your pussy wet?” 

If it hadn’t, the way his low and sultry voice caressed the term of address alone would have been more than sufficient to ruin your panties. He leaned back, intent on looking you straight in the eye when you would have to admit your final defeat to him. But you had one more ace up your sleeve.

“Why don’t you find out yourself?”

Not sure if you had actually meant what you had just offered to him, he didn’t move and so your hand glided in between your bodies and lifted the hem of your trousers for him. He followed your movement, first with his eyes, then with his own hand. He held your gaze, his face telling you nothing about what went on in his mind. But then a jubilant smirk danced across his lips when his fingers parted your folds and found what he had been hoping for. He took his time to gather the evidence of his success, letting his fingers glide through the moist heat until he made you sing for him again. 

For a second you gave yourself over to the illusion that he would choose to finish what he had started and tend to your needs until you would cry his name in the rapture of your high, but Ransom being Ransom, he did nothing of the sort. Slowly he decreased the heavenly pressure until his fingers stilled completely and he pulled them back to the light. He basked in his triumph, twirling the glistening digits in front of your face while he sneered down at you. And then he seized his prize, groaning like a starved man when he let them vanish in between his lips.

This man, this menace of a manchild was simply infuriating and this time, you decided you really had seen enough of him for tonight. With a determined shove, you pushed him off of you and rose to your feet. But he held you back, hand tightening around your wrist, pulling you back against his chest until he had very effectively caged you in between the desk and his massive body. One hand cupping your cheek, he held you in place while his lips crushed down on yours and devoured your mouth in a passionate kiss. Gasping for air, he pulled away, but it seemed he wasn’t ready to give up the touch of your lips completely. And so his thumb kept gliding along your lower lip while he gave you the first genuine smile of the night. It was warm and tender and full of honesty while his eyes seemed to search for something inside yours.

But then the facade of his smug smile returned as he declared, “We gotta do this more often.”

You couldn’t help but smile back at him. You would certainly do this again, and then it would be your turn to win the battle. 

Once again, you pushed him away and this time he let you go. You rounded your desk, talking to him above your shoulder without sparing him another glance.

“Get dressed, Ransom. You’re up first after the opening act tomorrow. Make sure you’re here by six so Bucky can show you around and brief you on the procedures of the show.”

You halted at the door, holding it open while you patiently waited for him to put on his clothes. He was already halfway out the door, waving you goodbye, when you stopped him.

“Oh, and Ransom,” he turned to face you again, sporting his signature annoyance, “on your way out, tell Walker to come see me, please. I’ve got something he needs to take care of for me.”

Audition 5: Walter "Detective" Marshall & Paul "Rookie" Diskant

Tag List: If your name is crossed out, I wasn't able to tag you. If you don't specify which fic you want to be tagged in, you will be added to my general taglist.

@summersong69 @myloveforhenrycavill @dorothea-hwldr @omgkatinka @ashesofblackroses @amberangel112 @icarusblinders @zealoushound @asuni921 @endofalldays01 @nerra75 @indigosaurus @nowyouseeme098 @cap-just-said-language @miss-rebel-without-applause @wheretheriversrunintothesea @maan24 @mochionly @introvertedmouse @sofiebstar @kebabgirl67 @marytudorbrandon @littleone65 @thoughtfullyfurryangel @mimi-just-living @themanfromu @liecastillo @capncassas @blavikennbutcher @luclittlepond @diegos-butt @gearhead66 @justjulie1105 @lyrarodriguez @sapph--ire @zandoff @evansabove1981

[zevlors-tail]

If you could set your Obey Me MC as your home screen character, what sorts of lines would they say? Reblog this and add yours if you want! :) I'll go first with Muse!

Muse

Morning: "Morning. Sleep well?"

Welcome Back: "There you are! I was looking for you earlier."

Afternoon/Evening: "Oh, hey. How's your day going so far?"

Inactive: "If you don't have anything else for me, Solomon said he needed my assistance with some research..." // "Luke found a new recipe to try the other day. Maybe I'll go help him bake it now." // "Oh! I think I saw a cat over there!"

Surprise Guest: (Fav Item) "No way... I've been looking everywhere for this! Where did you find it!?" // (Fav Food) "Oh wow, I love these! You're seriously the best. Thanks!" // (Tap/Touch) "I don't normally like hugs, but since it's you... Can you hold me just a little bit longer?"

Deleted App: "Dude. Stop. I won't fix it for you again." // "Uhhh, don't you need that? I'll just..."

Random (Interactive/Touch/Tap): "Lucifer and I... We have a hard time getting along." // "Mammon's like the older brother I never had. It's nice being the younger sibling for a change." // "Nightlock, eye of newt, bloodwood oil, spell chalk... Yep, that's everything I need for the curse." // "I like walking around the Masoleum alone. It's peaceful there, and I can think about things without being interrupted." // "Actually... I don't mind Solomon's cooking." // "Even though It's impossible, I feel like I've met Raphael before..." // "Simeon invited me to a sleepover at Purgatory Hall with Solomon and Luke tonight! I should bring my stuffed dinosaur, or I might end up cuddling his arm in my sleep again." // "I hope it rains soon. Do you like storms?"

[dear-departed]

Masterlist

Fluff 🌸 | Smut ⚡ | angst 🥀 | misc. / wtf 👾 | headcanons ✒ | drabble 📜 | fic 📖

Obey me:

MC wants the brothers to be art muses 🌸 | ✒

Brothers with touch starved MC 🌸 | ✒

Strong MC during lesson 16 🥀 👾 | ✒

"We should try that" Beelzebub w/ afab MC ⚡| 📖

Brothers with MC dealing with a breakdown 🌸🥀| ✒

"Sweet Heat" Lucifer w/ afab MC ⚡| 📖

Three weeks 🥀| 📜

"Welcome to Purgatory Hall" 🌸🥀|📖

The Arcana:

Nadia sneaking into bed 🌸 | 📜

Red Dead Redemption:

The Innocence of an Outlaw[dutch] 🌸 | 📜

Damn O'driscolls [Trans reader] 👾 | 📜

Resident Evil Village:

Coming soon!

Bungou Stray Dogs:

Coming soon!

[lightcreators]

Brightful laugh welcomed her compliment. No, he wasn’t really an expert … He wouldn’t consider himself as one anyway ! However, he was good at it --- for had sometimes be the peaceful and calming presence with his sister discovering the world inside her young age … Fondest remembrance as these memories were, there were also recollection of something he cannot truly fix anymore. Not his sister --- where they still crossed each other time to time inside his chessboard. Not someone else in which he could bring complete reassurance with. Wounds he was welcomed him were emotional, were mental fragmentation of the being … where his emotional first aid would take a long time … where himself needed to be reassured. Harmless of the wound had been noticed, in same manner about the accidental origin. It just … was a long-term occassion to bring such care. ❝  Had been a long time I couldn't do something like that. ❞ He mused playfully with an wink. Inside Purgatory, it was complicated to appeasing physical wounds when all the intented harms was emotional. Or was consequence of such suffering … Or was searching to escape such landscape of mental pain … He hesitated about speak to his sister. They couldn’t reunite as often she wanted to --- as on his side, he had to partially let her go, accepting circumstances of her future … as he could still see her. ❝ Have been used to be first aid, get some experience~ I can totally share it. Yeah, for next time ☆~ ❞

@lightcreators asked: " there. it looks much better. " (from battler ushiromiya)

"Well, thank you." Tifa chuckles as she feels Battler's gentle grasp wrapping up a scrape she earned on her palm. It was from something so non consequential. Just her trying to clean up some junk outside in the streets and a piece of metal got her palm, cut her clean underneath her palm and thumb. "You are quite the expert on first aid you know? I should really be trying to take some tips from you. For next time you know?"

[emmys-grimoire]

Lesson 70 Summary & Analysis

It's time for the third Lucifer versus Satan arc, folks! I know you were looking forward to it.

Story

After two weeks, we finally teleport to Hotel Corvo, where Satan is hiding.

… Only it’s the Victoria Station. Our teleportation skills need some honing.

We try it again, and this time we land in Japan! Leviathan badgers us for getting it wrong again. Before our next attempt, we get a flashback with Solomon reminding us about the limitations of teleportation.

So the more people we’re teleporting, the more powerful our magic must be. It also requires a degree of focus. It looks like we’re not quite up to snuff yet.

Our next attempt is successful.

Upon entering, the receptionist welcomes us and shows us to Satan’s room. We sit there in exceptionally awkward silence while Asmo and Levi muse over how tense everything is. Apparently, Satan wrecked his room.

We get the chance to prod him about what happened and he brushes it off. Leviathan calls him a diva and Asmo states the obvious: that this is the result of him and Lucifer getting into a fight again.

Satan begrudgingly reveals that Lucifer took up a student council assignment he was supposed to do. When pressed, Lucifer insisted it didn’t matter who did the work because “this is you and me” and “it’s the same either way”, which Satan took to imply he thought they were identical.

Cue existential crisis. We have the option to distract him and it… works?

Asmo remembers Mammon giving him a magical item that allows the user to conjure a copy of whoever you want.

Asmo’s suggestion is to summon a fake Lucifer and make him beg for Satan’s forgiveness. He doesn’t see a problem with the fact that Satan isn’t dumb enough to fall for it and it’s likely just going to annoy him more and thus… not solve the problem. Levi is cognizant of this, at least, but they still choose to use it.

Levi leaves to sneak into Satan’s room while he’s sleeping so he can get him to sniff whatever item this is, because apparently it’s magic is more effective that way (????).

You get a romantic scene with whichever brother you chose to bunk with (in my case Asmo, so they may swap roles if you chose Levi).

When we wake up, we enter Satan’s room and find him in his butler outfit. This puzzles everyone, naturally. He wants to serve us breakfast. Asmo assumes he’s feeling better and goes off to complete his beauty rest.

We accompany Satan to a restaurant. Leviathan is thrilled but expects Satan to lecture us for piling food on our plate. When the lecture doesn’t come, Levi is unsettled.

Later, Levi tells Satan how worried they were when he left (they weren’t). He mentions how the Purgatory Hall crew came up to them wanting to know what happened to him (they were worried -- or at least Luke was), and recommends Satan visit to reassure them he’s okay. Satan just keeps replying with “I see”, putting Levi off even further.

Our D.D.D bleeps with a text message from Mammon. Naturally, the item he gave us is cursed. Note to self: never use anything Mammon gives you, particularly if it came from a witch.

Apparently making Satan get a whiff of the artifact while he slept has made his “shadow” take over. Satan’s shadow is a stepford smiler. It sort of makes sense, given he’s the Lord of Masks in the TSL universe.

We go to wake up Asmo and instead find him in his own butler outfit. He got a whiff, too!

Shadow Asmo… is not that different from regular Asmo. Just more weepy and frustrated about no one understanding him because his beauty is just that blinding.

Asmo is just never going to be that deep of a character, is he?

Levi calls him annoyingly adorable and vows to return him to normal. Asmo finds this endearing and tells him he almost sounds cool. Levi begins to strategize a plan to save his brother and… Asmo is knocked out of it because Levi eliminated his fears by openly caring for him. D’aw.

We leave Asmo to make out with his own reflection and go off to find Satan. To eliminate Shadow!Satan’s greatest fears, we summon…

A rare book!

Or a cat.

Not sure how either of those options get rid of inner fear and, well, it doesn’t work. It's pretty obvious that Lucifer and Satan just need to talk at this point.

Shadow!Satan mentions there’s a human world exclusive Ruri-chan figurine on sale and Levi promptly runs off to find it, leaving us alone with him. He asks us what we intend to do, and dares us to try to take him back.

We do what we should have done in the very beginning and summon Lucifer.

Satan’s all like “IMPOSSIBLE!” and Lucifer is all “wtf?” (at least he then compliments us). There's one interesting bit about the summoning: we need to use the ring of light to summon Lucifer here.

The encounter between Lucifer and Shadow!Satan starts about as well as you think it would.

Lucifer addresses Satan’s shadow and Satan gets angy again. He attacks Lucifer and it does nothing, of course. Lucifer berates him for causing destruction in the Human World, then tries to clarify what he really meant. Satan’s initially hostile, but it gets through to him. Surprise: all Lucifer meant was Satan is just as good at paperwork as he is, and he values Satan’s talent. The important bit is he admits that he needs Satan.

Satan is successfully talked down and we all go back home. We have a big dinner at the House of Lamentation to celebrate the most useless Lucifer versus Satan arc yet… until Raphael ruins it by telling everyone how much Satan reminds him of Lucifer. He destroys the recently-repaired kitchen and we fade to black.

Analysis

There’s not much to go over here, again, so this is another tangent. We’ve dealt with Satan’s identity issues multiple times already and this situation doesn’t resolve itself any differently. Asmodeus and Leviathan might as well be furniture. I’m not sure why those two are the ones who come with us?

I did appreciate the return of two-faced Satan, even if it was technically his “shadow” (not even sure what a shadow actually is but maybe it’s rooted in Jungian psychology). Saccharine cynicism was supposed to be his big character theme before it became cats, but they ditched it almost immediately in S1. I feel we could have gotten better character development from these characters if they didn’t have to fall in love with MC by the end of the season.

Flaws are good. They’re human and make us who we are. Recognizing them and overcoming them – or at least managing them – is integral to our personal growth. It’s good character development and would give us a better story.

They don’t really do Satan justice here, though, even when you cut out all the fat and get to the meat of the lesson. Lucifer is the one who messed up, but it was a case of being clumsy with his words and Satan going with the least charitable reading (which, admittedly, may not be too out of character for him). They don’t really address the core issue: Satan fears he’s just a blonde, teenage version of Lucifer (a shadow of him) and the better route to take would be just to tell him how he’s clearly unique and different. They attempted to do this in S3 during the bogeyman arc (the finale), but Lucifer only pointed to surface-level bullshit like “you like cats and I prefer dogs”. Here, they resolve it by just having Lucifer tell him he’s just as competent as he is and he truly values him. Is being acknowledged and valued what Satan wants? Probably, but it seems it should be deeper than just wanting Lucifer’s attention and praise.

This is why I say this could have ended immediately and this entire lesson was unnecessary… but Lucifer’s platitudes are all it takes, every time. It’s a letdown.

I’m not sure what to say about the artifact. It’s just there to make things go awry but nothing particularly interesting comes out of it. I feel shadow Satan could have just been normal Satan and Asmo’s shadow was just a weepier version of normal Asmo.

Oh well. Onto the next Lucifer versus Satan arc, I guess, when all these issues crop up again because they’re never truly resolved.

Predictions

We got the latter half of the season to go, which means we got another half dozen filler lessons in store for us before they force Simeon’s issues to come to a head. Yaaay.

We still got time for wayward curses, Levi’s tech malfunctioning, and maybe another school event? Oh yeah and we still need to get on the student council. Maybe we’ll actually learn something about it, and why Diavolo chose to make it the seat of government. The trials so far have been a breeze so managing an entire kingdom full of beings prone to self-serving and chaos is bound to be just as easy!

Help I’m so starved for SOMETHING of substance. It’s been four seasons, please start worldbuilding in a coherent manner.

[quazartranslates]

Welcome to the Nightmare Game II - CH54

**This is an edited machine translation. For more information, please [click here]**

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Chapter 54: Purgatory Reunion (VI)

At this moment, the world was silent.

Qi Leren stood on a black rock in the middle of the lake of fire, staring at Ning Zhou, who had become a dragon. The dragon also stared at him. The slender and horrible vertical pupils of cold-blooded animals showed the gentleness of recognition.

The fire and rain falling from the sky stopped, and the magma erupting angrily because of the force of destruction also stopped. This dark underground world was immersed in the warm sunshine pouring in from the gap and the holy light from the Prophet's Heart.

For a moment, Qi Leren couldn't say anything, because there were too many words choked in his throat. When he opened his mouth, the words that could be said and could not be said were about to slip away before his eyes.

He held out his hand and wanted to touch the dragon that he was so close to. Even in purgatory, its head was head high rather, not low. But the dragon in front of him gently lowered its head and stopped in front of his eyes.

Qi Leren stroked the dragon’s cold scales, and then hugged him. He didn't even dare to put pressure into it. He just put his face on the cold dragon scales and choked:

"Ning Zhou, I’m back."

This sentence was like a spell. Qi Leren’s tears that had been building finally flowed down. These tears were full of love and joy. He was thankful that he wasn’t too late, and that the tragedy in his nightmares hadn’t taken place. He finally came to Ning Zhou before everything was irreversible.

As long as Ning Zhou was still alive, there was still hope for everything.

It was also with this sentence that the dragon standing in the lake of fire slowly changed back to its human form—a thin, gaunt, but still alive Ning Zhou. When he stared at him with his blue eyes that held too much emotion, Qi Leren suddenly felt that Ning Zhou knew everything, and he understood everything.

Whether it was misunderstanding, deep guilt, or love, when they met again in this hot lake, a pair of loving souls embraced everything.

　　&&&

"Is this who you were talking about, His Majesty's dead lover?" The Witch of Nothingness turned her head. Although she never opened her eyes, she "stared" at the Devil of Evil, waiting for his answer.

All the demons sitting around the long table looked at him. This oppressive gaze made the Devil of Evil feel pressured. He spread his hands: "According to intelligence, he is indeed dead, but the truth of the matter doesn’t seem so simple. I’m afraid even our Majesty thinks he’s dead."

"Whose side is he from?" The Witch of Desperation only cared about this problem.

"The Holy See?" the Witch of Resentment murmured, staring at Qi Leren who was shrouded by the power of a holy angel.

"No, the intelligence said that he’s a foreigner. He came here from another world, and he had no faith. However, his strength is biased towards the Holy See. Which master in their camp gave him an item to borrow strength?" the Devil of Evil mused.

The Witch of Desperation waved her hand, and the magic mirror’s perspective pulled away, overlooking the lake of fire from a distance. The paradise reflected in the holy light covering the sky had the divine beauty of dusk, just as it had been repeatedly described in the Canon, the home of God.

"It’s the Village of Dusk’s Prophet!" The Witch of Nothingness recognized the characteristics of this miracle and revealed it in the same breath.

"It seems that His Majesty's little lover is a man favored by the Prophet. If he doesn't know what his original strength is, he’ll never become a 'guardian' like Maria, right?" The Devil of Evil touched his chin and showed innocent cruelty in his eyes. "Oh, I don't want to see the tragedy of that year repeat itself."

The Witch of Desperation looked at the magic mirror silently and said after a long time, "It's a pity... It’s almost too similar."

The Witch of Nothingness comforted: "There’s no rush for a while."

"Haha, aren't you going to rush out and stop them now? Even if you say yes, I won't go, I still want to keep this life for a long time." The Devil of Evil put his hands behind his head and leaned lazily against the back of the chair.

"Wait and see. It's not time for us to show up yet," said the Witch of Desperation, drawing a pause symbol on the attempted operation.

　　&&&

The two people didn't go far. Ning Zhou was tired when Qi Leren found him, as if he hadn't slept for several days, and he forced him to have a rest. They settled down in a secret cave not too far from the lake of fire, and Ning Zhou set up a barrier to prevent harassment from lower demons.

There were fluorescent fungi and luminous moths like butterflies in this cave, and Qi Leren took out a lantern to make the dim light illuminate their surroundings.

Qi Leren leaned against the cave wall, and Ning Zhou rested on his leg, his body covered with a blanket.

The warm light of the lantern allowed the two exhausted people to briefly escape from this Nightmare World and take a nap in a pure peaceful land. The scarred soul wrapped in its scarred body finally found rest here.

Ning Zhou quietly looked at Qi Leren, but he couldn't close his eyes for even a moment until Qi Leren secretly hooked his hand under the blanket, and their two hands clasped each other. Then, his nervous look eased slightly.

"Can't sleep?" Qi Leren asked softly.

Ning Zhou shook his head gently, holding Qi Leren's hand tightly, as if when he let go, the warmth in his hand would slip away quietly.

"Then let's talk for a while?" Their old estrangement had long since disappeared. At this time, Qi Leren simply had endless questions and endless words. He was curious about everything about Ning Zhou, his childhood, his past, his mood, and he also had a lot of things to tell him, such as how worried he was... He can talk about forever on his own.

Qi Leren couldn't help but talk about it. From the beginning when he had found love at first sight, he talked about his inner struggle and suffering.

"...I'm not afraid to love someone of the same sex, but I'm afraid my feelings will hurt you. At that time, I even thought… if I choose to be patient to let you live better, I would rather… be patient my whole life. But... but, in the end, my love has become your burden. I'm sorry, Ning Zhou... I'm sorry..."

Just as tears fell from his eyes, Ning Zhou wiped them away with his fingers.

"At that time, I wrote a 7 to tell you that I would be resurrected in seven days, but the moment I wrote it, I regretted it. Because... I shouldn't have said this... I never knew it would be so painful to tell the truth. If I hadn't said it, maybe you wouldn't be here now, you'd still be living in Neverland, and you wouldn't suffer so much..."

When Qi Leren had learned of Ning Zhou’s end in that game, besides his great fear, his heart had been filled with endless guilt and remorse.

He instinctively blamed himself for everything, and decided that his existence had made Ning Zhou embark on a road full of thorns, which was indeed the case. Without his existence, Ning Zhou's identity would still be an exorcist in Neverland, instead of... a descendant of the Destroyer.

"Then you would spend your whole life deceiving yourself?" Ning Zhou asked gently.

Qi Leren was silent.

"Calm pain is better than hypocrisy. I should pay for it all my life, but I shouldn't cheat it all my life... I’ve never regretted my choice." Even at the moment when he was determined to end himself, his heart was filled with endless sadness and despair, but there was no resentment or regret.

Even when he sank into the abyss of despair at that moment, he was illuminated by a beam of light, and he had been redeemed.

God gave him a miracle to embrace the light at the end of Hell.

He had courage and determination again. He wanted to give it a try and see if he could control the raging destruction, not sink into the power and become a slave to it. He was willing to try for the person he loved, even if it was an almost impossible challenge.

He was willing to die for this world, but he was willing to live for his lover.

Sometimes it was harder to live than to die.

"Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Those who can endure and overcome temptation will be rewarded." Ning Zhou gently recited the words in the Canon and looked at Qi Leren. "God has rewarded me and he sent you back to me."

Qi Leren could no longer speak. He felt another person's heat on his skin, so warm and pleasant.

He read another person's soul from his eyes, so pure and calm.

He was glad again that he had not missed Ning Zhou.

Qi Leren took out the Canon and said with a smile: "Chen Baiqi gave it to me. I’ll read it to you. If you’re tired, just sleep."

So in the dim light, he read from the first page: "After the destruction of the ancient world, everything was chaotic and asleep. There was no past, no future, no center, no margin, only endless darkness. The gods came from outside, each sowing a seed. Some seeds died before they germinated, while others were swallowed up as soon as they sprouted. Only the seeds of Father God were born within light and darkness, sky and earth, sun, moon, and stars. Father God was happy, for he wanted to bring life into the seed and make it become its own world..."

Ning Zhou closed his eyes and seemed to be asleep.

Qi Leren closed his book carefully and gently stared at Ning Zhou. At this moment, his heart was full of both sourness and sweetness. He was glad that he had arrived here in time, and pulled him out when Ning Zhou was at his most helpless and vulnerable, so that he didn't fall into the abyss of death.

At first, he thought that Ning Zhou's death would be at the hands of others, but when he came to the lake of fire and watched the black dragon roar in despair, he suddenly understood.

What would kill Ning Zhou was not the devils hidden in this underground world, but the devil inside Ning Zhou.

At that time, Ning Zhou's heart was so desperate that he would rather die of guilt than live in the world... This thought made Qi Leren feel sourness in his eyes.

A fluorescent moth, which had stopped on the cave wall, came down lightly and stopped on the blanket that covered Ning Zhou, emitting blue-green light. Qi Leren moved his fingers and drove it away.

"I believe that power has nothing to do with good and evil. You have never fallen," Qi Leren whispered, tracing Ning Zhou's sleeping face with his eyes.

Ning Zhou didn't open his eyes, but he held his hand tightly.

A teardrop trickled down from the corner of his eye and sank into the shadows.

In this dark world where only a lantern shone faintly, they devoutly delivered trust and love, and then received redemption from each other.

The long night road that they had once thought they would never be able to see the end of, all of a sudden, had already revealed the tiny lights between the distant mountains.

Qi Leren suddenly felt deeply touched. When he was trained hellishly by Chen Baiqi, he had rationally understood that all this was for his own good, so deep down, he had no hesitation or complaints. But when he held Ning Zhou's hand at this moment, he suddenly understood everything, and everything he had endured, whether it was hard training or life and death tests, had taught him to grow with every step. He had to keep growing.

What he shouldered was no longer his own life.

To the world, he was only a trivial person, but to the one who loved him, he was his whole world.

——I am willing to create a paradise on earth for you, and I am willing to hold your wandering and painful soul here.

——At this moment, I only wish that you have a good dream.

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Editor’s Notes: After nearly two hundred chapters, we finally get to see some sweetness between them :’)

[Here] is some fanart of their reuinion.

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[scint]

Lola; Do I Wanna Know

Named for the song by the Arctic Monkeys.

Have you no idea that you're in deep? I dreamt about you nearly every night this week. How many secrets can you keep? 'Cause there's this tune I found that makes me think of you somehow and I play it on repeat Until I fall asleep Spilling drinks of my settee.

Do I wanna know If this feeling flows both ways? Sad to see you go; Was sort of hoping that you'd stay. Baby we both know That the nights were mainly made for saying things that you can't say tomorrow day.

A huge thank you to Jaguar550's YT videos that always help me get the details right.

Even in a space as big as the cargo bay, James Vega's larger than life persona was easy to spot. Maybe it was the same for her; he turned a little too quickly when she strolled up to his usual station at the armory. "What the hell's up with EDI?" "She's found a new home, I guess." "A super-hot, sexy home. You take her on a mission, I'm gonna be just a little bit distracted." Vega's eyes roamed down the length of her body, drinking her in. If she were prone to being self-conscious she might've blushed. "Even more distracted." Shepard held up a hand. "Nice try." Unabashed, he just shrugged those massive shoulders at her. "Sorry, Lola." There it was again. "What's with you and the nicknames?" "It's just my way of remembering people. Some people just don't match their names, you know? So I just give 'em a new one." "So, I'm a Lola, huh?" "Yeah, my best friend's sister growing up was Lola. Older sister. Hot. Tough." He chewed on the last few words like they were a delicacy. He'd clearly had a thing for her. "Right." Good to know. "I'll talk to you later." "You bet."

[...]

"Hey, Commander." The bass and neon strobes of Purgatory were always a welcome jolt to her system. James seemed to be enjoying them as well. "Nice to see you down in the dirt here with us grunts." Shepard crossed her arms in front of her, a frown touching her lips. "You think I don't like getting dirty?" "Whoa now, come on..." he hopped on the balls of his feet as if she were about to spar with him again right there at the bar. No dice, Vega. No dancing after that little quip. He must've known he'd wounded her; he followed closely with, "I didn't mean anything by it, Lola." "Uh, huh." She kept her arms where they were as she leaned in, raising her voice to the blare of the sound system. "What did you mean, then?" "See those marines over there? None of them officers-just soldiers fighting the war." He drew her gaze over to a gaggle of rowdy uniforms, cheering and cajoling each other to the mirth of their shit-talking and drinks. "Yeah?" "They've been buying me drinks all night. You know why?" He lowered his voice, keeping his next statement intimately safe from eavesdroppers. "Same reason they got all quiet and serious when you walked in." "You don't seem intimidated by me in the least. Maybe because you were my guard while I was grounded." "Nah, you were still Commander Shepard to me then. Besides, I've fought with you. Seen you in action. Now don't get me wrong. You're good. Probably one of the best." "Probably?" Was he trying to push her buttons? "And you fill out a uniform like nobody's business." His eyes raked over her again head to toe, something she was growing used to whenever they had these little chats. She idly wondered if he was just appreciating the view or if he was... curious. "Just saying. But I know you're human, just like me." "But not them?" she countered, gesturing back to the table of men and women clad in their starch blues. "Nope. Hell, I still remember the day they made you the first human Spectre. I watched it on the vids, just like all of them." That was more than two years ago, she mused. How the times have changed. Kind of. Still fighting the same fucking fight. "But to them, you're still larger than life." Shepard let her arms fall to her sides, relinquishing, her earlier pinpricks of anger flickering out. "Maybe I should expect it. There aren't a helluva lot of people who've done what I have." "And now they get to meet you in the flesh. You should buy 'em a round, really impress them." Okay. I can get behind that. "I like the way you think, Lieutenant." They turned in unison to the group of soliders as he called over to them, a hand cupped to his face to amplify the noise. "Compadres! Hey... the commander would like you to have a drink. On her." A wave of surprised grins were his reward. "So here's to us!" "Who's like us?" One of them called back, saluting the duo. "Damn few!" She finished the old adage with a salute of her own. "And they're all dead." That warmed them up. They made their way over and one by one, each proudly shook her hand by way of thanks. "It's an honor meeting you, Commander," one man said. "Thanks, but we're all in this together. Every one of us has a part to play." "True enough." One of the others nodded, happily accepting the drink being passed her way. She held up the glass to the purveyor. "Cheers." "Cheers," Shepard said, returning her nod. "Not bad, Lola," James mumbled in her ear after the group has dispersed. "I was hoping you'd know that one." "Thanks for the warning," she scolded. "Thanks for the drink." He turned back to the bar to claim his glass and Shepard took her spot besides him. She wasn't quite done with their little conversation. "So, tell me. Is that how you felt about me back when we met on Earth?" "Truthfully? I think I've had a crush on you ever since the stories my uncle used to tell me. 'Shepard, the hero of Elysium.' He had a friend that made it out of there thanks to you." "Oh?" Oh. "Yeah. You were just a hero to me then, someone to look up to. Hell, I wore a Normandy badge during my stint on Fehl Prime, even went toe-to-toe with a couple of meatheads who gave me shit for being a 'Shepard Lover.'" She raised her eyebrows at that, but he pretended not to notice. "But then I met you and spent days, weeks with you. When we left Earth together, we were saddled with a responsibility that outweighs anything either of us has ever been through before. Now you're much more... tangible. I still look up to you of course, but you're my CO. My friend." "Is that all?" "Is that...?" He stole a glance at her from the corner of his eye, looking away quickly when she caught him. Shepard let herself laugh, clapping him on one of his mighty shoulder blades. She felt better, good enough to leave him with his interest piqued. "Later, Lieutenant." Rounding the stairs that led down to the exit on the lower levels, she was sure he'd been staring after her. From the corner of her eye, she saw him shake his head before turning to face the bar again, signaling for another round.

[...]

Orange lit up the dash on the private terminal in her quarters as she pushed the command code to page Vega's omnitool. "James, I've got some time if you want to talk privately." Shepard had received news from Traynor that he'd asked for her earlier in the day. "On my way," was his static reply. Five minutes later, the doors of her cabin released to let his muscled frame through. "Hey man-how's it going?" She'd be lying if the prospect of being alone with him didn't spike her heart rate just a little. "Good, James. You?" "Good, good," he replied absentmindedly, taking in the expanse of the room. He'd never been in the loft of the ship. "Wow, so this is what I can look forward to when I get my own command." She had to admit, the accommodations were a lot more impressive than the SR1's. "Cerberus didn't stick to Alliance regs when designing the new Normandy. Since Anderson was supposed to use it as his mobile command center, I guess they'd decided to keep things as is. At least in this part of the ship." "Wait, so Cerberus gave you a fish tank?" James exclaimed, incredulous. "I did have to buy the fish," she smirked. He shook his head, eyes dropping to his feet. "Guess I won't get so lucky." "You want your own ship, Vega?" "Yeah, maybe one day, when I'm old and I can't fight worth shit anymore." Alright, tough guy. "You just come up here to make fun of your commander?" He tossed a smirk at her as he descended the steps to the main level of her room. "Sorry, Lola. I guess maybe I've got some things on my mind. I wanted to get your opinion on something." "Shoot." "What'd you do when they asked you to join the N7 program?" His voice was low, contemplative. Almost like he was sharing a secret. "I mean, was it a no-brainer for you, or did you have to think about it before accepting?" Hm. "The N7 program is a big deal, but it's also a big commitment.""I hear that," he nodded."You get the best training, best equipment, best assignments..." "And they expect the best in return." "Yes, they do." It was her turn to nod. "Why you asking?" "Well..." Vega started to pace, anxiety etched into his surly look on his handsome face. "Even all the shit that's going on, somebody somewhere managed to track me down and forward me an N7 commendation." His expression blackened a little. "It's dated the same day the Reapers attacked Earth." "You don't sound too thrilled," she noted. "Well, aside from the fact there won't even be an N7 program if we don't win this war, I just... Being a soldier's the only thing I've ever been really good at. And not 'cause I try." He forced a shrug, shifting his weight, uncomfortably facing his next thought. "Hell, I'd've kicked my ass out years ago. Last time I had a command, I almost lost everyone. And they promoted me for it. I guess I'm just not sure if I'm ready to lead again. I don't know if I want that responsibility." Shepard's reply was soft. She'd been in his shoes too many times not to know how heavy that weight was to walk around with, let alone to share. "You mentioned that before. What went wrong?" Vega scoffed. "What didn't go wrong?" He raised a large hand to his temple, easing the stressed vein that had started to protrude. "We were out on patrol, checking on some strange readings. Then the Collectors hit. But they hit the colony first. By the time we got back, most of the colonists had been subdued or abducted, including our CO, Captain Toni." "So you were in charge." "Yeah. We laid low for a bit, waiting for a chance to strike. But before we could, we were betrayed. One of the colonists turned out to be a Cerberus spy working with the Collectors. I had no choice. I killed him and destroyed the Collector ship. It got ugly. We lost most of the colonists and all but one of my squad. Not exactly a textbook opertation." "You can't blame yourself for being put in a tough situation. And if you were promoted, something must've gone right." "Sure, but..." She cut him off. "If you'd saved them all, would things have worked out better?" "I... I don't know. I don't think so." Shepard nodded solemnly. "The right choice is usually not the easy one." "Yeah... Did you know that before you joined the N7?" "Yeah. That's why I was asked. And that's why they asked you. There is not a single N7 that hasn't sacrificed, either themselves or their soldiers, at some point." "So you think I should accept?" It was her turn to shrug. "Assuming we survive this, that's a no-brainer. You're a damn good soldier, Vega. Don't waste that opportunity." "I'll think about it. Seriously." Gratitude warmed the last word as it passed his lips. "If you don't mind, maybe don't mention this to anyone else." "Of course not." "I mean, the commendation. I don't care who knows I've been in your bedroom." And there he was, wit and charm on full display. "You realize the whole ship knows where you are right now, right?" "Damn. Can't you tell EDI to lay off?" Shepard shook her head, a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. "Well, I think I better get back to the hangar. Things here are just a little too soft for me." "The bed's a lot harder than it looks." "Are you flirting with me, Lola?" She crossed her arms again, defiant. "Always." "Uh..." He held up his hands in surrender when she squinted at him. "Alright, alright. Thanks again, Shepard. You know, I knew for sure I was in over my head when I decided to stick around on the Normandy. You said I could go when we docked at the Citadel, but I wanted to stay. I wanted to help. But..." "...but what?" "It's complicated. Have you ever felt like you're exactly where you were meant to be? Like life had this planned out all along and now you're actually living it?" "You mean fate?" What the fuck? "Yeah. Fate, destiny, whatever. I never really put much stock into it; I think that we're the ones who get to choose how to live our lives. But now, after talking to you... I feel like I made the right choices to bring me here, now. And I feel like this is where I should be. That's kind of a tough pill to swallow, considering everything I've just told you." "James?" "Yeah?" Shepard stepped towards him, closing the space between them and taking one of his large hands in both of hers. "I'm glad you're here." James looked down, his one hand dwarfing hers. He paused before slowly gripping it, squeezing lightly. "Thanks. Me too, Lola." He let hers drop after a moment, turning to head for the door. "Buenas noches, y dulces sueños," he called over his shoulder. "Duermas bien," she shot back. Vega froze as he crossed the threshold, spinning to face her with his jaw adjar. "Wait, what did you say? Since when-" "Goodnight, Vega," she hollered, tapping her omnitool to manually shut the door behind him. Going back to her desk, she pulled up the first of many mission reports she had to file before her night was over. A ping sounded to her left and she pulled up the incoming message. [TXT]NOW you're in for it.[/] She looked up and saw the reflection of her smile in the glass partition seperating her workspace from her sleeping quarters as she got to work.

[...]

Shepard was making her rounds, running errands while they were docked at the Citadel. She was at the overflowing civilian docks, all different species from all walks of life crammed together as they sought refuge from the homes they were cast out from. The Reapers were advancing and taking world after world, colony after colony. There were few safe places left in the galaxy, the Citadel barely ranking among them after the coup attempt by Cerberus' forces. The place still had visible scars from the attack wherever she went, but Shepard knew it was nothing compared to a fullscale Reaper invasion. If - when this place was hit, it'd be unrecognizable. "Merde! Ah, cuidado pendejo!" Stopping in her tracks, Shepard turned to glance down the makeshift alleyway formed from several stacks of shipping containers. Sure as shit, there he was: James Vega, shirtless in all his glory, flinching as a batarian worked at the skin of his back. "James?" "Commander. What brings you down here?" "I was about to ask you that..." "Well, after our little chat... ah. I made up my mind. I'm gonna join the N7 Program." "And you're celebrating by getting a tattoo." How very Vega. "Heh... sort of. See... there's no official channels to go through right now. So, I guess this is my way of making it official. Technically, I'm just an N7 recruit, but, you know, I figure with you as my training officer, how could I fail? Right?" Shepard shook her head, dubious. "I'm flattered, but I wouldn't exactly say I'm training you." "Not officially, but what the hell is in this goddamn war. I'm just saying... whether you like it or not, you're my direct superior, and you're N7. So I take my lead from you," he added proudly. She allowed a smile. "And you know... I'll take whatever advice you've got." "Really?" "Sure," he acquiesced. "The good advice." "Don't take this lightly, Vega," she warned. "I'm not. And I won't." There was a promise in his eyes that conveyed what words couldn't - an unspoken understanding among soldiers that have been through unspeakable shit. "I know it seems like I don't take things seriously, but when I commit to something... I fully commit." "Clearly." "Hey," he chidded. "I won't let you down." "Don't just tell me. Show me," she added sternly. "Yes, ma'am," he replied. There was a heat in his words that she quite liked. "You know that's going to sting for a few days. You gonna be ready for duty?" "Always. Hey, maybe we should get matching?" "You want me to get an N7 tattoo?" "N7... sure." James grinned menacingly. "Or you could get my name done... somewhere special." "You are such a tease, Vega." She clenched at her jutting hip as she spoke, and noticed that his gaze landed there rather than her eyes as he spoke again. "Who me?" Fuck it, why not. "You ever gonna make good on all this flirting?" Warm, brown eyes widened as the shock registered on his face, darting back to stare into hers. "I... uh..." "That's what I thought," Shepard chuckled after watching him struggle for words. Turning on her heel, she made for her next destination. "See ya back on the Normandy." "Later..."

[...]

The taxi pulled away as Shepard turned towards the casino entrance. It was lined with the most well-dressed armed guards she'd ever seen. That is, of course, besides her own.

"Looking fine, Commander." Vega whispered it in her ears, below the guard's radar.

"You clean up nicely, James," she replied appreciatively.

"It was a high collar or put on some girl's makeup. I like collars."

Shepard lifted a hand to where she knew the blackwork that traced the curvature of his neck was, hidden by the fancy suit he had donned. "Nice disguise. Wish you hadn't had to cover it."

"You could still kick it up, though. You know, accessorize a little," Brooks chimmed in.

"Oh, yeah?" he smirked. Shameless flirt. "Like how?"

She nodded at Shepard who got the hint a beat before James did, winding her arm through his and began making her way down the strip.

"That'll work," James mused.

Once inside, they got to mingle with the guests, have a drink at the bar as they waited for Brooks to run surveillance, even managed to get a dance in. Shepard was relieved that James was as awkward at the last prospect as she was, but seemed to enjoy himself nonetheless.

"Be careful, Shepard," he muttered under his breath as he pulled her close, his breath hot on her neck. "This is starting to feel like a real date, not an infiltration mission."

"You wound me," she mocked, making a show of looking dejected. "Why can't it be both?"

The laugh she was rewarded with was real and sounded so damn good. All too soon, Brooks was in their ears, giving them instructions on where to meet up and how to deactivate the cameras that blocked them from getting to their target, the benefactor of this soiree. James turned his face to hers, inches away, still held in his arms as they swayed. He gave her a reassuring squeeze before releasing her. "Hold that thought, Lola."

[...]

Getting back to the apartment in Tiberus Towers, James spoke up. "Thanks, boss. Hell of a party. Too bad our host was murdered."

"It wasn't a total loss. Brooks, work with EDI to see if there's anything useful on those drives."

"Here's hoping! I'll let you know what we find, Commander."

Shepard made to follow her but stopped short when she felt hands on her sides. "Careful there, Commander. A girl takes a guy out for a hot date, he starts getting ideas... all of them within Alliance regulations," he finished loudly as he broke away from her. "Come on, let's find some chow."

"Are you trying to kill me?" she fumed as she followed after him.

"Quite the contrary," he said thoughtfully, making his way to the fridge. "I want you to feel alive. If anyone deserves to, it's you."

"And when were you planning on making good on that?" she persisted.

Vega glanced to either side before dropping his voice down to barely above a whisper. "Later, when we have some down time... you'll see. I promise." With a wink, he went back to ransacking her food. He handed her a few containers as she shook her head with an easy smile. They were becoming more and more plentiful the more time she spent with him she realized.

[...]

"Hey, Lola."

Shepard had been filing some necessary paperwork - destruction of government property, fine waivers, all authorized by her Alliance and Spectre clearances - when she heard him come in. "Hey, James. Up here," she called to him from the second floor balcony.

"You know, this place is going to take a beating if you go through with that party you were talking about. Kinda making me nervous, all the fancy artwork and all," he said as he passed one of the ornate statues that served as decoration.

"You wouldn't trash my new apartment, would you James?" Shepard scolded.

"Me? No, never," he admonished, feigning innocence as he took in the waterfall fixture on the stairwell. Making his way to the railing where she faced over the main level, he let out a low whistle. "Nice view. But this place? It's just so... not what I'm used to."

She turned to give him her full attention. "Which is?"

"I grew up on the beach on the Pacific." James gripped the railing in front of him, twisting his fists around it idly. "So you know: water, sand... real air."

"You miss it?"

She shook his head but muttered, "Yeah. And the people..." It sounded like a confession.

Oh. "So, uh, what's her name?"

"Ha! No! No, I... There was this girl. An asari, Treeya. I met her on Fehl Prime. She... she was one of the only ones who made it out alive. For a long time I wondered if my feelings for her got in the way of me doing what was right. I stopped fraternizing after that, swore I wouldn't let it happen again. It left a bad taste."

"I'm surprised." Genuinely, given all the almost-fraternizing they'd been doing recently. "Hasn't stopped you from being a shameless flirt."

"Yeah. Well, that's just my way. Besides." He side-stepped up to her, locking eyes before giving life to his next thought. "I've... heard some things."

Uh-oh. "Like what?"

"About Liara. And the Major." He glanced away for the briefest of seconds. "That things got a little heated back on the old Normandy."

"There's not much to tell," she shrugged. "Nothing happened. We talked it through. Liara saved me from the Collectors, gave my body to Cerberus to bring me back. Kaidan..." A sadness clouded her expression that she didn't feel the need to mask. Not with James. "He was a hard sell after Cerberus brought me back. But we're good now, and he even agreed to serve on the Normandy again."

"Exactly."

She squinted at him. "What?"

"You turned them down. Haven't been with anyone since." She saw him struggling with what to say or maybe how to say it and reached for him reflexively. He moved away from her reach, on guard all of a sudden. What was going on with him?

"Thanks for reminding me. And?"

"Why me?"

"What?" she stammered.

"What makes me different? When I go to make my move, won't you tell me no, too?"

Shepard stood rooted to the spot, mouth open in a small circle.

James reached for her arms, grabbing a handful of bicep in each one. "What makes me different?" he all but begged.

Slowly, Shepard raised a hand to touch his beautiful, strong jawline. Tracing her thumb over an old scar that indented the corner of his mouth, she found the words. "You just are."

They stood like that a short while, neither of them wanting to break eye contact first. He stared at her in what she took to be disbelief, while Shepard waited patiently to see what he would do next.

She wasn't disappointed. Pulling her close, he enveloped her in his chiseled arms and kissed her deeply yet so very sweet. His mouth tasted like hot sauce and mouthwash and she drank him in, gasping when their lips finally parted, bemused by his boldness and surprised at her easy response.

"Lola," he whispered against her still-puckered lips.

Her tongue darted out to wet them as she withdrew slightly, covering his with her fingertips. "Wait," she began.

"Shh," he hushed, smiling as he did. "It's alright, Lola."

"No, listen." Shepard cleared the lump in her throat as she tried to explain. "It's not no. Just--not right now. We need to be at our best right now, and that means--yes, I want this." She gritted her teeth as she realized she was stuttering and steeled herself, trying again. "I want this. And I want to give it a fair shot. Neither of us can do that while the war's still on. So, if you're okay with waiting until we hit paydirt... If you want... And, well, if you're not... I-"

"Shepard, don't you dare say you understand. Don't." His arms had gone stiff around her as she delivered the bad news, his expression surprisingly neutral. Drawing in a deep breath, she caught another whiff of spicy and mint as he blew it out, sighing into her shoulder.

Her arms encircled what they could of his own shoulders and she held onto him, pulling him closer until her face came to rest on his neck. "I'm sorry," she whispered against his skin.

"No, I... That's fair, Lola. Sorry. Just a real kick in the cajones."

"I know. But hear me out." She pulled back to look him in the eyes. "You once told me that you don't do this sort of thing lightly. Neither do I. 'When I commit to something... I fully commit.'" That did it; recognition sparked in those big brown eyes that gave her palpitations. "I don't plan on half-assing our time together. So once we kick the Reapers straight back to hell, you better have reservations at the nicest restaurant still standing. If that's what you want, too," she backpedaled, giving him an out. She didn't blame him if he did, but...

A smile spread across the his entire face, touching his eyes and melting her resolve. Please say yes.

"You got it, Lola. Just no more sushi," he chuckled into her hair, sending shivers up her spine. "But wait--does this mean I can't kiss you?"

"Fuck no," she groaned, pulling him into another kiss, the tempo steamier than the last.

[...]

Neither of them banked on not being around to keep those reservations.

#MERweek2021 Day 3: Missed opportunities.