#again... sorry to those not into M7

[roennq]

LOOK WHAT I FOUND!

*happy dance*

The Musketeers did remind me of The Magnificent Seven in certain ways... and then I came across this post.

Thanks for the PSA! I second every word of it.

If memory serves, it took forever to track down all 18 episodes but they were well worth all the time and effort. It's a great series so check it out if you can.

Public Service Announcement

For anybody looking for more shows with BME (Big Musketeers Energy) to binge during lockdown, I HIGHLY recommend the 1998 Magnificent Seven tv series starring Micheal Biehn

It only has about 18 episodes but they are GOOD

It’s all Wild West Found Family goodness and can satisfy your Hijinks cravings

I literally CANNOT reccomend this show enough

[asaarii]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SETTRIGH!! ft: sett reader: fem wc: 758

I LOVE YOU SETT, MY FIRST MAIN AND M7, MY HIGHEST ETERNAL, AND THE MAN WHO GOT ME INTO LEAGUE IN THE FIRST PLACE ADJF9IOLKDJVINDSOKFJNUDOIK,MGBNVFDSIJKLKFKSDP HAPPY BIRTHDAYYYYYYY (Jan 14)

You had always admired your husband’s dedication. Whether it was directed to caring for his mother, overseeing the fights in his pit, or even simply just loving you, he’d always make sure that whatever he was doing had his utmost attention. This includes taking care of you on holidays and your birthday. Never once did he forget an important date, every one marked on a calendar with bold red lettering. 

(His handwriting is surprisingly eloquent for someone as gruff as him. You’ll never forget the offended look that crossed his face when you mentioned it to him after visiting him at the pit.

“Wha—? The hell is that supposed to mean?” You merely shrugged, “Dunno, I just never saw you as someone who cared about the way your handwriting looked.”

He even called over Ryo, motioning to the freshly signed stack of papers on his grandiose desk. The assistant had raised a brow, tipping up his straw hat to peer curiously down at the source of his boss’s ire. He lets out a low whistle as he shrugs, “Hate to break it to ya, but she’s right, boss.”

“I’m cuttin’ yer pay.”

“I’m sorry.”)

All but one.

Early on in your relationship, you’d notice he’d never mark down his own birthday. When you had asked about it, he bashfully rubbed the back of his neck, his face twisting into an embarrassed, almost pained expression as he let out a sigh. 

“Never really had friends to celebrate it with, y’know? Ma was always there for me, but I don’t want to bother her with somethin’ as dumb as a birthday.”

His response broke your heart. So much so that you couldn’t help but pull him by the fur of his coat, kissing him breathless in spite of his chortled gasp of surprise. His eyes widened before he melted against you. When you’d separated, you stared into his blazing golden eyes, reaching up to trace the faded scares that defined the hardened lines of his face.

“Don’t say stupid things, Sett.” As you break his gaze, you slowly trace your hand down his jaw, stopping just above where his heart hammered against his rib cage. 

(His heart—a mix of Vastaya and human blood, yet so wholly him. 

Your Settrigh.)

“Your birthday isn’t dumb,” you pinch his cheek, vowing to both him and yourself that he would never spend a birthday alone again.

Which brings you to now, years later, still in love with the same man who’d captured your heart all those years ago.

The early morning light filters through the curtains, and a strong arm holds you close to a bare chest. You smile, unable to help the feeling of giddiness that floods your system as you nuzzle closer to your husband. As if unconsciously acknowledging your movement, he draws you impossibly closer, grunting sleepily as his eyes crack open.

He groans at the light hitting his eyes, burying his face into the pillow beside his head whilst you laugh. You sit up first, though not before leaning down to place a lingering kiss on his jawline. Sett sits up mere moments after, stretching his body to rid it of the fatigue garnered only from restful sleep.

You can’t help but stare at him. He’s made of hard muscles that cover every pane of his body, gained through hardships thrown at him over the years with only scars to tell their story. His molten gaze bores into you, teasing yet loving whilst he cocks a brow.

“See somethin’ ya like?”

“Nah,” you tease, “just noticed your stubble growing in again. Makes you look old.” Your hands grasp at a fallen pillow, haphazardly tossing it at Sett’s face before moving to freshen up in the bathroom.

“I’m not old.” The scowl that scrunches his face only proves to further your point, but you’d never tell him that. “Twenty-eight ain’t old, is it?”

“Twenty-nine,” you correct. 

Cold horror settles on his face, his ears flattening on his head as his hand pushes his bangs back. “Holy shit.”

“You forgot didn’t you?”

“Forgot what?” The confusion on his face is adorable, and you can’t help but chuckle.

You motion him to the bathroom, lips now curled into a gentle smile. With a raised brow he makes his way over, leaning against the doorframe as he crosses his arm. He bends forward per your request though a little reluctant of the mischievous glint in your eye, ear now in range for you to cup it softly, causing it to twitch slightly.

“Happy birthday.”

©asarii 2023 — do not copy, steal, repost, or translate any of my works on tumblr or any other site

[samthecookielord]

💝❤️❤️🕺💘❤️💘❤️🕺❤️😳💝 if you were a pokemon what type(s) would you be

1 says: "electric/ghost baybeee. just like rotom fr :] peace on earth <3 id be like one of those silly regional evolutions probably (trust me this makes sense if you know my silly weird backstory)"

2 says: "Oh, I believe my daughter has mentioned Pokemon a couple times. I'm not very familiar with all the types, but... perhaps ice? Ice feels very calm and quiet, and somewhat like glass."

1 says: "my SWAG and COOLNESS im litearlly so hot and amazing and hilarious ooo you wanna kiss me so bad ooo"

2 says: "I... Hm... I suppose... I'm quite good at cleaning rooms. I like having a tidy house."

(tourney post)

Previous answers:

1 said (R1:M10) - Q: "what’s your ideal burger" - A: "BURGER ! ! ! YEAW !! ! ! ! !! !!!!! ideal burger is made by the friends we made along the way"

1 said (R2:M5) - Q: "how do you feel about shapeshifters" - A: "damn that would be so swag gender. well i can kinda do that but not rlly its not like im actually shifting my shape im just like hey looking at me im tricking (like the hit game) this michaelwave or whatever lolll"

1 said (R3:M3) - Q: "Opinions on nicknames? Do you like giving them? Receiving them? Have you gotten any that stand out to you? Would you like to get more or less?" - A: "DUDE NICKNAMSE ARE LIKE. MY BRAND. i better win this one guys cmon my nickname swag is sooooo cool awesome sauce. one of my BESTIES gives me a REALLY SWAG NICKNAME its [REDACTED] oh wait i guess im not allowed to say that or else itll like ruin my anonyminity or whatever 🙄🙄 ok be that way. as if im not obvious already 🙄 cuz im just so iconic 🙄 whatever im changing this guy's contact names again"

---

2 said (R1:M13) - Q: "who is the WORST person you know?" - A: "There's... definitely someone that comes to mind immediately. I'm... not sure if I'm ready to talk about it just yet though... Sorry. Would you like some tea, instead?"

2 said (R2:M7) - Q: "what would you do if I offered a kissaroo from me to you ?" - A: "Well, I don't know you very well so I'm not sure how comfortable I am with that. However, I do appreciate you asking first, thank you."

2 said (R3:M4) - Q: "What matters to you most in a person/relationship? Is it different between different relationships (friends, partners, coworkers, etc.)?" - A: "What matters to me most in a relationship is trust. I... want to know that those closest to me will always be someone I can trust... People who know they can trust me. People who... people who will listen."

[ragingpancake]

As I Lay Sleeping: Ch. 2 - Sanctuary

Chapter 1

“It’s about time you woke up.” The sun is bright and harsh from the moment John steps outside and he has to lift a hand to help shield his face from its glow. The voice is familiar, he thinks, or it should be and it washes over him like an old song with words he can’t remember, just the melody. “You heard it, didn’t you?” A question, sure, but John thinks she already knows the answer and it’s unsettling because when he lowers his hand, eyes finally adjusted to the light, he peers into hazel eyes and realizes that she knows him. “He said that this would happen. That when it was time, she would call to you.” She holds his gaze for a moment, and she looks hopeful, like she’s just waiting for some spark of recognition, but it never comes. Her face falls just a fraction before she smiles, and he feels so wholly unworthy of that in this moment that it leaves him shifting from one foot to the next a little uncomfortably. “Well, that’s okay,” she says gently, diplomatically. “Rodney said that it was possible this would happen too. Tell me, what exactly do you remember, John?”

Nothing. He remembers a whole lot of nothing and he thinks, based on the look she’s giving him, she already knows that. “Listen, I’d really like to stay and chat, but I’ve got somewhere I need to be.” “Oh really?” She asks, eyebrow raised. “And where’s that?” Okay, she’s got him there. “I can help you, John. That’s why I’m here, to do just that. To help you try to remember. But in order for me to do that, you’re going to have to trust me a little.” Trust. It feels foreign to him, but in the same way that he knows that she’s familiar, he knows that he can trust her. Like maybe he has, before. He thinks back to the voice that spoke to him in the hut, the one that she seems to know. Had she heard it too, then? “Elizabeth,” he says and for a second, her eyes light up and she gives him a smile so genuine that something shifts inside of him. “Yes, that’s right. Very good, John. I’m Elizabeth and a very long time ago, we used to work together. On Atlantis.” Atlantis. Home. Those two words are synonymous with each other, John knows, and it’s the first thing since he woke up that he can be sure of. “Why am I here?” He asks. “Where exactly is here?” Elizabeth gestures for him to follow and from where he’s standing, it’s not like he’s got much of a choice. He has no idea where –-or who—he is, and she seems to be the only one who can provide him with some answers. At least for now, where she goes, he has no choice but to follow. --- They don’t walk for very long. She leads him down to the tree line he hadn’t noticed when he’d first stepped out into the light. There’s a large tree, and it looks like maybe it’s a place she comes often. There are a few logs that she leads him over to and as she sits, she gestures for him to do the same. “Your name,” she says, “is Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard of the United States Airforce. We met when you joined the Atlantis Expedition.” She pauses for a moment and he tries to remember, but it’s all still blank. “You were my military commander, leader of our Alpha Gate Team and you were... well, you were my friend.” She gives a small smile, one that seems sad. “We’ve been through a lot together, John. The Pegasus Galaxy, as beautiful as it is, came with plenty of dangers that we were not prepared for. Dangers that we never even saw coming.” “Immediately after arriving in Atlantis, you and a team led by Colonel Marshall Sumner traveled to a nearby planet through what we call a Stargate. It was there that for the first time, we encountered the Wraith. It was then that we... well. I suppose for many, that would’ve been the beginning of the end. But not for you.” Elizabeth is quiet for a moment, lost in her own thoughts like she’s a million miles away. “Elizabeth?” He prompts. “We lost a lot of good people,” she says and her voice is hoarse, thick with emotion. When she glances back up at him, there are unshed tears in her eyes, but she swipes them away almost angrily. “We spent nearly three years fighting the Wraith, doing what we could to protect the people of Atlantis—to protect Earth but it wasn’t... It was never going to be enough.” “Three years after waking the Wraith, after fighting them off of our doorstep more times than we could count, they were bearing down on us. We evacuated the city, got as many people out as we could.” “But we didn’t win.” John doesn’t need his memory to know that; he can see it written all over her face. “No,” she agrees. “No, we did not win. But we didn’t lose, either. Not yet.” John’s not sure what she means by that but before he gets a chance to ask, she’s speaking again. “We are on M7-X732, otherwise known as the Planet of the Cloister,” she says. “It had been abandoned for about a year before we brought you here.” In the sky, the sun is fading and there’s a chill that fills the air. He can feel it, but Elizabeth doesn’t even seem to notice. “You were mortally wounded during the last stand in Atlantis, John. Rodney had come up with a plan in the eleventh hour, like he

always did. The Wraith had woken because we’d inadvertently woken their Queen. They wake when she wakes, they slumber when she slumbers. He needed more time though. You were the one to give it to him and you nearly paid for it with your life.” Hazel eyes flicker to meet his. “That was nearly one hundred years ago.” “That’s not possible,” John rasps and Elizabeth gives him the smallest of smiles. “I can assure you, John, had you not lost your memories, you would know very well that it is. Anything is possible when it comes to Rodney.” She gestures around them. “You got trapped here once. A time dilation field. By the time Rodney had figured it out, you’d spent six months with the people of the Cloister and it was a world where we knew you’d be safe.” “This doesn’t make sense. None of this makes sense.” “I know,” Elizabeth says. “And I’m sorry for that.” She reaches for him then, thin fingers curling around his wrist. “You were put into Stasis, John. The intention was to keep you there until the very last moment, to give you the time you needed to heal. Rodney ensured that no one would find this place, that you would be left undisturbed until it was time for you to wake.” “Wake for what? You said he figured it out, right? This Rodney guy. What do you need me for?” “As we speak, Rodney is back on Atlantis in a Stasis pod of his own. It was a design we took from the Aurora, a sort of shared consciousness so to speak. A virtual reality. For the last one hundred years, he’s shared a reality with the hibernating Wraith Queen, keeping her from waking, keeping the hives from waking.” “He’s losing, John. She’s figured it out, Rodney always knew she would, but he’d hoped it would give you enough time to heal.” “I don’t-- what am I supposed to do?” He can’t even remember his own favorite color, how was he supposed to remember how to find Atlantis, how was he supposed to remember what to do? “Find him,” Elizabeth says. “Find them. Even now, if Rodney’s theories were right, there are sixty hive ships in hibernation just outside of Lantea’s orbit. Find Atlantis. Control the chair. Destroy them all while they sleep.” Well, doesn’t sound like that’s asking for too much. Given the fact that, you know, these things apparently almost killed him a century ago.  “And what if I can’t do what you’re asking? If I couldn’t do it before, what makes you think I can do it now?”  “When you and Rodney made your last stand, you two were alone, John.” Elizabeth stands and for a moment, turns her back to him. “Spread across four worlds, you will find sarcophagi containing exactly what you need. It would be reckless to try to return to Atlantis now, without your weapons, without your memories. Find each sarcophagus and save our home.” She turns and John is taken aback by how much older she looks now. How... frail she appears. “And what... what about you?” She gives him a rueful smile. “I’ve done my part, John. I’ve watched and I’ve waited for a very long time; I’m very tired now.” She sits down on the log and John pitches forward off of his own, gripping her shoulders gently to keep her upright. “Elizabeth...” “It’s alright.” A wrinkled hand comes up to rest on his cheek and it’s so familiar that John closes his eyes, savoring it for half a second. “I would tell you to be brave, but that’s all you’ve ever been.” “I don’t know where to go,” he says, and there’s panic rising in his chest with each passing moment as she fades away. “Climb the mountain. Go through the cave. I’ll keep the door open long enough for you to pass through. Let... Let Atlantis guide you.” It’s time to go, John.  The voice in his head is gentle, mournful and he wonders if Elizabeth can hear it too.  He shifts on his knees and he reaches for her, guiding her into his arms carefully before he lays her down against the soft grass. “I’m so sorry, Elizabeth,” because he knows, somehow in his heart, that it’s his wakening that’s caused this. Hazel eyes meet his one last time as a peaceful smile touches her

lips. “When you... find Rodney,” she manages, voice so soft that he almost can’t hear, “tell him... I always knew... it would work.” And then, in much the same way as it was when he awoke in that hut, John Sheppard is alone.

AN: I took some liberties with a few things, mostly the time dilation field and you know, the whole One Wraith Queen to rule them all thing, but I figured since it's an AU... well. Forgive me, please.

[thereismoretomylifethenice]

Rules: Pick 5 shows, then answer the following questions. Don’t cheat. Tag some people. I was tagged by @throughtimeillbethere

1. Magnificent Seven (1998)

2. Midsomer Murders (Series 1-6 at least)

3. Miss Marple 

4. Agatha Christie’s Poirot

5. Frozen

Who is your favourite character in 2? Gavin Troy (Hence why he’s over on “ANoseForRottenApples”). I just get a kick out of him because he’s young, he’s learning as he goes and he has really decent instincts but he often talks himself out of following them. He’s also a little rough around the edges sometimes but he really is trying. Sometimes you’re like “Troy, you’re an idiot” but he’s also trying to hard that I find it endearing and his character grows quite decently over the years he was on the show.

Who is your least favourite character in 1? M7 is one of those rare shows were all the characters are pretty solid and I like them all (or dislike them in the best way possible if they’re a baddie). If I had to pick one, I’d say it was probably Will Richmond from “Wagon Train Pt. 1 & 2”. Namely put, he’s just kind of an idiot. Treats his wife bad and then gets bent out of shape when she starts flirting with Vin. He’s busy telling Josiah how much he loves his wife and what she means to him but it never occurs to him to actually tell her that. Spends a lot of time being somewhat needlessly antagonistic with the guys (Vin is understandable given that Vin tried to run off with Will’s wife but the rest of the guys are just doing a job and Will’s pointlessly making everyone’s lives harder).  He’s just kind of an ‘ehhh” character for me.

What is your favorite episode of 4? All of these episodes are works of art but “The Lost Mine” from Series 2 is one that I find myself watching particularly often.  There are just so many little bits in it that I love—Inspector Japp still has his sergeant backing him up, the on-going Monopoly game that Hasting and Poirot have going and the conclusion is just really well done. Also the complete face-palm moment of Japp, while investigating the murder of a Chinese man, finds a notebook in the man’s suitcase and declares that the fact it’s all written in Chinese is “very suspicious”.

What is your favourite season of 5? There are no Seasons in Frozen, given that it’s a set of movies. My favorite movie is the first one though—Frozen 2 is good but I feel like Frozen 1 just had better pacing and didn’t feel quite as rushed as the second one. The second movie was better on re-watches but the first time through it was just like “This plot is moving at a breakneck pace! What is happening???” (Or I’ve just been spoiled by watching too many British murder mystery series that tend to be slower in pace and build things up carefully.”

Who is your favourite couple in 3? There are no long-running couples in this series but I ship the daylights out of Louisa Oxley and Alfred Pollock in “Greenshaw’s Folly”. They’re only in one episode (which are all movie length) and they’re so freaking adorable!

Who is your favourite couple in 2? Again…shipping was not the main focus of this show but I do like Inspector Tom Barnaby and his wife Joyce. In American shows, if cops are married, they’re usually getting divorced or having constant fights with them. It’s nice to see a cop who’s in a stable, happy relationship for a change. Also I feel like there could have been some fun things done with Troy and Barnaby’s daughter Cully. They hinted at it off and on for the time he was on the show but nothing ever really came of it, sadly.

What is your favourite episode of 1? At this point I’ve seen all of them and love all of them but, hands-down, “The Collector” is really just a fun episode and the hijinks among the guys is top-notch. “The Witness” is also a fabulous episode in a much sadder and darker way. “Sins of the Past” kind of marries both of these concepts—Vin and Chris’s storyline is very dark and serious while Ezra and the other guys (and his mother) are up to their eyebrows in hijinks. But really, all the episodes are very, very good.

What is your favourite episode of 5? Again, no episodes so I refer to my comments on Frozen 1 and Frozen 2.

What is your favourite season of 2? Don’t really have a favorite but Series 3 and 4 were pretty solid. Series 5 had some really good episodes and some really weird ones so it’s hit-and-miss. Series 6 (what I’ve seen of it) is pretty solid too.

How long have you watched 1? Hmm….a few years now. I think I first saw M7 in….2014? 2015? I found a page of Geology notes from my first degree with volcanoes, the chemical formula for ozone and Vin Tanner doodled on it so I know I started watching the show before I finished my AA. Just can’t remember exactly when I started watching it.

How did you become interested in 3? I’ve watched and read Agatha Christie shows and books since I was 7 or 8. While I watched Poirot from that time, I watched Miss Marple off and on whenever I could find episodes on TV or at the library.

Who is your favourite actor in 4?  Tie between David Suchet (Poirot) and Philip Jackson (Inspector Japp).

Which do you prefer, 1, 2, or 5? 5. M7, Midsomer Murders, or Frozen? Sorry, my pair of valiant Inspectors and my Ice Queen but the Cowboys’ win this round. I adore the dynamics of this show, I adore that it’s got great adventure and can go super dark without ever getting gory, pornographic or vulgar. All of the characters are great, the stories are great and it’s just a really wild ride in a very good way. It can be a bit cheesy but in the absolute best ways possible. Besides, I will always pick 1860s westerns over modern stories or Disney princesses if I have to choose one.

Which show have you seen more episodes of - 1 or 3? Probably the same in both of them. M7 only had two seasons but there were more episodes per season. Miss Marple had six series but only three or four episodes per season—plus I didn’t watch all of them. The first three seasons weren’t nearly as good as the last three, mostly because the woman playing Miss Marple in the first three series wasn’t that good in my opinion. So I think I’ve seen an even number of both.

If you could be anyone from 4, who would you be?! I don’t want to be any of them—they’re all good the way they are and I wouldn’t want any of their jobs! I’m content being some poor person who realizes too late that Poirot is vacationing at their hotel and now dead bodies are going to start turning up XD

Would a crossover between 3 and 4 work? Most likely, seeing as they were both created by the same woman. Interestingly enough though, even with Miss Marple series and Poirot series being made at the same time, no one ever wanted to have the two detectives officially meet in canon. I heard a rumor though that there was an anime somewhere that had them meet? I haven’t been able to conform that though, yet.

Pair two characters in 1 who would make an unlikely but strangely okay couple? (I have thought about this a lot) Captain Francis Riley (Ghosts of the Confederacy) and Terri Greer (Safecracker). They would be such a cute couple and Francis would probably be a good dad for little Olivia Greer.

Overall, which show has the better storyline, 3 or 5? Sorry Disney—I’m going to have to say Miss Marple. I’ve been a fan of murder mysteries before I was a fan of Frozen.

Which has better theme music, 2 or 4? I’m going to say 4 (Poirot) because the theme from that show just….a huge amount of nostalgia is held in that intro for me because I’ve been watching it since I was about 8. Plus, the fantastic art deco style of the introduction and the titles is just so smooth and I love it.

Tagging: @princelyrogue @shadowyavuz

[boarix]

Wraith in the Ruins: A Fallout 4 Story Part II

Redemption in You

Trigger warnings: canon language/drug use. PTSD/angst/self-harm.

Game spoilers

Please enjoy!

 MacCready had just returned from long patrol and in spite of being exhausted, he had insisted on being included in Wraith’s meeting with Hancock and Preston. Touting himself as the foremost expert on the Gunners, he had argued that his input would be “invaluable”. And yet, the young man was sprawled, fast asleep, the full length of Wraith’s office couch, covered by a furry Dogmeat blanket, contributing nothing but the occasional loud snore.

“I don’t think we can wait much longer!” Wraith was in a fury over the latest settlement attack. “They gain in numbers almost daily and I feel like I’m helping them. Every raider boss the Minutemen cut down just adds to the Gunners’ recruitment options.” She had stood up from her desk and was pacing and gesticulating as if she was conducting an orchestra, “If we don’t do something soon they will have every ex-raider in the Commonwealth, rank and file against us!”

“General, we simply don’t have the people.”

Preston’s repeated protest wore thin on Wraith’s nerves. Mostly because she knew that he was right. “They are growing much faster than we are.” She leaned forward across her desk and focused her laser gaze on the ghoul, “Hancock, if we were to attempt a direct assault, how many Neighborhood Watch could we count on from you?”

“Can’t believe I’d be the one to preach caution but, Preston is right.” Cocking his head to the side he returned her stare unflinchingly, “You know I hate to tell ya ‘no’ but, there is no way I’m gonna send my people to the grinder. That’s what it’d end up being sister, a huge, fucking bloody mess. The risk ain’t worth the reward, you feel me? Fahrenheit has been on my ass about learnin’ some patience…” He trailed off, shaking his head.  

“Then I’ll go myself! I have some power armor…” Loud, howling protests from Preston, Hancock and Dogmeat cut her off and she plopped heavily into her chair.

“Now wait a minute, we’ve been through this one-woman-army bullshit! MacCready! Wake the fuck up and back us up here!”

“Mmmmugh… You can’t go and kill yourself. Don’t be stupid.” MacCready had turned his head and was attempting to glare at her past Dogmeat’s panting muzzle, “What’s the point of havin’ a inner circle if you won’t listen to us?”

Wraith stood back up, waved her hands toward the ceiling and turned her back to them in a flurry of impotent anger. Spinning back around, mouth open for rebuttal, she was cut off by a knock on the door.

“Excusez-moi, madam.” Curie opened the door and stuck her head in, “Ze sun is setting and Monsieur Danse did not return with the rest of the work crew.”

“Danse was assigned to the morning shift. Are you sure he didn’t return earlier and he isn’t just in his room?”

“Non madame, a crew member just informed me that he’s been out all day.”

“Shit.” Wraith quickly skirted her desk, shooting what she hoped was an authoritative look at the three men as she headed to the door, “This discussion is tabled, not over.”

“You want me along sister?” Hancock had started to follow her out.

“No, you stay and babysit.”

MacCready flipped her off, “Ha! Up yours!”

 Wraith had Curie run back to her clinic to grab a field med pack as she speed walked to one of Sanctuary’s warehouses. As she reached for the lantern she was after, Deacon’s face flashed in her mind.

No! No time for you. Go away! You weren’t my friend; just using me to defeat your enemies for you. Not my friend!

Waiting outside, Curie handed Wraith a ballistic weave Minutemen trench. She had, once again, been about to run off to possible danger while wearing nothing but a flannel and jeans. Smiling her thanks and shrugging into the coat, she reached out for the med pack. When it wasn’t immediately surrendered she waved her hand up and down with impatience.

“I should go with you madame.” Curie’s notoriously cheerful tone had been replaced with something bordering on scolding, “I should go to make sure you are both…”

“No, Baby Bird; this is a solo mission.” Taking the pack she turned back and forced a cheerful smile as she walked away, “We’ll be just fine.”

This should have been handled a while ago you fucking coward. You told yourself that you were giving him time apart to think, to come to terms with his new reality, when really you were just too scared to face him.

Jogging across the small bridge and up the hill toward the vault, she was once again confronted by a mental image of an unmistakably sad Deacon.

Why did he make that face? Because, you dummy, he’s a liar and a very good actor! He was never your friend and there was never any chance of being more… Stop obsessing; you have Danse to worry about right now.

Cresting the hill, she could hear the unmistakable sound of an ax chopping wood. As she navigated the broken ground and brush the sound continued almost unceasingly. There was a rhythm to the “thunk” sound and it wore on her already frayed nerves.

Danse was a visually impressive individual: tall, traditionally handsome with an impeccable physique. When she finally spotted him, her first thoughts were in line with admiring his form while swinging the ax. He looked pretty damn fine. However, as she moved closer she could see flecks of blood all over his white t-shirt and it was dripping freely down his arms. Swinging an ax all day had ripped the palms of his hands open and yet he continued as if oblivious to the injury.

His mental state decidedly questionable, Wraith decided to pop Buffout, just in case the situation became physical. “Danse? Hey, stop for a sec.” He continued on as if she wasn’t there. “DANSE, STOP!” Nothing. It wasn’t that he was ignoring her, more like he couldn’t hear her. She stepped behind him and deftly disarmed him, sweeping the ax behind her back.

The response was savage: whipping around while snarling, he raised his bloody hands and flexed his fingers like claws. His face a twisted mask of rage, he bore a striking resemblance to a yao guai.

Despite the threat, Wraith took a step toward him while yelling up at his face, “What the fuck are you doing?! Look at your hands! Danse?!”

“M7-97.” In an instant all emotions fled from his face and his eyes became dispassionate and empty.

“What?”

“M7-97. ‘Danse’ does not exist.” His shoulders sagged somewhat and he wouldn’t look into her eyes. “I was instructed to process this fallen tree for lumber. I am completing my assigned task.”

Taking a deep breath, Wraith tried again, “Danse, look at your hands. Don’t they hurt?”

“It is inconsequential data. A damage prevention signal…”

“THAT’S WHAT PAIN IS, YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE!” In her anger, Wraith threw the ax, rather artfully, into a nearby tree. The Buffout, combined with her own considerable strength, resulted in the tool being completely embedded in the trunk.

Well… shit. Stupid. Violent and stupid.

Pinching the bridge of her nose, she counted to 10 and tried again, “You are an organic being, not a Mr. Gutsy. You need to eat and drink and rest. Danse, you’re bleeding and sweating, how many robots that you know of do those things?” Hoping to elicit some sort of emotion, even if it was anger, Wraith was intentionally crass, “I know for a fact that you take dumps! How many protectrons are there who shit?”

“DANSE DOES NOT EXIST!” His face was florid in his anger. He took a menacing step toward her but then suddenly swayed on his feet and would have fallen had Wraith not caught him.

Gently lowering him to a stump, she steadied him with one hand while removing a canteen from her pack. “Tilt your head back.” For a moment she thought that she would have to somehow fight the water into him but thankfully he complied. As he drank involuntary tears filled his eyes. “That’s it, nice and slow.”

When the canteen was empty, Wraith kicked a split log next to Danse’s stump and plopped down. “I’m going to field dress your hands now. When I’m done I want you to drink some more water and eat something.”

His eyes were empty again and he didn’t fight or acknowledge her as she worked. Cleaning and wrapping his large hands she was overcome by self-deprecation as her mind ground her down. She couldn’t stop thinking about how sad Deacon had looked, or that when she returned from Goodneighbor, Curie had barely spoken to her and seemed to be slightly scared of her.

Did Deacon talk to her before he left? Did something happen? Did he… would he have hurt himself? No. That doesn’t make sense. And now… poor Danse... I scare and ruin and I’m so LOUD and mean!

Despite her best efforts she started to cry. “I’m so sorry Danse! This is all my fault. I should have been there for you but instead I avoided you like a fucking coward!”

“No.”

Her eyes were on his in a flash. He looked away but she could tell he had returned. “Yes Danse, I completely destroyed your life. I literally burned it to the ground!” She was sobbing now, her face in her hands, “I killed all your friends!”

“My friends?! You mean all those people who immediately turned their backs on me? Who wanted me dead?! Who… who thought that I was… was a spy? Who thought that I knew?! And that everything I had ever done for them was a lie to further some Institute agenda?!” Danse had stood up but wobbled on his last few words and he sat down rather heavily.

“Not all of them. Haylen didn’t.  She pleaded with me to spare you.”

“She… she did?” Surprised, he leaned toward her.

“Yes, which is one of the reasons I didn’t kill her.” Wraith stood up to pace, “I scared the shit out of her, I’m sure, but I didn’t kill her. When Hancock and I boarded the Prydwen, I grabbed her and told her she needed to round-up all of the squires and as many of the fucking cats she could find and get off the ship. I told her to pack them into a vertibird and go back to the Capital Wasteland. God knows I have enough on my conscience…” She trailed off once she realized Danse was crying. Not an involuntary watering of the eyes but a real emotive response.

“Thank God!” He had brought his wrapped hands to his face and was openly sobbing into them.

Wraith didn’t know what to do. She wanted to hug him but felt she didn’t have the right. Sitting back down, she reached out and rather awkwardly patted his shoulder. To her surprise, he grabbed her and pulled her into a crushing embrace.

“I don’t know who or what I am! What am I supposed to do now?!” He cried into her shoulder as Wraith patted his back. After a few moments he released her, Wraith passed him another canteen and the two sat sniffling as he drank. “Ugh. I’ve been so rude to your ghoul.”

Wraith cocked an eyebrow, “You’re going to have to be more specific, Danse. My friends are quite lovely people and a lot like potato crisps; you can’t have just one.”

“I’m sorry. I’m still being rude… the mayor… Hancock.”

“Well… just lose a couple of hands of Poker to him and I’m sure all will be forgiven.” Although she was joking Wraith figured an honestly repentant Danse would get considerable traction with the ghoul.

“Oh, of course, he gambles.”

Wraith rolled her eyes at his tone, “With our group we normally bet chores rather than caps; Mac hates doing dishes.”

“Why… why did you join the Brotherhood? You declined in Cambridge. What made you change your mind?” He had been looking at the canteen in his hands but now moved his eyes to Wraith, “Did the Railroad send you… did you just…”

“That’s actually pretty complicated.” Wraith frowned at her feet while trying to decide how much to tell him. How much would he even believe? “I did it to save you.”

When Danse’s face clouded over with doubt and confusion, Wraith’s explanation tumbled out of her in a hurried rush of words, “In Sanctuary there is a woman. She knows things… things that she should have no way of knowing. She told me that there was a ‘soul lost in steel’ and only I could ‘lead them home’.” Wraith returned her eyes to his, “At first I thought that she meant Maxson. That’s why I tried so hard with him. It took me a while to see that there was no saving him.”

“He is dead then? Arthur?” His tone was resigned.

“Yes.” Wraith didn’t flinch or look away, “He was dead before the charges went.”

“You…” He swallowed, “It was you then?” There was pain in his tawny eyes.

“No. I had intended to but lost control. Hancock killed Maxson.” There was no regret in her voice. As far as she was concerned he was a fanatical monster and completely irredeemable.

Monster. How many would say the same about me?

They sat quietly, lost in their heads, as Danse finished off the second canteen. It was fully dark now and for a time they listened to the eerie sounds of a Commonwealth spring night.

Wraith stood up and lit the lantern and began rummaging through the med pack, “There should be jerky and sweet leather in here…”

“Sweet leather?”

“Yeah, it’s mashed up mutfruit, corn and carrots, boiled down, dried and then cut into strips. It’s really tasty. In fact, we have to keep an eye on MacCready while we’re making it cause batches have a way of ‘disappearing’. Here we go!” Wraith handed him the sweet leather first and watched in amusement as Danse made an involuntary “BOS-new-thing-scary” face.

After the first hesitant bite he smiled, “It’s softer than I thought.”

Wraith returned to her log and passed him some jerky, “Danse, I think we can help each other a great deal, if you feel that you can trust me.”

“I trust you.” He said it softly and gave her a sad smile.

“I would like to move you to the clinic.”

“What! Why?!” He noted her more formal tone and was immediately on guard.

“I thought you said you trusted me.” She gave him a smile that she hoped was gentle, “There are plenty of available rooms and Curie is almost always there. She isn’t a psychologist as far as I know but she is a capable doctor. She is also kind and sweet and soothing to be around. She’s like a balm.”

Danse had stopped eating so Wraith pantomimed the action to remind him: taking an imaginary bite and nodding when he mirrored her. It was a very motherly thing to do and it touched him. Chewing and smiling he had an odd thought about how much Wraith reminded him of Haylen.

“I’ll be close too; my office and house are right next door. As to who you are and what you’re supposed to do… well… I have some ideas but that can wait. Moving forward from this will be hard. You are going to fall. You’re going to have days when even getting out of bed will seem the greatest of challenges. Curie and I will be there for you but you’re going to have to steady yourself as well. Taking responsibility for your past and facing the consequences of your actions will require massive fortitude but I believe you’re up to the task.”

Wraith offered him a huge encouraging smile, “Starting tomorrow you’ll be with me. I have a huge walk-in freezer project that I’d like to get done before summer. There will be lots of physical work for you. I also would like to get at least a small unit set up for Curie before her next semester starts.”

“Semester?”

“I have Curie training field medics for the Minutemen. She also insists on my core group being trained. That includes you FYI.” Wraith began tallying items up on her hands as she spoke, “The lumber project, the mill, Mac wants more sand bags behind the practice targets before his spring semester starts, he’s been bugging me about watchtowers too. Oh, and I want a better road cut out…” She made a vague circle gesture with her hand, “here.”

“MacCready’s semester?”

“Yes. I have Mac teaching sniper school and basic gun skills to… well pretty much everyone.” Wraith sighed: 101 projects and only one her.

“MacCready teaches… people?”

Danse’s incredulity made Wraith chuckle, “Believe it or not, that kid has a vast amount of skill and knowledge. Folks get used to his… brusqueness. Oh, please don’t tell him I called him ‘kid’ again; for some reason it really pisses him off.”

“You can’t be that much older than him.” He hurried on when her eyebrows popped up, “I mean besides the two hundred years spent frozen.”

“Danse, I was thirty-eight when I became a meat popsicle.”

Shocked, Danse looked at her as if for the first time. He had never seen her with long hair as she had worn it buzzed but there didn’t seem to be any trace of grey. Her light green eyes, although frequently sad and tired weren’t framed by crow’s feet either, “Well, you are remarkably well preserved.”

She snorted in amusement, “Flash freezing is the way to go.”

Waving his bandaged, mitten hands, he looked mortified, “No! No, that isn’t what I meant!”

Standing and stretching, she gave a regretful glance to the ax before repacking the med kit. “I know what you meant and that’s kind of you. You ready to go home?” She held her hands out to him and to his surprise he needed her help to stand up.

 The next couple of weeks were filled with highs and lows for Danse. In one moment he looked to the future with hope and in the next he dwelt on his past with despair. Curie was God-send: her gentle positivity a perfect counterbalance to Wraith’s sometimes harsh, “accountability=reality” take on life.

Then after having several good days in a row, an emergency broadcast from Radio Freedom threw a wrench into his recovery. There had been an accident at the Castle and Preston was critically injured.

“He just got back for fuck’s sake!” Wraith was in a flurry of motion and within 20 minutes, she, MacCready, Curie and Dogmeat were jogging out of Sanctuary. “Danse, you’ll be okay.” She had stopped to give him a reassuring hug, “Sofie has all the task lists and Hancock will be back in a week or so to pick up a load of freezer parts. Sturges has everything labeled and set aside in warehouse B.” She took his hand in hers and gave it a squeeze, “We will be back as soon… Soon.”

MacCready’s helpful advice was less conciliatory, “Try not to burn the place down, tin can.”

 Then they were gone.

Sofie, a tiny ghoulette, was the village head whenever Wraith was away. Standing next to Danse she barely reached past his waist. “Don’t worry honey; they’ll be back before you know it.”

He tried to keep busy. He focused on the big watch tower (Wraith had already named it “Big Mac’s Nest” and although MacCready had scoffed at the name, his huge smile told on him). Mostly, Danse hated going back to the clinic at night. All alone in the large house, his mind would start cranking out little nightmares to torture him. After 3 days of trying to work himself to unthinking exhaustion, he reverted back to robot mode. Speaking only when asked a direct question, if at all, he went about his duties with as much life and enthusiasm as a plastic toy.

Sofie had been warned to make sure that he ate and she took it seriously. She would sit with him after bringing him food but neither spoke and she wasn’t even sure that he knew she was there.

When Hancock and his provisioner Bossy arrived in Sanctuary the ghoul made a bee-line for Wraith’s office. After speaking briefly with Sofie he headed over to the watchtower looking for Danse.

“He’s not here.” The foreman seemed irritated, “He hit himself with a hammer and was just staring at it. He was freaking me out, so I told him to go and take a break. Check down by the river.”

“I just fucking walked across the goddamn Commonwealth…” The ghoul continued to mumble irritably as he made his way back through town. When Hancock spotted him, Danse was standing under the big bridge and staring at a tire as it bobbed through the water. “Hey crew-cut, I have a present for ya.”

Danse turned from the river, his eyes dispassionate, “Hancock.”

“Uh, yeah, that’d be me. Whatcha lookin’ at?”

“Nothing.”

“Well, that’s fascinating. Here, check this out.” Hancock maintained a rather forced smile as he handed the large man a book on medieval armor and weapons. Although the cover was worn, the tome was in remarkable condition, all things considered. “There’s some cool knives and swords in there too.”

Looking down at the book then looking back at Hancock, Danse seemed to thaw, “Why?”

“Well, shit kid, I figured you’d like it.”

“No. That’s not what I meant. Why would you give me anything but your scorn?” His eyes narrowed in mistrust, Danse took a step backward while holding the book at arm’s length. “I have never been anything but rude to you! Why would you even speak to me, let alone give me a gift?”

Hancock lifted his arms, palms up, to appear as non-threating as possible, “Never thought giving someone something thoughtful would be met with this level of resistance. I have another copy, for one. And two, Wraith trusts and likes you a whole lot. For me, that carries a ton of weight.” Hancock’s tone became softer, almost gentle, “She handed you the strand of thread and it’ll be interesting to see what you do with it.”

“I’m sorry… Strand of thread?”

“She gave you a piece that you never had before and as you pull it, all that bullshit that you’ve been told, all the lies and hate, it’ll unravel. That small reality you’re left with? That’s something you can build on. Something true.” Hancock’s gentle smile was genuine now, “I know one or two things ‘bout turnin’ over a new leaf and trying to find redemption. It takes time son, so give yourself a break.” Hancock watched the rippling emotions cross Danse’s face then turned and walked away. “I’m going to help Bossy load up all that junk. You should come help us.”

 Danse was reading in his room a week later when someone knocked on his door. Answering, he was so shocked to see Wraith he stood frozen, speechless and blinking.

“Um… hi Danse. You okay?”

“Yeah. Yes! Hi!”

Laughing a little, she pointed to the book, “I see Hancock decided to give it to you after all.”

“Yes. Yes he did. He and I talked as well. I think… we might be friends now?”

Wraith’s warm smile spoke volumes, “I’m happy for you both. Would you like to go for a walk with me?”

Wraith filled Danse in on Preston as they headed toward the Sanctuary warehouses. Soon after returning to the Castle, he had been crushed between two brahmin. “I’m so glad we had some of Curie’s students there. He would have died had they not started treatment right away.”

Stopping in front of warehouse C, Wraith undid the padlock, then adopting her formal “General” voice she turned to Danse, “I’m fortunate to have friends like MacCready and Curie who are able to teach the Minutemen and anyone willing, these important survival skills. I’m hoping, Danse, that you might also help the Commonwealth in much the same way.” She opened the door and made an “after you” gesture before following him inside and flipping the light switch.

Danse had never been inside C. From the outside it was clearly the biggest of the three and had two huge generators hooked up outside. As the lights flashed on he could see why: the entire space was filled with power armor.

“Sturges and I have been working on my little… collection, but we don’t have the expertise that you possess.” Smiling sadly, Wraith crossed her arms like she was hugging herself, “Nate would have loved this. I think he would have liked you a lot too. You remind me of him sometimes.”

Danse ripped his eyes from the treasure trove in front of him. Blushing, he cleared his throat, “You… you want me to teach the Minutemen to use power armor?”

“Yes. I realize it’ll take some time. We are short on people and some of these units are in pretty bad shape. With you helping us with acquisition and training, in maintenance and tactics, we can avoid a lot of trial-and-error.”

Danse had been wandering the room like a kid in a candy store when he came to a dead stop in front of a familiar set of T-60d armor. “This… this is mine?!” He placed his hands on the breastplate, “How did you get this?”

“Maxson gave it to me.” Her mouth twisted in disgust, “It was a reward for my loyalty. Danse, I kept it for you. Regardless of what you decide it’s still your armor.” She followed him as he explored. “You wouldn’t have to actually join the Minutemen; Mac didn’t. Your knowledge can help us as a consultant. If you do decide to join I will appoint you a suitable rank as an officer of the Minutemen Cavalry.”

Danse couldn’t help but smile, “Cavalry?”

“I haven’t nailed down a name yet but I want to incorporate ‘Dragoon’ into it. I have to keep with the revolutionary theme after all.”

Continuing his exploration, Danse gave a low whistle when the Quantum X-01 suit came into view.

Wraith leaned against his arm, “Nice, huh? That one is for you too, once again, regardless of your choice. I want you to know that whatever you decide, I’m your friend and you will have a home here in Sanctuary.”

Shaking his head in disbelief, Danse put his arms around her, his voice cracking with emotion, “I will follow you and help you with whatever you need, my friend… my General.”      

 Thank you so much for reading! Like what you read? Looking for more? Please see my master link located under my bio. I will be updating and re-posting the master as well. Please consider reblogging, I could us the signal boost. As always my ask is open (anon too) if you have any questions/concerns/comments. =^..^=

[incensus-nix]

.: the escape :.

❝ He’s what? ❞ Brittany grabbed the shoulder’s of Scribe Haylen, her voice disturbed that this was even a possibility. 

The scribe held her arms close, just nodded quickly. ❝ I-I’m sorry. The news is spreading like fire. Maxson has him held in the cells. He’ll be executed first thing in the morning. ❞

Brittany felt sick, her arms falling off the others as she held her temples in her hands. ❝ What proof do they have? ❞

❝ Genetic testing... He’s matched a missing construct known as M7-97... ❞ The scribe started, but the Knight turned to her and gave her a threatening look.

❝ Then test again. ❞

❝ We have. Several times in fact... It’s an exact match. ❞

Knight Hart sat herself down, legs weak as she tried to grasp the alarming message given. Brittany had worked directly under Danse since she had been rescued by the Brotherhood of Steel in her childhood. Her family had been caught in the crossfire of raiders and Gen-1 synths, battling out for settlement territories. Carelessness from the raiders who didn’t concern themselves with who could be in the way in a firefight, and the Institute clearing a path for their new mission, too, didn’t have a care for the collateral.

It was the Brotherhood that put an end to the madness, taking out both synth and raider factions to secure the area for the citizens of the Capital Wasteland and establishing themselves as the superior power. 

What Brittany saw was a shining beacon of strength and hope after her loses in the forms of bullets and power armor. Her savior was a strapping man with light skin but dark features, commanding the lead and sending his troops forth to recover the land.

And in that soldier’s presence did a young girl latch onto her savior and the Paladin escorted her to their ship. It was that moment to when the Paladin sworn an oath to protect the child and bring her up in the ranks of the Brotherhood.

Nearly two decades later, a knight sits quietly, hands shaking as she comes to realize her most trusted companion had been the enemy all along.

❝ Knight Hart, Paladin Danse needs you. ❞ The scribe was young still, learning her place and position. What she suggested went against the entirety of the Brotherhood of Steel’s identity.

❝ Scribe Haylen, what are you suggesting? ❞ She did not what to think what her sister-in-arms was implying was to help a synth...

The scribe stood a moment, lips tight with sympathetic eyes, nodding slightly. ❝ After everything he’s done for you, and you won’t even go see him... He’s a good man still -- ❞

❝ --He’s a synth! ❞

❝ And he took care of you! ❞

They were now standing toe to toe, Brittany clearly taking the height advantage and looking down at Haylen. As much as she wanted to put the scribe in her place, she made her point very clear. There was no way that the knight couldn’t at least say her final goodbyes...

Arriving at the disciplinary deck of the Prydwen, it was all empty save for one occupied cell. Brittany and Scribe Haylen marched their way threw the narrow cell halls, reaching the end where Paladin Danse sat, staring down into his hands in silence.

❝ Danse... ❞ Haylen spoke, wrapping her hands around the cell doors. ❝ Please look at us... ❞

The shamed soldier looked up, seeing both women staring down at him, the eyes of pity from one and a broken heart in the other’s. ❝ Knight Hart... ❞

Brittany covered her mouth, feeling slightly sick and trying to hold back a gut wrenching cry. She never thought in her entire lifetime that she’d be standing over her Paladin in such a way. ❝ How could this happen... ❞

❝ It’s alright, Knight. ❞ He said plainly, already having accepted his fate as he talked himself through it behind cell doors. ❝ It’s the right thing to do. I’m a synth, which means I must be destroyed. ❞

❝ Danse, no -- ❞ Brittany blurted out, both hands covering her mouth. ❝ Please, don’t... ❞

He stood now, facing her on the other side of the prison, looking her dead in the eye, sure of himself in his decision. ❝ If you disobey your orders, you're not only betraying Maxson, you're betraying the Brotherhood of Steel and everything it stands for. ❞

❝ I don’t care -- ❞ her voice broke, tears welling up now in a way she couldn’t control.

❝ Listen to me, Knight -- Synths can't be trusted. Machines were never meant to make their own decisions, they need to be controlled. Technology that's run amok is what brought the entire world to its knees and humanity to the brink of extinction. ❞ He tried explaining his own rational, his tone getting firmer as he spoke.

Gripping the bars of the prison, she pressed her forehead to the cold metal. ❝ I said I don’t care, Danse! ❞

❝ I need to be the example, not the exception! ❞

❝ Then maybe we’re wrong! ❞ She shouted back, hot tears flowing down her cheeks as she became overwhelmed with her emotions. It was only then did she really come to the realization that she hadn’t idolized the Brotherhood and their beliefs. It was him. Danse could’ve been a Gunner mercenary or a simply farmer. Whatever it was, she followed him. He saved her, and that’s what she owed her life to. Not any faction or organization. She owed her life’s debt to the man bound to the executed my morning’s light.

❝ Please, keep your voices down... ❞ the scribe reminded them, risking a lot to simply be there visiting and having such conversations. In truth, Haylen was envious of Knight Hart and Paladin Danse’s relationship. The scribe, too, looked up to the Paladin and sought his approval and friendship for years. But, she wasn’t a soldier. She was studious, a learner, picking up fragments of the Old World and studying them until she could share the information to better improve the Brotherhood of Steel for their own greater purpose. 

However, she wasn’t much like her brothers and sisters in strong biases. If Haylen could learn and apply science to their tech, then she would, but she was overall curious about the world around her. The Brotherhood of Steel granted access to all this information, giving the scribe endless possible sources of information. 

In truth, she didn’t even hate synths all that much. She hated what they did to people, and what people did in that fear, but if a synth, unknowing... Living a life in a veil of ignorance... It was just as any human would be doing. But such thoughts were frowned upon, so she kept her lips shut tight.

❝ I know this is difficult... For you both. But this is what’s right. I can’t live, I shouldn’t live. ❞ Danse tried to reason with them again, his expression far more saddened than before.

❝ It doesn’t have to be this way... ❞ Brittany exhausted her pleading, her voice low and tired. ❝ Please, this is wrong. ❞

❝ This life is wrong, Knight. I can’t keep leading you into a lie. ❞ 

❝ It’s not, Paladin. ❞ Scribe Haylen chimed in, agreeing with Brittany. Catching them both off guard, she continued. ❝ Everything you’d done was for the good of the Brotherhood. For the people of the Capital and Commonwealth. ❞

❝ But when are they my memories or someone else’s? ❞ He argued.

❝ What if it wasn’t about memories, but actions? That’s... that’s all you, Danse. ❞

He stood in silence, unwilling to accept her argument. ❝ Please, don’t do this to yourselves. Just... go. ❞

Brittany just shook her head at him, determined. ❝ No. No, I’m going to get you out of here. ❞

❝ And then what? ❞ He barked, not even amusing the idea.

❝ And then we’ll run away. ❞

❝ That’s a foolish plan and we’ll end up dead. They won’t let us go free so easily. I won’t let you put your life on the line for mine. ❞

Glancing to the scribe, then back to Danse, she swallowed hard. ❝ You saved a small child from becoming like the rest of the world. I’m going to save you now. ❞

❝ Don’t -- ❞

❝ That’s an order, Paladin. ❞ Brittany stood tall, nodding once, then nudging Haylen to get moving so that she could follow. It would take the night to get him to escape, but it would happen. And there was nothing he could do about it.

Leaving him for now in his holding cell, the two women got to work, devising a plan to get them out. Haylen was already starting to formulate one even before she had spoken to Brittany, she admitted, hoping that the Knight would jump on board with the idea of sparing her friend.

❝ And you just somehow knew I would be okay with this? ❞ Brittany asked, surprised in the depth of thinking Haylen already had gotten to in all this. 

❝ We both care about Danse. But, of the two of us that is capable of keeping him safe, well... That would be you, Hart. ❞ It pained the scribe to admit it, but it was a truth. And any heat that she got after would have been worth it.

It was rare in these moments did Brittany shed her soldier skin and reveal human emotion beneath the armor she build up for so long. Embracing the scribe, she held on a moment. ❝ Thank you, Haylen. ❞ 

Hugging her back, Scribe Haylen wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, then gave the other a weak smile. ❝ Please, take care of him. This is the most fragile he’ll ever be.. He’ll need someone strong enough to carry for you both. ❞

Touching the other’s cheek and nodding, Brittany’s eyes weld up again. ❝ I promise. ❞

With the two women in understanding, they got back to work on the escape plan. It would come down to the scribe adjusting the locks a bit and breaking them, having to move Danse to another cell. Brittany, prepping two sets of power armor, would come down to the prison bay and order a false attack on a group of super mutants at the Boston Airport. From there, the attention would be diverted and both Hart and Danse would escape in the firefight hidden in their armor and flee the Prydwen.

❝ Think it’s doable? ❞ Brittany asked, looking for honesty.

❝ As long as keep things natural, we are certain to make it so. Ready? ❞ Scribe Haylen grabbing her tools, smiled a bit, with more confidence than before.

❝ Ready. ❞

As their plan went into motion, the Knight told those still working on their power armors that she was taking parts of Danse’s to eventually convert onto her own, the soldiers thinking nothing of it other than a good use of resources. With most of the Prydwen fast asleep or few enough to keep their eyes peeled from her, she pressed in a few power cores into the armor sets, then made way to the ammo keep. There, she helped herself to a mini nuke reseting on the shelf, then quickly ran to the edge of the ship, holding it out and ready to fall.

❝ Here goes nothing... ❞ Dropping the mini nuke from her hands, the bomb quickly fell beneath the giant blimp and exploded beneath the bay, alerting soldiers to wake and equip themselves, all rushing down to the airport.

❝ Greenskin bastards! ❞ Brittany yelled, falsifying their enemy and sending off her fellow Brotherhood soldiers to search for the attackers.

In the cell block, Scribe Haylen began to mess with the locks of the prison hold, fiddling with it several times in attempts to break it apart. 

Both hearing the explosion, Danse’s eyes went wide. ❝ What’s happening out there? ❞

❝ Um, nothing? ❞ The scribe lied, finally busting open the lock and pushing the doors open. ❝ But, we maaay be experiencing some nuclear fire... I recommend getting into a suit. ❞

❝ What are you getting at? I’m not leaving. ❞

❝ You can be so thickheaded. Get going, Hart is waiting for you. Go! ❞

Torn between reporting them all and actually following through with their scheme, Danse and Haylen hid by a wedge in the doorframe, keeping them in the dark while soldiers with laser rifles ran quickly past them. Few short moments later, they were in the clear, making their way to where the power armor suits were being held. Waiting, Knight Hart stepped into her suit, placing her helmet over her head and blocking anyone’s entrance besides Scribe Haylen and Paladin Danse’s.

❝ You’re really going through with this? ❞ He asked, hesitating stepping into the armor. 

❝ Are you? ❞ Brittany asked, her voice muffled to sound more mechanical by the suit’s voice receptor.

He said nothing in response, but climbed into his suit and let the limbs fold around his body, then flipping the helm of his suit as he usually did and placing it over his head.

The scribe below them both smiled, then nodded to them. ❝ Good luck... And goodbye. ❞

Brittany had already made her peace, but Danse nodded in response now, his chest feeling a bit heavier than before. ❝ Goodbye, Haylen. ❞ It would be their last spoken words to each other.

Now ranking with the other soldiers to assist in the attack, Knight authorized a take off in a vertibird, a two man piloted helicopter that hand Danse in the driver’s seat while Hart manned the minigun attached to the side. 

❝ Get this thing flying, soldier. ❞ Brittany said in command, careful to not use his name in the process. Without spoken response, Danse took off for the launching dock and turned the ship west, flying from the rest of the battle and leaving the airport behind.

❝ You think they noticed yet? ❞ Danse said, slipping off his helmet now that they were out of clear visuals of the Prydwen.

❝ Yes... I think they could be hunting for us now. ❞

They both went quiet, Brittany taking a seat next to the Paladin.

❝ What do you think they’ll do to Haylen? ❞ Brittany asked, her voice scared.

❝ She’s smart. I’m sure she had an exit strategy already set. ❞ 

❝ God, I hope you’re right... ❞

They flew for hours until they reached a stretch of radiated marsh, landing the vertibird in it as they quickly leaped onto dryer land in their suits. As much as they would like to keep flying in it, they were more of a target when seen in a flying airship when few had ever seen on in the Commonwealth.

❝ Where are we at the moment? ❞ Danse asked, looking around at the unfamiliar territory.

❝ More north than west, I think. These wetlands separate the rural areas from the city. If we want to seek refuge, we’ll probably need to head that way. ❞ They needed to lose a trail, though she was certain they hadn’t been caught in sight just yet. The disruption was far too large for them to organize a search and destroy mission one after another.

❝ Lose the suits? ❞ 

❝ Not yet... My geiger counter keeps clicking. Better off staying in them until we reach more populated areas. Then we’ll stand out a bit too much... ❞ 

❝ Roger that. ❞

As they trudged onward, through the muck and irradiate mud, they climbed through a heap of fallout and trash, breaking open a closed gate into the outskirts of the greater Boston area. Avoiding any contact, it seemed they had gotten lucky with the barren streets at night. Usually, it was an easier time for raiders to make their moves, the night shielding murder and thievery.

Approaching a collapsed prewar apartment building, the two runaways abandoned their power armors, both soldiers feeling a sense of identity torn from them. They lived much of their lives in battle with those suits. But they were a target in them, and hardly good for being unseen. Knight Hart placed her holotags on the suit’s wrist, the last bit of Brotherhood stripped from her. 

In the rubble of building, Brittany salvaged bits and pieces of prewar clothing that had yet to completely fallen apart over two hundred and plus years. Handing over to Danse, it was a simple tee shirt and overcoat, some bits been eaten away by radroaches that found their way in and out of the rubble. For herself, she manages to gather up a torn tank top, a small workman’s probably, along with faded blue jeans and leather jacket. It would do, at least for them both to be camouflaged.

Grabbing their weapons, they made their way deeper into the city’s remains, staying undetected until the colors of dawn began to peer over the broken buildings. They were exhausted, dragging themselves through heaps of broken buildings and never stopping to rest.

Not until they reached the glowing red neon that read over a few battered doors reading Goodneighbor overtop. The Brotherhood knew of this place but never entered. It was a place for every bit of lawlessness imaginable, run by an incorrigible ghoul of a mayor, addicted to his chems and anarchy.

❝ This is a bad idea, ❞ said Danse, lowering his head as he made his way first into the city.

❝ It’s shelter, ❞ Brittany argued back, slinging her gun over her shoulder to look less threatening. Several of the town’s guards, if they could even be called that, eyed the new group but only made side remarks about staying out of trouble and there would be none.

They managed to salvage a few caps, selling fusion cores and bullets they had left over in their ammo packs, using the money to get rest over at the Rexford Inn. It was a troubling to sleep in the morning, trying to get rest when everyone else was beginning their day, and not by the Brotherhood’s usual standards. The smell of chems and waste began to fill the senses, making the already emotionally exhausted duo to start to feel the physical signs. Still, they powered through, gaining at least a scattered few hours of sleep in until about midday.

❝ We can’t stay here... ❞ Danse confirmed again, seated now incognito at the table with Brittany in the Third Rail, the underground lounge of Goodneighbor. At least they could be away from the grime the settlement produced, not that being in a bar was that much better but Magnolia’s entertainment was far better than listening to retching at the Rexford.

❝ We gotta make due, Danse. Neither one of us is gunna make it out of here unless we get our shit together. ❞

❝ Should’ve just left me there... This is a worse mess. ❞

Brittany was hurt by the statement, adverting her eyes and blinking a few times to dry out any tears that were trying to press forward. ❝ Don’t say that. ❞

❝ But it’s true. Now we’re stuck in this forsaken city with no exit plan. The Brotherhood will find us. We know. We used to do this. ❞

❝ Danse, stop, I’m tired. ❞

❝ There’s no place for a synth like me. I don’t fit in here and if not here, I can’t imagine anywhere else. ❞

❝ I said I’m tired -- ❞

❝ Ahem -- ❞ A figure appeared to them both, then pulling up a chair and seating himself at the edge of the table, setting his beer on the tabletop. ❝ You guys should keep your topic of conversation to chems and gossip if you want to remain invisible. ❞ The figure tilts his cap up, his face hidden behind a pair of sunglasses, even in the darkest part of the lounge. ❝ Which, if I’m sitting here, then you’re doing a really poor job of that. ❞

❝ Can we help you? ❞ Danse’s voice was annoyed that someone had interjected onto their conversation.

❝ Nah, I’m good actually. But you might want to consider how I can help you. ❞ There was a sly grin, the man pushing his glasses up his nose. 

Brittany glared at him. Goodneighbor was full of schemers, and this one looked no different. ❝ Whatever you want, just get lost. ❞

The man, leaning back into his seat, lifted his hat to rub the top of his head, then placed his hat back down and rested his hands behind his neck. ❝ I assume muscle boy here is a synth? ❞ Brittany and Danse both gave the stranger threatening glares. ❝ You said it, not me. Promise, I just have good ears. And, don’t mind me adding, but I hear you’ve gotta problem with this fine city Mayor Hancock has set up? ❞ The two of them remained unfazed. ❝ Honestly, same. Never really liked Goodneighbor, but hey, when you wanna let your freak out, this is the place to do it. ❞

❝ Stop wasting time, what are you here for? ❞ Brittany spoke for the duo, readying herself for a fight if need be.

The stranger, leaning forward a bit, straightened his cap out and waved for them to get closer too, to which, they did as commanded. ❝ Keep heading northwest. Beyond the RedRocket and river, you’ll see a sign out front. Sanctuary. If you’re willing, there’s a place for you. ❞

Sliding away as quickly as he came, the drifter stopped at the bar to chat a few with Whitechapel Charlie, the Mr. Handy bartender who relished in giving folks a hard time.

❝ Sanctuary? Think it’s a ploy? ❞ Danse asked, perhaps humoring the idea, seeing any place was better than Goodneighbor.

She rested her chin in her hand, unsure exactly what to say. It seemed she was the one coming up with all the answers now, something she wasn’t exactly certain in doing around Paladin Danse. ❝ Probably... But they don’t like our kind much here either. We’re not exactly fitting in as best as I hoped. ❞

❝ We should go. ❞

❝ He really talked you into it that quickly, huh? ❞ Brittany was surprised how soon Danse leapt onto the idea, but at least he wasn’t moping around as he did since they had gotten to the city. ❝ Alright then. Lets move out. ❞

It took the duo two days to reach the edge of the river, the giant, monolithic looking rocket placed over the fueling garage as a symbol that they were close. The bridge leading them into the the subdivision had a broken statue of what looked to be an Old World military figure from one of the ancient wars. Copper in make, most likely, though it was green with oxidation. Or radiation could’ve stuck to it after all this time...

At the entrance of the neighborhood, there was a caravan just leaving, two pack brahmin mooing loudly as they passed by the duo, as if they were announcing that the neighborhood had company. The settlement guard paused the machine gun turrets from open firing, not until she got a quick investigation of who these new folks were.

❝ We were told to follow the path here... A man in sunglasses in Goodneighbor... ❞ Brittany spoke, making sure that she would be the voice of the two of them.

The guard smirked. ❝ Looks like Deacon just couldn’t help himself. Get yourselves on in. Sounds like you’ve had a long road behind you. ❞

Danse and Brittany looked at the other, surprised with how easily they had been trusted into safekeeping, but neither one would fight it. As they moseyed along the broken street, they noticed the buzzing of vendors and farmers doing their daily commands, a few of the Minutemen discussing something intently with a few other civilians.

❝ Hey -- ❞ a familiar voice dragged out. ❝ Though you’d never show up. Jeez, I’ve been here for like, ever, waiting for you guys. Get lost? I thought your types were all about navigation and what not. ❞ The man now wore a simple tee shirt and jeans, styled with a pompadour wig but still hidden behind the sunglasses.

❝ Are these the Brotherhood soldiers you were telling me about? ❞ A woman spoke now, her silver hair tied back with scars stretching across her lips and extending into her cheeks.

❝ Yep. Thought they could be handy. ❞

The silver haired woman approached, eyeing them both. ❝ So, Brotherhood of Steel, hm? You, ❞ she points to Danse. ❝ The synth, right? ❞

❝ Keep it quiet -- ❞ Brittany defended, but the woman waved her off in disregard. 

❝ I don’t care, actually. But I’ve made this town a refuge for those that are deemed unwanted. Like ghouls, synths, I don’t know, whatever people are these days. And, unlike where you dragged yourselves out of, I’ve have rules. You are to be dressed, clean and serve with a purpose. I want all my residents to show some proper manners around here. If you want chems, by all means, just say your please and thank you’s. Fair? ❞

It was alarming to say the least, but they both nodded respectfully. ❝ Yes ma’am, ❞ Danse spoke, for once feeling slightly intimidated with the woman’s power.

❝ Ugh, ma’am. I feel like my grandmother. Go make yourselves useful. ❞ She waved them off, rubbing the side of her head. The Minutemen had been nagging at her about other business but she was more interested in finding wine.

❝ Can someone else fill us in with what just happened? ❞ Brittany asked, looking mostly the the man they now identified as Deacon. 

The spy smirked, then rested his hands behind his neck, just as he did at the Third Rail. ❝ The Railroad has set up some safe havens; this is one of them. Seeing that you were Brotherhood of Steel, well, assuming ex-Brotherhood now, because, y’know, synth stuff, thought you might need better protection than a few Triggermen in Goodneighbor. Bethany, the woman you just met, she’s got you covered. Just like, take showers and stuff. She’s really weird about some things. And do not, I repeat, do not kill any of the cats. They are for petting, not food. ❞

❝ I’ve never even seen a cat... ❞ Brittany admitted, only reading about them in book written by scribes. 

❝ Well, maybe you should just steer clear. They’re, uh, still kinda feral... ❞ Deacon stretched his lips into a dramatic frown, then started walking, assuming they’ll follow. ❝ Look, I’m not really sure about you two. But we’ve got good ties with the Minutemen and Railroad’s been trusting out here. If you’re really done with the Brotherhood of Steel, you can find your place here. We’re keeping a close watch on you both, though. Step out of line and -- ❞ He motioned a gun shot motion, blowing out the smoke from his fingertips.

❝ Understood... ❞ Danse said, looking over to Brittany for assurance.

❝ Look, there’s more to fill in, but just get yourselves settled for now. There’s some rooms in the blue house just where you entered in from. If you want work though, we could use some more muscle. Turrets are useful and all, but having some eyes and ears would be great. Think it over, we could use a few more like you two. ❞

While Deacon excused himself, Brittany looked up to Danse, pleading a bit in her eyes. ❝ We could belong here... ❞

❝ We’ll see, Knight. ❞

❝ I’m not a knight anymore... ❞

There was a small silence between them, Brittany reaching for Danse’s rough hand to hold into her own. 

Gripping it back gently, Danse simply nodded and spoke softly. ❝ We could belong here. ❞

[felisfire-blog]

Exhibit D

[2/7/2016 7:23:54 PM] TIME4BUENO: I think the second may be a bit easier to ease them in? [2/7/2016 7:24:07 PM] Luna: Yeah. But just to be safe, can you guys quickly guess? XD [2/7/2016 7:24:26 PM] TIME4BUENO: Sure~ [2/7/2016 7:24:39 PM] TIME4BUENO: In order or no? [2/7/2016 7:24:53 PM] Luna: Order isn't going to be pertinent to people's answers. That would be too hard. XD [2/7/2016 7:25:37 PM] Luna: Essentially for GTMs, the first person to send me a PM with all ten correct markings gets that feli. [2/7/2016 7:25:44 PM] Luna: The other games give out gems. [2/7/2016 7:26:11 PM] TIME4BUENO: So ten for each? [2/7/2016 7:26:15 PM] Luna: Yup. [2/7/2016 7:26:20 PM] TIME4BUENO: Awesome I think I got the first XD [2/7/2016 7:26:21 PM] Luna: I figured that would give a good limit. [2/7/2016 7:26:28 PM] Luna: Guess away! [2/7/2016 7:27:34 PM] TIME4BUENO: So the second one is a lot harder than I thought [2/7/2016 7:27:41 PM] Luna: XD [2/7/2016 7:27:42 PM] TIME4BUENO: I kind of phoned it in after a second [2/7/2016 7:27:42 PM] TIME4BUENO: XD [2/7/2016 7:27:46 PM | Edited 7:27:49 PM] TIME4BUENO: First -Belly -Flycatcher -Gnosis -Blaze -Strike -Rabicano -Belly -Stipple -Snow Owl -Tail Spray Second -Greaves -Rays -Toes -Dun -Panda -Giraffe -Belly -Muzzle -Wing Tips -Coatimundi [2/7/2016 7:28:32 PM] Luna: First is wrong. [2/7/2016 7:28:44 PM] Luna: Second is wrong. [2/7/2016 7:28:45 PM] Luna: XD [2/7/2016 7:28:47 PM] TIME4BUENO: Bull [2/7/2016 7:28:50 PM] TIME4BUENO: XD [2/7/2016 7:28:56 PM] TIME4BUENO: Is it Cloud and not Stipple [2/7/2016 7:29:14 PM] Luna: Where did you get blaze from? XD [2/7/2016 7:29:16 PM] TIME4BUENO: I'm not surprised on the second [2/7/2016 7:29:25 PM] TIME4BUENO: Does Gnosis cover the nose there? [2/7/2016 7:29:28 PM] ...: Giraffe husky greaves belly toes wing tips panda rays one more XD [2/7/2016 7:29:49 PM] Luna: Wrong, Cat. XD [2/7/2016 7:29:58 PM] TIME4BUENO: What are the markings? [2/7/2016 7:30:00 PM] Luna: And yeah, Genosis covers the nose, but blaze isn't on there. [2/7/2016 7:30:04 PM] Luna: http://www.felisfire.com/thread?i=73634 [2/7/2016 7:30:07 PM] Luna: The answers are there. XD [2/7/2016 7:30:24 PM] TIME4BUENO: I can't even see the brindling on the first oe [2/7/2016 7:30:26 PM] TIME4BUENO: *one [2/7/2016 7:30:44 PM] TIME4BUENO: Stipple would cover it [2/7/2016 7:30:56 PM] Luna: That's why it's a tricky one. It does make an obvious difference though, so people will have to be patient figuring it out. [2/7/2016 7:31:04 PM] Luna: I don't want people solving it in five minutes on the first day. [2/7/2016 7:31:17 PM] TIME4BUENO: I dunno these are pretty damn hard [2/7/2016 7:31:24 PM] Luna: Mostly that one is a test to see how much easier or harder I need to get with the users. [2/7/2016 7:31:36 PM] ...: There's a fucking dragonfly in my room [2/7/2016 7:31:40 PM] Luna: XD [2/7/2016 7:31:48 PM] ...: goddamn it now it's freaking out [2/7/2016 7:31:55 PM] ...: oh it found the door good [2/7/2016 7:32:03 PM] Luna: Better than a bee. [2/7/2016 7:32:11 PM] ...: or wasp/hornets [2/7/2016 7:32:20 PM] ...: I get those a lot.  Fortunately they know where the door is. [2/7/2016 7:32:23 PM] ...: Somehow [2/7/2016 7:32:30 PM] ...: I dunno about brindling [2/7/2016 7:32:41 PM] ...: I didn't get that either [2/7/2016 7:32:51 PM] Luna: But at least you're not sounding pissed about it. [2/7/2016 7:32:51 PM] ...: That's the one marking I couldn't get remember [2/7/2016 7:33:09 PM] Luna: Which I'm hoping means users won't be mad. [2/7/2016 7:33:17 PM] Luna: I don't need rage-quitters on the news post. XD [2/7/2016 7:33:29 PM] ...: Eh it would be kind of annoying to try and guess that [2/7/2016 7:33:31 PM] Luna: But I can change it, if necessary. [2/7/2016 7:33:39 PM] Feeshy: I will cry if you make a wasp/hornet marking/outfit. Just putting it out there :| I think it's better if it's a bit on the hard side anyway to help differentiate between users [2/7/2016 7:34:00 PM] TIME4BUENO: I still don't think brindling makes enough of a difference, but that's just me [2/7/2016 7:34:05 PM] TIME4BUENO: -went and loaded it in the lab designer- [2/7/2016 7:34:13 PM] TIME4BUENO: But it would be a good place marker so [2/7/2016 7:34:17 PM] TIME4BUENO: Maybe I'm just dumb XD [2/7/2016 7:34:30 PM] *** Luna can be sadistic with puzzles *** [2/7/2016 7:34:41 PM] TIME4BUENO: Yeah but we don't want to frustrate the users too much [2/7/2016 7:34:45 PM] TIME4BUENO: That'll just make them not play. [2/7/2016 7:35:22 PM] Luna: Nah, the patient ones will figure it out. Plus it's a G1, and I'm not wanting to hand those out easily when we have auctions and raffles too. [2/7/2016 7:35:56 PM] Luna: Bathroom break. Brb. [2/7/2016 7:35:58 PM] TIME4BUENO: Just try not to make them too...difficult is the only word that comes to mind other than confounded. [2/7/2016 7:36:56 PM] ...: Brindling is kind of a subtle marking in the first place.  I honestly don't think I would have gotten it. [2/7/2016 7:37:19 PM] TIME4BUENO: I can barely see brindling on Xano as is :T But again, that's me I guess. [2/7/2016 7:37:42 PM] ...: I'm inclined to agree.  I use it if I want a subtle colour through something that isn't overbearing. [2/7/2016 7:38:45 PM] ...: Like if you made it the gold it would be easier to tell that there is another marking there but it feels too close to the stipple or something [2/7/2016 7:38:48 PM] Luna: There is a spider taking up residence next to my toilet. >_< [2/7/2016 7:38:57 PM] ...: He won't eat much. [2/7/2016 7:38:58 PM] TIME4BUENO: Least it's not a roach [2/7/2016 7:39:00 PM] Luna: I can attempt it in gold. [2/7/2016 7:39:04 PM] TIME4BUENO: I agree with Cat [2/7/2016 7:39:15 PM] Luna: I just hope it won't make it too easy. [2/7/2016 7:39:18 PM] TIME4BUENO: http://www.felisfire.com/demo.php?s=2&b=000000&e=00D9FF&n=000000&m1=16&m1c=B86500&m2=114&m2c=047555&m3=47&m3c=0087B0&m4=85&m4c=B8FFE5&m5=149&m5c=B8FFE5&m6=77&m6c=B86500&m7=163&m7c=B8FFE5&m8=51&m8c=D67600&m9=143&m9c=B8FFE5&m10=1&m10c=B8FFE5&m11=0&m11c=0000FF [2/7/2016 7:39:20 PM] TIME4BUENO: It won't [2/7/2016 7:39:30 PM] TIME4BUENO: it adds enough of a difference to tell there's another marking there but doesn't make it too easy [2/7/2016 7:40:07 PM] Luna: It's not loading.... [2/7/2016 7:40:13 PM] ...: Is it just me or is it not loading [2/7/2016 7:40:14 PM] ...: XD [2/7/2016 7:40:16 PM] ...: there we go [2/7/2016 7:40:20 PM] TIME4BUENO: I've been having a LOT of issues with lab designer links [2/7/2016 7:40:28 PM] TIME4BUENO: They've been loading WAY slower than anything else. [2/7/2016 7:40:35 PM] TIME4BUENO: One took five minutes earlier OTL [2/7/2016 7:40:47 PM] TIME4BUENO: But anyway all I did Luna was change the Brindling color to Gnosis' [2/7/2016 7:40:55 PM] TIME4BUENO: or sorry [2/7/2016 7:40:57 PM] TIME4BUENO: Strike's [2/7/2016 7:41:09 PM] Luna: Could work. [2/7/2016 7:41:12 PM] ...: I still can't see it [2/7/2016 7:41:13 PM] ...: lol [2/7/2016 7:41:17 PM] ...: I can see it a bit [2/7/2016 7:41:20 PM] TIME4BUENO: XD Look at the tail and the feathers [2/7/2016 7:41:36 PM] TIME4BUENO: The tail is really the only place I can ever see Brindling on Xano [2/7/2016 7:41:44 PM] ...: Stipple just hides so much. [2/7/2016 7:41:48 PM] TIME4BUENO: ^ [2/7/2016 7:42:00 PM] Luna: Switch bridling and stipple real quick, Sin. [2/7/2016 7:42:10 PM] TIME4BUENO: With the original colors or the gold? [2/7/2016 7:42:22 PM] Luna: Just their order. Leave colors as is. [2/7/2016 7:42:35 PM] TIME4BUENO: http://www.felisfire.com/demo.php?s=2&b=000000&e=00D9FF&n=000000&m1=114&m1c=047555&m2=16&m2c=047555&m3=47&m3c=0087B0&m4=85&m4c=B8FFE5&m5=149&m5c=B8FFE5&m6=77&m6c=B86500&m7=163&m7c=B8FFE5&m8=51&m8c=D67600&m9=143&m9c=B8FFE5&m10=1&m10c=B8FFE5&m11=0&m11c=0000FF [2/7/2016 7:42:37 PM] TIME4BUENO: Doesn't really change much [2/7/2016 7:42:50 PM] Luna: Grr, load time.... [2/7/2016 7:43:17 PM] TIME4BUENO: I'm patient, no worries lol [2/7/2016 7:44:13 PM] Luna: Maybe this could be a super tricky month. XD [2/7/2016 7:44:52 PM] TIME4BUENO: I wouldn't make the first month super tricky since a lot of our userbase won't remember when we had this previously to be able to benchmark that "Oh, this is just a harder one." [2/7/2016 7:45:06 PM] Luna: I mean the month we use this feli for. XD [2/7/2016 7:45:17 PM] Luna: I was wanting to use the other one first anyway. [2/7/2016 7:45:20 PM] TIME4BUENO: Maybe yeah [2/7/2016 7:45:38 PM] *** ... still can't see brindling XD *** [2/7/2016 7:45:42 PM] ...: But meh [2/7/2016 7:45:51 PM] Luna: I'm just super detailed. XD [2/7/2016 7:45:53 PM] TIME4BUENO: Like I said, swapping their order didn't really make a difference Cat Xd [2/7/2016 7:46:24 PM] TIME4BUENO: The second one is kind of non obvious with a lot of its markings. I don't mean to nit pick XD But like Haze? You can't even begin to tell it's haze. [2/7/2016 7:46:39 PM] TIME4BUENO: BUT [2/7/2016 7:46:42 PM] TIME4BUENO: it's better than the first [2/7/2016 7:46:42 PM] TIME4BUENO: xD [2/7/2016 7:46:50 PM] Luna: Again, it's meant to be a challenge. [2/7/2016 7:46:54 PM] TIME4BUENO: Yeah, I know [2/7/2016 7:46:58 PM] TIME4BUENO: I was here when the original ones were made XD [2/7/2016 7:47:01 PM] ...: I like the second one tbh [2/7/2016 7:47:02 PM] Luna: I don't want to hand out a G1 in ten minutes after it's posted. XD [2/7/2016 7:47:05 PM] TIME4BUENO: They were, however, supposed to be recognizable [2/7/2016 7:47:29 PM] TIME4BUENO: Shouldn't you give the G1 out based on who got it right anyway? 'Cause timezones and what not. [2/7/2016 7:47:40 PM] Luna: A majority of the markings are recognizable, it's just one or two that people are going to have to think about. [2/7/2016 7:47:41 PM] TIME4BUENO: Like not who got it right first but just from who got it right [2/7/2016 7:48:00 PM] TIME4BUENO: You can't even see anything distinguishing about Haze though other than it's on the body? [2/7/2016 7:48:04 PM] Luna: Then we'd have a ton of clones of a G1. [2/7/2016 7:48:17 PM] TIME4BUENO: why? [2/7/2016 7:48:33 PM] TIME4BUENO: We literally just have to give it to one person who gets it right? Otherwise, like I said, you're going to have people complaining because of timezones. [2/7/2016 7:48:37 PM] Luna: The way you said it made it sound like everyone who got it right would get a G1. [2/7/2016 7:48:43 PM] ...: Guys [2/7/2016 7:48:46 PM] Feeshy: I think sin is saying that, for example: -You leave it open 24-48 hours -Everyone that gets the most markings right is tied -1 person from those users gets it, at random [2/7/2016 7:48:48 PM] TIME4BUENO: No, I mean you pick from everyone who sent it in. [2/7/2016 7:48:54 PM] Luna: Ah [2/7/2016 7:48:54 PM] TIME4BUENO: Yeah that [2/7/2016 7:48:57 PM] TIME4BUENO: -points at Feesh- [2/7/2016 7:49:16 PM] Luna: Could work. I'm giving them fifteen days. [2/7/2016 7:49:28 PM] TIME4BUENO: Cause we have a lot of users in different time zones and it'd be super unfair if you just gave it to who got it right first. [2/7/2016 7:49:40 PM] Luna: Which is why 15 days. [2/7/2016 7:49:48 PM] Luna: One chance each. [2/7/2016 7:50:09 PM] TIME4BUENO: Yeah but you saying "I don't want to give out a Gen 1 in under 10 minutes of it being posted" made me think you were just giving it out to whoever got it right first. A misunderstanding it seems. [2/7/2016 7:50:19 PM] TIME4BUENO: Get what I mean? [2/7/2016 7:50:33 PM] Luna: Yeah. I'm still working on it. [2/7/2016 7:51:04 PM] TIME4BUENO: But yeah just try and make some of them not as convoluted 'cause there still needs to be fairness to them. [2/7/2016 7:51:24 PM] TIME4BUENO: If there's nothing distinguishing at all to tell it apart from something else, like not even a little sliver it makes it really unfair. [2/7/2016 7:51:26 PM] Luna: As I said, these are to test the waters mostly to see how the user base reacts. [2/7/2016 7:51:45 PM] TIME4BUENO: I still say they're too hard for the first ones. [2/7/2016 7:52:33 PM] ...: Personally I don't have a problem with the second one, but the first one with brindling I personally think could be seen as kinda a cheap shot.  I think brindling needs to be made more obvious or changed, that's just my opinion. [2/7/2016 7:52:36 PM] TIME4BUENO: But since this is going in circles I'll rest my case. [2/7/2016 7:52:37 PM] Luna: I would need a bigger testing group to determine that for sure. [2/7/2016 7:53:26 PM] Feeshy: You said that one was easier than the other, right? Maybe use that one as a test dummy. If it's too hard then you can adjust the harder of the designs you brought up. [2/7/2016 7:53:45 PM] Luna: Yes, that's why the second is going up first. :P [2/7/2016 7:54:00 PM] Luna: The minty one, being easier, is going to be a test. [2/7/2016 7:54:05 PM] ...: Haze is tricky but it's a different colour so it's not like it's impossible.  The brindling one is just sadistic imo XD  People will be annoyed by it. [2/7/2016 7:55:03 PM] ...: But I'm not in charge of them so I'm just giving my opinion c: [2/7/2016 7:55:35 PM] Feeshy: Nn, same; I think that a design does need at least ne tricky marking (but maybe not a sadistic marking; we'll see <3 hha) [2/7/2016 7:57:34 PM] ...: Yeah I wouldn't have guessed brindling luna XD  But I probably woulda picked up on haze with enough thought. [2/7/2016 7:57:36 PM] ...: Anyway [2/7/2016 7:57:45 PM] ...: I think we've all said what we wanted to on that topic [2/7/2016 7:59:24 PM] Luna: Yup. [2/7/2016 7:59:39 PM] ...: Just some things to consider.  I think Sin has a valid point that maybe start out with an easier design to begin with.  There are a lot of newer users and we don't wanna scare them off too fast :p  But at the same time we do want people to be given a bit of a challenge.  It's a fine line.  I hope you'll take our thoughts into consideration. [2/7/2016 8:00:07 PM] ...: Anyway.