#also yeah I know that BSBs are very likely female

[katyspersonal]

1 Insight: Djura's third companion is Josef

15 Insight: Josef is just a cooperator variant of the NPC type 'Izzy's Successor', Djura's third companion is that corpse you pick Charred Set from

40 Insight: 'Djura's companion' might not even necessarily mean Powder Kegs. For example, Djura's Ally doesn't have any Powder Kegs weapons but is clearly included! Even then, there were multiple Powder Kegs, why just three specific ones? Maybe 'companions' refers to his polycule divorces closest friends or whatever. Could that mean Bestial Hunter who is from Oto Workshop (beta Powder Kegs workshop)? Could that mean Valtr since his weapon was made in Powder Kegs? Could that mean Izzy? Who knows!

60 Insight: Djura's third companion is an OC spot because developers forgor/had no time and we've been doing blue curtains effect this whole time

99 Insight: Djura's third companion is a Blood-Starved Beast that Djura's Apprentice fights with, they left Old Yharnam together and this one was poisoned with Ashen Blood all along and eventually turned

0 Insight: You've been fighting Brainsucker in Upper Cathedral Ward's corridor for too long lol

[duckuwu]

i do think about how i resisted kpop for so long

and then the one group to snatch me is the princess one.

i dont remember if i've talked about how it happened here before (probably), but... i've had two really close friends (who are both online and semi in person friends) who've been into kpop for many years now. and they kept talking about it, and the specific groups they like, and they kept trying to bring me into it. (just like there's some of you tumblr buddies who were also trying to assist me in that) but i just wasnt vibing w anything they sent.

but they were trying for years, and also getting such genuine joy out of it too, that i felt bad that i couldnt join them on the journey.

so i went to pandora and had it play me a kpop playlist.

and most of the tracks were skips for me. but there were some songs that i really vibed with.

they were always IVE. (okay, sometimes le sserafim would sneak in with newjeans. (enhypen was there too, my boys [pets gently]) but their tracks were hit and miss, whereas every single IVE track that came on...)

so i went to the music videos. went with the track that i loved the most: love dive. and i was like: oh, i get it now.

like, listen, the track is a fuckin bopperino. it's been in the top 100 of korea charts since it was released (it just left this weekend). but there was just something about these young women's attitudes. they know their worth and dare you to like them. dare i say...they were cocky? and the hook of the song "narcissistic, my god I love it" (and how there is some humour in it, but also they're just being honest too). and yeah. that's just what i've been wanting from female pop for decades. confident, cheeky, intelligent, not pandering to the male gaze.

...but now that i've been in this for some time now (and have expanded my listening range). I think it was just simply that the right group hadn't found me yet.

i don't really know how to explain it to people who aren't in it, but all these different groups are put together with a certain style/vibe/personality/goal. like, especially once you get to know the personalities of the members of the various groups. so, like, whilst there might be some crossover with people liking various groups, there's going to be that ONE group that is THE GROUP for someone, the group that truly best suits someone's personality.

like, i'm IVE, and the way they are with each other and their personalities, senses of humour, confidence, the lyrics of their songs... are very much the exact fit for me. whereas one of my RL friends has aespa as their main group, and the personalities, sense of humor, attitudes etc, truly fit the personality of my friend too. the stray kids fans i've met vs ateez fans vs enhypen etc... like you meet them, you talk to them, it's very easy to see why that one group is their main group. and also why their bias is their bias. (bias = favourite group member). it's kinda wild to think about. and very much not at all ... you cant really find the same in western groups. 1D fans were all over the place, same for bsb & nsync, fifth harmony etc.

it's fascinating. obviously subversive marketing that really fucking works. lmao and yeah it's marketing, but it's also based on something real.

but i really do find it absolutely hilarious that it's the group with the princess aesthetic that snatched me. for years now people on tumblr have been like 'dreamcatcher is right up your alley' and aesthetically, i do get it. and yet here we are lmao i do love me my rich intelligent women with hearts of gold (hello lena luthor). we just dont really get to see it in media much. (but also, again, i do want to stress that auditorily and lyrically i was ensnared by them before i even saw the group and their personalities)

this was my first favourite track of theirs:

and this is my absolute favourite track of theirs:

i'll shut up now lmao. idek if anyone'll read this ramble but hey

and if there's any kpop fans (friends/long time followers etc) whove been in this for a minute, feel free to correct any of my wrong assumptions about how things are? i know i'm new. and i also know i've got a masters in IVE specifically, and that I've only glanced the surface of other groups. but when you've found your happy place, it's really hard to watch other things when you could be in your happy place. lmao

[minaofmayhem]

IMAGINE #44 - How it works

Finally I could finished this imagine! I’m sorry but it became a bit difficult for me to write every day so I come here whenever I can ! Here’s an ask for @delicatecelebritiesarthairdo​ ! I love so much writing on Nick Carter so thanks a lot for asking this! I hope you’ll like it. I think a lot about how doing this and I decided to try something else 🤩 Other requests are coming soon ! ❤️

Gif not mine, credits to the owner

Summary : You and Nick are dating since ten years. Despite his fame and all that goes with it, you’re still in love with each other like the first day you’ve met. During a TV interview, the presenter asks you what your secret is to keep the flame burning !

Pairing : Nick Carter (BSB) x Reader

Warnings : none only fluff !

"Ladies and gentlemen, today on our Morning Live show we welcome one of the most iconic couples of the 2000s and music. Together they came to talk about their experience after more than ten years of marriage. Please give a warm welcome to Nick and (X/Y) Carter!".

A round of applause and loud shouts echo through the studio as you enter the set. The female screams are obviously numerous and some of them are agitated with their signs where various declarations of love are written for Nick. But you don't mind, you're used to it. You advance, hand in hand, until the center of the stage where a small cosy space was arranged to receive the guests. You greet the crowd together and the camera with a wave of the hand and the shouts start again.

"Please take a seat" the presenter says, pointing to the two chairs with a wave of her hand. For her part, she takes a seat in the chair opposite, already preparing her little cards with her questions written on them. Once you are seated, the screams fade away and the program can finally begin.

"Welcome, welcome! I am very happy to have you here today."

"Thank you for having us", you and Nick answer him in an enthusiastic tone while he takes your hand in his . You don't usually do many interviews but Nick had managed to convince you to do this one. He knew that you were not very comfortable with being a public figure but he promised you that this interview would be interesting and rewarding for you.  

"The pleasure is all ours! As you know, this morning you will be the specialists in our special program : How to preserve your relationship and keep the flame alive as on the first day?”.

“Wow” (laughing with Nick - the audience laugh). 

"What a task!" (Nick adds looking at the presenter). "Are you sure you picked the right people?". 

“Precisely! No, seriously, as soon as we chose this theme, you were the first couple we thought of. Your story is like a fairy tale, isn't it?” (Nick turns to you and smiles tenderly as he takes your hand in his). 

“It is ! You know, with all the hardships I've been through in my life, I never thought I'd meet such a beautiful and loving woman...” (You smile at Nick's beautiful statement while the room gives a tender "aw").

“Aw that's so adorable! Exactly how long have you been together ?”

“It's been almost fifteen years now”. (You answer in chorus).

"Amazing! Tell us how you met? How did this fairy tale start?". (Nick turns to you with a smile to let you know that he wants you to be the one to explain). 

"Oh a very ordinary meeting you know...I was Aj's girlfriend's friend at the time. She really wanted me to go with her to the Backstreet boys concert except I wasn't really excited about it because it wasn't my style of music at all. After the concert, we went to the backstage and I got to know the band."

"At first, it was not easy" (Nick admitted with a laugh. This simple reminder also made you burst out laughing).

"Yeah, he wasn't my kind of boy at all. That's what I thought when I first met him, in his stage costume”.  

"Yes at first you didn't want me". (The whole room laughs).

"Then I saw him again because my friend didn't want to be alone at the concert and I got to really know him. I discovered a deeply kind, honest man who was very different from what I imagined”.

"And twelve years later, here you are, married with two beautiful children”.  

"It's amazing! Every day I think how lucky I am to have started such a beautiful family. (X/Y) and my two beautiful children are all my life”. (The audience melt in front of such sweetness). 

"(X/Y), what was it like knowing he was famous and adored? I imagine it wasn’t easy..."

"Indeed, at first it was complicated. The secret to getting there is not to think about it. That's what I told myself. It's his job, he does what he likes, I have to accept it. We'll see what happens and there's never been any problems between us about that. It's the man he is that I married, not Nick Carter of BSB”.  

"Nick, have there been more difficult times ?”  

"Yes, the separations when we are going on tour or on BSB cruises. We stay in touch of course but it always seems like a long time. Even more so now that we have the kids...Of course we have arguments like any couple but that's what makes us stronger."

“I agree. In the beginning, when he left, I was able to manage the distance well even though I missed him a lot. But now, with the children, it is more difficult. We explain to them why their daddy is leaving for a while but the goodbyes are always heartbreaking”. 

“Let's talk about the problems that a couple can encounter. As someone who has been together for a long time, what advice do you have for couples who are having difficulties? What do you think is the secret of a couple's longevity?”

You and Nick look at each other, looking for the best advice to give the audience.

"Well...I'm not a psychologist or psychiatrist but I would say mutual respect, trust"

"Yes trust is very important. You also have to understand that the other person needs space, independence. I don't necessarily have the same hobbies as Nick and he understands that I also need to take my mind off things. Just as I understand that his job requires him to be away from home for several weeks”. 

“Absolutely”. (Nick confirms as the presenter nods several time).

“Let me ask this question but...if I'm not mistaken, you've always been very apprehensive about marriage?”

“Yes, it's true. At first I was worried and reluctant because of my past. Let's just say I didn't have the best of examples with my parents. I had a difficult childhood, a family with a very chaotic atmosphere. I was afraid that this pattern would be repeated. But when I met her, I was immediately reassured. And above all, I was certain that I had made the right choice. (X/Y) is wonderful, she is the best mother I know and I couldn't ask for anything better”.

“(X/Y). Did you share the same concerns?”

“Not really...I mean, I had the same concerns as anyone else. Did I make the right choice? Is it the right one? But I knew he was the one I wanted to be with and build a family with”. 

“It's really interesting what you explain and I think it will help a lot of our viewers. But how do you then, in addition to what you're already doing, keep the flame alive? I mean...after so many years, you evolve, your tastes change, you have other desires...How do you reconcile all that?”

(Nick looks at you before giving an answer). “The key for me is communication. Without communication, it is difficult to know what the other person feels, what she needs”.

“Exactly. We need to talk, to share. That's the most important thing. Living together is already an experience and if you don't communicate, it can become difficult, frustrating. Among us, we have seen many couples who split up because of this. And it is even more important when you have children because your life is not the same anymore”. 

“(X/Y) and Nick thank you so much for being with us today. I think your valuable advice enlightened many of our viewers. What can we wish you next, except the best and all the happiness in the world. but I think you've already found it?”

Nick looks at you with a smile, a mischievous smirk on his face. You answer him in the same way, clasping your hand tightly in his to show him how much you love him. 

"Indeed, I already have my happiness. And once you have it, it's the most precious thing in the world”.

[purplesurveys]

1183

survey by xflirtykaosx

Alphabetti Spaghetti (1/3)

And we will fall in love with shooting stars. - A

Have you ever seen an Aardvark? I don’t think so.

Were you ever abandoned in a public place as a child? Where? Abandoned is a pretty harsh word lol. My parents did like playing pranks on me and hide whenever I’d get distracted at the grocery or department store. They’d let me get nervous or even tear up for a bit until showing up again.

What accent do you have? I guess just your standard Filipino English accent that’s common among people who were able to take up English studies. I don’t really know how to describe it.

Is there someone in your family addicted to something? What is it? I don’t think so.

Have you ever been under general anaesthetic? What were you having done? I think so? When I had a tooth extraction done on me two years ago I was told I was going to be injected with anaesthesia, but I didn’t feel as if anything changed throughout the procedure. Either my dentist told me fake news lol or he’s just really good at his job for me to not notice anything.

How do you show the ones you love affection? It depends on the person. Around my friends, I know I’ve had taken a liking to them once I start getting especially talkative with them. For people I have even deeper relationships with, I like...buying them gifts, I guess. Getting them things that remind me of them. I would also bend over backwards to do nice deeds for them, like driving them to their destination even if I find it far.

Are you more passive or aggressive? I tend to be very passive aggressive in the way I deal with things.

Do you like the band Aha!? Not in particular.

Do you know anyone called Aidan? What are they like? Nope.

Ever heard of the band Ajax? No but I know that’s a brand of like cleaner or something. That’s close enough to ‘band’ haha.

Do you know anyone called Akash? I don’t either.

Do the sound of fire alarms scare you? They would obviously be scary if it rang for a real reason. Who wouldn’t freak out over a fire?

Do you live in America? If so, which state? If visited, where'd you go? No, and I’ve never visited either. I’d love to take a trip to cities like New York, New Orleans, Portland, and Chicago one of these days.

Have you ever had an ant infestation in your house? Only when there’s food left out accidentally.

Aora - did I spell that correctly? I don’t even know what you’re referring to, so I can’t tell you if you’ve spelled whatever it is right.

Do you have a preference in Apple? What type do you prefer? I don’t quite get this question - like a preference within Apple products? I mean, a phone and a laptop are essentials for me, and generally I do prefer having an iPhone and Macbook over other brands; but I can live without an iPad, an Apple Watch, iMac, Apple Pen, etc...if this is what you mean.

Are you an Aquarian? Is anyone in your family/your partner/best friend? ...You mean Aquarius? No. I don’t believe in astrology nor pay attention to zodiac signs either, so I wouldn’t be able to name Aquariuses that I know right off the bat.

Have you ever worn any type of armor? Which type? I don’t think I’ve ever had to, no.

Do you use the word ass a lot? Kinda, but it’s usually part of a longer word, i.e. asshole, asshat, deadass, etc.

Have you or your family had an attorney? What for? Not to my knowledge.

Is your car/family’s car an automatic gear or manual? Automatic.

Are you interested in aviation, piloting and aircrafts? Just the slightest bit. I would love to learn how to fly a plane, and I would be willing to pay for lessons. It’s just the type of activity that’s super hard to squeeze into an already-hectic schedule of mine.

What was the last award you recieved for? A academic distinction in college.

Axl Rose - like or dislike? Like, but I’m nowhere near a passionate fan. I just don’t have any reasons to actively dislike him.

Do you like air being spelt ayre or ayer in rap or hiphop or is it nasty? I don’t care.

Is the sky outside Azure? If not, what shade is it? No, it’s pitch black.

Belle amour (we've been here before). - B

Do you call anyone baby? Is it sweet or an overrated name for affection? Just my dogs. I find it sweet; it’s my preferred term of endearment if in a relationship.

Bby - does this shortened version bug you? No; my friends and I use this with each other.

Do you know what BC in terms of time stands for? Before Christ, but I prefer using BCE.

BDf - For or against? I don’t know what this is referring to.

Do you prefer beach breaks, city breaks or winter breaks? Why? Beach breaks. Winter break is an immediate cross-out since we don’t even have winter; and I already live and work in an urban area as it is. Beaches are my way to go if I want to escape life for a bit and completely unwind.

Do you spell out boyfriend properly or put bf in texts/online? I can use either depending on what I feel like typing out. It’s not that serious haha.

Do you know what bg is short for? Upon reading this question I immediately thought ‘background,’ but if this question had another meaning in mind I wouldn’t be aware of it.

Do you know anyone with the last name Bhays? No.

Have you ever been bird watching? What did you see? No, doesn’t sound like my kind of hobby.

Do you like Bjork? Not in particular, but just like the Axl Rose question I don’t have anything against her either.

What does this read: bk 2moz miss u lyk fk. Doesn't this text speak annoy? No one types like this anymore at least among people I know, but I imagine it would lowkey bother me a bit.

Do you like BMWs? They’re whatever. I don’t pay attention to cars much.

What is the nearest book to you called? How many times have you read it? There aren’t any books here up on the rooftop.

BnQ - gone there? What did you buy? Idk what that is.

Are you more brainy or brave? I wanna say brainy, if anything? I’m pretty jumpy lol.

Did you like the BSBs (Backstreet Boys) as a kid? How about now? No, I’m a little too young for that generation of artists and groups.

Burgers, Hot Dogs or Salads at a Barbecue? We don’t really practice ~barbecues~ here. But at Filipino parties I would usually flock to lumpia and fried chicken, hehe.

Do you have a Byro? No, because I also don’t know what that is.

Cold eyes and filthy lies all leave me petrified. - C

Do you have a Cactus (Cacti)? No, I don’t like plans.

Do you know what a CCTV is? Yes...?

How many CDs are in the room you are currently in? None where I am right now but I have all of Beyoncé’s albums save for Lemonade in my bedroom. I also have Paramore’s self-titled album and Hayley Williams’ Petals For Armor. My CD collection is about to experience a revival because of BTS, though. My plan to get all versions of all their albums is rock solid, lmao.

What's your favourite cereal brand? Cookie Crisps.

Do you like children's TV shows still? Which one(s)? I’ll revisit an episode or two of shows I watched as a kid at a given time for old times’ sake, but I don’t regularly watch children’s TV shows anymore. I haven’t for a very long time.

Cinnamon - Yum or Yuck? I’m actually kind of in the middle about it. I feel like too many desserts have been banking on cinnamon, so the taste of it can be a little tiring. It’s delicious if I haven’t had it for a while, though.

Do you know anyone with the initials and or name CJ? Quite the opposite; I know PLENTY of JCs, even my sister is one. I know one or two CJs but that’s it.

Have you ever met a self professed clairvoyant? What did they do/say? No.

Do you watch CNN News? What's your prefered news channel/show? I don’t tune into the channel but every once in a while I will encounter a CNN link on social media that I’d actually click on and read through. As for preferred news sources, I don’t have one as there are matters to criticize about 99% of them lol; but I am most likely to trust articles I from AP or Reuters. Just things you pick up as a journalism student. 

How many cousins do you have? I have 9 first cousins. I lose count by the time I try to go beyond that since I don’t even know all of my dad’s cousins, which makes it hard to track who my second cousins are.

Do you still draw with crayons? When was the last time you did? Drew what? I don’t remember anymore.

Do you know what a CSS feed is? What is it? I’m familiar with the term but never bothered to learn about what it is.

Do you like cycling/biking? What type of bike do you have? ...I don’t even know how to ride a bike.

Do you really like it, is it is it wicked. - D

What is the most dangerous animal you've petted/held? I can’t decide between snake or crocodile.

Do you like Death Metal? If so, which band(s)? I wouldn’t say I do.

Did you ever keep a diary/journal? I did a million attempts to keep a diary when I was younger, but I was never able to keep up with any of them and I ended up having 4598358395 notebooks with one or two entries each at most. Having a Tumblr page for surveys has so far been my most successful streak at keeping some type of journal.

Do you prefer small, medium, large or no dogs? I prefer all dogs.

Do you know what DP stands for in porn? Yes.

Have you ever dressed up as a celebrity for a party/Halloween? I went as my favorite female wrestler once. I wouldn’t strictly call her a celebrity, but she’s a very well-known personality in the wrestling industry so she’s popular in that right.

DS or Wii? Why? Wii. I was able to make more memories with it.

Does dust make you sneeze or cough? Sneeze, usually.

How many DVDs do you have all together? Idk, I don’t buy DVDs anymore.

Do you dye your hair regularly, sometimes or never? I’ve never done it.

Every love lies sometimes . . . - E

What's something you refuse to eat? Most fruits.

Don't you think the word ebb is so pretty? I’m neutral about it. I don’t use it a lot.

Do you like Chocolate Eclairs? I love eclairs in general haha. Chocolate eclairs in particular sound delicious.

Ever tried edible paper? Yeah, with the White Rabbit candy.

Eevee - pretty name or too Pokemon-y? Definitely very Pokemon-y. 

Do you sometimes mix up the spellings/meanings of affection and defection? Erm, no? They have completely different spellings and meanings, so I personally have never switched them up.

Do you have a big ego, low self esteem or somewhere in between? I think I’m somewhere in between. I’m insecure about some things about myself, but I don’t really put myself down 24/7. I feel like that would put such a strain on my mental health, which I certainly would never need.

What Element does your starsign fall under? I think earth? My co-workers were just discussing this last Friday, but I couldn’t really butt in since I can’t bring myself to care about astrology. I know they mentioned Taurus being an earth sign though.

Do you show your emotions easily and freely or hide them? Depends...I can do either depending on the situation.

What is your favourite form of entertainment? Korean reality shows are quickly becoming a favorite of mine at the moment. I also like compilation videos on YouTube.

What will they write on your epitaph? I’ve honestly hadn’t put much thought into this yet, and I don’t plan to anytime soon. It just seems like a super grave thing to think about lol.

Estimate/guess what number we are on now? Maybe 60s or 70s?

Do you know basic social etiquette? I mean etiquette will always differ per country or culture, so what is basic in other countries might not be here, and vice versa. I think it’s hard to measure.

Does your country use the Euro, Great British Pound, Dollar or other? Other.

Do you still get excited on Christmas Eve? Yes. Mostly for the free food and the opportunity to see relatives I really only ever see every December 24.

What animal/creature that is extinct do you wish wasn't? Those that went extinct from human activity.

What colour eyes do your parents have? Black/dark brown.

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #92

“i’m a loser baby, so why don’t you kill me?”

five things you associate yourself with: youtubers, meerkats, video games, snakes, photography. what’s your sleeping playlist (give me five songs)? i don't actually listen to music to sleep, but if i did... "lay your world on me" by ozzy osbourne, "nothing else matters" by metallica, "perfectly flawed" by otep, "coma black" by marilyn manson, "nebel" by rammstein. what is something that you’ve always wanted to be/have/get but can never have? a pet meerkat. but one, it's not legal in the u.s., but also, i don't really support keeping them as pets. are you a bee or a butterfly person? a dog or a cat person? butterflies and dogs. what would you like to call your significant other?  i use "hunny" most frequently. what are the names of your pets?  teddy, cali, bentley, venus. do you like to dip your fries or do you like it as is?  depends on my mood. sometimes i like them with ketchup, sometimes not. any special talent that you have? catastrophizing lmao who was your first crush?  not sure of *first*, but the first i remember was dylan. who was your 5th grade teacher?  mrs. whitley. she was also my second grade teacher. who would you kill if you could get away with it? no one. what was your high school mascot? firebird. what was your first screen name? uhhh, flowerourqueen i think? how do you feel about same sex marriage? go for it, dude. what are your favorite pieces of poetry?  anything edgar allan poe. what’s your favorite season? winter. what’s your fatal flaw? i have zero confidence. what color are your pants? orange, black, and white. they're halloween-themed. when was the last time you read a good book?  when i was in the hospital. "rise of the lich king" was great. favorite clothing store?  rebel's market. how often do you go to parties? if you don’t, what do you do instead? i never go to parties. and... stuff? who is the smartest person you know? girt. craziest thing you’ve ever done? go on a ride i was absolutely horrified of at a totally sketchy festival. is there a guy who you can go to with no make-up on in sweatpants and bedhead and he couldn’t care less? yeah, girt. do you and your family pray before eating dinner? no. what’s your favorite video game? "silent hill 2" do you own any form of a gameboy? yes. what’s your favorite store in the mall?  hot topic have you ever gotten a matching piercing or tattoo with someone? yes. do you like corn?  yeah. ever made out in a pool? not that i remember. last vacation destination you went to? the beach. have you ever been to seawo​rld? yes.​​ why were you last hospitalized? suicide attempt. do you prefer analogue or digital clocks?  analogue, aesthetically. are you one to sneak food into movie theaters? hell yeah i am because you're crazy if you pay that much for /movie theater/ food. do you feel more comfortable with a male or female doctor/nurse? a female, because i'm a female. can you write well in cursive?  yes. my normal writing is a mix of cursive. have you ever kissed someone who has previously kissed someone you hated? yep. is your all-time favorite television show still on air? no. would you ever donate blood?  i have before, but i probably wouldn't again. i'm too scared of passing out. are you looking for a boyfriend/girlfriend?  not actively, no. have you ever painted a car?  no. are there any gnomes in your yard?  no. what’s your favorite type of seafood? i only like shrimp. have you ever been to florida?  yes; my grandma lives there. which is harder - walking in the snow or sand? sand. do you think it’s okay to flirt with someone that’s already taken, as long as it goes no further?  no. are you adopted? no. do you say “i love you” even when you don’t mean it? i have to to my mom when she says it to me even if i'm pissed at her and don't feel like i do because if i don't, she pitches a fucking fit. do you prefer wheat or white bread?  wheat. is your profile private? my facebook profile? yeah. do you break things when you are mad?  no. people who do that scare me. is it okay to kiss people if you’re single?  no. that can really result to leading people on. do you want to be single?  i don't *want* to be, but i don't *mind* being single. there's a difference. have a built-in pool in your backyard? no. a trampoline? no. do you go tanning?  no. ever been to a circus?  yes. do you keep magazines by your toilet? no. what are the best kind of girl scout cookies?  those ones that're peanut butter filled and covered with chocolate. do you like to have ice in your drinks? no. waters it down. name a topic you consider yourself knowledgeable with. meerkats. what’s the easiest way to make you smile/laugh? just whisper "top of the mornin' to ya laddies" into my ear ho. okay no seriously idk. do you own any band merch?  yeah. what is your favorite way to eat popcorn? (buttered, salted, plain..) buttered and salted. have you ever faked being sick to get out of something? yep. do you know how to read music? i used to. probably not anymore. what's the saddest video game you've ever experienced? "that dragon, cancer" do you know how to tap dance? i know how to clog. same thing, just different shoes. did you believe in santa clause when you were little? yes. my ex didn't tho and i felt so bad for him lol. what’s your favorite flavor of skittles? red how bad are your hangovers? never had one. have you ever broken a bone? if so, what was the cause of it? not broken, but fractured. i bent my wrist all the way backwards when i fell while skating. which of your five senses would you give up? smell. are there any animals you flat out refuse to touch? slugs, maggots/larvae... what brand of batteries do you usually get? duracell, i think? what super power would you refuse, if it was offered to you, and why? mind reading. what's your favorite discontinued product that you wish would come back? hmmm... who is someone you would never swear in front of? my grandma. have you ever caught a fish? yeah. is there a song that makes you cry every time you hear it?  no. a plant grows on your grave after you die, carrying a piece of your soul - what plant would it be? a weeping willow tree. pen or pencil? pencil. can you run a mile in under 7 minutes?  HA what’s your favorite shampoo/conditioner?  i use suave. are you a fan of the grand theft auto series? no. do you like the beach? not really. i hate the feeling of sand. have you ever sleep walked? no. how about sleep talked? yeah. gum or mints? gum who did you last attend a concert with? mom, nicole, jason. have you ever received nude pictures from someone? no. admit it: you had a neopets account. you're goddamn right i did lmao waffles or pancakes? pancakes. name a food that doesn’t sit well in your stomach.  fancier foods, really. my stomach gets upset fast. what’s your favorite eye color? blue. have you ever been accused of cheating? nope. do you like chinese food? only the fried rice and eggrolls. how big is your bed? queen favorite comedian?  john pinnette, rip<3 do you smoke?  no. does anyone like you?  *shrugs* do long distance relationships work?  sure, some do. pancakes or french toast?  french toast. best thing about winter? snow!! do you have feelings for someone? i always will. do you like sushi? never tried it, never will. i'm perfectly aware i'd hate it. do you like your hair? yeah. it's really healthy. have you ever been prescribed narcotics? yes, xanax. does it take a lot for someone to annoy you?  NOPE do you want your tongue or belly button pierced? i wanted snake eyes on my tongue for a long time, but i learned from a professional piercer that with me having a metal retainer behind my bottom teeth, it's really an awful idea. a belly button piercing would be cute, but i'd need to be much skinnier to look good with one. do you hate it when people smoke around you? very much. can you take a bra off with one hand? no. are you donating your organs? yes. i won't exactly need them, might as well help others. what kind of deodorant do you use? secret. do you sleep on your side, stomach or back?  side, always. ever met any online friends in person?  no, but i want to. do you know how to sew? no. did you ever have to share a room with one of your siblings?  i shared a room with my little sister nicole for years. have you ever been a fan of n*sync? of course i was. but i was and still am more of a bsb gal. do you think you’re fat sometimes? i don't just think i am, i'm fully aware i am. do you think you would be a good parent?  no. are you any good at math? i actually was until the alphabet came into it lmao have you ever been called a hick? no. have you ever rode around in the bed of a pick up truck? ha ha ha bad follow-up question. but yes. can you touch your nose with your tongue? no. were you a big jump roper back in the day? yes. i got very close to being able to double-dutch. can you play pool? i mean i'm not good, but there's nothing hard about hitting a ball with a stick. do you think that you are a good singer? no. what languages can you count to ten or higher in? english, german time for a random question about the person you love/like. what’s his/her favorite food? i'm not entirely sure, but i think pizza. what’s the age difference between your parents? which one is older? two years. mom's older. if someone read your mind right now, what would they hear? chanting of "BILL! BILL! BILL!", mark fischbach's laughter, dank memage, and. y'know. other stuff. do you like egg yolks? NO. have you ever played bejeweled? yes. my mom was totally into it for a while. who would you never give a kidney to?  my mom. at least i'd probably do it; i'd be really fucking scared. my mom only has one kidney to begin with, so if this kidney fails, she's done. have you ever been bitten by a rat?  no. my pet rats have nibbled on me before, but never bit me. do uncrustables look disgusting to you, or is that just me?  i think they're gross, honestly. does blueberry syrup sound good to you, right now? no, ew. is there someone that has really influenced your life? who? my therapists at holly hill and mark fischbach taught me soooo much about positivity. come on, everyone loves cartoons! what’s your favorite one? pokemon, duh. what is the most common misconception with you? i'm antisocial and don't care because i don't talk much. out of the seven deadly sins, which do you feel is the worst? wrath. have you been guilty of that sin a lot? no. i'm not a vicious person. congrats, you’re getting a new car! what color do you choose? i don't drive, but if i did, i want a burnt orange car. be honest: do you illegally download music? yeah. what’s the worst crime someone can commit? rape. do you ever rock out to those 90s songs?  hell yeah. shit i grew up with. what color is the hair of the last person you kissed? black. does the last person you kissed wear glasses? no. who knows the most about you - your friends or your parents?  my ex knows more about me than anything, but between the two, my mom. how many people would you say you’ve been ‘in love’ with? one. ever have detention at school? what for? yes, for too many tardies. if your parents were going to adopt one of your friends, who do you think they would choose? colleen. has anyone ever tried to ruin a relationship you were in? what happened? yes. and the bitch didn't get her wish. were you ever bullied in school? how did you deal with it?  no, thank god. what dog breed is the cutest ever? akita inu. do you or have you ever owned a pair of light up shoes? as a kid, yeah. ha ha i loved them. when was the last time you watched the sun set? hm. it's been too long. i think it was this one time chelsea, colleen, and i went walking around a soccer field. would you ever have an open relationship? HA. no. by society's standards, are you attractive? ha, no. would you let your kid smoke weed? hell no. who was your first friend?  brianna. we were like two. have you ever been to germany?  i wish. what is your middle name?  marie. catherine if you count my catholic middle name. do you have any nieces or nephews? including half-siblings, i have ten or eleven that i know of. i can't remember if katie has three or four, and idk if tiffany has kids. do you know anyone who's in a destructive/unhealthy relationship?  yes. if you had money right now, what's one thing you would buy?  tickets and gas to go see markiplier's show in june, if he plans a show within reasonable driving distance from nc. would you ever own an exotic animal?  depends on *how" "exotic." ex., i'd own a sugar glider or kinkajou. when you decide you’re ready to become a parent, what’s something you would never do that your parents have done in the process of you growing up?  you mean *if* i wanted to be a parent, which i don't? first of all, i'd never, ever, spank my kids. do fucking not teach your kids through fear. who is the funniest person you know?  that i know personally? girt. have you ever kissed underwater? i think so. would you rather have big or small dogs? i like medium-sized dogs. what is your opinion on beards? depends. what is the most fun part of halloween to you? dressing up! do you believe that the moon landing was real or do you think it was fake?  i actually do see why some people think it's fake because there are some VERY compelling pieces of evidence, but i do believe it was real. what is the stupidest thing you’ve ever done? oh, where to begin. what is the worst thing a relative ever did to you? like screamed at me and called me an ungrateful bitch. do you think that everyone is capable of love? no. if you could have a customized phone, what would you put on it? ha ha i really want that cute case that looks like a medicine bottle and is labeled "chill pills" when you were little, what was your favorite game? the original "spyro the dragon" trilogy would you rather sleep on the moon with a stardust dress or on a tiny flower with a sunflower dress? well there's a strange question. but the first. what is one thing that reminds you of childhood? catching fireflies. have you ever talked to someone when they were high? not knowingly. when was the last time you read a full book?  months ago. in february, i started reading "the maze runner," but i didn't finish it. how many brothers do you have? one half-brother. do you like mexican food? no. are you old enough to buy alcohol? oh wow... i just fully fathomed that i am. who’s your favorite disney character? mufasa. have you ever taken the eharmony personality quiz?  HAHAHA GUYS I DID ONCE OUT OF TOTAL CURIOSITY AND IT COULDN'T MATCH ME WITH ANYONE what’s the nickname of your home state?  tar heel state. have you ever thought about your wedding?  yeah. what’s the worse type of weather in your opinion?  scalding hot and humid. ugh. would you rather read or write?  write. would you rather see taylor swift or carrie underwood in concert?  i mean really neither, but i prefer carrie. growing up, did you see your cousins often?  no. none of my cousins live in nc. do you have any posters on your walls? lots. two silent hill ones, one of illidan from wow, one of metallica, one meerkat one, one music-oriented one, a quote by mother teresa, and one of jack skellington. what’s your favorite sad song? probably "fade to black" by metallica. do you personally know any authors? i met a poet while in the hospital once. he was quite talented. what condiments do you like on hamburgers? ketchup, mustard what did you get your dad for his last birthday? nothing. i don't get money and god knows mom would never buy me something for him. do you like foods with coconut in it? no. do you like carrots more if they’re raw, or cooked?  i don't like carrots. what’s a chore you don’t mind doing? vacuuming have you ever been to costco? we don't have costco here. do/did you have to wear a uniform to your high school? no, thank god. how many video games do you own?  A LOT. we have a huge case. do you like the name cindy for a girl?  no. have you ever had a scary encounter with a wild animal? no. what are your point of view of the world? ex. liberal/conservative, spiritual/atheist: mostly conservative, religious. is there an age where being a virgin, you think, would be awkward? ... no? do you find zac efron sexy? eh, not "sexy," but cute. do you think aliens are real? no, but who really cares. be concerned about our planet first. do you have any scars on your body? left shin, chin, and the top of my right wrist. what was your favorite childhood toy? i actually had a bunch i used to play with. two t-rexes, a tricerotops, two crocodiles, two deer, and a few pokemon figurines. i actually still distinctly remember the deer was named kim and the crocodile was named marlin and they were husband and wife lmao. don't argue with my childhood logic. what color is your favorite eye shadow? black. what’s your favorite hairstyle on a guy? i am a fucking 14-year-old bc i have a huge weakness for the emo swoop okay. who was the last person to call you beautiful? tyler. what is your least favorite sour patch kids color? orange. would you take your ex boyfriend/girlfriend back? tyler, no. jason, only if he SERIOUSLY proved himself to me again. are your parents religious? yeah. are you religious?  yes. do you actually read your friends' surveys, or do you just copy paste them and fill them out yourself? i do. it's a good way to learn about people. which is your favorite episode of “i love lucy”? i'm not gonna spell this right, BUT THE VITAMEATAVEGIMAN ONE. name two people who you are closest with?  mom and sara. which one of those two people would you eat first if you were starving?  neither. i'd rather die. there are some things where living would no longer be worth it. do you know what the heck the difference is between the statements “we’re just dating” and “we’re together”? yes. "we're together" is definitely more serious. what would you call your aesthetic? gore, glitchy art, pastels, jellyfish, lace, black, scene/goth/emo style bc LAME, space, vintage favorite songs at the moment? it's been "do i wanna know?" by the arctic monkeys for a long time. favorite movies? my #1 is "alice in wonderland," tim burton's version. i also love "the crazies," "blair witch project 2: book of shadows," "white chicks," etc. what’s the name of the last cat you pet? either lexi (our old cat), or one of anna's (sister's mother-in-law) many cats. have you ever eaten stringed green beans before? yes. when talking on the phone, do you place it against your left or right ear?  right. what’s your favorite flavor of muffin? chocolate chip. does your father have any facial hair? yes. does your sibling have a significant other? katie, bobby, and tiffany, idk. misty and ashley, yes. nicole, no. any idea what you want for your next birthday? another tattoo. have you ever ridden an elephant? no. what parts of your body are shaved? armpits and legs. imagine you are 34 weeks pregnant. you are healthy and you didn’t have any major problems in your pregnancy. would you consider flying from the uk to germany, which takes one hour, without a bad feeling that something could go wrong or the baby decides to come out earlier? no. i probably just wouldn't do it. has anyone ever mistaken you for a satanist? yes, because of my wardrobe, especially in high school. would you take a very casually dropped 'maybe i should just kill myself’ as a warning sign? yes. are you aware that although only about 14 percent of the american total population is black, that about 70 percent of the people in jail in america are black?  why does something tell me that the person who made this survey is racist?? do you agree with the people who say that everyone is bi-sexual even if they don’t want to admit it? absolutely not, that's ridiculous. if you knew that one of your friends was considering suicide, what would you say to them? cliche, but i'd tell them it's not the answer nor is it ever worth it. and i'd call 911 myself. which disney princess do you think is the most beautiful? why? hm. not sure. if you met the celebrity that you most admire, what would be the first thing you’d say to him/her? god bless if i ever met mark, i know i'd tell him first, "if there truly is a god, i want him to be like you." what genre of movie do you typically watch the most? i prefer horror. do you enjoy visiting zoos or wildlife parks? yes to both. if you could bring back any extinct animals, what would you pick? tasmanian tiger. would you ever eat a traditional "pet", like cat, dog or guinea pig? no. what kind of wild animals do you see where you live? squirrels, opposums, raccoons, whitetail deer... what do you think of animals like orcas/dolphins being kept in captivity for entertainment? i don't support it. which one of your friends have you known the longest? colleen. are you good at making new friends? no. can you describe what was going through your mind during your last kiss? it only lasted a second, but "i really don't know if i should be doing this." how many friends do you have, whose name begins with g? one: girt do you like the hunger games? i've read the first book and seen the first movie. it's fine. are you any good with kids? no. like i shit you not i once pet my niece's head lmao would you ever like to meet marilyn manson? no. he's one of my all-time favorite artists, but i don't want my already-poor image of him to be further defiled. love him as a musician, but he's honestly a pretty shit person. would you rather hold hands or link arms with your significant other?  hold hands. do you always blow-dry your hair after you wash it? never. i would be there for a looong time. my hair is super super thick and takes at least ten minutes to fully blow-dry. have you ever witnessed a birth? only cat births. i never want to experience a human birth. it's not magical, it's gross. do you buy eggnog around the holidays? eggnog's gross. have you ever been on a farm? yes. last three texts on your phone are from? mom, sara, ashley. did you ever have braces? i did for too long because we didn't have the money to take them off. thank god they're gone now. what was the hardest language you’ve ever tried to learn? latin. that shit was like impossible. who is the prettiest person you’ve ever met? my friend alon. what does your voice sound like? mumbly, deep. what event did you last dress up for? who went to that event? my sister's wedding. and lots of people. do you believe prayer really works? honestly don't know. i kinda think it's just a display of faith to talk to god. idk if it really influences him to "do" anything. Nope. does it bother you when dogs lick you? no. do you feed your pets human food?  they'll sometimes get a little piece. what’s the strangest or rarest creature you’ve seen at a zoo? i think i've been to a zoo that had a tiger once... do you think violence in video/computer games influences the nation? no. that claim is ludicrous. i’m sure you know of the gamer fad on youtube. who’s your favorite? markiplier, easily. but i also like pewdiepie and 8bitryan. deserts: dreary or beautiful? beautiful. ever seen a panda? no. ever actually seen a snake in the wild? yes. i've seen rattlesnakes, water moccasins, and others. have you ever had a PET snake? what kind? yes. i've now had/have three ball pythons. ever had an encounter with a snapping turtle? they’re scary! yes. my sister actually caught a huge one while fishing. dad sadly had to just cut the line. wherever you live, have you ever seen your national bird? once. ever had a reptile as a pet that you had to feed crickets? yes, a chinese water dragon. ever play hearthstone?  yeah. didn't really get into it. ever gone hunting? biggest thing you’ve ever shot? no. i don't really support hunting for sport. how about fishing? biggest thing you’ve ever caught? lots of times. pretty big river catfish. coolest place you’ve ever been fishing? ohhhhh! there's this place downriver of a dam that's deep in the woods. like, DEEP in the woods. it's sooo fucking beautiful. what’s in a camel’s back? fat. steve irwin: foolish for messing around with animals or brave for teaching us? he was fucking amazing. don’t you think it’s a bit deceptive to wear a push-up bra? *rolls eyes* do you truly believe we came from chimps?  nope. well, what do you think of extra bones and even organs in our bodies? why do we have them? do your research and you'll know that our "extra" organs actually have purpose; i can't remember which, i think the appendix though, is vital to an fetus's existence. as for bones, i honestly don't know, but i don't believe that automatically points to evolution. weirdest video game you’ve ever played? i mean i'd say the whole "silent hill" series is pretty damn weird. what’s your favorite kind of penguin?  emperor. don’t you think we’re spending too much money on exploring the mere theory of climate change? "theory." get outta here. everyone always wants to know your favorite animal. what’s your SECOND favorite? probably rhesus macaques. i just really like social animals. would you marry someone of a different religion? depends on the religion, honestly. religion plays a key role in determining your core beliefs. favorite song by the band the offspring?  "pretty fly for a white guy," probably. maybe "self esteem." have you had your wisdom teeth out? no, but i have one on my bottom right that technically needs out, but after hearing how painful that procedure is, i reeeaaally don't wanna do that. your appendix?  no. do you like the idea of promise rings in relationships?  sure. not quite ready to promise marriage, but promise to be ready some day. would you date someone 8 years older than you?  yeah. what is your secret weapon to lure the opposite sex? lmao what secret weapon? do you have a favorite name? what is it? alessandra. do you watch scary movies on your own?  yeah. scary movies just don't affect me. have you ever had to have stitches?  yes, in my chin. what was your favorite pokemon as a child?  charmander.

[jessknightintrouble-blog]

Emma Smith: Kidnapped! (Chapter One)

1

Kym Maddox was sat facing a small laptop in a spacious warehouse on the fringes of the all-but-abandoned docklands of Eschar City.

Dressed head to toe in black leather, Kym was an elegant woman of almost forty, with jet black, bobbed hair and pretty but piercing eyes. She also possessed a voluptuous yet athletic body a woman half her age would kill for.

 As she sighed heavily at the seemingly unending sets of files on the small screen before her, Kym’s concentration was broken by the sound of footsteps into the warehouse, and then by the voice of her partner-in-crime.

“Boss, I’ve got something here...”

“Dammit, Jiri.”Kym grumbled. “I told you not to bother me until I’d sorted these files out.”

"I know, Ma’am. But this will interest you. Look what I caught hovering in the shadows...”   Jiri Jarosik stepped out of the shadows. He was a huge, blonde Viking of a man with a grizzled beard clad in a black vest, combats and boots and peppered with uninspired tribal tatoos he’d clearly got in the nineties. Behind him was a girl in her twenties whom he pushed forward, also into the artificial light, towards where Maddox was seated in her makeshift office.

The girl was tall, beautiful, with pale blue eyes eyes and tousled, natural blonde hair that fell around her shoulders. She wore a sexy, shiny black dress with a choker neck and killer heels – an ensemble much more suited to a downtown dancefloor than the situation in hand. Her tall but slender frame nearly toppled over as she was shoved forward into the gaping space of the warehouse. She clutched a black leather messenger bag tightly to her chest. “Who are you!?” Maddox hissed, an eyebrow raising at the sight of the stunning girl as she honed into view under the high spotlights.

  “Emma Smith, I’m a reporter for the...”   “A SNOOP!” roared Jarosik, his East-European accent thickening by the moment. "Whaddya doing in here?”

  “Shut up, J. Let the girl speak.” Maddox crossed her leather-legging-clad legs and awaited her response, almost smiling now. “I’ve seen you, you know. You used to present the Evening News on BSB 2… Very pretty.”

“Yes, that was me… I'm umm.. investigating the missing artwork from the City Museum. I was just-”

 “Enough! Gimme that bag...” Jarosik demanded, grabbing her and the bag from behind as Maddox rolled her eyes.  “No!” Emma hung on tightly, but the bag was swiftly wrenched from her grip by her bear-like foe and promptly emptied onto the warehouse floor. A leather-bound journal, her iPhone, a digital camera, pepper spray, a taser unit, paracetamol and pens of different colours clattered to the concrete. Emma struggled to regain the contents but was held easily in check by the might of the henchman. Maddox stood up slowly and advanced, smiling. In the next instant she thumbed through the journal and chuckled away to herself.

 “Heh. Seems Miss Smith knows who we are."  She showed the open pages to her irritable cohort; which had their mugshots and dossier sheets stapled to them. The next pages she flicked to read: “Kym Maddox/Jiri Jarosik – suspected criminals and H.I.V.E. Colloborators. WANTED BY SOLARIS” The latter statement was written boldly in what looked like a red Sharpie, and a list below (which presumably continued on multiple further pages) documented a lengthy list of crimes attributed to the pair.

 “Not just a snoop, a SOLARIS stool pigeon!” Jarosik barked, squeezing Emma tighter into a bear-hug which made the gorgeous blonde squeal in anguish.  “And just what were you planning on doing with all this homework, hmm?” Maddox stepped forward and demanded.  “Nothing!” Emma yelped, her pretty eyes glazed with tangible fear, now. “Nothing, I only wanted to find the missing art from th-” “Okay, Sexy. I’m not sure I believe you… J?”  Before Emma could protest, Jarosik grabbed her right arm and twisted it behind her painfully.  “Arrrrgh! Stop it! Let me go! You’re hurting me!”  Maddox replaced all the items back in Emma’s bag and slung it over her shoulder, motioning to Jarosik. The Polish thug quickly marched the young reporter away from the main warehouse building into a courtyard dashed by light rain. They easily moved forward through the dank surroundings even as Emma stumbled over her high heels trying to keep up.

 Emma, her terror rising, tried a different tact as she was led outside behind Maddox, heading towards a smaller outbuilding of the warehouse; a Portakabin, in fact.  “Come on, guys,” she pleaded, “you don't have to do this! Nobody knows I'm here! I'm not interested in turning you in! If you'd just listen, I only wanted to MMMPHHH!!!”  Jarosik had had enough and clamped his huge, bare hand over Emma’s mouth, effectively gagging her pained protests. As Maddox unlocked and opened the door to the Portakabin and turned the light on, Jarosik followed her swiftly with Emma helplessly in tow, and under his power.

 “Over there.” Maddox commanded, pointing to a bare corner of the room, which was only furnished with some weak-looking temporary office chairs and a handful of dubious-looking crates. Jarosik forced Emma against the wall, to much squealing defiance on her part. As he did, Maddox stepped over beside him and pulled free a tarpaulin covering from the wall, revealing a menacing, medieval-like set of bondage contraptions adorning the Portakabin wall. Emma’s eyes bulged widely as she realised she was about to be placed in the leather straps of restraint that hung and formed an ‘X’ shape in the wall. “Muhhhmph! Mmm mumbpph!”

  Emma was helpless as Jarosik used his strength to lift one of Emma’s delicate arms high over her head and into the spread-eagled position required, his hand still firmly clamped over her mouth.  Kym Maddox moved in front of her and firmly buckled her wrist in place in the thick leather manacle which hung there, attached to the wall by a short, heavy metal bar and bolt. Maddox wasted no time in taming Emma’s other, flailing arm and locking it into an identical position on the other side.   “Nuh uh! Nuh uhn! Mmmph! Mummbbllrh! Nuh uhn! Nuh uhnm!” Emma pleaded wildly, trying to shake her head “no” in protest. Under the power of the villainous tag-team, her protests were in vain, and her sweet, sticky lip gloss was smearing all over her face as she struggled.  “No escape, Sweetie.” Maddox grinned, bringing herself face to face with Emma, who was panting heavily in terror by now. As Maddox nodded, Jarosik released his grip on the reporter’s mouth, only for the handgag to be applied by his sexy female partner in crime, who now seemed to be enjoying herself. Maddox pulled even closer, and gently secured a thicker buckle around Emma’s neck, over the fabric of her choker-neck dress, with the dextrous touch of a lover. Emma moaned into Kym’s hand, her helplessness compounded by her barely able to move her head as she was effectively collared taut to the wall.  “Owwmph!” Emma’s futile struggles offered scant resistance. Pinned as she was against the wall, the hapless blonde could only stomp her high-heeled feet like a toddler if throwing a tantrum. Once her arms were securely bound; with further leather binders strapping her biceps, Jarosik dropped down and began to belt her ankles into the contraption, immobilizing their captive further.  “Muhmm mmpph muuuhhmph!” Emma tried desperately to shake her face from the hand gripping it, but combined with the bond around her neck, Maddox’s grip was like a vice, pressing the back of Emma’s blonde-maned head right against the wall. She made desperate attempts to bite any flesh she could get her teeth on, but always came up fruitless against her professional captor. In despair, she shoved her tongue out and shook her head hoping the lubrication would help free her mouth. “Blaahmph!! Mmuh mmpph!”  “You done?” said Maddox, ignoring Emma’s efforts.   “Yeah, yeah. I'm done. She’s secure.” Jarosik said as he finished belting the reporter's thighs to the wall just above her knees and below the skirt of her dress. He stood up beside Maddox. “Ready?” "Yeah, I'm ready."   The next step happened in a swift co-ordinated movement that the pair had evidently used before. Emma’s mouth was released, a soft cloth was roughly pulled between her teeth from behind, and the wet, clammy hand of Maddox immediately smothered her lips again. All Emma could muster throughout the swift ordeal was a startled “Unnggghh!”  The soft cloth gag was pulled tight and forced deep into Emma’s mouth by Maddox. It was dry and had an acrid taste to it. The hapless young sleuth felt a hard knot in the back of her throat and grunted as the corners of her lips were cruelly pulled back into a forced, thin grimace.   “Tie it under her hair so it's nice and tight.” Jarosik grumbled.   “I KNOW what I'm doing, knucklehead.” Maddox responded.   The gag was snapped down at the nape of Emma's neck, just above the leather collaring her. Maddox pulled it tighter once, twice, and a painful third time. A defeated “Guhhhh...” was all Emma could mumble under Jarosik’s huge, applied hand and through a stifling knotted cloth. Any tighter and her head felt sure to pop! Fingers were jabbed onto the half knot so that her gag wouldn't budge as it was tied down. Emma felt the grip slacken as her two captors stepped back to admire her bound figure against the cruel wall of restraint, but she could do nothing but hang there and watch them, silently.  “That oughtta hold ya.” Jarosik said, dusting off his hands. “Smile!” Maddox cackled.   A bright flash of light stunned Emma and she heard the familiar noises of her own digital camera. She sighed heavily and hung her gagged head in shame.  “Let's get out of here, J. Grab the rest of her things and let's go. We’ve got a H.I.V.E. meeting to catch.” Maddox turned to Emma. “Now you stay here, my pretty would-be Sleuth. You're sure to be part of the merchandise when we get back!” Emma squealed again into the unforgiving gag as the two villains left the room, laughing to one another. The slammed door echoed across the Portakabin.