#and also got to force people to watch silly lego show >:)

[snaziestbean]

BIRTHDAY 🫵 happy birthday hope it was cool and fun :D

:DD <333

[devildomsoup]

Silly little headcanons #1

Lucifer

Definitely has a favourite pen and everyone dreads the day he will have to change it.

He once shrunk Cerberus and carried him around in a handbag because he had to go to the vet.

Joint pains (no, I will not elaborate)

Has a picture in his wallet of his brothers and MC. Luke is also there for some reason.

Mammon

Will turn off the lights and walk out of his room. Walks back a few moments later to check if he remembered to turn the lights off.

Boops his younger brothers on the nose when he says goodnight.

Considered dying his hair piss yellow at some point.

He swears that Luke is just an annoying little chihuahua that he doesn't care about. But the pictures of him accompanying Luke to the cinema suggest otherwise.

Leviathan

He forgets to throw out socks with holes in them. So sometimes he will just walk around with socks that are barely holding on.

Has a controller that only MC is allowed to use. He will not even use it himself.

Can touch his nose with his tongue

Accidentally called his brothers "Ruri" on multiple occasions.

Satan

Has an album on his phone with pictures of him and Lucifer. Will deny it if you ask him.

Once cursed the entirety of Lucifer's record collection. The curse in question made it so the only song on any of the records was Baby Shark.

When he wants MC's attention he will go "pspspsps."

Satan has put on his blue jacket normally a grand total of 6 times.

Asmodeus

Will wear heels with just about anything. Yes, that includes sweatpants.

A lesser demon once found out about MC's deepest insecurity and started using it to insult them. Asmodeus found out and sent the demon flying through a wall.

He either sneezes like a cat or like an old man. There is no in-between.

He reminds everyone in HoL to drink water and will make sure they do so one way or another.

Beelzebub

Not allowed to be alone in RAD's art supply room. He will eat the paint if left unattended.

He only had 4 shirts until Asmodeus forced him to get more.

Takes Luke with him around RAD when Simeon can't. Also scared of any demon that looks at Luke the wrong way.

He has carried every single one of his brothers to bed more than once. Lucifer is no exception.

Belphegor

Follows the cat rule. If it fits I sits.

Don't tell anyone but his favourite blanket is the jackets of his older brothers.

Will sometimes force people to take a nap with him. Does someone look tired boom it's nap time.

Pops his back really loudly whenever he wakes up

Simeon

Will show anyone and I mean anyone pictures of Luke like a proud father.

Got scammed once and now he's afraid of opening links.

He once accompanied Beel to a workout and ended up destroying a punching bag.

Do not under any circumstances let him be alone in the candle section of a store. Purgatory Hall already has a closet full of them.

Raphael

Tried to kill a fly with one of his spears.

When asked if he wanted anything special for his birthday he requested a cake made by Solomon.

Enjoys watching butterflies flutter around. He will stand absolutely still if one lands on him and stay like that until the butterfly leaves again.

Wins every staring contest.

Luke

Has gotten lost in stores, parks and RAD so many times that he now has a bracelet with the contact info of Simeon and Barbatos. Even though he has his own D.D.D.

Mimics Simeon and Raphael to appear like a mature angel.

He will never admit it but he makes drawings for the brothers.

Luke and MC have a secret handshake.

Solomon

Immune to the pain of stepping on a lego.

Once accidentally turned himself into a rat and nearly got murdered by Barbatos.

Enjoys watching romcoms with MC.

Can and will randomly appear in MC's room tell them a horrible joke and then vanish into thin air.

Thirteen

She has the most random things in her pocket. Watch her pull out a porcelain frog from one of her pockets.

She had a buzz cut at some point.

Will drag you out of bed in the middle of the night so you can test her new inventions.

Loves playing with people's hair. It doesn't matter what texture or length it is. Just let her play with it.

Diavolo

Has a rubber duck collection.

Was introduced to vocaloid and now he won't stop singing World is Mine.

Gives the best hugs. 10/10 would hug again.

Buys Barbatos flowers every week to show his appreciation.

Barbatos

Knows how to tap dance.

Let's MC call him Barbie.

He receives small trinkets from the Little Ds.

Will cradle MC like a little baby when he is stressed or just missed them.

Mephistopheles

He enjoys soup.

He says he hates hugs. But in reality, he might even shed a few tears if you hug him.

A master of building card houses.

Once took care of a bat until it was healthy enough to live on its own.

[bella-rose29]

episode 6 commentary - You Never Asked

this has been a looooong time coming oops

warnings: MAJOR SPOILERS for the show and the books, I think that's it??? I've been weirdly good this time

DEPRAC vans make me think of lego every time

god I forgot how much I love this show (I haven't watched it for ages oops)

barnes being a Tired Dad gives me life

'be smart' as he stares lockwood in the eyes bc he knows that boy is Silly

awwww he cares about them really

not lockwood hanging back to look at the death glow 😭 and then looking up at the Door 😭😭😭 that boy has seen too much death give him a hug, a cup of tea, and a break

pretty solid bird if it broke the window like that george

I want lucy's cardigan

I FORGOT ABOUT SKULL AND HIS VOICE SCARED ME

I want lucy's hair as well

why does skull remind me of gollum

oh goodness me the rolled shirtsleeves

George is so happy 😭

lockwood is so pretty in that golden lighting like it's really his lighting

'I'm in charge now' babes I don't think you are

protective boys

eugh not the sawing

'it's still technically mine you know' George 😭

'we've just sent her alone into a severely haunted house' *lockwood immediately stands up*

once again angry that this show got cancelled bc we'll never get to see skull and lucy's friendship grow

good lord that whooshing sound was loud

'don't force it there'll be some kind of trigger' *lockwood starts kicking it*

NOT THE HAND HOLD THAT WAS IMPROVISED

'that's the last time you go and do a job on your own' um sure...

god he sounds so sad and tortured

'you're incredible' yes she is

Flo you icon

'save your kisses for whatsherface' FLO I LOVE YOU

George I love you

'I was about to ask the same thing... locky' the way lockwood goes from 😃 to 😐

'we can trust her' um baby no

he's such a posh boy

exshellent

sad wet cat kipps

me when I've been to 35 Portland Row in real life 🤭

lockwood watching from the window like a sad ailing victorian boy

also I love A55 by English teacher it's such a good song

'ooo Pamela is it now' I love their friendship

POOR BABY LOCKWOOD

god she's so pretty

FITTED SUIT LOCKWOOD I REPEAT FITTED SUIT LOCKWOOD

'live life for the both of you' do we think lockwood thinks that to himself everyday in regards to jessica

'thought you might like it' just tell her you're in love with her

we were robbed of George in a tux with a bow tie

this entire kitchen scene where lockwood's stood in the doorway is like George is on a date and his dad isn't leaving

CAMERON CHAPMAN THE MICROEXPRESSIONS WHEN LUCY LEAVES THE HOUSE

'so it's just us?' 'is that alright' uh yeah she's been giving you heart eyes from the moment you met

ME WHEN I'VE BEEN TO THE BARBICAN IN REAL LIFE

'two of my favourite things, posh people and small talk' she's so me

'fhamily's fhamous legacy'

'I think she saw me' *lockwood waves*

there is no need for them to be stood as close as they are

god he's in love

congrats to jack bandiera for being able to make sad wet cat kipps also be James Bond kipps

'you feel safe with him, mr lockwood' WHILE LUCY IS TOUCHING THE NECKLACE

'if you ever need to talk, I'm a good listener' YEAH BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT ACTUALLY PENELOPE

'is that so hard to believe' only the fact that he momentarily forgot that the two of you aren't actually dating and got jealous

god my nerdy ass would have a field day in the black library

peekaboo

the way lockwood is just fixating on the sword is so funny to me for no reason

power couple shit

'this party's dead, wanna ditch it with me?' 'absolutely' good lord I love them

also bisexual lighting is so them

[moominvalley-state-of-mind]

Hellllloooo!!!!

[This blog is not spoiler free!! Alot of my interests are kinda old / already over, but for the newer ones and the ones that r still going, I'll put warnings!]

DO NOT INTERACT IF U ARE :

a TERF or homophobe

a prosh1pper

racist or sexist

abelist (im litterally autistic lmao why r u here)

Name: any part of my tag - people have called me moomin before, so ig let's go with that until I find one that I like better :]

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Age: minor!! don't be a creep!!

Sexuality: bisexual (def still questioning - bi is the best label for rn tho (╥‸╥))

Making Friends: I'd love to!! No adults tho >:0

If I'm following u, we should have similar interests & i think ur cool!!

Nationality: American (i hate it here)

probs should mention it - i am diagnosed autistic!! pls be nice to me and I thoroughly apoligize if i come off as weird or invasive. I want to talk to people & make friends but im not good at taking hints, and i am also not good at not worrying that im bothering you /srs

Fandoms in no particular order :

moomin

hilda

octonauts!!! (+ above and beyond :D) ☆

^ ive got little versions of the octonauts running around my brain,, they power

gravity falls (mabel is litterally me guys you don't understand - (/silly))

hermitcraft ☆

life series (sadly wild life is the only one I've actually been able to watch on time :[ ) ☆

percy jackson & the olympians universe (not rly making anymore content of this)

Also I should say - I do rb life series and hermit shipping, though only of the characters!!

The far & few between (really only rbs here) :

my little pony

peanuts

the wild robot (both the book and movie)

phineas and ferb

spiderverse (though I do have a spider sona sitting in my drafts... so this might change soon!!)

lego movie(s, both 1 & 2, as well as the batman one)

shaun of the dead

hitchikers guide to the galaxy

dungeon meshi

professor layton

nerdy prudes must die

the stanley parable

minecraft (in general ig??) and a bit of minecraft story mode (is that what it's called???? Idfk)

stardew valley

baba is you (rbs from baba is blog)

rainworld

star vs the forces of evil !!!! (she's also litterally me guys I can't ( ◞‸◟ ))

wander over yonder

sonic

i don't wanna be a magical girl

whitepine

parkor civilisation (because I can't only love one minecraft show/movie franchise made by CCs and cringe is dead its lwk funny)

Ik that there's like 2 or just 1 other one but for the life of me I can't remember them ( ._. )""

☆ = currently in brian space so probs more rbs :P

[will update]

Talking, conversing, chatting :

Direct messages - Feel free to talk with me in dms!!! (moots i promise i wont be crusifying anyone) (just know that i tend to be busy (despite how much I rb stuff lmao))

Asks - I usually have it off, but if I have them open please do!! I make alot of posts about aus and I like talking about them,,

And just generally - please use tone tags! I wont barrate anyone about it but it makes things easyer and im less prone to overthinking that way. Please no personal questions about my life or stuff like that - I understand that getting to know eachother is a step of making friends, but i like to be safe on the internet (there's ofc some exceptions to this)

Tags:

#from the state of my mind - i think its funny but uhh. text posts!! still working on tagging all of them,, (also i changed it cause it was showing up in the moomin tag (;^;) probs find smth better later but thats that for rn)

#for laters - posts i wanna save for laters ha ha get it

Blinky and Stamp Credit!! :

Gtws intro blinky - @/cacy11

Emmett blinky & stamp - @/irldenji

Buy at botem blinky - @/blinkees

Professor Layton meeting the beatles stamp - @/thisdastampdoesnotexist

yeah :D

Last Update: March 1st, 2025

[zachsgamejournal]

COMPLETED: LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

I did it, I beat the "story". While I had some fun, it ultimately felt like "work". I want to make a pass at grabbing all the collectables, but we'll see...

At this point I've played enough to ask the question: Is this a good game? Yes. Yes, it is. The graphics have a charmingly simplistic nature--which is the way of LEGO games--but the environments are very impressive: at times realistic. Besides the typical class system there's also the opportunity to buy class boosts which is an impressive addition. There's a story...from the movies. And while the voice acting is questionable at times, the movies were not well known for performances. There are tons of things to do, replay value, variety, and tons of extras. 

But then there's the other question: do I like it? Not...really. Being a good game isn't the issue. I just couldn't connect with this. The production was so focused on delivering a large galaxy of unique planets with movie-accurate aesthetics that it didn't have time to give much love to the main-line stories. I could respect this if there was hope that the side quests were going to be meaningful, but LEGO games have never been known for their meaningful side quests. They're fun and make a 12 hour game last 50 hours. But they're more interested in being silly than meaningful. 

This is why classic LEGO games worked. They took irreverent approach to retelling a familiar story. If you're familiar with the story, you don't need the story retold verbatim--instead you give some silly pantomime with LEGO-humor and people can laugh at the differences. Lord of the Rings succeeded with voice acting but cause it was taken from the film--so the story stayed true to its source. Skywalker Saga steps outside the story with unique voice acting. I was too distracted with how they got off track and what they left out to care about what they achieved. 

Anyway, some new observations: one, you can spam jump unlike what I thought earlier. I don't know why Hoth is screwed up. That's about it.

To my surprise, I enjoyed playing the original saga most. In the Complete Saga I prefer the Prequel Trilogy. The films tell a better, more epic story, and so the levels are more fun to me. because Skywalker Saga expands on the original stories with open-world gameplay, it actually makes the original stories a bit more epic themselves.

I was less impressed with the sequel trilogy. The Force Awakens is just goofy nonsense. That's JJ Abrams style. He likes to ask the questions but not answer them, which leads to a lot of wacky dramatic cliffhangers that are usually doomed to fail. Maybe I should blame his writers...doesn't matter. JJ Abrams makes disposable trash. It's entertaining, and connects with people, but it's like painting an ocean on the bottom of a kiddie pool. Anyway, Force Awakens is fun but it's a total retread and is more concerned with reintroducing you to your grandpa then breaking new Star Wars ground or significantly advancing the story and universe. Cause of that, many of the levels feel like retread: Oh I'm on a desert world, oh I'm in a Cantina, oh I'm blowing up a death star...

I was more looking forward to The Last Jedi--the best of the sequel trilogy and one of the best movies overall. But it doesn't translate well into a game. The opening works, obviously, but while following around Skywalker and facing one's nemesis across the galaxy is good cinematic storytelling it doesn't make for exciting gameplay. You mostly just walk around places. Oh well, still a great movie.

And then there's The Rise of Skywalker. Dumb. Just dumb. I feel like the goal of this film was to make as little sense as possible to prove Star Wars could make money whether it tried or not. It's really sad that this is how we end the "Skywalker Saga". There's a lot of great shows, like Andor, to help elevate the franchise. I'm hoping that this acts as the "end" of Star Wars' timeline so no one needs to watch it to make sense of any other media. But I don't know, Endgame made Thor 2 important--so there's that.

Because I didn't like the movie, there was no point in which Rise of Skywalker felt fun for me. It was just a final endurance boss preventing me from saying "I win". By the time the credits rolled I was already looking at my phone for random articles. 

So here I am, this is where I wanted to be. The story is "out of the way" and every class and planet is unlocked. Do I want to keep playing? Before I got here I thought yes, of course! I want to take this to the end! But now I'm just thinking of all the games I really want to play. I didn't love this enough to 100% it, and I didn't even 100% the Complete Saga (which I do love). 

My daughter wants to explore, so maybe I'll switch back to Oddworld for myself and then she and I can do bonus missions together.

--UPDATE--

Well good thing I didn't post this yet. I'm done with this game. Maybe if my daughter wants to play, we'll play. But for now I'm done. 

I tried to do side quests at Utapau and had not a great time. While the level seems to be pretty accurate to the film on which it's based, it wasn't very fun to get around. Sometimes I could only use a single ladder or other platformy way to climb to higher sections, but it wasn't fun to get up there and if you made a mistake hopping across rooftops, you had to do it all again. I ended up doing it alot. Also, there are missions that require you to travel to different planets to fulfill. I really wasn't interested. Maybe if this game was just "here's the Star Wars galaxy, have fun" I'd be ok with it. But having to go through the unexciting story aspects to unlock all the planets creates a barrier to that. 

I respect what they did and accomplished, but I'm not loving it.

[cosmik-homo]

As Promised! Phantom Limb supercut! or maybe Omri-Threepio arc cut. Not sure what to call this. Threepio enemies to lovers speedrun?

I recently found out that the LEGO Star Wars The Force Awaknes game made a DLC stage ("The Phantom Limb") out of the C-3PO Comics Special, aka the story about how he got the red hand. After watching gameplays of the full stage on youtube I decided to edit together the relevant cutscenes and dialogue to make the main story of the stage more easily accesible- basically, so I could show it to people without asking them to watch 20 minute of running around. Also, with a little bit of my own silly gay commentary.

Obviously, being a different medium, and being, well, LEGO Star Wars, the story here takes quite a different direction and tone from the original introspective, somber comic- but I found this version quite enjoyable and heartfelt in its own way, and I hope you will too.

[felikatze]

hi hi yes this is my season 8 write up you’ve probably seen one of these already by now and i gotta say what the fuck was that how the fuck was that oh my god oh my god. is this still the silly lego ninja show. am i dreaming.

this is the first one i’m actually structuring in advance because i have so many thoughts i have so so so many oh my godddddddddd. oh my god.

BROOOOOOOOO

i had. feelings about this season. 2.6k words of them.

i did not like the first two eps because (gestures at fake out romance plot) i’m sorry i hate ninjago romance plots and pixane are the only bitches i respect. the first two eps went HARD on building up harumi as super duper sweet trust me like the whole fuckin princess jasmine sequence made me cringe. do not like themmmm i do not. after that we’re good though. props to these eps to starting on the harumi lloyd parallels via comparing her position as jade princess with lloyd’s as the green ninja in addition to their both at this point primarily green color schemes. lloyd is unshippable to me though sorry. aroace lloyd supremacy.

one thing i noticed this season is how the ninja use their elemental powers differently. instead of just spawning their elements in, they take advantage of the environment. one scene that comes to mind is nya using the rain to safely land the bounty or jay redirecting lightning and using power lines to shock the big stone monster in episode 10.

i really like this change! this makes fight choreography more interesting by including the environment! nya bursting some pipes to blast away garmadon? kai using torch fires to throw at people? i love that!! it’s great!! feels natural feels good to watch!!

the elements look amazing as well! particle effects this season are off the shits! this season just plain looks good. love the redesigns on the spinjitzu effects to differentiate them and incorporate elements better than just color. LOVE the lighting. looks so good. i already praised season 5 for this but this takes the cake.

speaking of more changes. weapons!! i called season 7 sexy for giving everyone their unique weapons back and there’s some changes here! nya got a trident!! love that!! so cool!! thematic!! and no ninja has a polearm yet so. vry cool vry cool.

last time, i complained that kai and zane got the short end of the stick cuz people keep infringing on their weapons. that’s fixed now! kai gets TWO swords, which is SICK. i just think duel wielding is sexy. zane gets a bow, which i’m more hmmm abt. it’s still the only long distance weapon of the squad, so i guess it works. shurikens still seem to be mainly zane’s thing, as they’re how the gang recognize zane’s plan to go undercover.

cole also gets a hammer instead of a scythe. i GET IT hammers are better for a blunt force character like him, but.. scythes are sick. ninjago gets a pass due to my affinity for blunt force weaponry. this time.

speaking of cole. admire how he was just READY to be a dad upon finding a random baby in a dungeon somewhere. said baby being Wu is objectively hilarious because cryptic old man wisdom is replaced by baby babble. cole is just so. he is Taking Care Of This Baby. in the beginning of the season before finding the baby he’s already Dad Mode somehow because he’s telling everyone to eat their veggies. i love him. it’s so funny. someone has to save the baby from plunging off the airship? cole’s here. someone gotta play with the baby? cole. someone gotta hold the baby? cole. misako only takes over because he’s busy after everything’s gone to shit. cole is the dad friend.

REDESIGNS. redesigns. i like em. i’ve watched the lego ninjago movie twice i like the movie and i think the designs are good. they’re a bit more complex than the previous ones esp in the hair and it fits better with the improved graphics n shit. i just wish they’d been more consistent with the past designs. like the side kai’s scar is on being the opposite one to his notched eyebrow. or jay missing his slit eyebrow. this is just about eyebrows. jay’s freckles are cute though. only redesign i dont like is zane’s i think his eyes and hair look weird and why does nya have a mole now feels weird. anyway.

i heard the redesigns are so it’s easier for potential new fans from the lego ninjago movie which is hilarious. the potential that THIS is someone’s first season of ninjago. the one that dregdes up emotional conflicts from season 2, the one season that breaks the status quo by having the ninja lose at the end, the one season that doesn’t have weekend whip as the intro. hello. HELLO.

how did we get here

moments i enjoyed: zane undercover, mister E fight

OKAY ONTO THE SEASON ITSELF OKAYYY.

i rlly liked zane’s stint undercover i think that was a great sequence. (how many akira slides do ya want? oh? all of them? okay). motorcycle races were fun. (fun fact german dub just refers to the sons of garmadon as “garmadon’s bike gang” which is kinda funny aint it. german dub never change you fuckhead). the fights this season were cool for aforementioned elemental reasons but also just sick in general. i enjoyed zane getting trashed by mister e (ohhh like “mystery” okay okay). fucked up that zane dies again but whatever it was a cool fight.

what i disliked abt the general sequence was cole’s singing which i KNOWWW is supposed to be bad i aint even talking abt kirby morrow since (dub watcher) but like. yeah whatever the irony of cole being a horrible singer but they did not have to make it a running joke. i didn’t like harumi’s singing either i just don’t like singing in non-musical shows. only good singing was when everyone was singing weekend whip karaoke. german dub show me the forbidden weekend whip german cover full version. i liked those lyrics.

PIXAL OFFICAL RETURN SHE’S HERE I LOVE HERRRR (<- PIXAL STAN SINCE SEASON 3). i am mildly heartbroken by pixal being soo afraid of the possibility of going back into the computer and how she’s so afraid she won’t be useful being the way she wants to be. this is where zane pulls thru because the only one who doesn’t respect pixal’s autonomy is pixal herself. everyone is always so supportive of her choices even back in season 3 and i like that this is continued here i LOVE pixal becoming samurai x and making it her own thing. she still takes on a support role occasionally but she’s doing what she wants to do and everyone loves her for it (including me). pixane is the only romance subplot i respect (jaya is valid only when a coinflip lands on heads). i wanted to say something else about pixal here but i forgot. i love her.

BACK TO PLOT OKAY OKAY. episode 7 makes me sick in the head. i think how the harumi reveal is handled is done SUPER WELL esp in regards to lloyd. i think on the ninja side tracking her comms is kinda goofy how she just goes to background evil smirking cue cliffhänger. BUT.

when she tells lloyd to take the mask i immediatly went like “Oh god she knew he’s part oni” and THEN lloyd says “how’d you know i’m part oni” like OH SHIT!!! OH SHIT!!! lloyd piecing it all together was so fuckin satisfying cuz it’s all the stuff i ALSO noticed. good shit.

this is where i get into harumi bcuz *rotates her in my mind* this is insane.

her motivation is so understandable but also so twisted. FIRST OF ALL her backstory confirms something cartoons typically like to avoid. death tolls. her parents died in the season 1 finale. this fucks me up because now you gotta ask yourself, where else did people die here? who else didn’t make it? because it’s not just season 1. did you know that nya straight up killed everyone in the cursed realm? chen appears as a ghost in day of the departed. she killed him and all his followers but does she even realize? hello? okay? who did the stone army kill? who did the nindroids kill? not to sound like a broken record but DEATH IS REAL IN NINJAGO.

additionally the flashback shows harumi and lloyd to be the same age which fucks me up for a PLETHORA of reasons least of all that lloyd’s age now actually matches his appearance. the flashback also confirms time exists and years pass. how old is everyone. are the other ninja all in their mid twenties now. christ.

OKAY BACK TO HARUMI. her motivation is so. it’s somewhat of a running gag that whenever the ninja bring up the great devourer someone chimes in with “garmadon defeated it, not you.” it’s perfectly logical for harumi to now idolize the person who is repeatedly stated to have defeated the thing that killed her parents.

(side note her title being “the quiet one” because she temporarily went mute because of trauma is SO FUCKED UP GOD. side side note the german dub makes a really smart choice in how to translate her title because it calls her “der stille boss” / the silent boss. german is a HIGHLY gendered language and for a LOT of nouns, specifically occupational nouns, there’s the -in suffix to make them feminine, which would spoil who the quiet one is cuz you’d immediatly look toward the newest girl. but “boss” is a loanword, and thus uses the generic masculine without any actual implication of gender. the script also doesn’t substitute the title for pronouns ever, to further avoid masculine connotation. props to that choice.)

moving on, i brought it up already, but paralling jade princess / green ninja. delicious. harumi never wanted to be a princess she never wanted the responsibility but her being “chosen” by the emperor and empress. god. this directly puts the ninja “failing” as the deciding factor that pushed her into the fate she abhors. godddd. insane. insane.

HER METHOD IS STILL SO WRONG THOUGH AND SHE WORKS SO WELL AS A VILLAIN AND AS A FOIL TO LLOYD. i want to talk about episode 8 now she is so needlessly cruel. like i GET where she’s coming from but it feels like she made all the wrong conclusions. what she doesnt get is without the ninja EVERYONE would be dead not just her parents. furthermore she seems to have it out for lloyd specifically when like, lloyd wasn’t even a ninja back then. the show COULD’VE brought up how he was the one to release the serpentine in the first place but it doesn’t sadly.

she’s soooo needlessly cruel it’s kind of horrifying. she reminds me of lime witch’s heart a little bit if there’s any fanbase overlap besides literally just me and anybody knows who i’m talking about. she just wants him to suffer as she did she wants someone who gets it she wants someone who went through the same experience she did.

BUT LIKE AGAIN THIS IS WHERE THE PARALLELS COME IN. she and lloyd were the same age in season 1 he was not a ninja during that fight. he was also chosen for a fate he didn’t want at way too young an age and he had to deal with it. them being the same is what makes her so cruel.

i gotta talk abt the garmadon revival and episode 9 now. first of all i’m SUPER happy klaus-dieter klebsch reprised his role as garmadon in the german dub because he is THE garmadon voice to me always and forever. he does evil laughs good and the voice direction is eh with how drawn out all of garmadon’s dialogue is but the performance is on point as always. anyway.

isn’t it fucked up how harumi doesn’t just want to destroy lloyd emotionally by kidnapping his mom and emotionally manipulating him but also deliberatly in making him fight his dad again. remember season 2 when garmadon was like a complex character who was very conflicted between his essentially Obligation to be evil and the love he still has for his family. like i remember that version of garmadon, lloyd remembers that version of garmadon. the one who still put family above all despite everything and that’s why it HURTS man. garmadon’s dialogue in episode nine dear god. like the “i wore many masks” dialogue and the finishing touch of “i don’t have a son” cue garmadon throwing lloyd through a wall again. like the garmadon we got to know from s3-4 might as well be dead because it’s not him that came back. it’s really not.

bringing up season 2 again it’s understandable why lloyd wanted to confront garmadon on his own so badly bcuz despite being told that he won’t be the same the entire season the last time lloyd confronted garmadon with love it worked. it brought him back and this time it DOESN’T and because last time it did is why this hits so hard for lloyd (and also for me).

GOD the ending of episode 9 where lloyd gets thrown through a wall and he lands in the sand and groans and to desparately comfort himself he pulls out the picture he keeps of himself and his father, but the wind blows it away out of his hand into the desert. heavy handed symbolism but it WORKS okay it WORKS. sensei garmadon is DEAD he‘s GONE but lloyd still has to grapple with killing his father all over again.

it’s Inch Resting how harumi essentially Stole garmadon for herself like. harumi has a TON of parental issues and she idolized garmadon for however many years it’s been since season 1 and he’s like. a bit fixated on her as the one who brought him back i.e breaking her out of jail. that’s what i mean by her being cruel cuz like she’s the one fighting with garmadon now she’s the one “important” to him (as much as anyone can be important to the revived garm like geez man)

tldr feels bad man

ONTO THE FINALE THAT’S SICK. actually having them just LOSE bcuz in ep 8 you think like “ah they won” but then you (I) looked at the episode counter and saw 8 out of 10. and you go. ah. they never defeat the villain till the darkest hour. the darkest hour is still coming.

like they LOSE they SPLIT UP THE TEAM. inch resting how the guys stranded in the realm of oni and dragons are the “original team” essentially i.e. the og four ninja + baby wu and how the ones still in ninjago are the “new team” i.e lloyd nya pixal + misako and whichever side characters they’re gonna scrounge up.

ALSO LLOYD THINKS THE OG TEAM IS DEAD WHAT THE FUCK. HE THINKS THEY’RE DEAD HE DOESN’T KNOW THEY HAD TRAVELER’S TEA.

my expectations for season 9 are ALL OVER THE PLACE. will lloyd and nya continue to think their friends are dead or will this be cleared up. how the hell is the og squad gonna fare against mythical creatures (and loads of em too). how’s lloyd gonna get back up and get back at harumi.

the last scene of the season between lloyd and harumi is really nice cuz “ninja never give up” motif is always cool AND how lloyd paralles HIMSELF to harumi by framing himself as a villain since “the worst one is the one you can’t catch.”

fun fact “ninja never give up” in german sounds really nice as a phrase cuz it’s trochaic, i.e entirely in trochaic meter. ninja geben niemals auf :)

lloyd jumping off a building landing squarely on the rest of the new crew’s boat is cool it’s a really cool shot to end on because it’s also like very hopeful despite the. extended darkest hour moment. an end is just a new beginning :) good albeit cheesy use of phrase motifs. he’s not giving up even if all his friends are dead and his powers are gone harumi!! suck it!!!!

IN CONCLUSION: oh my god what the fuck. this is the first season that made me actually tear up dear fucking god.

[purplerose244]

Thinking journal for season 12 Prime Empire 😎😎😎 (1/2)

So, I'm keeping this during all of season 12 to put down my thoughts as they appear. It's mostly for not ranting every single time a new episode comes out so please don't mind me too much 😅 I'm following the English release so please no spoilers 😙

I'm gonna split it in two, since apparently the season has 16 episodes. So this is the first part, enjoy my rambling 💜💜

It's the 30th of March and here we go!

IN GENERAL

I'm so, SO HAPPY, we have a theme for this season. For my experience apparently silly themes (tech ninja, ghosts, pirates) had brought very surprising results so I'm SO DOWN FOR THIS 😍😍

It seems that they fixed the mood, there is a specific mystery and a specific mission to follow. I like it too

THE NEW WHIP IS DOPE AS ALWAYS

I'm really glad there are plenty of references to past episodes, comebacks are my jam

The only thing that still kinda bothers me is the length of the episodes. It's not all bad, I just think the 20 minutes format was better. One thing is splitting 20 in 10 minutes, another is putting together 11 minutes of important stuff. Doesn't bother me too much, I just wish there was more time for my favorite show 🤷‍♀️

WOULD YOU LIKE TO ENTER PRIME EMPIRE?

Is it normal for me to feel really old after they made the "what is a VCR?" joke? Like, I'm a uni student so still pretty young, but I lived through the transition from that to the DVD so... eh, I laughed anyway👵

Jay is smart, I really believe he is. Yet I saw him putting a possibly corrupted motherboard into a legendary game randomly found into a villain's lair, and I was like "Of course he did that, I love you you dumb*ss" raising my glass of juice towards him 😎

Okay, I'm down for this Lloyd. I'm down for a season with Lloyd being creeped out just because, being silly, just a ninja helping his friends and- (remembers there's a Harumi avatar in the sets) I'M NOT READY

The ending was actually nicely creepy. Cool nods in approval

DYER ISLAND

THAT INTRO THOUGH, THAT WAS EPIC! Love the techno sounds, love the clear gaming connection, I rate it 10/HECK YEAH LONG LIVE THE FOLD

I was scared about how the shorts were supposed to play along with the season, but it looks fine so far with the mechanic and later for Scott. Good 👍

Ah, Fist to Face, that game came all over from the nostalgic season 1. That's what I'm talking about 😎

So they just associated that Unagami is probably Dyer's avatar like that? Like sure, I thought about it, but it looks a little rushed. Mm, I wonder if there's something more behind it?

LEVEL 13

Cyrus Borg is back and he TALKS!!! Finally, he gets some action! Go tech dad!

I'm so happy he referenced the Digiverse, I would have been very disappointed if he hadn't. Time flies Borg...

Not gonna lie, I thought the next to follow up Jay's spot as best in videigames was going to be Kai or Lloyd. It's not disappointing though, since pretty much all the ninja have been seen playing, and to be honest I like the implication that Cole and Jay probably played a lot together. As bruiseshipping or as BrOTP, I still love them together no matter what 💙��💙🖤

Ooooohhhhh, that's why Zane and Pixal are left behind. It makes sense, sure, but I don't understand the implication of the plan: they saw Dyer entering Prime Empire, so why looking for him in real life? Mm, maybe they will investigate about his life and what happened... PIXANE ON THE CASE 😍

Already saw Prime Empire's world in the shorts, of course it looks DOPE, still very happy to finally being there!

SUPERSTAR ROCKIN' JAY

I don't know why, but Kai questioning the double jump made me laugh. Also poor him, he just got his powers back from last season and they're already gone again 😂

And of course. Them. Wow. It must be the most amazing and CURSED thing I've ever seen so far, the League of Jay 🤯 I'm so happy they exist and they freaking use past seasons' suits!!! Awesome!!! Never thought I was going to see Jay's old plain haircut again... yeah, he got better with the curly one, but I'm feeling nostalgic 🤷‍♀️

Their nick are histerical omg, Jaybird, Dee-Jay, Jaywalkin, I'm loving this way more than I should 😂 Also they freaking screamed "JAY-NJA GOO!!!" and I don't know what to do with that, it's too great for me to comprehend 👏👏

And then, THIS happened:

Your Honor, I would like to confirm this as THE MOST SECRET DREAM I'VE EVER HAD FOR THIS SHOW FINALLY COMING TRUE!!! A NINJA FROM NINJAGO DOING THE NARUTO RUN!!! 🤯🤯🤯 Done, I'm done, conclude the season, this is more than enough for me 😍

First Kai gets hit and fall from a building, DYING, then Lloyd gets desperate for his brother (MY BROTP 💚❤💚❤), then Kai respawns and Lloyd looks so relieved and Kai is all panting while slowly realizing it's a game and MY HEART CAN'T HANDLE THIS MUCH OKAY???

As a very passionate Kai fangirl I always expect the cringy moment, it really is inevitable for my favorite hothead. I love that idiot so much it's unbelievable, even if it's an absolute and costant suffering 😅 Holy Garmadon it was painful seeing his VERY slow realization that in this game you only have four lives

... SO HE HAS ONE NOW!?! NINJAGO CREW YOU ALREADY KILLED ZANE, NYA AND LLOYD ONCE AT THE END OF A SEASON, DON'T YOU DARE PLAY WITH ME AGAIN 😱😱😱

Okay, I did not expect to hear about Mr. Cuddly Wamp ever again since Hands of Time and BOY if I'm happy it was actually a password, I love this show 😂

SCOTT FINALLY!!! YESS!!! 😍😍😍

Okay, for as long as it is not debunked, I will hold onto the Scott is Jay's brother/twin theory. I'm sorry but: his jacket has dragons AND lightnings on it, they have very similar skin in avatar mode, he said he was waiting for him in the short, he could very well have his same hair under cap and hoodie and he's a mechanic too. I know, I know, they could have the same skin because Scott helped him for the avatar, and there might be shadier reason behind the 'I was waiting for you' thing, and there are tons of good mechanics in Ninjago... STILL HOW COOL WOULD THAT BE??? 😍

SCOTT HAS ONE LIFE POINT TOO??? NO! NOOO!!! NOOOOOOO!!! Don't you dare appear and steal my heart only to die at the end of the season, come on!! 😭

So for now it seems like he just wants to survive. Can we actually confirm he's an avatar and not an NPC? I mean he could be, but I don't see the point of an NPC self aware of his life points. Idk, maybe I'm overthinking this 🤷‍♀️

Lol, Kai is the only one weirded out by the Jay-con all around him. Probably because he hasn't heard from his fans since Skybound 😅 (I'M STILL HERE MY FLAME BABE, ILY ❤❤❤)

And in all of his glory, freaking Superstar Rockin' Jay!!! 😎😎 Okay, I loved the design since the first time I saw it, but it looks possibly even better in the show 😍😍😍 And Jay looks absolutely adorable in it, and he's got a guitar, and he was waiting for his friends, and he hugs them (I'm weak for LEGO hugs for some reason) and he is so happy and AAAHHH 💙💙💙💙💙

I'm very curious about how Scott will play into the situation, clearly he will provide some kind of insight about Prime Empire. I can't wait to know more about him!! 😍

I AM OKINO

I did not expect this when I saw this Okino guy in the trailer... and I'm so happy I was surprised, I love him 👌

And he's voiced by Alessandro Juliani?? HECK YEAH!!! With all the hype about the DnD 13th season, and consequentially the knight theme, I really miss Nexo Knights and having Aaron's VA around makes me happy... any hope to have Giles Panton as well? I miss Clay the most 💙💙

This is what I'm talking about, the game theme needs this stuff! I was already happy to see life points, double jumps and respawns, but this? The NPC guide? Awesome 👍 It's nice to see the take on the matter, the guide seeing so many players getting killed, first because they did not listen, then because they were actually just unlucky. The touchy matter I always expect watching Ninjago 👏👏

At least I THINK he's an NPC? For now I don't really see a way of knowing, and it doesn't look like it matters. He didn't show life points so maybe? Does this mean he can't die? I have questions people

Which brings me to the cube thingies. That's what happens to the dead players? I mean, I would understand if they just become pixels, but there's also the drone that takes the datas every time. Idk, feels like there's more behind it. And honestly? It looks like great material for angst, like one of the ninja dies but then they discover they just need to get where Unagami stores all of the players! I hope it's something like this!

They designs of the players are really cool, I already saw them in the other episodes, but seeing them this close just confirmed it. Between this and Jay's awesome avatar, I see lots of great cosplay ideas coming 😍 I wonder when will Kai and Lloyd use their avatars, and why would they since I'm guessing Jay did for disguise and to distinguish himself from his fans

PLEASE TELL ME WE'LL SEE SCOTT SOON, I ALREADY MISS HIM!!! 💙💙💙 I have too many theories about that tech dude, I'm so excited about who he might turn out to be!

I was a little skeptical about the new ninja suits, but seeing them in the show convinced me, very cool! Especially on Nya 💕💕💕

THE GLITCH

Alright, Okino is indeed an NPC. Cool the fact that at first he could not understand the fact that he was in a game, but when reality changed he was forced to. Welcome into the crew! 😙

I'm kinda worried about it though, either they will shut down the game and he will stay inside or he will sacrifice for them. He's a very loyal samurai, I can see that happening and I'm SCARED

I WAS SWEATING BULLETS AT THE AMBUSH!!! I 100% saw it coming, we all freaking saw it coming, even the ninja did but where like 'we can walk and die or we can risk and die so might as well'. But still, my babies DYING and respawning so fast was not pretty 😱😱

Nya got the scariest death until now in my opinion, holy Garmadon Dyer DOES have a twisted mind...

Seeing Kai so scared of being in a new situation and with one HP reminds me A LOT of the Digiverse, and that's actually a nice touch. Give him a cellphone, hothead is a social media expert, but put him in a game and... huuhhh... 😅

Have I mentioned I love the ninja's new emoji masks??

BECAUSE I DO!!! 😂😂😂😂

So Unagami knows about them trying to stop him and he sent the rat people because of it. Considering how little we know about this guy, I'm wondering what we are about to discover

Alright, going to the next challenge, very curious about this adventure. So... beware of the rats, ninja? Still not sure what I think about the rats 😅

THE CLIFFS OF HYSTERIA

I would like to say Okino is the edgiest character of the show I've ever seen... but I've seen MORRO. But still poor guy, he got a case of the Matrix

Oooohhhh, the major question in videogames: better go grinding for more money to get the better stuff but while losing lots of time, or get the least expensive just to go on with the story but definitely risking to lose lives?

Ah there we go, so the energy cubes mean something! Also reference to the Sushimi guy of the set (gosh that name, I can't 😂). So do people actually die in Prime Empire or they are just kidnapped kinda? Can the ninja just bring back? ANGST POTENTIAL

Cole please don't die please don't die please don't die for the love of Garmadon please don't die somebody help-

HOLY FSM KAI I MEANT HELP FROM SOMEONE WITH MORE THAN ONE LIFE DON'T DO THAT BE CAREFUL PLEASE I FREAKING LOVE YOU YOU RECKLESS HOTHEAD ❤❤❤

Nya giving Kai a sweet look after seeing her brother is okay, that's what I live for 😍

So apparently Unagami is trying to build some kind of device using the energy cubes of the dead players (sounds kinda creepy like this 😱) to create some kind of portal? To Ninjago? I don't understand, if Unagami is Milton Dyer then why this? Just to bring his army and conquer? I mean I guess, sounds a little simple though. Then again, if it turns out it's not Dyer, it could be Unagami wanting to be real and get into his creator's world? Mm...

I like the message, having the ability to choose your own path. Very fitting for a game themed season, I hope it gets explored even more!

More for the "I love the ninja emoji masks of this season"'s compilation 😂😂😂

THE MAZE OF THE RED DRAGON

Duuuude, Jay being good at mazes comes all the way from Possession, the Tomb of the First Spinjitzu Master! 😍 ... or maybe I just rewatch this show too much... could be both really 😅

Unagami is NASTY!

Confirmed the thing about going into the real world, what scares me is how much powers Unagami seems to actually possess. Like, can he do the block thingy whenever he wants? Just straight up pause and do whatever? Wow...

Jay being extra 😎

I mean, of course he is, he's got better statics! 😂 I like how he seems so focused and in charge, I still hope we see more of him... and Scott... WHERE IS SCOTT???

I love dragons, this metal one is cute 😍

So now we have two ronin: a samurai looking for a path on his own in a digital world... and a shady guy named Ronin 😛 Total respect for Okino, he really showed the values he believes in. No matter he was programmed his way, I hope he finds what he's looking for. Better come back for the final battle!

One Keytana down, two more to go. I know one is the price of the race, while the last one... I don't really know.

More of the masks because I love them 😂 Here we have Vegeta Lloyd and Kawai Cole ✌✌

[rainofaugustsith]

I liked reading @anchanted-one‘s headcanons about Lana so I thought I’d share some of mine! :) 

1. Lana does not remember what it's like not to be Force sensitive. Her Force affinity manifested before she could walk or talk. 2. She was always considered one of the most gifted pupils in her Sith training. 3. She also skipped several grades of school academically because she was very bright. 4. As a child she loved to build with blocks and the Imperial equivalent of Legos. 5. Lana was allowed to go to Kass City University and was a double major in history and political science. 6. Lana learned to talk to people and gather allies by watching her parents at work. 7. Both of Lana's parents were entrepreneurs, and they had businesses on both Dromund Kaas and Ziost. 8. Lana's parents also had a house on Ziost. When the planet was destroyed by Vitate she felt it very personally. 9. Lana's parents quietly opposed slavery and had droids for servants and assistants instead. This is one reason Lana feels so comfortable around droids and likes them so much. 10. Lana is left-handed. 11. Lana is childfree, like Viri, and got her tubes tied (or the Sith equivalent) as a teenager. 12. Lana had a relationship with a woman in the Academy, but her girlfriend was far less serious about things than she was. 13. Lana also had a one-night stand with Lord Shaar as an apprentice. 14. While she was stationed on Hoth, Lana had a relationship with another Sith named Stamek. Stamek wasn't kind to her emotionally.  15. Lana's parents loved her, but her mother was hypercritical all the time. It drove Lana to feel like she was never good enough, something she's kept as an adult. 16. Lana can knit, sew and smith. She makes all her own armor, a fair amount of her clothing, and her belts. She does buy her footwear, but often customizes it. 17. Lana makes replicas of her Shadow of Revan belt for Viri. Viri refuses to wear any others, even if they don't match the outfit at all. She also knits silly socks for Viri. 18. Viri is a bit taller and larger than Lana. Lana really likes wearing Viri's bathrobes and t-shirts around the house, even if they are way too big, because they make her feel safe and loved. 19. Lana is an excellent pilot, even though she doesn't get to show off those skills often. 20. Lana's armbands are engraved with ancient Sith spells for protection, strength and courage. 21. Lana's hand was injured when she was hit with a bomb blast while searching for Viri. Lucinda Walrez - the wife of my bounty hunter Taran - performed the microsurgery that saved it. Lana now has several metal pieces bolted into her hand, and wears a crush gauntlet to help it stay strong. 22. Four different Sith - Darth Arkous, Darth Marr, Darth Hexid and Darth Nox - have tried to "Darth" Lana and she has refused every time. Viri, who is technically Darth Viridana, has joked that she's going to 'Darth' Lana, but it's only a joke. She knows Lana really doesn't want that title and she respects that. 23. Lana's poetry is really good, but she will only show bits of it to Viri. 24. Lana cannot stand monkey-lizard laughing and hates being around them for that reason. It's like nails on a chalkboard to her. 25. At home, Lana and Viri each have a room that is 'theirs' and devote time to the things they personally enjoy. They also often can be found curled up on the couch together, not talking but enjoying each other's company, each pursuing her own hobby or interest. A lot of the time, Viri will be reading while Lana will knit.

[lentaska]

Height Difference - Part 3

Have been busy with job and class, another crazy week passed soon :)

Note: Featuring Madman Fulton. First person POV, OFC from non-wrestling background. New oc is out and he is a good-looking asshole :) This is a work of fan fiction using characters from wrestling, I do not claim any ownership over them.

oc: Birdie (some doodles)

Tagging: @thecristsandcallihanmadness @monstersmaid @morie-leigh

Part Three “what if he loses you”

Trying new things would help people to know more about themselves, for example, this morning - the first morning of our “cohabiting experiment” - I just learned that I actually hit Fulton in sleep.

“And it’s not only the hit, you also kicked me. I woke up once around 5 am.” Fulton added more information. “The good thing is, you behaved after tucking yourself into my arms.”

Now I had the answer for why I woke up in Fulton’s arms and he looked like just had a battle.

“Sorry, I didn’t know that before. Did I hurt you?” I asked, rubbing his hand.

He chuckled, “with your strength? Of course. You will definitely defeat me in the ring.”

An odd idea popped up - it’s probably because I had watched one wrestling match and was motivated - I might be able to fight him for real.

This was also a naive idea, Fulton tried hard not to laugh at it and discourage me, although I still could see the grin he hid. He announced in joking tone, “if you lift me up for even half inch, you win.”

“I’m taking it seriously.”

“I know.” He opened his arms to me, grinning, “c’mon Birdie.”

The rule was simple. I took a deep breath, grabbed his waist and lifted him up - or tried to lift him up because he was not moving AT ALL, so I did another attempt but still failed. Wondering how this was possible, I heard Fulton’s voice, “wanna take a break?” based on the cheerfulness in the tone, he was holding back laughter.

“It’s warm-up.” I explained indignantly, making myself sound tough.

“Alright, alright.” Fulton snickered, “take your time.”

In a match or challenge related to strength, longer it took, less chance to win because the strength would come to exhaustion eventually, hence my third attempt was much worse and I couldn’t help gasping. I knew Fulton was built and strong, but I didn’t expect him to be this... heavy. This man was a brick wall, if I ever accidentally knocked against him, I would be dizzy for a while.

“Are you ok?” asked Fulton.

Managed to catch breath, I found myself the worst excuse, “I’m... hungry. You know, I have no strength when I’m hungry.”

Fulton nodded, pretending to believe my words.

I gave up, “I can’t do this. I was being silly to think that I can fight you.”

“Let me see...” he check the clock, “Five minutes, good job.”

“Take that smirk back.” I elbowed him gently.

Fulton grimaced and acted like he got hurt from my “attack”.

Rolled my eyes at him, I asked, “are you still taking me to your match tonight?”

“Of course, but this time you don’t need to make script about what to say to my friends.”

I guess he would not let go of any silly thing I did. He thought those things were “cute”. Like the time I freaked out on his Jason costume on Halloween and screamed “don’t kill me”, he still brought it up. It didn’t annoy me though, probably because of the affectionate way he used.

 When I arrived locker room with Fulton, the ambience was uneasy, the Crist brothers and Sami looked anxious, I had never seen them behave in such way, something serious happened.

I looked up at Fulton, who responded with the same confused expression. Noticed our appearance, Jake waved at us first, then Dave and Sami came to us.

“Do you know that your opponent is replaced?” asked Sami.

Clearly Fulton was not informed in advance, “whom I’ll be facing then?”

“The new guy just joined 3 weeks ago, we don’t know much about him.” Dave shrugged, “I don’t remember his name.”

Jake let out a sigh, “How can you forget one simple name... his name is Vasiliy. ”

The name brought Fulton on the alert. Subconsciously, I grasped Fulton’s hand more tightly. I did this when I was on nerve and I found myself doing this more often since dating Fulton, mainly because I had panic every time he had match. “Is he difficult to deal with?” I asked, praying that Vasiliy guy was just a regular wrestler.

Sami snapped in detestation, “he is plague.”

If the Death Machine himself commented a person so negatively, then this person was a real trouble.

“Sami is right.” Jake frowned and turned to me, “although it’s highly unlikely, if you ever run into that guy, leave immediately.”

Another Crist nodded, “something is wrong with him.”

I froze at their words. There was one moment that I wanted to ask Fulton not to go, but I couldn’t, it’s his match and I needed be supportive. I took a deep breath, said - more like to comfort myself, “Fulton will win easily, I have faith in him.”

 I was very wrong.

When Vasiliy showed up, I had goosebumps. He wore a plain mask with antlers, both hands were covered by bandage, and he was holding barbed wires. The audience had two contrasting reactions on his entrance, some cheered him while the others hooted in disapproval, but one thing was for sure, the world was almost when he took off the mask. It’s not exaggerated to say, Vasiliy had the most angelic face I had ever seen.

However, his moves were far from “angelic”. He hit Fulton right on belly several time with barbed wires twined around his hand, and then his face. I almost screamed in shock. Since I was close to the ring, the excitement on Vasiliy’s face was clear enough to make me sick.

“We shouldn’t let the fun end too soon, shall we?” the man chuckled, dumping one of the boxes which were set in the ring for their match. It’s a box of Lego blocks.

Fulton struggled to get up, but one foot stomped on his back maliciously. Grabbed a full hand of blocks, Vasiliy gave a harmless smile, then he forced Fulton to open his mouth, stuffed the blocks in and smashed his face to the ground.

My stomach twitched in agony. I knew wrestling match could be violent and wrestlers were trained to limit the hurt to opponents, but I could tell that Vasiliy’s doing was on purpose. He wanted hurt his opponent in the most painful way.

Although Fulton gained the upper hand later on and won the match, the prince was high, he almost collapsed due to multiple wounds and exhaustion. It hurt me to see him in such terrible shape, so I left auditorium and found my way to the backstage, all I wanted was to return to the locker room and hug my dreadlock bear.

But I ran into someone I shouldn’t. The black-haired man whom Sami referred as “plague” blocked my way, smiling innocently. The aura of him was like poisonous mist, whirling and tangling

“Vasiliy...”

I took one step back. The Crist brothers cautioned me against getting involved with him, plus what he did in the ring, he was the last person I wanna see now.

“My honor to be remembered by you.”

“It’s a... nice match” I said, against my will.

“I can imagine how much you loved to witness Fulton’s victory.” he giggled. “But I did have fun in making him bleed.”

The memory of him stuffing Lego blocks in Fulton’s mouth and smashing his face disgusted me. I wasn’t sure how this match went into such way, but that scene made my stomach twitched in agony. And now he said making Fulton bleed was “fun” with no regret? Was the personality and behavior he showed in the ring actually a reflection of himself in life?

I forced myself to be polite, “it’s late, I have to go...”

“To find your boyfriend?” he tipped his head a little, in the most harmless way I could imagine, but somehow I was alarmed. “Although joining this brand happened only weeks ago, I consider myself to be informed. I know Fulton loves you dearly. I’m quite curious: what if he loses you?”

I saw the excitement on his face, his smile twisted. He was serious.

Vasiliy’s eyes locked on me, “when I was seven, mother bought me a parakeet. She was beautiful and docile, I cherished her with my heart, but a stray cat killed it. Beautiful things never last long, do they?”

In the next moment, his hands were on my neck, I heard his sweet but malicious voice, “how adorable you are, I wonder what your scream sounds like.”

The strength pressed on was squeezing air out of me, I struggled, the suffering from suffocation and instinct for survival made me fight back for the slenderest hope, even though what I could do was nothing comparing his power.

“Scream, lil’ bird,” Vasiliy sneered, “or you prefer to suffer?”

Tears welled up from fear, it might be easier if I just screamed - he might let me go - but I could not let him win.

I attempted to get out of him by kicking and smacking, although I got him couple times, those attacks didn’t help me but instead stimulated his desire for destruction.

When I was about to give up, I heard Fulton’s furious roar, “you fucking leave her alone!”

The pressure on my neck was released, I was pulled into a firm embrace. Fulton had one arm locked me tightly, another arm was in defence posture. Based on how messed up Vasiliy looked, he already got punch on face from the mad dreadlock bear.

Stroking where Fulton hit, Vasiliy chuckled, “you’re almost late to save her. I was about to make her scream but she’s a tough one.”

Fulton gnashed, almost rushed out to give him another good punch, “you touch her again and I will break your fucking face, you hear me?!”

“‘Stupidity is also a gift of God, but one mustn’t misuse it’, you never know how naive you are, but it’s fine. We will meet again and have better game to play.” the angelic-looking man waved goodbye at me.

“Don’t worry, I’m here for you.” Fulton checked on me, “what else did he do?”

“Nothing besides strangling me.”

Unbuttoned my collar, Fulton’s face clouded over with anger. I was nervous, “what’s wrong?”

“You should see it by yourself.”

In the phone camera, I saw faint hand print on my neck.

“I’m gonna kill that scum...”

“He was serious about hurting me, but why? I didn’t even know him.”

“Vasiliy was new in the brand but he had feud with Sami in another brand, and it’s not only in rings. We act like crazy and bad dudes in the ring, but he is different. His personality in real life is what he shows in the ring.” Fulton wiped away my tears and patted my back, I saw how scared he was. He thought he would lose me.

“So he attacked me because I hang out with oVe?”

He nodded, whispered, “I’m sorry.”

“You did nothing wrong. And don’t think I’m gonna keep distance from you guys, because I like your friends and I will learn to protect myself. If Vasiliy ever does stupid thing again, I’ll kick him between legs hard.”

Chuckled, the dreadlock bear stroked my cheek. “That’s my girl.”

Yet I didn’t realize Vasiliy would become the most horrifying nightmare.

[verdigrisprowl]

Sept 10 Dancitron Movie Night - Gotham 19-20 & Lego Marvel Super Heroes: Maximum Overload

Soundwave tried to explain to Prowl that Jim’s name isn’t Gym. Prowl didn’t quite get it.

Prowl was confused by the suggestion that fake boobs are unethical. Somehow this launched into a general conversation about weaponized boobs.

After Gotham, Soundwave showed a cartoon where the word “overload” was said about fifty times. It was hysterical.

Tonight’s serial killer had a very nice BDSM dungeon that he is absolutely wasting on kidnapping and killing women, when he could be using it on BDSM. It inspired Soundwave and Prowl to go have some fun with handcuffs after the stream.

Today NoodlesAtNight 7:22 pm *Soundwave's here, he's got a datapad, and he's got his nose buried deep in it. So to speak.* opatoes 7:23 pm /Smokescreen's coming in, looking a bit larger today, and he's going to wave at Soundwave./ Soundwave! What'd I miss last week? I've got something really cool to show you. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 7:26 pm *the dragon moseys on in, with treats! clearly, she was listening in on Arcee's ask session, because along with the typical gummis and mercury drops and silver bars, she's got some pumice drizzled in mercury syrup. dragons gonna make snacks for everyone.* Hello, Soundwave! NoodlesAtNight 7:29 pm [[Last week?]] *Without looking up.* [[We met Jerome Valeska, the son of a snake dancer in the circus, who killed his mother; in passing, we also met the Graysons. We also found out that Butch was brainwashed into doing anything Penguin says. Bruce threatened his company board into behaving themselves and they did not like it. Then, a group of bank robbers made a name for themselves with a red hood. Fish Mooney met the doctor in charge of the organ theft facility and convinced him to make her his right hand. A friend of Alfred's showed up, stayed a while, taught Bruce some things, and stabbed Alfred on the way out of the house after having stolen documents. Commissioner Loeb has blackmail material on most of the police and forced Bullock to lie under oath to get Flass reinstated; Gordon investigated Loeb and discovered that Loeb's daughter has been locked in a house for decades after killing her mother, then used that to blackmail Loeb in return. Kristen Kringle found a new boyfriend, much to Edward's distaste, and Fish discovered that the organ theft facility is on an icy island. ... He believes that is all.]] opatoes 7:30 pm Whoa. Whoa, a lot, huh? Well- at least I know now! Thank you, Sounds- Soundwave. NoodlesAtNight 7:30 pm [[And, now:]] *He turns to acknowledge the dragon.* [[You'll find another lobster behind the bar. Ask Ravage to show you if you cannot find it.]] Today MedicalMurdersaurus 7:30 pm *wanders in, clean and well-fed* NoodlesAtNight 7:30 pm *Nods at Smokescreen. Thank you for using his name.* SpecsTheSpectralDragon 7:31 pm Another lobster? Thank you, thank you! *the dragon chirps in delight and dives behind the bar. the Hunt for Snaccs has begun.* NoodlesAtNight 7:31 pm *Eyes Swoop. Please let there be no need for bridging tonight. He doesn't want to miss what happens. ... Of course, no Dinobot ever does what someone hopes they will.* MedicalMurdersaurus 7:31 pm *has never once in his life implied he knows how to behave* Bird? NoodlesAtNight 7:31 pm [[Yes. Ravage acquired something called 'butter' to go with it.]] NoodlesAtNight 7:32 pm *It's a whole churn. Don't ask where he got it.* opatoes 7:32 pm /Getting up and dabbing to the tune/ MedicalMurdersaurus 7:32 pm Bird! Kelpy 7:33 pm [slides a box out of his subspace to put onto the closest flat surface] I may have brought a bunch of snacks to share. NoodlesAtNight 7:33 pm *KERPOW and here is Bird like a shot from the rafters* *Her feelers bind the box up right quick.* MedicalMurdersaurus 7:33 pm *SQUEALS* MedicalMurdersaurus 7:34 pm Bird! opatoes 7:34 pm Wait wait more snacks? Specs, Swerve, have I ever told you two that I love you? Kelpy 7:34 pm I said to share-! NoodlesAtNight 7:34 pm [[Do as he said, Laserbeak. You do not want him to refuse to bring you more.]] {{..........Mehmehmeh.}} *Unwinds feelers. But stays perched near box.* Kelpy 7:34 pm Anyway, if you eat all those, you won't have room for the box I brought just for you. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 7:34 pm *bold of you to presume that she would look a Gift Ravage in the mouth, or do anything but make a mental note to bring tinsel fish to the next movie night. what the dragon DOES do is perch on the side of the churn and dip the lobster legs in the butter.* No, but you've told me now! *and in goes a leg. chawmp.* NoodlesAtNight 7:34 pm *Bright bright optic band. A box for her?* MedicalMurdersaurus 7:34 pm Bird have room for every snack ever :V NoodlesAtNight 7:34 pm ((whyyy rabbit the sound was fine earlier)) ((is it skipping for anyone else)) Kelpy 7:35 pm //it's fine for me? Kelpy 7:35 pm Yes, a box for you. That box is for everyone else. opatoes 7:35 pm ((fine for me as well!)) NoodlesAtNight 7:35 pm *Slooooooowly floats over. Swoop is right, but a box just for her is greaaaat.* Kelpy 7:36 pm [he's learned you see. distract her with a box all her own, and everyone else gets a chance at the other box.] Chillsins 7:36 pm *Windchill is here...by himself. A blessing or a curse? Time will tell.* opatoes 7:36 pm /Smokescreen's running over to grab a few snacks, just in case Laserbeak changes her mind and tries to take the box again./ NoodlesAtNight 7:36 pm *A wise idea.* NoodlesAtNight 7:37 pm *As soon as she gets the box of her own she'll sit by Swoop ....... and give him on-- tw-- ... two snacks from it.* SpecsTheSpectralDragon 7:37 pm *the dragon has given up all pretense of civilization, and is just using pieces of the lobster's shell to slather the meat in butter. Ravage has created a monster.* MedicalMurdersaurus 7:38 pm *starts to make a face but then smiles widely and takes the treats* Thank you, Bird : > NoodlesAtNight 7:38 pm *Soundwave watches in horrified fascination as she devours the lobster. Organic food. So gross.* Chillsins 7:38 pm (( I have to leave early again so I probably won't be all that active. )) (( Consider yourselves lucky. )) Today NoodlesAtNight 7:38 pm *He nods to Windchill. Welcome, welcome.* ((aaaaaa i'm sorry ;; such a good plot this time too)) Kelpy 7:38 pm [he's also sort of horrified fascination about the lobster. is that how you're supposed to eat it?] SpecsTheSpectralDragon 7:39 pm *she's from a mountainous biome and Ravage has just given her a churn full of nothing but pure fat. she's died and gone to bad food heaven.* Chillsins 7:39 pm (( Yeah I'm a little disappointed, my schedule changed so after this and next week I can't come at all for an unspecified number of months. )) MedicalMurdersaurus 7:39 pm *digs his claws into the treats and snickers to himself* NoodlesAtNight 7:39 pm ((DDDDDD😧 that suuuuuuucks)) opatoes 7:39 pm /He's just staring at the chum eating. Man, that seems brutal!/ Chillsins 7:39 pm (( Oh well, that's having to accommodate other people at every turn for you. )) NoodlesAtNight 7:40 pm ((my internet is shit rn for some reason. swoop mun i'm gonna pass u control and reset my net and then i'll be right back)) ((DON'T DO SILLY THINGS)) opatoes 7:40 pm ((swoop has power Kelpy 7:40 pm //is that wise Chillsins 7:40 pm *He can smell...something fatty happening. He tries not to look to find out what it is.* Kelpy 7:40 pm //lmao MedicalMurdersaurus 7:40 pm ((you can't give me ultimate power and expect it to end well)) SpecsTheSpectralDragon 7:40 pm *to be fair, tearing the legs off of the lobster and then cracking the shell open and pulling out the meat is exactly how most dragons would eat a lobster. lobsters may not be indigenous to their world, but there's plenty of similar things. unfortunately, butter is a whole new world. a delicious, delicious world.* MedicalMurdersaurus 7:41 pm ((okay everyone)) ((pun contest)) ((GO)) SpecsTheSpectralDragon 7:41 pm ((that's punbearable, swoop)) opatoes 7:41 pm ((I'm not about to punish everyone with the puns I know!)) SCProwl 7:41 pm *Prowl arrives relatively on time and crosses to the bar to set down a box with everything else that's been brought. she opens it to reveal roughly carved spheres of blue energon drizzled with thick, syrupy liquid energon, and leaves it there to be picked at anyone that might want one. there's enough for everyone that usually visits, with some extra... for certain individuals who might pilfer such sweet treats. time to find a seat* Chillsins 7:41 pm (( I'm the master of pee puns. Urine for a real treat. )) MedicalMurdersaurus 7:41 pm ((ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!)) NoodlesAtNight 7:42 pm ((god the audio is still mangled on my side. oh well. at least i've already seen this a shameful amount of times)) Chillsins 7:42 pm (( Is there something you would like to share with the class? )) NoodlesAtNight 7:43 pm *Laserbeak stops watching Swoop be a complete and utter precious dork at the smell of new food. Oooh?* MedicalMurdersaurus 7:43 pm *goes from stabbing the treats with his claws to smashing them into one amorphous treat blob* SCProwl 7:43 pm ((my audio is being surprisingly well behaved lately, i think updating those drivers manually did it \o/ MedicalMurdersaurus 7:43 pm ((LET THE RECORD SHOW THAT LASERBEAK THINKS SWOOP IS PRECIOUS)) ((MARK YOUR CALENDARS)) NoodlesAtNight 7:43 pm {{Returning soon. Holding on, please.}} *And over to Prowl she goes, hovering overhead like a vast, predatory bird....* MedicalMurdersaurus 7:43 pm ((HE'S IN HER HEAD)) MedicalMurdersaurus 7:44 pm *notices Bird's looming and snickers, wings fanning out a bit as he watching what will HOPEFULLY be a murder* opatoes 7:44 pm Prowl! Prowl, it's good to see you, too! MedicalMurdersaurus 7:44 pm *metaphorically! or literally. either.* NoodlesAtNight 7:45 pm *Is reminded Smokescreen said he has something to show?* SCProwl 7:45 pm *suddenly Laserbeak, Prowl nods her chin toward where she left the box* You're welcome to take one. NoodlesAtNight 7:46 pm *Slithers a feeler across the room and up right behind Smokey, between his wings, clicking the claws behind his head. Hello, there.* NoodlesAtNight 7:46 pm *It taps him on the shoulder.* Kelpy 7:46 pm [smothers a laugh] SCProwl 7:46 pm *smiles faintly in Smokescreen's general direction and pings him hello* opatoes 7:46 pm /BEEPS with the feeler tapping him, but turns around, going over to be close to Soundwave./ Sounds, do you know anything about playing instruments? NoodlesAtNight 7:47 pm [[He knows how it is done, for some of them. He does not have the ability to play them, himself.]] Chillsins 7:47 pm There is only one instrument that matters. Mayonnaise. NoodlesAtNight 7:48 pm *Bird takes TWO, because fight the man. She'll break a piece off one and give it to Swoop. Just in case Primus is watching.* opatoes 7:48 pm Oh- I guess my surprise won't be quite as cool. Uh, you know how I get magic once in a while, right? MedicalMurdersaurus 7:48 pm *blinks owlishly* SpecsTheSpectralDragon 7:48 pm *peeks up from the mangled lobster and the butter churn* How do you play mayonnaise? MedicalMurdersaurus 7:48 pm *is legitimately confused* *chirps* NoodlesAtNight 7:49 pm [[Yes, he knows. The multiverse knows.]] Chillsins 7:49 pm Creatively. opatoes 7:49 pm We-eeell, watch this, Sounds! NoodlesAtNight 7:49 pm {{You Swoop eat. It yours.}} Chillsins 7:49 pm I think you gotta pour it out and slap it really hard to make sounds. But I'm not sure. Kelpy 7:49 pm I don't... think that's how it works NoodlesAtNight 7:49 pm ((starting in 10 minutes, get your snacks and your drinks and your potty breaks and all that)) SCProwl 7:50 pm So it's a percussion instrument. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 7:50 pm ...Right. *okay, back to slurping up lobster meat drowned in butter* opatoes 7:50 pm /Smokescreen's transforming into an organ!/ NoodlesAtNight 7:50 pm [[..........What in the hellish depths of Gygax.]] Kelpy 7:50 pm Did you gtet reformatted opatoes 7:50 pm ... /Presses down on a key to show what it does. Does Soundwave just not know instruments?/ Chillsins 7:51 pm Maybe. It would take a lot of mayonnaise for me to try. MedicalMurdersaurus 7:51 pm Oh Uh NoodlesAtNight 7:51 pm *He knows what an organ is. He's trying to process Smokescreen being one.* MedicalMurdersaurus 7:51 pm *looks at the treats in his hands* opatoes 7:51 pm Uh, not willingly. But I think it's a temporary thing! NoodlesAtNight 7:51 pm [[Do you, er... function.]] MedicalMurdersaurus 7:51 pm Me Swoop don't... want SCProwl 7:51 pm What did he turn into? *pings Soundwave for a visual feed* MedicalMurdersaurus 7:51 pm *holds the snacks out for Laserbeak instead* NoodlesAtNight 7:51 pm {{No? Why not? Is good.}} *Soundwave sends Prowl the feed.* opatoes 7:51 pm ... /He's going to play a few chords to show. He works!/ chronosmith 7:51 pm *sliiides on it. First stop, the bar* Kelpy 7:52 pm Hi Whirl. NoodlesAtNight 7:52 pm [[Mind the butter.]] Kelpy 7:52 pm [slowly reaches out a hand to touch Smokescreen. is it real] SCProwl 7:52 pm *....that sure is a thing Smokescreen's turned into* opatoes 7:52 pm /Yep, he's real! He's pretty sure he's real, at least./ SpecsTheSpectralDragon 7:52 pm *waves at Whirl from atop the butter churn* MedicalMurdersaurus 7:52 pm Uhh dunno chronosmith 7:52 pm ...is THAT what that smell is? And hey, Swerve. All of you. *bobs his head* MedicalMurdersaurus 7:52 pm *licks the treat to test if it is good* It fine *offers again* Chillsins 7:53 pm *Waves also. He's alone tonight, so Whirl is spared.* NoodlesAtNight 7:53 pm {{Eeeeeeew. You licked it.}} chronosmith 7:53 pm *he's on week two of four so, gonna load up on a nice double Gaugebuster* NoodlesAtNight 7:53 pm {{It yours now. You eat.}} MedicalMurdersaurus 7:53 pm *snickers* NO no! SpecsTheSpectralDragon 7:53 pm *the dragon is running out of lobster. there's still a lot of butter in that churn.* NoodlesAtNight 7:53 pm [[May he--? Do you have optics in this form...?]] SpecsTheSpectralDragon 7:54 pm *...yep, she just took an actual bite. of butter. primus save you all.* Chillsins 7:54 pm *His ear flicks. What is Swoop fussing about now?* opatoes 7:54 pm Go for it, Soundwave! I don't have optics, but my sensors work kinda like how they do in my other alt mode. MedicalMurdersaurus 7:54 pm *has two very murdered goodies and one fine goodie and no desire to eat them, help* SCProwl 7:54 pm You still have your other alt mode? NoodlesAtNight 7:54 pm //...You s'posed to eat it like that?// *Rumble comes down and sniffs at the butter churn, then stretches. He's been asleep.* chronosmith 7:55 pm *while he's mixing his own drink* How's that, Smokescreen? Sound-based or light-based? Or something else? NoodlesAtNight 7:55 pm *Soundwave reaches out oh so slowly and presses a key. Biiiiiiing.* Chillsins 7:55 pm *Don't you DARE throw them across the room, Swoop.* opatoes 7:55 pm Yep! I haven't transformed into it in a little while, th-Biiiiiing chronosmith 7:55 pm *stares. Biiiiiing* SpecsTheSpectralDragon 7:55 pm *the dragon shrugs her wings* I have never had this before. *remember, she's from a planet without mammals. there's oils, and probably margarine-like substances, but no BUTTER, as there's no dairy.* MedicalMurdersaurus 7:56 pm *isn't throwing (yet), just offering them to BIrd with a very confused look on his face, since when is she not a vacuum?* chronosmith 7:56 pm *pauses for a moment, and then imitates the Biiiiiing back near-perfectly* Chillsins 7:56 pm *You know who is a vacuum, though?* SpecsTheSpectralDragon 7:56 pm *the fact that smokescreen has turned into a piano pales in comparison to a churn of high-fat food* Chillsins 7:56 pm *It's Windchill.* NoodlesAtNight 7:56 pm //Huh. ... Mind if I try?// NoodlesAtNight 7:56 pm *It SMELLS sort of oily-greasy. It's like. Almost appetizing, but not quite?* opatoes 7:57 pm /Hey, he's an organ! With pedals! But the food is way more exciting, that's completely reasonable./ chronosmith 7:57 pm ((i feel the spirit of paula deen in this room tonight)) ((wait i have a gif perfect for this I think)) NoodlesAtNight 7:57 pm ((WARNINGS: Gotham S1 19 -20 Beast of Prey, Under the Knife // 19 AND 20 ARE HARD TO WATCH. I mean it. If you need to duck out, duck out. Violence, blood, death; police brutality and corruption; foul or sexist language; implied and visible domestic violence; torture; Mama Kapelput being creepy; the horrors of guys who think they're entitled to peoples' affection; attempted suicide; decomposed body; assorted bdsm gear/kink visuals and bizarre offscreen implications - no graphic sex, this did air on broadcast tv)) ((Lego Superheroes short // half-ass mind control)) opatoes 7:57 pm Soundwave- can you try playing a C, E, and G together? chronosmith 7:57 pm ((thanks for the warnin!))

chronosmith 7:58 pm ((BUUUUTTTEEERRR)) SCProwl 7:58 pm *attention fully on whatever's happening with Smokescreen and Soundwave rn* SpecsTheSpectralDragon 7:58 pm *the dragon looks up in surprise* ...If you can eat it, be my guest. *she's used to making food for non-tarantulas cybertronians that is all but inedible to her* Chillsins 7:58 pm (( Christ. )) SpecsTheSpectralDragon 7:58 pm ((whirl I love you and you are my friend but why)) NoodlesAtNight 7:58 pm ((GAH)) MedicalMurdersaurus 7:58 pm *has no idea what is on tonight or what has happened in the past, is purely here for Bird* NoodlesAtNight 7:58 pm ((gotham is safer to watch tonight than that gif)) chronosmith 7:58 pm ((I have helped prepare u, audience, and make u stronger)) MedicalMurdersaurus 7:59 pm *awkwardly sets the treat mush down on the back of the sofa for lack of another idea what to do with it* chronosmith 7:59 pm *drink prepared! Pauses on his way to the couch by the churn to watch the Butter Shenanigans, and to nudge Rumble hello* NoodlesAtNight 8:00 pm *Soundwave has no musical training whatsoever; he does not know how to properly play the organ. All he can do is refer to his diagram of where keys are. So he puts one finger of one hand on a C, one finger of the other hand on an E, and uses the feeler from earlier to press the G. He does not do it all at once. Don't have him do this again.* *Rumble waves, still hoping for permission to taste test the butter.* SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:00 pm *whoops! she shorted out from Delicious Butter Taste* Yes, go ahead! *hops aside to let Rumble at it* NoodlesAtNight 8:01 pm *He squints and sticks the very tip of the tip of his finger into the butter and brings the swiped goop up close to his visor. ....... Huh. LOOKS like grease. Mlem.* opatoes 8:01 pm ... Maybe I can show you how some of this stuff works after the show, Soundwave? NoodlesAtNight 8:01 pm //Aaaackhbphthbht.// SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:01 pm No good? MedicalMurdersaurus 8:01 pm *doesn't really know what to do with himself so he just sits on the nearest sofa* Chillsins 8:01 pm A white outfit seems like a bad idea. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:01 pm *like a people* NoodlesAtNight 8:01 pm [[He will consider it.]] NoodlesAtNight 8:02 pm [[Rumble, stop eating organic food.]] //...Y'know how fuel - or, uh, food, I guess - gets kinda - stale 'n jus' this side of funky? 'S like that. Smells like it oughta be grease, but it sure ain't.// NoodlesAtNight 8:03 pm *He grabs a rag to wipe his finger off before heading over to Whirl and plopping down.* verdigrisprowl 8:03 pm *arrives, just a shade late* MedicalMurdersaurus 8:03 pm *pulls his legs up under himself to sit on them* NoodlesAtNight 8:03 pm *Greeting ping. Subtle pat of couch.* SCProwl 8:03 pm *pings alternate hello* verdigrisprowl 8:03 pm *ping. sits.* NoodlesAtNight 8:04 pm *Looks over to see the mush on the back of Swoop's couch. He vents. They just cleaned that yesterday.* SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:04 pm I do know what you mean. I'm sorry it tasted like that. It's no fun to eat bad food. *the dragon shrugs, and goes back to shoving her snout into the butter* MedicalMurdersaurus 8:04 pm ((Bruce's actor is so good. He gets so much subtle stuff across.)) SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:04 pm ((even my body language doesn't get that stuff across)) NoodlesAtNight 8:04 pm //'S okay. More for you, huh?// *Bop Whirl.* //How ya doin', mech?// NoodlesAtNight 8:04 pm //Got you a big glass of the good stuff, heh.// opatoes 8:05 pm /Smokescreen's pretty sure that's Prowl that's sitting near, and is pretty quickly transforming out of his organ alt mode and going over to sit next to round Prowl./ MedicalMurdersaurus 8:05 pm *sniffs his own arm* 😕 Kelpy 8:05 pm Flattery? verdigrisprowl 8:05 pm Hm. Promising. And suspicious. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:05 pm ((ed! ed- aw.)) ((not ed)) SCProwl 8:06 pm *she is sitting near and only a little disappointed he's no longer an organ* SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:06 pm *peeks over at Prowl at "you had me at homicide"* NoodlesAtNight 8:06 pm [[What makes you suspicious?]] *He's not arguing. He's just curious the reasons.* chronosmith 8:06 pm ((whop sorry for delay got caught up in kitchen)) opatoes 8:06 pm /Hey, if Prowl asks, he'd be happy to transform again!/ MedicalMurdersaurus 8:06 pm Me Swoop smell funny verdigrisprowl 8:07 pm The fact that everyone in this police department tends to lie SCProwl 8:07 pm *maybe later when the movie's over* Chillsins 8:07 pm You Swoop smell like Swoop. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:07 pm Nuh uh Chillsins 8:07 pm Yuh huh. NoodlesAtNight 8:07 pm [[Oh, good. The Kel-E human survived.]] MedicalMurdersaurus 8:07 pm Nope chronosmith 8:07 pm *has gotten himself nice and settled, and is happily bopped* You know it, mech. *hoists the glass into the air and takes a swig* ...Ha! I knew she was still in it for her! verdigrisprowl 8:07 pm And I feel like it's still too early for them to be publicly throwing their lot in with Gym unless they were already bucking the status quo. Chillsins 8:07 pm Then what do you smell like? MedicalMurdersaurus 8:07 pm *holds his arm out to Windchill with a "check and see" pout on his face* chronosmith 8:08 pm How did butter-quest go? *looks between Rumble and the dragon* NoodlesAtNight 8:08 pm //Gross, 's how it went. Heh.// Chillsins 8:08 pm *Leans over and sniffs.* MedicalMurdersaurus 8:08 pm *is a clean boy today* Chillsins 8:08 pm Smells like an arm. A Swoop arm. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:08 pm Nuh uh! Not a Swoop arm. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:08 pm ...That, is a popped stitch. He should not be doing anything. Kelpy 8:08 pm You smell like soap. Chillsins 8:08 pm Then whose arm is it? Kelpy 8:08 pm You're awful clean looking MedicalMurdersaurus 8:09 pm Awful :V NoodlesAtNight 8:09 pm *There's Gym again. He glances at Prowl a second.* @P: [[It is not an equipment based name. It's a - a human one. He does not know what it means, but the glyphs are different.]] verdigrisprowl 8:10 pm @S «... It sounds like "Gym."» MedicalMurdersaurus 8:10 pm *licks his arm to see if that helps* *it does not* Chillsins 8:10 pm ....Does it taste bad? MedicalMurdersaurus 8:10 pm No :< Chillsins 8:11 pm Gimme. verdigrisprowl 8:11 pm *nods at Ed* HE'D probably say he wants to work more. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:11 pm *offers arm* chronosmith 8:11 pm why... would a speakeasy have a liquor license... SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:11 pm It's the riddling human. Competent, if weird. opatoes 8:11 pm OH. Oh, I know what this show reminds me of right now. NoodlesAtNight 8:11 pm @P: [[He knows. It uses different letters in their alphabet. They really need a better alphabet.]] Chillsins 8:11 pm *Puts his mouth on the arm.* Kelpy 8:11 pm What's Spanish? verdigrisprowl 8:11 pm @S «... Well, I'm not speaking in their alphabet.» MedicalMurdersaurus 8:12 pm *watches expectantly* NoodlesAtNight 8:12 pm //It's a theme thing, I think. Like, a gimmick. It's a real bar, y'know? But dressed up for pretendin'.// chronosmith 8:12 pm Oh. Huh. Chillsins 8:12 pm *Spits the arm out.* verdigrisprowl 8:12 pm Who would want to go to a bar that's perfectly legal but LOOKS criminal? chronosmith 8:12 pm I know how to fly a helicopter. verdigrisprowl 8:12 pm ... Wait. What am I saying. Criminals. chronosmith 8:12 pm I'm pretty good, or so I've been told. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:12 pm *blinks* SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:13 pm You are a helicopter. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:13 pm Better? Chillsins 8:13 pm Tastes like an arm. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:13 pm Gross Chillsins 8:13 pm It's okay. I've had worse. chronosmith 8:13 pm I'll be damned, dragon... you might be on to something. *toasts her and takes another swig* The very best kind of flying machine there is. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:13 pm Dinobots supposed to worse :< NoodlesAtNight 8:13 pm @P: [[He knows. He is trying to explain the way it is said and meant on Earth.... it's relatively unimportant, he supposes.]] Chillsins 8:13 pm You can't be the worst at everything. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:14 pm *the dragon waves a glop of butter as a toast* To the best helicopter. NoodlesAtNight 8:14 pm {{Him Whirl good helibot. Bird tested.}} opatoes 8:14 pm NO SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:14 pm ((RIOT)) Kelpy 8:14 pm //wow MedicalMurdersaurus 8:14 pm Me Swoop not the worst at flying. Me Swoop am best! opatoes 8:14 pm "Maybe you're right" and the episode ends chronosmith 8:14 pm ((i sense the buttery, dastardly hand of Paula Deen in this)) Chillsins 8:14 pm See? I'm right. chronosmith 8:14 pm *also toasts Laserbeak* That is genuinely high praise. Thanks, mech. opatoes 8:14 pm ... Did he murder his other dates is that it verdigrisprowl 8:14 pm @S «... How's it spelled?» Chillsins 8:15 pm I'll laugh. chronosmith 8:15 pm The worst person at flying is anytime Optimus Prime gets a jetpack. Chillsins 8:15 pm *Cackles, just as promised.* opatoes 8:15 pm ... He absolutely did it chronosmith 8:15 pm And then it's... him. Using the jetpack. Kelpy 8:15 pm [snorts] MedicalMurdersaurus 8:15 pm *sniffs where Windchill got him* *this isn't right either* verdigrisprowl 8:15 pm "Unconditional" is an abuser code word for "submissive doormat who never questions me and accepts anything I do." MedicalMurdersaurus 8:15 pm Needs dirt Kelpy 8:15 pm This is a weirdly knowledgable flashback from a bartender. Chillsins 8:16 pm *It smells like slobber, dirt, and maybe a whiff of pumpkin spice lattes* Kelpy 8:16 pm I say that as a bartender. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:16 pm More dirt Chillsins 8:16 pm *Don't ask how.* verdigrisprowl 8:16 pm Oh, he's got an impressive-looking dungeon. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:16 pm *the dragon WAS going to say that being in a pairbond is considered to be unconditional love, but she's going to look over at Prowl in surprise instead* verdigrisprowl 8:16 pm Too bad he's a creep. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:16 pm ((Is that whatshisface from Heroes? Peter?) chronosmith 8:17 pm Shame they don't have anyone on the force who can smell worth a damn. Kelpy 8:17 pm That is an *EXTREMELY* knowledgable bartender. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:17 pm Is the docent sleep- oh dear, he was asleep. chronosmith 8:17 pm get a detective like Ravage or hell, even ME in there--if I was a detective, which, obviously, I'm NOT... and you could track em. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:17 pm ((AAAAAAAAAAA)) opatoes 8:17 pm A gun range, also known as a grunge NoodlesAtNight 8:17 pm *Soundwave looks up the last capture of the subtitle with his name in it and how the English word for gymnasium is spelled. Takes him just a second. * @P: [[To them, you are saying {G-Y-M}, but his name is {J-I-M}. If he were a Cybertronian, he would undo locks for a living, not be an exercise station.]] Chillsins 8:17 pm Pffft. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:17 pm *perks up* Gun range? SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:18 pm He could shoot you. Chillsins 8:18 pm *Snorts.* SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:18 pm OH. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:18 pm Me Swoop good shot : > NoodlesAtNight 8:18 pm ((SHIT i forgot to provide warning to snif about today i think)) ((woop)) opatoes 8:18 pm I *fingered* they'd do that! chronosmith 8:18 pm ((o7 we can always say you did, if you like!)) SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:18 pm *looks at Smokescreen* Why. chronosmith 8:18 pm *either way he became suddenly and intensely interetsed in his drink the moment he saw where that was going* opatoes 8:19 pm Was it that punbelievable? verdigrisprowl 8:19 pm Or she might have been imprisoned. chronosmith 8:19 pm *and by interested I mean shotgunning all of it* verdigrisprowl 8:19 pm She could have been treated well while imprisoned. NoodlesAtNight 8:19 pm [[And he agrees that nothing good is unconditional. All things worthwhile come with conditions. It is how that worthiness is maintained.]] Kelpy 8:19 pm .... Chillsins 8:19 pm Who keeps having these flashbacks? Is it the bartender again? Kelpy 8:20 pm Her corpse guess NoodlesAtNight 8:20 pm [[We do.]] SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:20 pm Padded walls, velveted cuffs, removed claws. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:20 pm *pulls his legs up to his chest, wraps his arms around them and rests his chin on his knees* Chillsins 8:20 pm I guess that'll do. NoodlesAtNight 8:20 pm [[It is for our information, not theirs.]] =Hm. Detective Ravage.= verdigrisprowl 8:20 pm I didn't say "nothing good is unconditional." Just that the kind of people who demand unconditional love, especially very early in the relationship, are throwing up red flags. Chillsins 8:20 pm It's a joke. NoodlesAtNight 8:20 pm [[He was speaking of love.]] chronosmith 8:20 pm I dunno. I think it's good to know that your beau would kick your ass, if you needed your ass kicked. verdigrisprowl 8:20 pm ... Especially the kind of people who have a string of exes that LEFT because he demanded "unconditional love." NoodlesAtNight 8:21 pm [[Or of loyalty, but the two are often entwined.]] //Hope she clawed his fraggin' optics out.// MedicalMurdersaurus 8:21 pm *looks around* What movie? SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:21 pm Hopefully. chronosmith 8:21 pm *well. Now his glass is empty. He will be right back, Rumble* Chillsins 8:21 pm What what movie? MedicalMurdersaurus 8:21 pm ((I love her white nails)) verdigrisprowl 8:21 pm "Nothing good is unconditional" and "people who demand unconditional are not good" are two different points. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:21 pm *points to the screen* What. verdigrisprowl 8:21 pm I agree with your point, but it's not the point I was making. Chillsins 8:21 pm It's not a movie. NoodlesAtNight 8:21 pm [[Then he makes his and agrees with yours.]] MedicalMurdersaurus 8:21 pm YOU not a movie Chillsins 8:21 pm *No wonder him Swoop so confused.* Chillsins 8:22 pm ...This is true. NoodlesAtNight 8:22 pm [[Ah. Too slow.]] MedicalMurdersaurus 8:22 pm 😆 Chillsins 8:22 pm I've never been a movie. Not even once. verdigrisprowl 8:22 pm ... One exception. Laws of physics. Laws of physics should be unconditional. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:22 pm Not even once! *snickers* chronosmith 8:22 pm The only thing in the universe that is unconditional, and I mean this as in, it is an objective fact of the multiverse itself--*said as he approaches the bar to mix another, stronger Gaugebuster* --is that Starscream's voice is annoying. No matter what he does, or how he speaks. It's annoying. SCProwl 8:22 pm *leans forward, eager to see how she gets out of this* Chillsins 8:22 pm *Nods.* Don't want to be a movie, either. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:23 pm Why? Kelpy 8:23 pm Is she really that bad a liar. I thought she was good at coming up with excuses on the fly. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:23 pm ((guh, the cat pooped and it is toxic I'm dying)) chronosmith 8:23 pm I think this is an act. NoodlesAtNight 8:23 pm ((oh my god)) chronosmith 8:23 pm She's smarter than this. NoodlesAtNight 8:23 pm [[It seems she is making one up now.]] chronosmith 8:23 pm ((RIP in pieces specs)) verdigrisprowl 8:24 pm Whirl, I believed you have indeed discovered an unconditional fact of reality. NoodlesAtNight 8:24 pm *Rumble raises a hand to high five/two Whirl over the Starscream comment.* chronosmith 8:24 pm Yeah, she's completely playing him. NoodlesAtNight 8:24 pm *Sits up straight.* [[HE KNEW IT.]] Chillsins 8:24 pm Being a movie sounds boring. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:24 pm Fight movie cool 😆 This not fight movie :< Chillsins 8:24 pm Yeah... Kelpy 8:24 pm ... He can revive the dead? SCProwl 8:24 pm Ah, she is very good. Chillsins 8:24 pm But I don't want to fight forever either. So I don't want to be a fight movie. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:24 pm *hah* She got what she wanted. chronosmith 8:24 pm *pops that high five/two back once he's on his way back to the couch with the next gaugebuster* MedicalMurdersaurus 8:24 pm Joke movie verdigrisprowl 8:25 pm ((it averages out into a high 3.5)) SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:25 pm CAT HUMAN NoodlesAtNight 8:25 pm [[...He wonders what they were going to do with the children. Surely he does not get many adolescent patients.]] Chillsins 8:25 pm No. You go be a movie. verdigrisprowl 8:25 pm He might. Children of the rich. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:25 pm Kay! chronosmith 8:25 pm Why WOULDN'T you stay at one for a few days? SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:25 pm ...A gambling house, is it? chronosmith 8:25 pm It's nice and relaxing. verdigrisprowl 8:25 pm Hard to sleep. NoodlesAtNight 8:26 pm [[Hmm. He supposes some of their rich humans would care for their spawn. Exceptions, if nothing else.]] Chillsins 8:26 pm What kind of movie will you Swoop be? Fight movie? NoodlesAtNight 8:26 pm //Nah, it ain't a gamblin' house.// chronosmith 8:26 pm *sits down, gets comfortable, and gets back to chugging* MedicalMurdersaurus 8:26 pm FIGHT movie! Dogfight AND FIGHT fight! Kelpy 8:26 pm He recognizes it SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:26 pm Riddling human. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:27 pm And funny And blood! And guts! Chillsins 8:27 pm Best kind of movie. *Nods.* SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:27 pm Ah, I was right. Velveted handcuffs. NoodlesAtNight 8:27 pm {{Him keeping her prisoner!! Break glass! Smash face!}} *Bird rattles.* SCProwl 8:27 pm Ah, the other officer set him up. verdigrisprowl 8:27 pm Rich and powerful humans are very invested in continuing their lineage through their offspring. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:27 pm I wonder if she's poisoned it. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:27 pm *snaps his head over to look at Bird when she starts rattling, puffing up his armor in response* opatoes 8:28 pm Primus, this is... This is really creepy. NoodlesAtNight 8:28 pm [[He doesn't see why. It is competition for their acquisition of wealth.]] verdigrisprowl 8:28 pm Their offspring don't get their wealth until the elders die. Chillsins 8:28 pm We know that. NoodlesAtNight 8:28 pm [[Ahhh.]] opatoes 8:29 pm Primus MedicalMurdersaurus 8:29 pm *stares at Bird while he tries to figure out what got her fussed, still a bit fluffed up himself* NoodlesAtNight 8:29 pm *Laserbeak hisses. That many.* SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:29 pm *the dragon makes a noise* How... MedicalMurdersaurus 8:29 pm ((where is laserbeak?)) NoodlesAtNight 8:29 pm *She's so glad she has no interest in that.* ((floating over the swoop couch)) Kelpy 8:29 pm Well, that's uh. Not good. verdigrisprowl 8:29 pm He has such nice gear. What a waste. Kelpy 8:30 pm He doeas have nice gear though. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:30 pm *crawls slowly onto the back of the couch so he can be closer to her, watching for some kind of cue if he's supposed to tear a limb off someone* verdigrisprowl 8:30 pm Right? The heavy shackles shown earlier looked amazing. Kelpy 8:30 pm .... They're bait. She's going to take the helicopter and leave them to be bait, isn't she Chillsins 8:30 pm Probably. opatoes 8:31 pm Knowing her? Absolutely. NoodlesAtNight 8:31 pm [[Hmm. Satisfying.]] chronosmith 8:31 pm *finishes chugging the second one just in time* HAHA. Nice. opatoes 8:31 pm NICE chronosmith 8:31 pm She is the best. Chillsins 8:31 pm He'd better be dead. chronosmith 8:31 pm ...*up again. His glass is empty. Unacceptable* SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:31 pm Why didn't she kill him? Chillsins 8:31 pm *Groans.* NoodlesAtNight 8:31 pm [[And the shackles did look quite sturdy.]] Kelpy 8:32 pm I should get, uh. Hm. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:32 pm *reaches over to nudge Bird* verdigrisprowl 8:32 pm Weighty, too. NoodlesAtNight 8:32 pm *Bird flinches and whips her feelers out - then settles. Just Swoop. It's fine. She pats his head.* SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:33 pm *the dragon makes a mental note of something. poor Bird.* chronosmith 8:33 pm Takes care of her people first--and she can fly a--she's the best. *shakes his head* She's the best character in this show. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:33 pm *gets slightly less puffed up when she pats him, but is still staring at her* opatoes 8:33 pm oh frag NoodlesAtNight 8:33 pm //Hot damn, she's still flyin'.// SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:33 pm That looks bad. Kelpy 8:33 pm IS she seriously gonna fly with a bullet in the gut chronosmith 8:34 pm Why not? I have. *mixing another drink now* Chillsins 8:34 pm The Ogre. NoodlesAtNight 8:34 pm //Ain't like she got a choice. Can't land back there. Ain't nowhere else to go 'less she gets across the water.// Chillsins 8:34 pm *Snickers even though the topic isn't funny.* SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:34 pm ((uh oh. Vanessa.)) NoodlesAtNight 8:35 pm //THAT is a shootin' gallery.// SCProwl 8:35 pm For drugs. NoodlesAtNight 8:35 pm //Seen our version of 'em loadsa times.// SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:35 pm Oh, not a gambling house. It's a drug den. Chillsins 8:35 pm Not as cool as the kind with guns. chronosmith 8:35 pm Oh. Huh. *pauses to take it in* Not my kinda place. Kelpy 8:35 pm Oh. Chillsins 8:36 pm *In fact he strongly disapproves of this kind.* opatoes 8:36 pm Oh! They're friends again? chronosmith 8:36 pm Heh. NoodlesAtNight 8:36 pm //Yeah. She found 'im at the hospital with Alfred.// chronosmith 8:36 pm See? This is why I never touch that slag. Look how easy you roll over for someone just to get your hit? Pathetic. PATHETIC. NoodlesAtNight 8:36 pm //Kid's gettin' cold.// chronosmith 8:36 pm *he says as he slams his third drink right AT the bar* opatoes 8:36 pm ... Is that what that kinda stuff does? SCProwl 8:37 pm Yes. chronosmith 8:37 pm Better sooner than later. Gotta learn sometime. NoodlesAtNight 8:37 pm *Laserbeak is mostly calmed down now again. For the moment.* SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:37 pm If he wants to survive, he might have to be cold. chronosmith 8:37 pm You MADE it his business, idiot. opatoes 8:37 pm Well, I'm glad I haven't tried that kinda thing much! MedicalMurdersaurus 8:37 pm *makes a face at Bird* Chillsins 8:37 pm Sad. NoodlesAtNight 8:37 pm {{...What?}} MedicalMurdersaurus 8:38 pm *blows raspberries then giggles* chronosmith 8:38 pm Saw too many burnouts in the dead end. Nothing more pathetic than a junkie looking for a fix. NoodlesAtNight 8:38 pm @P: [[The things you experiment with - are you ever concerned that you will end up in a place like this?]] SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:38 pm Make a threat like that... There it is. Are they..? chronosmith 8:38 pm DO IT. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:38 pm She is. chronosmith 8:38 pm Good. opatoes 8:39 pm Phff- Chillsins 8:39 pm There you go. Kelpy 8:39 pm Oh my SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:39 pm Not quite cold enough yet, little batling. SCProwl 8:39 pm Hopefully never. chronosmith 8:39 pm See? Point proven. Chillsins 8:39 pm 'Bout time someone had the sense to off one of these guys. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:39 pm Little bastard of a commissioner. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:39 pm Bird. NoodlesAtNight 8:40 pm {{What?}} MedicalMurdersaurus 8:40 pm You mad Bird? verdigrisprowl 8:40 pm @S «No, because I do all my worrying up front, /before/ the experimenting. I don't touch anything that hasn't been cleared as non-addictive and temporary.» NoodlesAtNight 8:40 pm {{Not at Swoop. Swoop best face maker.}} *Rolls upside down to be cute.* @P: [[And you're never tempted?]] Chillsins 8:41 pm Big dick energy. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:41 pm *tilts with her until he is off balance enough to slide off the sofa into a handstand* chronosmith 8:41 pm *snickers* verdigrisprowl 8:41 pm ... Didn't Gym come after the one HE loved first? NoodlesAtNight 8:41 pm *She flips upright and cackles softly.* Chillsins 8:41 pm Better check the swamp. opatoes 8:41 pm ... He kinda did the batman voice Kelpy 8:41 pm Wow he's... Angry opatoes 8:41 pm even though he's not NoodlesAtNight 8:41 pm [[He did not know the Commissioner's daughter was there. He was expecting paperwork.]] verdigrisprowl 8:42 pm Sure, but he still used her for blackmail. NoodlesAtNight 8:42 pm [[Perhaps - but that, to try to free Bullock and the others from having to do things like this.]] MedicalMurdersaurus 8:42 pm *smiles, he did good* verdigrisprowl 8:42 pm Accusing HIM of crossing the lime that Gym crossed first is... a little hypocritical. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:43 pm Because you couldn't. Claws, little cat. Keep them sharp. chronosmith 8:43 pm I mean, isn't it implied that this Loeb guy is using the serial killer to do his thing? Isn't that what he meant by putting her in danger? MedicalMurdersaurus 8:43 pm *kicks his feet forward and flaps his wings to get enough momentum to pop himself upright* chronosmith 8:44 pm So between looking for blackmail material and using a serial killer to commit ANOTHER crime to get back at someone... *singsong voice* One of these things is not like the other~ verdigrisprowl 8:44 pm I'm not saying Gym was wrong to use her OR wrong to be mad when it was turned around on him, but he's just—it's just factually inaccurate to say that the commissioner is the one who crossed the "using a loved one against someone" line first. NoodlesAtNight 8:44 pm [[That is fair.]] SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:44 pm No, little cat, keep him /distracted/. If he mulls on it too much, he will- RIDDLING HUMAN! Chillsins 8:44 pm That's not how you eat a watermelon. NoodlesAtNight 8:44 pm //What'd the orbs do to you, Ed fleshie?// SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:44 pm They were delicious. chronosmith 8:44 pm I'd figured you'd be all on board with him following the letter of the law. opatoes 8:44 pm That's one way to play with food! SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:45 pm Thank the riddling human! Chillsins 8:45 pm It's a thankless job. chronosmith 8:45 pm Which includes dealing with, y'know. The fact that someone was murdered instead of killed in an accident. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:45 pm She's dead. opatoes 8:45 pm oh no verdigrisprowl 8:45 pm I /am/ all on board with him following the letter of the law, /but/ that's not the point that I'm presently making. Kelpy 8:45 pm Why isn't she calling back? Kelpy 8:46 pm No don't put it down SCProwl 8:46 pm ((cat scare, rude SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:46 pm Follow the cat, the cat is smart. opatoes 8:46 pm better yet call while looking around NoodlesAtNight 8:46 pm [[Heh.]] ((i love the crosshairs window)) chronosmith 8:46 pm Hmm. You're probably right. *he's mixing drink number four* SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:46 pm ((PFFF)) SCProwl 8:46 pm Why is her window wide open in a city like this? NoodlesAtNight 8:47 pm [[Too trusting, he assumes.]] [[Or her home's ventilation system is broken.]] chronosmith 8:47 pm Option number three: set a trap for the guy. Kill him first. Chillsins 8:47 pm That works. chronosmith 8:47 pm Toss him out a window... wait in a closet with a knife. Give her a gun. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:47 pm *looks over at Soundwave's Prowl to see what he thinks about this* Chillsins 8:48 pm At least these guys have some chemistry. NoodlesAtNight 8:48 pm @P: [[...For the record, do as she asked him to do.]] SCProwl 8:48 pm ...ah. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:48 pm Oh. opatoes 8:48 pm oh no Kelpy 8:48 pm So... he picked the ex as his loved one? verdigrisprowl 8:48 pm ((you've gotta start referring to prowls as something other than "soundwave's" because there are two different ways that can be read)) NoodlesAtNight 8:49 pm [[It seems his information is outdated.]] chronosmith 8:49 pm *pauses over drink #4* have her hide a poison knife somewhere on her person... honestly. Chillsins 8:49 pm She should kill him instead. NoodlesAtNight 8:49 pm //Oo, poison knife. I like that.// SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:49 pm ((the dragon's internal monologue goes "prowl dating soundwave (soundwave's prowl)" and "other prowls")) ((but I will try to specify better)) chronosmith 8:49 pm So many fun ways to kill someone who would do your lvoed ones harm, so little time. *toasts the concept* Hell yeah, Rumble. verdigrisprowl 8:49 pm *his face is usually pretty blank. right now is no exception.* Kelpy 8:49 pm Yeah apparently his info is outdated. chronosmith 8:50 pm Preferably a paralytic agent, right? That way once he just collapses you can do whatever you want. *TIME TO CHUG DRINK #4 HE'S GOING FOR THE RECORD TONIGHT* NoodlesAtNight 8:50 pm //Yeah, but not somethin' numbin'.// SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:50 pm *ah, alright. sometimes he makes expressions at the antics Jim gets up to.* chronosmith 8:50 pm 'Course not. Chillsins 8:50 pm Ooh, what a blow. NoodlesAtNight 8:50 pm *Damn. Whirl's knockin' 'em back, ain't he?* chronosmith 8:51 pm There he is again. Doing the stupid thing of flaunting his weakness in front of everyone. Someone's going to cap her. And I'M going to laugh. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:51 pm I know, Whirl! He says everyone's motivated by things, and then he shows off his motivation to the whole world. I think I'd feel too much pity to laugh. chronosmith 8:51 pm I dunno, watching him suffer would be fun, I think. chronosmith 8:52 pm He's such a smug little guy. NoodlesAtNight 8:52 pm [[Most times, he has the right to be.]] Chillsins 8:52 pm The Ogre. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:52 pm *looks over at Whirl* What flaunt? Chillsins 8:52 pm *Giggles again* chronosmith 8:52 pm It'll make it that much more satisfying when someone ELSE has a chance to be smug. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:52 pm *has no idea what they are watching, cause he's been watching Bird* SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:52 pm He's not stupid. He does what he does, he does it well, and he takes some pride in that. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:52 pm *but he heard a dino-word* Chillsins 8:53 pm Flaunt means showing off. chronosmith 8:53 pm I can't believe this guy is out here giving Shrek a bad name. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:53 pm Duh! Chillsins 8:53 pm It's a disgrace. opatoes 8:53 pm but what if the murderer's a cop NoodlesAtNight 8:53 pm [[Because placing cops on people has worked so well before.]] *Thinking of the mayor.* SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:53 pm Honestly... I am wondering. chronosmith 8:54 pm The Penguin. *mixing another gaugebuster* He made a point of telling someone that he was able to take down someone once he knew what drove them. Chillsins 8:54 pm She sounds very enthusiastic. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:54 pm Does he not like being called a riddl- ling. ... Oh no. verdigrisprowl 8:54 pm Enigma is going to commit a murder. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:54 pm I think you are right, Prowl. Kelpy 8:54 pm He is SCProwl 8:55 pm Doesn't everyone in this city eventually? NoodlesAtNight 8:55 pm [[The world will be better for it.]] opatoes 8:55 pm hardly an enigma why though chronosmith 8:55 pm And yet here he is, making it obvious for anyone who wants a chance at hurting HIM. He loves his progenitor. Loves her sooo much. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:55 pm It surely will be. NoodlesAtNight 8:55 pm [[Though it is against the law.]] verdigrisprowl 8:55 pm ... With exquisitely misleading evidence. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:55 pm Progenitor means..... ? Chillsins 8:55 pm Creator. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:55 pm Oh! chronosmith 8:55 pm What he said. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:55 pm Me Swoop creator is Ratchet. And Wheeljack! chronosmith 8:56 pm *takes his new drink and finally returns to the couch, flopping back next to Rumble and staring darkly at the screen* NoodlesAtNight 8:56 pm //Probably figures he's strong enough to make sure don't nobody touch her.// Chillsins 8:56 pm And how does that make you feel? SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:56 pm HAH. NoodlesAtNight 8:56 pm @W: //...You okay, mech?// MedicalMurdersaurus 8:56 pm Feel? SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:56 pm I can hear Alfred's blood pressure going up. Chillsins 8:56 pm You have feelings, yeah? chronosmith 8:56 pm ((alfred's smile omg)) SCProwl 8:56 pm ((it's like that, bruce Kelpy 8:56 pm IS this the beginning of the Batman/Catwoman ship[ MedicalMurdersaurus 8:56 pm Yah! Duh! chronosmith 8:56 pm @R: I will be. NoodlesAtNight 8:57 pm [[It must be. He does seem enamored of her.]] Chillsins 8:57 pm Eh, it was a joke anyway. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:57 pm Jokes funny SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:57 pm It's very cute. Hatchlings can't pairbond, but it does seem like that's where it's heading. NoodlesAtNight 8:57 pm @W: //Anythin' I could do? Somethin' I oughta know? Mechs I gotta punch?// Chillsins 8:57 pm You're funny. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:57 pm Yah! 😆 chronosmith 8:58 pm *outwardly, he shakes his head* ... @R: Just feeling. Off tonight. *obviously thought he could handle a little something he couldn't* Chillsins 8:58 pm *Nods.* MedicalMurdersaurus 8:58 pm Me Swoop am very funny SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:58 pm Oh no. Is he going to get into a fistfight with a serial killer? Chillsins 8:58 pm I mean, I would. verdigrisprowl 8:58 pm ... Is he implying that specializing in fake boobs and having ethics are considered incompatible to humans? SCProwl 8:58 pm No, he's going to almost get run over by a serial killer. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:58 pm I would too, if I was designed for fistfights. Chillsins 8:58 pm But then, I tend to win fistfights. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 8:59 pm I don't fistfight. I bite bite. NoodlesAtNight 8:59 pm [[.........He has no idea. He did not know that could even be falsified.]] verdigrisprowl 8:59 pm Are fake boobs unethical? MedicalMurdersaurus 8:59 pm Me Swoop fistfight AND bite 😆 NoodlesAtNight 8:59 pm [[Perhaps if they've been weaponized. Filled with poison gas, or something of the sort.]] Chillsins 8:59 pm Do you Swoop win? MedicalMurdersaurus 9:00 pm Yah! Most. Chillsins 9:00 pm Good. MedicalMurdersaurus 9:00 pm Sometimes SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:00 pm Brave, brave man. verdigrisprowl 9:00 pm I've never seen weaponized boobs. Chillsins 9:00 pm Whirl has weaponized boobs. MedicalMurdersaurus 9:00 pm Me Swoop am smallest Dinobot. Sludge can squish Me. chronosmith 9:00 pm *takes a long drink, and then nudges Rumble* @R: I really DO appreciate your willingness to fight anything that might have upset me. ...and I don't doubt your ability, either. MedicalMurdersaurus 9:00 pm Grimlock and Slag PUNCH NoodlesAtNight 9:00 pm [[Of course you have.]] *Soundwave stretches an arm out to point at Laserbeak.* chronosmith 9:01 pm ((omg bruce)) verdigrisprowl 9:01 pm ... You're calling your own deployer a boob? Soundwave. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:01 pm *laughter* I feel sorry for poor Barbara. I mean, I don't. chronosmith 9:01 pm I do! opatoes 9:01 pm barbera has a daughter now SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:01 pm But, she was flabbergasted. NoodlesAtNight 9:01 pm *Soft huffing.* [[Anatomical jokes. She is quite competent, I assure you.]] chronosmith 9:01 pm I got the best damn boobs of all. The kind that can kill someone. NoodlesAtNight 9:01 pm {{Competent! Bird BEST.}} MedicalMurdersaurus 9:01 pm Boob Chillsins 9:02 pm Killer boobs all around. MedicalMurdersaurus 9:02 pm *is being a parrot, not adding to the conversation* opatoes 9:02 pm oh dear SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:02 pm *looks over at-* WHIRL. MedicalMurdersaurus 9:02 pm ((jesus christ)) SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:02 pm IT'S HAPPENING. Chillsins 9:02 pm *Don't be silly boob is an essential element to any conversation.* chronosmith 9:02 pm GOOD. Chillsins 9:02 pm Well, Whirl, you were right. chronosmith 9:02 pm ...oh damn he's doing even worse. He's. opatoes 9:02 pm is... is oswald getting a stepdad NoodlesAtNight 9:02 pm *Rumble nods to Whirl. Of course he's willing to fight. But if it ain't something that can be shared, he'll be quiet.* chronosmith 9:03 pm *he's joking, but he's delivering it straight* He's going to be his new dad. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:03 pm *laughs* What a twist. Chillsins 9:03 pm He doesn't seem like a good new dad. Kelpy 9:03 pm Aw, she cleans up cute for a kid. verdigrisprowl 9:03 pm *leans on Soundwave* Anyway, I meant human boobs. Not weapons in approximately the same place as boobs. chronosmith 9:03 pm That makes his revenge even more perfect. SCProwl 9:03 pm ((baby batcat is so adorable <3 NoodlesAtNight 9:04 pm *Leans back in.* [[Ah. Then he does not think he has seen any, either. But he is not interested in interfacing with organics.]] Chaoit 9:04 pm ((Ihoi NoodlesAtNight 9:04 pm [[Perhaps some of them are hiding them.]] SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:04 pm Wise idea, Harvey. Bets on the new girlfriend being the corpse in the bed? opatoes 9:04 pm oh no oh no oh no verdigrisprowl 9:04 pm ... Do you need to be interested in interfacing with organics to see weaponized boobs? Chillsins 9:05 pm I've seen organic boobs. verdigrisprowl 9:05 pm ...... I HAVE seen a weaponized bra. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:05 pm I have never met a dragon with boobs, much less weaponized boobs. NoodlesAtNight 9:05 pm [[He does not imagine they would disrobe for any other reason. They do not on their shows. Except for bathing, and he is not interested in that either.]] *Pause.* [[You have?]] SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:05 pm *she assumes boobs are like what Whirl has, with machine guns* verdigrisprowl 9:05 pm Yes. It wasn't a very good weapon. Chillsins 9:05 pm *Let's just say that Spec's assumption is right.* opatoes 9:05 pm that is your name! MedicalMurdersaurus 9:06 pm That pretty boring dance Chillsins 9:06 pm Yeah. NoodlesAtNight 9:07 pm [[...What did it do?]] opatoes 9:07 pm One mistake? SCProwl 9:07 pm ((oh hey, Niles opatoes 9:07 pm ... Is it that he got caught? NoodlesAtNight 9:07 pm //Heck of an ongoin' single mistake.// SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:07 pm I suspect it was that he got caught. Chillsins 9:07 pm Pfft. MedicalMurdersaurus 9:07 pm Them need Bird for better dance music : > verdigrisprowl 9:07 pm Briefly obscure an officer's vision. chronosmith 9:07 pm *they are two guns, not necessarily machine guns* Chillsins 9:07 pm Yes, let's have a public fight, at a ball no less. chronosmith 9:08 pm Hell yeah, Cat. NoodlesAtNight 9:08 pm *Soundwave straightens up, motionless - then leans forward, shoulders shaking.* {{Peh. Them not know how dancing Bird music.}} SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:08 pm Riddling human, no. opatoes 9:08 pm riddle man SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:08 pm Don't do it. NoodlesAtNight 9:08 pm //Aw, c'mon, don't kill 'im in public.// opatoes 9:08 pm is he gonna... SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:08 pm *the dragon hides her face* MedicalMurdersaurus 9:08 pm How dance for Bird music? :V Chillsins 9:08 pm His name makes me think of doughnuts. NoodlesAtNight 9:08 pm //They're all gonna see.// SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:08 pm NO. chronosmith 9:08 pm I mean, I don't dance, of course, but if I did, I'd need something more sprightly than THAT limp stuff. Kelpy 9:09 pm [twitches fingers] NoodlesAtNight 9:09 pm //HE needs a firm hand. Squeezin' his puny flesh neck.// opatoes 9:09 pm ... Nygma please demolish him somehow chronosmith 9:09 pm Honestly, yeah. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:09 pm *groans* He's going to commit a murder. He doesn't know it yet, but he's going to. Poor riddling human, he's going to be arrested by the Jim human. verdigrisprowl 9:10 pm Yep. He's definitely plotting murder. NoodlesAtNight 9:10 pm {{Bird dance music for strong, fast.}} chronosmith 9:10 pm More power to him. Go for it! Take your first life! MedicalMurdersaurus 9:10 pm *bobs a little as he tries to imagine some of Bird's songs* chronosmith 9:11 pm I think he's ruined his chances with that girl by being creepy but honestly, what's more romantic than presenting your beau with the corpse of someone who hurt them? SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:11 pm Give us a picture, old man. Chillsins 9:11 pm He had surgery, perhaps. They showed us that. opatoes 9:11 pm He did go to a surgical place chronosmith 9:12 pm Yeah. Bunch of folks with brand new faces. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:12 pm He did indeed. verdigrisprowl 9:12 pm Even recommended an employee to them. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:12 pm OH. chronosmith 9:12 pm Oh, come on, that's not so bad. opatoes 9:12 pm oh dear SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:12 pm *the dragon makes a face* How did he EAT? chronosmith 9:12 pm *perks up; oh, this is good* *Whirl is HERE to watch him squirm* MedicalMurdersaurus 9:12 pm ((that is some next level emo fringe)) Chillsins 9:13 pm (( It bothers me, it looks so greasy. )) chronosmith 9:13 pm *leans forward, optic widening* opatoes 9:13 pm oh wow chronosmith 9:13 pm Oh, this is too good. This is TOO GOOD. NoodlesAtNight 9:13 pm ((it's supposed to; he's a dirty birdy. they give him dirty nails and whatnot too)) SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:13 pm *the dragon watches with bated breath* Chillsins 9:14 pm (( It's NASTY. )) (( But yes I have noticed. )) chronosmith 9:14 pm He should've kept going and gave her a heart attack. verdigrisprowl 9:14 pm Hm. And here I thought he was just going to hurt her. He DID hurt her, but not the way I expected. NoodlesAtNight 9:14 pm [[The way he hurt her is worse.]] Kelpy 9:14 pm Dunno, mental and emotional anguish for her seems to be more effectve. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:14 pm The Penguin is going to kill him. MedicalMurdersaurus 9:14 pm ((barb why do you have xenomorph hair)) MedicalMurdersaurus 9:15 pm ((just because you have big hair doesn't mean you have enough secrets to fill it)) Kelpy 9:15 pm Ed, nooo. Chillsins 9:15 pm Sure was, sicko. chronosmith 9:15 pm Oh, boo hoo. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:16 pm Mhm. chronosmith 9:16 pm Go sit in a corner and cry about it. Kelpy 9:16 pm She's a horrible girlfriend. verdigrisprowl 9:16 pm Oh, you poor, lonely little sparkless killer. opatoes 9:16 pm dump him Kelpy 9:16 pm You don't wanna date her either. chronosmith 9:16 pm I mean, point, Swerve. SCProwl 9:16 pm Ugh. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:16 pm Bite his lips off. opatoes 9:16 pm oh no chronosmith 9:16 pm Ha. Nice. Chillsins 9:17 pm Nice. opatoes 9:17 pm good teamwork! SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:17 pm Good job, bitlets! chronosmith 9:18 pm What an intimidating callout. Kelpy 9:18 pm Ed, please. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:18 pm Riddling human. No, opatoes 9:18 pm ed oh no chronosmith 9:18 pm Ohh, is this where it happens? SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:18 pm No. He's going to do it. Kelpy 9:18 pm [holds face] SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:18 pm Of course he is. chronosmith 9:18 pm *clicks his free claw eagerly* SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:18 pm *sighs and winces* chronosmith 9:18 pm HAHAAA SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:18 pm There it goes. chronosmith 9:18 pm There ya go! SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:18 pm And he just realized how good he is at it. chronosmith 9:19 pm Look at him! He's getting into it! opatoes 9:19 pm whoooooops chronosmith 9:19 pm This is precious. This is honestly precious. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:19 pm Clean yourself up, riddling human. SCProwl 9:19 pm This won't be the last time he does this. verdigrisprowl 9:19 pm Enigma. You should have stopped at one. opatoes 9:19 pm ... he's been investigating this stuff for years he should know how to hide the evidence Kelpy 9:19 pm [anorts at Prowl] NoodlesAtNight 9:19 pm [[What difference does it make? The fleshling is dead either way.]] Chillsins 9:19 pm One would think. verdigrisprowl 9:19 pm You're a forensic investigator, you know that multiple stabs show evidence of a crime of passion. NoodlesAtNight 9:19 pm [[Ah.]] SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:19 pm It will not be his last. chronosmith 9:20 pm If he burns the body, though, they won't be able to figure out how many times he was stabbed! ...*again is paying close attention* verdigrisprowl 9:20 pm You'd be surprised. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:20 pm I don't exactly think he is thinking straight. Chillsins 9:20 pm Eat the body. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:20 pm ...That would do it. NoodlesAtNight 9:20 pm //.....Yeah, I don't think she bought it, buddy.// MedicalMurdersaurus 9:20 pm Me SWOOP can burn bodies! :V chronosmith 9:21 pm Nope. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:21 pm Of course not. Chillsins 9:21 pm Please do not demonstrate in the building. chronosmith 9:21 pm All that cleverness couldn't make him a decent liar. I'm going to ENJOY this. MedicalMurdersaurus 9:21 pm With FACE > SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:21 pm It's hard to lie to a docent. WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT. opatoes 9:21 pm oswald no verdigrisprowl 9:21 pm Anyway, if you burn a body, then you have a burned body to deal with. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:21 pm WHY THERE Kelpy 9:21 pm Was... was he just a delivery man opatoes 9:21 pm Oswald are you gonna have to clean that up chronosmith 9:21 pm Scatter the ashes! verdigrisprowl 9:22 pm And the site of the burning. chronosmith 9:22 pm Right into that nasty water. verdigrisprowl 9:22 pm And during the time that it's burning, you have a fire. chronosmith 9:23 pm The police force in this town is stretched thin, and half of it's corrupt--go to a place where you know they won't go. Some big crime lord's stomping ground. He works for the cops, he knows the regulars. They might think it's a message for that hotshot new commissioner who's making waves--you kill one of his men and burn the body? Sounds like a message. chronosmith 9:24 pm Obviously a lot of this is "right time, right place" but he's in the right time at the right place. verdigrisprowl 9:24 pm No, the best strategy would be to make the killing look as anonymous and pointless as possible. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:24 pm *laughs despite herself* Oh, no. opatoes 9:24 pm ... is the music included or verdigrisprowl 9:24 pm One stab. Take his wallet. Leave him there. SCProwl 9:24 pm It might be. NoodlesAtNight 9:24 pm ((and now, for lighter content)) chronosmith 9:24 pm *tilts his head thoughtfully* Fair. Gotham's probably rife with that sort of thing. opatoes 9:24 pm like does he have the music start up anytime someone enters SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:24 pm That would be a fancy torture dungeon, to have its own soundtrack. He is rich enough. opatoes 9:24 pm lighter content sounds good right now but also cliffhanger Kelpy 9:24 pm ... chronosmith 9:24 pm BUT I'm talking about what you do AFTER you thoroughly enjoy yourself by stabbing him a bunch of times. Kelpy 9:25 pm Spiderman!@ verdigrisprowl 9:25 pm And that's why he shouldn't have stabbed a bunch of times. opatoes 9:25 pm SPIDEY chronosmith 9:25 pm I mean, you know how it is, in the heat of the moment. ...well, maybe not you. SCProwl 9:25 pm ...what is this then? verdigrisprowl 9:25 pm Yeah, can't relate. MedicalMurdersaurus 9:25 pm Bird NoodlesAtNight 9:25 pm [[Hmm. A dungeon that plays its own music.]] Chillsins 9:25 pm Snow fort. NoodlesAtNight 9:25 pm //It's the Avengin' superheroes. Different from Bat guy's world.// SCProwl 9:25 pm It wouldn't be difficult to set up something like that. Chillsins 9:25 pm *Pouts.* Kelpy 9:26 pm [thinking face] chronosmith 9:26 pm Then take it from an expert: getting to take out the full brunt of your revenge on someone who deserves it is a rare and highly treasured experience. opatoes 9:26 pm I want a lego movie about my universe chronosmith 9:26 pm Worth the extra work of hiding the evidence. Chillsins 9:26 pm Eat the snowball. chronosmith 9:26 pm ((this is adorbale omg)) SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:26 pm ((it is really really cute lmao)) MedicalMurdersaurus 9:26 pm *chews on his lip* opatoes 9:27 pm ((man now i'm imagining if they got to do like... do lego transformers movies)) Chillsins 9:27 pm It's a secret. Or not. NoodlesAtNight 9:27 pm ((there's the kreon commercials)) [[Ugh. Evil snow.]] opatoes 9:27 pm ((true! but it's no full episode or movie)) SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:27 pm How does one make /evil/ snow, anyways? Chillsins 9:27 pm You pee in it. MedicalMurdersaurus 9:27 pm Kehehheh Him squisih NoodlesAtNight 9:28 pm [[It's inherent to all snow.]] opatoes 9:28 pm how do you pe- I don't want to ask do I Kelpy 9:28 pm Some long tentacles Chillsins 9:28 pm Snow is pretty great. opatoes 9:28 pm uuuuggggh why are there so many feelers NoodlesAtNight 9:28 pm //Pfhfhfgehhghgehehh.// opatoes 9:28 pm he's wh Kelpy 9:28 pm [snickers about opverload] SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:28 pm I like snow. opatoes 9:28 pm phfhffbfff Chillsins 9:28 pm A snowflake a day keeps the Soundwaves away. MedicalMurdersaurus 9:28 pm Kehhehh Bird! He walk like BIrd. *waggles fingers* Feelers. chronosmith 9:29 pm ...you. *blinks at Rumble* You good? opatoes 9:29 pm Why can't you eat dryer lint ... what's dryer lint NoodlesAtNight 9:29 pm //Yeah. 'S nothin'.// NoodlesAtNight 9:29 pm [[Hmm. He wouldn't mind two more.]] Chillsins 9:29 pm Calamari is squid. opatoes 9:29 pm I wonder how much web fluid messy can make opatoes 9:30 pm I wanna try doing a spider-man style swing! MedicalMurdersaurus 9:30 pm Web fluid? Chillsins 9:30 pm *Squeals.* Kelpy 9:30 pm Too many overloads. opatoes 9:30 pm Yeah! The stuff used to-phpfhfhff To make webs! MedicalMurdersaurus 9:30 pm ((cro did you do this on purpose XD)) Chillsins 9:30 pm *Doubles over.* chronosmith 9:30 pm ((THERE'S MY BOOOYYYY)) NoodlesAtNight 9:30 pm ((i might've)) verdigrisprowl 9:30 pm *"he must have overloaded doc ock himself." SNORTS* Chillsins 9:30 pm (( VENOM. )) chronosmith 9:30 pm (9I AGREE LOKI)) verdigrisprowl 9:30 pm ((ABSOLUTELY WORTH OVERLOADING)) opatoes 9:31 pm ... give him the hot dog NoodlesAtNight 9:31 pm [[What a precious creature.]] SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:31 pm *the dragon is enjoying watching everyone else here try not to die laughing* chronosmith 9:31 pm Soundwave. Chillsins 9:31 pm That's enough for me, I can't handle any more overloads. chronosmith 9:31 pm I have some questions. NoodlesAtNight 9:31 pm [[Yes?]] Chillsins 9:31 pm (( I gotta miss Venom, I'm out. )) opatoes 9:31 pm big mood spidey NoodlesAtNight 9:31 pm //I don't think eyes is where tendrils go when overloadin's in the picture.// chronosmith 9:31 pm You got a little something on the brain? Kelpy 9:31 pm [giggles] NoodlesAtNight 9:31 pm ((awww seeya)) SCProwl 9:31 pm I doubt he was aiming for your eye. opatoes 9:31 pm SOUNDS NO chronosmith 9:32 pm *SNORK* verdigrisprowl 9:32 pm Don't kinkshame, Rumble. SCProwl 9:32 pm *huffs* SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:32 pm *the dragon just had to hear prowl say "kinkshame. that's it, she's laughing* opatoes 9:32 pm f chronosmith 9:32 pm *second snork* Chillsins 9:32 pm *Picks himself up. He must take care of his spawn.* NoodlesAtNight 9:33 pm //I ain't shamin' nothin'. I'm jus' sayin'. Sounds more painful than fun.// Chillsins 9:33 pm Bye, suckers. Have fun overloadin'. opatoes 9:33 pm Owww... NoodlesAtNight 9:33 pm *Bird cackles.* chronosmith 9:33 pm I'm going to agree. opatoes 9:33 pm phhhff- MedicalMurdersaurus 9:33 pm ((KEBOB BUB)) NoodlesAtNight 9:33 pm [[And he doesn't know what you mean, Whirl.]] opatoes 9:33 pm He's poor give him food! chronosmith 9:33 pm I've only ever had anything like tendrils very briefly but they weren't something you'd wanna put in sensitive places. Chillsins 9:33 pm *And he's gone.* chronosmith 9:34 pm Seeya, loser! opatoes 9:34 pm Aww, bye Windchill. Chillsins 9:34 pm My spawn await. (( Gotta pick up sister but I'll try to pop in next week. )) NoodlesAtNight 9:34 pm ((kk! drive safe)) SCProwl 9:34 pm ((the very vincible iron man NoodlesAtNight 9:34 pm ((LOL)) opatoes 9:34 pm You smell it? Ewwww. Chillsins 9:34 pm (( Thanks for LEGO. )) MedicalMurdersaurus 9:35 pm Him Spiderbot like spider stuff NoodlesAtNight 9:35 pm [[THAT IS NOT HOW THOSE WORK.]] [[...He thinks.]] *Mildly concerned now.* Kelpy 9:35 pm That's too many overloads. chronosmith 9:36 pm ((O/ DRIVE SAFE DUDE)) Chaoit 9:36 pm ....diiiid I chose a bad time to walk in? opatoes 9:36 pm Blaster! Welcome! SCProwl 9:36 pm ((i love that iron fist line forever opatoes 9:36 pm ... p primus chronosmith 9:36 pm *okay he can't help but snicker* verdigrisprowl 9:36 pm Hi. We're watching euphemisms. NoodlesAtNight 9:36 pm *HUFF* chronosmith 9:36 pm Y-yeah. Everyone knows overloading on the battlefield is the best. NoodlesAtNight 9:36 pm //HAAAAAAA// opatoes 9:37 pm What SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:37 pm *WHY IS EVERYTHING SO FUNNY* Kelpy 9:37 pm [cackles] opatoes 9:37 pm PFHFHPHFFF- chronosmith 9:37 pm *LAUGHS* NoodlesAtNight 9:37 pm *Rumble slumps sideways on the couch, fans whirling madly. He's laughing into his arms.* verdigrisprowl 9:37 pm *"AN ARMY OF OVERLOADS." snnnrk* MedicalMurdersaurus 9:37 pm *is laughing at this for ENTIRELY unrelated reasons* *is this show's actual target audience* Kelpy 9:37 pm [slumps down onto couch and just losing it] NoodlesAtNight 9:37 pm *Soundwave is not far behind. He's hiding his face on Prowl's shoulder.* opatoes 9:37 pm /Smokescreen's giggly the entire time/ Chaoit 9:38 pm Hi, Smokescreen...and...kinda....that's what they are, huh? NoodlesAtNight 9:38 pm *Swoop: The only one actually taking this show correctly.* SCProwl 9:38 pm *rubs visor and laughs into wrist* opatoes 9:38 pm Oh! Blaster, Blaster, do you know any instruments? NoodlesAtNight 9:38 pm //That ain't a skateboard! They're flat!// chronosmith 9:38 pm Hell yeah it's a skateboard! Look, it's as good as a skateboard. chronosmith 9:39 pm ...maybe it's more like a hoverboard. NoodlesAtNight 9:39 pm //THAT,// *pointing with one arm and trying not to laugh.* //Is a HOVERBOARD.// SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:39 pm *hey, just because the dragon doesn't know why everyone's laughing doesn't mean that she's not laughing about it either* Chaoit 9:39 pm Instruments? MedicalMurdersaurus 9:39 pm Him Hulk like Slag kehehh Chaoit 9:39 pm Yeah chronosmith 9:39 pm Are you sure? *peers* Cos it looks... like. opatoes 9:39 pm Really? You wanna try one right now? chronosmith 9:39 pm An. Overload. opatoes 9:39 pm I got a new alt mode, and it's really cool! NoodlesAtNight 9:39 pm *Rumble howls.* chronosmith 9:40 pm *watches, amused* NoodlesAtNight 9:40 pm [[/Do not call him fist./]] Chaoit 9:40 pm Like what? verdigrisprowl 9:40 pm What's wrong with calling him fist? opatoes 9:41 pm /Smokescreen's transforming into an instrumental organ!/ NoodlesAtNight 9:41 pm [[...Nothing.]] Chaoit 9:41 pm !!! verdigrisprowl 9:41 pm *at this point he's snorting every time they say "overload"* Chaoit 9:41 pm Since when did you turn into that? Kelpy 9:41 pm [just actively crying at this point] opatoes 9:42 pm Since yesterday, pretty much! MedicalMurdersaurus 9:42 pm *hops too* Chaoit 9:42 pm Cool! NoodlesAtNight 9:42 pm *Rumble just falls off the couch at this point. He's done. He's gone. Rumble is no more.* opatoes 9:42 pm I know, right? You wanna try playing me later? MedicalMurdersaurus 9:42 pm The Man of Spiders NoodlesAtNight 9:42 pm {{Peh. That not Man of Spiders. Tarantulas Man of Spiders.}} chronosmith 9:43 pm *drapes a claw dramatically over his chest as he mourns the loss of his beau* Chaoit 9:43 pm Ah...depends on how late you stay chronosmith 9:43 pm He gave himself. An overload. opatoes 9:43 pm Sounds good! I can stay a while tonight. verdigrisprowl 9:43 pm Several. MedicalMurdersaurus 9:43 pm Tarantulas chronosmith 9:43 pm So it would seem. verdigrisprowl 9:44 pm Well. You have to learn to enjoy your own company before you can learn to enjoy anyone else's. MedicalMurdersaurus 9:44 pm Him nooot Spiderman keheh chronosmith 9:44 pm That is PATENTLY untrue, Prowl. Kelpy 9:44 pm He made them wax the floor too much verdigrisprowl 9:45 pm Well. It certainly helps. MedicalMurdersaurus 9:45 pm You Bird thiiink Spiderbot want to funny *points at the screen* movie? NoodlesAtNight 9:45 pm {{Maybe next time, neheh.}} Kelpy 9:46 pm HAhahah MedicalMurdersaurus 9:46 pm Him weeeird bot SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:46 pm *the dragon stretches* That was... something. A good finish, maybe? chronosmith 9:46 pm Someone, please. This was a cry for help. Someone help our generous host. MedicalMurdersaurus 9:46 pm BUT! *bounces* Web fun. chronosmith 9:47 pm ...*peeps over the couch and reaches down to clamp one claw on Rumble, lifting him claw-machine-style* And maybe Rumble, too. You still alive? Kelpy 9:47 pm [still giggling quietly where he's slumped on the couch] NoodlesAtNight 9:47 pm *The weakest raised hand with thumb up ever.* MedicalMurdersaurus 9:48 pm *perks up at the music* Oh! No more movie. SpecsTheSpectralDragon 9:48 pm Goodnight, everyone! *she's taking the butter with her* NoodlesAtNight 9:48 pm *Soundwave just stays with his visor hidden. He doesn't want to look at anyone else here right now. They might see that he's laughing.* MedicalMurdersaurus 9:48 pm Me Swoop have to back now, Bird? NoodlesAtNight 9:48 pm //N-night, dr-d- dragon.// opatoes 9:48 pm OH oh oh Blaster, Blaster- do you want to try that thing, by the way? chronosmith 9:48 pm *reaches over and deposits him on the couch* I think he'll make it. See you, Butterbeast. NoodlesAtNight 9:48 pm //Whoop!!// SCProwl 9:48 pm ((I saw the Cap and Iron Man short and now I want to watch it NoodlesAtNight 9:49 pm {{Ya. Bird got to work. Other Cybertron, far, far.}} Chaoit 9:49 pm Sure? -he's a little worried about everyone's laughter at this point- MedicalMurdersaurus 9:49 pm *kicks his legs and looks disappointed* Kaaay NoodlesAtNight 9:49 pm ((oh! time marker, uhhh, 10:05)) opatoes 9:49 pm /Smokescreen's transforming to root mode, scooting closer to blaster, before transforming back to organ mode again./ You ever try this kinda instrument? SCProwl 9:50 pm Well, tonight was certainly... something. Chaoit 9:50 pm Hmn...kinda. It's been a while since I've had time to play any instrument opatoes 9:50 pm It's been a really interesting night, yeah! opatoes 9:51 pm Wait, really? What kinda stuff can you do? What are the pedals at the bottom for? chronosmith 9:51 pm Okay. I got a request, if you got the time for it. Literally ANY instrumental version of Moon River you can find. Don't care what kind of cover it is. SCProwl 9:51 pm You can play? NoodlesAtNight 9:51 pm [[He apologizes for nothing. It is good to break from tense content.]] SCProwl 9:52 pm Yes, these Gotham stories have certainly been overloaded with tension. MedicalMurdersaurus 9:52 pm *pushes off the couch to stand up, then stands around awkwardly* chronosmith 9:52 pm *somewhere deep down, Whirl appreciates it. That scene from the beginning has been playing on an endless loop in his mind all night. ..and on that note, he still has a double Gaugebuster to take care of, so he'll start drinking* Chaoit 9:52 pm I was taught how to play most instruments, but that was before the War NoodlesAtNight 9:52 pm *Another huff.* [[You were waiting for that.]] chronosmith 9:53 pm *not instrumental, but he can appreciate Audrey Hepburn* *salutes Soundwave* NoodlesAtNight 9:53 pm ((ah i missed it was instrumental requested)) chronosmith 9:54 pm ((o7 you're fine my ddue!)) ...ddue)) MedicalMurdersaurus 9:54 pm *doesn't know what to do with himself, so he wanders closer to Bird, pauses long enough to be a lanky weirdo, then turns to the door* NoodlesAtNight 9:54 pm *Bird pats Swoop, scoops the treat mush up to plop it on his shoulder, cackles, and flies upstairs* MedicalMurdersaurus 9:54 pm ((whoops! XD)) chronosmith 9:54 pm ((i figure under the circumstances it makes sense for soundwave maybe to have missed that. what with all the overloads)) NoodlesAtNight 9:54 pm ((AHAHGAHHG)) MedicalMurdersaurus 9:54 pm *laughs at the mush, brushing it off onto the floor and then just meandering out towards the door* Chaoit 9:55 pm And...maybe. Probably not well, I'm out of practice SCProwl 9:55 pm *says nothing to Soundwave's comment* I'm sure anything you play will be fine. opatoes 9:55 pm Hey! Probably better than me, I've never played before yesterday. Chaoit 9:57 pm ((sorry, bird is screaming his little head off chronosmith 9:57 pm *finishes chugging the last of his drink; drunk? No Tipsy? By now, he is, indeed, tipsy* All right, losers. I'm out. See you next week. Kelpy 9:57 pm Later. [his vents are starting to sound a bit wheezy] NoodlesAtNight 9:57 pm *Wheezy* //Seeya. Don't stay gone too long.// NoodlesAtNight 9:58 pm *Half-afted bop.* chronosmith 9:58 pm 'Course not. *nudges him affectionately in response to the bop* *and streetches, standing* opatoes 9:59 pm Aww- night! Chaoit 10:00 pm ((anyway! Smokey, you don't mind if Blaster give this a try? chronosmith 10:00 pm *salutes one last time, and he is gone* opatoes 10:01 pm ((He doesn't mind at all! he's pretty much like "hey play me i wanna learn how to play myself")) Chaoit 10:02 pm ((oh, awesome, gotcha Chaoit 10:03 pm Alright...this might feel a bit weird...but I'll see what I remember opatoes 10:03 pm It's all good! Soundwave tapped me once earlier, I'm sure this won't feel weird. NoodlesAtNight 10:04 pm [[Ah. Perhaps you should play outside? The music will clash.]] opatoes 10:04 pm Oh. Oh yeah, that's true- Dang. Kelpy 10:04 pm Has there ever even been instrument alt modes before? Other than like, radios. opatoes 10:05 pm I think there has been! But in like, the universe where they're 90% chins SCProwl 10:05 pm I arrested someone that could turn into a drum once. Kelpy 10:05 pm Wild. Chaoit 10:05 pm -snorts- Wow NoodlesAtNight 10:08 pm [[Let him guess. You heard the drumbeats and charged him with assault.]] opatoes 10:08 pm Did you have to announce the suspect with a drumroll first? Chaoit 10:08 pm -snorts- Okay that was bad NoodlesAtNight 10:09 pm [[He used all the content on the overload show.]] *Streeeeetch. [[Time to close down for the night, he thinks.]] Kelpy 10:10 pm Good idea. [snickers and slides off the couch] I better get back anyway, Rodimus is waiting for me. So, see ya. NoodlesAtNight 10:10 pm [[Next time, Swerve.]] *Nod.* SCProwl 10:10 pm Goodnight. Kelpy 10:10 pm HAve fun! opatoes 10:10 pm Aww- well, hope to see you all later! Have a good night. Chaoit 10:10 pm Good night Kelpy 10:10 pm [heads for the door] opatoes 10:10 pm Do you need any help cleaning up or anything, Soundwave? NoodlesAtNight 10:11 pm [[No, thank you. He'll see to that later.]] opatoes 10:11 pm Fair enough! Have a good night, then. NoodlesAtNight 10:12 pm *Nods.* opatoes 10:12 pm /Smokescreen's grabbing a few drinks before finally heading off!/ Chaoit 10:13 pm -and he's waving a farewell himself as he leaves himself- verdigrisprowl ... leans on soundwave 10:31 pm NoodlesAtNight 10:32 pm *Leans back.* [[He apologizes for using your shoulder as a shield earlier. His visor was visualizing his laughter.]] verdigrisprowl 10:34 pm ... It was /what/? I—have I seen it do that before? NoodlesAtNight 10:35 pm [[You haven't. He was going to put on a smiling face at all the accusations about his personal needs but could not keep control over it after doing so.]] verdigrisprowl 10:35 pm ... Can I see? NoodlesAtNight 10:37 pm *Considers.* [[He can replay the content if that is sufficient? Unless you think you'd like to make him laugh that hard.]] verdigrisprowl 10:39 pm *he considers it.* I don't think I can do it on command. *a pause.* ... Although I wish I could. NoodlesAtNight 10:39 pm [[You enjoy it that much, then?]] verdigrisprowl 10:41 pm What? You laughing? *is definitely not looking at Soundwave* ... yes. NoodlesAtNight 10:43 pm *Hmm. That's - it's - he doesn't know what it is, but he likes knowing that. Sweet? Is that sweet? He feels like it counts.* [[Then give him a moment.]] verdigrisprowl 10:44 pm You don't have to laugh on command. That's— It's not— It doesn't count if it's not natural. NoodlesAtNight 10:45 pm [[He won't. He can just repeat the last things it displayed - or would you rather wait until next time?]] *He's confused now, Prowl.* verdigrisprowl 10:45 pm Oh—yes, I'd like to see what you displayed. NoodlesAtNight 10:50 pm *Ah, good. He'd hate to think he pulled it up for nothing.* [[He'll be playing it at high speed this time, of course.]] *It starts out as the smiling face, as he said, but quickly flickers through two more on the way to a more expressive third. That one fuzzes out and disintegrates into wobbling pink and yellow lines illustrating the sound of laughter nobody can actually hear. They eventually get too wild and collapse back into rolling bands of static, right about the time of peak laughter. His visor stopped being able to make sense of the data being fed to it at that point.* verdigrisprowl 10:52 pm *he turns sideways, puts his elbow over the back of the couch, and props his chin in his hand to watch the display.* *he's smiling dumbly by the end.* NoodlesAtNight 10:53 pm *That is the most delightful thing. Look at that smile. He put that there. He might have done something regrettable a year ago, but - surely he can't have done _too_ much that's legitimately awful and still get an expression like that?* verdigrisprowl 10:54 pm *he catches himself pretty quickly, reels his face back in, and looks down—but there's still a hint of it.* Thank you. NoodlesAtNight 10:56 pm *He snaps a shot of it before it fades and pings affection.* [[You're welcome.]] *Pause.* [[...You don't have to hide that if we are alone, you know. There is only him to see it, and he is not inclined to share the image with others.]] verdigrisprowl 10:57 pm Oh. Sorry. It just—feels strange, when I notice it. verdigrisprowl 10:58 pm ... You know how, if you stop and think about your ventilations, suddenly you're not naturally ventilating anymore, you have to consciously control your fans and filters? NoodlesAtNight 10:59 pm [[There is never a need to apologize for that.]] *Soundwave leans over.* [[And he does not think it strange at all. It is - hmm.]] *How to describe it without spooking Prowl with too big a compliment.* [[It is one of the most appealing sights he knows of. But - yes, he does. How is it like that?]] verdigrisprowl 11:01 pm It's consciously controlled, at that point. And once it's consciously controlled, it's—fake. It feels like a fake smile. NoodlesAtNight 11:04 pm [[Ahhh. He sees. Then he will just have to continue being quick to record them, before you notice you're doing it.]] *Huff.* verdigrisprowl 11:06 pm Pff. ... How many do you have, at this point. NoodlesAtNight 11:06 pm [[At least a few dozen.]] NoodlesAtNight 11:07 pm [[And a few laughs.]] NoodlesAtNight 11:08 pm [[He keeps them in the same sector as his collection of singing mechs.]] *Slow bob.* [[Though it occurs to him you have seen /his/ face far less often, let alone smiling.]] verdigrisprowl 11:09 pm True. ... But I can see your shoulders. NoodlesAtNight 11:10 pm [[That is enough for you? You seemed to, ah...]] *After the overload short, this is difficult not to laugh at.* [[You rather liked how he looked with just a standard visor.]] verdigrisprowl 11:11 pm Ah. Yes. I did. Do. verdigrisprowl 11:12 pm *wow there's something very interesting to look at over by the bar.* ... But your shoulders... er. vibrate? when you laugh. Tiny shakes. NoodlesAtNight 11:12 pm *Ravage squints. What are you looking at.* NoodlesAtNight 11:13 pm [[That is true. His shoulders shake, and you...]] *Soundwave laces his fingers over where his mouth would be.* [[...This works better on you. His fingers are not thick enough.]] verdigrisprowl 11:15 pm *don't worry, Ravage. It's probably Sentinel's ugly mug.* NoodlesAtNight 11:15 pm *Oh, that thing. Don't look too long. You might go as blind as your alternate from the hideousness.* verdigrisprowl 11:15 pm Yeah. I guess I do. ... Anyway, it's... *mumble mumble* NoodlesAtNight 11:16 pm *Soundwave turns his head just so, trying to catch that.* [[........Come again?]] verdigrisprowl 11:17 pm s'nice. NoodlesAtNight 11:18 pm *Leans forward. Bump?* [[Thank you.]] verdigrisprowl 11:20 pm *bump, but he's still not looking at Soundwave. mumble.* NoodlesAtNight 11:21 pm *Another mumble?* [[...Would it be easier to let him feel it instead?]] verdigrisprowl 11:23 pm Feel what? ... The smiles? NoodlesAtNight 11:24 pm *Somewhat hesitantly.* [[Whatever you're having trouble saying.]] verdigrisprowl 11:25 pm Oh. It was just "you're welcome." NoodlesAtNight 11:25 pm [[Ah.]] *Nods. Gentle nuzzle against crest.* [[The offer stands for the future, if need be.]] verdigrisprowl 11:26 pm Hmm. Noted. NoodlesAtNight 11:28 pm [[Is there anything else you'd like of him at the moment?]] *Rest, a norn-frostless overload or three, a discussion, a handstand?* verdigrisprowl 11:29 pm *a long, considering look.* ... Yes. NoodlesAtNight 11:29 pm [[At risk of stating the extremely obvious: He is listening.]] verdigrisprowl 11:30 pm It's an open-ended "yes." NoodlesAtNight 11:32 pm [[Oh! Is this the question game?]] *Sits up slightly.* [[Should he be investigating? Or is he to suggest something himself?]] verdigrisprowl 11:33 pm Oh, no, not a game, I don't have something specific in mind. ... So feel free to suggest something. NoodlesAtNight 11:37 pm [[He has an idea, but he isn't sure where you keep what he is thinking about.]] *Pause* [[And we have a discussion to hold before he finds out where they are. That will be very important.]] verdigrisprowl 11:37 pm ... Go on. NoodlesAtNight 11:39 pm [[He has not tested your handcuffs for you. All the - everything that's happened, since he gave them to you. It distracted him.]] [[There appear to be no world-ending threats at the moment.]] verdigrisprowl 11:39 pm Ssso it would appear, yes. ... For the first time in months. NoodlesAtNight 11:41 pm [[He doubts one will appear any time soon. Historically speaking, this is a slow time of year. If you would - if you want to have that discussion, and perhaps perform the test....]] verdigrisprowl 11:41 pm ... Are world-ending threats seasonal? verdigrisprowl 11:42 pm *no, wait, wrong thing to focus on, Prowl* Ahhh. Yes. That sounds like a— I'd like that. Very much. NoodlesAtNight 11:42 pm [[Everyone needs a vacation, as you've told him before.]] *Oh thank goodness. He thought they were going to get carried away examining his records of various greyface shenanigans and eldritch beings.* [[Then, if you'd accompany him to his apartment--?]] NoodlesAtNight 11:43 pm *Over by the bar, Ravage sticks his nose in the air and closes his optics. As if he was eavesdropping.* *...Well, all right. As if he was eavesdropping with bad intentions, to correct himself.* verdigrisprowl 11:44 pm Gladly. NoodlesAtNight 11:44 pm [[Feel free to lead the way.]] *He might as well get used to that now.* verdigrisprowl 11:46 pm *oh. WELL then. Gets to his feet, and offers a hand to Soundwave.* NoodlesAtNight 11:47 pm *Takes it and stands up.* verdigrisprowl 11:48 pm *opens a bridge for them both, and off they go*

[welcome2theneighborhood]

100°

Chapter IV

‘Dear Amanda,

I’d lost the love of my life once, and I don’t know if I can do it again.’

AO3

The big day. My baby girl was graduating from college. Every parent’s dream.

I was probably up way too early, though. I’d bought something nice to wear for the ceremony, but by the time I was all done showering and ironing and getting dressed, I realized no one else was even awake yet, nor did they have to be. Six in the morning. Craig might’ve gotten up for a quick jog, but I’d told him to put that bit of the routine aside for our little vacation. So I was the only person awake, fully dressed, alone, and waiting for a proper time to get everyone else up.

I couldn’t even watch TV.

At eight I got tired of just sitting around and decided this was a fine time to start the day. I clapped my hands together loudly, moving between the beds. “Alright, rise and shine, everyone, we’ve got a big day ahead of us!”

The girls clearly didn’t appreciate me as an alarm clock, so they didn’t let me help them get ready. Which was a shame, because then Craig had to do it while also having to get ready himself, while I sat around ready and pretty useless. I tried to jump in and help River brushing her teeth, but she was pretty cranky and put off by it, so I backed out of the bathroom.

We got there early to get the best seat possible. The first several rows were reserved for the graduating students, but everything else was fair game. The auditorium was huge, but there were many students in the ceremony today. Amanda was only allowed enough tickets for four people, which we didn’t know until that morning, but the woman at the door suggested that we could all fit if one of us didn’t mind River sitting on our knees. So we took our seats, front and center, River wandering up and down the aisle but told to come and sit on Craig’s lap once more people started filing in.

It all went by in a blur. I was so excited I could hardly think straight. I was only barely aware of what was going on in the seats next to me.

“Dad, I’m hungry,” one of the twins groaned, but I didn’t catch which one. By force of habit, and very much in Father Mode, I almost responded with a Classic Dad Joke (even though Briar/Hazel wasn’t talking to me) but Craig cut off that thought.

“Hey, bro, I’m gonna go see if there’s a little cafe or something nearby.”

I realized then that we hadn’t had the chance to eat before we left, and was surprised that the matter of food hadn’t come up sooner. Kudos to the girls for being on the ball today. “Yeah, yeah, go on, I’ll save your seat.”

“Do you want anything?”

“Just get me whatever, I’m too excited to really be hungry.”

He nodded and stood (with some difficulty) and headed out to find our breakfast. I looked over at the girls. Briar was looking through the graduation program, and I saw her circle Amanda’s name in it with a pink highlighter. Hazel had her feet up on the seat in front of her, earbuds in and texting. River moved a seat over to sit next to me, but pretended to hide. I smiled and played along. “Oh no, where’d River go?” I wondered aloud.

Hazel looked over in concern before catching on. “Oh, I think we lost her!”

River was grinning widely behind the hands over her face. “Your dad’s gonna be really upset to see she’s missing!”

“I’m not missing, Dean!” she laughed, finally uncovering herself and dropping the ruse. “I’m right here!”

“Oh, there you are!” I hugged her and squeezed her tight. “We thought you were gone forever!”

She giggled and tried to push me off. “You guys are silly!”

“We’re very silly.” Hazel ruffled her sister’s hair and returned to her phone. River leaned over the armrest and asked if she could do word jumbles with me. I always carried my pocket version with me, even to my daughter’s graduation, so I whipped it out and we started working on one of the easier puzzles. I got schooled by a kindergartener.

Craig came back just before the ceremony was due to start. The auditorium was now packed with proud parents like myself, and I felt part of the collective but also a drive to brag about my daughter’s accomplishments. The little old grandmother next to me held her own quite well until my partner returned and a truce was called. “Hey, what’d you find?”

“There was a little bakery around the corner, so I picked up some muffins.” He handed them out to his daughters one by one, each receiving their favorite flavors. I’d barely unwrapped my pumpkin muffin before realizing Craig didn’t seem to get anything for himself, but before I could say anything, the graduation march started playing and all other thoughts fled my mind but “MY BABY IS GRADUATING.”

I’d seemed to have forgotten just how boring graduation ceremonies could be, though. The room was overcrowded and hot and was too noisy to properly hear anything, and I couldn’t see Amanda from this angle, and all I could do was wait for that ten glorious seconds when Amanda would be up on that stage, shaking hands with the dean and other school officials I didn’t know or care to know about, but it just seemed to be taking so long to get to that moment. In the meantime I just ate half my muffin, and shoved the other half into Craig’s hand.

I could hear River whining from her seat, and what I wouldn’t give in that moment to be a five-year-old who could get away with something like that. “Dad, when’s it over?”

“Just try to be patient, sweetpea. This is a big day for Amanda. She worked really hard to be here today, and we’re here to celebrate her achievement.” But because kids weren’t so easy to keep seated very long with nothing to do, Craig always had a Plan B on him, a composition notebook and box of crayons. He gave them to her with the promise that she would draw quietly, so she didn’t disturb the people around us. She nodded and got to work, not making a peep for the rest of the wait.

And then it happened.

And as soon as it did, it was over.

I’d just barely managed to get a picture while she was up on there, but it was blurry and overexposed and I cursed under my breath, loudly enough for Craig to hear me but not River sitting next to him. He’d gotten a picture, but his hands weren’t shaking, so he managed to get a much better version. I kissed him hard on the cheek and smiled to myself as I sunk into the chair to suffer through the rest of the event.

It took forever to find Amanda in the sea of graduates right after the ceremony. She wanted to introduce us to her friends, some of whom I recognized their names. I was honestly just grateful there weren’t additional Emmas in her life.

We’d made reservations for an early dinner, and really had to get going, but Amanda kept making excuses to not have to leave yet. I could recognize the pain of separation from the people she’d spent these long years with, and considered that maybe we still had time to cancel. I only barely mentioned it to Craig before he was calling it in, phone balanced between his ear and his shoulder as he held River up out of the crowd.

So we weren’t going out to a nice dinner that night. We went back to one of the friends’ apartments and ordered from various restaurants. While we waited we all made bets on who what order the delivery people would arrive in. The twins made out with twenty dollars each that night, while Amanda had to pay each person’s tips. I slipped her a twenty, and jokingly told her to consider it her graduation present.

Afterwards we played charades and a couple of games from the theater kids that I swear they were making up on that spot. When River and Atticus got bored of Legos and Barbie dolls, they put on a show for us that went on about an hour longer than we could’ve ever expected. I was surprised at how all the non-parents in the room kept enthusiastically engaged the whole time.

I’d say it was a pretty nice dinner after all.

As the night started coming to a close, I decided it was probably time to reveal Amanda’s actual graduation present. I’d gotten both her and Morgan monogrammed bracelets with teal beads and a golden band, reminiscent of their school colors. Morgan didn’t seem to expect the gist, and as I was being mauled in a hug by my daughter, she just smiled breathlessly and gave a quiet “thank you.”

“But wait, there’s more!” I added, putting on my best Billy Mays impression -and by my best, I meant probably the worst anyone in the room could imagine. I pulled out a carefully wrapped gift, covered in glittery green paper and wrapped up with a twirly blue bow. “Okay, this one’s technically from all of us.”

Though an only child, Amanda was far from spoiled. An only child myself, I knew to avoid something like that, no matter how easy it would be just to give in to her every wish and desire. I would bleed myself dry for this girl, but she never took advantage of that. Amanda didn’t know, nor expect, that she was getting anything but the first rather simple gift. So I knew that when she opened the second one to find a new and supposedly high-quality art tablet inside, I had to get a picture of her reaction.

This time my picture really captured the excitement of the moment.

[iffeelscouldkill]

Fic: a Film by Peter Parker

Fandom: Spider-Man: Homecoming

Pairing: Michelle Jones/Peter Parker (Spideychelle)

Summary: “Hi everyone. I’m Peter Parker, and this is my documentary presentation. The title is 'Perseverance'.

“I mostly think that the film speaks for itself, so I’m just gonna hit play, and uh, I’m happy to answer any questions afterwards about the footage, the editing, the choice of shot or well, anything, really.”

“And uh, even though they’re not here, I’d like to thank my close friends and family for putting up with me while I shoved a camera in their faces for three months.”

Peter is given an assignment to make a documentary film about the people closest to him. In the process, he learns some things about priorities, the people he cares about, and life beyond Spider-Man. Set two years after Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Author’s Note: This fic took me four months to finish and I was really unsure about how good it was. However, I got some lovely comments on AO3 (where you can also read it) and so felt confident enough to cross-post it over here :D

“All right, class, listen up – I’m going to give you your main assignment for the semester.” Gloria Steinberg, the teacher leading Midtown Tech’s film-making elective, clapped her hands for attention. The small class of ten senior students paused their discussions and refocused their attention on Ms. Steinberg.

“Thank you. Okay, so, here’s what I want you to do.” Ms. Steinberg uncapped her marker and wrote ‘DOCUMENTARY FILM PROJECT’ on the whiteboard. “This is going to be an ongoing, individual project that I want each of you to carry out. I want you to make a documentary film about the people closest to you in your lives.

“This can be family, friends, or anyone important to you. I want you to tell a story with this film; it’s up to you what that story will be. The key challenge that I’m going to set you is to capture a more natural, unguarded side of your subjects – a side that they don’t normally show to the camera.

“Think about the techniques we’ve been learning about in this class; think about the way that the filmmakers we’ve been studying weave a narrative with their documentaries. I also want you to bear in mind the technical side of things – shot framing, editing, lighting, everything we’ve covered. Now is your chance to put theory into practice!

“At the end of the semester, you’ll screen your films in front of the class, and give a short presentation about the process of making your documentary, the challenges you encountered, and the thinking behind the piece that you have made.

“Any questions?”

“Oh. Uh, are you filming now?”

The camera comes into focus on Ned Leeds’ face, leaning a little too close to the lens. Peter Parker’s voice is heard from behind the camera.

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m filming.”

Ned pulls back slightly and grins, waves at the camera. “Hey! I’m Ned, Ned Leeds. I’m Peter’s best friend. Uh… What else should I say?”

“You don’t need to say anything, Ned. My assignment is to try and capture a natural side of people. So just pretend like the camera isn’t there.”

“Oh! Right.”

Ned moves away, into the middle of Peter’s bedroom, but carries on shooting glances back at the camera.

“You know, it’s kind of hard to act natural when you’re pointing it at me.”

“Right, right… Maybe I’ll set it up on a tripod.”

The camera jostles as it is set up in a corner, looking out over the room. A big space has been cleared in the centre of the room to make way for what will be a massive model: the Ultimate Collector’s Millennium Falcon, totalling 5,195 pieces. The box sits off to one side, and Ned reaches for it now, reverently admiring the design on the front.

“This is it… One of the most challenging Lego sets of all time.”

Peter crawls into shot, and motions towards the box.

“Shall we?”

“After you, my friend.”

Peter opens the box and starts laying out Lego pieces on the floor. Ned watches with his chin propped on one hand.

“Do you think we’ll ever get too old for building Lego models?”

Peter looks back at him in consternation.

“Why would we?”

“I dunno… like, we’re high school seniors now; we’re submitting college applications, thinking about our futures, all that serious stuff. But we still build Legos like we did in middle school. Do you think we’re supposed to stop at some point, to qualify as adults?”

“If that’s qualifying as an adult, then I don’t want to be one. Anyway, when we were in freshman year, one of the biggest things I learned about being Spider-Man was that I still needed to take the time to do normal kid things. Our whole lives shouldn’t be about serious, world-ending stuff – we need to balance that out.

“And besides, this is fun!”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

Ned grins, and the two of them exchange their secret handshake. Then Peter looks over at the camera in the corner.

“Oops… I should probably edit out that part about being Spider-Man.”

“Probably.”

“Hey, Aunt May, do you mind if I film this?”

May looks up in surprise from where she’s laying out vegetables on the chopping-board.

“For your project?”

“Yeah, plus I think it’s really cool, you doing cookery classes and all.”

May smiles and goes to the sink to wash her hands.

“Well, we’ll see how they go. I have to do something with my time, what with you off to college in a few months!”

“I don’t have to leave. I can stay here in New York with you.”

May frowns, pausing with the knife poised above the carrots she is about to chop. The light catches the fine lines around her eyes, and highlights the grey hairs that are beginning to appear.

“Don’t be silly, Peter, of course you’re going to college. It’s your future! You’re going to go off and have an adventure, and come back even more clever and talented than you already are. Besides, all your friends are going to college.”

“Yeah, but… you’ll be on your own. And what about… you know… my extra-curriculars? It could be a bad idea to leave the city.”

May fixes the camera with a stern gaze. “New York got along perfectly fine before you started your ‘extra-curriculars’, and it’ll continue to be fine with you gone – and so will I. You’ve done amazing things and helped a lot of people, but you should be allowed to live your own life. You can’t be beholden to this city forever.

“Now, am I going to demonstrate my baton-chopping technique for the camera, or not?”

“Demonstrate away.”

The camera zooms in on the chopping-board, bringing the colourful assortment of vegetables into sharp focus: carrots, onions, red peppers, lettuce and celery. May begins to chop the carrots into neat batons of equal length, narrating as she does so.

“Now, the instructor said that the key to this is not to raise the knife too high when chopping – it’s all about efficient, controlled movements…”

“Is there a reason that you’re currently pointing a camera in my face?”

Michelle Jones, seated at a laptop and typing rapidly, doesn’t spare a glance to the side as she speaks. The camera falters slightly.

“I’m working on a project. For film class.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah – we’ve got to make a documentary about the most important people in our lives.”

MJ raises one eyebrow, still typing without missing a beat.

“I’m honoured to be included in that category.”

“Of course you’re included!”

The pout in Peter’s voice is audible even from behind the camera. MJ’s lips twitch into a barely-noticeable smile.

The camera zooms in slightly on the laptop screen as it fills up with lines of text. Fidgeting sounds can be heard from behind the camera.

MJ sighs.

“You know, I’m pretty sure that cinematographers are supposed to be more patient when filming their subjects.”

“What are you writing?”

“My application piece for the journalism scholarship at Boston University.”

The camera moves around to focus on the laptop screen; Peter reads the title aloud.

“‘The Fight to Preserve New York’s Public Libraries in the Digital Age’.”

“It’s a long-form feature. I’ve been carrying out interviews with librarians all around the area.”

“MJ… This is brilliant. It’s so detailed!”

“It’s just an outline.” MJ’s cheeks look a little pinker than usual.

“It’s a really good outline.”

The camera pulls back again to take in MJ, focused intently on the screen as she types, and for a while, nothing is heard except the sound of tapping keys.

“Don’t you have college applications to work on?”

“Yeah… I guess.”

“You guess?”

“I’m still trying to figure out if this whole college thing is for me.”

MJ’s typing halts abruptly. She turns and levels the camera with a look of alarm that borders on threatening.

“What do you mean? I thought you were applying to MIT with Ned?”

“Yeah, maybe…”

“Is it a funding thing? Does your aunt have enough money to put you through college?”

“Yeah, a lot of my, um, uncle’s legacy has gone towards my college fund. And Tony says he’ll chip in too. We have enough.”

“So what’s the issue?”

“I just don’t know if I can leave Aunt May. Or New York.”

“Oh. You’re worried because you won’t be around to Spidey it up any more?”

“Y-yeah, pretty much.”

MJ turns back to her laptop and resumes typing, a little more slowly than before.

“Just because you have superpowers doesn’t mean you can’t live your life. New York will deal. Presumably it managed somehow before you became Spider-Man.”

“Aunt May said the same thing.”

“Well, if you won’t listen to her, god knows why you’d listen to me.” MJ hits a couple of keys with extra force. “Whatever, it’s your choice. Do you have enough footage, or do you need to spend some more time breathing down the back of my neck while I work?”

“Uh, I think I have enough.”

“Hey, kid. You making another one of your video diaries?”

“Yeah, uh, this one’s for school. So it’d be cool if you could not make any pervy comments this time.”

“Well, is your aunt going to watch it? I’m joking, I’m joking. I’m a married man, now, see? I’m putting all my immoral ways behind me.”

Tony Stark raises one of his hands, which are currently the central focus of the shot, to show off a gleaming metal band around his ring finger. It has a twisting, geometric design in the centre that vaguely resembles the shape of Iron Man’s faceplate.

“I know – I was there. I still can’t believe you had your wedding rings made from vibranium.”

“Hey, I don’t wed with just any old ring. This is one of the strongest, most resilient metals in the galaxy, perfectly crafted to withstand any-”

A shower of sparks flies up from where Tony is tinkering with a near-unidentifiable mass of circuitry and wiring. A rectangular plate of sapphire glass lying off to one side suggests it might have started out life as a StarkPhone.

“-lab accidents.”

“Yeah, I can see that.”

Tony nudges apart the two bare wires that had accidentally connected, and then picks up a solder wick and soldering iron, touching both to a component on the circuit board and de-soldering it. He uses a pair of pliers to flip it away and onto the lab bench.

“You know, this is a classified design you’re filming.”

“Really? It doesn’t look like much to me.”

“Harsh, kid. Very harsh. This right here is genius in the making.”

Tony quickly loses himself in his work, paying no heed to the camera as it moves around him, capturing different angles: the side of his face as he frowns in concentration; a long-distance shot of Tony amidst his cluttered workshop surroundings; close-ups of the tools on the bench, being picked up and set down.

After a long while, Peter’s voice ventures from behind the camera.

“Mr… er, Tony?”

“Mmmm?”

“You went to MIT, right?”

“When I was fifteen, yeah. Great place. You should go there.”

“But like… what if you’d been Iron Man back then, would you still have gone to college?”

Tony straightens up at that, reaching for a rag on the workbench and wiping his hands on it.

“Kid, if I’d been Iron Man at fifteen, my whole life would have been pretty different, so it’s kind of hard to say yes or no on that one. But if I hadn’t gone to MIT, I wouldn’t have met Rhodey, wouldn’t have learned… a lot of shit that turned out to be pretty important – and I’m talking about life stuff, not what they teach you in class – and I wouldn’t have had an outlet for a lot of things, either.

“Would superheroing have given me that instead? Maybe, some of it. But it would have taken me down a pretty different path, and… Okay, just to be clear, we’re talking about you being Spidey instead of going to college, right? That’s what this is about?”

“I mean, just hypothetically speaking…”

“Yeah, sure, asking for a friend, blah blah blah. Look, the superhero gig isn’t everything – I thought we established that one a while ago. You decided to keep it low-key for a couple more years, be ‘friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man’, have a balance in your life. Right? It was a good decision; I supported that decision.”

“Yeah… But four years is a long time.”

“It is a long time. Look, I didn’t really prep for a far-reaching emotional discussion today, but the bottom line is that either way, there’s gonna be stuff you wish you’d done.”

“I guess that’s true. Uh, thanks, Tony.”

“Don’t mention it. But if you want decent life advice, Pepper is a better bet. Even for stuff that you’d think I should know about. She’s still better.”

The Millennium Falcon is taking shape, with the base and most of the forward mandibles completed. The camera captures Peter and Ned piecing it together slowly, sprawled on the floor of Peter’s bedroom, in breaks between assignments and Decathlon quizzing and stress.

Sometimes, they just mess around, picking up the little Lego figurines of Luke Skywalker, Obi Wan Kenobi, Princess Leia and Han Solo and acting out scenes from Star Wars, pitching their voices in an imitation of the characters’ dialogue.

It’s peaceful. Normal.

MJ again, seated in her favourite spot by the library window with the sunlight haloing her head. She is bent over a book, golden sun rays intertwining with the curly brown strands that hang down over her face.

Slowly, she turns the page, appearing deep in concentration and completely unaware that she’s being filmed, her expression relaxed and at ease.

Then, deliberately, she raises one hand with her middle finger clearly displayed. Peter’s snorts of laughter can be heard from behind the camera.

“Wow, this looks so good!”

May Parker half-glances back towards the camera, busy adjusting the heat on the stove.

“I hope so. It’s a bit more ambitious than the stuff I’ve tried so far, but I thought – we both love Thai food, and this is a Thai-inspired stir-fry…”

“It looks awesome.”

May drops ingredients into the saucepan, which smokes slightly. “It’s okay, that’s supposed to happen.”

She turns away from the pan, intently studying the recipe book open on the counter, and reaching for a jar of Thai green curry paste. In the corner of the frame, something bright and yellow flares to life.

“May! The spoon!”

The wooden stirring spoon, which May left propped up against the gas ring, has caught fire.

“Oh! OH! Oh god, oh god-”

“May, it’s fine, just drop it in the sink-”

“Peter, could you switch that thing off, please, and come help-”

The camera tilts wildly, a crackling sound is heard, and the recording abruptly shuts off.

A blurry Peter and MJ are talking together some distance away from the camera. They slowly come into clearer focus, the camera held less steadily than usual, as if by an inexpert hand. Ned Leeds’ voice narrates in hushed tones from behind the camera.

“And here we see a wild Peter and MJ in their natural habitat, performing another complex mating ritual.”

MJ is sitting by the window again, reclining in one of her favourite library loungers with her laptop balanced on her knees. She looks up at Peter with an expression that’s torn between amusement and annoyance. Peter is on his feet, all restless energy, fiddling with a pen in one hand and obviously talking a mile a minute.

“Let’s take a closer look.”

The camera moves slowly towards the couple before eventually coming to a stop behind what appears to be a bookcase; the wooden edge of it obscures part of the shot. Peter and MJ blur in and out as the camera tries to decide what to focus on, until Ned zooms unsteadily past the bookcase and the two fill the whole frame. The microphone picks up their speech alongside Ned’s slightly heavy breathing.

“-Right.”

“Plus, y’know, I could really do with more footage for my documentary film project, and I thought it would be amazing to capture you out doing your reporter thing – plus, you could even edit and submit the video with your piece, y’know, to show some TV reporting experience-”

“The application rules specify text submissions only.”

“Oh… okay, I guess that wouldn’t be helpful, then.”

MJ sighs audibly.

“Fine, you can come with me to my interview this weekend.”

“Really?” Even from a distance, Peter looks about to vibrate out of his skin with excitement.

“Sure, but only if Meredith is okay with you filming her. Some people are weird about being on camera, and if she’s at all uncomfortable with it, you’re out.”

“Of course, MJ, no problem, thank you so much!”

MJ shakes her head in exasperation, but the expression is tempered with fondness.

“Don’t you have other people to follow around with your camera? I don’t know why you need to spend so much time on me.”

“I do follow other people around! I mean- not follow them- I do film other people. I filmed Aunt May making dinner the other night.”

“Really? How did that go?”

“Um… There was a small fire, and the stir-fry got burnt while we were putting it out. We wound up going out to eat.”

MJ laughs, and the adoring expression on Peter’s face is plain as he smiles with her.

“No, I just- I like filming you because you do interesting stuff. And, uh, I love to see you getting passionate over things that are important to you.”

There is a soft, open expression on MJ’s face which would surprise anyone who noticed it – anyone except Ned, who sees this expression quite often, and always directed towards Peter.

“Fascinating.”

It’s immediately obvious that Ned chose the wrong moment to continue his documentary-style voiceover, as Peter’s head whips around, honing in on the source of the noise.

“NED!”

“Damn spider senses!” The camera bounces up and down as Ned sprints for his life, Peter’s thundering footsteps close behind him.

“Ned! Don’t shout that in the library! And be careful with that camera – it’s not mine!”

The middle of a busy street in New York. The camera captures the back of MJ’s head as she weaves through the crowd.

“Keep up, loser.”

The camera jostles slightly as Peter quickens his footsteps to catch up to MJ. He pans to the left and the right, taking in the buildings looming either side of them.

“We’re broadcasting live from the middle of New York with intrepid reporter Michelle Jones, who is hot on the heels of her latest story-”

“Peter!”

“What?”

The camera abruptly swivels around to find MJ, standing in the doorway of a dilapidated two-storey building and beckoning impatiently.

“If you’re done being an even bigger dork than usual, we’re here.”

“I thought it wasn’t possible for me to be a bigger dork than I already am?”

“So did I, but you continue to surprise me.”

MJ leads the way across a dingy, but tidy white tiled foyer towards a reception desk with a petite young Latina woman sitting behind it.

“Hey, Ella. I’m here to talk to Meredith – she should be expecting me.”

The camera zooms in slightly on Ella, who nods at MJ but looks at the camera warily.

“Yeah, she said you’d be by. Who’s this?”

MJ directs a look of irritation at the camera.

“Hey, would you turn that thing off for two seconds?”

“Sorry, sorry!”

In the next shot, Michelle is sat across from an older, dark-skinned woman with braids swept up into a bun on top of her head. They are seated inside a cramped, dimly-lit back office lined with filing cabinets; a few faded posters are visible on the walls, advertising reading competitions from five or ten years ago.

Meredith shoots a glance at the camera. “Okay? Are we good to go?”

“Yep! We are rolling!”

MJ gives Peter a withering look as she pulls out a notepad and pen from the backpack by her feet. She sets a small, old-fashioned dictaphone on one of the filing cabinets next to them.

“Okay. Could you just give your name for the recording?”

“My name is Meredith Felix-Lynch.”

“Thanks, Meredith. And how long have you been head librarian at Dunlop Library?”

Ned’s bedroom this time, which he shares with his ten-year-old brother; Star Wars figurines and miniature Lego models jostle for space with Pokémon plushies and Choose Your Own Adventure novels on the shelves.

Ned sits in the middle of the floor, using a screwdriver to tighten an access panel on the underside of a small, round droid, which looks like BB-8 with wheels. He flips it right-side up and sets it on the ground, next to where Peter is sprawled, eye-level with the little robot. Peter has had a haircut since the last time the two were on camera, and Ned is sporting stubble across his upper lip that has aspirations of being a moustache.

“You know, you could have taken part in this contest with me, if you were still in Robotics Lab.”

“Yeah, I know. I thought about it, but I’m still not ready to take back on everything I was doing before I became Spider-Man. Between patrolling, my assignments and MJ riding my ass at Decathlon practice, I’ve got about as much as I can handle.”

“Wouldn’t it help with your college application, though?”

Peter clears his throat.

“Why don’t you show me what this thing can do?”

Ned picks up a boxy black remote controller from the floor. It resembles a gaming controller, to the point where it might have started out life as one and then gained a lot of extra buttons and dials.

“For the contest, we need to be able to demonstrate three types of independent movement, so…”

Ned pushes down on one of the analogue sticks. Lights on the little droid flare into life, and it begins to trundle forward with a whirring noise.

“Coooool.”

“And the head can move, like this-”

The droid swivels its head from side to side, as if looking for the source of a noise.

“It doesn’t have any arms, because you remember what happened in middle school with the Robotics Showdown-”

“They snapped off, yeah.”

“Right, so the third type of independent movement is…”

Frowning now in concentration, Ned pushes down hard on a large blue button on the controller, while manipulating the analogue stick at the same time. A noise like a laptop fan running at hyper-speed can be heard, and Peter recoils slightly as his hair is ruffled by a sudden breeze. Slowly, the droid lifts off from the ground until it is hovering a fraction above the floor.

“Oh my god, Ned, you made it fly!”

The boys are shouting now to be heard above the noise of the boosters.

“Pretty cool, right? But you have to be careful, because it overheats really quickly and when that happens-”

The noise suddenly cuts out and the levitating droid drops back down to the ground with a sharp thud. Ned winces and Peter recoils and tenses, looking seconds away from leaping towards the ceiling.

“Sorry – I’m still working on actually sustaining that. If I can keep the heat shut-off from engaging, it should be able to get to about a foot above the ground.”

Peter settles back down, crossing his legs and peering at the robot.

“What’s your cooling system?”

“Water-based. I want to fit an extra fan in there, but I’m having serious space issues – I’ll show you…”

Ned lifts up the droid and reveals a round, dark scorch mark where the boosters have scorched the floor. Both boys freeze, staring at it.

“Dude, your mom is going to kill you.”

MJ sitting at a little wooden desk in her study at home, an anglepoise lamp shining on her work, her fingers flying over the keys. Wall-to-wall books fill the background of the shot. MJ is muttering something to herself, dictating the words as she writes.

“Hey, MJ, how long is your piece now?”

MJ continues typing, either ignoring Peter or somehow not hearing what he is saying.

“MJ? You said I could film when I came over… Is this not okay?”

Silence. The clatter of keys.

“MJ?”

“…”

“Wow, you must be really into your writing, huh.”

The camera comes on, and the three people sitting on the picnic blanket immediately groan, throwing their hands over their faces – or in MJ’s case, her book.

“C’mon, Pete, not the camera again!”

“Sweetheart, I love you, but do you think we could give the filming a rest just for one day?”

“Turn it off, Parker.”

“C’mon, guys, please? I really want to get a good grade for this class.”

“Why, so you can pursue your dream of becoming a superpowered Steven Spielberg?”

The camera moves to a low angle as Peter sets it down on the ground a little way away. MJ towers in the foreground, looking disapproving over the top of her book; Ned is amused, leaning back on his hands, while May hides her smile as she unpacks items from the picnic cooler.

“Yeah, maybe! Or, like an indie film creator. Haven’t you always wanted to go to the Sundance film festival?”

“I wouldn’t go there with you, loser.”

Ned snorts with laughter, and May hands out sandwiches and cartons of juice. Peter moves into shot, sprawling backwards until just a pair of gangly legs are visible. May strikes up a conversation with MJ about her piece for the journalism scholarship at Boston, which she has just submitted; MJ holds up her half of the conversation while still appearing to be absorbed in her book, turning pages every now and again.

Peter and Ned tussle over the last mini package of doughnuts, and wind up playing rock paper scissors for it, with May as adjudicator. They draw, and May awards the package of doughnuts to a smirking MJ, over Peter and Ned’s protests.

“You’ll have to put your book down to eat those, MJ, there’s no way you can read at the same time.”

“Watch me, loser.”

A high-pitched, urgent beeping cuts through the conversation. Ned and May start, and MJ peers over the top of her book as Peter extracts his StarkPhone from his bag, looking tense. A red light is flashing insistently on top of the phone.

“It’s Tony, it’s- he’s calling a code red.”

“You’d better go, then, sweetheart.” May speaks with an air of forced calm, her face set in lines of worry.

“But it’s my day off – I can’t go. I didn’t even bring my suit.”

“It’s in the compartment under the cooler.” MJ speaks without looking up from her book.

“It’s- What? What compartment?”

“There’s a catch on the side.”

“What? That can’t-”

MJ sighs and lunges across the picnic blanket to reach the cooler. A clicking sound is heard and in the next moment, she pulls Peter’s Spider-Man suit from an opening in the bottom of the cooler. She hands it to Peter, who frantically tries to hide it with his jacket, glancing around him.

“You can thank me later for actually being prepared. Now go save some civilians or whatever.”

“May? Are you sure you’re okay with-”

“Yeah, I’m fine, sweetheart. MJ’s right; you go save the day.”

Peter stands up and rises out of shot. Ned’s eyes meet Peter’s, off-camera, and he gestures covertly to his phone, then looks slightly crestfallen at Peter’s response. The camera picks up the sound of footsteps running across the grass; a few moments later, MJ reaches over and turns off the camera.

“Okay, we’re rolling! C’mon, open it.”

MJ shoots the camera a look of annoyance from her desk chair. She, Ned and Peter are crowded into her study, MJ seated at the desk with an envelope in her hands. The camera is set at MJ-eye-level, and only the lower half of Ned is visible as he stands next to her.

“Do we have to film this? It’s probably gonna be a rejection letter.”

“Don’t be stupid. I’ve read your piece – it’s awesome.”

MJ smiles slightly and runs a finger under the flap of the envelope, tearing it open, then unfolds the letter. As she begins to read, the smile drops off her face.

Peter’s voice comes from behind the camera: “MJ? What’s wrong?”

“MJ…” Ned, reading over her shoulder.

MJ takes in a shuddering breath, the hands holding the letter beginning to shake.

“Oh, Jesus, MJ-” The camera shuts off abruptly.

The next shot shows Peter and MJ from much further away, the camera filming them from through the half-open door. MJ is sobbing into her hands, the letter discarded on the desk, as Peter hovers uncertainly, finally settling one hand on her shoulder.

MJ’s voice is muffled and thick with tears, but just barely audible.

“It’s such a load of crap. The whole scholarship system.”

“I don’t get it, MJ – how could they reject you? You’re an amazing writer, you write with passion, you picked a fascinating topic and did all this original research-”

“Peter. Stop.”

“What?”

“You don’t have to say all that stuff just to make me feel better.”

Peter sits down on the edge of the desk, which creaks slightly under his weight, and stares at MJ in bewilderment.

“But I’m not, MJ, I’m being honest. Look, I know I… run my mouth faster than my brain, and half the stuff that comes out of it doesn’t make sense, but this is true, okay? I was there when you interviewed Meredith; I saw how much she trusted you and you got her to open up. You’re so good at this, MJ, and it sucks ass that they can’t see it.”

“Yeah, well, fat load of good it’s done me. Whatever I did, it wasn’t enough.”

“But you… At least you tried, okay – you worked your ass off, you knew what you wanted and you went for it. You have something to show for what you did. Better than being too afraid to try.”

MJ wipes the tears away with the heels of her hands and looks up at Peter, assessing.

“I think you’re so amazing, MJ – what you do is gonna change the world. Way more than anything I do.”

MJ snorts, disbelieving. “Being a journalist is hardly gonna save lives-”

“No, it is!” Peter has stood up again and is gesturing for emphasis, all energy and motion. “You’re gonna – help people tell their stories, expose injustices and blow corruption cases wide open. Being a superhero is like – flashy stuff, swooping in to save the day but never really dealing with the real issues. That part… That’s the really hard work. That’s what you do.”

Peter and MJ look at each other for a long moment.

From behind the camera, barely audible, Ned can be heard breathing, “Come on…”

“You inspire me so much, MJ, and I never know how to – to show you how I feel, except-”

Peter sways forward, and MJ leans up, and their lips meet in the middle.

The camera swings away, and bounces as Ned jogs down the corridor until he is out of earshot.

“YES! Ohmygodohmygodohmygod…”

The almost-completed Millennium Falcon sits in the middle of Peter’s bedroom floor, with Peter and Ned either side of it. Ned is holding a Lego brick in one hand and looking across at his best friend, who is lying half out of shot, with only his legs and half of his torso visible. A loud snoring sound emanates from off-camera.

Ned extends one foot and nudges Peter’s leg.

“Hey. Peter, wake up.”

He nudges a little harder.

“Pete!”

Peter jerks away suddenly, and his legs disappear out of shot; a second later, he crawls back into frame, looking sheepish.

“Sorry, sorry. I’m kind of tired at the moment.”

“No kidding, you almost dozed off in Biology earlier. Were you out late patrolling last night?”

Peter scratches the back of his head and looks away.

“Nah, I was actually up late finishing my application essay for MIT.”

“You what? What time did you submit it?”

“Uh, I think it was around 4am.”

“What? But the application window closed at midnight! Did Mr. Stark pull some strings to let you-”

“No! Tony doesn’t know about it. But I called ahead, and they said they’d consider it. It’s… my own fault if I don’t get in, so I don’t want anyone calling in favours. Besides, if I don’t get into MIT, I have some other ideas. I might go to Columbia to study film. Or maybe photography.”

“Wow… Really? Photography?”

“Yeah, I’m thinking about it. The whole documentary thing has been a lot more fun than I thought it would be.”

Ned glances at the camera and away again, his expression uncertain.

“Well, y’know, I’m happy for you whatever you decide to choose. But I thought we were gonna be MIT buddies. That was our plan.”

“We are! I mean, we still could be. But you knew I was having second thoughts about applying to college, and…”

“You said you were going to apply anyway! Or did you just say that to make me back off, like your aunt?”

“No! No, Ned, c’mon, it’s not like that.”

Peter runs his hands through his hair, which is flattened on one side from his nap on the floor.

“I just… I wanted to do it properly, if I was gonna do it, but my heart wasn’t in anything that I was writing. I went through like a billion drafts, until last night… I guess you could say I got inspired.”

Ned looks at his best friend, and raises his eyebrows in an Ohhh kind of way. “This wouldn’t happen to have anything to do with…”

Peter’s ears turn bright red. He looks at the floor and picks up a Han Solo minifigure. “Yeah, maybe.”

Ned laughs, and he reaches out to give Peter’s shoulder a soft punch. “Well, glad you finally got your shit together. In multiple senses.”

Peter laughs awkwardly and runs his hand over his hair again, flattening it back down. Ned picks up a single Lego brick from his side of the model and hands it across to Peter.

“Well, while you were napping, I all but finished building the Falcon. The last piece is yours, my friend.”

Peter’s eyes widen, and he tries to hand the brick back to Ned. “No, I can’t! You should have the last piece.”

“Nah, I insist.”

Peter hesitates.

“C’mon, Parker, pull your weight. I’ve been doing all the building and my arms are tired.” Ned stretches his arms above his head in an exaggerated fashion. Peter laughs.

“Okay, okay. Are you ready?”

Ned improvises a drumroll on the floor as Peter places the last brick on the Falcon with a flourish and gently presses it down.

“There.”

Ned and Peter nod solemnly at each other across the model. Peter picks up the Han Solo minifig, and tweaks one of its little arms to extend outwards. Grinning, Ned does the same with the Luke Skywalker figurine, and the two minifigures come together to “fistbump” in midair.

The camera gazes lengthways down the dinner table at the Parker house, which is laid with nice silverware and delicate china crockery, the kind reserved only for special guests. A pair of hands – recognisably Peter’s – comes into shot and gently sets down a large bowl full of noodles in the foreground. Further down the table, May Parker, visible from the shoulders down, is laying out bowls of stir-fried vegetables and curry.

A woman wearing a long, elegant wine-red dress, visible only from the waist down, walks into shot and pulls out a chair.

“This looks delicious, Mrs. Parker.”

“Oh, it’s May, please. I’m really still learning… I’m sure this is nothing compared to the kinds of world-class cuisine that you and Tony must have cooked for you on a regular basis.”

“Aunt May’s being modest. Her cooking is really great – especially Asian-inspired food.”

“Thai is our household favourite. There’s soy sauce and chilli sauce here in case you want to add any. I should really have put out chopsticks instead of knives and forks, to be more authentic.”

Tony Stark sits down heavily in the chair next to Pepper. “I’m never authentic. Can’t use chopsticks to save my life. Pepper can – she’s good with them. Me, I always ask for a fork.”

Pepper shakes her head, long hair brushing over her shoulders. “Even when he was dining with the Prime Minister of Japan.”

“Hey, at least I didn’t ask for a cheeseburger.”

Laughter. Peter’s fingers briefly blur into view and he adjusts the camera downwards so that only the guests’ torsos and hands are visible.

The group begins to eat dinner; they make small talk and lean over each other to pass various dishes. Compliments flow freely about the quality of the food.

“So, Peter… How are college applications going? Tony said you were having some concerns about balancing college with your superhero duties.”

Pepper’s tone is careful and tactful, her cutlery pausing delicately above her plate as she asks the question. The light glints off the vibranium ring on her finger, the twin to Tony’s, but with smooth, curved lines instead of blocky, angular ones.

Peter sets his cutlery down with an overly loud clank as he hastens to answer Pepper’s question.

“I was, but uh, I think I’ve made up my mind now. I wanna make sure I have a good future that isn’t just about Spider-Man.”

“Is that right? That’s very mature of you, Peter.”

“Yeah, what’s gotten into you, Pete?” Tony jokes. “No, seriously, it’s a good decision, but what prompted it? I know it can’t have been my words of wisdom.”

Peter laughs a little nervously, toying with his cutlery.

“No, I- I mean, your advice was good! Really! But uh, I was also inspired by a friend of mine, who’s… got a lot of dreams for the future. It made me want to do the same.”

“Oh really? You’re looking a little red in the face there – is this a friend, or a friend?”

“Tony! Leave him alone. I think that’s wonderful, Peter, and the best of luck to you with your applications.”

“Wasn’t MJ supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago?”

Ned looks up from the Decathlon quiz cards he is currently shuffling. “Yeah, I guess so. Maybe she got held up.”

“I’ve never known her to be late for one of our practice sessions; she’s normally here like an hour before us.”

“It’s probably a test, to see if we keep drilling in her absence. She could be watching us right now to see if we continue.”

Ned nods towards the camera, resting on one end of the library table at which both of them are seated. “Maybe she’s put a bug in that.”

“How could she have? I keep it in my room when I’m not using it.”

“Ah, but MJ’s been in your room a lot lately. Maybe she distracts you with sexy makeout sessions, and then bugs it.”

Peter goes bright red and looks down at the cards in his hands. “So, geology-”

The sound of a door rebounding off a wall is heard somewhere nearby, and both boys look up. MJ enters in a whirl of coat, scarf and messenger bag, and triumphantly slams an open newspaper down onto the table between them.

Both Peter and Ned peer at the paper.

“Wait… is this-?” Peter stares at MJ.

“‘The Fight to Save New York’s Public Libraries’ – by Michelle Jones. Oh my god, they printed your article!”

“Yup. My first print byline. The first of many.”

MJ is smiling broadly, unable to hide how pleased she is.

“MJ, this is incredible!!”

Peter jumps up and grabs his girlfriend’s hands, spinning her round in a circle. She laughs and goes with it, poking his face after they finish.

“Dork.”

Ned is still leaning over the paper on the table.

“Wow. Did you really pitch this to the Editor?”

“Not the Editor-Editor, to the Features Editor. She was really nice, though, and after they accepted my piece she said I should apply for an internship over the summer. A proper work experience internship, not the making coffee kind.”

“Of course it’d be a proper internship! They’d be morons to waste your talents on making coffee.”

Ned clears his throat to interrupt Peter and MJ making eyes at each other.

“Hey, so, we should celebrate! Let’s go to the Waffle House!”

“Ugh, please, we go there all the time. This calls for something better. I want cheesecake pancakes.”

“Aww, but-”

“It’s MJ’s celebration, Ned, she should get to pick. C’mon, they have waffles at IHOP.”

The three move towards the door, and as Peter picks up the camera, Ned can be heard asking,

“So, are you going to frame it?”

“No way. This is going to be the first piece in my portfolio.”

“Well, thank you, Flash; that was a very… evocative piece,” said Ms. Steinberg. She nodded at Flash, standing next to the projector; he looked pleased but uncertain, as though he wasn’t sure whether she might be making fun of him. “I can tell you put a lot of passion into it.”

Flash cleared his throat. “Uh, yeah.”

“You can sit down now, thank you. Okay, I think we have time for just one more presentation, so… Who will it be? Peter! Your friend Michelle tells me you’ve barely had a camera out of your hand since we began the assignment.”

Gloria Steinberg smiled widely at Peter, who buried his face in his folded arms. “No, no, it’s a good thing. I can’t wait to see what you’ve produced for your documentary.”

Peter nodded and pushed back his chair with a scraping noise, making his way awkwardly to the front of the room. He clutched a dog-eared sheaf of paper in one hand.

After a prolonged period of setting up the projector and a heart-stopping moment where the video seemed like it might not play after all, thanks, Peter had his film cued up and ready to go. Clearing his throat nervously, he addressed the class.

“So… Hi everyone. I’m Peter Parker, and this is my documentary presentation. The title is Perseverance.

“I mostly think that the film speaks for itself, so I’m just gonna hit play, and uh, I’m happy to answer any questions afterwards about the footage, the editing, the choice of shot or well, anything, really.”

Peter went to hit ‘Play’ on the laptop next to him, then paused.

“And uh, even though they’re not here, I’d like to thank my close friends and family for putting up with me while I shoved a camera in their faces for three months.”

That got a quiet chuckle, including from Ms. Steinberg. Peter smiled and pressed Play.

The film began.

 The film opens with a shot of Peter and Ned, sitting on Peter’s bedroom floor, with the beginnings of what will be their greatest Lego project of all time scattered around them. The audio is silent. The two boys exchange their secret handshake, before beginning to assemble the base of the structure.

Cut to Aunt May’s hands, arranging vegetables on the chopping board, then slowly and methodically beginning to chop them up. Her voice can be heard narrating,

“The instructor said that the key to this is not to raise the knife too high when chopping. It’s all about efficient, controlled movements… see how I’m keeping it even? I haven’t been going to cookery classes for very long, but you’d be surprised at how much technique goes into something like chopping vegetables – at least for professional chefs. For us amateurs, it’s not such a big deal… But still, I’m trying to make sure I have the basics mastered before I try anything more ambitious.”

Cut to Michelle, seated at her laptop and typing furiously. The camera zooms in on her screen. Peter’s voice reads, “‘The Fight to Preserve New York’s Public Libraries in the Digital Age’.”

“It’s just an outline,” Michelle says, sounding slightly embarrassed.

Cut to a pair of hands – Tony’s – de-soldering a component from the circuitboard of a Starkphone, wicking away the excess solder. “This right here is genius in the making.”

“It doesn’t look like much,” Peter’s voice replies, teasing.

In the next shot, Ned and Peter kneel on the floor of his bedroom with a sea of grid paper between them, on which are sketched the designs that will eventually become Ned’s entry into the National Under 18s Robotics Competition. Ned reaches forward and fans out a few of the sheets.

“This is my project for Robotics Lab – we have to build an independently mobile robot. Also, entries for the National Robotics Competition are open ‘til December, so if I get my shit together, I can enter.”

“Oh my god, you should!”

The film cuts to a time-lapse shot of Peter and Ned in the middle of Peter’s bedroom, gradually piecing together the Millennium Falcon.

Then May, sitting at the kitchen table, poring over a cookbook with a pencil in one hand, making notations in between the instructions. A series of print-outs sits by her elbow, with names of cooking techniques and clip-art diagrams.

The next shot is of MJ on a busy New York street, looking impatiently back at the camera before she disappears instead a shabby building. Cut to MJ and Meredith, sitting across from one another in Meredith’s cluttered office. The audio is just too soft to make out what they’re saying, but Meredith is holding forth with passion, gesturing, while MJ nods intently. She makes notes on her pad in shorthand without looking down, never breaking eye contact with Meredith.

Cut to Ned in the school Robotics lab after hours, goggles clamped over his eyes, oblivious to the camera and the empty lab growing darker around him. A single lamp illuminates his workspace as he peers into the half-constructed shell of his BB-8 droid, the distinctive rounded appearance already taking shape.

Back to MJ, on her laptop, typing up research in a fury of tapping keys and muttering under her breath.

Another time-lapse shot of Peter and Ned constructing the Millennium Falcon, weaving through the film’s narrative like a thread.

Then it’s back to Aunt May in the kitchen, trying out her Thai-inspired stir-fry for the first time. She drops the ingredients into the pan and shakes it a little as the oil starts to hiss and smoke. Unknowingly, she leaves the wooden spoon perilously close to the gas ring, and as she turns away to study the recipe, it immediately catches fire.

Peter shouts a warning, and May rushes to extinguish the flames; Peter scrambles to turn the camera off as he goes to help her.

Another close-up of Tony’s hands in the lab, as he holds a strange, glowing (possibly extraterrestrial) power source in a pair of tongs and lowers it down into the open chassis of a StarkPhone. For two seconds, nothing happens; then there is a loud sizzling sound, and what looks like bright blue lightning surges along the wires and circuits of the phone. With an abrupt crack and a curl of smoke, every single circuit shorts out.

Peter starts coughing behind the camera, as Tony waves his hand to dispel the smoke. “Mother-” The rest of the long string of expletives that follows is bleeped out.

Cut to Peter and Ned, sprawling on the floor of Ned’s bedroom as Ned demonstrates the controls for his droid. It trundles back and forth, swivels its head, and then with a noise like a jet engine powering up, slowly lifts off from the ground. Peter and Ned cheer in triumph, just a few moments before the droid’s engines abruptly cut out, and it goes crashing back to the floor with an ominous-sounding crack.

Then it’s Peter and MJ, shot from a distance through the frame of MJ’s bedroom doorway, as MJ sobs into her hands, the rejection letter discarded on her desk. Peter hovers, one hand extended uncertainly, before he rests it on her shoulder, a silent gesture of support.

The film lingers on this shot for a time, slowly fading to black.

In the next shot, Peter and May are cooking coconut laksa together in the kitchen, laughing as Peter whizzes around gathering ingredients and May tosses vegetables in the pan.

Cut to May, Peter, Pepper and Tony sitting down to an array of home-cooked dishes, all expertly prepared by May Parker. Everyone starts to serve themselves, and compliments to the chef fly freely, which May deflects, flustered but delighted.

Next, Peter and Ned sit on the floor of Ned’s bedroom as Ned demonstrates his completed, improved robot. The droid does a lap of the floor, turning its head from side to side as if watching a tennis match, before returning to the middle of the floor. This time when Ned presses down on the blue button, the droid lifts off with a slightly quieter whirring, and hovers a full foot above the ground before its creator guides it gently back down.

Peter whoops and reaches out to give Ned a high-five, pounding him on the back.

Close-up on the bench in Tony’s workshop, where a pair of hands (Tony’s, as usual) are pressing closed the case of a brand new StarkPhone.

“All right, now let’s see if this thing will turn on… Say your name.”

“My name? Uh, Peter Parker.”

The phone lights up, a blue light shining out from the screen as a Karen-like voice intones: ‘Welcome, Peter.’

“Oh my god!” Peter exclaims from behind the camera. “It worked!”

“Yup. It’s all yours, kid. Try not to break this one.”

Cut to Peter and Ned, reviewing their Decathlon cards together in the library as MJ whirls into view, slamming the newspaper with her byline down on the table in front of them. Peter and Ned lean forward together to peer at the text.

“Wait, is this-?”

“The Fight to Save New York’s Public Libraries – by Michelle Jones. Oh my god, they printed your article!”

“Yup. The first of many.”

Peter jumps up from his chair and spins MJ around in a circle, both of them laughing.

The film fades to a shot of Ned and Peter sitting either side of the Millennium Falcon, which is one brick away from being completed. Ned solemnly hands the last brick over to Peter, and does a drumroll on the floor as Peter presses the brick into place.

Peter picks up the Han Solo minifigure, and Ned picks up Luke Skywalker, and the two minifigs “fistbump” each other in midair above the completed Millennium Falcon.

Fade into Peter, Ned and MJ sitting at a table at IHOP, celebrating MJ’s first print byline. MJ is ribbing Peter mercilessly about the enormous plate of pancakes in front of him while Ned laughs.

Then Peter gets to his feet, raising his coffee, and proposes a toast: “To Michelle Jones – New York’s newest and greatest hotshot investigative reporter!”

“To MJ!” Ned cries and thrusts his hot chocolate into the air.

MJ shakes her head, but she’s laughing, and she raises her own cup to join them. “Watch out, world,” she says.

The three of them clink cups, and the film fades to black.

[geek-gem]

9:28 am so waited a bit but was looking on my dashboard. Even missed the submit button a bit whatever some Infinite gif I almost reblogged.

Again I had got out of the shower and I was thinking about this.

Honestly me enraged about the custom character the concept of it in Sonic Forces. Basically Buddy The Wolf that's been seen in official trailers also lots of people draw him.

Including I tried my best didn't get the green mic actually and finished the game without that. Yet I tried my best to make the character look like that. Because I had such a distaste for the idea of it. Including I didn't wanna be original and despite random shit in my head still being negative about the custom character.

Honestly and I might spoil stuff of Sonic Generations maybe. Really the role Buddy is put into is basically what I've wanted for an idea in a Sonic game.

Including the idea of someone new trying to stand up for what's right and Sonic being the big reason why anyone would keep going. Because of how his attitude and his outlook on life inspires people.

So those are possibly spoilers yet was gonna talk about this. Almost start it twice this paragraph and a new one what I wanted to type.

Honestly I always had this idea. Mainly instead of a custom character that's an animal like the others. It's basically a human a young adult mainly. Where the role is basically similar or kind of or is in Buddy's role.

I've been thinking that human part because it's possible that Sonic movie might have a main human character but I like it to be secondary to Sonic. Including the idea of this human being a badass able to use weapons and destroy Eggman's robots. Including I keep thinking examples of humans to be inspired from right now like Chris Redfield and Leon S Kennedy from the Resident Evil series. Also others yet those two have been on my mind because I like Resident Evil and it's been on my mind too.

Also it's because some humans have a track record of not being liked by a lot of fans. But I mainly speaking about Chris Thorndyke and Princess Elise while I honestly don't hate them. Including this year I learned they aren't that bad honestly like them a bit. But they aren't my favorites.

I thought the idea of a human who can take care of themselves and fight alongside Sonic would help people stop thinking humans suck in Sonic except Eggman or whatever.

Yet I have thought of the idea back firing because I can imagine people's reactions. I've been thinking of this for a long time and forgot if I wanted to talk about it.

Basically I can see people giving their honest thoughts and figure out why making a human character a badass doesn't work to appeal to people.

Talking about having a human character being given a gun and kick ass with Sonic doesn't automatically make them a better character. Making them a soldier or someone who can fight isn't gonna make them better then the likes of Princess Elise or Chris Thorndyke no hatred towards them. The character could ether suck or even be worse then them. I'm saying this if this actually happens. About a character could be worse if you of your own opinion didn't like previous characters.

What matters is the writing behind the characters. Their personality, their story, and what they mean towards to the main story too.

Honestly at times I keep thinking like a first person shooter or third person shooter gameplay. Maybe similar to the likes of Titanfall, Killzone, the Left 4 Dead series or the likes of the Resident Evil franchise mainly 4, 5, and 6, Dead Space or others. Basically been thinking Titanfall and Resident Evil. Or even Doom or yes Halo for that matter. Yes I mentioned Doom because been playing the original like yesterday and need to play the reboot again which is awesome since the game is now fully installed.

Yet with how Sega and Sonic Team are going. Despite Shadow The Hedgehog was made his game. It would be difficult probably to make gameplay like that. Because they don't seem to be at a stage now where they will do that.

Including in a weird way to be honest thinking of it I'll say it. The idea of it seems almost like self insert some what yet at times I didn't think that mainly just to fill the human thing. But I have put certain things like an Autistic character because I'm Autistic too for the character.

Just trying to remember anything. But also yeah I wanted to talk about this. Even thinking of the song Fist Bump while not my favorite. Yet when in the shower I kept hearing it in my head.

Honestly the way the song is written. It's kind of meaningful since listening to it, the song seems to be about Sonic and the custom character Buddy including how this song has a upbeat style to it. Basically in a way being inspiring unlike compared to Infinite's theme which I adore despite what the Shadow DLC showed and the main game too. Being a lot more serious and maybe less inspiring.

Honestly wanna mention this silly thing so a self insert played by KJ Apa at times one of the choices. Basically wanna make a post and jokes about Archie Andrews fights with Sonic the hedgehog, joins the Helghast from Killzone, fights the Chimera from Resistance, be casted as Jeremy Fitzgerald from FNAF and ward off animatronics, and be cast as Leon S Kennedy his younger self from Resident Evil 2 for that Resident Evil movie reboot universe if they stick to the games more. Yes that's a fan cast of mine.

Yes I watch and like Riverdale also it's this joke with I keep thinking Jughead going ARCHIE WHAT THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN DOING BEHIND OUR BACKS

Honestly I like the actor and thought of him other things didn't say all of them.

So now with Sonic Forces out and my opinions being mixed. Including honestly I have thought of this when I was in the shower and afterwards. Basically the custom character is something I......seemed to like the best or just.....maybe more.

My friend fatpinkraccoon not gonna use the mention thing told me last night and replied to a message from him I didn't message because went to bed early by mistake. He told me Somecallmejohnny made a review and I thought seriously that was quick. Yet the game is honestly short. Including him talking about how the franchise needs new people behind it.

Yet I forgot if it was him respelt quick and put back the period in last paragraph. But sorry ticks yet I forgot if it was him I'm not risking getting out of this. But he might of said the custom character was the better parts of the game. Even with my mindset being negative.

But after being disappointed with other parts of the game. While gameplay is fun and enjoyable, the soundtrack is great and I've talked about more about this. It's the story I have a problem with. Including remembered that he told me not to have false hopes basically after I told him I'm not gonna hyped for a Sonic game after this.

Including him saying that even if Sonic Mania had fantastic reviews doesn't mean Sonic Forces would get any and he said he knew.

Also I wanna say this is basically my character development now. Me realizing the custom character is basically a form of something I wanted but not as a custom character. Yet the role of Buddy goes through things I like basically the concept of it said nice in head. While a lot of other things said everything in head but no not everything and random negative thoughts.

Basically the custom character seems to be the golden child of some sorts being in the mess of things. With some good stuff and bad stuff or just mixed stuff.

Even in my head I had thought of I never want the custom character again. Or the fact it might return honestly no it didn't suck.........

Was thinking I'm going to say that after my head said it sucked.

Really I am a hypocrite. While I have played other games where characters can be customized. Honestly theirs more whether story or not. Fine such as some Lego games, the Soul Calibur series I've seen people mentioned in a post about w certian c word I hate.

Yet the one game where I remember the custom character always goes to my head. Is basically the customization from Halo Reach where you play as Noble Six. Yet instead of a canon look or one that's seen in the trailers you get to customize the Spartan. Even also almost left work instead of look when talking about canon looks.

Basically you get to customize Noble Six. Even just looked forward for some reason. Basically the ending I don't wanna spoil it is a sad one almost left the word dad.

Okay in a way Halo Reach with that is something similar to Sonic Forces. Where your character is in cutscenes, in gameplay, and even people making versions of Red Vs Blue characters. The last season I've seen was season pressed some Google icon yet season 11 the series is funny but haven't seen it since despite it still going on.

It's amazing how my younger self seemed to not mind and liked customizing a Spartan yet Sonic it's the worst thing ever. Basically I had a hate on for the character being disgusted by it and just....I feel it be weird to compare it to a racist but okay back shook a bit.

Yet honestly the gameplay was enjoyable. But mainly played with the burst weapon just the drill isn't my favorite see just....I'm rambling.

The idea of the custom character returning oh negative thoughts. I just don't know may be nice just......

Sorry basically after wards nice or....I said that in my head.

Basically the custom character Buddy had a role I thought would like in any Sonic media and I hated it because I had false hopes like my friend said. Now that's what I remembered.

Think I should be done basically despite my head at times. I'm just so used to hating on the custom character it stuck with me maybe HOPEFULLY over time I be less hateful on it.

I kept retyping l and y for hopefully. Yet I'm so used to hating on the character and I want to like it more as time goes on. Maybe playing the game more. Yet the thought of making my own character no.

Yet I did with Buddy and....since thought in my head of changing it I've been thinking. Yeah I'm honestly attached to the Buddy The Wolf look we've been given that I don't want to change the character I hated the thought of changing it that one thought I don't want to lose Buddy.

Now okay theirs character development of me. Along with I should mention while I complained and critized of Buddy not talking and just.....I'm a fan of Doomguy and he's probably or one the original imagine yourself as the character those kinds of characters. Including how his actions speak louder then words. Also even other some what silent protagonists. Including I was talking about the main character from Doom.

Got tags done just don't take took off Sonic Forces spoilers and put it at the end almost took off the one before that. These mentions are getting stupid.

Seriously the game has been an emotional rollercoaster and my supposedly character development warming up to the custom character is coming into more of a reality even with my mindset 10:28 am just sorry have issues

[itsmonkeypajamas]

32 Things

So yesterday was my birthday, and I have a tradition of listing 32 things I’m thankful for - well, one for each year of my life. And anyways, I know I mostly us this for Blindspot fun, I decided I’d share my list here. Plus I am thankful for Blindspot.

1) Family – I mean, I have to say that. Plus they haven’t given me any presents yet.

2) Friends – Meant so much to me this year. I can’t even express how grateful I am for all of you, so just hugs and hope you all know how much you mean to me.

3) L – For everything. 

4) My job – I love my job. Even on the craziest of days I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to get paid to do something I love. Yes it’s sometimes stressful, often crazy, but it’s always interesting.

5) On a related note – I love that I know the differences between excavators and backhoes, skid steers and front end loaders. Oh and that UPS trucks are not brown, they are Pullman Brown

6) Again, you’re telling me I can get paid to play with Legos? And color? And the million other fun things I get to do at work.

7) And getting the drawings and crowns and notes from kids that warm my heart a million times over.

8) Therapy – This year was… hard. I’m glad I got help. I’m glad the people in my world were so supportive as I got help.

9) Blindspot – sure it’s just a tv show, but it’s also become my community and my mini family and my sanity break. So it’s not just a tv show.

10) And you can call it just coincidence, but they used my name in an episode, and to hear the main character say Jessica was amazing. And it could be total coincidence… but I’m saying it wasn’t. It wasn’t.

11) Because you know what – it’s pretty awesome to talk to the writers and creators of your favorite show. How does that happen?! It’s so weird but so, so amazing.

12) NYC – yikes! I can’t believe it took me so long to list this. Because that trip was EVERYTHING. Adventures, silliness, memories. When can we go back?

13) Seriously. That NYC Adventure was the best. I’m just doubly, triply, a million times thankful for it.

14) And our binges. Because we have stamina – we do what no one else in their right mind would attempt.

15) Volunteering at Zoo Atlanta – four years and counting and it’s still just as fun. And with some of the new things that are coming up – I can’t wait to see what’s going on. I love it there.

16) Atlanta Science Festival – 4th year attending, 3rd year volunteering, and this year I even was part of the organizing team.

17) Reading – since I just read an entire book in one sitting this morning, safe to say, I still love reading.

18) Writing – it’s been a bit of a struggle this year, but I’ve also produced some things I’ve been proud of.

19) Knitting – I made a scarf. That’s crazy to me. A month ago I didn’t knit and now I have a scarf. And am kind of obsessed.

20) Eclipse – I loved seeing it, even though it was a bit of a crazy day. Just cool to know for that moment, we were all sharing the time, looking at something amazing.

21) Logic Puzzles – What normal people don’t just construct multi level logic puzzles in their head while they’re waiting at red lights?

22) Being safe – okay maybe this should be higher on the list but, especially as Hurricane Irma passed through, I realized how grateful I was – and am – to be safe, to feel safe in my daily life.

23) FitBit Trophies – speaking of which, maybe I should get some steps so I can win this challenge….

24) Driving. Specifically going on 20/285 late at night. I love that trip home. It’s my favorite drive in the city.

25) And singing along with the radio at the top of my lungs while driving down the interstate. I may have done that for 11 hours yesterday.

26) Social media for being such a force of good in my life. From being my friends and family, providing support and encouragement, to emotional flailing and speculation.

27) Going outside – I love that I get to go outside and go on walks and adventures as part of my job. I think I look forward to it more than the kids sometimes.

28) The weather – it’s fun to be outside, and actually feel rain, see fog, feel the heat and the cool. Okay this is just an extension of going outside, but I do like weather.

29) Jon Ossoff’s campaign – yeah, it sucks he didn’t win, but it was pretty cool being a (very small) part of the campaign.

30) Sunrise and sunset – both I realize right now have dual meanings for me, but I also really love watching them. Don’t do it often enough, but got to see both yesterday.

31) Soccer – I haven’t watched a lot this year and sadly the USWNT wasn’t in the area for a live game (I miss that!) but it’s still important to me!

32) Grateful I’m 32 because these things are getting harder to think of!

[skullvis]

I want to talk about my experience on the morning of the missile but I’m also afraid it’ll come off as if I’m trying to get notes or attention. Basically I’ll just say what happened for me that morning and what I was feeling. 

It was pretty terrifying. I couldn’t read all of the information on the disaster alert that was sent to my phone-but I could read “missile” and “north korea”. Right after the alert woke me up and I read it, my town’s missile sirens started going. I tried calling my supervisor 3 or 4 times, and then another co-teacher, but neither of them answered. I panicked for a bit, before forcing myself to calm down and breath deeply. 

I went outside my apartment several times looking for other people from my apartment but no one else was outside. Meanwhile, my other foreign friends and I were texting each other trying to figure out what was happening. The sirens had stopped but then started again, so I assumed it was still dangerous. I went outside again, and luckily one of my neighbors was outside smoking a cigarette. I went to her, and asked her if she could tell me what the disaster alert said. In Japanese she told me that a missile had been fired and we were supposed to seek shelter. She also probably told me that the missile had passed, but I don’t think I got that part. I was nervous and scared, and not sure what to do. 

At this point, I had also gotten the alert saying the missile had passed, but because I could’t read it, I was still unsure if the missile was coming or not. In hindsight, I should have realized that my small town was probably not a target AT ALL but the sirens had gone off and I’d gotten the alerts, and was scared and was trying to play it safe. I went back into my apartment, grabbed my wallet, keys and phone, and headed to the school where I work. I didn’t know what else to do, and I thought maybe people would be taking shelter in the gym. I also figured another teacher would be there and would have an idea of what to do or where to go. I was trying to convince myself to be positive, but I also wondered if a bomb would hit and if I would survive. Looking back on it now it seems silly, but at the time I was truly scared and didn’t know what else to think. 

As I drove to work, I saw people walkong around outside and acting normally, and this helped me calm down a lot. Again, at this point I did’t know that the missile had passed, but was beginning to figure out that it probably wasn’t coming here, or had already passed. 

I got to school and as I got out of my car, another one of my teachers was also arriving. He was acting normally, and was just surprised to see me at the school so early. He asked my why I had come two hours early, very genially, and I suddenly had the chance to realize how terrified I had been. I think I said something like “I heard the sirens...and about the missile...I was scared” in Japanese, before starting to cry. My co-worker, bless him, was very sweet, and just said “It’s okay. It’s okay, everything is normal” which helped me feel a lot better, while I apologized and said thank you and excuse me to him. 

I went into the school building and to the teacher’s room. There was one other teacher there, and he had NHK news on, which was covering the story. I watched it a bit, and the other teacher came and talked to me, and also asked why I was so early. I basically said the same thing I had to the teacher in the parking lot. I teared up, but that was it, and then said that I wasn’t actually prepared for the school day, so I was going to go back home and get ready. 

I went back downstairs, got in my car and facetimed my Mom. She already knew about what was going on, and was actually not worried (or if she was, she didn’t show me, which was hugely helpful) and she helped me calm down. After that, I cried in my car for a bit before driving home. I got home, got a call back from my supervisor making sure I was okay and safe, and then went to sleep for another hour (I was exhausted and I think I was having an adrenaline crash) I then got back up, and got ready for school and went to work. Everything was normal. If people were really scared they didn’t talk about it. I talked a little bit about it with people at work, and actually more of them asked me about Harvey and Texas which was incredibly sweet and touching. 

After that it was a normal day. I was tireder than usual, maybe because of the adrenaline crash, or maybe cause I’d stayed up late the night before. Probably a combo of both. I listened to Kesha’s Rainbow on the way home and cried some more. I went to the convenience store where I’d become good friends with the cashiers and talked with them, both about the missile and just everyday stuff. I went to the DVD rental store and rented Lego Batman and Moana to watch at home and relax. I had a beer, and worked on my lesson plan for the next day, and called my family again. Then I went to bed. I woke up the next morning (today) and was relieved that no sirens were going off. 

Things feel normal now, but it was scary. I’m glad everyone here is okay. I’m glad the people of Japan are okay, and I’m touched that more people talked to me and showed concern about the Hurricane than they had the missile that morning.