#and my sister keeps sending me pics of her up at the cabin

[darkmothsy]

I need a day at the beach with a few drinks where I am not responsible for the human I made for more than a couple of hours so I can actually soak it in

[bechloeislegit]

Save a Horse, Ride a Cowgirl - Chapter 3

Chloe was surprised when Stacie opened the door to Beca's cabin. She stepped inside after Stacie waved her in. Beca was on the phone, pacing back and forth as she spoke quietly.

"Is everything okay?" Chloe asked Stacie.

"CR's wife had her baby," Stacie replied. "It's a boy!"

"That's wonderful," Chloe said, smiling as she waved at Beca. "Maybe I should go. Would you tell Beca we can talk more tomorrow?"

"Stay," Stacie said. "Give her another minute. She should be about done."

"Okay, I'll wait," Chloe said. "Would you like a brownie?"

"No, thanks," Stacie said.

"Give Denise our best," Beca said. "And make sure you send a photo of your little guy."

Stacie took the phone from Beca and told CR, "Ditto to what Beca said. I want to see a pic, too."

"How's everything going with Beca?" CR asked. "Is she behaving herself?"

Stacie looked over at Beca, who was pulling a brownie out of the plastic baggie Chloe held in front of her. Stacie waited until Beca started chatting quietly with Chloe to respond to CR.

Stacie nodded her head, even though CR couldn't see her. "Yes," she said, keeping her voice low. "We've only been here for one day and she's already acting more like her old self. I think part of it is because she met a childhood friend and they're reconnecting. So, unless you provide information to say otherwise, we'll be staying for the entire three weeks. And, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Beca comes back with a girlfriend."

"Seriously?" CR said, chuckling. "I hope it works out for her. Having someone to focus her attention on, would do her good."

"Sorry about all this," Beca told Chloe. "Thanks for the brownie."

"You're welcome," Chloe said. "Do you want me to go? We can talk more tomorrow."

"You don't have to," Beca said. "I'm enjoying talking with you."

"I've been enjoying talking to you, too."

"I agree," Stacie said, turning to look at Beca. "Talk to you soon. Goodnight, CR."

Stacie ended the call and put her phone in her pocket.

"So," Stacie said, looking at Chloe and Beca. "What are you two up to?"

"We were just going to talk some more," Beca said.

"Well, I'm tired," Stacie said. "So, I'll leave you to it. Oh, before I forget, Becs, I placed a request for an eight a.m. wake-up call for the both of us so we have time for breakfast before your riding lesson."

"Okay," Beca said. "Thanks, Stacie. I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight, Chloe," Stacie said as she made her way to the door.

"Goodnight, Stacie," Chloe said.

Stacie stopped and looked at Beca.

"Don't stay up too late," Stacie said.

"Don't worry, mom," Beca said, laughing. "We won't."

~~ Save a Horse, Ride a Cowgirl ~~

At some point later that evening, Beca and Chloe had laid on the bed, facing each other as they continued to talk. Chloe had fallen asleep and Beca got up to retrieve the blanket at the foot of the bed. She covered Chloe with the blanket and then laid down as she had been before. She fell asleep while watching Chloe sleep.

The next morning, Beca and Chloe both jerked awake at the sound of the phone ringing. Beca sat up and reached to answer the phone.

"Hello," Beca rasped out, before clearing her throat.

"Good morning, Miss Mitchell," a voice said through the phone. "This is your eight a.m. wake-up call."

"Thank you," Beca said and hung up the phone.

"Good morning," Chloe said as she stretched and sat up in bed.

"Good morning," Beca responded.

"Sorry, I fell asleep," Chloe said, smiling at Beca.

"That's okay," Beca said. "I wasn't too far behind you. So, um, would you like to have breakfast with me and Stacie?"

"I'd love to," Chloe said. "I'll go back to my room and meet you guys in the dining hall in an hour. Does that give you enough time to get ready?"

"That's plenty of time," Beca said, getting off the bed as Chloe did the same.

"Okay, then," Chloe said, making her way to the door. "I'll see you at breakfast."

Beca walked over to Chloe and opened the door for her. Chloe leaned in and kissed Beca's cheek.

"Thank you," Chloe said, stepping just outside the door. "I had a wonderful night."

"What's this?" Stacie's voice called out when she saw Chloe standing outside Beca's door. "Chloe, are you doing the walk of shame?"

Hearing Stacie, Beca stepped out and stood next to Chloe as Stacie reached them.

"We weren't. . . we didn't. . .um," Beca stammered. She looked at Chloe. "A little help here, Chloe."

Stacie stopped and looked first at Beca and then at Chloe.

"There is no shame in my game," Chloe said and laughed. "But, alas, all we did was talk and fall asleep."

"So, what I'm hearing is that you two slept together," Stacie said, grinning at Beca.

"What?" Beca screeched, her cheeks red. "No. I mean, yes, we slept together but we didn't sleep together. Um, I mean, we were laying in the bed together, and we were actually sleeping. Together. But not like sleeping together in a sexual way."

Chloe and Stacie were both smiling as they looked at how flustered Beca had become.

"You're so adorable," Chloe said, causing Beca's face to become even redder.

"Not adorable," Beca mumbled.

"Most definitely adorable," Chloe said, kissing Beca's cheek. "I have to go get showered and changed. I'll see you both at breakfast."

With that, Chloe walked off toward her cabin, leaving Beca and Stacie alone.

Stacie turned toward Beca, her mouth opening as if to say something.

"Don't start," Beca said, holding up a hand toward Stacie.

"I wasn't going to start anything," Stacie said innocently. "I was just going to suggest that we should get ready for the day."

Beca scoffed, causing Stacie to laugh. "I'll see you in a little bit, Beca."

Stacie was still laughing as she turned and walked back toward her cabin. Beca shook her head and went back into her room.

~~ Save a Horse, Ride a Cowgirl ~~

After breakfast, and Stacie's relentless teasing of Beca, Chloe took the girls to the stables for Beca's riding lesson. There were two teenage boys waiting by the stable's entrance when they arrived.

"Did you boys sign up for the riding lesson?" Chloe stopped and asked them.

"Yep," one of the boys responded, while the other just nodded his head.

"I'm Chloe, and I'll be leading this lesson."

"I'm Brad," the boy who nodded said. "And this is my brother Chad."

"I'm Stacie and this is Beca," Stacie told the two boys.

Chad leered at both women; Brad smacked him on the arm and whispered, "Be cool."

"We know who you are," Brad said, looking at Beca. "Our older sister loves your music. Could we get an autograph for her?"

"Sure," Beca said. "I'd be happy to sign something after we're done here."

"If you four would follow me, I'll get everyone set up with a horse," Chloe said, walking into the barn. She looked at the two boys. "Have either of you ridden before?"

"I have," Chad said. "This will be my brother's first time."

"Hey, Red," Fat Amy called out when she saw Chloe.

"Hey, Amy," Chloe said. "Are the horses ready?"

"Yep," Fat Amy said. "All saddled and ready to go."

"Thanks, Amy," Chloe said. She turned to the four riders. "I'm going to go over a few basic safety issues before we actually get on the horses. Okay?"

All four nodded in agreement.

Chloe went through a few things as Beca smiled and stared at her. Stacie bumped Beca's shoulder and smirked when Beca turned to look at her.

"What?" Beca whispered.

"You have a boner for your riding instructor," Stacie whispered, chuckling when Beca's face turned red.

"So?" Beca responded, turning to watch and listen to Chloe.

"Any questions?" Chloe concluded.

"I have one," Chad said. "Do you have a boyfriend?"

Beca snapped around and glared at him. "That has nothing to do with riding lessons or anything Chloe just said."

"I'm just curious," Chad said. "Because I'd like to ride her instead of one of these things."

"Shut up, Chad!" Brad said.

"Yeah, Chad," Beca sneered. "Shut up!"

"It's okay, Beca," Chloe said. "I've got this. Jesse!?"

"Yeah, Chloe?" Jesse said, suddenly appearing at her side.

"Would you mind escorting this young man away from the stable?" Chloe asked, waving her arm toward Chad. "He won't be riding with us today."

"No problem," Jesse said, walking over to Chad and taking his arm. "Let's go!"

"You can't do this!" Chad yelled as Jesse dragged him away. "Brad! Help me!"

"Nope!" Brad yelled, shaking his head. "He's always got to be a dick about everything."

Once Chad and Jesse were out of sight, Chloe turned to the group.

"Now that's taken care of," Chloe said, getting everyone's attention back on her. "Let's get our horses."

Beca, Stacie, and Brad followed as Chloe made her way to where Amy and Bumper were holding the reins of four horses.

"Tom took Chestnut back to his stall since you are down one rider," Bumper told Chloe.

"Thanks, Bumper," Chloe said as she stopped in front of one of the horses. She took the reins as she ran a hand down its forehead.

"This is Cinnamon," Chloe said. "She's mine."

Chloe looked over at the group. "Beca, since you're a beginner, you get Rosemary; I promise she's very gentle. Brad, since you're also a beginner, you take Sage, and Stacie, you get. . ."

"Let me guess," Stacie interrupted. "My horse's name is Thyme or some other herb?"

"Actually, it's Pepper," Chloe said, chuckling. "He's a bit feistier. Think you can handle him?"

"I'm sure I can handle him," Stacie said, winking at Chloe.

"Show off," Beca muttered.

~~ Save a Horse, Ride a Cowgirl ~~

Stacie had no trouble getting on her horse. Bumper had to help Brad, and after a bit of a struggle, finally managed to get him seated.

Chloe walked over to Beca and led her to a stump in the yard.

"Use this stump to get on Rosemary," Chloe told Beca. "It will be easier."

"Thanks," Beca said, stepping up onto the stump.

Amy brought Rosemary over and held the reins to keep Rosemary steady. Beca put both hands on the pommel and placed her left foot in the stirrup. She bounced once or twice before throwing her right leg over the back of the horse, sitting firmly in the saddle.

"Great job, Becs," Chloe said, patting Beca's leg. She turned and walked over to Cinnamon.

Suddenly, a pop-pop-pop sounded. Stacie's horse bucked but she held on and got him under control. Brad wasn't so lucky; Sage bucked and Brad fell off, landing on his back.

"Ahhhh," Beca yelled as her horse also tried to buck her off.

Beca somehow managed to stay hold on as Chloe rushed to try and grab onto Rosemary's reins. Chloe failed at grabbing the reins and Rosemary took off like a bat out of Hell, with Beca holding onto the pommel for dear life.

"Beca!" Choe yelled.

Chloe ran and jumped onto Cinnamon, immediately spurring the horse to chase after Beca and Rosemary.

"Oh, my God!" Stacie cried out, sliding off Pepper and rushing over to Brad who was lying still on the ground where he fell.

Jesse and Bumper came running from inside the stable and looked around to see what had happened.

"It was that kid that Jesse threw out of here," Fat Amy said. "I saw him toss some firecrackers behind Sage."

"We need an ambulance," Stacie yelled from where she was kneeling next to Brad.

Jesse saw Chad peeking around the corner of the stable.

"There he is!" Jesse yelled, running toward Chad.

Chad saw Jesse coming after him and ran off.

"Amy, go help Stacie with the kid," Bumper said. "I'm going to tell Chicago and Jessica what happened and call for an ambulance."

Amy nodded her head and Bumper ran off. Amy hurried over to Stacie and looked down at Brad. Brad was moaning and tried to sit up. Stacie put a hand on his chest.

"Stay down," Stacie told him, pushing him back down gently.

"Bumper went to call an ambulance," Amy told Stacie.

Just then Jesse came back with a struggling Chad.

"Stop it!" Jesse yelled at Chad. "Or I swear to God, I will knock you out."

Chad ceased struggling and looked at Brad.

"Is he going to be okay?"

~~ Save a Horse, Ride a Cowgirl ~~

Chloe pushed Cinnamon as hard as she could; she was gaining ground and was within a few feet of Beca and Rosemary.

"Beca!" Chloe yelled, causing Beca to look over her shoulder at Chloe. "Gently pull back on the reins. That will slow her down."

"I can't!" Beca yelled back. "Oh, my God! I'm gonna die!"

"No, you're not," Chloe yelled. "Just gently pull back on the reins."

"I really can't," Beca said, holding onto the pommel of the saddle. "I dropped them when she. . .Ahhhh. . . when she started to run."

This spurred Chloe to push Cinnamon a bit more until Cinnamon was running side-by-side with Rosemary.

Chloe reached toward Beca with her left arm; she leaned over slightly and yelled, "Lean toward me."

"What are you doing?" Beca screamed. "You're going to kill us both!"

"Trust me," Chloe shouted.

Beca looked into Chloe's eyes and it calmed her; she knew she could trust Chloe. Beca leaned slightly and Chloe caught her around the waist, pulling her off of Rosemary. Beca screamed and grabbed onto Chloe's arm; Chloe used her free hand to slow down and stop Cinnamon. Once they stopped, she gently lowered Beca to the ground. Beca stumbled back slightly but stayed on her feet.

Chloe jumped off Cinnamon and rushed over to Beca, pulling her into a hug. Beca hugged Chloe back, pulling her tighter to her.

"I thought I was going to die," Beca mumbled into Chloe's shoulder.

"I was never going to let that happen," Chloe whispered into Beca's ear.

Beca pulled back from the hug and stared into Chloe's eyes. Chloe stared back and the next thing they knew, their lips were smashed together.

~~ Save a Horse, Ride a Cowgirl ~~

Rosemary had stopped a few feet away as soon as Beca was no longer on her back. Chloe grabbed Rosemary's reins and then Cinnamon's; she slowly walked both horses over to where Beca stood.

"I'm not getting back on that thing," Beca said.

"You don't have to," Chloe said. "You can sit behind me on Cinnamon to get you back to the stable."

It took a bit of cajoling and another kiss, as well as the thought of walking all the way back to the stable before Beca agreed to ride behind Chloe on Cinnamon.

The two were now on their way back to the stable. Beca was sitting behind Chloe with her arms around Chloe's waist, and her hands clutching Chloe's shirt.

"I can't believe you got me back on one of these things," Beca said, leaning her chin on Chloe's shoulder.

Chloe chuckled. "My kisses have a way of getting people to do things they wouldn't normally do."

"Huh," Beca said, grinning into Chloe's shoulder. "Good to know."

It only took Chloe about fifteen minutes to make it back to the stables.

"There's Chloe!" Stacie yelled, seeing the redhead leading one horse while riding the other. "I don't see Beca."

"She's sitting behind Chloe," Jesse said.

Just then Beca poked her head over Chloe's shoulder. She saw an ambulance and a police car; a few feet away, she saw Chicago and Jessica speaking to someone she assumed was an EMT. To her left, she noticed Stacie standing next to Jesse, each had one hand shielding their eyes as they watched Chloe lead Cinnamon into the paddock. There were other people around that Beca recognized as some of the Ranch guests.

"Why is there an ambulance here?" Beca asked.

"That kid, Brad, was thrown off his horse," Chloe said. "He landed on his back. I guess it's for him."

"Oh," Beca said. "I hope he's okay."

Chloe was leading Cinnamon over to the stump Beca used to help get onto Rosemary. Stacie came rushing over and grabbed Beca's arm.

"Beca!" Stacie squealed, pulling Beca from the horse.

"Ahhh," Beca screamed as she tumbled onto Stacie, knocking her on her back.

Chloe dismounted safely as Beca attempted to get to her feet, but Stacie held onto her, squeezing her tight.

"Geez, Stace, are you trying to kill me?"

"I'm sorry," Stacie said. "I'm just glad to see you're alive."

Stacie let Beca go and Chloe helped them both to their feet. Chicago and Jessica ran over to them; Chicago pulled Chloe into a hug.

"Are you two alright?" Chicago asked, looking from Chloe to Beca.

"We're fine," Chloe said, returning the hug.

"Is the kid okay?" Beca asked.

"Mr. Walp?" One of the police officers called out to Chicago.

"Excuse me," Chicago said and walked away without answering.

"They think he just had the wind knocked out of him," Jessica said. "They're taking him to the hospital to get checked out."

"That's good to hear," Beca said.

"Chloe!" Aubrey yelled as she ran to her best friend.

Aubrey grabbed Chloe in a hug and squeezed her tight. "I was so worried."

"I'm fine, Brey," Chloe said, pulling away from Aubrey.

The air around them was suddenly filled with expletives being shouted. Everyone looked to see Chad in handcuffs, being dragged to a police car; it appeared his parents were arguing with the officer.

"Amy saw him throw firecrackers behind Sage, which caused the horses to spook," Jessica told Chloe. "They're arresting him for reckless endangerment. He could have killed any one of you and he's not even the least bit sorry about it."

Beca squinted and watched as the officer was finally able to wrestle Chad into the back of the police car.

"Shouldn't the parents be with their other kid?" Beca asked. "You know, the one who's actually hurt."

"You would think," Stacie said.

"Can I go to my room?" Beca asked. "I'd like a shower and change into some clean clothes. I smell like a horse."

"I could use a shower myself," Chloe said.

"I think the cops want to talk to you two," Jessica said. "They've talked to everyone else who was here when it happened."

"Oh, okay," Beca said.

~~ Save a Horse, Ride a Cowgirl ~~

Beca's body was aching all over from the bouncing and jarring it received as Rosemary galloped at full speed away from danger. Beca couldn't really blame the horse. She felt a kinship to it and understood the fear that would cause the horse to run as it did; she had done the same herself on several occasions when something frightened her.

"I hope Chloe's okay," Beca mumbled as she stood in the shower with her hands on the wall in front of her as the hot water flowed down over her back and shoulders.

Beca had noticed Chloe wincing when Jessica hugged her. Beca figured that if she was hurting from all that happened, then Chloe's adrenaline rush must have worn off as well.

The next thought Beca had was of the kiss or kisses she shared with Chloe. They were both so relieved that she was safe after Chloe scooped her off the horse, their emotions took over and they kissed. Beca put her fingers to her lips; they were still tingling from kissing Chloe. She couldn't stop the smile that came to her lips. She also couldn't help wanting to kiss Chloe again.

"Are you sure you're okay, Chloe?" Aubrey asked as Chloe gathered a change of clothes after her shower. "You're moving a little slow."

"Just a bit sore," Chloe said. "I'll be out in a minute and then we can get lunch."

"Take your time," Aubrey said. "I have Ashley handling lunch today."

"Wow," Chloe said, stopping to look at Aubrey. "You must really be worried about me if you're letting Ashley take over your kitchen."

"You know I let Ashley handle lunch on her own quite often," Aubrey said. She looked at Chloe standing in the middle of the room. "Aren't you supposed to be getting dressed?"

Chloe laughed and went into the bathroom to change. She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled.

"I can't believe Beca and I kissed," she thought as she dropped her towel. Her brows furrowed and a frown replaced the smile. "I hope she doesn't regret it happening."

Chloe was dressed and walked out of the bathroom. Aubrey saw the pensive look on her face.

"Is something wrong?"

"Beca and I kissed," Chloe blurted out.

Aubrey's eyes widened as she digested this new piece of information. She smiled and asked, "You kissed?"

"We did," Chloe said.

"So, did she kiss you? Or did you kiss her?"

"I think it was a mutual thing," Chloe said, sitting on the bed and starting to put on her socks. "I mean, I hugged her once she was back on solid ground and when I pulled back, we were suddenly kissing. I think we both just leaned in and it happened."

"Okay," Aubrey said. "So, how was it?"

"It was amazing," Chloe said. "You know I already had a crush on her. Now, I think I might actually be falling in love with her."

Aubrey didn't say anything and Chloe finished putting on her shoes and socks.

"Wow!" Aubrey finally said. "I was not expecting that. Are you going to tell her?"

"I don't know," Chloe said. "I want to, but I'm afraid of how she'll react. She hasn't had a real relationship to speak of since she became famous. At least, none that I've read about; she usually has flings and one-night stands. I don't want to be another notch on her bedpost."

Aubrey sat on the bed next to Chloe. "I don't think that will be the case. In the short time that she's been here, I've seen how she looks at you. And, I think she has feelings for you, too."

Chloe was saved from responding by a knock on her door. She got up and was surprised to find Beca standing outside.

"Hey," Beca said.

"Hey," Chloe said.

"Um, can we talk?"

"I should get back to the kitchen," Aubrey said.

"Sorry, Aubrey, I didn't see you there," Beca said. "You don't have to go. I can talk to Chloe later."

"You're here now," Aubrey said. "You two should talk."

"Oh. Okay. You're right," Beca said. "Thanks."

"Don't be late for lunch," Aubrey called over her shoulder to Chloe as she brushed past Beca.

"Um, you want to come in?" Chloe asked, stepping aside for Beca to enter.

"Yeah, thanks," Beca said and entered Chloe's room.

~~ Save a Horse, Ride a Cowgirl ~~

"Hey, Aubrey," Stacie said, seeing the woman as soon as she walked into the dining room. "Have you seen Beca?"

"I left her with Chloe about ten minutes ago," Aubrey said. "She came by Chloe's room to talk. I'm guessing they'll be here for lunch shortly."

"Thanks, I'll just wait for her here," Stacie said, taking a seat at a table. "I just want to make sure Beca is okay. If she's able to go talk to Chloe, I guess she's fine."

"She looked okay when I left them," Aubrey said. "Would you mind if I join you?"

"Please do," Stacie said, motioning to the chair across from her. "Who's making lunch if you're out here with me?"

"Ashley," Aubrey said. "We all wear many hats around here and she helps me with all the meals. I usually let her take care of lunch alone if I'm needed elsewhere. Chloe is my best friend, so when I heard about what happened, I left Ashley in charge and ran right over there."

"It was quite scary," Stacie said. "Especially when Beca's horse took off. I think my heart actually skipped a few beats when I saw her bouncing around on that horse, holding on for dear life."

"I'm glad everyone is okay," Aubrey said. "It could have been so much worse. Although, I think it worked out well for Chloe and Beca."

"How so?" Stacie asked.

"Well, I'm sure Beca will tell you this herself," Aubrey said, leaning across the table as if she was going to share a secret. "They kissed."

"No," Stacie said. "If something like that happens, Beca usually comes looking for me to tell me about it."

Stacie looked up when she heard the door to the outside open. Beca and Chloe walked in together.

"So, you're driving to LA once you leave here?" Beca asked Chloe.

"I'm sorry, Beca," Chloe said. "I know I said I'd fly to LA with you and Stacie, but I totally forgot about my car because we don't use them here on the ranch. I'll need my car in LA and driving it there seems like the cheapest way to do it."

"That's over a thousand miles and something like sixteen hours of driving," Beca said. "I can pay someone to get your car to LA for you so you can fly to LA with me and Stacie. You can spend a few more days here and still be in LA in time to start your new job."

"I can't ask you to do that, Beca," Chloe said.

"You're not asking," Beca said. "I'm offering. I don't want to have to worry about you breaking down somewhere or something happening to you."

"Awww, you do care about me," Chloe said, kissing Beca.

Beca chuckled as she pulled back from the kiss.

"Um, Chloe," Beca whispered. "I thought we were going to keep this a secret until we were ready to go to LA?"

"I'm sorry," Chloe said, not looking sorry at all. "I couldn't help myself. I just really wanted to kiss you again."

"Beca, is there something you want to tell me?" Stacie asked, smirking.

"What are you talking about?" Beca asked, stepping away from Chloe. "Tell you what?"

"Let's start with that kiss," Stacie said. "And, then we can talk about the other kisses you and Chloe shared this morning."

Beca looked at Chloe who shrugged and smiled at Beca.

"Fine," Beca said, smiling at Chloe. "Chloe and I are going to start dating. We wanted to keep it quiet to see how things would go before we told anyone."

"How's that working out for you?" Aubrey asked, laughing at Beca.

"Not too well," Beca said, laughing as well. "My new girlfriend can't keep her lips off me, so I guess we can tell everyone now."

"Did you hear that, Brey?" Chloe said, pulling Beca to her with a big smile on her face. "I'm Beca Mitchell's girlfriend."

"I can't wait to tell CR about this," Stacie said. "I know she'll be as happy to hear this as I am."

"So, you're okay with how fast this happened?" Beca asked.

"I am," Stacie said. "I think the media will have a field day with it though. But don't worry, CR and I will get ahead of it so we should be able to quash any negative news that may come your way."

"Good," Beca said, sounding relieved. "I don't want anything to scare Chloe away. I plan on her being a part of my life for a very, very long time."

"I am unsurprisingly okay with that," Chloe said with a beaming smile.

_______________________________________________________

A/N: BeChloe is together and that's it for this part of the story. The final chapter will be an epilogue picking things up one year later.

[tirednotflirting]

couch cuddles - l.h.

school is kicking my ass and I miss my friends like mad so yes, I projected all of that here at around 2am after yelling about this sweet pic of Luke with @castaway-cashton​. 

hope everyone is finding ways to manage all of the time indoors these days. I’ve been thankful for the community on here during all of this. much love and happy reading (and pls send me thoughts, I’m still new to this and horrible at editing).

wc: ~1.6k

They were nearing the end of their third week in quarantine. Three weeks of being locked up inside (aside from a brief gloved trip to the grocery at the beginning of week two). 21 days of zoom meetings with her graduate advisor and radio interviews on facetime, of creative pasta dishes (the one thing had randomly stocked up on even before this all happened), of afternoons in the backyard watching Petunia run in circles until she stopped in front of their chairs, her sad eyes practically begging to be taken to a dog park that was unfortunately closed until this was all over.

They had settled into a routine pretty quickly. She wouldn’t start her work before 9 and unless he had some international interview he had to take part in, Luke would do the same. She would plug in her laptop and stick her phone on do not disturb at 6pm sharp. Luke would keep his stuck in the deep pockets of his sweats, always eager for a sporadic facetime from a tipsy Calum asking to let the dogs say hello or Ash calling for him to listen to a new melody he had thought up or Mike sending him another twitter meme. They switched back and forth on who made dinner, Luke had been enjoying trying things from the beginner’s cookbooks his mom had sent him sometime during the last year. They watched a lot of movies. She read a lot of books, he spent a good deal of time playing around with different songs they had been trying in the studio during February. With everything going on, she figured there were worse ways she could be living than doing what she could for her research and TAing from the comfort of her sweet boy’s kitchen table.

She had started to pick up on his cabin fever when their day began at around 5am with Luke shifting around in the bed so much it almost felt like he was doing something choreographed. After 15 minutes of his dance, she sat up on her elbow and reached for her phone to check the time. She didn’t remember exactly what the bright digits displayed across a picture of Luke and Petunia with flowers tucked behind their ears she had snapped a couple months prior were other than too early.

‘Honey, are you feeling alright?’ she asked quietly, her throat dry from sleep, as she leaned back from the bedside table. Her hand moved back to cross his chest as his own wrapped around her waist.

‘Yeah, just can’t get comfy,’ he huffed, obviously frustrated by the random early morning energy. ‘Gonna go let Miss P out for a minute. Go back to sleep, angel, you need your rest.’

While she wanted to further investigate what was up with her tired eyed boy, she immediately felt herself yawning. She lifted her head from his chest and pressed her lips to his jaw before letting her head fall back to the pillows as she felt his weight lift from the mattress.

When she woke up next, it was to the sound of her alarm and an empty bed. She padded out to the kitchen and was greeted with a kiss to the top of her cheek and her coffee. (‘I think I got the sugar to cream ratio right this time but please give me feedback, lovie.’) She shrugged off the morning, brushing off his odd early jitters with the fact that they had both been getting a lot more sleep than normal given the new situation.  

She had been busy throughout the day. It was a Thursday, her busy day, even with the quarantine. In the morning, she zoom called her advisor to check in with her more personally but also to update her on where she had gotten that week with the data she had been sifting through (being stuck outside of the lab made for good reason to finally do some data work). She did a meeting after lunch for the undergrad course she was TAing this semester. Though that discussion section had basically turned into everyone just talking about their pets and families more than talking about evolutionary theory (they needed to see faces though so she didn’t mind the chatter). She held virtual office hours after that for a couple hours (more chattering with a little bit of explaining how that equilibrium equation worked again).

So by the time her 6pm switch to do not disturb rolled around, she was more than looking forward to spending a few hours on the couch with a glass of wine and the new book she had ordered that arrived that morning.

She’d been settled on the couch for about 15 minutes and was raising a stemless glass of pinot grigio to her lips, when she looked through the big window in the living room that gave a nice view of the yard only to see Petunia wandering around but no sign of her golden boy. She looked to check what page she’d reached, mentally marking her place before getting up to look for where Luke had wandered off to, when she heard socked feet shuffling into the living room behind her. She turned her head to find the sweet face she hadn’t seen hardly at all since she was handed her morning coffee so many hours earlier. His normally bright eyes looked worried and his dimples hidden by a pouted frown.

‘Sweet pea, what’s the matter?’ she questioned, the hand not holding her novel reaching for his once he’d wandered close enough to where she sat on the couch, her left leg still folded up while her right rested against the floor, ready to get up to hug the droopy boy. She doesn’t get a chance to though as he moved to sit beside her, his fingers playing with hers almost nervously.

‘Miss the guys,’ came a quiet voice that sounded like it was coming from a tight throat. ‘And like, we’re so lucky here. And the album is doing well and the fans have pushed so much on this release. And we’re healthy and everyone we love is healthy but,’ he blinked really hard before continuing, ‘I just wanna see them. Like actually see them.’

She leaned forward to leave her book on the coffee table before moving her hand to rub at the back of his neck, her fingers working through the knots in his curls there, trying to get him to release some of the tension in his shoulders. ‘And I love being here with you and we would never normally get this much time together during an album release and I know I shouldn’t be whining and-‘

He stopped short when she pulled her hand from his and placed it against his cheek to turn his face towards her. ‘Babe, you don’t have to apologize for feeling right now,’ her thumb stroked against the top of his normally rosy cheek. ‘You’re allowed to be upset and you’re allowed to miss your boys. You’re never gone from them for this long, it makes sense.’

He opened his mouth to respond but then just nuzzled against her palm when she shushed him. ‘And I love being here with you too but that doesn’t mean I’m not bummed that my sister canceled her trip out here and that I don’t miss seeing my students every week.’

Across the room, the clatter of Petunia’s paws against the tile in the kitchen sounded out as she trotted towards the couch. Luke sniffled a little bit, and the girl he’s practically sitting on top of felt a tear against the thumb still running across his cheekbone. Petunia must have sensed the sadness coming from the couch as she jumped up and pushed herself against Luke’s legs, looking up at him for pets.

Luke blinked back tears again, his head leaning back to face the ceiling and the hand at the back of his neck moved to scratch between his shoulders. ‘I know it can’t make it go away but how about cuddles for a bit and then we can facetime everyone after dinner? See what they’re up to maybe?’ she whispered, suddenly aware of the stillness of the room.

His lips pouted a bit as he nodded and turned to her. ‘Can I lay in your lap so Petunia can get cuddles too?’

She let herself giggle softly at his request, not being able to help herself as she leaned forward to brush her lips against his pout. ‘Of course, sweet pea.’

He maneuvered his long limbs so Petunia was tucked against him (easiest access for tummy rubs) and laid his sleepy head in his girl’s lap. As one hand returned to the glass of wine beside her, the other combed through the bleached curls, softer than usual from the hair mask she convinced him to do with her earlier in the week. Though her heart ached that she couldn’t give any better of a solution to the way her sweet boy was feeling, she knew something was right by the way he quickly fell asleep, his lips pouted against her leg as he rested. She returned the glass to the side table and carefully picked up her book again, moving slowly so she didn’t disturb the sleeping boy in her lap. However, one hand did stay tucked into his hair as even in his sleep he would start fidgeting some if he couldn’t feel the lazy patterns she drew through the curls.

Later that night, as she finished rinsing their wine glasses from a late dinner, she heard his loud, bright laughter followed by ‘Baby, you gotta come see the costumes Mike and Cal got for the dogs! And bring your laptop, we need to find a pink Power Ranger costume for Petunia!’

She chuckled as she set the last glass down on the drying rack. Yeah, they were gonna be alright.

//

[renee-walker]

Jack and Renee! :D

This is for the “If they had a kid” ask, and omg Sady, thanks!

Name: Meredith Evelyn Bauer. She’s a 100% real human being, don’t @ me! (It helps that she for real stars in so many fics @adrenalin211 have written.)

Gender: Female

General Appearance: Strawberry blond, green eyes, freckles everywhere, a relentless look of mischief that won’t quit

Personality: At first glance, she seems a lot like a mini-Renee with lighter hair. However, the truth is that she’s a hilarious mix of her parents’ best (and worst lol) qualities. She’s smart, snarky, stubborn af, empathetic to a fault, highly resistant to authority, fiercely protective of everyone she loves, and lamentably fearless.

Special Talents: Hacking her parents’ phones to send Kim and Teri silly snapchats, getting into fights with Renee over the stupidest shit, tossing out deadpan one-liners that can break the tension in any room, understanding when it’s a great idea to change the subject, keeping Jack 110% wrapped around her pinkie finger, trying to take the blame for stuff even when it’s absolutely 50% Teri’s fault, entertaining Travis on long car rides. Girl has a lot of skills, okay?

Who they like better: This is such a tough question, because the easy answer is Jack. Their relationship is just so drama free overall. But despite the fact Meredith’s similarity to Renee causes them to clash more, she’s the first person to stick up for Renee the minute anyone has a negative word to say about her mother. I’m not kidding. Don’t even try with this child.

Who they take after more: Renee, no question. One of the many reasons Jack struggles to say no to anything on a daily basis.

Personal Head canon: When Renee found out she was pregnant, she instantly worried about how Kim would react to Jack having a daughter younger than his granddaughter. And fair enough, because Jack unquestionably uses this second chance at fatherhood as his own personal crusade to make up for all his perceived (and real) mistakes with Kim. What Renee didn’t anticipate is how much Kim loves this, because she’s a grownass woman who long ago forgave her dad for being imperfect, and she loves her little sister more than life itself. So basically, Meredith’s favorite times in life are any time the entire family is together anywhere, whether it’s at the beach, at the cabin during their winter visits to Tahoe, or just hanging out in Kim’s backyard, the kids swimming while the adults sip margaritas and watch the sun set. However, she also loves it when Jack falls asleep on a raft in the pool, so she can sneak up and tip him over.

Face Claim: Somewhere hidden deep in my email archives, I have a pic of the child Adrienne and I decided was smol Meredith. But I cannot find it to save my life, and nothing else will do lmao.

[petri808]

Zero Degrees of Separation

AU Story, FT Next Gen.  Jerza kids.  4300 words.  I wrote this story for a school assignment. Pics of the kids are on my side blog @petrischronicles

It is summer break before Identical twins Andesine & Azurite Fernandez will be leaving for college on opposite sides of the country. Their family takes their annual summer vacation to the mountains but both brothers are troubled about breaking their connection.  ​

The breeze coming off the crystalline lake was something Azurite Fernandez always appreciated when they visited the summer cabin.  It had that typical rustic quality of earthy scented pine, mixed with warbling birds and chattering squirrels, a beautiful serenity and today was no exception as the warm kiss of mountain sunlight blanketed the family from powder blue skies. He stood there with his eyes closed letting the calming peace and quiet sweep him away for it might be years before he’d be back again.  This was perfect, he mused to himself.  Someday building a house and raising a family in a place like this appealed to his inner nature.

“Azurite, could you help your sister with her bags?”

He opened his eyes and released the fresh moist air from his lungs, “sure mom,” before turning towards his family’s SUV.  Azi clicked his tongue, chuckling as his sister struggled with her oversized suitcase. Grabbing it from her and setting it on the ground he teases, “did you pack your entire room?”

Amethyst huffs, picking up her smaller carry-on and purse from the ground, “not all of us loves this place as much as you do, I needed things to keep me busy.”  

“I’m with Amy on this,” their brother Andesine, Azi’s twin, throws his arm over his brother’s shoulder. “I’d much rather be hanging out with Sage and the others, considering most of us are going to different parts of the country in a couple months.”

“Tch,” Azurite crosses his arms, “then I would just as much prefer to spend time with my girlfriend then you.”

“Alright, alright boys,” their father Jellal chides them as he walks past into the house, “it’s family time, not friend time so just deal with it and make your mother happy for a couple of weeks.”  With a sigh, Azurite simply grabs his sister’s suitcase and along with his sullen siblings makes their way into the house behind him.

That evening as Andi and Amy hole up in their rooms with their phones or laptops, and their parents enjoy the rest of the night in the den, Azurite ventures out onto the spacious wrap around deck, propping himself atop a railing.  With his long legs easily balancing on the beam and his back against one of the pillars, he had chosen the spot because it was a clear vantage point of the nighttime lake.  Dark and ominous waters like at any moment some creature could walk out of its depths ready to strike at the unaware and yet, with the shimmering moonlit surface, instead of a creature, maybe a beautiful water goddess come to grant you any wish you desire.  A slight uptick around the corners of his mouth are the only indication when a few fond memories begin to flow through.  

Such supernatural creatures were common topics when they were little.  Nights like this one spent on the shore sleeping under the stars, trading story ideas, or dreams of heroes and villains come to life.  Just a lot of imagination packed between the Fernandez twins and the seeming link they shared was evident.  One would start a sentence and the other would finish it, an idea for a character would come to mind and the other would simply nod and agree as if they could see it too.  Like words never spoken aloud but through the spirit became secrets only they could share driving their sister crazy because it left her out of the loop.

They used to love fishing with their father, sometimes competing with each other on who could catch the biggest fish, campfire smores with their mom who made sure they didn’t burn their hands, and tag teaming scares upon their little sister.  On sunny afternoons the boys would swim out to the middle of the lake where a platform had been anchored, jumping off or sun bathing.  Hikes with the family in the surrounding forests were a treat to find bugs and other critters or make forts amongst the trees to search for dragons.  

It was quite an enjoyable childhood, but like many kids, as they got older, and their individual personalities developed, different interests and friendships pulled them in separate directions.  They were still brothers that got along for the most part, but no longer peas in the same pod.  Azurite closes his eyes, ‘and the distance is only gonna grow wider when we leave for college.’  It wasn’t that he wanted to be separated from his brother or family, but when one receives a full-ride scholarship to M.I.T, they’d be a fool to decline. Unfortunately, that meant he’d be attending school in Massachusetts clear across the country from Santa Barbara where Andesine had opted to go.

“Will you cheer up Az?” the warm hand of his brothers upon his shoulder, rouses Azurite from his reflections only to look over and see the smug smirk of his twin staring back. Andesine taps his temple, “is the distance really bothering you that much, cause ya know eventually we had to cut the cord.”

“I wasn’t thinking…” Again, Andi taps the side of his head and cocks an eyebrow.  “Okay, sure, maybe I was but that wasn’t the only thing.”

“A…” searching his pockets, he pulls out the only thing he had and holds it up with a goofy grin, “piece of gum for your thoughts?”

Even Azurite had to laugh at the silly antics of his twin, “It’s nothing,” waving his hand, “maybe I’m just nervous about being so far away from everyone.  I mean, aren’t you?”

“Mmm,” Andi tips his head, “not really, kinda excited to see all them California girls!” singing out part of the Katie Perry song.

Azurite rolls his eyes, “You are so bad!”

“And you are too good!” Andi retorts and laughs out loud, “I feel like I need to balance out this dynamic duo!”  Azurite tries to hide the amusement but fails miserably since his brother can read him. “Come on… grumpy gus,” he playfully punches Azi’s arm, “just get some sleep and maybe you’ll feel better.”

After his bother moves out of the way, Azi slides off the railing and stretches out his stiffened back. “Mom guys crash yet?”

Andesine nods, “fell asleep on the couch.  I think Amy too, cause her light was off.”  He pulls out his phone, “I don’t think you realize but you’ve been out here for several hours, see,” showing his brother the time, “it’s almost 2 am.”

Azi frowns, “I didn’t. But why are you still awake?”

“I wasn’t, just woke up when I felt something bothering you.”

“Sorry.”

“‘so’kay man, I’ll see ya upstairs.”

“Be there in a minute.” Azurite watches his brother walk back into the house and takes one more look at the lake...

To the outside world, Andesine Fernandez was the quintessential jokester who never took life seriously.  He did decently in school, had his own aspirations, tons of friends, and fashioned himself a lady’s man, though this last notion might be more in his head than reality.  But just because he lived in the realm of humor, wasn’t to say he didn’t care or pay attention, he simply preferred to live by the YOLO ‘You Only Live Once’ motto.  This stark contrast in personality from his more reticent and bookish twin, was along with their different colored hair, the most noticeable distinctions.  

A few nights later, the family sits around a small campfire in front of the house, relaxing after a long day of hiking around the forest and lake.  Amy and their mother Erza chatter about a Korean drama they both watch, and Andi is only half listening to Azurite and their dad discuss the latest MMA fight in the UFC.  Maybe Azi had a point about the distance, it wasn’t something he’d really thought about until now, probably because, well, ‘I didn’t want to, I mean, it’s only a physical thing!’  But as the dancing flames of the fire crackle and send wisps of burning embers floating into the air, Andesine’s thoughts go with them. His eyes dilate, focusing on the red-orange glow, mesmerized and sending his mind into a distant timeframe.

‘Don’t even think about it, Andi,’ his brother blocks him, ���mom already gave you a Hershey.’

‘Ugh!  It’s so irritating that you know what I’m thinking!  When we get older, I hope this stupid twin thing stops too!’

‘I don’t really like it either, cause dealing with you is frustrating.’

But their mother had stepped into the argument, chiding her sons, ‘there will come a day when you’ll regret saying that stuff.’  Pulling them into a hug on each side of her body, ‘that special bond means you’ll always have each other to fall back on, even when you’re far apart.’

‘Why would be far apart?’ Azurite asked their mom.

‘Well…’ squeezing them tighter, ‘one day you’ll grow up, go to college, meet a girl, maybe settle down and have a family.  As much as I’ll miss my boys, I want you to be happy and independent in the future.’

‘Sounds good to me,’ Andi shrugged, ‘I can’t wait to grow up!’

She chuckled, ‘don’t worry, before you know it, you will be…’

Andesine’s brows furrow at the memory, sometimes he hated to admit when their mother was right, but damn was she ever.  A night exactly like this one, settled around a campfire, eating smores, except now they were all ten years older.  Amy only two years away from graduating high school and the boysabout to start their adult lives.  Was he really ready for it like he had bragged about?  Did he want to admit that he’ll miss his twin? He snaps out of the reflection, looking around to see if anyone had noticed it, but everyone was still engrossed in their conversations.

He stands up, dusts off his pants and kisses his mother goodnight.  “Are you okay?” she asks.

“Just tired, think I’ll shower and head to bed.”

“Alright, good night sweetie.”

“Night mom.”

He knew from experience that the best thing to do was let his brother process whatever was bothering him in his own way, so Azurite pretended not to pay attention while Andi zoned out or even when he said he was tired.  But as he watched his twin trudge into the house, he had to wonder what it was about.  A smug tugging on his lips, could Andi be just as nervous as he was about the whole separation?  Now that would be an interesting flip.

Andesine tossed and turned.

“Noooo!!!” he screamed as he raced towards his brother on legs that suddenly seemed uncooperative, reaching out and stumbling along the asphalt. The scene blurred through a tunneled vision while the sounds of screeching tires echoed in his ears.  But no matter how fast he ran, the distance remained the same.  

His brother’s head turns seconds before the impact, a tear trailing down one cheek, “I’m… sorry Andi…”

“Azzziiiiiii!!!!!”

Andesine pops up in his bed screaming out of the dream and frantically looking at the other side of the bedroom for Azurites bed.  “What the fuck?”  Because there was no bed, only an empty space where it should be.  He throws off the blankets and hops off his, wildly circling the barren floorboards.  “What the hell is going on!  Where is Azurite?!”

The door swings open and his parents rush in, “Andi, what’s wrong,” Erza asks, “what are you yelling about?”  As Jellal grabs his son’s shoulders to stop his hysterical flailing, “did you have a bad dream?”

“Where’s my brother Azurite?  Why is his bed gone?”  The poor young man is on the verge of tears.

“Azurite?” Erza questions, looking to her husband with concern, “but honey, you don’t have a brother.”

“What!!  Of course, I do, he’s my identical twin!”

“Son, you need to calm down,” prompting the young man towards his bed and sitting him down, “there’s only you and your sister, remember?”

“No, this doesn’t make any sense,” Andi shakes his head, “it felt so real, He felt so real!  W-we were so close, we could feel each other, read each other’s thoughts, I—I…” cradling his head in his hands, “but our…”

“Sweetheart it was just a dream,” Erza kneels in front of him, “we promise you, you’ve never had a brother…”

“No!” he pushes them away and scrambles to get out of the room. This was all wrong!  Why were they lying to him?  There was no way he’d just make up a brother!  Andi bolts down the hallway, stumbling a few times in an effort to reach the front door while the walls seemed to sway and fold inwards on him. He had to get out there now!

As he turns the knob and flings the front door open, a blinding light stops him in his tracks.

His eyes snap open and he sits up in bed.  ‘What the…’ turning, Andesine looks to his left and notices his brother still asleep in their darkened room.  He checks the alarm clock, 3:30am, it was all just a nightmare?  With a groan, he drops on to his back, ‘it was all just a friggen nightmare!’

The following morning, Andesine is still a bit unnerved from the dream.  It was the first time he’s ever had one so disturbing involving his brother and he couldn’t fathom what it was supposed to mean.  Was it a premonition that his brother would die from a car accident?  He’d never had one of those before, or more than likely a subconscious reaction to the whole idea of separation and distance.  No matter what it all meant, if he didn’t get a handle on these emotions, the rest of this trip would be a miserable one.

Andi finds his parents in the kitchen cleaning up after breakfast, “Is it okay if I take a hike to the bluffs?”

“I don’t see why not,” Jellal puts another dish in the rack before turning to address his son, “is Azurite going with you?”

“Nah, I kinda wanted to go alone.”

Erza frowns, “That’s not really safe honey…” but when he gives her a sad, puppy expression she sighs, “just make sure you take your phone with you.”

“Thanks mom!” he hugs her then his dad and takes off out the door with a small back pack of water and of course his cell phone.  

He waves at his sister and brother who were lounging on patio chairs and heads north of their rental towards the trail leading up to a mountain peak he enjoyed.  Andi takes a deep breath, ‘Im’ma sort out whatever the hell it is that’s bugging me!’ pumping a fist into the air with a grin, ‘It’s time to go zen!’

The trail itself was moderately rated, mostly because of the final leg up a steep incline to the bluff, but it was completely worth the effort.  Twenty-five minutes later, as he broke through the tree line and made his way up the final ascent, Andi knew he had made the right decision to come here. There were a few fluffy white clouds passing by and the heat was mildly tolerable due to the higher elevation. The ground was thankfully dry since it hadn’t rained for at least a couple of weeks and the bugs seemed to be taking a day off, so he finds a flat-topped rock and sits down ready to get this load off his mind.

Why was all of this bothering him so much now when it hadn’t even crossed his mind before this trip? Sure, he had realized that picking a college thousands of miles across the country would probably make his parents sad, but it never donned on him that it would upset his brother, or himself. They would be in different states not different countries and thanks to today’s technology, distance wasn’t such a burden anymore.  Andi had friends all over the world on social media, and he was excited to finally meet a few of them when he got to California.  Besides, it’s not like he was the only one, Azurite chose a college away from their home state, granted it was because of the scholarship, but still, it was a choice that he made.

Andi closes his eyes and tilts his head back knowing he was skirting around the real issue that none of this had to do with a normal leaving the nest syndrome.  He exhales, both brothers were quite ready and capable to venture out on their own because their parents had done a phenomenal job of making sure they would be.  No, this all came down to their twin connection.  Will it feel weird when they are so far apart from each other?  Will there be some strange feeling like a part of him was missing?  It was this uneasiness that was at the heart of it all.  

‘I’m sure we’ll be fine,’ he finally concludes, ‘nothing to worry about.  I bet we’ll be too busy with college and everything to even worry.’ He was sure that he’d simply let his subconscious and imagination run a little too amok this time and it was time to reign it back in.  

“Yosh!” he stands up, stretching out in a full, arms above his head motion, twisting his midsection and legs.  “Bout time for lunch anyways!”

In a better mood now, Andi slings his backpack over one shoulder, shoves in his earbuds and cranks up his music, starting the trek down the steep zig-zag trail of loose stones and dry pine needle covered dirt.  Dense foliage made a few portions along the path harder to make out and unfortunately one of those spots was a narrow, stepped ledge, carved by the elements into a natural staircase.  Andi slowed down because he knew going down was the most dangerous part.  

Suddenly, the flapping of wings and a stirring of feathers from a startled pheasant takes Andi by surprise just as he is about to set foot on the next step.  The bird scuttles off into the forest, its squawking mixing with his scream as he slips, hands flying up, bag along with his legs going airborne like in a slow-motion scene.  His brother’s name is the last thought in his mind as his back hits the ground and head bounces-off the stony surface knocking him out cold…

Down at the lake, the family is relaxing near the water’s edge with Amy and Erza sunbathing on the shore. Azurite and Jellal dangle their legs off the short pier fishing for dinner while discussing last minute things the young man needs to secure before he leaves for college.  All in all, a relaxing sight despite the glaring midday sun. But just as Azi casts his line again, a cold breeze sweeps through, normally welcomed on such a heated day, but for him, the chill it shoots up his spine catches him off-guard and if he didn’t know better, his name had been funneled along with the wind.  

The fishing pole he holds clatters to the ground as Azurite shoots to his feet, “Something’s wrong with Andi!”

Jellal looks up bewildered, but knows not to question it, “we’d better go then!”

The two men race up the forest trail while Amy and Erza wait at the house ready to call emergency if necessary.  They had no idea what they would encounter but if Azurite was right, and Andi was too injured to have used his cell phone to call for help, they needed to be on standby. Azurite tore up the path like a man both panicked yet guided straight to where he just knew his brother would be and his father simply following, trusting his son’s instincts.  It took them 15 agonizing minutes to reach the spot.

“Andi!”  Azurite clambers up the steep grade, crawling the last couple of feet to where his brother lay prone.  Panic sweeps over his whole being, “Aw, Fuck dad there’s blood coming from his head!  Andi!” he’s about to reach out and pull his brother up but Jellal grabs his shoulder.

“Don’t move him yet, we don’t know how badly injured he is.  Check his pulse and breathing while I call your mom… and see if you can wake him up but gently.”

With his father on the phone telling their mother to call 911 and giving them directions to where they were, Azurite is using every ounce of willpower he has not to cradle his brother’s limp body in his arms.  He couldn’t believe this was happening, Andi was usually so careful whenever he went hiking but as he scans the area and notices a few stray feathers and his brothers bag lying above and off to the side, he could surmise what had happened in those last seconds.  But all that didn’t matter, whether or not Andi had been spooked or simply slipped, what was important was getting him medical attention as quickly as possible.

Azurite pats his brother’s cheek, “Andi wake up!  Please,” tapping it a few more times, “wake up Andi!”  Moisture pools and clouds his vision, tears leaking down his face in salty rivers.  “Damn it, Andi wake up!”

After ending his call, Jellal slowly lifts his sons head to check the injury and see’s that despite the blood, the wound doesn’t look very deep.  He pulls off his shirt, folds it, and tucks it under to cushion Andi’s head. “Emergency services are on their way so, all we can do is wait.  I’m going to head back down to meet them at the beginning of the trail, will you be alright here?”  The young man manages a short nod.  Jellal puts his hand on Azi’s shoulder, “It’s going to be okay son,” and with a second half nod, the man starts his descent.

Left alone, Azurite retrieves his brother’s bag, so it didn’t get left behind, sitting back down and checking his brother’s vitals every couple of minutes.  It was so frustrating not being able to do anything more, but his dad and their Eagle Scout training were clear on this, Andi was best left for the professionals to handle.  He hangs his head and while his tears had slowed, they were still like droplets of rain along a window pane, dribbling down in irregular waves.

“I swear you really are an idiot Andi, you know how dangerous it is to hike alone!  I don’t know what it was that was bothering you, but it better be a damn good reason for scaring me half to death!  Do you know how it feels, every time you do these foolish things and I have to worry about you…”  Azi lets out a long exhale, “But maybe you’ll get it now?  I hope you’ll see why I was so worried about the distance, I mean if something happened to you and we’re miles apart, I can’t come running like I did today.”  He lays down on his side next to his brother, just like they would as little kids when they were scared during a storm and takes hold of his brother’s hand, so limp and lifeless, bringing it to his chest.  “It feels like… like a sinking weight on my heart…”

“Could you be…” Andi’s voice is groggy and muffled, “anymore… melodramatic…”  He squeezes Azi’s hand back, “I ain’t dead yet.”

“I ought’a knock you back out for that!” Azi half snorts half laughs, for as frustrated with his brother as he was, it felt amazing to hear Andi’s voice again.

“I love you too bro,” he finally opens his eyes, half lidded because of the pain.  “And to answer your question, I do know how it feels.”

“What do you mean?”

“I had the most screwed up dream last night, that’s why I came out here to think…  I dreamt that I suddenly woke up and you weren’t there, mom and dad told me I had dreamt you up.  It hurt so bad like something had been ripped out of me…”  Azi looks up when he hears the sounds of footsteps approaching but is drawn back as he brother keeps talking.  “I do worry too but today I realized that it’s going to be okay.”  He squeezes his brother’s hand again and closes his eyes, grimacing through the pain, “we’ll always be brothers, and even if we’re far apart nothing will ever change the bonds we share.”  

“Just promise me you won’t do anything crazy out in California, because if I have to fly there, I really will kick your ass.”

Andi tries to chuckle but gives up when another wave of throbbing pain rushes over him, “you could try...”  

On the final night of the family vacation, Amy and their parents lounged on the porch playing a board game while the two brothers settled on a log beside the lake shore. Andesine’s head was still wrapped with gauze to protect the stitches he received, and Azurite was teasing him. “Remember,” Azi turns his gaze over to the lake, “When a full moon casts its luminous glow beckoning to any fools that dared to breach its darkened waters…”

“… a creature may arise to strike you down, or maybe a beautiful goddess will appear to grant you your desires.  Forgive me but I don’t think I qualify as a goddess.”

“You’re right, you’re more like a creature from the abyss.”

A companionable silence falls between them, each lost momentarily as the placid nighttime waters soothes their psyches.  Azurite exhales and holds up his arm in a 90-degree position, Andesine sighs, grabs his brother’s hand, squeezing and nodding his head for their zero degrees of separation.  This trip had been long and fruitful and now they were finally ready to move into the next phase of their lives, together.

[elliotthezubat]

DEATH CITY DAYS CHAPTER 21

a new school year has started, and lots of craziness happens

Maka: "Soul..." (puts her arms around him) "There was nothing you could have done." soul: i dont think i could ever move on.........but all i can do is keep living...right? Maka: (nods, strokes his head) "You have to. For yourself, Soul. Please?" soul:...i'm trying my hardest... Maka: "I know...Can you keep living, for my sake?" soul:.....ok.... Maka: (smiles, kisses his forehead) -the next morning- Patty: "Ugh...What a messed up dream." soul:............... Patty: "You okay, buddy?" soul: .........been better.... Patty: "..." *hug* soul: *tenses* Patty: (lets go) "S-Sorry. You just looked like you needed one..." soul:............................. Patty: "Do you want me to...get you a drink?" soul:.......i'm good..... Patty: "...Okay..." (exits but leaves the door open) soul:...................... *Wind blows by his face* soul:......*weak smile* *Wind shuts the door* -elsewhere- Hibana: (chuckles) iris: hmm? Hibana: "Oh, nothing. :3 " iris:......*shrug* Arthur: (inhales) "At least I can breathe again." shinra: zzzzzz............. Hibana: "Is Shinra still snoozing? Iris, please go wake him." iris: *gulp* um...o-ok.... Hibana: (laughing to herself) iris: 0-0;; Hibana: "Go on, little lamb. Go on." shinra: zzzzzzzzz mmn?...........ack!- *WHUMP* ow..... Hibana: (stifling her laughs) shina: um....h-hi? *sweats* iris: are you ok? Hibana: *sparkling eyes* -elsewhere- Wes: (smiles at Liz) liz: thanks for last night...it was really nice. *blush* Wes: (nods) "Thank you as well for a great night." (kisses her cheek) liz: that....that was the farthest we've gone.... Wes: "Was it too fast?" liz: it was....it was nice. Wes: "But...too fast? You want to go slower?" liz: y-yeah. Wes: (smiles, nods) "Whatever you want." (takes her hand, kisses it) liz: *she smiles* Wes: "So...What next? We could head out for brunch, or stay in and have something to eat." liz: maybe help with breakfast? Wes: ^_^; "I'd like that...Just...be aware my cooking sucks." -at school- Black Star: "Soul, buddy, you don't look so good." soul: rough night...i'll just walk it off.... Black Star: "Maybe it was how you slept?" soul:.....maybe.... Black Star: "Hmm...Oh! I know!" *pulls out a box from his backpack* "Bam! Sleepy-time tea!" soul: um, thanks. Black Star: "Hee hee...You're welcome. So, what's on the agenda today?" soul: classes as usual i guess.... Black Star: "I hope it's something exciting, like training, or fighting, or gym, or home ec--" *blushes* "I mean...Um...Gym." soul: sure dude. -at lunch- Kid: "Now, keep your eyes closed, and tell me which dessert this is." stocking: ahhhh~ Kid: (passes the fork gently past her lips to take the cake) stocking: mmm~ chocolate gateau? Kid: (smiles) "Correct! Two more desserts to try...Let this one coat your taste buds..." (brings another fork to her mouth) stocking: mmmmn~ cherry pie, right? Kid: "Excellent! Last one..." (brings the fork to her mouth) stocking: cinnamon rolls! Kid: "Yes, my little cinnamon roll!" (kisses her cheek gently) stocking: hehehe, you dork. Kid: "You dork's angel..." (kisses her other cheek) stocking: hehe~ kirika: bleeeegh! some of us want to eat dammit! Kid: -_-; "Then finish your meal before lunch period ends..." Patty: "Or else I'll gobble up your lunch, Ki-Ki!  " kirika: *grumble+nom* Patty: "Hee hee..." (bites into slice of pizza--then tenses) "Ow!"

liz: patti? Patty: "I think that pizza hurt my tooth--" (pulls out a piece of metal) "...What the fuck?!" liz: !!! Patty: "Wait...It has writing on it...Sis, I can't make it out..." (holds it up to her) liz: ???? *she examines it closely*....... liz: *squiiiiint* stonebrook, minnesota....???? Kid: "That's odd...I will have to file a complaint with our food distributor out there. Wait...I didn't even think we had food coming in from Minnesota..." liz: well, we have it coming in from other parts of the world, so why not? Kid: "I suppose..." Patty: "I WANT TO GO UP TO THAT PLACE, GO TO ITS FRONT OFFICE, AND PUNCH ITS BOSS IN THE MOUTH! Owie owie owie..." liz: let's take it easy now... Kid: "I'll request that Father contact the office." -and so- kirika: i cant believe dad made me go on this stupid mission with you losers of all people... liz: .... Kid: -_-; "He is also my father, ergo you are the sister of a loser, which therein makes you a loser as well." justin: *he's driving them up* kirika: you just confirmed you're a loser, so case in point. liz: *shivering* stupid cold.... Kid: "NO, IT IS YOU WHO ARE THE LO--" Patty: "Sigh...I love the cold..." :3 justin: JUST A FEW MILES TILL OUR DESTINATION! *smile* Kid: "Hmph. Sooner the better..." (shoves Kirika) kirika: YOU WANNA GO MOTH- liz: come on you two, c-c-cant you just g-get along for one m-mission? Kid: "Stay out of this, Liz! This is between her and--" *something is heard shuffling in the back* Kid: "...What was that?" kirika: *peeeeak* !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you have got to be shitting me right now. -_-#; Kid: "???" liz: ack! Kid: o\\\\o Gopher: (meek wave) "H-Hello..." justin: ah, it appears that we've arrived. -it's a small, snowy town surrounded by a large forest- Gopher: (smiles at Kirika) "It looks lovely here~" kirika: eh, it's alright i guess... Gopher: "Maybe we can walk through the snow later?" kirika: kinda reminds me when we snuck in on that cabin trip, remember that kiddo? haha! Kid: -_-; Gopher: "Ha ha ha! That was enjoyable!" Kid: >.< kirika: remember when we wore those masks and freaked out all out? i think boyle tagged along too... Kid: "Yes, thank you for the walk down memory lane..." liz: it was fun. a lot of new experiences were shared there.... Kid: o\\\\\\\o liz: ?? Kid: "NOTHING! I'M FINE! HOW ARE YOU?" (Shinra-levels of nervous smiling) liz: i...i didnt even say anything... *sweatdrop* Kid: "YES, THANK YOU. THIS WEATHER SURE IS SOMETHING, ISN'T IT?!" Patty: "...Why is he yelling louder than Justin?" justin: HMM? DID YOU SAY SOMETHING? -and so, they arrive at the motel- Gopher: o^o "Rather creepy." Kid: -_-; "Rather asymmetrical." liz: it's....quaint...i guess....homey-ish... Patty: "I wonder whether it has ghosts--" ???: oh hello there! liz: *SCREAM* Patty: "?!" clerk: oh, sorry there, i didnt mean to startle ya, hun. *she seems nice enough* Kid: "Excuse me, we are on an investigation with the DWMA." clerk: ah, you're that fancy group from out west, ya? come along, i'll get your rooms set up. Kid: "..." (follows) -and so- Gopher: T_T "I wanted to be in Kirika's room..." justin: *he's reading his bible and listening to his music* Kid: (re-arranging furniture) "Don't even get me started on the dust in here..." (looks at his phone) stocking: [hey cutie <3 how's minnesota?] Kid: [cold--because you aren't here <:( ] stocking: [aw. *hug emoticon*] Kid: [and u, love? how are u?] stocking: [lonely.] -she sends a pic of herself laying in his bed- Kid: o\\\\o [that bed needs someone else in it] stocking: [U B safe, ok? < : ) ] Kid: [i will. i love you] justin: ...... stocking: [love U too kiddo~ *kissy emoji*] Kid: (smiles...Then sees Justin) "Oh! Um..." justin: ?? Kid: "J-Just a text from Stocking!" justin: ah, i see... Kid: "So...Tomorrow, we'll investigate." justin: *he nods* try to get some rest, young lord. we hae a busy day ahead of us. Kid: "Okay..." Gopher: "I can't sleep without some milk!" justin: i'll go and get you some then. *he smiles and exits* Gopher: (smiles) "Thank you..." (glares at Kid) Kid: "?!" -the next morning- justin: RISE AND SHINE EVERYONE! Gopher: (pawing like a kitten) "Five more minutes..." Kid: *grouchy* "Is the sun even up yet?" -at breakfast- kirika: *yaaaawn* morning assbutts. Patty: "Morning, butthead!" :D kirika: *mumbles and eats her pancakes* 's good. Kid: (slowly sipping orange juice, then stops) "Liz? You okay?" liz: *yaawn* yeah, i'm good. why do you ask? Kid: "You seemed quiet, and tired." liz: i'm fine, dont worry. *she smiles* justin: so, what did you want to do today? *he puts down a map of the town on the table* -seems there is a library, a park, a restaraunt, a campground, a lake, a school building, the sheriff's office, some residential homes, a diner, a pizzaria, and a few stores- Patty: "Ugh, pizzeria? After that awful pizza, no thanks." Kid: "Perhaps check with the sheriff's office?" justin: perhaps. Gopher: "I was thinking the lake...it may look pretty." kirika:.........uuuugh there's like...nothing to do here! Gopher: "The lake may have fishing? Or boat rides? Oh! Or maybe a romantic walk?" Kid: -_-; liz: the library might be fun...it even doubles as the town hall and a museum. Patty: "Let's go to the library! The museum could be fun!" liz: alrighty then. Patty: "Yay!" Kid: (smiles) Gopher: -^- -and so, justin and kid head to the sheriff, while the others head to the library- Kid: "Hmm...Sheriff, is this all the evidence you have?" sheriff: all we have to go on are weird noises in that old barn...could just be raccoons or somethin' but who knows... Kid: "It may be beneficial for Justin and me to sense the spiritual energy around that barn, however." sheriff: well if you think that's best, sure then... Kid: (nods) "Please stay back from the barn: if you already investigated, no point in having non-empowered persons nearby." sheriff: er....right. Kid: "Justin, come with me. We'll see what is happening." justin: of course. -at the library- liz: fancy place. Patty: "So many 'Do Not Touch' signs..." (moves finger close to one...) ???: i suggest you not do that. Patty: "???" -a woman in a nun's habbit and glasses smiles- ???: i dont believe i've seen you lot around town. Patty: "Nah, we're visiting!" (looks at her habit) "Hey, can I wear that?" liz: down girl. but yeah, we're visiting. ???: ah, i see. *she nods* Gopher: "What kind of volumes do you have here?" ???: hmm? what are you looking at, child? Gopher: "J-Just curious about what reading you have! I'm kind of an apprentice to someone who does a lot of reading." -seems to be just some local history books and textbooks- Gopher: "Oooooh, a local almanac! Neat!" liz: you're a sister for a church? i didnt see a church on the map... Patty: (still staring at the habit) Gopher: (trying to show Kirika a book) ???: oh the church is out in the woods, but it's only open to locals. however, i could schedule a private sermon here at the library if you like. liz: no no, it's fine. Gopher: (looks back..."Private"? What church is only open to locals?") ???: i see.....well, for now i'll allow you to continue on your way.....also, the hotel you're staying at....there's a 10:00 PM curfew....keep that in mind... Patty: "Why? Does something happen after 10?" -she already left- kirika:.....weird-ass bitch. Gopher: "That's not a nice thing to say about a nun..." liz: she was acting kind of unusual though....something about her....it doesnt sit well with me... Patty: "Hey...Maybe two of us should follow her?" kirika: maybe..... Gopher: (shiny eyes) "Kirika and I can follow her!" -later, at the barn- Kid: "Hmmm....I'm sensing something, and it's not raccoon droppings." justin: hmmm.... *he looks around* Kid: (scratches his arm) "The cold is making me itch..." justin:.....i dont feel any presences here...aside from our own, anyway... Kid: "Hmmm...Let me try something..." (removes a UV light) "Maybe we see something else this way..." -elsewhere- Yumi: "Stocking, could you hold Shiori for a moment?" stocking: sure thing. Yumi: (hands Shiori) "I'll get some snacks. Back in a moment." (walks to the kitchen...) stocking:.....*she holds onto shiori* ...... shiori: muugu? stocking:....*small smile* Yumi: "Aw, that's adorable." stocking: thanks... Yumi: "She seems happy with you. Must be your winning personality." (offers a glass of water to Stocking) stocking: it's a stretch... *she takes it* Yumi: (small laugh) "I appreciate the help. It's going to get harder soon: before I know it, Shiori will be running everywhere." stocking: *she nods and thinks about something* Yumi: "Something wrong?" stocking: no, just...just thinking.... Yumi: "Something close to home...or about Kid's mission?" stocking: i'm just....i worry about him....will he be ok? Yumi: "I don't know...I'm sorry to say it that way, but in our line of work, in the fact of uncertainty, all we have is faith and our will to face the worse..." (she looks at Shiori) stocking: .............. Yumi: "..." (takes Stocking's hand) "Kid will be fine. He's far too stubborn to let something happen to him." stocking:......*she nods* Yumi: (smiles) "I think you need a break. Up for a walk?" stocking: sure......mind if i invite someone along? Yumi: "Of course." -and so- Yumi: "It's good to have you here for this walk." (Shiori in baby chest strap) felisia: *she smiles* i'm glad you decided to invite me. it'll be nice to spend some time with my daughter and her future mother-in-law. stocking: m-mom! .////. Yumi: "Yes." (smiles) "We have a lot to discuss, don't we? Such as wedding plans." stocking: YUMI!! O////O Yumi: "Kidding!" (laughs) "Felisia, how has this week been for you?" felisia: i've been doing well. i got to work on my sewing. i even made some new dresses, this one included~ Yumi: "That's your own?! It's lovely!" felisia: well, i know my way around a needle and thread. i even made stocking's little doll. stocking: she sure did.... (thinking: in more way than one ^^; ) Yumi: "Maybe you could make one for Shiori!" -elsewhere- Hibana: "Darn. No luck." shinra: we're hoooome! Hibana: (tenses, smiles nervously) "W-Welcome home!" maki: we got to meet some of the new students in the NOT class! Hibana: "Really?" (hides some papers) "Fascinating. Any good prospects in the new litter?" shinra: well, there's a few, but a good deal stand out, for better or worse...that one guy, Katsuki Bakugou.....in laymans terms....he's a d*ck. Hibana: "Ah..." (she has hidden the papers she had) "That stinks. But I'm sure they'll grow out of that, once the upperclassmen knock it out of them." (nervous laughter) shinra: *sighs* that weirdo with the navel lazer is no better.....he's just....weird. like an even more annoying version of arthur. Arthur: "Yeah, except he was French--HEY!" shinra: *whistles* maki: shinra seemed to get along with that one other kid...i think his name was deku or something? shinra: yeah! we're gonna be brothers in arms! *shiny eyes* Arthur: -_-; "Dork." shinra: shut up, you can be brothers in arms with sir sparklepants! Arthur: "Why would I?! He knows nothing of chivalry! A knight does not showboat!" shinra: ...... *sweatdrop* Arthur: "I just want some peace and quiet, and no more--" (spots Hibana) "What is with you?" Hibana: o\\\\\\o "N-Nothing!" shinra: ????? Hibana: (behind her is a file, within Maki's reach) maki: *grab* hmm??? Hibana: *gasps* "No! Don't--" *Inside the file is something called OPERATION: MATCHMAKER* maki: oh. OH! OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHH!!! *shiny eyes* shinra: ?!?! *Inside are photographs, a flowchart, and a calendar with set goals* Hibana: o\\\\\\\\o maki: *hands it back and grins* shinra: ???????????? Hibana: "...IT'S CONFIDENTIAL WORK I AM DOING WITH VERY IMPORTANT PEOPLE FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THIS BRIGADE'S MORALE! GOOD-BYE!" (tries to run away) shinra:...........that just happened. Arthur: "What was in the file, Maki?" maki: oh nothing~<3 Arthur: "???" -elsewhere- Ponera: "How much longer...?" grimoire: she's due some time next month... Ponera: "Ugh...It's been rough trying to deal with her...I can't imagine what it's going to be like with a baby in here." -BLEARGH- shaula: grooooooss! Ponera: "???" -back in stonebrook- Kid: "Did you hear something?" justin: !!!!! -an elk charges out at them- Kid: o____o "Run!" -after running back to town- Kid: (panting) "Wh-What?" justin: *pant pant* goodness...that was quite alarming....*sigh* young lord! are you injured? Kid: "My leg hurts..." (rubs it) justin: *lifts him up* i'll bring you back to the hotel then. Kid: o\\\\\o "I...I'm sure I can walk, sir..." justin: *he's already carrying him back* Kid: "How mortifying..." (trying to cover his face) "Why did an elk even attack us there?" justin: we'll speculate once we've returned... Kid: "I just hope no one sees me like this--" kirika: BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Kid: >\\\\\\\< "I hate today..." kirika: all _we_ did was go to a library and then go ice fishing... Gopher: (shivering) "I-I-I was the bait..." kirika: it's called 'building character'. you're still alive, arent you? Gopher: "I can't feel below the waist..." kirika: well, tough it up kiddo. how do you expect to get any stronger if you keep expecting life to hold your hand through it? sometimes you just got to suck it up and get on with it. just keep pushing on forwards! Gopher: "..." (blushes hard, shiny eyes) "Marry me!" -tiny chop- kirika: too forward. Gopher: -^- "Ouchie..." Kid: -\\\\- "Please set me down, Justin." justin: oh. *he does so* -after getting dinner and explaining the situation- Kid: "We get attacked by an elk, and the most you find is a suspicious nun?" liz: i'lbe honest...this town...it makes me uneasy... Kid: "I feel the same, but I can't pin it down to any spiritual energy yet." -that night- Kid: "No sign of her..." kirika:.......hmm? *she sees someone going into the woods outside* Kid: "See someone?" kirika: ...say, want to do something actually fun? Kid: "What did you have in mind?" kirika: huehuehuehuehue~ *she sneaks down to the back door* Kid: "???" ("This can't end well...") kirika: *she pulls something out from her pocket and picks the lock* motherucking touchdown. Kid: "Hmph. Can you get us inside?" -the door leads to the backyard...- kirika: we got to be real fucking quiet, step where the footprints are.... Kid: "..." (follows the footprints) -they lead out into the woods- kirika: stick to the woods....and be quiet.... Kid: (nods..."How often has she snuck out from home?") -someone is walking up to a chapel- Kid: (whispers) "Who is that? The nun you saw earlier?" -the woman opens the door, looks around, and closes the door- kirika:.....yyyeeeeep. just about. Kid: "Nothing suspicious about going to a chapel...but why is she so furtive about it?" kirika: *sneaking up to the windows*.....................????????????? empty? Kid: "What?" (looks as well) "Where is she?" kirika:.......*shrug* -lots of people can be sensed underground- Kid: "...There are people downstairs...No...underground?" -the next morning- Kid: (shaking) liz: everything ok? Kid: "I got a bad feeling from that chapel..." justin: oh? Kid: (nods) "It was unsettling...So many people underground..." liz: did you see them? Kid: "I could sense their souls only...but..." liz: ?? Kid: "Those were not normal human souls. They weren't normal weapon souls. They were...terrifying." liz:....... justin: should we investigate? Kid: (nods) "I don't know how--the nun won't let us in..." kirika: *smirk* who said anything about her letting us in~? Kid: "...Can you get us in? We don't even know what to expect once we're inside." kirika: can i get you in? does a bear take a shit in the woods? Gopher: (raises hand, ready to answer the question with a bright, enthusiastic smile) -and so- Kid: (following Kirika) Gopher: (giddy to be involved) kirika: just turn here aaaand... babies first...kid you go on in. justin: *peeeek inside* Kid: -_-; "Jerk..." (enters) -the building appears to be very dusty- Kid: o_o; "Disgusting dust..." kirika: *cough* geh...ok, check everything... Kid: (looks around the room, including at paintings) Patty: "Wish there was a nun's outfit to put on..." justin: *at the front*.... ??? oh? Patty: "See something, Justin?" justin: it appears to be a trap door. Kid: "..." (inhales) "Perhaps best if we have two teams, one to stay here just in case..." -justin lifts it up, and a red light shines from inside- liz: iiiiii'll just wait up here. Kid: "Since I won't be able to use only one demon pistol, I guess Patty will stay here with you, Liz." liz: *gulp* kirika: gopher, keep an eye on them ok? Gopher: -^- "But who will protect you if I am not there?" kirika: *magical girl mode+claw blades* dis bitch. Gopher: oWo "So cool..." liz: *sweatdrop* Patty: "Be safe out there, you guys." -and so they head downstairs- Kid: "Hmm..." (hears something) "What was that?" kirika: *she heads down furthur* ooooohhhh.....this doesnt look good... Kid: "...My God..." -it appears to be a kishin worship room- justin: !!!! Kid: "..." (pulls out his mirror to call...) lord death: m'yello~ Kid: "Shhh...! Kishin worship room!" lord death: !!! where is this? Kid: "Underneath a chapel..." lord death: which one? Kid: "I think it's the only one in this small town..." -someone could be heard whimpering in the corner- Kid: "Justin...What was that?" justin:... !!!! i-it's ok young one... child: *sniffling* i-i dont want to die..... Kid: "...I think we need to get this child out of here first..." -justin proceeds to break the lock off- Kid: (watches...senses something...) "Please hurry, Justin..." -upstairs- Patty: "...They've been down there a long time." liz:.....i have a bad feeling about this.... Gopher: "What do we do? If we go in, we can't send someone back to let them know we d-d-died...But if we stay here, they could die..." ???: i'm afraid you wont be having much choice in the matter~ liz: !!!!!!! Patty: "Eeek!" (transforms into a gun into Liz's hands) Gopher: (throws a feather bullet attack at the voice) -it's the woman from the library- ???: didnt your mother tell you it's not nice to attack nuns? *she tears the side of her dress to get to a knife holster on her leg* liz: oh shit! *shoots* Patty: (focuses to let the soul wavelength bullet hit the target) Gopher: (aims another bullet at the nun) ???: ah! *scratched* fufufufu... AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! *she charges at them* -CLANG- Gopher: "?!" kirika: hey. Gopher: "My Angel!" kirika: says the one with a grigori soul! justin: kid, take this girl and run, we'll handle this one. Gopher: "Hee hee..." (blushes--then realizes) "Where are Kid and Justin?" Gopher: "Oh!" Kid: (grabs the girl) "Come on!" girl: o-ok! Kid: "Liz! Cover us!" liz: roger! Patty: " 'Kay!" Gopher: "How much trouble can a nun with a knife be?" -SLASH SLASH- kirika: *grips her cheek* FUCK! Gopher: "Kirika!" (glares at the Nun) "You bitch!" (dashes at her) "Bullet Wing!" (flaps two wings of feather bullets at the Nun) ???: *she's bloody, but still going* kirika: HYEEAAAH! *KICKS HER OUT THE WINDOW* y'know, i've never been much of a religious person... Gopher: (approaches Kirika) "You're cut...Here, let me bandage you up..." kirika: meh, i've had way worse... Gopher: (pulls out bandages...touches her cheek) kirika: 7//////7; Gopher: (applies bandage) "Your skin is soft..." -chokehold- kirika: aaaand you just made it weird. Gopher: (eyes bulging) "I'm just being honest!" -drop- kirika: w-whatever, let's just find sister psychobitch and finish her off. Gopher: *cough* *cough* Gopher: "R-Right..." -outside- justin: *battling against the woman* Gopher: (throws bullets at the woman) "Did Kid escape?" ???: you should really just kill me and get it over with...someone like me is far to much trouble to keep alive... kirika: not sure, but frankly i dont give a fuck. Gopher: (proud smile) ???: fufu....AHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! you fools, do you really think i care what happens to me or the people of this town? Gopher: "...Yes? I mean, there are a lot of people in this town--" ???: hehehe... HAHAHAHAHAHA! you really dont get it do you? do you honestly think human lives have any value? this world is filled to the brim with scum... human beings are truly cruel to each other... i've seen humanity at it's worst; bigotry, greed, obsession, the only salvation those people deserve is through damnation, and the rest? they will ascend that level and find new salvation; salvation through madness. justin:.... kirika: you're fucked up.... Gopher: "Y-Yeah..." (rubs his arm) "Let's get her out of here...Who knows who else in this city is this crazy." kirika:........!!!!! something's going on in town! Gopher: (turns--and his face turns white) "Oh no..." justin: *he starts running* -at the inn- liz: OH THIS IS NOT GOOD! -towns people are trying to break down the door- Patty: (tossing furniture at the door) "There's no one here! Go home! Leave us alone! We left ice cream in the fridge--go eat that!" girl: *crying* Kid: (holds her) "It's going to be okay..." (taps his mirror) "Damn...I can't get the signal to go through, so I don't know that we can escape through the mirror." liz: check upstairs! Kid: (still holding the child, he runs upstairs) "I see another mirror..." (taps it) "Damn...I can't get it to turn on..." girl: i-i'm scared....i-i want to go home... Kid: (stares at the mirror..."Damn." Turns to the girl, leans down to be at eye level) "Hey. You are going to get home: I promise. Now, what is your name?" girl: *sniff* Cynthia... Kid: (smiles) "Hi, Cynthia. I'm Kid." (keeps tapping the mirror, but he still can't get a signal. Looks around for other exits or weapons but keeps talking to her) "Do you like candy, Cynthia?" cynthia:...*she nods a bit* Kid: (smiles) "My girlfriend loves candy. When we get you out of here, I'll get you as much candy as you want..." (pushes a piece of furniture--and finds a secret door) "...Huh...Could this let us get out of here?" -seems to lead to a garage underground- Kid: "...Cynthia? We're getting my friends and getting out of here..." cynthia: o-ok.... -after the others made their way in, barricaded the door, and got their stuff- Kid: "Stay close, hurry, and don't trip: who knows when they will catch up..." -they make it into the garage where justin's van was parked- Kid: (lifts Cynthia and puts her into the van) Patty: "I'll get her buckled in..." cynthia:.... Kid: "Justin, are we all here?" justin: *doing a head count* yes, everyone is here and accounted for. Kid: "Good--let's get out of here!" justin: *revs it up and drives outta there* Kid: "Hang on to something!" (grabs the seat) -and so- Kid: "They stopped following us..." liz: death city ho? Kid: "Y-Yeah..." (pulls up his mirror) "Signal is back. I'm alerting Father--" lord death: kid? Kid: "Father! We just escaped the city! It was full of Kishin worshippers!" lord death: hmmm...we'll send a squad of DWMA out there. Kid: "We careful: it's a small town, but the numbers and abilities can be overwhelming. I suggest the goal should be to contain, not kill--not until information can be learned from them..." lord death: right. -soon- Patty: "Ugh...I just wanted to know why there was metal in my pizza--I didn't expect Kishin worshippers..." liz: well, we're home now... stocking: *playing with shiori* Kid: "...Stocking..." stocking: ??!!!! kid! *she hugs him tightly* Kid: T_T "I missed you!" stocking: i'm so happy you're alright... Kid: "I'm happy you are here!" (hugs tightly) "Are you okay?" stocking: yeah. shiori: kid! kid! *reaching up* Kid: "Shiori!" (giggles as he picks her up) "It's great to see you, too!" (kisses her forehead) shiori: hehe~ Kid: "You're happy, aren't you, Shiori? I trust that you enjoyed being with Stocking?" (looks at her while holding Shiori) stocking: yeah...i think i'm getting the hang of it... Kid: (smiles) "I'm sure you are..." (bounces Shiori on his knee) "When I was on the mission...we rescued a child..." stocking: *she listens* Kid: "She...likely lost all of her family, based on what we saw that those worshippers did with so many people in the town..." stocking:....where is she now? Kid: "Until she can be placed with a family, at the Law Church Orphanage...*Sigh* I...don't like this plan. A child like that..." stocking: ?? Kid: (shakes his head) "I promised when we get back..." (tearing up a bit) "I asked whether she likes candy, and I told her you did, and that when we got back I'd get her as much as she wanted...Now she's in an orphanage and I--I--" stocking: ......mind if we pay a visit? Kid: "I-I would like to." stocking: ok then. -and so- Kid: (points to her) "There she is...You have the chocolates?" stocking: *she nods and goes up to her, giving the chocolate bar to her....cynthia seems happy* cynthia: thank you miss. stocking: it's ok, i know it's scary...but i know what it's like to grow up in a place like this.... Kid: (smiles at Cynthia) "How have the nuns been?" cynthia: sister christina is really nice. Kid: "That's good to hear...Cynthia, do you like stuffed animals?" cynthia:...i guess so. Kid: "Maybe we can bring you one?" cynthia: that's ok. i'm alright. Kid: "...Do you mind if we visit you tomorrow? Maybe for lunch?" -later- Kid: "Thank you for coming with me, Stocking." stocking: no problem. call it maternal instinct or whatever. *shrug* Kid: (smiles, holds her hand) " 'Maternal,' eh?" stocking: *she smiles* Kid: "I like the sound of that..." (kisses her cheek) "I missed you..." stocking:... want to go anywhere else~? Kid: "Where were you thinking? Perhaps to pick up more candy since we depleted some giving it to Cynthia?" stocking: yeah, maybe get dinner, hit up a movie? Kid: (smiles) "Nothing would make me happier." (offers his arm) "Shall we?" stocking: indeed~ Kid: (walks arm-in-arm with her) "Any particular craving? Perhaps narrow down our list to the restaurants with the best dessert menus?" stocking: maybe someplace new tonight? Kid: "Perhaps Cafe du Monde? I heard its desserts are to die for." stocking: ooooh~ *shiny eyes* Kid: "Hee hee...So cute. It's just a few blocks from here..." -elsewhere- Asura: (shivering) heibito: zzzzzz...... mikan: is everything alright? Asura: "I sense something...off." mikan: oh? Asura: "One location...someone intruded...a Shinigami..." mikan: ........ *she holds his hands* Asura: "I think they're getting closer..." mikan: ..............*she hugs him* Asura: "I'm afraid...What if they find us..." mikan: it's ok....i know we will be able to fend them off.... Asura: (nods) "I want Heibito protected...I'm not letting them take our child." mikan: *she nods and holds them close* Asura: "I love you..." mikan: i love you too, so, so much... Asura: (trembling in her arms) mikan: *humming and running her fingers through his hair* Asura: (slowly stops shaking...sighs) -elsewhere- Arthur: (scowling) iris: i-is something wrong? Arthur: "Fake knights are the worst." iris: *confused* shinra: *grumble* stupid bakugou....i want to kick him in his stupid face... Arthur: "That showboating French brat--I COULD FIRE SOMETHING OUT OF MY NAVEL TOO!" shinra: i think you'd probably get hurt. Arthur: >8( *intense glare* iris: hey come on now, let's try to get along, ok? shinra: *blush* y-yeah... Arthur: (crosses his arms) "My kingdom for reliable knights..." shinra: but on the bright side, there's some pretty cool kids in the new class too... maki: that girl ochako seems pretty cool, and that izuku kid. shinra: we are brothers in arms after all. *grin* Arthur: "I have yet to find a worthy warrior in the set. Who needs superpowers when all you should need is a sword?" shinra: (thinking: isnt your sword and extention of your abilities?) Arthur: "In any case, I have other tasks to complete. I think I will wash off this outrage, then proceed with homework and--um...contact someone." shinra: alright. -a few days later- Kid: (taps his pencil against the notebook) -at lunch- liz: KID WE HAVE A PROBLEM! Kid: "What?! What's wrong?!" -BOOOOM- liz: that. -a few students are crowding outside- Kid: "?! An explosion?! Is someone attacking the school?!" kirika: tch- IS THAT THE BEST YOU GOT, KATSUDICK?! stocking: ooooh no.... Katsuki: "Tch..." (wipes a bit of blood off his mouth, smirks) "Just holding back--didn't want you to cry too badly." kirika: aw whats wrong, afraid i might laugh so hard i cry? Katsuki: (twitch) "Oh, you think you're tough shit?! Fine! Wait until I light you up so much people will think you're a goddamn Christmas tree!" *uses Explosion to leap up and fling down explosives onto Kirika* kirika: heh... *dodging* student: she's going so fast! Katsuki: "Fast or not, I'll just blow her ass up with an even bigger explosion! Watch out below!" (throws down bigger explosions onto the ground) tsubaki: shouldnt someone stop them? Black Star: "Yeah! That maniac is going to wreck my stage! Come on, Tsubaki!" tsubaki: *sigh* Jacqueline: "Professor Stein! Miss Marie! Someone!" liz: *she goes to get stein* Patty: "There he is!" Stein: "What the hell is going on?!" liz: kirika- Stein: "...Say no more. I'm going to knock her to the floor..." -outside- kirika: tch- try this one on for size. ~STEPPING FANG~ *she throws her claw blades at katsuki* Katsuki: (sweeps his leg at Kirika--to hit her with an explosion upon impact) *As he sweeps his leg, the claws do scratch him* kirika: !!!! fuck! Katsuki: "Ah! Bitch! That stings!" kirika: heh. Katsuki: "I'm going to wipe that smirk off your face!" (propels his punch with an explosion to increase impact of the punch...) kirika: !! Stein: "..." (leaps between them, slaps his hands along their faces--and sends them flying back with Twin Soul Menace blasts) kirika: *cough cough* fuck.... Katsuki: (lands on his head) "What the hell?! I was winning!" marie: ok everyone, settle down. student: i think it's a draw! Katsuki: (back on his feet) "Fuck a draw--I'm going to win this now!" (tries to explode forward--and slams face-first onto the floor) "...Ow..." kirika: *snerk* Stein: (takes Kirika and Katsuki by the ears) "No faculty referees? Fine. Enjoy detention..." (sneers) "I have a delicious punishment in mind..." -later- Kid: "So, how bad was Stein's punishment?" kirika: eh, i've had worse. but mr 'hotstuff' screamed like a little bitch. Katsuki: T_T "I DID NOT!" (sparks shooting around him) kirika: you're right, it was more like crying. Katsuki: (grabs her wrist) "We're not finished!" (pulls back his fist--) -DOUBLE CHOP- kirika: X-X *steam coming off her head* Katsuki: X_X "..." Kid: o_o (backs away) marie: right, anyway..... -after school- Kid: "Maybe we should pursue an activity that doesn't lend itself easily to fistfights..." kirika: ..... Kid: "Perhaps something that isn't violent...like get Mocha some new cat toys?" kirika: .///. ..........sounds good. Gopher: (pops out of a nearby garbage can) "Yes, it does sound fun!" (he has a banana peel on his head) kirika: i know i should be shocked and confused why you're in there....but im just not. Gopher: "Yay! You know me so well, my love--" liz: easy there puppy. Gopher: "Woof! Woof!" :3 Patty: "...Huh. So that's what does it for Kirika." kirika: oh shush. -_-; -At the Pet Supply Shop- Kid: (studying the fishes in the tanks) "Calming..." Patty: "Which aisle has the giraffe repellent?" clerk: i-i beg your pardon? Patty: "Giraffe repellent. If you don't have it in mace form, I'll take it in axe form." clerk: O-O;;;; Patty: "And do you have camouflage? And do you have human-size hamster balls? Where are your balls?" -elsewhere- Spirit: (mapping) "And that's the latest Kishin worship location..." (taps the map) "They're spreading, Sir." lord death: hmmm.... this is all very troubling. Spirit: "I wish we could just wipe those cities off the map..." (trembling) justin: unfortunatly, there's not much we can do at the moment... Stein: "Hmm...Food...Why was this all the start of just finding a piece of metal in pizza sauce? Is it just coincidence?" justin: or maybe someone was sending a message? a cry for help? Stein: "Perhaps...Odd coincidence, but a good one if it meant we learned about this city now rather than later. But all those people..." justin:...... Stein: (sighs) "Okay. Justin, you said there was an underground. What can you tell me about it?" -one analysis and explanation later- Stein: "No tunnels leading to another location or city?" justin: unfortunately, we didn’t have the luxury of time on our hands to investigate further... Stein: "Did you see anything familiar in the underground? Words? Symbols? Objects?" justin: *he draws a diagram of how the room looked with some notes* Stein: "Hmm...Secret entrances? A prison cell...What else?" -later that night- Gopher: "Does Mocha like it?" .W. mocha: *she seems quite happy* Gopher: "Yay!" (small claps) -in another room- stocking: cute jammies. *she is wearing white pajamas with black trim+details and a skull on the pockets* -kid's is the same, only the colors are inverted, IE black pajamas with white trim and details- Kid: (smiles widely) "Likewise. You look so huggable in them--" stocking: hehe~ Kid: (hugs her, sways with her) "I like these. Thank you." stocking: i thought they looked cute~

Death the Kid: Kid: (kisses her cheek) "They do~" stocking: *she smiles and nuzzles into him* Kid: (holds her) "I missed you so much when I was on that mission..." stocking: *listening* Kid: "I was scared that I...wouldn't be back." stocking: but you are... Kid: *sniff* (smiles) "And I'm so happy that I am..." -and so, one love making session later- Kid: (panting) "God...W-We broke in those new pajamas all right..." stocking: aahhh.. y-yeah.. *blush* Kid: (giggles) "Your body looked amazing when I unbuttoned the top..." stocking: *blush* hehe~ Kid: (smirks) "Did you think I looked good in the pajamas?" (kisses her neck) stocking: oh hell yeah~ Kid: "That's what I wanted to hear..." (small bite on her shoulder) stocking: ahh~ Kid: "Stocking..." (massages her breast) "I love you..." stocking: i love you too, kiddo~ Kid: (kisses on her breast--then licks her nipple) stocking: ahhh~! Kid: "You like that?" -the next morning- Kid: "Ah...What's today?" -at school- Patty: "Is Loud-Mouth McBoom Face still enrolled, or did Kirika scare him away?" liz: still here, but i think they're going to be avoiding each other a looong while. Patty: "Maybe he needs a hug...or a punch in the teeth." liz: ....... Kid: (looking through books) "Hmm..." -in another place in the school- Shotaro: "Um...Why is math relevant to me again?" -after class- Shotaro: "My head hurts..." ????: oh! you're the guys from the robot tournament a while back, right? Shotaro: (looks around, then at Mana) "Are they talking to us?" mana: i think so. yeah, that would be us. ????: that was so cool! i'll admit i was a little scared when that rubble fell but then shinra kicked it away and it was so awesome! Shotaro: "..." (quiet, sullen) mana: yeah.... ????: ah! sorry, i guess i was rambling again...a-anyway, im Izuku. i just started the NOT classes this year. Shotaro: "...Hi." (weak smile) mana: nice to meet you. I'm Mana Hinoki, and this is Showtaro. Shotaro: "Yeah...Um, Izuku? How are you doing in your classes?" izuku: i've been doing my best. -at lunch- Kid: (spots Izuku) "Hmmm...Looks like our new students are getting along." liz: *she nods* Kid: "That's good. Don't need more fights around here..." Black Star: "Yeah! I can't have anyone taking my spotlight!" (dramatic pose) tsubaki: *sweatdrop* Patty: (shining a spotlight onto Black Star) "Testify, brother!" Black Star: (microphone now in his hand) "I am the only star of this Academy! And don't none of your newbies forget it!" izuku: *sweatdrop* tsuyu: o~o ??? kero? ochako: ^^; Katsuki: "...I want to punch him in his shitty head." -elsewhere- Akitaru: (fixing lights in the Brigade) "Everything is so old in here..." maki: we should do a fundraiser or something. Akitaru: "That could work. Not sure what we can offer to funds raised, though, aside from our usual pleasant demeanor--" Hibana: (heard falling down the stairs) "Goddamn it! Where are the fucking lights?!" Akitaru: "...Our super, duper, pleasant demeanor..." -_- maki: *sweatdrop* -elsewhere- grunt: m-mr shinoda, you have a skype call. Shinoda: "Very good. I'll take the call..." (taps the screen) -the room on the screen looks like a young girl's playroom. there is a girl sitting in a chair with an older lady on the side of her- ???: greetings Shinoda. how's everything in the toykyo branch going? Shinoda: "A bit slow, unfortunately: it is so hard to attract talented people..." (sneers) "...unless you can convince them otherwise." ???: myogyogyogyo~ i think with my puppet ability, that shouldnt be too hard~ ????: miss Marisa, you do have to know their names first before you can do anything to them... Shinoda: "I have had my team find the names of some particularly talented people..." marisa: oooh, mind faxing them over~? pretty pleeeeease~? Shinoda: (smiles) "Gladly..." (hands it to Grunt to fax) ????: any updates on kepuri or akaderu? we lost contact with them after the death city tournament. marisa: jeez, Naoka. you're so impatient sometimes. *pout* Shinoda: "Our contacts continue to monitor her...Amazing the in-roads 'Happy Factory' can make thanks to our philanthropic donations to hospitals and neuroscience research facilities. Her brain is firing all neurons at blinding speeds, but that in effect makes her brain-dead." marisa: and akaderu? Shinoda: "In prison." (smirks) "And collecting a few more allies from within." naoka: what ever happened to that guy with the long nosehairs? Shinoda: "I...think he's dead? It was really unclear." naoka: hmmmm.... Shinoda: "His body was removed by another former employee, Assi...He disappeared after making contact with the Kyokotsu." marisa: oooooh~? speeeeeaking of, how's that emone doing? Shinoda: "He is increasing his number of bad deeds per day...At this rate, he will have fully empowered the Bai Ze." marisa: neat. Shinoda: (smiles) "Quite. I'll let 'Emone' know you said hi." ((Okay--get some sleep.)) naoka: -_-; Shinoda: "Oh, and send more apples. Red ones--not the green ones." naoka: we'll send the order asap. Shinoda: "And I'll look forward to it. Until then..." -the skype feed cuts out- Shinoda: "Hmm..." (bites into an apple) -knock knock- lin: shinoda, it's that time again. Shinoda: (sighs) "Okay." (stands) "Let's begin." -elsewhere- Spirit: (fixes his tie) "I hope I look decent..." blair: i think you look great. *she smiles* Spirit: (blushes) "Thanks...I appreciate your help with this." -later- Kid: -_-; "How can a baby make such a mess...?" shiori: guu! Kid: *sigh* "Well, I bathed you, changed your diaper, and cleaned up your toys..." (picks up Shiori) "What would you like to do now, Little Sister?" shiori: *stomach growls* Kid: "Well, that answers that question..." (smiles) "Let's get you something to eat!" shiori: ^w^ Kid: (places Shiori in her crib and brings food out of the fridge) shiori: *watching* Kid: (warms the milk and places it into the bottle) Kid: (picks up Shiori and brings the bottle to her mouth) stocking:.....*she smiles* Kid: "Okay, Shiori, drink slowly..." -one feeding later- Kid: (patting Shiori's back to help her burp) stocking: you're getting good at this, kid. Kid: (blushes) "Thank you. I've been trying...Do you want to hold her?" stocking: sure *she does so* hey shiori. shiori: ^^ Kid: (smiles at Shiori and Stocking) "She's so loving..." -later- Yumi: "We're home." lord death: hey there kiddos~ *he hugs shiori* Kid: (waves) "It's good to see you home safe. How was your evening?" lord death: it went quite well. spirit and his date we're doing well too. *muttering* but yumi still looked way cuter... Yumi: -\\\\\\- Kid: (chuckles) "I'm sure." (pats Shiori's head) "Little Sister was no trouble." shiori: mamu! mamu! Yumi: "Shiori!" (smiles, picks her up) "Hello, Little One." *snuggles* shiori: hehe~ Kid: "We enjoyed getting to babysit. We would like to again in the future..." -later- Yumi: (kisses Death) "I was happy for the night out..." lord death: yes, it was nice to get out and enjoy some time together. Yumi: (sighs) "Shiori will be running around soon..." lord death: i know.....she looks so much like you. Yumi: (laughs lightly) "Yes...It's uncanny..." (kisses his nose) "But she will have your hair..." lord death: *blush* hehe~ Yumi: (slides a hand along his hip) "Thank you." -the next day at school- Kid: (doodling) teacher: now, who can tell me who the first death scythe was? Kid: (looks up..."I know this...") tsubaki: it was Sakagi Nakatsukasa, wasnt it? teacher: very good. at least, that she was the first death scythe recorded in history... Kid: (waits to see whether someone will answer) -at lunch- Patty: "RAWR!" (chops into chicken nuggets) liz: so what do you want to do after school today? Kid: "I'm not sure...I was hoping to get Yumi something for her garden." liz: sounds good. *she smiles* Patty: "Oh, we should get her something, too! Mother's Day!" (opens her wallet--and pulls out $200) "...Huh. Didn't realize I kept that much on me." -at the mall- Kid: "Hmm..." (picks up a trowel) "Good weight..." stocking: *snerk* look at these garden gnomes! Kid: o_o (holds one up) "So...symmetrical..." liz: .... Patty: "Sis?" -the gnomes have lord death's mask on it- Patty: "Ooooooh...I didn't know Kid's daddy was a gnome." Kid: o_o; stocking: *laughing her butt off* Kid: o\\\\\\o "So embarrassing..." stocking: haaaa.... *ahem* s-sorry about that....it just looked so silly. Kid: "...How do you think Father would react if we bought him one?" -later- lord death:.................i should have 'gnome'. Kid: -_-; Patty: "Ha ha ha ha ha!" stocking: -_-; kirika: boooo! Yumi: "..." (tiny chop) "That corny joke earns you a love tap..." lord death: XP hehe~ Yumi: "Are we actually putting this into the garden?" lord death: if you want to. Yumi: (kisses his forehead, smiles) "I think it's cute." -elsewhere- Shotaro: (looking at a photo) chie: *she takes a peek* hmm? *It's of him, Chie, and Yohei* chie: that was a fun day at the amusement park, huh? mana isnt too bad with a camera. Shotaro: (nods) *sniff* chie:....hmm? showtaro? is everything ok? Shotaro: "...Emine and I...were orphaned..." chie: .......oh.... Shotaro: *sniff* "And now..." (smiles lightly at Chie) chie: .......*small smile* Shotaro: (glomp) chie: ...*she sighs and ruffles his hair* did you make sure to do your good deed today, kiddo? Shotaro: (small smile) "Isn't a hug a good deed?" chie: ^^; -elsewhere- Kid: "How was shopping for your mother, Love?" stocking: well, i decided to get her some new fabrics to work with. i also got her some shampoos. Kid: (smiles) "That sounds good." -meanwhile- lin:........*knock knock* emine? Emine: "...What?" lin: are you alright in there?.... (thinking: i know this time of year is discomforting for him....) Emine: (narrows his eyes) "I'm fine. Leave me alone." lin:....well....i-if you want to talk- Emine: "I don't. Leave." lin:....of course sir.......*sigh* (thinking: i wish i was able to make his suffering go away....) *A crash is heard in the room* lin: !!!!!! Emine: (wall demolished, his hands bloody) "...Clean this. Now." lin:...yes sir. Emine: "..." (collapses) lin: !!!! EMINE! Emine: (he's barely conscious) "M-Mama..." lin:....(thinking: at least he already did his bad deed today....) *sigh* *she carries him to his bed* Emine: (clutches Lin, shaking...) lin:.....*she holds him close* it's ok.... Emine: "Wh-why did you leave me?" lin: n-no! i would never leave you, emine. \useless kid....and a monster to boot. i should have just killed you as soon as you were born\ Emine: "M-Ma..." (cries) lin:...........*she strokes his head* Emine: (wailing, shuddering) grunt: h-hey, is he alright? Emine: (eyes break open) "AAAAAH!" *Dark Slice--through Lin's arm* lin: AH! *wince* grunt: O-O;;;;; *backs up and runs* Emine: "Leave me alone! All of you!" lin: ...... *she nods and takes her arm, exiting* Emine: (crying alone) -elsewhere- Wes: "How are you feeling?" (takes Liz's hand) liz: doing alright....you? Wes: (rubs the back of his neck) "Mother is not...easy to speak with." liz: yeah........... Wes: "...Sorry." liz: it's fine. i'm used to it. Wes: "You and Yumi..." liz:.....*she nods* -elsewhere- Kid: (hugs Stocking) stocking: oh~? whats this for? Kid: "I want to snuggle~" stocking: ..........>/////< oh my gosh you are the cutest dork ever. Kid: (whispers in her ear) "I know..." stocking: *smooch* ~<3 Kid: >\\\\\\< "I love you, too..." (kiss) stocking: hehe~ Kid: (holds her) "Stocking...You looked like such a natural with Shiori..." stocking: i've been practicing. Kid: "That means a lot to me, as well as to Mother and Father." stocking: *she smiles* i wanted to prepare for whenever we.....*blush* whenever we have kids of our own someday. Kid: (blushes as well) "Y-Yeah...I was thinking about that..." stocking: *she smiles* do you think they'll look like you or me? Kid: "Like you..." (rubs her hand) "Beauty is a dominant gene." stocking: *blush* Kid: "Hee hee...So cute..." stocking: oh shuuuush~! >.< Kid: "..." (kisses her lips lightly) stocking: hehe~ Kid: "Whatever our children would look like, I know they will have a loving mother..." stocking: *she smiles* Kid: "...I only hope I could be a good father..." stocking: i'm sure you will... Kid: (smiles) "Th-Thank you..." -elsewhere- chie: it was nice to talk to my parents again. Yohei: "I'm glad you did." chie: and your parents? Yohei: "...I haven't." chie: would you like to? Yohei: "...Might as well." chie: hopefully they dont react as.....intensly, as my parents did { [mr kagehime: if you do anything to hurt my baby girl, we're comin' after you buddy *brandishing a hammer*] [mrs kagehime: really dear? a hammer? if he does anything i say we pull out a katana on his ass ^^ ] } Yohei: T_T "Yeah...Your parents are...passionate." chie: i wouldnt say i blame them....after what happened with saki... Yohei: "Yeah...I understand that." chie:....soooo...? Yohei: "...Okay. But I have one favor to ask..." chie: yeah? Yohei: "I'm going to need a drink after that talk with the 'rents." chie: rents? Yohei: "Short for 'parents.'" (sweats) "Do young people not say that anymore?" chie: oh. sorry about that. ^^; Yohei: -_-; "Talking with Mom will be...interesting." chie: *she nods* Yohei: (rubs back of his neck) "Hope she will listen." chie: .....and your dad? Yohei: "...He'll probably not say much." chie: ah. Yohei: "Yeah...Uh, family reunions." chie:...you want to start off? Yohei: "Yeah..." (pulls up Skype call to his family's home) chie: *waits* ???: "Who's there? What do you want?" ???: *adjusts the screen+squints* yohei? is that you? Yohei: "Yeah, it's me. How you doing, Mom?" mrs nanami: how am i doing? how are you doing sweetie? Yohei: "Um...Okay. Great?" (glances at Chie) "I'm here with Chie..." mrs nanami: chie? chie: *waves* hi mrs nanam- mrs nanami: YOHEI, DID YOU FINALLY GET HITCHED?! Yohei: "...No." (SCREAMING INTERNALLY) mrs nanami: *slightly disappointed* oh. Yohei: "...We're happy right now, though, Mom. Very happy." mrs nanami: that's good to hear, so how did you two meet? -later- Yohei: "..." (sighs) mana: how did it go? Yohei: "Mom is the usual..." (glances at chie) chie: it went well i think. Yohei: "Hmm...She's looking better since..." chie: ?? Yohei: "...Mom has had some health scares..." chie: yohei.... Yohei: "Just...She's dealt with a lot, so I'm happy..." ("I was no help to her...") chie: *she nods and holds his hand* Yohei: "..." (small squeeze of her hand) chie: *she smiles* Yohei: "...Maybe I should take a trip to see her and Dad..." chie: sounds good. Yohei: "Maybe in the next week? How's your schedule look?" chie: free for the most part Yohei: "Too soon to try visiting Mom and Dad this weekend?" -elsewhere- Arthur: "I feel like something is missing..." shinra: hmm? Arthur: "Maybe a new piece of furniture?" shinra: .......what? Arthur: "The feng shui is off. Maybe we need something new..." (looks at Shinra's bed) "Maybe we can get rid of your bed and replace it with something else. Like a TV?" shinra: I NEED THAT! D:< Arthur: "We could set aside a cot for you. Maybe throw in a pillow, too." shinra:.......................*grumble* i'm going for a walk. Arthur: "Can you pick some new wallpaper, too?" shinra: GRAAAAAHHH!!!! *SLAMS THE DOOR* Arthur: "Hmph." (picks up an oyster shell) "Why do we even have this as furniture?" -elsewhere- ???: this should be the place....come on you two, lets hurry. Boy 1: "Where are we?" ???: *she looks up at an abandoned factory building* the place where you'll be saved.... Boy 1: "...'Saved'? From what?" ???: *she smiles* saved from the flames. Boy 1: "!!! I-I don't feel comfortable with this. I think I'm going--" Boy 2: i-i think we should listen to her...remember what happened to yuu-chan? Boy 1: "Th-This just seems different. And creepy." -inside- ????: .............(thinking: 5 people...?) Boy 1: "Why are there so many people here?" ???:............*grips the hood of her hoodie* (thinking: he should be here by now.....) girl: (whimpering) woman: shh, it's ok Nao, sweetie. Nao: "I-I don't like this! I want to go home!" ???:...... (thinking: captain.....will this really work?) Nao: "Please!" (tries to pull away) -footsteps could be heard- Nao: (shakes) "Wh-Who is that?" ???: !!! *she pulls her hood down to cover her face* Nao: "Wh-Why are you covering up?" ???:......... *she looks at the person entering* Rekka: "Welcome, children." Nao’s Mother: ah, a father of the 1st brigade...*sigh* that's quite a relief. Rekka: (pats a child on the head) "It is okay, child. You are safe here..." (he has his hand in his pocket) ????: ............ *she smiles weakly* (thinking: hopefully he doesnt see my face...) boy: t-thank you mr. Rekka: "Are you afraid of fire, child?" boy: a kid in our class was burned by the flames....i didnt think it could happen to kids but.... Rekka: "Yes, I can imagine. But fear not...I will cure your fear. And the way you cure fear is to face it bravely, yes?" boy:....*he nods* Rekka: "And that means...you have to face a trial by fire." *Presses something to the boy's neck* ????: !!!!!!!!!! boy: ah-... *Something bites into the boy* boy: ow! ????: *throwing her voice* h-hey man! what are you doing? Rekka: (looks around) "Just...Just trying to let this child face his fears!" (frowning, then growling as he pushes the boy to the floor) "Well?!" -flames surround the boy, who then faints- Nao: "No!!" (crying) Nao’s mother: oh god! ????: !!!!!!!! *she lunges in and tackles rekka* Rekka: "What?!" (grabs at the cloak and tries to rip it off) -the hood tears off- Rekka: "?! You?!" tamaki: !!!!!!!!!! *she looks at the others* WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! TAKE THE KIDS AND GET OUT OF HERE! nao's mother:....*she grabs the boy and runs with the others* come along now! Nao: "Tatsu!" (holds out a hand) "We have to save them!" Rekka: (fire-punch forward at the exit to block it) "No one...is leaving..." (sneers at Tamaki) tamaki: *she bites her lip* why are you doing this captain?! what did you do to that kid? Rekka: (chuckles) "I simply wanted to see how far we can take this...sharing the light of our power..." (holds up a flame in his open palm) "...to all people..." (brings the flame slowly to Tamaki's face) tamaki: !!! *she's knocked back, but manages to get up, spitting out some blood* geh... this...this isnt right! what did you do rekka? what caused those flames?! Rekka: "Just a little bug bite, courtesy of a bit of research from my predecessor, and your new BFF Hibana." tamaki: !!! w-what?! those bugs....what are they?! -she jumps and flame slashes at him- Rekka: (sleeve sliced, cutting his skin) "Ah!" (blasts flame at the ceiling above her, to send it down onto her) "Just a little something to fire these kids up! To infect them! Change them! Improve them! I am trying to unleash as many fire people as I can!" tamaki: !!!! *she roll dodges out of the way* you....you're using them as experiments?! this....this is unforgivable! i looked up to you... but i see now....you're just plain sick! and sister pearl....she admired you more than anyone, what would she think if she saw this?! Rekka: "..." (smiles) "I think she'd be proud...After all, I'm just giving us more company..." (uses the flames to propel himself forward--and seizes Tamaki by the neck, holding her up) "Give us a smile, Tamaki. You always looked better when you were smiling." tamaki: !!!!!!!!!! *she closes her eyes tightly* (thinking: arthur.....kana......amber......what do i do?.....i dont....i cant die like this!) Rekka: "...I said smile! Smile, damn you!" tamaki: ........ *she looks up and smirks* Rekka: "There. That's how I want my girl to look..." (charges his hand) "Let's keep that smile frozen on that face for a bit..." tamaki:.....*muttering* psycho getting kicked in the face say what? Rekka: (stops smiling, raises eyebrow) "...What?" shinra: HIYAAAAAAAAAA! Rekka: (foot collides with face) "Aaaaaah!" *knocked to the floor, panting* shinra: hey tamaki. tamaki: I ALMOST DIED AND YOU JUST SAY 'HEY'?! WHAT THE FUCK KUSAKABE?! shinra: i could see that, thought i'd.....drop in. tamaki:................*facepalm* really? *Fireball at Shinra's shoulder* shinra: !!! *turns and takes stance* captain hoshimiya, correct? sorry, but i'm afraid taking tamaki back to the first isnt in our schedule today. Rekka: (panting, but chuckling) "No problem...because neither of you is leaving here alive!" (propels himself forward with flames out of both fists, tackling Shinra to the floor) shinra: GAH! tamaki: !!! *she looks around* Rekka: (slamming his fist at Shinra's head, but he keeps dodging) "Aw, what a friendly smile! A gift from our Lord, Shinra, that you are bestowing upon me with your pleasant face! Let me show you the light, child..." (flares up his hand, ready to smash it into Shinra's face) tamaki: *TACKLES REKKA+HEADBUTTS HIM* Rekka: "..." (fuming, glaring) "You...have not seen the Light of our God...I'll make sure to change that, child..." shinra: *double footed kick* HAH! Rekka: (his knees buckle) "Ah!" (collapses...but he is slamming his fists along the floor, trying to burn the floor) shinra: *Picks up tamaki and jumps up to one of the rafters* tamaki: thanks, i guess. Rekka: "No!" (still can't stand, but he is surrounded by flames) "Get back here!" (blasts fire at nearby metal beams) shinra: !!!!! *he kicks back* (thinking: let this work, please let this work!) Rekka: (crawling, until he can grab the burning metal beams and, despite them burning his skin, shakes them) "Fall down! Fall down to this Hellfire, you demon!" tamaki: we need to get out of here. shinra: *fire kicks at rekka's face* GET OFF! Rekka: "AAAAH!" (clutches his face, lets go of the beams) shinra: come on. *he and tamaki begin running to the exit* Rekka: (lowers his hands, still struggling to crawl away...) shinra: *looking around until he spots the exit* *whispering* there! tamaki: *picks up shinra and leaps down* Rekka: "Get back here!" (collapses) "Ow..." (wailing) shinra:.........*run over to rekka* TAMAKI! GET THEM OUT OF HERE! i'll handle him. tamaki: shinra-...*sigh* damn....ok everyone, stand back. *cat tails to fan away the flames* GO GO! Rekka: "...This is my own Hell..." shinra: *kicks him across the face* alright. START TALKING! what's going on here? Rekka: "Ah! What the hell?! How is that supposed to get me to talk, you demon?!" shinra: *fire foot* .........*trying to remain calm, but he is tearing up* GAHHHHHHHHHH!! *he kicks away an empty barrel.....very hard....* Rekka: "Heh...Okay...Get me out of here, and I'll talk...I can't very well talk if I'm dead..." shinra:........*he looks around* *Chains are behind Rekka* shinra:.....*he takes the chains and ties him down, dragging him out* dont....move..... Rekka: "Heh...You like it kinky, huh?" shinra: shut up. *he seems tense..... tamaki:......i got them out...told them to head for safety.... shinra:..good call. Rekka: "Should've known you'd side with the Demon, Kitten..." tamaki: .........*she looks away* you dont have any right to call me that.... Rekka: "That's not what you said before..." (smirks at her) tamaki:....lets go. -later, after rekka is secured someplace safe and tamaki explains what happened- shinra: what?! Rekka: (still giggling to himself) shinra:.........*kicks him in the stomach* you shut up. start talking... NOW! *aaaand now he's straight up pissed* Rekka: (laughs, coughs) "You talking to me? How can I shut up _and_ start talking?" shinra: *clenches fist* start giving answers, stop bullshitting around! Rekka: "...I just wanted more like us, Shinra..." shinra: what do you mean? Rekka: "That word they called you, 'Demon.' Haven't you thought how lonely it feels for us? We're not even seen as human: we're seen as monsters." shinra: ........*thinking back* { [man: t-thank you..thank you mr fire officer] [izuku: you saved my life, i cant thank you enough for that.] [iris: you arent a bad person shinra, please understand that] } Rekka: "But God knows you are no Demon, Shinra. He knows you are one of his chosen..." (smiles) "Like me. Why else would He bless us with these abilities? This light we have inside of us?" shinra: ??? tamaki? what does he mean? tamaki: wha- why are you asking me? as if i'd know! Rekka: (sing-songy) "Tamaki...You're forgetting your catechism...The nuns taught you better than that..." tamaki:.............*she looks away* Rekka: "I'm saying is that, if we are God's chosen people...why should mere humans tell us how to behave? And why should we not share our gift with them? That's why I have the bugs...so that we can create new flame beings..." shinra: !!!!!! you.....you're fucked up. Rekka: "No...I am God's emissary! Just ask Commander Burns!" shinra:................ *thinking back to what hibana said about herself being a demon* .............. Rekka: "What they call a demon...I call a saint! I just wanted to spread our power to others! What is wrong with sharing that, Shinra? What is wrong with that?" shinra: but by turning people into flame humans?? Rekka: (shrugs) "Some conversions needs to be forced...A baptism by fire..." shinra: *kicks him across the face*....how many.....how many more have to die? Rekka: (coughs blood) "Damn...Do you know how many can be saved, Shinra? I'm not God...I'm just a human...I'm not perfect...There are going to be mistakes." shinra: *flames build up around him* tamaki: !!! Rekka: (laughing...and crying) "So, Shinra...You will be my fiery angel of death?" shinra:...........give me one reason why i shouldnt kick your head in until your skull breaks..... Rekka: "...Because you know I'm right. You know that if we don't convert them...they'll kill us." shinra:......(thinking: what can i even do?...........mom.......sho..........i said i'd become a hero but.......what do i do? i...im scared.....) Rekka: "...What will you do, Shinra?" shinra:....................... shinra:................*slaps him across the face* Rekka: "..." (shocked...crying...giggling) shinra:...... tamaki:....*worried* Rekka: "Shinra...Without your help, how will I find the Adora Burst?!" shinra: ??? tamaki: adora burst? Rekka: "The essence of fire itself...Blessed to those touched by the Sun God. It is given to a few and will guide humanity...That is what I want to give this world..." shinra: ......what do we do? tamaki:..... tamaki:......we should keep him at the 8th. taking him back to the first risks me getting caught, and i'm not the best at making a prison cell... shinra:...*weak smile* that makes two of us....*he calls in* y-you should head back. tamaki: good call..... Akitaru: (calling from afar) "Shinra!" tamaki: that's my cue....*She sneaks away* shinra:....yeah! i'm up here! Akitaru: (approaches Shinra) "What happened here?" -shinra explains the situation, only mentioning tamaki as 'a friend'- Akitaru: " 'A friend'? Where did they go?" shinra:.....(thinking: i shouldnt rat her out....) i dunno, they vanished as soon as they appeared... Akitaru: "Darn...I would've thanked them had I got here earlier..." (sees Rekka) "Hey, how's it hanging?" shinra:....what now? Akitaru: "We don't have much of a prison at the 8th...And we can't hand him over to Burns...I think Takehisa can whip up a prison ASAP." shinra:....alright....sounds good.... Akitaru: "Great! We better get Takehisa coffee--he'll be up for a few hours..." -and so- Takehisa: -_-; "It's finished. I am going to sleep for two days. The first person who interrupts my sleep dies." (glares at Shinra) "It better not be you..." shinra:............*cough*....excuse me....i need to lay down.... Akitaru: "You earned it, Shinra. I'm proud of you." (pat on the back) shinra: a.....dora....bur......*he collapses and faints* Akitaru: (catches him) "Wow, there! Let's get you in bed..." (cradles him like a baby as he brings him to his bed) Akitaru: "Huh...I wonder why he said 'adorable'... shinra:............. *he opens his eyes* ............. -something seemed off...familiar-...........(thinking: this.....my old room?) ???: "He's waking up..." ???: big bwo! big bwo! shinra:.....m-mom? Mom: (smiles) "Hello, sweetie. How did you sleep?" shinra: mom....y-you....and sho.... Mom: "You were out like a light! You must have been exhausted." shinra:....yeah.....long day.....mom, i- Mom: "Well, I'm happy you're up. Come on! I'm almost finished with dinner, so I could use another pair of eyes to watch Sho while I set the table." shinra: o-ok........ sho: why big brother? shinra: ??? sho: *grin* you let us die. Mom: "Sho..." -a large flame human begins to manifest behind shinra's mom- shinra: MOM! *he reaches out but.....* Mom: (ignites) "Aaaaaaaah! Shinra! Why?!!" shinra: MOM! NO! ???:....nra? shinra! shinra: AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! -thud- shinra: *grips his head* AH! d-damn!! *pounding the floor with his fist* GOD! DAMMIT! Akitaru: "Shinra? Shinra!" (goes to the floor) "Get a hold of your, son!" iris: shinra...... shinra:....*panting..........he then buries his face in iris' chest and cries* m-mama......mama....... iris:...............*she hugs him* i-it's ok..... Akitaru: "..." (leaves to get some tissues and water) iris:........*humming and rubbing his back* Akitaru: (returns with water and tissues...leaves the water on a table, stays near the door to listen) shinra: *coughing*.....s-sorry.....just....had a rough day today..... Akitaru: (returns with water and tissues...leaves the water on a table, stays near the door to listen) shinra: *coughing*.....s-sorry.....just....had a rough day today..... -at the girl's dorms- tamaki:...................................(thinking: shinra........if he hadnt been there i-.........maybe next time i wont be as lucky......that's why.....i have to get stronger.....for me....kana....amber.....everyone....) Kana: "Tamaki?" *yawns* "I can't sleep..." tamaki:....hey kana.....*she smiles a bit*....i cant sleep either....rough day..... Kana: "...Want to have milk and cookies?" tamaki:.....sure. Kana: (small smile, takes Tamaki's hand to lead her to the kitchen) tamaki:.....(thinking: kana....she lost her family to the flames......) Kana: (opens the pantry...pulls out cat-shaped cookies) tamaki:..... -the next morning, at school- soul:................ Black Star: "You okay? You look exhausted." soul:.........maka's birthday is in two days....... Black Star: "..." (kicks himself) "Sorry..." soul: it's fine.......we should do something.....to celebrate her memory. it's the least we could do. Black Star: "Maybe...something phil-er-thrope-ic?" [philanthropic] soul:....maybe....*he smiles* Black Star: (smiles) "Library fundraiser?” soul: sounds good. Black Star: "Maybe a birthday party where kids get free books? People reading to visitors?" soul: maybe a book trade? Black Star: "Cool!" -later- Kid: "Here are a few other volumes to donate..." librarian: why thank you. Kid: (smiles) "You're welcome. Doing it...for a friend." librarian:.....*he glances over at a plaque above the door* -Maka Albarn Memorial Library- Kid: "..." (sad smile) "I hope someone will get good use of these...I did." -outside- liz: how did it go? Kid: "The donation was...a challenge." (smiles) "But I think it is for a good cause." liz: ....*she smiles* Kid: "How about you?" liz: i'm good. Kid: "...Liz? I...got you something..." liz: oh? Kid: "A little something because...you are a maternal presence in my life..." (hands her a wrapped boxed present) liz: ah....thanks. i'll open it at home then. Kid: (smiles) "Sounds good..." -after school- Kid: (looks around the entrance...) stocking: *covers kid's eyes* guess who~ Kid: (smiles) "An angel?" stocking: that's one way of putting it~ Kid: (chuckles) "Is it...Stocking?" stocking: ding ding ding~ we have a winner. your prize is this~ *she turns him around and smooches him on the lips* Kid: "Hmmm~" stocking: hehe~ Kid: (hugs her) "How was your day?" stocking: it was good. you? Kid: "...We donated books today..." stocking: ah... Kid: (sad smile) "I hope they are valuable to someone..." stocking: i'm sure they will. Kid: (nods) "Any plans this afternoon?" stocking: not sure yet. Kid: "...Would you be interested in perhaps a small dinner, in private?" stocking: i would like that. Kid: (smiles) "6 work for you?" stocking: perfect. Kid: (kisses her cheek) "Very good. I'll finish preparations..." -later- stocking: wow, kid this is amazing. Kid: (smiles) "It means a lot to hear that...I was trying to find a dish that would be a bit special." [(Menu: honey garlic chicken with sweet dinner rolls, maybe a sweet wine to go with the more sweet/sugary dinner] stocking: it's great. and it means a lot that you did all this. you didnt have to if you didnt want to though. Kid: (small smile) "Stocking...I want to...I would give the world to you. There's something I want to say..." stocking: hmm? Kid: (inhales) "I don't say it enough, and I'm sorry for how many times I forget to..." (reaches out for her hand) "I love you. And I cannot imagine living without you. You make every day like heaven for me, and I can never adequately repay you for that." stocking:......*she holds his hands* i love you too kid.....*she smiles* i feel the same way. Kid: (smiles, holds her hands silently for a few moments...then laughs) "I guess we're letting the dinner get cold..." stocking: ah! right...bon appetit~ Kid: (small laugh, as he cuts into the food and eats...) -elsewhere- Yohei: "Is this tie too much?" chie: it's fine. it's actually a good look for you. Yohei: (blushes) "Thanks...You ready?" chie: yeah. Yohei: (pulls seat out for Chie) "Here you are." -elsewhere- Akitaru: "How's he holding up?" maki: he's resting right now...but he seems to be doing better... Akitaru: "Okay. Let him catch up on sleep. And how is our prisoner?" maki: he's not saying much.....i have a bad feeling about this. Akitaru: "Yeah...Not long before Burns starts sniffing around here, ostensibly to find Tamaki...And there is already a missing person's report out for Rekka...I don't know where to move him next." maki:...we need to get more allies Akitaru: "Been looking at that..." (pulls out a portfolio of options) "Within the Brigades, outside the Brigades..." (names of people in Squad 0, DWMA, and faraway) maki: the DWMA sounds like a good option, but i fear it might raise some questions. same thing with squad 0, seeing as they work with the 1st on occasion. Akitaru: "I know some people from my old firefighter platoon, but this may be beyond their skill set..." maki: or maybe.....*she glances at hibana* Hibana: "??? What? You want me to interview the captive?" -in shinra's room- shinra:............... Arthur: "I brought you some more water. Drink up." shinra:....thanks....*weak smile* Arthur: "Yeah...You sure you don't want me to stop by the bakery or somewhere? Maybe get you chicken soup?" shinra: it might help...maybe some PB n Js....those help. Arthur: "Okay...I'll get the chicken soup and make you some sandwiches..." (looks around furtively, whispers) "Stay away from Hibana! We know what her 'bedside manner' is like!" shinra: *gulps* (thinking: i dont know which is scarier, interpreting that with innuendo or without....NO! stop it hormones! ugh, now i need brain bleach...ech.) Arthur: (seizes Shinra's hands) "It is dangerous to be alone..." shinra: ah .////.;; Arthur: (removes one hand and brings out a sword...) "Take this." shinra: um....thank you? Arthur: (nods, disappears like a ninja into the hallway) shinra:...............................what just happened? Hibana: "Oh, Shinra, you're awake!" (enters) "Do you need anything?" shinra: arthur's got it covered. -elsewhere- Yumi: *yawn* lord death: aw, you tired? Yumi: (nods) "Shiori had me up five times last night..." lord death: ah.... Yumi: "...ZZZZZZzzzzzz..." *snore* lord death:..........(thinking: so cute!) Yumi: (nuzzles against him) -elsewhere- Wes: (on the phone) "Thank you for checking...Yes, that would help. Thank you. Goodbye." (hangs up) soul: who was that? Wes: o_o; "N-Nothing!" (nervous laughter) "J-Just something I'm looking into..." soul:.......oooook? Wes: (sweating nervously) "So...Hungry? Maybe we can get something to eat?" soul:....pizza? Wes: (nods) "Sure! Head out or order in?" soul: order in. Wes: "Okay--" (calls up pizza place) "What do you want on your side of the pizza? Any sides? Drinks?" -later- Wes: "I thought that was tasty..." (still nervous as he's cleaning up...) soul: yeah, it was pretty good. Wes: "G-Good...Soul? I...What do you want to do Sunday? Maybe we could take in a movie?" soul: maybe stay in and play games.... Wes: "Th-That works too..." (weak smile) "Here or your place?" soul: the apartment. Wes: (smiles) "Cool." -later- Kid: (sighs contently) stocking: mmmmm~ so cute~ Kid: (small laugh) "So are you..." (kisses her cheek) stocking:.........*she's still thinking about an incident a few days ago* kid...........i love you. don't doubt it, ok? Kid: "..." (frowns, nods) "R-Right..." stocking:.......*she pulls him in closer and snuggles him* Kid: (smiles) "Thank you..." stocking: *she nods and kisses his forehead* Kid: (lies in her arms) "Heh...You're so soft." stocking: (thinking: he does so much for me.....i should do something special for him too...) Kid: (nuzzles against her neck, purrs) stocking: hehe~ Kid: (kisses her cheek) stocking:....hey kid? thanks.. for being with me...i know i dont say it a lot but, you mean a lot to me. i feel a lot happier around you. Kid: "..." (kisses her other cheek) "That's all I need to hear. I love you, too, Stocking. You make me...feel whole." stocking: *she smiles* hard to believe i was so cold back then...*frowns* after what happened in my old school......i was scared of getting close to people again... Kid: "..." (sad frown, pats her hand and holds it) stocking: but....i think i've begun to overcome that now.. Kid: "Stocking..." (rubs her hand) "I am so proud of you and what you have accomplished." stocking: *she smiles* Kid: "I never want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. I have to listen to you, and...If anything is not right, please, tell me." stocking: ok. Kid: (kisses her cheek, returns to the cuddling) "You're so strong...I feel safe in your arms." stocking: *humming* Kid: (sighs) "And you have a heavenly voice..." *small kitten yawn* -a few days later- Patty: (wrapping a gift) liz: whats that? Patty: "One of our gifts for Yumi!" (the gift's wrapping...leaves much to be desired) liz: ah. its....its nice. Patty: "Yeah! Wait until she sees what it is!" (whispers) "I got her a year-long supply of the best perfume ever!" (The perfume smells...really strong) liz: *gag* how....nice. liz: (thinking: it's probably just one spray and it lasts all year....) Patty: "Oh! And I got Yumi something new for the garden--" (holds up a venus fly trap--which starts chewing on Patty's hair) liz: o-o; Patty: "I named her Trudy!" (the fly trap is now covering half of Patty's scalp) Yumi: "Liz, Patty, I'm almost done with brunch and--" o_o "WHAT THE FUCK?!" liz: *trying to get 'trudy' off patti's head* help? Yumi: (transforms forearm into a muzzle, aims) "Let go of the girl, Fly Trap." Trudy: o_____o (lets go of Patty with a loud BURP) liz: ^^; Patty: (covered in plant drool) "Aw, now we ruined the surprise for you, Yumi." <:( Yumi: "Well, it's the...thought that counts." (picks up Trudy) "And you will behave!!!" Trudy: O______O liz: *sigh* say, do we have classes today? Patty: "I, um, lost track of time. Is it Mother's Day today?" liz: i think it was about a week or two ago. Patty: "Ooooooh...Trudy must have given me short-term memory problems." (looks at Yumi) "Hi, who are you?" Yumi: -_-; "You do have classes. Get your butts in gear and go to class." -in school- Kid: (smiles at Stocking) "Looking forward to today?" stocking: yep. i hear we have special classes today involving the old facility outside of town. Kid: "...'Old'? Um...Will it be...dusty? Disordered? Asymmetrical?" liz: easy there kiddo. from what yumi told us, we're going to be helping out the new NOT students. Kid: *loud sigh of relief* "Okay, that is doable..." liz: apparently it's a 'search and recover' lesson. Kid: "Ah, that will be good training!" -at the facility- izuku: (thinking: it looks pretty new....) student: it's so hot out here! why are we in a desert? student 2: well it _is_ nevada... Bakugou: "Why don't you babies shut up and deal with it? If you're too hot, quit now and just crawl back inside--I'm sure you can sip on ice cold water while the adults here actually show what they got!" nygus: -as for the lesson, it will be a simple search and rescue exercise. 4 students, 2 NOT and 2 EAT, will be selected. one person from each group will hide someplace deep within the facility. the remaining two will infiltrate and locate the hiding students and escort them back outside. ochako: oh, so it's basically like hide and seek then. Bakugou: (smirks..."Easy.") Kid: (watching as Nygus explains) nygus: the facility behind me is an old laboratory that was abandoned by it's former residents sometime during the late 80s and has since been reworked into our search and rescue training facility, however some of it's 'abandoned' aesthetic still remains… Sid: "Therefore, this is not some easy course you can cakewalk through: be aware that hallways will have debris, some passages blocked, and other architectural damage. Be alert, be safe." maruru: maybe i could squeeze through it? student 3: but you're kinda on the chubby side though... maruru: worst case scenario, i could just use my rolling quirk! Sid: "There may be other...surprises inside. Be aware of your surroundings once you're inside." izuku: *gulp* Bakugou: "Tch. Deku'll probaby shit himself." ochako: *she smiles at izuku* hey, you got this deku! izuku:...right. Bakugou: *glares at Ochako* Sid: "Let's get the students chosen..." stocking: ....... Kid: "...Stocking?" stocking: nothing, just thinking about stuff. Kid: "??? Something you want to talk about?" stocking: just...watching the new students. Kid: "..." (holds her hand, smiles gently) Sid: "Uraraka and Bakugou, front and center. Du Pre and Pheles, too." stocking: *she nods* ochako: *she follows* Kid: "Good luck, Love..." Bakugou: "Hmph..." stocking: so who's going to hide? Sid: "Bakugou and Stocking, go hide." Bakugou: (looks at Stocking) "What's your gimmick? Gothic lolita?" stocking: right. *she enters the building* it's called 'fashion'. Bakugou: "Some fashion. How is that even helpful in combat?" stocking: you'd be surprised. Bakugou: "???" Kid: (hands clasped) "I hope Stocking makes it out of this okay..." (frown) "And that she doesn't rip that punk apart..." -inside- stocking: this place is like a maze... Bakugou: "Weren't you listening? That's the point of a search and rescue mission. Duh." stocking: so find a good place to hide then. Bakugou: "...Fine. Don't get lost, or maybe they won't find you." -outside- Jacqueline: "Ochako, is it? How are you acclimating to the Academy?" ochako: it's a really cool place. pretty fancy too. are the classes here usually hard? Jacqueline: (shrugs) "Some more than others. It really depends on the teacher." ochako: ah. i see. Jacqueline: *demonstrating her lantern ability* "What are your abilities?" ochako: well i can touch things and make them have 0 gravity, but i get sick if i overdo it ^^ Jacqueline: "Zero gravity? That's amazing!" ochako: i guess so. but being able to turn into a lanturn, what's that like? Jacqueline: "...Kinda hot." (smirks) ochako:....*she laughs a bit* kim: booo! that was awful! Jacqueline: -_-; "And that would be my meister over there...Ignore her. I do." kim: aw come on, you know you love me! Jacqueline: o\\\\\\\o "I-I-I..." (looks at Ochako) "M-Maybe we can start the mission?" nygus: and...begin! Jacqueline: "Ochako, we can separate to cover more ground more quickly--can you get to the roof?" ochako: got it! -inside- Bakugou: (crouching behind debris) stocking: *hiding in a closet* ..... Jacqueline: (finds one hallway caved in) "Darn...I can't get through this way..." (heads the other way) ochako:.....*uses zero gravity to lift some debris and move it* release. *it drops* Bakugou: (hears Ochako's work..."Damn...I didn't hide well enough..." Spots a hole into the floor below... "No rules saying I can't _keep_ hiding...") stocking:........*hears something* ?? Jacqueline: (blasts some debris away) "Stocking! Bakugou? Ochako?" ochako: i heard it too....*She looks around* Jacqueline: "..." ("Is that someone's voice? Or is that the building settling?") ochako: ...... *BOOM* Kid: "?!" stocking: WHAT THE FUCK?! Sid: "!!! Azusa! What do you see?!" Yumi: "Hope that one boy doesn't mind..." Bakugou: "Damn it! What the hell was that explosion? Who was--" (seized by Yumi, who tracks the path of the building...) Bakugou: "What the hell?! Who's in my head?!" Yumi: (inside Bakugou's head) "Quiet. I'm looking for the problem--" *Yumi spots it...it's an Assassin* Yumi: "?! Someone infiltrated the building!" ochako: what was that? *Someone taps Ochako on the shoulder* ochako: eh? Assassin: (lifts Ochako under her arms and--) "Going up!" (tosses her towards the ceiling) ochako: eek! stocking: *sneaking out and looking around* Bakugou: (slapping the side of his head until Yumi's eyes are out of it) "Freaking teachers here! Going into people's heads. That's not--" *Assassin spots Bakugou* Bakugou: "...You?! Who the hell said you could come here?!" Assassin: (tosses kunai at Bakugou's head) Bakugou: "Jeez!" (dodges, sends explosive at Assassin--knocking the floor down and trapping Ochako with the Assassin) "Shit!" ochako: *elbows them in the stomach* let GO! Assassin: "Can't. I need a hostage for the actual prize--" stocking: *looks around* Assassin: (clutches Ochako's wrist, squeezing it) "I just need something from a little angel..." ???: aero....... Assassin: "Huh?" stocking: PUNCH!! *she punches the assassin away from ochako.* you ok? ochako: r-release. *she falls down* *cough* yeah..thanks... Assassin: (stumbles, but is crouching back on their feet) "And there's the target..." (tosses a kunai at Stocking's waist) stocking: ?! *she dodges* what the hell?? Assassin: (already near her, as he tries to knock her onto her back) stocking: !!!!! ochako: *she runs to the person and zero gravities them into a wall* stocking: *smile* thanks for returning the favor. ochako: hehe~ Assassin: *coughing blood* "Damn..." *plants something against the wall...and it is beeping* stocking: !!!!! *she grabs ochako and flies through an opening in the floor* THIS PLACE IS ABOUT TO BLOW! Assassin: "..." (small chuckle) "I'm not going that easily--" *BOOM!* Kid: "Stocking!" Bakugou: *hears the explosion* "Shit!" *runs the other way--but is hit by debris as he leaps out a window* "Ugh!" stocking: *knocked out, but is levitating* ochako:....*levitating herself and stocking outside* release! *the land safely, but ochako throws up* kim: JACKIE! Kid: "..." (runs towards Stocking and Ochako) "Stocking!" (holding her) "Oh God..." *No sign of Jacqueline* Sid: "EMTs, now!" kim: *she rushes in* Bakugou: (passed out on the ground) stocking: ..... *Inside is smoke and debris...and someone lying on the floor* Kid: "Stocking, please wake up...Please..." kim: *she shoves the debris off* jackie? stocking:..........ngh..... Jacqueline: *bruised, cut, looks like an arm broken, but breathing and heart beating* Kid: (looks to Ochako, then behind him) "Where are the EMTS...?" kim: *she drags her out and heals her wounds* stocking: *cough cough* o-ow... Kid: "Stocking...You're okay...You're okay..." Jacqueline: "K-Ki..." kim: easy now. *she picks up jackie and runs out* Jacqueline: "..." (muttering something into Kim's shoulder) *Medical teams are arriving* Bakugou: (still passed out) x_x kim: made it! izuku: *trying to get katsuki to safety* Bakugou: "D-Deku? Uh...Figures...Your stench..." izuku: dont worry kacchan, i got ya. Bakugou: (temper twitch) "Don't call me that, i-idiot..." EMT #1: "Kid, please stand aside...We'll tend to Stocking." Kid: "..." (steps back, quivering) stocking: it'll be ok kid. Kid: "..." (smiles) "Y-You're going to be okay..." Jacqueline: (still muttering) kim: hey we got another person who needs help! Jacqueline: "Kim...I didn't--" EMT #2: "This way, people! Over here!" (runs to Kim and Jacqueline) *BOOM* (Another explosion as the facility is on fire) kim: !!!! nygus: everyone stay back! -the 8th brigade arrives Akitaru: "Nygus!" (waves to her, with the 8th Brigade and Hibana present) "Man, what the hell happened?!" shinra: is everyone out? nygus: *doing a headcount* yes...everyone is out. Akitaru: "We'll put out the flames. Get everyone further away..." -after everyone is escorted back to the school- Kid: (pacing) liz: kid- Kid: "I know, I know! I'm just worried." ???: WHERE THE HELL IS MY BABY GIRL?! Kid: "...Oh boy..." Patty: "Mrs. Stocking's Mother?" ???: eek! m-mephisto you cant just go barging in like that! wait up! DX> Kid: o_____o (whispering) "I mustn't run away, I mustn't run away, I mustn't run away..." -DOOR SLAM- -and by that it got broken off it's hinges- mephitso: STOCKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!!!!!!!!!!!! *hugging aggressively* MY BABY!!! Q~Q Kid and Patty: (peek around corner into the room) o_o; -later- stocking: sorry about that. Kid: "..." (holds her hand) "I'm just happy you are here. I was so scared..." stocking:..........that assassin......... Kid: "...Who were they?" stocking: i dont know...who they were or what they wanted from me... Kid: "...Stocking...I have some...difficult news to give...That assassin..." stocking: ?? Kid: "There was no sign of them in the ruins...Only their outfit." stocking:.....*she holds his hand* Kid: "..." (light squeeze on her hand) "I'm sorry..." stocking:...im scared...what if they come here? Kid: "..." (small smile) "Then it's a good thing we have such capable new students here...I know this is scary, but we can have faith in others here at the Academy." stocking:.....am i able to go home? i just want to curl up in bed and be near you... Kid: "The doctors want to keep you overnight for observation, so you should be out tomorrow...I'm sorry." (holds her hand) "I had intended to stay sitting here by your side tonight..." stocking:...*smile* i would like that... Kid: (smiles...lets go of her hand, hugs her) -later, after it was decided that stocking would temporarily stay at pheles mansion until the situation blows over- stocking: kid, it's only for a little while, it wont be forever. Kid: T_T "I know...I'm just...I want you to be safe...So please be safe." stocking: i will. and you can come over and visit whenever you need, ok? Kid: (smiles) "O-Okay...I-I would like that...I don't want to overstay my welcome at your father's, though." stocking: on the contrary, he wishes you could come over more often. Kid: "...Really? I thought...I mean, does he feel uncomfortable with me visiting?" stocking: errrr..... (mephisto: say stocking, when are you and kid gonna get married and have a baby?) Kid: "??? I guess I could stop by...for a meal?" ("Why is she sweating?") stocking: sure. that'd be great. Kid: (smiles) "Dinner tomorrow?" stocking: sounds great. Kid: (kisses her cheek) "I'll bring dessert." stocking: sometimes you are too cute for words. Kid: (blush) "If I only had words to adequately describe how great you are...I love you, Stocking." (hugs her) "Please, be safe." stocking: i will. Kid: (waves goodbye to her...) liz: you gonna be ok? Kid: (wiping tears) "Y-Yeah..." (smiles) liz:...... kirika: i bet by tonight he's gonna be crying his eyes out in his room. Kid: (annoyed twitch) Patty: -_-; (drags Kirika by the ear) "Come on. You have to feed Mocha..." -and so- Kid: (looking at dessert recipes for dinner...) "Hmm..." -elsewhere- ???: "So much for that: the idiot let the Angel escape." ???: ooooh~? how boring. ???: "You should've let me gone! I would have ripped those socks off of her--legs included!" ???: now now, i know you're excited, but we need her alive for this. her mama too. ???: *grumbling* "I don't see why we need both. We just need the mother to know how to get the tech..." ???: it's bad enough she escaped her little holding cell... ???: "Then let me go! I could get what you need!" -the phone rings- ????: *she picks up* helloooo~............hmm? oh is that so now?.......wait how did you get this number?............sure......thanks~ *she hangs up* seems an anonymous tip came in. ???: "Anonymous tip? About what?" ???: the girl and her mother's location.... ???: "..." (sneers) "Excellent news." ???: they're hiding out in Pheles Mansion... ???: "I can be there shortly..." -later- Servant: "Miss Pheles, may I bring you anything else?" stocking: some tea would be nice. felisia: some tea for me as well, please. Servant: (nods, departs) Servant: (walks through hall to kitchen) felisia: so that's what happened since last time? stocking: more or less, yeah. Servant: (brewing tea...and adds something else) stocking:........ Servant: (smiles as she brings in the tea) "Here you are..." stocking: thank you....*sniff sniff* ??? Servant: "I blended some fresh berries to the tea for added flavor." stocking: really?....what kind? Servant: "Wild raspberries and a little blueberry." stocking: really? *sniffs again* smells like there's something else... Servant: "..." (nervous smile) "Maybe I should have skipped the berry honey? Maybe a bit too much of that? But I know how much you like sweet flavors..." (nervous laughter) stocking: say mom, what do you think? felisia: ?? stocking: the smell makes me kinda drowsy... Servant: "This is a sleepytime tea. It's probably just the intoxicating smell..." stocking:....say, come to think of it, you're a new face around here....when did you start working here? Servant: "A month ago." (bows) "I am Janice." stocking: is that right?....how 'bout i ask dad, just to verify? Servant: (nods) "Very well..." (removes bell, jingles it) ???: (outside the mansion) "Shit..." mephisto: myeeeeees? stocking: say, how long has janice been working here? mephisto:...janice? i dont recall any 'janice's on payroll... Janice: "..." (sighs) "Of course this couldn't be simple..." (throws the tray at Mephisto, then howls as she lunges at Felisia) -SLASH- stocking: i dont think so... mephisto: *TRAY SMACK ATTACK* stocking: you just got _served_. Janice: (knocked to the floor, stumbling) "Ha ha ha...Cute...It'll take more than that to keep me down..." (her sleeves start to rip...) stocking: ?!?! felisia:...stocking...mind lending me one of your swords? mama wants to show you a few tricks. Janice: (howling again, as she transforms into a werewolf) "Aw..." (stands...a werewolf in a maid's outfit) "Immortal Clan, you little creatures..." stocking: well. fuck. *armed with a blade* how about we escort this mutt out of the mansion? felisia: right behind you. Janice: "Take out the little one first! Your legs will be enough to start!" (barks as she tries to tackle Stocking) stocking: *jumps up* stocking: *dodge* Janice: (one claw scratches at her ankle) stocking: erk! *wince* felisia: *blade slashes* Feather Storm Dance! Janice: "Urk!" (collapses but with a claw around Stocking's neck) stocking: !!!!! Janice: "I just need one leg!" (tries to latch onto Stocking's leg--) felisia: -SLASH- NOT MY DAUGHTER YOU BITCH! Janice: "AAAAAH!" (stares at stump) "My hand! My fucking hand!" mephisto: oh goodness. seems you could use a hand~ stocking: -_-; are you serious? Janice: (blood coming out of stump) o_o "I LOST MY FREAKING HAND! I may be a werewolf and can regenerate it, but that's going to take time and--" (looks at the carpet) "Damn it! Now you're going to make me clean up the blood, too, aren't you?!" (reverts to human form) "Fine...I'm still your maid, so I'll get the cleaning solution..." ???: (watching from outside) "YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO KILL THEM! NOT CLEAN UP AFTER THEM!" felisia: *opens up the window* ???: (spotted by Felisia) "...Crap!" (tries to hide) Janice: "Okay, I'm back with the seltzer water to get the blood out of the carpet..." felisia: WHIRLWIND DANCE! *seveal small slashes assault the mysterious being* ???: (the slices knock them out of the tree and onto the ground) "Ugh! Shit! I'm compromised--" (tries to crawl away) maid: *holds a scythe blade to their neck* and where do you think you're going~? ???: "...Son of a bitch." (removes mask--revealing a woman) "Stupid werewolf maid..." mephisto: and just who are you missy? attempting to harm my daughter and her mama? ???: "...Like it matters. I'm dead anyway once they get to me...Why should I talk to you?" stocking: come on in. we have some....important matters to discuss. *aims blade at their neck* ok~? *sinisterly sweet smile* ???: "...Shit. I should've brought a suicide tablet..." Janice: (still cleaning) "Shall I serve drinks?" -later- Kid: (banging on the door of Pheles Mansion) "Stocking! Stocking! Stocking!" maid: can i help you? Kid: "What is going on?! I heard police reports about an attack on the mansion--and--and--" (spots Janice) "...Why is that maid in an asymmetrically ripped outfit and missing a hand?" maid: it's a long story, now if you could please calm down- Kid: (shakes his head to focus) "R-Right! Stocking! Her parents! Is everyone okay?!" maid: they're all right, if a bit shook up. Kid: (bows) "Thank you..." (stares at Janice...who sheepishly waves) Kid: "St-Stocking? Are you here?" stocking: kid! *she hugs him* Kid: T_T (hugs tightly) "I was so worried. Are you okay?" stocking: for the most part, yeah.... Kid: (sees scratches) "Oh, Stocking...I'm sorry. I should have been here." stocking: it's fine. could have been worse, right? Kid: "..." (hugs her...then spots Felisia and Mephisto) "Oh!" o\\\\\o (lets go of Stocking slightly) "Um...A-Are you two okay?" felisia: yes. mephisto: amazingly, yes. just so damn proud of my girls~! stocking: d-dad.... -_-; Kid: (nervous chuckling at Mephisto's remark...then spots the ???) "Um...Who is she?" ???: "Here to capture the Angels." stocking: *glaaaaare* you know that isnt going to happen.... Banda: "Tch." Banda: "You know more will be coming. They won't stop." stocking:........ Kid: (pats Stocking's shoulder) "She's too strong for that." mephisto; well we'll just have to amp up security then... Kid: "I would like to offer whatever assistance my family and I can provide, too." mephisto: say, why dont you spend the night tonight? Kid: o\\\\\o "O-Okay..." mephisto: i believe there is a spare room for you...follow me~ stocking you come too. Kid: "Y-Yes, sir..." -the room they are led to is large, with a big heart shaped bed and looks like it would fit in a love hotel- stocking: O////////////////////////O DADDY WHAT THE FUCK?! Kid: -\\\\\\\\- "Typical." -mephisto already left- stocking:....i am so sorry about this... Kid: "...It's...odd. But..." stocking: hmm? Kid: (blushing intently) "A heart-shaped bed is...hoaky but romantic..." stocking: y-yeah....well you know how my dad can be.....(thinking: what if he used this room for-.....EEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!) mephisto: *from down the hall* NOT TO WORRY! THE SHEETS ARE FRESH! Kid: o______o "Um...I'm going to check something..." (opens the door to the bathroom--and the tub is also in a heart shape, with a jacuzzi option) "Typical." stocking: -_-;;;; thaaaaaaaaaaaaanks.......... Kid: "...Stocking? The hot tub is..." stocking: shaped like a heart? im not surprised...what even is this, a romantic comedy show? Kid: "Yeah, but..." (scratches his cheek) "You don't think it's...romantic?" stocking: i guess it is...in a cheesy way. Kid: "...Are your muscles sore?" stocking: i'll live....maybe a quick dip? Kid: (blushes, smiles) "I-I'd like that..." -later- Kid: *yawn* stocking: say, since you dont come by this place often, want a tour? Kid: (nods) "I'd like that." -a few rooms later- stocking: and this is my room. well, my old room anyway. Kid: (smiles) "It suits you..." stocking: i guess.... -the room is quite large, and very ornate in a cute, rococo style- Kid: "It's cute...it feels warm and full of love..." (looks at a photo of Mephisto with Stocking) stocking: yeah... *she smiles and lays on the bed* still as soft as always... Kid: (smiles at her) "How soft is it?" stocking: want to find out~? Kid: "Thought you'd never ask..." (sits on the bed, then lies beside her) stocking: how is it? Kid: "Like Heaven...Ah~" stocking: hehe~...........*thinking back to when she first came to the mansion.* you know....when i first came here....i was scared....it was a new home, and.....i guess it was new family jitters, haha. Kid: "..." (frowns sadly) "It took a long time, didn't it?" stocking: yeah....but i'm happy.... Kid: (smiles) "You have a loving family..." stocking: as do you. Kid: (smiles at her, then notices Bulletin Board) "Oh, you kept notes for yourself?" stocking: yeah. they're probably kind of outdated. -there are a few pictures and other things- Kid: (small laugh) "You look so young in some of those photographs." stocking: yeah. Kid: (sees her desk) "That desk looks like a good work setting. -there is some stationary and plastic drawers, even a space for her laptop. there's also a little bobblehead- Kid: "??? Who's the bobblehead of?" stocking: just a pumpkin i thought was cute... Kid: (looks at her dresser) "..." -there are a few drawers. the dresser has a few plushies, and memorabilia. oddly there is a pink poo ring with a note 'from my dear uncle astaroth <3’- Kid: o_o; "A poo ring? Have I met Astaroth?" stocking: i dont think so, i think he's possessing some guy, but you'll know him when you see him....and that ring is his 'attempt' of being 'funny'....just looking at it pisses me of so much....it fills me with so much rage and disgust, yet i dont know why. Kid: O_____O " 'Possessing'?" stocking: to be fair, he _is_ a demon....that's just the norm for some of them... he's a lot more tolerable as 'astaroth' than the guy who's body he is using........_he_ tried to hit on me..........so i hit on him.....literally. Kid: o_o; "You wouldn't...have someone possess me, would you?" stocking: i doubt they could, even if they tried. Kid: "That is oddly comforting." (hugs her gently) "How about the closet?" -there are so many dresses and shelves for accessories. there is also two doors in the very back- Kid: "Doors? Where do those lead?" stocking: one of them is to a personal reading area with christmas lights and beanbag chairs. the other...... well. you'd have to look and see~ Kid: "Oh?" (grips handle to the door that is not the reading room...) stocking: o///w///o; Kid: (opens the door slowly and--) -[TOO KINKY FOR U]- Kid: (peeks in, sees a bit) o__________O (quickly shuts the door) stocking: yeeeeeah. Kid: "...But...Were you...doing that to yourself? You haven't tried that room with another person?" (taps his fingers together) "Maybe with me?" stocking: havent gotten a chance to....unless you want to change that~? Kid: "..." (approaches, and kisses her cheek lightly) "Yes..." stocking: do you have....y-you know....*blush* Kid: (nods) "S-Sorry...I guess I...had some ideas..." (gestures to his overnight bag, before he plucks at one button of the top of her pajamas) stocking: *blush* think you can handle whats in there? Kid: (unbuttons the top button, then the second, as he kisses along her neck) "With you there, I can handle anything..." (licks slowly along her neck) -later, after MUCH lewdness- Kid: (panting, blushing all over) "God!" stocking: *panting and shuddering, sweating* ahhhh......f-fuck.... Kid: (panting, as his mouth collides with her neck again) "God, that was incredible...You're so hot..." stocking: OH~! t-thanks....fuck that was intense...you're getting a lot better at doing that stuff. Kid: (giggles, as he hugs her) "Thanks...How are your nipples?" stocking: sore, but i'll live....as is everything else... *rubs her butt, which has a firm handprint on each cheek* Kid: (rubs his backside as well...) "I know the feeling..." (then he touches his penis...) "...all over...And yet...God, Stocking, you were phenomenal. I never felt so..." (he is obviously pleased with what happened...) stocking: .///////. *she's staring at _it_*.... Kid: o\\\\\\o "Sorry...I guess I'm still..." (he is staring at her breasts) "...God, Stocking..." -later, after MORE lewdness- -they are now in kid's guest bed....the heart shaped one- Kid: (purring in her arms--then winces) "Ow! Heh...Guess I'll be sore for a bit." stocking: yeah, haha *cough* same here.....was that the first time you did me in the butt or....? Kid: o\\\\\o "First...Definitely. I'm sorry--I was too rough, wasn't I?" stocking: i-it's fine...and you? i maaaay have gotten carried away using...*ahem* certain _things_ in that room on you... Kid: "...I was afraid...But I knew who was with me..." (holds her hand) "I trust you with my life." stocking: *she smiles* you're expressions were cute though~ as were those noises you made~ Kid: (moves up a bit, so he can face her...he smirks) "Your voice was musical...and your body divine...God, Stocking, you are the most attractive woman..." stocking: *she smiles and blushes* i love you, you handsome dork. Kid: "I love you..." (places his hand along her face) "...you beautiful angel..." (kisses her forehead) -the next day, at school- Kid: (holding hands with Stocking) liz: i'm surprised they let her come to school today. stocking: as am i. Kid: (sighs) "One of the most difficult things in life...is facing fear..." stocking:....right. *she holds his hand* Kid: (smiles) "I'm sure the interrogation will turn up helpful information. For now, one day at a time..." stocking:...*she nods* *Spirit enters the classroom* *Spirit is whistling and looks jovial* liz: *she looks at the chalkboard* Spirit: (smiling to the class) "It's a great day, students! So let's make this class a good one!" Patty: (looks at the chalkboard--then bursts out laughing) Spirit: "???" (looks behind him--and there is an arrow pointing down where he stands) soul: ??? CHALKBOARD: "SPIRIT ALBARN HAS A TINY THINGIE" Spirit: D: soul: *almost chokes* Kid: o\\\\\o kyouko: -_-; woooooooow.... Spirit: "Th-That's not true!" (flips the chalkboard over--) Chalkboard (other side): "It's true!" Spirit: "It's not relevant!" Spirit: (flips the chalkboard again) Chalkboard: (other side) "It's very relevant." kirika: how the fuck? Spirit: (twitch) "AAAAAAH!" (slice the chalkboard apart with his blades) *Stein is behind the chalkboard* *Stein is holding chalk* homura: this is the last time i assist you in such childish matters -_-; Stein: "Makes me smile..." Spirit: (furious face...) homura: *already in her seat* Spirit: "I was having a good day...and then y-y-you have to ruin it!" Stein: "Have a good date last night, then?" Spirit: -\\\\\\- "Leave." students: ooooooooh! Stein: *whistles as he leaves* Spirit: "ALL OF YOU ARE GETTING DETENTION!" sayaka: HEY! Spirit: "Double detention for Sayaka!" yukari: WE DIDNT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT SCENARIO AND YOU'RE JUST PUNISHING US? THAT'S ABUSING AUTHORITY AS A TEACHER! YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF! mizuki: *muttering* for once sis, i actually agree with you. Spirit: "Triple detention! And you know what else?! Run a lap around the Academy! And another thing! I'll--" *CLUNK* *Spirit collapses onto the desk* Spirit: x_x sayaka: O-O Patty: "..." (looks up) "Where did that book come from?" *Spirit has book buried into his head* -some students look to the doorway- *No one is there* Patty: "It's like a gift from Heaven." Black Star: o_o; (glances at Soul) student: *SCREEEEEEEEEEAM* GHOSTS! soul: .....?? Kid: -_-; "Everyone calm down. It's probably not a ghost. Let's just..." (stands, approaches front of the class) "I might as well handle today's lesson. Nothing too difficult for me to address..." Kid: (opens the book and proceeds with the day's lesson) -later- Kid: (exhales) "I never realized the challenge of teaching...and the thrill of it." kyouko: you didnt do half bad. i mean, yukio's an instructer, and he's younger than you, amazingly enough. Kid: (small smile) "I have a way to go, then, but at least it's progress." liz: soon you'll be on your way to running the school.... Kid: (blushes) "Aw...Well..." stocking: i'm proud of you kiddo~ Kid: "Th-Thanks...I really did enjoy it..." (leans, whispers to her) "Would you be my 'teacher's pet'?" stocking: o//////o perhaps~ kyouko: aaaand you ruined it. Kid: o\\\\\o "I-I was whispering to her!" -later- Patty: "What's up now?" stocking: lunch time~! Kid: (returns with his meal and a plate full of cupcakes) "A little treat..." stocking: aw~ *she smooches him* Kid: (smiles, blushes) "I hope they're tasty..." stocking: delicious~ Kid: (smiles) "I'm glad..." stocking: hehe! Kid: (just looks at her..."She's so...perfect.") -at another table- Shotaro: "...I can eat way more than you." Black Star: "Bullshit!" kilik: who's up to take bets? Harvar: "30 bucks on Black Star." Patty: "20 on Shotaro!" -later- Black Star: (passed out on floor) "Ugh..." soul: dude. Shotaro: *BURP* "Could I get a ginger ale? Maybe some saltines?" -later- Patty: (counting her money) "Sweet deal..." iris: s-should we take him to the nurse? Patty: "Might as well." (hauls him up over her shoulders) -later that night- Kid: (holding dessert for dinner...) -elsewhere- shinra: *brushing his teeth* damn that kishiri....him and his fake apple juice.... Hibana: "Shinra? Sweetie? Did something happen at school today?" shinra: nothing, just felt a bit sick at lunch today. (thinking: i'm doomed to a life of awkward moments...) Hibana: -_- "Who hurt you? I will smash them into the floor." shinra: i-it's fine, really! Hibana: "Give me a name, and I will make their life a living hell..." (flames crackling around her) shinra: IBLAMEKISHIRI! Hibana: "Ib Lame Kishiri? What kind of a name is that? Did his parents hate him?" maki: i think he means that weirdo with the bubble gum....*cringe* Hibana: "...One of mine did something to you?!" (hugs Shinra tightly) "This will not be allowed!" shinra: *screaming internally* (thinking: cant breathe....hug too tight!) Hibana: "Gabriella! Bring Kishiri to the 8th immediately! He will apologize!" gabriella: right away. Hibana: "Oh, poor Shinra. Let me hold you to my bosom..." -PANCH- maki: easy there princess. shinra: *cough cough* i didnt die. Hibana: T_T "It's just my desire to protect my new brigade..." -later, elsewhere- Yohei: (stretches) chie: you ready? Yohei: (nods) chie: *she knocks on he door* mama nanami: yes?... ah! yohei! *she hugs him* Yohei: (small laugh) "Hi, Mom." chie: a pleasure to meet you in person, mrs nanami. mama nanami: please, come on in dears. Yohei: (gestures for Chie to go in first, as he closes the door behind them) "You're looking well, Mom." mama nanami: as are you. -elsewhere- Kid: "I hope the dessert was tasty..." -elsewhere- grunt: mr shinoda, we have some unfortunate news... the head of our Nagoya branch, Mr Mikazaki, has perished. Shinoda: "Really? How did they die?" grunt:.....he befell the dokeshi curse. Shinoda: (sighs) "Our best scientists still haven't figured out how to cure it..." grunt: if we really mess up....are we going to become one of those...those things?! Shinoda: "Indeed: all the more reason to practice a healthy diet..." (bites into apple) lin: at least you dont have to worry about that, right mr ragey? ^^ Ragey: X_X Shinoda: "...Could you please get rid of that carcass? It's attracting flies." lin: i'll just fix him back up then~ Shinoda: "..." (eyeroll) "Yes, well, if only it was so easy with Dokeshi..." -elsewhere- Wes: "Here we are..." (hands drink to Liz) liz: thanks. Wes: "How are you holding up?" liz: it's been crazy, but i'll live. Wes: "...I'm sorry." liz: it's fine... Wes: "..." (holds her hand) -elsewhere- Kishiri: o\\\\\\o "Okay! Okay! I'm sorry! Alright!" shinra: that was terrifying.....i almost feel sorry for him....almost. vivian: ~<3 Kishiri: "Just put her away! I can't stand being near that bitch!" -elsewhere- girl: *walking along the road with groceries* ???: "That looks like a lot to carry..." girl: mind your own buisness. ???: "I'm just trying to be polite--jeez." girl: tch-.... ???: (follows) "So, why you carrying groceries at this hour? This place isn't very accommodating..." (reaches to grab at their groceries) girl: back off! *SHE SMACKS HIM WITH THE BAG* honestly, creepy guys like you are the 3rd worst kind of person. ???: (grabs her wrist) "I was asking nicely...Now I'm mad..." (reaches for her groceries) "I better set these down, so they don't break..." girl: *knees him in the groin and pulls out a kunai* i dont want to waste effort on you. i'd rather be using this thing on those dokeshi bastards. ???: "Omph!" (collapses to his knees, coughs) "Jeez!" (higher pitch) "That fucking hurt!" girl: now buzz off loser. ???: (double over, groaning) "What the hell is a Dokeshi...?" girl: ...........monsters.....they're nothing but monsters..... ('i'll get stronger! then we can fight dokeshi together, promise senpai?').......... ???: "Funny...You look rather monstrous yourself, you violent-ass bitch." girl: fuck off! *KICK* *mumbling*.....*she looks around* ???: "Ah! Police! Help! She's fucking insane!" girl: !!! *she takes off running until she loses them* *pant pant*...damn...may as well head back to the base... *Someone is following her, watching from above on the rooftops* girl:........*enters though a back door* dokeshi hunt member: oi, mono, you're late. mono: i had to deal with a 3 just now. Dokeshi Hunt Member #2: "A '3'?" dokeshi hun member: so some creep? a flasher? mono: just some guy who tried to mug me. i kicked him in the dick and he tried to call the cops on me! Dokeshi Hunt Member #2: "...Oh..." (watches Mono) Member #3: "That sucks..." mono: i'm gonna be in the training room. gotta vent my annoyance out somehow. Member #2: "O-Okay..." ("I hate when she trains...I always get stuck cleaning up the mess...") member 4: guess we're gonna have to replace another training bag, eh? Member #2: "Yeah...And patch more walls." member: it's amazing how she can decimate mannequins, but as soon as she's pit up against a living being, she runs away... why do we even keep her around? Member #2: "...Maybe she's too intimidated to actually hurt someone?" member: maybe....maybe she acts like a little brat cause nanami left....she really looked up to him. Member #2: (nods) "Never got to know much about Nanami. He really as impressive as everyone said?" member: beats me.... -elsewhere- Yohei: (looks at photo with him and his family) chie: *examines the photo* you looked adorable as a little kid. Yohei: (small smile) "Y-Yeah." chie:....was this a camping trip? Yohei: "Yeah...Dad really likes his fishing...This was taken before I accidentally knocked down a beehive." chie: ouch, haha.... we didnt do much camping, though mom did take saki and i on a hiking trip when we were kids... Yohei: "When's the last time you been hiking?" chie: i think a few years ago, i was 11 and saki was 13. Yohei: "Hmm...Up for doing a hiking trip some time soon?" chie: sounds good. Yohei: "Cool. I think I know a good spot, too. A lake is nearby." -the next morning- Kid: (looking through cereals) stocking: cinnamon rolls? Kid: "Oh, that would be tasty~" (pulls some out of the freezer) -elsewhere- mono:...........('mama...papa....please get up....') ('i'll take down every last dokeshi!’) Dokeshi Hunt Member (Dokeshi Hunter) #2: "Hey. Wake up. Practice starts in--" mono: i hear ya i hear ya.... Dokeshi Hunter #2: "Then get up already! I don't need crap from the supervisor because you're busy dreaming." -later, mono went for a walk- mono:.......!!!!!!! *she sees someone up ahead* Yohei: (looking at a fruit stand) "Shotaro needs more fruit...The guy eats so much meat--" mono:........*shaking with anger and rage* y-you....... chie: i just hope tuhl is taking care of them and making sure they stay out of trouble. Yohei: "Tuhl'll be fine. He's got Mana to keep an eye on Shotaro." (checks the blueberries) mono: *she follows them* Yohei: (chuckles) "I could always just tell Shotaro that Mana's underwear are fancy hats...again." chie: *tiny chop* you're such a butt. a cute butt, but still a bu-.......*facepalms at her pun* damn! Yohei: (chuckles) "Hey, you got a cute butt, you might as well show it off. One reason I have these jeans." chie: *chuckles* ............??? do you feel hateful eyes staring at you, or is it just me? Yohei: "???" (looks around) mono: *hiding behind a bush* ...... Yohei: "..." (pats Chie on the shoulder) "Let's finish our purchase and head out...Maybe somewhere more crowded..." mono:.......*steps out and tries to slash at them with her kunai* Yohei: "Shit!" (pushes Chie and himself away, the kunai slicing along his jeans) "Damn it!" mono: dammit! STAND STILL! Yohei: "Hell no! Why would--" (sees her) "...Mono?" chie: friend of yours? mono: HELL NO! *tries to slash at him again* Yohei: "!!!" (dodges) "Damn it! Chie, I'm gonna need a shield and an exit, now!" chie: right! ~dark restraint~ *dark restrain holds mono to the ground* mono: w-what?! Yohei: "Thanks, babe. Now let's run!" (shouts to the fruit stand owner) "Bill us later!" mono: HEY! *struggling* I'M NOT DONE WITH YOU YET!! Yohei: "Unfortunately, Mono, you are..." *tosses a smoke bomb* mono: *cough cough* yo-.......(thinking: that girl...was.....was she dokeshi?!) Yohei: "Keep running, Chie--we're going to have to ditch her, then get our family to safety." chie: right. Yohei: (while running, taps his watch, sending signal to Mana) mana: yeah? Yohei: "Emergency. Chased by assassin. Get Shotaro and Saki to safe room." mana: on it! chie: -_- (thinking: he's oddly calm about this!) Yohei: "Keep running. We want as much distance between us and her. Mono is obsessive when she spots a target." chie:....is she- Yohei: "Dokeshi Hunt..." chie:.....we should keep running... Yohei: "...Yeah. Need to shake her off our path so she can't find our home...But I worry she can still track us..." -later, mono had no luck finding them- Yohei: "Get inside, Chie. Then I can initiate security protocols." chie: right. *she goes in* Tuhl: "The hell is going on? You two were supposed to be getting groceries." chie: yeah, but we sort of ran into trouble. Tuhl: "Well, I doubt Yohei would be barricading the house if the 'trouble' was just shoplifting." Yohei: "...Shit. Did I forget to pay for these blueberries?" -after the situation was explained- Shotaro: "Wow..." Yohei: "..." mana: for some reason she bothers me just hearing about her. Yohei: "She's tenacious, but I usually could get away from her." saki: so what now? Yohei: "Either lay low for a bit until Mono gets distracted, or relocate." mana: what about your parents? Yohei: "That is an option...I'm just scared putting them at risk." saki:....maybe we could move them to death city? Yohei: "...Could work. Maybe. Although Dad'll be pissed: the fishing here sucks." mana: there are some great national parks near there though. Yohei: (nods) "Okay, that would convince him...I wonder where there's a bigger house for all of us..." -elsewhere- Gopher: .W. "I think it looks lovely on you~" kirika: *in a cat suit* stupid punishment game... Gopher: (happy claps) "Yay!" Patty: (struggling to hold in laughter) stocking: not a bad look for you kiddo~ Kid: (grumbling) "I hate this. The skirt hardly matches my eyes." stocking: it's cute though. should i be your tuxedo mask~? Kid: o\\\\o "You in a suit? Hell yes." stocking: ok then~ Kid: (small laugh) "I look forward to it..." -later- Kid: (jawdrop) "Damn." stocking: not bad i dont think. Kid: (admires how she looks in the suit...including behind) "You should wear suits more often." stocking: i guess. *she also has her hair in a low ponytail* Kid: "The mask also looks good on you. Very mysterious." -elsewhere- Dokeshi Hunter #2: "What the hell, Mono?!" mono: yeah. he was running off with that dokeshi bitch! Dokeshi Hunter #2: "What?! He's fraternizing with those abominations?" mono: he's a runaway _and_ a traitor.... people like that....are the second worst kind of person! Dokeshi Hunter #2: "...Second? Who's the first worst kind?" mono: the absolute worst....are those damned dokeshi!! Dokeshi Hunter #2: "Oh...That makes sense. So, you lost track of him. Now what? You kind of screwed up majorly." mono: i'll find him again...i'll make him pay for what he did... Dokeshi Hunter #2: "Until then, the commander will probably have a lot to say to you." -elsewhere- Arthur: "..." (looking at a photograph) iris: *also looking* *It's a photo of Tamaki with the 8th* iris: ..... Arthur: "...I still don't know where she is..." -elsewhere- Anya: (dusting the dorm) tsugumi: cant wait for the summer season! yeah! Anya: *shiny eyes* "So many new Death Bazaars!" tamaki: *in her room, asleep* Meme: "Tamaki still asleep? Did she get in late?" mio: maybe it's just a summer cold? Meme: "Hmmm...Better make sure we have some cold medicine, then." -at gallow's manor- Kid: "Perhaps I should avoid punishment games in the future..." stocking: it was still fun though. Kid: (blushing but smiling) "Maybe for you..." stocking: you looked cute though~ Kid: (bashful) "Thank you...You as well..." -elsewhere- mono:......*still looking around* Dokehi Hunter #2: (on radio earpiece) "What do you see?" mono: nothing yet, just busy city streets... Hunter #2: "No odd signatures on your equipment...Can't sense a Dokeshi nearby...A lot of electricity in that area, though..." mono: *examines a sign* Hunter #2: "What do you see?" mono:..... mono: seems an electrical plant is nearby.... Hunter #2: "It has higher than expected releases of electricity...That's odd. The plant had a break-in a few weeks ago, but no culprit found." mono: oh? what happened with that? Hunter #2: "No clue...So go look. Duh." mono: *grumbles and begins walking* Power Plant Security Guard: "Excuse me, may I help you?" mono: yeah, i'm from the detective agency here to investigate the break in. (thinking: please let this guy be an idiot...) mono: could i speak with your supervisor? i'm sure they'd let me in. Security: "Um...She's...kinda busy and doesn't like interruptions...G-Go on ahead. We can do the visitor paperwork later..." mono: thank you. *she smiles* Security: (opens the gate, lets her through) mono: *lookin around* *There seems to be a footprint...burned into the floor* mono:...*inspects the footprint* *Another one is further away...leading into a wall* mono: ???? *The lights go out* mono: !!!!!!! ???: "ha ha ha ha ha ha..." mono: who's there?! *A light turns on--then explodes from a surge of electricity* *The electricity seems to jump to another bulb* mono: *sweats* um.....hello? ???: "Little girl...Scared little piglet..." mono: *gulp* ???: "You murderous...Dokeshit Hunter!" *Electricity blasts towards Mono* mono: EEEEK! mono: NOOOOO!!! *she bolts.* *The electricity sails past Mono and into the wall* ???: "Damn it! Stand still, you little speck of bacon!" mono: I DONT WANNA DIIIIIE! Security: "Hey! What the hell is going on here?!" mono: GHOST!!! Security: "...Are you kidding me? There are no such things as--" *The electricity swirls into the form of a human* Security: o_O "GHOST!" (hides behind Mono) mono: *running* NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! *Electricity blasts at Mono, ensnaring around her ankles* mono: *screaming* s-someone help me!! i dont wanna die!! Security: "..." (tries to run) ???: "No..." *Electricity wraps around the Guard's neck, pulling him up to the ceiling* mono: *screams* *WHOOSH!* ???: "What--?!" *The electricity is encased...in ice?* mono: e-eh? Karim: (aims his Fridge Tuba--and repeats at the Security Guard, also creating an ice slide for him to fall down safely) Guard: "Omph!" mono: are you dokeshi?! Karim: "No. I'm Fire Brigade." (offers hand to help her stand up) mono: *she stands up* i was doing just fine. Karim: "...You're shaking. You're not fine. I don't blame you: this was a frightening situation." Security: (getting up) "No kidding! I'm getting out of here!" *runs away* mono: *also runs* -elsewhere, in brooklyn- luka: HE DID WHAT?!?! Solence: (shivering) "It went on all night...The smells..." NoFix: (shrugs) "Just want to make my lady happy. Not my fault you'll are prudes." luka: YOU CRASHED A CAR, covered i blood might i add, INTO THE SIDE OF A MCDONALDS!! NoFix: "You should've seen what we did to the ice cream machine." (offers a cone to Luka) luka: that's not ice cream, is it.... NoFix: :3 "Nope." kinuta: i'll take it. luka: *hurk* oh mother of god.... NoFix: "Oh, yeah..." Solence: (knocking his head against the wall) scientist: I JUST WENT STERILE! NoFix: (smiling at Kinuta) "Jesus, you're fucking hot...You're up for anything, aren't you, you sweet piece of ass." luka: STOP! NO! PLEASE TAKE THAT ELSEWHERE! I FEEL LIKE I WANT TO DIE 50 TIMES OVER! NoFix: (still to Kinuta, ignoring the others) "I want to make hot, steamy love to you right here in front of all these emotionally stunted fuckwads..." -in another room- mikan: *covering heibito's ears* 0-0; Asura: "...Should I just snap their necks and feed upon them?" -elsewhere- Burns: (looking over a file...on Rekka) "Damn...Now two of my soldiers are missing." pearl: i just hope he's ok.... Burns: "Find him. Had he told you why he was leaving on his own without clearing his departure with me?" pearl: he said he had been called in for something... Burns: "Who called him in?" pearl: i-i dont know. Burns: (studies Pearl) "Then find out. When you do, report to me immediately." (locks his files up) "Two of ours missing...Hibana's crimes...I think a meeting of the Brigades is in order, to discuss all of this." pearl: *she nods* dia: even squad zero? Burns: (flames crackle under his eyepatch) "Might as well..." -elsewhere- Kid: (folding laundry) liz: need any help? Kid: (sheepish nod) "Y-Yes...I've been struggling for five minutes to get the pants folded just right..." liz: *rolls eyes* here. let me help you out there. Kid: "Thanks..." (sighs) "I wish I had one of those flat boards that just folds everything uniformly..." liz: maybe we could put that on the shopping list then? Kid: (nods) "I appreciate your help with this, Liz." liz: no problem. Kid: "How is today treating you? You look a little tired." liz: i'm fine for the most part. Kid: (nods) "Course work going okay?" liz: i guess... Kid: "But something troubling you? Perhaps on a particular subject? Or something else?" liz: i'm fine, just......thinking.... *she was thinking about the news story on the incident in brooklyn* Kid: "...Have you been following the news?" liz:......*she bites her lip* Kid: "..." (pats her shoulder) "You know the DWMA is looking into this, right?" liz:....*she nods* Kid: "Have some faith...We have some of the best investigators finding the culprits." liz: ok... Kid: "...Want to talk about it? Maybe get involved in the investigation yourself?" -elsewhere- shaula: HEY PONERA! I THINK SOMETHING WENT WRONG! Ponera: "What is it? Medusa?" shaula: no, but something seems to be wrong with the book of eibon....a whole 'chapter' is just....missing....ish. Ponera: "Missing? A chapter can't just go missing. It's not like it got up and walked away..." (looks at Grimoire) "...Right?" grimoire:....let me see.... Ponera: (wringing her hands, glancing around the throne room) "...I don't see anything or anyone around here...Maybe nothing escaped the Book..." -somewhere, in the woods- *Someone is giggling madly* ???: i'm amazed that we havent been located yet... Mad!Kid: "I made sure to cover my path..." pandora: by killing those hikers...? Mad!Kid: "What? I didn't want someone to follow us. Besides, hikers are stupid. Those shorts are ridiculous." pandora: human fashion these days is very....unusual....at least they looked comfy and easy to wear. Mad!Kid: "Easier to kill, too. So soft." pandora: any luck finding that girl? Mad!Kid: "You mean...Angel?" pandora: yeah, her. Mad!Kid: *sniffs long* "I can smell her...Such a sweet scent..." (he points) "Long way to my destination, though." pandora: should i fly us there? Mad!Kid: "Please." -black, inky bat-like wings burst out of the fragment's back- Mad!Kid: "I'm coming for you, Angel. Soon, you will be mine." -later- Patty: *shivers* "Who left the window open?" stocking: not sure... Patty: "Hmph." (closes window, then pats Stocking's head) "Glad to have you back home!" stocking: same here. Yumi: (holding Shiori) "Someone else missed you..." (holds up Shiori) shiori: sokky! sokky! stocking: hey there, shiorin! Yumi: (smiles at Shiori as she hands her to Stocking) lord death: but i know who missed you most of all...*he looks at kid* Kid: (small blush, but laughing) "Of course..." stocking: *she smiles as she snuggles up to him* i'm just glad that mess is done with now.... Kid: (hugs her) "I'm glad you are here." -elsewhere- Rekka: "Oh Lord...Don't forsake me..." shinra:..... i really dont want to go down there again...... -elsewhere- tv reporter: -reports of a vampire sighting over london has the city in panic. ???: "Vampires? In London? What's next, werewolves?" ???: ugh, not funny man... -the one person eats some red gummies- ???: "I thought it was a bit funny...What about you, Red Guy?" akaderu: why should i care? right now i just want to find that kyokotsu.... ???: "Still? What's the benefit of getting the Kyokotsu?" akaderu: i want to eliminate that monster.....i'll make him pay for what he did to her.... ???: (derisive laugh) "Aw, you want to honor the memory of your girlfriend?" akaderu: *tenses up* want to end up being choked to death? ???: o_o; "...Not my thing, s-sir..." akaderu:..thought so... ???: "Um...Any leads on this Kyokotsu?" akaderu: nothing yet, but maybe we should lure him out....ever heard of the 'bai ze'? -elsewhere- Emine: (sipping his drink) grunt: *visibly creeped out by the fact he is drinking human blood* Emine: (a bit of blood is on the corner of his mouth) "Lin?" lin: *wipes it off* grunt: *cringe* Emine: "Thank you. Now, I must complete my bad deed...The phone, please." -elsewhere- Power Plant CEO: "I don't appreciate the Dokeshi Hunt and the Fire Brigade getting involved in affairs that are none of their business." brigade member: once again, we wish to apologize for the incident... Power Plant CEO: "What was your brigadier even doing here? Don't you have fires to put out instead? Maybe that explosion at the DWMA that got out of hand a few weeks ago? Where were you then?!" brigade member: the 8th was there! Power Plant CEO: "And we see how reliable that pack of misfits is! I have already had my dealings with a derelict commander like Obi, so I shouldn't be surprised that his group couldn't handle a fire!" Akitaru: -_- "I'm right here..." Burns: "You called us here to simply rattle off complaints to the commanders? What a waste of time..." Hibana: (glaring at the CEO) miwa: in oubi's defence, he and his brigade do manage to get the job done. CEO: "..." (crosses her arms) "The next time one of your members wants to investigate, use the front door and make an appointment. If this happens again, I will take it up directly with Lord Death himself." foien:....karim- Karim: "Yeah?" -outside- shinra:...... Arthur: "What's taking them so long?" fang-hua: beats me... Kishiri: "Tch. Just a bunch of old farts--and Hibana--talkin' about boring stuff." ryuuko: to be fair, commander tsurumaki doesnt appear all that old. sayu: she's older than i am, and thats good enough for me ^^ *Doors fly open--and hit Kishiri in the face* Hibana: "What an ass!" shinra: *snerk* Burns: "It is odd to have one of my soldiers here...Foien, why didn't you tell me Karim was here?" Karim: "..." -later- Akitaru: (sets out drinks for the 8th members) "Okay...So, we moving forward with the plan on Rekka or not?" maki: turning him over? Akitaru: "I don't know what else we can do, short of having an illegal prison. I don't know how Burns is going to take the news, or how we use this as leverage to find out what is really going on." Hibana: "I was thinking about this...and I noticed something odd about Rekka's rambling..." maki: oh? Hibana: " 'The priest'...I'm starting to wonder whether even Burns doesn't know about Rekka...If we dangle him in front of Burns, maybe we can out this priest and figure out who took my Fire Transformation research for such nefarious means..." (clenches her fists) "And maybe I can learn something else about...about..." (looks at Iris) iris:........*she doesnt say anything.* Akitaru: *sigh* "If we give Rekka to the authorities, maybe that will preoccupy Burns and keep his attention away from Tamaki..." shinra: it might work.... Akitaru: "...Takehisa? Make the call. Let's get ready for the police's arrival. Shinra, have your testimony ready to give to the cops." Takehisa: "On it..." shinra: r-right.....am i going to have to go to court for this? Takehisa: "Likely. I sure hope you are not having to face a particularly strong defense attorney...They will probably delve into every detail of your private life since birth..." Arthur: "Yeah, real shame to be you." Akitaru: (nods) Hibana: "Sure hope they don't ask embarrassing questions that go on public record." shinra: Q-Q;;;; i dont even own a suit.... Akitaru and Hibana: (eyes flash) "CLOTHES SHOPPING!" shinra:.... *nervous smile* (thinking: this is how i die...) -elsewhere- Rekka: "Oh, holy light of God...Bless me with your purifying gaze...Let me rise to see you...Lift my spirit and my body to you, where the flame removes all flaws and unites us all as one." -elsewhere- Patty: (crying) liz: *PROTECTIVE BIG SISTER MODE GO* PATTI?! Patty: "What's happening back home, Sis? I don't understand it..." liz:......*she hugs her* it's going to be ok, i promise.... Patty: (crying into Liz) "What is going on there? Why can't we do anything?" liz:...i'll see if we can help in some way.... Patty: (nods) "O-Okay." -later- Kid: "How is she holding up?" lord death: hmm? Kid: "Patty, I mean..." lord dearth: she's napping right now.....i do worry though... Kid: (nods) "There is something...off about this news out of Brooklyn...When I see the reports, it makes my skin crawl..." lord death:..... Kid: "...Father? I'm afraid." lord death:...*he hugs him* i know... Kid: "It just feels like...before. When...Maka..." lord death:...*rubs his back and hums* Kid: (calms down, cries a bit) lord death:..... Kid: "...What have you learned is happening in Brooklyn?" lord death: so far, this incident with the car is all we know... Kid: (nods) "I wonder..." lord death: hmm? Kid: "What are our options? Maybe someone needs to be there..." -later- Yumi: (reviewing news and reports) marie: what do we have to work with so far? Yumi: "It's New York--not much. Most accounts seem more like people desperately desiring attention, making up stories...But these three are odd standouts." marie: oh? Yumi: "This one is about a mummy...This one is about succubi...And this one...is about a McDonald's..." *shudders* marie: *examines the papers* Yumi: "I can't spot the connection, but it seems...familiar. And dangerous." marie:....we should send someone to investigate. Yumi: "Exactly what I was thinking...I know Patty and Liz are interested, but I worry this may be too close to home (so to speak) for them." marie:..... Yumi: "Any recommendations? Perhaps other members from Kid's usual team? Stocking? Black Star?" -the usual group went, plus nygus- Kid: (steadying his breath...) stocking: you ok? Kid: "I just sense something...disturbing. I'm trying to calm myself. Re-achieve balance." stocking:...*she nods* Kid: "..." (holds her hand) "We have to watch out for everyone out there..." stocking: right... Kid: "..." (inhales again, tries to focus) -soon, they arrive- liz:.............*all the memories come flooding back* (kid: if you want to kill me, go ahead....my life doesnt matter anyway....) (thinking: kid......back then.....) Patty: "...It all looks so different..." liz: yet still the same old brooklyn..... Patty: "..." (hugs Liz's arm) liz:.....*she nods* Black Star: (looking around, sniffs the air) tsubaki:.....*shivering* it's only june....why is it so chilly out? Kid: "This kind of abnormality..." (pulls out his mirror, taps the screen) "I'll report this immediately. Let's keep the updates going into the DWMA as we get them..." liz: right. stocking: *she nods* Patty: "I usually like the cold...This just feels wrong." Black Star: (looks around) "And people look...dead inside." liz: *looks around* weird....usually there is at least two people around this area.....but there's nothing...not even a rat... Kid: "...Any police reports on this location?" liz: this is, or at least used to be, the red light district..... stocking: *tenses*....... Kid: "..." (looks around) "So why haven't police said much about people disappearing here?" -clink- Kid: "?!" -a door creaks open- Kid: (watching the door...) -the building is empty, as if everyone left in a hurry- Kid: "I don't sense anyone inside...but something..." -something skitters onto a wall, it looks like a large spider.....with a human head- tsubaki: w-what the fuck?! Patty: o____O Kid: (covering his mouth, as he looks like he is about to vomit) thing: *it's eyes roll back and it screeches loudly* Patty: "..." (moving as if ready to squish it...) Kid: (to the Thing) "Wh-What happened to you?! Who did this to you?!" -something is heard in the back room- -a large figure, a human, female body, with no arms, with 4 large spider legs potruding from its back, with spidery looking hands, a bloated stomach, and a rotted face with a black tongue hanging from the mouth, comes out of the room- liz: O-O;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; that.........just......ew..... Kid: (tapping his mirror, filing report to send immediately to the DWMA) "Obvious laboratory for...mutating humans. Likely done to people kidnapped from this part of Brooklyn..." -the larger thing lunges at them- Kid: "Liz! Patty!" Black Star: "Tsubaki!" tsubaki: right! liz: on it! Patty: "Yeah!" Kid: (aims Liz and Patty) "Put their soul at rest!" (fires) -after a few minutes, stocking manages to kill it, getting some black ooze on her blade- stocking: eeeew! *shaking it off* gross... Kid: "We need to collect that sample, then disinfect your blade..." (looks at it) "Black...blood?" stocking: mayb- *she falls to her knees and trembles* a-AHHHHH!!!!!!!!! Kid: "Stocking! What's wrong?!" stocking: p-please.....stop it! i-i'll be good from now on, just please- *she's crying* Kid: "I think she's hallucinating..." (tries to take her by her arms, trying to reach her soul) "Stocking, please..." stocking: *she looks up at kid, her eyes seem....different....* Kid: "...Stocking?" stocking: k-ki-..... Kid: "Please, hang on...Nygus, we need medical and to put a quarantine on this neighborhood--evacuate five blocks from here." nygus: on it! stocking: i-i...i think....i'll be ok.... Kid: "...Still, a check-up will be good..." (hugs her) "What happened?" stocking: i-i dont know....i just....lost control for a moment.....we should keep going, i dont want to be a burden on the mission. Kid: "Are you sure?" ("Should we have the quarantine put in first before going deeper in this building...?") stocking: yeah..e-even if its scary, we just have to move forward, right? Kid: (nods) "Right, okay...Let's be careful out there..." stocking: *she nods* Black Star: (looking suspiciously at Stocking as they keep moving through the building) -a few floors later- Kid: (examining the walls, paying attention to corners and shadows for threats...) -something is heard from the end of the hall- Kid: "Someone watch our back, clear an exit in case there is a threat at the end of this hall." tsubaki: *nods* Kid: (proceeds to the end of the hall) ???: *in a static, gravley voice* iiiiizzz......ttiiii....... Kid: (approaches) "We are from the DWMA...We are here to help." -the figure appears female......but its arms are mangled, and it walks like a wounded animal....the top half of its face is gone.- ????: lii.....iizz.....mmyyy....chi....ldreeenn.... liz:...........*her heart practically drops to her stomach* Patty: "...Sis? Please..." (starts shaking her head) "No. No." liz:.....*she's frozen in place, staring at the monstrosity that used to be her mother* Kid: "My God..." ????: liii......iiizzz? *it stares, slackjawed at them* Patty: (crying, shaking) liz:........*stepping toward it* we should.... Kid: "???" liz: *gulps and wipes her eyes* w-we should...put her out of her misery....its....its the least we could to for her.... Patty: "But she is...W-We can't! There has to be a way to fix her, right? Kid, you know how to fix her! Fix her!" Kid: "..." stocking:....*she hugs patti* liz: patti....you dont have to watch.... Patty: "Let go of me! Help her! You can't do it! Liz, you can't! You can't!" Kid: (pulling Patty away) liz: what do you suggest, letting her suffer like...like that?! Patty: "There has to be another way! Kid, save her! Save her!" Kid: "I can't! She's gone, Patty! You have to accept that!" Patty: "..." (starts punching Kid in the chest, screaming) stocking: patti! please....i know you're upset but.... Kid: "Get her out of here!" (dragging Patty out of the room, leaving Liz alone) Patty: (still shouting as she is being pulled away) liz:.....patti's probably going to hate me.... stocking:...if it helps...i'll do it... Patty: (inconsolable in the hallway, crying, hitting Kid in the chest as he keeps holding onto her in a hug) stocking:...hey now....it's going to be ok....O, pitiful shadow lost in the darkness... O, evil spirit born of those drifting between heaven and earth... May the thunderous power from the garments of the holy, delicate maidens strike down upon you with great mercy and light, shattering your impurity and ending your suffering... Repent....and rest in peace... *SLICE* Patty: (hears the sound, stops crying...just falls apart, silent, motionless) liz:.....*silent, weeping* Kid: (holds onto Patty) stocking:.......liz i- liz: i know..... Kid: "...Nygus, please evacuate, now." stocking:.....patti....she's at peace now.... Patty: "..." (she's silent, not moving...her eyes are dead) stocking:....come on....we should go for now.... liz:....patti- Patty: (turns away from Liz, pushes away from Kid, walks ahead on her own) liz:......... Kid: "Give her time...It's not easy to lose someone..." Kid: (catches himself) "S-Sorry...I'm sorry, Liz." liz:................ -a few days later- Patty: "..." soul: are you sure you're ok? this isnt like you..... kohaku: yeah, usually it's emo the kid and dead man evans being like this~ kirika: FUCK OFF AANBA! cant you see she's gone through enough? Patty: "..." (approaches Kohaku within an inch) "You back off now, or I will kill you." kohaku: oh, you expect me to be nice cause she 'wost her mawmee'? tch- i lost my mother too, but no one ever gave _me_ sympathy... Patty: "..." (turns around, her back to Kohaku--then starts to turn back, ready to punch) -claws aimed at kohaku- kirika: bitch you have some goddamn nerve.... kohaku: go ahead and punch me, thats not gonna bring your mom back....or the useless little albarn.... soul: !!!!!!! *fist clentch* stocking: hey kohaku, how about you pay my grandad a visit? Patty: (stops herself...just stares at Kirika and Soul...then looks at Kohaku) "You aren't worth it. I hope you never go through what we have..." kohaku: ....... Patty: (turns and leaves...then starts running down the hall) liz: patti wait! Patty: (throws open janitor's closet door, shuts it behind her) liz: patti....patti come on....please? Patty: "Go away." kirika: *opens the door* fuckin-..hey, i dont usually get sentimental and whatever, but....*sigh* i kinda know what its like...losing family, i mean... Patty: "...We never should have left Brooklyn." kirika: if you stayed on the streets, you and liz might have ended up like that too...i heard her talking to kid about it.... liz: >:C Patty: "But if we hadn't left, then maybe--maybe we could have saved M-Mom!" kirika: even after she abandoned you? Patty: "...We left Brooklyn...We left her...and now she's..." liz:.......... kirika: was there anything you could have done? moping about it isnt going to change shit, all you can do is brush yourself off and get on with everything, you still have your sister, aunt, uncle, and cousins, dont you? and everyone else too... Patty: "..." (starts crying) "Mom..." liz: *opens the door and hugs patti* it's going to be ok sis....we're still here.... Patty: "Sis...I'm sorry..." (hugs her) liz: *humming* -later- Patty: (exhausted, asleep, eyes red) kirika:..... Kid: "How long has she been asleep?" kirika: good hour and a half now.....she gonna be ok? Kid: "It's going to take time...but I think so. I hope so." kirika:...hey, i said all i could, alright? i'll admit, it was hard for me to open up like that but.....w-whatever... Kid: "I know. You did great. I'm proud of you." kirika: ......y-yeah... Kid: "..." (awkward pat on the back) kirika: 7-7 Kid: "Thank you...Sister." kirika: y-yeah....sure....b...bro....buttmunch. >-<; Kid: -_-; "Close enough..." kirika: hehe~ Kid: "In any case, let's be there for Patty, okay?" kirika:...yeah... roxanne:..... Kid: "Roxanne, I'm sorry..." roxanne: *she nods* i know, Sheryl and i didnt really get along, but this.... Kid: (nods) "Have you given consideration to the offer to hold a memorial service?" roxanne: it would be for the best... Kid: (nods) "We can handle most of the organizing...Just let us know whatever you want included, such as any particular religious official you would like, if any." roxanne: i just wanted to thank you, for all your family has done for us... Kid: (small smile) "You're welcome. I've considered Liz and Patty family for a long time...and I would like to consider you part of that family..." roxanne: *she smiles* maybe i could reach out to them more....i should have taken them in sooner....