#and yet he is still all but my chief rabbit ):

[handfulofmuses]

Kudos to Netflix Campion who went against Woundwort's orders without any regrets, didn't became an edge lord unlike his tv series counterpart didn't go boo hoo i'm about to betray my chief rabbit woe is me ): i absolutely have no honor ):, remained badass while he was at it by his tension with orchis

[the-whispers-of-death]

I was watching The Resident and this thought popped into my head: Imagine Ghost as a doctor. And so I went down this rabbit hole of what kind of doctor Ghost would be.

And I think Doctor!Ghost a lot like how my COD OC Stone is, terrible bedside manner but his skills are usually unmatched. One wouldn't want him when they're just doing a check-up and/or freaking out about a potential diagnosis, but when their life is on the line, they'd place all of their bets on him saving them.

Now imagine being a doctor at the same hospital Doctor!Ghost is. He gets his moniker "Ghost" from nurses because he comes and goes without anyone noticing, and there are so many tales of times he went rogue with hospital protocol to save a patient's life. He acts like he can walk on water, and it lowkey pisses you off.

You've been a doctor for the same amount of time Ghost has and you've done similar feats of live-saving procedures on patients too. You work hard and your success patients leave glowing reviews of you, commenting on how your lack of bedside manner (though you do have more than Ghost) doesn't take away the fact that they knew you were the doctor who could save their lives.

Yet the nurses still page Ghost first, the chief medical officer begrudgingly praises Ghost over you when you both worked on the same patient. The nurses and interns gush over him like he's God instead of an intimidating, stubborn doctor. They see his mask and his hardness and still respect him as a doctor.

It's infuriating, you think to yourself after every shift, watching everyone swoon over Ghost when he passes. You could never swoon over him, could never fantasize about him taking you into an on-call room and being on his knees—

Nope, no. You definitely aren't charmed by his rough around the edges demeanor.

Reblogs are welcomed & appreciated! Asks are open, feel free to pop in and request something! (Check the rules in "Rules for Requesting NSFW" before requesting.)

[taatsums]

Raito Kitakata SR - Yam Seng!: As Long As We Have These

Part 1

📍HAMA House, Rabbit room

[Door knocking]

Raito: Yukikaze. Are you ready to go? It seems it’s about time for us to get to the airport.

Yukikaze: Yeah, I’m all set…

Yukikaze: But are you sure this luggage will be enough for you? It looks more like you’re making a trip to the convenience store.

Raito: Yeah. I’m more of the local procurement type, so the bare minimum is fine with me. You also don’t seem to be carrying much, Yukikaze.

Yukikaze: I’m not going on a tour this time, after all. When I removed the things I need for skating, I ended up with only a single small carry case.

Raito: Is that so? What exactly do you take with you on a skating tour?

Yukikaze: Let’s see… My skate shoes and practice clothes, obviously. A tablet, some earphones, and also supplements and a tissue box as a good luck charm.

Raito: Are you talking about the tissue box you’ve got over there? The case has a rather peculiar picture on it… What kind of character is that?

Yukikaze: I have no idea. But Kaede gave it to me as a gift. Isn’t it cute?

Raito: I see, so it’s a kind of good luck charm. It makes sense that Chief would pick this.

Raito: Still, that’s quite a lot of earphones to carry around. Are they necessary for your skating routine?

Yukikaze: Yeah. Using them in everyday life is pretty different from practice, so I try all sorts of types to make sure they won’t break in the ice rink or come off while I perform.

Raito: I see… Is there one you’d recommend?

Yukikaze: For now, these SEMY ones. They have a wide range of sound, they don’t fall off easily and have great noise cancellation.

Raito: Ohh…

Yukikaze: I’ve been trying a variety of imported products lately. Even though they’re all marketed as sports-oriented, there are many different types, and it’s quite complex.

Raito: I see. It seems like a world that has no end once you get started in it.

[Running]

Kaede: H-Hold on! Why haven’t you two left yet!?

Kaede: You’ve got less than 2 hours until boarding time, you know!? You should get going while you still have time!

Yukikaze: Oh. Is it time already?

Raito: We’re both lightly packed and can travel around easily. I’m sure we can still get there on time.

Yukikaze: Alright, we’re going.

Raito: We’ll get you a souvenir.

Kaede: Have fun!

Part 2

📍 Tokyo Metropolis International Airport, Lobby

Raito: We arrived just in time. Wouldn’t you say we’ve got enough time till take off?

Yukikaze: Yeah. I’m glad Kaede called us out when he did. If we kept lingering, we might’ve been late.

Yukikaze: By the way, Raito, what did you bring with you? You said the bare minimum is fine for you.

Raito: What I have on me is this.

[Raito takes out his wallet]

Yukikaze: A wallet with a black card and… perfume.

Raito: As long as I have these two things with me, I could even go on a trip to space.

Yukikaze: Heh… I think I get it. Personally, so long as I have this, I'll be invincible no matter the trip.

Raito: This is… a mini soy sauce bottle! And it once again has a peculiar character drawn on it!

Yukikaze: Yeah. I’m using this bottle that the Chief gave me in place of a charm. I can take a whiff of it when I’m missing Japan, or pour it over local food.

Raito: I see. This is a good pick. I’m certain smelling soy sauce while overseas would be relaxing.

Yukikaze: It is.

[Announcement jingle]

Yukikaze: Hm, our flight is being called. Let’s hurry over to check-in.

Raito: Right… Oh, hm?

Yukikaze: What’s wrong?

Raito: I was careless. It seems I’ve forgotten my passport…

Yukikaze: That’s not good. We don’t have time to go back and get it.

Raito: We’re in a pickle.

[Drone wheeling over]

Drone: Kitakata Raito, Kitakata Raito.

Raito: Hm? Is this… Nayuki’s drone?

Yukikaze: It’s trying to give you something.

Drone: You forgot this, you forgot this.

Raito: My passport! Good, I can board the plane now. I’ll have to thank Nayuki later.

Yukikaze: (I think Raito should add his little brother to his travel essentials…)

Raito: Sorry for all the fuss, let’s get going now.

Yukikaze: Yeah. I hope we get to enjoy Singapore.

Raito: Yes, I’ve got high expectations for it, too.

Yukikaze: (I can’t wait to see… Just what kind of journey awaits us.)

NOTES:

(1) The card's title, Yam Seng! is Hokkien for ganbei/干杯/乾杯/kanpai, and translates to 'drink to victory'. It's pretty much a congratulatory cheer said before drinking

[honeybadger-has-a-grimoire]

An Introduction to Arthurian Paganism

Hey, everyone! I’m back with another practice-related post. This time, we’re talking about Arthurian Paganism.

It should be noted that I am still researching and learning about the Arthurian Canon, and Tumblr’s #Arthuriana tag has been, unironically, extremely helpful. They have massive blog posts with links to copies of books that have been published and translated, abridged or unabridged, compilations and separate short stories, etc. which are becoming quite useful to me in my research. And for that, to the people who post and follow the Arthuriana tags, I say thank you. Your work—be it memes, academic compilations of sources, or artwork—has made this not only easier, but very fun.

With that out of the way, let’s talk about the Arthurian Pantheon, starting with what it exactly is at this point in my research and spirituality.

What is Arthurian Paganism and How did I get here?

The what and the how are where I want to start. Simply put, I think this is the easiest thing to understand before we go down the rabbit hole of me assigning correspondences, working with festivals, etc.

Plus, anyone, especially in the Western World, has some vague understanding of what the King Arthur story is about. This gives us some equal playing field for a good understanding of the jumping off point of my spiritual path with the Arthurian Pantheon.

So to begin, the Arthurian Pantheon is the characters of King Arthur Stories being honored as deities.

I stumbled across this accidentally when I was trying to worship the Lord and Lady of the Land. A lot of how envisioned these deities came across as King Arthur and Lady Morgan Le Fay—and I was quite intrigued and confused. I had done some honoring of Morgan Le Fay in the past, but not much, and yet could not shake the feeling that there was something here for me to explore.

And as a child, I was always in love with the King Arthur stories and retellings I came across.

It took me a few months to fully embrace, but, by the time Lunasdagh arrived, I began considering in earnest how to honor King Arthur and Lady Morgan within their respective mythos.

King Arthur Pendragon is a mythic King of Britain. While there’s no real historical evidence that states he was a real person, to my knowledge at time of writing, we can trace his story specifically back to Wales as a folk hero in the Mabinogion. Here Arthur is usually portrayed as a vaguely supernatural entity who helps other travelers on their quests.

One such notable one is of Arthur helping his cousin win the hand of a giantess in marriage, if I remember correctly.

His time as a Welsh folk hero is discussed, briefly, in the Mythillogical podcast’s episode on YouTube. The link can be found here.

This version of Arthur is quite different from what he will become, as he is a wanderer and has a lot more agency in these tales. King Arthur tends to lose a bit of focus and agency over the overarching story of Camelot as the Canon grows both in characters and gets codified over time.

This loss of agency or lack of focus, whichever you prefer to call it, reminds me quite a bit of the human life cycle. Arthur, as people add on to his legends starting with Geoffrey of Monmouth and his Welsh Counterparts going all the way up to the modern day, goes through the cycle of birth, childhood, young adulthood, adulthood, elder, death, and finally rebirth. He represents a very human experience—from making mistakes (sleeping with his sister Morgause and in a fit of regret and anger at what he did goes to try and drown every child born on May Day in order to not eventually die at the child’s hand) to just trying to be a genuinely good man and king (his attempts at trying to persuade his Knights and Lords to have Mercy on Queen Guinevere when she was falsely accused of murder and rightfully accused of adultery).

King Arthur is very human and that is necessary for a chief god of a pantheon that I believe in, because I could never get behind a perfect god or a supposed son of god who is meant to share a human experience to understand us better but yet simultaneously is meant to be perfect.

So King Arthur became a comfort as a chief god, even if I haven’t really worked with him yet.

I do say good morning to him every morning though, because I associate King Arthur with the sun.

I mainly got here through Lady Morgan Le Fay, though. She reached out to me about a year ago through a vision I had while working at my part time job. I saw myself following her through mists in an indigo cloak with silver embroidery. So I began to honor her the best I could—I even picked up the Mists of Avalon, and read it for a while, to get her perspective on Arthurian Canon. Then, as the stress of finding a full time job and then having two jobs all began to bubble up, I fell off.

(Which I will get back to the novel eventually. I’m going to be reading a lot of Arthurian books and romances for the foreseeable future.)

Recently, through the attempt at honoring the Lord and Lady of the Land, I found my way back to Lady Morgan. When I reach out to a goddess in divination, I ask for her. When I do my kitchen witchcraft, I do it in her name. When I think of making something for my craft, I think of making it for her.

I wanted to do this seriously and the best I can.

Doing so led to me realizing that it’s not just King Arthur and Lady Morgan who gained spiritual/magickal/etc. independent being status through the centuries of rewriting, retelling, and rediscovering the Arthurian tradition again and again. They all were alive in their own way. Entities in their own rights with their own domains and their own things to teach us, the characters of King Arthur’s stories are alive.

And I had that realization relatively recently. Just a bit before my “Sir Gawain Type of Day” post.

So that’s how I got here.

Now let’s talk about my recent experiences.

My Experiences with the Pantheon:

This section will be quite short as my experiences aren’t much in the grand scheme of things—and a few are a bit personal. The findings are rather few as of right now, but I am starting out and the Arthurian Pantheon as a whole requested that I focus on the research aspect first as a way to honor them before I do anything big like celebrate Sabbats and stuff.

Lady Morgan also reiterated this fact with me last week, and reminded me that I do need to practice patience with myself.

And I’m trying, promise.

For my experiences with the pantheon, I’ve mainly interacted with Lady Morgan. She helped me pass my excel certification exam which allowed me to get my current full time position, and I asked that of her because I thought I’d be quitting my part time job once I got a full time position. I would have more time for the craft, which I promised her that I would make. However, the current state of the economy, and the cost of living where I live specifically, required me to work both jobs in order to pay bills and save up for an apartment.

So, I never really kept up my end of the deal—despite trying to for a while.

Lady Morgan’s energy never seems to give much away about her emotions. I’ve only ever felt an ancient patience and kindness with her. Much like a dusty old library on a misty spring morning, Lady Morgan’s energy is that of learning the art of patience and being okay with waiting—leading you down the path at your own pace.

Her energy also is heavily linked to the moon, mists, and rainstorms from what I’ve found.

The moon is something that she always radiated to me. Lady Morgan guides the way through the night, providing light and guidance through moonlight and stars. The moon tends to show its phase in a very different way if I’ve just been speaking to Lady Morgan earlier that evening and the stars seem much brighter despite the light pollution.

In my limited dealings with Lady Morgan, I’ve also found that, if I did something she was particularly proud of, a morning mist greeted me the next day. I feel the most comfortable in the mists, especially in the morning, so I always appreciate that little treat.

Lord, or more accurately, King Arthur has a different energy that I am sometimes able to connect to in the mornings.

King Arthur’s energy to me is very much the sun. It’s bright and welcoming and even protective to an extent. He’s constant, strong, and reliable. I also associate him with stags, not only because of the whole White Stag search that may or may not have ruined his wedding to Queen Guinevere (depending on the version you’re reading), but also because deer are quite common where I live. Does are definitely more common than stags, yes, but the few times I see a Stag I just immediately think it’s King Arthur.

I think this association began with the Mists of Avalon. Especially when there’s a whole trial by deer that Arthur needs to go through in order to be accepted by the Tribes and it results in his son with Morgaine, Mordred.

Beyond that association, stags tend to be connected to nobility and dependability in our modern media symbolism shorthand, with the most prominent example coming to mind being Elijah Mikaelson from the Vampire Diaries extended universe. Elijah’s nicknamed the Noble Stag for being a Mikaelson the people can trust to keep his word to the letter. He usually acts as the consciousness of his brother, Klaus, and tries to put family above all else.

In my mind, King Arthur is much the same. His energy is that of a stag—a man who keeps his word, puts the people he loves before himself, and is a just king.

And, finally, I felt Sir Gawain’s energy once. I wrote a blog about it, just a small musing really. But to me Gawain’s energy is that of liminal tidings. His energy is soft and comforting as the wheel of the year turns and we shift from one season to the next. At Yuletide/Winter Solstice, he deals the blow to the Green Knight—which rings in the warmer half of the year. And at Litha/Summer Solstice, he faces the Green Knight once more to bring in the colder half of the year.

Possibly.

I think this may change as Sir Gawain is definitely a god of the seasons and their shifts, but I can’t tell if it’s Sir Gawain who rings in the different parts of the year, or if it’s King Arthur, or someone else I have yet to interact with, or no one in the pantheon at all.

But, for now, I will say it’s Sir Gawain and the Green Knight that ring in the colder and warmer halves of the year.

But that is the extent of my experiences with the Arthurian Pantheon thus far. I am reading up on them still, as a part of my research and way to honor them.

My Recent Findings on the Pantheon:

Through my research, as I currently read “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” as translated by Jessie Weston, I have found that King Arthur likes to hear stories of great feats from his knights and/or songs, or see a good game before he eats a feast, so that will be implemented during times I offer some food up to him. He also refuses to eat until everyone at court is sitting and served when hosting a grand feast, so if I invite people over I will try and do the same. King Arthur and The Knights of the Round Table love to have feasts with dried meats and honey wine ( AKA mead ).

When I get my apartment, I will practice making honey wine for libations to the King and his Knights.

My time browsing the Arthuriana tag on Tumblr, and the abridged version of Le Morte d'Arthur read by Derek Jacobi, indicated that Sir Gawain loves apples. So when I honor Sir Gawain specifically, I’ll see if I can make apples ready for the occasion.

The abridged version of Le Morte d’Arthur previously mentioned also pointed two days that I specifically took note of: Arthur’s birthday, being around December 24th, and Arthur’s king making which was on Candlemas, February 2nd. So I will definitely be celebrating Candlemas, and King Arthur’s birthday, which falls during Yuletide.

The Mists of Avalon audiobook that I’m listening to on Spotify indicates that Lady Morgan is knowledgeable in herb lore and is gifted with the Sight. So any form of herbalism and divination could be considered devotional acts to Lady Morgan. Or working with the Fair Folk, as in that telling of Arthurian canon has Lady Morgan descended from the Fae Folk of the British Isles.

And that’s all I have at the moment research wise. I haven’t had time to sit down and finish “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” in order to move on to the next pieces of Arthuriana on the docket.

Conclusion:

As you can see, I don’t have much in the way of research or experiences yet. Really, this Introduction to the Arthurian Pantheon is just me trying to get my thoughts and early findings down on paper so I can continue forward.

I really can’t wait to learn about and from this very large and very diverse pantheon.

I’m not even sure if I’ll get to everyone—or if this counts as Celtic or Pop Culture paganism! I tag it as Celtic since these stories tend to be leaning more Celtic in nature and its birth in the British Isles.

But I hope you guys enjoyed this introduction into the pantheon and my experiences with it! I’ll make a more comprehensive and scholarly introduction when I have more time, knowledge, and experience under my belt with the pantheon if necessary. For now though, this is where I end the introduction post.

Until next time!

[wildflower-otome]

[Translation] Joker no Kuni no Alice - Always, Forever - Peter White Short Story (Last Half)

Always, Forever - Joker no Kuni no Alice - Peter White Short Story (Last Half) Source

‘Alice!’

‘I’m back, Peter.’

Still with a sweet-looking smile on his face, Peter immediately ran over to me.

Behind the Rabbit, Vivaldi had gotten hold of Ace.

‘Alice! Alice! Where were you!? I’ve been so lonely without you here.....’

Peter was always straightforward in showing his affection for me.

At the same time that it put me at ease that he never tried to hide it, there were also times when it caused trouble.

(It’d be nice if he could be a little bit more restrained)

‘Yeah. Just had something to do at Joker’s.’

It was clear from Peter’s face when I made my answer that he wasn’t happy about where I had been.

‘Joker, is it.....’

From his voice I could tell he was not just unhappy, but worried.

(.....It’s not like I don’t understand how he feels)

I remembered the events at the prison.

Peter, who had come to get me back after I had gotten lost.

The terrible wounds he had suffered.

(Although it’s not as if Joker was the one that did that to him.....)

To speak using the terminology of this world, it had been something that had occurred in his territory.

It was understandable that Peter would be wary.

(.....But, I guess it’s not just that)

I knew.

The chief reason that Peter didn’t like me going there.

There was only one thing he worried about.

And that was.....me.

I wasn’t being self-conceited; he did not care about anything but me.

All of Peter’s emotions were directed towards me.

His concern, his attachment.

Everything.

(It’s because I’m always getting lost)

I had never spoken to anyone about it before, but Peter likely knew.

It wasn’t only during the Circus that I got lost there.

Even in my everyday life, I often wandered in.

That cold Prison.

The place where my older sister was.

Peter was always facing towards me.

And I was always being drawn to the Prison.

Compared to his wholeheartedness, it was a mysterious yet encroaching feeling.

‘Alice?’

‘Hm? What is it?’

Peter peered into my face, looking concerned.

His figure as he did so overlapped with that of a person with a gentle smile.

Someone pure, who could never have committed a sin.

(Even so, I wonder why)

Right now, for some reason, she was locked away in that cold Prison.

She was in there, still smiling as brightly as ever.

(.....Joker is keeping her there)

The next one to overlap was the face of the clown who I had gotten to know through April season.

His figure dressed as a clown, and his figure dressed as a prison guard.

Both of them overlapped with Peter.

(Even though he’s so pure, this Rabbit can shoot someone as if it’s nothing)

A dual nature.

Peter, who overlapped with Joker.

And with my sister.

Does that mean that my beautiful sister also has two sides to her?

‘Are you feeling unwell? You seem far away.....’

‘.....It’s nothing.’

They overlapped.

Nonetheless, it was only for an instant.

In just the blink of an eye, the illusion faded.

(An illusion.....)

Why had I seen an illusion?

Why had Peter and my sister.....and also, Joker, overlapped?

(Why?)

I didn’t understand.

My mind was foggy, and I couldn’t think.

Once it had become April Season I was often assailed by this feeling.

That there was something important, but I couldn’t remember what it was.

A frustrating feeling.

The awfulness of almost understanding, but not understanding.

(.....They’re similar somehow.)

I had a feeling that this sensation was the same as what I had felt on first coming to this world.

Back when I had thought of this world as nothing more than a dream.

I had felt it each time I had heard Nightmare whisper, ‘This is a dream.’

A dream or reality.

A lie or the truth.

It all became vague, and I could no longer tell.

It was very similar to that feeling.

(Even now, I-)

‘..........’

‘Alice, are you really alright?’

‘Ah, yeah.....’

A hand was waving front of my eyes.

At Peter’s voice and hand, I came back to my senses.

(???)

(This feels strange somehow.....)

Even I thought something was off.

I couldn’t help but think of a lot of things.

A lot of trivial things.....Things that were pointless, even if I were to think about them.

Is this a dream?

Was the Rabbit before my eyes, who thought only of me, a product of a dream?

(.....I have to stop)

Shaking my head, I pushed the nonsensical thoughts out of my mind.

Thinking of things that couldn’t be helped even if you were to think about them was a waste of time.

Rather, I should be spending my time on something more worthwhile.

 ‘Speaking of which, Peter. Do you have some spare time after this?’

For example, going out somewhere with the White Rabbit.

‘Yes, of course. For your sake, I will have as much spare time as you like!’

‘In other words, you do have other things you should be doing.’

‘That’s not true! I do have spare time! Plenty! Too much in fact!’

(Is it really OK for a Prime Minister to be so energetic about having nothing to do?)

‘.....You really are free? You don’t have any more work left to do?’

‘None whatsoever! It appears you like rabbits that do their jobs, so I worked hard and got it all done!’

‘You should be making sure to do your work, regardless of what I think.....’

Though that was what I said, I was smiling.

(Feels kind of ticklish.....)

Affection that was easy to understand, and obvious actions.

He was always like this.

‘If that’s the case, do you want to go out somewhere now?’

‘! Of course, with pleasure!’

‘What a delight to be able to go on a date with you! I’m a happy Rabbit!’

Just as he had said, the broadly smiling Peter seemed happy.

Seeing him like this made me feel the same way too.

‘This time I’m thinking of going on an autumn outing. It is a bit far though.....’

‘Whether near or far, I do not mind. No, far away is even better! We can spend more time out, and if I can go out with you, I-.....)

‘What’s this? You two are going out somewhere?’

‘!’

As I was speaking to Peter, I was suddenly hugged.

Red clothes standing out in my field of vision and a friendly sounding voice.

Without even needing to guess, I knew it was Ace.

‘-!? C-Could you not suddenly cling on to me like that?’

‘So it would be alright if it wasn’t sudden?’

‘Of course it wouldn’t, and you know it!’

‘~~~~-‘

I tried my best to struggle free from his arms, but he was a Knight after all.

With my level of strength, it was no use.

‘.....Will you not remove those filthy hands of yours? Ace.’

The sound of a metallic click.

‘You’re dirtying her.’

‘I told you, I don’t have the kind of germs that would transfer just from doing something like this. .....Although, if I did do something more amazing, maybe something might?’

‘If you like, why don’t I give it a test? Just how far I can go before germs transfer, that is.’

His whisper in my ear sent shivers down my spine.

But not out of any kind of feelings of attraction..... from fear.

(Hey, don’t provoke him-.....)

The temperature of Peter’s gaze had reached freezing point.

In comparison, Ace was still smiling his usual smile.

‘That won’t be necessary. Such a thing.....To even think of it is repulsive.’

The atmosphere in the vicinity was incomparably chilly, even to how it had been earlier.

Cold enough that even though it was spring it seemed about to freeze over.

My work colleagues occasionally directed worried glances towards me, but it didn’t appear they planned on intervening.

(Well, guess that can’t be helped)

To the women, Peter and Ace were their superiors.

Even if subordinates were to interrupt a conversation between those above them, there would be nothing they could do.

But even before all that, I didn’t want them to help.

Because it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that they would be risking their lives.

(Vivaldi, help.....)

It wasn’t just my colleagues in this place, the most powerful person in the Castle was also here.

If it was her, she would be able to stop the two of them.

‘Hm?’

As she sipped tea, seemingly in a bad mood, she noticed my gaze.

‘.....Ace. Stop that. You’re causing Alice trouble.’

The discerning Queen had correctly taken up the meaning of my look.

Looking annoyed, she admonished Ace.

‘Oh? Alice, was I causing you trouble?’

‘Of course you were..... Hurry up and let me go already.’

‘Hahaha, sorry about that, alright?  Causing trouble for a girl wouldn’t be very Knight-like of me.’

As he laughed, Ace moved away the arms he had wrapped around me.

Not wasting a moment, this time Peter was the one to pull me into an embrace.

‘I don’t care about anyone else, but causing her trouble is an act worthy of a thousand deaths. Please die immediately.’ 

‘What on earth are you saying now too.....’

I held down Peter’s hand as he went to brandish his gun.

No matter how accustomed to it I had become, I wished he would stop being so ready to shoot all the time. 

‘It doesn’t matter, so let’s hurry up and go, shall we?’

These were my true feelings.

I wanted to set out with Peter as soon as possible. 

I wanted to go around and see lots of things, just the two of us.

Just as Peter had said before, I wanted to enjoy April Season.

I wanted to create memories of all the seasons.

Together with Peter.

‘.....Yes, you’re right. I’m sorry, Alice. It was foolish of me to respond to someone like Ace so seriously.’ 

‘It’s fine. Well then, we should go, let’s not bother with someone like Ace.’ 

‘”Someone like me”..... You two are so heartless. Ahahahahaha.’

 Ignoring the Knight laughing refreshingly, I continued the conversation.

‘I had Joker change the season to autumn. We still haven’t gone out all that much in autumn yet, right? So.....’

‘Autumn? If that’s the case, there’s a great date spot you could go to.’

Still, to butt in even while being ignored was a habit for Ace.

Pleasantly, as if it were only natural, he joined in on our conversation.

‘It’s a place where the autumn leaves look really beautiful. It might take a bit of effort, but there’s nothing like the view from up there.’

‘Is that so.....’

‘Yep! When you look down, it’s all completely red, a real sight to see.’

(Autumn leaves.....)

I had seen them before in the garden of the cafe Peter had taken me.

They had been very beautiful but.....it had been an arranged, artificial kind of beauty.

The place Ace was recommending to us was, most likely, the complete opposite.

It was probably a place one could see the type of beauty untouched by human interference.

(....That might not be such a bad idea)

‘If it’s that good, maybe we’ll go have a look. Peter, is that alright with you?’

‘If you wish to go, it is absolutely fine with me! Even if it is a place someone like Ace told us about.’

‘You guys keep talking about me like that.....So harsh, and here I was nice enough to tell you about it.’

‘Well then, let’s go.’

After I’d thanked Ace for his help, we began to set out.

‘Ah. Just so you know, it’s a place that’s kind of out of the way, not many people go up there. So, no matter what you get up to, I don’t think you’ll have any problems, you see? There’ll be no one to interrupt.’

I purposely pretended to not hear the last words Ace had thrown out from behind us as we were walking away.

(The only thing you needed to tell us was how to get there. You XXX knight!)

+++

Peter and I walked through the autumn territory.

‘Hm~m, I think we’re supposed to go straight down this path, right.....?’

‘Yes, I think that’s probably right.’ 

We continued on, remembering Ace’s instructions.

Once we climbed up the stone steps this path came out on, we would reach our destination.....or so we were supposed to, anyway.

(.....This is Ace we’re talking about, after all)

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that he was a man whose special skill was the ability to easily get lost.

Even if he himself thought he was telling us the right way, there was a high possibility that he was wrong.

‘Just to be safe, should we check with someone at one of the shops around here?’

‘Merely speaking to a faceless will likely get us utterly covered in germs but.....I suppose it cannot be helped. We are finally on a date after all, it would be better than finding ourselves lost.....’

‘Just talking to someone won’t get you covered in germs.....’

‘Do you want to rest for a while and drink some tea while we’re at it? I am a little tired.....’

It had been a fair distance to this place from the Castle.

And not only that, there had been so many people it had been hard to make progress, I’d become a bit exhausted.

 ‘! My apologies, Alice! I didn’t notice that you were tired..... Ah, what an inconsiderate Rabbit I am!’

‘You don’t need to apologise, let’s just go in.’

‘But-.....’

‘It’s fine, here-.’

Taking the hand of the Rabbit who had started to panic, I headed for a cafe that had caught my eye.

‘Alice, are you hungry? We’re in no hurry, after all.....Not just tea, you can eat as well, you know?’

‘That’s true.....Maybe I’ll take you up on that and order some cake.’

I answered while looking at a sign near the door that read ‘Autumn Cake Fair.’

The interior of the store wasn’t all that large.

Further in was the seating, with the display case and cash register near the doorway.

(Huh.....?)

The display case was lined with adorable looking toy-like cakes.

Normally, the overwhelming majority of people lining up for such things would be women.

However, this store was different.

As if to hide the display case from any customers coming in, a line of men were standing in front of it, all in a row.....

(What’s with this group.....)

A colourful, cute-looking café.

And a suit-wearing group that didn’t seem to fit the look of such a place.

Truth be told, it was an eerie looking scene.

(W-Wait, there are guys that do like sweets after all.....and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that but.....)

Still, it was peculiar.

‘Hm~m.....Perhaps I should get the Mont Blanc after all.....Ah, but it is difficult to turn down the milk crepe, it is the top recommended item here.....’

(Oh?)

(This voice.....)

‘You can buy whatever you like so.....Let’s quickly finish up here and return home, Lord Nightmare.’

‘As it is, our negotiations with the Hatter dragged on longer than expected..... We must return as soon as possible.’

‘Don’t rush me. I’ll decide soon.’

‘So you have been saying for some time now, yet you still haven’t made up your mind.’

‘He’s right. Please hurry up and decide. It’s alright to just buy everything you want to eat so-....’

‘I can’t do that. It would be a waste to buy an amount I can’t finish. And isn’t taking one’s time to decide all part of the fun?’

‘I understand that picking out the things that you like is enjoyable, but you’re taking too much time.’

‘That’s not true. I-.....Hm?’

No sooner had I thought the voice had stopped speaking, the suit-wearing group of men divided into two.

‘Ah, so it was you.’

‘Long time no see Alice.’

‘Nightmare, Gray.....’

And, their subordinates as well.

My friends who lived at Clover Tower.

‘Why are you guys in autumn territory?’

‘We had business at the Hatter’s.....’

‘We’re just on the way back from there. It’s been some time since I went outside, so I thought I’d buy some cake before we head home.’

‘I see.....’

Going outside for the first time in a while=Buying cake on the way home.

Although it was obvious now who the complainer had been, I decided to refrain from commenting.

But rather than that, what was bothering me was something else entirely.

(Nightmare hardly ever goes outside for work)

Because he was a habitual shut-in on top of having a weak constitution, Nightmare rarely left the Tower.

It had been a very long time since I had seen him outside of a dream or the Tower.

‘Even I go outside if I’ve got work to do, you know. My health isn’t too bad at the moment either.’

(Not again.....Quit reading people’s minds)

The dream demon who could read people’s minds was always reading my thoughts whenever he pleased.

I wouldn’t say that there weren’t times that it wasn’t convenient but.....for the most part it was simply unpleasant.

‘I haven’t vomited blood for a few hours at least now. Amazing, isn’t it?’

‘Yes, yes, it is amazing. Very impressive.’

‘Not only impressive, but rare. .....Therefore, I would very much like for you to return home as soon as possible so we can get to work.’

(If you can read minds, at least notice when the people around you are getting impatient)

It would appear that he wanted take Nightmare back home to the Tower as soon as he could.

As someone who also knew how ill he normally was, and how little progress he often made with work, I understood all too well how Gray must be feeling.

(Not only does he continually slack off because he hates working, his health condition breaks down so easily he’s perpetually on bed rest. Thanks to that, the work just keeps on piling up.....)

I remembered what his office had looked like when I had previously visited.

The mountains of documents stacked on the imposing looking desk.

‘I told you, just wait a moment. I’ll make up my mind soon.....’

‘That’s what you keep saying, but it’s been two hours already.’

‘T-Two hours.....?’

(Are you a child.....)

To spend that much time picking out a mere cake couldn’t be described as anything else but child’s behaviour.

‘Hmph. I’m no child!’

‘If you’re not a child, hurry up and decide, and then go home and do your job. Quit causing trouble for your subordinates.’

‘I’m not causing them trouble!’

‘It’s like you’re doing all you can to cause them trouble.....’

‘.....Whether you are a child or not, it does not matter to me.’

Peter interrupted my futile conversation with Nightmare.

The voice and gaze he directed towards the dream demon was chilly.

‘More importantly, will you not move? You are in the way.’

‘Hm? What’s this, White Rabbit. You want to buy cake too?’

‘Yes, I do. Although it will be her, not I who will be eating it.’

It would appear that this store was the kind where one paid up front.

The goods weren’t taken to your table, but passed over from the register.

(He’s not wrong.....he is in the way)

To make an order, one had to look at the menu.

Since I planned on buying cake, the group lined up along the display case, even before being an unusual sight were.....a hindrance.

‘Hmm..... I see, on a date, are we.’

‘!’

I started at Nightmare’s words.

(Doing as he pleases, again.....)

It would appear he was reading minds.

But this time, it wasn’t my mind he was reading, but Peter’s.

‘Yes, that is correct. We are on a date. Are you jealous?’

Nevertheless, the person whose mind was being read was undaunted.

Not just that, he even seemed to be bragging.

‘No, I’m not necessarily jealous-..... Rather than that, White Rabbit you’re.....’

‘What is it?’

‘.....Your mind is just like your current place of residence. Like your thoughts are in full bloom.....’

Even though I wasn’t the person whose mind was being read, hearing the words he spoke with a wry smile made me flush red.

(In “full bloom”, is it.....I wonder what Peter’s thinking about.....)

I hated that I had something of an idea.

‘..........Oi. Hide it a bit more. You shouldn’t be so wide open about that sort of thing-.....’

(“That sort of thing”, what kind of thing is that.....)

‘Hey, I told you to stop it.....Gah-!  Y-You.....I thought you hated dirty things, and yet you’re thinking about, something like that-.....’

(Like I said, what kind of thing is he talking about.....)

Somehow or other, it would appear the thoughts in Peter’s head were something untoward.

Nightmare’s face was busily going back and forward between going pale and turning red.

‘Hey, Lord Nightmare? Are you alright?’

‘Of course I’m not alright, not in the slightest.....-Ugh-’

‘White Rabbit, cut that out! At least close your thoughts so that I can’t hear them!’

‘Whatever could you mean? I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about. .....What exactly do you want me to do about what?’

‘It’s still so bright out, how could you be thinking about doing that now, how-.....’

‘I am merely thinking about later, of course. What else would I be thinking about?’

‘Th-That’s true, you are thinking about later but-Gack-, Guah-’

‘Lord Nightmare!?’

In the end the usual fountain of blood gushed out of Nightmare.

.....Although this time it wasn’t from his mouth, but from his nose.

‘.....Hey, what were you really thinking about just now?’

Seeing Nightmare react like he was in some kind of cheap novel, I glared at Peter with half-narrowed eyes.

He had to have been thinking of something obscene, to make him spurt blood like that.

‘It wasn’t anything strange. I was simply thinking of later..... He is the one who has gone and read too much into it.’

The White Rabbit gave a broad smile as he answered.

‘Lord Nightmare, please pull yourself together!’

‘Ugh..... His rabbit's fever is making me feel sick.....’

‘Even though finally, for the first time in so long, your health had improved.....As I thought, if I had just taken you back home by force and not wasted time at the likes of a cake shop.....’

‘J-Just so you know, I’m still going to buy cake before I go home- If you don’t let me, I’m not going to do any work.....Gufu-’

‘Yes yes, I understand. We’ll get your cake, so please make sure to cover your nose!’

Looking at the now bloody scene (?) that was the Clover Tower group with a side-long glance, I chose my cake.

Although I did feel sympathetic for Gray, the thought that Nightmare had ‘reaped what he sowed’ was stronger in my mind.

That’s what you get for reading other people’s minds without permission.

(It’d be good if he learnt his lesson from this, even if it’s just a little)

‘One Mont-Blanc and some tea please.’

‘Understood.’

While thinking such thoughts, I placed my cake order with the shop attendant.

+++

‘The cake and tea were both delicious, weren’t they?’

‘I’m glad to hear it.’

After taking some time out to rest at the café, we headed out towards our destination.

(Not like I didn’t expect it, but Ace’s instructions really were a bit off after all....)

Thanks to them, we had ended up taking a long detour.

(Well, at least because of that we got to pass through here.)

It would appear the section of the autumn territory we were walking through right now was in the middle of holding a Halloween party.

The roadside trees and shops were all decorated for Halloween.

‘The face on that pumpkin sure looks weird.’

‘It really does. It looks just like Ace.’

‘Hm, I’m not so sure that it does.....’

It wasn’t just decorations, the shops were also all selling Halloween-style merchandise.

Once I spotted such a shop, I couldn’t help but want to take a look.

‘This spider plushie is really cute.’

‘Is it? I think you’re much more cuter.’

‘.....Hey, it’s weird to be comparing us like that, don’t you think?’

I took up one of the plush toys from the shelf.

The cartoony spider plushie was not only cute, but soft to the touch.

(It’s so fluffy.....)

I stroked the black fabric of the plush toy.

It was soft and fuzzy.

(.....Like Peter in his rabbit form)

Despite being a completely different colour, it felt the same.

When Peter was in rabbit form he was also fluffy.....like a plush toy.

‘..........’

‘Alice? Do you like it that much?’

‘!’

‘Huh? Ah, no. Not necessarily.....’

‘Really? You’ve been holding it for so long without letting go, I thought you must really have taken quite a liking to it.....’

‘If you like it, please be sure to let me know, alright? I’ll buy it for you.’

‘.....Sure, thank you.’

I answered Peter with a vague smile.

The spider plush definitely was cute, but what I had been thinking of while holding it was something else entirely.

‘Alice?’

Staring at me intently, Peter tilted his head quizzically.

(What a beautiful face....)

Even his puzzled looking face was beautiful.

(He’s attracting attention again)

It was the same as when we’d previously gone out to buy chocolate.

Peter was again attracting looks.....more specifically, the gazes of women.

And that made me feel irritated, as well as frustrated.

That people other than me were looking at him.

(.....If only Peter really was a plush toy)

I thought the same thing as I had back then.

If only I could buy Peter as if he were a stuffed toy.

If I did, I could make him mine alone.

I could hide him away, without having to show him to anyone else.

However, in reality Peter was no plush toy, and of course such a thing was impossible.

(.....Right now though, in a sense, it really is like he’s only mine)

The Rabbit who was devoted only to me, didn’t try to look at anything other than me.

He whispered to me that he belonged only to me.

Without criticizing me for always becoming anxious over the most insignificant of things, he comforted and spoiled me.

But even then, my anxiety didn’t disappear.

I continuously went around in circles worrying over the same things, getting anxious over different things one after the other.

Even though I knew I shouldn’t, I couldn’t fix my bad habit.

There was nothing to be done.

And, it wasn’t just anxiety that I felt.

(.....Sister.)

I was unable to look only at Peter as he looked only at me.

I wasn’t able to completely say that I didn’t need anything else.

I had left my heart behind in my previous world.

I couldn’t forget about my sister.

Even while knowing it would cause him sorrow, I couldn’t help going to the Prison.

(I can’t be like Peter at all)

I couldn’t become as devoted as him.

I couldn’t give him back what he gave to me. 

(I-.....)

‘Ah, it’s Big Sis!’

‘Big Si~s!’

‘!!?’

My serious mood didn’t last long.

Sudden intruders smashed apart my heavy thoughts.

‘O-Ow-.....’

Something had collided with my waist at full speed.

‘Good evening, Sis!’

‘Sis, good evening.’

‘Dee, Dum....’

‘Good evening you two. .....Those outfits really are something, huh?’

The Twins were dressed up for Halloween, wearing monster costumes that were fairly realistic looking.

(I don’t think they really needed to put all that fake blood on them though.....That is fake blood, right? It couldn’t be the real thing, could it?)

When it came to these two, I couldn’t say without a doubt that it wasn’t.

‘It is Halloween after all. We’re in costume!’

‘Does it suit us? Do we look handsome?’

‘It does suit you.’

As for whether they looked handsome or not, no comment.

Given they were wearing monster costumes, it was somewhat odd to be asked about handsomeness either way.

‘Heheh, thanks, Sis.’

‘You’re still as cute as ever, Big Sis!’

‘Thanks.....’

‘Alright, shall we do it then, Brother?’

‘We should, Brother.’

‘???’

(Do what?)

‘Trick or treat!’

‘If you don’t give us candy, we’ll play a trick on you!’

(Ah, I see.....)

I couldn’t help but smile at hearing the customary Halloween phrase.

At moments like these they were childlike and innocent.

‘We said the line, so please give us some candy, Sis.’

‘Ah, but it’s fine if you don’t, you know? Since it’s you Sis, I’d rather play a trick than get candy!’

‘Yeah yeah, I agree. Since it’s Sis, a trick would be way better than candy!’

.....I take back what I just thought.

These two were childlike and completely up to no good.

‘Um, wait just a moment. I’ll give you some candy.’

‘Aw-’

‘Aw-’

‘Quit sounding so disappointed.....’

As I spoke to the two of them, I searched my pockets.

I was sure I must have at least one piece of candy somewhere.....

(....................Uh oh)

No matter how many times I checked all the different pockets on my clothes.....there was nothing.

(O-Oh no.....)

A cold trickle of sweat ran down my cheek.

Seeming to have noticed that I didn’t have any candy partway through, the expression on the Twins’ faces changed.

Eyes shining in anticipation, they were waiting for me to say, “I haven’t got any.”

‘.....You two.’

‘What is it?’

‘What’s this, what’s this?’

‘...............I haven’t got any candy, so go ahead and play your trick.’

(Uuughh.....)

The Twins’ faces brightened with cheerful enthusiasm at my words

‘Big Sis said we could play a trick, Brother.’

‘What should we do, Brother? A normal trick would just be boring.’

‘If possible, I’d prefer a normal trick.....’

But of course, there was no way my words would reach their ears.

After whispering between themselves for a moment, they gave angelic looking smiles.

And then-

‘Kyaah-’

‘Heheheh.’

‘A trick~’

They both clung tightly onto me.

‘Y-You guys....’

‘You need to stay still, Big Sis.’

‘That’s right. We haven’t finished playing our trick yet.’

So speaking, the two of them brought their faces closer.

Something warm touched both of my cheeks.

‘-!?’

‘!!!’

‘!!!’

The moment they kissed me, I was vehemently pulled away.

‘.....Getting carried away just because I was holding my peace-’ 

Before I realized it, Peter’s arms were around me.

‘Peter?’

‘It’s alright, Alice. My apologies, I should have saved you a little earlier.’

He emphatically scrubbed away at the places the Twins had kissed me with a handkerchief.

Because he was doing it so thoroughly, pressing hard, it kind of hurt.

‘You’re just a Rabbit, mind not getting in the way?’

‘We were in the middle of playing a trick on Sis.’

‘What do you mean, a trick? How repulsive.’

Still wiping away at my cheek, Peter directed a piercing glare towards the Twins.

‘The only one who can touch her is me. The likes of filthy children need to stay away.’

‘We’re not filthy!’

‘That’s right. We’re much cleaner than some Rabbit!’

‘Even supposing you were cleaner than me, hypothetically, I still wouldn’t want you to touch her.’

‘She is my beloved. She is not somebody that children like you are permitted to touch.’

A charge crackled in the air between them.

The atmosphere around them was so hostile I felt as if I could almost really see the sparks.

(H-Hey now, don’t go fighting right in the middle of town, alright.....!?)

I’d prefer they didn’t fight anywhere at all, but in a central place like this.....especially with someone from another territory as the opponent, there was a high chance that bystanders would also become casualties.

‘Hey, you brats! What the hell are you doing over there!’

‘!’

‘!!!’

Just as the situation was about to reach peak volatility.

From off in the distance, I heard a familiar sounding voice.

‘Oh no, it’s the stupid rabbit.’

‘We’d better get out of here, Brother.’

The owner of the voice was the rabbit who lived at Hatter Mansion.

The expression on the children’s faces scrunching up in annoyance, they hurriedly began to run away.

‘We’ll remember this, Prime Minister of the Castle!’

‘We’re definitely going to get back at you someday for interrupting our trick on Sis!’

Leaving us with that parting line, the two disappeared into the crowd.

‘Hold up you two! I told you before we got here, we’re here to work, not play!’

‘As if!’

‘You sure you didn’t forget to tell us that in the first place, stupid rabbit?!’

‘I’m not a rabbit! And there’s no way I would have forgotten!’

‘I made sure all the guys were there while I explained it!  Everybody else heard me-!’

‘Well then, we must have ended up falling asleep.’

‘Either way, what we don’t know, we don’t know.’

‘You • guys-......!!!’

From far away, I heard the sounds of a fight starting.

The gunshots I’d completely grown used to hearing rang out.....

◦

‘.....Somehow, I feel kind of exhausted.’

‘!? Are you alright, Alice? Shall we rest somewhere again?’

As I murmured to myself in a worn-out sounding voice, the White Rabbit standing next to me worried for me to the point of overprotectiveness.

Although it did make me happy that he worried for me-

(At least half of my exhaustion is because of you too.....)

Dealing with both the mischief-loving Twins and the impetuous Rabbit was completely exhausting.

+++

‘Wow.....’

A sigh of admiration escaped me.

We arrived at the place Ace had told us about after traversing a hill road and making our way up a steep set of stairs.

‘Although the view was already pretty impressive while we were still on the way up.....’

As we looked down, it was red as far as the eye could see.

A type of vivid red that was different from that of Heart Castle, or the colour of blood.

The colour of autumn.

‘It’s so beautiful.....’

Bright red autumn leaves.

A single straight path running through the middle of it.

It was the kind of scene I couldn’t help but become captivated by.

‘Yes, it is beautiful indeed.’

For once, Peter straightforwardly agreed with me.

The scenery was just that striking.

‘It was worth coming all the way up here.’

‘Yes.’

‘Ah, there’s an autumn tree path over there too. Shall we go take a look?’

‘Of course, let us go.’

Gazing at the scene before us for a moment longer, we began to move.

Further in, a gently sloping tree-lined path came into view.

As we headed along that way, the path we came across was different to the one we had just ascended.

(There’s so many fallen leaves.....)

The path we had come up from hadn’t had a single fallen leaf on it.

It was probably because the wind had been so strong as we climbed up.

But unlike that one, this one had fallen leaves on it. Enough red coloured leaves had fallen that the path was entirely covered.

‘These are pretty too. It’s all completely red.....’

(Ah.....)

At that very moment, the time period changed over.

From daytime to dusk.

(It’s red.....)

The already red path was dyed an even deeper red.

The sky, the trees and the path, all of it.

(.....Somehow-)

It was a beautiful scene.

A different type of beauty to the one I’d seen at the cafe Peter had taken me to.

The natural kind, unaltered by human interference.

(-It’s kind of scary)

Although it was very beautiful.....it was almost too beautiful, and that scared me.

It felt like I was standing in the midst of a sea of blood.

(Blood.....)

I suddenly remembered.

What had happened at the Circus not so very long ago.

When the White Rabbit had gotten hurt and shed blood.

‘.....? Alice?’

I held tighter to Peter’s hand as he stood next to me.

At that time, I had been made to realise.

That partings in this world were something that came all too easily.

That there was a possibility that I might suddenly no longer be able to see my beloved Rabbit.

(I don’t want that to happen)

‘What is it, Alice? Are you not feeling well?’

‘.....That’s not it.’

I’d hate no longer being able to see Peter.

Just thinking about it frightened me.

I wanted him to stay at my side.

I wanted to be the one he ran to, always.

‘????’

‘Alice?’

Moved by impulse, I clung to Peter.

Above my head I heard the White Rabbit’s voice sound puzzled.

‘Peter.’

‘Yes, what is it?’

When I called his name, he would always answer straight away.

I wanted him to be this close to me forever.

I wondered if it was wrong for me to wish for such a thing. 

And I thought to myself that perhaps White Rabbit might also wish for the same thing I did.

(.....I’m not just being self-conceited, am I)

Up until now, such a thought might have plunged me into deep self-hatred.

Nonetheless, it was only when it came to Peter that I could say that I wasn’t just being egoistic.

That it would actually be cruel to think that it was just my own vanity.

‘Peter.’

‘What is it, Alice?’

Peter’s hands were stroking my hair.

Gently, and affectionately.

However, it didn’t allow me to feel anything more than that.

And that felt terribly frustrating.

‘!?’

‘..................’

‘Mmn-......’

‘......-‘

‘Alice, are you really alright?’

‘I'm fine.’

‘Then, why......’

His voice sounded uncertain and confused, but I didn’t let him speak further.

Just as Peter sometimes did to me, I stopped up his mouth with a kiss.

‘Peter…..’

(I love you)

I didn’t say it out loud.

Instead, I expressed it to him directly.

Physically, through shared touch.

‘Mnn-.....’

‘.....-’

‘.....Haah-.....’

Although Peter had been bewildered at first, as I continued to kiss him again and again, he went back to being his usual self.

We exchanged countless kisses that made me feel as if I were about to melt from the places that we touched.

‘Alice….’

‘Mn-’

Peter’s arms returned my embrace.

And not only that, I felt the cold air sneak in beneath my clothes. 

‘.....Uuh-’

‘Alice, Alice.’

‘Hah…..’

I began to feel as hot as the air around us was cold.

Peter’s hand touched me exploratively.

Carefully, yet boldly.

‘Fu-.....’

The further he went, the more feverish I became.

The places where we touched seemed to burn.

(Stay with me)

(Even closer, forever)

Despite it being impossible for him to be any closer to me than this, that was what I thought.

No matter how close he was, it wasn't enough.

No matter how much time we spent together.

My anxiety wouldn’t disappear.

‘......-’

‘Peter…..’

An impact, and pain.

For a moment, my anxiety along with everything else flew out of my head.

‘Alice…..’

In order to soften the pain…..and my anxiety Peter kissed me all over.

Strangely, just that was enough to make my anxiety fade.

It didn’t disappear completely, but it was enough that I was no longer consciously thinking about it.

‘I love you, Alice. My dear one.’

The White Rabbit whispered as he lastly placed a kiss at my chest.

Still in the same position, he held me.

Tightly, tightly.

‘I love you, Alice. So very much. I can't help but love you.’

Burying his face in my chest, the White Rabbit continued to speak.

‘I love you…………that’s why-’

(What? What did he say just now?)

His imploring sounding whisper was drowned out by the wind, and I couldn’t make it out.

▲▲▲FIN ▲▲▲

[persy-r-bozo]

Ok so here's what i got for the DHMIS x watership down thingy so far I have the chief and owsla

(Quick watership down lore for my dhmis girlies.♡♡ in watership down the chief rabbit is the leader. In control and overseer of the Warren. Below them is the captain rabbit who's in charge of the owsla. The captain will replace the chief if the chief dies. The owsla is a group of rabbits the number of the group is dependent on the size of the Warren. They look out for danger and take care of warnings and food. Rabbits name thier young off things they see or feel. Animals. Plants. Herbs. Colors. Words. I tried to keep the nature element with the names while also still leading into the origional puppet characters vibe) -what I remember from watership lore-

-THE SCARED WARREN OWSLA- (I doodled them but it's dark and my cameras dookie yall are getting descriptions.)

PATCHES -[RAH] Chief Rabbit (Lesley): a long rabbit with an uncanny feeling a movement to her. She is bigger than many other rabbits and her ears touch the sky. Her fur has many diffrent colors. her eyes share the color of blood, dirt and grass. (Lesleys not a rabbit at all. She's a Hare)

RATEYES - Captain (Roy) : a velvety lop rabbit. Or at least he was. Due to a disease lost patches of his fur and grown horned warts. And due to battles his ears are scraped and scars festering. Dispite his skinny quiet appearance he is violent. And shouldn't be in power honestly

THE OWSLA:

Cloudy (sketchbook): an albino doe with a thick black stripe going down her back.

Passed (Tony): a dark grayish blue buck with black legs and white paws. A black mark on his neck somewhat resembles a bowtie.

Four (Colin) : a strange hyper rabbit with the letter 04 on his haunch.. he says he's from a place where man are most evil. Yet he laughs about it as if it were a joke (I made colin an escaped lab rabbit so he could have wires/odd scars resambleing wires)

Dirt (Briefcase): a hard worker! A brown rabbit with dark spots on his eyes that kinda resamble glasses. He is almost too energetic about his job to the point its annoying.

Tracks (Choo Choo): a very old rabbit. Was most likely part of the owsla even before patches (lesley) joined. Though hes forgetful and weak. Many ask patches to kick him off the owsla but she always laughs and refuses. Some say shes sick and finds it funny how he puts the Warren in danger. others say she might have a soft spot for what could have been her mentor. Though the before is more likely true.

Lightning (Electracy) : a small she that's tears though the hills with speed like no other. She is covered with small dark grey spots. (Ment to reusable screws sorta) her pupils are misshapen. Though she can see normally dispite this. (Her motor eyes were far to iconic to not include)

K yap session over. for now.

I plan on drawing them more throughly maybe. And drawing the normal Warren buns.

[katyawriteswhump]

the power of love, part 13 (steddie, stobin, steve whump fic)

Alternate ending S4: Steve has a habit of surviving near death experiences then getting sick for no reason. And Eddie and those fatal bat bites? After an impossible feat of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation from Steve, he’s mysteriously fixed. So, Eddie’s back to being banished, this time with Steve and Robin in tow. Eddie’s healing, but Steve isn’t… and life gets even more confusing, when Eddie develops feelings for Steve, which aren’t entirely unrequited.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 14

(also on AO3 here and as part of my steve whump fic series)

Steve POV

When Steve’s finished slumping forward and retching, he’s so through with everything.

“You did good with the lightning, kid.” Hopper scrapes Steve’s hair from his face. He’s still got an arm about him, pretty much all that’s stopping Steve collapsing onto the dirt. “Let’s hope we don’t need it again, huh?”

Steve sniffs, takes the kleenex Hopper offers and dabs his lips. As his super-fast breaths finally slow, his brain kicks off: 

I got superpowers! Henderson’s gonna flip! Shame about the glitches, what with the blacking out and puking my guts out. The sound of a rushing river distracts him. He’s been hearing it, on and off, for hours. 

He kneels a little more upright. Hopper gives him some space, passes him some water. “How far exactly have you travelled from Hawkins since the accident at Lover’s Lake?”

The accident? Oh yeah. I died. Twice. 

Steve hasn’t told anyone about his second joyride into the afterlife in the Soviet base. Somehow, being an idiot as a kid is way easier to share. A damp breeze rattles through the trees, slapping him back to the present.

“Steve?” prompts Hopper. 

“I… uh, I played basketball all over the state.” Even after drinking, his voice is a croaky mess. “Swim meets, too. Been a few times to Indianapolis. I was okay.”

Hopper scratches his stubbly jaw, looking almost as bushed as Steve feels. “How okay?”

“To be honest, I was kicked off the starting squad after a couple of the more distant games. Crappy performances, and I got humiliatingly sick on the bus.” It all makes sense now. “I survived.”

“Fine. You’re a tough guy. You’re gonna have to tough your way through this journey. I can’t leave you behind.”

“Eleven survived in the woods for—”

“At that stage, she didn’t have half the US army on her back.” He pats Steve, powerful enough to rock him. “She’d gotten experience with her powers, too.”

Steve can’t fathom if he’s feeling slightly patronised or dead relieved. All he really wants is to lie somewhere quiet and sleep for a year. Instead, he must drag himself to his feet—or, in the event, he lets Hopper do the dragging. He can’t help asking, though: 

“Chief, can you hear running water? Like, loud.”

And getting louder. Niagara loud, in fact.

“No. Why? Can you?”

“Oh… um, maybe not.”

Okay. It’s totally in my head. Why aren’t I panicking harder?

When they reach the Humvee, Robin and Eddie are no longer at each other’s throats. On the contrary, they’re huddled in some deep and meaningful chat. As one, they slam Steve with stricken bunny-rabbit stares, which make him want to laugh so goddamn loud.

During the torturous drive, he sleeps, and his mind drifts back to the Soviet base. He’s caught in that furious red tide, which roars through his aching head. It’s echoed by a caressing whisper: You’ll know when it’s time to go home.

“Yeah, I got it. Shut the fuck up.”

“Rude! Wasn’t saying anything.”

“Huh?” He lifts his cheek from Robin’s shoulder. Her worried, tear-stained eyes overshadow the amusement ruffling her lips. Jesus, I’m breaking my friends! “Dreaming. Sorry.”

He gingerly rolls his shoulders. The side in the sling twinges miserably, and yet… Now he knows he’s gotta ditch the whole bunch of them, the fug of sickness is clearing. He feels better. Much better, in fact.

He keeps the news tight. 

If he plays poorly, they won’t expect him to sneak away, right? Though, the plan pitches him another problem—when he does escape, how can he stop Robin and Eddie coming after him? Eddie, particularly, would be in beyond deep shit if he got taken.

Inevitably, the Humvee gets stuck again. When Hopper asks Steve to take the wheel, Steve grabs up a green army notebook he’d spotted in the footwell, a stubby pencil also. He scribbles fast, between revving the engine.

“Eddie, I love you. Please don’t follow me. Steve x”

I love you. 

Wtf? 

When he’d blundered down that path with Nance, he’d been licking the scars two-and-a-half years’ later. With Robin, of course, things turned out different.

Then Eddie Munson happened. 

To be fair, knowing Eddie as he did now, he doesn’t actually believe Eddie would vomit on the note. Maybe only cackle a while. Either way, Steve would no way in hell obey a love letter, telling him not to follow, from anybody he cared about.

Given recent form, he doesn’t think Eddie would either.

He scrunches the note into his pocket then scribbles furiously at ‘take two’: 

“Eddie, DON’T FOLLOW ME. You make me sick. Steve.”

Jesus, that’s hopeless. You make me sick? He doesn’t mean that, apart from… It’s sorta true. Steve detests it, however, longs to try again. He’s out of time.

He stuffs the second note into Eddie’s pack, as Hopper opens the door. “We’re gonna have to walk from here. Think you can make it?”

“Dunno,” says Steve. For purely tactical reasons. Likewise, he doesn’t volunteer to carry many supplies.

As they trudge their way through the trees, his chances to run aren’t happening. Everybody’s way quieter than usual—edgy, like during that drive in the RV before they faced down Vecna. When he tries subtly falling behind, they all jump to help him. Even worse, they reach the liaison spot way sooner than he expects. Thankfully, for Steve, the car isn’t there.

“Where the hell are they?” Hopper gets out a compass to check they’re in the right spot.

“Because compasses are so accurate near Hawkins,” gripes Steve, his pulse thudding madly. It really is now or never, and why the hell hasn’t he got a better plan?

“We’re far enough out that the gates shouldn’t make a difference, right?” Eddie says.

How do we know? How do we know that Vecna hasn’t swallowed Hawkins whole, while we’re running away pissing ourselves yellow?

Steve bites this back. It’s not like he wants them coming with him. He sits down on the verge, presses his face to his bent knees. Soon as he dares, he gets up again.

“Where you going?” asks Robin, clambering up also.

“I need to pee,” says Steve. Eddie’s on his feet too. Steve can’t look him in the eye, and the words nearly choke him. “I don’t need a babysitter. Shoo!”

He walks back into the forest, upping his pace as soon as the trees obscure him. It’s gonna be a long trek, he’s hardly got any supplies, and he’s got a weird sense that, no, he isn’t gonna get through this time. He follows the sound of the water, because it seems obvious that he should.  

And he feels more torn apart than ever. 

The tug back to Hawkins is overwhelming, but the tug back toward Robin and Eddie? It’s like somebody has wound a thread around his heart, attached it to the pair of them. As he strides farther away, the thread snares tight, like that rope around his wrist did.

He’s annoyed—if not exactly surprised—to hear somebody thrashing through the forest behind him. Robin yells, “Steve! Steeeeeve!” 

He finally locates a small stream, which seems to be the source of the supernaturally loud torrent. He skids down the bank, landing in about three inches of water, and crouches low. 

Go by, Robin. Dammit, turn back.

She tumbles into the stream a yard off, landing on her ass with a loud splash and a louder squeak.

“Uuuuugh!” She takes the hand he offers, and they scramble to their feet together. “Steve, what the hell are you doing?”

“What the hell are you doing?”

She flicks pond scum from her legs and grimaces spectacularly. “Stopping you being an IDIOT! And since when were you not sick? God, I was so worried! Were you faking?”

“You know I wasn’t. I got… fixed.”

“Fixed? Like, HOW?”

He urgently presses a finger to his lips. “Sssssh! Keep your voice down! Look, I don’t know exactly, and I can’t go back. Hopper will make me get in that car.”

“He can’t force you.” Her glare is louder than her voice was.

“Whatever. He and El need to go. You and Eddie need to go.”

“You heard what Hopper said. They’ll torture you for information—they could kill you.”

“Been there, done that, Robin.”

“This isn't funny.”

“You think I don’t know that?” Steve sighs hard, belatedly noticing the stream has breached his sneakers. “All I do know is that I feel more myself already, turning around.” Following the water. “Also, Hop’s right—El can’t defeat Vecna with the military gunning for her. I don’t know exactly what I can do yet, but I have to try, whatever it is. So, please, Robin. Go back. Tell the others you couldn’t find me.”

“Eddie won’t leave without—”

“Which is why I gotta move! Take care, all right?”

He wants to hug her so bad. Instead, he sloshes away.

“Ugh, slow down!”

“Seriously?” He turns about suddenly. She nearly smashes into him and takes the opportunity to get right in his face.

“I am so mad with you! You made me run after you, my butt is drenched, and now you’re making me walk along a horrible ditch, all the way back to Hawkins?”

“It’s the quickest route.” He doesn’t know how he knows, only that he does. He turns around, wades onwards. The damp never bothered me anyway…

“Then why don’t we follow the bank, Steve?”

She has a point. “Oh. Okay.” They clamber up the sides, start following the stream from above. It’s as slippery as the riverbed and overgrown with treacherously tangly weeds.

“Eeeeeew! When this is over,” says Robin, “I am never, ever venturing into the totally-not-great outdoors again.” 

“You don’t have to do any of this, Robin.”

Her latest scowl is more jokey—and fond—than he figures he deserves. “Shut up, Dingus. You know I do.”

Part 14

tags: @estrellami-1 @kal-ology @finntheehumaneater (thank you, thank you, thank you!) If anybody else would like to be tagged on this fic or any of my writing, please let me know :) Reblogs, comments and likes also very much appreciated :) Thank you for reading so far :)

(also part of my steve whump fic series on AO3)

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 14

[1141520851813892291920]

ENT0010

RE: Jonathan Sims, Electronic Reference Specialist (Margaret Usher Library of Discreet & Internal Research).

I am starting to realize that it was...perhaps too hasty of a decision to dismiss Jon's life before as irrelevant. As unreal as it may be - as I continue to believe that it must be - it does hold more clues to a puzzle I still can't quite get the shape of yet. He may have more useful things than computer passwords and library cards to share with me.

Much of his life was so similar to mine, I had assumed it didn't warrant careful review. We grew up in the same area, had the same distant grandmother, the same thirst for books and fascination with the darker side of the paranormal. We both got an A level in drama despite seeing no use for it, and even though he went to Cambridge instead of Oxford, our University experiences were more or less the same. He faired a bit better in the relationship department...

But instead of The Magnus Institute, this Jon caught the attention of the Usher Foundation. He was hired in a seemingly innocuous, if spontaneous, candidate selection process for a consulting research position in an academic library. The interviews were all conducted remotely, his references from the British Museum and his professors were apparently glowing, and his appointment - though perhaps too generously compensated - was not in any way...suspicious.

So far, I've regulated Jon's professional life to a temporarily necessary inconvenience, something that was worth putting up with while I oriented myself and refocused on my own investigations in this New Place [research presently ongoing. I will make a separate post with current theories]. His job was nothing too taxing - largely sitting at his computer and completing various reference requests for an academic research library. It reminded me of the Institute, in a way, in the early days. I do still quite enjoy research, and the library's resources are vast. None of the ongoing work has set off any alarms, nothing too odd - quite a few local history and genealogy requests, tracking immigration and family trees, some specialized scientific questions that were more of a challenge but not impossible, copies of old academic journals and microfiche of old newspapers. A few interesting rabbit holes that sated me enough that I bothered to finish them.

Looking back at the work log...there is more specialized research on the subjects of a more...hah- "spooky" nature: apparitions, manifestations, ESP, astral projection, irregularities in reality, etcetera. It was these topics in particular that Jon spent most of his time on. Most notably, however, these requests only come from three primary accounts: GROBI1 CUSHE1 PSHELL3 [NOTE: While this account was highly active in the beginning, requests stop entirely after 2021.

Jon was under the impression that all three of these individuals were his direct superiors in his department, though it was purely speculation as he had never, in fact, met any of his colleagues in person. His office is located in the university's library depository building, and the only other employees he ever has contact with are student workers or otherwise the depository's building supervisor.

The only one he had actually spoken to outside of emails at all with GROBI1, who sat in on his initial interview and, from what he understood, was the one who hired him. GROBI1...Gertrude Robinson, chief researcher and head of the Midwest Regional Usher Foundation office.

I am...ashamed at myself for not having realized this, or acknowledged this sooner. I have been so reluctant to accept any of Jon's memories for fear of losing my own, a fear I still hold, but how much did he...Know? I searched his apartment again, following the fake memories to hidden caches of what appears to be stolen case files...He was looking into something. I'm not sure what, other than he did NOT trust his employer...some things never change, I suppose.

I feel oddly...nostalgic with this discovery. Once again, I am sitting on the unfinished work of a paranoid archivist working secretly against the powers the be while trying to find my place in everything...or perhaps, this is just proof that things are cyclical. Will the same events unfold, just with different colors and mediums? Will I find myself walking through the remains of a destroyed world, blood drying on my paper hands?

It is a familiar fear that I feel, too, just as nostalgic as anything else. More than that fear though, I feel the rising and demanding hunger. It drives me as Beholding did, pushing driving seeking hunting each precious piece of knowledge into the thorned and venomous thickets of secrets and Things that Should Not Be. I, too, Should Not Be. I am Wrong, here. My presence in this place is a slowly spreading cancer and I have already infected so many around me. I cannot stop. I don't want to...stop.

I will not stop, until I Know what This Is.

[afterdarkprincess]

The Devil's In the Details (But You got a Friend in Me)-Part 1

Surprise I'm back :)

This started from a very cute prompt, which I haven't even gotten to the meat of yet, but it sent my brain down so many fun rabbit holes that this little oneshot I had in my mind has grown.

SO- I've gotten what I think is about a third of what this will be written, and I wanted to go ahead and share.

If anyone would like to be tagged in the rest of the parts please let me know, this will also go up on AO3 when it's completed.

Samijey Endgame AU from the Royal Rumble :)

---

Jey Uso is tired and stressed. Even more than usual. The tag titles are heavy on his and Jimmy’s shoulders, with attacks coming from the whole roster and without any back up, the constant barrage is wearing on them both.

Solo hasn’t been around his brothers much, mostly spending one on one time with the Tribal Chief, doing god knows what. Both Roman and Paul keep assuring him that he’s still the Right Hand Man, but it sure doesn’t feel like it.

Jey trusts his gut, and his gut is saying something’s not right with his little brother, but there’s not much he can do about it with Roman involved.

And it’s not like Roman’s there to back them up either. Not so much as one appearance to strike fear into their opponents.

As for their other backup, the Honorary Uce?

--

Sami put his body on the line for their family week in and week out for months, proving his loyalty over and over again. Finally it caught up with him.

Roman put the man on trial just for him to get his knee blown out taking a hit meant for Jey.

The match was over, with Roman victorious again over Kevin Owens, but of course that wasn’t good enough, parading the rest of them out to deal devastating chair shots to the strung up man.

Roman handed a chair to Sami, a final test, but Sami saw what the rest of them didn’t.

The redhead pushed the tribal chief out of the way before grappling with Drew McIntyre, who’d appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Sami took a brutal fist to the face and was down, Jimmy took his opportunity to go after Drew but suddenly there were more bodies in the ring.

The brawling brutes had joined the fray, seemingly for revenge from the WarGames match.

Jey was distracted with Butch, trying to keep his fingers away from the mangy man and didn’t see Ridge Holland creeping behind him with a fucking bat of all things.

Before he knew it, Sami was pushing him back into the corner, and all he could do was watch as the bat connected with Sami’s knee with a sickening crack.

Jimmy and Solo ran Butch and Ridge back, and Roman took McIntyre out with a spear, but the damage had already been done.

Jey finally got to put a lei on Sami, to welcome him into the family where he belonged. But he had to do it while Sami lay on a stretcher, unable to walk, a smile on his face despite the pain he was clearly in.

It was beyond unfair.

He waited outside of medical with his brothers, anxiously pacing as they checked Sami out. Solo was stone faced as usual, but even Jimmy seemed unsettled.

Finally the verdict came- surgery and at least 6-9 months of rehab. Devastating to a career and similar to the injury that took Jimmy out a few years before. It felt just as gutting as it did then.

He only saw Sami for a brief moment before they transferred him into the ambulance to take him off to the closest hospital qualified to perform the surgery. He looked out of it, eyes bleary and heavy, but Jey grabbed his hand and squeezed it tightly.

“Thanks, Uce,”

There was more he should have said then. But it would take time to piece together the jigsaw puzzle of his feelings, scrambled and jumbled as they were.

He would find more words, later.

As Jey stood in the ring, mic in hand, the friday after the Royal Rumble. The Bloodline had been given a reprieve for Raw due to the injury to one of their own, but even the tribal chief could only get them so much.

He talked about Sami’s bravery, his loyalty and love for their family. How he’d been tested and passed with flying colors. And ultimately, the price he paid for it.

The news of his injury was already known to the WWE universe, the devil moved fast but twitter was faster. Jey reassured the crowd that Sami Uso was a permanent member of their stable, no question about it, his spot on the island of relevancy assured for his return.

The crowd roared, chants of “Ucey” rang throughout the arena. If there were tears in his eyes that was no one’s business but his own.

He and Jimmy fought a match against the Street Profits after that. Jey ended the match with a Helluva Kick to Montez with thunderous applause.

The ride back to their hotel for the night was quiet and solemn, Jey’s eyes never leaving his phone for long. Sami’s surgery had been successful, but he was still resting up in the hospital in Texas while the rest of them were miles and miles away, and it made him antsy to not be there.

There were unknowns. Sami’s home was ultimately Montreal, and since he was out of action for the foreseeable future, there was no reason for him not to return there for his rehabilitation. And Jey wouldn’t have any explicit reason to go visit more than a handful of times when his schedule would allow.

After all, he hadn’t had much cause to pester Jimmy during his recovery from surgery, leaving the tending to of his whiny ass brother to his saint of a wife.

But Sami would be alone, without any family to speak of.

Surely it was the guilt that was eating at Jey, the knowledge that the bat had been intended for him, that made him feel so uncomfortable at the thought of Sami dealing with this alone.

A resolution comes later, when his cousin graced them with his presence on Raw the following week, seemingly there for a promo for the upcoming Wrestlemania match against the winner of the rumble, the newly returned Cody Rhodes.

Roman gave them their marching order for the evening as per usual, before dismissing Jimmy and Solo to address Jey.

His face was impassive as he spoke, “Sami has been released from the Hospital,”

Jey nodded, trying to keep his face neutral. He had to learn the hard way to keep his true feelings from Roman.

“Wiseman has arranged for a house back home in Florida, where he can recover before rejoining us. As my Right Hand Man, I expect you to keep an eye on things.”

It was a gift, an apology and repayment for his behavior at the trial, and maybe even before that. But of course Roman would not admit that outright.

Relief washed over Jey like a wave, but he just grinned. “Consider it done, Uce.”

He had a few days break after that night, so he would see Sami the next day.

Jey woke at the crack of dawn to catch his flight, filled with nervous energy. He’d received the address for the house from Paul, and had been sent with well wishes from the rest of them.

Solo, who’d looked sheepish as he handed over a stuffed bear with the words “Get Well Soon” emblazoned on a heart in it’s hands.

He grunted, “Gonna miss ‘im”

Jimmy laughed, “Me too, Uce. But we can go down, huh? Can’ let this idiot monopolize Sami’s time!”

The silence, so often filled by Sami’s jokes and rambling, was glaring. These months couldn’t go by quick enough. His family is better together, despite their differences.

—

Jey arrived to the house after a trip to the store, getting everything he might need for himself for a few days and a whole bunch of things for Sami.

He was laden with bags as he knocked on the door, trying to carry way too much as usual.

When there wasn’t an answer right away, Jey felt like a huge idiot. Sami just had knee surgery, how the hell was he gonna get the damn door? He started putting down bags, cussing at himself under his breath and feeling around in his pocket for his keys.

The door opened.

Sami stood there, or rather leaned, since his knee was up on a contraption with wheels.

“Hey man, is all this for me?” The ginger joked.

Jey’s frustration melted away at the sound, and he could feel a smile spread across his face as the rest of the grocery bags fell out of his hands. He enveloped Sami in his arms, letting his fingers cling to the back of Sami’s shirt.

They’ve hugged before, several times now, but this was different; more cautious with no rush of adrenaline to fuel it. Jey hung on for what was probably too long, but he couldn’t bring himself to care.

When he finally let go, Jey tried to laugh it off. “Yeah man, gonna get you all fixed up!” Sami moved to help Jey with the bags, but Jey shooed him off. “Got this’-what you doin’ outta bed anyway, fool?”

Sami laughed, “I got a busted knee, M’not dead.”

“You gonna wish you was dead if you ever pull some stunt like that again, Uce! What was you thinkin’ out there?” Jey put the bags down in the kitchen, passing Sami again to grab the rest of the groceries. There was no real heat in his words, but he needed answers.

The ginger looked sheepish, “Look, Jey- the knee sucks, don’t get me wrong, but I wouldn’t change a thing about what I did at the Rumble.”

Jey looked up from where he knelt, eyes fixated on the other man. His heart beat wildly in his chest, and he was trying his best to ignore it.

“Why?”

Sami shook his head, “I saw Holland with that bat- he may have hit my knee, but he was aiming for your head! No way was I letting you take that.”

Jey bristled, “Man Uce, you’ve taken ‘nough hits for me! Know I said you was bulletproof n’all but obviously you ain’t!”

Its an uncomfortable feeling, after the months of giving Sami a hard time about not bleeding for his family, that now he was so upset at Sami throwing himself in harm’s way again. But Jey supposed that came with seeing the man as a brother now. Like Family. Obviously he doesn’t wanna see his family hurt and injured.

Jey had busied himself with putting the items he brought in away, but when he looked up at Sami’s face, it was soft, his expression unreadable.

“Thanks, Jey,” He replied, his mouth curling into a soft smile.

Jey’s damn heart fluttered again, but he played it off.

“Don’ thank me yet, Uce- you ain’t had Chef Uce-ardee’s famous chicken yet! Just you get comfy somewheres’ n’ let me take care of things, right?”

Sami laughed, but carefully set himself down on the couch, turning the tv on.

The sounds of canned laughter filled the small house as Jey got to work prepping the ingredients for dinner. Putting the marinade together for the chicken and setting it up in the fridge to soak in the flavors.

With the prep work done, he started on a light lunch for himself and Sami, nothing show stopping, just some grilled cheeses with some extra protein. (Turkey for Sami and Spam for himself) A staple of his childhood, and an easy meal on the road.

He plated both their sandwiches, and walked back into the living room to be greeted to the sound of Sami’s soft snoring.

Jey knew he probably should just let Sami nap, after all sleep is the best medicine to recover from injuries and stuff, but something in him just wanted a little peek, just to make sure he was okay.

He stuffed half of his own sandwich into his mouth to keep any noises he might make from waking the sleeping man up, but slowly looked over the top of the couch.

Sure enough, Sami lay on his back, stretched out on the couch despite the bulky black brace on his knee. His hands held his phone, clasped together on his stomach as if he put it down for just a moment before nodding off.

His face was relaxed in sleep, his usually expressive face soft and passive, his light eyelashes just barely noticeable against the pale skin of his cheek.

Jey felt an ache in his chest. That brace was there because of him. Sami was here instead of preparing for Smackdown because of him.

Sami might not have any regrets about the Rumble, but Jey sure did. And he would do anything he could to keep Sami safe from harm going forward.

He sat the plate for Sami on the coffee table in front of the couch in case the other man woke up, and pulled himself away to let him sleep.

Jey kept himself busy for the next few hours, getting his bag inside and settled into the second bedroom in the house. Paul had done a decent job picking the place out, it had everything Sami would need, including a small gym in the basement. It wasn’t large, just the two bedrooms and a bathroom with a bath and shower, plus the living room and kitchen.

It was cosy and homey and just right, light streaming in the windows in the hear of the day.

As the sun began to recede in the sky, Sami finally awoke, groaning as he repositioned himself on the rolleraid.

Jey heard him from the kitchen and came in, hands coming up to steady Sami’s shoulders.

“Still not, ugh- used to this damn thing.” Sami grumbled, “M’okay- what time is it?”

“Okay my ass, Uce. S’almost dinner time! Hope you’re hungry.” Jey helped Sami over to the table and adjusted to sit before returning to the kitchen to get the chicken out of the oven.

It wasn’t the same as grilling them obviously, but without a grill here it would do.

He loaded some plates up with the marinated chicken and rice in a big heap, and brought them out to Sami with a big grin on his face.

“Ta-daaaa! Bone appetite!”

Sami laughed at his poor attempt at french, but immediately dug into the plate and groaned.

“Jey-this is good!”

“Damn straight s’good! You got good taste unlike Jimmy.” Jey puffed his chest out with pride, grinning from ear to ear.

He knows his cooking’s good, obviously. But it’s nice to hear it from Sami.

They talk between mouthfuls, Sami catching him up on everything that happened in the hospital during his stay before asking about what happened on the shows he’d missed.

He got a particularly good laugh out of Sami describing how Montez had sold his signature move in their fight the night before.

When they were both done, Jey cleared the plates away, not letting Sami move a muscle. He was here to take care of Sami damn it, he was gonna even their scoreboards.

Jey tidied up the kitchen efficiently before returning to the table, where Sami has laid out some uno cards, clearly set up for a game.

“What we got here, huh?” Jey laughed, sitting down.

Sami shrugged, “Honestly was kinda worried if I sit back down on that couch I’ll fall asleep, and if I can’t beat someone in the ring, might as well beat you at Uno.”

“Oh, them’s fightin’ words, Uce!”

It felt easy to slip into a familiar card game, a typical pastime on the road in their “hurry up and wait” business. Both of their competitive natures coming out, yelling and slapping at each others hands when they both try to lie and cheat to win.

Jey had more fun playing uno with Sami for those hours than he could remember having in a long time. The stress of the business, Roman, all melted away under the soft light in the house and the sound of Sami’s unrestrained laughter.

When finally both of them started yawning and Jey was down to two cards (without cheating this time), Sami caught him off guard by gently covering Jey’s free hand with his own.

“Uce, I just wanted to say thanks. For tonight, for coming here, for the trial, just for being you.” Sami stared into Jey’s eyes, expression earnest. “It means a lot to me, and I just wanted you to know, yeah?”

“Man…” Jey sighed, dropping his gaze to where their hands were joined. “I should be thankin’ you.”

“Jey-“

“Nah- lemme get this out.” Jey swallowed thickly with the emotion that was creeping up. “You done more for my family, for me, than anybody else. You believed in me even when I was actin’ a fool. You don’ gotta thank me for this, I wanna be here for you, Uce. That’s what family do.”

Sami’s smile made Jey’s chest ache. “Family…”

“Yeah, Uce. I know Roman was probably jokin’ back then, but you really Sami Uso now. You stuck with us.”

That earned a laugh, “Can’t say I’m complaining.”

“Damn straight,” Jey grinned. “And you don’t have to prove nothin’ to nobody.”

Sami’s eyes glistened as he nodded. “I like that, ‘Sami Uso’”

“Me too.”

They stared at each other for a long moment before Sami burst into giggles.

“Guess we really ucey now, huh?” Sami teased.

Jey laughed until he could barely breathe.

—

The next few days passed in much the same way, Jey cooking big meals for them to eat (and storing the rest for Sami to eat later) and fussing over Sami in the house as they binge watched TV or played games.

Before Jey knew it, it was Thursday night, the hour way too late for how early his flight was in the morning, but he didn’t want this bubble of time to end.

“You can come back, you know?” Sami teased as Jey yawned for the 5th time in a half hour. “You should get some rest, you’ve got a fight tomorrow!”

“‘Course m’coming back, Sami- Not tired yet.” It was clearly a lie, but he’d rather give Sami a white lie than face the truth that he just wanted more time here with him.

“Sure Uce, and I’m Brock Lesnar.” Sami laughed, and the sound was music to Jey’s ears. “Seriously though, I can’t exactly carry you to bed like this, you’re gonna have to go to bed.”

Jey felt his face heat up as he thought about Sami carrying him to bed bridal style, laying him down softly in bed before lightly kissing-

“-Uce? Hello- earth to Jey?”

Jey was full on blushing, embarrassed at the thoughts he’d gotten lost in.

He stood quickly, “Yeah, you- uh. You right, uce. Yeah, gonna go to bed now.”

Sami looked at him with a curious expression, but didn’t press the issue. “Finally, I’m gonna hit the hey too. What time are you heading out again?”

Jey stumbled out his flight time and said he’d probably be up and leaving around 6.

“Alright, I’ll be up to send you off.”

“You don’t gotta-“

“I do, Jey. I’ll be up.” Sami’s smile was surely meant to be reassuring but it made his heart beat faster.

“Okay,” Jey backed himself up towards the bedroom door. “Uh- Night, Sami.”

“Goodnight, Jey.” Sami pushed himself up to stand and get on his rolleraid to get back to his room, but Jey turned and shut the door.

6am came sooner than he would have liked, but sure enough as he rolled his suitcase out of the bedroom, Sami was there at the table with a cup of coffee and a smile.

They exchanged a quick hug for goodbyes, Jey struggling not to linger in the other man’s arms for too long. He headed out to his rental car, sparing one last glance at the house that felt entirely too much like home for just spending a few days there, before getting in to head off to the airport.

—

More coming soon!

[pico-digital-studios]

Into, Across and Beyond! Scripting: OMH Final Battle

PREVIOUS POST

During One More Hero's climax, the yet-to-be-named Blur Gang (sans OMT!Tails) were sneaking towards the Death Egg site together, each of them looking down at a new docking station not there previously.

EX!Alice: Okay. Nega's got a private elevator entrance from the laboratories to the interdimensional energiser below.

Mini Sonic: Didn't count on having an audience, huh?

They headed down to...

Death Egg Zone - Entrance Salon

Some guests walked past massive banners depicting Sonic: "THE SONIC MEMORIAL FUND".

All except Mr. Needlemouse: You've GOT to be kidding me...

Eggman Nega stepped out, waving to the crowd as the heroes watched from above.

Eggman Nega: Thank you, everyone, thank you! It's lovely to be here this evening to celebrate the legacy of our beloved hero, Sonic. He sure inspired many in his life. Kids love the Blue Blur, don't they? Still do, heh.

OMT!Mina (disgusted): Hmph. What a hog he is.

Mr. Needlemouse: I'm right here!

Mini Sonic: Hang on. Look at how the waiters are dressed. It's in poor taste, but...

He saw some waiters in Sonic outfits, or variants thereof.

Mini Sonic: ...it can't be that easy.

Cut to a moment later with them in fancy disguises and carrying a trolley through the fundraiser area.

Mini Sonic: Yeah, it's that easy.

Eggman Nega: I'm just sorry my grandfather can't see this event tonight.

They carefully weaved through the crowd, soon coming across Johnny as one of the bodyguards.

Johnny: Can I help you?

CR!Sonic raised his fists, though OMT!Mina lowered him down.

OMT!Mina: Yeah, sorry about that. It's our first day on the job and we were just looking for the kitchen.

Mini Sonic: Yeah. We just wanna make a good first impression for the gala tonight.

CR!Sonic raised his fists again, though OMT!Mina yet again lowered them without looking his way.

Johnny: Okay, let's see what you've got on this trolley.

He lifted the croche, revealing Mr. NM conveniently disguised as a pig dinner, with only his quills and ears noticeable amidst the disguise, complete with an apple in his mouth.

Johnny: Hahaha! I didn't know you were really going all out with this tonight. You even decorated the dinner's head with stuff fitting for the gala.

OMT!Mina: Uh, yeah! That's what it is.

Mr. NM briefly coughed up the apple before putting it back in his mouth, and before anyone could see him do so as well.

Johnny: A shame, really. I can't really eat roasted rabbit, or whatever your dish is.

Mr. NM: You don't deserve a cooked rabb-!

OMT!Mina hastily covered the plate up.

Johnny: Well, then. Kitchen's just right through there. Have fun, then!

CR!Sonic: Yeah, thanks!

The group headed off as Johnny sneakily raised a communicator.

Johnny: Yeah, they seriously think we're that dumb.

The heroes entered the kitchen.

CR!Sonic (amused): Oh, they are dumb!

OMT!Mina: They are so dumb!

EX!Alice: Over this way!

They stepped into an elevator leading downstairs. In the energiser control room, Zeena was firing the machine up.

Computer: Initialising primary ignition sequence.

As Eggman Nega entered his office, and the door closed behind him, OMT!Mina used her web-shooters to hoist the guards out of sight and sound. Inside, Nega reached the observation platform.

Eggman Nega: Prepare the ignition sequence!

Zeena nodded, a scientist taking one of Gerald Robotnik's old hairs to sample into a DNA sequence.

Scientist 1: Uploading Gerald Robotnik DNA sequence.

Scientist 2: Beginning scan for dimensional matches.

The energiser fired up, a computer monitoring and calling the machine's status.

Computer: Secondary ignition in 5... 4... 3... 2...

Nearby, the five heroes entered the chamber as the quakes got MUCH worse than before, causing panic back in the city as OMT!Knuckles, OMT!Amy, OMT!Cream and the SIGU Chief took note. In the Death Egg, CR!Sonic and OMT!Mina were nervous about what was coming, seeing the beginning of a dimensional collapse.

OMT!Mina: Sonic, you don't have to stay behind. I can do it.

CR!Sonic: It's okay, Mina. I already made up my mind.

They leapt to the ceiling of the room.

CR!Sonic: I'll put the goober in and take over the controls. Once you're gone, I'll blow it up. Good luck, guys!

They headed forward, and Sonic was about to activate the stick when their super-senses went off.

OMT!Mina: They know we're here!

Zeena leapt down from the ceiling.

Zeena: Nice to see you again, Maurice!

She threw CR!Sonic into the ceiling and pinned him there. The others tried to help him, but were flanked by Johnny and Surge as a joint force. As the dimensional rifts merged, the five fought the three henchmen of Eggman Nega. After Mini Sonic started glitching, EX!Alice made a mighty bound to rescue him.

EX!Alice: I got you covered!

OMT!Mina came flying in, seeing Surge hot on her tail.

OMT!Mina: Urgh... These guys are the pits!

CR!Sonic: Why is this always difficult?!

CR!Sonic struggled to work the device as Zeena strangled him.

Zeena: Any last words, rodent?

CR!Sonic: I-I need a minute to think about it. D-Do you have a pen?

Zeena (smiling sinisterly): Goodbye, Maurice Hedgehog.

Suddenly, she got punched seemingly out of thin air, which CR!Sonic reacted to in surprise.

Zeena: What was that?!

She looked around before seeing OMT!Tails and Kaede leaping towards her.

CR!Sonic: Tails?!

Zeena: Detective Ghost?!

Kaede/Ghost: Take this!

The duo knocked her backwards, letting OMT!Tails catch CR!Sonic as they landed on a balcony.

CR!Sonic: Wow, Tails! You're a professional at this!

OMT!Tails: About time, right?

The others reacted to seeing Tails in action for real.

Mr. NM: Hey! Look who showed up!

EX!Alice (overjoyed): Tails!

OMT!Mina: You figured it out, buddy!

CR!Sonic: I love you, man! I'm so proud of you! (to himself) Do I want kids now?

Zeena leapt back up.

CR!Sonic: Oh, yeah. Forgot about her.

The group notice a box entering the energiser.

OMT!Tails: That doesn't look promising.

Kaede: Sure doesn't.

In the control room...

Scientist 1: I've got genetic matches! Hold on... It's too risky.

Eggman Nega: Shut up and turn it up!

The seven heroes worked together to fight the bad guys as the room descended into pure chaos, and upstairs, OMT!Tails's family of choice and the SIGU were guiding people back out to the mainland.

OMT!Sally: Get to safety, everyone! We'll be right there!

Back in the chamber, fragments of other worlds started seeping through as things got crazier.

OMT!Tails: Guys, are you seeing this?!

OMT!Mina: Looks like our dimensions are coming to us.

CR!Sonic: Looks cool, though, right?

Kaede: We need to get back up there. Hopefully it's not too hard-.

The four quickly leapt out of the way as Zeena threw explosive snowballs at them. Nearby, Mini Sonic and Johnny were in full fist-fight mode, each putting up one hell of a fight before Mini Sonic grabbed Johnny by the legs.

Johnny: Get off of me! If I go down here, my name will be soured in the history of speed!

Mini Sonic: Hasta la vista, sharky boy!

Mini Sonic spun around at ridiculous speeds before lobbing Johnny sky-high, leading him to explode in a flashy style. Eggman Nega quickly entered the room when he saw what was going on.

OMT!Mina: Nega!

Eggman Nega: What's the meaning of this?!

CR!Sonic: The end of your endgoal, that's what, Egghead!

EX!Alice attacked Surge with her hammer, not making the same mistake twice this time around.

Surge: Why, you...! I'll hit you so hard, YOUR HEAD WILL SPIN!

She charged up her electricity and charged towards EX!Alice, before Mr. NM leapt up with a giant boulder.

Mr. NM: Rocks away~!

He threw it on top of Surge, catching her off-guard as the pair took her down as one.

EX!Alice: Alright, Surge! Back to your dimension you go!

They threw her through a dimensional portal.

Mr. NM: Aww, did dat feel like a wittle cartoon to you? (blows a raspberry)

OMT!Tails, OMT!Mina, Mini Sonic and Kaede then turned their attention to Zeena, tag-teaming to take her down as a group. During this, Mina was knocked backwards toward the big beam.

OMT!Tails: MINA!

Tails leapt after her, pulling her back out of danger.

OMT!Mina: I like the metallic sheen of that nanomachine suit!

OMT!Tails: Thanks! I made it myself!

CR!Sonic pulled the duo back to safe ground.

CR!Sonic: Heh, that was adorable, team. Now, hold on tight!

The three worked together to attack Zeena, finishing with Kaede kicking her into a wall.

Zeena: ARGH! ...If these stains don't come off later, YOU'RE ALL DEAD!

She leapt toward them, laughing like a pure maniac.

OMT!Mina: Buckle up, guys! This is going to take a while!

Just as suddenly, a huge truck flew past, hitting her and knocking her out of the fight.

OMT!Mina: Okay, never mind. Let's end this thing!

OMT!Tails was ready to take the lead.

OMT!Tails: I got it, guys.

CR!Sonic: I'll go. I'm the one with the goober, afte-.

He looked in his hand and saw it vanished, before noticing OMT!Tails had it.

CR!Sonic: Oh, come on...

OMT!Tails: Don't watch the mouth, watch the hands!

OMT!Tails did the iconic finger wag, before jumping through the chaos in the room.

CR!Sonic: Tails!

OMT!Mina: Be careful!

Eggman Nega: All defences, stop him NOW!

Lasers fired at him, though he flawlessly performed Kaede's manoeuvre from before, landing near the control panel.

OMT!Tails: Heh, wow. That was crazy.

CR!Sonic: We taught him that, right?

OMT!Mina: I didn't teach him that. And you definitely didn't.

Kaede: Heh, guess he's already learning a lot from me, too. Now, let's go!

They leapt up to join OMT!Tails as the rest of the multidimensional heroes followed.

OMT!Tails: Alright. I got control of the energiser!

He inserted the goober, beginning to disable the energiser's world-ending protocols.

Computer: Alert! Quantum polarity has been disabled!

Eggman Nega looked on in disbelief, FINALLY losing his shit for real and dashing to his Egg Mobile to settle the score once and for all.

OMT!Mina: Guess this is it.

EX!Alice: Well, it's nice to know we're not alone.

OMT!Mina: Yeah.

They looked at each other. They knew they needed to go for now, but part of them wanted to stay. OMT!Tails activated the machine and prepared a portal after entering a code.

OMT!Tails: I got the portal open. You first, Alice.

EX!Alice (smiling): Thank you, Tails. I really mean it. Until we meet again!

She leapt through the portal as a new one opened and that one closed.

Mini Sonic: Er, you guys are the coolest! Well, I'm taking this cube thing with me. I don't quite understand how it works yet, but I'll work it out.

Mini Sonic let go and disappeared. Next up was Mr. NM, holding up two huge mallets.

Mr. NM: You two, I want you to have these.

Kaede: Woah, those are pretty big.

Mr. NM: Don't ya worry! They'll fit in your pocket!

The two took them, putting them away in their equivalents to pockets.

Mr. NM: And with that, that's all, folks!

He leapt into the portal.

CR!Sonic: Wait, can he legally quote that?

OMT!Tails turned to OMT!Mina, for more than a moment.

OMT!Tails: Is it... alright if I say how beautiful you look, Mina?

OMT!Mina: Heh, you know I'm older than you, right? A couple of years, but it's pretty significant, if you ask me.

OMT!Tails: Well, Einstein did say time is relative, right?

OMT!Mina: Heh, nice.

OMT!Tails: ...Friends?

She smiled, giving him a sweet hug close to her.

OMT!Mina: Friends!

OMT!Tails: Hehe, cool!

OMT!Mina: Well, see you around, hero!

She made her departure with an elegant leap, leaving only CR!Sonic to go.

OMT!Tails: Your turn, Sonic.

CR!Sonic (hesitant): Yeah, yeah, right...

The three felt their senses go off as Eggman Nega smashed through the flying buildings to get to them.

Eggman Nega: You're not going ANYWHERE!

CR!Sonic: I'll hold him off! You guys shut the energiser down!

He leapt forward.

OMT!Tails: Sonic, that wasn't the plan!

CR!Sonic: Push the green button! Don't wait for me!

He prepared to charge at Nega, but was quickly hoisted back by Tails and Kaede's enerbeam bracelets.

CR!Sonic: What are you doing?

Kaede: You need to go home like they have!

CR!Sonic: This guy might kill you! I can't let this world's new hero die...

OMT!Tails: Neither can I.

CR!Sonic: It's okay.

OMT!Tails: Yeah, it is okay.

Tails drop-kicked him, holding him over a portal.

OMT!Tails: It's time to go home, Sonic. Your friends there still need you.

CR!Sonic (now sad and scared): H-How do I know I'm not gonna mess it up again...?

OMT!Tails: You won't, buddy. Trust me.

CR!Sonic: R-Right. I gotta take that first step.

Sonic let go, ready to make that change, smiling to his newfound friends as he fell into the portal.

CR!Sonic: Heh, not bad, kid.

This left OMT!Tails and Kaede to take on Nega together.

Kaede: Alright, Nega! It's go time!

They began their attack, with Tails swiping the gun out of Nega's hand.

OMT!Tails: Nuh-uh! That's cheating!

They leapt onto a flying subway train and saw the control panel in the middle of the room.

OMT!Tails: We gotta reach that button.

Nega grabbed OMT!Tails angrily, dragging him into the subway train and attacking him head-on. Fortunately, Tails could predict the hits and fought back, but ran out of energy to do a venom strike.

OMT!Tails: O-Oh, no...

Eggman Nega: Not so easy doing this all on your own, is it?

He grabbed Tails by the neck.

Eggman Nega: I can't wait to kill Sonic's little idiot friend!

Kaede watched helplessly, but suddenly, visions of Gerald Robotnik in multiple universes flashed around them, causing Nega to let go of Tails in shock.

Gerald Robotnik (in different realms): ...I plan to give you a taste of my revenge, once all the seven Chaos Emeralds are collected. Once I initiate this program, it cannot be disabled. All of you ungrateful humans who took everything away from me, will feel my loss, and despair!

Eggman Nega: W-What?!

OMT!Tails: I-Is this what you wanted? To see your grandfather be imprisoned and executed across multiple worlds?

GUN Officer: Is there anything else you want to say?

Gerald Robotnik: No...

GUN Officer: Ready!

Gun shots sounded out as each vision vanished, causing Nega to collapse to his knees in disbelief.

Eggman Nega: N-No! Spare him!

The train was now empty as Kaede and Tails made a dash for it, with Nega leaping out and glaring bitterly at the two.

Eggman Nega: You're not stopping this. Not today.

OMT!Tails: Sorry, Nega, but we ARE stopping this!

Kaede: And we're doing it NOW!

Nega did NOT hold back on pummelling the two, throwing them between flying structures in the chamber as Tails's family and friends watched from the observation tower. And by the end of it, Tails and Kaede were exhausted, finding it difficult to get an edge over the doctor.

Eggman Nega: The real Sonic couldn't beat a malware without giving his life up! You are both nothing! You took my grandfather, and now I'm going to make sure you'll never see EITHER of your families ever again!

Tails was hyperventilating, the trauma from OMT slamming right back into him, giving Nega the opening to throw him and Kaede into the ground. They were close to being finished off, when...

OMT!Knuckles: Tails, get up!

Their eyes snapped open hearing their friends and family rooting for them.

OMT!Sally: Come on, Tails!

Luna: Ghost, please get back up!

Max: Come on!

OMT!Tails: Come on... Come on...

It took the duo a few wobbly seconds, but they managed to get back up again, staring Nega down.

Kaede: There's something important you forgot, Nega. People like us WILL always find a way to get back up!

OMT!Tails: And no matter what life throws at us, unlike you, we'll ALWAYS have our families! Besides, you ever hear of a "shoulder touch" technique?

Eggman Nega: Er, what?

OMT!Tails flew right up close to him, using his tails to boost his height to ensure he'd nail it this time.

OMT!Tails: Hey~!

He put his hand on Nega's shoulder, the energy from his hand catapulting the doctor sky-high. Kaede threw her lasso at Nega's arm, pulling him towards the control panel.

Kaede: Hey, doc! Push that green button!

She slammed him down onto the control panel, nailing the impact and causing the electricity to go into the entire machine and begin frying it. The beam began sucking what it dispersed right back in, with OMT!Tails and Kaede hanging on for dear life, before exploding, blowing everyone in range backwards.

As the smoke cleared, the close ones stood back up, seeing OMT!Tails and Kaede still alive and well, having used the Chaos Emeralds as a last-minute trick to save themselves and those in the building, to which they received applause for saving the world, and by extension the multiverse, together.

That evening, OMT!Knuckles watched Eggman Nega be hauled off to prison to serve his time, as OMT!Sally and OMT!Amy watched as well. Tails came down to their level.

OMT!Tails: Hey, everyone!

OMT!Cream: Tails!

OMT!Sally: Hey, little bro!

The five shared a group hug.

OMT!Knuckles: You know, Tails. What I said back at school, it wasn't just talk.

OMT!Tails: Heh, I know.

OMT!Sally: So, maybe we could find a nice wall, privately owned, and you could "throw" up some of the art you've been doing with Uma?

OMT!Tails: Heh, okay, Sally.

OMT!Amy: Heh, you know, Tails, you definitely deserve a break after all that craziness today. You've done our home proud!

OMT!Tails: Aww, thanks!

Kaede leapt down with Max close by.

Kaede: Knuckles?

OMT!Knuckles: Oh! Detective Ghost! Listen, down there, that was- I mean, we all owe you big time.

Kaede: I'm looking forward to properly working alongside you guys!

OMT!Amy: Us too, Ghost!

Kaede: Heh, just call me Kaede. Just keep that between us, okay?

OMT!Sally: Fine with us.

OMT!Knuckles: Yeah, me too, I guess. I mean, I don't approve of the whole secret superhero style you got going on, but I guess we gotta agree to disagree.

Kaede: Thank you for your bravery tonight, heh, knucklehead.

OMT!Knuckles: Haha! ...Wait, what?

Kaede hoisted OMT!Tails on her shoulders as they headed out to the cheering crowd, their friends and family watching with shared smiles.

OMT!Tails: Thanks, everybody!

OMT!Tails passed the petition sheet back to Crafty who was amongst the crowd, who cheered from getting the required signature count.

Crafty: Yes! We did it!

Daylight: Absolutely impressive, Crafty!

Bobby: Way to go, Crafty!

Naksh smiled softly, applauding her.

Kickroyale: Never thought you'd be able to pull this off, but the kid did it! ...Wait, who are some of the other names on there?

Crafty: As long as it gets the job done, it shouldn't matter.

Picky: Well, let's go get that petition forwarded to the government!

OMT!Tails waved to Crafty to wish her good luck, to which she waved back, feeling confident that her aim to ban AI art could successfully go through. With that, the two heroes continued high-fiving the crowd members.

Bystander 1: Yeah, thanks, Tails and Ghost!

OMT!Tails: Yeah, I'm the new hero, at your service!

Bystander 2: Woo! You go, guys!

At the far end, OMT!Tails and Kaede shared a high-five.

Kaede: You go ahead and have your well-earned break, Tails. You really deserve it!

OMT!Tails: Heh, come on, Kaede. You deserve it too.

Max came by with Luna.

Luna: Heh, he's right, honey. You and Tails have worked so hard this week to save us all, and you definitely deserve some time out.

Max: Yeah! To me, it doesn't matter what style you are, you'll always be my big sis AND hero, Kaede.

Kaede smiled while tearing up, hugging both of her loved ones close.

Kaede: Aww, come here!

Max: Hehehe!

OMT!Tails returned to his friends, holding Sally's hand.

OMT!Sally: How about a trip to Balloon Park as a treat?

OMT!Tails: Of course!

OMT!Cream: Yay!

They headed off together as OMT!Knuckles and OMT!Amy watched, alongside OMT!Robotnik from afar. The multiverse was saved, and they were all proud of OMT!Tails for making that big step and becoming a hero in his own right.

[high-voltage-rat]

The SDF Reliant crew have lowkey just become pseudo-OCs for me at this point. That's kinda what happens when characters have so few appearances in canon, but I still find it really funny how much I've just said "my city now". I decided I want to yell about them, so here's some of the headcanons I've come up with.

In mechquest, houses are the big question all GEARS students grapple with. My HCs on this front, based on vibes and fleshed out with added headcanons:

Starbuck originally kind of just joined Wolfblade because he wanted to look badass, but then found that the house of leaders who value helping others really fit with his love of mentoring other students. It was actually Xaria that convinced him to be bold and apply for his TA position with Denara- which he is forever thankful for.

Sally tends to throw herself into everything she does 100%, burning short and bright. She's prone to hyperfixation- eating the same thing for weeks on end until she gets sick of it, investing herself in yet another hobby that will end up in the hobby graveyard, etc. She wanted people who would match her intensity, so she joined Wolfblade. Now whenever she gets into another rabbit hole she usually is able to find a fellow housemate to "yes, and" her. This is only SOMETIMES a problem.

Dooder, as a certified chill jokester, was naturally drawn to Mystraven. He firmly believes in the importance of fun, and is always finding ways to drag the rest of the crew into relaxing and enjoying themselves every now and then. Sometimes that's a mini prank war, sometimes it's "accidentally" buying too much pizza to eat by himself, sometimes it's dragging everyone to a night out at the SC Lounge.

River doesn't actually know why she felt drawn to Runehawk, at first. Sure, she's always been a bit more nerdy than some of her friends, but she's not really as intensely academic as others in the house. She ends up very glad she joined, however. While she initially didn't put much stock in the house system at all, after the crystal asteroid incidents she discovers she has latent psychic abilities that she has no idea how to regulate. With the help of fellow Runehawks' research, she eventually learns to control her powers and bolster her already impressive piloting skills via their signature mana drive.

In my fic, I also don't plan on having my hero doing 5 different careers: Ravyn is a neurologist AND actively doing another degree, they don't have time to be delivering pizza. Instead:

Dooder works for Mecharoni- he finds the actual pizza-making pretty meditative, and any time customers are assholes he just amps up his chill demeanor until it's genuinely off-putting to whoever he's dealing with. He's the kind of guy who writes jokes or does drawings on the inside of your pizza box.

Sally works alongside the SPD as a conflict meditor and harm reduction support staff. Mostly, she thinks Chief Duncan is an idiot, and decides she can do a better job herself- so she sticks herself into his business and does. She also regularly does supply runs and odd jobs for all the businesses around Soluna- she's weirdly good friends with H.A.L.

River volunteers at the hospital sometimes, but more prominently works for the museum or with Mysterious Johnson to catch ghosts. She regularly invites the others to join her on museum jobs- and they eventually start investigating dusty old ruins together as group bonding 'field trips' whenever they have the chance between missions.

Starbuck has his TA job, and he's very happy with it, but in his early years he also worked for Mecharoni, and also did a brief stint as a stockboy for the Knife and Spork.

Some additional miscellaneous HCs:

Dooder tends to "pack bond" pretty easily- he actually tends to personify his mech, telling it that he loves it and regularly polishing it up nice. Sometimes he sings to it. He cries when it gets damaged and will mourn when it is eventually destroyed. He's had the same shitty pillow since he was like 9 and it's totally flat by this point, but he can't throw it out because it's always been by his side and he doesn't want it to feel abandoned. He would absolutely create stabby the roomba.

Due to the previously mentioned hobby graveyard, Sally has a lot of hidden talents she can whip out at a moment's notice to impress people. She's taken a course in mixology, she did a brief stint in cake decorating, she can knit and crochet and embroider pretty well, she knows how to do carpentry and plumbing, she's done dance lessons in break, ballroom, swing, salsa, tap, highland, ballet- even a few niche cultural dances from other planets. You name a hobby, and there's a 50% chance she's tried it.

River was a track and field star before she attended GEARS. Her long-distance running game was always top-tier, but she also regularly placed podium in sprints and relay events. She finds running to be good for clearing her head, so it's her go-to whenever she's stressed. One can tell how hard a week she's been having based solely on how much time she's spent on the treadmill.

Starbuck really loves giving people (and their mecha) nicknames and callsigns- the second he meets someone he starts watching for inspiration for their new title. Sally's callsign is 'Apple Core' (because of her regular consumption of the fruit in question, plus insisting she's hardcore), River's is 'Bubbles' (a play on her name, plus a joke after she burped loudly over all-hands comm), Dooder's is, much to his displeasure, just 'Dude' (though not enough displeasure to accept the alternative of 'Doughboy').

Sally runs competitive arm wrestling tournaments (mostly populated by Wolfblades). She manages the betting pools, and always throws her hat in the ring, too- only to be obliterated every time. Defeat only makes her try harder next time.

Dooder doesn't like to sing in front of other people- unless he's drinking, then he just won't stop. He has a really nice voice, but gets embarrassed if anyone tries to bring up his singing to compliment it. Everyone always looks forward to him pulling up to karaoke nights at the SC lounge.

Starbuck is notoriously bad at drawing- during his tutorials, any time he attempts to draw something on the blackboard, students make a game of "guessing" what he's trying to do like a game of pictionary. He's actually considered using stencils, but "Starbucktionary" has become too beloved, and the students would riot if he did.

River is a closet foodie. She cooks really well, but is a perfectionist who finds it very stressful, so doesn't do it very often. She's often on the hunt for new places to eat, though, and will try pretty much anything once. She keeps a notebook of reviews for different dishes at the places she frequents- though they're just for her personal benefit. She's still searching for the best steak in Soluna City.

[hollie911]

This is not my work. It is by the user constantwriter85 whose account had been deactivated on tumblr and ao3 and i am just sharing their work

The devil you know

Vampire!jefferson x reader

Part 10/10

**October 31 st, 2020 – Halloween Eve**

“Trick or Treat!”

Three sets of gleeful eyes peered up at Jefferson, and he chuckled.

“Oh my, how delightful! Let’s see…Alice in Wonderland, the White Rabbit, and…my goodness, are you the Mad Hatter?”

The boy blushed, but he beamed proudly. “Yes, sir, he’s my favourite.”

Jefferson chuckled as he dropped the candy in the children’s bags. He leaned down and whispered loudly to the child in the Mad Hatter’s costume.

“He’s my favourite, too.”

Jefferson was laughing to himself as he closed the door and set the bowl on the stairs. You peeked your head in out of the kitchen and he walked in.

“This has been great fun, it’s a shame they didn’t have something like this when Grace was little. I could just see her, the little hellion, hopped up on a sugar high and running down the boulevard in her costume.”

You smiled. Jefferson had told you everything that had happened during the transformation, including his “trip” to see Grace. You were so glad that he’d finally gotten the closure he needed. Now he was able to speak of her with happiness instead of sorrow and regret.

He came up behind you, wrapping his arms around your waist. A sizzling kiss to the underside of your jaw, and he nipped the sensitive spot. You moaned softly and twisted, searching for his lips greedily.

Jefferson’s hands drifted down to your thighs and he lifted you, setting you on the counter. The sound of his name murmured from your lips drove him further, lustful kisses trailing down to your collarbone as his fingers inched up your thigh, slipping under the hem of your sweater. He grinned.

“You naughty little thing…if you only knew what you do to me.”

“You’re not sick of me yet?”

Jefferson snorted and kissed you hard, as if to prove it. “Never, darling. I’ve waited a century for you, I just didn’t know it until I met you.”

“One year ago, tonight.”

“A kiss that set my soul aflame,” he said, licking at your lips. “You bewitched me then, Y/N, body and soul…and you still do.”

The doorbell rang, interrupting his sinful exploration of your mouth. You growled. Jefferson hummed and nipped your jaw.

“Duty calls, my dear.”

He pecked you once more on the lips, then went to answer the door. Still reeling from his attentions, you turned back to the sink. As you dipped your hand back into the soapy water, a pair of rings glittered from your left hand.

You and Jefferson had made it through approximately two months of “courting” before he broke down and proposed. Your parents had been surprised, but Jefferson was nothing but a charmer and a gentleman, and they approved wholeheartedly. The wedding had been beautiful, held right there in Storybrooke.

From there, you traveled. Taking a leave of absence from work, you’d seen the sights and done the things Jefferson had only dreamed about, after years of wandering lost and alone in the darkness.

Jefferson was like a new man unleashed upon the world. His enthusiasm and stamina were unparalleled, and you had never felt quite so alive. In truth, you’d felt like you’d been asleep your whole life, reborn and awakened the moment you’d bonded with him.

Your life since then had been happily domestic. The spark you felt for him that first day had turned into a raging inferno that time hadn’t dampened one bit. Jefferson doted on you, spoiling you with displays of his affection while still encouraging you to pursue what made you happy. He lifted you up, gave you confidence, and you loved him all the more for it.

You still worked at the morgue. In fact, Dr. Whale had retired a few months ago, promoting you to Chief Coroner. The hours were infinitely better, allowing you to finally shift to a normal work schedule. Jefferson had decided to open up a small used bookshop in town, right across the street from Granny’s. It did a fair trade, and most of all, he was happy.

Mrs. Conrad hadn’t stayed on too much longer after the night the curse was reversed. Other wayward souls to guide, she said. You had both begged her to stay—the mansion was huge, but she refused to hear it. She still visited from time to time, although she also said she hardly needed to check in—you had Jefferson well in hand, according to her educated opinion.

“Well, that’s the last of them, I imagine…it’s getting quite late,” Jefferson said, interrupting your thoughts. He turned off the porch light and blew out the jack-o-lanterns decorating the steps. His brow furrowed when he saw the look on your face.

“Y/N? Are you all right?”

You smiled at him as you dried your hands. “Perfect, love. I was just lost in thought…everything that’s happened in the past year.”

“Yes, it is a bit dizzying when you think of it like that.” He tenderly rubbed his thumb across your cheekbone. “Come, sit with me by the fire, I want to cuddle with you.”

“Okay, just let me go change first.”

As you changed out of your jeans and sweater, you smiled. It was that soft, inward smile that all women get when they’re carrying a happy little secret.

You pulled out the ultrasound picture, and held in in your trembling hand. The other rested against your abdomen, and you bit your lip in excitement.

Your first appointment had been today—you and Jefferson had been trying for a few months, and although you got the initial confirmation a couple weeks ago, you’d kept it from him until you could be absolutely sure. You didn’t want to get his hopes up.

Carefully tucking the ultrasound back in the envelope, you bounded down the stairs where the love of your life was waiting for you. Jefferson was stretched out on the couch, his hair a little rumpled and the top two buttons of his collar undone. He grinned playfully and patted the empty space next to him. You wanted to devour him right on the spot, but first…

You slid in next to him and held up the envelope. “Trick or treat.”

Jefferson took it, frowning. “Darling, what’s—”

For a moment, he just stared at the picture, and the only sound in the room was the crackle of the fire in the hearth. Then his eyes widened when he realized what it was.

“Is…is this…are you…”

You nodded, smiling as your eyes burned. “I’m pregnant.”

“H-How long have you known?”

“I’m about eight weeks…I wanted to make sure everything was okay before I told you. I didn’t want to get your hopes up. I’m sorry, Jefferson.”

“Don’t be, I’m just—god—I feel like I can’t breathe, I’m so happy!” He laughed, taking your face in his hands and kissing you. “I don’t know whether I’m going to cry or faint, or both!”

“Please don’t,” you laughed. “Just kiss me again.”

He hummed and did as you asked. Your forehead, your cheeks, the tip of your nose and the curve of your jaw, nothing went untouched by Jefferson before he finally settled his lips against yours in a wildly passionate kiss that nearly incinerated you on the spot.

Finally he pulled back, resting his forehead against yours and looking at you as if you were the most wonderous creature he’d ever seen. Gently, as if you were made of glass, Jefferson placed his hand flat against your belly, feeling the subtle curve there.

“So…everything truly is all right, then? You’re all right? And…th-the baby? They made sure?”

You nodded smiling at his concern. “Everything is coming along just fine. I even got to see the heartbeat today. If you come with me next week you can see it for yourself.”

Jefferson nodded. He looked over at the picture of Grace on the side table, and his lips twitched in a bittersweet smile. When he looked back, you were startled to see the tears starting to brim his eyes.

“Sweetheart, what—”

Jefferson shook his head, his bottom lip quivering as he kissed you again. “You’ve given me another chance, Y/N. Another chance to live, to be happy, and now…a chance to be a father again. A chance to have a family with you.”

He pulled you into his arms and nodded to Grace’s photograph. “I know she’s looking down on me, and right now, she’s smiling. I can feel it.”

“Oh, Jefferson.” Your own eyes were starting to burn.

He pulled you even closer and kissed the palm of your hand, settling it over his heart.

“You’ve made me so very happy, Y/N…I’m the luckiest man in the world, to be able to call you my wife. I love you, my darling girl.”

“I love you too, Jefferson.”

Outside, the last of the ghouls and goblins ran back home with the spoils of another Halloween as the former vampire and the coroner curled up together in front of the roaring fireplace, lost in each other’s embrace. They had their whole lives ahead of them, and Jefferson was truly free at last. Free from the demons of his past and the curse that bound him to it, free to live, free to love, and free to start a family with the woman he loved more than life itself.

And so they lived, happily ever after.

Tags:

@learisa

[dream-meister-translations]

THE TALE OF FOOD

MOONLIT CONFESSIONS - PART 12

━

I see, I finally remember now. Its true identity is...

-

TGII : My Master!

ROBO BUNNY : You're here. How goes your study of 'Artificers' Record'?

TGII : I have finished reading it and completed my practical tasks for the month. But they have been putting me to work developing continuously-firing ballista, blades that explode upon stabbing someone...I am a little...confused.

ROBO BUNNY : The plan laid down by the Great Lord and the other elders will of course be for the good of the Micians. Don't worry too much.

ROBO BUNNY : Oh yes, I must leave the Micians for a while.

TGII : To carry out that secret mission? Where are you headed?

ROBO BUNNY : When you've made it into the School of Theoretical Research, you'll know. But, this is a risky business I'd like to keep you out of.

-

THE GREAT LORD : Just as I wrote in my letter, the construction of the mechanisms and theoretical research will take place concurrently. Your task is to hasten the splitting of Guanghan Palace and free up space for us to occupy with our man-made space.

THE GREAT LORD : The School of Theoretical Research will also be putting in the finishing touches to its research into man-made spaces.

TGII : Was Master also involved in this secret research project? I haven't seen him in a very long time.

THE GREAT LORD : ...Your master is still bound by his duty to his mission and has yet to return.

THE GREAT LORD : Go, my child. Do not disappoint us.

-

TGII : Hngh! The energy of this explosion...Is nothing like what they described!

My chest component has been damaged and the gears inside my cranial casing have ceased to turn. The machine oil is overheating, damage to conductor wiring is imminent...No, I have to cling to a drifting object to evade this!

TGII : Others? Did they die?

TGII : Ow! My skull...Something inside seems to have ceased functioning. I...What am I doing here...

He stumbles about, coming to lean at last on a drifting Osmanthus tree, sailing through the deserted sea of stars.

TGII : Why is a toy rabbit hanging from an Osmanthus tree?

TGII : No, this is no toy, it's a defunct robot.

TGII : It's out of machine oil, its body appears to have been damaged by a small-scale explosion. What a sad sight. Let me repair it and create a few more robo-bunnies to keep it company.

-

ROBO BUNNY : You've finally recalled it all.

ROBO BUNNY : Then do you understand why I did what I did?

A veritable thicket of robotic arms extend from a few Osmanthus trees, almost as though they were the fanatic disciples of the blooms of evil.

Four small humanoid silhouettes sway under the starlit sky, suspended in midair. Their struggle causes the arms to become even more animated.

TGII : What? How could you...!

ROBO BUNNY : I am thoroughly tired of the human race.

ROBO BUNNY : The Micians' research on artificial space failed. We, the robots on the front lines, were abandoned in this sea of stars for dead, left to degrade and lose our memories to the march of time.

ROBO BUNNY : They called themselves the chiefs of all that lived, created us. Yet they abandoned us so easily. The life that they gave us means so little to them that they both think little of it, yet also fear it.

The Mician insignia on his arm carries the prominent lopsided gash. The strength that went into the action only underscores the force of the emotions behind his decision.

ROBO BUNNY : From the moment I was born, I was a tool...I'd like to try making humans my tools for a change.

ROBO BUNNY : You must make a decision. As long as you will work with me, I'll put them down.

[handfulofmuses]

🗣' + Vervain

I can't find the meme for it right now and I have been working on this since days, but I am still not completely happy with it but imma post it now and edit later. Warning that this may all over the place or might not make much sense at times.

Deceitful, sneaky little bastard. Vervain is actually one of my favorite characters in the TV series. As a character, I think he is quite interesting. Especially since I said before: What Vervain lacks in strength, he will make up for with his cunning mind and I don’t think he gets the appreciation he deserves for that. Neither by Woundwort or the fandom.

Just because he is not much of a fighter doesn’t mean he is useless, far from it actually. Vervain has other strengths. His sharpest tool was always his mind. Vervain is someone who plots while others carry out what he can’t.

Had the general paid more attention towards that and actually listened to Vervain, maybe things could have been different. Unfortunately he is so obsessed with fighting so he only pays attention to the cowardly aspects of Vervain sadly.

It was his idea to trade the Redstone Warren rabbits for Silverweed. He and Woundwort wonder how to get Silverweed since kidnapping him will be quite the trouble but Vervain immediately thinks of a solution.

Turns out Campion is a traitor the second time, Spartina lies where the warren is located. Campion says that’s where it is and he points out after Campion is dragged away that he doesn’t break that easily, figuring out that Spartina was lying to them as well. Immediately finds a way to prove it too.

When Spartina, Blackberry and Campion are supposed to get punished by death? Vervain points out they will lose the only rabbits who know where Hazel’s warren is. Campion is the only one who gets dragged away, pressured to locate the warren unless Spartina and Blackberry will die as well.

Instantly catches on that there was something between Hazel and Primrose. He is observant. He knew Primrose was planning something and he was right.

I want to point out that Woundwort ordered him to keep an eye on Bigwig because Woundwort thought something was fishy and yet even there, Vervain received the shorter end of the stick for only following orders.

Now, Vervain is deceiving himself, so it makes sense that he would be able to sniff out a traitor easily.

A lot of his behavior makes sense thanks to his upbringing in Efrafa. Everything he did, it was always just for his chief rabbit. While yes. Vervain can be awful. a lot of his behavior I blame Woundwort for. Half of the time, it always circles back to him, though his own pettiness and distaste of being overshadowed play a factor too.

A leader has to be an example for his people but Woundwort was far from being a good one.

Woundwort, as we see with Pipkin and Hickory, can be manipulative. Woundwort drived his Owsla to exhaustion only to find out where the outsiders live. Woundwort has no troubles leaving someone to die if they are no longer of use to him. Insults others as incompetent when they fail as we see with both Campion and Vervain. Calls them fools. Goes “And you call yourself Owsla?!” When they fail.

Vervain took all his worst traits. He is manipulative. He drives other rabbits to exhaustion so they can find Hazel’s warren because of the fear of punishment that follows if they don’t. He leaves other rabbits behind to die if they pass out from exhaustion. Insults Moss by calling him inept for stepping into a trap. Also calls others fools.

Woundwort yells at them that they won’t rest until he gives the command. Vervain scolds another rabbit that he rests when he tells him so and not before. When Campion notes that he is exhausted, Vervain only responds that he is Owsla and better acts like it.

Him constantly insulting others is likely just to get his own frustrations out, to make himself feel better.

Vervain never did anything without reason or for the heck of it. Because all he ever did was following the rules of Efrafa or Darkhaven.

He is not snitching for the sake of being a snitch. He does not point fingers randomly. Vervain is smarter than that.

Primrose, Blackavar, Campion, Blackberry, Spartina? All he relies on is his gut feeling that they are up to something, but he can’t prove anything. So he is sneaking around, trying to gather proof before bringing it up to the general. That’s what makes the episode where everyone thinks he has gone insane even sadder - because Vervain usually doesn’t go crazy like that.

I used to like that episode because it was fun, and to some extent I still do but I feel like there would have been better solutions than making other rabbits think Vervain has gone insane. It's definitely not fun when he is telling the truth but he is made out to be insane. I don’t mind Vervain getting a taste of his own medicine, it’s just the way it was handled. It also falls back on Woundwort himself. If he has doubts, then why not stop it? You are the chief and your captain refused to listen. You just let him go on despite Vervain saying he will find out the truth even if it kills him.

Not to mention Moss knows that Vervain just doesn’t do things without reason. Vervain escapes later. comes back when he finds out where Hazel and the others have been. Moss is the one willing to hear him out - and I do like that detail. Campion might be favored over others, but Moss points out that Vervain doesn’t come back without reason, not when he knows what kind of punishments awaits him. And I do like that detail because that way it isn’t one sided.

I also want to mention that Campion was going to get arrested either way. When Campion doesn’t even show up, Woundwort just told Moss to put Campion under arrest for neglecting his duty, not even bothering for Campion to return and hear him out. I like that, actually. Because while he favors Campion, he doesn’t get the luxury of special treatment.

You know what makes me sad? That he is entirely dependent on General Woundwort and thinks his life belongs to him.

The wanderer went really hard with Vervain. He was attacked by predators left and right, desperately apologizes to Aspen for ditching him and then ends up in a wire and almost drowning.

Primrose is entirely valid in not wanting to help. She has suffered the most under Vervain, he dragged her away from her warren. She absolutely does not owe him anything anymore.

What surprised me, however, was that he realized what kind of rabbit he was and refuses to beg for his life further after Holly and Primrose do not want help him. I expected him to beg but I think he realized that he does not deserve it.

And he is genuinely grateful when they decide to help. I’m still convinced the small and weak thank you was meant for Primrose. He was going to take that second chance. He was free.

Unfortunately?

“Master. I live to serve you.”

That always made me sad because it didn’t had to be that way. But after getting attacked left and right, everyone else hating his guts for understandable reasons, Woundwort is all he has left. Joining up with him again was nothing more than a survival tactic. And after ditching him, it was best to avoid his wrath even further.

Vervain is my favorite in season three. It was nice to see how he acted without Woundwort and most importantly - I do like that sassy attitude he shows, even towards his chief rabbit, something he wouldn’t have dared in Efrafa. When he has enough? He has enough and you will know.

Vervain deserved better. In his own way, Vervain was loyal to him, even when it was only out of fear. He always had the shorter end of the stick, even when he was trying to cheer up Woundwort with his general being all knowing and what not. No matter how hard he worked. Vervain suffered under his reign just as much as everyone else.

Woundwort dismisses him so quickly in season three when he notes how Campion is still a traitor and that Blackberry could be too. Says he is wary of his suspicions. At this point, his hate for Campion has nothing to do with jealousy anymore or being overshadowed by him. Imagine the guy who was spying before attempts the same thing twice and your general believes him a second time, no other questions asked. That would drive anyone crazy.

Flatout tells Vervain that Silverweed is more valuable to him.

With everything that happened between them in season three, and the whole thing where he thought Vervain has gone insane, I wish there had been something where Vervain finally ended up betraying him. He deserved it. Not because he ended up liking the outsiders, not because of the goodness of his heart - but because he hated everyone else and was just so done with it. Unfortunately, he is too much of a coward to go against Woundwort.

He deserved better. He was a scumbag who’s rank often got to his head but in season three it really didn’t had to be that way. He was offered a second chance but his chief rabbit made a return.

[pepper-steam-milkshake]

Timeline of Pre-ADA Dazai-Centric Events

Okay, so. I have fallen down the research rabbit hole yet again. I thought, “hey, I’ll write some Dazai POV to get into his head so I can write him better! Let me just do some research first!”

...That was my first mistake.

Anyways, here’s a timeline of Dazai-focused events from before he joins the Port Mafia up until he leaves it. I didn’t go further because I mostly wanted to focus on Dazai prior to his joining the ADA.

WARNINGS: This timeline mentions suicide, torture, violence, death, etc. I imagine if you’re reading this, you’re a BSD fan and already familiar with the content of it, but doesn’t hurt to mention it.

SPOILERS: This timeline contains spoilers for the following:

MANGA

Bungou Stray Dogs Main Manga

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old

DEAD APPLE

LIGHT NOVELS

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old

The Day I Picked Up Dazai

Stormbringer

DEAD APPLE

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era

ANIME

Season 2, Episodes 1-4

Season 3, Episodes 1-4

DEAD APPLE

Hopefully I’ve covered all my bases. If you don’t want spoilers for ANY of those, I would NOT read this, because it absolutely goes into detail.

--

0. At some point, the Sheep offer for Dazai to join them, which he refuses.

(Dazai Osamu) "A long time ago, I was invited to join the Sheep. Of course, I refused."

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter One

WOLF WITHOUT SHEEP’S CLOTHING: There is not a specific time mentioned for when Dazai was given said invitation, but it has to occur before the events of FIFTEEN. It’s very possible this offer was extended prior to even meeting Mori, but without more info, it’s not entirely clear. The offer was not given by any on-screen members of the sheep (Shirase, Yuan, etc), as they do not recognize him when they see him with Chuuya. Based off info from Stormbringer, it was probably some time between the age of about seven to fourteen.

The Sheep were initially founded by orphans as a mutual aid organization...

(Shirase Buichirou) “Back then, the organization was still small.”

Stormbringer, Code; 02

For reference, Chuuya joined the Sheep early on, and that was after Rimbaud and Verlaine broke him out of the government at age seven.

--

1. Dazai meets Mori Ougai after attempting suicide at the age of 14.

It was a year ago that the two became destined collaborators. Mori, who was the chief physician, and Dazai, who was just an attempted suicide patient...

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter One

DAZAI’S AGE: At first, I thought, ‘wait, Dazai might have been 15 during the assassination’, since it says it was a year ago give or take. I wasn’t 100% sure; however, there is a quote (listed below) that does in fact confirm that Dazai was 14 when he first met Mori.

--

2. Dazai and Mori then immediately decide to kill the current Port Mafia boss within the next 24 hours.

...had collaborated to carry out a secret operation: assassination of the head of the Port Mafia...

A 14 year old boy was there. It happened in front of Dazai’s eyes.

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter One Screenshot from Season 3, Episode One

NOT PORT MAFIA YET: So, at this point, Dazai is now a witness for Mori’s killing the Port Mafia boss, and also for him being “officially recognized” as the boss’s successor. He is not officially a member of the Port Mafia at this point.

--

The next few events occur during the time between this point and FIFTEEN.

--

3. Mori has at least one attempted assassination. It fails, and the traitors are killed.

Already this year, two members had made an assassination plan for Mori. Of course, the traitor was executed...

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter One

--

4. Dazai repeatedly tries to kill himself, and Mori stops these attempts.

(Mori Ougai) “How many times do you think I stopped your suicide this year?”

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter One

MORI’S MOTIVATION: Mori has stopped Dazai from killing himself for two stated reasons: one, because of the mentioned assassination above, and two, because he wants Dazai to be his right-hand man. (ASSUMED: Take over the PM in the future?)

--

The following are events from FIFTEEN.

--

5. Dazai gets his first Port Mafia job from Mori.

(Mori Ougai) “This is your first job. Welcome to the Mafia.”

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter One

MAKING IT ALMOST “OFFICIAL”: This line implies that by Dazai taking the mission to see if the previous Port Mafia boss is actually alive, he is going to join the Port Mafia. A later line in FIFTEEN contributing to this:

(Dazai Osamu) “Finish this job safely, join the mafia.”

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter Four

--

6. Dazai meets Hirotsu.

Dazai raised his face and spoke to the escort mafia walking behind him... “...Um...”

“Hirotsu.” The escort mafia responded...

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter One

OLDER GENTLEMAN: It is implied that this is the first time that Dazai meets Hirotsu by the fact that Dazai didn’t know his name. There’s also the context clue of the fact that Hirotsu didn’t seem to recognize him outside of him being the witness for the previous PM boss’s death. Hirotsu is initially very distrustful of Dazai. Dazai appears to have some level of respect for him, as we are informed that he asked for Hirotsu specifically to be his escort.

--

7. Dazai meets Chuuya.

The next moment, something hit Dazai’s torso without any warning...

Something was on top of Dazai, the same thing that hit Dazai a while ago and blew him away--a black figure.

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter One Screenshot from Season 3, Episode One

NOT SHOWN IN ANIME: Dazai actually rolled down a hill, smashed through multiple huts + a fence due to the attack from Chuuya, and then Chuuya proceeded to beat the shit out of him while interrogating him for info. Also, a decent amount of mafiosi show up alongside Hirotsu when he goes up against Chuuya, which implies that Mori had people tailing them just in case things went sour.

Dazai’s ability was also only triggered if the subject is touched. His ability blocks and negates the triggering of all abilities--the ultimate anti-ability. There was no exception to the invalidation.

DAZAI’S ABILITY: I thought that the above description was interesting. Prior to this, Chuuya’s ability was explained, which mentioned that he could “change the direction and force of gravity as long as the object touched was somewhere on their body.”

--

8. Dazai makes a bet with Chuuya to make him his dog for life. He wins.

(Dazai Osamu) “...let’s have a contest to see who can catch the culprit first... But if I win, you’re my dog for life.”

(Nakahara Chuuya) “...Bring it on...”

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter Three Screenshot from Season 3, Episode Two

DON’T MAKE BETS YOU CAN’T WIN: This may not seem important, but considering it involves the status of what could be considered one of Dazai’s subordinates, I think it’s relevant.

“You and Chuuya-kun had a bet.” Randou said. “In that case, you won. Since you found the culprit first.”

“Thank you, Randou-san.” Dazai smiled.

Several lines later...

(Nakahara Chuuya) “--ound you!” There was a violent shout. “I win the bet with this scheming bastard! You’re the culprit!”

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter Four Screenshot from Season 3, Episode Two

HEY, THAT’S NOT FAIR!: Chuuya, of course, says that since he didn’t finish explaining that Randou/Rimbaud is the culprit, Chuuya won instead. (This is more spur of the moment, however; Dazai continues to push this.)

--

9. Dazai and Chuuya defeat Rimbaud.

Blood invaded Randou’s respiratory tracts and overflowed from his mouth. He fell face first towards his won pool of blood with a wet noise.

Obviously--it was fatal.

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter Four

--

10. Dazai joins the Port Mafia and is given power of the army.

“...When I said I was joining the mafia, Mori-san was so pleased he jumped up and down... I was given command of this unit and forced to do my first job.”

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter Five

IT’S A LITTLE DIFFERENT: If you watch the anime, Dazai does not actually state that by this point, he is officially in the PM. He simply tells Chuuya that he is here to recruit him by Mori’s orders.

--

11. Dazai makes Chuuya join the Port Mafia.

Screenshot from Season 3, Episode Three

THAT’S LOYALTY FOR YOU: Dazai forces Chuuya to join the Port Mafia by holding the Sheeps’ lives at stake, while also ensuring that the Sheep don’t trust Chuuya anymore. Yikes!

--

12. Dazai meets Q and is informed that his next job involves them.

Next to Dazai was Mori in a white coat and a small child holding a doll.

“Hehe, I’m Kyuusaku! Hey, wanna play? Wanna play?”

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Epilogue Screenshot from Season 3, Episode Three

HE’S LITERALLY BABY: Mori tells Dazai that his ability nullification will help in showing the true form of the ability. As we all hear about later... this cannot end well.

--

13. If Q is Dazai’s next job, we can probably assume that the event where Dazai ends up imprisoning Q happens sometime between FIFTEEN and Stormbringer.

Screenshot from Season 2, Episode Seven

Unfortunately, there is no true confirmation about when everything with Q goes down, but going by the fact that we don’t hear anything about Q again until in the main series (Season 2, Episode Seven being his first appearance), it can probably be assumed that it happened not long after his introduction to Dazai.

--

With that, the events of FIFTEEN come to an end. Things get a little fuzzier here, because now, we have The Day I Picked Up Dazai. I was going insane trying to figure out where this fits in, because it goes somewhere between FIFTEEN and the Dragon’s Head Conflict... but so does Stormbringer. The only reason that I think it could fall after Stormbringer is thanks to Side B, where Dazai drops that he is a Port Mafia Executive:

(48 member) “You... who the hell are you? How can you do this?“

(Dazai Osamu) “I’m a Port Mafia executive.”

The Day I Picked Up Dazai, Side B

...in the BEAST universe, which doesn’t necessarily mean he’s one in the OG universe.

Then, I did more research. Dazai doesn’t become an executive until after the Dragon’s Head Conflict, as he and Chuuya discuss the candidacy for becoming one after one of them is killed. So, that quote above is completely 100% irrelevant!

HOWEVER. When reading Stormbringer, Dazai is in the pits of despair and flatly states to Verlaine:

“I want to see the Port Mafia burn.”

“Because I’ve grown bored with it... In the end, I didn’t find anything.”

Stormbringer, Code; 02

After meeting Oda, he wouldn’t react like this. Therefore, it only makes sense chronologically for Stormbringer to come first.

The tears I’ve shed in the past several hours trying to figure this out. Good lord. Anyways. Stormbringer time.

--

14. In the year after he joined the Port Mafia, Dazai crushes organizations, creates new trade routes, etc. He’s been busy.

It’s been one year since he’s joined the mafia. Dazai commanded a secret unit under the boss’s direct control... A number of organizations have been crushed, and a number of new trade routes have opened up.

Stormbringer, Code; 02

HE’S “KILLING” IT: Career-wise, Dazai is doing great! Mentally, he is incredibly ill. It is stated that he is one of the most successful mafia members at the moment simply due to how quickly he has progressed. He also handled the gem trade before it got handed off to Chuuya:

“Wow, so confident. You’re in the gem trade? Sounds like it’s going pretty well.”

“Oh, I know. Before you took over, I was in charge of that.”

Stormbringer, Code; 04

--

15. Dazai meets Verlaine, who promptly tries to kill him.

(Paul Verlaine) “Even while trying to kill you a couple days ago, you seemed to feel almost nothing.”

Stormbringer, Code; 02

ORDER OF DEATH: According to my reading of Stormbringer, Verlaine went after Dazai first the day before going after the Flags. Dazai says to Adam later on in the story that he gave him information in order to ensure that the last target Verlaine would go after would be Mori:

“Everything, literally everything--from Verlaine’s targets, to Detective-san, to Researcher-san--has been based on the information I gave him.”

“Mori-san was originally going to be the first one killed, but I manipulated the information so he was last on the list.”

Stormbringer, Code; 03

ORDER OF DEATH (cont.): This sounds pretty damning in regards to whether or not Dazai caused the Flags’ death. However. Dazai also says pretty soon after:

“You’re more than welcome to try to find out [how Dazai got Rimbaud’s notebook], but no matter what I’ll only tell you lies. I’m a liar, after all.”

If Mori was going to be the first one killed, why did Verlaine first go after Dazai? A simple answer: Dazai is lying to Adam. Or, at the least, not everything he’s saying is the whole truth. This is also questionable by the fact that Dazai sees Verlaine again later and states that he was always on the Port Mafia’s side. Dazai rarely if ever speaks the whole truth out loud, and without actually being in his perspective during this (we are seeing through Adam’s eyes), it’s hard to know the specifics.

Later on, when Chuuya is torturing Dazai by spinning him until he vomits (yes this is absolutely important information what do you mean) as they discuss the plan against Verlaine, Chuuya states:

“He gave N’s information to Verlaine to earn us some time knowing I would be tortured. Not to mention, as a result of that information, Detective-san was killed.”

Stormbringer, Code; 04

With this quote, it seems like Dazai more led to Murase’s death (and N’s attempted assassination), and not the Flags.

--

16. The next day, Dazai nullifies (partial) Corruption for the first time.

The boy casually grabbed Chuuya’s arm and lifted it up.

At that moment, the abnormal gravitational field that surrounded them immediately disappeared, along with the insufferable pain Chuuya had felt.

Stormbringer, Code; 01

--

17. The day after that, Dazai hands off Port Mafia secrets to Verlaine in exchange for his life.

(Paul Verlaine) “This is the inside data on the Port Mafia?”

It was an extremely valuable document that recorded all of the Port Mafia’s secrets.

Stormbringer, Code; 02

PM SECRETS: I’m assuming this includes the Arahabaki Project (knowledge of N). Dumb question: Dazai is not an executive at this point, so how did he get his hands on this? Possible answer: Mori probably gave him the info to help trap Verlaine. I don’t know. This is more speculation on my part.

--

18. Dazai and Chuuya defeat Verlaine (Guivre) through the use of Corruption.

Guivre wasn’t shooting anything at them now... It didn’t make a sound, just peacefully disappeared.

Stormbringer, Code; 04

FIRST TRUE USE OF CORRUPTION: Dazai and Chuuya successfully defeat Verlaine’s Guivre form (like Chuuya’s Arahabaki form) through Chuuya’s Corruption, which Dazai nullifies once it’s all over.

--

Bam! That’s the events of Stormbringer. Now, the Dragon’s Head Conflict doesn’t wait for long until after Stormbringer, but Oda has joined the Port Mafia by the point that it occurs. That means that The Day I Picked Up Dazai occurs sometime in that year.

--

19. Dazai bleeds out on Oda’s doorstep. On purpose.

The young man’s wounds are clearly from gunshots. He has been shot multiple times... to top it all off, he is holding a bunch of new notes in his left hand... A supernote.

The Day I Picked Up Dazai

REALLY CASUAL: It looks like Dazai was trying to steal counterfeit money, and then got shot for it. Then, he chose to pass out on Oda’s doorstep, as evidenced by this later statement:

“How about I tell you why I went and collapsed in front of his house in the first place? Because I knew of a rumor. That no evils can come close to that house, be it burglars, smugglers, or mafia. No matter who it is, it is just around that house that they can’t cause any troubles. It is a “calm-zone.” It is as if they are afraid of something, or someone there.”

--

20. Dazai attempts to die under Oda’s care. Repeatedly. Over the span of a few days.

His first request is for pufferfish’s organ sashimi... Next is grilled amanita virosa.... The last dish is potato sprout salad.

The Day I Picked Up Dazai

WAIT, THAT’S POISONOUS!: When Dazai realizes that Oda isn’t going to let him go, he starts asking him for dishes containing deadly ingredients (unknown to Oda, I guess?!).

Also, later:

Dazai suddenly comes up with the idea that if he jumps out of the door with a gun in his hand, there are chances that he can be shot dead by the cops. Oda tells him there is no gun in the house, so he decides to get a knife instead.

...trying to choke him unconscious. Dazai, as a result, struggles happily while kicking his legs around... it makes the knife Dazai was trying to grab earlier fall off right to where Oda is.

Dazai keeps kicking the kitchen stand and this time, it’s the kettle above Oda’s head that’s going to fall.

The Day I Picked Up Dazai (Summarized Translation)

YIKES!: Oda proceeds to choke Dazai unconscious so he’ll. stop doing things. Literally this is all happening in, what, five minutes?

--

21. Dazai and Oda are abducted by the organization “48″.

The cops take out two gas masks and put them on their faces. Then they throw a gas grenade towards Dazai and Oda. Oda realizes that they are actually not cops.

The Day I Picked Up Dazai (Summarized Translation)

WHO PASSED THE GAS: 48, as informed by Dazai after he sees Oda again, is an organization of dishonorably discharged police officers. They abduct Oda (and Dazai) to try and get hold of a painting that Oda stole years ago.

--

22. Oda takes Dazai to Bar Lupin for the first time, Dazai gives him the nickname of Odasaku, and Dazai extends the offer for him to join the Port Mafia. It is implied that he accepts.

“Is this, by any chance, the place you should go before you die?” Dazai asks, his voice sounds disappointed. “Isn’t it just a normal bar?”

...

“Okay, I have decided. You are Odasaku... You are too strange for a short name like Oda. And Oda Sakunosuke is just too long to call. You are Odasaku. From now on, whenever someone asks for your name, you have to say so.”

...

“If the other side of the world doesn’t work, you can run to a deeper place.” “...I promise you. If you join, you will no longer be bothered by anything from your past. Because no past can touch that place.”

The Day I Picked Up Dazai

SO I STARTED SOBBING: Oda lied to Dazai when he met him and said that there is a place that one needs to go to before dying, and reveals after escaping from “48″ with him that it is Bar Lupin. They then proceed to play poker, tell stories, and more. Oda is assigned ‘Odasaku’ by Dazai, and after acknowledging that other organizations are probably just going to keep coming after him, Dazai offers for him to join the Port Mafia.

Dazai nods and takes the cards from me. Then in a casual tone, he says those words. “When are we meeting next?”

I’M NOT CRYING. YOU’RE CRYING. STOP.

--

So, Odasaku joins the Port Mafia under the behest of Dazai. This then brings us to the Dragon’s Head Conflict, featured in DEAD APPLE. By the way, please keep in mind that all this has been happening at the age of 16 from Stormbringer to the Dragon’s Head Conflict!

At some point, Ango does join the Port Mafia, although according to some lines from Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, it seems like he actually joined around the same time as Dazai and Chuuya?:

Two years ago, one year after Ango joined the Mafia, Ango had earned the trust of the organization and travelled to Europe.

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter 2

The Dark Era takes place about two years after the Dragon’s Head Conflict. Ango joined a year before the Dragon’s Head Conflict, which took place not long after Stormbringer. Stormbringer takes place a year after FIFTEEN. I sound like one of those ‘Illuminati Confirmed’ videos. Anyways, this is 100% relevant.

--

23. Dazai and Odasaku meet Ango for the first time.

By word of mouth, I’ve learnt that the youth is a newcomer by the name of Sakaguchi Ango... At that time, the Dragon’s Head Conflict had just gotten into full swing.

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter 2

THE TRIO MEETS: Dazai and Odasaku are taking care of dead Port Mafia members during the conflict, and they go to Ango for cataloguing. They then proceed to drag him to Bar Lupin:

Later, Ango, Dazai and I go to the bar and start chatting.

--

The DEAD APPLE light novel is a novelization of the movie, but the manga gives a lot more info. The movie did come first though, interestingly enough!

--

24. Dazai gets abducted on purpose by the “White Giraffe” (Shibusawa).

DEAD APPLE Manga, Chapter 8

A+ COMMUNICATION: Shortly after a heated conversation with Chuuya about the newly opened executive position, Dazai goes missing. He intentionally gets himself captured to draw Chuuya to his position.

--

25. Chuuya and Dazai find Shibusawa and kill him using Corruption.

DEAD APPLE Manga, Chapter 10

6 IS A MAGIC NUMBER: Chuuya rescues Dazai, and they go after Shibusawa. He discovers that Shibusawa pushed his six friends to suicide, and decides to annihilate him through the use of Corruption. (Good lord, this sounds familiar. Please save Chuuya. Man needs a break. And therapy.) This ends the Dragon’s Head Conflict.

--

26. Dazai and Chuuya become known as “Double Black”.

And after the Dragon Head’s Conflict, the mafia changed and grew again. There was the rise of “Double Black”, Dazai’s promotion to an executive, the Laughing Lemon case, the Mimic incident...

Stormbringer, Epilogue

--

27. Dazai becomes an executive.

Despite the fact that we are in the same organization, Dazai is an executive, Ango is an intelligence agent, and I am a low ranked operative with no title.

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Prologue

PROMOTION: Dazai’s becoming an executive probably happens not long after the Dragon’s Head Conflict, since there’s an open position. It is also confirmed that on the same day...

--

28. ...Dazai finds and takes in Akutagawa as his protégé.

"I actually got promoted today,” he said. “I’m part of the leader [executive] class now. Which... you know what they say--the fancier the title, the more responsibility and other nonsense you have to deal with.”

“Of course,” he continued, “there is one good thing about this title. It gives me the right to hire a single underling, someone who acts under my direct control... I’d like to invite you into the Port Mafia.”

Bungo Stray Dogs Manga, Volume 6, Short Story: The Heartless Cur

FAST DECISIONS: Within the 24 hours that he became an executive, Dazai immediately chooses to invite Akutagawa to the Port Mafia as his personal underling. He accepts and brings Gin with him.

--

29. Whatever the hell the Laughing Lemon case is. I don’t know. Asagiri I want answers. I don’t even care about what’s happening in the manga anymore now, Asagiri what is the Laughing Lemon case. Asagiri please. I feel like this is Kaijii related and I’m so curious and confused. What’s up with this. You need to elaborate.

--

At this point, we can probably jump ahead to the Dark Era, which is about two years post-Dragon’s Head Conflict. Dazai is 18 years old now; he has had Akutagawa, been friends with Ango and Odasaku, been an executive, been one half of “Double Black”, and more for about two years. I certainly wasn’t that productive 17-18, but go off, king. Anyways, shit is about to hit the fan.

--

30. Dazai, Odasaku and Ango have drinks together (happily) for the last time.

“That’s it, let’s take a picture!” Dazai bursts out suddenly, “As a commemoration!”

“Dazai, why the sudden urge to take photos?” “I don’t know. I just feel like if we don’t take a picture now, there won’t be another chance...”

In the end, there would never be a second chance for us to take photos in that bar.

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Prologue Screenshot from Season 2, Episode One

LOOK AT THIS LOSER: He blinked. Cringe.

SINCERELY THOUGH: Dazai suspects Ango of doing something shady, and before things go from bad to worse, he has the three of them take a photo together.

--

31. Dazai finds out the name of the latest organization the Port Mafia is going up against: Mimic.

“The only words we got was the name of the enemy... Mimic.”

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter One

--

32. Dazai saves Odasaku at his request from Mimic assassins.

“Odasaku! Get down!” At this moment, I hear Dazai’s voice.

“Did you kill them?” I glance at the fallen assassins. “Mmhmm.”

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter One

--

33. Dazai and Odasaku begin to realize that Ango was lying to them, and something weird is up. They start to investigate more heavily.

--Ango. Mimic. Attack. Everything is starting to come together.

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter One

Dazai is running around everywhere collecting information on Mimic.

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter Two

--

34. Dazai is assigned to be the main person to handle Mimic by Mori.

“In the end, I was appointed as the battle strategist and front line commander to tackle Mimic. I’ve already settled some matters and set up a few simple mousetraps. It shouldn’t be long until the war begins to show signs of activity.”

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter Two

--

35. Dazai successfully captures Mimic soldiers... who are promptly killed by Akutagawa.

A total of three corpses lie in the cell. They haven’t been dead for long... The deceased are Mimic soldiers.

“Luckily, because of you, all three of the enemy soldiers were caught are now dead.”

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter Two

UNHEALTHY: Dazai doesn’t take this well, of course.

Without letting him finish, Dazai swings a fist at Akutagawa’s face. Akutagawa is sent flying.

Three gunshots, three flashes of light, three empty bullet shells roll on the ground with a crisp sound.

“The next time you screw up, I’ll hit you twice and fire five shots, understood?”

Screenshot from Season 2, Episode Two

--

36. In spite of this, Dazai successfully gets a lead and informs Odasaku.

According to what Dazai says, a wilted leaf of a broad-leaved tree had been found stuck on the bottom of a Mimic’s soldier’s shoe.

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter Two

--

37. Dazai figures out that Mimic is planning to annihilate the Port Mafia. The executives make the decision to give their all against Mimic.

“While Odasaku was bedridden, there have been six stores in the mafia’s turf that were bombed. The damage is increasing every minute.”

“...We can confirm that they really plan to raze the mafia’s territory to a flatland.”

“A five-executive conference has already convened, and it has been decided that we will use all of the mafia’s forces and face Mimic.”

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter Three

--

38. Dazai, Odasaku and Ango meet for the last time at Bar Lupin. Ango provides information before leaving both the bar and the two mafioso behind.

Dazai and I walk down the dimly lit stairs leading to the basement floor.

Sitting at his usual spot, in his usual tone, Ango raises his glass at us in greeting.

“We’re here to obtain information on Mimic. You should have known that by now, right?”

He [Ango] slowly rises from the barchair, as though listening to the sound of his own footsteps, walking out of the shop with his head lowered. I probably won’t meet Ango again.

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter Three Screenshot from Season 2, Episode Three

--

39. Dazai tries to stop Odasaku from going after Mimic. He fails.

“Odasaku, I know what you’re thinking, but I still have to stop you. Even if you do that--” “Even if I do that, the kids won’t come back?” I say.

“Odasaku,” Dazai says quietly. “I hope you will forgive me for speaking so strangely, but don’t go! Go and rely on something, hope that something good will happen next, that something will definitely happen.” I walk off. Despite Dazai’s shouts, I don’t look back.

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter Four Screenshot from Season 2, Episode Four

SOMEONE TO FIGHT FOR: Odasaku is one of the very few if not only person we see Dazai actively fight for. Ango didn’t even get this treatment. Chuuya gets this treatment more or less, but it’s fairly begrudging. It is apparent from this how much Odasaku means to Dazai--he even talks about trying to live for something, similar to how Odasaku has spoken to him. He is desperate at this point.

--

40. Dazai goes to Mori to get permission to save Odasaku and promptly discovers that Mori was planning this all along.

“Do you agree to mobilizing the organization’s executive level gifted squad to storm Mimic’s headquarters to save Odasaku?”

“That envelope is--” Something inside Dazai’s mind starts to move violently, flashing. “So that’s how it is... So that’s what this is all about.”

“I just can’t accept it. The one who secretly told Mimic where the orphans Odasaku was raising were hidden was you. Other than you, no one else could have obtained information on the hiding place I chose.”

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter Four

TRUE EMOTIONS: Dazai is furious in this scene. He is horrified and disgusted that Mori has decided to sacrifice Odasaku (and Odasaku’s kids, but less so) to get the Ability Business permit. He is probably the angriest we’ve seen him since the beginning.

--

41. Dazai essentially says “fuck you” and goes to save Odasaku.

“I want to tell you two things, Boss. First, you won’t shoot me, neither will you order your subordinates to shoot.”

“I am going for one reason, because he’s my friend. I’ll be leaving now.” The subordinates raise their guns, fingers on the trigger. Uncaringly, Dazai strolls towards the door. The subordinates look at Ougai, requesting for him to give the order. Ougai crosses his arms, carrying a slight smile as he looks at Dazai’s back wordlessly. Dazai passes through the door and heads towards the corridor, then disappears.

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter Four

DEFIANCE: While Dazai by no means sticks strictly to Mori’s wishes--we’ve seen this since the beginning--this is the first true act of angry defiance against him that we know of. Mori anticipated this response, but it is still insane that Dazai, the normally incredibly apathetic bastard he is, is so outraged and takes direct action with that.

It’s a shame.

--

42. Dazai arrives too late and finds Odasaku bleeding out.

Dazai rushes towards Odasaku’s side, checking the severity of the wound. The bullet has pierced through his chest and blood is pooling on the floor--it’s obviously a fatal wound. Dazai falls to his knees, kneeling by Odasaku’s side.

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter Four Screenshot from Season 2, Episode Four

THE MOST EMOTION WE’VE SEEN. EVER: At the time this post is made, we’re at Chapter 107 in the main manga. Even with that, I truly do think this still remains as the most extreme emotion we’ve ever seen on Dazai in every way. Odasaku is the equivalent of Dazai’s best friend, and he’s shot and dying in front of him. He had given Dazai a reason to keep going, motivated him to still push forward. Dazai made exceptions for this man. And now, he’s dying.

--

43. Odasaku’s final words to Dazai.

“You once said that ‘if you immerse yourself in a world of violence and blood, perhaps you would be able to find a reason to live on.’”

“Aah, I said that, but that sort of thing now...”

“It can’t be found.

“You should know this yourself. No matter whether you’re on the side of killing people or saving people, there will never be anything that can surpass your mind. There is no place in this world that can fill your loneliness. You will linger in the darkness forever.”

“Odasaku... I... What should I do?”

“Go to the side that saves people!

“Since both sides are the same, become a good person. Save the weak, protect orphans. Regardless of whether it’s justice or evil, there isn’t a big difference between the two... But, doing that would be better.”

“How do you know that?”

“I know, I know this better than anyone else.”

“I understand... I’ll do that.”

“’Humans live to save themselves. They will understand this before they die’... Well... said...

“I really want to eat curry...”

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter Four

THE PATH FORWARD: If Dazai’s loyalty to the Port Mafia was shaken by this point, it was now shattered. His best friend’s dying words were to leave the Port Mafia and try to do better things.

--

44. Dazai goes to Odasaku’s funeral.

Dazai stands before that epitaph. Dazai is dressed in black funeral attire, a bouquet of white flowers in his hands.

Dazai takes out one photo, placing it before the epitaph. The three people in the photo, in a moment where time has stopped, have smiles that will never disappear carved onto them.

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Epilogue

--

45. Two weeks later, Dazai goes missing.

“Leader, Executive Dazai-san has been uncontactable for two weeks. To decide the next executive, it should be time to call for a five-boss conference...”

“Don’t convene the executive meeting. Just keep Dazai’s spot empty.”

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Epilogue

--

46. Dazai meets with Chief Taneda of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at Bar Lupin.

“I’m looking for a new job. Do you have any place you’d recommend?”

“...What do you hope for?” “A place where I can help people.” Dazai replies immediately. “Your ledger is too marred. To clear it, you have to lay low for around two years. But... let me answer your question first. It’s not as if I cannot find such a place.”

“There is an armed organization comprised of ability users. They’re in charge of handling grey areas, troublesome matters that cannot be entrusted to the military or city police. The director there is a man with a good heart, he might be able to grant your wish.”

“What is the name of that organization?” “Name? That company’s name is--”

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Epilogue

TWO YEARS: Dazai decides to join the ADA, and goes underground for two years.

--

Screenshot from Season 2, Episode Four

And with that, Dazai’s four years in the Port Mafia come to an end. What a shitty teenage experience, honestly. Asagiri really went “want to see how much trauma and mental illness I can fit in this bitch?” and then did that. I mean, he did that to every character to be frank, but from Dazai’s very introduction, the man is messed up on so many levels.

I feel like I’ve learned a lot more about Dazai’s character by writing all this, and to anyone who happens on this, they might feel the same. But honestly, it’s just bonkers thinking about all this. And again, this doesn’t cover everything that happened to Dazai in the Port Mafia! We still don’t have a dedicated light novel to the Laughing Lemon incident, for example! We hear a lot about years 15, 16 and 18, but we know little to nothing about what happened when Dazai was 17. Plus, there’s the two years where Dazai goes underground--what happens to him during that time? And what about him meeting the Sheep prior to Mori? What about the fourteen years he was alive prior to Mori?! It’s just bonkers to me, man.

To any poor soul who read all this, you’re absolutely insane and I salute you. Now, I should probably either work on writing, or get some sleep.

[the-real-tc]

Bad Business Ch. 10: There the Vultures Will Gather

Author's note: Again, I'm issuing a trigger warning, as there's stuff in here that might make some people squeamish. You've been warned.

To the childless wife he gives a home, and gladdens her heart with children.

- Ps. 113

Chapter 10:

There the Vultures Will Gather

***

Hudson Police Headquarters

The morning debrief with his team was beginning to bring Chief Parker a glimmer of hope they were making progress on the investigation into Val Stanton's death.

"Okay, how's the 'money' angle coming on the Stanton case?" Parker asked, as he looked around the room.

Detective Benoit answered for the rest of them. "Okay, as far as the financial benefits go, our friends at the International Claim Association confirmed two policies existed for Valerie Stanton. The first is a family policy taken out years ago when both Stanton and her husband were alive. That was through Booker & Sons Life Insurance."

"And the second one?"

"That one was through a different insurance company in Calgary," replied Benoit. "Canadian Rockies Life Insurance taken out maybe six months ago. I spoke with both companies, and no surprise: they're reluctant to put the payouts through since Stanton's death is suspicious and is being investigated as a possible homicide."

"Okay, obviously Stanton's children would have put in the claim for the one with Booker," Jim rightly guessed. "Who made the claim on the non-familial one?"

"We haven't been able to find out yet," Benoit replied. "But the premiums were being paid through an offshore numbered account."

"But someone still had to request Stanton's medical death certificate to make the claim and then file the claim," Parker said.

"Right, and we're waiting for the court orders to come through to access that information. I expect to have them by this afternoon."

"Good work, Benoit," Parker said. "Do you, by chance, have the dollar amount on that second policy?"

"Two million dollars," Benoit answered. "Not bad for a financial motive if you're looking for one."

"Nope, not a bad motive at all," Parker said. "Let me know as soon as you hear back about who requested Stanton's medical death certificate for that second claim."

"Of course, Chief," said Benoit, though both men and the rest of the team had a strong hunch who that person might be.

***

At noon, Calgary detective James Prescott called with an update for Chief Parker.

"I can't thank you enough for the heads up with that investors' group list," Prescott said. "The stuff we're digging up about Tanner Gunn, well, it's leading us down a bit of a rabbit hole."

Parker felt his pulse quicken. "What have you been digging up?"

"My undercover guys said Tanner Gunn was in the hole to the tune of around 900K over a year ago with one of the underground, high-roller poker tables in Calgary. But get this: the loan shark who staked him apparently got all his money back, with interest, no problem."

"A 'year ago' also being right around the time Lanny Barick wound up shot to death," Parker said.

"Rather convenient, wouldn't you say?" Prescott said.

"A little too convenient," Parker commented wryly.

"And you're going to love this one. The International Claim Association confirmed policies exist for every single member of that investors' group through various insurance companies," Prescott added. "Which is not unusual on the surface, but what is a little unusual is they all have more than one policy to their names. And the second policy for all of them—all taken out within the last year or so—is with the same insurance company in Calgary: Canadian Rockies Life Insurance."

***

Heartland Ranch House

"I got your text about Remi, Georgie. Are you doing okay?" Adam asked as he hopped off his bike, having just come from school.

"Not really," Georgie replied with a slow, miserable shake of her head. "Everything is just awful."

"I know. I'm sorry again about Lisa," Adam said sincerely, reaching over to give her a friendly hug. "I'll never forget her crazy aunt who brought all those wacky presents that time."

"Yeah, Aunt Evelyn," Georgie said wistfully. "Crazy. She's supposed to be getting here in a few days. Lisa's sister and nephew are supposed to fly in tomorrow."

"Do you know anything more about Remi? Your text said she had a seizure last night."

"Ty says she was poisoned. Strychnine," Georgie said, eyes downcast. "But he said she hasn't had another seizure since then, so that's a good sign. He doesn't know the source of the poison yet, but he and Cassandra are running tests on stuff like her stomach contents to figure it out."

"I guess that's good news, right?"

"I guess," Georgie said, still sullen.

"Hey, do you want to go for a ride?" Adam suggested brightly. "It might take your mind off things."

Georgie looked at him doubtfully. "You're not exactly the biggest horseback riding fan. Are you sure?"

"Yeah, but you like it," Adam said. "C'mon. Let's go."

The pair saddled up and took a path out in the direction of the Dude Ranch, maintaining a slow pace and an easy silence. Georgie was grateful for this, as she was not in the mood for idle chatter. Simply having Adam's company was enough.

Her phone buzzed a message at that point. She looked at the screen and saw it was from Wyatt.

"It's Wyatt," Georgie said to Adam, reining in Phoenix. "Do you mind?"

"No, go ahead," Adam replied. He was relieved for the opportunity to rest, as he still was not entirely comfortable being bounced around in a saddle, even on an easy ride through the woods.

Wyatt: Hey Georgie that totally SUCKS about remi and I hope she gets better

- Mom needed me to babysit Brick after school or I'd be there

- Missing u at class and hope ur back soon

Georgie: Thnx Wyatt that means a lot

- No worries about not being here

- Adam is over right now so between the two of u looking out for me its not so bad

- I hope I'm back soon too maybe tomorrow or something

Wyatt: OK great!

- See u soon

- bye

Georgie: bye

"Hey, Georgie, look!" Adam said, just as Georgie put her phone away.

She glanced up to see Adam pointing at several black birds that were wheeling in the air a short distance away.

"Those are turkey vultures," Adam explained, pulling out information from his encyclopedic memory. "They're carrion birds. Something must've died out there and they're ready to feast."

"Oh, gross," Georgie said, grimacing.

"It might be the bear that's on the loose. It could have killed something and left behind a carcass," Adam posited.

"Again, gross," Georgie said, eyeing him in the hopes he would quit.

"I'm serious," Adam said. "I think we should check it out. You're not missing any Dude Ranch horses right now, are you?"

"No..." Georgie said slowly. "But-but we are missing a Dude Ranch guest. Oh, no. You don't think..."

Despite not wanting to get close to anything that might be deceased, Georgie nudged Phoenix onwards. Adam followed, scanning the foliage ahead.

Following the direction the birds seemed to be flying would take them off the marked trail into the bushes and more wild, overgrown vegetation. The teens decided to dismount and continue on foot. After securing the horses, Georgie and Adam trudged through the bushes and came upon a small natural clearing beneath the canopy of a grouping of trees. Moments later, they sighted an almost unrecognizable but nevertheless very human heap lying prone on the grass, partially obscured by some shrubbery. Their nostrils were soon assailed by the stench of decay. Flies buzzed and were clustering all over the rotting mass of flesh. Two turkey vultures descended on the body, flapping their massive wings as they settled to begin their meal.

"I-I think you'd better call your mom," Adam said shakily, averting his glance from the stomach-turning spectacle. "And I'm calling my dad."

***

Hudson Veterinary Clinic

"Great. The rest of the lab results just came back for Remi," Ty said, clicking on the report in his email Inbox.

Interest instantly piqued, Cass looked over at her colleague. "So, what was the source of the poison?"

"Her dog food," Ty said, staring at the lab results as if to be sure his eyes were not misleading him.

"How did strychnine get into her food?" Cass asked, equally puzzled.

"I don't know," Ty said tersely as he pulled out his cell phone and hurriedly dialled home. "It's a bag she's been eating from for nearly a week. If it had come contaminated from the production line, she would have been sick a long time ago."

Cass stared at him. "Who are you calling?"

"Home," he replied, exhaling sharply. When Amy answered, Ty did not waste time with pleasantries. "Amy, I need you to grab the open bag of Remi's dog chow right now. Don't touch the contents. In fact, use gloves when you handle the bag. Put it in a heavy-duty garbage bag and seal it tightly. Get it down here to the clinic as soon as you can."

"Ty, slow down, please,"Amy begged. "What's this all about?"

Ty caught himself and scaled back his agitation. "The strychnine poisoning," he stated, his spoken pace this time more slow and deliberate. "We tested the water in her dish, and that came back negative. The only other thing in Remi's stomach was her food, so that means her food was the source of the poison."

"What? Are you sure?" Amy's own shocked reaction was not lost on Ty.

"Without a doubt," Ty answered, looking back at his computer screen.

"All right. I'll get the food. Lyndy just woke up from a nap, so she'll have to come with me."

"Okay, thanks, Amy," said Ty gratefully.

***

Lou could not have been more shocked when she received Georgie's call about a dead body near Heartland Equestrian Connections. She had just finished speaking with Evelyn about her travel details and how she would be more comfortable in the house than at the Dude Ranch. Cabins Three and Four were already made up and waiting for Rachel and Ben to occupy when they arrived in Hudson; Cabin Two was still off-limits.

Chief Parker and his forensics team were already at the site when Lou arrived.

"Mom," Georgie called upon spotting Lou, and quickly went to her for a comforting hug.

"Are you okay, sweetheart?" Lou asked, holding her daughter close for several moments.

Georgie nodded. "I'm okay," she said at length. "At least I'm better now that you're here."

"Thanks for coming, Ms. Fleming," Jim said. "I really need you to be present when we talk to Georgie about all this since she's still a minor."

"Of course," Lou said, sending her daughter a look of maternal concern. Parker summoned Detective Constable Patterson to assist in the questioning. Lou stood by quietly while Adam and Georgie answered Patterson's questions as best they could.

"We touched absolutely nothing," Adam said in response to her query about their actions upon discovering the body. "I know you're not supposed to contaminate a possible crime scene."

"I know you know," Jim interjected patiently, "but we don't always follow logic when we stumble upon something like this."

"As soon as we realised what it was, we halted where we were right away," Adam continued.

"Yeah, there's no way we were getting any closer to that," Georgie said, her stomach still churning uncomfortably. "That's when we called you all to come."

"Okay, thanks," Patterson said. "Tell us what led you to finding the body in the first place. We're really off the beaten path, here."

"There were some turkey vultures," Adam explained. "I saw them flying around. They're not too common in this part of the province; that's why I noticed them. Since they're carrion birds, I figured something was probably dead out here. That's when Georgie mentioned the missing Dude Ranch guest."

"Carrion birds," Parker muttered with a shake of his head. "Of all things."

"I'm satisfied with what they've had to say, Chief," Patterson said to her boss. "Are you good?"

"Yes, I'm good," Parker said to his subordinate. "You can head back to the scene."

"Will do," she said, and moved off to rejoin the forensic team's efforts.

Jim returned his attention to Adam and Georgie. "Thanks, both of you; you did great today. You called immediately and kept your cool. I know plenty of adults who would not have reacted in as level-headed a way that you have."

"Thank you, sir," Georgie said demurely.

"Thanks, Dad."

"I'm going to talk to your mom now, Georgie," Chief Parker said. "You can wait for her if you like, but the two of you are free to go now if you want. I may have questions later for you, and you can call me if you think of something you didn't mention here."

"Okay, sure," Georgie said. "I think I'll go."

"Yeah, I'd rather go, too," Adam said in relief.

"All right," Parker said. "Be careful on the ride back."

"We will," Adam said.

With that, the teens returned to the horses and rode back to the ranch house, still not completely over the shock and disgust of discovering the corpse.

Chief Parker now focused his attention on Lou. "Georgie tells me you've been missing a Dude Ranch guest," Chief Parker said.

"That's right," Lou said. "Dov Grosvenor. He's been missing for several days. My manager said one of the guests saw him either late on Friday night or very early on Saturday morning out by the firepit. It's all in the information I gave to one of your constables. He came out here yesterday when I called; I filed a Missing Persons report with him."

"About that," Parker said, "it turns out the name 'Dov Grosvenor' is an alias of some kind. No one exists with that name that we can determine."

"He registered under a false name?" Lou's surprise was evident.

"So it would appear, Ms. Fleming," Jim said. "We're of course working on the assumption this is your vanished-into-thin-air Dude Ranch guest, whatever his name really is. Not a pretty way to go."

"No," Lou said, shuddering at the grim realisation her guest had probably met his horrible end due to an encounter with the roving bear.

As Chief Parker feared, the body was far too bloodied, marred and mauled to be positively identified by anyone. There had been no wallet, but a phone with a cracked screen along with other items had been taken by Parker's forensics team.

"Do you get many hunters out here at the Dude Ranch, Ms. Fleming?" he asked.

"Never," Lou said with an instant negative shake of her head. "Why do you ask?"

Parker looked over at his forensics team. They were still gathering evidence, bagging soil samples, and taking photographs. "I ask because we found a rifle near the body," Parker replied.

The chief was referring to the Special Edition Tikka T3x Compact Tactical rifle, mounted with a Steiner Military 3-15x50mm MSR scope and an Ase-Utra SL5i suppressor, which was discovered a short distance from the corpse. This weapon was of great interest to Parker and his team as they quickly noticed the absence of any serial numbers that could indicate license and ownership.

"No, no hunters," Lou repeated with emphasis, surprised at the news the dead man had been armed. "We've never advertised the Dude Ranch as such, either. It's not like we're a big game resort. At most, our guests do a little recreational fishing out on the pond."

"Hmm," Parker murmured. "You see, I don't like the coincidence of this rifle, the bear attack, and the recent death of Val Stanton. Next question: Do you get many trespassers at Heartland or the Dude Ranch?"

Lou gasped, an awful possibility dawning on her.

"What is it?" Parker asked.

"Um, I'll have to check my bookings, but, if this really is my missing guest, I—I think he was also checked in here during the time Val was killed," Lou said, gulping uncomfortably.

"I'll need to see those booking records, Ms. Fleming," Parker said. "Unless, of course, you'd prefer I get a warrant first."

"No, no, I'll gladly volunteer that information if it means we'll get to the bottom of who this guy is and what happened to Val," said Lou.

"Thank you," Parker said. He then beckoned to his forensics team to join him. "While you dig up those records, I'd like to look at the cabin he was staying in right away, please."

"All right," Lou said. "Cabin Two. Follow me. Oh, this is his truck, by the way."

Parker looked at the Ford F-150 that Lou was pointing to. He remembered how his rookie constable had taken the time to inspect the registration sticker when he came out to speak with Lou and found it to be a fake. Now Parker wondered about the license plate itself. He realised Becket had not mentioned anything about it—just the phony registration sticker. He would have to ask the kid what he found out about who the plate was actually registered to when he got back to headquarters.

"Ms. Fleming, when your missing guest first drove up here, did you notice if he had anything loaded in the back of his pickup? An ATV or a dirt bike, or something like that?" Parker questioned.

"No, why?" asked Lou.

"See these straps and this ramp?" Parker said, pointing to the items in the truck's bed. "He may have had something secured back here."

Lou looked for herself. "He couldn't have been bringing an ATV or a bike," she said in reply. "We don't permit those kinds of vehicles to go zooming all over the place here. Heartland Equestrian Connections is meant to be for peace and quiet. If either Jen or I had seen him pull up with something like that, we would have made him fully aware of our policy, in case he missed it on the website."

"Okay, thanks," Jim said, putting the issue on his mental back burner for the time being. "Let's see the inside of his cabin now, please."

"Let me get the master key," Lou said.

"Just unlock it, but don't touch the handle," Parker said in warning.

"Okay," Lou said. She climbed the steps and unlocked the door without touching the handle, as requested.

"Wait outside, please, Ms. Fleming, while my team goes over everything," said Jim.

"Of course." Lou stood back to let the forensics team first dust the handle for fingerprints and then enter the premises.

While Parker and his team pored over Cabin Two, Lou was gripped with apprehension. I can't believe this is happening. This is going to absolutely kill the Dude Ranch business. Who is going to want to stay here after people find out one of my guests was killed by a bear?

She pulled out her cell phone to access the bookings app to get the information for the chief. Sure enough, the name 'Dov Grosvenor' appeared as having reserved Cabin Two earlier in April, coinciding with the date of Val Stanton's death. Lou shivered at having that piece of information confirmed. Who was this guy, and could he really be responsible for what happened to Val?

Inside Cabin Two, Parker was initially disappointed. A pair of khaki-coloured pants and black cotton T-shirt lay folded crisply on the bed, the latter of which was also made up neatly.

"Chief, we've got something under the bed," one of the forensics team members named Corey Fraser stated. "It looks like a couple weapons cases of some kind."

The forensics photographer, Jason Pruitt, immediately dropped to the floor to snap images of the location of the cases.

"Let's pull them out and see what we have," Parker said, once Jason was finished.

Corey reached in and dragged the larger case out first.

"Empty," Corey said after snapping it open. The interior held sturdy foam packing, the contours of which very obviously matched the tactical rifle they discovered earlier near the body. There were also indentations that matched the shape of the weapon's scope and suppressor.

"Let's have a look inside that second case," Parker said.

Corey flipped the tabs and opened the lid to reveal a pair of Glock 17 pistols.

"Let's get pictures and bag and tag," Parker commanded. His team immediately complied with the instruction.

***

Hudson County Morgue

"Jim, we won't get anything from his fingerprints, unfortunately," the coroner Harlan Blackburn said as the two men stood in front of the stainless steel slab upon which the dead man's reeking remains were laid out, covered by a sheet.

"Why is that, Harlan?" Chief Parker asked, doing his best not to breathe through his nose.

"Not enough left of the fingers. Our guy must have put up his hands and arms defensively to protect his head and neck when the bear attacked. Chewed up his fingers and hands pretty bad. See?"

Harlan raised the sheet to show what was left of one of the dead man's hands.

Jim had seen his fair share of dead bodies in his career, but this was the first bear mauling he had come across, and he felt his stomach flip at the sight of the mangled, rotting digits.

"He didn't leave any prints in the cabin or in the truck, either," Jim said, swallowing hard against the tide of bile rising in his throat.

"I'll get you some dental X-rays and see if we get lucky," Harlan said casually.

"Great," Jim said. "Have you been able to determine a time of death yet?"

"From the observed rate of decay and the stage of the life-cycle of the flies present, I'd say he's been dead close to three or four days, give or take."

"So that would mean he's been dead since Saturday or Sunday," Jim stated.

"Yeah. Plus, turkey vultures tend to be picky about what they'll consume," Harlan continued. "They usually turn up their beaks if something's been dead past the four-day mark. Mind you, overnight temperatures have been close to freezing these past couple nights, which would of course also slow the decomposition... But I'd still say three or four days."

Jim said, "That pretty much squares with what one of our witnesses says about the last time this guy was seen alive. Thanks, Harlan. Let me know when your report is done."

Harlan gave him a thumbs-up. "You're welcome, Chief. The report will be ready lickety-split barring any surprises."

With that, Parker beat a hasty exit out the door. A few breaths of non-decay-scented air later, and he was on his way back to police headquarters to question his procedurally lax rookie constable.

"Becket," he said, upon finding the hapless young man. "About that Missing Persons report you tried to file for the name 'Dov Grosvenor' ... you did actually run the guy's license plate through the database, right?"

A beat of silence passed. "No, sir," Becket said as he visibly paled. "Once I realised the registration sticker was fake and didn't find his name anywhere, I just assumed the plate was fake, too—"

"Rookie," Parker growled. "Never 'assume' anything. Run that plate now and find out who it's supposed to be registered to!"

"Yes, sir. Right away, sir," Becket said meekly.

"Chief, that name 'Dov Grosvenor'..." Benoit said thoughtfully, having heard the exchange.

"What about it?"

"I knew a guy in high school back in Montreal named 'Dov'," Benoit recounted. "I remember it because it was so unusual. He told me he had Jewish ancestry and that the name means 'bear' in Hebrew."

Detective Constable Patterson picked up on this. "How about we see what the name 'Grosvenor' means, too?" she asked while tapping an inquiry into the Google search engine. Two seconds later, she had the result. "You're not going to believe this, but 'Grosvenor' means 'chief or royal hunter'."

"A guy registers under a fake name that essentially means 'royal bear hunter' only to end up getting mauled to death by a bear? If that don't beat all," Kavanaugh said with a dry laugh.

"Now that's what I'd call poetic justice," Parker said.

"Chief," said Becket, coming back with the results of his own search. "The license plate on the truck comes back as being registered to a beige 1998 Toyota Corolla belonging to 79-year-old Mildred McCann of Grande Prairie, Alberta."

"Stolen plate?" Benoit asked what everyone was thinking.

"Maybe," Parker said pensively. "Let's get Grande Prairie RCMP on the line, please, Constable Becket. You're going to explain to them that we have a truck here in Hudson with a license plate that should be on a Toyota in their city. Find out everything you can about the owner and how she might be connected to our dead guy."

"Yes, sir," Becket said, and retreated to his desk to do just that.

***

Half an hour later, Becket reported his findings to Chief Parker.

"Grande Prairie RCMP think they can ID our body," Becket said.

Parker was instantly alert. "Who was he?"

"They think it's Mildred McCann's son, 36-year-old Earl McCann," Becket said. "He's got several outstanding warrants for theft, assault, uttering threats, fraud, and so on. They said he was dishonourably discharged from the Armed Forces years ago for insubordination and pretty much being a violent, loose canon.

"Mildred has Alzheimer's and is in an assisted-living facility. The RCMP corporal I spoke with says Earl never visits, but somehow the bills get paid. RCMP in Cold Lake almost had him a while back when he was stopped for driving around in the truck with the plate registered to his mother's sedan. Those cops let him go because Earl reportedly claimed he had not had time to get to the registry office to make the switch. Those Cold Lake guys assumed he was telling the truth and let him go with a warning to get it done. They didn't realise their mistake until he was long gone."

"See how assuming something can lead to bigger problems?" Parker said, knowing the lesson would not be lost on his rookie.

"Yes, sir," Becket said solemnly.

Parker sighed. "Eh, for what it's worth, Earl McCann does not sound like the kind of guy who would have let himself be taken in because of a petty registration violation. He most likely would have shot and killed those cops in cold blood if they had pulled up his warrants at the time."

Becket's eyes went wide. "I hadn't thought of that, sir."

"All right. I'll let Harlan know to send the dental X-rays to the Grande Prairie detachment," Parker said. "I'm sure they'll be able to confirm it's Earl McCann."

"Yes, sir," Becket said.

Turning to the rest of his team, Parker said: "Now we get to figure out why Dov Grosvenor, aka, Earl McCann, was staying in Hudson and how he managed to get himself killed by a bear. We've got lots of evidence to process, so let's get moving."

***

Heartland Ranch — Barn Loft

Ty was dreaming in the early morning hours. An open country road stretched before him as he rode his treasured Norton motorcycle. Someone's arms held onto him tightly from behind. Without turning to look, he instinctively knew it was Amy. Such a feeling of freedom coursed through him, he did not even wonder for a moment where they were headed, or that none of this made any sense since he was no longer in possession of the Norton.

As is sometimes the case in such dreams, Ty's point of view shifted. He was now observing the ride rather than experiencing it. He noticed with a touch of confusion it was not Amy who was snuggled up close to him, but rather Ashley Stanton. Repulsed, Ty brought the motorcycle to a halt and planted his feet on the ground.

"Get off the bike, Ashley. I'm supposed to be giving Amy a ride."

"What?" Ashley whined. "But this is my brother's bike. You promised me you'd take me out for a spin."

"No, this is my bike," Ty argued indignantly. "Get off!"

"You can't leave me stranded on the side of the road," Ashley complained. "Take me back to Briar Ridge."

Ty thought to himself this was a reasonable request since he really could not just abandon Ashley in the middle of nowhere.

"Fine," Ty heard himself saying. "But if Amy shows up, you're getting off, and I'm taking her."

"Fine," Ashley said.

Ty started up his bike again and turned around, keeping his eyes peeled for any sign of Amy.

The dream then seemed to morph into other images and sights that no longer had any connection to the original theme. When Ty awoke, the dream was already fading. By the time he had brushed his teeth and washed his face, he had already forgotten most of it. However, a small voice nagged in the back of his brain he should have paid attention to something important in that dream, but that detail remained elusive.

***

May 8

Hudson Times—Online Version

Man Mauled to Death

Nadir Jutley

Hudson Police along with Alberta Fish and Wildlife are issuing an urgent alert to all residents of Hudson county after a grisly discovery. The body of an unidentified man, badly mauled, was found in a wilderness area near the Heartland Equestrian Connections resort yesterday afternoon.

The owner and operator of Heartland Equestrian Connections, Samantha Fleming, declined to comment on the situation due to the ongoing investigation by Hudson police, but did say the resort will be closed to the public for the next two weeks.

If you see the bear, contact Alberta Fish and Wildlife immediately at 555-625-1540. Do not approach the animal under any circumstances.

More details to come as information is released by authorities.

Email: nadir_jutley

***

Hudson Police Headquarters

"I've got the ballistics report on the rifle we found yesterday at the Dude Ranch, Chief," said Kavanaugh as his boss walked into the room for the morning briefing. The team had been burning the midnight oil working on the evidence collected from the Dude Ranch, and results were beginning to filter through.

"Let me guess: Earl McCann's rifle is the same weapon that killed Valerie Stanton," Parker said.

"You got it in one, Chief," Kavanaugh said, "it's just as you suspected."

"What about the pistols we found in the cabin?" Parker asked. "Anything special about them?"

"Well, we already knew those Glocks—untraceable of course—were the wrong caliber for the Stillman shooting," Kavanaugh said. "But we did get a hit on an unsolved murder on one of the Glocks. I've just shared that information with Detective Prescott in Calgary."

"Oh?" Parker said, interest aroused.

"You're probably not going to believe this, but the ballistics on one of them came back as a match on the Barick murders."

"You're saying McCann was responsible for Stanton and the Baricks?!" Parker exclaimed.

"So it would seem," Kavanaugh said. "Why else would he have been in possession of those weapons?"

"But he didn't shoot Lisa Stillman," Parker spoke, more of a statement than a question.

"Doubtful," Patterson chimed in. "The kind of professional, high-end firearms McCann had, no way he would have been using a pea-shooter like what was probably used on Stillman on the road that day."

"Which means we still have more than one shooter on our hands," Parker said gravely.

Patterson nodded back in silent acknowledgment of this fact.

"Hmph," Parker sighed. "Benoit, tell me you have good news about that phone we found on McCann's body."

"I was just coming to tell you, Boss," Benoit said hastily. "We worked all night. Finally cracked the encryption a couple minutes ago. Look at what we pulled off his message history."

"Show us."

Benoit flashed an image file up on the screen. "That's a picture of Lisa Stillman," he said. "It was received the day of the attempt on her life in the hospital. And then there's also a picture of Val Stanton, received shortly before she was shot."

"A killer for hire, right here in Hudson," Parker said with a shake of his head as he stared at the images. "Okay, so we can tie McCann to Stanton's killing with the photo he was sent, and with the ballistics match on the rifle. He was obviously the one to go after Stillman in the hospital. But if he didn't shoot her, who did?"

"That is a mystery," Benoit said with a shrug. "But that's not all. Two more pictures were sent this past Saturday. Are we seeing a pattern, yet?"

All eyes focused on the two additional pictures Benoit pulled from the phone.

"Our very own Hudson veterinarians," Parker said in recognition of Drs. Scott Cardinal and Ty Borden.

"Who both happened to be on the scene when Lisa Stillman was shot," Patterson said.

"Looks like Stillman's shooter is trying to eliminate any possibility of being identified," Kavanaugh added.

"Tell me you have a bead on who was sending McCann those pictures, Benoit," Parker said.

"We're still trying to figure that out, sir," Benoit answered ruefully. "Whoever sent the pictures was using a burner phone. Unless he tries to make contact again, we can't trace him."

Another thought suddenly occurred to Parker. "What's happened to the court orders to get the ID of the person who requested Val Stanton's death certificate and who filed that second insurance claim?"

"Oh!" Benoit exclaimed. "Those probably came through yesterday right when we were called out to deal with the situation at the Dude Ranch. I'll get on that right away, sir."

***

Hudson Funeral Home

Stanley Belmont could feel a trickle of perspiration starting to make its way down the side of his face. Faced with questions about his involvement with Tanner Gunn's investors' group and his recent application for the medical death certificate for Val Stanton, he nevertheless tried to keep his panic and his indignation in check.

"Of course I requested Val Stanton's death certificate," he said testily in reply to Detective Kavanaugh's question about it. "As the owner and operator of this business and as the one entrusted with handling Val's funeral arrangements, I had every legitimate right to request it."

Patterson and Kavanaugh nodded in agreement, hoping to keep the man at ease before they dropped the next question.

"Yes, we know Ms. Stanton's will stipulated that your business was to handle everything at whatever time she passed," said Kavanaugh.

"Well, then, what's the trouble?" Stanley asked, clearly exasperated.

"The trouble is we can't seem to find a reason why you also applied to receive a copy of Lisa Stillman's medical death certificate," Patterson said, looking him squarely in the face.

Stanley swallowed.

"Lisa's family says she stipulated she wanted a funeral home in Calgary to handle her arrangements," Patterson said. "So I ask you now: why did you request a copy of Lisa Stillman's death certificate when you didn't need it?"

Both Kavanaugh and Patterson noted the nervous shift of Belmont's eyes.

"We also have questions for you about your gambling habits, Mr. Belmont," Kavanaugh said. "You and Tanner Gunn like to frequent the poker tables, don't you?"

Belmont pursed his lips. "And what if I do?" he challenged with a question of his own.

"Nothing, really," Kavanaugh said, "except if those poker tables are illegal. How much are you in the hole for, Mr. Belmont?"

"Um, I think I'd like to contact my lawyer before I say anything more," Stanley eventually uttered after a few moments of uncomfortable silence.

"Fine," Kavanaugh said. "That's entirely your right. But you're treading on dangerous ground, Mr. Belmont, and I think you know you are."

"Call your lawyer, Mr. Belmont," Patterson said. "We can all meet together down at police headquarters."

"Am I under arrest?" Belmont nearly squeaked, his voice nervously rising in pitch.

"That all depends on how you answer our questions," Kavanaugh said.

"Call," Patterson said, nodding at the phone on Stanley's desk. "Then you're coming with us for more questioning."

With a resigned sigh, Stanley picked up the phone and dialled.

***

Calgary International Airport

Lou watched carefully for Rachel and Ben Stillman at the Arrivals gate. She recognized Ben on sight, though it had been years since she last saw him. The handsome, yet arrogant lad she remembered had grown a few more inches since then, and had matured into a young man with rugged good looks. The dark blonde woman nearly hidden behind his tall frame could only be Rachel. Though they had never met, Lou could see the family resemblance instantly, as Rachel's looks were strikingly similar to Lisa's.

Not that they'd ever be mistaken for twins, Lou now thought, but it's clear they were related...

Lou waved to get their attention. As soon as they saw her, they quickened their pace to meet up.

"Hi, Lou," Ben said.

"Hello, Ben," Lou responded, giving him a brief hug.

"Thanks for coming for us," he said. "This is my mother, Rachel."

"Hi, Rachel," Lou said, choosing to give the other woman a quick hug as well. "We spoke on the phone, obviously..."

"Yes," Rachel said. "It's nice to finally meet you face to face after all the times Lisa shared family photos..."

"Your, uhm, the flight was okay? You got everything?" Lou asked awkwardly, indicating their luggage.

"Yes, thanks," Rachel said, in answer to both questions.

"All right, good. Follow me and we'll be off."

The ride back to Hudson was spent mostly in silence. No one quite knew what to say as the subject of what brought them together at this time was still too raw and too devastating to address head-on, though Lou could sense Rachel was brimming with questions she desperately wanted answered.

Rachel did speak once when she mentioned how much certain areas of Calgary they passed along the way had changed, and how much larger the urban sprawl had grown since she was last in that city.

"Hudson has changed quite a bit too," Lou commented. "Especially since all the flooding in 2013."

"Yes, I remember that," Rachel said contemplatively. "The footage we saw on the news was just awful."

"But we pulled through," Lou said, thinking of how members of their community had indeed joined forces to help each other, including the local Hutterite colony.

No one said anything more until they reached Heartland.

"Wow. Are those my old jumps?" asked Ben upon seeing them in the yellow glow of the fading afternoon sunlight when Lou pulled up.

"Yes," Lou responded.

"Who's that riding in the pen right now?"

"My daughter, Georgie," Lou replied with a touch of pride.

"Oh, yeah," Ben said. "She's the kid you adopted, right? Lisa mentioned her a few times. I'm glad someone's making use of them... and since Lisa's technically her family... was her family..."

Ben morosely stopped talking.

"Well, here we are," Lou said clumsily, putting the SUV in park and shutting off the engine.

"You know, I wasn't sure when I'd ever see this place again," Ben murmured.

"I heard so much about it from her," Rachel said as she stared out the windshield at the ranch house. "She told me she was so happy when she finally moved in here with Jack... It's just as 'homey' as she described it. Thanks for bringing us here and for offering to put us up at your Dude Ranch, Lou. I don't think I'm emotionally ready to be at Fairfield just yet. Not when she can't be there with us anymore."

Lou sent a sympathetic glance at Rachel. "Come on. Let's go inside. Amy will have supper ready by now."

They followed Lou up the porch steps. She held the screen and the kitchen door open for them to enter.

"Our stuff will be safe in the SUV, right?" a worried Rachel asked while looking over her shoulder, thinking at once of her luggage.

"You're out in the country again, Rachel," Lou responded. "This isn't the city. No one's going to break in here."

"Right," Rachel said with a wry smile. "I'd forgotten what it was like to leave your doors unlocked."

"Ben," Amy said warmly upon seeing the young man step foot in the kitchen. She approached right away and embraced him as if greeting an old friend.

"Hey, Amy," Ben answered back. "It's good to see you, even under the circumstances."

"I know," Amy said after pulling away. "I'm sorry it took something like this for us to meet again."

"This is my mom, Rachel," Ben said, gesturing to his mother. "Mom, this is Amy. She and I also used to compete against each other on the circuit."

"Hi, Rachel," Amy said, deciding to give the woman a hug as well. She, too, noticed how similar in appearance Rachel was to Lisa.

"Nice to meet you, Amy," Rachel said. "Lisa told me so much about you—about all of you—over the years. I almost feel like I know you."

"Excuse me while I go call my daughter in for dinner," Lou said, hoping to avoid any further mention of difficult topics. "The bathroom is just down there around the corner if you want to freshen up."

"I'm fine," Ben said, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"I could use a bathroom break," Rachel sighed, and made directly for the facilities.

"Why don't you have a seat either here in the kitchen or in the living room, Ben?" Amy suggested. "I'm just going to go check on my daughter."

"Sure," Ben said easily, deciding to lounge on the couch.

A minute later, Amy returned with a still-sleepy Lyndy, who had just woken from a nap in Katie's room.

"Ah, who's this?" Ben asked with a smile upon seeing mother and child.

"Meet Lyndy," Amy said. "She turned two in December. Say 'hi' to Ben, sweetheart."

Lyndy rubbed the back of her hand over her eyes. "Hi," she whispered shyly.

"Hi, Lyndy," Ben answered back with a smile. "She's super-cute, Amy. I bet she's got Ty wrapped around her little finger."

"Oh, does she ever," Amy said with a roll of her eyes and a soft laugh.

"Where is Ty, anyway?"

"Working. He had the day shift at the vet clinic in town, but he's supposed to be on his way home now."

"Right, he's 'Dr. Borden' now," Ben said. "Lisa sent photos of the graduation ceremony."

"It sounds like she kept you up-to-date," Amy said.

"She did," Ben confirmed with a short nod. "Aunt Lisa was proud of all of you; proud to call you her family. It made me feel a little jealous sometimes, to be honest. Made me wish I was back in Hudson, even if I didn't exactly enjoy it when I was sent here during my parents' divorce."

"That was a rough time for you, Ben," Amy said in sympathy. "You know my parents split up too, so I understand. It's hard to appreciate anything when your whole life is being turned upside-down."

"No kidding," muttered Ben.

Presently, Lou returned. "Georgie should be in here soon," she said. "Thanks for taking care of dinner, Amy. I guess we can start as soon as Ty gets in."

"And he should be here any time," Amy stated.

"Is Rachel still — ?" Lou began to ask, jerking a thumb in the direction of the bathroom.

Amy nodded.

"Should I check on her?" Lou asked. "I'll check on her."

Amy was about to protest, but realised the woman had been in there a while.

Lou tapped lightly on the bathroom door. She could not be sure, but she thought she heard the sound of muffled sobs before the sudden flush of the toilet followed by the noisy gush of the faucet.

"Are you okay, Rachel?" Lou called.

"Be out in a minute," Rachel replied in a nasally, constrained voice.

"Okay, we'll be at the dinner table," Lou said before turning away.

***

The meal started out in a subdued fashion. Nobody seemed willing or ready to talk about what had been happening over the past week. They ate and drank in silence, until finally Ben broke the ice. He cleared his throat before beginning to speak.

"You know, I just wanna say to you guys I was a real brat when I was sent to stay here," he said solemnly. "And I'm sorry for all that."

"Oh, that was long ago. You don't have to apologize for anything, Ben," Lou said kindly.

"Yeah, but still. I could have been more gracious about, well, everything," he said. "What's happened... it's been a huge wake-up call for me. I thought at the time Lisa was just trying to get rid of me by dumping me here. But I get it now. I get it. Even then she saw something special in this family. She wanted me to experience that also. I didn't appreciate it enough."

Amy noticed Lou's eyes were brimming, and she could feel the moisture building beneath her own lids.

"Anyway, that's all I wanted to say," Ben said.

"Thank you, Ben," Amy said, giving him a smile of encouragement. "Lisa... was very special to us, too..."

Georgie was starting to get weepy. Ty blinked back his own tears.

"My sister," Rachel began shakily, "was never able to have children of her own. But she regarded all of you as if you were her own. I hope you know that."

Silent tears slipped from Amy's eyes as she recalled the very candid conversation she had shared with Lisa not so long ago about her miscarriages. "We know," she said with a sad smile and a nod.

"All right, enough emotional stuff," Rachel declared. "I want to hear about all of you. I mean, Lisa would call and talk about what was happening with the family, but I want to hear details."

"No, first I want to hear about you two," Amy said. "I have a feeling Lisa probably shared a lot more about us with you than she did about you with us."

"That'd be my fault," Ben admitted. "I didn't communicate with Lisa nearly as much. She'd send emails all the time, but I don't think I sent many back."

"So what's been going on with you, then?" asked Amy.

"Well, I got my MBA as you may know," Ben replied. "I've been working as a financial analyst for a startup in Montreal for the past year. Keeps me busy."

"You should talk to Lou," Amy said, looking over at her sister. "She got her MBA. Put it to good use, too."

"Oh, I've done all right," Lou said, flipping a hand dismissively. "Nothing crazy."

"That's not what Aunt Lisa told me," Ben said seriously. "She told me all about how great the Dude Ranch was. Said you were one of the smartest and most competent women she knew. I think that was after she sold her share back to you. You handle people's financial portfolios, and you also published a book, right?"

"Yeah," Lou said slowly. She was struck by the fact Lisa had taken the time to share such things with her nephew, and that he remembered them.

"And Lisa said that Maggie's Diner is a franchise now," Ben continued.

"It is," Lou said.

"I bet Mrs. Duval never dreamed her little diner would be a franchise in Times Square," Ben said. "You're living the dream, Lou."

"'The dream' is also very busy," Lou said. She looked over briefly at Georgie. "It takes me away from my family much more than I wish it did. I was actually in New York dealing with the franchise when I got the call about Lisa..." her voice trailed off. Unable to continue, she instead took a drink of water.

"Uh, speaking of Maggie's," Ben said to move past the uncomfortable moment, "How's Soraya?"

Amy answered: "She's doing great. Loves London."

"Ontario?" Ben asked.

"England," Amy corrected. "It's where her husband, Dillon, is from."

"Wow. I didn't even know she got married," Ben expressed his surprise. "Time flies."

"Maggie moved out there, too. It's why Lou bought the diner in the first place."

"Crazy decision," Lou said with a shake of her head.

"Hey, Lou, maybe I'll open a Maggie's Diner location in Montreal," Ben quipped. "How much to become a franchisee?"

"Don't encourage her," Amy chuckled with a grin and a roll of her eyes.

***

Hudson Police Headquarters

Stanley Belmont, owner and operator of the Hudson Funeral Home business, tried to decide what his best course of action should be. Sitting beside him in the cubby-hole of a room reserved for questioning suspects was his lawyer, Patrick Randall. For the time being, Stanley had not said a word, choosing to take his Charter-guaranteed right to remain silent.

Detective Constable Patterson looked steadily at Stanley. "We know you had a legitimate reason for getting Valerie Stanton's medical death certificate. But why did you request a copy of Lisa Stillman's death certificate, Mr. Belmont?"

"You don't have to answer her question," Randall advised his client.

"What did you do with the copy of Lisa Stillman's medical death certificate?" asked Patterson.

"He's not answering that one, either," said Randall.

"Fine," Patterson said, splaying her hands on the surface of the table between them. "Look, we know you're not in this alone, Stanley. We know someone either asked you or coerced you into putting in that request for Stillman's certificate. You're the one with the credentials as a funeral home director to legally request such a document. Anyone else would need to be either a family member or they'd do it through a court order, and that sort of thing. The only reason someone would want that document at this point would be to file a claim on a life insurance policy. Money is a very good motive for murder."

"Murder?!" Stanley yelped, forgetting his resolve to remain silent. "I didn't kill Lisa Stillman."

"But maybe you hired the man who did," Detective Kavanaugh broke in.

Stanley shook his head. "I did no such thing!"

"We know about your gambling debts, Stanley," Patterson said. "You and Tanner Gunn are pretty well known out there for your love of the illegal poker tables. He roped you in to that underground scene, didn't he?"

"Don't answer that," Randall warned.

Patterson narrowed her eyes.

"Detectives, this is a fishing expedition," Randall said impatiently. "Either you charge my client with something, or you let him go."

"We're getting to that. We know you're in the hole for a cool 1.2 million to a certain loan shark in Calgary," Patterson said to Stanley.

"Who's this loan shark?" Randall asked sharply, eyebrows instantly pinching together.

"Oh, someone your pal Tanner Gunn introduced you to, isn't that right, Mr. Belmont?" Kavanaugh asked. "Does the name 'Mick Osbourne' sound familiar, Mr. Belmont?"

Stanley's face went pale.

"You don't have to answer any of that, Stan," Randall repeated his predictable line yet again.

"Mick Osbourne told our Calgary counterparts you've borrowed heavily from him on a number of occasions," Patterson said. "You've been racking up the debt. Mick's enforcers are vicious. Were you being threatened?"

Stanley's eyes swept over to his counsel.

"Did Tanner Gunn ask you to request Lisa Stillman's medical death certificate?" Patterson asked. "Did he promise to get Mick's guys to back off if you did?"

"Um... I'd like a private conference with my lawyer now, please," Stanley murmured weakly after a period of dead silence.

"Granted," Patterson said. She and Kavanaugh got up from their seats and left their suspect alone with his counsel.

***

Chief Parker was waiting for Patterson and Kavanaugh when they reappeared in the bullpen.

"How's the interview with Stanley Belmont going?" he asked.

"I think we've got him," Patterson answered. "He's asked for some private time with his counsel."

"He hasn't admitted anything yet," Kavanaugh said, being more cautious. "But he's definitely spooked."

"Think he's going to spill what he knows?" Chief Parker asked.

"Hopefully," Patterson said. "Because he's definitely not going to want to be the one to take the fall for a murder conspiracy charge."

"He won't if he knows what's good for him," Parker commented. "Good work, you too. We'll see if his lawyer talks some sense into him."

"Okay, since we've been away dealing with Belmont, let's get up to speed. Where are we with our dead hitman's case?" Kavanaugh now asked.

Detective Benoit looked up when he heard this question.

"As you know, Earl McCann's phone was all busted up, so we've taken the SIM card out and popped it into another phone on the off chance the sender will try to get in touch again, but so far, nothing," he said.

"Then maybe it's time we went on the offensive," Parker suggested. "Can you try reaching out to him?"

"I don't think that's a good idea, sir," Benoit answered. "The call history shows there were never any outgoing calls. It might be a giveaway if we try to make contact."

Parker considered this. "You could be right..."

"Hold on," Benoit said excitedly. "Someone is calling right now. ID is blocked. It could be the middle man."

Kavanaugh raced over to help his colleague with setting up a trace.

"All right. Accept the call, Benoit," Parker advised.

Benoit tapped the screen to answer. Before he could say a word, the mysterious caller barged ahead without greeting.

"Hey, remember those two loose ends I told you about? They've still not been taken care of!" the voice barked menacingly. "The client is pissed. I told you on Saturday those had to be taken care of ASAP. You are still in Hudson, right? I told you the client said to stick around, didn't I?"

Benoit did not know if he should chance a reply. "Uh-huh," he eventually mumbled.

"You're makin' me look bad. Do what you're being paid to do!"

The line went dead.

"Did we get him?" asked Parker.

"No," replied a disappointed Kavanaugh. "Whoever this is, he's still using a burner phone. GPS and location services have been disabled. Best we can do is triangulate off the closest cell tower."

"How close can you get us?

"The call pinged off a cell tower around 7th Avenue and 8th Street in the downtown Calgary area," answered Kavanaugh. "He could be anywhere within a three city block radius."

"Get Detective Prescott over in Calgary on the line," Parker ordered. "They'll have the resources and the manpower. We need to find this guy before he disappears."

***

Calgary Homicide Detective James Prescott listened intently to what Chief Parker was telling him. He mobilized his teams as soon as he learned of the active cell phone signal potentially belonging to the individual involved in the hiring of a professional killer.

"Do you have any likely suspects on your radar in the 'middle man' department, Prescott?"Parker asked.

"A few come to mind," Prescott responded, as he and four separate groups of plainclothes detectives converged on the area in downtown Calgary that Kavanaugh had identified.

The light rail passenger trains traversing 7th Avenue that hummed along at 15-minute intervals at this hour of the evening were sparsely filled. Prescott said a silent prayer their quarry did not decide to hop on one of those trains while they searched for him. The man could quietly disappear into any quadrant of the city if they allowed that to happen.

Prescott and two others now crossed those very tracks on foot. "Heading north on 8th Street," he spoke into his concealed comm. "Approaching the Dominion Centre Building with the pharmacy, Tim Hortons, and the Community Corrections Centre."

"Copy," the dispatcher's voice spoke in acknowledgement.

The Tim Hortons franchise caught Prescott's attention, or rather, one of the patrons did. The detective continued walking for a few more paces before silently indicating to his two colleagues he wanted to double back. They understood immediately what he was planning. There was only a pair of street-level doors being used as an entrance and an exit. One of Prescott's colleagues named Koch casually took up his position near that exit should the suspect try to bolt.

"Possible suspect sighted," Prescott whispered into his comm. "William Ulrich. He's in the Tim Hortons."

Chief Parker and his team in Hudson, also linked in to Prescott's feed, heard this announcement. All waited with bated breath to hear how this would go down.

Prescott and the second cop named Diaz swung open the entrance door and made their way inside. The aroma of brewing coffee, sugary baked goods and toasting sandwiches wafted in the tiny space that seated maybe 40 at capacity. The man they were after sat alone in a booth situated right up against one of the windows by the exit door. Prescott and Diaz ignored him for the time being and instead made for the lineup as if they were going to order something.

Known on the streets as 'Billy the Bulldog', it was not a stretch to see why ex-felon and known middle-man William Ulrich had been saddled with that nickname. Small in stature, compact in build and with a prominent underbite, Billy had spiteful black eyes and a mercurial temper.

Prescott pulled out his cell phone and sent a quick text to Benoit.

- Call the number now.

Benoit responded from his desk in the Hudson police headquarters.

- Copy. Calling now.

Prescott turned slightly to see Billy pull out his phone. "What the hell are you calling me for?" he snapped.

Benoit terminated the call without saying a word.

The 'Bulldog' scowled at his screen, put it away, and went back to sipping his double-double*. It was the confirmation Prescott was looking for. He left the queue and made a beeline for his suspect with Diaz right behind.

"Billy, Billy, Billy. Little late for a caffeine fix, wouldn't you say?"

Billy jerked his head up at the sound of Prescott's chiding voice. He saw the two plainclothes cops, instinctively recognized them for what they were, and realised he was cornered. A look of wild panic crossed his features.

"Don't make a scene," Prescott said gruffly, shoving Billy back into his seat as he tried to stand up.

"This is harassment," Billy howled. "I was just minding my own business here."

"Sure you were, Billy," Diaz said, sliding into the seat opposite the others in the booth.

"I had a meeting earlier with my parole officer over in Corrections," Billy said, jutting his generous chin in the general direction of the Corrections Centre. "You can call and ask him. Now I'm just having some coffee and a bite to eat."

"Must have been a really long meeting, Billy," Prescott said.

"Yeah, the Corrections Centre has been closed for hours, Billy," Diaz added.

"So time flies!" Billy protested. "What do you guys want, anyway?"

"Oh, you're coming with us," Diaz said.

"What for?!" Billy yapped.

"See, you're under arrest for suspicion of soliciting murder," Prescott said, pulling Billy up and handcuffing him while informing him of his rights. "Let's go."

***

Heartland – Ranch House

Lyndy was starting to nod off in her booster seat. Despite the afternoon nap, it was now long past her usual bedtime and sleep was beckoning.

"I'll take her back to the loft and put her to bed, Amy," Ty offered. "Plus, I've got some paperwork I've been neglecting that I should take care of."

"Thank you," Amy said, giving both her husband and her child a kiss. "See you when I finish up here."

"Goodnight, everyone," Ty said, giving a short wave to them all while picking up his sleepy daughter, cradling her head against his shoulder and supporting her back.

The rest of them said their goodbyes and watched Ty depart with Lyndy.

They lingered at the table for about a half hour longer, making idle chat about nothing of any significance until the travellers' exhaustion began to take over. Lou noticed, and politely suggested it was time to head over to the Dude Ranch.

Rachel yawned her assent. "I'm ready to turn into a pumpkin," she said.

"Same here," Ben said. "Thanks for the meal, Amy. See you tomorrow."

"Yes, thanks, Amy," Rachel said. "You've all been wonderful. I can see why Lisa loved you all so much... and why she loved being here."

"You're welcome," Amy said. "See you tomorrow."

***

The dog was nowhere to be seen. He heard through the grapevine about the possible case of strychnine poisoning, and he patted himself on the back for that one. Stillman's sister and nephew had spent dinner at the ranch house, but the elder Fleming sister had just taken them somewhere; maybe to that hole of a place she called "Heartland Equestrian Connections" like it was some five-star resort. He was slightly surprised they were even using the place since the news earlier that day said some dead guy was found nearby yesterday, but he figured that was none of his business.

The old man still had not come back, so that meant another possible threat was cleared from his list of concerns. Now all he had to do was make sure he could get to Borden in the barn office, then he could focus on Dr. Cardinal in the clinic. Things were approaching a critical juncture now, but there was no turning back. He could no longer let them live when the chance remained they could identify him, no matter how remote that possibility.

He readied his weapon, slipping it into his jacket breast pocket once again. His aim had not been as perfect as he had wanted when he fired at the Stillman woman, but in the end it had not mattered. She was dead, and she would never again be talking about who might have shot her.

I won't mess up this time, he vowed, picturing in his mind how he would take out Borden. He would shoot him, then trash the barn office, paying special attention to the medicine cabinet. Make it look like an attempted robbery gone bad by a desperate junkie. Nope. I definitely won't miss this target, and the same will go for Cardinal.

***

With the dishes washed and put away, Amy sat tiredly in the ranch house kitchen. She entertained the thought of brewing a cup of tea, but decided she should just head back to the loft and decompress there. She was about to do just that when the kitchen telephone extension rang.

It was getting to be a little late for anyone to be calling since it was already past nine o'clock, but Amy nevertheless checked the call display.

HUDSON POLICE

She picked up the phone right away.

"Hello?" she answered.

"Good evening, this is Chief Jim Parker. Is Lou Fleming available?"

"Sorry, Chief," Amy said, "she's stepped out for a little while."

"I see," Jim said. "I was hoping to talk to her and provide an update about the body we found by the Dude Ranch. But I'm glad I caught you at the house, too."

"Why is that?" Amy asked.

"We're convinced the dead man we found was hired to kill Valerie Stanton, and we're almost certain he was the one who attacked Lisa and assaulted Jack in the hospital. We found evidence on a cell phone belonging to him—photos of Val and Lisa. The timeline of Val's shooting and the incident at the hospital line up with when the photos were sent."

"That's crazy," Amy said, blood running cold at this revelation.

"There's more, I'm afraid. Your husband and Dr. Cardinal also seem to have been targeted," Parker said.

Amy almost could not believe her ears as she listened to what the chief was saying. His call that evening had been most unexpected, as was the information he was now sharing.

"The latest pictures he was sent before he died were of Ty and Scott, so it's highly likely he was being paid to kill them, too."

"Are you sure?" Amy asked, her heart skipping a beat as this message sank in. When will this nightmare end? "But who was he?"

"We've been in touch with another RCMP detachment about that," Parker said, not yet wanting to disclose what they discovered to a civilian. "I can't share those details about his identity at this time, but the police in Calgary have the man who sent the pictures in custody right now. Unfortunately, he's just a middle man. Even so, he's refusing to talk right now about who's behind all this."

"Chief," Amy said, trying to calm her nerves, "is my husband still in danger?"

"Until we know for certain who initiated the hits, we can't be sure," Parker admitted. "My advice would be to take whatever precautions you deem necessary. I unfortunately can't spare or justify the manpower for a protection detail at this time based simply on broad speculation. That said, I have to say I am still personally worried. If this dead guy truly was contracted to take out your husband and Dr. Cardinal, chances are whoever did the contracting might simply hire someone else to get the job done. We should not assume the threat has passed. Stay on the alert while we work on it."

At these words, Amy sent a furtive glance out the window. The security lights illuminated the expansive yard. She glanced up at the loft above the barn, suddenly thinking how very exposed it was. The distinct lack of a secure door leading to her living space with her husband and their child was troubling. If someone breached the barn door during the night, it would be very easy for that person to come creeping up the stairs unnoticed and unhindered.

"Chief, thank you for telling me," Amy said, having already made up her mind what she was going to do.

After she ended the call, Amy quickly made her way to the barn. Ty looked up from his paperwork as soon as he heard her. "What's going on?" he asked, confused by her anxious appearance.

"I just spoke with Chief Parker," Amy said hurriedly. "Ty, he was calling about the dead guy they found by the Dude Ranch... he said they think someone contracted him to kill Val and Lisa. They found Val and Lisa's pictures on his phone."

"You've gotta be kidding me," Ty said, staring at her, mouth agape.

"No," Amy replied grimly. "That's not all. Chief Parker said there were also pictures sent recently to the dead man's phone of you and Scott. I don't like how vulnerable we are in the barn loft. I think we should all stay in the house tonight and lock the doors, or at least until Chief Parker and his team get to the bottom of this. I'm packing an overnight bag for me and Lyndy; you should do the same."

"All right, you go ahead with Lyndy. Has Chief Parker contacted Scott?"

"I don't know," Amy said with a shake of her head.

"I'll call him," Ty said, rising to his feet. "Let me finish up here, and I'll join you in the house soon."

"Okay," Amy said, and kissed him quickly before heading up the stairs. After filling a bag with clothes and other necessities for herself and her child, Amy gathered a sleeping Lyndy in her arms, hefted the bag onto her free shoulder, and made her way back down.

***

He watched as she walked at a brisk clip across the yard from the house to the barn. He had been about to make his move, but stopped in his tracks when he saw this. The vet was no longer alone now, much to his frustration. He would have to wait to see what happened next. Had he missed his opportunity? He decided to wait a little longer. His patience was rewarded when about ten minutes later, she reappeared, this time with the kid in her arms and a bag on her shoulder. He watched as she nearly ran back into the house. A vile smile spread across his face. The vet was finally by himself in the barn! It was now, or never. Still, he waited for a few minutes to be sure she was not coming back. He wanted no witnesses. But ultimately, if she did come back, and if she interrupted what he was about to do, he had no qualms about ending her on the spot, too.

***

Scott, having just got off the phone with Chief Parker, was nevertheless grateful for Ty's call.

"It's crazy," Scott said to Ty. "But I think I'll be okay at the clinic tonight. The police station is a couple blocks away, anyway, right? Nobody could be that stupid to try something with the cops so close."

"Right," Ty said, hoping Scott actually was right about that. "Be careful, man."

"I will," Scott said. "You, too."

***

Amy knocked on her niece's bedroom door.

"Come in," Georgie answered.

"Georgie, we're staying in the house tonight," Amy announced upon opening the door.

"Uh, okay," Georgie said in surprise. She stared at Amy whose body language spoke of pent-up tension. "What's going on?"

"I just spoke with Adam's dad," Amy explained. "That dead guy you two found? It turns out he might have been hired to kill Val and Lisa. The police found their pictures on his phone."

"What?!" Georgie exclaimed.

"But that's not all," Amy said. "They also found pictures of Ty and Scott, so I'm thinking we'll all be a lot safer together here in the house until the police figure out what's going on."

"You know, you guys really do need to get a door with a lock for your loft," Georgie said.

"Yeah, yeah," Amy muttered. "I've put Lyndy down in Katie's room for now and Ty and I will be in my old room."

"Okay. I really wish Jack and Tim were here," Georgie said wistfully.

"Me, too," Amy said. "But for now I'm just going to sit in Katie's room and be with Lyndy until Ty arrives." She was grateful her younger niece was still staying with Peter in Vancouver.

"And Lou had better get back here soon from settling Rachel and Ben in at the Dude Ranch," Georgie added.

"Maybe you should call her," Amy suggested.

"Yeah. Okay, I will," Georgie said, pulling out her cell phone to do just that.

***

He watched for any sign she would be back. When five minutes passed, he decided the coast was clear. It was time to finish this. It was time to clean up the mess for which he had only himself to blame. And after handling this job, the last item on the list was Scott Cardinal, but making that one also look like a burglary gone wrong would not be too much of a problem either, he figured. He crept out of the shadows towards the barn, hand inside his jacket breast pocket, ready to pull out the pistol.

***

"Mom, you need to get back here," Georgie said.

Lou could not mistake the urgency in her daughter's voice.

"Why, what's going on?" asked Lou, who had just finally bid goodnight to Ben and Rachel in their respective cabins.

"Adam's dad thinks the dead guy we found is the one who killed Val and Lisa," she said.

"Val and Lisa?" cried Lou.

"But Mom, there's more," Georgie continued. "Chief Parker says Ty and Scott could also be targets. Amy just brought Lyndy to the house and Ty's coming, too. They're all going to stay in here tonight. For safety."

"Um, okay, that's a good idea," Lou said, already approaching the SUV. "I'll be there soon—"

"Hang on a second, Mom," Georgie interjected, "Amy's trying to tell me something."

"It's okay, honey," Lou said, "you go ahead. I'll just hang up now."

Lou ended the call without waiting to hear Georgie's reply.

***

He could hear the vet scuffling about up in the loft. That was fine. He would just wait until he came back down. Then, bam! He would shoot him right between the eyes. He would never know what hit him.

***

Ty noticed Amy had already packed both their toothbrushes and toothpaste as he made one last sweep of the loft to make sure he had not forgotten anything essential he might need for an overnight stay in the ranch house. He swung his duffle bag over his shoulder, unlatched the baby gate, and began to head downstairs.

***

His ears picked up the sound of footfalls. Borden is coming down, he thought, feeling his pulse start to race with excitement. He slid the gun from his breast pocket and steadied his hand, pointing the piece up at the staircase in anticipation of his target's appearance.

***

"Drop the gun and step away from my husband!" Amy's command was crisp and unwavering.

The interloper paused, arm still outstretched, weapon aimed up at the nonplussed Ty.

"Drop the gun," Amy ordered again, measuring every word, her own arms steady as she held Jack's rifle on the man threatening her husband. "I'm warning you: I know how to use this, and the police are on the way."

The balaclava-clad, would-be killer turned slightly to face Amy. He seemed to be considering his options. Perhaps he doubted Amy's skill with the rifle and figured he would be able to carry out his deadly task. Or perhaps he knew very well that she could kill him with one pull of the trigger. His shoulder eventually drooped, seemingly in submission, followed by a lowering of his pistol.

Ty let out the breath he was unaware he had been holding.

In a flash, the stranger twisted away from Amy and once again raised his weapon to Ty. An ear-splitting blast ripped through the barn office. A cry of agony escaped the lips of the masked stranger. He stumbled to the floor, clutching at his shoulder. A few horses neighed in surprise as the explosive ka-boom echoed through their stalls.

Ty dropped his bag and sprang from the steps towards the downed man. He kicked aside the small pistol, whirled around, and drove his foot into the small of his back. "Stay down," he growled.

Knowing the other weapon was far out of reach and Ty's sturdy boot was keeping the villain pinned, Amy crept forward and yanked the balaclava from his head.

"Jesse!" she gasped upon recognizing him.

Jesse Stanton craned his neck and glared back up at her sideways, eyes revealing a mix of shock and torment. Shock that Amy had carried through with her spoken threat; torment due to the bullet that had torn through his shoulder.

"That was you that day, wasn't it?" Ty snarled in an accusatory tone. "Riding your Ducati when Scott nearly plowed into you. You shot Lisa!"

Jesse could not deny it. "Yeah," he muttered, not bothering to meet Ty's infuriated gaze.

"Did you also go to the hospital to finish the job? Huh?!" Ty exclaimed.

"No, that wasn't m-me. Someone else." Jesse mumbled.

"You're lying," Ty said. "You went in there, you snuffed out her life, and you escaped on your bike again."

"No, I swear that wasn't me!" protested Jesse. "I wasn't anywhere near the hospital."

Ty clamped his mouth shut. Jesse seemed to be telling the truth.

"Let me up, will you?" he begged.

Ty considered the request. Every bone in his body wanted to continue keeping him jammed squarely to the floor, but mercy prevailed. "Okay, I'm letting you up, but I'm warning you Amy won't hesitate to shoot again if you try anything. Understand?"

"Yeah, yeah," Jesse grumbled.

Ty lifted his foot carefully. Jesse scooted himself up and scrambled against the barn wall like a rat being let out of a trap. He pressed his hand to his bloodied shoulder, wincing in pain as he did so.

"If it wasn't you who attacked Lisa and Jack at the hospital, then who was it?" Ty asked.

"I don't know," he replied, not meeting Ty's gaze. "It just wasn't me, all right?"

"You might not have gone after her in the hospital, but you're still the reason she ended up there in the first place," Amy said angrily, thinking of what Chief Parker told her about the pictures on the dead man's phone. "You're the reason someone else got to her. You're the reason she's dead."

"Whatever," Jesse mumbled.

"After all these years, Jesse," Amy said. "Our families. You know us! You-your mom! She and my grandpa and Lisa—they all knew each other for years. They were friends!"

"Don't even start, Amy!" Jesse snapped contemptuously. "'Friends'? My mother—my mother hated Lisa Stillman."

He caught the expression of astonishment on their faces at this revelation. "That's right," he continued, enjoying this last taunt he could needle them with. "Oh sure, she was friendly to her face in public. But… You should have heard the things my mother said about Lisa when she got into her liquor—some friend! And I… I hated my mother."

"So, did you kill her, too?" Amy ventured to ask, her voice brittle.

"No," Jesse replied through gritted teeth. "But I sure didn't shed any actual tears when I heard she was dead."

"You're lying," Ty countered as he narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "You were the only one who knew for sure when she took Herring out for that ride. You're the one who reported her missing. You're the one who told the police where they should conduct their search. You purposely directed their search away from Lookout Point, didn't you?"

"Doesn't mean I'm the one who pulled that trigger," Jesse said with a leer, though he was still visibly in quite a bit of pain. "Wish I was, though. Briar Ridge… was supposed to be mine to run as I saw fit! She was supposed to… grrr… be living full-time in Florida. Instead, she just kept coming back here, hanging on, telling me what to do, interfering in my decisions... treating me like some clueless child! Gah! I actually thought I would be free of her when she had that s-second bout with the cancer, b-but she beat that, too."

Ty had heard enough. "Stop talking," he snarled. "You're making me sick listening to all your crap!"

Amy had also heard enough. She handed Ty the rifle. "The police should be here any minute. I'm going to go back to check on Lyndy and Georgie."

"How 'bout an ambulance?!" Jesse hollered desperately.

Amy ignored him as she scurried out the barn door, hoping Georgie was not too freaked out by the loud report of the rifle.

"How 'bout you shut up!" bellowed Ty, keeping the rifle trained just to the left of Jesse's ear. "You're lucky she didn't take off your head when she shot you."

"You-you're enjoying this, aren't you, Borden?" Jesse sniveled.

"No, I am not enjoying this," Ty hissed. "None of this is enjoyable. What did Lisa Stillman ever do to you? Was shooting her some kind of thrill-seeking game for you? Jealousy over Fairfield's success?"

"Borden… Your guesses are so cold, you… heh… make Antarctica feel like a sauna," Jesse laughed feebly.

"Do you have any idea what you've done to this family? What you've done to Jack?"

"That old m-man can die and go to h-hell," Jesse grunted, his teeth chattering now. "The w-way my mother pined away for him… even-even after he m-married Lisa… it was em-embarrassing… sickening… Dunno what she s-saw… He was nothing like m-my father…"

Ty noticed Jesse's shivering. What with the pain and blood loss, he was probably starting to go into shock. "Okay, just keep quiet now, all right?" Ty said, using a gentler voice he was surprised he was able to muster. "You don't want to bleed out here before the paramedics come."

"H-how 'bout some pain k-killers in the meantime, Borden?" Jesse asked with a lop-sided smile. "Y-you got some of the good stuff here, don't you?"

Ty glowered at Jesse. "I said keep quiet. You're not getting anything from me."

"Worth a try." Jesse gave a weak laugh, then finally shut his mouth.

After checking to ensure her niece and child were fine back at the house, and after hastily explaining why there had been a weapon discharged, Amy returned to the barn. "I have the 911 dispatcher on the line," she advised, holding her cell phone to her ear. "An ambulance is heading here, now."

The shrill whine of a police siren caught their attention next. Red and blue lights splashed brightly against the walls and reflected in the windows. The cruiser came to a halt in front of the barn. Car doors opened and slammed shut; footsteps crunched the dirt and gravel.

"Everybody okay in there?"

Ty recognized the voice of Chief Parker; Detective Kavanaugh was right behind the senior officer. Jesse's head sank to his chest in utter defeat at their appearance.

"Chief! Jesse just tried to shoot Ty," Amy said, pointing at the weapon. "That's the gun right there."

Chief Parker looked on the barn floor and saw what he recognized as a Raven MP-25. He bent to retrieve it, gingerly picking it up with a gloved hand by the trigger guard.

"And um, I just shot Jesse," Amy admitted, noticing for the first time her hands were shaking.

"He, uh, he also just confessed to shooting Lisa out on the road that day, Chief," Ty said quietly as he handed over Jack's rifle to Parker's other gloved hand.

"You mean he confessed to killing her," Amy uttered furiously, feeling an overwhelming sense of grief and anger cascading over her. "He's the reason she ended up in the hospital in the first place. He's the reason that guy was able to get into her room and–and—"

She could not continue. All the stresses and tragedies of the past few weeks seemed to descend on her at that moment, crushing her with their weight. Tears she had not known that were still in reserve spilled out. Ty's own eyes clouded as his heart ached for all the losses the family had endured. He crossed over and gathered her up into his arms.

"And she's not dead," Parker announced.

He was met with stunned silence from them while Kavanaugh knelt to take Jesse into custody.

"What are you sayingؙ—Lisa's not dead?" Amy gasped, gazing now at the senior officer.

"H-how?" Ty asked shaking his head. "I thought she..."

"That's what we needed everyone to think," Kavanaugh said, being careful not to jostle his prisoner too harshly. "Well, almost everyone."

"I can't believe it!" Amy exclaimed in jubilation. "She's really alive?"

"Yes, really," Parker said. His face broke into a wide smile, pleased he could finally bring some good news to this long-suffering family. "She's still in pretty rough shape, mind you, but your dad and your grandfather are with her right now at the hospital under police protection."

"This is incredible!" Ty said. "But why make us think she didn't survive?"

"All in good time, Ty," Parker said calmly. "Our investigation is still on-going, but catching Mr. Stanton red-handed here tonight has certainly blown things wide open for us, and we expect to be making another arrest in Calgary very soon."

"Who?!" Jesse dared to ask.

"Wouldn't you like to know," Kavanaugh quipped dryly. "But maybe you'd like to guess?"

Jesse pursed his lips.

"Not even one guess?" Kavanaugh goaded. "Aw, you're spoiling my fun."

But Jesse refused to speak.

"Jesse Stanton, you're under arrest for attempted murder," Kavanaugh said. "It is my duty to inform you that you have the right to retain and instruct counsel of your choice in private and without delay. Before you decide to answer any questions concerning this investigation, you may call a lawyer of your choosing or get free advice from Duty Counsel. If you wish to contact Legal Aid duty counsel I can provide you with a telephone number and a telephone will be made available to you. Do you understand?"

"Yeah," Jesse mumbled. "I wanna call my lawyer."

"Fine," Kavanaugh said. "We'll make sure that happens while we wait for the ambulance to get here. Let's go."

Kavanaugh started shuffling his prisoner off towards the barn's open door.

"Amy? Ty?" Lou's voiced called out.

"In here, Lou!" Amy called back. She was so wrapped up in what had just happened, she did not even hear when her sister pulled up in the SUV.

Lou jogged over to the entrance only to stop in her tracks as Kavanaugh hauled Jesse out. "I thought I heard a gunshot just now—" She stared at the arrestee and his bloodied shoulder. Now she chanced a look inside the barn and saw Jim holding the rifle in one hand and a pistol in the other.

"We're okay, Lou," Amy said to assure her sister. "But, um, Jesse just tried to kill Ty. I shot him with Grandpa's rifle."

"You!" Lou cried. She glanced back over her shoulder at Jesse, who was being made to sit inside the cruiser. "Jesse came to kill Ty? Why?"

"Because he didn't want any more witnesses around who could ID him as Lisa's shooter," Parker said.

"Jesse shot Lisa?!"

Parker nodded. "We'll have to wait on the ballistics to confirm," he said, indicating the Raven he was holding. "But he's already admitted it."

"And Lou," Amy said, brimming with joy, "Lisa's alive. She survived the attack in the hospital."

"Lisa's alive?" Lou repeated, dumbfounded.

Parker nodded, a smile still pasted on his face. "I'm sorry we had to do that to all of you, but between my department and the Calgary police who were investigating that attack, we agreed it was the best option to keep her safe until we caught all the ones responsible."

"And have you caught all the ones responsible?" Lou asked tentatively, looking once again over at the cruiser where Jesse Stanton was bring granted a privileged call with his lawyer.

"We're close," Parker admitted. "This thing is still in motion, but we're hoping to have everyone in custody by tomorrow. Arresting Mr. Stanton here tonight is already a big win for us."

"He probably also poisoned Remi," Amy said, as all the pieces were starting to fall into place in her mind. "That's why he came over to visit the other day."

"Your dog was poisoned?" Parker asked in surprise.

Amy nodded.

"Strychnine," Ty explained. "We don't keep that at Heartland. She's going to make it, but we were really concerned for a while there."

Lou put her hands to her temples. "This is too much. I think I'm getting a headache."

The whine of an ambulance and another police cruiser filled the night air.

"That would be the paramedics for Mr. Stanton and my backup officers," Chief Parker said. "It's going to be a long night while we get everything straightened out here."

***

Canadian Rockies Life Insurance — Calgary Branch

5:00 a.m.

The young woman switched on the desk lamp at the workstation. Using the overhead lights, especially at this early hour, had the chance of attracting unwanted attention, and she needed secrecy for what she was about to do.

Using the credentials she had spied long ago from an unwitting co-worker, she logged into the company mainframe and accessed the Policies database. She quickly located the one she had specifically come to find:

LISA RENÉE STILLMAN

Hurriedly, she began entering the required data to kickstart the claims process. Now that she had the medical death certificate information, things could finally proceed.

Date of Filing:

The field automatically populated with the current date of May 9, 2019.

Policy Holder:

Here, she input the name of the dummy corporation she was instructed to use in this scenario.

Date of Death:

She consulted the copy of the certificate and typed "03/05/2019".

Place of Death:

"South Calgary Health Campus".

Cause of Death:

"Cardiopulmonary cessation".

Next, she entered the certificate number and pressed ENTER to continue.

When presented with the options for the payout, she immediately selected "Lump Sum" over the other choices. She hovered the cursor over the "Process Now" button and clicked on it. As soon as she did so, the overhead lights glowed to life in the room without warning, causing her to gasp in surprise.

"Getting an early start to the day, Ms. Haywood?"

Tessa Haywood jumped at the unexpected question. She swiveled around in her chair to see Kavanaugh and Patterson standing a few cubicles behind her. Her eyes darted to the exit. Calgary detectives Prescott and Diaz guarded that escape route. Tessa guessed right away why they were all there. She spun back to the desktop monitor. There was nothing she could do now about the Stillman policy, but the rest of them... Tessa tried to access the policy database again.

"Hudson Police! Step away from the workstation, Ms. Haywood," Patterson said loudly.

Tessa ignored Patterson. She had to eliminate any evidence of the fraudulent policies for all those other members of that investors' group before these officers could uncover them.

"I said: Step away from the workstation, Tessa," Patterson commanded again. She began her approach with Kavanaugh following.

Tessa's level of panic skyrocketed.

"Stop what you're doing now!" Patterson ordered. "Tessa Haywood, you're under arrest for insurance fraud and conspiracy to commit murder—"

"They made me do it! They made me do it! Tanner and Jesse made me!" Tessa screeched desperately, perhaps hoping this admission would grant her some kind of immediate leniency.

Patterson nevertheless yanked Tessa up from the chair and secured her wrists in handcuffs, giving her a quick pat-down in the process.

"You need not say anything," Patterson intoned gruffly, knowing she had to legally issue this warning. "You have nothing to hope from any promise or favour and nothing to fear from any threat, whether or not you say anything. Anything you say may be used as evidence. You have the right to retain and instruct counsel in private without delay. Do you understand?"

Tessa merely nodded her head.

"I need you to answer either 'yes' or 'no', Ms. Haywood," Patterson said.

"Yes, I understand," Tessa said, barely above a whisper.

"Good. Let's go."

***

*double-double: How you order a coffee with two creams and two sugars at Tim Hortons

Chapter 11: Sing Me to Heaven