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johannesviii · 4 years

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So I guess I’m hyperfixating on Death Stranding at the moment

And since I’ve finally finished the story after playing it for like 100 hours over the course of seven months or so I guess I have Opinions(tm) about things I didn’t like in the game

They’re eating at my brain so I’m gonna put them all in a single post to get them out of my system once and for all so I can enjoy the rest in peace

Spoilers, obviously

Hi welcome back to ‘Johannes is obsessing over yet another video game with horror elements in it’! I guess!!

Our latest entry in that category was Until Dawn but since UD can be played in like 6/7 hours and I spent 100 hours of my life on DS, as you can guess we’re talking about a full-blown hyperfixation, the kind that physically hurts because I can’t focus on anything else even after having finished the storyline

But it was super gradual. Again, seven months. I barely made any progress from December to May because I was only doing side-deliveries at the beginning of Chapter 3 instead of... you know... advancing the plot. It became an honest-to-god special interest about two months ago, then 6 days ago while playing chapter 10 it reached hyperfixation levels and now I am in PAIN

I hate my brain

Anyhow

At first I wanted to list the good and the bad hings in it but there’s too many good things to list them all in full, excruciatingly long details, so

Very Quick And Very Incomplete List Of Good Things That I Love

It’s a post-apo game based on travel, logistics, and good will, and it straight up goes AGAINST the whole ‘survival of the fittest’ trope that SO MANY post-apo things try to push!! YES

I insist but it’s built on helping each other and keeping everyone alive, seriously that is my shit right there!

The online community is wholesome?? People leave stuff everywhere, you never see anyone but people put little helpful signs and send you likes, and in my game we almost managed to repair all the roads together

There’s so many new & strange allergies and disabilities and phobias in this post-apo world and? nobody is trying to ““fix”“ anyone?? Like Heartman with his padded floor and his little box that brings him back to life constantly. He’s just... living like that. Nobody’s going “hey maybe you should get another heart operation buddy”

The hero and his phobia of being touched. I. Loved. That. The quiet scenes when he was just talking with Fragile, sitting next to her. In any other context this would just be two people sitting next to each other and talking but it always feels so soft and intimate everytime he allows another human being to just. be next to him. I love it. I love them

Everyone crying constantly because of chiral allergy!!

I loved all the important characters bar one (Bridget/Amelie)!

Why is this walking simulator so enjoyable why am I enjoying the fact that holding L2 + R2 while walking feels like holding your backpack and that you have to relax at times just like you’d have to if you were actually holding a backpack

Seriously. Why

The atmosphere was so great, the music was fantastic and the visuals were on point. A E S T H E T I C

The ghosts!! The giant Beached Things!!! Chiral crystals look! like! creepy hands reaching for the SKY!!

THE RAIN DESTROYS THINGS AND KILLS PEOPLE BY ACCELERATING TIME THIS IS SO COOL SHUT UP

Everytime the game got surreal it was electrifying

THE SURREAL WAR SCENES ON CLIFF’S BEACH

Everyone is using emojis

There’s guys addicted to delivering packages in that game and they’re trying to steal our stuff and we’re like “haha they’re dumb” but we’re basically addicted to delivering packages as the player. So yeah that was pretty fun

Terrorists thinking humanity isn’t going extinct fast enough and wanting to just rip the bandaid and speed things up. Simple but effective concept

People ask for SUPER VITAL ITEMS right next to completely trivial stuff and I’m LIVING for it. “Please fetch my toy dinosaur”. I feel you dude

The most isolated characters are like "LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THIS THING I LIKE" in your emails because they haven't had contact with other humans in years, it's super relatable

There’s a farm where people use the fact that Timefall rain accelerates time to grow food super quickly in one (1) Timefall and harvest everything just before it starts to die and I LOVE that detail of worldbuilding so much

YOU’RE FIGHTING BEACHED THINGS WITH YOUR OWN BODILY FLUIDS IT’S SO STUPID BUT ALSO SO COOL?? I love yeet-ing my own blood at eldritch entities

THE T W I S T S

All the fanservice (bar one detail that I’m gonna complain about later) is on dudes. This game reeeeeeally likes to show dudes naked or somewhat naked. Mostly the main character but this mocap also L O V E S Mads Mikkelsen and there’s a shit ton of homoerotic shots in there

I love Sam the antisocial papa wolf delivery man and if someone touches him or his baby again, I will cry

LOU. LOU LOU LOU PRECIOUS BABY I’D DIE FOR YOU. Wait I did

I love Fragile and how brave she is and how she keeps helping people even if most of them wrongly think she’s a terrorist and yes I will eat this cryptobiote thank you

I love soft science boi Heartman who keeps dying again and again and is a bit too much interested in bodily fluids

I love garbage man Higgs and how complex, funny and still somewhat tragic this memelord actually turned out to be in the end

Seriously I want to stop fixating on this character but you can’t give me YET ANOTHER character who wants to die but at the hands of someone else, that is unfair to do that right after my fixation on the new Doctor Who Master

So yeah Higgs is yet another character who makes me want to grab him by the lapels and shake him and yell WHY! ARE! YOU! LIKE! THIS! STOP! BEING! LIKE! THIS!!

Cliff broke all three of my feelings beautifully and in excruciatingly well-acted scenes that transcended the sometimes lackluster dialogue

John made me cry during That Scene

Mama your background was tragic and terrifying and you didn’t deserve any of this shit and I love you

Deadman was more funny than anything, really, but I still liked him even if he had no sense of personal space whatsoever and it clashed horribly with Sam’s phobias

The ending had some sad parts but was mostly positive, thank goodness

Now I’m gonna explain things I dislike and this looks long but it’s actually only 5 main things so I bolded them to avoid confusion

Things I really disliked (and could have been handled wayyyy better)

We all know it but Kojima isn’t a master of subtlety and some parts of the dialogue kept repeating the same informations again and again AND AGAIN and I was like “ok ok I get it”

The dialogue can be so bad at times seriously

Kojima is a bad writer there I said it

It was particularly annoying with Amelie/Bridget and the fact she’s a horrible person trying (and failing) to justify her actions wasn’t helping

Bridges protocols are incredibly intrusive. All of them. I know it’s framed as bad and Sam hates being spied on all the time and in the end he destroys the device that does that, but I wish someone else would openly criticise it in-game

I guess Deadman sort of did but still

Also I know the whole BB technology was Bridget’s idea, and since she’s the actual villain it’s framed as a twisted, evil thing during the ending, but I wish that had been framed like that much earlier ; a lot of Bridges employees just... seem to accept the idea that their employer is using premature babies and their dead mothers as useful, if disturbing, devices. They seem to justify it by “uh we stole that technology from terrorists” to try to cope with the idea but... yeah.

I mean, one of the points being made very early on is that Sam sees his BB as his child who must be protected at all costs instead of a detection device, but I really wish he wasn’t the only one to object to that thing

Again, the game DOES frame "using babies and their dead mothers as tools” as evil and twisted, I just wish it was given a lot more weight and way sooner

Now let’s talk about the Token Straight(tm) in this game

In any other kind of context it would be a joke! But Death Stranding literally has a Token Straight Guy!

I mean, there IS a few hetero couples among the Preppers. Not a lot, mind you. Like, there’s the Montaineer and his wife for instance. But they’re just there and it’s not what their side plot is about

No I’m talking about this piece of shit right there

This f█cking Junk Dealer guy complains the girl he loves is dead because of Bridges and emotionally blackmails us by sending us old holograms of her before her supposed death (somewhat disturbing holograms too because she looks... pretty young in them), then he sends us on what’s essentially a suicide mission in a BT infested zone, THEN when we give him proof she’s still alive and living in another bunker nearby, he won’t go there himself to check??

But SHE’s like “ok, bring me to him, then!”

He doesn’t deserve you, girl

I’ve already seen several people pointing out that carrying a woman as cargo on your back is... debatable at best and sexist at worst, but that part didn’t really bother me to be honest? She asked to be carried to him and it’s her choice. She was talking to us the entire way too, so that made things a lot less awkward. Also Sam has this phobia of being touched by other people so I bet carrying another human being on his back isn’t fun for him. It was also super stressful to do, to be honest.

And then there’s this EXTREMELY AWKWARD scene when they’re reunited and decide to get married, and thankfully Sam finds it just as awkward as we do because he’s standing super far away from the bunker in a “can’t they talk about this later - I’m right there” way. And I’m under the impression it was intended as cringy, in a “yeppp young people in love are Like That” sort of way, so I can accept that, to be honest. If you don’t take that scene seriously, it’s pretty fun in, again, a cringy sort of way

BUT

Then you receive more emails later and this piece of shit guy complains about her and he’s like “ugh WOMEN” or “marriage is the worst” and they end up divorced in record time and she goes back to her bunker

Which isn’t my problem with this subplot either, I promise I’m gonna explain myself eventually but this context is important. It’s okay to have characters who are pieces of shit like this guy who reeks of incel cologne. It’s alright. Not every character has to be a role-model. It’s good to have characters you can hate.

BUT THEN they get back together later to try to patch things up and you learn he was part of a gang who murdered her parents even though he protected her against the rest of the gang and that’s what I hated about that storyline. I guess if you squint it can be read as “this woman is making REALLY BAD life choices” but I read it as “he saved her so she owes him something, he can’t be entirely bad” and y i k e s this left such a bad taste in my mouth, good lord.

But yeah miss Chiral Artist you’re making really bad life choices please get away from this dude as soon as you can, thank you

Also don’t do this ‘sending Likes’ pose ever again, it was hilarious but also you made me use the word “cringy” several times in this paragraph even though I absolutely hate cringe culture, look what you made me do

Now I have to talk about a scene that was intentionally disturbing as hell but ONE (1) detail in it was disturbing for the wrong reasons

To be honest, I really don’t like the Metal Gear Solid games and one of the reasons is the rampant sexism in them so I... was kind of bracing myself for Death Stranding and expecting it to have at least SOME really bad fanservice with a woman at one point or another but to my surprise?? There was none? All the fanservice is on dudes??? Hello? I really liked that (well at some point Fragile takes a shower in our room but we see literally nothing except her shoulder and then Sam looks away)?? What a refreshing change

THAT BEING SAID

And if you played the game you know exactly what I’m about to talk about

Yep this is the part where Johannes complains about how the bomb flashback was shot

Ok so I guess I should also give some context in case someone is reading this but hasn’t played the game, but the deal with this scene is that our friend Fragile was betrayed by her colleague Higgs who used to be a porter but became a terrorist after meeting the “main“ villain of the game. First he secretly put a thermonuclear bomb in one of her deliveries so she’d nuke an entire city without even knowing it, and everyone after that thought she was a terrorist. And then he tried to do that shit A SECOND TIME, but she noticed and decided to toss the second nuke into a bottomless lake of tar. But he caught her just before she reached the lake and he decided to give her a sadistic choice, which was “teleport away and the bomb stays there and nukes the city, or carry it to the lake but only in your underwear under this rain that speeds up time and it will do enormous damage to your health and your body”

And of course being the hero she is, she decides to take the second option

And it’s an incredibly disturbing scene and it’s genuinely hard to watch

But it’s also the ONLY time a woman is in her underwear in this entire game and there’s A COUPLE of shots that were male-gaze-y at the beginning before she started to run and the really horrific part started.

So in a way I guess it could have been worse? way worse, even

But it still tarnishes an otherwise disturbing (and harrowing at times ; seriously I know I’m oversensitive but it was physically painful to watch) scene with unnecessary shots

We know Fragile had a young body before this happened, this isn’t the point of this scene, guys

Whoever decided to keep these shots (probably Kojima let’s face it), that is bad and you should feel bad

Idk how to do a visual transition for that next one because I do not want to screen that memo

So here’s a screenshot with a nice landscape instead

tw: acephobia

Now I have to talk about something I like the GENERAL IDEA of, but not how the IN-GAME MATERIAL ABOUT IT was written

Because I have to talk about that “asexual world” memo

First I have to say that I absolutely love the fact that a mainstream game openly says in-game “this future is full of asexual people" and?? it’s just that, it’s a part of this world. That’s just how things are. It’s normalised. I love it. For crying out loud this memo has the word demisexual in it. I can’t think of any other mainstream game that had this word in it so far.

It should have stopped there and let me enjoy that in peace but it didn’t

THE MEMO ITSELF WAS CLEARLY WRITTEN BY SOMEONE WHO DOESN’T KNOW HOW TO HANDLE THESE CONCEPTS and there’s some really bad stuff there. I’d say it’s accidental acephobia but it’s still there. I’m not the best person to talk about this because I’m bi, but it still rubbed me the wrong way

The words this memo uses near the beginning are “"sexless lifestyle” among young people” and yikes, my dude. “Lifestyle”, uh? Really?

And then it goes on about how these new labels were already more and more common “among young people before the Death Stranding” and it also rubs me the wrong way, in a “wow young people and their weird labels lol” sort of queerphobic way?

However I’ve seen a post pointing out that the line “One theory posits that the Stranding accelerated the proliferation of these sexualities” was maybe a way of saying ‘yo asexuals are causing the end of the world’ but... I don’t see it, tbh? In the context of the game, society is extremely divided and a lot of people live in complete isolation and social norms have heavily shifted and it’s kind of normal that there’s queer people visible everywhere now, aces included obviously, because nobody’s bothering to hide it anymore. It’s a post-apocalyptic world! People are just being themselves! A lot of characters also seem to be bi/pan! They’re just vibing ok

At least that’s how I read that part, I can understand if someone had a problem with that bit but I didn’t

BUT! THAT’S NOT ALL because the memo concludes (I’m paraphrasing) “the birth rate has dropped, which might be a problem, but harassment and assault have also dropped, which is good, so idk it’s 50/50″ and. like. I get the intention. But it’s clumsy as hell and very bad. Please don’t confuse abuse of power and attraction. They don’t go hand in hand. Don’t do that. Please. And you know that aces can have kids if they want to, right. Come on. It’s 2020 my dude. This shit is harmful

Also. Like. It’s the end of the world in this game. People don’t want kids. It... has nothing to do with aces. Reality itself is crashing down. People are reluctant to have kids because reality.exe might f█cking crash down at any given moment!

Or a Beached Thing could VoidOut their city!

Or someone might send them a nuke, not naming names!!

Anyway!!!

It’s really badly written and whoever wrote it should educate themselves and maybe get an ace to re-read their stuff next time??

Again I’m not the right person to talk about acephobia and I bet an actual ace would have plenty more to say about this

Thankfully it’s a memo written in-game by a random Bridges councellor and NOT by any important character that we actually know

"I must preempt myself by admitting that I do not have any empirical data" yeah so, f█ck off maybe

So I’m just gonna call that guy “another piece of shit character” but it still doesn’t excuse the fact that the memo was written by someone who thought it was a good idea to put it in the game

Just let me enjoy my super queer post-apo world in peace and don’t write shit like that in your game thank you and goodbye

Minor stuff I also disliked but it wasn’t as awful

I get that Sam is upset at the end because Lou is dying but the way he said goodbye to Fragile broke my heart. It was abrupt and you KNOW he’s upset and wants to have nothing to do with Bridges anymore and that’s very understandable but it isn’t her fault

Seriously I want them to be friends again

I’m gonna pretend they’re friends again after Lou is saved and that Sam is a freelance porter again and sometimes their paths cross and they just talk together in the middle of nowhere and share cryptobiotes

The pacing is weird, there’s this deluge of plot in the beginning and the end but not much in the middle?

The BT boss fights could have been these epic Shadow of the Colossus showdowns but no, they were relatively standard boss fights. Wasted opportunity

The running on the Beach scene sdfghjhgfdsdfghjhgf that was... dumb

A lot of preppers are interesting in one way or another but some are just boring. Also I wish the design of their bunkers was more varied

Amelie/Bridget’s motivations are all over the place, both creating Bridges AND the Demens is... a lot? I know she both WANTS and DOESN’T want the actual, final end of the world to happen but that is a lot to take in and it’s all very confusing

Who the hell cares about ‘rebuilding America’ I just want to build a network where people can help each other

The ‘likes’ are fun but don’t make much sense

In conclusion

Death Stranding Good

Some stuff Bad

Some stuff Very Bad (but it’s just one memo out of 100+ memos, thank god)

I’m still hyperfixating

Send help

#death stranding #long post #eye contact tw #acephobia tw #from a minor unamed character but still it's there

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newsies-geek · 4 years

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Bowery Boy: Javid Fic Part 1

***

Davey felt his heart beat hard in his chest as he heard his parents' words from the other side of the wall.

It was one AM and Davey should have been asleep, but Les had woke up groggily asking for a cup of water, and as the older brother he had no choice but to oblige with a groan. He'd hesitated however as he heard voices coming from the kitchen across the hall, prompting him to flatten himself against the wall to keep from being noticed.

"We can't afford it anymore, Esther..." Mr.Jacobs sighed, "The house is too big for our wallets being this small."

"But we're already down to two bedrooms, darling, how much smaller can we get." Mrs.Jacobs leaned against the dining room table that her husband sat at with a frown.

Mr.Jacobs shook his head, "The cost, not the size...I'm afraid New York expenses just- aren't what they used to be.."

Davey felt his heart drop at what his father was implying, making him grip the wall behind him tighter.

"What are you saying?" Mrs.Jacobs fretted, voicing her son's thoughts.

"We...well, the country side is practically dirt cheap to afford living...the boys could take their working talents and harvest crops there-"

"We don't know the first thing about crop harvesting, Mayer." Mrs.Jacobs furrowed her brow at her husband, moving to sit in a chair across from him, folding her hands on the table.

"And Davey didn't know anything about selling newspapers either, but that boy said he's a natural born- ah what is it? News....z?"

"Newsie, dear." Mrs.Jacobs corrected politely.

Mr.Jacobs nodded, "Exactly. I'm sure they'll do fine in the country, and it'll give my arm time to heal anyhow.."

'That boy...' Davey felt his heart tighten, 'Jack...' ...and, moving out to the country? What a gimmick, right when the other boy had finally decided to stay, Davey would be leaving.

'If you're fadda' had had a union, he'd still have his job-' Wasn't Davey's job enough?

Clearly not, if they couldn't afford rent...but it wasn't like there was a job that paid more-

"Sarah and I could work a double-shift-" Mrs.Jacobs began.

"I'm not making my family work harder for me than they already are- it just isn't fair." Mr.Jacobs rubbed his temple, "We've got a week until the next rent payment is due...it'll be the last one we pay."

Davey felt his hands go to his face. He couldn't leave New York. Not now. Not after everything was finally going his way- They'd won the strike, he had friends, he had Jack!

Jack...

Davey felt his stomach twist with frustration and longing, hating how the other boy made him feel.

He couldn't just stand idly by and watch this happen.

He had to do something-

But first, he had to go get Les some water.

***

"And I-I really don't intend to be rude- I just thought if you had any extra work you needed, I'd be willing to take it." Davey shrugged his shoulders sheepishly as he looked at Medda.

"Honey, I would love to give you work, but it's already being done- it wouldn't be fair to take hours away from others..." Medda sighed with a frown as she looked at the pleading boy before her, sulking against an old set backstage.

"It's alright, I understand, I-"

"Medda!" A shrill voice came from the wings, causing the woman to turn around with a cocked eyebrow.

"Julia just tripped and twisted her ankle, I think she might have stapled a tendon." The blonde girl in a feathered dress fretted to Medda.

"Oh dear, and you girls go on tonight.." Medda felt her heart drop, "Does she have an understudy?"

The blonde shook her head, "No, she was just there to add a bit of kick to it in the back- y-you said it would be so easy to find her an understudy if needed that we didn't need to assign one." The girl shrugged her shoulders forward guiltily, "I'm so sorry, I-"

"Don't you be apologizing, it's not your fault." Medda put an arm around the girl, "Is Julia alright?"

"They're takin' her to the hospital right now, I thought I should tell you." She nodded solemnly.

"Well, you can't have the Bowery Trio be a Bowery Duo now can we?"

"I, well yes, but how are we going to find someone to-?"

"I just might have an idea." Medda turned to grin at Davey who looked in confusion before muttering a quiet, "Oh no.."

***

Looking at himself in the mirror of the boys' dressing room, empty from not being used for quite some time, he wasn't sure how he felt.

Dread was one emotion- fear was another- but there was a sort of...appreciation, for how he felt in a dress and tights. It had been hell waxing his arms and legs for this, they still stung, but it gave him an almost charming look. His dress was a lovely lavender color with red and white accents. He had to admit, it felt nice to twirl and have the dress twirl with him.

He had makeup on that hid his face well enough- and a matching fan that also hid the majority of his features.

Medda had been right, the movements were easy to pick up- just some leg kicks that Davey found surprisingly easy...and some sauntering that he'd found embarrassingly difficult.

Regardless, he was being paid far more for than than he already had gotten from spending the day selling papers with Jack before leaving early to 'help with dinner'

A knock came from the door, "Five minutes!" Medda called.

"Th-Thank you five!" Davey called before hurriedly looking over his face to make sure everything looked alright. Medda had done the make up and it looked entirely stunning. It had been difficult figuring out where to put Les while this whole ordeal was going on, but they settled for letting him doodle on some blank canvases back stage for Jack to paint later.

Davey shook his shook and took in a deep breath before nodding, "Seize the day." He whispered.

***

Once he was on stage, Davey felt like a million eyes were on him. His fan was currently in front of his face from where he stood up stage. His hair had been curled at the ends and honestly- you would only think he was a guy if you knew it was him.

Honestly- Davey might not have been far off when he said all eyes were on him- because they really were.

His movements took place primarily from sitting on top of a crate in back, kicking his legs up and earning some whistling from the guys in the audience, making him inwardly groan. Not that he didn't want the attention of guys- just, a particular flirtatious cowboy in particular.

Davey was surprised he was able to kick his leg over his head for the finally, feeling as though it might dislocate, but apparently years of running to school, tripping, and doing the same as a Newsie, left his limbs strong and flexible.

He wasn't complaining.

The boy felt...pride...swell up in his chest as he received a booming amount of applause. He fluttered his fan in front of his face as he curtsied before heading back stage and quickly to the boy's dressing room.

This couldn't be that bad, right?

***

He must have been right- because after three nights of the same act, Davey was eating up the applause by the end of it, growing more confident in his movements and adding an extra sway in his hips. Something about his face being hidden...gave him the courage and strife to be out there and do something that he surprisingly enjoyed. He didn’t enjoy the cat-calling, or men trying to find him after the show and never succeeding- after all, they weren’t looking for Davey, they were looking for Lily. Davey hadn’t picked the name but he liked it well enough- he liked Davey better, and Medda had expressed how openly fine she had been with him using Davey, she wouldn’t stop him but she would warn him of how cruel people could be.

Davey took her word of advice and laid low- for as long as he could.

Which was only a matter of until Friday.

It caught him off guard, when he was walking back stage and into the dressing rooms. The look of abject horror on his face when he saw Les simply doodling on a paper on the floor made David almost have a heart attack right then and there.

Les was just as surprised, gaping at Davey in confusion as the boy quickly slipped into the dressing room and slammed the door shut, storming over to his brother with balled up fists at his sides, “What are you doing in here?” Davey was livid but tried to hide it.

“They was painting back stage so- um- I got moved into here- why are you dressed like that?” Les sat up with a cocked head.

Under his foundation, Davey blushed profoundly, wiping a hand over his face and smearing his make-up in the process, “Why is it your business..?” he murmured tiredly, not meaning to be rude to his brother, but not sure he wanted to explain.

“Well, I just wasn’t sure if you were havin’ a midlife crisis or something and- did you steal that from the girl’s dressing room?” Les gasped before grinning, “Davey!”

“I did not!” Davey snapped as he took a damp cloth to his face, rubbing at the makeup with kept-in anger at the situation.

“Why are you all dressed up then?” Les pressed, sitting on the stool beside Davey that faced a mirror with light-bulbs around it, half of them burned out.

“I was performing if you have to know.” Davey mumbled.

It took a few seconds, and you could see thoughts clicking into place as Les came to a conclusion, “Are you performing as a performer? Like the girls? Like with the he girls?”

“With the girls, yes.” Davey sighed as he finished getting his makeup off.

“Why? I-“ Les paused before gasping, “You’re doing this to be around the girls, aren’t you!” He leapt up onto the stool.

Davey furrowed his brow and opened his mouth to object before shaking his head, “Sure.”

“Oh man, wait until Sarah hears-“

Davey slapped a gentle hand over Les’s mouth with a stern glare, “Nobody hears, got it?”

Les pushed Davey’s hand out of the way, “Why not?”

“Because- this isn’t- something that I’d normally do-“ Davey sighed, getting up to go behind the changing curtains and changing back into normal clothes.

“But you are doing it.” Les pointed out, spinning in his chair.

“Still- just- lets drop it, okay? This stays between me and you.” Davey finished putting his regular clothes back on and stepped back out to the other side of the curtain with a sigh, “Ready?”

Les groaned, “Fiiiine.”

Davey gave an appreciative nod to his brother before they exited, leaving Davey to pray that the other would stay true to his word.

#newsies #jack kelly #jack #davey #david #gay #davey jacobs #gays #jacobs #musical

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watanabes-cum-dump · 4 years

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Winter Eden Chapter one: Wake up

"Live... you have... to live"

Cold, freezing, relentless cold surrounded the boy. And he heard someone call his name. He looked up and saw a girl, beautiful and doll like jumping down towards him. Instantly, he noticed one thing: her eyes. They looked just like his. A light, beautiful shade of cool, crisp blue. But other than that, she looked nothing like him. Her hair was a pale creamy colour, and her features didn't suggest Asian origin like his. But, he welcomed her, nonetheless.

He reached out towards her, and she to him. Their fingers touched as an explosion shook him to the core, sending several tons of snow and rubble into the water.

BOOM

"-Wake up"

A boy caught the hand that was hovering above him, holding it in his steel grip, his blue eyes suddenly alert and sharp.

"Woah, woah, woah" he looked to see a girl, the one he had seen just moments before, awake and with her delicate wrist in his gloved hand.

"Ren, it's me. Aisha" she said kindly.

He blinked. Ren. That was... that was his name. And she was Aisha. His sister.

He sat up, groaning a little as a dull pain rang in his head. He looked to Aisha, and noticed how disoriented she was. Her hair was matted and stringy, carelessly hanging down one side of her face, her white and pink dress was dirty and a bit torn. He knew she was supposed to have a black shawl with a pink flower pattern over her shoulders, with white fur all over it. He had given that to her, right?

Ren looked down at himself, noticing the once pristine white long coat was covered in filth and muck, torn to near shreds. It saddened him a bit to see it. He wondered why...

"Ah, you're awake"

Ren shot up and got into a fighting stance, gauntlets suddenly covering his fists, try hummed with energy and a curious blue emitted from the cracks.

An elderly man had entered the room, he had aged well, as he was still rather handsome, and could have been more so in his youth. He was tall and seemed to be very healthy for a man his age as well. He was probably around what, fifty? Sixty even? His kind blue eyes sat behind a pair of glasses, twinkling as he stroked an immaculate stark white beard.

"Ren, that's principal Anjou. He told me he pulled us out of the ocean" Aisha gripped his arm, giving him a pleading look.

Why did she trust him? Some shady old man living in this palace? Or was it a mansion? The room was massive and ornate, arched ceilings and chandeliers, black and white marble everywhere. Perhaps a sick bay of some sorts? But in a castle? How strange...

Ren put his arms down, the gauntlets retracted to bracelets hidden by his sleeves. He eyed the man suspiciously before sitting back down into the bed.

"I'm sure you have many questions, but, I won't be able to answer all of them!" he said, giving him a light hearted chuckle.

"But, your sister is right. I am principal Anjou, you are at my school, Cassel College. And by the looks of it, you're a hybrid, aren't you?"

Aisha piped up "Um, principal Anjou, sir, sorry for not asking this earlier, but what is a hybrid?" She asked innocently.

"Ah, do not fret my dear, a hybrid is just that: a hybrid. A human that has dragon blood running through their veins. Many actually don't know they're hybrids for quite a long time. But, I am here to inform you two that you are both hybrids. Very powerful ones at that" Anjou explained, taking a puff from a cigar.

"Alright, why is that important?" Aisha asked.

"Because I train youths like you to fight monsters here at Cassel College. Consider it a sort of secret organization" Anjou said with a wink.

Ren glared at him suspiciously, fists tightening. Anjou noticed.

"Ah, it looks like the little lotus doesn't trust me, does he?"

Little lotus? That sounded oddly familiar... where had he heard it?

"That aside, it has come to my understanding that you both have long term amnesia, based on some scans run by the school's AI, whom you will meet shortly. And that you two were both injured rather gravely. Ren here survived two bullets, one to the knee, and one to his lower spine. It's remarkable that he is still alive and walking, and how fast he's healed. I've seen some speedy regeneration abilities but never anything like this"

He had been shot!? By whom!?

"And I have taken it upon myself to formally invite you to study here at Cassel, provided you accept"

Aisha seemed to get suspicious as well "Why would you openly welcome two random teenagers?"

Anjou sighed, "It is an unfortunate fact that a lot of hybrids are orphans, and they often run away from home and stumble into danger. More than half of my students have run away from their foster families or local orphanages. Which is why I can't have two powerful hybrids like you two wandering around"

Aisha looked over at Ren, who silently told her that he needed to think. This was all going too fast.

"Can you give us a moment to think?" Aisha requested.

Anjou nodded "Of course. Should you two refuse, I can send you one of our safe houses until you can get back on your feet. But, I encourage you to choose to study here, because there aren't many other places that can teach you how to use you powers. And that may come with a grave price" he stated before walking out the archway.

Aisha sighed and took Ren's hands in hers "Ren, I don't remember much, but I remember that I care about you a lot, and that we do fight with some sort of magic. I think this is the best option, he's a kind old gentleman and it's true for the most part. There are students here, and they're just like us"

Ren met her eyes "Hybrids" he rasped out, his throat hurt, he never said much. He never felt the need to. He knew that he had been like that for most of his life.

They weren't regular teenagers with regular problems, they were warriors. Hybrids with whatever powers the title came with.

Aisha nodded "Yes, hybrids, whatever they may be"

Ren sighed and nodded. Aisha lit up and hugged him. "Thank you"

Ren hugged her back, she smelt like pine, crisp and cold. Whatever it was, it felt like home, and he gladly welcomed it.

"I take it you've come to a decision?"

The siblings turned to see Anjou back in the room, perhaps to check on them.

"Yes. We accept your offer" Aisha said firmly.

Anjou smiled "Good. Now, I'll make arrangements for your rooms, and our Butler EVA will help you get ready for the test"

Just as he said that, a holographic figure of a girl materialized. She was like a graceful blue spirit, with a long flowing dress, and long hair. Strings of code spiraled in and out of existence around her, while her bare feet levitated off the ground.

"This is EVA, the college's AI Butler. Should you need anything, just ask her. EVA, prepare uniforms for our new students, and perhaps show them to a bathroom so that they can freshen up" Anjou ordered.

"Of course, principal Anjou" EVA replied in an automated voice.

"A... test?" Aisha asked nervously.

Anjou threw back his head in laughter "Did you think you could just waltz in and study here?"

"Of course not!" Aisha exclaimed "But, uh, what kind of test is it?"

"You'll see in due time my dear, for now, just make yourself look more presentable, the frozen sea of Siberia couldn't have been kind to you" and with that, the principal left, leaving the floating blue hologram and the siblings in the sick bay.

Ren sighed as he looked into the mirror of the washroom. This was the first time he had gotten a look at himself. His hair was long and snowy white, it had been all over the place but had managed to tame it and tie it in a messy bun so that it didn't get in the way of his limbs or fly around in his face. He was oddly handsome, he supposed, more attractive than he would have thought, with nearly flawless skin safe for a scar on his cheekbone, and slanted blue eyes.

He flashed a little smirk and wink the the mirror, pushing his bangs back a bit before heading out. The uniform was surprisingly comfortable, and allowed lots of free movement. It was rather stylish too, with the sharp black and purple jacket and close fitting black pants. EVA had even provided him with a pair of black ankle boots, he supposed his white boots would stick out too much with the uniform.

When he got out, Aisha was standing there in the uniform, plucking nervously at her black and purple skirt while talking with a male student. He was tall and lanky with ash grey hair tied in a ponytail, and was kind of handsome in an oddly charming angular way. Was he flirting with her?

"Anyways, what should I call you, besides beautiful, beautiful?"

Oh dear god he was.

Ren marched up to him and shoved Aisha behind him, facing the student.

"Uh, hey! Is um, is that your girl?" he asked nervously, pointing a nervous finger at Aisha.

"No. This is my brother, Ren" she piped up from behind the white haired boy.

The student backed away nervously when he looked down and saw Ren's fists clenched tightly. "Eh, sorry I'll go. I won't flirt with your lil' sis again, ok? Promise! Please don't hurt me!"

Ah. So he was a wimp.

Ren nodded down the hallway, the student took it as a signal to get lost. The grey haired boy ran down the hallways without looking back, his pride probably deeply wounded. If he had any left, anyhow.

EVA appeared again "I will show you two outside. Someone is waiting to show you around" she said, gesturing for them to follow her towards the exit. Ren's eyes widened at the sight of the light. Yes, the light. His new light. And he was reading to take it with him, especially with his dear sister at his side.

Anjou sat at his desk, frowning as he clicked his pen. "EVA" he called.

The blue hologram of a girl appeared beside him "Yes, principal Anjou?"

"I want you to run scans on whatever DNA was left on their old clothes. Compare it to every Hybrid family we have information on"

EVA bowed her head "Understood" she replied before disappearing.

Anjou narrowed his eyes as he remembered Ren's slanted light blue eyes. He had only seen a pair like those once before. And Aisha emitted a powerful aura, with a charismatic pale and nearly invisible light pink edging her all too familiar cream coloured locks.

They resembled the missing children of those hybrid families all too well, and them turning up near the ruins of Black Swan Bay couldn't just he a coincidence... could it?

Notes:

I'm terribly sorry of this seems a little rushed! I might fix it some other time, it is rather late and though I usually have a creative streak around this time, my writing is always a bit sloppy late at night. I know it seems to have gone a bit quick, but that's honestly what is was like in the game and I find this beginning part hard to add details onto, with this being from Ren, a near mute amnesiac's point of view. It's going to be quite a challenge for me since I've never written a mute or relatively quiet character before, most of my characters are very chatty or vocal about their opinions.

Also in regards to the title, I went with Winter Eden since Ren is our Ice King, and Aisha means prosperous, you know like a garden. I thought Arctic flowers initially since Ren means flower, Aisha means prosperous and they grew up in Siberia, but I like Winter Eden much more. Since, Eden was ultimately abandoned and Adam and Eve were banished, much like how Black Swan Bay was destroyed.

As you can see, Aisha often speaks for Ren, since he doesn't speak much himself. Point of views will alternate in between Ren and Aisha from time to time. I hope this wasn't too terrible, I promise I can write proper stories!

#winter eden #dragon raja #DragonRajaOC #OC #original story #dragon raja anjou #principal Anjou #original character #draja #draja OCs #OCs

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authoressskr · 5 years

Text

Write Into My Arms [1]

Characters: f!Reader, James “Bucky” Barnes, Tony Stark, Pepper Potts, Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, James “Rhodey” Rhodes, Peter Parker, Hope Van Dyne, Natasha Romanoff, Scott Lang, Wanda Maximoff, Vision, Okoye, T’Challa, Shuri, Clint Barton, Happy Hogan, Dr. Strange, Wong, Bruce Banner, Amelina Rodrigez (OFC), with mentions of Thor, Carol Danvers, Rocket Raccoon, Groot, Peter Quill, Gamora, Nebula, Mantis and Drax.

Warnings: Language, Action (in last chapter) and no Beta (just me and Grammerly up in here) :: Word Count: 8885 :: Pairing: Bucky x f!Reader

This was written for @jewelofwinter’s Writing Challenge!! I also incorporated a prompt for @jaamesbbarnes + @sgtjbuccky’s D&S’ Milestone Celebration!!

Prompt: “Tin Man lost Y/N.” (@jewelofwinter’s prompt) + “Publicly, I agree. Personally, I think it’s chickenshit.” (D&S’ prompt) Bolded in text below. Prompt #1 will appear in the third part while Prompt #2 appears in the second part. The next two parts will be posted by the end of this week. All three will be linked.

Summary: You’re a small time blog writer who is invited to interview the Avengers. ALL the Avengers.

Please do NOT repost, copy & paste, post or share my works on any other platform without my EXPRESS PERMISSION.

-+- REBLOGGING is fine and very appreciated! -+-

Looking around the compound’s living room, you can’t help but openly stare. Everything is expensive, even the doorknobs seem to know their elevated worth.

You’ve circled the room three times so far, each time slower than the last as your keen eyes searching out every minute detail. You’ve been waiting for nearly twenty minutes, which isn’t too much of a bother, and from what you’d heard from other reporters and writers isn’t that long of a wait for Tony Stark. Although your boss said that the article was supposed to cover all of the inhouse Avengers…

Happy, Tony’s chauffeur/bodyguard and right-hand man, had brought you into this room and at this point, your overthinking has begun to wonder if being made to wait here is a diversion so that he can get all the Avengers to clear out. After all, Stark Industries controls most of the press about the Avengers and they don’t do interviews...except Tony and every so often, the good Captain Rogers.

You wonder briefly if watching some YouTube would be extremely unprofessional or just a mild, millennial version of unprofessionalism.

Deciding against it, you sit on the plushest and buttery soft black leather couch, fishing around your large purse for your notebook. Carefully flipping past the first pages, you look over the list of Avengers you’ve compiled - along with basic stats, going over them for the umpteenth time since being assigned this article. And, being the person you are, you had arranged them by age, willingness to talk to you, and then on difficulty on opening up for the story.

Fishing out a pen, you make a few last-minute notes, only to feel that tell-tale prickle at the back of your neck alerts you to the three figures lingering in the large entryway that leads towards a hallway. You pop up, smoothing out your dress bottom nervously.

“Oh! Hello. I’m Y/N, writer for Undefined Muses. I’m, uh, here to interview you?”

“You don’t seem to know if you are or not,” Hawkeye, Clint Barton, says with a big smile - the last yellow traces of a bruise fading on his left cheek.

“I wasn’t sure who all had agreed to participate - and I don’t want to force anyone to do if they aren’t interested.”

“Normally, the reporters are kind of rabid about these kinds of interviews,” Natasha replies smoothly, moving into the room and perching on the arm of an oversized loveseat. She’s dressed impeccably, looking like a glamorous movie star from the thirties, with high waist black dress pants and a dark blue silk shirt with tiny red roses dotted all over.

“Well, my boss sent me because I’m,” You pause, searching for the right word. “Demure.”

“I honestly was waiting for you to say ‘unrabid’.” Clint chuckles out, tossing himself into the loveseat that Natasha is perched on directly across from where you stand.

“I’m not sure what writer would use the word ‘unrabid’. I’m also 90% sure that isn’t a word.”

“Only 90%?” Natasha queries, smiling so knowingly it makes you a little wary.

“Well, he said it, so thus it has been made a word. But you won’t find it in a dictionary. So yes, 90%.”

The large brunet, whom you knew as James Barnes, still stood by the hallway they must have come from, watching the interactions with storm blue eyes. Your shoulders tighten, straightening as you realize that they’d sent all the previous assassins in first. Quite the unsettling welcome wagon… Wait. Was this a weird sort of game? Like chicken? You very nearly chuckle, if that’s the case, because little did these people know you weren’t the bravest person - content with hiding behind your words, telling others amazing and heart wrenching stories.

“Will you all be participating?” You finally manage to get out with a smile without nerves making it forced.

“They will,” Comes the answer from behind you - Tony Stark himself, Iron Man in the flesh, says with a confidence you’d only seen on tv. “Miss Y/L/N. So glad you could make it. Plane ride enjoyable?”

“Yes, sir. Thank you so much for the use of your plane.” He waves a hand as he flashes a megawatt smile.

“No problem. No problem at all. Now, I know they’ve probably introduced themselves but that is Clint Barton, Natasha Romanoff, and one of the 100 plus pair, Bucky Barnes.”

“Nice to meet you all,” They all nod as Tony rubs his hands together then claps.

“Now, I’ll show you where you’ll be staying, I’ll have Happy drop your luggage in there while I show you around -”

“I’m sorry - uh, staying?” You tilt your head a tad to the left, blinking at the illustrious Mr. Stark.

“Yes. Of course, you’ll be staying here in the compound. Rhodey, Steve, and Sam are headed home as we speak, should be here sometime early tonight. Wanda and Vision are on their way back, they were having brunch at a nearby vineyard. Oh, and Thor, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and Captain Danvers should be in - oh, I don’t know - maybe 3 or 4 days. Everyone else is on site.” Logically, you know your mouth is open. You also know you should close it, but the shock…

Every. Single. Avenger.

Fuck.

“Um, I just...Sir, I didn’t mean...I only just brought...ALL OF THEM??”

“To answer your oh so eloquent questions, I did tell your boss I would be getting you as many as possible. I would have thought Mrs. Rodrigez, was it?, would have conveyed the seriousness,” He gives a little huff, smile firmly in place. “Anyhow, you’ll manage. FRIDAY will have a list of shops that will deliver here - we have a tab, just feel free to add to it.”

“Sir -”

“Tony,” He corrects.

“Tony. I will manage my own clothes, thank you. My boss did stress the importance of this interview block. I was told, however, that this was by choice for the Avengers or Stark Industries staff. Not that you’d make them come from outer space to be riddled with questions. And, Tony, I honestly don’t know why our little site was chosen to write these interviews to begin with, sir. How do you even know who I am…” You were so focused on Tony that you hadn’t realized that Wanda Maximoff, Vision, Pepper Potts (Stark?), Bruce Banner, Scott Lang, Hope Van Dyne and a man of Asian descent you couldn’t place had entered the room. Tony moves closer, peering over the couch and down into your purse, finger pulling at one of the edges to see into it.

“Well, that’s simple. I asked for you.” Eyebrows shoot upward in shock before your forehead furrows. “See, Pep read a piece you did on library and book importance - specifically in young and all school-age children. It was lying around, so I read it. And you know what? I liked the emotion. The thoughtfulness behind it. Every word was picked with such care - constructed to paint a picture. And that’s what I want you to do for us.” He gestures for you to sit, which you give a gentle shake of your head at and takes up the seat you’d been in before. He leans forward, one elbow balanced on his knee as he looks up at you. “We get good press, bad press too, but I want people to see the big picture. We’re a team. We’re a family. We sacrifice a lot to be able to do what we do. Paint that picture for me.” The spell Tony seemed to have cast on you raised and you look around to see the whole room staring at you, waiting.

You swallow hard and nod a couple of times. “I’ll do my best, Tony.” He rises and gives a nod of his own, flashing you a smile tinged with sadness that he quickly hides.

“Good. Good. Let’s get you into a guest room and then the tour. But first, some more introductions.”

::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx::

The voice in your room, in all the building you suppose, FRIDAY as she introduced herself, announced that dinner would be casual dress and served in an hour. Tony had been a gracious host, informing you he’d canceled your room at the winery - that, coincidentally, Wanda and Vision had been having brunch at earlier - before sashaying around the compound with Pepper, Scott, and Hope all in tow like a little tour group. Tony dutifully recited when it was built, remodeled, rebuilt. The layout and their functions. He adds little tidbits about visiting when he was little, making everything a little more real for you. You walk beside him, with him sometimes latching onto your elbow as you talk softly into your recorder, reminding yourself to get pictures of certain areas later with your camera.

It had been nice, Scott was witty and said aloud most of the smart ass comments you’d been thinking. Pepper kept Tony focused and Hope spent as much time as you did asking questions. The tour of the basic facilities ended back where it had begun in the living room, rain beginning to splatter against the massive wall of windows to your left.

You’d managed to find your way back to the room, 5th on the right, to find your overnight bag sitting on the end of the bed next to a plush white robe and a note from Tony stating he’d still asked for the stores to bring over things for you to pick out tomorrow and not to bother fighting him on it. Kicking off your shoes, you’d wandered over to the floor-to-ceiling window in your room to watch the raindrops slide down the glass, tucking your legs under you as you sat on the very soft, thick carpet with your notebook and pen.

Amelina, your boss and best friend, had bought you a gray, faux-leather sunflower embossed one to butter you up. Your little addiction and she knew it. You’d accepted the notebook and the assignment with little hesitation. Only to look at the notebook lying on your desk later and think ‘What the hell have I just done?!’

The first page is an outline of what Amelina had said she wanted from the articles (she ideally wanted to break them into separate pieces with each Avenger getting their own spotlight), your notes on the Avengers from digging online and the preliminary dates the article, or articles, would be posted on the site. Taking a deep breath you flip past the Avengers you’d already made lists for, adding the Guardians, Captain Danvers, Doctor Stranger, Wong (whom you’d met earlier), adding Scott and Hope as well, since they are West Coast-based and you had a 50/50 chance of actually interviewing them initially.

Your recorder would hold the interviews, your verbal notes and memos to take pictures of certain locations...but your gray notebook, that was for your notes and thoughts on their habits, likes and dislikes based on observation, how they interact with you, and how they interact with each other.

The alarm on your phone drags you away from writing a few more observations on the page designated for Pepper Potts, letting you know that you need to get up and changed for dinner. You plug your recorder in to download the tour from earlier while you change and freshen up your hair and makeup.

Your hopping on one foot, trying to shove your foot into the stupid pump when your alarm goes off again. Tossing yourself onto the end of the bed, you unplug your recorder and wiggle your foot into the pump better before heading out the door. You shove the recorder into the pocket of your skirt, making your way down the hall when the intro to “7 Rings” begins playing from the phone in your hand. With a quick swipe you answer, stopping almost halfway down the hall.

“Yes?”

“Is that any way to answer the phone?”

“It is when I’m on my way to dinner and your long-winded call could make me late.”

“Harsh, dude, harsh.” Amelina barely takes a breath before continuing. “So, whatcha got so far?”

“First of all, that isn’t how I work. How long have you known me, Lina? By the way, I’m mad at you.”

“What for?”

“You didn’t tell me I’d be staying here or that I’d be here for two weeks. I looked like an idiot in front of Tony Freaking Stark and Pepper Freaking Potts!” You hiss into the phone, tapping your foot in irritation as she chuckles on the other end of the line.

“Sorry! I honestly didn’t know how long you’d be staying -”

“Well, it’s nice that you let me know that!”

“Mr. Stark just asked how long he could have you on loan. I said a max of three weeks.”

“Oh my god, Amelina,” you groan, letting your head drop forward as you repeat in your head to breathe.

“You are such a -”

“You’re being a real bitch. I would have packed. I would have been prepared. But nooooo! Now I’m standing in a hallway wishing that your brother’s new puppy would pee in your expensive shoes!”

“Now that’s just mean!”

“I’m hanging up now. May Jedi maul all the shoes you hold dear.” You jab your thumb against the screen before taking a deep breath and continuing your trek to the living room.

::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx::

Apparently ‘casual’ at the Avengers compound is a broad term. Clint is sporting a sweatshirt with the SHIELD logo emblazoned on the front with black jogging pants and loafers. Steve has a dark blue shirt that is miraculously being held together by mere buttons, which you’re afraid if he strains, will lose their valiant efforts to keep his shirt together. His is paired with khakis and the same loafers as Clint, which amuses you for some unknown reason. Sam Wilson has a red t-shirt with a black blazer over it, dark gray jeans and some well-worn boots. As you finish taking in appearances, standing like a wallflower half-hidden by the hallway arch still, you can’t help but wonder if you should pinch yourself to see if this was reality.

Sam spots you first, or is the first to acknowledge it, and makes his way over with a friendly smile painted on his face.

“I’m Sam Wilson, nice to meet you.” His hand extends and nearly swallows your own before giving it a firm shake. You liked that. He wasn’t treating you as delicate. You detested when men did that when shaking hands with women…

“Y/N Y/L/N, nice to meet you as well.”

“Heard Tony gave you the tour.” He’s got a smirk now, eyes bright and teasing.

“Oh yeah. He offered to let me try out a suit - but only when Pepper and Steve weren’t around.”

“Killjoys,” Sam gives a serious shake of his head, chuckling as FRIDAY announces dinner is ready to be served. “Let’s get you to dinner. We’re having it in the mess hall once everyone gets here - tonight we can still have it in the actual dining room.” He offers his arm, guiding you out of the living area. “You met Bucky, right?” You give a nod, very aware the aforementioned is right behind the two of you. “His article will be the shortest. Dude’s damn near a mute unless he’s lecturing Steve, so I wish you good luck on interviewing him.”

“And here I thought that your odd friendship was all made up…” You answer slyly, hearing a snort of laughter behind you - unsure if it belongs to Steve or Bucky.

“Hey Cap, you meet the reporter?” Sam flashes you a smile as he turns the two of you around, bringing you to a hard stop so you don’t ram into the super-soldier.

“Steve Rogers, miss.” He offers his hand and gives yours a firm shake, his blue eyes holding a wariness you weren’t expecting. Captain America, wary of you? Doesn’t inspire a lot of hope in you about this whole experience…

“Y/N Y/L/N, sir.”

“Sit! Sit!” Tony orders jovially from down the table before pointing to the man at his right. “Rhodey. War Machine. Liar extraordinaire. I may need to sit in to make sure he gets all the facts straight.”

“Don’t listen to Mr. Stank over here, ma’am.”

“Unfortunately, that’s why I’m here Mr. Rhodes.” Steve pulls out your chair for you, waiting until your seated to take his seat to your left. “Thank you.”

“I think we should all get to know each other,” Tony starts, only for Rhodey to roll his eyes and Bruce to scoff from the other end of the long table.

“May I record?” You ask, watching everyone sort of tense and shuffle.

“Of course!” Tony answers as you withdraw the recorder, clicking it on and sitting it beside your plate.

“I think it’s only fair since I’ll be bothering all of you for the next two or so weeks, that you can ask me whatever you’d like as well.”

“That’s fair,” Dr. Strange concedes from his spot to your right.

“Very fair, I think,” Scott agrees, giving you a big comforting smile.

“Okay, well let’s start with where you were born.” A handful of waiters come in, setting bowls and plates onto the tabletop before disappearing.

“Family style,” Pepper clarifies before looking expectantly to you.

“I was born in California. But moved to Seattle when I was little, maybe about 3. Right before I started kindergarten we moved back to California. Been there ever since.”

“And your business?” Pepper asks, dishing some green beans onto her plate.

“It’s more Amelina’s than mine. We’re partners in the site, but I do the money part, well I prep it for the accountant - and most of the writing - and she does the schmoozing, bossing around, the sports articles and the keeping up of the site. So she’s doing the lion’s share.”

“I would think you break even,” Hope pipes up. “Well, what with you having to travel and compile the information and then write it out. Plus anything to do with money is usually more stressful. Do you both hire and fire?”

“Unfortunately, yes. We tried to hire a sports writer after we’d had the site for a year, but it didn’t work out...”

“Wait. Wait. Was it that guy that kept inserting himself into the story?” Sam laughs out, peeking around Bucky who is beside Steve. You bite back a groan.

“Yes.”

“Bucky, Rhodey - it’s that article I sent you saying that Babe Ruth was only half the baseball player he could have been and that the writer could’ve been the next Bambino.” Rhodey is at least trying not to laugh, but you can see Bucky’s shoulders shaking as you lean backward in your chair.

“That was a huge mistake. All of his work we reviewed before hiring was impeccable. I checked to make sure it wasn’t plagiarized and we called all of his references. Apparently, he’d had some experience in coding and websites, so after he handed in his first final draft, he went in an hour after Amelina posted it, and changed it. We got so many emails - we were getting all these calls... Brian up and disappeared after he did that. To this date, still haven’t had as much traffic on the site as that day.”

“Brian sounds like a douche,” Wanda mutters with a smile, taking a sip from her wine glass. You look down at your plate, finding it overflowing with more food than you’d put on there. You raise an eyebrow at Steve, who just shrugs and puts a forkful of potato salad in his mouth with a smile.

“Yeah. I blacklisted him.”

“Blacklisted how?” Clint manages around a mouthful of bread.

“Oh, um, well I emailed almost every single media outlet in California, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada. Then I asked them to forward it to their parent stations or owners. So basically, after a year of emailing people, most blogs, newspapers, tv stations, circulars, and YouTube hosts in California to Kentucky know not to deal with anyone going by his name. I helped a reporter from Pennsylvania with her story, and she began emailing people on the East Coast about it. All emails included his picture too, just in case he went by another name.”

“Effective. A bit ruthless.” Vision is seated between Wanda and Rhodey, nodding in approval.

“No! Not ruthless!” You defend, voice rising a little before the heat rises in your neck and cheeks. “Sorry. I just didn’t want anyone to get dinged as we did. We had to say a lot of apologies and lost a lot of work because of his pointless self-involved rant. And I mean, who goes after Babe Ruth?”

“Balls but no brains,” Scott adds, the two of you nodding. He points his fork at your plate. “Eat.”

“Can I ask a question?”

“That’s what you’re here for.” Tony chuckles out.

“What do you guys do in times like these? When there aren’t aliens or Loki or HYDRA? Like a big spa day for all of you guys? Karaoke?”

“To be honest,” Natasha begins. “There aren’t a lot of days like this when we are all free at the same time. But honestly, it’s more watching and waiting than action and aliens.”

“Kind of miss SHIELD to kind of take care of the day to day bad guy cartel and mafia stuff?” You manage around a mouthful of pasta. Sweet Jesus, it was decadent and cheesy.

“Sometimes I miss the help,” Clint admits.

“What Clint means is that he misses telling people what to do.” Sam teases, tossing a bread roll at him across the table, which Clint catches without even looking away from you.

“Hey! I didn’t tell people what to do. They just did it.”

“Did you buy a bar just to tear it down, Tony?” Tony smiles around a forkful of steak.

“Yes. Yes, I did. Ross just rubs me the wrong way.”

“To be fair, I think he rubs everyone the wrong way.”

“You’ve met him?” Steve sounds surprised, eyebrows raised in what you hope is astonishment.

“Unfortunately. I was in college and had to write a piece on something or someone whom you don’t agree with. Now I am all for soldiers but upper management sucks in the military, no offense Mr. Rhodes. But, everywhere, really... I just think the old guys in Congress and equally old guys in the upper ranks are calling the shots on things they shouldn’t be interfering in, as far as college me was concerned. Ross irritated me for the simple reason that he was the smartest person in the room and no matter what I said, what facts I had, what questions I asked, I would always be wrong. Never disliked being called ‘sweetheart’ so much in my life. Hard to have a conversation with the other side when they talk to you like that. Plus, I got a D on that paper, so he sucks in my book.”

“I told him to call me if he needed help. Then I left him on hold. In my own defense, I did warn him earlier I did like to watch the light blink.” Rhodey snorts into his glass at Tony’s admission.

“Like a tiny Christmas light of joy.” Steve comments, leaning back in his chair with a smile.

You shove a forkful of green beans into your mouth, giving a little sigh at how damn good it tasted before spearing a few more and eating those as Scott launches into the tale of him, Cassie, Luis and his ex-wife’s husband all hanging Christmas lights - only for the new husband to find he’d rewired and programmed them to blink in super slow motion with the fastest Christmas songs he could find and vice versa. And every 9 hours and 45 minutes, it played La Cucaracha, perfectly in time with the lights. There are a few chuckles around the table, but you’re laughing pretty damn hard.

“That’s brilliant actually! The deviousness lies in the amount of annoying that they could take. Having to time your exit must have been a bitch.”

“He and one of his buddies took it all down, bought new lights and hung those up. Cassie told me she missed hearing the Chipmunks, so I remotely programmed a timer so it would play the Christmas Don’t Be Late song right before her bedtime.”

“Cassie sounds like a wonderful girl. And very lucky to have you for her father.” Scott looks flustered but gives you the brightest smile before looking down at his empty plate.

“Th-thank you.”

“Of course. Do you guys do Netflix around here? Movie night?”

“Your mind is everywhere…” Hope says with a grin. “That’s good.”

“And to answer your question - yes. We have Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime…” Sam trails off as the waiters reappear, clearing the table only to return seconds later with plates of beautiful personal assorted desserts. If this was how they ate, you’d hate to see their exercise regime. Oh god, you hoped you weren’t expected to work out with them...

“I was just wondering how you all decide on a show. Do Steve and Bucky have lists? Like are you all working through AFI’s 100 Greatest Movies? I think I’ve only seen 20 of them. Do you all binge shows together?”

“Pep started a rotation. So if it’s your Sunday night and you’re in the compound or tower, then you pick the movie or show. If you aren’t here, it goes to the next person on the list.”

“Sometimes after a mission, it’s usually just decided to watch tv shows just cause we all sort of zone out,” Steve whispers after Tony’s answer, taking a big scoop of his parfait.

“We’ve never been invited,” Wong pipes up, frowning at Tony.

“Oh, I invited both you and Strange right after Pepper made the schedule. If Strange didn’t relay that…” Dr. Strange just rolls his eyes.

“I mentioned it.”

“You didn’t say it was a regular occurrence.” Wong huffs out before biting into a ladyfinger.

“Like an old married couple,” Clint chuckles out, his desserts all gone as he leans contentedly back in his chair. You give your head a small shake at their exchange before reaching to stop your recorder.

“Well, thank you so much for that delicious meal. And thank you for letting me record. I hope I get less awkward as this goes on.”

“This was awkward?” Wanda raises an eyebrow, making you fiddle with the recorder before tucking it into your pocket.

“Okay, well, um then it will get more awkward before it gets less awkward.” You all rise, pushing in your chairs before wandering out of the dining room and back towards the living areas.

“You’ll find out we’re all awkward. Well, except me.” You nod seriously at Tony’s words, managing to see Bucky roll his eyes at Tony’s words. Huh. Who knew… “Nightcap?”

“Oh, no. Thank you. I’m so full I don’t think I could even manage that.”

“Then we’ll say goodnight.” A chorus of goodnights echoes around the large living room.

“Goodnight everyone.”

You totter off to your room, cursing the fact that you’re so sleepy right now. After washing your face, brushing your teeth and changing into your pajamas, you shuffle down under the covers.

“Well, that wasn’t the most awkward or silent dinner I’ve ever been to…” You mutter before sleep drags you under.

::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx::

In the morning, you wake up earlier than you usually tend to, sitting on the floor in your pajamas in front of the rain-splattered window with your headphones on - going over the recordings, transcribing them and making notes in your dotted notebook, since it better served to add afterthoughts to. Not the nice orderly layout of your new notebook. And you’re so involved in listening and typing, snatching up the notebook beside you to jot down memos, that you don’t hear Steve and Tony calling your name and you sure as hell don’t hear them enter.

The scream accounts for that, Bucky and Sam barrelling through your door as you look up at Steve and Tony with wide eyes, shoving your headphones off.

“We’re sorry.” Tony barely restrains a chuckle. “I’m sorry. I had FRIDAY see if you were awake, then came to get you for breakfast, but,” He laughs now, the skin by his eyes crinkling. “You didn’t answer.”

“Maybe we should think about a different system!” You blurt as you stare up at the four men.

“Yes. Definitely,” Tony chuckles. “Next time I’ll have FRIDAY blink the lights to alert you.”

“Thank you!”

“Our pleasure.” Steve grins out, extending a hand.

“No, I’m fine here, thanks.” Steve shrugs, the smile not disappearing.

“Well, we’ll leave you to get dressed for breakfast. The shops are due to arrive after breakfast for you to pick some more clothes for your stay. Sam has also requested to be your first interview.” Sam winks at you from Cap’s left, sporting a wide smile as Bucky’s gaze goes from Sam to you.

“Thanks again.” You peer around Steve. “And thank you two for coming so quickly.”

“Anytime, Y/N.” Sam delivers smoothly, Bucky rolling his eyes before making a swift exit. The other three leave with smiles on their faces.

It takes you several minutes to realize you were in your pajamas; a worn and oversized ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’ shirt paired with sleep shorts that could barely be seen peeking under the hem of your shirt.

“Jeez…” You groan, rubbing a hand over your face before closing the laptop and tossing your notebooks on the bed.

Ten minutes later you have your teeth brushed and you’re dressed in adequate attire, shuffling nervously into the kitchen area on the other side of the bar in the living room. Clint and Bucky are cooking, Wanda weaving between the two expertly. You slip in the seat next to Hope, her hair in a ponytail and dressed in workout clothes.

“How long has everyone been up?” You whisper-ask, setting your recorder and notebook beside the empty plate that Natasha sets in front of you with a small smile. You return it as Hope cuts her pancake which is riddled with syrup, fruit and whipped cream.

“We all did a workout before breakfast,” She puts a big bite of sugar-laden pancake in her mouth, “Speeds up your metabolism.”

“Where’s Scott?”

“Here.” He mutters, slipping into the seat on the other side of Hope.

“Not a morning person?”

“I enjoy my sleep.”

“Thank god. Me too. Under normal circumstances.”

“Yes,” A new voice pipes up from the other side of the room, making you lean back to see who it is. “We heard about the intrusion this morning.”

“Holy - Princess Shuri!” After nearly tripping trying to slither out of your stool, you manage to get upright and extend a hand. “So lovely to meet you.”

“Thank you. It is lovely to meet you as well. I read your articles after Tony mentioned you were selected to do the interviews, and I must say that when you do scientific articles, there is a very nice flow and imagery that one does not usually get.”

“Thank you! I’m sure whoever I’ve interviewed in the science community doesn’t care for all the questions I have after the interview, so I’m glad that it reads well to a genius.”

“You will just make her head bigger, Miss Y/L/N.”

“King T’Challa, wonderful to meet you.” You breathe a deep breath of relief as he extends his hand, giving it a firm shake with a warm smile.

“Wonderful to meet you as well. Please sit, you must keep your strength up if you are to deal with all of us.” There is mischief in his eyes, the twinkle of a man temporarily unburdened.

“That bad?”

“Wait ‘til the Guardians are here!” A male voice pipes up, followed by a tossing sound and a huffed “Sorry!”

“Peter Parker, ma’am.” Your eyebrows shoot up as you automatically stick out your hand.

“Spider-Man,” Tony supplies as he walks by with a bowl of oatmeal. Honestly, your only thought is that he’s a baby and should be protected at all cost.

“Yeah, I think I saw a post on Instagram about someone in New York making Spider-Man ice creams...So you’re the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man?” Peter blushes, withdrawing his hand and crossing his arms over his chest.

“Don’t worry, kid. Pep had her sign contracts before she even came. She can’t reveal your identity.”

“Oh. Okay then.” His smile brightens at least a hundred watts. “Did you eat yet? Mr. Barnes makes the best pancakes!”

“Does he now?” Bucky’s back is to you, so you can’t see his expression, but there are already two hot pancakes setting on your plate next to several pieces of bacon. “I’m going to gain so much weight while I’m here…” You sigh, actually not the least bit bothered by it once you bite into the pancake, it’s buttery soft fluff filling your mouth, the second bite revealing a tiny melted chocolate chip to add to the deliciousness. Flipping open your notebook, you scribble down a note: Bucky Barnes = wonderful pancakes. Peter sees it and ducks his head as he takes his plate over to where Shuri is sitting, the two of them bent over a tablet when you glance over your shoulder.

Everything is terribly domestic. Normal.

And you want them to enjoy it. Cause honestly, after all that’s happened, they truly deserve a little peace and camaraderie.

::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx::

”Okay, so is this alright?” You ask, settling a little more into the plush blood-red chair in Sam’s bedroom, his desk to your right littered with your notebook, your phone, the recorder, and several pens.

“Great. I’m good to go.” You pick up the recorder, clicking it on with a nervous smile directed at Sam before you began.

“Interview One: Sam Wilson, known as Falcon. Okay, Sam, please tell me a little about yourself?”

“What would you like to know?”

“Let’s just start with the basics - like speed dating.”

“I’ve never been speed dating.”

“Well, aren’t we the lucky one?”

“Wait - you’ve been speed dating?”

“Unfortunately. It was for an article but nothing really was romantic or fun about asking the same questions of men who aren’t looking you in the eye.”

“Don’t gotta worry about that here. Our mamas all raised us right.”

“Noted. Alright, so I’ll ask the nice fluffy questions first.”

“Working our way up to the heavy hitter ones.”

“Exactly. What’s your favorite thing to do in New York, besides save it? What was your childhood dream job? Favorite Disney movie? How do you like your coffee?”

“Eat. Man, I love food. They have a little gumbo place in Harlem,” He kisses the tips of his fingers. “Best Southern food up here. As for my childhood dream job - man, I love birds. I wanted to train raptors, rehabilitate them...or I wanted to be a chef ‘cause I enjoy food. All kinds. Man, I haven’t seen a Disney movie in ye -- well, that’s not true because Spider-Nerd made us watch Toy Story 4 the other day...but probably a tie between Fantasia and The Rescuers. And coffee? That I take black with room so I can add cream and three sugars.”

“Good memory skills. Want more difficult ones now?”

“Oh yeah, I’m ready,” He rubs his hands together with a smile spreading quickly across his face.

“If Stark does a superhero calendar, which month do you want and what are you wearing for it?” His laughter is loud and boisterous, his hands braced on his knees before looking at you.

“Whew - went right for it, didn’t you? Are you asking everyone this question? Can I be there when you ask Cap and Bucky? I bet you twenty bucks that Tony says he’s thought of it before and he wants December cause of the gift he is.” You lean over and make a note of it in your notebook.

“I’ll take that bet. I counter with he doesn’t want to do one but he’d like to be July.” He extends his hand and you shake it firmly, mustering up a serious expression as you did so before settling in to wait for his answer.

“Man, okay. Uh, I think I’d like to be August. Not as hot but not cold either, with those pre-fall feelings. And I’m getting the tightest red shirt I own, along with my favorite pair of jeans. But I could be persuaded to dress sexier - nice fitted suit and tie.”

“Why’d you join the Air Force?”

“I just wanted to help people. And I wanted to see the world. My mom was okay with it since she figured the Air Force weren’t the first to deploy and that I’d be mostly out of harm’s way. But I enjoyed the regimen, the camaraderie I had with the other guys. But when my wingman, my partner Riley, died -- you, you know I just didn’t want to be apart of that anymore after that. I decided I’d get more out of life if I helped other soldiers deal with their problems.” He pauses, searching your face for something before continuing. “I met Steve one day when we were both out running. I knew who he was, but I also knew he was just like any other soldier who had come home and was looking to adjust - looking to find his place.”

“So you did what came naturally - you offered a sympathetic ear and some words for him to think on.”

“Yep. And, honestly, I enjoyed getting to know Steve Rogers. I think we have a lot in common, just morals and being a good soldier, but it’s more important to be a better man than all of that.”

“You really admire him.”

“Of course I do. He’s my best friend. I wouldn’t trade what I had to go through - what we all had to go through - to have it done any other way. I mean, it was brutal in some places, but I’d do it all again -- I sure as hell don’t want to, but I would.”

“May I ask why you chose to follow Steve instead of, say, Col. Rhodes? Both military, both having friends who sort of go rogue, both just wanting to do the right thing…”

“Rhodey and I are good friends, don’t get me wrong. But he had a lot on his plate: The military. Ross. Tony. Still dealing with the fallout of SHIELD in the upper ranks. I would follow Rhodey for a lot of things, but I won’t fight against any of the other Avengers again unless they’re mind-controlled or some shit.”

“Peanut butter and jelly or ham and cheese?” You ask softly, giving him a kind smile.

“Peanut butter and jelly.” He says with his own soft smile.

“Can I pet Redwing?” He perks up at that question.

“Yeah, come on, I’ll show him to you.”

“Maybe the suit too?” You tease, gathering up your notebook and phone, shoving the latter into your pocket before the extra pens you’d brought got shoved right along in there. You carefully pick up the recorder, holding it aloft as Sam holds open his bedroom door.

Once you’ve petted Redwing, letting Sam fly it around you. Luckily you were smart enough to stop at your room first for your camera, most of the time focusing on the light in Sam’s eyes as he looks at his little buddy before Steve and Clint come into the hanger, Clint playfully throwing a few rocks as Redwing dodges them, the three of them joking as they stand in a semi-circle and watch. All the while you watch them through the lens, happily snapping pictures before you notice Bucky leaning against the hangar door a handful of feet away. He looks like he’s a model, a small smile on his face that’s half turned away from you with one hand - his metal hand - tucked into the pocket of his black, worn-looking jacket. You snap a few pictures before he turns his head towards you, the smile disappearing. You snap a picture anyway before lowering the lens and smiling as warmly at him as you can. He gives a little nod before pushing off the door and disappearing around the corner.

Clint drags you to the archery range after that, carefully digging through his arrows as he answers question after question.

“Okay, Clint, last one: If Stark does a superhero calendar, which month do you want and what are you wearing for it?” Clint snickers, his shoulders gently moving.

“Really? Well, alright then. I think I’d like to be January. And I think I want to be dressed in a velvet eggplant jacket with a black shirt and some black underwear.” You nearly snort when he wiggles his eyebrows and gives you a lazy smile, twirling an arrow.

“Boxers? Briefs? Thong?”

“I think some nice fitting briefs. Don’t want to make too many people jealous if I bust out my thong…”

“I certainly learned a whole lot about you, so thank you for that, Clint.”

“Anytime, sweet cheeks. Anytime.” He leads you back to the living room for your last interview of the morning before you all break for lunch. “Wanda! I got your girl here!” Wanda is standing by the hallway, a cup in each hand with a smile gracing her too-pretty face. She gestures with her head, her red hair swinging slightly. Clint doesn’t let you go initially, pushing his cheek closer to you.

“Alright, alright, Mr. Sweet cheeks.” You concede, kissing his cheek before watching him saunter past the others, tossing himself down onto the couch beside Scott with a chuckle.

“Good luck!” Sam hollers, making Wanda glare at him for a second before you follow her down the hall.

::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx::

Wanda is teaching you a few words in Romanian when you emerge from her room for lunch.

Lunch is already laid out as you repeat “Nu, mulţumesc” until she nods.

“And that means?”

“No, Thank you.” You answer obediently.

“Now, combine everything.”

“Ce fasi! Mici sărutări pentru tine în această după-amiază. Nu, mulțumesc. Aș prefera să fac un tort.” [Little kisses to you all this afternoon. No, thank you. I'd rather have a cake.]

Bucky and Natasha shake their heads with a smile.

“And that means?”

“What are you doing? Little kisses to you all this afternoon. No, thank you. I’d rather have a cake.” Wanda chuckles out, giving your arm a loving pat.

“It was something my mother always said to my father. He said little kisses to us all and she said she would rather have cake. Y/N said it beautifully. Very naturally.”

“I am a wonderful parrot.” You smile out before Tony pokes his head in and whistles.

“Lunch!”

::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx::

Bruce’s interview after lunch is filled with long pauses, his answers thought out and sometimes not what you expected. He takes you through his lab and then he suggests a short jaunt around the garden to finish the interview. When he excuses himself, you stay in the French-style garden, snapping a few scenic pictures and unwinding a bit from the interviews of today.

With four down, you’re feeling pretty perky about the whole series, trying not to think about the 25 or 26 more interviews you needed to do. Wandering through, your fingertips brushing over the perfectly trimmed hedges before spotting a few wild sunflowers towards the path leading into the woods. Carefully kneeling you take a picture, frowning as it’s just not quite right. You settle on your belly, one foot rising into the air as you refocus the camera and nail the picture you wanted!

You don’t even realize that Bucky is taking your picture as you grin at your camera, entirely too pleased with your results before you regain your footing and trek back to the compound.

::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx::

You shoot for six interviews the next day, just trying to get them done before the Guardians, Thor and Captain Danvers arrive...Tony having casually mentioned recording a video group interview of sorts before you left. Which didn’t stress you out at all.

Not.

Hope’s interview was witty and broadening...how she described quantum physics (which just led to more questions) was outstanding.

Scott’s was quick-witted, dry and peppered with his pretty broad knowledge of electrical engineering, Captain America, and songs from the 80s. He was very open about his conviction and time in prison, his decision to be ankle monitored to be with his daughter, and how he feels all of this may affect her in the future. He’s an achingly good person and you add him to your “Protect At All Costs” mental list you’ve started.

Steve is stiff. He doesn’t see the humor in your calendar question (you have to show him the Australian firefighter one with the baby animals for reference) to which he begrudgingly requests the month of May and says a casual suit with flowers in lieu of a pocket square. You suggest him sitting slightly towards a camera, painting a field full of flowers...he seems to like the idea and it makes him relax a little - and you’ll have to thank Sam for that tidbit of information he’d given you. You ask Steve a lot about his life before Captain America, how he thinks it would have gone differently if Dr. Erskine had lived, and what he initially liked about the modern world. He tells you about art school and Bucky, getting beat up on a near regular basis in alleys all over Brooklyn, how he discovered Mr. Rogers’ TV show early one afternoon after moving into the compound.

Vision, on the other hand, doesn’t have a lot of life experience to draw upon but he’s a wealth of knowledge. He talks about JARVIS and ULTRON, the differences between the two of them and Tony, he talks about how DUM-E knows who he is and how loyal he is to Tony. He then shows you who DUM-E is, the bot jerkily “shaking” your hand as you marvel over how not just Tony has evolved but his creations as well. Do you coo how smart and handy the robot it? Of course. But it’s worth it to see the robot nodding as you talk about how smart his dad is. DUM-E then gives you a tiny circuit board before you leave, Vision remarking that he likes you very much to have done so. You scribble down a note to ask Tony if that’s okay that you have that.

Peter is your last interview before dinner, and holy cow, everyone in the compound is a fucking genius. Peter tells you about his web fluid, the neighborhood where he’s grown up, and it’s clear how much he admires Tony from how reverently he speaks. Their relationship, you notice, is a little more parent/child than a mentor/mentee relationship. It’s adorable with a tinge of awkward. Peter shows you pictures he’s taken swinging all over New York and you show him where he can get a Spider-Man ice cream. He asks you just as many questions as you do and you chuckle when he refers to nearly every movie before his date of birth as “a really old movie”. You show him a few Charlie Chaplin shorts to show him what exactly “really old” is. He, in turn, shows you Tik Tok videos that you both laugh over.

“Do you like serial killer stuff?” He asks as you both head to the dining room for dinner, tucking his phone back into his pocket, both sets of your sneakers squeaking ever so slightly on the expensive floors.

“I think most women do.”

“Why do you think that?” His little focused face is adorable, trying to link it up in his head.

“Women always think they can do things better. And they’re usually right, just to let you know.” He nods seriously. “We’re outraged by it but intrigued. Pretty sure women can get blood out of just about anything - I’ve gotten red nail polish out of khaki pants by sheer will alone. It’s different for everyone, I guess. But mostly I think it helps us to collectively learn how to plausibly commit the perfect murder while we drink wine from the couch and shove snacks in our faces. And possibly solve a crime in our heads.”

“Huh,” Peter’s brow is still furrowed but he’s nodding his understanding. Peter looks up to find Bucky studying you, and when you look at Peter, he’s just smiling. “Excuse me.” You nod, watching him high-five Shuri before you feel someone by your side. Dr. Strange gestures to your ever-moving seat, which tonight is between Okoye and Wanda.

“Thank you,” you murmur gratefully, not noticing the quick clench of Bucky’s hand as he moves around Strange to his own seat opposite Natasha.

::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx::

Rhodey steals you after dinner, Sam teasing him as they disappear to his office.

“Come on, man. Just talk to her.”

“Shut up, bird brain.”

“She’s pretty nice. I was concerned she was just gonna go after us, with the questioning, but she eased into it and just didn’t focus on the darker stuff. She seems to want to get to know us as people.”

“It’s weird, huh?” Clint comments as Hope nods.

“It’s nice to be treated like a person. Not someone who’s infallible or holier than thou…” T’Challa remarks from his spot in the plush crimson chair across from them.

“Very inclusive, as well,” Okoye adds as Shuri and Peter come skidding into the room, Peter holding a tablet.

“What are you two doing?” Steve asks as he arches one blonde eyebrow high at the two.

“Nothing,” Shuri says smoothly, Peter nodding a few times too many when Tony comes into the room.

“Why is there a herd of deer in my hanger?” Both teens shoot off towards the patio door, laughing the whole time. “I don’t know what they did, but Redwing is acting like a herding dog with them, so you might need to go check that out, Sam.”

“Damn kids, I swear...I’m gonna need to squash me a spider…” He mutters loudly, heading briskly for the hanger.

“So, you gonna talk to our little journalist?” Tony smirks down at Bucky, which makes him scowl at the billionaire.

“I’m supposed to do that tomorrow,” He grumbles, making Tony smirk harder.

“You know that’s not what I mean, Tin Man.” Bucky wisely says nothing as he tries to calm his ramping up heart rate. “Even the kids have noticed you looking.”

“He has some competition,” Vision adds, smiling at Wanda who tilts her head slightly but returns his smile. “DUM-E.” Tony snorts, shaking his head as he turns away to gather himself.

“The robot? So the two are evenly matched then.” Natasha chuckles out, taking a healthy sip of her gin and tonic as she meets Bucky’s eyes.

“Nat, that’s not fair. The robot shook her hand and gave her a circuit board. He’s leagues ahead of Buck.” Clint teases, taking Natasha’s drink and taking his own healthy sip before handing it back. Bucky looks at his best friend, who is trying desperately to stop his shoulders from shaking with his laughter.

“40’s you would be ashamed. A robot who can’t talk?”

“Bucky Barnes vs a Roomba!” Shuri comments from behind Tony before making a break for it down the hallway with Sam hot on her tail. T’Challa, Okoye, and Bucky all point Sam down the hallway where she disappeared to when he comes panting into the living room.

“Now me is more inclined to hit your once-asthmatic ass for being the little shit you are,” Bucky growls at Steve, getting up from the couch turning to head to his room, only to freeze when he sees you and Rhodey standing by Peter in the door frame to the patio.

“Do you know there are deer in the hanger? And are you guys running a weird robot/human fight club?”

“Is that all you heard?” Tony asks, turning around and slinging his arm over the back of the couch with a smile flirting on his lips.

“We picked up the pace getting in here when we heard Shuri shout Bucky Barnes vs a Roomba. I mean, I’ve seen a raccoon with a machine gun, so that would have just been something else to add to the Weird Shit I’ve Seen list.” You press your lips together hard to keep from laughing at Rhodey’s nonchalant attitude and suddenly, Bucky isn’t as pissy as before. Well, he is - but at his friends - not at you.

Shit.

It’s been three days. Three fucking days and he’s smitten.

“Goodnight,” He says gruffly before retreating down the hall.

He’s nearly in his room, so he doesn’t hear you ask if you’ve done something wrong.

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Tagging: @jewelofwinter @sgtjbuccky @jaamesbbarnes @thewhiterabbit42 @nobodys-baby-now @unleashthemidnight @stay-frosty-royal-unicorn @chelsea072498 @clockworkmorningglory @sakurablossom4 @marichromatic @blondecoffeecake @ourloveisforthelovely @whinywingedwinchester @feelmyroarrrr

NOTE: Found the pic online and edited it, props to Google and all rights/privileges/ownership goes to who took the photo and to Marvel who made up all these characters.

[PART 2]

283 notes · View notes

maree-ff · 5 years

Text

Blast in the Past

CAMILA

I’ve been pacing throughout the women’s restroom for over fifteen minutes trying to get my head right. Of course I feel terrible for having Andre wait on me at the table but I needed to have a moment to myself before we continue this dinner. My phone is out there with him in my purse so he can’t reach me to ask if I’m okay.

“Why am I such a horrible person?” Walking over to the mirror I stared at myself, gnawing on my lip feeling myself about to lose control. The tears built up anyhow despite my efforts to remain cool. When the first one fell I felt my breath quicken and slow down drastically. “I don’t deserve you.” I muttered in the midst of my breakdown. Lifting my hand to give attention to this ring I slapped my opposite hand over my mouth, crying even harder.

The old Camila used to firmly believe she wouldn’t find a good man. The present version of myself has one and after so many years, memories, security, and the greatest love I have ever known, I’m realizing I don’t deserve him. Noise from outside the bathroom entrance snapped me back to reality. I quickly grabbed some paper towels, wet them and cleaned up my face. I’m not in the greatest head space and the last thing I need is a stranger pestering me about why I look so sad.

After killing some more time in front of the mirror, fixing my outfit and hair I put an end to my pity party. Leaving the ladies room with a calm expression on my face I walked back to our table. When I rounded the corner I saw Andre staring into space with his hands cupped over his mouth. The closer I came to the table I could tell that he fought his urges to make immediate eye contact with me. He opted for the latter not wanting to put me on the spot. My hand lightly touched the chair just as he jumped up from his seat to pull mine out.

My eyes met his as he towered over me slightly and only then did I reflect on the four hours we spent locked in that room. I kept a mental note of how many times we made love but after the first three climaxes I lost count. I cried each time without failure or forewarning. During the last two rounds he cried as well. That was the first time he’s ever gotten emotional in bed. That four hour long session was the first time I begged for him to cum inside of me. Every single round. I was so fucked up in the head I wanted the chances of me getting pregnant to be higher than normal. The carelessness of us going through with my demands was beyond pleasing.

He gently placed his palm against my back waiting for me to sit. The warmth of his skin seeped through my blouse making me emotional yet again. I finally sat down allowing him to push me closer to the table. When he sat across from me I thought of Jorden, Zoe, and Kenja, wondering how the aftermath of this dinner will impact our family dynamic. The conversation we’re about to have is surely going to ruin what we’ve built since I agreed to be his confidant in Texas.

Exhaling as softly as I could I crossed one leg over the other, tapping my heel against my leg. Our food came as did the bottle I asked for and still the silence dominated our table. We hardly looked at one another as we ate, drank, and repeated the same motions until both of our plates were clean. The bottle of Sauvignon was replaced with another and then two glasses half full of Brandy. From underneath the table I could feel the warmth of his legs as I switched the position of my own. He didn’t move away or give me a strange look. He simply welcomed the presence of my exposed toes touching his pant leg.

One of us has to speak or else we’ll just grow animosity towards the other. I don’t want that. I love Andre way too much to let that happen. I gulped down my drink in an instant, pushed the glass and my plate aside.

“I’m sorry.” Him and I speaking simultaneously took us both by surprise. For the first time in weeks we shared a genuine but slightly drunken laugh.

“I’ll go first. I’m so sorry for how I’ve been acting towards you. Coming off withdrawn and uninterested in our relationship was never my intention. I love you with all of my heart Andre I swear I do-“

“Please don’t say that.” He warned. The sad expression on his face has me on the brink of tears. He grasped my hand, being sure to touch base with my ring. “Say anything but that.” I could tell he wanted to beg and plead but the audience aided him in keeping his cover.

“This conversation isn’t one we can keep putting off. I’ve been avoiding it and so have you. We owe it to each other to continue to be honest no matter what’s going on. No matter how bad things get, remember?” I countered, pressing my thumb into the corner of my eye to stop myself from crying out here.

He switched to my side of the table, getting lost in toying with anything on me to avoid the subject.

“Baby, we have to talk about this. Please.” It’s time to pull out all of my tricks in order to get him to open up. Andre has always been forthcoming about his feelings towards me and anything else in life. It’s one of the qualities I became attracted to so quickly in him. But at the end of the day he’s still a man who has the tendency to shy away from certain topics.

“I can’t. I can’t have that conversation with you, Camila. I really can’t.” He fought back just as I expected him too. Pulling out my first ploy I traced the waves in his hair melting internally at how soft they are. The scent of his hair products filled my nose, putting a smile on my face.

“Andre..we can’t keep avoiding each other like the plague. This awkward vibe between us has carried on for too long now. The kids are starting to notice and rather than them coming to us about their concerns, our parents are forced to fill in the gaps. You and I pretending like nothing has ch-”

Andre decided to one up my power move by touching me back, in a way others don’t need to see. Of course. That’s the testosterone coming out to play.

“Don’t. We’ve been through too much for you to all of a sudden tell me your feelings for me have changed. Or worse, faded indefinitely. I can’t lose you. After all the bullshit I faced in the past I deserve to have a lifetime filled with peace. A lifetime sleeping and waking up next to one of my favorite human beings in the world. I cannot lose you and I’ll be damned if I do.” The delicacy at which his fingertips were drawing circles against my skin made me crave more of his touch.

I let a tear slip as I moved into him. “You will never lose me. Nunca perderás mi amor. Not for anyone or anything. If you won’t talk can you at least listen to what I have to say? Please?” One kiss to the lining of his jaw had him squirming for more gentle affection. I obliged knowing that’s what he’s been yearning for.

“Okay.” He agreed.

“Something has changed between us. I don’t know what it is but I can feel it. I can feel the shift in energy at home, in that room..in us. My gut feelings have never led me astray. And if it counts for anything, this is the first time I’ve felt like this at all. I’m not sure how to go about acting like we are who we used to be when we’re not. We vowed to be honest about any problems that arise in our union and I will always uphold my end of that bargain,” cupping his chin to point his eyesight in my direction I raked the tips of my fingernails through his perfectly groomed beard. “And I know you will too.”

“Did I do something wrong?” He questioned.

“No poppa you did not do anything wrong. I just..I can feel that we’ve changed. Like I said earlier, I still love you and I always will but I don’t deserve you right now.” Sitting up straight I got into position to take my ring off. I felt his stare and when I lifted my head I saw a tear fall from his left eye.

“Wait..you’re serious? You don’t want to be with me anymore? Why? What did I do?” He babbled. “Baby wait, I can fix this.” He openly expressed his emotions not caring who’s able to see him out of sorts. “Camila please, don’t do this.” He sniffled.

I used every ounce of strength not to show out. I pressed on with removing my ring but he forced me to stop.

“Stop. Leave it alone. This belongs with you.” He argued gently.

“Andre, I can’t wear this ring. Not right now. I don’t deserve to have this if we’re not in a good place. It doesn’t make sense. I won’t feel right. Please tell me that you understand?”

Andre disagreed. I can see the anger brewing inside of him but I know he won’t dare express that side of him with so many people around. He pushed my ring back up my finger and forced my hands elsewhere. As expected the quiet allotted us time to gather ourselves and our thoughts.

“How do you expect for our kids to react seeing us act different towards each other? How are you gonna explain to Jorden why his dad is not around? Or how about you explaining to the girls that their mama has to be the provider all by herself?” There’s the anger. I knew it wasn’t far from the surface.

Taking a deep breath I fiddled with my ring as Andre forced my hands in his lap. I chuckled dryly seeing that this conversation is taking a hard left.

“Okay hold on. Before you go into a full blown rampage let me explain something first. Number one, we will not act different towards each other. My love for you has never faded or wavered and it never will. I will always respect you and be kind to you. Especially in front of our kids. You mean the world to me and you are the father to our children, so let’s make that clear. Number two, you are not going anywhere. Jorden, Zoe and Kenja will not see any less of you than they do now. You are their father, that love is not changing and they need you. As you need them. Number three, I’m not doing this alone. We started this family together and we will die as one. Nunca olvides que.” Swallowing the mass in my throat I composed myself and took a deep breath in and out.

“None of this shit makes sense. None of it. I thought we were good. I don’t understand.” Leaning into the table Andre covered his face. When he shifted so did my hands and body. The palm of my hand is now resting warmly against the keys to this entire equation. The piece of him that is the reason behind Zoe and Jorden’s existence.

“Andre?” I called to him. Gripping his shoulder I leaned in, getting handsy.

He turned over his left shoulder eyeing me heavily.

“Don’t call me by first name right now.” He warned me. “That shit sounds too foreign. It sounds like I don’t mean shit to you.” That snarl set up on his face was enough of a warning but I understand his frustration.

“Okay, I’m sorry. But to be fair that is your name honey. And last I checked the only thing foreign is me and my first language.” I smiled.

“I love you but now is not the time for either one of us to be joking around. Why don’t you want to be with me anymore? Why would you even want to take that ring off? I’ve worked my ass off to prove to you how much I want a life with you. I’ve worked my ass off to turn my life around so we could be together. I’ve worked my ass off to be the best boyfriend, father, and partner to you. Now you want to throw all that away? How can you just throw me away like that? I have never given myself to any woman like I’ve given myself to you. Please don’t leave me baby I need you.”

“Baby, come on now, stop that. I already told you this is not the end of us. I just think you and I need to figure out what happened between us. That fire is no longer a fire it’s merely a..a..little flame to a small candle.”

Turning around in his chair with determination, a rising noise level and some attention I didn’t want, he kissed me. And I’m not saying just some regular old, PG rated kiss. No, I’m talking about the kind that makes even the shortest of hairs on your body stand up. The kind that makes your loins feel like there engulfed in flames. The kind that could lead to the making of a baby and throw in a sibling for later on down the road as a surprise. A surprise such as finding out you’re carrying triplets instead of just twins. The kind of kiss that takes your breath away and never gives it back.

I’m sure the folks around us are giving us all types of interesting looks. But neither one of us cares.

“Don’t do this.” He groaned against my lips. He got me started up again after I had to force myself to relax and remember we’re in public. “Don’t end this. It’s not worth it.” Andre went from supplying me with his oxygen to weeping quietly on my shoulder. I managed to regulate my breathing like normal again while staring at the ceiling. Him hiding away in the crook of my neck was the only chance I was going to get to remove the ring.

The logical part of me says he needs to take this ring and put it away. I wouldn’t feel right as a woman nor would I feel like myself holding onto such a valuable piece of jewelry. My movements were cautious and drawn out not wanting any added attention put on us.

“Where do you expect me to go? That’s our home.” He reminded me.

Batting my eyes and blinking rapidly I put my arms around him. I don’t even know what to say at this point. Any words that could make this conversation any easier are beyond me.

“I-” I began to come up with something and then I lost it. The distraction stemmed from his hand teasing both halves of my top. “Not here..” I felt every muscle contract and release as he fondled my chain and it’s pendant alongside my breasts as if we were in the comfort of our own home. “Dre, come on now, this isn’t the place. People can see us.” I tired bargaining with him while being careful not to displace my ring.

“Now is the perfect time and the perfect place.” He responded back with some attitude. He carried on this way for the longest four minutes I’ve ever lived through, backing away just a bit to put the ring back on.

“I told you I can’t we-”

“This is your ring. I worked so hard for such a long time to find this ring and have it custom made just for you.” As he lifted my hand I concealed myself fully aware that I do not have a bra on. He’s aware too which is why I’m surprised he was just all over me. “When I was trying to decide which cut I thought you’d love more I thought about the first time you shared with me which fruit was your favorite. The fact that you can demolish a multitude of pears in one sitting is nothing like what I have ever seen. Anyways, I couldn’t just stick to silver because it’s so plain and you are far from that. It didn’t feel right to me. That’s when I got help from the girls and let them choose the white gold. Kenja was speechless when she saw the finished product. And Zo was over the moon about the idea of us getting married. She said if I didn’t ask you that night she was gonna give it you herself. My first thought was to have the ring come in at three carats. And then I thought back to our four year anniversary and stuck with that number.” He explained.

I had no idea how much meaning is actually behind this engagement ring. I wasn’t aware that he got help from our daughters on the details either. Now I really feel the worst person in the world. There’s nothing more I appreciate than for a man to go through so much work and effort to make his woman happy. There’s no amount of times I can say how grateful I am for the lengths Andre has gone to make this ring as special as it is. His confession proves I truly don’t deserve anything that he has given to me with the exception of our babies.

Cupping my mouth with shaky hands and the ring poking at my skin. “Please just take this.” Hurriedly shoving the diamond into the pocket of his shirt I bowed my head with shaky hands covering my mouth again. “God, I’m so sorry.” I wept. “I’m so so sorry.” The tears flowed, the hiccups took over me and the intensity of them.

Without another publicly made argument Andre took care of our dinner tab and drove us home. For the first time in so many years we rode in silence. Complete and utter silence. I was too busy weeping in the passenger seat clutching my heart with my left hand. This hand feels so much lighter and so naked because of what I did and I hate it. I know it seems crazy that I miss my ring but I do! That ring was gifted to me at the perfect time in our lives. It’s a symbol of the hard work he has put in to purchase the ring in the first. The proposal was a symbol of Andre getting over his fears and making it known to me and our family how much he wants to have a lifetime with me.

Andre didn’t say a word. He didn’t even turn on the radio and shockingly neither of our phones rang.

The awkwardness came when we stepped in the house and the kids were all in our faces. The girls asked how our date went, what did we eat, did Andre buy me anything, the works. Jorden also asked questions but in his own special way. Whenever Dre and I go out alone we tend to get a bit dressed up just for the hell of it. It’s something we’ve gotten in the habit of doing. That being said, the kids always know when we’re going out for alone time.

We put on happy faces and answered their questions without a shred a negativity flowing from our mouths. Together we promised that we would keep up a good face in front of the family and our children especially when we’re having problems. Tonight is no different. Andre took the lead tonight by giving Jorden his bath, helping him brush his teeth and dressing him for bed. After that he went to Zoe and Kenja’s room to assist them in getting ready for bed too. I stayed put in the front of the house cleaning up alongside Divya. She’s been quiet which gives me the impression she knows something is up.

“I don’t mean to pry but are you okay sweetie?” She spoke up from the dining room table.

I glanced up from the dishes I was washing and nodded curtly. “I’m alright. How were they? Did they give you a hard time while we were gone?” I asked. Rinsing off the dishes I’ve already cleaned I leaned over to place them in the dishwasher.

“Not at all. I have the most well behaved grandchildren a grandmother could ask for. I don’t know what kind of spell you four put on these kids before they’re in Victor and I’s presence..but it works! Jorden ate well, even asked for seconds. The girls got all of their homework done and helped me fix dinner.” Divya’s good report boosted my mood and lifted some of the sadness off of me. Hearing about our kids behaving for their grandmother is music to my ears after the stunt I pulled at dinner.

“Was he still asking about milk?” I countered.

Divya chuckled in glee, “Yes. Yes he did. I gave him a little but he doesn’t know I mixed what you left and some of that nut milk Andre made.” She explained.

“I’m not sure how long it'll take to get him weaned off of mine. I feel like a bad parent for still giving in to his soft demands for milk. He’ll be three in September and I don’t know what else to do.” Taking a deep breath I finished up with the dishes and cleared the counters and stove off to wipe everything down.

“Camila, it’s normal for kids to have difficulty transitioning from breast milk to regular liquid. There’s no book or article that definitively says when a mother has to stop breastfeeding. Or in your case still supplying that milk as a regular drink. I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve that I can try out the next I have him. And don’t you worry I will share those same tips with you. Do you want me to put these in the machine?”

I looked over at Divya to see her pointing towards the dining room tablecloths and place mats. Giving her the okay I hustled around the kitchen wiping down the appliances until the room smelled fresh again. Putting the bottles away I moved the items on the counter back to their rightful place.

Divya being here cuts the awkwardness down tremendously. The minute she steps out of the house, we’ll be playing a whole new ball game. Divya and I spoke briefly just as Andre was entering the room with Jorden in his arms.

“Mommy..” he called to me. His sweet voice combined with Andre’s facial expression made my eyes swell with tears.

“Hi baby..” Andre traded places with me after I said goodnight to his mom. “Why are you still up?” Welcoming his delicate affection to various regions of my face I walked upstairs to his room.

“What is the matter with you?” I overheard Divya say to him.

“Nothing ma..” he lied.

Snuggling Jorden close to my chest I was happy that he’s being still enough so I can eavesdrop.

“I know that look baby. I know Camila quite well and you even better. Why do you look so sad?” She presses on with ease but concern.

“I’m tired. I haven’t been this exhausted in a while.” He uttered. Twice in two minutes he’s lied straight to his mother’s face. Divya would never forgive me if she found out what I did.

“I won’t press you to open up but when you’re ready to talk you know where I am. Give me a hug so I can get home. I love you sweet pea.” I heard the two of them shuffling around and then the front door opened.

“I love you too.” He said. The house was quiet again so I quietly crept upstairs to get Jorden into bed. Andre had gotten the core of the work completed leaving me the task of reading Jo whatever story he wanted to hear. The two of us got settled in his rocking chair wrapped up in his blanket.

I began reading ‘Guess How Much I Love You’ feeling the words hit close to home. Reading this book to our son has me regretting the decision I made earlier this evening. However it doesn’t shake the feelings I have on why I made the decision. Something between us has been feeling off and I can’t put my finger on exactly what it is. That is the big question that I don’t have an answer to. Why? Why do I feel this way?

Bowing my head to see if Jorden was still awake I smiled at his eyes closing and reopening at the sound of my voice. Grasping the book in one hand I rocked back and forth, running my nails through Jorden’s curls. Breaking my baby off of my body is a hard task because I’ve gotten comfortable with nursing again. Now it’s time for my little man to move on from that phase in his life. He still finds comfort in being pressed against my chest when I hold him. Like right now the tips of his fingers are tucked away in my blouse fanning them out every couple of seconds. Being that I’m braless tonight he has easy access to my breasts.

“Mommy loves you so much. Never forget that. I’ll tell you any time you want to hear it, when you need to hear it and all times in between. Okay?” Pausing to kiss the crown of his head I rocked slower, starting a smooth rhythm. This will surely get him to fall asleep.

“Luf you mama..” he got out just above a whisper.

I kept on with the soft rocking but put down the book to focus on him. With both arms around his body I closed my eyes briefly. Jorden and I must have fallen into a pretty deep sleep because the next thing I felt was my lap become lighter. My eyes flew open to see Andre taking Jorden from me.

“What time is it?” I yawned.

“Almost eleven-thirty. How long has be been out?” Dre asked. He tucked Jo in bed, pulling the blankets up over him.

“Um..a while now. How long have I been in here?” Standing up from the chair I stretched my arms above my head feeling several bones crack. Andre initially started laughing as if I told a joke that wasn’t funny but he did anyhow so he wouldn’t hurt my feelings. “Why are you laughing?” I asked with some attitude.

“Because you clearly don’t remember falling asleep. I thought you were still trying to get him to go to sleep but instead I found the two of you knocked out. Come on..”

Before he could get me out of the room I went back to give our little boy my love. Afterward, Dre and I went into our room leaving the door open so we can listen out for the kids. He helped take off some of my jewelry and my shoes and even unbuttoned the back of my blouse. I thanked him, disappearing into the bathroom to wash my face.

The duration of my time spent in the bathroom I was alone. The crippling feeling of not knowing whether Andre could stand to be around me any longer brought me to tears. My knees even. I must have knelt in the shower, knees pressed to the tile with the water beating down on my head for ten minutes. That’s just an estimate. The uncertainty of whether or not Andre would be in the room played tricks on my mind. Suddenly the bathroom door opened up and he walked in. Shoulders slouched, stress on his face, laziness in his stride..he’s not himself. I’m to blame for this all.

Slamming my hairbrush down I spun around to watch Andre busy himself. In this moment I feel invisible, unwanted, and no longer loved.

“Please tell me that you still love me?” I paused to see if my first question would grab his attention. It did. He turned to look over his shoulder briefly and further once I opened my mouth back up. “Or even like me as a person. Tell me that you still care. I just need something. I’m sorry about earlier I really am but please don’t walk around making me feel like I’m not important. Don’t walk past me and not speak. I know what I did wasn’t fair and that it hurt you but I have feelings too.”

“When did you hear me say that I don’t love you anymore? When did you hear me say I dislike you? And I know I damn sure didn’t mean to make you feel like you were no longer important to me.” He argued back.

“I saw the way you looked at me when you walked into the room while your mom and I were talking. You can’t stand there and tell me that you’re not the least bit angry or upset even.”

“I’m hurt, Maree. You hurt me tonight..alright? You really fucking hurt me. I don’t know how you expect me to act right now. I’m not gonna walk around and be a dick towards you or disrespect you in anyway but my feelings are hurt. My pride a little bit.” He sharply exhaled, laying his palms on top of his head.

Sniffling I asked, “do you feel better now?”

“Yeah I honestly do.” He nodded.

“Por qué no dijiste nada?!” I cried. “You could’ve said that before!” Realizing that my volume was too loud I rushed past him to close our door just a little to decrease the chances of waking the kids up. I stood at the door gripping the knob just watching my tears hit my own feet and the floor. The water dripping from my head made me shiver.

That’s when he appeared in front of me with the clothes I had laid out on the bed. I changed and threw myself down somewhere to give my feet a rest.

“I should’ve told you sooner, you’re right and I’m sorry that I didn’t. I was in shock hearing you say that something has changed between us. Personally I disagree because I don’t feel like anything is different. Watching you try to take that ring off the very first time broke my heart. And to see you not wearing it now isn’t making this conversation any better. Are you mad at me for waiting so long to do it? Or are you mad that we haven’t gotten married already? I know it’s been quite some time since I proposed to you but I never wanted you to think that was the end of it. Life got in the way baby. You and I both work, we brought a baby into our home and that itself is a challenge.” Andre preached.

He switched places with me, laying my legs over his. I lowered my head to his shoulder, both arms thrown around his neck to keep myself steady. A big part of me feels like I just lost the best thing that has ever happened to me. This man is the reason behind my kids, happiness, peace of mind and safety. He’s done so much to protect me, provide for me and spoil me with. But the only spoiling that truly counts for me is him spoiling me with his love. I love hearing Andre tell me how much he loves me or any part of me.

The fabric of his crew neck grew moist under my cheek as I lay here crying over my stupid, selfish mistake.

“I don’t have to move out do I? At least not yet?” He quizzed. His warm lips kissed my forehead with tenderness while he rubbed my bare back.

“You’re not going anywhere.” Sitting up straight I reached for my eyes only to be beaten to it. I stared into his eyes feeling so many emotions hit me at once. “Thanks. Not just for this but for everything I can and can’t remember. Everything I have seemed ungrateful for, I thank you for.”

“You’re always welcome.” He smiled.

That spec of hope I saw in his eyes is all I need to hold onto for the rest of our days here on earth.

#maree ff #freestyle writing

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attract-mode-collective · 5 years

Photo

"I'm following Kojima's lead and decorating my office with my own quotes."

Today's the day, it's finally here... the latest & greatest from Biggu Bosu's big poppa... his first game as a free man, free from the shackles of Konami... am talking about Death Stranding, a Hideo Kojima game, of course.

To celebrate the launch, Kojima Productions teamed up with... somebody... to bring a Death Stranding pop-up gallery to NYC. And I was there, on opening day.

So the very first thing you see when passing the large Ludens, seen above, is a display of all of Kojima's badges from various gaming conferences, which gave me a hearty laugh for whatever reason...

My wife: “Honey, do you want to take a picture of a bottle of Dom Pérignon that’s signed by the cast?”

Me: “Yes.”

The gallery had various reproductions of production art all blown up, which was neat all & all, but what actually got me excited was the original Yoji Shinkawa illustrations...

Throughout the gallery were quotes from Kojima, which gave both my wife and @AmphibiouEsq ideas...

I’m very glad the curator decided to include this photograph of the Kojima Productions Christmas tree...

I was also very appreciative of this huge ass photo of brownies...

A portion of the gallery space had TVs showing the games making of; each had a toy or model, to help recreate someone's workstation at Kojima Productions...

One of my favorite parts of the space was the motion capture area, in particular, the various behind the scenes photographs...

My wife and I need a high res version of this photo for our apartment...

Actually, the part I dug the most was the only & only section that didn't allow for picture taking, which was Kojima's personal collection (I'm assuming) of photos. Thankfully Ashley found the one that I legit stared at for 10 minutes, to memorize EVERY detail...

Nothing speaks more of Kojima’s love for movies than this very Breakfast Club-esque take on the cast of Death Stranding…

Nice to see wax Norman Reedus in NYC once again; first saw him at New York Comic Con a few weeks back...

A look at the game’s collector’s edition; thankfully the only thing of interest to me, that being the pocket sized Ludens, was available at the pop-up’s gift show (and for just $15!)...

The last stop was the gift shop, which all the Kojima Production goods that one might expect, including Ludens in a variety of sizes...

I totally would have gotten the super deluxe statue if I didn’t already have the waifu version on pre-order (plus it’s like a thousand dollars)...

Additional notes:

Overall, I really dug the idea of a dedicated gallery exhibition centered on one specific game… primarily from a noted game maker who is essentially a legend, one that’s starting over. It felt like the final paragraph of the first chapter in the second volume of one’s life, if that makes any sense.

That being said, the execution was a bit rough around the edges. And given my experience running game-focused exhibitions, not just ones associated with game-centric events (like Penny Arcade Expo & New York Comic Con) but simply in NYC in general, along with the logistics involved in collaborating with a Japanese partner (which I’m well aware of, via secondhand knowledge from trusted colleagues & firsthand observations), I’m fairly confident in pointing the finger at the venue.

Pop-ups are all the rage in NYC, and venues want in on the easy money, yet also want to put in the minimal amount of effort. The staff… to be clear, not the event group that organized the exhibition, but the folks who are part of the building… were idiots. Time for examples, two to be precise:

First, remember that part of the gallery in which photography was strictly forbidden? Well, there was this one girl who was openly taking pics. I was confused as to why the guy whose job it was to keep an eye on that shit wasn’t paying attention, so in the end, I had to say something. And for those calling me a snitch, remember, I used to run these type of things, so time for a question: if you ran a small business, and was at someone’s store, and then witnessed shoplifting... you’d probably tell the owner, especially if it was someone you respected & admired, no?

Anyhow, it took way too much effort to get the guard’s attention (I tried my best to avoid a scene), but eventually he went into action. And the girl’s attempt to get out of trouble by being flirtatious totally worked, lol.

Time for example number two: so I asked another employee where the bathroom was, for both myself and my wife. This one guy pointed us towards a random stairwell, which seemingly led towards the basement and not the bathroom. BTW, there was no signage to indicate that a bathroom down there (for visitors). When I expressed confusion, his attitude screamed “just go downstairs, dumbass”, albeit without uttering those exact words. And when I hesitated… since people on the way up and the stairwell was cramped… he became even more annoyed.

Oh, so here’s a pretty important detail: my wife has mobility issues, something that’s impossible to miss, since she uses a cane. So it sucked that she had to walk down several flights down to access the bathroom, but way worse is how there was actually an elevator basically right next door, which the guard failed to acknowledge, even though my wife... with her cane... was standing right in front of him. Oh, and the reason why we didn’t notice the elevator door at the top floor ourselves is cuz all these pop-ups have super poor visibility. Ya know, “mood lighting”.

One last thing: as noted, the final part of the gallery was the gift shop, and it was legit awesome being able to get Kojima Production apparel without any import or shipping fees. Though I can’t help but notice how stressed everyone on that end was, and this was the end of day one, in which the crowd was rather light; when it comes to these kinds of events, in which there’s trouble behind the scenes, it’s often those working on the retail end who have the face the brunt of it.

So that’s my report, sorry for the rant at the end, but hey… if you’ve run similar events in the past, and are proud of the level of polish across the board, as well as married to a person who is handicapped, in a city in which everyone is actively hostile towards said loved one, you’d probably have opinions as well!

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amethystpath-writes · 5 years

Text

Prompt: Serum Injection

Fandom: Original

@badthingshappenbingo

This is a continuation because I quite liked the last one. Here's part one!

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Danielle groaned as she began to wake up. She didn't remember ever falling asleep the night before. What had happened the night before anyways?

Her eyes fluttered open finally and though the world was still an awakening blur, Danielle could tell this was not her base. The room looked a little odd; it was at an angle. Now that she thought about it, she wasn't standing or sitting down; the angle she was seeing wasn't coming from either of those positions.

She could feel an odd ache and slight sting around her ankles. And wrists. Even her neck felt that way.

Finally she thought to stretch. Maybe she wasn't lying down, or standing up, but whatever she was doing, stretching would take away the ache, yes? But it didn't. What little bit she was able to move her shoulders only hurt her more. It felt as if her skin was being pulled apart at her shoulder.

"Careful," piped a voice. It was a boy's voice certainly, but Danielle could hardly tell where it came from. It was muffled, robotic. "It hasn't healed all the way. We don't want that mark to be ruined; I would have to do it again. You didn't take it well the first time."

Danielle couldn't remember anything, and the more she tried, the more emptiness her mind conjured. It was like her brain was purposefully blocking it out.

She looked down as much as she could; something shined beneath her chin, but she paid no mind to it. She wanted to at least remember what she was wearing, but what she saw didn't help at all. She was in pajamas, but they weren't her own. Where in the hell was she? Why was she wearing someone else's clothes?

She began looking around the room. "Who are you? Where am I? What do you want?" She finally spotted it; a red blinking light on the center of the ceiling. A camera, she knew.

The voice didn't respond. He had to have known she had spoken. There was a camera for the gods' sakes! Maybe it didn't record audio.

"I'm sure you are wondering where you are," the boy's voice explored. "You won't like it very much, however you did make the decision to be here."

She chose to be restrained like this? No, she didn't think so. But then again, maybe she was saving someone. Was she finally sent out on a mission? It must have been an individual mission because none of her other teammates were here. Perhaps they were being held in a different room. Or, perhaps they were smart enough to avoid being caught.

Please tell me I didn't do this all on my own, she prayed. She couldn't have been that stupid, doing a mission all by herself. She had only juts learned to control her powers not all that long ago. She had just joined the team!

There was a sound like paper crunching. Danielle recognized it as the intercom at her school, her old school. She didn't go to school anymore after the accident. She couldn't ever show her face that openly again.

Danielle looked away quickly as more light flooded the room she was in. It was a door opening. When she was finally able to look back, she saw a sillouhette making its way into the room. It turned around, shutting the door and flipping a switch. Light flooded the room once again, causing Danielle to squint and turn her head away. She let her eyes get used to the light beneath her eyelids before she opened them.

The boy was looking down at the floor directly in front of her. She couldn't tell what he was looking at, but she heard him set something hard down at his side. He then began to set up a foldable chair; Danielle could only see the top half of it, just barely if she really strained herself to look.

The boy sat down, clearing out his throat, but he still wasn't looking at Danielle. He reached for something, the hard object, Danielle assumed. She heard a click and whatever thing she was being held captive against began groaning as her head was positioned over her feet. The table, or whatever it was was leaning forward, her face coming closer to the boy's face. He was still concealing it. Was he wearing a mask?

As the table continued to tilt, Danielle found a knot in her throat. The restraints weren't tight enough to keep her back against the wall. No, her body was suspended by the restraints now. The metal, or leather, or rope, or chain, was digging into her skin now.

She finally came face to face with the boy. Rather, she came face to mask. She could see his lios, and she even watched as they worked into a smile. The familiar click sounded and the machine of a sort stopped moving. She was forced to face this- this monster of a boy.

"You are stunning even in my pajamas." He brought a gloved hand up to touch Danielle's cheek. There was nowhere for her head to go where she could avoid his touch so she just accepted it with closed eyes and a skewered, angry face. They're his clothes?

"Why am I here? What do you want? Who are you?"

"Whoa there, Danny. Easy on the questions. You know the answers. You just need a little reminder." He ripped his mask off just as he did before. "If there were a fire in the room, it would be even more appropriate," he hummed. "Ah, well. You remember, yes?"

Of course she remembered, it all came back to her in a flash. She relived it all so quickly that it took her breath away. The masquerade, the speak of the accident, the metal pole, the fire, the strong arms... He branded her. He made her his own. He captured her and she didn't know how she would ever get out, not in this position. "It's you."

"Lucas Banton, in the flesh." He bowed his head. "Known as QuickSpirit in the human world." He held out a hand as an introduction before snatching it back. "Oh, right. I must have forgotten. Anyhow, I already know who you are, my little trophy!"

Danielle's response was to snap her head towards Lucas' hand, flashing her teeth, and trying to bite. His hand disappeared, reappearing at his side. "I. Am. Not. Your. Prize."

"Oh, but you are. You even agreed to it."

"I never agreed to this! I met you at that masquerade to save my friends! I never said you could burn my flesh or kidnap me!" Danielle struggled against the restraints, soon stopping when she realized it was only hurting her more. She sighed, letting herself sag. There was no restraint across her chest or stomach and the arch in her back hurt, but it would be better to conserve her energy.

"You should keep fighting, looks pitiful, almost cute." Lucas grabbed the object beside him. Danielle had forgotten to even look at what it was. She was so distracted by him that it just didn't matter anymore.

He opened up a metal case; the lid flew open. To an unsuspecting victim, the lid would have fwapped them in the face. Lucas knew very well what it was though and opened it with a stretched neck.

"This, Danny, is going to pinch." He pulled out a vial of black liquid. It looked thick by the way it stuck to the sides of the glass when it swoshed around. He pulled out a syringe to go with it. "Would you like to know what it is?"

She knew she had no choice but to listen, so she did just that. She waited, listening. She used what strength she had to straighten her back, holding herself up with her restrained arms.

"It's a serum, as you can probably tell. 'But what does it do? Where did it come from?'" he mocked, "You might know BrainWrecker; he's our most skilled elite. He leads us now, actually. He was blessed with two different powers. He loves chaos. In fact, he stole this serum right here from the guards trying to inject him. They used to only inject him with the fake metal you see in childrens' jewelry. But, you see, humans like to experiment. They created a formula that could strip a superhuman of their powers. BrainWrecker saw it happen to all of his cell neighbors and he would be damned if he let it happen to him. He brought it back to me, a gift to the new recruit. He really is a nice man if you get on his good side."

"Right. BrainWrecker has a good side." She rolled her eyes as best she could. It took more focus than she thought. She almost let her stomach sag in the air again. Her back hurt too much to let that happen. "I presume you're going to tell me you have a good side, too? I should get on your good side?" she guessed.

"Most certainly. I can be kind, Danny. I have been kind. Aren't my jammies so comfy?" He smiled as she scowled. "I'm doing you another favor by taking away your powers. Now you can't get into trouble by killing any of my team, which means you won't be killed in return. I'm saving your life."

"Is that how you see it! My gods, you're sick!" Danielle fought against her restraints again. She had to get out of this place. "And if you think, for one minute," she yelled, spitting onto the villain's pretty face, "That I can't kill you without my powers, you have another thing coming for you!" Her wrists and ankles were becoming bruised as she continued to fight.

"You can't even put up a successful fight with powers, let alone without." The syringe was filled and poised. "Now, this is going to hurt more if you resist. I wouldn't use your powers unless you plan to entertain me. I truly do love to see you squirm."

"You disgust me. I don't know how you see any good in yourself."

"I didn't say there's good in me. I just advised you to get on my good side. I saved you from death, but I know you're going to be miserable here and I can't wait to see it, especially knowing I was the cause of it. However, we can be friends. It's up to you."

Lucas reached up just the tiniest bit, syringe in hand, and plunged it into Danielle's arm. Her teeth gritted. She was suppressing the urge to scream. It was like fire, nothing like being branded by hot metal; it was a different fire. It traveled through every vein, leaving a trail just as hot as the fire ignited.

Danielle did so well hiding the pain. Of course her face was skewered, contorted in pain, but even the expression showing could have been worse if she allowed it. Even Lucas was impressed with how well she was handling it after hearing BrainWrecker's stories. But, Danielle's pride was quickly washed away when the flames tickled her brain. "Stop," she screamed. "Make it stop, make it stop!" She clenched her fists, the pain drawing her power into the palms of her hands. Lucas said not to resist, and she wasn't trying to. The pain was just so intolerable, she couldn't help it. And it made it so much worse. The fire heated up dramatically in her palms, fighting to vanquish Danielle's power.

Lucas scooted his chair back. Her salty tears were falling into his clothes. So the pain really was as bad as BrainWrecker said. Sure, Lucas had heard his trophy scream and beg, but this was oh-so-much better.

When her screams and sobs finally faded into nothing, Lucas broke the atoms of the restraints holding her, the metal turning to nothing. Danielle fell to the floor limply, still sobbing but not out of pain. She just felt so useless without her powers. She knew that her threat was empty. She knew that Lucas was right. She couldn't fight with her powers, so what could she do without them?

#fandom: original #prompt: serum injection #badthingshappenbingo #hero x villain #long post

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fortheheavenssake · 5 years

Text

PG MM Anon Interpretation Collection - 20

💜💜💜🙏🏻🙏🏻PG INTERPRETATION OF MM ANON🙏🏻🙏🏻💜💜💜

129: Nov 30

MM ANON ……… “Darling’ please pass the Wrinkle cream” ………”she’s on this blog I read”💜……… “ we’ve been invited to the Boxing Day shoot” …… WoW ‘ that’s a beautiful photo Kate …… “he’s to young ‘ good grief William!!”…… ‘This cobra has no fangs ……… “The service, maybe bring C&G.” ……… “ The spring diary ma’am’ was thinking they could do The America’s and Canada” ……… “ the Children too”…… “what say you Philip?” …… “indubitable , old thing” …… “ Settled!!”……” Sidney’ more refreshments”

💜💜💜🙏🏻🙏🏻THANK YOU MM ANON, SERIOUSLY THANK YOU😁🙏🏻🙏🏻💜💜💜

November 30/2019 Riddle #128

1325 hrs CST

“Darling’ please pass the Wrinkle cream” “she’s on this blog I read”💜

I AM SQUEALING WITH EXCITEMENT OMG!! Catherine is doing her skin care, which every woman of beauty, style and substance MUST DO REPEATEDLY, “” Don’t cha know!” (sorry MM ANON l had to pilfer those last three words from a riddle few days back because they are so unbelievably exciting and significant!). She asks William to hand her the wrinkle cream. William looks dumbfounded because there are about 35 jars on the counter, wondering which one she wants and asks, Catherine why do you have all these? She replies, the woman recommending the creams is on the blog she reads! PURPLE HEART!!💜💜💜💜💜 KIDS I HAVE MADE IT, I AM A CLUE IN AN MM ANON RIDDLE WHICH MEANS CATHERINE AND THE GANG READ THIS BLOG AND READ OUR CONTRIBUTIONS! From the 💜 lady on the blog you read, Catherine, whatever you’re doing, it’s working, but if you ever do want to talk skin wrinkle cream, you know where to find me💜💜💜💜😁😁😁😁

“ we’ve been invited to the Boxing Day shoot”

Lots of us have surmised for quite sometime now that Harry has a lovely partner, and a few of us are dead certain on who it is. He completed his tour of duty at the culmination of the SA trip and RS services. She is now fully out of his life, the public just doesn’t know yet. I am certain an annulment will occur. Anyhow it sounds like they have been invited for Boxing Day. She will be perfect and everyone has always wanted Harry happy, after all he and the family has been through, 2020, at least for him will bring a brand new start!

WoW ‘ that’s a beautiful photo Kate”

I can hardly wait for the Christmas photos, Catherine is such a phenomenal photographer, and as l said the other day, she snaps her children through the loving eyes of a mother. Someone is complementing her one of her photographs. It’s not William because he calls her Catherine. I think those in the field have really taken note of yet another skill she has. Sounding like a public exhibition of her photographic works is in the works!

“he’s to young ‘ good grief William!!”

Back to the shooting day on Boxing Day, Catherine is aghast that William even entertains the idea of him coming along. He’s a big boy, but not that big, yet! The way time flies, time will be here soon enough. Might this be the time for me to once again place ,y request for #4.☺️☺️💜

‘This cobra has no fangs

Madam, wherever on this planet she is, has been defanged. Whatever she held is being held no more. She is in a world/whirled of trouble, just the IRS back taxes alone! Plus any other alleged charges, l won’t go into because we are all singing from the same hymn sheet you know the words!🤣🤣😂😂

“The service, maybe bring C&G.”

YES PLEASE! I would LOVE to see them do the morning walk to and from church with all the other family members! THAT would most certainly be a Christmas gift for me!!!

“ The spring diary ma’am’ was thinking they could do The America’s and Canada” “ the Children too””what say you Philip?” “indubitable , old thing” “ Settled!!””Sidney’ more refreshments”

Saturday afternoon, morning of riding and now just having tea ☕️, refreshments and a good talk. The next few days will bring some major events, The NATO greeting and the banquet on December 3/2019, that has all been fully organized, arranged, menu, seating plan etc etc. LG speaking regarding the official Diary for 2020. Oh MM ANON , this riddle just keeps on giving and giving, it’s like Christmas morning! Sounds like an official Royal tour of America, and Canada with the entire Cambridge family!! If l were a 🐕 dog, my tail would be wagging so fast right now!!! This is very very exciting!!! HMTQ asks PP his opinion, and he very much concurs, then that’s that , it’s settled!! Cord pulled, and as usual he is there almost simultaneously,Sidney, a Boddingtons for himself and a Gin and DuBonnet for HMTQ!! Are you guys getting tired of my scenes of HMTQ, PP, the cord pulling and drinks??Or is it enjoyed? Because l LOVE it, they’re human!!

GSTQAOBC 🇨🇦. 1410 hrs CST

After the horror of yesterday, thank you MM ANON for a fun riddle. I enjoy them all, but this might just be my favourite, for OBVIOUS REASONS☺️😁😁

💜💜💜🙏🏻🙏🏻PG🙏🏻🙏🏻💜💜💜

Thank you dear PG! What a delight….such fun! And look at you! Known for your wrinkle cream! This was great! We love your stories….😊💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Ask Skippy

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130: Dec 2

MM ANON ……… the king in waiting ……… “Mmmmm , not many diversions left”……… in need of some TLC. ……… financial scrutiny ……… financial mutiny !!! ………… “ Don’t piss down my back and tell me it’s raining!!!!!!”………… “Catherine ‘ it’s HM” ……… “ Catherine, I want your discretion”………… “ it would be my privilege ma’am”……… “ That’s a tough one, old thing” ……… “she can do it!! “…… “makes you proud old thing, he looks the part” ……… “backseat ,a Philip?” ………… “ dot The Is…………”

💜💜💜🙏🏻🙏🏻THANK YOU MM ANON🙏🏻🙏🏻💜💜

December 2/2019 0045 hrs CST RIDDLE #128

the king in waiting

This phrase has been used in regards to the Prince of Wales, for decades now. Since PP stepped down from official duties, HMTQ has been steadily handing over various patronages , to PC, The Duchess of Cornwall, William and Catherine, Harry, gosh even madam got the British Theatre patronage! Lots were delighted about that, NOT! Yet that one was part of the prolonged game of charades the Royal family has been forced to play, even though it’s a game they live, certainly not this variation of the game! PC has been successfully voted in as Head of the Commonwealth, that role does not automatically be bestowed on him. PC will continue to take on more and more responsibilities. In that, we shall observe some of that during the NATO visit, as well as decision making regarding several impending crises situations, which in all likelihood are made and done, we just have not been officially informed of as yet!

“Mmmmm , not many diversions left”

Madam has hardly been a peep heard from, her PR used to have 10-15 articles a day in the DM alone, it’s almost like she is contained somewhere? She used the rare old uncle cards a week or so back. She does not have a whole lot more to pull out of that giant rabbits hat/fedora she often wore! The will she won’t she et al about going to America thanksgiving game is over. The IRS is waiting!

in need of some TLC.

TLC, is a tv channel here with oddest shows, pimple popping doctors, married fiancés overseas, guy with five wives etc. We don’t need ,THAT, TLC. TLC is what nurses excel at, good ones anyhow, Tender Loving Care. Whose in need of that? PP is recovering from flu/cold? However he doesn’t strike me as a man that would like to be fussed and clucked around! HMTQ is strong as they come. I wonder if this is our Harry. Adjusting to life without madam, l wonder when and how this will all be made official? I know the surrogate baby is not Harry’s and l have no doubt the child is being lovingly anonymously looked after. Harry, whom,l think l was correct about him being on the bridge the other day, would have had his first active duty incident. He may need not described as TLC but rather debriefing as would the entire team. This is always done after a major incident, first to review protocol, was it carried out, do any changes need done. Then it’s the emotional debriefing, THATS THE ESSENTIAL part of keep a critical response team functional, make sure to debrief the emotions! I imagine , the debriefings, the formal ones are done, 72hours is the golden time window. I have led and been involved with quite a few debriefings, the mental health end of it. Often team members are assigned a mentor especially if they are new to the unit! Great work Harry! I have never ever given up on you, nor will l ever!! Notice they all wore balaclavas, for security! It’s what we wear here in winter to not have our face freeze off, if cross country skiing, snowmobiling etc etc.

financial scrutiny ……… financial mutiny !!!

This is what is keeping madam in the UK! I cannot even fathom how much money she owes her government since she last filed taxes, has she been honest in all her previous tax filings? Seriously? You think she has? The amount of money made in a zillion ways over her lifetime, and what has all transpired since she entered the orbit of the BRF , we are talking millions and millions! I am quite certain, given the fact Americans are still due to pay taxes even if a non resident and given her status and the wealth she married into, l have no doubt the IRS is auditing her, hence the word scrutiny. Mutiny , that a seafarers word for disobeying the captain and the crew takes over, is also a criminal conspiracy among a group of people to openly oppose, change, or overthrow a lawful authority to which they are subject. Now does this sound like a group of individuals we might know? Madam, MA, JM, etc, the families,in America, Mexico, all allegedly working in tandem.

“ Don’t piss down my back and tell me it’s raining!!!!!!”

I love this phrase, my uncle used to say this, the horse rancher, whose son now runs it. In other words, Pissing on, means doing something bad to someone. Don’t piss on my boots and tell me its raining is a response to someone dressing up a bad situation — usually for their own benefit — by telling them to knock it off and stop lying. In other words madam has been doing this her entire life and using the raining excuse to explain her way out of everything! Well LG is having none of that, no more using that as an excuse or exit strategy. The game is over, in fact it never was a game to those she was pi**ing all over!

“Catherine ‘ it’s HM” “ Catherine, I want your discretion”“ it would be my privilege ma’am”

HMTQ rings Catherine, rather than a visit. I would assume, like , in movies, especially High Society with Grace Kelly and Bing Crosby, huge mansions/palaces, their phones have no dials, just labelled whose line it is, how old am I?🤣🤣🤣😂😂. But l am quite certain HMTQ would use a landline phone, because l do😁😁😁. After squidgygate, and other similar ghastly phone calls that were recorded, and then made public, plus intelligence and needs for security in today’s world, l have no doubt that everything is encrypted, and they likely have blocking technology so none of those fancy devices you can, it’s like a clear plastic umbrella, it gathers sound from a distance and you can listen in, you need a jamming device to block the signal, muddying it, if you like. I am sure technology is way way way advanced of that already.

William is away, is she asking her to sit with Harry at the NATO banquet and used discretion when others ask where madam is? I hardly think that would require a big private ask. I wonder if she is needed to witness and sign some legal papers referencing divorce or annulment. Giving her statement or witness to some madam has said or done.

Does this have something to do with the Marchioness of Cholmondeley????????

“ That’s a tough one, old thing” ……… “she can do it!! “…… “makes you proud old thing, he looks the part” ……… “backseat ,a Philip?”

HMTQ and PP, spending time near the great hearth, so warm , cozy, absolutely nothing like the feel of, sight of, smell if and sound of a crackling wood fire. Weather has a definite chill, time for wooden sweaters, and warm family time. Himself , a Boddingtons, 🍺,HMTQ gin and DuBonnet 🍸 . Discussing the next few days and what has happened in the last few. Pondering the decision HMTQ to call Catherine, tough decision, tough thing to ask. PP is reassuring HMTQ that Catherine is very capable, can be trusted and relied upon in any and all circumstances.

More changes in the offing so they can spend more time together. Makes them proud, PC has done, and with increased responsibility he very much looks the part of a King in waiting. If HMTQ does decide to make PC Regent, this conversation would be very much the same, trust and he looks every bit the Regent! Last abbreviated line, HMTQ says is rhetorical, meaning not expecting an answer but rather stating her intent, she is going to be taking a backseat for Charles to be Regent!

“ dot The Is…………”

Is it annulment as l hope? Or divorce? When one says, ESPECIALLY in legal matters, dot the letter i and cross the t, it means make sure everything is done 109% correctly, no way anyone can back out, Sue or twist it. So we shall very soon be hearing a press release of either an annulment or a divorce final between Harry and madam!!

0205 hrs CST. GSTQAOBC 🇨🇦 🥂 🍾

Thank you dear PG! Fascinating read….much seems to be going on…..much appreciated!😊💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Ask Skippy

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131: Dec 2

MM ANON … “when we are born, we cry , that we are come”…… “your RH. that’s why you didn’t go” ……… “Four” ……… ahhhhhrrr , I hate mornings!! ……… “give a dog a bone …” ………… “ yes , we’re all watching it! It’s very addictive “ ……… “ How the f***did they know that!!!”………… “ I told them Philip!!” ……… “bloody snoops” …… At the last count sir , all was Ticketyboo.

💜💜💜🙏🏻🙏🏻THANK YOU MM ANON🙏🏻🙏🏻💜💜

December 2/2019 Riddle #129

1700 hrs CST

“when we are born, we cry , that we are come”.

“

Dear MM ANON returneth us to the bard, William Shakespeare’s King Lear.

Babies do not automatically cry at birth, some do, but some need a slap on the bum, holding upside down rubbing on chest to loosen any fluids that may have been aspirated(inhaled) during the traumatic birth process. It’s a physical trauma for mum to be sure but also babe. Going from, dark, warm, safe environment of dark, echoey sounds, to bright theatre lights, many staff, beeping of machines, it’s parents noise of joy, and than itself own crying noises.

The entire play, uses one similar stance as (Macbeth, Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage

And then is heard no more: it is a tale

Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,

Signifying nothing. )

Lear is full of cons and duplicity.

This whole life and the world madam moved in , nonstop using people to climb up the ladder, obtaining information and using that and on and on. This will be very shortly end and l truly believe Christmas will be enjoyed! BY ALL!!! Those who serve their dark master do not truly celebrate Christmas anyways!

“your RH. that’s why you didn’t go”

I think this is Catherine explaining to someone why she didn’t attend the TUSK Awards, for “childcare reasons “, was what we were told. l think, in light of the above news, it was childcare, just feeling unwell, and taking cate of her baby bump. Now l hope MM ANON you haven’t teased us or l over reading into the clues! If in fact, Catherine is expecting, this , if all her children would be her ‘easiest first trimester’ because previously her hyperemesis gravidarum, has required hospitalization and then that care at home for subsequent pregnancies. This would be marvellous news anytime but ESPECIALLY NOW!!! I can just the smile across the persons she is speaking with face, as they realize oh THATS why you didn’t attend!!

“Four” ahhhhhrrr , I hate mornings!!

William is awoken by a sound, one he knows all too well. He looks at the clock and makes the comments groaning. He gets up to go tend to Catherine in the bathroom. They look at one another, smiling! BABY NUMBER FOUR IS ON HER WAY!! Thank you ever so much for granting my repeated requests and congratulations!💜💜💜🙏🏻🙏🏻PG🙏🏻🙏🏻💜💜💜

OR OR OR OR OR OR IR BOTH😁😁😁😁😁

Harry continues his training, and duty, early morning, VERY early mornings are part and parcel of that.

“give a dog a bone …”

When you give a dog a bone, you not only give him a treat but something to tease him with, and dogs love that so much! The media has been giving us bits of flesh but no major bone, YET! It’s coming! I wonder what tomorrow’s headlines will read after the Panorama tonight. I wonder the next day after the NATO reception/dinner. There is so much neat, on the bone that is ‘madam%’, her lost years, her connections, behaviours you could cater 100 Royal receptions and still have plenty!!

“ yes , we’re all watching it! It’s very addictive “ ……… “ How the f***did they know that!!!”………… “ I told them Philip!!” ……… “bloody snoops” Royal family discussion night and blog reading time. They get on the topic of the Netflix show, The Crown. It sounds like they are enjoying it and find it addictive even, that’s high praise, l hope Netflix producers read Skippy blog!! PP is wondering how they knew something and HMTQ states unequivocally that she told them! Is she the unwritten/uncredited official Consultant? PP chimes in again, calling the press and it’s investigators bloody snoops.This is a good fun, conversation, not the invasive, boundaries crossed angry time.

At the last count sir , all was Ticketyboo.

LG receiving reports for tomorrow’s NATO events, dinner/reception. Ticket boo, means everything is perfect, just as it was planned to be, no anticipated issue! The capitalization of Ticketyboo, means Ticket, an actual invitation , likely numb and signed with allow entrance to the event. There will be zero gate crashes, if for some reason madam or anyone might try!

1750 hrs CST GSTQAOBC 🇨🇦

Thank you dear PG….sounds like so much news coming! Can’t wait….I hardly doubt NetFlix is reading here though….I love your stories! Much appreciated….😊💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Ask Skippy

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132: Dec 3

MM ANON … email shemail ……this hole is getting deeper …… Christmas service treat🦄🦎…… “keep hold!! he’s a runner”…… a welcoming absence …… “ you can leave your scarf at home darling”…… “ Chaz & Don”…… Megan come Beggin…… “hope she stays for New Years”……Emmanuel & Don🎭]……… NATO,HATE-O…… “Philip, You’ll miss the banquet!!” ……… “bloody good!!”………” it’s your night old thing”………” Mmm , Catherine’s Tiara?” ………” Emeralds, would do the trick”……… “Sydney’ strong refreshments!!”…… “the Crown old thing?”

💜💜💜🙏🏻🙏🏻THANK YOU MM ANON🙏🏻🙏🏻💜💜

December 3/2019 Riddle #130

1110 hrs CST

email shemail

Email has been made public between from PA toGM, with the topic being VRG, asking questions. It kind of confuses him saying he never met her nor knew her, however he may have heard her name. If l am correct the email was sent January 3/2015. 0550 hrs so that’s early, sense of urgency? Or just a disciplined military man who rises early?

this hole is getting deeper

There is a focused multifaceted attack on the BRF! The more information, rather PR/media and interviews come out, instead of letting the legal system address any issues is further poisoning the water! Again, NOT DEFENDING ANYONE, but of all the high placed men WHY IS PA BEING BURNED AT THE STAKE? With high powered wealthy men, why is she so unafraid for her family?? Photos put buying beer and cigs? Who or whom are/is paying from this continued assault on the Monrachy!!??

Christmas service treat🦄🦎”keep hold!! he’s a runner”

Christmas pageant at Battersea, if Nanny Anon, is to be believed it’s tonight, l thought NATO reception was tonight, for weeks l thought it was the 4 th, l honestly cannot keep track. However, they each hVe a role of that l am certain, however Nanny says Charlotte is an angel, with a line to speak and George is rehearsing the role of his future, one of the three kings, NOT of Orient are🤣🤣🤣😂. Louis must a going concern, as we say here, constantly on the move. They best keep him firm in hand or he will do a runner through the audience and steal the show🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂. There would be one shriekingly ticked off Princess if that happened!

a welcoming absence “ you can leave your scarf at home darling”

Madam will not join the family at Sandringham, the first Christmas in two years without her. Catherine joking with William he need not bring his scarf🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂. His passive aggressive, sorry William but it was 🤣🤣😂😂, fiddling with his scarf whilst leaving the chapel on madams first unmarried Christmas , she was trying to engage him but he fiddled with his scarf . This went nuclear all over the internet and social media! I believe there is an actual official listing of the word scarfing!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂 Oh man, and l had bought him the loveliest purple scarf, what shall l do with it ?🥺🥺😩😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣

“ Chaz & Don”

PC and DT , abbreviated as Chaz for a Charles and Don for Donald, will spend time together today at this evenings reception. I firmly am thinking l was right all along and the banquet is tomorrow. I am sure PC role is expanding they will have plenty to talk about. PC is the consummate host.

Megan come Beggin

Madam begged pleaded shrieked, until she finally got her wish to not be forced anywhere near the person she hates , the President of HER country. MM ANON , l hate to ask, is this a typo, Megan, not Meghan? If it’s not a typo, who is Megan???

“hope she stays for New Years”

This is the general consensus, that madam can stay wherever she is until AFTER New Years.

However, if this is the special friend, this may be leaning in a

positive vibe of hoping she will STAY until the New Years Eve.

Emmanuel & Don🎭]……… NATO,HATE-O

Presidents Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump have had an extremely dramatic almost theatrical relationship. When they first met, Macron was so huggy , touchy feely, the word bromance was used. They have had some cracks with the U.S. pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord. President Trump has issues regarding NATO, paying funds etc, there is much changing on the worlds stage politically, the U.S./NATO/BREXIT/EU etc etc etc. Not the least of which has been the double barrel attacking of the British Monarchy!

“Philip, You’ll miss the banquet!!” “bloody good!!”” it’s your night old thing”” Mmm , Catherine’s Tiara?” ” Emeralds, would do the trick”

HMTQ and PP conversing, less pressure on the agenda, with the words done by LG and his team, yet he is not up to attending the banquet, plus he has retired from the world stage. Which sounds TRUT H be told, he has had his fill during the many decades attending them!🤣🤣🤣😂😂. Just reassuring her it’s most important that she, HMTQ, is there, she is so amazing as a hostess, she is involved with every little single detail! Well, well, well madams hair will be on fire!! Catherine will be wear the Vladimir Kokoshnik, l think that’s the one, it’s most certainly the one with huge Emeralds,tiara😁😁😁😁. I can hardly wait to see those photos!

“Sydney’ strong refreshments!!”…… “the Crown old thing?”

To end of conversation, the pulled cord, and again, as always, Sydney arrives, smiling, anticipating their request, Boddingtons for Himself and gin and DuBonnet for HMTQ.CHEERS YOUR MAJESTY, SIR!!

1150 hrs CST

GSTQAOBC 🇨🇦

Thank you PG…interesting stuff today…I can’t wait to see which tiara Kate will wear…could it be that one! Oh my! Much appreciated dear PG!😊💜💜💜💜💜

Ask Skippy submission

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133: DEC 5

MM ANON ……… lovers not-on or emerald??…… Alexander McQueen green machine??……… Clean sweep!!!……………Trump wants his ball back…… Banquetiquette ……… “ One has to watch the hot mike Donald!!”……… Meanwhile’ crying in a corner……” a clash of Wills”……… “come on old thing,tell me all the gossip”………” Sydney ‘ gin and Du……” “ Ones a tad exhausted “…… “ you looked stunning Catherine “……… “yes ‘ I saw your killer 👀side eye “…… 👑👑💕💕And so to bed Zebedee!!……… “ Lottie ‘turn your pad off!!”…George’ sleep!!

💜💜💜🙏🏻🙏🏻THANK YOU MM ANON🙏🏻🙏🏻💜💜

December. 5/2019 0020 hrs CST

RIDDLE #130

SORRY I AM SO LATE WITH IT, I HAVE NOT FELT WELL SO I WILL GIVE IT A TRY!

lovers not-on or emerald??

I was sooooo certain l had read months ago that December4/2019 there was to be a formal NATO Banquet. Maybe l was wrong , unlikely it was changed. Nonetheless there is a Diplomats Banquet next week, l could be wrong too😏😒😂. Catherine, for a number of such occasions has worn the Lovers Knot Tiara and done so brilliantly, l might add! There has been rampant rumblings of her wearing the Vlad Emerald Tiara!! It’s gorgeous, all those emeralds, imagine with her gorgeous eyes?? 👀 👀 👸🏻 Allegdly(ha ha) a certain someone demanded this for a gathering of very VERY unhappy people! HMTQ ABSOLUTELY PUT HER FOOT DOWN NO!NO! The banshee was heard screaming all the way up in Balmedie!!!🤣🤣🤣😂😂. So l will firmly say, whether it the Diplomats banquet or not, whatever the next black tie/formal event, Catherine will be wearing the Vlad Emerald Tiara!!! No ifs ands or buts!!!

Alexander McQueen green machine??

Did she not look stunning at the reception? Green or any colour she wears so beautifully! Even a red puffer and skinny jeans!! She slays! As the kids say now! The papers should get their designers right, they had it wrong on RS as well, that was a McQueen military inspired gorgeous piece she wore, one paper saint Caroline Walker. No offence but that was not her style. Last night dress was said to be Emilia Wickstead. So is it now McQueen? Either way that was the colour of envy for sure, did she purposely wear it? OF COURSE SHE DID!! I cannot WAIT for the Diplomats banquet or next formal/black tie event. The gown she will wear , and Of COURSE SARAH BURTON, from the House of McQueen, who designed her wedding gown, will have designed it, bespoke to go with the Emerald Tiara! Put your ear plugs in kids, madam will be flying her 🧹 broomstick over London screaming 🙀 at the heavens!!! Jealous much!OH YES JEALOUSY THE GREEN EYED MONSTER HAS BERN OBVIOUS SINCE SHE CAME ONTO THE SCENE!

Clean sweep!!!

This immediately makes thing if curling! Hurry hard! Hurry! Sweep Sweep! If you’re Canadian or Scottish you will be laughing now🤣🤣😂😂. A clean sweep in a game is winning the game with the opposing side having a score of zero, or Ina finals winning the games needed to take the Stanley Cup, example, to win the series. A clean sweep can also, and here l believe is MM ANON meaning, to sweep out the dust, filth, unwanted or unsavoury things when cleaning house. So the cleaning house, clean sweep metaphor may be related to a clash of wills in when to release the hounds on madam and what on earth to do about the VRG issues!!!

Trump wants his ball back. Banquetiquette. “ One has to watch the hot mike Donald!!”

This is a childish reference to PT leaving before the final press conference after our PM, BOJO, Macron and Princess Anne were on ‘ hot mic’ which is the news means you’re microphone isn’t live , that’s how the ABC reporter Amy Robach got caught out saying ABC quashed her interview with VRG years ago. So l guess DT , l have to be very care here to not upset my American friends whilst defending my PM. I will just lay facts no subjective opinion ok? They must be VERY VERY VERY careful what they say, when they say it, because sorry JT but even without the hot mic, with my poor hearing l am used to lip reading and using closed captioning on the tv, l could read your lips! DT was upset, called him two faced. You can all opine about them now.

It was a reception, not a banquet, however etiquette is etiquette and the rules still apply. Good manners, carry oneself well and be above reproach. I am afraid some , have your own opinions ok, but there was some etiquette not taken. See above clue please.

A short time later, DT himself was caught on hot mic, congratulating himself for calling our PM what he called him and for leaving without the last presser, press conferences are called pressers in America. Saying that was funny that he said that name. It happens to everyone, hot mic, in politics or celebrities, they have to be careful unless they just don’t care.

Meanwhile’ crying in a corner

Madam, just go back to your corner, you have misbehaved so much, get used to the corner! Oh she must be spitting bullets of jealousy, if she saw Catherine, just wait till she sees the Christmas photos!😄😄😄😄🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂

“a clash of Wills”

William in back, he has proven himself a force of nature in becoming too. Dealing with family issues, is there disagreement regarding PA. There have been calls for him to lose his HRH status , is that on the docket? And great clashing of that? Wills was Diana’s name for William, wills is also ones determination to do or not do something

“come on old thing,tell me all the gossip”………” Sydney ‘ gin and Du……” “ Ones a tad exhausted “

HMTQ and PP again, indulge me, l know he’s at Wood Farm and she’s in London but indulge me, l love this, so do you, and so do some others. HMTQ finally out of her dress clothes, wearing comfortable nightdress, gorgeous purple velvet slippers and completely bespoke housecoat of the finest PUR velvet with silver seaming and luxurious embroidered collar with ER on the breast plate. PP in his nightclothes, grey slippers and matching bespoke grey robe with dark stitching along the seams barely there but if you look closely the beauty of each stitch is breathtaking. THANK YOU MM ANON FOR ADDING THE DRINKS I HAVE BEEN HAND TYPING FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW!! PP already has his Boddingtons , cord was pulled just as she sat down, Sidney arrives, and PP orders her favourite cocktail, gin and a DuBonnet. She , you know it’s HMTQ when she speaks in third person, l do that a lot too😄😄😄😄😁😁, says she is a tad bit exhausted which means she is more tired than any of us have ever been! She is a force of nature! Majestic, strong, beautiful and tender when the needs be. They proceed to discuss all the goings on, at the reception and there was plenty!

“ you looked stunning Catherine “……… “yes ‘ I saw your killer 👀side eye “…… 👑👑💕💕And so to bed Zebedee!!……… “ Lottie ‘turn your pad off!!”…George’ sleep!!

William has returned from another successful solo Royal tour to the Middle East. I though the photos of him with the fisherman fixing their nets and then him giving it a go was amazing. He really , like his wife, has come into his own. Telling Catherine how stunning she looked last night and teasing her about her side eye, which she does very well! Remember the stolen pencil incident a few weeks ago? Louis long ago asleep, George and Charlotte keen to see daddy, imagine what did you bring me? A million times over and at a maximum volume!😂😂😂🤣🤣Zebedee, Zebedii, that was often what l heard or said for bedtime. A jovial memory of television and a cute sweet way to colour the word bedtime by making it fun because the word kids HATE is bedtime. Then when you reach adulthood and parenthood one prays for bedtime.🤣🤣🤣😂😂 l have never been a parent but l know many, enough to prove that statement!

Charlotte ever the controller of wifi and devices😂😂😂🤣🤣,we have read this in other riddles! Time for bed a George!!

0125 hrs CST

GSTQAOBC 🇨🇦

Thank you so much, especially doing this when feeling unwell. You are greatly appreciated. The Diplomatic dinner is December 11th. This is sounding good…😊💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Ask Skippy

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134: Dec 5

MM ANON …… “ no, not the service”……… Strip and rip…… IRSt in peace……” I think you’ll find it best ma’am”…… “ exactly ‘ peace and quiet”…… Distant thunder ……… “On Her Majesty’s secret service”…… No!! Not the whole enchilada………… The dossier, almost complete!!…… “Yes!! It certainly is personal”……… “she lived by the sor-did…… “gather thee rosebuds …………”…… “ not a word,old boy”. ……… “ Mmmm, unfortunate name for a club”……… “a sticky wicket,what!

💜💜💜🙏🏻🙏🏻THANK YOU MM ANON🙏🏻🙏🏻💜💜

December 5/2019 1040 hrs CST

RIDDLE #131

“no, not the service”

Prince Andrew has had virtually everything but his HRH ripped away. Papers saying now this morning that not only Prince Charles dressed him down, but Prince Philip did as well. He may be 98 and retired but a massive alpha male who can throw down with the best of them. Sounding like PA will NOT be permitted to attend church Christmas 🎄 morning as per usual. The Royal family walks and greets the public coming and leaving, HMTQ is driven.

Strip and rip

This sounds like a bikini wax or a back waxing . More like a search for drugs, substances, paraphernalia or weapons at a prison or psychiatric hospital, believe me, l have done many such searches, for those needing hospitalization. This clue could be twofold, firstly, reportedly three blackened windows Discoveries were seen high speed driving near Banbury, a day or so ago, evening l think actually, madam is rumoured to be near at SoHo or perhaps in Banbury, the hometown of a certain sycophantic royal reporter. Me oh my oh!! Has she been taken into custody by the Americans??? Did she fly back with the President?

Secondly this may refer to Prince Andrew, strip and rip him of everything including his HRH. Is that what is being ripped? The public and many are demanding it including his fellow military members! Might l again say, he has NOT BEEN INTERVIEWED NOR CHARGED! Just a fact, l hate sexual abuse and human trafficking it’s loathsome. But there seems to be a direct torpedo, pardon the wordage, directly at him.Why no one else? Whose agenda is this??

IRSt in peace

Madam is in a world/whirled of hurt with the IRS, America’s tax division. I have no idea her last filing, or how accurate she has ever been. Since joining the Royal family, although never really did, she has had a myriad of income sources and likely many we don’t know. Might it be not the literal death of her but in terms of finances, she will be if not already in process,be audited and may be garnisheed for the rest of her life to,pay what is owed?

“I think you’ll find it best ma’am”“ exactly ‘ peace and quiet”

I think LG is suggesting HMTQ head for Sandringham early, to be out of London when the walls come tumbling down so to speak. Peace and quiet, readying for family Christmas, although that too brings its own pains!

Distant thunder

Softly rolling distant, quiet, getting closer, more loud, and BABOOM CRASH!! The storm that has been brewing and slowly simmering in the background is coming, coming closer, when it arrives,it will be ELECTRIC!! The information and scandal will rock the globe. I am not just talking about when all about madam is revealed but her backers and their sordid dealings! BOOM CRASH FLASH! Winds howling! It’s going to be earth shattering.

“On Her Majesty’s secret service”

We have had several Bond references. This was the only Bond film that a George Lazenby ever starred in, did you know that? Connery or Moore?? The other actors don’t count! CONNERY LASS AM I , AYE TIS SO💜💜💜💜. I do believe our William has been on the intelligence gathering and l do wonder about our Harry. You kids remember me repeatedly talking about his wedding ring months and months ago and saying it’s no regular ring?Sure you do, one of you went hunting and posted a picture of a ring with GPS chip! It’s very unusual in the U.K. especially royalty, in my experience , for men to wear wedding bands yet Harry insisted, ask yourself why? Why? Why? By the way, great film, and great documentary l have pvr’ed , The Secrets of Her Majesty’s Secret Service. It was on PBS last week, an anon posted about it, so l pvr’ed it!

No!! Not the whole enchilada

So again, the whole enchilada is a metaphor for the entire sum of something, usually valuable. What and whom is this referencing? Again, is it PA, losing more? I doubt that, the phrase the whole enchilada , that is not a British expression it’s American. This must be regarding madam. Meaning, she has to give up everything, her HRH, every merching etc etc. She’s upset about it. What, to stay out of prison? Testify against someone? Tell the whole truth and nothing but? This woman cannot even spell truth. There are so many lies over so many decades allegedly, there is no way she knows who she was with when doing what.

The dossier, almost complete!!

Information is almost done, evidence, witnesses, intelligence, video, audio, photos, texts, emails, carrier pigeons and any other sort of stealth data to solidify alleged treason charges along with a boatload of other financial and Heaven only knows what from the past has raised its filth from the depth of those lost years! All the i dotted t crossed, airtight.

“Yes!! It certainly is personal”

Very personal, this attack was planned, guided, paid for, well planned, multipronged, family paid off, witnesses paid off or worse etc etc allegedly. So yeah it’s personal to HMTQ,PP, PC and PW.An attack on the thing HMTQ has spent her life serving! The very monarchy! Sordid plot to crumble the Monarchy! So hell yes ITS PERSONAL!!! To our a Royal family and TO ALL OF US!!

“she lived by the sor-did

Old saying live by the sword ⚔️, you die by the sword, you all know that one. Madam has allegedly lived a very sordid, deviant lifestyle for money and luxuries. This will be her downfall, any previous association with JE, l can only imagine what her role was and then became. This whole sick, satanic, house of cards is crumbling, the cockroaches are running for cover. Does she think the backers are going to pay for her attorneys or testify on her behalf? 😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣 She is crazier than l thought! ALLEGEDLY!

“gather thee rosebuds…

While ye may, love this .This beautiful piece of magic written by Robert Herrick hundreds of years ago but relevant now as then. Speaking how quickly time flies, make the most of each second, do not waste time on frivolous things or unsavoury things. Sadly, many lost souls here, and damaged ones, so evil. However we have HMTQ, PC , William and Catherine, the Monarchy, with them at the helm, is resilient, will cut the extras and forge a new Monarchy.

“ not a word,old boy”.

Someone is keeping schtum about something. I imagine there are many, likely most of the details will remain classified. The five eyes met at the NATO conference. I truly do wonder, although l love my little life, what intelligence was shared! PP likely speaking with Netty, and keeping things classified, most probably about when they plan to break and let loose! We all know who Netty is right? I have explained it in a few riddles!

“ Mmmm, unfortunate name for a club”

Tramp nightclub, the source of many stories VRG and PA. PA also was there many times with Fergie and that’s where he met Koo Stark way back when for those of us at a certain age! Horrible just horrible name for a club!

“a sticky wicket,what!

This is a croquet term, hitting the balls through the wickets. It’s also a cricket term! Jiminy 🦗 Crickets, that’s my new favourite saying😁. A sticky wicket in life refers to awkward, difficult, unexpectedly challenging time. Well doesn’t that just describe the last two years!! OR MORE! What detail is sticky still? Something needing sorting. I just cannot fathom what it is! But it’s important because it’s in the riddle!

1155 hrs CST GSTQAOBC 🇨🇦

Oh my! Not sounding good for MM! We are getting there it seems! Fantastic job dear PG! Thank you so much!🙏🏻💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Ask Skippy

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135: Dec 6

MM ANON …… megbots in crisis …… megs spotted on ISS…… megs searchers internet for archificial upgrade …… megs still breastfeeding …… frogcott staff witness meg and Harry in screaming row 😱……… meg accused of bugging KP……… meg and archbishop in risqué photo shoot …… Archbishop denies clergy gossip …… meg ,VF interview ‘ I hate my chicken legs ‘…… Harry in GQ interview, I want a divorce ‘…… GQ, shock ‘horror, Harry’s OK’…… meg pens, ‘confessions of my yachting years’. … $20 million advance.

💜💜💜🙏🏻🙏🏻THANK YOU MM ANON🙏🏻🙏🏻💜💜

December 6/2019 1150 hrs CST

Thanks to the wonderful 💜💜🙏🏻🙏🏻fortheheavenssake 🙏🏻🙏🏻💜💜who is documenting all my riddle interpretations, l apparently have used two numbers twice🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂 so this is RIDDLE #135

💜💜MM ANON LISTEN, AS YOU ONCE SAID, NO APOLOGIES EVER!!!💜💜LEVITY IS NEEDED🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

megbots in crisis

Madam has had zillions of ‘bots’ online to bolster or artificially , not archficially🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂, boost her numbers and popularity on social media and PR. The well is running dry,no new storyline , last uncle pulled out of the woodwork weeks ago, bots, they cost $$$$$#£££££££€€€€€, she is in serious overload and underfunded. The bots are sputtering, spinning, electrical charges sparking, powering down, all the things 🤖 robots do when system failure, permanent fatal error blue screen, does not cooommmmmppppuuuutttteee………….

megs spotted on ISS

Oh now she’s an astronaut??? Really on the International Space Station??🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂. Yes, like l said last week Sasquatch and Elvis hang out in my back yard! Has she gone there to get another moonbump direct from the source??🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂

megs searchers internet for archificial upgrade

Oh my Jiminy Crickets!!🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂, l just typed that! Well not the internet part. Yes at some point she’s going to have to show a child, growing bigger, however Archficial was already a big boy, they used to call them huggy l think. She is madly trying to find the cheapest price for the new model of archficial. Maybe retailmenot or some other sites like Rakuten has coupon codes!!

megs still breastfeeding

Is she now? Is she a card carrying member of the La Leche League? Breastfeeding until the child is 18 or wed! Yes, it’s a great excuse for privacy, because despite what her PR says, she definitely wants privacy, no pictures, no one talking about or to her, yet yammers because no one asks if she is ok! Pathetic instagram post, photoshopped photos, one year anniversary of Hubb kitchen visit. Talk about grasping at straws for attention, and using year old photoshopped photos😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣😩😩

frogcott staff witness meg and Harry in screaming row 😱

I do believe this was/is a story in one of the American gossip rags, could be wrong but everyone reads here so look for that headline next week if you’re into tabloids😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣.Interesting, there are no staff at FC, because NO ONE LIVES THERE! Perhaps an old spirit, but they take care of themselves! They have never lived there, every celebrity or article about who has visited there and held/fed/played with archficial are all liars, allegedly.

meg accused of bugging KP

Not surprised at that, taking a page right out of MA’s playbook at SoHo. Secretly record, gather intel, blackmail=$$$$$$$$€€€€€€€£££££. I wonder what secrets she gathered! Add that to the charges, LG and Netty, Sirs! Please! Allegedly! 🙄🙄

meg and archbishop in risqué photo shoot

There has been something odd about everything madam does/has done. One of the most bizarre is Justin Welby, the A of C, he allegedly privately baptized her. He allegedly christened archficial, with one wee issue, he was hours from London at that time at a Church conference. Now he has come out defending her. So there is no confusion these are his exact words.

💜💜Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, defended the Duchess of Sussex against what he called the “totally undeserved” criticism she has received.

“She’s a person of profound humanity and deep concern for people, seeking to carry out her role with every ounce of her being, and I think she’s a remarkable person💜💜.

What’s gone on here? Are you suggesting she has something on him so he has done these things under blackmail allegedly. Not a thing in this mess would surprise me one wit!

Archbishop denies clergy gossip

Parishioners talk, clergy members talk, they’re human, when things don’t add up, it makes for lots of speculation and questioning. Is the A of C denying that other bishops or members of the clergy have been speculating and questioning some of the issue l typed above? This is all too weird. If we had a whole wall with every single odd event, altered facts, stories comments etc etc, it would be like string art we used to do way back when. Better still twist like Christmas lights, and trying to figure out which bulb is causing the whole string to not light up. I know most of you remember that, the good old days before prelit trees in weird colours that make noises and flash so rapidly you get a migraine. Jiminy Crickets, l sound like one of those two grumpy men in the balcony on the Muppets Show😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣.

meg ,VF interview ‘ I hate my chicken legs

Harry in GQ interview, I want a divorce ‘GQ, shock ‘horror, Harry’s OK’

Madam did the VF, wild about Harry, was all PR lies! I think in terms of madams legs millions would agree! Now now, is this how this is going to roll? Tit for tat, pun intended🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂, is Harry doing a GQ cover giving her the same treatment by shockingly wanting a divorce?? Oh please 🙄 JIMINY CRICKETS 🦗 l want ten copies!!!💜💜💜Please sir, l want some more! The first person who comments where that line is from gets a smile from me😁. 💜💜💜Imagine the worlds shock?! Oh MM ANON DON’T TEASE ME!🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂 LG your brilliance is only surpassed by your loyalty and dedication to HMTQ Tip hat 🎩 Sir!

meg pens, ‘confessions of my yachting years $20 million advance.

During the weekend when madam went to help her Bestie SW completely lose the U.S.Open, they didn’t want her there, she went anyhow, didn’t she do a great job? Flirting grossly with SW husband, ignored by SW’s mum and graciously using the ‘Markle effect’ and SW lost soundly! She was summoned there, post haste allegedly to meet with backers and take a meeting with publishers. There have been rumblings and rumours of a book. Good luck fact checking that one, the poor ghost writer and editor🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂. I think she will have to forget a lot because the IRS apparently doesn’t like it if you do not declare income or not be truthful, allegedly. And also, law enforcement may have issues with some behaviours, in relation to those missing years. And a wee tiny issue of archficial fauxmegnancy, not of the body. Trying to pass off a surrogate baby, not Harry’s child, all allegedly of course! As a blood royal baby!! Just a minor treason charge. Then there is the SoHo issue…….bugging, recordings, blackmail, all from the plot of a juicy film! As far as a $20,000,000 advance, if that happens, l will eat my hat! I don’t have one, got toques, might have to eat one then!! Who in their right mind would give her that cash advance? Unless it was not the right but the left, the leftists globalists backers….yep that l can see!!! Help us oh Lord🙏🏻🙏🏻 please, the light needs to be shone on the horrors that have been happening. Our beloved HMTQ, it just is breaking my heart, she is so beloved.

1250 hrs CST

💜💜💜🙏🏻🙏🏻THANK YOU MM ANON, I HAD A FABULOUS FUN TIME DOING THIS!!🙏🏻🙏🏻💜💜💜

GSTQAOBC 🇨🇦

What fun! Loved this. Thank you MM Anon for the humorous riddle and PG your great interpretation! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Ask Skippy submission

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136: Dec 6

MM ANON …… Muffin the mule…… looby loo & Andy pandy …… 95 , time!!…… “no’ not chaz”’……… “ I’m Meghan Markle and I indorse this massage” ……” An American Christmas card”…… betrayal in B&W……… “ it’s HMTQ your talking about!!!”…… “ tell her to PO ‘ it’s the Boxing Day shoot”……… 🎼I’m dreaming of a right Christmas 🎼…… a shortie but goody

💜💜💜🙏🏻🙏🏻THANK YOU YET AGAIN MM ANON🙏🏻🙏🏻💜💜💜

December 6/2019 1530 hrs CST RIDDLE #136

Muffin the mule

Muffin has a naughty meaning as well as the breakfast bit. Mule is a very stubborn animals or someone carrying something illegal across borders as in a drug mule. First thing l thought of was a Moscow mule, classic lovely drink. There was an article in the DM about madams Christmas decor ideas and menu, the Moscow mule in copper was her idea!🤣🤣🤣😂 Well, l can’t drink anymore, but to me l would have one anytime but they and the copper was all the rage about five years ago, so she seems to be a wee bit behind the trend! However in fairness, it was taken from the 2015 Tig.

looby loo & Andy pandy

I read in the DM and saw photos years ago, Prince Andrew dancing up a storm, with a Heidi Klum, didn’t look like her but she was in a wig, costume. Also another female. Apparently he liked to be massaged by two women simultaneously, not underage, or rude, fun. The loony loo is known here as the hokey pokey, a hand , leg, body action dance. Is this having a go at PA ‘skills’ on the dance floor?? The hokey pokey also has a naughty meaning too.

95 , time!! “no’ not chaz”

HMTQ will be 95 in 18 months. Double exclamation mark, someone or several are firm in her making PC Regent at that time! It sounds like a firm opinion that PC is not the choice for Regent. Might William be tapped to step up and put a whole new modern face on the Monarchy? My goodness, to quote London Scoop, up is down, down is up, the world is spinning too fast!! The winds of change are gusting stronger and stronger!

“ I’m Meghan Markle and I indorse this massage”

Ha ha. Is she doing adverts now for special yacht massages.🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂 Oh dear imagine the oils and other items she would smear around!!! 😫😫😫😩😩😩🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢Just imagine the worst grossest thing you can muster!! Is she going into politics or has she massaged major politicians???? The end of every tv ad during election, l am so and so and l endorse this message. Yikes, crazy world!

“ An American Christmas card”betrayal in B&W

Of course the Christmas card will be in black and white, what else do we expect from madam? Likely have her back turned as well. Will Archficial be backwards too? Ultimate betrayal of wedding vows, to the public. A child not Harry’s, and not of her body! Will this be released and dealt with before Christmas? I pray so🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

“ it’s HMTQ your talking about!!!”…… “ tell her to PO ‘ it’s the Boxing Day shoot”

PP is angry and someone has been disrespectfully talking about HMTQ, PP is soundly bringing them about. PP is laying it down, madam has no input in the shooting day, she’s to be told to PO! PP talking to Harry, l am confused about why Harry would be still bring requests or demands from madam. I am wondering if it’s LG, because l am pretty certain Harry is far away from her and no interaction. It’s about Christmas, Sandringham and the annual family Boxing Day shooting party. Madam has been aggressively against it, allegedly previous years. So is madam still in a position to make demands? Well it sounds like she will be told what’s what!

🎼I’m dreaming of a right Christmas 🎼

I watched the film White Christmas last night, gorgeous songs by a Irving a Berlin, fabulous, again movies when they were movies! I am thinking the wish is that Jeremy Corbyn loses and BoJo, the conservatives, oft referred to as the right. Corbyn is leaning left strongly and much upset about alleged anti-Semitic beliefs. I think all this crap with madam has to wait till after the election, December 12/2019.

a shortie but goody

Is this little Louis? He is toddling around, l recall the summer videos at the park garden Catherine designed, him running in the bridge arms wide to balance. I can hardly wait for the Christmas photos! I can only imagine running round now, he will be into anything and everything!Bless him🙏🏻🙏🏻💜💜🙏🏻🙏🏻 l am exhausted, haven’t slept since Thursday morning. Two riddles, other posts sheesh JIMINY CRICKETS 🦗 I AM DONE💜💜💜🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💜💜💜

1605 hrs CST

GSTQAOBC 🇨🇦

Thank you PG…two in a day! MM Anon must know you love a great challenge….thank you for doing this…😊💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Ask Skippy submission

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docholligay · 6 years

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Aino’s 8: Chapter 4--A Diamond Chip Charm

This was meant to be published yesterday, but I was feverish and so parts of it, um, didn’t make sense, so I fixed it this morning and here we are. If you would have told me Usagi was going to get her own section, I would have laughed openly. BUT HERE WE ARE. Sponsored by @yamadara87 PLEASE THANK HER IF YOU LIKE THIS (also, Rachelle, your beloved, “Michiru pampering Usagi” is here). All of Aino’s 8 is here.

“There is, I am afraid, another matter.” Michiru looked over at Rei as they sat, a small dessert between them that Rei knew Michiru had no intention of touching.

There was always another matter with Michiru.

Rei studied her face, trying to figure out what she could possibly mean. With Michiru, it could be anything from needing to borrow a pen to needing to blow up your apartment, and there seemed to be little difference to her, other than the paperwork involved.

It was difficult, dealing with an heiress.

“What?” Rei finally growled, going over in her mind what else there could be to bring up in a conversation that had covered the already-loaded topic of Minako Aino and what had transpired between her and Rei, all those years ago. She would have thought that was the whole of the “other matters.”

“I find myself rather in need of a lovely and....organic, shall we say, type of distraction. Someone with both innocence and charm--” Rei looked at her suspiciously, but she simply inclined her head to the side, as if it were the most obvious thing in all the world. “Well, Rei, I do regret to inform you that those attending are mostly familiar with my charms. Any attempt to distract might be met with an equal parry, but, someone with a bit of a different angle..”

Usagi. It came like bolt into Rei’s brain. But how did she know Usagi? Michiru never hung around here, it wasn’t her sort of place, and Usagi was certainly not her sort of people. There was a time Rei herself might have said that Usagi was not her sort of people, a chipper and emotional girl with a soft body and bright eyes who slung noodles at the shop around the corner from Rei’s apartment.

But time had softened Rei to certain things, and with the considerable disappointment of her own Robin Hood having been less virtuous than she had imagined nestled in her chest, Rei had opened up to the kind girl in the noodle shop, the one who always recognized her despite a hoodie pulled high over her head.

“No.”

It was as much impulse as anything else, and Michiru simply gave a small sigh of irritation, as if she simply could not find a parking spot.

“Let’s us--”

“How do you know who she is?” Rei was leaned over the table now, having quite remembered herself. “Have you been following me--”

“Oh, as if I have the time to gad about--”

Fresh off remembering herself, Rei managed to remember Michiru. “Have you been having me followed?”

“Now, there is a bit more specificity,” she took a sip of her wine, “what a charmless way to put it, but it does have a touch of brevity I appreciate.” She shook her head. “I was not, as you say, having you followed. I merely make it my business to know where my most valuable associates are and with whom they are associating. She does seem a particular sort of girl--”

Rei scowled. “She doesn’t want to be involved.”

“Doesn’t she?” Michiru leaned forward. “I do seem to recall that she had designs on attending some sort of photography school. Could that be the art school in which my family holds a board position? I simply can’t recall, you’ll forgive me my absent-mindedness.”

Rei looked at Michiru and saw her smiling. Michiru was teasing her, in the only way she knew how. And perhaps she was right. A night’s work for Usagi, getting a share of the take, and if Michiru was being truthful about her willingness to get Usagi a space in the school...This was something Rei had never been able to do for Usagi, not over the few years she’d known her. She lacked Michiru’s above-ground connections, and she couldn’t simply donate her way to admission without raising alarm.

Even if it wasn’t the school her family held, she could donate a building and slip Usagi into the school with little question.

Being friends with a billionaire heiress was aggravating and helpful, all at once.

But there was always the chance of going to prison, when running a job. It lurked in the darkness like a monster, and while the light of Michiru’s money and power had mostly kept them from being snatched, the idea of it happening to Usagi was enough to give her pause.

“Don’t let her go to prison.” She wagged her finger at Michiru, who smiled appreciatively.

“My dear, I have no intention of allowing any of us to go to prison.”

She crossed her arms . “You can let Mina go back to prison.”

___

Usagi was sweet, and eager to please, and, above all other things, she was an utterly distracting human being, which was precisely what Michiru needed. Someone without much grace or careful airs, someone who would manage to flummox them all by the very nature of her inability to blend.

“Now, Usagi,” Michiru walked next to her on the street, “there is a question of backstory. Why are you there? What possible reason might you have to be at such a gala?”

Usagi thought for a moment, which at least gave Michiru hope. She could not hope to be spoonfed the answers to these sort of things. Lying was merely about thinking on your feet. It was improvisational acting, in its most harrowing form.

“I’m there with someone!” She perked up, and then furrowed her brow again, rubbing her chin thoughtfully, and then her eyes grew wide again, “Like as a paid date!”

Michiru gave a laugh that half seemed like appreciation. “A call girl, a splendid idea, it will explain both your beauty and your lack of high manners,” She looked at Usagi, shaking her head, “This is not to say I have not know a great many women of various entertainments in possession of great learning and whom with I have had many spirited conversations, but, popular ideas endure.”

But Usagi’s cheeks were flushed and her eyes were starred, hearing scarcely anything Michiru said after declaring Usagi a beauty.

Michiru was like nothing Usagi had ever seen before. She knew Rei worked with all kinds of people around the world, and that a lot of them were rich, or undercover, but most of the ones she had seen skulking about Rei’s apartment wore hoodies and ate burritos or were tall men in suits. But Michiru smelled of flowers even on the streets, her hair curled and dipped in elegant teal waves that were both perfect and effortless,her dress seemed to not be worn but instead flow around her as if the fabric had simply decided it wanted to be in her company, and she spoke like a governess from one of Usagi’s romance novels. When she had appeared in the alleyway behind the noodle shop, she had looked like a piece of classical art, leaned against the bricks of the dark byway, something that utterly didn’t belong, something that almost made you feel you were party to a crime to look at it.

And she thought Usagi was pretty.

“You will require a new sort of wardrobe, but that can be easily had,” She gestured to the designer stores surrounding them, “off the rack. At my expense, of course, and you certainly may keep it after, I have no need of it.”

Usagi thought for a moment. ‘I thought I wasn’t supposed to be classy. Did you say that?”

Michiru smiled at her in a knowing way, as elegant as if posing for a portrait,. “My darling, sophistication and money are in no way synonyms. There are quite a few things in the world which manage to be both indicative of wealth and terribly garish. We require you to appear a lapdog, not a show dog. The sort of girl a man might bring simply because he enjoyed your excitement at the idea.”

Usagi was not entirely certain that was meant to be a compliment, but it was hard to tell how anything was intended, the way Michiru said it. Everything she said was half puzzle and half poem, and Usagi was excited at the prospect of working with her, even unsure of what she had gotten herself into.

Maybe moreso because she wasn’t sure. She had always been Usagi Tsukino, a crybaby who was never good at school and loved food, nothing remarkable about her in the slightest. But this, when Michiru had offered her this, she had felt a strange sense of power, as if there had always been something inside her, waiting to be released, and only now could she feel it. Here, among these fine clothes and shoes and with the help of her strangely distant yet knowledgeable guide, she felt transformed into something else. Something wonderful.

Michiru took her into a small store with a name Usagi had never encountered, breezing into it as if it were a Daiso.

“I’m afraid we have no time for couture,” she gave a slight wave of her hand, “But I suppose we are molding you to be the kind of girl who might never wear couture anyhow, and these are perfectly accessible off the rack.”

Usagi looked around at the gowns, the most beautiful things she’d ever seen, covered in lace and flowers, sheer in spots and ruffled in others, and her mouth involuntarily swung open as she stared around the spare elegance of the showroom. Michiru looked less impressed as she eyed the gowns, but clicked delicately toward the center of the showroom as a woman approached her, head high and attentive.

“We will, of course,” She said, looking back at Usagi, “make arrangements for your casual wear, but the matter of the gown needs be settled quite immediately.”

Usagi nodded, still caught up in the rapture of pinks and blues and flowers and spangles.

Michiru turned back to the woman in front of her. “I am afraid we have a matter of some urgency, but I am certain you will be able to assist me. This young lady,” She inclined her head to Usagi, who had walked up next to her, “is in need of a formal gown, and right away. I assume you have some sort of tailor available to hem in the coming days.”

Usagi was not quite sure if the woman recognized Michiru as the heiress Rei had said she was, or if she simply exuded the sort of power that made people want to obey her, but in any case, the woman nodded quickly and smiled at Usagi in masked politeness, giving her Hello Kitty sweater the once and twice over.

“And what might you be looking for today?”

Usagi looked at the gowns again, uncertain of how to answer. They were all beautiful, all far beyond what she’d ever imagined herself in even in her wildest dreams. She walked slowly toward one of the dresses, blue with embroidered flowers down the whole of it, two lace puffs descending down the sides, floating like clouds down a mountain.

Usagi touched it reverently, quieter than even she believed she could be.

Michiru nodded, and the shop woman quickly took a measuring tape out of her pocket, measuring Usagi quickly.

“I was hopeful,” she said, looking at Michiru, “That you might be looking for a gown, as well.”

Michiru crossed her arms delicately. “I was rather hopeful that you would pay attention to the customer with which I’d provided you.”

Chastened, she turned back to Usagi and gave a closed-mouth smile. “I will see if we have your size in the back.”

Michiru stepped toward Usagi and touched her shoulder with genuine kindness. “You realize you are permitted to try as many as you like. I admit, I wish for you to wear something in this style of gaudiness,” the attendant wrinkled her nose, but Michiru paid her no mind, “But I should also hope you rather like it. It will be yours to keep for as long as you wish to own it.”

Usagi looked at her. “Can I try on all of them?”

“I would be delighted if you did,” she turned to the woman, “and I am certain she would love to assist us. I could use a chair and a glass of sparkling, if you’d be so kind.”

The woman hustled toward the back, and Michiru sat down in the plush velvet chair, looking at Usagi, who was already staring at herself in the mirror with a sense of beauty and wonder. She looked back to Michiru, puffing out her chest in a bit of bravado and trying to smile.

Michiru crossed her ankles, and set her hands delicately on her lap, looking at Usagi warmly.

“I should hope you will give me a proper fashion show. I’ve hardly seen this collection.”

Usagi beamed.

#Aino's 8

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readingwebcomics · 5 years

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Analyzing Questionable Content: Pages 201-250

Marten’s closer, Dora. Of course she’d go for his first.

Okay, I’m just going to be upfront and honest with you guys. I’m just really not feeling it for this batch of comics, and that’s part of the reason why I had taken the previous week off. That’s not to say this batch is bad or anything, it’s just... I feel like I have a lot less to say about it than I should. So I apologize ahead of time if this feels too short or if it’s much more dull than usual. I’ll try hitting the high points and give you the proper character analysis I can muster here - the fact that what you see right now, with Marten and Dora going on a date and Faye’s reaction to it, will provide quite a deal of character insight.

For example, right here. Not even a single page later and Faye’s genuine irritation over the situation is showing, despite what she has to say about the situation.

Ignoring for the moment the stupid contraction thing (which, if memory serves, will thankfully be dropped after this batch of comics), do Faye’s eyes look... different to you guys? I don’t know, it feels like Jeph’s making an attempt at a slight tweak in his style here and I mostly notice it in Faye’s eyes. I could be looking way too deep into it though, I’m willing to accept that.

They have some light banter, part of which includes Faye continuing to press on the fact that Dora is hyper-sexual and will jump Marten’s bones the second she gets the chance, Faye goes on and continues her nice streak with Marten by offering to make him dinner. Now, I could take this time to point out the obvious, that Faye is clearly doing this much for him not just out of a sense of guilt over how she’s treated him but also bolstered by the fact that, even if subconsciously, she does NOT want Marten to be with another woman and is vying to keep his attention on her... But Faye doesn’t give us a chance to ponder that for very long.

I don’t blame her, the rims of cans are fucking horrifying. Not as bad as the edges of an outlet box, but thin slices of metal ain’t fun let me tell you.

Despite this, there’s really not much to say about the outcome - we learn that Faye’s last name is Whitaker and that this city has a “punching intern” for the local hospital.

That... can NOT be legal. Then again, if this city held itself to any standards of legality I’m certain the Irony Cafe would be closed already due to false advertising. Plus, this is taking place in America and Faye isn’t freaking out more about not being able to afford the hospital bills than the fact she was injured, so maybe that’s the trade-off to having a halfway decent medical facility.

Oh, and when everyone gets back home, we get a bit more insight into the mechanics of Pintsize.

That raises some questions. If this is unique to this particular platform Pintsize’s AI is housed in, how was he able to taste the cake mix in his previous body? If this is universal between Anthro PCs, then why didn’t Marten already know this if he’s been with Pintsize as long as has been implied thus far? I mean I get it, Jeph’s using this as an outlet to create some lore behind the funny robot people in his comic’s universe, but... I dunno, it just feels like this makes Marten seem more incompetent than anything if he didn’t know this about his own Anthro PC. Maybe if he helped explain it alongside Pintsize to Faye to showcase that he knew about this as well? I dunno.

The next day, Steve gives Marten a call:

Faye, your irritation over the situation isn’t exactly subtle. Also I’ve said it before but I’ll keep saying it - sarcastic Marten is best Marten. I like this Marten a lot.

And so, as a wise Skeleton once said... DATE: START!

We’re already off to an amazing start with Ellen kicking off! And, oooh, it looks like she tripped and injured herself in the initial play! Can she recover, folks? Well before we find out, we have another comic involving a drastic art shift deliberately invoked from Jeph:

youtube

In all seriousness, the art shift isn’t... bad, per-se, it just looks so drastically different that it catches me off guard. As is what usually happens with Jeph in these situations, it takes the next comic for him to reel himself back and find a happy medium between his original style and the new one he wants to experiment with:

Marine Biology is not for the weak of heart. You knew what you were getting into when you took on that major, Ellen. But yeah, while I’ll get more into detail as to what I think about the art shift at the end of the post, I’ll say here that I like it as a natural evolution. It seems like every time Jeph improves, the face is the bit that gets the most focus every time. Remember just last post when I was complaining Jeph wasn’t talented enough to portray the silent emotion he wanted to in Faye’s face? Now, I feel like he probably could.

The date goes well enough, and the evening comes to a close:

My bet is that Steve’s like the Pied Piper of arachnids. I’d believe it were that the case, at least. Also it was mentioned to me that Marten probably did have the eye-shine like the rest of the cast did, but his eye color just made it harder to spot. In this page, that becomes clearer - still hard to see, but much easier than previously.

Oooh dear. Steve’s in some hot water now. Also I just realized that as of yesterday I’m as old as Steve is. Good God, I’m an actual full-blown adult. Christ.

...I’m going to put off thinking about that for too much longer as we move onto the rest of this batch, okay? Okay.

Anyhow, Dora invites Marten into her apartment for some coffee where she cuts right to the fucking chase:

It’s probably for the best you read the conversation yourself, they’re pages 226-228. I say this mostly because I really don’t have anything to add or comment on here - Dora’s a smart lady who gives good advice here, makes it clear that while she’s interested in Marten she wants him to be happy, and all-in-all is one of the coolest people ever. Go Dora!

Go... Dora. Oh. Well, I still think you’re cool. Let’s give this woman some time and cut back to Steve and Ellen!

I have some things to say about this situation that I’ll touch on a little bit later. Marten gets home and makes it clear to Faye that nothing happened between himself and Dora. While quite clearly relieved, she’s a touch confused.

So I’m not the only one who feels strangely sad whenever I eat a s’mores Pop Tart? Oh who am I kidding, I’ve got depression, I’m always fucking sad. And hey, speaking of sexy times, Pintsize throws his proverbial hat into the ring!

Honestly, I kind of knew I should’ve kept track of that pink Anthro PC, but would you believe me if I told you they never got a name? Also could AI fuck over IM? My bet is that 2004-speed internet wouldn’t exactly make it smooth. But man, imagine having sex over the ‘net on Fiber.

...too much? Too much.

The night ends, Steve parts from Ellen telling her he needs a couple of days to sort his head out, and Faye comforts Marten...

...in, erm, a very Faye way... oh hey, Faye, Fae! I wonder if that was intentional on Jeph’s part. Probably not, Faye isn’t quite a Maniac Pixie Dream Girl. For one thing, she’s better written.

If memory serves, I think Dora mentioned she was a blonde previously? Either way she’s crystal clear with it now. Also, while I complimented Jeph before on his faces... I’m not going to lie, he could stand to improve drawing skirts. I don’t blame the guy, I imagine skirts are fucking hard to draw.

Oh, and here we begin an annual tradition of Questionable Content:

I’d like to start a petition for all Questionable Content fans to go by the fan-name “Turkeys” now. You with me, fellow Turkeys?!

...no? Eh, fair enough.

Here we get some interesting information. At least, it gets interesting in the wake of what comes up later - the timescale is more-or-less confirmed here that this takes place around the early to mid 2000s, likely 2004 or so since that’s when the comic was written. I always assumed, considering we have walking AI around, that the universe of Questionable Content took place in the near future... but rather, it seems more like it takes place in an alternate version of history where our technology is slightly ahead of the curve. And yet a lot of pop culture phenomena remained as it did in our version of history, if what they’re saying is true. Again, this doesn’t get super relevant until later comics where we see just how far advanced the technological level in QC has become.

Ellen drops by the Coffee Shop for some advice:

Faye’s gotten a LOT more open recently. Back near the beginning of this comic she would never, never openly admit to giving into any kind of carnal need, and now here she is candidly talking about private shower times.

And while they’re discussing things at the Coffee Shop, Marten and Steve are having their own conversation back at the apartment:

Now here I need to put in my two cents. The characters make a point of saying how they don’t really think the age difference is that big of a deal. Were she legal, which she will be in less than a week, there’s no real problem with an 18 year old dating a 24 year old. I know this is entirely a matter of personal opinion and I fully expect people to disagree with me here. I also suspect this is going to make me sound like a prude, but... yeah, I think there is a problem, there.

Ellen’s a freshman in College. She’s JUST turning 18. While she’s shown to be intelligent enough to get into college early - and good on her for that - she lacks the emotional intelligence or maturity to really strike out into a relationship with someone six years her senior. And Steve, for his part, is too old to get anything out of a relationship with someone so much younger than he is. There’s no real connection there, the difference in emotional maturity is going to make itself evident before too long and the relationship is more prone to self-destruct.

Like I said, feel free to disagree with me there. If you feel like there’s room for a relationship in such an age gap, let me know. I wouldn’t mind starting a conversation or changing my mind, but that’s where my mindset is there - it just wouldn’t work out.

Remember that last line Dora said. It’s going to get much funnier later, to the point where part of me wonders if that was deliberate foreshadowing on Jeph’s part.

And here we welcome Ellen’s roommate, Natasha. My oh my, characters are building up, ain’t they? Just give it time, guys. It gets so, so much worse.

(Also am I the only one stuck on that first panel? Just... I know they already made the joke about her dual-major but there’s something so surreal to that I kind of can’t escape it)

And now, to round out our batch of 50:

Wow. It seems like Dora’s a touch more insecure than she lets on, huh? She seems so cool and in-control of herself that moments like this where it’s surprisingly easy of her to accept that she may have weirded the object of her affections out are much more blatant.

Now that we’ve reached the end of the batch, let’s do our usual beginning and end comparisons:

Like I said before, Jeph has clearly put more detail into the faces. He’s taking steps in the direction of “realistic cartoon” if that makes sense, further details in the wrinkles of their clothes, their bodies looking more defined, that sort of thing. I can’t really decide if I like this newer style better than the older one, but it’s no question that the newer style is a technical improvement. Nice work!

So what’d I think of this batch? Eh... plot happened, I suppose, but it feels like not much ended up happening. I dunno, for my money this felt a lot slower than the last batch... but then again, last batch had Amanda drop by for a visit, so that may have something to do with it. Either way, we have outright confirmation if we didn’t think so before that Dora is super into Marten, but it’s also made clear she’s not going to step in between the dance he and Faye are partaking in right now. Whether this is a good or a bad thing is entirely up to personal opinion, I suppose. I dunno, I feel like having Dora as a potential wild card offered the possibility for drama to shake up the dynamic going on, and without her I fear the dynamic may stagnate.

I mean, I know exactly how the dynamic’s going to go because I’ve read it, but you get the point I’m trying to make here.

Anyhow, you know what time it is now - data analysis time! In this batch of 50, we have...

Marten: 34/50 – 68%

Faye: 29/50 – 58%

Dora: 24/50 – 48%

Ellen: 15/50 – 30%

Steve: 12/50 – 24%

Pintsize: 11/50 – 22%

Natasha: 2/50 – 4%

Miéville: 2/50 – 4%

Grand Total:

Marten: 200/250 – 80%

Faye: 192/250 – 76.8%

Dora: 75/250 – 30%

Pintsize: 61/250 – 24.4%

Steve: 34/250 – 13.6%

Ellen: 18/250 – 7.2%

Amanda: 12/250 – 4.8%

Sara: 7/250 – 2.8%

Jimbo: 5/250 – 2%

Turing: 4/250 – 1.6%

Raven: 3/250 – 1.2%

Miéville: 3/250 – 1.2%

Scott: 2/250 – 0.8%

Natasha: 2/250 – 0.8%

Ell: 1/250 – 0.4%

Personally, I won’t be satisfied until Jimbo overtakes Sara in his number of appearances. You can do it, Jimbo! I BELIEVE IN YOU!

...erm, in any case, tune in next week for the thrilling next installment of QC! You ready for more backstory on our main characters? I know I am! See you then.

#Questionable Content #Faye #Marten #Dora #Steve #Ellen #Long-form analysis #analysis

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parkminijiminie · 7 years

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Jimin and Jungkook on their own and together and the 3As

This is continuation of my thoughts on this post (Part 2): https://denivned.tumblr.com/post/168151815086/about-ships-gcf-jungkook-and-jimin-and-ship

Disclaimer: These are my own thoughts. I am not attacking any ship in any way. So If you support another ship and happen to see this post please know that I respect everyone’s opinion and I would always fight for the right it to be voiced, even if I don’t share it. I simply want to talk about some things I have been contemplating (and hear different points of view on them as well). Feel free to ignore any part you don’t agree with and let’s be gentle and civil with each other!

About Jimin: one look at my blog and you would know he is my bias. He has been ever since I saw him in BS&T and he snatched me by the hair into his lane. Since then I’ve been a loyal stan (mostly, Disrespect-Kook almost wrecked me with his body rolls at Mic Drop Dance break MAMA2017). All the Bangtan boys are wonderful and deserve all the love in the world, but to me JM is just special. Maybe it’s his precious smile, his dual personality, his sweet and caring nature; maybe I connect with his journey of self-acceptance and love. I don’t fully know myself .

Anyhow, I know we all love the boys but it is important to remember that we don’t actually really fully know them! Something that should definitely be kept in mind when talking about things like sexuality and what not. Basically this is just a harmless analysis, no need to get too serious about it!

Now onto the analysis itself:

Let’s start by talking about JK. It’s no secret this Bun is an introvert and is not into openly sharing his feelings. He is also a little shy; used to be a lot shyer but got over that to a certain extent as he got older. Still, compared to JM for example, he is more reserved. He is no way cold, I actually think he’s a big softie at heart just doesn’t do that well with expressing feelings. He either keeps queit or blurts the most absurd things in the most inappropriate times (“Arrest me”). Maybe that is one of the reasons he keeps quiet: when he opens his mouth he doesn’t seem to have much control over what comes out of it (especially when it comes to JM).

On the other hand people seem to think JM is very easy to read, an open book if you may because he is an extrovert and has a natural way with people. I think this is far from the truth. All idols are trained to perfect the art of sharing; they know how to say just enough to make us feel close to them but not enough to actually reveal something deeply personal. It’s a skill that comes with the job. When JM was younger, he used to be a lot more bolder with his statements (“Why do I like you so much”; “I am going crazy because I like Jungkook too much”) but in complete opposite of JK, as he got older, he got more reserved and subtle (though we got a little a return of the “old” JM in the DNA era). No doubt Jimin is an affectionate person, it’s one of his best qualities; he likes to show his affection and is naturally touchier than say JK. He is also undeniably a tease. The boy is one part angel, one part demon. I think he knows what his appearance and actions can do and likes using that knowledge. He teases physically and mentally (damn those hidden clues in his twitter posts), he likes keeping us on our toes. But we’re not the only ones affected. People of both genders everywhere fall for his charms: the other BTS member (all of them, even big tsundere Yoongi and especially Namjoon), other idols (I’m looking at you Chanyeol), MCs, interviewers, male youtubers, cameramen and etc. He is simultaneously open and an enigma.

And in that direction of thought his sexuality is also not that easy to deduct. He is not as shy and uncomfortable with girls as JK is, in fact JM has a certain way with them and I think he knows it. But at the same time there were several occasions he looked interested in men as well (saying “nice body” to the diver in BV2; complimenting the pilot for being “cool”, not denying it when Tae said he likes guys.). He is touchy, but generally so and he could possibly simply likes hugs and affection. Actually, I think that if we assume for a minute that both JK and JM are not entirely heterosexual, JM is definitely the less obvious of the two of them. Whereas JK’s general attitude could serve as a clue for making deductions, JM’s only adds to the confusion.

Now, sexuality aside, let’s talk about what there really is between Jungkook and Jimin. Well, my answer are the 3As: Admiration, Affection and Attraction.

1. Admiration: ever since they were younger JK has said he finds JM “cool”. He said he watched him monitoring music videos and copying them, he said he admires his hard working nature and he stated Jimin is someone who “stimulates him off and on stage”. As for Jimin, he has said on multiple occasions that he finds JK extremely valuable to the group, that “he is the most important member” and that he is good at everything: singing, dancing, drawing, imitating other people, sports and is also handsome. I think it is more than clear that at the very least there is a lot of mutual respect between them.

2. Affection: there is quite, quite a lot of it between them. They are close, extremely so and have been ever since pre-debut. The myth that “JK hates Jimin” should have died a long time ago; in fact it should’ve died the moment JK said: “I am like this (shy) because I like him too much” or when he got super offended when asked if he liked Jimin and said “Yes, yes I like him. Of course I like him”. But somehow it lived to see another day and even manifested itself in the stupid and unnecessary joke “Jk feat Jm in Leave me alone”. I think though that with the release of G.C.F this stupidity got buried approximately 100 meters below the ground. Nobody goes alone on a trip with someone, spends hours filming and editing a video of that someone’s face, making that person’s laugh in slow motion and choosing THAT song as background music for someone he doesn’t at least like!

As for Jimin, I think it is clear that he has a Jupiter-sized soft spot for the Bunny. Like, he lets him do pretty much anything. In his own words: “I could never say no to him”. He lets him tease him and speak in banmal, call him “baby” (still not over this) even though JM is older (a big deal in South Korea) and so on. Just hearing one time the soft way he says “Oh, Jungkookiee” in the graduation bomb is enough to convince you. It is painstakingly clear they care for each other a lot, like an absurd amount.

They are each other’s main supporter, presidents of the fan club of the other, personal encyclopedias, they are always together at airports and cars, and they are both physically and verbally always there for each other. They defend each other (Jimin scolding Tae in BV2 for not helping Jungkook); in their own words they fit well together and as JK said “all the time it’s just the two of us”. For God’s sake one of them is known for being a satellite of the other. Nobody does and says these things if they don’t harbor deep affection for the other person!

3. Attraction: (now here things get controversial). To some people they’re just brothers, a hyung and a dongsaeng and JK and JM themselves has described each other as such. This sparked some nasty accusations of shippers for promoting incest (though funny enough mainly from supporters of other ships in BTS). It is perfectly fine if you see them as just two friends and band mates, no problem in this whatsoever. Just don’t claim incest, because they are not brothers! I repeat they are not blood or otherwise family related! They are friends, not relatives! Personally, I see attraction between them. Some examples are: the way JK said to Jimin 3 times “I want you”, Jimin blatantly checking out JK backstage, JK’s fascination with Jimin’s waist and his whole body really, The Back hugs, especially the 2015 Prom-like one , The Coming of age ceremony practice video, The Own it video, JK filming JM zooming on his butt saying “Look at his butt”, all the times he has grabbed or slapped JM, the whole Run episode 12, Jimin constantly asking for kisses, the one time at a fan sign when he pretended to kiss JK’s neck and JK melted instantly and on the spot and so,so many more.

And don’t even start me on how these two complement each other. To JK everything that is Jimin is cute and attractive: his eyes, his toes, his smile, the way he swims, dances and etc.; he finds him “cool”, “unique”, “sexy”, his expression “sexy”, his whole self “limited edition”. To JM Jungkook is “good looking”, “sexy like an adult” (man they way he was looking when he said this, how he lost his words at first, his low voice, the way he switched to Satoori still get me hard), even JK’s sweat is to him “beautiful holy water”. I know skinship in Korea is not like in the west and that the members have all openly complimented each other many times, but still to me these two are pushing the boundaries and from my point of view there is attraction and sexual tension between them. It is fine if you don’t think so, just please for the love of everything holy don’t accuse anyone of incest, because they are not brothers!

I know they themselves have described each other as brothers, but really as what else could they refer to each other. They could be anything: friends, friends with benefits, lovers, boyfriends, ex-boyfriends, husbands, band mates only and etc. but even if there are more than just friendly feelings between them it’s not like they can actually state that! Maybe the K-pop industry is not as homophobic as one might think; there might be a lot of homosexual idols but still it is an industry in which the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy is very much present. If an idol is to be revealed as homosexual, his/hers career would suffer a lot of damage, probably beyond repair! So, it’s not like someone could say “no, I don’t see him as a brother, I see him as a man”. In fact let’s assume there is something between JK and JM. Don’t you think G.C.F is as loud and as clear as JK could get in confirming it without actually putting them in danger? Like, think about a few things for a minute. Firstly, the clips JK chose to include are very basic and harmless: them shopping, eating and going to Disneyland. We know they did other things (went to a club, watched fireworks, dressed up and etc.). The fireworks particularly would have made for an amazing addition to the video but he didn’t include them (and neither did Jimin in his vlogs). Maybe they wanted to keep some things just for themselves.

Maybe the whole idea wasn’t to show us what they did through the video but more to convey a message. Not in the scenes JK chose but in the way he did it, in the way he filmed himself following JM everywhere, in the way he matched the lyrics to the video, the slow motions he added, the music he chose. Nobody watching the video could get the definite conclusion “they are gay”, so they remain safe. But also nobody watching the video could say with certainty “they couldn’t be more than friends”. People watching the video could definitely get the impression that there is something going on between them (in fact many unsuspecting people in the comment section did). And perhaps this is what JK tried to do; he might have not strived for giving us any answers but leaving a certain impression, planting an idea in a safe way. An inception. This idea being “they really may be more than friends”. And if it really is true, than I must say this is one hella clever Kookie (also please don’t insult his intelligence by saying he didn’t know the meaning of the lyrics). If this assumption is correct he is tip toeing the line here and doing it professionally well. Never admitting anything but creating enough reasonable doubt. (just like in a courthouse)

As a conclusion I would say this: they could or could not be more than friends. I personally support the first option but to each their own. Both is absolutely ok and also none of our business really. Our main purpose as ARMYs is to support the group as a whole in their music and all other endeavors. Whatever the relationship between JK and JM is, I would say it is a damn good one! They are each other’s source of laughter, supporter and pillar of stability. And if they are together, well that is just the cherry on top! And if they are not, I still ship them because I like their interactions and am here for that. Shipping is not gross; it could actually be very fun as long as it is done mindfully and respectfully. There is nothing wrong with enjoying other people’s love or friendship, if you respect certain boundaries.

So, enjoy your shipping ride fully but most importantly be a loyal ARMY and pay attention to all the boys’ talent. Because truly these boys are crazy talented! Doesn’t matter who is into what gender.

That is all. Thank you for reading. There probably will be a Part 3 to this focusing more on sexuality norms and ways to reach out subtly. So stay tuned for that. They are no malicious thought behind this, just some personal opinions. Shout out to @noransaekk for her insightful and inspiring posts.

#jikook #kookmin #jimin #jungkook

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