#anyways um. first time i played i just selected 'yes' right away because like. hm lemme see my options. be lost in forest or go w/ nuzleaf

[shiningwonderland]

Cecil Aijima (Repeat)

Translator: Raz (Twitter: agnadance)

Proofreader: Sera (Twitter: serayagami)

Editors: Melanie (Twitter: melabonbon), Plaid (Twitter: cecillovemail)

QA: Rei (Twitter: wolfe_raine)

February — Popular IDOL

One month has passed since we defeated Satan. Music has peacefully returned to the world.

I’m now studying like crazy to catch up with school.

… Even so, it’s nice that only one day has passed when I wake up now…

… What happened up until now was absolutely crazy, huh.

Haruka Nanami: Um… if I were to make this part of the melody harmonize… Aah, this isn’t good, if I go too far, then the main rhythm doesn’t stand out anymore…

I’ve been steadily completing my assignments, but…

Cecil Aijima: Haruka, are you done yet?

Cecil-san has been glued to the front of my desk for a while now.

I thought that we would have to part once we defeated Satan, so I’m extremely happy that we’re able to see each other like this, but…

My dream is also precious to me…

Select the Phrase!

すみません. I'm sorry. (+10 Love +5 Music)

Haruka Nanami: If I don’t do this… Um… I have to do this first…

I try to say “Please go back to the dorms” but my words are cut off.

もう少しなんですが... Just a little more, but…

(+5 Love +5 Music)

Haruka Nanami: It’s not going that well. I’m sorry.

まだです. Not yet. (+0 Love +0 Music)

My assignments and Cecil are both very important. That’s why… If I don’t finish this, I…

But I don’t want to keep him waiting. I start thinking that and then…

Cecil Aijima: I will wait for you no matter how long. You can take your time. I will be there for you, my sweetheart.

He takes my left hand and kisses the top of it.

He then places both of his elbows on my desk and continues to stare at me.

Honestly, I’m so happy that my heart’s beating quickly and I’m delighted that we can touch each other like this.

But… but… I can’t concentrate on my homework like this!!

And…

Cecil Aijima: Your hands sing of love. They give birth to music. Thin, beautiful fingers…

Cecil-san proceeds to take my right hand and play with it.

He entwines his fingers in mine and places them against his cheek…

Haruka Nanami: U… um…

Cecil Aijima: Fingertips that deserve love… Your hands that I love…

Haruka Nanami: My hand… um… Please let go. I-I can’t write…

Cecil Aijima: Am I getting in the way? Hm? Your face is red… Are you elated from music? No… this is…

Haruka Nanami: Ah…

He places his hand on my cheek and stares at me with his richly colored eyes.

Then, after that,

He lightly kisses me for a brief moment and pulls away.

Haruka Nanami: U-UM!!!

Cecil Aijima: Sorry. I am the one who’s heating you up… Am I correct?

Select the Phrase!

…はい ... Yes. (+25 Love +0 Music)

Cecil Aijima: I thought so… Hehehe. Your heart is aflutter. Aah, I want you to melt even more.

Cecil Aijima: I want to melt you with a bright, burning love hotter than the sun.

Haruka Nanami: W-we can’t. My heart would pound so much that I’ll die. And…

わかっているのなら. As long as you understand. (+10 Love +0 Music)

Haruka Nanami: Why… are you doing this…?

Cecil Aijima: Because you are cute and lovable. I cannot help myself, my princess.

Haruka Nanami: B-but we can’t do that here…

もうちょっと控えてください. Please restrain yourself a little. (+0 Love +0 Music)

Cecil Aijima: Yes. I am restraining myself. Even now…

Haruka Nanami: Eh…? Y-you’re restraining yourself?

Cecil Aijima: Yes. Just kissing you when you are right in front of me is tragic. But you would clearly be uncomfortable.

U-um, what does he want to do with me… Cecil-san…

Haruka Nanami: Well… I don’t know when somebody might come into the classroom, so I’m embarrassed…

Cecil Aijima: Yes, my princess. I will be careful from now on.

Cecil Aijima: Putting that aside, can you play the piano? I want to hear your music.

Did he really understand me?

Anyway, I won’t be able to figure out the answer while working away at my desk, so it might be a good idea to try to play some music.

As I think that, I begin playing the homework’s composition on the piano.

Before I realize it, Cecil is standing beside the piano and begins singing on the spot.

Cecil-san doesn’t seem interested in idols, but he seems to really love singing. He looks like he’s having fun.

When I hear Cecil-san’s voice, I try to overlap my voice with his.

I match Cecil-san’s voice and occasionally add harmony in important places.

Haruka Nanami: Ah… I see. This is good…

When we both sang together, we somehow finished our assignment unintentionally.

Cecil Aijima: Was I of use to you, Princess?

Select the Phrase!

はい、とっても. Yes, definitely. (+25 Love +5 Music)

Haruka Nanami: Thanks to you, I was able to create something great. … We can go now.

Cecil Aijima: Understood. Please offer me your hand, My Princess. Let us go back while holding hands. We can take the route through the forest of falling stars.

Haruka Nanami: … Okay.

It feels like I’m being pulled around, but I’m actually a little happy.

ありがとうございます. Thank you. (+5 Love +5 Music)

When I say that, Cecil-san smiles joyfully.

We go back to the dorm, holding hands.

ええ, 課題できちゃいました. Yes, the assignment’s complete now. (+10 Love +10 Music)

Cecil Aijima: Can you… go back now?

Haruka Nanami: Yes.

We always go back together like this lately.

One day…

Haruka Nanami: If the composition is fine as is, we should start thinking about the lyrics.

Cecil Aijima: Allow me to write the lyrics. I want to inscribe my feelings towards you…

Haruka Nanami: Yes… I see. I think if the singer writes their own lyrics, then it should be easier for them to put their emotions into the song.

Ringo Tsukimiya: Ah, there you two are! I’m so glad you’re still here. I was wondering what I would do if you two had already gone back…

Tsukimiya-sensei comes running behind us, waving his hand.

Haruka Nanami: Ah, Sensei. What’s wrong?

Ringo Tsukimiya: About that—Cecil-chan hasn’t been in Japan for that long, right? I don’t think he knows much about idols.

Ringo Tsukimiya: I think he’ll be confused if he keeps aiming to become an idol while being in the dark. That’s why I’d like you two to come and visit tonight’s Song Station.

Ringo Tsukimiya: I think there’s a bit of a different feeling to seeing an idol in person. So, putting that aside, here is your backstage pass.

Ringo hands me a TV station backstage pass.

Ringo Tsukimiya: I can’t interact with you while the cameras are rolling, but I’ll make sure to sing my best, so be sure to watch and study my performance! See you later~

Tsukimiya-sensei runs off while waving his hand enthusiastically.

Haruka Nanami: … There he goes.

Cecil Aijima: Song… station?

Haruka Nanami: Ah, yes, it’s a famous music program. Many veterans from the Shining Agency appear in the show.

Cecil Aijima: A place where songs gather?

Haruka Nanami: Yes, it’s an hour-long live broadcast. It’s like a dream to be able to watch the program in person…

Cecil Aijima: Haruka, you seem pleased. If you are happy then I am happy. I will go along with you.

Haruka Nanami: Okay… thank you very much.

We arrive at the studio for Song Station.

This is the first time I've ever been to a studio. Everything’s so new that every single thing surprises me.

The room is bigger than what we see on screen. The ceiling is covered in lights. There are many cameras in front of the set.

There’s a lot of broadcasting equipment and cords all over the place.

Little pieces of tape on stage show the performers where they should stand.

Cecil Aijima: This is… a studio…

Cecil-san looks around with sparkling eyes. He then abruptly begins running around.

Haruka Nanami: Ah, Cecil-san!

Select the Phrase!

動き回っちゃダメです. You can’t move around like that. (+0 Love +5 Music)

Cecil Aijima: But this place is so spacious! It is as big as my room at the castle. Haruka, come here, quickly!

Cecil-san runs around in high spirits and tries to get me to come along with him. But…

Cecil Aijima: Ah…

While he’s running around without looking where he’s going, his foot ends up catching on a cord and he trips.

Cecil Aijima: Ah, yes. I am fine…

Director: THIS isn’t fine! What are you DOING? Our data was almost WIPED!

Director: Watch from the corner. Can you keep calm so you don’t cause trouble?

Haruka Nanami: I-I’m sorry!

The director scolds us harshly.

あちこち触っちゃダメです. You can’t touch whatever you want. (+0 Love +5 Music)

Cecil Aijima: But this machine is so interesting… ah…

Pew…

The moment Cecil-san touches the machinery, the lights of the studio turn off.

Director: H-hey! W-what’s going on!

The electricity comes back immediately, but we get scolded soon after.

大人しくしていないと.　 You have to keep to yourself. (+0 Love +5 Music)

Cecil Aijima: It’s okay, this place is so tall and wide.

Cecil-san says that and runs around…

He ends up slamming into a very important TV host and gets scolded by the director.

Cecil Aijima: Sorry, Haruka.

Cecil-san becomes depressed from being scolded so much.

Haruka Nanami: Um… If we keep to ourselves, it should be alright, so let’s quietly observe from here.

Cecil Aijima: Thank you, My Princess. Can I… can I hold your hand?

Haruka Nanami: … Yes.

We hold hands and watch Song Station.

Many teams and talented singers sing and dance.

Cecil-san watches them while his eyes sparkle and shine.

Among all the idols on the performance roster for today, Tsukimiya-sensei and HAYATO were also present.

Cecil Aijima: Do idols sing on that stage?

Haruka Nanami: Yes. This is a program where guest idols and singers sing and dance…

Cecil Aijima: … I’ll also sing! Songs… music is calling me!

Cecil-san, true to his words, runs forward.

Haruka Nanami: Eh? Eh!? Sing… EEEH!? WAAAAAAAIT!!!

Before I can stop him, Cecil-san jumps up onto the stage and sings the Song of Agna, which still needs lyrics.

Director: HEY! You can’t just jump in… What in the world is… happening... But, this song is… pretty amazing…

Haruka Nanami: Cecil-san… He really is amazing.

Director: Hey, camera! Keep focusing on him. That may be… juuust may be…

At first, everybody in the studio is aghast, but the song is so wonderful that it enthralls all of them.

And not just that, the song reaches the entire nation through the TV and the entire world through live streaming. Everybody around the world is moved.

A few days later, Cecil and I are studying for the graduation audition in the classroom.

Cecil Aijima: … Haa…

Huh? Cecil-san doesn’t look well.

Select the Phrase!

体調…悪いですか? Are you… not feeling well? (+5 Love +0 Music)

Haruka Nanami: If that’s so, then you shouldn’t push yourself too much and we can wrap up for today…

悩みがあるなら... If you have concerns... (+20 Love +5 Music)

Haruka Nanami: What’s wrong? Are you worrying about something? Are you homesick?

It must be so hard for Cecil-san to not be able to go back to his country…

大丈夫ですか？ Are you okay? (+15 Love +0 Music)

Haruka Nanami: Your face looks pale. You should rest…

Haruka Nanami: I’m sorry. Maybe practice has been too much.

Cecil Aijima: No, that is not it… Piano… Can you play the piano?

Cecil-san grabs onto my arm and pleads me with a mournful look in his eyes.

Haruka Nanami: Ah, okay…

I start playing the piano just as he asked.

Cecil-san closes his eyes and listens to the piano’s music.

I wonder what’s wrong?

Cecil Aijima: I want to feel your sound. For now, just for now…

Cecil-san…

Even after a few days pass, Cecil-san continues to be gloomy.

However, he doesn’t tell me why, even if I ask him. I wonder what happened?

I walk back, still feeling in the dark.

We take the path back to the dorms without saying a word.

Cecil Aijima: Haruka. Please… listen to me… This is something I have not been able to say up till now…

Haruka Nanami: Yes.

His voice sounds… like he’s about to cry… Is Cecil-san trying to tell me something?

Cecil Aijima: My people have found out that I am alive and what I have been doing.

Haruka Nanami: Ah… Are you talking about last week’s Song Station?

Cecil Aijima: Yes. I am the first in line for the throne. Even though deep down they all are against me, there’s no way my grandfather and others are going to let me stay here.

Cecil Aijima: I have received a formal request from my country. An envoy will come.

Haruka Nanami: … You mean… You mean you’re going back?

I knew, I knew this all along, yet…

Cecil Aijima: Yes.

Haruka Nanami: No… When…?

Please, say “not now”.

Cecil Aijima: Tomorrow morning… someone shall come for me. We will not meet again. However, my heart is with you…

Cecil-san forces a smile.

Haruka Nanami: Why…? Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Tomorrow’s so soon…

Cecil Aijima: … I could not say it. If I were to tell you, you would be sad. I wanted to see your smile up to the last moment.

Haruka Nanami: …

I have braced myself for Cecil-san returning to his country one day. But… this is just…

I don’t want to part with such incomplete feelings… I don’t want to…

Haruka Nanami: It’s… it’s not over yet. I can’t let this end before the song is done. The lyrics haven’t been written yet.

Cecil Aijima: Yes… that may be true. But...

Haruka Nanami: I understand. I don’t want to get in the way of your mission and dream.

Haruka Nanami: I understand that we have to part someday… But… please…

Haruka Nanami: Please allow me an ending.

Haruka Nanami: Even if our meeting may be all a fleeting illusion, my story won’t be complete until I hear the ending.

Haruka Nanami: It can’t finish.

Tears overflow from my eyes.

I can’t let the music we weaved be shelved without the final bar line at the end of the staff.

We won’t ever see each other again after this. I want to at least end the sentence with a period.

His arms reach out to me and hold me tight.

Cecil-san continues to cry into the night.

We both cry for some time and then kiss.

Cecil Aijima: … Mm… mm…

Haruka Nanami: … Nn…

A passionate kiss that doesn’t break even for a moment…

When our lips part, our feelings for each other solidify.

Cecil Aijima: … I understand. Let us begin. The ending…

Cecil-san then takes me by the hand and starts running.

Mini Game

Ryuya Hyuga: The graduation audition is coming up soon, huh… So how is it? Did you finish up your song? There won’t be many more chances for me to give you advice.

Ryuya Hyuga: I want to put my full effort into helping you out with your song since there are so few chances left. So let me hear that song!

Ryuya Hyuga: The song has gradually come closer to completion and, in turn, more difficult to perform, but be sure to take every single sound to heart.

Ryuya Hyuga: Okay, let’s begin! Music, start!

S Rank

Cecil Aijima: Once tonight is over, we will walk down different paths. I do not want to ever let go of your hand… Be by my side… Forevermore…

Haruka Nanami: Cecil-san… I’m by your side. Forever…

At least, my heart will be…

Chapter End

[leossmoonn]

Play Ground Days

masterlist

pairing - carl gallagher x fem!reader

type - fluff

note / request - “ughh FINALLY someone that writes good imagines abt carl from shameless! could you write one where you two grew up together and you've always been close n stuff and then at some point he realizes he loves the reader and he talks to ian and lip (maybe mickey too bc i love him) about it? (fem!reader btw if that's cool) thanks babe xx” thanks for inspo on the beginning @poesflygirl​ <3 ,,, carl and you are 16 also pls dont come for me ive only played COD 2 times last year so lmao i dont remember a lot about it, enjoy!

summary - carl has liked you since you two were young, and seeks advice from his brothers and mickey

warnings - strong language, drugs and alcohol, little talk about bad body imagine 

————

*gif isnt mine*

“I fucking knew it!” Lip exclaimed.

“Why are you telling us? We’ve known this.” Ian commented, smirking at his little brother.  

“How the hell—” Carl started. 

“You’re not exactly great at hiding your crush on her,” Mickey chuckled. 

Carl’s eyes were the size of saucers. “You knew?”

“Of course I did. I’m not fucking Helen Keller,” Mickey rolled his eyes. 

Carl groaned and ran his hands roughly through his hair. “I can’t believe this. Well, secret’s out, I guess. What do I do?”

“Just go tell her you like her. It’s not like she’s going to turn you down.” Lip shrugged, putting his cigarette to his lips. 

“Lip!” Ian hit his brother’s shoulder. 

“What?” Lip asked. 

“You weren’t supposed to say that, dumbass,” Mickey said.

 “What does that mean?” Carl asked, looking in-between his brother’s and Mickey. 

Lip sighed. “Ah, shit, right. I’ve already said too much.”

————

4 hours earlier: 2:00 PM

“Hey, shit head!” She called out, throwing rocks against the window. 

Carl got up from his bed, shocked but happy to see her. He opened his window, leaning against the frame. 

“What’re you doing here?” He asked.

She threw the rocks to the ground. “Escaping from my druggie dad, duh. What’re you doing?”

“Nothing,” Carl shrugged. 

She did her signature smirk that always made Carl’s heart flutter. “Wanna go and stuff our faces at Patsy’s Pies?”

Carl’s eyes lit up at the mention of fatty, greasy food. “Hell yeah. I’ll come down.”

She nodded, going to the front of their house. Carl ran down the stairs, putting on his shoes and opening the door to find her on the steps. 

“Hey, why didn’t you just come into the house?” Carl asked, shutting the door behind him. 

“Putting damage on your window seemed more fun. Oh, hey! Do you have an extra bed I can sleep in tonight?” She asked. 

Carl nodded. “Yeah, of course. Your dad is that bad, huh?”

“Yep, he relapsed. Super fun,” she laughed sarcastically. 

“I’m sorry. That shit sucks,” Carl said.

She shrugged. “Yeah, well, it’s life. Anyways, ready to go?”

Carl nodded. They got into her car, the girl starting it and driving fast to the dinner. As she was driving, humming to the songs on the radio, Carl stared at her. She was absolutely gorgeous. 

Her name was Y/n L/n. Carl’s oldest and only real friend. They had grown up together, Y/n living only a few houses away from him. They had met in detention in 1st grade and had been close ever since. 

“What’re you staring at?” Y/n asked, glancing over to him. 

Carl blushed. “Nothing.”

“Alright,” Y/n sang.

Carl had often been caught staring at her. It was something he usually did from time to time, but now it was more often. He couldn’t help it. There was something about her. Maybe flawless her skin was, how pretty and bright her smile and eyes were, the way she would make him feel secure and loved, something he had never got from anyone consitently. 

He never really knew why he thought those things about her. People had told him that he probably had a crush on her, but he knew that wasn’t right. He had crushes on girls before and the things he was feeling for Y/n were a lot different than what he had felt for his past girlfriends. He figured it was just that she was his closest friend and he happened to be a horny teenager, so naturally, he just thought those things about her. But oh, how wrong he actually was. 

Y/n parked her car at Patsy’s Pies. They walked into the diner, seeing Fiona at the register. 

“Hey, Fi,” Y/n smiled. 

“Hey, Y/n, Carl! Long time, no see. How are ya?” Fiona asked. 

“Good, good,” Y/n smiled. 

“Good,” Carl said. 

“Great! Well, get yourself seated and someone will be right with you,” she smiled. 

Y/n and walked off to a small booth and sat down. They picked up the menus that were already on the table. 

“You gonna get your usual?” Y/n asked. 

Carl shrugged. “Maybe. Should I change it up?”

“Yes. The double bacon cheeseburger looks good,” Y/n said. 

“Are you getting that?” Carl asked. 

“Maybe. I’ll probably get a salad or something. Gotta watch those calories, you know?” She half-joked, putting a hand on her stomach. 

“I think you look good. You don’t need to worry,” Carl smiled. 

Y/n’s eyes widened. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Carl nodded. 

Y/n looked back at the menu, hiding her embarrassment.

Carl complimenting her was something that was rare, but did happen. Y/n never remembered Carl as a romantic type of guy, but it seems that he had developed  those traits from having a few girlfriends. She liked that, actually. She liked him complimenting her, staring at her for minutes at a time, the way his ears would turn red when she teased him. She liked all of that. 

Y/n would never admit it to anyone, but she had a crush on Carl. She had a crush on him since their freshman year of high school. Well, in reality, she probably has always had one, but the first time she really realised she liked him was in biology when he got in trouble in one of the labs. She remembered when the teacher was yelling at him and he looked at her, smiling at her mischievously and winking at her. That wink had her heart racing and mind go foggy. From then on, she had liked him as more than a friend. Yet, she never said anything because well, as cliche as it was, she was afraid of ruining their friendship. He was really the only one who got her and who never abandoned her. She couldn’t lose him, so she just kept her feelings and gestures to him as friendly as she could.  

“Hi, I’m Carly and I’ll be serving you today. What can I get you today?” The waitress asked. 

“Hi, can I get the philly cheesesteak with a medium coke and fries,” Carl ordered. 

Carly nodded and wrote his order down, turning to Y/n. 

“Um, I’ll get the bacon cheeseburger with a small sprite and fries. Thanks,” Y/n ordered. 

Carly took their menus. “Great. I’ll have your drinks out soon.”

Y/n and Carl smiled at the waitress as she walked away. 

“Hey, so I thought your dad was in rehab,” Carl said. 

Y/n sighed. “He was, but I guess his girlfriend got him drunk, then convinced him to do some lines. God, I can’t believe he's even with her still.”

Carl frowned. “What about your mom? Where’s she?”

“She’s going to nursing school right now. She’s the only one responsible in this family, yet she never calls or anything,” she scoffed.

“You’re really responsible,” Carl said. 

Y/n smiled. “Thanks, C. You are, too.”

Carl laughed, “Me? I sold drugs on the streets once.”

She giggled. “True. But you’ve really shaped. I'm proud.”

Carl smiled sheepishly. “Thanks.”

Y/n hummed a ‘you’re welcome’. Carly came back with their food quickly and they dug in. Carl and Y/n spent their time talking and eating, spending about 2 hours there as they just kept talking. 

“Are you two finished?” Carly asked, gesturing to their empty plates. 

“Yeah,” Carl nodded. 

“Great. Here’s your bill, pay whenever you’re ready,” Carly smiled and took their dirty dishes. 

“Ready to go?” Y/n asked. 

Carl nodded and got out his wallet that he had in his shorts. Meanwhile, Y/n also got out her wallet. They both looked up at each other, awkward expressions on their faces. 

“Oh, I was gonna pay,” Carl said. “No, no, my treat. I invited you here,” Y/n said. 

“You sure?” Carl asked. 

She smiled and put a hand on his arm. “Yes, I am, Carl.”

Butterflies irrupted in Carl’s stomach as she touched him. He nodded slowly, putting his credit card away. Y/n and him walked up to the register and paid for their meal. They then went back to Y/n car. 

“What do you wanna do now?” Y/n asked. 

“Wanna play COD Black Ops 3?” Carl asked. 

“Yes!” Y/n smiled. She drove them back to his house, parking haphazardly on the street. 

The two hurried into the house, grabbing a seat on the couch. Carl got the controllers, turning onto the playstation. Y/n logged onto her account, selecting the gun she wanted to use. Carl then started the game. 

“Where are you?” Y/n squinted her eyes at the screen. 

“Right behind you,” Carl smirked. 

Y/n turned around, gasping as Carl shot her. 

“Fuck you!” Y/n exclaimed. 

“Little rusty, huh?” Carl teased. She rolled her eyes. “I’m gonna kill you next round.”

“I’d like to see you try,” Carl said. 

“Winner gets to pick what’s for dinner,” Y/n said. 

“Deal,” Carl nodded. 

The pair played for a couple hours, the game ending with Y/n getting the last kill. 

“Good game,” she smirked, setting the controller down. 

“I forgot how good you were at this,” Carl frowned. Y/n giggled, “I forgot how bad you were.”

Carl rolled his eyes with a smile. “Alright, where do you want to eat?”

“Hm… Noodles n Company?” She suggested. 

“Sure,” Carl nodded. 

“Alright, I’m gonna use the bathroom and then order. Text me what you want,” Y/n said, getting up from the couch. 

Carl nodded and watched her go upstairs to use the bathroom. Then that’s when Lip, Ian, and Mickey all came into the house. 

“Hey, guys,” Carl said. 

“Hey,” Ian smiled. 

“Is Y/n here? We saw her car out front,” Lip said. “Yeah, she is,” Carl nodded. 

“Asked her out yet?” Lip smirked. Carl’s face turned red. “Wh-What?”

“Oh, you’re not in love with her then?” Ian furrowed his brows. 

“I… am I?” Carl asked. 

Ian chuckled. “Yeah. You always are always happy around her, blush whenever she teases you.”

“And you’re always staring at her,” Lip added.

“That doesn’t mean I like her,” Carl said.

“Do feel dizzy and nauseous when she touches you? Does your heart race when she gets close? Do you see yourself kissing her? Would you do anything for her?” Ian asked. 

Carl furrowed his brows. They were right, all those things did happen when she was near. She was his best friend. He also sometimes think about kissing her and being with her in a romantic way. And yeah, of course he would do anything for her. Maybe… Maybe he did love her. 

“Oh, shit,” he muttered. “I… I guess I am in love with her.”

And that, ladies and gents, is where we left off. Lip, Ian, and Mickey teased Carl until Carl begged them for real help. 

“What do you mean?” Carl asked anxiously. 

Lip looked to Ian and Mickey for help on what to say. Little did Carl know, Y/n actually did admit her crush to someone. And that someone, or someones, were Lip, Ian, and Mickey. 

“Don’t worry about it, man,” Mickey said. 

“Did she say something to you?” Carl asked. “No,” Ian shook his head. “Like Mick said, don’t worry.”

“I… fine. Well, what do I do then?” Carl asked in slight distress.

“Give her some flowers and chocolate. Girls love that shit,” Lip suggested. 

“Alright,” Carl nodded. “I don’t know what her favourite flowers are, though.”

“Just get her roses. That’s really romantic,” Lip said. 

Carl smiled, “Alright. Awesome. Thanks, guys.”

He decided to get the flowers early morning tomorrow before Y/n woke up. 

————

Carl sneaked back into the house, hoping not to wake Y/n up. As he walked into the kitchen, he was shocked to see her at the table drinking coffee. 

“Hey, Carl!” Y/n smiled. 

Carl’s eyes were blown wide. “I.. uh…”

“Who are those for?” Y/n got up and pointed to the flowers and chocolate in his hand. 

“Um… you?” Carl said. Y/n smiled. “Me? What did I do to deserve this?”

Carl knew that he couldn’t make up an excuse. He was horrible at lying to her. So, he decided to just have his confession here. 

“I.. I’m in love with you,” Carl said. Y/n’s jaw dropped and she froze. “Wha-What?”

“My brothers and Mickey helped me realise I was yesterday when you were ordering dinner. They told me I should get you flowers and stuff so I did. I hope you like roses,” Carl explained and held up the gifts. 

Y/n’s lips upturned in a wide smile. “How long have you liked me?”

“Honestly, probably since we were little,” Carl shrugged sheepishly. 

Y/n giggled. “Me, too.”

“Really?” Carl smiled. 

Y/n waked up to him and took the gifts, setting them on the kitchen counter. She went up to him and put her arms around his neck. 

“Yep. I always have,” she grinned. 

“Oh, sick!” Carl exclaimed. “Oh wait.”

“What?” Y/n asked in confusion. 

“That’s what they meant!” Carl exclaimed in realisation.

“Who? What?” “Oh, Lip, Mickey, and Ian kind of told me yesterday when I asked for help,” Carl explained. 

Y/n’s eyes widened and she turned to the stairs, glaring. “Mickey, Lip, Ian! You better fucking run!”  

————

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[dialovers-translations]

Diabolik Lovers LUNATIC PARADE ;; Shuu Route ー Chapter 2

ー The scene starts in the Church

Yui: ( Huh...? Where am I...? )

???: Why hello there. So we meet again.

Yui: This voice...You’re from the other day...?

???: I am flattered you seem to remember me.

There is something I would like to ask you today.

Do you...Truly love him from the bottom of your heart?

Yui: ( Him? Is he talking about Shuu-san...? In that case ーー )

Yes, I love him with all my heart.

???: Do you really?

In that case, why do you oppose becoming a Vampire?

If you become a Vampire, you would get to be with him forever. Never aging, remaining beautiful...

It has nothing but advantages. Yet you oppose it. ...Why?

Yui: Well...

???: Yes?

Yui: ( ...Well...? )

ー Yui wakes up in the cave

Yui: ...!

( Huh...? Seems like I must have dozed off at some point. )

...

( I wonder what that dream from earlier was? )

( It might not be a coincidence, seeing as the same person from before showed up again. )

( B-But...In that case, why is he putting my own feelings to the test? )

( I love Shuu-san. That feeling will never change. ...Or rather, it should not... )

...Haah...

ー The wind blows in the distance

Yui: ( It’s cold... )

Um, Shuu-san. If we catch a coーー

( Huh? He’s nowhere to be seen...? )

Shuu-san...! Where are you...?

...

( No response...I wonder where he went? Did he go check up on the situation outside? )

( I want to go look for him but...It’d be bad if we end up missing each other, so it might be wiser to wait here for a bit. )

*TIMESKIP*

Yui: ( ーー Quite some time has passed since, but Shuu-san still hasn’t returned. )

( What to do...? I wonder if something happened while I was asleep? )

...Uu.

( I can’t. When I consider that something might have happened to him, I just can’t sit still here! )

( I’ll go look for him. )

ー Yui leaves the cave as the scene shifts to the forest

Yui: Haah, haah, haah...

Shuu-san...! If you’re there, please answer me!

Shuu-san!

...

( Oh no, he’s nowhere to be found. Something must have happened after all! )

( I have to find him no matter what...! )

ー She continues running around

Yui: ( Huh...? There’s a strange house over there. )

( Now that I get a better look at it...It’s made out of candy? )

( There’s nothing else around, so I might find Shuu-san in there. )

( I’ll try asking them. For now, I should get closer... )

ー Yui approaches the house

Yui: ( Looking at it from up close, you can really tell it’s made out of candy... )

( It smells sweet too... )

( I wonder what kind of person lives inside? )

*Knock knock*

Yui: G-Good evening.

...

( No response...I wonder if nobody’s home? )

*Knock knock*

Yui: ( What now...? )

*Knock knock*

*Thud*

Yui: ...!

( Seems like someone is inside. )

*Knock knock*

Yui: Excuse me...! I’m sorry for the sudden visit.

But I’m looking for someone...! Did a male Vampire perhaps come by here?

???: ...

No.

If you are looking for Shuu, you will have to try your luck somewhere else.

Yui: ( No way... )

( Hm? But... )

Yui: Please, wait!

How do you know it’s Shuu-san I’m looking for?

???: ...

Yui: Please tell me if you know something!

???: ...Haah...

ー He opens the door for her

Shuu: Yui.

Yui: Shuu-san!?

ー The scene shifts back to the forest

Shuu: I figured you would probably wake up any time now...But I didn’t think you’d come all the way here looking for me.

Yui: I-I mean...I was worried that perhaps something had happened...

Shuu: Well...I’m sorry for leaving you by yourself. I didn’t intend to stay away for long but... 

Yui: ( But...? )

Did something happen?

Shuu: Actually, the guy living here is the same person I’ve been looking for.

I remembered while you were sleeping.

Yui: ...! I see.

If you woke me up, I would have come with you though...

Shuu: You were sleeping soundly. Besides...

Riegel isn’t exactly fond of humans.

So I figured it would be best for me to go by myself.

Yui: ...Ah...

( Yet a human such as myself came to his house, so... )

I’m sorry, I...

Shuu: No, it’s fine.

But...

It seems like he knows something about the Count...

But he refuses to help out if a human is involved, so he told me to ask someone else.

Yui: ...I see...

Shuu: Anyway, let’s return to the city for now.

Yui: Yes...

( We’re back to square one. )

*TIMESKIP*

ー The scene shifts to Saint Nore Park’s venue

Yui: ( The Parade is in full swing, but we aren’t in the mood for that right now. )

Haah...

Shuu: ...

...Well, it’s not like being depressed will change anything about the situation.

Yui: ...Good point...

By the way, I wonder why Riegel-san has such a hard time opening up to humans?

Shuu: Who knows...He has been that way for as long as I can remember.

Yui: I wonder if there’s someone who knows the circumstances?

A close acquaintance of his, for example...

Shuu: ...

...Guess I could have my Familiars look into it.

*Flap flap flap*

Yui: Ah...!

Shuu: If this doesn’t work out, we’re basically out of options but...Well, I suppose it’s worth the wait.

Yui: ( I hope we can find some sort of clue. )

Shuu: ...Well, anyway...It’s kind of a chore to just stand around here, so why don’t we use the Parade to get our minds off things for a bit?

Yui: Eh...? Are you sure?

( This doesn’t seem like something Shuu-san would enjoy. )

Shuu: It’s not like we’ll stay for hours on end. Besides...

You look like you could use a little distraction.

Come on, let’s go.

ー Shuu walks ahead

Yui: Ah, y-yes!

( He’s doing this for me...Thank you, Shuu-san. )

ー She follows him

*TIMESKIP*

Yui: ( Waah, amazing! This place is really fired up. There’s so much happening, I don’t know where to look first. )

Shuu: Where do you want to go?

Selection

→ The House of Mirrors (☾)

Yui: ( I guess I should go for the most quiet option. )

How about the House of Mirrors over there?

Shuu: Yeah...Sounds good since there probably won’t be a lot of people in there.

Yui: ( Fufu, seems like I made the correct choice. )

ー They walk towards the House of Mirrors

Yui: ( So this is the House of Mirrors...It’s quiet in here just like I thought. )

ー They go inside

Yui: ( It’s a true maze here. It’d be bad if we were to get separated. )

Shuu: ...

ー Shuu walks off on his own

Yui: ( Ah! Right as I think thatーー )

W-Wait!

( Thank god...I caught up with him... )

Shuu-saーー

Shuu: ーー Oi, you’re talking to a mirror.

*Rustle*

Yui: Wah!

Shuu: Haah...I figured you’d mess up at one point or another...

But you really are so predictable, aren’t you?

Yui: ( Uu, I got made fun of. )

( However, I guess I should be glad that Shuu-san’s enjoying himself a little too...? )

→ The arcade

Yui: It’s a little further away, but how about the arcade over there?

Shuu: You really picked quite the noisy place...

Yui: ( Ah, he doesn’t seem too thrilled about my choice. )

Shuu: Oh well...Let’s go.

Yui: Y-Yes.

( Perhaps I should have chosen someplace a little more quiet for Shuu-san’s sake... )

ー The scene shifts to the arcade

Male Vampire A: As one would expect during the Parade, there’s people everywhere.

Male Vampire B: My thoughts exactly. Oh well, it doesn’t hurt every once in a while.

Yui: ( It really is crowded... )

Shuu: Haah...

Yui: U-Um...Should we go somewhere else after all?

Shuu: No, it’s fine. You wanted to come here, no?

I will...Take a seat on one of the benches in the back.

Yui: ( There he goes... )

( What now? I guess I should at least get him something to drink. )

Male Vampire C: Oi, girlie!

Yui: ...!?

Male Vampire C: Yes, I’m talking to you. Who else?

Yui: ( H-He’s talking to me...Right? )

Male Vampire C: Pretty sad, being all by yourself over here during the Parade.

I bet you’ve got nothing to do, do you? In that case, how about I keep you company?

Yui: N-No thank you...

Male Vampire C: Aah? Now don’t get cute with me.

I’m trying to be nice to you, you know?

Now stop complaining and just follow mーー

Shuu: Oi.

Male Vampire C: ...Ugh.

Yui: ( Shuu-san...! )

Male Vampire C: Che...What? You’ve got a man already...? One of the Sakamaki’s at that...

Shuu: Yes, exactly.

I’m sure you understand very well now that she is far out of your league.

Now get out of my sight already.

Male Vampire C: Heh...

ー The Vampire leaves

Yui: ( T-Thank god. )

Shuu-san...Thank you very much...

Shuu: Honestly...Even when you aren’t being targeted for your blood, I still can’t take my eyes off you for two seconds... 

I guess I have no other choice...Join me taking a nap over on that bench over there.

Don’t wander off by yourself. Stay with me.

Yui: Y-Yes...

( I’ll keep the fact that I’m kind of happy to myself. )

*TIMESKIP*

ー The scene shifts back to Saint Nore Park’s venue

Yui: ( Um, next upーー )

*Bang*

Yui: Wah!

( They’ve even got a shooting gallery. Fufu...Looks fun. )

Shuu: ...Want to give it a try?

Yui: Eh? Can I?

Shuu: You’re interested, right? We’ve got time anyway, so why not give it a shot?

I’ll make sure to get a good look at what you’ve got.

Yui: ( O-Okay! Gotta try my hardest! )

Explanation: The player shoots the target by quickly pressing the arrows and buttons indicated below the objects in the right order. You can move from one target to the other during the game by pressing the L and R buttons.

You can play this game in EASY, NORMAL or HARD mode.

Yui: A grand victory! Hooray!

ー Yui suddenly embraces Shuu

*Rustle*

Shuu: ...Aren’t you overreacting a little, latching onto me like that?

Yui: I’m just so happy because I’m more than satisfied with the record I put down.

Shuu: Hm...If you’re already satisfied, I guess you won’t need this?

Yui: This...?

Shuu: This ring was amongst the prizes. I picked it out since I thought it would fit you well.

Yui: ( Eeh!? I didn’t expect a ring at all...! )

Shuu: I have no use for it. I thought I could give it to you, but if you’re already happy as is, I guess you don’t need it either.

Guess I’ll have no other choice but to toss it away somewhere.

Yui: W-Wait, please! I’m not satisfied yet. I will gladly take it!

Shuu: Oh? You greedy girl...

But well, if you want it that badly, I’ll let you have it. Haha...

Yui: ( I got a ring from Shuu-san! )

*TIMESKIP*

Shuu: Phew...We walked around quite a bit.

I’m pretty sure the Familiars should be back any second now...

*Flap flap flap*

Yui: ( Ah! They’re back. )

*Flip*

Monologue

Inside the report delivered by the Familiars,

was a sad story,

about Riegel-san’s late wife.

ーー In the past,

Riegel-san was in love with a human woman, taking her as his wife.

Apparently they were deeply in love,

regardless of belonging to different species.

Riegel-san built a house made from candy,

which his wife had dreamt of,

for quite some time.

That is where the two of them,

lived happily together.

However, 

those days suddenly came to an end.

After his wife had spotted a Vampire man,

who had gotten himself lost in the woods,

she kindly invited him inside their house.

However, thirsty for blood,

this man sucked her dry,

ending her life in the process.

After witnessing his wife’s death,

Riegel-san’s grief was immeasurable, 

there was nobody who could soothe his pain.

After that experience,

he closed off his heart to others,

or so they sayーー

Shuu: This explains a lot.

Yui: How horrible...

Um, Shuu-san?

I...Even if he doesn’t give us any information on the Count, I just can’t let Riegel-san continue to suffer like this.

I just cannot write this off as someone else’s problem.

There might not be anything I can do for him, but...

Shuu: Haah...I had a feeling you’d say something like that.

But what can you do?

Yui: Well...

ー Yui recalls Riegel’s home.

Yui: ...Right!

How about we hold a party for him?

Shuu: ...And where does that come from?

Yui: I tried thinking about why Riegel-san’s wife wanted him to build a candy house for them.

It’s just a guess but...I think she probably wanted it to be a home where many people would come and gather...?

Perhaps that is why she wanted to live there with Riegel-san?

Shuu: Well...You do have a point that you wouldn’t build that kind of house if you wanted to keep people away.

Yui: Yes. 

In that case, granting her wish might bring some comfort to Riegel-san’s broken heart?

Shuu: ...

Yui: I’m sure...He continues to suffer because of what happened to his wife to this day.

That’s why he continues to live in that house all by himself...

( Vampires and humans have different lifespans... )

( Therefore I’m sure he knew that he would have to bid farewell one day, but... )

( After his wife died in such a horrible way, he has been all alone this whole time... )

Shuu: Well, I’ll admit you have a point.

Besides...

Like you said, it isn’t like his struggle is completely unrelated to us.

...One day, I might find myself in the exact same situation.

Yui: ( Shuu-san... )

Shuu: ーー Anyway.

If we’re going to hold a party, we have to get started on the preparations.

Yui: You’re on board with my idea...?

Shuu: It’s a chore...But we have no other choice.

I’ll send out my Familiars once more and have them research anything Riegel might like.

*Flap flap flap*

Yui: Thank you!

I’ll try thinking about what kind of party it should be.

Shuu: Yeah, please do.

Yui: I do think it would be good to have it related to the memories he shared with his late wife.

Shuu: ...Well then, in that case, I’m sure we have plenty of options.

Yui: Yes!

( Okay! I just have to give it my best shot! )

ーー TO BE CONTINUED ーー

← RETURN TO CHAPTER 1

→ PROCEED WITH MAIN STORY [CHAPTER 3]

→ SUB-SCENARIO #1 [W/ AYATO]

→ SUB-SCENARIO #2 [W/ KANATO]

→ SUB-SCENARIO #3 [W/ AZUSA]

→ SUB-SCENARIO #4 [W/ SHIN]

[knight-queen]

Lunatic Parade Kanato Sakamaki – (Chapter 2)

[Chapter 1]  [Chapter 2]  [Chapter 3]  [Chapter 4]  [Final]

ー

Place: Glimmer Street, Main street / グリンマーストリース  表通り

Kanato: Hey Yui san, how's your condition?

Yui: Yes, I’m completely fine.

At that time, sorry for making you worried.

Kanato: No...now I understand the reason you collapsed for.

Yui: Eh, really?

Kanato: Yeah, I borrowed the phone from the hotel and confirmed it with Reiji.

Looks like the kleinod which is replacing your heart is alive.

Yui: Alive!? What does it mean…

Kanato: That’s…

Monologue ー

Surprising enough, but Kanato kun has explained politely the things that he heard from Reiji San.

Since the kleinod is alive, there are possibilities that I’ll get sick just like I collapsed a while ago.

This gem is said to be a yellow-stone which was collected from the crater of the Smaragd Volcano and that stone was able to summon extraordinary dead bodies. (右側)

When he asked the name of that jewel, he said it’s called “kleinod.”

Kanato kun was not surprised like me even though he explained these.

Because he has been living a long life in the demon world….

End of Monologue

Yui: (Really, there’re so many things to happen in the Demon World…)

Kanato: Why are you spacing out? I’ll leave you behind.

Yui: ーKh! Ah, I’m sorry!

*They starts walking*

Yui: But, Kanato kun...where will we go?

(I was the one who said to search Butler san but…)

(It will be difficult to search around in this random city)

Kanato: Anyway, I am thinking of asking the people of this city.

Yui: To the people…?

Kanato: You will get it if you just follow me. We are get going.

Place: Glimmer Street , Aizen Alley / グリンマーストリース  アイゼン 横丁

Yui: This is…

Kanato: Aizen alley. In the end street of this corner road, there is a convenient shop out there.

See, there’s a signboard hanging there.

Yui: Sign board...ah

(Reine • Do • Aji General Store…? I think I’ve heard the same name before…)

Kanato: The owner of this store is the younger sister of Reine • Do • Saba, from the city of Carnival.

Yui: Eh, I see!

(That’s why it sounded so familiar…)

Kanato: She is supposed to know the location of Butler. At any rate, she works in a general store after all.

Yui: (I don’t know what kind of person she is. It will be good if she simply tell us his location…)

Place: レーヌ•ド•アジの店 / Reine • Do • Aji Store

Yui: Sorry for interrupting…

(Somehow, the atmosphere of this shop is suspicious…)

Kanato: You stay here. I will go and search Aji.

Yui: Eh...Kanato kun!?

Yui: (He’s gone…)

(What should I do…? Since it’s a long wait then let’s look around the goods)

(But, Kanato kun said to stay here…)

Selection ー

1) Look around the goods inside/ 店内見て回る

2) quiet and wait / 大人しく待ってい�� (+correct)

Yui: (As he said, I should be waiting here quietly.)

(Above that, I can’t cause any trouble for him.)

(And also there are nothing but strange products out here, I better not walk around.)

Ah, this small bottle…

(The sound of just now was from this bottle? There are sands inside which are sparkling...so pretty!)

(Is it okay if I see it by holding? But...ー)

???: ーYou. Is there something in my shop?

*Screen shakes*

Yui: Kyaa!? I- I am sorry…!

(This woman suddenly comes in front of me by flying!?)

*Kanato comes by running*

Kanato: ーYui san!? Did anything happen!?

Yui: Ka- kanato kun…

Kanato: Hm? You are…

???: Oh my, oh my. You’re the young boy from Lord Karl heinz’s place huh.

Kanato: Stop calling me that...Aji.

Yui: Eh, this person is…!?

Reine • Do • Aji : Kukuh...yes young girl, I am Reine • Do • Aji.

Reine • Do • Aji : Then? Why did you come to this place?

This cute lil’ girl and young boy has stopped by this shop huh…

Kanato: We are trying to find the butler of Earl Walter.

Don’t you have any information about this regard?

Reine • Do • Aji : Then...what happened actually?

Kanato: ...kh. Don’t you try to deceive me…!

Yui: Umm...we’re begging you. We have to meet the butler san by any means.

Reine • Do • Aji : Well, it depends on you whether you’ll get the information or not...Hahaha…

(She’s forwarding her hand...what’s she planning…)

Kanato: You won’t tell me until we give you something equivalent...you mean?

Reine • Do • Aji : Kukuh...Young boys who understand people are a great help, y’know?

Kanato: ...What the heck do you want?

Reine • Do • Aji : Let’s see….shall I tell you to bring the forbidden apple pie.

Yui: Forbidden apple pie…?

Reine • Do • Aji : There’s a line for the limited restrict of the parade at the Diamante fountain.

I also want to have a bite…

Kanato: ….What, that’s it? I’ll show you by getting that immediately.

If we bring it, then you’re gonna tell us his location, right?

Reine • Do • Aji : ...Kuku…

Yui: Umm...that’s…

(Why did she suddenly giggle?)

Kanato: Let us go. Any further conversation is useless.

Yui: Y- yes…

Reine • Do • Aji : ...kuku…

Let’s see, what is gonna happen next…

Place: Glimmer Street, Main street / グリンマーストリース  表通り

Yui: Neh, Kanato kun. Diamante Fountain is right ahead, no?

Kanato: According to the map, yes.

Yui: Look, the people who are walking on this road…

Kanato: Yeah, they seem to go to the same place.

Vampire Woman C: Hey, run faster! Or we are gonna miss the apple pie!

Vampire Man D: It’s useless right? There are so many people!

*Screen shakes*

Yui: ーKyaa!?

(Th- these people are….)

Yui: Could it be that they all want to get the apple pies…!?

Kanato: There is a high possibility. We should hurry too.

*They run*

Place: ディアマンテの泉 / Diamante Fountain

Kanato: ーKh, what’s up with this crowd….!

Yui: (This is the line for the apple pie…!?)

Vampire Man D: Uwaa...seriously, there’re so many people.

Vampire Woman: Very obvious. Because this apple pie was made of forbidden apples!

We failed because you ran really slow.

Vampire Man D: This - Is - Why- ! I am apologizing that it was my bad, right!?

Vampire Woman C: Enough! It’s now absolutely impossible because only 10 people can get it.

Aahh. If it’s so then let’s give up by buying a random cake…

Kanato: Kh….

Yui: (Apple pie made of forbidden apple...that’s even left only for 10 people…)

(Even if we line up in these number of people, we can’t get it)

Kanato kun...what now?

Kanato: Why...will we have to give up….

Yui: ...Y-yes...we have to…

(We returned to the previous state again...what should we do?)

*After a while*

Fades to CG

Yui: Neh, Kanato kun. This smoothie is very tasty you know?

Kanato: Gh….

Yui: (He is not saying anything…)

(The forbidden apple pie...he didn’t get that so he was really shocked…)

Kanato: Looks like you are having a calming expression.

Yui: Eh…?

Kanato: Because that’s right?

If we don’t get that, we won’t be able to get back your heart…

Yui: ….Y-yes��.you are right but…

Kanato: If it happens then….I have to use the power of my father.

Yui: W- we can’t…!

Kanato: Why?

Yui: Because….it’s very awful.

Kanato: …...I don’t get it.

If we don’t use any unfair technique, then we won’t be able to get what we want.

Yui: I agree with you too.

But I’ll hate it if people get sad if we do that…

...It’s fine. I’m sure we’ll find butler san. So, let’s find another way?

Kanato: ………

You are really foolish.

Yui: ….may be?

Kanato: But I don’t hate the way you just thought.

Yui: Kanato kun…

Kanato: ...For some reason, I felt thirsty while talking.

I want to, so I’ll have the drink that you are having.

Yui: Y- yes...thank you!

Kanato: ….mn...Ah...really…

Just as you said, this smoothie is super tasty.

Yui: Fufu, I am glad you liked it…!

(We didn’t get the apple pie but…)

(If it’s Kanato kun, then I’m sure we will find Butler san…!)

Kanato:...Nevertheless there are still noisy children here. I am having an important conversation with you….

Yui: You can’t blame them.

Kanato: They are playing a tag game. How child type game….

Boy child:  Ooi, here here!

Hey, I said here! ーUwaa!?

*Screen shakes*

Yui: Kyaa!?

*The smoothie falls*

Yui: (Ah! The smoothie got spread in my dress…!?)

Boy Children: Ah, I...I am…

Kanato: You, is there anything you want to say? Look carefully. Because of you, her dress gets dirty.

Yui: K- Kanato kun…! You don’t have to say this harshly….

Kanato: It’s okay. If he’s done something bad, then he should obviously apologize.

Yui: B- but…

Kanato: Hey, you there. Apologize to her properly.

Boy child: ...U….uuh….Uwaaaah!! *earsore sobbing*

Kanato: ...kh, you…!

Yui: (Kanato kun is getting mad...I have to make him stop crying)

Boy Child: ...Uwaaaah….gh…

Yui: U-uh you know...I am really fine with it.

If I just wipe it with a handkerchief then it will get cleaned...Don’t worry at all.

So, don’t cry? Okay?

Boy Child: Uh…

Great, you stopped crying. See? Big sis not being angry, right?

Boy Child: Haa...uh...yes…

Kanato: …...Finally stopped crying huh.

Yui: Ka- kanato kun! You can say something like this.

...Ah, don’t worry ‘cuz it’s fine. This big brother is also not mad or something.

Boy Child: …...Yes, I understandーkh...Bu- but….

Yui: Hm? What is it?

Boy Child: ...Big sis, and also big brother...I am sorry!

*Runs*

Yui: Ah, wait…!

(He’s gone…)

….Um, sorry for troubles, Kanato kun. I can wipe my dress by my own so….

Kanato: ...Misfortunes are coming one after another.

Yui: Eh…?

Kanato: We didn’t get the apple pie, and also your dress got spread with the drink by colliding with the child...

It is said that there will be 3 misfortunes in a row, no? So, we have to face one more.

Yui: No, I hate it…

Kanato: ...We have to watch out so that it won’t happen.

Yui: Yes, that’s right…

Kanato: Well, it’s useless to get worried. Before starting anything, let’s do something about your dress.

Yui: kh...Ah, yes.

Kanato: Come on and lend me the handkerchief. I will wipe it for you.

Yui: Eh, but…

Kanato: Just say still. When you were cleaning, the spots seemed to get spread even more.

Yui: Thank you….then please.

*After they’re done*

Kanato: ….What will we do next then?

Yui: Um...I have no idea…

Kanato: In the first place, why did Earl take away your heart?

If he just simply wants your heart, then just stealing would be enough.

But he even buried the kleinod inside you...Does it have other meaning then?

Yui: ….Certainly yes. Then why would Earl Walter keep me alive…

(If he is about to kill me with having an unknown heart inside then it gets creepy)

(......kh! Let’s not think about it for now…)

*Footsteps*

???: Hey, you guys.

Kanato: What…?

Yui: (Who is this man...Ah...the boy who’s hiding behind his back is…!)

Man: When I heard that my son had spread the drink in your dress, I couldn’t help it…

I am sorry then he had caused trouble…

Boy child: Big sis...I am really sorry for the earlier…

Yui: Such...Don’t even apologize please. Look, the spot of my dress is completely gone...don’t worry about it.

Right, Kanato kun?

Kanato: Eh? Well….

Man: …...kh, what a generous person…!

Forgiving unknown people easily by having a smiley face, I can’t relate!

You are one of the beautiful vampires of such a rare mind in these recent years…!

Yui: Eh, vampire!?

(These people are...misunderstanding me!?)

Man: This is for my apology. I want you to receive it by any means.

Yui: Su- such! We can’t accept it…

Man: Here, take it, take it!

Yui: Eh, oh...thank you so much…

Man: Don’t thank us. We are the ones to cause problems.

Boy child: Big sis and bro. See you later!

*Walk away*

Yui: (They went…)

Kanato: Hey, this box...is so small but what’s inside?

Yui: Um...what can it be?

Kanato: Let’s open it. Give me the box.

*Kanato takes the box*

Yui: Eh, Kanato kun…!

*Opens it*

Yui: (Ah...he just opened…)

Kanato: ….This is….

Yui: Eh...ah!

(It’s the forbidden apple pie that we were searching for!?)

Then...those two were the apple pie shopkeeper and his son…?

Kanato: Looks like so.

Yui: (Such a miracle we just see…)

Kanato: ...Wonderful.

I always thought that it’s useless to be kind to others…

However, it’s something worthwhile. I was able to realize it for the first time.

Yui: ……

(....But, is it really okay to easily receive such a valuable thing…)

Kanato: Yui san? Is there anything wrong…?

Yui: Kanato kun. As I thought, we should return it back to them.

Kanato: Ha….? What are you saying?

Because I...was being kind to that child in order to get something in return.

Also that shopkeeper thought that I am a vampire…

I bet if he would be aware that I am a human then he would give me such a special thing.

Kanato: Are you a idiot? We always have been searching for it.

Kanato: More importantly, it’s something he gave us so it’s okay to accept it.

Then why will we have to give it back!?

Yui: ….Kh, but...I can’t accept it….

I am going to his shop to return it! Kanato kun, you wait here ー

*Kanato Grabs Yui*

Yui: Kyaa!?

Kanato: ーYou can’t! I won’t allow it!!

Yui: Ah…!

Yui: (He snatched away the box of the apple pie!?)

*Kanato runs away*

Yui: kh! Kanato kun!

(What now, I have to chase after him!)

*Yui runs*

Place: Rubean Lake / ルビーン 運河

Yui: (Kanato kun….he should be around here….)

(Find him…!)

Wait, Kanato kun!

Kanato: ーGh!

Yui: Where are you going by taking that !? We must have to return to them!

Kanato: SHUT UP! IT’S FOR YOUR SAKE!

Yui: (Ah! He’s getting on the Gondola…!)

Wait! Don’t go!!

*Tries to catch up*

Yui: ...kch, haah….

(I couldn’t chase after him...what should I do now…)

(I know he’s thinking for me but…)

(But, I can’t accept the forbidden apple pie by having a dark intention inside me….)

???:  ーAh, big sis!

Yui: Eh!?

(Ah...this child is the son of…!)

The son of apple pie shopkeeper: Big sis, are you here alone?

Yui: ...Yes, I am.

The son of apple pie shopkeeper: Neh, the box we gave before, did you see what’s inside?

Yui: Ah...it was the forbidden apple pie right? But….

The son of apple pie shopkeeper: Now way, did you already eat…?

Yui: N- no! Big brother took that away…

The son of apple pie shopkeeper: Eh? Big brother…?

The son of apple pie shopkeeper: ...I see. What a relief.

Yui: Why…?

The son of apple pie shopkeeper: You see...the truth’s that it was made with a secret process but it was forbidden poisonous apple pie.

Yui: 一kch!?

The son of apple pie shopkeeper: ...My father said it.

If the big sister is really a nice person then she would come to give back that apple pie.

Only that kind of person has the right to eat the forbidden apple…

Yui: (So, that shop keeper tested me…?)

一 kh, Kanato kun…!

The son of apple pie shopkeeper: ...Big sis?

Yui: Sorry, I have to go.

(I have to chase after him really fast! I think he already reached around the Aji’s store for sure…!)

*She runs*

The son of apple pie shopkeeper: *shouts*  Big sis!! That is poisonous but no one will die by eating that so please be relieved!

Hah….

*Footsteps*

The son of apple pie shopkeeper: ...is it fine now?

*Man changed the appearance/ Earl’s voice*

Mysterious Man: ...Yeah…

You really did well. Really thank you.

Kuku, I wonder, will they be able to get their important thing safely…?

Place: Glimmer Street, Aizen Alley / グリンマーストリース  アイゼン 横丁

Kanato: ...kch….

Kanato’s Monologue 一 

I have been getting irritated after that.

I didn’t understand why she wanted to give it back.

Certainly, the forbidden apple I am holding now is for her righteous heart.

However, if I hand it over to Aji, then she will tell us the location of the Butler.

…….Then, I can accept it.

If we only do such things then we won’t be able to meet Butler even in the forever.

She is just a fool and kind person.

I wonder if her decisions are appropriate.

I can’t understand. It’s illogical to me.

End of Monologue

Kanato: (...Shall I stop? It’s useless to think something like this.)

(If I pass it to Aji, then she will tell us his location.)

(She told me that she hates it but it's for her sake anyway so…)

*Starts walking*

Place: レーヌ•ド•アジの店 / Reine • Do • Aji Store

Kanato: …...Aji. We bring it what we promised.

Reine • Do • Aji : Heeh….as expected from the young boy of Sakamaki. Really you got that huh.

And? I don’t see any appearance of that girl…

Kanato: …...It doesn’t matter right?

Reine • Do • Aji : Oh, I see. Since it’s special so you also wanna have a taste?

Kanato: Eh…?

Reine • Do • Aji : It was difficult to get it, right? Don’t you want to have a bite?

Kanato: …..gh….

(...Of course I want to. But I can’t split that.)

(Why is everything feeling a little gloomy?)

(Is that because it wasn’t my achievement? So, if I have a bite then I may feel guilty…)

(....Aah...I see. That’s right…)

(No I understand what did she mean)

(You wanted me to feel the same feelings like you huh…)

Reine • Do • Aji : What will you do? Young boy?

Kanato: ….No, I refuse.

Reine • Do • Aji : I see. Then, you’re gonna regret it….

Then, I’ll eat it all by myself...kukuh…

Aah…! This is the one I was searching for, you know!

Reine • Do • Aji : The perfect sourness and sweetness...I can get captive in it’s taste just by having a single bite…

Enough wait, I am gonna eat…

Kanato: ーWait. Tell me where the Butler is first.

Reine • Do • Aji : Hm? Who is he?

Kanato: ...Ha? What are you saying...You are breaking the promise!

Reine • Do • Aji : I don’t think I made such a promise.

Kanato: ...kch! Don’t mess around! It’s pathetic!

Reine • Do • Aji : If you are saying that far then show me the evidence. I am saying that I don't remember.

Kanato: HOW UNFAIR! You know that we don’t have any proof….!!!

Hurry up and say it! Where is the Butler!?

Reine • Do • Aji : It’s not my duty to say it. It’s the young boy’s fault to put concern about it.

Kanato: ….kch….

(...I am stupid. I come this far by ignoring her but, I am the one to get deceived….)

Place: Glimmer Street, Aizen Alley 

Yui: ...hh….haah...haah...

(I have to...I have to get there on time….!)

Place: Reine • Do • Aji Store

Yui: ー kh, Kanato kun!

Kanato: Kh….!? Yui san….

Yui: (Ah…! The apple pie in Aji’s hands….!)

Wait! Don't eat that apple pie!!

Reine • Do • Aji : Oh my oh my, little girl. You also wanna eat?

But I can’t listen to that...I won’t get such a valuable thing the second time.

Yui: No! It’s not what I mean!

Anyway, don’t eat that plase!

Reine • Do • Aji : You are a noisy girl. I won’t hand it over to you….mn…*eats*

Yui: Ah!

*Yui grabs the apple pie*

Yui: Spit it right now! This is a poisonous apple pie!!

Kanato: Eh….!?

Reine • Do • Aji : ーkh!? Haah….!! *coughs* coughs*

*Spits it*

Yui: kh...Ha….what a relief. I made it in time…

Reine • Do • Aji : Uuh….*coughs* *coughs* Hey girl….what does it mean?

Yui: Umm...I am sorry!

The apple pie we got is poisonous.

Kanato: ….hh!? What does it mean?! We are deceived…?

Yui: ….When I heard everything from the boy...I couldn’t help but to hurry.

Reine • Do • Aji : Is that true?

You want to eat the apple pie so you are trying to cheat me right?

Yui: My words are true!

Reine • Do • Aji : …….

Yui: Won’t you trust me?

Reine • Do • Aji : Hah...anyway, your face doesn't seem like you are lying…

Yui: Sorry for making this situation like we’ve deceived you.

Reine • Do • Aji : ….No. It was my bad.

Yui: Eh?

Reine • Do • Aji : This young boy also told me….

Anything wouldn’t happen if I would tell the Butler’s location in the beginning.

Yui: Is that so….

Reine • Do • Aji : ...But, I didn’t imagine that this young girl would save me.

I am thankful a little.

Yui: No….

Reine • Do • Aji : The butler’s location is….perhaps in the mountain I guess…

Yui: Eh!?

Reine • Do • Aji : He has interests in medicinal herbs.

When Earl is gone, he often collects rare medical herbs around the mountain.

You can check out the Smaragd mountain. He will be there for sure.

Yui: Thank you so much…!

(That’s great! Now we are one step closer…!)

Kanato: …….

Yui: Let’s go, Kanato kun.

Kanato: ...You’re right.

Place: Glimmer Street, Aizen Alley

Kanato: ………

Yui: (When he is apart from me with such an expression, I feel no good.)

(I am not worried but, what can I do to transmit these feelings to him…)

Kanato: ….Neh, Yui san.

Yui: Yes, what?

Kanato: I think it didn’t come out bad.

Yui: Fufu, I know.

(His words are squishy and his expression doesn’t seem to be well…)

(Kanato kun is not obedient…)

Kanato: …

*Kanato gets closer*

Yui: Ah….*blushes*

(His hands are…!?)

Kanato: I don’t hate your simple and foolish side.

….May be the reason I am thinking it because it’s you.

Yui: ...Kanato kun…

Kanato: ...It’s weird. I am different from my usual self.

Probably I got moved by this stupid honesty.

Neh, do you hate this kind of me?

Yui: No, it’s not. I like any type of Kanato kun.

Kanato: ...fufu, I see. Then, it’s fine.

Let’s return to the hotel for resting before getting started for the smaragd volcano.

And also, I am worried for your kleinod.

Yui: ...Yes, thank you.

ー The End

[houseisekai]

House Isekai: Shadowbringers -Interlude 1

House Isekai Shadowbringers AU Masterlist Here

—

Interlude: Konosuba Gang

Directly after the events of Act 1: Finale...

As House Isekai moves to Derdriu after escaping Church Forces at Garreg Mach, they decide to camp for the night and rest before continuing their journey.

Finally having a moment of calm, Sitri decides to speak with one of the very first members of House Isekai...

—

[No Greater Sorrow - Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers OST]

Sara stopped the group and turned around to do a quick head count.

All the students were accounted for. Blue Lions and Black Eagles not too far behind.

...Then there was Lahabrea and Sothis, keeping an extremely far distance from everyone. She was hoping they’d keep it that way.

(Sara) “Campin’ here tonight boys and girls. Wouldn’t do us good to get ambushed when we’re exhausted.”

Everyone nodded and moved into the woods nearby and cleaned up a spot.

(Ainz) “We will create protection spells in case anyone is watching.”

(Futaba) “Leave scanning the area to me and Fuuka!”

(Mitsuru) “Understood. Us Persona users will secure the area then.”

(Akira) “Roger. Let’s get going.”

(Dimitri) “Suppose we can make the area comfortable to sleep in then.”

(Edelgard) “Seems fine to me.”

(Megumi) “ We will help as well.”

(Kazuma) “Guess we’ll get a fire goin’.”

Everyone had their assigned roles and got quickly to work.

The Phantom Thieves hopped into the trees and disappeared into the night as S.E.E.S, Class VII followed on foot.

The Denizens of Nazarick began casting spells and aiming it above the campsite.

Lahabrea and Sothis set their own mini camp away from everyone.

Sitri noticed Lahabrea staring at her, then quickly looking away.

(Sharon) “Miss Sitri?”

Sitri turned around and saw Sharon with her smile as Doomguy laid Byleth gently on the floor and began patrolling the area.

(Sharon) “Would you like to get some rest?”

(Sitri) “As much as I would, I don’t like everyone doing work as I do nothing. I will go help Kazuma and the others with the fire.”

She took one last look at Byleth before Sharon bowed at her.

(Sharon) “Rest assured, Byleth will be in good hands.”

(Sitri) “Thank you, Sharon.”

Sharon went back to Byleth and took out some strange device and looked over him. Knowing she was not being any help by standing, she went after Kazuma.

...

(Megumin) “Hm...You know I just realized I can’t really see at all.”

(Aqua) “I can see just fine.”

(Kazuma) “Then hurry up and find some good firewood, would ya? Place is creepin’ me out.”

(Darkness) “If there are beasts here, I will intercept it!”

(Kazuma) “Listen we are NOT getting killed because you want to fuel your sick feti-”

Snap!

(Megumin) “W-WHO’S THERE?!”

Aqua turned around reaching for her staff before easing up.

(Aqua) “Oh, hi Sitri.”

(Sitri) “H-Hello...”

Sitri brought up a torch and looked at the four.

(Sitri) “Would you like some help?”

(Kazuma) “Sure. Though, shouldn’t you be resting?”

(Sitri) “I could ask the same for everyone. You all have been working and fighting tirelessly.”

(Darkness) “Hah, this is nothing, Mrs. Eisner! Byleth took us through worse!”

(Kazuma) “Pah, bullshit! He never trained us for all out war!”

(Megumin) “Kazuma! S-Sorry Mrs. Sitri, he can’t really control his language.”

Sitri couldn’t help but laugh.

(Sitri) “It’s quite fine. Jeralt wasn’t exactly the type of person to filter himself either.”

As she walked over to the group she began thinking to herself.

(Megumin) “If...I can say something, Sitri. We all knew Jeralt during our year at the Academy. He was a good man, and a good father. He talked about you almost every other day.”

(Darkness) “Indeed. I wish he was here to see you now.”

(Kazuma) “You uh...have our condolences.”

(Sitri) “...Thank you. It brings me some level of peace to know how he was...”

She looked up at the night sky longingly.

(Sitri) “Just like all those years ago...”

(Aqua) “By the way, why did you follow us out here of all people? Any reason?”

(Sitri) “No, not particularly. I’ve just had a few questions I’ve been wanting to ask.”

(Kazuma) “Hm? ‘Bout what?”

(Sitri) “Well, I think that floating girl to start. Everyone called her Sothis, but if I recall correctly Sothis was an all divine goddess.”

(Aqua) “Psh, divine my butt! She’s a little gremlin!”

Aqua had a smirk on her face, which confused Sitri.

(Sitri) “Gremlin?”

(Kazuma) “Eh, don’t mind the useless goddess here. She started a lotta bullshit between then two.”

(Aqua) “DID NOT!”

(Megumin) “A-Anyways, we don’t know the true story ourselves. But...from what I heard from other members of House Isekai, she was a true friend.”

(Kazuma) “Not was, IS, a good friend.”

(Sitri) “I’m not sure I understand then. You all seemed so hostile to her.”

(Aqua) “It...may not make any sense but she isn’t OUR Sothis. The Sothis we knew infused herself into Byleth during the encounter with Jeralt’s killers.”

(Kazuma) “Though that’s a story you need to hear from your son and not us. Anyways, only a select few of us could see her during the Academy. We didn’t know the true nature of her, but all we know is that she was with Byleth when it all began. Preeetty sure we were the first ones to meet her actually.”

(Sitri) “You were the first to arrive in Fodlan? Oh, by the way I think I may have found some wood.”

(Aqua) “Yeah, first us, Class VII, then Megumi, then everyone started pouring in.”

(Darkness) “Hm...No, too damp. It wouldn’t light properly. And yes, we were. The four of us were in Kazuma’s mansion when we suddenly found ourselves flung into a battle at Remire Village. It was there we rescued Edelgard, Dimitri, and Claude alongside Byleth and Jeralt.”

(Sitri) “So he became a mercenary like his father...”

(Megumin) “Very good one at that! When we first met him, he didn’t seem to have too much emotion. Though overtime he became a great teacher!”

Sitri smiled as she continued looking.

(Sitri) “...Thank you for taking care of him.”

(Darkness) “If anything, I feel like that we should thank you, Sitri. We don’t know the full story, but you sacrificed yourself so that your child could live.”

(Sitri) “It’s something any mother would do for her child. Though I can safely say I had no intention of...being resurrected, I am happy to see my son alive and well.”

Her smile quickly faded when she started to think again.

(Sitri) “But...Why did Lahabrea resurrect me? He appears to be my son but-”

(Kazuma) “Frankly, I think we should be careful of that asshole. I don’t know what’s going on with him exactly, but I KNOW he doesn’t have our best interest at heart.”

(Aqua) “Right? Plus she resurrected her using some dark magic! That can NOT end up being good!”

(Sitri) “...”

Minato walked past them, not even facing their direction.

(Minato) “Could try and NOT talk like Sitri isn’t even there.”

(Kazuma) “Oh piss off, Arisato. Like you’re one to give me a lecture about manners.”

(Minato) “Hmph.”

(Sitri) “Um...Pardon my rude manners but are you all always this...um...-”

(Kazuma) “Dysfunctional?”

(Aqua) “Aggressive?”

(Darkness) “Violent?”

(Megumin) “Insane?”

(Sitri) “...Well I was going to use nicer words, but considering our first meeting was launching my body into the air and strangling each other-”

(Megumin) “Yeah, most of the time.”

(Kazuma) “House Isekai says you get used to it after a while.”

(Sitri) “I...suppose that’s true. I guess it’s not entirely set in since I’ve only awoken just a few days ago.”

(Aqua) “Alright, these ought to be good. Everyone got something?”

Everyone held up some wood and started to walk back to camp.

(Kazuma) “Oh hey, you finally weren’t useless.”

(Aqua) “Shut up, NEET.”

Sitri looked puzzlingly at them. She could tell they cared about each other, but why were they so...mean?

As they continued to walk, they saw Lahabrea sleeping underneath a tree nearby the camp with Sothis nowhere to be found.

(Aqua) “I got a real bad feeling about him...”

(Kazuma) “I’ve noticed him staring at us, including Sothis while we were walkin down the road.”

(Sitri) “Perhaps there’s a reason he looks like my son?”

(Megumin) “It better be a good one. We haven’t had the best experience with impersonators if you haven’t noticed.”

(Darkness) “Not to mention your resurrection appears to play a key role in all of this as well...”

Sitri looked at her hands and furrowed her brow.

(Sitri) “...Am I?”

(Kazuma) “Well, once we get to Derdriu and meet up with Claude I suppose we’ll get our answer. No use bustin our brains trying to figure shit out so early.”

(Aqua) “Oh hey, you finally said something intelligent-”

(Kazuma) “Fuck off.”

Sitri giggled.

(Sitri) “I guess you were right, you do get used to this.”

(Darkness) “That was....alarmingly fast.”

(Megumin) “Oof, whatever I’m exhausted. Let’s hit the hay yeah?”

(Sitri) “Oh um...”

The four turned around and faced Sitri, eyebrow raised.

(Sitri) “Thank you for taking care of my son.”

[This Beautiful Cruel World - Attack On Titan OST]

They all smiled and raised their arms in unison.

Without another word, the four went to their spot to sleep.

Sitri smiled and was about to sleep when suddenly a pain flashed in her head.

“…I can’t believe I’m missing her.”  

“...do me one favor in case I go down for good this time? Protect everyone else. You’re the only one I can rely on for that.”    

“Do not hesitate to call upon me or the others should the need arise. We will take care of you in these times…”   

“Edelgard, what did you do…?!”

Sitri shook her head once the pain was gone.

(Sitri) “What was that...?”

She looked at the four who were setting up their beds, yelling at each other with profanity.

There was no way they had said all those things at her once.

...So why did their voices sound clear as day, and what was going on?

Her eyes glazed over to Byleth, who was finally put to rest with Megumi, Sara, and some of the other staff and House Reps looking over him.

She then turned to Lahabrea and frowned again.

(Sitri) “What have you started, my son...?”

INTERLUDE: END

Your dream is where your heart is

It’s something more fragile than life itself

No matter how many times you throw it away, you still find it

So rest in peace now

Your wish is violated by your pulsing urge

and as much as you forget about it, you recall it again

In this beautiful and cruel world

We only ask “why” we’re still alive…

Ah, what are we going to protect

with our strength and weakness? If reason no longer exists

TO BE CONTINUED IN:

[negasonicimagines]

Want U Back ; “A Resounding Yes” (1)

h request: Does “could we get an ellie x reader fic?? doesn't matter what it is, we just miss you!!” count? I guess “!??!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?Could I request literally anything with angst and hurt/comfort!??!?!?!?!?!!?!?!??!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!?!!!!!?!?!!!!??!?!!?!?!!!!??!??!?!?!?!?!?!!?” fits, haha!

synopsis: Ellie knows she fucked up the second she sees Yukio’s lips on yours. She knows your relationship will never be the same, but can she still regain what she took for granted?

author’s note: hey! sorry for being the worst! Also, do you guys prefer the selectively-omniscient 2nd person POV, or the rigid 2nd person POV that sticks to the reader’s thoughts? I played with Yukio’s original backstory in this, let me know what you think! Just so y’all know, this is only divided up because it’s suuuuper long! I have more to write, but I still plan to finish it soon!

warnings: emotional cheating, break-up, unhealthy relationship (that gets fixed), angst, if there’s anything else let me know! Also, this isn’t really a trigger but this fic will explore a lot of Ellie’s flaws and features her being a Not Very Good Girlfriend in the beginning, so if you really don’t care for the idea of her being a sucky gf, you might wanna skip this one. Also, TROS spoilers

“What’s the difference between a piano and a fish?”

“You can tune a piano, but you can’t tuna fish,” Yukio responds with a giggle. 

“Damn it!” Wade told you the joke that’s so bad it rounds back to good earlier, and the first person- after remembering Ellie would probably just glare at you, of course -you thought to tell was Yukio. 

“Wade told me that one, too,” she explains. 

“One of these days, I am going to beat him to a joke,” you declare, looking to the girl with a smile and cluelessly stealing her breath away.

Maybe she should give you a hint, she thinks. The two of you are close enough already, sitting together on the floor in her room making shrinky-dinks for earrings. She could just grab you and… 

Well, now she’s blushing, thinking of a lot more than just kissing you. 

“Hey, ‘Kio, did you hear me?” She didn’t respond to your next attempt, one of many this evening alone. 

“Hm?! Oh, no, I didn’t, sorry…”

“No worries,” you chirp, and after a few beats of silence, Yukio asks:

“Aren’t you gonna say what I missed?” 

“Oh, it was stupid, anyways.”

“No way,” Yukio argues. “Go ahead.”

“What do you call a donkey with a million eyes and a million legs?”

“Ooh, I haven’t heard this one. What?” The genuine curiosity; the hope for a clever answer… It’s a little too much to take without letting out even a snort, but you manage.

“A monster,” you say, in your most deadpan expression possible, which happens to be a stupid grin at Yukio’s chuckling.

The smile fades, but not completely- never completely, not when you’re around -before she leans in, just a little. But, you know what she wants. A part of you wants it, too. 

You put a finger to her lips, gently stopping her.

“I- I haven’t broken up with her, yet.”

“Yet?”

“You and I have been getting a lot more close. Even closer than before, which I didn’t even realize was possible, but too close for me to have a girlfriend who doesn’t know about it. And I… If I’m choosing, I’m choosing you. I should have before.”

“Before? Y/N, one of my favorite things about you is that you usually aren’t this vague,” Yukio remarks, and you scoff. 

“Can you blame me for being a bit nervous to confess that I’ve liked you as more than a friend for a long time? Like, ‘the only reason I even ended up with Ellie was because I really like both of you and she asked first’-a long time?”

“Not at all,” Yukio admits. “It’s getting kinda late, maybe you should head back… Do you want me to walk with you?”

“I’d rather she didn’t blow up on both of us,” you admit. Yukio’s your official roommate, but the potential for Ellie to level the house in her sleep has perks, including her own room. You sleep there, and your bed in Yukio’s room has been replaced with a futon. Guess it’s time to pack your bags. Should you start doing that before or after you tell her you’re leaving her for her other best friend?

“You’re doing it tonight?” She wonders, surprised as you scoop up the scrap plastic and throw it away. She picks up the scissors, and colored pencils while you put your markers back in their case. Tomorrow, the two of you can heat up your creations. 

“You’ve emboldened me… You usually do,” you tell her. She makes you feel like an equal when you’re together, and since she’s pretty damn great, your self-esteem gets quite the boost. 

“You’re gonna be the death of me,” Yukio replies, blushing. 

“I sure hope not,” you tell her in lieu of a goodbye, and once the door is shut behind you, Yukio squeals in delight. 

As you head to Ellie’s room, the nervousness in your stomach starts to boil. You knock. 

“Y/N?” she questions. 

“Yeah.”

“Come in.” 

You enter awkwardly, but she doesn’t seem to notice the way you fiddle with the door to make sure it closes perfectly quiet, after that one time she got onto you for closing it too loudly. 

“Why do you even knock, anyway?”

“Just wanna respect your privacy. It’s your room.”

“I’d say it’s yours, too, but you don’t really spend a lot of time here anymore.”

“Never thought I’d see the day you were passive-aggressive,” you remark. Normally something like that would be teasing, but now it just feels biting, to both of you.

“I guess you could say love changed me,” Ellie retorts. Love. As if she loved you. The only sign she might is when she mumbles the words back to you. She never says it first, never holds you without you asking, only really kisses you when she wants to-

“I was just hanging out with Yukio,” you admit, snapping out of it. 

“Maybe she should be your girlfriend instead, since you like spending so much time with her.”

You know she’s probably just hurt, or jealous, or… Well, that’s irrelevant. It’d be a fair criticism if she wasn’t such a bitch about it. 

You take your chance: ���Maybe she should.” 

And then you grab your go bag from the closet, as well as your other suitcases, the ones you used to move your things here in the first place. You start packing.

“Wait, what? What the fuck are you doing?”

“I said, ‘Maybe she should.’ As in, maybe this relationship has run its course and I’m better off with someone else.”

Ellie blinks. That’s a first, she usually doesn’t allow herself to be phased by the things you or anyone else says. 

“Well, let me clarify for you. That maybe is a resounding fucking ‘yes,’” she retaliates. Ah, that’s what it was. She wasn’t bothered in the least, she just needed time to come up with a good comeback. That’s your Ellie… Well, not anymore. 

It feels like it takes longer than it does, but eventually your things are all tucked away in your bags. 

“You’re not gonna take Gerard?”

“Why would I? You got him for me,” you tell her in lieu of a goodbye, heading back to Yukio’s. 

She opens the door before you even knock, but seems surprised to see you there. 

“I was worried she might try to chase you down,” she explains before you even ask, ushering you in. She takes your bags and sets them down on the futon. 

“As if she’d ever fight for me,” you assure her, but it just puts a frown on her face. She’s already wearing pajamas, so you figure you should change into yours. 

You swiftly do so, not even bothering to tuck yourself away in the bathroom. After all, the two of you have changed in front of each other countless times. 

Yukio’s stunned expression implies this time might be a little bit different, though. You can’t help the twitch of a smirk that graces your lips before you do head to the bathroom, taking the contents of one of the external pockets of your suitcases with you and completing your nighttime routine. 

“Can I kiss you, now?” Yukio asks as soon as you reach her. She’s sitting on the edge of the bed, and she asks the question like she’s asked it a million times and you’ve said no to every single request. You realize that maybe she has asked, in some subtle ways. A hand on yours to comfort you, a longing look in her eyes when you turn away… Maybe she’s been asking you to kiss her all this time, and you just didn’t see it. 

That maybe is a resounding fucking yes, you remember Ellie’s words from before.  

You lower yourself and press your lips to hers. She freezes in surprise before responding, tangling her fingers into your hair and you can feel in every motion how badly she wants this, wants you, like no one ever has, or at least not in a way they’ve communicated. Yukio kisses you like she loves you; she loves you. You smile into the kiss and she pulls away to see it, to see you.  “Wow…” you both sigh, before giggling. 

“Are you sure this isn’t too soon?” Yukio wonders. The fact that she cares to ask is enough to send the butterflies already in your stomach into a fluttering frenzy.  

“You of all people should know that relationship was over before I went to that room this evening,” you remind her. “That this one started before I kissed you, even.” 

You do feel a bit guilty about that part, but it just… Happened. Yukio was there when Ellie stopped being there, bored of you but unsure how to say it, you’re sure. 

Yukio nods, kissing you this time. It’s gentle, she’s gentle, but it’s still loaded with all the feelings you’ve been too ashamed to express these past few weeks.Yes, all of them. You pull away while you can still stop yourself, and nearly topple over with nerves. Yukio pulls you onto the bed before turning the lamp on and afterwards clapping to turn the lights off. 

“That’s new,” you note, still a bit breathless. “Hope you don’t mind me being a tease, but it is a little too soon for that.”

“You’re not a tease. We did what we were both comfortable with. If you’re not ready, neither of us are. Did you and Ellie ever…?”

“Oh, um, yeah. A lot.”

“Right, I guess I should’ve figured that out when you stopped complaining about being a virgin,” Yukio chuckles. 

“So, now we just… Sleep?” You wonder.

“I guess so, but…” The two of you meet eyes. Despite the agreement that you shouldn’t go farther than kissing, there’s still excitement buzzing in the air from the “new” relationship. 

“You can go ahead and transform, if you want. Might help you get in a sleepy mood.”

“Transf-? Oh, right… I don’t really do that anymore, not when I’m sleeping.”

“Why not? You told me it makes you feel safer.”

“Takes up too much space on the bed,” you mumble. “Plus, what if I accidentally claw something up in my sleep?”

“Did- Did Ellie say those things to you?”

Yukio is a sweet girl, but not nearly as bubbly and innocent as she pretends to be. There’s a dark side to her, one just like yours. 

“Yeah, but… You’re probably taking it a lot more serious than she meant it. She’s not like us, Yukes. She has normal parents, went to a normal school before all this. Doesn’t understand.”

“Doesn’t try to,” Yukio complains. “Would it help if I said it makes me feel safer?”

You give a noiseless chuckle. 

“I mean it. Think about it, wouldn’t you feel safer with a guard leopard sleeping next to you? A mamushi curled around your arm ready to strike any intruder?”

“I guess you’re right. Couldn’t you just Rey Palpatine the shit out of anyone who tries to attack us, though?”

“Remind me of that travesty of a movie again and you’ll have to worry about being Rey Palpatine’d yourself. But, uh, yeah, of course I’m right. And Ellie’s more of an idiot than I thought she was,” Yukio says, and you can see her adorably smug smile shining bright in the moonlight. 

“Hey! She’s still our friend!” 

“Yeah, once she gets over me stealing you,” your new- oh, wait, you should probably ask what you are, you realize -remarks.

“Something tells me you’ll figure out soon that there isn’t much to get over. Uh… What are we, now?”

“I’d be honored to call you my girlfriend,” Yukio tells you. “Now, will you please transform into a cute creature for me to cuddle?”

“Didn’t think you were this much of an animal-lover, Yuks,” you remark. 

“I’m a you-lo…” She trails off, realizing what she was saying. “-ver.”

You slip under the covers to strip back down, afterwards beginning the transition. You feel your hands shift into paws, feel even the barely visible hairs on your skin thicken and darken as the features of your face shift and contort into something else entirely. You pop your head back up and Yukio laughs, smoothing the ruffled fur on your head and face. 

“You are so beautiful,” she tells you. You’d thank her, but it’s a waste of energy. You were taught how to push your thoughts into the minds of others like speech by some of the most powerful telepaths ever, but as you have no more psychic energy than even a non-mutant, it’s tiring to use that ability; therefore, any other form of communication is preferable.

You choose to nuzzle her hand, and she’s grinning ear to ear. It’s not every day she gets a real-life teddy bear, well, before now. You’d be happy to do this every day, though you might get bored of the bear aspect.

Yukio bear-hugs your neck, pulling you close. You really do feel more relaxed, tired from the transformation and comforted by her embrace. You give a low grumble, nervous to fall asleep on top of her, even a little bit. She looks inquisitive before seeing your point and releasing you so that you can lay back. You turn over, and she spoons you, nuzzling her cheek against your new fur. 

Your eyes slip shut, and your breathing slows to match hers as the two of you fall asleep.

[christalpepsi]

a bit for storage

I’m going to post a buncha my grey’s fic! Not everything is connected yet, I just write in bits and pieces. Alex Karev x OC (for now), loosely follows canon, just not izzie. Anyways this is what I got so far: 

TW: depression, suicide, death

Selected bits from S1E1

Finally. Her first day. She was indescribably excited, but anxious thoughts kept invading her mind. She’d worked her ass off for this, and seeing it’s fruition as a residency at Seattle Grace was so rewarding. Well, until Dr. Webber killed the mood. 

“Say hello to your competition. Eight of you will switch to an easier specialty. Five of you will crack under the pressure. Two of you will be asked to leave. This is your starting line. This is your arena. How well you play...That's up to you.”

What was this, a gladiator fight? Her brows furrowed, but as she glanced around, everyone was completely serious. Well, fight she would. 

She zoned out, hoping she’d get placed with people she met at the mixer, as Webber started listing the interns and their assigned residents, until her name caught her attention. 

“...Dr. Heather Palmer, Bailey. Dr. Isobel Stevens, Bailey…”

Someone nudged her from behind. 

“Palmer, you got the nazi.” Great.

She didn’t wanna push the envelope on the first day, so she had brushed her curls out and slicked them back into the tightest ballet bun she could without giving herself a headache. 

“You’re gonna be a suck up aren’t you? I can tell. Regular Mrs. Grundy.” Alex, another intern, snorted as she bobby pinned her bangs back. She glared at him, but he missed her stare as his eyes roamed over to Dr. Stevens. 

The other interns muttered amongst themselves as Heather finished tying her shoes, trying to imagine what the “nazi” looked like. A short black woman walked in, and no one paid her much attention until she raised her voice. 

“I have five rules. Memorize them. Rule number one, don't bother sucking up, I already hate you, that's not gonna change. Trauma protocol, phone lists, pagers. Nurses will page you, you answer every page at a run. A run, that's rule number two. Your first shift starts now and lasts forty-eight hours. You're interns, grunts, nobodies, bottom of the surgical food chain, you run labs, write orders, work every second night till you drop and don't complain!”

She rushed out of the locker room at a quick walk, and everyone scrambled to follow her. Slamming open a nearby door, she said flatly, “On call rooms. Attendings hog them, sleep when you can, where you can, which brings me to rule number three, if I'm sleeping, don't wake me, unless your patient is actually dying. Rule number four, the dying patient better not be dead when I get there, not only would you have killed someone, you would have also woke me for no good reason, we clear?”

Silence fell, and Heather and the blonde girl, Izzie, vigorously nodded their heads.

“Um, Dr. Bailey?” Heather said softly.

“Yes,” Bailey said, staring daggers.

“You said there were five rules? That was only four.” Dr. Bailey stared a hole through Heather, chilling her to the bone. Thankfully, Bailey’s pager started beeping. 

“Rule number five. When I move, you move.”

“Nurses are the ones implementing most of our work, dickhead.”

“Whatever. Maybe you should’ve been a nurse then.” Alex grabbed his chart, and sauntered away. 

“Palmer, what is it?”

“Pain, paresthesia, pallor, pulselessness, paralysis. Compartment syndrome.”

“So? Book an OR!” Bailey yelled.

“Oh! Right, booking a plastics OR for a fasciotomy.”

Selected bits from S1E3

Alex stormed into the locker room as Heather and Izzie were changing. “Morning, Dr. Model.”

“Dr. Evil Spawn.” Stevens deadpanned.

“Ooh, nice tat. They airbrush that out for the catalogs?”

“I don't know. What do they do for the 666 on your skull?” Heather snickered, earning a glare from Karev, but effectively shutting him up. As they finished clipping their badges on, Palmer turned to Izzie, lowering her voice a tad.

“Iz, I don’t blame you! If I was hot I would’ve done the same thing.”

“Oh, shut up, you’re so hot.” Izzie retorted.

“I’m not skinny blonde hot.” Heather crossed her arms.

“Whatever, sexy brunette goddess.”

She let out a giggle, pleased to have the complement returned.

“Are you guys gonna make out now, or what?” Alex interrupted. Heather scoffed, leaving the room with Dr. Stevens in tow.

Dr. Palmer’s patient was scheduled for a lap cholecystectomy at 3 that afternoon with gensurg, so she had time to kill. Heading for the locker room to grab her wallet, she overheard a raised voice. Walking in, she saw a crowd had gathered, and Izzie stood in her bra and underwear. 

“Let's study them, shall we? Gather around and check out the booty that put Izzie Stevens through med school. Have you had enough or should I continue? Because I have a few more very interesting tattoos. You want to call me Dr. Model? That's fine. Just remember that while you're sitting on 200 grand of student loans, I'm out of debt.” Izzie yanked her clothes back on and stormed out of the room, nearly knocking Heather over. 

Everyone awkwardly filed out, leaving Alex and Heather staring at each other from across the room. 

“Where do you get off?” She sighed, leaving her wallet still in her locker, and left for the break room empty handed.

Additional Bits That I’m Working In

Sure, he was a whore, but...seeing him with the kids stirred something in her. It freaked her out. He was Alex Karev, Dr. Evil Spawn, cheater, syphilis giver, aloof, uncommitted, but stubborn, calm, steady, yet exhilarating, adroit, wry, and so clever. And so kind. So kind. He held the premie in his arms, a crooked smile on his face, and feeling her gaze, glanced up to meet Heather’s eyes. She lit on fire under that gaze.

“Palmer.” Addison’s voice brought her out of her thoughts, and she turned away, towards the direction of Addison’s call. Alex’s eyes followed her out of the room. 

“So who’s going with Dr. Montgomery-Shepard?”

“I will!”

“Palmer, you’re in Peds or OB everyday. I’m putting you in cardio.”

“Damn it.” she muttered. Cristina’s mouth dropped open in offense.

“What? She’s crazy and ungrateful and-turning down cardio?”

“Yang, take her place in OB today.”

“For God’s sake…” Cristina huffed and went to find Addison, leaving Heather with Burke. 

“Hey, Joe! How’s your day been?” Heather hopped up on one of the barstools, trying not to slouch due to lack of back support. 

“Eh, so-so. Whatcha drinking?”

“Hm. I’m not sure,” she turned to her right. “Alex, what am I drinking?”

“We’re off tomorrow. Have some damn tequila, Palmer.” he said with a smirk.

“Don’t mind if I do. Could I get a flight, Joe?”

“Alright! Make sure you don’t die of alcohol poisoning, Dr. Grundy.” Alex jabbed her in the side, making her flinch. She whacked him on the back of the head teasingly. 

“Here ya are, Dr. Palmer.”

“Joe, please, it’s Heather.”

He chuckled, heading down the row as she took her first shot. 

“No chaser? You psycho. That’s pretty hot.”

“Yeah, I know.”

And him. Just standing there, arms crossed, chewing his Extra peppermint gum, not a care in the world. He was leaning against the nurses’ station, and she noted with envy the eyes that weren’t hers staring at him. 

Just laying there, hearing Mere’s bedsprings, Izzie’s rustling, George’s soft snores...she was so alone. She had no reason to be. Full house, friends that cared for her...or did they? It’s not like they went out of their way to make plans outside of work, other than Joe’s, which wasn’t exactly the healthiest of bonding activities. But no one fought for her. She didn’t even fight for herself, and she could feel it again, the sinking. The numbness was settling in again. She stared at the ceiling fan, spinning, spinning, spinning. 

“It’s depression! Just...it hurts all the fucking time, Alex! And I just, file it away, keep myself busy with work, with Joe’s, with you-”

“Oh, so I’m just here to keep you busy, is that it?”

“Isn’t that what you wanted? Just sex?”

“Shut up!” He took a ragged breath. “Please, just leave me alone, Heather.”

She pursed her lips. “If you wanted-I mean I-”

“I asked you to leave.”

Defeated, she met his eyes and turned back down the garden path to her car, careful not to trip in the dark. She wouldn’t be sleeping here tonight. 

Izzie hadn’t moved from the bathroom floor in about 18 hours. Heather was inclined to go lay down with her, but it wasn’t her rotation yet. George was in there keeping her company for now. 

“Who’s next?”

“Meredith. When I tried to kill myself, it was because I saw no way out.” She fiddled with the sheets of Meredith’s bed to be rid of some of the fidgety anxiety. “Just having to be mediocre, feeling I wasn’t important to anybody…” she trailed off, looking in Meredith’s direction. “Mere, you have so much. You have such a gift and I know you don’t want to hear this, but you can’t be so careless. There are people who care about you, people who love-”

“Okay, Palmer, I appreciate what you’re trying to do, I really do, sharing your trauma and all that, but I’m fine. Really. I didn’t try to kill myself, thanks.”

Heather sat there until Meredith raised her eyebrows, a clear order to get out. Turning the corner she ran smack into Karev, whose eyes were haunted. 

“You tried to kill youself?”

“Ha. Yeah, big whoop.” She looked at him witheringly. Her facade fell when they locked eyes and she shrugged. “G’night, Alex.” She sidestepped him, heading to the elevator.

“Okay, but you can see us being endgame right?” Meredith asked again desperately. 

“Mere, I’ve already told you, you and Derek, if you want to make it work, you have to put in the effort! It depends on you two, not some magical twist of fate.”

“God, if he so much as looks at me funny, I’m reporting for sexual harassment.”

“That’s what everyone says before they sleep with him.” Callie said wryly. 

No. Because he had this thing with Rebecca. And she was supposed to be with Ben. But, God was it hard to give him space. 

“Please…” tears shined on his face, and his nose had started to run, “Please, please, please…”

He grabbed her by the back of her neck, forehead to forehead, pleading. “Alex-”

“Please...” She wiped his tears away, but new ones replaced them just as quickly.

“Callie, oh my God! Congratulations!”

“Thank you, Heather! George and I just-did it!’

“Lexie! Wanna work with me today?”

“Oh my gosh, yes!”

Heather pulled her to the side. “Thank God, you’re my favorite. Don’t tell the others.”

He pulled her closer to him, as if that would save her from the water that poured into the elevator, soaking their scrubs through. Their shoes were squelching as they ran to dry land. Except, of course, there wasn’t any. The whole floor was flooded. 

“Oh, God, it’s seeping through my socks.” Heather groaned. 

“I can handle the mess.” Alex said softly. “You know that.”

“But- I’m so much. Alex, Mere thinks she’s all dark and twisty or whatever, but that’s nothing, not to invalidate her but, it’s nothing compared-”

He took her by the sides of the face, eyes open, honest.

“I said, I can handle it. Do you want this?” 

Heather nodded, as a loss for words.

“Then bring it on.”

“Get a crash cart, dammit!” Heather yelled, voice cracking as tears spilled over. She met Alex’s eyes, just as glassy as hers, and he took over compressions.

Her knees buckled. She fell to the floor as if in slow motion. Izzie, first, now George. Not Georgie. Her 007, her Bambi. O’Malley. The pain was constant, unceasing. Because he really was gone. She imagined him, like he should’ve been the next day, new Army uniform, neat buzzcut...her head was too full; it was too much. Her body wouldn’t move, her mind was debilitated-then strong arms grasping her, meeting her here, on the floor.

“He was. George was hit by a fucking bus!” They burst out in laughter, trying to stifle any echos so passersby wouldn’t freak out.

The addition of Mercy West was hell on earth. Even just the loss of Izzie made the workload shoot through the roof.

[kusunogatari]

[ ObiRyū October | Day Twenty-Eight | On Your Own ] [ @abyssaldespair ] [ Uchiha Obito, Suigin Ryū ] [ Verse: Best Years of Your Life ] [ Vulgarity, blood, death, gun ]

[ Previous ] [ Next ]

It’s two am.

And Obito is awake.

And not by choice.

Sitting at his desk with a cheek in a hand, he glowers at the wall in front of him. Not because it’s done him any offence, but because of what lies on the other side.

His neighboring apartment, for about two weeks now, has been playing host to a very fussy, very loud baby. Which has been keeping him up at all hours of the night, depending on when it feels like crying.

Needless to say, it’s been leaving him a little on edge.

Groaning, he drags his hand down his face. He has a very important appointment tomorrow, and he really doesn’t want to be losing any sleep right now. He was just finalizing his plans when the crying started, and now he feels his temper about to snap.

Can’t they shut that thing up?!

Growling as the decibels go up a notch, the pencil in his hand cracks and he stands with such abruptness that his chair nearly clatters over. Enough. He can’t take it anymore. He’s going to go over there and tell these people that they either shut that baby up, or he’ll do it himself.

Permanently.

Obito is, after all, no stranger to death. Having given up on schooling when a life-shattering accident left him too far behind to catch up, he turned to what began as petty crime to get by. And now? He’s barely into his twenties and already an infamous name in the city’s underground as a talented (and therefore expensive) hitman.

...in all reality, of course, he’s not going to hurt a baby. But by God he’s going to make them think he would if it will get him some Goddamn peace and quiet.

Wrenching open his door, he turns to face the proper direction, strutting up and pounding on the next door down. At least he always looks plenty intimidating. Hopefully it won’t take long to scare these idiots into -

He can hear the scrapes of the locks, and he puffs up as the knob turns, the door swinging open to reveal...a girl?

Good grief, is she even an adult?

Her face is pinched with exhaustion and worry, dark shadows under her pale eyes, and...wow, pale everything else. For a moment Obito’s almost convinced she’s a ghost haunting this apartment rather than living in it. But in her arms, still wailing like a banshee, is the baby.

“...uh…”

Suddenly he doesn’t know what to say. He wasn’t expecting...well, any of this.

But she clearly knows why he’s here.

“I...I’m so sorry,” she offers, voice a bit emphasized to be heard over the babe’s cries. “I’m trying to get her to calm down, I just...I think she’s colicky and she won’t settle. I’m so, so sorry…”

Obito just...blinks. Wait, is…? “...are you here alone?”

Immediately, the question - out of context - makes her stiffen.

He backpedals, hands lifting in defense. “I...I don’t mean like -? I mean...do you not have, uh...anyone else to...to help you?”

Oh no. He’s flipped a switch. As soon as he finishes his inquiry, her lip starts trembling, eyes brimming with tears.

He hates when girls cry…!

Lifting her spare arm, she tries to wipe them away, clinging to her composure by a thread. “N...no...I-I don’t.”

“Where’s the, uh...dad?”

She glances aside, looking ashamed. “...off to college. He didn’t….h-he didn’t want anything getting in the way of his...e-education. So he had his parents give me some money, and...here I am. But it’s already going so fast, and I...I don’t have anywhere else to go. This was the c-cheapest apartment I could find, but...I can’t find a job with her, there’s n-no one who can watch her, so I...I’ve just been sitting here trying to figure out w-what to do…”

Greys lift back to his face. “...I know she’s been d-driving everyone nuts. But she just keeps getting colicky and I don’t know why. I’m really sorry if she’s been keeping you awake. I’ll...I’ll try to get her to bed.”

Obito just...stares. So some jackass knocks her up...and then leaves her to her fate? Throws a little cash at her and calls it good?! What the fuck is wrong with this guy?! “...not to be, uh...creepy. But are you…? Have you graduated?”

“Yes...just last month. She came along two weeks later. I b-barely made it through my last year.”

“...and he’s off scot free, is he?”

“He -!” She hesitates. “...he’s...he already had a full ride. He’s really smart, and -!”

“I don’t give a fuck how smart he is,” Obito cuts in, making her jump. “He’s clearly trash if he did this to you. Fucking prick.”

Looking unsure at his volatile language, she doesn’t have a reply.

“...so you really don’t have anyone else you can ask for help?”

Her posture wilts. “...no. I was in, um...foster care. And my foster parents weren’t...the best. My dad was absent and my mom died when I was little. No other relatives that I know of, so...it’s just me.”

Sighing, Obito rubs at the back of his neck. He already knows what rent is here: it’s cheap, but still too much for anyone without a job. She’s been here two weeks...so rent’s due in another two.

In truth, the only reason Obito sticks around here is because it’s low profile. He has enough cash to upgrade, but staying low works well for him.

This whole situation isn’t sitting right with him...and something about her reminds him of...someone else.

“...first thing’s first. You need a babysitter. Or a...a nanny. Whatever it’s called.”

She blinks. “...but -?”

“Then you can start looking for a job. Odds are you won’t find anything that pays too well. You have a car?”

“N...no -?”

“Then either something within walking distance, or you commute by bus. Or there’s always the kind of job women get in a neighborhood like this, but,” he amends at her offended look, “that’s not...preferable.”

“...I don’t have any money for a -”

“I’ll cover it.”

Her face goes slack in shock, eyes wide.

“...consider it an investment,” he adds, glancing aside to avoid her gaze. “You get this kid on a schedule and get yourself on one too, maybe I won’t be losing so much sleep. My job pays well, and I don’t have much to spend it on, anyway. You need to get a foot in the door. And I know what it is to have no one to lean on.”

Clearly still unable to process his words, she just...stares at him, mouth slightly agape.

“...I’m Obito, by the way.”

“...Ryū…”

“And who’s this?”

She blinks several times before looking down to her baby. By now, she’s settled to a series of whines and half-sobs. “...Amaya.”

“Well Amaya, you’ve been a pain in my ass for two weeks,” Obito offers, hands on his hips and leaning toward the infant. Dark grey eyes - squinted shut as she cries - open as his talking distracts her, drawing her gaze. “So let’s do something about it, hm? Maybe then we can be friends.”

Seemingly entranced, Amaya stares up at him, suddenly quiet.

Both adults go still.

“...um…” Ryū seems at a bit of a loss. “...I think she likes you.”

Obito, staring back at the baby, looks equally confused. “...usually I frighten babies,” he admits, straightening his posture. “With the whole…” He gestures to his face.

“Well, it seems she doesn’t mind,” Ryū counters, managing a tired smile as Amaya sucks on a thumb. “Maybe I can finally put her down for bed…”

“And then I can do the same,” Obito agrees, loosely folding his arms. “I have work tomorrow, but...we’ll talk when I get back.”

“Do you…?”

“Hm?”

Ryū hesitates. “You...you don’t have to do this...I mean, we don’t -?”

“I told you, I have the money. And I need the sleep. Once you get a leg up, you’ll be fine. Not your fault you were dumped here without any help.”

Her expression wilts, and he prays she isn’t going to cry again. “I’ll...I’ll make it up to you! Do you need, um...anything? I could cook, o-or clean! I handled most of all that growing up, so I’m good at it!”

Obito blinks. He...hadn’t considered that. In truth he doesn’t need much cleaning, he’s pretty tidy (and not home much to make a mess anyway). Cooking, on the other hand…

Maybe that can be where they start.

“...all right. We’ll begin there. You can be my, er…” What’s the term?

“Housekeeper…?” Ryū supplies.

“Yes! That way there’s no commute, no fuss...and you can bring her with you, hm?” He gestures to Amaya.

Ryū brightens, looking at him like he just pulled her out of a burning building. “I...o-okay! Um…” She looks around, seeming a bit overwhelmed at the sudden plans. “...should I...wait until you get back tomorrow?”

“Yes. I need to, er...plan how this will work.” And by that he means making sure she doesn’t stumble upon anything...compromising in his apartment, like his selection of weapons and files on his targets.

That would be...unfortunate.

A wide smile blooms across her face. “All right then! I’ll just...wait to hear from you. And…” Her demeanor softens again. “...thank you. You have...no idea what this means to me. To us.”

A bit awkward at the praise, Obito looks aside and clears his throat. “Er...you’re welcome. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

The door closes, and Obito mulls over the entire conversation. Not...what he had in mind, but maybe this will work.

...he knows what it is to be left without anywhere to turn, anyone to lean on. But even then, he didn’t have a baby to worry about on top of it all. Poor girl.

...he shouldn’t call her girl. She’s an adult, only three years younger than himself. But...well, he’s aged a lot mentally in his lifestyle. And clearly she’s just getting started. A level one adult, while he feels like he’s at least level fifty after all he’s had to go through.

Sighing, he relishes in the silence as he heads back to his apartment, needing hardly any time to collapse into bed and find sleep.

Come morning...it’s time to get to work.

Going over his target’s file and the plan he’s made to get the job done, Obito packs his sniper rifle and heads out. Dressed in a suit and putting on an air of confidence, he walks right into a private office building and makes his way to a top floor. It’s currently empty, as well as several floors below it, in preparation of new clients.

The perfect opportunity, as his target works just across the street on the same level. He’ll have a shot, and some room to work (and hopefully go unnoticed enough to get out without being caught). Setting up the tripod, he cuts the glass of a window to give the bullet less to travel through, assembling the weapon and awaiting the proper moment.

Settled at the scope, he watches as the executive he’s been paid to off heads into his office, taking a phone call.

All alone.

Adjusting the crosshair to account for the wind, Obito takes a steadying breath, holds it...and fires.

A splatter of red blooms along the wall behind his target, body immediately limp.

Perfect.

Practiced hands then quickly disassemble the gun, getting it back into its case and making his way to the elevator.

By the time anyone heads up to investigate the noise, he’s already heading back out the door. A call to his burner phone confirms the kill, and the wiring of the funds to his account.

All in all, he’s only gone an hour.

Back in his apartment, he finds it’s still quiet. Seems Ryū and Amaya are having a good morning. Changing his clothes and stashing his gun, he then goes about readying his apartment for his guest.

Well...guests, he supposes.

He does have a gun safe, and all of his supplies fit within it. And a locked file cabinet holds all of his research and client information. He highly doubts Ryū’s the type to even begin sneaking around, let alone be able to get past the locks he has in place.

He’s ready.

Heading back to her door, he knocks and awaits an answer. Though still looking exhausted, Ryū appears a bit more perky today than she did yesterday. Maybe she also got some sleep.

“Good morning!”

“Morning. Should we, er...give this a try?”

Nodding, Ryū packs Amaya into a carrier, heading the few steps down the hall and into Obito’s apartment. A few glances show it’s...rather Spartan, with hardly any personal effects, or...even mess.

...does he really need her to -?

“So, uh…” Obito itches at the rear of his neck, trying to think. “I know there’s not much to be cleaned, but...it’s lacking in other ways. I don't go grocery shopping much. I tend to order food rather than cook myself. It’s expensive.”

Ryū blinks. He did say he had the money, though…

“It’s also not healthy. And my money goes to a better place this way anyway,” he adds, seemingly reading her thoughts. “So it’s a win several times over. Now we just need to, er...figure out how this will work.”

“Do you...work regular hours?” she asks, setting Amaya down.

“Not really. I’m a contract worker,” Obito replies, having perfected that lie long ago. “I get a call, I go in. Otherwise I tend to jump about doing other things. I’m at the gym a good bit.” Mostly to keep in shape for his work, but also to help keep his mangled body as limber as he can manage. That and the physical effort keeps him from thinking too much. “So usually I’m not home much anyway.”

Ryū curls a thoughtful hand against her mouth. “...well, I guess I could start with a time in the morning to get breakfast out of the way for you, and then...if you’re gone all day, fix lunches to take with you…? And I can work on other tasks while you’re gone, and have supper ready by a set time, or...you can call if you’re going to be late.”

Obito blinks. That...seems pretty simple. “Sure. I’ll get a new card to leave with you so you can pick up whatever you need. Pretty sure you know what you’re doing.”

“B-but -?”

“Hm?”

She hesitates. “...that’s...putting a lot of trust in me, isn’t it?”

“True. But if you mess up, I’ll just fire you,” he replies blithely. “I think you know better than to try anything.”

“I...I guess so. I guess I’m just not used to anyone, um...trusting me that much,” she admits.

“Well, you’re trusting me, in turn. I could be a total creep tricking you into all of this for other gains,” Obito counters as he folds his arms, seeing her jolt slightly. “...but I’m not. So we’re even in that regard, hm?”

“...seems that way.”

Glancing to a clock, Obito sighs. “...well, how should we start? Now? Tomorrow? Or -?”

“I can start today!” Ryū chirps in reply. “...that is, if you want me to.”

“Sure. Though I’ll need time to get the card, and another key…” He hums to himself, rubbing at his chin. “...I’ll do that today. Then you can really get started tomorrow. For now,” he adds, reaching into his pocket to fetch his wallet and handing her a wad of cash that makes her eyes go wide. “Go get whatever you want for the week.”

“O...okay. Um…” She looks back up to him. “Any...allergies, or dislikes…? Things I should avoid?”

He waves a hand. “Not really. So long as there’s no szechuan, I’ll be fine.”

To his surprise, she snorts. “Well, all right then.”

“We’ll go get the spare made first, then you can get going, and I’ll head to the bank. You’ll probably be back first.”

“Okay. What time should I plan for dinner to be ready?”

“I’m usually back by six.” A pause, and then, “Do you have a phone?”

“I do!”

He exchanges their numbers. “I’ll call if something comes up.”

From there, they both head out, a keymaker a few blocks away. Ryū totes along Amaya, who stays relatively quiet for the trip. Once she has her spare key, she scoots off to find groceries.

And Obito heads to the bank.

The card is simple enough, and will make anything else she has to get down the road a lot simpler. That way Ryū can just attend to any business without having to ask him about it every time.

From there, he decides to take some time at the gym until the end of the day. It’ll help him think, and blow off some steam. Especially since he actually has energy from a full night’s rest for the first time in...well, since Ryū moved in, really. As he pushes his body to its limits, he mulls over the situation as a whole. He’s sure this is going to work. Just...get her going. Make sure she has a kind of...foundation to go off of.

More than he was granted, since he’s able to pay his fortune forward.

Once the time for dinner starts rolling around, he walks back, the cool evening air wicking the sweat along his skin. He always prefers to shower at home...you never know what’s lurking in the public ones.

He’s seen some things.

One elevator ride later, he comes up to his door, finding it locked and slipping in his key.

As soon as he does, he pauses.

The kitchen is directly across from the entryway, and it’s...occupied for once. Hair tied up in a messy bun, Ryū scurries back and forth, juggling a few pans and something in the oven. A menagerie of smells actually makes Obito’s stomach whine petulantly in hunger. It’s clear she’s done some actual cleaning, too - while he doesn’t leave things lying around, he can’t remember the last time he dusted. A window is open, letting in fresh air and leaving the apartment smelling far better than its usual musty scent.

While the appearance isn’t that different, the feeling is...like another world. And not just the apartment...it’s clear Ryū is feeling a lot better, too.

It’s all so oddly...domestic.

After he stares for a solid thirty seconds, she notices him, perking up. “Oh!” Turning to the oven’s clock, she sees that it reads a quarter to six. “I’m almost done!”

“...that’s fine,” Obito manages to reply, finding his head. “I...need a shower, anyway.”

“Okay!”

Moving to the bathroom, Obito does just that, emerging and dressing in his typical evening lounge wear of sweatpants and a tank top. Peering back out, he finds the kitchen empty, food left to keep warm.

Instead, Ryū is on the couch.

She’s...asleep?

Head slightly tilted, her mouth is a bit agape, breathing softly. And atop her chest, also asleep (and clearly having just been fed), is Amaya.

In spite of himself, Obito’s face goes a bit warm at the sight, averting. He...can’t see anything from here (the baby is covering anything...lewd), but her shirt is still very clearly tugged to one side.

...seems she tuckered herself out. But the dark circles are starting to fade. Apparently she’s already making up her rest deficit. And while she’s clearly tired, it’s more of an...accomplished tired than ‘up with the baby all night’ tired.

In spite of himself, Obito feels his lips twitch. She really is cute, what with her demure demeanor. But...she’s also pretty plucky, trying to make this all work on her own. Part of him can’t help but admire that. She’s pretty tough despite her fragile appearance.

...okay, he’s...thinking about this too much. And they both need to eat something.

Not wanting to be rude, he sheepishly approaches, carefully jostling Ryū’s shoulder to wake her.

“...huh…?”

“You, uh...fell asleep. Hungry?”

Blinking a bit blearily, Ryū stares at him for a moment before stiffening, realizing her position. “Oh -!” She (very carefully) scrambles to adjust her outfit, not wanting to wake the infant. “I...I’m sorry -”

“No, it’s fine. I’m not the only one that needs to eat around here,” he tries to joke, lips flickering into a sheepish smile.

Still, her face is quite warm, carefully tucking Amaya back into her carrier to nap. “I, um...I hope dinner’s okay?”

“If it’s half as good as it smells, it’ll be more than fine.” Heading to the kitchen, he pauses, noticing she’s not following. “...coming?”

Her brow furrows. “...but -?”

“You made it, you get to eat it. Just...get over here.”

Blinking, Ryū does as asked, skittering across the apartment and taking a nervous seat opposite Obito at his little table.

An awkward silence blooms, each of them taking a bite.

Obito, however, quickly perks up. “...this is really good!” he offers after swallowing. “You take lessons?”

“Um, no...just...consulted the internet a lot growing up,” she admits, looking shy at the praise. “And...a lot of practice.”

“Consider yourself a permanent hire,” Obito adds, shoveling another spoonful into his mouth.

A bit pink, Ryū nonetheless brightens at his words, giggling a little and taking another bite herself.

Maybe this is going to work, after all.

     Ohhhhhhh my gods this is late, but I’m been SWAMPED irl and just...really burnt out, so I kinda...took a week break BUT I’ve been working on things! I had another prompt for today but it kinda got...out of hand SO I did this in the meantime!      I think it’s super cute ;w; Single parent AUs are just! really cute. I almost went with Obito being the parent (maybe I’ll do that another time lmao) but this just felt easier to do for a quicker one xD      THREE MORE TO GO and one has a prompt already, I might tweak the other two. I need shorter ideas so I can get them done I’m so behind, I’m a bad u_u But at least there’s this for today, we’ll see how tomorrow goes! Thanks for reading~

[bilgisticallykosher]

Selfishness vs. Selfishness Redux

Pre-episode thoughts. I don't think they're going to address the dark side Everybody-already-knew-that thing right away. I'm still thinking Deceit's gonna be Virgil, but I'm also not so certain that's going to wind up going down. Because there's a lot of other stuff to get into. We know from the first Asides that stuff between Virgil and Patton is growing, and simmering. It's coming, and while that's in the future, there's probably going to be more build-up here. Is it that Patton knew about Virgil's past? Is it something else entirely? This is going to be a two hour episode, geez. 

Also, I can't believe he's actually going to the wedding. Idk. All those people saying he got the date wrong, though? First of all, Logan is in charge of the schedule, he'd never let that happen, how dare? And also, I always double check dates and invitations for stuff. I really doubt Virgil wouldn't have looked at the invitation and checked the information again. Watch me be totally wrong now. 

I don't know who I think the cloaked figure is. Could be Deceit ("like a freaking Scooby Doo villain"), could be Thomas himself. Probably not Organization XIII, but I'm not completely eliminating the option, let me have this. 

Things I'd like, but am 99% certain won't happen; Deceit's name (which I'm both hoping and expecting to not start with D), a new side, Remus and Deceit interacting on camera, or really Remus at all. Except for that green score of BOOBS, I maintain that's Remus's contribution. 

ALRIGHT, LET'S GO, I'M NOT READY!!!!

First impression of the thumbnail. You vs. Yourself???? Oh my gosh. Ohhhh, I'm freaking out. Patton looks so apprehensive, and I don't know if that's on general, or because of Roman or in response to Roman, because Roman looks so annoyed at Patton! He's so angry oh my gosh. I mentioned I wasn't ready, right? Okay. Okay. So their sprites are different styles, which is cool. Patton's looks risk-based stroll around town type of RPG, Roman's looks fighting style. 

The options for the character select???? Oh my gosh, that's. Hi, Remus. Anyway, uh, I don't know what this means, but there's three character options on top and- DARK SIDES ARE SEPARATE FROM LIGHT SIDES! Oh gosh, I was thinking maybe it was something to do with specifically Logan. Ooh, Deceit's in his lawyer outfit, nice touch.  THERE'S AN EXTRA BLANK PLAYER OPTION. I don't know if that means he'll be revealed this episode, or just that he exists. I mean, we just had Deceit's logo, Remus's reveal and name reveal… here goes.

IT STARTS WITH THE VIDEO GAME??? THIS IS THE INTRO????? THE WEDDING??????!!!!!!! Oh hey word crush. Oh hey, it's the couple! Starting to think this is a dream or fantasy, btw. Also, Lee and Mary Lee sound like...Esteban and Valerie? Maybe? Idk. Omg, Life is pain. 

This is awkward, beautiful. Pfft, hence the marriage. Photographer is great, no idea who he or the emcee are. Ooh. Crushed. 

INTRO??? EXCUSE ME??? Oh was SvS originally on 3/31? Yeah, good, play a review like all of us haven't been obsessing over what happened last time. "APRIL 13" I'm just going thi pause forever now. Oh this is going to be the angry walk in that was previewed in the bloopers, I can tell. Oh no. OH NO! And it is at night and he seriously freaking actually went to the wedding????

Oh my gosh he's so angry. Ohhh, Patton rethinking his phrasing, nice. You should never→I'm surprised that you etc. Oh Roman! Oh, maybe we should… not review. Oh boy. 

Oh there's Patton's avatar. In then guitar hero thing. Oh, Thomas is associated with the color white, confirmed??? I like how they did the notes there. So much detail. The talk sprites are great, but the expressions on the dancing sprites are worth paying attention to. Okay, Patton's still very, um, defensive, I guess is the word? Thomas is angry and bereft and confused and full of doubt, and Roman's heavily on the confused side (ha) about him aligning with Deceit. This is why he stole his hat. Great animation work, everyone, that was fantastic, artists! 

"Why didn't I just talk to them before the wedding?" THOMAS. Also, because Deceit specifically prevented Logan from being too close to the courtroom scene by benching him and not asking him what his idea of a compromise was. "I brought that up," well, you did, but Deceit kinda made it seem like you were suggesting lying to them, so you got shut down. Sorry, Ro. Listen, I love Deceit, but the boy's a manipulator. 

We learn to predict the future!!! Roman, no. Woah, Patton's just being completely dismissive. I mean he's been through some hard times the last few episodes, minus LNTAO, but damn. Oh. Roman's very much defending Patton. This forebodes very badly. This is going to explode terribly. Oh no. 

Okay, so, the thing with the feral cats. Is Roman okay? Did someone do this to him? More importantly, did he do this to me? Also, on a serious note, I'm super shocked Deceit hasn't come in yet, because he (and Thomas, and arguably Patton) is obviously regretting going to the wedding. I mean, Virgil's not coming in right away because of the reveal at the end of DWIT, but- hey where's Logan?! Logan and Deceit should both totally be here! *gasp* Except in the one on one episodes (Heart vs. Mind, My Negative Thinking, Logince; the argument) it's always primarily been the two sides that are featured with the others either not there or off-screen or making small cameos. But Deceit was and is an important part of this decision past, present, and going forward! 

Oooh, I like the Lee and Mary Lee backstory. Hm. Patton does bring good points, but. I still agree with- oh, Thomas just solidly saying no made me snort. Okay, so speaking of the coin bleeping, why the video games? I know there's more to come with it, how do they come into play? Oh okay metaphor. 

That was clearly not the good ending, Roman. Bringing up Is Thomas A Good Person again. OOH xylophone, is he a-comin'? Oh he's directly blaming Patton. Wow, Roman. 

A BAGEL?! Oh, game sssssssstore. Really? Frogger, Pat? 16 graphics. Oh there's the hotdogs. OH and there's the cloaked guy! Smashing our theories. That does not seem like Sondheim. 

The puns, oh my gosh, brilliant. Getting to the meat of them here. Gosh these graphics are fantastic. 6AM dull. 

Oh. Hm. Technically, he does not have to give him the 'dog. The building tension is fascinating. 

HI, LOGAN! Patton looking real uncomfortable at "regret." I mean, they all know they regret it now, right? Roman making fun of behoove, that's so funny, I have no idea why. Seriously, whoever's doing the art, I'm dying at Logan's expressions. Woah good thing viewers have the pause button. I'm all for not buying X-mas decorations. I'm doing my part, goyim. 

I'm counting "it's not like Kingdom Hearts" in lieu of that having been Organization XIII. Oh boy, Patton. Right thing vs. Feeling good vs. Feeling good about doing the right thing. This is falling apart. Patton's noise. 

BOOBS omg Deceit is Bowser. I love that painting in the background! Scutes! Time went from limited to being lost to poorly spent to wasted! I'm standing by the purple being Virgil. Fyi, in Judaism, doing a good thing for the wrong reasons doesn't matter, because you're still doing the good thing, even if it's just for the reward. There's a thing about it with Avraham and a King.

Roman's getting close to breaking. Reptilian rapscallian guy. And who's to say he can't be doing it for the reward and to help people? 

"... an individual's happiness and the amount of selfless acts…" that should be number, not amount, Logan! Can't judge good deeds only by how good you feel when you do them. 

Okay, here we go. How do we know what's Right? Killing and stealing is illegal everywhere, yes, Thomas, what are you doing, Thomas???

Oh my gosh, not the trolley problem. They're referring to Deceit as Denial and Roman as Passion! Oh gosh, that looks like Joan, Talyn, Dot, Valerie, and Terrence, and Leo by himself, maybe? Oh geez, I jolted. Logan index carding for trolley problem. 

Unus Annus is right, the trolley problem is stupid. Oh my gosh, Logan's giant wall of text physically pushing Patton back, I spit all over my screen. Skip All. 

Roman's… blaming himself? Oh!!! Are we getting Roman's insecure arc???!!! This is a complex issue, and Patton's having a hard time backing down, and everyone's feeling bad.

Scared?! I hear music! NO. Why is he scared, oh my gosh?????? That's not a tired metaphor. Oh! I've heard of hypoxia! It was hypothesized (and disproven) to be the reason for a specific Bermuda Triangle incident. 

Good point, Logan. Regarding theory and in the moment instincts. Remus mention with intrusive thoughts! Shocked that Logan is arguing for leisure time. Logan's self satisfied smirk at the self-sacrifice. GLITCHY! Oh he's a frog. Lilypadton. 

Oh my gosh I'm getting so stressed. Yes, thank you, Logan for the scream. I… don't. The conscientious comment. No, it's not. This seems… Deceit-y. IT IS! SHARP SIDE OH MY GOSH! Oh, he didn't rise up, he popped out in the freaking dialogue box, NO, FRICK IT WAS RIGHT THERE! And the Nietzsche and the specific examples that he used!!! I'm so angry! I DIDN'T THINK HE'D TAKE LOGAN'S PLACE AGAIN! I MISSED THE SIGNS! 

Hey guys, look, it's Deceit. Bull… frog. Lord of the lies. Oh! 8-bit Deceit theme. Okay, the first thing Deceit said about him not doing it on purpose was nice, but yeah, those words striking him is accurate. Yeesh, harsh. 

Is Patton eating his own words? Oh, uh, is anyone going to acknowledge he hit Thomas? Is that telling of the situation instead of just being a funny background event? 

The crick in Thomas's neck is so funny. SNAKES ON THE PLANE!!! ...Hm. Happy that he brought that up. Oh my gosh, Deceit's spluttering, he's like so bad at things sometimes, I love it. 

Logan! No, don’t do that, everybody appreciates you! Double curse? Pffffft, Logan. Deceit…definitely smiling at Logan's logic. Deceit is interesting here. Oh wow, yikes. He's really fascinating here. Legitimately complimentary? Oh, no, kind of not, maybe. Roman looks distressed.

"...Trees?" Roman's super pumped up. Good for him! Ha, his imitation. Deceit looking confused? Patton looking all sorts of things, I really think that Deceit is being genuine here- NAME?! I'D THIS HAPPENING? Why is he stripping? His, no, what does his glove have to do with his name? 

………. Janice? Did he say Jenus or Janice. It sounded like Janice. Deceit. No. Oh, burn, Roman. Damn, he almost got me. His name is not Janice. No. It's not. Don't even. Deceit was being so straight(ha)forward for the past couple of minutes. Awww, Roman. Insecurity addressing time? Wait, why is Deceit nodding at the hero thing? His lip is trembling, his voice is cracking and oh no! Roman just sank out.

Don't call him Janice, that's not his name. Oh he's being genuine again. Patton's talking about himself. WAIT WHAT. He had a five second cameo, omg. 

Yeah, those are the easier questions. No, Deceit, bad Deceit. Man, his facial expressions in this episode. Fractionally fiendish fibber. Oh, I like the reasons for Deceit being a part of him! That's… cute? Oddly cute, maybe. So, freaking how far in the future is the Asides? 

Stop calling him Janice, that's not his name. Oh, Deceit and Thomas bonding. That snort, oh my gosh. Oh, serious Deceit again! That reaction to "you're right" is oddly similar to that fake laugh at the end of Embarrassing Phases. 

………. Virgil's not here yet. His reveal isn't being addressed. Accepting Deceit. That's why he's so pissed at Patton in Asides. The next episode proper they're going to reveal that Deceit's accepted, more or less, and Patton was a big part of that, hugely changing his mind, that's why he's so pissed at him!!!

April 30th? Oh is this Lee and Mary Lee? I was wrong on the voices. Door-yelling! Hm. I mean. It's nice that they're acknowledging him, but I really don't think that sways the situation one way or another. Cute more background, and Thomas being awkward. They. This could have been instead of the wedding. Kingdom Hearts again! 

Oh hi, Patton and Deceit. He seems annoyed at the situation. Patton and Deceit bonding. Hi again, Leslie. Wild. 

This video really didn't go at all how I thought it would. Roman was barely miffed at Patton. Oh man, this was intense. I. Oh man. I need to process a lot. But I think we're on the right path, here. Janice is not his name!

Okay, I went on tumblr and two seconds in, I saw Janus, which I looked up and that makes way more sense. Another, more condensed post to follow. And several thousand reblogs.

[redraspberrycats]

Alright, the day has come!! This year, i participated in the Undertale Secret Santa and wrote a fic for @goops-art . She asked for a fluffy fic between Papyrus and Frisk as one of her prompts, so I have delivered! :D I really like the way it turned out, and I hope you do too!

I'll also @undertalesecretsanta for setting this all up! Thank you guys so much. With no further ado, here we go!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Papyrus paced worriedly through the snow -- or, rather, through the inches deep trench he had already worn into it. The human was late! Don't ask how he knew, he just did; the human should have been here by now, and it was disconcerting! Where could they possibly be??

Just as he was about to take a step out of his self-imposed boundaries, he saw a figure approaching from the distance. A small figure… the human!! Smiling in anticipation, he struck a dramatic pose and waited for them to get close. It had taken a bit longer than expected, but here they were, a captive audience for his practiced monologue! "HUMAN… ALLOW ME TO TELL YOU ABOUT SOME COMPLICATED FEELINGS," he began, impressed at how audience-y they were. Not even a peep or a shuffle! "FEELINGS LIKE…" Papyrus made to continue, but cut himself off. Upon closer inspection, something didn't seem right -- no one could be that good of an audience! 

He strode forward and knelt to the ground in front of the human, who still hadn't moved, though they did now seem a bit confused. Continuing his scrutiny, Papyrus found that they were a mess; their clothes were wet and torn, their hair bedraggled, and their eyes tired. This simply wouldn't do at all! Not even Sans was allowed to be this messy! The capture would have to wait. Having decided on a course of action, Papyrus again began to speak. "HUMAN. ARE YOU, PERHAPS, IN NEED OF…. A HUG???"

Their eyes narrowed slightly and looked suspiciously shiny, as if holding back tears. Sniffling, they nodded, and hesitantly held their arms out toward him. Oh no! A genuine plea for affection -- they were targeting all of his soft tendencies! Papyrus reached forward and wrapped them in the closest hug his long limbs could muster, lest they pull away. It was easy to tell they were unsure, but when Papyrus rested his chin on their shoulder, they relaxed enough to lean most of their weight against him. 

The two of them stayed there for a few minutes. The human seemed content, so Papyrus held off his restless energy just long enough to hold them for awhile. And then, of course, he took matters into his own (infinitely capable) hands. Literally. He picked them up with his hands and cradled them against his chest for the journey back through town.

"HUMAN…" he mused as they huddled closer to him (probably amazed at his sheer speed as he ran across the snow! Nyeh!). "I HAVE A QUESTION TO ASK YOU. ACTUALLY, I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS! I AM FEELING VERY INQUISITIVE, IT SEEMS!... ANYWAY." Papyrus' face shifted into a more serious expression. "WOULD YOU TELL ME YOUR NAME? FOR PERFECTLY REGULAR, NON-HUMAN HELPING REASONS, I SWEAR." There was a short bout of silence.

"....Frisk," they said eventually, shy.

"WOWIE, WHAT A SPECTACULAR NAME, HUMAN!" Papyrus smiled brightly, so the human -- Frisk -- would understand how great they were. "VERY HUMAN-Y…. DON'T THINK ABOUT THAT TOO MUCH. MOVING ON!" He pointed emphatically to the sky. "THE REAL QUESTION WAS: ARE YOU OKAY, FRISK?" He hoped the human could tell that he was concerned. 

By this point, the two had reached town and made it to Papyrus' home, so he set them on the ground and held their hand while he opened the door. Frisk remained quiet as they walked inside. They made a beeline for the couch, and immediately buried their head in their hands. 

"WHAT WAS I THINKING??" Papyrus said, and Frisk curled even further in on themselves. "OF COURSE YOU'RE OKAY! YOU ARE VERY GREAT, AFTER ALL! RIGHT, HUMAN?" Frisk didn't move, except to wrap their arms around their stomach. Their face was red and blotchy, but they seemed determined not to cry. Papyrus sat beside them and held an arm out encouragingly -- this was clearly a time for softer things. Like himself! Warm, soft, and cuddly, just as a skeleton should be! "Listen, Frisk. Maybe You Are Already Ok. But I Will Make You Even Okay-er Than You Already Are! Because The Great Papyrus Is The Best At Helping People Be Okay! Okay?" He spoke at a lower volume than usual, but made sure to still be just as exuberant. Frisk let out a watery giggle from their seat, and when he asked "Have I Said Okay Enough Times Yet?" they laughed again and scooted themselves under his arms, so they were cuddling. 

"Can I…. can I stay here with you?" Frisk asked, timid. They seemed a little embarrassed. "I don't really wanna leave." they admitted, hiding their face again, but this time in Papyrus' battle body. He gently ran his fingers over their back.

"YES, OF COURSE! IF YOU NEED A PLACE TO STAY, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ASK!" Back to his regular voice, Papyrus was a bit loud, but the human didn't seem to mind. "IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A SLEEPOVER, THERE HAS TO BE PREPARATIONS, THOUGH! DO YOU KNOW WHAT KIND???" Frisk, smiling, shook their head. "THE COOKING KIND!! COME ON, LET'S MAKE A PIE! WE CAN CANOODLE LATER!" With no further preamble, he shot up off the couch and into the kitchen. It didn't take him long at all; he had long legs. That, and the kitchen was… right there. 

Once Frisk had joined him, he set about explaining how to make the pie -- you had to beat the fruit filling into submission! You had to roll the crust out within an inch of its life! You had to turn the oven all the way up and throw the pie in with the fury of a thousand suns… whatever those were! -- and then instructed the human to give it their best shot. They picked up the spoon for the filling and hit it with all the force they could. Which… "HM. THAT WASN'T VERY. STRONG. BUT THAT'S OK!! YOU ARE DOING YOUR BEST!! I WILL SHOW YOU HOW IT'S DONE!" 

Papyrus took the spoon and smashed it into the bowl, which sent the filling splattering all over the walls. There wasn't much left in the bowl. No matter -- "ONTO THE CRUST!" 

Frisk bounced a bit as they followed him to the other side of the counter, where he had pre-made dough set out. It seemed they were coming out of their shell! How enchanting! "ALRIGHT! I WANT YOU TO ROLL THIS CRUST OUT WITH ALL THE POWER… OF FRIENDSHIP!! NYEH HEH!" Carefully, they took both sides of the handle and rolled it out. Slowly. "YOU KNOW WHAT?? I'LL HELP! IT WOULDN'T BE FRIENDSHIP IF YOU DIDN'T DO IT WITH A FRIEND!!" Before stopping to consult, Papyrus grabbed one end of the rolling pin and let Frisk grasp the other side. Together, they spread the dough until it was big enough to make a crust.

The result was… indescribably lumpy.

Papyrus placed his hands on his hips, smiled, and said "NYEH! WELL DONE, HUMAN! NOW ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER; ALMOST PUZZLE-LIKE, ISN'T IT?" 

Frisk turned a lovely shade of pink as they followed him around the kitchen. It looked like they were thinking very hard about something. Just as he was about to show them how to put the pie in the oven, they reached up to tug on his battle body. "You, um. You're doing well too." They told him, fidgeting with the sleeves of their sweater. Papyrus gasped.

"OH NO!! A GENUINE COMPLIMENT! YOUR POWER… IT'S TOO STRONG!!!" Frisk giggled at his antics and playfully shoved his hip, which was in easy reach for them. He, in turn, stumbled back dramatically, putting a palm to his forehead. "ET TU, HUMAN??" Pretending to be worried, they rushed over to him and fretted about his "injuries". Papyrus laughed triumphantly and picked them up, rising back to his full height. "NYEH HEH HEH!! YOU HAVE FALLEN INTO MY TRAP! LITTLE DID YOU KNOW THAT I HAVE A SECRET MOVE OF MY OWN!" Papyrus swung them about in a circle, Frisk laughing all the while, and then hugged them for all he was worth. They hugged back, with slightly less force but no shortage of love. 

"ALRIGHT, HUMAN, YOU'VE CONVINCED ME!" Frisk looked up, confused, and Papyrus set them on the ground. He walked over and set the pie in the oven, so focused on what he was saying that he forgot to use his sun-passion… sun fury? "IT IS TIME TO CANOODLE! COME WITH ME AND LET'S CHOOSE MOVIES AS A BACKDROP!" Frisk made a happy hum and ran behind him to the living room, flapping their arms excitedly. 

The two of them made their way over to the stack of films to peruse the selection, but it didn't take long before Frisk pointed and shouted "That one that one that one!!!" with hardly any space to breathe in between their words. It was a disc of the first season of a human show that Undyne had left after a sleepover. 

"OH! THIS SHOW IS RATHER INTERESTING. INTERESTING IN THAT I HAVE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE! BUT WHAT DO YOU KNOW?? I HAVE A FEELING YOU AND UNDYNE WOULD BE GREAT FRIENDS, HUMAN! SUCH PASSION! SUCH EXCITEMENT!! SUCH SIMILAR TASTE IN ANIMATED VIDEO!!!" Papyrus kept up his mini monologue as he picked up the show and set it up to play, Frisk glowing with anticipation all the while. When he had settled on the couch, he lifted an arm and they immediately snuggled against him, having lost all the hesitation from earlier. Papyrus smiled fondly to himself, but didn't say a word.

They watched the show together for a good long while, settling into each other more comfortably on the couch and laughing or commenting when appropriate. As the evening turned to night, Frisk became a bit drowsy in their place against Papyrus. Presently, he got up to take the pie out. They had spread out into the warmth he left behind by the time he came back, so instead of moving them too much, he simply lifted them into his lap. Snuffling quietly, they turned to face his chest and curl up against it before falling back asleep. Their tiny hands on his chest plate made his SOUL overflow with affection. 

When Sans came home a few hours later, it was to the both of them passed out on the couch, the TV still playing in the background. He placed Papyrus' favorite blanket over them, turned off the television, then went to bed himself. 

[raywritesthings]

Dear Friend, 2/?

My Writing Fandom: Arrow Characters: Laurel Lance, Oliver Queen, Roy Harper, John Diggle, Joanna de la Vega Pairing: Laurel Lance/Oliver Queen Summary: When Felicity decides to get serious about Ray, she knows it won’t be a good idea for Oliver to be hanging around. So she turns to the world of online dating to keep him distracted. Unknown to the both of them, over the summer Joanna had set Laurel up with an online dating account in the hopes that her friend could move on from past failed relationships. There’s only one way this can end. *Can also be read on my AO3*

KingOfSurvival: lucky me

Oliver watched for any sort of reply, but it seemed true to her word she was letting him alone. He set his phone aside and leaned back.

What had just happened was...interesting. He wasn’t sure what he had expected, but it wasn’t to fall into such a quick and easy camaraderie. It hadn’t felt much like conversing with a stranger, despite them knowing almost nothing about the other. He wasn’t sure how to explain it.

Maybe he didn’t have to explain it just yet. The only person who knew he was doing this was Felicity, and unless she asked he wasn’t going to volunteer details. If anything, that things had gone well was the last thing he wanted her to know. Just because he’d possibly gained a new friend did not mean he was ready to let go of his feelings for Felicity, contrary to her arguments.

He moved into his typical workout regimen to clear his head for a little while, then took a late lunch. Since he had some time, he worked in a little target practice after that.

Roy was the first down to the base today, which was good. Oliver had wanted to get some extra training in with him before they suited up, as he’d noticed Roy had seemed a little distracted in the field lately.

But there were no complaints from the younger man; he was quick to get ready and move through some basic warm ups before they began.

The ping of the online dating app interrupted their sparring session about a half hour in. Oliver hadn’t even realized he’d been listening for it.

Roy looked around in confusion. “Was that a phone?”

“Yeah, it’s mine. Just give me a second.” He retrieved it from where he’d set it aside. Sure enough, the anonymous woman he’d reached out to was back.

JusticeIsAWoman: did you write your own bio

Oliver paused. He hadn’t even really thought of that since Felicity had been the one to set most of his account up.

KingOfSurvival: no, why?

JusticeIsAWoman: I can definitely see why you want more friends

He was almost scared to check what had been written. She saved him the trouble.

JusticeIsAWoman: “approaching the age for a mid-life crisis” “commitment issues”

JusticeIsAWoman: your friend did say you have “a heart of gold underneath it all”

He groaned.

“What’s the matter?” Asked Roy, and Oliver spun around with a start. He’d almost forgotten he wasn’t alone.

“Uh, nothing. Just an...email. From the bank.” He walked a little ways further from the mats.

KingOfSurvival: I should have probably checked that sooner

KingOfSurvival: we had a recent breakup and it may or may not be informing her opinion of me

JusticeIsAWoman: you broke up and she set you up with an online dating account?

KingOfSurvival: I don’t understand it any better than you

KingOfSurvival: in fairness, we only had one date. She’s more a friend than an ex. I don’t know if that seems weird

It wasn’t as though he and this woman were trying to date, but it occurred to him that talking about previous relationships was probably bad form regardless.

She answered before he could start to apologize.

JusticeIsAWoman: no, I’ve got one of those

KingOfSurvival: oh, ok

JusticeIsAWoman: though mine wouldn’t set me up with an online dating account

JusticeIsAWoman: probably decide I was too fragile for that sort of thing

KingOfSurvival: I’m sensing there’s a story there

JusticeIsAWoman: you’d be right, but it’s probably not one you’d want to hear

JusticeIsAWoman: at least not the very first day

KingOfSurvival: well, I’m glad you made it onto this app anyway

He found himself a little curious, clicking on her profile again and reading back through the bio. There were a couple other stats as well. True to the paragraph she’d written, she’d placed herself in the 25-30 age bracket. On her preferences for the gender of her matches, she’d stated there were none.

KingOfSurvival: just a question - you don’t have to answer

KingOfSurvival: but for your preferences, you didn’t say you had any. Is that just because you’re looking for friendship or…?

JusticeIsAWoman: it’s because I have no preferences

JusticeIsAWoman: is that a problem?

KingOfSurvival: no

KingOfSurvival: I guess I just want to know more about you, but the profiles don’t give much

JusticeIsAWoman: Yeah, kind of the idea of this whole anonymous thing

He had the distinct impression she was teasing him. Oliver tried to picture a voice to the words; a bit dry, maybe with a hint of a smirk playing at her lips.

KingOfSurvival: right

JusticeIsAWoman: what about you? What’s your preference?

KingOfSurvival: I’ve only ever dated women

JusticeIsAWoman: And I’ve only dated guys. Doesn’t mean you can’t know yourself

She had him at that. Definitely not anything he’d ever thought about.

The door at the top of the steps opened, and Roy called out a greeting to John. Oliver wasn’t too keen on letting him see him on an unfamiliar app, so he typed a quick message.

KingOfSurvival: gotta go

JusticeIsAWoman: running away from self-discovery?

KingOfSurvival: more like to my sort-of-employment

He hit the home key to minimize the app and locked his phone, tucking it away in his pocket. Then he walked back over to rejoin his two friends.

“He’s got some problems with his bank or something,” Roy was saying.

John looked to him. “What kind of problems?”

“It’s not that serious,” Oliver tried to dismiss, not really wanting to have to come up with something believable on the spot.

“You were on the phone for a while,” Roy pointed out.

“I was just working on how to say what I needed to.”

The others fortunately let it drop, but it was an early lesson he’d needed to learn. Oliver would have to watch himself when it came to contacting his online friend. He couldn’t afford to get too distracted if he wanted this to remain as much of a secret as it could get.

—-

Joanna waved her arm as she spotted Laurel entering the small cafe. It had a small selection of sandwiches and salad, but it was a fair distance between both their offices, which made it the ideal place to meet up like this.

Her friend made her way over, and Joanna stood to accept a strong hug. “Hey.”

“Hey.” Laurel was smiling, which was a good sign. She’d begged off their meetup last month saying she was swamped — which Joanna had known meant something more than work was happening. She hadn’t wanted to push, and she was glad she’d held back for now as Laurel seemed to be doing okay.

Though as they pulled apart, she couldn’t help noting, “Have you been lifting weights? Your arms are toned!”

“I started going to a gym,” Laurel answered, a grin on her lips. “Thanks for noticing.”

“It’d be hard not to.”

They both sat down. “How’ve you been?” Laurel asked.

“About the same. Busy a lot, but it pays the bills.” She paused to look over the little laminated menu at their table. “My mom’s thinking about downsizing, so I might pull some overtime to save up some money for her moving out.”

“Is she staying in the city?”

“She might go out a little to the suburbs. Nowhere too far away.”

Joanna made up her mind on her order and passed the menu to Laurel. Shortly after, they were approached by a server who took down their choices.

“So what’s new with you?”

“Oh,” Laurel looked like she didn’t know what to say for a moment. “Just, you know, working out more. Um, actually I started talking to this guy on that app.”

Of all the things she’d expected to hear, this was not it. Joanna leaned forward in her seat. “Really? How’s it going?”

“It’s...better than I expected.” The strangest sort of expression was playing around the corners of her friend’s mouth, like she wasn’t sure whether to smile or not.

“We’re not dating or anything,” Laurel was quick to add. “We just...talk. And it’s nice. I mean, he’s funny — a bit goofy at times, really — and we listen to each other’s problems. I mean, we don’t go into too many details, but it helps. I think if I knew him in real life, we’d be really good friends.”

“And you thought I was crazy signing you up for that thing.”

Laurel rolled her eyes. “Yes, yes, Joanna de la Vega knows all once again.”

Joanna didn’t bother to hide a smug smile. “You’re welcome.”

Their food arrived, and they both fell quiet as they dug in to their meals. As she ate, though, something kept bothering her.

“Laurel, when you say you talk about your problems, is there something going on? Anything you need help with?”

Her friend stared down at her plate. “No, Joanna. I appreciate it, but it’s fine.” She looked up then, and the smile she wore didn’t look forced, but it also didn’t look happy. “I’m handling it, I promise.”

“I just want you to know I’m here for you this time.”

“Well, thank you. But don’t worry. I can promise I’m not in any kind of trouble.”

She dropped it for now. Laurel had admitted she was talking to someone at least, even if they were anonymous. And speaking of…

“So, what do you know about this online guy? Has he given anything away?”

“You know, my father’s the detective. Not me.”

“That’s never stopped you.”

Laurel shared her smirk for a moment before taking some time to think. “He’s about my age. I think he works the night shift somewhere because he always messages me around lunch or early evening, and it takes a while for him to get back to me if I message him later than that. He’s had at least one failed relationship, and it was also not his idea to sign up for this thing which is why it’s worked out that we’re friends.”

“Hm, interesting. Think he works at a hospital? Or a gas station?”

Laurel shook her head, though she was grinning. “Shut up.”

“I’m picturing some beefcake unloading crates down by the docks,” Joanna said before caving to a fit of giggles. Laurel joined in.

They talked about a couple other things, and then it was back to their respective offices. The whole walk back, Joanna couldn’t help congratulating herself for pushing Laurel to get that app.

It felt good to laugh with her friend again.

—-

JusticeIsAWoman: staying friends with my ex was a bad choice

Oliver blinked at the message that had apparently been sent a few hours ago. He’d been out in the field at the time, trying to track down Isaac Stanzler to clear Ted Grant’s name. But now that he had a moment — not of calm, not when Roy now knew the truth of what he’d done while under the Mirakuru — he hoped he wasn’t too late in answering what was obviously a request to vent.

KingOfSurvival: hey, just saw this

KingOfSurvival: sorry about that. Sounds rough

It took a couple minutes to hear back from her.

JusticeIsAWoman: thanks

JusticeIsAWoman: it’s fine, really. I was probably just being a little overdramatic

KingOfSurvival: everything’s ok now?

JusticeIsAWoman: sort of

JusticeIsAWoman: I mean, I know he’s probably still upset but putting a nice face on things. And I’m still frustrated but it honestly just gets too exhausting to fight with him after a while. Not when I don’t actually want to

JusticeIsAWoman: I just wish he’d decide if he hates me or not, because the back and forth is enough to drive a person crazy

JusticeIsAWoman: sorry, I’ll stop talking about it

KingOfSurvival: no, that’s ok. It’s why I’m here

KingOfSurvival: and really, I know what it’s like having an ex-friend

Oliver paused and stared down at the words. Sure, things were tense with Laurel right now, but he still considered her a friend.

KingOfSurvival: wait that didn’t make sense

JusticeIsAWoman: try it the other way round

KingOfSurvival: not sure that’s a phrase, but sure. A friend-ex. I’ve been in a sort of fight with mine for the last couple weeks

JusticeIsAWoman: wanna talk about it?

KingOfSurvival: pretty sure we were talking about your problems

JusticeIsAWoman: I already have the solution to my problems

JusticeIsAWoman: ice cream

He chuckled at that.

KingOfSurvival: sounds nice

JusticeIsAWoman: yeah. So what about you? What are you and your friend-ex in a fight about?

That was a tough one. How did he go about this without outing himself as the Arrow or implicating Laurel in vigilante activities?

KingOfSurvival: she sort of wants to switch jobs, and the new one has a lot of downsides

JusticeIsAWoman: like what?

KingOfSurvival: late hours, safety concerns

KingOfSurvival: she’s not really in a good place right now, and I feel like she’s making a rash decision just for the sake of doing something different. She asked me to help get her foot in the door and I said no

KingOfSurvival: so now she’s mad at me, and I know she has a right to be mad if that’s how she feels, but I wish she’d see I wasn’t doing it because I don’t want her to succeed or anything like that

KingOfSurvival: I just don’t want her going out there and getting hurt

There was a bit of a pause. He wondered if anything he’d written made sense out of context.

JusticeIsAWoman: word of advice — most women don’t like it when you assume you know what they’re thinking

JusticeIsAWoman: or when you make choices for them based on what you think is best

Oliver sighed. He probably should’ve expected that.

JusticeIsAWoman: have you talked to her about why you’re nervous?

KingOfSurvival: a little

KingOfSurvival: look, it’s not that I don’t think she can handle herself, I just care about her too much to see her throw her life away on a dead-end job like I did

He’d hit send before the furious speed of his typing could catch up with him, and seeing the words in print like that struck at something inside him.

One of these nights, his luck would run out, and he was going to die just like Sara. But he’d rather die than see that happen to Laurel first.

JusticeIsAWoman: is that something you’ve told her?

KingOfSurvival: no

KingOfSurvival: but maybe I should

Oliver looked at his watch. It wasn’t too late as to be outrageous for a visit. And he didn’t want to hold onto this thought by himself any longer.

KingOfSurvival: would it be ok if I left you to your ice cream for a while?

JusticeIsAWoman: that’s fine. Didn’t really have other plans

KingOfSurvival: thank you. I promise we’ll get back to your thing

Oliver left the base. He took an extra bit of inspiration from his online friend and stopped by the store on his way to Laurel’s apartment. She was never one to say no to ice cream, after all. He even remembered her preference this time.

Once he arrived, Oliver hesitated a moment in front of the door. Should he really do this? They’d only barely patched things tonight as it was. But if he didn’t say it now, he probably never would. So he raised his fist and knocked.

Laurel didn’t immediately answer. He wondered if perhaps she’d called it a night already, but eventually he heard the lock being undone and then she was standing there in her pajamas.

He lifted his peace offering into her line of sight before she could speak, and Oliver watched her blink in surprise at it.

“Oh. That’s funny.”

“What is?”

She gave a shake of the head. “Nothing. Come in.”

He followed her as far as the sitting room and waited as she continued to the kitchen for bowls and spoons.

“What’s this about?” She asked as she cleared the archway back into view.

“We’ve got to talk about a couple things, and I thought it’d be easier with ice cream.”

“Everything is,” she agreed, helping herself to a small portion before falling back onto her couch cushions. Oliver filled his own bowl and sat across from her in one of the chairs. They ate in a silence that wasn’t exactly easy, but neither was it uncomfortable.

Laurel waited until he’d set aside his bowl before asking, “So, first thing’s first?”

“Roy was wrong. He didn’t kill Sara.”

Laurel’s shoulders relaxed as she let out a breath. “Then why did he…?”

“When he was under the Mirakuru, he lost control and killed a police officer,” Oliver admitted. “I never told him because I knew the guilt — well, I guess it ate away at his subconscious until he convinced himself he had done something wrong.”

“Is he going to be okay?”

“It might take some time. But I hope so.” Ironically, this had been the easy part. He drew in a breath and squared his shoulders. “Your training.”

Laurel leaned back and crossed her arms. “I’m not quitting.”

“I didn’t think you were. But I — if you’d just let me say this.”

She waited, silent and expectant.

“This mission, it’s not something I wish I had to do any more than Sara wished to stay with the League. If either of us could have taken back what those years away did to us, the things we had to learn just to survive, we would. Sara hated the person she became, and I…” He wasn’t sure he wanted to finish that thought, not aloud. Laurel was watching him with such open compassion. He hunched forward slightly, fixing his gaze on her coffee table and the remnants of rocky road that were beginning to congeal in their bowls. “I don’t really see a way out of this for me that doesn’t involve the same end she met. And I don’t see how to avoid it, or why I even deserve to.”

“But that isn’t what I see,” she stated, and he found himself looking up at her. “And it’s not what a lot of people out there see. Oliver, they see a hero. They see someone who’s willing to risk it all to do some good. And maybe that’s not fair to expect of you, but that is exactly why so many people want to help you. Diggle and Felicity and Roy,” she listed off. Then Laurel threw one hand up in the air in frustration. “You’ll take Roy out into the field with you because he made that choice. What is so wrong about me wanting to make the same choice?”

“Because you found a way to help people and do good for the city all on your own. One that doesn’t involve risking your life. And you’ve been doing it before I ever got on the Gambit,” he reminded her. “Why is that not enough anymore?”

“Because you proved it,” she said, and Oliver drew back. He wasn’t sure whether she wanted to laugh or scream at him, but she was agitated enough to get up and start pacing in front of her coffee table. “This city was falling apart before you came back. And if you hadn’t, we would have lost the entirety of the Glades to Malcolm Merlyn, and his plan would’ve worked. Not that I’d be here to see it,” Laurel added with a finger raised in the air. “The cops and the DA’s office haven’t been enough to fight the corruption or to protect the people who need it most. That’s the whole reason you do what you do!”

She stopped in front of him.

“Sara’s killer is never going to be brought into a courtroom. They will never face justice from the law, just like so many others. And knowing all that, you expect me to just...sit there?”

He didn’t have an argument for that. She was right.

But there was one last thing he could try. “Maybe the Arrow was necessary for the city. But Laurel, I would never ask you to share that kind of burden.”

“You asked Roy.”

“Roy needed something to believe in. Structure. He was spiraling out of control with no way to focus his anger. But if he’d never been injected with the Mirakuru, I might never have brought him in on this,” he confessed. “This mission, it consumes you. I don’t have a job or a relationship. I don’t talk to anyone who doesn’t already know the truth — I’m living in the same loft as my sister, but we barely exchange more than a few words with each other because I have nothing I can tell her. Because I have no life of my own, just the secrets.”

Laurel slowly took a spot on the couch next to him. He appreciated that; it felt less like he was being looked down on with pity.

“I’m not about to just quit my job. I love being a lawyer, and I fought hard to get back to that last year,” she reminded him. “It’s all about balance. Roy works at the club, Felicity has Palmer Tech, John is seeing Lyla and raising a daughter, all while the mission is still important to them. Those are things you can have, too. Maybe not all of them all of the time, but you are not required to give up your own life for this city.”

Oliver wanted to say that he had tried; running the company last year, seeing Felicity. But he just couldn’t make it work the way the others did. With him, it was all or nothing. He didn’t know a better way.

“That drive, that determination, it’s what people — people are inspired by that. But maybe the reason you’re so unsatisfied with the mission is because you’re so focused on the criminals and the things they’re doing to the city that you’re not seeing the good,” Laurel said. “Crime is still at an all-time low. You can run through a park and not worry about a mugging. Drug use is down in minors and young adults. The Verdant is only the first of a growing number of clubs that has declared itself drug-free — excepting alcohol,” she added wryly.

“Wouldn’t be very good for business,” he said.

“Why not take a night off and spend it upstairs with your sister instead of the basement? See people.”

She made it sound easy. Laurel always did, and maybe that was his problem. He was so sure she would fail because he’d failed, but that was never what Laurel did. A failure was only a setback to her.

“Anytime between 11:30 and 2:00 is a good time for me to take my lunch, if you call ahead.”

Oliver looked over at her, thrown by this random statement. Laurel stared right back, utterly calm.

“We need to get you out of that cave more.”

“It’s not a cave,” Oliver replied automatically.

“Does it really matter?”

He opened his mouth to argue but found he had little to say.

Oliver knew she had a point. Not about the name of the base. But he needed more than the team to ground him and an anonymous person to share his thoughts with. He needed something real, something he didn’t have to hide. He just didn’t know if he deserved that anymore.

It was getting late, and they both knew it. Laurel showed him to the door, but before he could get two steps down the hall, she was calling out to him. “Ollie.”

He turned back.

“Tell Thea I said hi.”

Oliver felt the corner of his mouth lift in a smile. “Yeah, I’ll do that.”

He’d really forgotten just how much better he could feel after spending time with Laurel and how much he’d missed it. Lord knew it was almost entirely his fault they’d had such a strained relationship the last few years, but maybe that could change. They’d both lost so much, and if Laurel was willing to still have him in her life, then Oliver realized it was up to him to be the best friend possible. She deserved that and far more.

He thought about telling his online friend of his success but decided to let her have her own ice cream night to herself. They could always talk tomorrow.

[dancingkirby]

In which Bolin plays with toys and Eska fails at flirting

I’m going to have to think up a title for this story soon.  I was thinking maybe “Into Open Waters.”

“How dare she? How dare she?”

Eska paced around the room, trying her hardest to keep her voice low so as not to disturb Kinalik.  The stress of the previous sleepless night, their escape in the wee hours, the sheer physical effort required to waterbend all the way to Republic City with a toddler and luggage in tow, the energy required to interact with people in a strange place…all of it was consuming her.

She collapsed in a chair, her body shaking and angry tears streaming down her face, which made her feel all the worse; like she was no more mature than her daughter.

Did their courtiers think that the twins did not hear the snickers and whispers of “half breed?” And yesterday…they had all looked at Kinalik like she was a monster. They felt that their only option was to get her out of there.

“I was trying to explain, but she wouldn’t listen!” she moaned to her brother.  

“Perhaps she felt the same about you,” Desna offered cautiously.

“Perhaps,” Eska muttered, making an enormous effort to control her crying.  “I have no harsh feelings towards our cousin’s significant other; she is not nearly as uncouth as the others.  I was just…trying so hard not to cry in front of them that I forgot to thank her.   People only seem to care about what I do incorrectly; not what I do the appropriate way.  Yes, I know you are an exception, brother,” she hastily added to ward off his protests.  She furiously scrubbed the tears away.  

“I recommend that we go to sleep right now and ponder the matter further in the morning,” Desna said.

“Yes…that would probably be wise.”

Eska was worried that she’d have problems falling asleep like she often did in locations that weren’t home.  However, the rhythm of Kinalik’s breathing soothed her, and the trio was soon huddled together in a deep slumber.

When Eska woke up who-knows-how-late in the morning, her back was throbbing in pain.  She supposed it was to be expected with all the exercise and lifting that she did yesterday. Even attempting to roll over caused her to moan. Thankfully, Desna had already awoken, and was ready with the bowl of water. He and Eska silently healed each other, then Eska also healed Kinalik, who was uninjured but wanted to do what the grownups were doing.  It didn’t get rid of all the pain, but reduced it enough to allow her to perform the usual morning functions and help Kinalik with hers.

When they got downstairs to the breakfast room, Korra was sitting there alone.  She had finished her own meal, but there was still a pot of tea and a plate of steamed buns filled with bean paste on the table. Eska was impressed to see that they’d remembered about Kinalik’s noodles, and that the child’s chair had a pile of cushions on it in lieu of a booster seat.

“Asami’s in the shower,” Korra said in response to their unspoken query.  “She likes to fiddle around in her workshop first thing in the morning when she’s feeling upset.”

Even Eska could tell that the last few words were pointed.  “Hm,” was all she could trust herself to say in response as she grabbed a bun.

“Does she eat anything else?” Korra asked, referring to Kinalik.  That was a somewhat safer topic, at least.

“Rice. Eggs.  Apples peeled and cut to slices exactly ¼ inch thick.  Arctic hen.  Some types of fish; she seems to change her mind about exactly which types by the day,” Eska answered.  She stopped to think.  What else was there?

“We have been having modest success in getting her to eat kelp,” Desna reminded.

“Oh yes.  The first time she ate that was a triumphant occasion indeed.  And before you ask, cousin, we do give her a daily multivitamin.”

“I wasn’t going to ask,” Korra said quickly.  She took a sip of her tea and said, “I wonder if she’d like Narook’s?  They have a kid’s menu.”

“Is it noisy?”

“Dinner can be…lunch is usually quieter.”

“We will consider it.”

They were spared from doing further chatting for the moment by Asami entering the room, fully dressed but with a towel wrapped around her head.  Korra looked at Eska expectantly.

Eska supposed that this was her cue to apologize.   Damn it.  She’d never cared about the feelings of anyone outside of her family before.

“I’msorry,” she mumbled while looking down at her hands.  This seemed to satisfy the requirements for now.

“It’s okay,” Asami said.  “I know you must have been under a lot of stress.  Now, is this enough food for you?  We could have the cook make something hot…”

“This is sufficient,” Desna assured her.

Asami sat down as well and got her own breakfast, and apparently decided that it would be best to get right to the point.

“So…Korra said that you were concerned about Kinalik’s safety…”

“That is one way to phrase it.”

“So exactly how deep into hiding did you want to go?”

Good question.

“We hadn’t thought things through that far yet,” Desna admitted.  “All we were hoping for was to buy a few days of time to strategize. That was why we chose not to stay at a hotel.”

“Simply arriving at this destination was the main objective.  They will discover our location sooner or later, but I doubt that they would take our lives here.  Nevertheless, we should take precautions,” Eska added.

Korra and Asami stopped to think, and then Korra said, “Well, you do have one thing going for you.  You’re fairly obscure.  Probably all that most people in Republic City know about you is that you’re those creepy twins.”

Eska clenched her jaw, and willed the angry words ready to spring from her back down her throat. She didn’t want another argument to start so quickly.  Desna appeared to be having a similar struggle, but was able to state in an even tone, “We do like our privacy.”

While they had been talking, Kinalik had finished her noodles and was getting bored.

“Down!” she commanded.  Eska rose to help her off the cushions, and sat back down with her daughter in her lap.

“And that’s another thing,” Asami said.  “I didn’t even know of Kinalik’s existence until yesterday, and I don’t think Korra did either.”

“They may have mailed something,” Korra said.  “But I was kind of distracted at the time.”

“We did air a birth announcement on the radio,” Eska remarked.  Granted, it had run only once.  At 6 AM.  Neither the twins nor their advisors had wanted to call much attention to it.

“Well, anyway, if all that the general public knows about you is that you’re twins, we’d want to make you look as unalike as possible.  Plus, the weather’s much too warm right now for your regular wardrobes. We’ll need to shop for new clothes, and one of you might have to cut your hair.”

Asami looked over at Desna, but Eska quickly said, “I’ll do it.”  Desna had done so much for her; it was only fair that she should be the one to make this sacrifice.

“I have to go get the rest of my stuff this morning, but…hold on, let me write this down,” Korra said.”  She retrieved a notebook and pencil from a side table.

“Asami, could you take them downtown this afternoon?  I’ll probably want to rest, and you’re the one with the style sense. And um…I still can’t drive that well.”

“Sure, but maybe one at a time?  Whoever is after them would be looking for twins.”

“No prob. Desna, you okay with waiting until tomorrow?”

“Whatever you think is best,” Desna answered, albeit apparently with some unease about them being separated.  The twins squeezed hands under the table.

“Bolin might want to join us,” Asami remarked.  “You know how he is about makeovers.”

“Oh, yeah, whoops, I forgot about Bolin.  And we were going to do a proper introduction today.”

“I wonder…” Asami trailed off as Korra scribbled away.  

“Hm?”

“I was just thinking about how to make all this more pleasant for Kinalik.  I think I have an idea.  You go over to Air Temple Island.  I can take care of arranging things.”

“’Kay, love you.”

They kissed.  Eska was relieved.  All of the talking had been making her dizzy.

After Korra had finally departed, Asami got Eska, Desna, and Kinalik situated in the living room. Unlike the more formal parlor they’d seen on the tour yesterday, this room was stocked with comfortable furniture, which was a blessing for Eska’s back.  It was decorated with plush carpeting, wooden paneling, several paintings, and a tall bookcase in the corner.  Eska made a beeline for the latter and thumbed through the selection.

While Eska was busy with her browsing, Asami used one of the mansion’s many phones to call Bolin.

“So what do you think about coming over here shortly?  Makeovers may be involved.”

Eska could hear Bolin’s shriek of joy from clear across the room.  Asami had to hold the receiver at arm’s length until he calmed down.

“I take it that’s a yes?  Okay, what time?  Yeah, I think we can do that.  So see you…oh?  What is it?”

She listened for a few seconds, then said, “Well, I’ll ask them,” and covered the receiver with her hand.

“Eska, Desna, Bolin says that Opal wants to come meet you.  Is that okay?”

Eska was intrigued in spite of herself.  She wanted to see just what sort of powerful woman had managed to ensnare her ex’s heart.

“It is all right with me.  Desna?”

“Me as well.”

“Great!” exclaimed Asami.  She turned back to the receiver and said, “That’s a yes from both of them.  See you in a few, then?  All right.  No, Pabu had better stay at your apartment this time. Bye.”

She hung up the phone, then left the room, saying vaguely that she had to “get things ready.”

Eska, in the meantime, had found several recent issues of Republic City Style.  She had first encountered this publication in the storage room of the library back home, and knew that it was trash, but had been unable to stop reading these chronicles of uncivilized famous people and their clothing.  And it definitely wasn’t because she was jealous of them and their hedonistic lives!  No, if ever asked, she would claim that it was simply anthropological studies.

“All right, let’s see who Ginger is dating now,” she murmured as she sat down to look at the pictures with Kinalik.

“May I have one?” Desna asked.

“You may.”

They were deeply engrossed in their reading material, with occasional snorts of incredulity from the twins and squeals of “Pretty!” from Kinalik, when they heard something being hauled down the stairs and dragged into the living room.

“I found that box of t-o-y-s that I was telling you about yesterday!” Asami said as she beamed. She had removed her towel, and looked no worse for wear from the exertion.  Eska wished that she could look that put-together.

“So I was thinking that Bolin could help Kinalik look through these, and that maybe she would warm up to him more if she associated him with a positive thing like that.”

Kinalik perked up at the mention of her name.  Eska thought that this was actually a clever idea, and wished that she could have thought of that herself.

“Shall we see what is contained in here?” Eska asked Kinalik. Her daughter didn’t answer verbally, but appeared happy for the first time since they’d left the palace.

As Asami left to get some scissors with which to open the box, the doorbell rang.  The door was opened shortly thereafter, presumably by the butler…what was his name again?

“We have arrived!” Bolin announced as he bounded into the living room, followed closely behind by Opal.  “And…hey neat, what’s that?”  He gestured at the box.

Asami explained her idea to him as Kinalik removed the first item from the box: a stuffed animal in the form of a cat-owl.

“Great, sounds great!” Bolin enthused as made to sit down right next to Kinalik, then caught himself in time and picked a spot a respectful couple of feet away.

Asami had certainly never been lacking in any amusement as a child; Eska felt a twinge when she remembered how her own toys had been taken away when she wasn’t too much older than Kinalik.  There were stuffed animals of all sorts (yes, including a turtleduck and a koala otter), dolls, and Satomobile models.  Thankfully, nothing was in that box that would pose a choking hazard; Eska presumed that Kinalik was smart enough not to put toys in her mouth, but one never knew for sure.

Kinalik was insistent on doing the unpacking herself, and kept most of the toys to herself, but every so often she would shyly offer one to Bolin.

“Thank you!” he exclaimed at her latest offering of a stuffed animal that was so worn that Eska couldn’t even tell what it was supposed to be.  “Do you wanna know something, Kinalik?  I don’t remember what toys I had when I was your age.  I wish I did.  So this is really as exciting for me as it is for you!”

Kinalik scrunched her nose, and either because she didn’t know how to respond or didn’t have the words, settled for “Okay.”  But she did hand over a toy truck to him.

“Oh, she’s just adorable!” said Opal, which slightly startled Eska because she’d been so focused on the scene across the room.  She was seated at the opposite end of the couch from the twins.

“Yes,” Eska answered.  She and Desna switched places so that there would be no one between Eska and Opal. Then she remembered.

“I have on my possession a copy of Kinalik’s birth certificate,” Eska stated as she took the piece of paper out of her pocket.  “It contains proof that Bolin was not being unfaithful to you.  Not with me, at least.”

Opal didn’t move to take it.

“It’s okay, I believe you.  Really,” she said.

It was just that easy?  Eska had been anticipating a more frosty reception.

“So what do you think?  Can we be friends?” Opal asked as she smiled gently.  She extended her hand, and Eska forced herself to make eye contact while tentatively reaching her arm out as well.  But she only had the nerve to brush Opal’s fingers with her own.

Just then, there was much excitement from the duo on the floor.  Having removed all of the toys from the box, they had reached the best part…the packing paper.  Kinalik reached for a particularly large piece and gleefully ripped it in half.

“That makes a cool sound, doesn’t it?” Bolin observed.

Kinalik studied the two halves in her hand, and then crumpled one up, walked over, and reached up to place it on Bolin’s head.

“Oh wow!  A hat!  Just what I always wanted!” Bolin said with all evidence of sincerity.  He tossed his head ever so slightly, and the paper fell to the floor.

“OOPS!  It fell off!  How clumsy of me!”

Kinalik looked at him, then at the paper, then back at him.  And she laughed.

This was something that even Eska herself rarely elicited from her daughter.  She wished that she could telepathically transmit to Bolin the significance of this event.  But as he glanced over it her, it seemed that he already knew to some extent.

Shortly thereafter, Korra returned, and while the servants transferred her things, Asami herded them all into the main dining room for lunch.  Evidently, Korra had informed her partner of Kinalik’s preferences, because the meal was omelets…plain for Kinalik and with vegetables for everyone else.  Kinalik actually ate most of hers, and even sampled a piece of mushroom from Eska’s plate without spitting it back out.

When that was concluded, Desna put Kinalik down for a nap while Eska ventured out into the great unknown.

For what felt like the millionth time, Eska felt the ends of her now shoulder-length hair.  It felt exceedingly strange to not have it hanging halfway down her back.

Also, the hairdresser had insisted on using hair clips to pin her bangs back.

“You have such a perfectly-proportioned forehead!” the older woman had gushed.  “And such delicate eyebrows.  Why would you ever want to cover that up?”

At least it might work as a disguise.  And Asami and Opal had wholeheartedly agreed with the stylist.  They had tried to get Bolin’s opinion as well, but he held up his pointer finger for silence.

“Please don’t disturb me.  I have attained manicure Nirvana,” he stated in an exaggerated whisper.

When Bolin had finally descended back down to Earth, they went clothes-shopping.  First they got some everyday items.  Eska was rather embarrassed that she had to wear clothing from the Juniors section due to her petite frame, but she managed to tolerate the shopping long enough to attain several new outfits.  The store had a changing room in case one wanted to wear an outfit out of the store, so Eska had changed her regular tunic and leggings for a sky-blue shirt with cap sleeves, white pants that fell just below the knee, and white sandals.  It was odd to have so much of her skin exposed in public, but it was amusing to imagine how the dreaded councilors back home would react.

She was taken aback when she realized that she would have to help carry her own belongings for the first time in her life, but decided not to argue.

Then Asami had remembered about Korra’s party, to which Eska hadn’t realized that she was invited, so they went to a more upscale boutique that specialized in Water Tribe inspired designs to find a dress.  Of course, the one that caught Eska’s eye was too large for her, so she would have to come back later for fitting.

By the time that was over, all of them were loaded with shopping bags and getting tired, and Eska’s back was acting up again.  She still didn’t understand why some girls and women did this for fun.

“There’s a bubble tea shop just down the street.  Let’s stop there,” Asami suggested.

Eska was about to inquire what bubble tea was, but her thoughts slammed on the brakes as a horrific sound rose from the corner next to the tea shop.

“What. Is.  That?” she demanded as she jammed her fingers inside her ears.

“That’s a trombone,” Opal answered.  She and Asami rolled their eyes at Bolin, who was edging nervously closer toward the tea shop door.

Even leading such a sheltered life, Eska had heard of street musicians.  But she had been under the impression that most did it for money.  There was no tip box beside this man’s feet, so either he was just doing it for fun or wanted to cause all pedestrians an agonizing death.  Probably the latter, she thought.

“I am going to ambulate over there right now and inform that man that he must cease and desist immediately,” she declared.

“Maybe…just going inside would be a better idea?” Bolin offered.  “Come on quick, before he sees us!”

Bolin dashed inside, and the three women had no choice but to follow, Opal and Asami both making noises of disapproval.

They got their orders and sat down.  Eska had assumed that the bubbles would be some form of carbonation, but they were actually solid spheres.  She guessed that it was not called “sphere tea” because it didn’t roll off the tongue as easily.  In any case, the spheres had a pleasantly chewy texture.

Meanwhile, Asami was still scolding Bolin.

“He’s a much better person now and you know it!” she said.

“He still scares me!”

“Well, I invited him to the party, so get used to him.”

“You what?  Oh frick…here he comes.”

The door abruptly swung open as if accompanied by a musical cue, and Trombone Man walked in like he owned the place.  To Eska’s relief, he had put away that torture device for the present.  Wait…why was he making a beeline to their table?

“Hi, Tahno!” Asami said cheerfully as Opal waved.  The latter elbowed Bolin, who squeaked out a “Hi!”

The name rang a bell.  Eska tried to recall where she’d encountered it.

“Now who is this lady here?” Tahno the Trombone Man asked.  “I don’t believe that I’ve seen you here with the Uh-vatar’s crowd before.”

Eska assumed that he was referring to Opal.  But after several seconds, she realized that he was looking at her.  Just in time, she remembered how she knew of him.

“I saw you in the magazines,” she said.  “Except then you weren’t there anymore.  And then you were, but not quite as often.”

“Guilty as charged.”

Was he flirting, or just making fun of her?

Eska rose from her seat and affixed her best glare.

“Your subpar pronounciation irritates my auditory receptacles.  As does your so-called musical talent.”

The look she was giving him would have sent a whole room full of courtiers fleeing.  But Trombone Man just laughed.

“Oh, did I offend you, Ice Queen?”

Did he know?  At any rate, Eska realized that he towered over her by at least a foot, despite her drawing herself up to as full a height as her back would allow.  This would not do.

“If I am the Ice Queen, then you are my subject.  I demand that you swear fealty to me by kneeling.”

She heard three sharp intakes of breath.  But kneel Tahno did, after only a brief pause.  He kept his eyes and his smirk on Eska.  Eska remained outwardly composed (at least she hoped so), but her heart was starting to pound…from anxiety or from something else?

“Of course…you do know what this means, Ice Queen?  Now I must kiss your hand.”

Eska barely had time to process the words before Bolin leapt in between them.

“O-kaaaayyy!” he exclaimed louder than he had to.  “I know we’re all having a wonderful time here, and it was great seeing you again, but look at the clock!  We really have to be going now, so bye and see you at the party, I guess!”

He herded the trio of women out the door, drinks, bags, and all.  Eska didn’t know whether she wanted to thank him or throttle him.

“That was interesting,” Eska mused as they walked back to the Satomobile.  “However, I doubt he would show the submission required to be my husband.”

Bolin choked on his last sip of tea.

“Mental images, Eska!  Mental! Images!” he gasped out.

At least he was starting to show his true self around her.

[farklelucas]

Could you write a jaylos fic where like some people at auradon prep are thinking jay and Carlos might be more than friends because of how they act with each other? Loved your last jaylos fic!

ahhh omg thank you!!!

always taking fic prompts

1. Evie

It was nothing out of the ordinary, really. Nothing popped out at her, no one popped out and pointed anything out to her. It was just casual observation of an, admittedly, small thing.

The four of them have a movie night every other week - Evie, Mal, Carlos, and Jay. Sometimes it’s in Evie and Mal’s dorm, other times it’s Carlos and Jay’s. They see each other throughout the week anyway, but regardless, it’s an established tradition among the four VKs.

It’s Mal’s turn to pick a movie, and she’s selected a documentary on… true crime maybe? Evie isn’t sure. She hasn’t really been paying attention. It’s around the end of the movie (maybe a foreign film?) that she even notices.

Jay and Carlos are sitting… awfully close.

It’s not unusual for the VKs to share some physical affection from time to time. Evie will rest her head on Jay’s shoulder, Mal will run her hand through Carlos’s hair, Jay will hold Mal’s hand while walking down the street. (Sometimes, Evie will hold Mal’s hand too - and it feels like electricity popping through her fingertips. It’s something to examine another time.)

But they’ve been sitting like that the whole movie. Before Evie and Mal got there, even. And it’s in a position that… Evie finds curious.

As the credits roll and Mal gets up to go get the DVD, Evie examines the boys, who both look tired but are talking and laughing. Simply to sate her curiosity, Evie asks, “Jay, will you do me a favor?”

The boys break mid-conversation and look at her, both still smiling. “Yeah?” Jay asks.

“Could I possibly borrow your math homework? I, uh, forgot mine in my locker and need to copy the problems.”

Jay shrugs and stands, unwinding his arm from behind Carlos’s back and going to his bed to get his homework.

… Huh.

After Jay returns and everyone says their goodbyes, Mal and Evie wander into the hallway. As they walk in silence, Evie ponders what to do with this new information. “Hey, Mal?”

“Yeah?”

Evie frowns. “Do you think something’s up with Jay and Carlos?”

Mal hums thoughtfully for a moment. “No clue,” she decides. The rest of the walk is spent in silence.

–

2. Ben

Ben may not be the most observant captain in the world. But if you give him enough pieces, he’ll learn to put together the jigsaw puzzle.

Which is exactly the case with Jay and Carlos.

At first he was a little confused as to why Jay would constantly volunteer to privately help Carlos with tourney. Or as to why Carlos would tutor Jay in math. They don’t have to do everything together, surely?

Even with all of Jay’s extra practicing, though, there are days Carlos doesn’t do the best on the field. Today, particularly, seems to suck. Coach calls him out of the lineup after almost five minutes of scrimmage, and Carlos nearly faints with relief. Ben can see his legs shaking from across almost the entire field, and wonders briefly if he should go check on him.

But then, in only a few seconds, Jay is there, kneeling down to Carlos’s sitting height and talking to him. After a minute or two, Jay reaches out and wraps his arms around Carlos, who immediately reciprocates.

They hug for at least ten minutes, or so it seems to Ben. When Jay finally untangles himself, he runs over to the forward’s starting positions next to Ben. Ben smiles at him. “You’re a really good bro,” he says.

Jay looks at him, startled and confused. “Excuse me?” he asks.

“You know, for Carlos,” he explains. “You’re a great friend.”

There’s a long pause. Then, slowly, Jay raises his eyebrows. “Right,” he says, and then flicks his helmet back on.

Oh. Yeah. Oblivious as he might seem, eventually Ben will begin to get the big picture.

–

3. Fairy Godmother

Teaching Villain Kids isn’t… always easy. They’re a lot like other kids, except they’re less bored by you and more confused by you. Which is fine, sometimes. She’d rather have “why are you teaching this way” than “why are you teaching,” hands down.

But sometimes she doesn’t know what to do with Villain Kids. Like when one has a panic attack in the middle of her class.

Halfway through the lesson on the history of Auradon, Jay looks like he’s about to puke all over Chad Charming, and he gets up and runs from the room. The entire class stops and looks after him, confused and alarmed. “Um,” she says. “Well, that was odd.” She glances around the room and lands on a face she trusts to send out of the classroom. “Ben, will you please -”

“No!”

They all turn their heads. Carlos De Vil is half-standing out of his chair already. He looks at her with big, pleading eyes. “Please? Please let me go instead?”

She looks around the room, and everyone is staring at Carlos with wide eyes and curious expressions. But Carlos is only looking at her, his heart completely on his sleeve. “Um, yes,” she says, blinking. “You may.”

Carlos says ‘thank you’ quietly, and then slips from his chair and into the hallway after Jay in the blink of an eye.

The lesson continues on as normally as it possibly could, and about twelve minutes later, the boys enter quietly through the back door. Carlos has his arm around Jay’s waist as he guides him back to their shared desk.

After class, they come speak to her about Jay’s predicament. It’s the first time she’s ever had to plainly explain to someone what ‘dyslexia’ meant, as if they’d never heard the term before. And judging by the look on Jay’s face, he never has.

–

4. Jane

“So the annual cotillion is coming up,” she says conversationally. But the topic is anything but conversational.

Almost a year ago, she and her then-boyfriend were at the cotillion. Now, they’ve broken up and are trying to be friends and she has no date to the cotillion. So, everything is about 70% worse.

Carlos hums, and continues to type away on his phone. She has no idea who he’s texting half the time, but he’s driven to keep the conversation going with them, at least. He puts the phone down and smiles up at her, continues to eat the salad he ordered for lunch today. “I was just thinking,” she begins. Then the phone buzzes.

“Sorry,” he murmurs, but picks it up and answers it anyway. He puts it back down and looks at her again, and she’s barely opened her mouth to continue her sentence before it buzzes again. “Sorry! I’m sorry, I’ll put it on silent.”

So he picks it up and silences his phone, while taking a moment to answer the texts anyway, and then puts it down on the table and looks up at her. “Okay, what were you saying?”

“I was saying that the cotillion is coming up, and if you don’t…” She trails off, staring at his phone, which keeps unabashedly blinking with new messages. Each new one is from Jay, lighting the screen up every few seconds. Huh. She sighs. “You know what, never mind.”

Carlos looks up from his phone, frowning. “Jane, tell me! I really want to know.”

She shakes her head, smiling. “No, it’s totally fine. It’s not that important. Tell me how you’ve been.”

He smiles gingerly and goes about telling her about his week. Well, that’s that, she supposes. Maybe she’ll ask Lonnie to the cotillion…

–

5. Mal

Mal makes it her business to keep out of other people’s business. You don’t want her to know something? That’s fine. You want her to know something? That’s fine too. You want her to pretend something never existed and never talk about it again? Sounds like her specialty.

But nothing could prepare her for the amount of nosy people telling her about the business of Carlos and Jay.

It starts with Evie. Then it’s Ben. And now Jane, who said even her mother has said something about it? This is far too much.

So she investigates. It is so not her style to go snooping into other people’s lives. But everyone’s got her so curious, she’s got to know. So she does what any teenager in her position would do: sets up a game of truth or dare.

She invites the other three of the rotten four, Ben, Jane, Lonnie, Chad, and Doug. They all hang out, aimlessly talking about everything and nothing, and then she subtly introduces the idea of truth or dare. As any group would do, they immediately take a liking to the idea and begin to play.

The game goes smoothly for a while. Mal gets dared to change Ben’s hair (she thinks it looks better spiky anyway), Evie gets asked when her first kiss was, Lonnie has to text the first person in her contact list the entire Auradon Prep Alma Mater.

And then, finally, it’s Mal’s turn.

She’s had a lot of time to think about this. She could go after Jay, who’s more likely to do anything on a dare. Or she could go after Carlos, who is objectively the more honest and open of the two. She considers carefully and then turns to her prey. “Carlos,” she says.

Carlos grins. “I’ll take dare,” he says. Hm. Interesting.

She feels her smile growing wicked as she says, “I dare you to kiss the prettiest person in the room on the lips.” Carlos’s eyes widen, but he smiles a little all the same.

There’s a vague grumble of dissent among the players. Apparently, no one wants to know that they aren’t the prettiest person in the room. Hey, Mal wouldn’t care. After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. “I have an idea,” Doug says. Stupid, diplomatic Doug. “Why don’t we all close our eyes. And then if we’re not picked, we won’t know who was picked?”

There’s a vague grumble of agreement. Carlos shrugs. “Okay,” he says. “Eyes closed.”

Mal sighs dramatically and closes her eyes. She sits quietly and listens for footsteps to indicate Carlos moving, but no. All she gets is silence.

Eventually, Carlos says, “Okay, open.”

Everyone opens their eyes and looks around at each other. Looks like they’ll never know. Except…

Except that Carlos and Jay are sitting right next to each other. They wouldn’t even need to move to kiss. How convenient.

Luckily, they’re the first to leave. They say goodnight and as soon as the door shuts behind them, Mal turns to the group. “There is definitely something going on with those two,” she says. Everyone nods in agreement.

–

+ 1. Carlos

It’s a few days before the annual cotillion. Carlos is seated across from two of his best friends, he has peanut butter and jelly for lunch, and Dude is sitting at his feet in the shade. What a great day.

Mal and Evie are talking about… something. He should probably focus a little more, because he’s gotten in trouble for not listening before. He snaps back to attention.

“… theme this year is atrocious anyway.” They turn to Carlos, almost in unison, and smile. “What about you, Carlos?” Evie asks. “Are you going to the cotillion?”

He looks between them, a little confused, mostly because they look a little bit like the twins from the shining. “Uh… yeah,” he says.

Mal tilts her head. “Oh, really?” she asks. “Anyone special?”

He frowns and considers the answer to this. “I mean, Jay’s special to me, but I don’t know about anyone else,” he says.

There’s a lengthy pause where they both just stare at him and he bites into his PB&J. “You’re… going with Jay?” Mal asks eventually.

“Like, going going? Going together?” Evie presses.

Carlos chews on his sandwich. “Yeah,” he says, swallowing. “I mean, he hasn’t officially asked me, but I assume we’re going together after so long.”

The girls look at each other, looking befuddled. Carlos is befuddled as to their befuddlement. “Wait, you guys are dating?” Evie asks. “For how long?”

He quickly does the math in his head. “Seven months?”

They both nearly fall out of their chairs.

“Seven months?!” Mal yelps. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

Carlos snorts and says, “You never asked.” They both stare at him, looking angry and annoyed. “Besides, we thought you knew. You’ve almost walked in on us making out about a million times. Plus, we hold hands and hug and text… constantly.”

Mal throws up her hands. “We all do that!”

“It’s different,” Carlos says, simply because it is different. Sometimes, texting or talking to Mal and Evie and Jane feels like an obligation. With Jay, it feels like a constant.

He finishes up his sandwich in one last bite and grins at them. “Lovely chatting with you ladies,” he says. “Now, if you excuse me, I’m going to go find my boyfriend.” With that, he stands and walks away, Dude hot on his heels.

–

carlosDid you know that the girls didn’t know we were dating?

jaywtf???? we are literally the most affectionate couple i know???

carlosI guess that’s saying something about the other couples we know, because they had no idea.

jayhuh. lol.

jayguess we just gotta dial up the gay.

carlosThat is the most romantic thing you’ve ever said to me.

jayits an art ;-)

[dialovers-translations]

Diabolik Lovers LUNATIC PARADE ;; Ayato Route ー Chapter 3

ー The scene starts in the hotel room

Yui: ( Ayato-kun still hasn’t returned it seems... )

( I wonder where he went? Should I go look for him...? )

*Rustle rustle*

ー She goes down to the lobby

Yui: ( Ah, I recognize that back... )

Ayato-kun!

ー She runs up to him

Ayato: ...Chichinashi...

Yui: Where were you? I was worri...ーー

( ...Huh...? )

Hey, what’s wrong? You seem kind of tired...

Ayato: Shut up. I’m fine.

More importantly, are you well enough to be up and running again?

Yui: I’m fine, but...

Ayato: Mmh. Let’s go look for the locksmith together then.

Yui: Yeah...We have to find some sort of lead first though...

Ayato: I’ve got one. Seems like he’s hanging out in Saint Nore Park.

I found this person who spotted him there, you see...

Yui: Eh...?

( Then, could he have been looking around for the locksmith on his own this whole time...? )

Ayato: We might lose track of him again if we sit around too long. Let’s go.

Yui: Gotcha.

( ... )

ー She reaches for his hand

Ayato: ...Why did you grab my hand all of a sudden...?

Yui: S-Sorry...But...

( I was thinking of a way to say thank you and suddenly felt like doing this... )

Ayato: Hm, whatever. Anyway, let’s hurry.

Yui: Yeah!

*TIMESKIP*

ー The scene shifts to Saint Nore Park’s venue

Yui: It’s still as crowded as ever...

Ayato: Yeah, you’re right...

Yui: ( What to do? Even if we know he’s here, with this many people around... )

Ayato: Well then. Guess it’s time for these bad boys to make an appearance.

Yui: ...? Ayato-kun, are those...?

Ayato: Hehe. I figured out what the dude looks like while I was gatherin’ information on him.

I drew this portrait of him. Whatcha think? There’s just no way we won’t find him with this, right?

Yui: ( ...I thought it was an animal of some sorts...But it’s actually a portrait... )

( Ayato-kun seems very confident but...I’m honestly a little worried... )

Ayato: ...What? Got a problem with my drawing?

Yui: Eh? ...No, that’s not it, but...

Ayato: ...? But, what?

Yui: Well...

Selection

→ Beg the question

Yui: ...No, it’s nothing...

Ayato: ...Hmm. Well, whatever.

→ Praise him (☾)

Yui: ...No, it’s nothing. I just thought your art style is very distinctive...

Ayato: Hah, right? You’ve got a good eye!

Yui: ( Either way...I feel as if I’ve seen this face somewhere before... )

( ...Am I just imagining things...? )

Ayato: ‘Kay! Let’s go ‘round the whole park showin’ people this portrait!

*TIMESKIP*

Ayato: Che, fuck...We’re not havin’ any luck...

Yui: Yeah...You’re right...

( We’ve been walking around the park asking others for information, but we haven’t even gotten any clues... )

( I guess it’s impossible with just a single portrait... )

Ayato: Hm? ...Ah!

Yui: ...What?

Ayato: Oi, take a look over there...!

Yui: Eh...?

???: Hahaha, then afterwards...

Yui: ( For some reason...That man vaguely looks like...the portrait drawn by Ayato-kun...? )

Ayato: It’s definitely him! Oi, let’s go!

Yui: Y-Yeah...!

( Way to go, Ayato-kun! ...I guess? )

ー They run up to the man

Ayato: Hey, Old Geezer! You’re the locksmith, right?

???: ...I can’t deny I’m the one and only but... ...! You’re that guy from yesterday...!

Yui: Eh? ...Ah! You’re...!

ー A flashback ensues

Vampire gentleman: I was shocked to find you passed out here! Did you come with someon...ーー

ー Ayato runs up to them

Ayato: ...Oi! What are you doin’ to her!? Back off at once!!

*THUD*

Vampire gentleman: Uguh!?

Yui: ...! Ayato-kun!?

ー The flashback ends

Yui: ( The guy who helped me yesterday...And who was kicked by Ayato-kun...! )

( Who would have thought he was actually the locksmith...! )

Locksmith: What do you want? I didn’t think I would run into you two again here...

Just when I was enjoying the Parade too...

Take a look! My smile has been turned upside down because of you!

Yui: W-We’re so sorry...!

Ayato: Che...For real? No wonder the guy struck me as familiar when I was drawin’ his portrait...

Listen, dude. I’m sorry for what I did yesterday...I was convinced you were...

Yui: Um, we truly feel sorry. It’s just, Ayato-kun honestly didn’t mean any harm. 

He just got the wrong idea and...Well...

Locksmith: Hmhp! A little late for those excuses now. Besides, I’m enjoying my vacation right now.

I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t disturb me. Now leave.

Yui: ...But...!

Ayato: Listen up. There’s somethin’ we wanna ask of you.

Locksmith: ...Of me?

*Cling*

Ayato: ...It’s this. We have to fix this key by the end of today, no matter what...

I’m beggin’ you. Can’t you please help us out?

Locksmith: ...And give me one good reason to do that!? The answer is no.

Ayato: Didn’t I say ‘please!?’ If not, she’ll...Yui will...

Yui: ...Ayato-kun...

Locksmith: What does she have to do with it?

Ayato: ...Long story short, we need your skill to be able to save her!

So stop complainin’ and help us out!

*Thud*

Yui: ...Ayato-kun! C-Calm down...!

Locksmith: Hmph! You should probably do something about that short temper of yours.

...Anyway, if I don’t fix that key, something bad will happen to the young lady over here, correct?

...I suppose I have no other choice then. Let me make you an offer then.

Ayato: An offer?

Locksmith: Exactly. I challenge you to a game of go-cart. If you win, I will help you out.

Yui: ...! Really?

Locksmith: Yes, I mean it. Hey, you. This is how you negotiate with someone. Take mental note.

Ayato: Che, the fuck? This locksmith thinks he’s the shit...I don’t like him.

But fine. I just need to beat you in a go-cart race, right? Challenge accepted! You better brace yourself!

Oi, watch me, Chichinashi. I’m takin’ this victory home for sure.

Yui: Yeah...!

( Good luck, Ayato-kun...! )

Explanation: The player controls the go-cart of the character. Hitting the obstacles will slow you down. By touching the arrow, you can speed up. Use the D-pad to alternate lanes and reach the finish before time runs out.

You can play this game in EASY, NORMAL or HARD mode.

Ayato: Awesome, I win!

Locksmith: I didn’t think you could win against me in a go-cart race. ...As to be expected of Karlheinz’s son.

Yui: Eh? You knew...?

Locksmith: ...Guess so. That’s exactly why I wanted to beat him.

Ayato: Anyway, you’ll fix this key as you promised, right?

Locksmith: Yeah, of course. You won fair and square after all.

Ayato: I did it, Yui!

ー He scoops her up in his arms

*Rustle*

Yui: Kyah!

( Gosh, Ayato-kun...! )

Ayato: Heh! Didn’t I tell you? Yours Truly never loses...

There’s nobody out there who can beat me. I’m always number one!

*TIMESKIP*

ー The scene shifts to the locksmith’s shop

Locksmith: Well then, come on in.

*Thud*

Yui: ( Wow. There’s many keys I’ve never seen before... )

Locksmith: ...Well then, show me the broken key.

Ayato: Yeah. It’s this bad boy.

*Cling*

Locksmith: ...Hm, this is...

...

Yui: ( ...He went quiet. He looks a little troubled... )

Ayato: Oi, what do you say? You can fix it, right?

Locksmith: ...I can. However...I will need a special mineral to do so.

Yui: A special...mineral?

Ayato: You just have to attach one side to the other, right!? Then why not use whatever you have laying ‘round to glue it together!?

Locksmith: ...No, that won’t work. Well, let me just show you. For example, if I try to use this metal...

*Cling cling*

*Thud*

Ayato: ...!?

Yui: ( ...The metal bounced off...? )

Locksmith: ...See? This key has been manufactured in a special way and can only be fixed by using an identical material.

It’ll be difficult to repair the key without the right mineral.

Yui: No way...

Ayato: Then we just gotta dig up that mineral from somewhere, right!? Where can we find it?

Locksmith: Even here in the Demon World, you can only find it in a select few locations.

The closest site would be...Right. The abandoned mine on Smaragd Volcano...

That place used to be a goldmine for all sorts of minerals. I’m sure you could still dig some up to this day.

Ayato: The volcano, right? ‘Kay, gotcha! Oi, Chichinashi! We’re leavin’ right away. Follow me!

*Rustle*

Yui: Ah! Ayato-kun!

ー The scene shifts to Diamante Fountain

Ayato: That bein’ said, how are we gonna get to this abandoned mine...?

It can’t be helped...The Four-Eyes might just know a good way.

Okay, I’m gonna send him a message through my Familiar.

*Flap flap flap*

Yui: ( ...Ayato-kun’s trying his very best... )

( He barely got any sleep last night either, did he...? I feel kind of bad... )

( For one, I wonder if this stuff we’re doing right now is really what the Count expects from us...? )

( I won’t deny that we broke into his house and broke the key, but... )

ー A flashback ensues

???: ...Exactly. While everyone else is too preoccupied with the Parade.

???: ...I will act as the decoy. ...As for the location, is Zartan’s Mouth okay?

???: Yes, I do not mind. However, there’s a few issues...

ー The flashback ends

Yui: ( They were being kind of suspicious, right...? )

( I wonder what exactly that key is for...? )

( If those guys are trying to commit a crime using that key... )

( We basically aided them in that, no...? )

( In that case, the Count will... )

Ayato: Oi, what’s wrong? You’ve got a frown on your face...

Yui: ...Ayato-kun...

Ayato: I got a response from Reiji. That bastard really knows all the weird shit, huh?

But it saved our ass this time. It seems like we’ll need some tools, so let’s go collect them right away.

Yui: Y-Yeah...But...

Ayato: ...? What?

Yui: Shouldn’t you take a little break first?

You know...You haven’t been able to rest at all since yesterday, right?

Ayato: ...That’s what you’re worried about? I’m totally fine.

Besides, it’s my fault all of this happened in the first place, right?

You really think I can sit still and rest now...?

Yui: ( Ayato-kun... )

Ayato: The quickest route to the volcano is to take a gondola and go up the canal.

I’m sure you’re tired as well, but let’s push through a lil’ longer and rest on the journey there, ‘kay?

Yui: ...I’m fine. I’m much more worried about you...

Ayato: Didn’t you hear me when I said I’m fine? You weirdo. ...Let’s go.

Yui: Yeah...

*TIMESKIP*

ー The scene shifts to Rubien Canal

Ayato: Accordin’ to Reiji’s message, there’s a lake at the end of this canal.

And the entrance to the mountain should be somewhere in the nearby forest.

Yui: ...

Ayato: ...? Oi, what’s wrong? You’ve been actin’ off this whole time, you know?

...You’re not feeling sick again, are you?

Yui: ...I’m not! There’s just been something on my mind...

Ayato: On your mind? What is it? Tell me.  You shouldn’t keep secrets from me.

Yui: ...It’s about that key...

Ayato: ...The key?

Yui: ...Yeah. I was just wondering what they’d use that key for...

Ayato: ...Well, it didn’t seem like they’re up to any good.

Yui: ...! You think so too?

Ayato: I mean, those dudes in the basements were obviously actin’ suspicious, no?

They were hella pissed we listened in on their conversation as well. I’m sure they’re up to something.

Yui: ...In that case, what we’re doing right now is...

Ayato: ...Hmph. But you know, what’s the point in worryin’ ‘bout that?

Anyway, it’s my fault the key broke...

If they won’t forgive me unless I get it fixed, then I have no other choice.

That’s all the Count told us. We don’t exactly have the time to worry ‘bout what comes after, right?

Yui: You’re not wrong but...

Ayato: Oh, seems like we’re here.

ー The scene shifts to Tilkeys Falls

Yui: ( Waah...What a beautiful place. )

Ayato: ‘Kay, let’s keep goin’. Here, gimme your hand.

Yui: Yeah.

*Rustle*

( Swan-shaped boats...Everyone seems to having a lot of fun... )

( I would have loved to come here on a date with Ayato-kun instead... )

( However, now’s not the time for that. )

Ayato: ...

*Rustle*

Yui: ...Kyah!

( Ayato-kun, out of nowhere...! )

Ayato: Why do you keep makin’ those gloomy expressions?

Don’t worry. Once we find the right mineral real quick and get the key repaired...

I’ll for sure retrieve your heart from the Count, okay?

Then afterwards, let’s enjoy ourselves here to the fullest before headin’ home. How does that sound?

Yui: Ayato-kun...

( Could it be, he’s trying to cheer me up...Right? )

Fufu. You’re right. We better hurry then.

Ayato: Yeah!

ー The scene shifts to the mine site

Ayato: Che, this place’s pretty slippery...Oi. Watch your step, ‘kay?

Yui: Yeah...

( It’s pretty creepy in here...It looks rather worn out as well... )

( It won’t collapse, right...? I’m a little worried... )

*Thud*

Ayato: There we go...Guess ‘round here should do. Let’s try diggin’ into the ground.

Yui: I’ll start over here then...

Ayato: No, you don’t need to help out. I’d rather not have you collapse on me again. Just sit there and watch, ‘kay?

Yui: ...But...!

Ayato: I just said it’s fine, right? Anyway, let’s get started! Heave...hoh!

*THUD*

*Rustle*

Ayato: Uwah!

Yui: Kyaah!

Ayato: Che, bats...? Don’t give me a scare...There...!

*THUD THUD*

Ayato: Reiji knew more ‘bout the mineral.

It’s some kind of magic crystal about the size of a fist which gives off a silver shine.

Yui: Silver...? 

Ayato: Yeah. That’s why the dark will work to our advantage! If it shimmers, we should be able to spot it right away!

*THUD*

*Rustle*

Yui: Kyah!

( Again...! Is something lurking around...? )

Ayato: Hah, whatcha pissin’ your pants for? I bet it’s some lower class Familiar again?

*Flap flap*

Ayato: Che, it’s hella noisy though. It keeps on distractin’ me. I’ll chase it away!

*Thud*

Ayato: Imma go take a look up ahead so you stay here, ‘kay?

ー Ayato walks away

Yui: A-Ayato-kun...

( He left...Will he be okay...? )

Ayato: Hm? The fuck’s this? ...Wait. Uwah!? 

*CAW*

Ayato: Uwaahーー!!

Yui: ...!? Ayato-kun!?

( O-Oh no...! )

ー She rushes to his side

Yui: Ayato-kun, what’s wrong!?

( ...He’s gone...? )

Ayato-kunーー!?

*Flap*

Ayato: Chichinashiーー!!

*CAW*

Yui: Kyaah!!

( Ayato-kun...! He’s been caught by a giant eagle!! )

( W-What should I do...!? I have to save him...! )

Ayato-kun! I’ll be right thereーー!

Ayato: Forget that! Look! Inside its nest!

Yui: Eh?

Ayato: You can see it right!? There’s a silver light! Couldn’t that be the crystal!?

Yui: Ah...!

( He’s right...! There’s various silver crystals inside the eagle’s nest...! )

Ayato: Hurry up and take one! Make haste!!

Yui: ( B-But... )

*Chirp chirp chirp*

T-The chicks have got their wings wrapped around them...If I get close, I’m sure... 

( The Mother bird will get upset...! )

*Flap flap*

*CAW*

Ayato: Like we have the time to worry ‘bout that! Hurry up while I keep the big one busy!

Yui: O-Okay...

ー Yui runs over to the nest

*Chirp chirp chirp*

Yui: I-I’m sorry...I only need one, okay...

*Rustle*

( Those crystals seem very dear to them...Right, I’m pretty sure birds are known to like sparkly things... )

...

*Flap flap*

*CAW*

Yui: ...Kyaah!

Ayato: Fuck! Seems like she noticed you!

What are you takin’ your sweet time for!? Just snatch one already! ...Uwah!?

*THUD*

Ayato: ...Ow...

*Flap flap*

*CAW*

Ayato: You’ve gotta be kiddin’ me! Look! The eagle returned to her nest. Now it won’t be easy to get close to it.

That was our chance! What are you doin’...!? 

Yui: B-But...!

( I just can’t...! Even if it’s from an eagle, it’d still make us thieves...! )

*Flap flap*

*CAW*

Yui: ( ...She’s wary of us... )

Ayato-kun, let’s go outside for now...

Ayato: Haah? Are you givin’ up? But why...!?

ー Yui walks away

Ayato: Oi, wait! Chichinashi!

ー The scene shifts to the entrance of the mine

Ayato: ...God, what are you playin’ at!? We were so close!

Yui: I’m sorry...But listen...

Those chicks were holding the stones so very dearly...

I just couldn’t bring myself to take them away...

Ayato: Haah? They’re eagles, remember? The fuck you sayin’...!?

Yui: B-But you know...We’re going around trying to clear our name so...

So don’t you think that by stealing something valuable from those eagles, we’d just be committing another misduct? 

Ayato: ...

Yui: Besides, when dealing with a human, we can always apologize and explain the situation to them.

However, when it’s an eagle, we would never be able to get their forgiveness, right...?

Once I realized that, I just couldn’t bring myself to steal the crystal...

Ayato: ...Haah. You really love to overthink stuff, don’t you...?

But well, whatever. No point in crying over spilled milk.

Let’s look for a different way for now. We still have to get our hands on one of those crystals no matter what after all.

Yui: ( Ayato-kun...He understood... )

Want to move locations and try digging along the tunnel? I’ll help this time too...

Ayato: Mmh. Well...Guess we have no other choice...

Monologue

In what followed, the two of us went on our way,

digging around the entire mining site,

but we were unable,

to find the magic crystal.

With both of us completely exhausted,

we had no other choice but to return to the city empty-handed.

ー The scene shifts to café Tarte Tatin

*Cling*

Ayato: ...So what are we gonna do now...?

Yui: ...Yeah...

( For real, what should we do? )

( We have to get the key repaired by the end of today...Yet, we weren’t able to find the crystal in the end... )

Ayato: Say, I’ve been thinkin’. Don’t you think that Count might have one of those crystals in his possession?

He’s been goin’ ‘round stealing treasures from all ‘round the Demon World, so he’s bound to have one or two magical crystals amongst his collection...

Yui: ...I can definitely picture it...

( We had no other choice but to steal from the eagle to repair the key...I’m sure the Count watched all of that go down as well... )

( He might just be able to give us some advice at least... )

...Good point. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to ask

Ayato: We don’t exactly have much other choice. With that settled, let’s quickly finish our meal and get goin’.

*TIMESKIP*

ー The scene shifts to Rubien Canal

Ayato: Oh, oi! Check that out!

Yui: Eh?

Waah...!

Ayato: It’s the Water Parade. Seems like we got here just on time.

Yui: Yeah, you’re right. It’s really pretty...

Ayato: ...

Say, listen...

Yui: Eh?

Ayato: ‘Bout the eagle’s nest from earlier...I’m sorry.

You actually weighed your options, didn’t you? Yet I kept on givin’ you crap for it...

Yui: ...

It’s fine. I should apologize as well. 

Even though...You tried so hard to get that crystal...

Ayato: ...Hey, Yui. Lift your face.

ー He steps closer

Yui: Eh? ...Nn...

Ayato: Nn...

*Smooch*

Yui: ( ...What a gentle kiss... )

( It’s always as if his kindness is being conveyed to me... )

Ayato: ...Nn...

*Smooch*

Yui: ( I can tell even if he doesn’t say it out loud. That deep down... )

( He’s really thinking of what’s best for me... )

ーー TO BE CONTINUED ーー

← RETURN TO CHAPTER 2

→ PROCEED WITH MAIN STORY [CHAPTER 4]

→ SUB-SCENARIO #1 [W/ SUBARU]

→ SUB-SCENARIO #2 [W/ RUKI]

→ SUB-SCENARIO #3 [W/ KOU]

→ SUB-SCENARIO #4 [W/ YUMA]

→ SUB-SCENARIO #5 [W/ SHIN]

[kaialone]

Yokai Watch 3 ver. 3.0 Translation

(Masterpost for my Yokai Watch translations can be found here)

This will contain spoilers for a sidequest of Yokai Watch 3 (ver. 3.0), so proceed with caution.

With that being said, this will be a translation of the entire “I LOVE SUPER PRETTY HERO” sidequest.

This is another quest that was added in 3.0 obviously, and yet another request for Inaho’s detective agency. I’m unsure if you’re required to play through any of the other Warunorin related quests before doing this one, though.

I’ll go through this scene by scene. (There will be links to watch the scenes on youtube, too.)

Bolded is original japanese; for reference and in case someone who is better at japanese than I reads this, and feels like correcting something.

Bolded and italicized is my translation.

(Number) Indicates I got a specific comment to make on that part in the translation notes.

Please keep in mind that I´m a beginner when it comes to japanese, so it’s possible that I make mistakes, too.

Accepting the Request:

Mission Description: スーパーレジェンドヒーローを 自称する 謎の妖怪の依頼です。 妖怪ヒーローチームの選抜試験が この日本で行われるそうですよ。 A request from the mysterious yōkai who calls himself the Super Legendary Hero. It seems that the Yōkai Hero Teams' Selection Test will be taking place here in Japan.

Warunorin: ヤッホ〜〜〜！ 元気してたぁ〜〜？ Yoo-hoo! Are you doing well?

Inaho: ヤッホ〜〜！！ 元気元気！ Yoo-hoo!! Yeah, I am!

Inaho: …で だれだっけ？ ...so, who are you?

Warunorin: ッハァァァァ！？ Huuuuuhhh!?

USApyon: 自称はぐれ妖怪ヒーローの ワルノリン… ダニよ。 The self-proclaimed rogue Yōkai Hero, Warunorin... dani.

Warunorin: そうそう！ ワルノリン様ね！！ わすれないでくれるかな お嬢ちゃん！ Yeah, yeah! I'm Sir Warunorin!! Don't you forget it, missy! (1)

Inaho: あっはは… そうだった そうだった…。 Ahaha... Right, right...

Inaho: イナウサ不思議探偵社へ ようこそ！ のりりん！ Welcome to the InaUsa Detective Agency! Noririn! (2)

USApyon: のりりん！? Noririn!?

Inaho: で… どういった依頼なんでしょ！ So... What kinda of request do you have?

Warunorin: ふっふっふ… 実は… Huhuhu... You see...

Warunorin: このジャポンで サキちゃんが ヒーロー選抜試験をやるらしいのよ！ It seems that Saki-chan is giving a Hero Selection Test here in Japan!

Whapir: サキちゃんのヒーローチーム… 「テンペスト・プライド」ですね。 Saki-chan's Hero Team is... “Tempest Pride”.

Warunorin: そそ！ そのサキちゃんのチームに 入るチャンスってワケよ！！ Yeah! This is my chance to get into Saki-chan's team!!

Inaho: はーなるほど… それでワタシたちに 試験のお手伝いを依頼しにきたと…！ Oh, I see... so you've come to ask us for help with the test...!

Inaho: …で何すればいいんすか！？ ...So what should we do!?

Warunorin: エーット… 言いにくいんだけどさぁ…… Umm... It's hard for me to say, but...

Warunorin: ボクちゃん… 試験会場しらなくて……。 I... Don't know where the test site is...

Inaho: へっ…！？ そこから！？ What...!? So then what do we do!? (3)

Warunorin: えへへ……。 Ehehe...

USApyon: そんなの オシラセッターで 聞いてみれば すぐわかるダニ。 We'll find out right away, if I ask about it on OshiraSetter, dani. (4)

Inaho: それだー！ んじゃUSAピョンよろしく！！ That's it! So, let's let USApyon take care of this!

USApyon (Texting): 今度 妖怪ヒーローの選抜試験 Looks like the next  Yōkai Hero Selection Test

USApyon (Texting): ジャポンのどこかで やるらしいダニが… Will take place somewhere in Japan dani, but...

USApyon (Texting): 試験会場の場所 だれか知らないダニ？ Does anyone know the location of the test site, dani?

Fubuki-chan (Texting): あ それ聞いたことあるかも Oh, I might've heard about that one

USApyon (Texting): どこか知ってるダニ！？ Do you know where, dani!?

Fubuki-chan (Texting): えっと…… 海？ Um... the sea?

USApyon (Texting): ど どこの海ダニ！？ T the sea where, dani!?

Fubuki-chan (Texting): んー…… たしか…… Mmm... I think...

Fubuki-chan (Texting): ま がんばってさがしてね〜 Well, good look with searching~

USApyon (Texting): ダニッ！？ Dani!?

USApyon: 「海の上」 っていう情報しか 得られないかったダニ…。 I couldn't get any information besides "at sea", dani...

Inaho: ふ ふぶきちゃんさん…… M-miss Fubuki-chan... (5)

Inaho: このテキトーなかんじが 最っ高に たまりませんなぁぁ〜！ This careless attitude is so great I can't stand it!

Warunorin: わかるぅぅ〜！ I knooow!

USApyon: そんなこと 言ってる場合ダニ！？ Is this the time and place to be saying this, dani!?

Inaho: ま！ ジャポンのどっか海ってことだよね！ Well! It's somewhere by the sea in Japan!

Inaho: それじゃ さがしてみよー！！ So, let's try looking for it!!

Warunorin: え… もうさがすの…？ さすがに範囲ひろくない…？ Oh... we're already doing that...? Isn't the range far too wide...?

USApyon: まぁ 手当たりしだい さがすしかないダニね…。 Well, we have no choice but to search at random, dani...

Inaho: だいじょーぶ だいじょーぶ！ どうにかなるって！ It will be fine! We'll work this out!

Warunorin: ちょ〜っと不安だが… まかせたぜ お嬢ちゃん！ I'm a tad worried, but... I'm counting on you, missy!

Notes:

In japanese Warunorin refers to Inaho as お嬢ちゃん/Ojō-chan which is basically a sort of overly cutesy way to refer to a girl, from what I can tell.

Noririn of course is a nickname derived from Warunorin.

I’m a bit unsure if I got this line right.

OshiraSetter is an app that yōkai use in order to exchange information. It’s name is derived from お知らせ/oshirase, which means notification or news.

In japanese Inaho refers to Fubuki-chan with the suffix さん/-san. Yes she calls her “Fubuki-chan-san”. I’m unsure if this happens in real life ever, but in this series this seems to occur with all characters that got a suffix permanently attached to their name, where they just stack the suffixes.

--

By the Sea:

Warunorin: マイスィーーートハニーーー！ サキちゃぁ〜〜ん♡ My sweeeeet honeyyy! Saki-chaaan ♡

Saki-chan: げっ… アンタまだ生きてたのかい…。 Gah... You're still alive...?

Warunorin: ヒドくない！？ ちょっとお宝さがしまわってただけなのに！ Aren't you being a little mean!? I just went to hunt for treasure a for a bit!

Inaho: ここは海上… そんでもって サキちゃんがいるってことは… This place is at sea... And since Saki-chan is here...

USApyon: ここがヒーロー選抜試験の会場で まちがいないみたいダニね！ This has to be the place where the Hero Selection test will take place, dani!

Warunorin: まさか あの雑なヒントで まじで会場 見つけちまうとはなぁ…。 Incredible that you really found the place with just a few hints like that...

Saki-chan: アンタ… こんなことに 何の用だい？ You... Why are you here?

Warunorin: フッ… ヒーロー選抜試験…… このオレが来るのを 待ってたんだろ？ Heh... The Hero Selection Test... You've been waiting for me to arrive here, haven't you? (1)

Saki-chan: …え？ もう締め切ったけど？ ...Huh? But we've already hit the deadline?

Warunorin: ………………え？ ..................Huh?

Inaho: あちゃー！ のりりん ドンマイ！ Whoops! It's okay, Noririn!

Saki-chan: おや アンタたち… Oh, aren't you guys...

Saki-chan: ニュー妖魔シティを 救ってくれた子たちじゃないか！ Those kids that saved New Yōma City!

Inaho: ちわっち！ Howdy! (2)

Inaho: ま 一番活躍してたのは ケータさんなんすけどね〜！ Well, Nate was really the one who did the most work!

Saki-chan: アンタたちは あのゴゴゴGFを 倒すほどの妖怪マスターだったね！ You are the Yōkai Masters who defeated that GoGoGo Godfather!

Saki-chan: ワルノリン。 Warunorin.

Warunorin: なあに サキちゃんっ♡ Yes, Saki-chan ♡ ?

Saki-chan: アンタ この子たちと戦いなよ。 勝てたら考えてあげるからさ。 Go fight these kids. If you win, I'll think about it.

Warunorin: えっ マジで！？？ やるやる！！ What, really!?? I'll do it, I'll do it!!

Warunorin: なぁおい… 絶好のチャンスだぞ？ わかってるよな？ な…？ Hey, so... It's the perfect opportunity? You get it, right? Right...?

Inaho: ぐふふふふ… わぁってますって旦那…。 Guhuhuhuhu... You got it, boss... (3)

USApyon: ……。 ...

Notes:

Warunorin usually refers to himself with the personal pronoun ボクちゃん/Boku-chan, which is ボク/Boku with the cutesy suffix ちゃん/-chan added. However, sometimes, like in this line, he instead used the comparatively more serious and gruff オレ/Ore.

Here Inaho uses her signature greeting, ちわっち/Chiwacchi, which from what I can tell is a heavily modified version of the greeting こんにちは/Konnichi wa, which could be translated as something like “Good Day”. I translate it as “Howdy”, because that too is a highly modified version of a more formal greeting, but really any informal fun sounding greeting would do.

I’m a bit unsure if I got this line completely right.

--

Fight with Warunorin:

Saki-chan: ワルノリンが もしアンタたちに勝ったら 選抜試験に参加させてやってもいいよ。 If Warunorin beats you, he can join the Selection Test.

Saki-chan: ワルノリンと戦う準備はできたかい？ Are you ready to fight Warunorin?

Saki-chan: じゃあ ちゃっちゃとはじめようか！ ２人とも そこに並ぶんだよ！ Let's get going, then! Both of you, line up there!

-

Saki-chan: よし！ じゃあ思いっきりやっちゃいな！ Alright! So, knock yourselves out! 

Warunorin: ああ 全力でかかってきな！ （わかってるだろうな？） Yes, come at me with all of your might! (You get it, yes?)

Inaho: よーし いっくよー！ （ひっひっひ… まかせてくだせぇ…） Alright, here I come! (Hihihi... Leave it to me...)

--

After the Battle:

Warunorin: ハァ… ハァ… え… お嬢ちゃん…？ *pant*... *pant*... Huh... missy...?

Warunorin: なんで勝っちゃうのよ〜 もう！ Why did you win? Geez!

Inaho: えっへへ… ごめん つい…。 Ehehe... Sorry bout that...

Skyshariman: フン！ そんな力ではヒーローは務まらんぞ！ Hmph! With that power, you're not fit to be a hero!

Warunorin: げっ シャリ男！ Ack, Shari Guy! (1)

Warunorin: チックショォォォ〜〜〜〜！！ DAMN IT!!

Skyshariman: よし… コイツのことはおいといて… そろそろ試験をはじめるとしよう。 Alright... putting that aside... Let's begin with the test.

Saki-chan: それじゃ 出場者は こっちに集合しておくれ！ So, gather around here, contestants!

Whisper: ふふふふ…… 負けませんよ……。 Huhuhuhu... I won't lose...

Inaho: えっ！ ウィスパーまでいるの！？ What! Even Whisper's here?

Warunorin: ん？ Hm?

Warunorin: あれは まさか……。 No way, is that...

Warunorin: ボクちゃん やっぱ用事あるから帰るわ！ んじゃまたな サキちゃん！ I gotta go to attend to some errands! So, see you, Saki-chan!

Inaho: ちょ！ 依頼はどうなるんすか！？ Hey! What about the request!?

Saki-chan: ま あんなヤツほっときな。 Well, let's leave him be.

Saki-chan: それよりアンタたち 強いじゃないか！ 気に入ったよ！ Anyway, you guys are pretty strong! I like it!

Saki-chan: そうだ！ 本試験でも 参加者たちの 相手をしてみないかい！？ I know! Why don't you be the opponents for the contestants in this test, too!?

USApyon: ダニ！？？ Dani!??

Inaho: それって… 次世代の妖怪ヒーローを ワタシが決めるってこと…！？ You mean... the next generation of Yōkai Heroes will be determined by me...!?

Inaho: なにそれアツイ…！ やるやるー！！ That's so cool...! I'll do it, I'll do it!!

Saki-chan: それじゃ 準備ができたら アタシに声をかけとくれよ！ Let me know when you are ready, then!

Note:

Warunorin refers to Skyshariman as シャリ男/Shari-o, which could be translated as Shari Guy or Shari Man instead of his full name.

--

Hero Selection Test, First Battle:

Saki-chan: おっ ヒーロー選抜試験をはじめる 準備はできたんだね？ Oh, you ready for the Hero Selection Test?

Saki-chan: それじゃあ はじめるよ！ Let’s get started, then!

-

Saki-chan: えーっと じゃあまずは 誰と戦ってもらうかね…。 Ummm, so, who should you fight first...

Supoor Hero: おいらが相手だ！ I'm your opponent!

Saki-chan: おお そうかい それじゃあ がんばるんだよ！ Oh, alright, well then, do your best!

Inaho: そのマントといい マスクといい… That cape is nice, and that mask is nice...

Inaho: ヒーローに憧れる気持ちが びしびし伝わってくるぜ…。 The feeling of yearning to be a hero is gushing out from him...

Inaho: しかーし！ その気持ちなら ワタシも負けてないんだから！ However! When it comes to that kinda feeling, I won't lose either!

USApyon: なに張り合ってるダニ…。 Why are you competitive about that, dani...

Supoor Hero: 勝負だ！！ Begin the match!!

--

Hero Selection Test, Second Battle:

Inaho: かーっかっかっか！ おととい来やがれ！！ Bwahahaha! Don't show your face around here again!! 

Supoor Hero: くそーっ！ ヒーローになると思ったのにー！ Damn! And I thought that I would become a hero!

Inaho: さ〜て 次は誰が相手だぁ！？ Now, who's my next opponent!?

USApyon: ノ… ノリノリダニ…。 S... She is in high spirits, dani...

Saki-chan: そうだねぇ じゃあ次は… She sure is. Now, next will be...

Saki-chan: ダークニャンに セバスチャン！ この子たち戦ってみな！ Darknyan and Sebastian! Try fighting these kids!

Darknyan: フッ このオレに勝てるかな。 Hmph, I wonder if you could even beat me.

Sebastian: お手やわらかにおねがいしますよ。 Please do not be too hard on us.

Inaho: おおー！ いいっすねぇ！ ダークヒーロー感があって…！ Ohh! Nice! They got a Dark Hero vibe...!

Inaho: でも雰囲気よりも やっぱり強さが大事！ その力… ワタシが試させてもらう！ But strength is still more important than atmosphere! Allow me to test... your power!

--

Hero Selection Test, Third Battle:

Darknyan: くっ… なかなかやるな…。 Kch... You're pretty good...

Sebastian: 残念ながら 私たちは 引き下がるしかありませんね。 Unfortunately, we have no choice but to withdraw.

Saki-chan: じゃあ 次はアンタたちだね。 Well then, next up is you guys, I guess.

Whisper: うぃすうぃすうぃす……。 Whiswhiswhis...

USApyon: …なんかウィスパー ヘンじゃないダニか？ ...Whisper is being kinda weird dani, isn't he?

Inaho: たしかに… ちょっと いつもとちがうような……。 Absolutely... He seems a bit different than usual...

Dark Koma: 今度はオラたちが相手ズラ！ This time, we're gonna be y'all's opponents! (1)

Heronyan: かかってくるニャン！ Come at us, nyan!

USApyon: イナホ！ とにかくまず戦うダニよ！ Inaho! Either way, let's fight them first, dani!

Inaho: う うん…！ Y-Yeah...!

Notes:

I just want to point out that I’m not specifically writing out the different Koma characters saying “-zura”, because unlike speech quirks like Jibanyan “-nyan”, this is actually taken from a real japanese dialect.

--

After the Battle:

Whisper: うぃすうぃすうぃす…… ずっと 待っていたんでうぃす…。 Whiswhiswhis... I've always been waiting, whis...

Whisper: そう… この瞬間をな！！！ Yes... for this moment!!!

Skyshariman: お前は… ファントム…！！！ 彼らに何をした！！ You're... Phantom...!!! What did you do do them!?

Phantom: ククク…… 闇の力で操ったのさ。 つまり彼らの命は オレの意のまま…。 Hehehe... I'm controlling them with the power of darkness. In other words, their lives are at my mercy...

Phantom: 彼らの命が惜しいならば そうだな…。 If you do value their lives, then...

Phantom: スカイシャリマン…… お前のその身体をよこすのだ…！！ Skyshariman... Give that body of yours to me...!!

Saki-chan: スカイシャリマン！ そんなヤツの言うこと聞くもんじゃないよ！ Skyshariman! Don't listen to what that guy is saying!

Skyshariman: だが 彼らの命にはかえられん！！ But their lives can't be replaced!! (1)

Skyshariman: もし 私が闇に染まってしまったら… If I end up getting tainted by darkness...

Skyshariman: たのむ… お前たちの力で倒してくれ…！ Please... You must defeat me with your power...!

Inaho: え… ちょっと！！ Wha... wait!!

Phantom: よし… では コイツらの命と交換だ。 Alright... Now then, in exchange for the lives of these ones.

Heronyan: な… なにが起きたニャン！？ Wha... What happened, nyan!?

Dark Koma: とにかく逃げるズラ〜〜！ Anway, let's get outta here!

Skyshariman: ククク…… すばらしい力だ！！ Hehehe... Such magnificent power!!

Skyshariman: 我が闇に力ならば この身体の能力を 限界まで引き出せる！ With my power of darkness, I can bring out this body's abilities to their maximum!

Saki-chan: くっ… させないよ！！ Kch... Like I'll let you do that!!

Skyshariman: もはや お前の力をもってしても このオレは止められん。 Even with your power, you can already no longer stop me.

Inaho: ヒィッ！？ Eep!?

Saki-chan: うぐっ……！ ア… アンタたちは逃げな…！！ Argh...! R... Run way, you guys...!!

???: そこまでだ！ Stop right there!

USApyon: あ あれを見るダニ…！！！ L-Look at that, dani...!!!

Warunorin: いま助けるからな サキちゃん！ あーっと… メガネのちんちくりんもな！ We will save you now, Saki-chan! Oh and... that four-eyed shorty, too!

Inaho: ち… ちんちくりん！？ USAピョンの悪口はやめて！！ S... Shorty!? Don't talk about USApyon like that!!

USApyon: テメーのことダニ！！ He's talking about you, dani!!

Warunorin: いたっ！ ヒザが痛い…！ Ouch! I hurt my knees...!

Warunorin: おいファントム！ やーっぱり オマエが潜んでやがったか！ Hey, Phantom! So you were lurking around here, like I thought!

Warunorin: あららー 正義バカの��ャリ男は いいように操られちまって…。 Oh my, you're controlling that justice moron Shari Guy as you please...

Warunorin: こりゃあ〜 新しいヒーローが必要なんじゃねーの？ Well then, We'll be needing a new Hero Team then, won't we?

Warunorin: …ってなワケで出番だぜぇ！ ...Now it's our turn!

Warunorin: 新生ヒーローチーム… スキャンダル・キングダム！！ The new Hero Team... Scandal Kingdom!! (2)

Fubuki-chan: は？ チーム？ Huh? Team?

Sergeant Burly: チームに入った覚えなんかないぞ。 I don't remember joining any team.

Warunorin: ……とにかく！ このオレたちがオマエを倒す！！ ...Anyway! We will defeat you!!

Skyshariman: ククッ… やってみるがいい！ Hehe... We will see about that!

Notes:

“Their lives can’t be replaced” as in, their lives are valuable, they can’t make light of the danger they’re in, and all that.

In japanese “Scandal Kingdom” contains all the characters to spell Sukiyaki. See here:  スキャンダル・キングダム (Scandal Kingdom) and スキヤキ (Sukiyaki) . This fits with Tempest Pride and Super Seed doing the same thing with Tempura and Sushi respectively.

--

After Phantom is defeated:

Phantom: くっ… まさかこのオレが…！ Kch... How could I be...! (1)

Saki-chan: おいアンタ！ 大丈夫かい！？ Hey, you! Are you alright!?

Skyshariman: ああ… しかし… Yes... But...

Skyshariman: 闇に支配された私を倒すが まさかお前とはな… ワルノリン。 To think that the one to beat me, after being taken over by darkness, would be you... Warunorin.

Warunorin: はっはー！ 思いっきりブン殴れて スッキリしたぜ！ Haha! Beating you completely silly was refreshing! 

Fubuki-chan: ふぅ〜… 私もひさしぶりに 思いっきりやれたわ。 Phew... It's been a while since I got to go all out.

Fubuki-chan: まあ たまにはバトルもいいかもね。 Well, a battle every once in a while could be nice, too.

Fubuki-chan: …てことで また何かあったら呼んでね〜。 ...So, call me if something happens again.

Inaho: ほげっ！？？ ふ… ふふ… ふぶきちゃんさんと ともだちに…！？ Huh!?? Fu... Fu-fu... Fubuki-chan is my friend now...!?

Inaho: ひゃっはぁーーーー！ テンションあがるぅぅぅ！！ Eeeeee! I'm so excited!! (2)

USApyon: よ よかったダニね…。 G... Good for you, dani...

Warunorin: どうよ サキちゃん！ ねぇ見直した？ ボクちゃん見直した？？ So, Saki-chan! You changed your mind? You changed your mind about me??

Saki-chan: ま まあ…… アンタには 借りができちゃったしね… W-Well... I do owe you...

Saki-chan: ファントムを倒すほどの強さもあるんだし… アンタなら…… And since you were also strong enough to beat Phantom... you...

Warunorin: おっほほぉぉっ！！！？ …ってことは もしかして！！！！ Ohohoooh!!!? ...by any chance, do you mean!!!!?

Skyshariman: ああ そうだな…！ Yes, that's right...!

Skyshariman: お前は 私のチームにふさわしい！ You are fit to join my team!

Warunorin: ハァァァ！！？！？！？？？？ Whaaaat!!?!?!????

Warunorin: ちょ…！！ だ だれが野郎のチームになんか…！！ Wait...!! I'd never join this bastard's team...!!

Skyshariman: 遠慮するな！ ずっと入りたかったんだろう？？ Don't be modest! You've always wanted to join, didn't you??

Warunorin: イヤァァァーーーーッッ！！！ Noooooooo!!!

Inaho: のりりん ヒーローチームに入れたんだね！ いや〜 よかったよかった！ 依頼解決！ Noririn got to join a Hero Team! Ahh, I'm happy for him! Request solved!

Warunorin: よかねぇぇぇぇぇぇぇーーー！！！ I'm NOT happy!!!

Notes:

Phantom’s line here is incomplete, of course, but I believe it’s probably something like “How could I be defeated”.

The second line here more literally would translate to “the tension is rising”, but I’m pretty sure she means something like "I’m excited” by that.

--

Additional dialouge that occurs if you talk to everyone after the quest is over:

Warunorin: オレはさ… サキちゃんのチームに 入りたかったの…… ねぇわかる……？ I really... wanted to join Saki-chan's team... you get it, right...?

Warunorin: こんなのって ねぇよぉぉぉぉーーー！！ I didn't want this!!

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Skyshariman: ワルノリンのことは 任せてくれ。 Leave Warunorin to me.

Skyshariman: 私が コイツを ちゃんとしたヒーローにしてみせよう！ I will make a fine hero out of him!

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Saki-chan: え？ なんでアイツを アタシのチームに いれなかったのかって？ Huh? Why can't he get into my team?

Saki-chan: あっはっは！ バカ言わないどくれよ！ Ahaha! Don't be stupid!

Saki-chan: ワルノリンの世話なんて アタシには とてもできないよ！！ I can't take care of Warunorin!!

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Sergeant Burly: うちの姫に気にいられるとは お前も なかなかやるじゃないか！ You must be pretty good too, if our princess takes a liking to you!

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Fubuki-chan: スキャンダル・キングダムとか ダッサいチーム名…。 Scandal Kingdom is such a lame team name...

Fubuki-chan: あのワルノリンとかいうヤツも ダッサいし… マジありえない。 That Warunorin guy, or whatever he's called, is also lame... Like you wouldn't believe.

Fubuki-chan: あ でも あんたは結構やるじゃん。 Ah, but, you're pretty alright.

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[sophiemoreaux-blog]

practice challenge one — first date

I decided I didn’t like the palace pretty quickly. The marble floors were just a little too smooth, the maids and butlers a little too quiet. I didn’t know how to spend my time. The Women’s Room was cramped with so many of us and held a significant amount of tension at any given moment. But I was in there most of the time anyway. I’d met some girls that I liked, and it wasn’t too terrible if I kept to them and myself, but Alexandra traipsed around like a peacock, constantly leaving drama in her wake.

At some point, I figured that it’d be easier to get on her good side. She looked like a girl who wasn’t afraid to throw a few punches to get what she wanted, but I couldn’t imagine that she’d stay in the Selection long. Not that I thought I would either. I approached her one day in the Women’s Room, fighting the urge to roll my eyes at every dreadfully ignorant thing she said as we walked towards the library.

She was beautiful, I’d give her that, and her personality was sharp as a dagger, but I had about as much interest in talking to her, pro-caste and anti-feminist as she was, as I had in talking to a poisonous snake. Alexandra continued to try and prove that she had superior wit, which she didn’t, and challenged essentially everything I did. Pretty soon, I lost the motivation to continue talking to her. We could begrudgingly tolerate each other, and that was what mattered.

A couple of days passed and the whole palace was buzzing with the excitement of our first dates. The other girls were constantly whispering to one another, making sure not to give their plans away lest they be copied. I painted my nails in the corner of the room instead. A couple girls came up to me and asked if I was nervous, like Aileen, who I’d met my first day at the palace during our makeovers when we’d reached for the same mirror. I told all of them that I was just going to wait and see what happened, it wasn’t a big deal. None of them believed me.

When my time came, Haiden came and knocked at my door. When I opened it, he was rubbing his palms against his pants.

“Hello, Lady Sophie, are you ready for your interview?” His eyes widened a little bit before he corrected himself. “Or date, I guess.” He laughed awkwardly and scratched the back of his neck. I smiled at him reassuringly.

“Ready as I can be.”

“So, um, where would you like to go?” His voice wavered a bit. I remembered from our interview that he sometimes stumbled over words, but I couldn’t quite tell if it was a nervous thing or just a Haiden thing. I explained my plan to him, an easy night with ice cream and movies I’d brought from home.

“Guess it’s not the most interesting first date but we’re confined to this glorified coffin, so I figured it would suffice.”

“U-uh, yeah sure, sounds great! Movie theater okay or do you have somewhere else in mind?” I smiled at him again.

“Movie theater sounds great.”

Haiden offered his arm to me and I took it, even though the gesture felt weird and oddly formal.

“So, uh, tell me more about yourself.” I decided that all the uh’s and um’s were endearing.

“Well, you know I’m from Tammins, and that generally makes up most of my life. I hike a lot, with friends, family, alone.” I paused and shrugged. “Whenever it’s not too cold to be outside I normally am. I guess that’s something nice about Angeles, it’s always warm here, or at least some degree of it.”

“Are you close with your family?”

“Yeah, very. I have a little brother, he’s fourteen, and then my parents are still together. We spend a lot of time together, but a little less now that Jonas and I are growing up a bit.” I missed them. It was too hard to write letters daily, but I wanted to know everything that was going on back home.

I found it surprisingly easy and not as awkward as I would have thought to talk to Haiden. I told him about my love of theatre and more about my family, and he listened carefully. Some part of me had a feeling that he was memorizing what I’d said. He told me that his favorite ice cream flavor was black licorice, which I was quick to criticize (how can anyone like black licorice?). It was easier than I thought.

“Tell me a secret, Lady Sophie.” I raised my eyebrows, surprised at his sudden rush of confidence. The prince wasn’t exactly awkward, but he certainly wasn’t as charismatic as he could’ve been, and hadn’t really asked me anything personal until then.

“A secret?” I said, pausing slightly to study his face. “I thought I told you to just call me Sophie.”

“Yes, a secret. And I don’t know, ‘Lady’ suits you.” I snorted and pulled my eyes away from his.

“Yeah, okay.”  We were quiet for a second, the soft muttering of the movie playing behind us as I thought of something to say to the young prince. “I guess a secret is that I don’t really consider this a date.”

“Hm,” he mumbled, “interesting. Reason?”

“I don’t do the whole date first, friends later thing. Everyone I’ve ever liked has ben my friend first and I don’t really think that’s going to change just because I’m here,” I said softly. My mind flashed back to Tammins; to late night drives up mountain roads and sunny afternoons with ice cream in the park. I did my best to hide my blush, lest he think it was because of him.

“Fair enough. How about we don’t call this a date then… How about a friendly session of movie-watching and testing the waters.” He sounded so genuine that it was difficult to fight the urge to look at him. I smiled to myself.

“Delightful.”

I sensed another surge of boldness from the prince, and he leaned a little closer to me.

“Ask me something, my lady,” his voice was lower than I thought it would be before I came to the palace, and the timbre of it was surprisingly attractive.

“Will you stop calling me that?” I groaned a little. “Please,” I added as an afterthought.

“Maybe.”

I rolled my eyes and turned back to him.

“Tell me something. I told you a secret, now you tell me one.”

“Alright. I like spending time on the roof,” he said. It came off his tongue so quickly it was like he knew what I was going to say to him.

“Why the roof?”

“It’s comforting.”

“It’s high,” I said, “How is that comforting?”

“So are the mountains,” he said with a shrug.

“It’s different.”

“How so? Doesn’t seem different to me.” Of course a boy from the city wouldn’t be able to see the difference between mountains and a roof.

“I mean, when you’re hiking, you’re rarely able to fall completely off the mountain.” Unless a cliff was involved, but that was an entirely different story.

“I’ve never fallen off the roof, it’s completely safe.”

“I’m gonna have to respectfully disagree with you.” Suddenly, an image of my dad came to mind, of him standing at the roof of our house, hanging lights for Christmas. He had been so scared that he’d made Jonas put them up instead. I smiled at the thought.

“Well, as long as it’s respectfully…” Haiden laughed. I was started by the sound. It was nothing like his awkward placeholder from earlier. This laugh was warm and rich and comforting. It reminded me of Jada’s laugh, one you could listen to for hours. I smiled again. “Haven’t you ever done risky stuff?”

I chuckled to myself a little.

“I’ve done plenty of risky stuff. Just not on top of tall buildings. I wouldn’t call night hikes safe, especially when I go on them alone. It’s a bad habit my mother is trying to break me of. If you’re looking for rebellious: last summer, I snuck out most night to go to the various parties, stole the family car to get there, et cetera.”

“Night hikes. Sounds dangerous. You’re not at all afraid of them?”

“Depends on where I’m going, but mostly it’s just cool. My favorite is getting up to the top of a pass or something right as the sun begins to rise. Then you can watch it, the a nap, and head back down.”

“I could never do that,” he said. I wanted to tell him that he definitely could, but he kept talking. “As for stealing the family car… my parents should be more thankful that they never caught me getting into trouble.”

“They never caught you. So you do get into trouble?” I smirked, amused at the thought of this seemingly-perfect prince doing something wrong. It seemed almost impossible.

“Of course I do, I’m not completely boring.” I laughed then, and Haiden joined in.

“What about you,” he said, after the excitement had died down, “Have you lied to me yet?”

“Probably,” I mumbled. I hadn’t lied about anything, just withheld information. He didn’t respond to that.

“Are you an impatient person, Miss Moreaux?” My last name sounded delicate on his lips.

“Most definitely.”

“Me too, though you’d never guess it if you knew me. Do you want to be here, Miss Moreaux?” He asked it softly.

“Here in the palace? Or here, siting in this movie theatre, with you?”

“Either one.”

“Haven’t decided yet on the palace. But it turns out you’re not terrible company. How about you, Your Highness?”

Haiden slumped back in his chair, his head thrown back a little, looking at the ceiling of the dark theater.

“I’m rather enjoying your company, but not in the palace.” I didn’t have a chance to respond before he said, “Can I tell you a secret, Miss Moreaux?”

Even though the French on his tongue sounded divine, I still said, “If you stick to calling me just Sophie.”

“Alright, Miss Sophie,” he said. “I am… slightly kinda drunk right now. But shh.” He put his finger to his lips. A brief flare of anger flashed through me.

“And you let me sit here sober? Some friend,” I joked. He leaned closer to me and I could feel the warmth coming off of his skin. “So have you been trashed for all your dates or did you get all dolled up just for me?”

“I’m not trashed,” he protested. “And not every one. The last two, yes. I’m a nervous guy, don’t judge me.” I was judging him.

“Why are you so nervous in the first place?”

“There are so many girls here I haven't met. I'm so asocial, I'm telling you. I'm supposed to find a wife out of all of you, and I'm not a three whole days into it and I'm already have a mental breakdown. You must think something’s wrong with me, God.”

“Don’t think about it like there’s so much left to do; take it one girl at a time.”

“Easier said than done.” He sighed. “So, um, wow that was a mood-killer.”

“Look, just forget about everyone else in this palace. Your dad, your sisters, the maids and butlers, the other girls. It’s just you and me right now, right? Just think about that.”

“Okay, you and me. Me and Miss Sophie Moreaux from Tammins.” I really did like the way he said that. “You have a nice name. Is it French?”

“Yeah. My grandpa is from France.”

“How lovely. My family is from France, too.” We all knew that. He was quiet for a second. “I want to know more about you. If you don’t mind, I mean.”

“What do you want to know?” He thought for a second.

“Have you ever punched someone?”

“No one other than my brother.”

He hummed.

“Ever played spin the bottle?”

“Multiple times.”

“Party girl, Miss Sophie?”

“Little bit,” I said. I didn’t tell him that only middle schoolers played spin the bottle anymore.

“Interesting. Ever done gymnastics?”

“When I was three. I wasn’t very good, so I quit. I don’t like being bad at things.”

“I’ve been doing gymnastics since I was four. I also tried my hand at ballet, but that didn’t happen.”

“Flexible, huh?” I said, wiggling my eyebrows.

“I suppose so, yeah.” Poor, innocent Prince Haiden. “Tell me something you’ve given up on. Besides gymnastics,” he added.

“Various relationships, I gave up on ballet, too. Myself a couple of times, if you want to get really deep.”

“We can talk about deep stuff later as much as I love it. Tell me abut an embarrassing moment?” I was quiet for a minute, thinking of the perfect story to tell him.

“When I was eight, my family had stopped at this tiny little restaurant on the side of the road on our way home from skiing. They have the best shakes. Anyway, it was totally packed in there. I'd just been in the car for a while so I went into the bathroom, and as I'm washing my hands, I started singing. Just for fun, some song that was stuck in my head. But I walked out of the bathroom and this family right in front of me starts clapping. Everyone had heard me singing. It was awful.”

Haiden laughed again, and I found myself being a little unhappy when he stopped.

“Did you sing well?”

“My mom tells me it was beautiful but I highly doubt it,” I said with a laugh. “Can I tell you something?”

“U-uh if you want,” he mumbled, falling over each word as if they were an uneven crack in the sidewalk.

“I think this movie ended about an hour ago.” I’d noticed it a while ago, but I was enjoying talking to the prince so much that I hadn’t mentioned anything. I was a little worried he’d be angry with me, but instead he laughed.

“I was about to say. This is the end then, huh? I’ve had an interesting time.”

I smiled at him.

“You’ve been a pleasant surprise, Your Highness.”

“You as well, Miss Sophie. Have a wonderful day.” I rolled my eyes at the name. I started to stand and go, but turned back to him.

“One more question before I go?” He nodded. “Will you tell me when you know? If I'm not the one who's going to win this thing, I don't want you to keep stringing me along. Whenever you decide we won't work out, just let me know. I don’t want to be dragged around in the dirt again.”

Haiden’s voice, and face, turned serious and he looked straight into my eyes.

“I swear on my crown, Miss Moreaux, that I will tell you as soon as I know we won’t work out.” I bid him farewell and left to return to my room. The second I got there, I stuffed my face into my pillow and screamed.