#but i'm just throwing this out as an fyi for anyone looking for a job on indeed

[yepthatsacowalright]

Yesterday I had to create a job posting for my work on Indeed and when I got to the Job Description section it fucking auto-filled one into the text box and said 'ChatGPT created this based on the information you've provided so far!' We are in Hell.

[dear-mrs-otome]

Galileo Galilei - White Day

"These are for you."

MC is startled when out of nowhere Galileo offers her a bouquet of white flowers, wrapped in paper. (I see that wrapping job there sir, nice attempt at casual) They're very beautiful, she can't help thinking, but she's a bit baffled by the gesture - especially given his usual, standoffish demeanor.

She asks why he's giving these to her, and Galileo reminds her how she gave him chocolates last month, right?

He's merely returning the favor. She hadn't had any expectations that he might, but she's happy regardless.

Aloud, she laughs a little. "You're a conscientious person too," she tells him. (Echoing the way he'd called her that for gifting him Valentine's chocolate as an apology for using his telescope without permission in their very first story)

"I just don't want to be in anyone's debt," he replies.

She gladly accepts the flowers and remarks on how beautiful they are, but she's not familiar with what kind they are. He tells her he's not sure of all the specifics but they're a type of helichrysum - although usually those come in bright colors. These white ones came as a fluke from a university cultivation program, not the color they wanted at all. (AM I THE ONLY ONE READING SOME HEAVY SYMBOLISM HERE?)

He says when he heard they were just going to be tossed, her words came to mind. (How she'd mentioned, when they first met, that she felt like even chance encounters can have meaning) And with her having said something like that, he thought she would treasure these new flowers.

She's kind of silently stunned he remembered her words like that.

"You can throw them away if you have no need of them. Do as you please," Galileo tells her offhandedly.

"No!" she gasps. "I'll take good care of them!"

Galileo just does an about face at that and walks off without another word...but as he goes, the last glimpse she catches of his expression seems softer.

Back at the mansion on the balcony, she's looking at the flowers again and musing how they look like she's holding shooting stars in her hand. Maybe the same thing had occurred to Galileo, which is why he wanted to save the flowers? Because he seems to love the stars so much.

She stares up at the night sky, thinking about his still unseen heart.

~~~~~~~~~~

MRS. O'S TINFOIL HAT RAMBLINGS:

I already blathered a bit in tags o a different post about the flower symbolism, but let me do it again. These are white strawflowers, which are also known as helichrysum, fyi.

Very lovely, and they dry and remain almost perfectly preserved, hence some of their other names: Everlasting, or Immortelle. They symbolize eternal life or immortality - but also something 'always remembered' and some take it a step further and go with 'eternal love'. Usually they come in many different colors of pinks and reds, or white with bright yellow centers.

This has me side-eyeing things so hard though because the very first story we ever got of his involves MC wandering the Timey-Wimey Hallway, being called and cajoled by a sexy voice she later figures out is Galileo's, and she gets to witness a bit of his past and his imprisonment. Drake's story definitely was just a normal, meet-cute on the street style, nothing as mystical as timewalking. I have a feeling this is going to feature prominently in his stories, along with the heavy emphasis that there is no such thing as a random meaningless encounter.

BUT ALSO, here's heavy tinfoil time! Maybe I'm looking too hard but the symbolism doesn't escape me here of him identifying with and feeling empathy towards these white flowers that symbolize eternity (all pale colored, much like our hero, no??) that are an unwanted accident. A misfire of genetics that's only good to be tossed away and culled. I STAND BY MY DHAMPIR/ HALF-PUREBLOOD THEORY.

[slinket]

Kinkmas Prompts

I'm a day behind, but hoping to catch up on @little-emerald-snake challenge. FYI, I have no idea what I'm doing.

prompt: I will fucking ruin you.

NSFW, 759 words

Garreth had been working on a potion for several months.  He was allowed privacy in the alchemy classroom, as no one was taking the class.  Professor Sharp required Garreth to report to him regularly on what ingredients were being added to the potion, and how they would lead to his end goal, a potion that would erase old scars.  

Garreth knew that Sharp would be more likely to approve of this independent work if he could get something out of it, hence the lie about fixing scars.  In reality, Garreth was working on a lust based potion.  He wasn't looking for fake or forced love, and not a potion that would force a person into copulating.  The goal was to have the person overwhelmed with desire that they would throw themselves at the next closest person.  The rational person could refuse the lust filled one, without negative consequences.

Garreth burst into his dorm room one night, excited as could be.  

“What's going on Garreth?  You look like you just won a prize.”  Leander said.  He had been sitting in bed reading a book called “How to win at dueling, a guide for dummies.”

“I think I've done it Lee!  I'm pretty sure my potion is complete.”

Leander rolled his eyes.  “Great, now I can hide the scars Sallow has given me from all his cheating during crossed wands.”

Garreth walked over and placed his hands on Leander’s shoulders.  “It wasn't actually a scar potion Lee, it's a lust potion, and it's how I'm finally going to get MC into bed.”

Leander's eyes went wide, “What? Why didn't you tell me about this?  How does it work?  How do you know it's ready?”

While rolling his eyes Garreth explained that he kept the secret to himself because he knew Leander would spill the beans. 

“I know it's ready because just from the smell of it I get a massive erection.  All I need to do is get her to drink some and BAM, she'll be begging for my cock.”

“Aye, well good luck with that mate, you'll have to tell me all about it.” With that, Leander turned off his light and pulled up the covers to sleep.

Garreth crawled into his bed, excited for the next day.

Garreth had sent MC an owl, asking her to meet him in the dungeon in the afternoon.  He told her that he had another job for her, one they could both benefit from.  He headed to the alchemy room with flowers in his hand, wanting to make the room seem a little romantic before bringing her there.  Sure, he couldn't want to fuck her, but he still had a bit of a romance in his heart and wanted the room to look nice for her.

As he neared the door, he heard what sounded like a bowl falling over.  He didn't think too much of it as being in a house with ghosts, things tended to move around on their own.  Garreth opened the door with a smile on his face, only to be met with the sight of Leander's bare ass clenching as he thrusted his hips forward.  

Garreth took a moment and closed his eyes, trying to calm himself.  Leander could have used the potion on anyone, and that would be fine, as long as Garreth still got MC.

Then he heard the girl moaning.  “Of fuck Leander, you're so big inside of me, I can't believe I've been turning you down all these years.  Your cock is amazing.” Her breath was uneven as she spoke, her words laced with grunts and gasps.

Garreth moved slightly to the side, now seeing that her top was off, her breasts bouncing every time Leander slammed into her.  It was her, MC. He thought it was her voice, but now he could clearly see that it was the girl he had wanted.

“So tight, so fucking tight,” Leander roared as he lifted her hips up to get deeper inside of her, “All mine, your pussy is all mine.”

“Yes, oh gods Lee, yes, all yours!” Garreth felt the flowers crumble in his hands as he squeezed them with rage listening to her orgasm.  His face was filled with anger, watching his friend pull out and spill his seed all over her ass and pussy lips.  

Watching Leander fall onto her back, continuing to touch and kiss her, the flowers finally fell from Garreth’s hand.  Leander glanced back and smirked when he saw Garreth, but his smile soon fell as Garreth began moving towards him.

His teeth clenched, hands made into fists, a growl leaves Garreth's mouth as he stares at leander, “I am going to fucking ruin you.”

[ossadeam]

This is a rant about job interview process ableism in regards to neurodivergent (ASD for myself) people.

So idk about any of you, but I'm currently on a job hunt because my company had layoffs in October 2022, and it's been a rough ride. Of course as an asd person, I never put that I have it because they'll just immediately throw out your resume (Pro tip)

What I've learned tho is that there's a proper way to answer interview questions called the "STAR method" and if you don't answer in the proper way, you're essentially thrown to the side.

Many may not know but one thing about being ASD, its really hard to just make up a story on the spot, they made me sit for like 15 minutes during the diagnosis testing trying to make up a story about these stupid toys they gave me and I had nothing. So being forced to become a story teller has proven difficult, because despite what these HR people think, not every one of their questions really has an answer. No one has been in every situation they want to know about, and not giving the answer they want throws out your resume too.

I have an interview on the 2nd, and I'm basically looking up every possible STAR method question they could possibly ask and memorizing answers so that I can hopefully stop being on the verge of homelessness because my savings are almost depleted. If I wanted to be a fucking story teller I would have gotten an english degree and write books or some shit.

I have an excellent resume, amazing credentials, but I can't get a fucking job because I can't tell a story properly for their "behavioral interviewing" technique which I don't believe has any scientific backing, just makes them feel superior.

"Focus your responses on actual behaviors and emotions." if neurotypicals weren't trash people they would just do like divergents and turn off emotions at work. My emotions have nothing to do with my performance because if I'm not interacting with anyone at work there are none, and if I do interact its only one emotion turned on. That being happy, that's the only one needed for interactions with these people, why would I provide them with anything else.

Just an fyi, I don't work in customer facing rolls, I work with numbers and paperwork, there's evidence of my abilities and its all provided to them beforehand. Meritocracy my ass

[angelofrainfrogs]

Going Back: Ch. 15

~Coauthored by @zeitghest~

Fandom(s): Five Nights At Freddy’s: Security Breach

Description: Things are looking up for Gregory. After putting the soul of a formerly-immortal killer to rest, he and his new family can finally begin their lives anew. Sure, Gregory might have been cursed with mysterious Remnant in exchange for being involved in this mess—not to mention his caretakers consist of sentient robots and ghosts… But there’s no doubt that the bond they share is unbreakable. They love him, and he in turn. 

All in all, life is finally starting to go right for once. 

…Unfortunately, true peace is a hard-won battle. There are other things to contend with besides William’s decrepit soul, and Gregory will learn that his role in the lives of the Aftons and Emilys is far greater than anyone could’ve imagined. 

Rating: T

Read on Ao3

Just over an hour later, Michael decided it was time to gather his security bot friend and head back to the hotel before his actual job began. A few staff members had already left as the evening light waned, Michael offering those that remained a wave as he walked to the Daycare. Along the way he pulled out his walkie and tuned it into Sammy's.

“Hey, Sam? Just fyi, I'm taking Mari to see her sister—we'll all be back for night shift and then you can introduce me to you-know-who.” He chose his words carefully, unsure of who might pick up on the frequency or be in the room with Sam when he got the message. This was the quickest way to reach him though, as Michael had no idea when Sam would get a chance to breathe, let alone check his cell.

Static feedback filled in the short gap of silence before Sam’s cheerful tone answered. “Okay! She should still be in the Daycare. I'll see you all soon.”

Mari had promised Sun and Ennard that she would stay for the afternoon and play the game that Sophie dropped off on her way out, snagged from the employee break room—no one ever had enough free time to play it anyway, so she felt no harm in taking it. It was something called Monopoly, but one thing led to another and Ennard had angrily torn up all the paper money in retaliation. When Sun began to stress over the messy paper litter, Mari offered to help clean. Though to her it sort of looked like confetti pieces, and she soon started throwing handfuls of money over the three of them.

“What the hell have you guys been up to?!” Mike asked as he saw the state of the play area. Clearly they'd been playing a board game, though part of it was in tattered pieces that Sun was frantically trying to clean up while his friends danced around in the rainbow paper rain.

“Oh! Michael, language please!” Sun gently chided, pausing his action of scooping a handful of play money off the floor to wag a finger at him.

Michael rolled his eyes, though he offered a mumbled “sorry” as he shut the door behind him. Mari might look like a child, but she was older than both of her new friends. Speaking of the little bot, Mike waved her over with a smile, pointedly ignoring Ennard as he did so—he didn't doubt the amalgamation would be bounding over to his side in a matter of seconds, so the less time he could acknowledge their existence the better.

“Mari!” he called cheerfully. “I've got a question for you!”

“Mikey!” the Marionette gleefully chirped back, waving her hands above her head as Ennard slunk behind Michael in slow pursuit. “I have an answer!”

Mari wasn't shy either, coming up and helping herself to hugging Mike’s leg unabashed before attempting to clamber up him as she did in her old form. Though this model had real weight to it now, and found it hard to seat herself on his arm or over his shoulders.

Ennard came then to stand directly behind Michael, a little jealous of how close Mari was to their best friend—both in a figurative sense and literal. It wasn't long before they were watching him bend to pick Mari up, and given Ennard's recent mood they were surprised to not immediately turn green with envy.

“For fucks' sake, what got you so riled up?” Michael said in a hushed voice, turning around to face the amalgamation. To his relief Sun was now thoroughly engrossed in cleaning up the remnants of their game, so he wasn't able to snap at him again for his choice words.

“And you—chill out!” Michael added a bit louder, almost wrestling with Mari as she insisted on scaling him like a jungle gym. They managed to settle for her latched on piggy-back style, her arms wrapped around his neck while her legs cinched his torso. He held these for extra support, though by the tightness she squeezed him with Michael had no doubt of Mari's ability to keep herself from falling off.

Mike stared up at Ennard, the unnerved feeling he always got around them amped up more than usual. He'd thought he was getting more used to the creature, but somehow Michael could just sense their annoyance as they stared down at him and Mari. Ennard was going to be pissed if they knew Michael planned to take Mari away without asking them to come along...

“Uh... hey,” Michael said, narrowing his eyes at the amalgamation. Worried that a tendril would snake around his leg and pull him down at the most inopportune time, Michael decided to bite the bullet and offer Ennard a stiff hand.

To an outside observer it looked like the guard was thrusting out an arm to make a business deal, and Sun couldn't help but giggle quietly to himself as he observed from afar. It might not mean much to Michael, but Sun knew Ennard would be thrilled that his “bestie” initiated physical contact, no matter how minute it was.

It didn’t take long for a very dainty tendril to rise until it could wrap around the proffered hand. There was a slight shaking maneuver as Ennard tilted their head to the side curiously.

“WE HAVEN'T SPOKEN LATELY... MONOPOLY... MADE US... ANGRY,” Ennard explained, holding onto Mike just a slight longer before deciding not to push it today and let their favorite boy go.

“I took all their railroads and they're angry they don't know how to play!” Mari giggled, poking gentle fun at Ennard. Their pneumatic sigh filled the empty air of the Daycare as they gave up their attitude in a heap.

“I HAVE GOTTEN RID OF THE MONEY... NO MORE MONEY FOR MARI...,” they replied, only fueling Mari's giggles. 

“What's your question anyway, Mikey?” asked the somewhat hyper girl, gently tugging the shirt fabric draping Mike's shoulder to gain his attention.

“Huh? Oh, right.” In trying to process the pair's explanation, Michael momentarily forgot why he'd come here in the first place. Glancing over his shoulder, he asked Mari: “I came to find out if you'd... like to play a round of golf with me and Sam!”

The lie wasn't too bad—certainly plausible, especially as Michael added on: “Your 'dad' needs to take a break from reading documents and tinkering with animatronics. We can shove some water down his throat while we're at it, because I just know that man's had another pot of coffee since you talked to him last... What do you think?”

He just needed to get Mari out of the Daycare so he could tell her the real reason he stopped by without Ennard breathing down his neck in the most literal sense...

“Ooh, that sounds exciting!” Sun chimed in, finally finished cleaning up the mess and striding over to them on his gangly legs. He clasped his hands together, jingling as usual. “You should go, Mari—we can always play more tonight!”

“And before you ask, no you can't come Ennard,” Michael quickly added, looking back up at the clown-masked wires sternly. “Dayshift staff is still around patrolling the whole building.”

Ennard sort of melted further towards the floor, a bit deflated that Michael was on their case so early tonight.

“WE... WILL VISIT DOWNSTAIRS... AFTER WE HELP SUN CLEAN...,” Ennard said as if to put Mike's mind at ease on where he was going to be all night. “WE STILL ONLY USE... VENTS... WHEN NECESSARY....”

“Oooh! I always wanted to play golf! How do you play? Can I swim in the water? I heard there’s lakes in the golf course,” Mari replied a bit chaotically. This place had a lot more stimuli than the older locations, though certainly Mari would let them know should she become overwhelmed. She rested her head on Michael's shoulder, pretty jazzed that Sam wanted to hang out as she waved goodbye to her friends. “I'll be back later, you guys! Goodnight for now!”

“See you later!” Sun exclaimed, already slipping his arms under the semblance of Ennard's shoulders to help his friend back on their feet. As Michael and Mari traveled towards the Daycare exit, the attendant's voice could be heard growing fainter. “Silly! How are we supposed to clean if you're all over the floor like that? Do you want me to get a broom and sweep you up, too?!”

“My god, Sun is an absolute saint...,” Michael muttered, shaking his head as they passed through the garage doors. Although, thinking on it further he supposed the pair's personalities both synced up and acted in a strange dichotomy that just made their friendship work somehow.

When he and Mari reached the entrance lobby, Michael made his true intentions known. Instead of turning for the elevator that'd lead them to the golf course, he veered left towards the front doors. “So I have to admit—I told a little fib back there. We're not going to play golf right now... I'm busting you out and taking you to the hotel to meet up with Charlie and the others. I know it's sudden so it's completely fine if you're not ready but I figured you might want a chance to go outside now that you have a fancy new body. How about it?”

Mari gasped. She hadn't been outside in so long, it was just the thing she needed. Somehow until this point, she hadn't even considered leaving with her newly enhanced form. The possibilities were endless now that she was traveling with her friend Michael. Hugging her arms tightly around him, Mari practically spurred him on with her calves as they begun to leave the lobby.

“Oh my goodness! Really?! Mikey, you're too nice to me,” she exclaimed unintentionally betraying strong emotions for the nice gesture. “I can't wait to see everyone at the hotel! Is it nice there? How is everyone settling in? Gregory told me something about a pool—can we see that?”

“Wow; yes, good, and maybe,” Michael laughed, holding her legs tighter to keep her from wriggling.

The Marionette had always been clingy and a bit excitable, though in the early days that'd been reserved mostly for Charlie. After their decades-long bonding and subsequent separation those tendencies were enhanced greatly, but it still entertained Mike to see just how excited the security bot could get. She honestly did seem like a little kid experiencing the world for the first time, and it was very sweet.

After a few blocks of walking and near-constant chatter—mostly from Mari, since Mike barely got a word in edgewise as she rambled about everything she saw—the pair finally reached the hotel. One elevator ride later and they stepped up to the door to room 717. He rapped on the wood in a special code he and Gregory developed to signal his arrival.

“Hey guys! I'm back, and I have a surpriiiiiiise!” Michael called, finally setting Mari down so she could latch onto the first person to cross her path.

Puppet had never been in such a placid place before. The diner and the Pizzaplex were hectic even without children there; the sudden under-stimulation eventually left Mari speechless. She wondered how Mike stood the lack of fun patterns and lights. No music playing either... It’d stopped past the lobby. Behind the door, there were rapid, tiny footfalls that drew closer with every second.

“Is it pizza?!” Gregory shouted through the door. After throwing it open he had no time to react before Mari unceremoniously tacked him. The boy fell to the floor with a tremendous grunt.

“No pizza! I'm better than pizza!” the little bot laughed, hugging her friend with a powerful squeeze.

“MARI!” Gregory gasped, arms locking around her and strong enough to roll her off of him. “Don't scare me like that, dude!”

Charlie, who’d been cleaning up locks of stray hair in the bathroom, completely abandoned her responsibility when she heard the familiar voice.

“Mike! Does Sam know she's here?” she asked, both happy and worried that her robotic other half was actually out and about for the first time in forever.

“Of course he knows!” Michael exclaimed, scoffing in mock offense. “I’m not that irresponsible.”

“Hello, you two,” Freddy greeted warmly, coming out of the bathroom where he’d been helping Charlie clean up the insane mess she made of the countertop and floor… and every other visible surface. He chuckled when Mari latched onto his leg, bending down to wrap his arms around her as best he could. “How was your walk over here? It looks like a beautiful day outside!”

Meanwhile, Michael had helped Gregory to his feet and was examining his new hairstyle like a jewelry appraiser trying to see if a diamond was real. Hands on his hips with one set of fingers tapping on his tool belt, he walked around the boy in a slow circle with squinted eyes.

“Hmm… Charlie, I appreciate the attempt, but the kid doesn’t have nearly enough hairspray in there,” he said eventually, then gave a resolute nod. “Look, you want to go for the 80s rock star aesthetic, you’ve got to commit. Come on—let me work some magic.”

He ushered Gregory back into the half-tidied bathroom, already searching for the barely touched can of hairspray. Michael had styled his hair in more ways than he could count as a teen, and he was happy to have the unexpected chance to work with someone else’s after so long.

Gregory had no choice in the matter. Michael pulled him in and expertly groomed the somewhat limp mess on his head. Despite the considerable amount that Charlie lobbed off, the weight was replaced with how much product sat on his scalp. Gregory coughed a few times with the artificial scent in the air. When the misty mango hairspray dispersed and Mike stepped out from the view of the mirror, Gregory finally got to see the results. He thought he looked—

“Badass…,” he said, completely forgetting his father, who’d gone back to meticulously picking stray hairs around the bathroom. Gregory touched the teased ends gently, wondering exactly how Mike got his hair to stand up in such a way.

“Language, Gregory,” Freddy chided gently, though he couldn’t help but hum in appreciation for the work. “You could give Roxy some competition, Michael!”

“Thanks!” the android laughed, reaching for the sink to wash the caked-on hairspray off his palms. The sticky hands were nostalgic, but something better reminisced on through memory alone. He flashed Gregory a grin in the mirror, proud of what he’d managed to accomplish in record time. “You can thank what probably equaled decades in the bathroom styling my own hair as a kid for that. Man, Lizzie would get so mad…”

Michael snickered at the memories of her beating on the door aggressively for him to let her in. Sometimes she’d get Evan involved, though he didn’t care nearly as much as she did and more so joined in her attempts to pry the bathroom door off its hinges simply to stop his siblings from fighting. All it took for Mike to make it up to Lizzie was taking her out for an ice cream.

Gregory was enamored with the new style. When Charlie had messed up his hair and cut the front short as her natural go-to, she went for the sides of his hair as well. The ends in the back stuck out in jagged spikes that left Gregory feeling tough... He always already a little rebel, but Michael and Charlie may have accidentally kick-started something in him.

“Can you help me do my hair like this every day? You know, until I learn how to do it on my own?” Gregory asked, meeting Michael and Freddy's reflection in the mirror. He wondered how his friends were going to like it. He knew that Liz, Evan and even Cassidy would appreciate the ode to their youth. Most importantly, if Hannah didn't like his hair he might just shave the rest of it off in despair... Or, he'd find a way to get over it. 

Still—he tried not to think of it negatively. Of course his friends were going to rip on him either way. After all, that's what he was starting to learn that true friendship involved: the ability to be just as annoying with each other as affectionate.

“When do you guys start your shifts? We're all going to play manhunt in the basement today,” Gregory said, like these plans were very important to the integrity of their group. Michael pulled out his phone to check the clock.

“Technically I don’t start for another five hours, but I told Sam I’d stop by his office beforehand. You guys aren’t going to believe what he’s refurbishing right now…” He shrugged, mouth quirked up in a smirk. “But I’ve been running around all day, so I’ve got some time to chill here. Plus, we’ve got to show Mari what life is like outside the walls of Fazbear Entertainment!”

“Yes Mari, you must come in and see the rest of the suite!” Freddy remarked, having cleaned up all he could in the bathroom and gone out to join the girls in the hallway. He offered a hand to the security bot, urging her further into their temporary dwelling with a bright smile. “It is astounding they can fit so much in such a space!”

In the hall, Mari wiggled loose from Charlie's death grip to follow the demure sound of Freddy's voice. She jumped into the kitchenette area, her tiny legs splayed shoulder with apart as she took in her very surroundings. She happily noted that Gregory didn't yet take off his little green bracelet—a high-priority color that demanded her attention. With it, she could locate them whenever...

Just in case.

“This is where you live?!” Mari asked incredulously. The place was immaculate, even if it was painted in a stark white with touristy, floral accents. “This is kinda rad! Where’s the ice cream machine?”

“There is no ice cream machine, but we can call downstairs and ask them to bring some up whenever we would like!” Freddy explained, clear excitement in his tone. Was this was he looked like the first time he’d left the Pizzaplex, wide-eyed and awestruck?

Another surprise. Gregory seemed giddy now, as it could mean anything from new attractions to new foods. It was Gregory's best hope that Sam would let him play test any new game or ride that he thought of opening to the public. The kid seemed to vibrate with pent up energy that was screaming to be released.

“Something new? Is it a secret?” Gregory asked, tugging on Michael's work shirt as he passed to replace the can of hairspray on the bathroom counter.

“It’s not a secret from us,” Michael was telling his little brother with a grin, walking out of the bathroom to rejoin his friends. “Sam’s adding Glamrock Foxy to the lineup!”

“What?!” Freddy whipped his head around, in the process of lifting Mari up so she could see over the high countertops. He quickly set her down in favor of pressing a hand to his chest, looking at Michael with a hopeful gaze. “Foxy is coming back?”

“You bet.” Slouching casually against the wall, Michael shrugged. “I’m sure he won’t mind if you all tag along to see him, too.”

“Oh this is just wonderful!” Freddy’s eyes crinkled with happiness. First he got Bonnie back, and now Foxy as well?! Sam was certainly outdoing himself. “Do the other animatronics know?”

“Nope; we get the first look,” Michael replied. “So if you do run into someone on our way in, keep your mouth shut.” He raised an eyebrow at Charlie and her little lookalike, the most likely culprits to spill the beans.

Gregory never had the privilege of growing up around Kid's Cove with Foxy's story times and intermittent songs sprinkled throughout the day. Meeting him would be like meeting a legend that people only spoke highly of. Clearly Sam loved the classics, romanticizing the best parts of their shared childhoods. Maybe even wanting to relive the old times that were snatched away swiftly by tragedy.

Gregory was only shaken from this line of thought by Mari, who asked him: “This is so exciting! Do you know Foxy?” She shook her head, face scrunched. “No, he wouldn't know Foxy—Mikey, your robot is going to be back!”

She wondered if by odd supernatural magic, Foxy would remember Michael.

“Did you guys miss him? I missed Foxy...” Mari sounded almost melancholic for a second before the feeling passed like a ship in the night. Charlie came over, content to snatch the rambling puppet from off of the poor overwhelmed boy and shook her.

“Yes! We all missed him—but we should go and play before we see him. You are so wired right now!” Charlie then looked to Freddy and Michael for suggestions on what to do.

The boys glanced at each other, then in unison responded: “The arcade.”

While the hotel was a great place to stay, it’s amenities as far as fun things to do were limited. That’s what the Pizzaplex just down the street was for, after all! Even so, while the hotel’s arcade would never compare to the massive neon arenas of the mall, it served as good entertainment for a few hours.

“One of these days we’ve got to go to the pool,” Michael remarked, patting down his pockets to make sure his room and security keys were still there. “Though we need bathing suits first…” He frowned, looking at Freddy’s still unchanged outfit. “Actually, I think we just need to go clothes shopping in general…”

“That can definitely be arranged,” Freddy readily agreed. While he was certainly content staying in their fancy suite when not visiting friends in the Pizzaplex, the former bear was excited for the opportunity to explore somewhere new. With a questioning tilt of his head, he posed a suggestion. “Perhaps we can visit one of those Targets I have heard so many guests speak of?”

“Oh my god,” Michael laughed, clapping Freddy on the back. Sometimes it was easy to forget the guy was really just a robot at his core with limited knowledge of the outside world. “Yes, we can go to Target—we’ll take Mari, too.”

Looking at the wriggling girl, Michael vaguely wondered if they might want to invest in one of those animal backpacks with the long leash-tails so they wouldn’t lose her… But he quickly realized that if anything, she’d be the one to find them if anyone wandered off. For as hyper as she seemed, Michael noticed how she never strayed too far from anyone’s side.

“Well then, to the arcade for now,” Freddy prompted, placing a gentle hand on Gregory’s back to signal it was time to go. “We can play for a bit and then order dinner right before we leave for the Pizzaplex, how does that sound?”

Gregory looked to the group. For the first time in a week, he realized how genuinely happy everyone made him... There was no faking happiness when around his family now. And at the prospect of getting new things, he was even more excited for the rest of the day.

“Arcade!” Gregory cheered. For the first time in a while, Gregory seemed truly happy. His life, while strange as ever, finally started to seem "normal" to the kid. It was funny how the only way to achieve that was to officially become a missing person.

As usual, the trip to the arcade was full of fun and laughter. How could it not be, when everyone was with those they cared for the most?

Michael of course joined in on the games, challenging Gregory to yet another bet that ultimately ended in a stand-off to be picked up next time when Freddy announced it was time to get some food. Tonight was burger night again, and Freddy even managed to get his son to agree to eat at least half a side salad if he got one of the gnarly slushees from the bowling alley later in return. It would be best not to immediately counteract the slim amount of healthy food Gregory ate with a cup of sugar and artificial flavors, but Freddy couldn’t help spoiling the boy just a little bit. It was simply his nature to make sure children were happy after all, and his own kid was top priority.

The group crowded around the dining room table while Freddy brought over the food. Setting it down, he noticed Mari staring at the selection curiously. She hadn’t spoken up about wanting anything, so Freddy had been on autopilot ordering the second they got back up to the room so it’d get there as fast as possible. But as he saw her eyes track Gregory’s burger when Freddy handed it over, the ursine man remarked:

“Mari… you have not gotten to try consuming food yet, have you?” Bright blue eyes shifted to Michael and Charlie. “I think she should be able to eat if I can—what do you think?”

“Yeah, I say go for it,” Michael said, speaking through a mouthful of food as he’d already shoved the biggest bite physically possible of his double-cheese deluxe into his mouth. “Worst case, Henry’s got to scoop out some gunk from her insides.”

Mari laughed at the weird image such a scenario brought to mind. Charlie was the one to slide her burger and fries towards her friend. “Go ahead! Mine’s got blue cheese on it.”

As if that meant something to her. Mari knew such a thing was supposed to taste good. She looked uncertain. Picking up the toasted sesame seed bun, she inspected the way all of the toppings folded over the patty. Mari tried to imagine how to eat this, but the mechanics were lost on her.

“So I bite it, then let it slide down my throat?” she said confidently, but Charlie chimed in to correct her.

“You should chew it before you swallow it. It'll get stuck otherwise.” Charlie tried to refrain from laughing at how similar Freddy and Mari were upon their first encounter with food.

Then it was even harder watching Mari's attempt. Sauces and grease ran over her fingers as she bit into the side of the sandwich. Following Charlie's instructions was easy—but then the sensation and the new concept of flavor hit her. No words, just wide eyes as she set the food back down, afraid she'll eat the whole thing in one bite. Mari tilted her head back to swallow to a minute degree and asked them all: “What was that?!”

“It's a burger—are you gonna be okay?” Gregory asked between laughs as Mari put her head down on the table. The burger must have been too good for words, because for the first time tonight, Mari was contently silent.

Michael laughed too, amused that such a simple action could seem like such a big deal. Then again, he’d never forget years of being unable to eat—and unlike the robots, he knew what the sensation was like. Now that he was able to indulge in his favorite meals, especially without worrying about the consequences of not eating healthy, Michael would never take that for granted again.

The family practically inhaled their food in an effort to get back to the Pizzaplex as fast as they could. Well, except Freddy who insisted on taking reasonable bites despite everyone’s goading to move just a little faster. When the last bit of his meal finally disappeared and he lifted his napkin to wipe the greasy remnants off his mouth, Mike and Gregory shot out of their seats like rockets to get ready. For Gregory this involved grabbing his tablet, while Michael’s task was to give his brother’s hair one last touch-up before they hit the road.

***

Previous Chapter ~~ Next Chapter

Looking for more? Check out the Chapter Masterlist on Tumblr!

Or check out the entire Wires that Bind Us Series on ao3!

[thefrogswhospoke]

since I was tagged, I decided to participate! Thanks, dude :)

1. Were you named after anyone?

Yes! I was named after a character in a french novel. My first name is remarkably similar to a character in twilight (which came out and became popular AFTER I was born and named fyi) so sometimes people think I'm named after that. My first middle name is my great grandmother's name on my mom's side.

2. When was the last time you cried?

Very recently, though I don't remember the exact day. I was doing work and got frustrated. Yeah, I'm a cry baby :')

3. Do you have kids?

Nope. I've had recurring, weirdly realistic dreams that I have a son though. That being said, I don't think I'll have any, and if I do, they'll be adopted. The thought of being pregnant and giving birth makes me so uncomfortable (no shade towards pregnant people, this is just about my own body)

4. What sports do you play/have you played?

I've done a lot of sports, but my favorite is swimming. I've been swimming competitively since I think 3rd grade(?), and have no plans on stopping. But I've done tennis, basketball, wrestling, dance (did not last long), and volleyball.

5. Do you use sarcasm?

Not very often, but I do tease and joke around a lot.

6. What's the first thing you notice about people?

How they look. Their outfit, defining features, hair, etc. And their general attractiveness, which sounds shallow, but it's true. It's not in an attempt to gauge if their in my league or vice versa (I'm aro/ace), I just generally pick up on beauty in things and people (I have yet to meet someone who isn't beautiful)

7. What's your eye color?

Dark brown, almost black in some lighting.

8. Scary movies or happy endings?

It depends on the kind of horror, but generally happy endings.

9. Any talents?

I can play a few instruments, I can make up a story on the spot that's at least half way decent, I can write (ish), and I make some MEAN chocolate chip cookies.

10. Where were you born?

California, USA. I won't get more specific than that because if I start I will not stop gushing until you know everything about me and I cannot live with that kind of digital footprint.

11. What are your hobbies?

Writing, reading, listening to music, baking, doing math for some reason, listening to other people's silly little OC's and worlds, and making new lore/languages for random throw away worlds.

12. Do you have any pets?

yes: this fluffy fucker named Oak

13. How tall are you?

5'5 and 1/4, or about 1.66 meters.

14. Favorite subject in school?

Theology, History, English, Math, or Natural Sciences. Really every class because I like all my teachers and they make everything fun :)

15. Dream job?

If I could turn back time and become the village elder that tells stories by the fire to explain the world because we didn't have any other ways of rationalizing, then I would be. I think that sounds like a nice life. But since that's not really possible, I'd want to be a writer, lawyer, or phycologist.

My mutual @alectricblue tagged me in this game tag! I normally dont do these, but I thought it'd be nice to get to know me more (and also meet y'all if you wish to participate)!

It will be long though. Sorry

1. Were you named after anyone?

Was originally gonna be named Andrea after a ballerina my grandma liked! Sadly no one remembered her well, not even grandma, so I don't know much about her.

My deadname was simply just chosen bc it was easy to pronounce, as well as my chosen name Diego (it's what I would've been called had I been male), although when I chose it for myself I liked the JoJo character Diego Brando so there was some correlation there.

Funnily enough, people think I'm nicknamed Lio after the Promare character, but I hadn't met them yet.

2. When was the last time you cried?

Yesterday. At 11pm. Watching OR3O's One Piece song. It was nostalgic ok

3. Do you have kids?

Nope. There's an absurd amount of reasons I don't want them, although not a single one is because I dislike them. I've had to babysit many kids and they've all been very sweet.

4. What sports do you play/have you played?

Oof, my recent sports is taking my dog for a walk. But I used to like volleyball and kickball! And reluctantly played soccer and did swimming! Sports give me a lot of anxiety and i'm not sure why.

5. Do you use sarcasm?

I do a lot of teasing and lighthearted banter that can sometimes be considered sarcasm?

6. What's the first thing you notice about people?

Their eyes! Or anything outstanding like cool hairstyles or visible tattoos.

With online people, I mostly recognize them by pfp or a vague mental pronunciation of their username.

7. What's your eye color?

Dark brown?? Or black??

8. Scary movies or happy endings?

Honestly, whatever makes me think more. Unhappy endings tend to do that more though, so I guess scary movies! But of course it depends on the mood, sometimes I just want a nice story to cheer me up.

9. Any talents?

I've been told I am talented at the piano! And music in general, although most of my skills feel less like talent and more like just studying the thing.

10. Where were you born?

So I was born in the US, in Florida, but my entire family is from Costa Rica and I just happened to be born while my parents were studying abroad. I don't remember much from the US though, I came back to CR with my grandma in my first months because she was less busy than my parents, and then they came to live here again. So in my eyes I've been a true Costa Rican since always hehe

11. What are your hobbies?

Playing the piano! Also drawing sometimes (I like to color more than draw, but unless I get my hands on a coloring book I can't do that unless I draw), playing videogames (mostly RPGs and visual novels), and doomscrolling.

12. Do you have any pets?

YESSSS my beloved dog Mia!!!!!!!!!!! I love her so much, she escaped her abusive home and we found her while walking around a plaza, said hi, and she followed us home. She's been with us for 8 years now and I adore her. Reference below because how can I not show her off:

13. How tall are you?

Excellent question. I forgot but I'm average if that helps!

14. Favorite subject in school?

It changed over the years, in senior year it was English because we had my favorite teacher! I knew him for years because he has a literature club I partook in, so I was very happy to have classes with him. Plus, we saw the Oresteia, which goes tremendously hard especially when your teacher geeks out about all the symbolisms.

Apart from that, computer class! We barely ever had it, and almost had it cut out entirely in senior year, but the few times we did I really enjoyed programming and practicing typing! And when we didn't do anything we could play so.

15. Dream job?

I want to make my own videogame! So I'd say a game developer, although being a part of any videogame, especially RPGs, would be a dream come true.

Well thank you for reading, I hope that was some insight, it was very fun to reply!

Tagging section (no pressure to do it at all, you can also do it if you're not tagged who cares)

@skyllion-uwu @thefrogswhospoke @gorgeousuare @chronologicalimplosion @fishy-lilic @smoothedsmoothie @mx-mind @montied @aspirationatwork @jhofoyitchg @derkhue @mellomaia @federalfazbear @mcfinnigan @mutantsgurls @foxounderscorecube @sweetnessfollowsmp3 @mildredtefoneck @oh-my-stars1969 @unfullbucket @fluffnfuzzxoxo @electriceel69 @scottigyn @stressedsilverware @sapphicrobotenjoer @antjellies @milk1non-tolarantes @ovalbrain @chocokhaos @markdiegamer @astralix13 @atheist-xmas @blktomekurata @monstar-dreams @glass-duke @c--eam @laooneart

[gamer--grill]

Catherine: Full Body game review. Spoiler alert!

Catherine: Full Body is a recreation of the original game Catherine made in 2011 by the game company Atlus, the same creators of the Persona games. It's a very story oriented platform puzzle game and follows the story of a man who's questioning his life and relationships.

Plot

So the story follows a man named Vincent Brooks, age 32, as he struggles with his hesitancy to commit to his girlfriend of 5 years Katherine and with the terrifying nightmares that plague him. At the very start of the game we meet Rin, formaly known as Qatherine, as she's running from her stalker in the streets. Vincent saves her and finding that she has amnesia and doesnt know anything about herself, she gets a job at the Stray Sheep playing piano, she is also Vincent's new neighbor.

2nd, we meet Catherine, a young, sexual blonde who comes into the Stray Sheep and has a drink with our protag. Vincent gets drunk out of his mind and in the morning he wakes up with Catherine naked beside him. He freaks the fuck out and here starts the love square as he struggles to hide his infidelity from both Katherine and Catherine while dealing with his growing affections for Rin.

Gameplay

The real meat of this game is in the nightmare segments. Every night you're transported to a world where you have to climb a tower of cubes before they fall out from under you and you become a heaping plate of sheep meat. And what they don't tell you about the puzzles is THEY ARE HARD, OH MY GAWD! If you play on hard or even normal be ready to throw your controller out the goddamn window and question your life choices bc if puzzles aren't for you then you're gonna have a bad time.

The game's puzzle segments have improved greatly with an additional difficulty setting called Safety where it's impossible for you to die, there's no timer so the floor doesn't fall out from under you, and you have an auto play and skip options so if you're feeling lazy you can have the game play its self or just skip the puzzle entirely. There's also a back camera so if you need to climb to the back of the puzzle you can actually see what you're doing instead of scrambling around like a sheep with its head cut off. The trap blocks are also disabled in Safety mode. After you get to the top of each block tower you'll come to a platform where you can save, talk to people and buy items that help you climb (they bring down your score of you use them fyi.) After that you'll get into a confessioanal booth where you'll be asked a question where you'll have to answer either 1 extreme or the other. This is the main thing that will determine the outcome of the game. This game has multiple endings and depending on what you choose that will decide the ending that you get and the paths you take. There's a total of 14 endings in this game including alternate endings that are exclusive to Catherine: Full Body so this game makes up for its relatively short play time by having high replay value. They've also added new questions to the game so it won't be the same questions that you answered if you played the original Catherine.

There's an option called Remix where there's entirety new kinds of blocks in the puzzles to deal with, I didn't play that but it looked intersting.

Other than the nightmare parts of the game, you spend you're time at the Stray Sheep drinking, talking to you're friends, bar patrons and Rin. You freqently get txts on your phone from all 3 of the girls and unlike the original game you get phone calls now and pics from all of the women, not just Catherine 😈😈. The best thing about the bar is that it's entirely optional. There's no extra fluff you need to slog through. You can just skip entirely passed it if you don't feeling like drinking or talking but it's all so atmospheric that you'll want to do it. Plus drinking more helps you move faster during the puzzles so bottoms up, bitches. 🍸🍺🍻🍷🍹🍶

Character's

I'm only gonna cover the love intrests bc they're the only ones who matter really.

Qatherine (Rin)

Oh. My. God. I can't even begin to tell you how good her story is. Her genuine innocence, kindness and sincerity help Vincent greatly as he deals with the traumatic nightmares and his relationship problems. Early on we can really feel the affection that he has for her and it seems completely natural that they would fall in love. In fact later in the game he kind of admits that he did fall in love with her. This is how good it was, when I messed up and didn't give the right answers for her path to be unlocked I was so pissed off when the cutscene finally came that I would have shouted at my screen if my dad hadn't been sleeping next door to me. Rin also has a unique place in the game. Unlike the other 2, she actually appears in the nightmares and helps you by playing her piano. That added comfort she gives Vincent really adds to her relevance and pefectly supports the way to a loving relationship should you choose to persue one. She's the most fulfilling love option. She's also not human. Or a girl.

Katherine

Katherine is already your long time steady gf when the game begins. Mature and sensible, she almost resembles a mothering role with the protag. She's always worried about him and his drinking habbits and how clean his apartment is. But she's not without her soft side either. She brings him cake and wants to persue a deeper commitment with him. She's very smart and ambitious but also quite understanding when it comes to Vincent's bumbling clumsiness. She truely wants the best for him and their relationship. This is expanded by the memories that are shown to you about their early relationship when they first fell in love. Which didn't happen in the original game. She represents the security and familiarity that comes with having a long time relationship.

Catherine

Catherine isn't actually a human at all. She's a succubus who was brought to specifically temp the protag into a steamy affair. She's described as "his dream girl" and represents the fantasy and freedom that people secretly crave. She's appears unassuming and innocent on the outside but is actually very shrewd and aggressive as shown when she beats the shit out of Vincent in the bathroom of the bar if you choose to break up with her. She also threatens to kill you early on if you cheat on her. She's very emotionally vulnerable and actually falls in love with the protag as the game progresses. If you break up with her she'll beg to stay with you, stateing that "I just wanna be your girl." And that she's ok with you marrying some one else. Then she cries. Then beats you up. It's all very hilarious and strange. Also no one else can see her except Vincent which leads to chaos near the end of the game. Her endings are actually pretty nice so give her some consideration.

Graphics

As this is a ps4 game, it goes without saying that the graphics are better than the original. The cematics really have the polished Persona 5 look to them. The colors are super bright and vibrant it's like a feast for your eyeballs, I just love it. When you do get a loading screen, which isn't often, you get blasted with that signature vibrant pink and the title screen has a whole new look to it. The style is there and I am here for it.

Interesting stuff

These are just things I personally found awesome.

In the begining, the hostess Trisha (she explains the whole story and presents it to you as a soap opera) aknowleges that this game is the new better version of the first.

The cubes with faces on them open their eyes when you stand in front of them.

When you reply to txts in the bar, you don't have to cycle through options anymore, just scroll and select.

There's Persona music on the bars jukebox including the opening song to Persona 5

There's Persona 5 Easter eggs. Just look around. 😉

There's a rich Muslim dude who you get to talk to on the platform after you climb the puzzles so if you're concerned about "representation" it's there.

Overview 8.5/10

Catherine: Full Body is an intersting, unique and stylish game that brings a fresh new concept to gaming and I really recommend it. It's strange and it does what it does and it does it well bc it's not trying to please or pander to anyone. The story is good and the style is showy and I love it.

I hope that you enjoyed this review and that your gamming experience is a little better.

[the-firebird69]

I have a tape of Jen Merrick saying it too, and we investigated who's next door and we know who it is it's not Trump but Trump is with Jen conspiring about something and she knows what it is she said we went up there not out of fear or anxiety or I need to tell you to you know as their way out on their way out she's trying to cover herself . She went up there to make friends with you on purpose and did so to grow her Army Joey what's that on your head and went up there made a whole bunch of kaiju and really it was from eating your people first, feel some kind of pompadour going on there, and isn't like Corky much does he won't let him have an army but do you understand the math that Jennifer Merrick was talking out loud and she was saying it and these kaiju never say it. No that's great and all you get everybody to talk but these people hate you this cage you hate you and these people here hate you with a passion and you're sitting there bothering him all the time I see you getting killed and flayed and skinned and gutted so many gross things happen to you you think it f****** figure it out but you don't you're so stupid you're still cold stupid and I'm your brother and I'm here to tell you that you don't listen to anyone even to avoid death is so dumb these people are so mean to you cuz you're a f****** a****** to him that you won't listen to anyone so this case you never talks spoke up last week and I didn't tell you cuz you're such a suck was, I discussed it this morning with mine and they said we probably shouldn't he's such a suck wide and he's just going to go up there and feed him and helpless piece of s*** he says he wants to send you a tape of Bob Marsh, of just his mouth him saying it and why not throw in John c Reilly saying it too but just as my health you're not even really his race and kind he's so much different than you you disgustingly nasty like raccoons are kind of evilish they'll bite you and stuff on occasion but really they can be almost domesticated you like this varmit that nobody can identify because f***** up scorpion or something but not poisonous. Like a lobster that's what genius to call you too rock lobsters just put it in the song she said that people just going around cooking and eating you that's what they're doing and her people eating you raw like the movie with Eddie Brock and in that tape is a lot of stuff like that looking up and asking if she was okay he came in and says she okay to say all that and it said yes this is good job you know someone has to do it these people are so stupid it doesn't start the war off up there in New Hampshire but I just want to tell you that we mentioned this big pile of s*** up there on the 28th and it'll rain up there like it was gold to protect the AI south of the wall but really first so she started crying because it was what she needed to know and he doesn't have that going there first so people wind him up there now so I can see what he's doing because he's just sitting here being an a****** he's a scheming honking piece of s***

People kill you for that dja they don't let you walk over here and do anything just kill your way to sit Ellie has to sit there with this dead piece of s*** you f****** suck too I have to call them orange all the time I call the ambulance I don't call him or actually they pull you out of here well he's stone cold dead so maybe just choked on something so they leave they called me up he died he comes back I said if he's dead how come he's here and said we don't know it's a miracle and start investigating him he won't go away it's like a disease so freaking dumb nobody wants you here Brian it's just like westborough I got away from you finally and I don't want you near me it's not your mega jerk mac has grab so many of my clan compared to you. By the way I just want to give you an FYI you're considered to be an AI boy and so is Mac see if these are numbered freaking a****** you're not this f****** Wonder boy it gets away with everything at all you acted all the time like nothing happens to you for your stupid actions everyone's watching you kind of their money before they take you down for it such a f****** loser what you here with Jen Merrick says about you loser practically sauteed you in front of everyone I just sitting there marinating I had no idea it's killing tons of you just to keep you from saying stupid s***

Literally she drove a huge Army of yours into the ground to keep from bothering him one day cuz he started bothering him pestering and you're using your stupid freaking Army to do it started killing you globally if she became huge all the stuff's on tape I'm a huge tape of it she said it's several times last week so sick of you you piece of garbage will kill you when we want to

It's available for private viewing you have a little whiskey bar cigar bar party going to show you what she said about you and then about us because she grew it to get rid of us she's a nastiest witch or girl or whatever she is on Earth and she is this cat followed his auntie around and killed everybody up there he thinks it's funny he can run as fast as them become solid rip your face off too that'd be careful around them they know it's real valuable and they can hang up on them but s*** you're nothing compared to this guy next story keep on mouthing off at freaking p****

Mac Daddy

[lanzazul-a]

Keith turns at the sound of singing filling the hallways. Huh. It's extremely early for anyone besides the caretaker to be in the building. He hadn't expected to run into any staff on this job. Stepping down from the ladder, he holds up a hand awkwardly. "Uh, hey. I - sorry. This must be your room, right?" Gesturing with the paintbrush, Keith glances back at the wall. "I'm almost done."

The kindergarten teacher Lance and Painter Keith au no one asked for

@scoriarought​

Lance had always been a kids person, if his parents wanted to go on a date and get out of the routing, they wouldn’t call his older siblings to take care of the rest, it would be him. In all honesty, that didn’t really bothered him when he was a teenager, playing with his younger siblings and cousins was always a delight, and mostly because they adored him, so he felt pretty damn well himself to be surrounded by this little boys and girls who looked at him as if he was the moon and stars. 

Ever since then he knew he wanted to work with something related with kids, it didn’t matter what, but he wanted to be able to see those smiles every day of his life if he could, so when Allura ( high school crush / goddess / sempai / old family friend ) told him to be one of the teachers of her family’s kindergarten just when he was about to look for jobs after he graduated, he didn’t hesitated on saying: “Hell Yeah!”

Everyday it was a joy to go to work, no matter how tired he felt after a day completely with kids, it was all worthy when he could make any of them smile. Lance was always one of the first to go to class, mostly to redecorate the classroom and make little surprises for the little children, they loved that. 

Normally he would storm into the room, earphones on and singing top volume one of his favorite songs, he never cared about being annoyingly loud since there was never no one there when he arrived so he felt the freedom to be his obnoxious-self and throw his bag over his desk while looking for his apron. That’s when he heard him.  

Lance hadn’t noticed the wet paint over the walls, the newspaper laying on the floor or the overly attractive man standing on a ladder, brush in hand and with the worst looking red overalls he had ever seen in his entire life. How someone so pretty could be using something so ugly? It was a mystery. Lance couldn’t help a blush when he noticed that the guy had seen him entered the classroom as if it was some kind of reality show, and was deeply aware that probably he shouldn’t be there at the moment... he had forgotten that Allura had told him about the new re-painting of the classrooms after all. 

“H- Hey... It’s okay, don’t worry-- ’m sorry, I didn’t know... uhm... I don’t usually enter the room like that... just an FYI” He was lying, but hell if he was going to say that.