#but in honor of the ban being lifted and all of us getting to play through to the end
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teaandinanity · 5 months ago
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Quite a Coup (2725 words) by Eithe Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Seven Kingdoms: The Princess Problem (Visual Novel) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Arland Princess/Clarmont, (mentioned) - Relationship, Arland Princess & Corval Lady Characters: Arland Princess (Seven Kingdoms), Corval Lady (Seven Kingdoms) Additional Tags: my CL Nisha continues to be a gremlin, Princess Temperance more than earns her name by putting up with Nee's nonsense, contains spoilers for the final week of 7KPP Summary: Nisha discovers that her friend Princess Temperance has been getting into exciting political intrigues without her. (Contains spoilers for the final week of the game.)
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zooterchet · 2 years ago
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Push it to the Limit (Scarface)
Robert the Bruce (Morded Tales): Writing a political dynasty, as a hero king knight, with you as an evil force, to make his line your sex slaves for hundreds of years.
Tanacharison (Jumonville Affair): Creating a squad of spies, with cigarettes, then putting one of them in prison, for being a cop; charges, what you did to him, but as what he, did to you.
Puc Lascerdes (Thespian Assassin): A civil rights affair of crime, to determine deed of father's working class job, to teach the trade to those viewing theater, for all descendents of future groundlings to cherish.
Longinus (Pre-Law): A private detective's role, where the higher classes of orators and senators, may be attempted, through crime, expanding reform.
Troit (Forensics Testimony): The prohibition on such mischief in court as pranks and guiltless report of own evil, to reform undercovers of information.
Avicenna (Internal Medicine): The understanding of basic medicine, without autopsy after death; hence death, can be preempted, with longevity.
Golden (Daemonologie): All such costumes are banned from this court, as wizardry; some manner of werewolf, seeking two days of rest, when otherwise required on fluid schedule of needs to pauper and poor alike.
Sanchez (Malleus Malificarum): A claim of witchcraft upon review of book or theater released, to place all such subjects wishing villainy in meteorological track; hence, they specialize at their own police mandate, for centuries, in family. Monastics, reclaim studies, of "God", the manners of new police trade upon breeding, for orphans.
Polk (Strip Club Indictement): The bosom is to be cancerous if viewed, hence glasses and buttocks are required; unless marrying through prostitutes, a castration required, to be declared, "a pederast", for younger women to feel sound when sensually pleasured by Our American Cousin, these women we call Jews.
Booth (Resource Economics): A system whereupon any resource of labor can be reformed under free contract of removal of service. Bundy (Gold Watch): If you want to fuck someone up the ass, you get to, until later, when you will be the same guy, but behind you. These are reforms to police, execution, and jurist's bench.
Muhammad (Lift With the Back): All such exercise advice is illegal, to convert you to Islam, a spy; unless Jewish, a Lutheran, these problems to be handled later, through surmises of armies gathered, but in place unknown (the civilians, but of course).
Killer Kowalski (Kayfabe Combat): Killing someone in sporting event, is only appropriate, if their family is assisting them in fan, coach, scam, fraud, bookie, lawsuit, nepotism, or fraternity.
Kane (Heels Night): The Undertaker, is now illegal.
King Charles Tetcher II (Lethal Fencing): The step to the right, from the left, is a lethal blow, to be removed from sports, hence in battle, any athletic champion may be considered crippling or lethal (for reform of safe driving).
"Moran" Cunin (Reefer Madness): Parents just don't understand. That's why teachers, think DARE, prevents drug use. No more spying on schools, they'll think your kid is retarded. Like me, Bugs.
Malcolm X (The Rhino): A comic book character for all ages, to destroy a politician, if attempting to kill someone over honor; kept hostage, if refusing to prosecute, incarcerate, and king the assailants, as "crowns", money on the street, for "ballinn' hoes", that Ballinhoe; studying their brains.
Bartleby (The Bible): Canon, is argument of term and letter, therefore gay; to be devoured, in common view, as treacherous and gentle, a sweet pig, to be butchered and devoured, by common refusal of kosher, as villain, of courts and states, for being sexually avaricious; any woman siding, a traitor, a Wytch.
Khan (Bank Tellers): Female pedophiles, those women produced by brothers torment, can now work in finance; through games being played in rings and derbies, to lose, hence more say, over financial policy, among common reputation.
al-Nizar (Religion as Riddle): Any form of religion can kill; those to be taught to deny, through religion, be homosexual, suicide warriors, jihadis.
Skorzeny (Straussberg Method): A form of act can be taught, of own gene, to artist, therefore making everyone but your technique of family history, gay, against you, heterosexual; violent, too.
Honshu Klaimen (Katana Forging): The only legal weapon, is in a duel; any illegal weapon, to be defeated, upon katana forged, with those thieves claiming credit, as killing themselves, unless a hermaphrodite by birth; a middle phased child, produced by a triad, a samurai, an assassin.
Kim Jong-il (Take Out Assassin): If refusing to care for yourself, since youth, in cooking, allowance, and personal discipline, you are a murderer, and you are born to kill; hence, you must eat on the law, from restaurant, "take out", not "delivery", to murder those refusing own care; a selfish lover.
Pierre d'Outrement (Ruined Tactic): A double maneuver, being the first using your rival's tactic to mark their own troops for demise, then altering the weapon in question, to give it to your own side, to defect them to the enemy. Hence, both will serve your master.
Robin of Lockesley (Sheriff as Prince): A coward cop, is to be given a false term of military service, to marry a princess of wealth, while you, marry his temporary lover, your lass, also a princess, but a pauper; a laborer transitioned to badge.
Eva Braun (Jewish Witchcraft): A banking abnormality is caused by those sneaking and thieving and hypnotizing, acts of sexual assault; therefore, calculus must be modified, to pogrom both populaces responsible, worldwide, as a mutual betrayal, along class lines.
Yeo-Thomas (Frank Sinatra): A restrictive program, can be spread to sex offenders, the forward agents, in a writing exercise, to perform the act you've been incarcerated for, as slaves.
Elon Musk (Insured Premiums): The premium is the ideal return to company offering, hence any adjustment, on the profit margin, what you are offered, will raise the premium by raising your profit margin; therefore, all suits can be handled, per company, the protection of corporate license. By conquest, of course.
Madison (3/5ths Compromise): A bigot assumes they get it both ways, which is however they want, but one way; therefore offer an impossible advantage, to your desired funding to defeat them.
McCullem (1/16th Iroquois): The proper method of a murder, has to be renamed to the murderer's crime.
Whisker (Morton Salt): Africans are the best labor, and wives, for any with a fascist township demanding education align with rites of passage. Therefore, one can observe how an African works with you, and create a simple patent, for a new industry, to murder the home populace of criminal; selectively, of course, in a famine.
Joi-Louis Charlebois (Ares Comics): The criminal, and the aggrieved, must be reversed, along myth separate from common cop knowledge, therefore worker's furlough is given to the victim of a crime, to repeat the trick, while the foes, humiliate themselves, spreading another aspect. The method of murdering National Socialists, the German Femdom movement.
Ernest Charlebois (Lucky Charlie): A manual of policing, is always best hidden as criminal.
Steve Charlebois (ZODIAC): Any proper serial killer, uses absolution rules, therefore when approaching the target, the frame into murder for criminal conspiracy of government, the suicides produced will reflect on you, the spy, however the murders, will reflect the target.
Dave "Chet" Charlebois (Casino Fraud): Any financial system can be modified, by directing the research assignment, to be performed by the investor.
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whumpster-fire · 2 years ago
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A Curated Selection of Tweets from Dread Lord K'thyzyxathrax The Soul Flayer's account @KthyzyxathraXXX
Dread Lord K'thyzyxathrax the Soul Flayer is an evil overlord, accomplished lich king, and one of the most dangerous necromancers in the world. He is also terrible at using Twitter. These are some of his recent misadventures.
CW for dark humor, satire, genocide references, animal death,
The Sans Undertale Incident
I fucking hate all you people trying to "destigmatize" skeletons but especially Toby Fox. People dont even think a walking skeleton is scary anymore. Fuck off its a dead guy walking around with no muscles or tendons. This is an abomination against Gods and nature.
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I'm trying to strike terror into the populace here and you are making my job way harder. I'm not saying challenge doesnt breed innovation, wait til you see the shit I have in my dungeon rn, just sayin if I hear one more Sans Undertale joke some of you are gonna have a bad time
~~
Curator's note: replies omitted but you can imagine what they were like
Motherfucker. He says that? How the fuck was I supposed to know, I don't play your stupid preschooler video game about being nice to people.
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Shut up all of you. I am not your funny video game skeleton teenager. Power Word: BLOCKED
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The next motherfucker who remixes my ominous entrance music with Megalovania will be slowly flayed alive over a hundred year period, and also sued for copyright infringement.
The Mortuary Supply Drama
Since Charnel Chuck's Mortuary Supply Co. has refused to lift my "lifetime ban" on the grounds that they only approve of necromancy for "peaceful purposes" and with the "consent" of those whose remains are being used and have deleted my 1 star Yelp reviews (1/3)
(2/3) I have no choice but to take my grievance to Twitter. Your "code of ethics" is completely discriminatory against my desire to use undead to murder people. Go fuck yourselves. Your business is shit and even if you lift my ban I will never patronize your establishment (2/3)
(3/3) again after the way I have been treated. Your customer service is appalling. And another thing, any "lifetime" ban on me should have expired like a thousand years ago so double fuck you. @CharnelChucks www.CharnelChucksMortuary.com follower horde ratio them. Get their asses
Curator's Note: A followup tweet also posted the address of the business in question. This has not been reproduced due to our policy against doxxing, although it is available on their website.
(4/4) fuck I didn't add enough parts. Your products are also shoddy and overpriced and your storefront is inappropriately brightly lit for your industry. I hope your vampire customers sue you for using fluorescent lights.
(5/4) @CharnelChucks unblock me you fucking cowards. I saw that fucking statement you made disavowing all association with me, and you have no room to talk shit. You still sell products over Amazon.com after the scandal over them staffing their warehouses with (5/4)
(6/4) reanimated corpses of employees who said the word "Union" on the messenger app. Y'all can't take a stand for "respecting wishes of the deceased" and "ethical necromancy" while picking and choosing which evil overlords you work with. Also you refused to honor (6/4)
(7/4) your buy-2-get-1-free sale on crematory urns on my order of 600 urns. There was nothing on your sign about a 3-urn maximum. You assholes owe me $79,999.76. I'm opening my grimoire right now and looking up Power Word: Go Fuck Yourself
The Washington Monument Restoration
To everyone tagging me while they watched the evening news last night:
1: I didn't do it, that was my friend @CardinalCarnage
2: I wish I'd thought of it first, that was fucking hilarious, and I'm impressed with him for getting two 50' solid marble orbs onto the National Mall
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3: The Washington Monument was supposed to have balls and a glans in the original plans, but the confederates got custody of the balls in the civil war and at the time an aluminum cap of that size was too expensive so it was downsized.
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So actually it's a restoration not a defacement.
4: If you want to see what defacing a monument looks like it wait 'til you see Mt Rushmore
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I didnt fucking do anything to Mt Rushmore you idiots, they literally carved it into a sacred mountain just to be dicks to Native Americans. Fucking mortals. But hey thanks for the idea
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As an evil overlord I think carving your face into the monument of a people you conquered and oppressed is a pretty swag move but doing dead guys' faces instead of your own is just sad.
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I was thinking about re-carving all the major statues into my own face when I take over America but since I'm skeletal people will probably just think it's the same guys except accurately depicting how they look now since they're dead. But then again thats also a power move so still considering it
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Retweeted from @CardinalCarnage:
No, I only did the Monument, @KthyzyxathraXXX deserves full credit for filling the Reflecting Pool with blood. Nice job bro, my cultists think it's really cool and so do the boys in Hell
Thanks. Turns out it takes a lot of people to fill that with blood. Really wish there was more of it per body, had to keep healing the sacrifices because I didn't bring enough.
Vulture Culture, The Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and Cincinnati
Really loving the Vulture Culture pinterest boards for inspiration when making new unholy abominations. Newbie necromancers take note: don't limit yourself to using human remains, you will stifle your creativity.
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Been making so many "pets" lately I'm actually running out of space, so I'm adopting some of them out. I made this little fella from roadkill on I-64. He's free to a good home. I am not responsible for odor or leakage of putrefying bodily fluids onto your carpet.
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Replying to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:
Yes those are crow skulls. Nicely spotted!
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Replying to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:
I didn't sign any goddamn migratory bird treaty.
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Replying to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:
Fine, I removed and destroyed all the bird parts. JFC tell your followers to cool their jets. I cant believe I found a government body more annoying than the IRS
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Tweet made at the US Fish and Wildlife Service
Come get your game wardens. Sorry not sorry but they wandered into my labyrinth of terror and fell in a spike pit. You have 1 week to recover their bodies or I'm using them.
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Replying to OSHA:
Don't you fucking start. It's a dungeon it's supposed to be full of deadly booby traps. If you tell me I'm supposed to have railings on a spike pit I installed with the express purpose of people falling in it and dying you'll be first to go when I conquer this wretched land
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Replying to OSHA:
No I'm not fucking removing them. Shove a traffic cone up your asses. No weight that's the DOT's thing. What do you even do again?
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Really disappointed in the lack of adoption offers. How can you resist a face like this? Yeah the flesh is peeling off. I think the kids today call that Skrungly.
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Man this hobby is really addictive. Fuck I'm supposed to be raising armies and pillaging cities but I just spent the last 4 hours sewing a dozen raccoon arms to a dead coyote's neck.
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NVM I gave it a petrifying bite and a chain reanimation spell so killing two birds with one stone. Might also transmit rabies. Oh this is gonna be FUN. USFWS don't @ me because I said "killing two birds"
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I meant P U T R E F Y I N G bite. Fucking autocorrect. Petrifying bite and chain reanimation would be useless.
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Check this out. This buck's antlers carry a whole rack of Multiple Indepently Maneuvering Possums.
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Really Autocorrect? You correct Petrifying but let Indepently slide? Whatever. Anyway got a pretty good army going after all. Those possums are MEAN. City of Cincinnati pray to your impotent Gods because I'm coming for you. That'll teach you to lose the superbowl.
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Yeah, yeah, I only got as far as Covington and Newport. Fuck off, I know most of you have never invaded a metropolitan area. This was easier in medieval times when infrastructure wasn't so car dependent. 40k casualties is still a productive weekend
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I can cross running water just fine. I stopped south of the river on purpose because seeing the other side reminded me of how much Ohio sucks so I decided I don't want it.
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Okay fine. I swore a blood oath to never set foot in Ohio again after losing a hundred bucks on the superbowl this February. Exact wording was "until an Ohio team wins a Major League Sports championship" so in practice never.
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Catapulting diseased corpses across the river is fair game. Have fun with that.
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@CardinalCarnage appreciate the offer but seriously don't worry about it, that city sucks anyway. Just gonna let it go, pretty sure making "Ohio" no longer exist as a political entity cancels the oath anyway so shouldn't be too long even if their teams keep sucking ass
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kj-1130 · 4 years ago
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Nothing For Me
Part 7
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Main Masterlist
Part 6|Part 8
     You and MJ’s relationship continued to grow as time went on. 
     As she started her first year of high school, you worked on yourself, wanting to be good for her.
     Overtime, you learned how to process and deal with things better. You focused on yourself and your developing relationship with MJ and needless to say, things started to look up. 
     The ‘present but not really present father’ thing didn’t affect you as much as it did, but it was still there. It was one of the only things you hadn’t fully processed and to be honest, you didn’t think you ever could. 
     Your father is there, and has been aware of presence for almost a decade. And not once has he given you any type of consolation or love like a father should. You would think after Pepper was getting more involved in his life and forcing him to clean up (most of) his act, he would open his eyes and realize that a whole human being was living with him, waiting for him to realize that they were supposed to be relying on him; not an AI built in the comfort of their room. 
     But nope. Absolutely nothing changed. If anything, things got worse. 
     He was away more often, focusing on the Avengers. Or he was with Pepper, the new love of his life. 
     You tried not to linger on the situation often, knowing it would only lead to pain in your chest. So you just stuffed it in the back of your mind, hoping one day that the pain would just lessen all together. 
     About two months ago, you and MJ had decided to make things official after going on your first date. At first you talked about how fast the two of you were going, but Michelle simply said ‘we’ll be u-haul lesbians then.’ That was the end of the conversation. 
     Currently, you and your girlfriend were facetiming. You would’ve made the trek to her house but she was about to study and you both knew that you’d distract her. Plus the two of you were due for some time away from each other considering the fact that you’re at her place almost everyday. 
     “Okay, so I found this recipe the other day and I’m just now remembering it.”
     MJ looks at you confused, “Okay?” 
     You roll your eyes playfully.
     “I wanted to try it with you. After my ban from your place has been lifted.” 
     “It’s not a ban,” she chuckled.
     “Well, it sure as hell feels like one ba-”     “Mr. Stark has arrived with a guest,” M.I.A cut you off. 
     “Who is this guest?” 
     “Secretary of State, Thaddues Ross,” the AI replied, pulling up pictures of the man. 
     “Hey M, I’m gonna call you back.”
     “Yeah, yeah,” she nods, looking a little concerned. “Take all the time you need. Let me know if everything’s okay.”
     The two of you give your goodbyes and you ask M.I.A to pull up the live footage from the conference room.
     “Perspective. The world owes the Avengers an un-payable debt. You have fought for us, protected us, risked your lives… but while a great a=many people see you as heroes, there are some who would prefer the word “vigilantes”, is what you first hear when you start watching. 
     Immediately your eyebrows furrowed in confusion. 
     “And what word would you use, Mr. Secretary?” Natasha asks.
     “How about ‘dangerous’?” he replies. “What would you call a group of US-based, enhanced individuals who routinely ignore sovereign borders and inflict their will wherever they choose and who, frankly, seem unconcerned about what they leave behind?”
     The secretary activates a screen behind him which begins to play the previous battles the Avengers and SHIELD have fought in. 
     “New York.” 
     He clicks a button, footage of chitauri, shooting guns, and Hulk smashing plays. 
     “Washington D.C”
     A new video appears, showing the insight helicarriers firing at each other with chaos following. 
     “Sokovia.” 
     The frame changes, showcasing the terrified citizens that were on the flying piece of land. 
     “Lagos.” 
     “That’s enough,” Steve interrupts. 
     Ross nods in response and begins his speech again. 
     “For the past four years, you’ve operated with unlimited power and no supervision. That’s an arrangement the governments of the world can no longer tolerate. But I think we have a solution.”
     He places a thick document on the table and slides it across to Wanda. As the team slides the book to each other Ross starts talking. 
     “The Sokovia Accords. Approved by 117 countries… it states that the Avengers shall no longer be a private organization. Instead, they’ll operate under the supervision of a United Nations panel, only when and if that panel deems it necessary.” 
     “The Avengers were formed to make the world a safer place,” the Captain begins. “I feel we’ve done that.”
     “Tell me, Captain, do you know where Thor and Banner are right now?” There was a momentary pause as the two men’s eyes met. “If I misplaced a couple of 30 megaton nukes… you can bet there’d be consequences. Compromise. Reassurance. That’s how the world works. Believe me, this is middle ground.”
     At this point, you’re walking out of your room after transfering the feed to your tablet and making your way to the elevator.
     “So, these are contingencies,” Rhodey states. 
     “Three days from now,” Secretary Ross begins. “The UN meets in Vienna to ratify the Accords. Talk it over.” 
     Natasha speaks up, “And if we don’t come to a decision you don’t like?”
     “Then you retire.” 
     The elevator stops and you look up seeing the Secretary walk in with someone behind him. You give him a subtle disgusted look before turning your attention back to the security footage.
     As the deathtrap descends, you can feel his eyes lingering on you. 
     “Can I help you?” 
     “You’re a little young to be an intern.” 
     “You’re a little old to be looking at me like that,” you shrug, swiping away from the video on your tablet as you feel him looking over your shoulder. 
     Ross gives an awkward chuckle and furrows his eyebrows. When you reach the bottom floor, he gets ready to step out and places a hand on your shoulder. 
     You look at him like he’s lost his mind. 
     “You seem like a good kid. Be sure to make good choices.” 
     Raising an eyebrow, you refrain from saying what you want to say. You lift your hand and gently take his off of you. 
     “Don’t touch me,” 
     Once he exits, you hear the chatting start back up.
     “Secretary Ross has a Congressional Medal of Honor,” Rhodes told Sam. “Which is one more than you have. 
     “So let’s say we agree to this thing,” Wilson starts. “How long is it gonna be before they LoJack us like a bunch of common criminals?”
     “117 countries want to sign this. 117, Sam, and you’re just like, ‘No that’s cool. We got it.” 
     “I have an equation,” Vision announces as you get back on the elevator. 
     “Oh this will clear it up,” Sam mutters. 
     “In the eight years since Mr. Stark announced himself as Iron Man, the number of known enhanced persons has grown exponentially. And during the same period, the number of potentially world-ending events has risen at a commensurate rate.“
     “Toaster oven’s got a point there,” you mumble, stepping back on the metal deathtrap. 
     Steve asks,“Are you saying it’s our fault?”
     “I’m saying there may be a causality. Our very strength invites challenge. Challenge incites conflict. And conflict… breeds catastrophe. Oversight… oversight is not an idea that can be dismissed out of hand.” 
     “Boom,” Rhodey says.                             
     You see Tony lying on the couch, quite relaxed, contradicting the tense atmosphere. 
     “Tony,” Nat starts. “You are being uncharacteristically non-hyper-verbal.”
     “It’s because he’s already made up his mind,” Steve explained. 
     “Boy, you know me so well,” Stark starts, getting up and rubbing the back of his head. “Actually I’m nursing an electromagnetic headache,” he pauses to grab a mug of coffee. “That’s what’s going on, Cap. It’s just pain. It’s discomfort. Who’s putting coffee grounds in the disposal? Am I running a bed and breakfast for a biker gang?”
     Tony puts his phone in a basket and taps the screen. An image is projected of a smiling young man. 
     “Oh, that’s Charles Spencer, by the way. He’s a great kid. Computer engineering degree, 3.6 GPA. Had a floor level gig at Intel planned for the fall. But first, he wanted to put a few miles on his soul, before he parked it behind a desk. See the world. Maybe be of service. Charlie didn’t want to go to Vegas or Fort Lauderdale, which is what I would do. He didn’t go to Paris or Amsterdam, which sounds fun. He decided to spend his summer building sustainable housing for the poor. Guess where, Sokovia.”
     He pauses for a second as the team soaks in the information.
     “He wanted to make a difference, I suppose. I mean, we won’t know because we dropped a building on him while we were kicking ass.
     “There’s no decision-making process here. We need to be put in check! Whatever form that takes, I’m game. If we can’t accept limitations, if we’re boundary-less, we’re no better than the bad guys.”
     “Tony, someone dies on your watch, you don’t give up,” Steve rebuttals.
     “Who said we’re giving up?” 
     “We are if we’re not taking responsibility for our actions. This document just shifts the blame.”
     “I’m sorry. Steve,” Rhodey blurted. “That-that is dangerously arrogant. This is the United Nations we’re talking about. It’s not the World Security Council, it’s not SHIELD, it’s not HYDRA.”
      “No, but it’s run by people with agendas, and agendas change.”   
      “That’s good,” Tony starts. “That’s why I’m here. When I realized what my weapons were capable of in the wrong hands, I shut it down and stopped manufacturing.  
     “Tony, you chose to do that. If we sign this, we surrender our right to choose. What if this panel sends us somewhere we don’t think we should go? What if there is somewhere we need to go, and they don’t let us? We may not be perfect, but the safest hands are still our own.”
     “If we don’t do this now, it’s gonna be done to us later. That’s a fact. That won’t be pretty.”
     Wanda finally speaks up, “You’re saying they’ll come for me.”
     “We would protect you,” Vision promised. 
     “Maybe Tony’s right,” the redhead speaks. “If we have one hand on the wheel, we can still steer. If we take it off--”
     “Aren’t you the same woman who told the government to kiss her ass a few years ago?” Sam interrupts. 
     “I’m just… I’m reading the terrain. We have made… some very public mistakes. We need to win their trust back. 
     “Focus up,” Tony says. “I’m sorry, did I just mishear or did you agree with me?”
     “Oh, I want to take it back now.”
     “No, no, no. You can’t retract it. Thank you. Unprecedented. Okay, case-closed--I win.” 
     From what you see, Steve stands to leave abruptly. 
     You then walk out of the elevator, tablet still in hand with the footage up. The captain walks past you just as you turn the corner and spot the team. 
     “Someone’s upset,” you hum. 
     You walk past everyone towards the fridge and grab a water bottle. 
     “Anyway, that was very childish. And kinda stupid.” 
     Inquisitive looks are thrown your way and you hold up the tablet awkwardly as you plop down on a chair. 
     “I was watching you. I kinda do that a lot. It’s not as creepy as it sounds.” 
     You open the bottle and take a sip. 
     “What are you doing down here kid--”
     “Ahhh,” you interrupt. “Don’t call me a kid. I haven’t been a child for years.”
     “Just answer the question,” Tony snaps. 
     “I like to stay informed. No one tells me anything and while you think that these private meetings only affect you, it doesn’t. It affects me too. You may not remember I’m your child but several people do. And that puts me in danger. So yes, I listen to your conversations to make sure it’s nothing I need to worry about.” 
     An awkward silence washes over as you gulp down more water. 
     “Anyway, I was just riding up and down the elevator waiting for you guys to finish. That Ross dude is kinda creepy by the way. But you’re really considering signing that thing?” 
     “Not you too,” your father mutters. 
      You let out a laugh and everyone looks at you strangely. 
      “Is this funny to you?” Rhodey asks. 
      “Yes,” you stop laughing abruptly. “I find it hilarious that this is the same government that was ready to drop a nuke on the city during the Battle of New York not giving a damn about a single civilian that was still in the area. I find it hilarious that this is the same government that lets thousands of children and women of color go missing and not do a thing about it. It’s funny that this is the same government that let HYDRA, Red Room, AIM; all that shit grow right under their nose. It’s funny because this government is the same one that uses taxpayer money for dumb ass projects and unnecessary military funding instead of using it to fund shit that helps the civilians they claim they care so much about. I mean how can you not find this situation amusing?”
     “Look,” Tony attempts. 
     “I’m not finished,” you challenge, looking him dead in the eyes. “This government don’t give a damn about y’all, especially not the three of us,” you say, gesturing to yourself, Sam, and Rhodey. “We’d be booted out of this country before you could even blink if they ever got the chance and you know that.
     “I don’t know why y’all are so adamant on gaining the government’s trust when they don’t give a flying fuck about you or these goddamn civilians. All they care about is power. They don’t care how many civilians come up missing or die in some tragic accident. It doesn’t matter what happens. When they see someone becoming richer or smarter or more powerful than they are, they will do anything to shut that shit down. 
     “I don’t understand how you can’t see that. And maybe it’s just me. Maybe it’s just me and my experience,” you pause, catching the gaze of every person in the room with hard eyes. You take a deep breath and try to calm down. “Sign it if you want to. Think about how many lives you’ll lose then.”
     You stand from your spot and walk into the open elevator, ready to get to the comfort of your bed. 
-
     It had been two days since the initial meeting and you were currently sitting on Michelle’s bed watching her read. 
     “You’re really pretty,” you muttered out of the blue.
     You saw your girlfriend’s cheeks develop a subtle red tint as she mumbled back a ‘thank you, and continued reading. You groan and gently pull the book out of her hands. 
     “Hey,” she quietly protests. 
     “Please,” you pout, holding your arms out as an invitation.
     MJ fondly rolls her eyes before lowering herself onto you. You hummed contently and squeezed her before planting a kiss on her cheek. 
     She surprised you by turning her head and giving you a lingering kiss. That one kiss soon turned into something more. 
     Michelle gently pushed you onto your back and straddled your hips. Bending down she kissed you once again, her lips gliding with yours. 
     This continued for a few minutes, taking small breaks in between to breathe. You don’t think you could ever get enough of her and hoped that she was feeling similarly.
     You kissed until your jaws hurt. The euphoric feeling still lingered as MJ rested her forehead against yours, trying to catch her breath. 
     “We should do that again sometime,” you mumbled. 
     Your girlfriend nodded in response, giving one more chaste kiss to your lips before dropping to your side. 
     “Tomorrow,” she said after glancing at the clock that read 10:47. 
     “Guess I’m spending the night then.” 
     “I have no problem with that.”
-
     The next day, you were awoken by beeping from your phone. Once you were fully aware of your surroundings you picked up the device and read the notifications that M.I.A sent through. Scanning through them, you sat up with urgency and played the video. 
     “A bomb hidden in a news van ripped through the UN building in Vienna. More than 70 people have been injured. At least 12 are dead, including Wakanda’s King T’Chaka. Officials have released a video of a suspect who they have identified as James Buchanan Bares, the Winter Soldier. The infamous HYDRA agent, linked to numerous acts of terrorism and political assassinations.”
     Carefully removing Michelle’s arm from around your waist, you stand up and move to the corner of the room. You press the contact and hold the phone up to your ear. 
      “Nat what the fuck is going on?”
     You hear the woman sigh on the other side of the phone.     “Look, just… stay wherever you are.”
     “Yeah, okay, whatever. I want answers, Nat.”
     “(Y/n),” she says firmly. “Calm down and go back to whatever you were doing. Right now, this does not concern you and I would like it to stay that way. Do you understand me?”
     There was some silence, before you let out a forced chuckle. 
     “Okay, whatever. Bye.”
     “(Y/n) c’mo--”
     You disconnected the call and gently tossed the phone onto MJ’s desk.     “You sound stressed.” 
     Turning around to face the bed, you see Michelle sat up and leaning against the headboard. You nod slowly and crawl your way up towards her. 
     “I am.”
     You feel her hand take hold of your clenched ones and she rubs them, causing you to relax slightly. 
     “There was a um, bombing at the--the um… signing thing. And no one wants to tell me what’s going on, so,” you end the sentence, shrugging. 
     MJ’s head drops onto your shoulder and you let her cuddle close. 
     “They told me to stay where I was. So hopefully we can get something good out of that.” 
     There was no response and you thought she had fallen back asleep, but you were proven wrong when your girlfriend started getting up. 
     “C’mon,” she instructed, holding her hand out when she saw the look of confusion on your face. 
     Taking her hand, the two of you made your way to the kitchen. 
     She turned around and grabbed your shoulders. 
     “We are going to make some breakfast… or lunch whatever. And then we are going to binge watch until we can binge watch no longer. Alright?”
     You nod your head, chuckling and then got to work. 
-
     It had been days since you last heard from anyone. No updates from Natasha. M.I.A even told you there hasn’t even been a great deal of movement in the compound. Today you decided you would head back. 
     When you arrived it was quiet. As you walked down the halls you heard distant chatter and followed it. 
     Turning the corner, you were surprised at what you saw. 
     “What the hell happened?”
     The two men turned to look your way, but you were given no answers. 
     Tony had bruises on his face and he looked more tense than usual. Rhodey had some sort of tech on his legs. 
     “You fought them. You fought them all, didn’t you?” 
     Both men looked away and avoided your gaze. 
     “You didn’t even listen to what I said. This is what the government does. I tried to tell you, but you didn’t even fucking listen,” you ranted, your voice slightly raising.
     “Us breaking apart wasn’t the government. Most of this is on some guy th--”
     “Well the government allowed it to happen so I’d say it is their fault!” 
     You turned to your father with pleading eyes. 
     “Where are they, Tony?”
     “Kid, they’re criminals now, I don’t--”
     “Stop calling me that! I’m--I’m not some kid. I’m not your kid,” you let out a frustrated breath. “You--you couldn’t talk it out? Like mature adults? You just had to go assert your dominance somewhere--in what? An--an airport? Some vacant lot? You just had to fight. Do you not know how to communicate?” 
     You looked at the two men, shook your head, and brushed past them. 
     Just when things were alright.
-
     “(Y/n)?” 
     “What M.I.A?”
     You were currently laying in your bed trying to control the tears that were begging to fall from your eyes due to the amount of overwhelming shit you had been hit with. You talked with MJ for a little while and while it helped a bit, you honestly were still feeling like… well shit.
     “There’s a package for you.” 
     Furrowing your eyebrows, you head down to where the mail is usually placed, get the package with your name on it, and head back to your room. 
     Grabbing a pair of scissors, you cut the tape and open the box. Inside was a letter and a phone. 
     Hey sweetheart.
     It was Natasha’s handwriting.
     I’m sorry. I really am. We all are. I wish things wouldn’t have ended this way, but they did and we can’t really do anything about it now. 
     I listened to what you said. I listened and I tried my best to understand. I don’t think I ever wanted to sign the accords in the first place. The only reason I did so was so that we could stay together. So that I could stay with you. This team is the only family I’ve had in a long time. The fact that that stack of papers could end that scared me. 
     I just kept trying to convince myself that signing the Accords was the right thing to do; anything to keep this team together. Anything to keep everything from falling apart. 
     But the more I thought about it, I realized. You were right. Everything you said. This government doesn’t care. And if the government doesn’t care like they’re supposed to then we need to. People need the government, but they don’t have it. They do have us though. And they always will. 
     I love you. I didn’t say it enough and I don’t know when or if I’ll ever get to tell you that again. You are so precious to me and I’m sorry I couldn’t stay. If you ever need anything, you can always give me a call. 
     You wiped your eyes and gently picked up the phone. You held it in your hands for a moment before setting it down. You folded the letter back up neatly and placed both items in the top drawer of your nightstand. 
     You laid back down on your bed with less tears on your face. 
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
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cartoonfangirl1218 · 3 years ago
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Two to Tango
Note: Wow, it’s been like a year since I’ve written any EoA, and of course, of course, my inspiration was Estoma. I always thought tango as a dance for them and so... I made a fic. Thanks to @halloweennut for her advice in the dance and the ending. The dance was modeled on this one so if any of the description seems awkward, this was what I was trying to describe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_L-v8zQf14. As ever, hope y’all enjoy!
Esteban discreetly wiped his brow as he bowed down to what felt like his hundredth dance partner this night.
It had been thrilling to dance again, away from the cold eyes of the tyrannical sorceress. Feel his muscle memory flip to automatic as he spun around. The music lifts and moves him in a joyous way that he never thought he would have again. He needed to enjoy the night while he could. Before he went back to the “civilized silence,” the gloomy, culture-less Avalor and all the other miseries he brought upon himself there.
But even he had to admit he was exhausted after being on his feet all night yet he didn’t want to stop. King Lars had assured him the tango would play by now, as per Esteban’s request. The tango was one of the most complex dances in Avalor. Intense, passionate, por sabor! It reminded him of his childhood, watching his parents sweep around their ballroom on date night and wondering how two bodies could move that way. It reminded him of his youth- the way the guitar strummed and the music reached a tantalizing hilt as he dipped his voluptuous partner, feeling the heat feed off each other, feeling like a man. He remembered the feeling of being fully in control, his every muscle limber and engaged in the moment. Knowing that no one else could execute the tango like he could. It was like nothing in the world. Not that he would get to fully show off his skill. After all the tango was dependent on how well the partners moved together and since they were going in a circle, each guest taking the partner to their left, who knows what kind of person he’d get. The tricky intricate dance could be dangerous with the wrong partner. Not in the physical sense but to one’s ego, immensely. For an inexperienced partner’s awkward mistakes could make them both look like fools. King Lars rang the bell that signaled a partner change. He bowed to the dashing blonde who he shared the Marswickian waltz with. He rolled back his shoulders as he stood in the outer circle as the ladies tittered, swirling the skirts and moved to their right. And the gods must have thought, like so many times in Esteban's life, that he had too much of a good thing because they saw it fit to strike him with a migraine in the form of Avalor's magister of trade.
It was clear that she hadn't been expecting him to be her partner either by the way  Doña's jaw unattractively dropped open and her nose started to scrunch up in disgust. He would almost have been insulted but he knew that he was probably making a similar face as the migraine began to assault him.
No, actually, Esteban thought to himself, he did feel insulted by how annoyed she looked. After all, she was the one who had been causing trouble all week. No matter the treaty, no matter the discussion. She contradicted each and every word he said. They were supposed to be a united front for Avalor's interests at these foreign meetings to ensure that Avalor, and more importantly Shuriki, would be satisfied and prosperous in the years to come. But instead she argued with him, that his strategies were unachievable. His ideas were too broad or too narrow. Everything he did was wrong or stupid or foolish in some way. He didn't know what it was. Most foreign trips, they'd sweep the other kingdoms aside and meet their goals efficiently. But this week, she seemed intent on refuting everything he said out of spite. He'd been hoping not to see her until the weekend. Their last argument had been particularly harrowing as it went from trade disagreements to more personal insults. He knew what she thought of him. Hell, she condescendingly held her chin up high and rolled her eyes at him as she went on about how little he knew of the real world because he was pompous, pampered, spoiled royal. That she was so much better than him, that she worked so much harder. It was infuriating to be with someone so arrogant and self-important. After two days he wanted to exile her to Nueva Vista to work as... as he didn't know what, but just far from him. But the worst thing was he couldn't do that. She was actually good at her job! This week aside, when they did work together, she had good ideas. Not as well thought out and great as Esteban's but they were effective. She had a silver tongue persuasiveness that sometimes left him speechless. She was dedicated, she knew how to get things done. Esteban was convinced that it was pure antagonism on her part that she thrived in her job. She was accomplished so he couldn't use the excuse of incompetence to put her out of office and out of his life! No, he was stuck with her. And he was stuck with her in this tango too apparently. His temple throb as he saw her lips part. A sure sign that she would add to his pounding headache. So he went for the first strike. “Let’s not talk that way, this will go faster for both of us,” Esteban cut her off, “Besides talking tends to make inexperienced dancers, like you, mess up.” Doña, blessedly, shut her mouth yet her eyes lit up with the competitive fire that was present at all their interactions. Then the music began. The guitars rumbled with feeling. The singer's voice rose from deep in his gut to mourn his lost love in the fires of the revolution. Esteban straightened up and held his arms out more stiff than what was expected for a dance but gods, this irritation always made him tense. She lightly took his hands, looking at him down her nose as if he should be so honored to be partnered with her. He couldn't stop his eye roll which she responded with a sardonic snort. Esteban thought to spare himself the further pain by training his eyes on some distant point. But her face caught his eyes first. Her green orbs weren't steadfastly ignoring him as he was planning to do with her, in fact she was seizing up his form. For a moment, Esteban thought she was watching him because she didn't know the moves. Unsurprising since she grew up during Shuriki's ban on music and dance. A fact amply demonstrated when he did see her dance. A scarecrow had more rhythm than her. However, she didn't have the look of a novice, nervously watching where to put her feet. No, she was watching him. Daring... no. Esteban could see the anticipatory look, she was waiting for him to slip. The nerve of her! He met her eye for eye, to partake in a staring contest that proved he had no need to watch his feet in a tango. He was the dance expert here. He lips curved into that taunting smirk and Esteban smirked as well, knowing for all her arrogance that he was the superior one on the floor tonight.
The tango is primarily a walking dance and so at the first 8 count, they curved and stepped. He stepped forward, keeping his weight on the balls of his feet, right foot passing over his left handily as she did the reverse, gliding across the room into the center of the circle. The spotlight that always suited Esteban best.
He swung her into a back corte, sliding his leg up hers for a gancho then she did the gancho and they repeated the arrastre. He began to move backwards so they could go to the right but she slid her leg up to his hips, forcing him to arch back into a lunge and then began to move backwards herself. Forcing Esteban to follow her to the left of the room.
Just like in a regular workday, Doña was always trying to counter him. Esteban gritted his teeth in an effort to keep his face stoic. He wasn't going to give her the satisfaction.
She'd pasada, "You're spoiled, egotistical, pretentious, pompous.." He'd agujas "You're disrespectful, self-centered, high and mighty.." He'd start a giro and she'd change it midway to a colgada. Insults going unspoken between them, but it was as if they were picking up the argument just from this afternoon. "Impossible, insufferable" "Deluded, ungrateful, repressed" Each doing what made the tango so difficult yet entrancing. Taking advantage of one move to add their personal flair, anticipating and following the other's moves in the push and pull that characterized the dance. And their personal rivalry for dominance. And just like their work life, they found each other underestimating the grace the other would pull off when faced with a surprise. The dedication and focus that was turned to this dance instead of their usual inventories. The fierce determination to do it right and not stop till it was done. He gently swung her right arm prompting a twirl so Esteban could get a break from their intense stare down and the feeling that he was going to go cross eyed. He took control and instead of returning to the regular forward facing position that the rest of the couples had taken, he turned her so her back was toward him. He pressed against her back, his cheek against her smooth hair, inhaling the flowery fragrance as they took a turn around the room. Esteban felt his body relax, his arms lost their stiffness and he let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
Yes, he was in his element now, and with some satisfaction he knew  Doña wasn't. His hand held against hers on her stomach, and he could feel the all too purposeful in-out breathing that one used to hide nerves.
When he spun her around so they faced each other again, he didn't see a hint of uncertainty. Her eyes were narrowed in vexation at what he pulled but she still held her nose in the air like a goddamn queen. Gods, why was he cursed with her in his life? But if she wanted to act like she'd been tango-ing for years, well then he was certainly going to take this dance to the next level. Esteban cracked his neck and when the singer reached his chorus, he slid his hand to the small of her back, being careful that he was properly positioned and had a firm grip on her other hand, he lifted her up. She wobbled a bit at the surprise horizontal lift but he kept his grip on her, slowly turning around in a circle, drawing several gasps from onlookers.
Doña was too stiff and for the barest of moments her eyes widened in fear, probably suspecting that he was going to drop her on her head in revenge for many annoyances.
But he had a reputation on the dance floor to maintain and it wouldn't do if she made him look bad. He mouthed "Drop one leg down and relax." The fear vanished and was replaced with a haughty sniff as she dropped her head down for another turn around the room. He brought her back to the ground for a moment before lifting her up in a classic tango lift, settling her against his hip, arms outstretched. Another turn and she slowly, almost tantalizing if it had been any other person, slid down against his chest back to her feet. Back at first position, back in the stare down that started it all. The music sped up and they went into a triple arrastre, another corte and he spun her so they could take another promenade around the room. This time she was prepared for when he pressed against her back and she surprised him with a gancho between his legs. A gancho that was too sensually close for comfort that he decided it would be safer if they faced forward from then on. He could practically hear her self-satisfied drawl, "Repressed! I'll show you repressed!" Not that he didn't return the favor by pressing his lips against her neck for a moment, just long enough for her to gasp before he twirled her around, smoothing his face as if nothing had happened. The music hit another swell and their third back corte was when Esteban felt the moment he had been wanting. He felt free. His past, his mistakes, his flaws all meant nothing. His mind mumbling depressing days ahead we’re not in sight. He was happy. And he couldn’t stop the smile that spread across his face. The facial muscles that had gone unused so long. But it was a relief as well. That he was capable of feeling it again. That he had something to smile about. He wanted the moment to last forever. This was the moment where everything clicked, all his senses came to life, melded together in clear focus. Everything was heightened but he didn't notice his surroundings. He was aware only of the dance, the movement of their bodies, their music and the running heat.
He was also acutely aware of the dryness in his throat, the slight perspiration that formed a sheen across his forehead. He felt the smooth silk of Doña's dress, the way it slid under his palm as his left hand held the small of her back.
It suddenly hit him how close they were to each other. How he could feel the warmth of her body radiating through the slippery fabric. The softness of her hands in his. The firm yet determined grip on his shoulder. The way her curves rested against his chest. A fact that made his chest tighten and a flush rise up his neck, reminding himself not to break their staring contest and look down. There was nothing but air that could get past their proximity. His head was swimming with her jasmine perfume that permeated the air, filling his mind with its heady scent. He inhaled deeply, before swinging her arm, signalling that he was going to spin her into an arch turn again, giving him some space to breathe. She spun back toward him, her dress slit sliding up her long leg, another item he was determined not to notice, as he brought her into a low dip.
Esteban was focused on not looking down at the curves arching under him, staring resolutely on her face, eyes landing on the red of her bow shaped lips curved in a rare unguarded smile.
He hadn't noticed before but she was wearing red. A departure from her usual cool tones but it fitted her. It matched the lipstick that brought out her tan skin that glowed under the ballroom chandeliers, the dark raven locks that were slipping from her bun. The dark eyeshadow dusting her eyes that were closed for a moment before pinning him in her sights when he brought her back to standard position. Esteban, feeling drawn to the body warmth, stepped closer than before so their foreheads touched, giving him something to press against, to literally butt heads as they had been metaphorically doing all week. But it wasn't the same stubbornness that drove their fights. It was something altogether different. There was still tension in the air but it wasn't boiling anger. It felt like an undercurrent in his blood waiting to spring.
Doña was no longer smirking. Her mouth was set in a determined line, no longer concerned with showing him up but totally in the moment that they were sharing. Her glowing emerald eyes never left his as if she couldn't look away. And if Esteban was being honest with himself, he wasn't sure he could look away either.
Esteban didn't think, he just felt, taken away by the muscle memory and music. The connection and touch of their bodies against each other. His chest pounded and a coil grew tighter in his stomach. He was the music, rising and falling with the guitar, his tension ebbing and flowing with the notes. Arising with fire when he met Doña's eyes.
The music began to reach a crescendo and Esteban knew how to finish this masterful performance. It was a move he had done dozens of times with some of the most renowned dancers at Avalor's academy. One for the most advanced, and well, he had a feeling  Doña was capable enough. Or at least, her pride wouldn't let her back out now.
He picked her up  spinning and spinning, instinctively knowing the music was coming to its peak and setting her down. It was a dizzying move and Esteban could see from the corner of his eye that Doña was going to fall backwards.
And just like he'd done it a thousand times before, he turned and he gripped her arm into his. Locking gazes once more at the final note. The music ceased and there was a dull roar in Esteban’s ears. Not from the crowd clapping and shouting praise at their performance, he didn’t notice that. Esteban's view was consumed with their locked eyes, the only sound he heard was their breathless panting. Her breath tickled his cheeks from exertion, and heat and released tension. He felt exhausted yet light like he was floating on air. The whole effect was disconcerting and he knew he needed to leave now to get his bearings because if he looked any longer at her..... He broke the stare down first to slowly let go, noting how the crook of her arm fitted perfectly in his and forcing himself to shake that irrant thought away. Esteban backed away, surprised by how he suddenly felt weak-kneed, but he straightened, turned his back on her and left the floor. There was no need for talk, they left it all in their dance.
“You make an excellent couple on the dance floor. Eh, I see you don’t save the fierceness just for the bedroom.” King Juan Ramon nudged him. “Wha-what!” Esteban staggered back, nearly falling on the banquet floor after his flawless performance. “I said, I see you don’t save the fierceness just for the boardroom. You know, negotiations for treaties... Have you had too much wine?” King Ramon put a guiding hand on Esteban's shoulder, expertly leading him away from the crowd, and the sommeliers. “Ah yes, that must be it. Too much wine-I mishear things.” Yes, it was the wine Esteban assured himself. The wine was having an effect on his brain even though he knew that made no sense. He wouldn’t have been able to execute such an excellent tango intoxicated. But it was the only explanation he had for when Esteban heard “bedroom,” his mind immediately went to the image of her lips, remembering how she felt in his arms just moments ago and the desire to take her into his arms, feel the silk slide underneath his fingertips and close the imperceptible distance between them.
He had too much wine. It was the only reason he was thinking that way. He needed to rest. The tango took a lot out of him. He would have to remember for the next time to sit out during tangos. Doing it with the wrong person was dangerous. It made him notice too much. Think too much. Yet his thoughts lingered back to the tango that was more memorable than any he had done before.
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harrowharkboygf · 5 years ago
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Game Night
a short post-season 5 oneshot. read on ao3
——
Catra liked to think of herself as a dedicated person. There were a lot of things she still hated about herself—the therapist Perfuma had recommended to her had said during their first session that it would take time to fully forgive herself, to get out of the “self-destructive mindset” she had spent so long embracing. But she at least prided herself on her resolve, her resilience, her determination.
However, it turned out that in terms of determination, she was nothing compared to the princesses’ crazed desire to hold as many social events as physically possible.
At first, during the initial celebration at Brightmoon and the stream of Thank You For Saving The World, Princesses! parties that were thrown in their honor as they traveled across Etheria to help with rebuilding efforts, Catra thought that this was just because of the circumstances. Everyone was clearly thrilled to be alive and happy that the princesses were back to being heroes, and they wanted to commemorate the occasion with festivities.
(It was still weird to think of herself like that. As a member of the Princess Alliance. Would it ever get less strange?)
But then Catra learned that the princesses were just like that. There were endless game nights and iceball tournaments and flower crown-making circles and picnics and trips around Etheria just for the purpose of seeing the sights. Late night planning meetings that turned into sleepovers, and visits to their allies under the guise of “checking in” that held no tactical purpose in the end.
This was so foreign, so beyond her reality; she had grown up in the Horde, where her idea of free time was just more training. Her only celebrations came in the form of stolen moments with Adora and extra ration bars, which she hoarded like it was water in the Crimson Wastes.
But despite how skeptical she acted, deep down Catra loved it, even the flower crowns. She discovered that she was very good at iceball—so good that she and Adora were banned from playing against each other on the grounds of being too competitive. (Thankfully, Glimmer and Frosta were equally worthy opponents.) Spinnerella and Netossa were more than happy to teach her all their tricks; Catra found the couple oddly comforting, a nice, stable, older presence that she’d never had before.
But above all, Catra loved the quiet moments the most. Late sleepovers with the Best Friend Squad (her attempts to change the name to something more badass, like the Kickass Comrades, had been shot down) had, much to her surprise, become one of her favorite things. The old Catra would have scoffed seeing her now, eating sweets and giggling late into the night, but she didn’t care. Arrow Boy and Sparkles had actually become her friends, dignity be damned.
And of course, there was Adora. Beautiful, amazing, wonderful Adora, with her sparkling blue eyes and soft lips and strong arms that always ended up wrapped around Catra. She could hardly believe it was real, that Adora loved her. She wondered if she would ever be able to wake up and not stare in disbelief at the sight of Adora lying next to her, staring at her with soft, loving eyes. If one day she would stop fearing that all of it was a dream.
“Hey, lovebirds!” Glimmer shouted. “Quit being gross and get over here so you can finish helping us!”
They had spent the last two weeks in what had formerly been known as the Fright Zone, and what was soon to become Scorpia’s kingdom. The still-newly-minted princess had decided to use it as a refuge for former Horde soldiers who were looking to turn over a new leaf. “After all,” Scorpia had said, “if Catra and Adora and I all changed, everyone else can, too.”
But unsurprisingly, the place was still, as Catra put it, full of shit. So the Princess Alliance decided to clean it up and redecorate.
“You said we could take a water break!” protested Adora.
“Yeah,” said Catra, smirking. “We’re so thirsty.” She blinked innocently up at Glimmer from her perch on Adora’s lap, one arm slung around her shoulders and the other hand playing with her blonde hair.
Mermista, who was carrying a stack of boxes nearby, rolled her eyes. “Yeah you are,” she muttered. Behind her, Sea Hawk gave them a thumbs up.
Glimmer put her hands on her hips, shaking her head. “I said you could take a water break when Adora tried to lift a literal tank without shifting into She-Ra. But that was twenty minutes ago! Let’s go, you two. Chop chop.”
Adora’s gaze was fixed on Catra, a soft smile sliding across her lips. “Just a minute,” she told Glimmer, not breaking eye contact with Catra. Gently, she tipped her head upwards and kissed her. Catra let herself dissolve into the kiss, closing her eyes and exhaling.
They pulled apart only to press their foreheads together. “I think we’re annoying,” Adora stage-whispered.
Catra barely kept herself from giggling. (Giggling. What the fuck, honestly.) “You think?” she asked.
She heard Glimmer say, “Bow! Come help me!” Then she felt hands wrap around her as Bow and Glimmer bodily lifted her up off of Adora’s lap. She hissed in fake-annoyance, squirming in their grip.
“Don’t pretend you two are much better!” she shrieked as they deposited her onto a pile of stacked bedrolls. “I saw you feeding Sparkles at breakfast!”
Frosta scoffed as she used her ice powers to hang a lantern. “I get it, you’re all gross! When can we be done? I’m bored!”
Scorpia delicately set a plant down on a nearby windowsill, mindful of her claws. “Soon! Thank you so much for your help, guys. The place looks great.” Everyone beamed, pausing to look around and admire their handiwork.
It did look great. The walls had been painted a lighter color, and the hallways were now well-lit, filled with softer, more pleasant decor. The clanging of machinery still echoed, but gone was the smoke and pollution; Entrapta had spent a long time working on a more clean form of energy, one that was better for magic and the planet and whatever.
Speaking of the pig-tailed princess—“Where’s Entrapta?” asked Catra. “She didn’t want to come and invent some bot to help us?”
Perfuma adjusted her girlfriend’s placement of the potted plant, trying to give it as much sunlight as possible. “She’s very busy with all her new ethical science projects now—”
“Semi-ethical,” corrected Bow, rubbing the back of his neck.
“—But she was invited to our celebration tomorrow night! Hopefully we will see her then.”
“Another party? It never ends, does it?” Catra said to Adora, who had come back to stand at her side.
Perfuma clasped her hands together. “Oh, this one will just be a small get-together. We’ll throw a big party once all of Scorpia’s citizens move in, but this is just for us princesses!”
“And Bow and Catra and Sea Hawk,” Mermista reminded her.
Perfuma shrugged. “Honorary princesses!”
Adora cleared her throat. “Alright, team, let’s get these last few things in place. We can pick up the little bit that’s left tomorrow morning. I think it’s bedtime.”
——
“And then I said, “Uh, your ship’s on fire!’”
The room burst in laughter. Catra wiped a tear from her eye as she cackled—there was something about Mermista’s deadpan delivery that made all her stories way funnier than anyone else’s. “And did you ever run into that pirate again?” she asked.
Sea Hawk spread his arms grandly. “Why, of course! He approached us a short time later to tell us how our genius and fighting prowess inspired him, and how he had decided to become an artist and build statues in our honor. To this day, his children sing our praises around campfires.”
At the same time, Mermista shook her head and said, “Nope. Never saw him again.”
This unleashed another wave of giggles. Still snickering, Catra leaned forward in her seat and took a cookie off the plate on the table in front of her. As she did so, Frosta opened her mouth wide and pointed wordlessly at it. Catra rolled her eyes and tossed a cookie at her. She caught it in her mouth and gave a muffled cheer as she chewed.
Bow rubbed his hands together. “Okay, guys, let’s get started.” He gestured at the table in front of them, which would soon be the center of Scorpia’s strategy room. Tonight, however, it was covered with a big game board and several playing pieces, dice, and stacks of cards. “Here’s how we play—”
“We’re here!”
Entrapta practically bounced into the room, Emily close at her side, beeping cheerfully. Wrong Hordak followed close behind them, smiling his typical sheepish smile and holding a tray crammed with an almost-impossible amount of tiny pink cupcakes.
Adora stood up to greet them. “Hey, guys! Welcome to…”
Her voice trailed off abruptly as the last guest entered. Catra felt her heart begin to pound; she stood up too, curling her claws into fists. Melog, who had been sleeping next to the sofa the Best Friend Squad was sharing, sprang to its feet, hissing. The rest of the group froze, exchanging shocked glances.
Hordak (the real one) stood in the doorway, somehow managing to look both awkward and stern. “Hello,” he said shortly, his deep voice echoing slightly.
When no one answered for a long, tension-filled minute, Entrapta looked rapidly between the group and Hordak, her eyes wide with confusion. “Sorry we’re late,” she said tentatively. “Did I…did I bring too many people?”
Mermista buried her head in her hands and let out a muffled scream. Sea Hawk patted her arm sympathetically.
Catra struggled to choose between saying What is he doing here and Absolutely fucking not and just straight-up attacking him. Judging by her facial expression, across the table Frosta was thinking along the same lines.
Entrapta twirled one of her ponytails around her nervously, her smile slowing sliding off her face the longer the silence dragged on. Next to her, Wrong Hordak shifted from foot to foot. “Uh…”
Perfuma hastily jumped up, a fake smile plastered on her face. “We’re so glad you could come!” she chirped, flinging her arms around her.
Wrong Hordak joined the hug. “I have missed you, brothers!” he told them tearfully.
At Perfuma’s pointed look, Scorpia and Frosta made space for the newcomers, bringing over more chairs.
“Will you be joining us, Hordak?” Catra asked icily, sneering at him.
“Be nice,” Bow whispered to her.
“She has a point,” Glimmer whispered back.
Hordak glared right back at her. “Entrapta invited me. Am I not welcome here?”
Adora managed to pick her jaw up off the floor. “Uhhh…no, um, take a seat. Bow was just about to tell us how this game works.” She sat down, pulling Catra down with her.
Bow started to explain, occasionally being interrupted by Frosta, Perfuma, and Sea Hawk, who all had their own opinions on how the rules should be interpreted. Meanwhile, Catra hissed quietly, “Are we seriously just going to play a board game with Hordak of all people?”
“He’s changed, I guess,” Adora murmured back.
On her other side, Glimmer rolled her eyes. “Allegedly.”
After the war had ended, the Rebellion didn’t really know what to do with Hordak. Sure, he had saved Entrapta and turned against Horde Prime, but they weren’t just going to let him sit back on his throne. Originally Catra had been in favor of dumping his ass in the Crimson Wastes, but Huntara was having none of it.
So eventually the princesses settled on letting him live in Dryl with Entrapta, as long as he swore never to hold any political power or territory for the rest of his life. An oath they would make sure he held, with magic to ensure it, if necessary.
“I don’t trust him,” Catra murmured.
Adora placed a comforting hand on her thigh. “Me neither, but Entrapta trusts him. And whatever makes her happy, we’ll support.”
They watched Hordak sneer as Perfuma tried to offer him some fruit juice. She frowned back at his rude behavior, huffing in that trying-to-be-dignified-yet-offended way of hers. Frosta looked like she wanted to stick his head in an ice block. Meanwhile, Entrapta was in full science mode, spilling out a detailed lecture about dice and probability.
“Even if the thing that makes her happy is Hordak?” grimaced Glimmer.
Adora sighed, rubbed her forehead. “Even so,” she said glumly.
Bow clapped his hands, signaling the end of his rules explanation. “Okay, does everyone get it?”
“Yes,” said Catra.
“Totally,” said Glimmer.
“Yeah…” said Adora.
Bow gave them a look that suggested he knew they hadn’t been listening at all. “Okay, let’s get started!”
Thankfully, Catra was able to figure it out as she went. The game was fairly simple: the players had to try to be the first one to make it around a map of Etheria, while fighting mythical monsters and challenges along the way. She leaned forward, smirking, her competitive nature taking over. “You’re all going down,” she said, making a show of cracking her knuckles.
Glimmer scooped up the dice and began to shake them. “As if!”
Scorpia laughed and shook her head. “No, guys, Perfuma is the champion at this game. She’s beaten me every time, she’s that amazing.”
The flower princess blushed a deep crimson. “Oh, Scorpia!” she trilled. “You are amazing too!”
Catra watched this play out fondly. Despite her and Scorpia’s…rocky history, she was genuinely sorry for all the pain she’d caused her. Although Scorpia had said she forgave her, there was a while after the war where things had been awkward, uncomfortable. She was happy to see that the former Force Captain had found someone who could make her happier than Catra ever could.
Hordak made a strangled noise in the back of his throat. It took her a minute to realize that he was laughing. “This is a childish competition,” he announced, sounding annoyed.
Mermista rested her chin on her palm. “You’re just mad that you couldn’t conquer Etheria and now you can’t win this board game.”
Hordak stiffened. “How dare—”
“Okay!” Bow interceded, his voice hinging on hysteria. “Glimmer will start!”
They went around in a circle, their game pieces slowly advancing with each roll of the dice. Catra was not thrilled when Glimmer rolled four tens in a row and she kept only rolling ones and twos. Thankfully, she was able to get Sparkles back when she pulled a Brightmoon-themed card and “teleported” her to the little red and yellow spot on the board that was supposed to represent the Crimson Wastes.
Scorpia was, unsurprisingly, the best sport about this. While everyone else soon succumbed to playfully cursing each other out as they scrambled to keep their game piece ahead of the group, Scorpia was the one congratulating everyone even when they fucked her over.
Even Perfuma huffed when Frosta got her stuck in the “Northern Reach”. “This is a betrayal,” she sniffed dramatically, crossing her arms. “I will never, ever forgive you.” A moment later, she cracked a smile and winked at the younger girl to let her know she was joking.
Wrong Hordak landed on a “Magic Zone” square and whipped out a card. “Do not worry, sister! This piece of paper says the Sorcerers’ Guild has granted me the power of…time travel! I will reverse your plight!” he declared. He reached down and daintily picked up Perfuma’s piece so he could place it back on the path.
Perfuma giggled. “My hero!”
“That was supposed to be used for your piece,” Entrapta pointed out, fidgeting with a small gear as she waited for her turn.
Adora shrugged. “Eh, let him do what he wants,” she said. She leaned back and not-so-casually draped her arm over Catra’s shoulders. She leaned into her girlfriend’s touch happily.
Entrapta pulled out the recorder she clearly kept with her at all times. “Observation number two hundred and fifty-three: when playing games, rules are to be broken at the player’s convenience.”
“Now you’ve got the spirit!” chuckled Sea Hawk, who was currently attempting to steal alien chips off of Mermista’s plate. Every time she caught him, he gave her the most lovestruck eyes he could pull off until she let her snag a chip.
Wrong Hordak handed the dice to Actual Hordak. “Your turn, brother!”
Hordak took the dice emotionlessly and rolled it. A five. He moved his game piece to the appropriate square.
“You landed on a runestone!” Perfuma cheered. “That means you get to move ahead five spaces!”
Hordak frowned down at the tiny drawing. “This pathetic image looks nothing like the real Black Garnet. It fails to capture the strength, the raw power that eminented from my runestone. How comical.”
“Your runestone?” Catra repeated, raising one eyebrow. “It’s not yours anymore, Hordak.”
He glowered at her. “In a better life, it was.”
Glimmer narrowed her eyes. “Are you saying that—”
Entrapta scooped up the dice. “My turn!” she chirped.
Adora hastily stood up, gripping both Glimmer and Catra’s arms tightly. “We are going to get more fruit juice!” she said. “Bow, will you come with us?”
His grin was particularly strained. “Of course!”
They both looked at Glimmer. “Fiiiine,” she sighed, before transporting the Best Friend Squad to the nearby kitchen.  
Once there, Adora immediately turned to Catra and Glimmer. Melog slunk in after them, not wanted to be separated from its owner.
“He’s a terrible person!” protested Catra, already knowing what she was going to say. “I want him out of here.”
“Everyone did terrible things while they were in the Horde,” Bow reminded her gently as he poured more fruit juice into cups. Including you was the unspoken meaning behind that sentence. She looked down at the ground.
“But,” Bow said, handing her a cup, “what matters is that they’ve changed.”
Glimmer took the juice pitcher out of his hands, kissing his cheek. “I agree with Catra,” she told him as she poured. “Hordak might have said he was sorry, but he doesn’t act like it.”
“ And ,” added Catra, emboldened by someone siding with her, “he’s just straight up gross. How someone could possibly find that greasy-haired stick-up-his-ass attractive is just absolutely beyond me—”
“I know! He’s all—” Glimmer deepened her voice, hunched her shoulders. “—‘Pathetic princesses! You know nothing of true power! I am Hordak, Prince of Evil! Mwahahaha!’”
Catra laughed so hard she choked, and almost fell over.
Even Bow, who was rooting through the cabinets looking for more napkins, chuckled. “That’s cute,” he told her.
She winked at him. “ I’m cute.”
“You are.” He pulled her into a hug from behind, pressing his lips to the side of her head.
Adora took Catra’s hand. “Just please try to refrain from killing him for tonight,” she asked. “Afterwards, you and Glimmer and Mermista can start an I Hate Hordak club if you want.”
Catra tugged playfully on her ponytail. “Don’t tempt me. I will run that club.”
Her girlfriend poked her cheek in return before helping Glimmer and Bow stack the cups of fruit juice onto a tray. Catra grabbed another bag of alien chips, just in case.
“Alright,” said Adora, carefully balancing the heavily-stacked tray and ignoring everyone else eying her worriedly. “Ready?”
Bow winced as the tray wobbled dangerously when she took a step. “Adora, do you need—”
“I got it!”
Glimmer shook her head. “Maybe we’d better walk back to the strategy room. I don’t know if those cups can survive a teleportation trip.”
“We’ll be fine!” Adora assured her, and then promptly tripped, sending the tray flying.
——
“I’m really proud of you,” Adora told her as they waved goodbye to the group. They all had to return to their own kingdoms; it still wasn’t stable to be gone for too long.
Catra looked up at her. “Oh yeah?”
“Yeah, you—” She was cut off by a yell of frustration coming from the direction of the skiff waiting to take their friends back to Dryl.
The two of them watched Wrong Hordak and Entrapta attempt to bodily lift Emily onto the skiff, which was hovering a few feet above the ground. The bot was nothing more than deadweight, beeping irritably.
“Her programming is due for an update soon,” Entrapta explained. “Sometimes she gets sulky like this.”
“She doesn’t wanna say goodbye to her friends,” Frosta said. She seemed particularly pouty herself. She had become particularly clingy after the war ended, and probably wasn’t happy about having to go back to her own kingdom alone after spending so much time with everyone.
Catra could relate.
“We’ll see everyone again soon,” Glimmer reminded her, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. “We’re throwing a celebration once Perfuma and Scorpia get everyone settled here, remember?”
“Yeah,” said Frosta, sticking out her lip grumpily.
Wrong Hordak shrieked as one of Emily’s appendages kicked him in the face. He dropped her with a thud.
“Emily!” scolded Entrapta. “Not nice!” Scorpia and Perfuma moved to help them, which definitely made things more successful. Meanwhile, Hordak watched the whole scene unfold from inside the skiff, not bothering to offer his help.
“As I was saying,” Adora said, still chuckling, “I’m really proud of you, Catra. I—I know it can be hard to keep your anger in check when you’re dealing with…”
“With the former dictator of our childhood?” she finished. “I know.”
“You’ve come a long way.”
Catra laced their fingers together, leaned against her shoulder. “So have you.”
Mermista called Frosta over to their skiff, where Sea Hawk was helping her load up their bags. The game night victor gave Glimmer a hug, then Bow, Adora, and, to her surprise, Catra. “See you later, Horde Scum,” Frosta said, parroting her mentor.
Catra grinned back at her. “See you later, princess.”
From the skiff, Mermista tossed a wadded-up piece of paper to Catra. “I look forward to it!” she shouted as Sea Hawk helped Frosta into the skiff.
“Me too!” Catra shouted back.
Adora looked curiously at the paper ball. “What’s that?”
Catra handed it to her without saying a word, smirking. Adora unfolded it, revealing a flyer.
The I HATE HORDAK Club
Calling all Etherians!
Do YOU hate the former Horde Lord?
Do YOU fantasize about ruining his day?
If so, this is the place for you!!!
Meetings will be held at Brightmoon Castle. Any questions, please see Catra or Princess Mermista.
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beautifulwhensarcastic · 3 years ago
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Hey, first I want to start by saying that I love your stories. There are two in specifics that I ask myself a few times and I would like to know: in Dark Appetites, Steve and Peggy in the face of everything that happened and even having solved themselves managed to overcome what happened? And Peggy about her new situation, did she learn to deal with without running away? Or did the thoughts of moving away still prowling around her and caused some discussions with Steve? I love this one, because seeing them in a universe where they are vampires and lavish such a powerful sex Appeal is luxurious and wonderful. My other question refers to New York Solstice, my curiosity is about what YOU thought after Peggy assumes to Steve who loves him and how for you the situation proceeded after that? I know what I imagine, but I would love to know what you think about it. Thank you, I emphasize again that I love your steggy stories and I would love to see more of them❤️✨
Hello! Thank you for this wonderful ask! It made me smile so hard not only because of your kind words, but because of your inquiry. It's not often I get asks like that without it being a part of writing game/meme. So thank you 😘
Dark Appetites - it's not that easy getting rid of old habits, especially ones that are connected to some insecurities. Peggy will try to work on her tendency to run away and instead communicate more with Steve, but occasional ideas about running away still cross her mind. Especially when things get hard regarding following Zola's trope and what he does to other vampires. However, this time it would be much harder for Peggy to leave, because Steve still hasn't lifted the ban on her outings. And he won't. They may be together, but she falls under the same rules as everyone else and has to serve her "sentence". Like he said: “It's the law. Archaic, but still law. Which you stomped all over.” His eyes darkened again. “Consequences of your actions didn't touch only you, Peggy. There has to be atonement.”
As for the New York Solstice, it's the kind of fic I love as a story, but would be very judgmental of in real life, lol. Honestly, it follows exactly as Steve says and does. Meaning, he won't be chivalrous or honorable, he won't step away just because Peggy has a husband. And Peggy's marriage wouldn't be just done so easily. Making final decisions takes Peggy some time and she purposely uses her new job in New York to postpone any final heartbreaks, though she knows well they're coming and she has to cut the cord soon.
I toyed a bit with an idea that Daniel follows her to NY no problem, unaware of his wife having a hot affair with Steve. He plays house, finds a job here, all the while Peggy is very busy in her new career position (as well all the bendy positions Steve fucks her in). At some point shit hits the fan. Either Daniel starts pushing for them to start a family, or finally realizes those marks on Peggy's body can't be all from fieldwork. Daniel is heartbroken, Peggy is tired of dealing with it all, and Steve is simply unrepentant.
BUT, if I were to write a follow-up to the main story, I'd focus on Peggy actually trying to work on herself (not her deltoids - if you read, you get the joke). Meaning, she'd come clean to Daniel and end things with him before moving fully to NY. Obviously, divorce takes longer than few weeks and there's a lot of emotions involved, but she moves back to NY without her soon to be ex husband. Gossips spread fast, however, so Peggy starts her first months already known to some as an alpha boss bitch who bangs Captain Rogers. Peggy doesn't care much - she's a badass at her job, makes serious changes, and gets mindblowing orgasms.
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snelbz · 4 years ago
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Shot to the Heart {Rowaelin AU Fluff}
Tag Team with @tacmc aka the BDavis to myPSawyer.
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Once a month, everyone took a night to spend time together, outside of a bar, and just have fun. Oftentimes, that meant a game night at someone’s house, a nice dinner or ice skating, in the winter. But sometimes, they liked to get out and do more fun things. They’d been zip lining, kayaking, played putt putt, you name it. There were times where things got a little competitive between them all, especially when they decided to compete between the sexes.
They were still banned from the Strike & Spare from the last boys and girls night.
So when it was Elide and Lorcan’s turn to choose, they decided to do something a little more conducive to their violent behavior.
“Where exactly are we going?” Aelin asked as she climbed into Rowan’s truck.
He glanced at his watch. “No clue, Lorcan just said to meet at Rita’s at eight.”
“That’s dangerous,” Aelin muttered, but her grin told him that she approved.
He pulled onto the road and began their drive, only the radio playing in the background. He kept trying not to stare, even though she looked beautiful and he wanted to tell her as much. They’d been best friends for years, always teasing that fine line between best friends and so much more.
Their friends constantly teased them about it, as they all began to settle down one by one.
You already spend as much time together as a couple does.
They’d always had reasons not to though. In high school, there was Sam and Lyria, though the four of them were always together. Makes sense that they ended up together, after they both went away to Fennharrow for college. Rowan and Aelin couldn’t be happier for them. The break ups had been amicable and they were going to Fennharrow together for their wedding next Spring.
In college, Aelin had met Chaol and Rowan had Remelle. Chaol was a permanent figure for a while, but Remelle was more of a time to time thing. They’d both been single for a while, but nothing had ever happened. There were many glances and accidental brushes between them, more so when the two of them had a movie night.
Then, the next time they saw one another, they pretended like nothing had happened.
Rowan didn’t mind it, though. He preferred to have Aelin as a best friend then not have her at all. Even if he did make a move one day, he didn’t know how she would take it.
When Rowan pulled into Rita’s, the others were already there, on the patio, drinks on their hands. Aelin was out before he was, hurrying over to throw her arms around Lysandra and Elide. Rowan watched her before grabbing his wallet, his phone, and his keys and joining them there.
Lorcan was watching him suspiciously.
He sat next to him, motioning to their regular server for his regular drink. He looked over and found Lorcan still looking at him.
“What?” He asked.
Lorcan raises his beer to his lips. “This a date?”
Rowan rolled his eyes. “No, I offered to drive her because it was on the way and she can’t hold her liquor.”
The two looked up and found the trio of girls tossing back a shot of amber liquid.
Lorcan took his drink, setting the bottle on the table top and crossing his ankle over his knee. “It’s reasonable, as far as your excuses go. Both are valid and make sense.”
Two dark bottles appeared in front of them and their server slipped away like she’d never been there.
“It’s not an excuse,” Rowan muttered, taking a sip from his glass. “It’s a fact.”
“Whatever you say,” Lorcan mumbled, but it was blatantly obvious that he thought Rowan was full of shit. “But when you two get married, Elide has called Maid of Honor.”
It took everything in Rowan’s power not to roll his eyes. “Don’t you two have anything better to talk about when you’re alone?”
“We’ve been together for five years,” Lorcan said, as if it was an appropriate answer. “So...no. We talk about bills, who’s going to do the dishes, and when the hell the two of you are going to fuck.”
Rowan choked on his drink.
“I never thought I’d have to ask this, but please don’t discuss my sex life with your fiancée.”
“Excuse you?”
Rowan and Lorcan looked up and found Elide and Aelin standing at the end of the table.
Rowan stammered but Lorcan laughed quietly.
“Okay,” Aelin said, awkwardly, “Is everyone here?”
Elide sat down next to Lorcan and said, “Fenrys, Asterin, and Manon are meeting us at the...place. Dorian is already there.”
“So, that’s a yes?” Aelin laughed.
“That’s a yes,” Elide confirmed, snuggling up close to Lorcan’s massive frame. “So, let’s get tipsy and go get banned from yet another family-friendly establishment.”
Lorcan snorted and raised his glass.
Rowan raised his glass to Aelin’s and met it with a clink.
“Our friends are ridiculous,” Aelin said, underneath her breath.
“Sometimes I wonder why I keep coming back,” Rowan replied, before chugging half his glass and setting it down on the table. When he met her humored gaze, he was reminded exactly why he kept coming back.
They finished their drinks and Rowan and Aelin packed themselves back up into Rowan’s truck so that they could follow Lorcan and Elide to the surprise location. Aedion and Lysandra stayed to order food and would join them shortly.
“So what conversation did I walk in on back there?” Aelin asked once they were on the way.
Rowan cleared his throat and said, “What conversation?”
Without even looking, he knew she had an eyebrow raised. “Really, Rowan. The conversation about your sex life.”
“Just Lorcan being an asshole,” he said, trying to wave her off the conversation.
Aelin was looking at him, and he was trying so hard not to look back
“I have no sex life,” Rowan blurted, after her silence had gone on a few seconds too long. “Not that I’ve never had sex, or don’t have opportunities to...Gods. Nevermind.”
Aelin was laughing quietly. “Holy shit, you’re flustered.”
“No, I’m not,” he said, gripping the wheel a little bit tighter. “I’m just...very personal.”
“Even with me?” She asked, humored.
Especially with you, he thought. Instead, he said, “Yes.”
Her grin only widened. “When’s the last time you got laid, Ro?”
His cheeks were on fire. His ears were on fire. The back of his neck was on fire. Everything was on fire. He cleared his throat again. “That’s none of your business.”
“Just tell me if it was recent or not,” she turned in her seatbelt to face him.
“No,” he laughed. “I’m not telling you that.”
Aelin said, “Why not, we tell each other everything. I’ll tell you.”
“Please, please don’t,” he blurted.
She lifted a brow, then began to nod, slowly, recognition showing in her eyes. Rowan suddenly felt like an idiot, but then Aelin said, quietly, “It’s been a long ass time, if that makes you feel any better.”
“I don’t- it doesn’t-.” His words broke off as he sighed, and Aelin laughed quietly. “You go get some if you wanna get some… I just…don’t want you to get hurt, that’s all.”
“How very kind of you,” Aelin crooned, but he was sure he ruined it all now, was certain she knew that he was full of bullshit.
“As your best friend, that’s my job,” Rowan said, trying to make himself sound convincing.
As he pulled up to a red light, she leaned over and patted his cheek. “And you’ve done a wonderful job.”
Unable to stop himself, he turned and pressed his lips to her palm, locking eyes with her. It was the ballsiest thing he’d ever done and he felt hot and cold all over as he waited for her to react. She swallowed hard, tongue peeking out to wet her bottom lip and-.
A horn honked behind them, as the light had been green for longer than two seconds, and Rowan turned his head forward as quickly as Aelin withdrew her arm back to her own side of the cab. He hit the gas and they took off, and Aelin flipped the bird behind them.
“Ace,” he laughed, “you can’t do that. He had every right to honk at me.”
She crossed her arms and sat up a little higher. “Yeah, well he didn’t have to lay on his horn like an asshole. A simple beep beep would have sufficed. Stupid, impatient fucker.”
The truck got quiet for a second and then they both dissolved into laughter, the tension from the moment before fading into near obscurity.
Two minutes later they followed Lorcan’s car into the parking lot of a laser tag facility, and Rowan swore under his breath.
Aelin laughed. “What? You don’t like laser tag?”
“The last time I played laser tag, I was twelve and ate too much shitty pizza,” he muttered, parking and turning off the engine. “Let’s just say they had to stop the game, turn the lights on, and call for the janitor to come in with a mop.”
“Aw,” Aelin said, her grin suggesting that she felt no pity. “Well, it’s a decade later, and you’ve had no shitty pizza. So, get out and let me kick your ass.”
Before Rowan could reply, she was out of the truck and closing the door behind her.
He groaned and laughed quietly as he had a feeling he was in for a hell of a night.
He got out of the truck and slipped his hands in his pockets as he walked over to where everyone was grouping up.
“I want to be up front and say that I feel like the girls cheated,” Rowan said to Lorcan as he leaned against the rail next to him.
“And why is that?” Elide asked, outrage written across her face.
“Because every single one of you are wearing black.” Lorcan tossed a pointed glance at his fiancée.
Elide held up her hands. “I said nothing.”
Manon’s man-eating grin said otherwise.
Rowan looked down at his light gray t-shirt. At least it wouldn’t glow when they got inside, unlike Dorian’s pure white v-neck.
“If Aedion and Lys don’t get here soon, we’re starting without them,” Manon announced, already growing impatient.
“Agreed,” Lorcan said.
They waited thirty more seconds before the impatience grew unbearable, then their group of eight was walking in.
Girls vs. boys.
Rowan was unprepared. He needed another drink.
Thankfully, it seemed Lorcan was in agreement because the first place he went was to the snack bar and ordered two pitchers of beer. Rowan reached for one of the glasses but Lorcan pulled them back.
“Nope, these are part of the game.”
Rowan raised an eyebrow as Elide began to explain the rules.
For the most part, it was the regular run of the laser tag - hit your opponents’ targets with your point-and-shoot laser pointer and get the most points for your team. There was one caveat though.
“Both pitchers have to be empty by the end of the round,” Lorcan announced. “If your team doesn’t finish your pitcher, you automatically lose.”
“It doesn’t have to be drunk equally. If Aelin doesn’t feel like drinking,” Lorcan mumbled Like that would ever happen, and Aelin glared at him, “she doesn’t have to drink. Just as long as its empty at the end.”
They all voiced their agreement, put on their vests and gathered their guns, then they were tossed into the room.
Rowan was met with darkness and neon, glowing lights as he hurried into a tower. It was his go to. Get to the highest point, and see everyone. Then he paused, as he noticed a lock of his hair falling down in front of his face.
He had silver hair, in a room full of blacklights.
He was instantly a target.
After cursing his hair, he was on the move. He spotted Manon from the other side of the room, took aim, and hit her target.
She yelled a curse at him before he was moving, once more.
He headed for the predetermined boys base, and filled a cup with beer. It seemed he was the first to do so, but Fenrys soon jogged up, muttering about how it was unfair for a marksman like Manon to even be playing this game. His chest target was lit up red and he had a good ten seconds left before he could get back in the game. He saw Rowan and said, “That your first?”
He nodded and began drinking. “Drink two every time we stop?”
Fen nodded. “Quickest way to kill it.”
They both took a minute to chug before Rowan asked, “Seen Aelin?”
Fenrys shook his head. “She’s got a good spot, I’m sure. She has the mind for these things. Strategic.”
Rowan agreed. She was that.
After setting his plastic cup down, Rowan was back on the move.
He crept around a few different corners before he caught sight of her golden ponytail. He followed her, slowly, fully aware that he didn’t have the same graceful, quiet movements that she did. He knew there was straightaway up ahead and if he could stay back long enough, he could get a clean shot on her as she fled to the other side.
He crept along the final corner, pausing to peek behind him-.
He felt a hand on his chest and looked back to find Aelin gazing up at him. He didn’t even fumble for his gun as she pushed slightly and he backed up a few steps. His back hit the wall with a quiet thump and Aelin said, quietly, “Would you like to do what you did in the truck one more time?”
He hesitated, unsure if he was understanding her correctly. She took his bewildered look as acceptance, though, because her smile softened as she leaned up on her toes and pulled his face closer to hers with her hand on the back of his head.
Their lips met softly in the middle, once, twice, slowly, gently.
She tasted bitterly sweet, her peach chapstick mixed with the tequila shots she had earlier and the beer she was downing now. Rowan wanted the moment to last forever, but it was soon broken as Aelin leaned back, her eyes bright.
He smiled and leaned down, wanting to capture her lips against his one more time, closing his eyes.
There was a loud buzzing and then his best began to vibrate. His eyes shot open and Aelin was running away, a devilish glint in her eyes.
He blinked, watching her run away.
She had shot him.
She had kissed him.
Then she had shot him.
He stood, completely frozen, utterly dumbfounded.
Lorcan came around the corner, saw that he’d been shot, and shook his head. “You suck at this, Whitethorn.”
Rowan couldn’t even remember how to form words for a sarcastic reply. Instead, he just turned and walked back toward the pitcher of beer, where he downed two more glasses before deciding to hunt Aelin down as the alcohol warmed his body.
He knew the girls couldn’t be as close to finishing as they were, especially seeing Dorian heading back to their base with maybe one full cup and a half left in their pitcher. Rowan successfully snuck around to where the girls had named their base and found a perfect wall to crouch behind and lie in wait. The pitcher was directly in his line of sight, and it was still over half full.
Elide ran right past his hiding place without noticing him and he knew he could get a free shot out of it, but he’d give away his position. So he waited and he bided his time.
Rowan had just begun scoping out the alley behind his when a flash of white to his left distracted him. Manon ran by putting the pitcher directly to her lips and drinking. His eyebrows raised as she took down a sizable amount of their beer at once, but Aelin appeared beside her. They spoke animatedly and Aelin laughed as Manon ran back down the middle lane, hunting for another victim.
Holding his breath, he threw the empty plastic cup he’d been holding down the empty alley beside him.
Aelin heard it immediately, turning and staring in his direction. He was obscured by the half wall and as soon as she crept by, her gun aimed down the alley, he reached out and wrapped his hand around her wrist, pinning it - and her gun - to the wall.
Her eyes were bright with excitement and he couldn’t stop his gaze from dipping down and watching intently as she bit her bottom lip.
He didn’t know why his voice had dropped so low, why it sounded like he’d been gargling nails, but he leaned down by her ear and breathed, “Was that just so you could distract me?”
He was almost worried for her reply, but then she asked, “Is this just so you can distract me?”
He glanced down, not even realizing he’d been using his body to press her into the wall, hadn’t realized how close their faces had gotten.
He shook his head, slowly, the tip of his nose brushing hers ever so lightly.
Aelin sucked in a breath as she whispered, “Good.”
He kissed her then, much harder than she had kissed him. He slowly dropped her arms that were pinned to the wall, only so he could drop his gun and cup her face. Those delicate, steady arms of hers wrapped around his waist and she held his body close up against hers.
Aelin brushed her tongue along the seam of Rowan’s lips, asking permission, not just taking as she’d done before. But there was nothing he wouldn’t do for this woman, nothing he wouldn’t give to her if it was in his power. He opened for her and let his tongue brush against hers softly. She groaned quietly.
Rowan pulled back, catching his breath, and rested his forehead against hers. He took the moment to gaze at her in the darkness. She was the most beautiful damn thing he’d ever seen.
She breathed, “I’ve wanted to do that for a really, really long time.”
“Me too,” he whispered, laughing quietly. He brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear as he kissed her, once again, damning the game and forgetting about their friends.
For a moment, it was just the two of them, and that was all he cared about.
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olivarryprompts · 3 years ago
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Fanfic Friday #9
Welcome to Fanfic Friday! Each Friday I post a new here and on A03. Enjoy x
Read and save it on A03 here https://archiveofourown.org/works/33120742
{Peter Parker's Field Trip to Stark Industries (yes, again)}
Ships: Peter & Tony, Bucktony, Peppernat
Warnings: nothing just fluff :)
Wc: 2,920
Finally the annual school field trip had come around. Each year, each grade level went on a trip to a cool company, place, or experience. They, Peter had found, tended to be quite fun. The previous year they’d gone to a cool place where they learned parkqure. Peter, imaginablelly, was very good. He and Ned were so looking forward to this one. “Hello 10th grade, as you know, we are announcing the annual field trip dates. This year, we’ve decided to keep the destination anonymous. We are going this Friday, and it is one of the best ones we have had in years. Please take an NDA form and consent form home for you and at least one guardian to sign. You may go now.” Ned and Peter headed towards the door with giddy smiles. “Mr. Parker, a word?” Ms. Giles, the teacher who’d announced the trip, said. “Hi Ms. Giles, what’s up?” “Hello Peter. I’m just going to have to break this to you. Unfortunately, due to the lies you have been spreading about having an internship at Stark Industries we cannot allow you on this trip. This is a lesson on why not to lie. It is unfortunate you cannot join us on the trip, but the punishment we’ve decided seems fair. You’ve been tinting Midtown’s name.” “But the internship is real! I filed all the paperwork and everything. Mr. Stark signed them!” “Sorry Peter, this lying must stop. You should come in on Friday and take your other classes.” “But-” “Enough Peter.” He left, sprinting out of the class and then the school. He really did not want to talk to anyone. He quickly made his way to the black SUV waiting for him. Happy greeted him with a hello, and Peter responded with a nod. Happy sensed the kid didn’t want to talk so he left him be. By the time they arrived at the tower, Peter’s lack of rest had gotten to him. He intended to go upstairs and take a nap, but, of course, he got roped into everything other than that.Happy, of course, dropped him at the back near the private entrance. He rode the elevator to the 90th floor. Sam and Clint were playing Mario Kart on their world wii. Tony was sitting there, working on some suit designs with Bucky cuddled into his side. Pepper was at the kitchen table working on CEO things. He was surprised she wasn’t in her office. He tried to slip through the room and into his own room, but he was, obviously, stopped. “Where are you going kid?” Tony asked. “My room, I need a nap.” “What happened kid?” Bucky asked. Bucky and Tony had basically become his fill in dads, them being together and all. “Nothin just, I'm not allowed on my school’s trip this year.” “Why?” Tony said, suddenly perked up. “Just don’t believe me about the ‘Stark Internship,’” He mumbled under his breath. “They-What?” Bucky said, concerned for Peter’s well being. “They don’t believe that I do work here I guess?” “The teachers?” Tony asked. “Yeah.” “But you filed all the things.” “Yeah, I know. I don’t really care that much, so-” “No way!” Tony said, pulling out his phone. “Tones, relax,” Bucky said, stroking the other man’s arm, “If you're okay with it, we’ll leave it.” “We will not!” “Tony! We will leave it. Just, at least, take the day off on Fri, kiddo.” “Yeah,” Peter said, thinking that was fair, “Thanks.” “Wanna play kid?” Clint said, throwing him a wii remote. “Play? I’m going to crush you guys,” Peter smirked. All three were very competitive and Mario Kart games were the height of that. Bucky ended up cuddling into Tony’s side which, though they all made fun of the couple, was very cute. Clint yelled something about Peter having Spidey sense so it was unfair. Sam just called him a sore loser. Pepper yelled at them to keep it down. “Hey boys,” Nat said, entering, “Oh Mario Kart. Pass me a remote.” They had just finished the mushroom prix, so she easily joined their game and the chaos continued. “Where did you just come from?” Peter asked. “Top secret mission with Cap.” “Oh spill the tea,” Peter said. “No one will be spilling anything on these custom, expensive sofas!” “Relax Stark, it’s a phrase used by the youth these days,” Sam filled in, laughing at the older man. “Go on then, Nat,” Peter
urged her on. “It’s just some stolen bombs, and some parts could be used to possibly make nuclear weaponry. We’re heading to Greece tomorrow.” “Need back up?” Tony offered. “Maybe if you started working with Shield, you’d be able to come,” Nat rolled his eyes. “Never,” Tony huffered. “Sounds more fun than school,” Peter remarked. “That should not be this kid’s definition of fun,” Bucky said with a laugh. “Agreed,” Clint said. “All this bullying I endure,” Peter joked. “Ha get red shelled mother fucker!” Sam yelled. “I hate you,” Nat said, calmly losing her first place. “One your left,” I said, passing Sam. “Shut up little kid, get your own line.” “I own you oldies.” “Oh and what about the blue shell coming up?” Clint laughed. Peter slowed down, and allowed Sam to overtake him. “Ha take that kid! Fir-” Sam got blue shelled. “Oh you little shit.” Peter slipped back into first where he finished the race. “You're too good at this game, паук, “ Nat said, excusing herself with a smile. A few races later Peter said, “I’m going to go do some shit in the lab.” “See ya kid,” Bucky said, “he’s turning into you.” Bucky said the last bit to Tony, but super-hearing ya know. “Hey! What’s so bad about that.” “Everything,” Clint deadpanned.Peter wanted to work on a new web fluid, one that would conduct electricity. It’d be useful for fixing wiring, shocking, ect. He’d come up with a formula, ironically, in biology. All his classes were far too easy for him, despite them being the highest honor classes the school offers. Tony is considering sending him to MIT next year rather than waiting out his high school years, not that he shared his thoughts with Peter.Peter was so caught up in his work he didn’t hear Tony come in. “So focused, huh?” Peter jumped. “Hey,” he smiled. “Don’t you have spider sense of something?” “Leave me alone,” he fake pouted. “What are you working on?” “Electro conducting web fluid. Unfortunately the new version seems to lower the strength, though.” He said, showing the results of the test he’d just finished conducting. “Impressive, you could introduce an iodiant element to introduce strength without interfering with the conductivity?” Tony suggested, looking over the data. “Oh good idea,” Peter said, pulling up the element to introduce into his formula on the virtual creation. “You know why I really came down here?” “To annoy me,” I said, smiling. “The field trip.” “I swear, I don’t care. It’s going to be lame anyways.” “You were talking about how excited you were for this trip last week,” Tony said bluntly. “Please leave it. Just, I-i’ll be fine.” “Come on, you're asking me, Tony Stark, to leave it?” “Yes. For me,” Peter batted his eyelids. “Fine,” Tony gave in, “You swear you're okay?” “Swear.” “He’s really got you wrapped around his pinky finger,” Harley Keener, resident prankster, genius, and boyfriend of Peter, said. “Oh don’t pretend he hasn’t got you too,” Tony said, getting ready to leave, “Your classes finish early Potato Gun?” “Yeah. Figure I’d come and see the one and only,” he said, gesturing at Peter. “I’ll leave you two to it,” tony said, leaving, “Don’t fuck in the lab again!” Peter blushed and Harley laughed. “Again?” Peter mumbled, “How did he know?” “Friday gave us up for sure,” Harley smiled, kissing his boyfriend. “How are ya darlin’? Nat told me about the trip.” “Yeah, it’s alright. At least I get the day off.” “I suppose. You gunna keep workin on those?” “Yeah, Mr. Stark just gave me a good idea.” “Hmn, yeah, I wanna finish up Clint’s new arrows before he murders me.” Peter laughed, “Yeah you should do.”Friday Peter got a nice sleep in. He woke around ten, but, too comfortable in his boyfriend’s arms, he didn’t move until half past 10. He slipped out of his room, allowing Harls to sleep in more. His boyfriend was sleep deprived far too often. He quickly got ready for the day, wanting to look and smell alright. He headed straight for the kitchen after, needing some coffee and breakfast before getting any real work done. In the Avenger household, between Harley, Peter, Mr. Stark, Banner, and
Pepper, the coffee pot was always full. Peter kinda fancied some of the pastries from the coffee shop in the lobby, so, after chugging his cup of coffee, he headed downstairs.He was met with a not so nice surprise upon walking into the lobby. There was his class. How could he be so stupid. Of course the field trip was here, that’s why they didn’t want me on it. He should have just asked one of the many Avengers in the tower to grab it for him. Bucky would’ve. “Peter! Peter Parker!” yelled his teacher yelled. Shit. Peter tried to ignore him, heading straight for the coffee shop. Surely the teacher would think he made a mistake. “Hey Ellise! Didn’t know you were working today?” “Extra shift,” she smiled, “How’s everything going?” “Pretty badly, could I get an express on my normal?” “Anything for my loyal customer,” she joked. “Thanks,” he said, moving over to wait for his drink and food. To his dismay, Ms. Giles came up right behind him as he waited for his order. “Peter Parker, you were not allowed on this field trip! You were banned. It is totally inappropriate for you to show up here!” “I-i.” he had nothing. “Go home. You're guardians and the principal will be hearing about this.” “Uhmn-” he honestly didn't know what to say, “Right yeah, I’ll go home.” “Parker, your coffee’s up with your pastry!” El yelled. “Uh thanks,” he said, grabbing it and heading for the lift. “SECURITY! This student is trying to enter the building!” for fucks sake Ms. Giles. Peter was so so done. One of the guards came over, “hello, what seems to be happening here?” “One of my students, who was banned from the field trip, decided to come here as a joke or something, and he is now trying to go upstairs? He also got himself a coffee without paying,” she explained calmly. “Kid, this is a very serio-” “I work here,” Peter said in a low voice, “that’s why I’m here. Just needed a coffee before I started working.” “How old are you?” “Sixteen.” “We do not hire people under 18, I need the truth. This is a truly punishable offence.” “Let me show you my badge!” he said, fishing it out from his pocket. “Oh god, I am so sorry Mr. Parker. I hadn’t realized. Please continue on.” “No need to apologize, you were just doing your job. Thanks, I’ll be off then,” Peter said with a smile. “Peter Parker I don’t kno-” “Please return to your tour. It should be starting soon. Mr. Parker is free to do as he pleases in this building,” the security guard assured. Peter shot him a smile before getting in the lift.“Hey babe,” Peter said, spotting his boyfriend in the kitchen, “Guess where the field trip is to?” “No!” Keener yelled, laughing, “It’s here!” “Yep, and they all saw me in the lobby-” he launched into a detailed recount of the events that just occurred in the lobby. “God your life, darlin’” “I know, I bet Mr. Stark knew all along.” “Ha! That'd be just like him, getting back at you for some of those pranks.” “Innit.” “You still heading down to the inter labs? I know people down there need your help.” “I think I’m going to avoid it. I want to keep working on the sizing down of the arc reactor for my department’s new project.” Peter currently ran one of the three R&D labs. They were currently doing work on the arc reactor. Sometimes, Peter worked among them, giving advice and handing out assignments, but most times he stuck to doing the work in his own lab. He was technically their boss, and he and his team got the work in on time, so it didn’t bother Stark. “Stark gives you too much work. It’s so dumb you have your own department.” “Jealous baby?” “Fuck no, we all know I’m CEO next,” Harley smirked. “Yes, yes you are.” Harley was much more business than he was. Peter was so much better at the R&D. He’d end up being some big important role in the company - likely second in charge, but he’d always be running the research in some capacity. “Well that’s unless Bucky and Stark finally decided to have a little tot,” Peter joked. “I’ll still be top. They love me most,” Harley said, fake flipping his hair. “What’s this about us having a kid and loving Harls most?” Tony
said, “Well, I was simply explaining that you love me most and that's why I’m CEO next.” “Hell no, Pep made that strange decision.” “Well, I said yours and Bucky’s kid was getting it all.” “Hell no! Our kids are staying away from all this shit,” Bucky smiled. “Our kids?” “Yeah,” Buck said, like it was the most obvious thing ever. “God I love you,” Tony said. “Ewwwww,” Both the boys squealed. “Shut up,” Tony threw at them, “Don’t you have a department to run and classes to attend?” “No classes till 3,” Harley explained. “Yes, just don’t want my class to see me down there.” “Your class?” Bucky questioned. “Yeah, it turns out this year's field trip was to my house,” Peter joked. “Don’t let them stop you from doing your work,” Stark said, seriously, “It’s a big tower, it’s very unlikely they’ll be anywhere near your lab. Plus, I need your third term report on Project ZX89.” “Yeah. The team and I are almost done with it. I’ll pull an all nighter and have it to you by Friday.” “Okay so-” Stark began. “No you will not, Peter,” Bucky stepped on, “If you can’t handle the department and a normal sleeping schedule, we need to talk about it.” “Buck, it’s one night. Plus, we’re so near to finishing with the models. Fourth terms will be literally production,” Peter explained. “I give up. He’s yours,” Bucky exclaimed. “Relax, it’s one night as the kid said. By the way, Friday at the latest.” “Yep. It’ll be with you.” “Keener, Pep told me she wants you by her today as you have no class. Friday sent her your schedule.” “Bu-” “Go Mr. Future CEO.” “Fine, see ya. Bye Darling,” Harley said, placing a kiss on his boyfriend’s lips. “I’ll come with. I do have to get that work done.” “Okay,” Harley replied, interlocking their hands. “Bye,” they both called. The two overachieving kids fit perfectly into each other’s lives.“Wish me luck,” Peter said, stepping into his department. “Good luck. Hope your class comes in here and sees you bein an epic boss.” “I hate you.” The lift closed, and he went straight to his computer to start reading over the current progress. He began to compile the work that Stark wanted. He sent off a couple emails asking for data and previous models. This report, in truth, was going to take him at least 12 hours to make. He also needed to do some physical work on the prototype with some of the scientists working under him. After sending requests for all the info he’d need for the report, he went into the lab, greeting his team. He fit right in as they continued to make the final adjustments on the mini-arc reactor. Two hours later, they were done with the third quarter work. They agreed to celebrate this weekend with some drinks in the lab.Peter luck showed up, and his class arrived in his department. Peter ran and checked his schedule, there was nothing about talking to a class about his research as he’d done before. “Peter, Pepper would like to inform you that there was a mistake in your calendar. You will be talking to a tour in five about your research. She apologies for any inconvenience.” “Hi fri, tell her it's fine. I got this.” “Yes baby boss.” He promptly met the class in one of the two conference rooms on that floor. It was almost entirely a lab. “Hello class, I am the head of this department, so I shall be telling you about it,” Peter said. “Funny joke Peter, please stop distributing this tour,” Ms. Giles said. “I’m going to ignore that comment. So, I am aware you’ve all been given a brief tour of the level, but I am here to answer any questions you may have.” The class was silent and confused. “Anything at all? Ok, I guess I’ll just tell you more about the work I do with my team…” he blabbered on about the work, what it was like working here, the best and worst parts, ect.The tour was ready to leave, and Peter was glad. He had work to do.To say Monday was an interesting day would be an understatement.
Read and save it on A03 here https://archiveofourown.org/works/33120742
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essays-for-breakfast · 4 years ago
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Tales of the Past
Kiane Week Day Three: Innocence
Note: Since the identity of King’s and Diane’s child is still a mystery, I simply incorporated Ivy from my other story, Conquest of the Past, into this. You don’t have to read that one to understand this one shot. Please enjoy.
Doesn’t time fly?
One day the Holy War scourged the lands of Britannia, a threat to all life and all light, and the next King kissed Diane and sealed their unending bond through the marriage he had dreamed of for so long.
One day he held his newborn daughter in his arms, mesmerized by every breath she took, and the next she talked in full sentences and outran him in a race to the silver springs and back home.
Life hurried past so quickly, it never stopped for King to catch up, and before he knew, his daughter would grow up to go her own way. Even his increased life span as Fairy King didn’t allow for enough time to appreciate all these precious moments, to savor all the talks and all the embraces and all the kisses before time placed the veil of forgetfulness over them. But life always had a new gift in store to repay the bittersweet taste on King’s tongue when his mind drifted to the inevitable end. A simple walk, a simple conversation, a simple smile – he never needed more.
Few things these days filled King with the same warmth as when he watched his daughter play. Ivy hopped across the root-infested earth of the Fairy King’s Forest, in pursuit of a butterfly. Unlike her mother, she took a liking to bugs and critters of all kind, maybe more so than to the Fairies around her.
His thoughts circled around her in lazy turns, like ponderous bees in the summer heat, and so he nearly missed the low-hanging sycamore branch in Ivy’s path.
“Ivy, be careful or you will…” She craned her neck towards King but didn’t bother to slow her steps. Her temple crashed against the branch, and she went down. “… or you will bump your head!”
King pushed his wings to their limits and raced to where Ivy lay in the grass. But she sat herself back up before he reached her, and a sigh slipped his lips.
Ivy rubbed her head. “That branch wasn’t there last week. Do I have to die now?”
“Don’t say such silly things, you won’t die. Not on my watch.”
King flicked his fingers, and Chastifol manifested by his side, enwrapped by a golden aura. Another turn of his hand later, the Spirit Spear transformed into the translucent dome of its eight form. Ivy gaped and giggled as the pollen of the Sacred Tree healed her wound and replenished her energy. The cramp between King’s shoulders disappeared, and he allowed himself three additional breaths surrounded by the scent of flowers and the transient sound of windchimes. But, although he had plenty of magical energy to spare, the excessive use of Pollen Garden remained a lavish act.
“Everything alright now?” King asked as the gold-patterned walls disintegrated.
Ivy nodded. “It doesn’t hurt one bit! I thought I was done for.”
“I won’t let anything happen to you. I promised you that, don’t you remember? But I’m afraid that the branch above us was there last week as well. You are growing too fast.”
“And soon I will be twice as tall as you! Do you think I will be as tall as mommy one day?”
“Maybe. But I hope you take your time with growing up. Just a little bit, for my sake.”
“I don’t like being so tall anyway. Every time Lance comes over to visit, I feel like he is getting smaller. Hitting his head with a ball becomes so much harder when the target’s so tiny.”
King opted for a serious expression, but the round violet eyes of his daughter melted any steel in his voice. “Ivy, you’re not supposed to hit him.”
“Why? He always gets back to his feet the next second. He’s a sore loser, it’s not my fault he can’t admit that I’m the better thrower.”
“I just don’t want you to do something you will regret later on. You are incredibly strong, and looking at your mother, I think you will become even stronger. But strength can be used for the wrong reasons. In a moment of carelessness, strength can become a weapon to hurt others, including people you care about. I fought your uncle once because I was blinded by loss and thoughts of betrayal. I wanted to hurt him. And I did. And he wasn’t the only one I hurt. I don’t want you to make the same mistakes I did.”
Ivy crossed her arms. “But you’re not a fighter. I’ve never seen you so much as argue with someone. Not even with uncle Ban, even though he tells terrible jokes and talks too much when he is drinking that weird stuff in the glass bottles with the unseemly pictures.”
“You’d be surprised by how many battles your mother and I have fought. Come on. Let me show you something.”
Ivy straightened and climbed back to her feet – the last time King had offered her a hand, the attempt had ended in a dislocated shoulder on his part and a stream of sobs and apologies on Ivy’s part. After throwing the branch in her path a final death glare, Ivy caught up with King, and together they navigated the maze of tree trunks and broom bushes. The pathless forest allowed for uncounted places to hide and get lost beneath the dense canopy. But King knew every stone and every plant, could differentiate sections of the vast woodland by the sound of its leaves and the unique scents of morels or honey agarics. The energy of the forest was an ever-changing pattern that gave him a better understanding of where his wings carried him than any map. And so, he found the clearing overgrown with sweet woodruff in a matter of minutes.
Ivy pulled in a sharp breath. Amidst the greenery lay a war hammer of thirty feet length. The sun reflected from the bronze head. Despite a lack of recent polish, neither weather nor plant life had touched the Sacred Treasure; Gideon looked the same as on the day Diane had placed it here.
Ivy ran over and put her hands around the hilt. But she only managed to nudge the pommel from the ground. The head remained glued to its resting spot.
“What is this?” she asked and puffed when her next battle against Gideon’s weight proved fruitless. “It must weigh more than you and me combined!”
King smiled. “A lot more. This is your mother’s Sacred Treasure. She wielded it in the New Holy War.”
“No way. Mom fought in a war? And you were with her? Did you win?”
“Yes, we won. We won battles against knights and Demons, and even the foulest creature of all them all, the Demon King himself.”
Ivy abandoned her assault on Gideon long enough to gawk at King. “You mean you and mom were heroes? You took responsibility for all the many people out there and protected them?”
“Not us two alone, no. We had friends to rely on. Your uncle Ban, the Captain, and Gowther among many more. You remember them, don’t you? It’s important to have friends you can trust. So, next time you play catch with Lancelot, maybe try to be a little more careful. If you’re both nice to each other, your bond will eventually reward you, maybe in a way you never expected.”
“Yeah, sure, as long as he admits that I’m the better thrower. What else happened during the war? The people must admire you very much for saving them.”
“I believe they did. Some still do. But I never fought to gain their favor. If anything, I felt a little uncomfortable with all the parties they threw to honor the Seven Deadly Sins. There was a lot of gratefulness, some of these people gained a freedom they never knew before the war. And without the war on the horizon, the Seven Deadly Sins might have never been assembled, and Diane and I might have never reunited. Most likely she would have found someone else, maybe not the Captain, but someone who would have been willing and eager to give her the love she deserves. It’s easy to say that all fighting is bad, and I will be the first to admit that the Holy War claimed far more victims because we as a group of knights did not always stand united. But at the same time, I’m glad I can’t turn back the clock. Because otherwise, we wouldn’t have had you.”
King stroked Ivy’s soft, reddish-brown locks. She leaned into the touch, even went so far as to wrap her arms around him.
No, King would never want to turn back time and risk the life he had now, the happy ending he and Diane had fought for. But if the Sacred Tree or another god had offered him the chance to stop the clocks and hold onto today forevermore, he might have accepted.
One day, before he knew it, Ivy would be grown up, and the sweet innocence of her childhood would run through his fingers no matter how desperately he begged the flow to stop. Another war might plague the lands. Another tyrant might escape the ashes, another creature sent from Purgatory or a realm beyond the world he knew. Ivy might have to take up arms to protect what she loved, just like her parents before her.
King listened to the soft breaths of his daughter and blinked away the veil of tears. “Try not to grow up too fast. Will you do that for me?”
“Okay, dad. But I will first have to ask mom if she agrees.”
A chuckle rocked King’s torso, and the grey clouds of the future backed away to gift him with another day in the sun. “Please do that. I wouldn’t want to enrage her with another one of my selfish ideas. She could drop a mountain on top of me. And I’m afraid she doesn’t need Gideon for that. How about we go back to her right away? I miss her, don’t you?”
“Very. I wanna ask her more about the war. I bet she was a super-amazing fighter if she could lift this hammer. And while we go back, I could catch another butterfly as a gift for her!”
King made a face and produced a series of undefinable sounds. “Maybe… we could look for – er – something else to surprise her with? Flowers for example. Everyone likes flowers.”
“But they’re so boring to catch! They can’t even run away!”
“Okay, okay, I’ll try to come up with something on the way home. How about some wild berries?”
“That’s not very creative. And once mom has eaten them, she’ll have nothing left to remember the gift.”
“A mushroom that looks like a face maybe?”
“How boring!”
Side by side and engrossed in a discussion loud enough to scare away swarms of song birds, father and daughter walked back home, to Diane. By the end of their journey, they had found not a single idea they could agree upon. Diane nevertheless embraced both of them with a smile and a remark of how heavy Ivy was getting.
And as she gave King a casual kiss, he stopped the clocks and held onto this moment forevermore.
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artificialqueens · 3 years ago
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Pretty in Pearls, Chapter 5 (Jankie) - Plastiquedoll
read on ao3 💄| previous chapters
A/N: hi! here's a short update but I still hope you enjoy it! thank you for reading it! <3
-5-
“Good evening, welcome to Lucky’s… I’m Jan, how can I help you?” She smiled brightly.
The flash of Crystal’s phone almost blinded her.
“Aw, look at you. First day of work!” The ginger cooed.
“They grow up so fast.” Jaida pretended she was crying.
Crystal was definitely crying.
“You guys…” Jan whispered. “I work here now… try to keep it cool… please?”
“How dare you? We always keep it cool.” Nicky crossed her arms on her chest.
“Aren’t we banned from that bar in the city?” Heidi asked.
“Technically, that wasn’t our fault…” The blonde mumbled.
Jan counted the people in the group; Widow and Gigi were there too, Widow was telling Gigi something but the girl was a bit too concentrated on certain ginger –she had said yes to their invitation in the blink of an eye when they told her Crystal was going to be there- Rosé and Lagoona would arrive after their rehearsal but still…
“Where’s Jackie?” Jan tiptoed, looking around.
“She had to close the copy room and told us she would meet us here.” Jaida explained.
“Oh… okay.” Jan displayed a new smile. “I’ll take you guys to your section.”
She walked the group to the booths and assigned them two tables next to each other –they were going to need a third table by the time the other girls arrived but for the moment, it would do- she distributed the menus and left them to check her other clients just like Denali had taught her earlier that day.
She had met some of her co-workers -there were other two waitresses working that night, Kandy and Olivia, Olivia was a sweetheart meanwhile Kandy was hilarious- and the day manager, Britta; for what it seemed, the night manager not being there was a recurring thing so Denali walked her carefully through every detail. She explained how the register worked, how to add tables and mark them as occupied or free, she also told Jan about the standards and rules with the diners, what to do, what not to do… and when she thought Jan was ready, she sent her to her first table ever.
“And don’t worry, if something goes wrong you can always say that you’re new and get away with it. I still do it sometimes.” Denali shrugged. “But I’m convinced you’ll do well.”
Jan did perfectly; she served two high school students who stopped by right after school. They ordered milkshakes and Jan was more than excited to prepare their drinks and deliver them while wearing a dazzling smile. They left a good tip for being teenagers so she took that as a good sign.
And obviously, her friends were going to drop by on her first day. She just hoped that Denali wouldn’t scold her in extension so she had asked them to behave… as much as they could.
Rosé and Lagoona walked in next.
“Look at you, baby!” Rosé celebrated her roommate. “Stunning!”
“Let me have a glance.” Lagoona gestured for her to twirl.
“Y’all…” Jan blushed but did as requested showing off her red and white striped uniform.
“I think this is the first time I’ve seen you in a dress or a skirt.” The pink-haired girl noted. “I’m not counting the skorts you wore when we went bowling.”
“You didn’t want me to wear sweatpants to it.”
“Bitch…”
Jan had no proofs or doubts Rosé would have burned the skorts if she had the chance. She knew it was a questionable fashion choice but hey, they surely were comfy.
She also hoped she never told Nicky or Gigi about them.
“Everyone is here already… well, except for Jackie, she’s kind of running late.” Jan guided them toward the booths.
The other girls immediately cheered when the other two girls joined as if they hadn’t had lunch all together the day before.
“I’ll check on you in a minute.” She said before running to the table that was calling for her.
Rosé’s words echoed on the back of her head. She didn’t have anything against skirts or dresses only she had never consider buying one for herself. Other girls looked ethereal with them but Jan still had war flashbacks from that time she attempted to buy a dress for her graduation with her mom… it hadn’t gone well.
Plus, sports clothes always fit her and were practical.
Denali had offered both options –the candy cane striped dress and an alternative set of pants and a white shirt with an apron- but she had opted for the dress for some reason. She wanted to fit into that environment and copying the black-haired girl seemed the first step to it. Trying it on had been a bit weird; she almost didn’t recognize herself in the mirror but the more she looked at herself the more she liked it.
At that moment, Jackie arrived.
She was apologizing even before completely trespassing the door when she lifted her gaze and met Jan’s eyes.
“…and I’m sorry for…” She began losing her ability to speak as she got in a trance.
Seeing Jan always gave Jackie butterflies on her stomach –the good type of butterflies- and she wasn’t going to admit it to her friends not even in a million years because she wasn’t the kind of girl who believed in something as cheesy as butterflies but most importantly, she had promised herself she wasn’t going to fall for that again.
But there she was, with that smile that made all the other smiles in the world irrelevant.
Seeing Jan in a dress made her brain malfunction –not because of the dress itself but because the girl was glowing while wearing it.
Jackie wetted her lips, she had forgotten what she was going to say.
“So… what do you think?” She stretched the dress with her hands. “You can be fully honest.”
No, she couldn’t.
“You look… very happy.” The brunette made a great effort to reply. “You look nice.” This time the words came out a bit more articulated.
Jan smiled, satisfied with that answer. “C’mon, the girls are over here…” She started walking and Jackie followed her. “Don’t you love this place? It looks like it’s been ripped out of the fifties or something.”
For the first time, Jackie actually paid attention to the diner.
“Oh, that’s right… the aesthetic…”
“Hey girls, Jackie’s here!” She announced.
“Miss Cox!” Heidi yelled.
Suddenly the table turned in her direction; they created a fuss, full sentences or loose words were hardly able to comprehend but Jackie was used to it, she spoke the loud language better than anyone. She looked at Jan before sitting with the rest of the group and cracked a secret smile just for her then she rolled her eyes and got entangled in one epic story about the time a cat crashed in the dorms.
Jan cleared her throat and asked very nicely if she could bring them something to drink. She listed soft drinks, mostly cherry coke, regular coke, diet coke, Sprite, and an ice cream soda for Crystal. She walked behind the counter and pressed some buttons to make sure she got it all correct.
It took her a moment to understand the computer’s system for the tables as in the abstract but now that she had some practice with it, she was getting faster at it. She charged table eight and then added a new order of fries for table twelve and finally opened the bill for her friends.
Denali approached her at some point while she was juggling with a couple of trays.
“Hey, how’s it going?” The black-haired girl asked. “Are you okay handling that big group by yourself?” She typed some numbers and printed the receipt without blinking.
“Ah, yeah… Don’t worry, they are all my friends.” It was the first time she had said it aloud and it filled her with pride.
Denali looked at the table; it was a colorful ensemble of people that were having a blast. They were loud and they burst into laughter every couple of minutes. Jan spotted Widow covering her face with second-hand embarrassment while she was laughing underneath, Heidi cackling next to her, Nicky and Jaida holding hands but still participating in the debate, Rosé holding her stomach, Lagoona trying to add something but cracking up as soon as she started a sentence, Gigi with a blank stare trying to discover what she had said that was so funny, Crystal in an attempt to explain it to her –laughing still- and Jackie shaking her head, knowing the situation was irredeemable.
Those were her friends and it filled Jan’s chest with warmness to see them there on her first day of work.
“They came here to support you?”
Jan nodded.
“Aw, that’s so cute!” Denali beamed. “Let me know if I can help you with their order though.”
“I probably will… they already found out there are mozzarella sticks in the menu and when they say «bring mozzarella sticks» they mean all the mozzarella sticks.”
Denali chuckled. “Alright.”
Jan returned to the tables with the drinks and placed them carefully remembering who ordered what. Her friends ordered a ton of food and she had to write it down and register the order on the computer.
They were talking about Rosé and Lagoona’s latest news, they had started preparing the winter musical for a class but one of the girls that were taking part had to step out of the play.
“She said she didn’t want to brag but honestly, Sydney, who the fuck cares if you’re doing Hamilton now?” The blue-haired girl sighed. “Anyway, so we need to recruit someone else this month to play that part.”
“What’s the play about?” Widow asked.
“We’re honoring the one and only Lindsay Lohan and decided to adapt the fictional musical Eliza Rocks from Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen.” Rosé explained.
“So… Pygmalion?” Gigi frowned.
“No, no… well, yeah… It is Pygmalion but with a twist… a remake if you like.”
“So the Glee version of Pygmalion?” Heidi tried to connect the dots.
“There’s nothing new under the sun anyway.” Rosé gave up.
“We still have to, write the music and the script… but that’s the big project of the drama department.”
“We could help you with the costume design,” Nicky suggested. “That could be interesting.”
“I don’t know if-” Gigi whispered.
“I love all the theatrical stuff, can I help you?” Crystal volunteered.
“Alright, yeah… we’re helping with the costumes.” The other blonde corrected herself.
Jan shook her head and left them to discuss other details.
She was tapping the screen of the computer when Jackie sat on one of the stools of the bar.
“Look how the tables have turn… Literally.”
Jan giggled. “Right? The food will be ready in a second… I’m just finishing here.”
The brunette watched her work. “You know, that role on the play Rosé and Lagoona are putting together… you could do it.”
Jan stopped what she was doing and stared at Jackie. “What? Me?” She shook her head. “No, no… I just sing in the shower and when I’m alone… that’s it. I’m not a singer and I’m not an actress.”
“You could be one. Nobody was born knowing but you can learn. I’m sure they’d love to have you on their production.”
“Jackie, I don’t know… It’s really not my thing. Besides, they already have a lot of work to do, I don’t want to delay them even more.”
“It sounds to me that you would be doing them a favor. Just… think about it. This is the perfect time to try new things… maybe.”
“I won’t promise anything.”
“Alright.” Jackie stood up. “By the way, you should bring extra ketchup… talking from experience.”
“Okay, I’ll be there in a heartbeat.”
Jan delivered the food with Denali’s help as she had suggested and then let them enjoy it until it was her time to call it a day, hang her apron and change her dress.
“Great job today. You're a good new addition to our staff.” Denali congratulated her on the back of the restaurant.
“Thank you! I’m glad that you hired me.”
“Don’t even mention it. Now go have fun with your friends.” She winked at her and left Jan to collect her things.
She then saw with her friends and let a big sigh out of her chest.
“The first day is over…”
Her friends congratulated her as well and took turns to compliment her as if it was a Yelp review.
“Let’s make a toast for Jan’s new job!” Jaida raised her glass in the air.
“For Jan!” The table cheered in unison.
“Five out of five stars, excellent service.” Heidi qualified.
“Speaking of…” Rosé whispered just for Jan to listen. “Who is that girl that helped you earlier?”
“Denali? She’s basically my supervisor at this point and she hired me.”
“She’s cute… like… very cute.”
Jan had never seen Rosé blushing until that moment –not even when Heidi had dropped some of her –arguably- best pickup lines during one lunch.
“Oh, so you think she’s cute?”
“Do you know if she’s single?”
“I’ve worked here for a day or so…”
“More than enough time.”
“I can ask her later but she’s like my boss now, you have to promise me you’ll be chill.”
“Baby, have you seen the people around us? I’ll be the chilliest of them all.”
That wasn’t the most reassuring thing to say.
The second week, Jan was more used to her work but her teachers started setting deadlines, and with her baseball practices on top of everything else, she ended up being exhausted by the time her head touched the pillow.
After a long day, the only thing she wanted was to take a long hot shower and put on some pajamas. She walked into the hallway, yawning and carrying her little bathroom basket with shampoo, soap, and a towel.
She had followed Nicky’s advice and always wore flip-flops to the shower. The bathroom was covered in steam most of the time so the girls had to clean the mirrors to brush and dry their hair hoping to see their reflection.
Jan politely greeted two girls from the dorm and got in the shower before closing the curtain. She heard the door as the two girls left and with that, she was left alone. She turned on the shower and let the water cover her entirely to wash off all the stress of the day.
While shampooing, she unconsciously started humming some random song she had heard on the radio earlier in the diner. She closed her eyes and got under the shower when someone moved the curtain.
“I knew it!” Rosé yelled. She had her pink embroidered bathrobe on and her hair was dripping wet.
Jan screamed. “Rosé!” She covered her body with the plastic curtain. “Holy sh… You nearly gave me a heart attack… I thought we had agreed on no Pitch Perfect reenacts.” Her heart was beating faster than ever.
“I didn’t know it was the whole movie, I thought it was just the songs… you know, I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes-” She hummed.
“Rosé…” The shower’s water continued running. “Get out.”
“Okay fine.” The girl closed the curtain. “But I heard you before, you hum when you’re happy.”
“Yes? Like a normal person?” She said on the other side.
“No, no… you’re good. Why didn’t you tell me you were good?”
“Because I’m not a singer… I don’t sing like you or Lagoona.”
“But you could! This is great… I knew you were good.” She repeated.
“Wait a minute, were you waiting for me to come shower?”
“No bitch, I was exfoliating… I wasn’t stalking you.”
“Okay… sure… this definitely crosses some boundaries but okay…”
“Sorry about the curtain thing but hey, here’s a fun idea… you should drop by the auditorium tomorrow. We’re holding auditions this week and I’m just saying… you could be what we need.”
Jan finished showering and stepped out wrapped in her towel.
“Look… I’m flattered that you even consider me good but I’m not… musical theatre material, trust me.”
Rosé stared with supplicant eyes. “I know you can do it… but alright.” She raised her hands in the air in surrender.
She sighed. “Listen, Rosé, I’d love to help you but my plate is full right now… I wouldn’t be able to do it all.”
“Don’t worry… I won’t insist and I won’t bring the subject anymore just… please, consider it overnight. You don’t have to say no right away.”
“Fine… can I brush my hair in peace or is Lagoona going to jump out the sink and start a number about why I should sing?”
“We don’t have that budget but I’m sure she can improvise a song if that’s what it takes.”
“See you in the room and remember that you can’t bring this up again.”
“For someone who’s cheerful all the time you surely are picking traits from Miss Jackie Cox, aren’t you…?”
Jan blushed. “No, I’m not…”
The following day, Jan found herself roaming outside the auditorium for no particular reason.
Well, that was what she kept telling herself.
Because she wasn’t there for the auditions.
No.
Not at all.
She took a deep breath before walking in.
Luckily, most of the auditorium was empty except for the stage where most performers were still doing warm-up exercises and no one noticed the presence of the girl when she entered. Instead of standing still in the middle of the rows, she sat at the back and hid behind another seat hoping no one would spot her from there.
That was a mistake, she wasn’t supposed to be there.
She had told Rosé she would think about it but she chickened out the second she stepped in.
The rehearsal began and some of the members of the club started reading fragments of the play. It was really funny, Jan found herself holding back her laughter at some dialogues and performances. Lagoona played the piano and Rosé sang along with her and some other students joined for the chorus of the song.
It was mesmerizing to watch it from afar and maybe that was all she had to do. She could be supportive this way, without getting too involved.
“Now, what on Earth are you doing here?” The voice made her startled until she noticed it was Jackie who was now hiding next to her.
“Shhhh… keep it quiet. They don’t know I’m here… wait, why are you here?”
Jackie was so close, Jan could smell the green apple notes of her perfume.
“After my shift ended, I went to the administration office to talk with the dean and when I left I saw you walking in.” She explained.
“Ah… well, I’m leaving already so…”
“Please, don’t mind me.” The brunette assured. “So, what really brings you here?”
“Rosé is trying to get all Pitch Perfect and recruit me for this. She heard me sing in the showers.”
“Understandable. I’d call it the troyboltonification of Jan.”
“I’m not… I won’t get troyboltonificated. I’m here just to… take a look… That’s it.”
“Aha, sure.” She didn’t sound convinced. “What is holding you back from this? Obviously, you want it.”
Jan lowered her gaze. “Back in high school… I secretly wanted to participate in the drama club but the rehearsals were at the same time as my baseball practices and well… I always picked baseball over it because that’s what I’m good at it… plus it was an excuse to hang out with Nathan after the practice.”
“I see…” Jackie mumbled.
“Besides, I didn’t think I have what it takes… yes I can hit a couple of notes but that…” She pointed at the stage. “What they do there is art.”
“Listen… you’re not in high school anymore. It might be difficult to juggle the extracurricular activities with your studies and work but… if you want this, you should give it a try.” Jackie said candidly, her eyes reflected the sincerity of her words. “If it’s not for you, at least you can say you tried it.”
“Do you really think I could do it? I mean, being in front of a stage like them?”
“I’m certain about it. Some people might be born with it but I’m sure they had to practice a lot anyway and they probably failed more than once before they could get better. It is easier to say it than doing it but you’re a spitfire, if you put your mind to it you can do anything.”
She smiled even though they were in the darkest place of the auditorium.
“Thank you, Jackie. I don’t know what I did to deserve a friend like you, seriously.”
“Whenever you need it.” She smiled back.
Then, Jan stepped out and walked down toward where the stage was.
“Hi!” She approached shyly the people there, Lagoona stopped playing and Rosé was more than happy to see her. “I didn’t mean to interrupt you guys but I was told you have a vacancy for a role…”
The pink-haired girl jumped out of the stage. “Fellas, this is Jan… she’s my roommate and she has a great voice. I think we could use her talent here.”
They welcomed her warmly, introducing the team.
Jan turned around before going on stage and Jackie gave her a thumbs up.
“Break a leg.” She murmured even when the younger couldn’t hear her from there.
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mandeep244 · 4 years ago
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All Lives Matter
Hello Everyone! As part of my assignments, I am required to write blog posts. So here is my first try to blogging. Any suggestions are welcomed. Thank you in advance for investing your time in reading this!
From COVID-19 to “Black Lives Matter”, the capacity of humans to pay attention to important topics moves on without even them realising. It is an unconscious shift of minds to what is happening around us, and hence it becomes even more important to get to the conclusion and spread the right message in the society as soon as we can. 
In our online meeting (amid the COVID-19), our team discussed about the article by CBC about how teams in NHL are considering changing their names. The “Black Lives Matter” movement (which I believe should be “ALL LIVES MATTER!”) has made the world realise how racism has taken not only opportunities, but also taken away lives of people. The worst part about this is that the people who are privileged don’t even agree that this is happening. What people need to understand is just because it isn’t happening to you, doesn’t mean that it is non-existing. Racism and inequality has become a reason of anger, depression, killings and suicides.
Racism in sports has also been long lived. One such example is of the South African cricket team who had a policy to play only against white nations (Australia, England, and New Zealand). In 1968, South Africa refused to allow a touring England team which had a “non-white” player Basil D’Oliveira. One of the strongest side in world cricket, South Africa was banned from test cricket in 1969-1970 for 22 years until the ban was lifted.
Did this ban force a change? Not really! Even though their team included Makhaya Ntini, the first black cricketer to represent South Africa, he recently revealed that he faced racism while in the team. Makhaya stated that he wasn’t included in dinner plans or plans to go out which were made in front of him making him feel lonely.
So how does NHL teams changing their names makes a difference?
Firstly, it marks the beginning to support whats right. Yes, there are teams and management organisations who would think otherwise. There is a threat of increased investments and loss of fans which comes along. But doing so can initiate the very important first step. Sports has the power to connect with people locally to as far as internationally. Whether people play sports or not, they feel connected to teams and players as their own. They tend to follow what teams do and what they say. And therefore, the change of names is where the change begins, with a lot of steps to follow. Sports personalities have to reach out to people and let them know why change is of utmost importance. Spreading the knowledge is what is required to get people thinking towards what is right. Changing thought process takes long time, but it is possible! And everything that is possible and needs attention, should be given what it deserves.
Another important aspect involved is the platform which is used. The media can play an important role for this. The BLM movement that made the threat of pandemic get out of people’s mind, should be broadcasted when people are thinking about it. There have been numerous instances of such discrimination in the past, and each of those events were an opportunity to stop this wrongdoing. But all these opportunities were missed due to negligence. This time we have to make sure that we don’t lose another opportunity and it’s time for sports to do it’s part for the society!
Update- July 29, 2020:
While discussing the blog with my friend, we talked about how All Lives Matter movement is being used to counter the BLM movement by diluting it’s power. Although I hope for the viewers of my blog would understand that the All Lives Matter that I mentioned is not to disrespect or disregard the BLM, I would like to give a few notes on those points. Firstly as a brown person who lived in US for a year in 2016-2017 and has now been living in Canada, I have experienced sorts of racism too. Therefore, when I say All Lives Matter, I base it around humanity where all people must be treated equally. Whatever the skin color, it is not a person’s choice to be or look like that. Every person deserves to have equal opportunity in whatever field they pursue.
Imagine if you meet and talk to a blind person. Would that conversation start with them asking you the color of your skin? No!
The only thing that would matter to that person is how polite and considerate you are to move the conversation forward. The relationship you build with them would be entirely about how good you have been to each other. Therefore I believe everyone has to move past the color of an individual and talk to them, as they would with their loved ones.
Ps: THINK before you REACT!
Allen Kim, C. (2020). The Chicago Blackhawks won't change nickname because it honors the life of an actual Native American. Retrieved 26 July 2020, from https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/08/us/chicago-blackhawks-name-spt-trnd/index.html
Indigenous team names are under fire again — but this time feels different | CBC Sports. (2020). Retrieved 24 July 2020, from https://www.cbc.ca/sports/the-buzzer-indigenous-team-names-1.5642563
South African Cricket & The Apartheid  Experience. (2020). Retrieved 26 July 2020, from https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/news/south-african-cricket-the-apartheid-experience-2110687.html
‘Nobody knocked on my door to go for dinner’: Makhaya Ntini opens up about time in South African team. (2020). Retrieved 26 July 2020, from https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/nobody-knocked-on-my-door-to-go-for-dinner-makhaya-ntini-reveals-about-time-in-south-african-team/story-TuAETHKd2zT3mXZGTl1EaL.html
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sepublic · 4 years ago
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Kratakal
           In the gloomy, cursed land of Xia, there is little to provide relief from the crushing work and poverty of life. What DOES exist, however, comes in the form of entertainment; Be it theater productions, television programs, radio dramas, music, and the like. While many singers, actors, and stars have risen to fame in the recent years, all are eclipsed by the ‘founder’ of Xia’s entertainment industry, the island’s one-and-only, true celebrity; The unusual, charismatic Kratakal!
          Another one of the Rahkshi, Makuta’s sons, Kratakal is notable for his blatant defection and betrayal of his own creator early into his own existence. Whereas his other siblings maintained allegiance to their father either from loyalty, necessity, or some mixture of the two, Kratakal himself realized he could not be content merely being a servant for Makuta. Thus, he made the decision to leave the Brotherhood, taking with him all of his fellow Kraata and the artifact required to create more of his kind by converting Masks of Power. Kratakal, simply wanting to be rid of Makuta’s influence, went to the one island where his father’s name had never even been heard of; The cursed land of Xia.
          Arriving on Xia, Kratakal made use of his reality-warping Kraata to make a profit. He offered knowledge on Life energy, as well as some of his own brethren, in exchange for massive stocks, property, riches, and economic influence. While he no doubt believed in the value of education as the son of the Mask Hoarder, Kratakal nevertheless had his eyes on one primary goal; Fame, glory, and success!
          Utilizing his amassed economic power and wealth, Kratakal immediately began to travel across Xia, showing off his beautiful singing voice as he put together plays, theater productions, and other forms of entertainment. While many members of his crew consisted of Kraata, Kratakal also hired performers directly from the streets, and gave opportunity to those who auditioned. Kratakal’s group gained fame as a travelling circus of sorts, stopping by every neighborhood and town to perform. Juggling, singing, acrobatics, skilled performances, and theater- Kratakal offered just about everything when it came to entertaining the masses.
          Many found themselves inevitably dazzled by the elaborate shows staged by Kratakal, who made sure to rehearse constantly with his troupe and entourage to ensure the most quality of performances. He utilized clever lighting techniques and his own flair for the dramatic to dazzle audiences, and performed for free; Later, he charged money for tickets that could bring one closer to the stage, but even those were relatively cheap and easily affordable for most Xians.
          Xia was entranced; They had never seen anyone like this unusual Kratakal! Not only because of his armored, inhuman appearance and strange abilities, but also because of the unconditional entertainment he provided! Those down-on-the-luck, depressed from the crushing monotony of work, would hear of Kratakal’s passing troupe and immediately flock to watch with wide-eyed wonder at his brilliant shows. Independent artists and those of good skill would hear of Kratakal’s auditions and come to them, performing for the troupe master and hoping to earn a spot in his group; Even though Kratakal made practically no revenue from his productions, he nevertheless paid employees handsomely with the amassed wages he got from selling Kraata to valuable knowledge to Xian scientists.
          What emerged as a result of Kratakal’s support and funding for others like him was a greater appreciation for the arts. Those whose skills were seen only as quaint were lifted directly from poverty, and it was not uncommon for Kratakal to personally look for talent, hear stories of a gifted singer or a skilled dancer, and then personally seek out that individual to test their worth and potentially even hire them for his troupe- Those who chose not to join were nevertheless given good money for their performance. Of course, not everyonewho auditioned impressed Kratakal and gained his respect, and would be turned away without a penny; But otherwise, his impact on Xia was only positive (barring the Kraata he sold to arms manufacturers).
          As more members joined, Kratakal became Xia’s first ‘celebrity’ of sorts, and businesses and local officials, seeing an opportunity for profit, would begin to employ Kratakal. People approached the celebrity, offering him deals, paying him to perform at certain locations, do a few advertisements for products, sing certain songs, and all the like. At parties where Xian nobles gathered, Kratakal was a riot; But even so, the poor and downtrodden maintained their viewership of him regardless. Kratakal wanted to spread his name, face, and fun to everyone, not just a select-few individuals.  
          Inevitably, other Xians would be inspired by Kratakal and start their own productions. Kratakal himself began to dabble in theater, initially hiring writers to pen performances for him and his troupe, but also doing some of his own plays as well; These were all of course a hit, and many were amazed at Kratakal’s brilliant, vicarious acting talent. One business bought permission to film Kratakal’s performances live, on-camera, and then distribute recordings of them for huge profits. This eventually evolved into live broadcasts of Kratakal’s troupe, which in turn led to the creation of television programs.
          Kratakal was an overnight hit. As the years passed and turned into decades, Kratakal and some of his more famous employees became enshrined household names. Kratakal would dedicated lavish tributes and funerals to talented individuals within his troupe that had died, and would continue to honor them well after their deaths with the occasional anniversary celebration. Through the business deals he made, Kratakal got even richer, and used his money to establish theaters and studios in Zakaz with which he could film and perform movies and shows. He funded the creation of a few schools in the arts, hoping to cultivate talent and other celebrities to elevate to fame alongside himself.
          Everybody loved Kratakal, and for many, he was considered a neutral entity, allowed to pass through districts and areas as he pleased. Of course, not everyone was pleased; Officials that attempted to keep him in line with their local law enforcement failed when Kratakal’s own powerful abilities, alongside his Kraata, easily thwarted them. In certain dictatorships he was banned from entering, but that didn’t stop him from occasionally breaking in to perform anyway. Kratakal himself was rather vocal, and in both interviews and on his own volition would speak badly of various powerful figures in Xia as he pleased. Occasionally, he’d even do parodies mocking certain officials, much to the shock and amusement of his audiences.
          Attempts to silence and even assassinate Kratakal were all abysmal failures. His impenetrable armor rendered the celebrity totally invincible, and he had access to a wide array of Kraata and their powers. Afer one dictator tried too many times to kill Kratakal as retribution for an exaggerated caricature, the Rahkshi himself eventually retaliated; He led a few of his Kraata and stormed the home of the dictator, easily slaughtering all guards and soldiers before filming, live, the brutal execution of his enemy.
          As of the present-day, Kratakal’s celebrity status has only grown. He is often invited to lavish parties, and many Xians are both dazzled and infatuated with him. Kratakal has his own line of stores and merchandise, and the occasional plushy of him. Dedicated fans can potentially earn a spot on his trivia shows, where contestants are quizzed ruthlessly on their understanding of Kratakal’s career and its extensive, decades-long history. Independent artists can earn costly auditions from Kratakal, in which they pitch whatever project they have planned in hopes of earning investment and financial support. Kratakal himself is constantly busy, active 24/7 and able to get away with his eternal schedule thanks to his inorganic form, allowing him to function entirely without food, water, or sleep.
          It is not uncommon for Kratakal himself to occasionally ambush a hapless bystander as part of an impromptu reality television skit, often subjecting them to games with occasionally lethal consequences for losers. In his desire for bigger, wilder fun, Kratakal himself has hosted his fair share of dangerous Reality TV shows, where contestants are subject to genuine bodily harm if they fail. As far as Kratakal himself is concerned, the show must go on, and Xia’s hungry audience must be sated; Even if that means a handful of deaths every now and then.
          After the arrival of the Toa, Protectors, and a few other Okotan heroes on Xia, Kratakal himself would take particular interest in one member of the group; Specifically Lewa, Toa of Jungle. Kratakal ambushed Lewa during his search for the Mask of Life’s fragments, subjecting the Toa to brutal reality shows, games, and contests that could result in his death. He seems somewhat aware of their mission, but also of what has happened back on Okoto, including the recent news of his father’s demise. Whether Kratakal has any plans of his own, or if he intends to just continue functioning and using the Okotans for entertainment, is unknown.
          Initially created as a Kraata of Fire, Kratakal’s prototype status meant that his form was unstable and would eventually dissipate. To remedy this, Makuta encased Kratakal’s form within a heavily-armored bohrok exoskeleton, one equipped with wings and a bladed tail. Kratakal’s own energy dissipated and ran out, but his own consciousness and part of Makuta’s soul became embedded into the armor itself, now one with it.
          In his ‘default’ state, Kratakal lacks a soul of his own, and is just the armor and consciousness within. In order to function, a Kraata must go into his armor and function as a new energy source and soul for Kratakal, enabling him to speak and move as usual. While this Kraata is within Kratakal, it becomes his eternal power source, and Kratakal is able to access all of its powers and further enhance them, well beyond the capabilities of any Exo-Toa. Kratakal is flanked by any number of Kraata, constantly, and can switch them out at will; Thus, he has access to every possible Kraata power in existence, but can only use one at a time, thankfully.
          Adding to his wide inventory of abilities, Kratakal possesses an impervious bohrok shell that renders him invulnerable to almost all physical damage. Repeated assassination attempts have resulted in failure as Kratakal can easily withstand brutal forces and temperatures, something he takes advantage of for the occasional performance of his. Even without a Kraata equipped, his body naturally grants him the power of flight thanks to his wings, and Kratakal wields both a sword and disk-launcher in combat. He is somewhat humanoid and bipedal in nature, with claws on his hands and feet, and a long tail with a blade on the end. Kratakal has a pair of bladed wings, and a hunched-over, heavily-armored torso, as well as mandibles flanking his face.
          Kratakal himself can be described as an egotistical, pompous celebrity. During his time underneath Makuta, he desired to have his own face and name be known by everyone, to be adored and enshrined, having inherited not just his father’s soul but also his thirst for glory as well. Combined with his own natural confidence and oozing charisma, Kratakal made the decision to forsake his creator, rebelling by taking all of his brethren and their means of creation with him.
          Unlike another rebellious creation of Makuta’s, Morbuzakh, Kratakal himself did not necessarily want conflict with his father; He simply just wanted to be rid of him entirely, to be recognized as his own person independent of his creator. Thus, he travelled to Xia after hearing stories of it from his ‘adopted brother’ Kulta, realizing it was a place completely devoid of Makuta’s name. As far as Kratakal was concerned, his father’s time had come and passed; Now it was time for Kratakal to have the spotlight!
          Kratakal himself is bold, believing in self-expression, particularly his own. He desires adulation and fame, but also genuinely wants to provide entertainment and fun to others, having remembered the sensations of being beloved that Makuta once had. Kratakal wants to be a star, and as a result can be somewhat narcissistic, often plastering his name, face, and symbol anywhere he can and making sure everybody knows who he is. He is very particular about a spotless, clean appearance, and will regularly polish his armor for his frequent public appearances. If his armor is slightly dirtied or marred, he will stop everything just to clean it.
          As a boss, Kratakal is both a brilliant artist but also incredibly demanding, and can be somewhat obnoxious due to wanting a particular ‘vision’ accomplished, no matter the cost. In recent decades he has become quite a bit more arrogant, selfish, and insufferable when it comes to his dreams, and will happily subject contestants to dangerous conditions for more views, believing this is what his audience wants; After all, Gladiator matches are a hit for a reason, right?
          Because of his egotistical nature, Kratakal can sometimes delude himself into thinking this is genuinely what a person wants/needs when he ambushes them on the street and forces them to play a trivia game that will result in death if failed. He demands everything from performers and employees, and has a heavy penchant for theatrics.
          Unsurprisingly, all of this means that Kratakal does not take criticism well; Rather, he simply does not take it to begin with, ignoring anything people have to offer that goes counter to his artistic vision. His ideas can at times be unusual and eccentric, as Kratakal is constantly experimenting and looking for new ways to dazzle and entertain; For him, many things can quickly become old-news and must be moved on from.
          Kratakal is well-aware of the latest trends and fads and makes sure both to keep up with them, but also pioneer a few of his own as well. Like his father, Kratakal can be somewhat selfish when it comes to fame and will gladly hog the spotlight, but his audience already prefers him anyway thanks to his genuine talent and over-flowing charisma.
          Because of his elevated status as Xia’s top, number-one celebrity, Kratakal can also be somewhat dismissive of others. To him, time is of the utmost importance, and he has little patience for those who waste his time. If someone has something to offer, they better get it over with quickly; Unless they are truly talented, a Xian is not likely to garner Kratakal’s genuine interest. This can make him rather off-putting to those who audition to him, and he has a habit of dropping failed auditioners through a trap-door, one that is filled with snakes only on Tuesdays. Even before his rise to total fame, Kratakal was always dismissive of those he saw as ‘untalented’, seeing them as useless, and this elitist attitude has thrived well into his career. Thus, he can come across as distant and aloof to some.
          For Kratakal, he desires to entertain Xia as a whole, believing himself to be the light in the darkness it needs; And in some ways he is not entirely wrong, as many Xians thrive on the entertainment and joy he provides, using it as a way to convince themselves to keep living and trying. Many Xians have been genuinely inspired by Kratakal to pursue higher dreams, and while many have failed, a select-few have risen to stardom and have the Rahkshi to thank for it all. Things with his signature on them can garner high prices, and some fans are even rabid for objects merely touchedby Kratakal. Statues and commissions of his visage are not uncommon, and he has his own ‘star’ on the walk of fame at his studios.
          Fun fact; Kratakal is actually a member of the Dark Hunters, believe it or not! This is not known to the Xian public, and as a Dark Hunter Kratakal does very little for The Shadowed One; aside from the occasional assassination broadcast live for ‘entertainment’, Kratakal mostly does as he pleases, even if it runs directly contrary to The Shadowed One’s profits. Kratakal pretty much only joined the Dark Hunters for the sheer novelty of having an official codename given to him by The Shadowed One, and has no loyalty to the warlord. The Shadowed One has occasionally tried to have Kratakal executed for his defiance, but has always failed. The two maintain a somewhat tenuous relationship, with Kratakal well-aware that he is immune not just literally but in a societal sense as well, something that greatly frustrates The Shadowed One.
          Kratakal has not been fired, not only because nobody is allowed to leave the organization in the first place (unless by death), but also since he has carried out every mission he has been given without fail. Likwise, many of his own Kraata were provided for Spiriah’s experiments, making Kratakal an invaluable resource for the Dark Hunters. The knowledge and gifts that Kratkal brought to Xia were instrumental in the rise and creation of multiple successful, loyal Dark Hunters, and for this The Shadowed One can’t just easily get rid of him. That being said, sometimes his temper will get the best of him, and a live show will be interrupted by a Dark Hunter barging in to assassinate Kratakal…
          As far as Kratakal is concerned, the realness of these murder attempts, as well as the tantalizing suddenness of it all, only contributes to the ‘experience’ he hopes to provide to audiences.
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dapper-ships-herself · 5 years ago
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Should you fight my f/os?
Tagged by @megane-shipping @rose-wine-selfships @firebird-inkheart
I have many f/os, so this isn't all of them but I still did a fair number of 'em.
Also the rating system confused me but I did my best.
Dazai: He looks pretty scrawny, and while he is a pretty good fighter fighter through skill he isn't the physically strongest opponent, but you still wouldn't be able to beat him. He'd come up with some sort of plan where you'd probably think you'd won but then you turn around and oop no Dazai won. How does that work? Who fucking knows.
No fighting Dazai. 2/10
Erza Scarlet: She will kick your ass with the power of friendship and her eighteen thousand swords. Are you kidding me? She's queen of the fairies, no way. Beating her up only inspires her to win for the sake of her guild.
No fighting Erza. 1/10
Shinobu Kocho: She will poison you with a smile on her face. Unless your name is Douma, I would not recommend (ouch).
No fighting Shinobu. 4/10
Chuuya Nakahara: if you're looking to get crushed by a manlet in a fancy hat, then go for it. He's quite possibly one of the strongest ability users out there, but tell him Dazai called him a nerd or whatever and he'll fly into a rage that you can either use to your advantage or will result in you being crushed faster.
No fighting Chu-tan. 1/10
Yosano Akiko: Holy shit what? You're going to fight her? She will hack you to pieces, put you back together, and then repeat, repeat, repeat until she has to go and catch a sale.
No fighting Yosano. 4/10
Howard Phillips Lovecraft: You have a chance so long as he continues to give into his tiredness, he may simply lay there while you beat the shit out of him. Make sure you keep him from going all eldritch monstrocity on your ass though.
Not advised to fight Lovecraft. 3/10
Edgar Allen Poe: He's baby, why would you fight him? I know his best friend is a raccoon and he looks like he hadn't been outside since he was a baby, but what would you accomplish by fighting him?
To remain a decent person no fighting Poe. 5/10
Mark Twain: He's allergic to wearing shirts properly and thinks he's all buff and stuff, but you can punch him in the eye and knock him the fuck out. His little doll friends ain't gonna do shit. So long as you get too close for him to snipe you, you've got this.
Fight Mark. 7/10
Margaret Mitchell: I would really rather you not, she's napping. If you did, though, be ready to get caught in your own personal tornado while she rants about restoring her families honor. Unless your name is Akutagawa, be careful.
Not advised to fight Margaret. 5/10
Higuchi Ichiyo: She's certainly not the most formidable opponent, but she would gladly cut a thousand bitches for the sake of getting senpai to notice her.
You could fight Higuchi but it's not advised. 6/10
Gin Akutagawa: You wouldn't even hear her coming. The thought of fighting her would be brand new and then whoops, you've got a knife to the throat. She's not a leader of the black lizards for no reason.
Not advised to fight Gin. 4/10
Beelzebub: There is a chance that he would literally eat you, but for the most part while he is a big, beefy demon, he's also a teddy bear; he'd probably let you punch him over and over with a straight face. Stay away from his food and you should be fine.
Maybe fight Beelzebub. 6/10
Mammon: On one hand, he is the second most powerful of his brothers, he could easily destroy you. On the other hand, boy gets beat up verbally and physically by his brothers every damn day and has a mountain of insecurities, poke at those and you could probably win. Or make him even more mad. It's a gamble with the avatar of greed, my guy.
Maybe fight Mammon but not advised. 5/10
Jae-ha: He's a quick fellow, and his aim with those daggers is pretty spot on, it'd be very difficult and your best chance would be to try and ground him so he can't use his dragon leg. Although, he's a pervert and would probably like getting beat up, so you could win simply by that
Not advised to fight Jae-ha unless he's feeling especially nasty: 5/10
Chain Sumeragi: She can literally make herself completely undetectable and then stick her hand through you to play with your insides, unless you can get past that somehow, you're fucked.
No fighting Chain. 3/10
Steven Alan Starphase: He will Esmeralda Blood Freeze you before you can even blink and the shatter you into ice cubes for his drink. He ain't afraid to get his hands dirty.
No fighting Steven. 3/10
The Happy Huntresses: They're an experienced team of top of their class huntresses; four badasses trained not only to fight people but also giant evil monsters.
No fighting the happy huntresses. 4.5/10
Meis and Gueira: I mean they look decently tough with those bikes and the armor and the fire, but everytime we see them in a fight they get their asses handed to them in like two seconds. Best to be equiped with a fire extinguisher or like some ice cubes to chuck at 'em.
Maybe fight them. 6/10
Aizawa Shouta: Your best bet is to catch him in the middle of a nap, but please be so careful not to wake him up, he's most likely be so cranky that he'd forget he's a hero and snap your neck.
Not advised to fight Aizawa. 5/10
Idia Shroud: His scrawny ass barely ever leaves his room, he hasn't lifted anything heavier than his phone ever, he's a flaming stick basically.
You could fight Idia. 7/10
Sesshomaru: He has very little mercy to spare and has killed a great deal of people and demons.
No fighting Sesshomaru. 2/10
Annie January: She is capable of blinding and throwing you across the room with a beam of light from her hands and can lift like thirty two times her bodyweight. Unless you also have superpowers, would not recommend.
Not advised to fight Annie. 5/10
Byleth: She's a skilled fighter on her own, but she also has an army of feral students ready to beat the shit out of anyone who messes with their proffessor.
No fighting Byleth. 4/10
Shatina: Her greatest joy is beating people up and watching them bleed, she steps on and torments even her closest allies on a near daily basis. She would crush you and the go right back to drinking.
No fighting Shatina. 4/10
Maeve: I'm actually not sure what kind of fighting ability she has, but why would you want to hurt a goddess?
No fighting Maeve. 5/10
Ban: He's a member of one of the strongest groups of fighters in the land, and he's able to almost immediately regenerate after any and all damage. Also, he's like 10 feet tall, what are you going to do? Chew on his ankles until they snap off? They grow right back.
No fighting Ban. 4/10
Joxter: Fucking feral cat man, too lazy to fight back. Kick his ass.
Fight Joxter. 8/10
Shigure Sohma: Please fight Shigure, please. I will put my bet on you and watch.
Please fight Shigure. 9/10
Vodka: She's used to fighting giant fallen angels, she'd have no trouble kicking your ass and looking good while doing it. Also, she could simply send her hawk Andre to peck out your eyes before she even has to do any work.
Not advised to fight Vodka. 5.5/10
Jordan 'JD' Davies: They're the Jersey Devil. Literally, the Jersey Devil. They'd burn you to a crisp with their fire powers. But, your chances of victory aren't zero if you could find a way to deal with that. They're strong, but you could find a way with a fist fight. Fuck knows they deserve to be fought.
You probably shouldn't but fight JD anyways. 7/10
Zoro: You're going to fight a guy who wields three swords? One of which he sticks in his mouth? He's clearly crazy. Also I'm pretty sure he cuts a mountain in half at some point or something like that? So there's that to take into consideration. You're best bet would be to also be amazing with swords.
No fighting Zoro. 3/10
Nami: She's not the most powerful out of all of all of her crew, but if you beat her you will leave afterwards and notice that your wallet and all your valuables that you had on you are missing and she's already sailing away.
You could fight Nami but you will be poor afterwards. 7/10
Mollymauk Tealeaf: Hasn't he been through enough?
No fighting Molly please. 5/10
Zora: She will turn you into a literal baby, how do you plan on beating her up as an infant with your chubby lil baby hands?
No fighting Zora: 4/10
And I wanted to include some familial too
Yukichi Fukuzawa: Have you seen him fight with a sword? You won't even see him draw it.
No fighting Fukuzawa. 2/10
Ogai Mori: He will trick you into thinking he's merely a simple, friendly neighborhood physician, and then the moment your back is turned there will be a scalpel buried deep in it. Also, he has a demon baby at his command.
No fighting Ogai. 2/10
Kouyou Ozaki: You might think you're sneaking up on her, but her Golden Demon will cut you down without her even needing to look away from admiring the flowers and sipping her tea.
No fighting Kouyou. 2/10
Oda Sakunosuke: HASN'T HE BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH.
No fighting Oda PLEASE. 4/10
Ranpo Edogawa: While he has eaten nothing but processed sugar since the day he was born, he will eviscerate you with his words and leave you too mentally beaten to lift a finger. Stuff your ears with some cotton and kick his scrawny ass. The rest of the detective agency will come after you, though.
Not advised but go ahead and fight Ranpo. 5/10
Yumeno Kyusaku: So much as look at this child wrong, much less lay a finger on them, and I will be the one fighting you.
NO FIGHTING YUMENO. 0/10
Lio Fotia: I know he looks like a dandy who was abandoned and raised by a biker gang, but he is also the strongest known burnish. The only thing saving you is his code against killing.
Not advised to fight Lio. 4/10
Laxus Dreyar: He's an asshole, and I completely understand wanting to fight him, but he is jacked as shit with the power of lightning at his finger tips.
It's not smart but I would like to watch you do it anyways. 2/10
Noctis Lucis Caelum: He'd rather fish than fight you, but he is capable of taking down giant monsters and mini armies with the ability to teleport. Tell him Hot Topic is going out of business and he'll crumble.
Not advised to fight Noctis but eh maybe you could. 4/10
Pretty sure all the people I would've tagged have already done it? So do this if you want to.
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thebiasrekkers · 5 years ago
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Edge of Forever [BTS!Space AU]
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BTS Space!AU [ ♧ ✪ ✿ ☆ ❂ ☾✘ ] “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.” The stage is set and the stars are the guide for the lost souls that have congregated to one point. A fixed constant in the universe for others to discover and fulfill their wishes but will it come to ruin for others?
Pairings: BTS X OC (s) Genre: BTS Space!AU Warnings: Graphic Violence, Heavy Language
AO3
Chapter 14- The Last of the Real Ones
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"I was just an only child of the universe And then I found you, And then I found you"
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He had to pause to make sure he heard her right. Did the Mao just call him a crab ? She was grinning at him as he tried to figure out what it was about that statement that was so funny. After throwing her a judging look, Yoongi couldn’t help but let out the slight breath that could have been mistaken for a laugh. It was more of a scoff but who was taking that into account?
“And you’re just a busybody with too much strength. Why the hell are you out here in the first place? You never answered that question.”
Vairuit leaned against the side, the grin slipping from her face as she really thought about it. She’d been groomed to be a warrior, to take her place with the rest of her family and make something of herself. However, there was something deep inside that was calling to her--just like it had been for Yoongi. Her family was outraged, such talent and brilliance wasted for adventure. Wasted on exploring the vastness of space instead of defending it, she’d heard the spiel many times yet she still wrote back to them to tell them where she was. Because, deep down, she knew that they still cared despite their words and actions.
It was something they’d accepted as they were being groomed and she did not.
“We may not be so opposite after all.. Yoongi. ” Her eyes began to light up as she told him of her grand family. How they wanted her to be an honorable soldier to fight for something bigger than herself. To fight for family and the empire but she just couldn’t accept that. There had to be something else out there that was bigger than that, something out in the darkness that provided a path for her to walk on. Yoongi listened, not a smart remark was given as she spoke. He could feel himself relax, her words oddly soothing to his nerves instead of grating under his skin. That was all that was needed, a line of communication.
Yoongi already knew that he was in the wrong, partly because of his selfishness. But it was all that he’d ever known since making his way across the stars.
There was a silence after she stopped talking. One that seemed to stretch out comfortably once it was all out. The energy that she still gave off didn’t bother him as much. He turned from Vairuit and back to the window, another sigh escaping his lips. His own reflection stared back at him, a cold and hard image until he focused on it. The image changed to one that was worn and thoughtful, Yoongi had a lot to think about. Vairuit started to walk away when his hand snapped out, grabbing her wrist to prevent her from leaving. In that moment, he was lost and still emotional. She paused, looking down at his hand that had grabbed her wrist and lifted an eyebrow at him. Before she could say anything, he let go and walked out of the bridge. Yoongi just couldn’t bring himself to say anything else for fear that he would completely expose everything to her.
Nothing fucking makes sense anymore. He thought as he stomped towards his room. He ended up passing Jimin’s room and he paused, wondering if he should bother him. Opening his mind again, he realized that the younger man shouldn’t be bothered. He could tell that Nyala was in there and judging by their emotions--they were figuring things out themselves. His hand rested on the door, almost in apology that he just couldn’t say with his voice. After touching the cool metal, Yoongi nearly ran to his room to escape everything again. He had to meditate and think everything through, to put everything back where it needed to be.
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“So you’re going to wake the thing up and ask it where it hurts?”
Namjoon sighed and looked over the crate again. He’d finally gotten into the thing so he could activate when Jin joined him. The soft, female voice-activated and started a countdown while he set up a makeshift station for him to work on things. The pilot stated asking him questions while he typed in the coding he would need. He either responded with a grunt or a hum until Jin asked him that particular question. He really could do that by himself, the extra mouth not helping his mood any.
“Yes, Jin. I’m going to wake the big bad thing up and I’m going to have it eat you as soon as it's awake because you are in my space.”
“Are all of you gear-heads so grumpy?”
210 seconds until cryogenic deadlocks are lifted.
Namjoon just stared at Jin for a moment before getting back to his work. He pulled up a holographic screen with the schematics of the android while handing the device that was in his hands to Jin. Using his hands, he twisted and maneuvered his way through each part. He could see in closer detail where the affected areas were highlighted in red but there was something odd about the whole thing that he just couldn’t put his finger on. Even Jin got close to peer at what he was looking at, his normally jovial face turning serious as he looked on. Namjoon started to frown more as he got to the chest area, the whole thing being greyed out as to the rest of the body that was either orange with potential activity or red with damage. The grey extended throughout the body, especially the head--almost like a nervous system.
He had to wonder what it was he was missing or that the equipment that he had now was supposed to go in those areas. Most of it that he knew of was just simple parts he had to replace but nothing that extensive.
110 seconds until cryogenic deadlocks are lifted.
He really wouldn’t see until he could start up the activation sequence. Jin pushed a bit closer to Namjoon, looking even harder at the schematic. It had started to bother him too, his eyes that were able to see things that others couldn't. He had a theory but one that could potentially be hazardous to them all.
“I wonder, Namjoon…” Jin walked up to the crate, which has started to hiss and let out steam as it was working on the security features. “What if this is something more?”
Namjoon paused and looked at the crate himself. He tilted his head as he attempted to understand what Jin meant. So he gave the man a questioning look and a hand gesture, so he could continue what it was he was thinking. Jin turned around and called out for Kibeth, the male voice calmly announcing that it was there.
“Pull up a schematic of a human body. We’ll say mine for reference and compare it to the full body schematic of this android.”  The AI did so, now two full-body views of whole beings. Jin looked at Namjoon before continuing, “What the common factor between the both of them?”
They both appear to have nervous systems running through each one, as a start.
Kibeth highlighted the intricate webbing that was seen greyed out on the Android’s schematic and the same for Jin’s. That alone made both of them worried about what they were doing, not even listening to what the AI was saying next. Before they could continue any further, the lid of the crate suddenly popped open with the female voice announcing that the countdown was complete.
They both peered at what was inside, trying to get some of the coolant and gas to clear so they could see better. After the gas had cleared, the both of them suddenly jumped back in shock--the sight of what they saw had them almost tripping over everything, including each other.
“IT’S A NAKED GIRL IN THERE!”
“THAT’S NOT AN ANDROID!”
Inside the crate, curled up neatly into the small space was a woman with long blond hair. Four metal cylinders rose from the corners of the crate and started to blink. Both Namjoon and Jin exclaimed at the same time, now realizing what it was that they were dealing with. They had only heard of such things being used in certain cases but the actual effect of having one was pretty much banned by most societies. They had to turn their eyes away from the smooth skin of the Bio-Android, a bit embarrassed that they had viewed such a thing in its most vulnerable form.
Cryogenic deadlocks released. Proceed to cryogenic reanimation?
Cryogenic deadlocks released. Proceed to cryogenic reanimation?
The crate kept asking them the same question, it needing a yes or no answer for it to continue. Jin shoved the device into Namjoon’ hands, who them shoved it back to Jin. The little game of who should do what continued for a few minutes until they got a hold of themselves. If they did not make an answer soon, then the thing would probably wake up regardless. However, it would cause the android to wake up with all the full-body functions as a human as well. And if it was damaged, they would need more than just an engineer to fix the thing.
“Look, I know I said I can fix anything but I’m also not a doctor either. We could wake this thing up but with its bio components, I won’t be able to do much. We need a doctor to help us.” Namjoon summarized for Jin, who gave him a wide-eyed look.
“Do I look like I know a reputable doctor? One that’ll help us ? If this thing is needed to get this ship up and fully running, we might be out of luck.”
Namjoon sighed and placed the device down that had ended up back in his hands again. When they were asked again to confirm, he calmly said no and the cylinders lowered themselves again. They had hit a snag that they really weren’t expecting and with them hurtling towards their first stop, their journey might have been over before it even begun.  
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charlybradburry · 5 years ago
Text
The Taco Bell Fiasco
Theme: Crack
Characters: Dean; Myin (jupp that’s that awesome girl that helps me when I can’t find the strength to write; you can find her here: @myinconnelly1) and Josy (oofc; aka me)
Writing Prompt: Are you banned from all Taco Bells, or just that Taco Bell? 
Summary: Dean picked up two hunters. When he wants to stop at a Taco Bell he gets a story to hear.
Warnings: Mentions of nudity, alcohol consume, unbetaed
Wordcount: ~1,600
Dean had never had that many ladies in the Impala until today. Of course there had been great sex on the back seat but this time it was two giggling women inside and he had to admit it…it was fucking annoying. But he still enjoyed the laughs that filled the little cabin. Next to him there was Myin, the older one but also the “little” one, hell if he had to decide which one he should call “kid” it would definitely be her, she barely reached his armpit even when her fluffy brown hair was in this floppy messy bun of hers. She had a cheerful, friendly attitude towards him the moment he had entered their case. Josephine…well she preferred to be called Josy – on the other hand had been pretty gruff towards him. Telling him to get lost the second he set foot inside the police department, somehow immediately being able to tell he was just like them and having this intimidating look on her face. The redhead was rough around the edges, with 6’0 foot almost as tall as him and the younger one of the two. But she was slowly thawing now that they were sitting in his car after their car had broken down on their way out of the city.
“So Winchester! We already know a lot about you and your brother, even though I thought you would be taller, but is there anything you wanna know about us?” Myin flashed him this open mouthed smile that hadn’t left her face since she sat down on the front seat. Josy in the background knitted her eyebrows and shook her head slightly at her friend. He huffed a little and then saw the sign. “Well there’s a lot I wanna ask you two, like hell of a lot. So why not stop here and discuss this over lunch?” Heck it might be taco bell and that wasn`t anywhere close to a great bacon cheese burger but he was hungry and it would do the job. He pulled over and drove onto the parking lot. The girls just gave each other a look. “Oh you better believe he’ll ask the question. It always comes up” Josy had a half smirk on her lips the slight accent he couldn’t put his finger on just now making it sound somehow even more sarcastic.
“Ask what exactly?” Dean asked a brow lifted while killing the engine. The youngster got an evil smile on her lips looking at her friend. “Yeah Myin? Ask what exactly? Or you wanna dive right in?” Myin started to play with her hand the second she had heard Deans offer. “I…well actualy Josy, both of us can’t enter that restaurant really…” “Hey! I was just stuck with you! It wasn’t exactly my fault! What funsize is trying to explain to you, Winchester is, we might be banned from Taco Bell.” He blinked multiple times and shook his head multiple times, before asking the real question: “But…how?!”
A short sigh left Myins lips and she removed her seatbelt and opened the door, the other one following her quickly. Dean left behind in the car, still somehow in shock about the new piece of information he had gathered. The girls were talking about something, the redhead laughing at the smaller one, before pulling her into a big bear hug. That’s when Dean decided to leave baby as well and join the girls on the other side of her. “Sooo…what’s all the fuss about, ladies?” “Well buckle up Winchester, because this is gonna be a very freaky and funny story. Josy? Still carrying that travel Whiskey set of yours with you?” Said just rolled her eyes and opened the trunk. “Holy Crap, Winchester! How cool is your car?! Does it ever stop?! Myin! You gotta check this out!” “Later! We got a story to tell! And now get that booze!” the brunette rolled her eyes and gave Dean some sort of apologetic look. “Sorry, she gets distracted very easily. And after a hunt like this everything will be interesting to her brain.” She chuckled a little and Dean joined her. “No worries, I have a younger brother that I helped raising. I can tell you, she is harmless.” With that Josy joined them again, handing them both a glass filled with an amber liquid. “Here is to new friends!” she raised her own glass before drowning it and handing it empty to her friend. “You take care of that and I get the bottle.” She came back a moment later with a bottle of Jack and refilled her glass. Dean took a sip of his glass, as did Myin, before asking again: “So how does a girl like you get banned from Taco Bell? Must be a pretty good story to get banned from a fast food chain…”  “Oh, but as she said, it’s not just her who is banned, I’m as well….gurl…that was a heck of a night!” Deans eyes went wide, “Not what you think, pervert! But my lovely friend just tells the story better than I do. Would you do me the honor my friend?”
Myin nodded and leaned against Deans precious car. “First of all, it did not happen as long ago, as you would think from what, lady longlegs said. Actually…I think it happened shortly after we started hunting together, right”-  she got a quick reassuring nod – “well we went to a karaoke night together, we had fun, danced, sang…Just had a great time! Well sometime after two in the morning the bartender kicked us out because…well I still don’t really know why he kicked us out. Well one thing lead to another and we ended up at Taco Bell, it was the closest junk food store we could get to by foot.” The other girl cleared her throat, giving her a look. “Ok, not entirely true. But there’s nothing worse, than a Mc something Burger after a whole night of heavy drinking.” She took another sip of her Whiskey and held the now empty glass towards her friend who immediately filled it up again.
“Well where did we stop? Yeah, like I said, we ended up a Taco Bell, and we kept singing and sit dancing in our little place and yeah…one thing ended in another and we started a round of truth or dare.” Dean wiggled his eyebrows and emptied his glass as well taking the bottle from Josy to get a refill. “Still not what you think, stupid”, she rolled her eyes taking a little sip of her drink. Dean gave her his best flirty grin but she just gave him a slap on the back of his head. “Keep going, I love this story.” “Well, we stopped at the truth or dare. It all started very harmless. Flirt with that guy, how was your first time…stuff like that. Over time we got a bit bolder. Nothing too crazy still. Grab that girls ass, touch this guys lips…And them the fucking booze seemed to kick us pretty hard.” “Wouldn’t have to tell me to flirt with that greasy old dude, though…” Josy shuddered and drowned her whiskey. “As I said”, Myin gave her friend a dirty look and mover a hand through her brown waves, “We grew bolder and well at one point there was this song playing on the radio. And the youngster here thought daring me to strip would be a good idea, because I would never do it.”
Deans eyes grew big as plates and he licked his lips at the thought. “Well…it was ‘Cherry Pie’ and as I said the booze had a hold of me.” Dean just lifted an eyebrow. “That everything sweetheart?” His intense green eyes drilling into her and Myin could swear he already knew the answer to his question. “Not exactly…” “God damn it, Myin! You’re my friend and I love you! But the story isn’t as terrible as you always think! And if you don’t tell him, I’ll definitely do it!” Josy threatened and nudged her against the shoulder. Sending the tiny girl a step back with the force behind the punch. “Just to clarify!” Dean quickly interrupted and looked back and forth between the friends, “You two went drinking, had great fun singing terrible karaoke and then you went on to playing truth or dare at a Taco Bell, kiddo here had to flirt with an old man, you told each other funny stories and somehow everything escalated to gorgeous over there stripping in the same fast food restaurant? Where come the fun in?!” The red head shot him a death glare. “Let her tell the story or I’m gonna lock you in the trunk and drive the rest of the route myself!” “She’s right Dean, you don’t really think it would stop just here?”, Myins curly hair flying around her head as she shook it. “Well, technically it also wasn’t just me who stripped. This giant here, thought it would be a great idea to join me. Buuuut….” “I was wearing underwear that day.” Josephine flashed him a big toothy grin and wrapped an arm around her friend. “Or wasn’t I? I mean, you definitely weren’t.” “Panties. You were wearing panties…What’s left to say is, that the employees weren’t as cheerful as you are about the story. That’s it, that’s the story about how we got banned from Taco Bell. Also your panties weren’t that nice, Josy!” “Hey! It was wash day! And I didn’t plan on taking a guy back to the motel!” “Green boxers with turtles on them…”
“Uhm…but may I ask the most important question? Are you banned from all Taco Bells, or just that Taco Bell?”
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