#garage-emperor

[pagingdrmusic]

Had a really good day today!

[captainbee66]

Hackberry Emperor

[cyborgcourt]

Kaider being silly and having fun living the married aka sleepover-every-night life in their mega palace dream house

Kaider OTP Headcanons 2

So ya’ll know Kaider is my fave and when someone asked me to do all the otp asks for them… I just have to do it. I looked back at the first set I did too to make sure I’m keeping things somewhat consistent. 

Keep reading

[lazycats-stuff]

I know the requests are closed, but I have a feeling I will forget if I don't ask. I am a big Formula 1 fan. What about batfam x batbro reader who is not a vigilante, and has been ignored and forgotten by everyone except Alfred and nobody notices that he left for the last few years (some time passed until reader got into F1). One day Alfred receives a package and he opens it in front of the family. Inside the package there is a box and a note that says: "To Alfred, I made it grandpa, I am the champion."

He takes out the box and opens it. Inside the box is a beautiful signed racing helmet. He smiles and the rest of the family is confused, asking him who sent the helmet. Alfred with a smile on his face explains batbro's racing career, from karting to the F1 and how he watches every race. The family immediately takes out their phones and google batbro, only to find that he is the current F1 champion, the youngest ever F1 champion, multiple times F1 champion and has never lost a race, giving him the nickname The Emperor, and that he lives in Italy. They follow him on Instagram, they watch his YouTube channel, they watch the highlights of his races and the skill he has demonstrated, all while Alfred is figuring out where to display the helmet. As the amount of highlights watched increases, so does their guilt, and they research the whole sport - the rules, the drivers, the racing calendar, everything. Finally, they find that the next race is in Italy - Monza (Italian Grand Prix) where batbro lives, and decide to go there with Alfred. They buy the tickets to watch the race from the finish line and sit there (they wanted to buy one to go inside the box and team's garage, but Alfred said no, because they might distract the reader).

At the end of the race (batbro obviously wins as he always destroys the competition, it's not even close), batbro exits the car, does the whole celebration with the champaigne and the trophy, does the short interview, and then Alfred approaches him with the rest of the family. Batbro is very excited to see Alfred and asks him if he got the helmet. Alfred says yes and then points at the rest of the family. Reader is curious and innocently asks Alfred if they are his friends. The guilt multiplies x1000, as Alfred explains who they are, but reader only knows Bruce from TV and somewhat remembers Damian because Damian was an asshole when he lived in the manor, but doesn't remember anyone else (not Dick, Tim, Jason, Duke, Cass or Steph). Reader always thought that Alfred was his legal guardian, because he is the only one reader ever talked to and the only one he ever saw in the manor, aside for Damian.

He takes them through the city, shows them where the best pizza and ice cream is, because he is basically a local, and they watch him talking with the people of the city in perfect Italian, giving them selfies and autographs and the people just loving him. Alfred is talking with batbro, asking him questions about the city and about his life, if he still pushes himself to improve. The family only listens and learns just how amazing their brother is and how much he knows and how much he can do. He is the F1 champion, knows more languages than any of them, has beaten Alfred in chess (none of them ever did that), has been knighted by the King of England, climbed Mt. Everest, and many other amazing things (batbro is basically a much better version of Bruce). He is even friends with the few civilian versions of the Justice League and Ra's Al Ghul (of course, batbro doesn't know who any of them really are).

The more he talks, the more their hearts break. Seeing how happy he is, how he smiles and how much he loves Alfred and doesn't even remember them, they finally break. They ask him to come back with them to the manor, but he says no, because he has a life here. They want to just kidnap him, but Alfred immediately puts a stop to that, and nobody can go against Alfred.

In the end, they settle to just asking him to visit them. Batbro answers maybe when the season is over and if they have everything he needs to keep his body and reflexes in shape (F1 drivers train a lot).

The season finishes, and batbro is once again crowned a champion. He finally goes to the manor and after hanging out with Alfred, the rest of the family just try to love him and get to know him while helping him train and keep in shape. Bruce puts a racing simulator in the manor and everyone challenges batbro, but he simply destroys them (Tim doesn't know if he should be pissed or happy, as he always thought he is the best at videogames). After all the bonding and fluff, it's time for batbro to leave. There is a lot of hugging and Alfred makes batbro promise to visit whenever the season is over. Bruce even decides to sponsor batbro's team, just to see Wayne Enterprises logo on batbro's car.

After that, they never miss a race on TV, and even their respective hero teams watch him race and cheer for him.

I know it's a long ask, but I just had to get this out of my head. Thank you.

Okay so, it's a long one as you all can see. But not a problem. Also, I have no clue about F1. None. Absolutely none. I've heard of reflex training, but anything else is just... Not a clue. So a quick heads up if there are any F1 lovers reading. I'll do research, but still... A heads up... Also, 2.4k words. Enjoy.

Summary: Family forgets about (Y/N). He's now an F1 champion.

Warnings: (Y/N) is forgotten, but Alfred is his biggest supporter, don't worry, everyone else are simply assholes, simply put

Alfred often wondered if (Y/N) has made his dream come true in Formula 1. (Y/N) loved racing more than anything, always playing racing games and when possible, he would watch Formula 1. (Y/N) even had a dream of going to Italy, which he did make true. But racing is a cut throat sport, just like any other. Not a lot of people make it in the that sport. Only a chosen few make it to the big leagues.

But Alfred knew that (Y/N) would make it. Ever since he was a teen, he would go carting whenever he could and Alfred would follow. (Y/N) was talented, that was for sure. When he moved to Italy, for their Grand Prix. Alfred remembers how they always watched the races together, even if it meant that it would be in the middle of the night due to the time difference. But to Alfred, all was worth it, seeing (Y/N) so happy and excited.

When Alfred was outside, he saw the a delivery person coming, driving the truck. Alfred was confused, not expecting a delivery. And none of the family members had ordered anything...

" Alfred Pennyworth? " The delivery man asked, opening his truck.

" Yes, that is me, " Alfred answered, watching the man rummage through his truck before taking out a package.

" This is for you. Please sign here. " The man tapped the tablet and Alfred signed, taking the package and going back inside, putting the box down on the kitchen counter. He looked it over, trying to figure out who sent it to him, but he couldn't figure out it out...

He took a knife and opened it, removing the duct tape. In the package was a box, with a note on top of it. Alfred tilted his head as he took it and read it over.

To Alfred,

I made it grandpa. I'm a champion now.

Love (Y/N).

Alfred took the box out and opened it. It was a beautiful racing helmet, signed with (Y/N)'s signature. Alfred was moved as he gently moved the helmet around, checking it out. Oh, this is going to on his shelf. Absolutely.

" Alfred? What's that? " Bruce asked as he looked away from the TV. That attracted the attention of everyone else, the sight of Alfred holding a racing helmet... That came in a package... That's signed too.

" Where did that helmet come from? " Tim asked, tilting his head as he approached Alfred.

" It came from (Y/N), " Alfred offered a simple explanation, not really caring to elaborate more, instead opting to examine the helmet in more detail.

That now got everyone's attention. (Y/N)? What?

" Wait, it came from (Y/N)? " Jason asked and Alfred nodded.

" He started carting and soon he feel in love with racing. He moved away and started his career. I watch every race, no matter how late or early it is. "

Now that is something that they didn't know. All of them took their phones out and googled (Y/N). And their jaws nearly dropped when they read about him.

(Y/N) Wayne, also known by his nickname Emperor, is champion again. For those who don't know, he got that nickname because he has never lost a single race since he started racing professionally. This championship is his 6th one and he is the youngest champion ever in the history of Formula 1...

They didn't bother to read the rest before going on every singe social media there is. Absolutely every single one there is. They were going to do their jobs as detectives. But suck at their job as a family. Really, really, suck as a family.

They watched all the highlights from the races, watching (Y/N) smile as he won. But more importantly, watching his determination and drive (pun intended) as he drove, focused and clearly in the game and in the control.

While they were watching, they were consumed with guilt. So much guilt. How could they forget that he even existed. How the hell could have they do this? Bruce felt like a failure, no he is a failure. The rest of them felt the same, clearly guilty.

Alfred on the other hand, couldn't give a damn. He moved around, trying to figure out where could he even display it. While he wanted to keep it private, he wanted people to see it... Maybe also teach the others a lesson. Sure, the guilt may be eating them from the inside and out, but, they must reap what they sow. So, he didn't feel sorry for them in the slightest.

Now, where to put this helmet...

After all of that, the family made sure to learn everything there is to learn about F1. Absolutely everything. Rules, important drivers, everything. Not to mention, they bought tickets to go to Italy, to see the races. Apparently, there's a Grand Prix, an Italian Grand Prix. It was in Monza, in Italy, where (Y/N) has also decided to live. And yes, Bruce wanted to get the tickets to see the box and the team's garage.

Alfred has vetoed the idea straight away. (Y/N) really needed to focus on this race, it's a Grand Prix after all. And Alfred wanted (Y/N) to focus. It's game on as the saying goes and right now, (Y/N) needed to make sure that he focused on his race. Sure, him losing is not likely, but still. Just in case.

So, Bruce had to be happy with sitting near the finish line. He watched (Y/N)'s car with out most attention. He watched the way he drove the car, how he showed dominance. Bruce could only imagine how much he had to think, how much he had to determine, make moves on the spot, maneuvers... Bruce had nothing but respect for (Y/N).

They all cheered when he won.

Of course, there was the champagne, where he was essentially wet with it. It was tradition, a funny one at that. (Y/N) was laughing and then smiled, looking at his trophy with a warm smile on his face. To him, this sport isn't about money. It's about racing, something he loves doing the most. Something that his heart is in and something he will do for as long as he can.

(Y/N) did a short interview and once finished, he smiled widely when he saw Alfred. He ran into his arms, making Alfred laugh.

" You came?! " (Y/N) asked excitedly and Alfred nodded.

" I had to see you win this Grand Prix in person, no? " Alfred said and (Y/N) nodded.

" Oh, did you get the helmet? " (Y/N) asked as he cradled his trophy, making sure to hold it more comfortably.

" I have, yes. " Alfred nodded. " Thank you for the gift. I'm so proud of you (Y/N). You did so great. "

(Y/N) smiled, knowing that Alfred meant it. " Thank you Alfred. " He glanced behind Alfred, seeing the rest of the people behind Alfred. " Are these your friends? "

Now that was a hit to the soul. Or below the belt, but it wasn't meant as an insult. It was actually genuine. Really genuine. And that hurt thousand times more rather than some sort of insult.

Alfred explained who they were and (Y/N) genuinely couldn't remember them. Oh, has the family (everyone but Alfred) messed up. Truly and utterly messed up. The bar was already low, but somehow, by some sort of twisted fate the bar has went even lower. Bruce couldn't help all the guilt that has risen up to his heart. And a realization set in heart.

He failed as a father. He failed. No, failure is an understatement. He was essentially going to rot in hell. That's how big this was. Bruce was a complete and utter failure in his humble opinion.

" I thought you were my guardian Alfred. " (Y/N) tilted his head as he said so.

" Well, clearly not (Y/N). "

" Well, I remember Bruce from TV and all and the only sibling I remember is Damian because he was an asshole, " (Y/N) explained and it all made sense to the family. You can't forget someone if that someone is an asshole after all. And this is Damian we are talking about anyhow and he is an asshole anyway.

After the dust and everything settled, (Y/N) has decided to give them a tour of Monza, a city where he now lives. The family has never been to Italy so there was a certain excitement in the air, despite the situation at hand. (Y/N) knew this city like the back of his hand, making sure to know all the spots that have good, local food. Not to mention, Italy has good wine and awesome pizza.

Not to mention, the variety of pasta.

And gelato.

And so the tour has began. Of course, you start with the food places first. Historical sights could come by later. Right now, good food, drinks and a nice walk will do everyone good. Clear heads and all. (Y/N) was stopped a few times and asked for selfies and for some autographs. Of course, (Y/N) took the photos and signed the photos, conversing with the fans in fluent Italian. He acted like a local. Well, he probably a local at this point.

Everyone watched, feeling utterly guilty. Alfred being the exception, of course.

But despite the guilt, Bruce was going to make it right. Would it be right away? No. Would it be easy? No. Would it be hard because it would mean you have to take responsibility for being an asshole and failure? Yes. But is taking responsibility for your actions a green flag and simply a show of maturity?

Also yes.

Watching (Y/N) smile and talk so lively with Alfred... He talked about a lot of different things. He took up hiking, going to some of the most famous mountains and tops, during the time where he takes a a break and can go without some training. He beat Alfred in chess. Alfred Pennyworth. No one in the family did that. Never. He speaks a shit ton of languages. More than the entire family combined. And Bruce, at that moment was struck with a realization that (Y/N) was a far better version of him.

" No? Why? " Bruce asked, perplexed. Why would (Y/N) say no to coming back to the manor? Bruce could give him everything he could need to continue racing.

" My life is here. My friends, heart, passion... And I prefer Italy over USA anyway. "

Okay, now Bruce thought about kidnapping him back to the US. Alfred knew exactly where it was going and he glared at Bruce, telling him with his eyes that if he even thought about doing that, Alfred will have no choice but to unleash his anger. And Alfred is the only reason why the manor is running anyway. And if he were to go onto the offensive, it would be a disaster. Cold War, but worse.

" Well... How about a visit? " Bruce asked, Alfred nodding in approval.

" Once the season is over... But I will need to train too. Drivers train a lot.

" Of course, that won't a problem at all, " Bruce said with a lot of confidence. He knew that he could give (Y/N) the best simulator, the best gym, whatever he asks for, Bruce will do it. No questions asked.

And that's exactly what has happened. Once the season ended and (Y/N) was crowned the champion, (Y/N) came to the manor after a long while... To say the very least. Everyone was just happy that (Y/N) wanted to come. That's all that they could ask for anyway. Bruce made sure to make the best simulator possible. Best simulator race ever, Bruce called it.

He also made sure that he had a place where he could exercise physically.

And they made sure to let (Y/N) know that they loved him and were trying everything to make sure he knew. Of course, not to the point where he was overwhelmed. They made sure to keep their promise of respecting the boundaries that (Y/N) has set. And yes, Bruce has got the best simulators and has made a great area for (Y/N) to train during the off season.

Others challenged him, but (Y/N) was too good. Now, Tim wasn't sure if he was impressed or just straight mad. A mixture of both, Tim would say. It just proved that (Y/N) was truly good and could backup his hype, not to mention skills and dedication to his sport.

Alfred has never been happier. He would cook (Y/N)'s favorites, make sure that everything was taken care of. He missed (Y/N), what can he say? He truly was proud of (Y/N), missed him and promised himself to go to most of his race, live. He swore to it.

But, all good things must come to an end. It was sad to let (Y/N) go, after all, they were trying to repair their relationships, but when the season and races call, there is nothing more they could do. (Y/N) had to go back to Italy. There were so many hugs, kisses and promises. (Y/N) has been happy with the change of their heart and he could see that it was genuine. He saw it was genuine.

And it warmed (Y/N)'s heart.

" (Y/N), you better come back once the season is over. " Bruce said to (Y/N), hugging him yet again, for the probably nth time.

" I will, don't worry. "

" Also, I'm your new sponsor. Having the WE logo on your car sounds great. "

" What, you need the exposure? "

Bruce chuckled and let (Y/N) go to the car where Alfred was waiting to take him to the airport. Once the car went away, Damian checked his phone, letting out a huh.

" I think Ra's paid for first class. "

" I'm not shocked. "

And once the season started again, everyone watched (Y/N)'s races. Including Ra's, who occasionally came. Bruce and Ra's had to agree to a truce during that period of time. But in the end, it was worth it. Even heroes from the Justice League came to support (Y/N) at Bruce's house.

Of course, in civilian versions. They couldn't let Ra's know.

Alfred on the other hand went to (Y/N)'s races live whenever he was able to. And he would make sure that Bruce foots the bill. Bruce is more than able to afford it.

[stars-and-the-min]

☆ the wrong way to hard launch (5) | OP81

summary : oscar's girlfriend is a walking pr problem for literally everyone (including herself) social media au

pairing : oscar piastri x zhou!fem!singer!oc

a/n formula 1's 'newest' WAG makes her race debut and gives her cousin a headache

i did actually screech like a parrot watching this race and then immediately adjusted some of my predictive writings

masterlist | last part | part 5 | next part

TWITTER

F1 WAGS @f1wagnews · 3h Selina Bui spotted around the paddock!

pookie piastri @op81ln4 · 2h the royal couple of australia (i don't make the rules 🤷‍♀️)

↳ kayla @luna_apocolypse · 2h why... did she wear blue...? she knows basic color theory... right??? ↳ pookie piastri @op81ln4 · 2h i completely missed that... SILENA??? ↳ kayla @luna_apocolypse · 2h HER ASS IS NOT ENDING UP IN THE PAPAYA GARAGE IN THAT DRESS 😭 SHE'S NOT THAT DUMB IS SHE???

MANIFESTED OSCALINA | LONDON N3 @12m0red4ys · 26m SCREECHING RN we used to dream of these days

↳ lina bui x2 grammy winner @urdaisea · 25m '2-time grammy award winner' HELL YEAH SHE IS ↳ MANIFESTED OSCALINA | LONDON N3 @12m0red4ys · 26m the most employed wag in formula 1 🫶 (lily is a close 2nd)

oscalina real ?! @ emptyginbottles · 13m HELP HAS ANYONE ELSE SEEN THAT CLIP OF LINA AND THE CHINESE INTERVIEWER 😭 ↳ oscalina real ?! @ emptyginbottles · 13m [translation] interviewer: this is your cousin's 3rd f1 season, how come you've never come support him? lina: he said he doesn't like my nagging interviewer: then will you be supporting zhou guanyu in shanghai? his home race could use some family support lina: even if he asked me to visit, there's nothing i can do, i'm in shenzhen performing a sold-out concert ↳ clovie @ luvyouvie · 7m she's so done lmao what can she do if zhou doesn't want her there ↳ emme @flowersforcami · 5m lina: i'm fucking busy too, have you considered that??

INSTAGRAM

selinabui just posted to their story

(translation: Brother Yu [Zhou Guanyu], come and save me)

TWITTER

rubyyy @piastriworld · 2h oh wait shit she's cute as fuck what ↳ rubyyy @piastriworld · 2h fyi this is abt lina bui ↳ rubyyy @piastriworld · 2h i was kinda expecting a full-on rockstar but she's super soft???

piaa⁸¹ @ papayaeightyone · 1h the same woman not even 12hrs later

clara @ zgy24 · 37m i do actually think it's insane we got an 'oscar piastri's partner' graphic before we got a 'zhou guanyu's cousin' graphic ↳ clara @ zgy24 · 37m selina dear, we know you can't stand him but we're sure he'd appreciate it if you popped by the kick garage on your way over 🫶 ↳ lina !!! @EB_selina · 17m you sound like my mother but i'll have you know he sent me this:

很油腻 directly translates to 'very greasy' but it basically means 'ew' or 'cringe'

↳ clara @ zgy24 · 15m LMAO OH MY BAD ↳ xixi²⁴ ⁴⁴ @grandegrid · 14m the sheer amount of info you get from these two ss 😭 like ofc they use wechat, zhou guanyu sounds like an annoying older brother, she calls him 鱼哥, she trolls the emperor nickname, THE PURE SIBLING DYNAMIC IS EVERYTHING ↳ ZG24 future WDC · @zhoupdates · 14m zhou cousins crumbs 💚

lina !!! @EB_selina · 29m mistakes were made, the blue dress and orange-- sorry, PAPAYA headphones are not a look 💀 ↳ lina !!! @EB_selina · 28m wonder if it's too late to sneak into the sauber garage... ↳ pookie piastri @op81ln4 · 12m i'm actually wheezing at this bc that's EXACTLY what my oomf said when ur pics first dropped ↳ lina !!! @EB_selina · 10m well i wish ur oomf gave me a heads-up before i left the hotel

INSTAGRAM

selinabui

liked by zhouguanyu24 and 112,385 others

selinabui went on a tour around the paddock (finally visited the man racing with my number 🫶) tagged: zhouguanyu24 and logansargeant

pi4str1 babygirl, i think you wandered the wrong way

pastry81 oscar's girlfriend meeting oscar's boyfriend

zhouguanyu24 我给了你一个愿望 trans: i gave you one job/i had one wish ↳ selinabui @ zhouguanyu24 你是不是我的亲表哥！ trans: are you even my cousin!

logansargeant This feels like an achievement ↳ selinabui @ logansargeant it is, stay slaying cap, so glad to see you race today 🫶

no2argeant logan getting a double feature over her cousin mhm those are mutuals via oscar frfr (loscar and oscalina and... lolina?) ↳ selinabui @no2argeant we use selogan but lolina is 100x cuter

TWITTER

piaa⁸¹ @papayaeightyone · 3h HELP SHE ACTUALLY SNUCK INTO THE SAUBER GARAGE

xixi²⁴ ⁴⁴ @grandegrid · 2h both cousins are equally unserious bc why did i remember the 'who's the most famous person in ur contacts' thing kick sauber did and why did zhou say jj lin when his very famous GRAMMY WINNING cousin seems to regularly bug him on the daily ↳ pookie piastri @op81ln4 · 2h he probably forgot lmao it's like she's not famous in his eyes "oh lina? u mean my annoying little cousin? oh right, she's a rockstar or smth"

oscalina real ?! @ emptyginbottles · 2h ok i'm convinced she's gonna stay in the williams garage now like it's almost guaranteed she's not headed back to mclaren ↳ oscalina real ?! @ emptyginbottles · 2h oscar, honey, come over and remove ur girlfriend from the williams garage, she's yapping with logan ↳ oscalina real ?! @ emptyginbottles · 8m I JUST SAW LINA'S POST 💀💀 y'know she's right, lolina is cuter than selogan but now i need to know how much logan's been 3rd wheeling

kayla @luna_apocolypse · 16m oscar checking his socials and it's his fans debating on the best ship name for his girlfriend and bestie

MESSAGES

from the phone of selina bui

TWITTER

oscalina real ?! @ emptyginbottles · 1h realising that lina being at the race means we're probably not gonna get her entertaining af f1 live-tweets

↳ oscalina real ?! @ emptyginbottles · 1h no joke, we missed out on aus gp live-tweets bc she was flying to jakarta but the saudi gp tweets gave me LIFE

INSTAGRAM/MESSAGES

from the phone of logan sargeant

TWITTER

oscalina real ?! @ emptyginbottles · 39m red flag??? already??? we just started??? ↳ oscalina real ?! @ emptyginbottles · 34m they cut to lina in the mclaren garage and i'm wheezing she looks so amused by the turn of events 😭

jess @OPIXSTRI · 3m oh they knew what they were doing cutting to selina bui after zhou guanyu retired ↳ jess @OPIXSTRI · 3m new f1 reaction pic just dropped guys, perfectly summarises the kick sauber saga

↳ kayla @luna_apocolypse · 2m obsessed with her refusal to wear the orange headphones genuinely think she would rather go deaf than have those pictures circulate the internet

xixi²⁴ ⁴⁴ @grandegrid · 5m we got the zhou guanyu's cousin graphic but at what cost

↳ Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber @stakef1team_ks · 18m We're sorry to let you down 😔 ↳ lina !!! @EB_selina · 17m i don't care which long-suffering intern this is. get out. ↳ oscalina real ?! @ emptyginbottles · 20m lmao lina's sauber pit stop tweets vs oscar's f3 drs tweets, fight 🤣

INSTAGRAM

selinabui Suzuka, Japan

liked by eb_jonno and 200,371 others

selinabui loved the experience, will not be going to another one bc i'm 94% sure i jinxed EVERYONE i hold dear in this sport - stay safe out there 👍 see y'all in seoul in 2-3 business days <3 tagged: mclaren and oscarpiastri

logansargeant You did *not* jinx anyone ↳ selinabui @ logansargeant logan, honey, i'm a bit depressed about you but sure man, whatever you say :'(

ninisf1diary how'd you find your first ever live race? ↳ selinabui @ninisf1diary very fun, loved the bit where oscar got to hop back into the garage after the first lap

mclaren Are we still gonna see you in Imola 🥺 ↳ selinabui @ mclaren i think oscar is gonna drag me over kicking and screaming but i guess i'll be there

✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ:✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ:✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ:

taglist @ririyulife @ashy-kit @fionaschicken @namgification

[newkatzkafe2023]

@lara-legomonkiekid

What if Y/N had the ability to release sleeping gas?(It can either help others sleep or if it's like enemies, she would release it and make sure that it'll give the enemy's nightmares/Illusions).

Hey everybody as a celebration Of Poppy's playtime Chapter 3 coming out yesterday thought I make this enjoy

(Lmk Wukong) He didn't Know. Like at all He thought he was just Thought he was sleeping peacefully now that the Dangers were over. But no it was thanks To you his wife of well im guessing 500+ years. You have a sleep smoke ability To not only put people to sleep , but to give them sweet dreams due to the Poppy flower smells. But You can also make it to Where you can Make people see horrible hallucinations if they were clearly an enemy. For that's a happen you use heavy doses But it's your loving husband so you use a light Dosage so he can sleep peacefully. You really He doesn't have to know about your ability And you really want to keep it that way until You guys were attacked by Another one of his enemies. The Other demon was putting up a good fight against your husband so you decided to step in you told Wukong to hold his breath and don't breathe no matter what Easy for him to do Since he's well immortal , but he still wasn't sure what you were about to do and When he saw a large creepy smile appear on your face which freak him the Hell out and see a navy blue smoke leave from your Mouth and on to the other demon. That's when he witness the effects The demon began to laugh hysterically , derangely insanely and then scream in terror and pain for a whole freacking hour then fall over and die. He then slowly looked at you in horror But he saw tears come out of your eyes when you saw his reaction. He clearly gonna have a talk with you about your ability. But right now he wants to go comfort you so You don't think he's afraid of you.

(NR Wukong) He tries to be as understanding as possible. He remembered what you had done all those years ago. He was never mad at you. Because you were simply defending yourself and him. But he's still aware of the ability of your sleep smoke. And neither of you knew you were gonna have to use it again because of the demon Thugs that attempted to attack the garage The second he saw the blank deranged Threatening smile on your face. He told Li to run inside and hold this breath While he quickly put on a gas mask and stood back That's when you released your Smoke Into the area towards the demons. The second they breathe Everybody began to laugh and cried arrangely and And for a whole freaking hour before they passed out possibly dead. Li Who witnessed what happened knew how dangerous you could be But he never imagine that you were this Lethal.

(HIB Wukong) Do you know about your ability but only the good part. Do you use your ability to help him and Liuer sleep peacefully without nightmares from either of you. And you normally are the one who is up to look out for danger, and that's exactly what happened that night. Some demons came in the middle to Chi and robbed the village. They chose to do a stealth mission. Not knowing that you were the only one in the village awake , you spotted immediately and went into action. You got into a good position when the demons invaders were still unaware of you. And that smiled wide and released the smoke into the field. They were in, and all of a sudden, they began laughing and laughing. It were laughing hysterically insanely derangely, and they started screaming and horror and pain. This went on for a good hour before they all finally died of laughter. Everybody in the village woke up just in time to see the dead bodies of the would-be invaders. Wukong looked up to see you and your wide range smile. That's when he knew exactly what had happened and why he should never get on your bad side.

(Mk Reborn Wukong) You two were together for a long time. You were there when he got into a fight with the jade emperor and buddha. And you were there for when he got sealed under the mountain. You literally stop by every day just to blow some sleeping gas till so keep him calm and let him know that you're still visiting every day. In fact , master tang was the one who met you first before he got to the monkey king. He heard about your mini legend about the sleepinguess you release. But he also knows the danger you can bring with it, so he presented the opportunity to join the journey to your husband, who you both let out of his seal. One night, you guys were attacked by a group of demons,they were pretty strong. That's when you put your ability to good use. You told everyone to hold their breaths. As long as you can and get as far away from you as possible. They saw a big creepy smile Appear on your face and when they got far enough They witness your ability and the demons that attack them began to Laugh derangely hysterically and sadly you name it and Thirty minutes and they started to scream and pain and horror from the illusions they received before they died. All everyone but master tang and your husband looked in horror at your power. Knowing never to make an enemy out of you

(Netflix Wukong) You're a well known and popular in the village known as the sleep demon. You always release your sleep smoke into the village to help the villagers get good night rest. And the children of the village good dreams to have. It was very special, and it helped your bond with your fellow neighbors. Wukong loved your abilities and admired how it was really helping out with the villagers. You always made sure that he has all the good dreams you can give him but One night though when you weren't feeling particularly Sleepy and he was asleep that's When demons decided to attack at night Everybody was Still asleep from the smoke you released earlier , so it was up to you to take care. When you made the village look at you, that's when the demons thought you would be an easy target considering it was just you, and they thought you were the village protector or something like that. But that's when they noticed your eyes were blank. Staring into everybody's soul, and that's when you smiled wide and creepily. Asking if any of them were sleepy. The demons laughed at you for asking. And we're going to kill you and make quick work of you. But that's when you release the navy. Blue smoke is darker than the smoke you always use. And that's when the demons knew something was up, but it was too late for them. For they each began to laugh hysterically, loudly, and sadly. Derangely, you name it. And then they started screaming and pain and horror and fear. Waking up the village finally, and this went on for a freaking hour and each and every one of them died. The villagers ran outside to see you. Looking back at them with your normal face. But the dead bodies of the demon army in the town center. Wukong Continue to this day to ask what happened. But you always remain silent, for you felt he will never be ready for what you can truly do.

Feel Free to Reblog 😇 👍

[blueiscoool]

Vatican Museums Opens Ancient Roman Necropolis to the Public

The site was previously only accessible to scholars and specialists.

The Vatican Museums has newly opened to the public an ancient necropolis stocked with carved marble sarcophagi and bone-filled open graves of everyday ancient Romans.

The word necropolis comes from the Greek expression for “city of the dead.” These “cities” grew up alongside roads outside the urban center due to laws forbidding cremation and burial of the dead inside city limits. Funerary practices and rites are preserved especially clearly in the necropolis that extends along the Via Triumphalis (a Roman road now known as the Via Trionfale), with burial sites accompanied by eye-popping Roman frescoes and mosaics.

Previously, the necropolis was accessible only to certain groups of scholars and specialists. It is now open to the public via the new Saint Rose Gate entrance, inaugurated with the exhibition “Life and Death in the Rome of the Caesars.”

How extensive is the archaeological area?

It extends nearly 11,000 square feet. The size of the necropolis is not as extensive as some other Roman burial sites, but its importance lies in its proximity to one of the most significant religious sites in Christianity.

What is known about particular people who are buried there?

According to archaeologists, no less than the tomb of St. Peter himself is located in the Vatican Necropolis.

But in general, “Here, we have represented the lower middle class of Rome’s population,” said Leonardo Di Blasi, an archaeologist with the Vatican Museums, in a video on Euro News. “They are essentially slaves, freedmen, artisans of the city of Rome.” Some were the property of the emperor, and are indicated to have been the “servant of Nero.”

One of them was a man named Alcimus, who was the set director for the downtown Theater of Pompeii, the most important theater of the period. Another was a horse trainer who worked at the chariot races.

One young boy is interred there, according to the Catholic News Service, marked by a sculpture of a boy’s head accompanied by an inscription reading “Vixit Anni IIII Menses IIII Dies X,” Latin for “He lived four years, four months, and 10 days.”

How did this ancient burial ground come to light?

The Vatican burial grounds were first explored in the 1940s at the request of then Pope Pius X, who wanted to be buried near the grave of Peter the Apostle. The dig revealed numerous mausoleums and tombs.

The newest part of the burial ground was revealed through an infrastructure project in 2003, as the Vatican excavated for a new multilevel employee parking garage.

What happened when the Vatican discovered these newest burial grounds?

The department of the Vatican that was overseeing construction of the parking garage, intent on meeting its deadline, was accused of trying to conceal the find, Giandomenico Spinola, an archaeologist and deputy artistic-scientific director of the museums, told the Catholic News Service. It was only when journalists publicized the discovery that he and his colleagues were invited in to advise.

When were the bodies there buried? How have the tombs been so well preserved?

Bodies were interred in this burial ground between the first century B.C.E and the fourth century C.E., and organic remains have vanished. A number of the graves, including their tombs and decorations, including frescoes, mosaic floors, and marble-carved inscriptions, were fortuitously preserved by a series of mudslides in the area.

[starsfic]

Summaries:

In an AU where the analysis notebooks are more important, Bakugou takes pictures of the Bakusquad's pages to hopefully get Deku kicked out. He also unknowingly seals his fate.

Sun Wukong decides to seduce Ironbull in order to make Xiaotian's training easier and because he misses the Demon Bull Family. Smut.

Poppy's Playtime AU where Poppy's Angel gets occasional assistance from a Rambley-style DogDay AI.

The moment he dies, DogDay wakes up… To a few days before the Hour of Joy. Knowing what he needs to do but unable to convince the scientists about the severity of the situation, DogDay decides to try and reach the human employees. If one life can be saved, DogDay will die happily.

When a demon lord accuses Master Subodhi, Sun Wukong, and Qi Xiaotian of a crime they did not commit, the trio are forced to go on a road trip together. Now, if Wukong would just stop avoiding Subodhi...

AU where Sun Wukong is a new guard of the Jade Palace. It's a little weird that it seems like he's the only guard and he can't remember how he got the job, but it's fine. The emperor, Azure, hangs around a lot.

There is a thirst account for Qi Xiaotian, the Monkie Kid, and there is a thirst account for Red Son. Both men run the other account secretly, admitting their dirtiest fantasies about their rival to Twitter. And then Xiaotian slips up. Smut.

AU where to promote his garage chain, Wukong recruits his nephew Red to be a sexy model in the ads. Qi Xiaotian's YouTube recommendations are suddenly full of this one garage chain's ads.

AU where Long Xiaojiao's best friend's new husband is strange and a giant red bull has been killing livestock.

The beginning of my Scooby Doo incarnation. After a summer at home, Mystery Incorporated try to head back to college. The key word is try.

Chimera scams Yin and Jin.

[noonaishere]

Music of the Heart [Jeong Yunho] - Masterlist

)

By: noonaishere (main blog: symphonyofmars)

Fic type: social media au / traditional

Pairing: Yunho x fem!reader

Genre: music industry setting, musician/producer, enemies to lovers, mutual pining, running from the past

Warnings: overbearing parents, verbal abuse, sexual harassment

Status: completed!

Synchronously posted with Online/Offline (any asterisked (*) chapters means they’re shared between both fics)

[intro post explaining y/n and t/n]

SYNOPSIS:

T/n has always loved music, though her experience of it wasn’t always the greatest. Forced by her parents to learn the violin - almost purely to climb the socio-economic ladder - she’s since forged her own path. She auditions at Wonderland Entertainment and becomes one of their studio musicians, but how will she deal with seeing her ex-best friend who also happens to be contracted under the company?

Also, how does t/n’s existence connect to y/n, someone she’s never met?

🎵 main cast

Chapters:

🎵 Prologue | a long time ago… in a town far, far away…

🎵 one | “local celebrity”

🎵 two | mahler

🎵 three | emperor nero

🎵 four | come meet the kids

🎵 five | duck and cover

🎵 six | his feefees were a little hurt

🎵 seven | homework

🎵 eight | give her my number

🎵 nine | canard et couverture parte deux

🎵 ten | a date?

🎵 eleven | the fight scene at the end of the count of monte cristo

🎵 twelve | we never talk

🎵 thirteen | youtube recommendations

🎵 fourteen | calendar man

🎵 fifteen | a ✨godsend✨

🎵 sixteen | no ducking nor covering

🎵 seventeen | he’s got pipes

🎵 eighteen | thinking about hats

🎵 nineteen | it is still apples

🎵 twenty | i know exactly who you are

🎵 twenty-one | busking

🎵 twenty-two | he got an audition or something

🎵 twenty-three | best friend

🎵 twenty-four | garage band

🎵 twenty-five | it’ll be worth it

🎵 twenty-six | more like “drone strike parenting”

🎵 twenty-seven | interrogation

🎵 twenty-eight | it’s over

🎵 twenty-nine | more like constipated

🎵 thirty | maybe

🎵 thirty-one | JUPiTER

🎵 thirty-two | no horses in space

🎵 thirty-three | Crom3r

🎵 thirty-four | punk rock

🎵 thirty-five | what a feeling

🎵 thirty-six | do we need a hot air balloon?

🎵 thirty-seven | gotta let the fans know

🎵 thirty-eight | i’ll bring the wine

🎵 thirty-nine | girl’s night

🎵 forty | that’s a no on the hot air balloon

🎵 forty-one | new kids

🎵 forty-two | splash fight

🎵 forty-three | a recluse and a traitor

🎵 forty-four | merch drop

🎵 forty-five | lol i’m screencapping

🎵 forty-six | do you know how to do cubes?

🎵 forty-seven | surprise modu girip baksu

🎵 forty-eight | sometimes the kickball inspires music

🎵 forty-nine | but what can you do

🎵 fifty | no need for sunglasses

🎵 fifty-one | need for sunglasses

🎵 fifty-two | D-Day

🎵 fifty-three | best friends forever

🎵 fifty-four | mission update

🎵 fifty-five | miss me?

🎵 fifty-six | that was really weird and I hated it

🎵 fifty-seven | good point

🎵 fifty-eight | the great outdoors

🎵 fifty-nine | please don’t use memes of yourself

🎵 sixty | ballad mashup with choi jongho!

🎵 sixty-one | scandal??

🎵 sixty-two | two giants

🎵 sixty-three | you really *are* a capitalist

🎵 sixty-four | benevolence and beef

🎵 sixty-five | lyrical content

🎵 sixty-six | principles

🎵 sixty-seven | well?

🎵 sixty-eight | can’t sleep

🎵 sixty-nine | what’d you say?

🎵 seventy | looking for an Ans:wer

🎵 seventy-one | whirlwind

🎵 seventy-two | she’s a me

🎵 seventy-three | solving problems

🎵 seventy-four | the great (less confined) indoors

🎵 seventy-five | pedagogy

🎵 seventy-six | going for a walk

🎵 seventy-seven* | WHAT?

🎵 seventy-eight | misc

🎵 seventy-nine | where the hell are you

🎵 eighty | chauffeur

🎵 eighty-one | public breakup

🎵 eighty-two | somewhere nice

🎵 eighty-three | the start of an apology

🎵 eighty-four | meeting ONiiX

🎵 eighty-five | sting operation

🎵 eighty-six | hack behavior

🎵 eighty-seven | doubleho7 reporting in

🎵 eighty-eight | being kind is punk

🎵 eighty-nine | listening to it for the background noise

🎵 ninety | Devious Deviants Devianting Deviously

🎵 ninety-one | it’s not gossiping, it’s ✨helping✨

🎵 ninety-two | lessons and small dogs

🎵 ninety-three | *distressed memeing*

🎵 ninety-four | fifteen minutes late with no starbucks

🎵 ninety-five | Game Day!

🎵 ninety-six | it’s a metaphor

🎵 ninety-seven* | suspicious group chat

🎵 ninety-eight* | more boba, less ice

🎵 ninety-nine* | ensemble transition (1/3)

🎵 ninety-nine* | ensemble transition (2/3)

🎵 ninety-nine* | ensemble transition (3/3)

🎵 one hundred* | an even more suspicious group chat

🎵 one hundred and one* | we’re both here now

🎵 one hundred and two | time off

🎵 one hundred and three | what’s it like having normal parents?

🎵 one hundred and four | kiddo

🎵 one hundred and five | cake and conversation

🎵 one hundred and six | confessions

🎵 one hundred and seven | the biggest idiot

🎵 one hundred and eight | ego death

🎵 one hundred and nine | what are you feeling?

🎵 one hundred and ten | take your time/get your shit together

🎵 one hundred and eleven* | pocket square

🎵 one hundred and twelve* | +2000% to self-respect

🎵 one hundred and thirteen | stupid teenaged yunho

🎵 one hundred and fourteen* | like a thunder

🎵 one hundred and fifteen* | apologies

🎵 one hundred and sixteen | *nods*

🎵 one hundred and seventeen* | true singularity

Epilogue 1

Epilogue 2

Epilogue 3

Epilogue 4

Epilogue 5

Epilogue 6

Epilogue 7

🎵🎵   [MAIN MASTERLIST]  🎵🎵

[ctimenefic]

i simply have to ask about 'twin high maintenance machines' because that combination of ships is delicious, and i think about it far too often. the dynamics, the narratives!

@disarmd

from this game

So, okay, twin high maintenance machines was my first attempt at an F1 fic where everyone is still a racing driver and not a model/fake high school student/roman emperor. And as such I wanted it to be like the great high texts of this genre, where the plot weaves effortlessly through races and canon like S-bends. Cue an infinity of research. And of course, the longer I spent researching, the further canon slipped into the rearview mirror. I started it in 2023. It has languished, untouched, for basically a year.

The genesis of it was that George offered Daniel some sympathy a blowjob during the no good very bad McLaren departure in 2022, which becomes a kind of FWB thing for the rest of the season into the start of 2023, culminating in the Ibiza pic. Featuring Daniel teaching George how to treat his curls! Terrible giggly sex after someone (not Daniel) tried to get George to call him daddy! Alex making a powerpoint to figure out exactly when George had the temerity to fall in love with someone else!

And ultimately it was about the many ways of caring about and for someone.

But I was trying to spin a lot of different plates (quasi-closeted masc for masc George, deliberately undefined Daniel, not-quite-unrequited Maxiel, possibly unrequited Galex, Dax Shephard showing up for... some reason??). And it being a first attempt, I didn't actually have a great handle on all that. A lot of characters ended up having very tell not show conversations about their queerness, which I think is often a sign the author (aka, me) doesn't quite have that character in hand yet.

So yeah, rereading it now it's horribly thudding in parts. There are maybe bits that could be rescued, lines I might filch for other things, but I think I'll probably let this story lie. I've put my favourite bit below, though, because I feel a precious union rep solidarity with the George in it.

Suzuka, 2022

There are clouds hanging over the track when Daniel arrives in Japan. Literal and meta-fucking-phorical. He spends every spare moment he can grab visualising the track, turn by turn, as close to the sim version as he can get it. It’s been two years since he last drove it, and he can’t trust his memories to capture the changes. One version always slips through, rewrites what he knows about it. Turns the taste inside his mouth bitter. 

He doesn’t let himself think about it during the race. Not even in the stoppage, as the minutes drip by, each wetter than the last. Even when he hears Pierre roaring from his garage, livid uncompromising French.

Suzuka in the rain. A tractor on the track. Fuck. 

But there are points to chase, painfully close, until they aren’t. Until he’s out of the car, P11, best of the rest, soaked to the skin and shivering, shaking in his driver’s room. 

He should go out for the podium, he knows. For Max. For Charles, who’ll be remembering, same as Daniel, and may have just lost a title race into the bargain. 

Instead, however, he stands in the shitty temporary shower until the water runs ice cold and Michael’s banging the door. God bless Michael Italiano, who takes one look at him and starts easing him through cool down stretches, not a fucking word about it. They both know he can’t afford to break down in McLaren’s hospitality, not without leaving a piece of himself behind. 

He doesn’t even find out Max has definitely won the WDC until he’s through his debrief and it’s far too late to slink over to Red Bull’s makeshift Energy Zone. That makes him feel like shit too. It’s not how it should be, after a season that good, that dominant - a rained off race and half the paddock seeing a ghost in their mirrors. Winning in Abu Dhabi had been all fireworks, sure, but blisteringly close, painful to even watch. Max deserves to win in sunshine. 

Instead he trudges back to the hotel, some half-baked idea of catching up to the party like Red Bull’s prodigal son zigzagging from ‘good call’ to ‘bad’ with each step. 

Most of them are at the circuit hotel. Some of the old-timers are at the bar, Seb among them, taking down murmured suggestions in a little brown notebook. Daniel could join them, but what’s he got to say that Lewis hasn’t already, all that exhaustion he keeps tucked away for once visible on his face. Poor bugger. Daniel bets he could use a drink now. He moves past them, to the lift, and up to the door number George sent over on Thursday. 

Alex Albon answers the door. The DNF looks like it's sitting heavily on him, until he stares at Daniel and sighs, somehow even more exhausted. “Can it wait, mate? Pierre only just left, he needs a breather.”

“I, uh, I think we’re on different pages here. Possibly different books,” Daniel starts, before George’s voice floats past the door.

“Is it Daniel? It’s fine, Alex, let him in.”

Inside, George looks- well, haggard isn’t kind, but it’s true. He’s sat by the window in one of those godawful hotel cuck chairs, all rectangles of foam that do nothing to blunt the metal frame, staring down at the track below. The rain’s still pouring, but straight down, so there’s barely a drop on the glass. The moment Daniel enters, though, dodging round Albon’s glare, he pulls himself up to his full height, shoulders back and tensed.

Daniel feels like he’s walked into the middle of a firing squad, and he’s not sure if he’s meant to have the blindfold or the gun. “Are you okay?”

“Not particularly,” George says, blank-faced. “But that’s- I’m not making any excuses about this. I should’ve pressed harder, after Singapore, for clarity on recoveries in poor visibility, especially given the history here, and I’m sorry-”

“For fuck’s sake, George, it’s not your fault,” Alex interjects, more frustrated than Daniel’s ever heard him. He’s still standing inside the door, arms crossed. “Look, Daniel, he’s had it in the neck from Pierre for twenty minutes, can you go yell at Seb instead?”

“Lex, it’s fine-”

“It’s not fine, and it’s not your fault-”

“I, uh, didn’t come to yell at anyone?” Daniel offers. “Just, came to, ah-” He makes the fatal mistake of eye contact with George, watches his eyes go wide and round. “Er, find out what plans were for the evening. The WDC.”

“Shouldn’t you be asking Red Bull that?”

“I mean, more the rest of us. Sad bastards hang out, or whatever. I’m not exactly Red Bull’s favourite person.” Alex’s eyebrows fly up, like he knows a few names that would be further down the list, and shit, yeah, he’s probably right on that one. “But look, if people are giving you shit, George, I can stand outside, get started on my UFC campaign.” George gives a suspiciously wet snort at that, and Alex looks a little more friendly. 

[thepastisalreadywritten]

Trier Gold Hoard

The 'Trier Gold Hoard' was the largest Roman gold hoard ever discovered.

Comprising of 2516 gold coins weighing 18.5kg, found in Trier, Germany, in September 1993 during construction works nearly 1800 years after it was hidden.

The discovery of the Gold Hoard in Trier in 1993 caused quite a sensation.

On 9 September 1993, an excavator unearthed and ripped apart a bronze cauldron during excavations for an underground parking garage.

Part of cauldron and some coins went to a dump site, initially unnoticed. After the first coins were detected at the excavation site, treasure hunters also began to search the earth at the dump site.

An amateur archaeologist, Erich Eixner, went back to the excavation site at night and found the larger part of the bronze cauldron, containing 560 coins and an additional lump of 1500 coins, using his metal detector.

He informed the authorities of his discovery and received about 20,000 DM, a fraction of the estimated worth.

Greater inspection revealed that it was not simply someone's personal fortune but most likely an official treasury.

Treasury had been carefully administered and had grown over time. Hoard equated to the annual salary of around 130 Roman soldiers.

The aurei (gold coins) feature a total of 27 emperors, empresses and members of the imperial family, and some are still considered unique to this day.

According to researchers, the hoard was hidden for the first time in 167 AD, probably because of the Antonine Plague. 

The last time it was probably buried in a cellar during civil war while Augusta Treverorum was beleaguered by Clodius Albinus, since latest coins were struck in 196 AD under Septimius Severus.

Clodius Albinus had caused a revolt against Emperor Septimius Severus when he appointed his son Caracalla as successor to the throne instead of Albinus.

The former administrator of the hoard presumably took the knowledge of the secret stash with him to grave.

The earliest coins in the hoard were minted 63 AD, during the reign of Nero.

Around 99% of the coins were minted before 167 AD. Only 6 coins were struck between 193-196 AD.

Coins weigh between 5.8-7.6 grams.

40 Roman emperors and their relatives are depicted on the coins. Total number of coins originally in the bronze cauldron is estimated to be 2650.

Today, this unique ensemble is exhibited in the coin collection at the Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier.

The state museum is among the largest archaeological museums in Germany and displays a total of 12,000 coins in its exhibition.

In addition to archaeological finds, the Gold Hoard presentation room also provides extensive information on the emergence of the monetary system, and how ancient, medieval and modern money has been produced.

[mcdonaldsnumberone]

SUPER BUMPY!

michael kaiser: the new formula one champion that’s taking the world by storm. he’s unreasonably picky, and he’s always finding faults with a team that can’t seem to ever keep up with him. so he takes matters into his own hands in seeing if his new car for the season will live up to his expectations, all with a little help from you.

gender neutral reader

content warning(s): formula one au, slightly suggestive content

Kaiser was a finicky man. He had the bite to back his bark, and no matter how horrible his personality on and off the track was, no one could hold a candle to his abilities as a racer. That was the only reason why his company tolerated him and spoiled him to this extent, because everyone knew that he was an irreplaceable talent.

He grabbed your hand, half-dragging-half-leading you through the dimly lit hallways of the Bastard Munchen headquarters. His grip on you was tight and firm, like he didn’t want to let you go, and you practically stumbled through the winding staircases and sterile hallways as he led you to the garages.

“They approved the new cars.” He grinned, his smirk radiating with the sickening ambition that catapulted him into the world’s spotlight as the young, undefeated champion of the Formula One world. “I really hope they added all the things I asked for. I have no use for a car that can’t keep up with me. Less so a team that can’t fulfill what I ask of them.”

You had half a mind to scold him but decided against it. Noa constantly chided Kaiser about being nice to his management team rather than acting like a tyrant bossing the mechanics and engineers about how “the car isn’t responsive enough” or how he specifically asked for certain tires rather than the ones they got for him.

He was clearly excited to see these new cars, and at least this time around, he had enough faith to try them out. He had stormed out mid-testing last season when he found out that the experimental cars then didn’t go as fast as he wanted them to be, and the poor engineers had to scramble against time to up the car’s limits in time for the race.

Kaiser threw open the door to the garage, and you flinched when he flicked the lights on. You blinked past the discomfort, your stunned eyes adjusting to the sudden brightness as he herded you towards the center of the garage.

“Isn’t she beautiful?” He breathed. He finally let you go, skipping over to the vehicle presented to you.

Just like what Kaiser said, the car really was gorgeous. A sleek black and red, emblematic of his team’s colors, welcomed you. Gold decals glimmered under the spotlight-esque lighting of the room, and the curves of the car screamed of a luxurious speed befitting that of the racetrack’s emperor. Ads for his sponsors were emblazoned on the sides, the colorful banners and letters only reminding you of how much global attention Kaiser held in the palm of his hand. Even though it was stationary and parked inside the garage, you could easily imagine it speeding down the racetrack.

And with Kaiser inside… Right now, he was dressed down in his casual clothes, but you couldn’t help but think about how stunning he’d look with the car: the prideful emperor, in that tight bodysuit uniform—matching black, red, and gold as the car—with his trademark blue rose tattoo peeking over the neckline, blond-blue hair cascading down his shoulders like the stunning opulence of royalty, holding his personalized helmet as if it were a treasure bestowed onto him. 

Kaiser looked like he couldn’t wait to take it out and push the car to its very limits. Your heart twisted at imagining your driver boyfriend in all of his racing bravado. Kaiser was adamant about taking you out to all of his races, but no matter how many times you saw him in his uniform, raring for the tracks, you always got all blushy and flustered at the thought of his well-toned silhouette itching to demolish his opponents.

“Wow…!” You clapped your hands. “I’m not too familiar with the specifics of the car, but it looks so pretty!”

“Finally that useless team of mine pulls off something good,” he laughed smugly. He turned back to you and motioned for you to come closer. “But a pretty car doesn’t mean shit if it doesn’t live up to my expectations.”

“You’ll get to take it out for test runs soon, right?” You tiptoed closer to him. His blue eyes sparkled with an almost sadistic glee as he traced the hood of the car with his fingertips. You looked up at him, offering a small smile as you took your place by his side. “They went all out with the design, so I’m sure they put in a lot of thought everywhere else. I know you complain a lot about how your team can’t keep up with you, but they really do the best they can for you.”

“A team that doesn’t live up to my standards means nothing to me,” Kaiser snorted and shook his head. “But that’s a conversation for later. I’ll tear them apart once I actually have a reason to. I’m here because I want to test this car in a different way.”

You tilted your head. You thought he had dragged you here to show off the car to you, to watch you gush over his newest steed and fawn over him with your praises. Well, even if that wasn’t entirely his intention, you were bound to do it eventually at some point, but now you were the slightest bit confused.

What did he bring you here for? It was far too early to actually take the car out on the track, and all that the two of you could do was admire it visually like this.

As if he could sense your surprise, Kaiser chuckled darkly and reached for you. You gasped when he pulled you into his chest, his arms easily ensnaring you and turning you to face him. 

“What are you making such a face for?” He leaned in, and your breath caught in the back of your throat when his lips ghosted over your cheeks. “I always have a plan. An emperor always keeps his subjects within check.”

You knew he was having fun watching you shudder in his hold. “Wh-What did you bring me here for then? I thought you only wanted to show me your new car…”

He pushed on your shoulders, and you cried out when he shoved you down onto the hood of the car. You landed unceremoniously onto the polished material with a loud squeak, your limbs immediately splaying out against the car. 

You whipped your head up at Kaiser, equal parts flabbergasted and irritated. “Hey, what are you-“

The car shifted with Kaiser’s weight when he got on top of you, his hands firmly planted down onto the hood of the car on either side of your head. One of his knees slid up your legs, leaving you stuck between his body and the car as you stared up at him. Your voice died out mid-sentence as your heart rate picked up dangerously, and Kaiser’s piercing azure eyes lowered into a seductive half-lidded gaze.

He grinned down at you, uncannily resembling a cat that had caught a helpless mouse in his paws. “Do you want to know what I brought you down here for? It’s to test the car’s endurance, darling.”

“Endurance…?” You didn’t dare raise your voice any louder than a whisper. Kaiser ducked down, and you froze as he exhaled against the curve of your neck, where your pulse thrummed rapidly inside of your throat.

“Mhm. You heard me.” His voice was taut, brimming with the same tense electricity that he reserved only for races. The same icy concentration that he only ever spoke with when he had honed in on something, the kind of cruel professionalism that had left countless second-rate champions broken in his wake. “Every race car gets a little scuffed up during races. They crash into the track’s borders, skid against the roads—hell, they even crash into other cars. I gotta make sure this beaut right here can handle everything I throw at it.”

You tried to squirm away to no avail, and the blond’s manic smirk only widened when he felt the car shifting under his palms. “What does that have to do with me?”

“It means-,” he dipped his head, and you spluttered over your words when his lips grazed over your jugular, “-I can be a little rough with you as an experiment to see if my new car can keep up.”

Oh my god.

You thought the wind was being knocked out of you when Kaiser snickered against your skin. He pressed a flurry of kisses to your neck, his tongue cheekily swirling suggestive circles against your sensitive body. You clenched your eyes shut and pushed at his toned chest, unsure if you wanted to pull him closer to you or to shove him away. Not that it really mattered when he had you right where he wanted, pinned underneath him while he kissed you over and over again.

“K-Kaiser, wait- we shouldn’t be doing this here-,” you gasped out, scrunching your face up. Hot shivers ravage your body, and the sounds of him kissing you repeatedly filled your ears. You hated how smooth your boyfriend could be at times, managing to turn you into a flustered goop underneath without any warning. He knew which buttons to press to get you to melt for him, and his kisses weren’t doing you any favors to think rationally. 

He licked at your skin, and a cold shudder ripped down your spine. “What, are you scared? That someone might see? C’mon, darling, it’s not like I haven’t kissed you in front of other people.”

“There’s that, but-,” your hand landed on the hood of the car, pressing against it slightly, “-this is just wrong! We shouldn’t be making out at work, let alone on top of a car that’s still in testing!”

“I can do as I want. You know that they can’t do anything to me.” Kaiser’s teeth latched onto your soft skin, and you yelped out. A stinging pain rushed to your head, prickling all over your neck. You could tell that he had bitten deep, fully with the intention of leaving a mark, and tears welled up in your eyes as your poor nerves recoiled at the pain. 

You also knew he bit you there on purpose. On the left side of your neck, right above your shoulder. The very same place that the tattoo on his neck was, the royal blue rose that struck fear and respect into the heart of every racer worth their salt in the Formula One world. Kaiser’s tongue licked over the bite marks fondly, and you could feel the vibrations of his haughty laugh spreading across your skin. 

“Perfect,” he purred proudly. You knew your boyfriend better than anybody else in the world, and if there was something he wanted, he sure as hell was going to get it. You laid there, all meek and trembling, your heart hammering in your chest in anticipation of what he was going to do next to you. Would it be crazy of you to say that this excited you in some sick and twisted way? Knowing that he could toy with you this easily and you’d eat it all up happily?

Your breathing threatened to give out on you when his tongue was replaced with his hand, his fingertips brushing over the prominent bite marks on your chest. He admired his handiwork, with the same kind of glee you knew he looked down at fallen opponents with. 

“That’ll turn blue once it heals,” Kaiser remarked. “Probably around the time I get to take the car out for its first actual drive. That way we’ll be matching, and everyone can see what I’ve done to you.”

Your stomach twisted with sick anticipation. Millions of eyes on you, the whole world watching to see what fledgling champion would think of this year’s new car. Everyone would be admiring him with bated breath to see how this season would kick off, and his mark on your neck would be there for everyone to know that he’s laid claim to you.

He leaned over again, looming over you as you pressed your back fully against the sleek hood of his racing car. 

“But this is just the beginning of the season, darling,” he whispered. “And I’m not sure if I’m quite done testing this car’s ‘endurance’ just yet. I promise I’ll make it worth your while, so bear with me.”

The hand around your neck tightened just a hair. “You wouldn’t mind if I got a little rougher, would you?”

x

[rwby-encrusted-blog]

I know relatively little about warhammer - I'm far from a Lore-Nerd on it, but I think I can have a surface level conversation about it.

But I can't get this Idea out of my head, and I don't know how well it fits into the GrimDark setting of Warhammer 40k

~~~~~

Kriegsmen have Hollow eyes, for it all they need to see to their duty - Die for The Emperor - at least, that is what some claim.

It would make sense - they are born to die, and they do it well.

At least, they usually are.

The base had been overrun with Orks, the greenskin having felled most others here.

The Krieger shuffled about, taking piece from broken vehicles and hurriedly riveting them together, pulling their mask off and using it's hose to finish their makeshift weapon - a Jury-rigged flamer.

The Orks closed in, chortling and laughing, slinging lead and insults, jeers and blades.

"Emperor I plead for your mercy ..."

One Ork entered the wrecked garage, spotting the small Human.

They were hardly an adult - not that the Ork knew, it was just an 'Umie to it - Pale, sallowed skin with yellowed teeth, and eye that were sunken in.

" ... For I'm not Dying Here."

Then Fire came. It roared, burning so bright the beige clothes of the Krieger seemed bleached to pure white, reflected in Full, Vicious eyes that refused death.

In seconds the Ork was immolated.

In Minutes, word spread of the Ash-Black 'uman with the Whitest of Fires spoutin' from their Dakka.

In hours, even long after the Krieger should have run out of Fuel, the fire raged on - The toughest, Deadliest human any Ork in the area saw, and they each knew every death fueled the Flamer just enough to kill another two.

In a day Orks flung themselves at the Krieger who Couldn't Die, swift from the Blood on their coat, Too tough to die from Dakka, and with Dakka of their own too white to survive, each one hoping to be the one to win such a fight - None could.

~~~~~

So how'd I do? This any good? It's kind of an abrupt end, but I genuinely don't know where to go from there. Won't the Kriegsman get a name for doing something of this scale, or does it need to be bigger?

[incorrect-arknightsquotes]

Emperor: So let me get this straight - Exusiai locked herself in a box and is trying to mail herself to Mostima, and she thinks she’s on her way, but you’re just keeping the box in the garage?

Croissant: That sums it up.

Emperor: Can she breathe in there?

Croissant: She’s still making noises.

Emperor: And she’s got food and water?

Croissant: Yep.

Emperor:

Emperor: Alright.

[impossiblesuitcase]

I’m curious to know whether you think Cinder would suffer from some trauma or PTSD following the events of the revolution. It’s clear she’s had some early PTSD since the fire with her nightmares and such other things, but do you think there would be new signs of trauma, perhaps from the stabbing? If so, how do you think she would cope and what things do you think Kai would do to support her? (Sorry if this sounds like some high analysis questions you’d see in English class😅)

100%. All of the crew would suffer from trauma from the events of the revolution. We know Cinder has nightmares of the fire and I believe that they would start to blend into her other traumas--yes the stabbing, but more likely her drowning and accidentally killing the cop in France. She'd learn to cope with therapy, something I don't think she'd initially seek out. But Kai would also be in therapy (probably since the death of his mother as a child) and he would encourage her to try it out.

For the first two years of their relationship, being separated, the most Kai could do to help her would be to talk to her. They'd mutually express their fears and anxieties. Once they're together in person, they could be more active in helping one another. Sometimes their relationship is 50/50, but on the days that Cinder is struggling, it becomes more 70/30; Kai shouldering more of the weight while she works through her trauma. Sometimes, she's the one taking the brunt of things while he struggles.

Kai would look out for things that would help her; taking over some of her empress duties temporarily, reading up on a movie before watching it and choosing a different one if it has violence or fire or drowning or other things that would trigger her PTSD. If someone gifts them candles, he discreetly disposes of them before Cinder can see them. When they attend the Olympics together as honoured guests and the torch is lit, Kai tells her to close her eyes and when to open them again, because at her first time at the Olympics she had a panic attack seeing the combustion of flame.

This would all be reciprocal; Kai has trauma around Levana, and his parents, and the weight of his responsibility as emperor, and Cinder would do her part to help him too.

She learns to take care of herself, to do things not just because other people want her to or are relying on her for. She spends much time in the garage working on her mechanical projects despite having no real need to, and this helps her focus away from bad thoughts. Delegating tasks to others also helps her manage her busy schedule, and the less overworked she is, the less likely she is to fall into a bad headspace.

[sashketter]

The Captain and the Senator

Chapter 1 - Truth and Consequences Revisited

Summary: After the Bad Batch leave Coruscant, Rex, Echo, and Riyo Chuchi decide on next steps, including plans for the body of the clone assassin and the senator’s safe return to her living quarters. In the process, Rex and Riyo vie for control.

Word Count: 2.5k

Warnings: Death mentions

Notes: LET’S TRY THIS AGAIN LOLOL This takes place immediately after season 2 episode 8 of The Bad Batch, “Truth and Consequences.” It grew out of an idle thought about Rex providing Echo with civilian clothes so he can blend in on Coruscant. It’s heavy on talk and setup, but it’s necessary for the rest of the series.

Table of Contents - Chapter 2

“Let’s go inside.” Rex’s hand lands heavy on Echo’s shoulder. “You stand out in your armor.”

Echo watches the Marauder ascend out of sight. He blinks back tears and turns to face his old friend. In the far reaches of his mind, he’s back on Anaxes, leaving one set of brothers to join another. And now as then, Rex is his fulcrum.

“Will you two be alright?” Riyo Chuchi’s voice floats soft and light over the hum of starships and speeders. The clones turn around, and she takes a step towards them, wishing to provide comfort. She recognizes the moment for what it is: a necessary departure and a bittersweet reunion.

“Yes, senator, thank you,” Rex answers. He motions for Echo to follow and extends an arm out to Riyo in the direction of the garage. “You should go,” he commands rather than suggests. “I still think you’re in danger, and—”

“I appreciate your concern, captain,” she interrupts, falling into step with the men, “but so are you. Here, on Coruscant.” She leans in and whispers, “It’s not safe for either of you here.” Her face contorts in fear.

“Actually,” Rex starts as they cross into the stale air of the shop, “according to Imperial records, we were both killed in action.” He punches a panel on the wall and closes the hangar doors. “They won’t be looking for us.”

Surprise registers wide on Riyo’s face. “I see.” She considers the information for a moment before trying again, letting her worry weigh her voice. “All the same, I can’t imagine the security breach on Rampart’s Venator will go unanswered.”

“She’s right, Rex.” Echo joins in and points a stern look at the captain. “Probe droids will be swarming the lower levels soon.”

Rex wasn’t willing to give up Trace’s shop. He still believed it was a reliable hideout and the closest he would get to the barracks where both his brothers and actionable intel were housed. He shakes his head. “Then we’ll wait them out.” He turns away towards the inside of the shop, ending the discussion.

Two rows of fluorescent lights illuminate the space from high above, leaving the shop’s edges in darkness. Unmarked crates, some stacked three high on top of each other, take up the floorspace between rows of shelves and worktables lining the walls. The three weave through the maze in the direction of the body of the clone assassin, in silent understanding of unfinished business.

“What will you do with him,” Riyo asks gently as they approach the body bag. She’s never heard of funerals for individual clones, but now, at least to her, it seems like the right thing to do. She didn’t believe that the attempt on her life changed his rights as a living being.

“Will the Empire come looking for him,” concern colors Echo’s voice, “when he doesn’t report in?”

Rex rubs his chin. “Maybe. Whatever happened to him happened without Senate approval.” He looks at Riyo whose eyes go wide before nodding in acknowledgement. “He’s evidence the Empire won’t want lying around.”

“Can we use him—” Echo cuts himself off. His unsaid intention lingers in the air. Both clones recoil and seem to turn in on themselves, shame and regret blossoming between them and the body.

Riyo catches on. “I’ll keep him safe,” she soothes, “until the time is right.” Rex and Echo share a shocked glance. “For now, support for the emperor’s stormtrooper program is too strong. No one in the Senate will be able to stand openly against him.”

Rex nods in agreement, but Echo has misgivings. “We appreciate your support, senator,” determination hardening his features, “but this is something us clones need to handle ourselves. We can’t ask you to harbor this,” he motions towards the body and finds the usual “trooper” and “brother” inadequate, “asset. The consequences of getting caught are too dangerous.” He looks to Rex for backup, but the captain’s face, sullen and pensive, betrays his thoughts.

“Where will you keep him,” Rex asks Riyo. Both his voice and gaze have softened, knowing that neither he nor Echo could safely care for their fallen brother at this time.

“I’ll bring him to Pantora,” she offers. “My guards will make sure he’s not disturbed.”

“The Empire’s presence is growing on Pantora,” Echo warns. He wonders briefly about the droids he left at the merchant’s stall.

Silence overtakes them until Rex snaps out of thought. “What about Orto Plutonia?” Excitement smolders in his voice. “There’s an abandoned Republic base there, and the snow would provide great cover.”

Riyo nods. “I will speak with Thi-Sen. He may not agree to your terms,” she levels a look of resolve at Rex who mirrors her gaze, “but I will try my best.” Echo observes the exchange and senses the captain and the senator tune into a shared frequency.

With one matter settled, Riyo looks around the garage. Rex had said its owners would be gone for awhile, so he and Echo are on their own. She fails to find beds or food or even a fresher. “In the meantime,” she puts a hand on Rex’s arm, “perhaps I can make arrangements for you two.”

“No, thank you, senator.” Irritation starts to creep towards anger in Rex’s voice. He’s quickly tiring of thanking her, not because he finds her a nuisance, but because he would rather she were gone, away from the danger he and Echo invite, so they could strategize without implicating her. “We’ll get by.”

“You said something about Echo and his armor,” Riyo continues undaunted. “Perhaps I can find more suitable attire. There are clothing shops two levels down.”

“I have some already.” Rex gestures to a neat pile of folded fabric on a nearby crate. He looks at Echo who starts detaching his spaulders. “Might need to take them in, though,” he jokes, his eyes wrinkling.

“I-I’m fine, you two,” Echo grumbles. “I can dress myself without supervision.”

Rex raises an eyebrow and stifles his laugh with a grunt. Riyo covers her smile lightly with her hand. Her chest feels lighter now, knowing these two can still find a little levity with the weight on their shoulders.

Echo clears his throat. “Uh, mind giving a trooper some privacy?” He’s halfway down to his blacks.

Rex crosses his arms and huffs, “Never stopped you before.”

Riyo blushes and looks down, hums to cover a giggle, but can’t hide her happiness at watching the men reconnect. She takes Echo’s cue and grabs Rex’s attention. “Captain, a word?”

Rex nods towards the back door. Riyo turns around and falls into step with him. The sound of Echo’s armor being piled into one of the crates fades as they walk into the darkness at the shop’s edges.

“I meant what I said, Rex.” Riyo turns towards him as they walk. There’s enough ambient light to outline their faces. “You and the clones deserve to live like any other galactic citizen, and I intend to fight for them, in and out of the Senate.” She jabs a finger in Rex’s direction to punctuate her emphasis, but her face is less stern than her words. “Please keep me apprised of your progress. I would very much like to help as much as I can. And please,” she stops walking, forcing Rex to face her directly, “do not mistake my lack of combat training for a lack of ability.”

Rex looks at Riyo for what feels like the first time. It wasn’t long after the start of the Clone Wars, before scratches marred the blue paint on the captain’s armor and scars bloomed across the body underneath, that this same senator had been bullied by her moon’s militant chairman into nearly starting another war. She was, at the time, timid and more inexperienced than some of the shinies under his command. Now she was speaking on his behalf, on behalf of the millions of his brothers scattered throughout the galaxy. She had found her voice and was unwilling to yield its power to anyone less than the emperor himself. He admires her spark of tenacity.

They continue the remaining distance to the back door. Shaking his head out of thought, Rex looks down and heaves a heavy sigh deep from his core. He already knows what strategy to use, the best path forward, but can’t bring himself to take it. He knows he needs influential allies to reach more clones. He knows that a senator on the inside could facilitate things faster than a soldier on the outside. And he knows that even if she can’t outmaneuver the emperor, Riyo could at least prove to be a valuable resource, with connections to other powerful people and safe planets where bases could be built and equipment scavenged. But he couldn’t bear the thought of putting her in more danger.

“We need her, Rex.” Echo steps next to the space between them. He’s wearing clothes similar to Rex’s, his right sleeve folded above his scomp arm. “We need all the help we can get.”

Rex smiles. Even now, after everything both clones have been through, their thoughts are still one and the same. He looks from Echo to Riyo, each determined to wear him down. “All right, senator,” he sighs. “What did you have in mind?”

Riyo readies herself for an arduous argument. Rex seemed intent on hunkering down in the garage, safe in the assumption of his and Echo’s deaths, but she wasn’t convinced. Watching Slip and her guards perish so violently had shaken her more than she would admit, and she feared the consequences for the clones would be similarly severe if they were caught. And as Echo had pointed out, the search for the trespassers of Rampart’s Venator would most likely reach the lower levels sooner rather later.

“You can’t stay here,” Riyo pleads. “Even if the Empire isn’t looking for you two specifically, you still can’t be found.” She looks back at the garage, cold and dark and inhospitable. “Are you sure this location is secure?”

“I scanned the place myself,” Rex says sternly, crossing his arms. “And I trust my friends.” His simmering irritation starts to bloom into full-blown anger. Echo senses it and steps in to temper the tension.

“Senator, how many guards do you have with you?” Ever the ARC trooper, he changes to a tack he knows Rex won’t be able to resist.

“Just the two,” Riyo gestures towards the door where her guards are stationed, “whenever I’m on Coruscant. But after the,” she flinches at the memory, “loss of my last two guards, the Pantoran Assembly agreed to send a squad’s worth as a precaution. They arrive tomorrow.”

“Have they secured your living quarters?” Echo’s concern, ever genuine, always registers as gruff.

Riyo looks down sheepishly. “I’m not sure.” For most of her tenure, her guards had acted more like aides, carrying files and messages between fellow senators and chasing off nothing more dangerous than disgruntled citizens. They had always provided her with enough security. Until now.

The clones register her hesitation. Rex opens the back door and motions for the men flanking it to follow him. He grills them immediately. “When was the last time you secured the senator’s living quarters?”

The men look at each other, then Riyo. One answers, “Before the Senate vote. But that was last night. It’s been more than half a rotation since.”

Echo steps in. “It’s not secure anymore.”

“It was safe when we left.” The other guard starts to defend their work. “We’ll secure the area again once when we get there. Standard procedure when there’s only two of us.”

Rex and Echo shake their heads simultaneously. The captain steps closer to the guards. “That’s not good enough. Not after today.” He points a finger in their faces. “She’ll be a target from now on. You’ll need to be more thorough and cautious.” The clones turn to each other and nod, appearing to communicate a slew of orders wordlessly in an instant.

Riyo blinks in surprise. “A target? Captain, after Rampart’s arrest, I don’t—”

“We’ll split up,” Rex continues. “Echo will go ahead with one of you,” he nods to a guard who nods back, “and scan the senator’s apartment. When it’s clear, we’ll follow.”

“Is this necessary?” Riyo tries to gain some control. “What danger could there be in my personal quarters? It was provided by the Pantoran Assembly. Surely, it’s safe.”

Rex looks in the direction of the body bag. “We can’t take anything for granted, senator. Not after your show of support for the clones, and not with the emperor tying up his loose ends.”

“Then perhaps it is safer here,” Riyo says defiantly, crossing her arms and steeling her gaze. Rex was doing exactly what she’d asked him not to do, and she resented it, however well-intentioned his motivations.

“No, senator.” Rex puts a gentle hand on her shoulder and softens his voice. His anger had burned out as quickly as it flamed, and he had no desire for its embers to spread. “You need to return to your quarters. You’ll raise suspicions if you don’t follow your normal routine. If there are,” he searches for a delicate term, “complications, we know how to handle them.” He looks to Echo who nods.

“What about the body,” Riyo says flatly. Now she wants nothing more than to derail the good captain’s plans.

Rex removes his hand and squares his shoulders. He bristles at the senator’s stubbornness. “We’ll take him with us after Echo comms with the all-clear. When your squad of guards arrive, they can escort you and the body back to Pantora.”

“My guards will escort you, Echo, and the body to Pantora.” Riyo takes a step closer to Rex. “I will return to the Senate where I still have my duties, captain.”

Tension hangs heavy in the air. Neither the captain nor the senator appear close to backing down. They meet each other’s gaze with equal chill and determination.

“Are you two done?” Echo’s irritation cuts through. Rex and Riyo turn to see him gesturing to the back door between the Pantoran guards. “We still need to get the senator topside.”

Riyo sighs, deflated by the need to remove all of them from the lower levels immediately and knowing the clones ultimately have her best interests in mind. “Fine. We’ll do things your way, Rex. But I insist you and Echo stay with me until my guards arrive.” She starts towards the door. “If you are intent on keeping me safe, then I suggest you see your actions through.”

Rex didn’t like the idea of spending the night with the senator. Hiding in the shadows of the lower levels was easier than in the glittering towers of the surface above. And if he and Echo were in as much danger as Riyo believed, then he didn’t want to compound the trouble she was facing with theirs. But making the trip from the garage to her quarters twice was impractical and unwise, especially in the daylight. And more than the thought of leaving the garage, Rex hated the idea of leaving the senator unprepared and unprotected for the dangers ahead.

Rex concedes and accepts his fate. “Just say the word, senator.” He knew he had unceremoniously taken control out of her hands and now wished nothing more than to yield to her command.

Riyo appreciates the gesture, but saves her gratitude for later. She nods at Echo and her guard. “Be careful.”

(Footnotes here.)