#gym motivation nation

[hunterrrs]

another sidnate love fest on SC ("he could be 50 and i'd still slide over" - said by man who fucked that old man) (plus he loves mitchy SO MUCH and wants to do a timmies commercial with him, sid and marchy causing Trouble)

Q: I was actually gonna ask you, now that you’re the reigning MVP, you used to have to go over to Sid’s gym all summer long. It was the older one, you spent all this money for the new upgraded one. Now that you’re the MVP does he have to come train with you? How does that work?

A: No, no, it doesn’t work like that *laughs* (You’re still getting bullied?) Oh yeah. Still going to his gym. All good. He’s 20 years in the league, so… Yeah. I train with Batheson so I make him come to my gym. He makes me feel better about myself, so… that’s what I do.

Q: What did you say to Sid when he took 8.7, did you know that was coming?

A: Yeah, I mean *laughs* I remember, like, in July I was like, man, you’re not gonna sing for 8.7. Like c’mon. He’s like, ah, I don’t know, we’ll see. It’s so cool though, the legacy he’s leaving. How much money is left on the table and his desire to still win. He’s still taking less to try and get somebody else this year and next year.

Q: As somebody who’s always looked up to him, he’s 37 now, he’s still doing it. That’s gotta not only amaze you but also kinda inspire you a little bit. Does that surprise you that he’s still doing it or not at all, knowing him?

A: Man, you should see this guy in the summer. My workouts are like a joke. The recovery summers I do, and he is just grinding. He just grinds. He loves it, I think. I think it’s also awesome, not that he wouldn’t be motivated having this Four Nations thing, and then the Olympics. So no matter what happens, he’s got two things to look forward to and be dialled in for and I think being the captain of Canada, I can’t imagine the pressure to be at your best. He’s ready. He looks amazing, All the guys on the ice, it’s amazing he’s 37. He doesn’t look 37.  (Because he doesn’t have kids!) *laughs* Must be the key.

Q: Did you actually have a cereal released in 2021 called MacKinnon Crunch?

A: I did. Frosted flakes. I picked the flavour though, I liked that. (Was that right before you got your deal with Tim Hortons, became a server at their restaurant?) That was 2015. (Do they have you do that same thing every summer?) We haven’t done that since then. We’ve always wanted to do one where we get Marchy in there just because we’re Nova Scotians, and he’s being a rat and messing up people’s orders, and we gotta like sit him down and tell him what to do. They haven’t done that yet. Marchy needs to be nicer on the ice to be more marketable.

Q: Would that be your dream line for the Four Nations? Yourself, Sid and Marchand?

A: That would be cool. (You’d play the wing?) Oh yeah. Yeah, I’m ready for the wing. Definitely. McDavid, Sid, one-two punch. And then everyone kinda figures it out. (In a room like that you’d essentially delegate to McDavid?) You’re not putting McDavid on the wing, that’s crazy! I don’t mind right wing, I’ve played wing, I’m comfortable there and I don’t know if those two have ever played wing. I’m sure they could easily figure it out. They’re two of the smartest players ever. But I think to have those two guys a one-two punch and then if I’m third line centre that’s cool, if I’m playing on McDavid’s right.

Should I tell Sid to go to the wing, do you think? (“I’ve been working at your gym all these years. I’m the Ted Lindsay winner and the MVP. I gotta get something out of this relationship.”) Yeah, I think he could be 50 and I’d still slide over. No problem. Being on a Nova Scotia line it would be really cool. I think we’d work well together too. The way Marchy plays he’s just gonna muck, forecheck, and then Sid’s Sid, and I can try to push the pace.

Q: You said you went to Europe this summer…

A: It’s just relaxing. Just get off the grid. I was definitely tempted to go to Worlds last year. Sid was bugging me and Schenner bout it. (Saying what, if you go, I’ll go?) Yeah. So we were all gonna go, but then I was just like man, I just played 105 games, just lost to Dallas. At this point I feel like I’m all in or it’s hard to go over there and like (Skate around and giggle.) It’s just tough.

Q: You skated in the summer with Marner, how’s he looking?

A: He looks awesome. You hear stuff that’s always negative, a lot of the time it’s negative and then you get on the ice with him and you’re like, how can anyone ever be negative about this? That’s why I think for me, I just admire how good he is because people chirp him a lot. Up in Vail he was sick. Him and McDavid were flying around together. It was so fun to watch.

Also, beloved health freak <3

I used to like going to Popeye’s Supplements as a kid with my dad and looking at protein powder and stuff. I don’t know. I’m just into it.

Q: We heard so much about you policing the food in the locker room. Are you still doing that? Are you still going on there, like no sugars, no sweets. Whit said you strangled Lehkonen because he ate a Snickers bar or something. Is that true?

A: Nawww, stop it. That’s not true *laughs* I’m trying to mellow a little bit for sure. I definitely see some shit and I get mad but I try to keep it to myself. I don’t know, you eat what you want but I just think when you’re at the rink, we’re the NHL, you’re a pro athlete, I think it should be healthy and good food. I just think the least you can do as a pro athlete is be in good shape.

[lessi-lover]

the fun part II l.williamson x reader

★ the fun part II l. williamson x reader

dating a professional footballer naturally had its undeniable advantages, and being with the one and only, - leah catherine williamson, certainly had its benefits. her god sculpted physique, along with her strikingly cocky personality, was a constant source of worship, motivating you to become a regular gym enthusiast yourself. this of course meant taking it upon yourself to try and successfully make the gym as enjoyable as you could for everyone. even going as far as creating a roster so all the girls could enjoy their respective music, even though majority loathed the exercise off the pitch, rather wanting to do what they did loved the most, - playing football.

with the 23/24 barclays super league fastly approaching, morale was at an all time high, with a large portion of the girls just returning from the world cup, - your own team having been the first national team to make it to a semi-final in australian history.

however, even though you and the english skipper had been together for quite some time now, you had never officially worked out in the gym together before. you dedicating your body to football as much as you could, given you were a fresh transfer, and leah spending majority of her time in the private gym or in the physiotherapy wing, recovering from her ACL injury.

but in this particular moment, you found yourself wishing you had moved to arsenal earlier.

your eyes were fixated on the blonde, captivated by the way her stomach glistened with a thin layer of sweat, emphasising the work she had spent on defining her stomach, during the international break. her black, training top clung tightly to her body, she had pulled the sleeves up, revealing the captain’s strong and large biceps, while her shorts showcased her muscular thighs with perfection.

you tried to concentrate on your gym partner, - steph, the australian defender and yourself were attached at the hip, having first met at an U17 camp, you had immediately clicked, as you had both gotten older you often were tagged "the work wives," which guaranteed you were sure to hear remarks from both leah and dean, weekly.

praising your resilience, steph couldn't figure out why your breathing had suddenly become so shallow and uneven. trying to gain your attention, she waved her hand in front of your face a couple times over, but your thoughts were consumed by the blonde goddess doing weights in front of you. 

leah, always looking for you in a crowded room, noticed your consistent gaze on her. Increasing the weight, she turned over her shoulder, wearing a smug and cocky grin on her face. she turned her body to face you, slowly lifting her sweaty shirt over her head and tossing it aside where a couple of the girls were stretching. if only the she knew what she was doing to you, - newsflash, the blonde knew exactly what she was doing, she always did.

you snapped out of your trance, attempting to regain your composure and focus on your exercises. however, her presence in the gym was overwhelming. every curl of the obnoxiously heavy weight she performed, every flex of her strong arms, seemed to hypnotise you, making it impossible to concentrate.  “are you alright y/n/n?” steph asked, resting a comforting hand on your back. you didn’t respond, too infatuated with the blonde. “i think you should take a break, yeah? i'll let you catch your breath.” steph helped you to stand, walking away shaking her head in confusion.  

the sight of her well-defined abs and the sweat trickling down them was mesmerising. "enjoying the view?" she yelled over at you, her voice laced with confidence, - she knew she could do the simplest actions that would get a cracking reaction out of you. a few of your teammates exercising nearby rolled their eyes at their vice captain.

“you alright there, baby?” the blonde finished off her exercise and started to make her way over to your gym mat. even the way she walked, amazed you. "i... i can't concentrate," you confessed, your voice barely audible over the loud gym music and nearby chatter of your teammates. leah’s taunting chuckle filled the air, a deep, alluring laugh that sent shivers down your spine. "maybe I can help you with that," she purred, setting down her phone and water. she cockily approached you, a smug grin plastered on her face, her piercing eyes fixed on yours, filled with desire and hunger. she took a seat on the mat, slotting her body behind your own.

she extended a soft hand towards you, a silent invitation for you to sit on her lap. "come here, love," she asked, but you knew better than to take this as a request, - it was an order. you hesitated for a moment before giving in to the undeniable pull she had over you. taking her hand, you let her guide you closer until your back rested against her front. her touch electrifies your body, igniting a fire within you, and you find yourself unwillingly relaxing into her strong arms.

leah’s hands settled on the side of your thighs, beginning to guide through the exercise. your breath caught in your throat as her fingers traced aimless patterns on the skin where your shorts had ridden up, sending shocks throughout your body. after about 15 reps, you let your head fall softly onto her shoulder. lifting your mouth to her neck, “le, we could get caught.” you whispered, trying to stay as invisible as you could in the crowded gym. she moved her hands up and down your arms. “i know baby, isn't that the fun part?” she responded, placing her chin on your head, exhaling deeply into your hair. the tight proximity between the two of you and intense exercise left you breathless, as you struggled to find words. your mind completely overtaken by the blonde. "you know," she murmured above your ear, her voice sending cold shivers down your spine, "i've always wanted to be your spotter." her words hung in the air, laden with unspoken promises and desire, leaving you utterly starstruck.

“you think we can finish this at home, darling?” leah whispered lowly in your ear, lightly kissing your neck.

[gen4grl]

my johto timeskip designs + bios/teams below!

i think about this group ALOT!!! if i had any confidence in writing i would easily share the whole hgss rewrite i have in my head but alas… just take my drawings instead! i like to give characters more “realistic” outfits… not really a modern au? i love to imagine the pokemon world with all our worlds pop culture which inspires my designs! long post but enjoy!!! ( ˘ ³˘)♥︎

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⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂ ⠂⠄⠄⠂☆

lyra + 20. champion ranked trainer

♡ Raised by her single mother, aunt and older cousin Kris in the small New Bark home. Her father died when she was 6 in a mining incident involving Team Rocket. Bubbles, her ace Azumarill, was gifted to Lyra by her father on her 5th birthday - being her final gift from him.

♡ Extremely outgoing, sweetly optimistic and immensely empathic. Absolutley loves making friends and talking to every kind of person. However, is extremely competitive & stubbon and gets frustrated easily - resulting in her giving up quickly but is also extremely quick to be re-motivated. Often feels the emotions of others intensely. Very country girl with an extremely strong Johtoian accent and lisp. Loves 'girly' things like makeup + fashion, period dramas and collecting nick-nacks but also loves spending her days outdoors, espcially in the National Park with Ethan watching the bug-catching contests or the Safari Zone.

♡ Struggled with her battle confidence as a young trainer which resulted in her having to re-battle Falkner and Bugsy several times. Over her journey grew an appreciation for pokemon perceived to be 'weak' & cute and built her team around showing the powers of these types of pokemon. Despite being a Champion Ranked trainer, Lyra opted to work with Ethans grandparents at the daycare center where she specialises in pokemon breeding and training weaker pokemon + their trainers.

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silver + 23. champion ranked trainer

♡ Only child of Rocket Boss, Giovanni. Was born and raised on Island 5 of the Sevii Islands by multiple admins, most commonly Archer before running away to Johto. Has a deep rooted and consistent fear that he’ll never amount to anything but “Giovanni's kid”. Was extremely tight lipped about his upbringing to the trio, especially after learning of his loose connection to Lyras father’s passing. Finally told them the truth of his family after the defeat and final disbandment of Team Rocket.

♡ Originally extremely standoffish, condescending and at times, aggressive. As an adult is still quite serious and independent, but genuinely enjoys the time he spends with his friends and is surprisingly protective of them - especially Lyra and Kris. As time passed, his anger towards his father evolved more into guilt, however, over the years has become more patient, gentle and forgiving with not only others but himself. He still can come off quite intimidating to strangers, but these changes are noticeably visible to those close to him. While usually a quiet person, has a very dry and witty sense of humour that takes most people by surprise.

♡ Mentored by Lance, and later Blue, and spends a large amount of time training in the Dragons Den. While unsure of what direction he wants his life to go into, Lance is adamant he would make a fantastic gym leader or elite four member. Always accompanies Lyra to the yearly Champion Balls and Alola trips. Currently lives in a small beachside bungalow with Lyra in Cherrygrove where he enjoys spending his free time reading and teaching himself guitar.

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ethan + 21

♡ The childhood friend of Lyra, Ethan was raised by his father and grandparents in New Bark. Extremely courteous, friend & family oriented and easy to talk to. A natural comic and can make even the straightest face people crack a slight smile - Red being his proudest achievement. Lax and slightly ditsy but can adapt to any situation and group of people like a flick of a switch. Not the best at articulating himself but always puts 110% into making sure people feel comfortable through his actions.

♡ Completed the 8 Johto gyms but never challenged the Elite Four & Lance in favour for persuing his true passions. Currently works at the Goldenrod Radio Tower where he co-hosts a program consisting of interviewing gym leaders, elite four, champions and other prolific battlers. At nights, does standup in the clubs in the Goldenrod Tunnel. Due to his easy-going nature and career, tends to knows everyone’s buisness + gossip and has crazy experiences with nearly any person imaginable.

♡ Currently lives in a small loft in Goldenrod. Spends his free time watching anime + cartoons or in the National Park either watching the Bug Contests, skating or talking to the old folks. Enjoys the nightlife of Goldenrod where he usually pulls Silver out to bar hop or spend hours playing Voltorb Flip.

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kris + 25

♡ Oldest and mother figure of the group. Was born and grew up in New Bark town with her mother before her cousin Lyra + aunt moved in with them when she was 11. The two shared the large upstairs bedroom growing up where Kris introduced Lyra to contests and the annual Champion & Wallace cups.

♡ Mature, soft spoken and extremely intellegent - both academically and socially. Because of this, can offer solutions on any issue on both a practical and emotional level, no matter the person and situation. Has unique relationships with all three kids but in general sees them as her younger siblings and takes the role as the 'older sister' very seriously. Has a warm and comforting presence, making those even to the likes of Silver feel comfortable confinding in her.

♡ Quite reserved and struggled with her purpose and sexuality growing up, espcially in rural Johto. After the death of her uncle and seeing her daughter’s interests in the Wallace Cups and contests, her mother moved the two to the Hoenn region, settling in Lilycove City when Kris was 13. While starting her gym challenge in the new region, Kris fell in love with Hoenn's unique weather patterns and ecosystems. Eventually she quit the gym challenge to peruse a career as a meteorologist where she now works at the weather institute. When not working, she enjoys attending contests, museums and scuba diving. Finally feeling settled in life, she came out to her family + the trio when she was 20.

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[haikyu-mp4]

I would like to listen to History with hinata ! ♡

Now playing... History

word count; 635 – gn!reader, for my 1D x Haikyu event

Sho: I’m coming back tomorrow! Can’t wait to see you.

You stared at the message, wondering how to process the way it made your stomach nauseous with excitement. It had been a long time since you last saw Hinata outside of a Facetime call, and you only visited him once while he was in Brazil, but now he’s coming back.

In your second year of high school, you joined Yachi as the second manager for the volleyball team. If you had noticed Hinata before, you had made no mental note of it, but he made himself impossible to ignore on the court. The way he soared made you starry-eyed, and you applied for the club before the end of that school day.

From there on you made countless memories.

Late night practices, when Hinata would sling his arm over your shoulders as he finally admitted he might be a little tired, finally letting you lock up the gym for the night.

Study sessions, when you would absentmindedly stroke his hair as he leaned his head on the desk while you read over his answers. Looking slightly past the paper, you could see how he stared up at you, seemingly in thought. Had it not been for Yachi and Kageyama sitting beside you, he might have told you what was on his mind.

That time at nationals, when Hinata was so crushed by their final loss that you finally gathered the courage to kiss him, and it made him realise he valued things outside of volleyball too.

That one particular practice where he had accidentally put on your t-shirt, revealing to everyone that he had slept at your place because no one believed him when he said it was Natsu’s. They all saw you wear that shirt yesterday.

And the time you cried as he told you he made plans to move across the world for two years. He let you cut his hair before he left, and the goodbye itself was tear-free as you had already shed enough the nights before.

Now, you have changed. You were already working, after getting lucky when applying for the job of your dreams with a lacking CV but the most well-written and motivated application they had ever seen. It made you more sure of yourself, and you were discovering new things about yourself every day, as people do in their twenties.

Hinata surely changed too. If not just physically getting more attractive, he had grown so much over the last two years as a person that you wouldn’t be surprised if the two of you couldn’t rekindle whatever you had before. It made you nervous to see him again, but you would be damned if you didn’t at least try.

However, any doubts you might have had left your mind as he ran towards you at the airport, and you spread your arms out so he could wrap you up in a warm hug. It felt like the Brazil heat still lingered on his tanned skin, but it might also have been the relief surging through your body.

You stepped towards the exit and grinned as he slung his arm over your shoulders, pulling you under his arm just like old times.

“Ready to make some more memories, Sho?”

“With you around? I’m ready to make history!”

That’s when you decided that you didn’t care if he wanted to be just friends. As long as he was in your life, you would stay by his side for whatever he needed you to be.

Still, when you got back to your apartment and wondered what he wanted for dinner, he asked to kiss you instead, and you accepted it with relief settling in your chest.

You and Shoyo had history, but more importantly, you both wanted to make more.

masterlist

[gunnerfc]

Leah Williamson NSFW Alphabet (18+, minors DNI!)

A: Aftercare

Leah is very attentive to what you need after sex. If you need water or anything, she's quick to get it for you.

B: Body Part (their favorite body part of themselves and their partner)

Her favorite body part of herself is her legs because she knows how much they affect you (she's caught you staring at her (her legs) many times in the gym

Her favorite body part of yours is you waist, she loves holding you while she goes down on you

C: Cum (anything to do with cum)

Loves when you make a mess all over her face

D: Dirty Secret

Leah lowkey wants to have sex somewhere slightly public, she enjoys watching you squirm when she touches you even slightly inappropriately

E: Experience (Are they experienced? Do they know what they are doing?)

Leah definitely knows what she's doing & does it well

F: Favorite Position

You sitting on her face

G: Goofy (Are they more serious in the moment, or are they humorous?)

Most times, Leah is very focused on what's going on but if you've both had a bit of alcohol, she'll be more giggly

H: Hair (How well groomed are they?)

Shaved

I: Intimacy (How intimate are they during the moment?)

Leah, when she's not jealous, is very intimate. She's solely focused on you and your needs

However, if she's jealous for whatever reason, she'll be a bit meaner & rougher

J: Jack off (Masturbation HC)

Hates when you do because she always wants to be giving you pleasure but there are times when she'll have you pleasure yourself in front of her

She's a bit of a hypocrite though, because she always gets herself off many times during national team camps when you are apart

K: Kink (One or more of their kinks)

Has a daddy kink

Doesn't mind having her wrists tied up

L: Location (Favorite place to have sex)

Your shared apartment but your car is a close second after she made you cum in the parking lot at some restaurant and enjoyed the thought of someone seeing

M: Motivation (What turns them on?)

Leah loves seeing you wear her kits. Even though you also player for Arsenal and wear the same kits, seeing you with her last name across your back drives her crazy

N: No (Something they wouldn't do)

Anything that would seriously hurt you or anything you say no to

O: Oral (Preference on giving or receiving)

Leah definitely has a preference for giving. She loves having her face buried between your legs

She isn't opposed to receiving though, and enjoys the sight of you between her legs looking up at her

P: Pace (Fast & Rough? Slow & Sensual?)

It's a mix of both. It's rough and fast but still sensual

Unless she's jealous, then it's very rough but she'll drag it out to make your punishment longer

Q: Quickie (Thoughts on quickies)

Doesn't mind them, any chance she gets to have her hands on you, she'll take

R: Risk (Are they open to experimenting)

Only if you are, Leah doesn't want to push you if you aren't open to an idea

S: Stamina (How many rounds)

Leah can last for many rounds

Both of you being footballers definitely helps in the bedroom

T: Toys

You both own a few different toys but her favorite to use on you is a vibrator that always makes you cum hard

U: Unfair (Do they like the tease)

Leah lovessss to tease you.

Some of her comments are a little degrading and her actions leave you breathless, wanting to cum while she teases you for being desperate

V: Volume (How loud are they? What sounds do they make)

Leah isn't super loud, but she isn't quiet either

Her moans are more like low groans

W: Wild Card (Random HC)

Leah has a collection of photos in a locked folder on her phone that she's taken during sex, with your consent, that she likes to look at while away at national team camps to help her get off

X: X-Ray (Let’s see what’s going on in those pants)

Leah, from time to time, likes to pack and she'll never tell you when she's doing it. Instead she'll randomly pull you onto her lap and wait to see your reaction when you feel the strap-on

Y: Yearning (How high is their sex drive?)

When there's no training or pressing commitments, all Leah wants to do is fuck you

Z: ZZZ (… how quickly they fall asleep afterward)

If it was a long day of training, a game, or other things, she'll fall asleep quickly

But if it was an off day, not doing much, she'll be up for a little bit after

[averagewriter-inthedark]

You Got It Bad 🏸 | Robert ‘Bob’ Floyd Headcanon

Edit posted on 2 Sep 24: omg when I posted this a few days ago America had yet to win a medal in badminton (Olympic & Paralympic) and today Team USA’s mixed doubles in badminton won the silver medal!! Congrats to Jayci Simon & Miles Krajewski for their win and making history!! The first ever medal in badminton for USA!!

Being married to Bob & becoming Olympians for the sport of Badminton would look like:

You and Bob met in flight school following your respected commissions into the Navy in 2011, became friends and colleagues, which them bloomed into lovers about a year later. You were the pilot, and he was your back seater---so it is no surprise your relationship worked so well considering you two were partners in the sky. After about two years of dating, Bob popped the famous question and you guys were wed within the year--the Navy sending you guys to bases as a package deal.

As most military instillations, there's a community gym and recreation center where active, reserve, and their families go to participate in intermural sports and activities. Many go for the typical bowling league and softball team or try a hand at flag football and ultimate. For you and Bob, badminton called yall's name.

Originating in British India and popular among countries in Europe and Asia, badminton made its Olympic debut in 1992 in Barcelona, Spain. Now while at first glance badminton may look easy in comparison to other court sports with a net like tennis and volleyball, but badminton requires just as much speed, agility, and precision. Especially when the shuttlecock is flying at record speed from one opponent to the other. The better the motor skills, the better you are.

Of course in the beginning you guys were a little rusty. Figuring out the rules and the best way for you and Bob to coordinate moves. You were the better server, but Bob was better handling the back while you stayed close to the net.

What started as a fun, leisure activity became more serious as you continued to play. Like we're talking you put up a net in your backyard. Whenever you hosted gatherings, you can expect that at some point in the night people migrated to the backyard to play a game or two. And boy would it get intense whenever you and Bob were on opposite sides of the court. "I hope you enjoy losing, pretty boy." "Darling, I know you're always right....but tonight you are wrong."

Not only did you build a sweat when a game got intense, but you looked forward to spending time with your husband outside of work. Not having to deal with the stress of flying or anxiety of running missions. Badminton was a great way to relive the tension and stay active. After every game you shared a sweet kiss with your husband, exchanging praises of 'Great job,' and 'We'll get 'em next time."

You both were competitive and roughly a year after playing you drew attention when you decided to join a local circuit outside of intermural on base. Winning match after match, you guys came in second in your first tournament. A great introduction to the start of your athletic career in mixed doubles badminton---which by the way, shoutout to RedBull and Dunkin Doughnuts for the caffeine supply when balancing a military and sports career.

Now the Olympic Games....the greatest sporting stage the world has ever scene...was never something you envisioned when you and Bob picked up your rackets for the first time. You'd only been playing badminton for a few years, having started in 2014. By the time the Rio Games came around, you guys were no way in Olympic level standings. Sure you'd been in a handful of local tournaments, making the podium in all, but you'd only recently won your regional title for mixed doubles, set to compete in nationals. You had yet to play an international tournament.

That time would come in 2017, and while you came home with third place at you guys were motivated to do better. You wanted to win a World title. Especially to prove to people who thought badminton was not a sport of high popularity like tennis or volleyball--and something you only play as a unit in high school P.E. You and Bob were motivated to bring more eyes to badminton in America. And what better way than to dominate a world tour.

So, when you guys weren't in the sky you were on the court. In the gym. Coaching each other, studying competition, working on technique, rewatching matches from previous Olympics. The Tokyo Games became a goal. And you were determined to make them. The pressure was on considering the United States has never won a medal in any event in badminton. "So, the Olympics...pretty darn big if you ask me." "Baby, you should know that when we put our mind to something, we make it happen."

It got to the point where your family members and friends were asking y'all about progress and even buying you equipment as birthday presents. And with the amount of shuttlecocks you go through monthly it was a blessing to a whole bucket of them in your garage. Your rackets had y'alls callsign's on them and of course you had matching outfits. And soon you guys had to invest in a nice cabinet to display your medals, plaques, and trophies from your competitions. Having the 2018 BWF World Championship right in the center.

You and Bob became a household name in the sport in the American circuit. Not only because you two were dominated the competition, but also the fact you guys were married and Naval officers brought a lot of attention. People who followed the sport became fans and viewed you guys as a love story out of romance books. Friends/coworkers-to-lovers who become teammates and an unstoppable duo in their sport. Yeah, it wrote itself.

When the 2019 detachment came though that became the priority. As much as it pained you to put training for the Sudirman Cup on hold, you had an obligation to the Navy. Nonetheless, you packed up your equipment and made the drive down from Lemoore to San Diego. Once settled, you both were spending any free time at the base rec center, practicing even for 30 minutes if you had it.

Soon the rest of the team picked up your love for the sport and became intrigued. Natasha especially, who became invested in watching you two play against each other. Shocked to see how heated it got and the fact you were able to move so fast to save a rally. "You guys are really into this, huh?" "Yeah. We just started for fun years ago and well..it took off."

After the whole shit between Jake and Bradley where Mav did damage control by taking y'all to the beach for dogfight football, you and Bob whipped out the equipment and soon all 12 of ya paired up to play games. It pretty much turned into a bracket situation where duos were eliminated until two remained for the final round.

And who's suprised....you and Bob won. And because you guys were so good, the team practically interrogated you two to which the reveal of your side career surfaced.

"You mean to tell me," Jake squinted against the sun, "You two are pretty much famous badminton players and are on the road to making the Olympics next year?" "Yep, that's about right. We want to be the first Americans to win a medal in the sport."

Fast forward to the success of the Uranium mission and unexpected world pandemic that followed, you and Bob are homebound due to the Navy restricting all work to remote settings, leaving you all the time in the world to perfect your craft. You won the Sudirman Cup, putting your names once more as contenders for the Tokyo Games and had one more year to train due to the postponement. In that time you and the rest of the Top Gun detachment transferred to Fightertown permanently, further bonding the friendships formed and the team became y'alls biggest supporters.

Qualifying for the Olympics had to have ranked in your top three moments in life. Right in the middle between marrying Bob and the Uranium mission. You jumped in his arms, screaming in joy while he spun you around and let the tears flow, bringing his lips for a passionate kiss not caring who watched. Never had you thought picking up a random badminton racket to pass time and relieve stress after a long work day would lead you to competing in the greatest sporting event alongside the love of your life. Experiencing it with Bob made it all the better. "We're going to the Olympics, baby!!'

Stepping onto the court in Tokyo officially titled you and Bob as Olympians, and while you competed for the gold across the pacific, back home your friends and family gathered to watch it unfold decked in red, white, and blue. The Hard Deck, your hometown, Bob's hometown, the rec center back in Lemoore where you first began playing badminton, the entire damn Navy was cheering you on.

Goal #1: Become Olympians - Achieved. Goal #2: Become the 1st Americans to win a medal in badminton - Achieved. Goal #3: Become the 1st Americans to win a gold medal in badminton - Achieved.

Yeah, you read that right. Not only did you and Bob accomplish everything you set your eyes on, but you cemented yourself in history as the first Americans to win a medal in any event in the sport of badminton and it was the gold. You guys became Olympic champions. And you can best believe the whole world was shocked to their core during the intense, heart pounding, sweat inducing, on the edge of your seat gold medal match against the #1 team in the world. You had already proven yourself to be the team to watch out for after knocking out the other leading pairs in the quarter and semi-finals, but to walk away with the gold after losing the first match, winning the second and tying the score each time until it ended with you scoring the golden point of 30.

Put it in the history books.

And three years later in a sold out crowd with your friend and family in the city of love, you and Bob continued your romantic journey of love, dedication and partnership when you defended your gold medal, adding a second to your cabinet with the promise of a third when the Games return to the Los Angeles 😉

[rewh0re]

—JUST THE TWO OF US ; KUROO TETSUROU

-1.5k words, narration heavy, mainly post timeskip present day setting with reminscence of pre timeskip, mentions of marriage, mentions of moving in, domestic ig (?), kuroo is called dickhead twice, just fluff nothing but fluff and comfort, kuroo turns 29.

a/n: it is kuroo's birthday so you can count on me to deliver a kuroo fic :D pls don't ask why this is so domestic, that's all I wanna be with the guy I love him sm. REBLOGS AND INTERACTIONS ARE APPRECIATED!!

kuroo needs just one more gift from you on his birthday, a gift—your answer—that will change his world, for better or for worse.

Kuroo was grateful for a lot of things in life. He was grateful for his job that sustained his life, he was grateful for all his friends who he spent all his years with and who stood by his side no matter what. He was incredibly grateful for volleyball for training him to be a good leader, honing his teamwork skills, making him more social and interactive and most of all, he was grateful to the sport for leading him to you.

Kuroo remembers all those years ago when you both were but two high schoolers. He remembers how you applied for the position of manager in your first year just so that you could be in a club. He was the one who taught you all there was to learn about the sport and you taught him how to deal with Lev when he was being annoying, amongst many other things. He noticed first hand, the change in your eyes as you slowly grew to love the sport. He remembers the days you tended to all of the Nekoma team members, putting them in their place when they needed to be. He remembers you gently squeezing his shoulder just before he gave his final motivational speech in the nationals prior to his match with karasuno. He remembers how after the match he cried with his head on your shoulder and you told him how proud you were of him, of where he was and what he achieved. He remembers the look of gratitude in your eyes as you told him how proud you were of him for making the trash can battle a reality and he remembers that that's the exact moment he realised that he's fallen in love with you.

Then came graduation filled with tears of melancholia, smiles of pride and joy, throwing of caps high and hugging all the people who helped you get through these three years. Classmates taking pictures to store each other in their memories. Juniors crying because who would now give them the motivation they needed? That's when Kuroo asked you out. He slowly pulled you aside as he led you by your hand to the volleyball gym where the both of you spent the last three years strategising against other teams, planning training camps and what not. For the three years you had known him, that was the first time he seemed to be out of his wits. He stumbled and fumbled and rubbed his eyes and sighed before he finally said in one breath, "I like you. It took me some time to realise, but now I do and I like you and I really do hope you like me back-"

Your soft chuckle interrupted his train of thoughts. You could swear he had never been this confused in his whole life. Then you started laughing and he thought that's it. He thought he was about to face rejection and his heart started breaking, piece by piece.

"It took you so long, you absolute dickhead," was all you said when you finally calmed down and Kuroo stood there, more confused if that was even possible.

"I like you too. It's a shame we're not in the same college but I believe in us. We'll make it work, we always do. Right?" You smiled and it was gentle, filled with deep affection and warmth. So contagious was your smile that his lips stretched into one until he too, was grinning.

He took your face in his hands and touched his forehead with yours, closing his eyes as he let your scent fill him in. He felt your hands close on top of his and he confirmed, "we'll make it work."

Fast forward to some eleven years later. Fast forward to now, in the present where he's there with you by his side. You've become a constant in his life now. You were always there, cheering him up and vice versa. Through aggravating college professors to annoying bosses and coworkers who got on his nerves, you calmed him down. You moved in with him some years into dating. Kuroo was so happy when you accepted the apartment key he got you as a birthday gift with a smile, his usual nerves shaking off the moment you kissed him.

That's not to say your relationship was always smooth sailing, no, it definitely wasn't. You had your fair share of fights with one of you sleeping on the sofa or even leaving the apartment because sometimes a break was all you needed. However, you both always found your way back to each other, back in each other's arms with muttered apologies and silent tears. Whenever you had a fight, he felt his world would tear open. It scared him. But you always came back and he was always grateful and he knew he'd never lose you. He couldn't afford to. You knew the same. To lose him was like losing an integral part of yourself. To lose him would mean to drown yourself in the great blue not knowing how to come up to the surface.

Fighting these hardships, always being there for each other no matter what, letting your love for each other reign victorious over every hurdle is what brought you here today. Today, his 29th birthday. A quaint night where it was only the two of you, your shared giggles and the faint glow of the refrigerator light in the darkness of your apartment as the two of you tried to dance. A tune played in the background, just the two of us by Grover Washington Jr and Bill Withers. Both of you were horrible dancers, stepping on each other's feet. The half eaten cake on the table was long forgotten, empty Chinese takeout containers and chopsticks laid bare. None of that mattered to Kuroo, all that mattered was how in love he was and truly, he must have done something amazing in his past life to have been here with you. You'd given him his gift an hour back when the clock struck twelve to be exact. However, Kuroo was allowed to be a selfish man today. He wanted another gift from you, an important gift that would very much make or break him.

Suddenly the weight of the little velvet box inside his sweatpant pockets felt immense. There is a certain time, a right time for everything, he felt proposing now would be perfect.

So you saw him suddenly breaking away from you as he slowly got down on a knee. Confusion. That was the first reaction that took over your face followed by realisation. Then your slow gasp as your shaky hands went to cover your mouth when he took out the velvet box and opened it.

The ring was absolutely beautiful. A splendid diamond with intrinsic designs.

"I don't think there is a day that goes by where I don't thank my fate for leading me to you. I am a lucky man because I can call you mine," he started. There was a tiny crack in his voice which he tried to hide. You were at a loss for words.

"Ever since that day, eleven years ago now, when you said yes to dating me, I have been so grateful. Grateful for so many things, especially for you. I love you y/n, so very much, I can't put it into words. I was never as good with words as you. However, I do want to say that I want to be a little selfish today. You'll let me be a little selfish right? I want another gift from you. I want you to say yes to my next question ok? Will you do me the honour of marrying me?" By the time he finished his speech, tears of happiness strained your cheeks and you were on your knees, hugging him. Hugging him tight.

"It took you so long you absolute dickhead! Yes! Fuck....yes!" You whispered in his ear between sniffles and you felt his body relax in your hold, the muscles loosening as his arms wrapped around your waist. He sighed in relief as he buried his face in your neck.

You remained like that for a while, just silently crying tears of ecstasy in each other's arms. It felt like a long while before he left a slow kiss on your temple and separated from you to slide the ring on your finger. It looked absolutely gorgeous.

Kuroo was lost in his own thoughts, admiring the ring on your finger with a gentle smile until he felt your free hand on his cheek.

He looked up at you, grabbing your neck in a gentle hold and kissing your forehead before touching it to his own.

"We made it work Tetsu, we made us work," you closed your eyes, basking in the warmth that was Kuroo Tetsurou. Basking in the comfort that your now fiancé brought with him.

"Of Course we did," you felt his lips against yours. "We always do."

[octuscle]

I fucked up, I used the Chronivac to make my dad have been a muscle bull in his youth to try and rig my own genetics in my favor but now all the academic awards me and my brothers had earned have changed into athletic ones and my dads study in the basement is gone and the whole space has become a home gym! Each day my brothers and I are getting more beefy and less mentally sharp, please help before we’re all stuck as smelly bros!

Hold on, let me check this out. Hold on! Wait, wait, wait! That's your father?

Your father is a fucking legend! I still have the issue of FLEX 04/2004. Your father on the cover. He was my motivation to start training. He inspired a whole generation. Do you remember his Sun's out Guns out initiative from 2006? When it was recommended that only sleeveless tops be worn in high schools? That was insane motivation for the entire nation to run to the gym and get those biceps burning, wasn't it?

Or in 2012, when as an advisor he convinced President Jay Cutler to ban men under 25 from using deodorant? Man, I was just a sophomore in college then. Most of the time after that, we would also skip showering right after workouts and fuck right away. I still get a boner when I smell a guys locker room.

Bro, what was your problem again? What did you write? I got a little carried away. But I'm just a huge fan of your old man. So: you're asking if Chronivac Inc. can support him in his run for Senate? Honestly, it takes more Big Bros like your dad in politics. Lately, I believe the Crossfitters have been getting too much influence. I'll pass your request along to the lads in marketing and they'll get back to you.

One more request from my colleagues in support: Will you forward our photo to your father? What we are, we owe to him. Thank you very much!

[matsmi13]

Hello, Long time follower here. I haven't seen you posting captions or stories in a long time. WIll you publish some new stories soon? I miss you and your work. Would love to see new stuff from you, and if i can ask, could you do something with Charlie Puth or Michael Jaroh on inanimate and unwilling themes. That would be awesome. Take care and finer crossed to see more stuff from your talented mind :)

Ready to accompany me during my workouts ?

As a journalist for an local sports magazine, I had landed an exclusive interview with Michael Jaroh after his victory at the national gymnastics competition. The room was filled with excitement, fans were shouting his name, and camera flashes lit up every corner of the hall.

After congratulating Michael on his outstanding performance, we sat down in a press room. I had prepared a series of questions about his training, his motivations, and his future goals. "Michael, can you tell us about what motivates you every day to push your limits ?" I asked. Looked at me with surprising intensity, an enigmatic smile on his lips. "You know, it's hard for people to really understand how we feel. There's so much going on beneath the surface, aspects that no one can see or feel." Intrigued, I continued, "How could we understand that better ?" Michael shrugged, looking thoughtful. "Maybe one day you'll have the chance to find out for yourself". I took this as a vague answer, intended to add a little mystery to our conversation. However, I had no idea how serious this remark was.

A few weeks later, I received a invitation from Michael inviting me to join him at the gym to discuss his habits and techniques further. Curious and excited by the opportunity, I accepted without hesitation.

Arriving at the gym, I didn't immediately find Michael. The room was deserted. Gymnastics equipment, parallel bars, rings and floor mats were laid out in an orderly fashion, but there was no one in sight. I ventured deeper into the gym, going into the changing rooms and calling out to Michael, but only the echo of my own voice answered. Suddenly, a furtive movement caught my attention. Michael appeared behind me, silent as a shadow. Before I could say anything, I felt a prick in my neck. An icy chill invaded my body, and my vision instantly blurred. The last thing I heard was Michael's voice: "You wanted to understand, didn't you ? Now you will."

When I regained consciousness, everything had changed. The feel of my skin had disappeared, replaced by a soft, elastic synthetic material. I panicked as I realized what had happened to me. I had become a compression tight. It was a whirlwind of confusion and terror. My mind was desperately trying to comprehend this new reality. I could feel the texture of my fabric, each fiber reacting to the movement of the air. I was aware of my shape, my seams, and the pressure exerted on me as I rested on the bench.

Suddenly, I hear something coming closer to me. "Hello, my friend. Ready to accompany me during my workouts ? ". I wanted to scream, but I no longer had a voice. I could only hear and feel. Michael took me in his hands and I felt every touch of his fingers like a wave of electricity passing through my fibers. It was a sensation both strange and terrifying. He slipped me on without further ado, and I immediately felt the warmth of his body against my fabric. Every movement he made I felt intensely. His leg muscles contracted and relaxed, and I could feel the power and precision of each movement.

I was trapped in this inanimate form, feeling every stretch, every twist. Michael was training intensively, and every jump, every flip, every landing gave me an unprecedented sensory experience. My mind tried to adapt, but the pain and exhaustion were constant.

Psychologically, I was struggling to maintain my own identity. The thoughts of omnipresent. Yet, in time, my mind became accustomed to this new reality.

Over time, I discovered new instincts, reflexes I'd never imagined I had. I could feel the slightest change in temperature, the tension in Michael's muscles, even his heart rate.

When Michael sweated during his intense workouts, I could feel every drop of sweat penetrating my fibers. The first time this happened, it was a shock. The sensation was both unpleasant and strange, but as time went on, I realized that this was one of my new roles. My fabric absorbed sweat, holding it in place to keep Michael dry and comfortable. This absorbing function soon became a natural instinct. With every drop of sweat, I reacted automatically, my fibers expanding to absorb the moisture. I could feel his body temperature, the saltiness of his sweat, and even detect when he was pushing his physical limits.

At first, Michael seemed almost sympathetic. Every morning, as he put on his tight compression, he would slip me a word of encouragement. However, As the weeks went by, his attitude changed. Michael became increasingly distant and indifferent. One day, as he was getting ready for training, he didn't even speak to me. Instead, he put me on like any other item of clothing in his wardrobe. I could feel the distance growing. Michael was absorbed in his routines, his competitions, and I had simply become part of his equipment.

As the months passed, memories of my old life faded for both Michael and me. I realized that my new existence was no longer that of a human, but that of an inanimate garment. Michael had forgotten me, as one forgets a dream upon awakening. And I was now a silent spectator of his life, living each day through his movements, but never recognized or noticed. And although my life as a human was over, I found a strange consolation in the fact that, somehow, I had finally understood what it meant to be a top athlete.

[stupidtowrite]

Birthday Girl (1) Misa Rodriguez x Reader (Joane)

Misa overcomes a past relationship while facing encounters and disagreements with a birthday girl

This fic was saved for a long time and now, in this moment of boredom, I decided to post it with some modifications to see if it would be better and now it seems to have met my expectations. I hope you like it :)

Warnings: Blood

It was the UEFA Women’s Nations League final Misa was sitting in her cubicle, biting her nails and shaking her left leg. She only remembers Alexia starting some motivational speech, routine before the games, before getting lost in the deafening noise of last night. That's all Misa could think about today, the sound of breaking glass, the angry screams at 1am and the loud music in her neighbor's apartment. Okay, that was part of her routine too, but not anymore.

The final scream was heard, at the same time that Misa managed to pull out a very deep part of her nail and ended up seeing unwanted blood running down her fingers. Without looking around, Misa runs towards the locker room bathroom, and tears well up in her eyes before the sink tap has even been turned on.

The blood mixes with the water from the tap, but Misa's tears make marks on her face, as if they are not going to leave anytime soon and the goalkeeper increasingly finds herself lost amidst the sobs that mix with the noise of the tap. . The sobs only stopped when the Spaniard heard the voice of the team captain, she quickly dried her tears with the back of her hands and wiped her wound, then applying a bandage that she had found lost there.

— Misa, there you are, are you okay?

— Yes Alexia is, don't worry — she replied to the goalkeeper, while rubbing her nose with the back of her right hand. — We're going to win this game, aren't we? — Misa continued as she forced a smile.

The captain wanted to find out what was wrong with her friend, she knew that Misa had been going through a turbulent period recently, but it seemed like the powder keg had finally exploded, whatever that meant for the goalkeeper. Unfortunately, there was no time for questions at that moment.

It was a calm game, as it usually was, Spain beat France 3-1 and Misa was grateful all the time for the cooperative team she was part of. Even with everything going well on the field, she still felt frustrated, she felt that her performance wasn't good enough. She ignored the parties on the field and ran, almost sobbing, to the locker room, packing her things and going to the only place that would make her feel less worse at that moment.

Leila's gym is closed on Sundays, but Misa is a long-time friend who makes it worth making an exception on some weekends, and it's a good thing the goalkeeper has a friend like Leila, who allows her to destroy her punching bag at 9 p.m. of a Sunday.

— Take it easy, I don't want to have to buy another one of these because of you. — Jokes the brunette.

— Forgive me, it was not my intention. — She replied to the goalkeeper, taking off her boxing gloves and throwing them on the floor, before sitting on the tatami mat and placing her head between her knees.

Leila didn't know what to say, so she sat next to her friend while rubbing circles on the goalkeeper's back while looking at her with a look of compassion that Misa noticed when she lifted her head and looked at her friend with eyes full of water.

Misa collapsed into Leila's arms, in a way the brunette had never seen before, the goalkeeper looked vulnerable in a way she had never seen before, she knew that her friend had to train better to express her feelings and Leila was grateful to be the one. person that Misa's heart had chosen for this, but at the same time, she missed the tough and confident Misa, now she seemed broken like an old mirror, whose pieces were scattered all over the room, and it would take time to put it all back together back.

— She's a son of a bitch, you know that, right? — Leila said, trying to break the ice.

— Don't talk about her like that. — Misa replied, with a tearful smile on her lips.

— Why not ? Look what she did to you Misa, you deserve better than that, I know you do.

— I don't know, my feelings are so confused.

— Misa, he broke your trust once again, not only that but, look what she did to you, she broke you completely, she made you forget what you were like before, that confident and playful woman who always cared about her . Misa you don't deserve her, you gave her everything she needs and how did she repay you?

Misa didn't respond, she just hugged her friend tightly, it often seemed like Leila was the only woman in her life, the only one that Misa cared about, and the goalkeeper was sorry to disappoint the brunette, even if she's right Misa can't find comfort In the current position her relationship is in, she needs to do something, even if it's what Leila feared most.

— Can I stay here today?

— Any time you want

—------------------------------------------------- --------------------------

Misa's phone rings all morning, but she doesn't answer, Leila was next to her in bed and she had already sent a message to all of Misa's teammates letting them know that she was fine, there would be no reason for the goalkeeper to answer the phone at that time.

The goalkeeper spends the day off with her friend, she would not like to return to the scene of destruction that was left in her apartment last night, she wanted, even if just for a day, to forget everything that had happened. Forget about that girl who one day she thought was the girl of her dreams. So they spent the whole day doing absolutely nothing in Leila's apartment, the only time they got up was to go to the kitchen and prepare a meal, which didn't last more than 30 minutes so they could make better use of bed.

As Misa wanted this day to last forever, she didn't want to go back to reality, even though she loved it on the field, her anxiety still scared the members of her own body, making them stiffer and her performance worse.

— Misa, let's take a break, okay? — Alexia shouted outside the penalty area, where she was training with Misa.

Alexia was worried about her friend, even though she doesn't know all the details of the situation, she notices how anxious Misa is when she is training, or before a game, when her legs shake and she bites her nails.

— You know you can always talk to me, don't you? We are very worried about you Misa. — Alexia asked during the training break.

— I'm fine Alexia, there's no need to worry. — Misa replied.

They both knew it was a lie and Alexia didn't know how to continue the conversation.

— I never got to meet her, you know, but I remember you two at the cup final and…

— Alexia, I'm fine, I already told you. — Replied the goalkeeper while taking off her gloves, she didn't want to remember that now, or ever. — We're done training for today, aren't we?

Upon leaving the training center, Misa went to her own house, she needed to clean up the mess, she had a big game in the next few days, she couldn't occupy her mind with all her problems and the best way to do that is to clean the your apartment. Well, she thought it would be, until she found her ex-girlfriend's clothes on the bed.

Misa hated herself so much, for still loving her, for thinking that this time it would be different, as she always promised, she hated herself for sitting on the bed in one of her dresses, just the one in which she asked her to be her girlfriend, she felt He hated it enough to consider sending a message to her to spend the night there, even after everything. Even after the pieces of the glass cup that had been on the floor since seven in the morning.

Misa tried to stop crying and wiped her swollen eyes on the dress that was at her side, as she thought about her next actions, with the full knowledge that she would regret it later.

Misa I have training tomorrow from 9am until 12pm, you can come at this time to pick up your things and leave your key on the kitchen table.

[anintrovertwriter]

Vinicius imagine, Forever support

I just came home after my running session. I had to keep healthy and in form, and even though Vini didn’t really like me going to run alone, I still did it. Going into the gym room on my own was impossible. I didn’t have the motivation to face it alone if I didn’t have my teacher, my handsome personal trainer.

I rushed in the shower, and when I came back, my phone was buzzing with me being tagged on Ig stories or with texts, posts about Vinicius during the press conference. Worry came.

My phone wasn’t used to this many notifications. I was used to receiving more since dating Vini, but not at this point. I was getting more and more intrigued. I wouldn’t have been if it was him but he couldn't because he didn’t have access to his phone at this time of day. We facetimed each other every morning and every night, even though we’ve been separated for just a few days. Even if he was still in Spain. It was our ritual.

He was currently for the week with the Brazilian national team for two games : one in London and the other in Sevilla against Spain.

I was supposed to come in the afternoon before the game, but everything changed the moment I left the shower.

I was quick to open the stories, and my heart broke. There was my man crying, after answering questions about racism and the situation he had to face at almost every game. Seeing him so emotional, breaking down and fighting the tears, but it was too strong, too much pain that needed to explode.

“ Solo quiero jugar al fútbol. Solo quiero jugar. Solo quiero hacerlo todo por mi club, por mi familia.”

It was too strong to carry on his own, all this hate. I never understood it , and never will. How can people be so cruel over others ? To the point of chants and a hung doll over a bridge. Cruelty beyond understatement.

So as soon as I saw that, I finished my suitcase crying for my man and took the first train to Seville, where they were staying during the international break.

On my way, I called Rodrygo, who luckily answered. He was the Brazilian I was the closest to, we were seeing each other a lot and he became my friend too. He confirmed my boyfriend’s current state, and showed me Vini’s room. I wouldn't have made it without him, so I mentally noted to thank him properly once back in Madrid. I was afraid of not being welcomed at the hotel, but they understood the situation.

It has only been a few day’s separation, but I still miss him like crazy, as always. The house felt empty without his laugh, I felt empty as well.

Rodrygo and I chatted briefly in the hotel before his physio appointment and I was finally in front of Vini’s room. I took a deep breath and knocked, worried about how I would find him.

A quiet “ Entra” was heard and I let myself in.

Laid down on his bed with his training kit on, he was scrolling on his phone. Tiredness mixed with sadness readable on his face.

He looked up, wondering about who could be there.

A few seconds passed, he was quick to change into shock, surprise and a small smile. I didn’t give him the time to get up and I knocked him down with all my strength, which was nothing compared to him.

Vinicius buried his face in my neck, his hands around my body. I felt a loving kiss under my ear and he managed, easily, to make me get back. We looked at each other.

“ Amor, what are you doing here ? Are you ok ?”

Silly him, to think about me instead of him.

“ I’m fine. I just wanted to see you, after what happened.

He sighed before guiding me to sit next to him.

I am so sorry bêbe, I said, taking his hand into mine.

It’s not your fault.

I know, but I feel so mad and sad. You don’t deserve that. No one does.

He looked at me, eyes so sad it broke my heart once more.

Maybe I got what I deserved.

Don’t ever say you’re not worth it, because that’s a horrible lie. Look what you've achieved. From Brazil to become one of the greatest football players. You use your visibility to raise your voice about something that should never exist. You have all the right to speak about your feelings, because no one should have suffered the way you do. It’s ok to fight it, because it is unbearable. I’ve never experienced it myself, but seeing you affected is unbearable. I am hurt too, but I can’t fully understand your feelings. If you’re hurt, I’m hurt. If you cry I cry. Despite everything, I believe and have faith in humanity. I’m sure we can change things, life and mentality. All together.

I breathed deeply after what could have been a speech. He was used to my rantings, but not such as this one. And I wasn’t done.

Baby, you are not alone. I’m with you. Always. If it had to be us against the world, then so be it.

He looked at me for a few seconds, smiled with gleamed eyes and simply said

Eu te amo.

Meu amor, te amo mais que tudo.

Seeing him like this, so vulnerable and sad, without his confidence made my heart shatter.

So I did what I thought was best, dropping everything to be with him. Like we always did. Talking about it, even if it was hard , he had to take some of the pain out. It was too much of a burden to carry alone. He thought it but he knew deep down he had me.

“ No one should be racially insulted because you are better than them on and outside the pitch. You are a wonderful person Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior. And I'll be more than proud to recall you everyday. “

I took a deep breath, and he let me silent before kissing me fiercely. He held my jaw and kept me close to him, like I’d ever wanted to leave his embrace.

“ I would marry you right now if I could.

My joking baby is back, I said, glad to see his smile on his face again.

I’m not kidding, I will marry you you know Y/N, he said all serious.

I can’t wait then, I said kissing his nose.”

We stayed in each other's arms for a while, our breathing the only thing heard.

“ Where are you staying tonight? You’re not coming home are you ?

No, I took all my stuff and went there as soon as I heard. I didn't think of a hotel to be honest, all I was thinking was you.

He smiled and pecked me.

O seleccionador wouldn't let you there, sadly, but I’m gonna ask the assistant to find you a hotel.

That would be great, thanks love.

Thank you anjo.

Me ? What for ? I’ve done nothing.

On the contrary. Thank you for dropping everything to come to me. for caring for me, for loving, for supporting me no matter what.

Always

Eu te amo.

Eu te amo coração. And you’ll have to score to show the world you are the best footballer in the universe

I’ll do my best amor.

And of course he did it, scored and celebrated to prove all the haters wrong, that he was stronger than them. He didn’t forget his signature heart and kiss on his wrist, where my initials laid all inked, and pointed me in the stands. I couldn't be prouder of my man.

[himehikoshrine]

Weekend Lesson Stage Script (EN)

This is the full Stage Script from the game menu for Weekend Lesson. (Apologies if there are typos, especially one's not already in the game menu version).

There is one part early on where the EN game script mixes up a few lines that I tried to put back in order (Hasekura's 'monologue' about Shiroma at the end of act one). Otherwise I tried to keep things as they are.

As with the others, there are lines and details in the stage script that are not in the performance you see in game, where they are shown only as text-over summary.

Also, as with the others, any ad-libs and such would not be here. The last-minute changes for Weekend Lesson are in line delivery, mostly, rather than lines, so it may not be as noticeable. Of course, you can access it from the game menu, if you’ve got it, but this version is searchable! Because someone else beat me to this project for Sleepless King here [x] that makes this the last of the stage scripts for the collection. You can find my transcription of Mary Jane here [x], of Oh, Rama Havenna here [x], and of all versions of Sissia of the Central Nation here [x].

Weekend Lesson

By Neji Kokuto

(1) Chapter 1

•Outside the Great Galleon

Two women walk together through a business plaza along the shoreline.

They notice a peculiar-looking building in the shape of a ship.

Kanna: Ms. Ando! There’s a ship right in the middle of the business plaza. It looks as if it’ll set sail any moment!

Ando: Oh, Kanna. There’s no way there would be a ship on land.

Ando: That’s a building designed to look like a ship. And there are no sailors in it, but office workers.

Kanna: Really? What a very unique building it is. It must be a new company.

Ando: That company’s much older than we are.

Kanna: Whaa?!

Ando: I believe you may have heard of it. The company’s name is…

Louis exits the building. 

Louis: Good morning! Good morning! 

Louis: From space exploration research to selling food and beverages, Great Galleon SJB is here!

★Dance

"We Are the Great Galleon"

Louis: Allow me to explain what our company is!

Louis: It’s been 200 years this year since our founding. An old company whose founder built up our assets through trade and said, ‘If you set sail, head for Acapulco!’ and always, always, challenge yourself!

Though I’m not sure what that means…

Louis: Our business has expanded to over a hundred countries. Our sales are on the level of national budgets, and our stocks have only been rising. Prime ministers and presidents are nothing compared to our president. Oh, but I kid. Well, probably.

Louis: Our pay? It’s good, of course. This suit is tailor made Paul Louis. ALL my personal belongings are Paul Louis. 

Louis: The work environment? Our employee benefits are perfection. Our company bistro serves nutritionally balanced, healthy meals, and our employee gym is always bustling with invigorated employees working up a sweat!

Louis: ‘Overtime’? What is THAT? Oh right, that evil concept I’ve heard so much about. Our company is nothing but wholesome, with abundant vacation time.

Louis: Recreational leave, maternity leave, family leave, confession leave. Even our crew who might get rejected from a love confession can feel at ease.

Louis: When you feel fulfilled in your private lives, your motivation to work rises. And we don’t neglect upskilling our employees, either. That all comes back in contribution to the company.

Louis: What do you think? Amazing, isn’t it? The Great Galleon SJB!”

Louis finishes his line. Everyone disperses.

Next to Louis, Hasekura hurriedly exits the building.

Hasekura: Documents… Documents…

Louis: Hasekura? If it isn’t Hasekura! Good morning my friend, my colleague!

Hasekura: Ah… Good morning, Louis.

Louis: You weren’t at dinner with our group the other day. What’s the matter? We go out every month, remember? 

Hasekura: I thought I’d bring down the mood if I went, so I didn’t go. Once a month is pretty frequent, too…

Louis: What are you talking about?! Everyone missed you. It’s ONLY once a month!

Hasekura: I’ll try and join next time. Well, I have to go turn in these documents. 

Louis cuts off Hasekura as he tries to get away.

Louis: We were talking at the dinner, you know.

Hasekura: Y-Yeah? About what?

Louis: You see, I’ve actually been entrusted with a big project coming up.

Hasekura: You really are amazing. You’re the star performer out of all of us hired that year. Tell me more about it at the next dinner. I’m just going to turn in these documents…

Louis cuts off Hasekura as he tries to get away.

Louis: I’m being told a promotion’s just around the corner for me, but I really like not having the responsibility, so I’m in a bit of a tough spot.

Hasekura: Oh, I see. I can understand that.

Louis: Though I know I should happily accept being able to be part of a new project as the result of my hard work.

Hasekura: Right yeah, that’s true. So, I’ll just be submitting these documents…

Louis grabs Hasekura’s shoulders as he tries to get away.

Louis: it’s just, I can’t handle this project alone.

Louis: The ship’s captain, no matter how skilled he is, can’t overcome stormy waters without a crew…

Hasekura: Yeah… I got caught in another long talk with Louis.

Hasekura: I’m at fault. I’m at fault for trying to walk past him…

Louis: …In other words, I want you to help me. You’ll do it, won’t you Hasekura?

Hasekura: Huh? What was that?

Louis: I’m saying I want you to join the project that was entrusted to me!

Hasekura: Me? I can’t, Louis! I’m not as talented as you. I’ll just get in everyone’s way.

Louis: Hasekura… you gotta aim higher. ‘If you set sail, head for Acapulco!’ Right?

Louis: Your guardian angel can’t help you fly if you stay curled up and looking down like that all the time. You gotta change, Hasekura!

Hasekura: S-Sure…

Mukai: Hasekura, there you are.

Mukai: Our boss was making a fuss about not having the documents they needed first thing in the morning.

Hasekura: Mukai, I’m sorry. I got to work early today, but…

Louis: Oh, if it isn’t Hasekura’s subordinate, Mukai. How are you this fine day?

Mukai: Louis, I see you’re the culprit.

Mukai: Hasekura’s supposed to get the negotiation documents for Europe to our boss. Please don’t hold him up.

Hasekura: Er, no Mukai, I’m the one at fault.

Louis: Mukai, can you convince Hasekura here? He really should join my project.

Louis: If he does, you can join the project, too. We can open a path to success together. You ever heard this before? ‘If you set sail’…

Mukai: Where Hasekura needs to head isn’t Acapulco, but our boss’s desk.

Mukai: Besides, if you have that big of a project, shouldn’t you be busy as well?

Louis: Ah, that’s right! I had a meeting first thing in the morning. Sorry, Hasekura, Mukai, I’ll take my leave now!

Louis leaves.

Hasekura: I’m sorry, Mukai. I caused you trouble.

Mukai: A project, huh? Isn’t there a possibility he’ll just use you however he needs and take all the credit himself?

Hasekura: I think he really just wants to give me a chance, since I’m so hopeless.

Mukai: Do you want to do that project?

Hasekura: I… Well…

Mukai: For now you just need to get those documents submitted. Please get going. 

Hasekura: Yes. Understood.

Two employees pop out of the shadows.

Employee A: What a fun Friday it is. The golden glittering of the world after 5 PM

Employee B: The things we want to do are as countless as the stars. What should we do today?

Employee A: Oh my, Hasekura. How are you today? What sort of fun are you going to have today?

Hasekura: Er, no, I’m just… going to go home and do nothing, I guess.

Employee A: Oh my, what a lazybones!

Employee B: Then what about tomorrow? How do you spend your days off?

Hasekura: I sleep until noon on my days off… And then do nothing… And then sleep when it’s nighttime, I guess.

Employee B: Ohhh, how dreadful!

Employee A: You need to sparkle more!

Employee B: She’s right, how about you come out with us?

Hasekura: Er, uh, well…

Employee A: We’ll find a way to bring your life to life!

Mukai: Stop.

Employee A: Oh, if it isn’t Mukai! What are your plans today?

Mukai: We’re in the middle of work right now, so we can’t talk.

Employee B: Well, aren’t you all business. I see a hint of a cool sparkle in your eye.

Mukai: Hasekura, let’s go.

Hasekura: R-Right… Excuse us.

Hasekura stops after walking for a short while.

Hasekura: I’m sorry, Mukai…

Mukai: This company has a lot of people who love themselves and want to make others their little clones. 

Hasekura: I feel like I’m being targeted because I’m such a boring person…

Mukai: How about picking up a hobby? It’ll be a good shield for you, too.

Mukai: Is there anything you’re interested in?

Hasekura: There’s nothing I can think of… Ah.

Mukai: It’s Shiroma from reception.

Shiroma: Hasekura, Mukai. Hello.

Mukai: Hello.

Hasekura: …

Shiroma: Well, goodbye.

Hasekura watches her walk away, unable to say anything.

Mukai: Are you okay not saying hello to Shiroma?

Hasekura: I didn’t?!

Mukai: I certainly didn’t hear it.

Hasekura: Damn it…

Mukai: Let’s just get those documents submitted. I’ll come with you.

Hasekura: Sorry…

Monologue

Hasekura: Rome…

Hasekura: Our company is a large corporation where anyone would want to work. It must have been due to some mistake that I was able to get in.

Hasekura: I have no place here. All my peers are climbing higher into the distance as I continue to cause trouble to my subordinates.

Hasekura: Throughout it all, she is my only source of peace. Her gentle smile comforts me. 

Hasekura: She is a faraway land to me. My Rome. A beautiful capital, just out of reach. 

(2) Chapter 2

•Bistro

Mukai: Excuse me. Two iced coffees please.

Mukai: Hasekura, we’ve finished putting together the project overview.

Hasekura: Sorry… I somehow got you involved in Louis’s project. 

Mukai: It’ll help me develop my skills, so it’s no big deal.

Mukai: Are you sure you’re all right being a part of the team?

Hasekura: Someone like me is being allowed to join on a big project. I should be grateful for the opportunity…

Mukai: But…

The door opens

Mukai: …Hm? Speak of the devil. It’s Louis.

Louis: …

Hasekura: Oh, you’re right…!

Shiroma: …

Hasekura: Shiroma! Why is she with Louis… 

Hasekura: …

Hasekura: Mukai, I’m heading back to the office.

Mukai: But the iced coffees aren’t here yet.

Hasekura: B-But…

Louis: Aren’t I lucky to find you here during lunch? Having lunch with you would make the food even more delicious!

Shiroma: Oh, Suzuki. You’re such a sweet-talker.

Louis: Call me Louis. That’s what everyone calls me. Also, I really meant what I said. 

Louis: How about dinner sometime? I know a good place.

Shiroma: Sure, if the opportunity comes up.

Hasekura: …

Mukai: The star performer of the office and its most captivating beauty having lunch together. A pair that would stir the hearts of anyone who laid eyes upon them.

Hasekura: Hahh… You’re right…

Mukai: …

Mukai: Are you sure you’re all right with this, Hasekura? This work, the accolades, and the woman you admire are all in your coworker’s sights.

Hasekura: Huh?! It’s not like I…

Mukai: How about you try going after them yourself? Some things can change with just one word, just one step.

Hasekura: Er…

Hasekura: I don’t have that kind of strength. 

Mukai: Hahh. Let’s go. We can still get out now without having to talk to them.

Hasekura: O-Okay…

Fade out

•City (Night)

Hasekura: …Hahh.

Hasekura: The city’s bustling tonight. It is a Friday, I guess.

Hasekura: Maybe I should wander around a bit.

Shiroma: …

Hasekura: …?!

Hasekura: That’s… Shiroma… Oh no, she’s coming this way!

Footsteps come closer, then fade away.

Hasekura: Oh good, she didn’t see me. Er, no, wait, why did I hide? I should have just greeted her!

Hasekura: I wonder where she’s going? It’s dangerous for someone as pretty as her to be walking the streets alone… 

Hasekura: …

Hasekura follows behind Shiroma

•Outside the Ando Dance Studio

Shiroma: …

Shiroma walks up the stairs.

Hasekura: Is this where Shiroma was headed?

Hasekura: There’s a sign… ‘Ando Dance Studio’?

Hasekura: Is she learning how to dance? I wonder what style of dance it is…

Ando: They’re social dances.

Hasekura: Huh?

Ando: Good evening. 

Hasekura: A, h-hello! Er, I was just interested in dance, so…

Ando: Then would you like to observe a class?

Hasekura: Aaaahh, no, no! I’m sure it would be a bother to the instructor and their students. I’m a beginner, I’ve never danced before…

Ando: Oh no, beginners are more than welcome. I can assure you that these are the words of the dance instructor.

Hasekura: The dance instructor…? Er, are you the one teaching the class?

Ando: Yes. Come on in.

Hasekura: Ah… Okay…

•Inside the Ando Dance Studio

Ando: I’m back.

Kanna: Welcome back!

Kanna: Oh? Who’s the new guy?

Ando: This person is…

Shiroma: Hasekura?

Hasekura: …Shiroma.

Ando: Oh, Shiroma, do you know him?

Shiroma: Yes, he’s a coworker of mine.

Kanna: A coworker? So he works at Great Galleon SJB?!

Kanna: Then he’s part of the corporate elite!

Hasekura: I just happened to get in on a fluke.

Shiroma: But still, why are you here, Hasekura?

Hasekura: Er, well…

Ando interrupts to help him.

Ando: You mentioned you were interested in dance, right?

Hasekura: Ah, yes, that’s right. Are you learning dance here too, Shiroma?

Shiroma: No, I…

Kanna: Shiroma occasionally comes to watch me dance! She used to do social dancing during college.

Shiroma: I don’t anymore, though. Do you have any experience dancing, Hasekura?

Hasekura: I’m a complete beginner, actually…

Shiroma: You’ll be able to dance right away under Ms. Ando’s guidance.

Shiroma: All right, I’ll be leaving now… Hasekura, do your best, okay?

Hasekura: R-Right!

Sounds of footsteps leaving and the door closing.

Hasekura: Shiroma…

Kanna: Hasekura. You didn’t come here chasing after Shiroma, did you?

Hasekura: Wha-?!

Kanna: There were people like that during college, too.

Kanna: Are you sure you’re interested in dance and not Shiroma?!

Hasekura: I-It’s not what you’re thinking!

Ando: Kanna, don’t be rude now.

Kanna: Shiroma hates people like that!

Hasekura: I’m joining!

Ando: Oh?

Hasekura: Please let me join your class!

Ando: Are you sure?

Hasekura: Please.

Ando: …All right. Well, since we’re here, how about we start the lesson.

Hasekura: O-Okay.

Hasekura: Oh, no… Am I going to be okay? I’ve never danced before.

Hasekura: And this is social dancing at that. The thought of dancing with women is just too much for me…

Ando: Let’s try walking first.

Hasekura: Walking? In a dance class?

Ando: Yes. Try walking straight and coming back here.

Hasekura: All right.

Hasekura: …I should be able to manage this much.

Sounds of footsteps retreating and then approaching.

Ando: I see. I got it now.

Hasekura: Got what?

Ando: I have an idea of how you’ll improve, Mr. Hasekura.

Ando: Posture is important in social dancing. Mr. Hasekura, can you try walking one more time?

Hasekura: Like this?

Ando: Stop!

Hasekura: Okay!

Ando: Hasekura, look in the mirror. How would you describe your posture?

Kanna: He’s slouching forward with a tilted pelvis!

Hasekura: …What she said.

Ando: Ugh, Kanna!

Ando: Hasekura, let’s start with shoulders back.

Hasekura: Like this?

Ando: Yes. From there, hold your head upright with your chin parallel to the floor. Make sure your line of sight doesn’t drop to the floor.

Hasekura: Right…

Ando: Look again in the mirror.

Hasekura: My posture’s better.

Ando: Right? Now let’s try walking again. Push off your back foot and land on the heel, rolling forward to the ball.

Hasekura: Push off my foot and land on my heel, rolling forward to the ball…

Hasekura wobbles along unsteadily.

Hasekura: Huh? This is hard… I’m only walking.

Ando: It’ll get easier if you count while walking. One-two, one-two.

Hasekura: One… two, one, two…

Hasekura continues learning to walk. 

Fade out.

Ando: All right. That’s it for today’s class. Good work, everyone.

Hasekura: It’s over already? All I did was walk…

Ando: But you’re tired, right?

Hasekura: Well… yes.

Ando: As you go about your day, keep an eye on your posture in any reflections that you pass by.

Ando: All right then, I’ll see you next Friday!

•City (Night)

Hasekura: I’ve gotten myself into a predicament…

Hasekura: I’ll just make some excuse and drop out after a while… Hm?

Hasekura: I can see my reflection in a showroom window.

Hasekura: The posture I learned in class… was like this, I think.

He fixes his posture in front of the glass, which worsens again as he starts walking. He fixes his posture in front of another pane of glass. He exits the stage with his posture somewhat improved.

(3) Chapter 3

•Dance Studio

Ando: Good evening, Hasekura. Let’s begin today by practicing how to walk again.

Hasekura: Okay.

Hasekura walks.

Footsteps.

Ando: Much better than last week! I see you’ve been practicing.

Hasekura: There’s just a lot of mirrors and glass around town…

Ando: But there are people who improve and those who don’t. You’re clearly the type to apply yourself and get results, Hasekura.

Hasekura: Oh, no, it’s not…

Ando: Now then, let’s add something else to the walking today.

Ando: And that will be me.

Hasekura: What do you mean?

Ando: I’ll walk alongside you, Hasekura. Try walking while adjusting your pace to mine.

Ando: All right, let’s go.

She begins teaching blues dancing for beginners.

Ando: Front, front… side.

Hasekura: Side? L-Like this?

Ando: Yes. Next, back, back…side!

Hasekura: Like this…

Ando: Now just repeat those steps. Front-front-side, back-back-side.

Hasekura: Front, front, side, back, back, side…

Ando: Yes, not bad. Now let’s use our hands.

Ando: Hasekura, try stretching your right hand out straight forward.

Hasekura reaches his right hand out forward.

Ando: Gently curl your hand as if you’re carrying a ball.

Hasekura slowly curves his right hand.

Hasekura: Like this?

Ando: Yes. And now your left. Stretch out your left arm to the side and bend your joints upward.

Hasekura: Like… this?

Ando: Yes. Now let’s incorporate the steps. Front, front, side. Back, back, side.

Hasekura: Ah…this… makes me feel like I’m dancing.

Ando: You are dancing, in fact.

Hasekura: Really?!

Ando: Social dancing looks difficult at a glance, but it’s easy once you get the hang of it.

Ando: All right. Lastly, clasp your left hand with mind and put your right arm around my waist. 

Hasekura: Huh?!

Ando: Now, let’s dance! Front, front, side. Back, back, side!

Ando: Say it with me, Hasekura!

Hasekura: R-Right. Front, front, side! Back, back, side…

Ando: You’re dancing!

Hasekura: Dancing… I’m dancing…

The two of them dance.

Fade out.

Hasekura: Even someone like me can dance…

Hasekura: Er, no, it’s just because you’re a good teacher. I didn’t really do anything.

Ando: You’re able to dance because you took this practice seriously.

Hasekura: Th-Thank you…!

Ando: Let’s learn a new step while you’re still in that mindset of success.

Hasekura: O-Okay!

(4) Chapter 4

•Office

Employee A: Another Friday’s come again at last.

Employee B: A golden spark to set off our weekend.

Hasekura: …

Employee A: Oh dear, Hasekura. Where are you off to in such a rush?

Employee B: Will you be getting into some mischief this weekend?

Hasekura: Er, no, I don’t have any plans in particular…

Employee A: Ever the layabout! Why not come out with us, then?

Employee B: She’s right, Hasekura. Let us share our sparkle with you.

Hasekura: No, I… E-Excuse me!

Employee A: Aww, a pity what a sloth he is! That Brian Hasekura!

Employee B: Friday after five is when we come alive! Enjoy yourself amongst the living, Brian!

Mukai: …

Mukai: It’s pretty unusual for Hasekura to turn someone down so firmly…

•Dance Studio

Hasekura: I got here earlier than usual. I’ll practice the steps I learned from last time…

Kanna: Hey, Ms. Ando. Are you really not entering competitions anymore?

Hasekura: …?

Ando: Not this again, Kanna.

Kanna: but you studied dance abroad and even joined an international competition!

Kanna: You were the one who inspired me to dance, Ms. Ando!

Kanna: I want to see you shine in the spotlight…!

Ando: Forget about that. It’s all in the past now…

Ando: Ah! Hasekura…

Hasekura: G-Good evening… Um.

Kanna: I’m going home for today.

Ando: Kanna!

Footsteps of Kanna leaving. 

Ando: …Hahh.

Hasekura: Ms. Ando…

Ando: I’m sorry. Let’s begin practice. 

The two of them dance awkwardly.

Hasekura: Ms. Ando… Should we end the lesson for today?

Ando: no, it’s fine…!

Ando: I’m sorry. I really am no good.

Ando: Hasekura, would you mind if I asked you to join me for a moment? 

Hasekura: I’ll do what I can.

Ando: All right then, let’s go!

Hasekura: Huh? Where? Whoa!

Ando rushes out of the studio, pulling Hasekura by the hand.

•Piano Lounge.

Hasekura: Is this… a bar?

Ando: It’s a piano lounge.

Sound of the door opening.

Piano music can be heard playing. 

Hasekura: I see. Everyone’s dancing to the music.

Ando: You can dance with anyone you find interesting. Just approach whoever you like.

Hasekura: Er, ah, no, um…

Ando: Heh… Then may I have this dance?

★Song

“Ms. Robin”

Hasekura: It’s really difficult to dance with other people around! I keep bumping into everyone.

Ando: A bit different from the studio, isn’t it? You have to find an open spot. Over there, look.

Ando leads Hasekura

Hasekura: Wow, we got through.

Ando: Heh…

Ando: …

Ando: Hasekura, do you enjoy dancing?

Hasekura: Huh…?

Ando: The truth is… you came to the classroom because you were curious about Shiroma, weren’t you?

Hasekura: …!

Ando: I apologize if I’m mistaken.

Hasekura: …What got me started, was exactly what you said.

Ando: If dancing is challenging for you, then…

Hasekura: Ah…

Hasekura: I was surprised that even a person like me could dance.

Ando: Huh…?

Hasekura: I can’t accomplish anything at all, so it made me happy to be praised for being able to dance. 

Ando: But you work for a famous company with so much history.

Hasekura: There’s no overtime and it’s easy to take paid leave. It encourages a good work-life balance. It’s the perfect place to work.

Ando: That sounds lovely.

Hasekura: I’m sure it would be for normal people. But I want to work overtime, and I don’t want to go on vacation. 

Ando: Huh?

Hasekura: I’d rather work at my own pace than rush myself just to get out on time, even if it means working overtime.

Hasekura: I feel worthless, having nothing to do when I have so many empty days off. I would rather work in that case.

Hasekura: Everything about it that others envy just feels like pressure to me. 

Ando: Ah, I’m sorry… How rude of me.

Hasekura: No, I’m just fighting against the times. It’s my own fault. I’m surpassed by my peers, I cause trouble to my subordinates, and I’m just a boring guy.

Ando: That’s not true at all!

Hasekura: Huh?

Ando: To me, you’re a fun person to be around, Hasekura.

Hasekura: Fun? Me?

Ando: Yes. I mean, someone once so afraid of dance is now dancing out in public.

Ando: I’ve never witnessed such an incredible change. 

Ando: Seeing you now makes me feel proud for starting my own studio.

Ando: Yes, it was a good thing to have gone down this path…

Ando: …Hasekura! Let’s dance with more liveliness!

Hasekura: Whoa… W-Wait, Ms. Ando!

Hasekura and Ando dance together.

The song ends and the stage fades to black

(5) Chapter 5

•Office

Mukai: …

Hasekura: …What is it, Mukai?

Mukai: Hasekura, recently… You’ve gotten taller, haven’t you?

Hasekura: Taller? I don’t think I could suddenly grow taller at my age.

Mukai: You look more fit.

Hasekura: You’re just imagining things.

Mukai: Other employees around us were talking about how you’ve been looking more handsome lately. 

Hasekura: Huh?! I’m sure it’s just mockery… Oh.

Mukai: What is it?

Hasekura: The social dance class…

Mukai: Social dance?

Hasekura: Oh, no, it’s nothing.

Mukai: Did you start a dance class?

Hasekura: Yeah… It’s strange for a guy like me to be dancing, huh?

Mukai: No, though it is unexpected. So that’s why your posture and movements have changed. 

Hasekura: My posture’s just slightly improved, that’s all…

Shiroma: Mukai, Hasekura. Hello.

Hasekura: Ah, hello. 

Mukai: Hello.

Shiroma: Let’s all work hard today.

Shiroma leaves. 

Mukai: You’re even able to greet her now.

Hasekura: Ah… Y-Yeah…

Mukai: It’s Friday today. How about you keep up that momentum and ask her out on a date?

Hasekura: Wh-What are you talking about?! There’s no way I can do that. Besides…

Mukai: Besides?

Hasekura: I have dance class today…

Mukai: …He really has changed.

•Dance Studio

Hasekura: Hello.

Kanna: Oh, Hasekura! Perfect timing! Listen to this!

Hasekura: What is it?

Kanna: Shiroma will be joining us today!

Shiroma: Come on, Kanna, you’re making a fuss.

Hasekura: Shiroma!

Shiroma: Hello, Hasekura. I’ve heard your dancing has improved.

Hasekura: No, it really hasn’t…

Ando: …

Ando: We must let Shiroma see what you can do, Hasekura. Now then, let’s begin…

Sound of a door swinging open energetically. 

Louis: Pardon me! The name’s Louis of the Great Galleon SJB!

Hasekura: Louis?!

Louis: I heard you were in this dance class, Hasekura! Why didn’t you tell me? I’m hurt! …Oh?

Shiroma: Louis.

Louis: If it isn’t Miss Shiroma.

Hasekura: Louis, what are you doing here…?

Mukai: Louis, please don’t do anything rash!

Hasekura: Mukai?!

Shiroma: Mukai.

Ando: Hasekura, Shiroma… You know them?

Hasekura: We all work together at the same company. Mukai, what’s going on?

Mukai: When I mentioned you were taking a dance class, Louis said he wanted to learn, too.

Louis: After seeing how much Hasekura changed from a simple dance class, I wanted to try it out, too!

Louis: But I had no idea Miss Shiroma would be here as well.

Hasekura: Shiroma’s just here to watch her friend dance. Don’t make it out to be something strange. 

Louis: Come to think of it, I remember talking about this at lunch the other day, Shiroma. That you learned dance in your days as a student. 

Louis: I’m sure Miss Shiroma’s dancing must be quite lovely. Don’t you think, Hasekura?

Hasekura: What are you saying, Louis? That’s…

Kanna: …

Kanna: Oh! How about this, then?

Kanna: The two of you compete against each other in dance, and whoever wins can dance with Shiroma!

Shiroma: Kanna?!

Ando: What are you talking about, Kanna?

Kanna: There’s a dance party hosted by the Ando Dance Studio in a month, right?

Kanna: It’s an event where people young and old gather to have fun dancing.

Kanna: So Hasekura and his talkative friend can compete to see who’s better at dancing, and the one who stands out most can dance with Shiroma. 

Kanna: Wouldn’t it be romantic to see two men fighting over who gets to be her partner? 

Ando: Kanna, that’s hardly the purpose of a dance contest.

Louis: No, it’s an interesting idea! I don’t have any experience with dance, though I do have confidence in my physical abilities.

Louis: I’m sure I won’t lose to Hasekura.

Mukai: …!

Mukai: Louis, you’re always like this!

Hasekura: Mukai?

Mukai: You’re always trying to show off your superiority by looking down on Hasekura!

Louis: You’ve got it all wrong, Mukai. I’m only speaking the truth.

Mukai: It’s even worse that you don’t realize what you’re doing!

Mukai: Shiroma, this competition is just idiotic, but how about accepting his terms? I won’t feel satisfied until Louis’s arrogance is beaten down!

Hasekura: What’s wrong? Calm down, Mukai. This isn’t like you.

Mukai: I’m completely calm!

Shiroma: …All right. I do enjoy dancing. I’ll practice dancing for the party.

Hasekura: Shiroma?!

Louis: That settles it, then. I apologize for the fuss. Who’s the one in charge here?

Ando: … That would be me.

Louis: A pleasure to meet you. My name’s Louis. I’d like to ask for your guidance. 

Ando: Everyone has their own personality, so I won’t be teaching you the same way as I do him. Let’s find a dance style that suits you.

Louis: Now that sounds promising. How about we get right into practice? Strike while the iron’s hot, as they say.

Hasekura: …

•Outside

Hasekura: That was a surprise. I didn’t think you’d come to the studio, Mukai.

Mukai: I’m sorry… This is all because I mentioned your dance class to Louis.

Mukai: And on top of that, I made everyone agree to that stupid competition…

Hasekura: There’s no use trying to change what’s been decided. I’ll just do what I can, though I think it’ll be difficult to win.

Mukai: Hasekura, you’ve been practicing all this time, right? Louis is starting just today, so…

Hasekura: You saw him, didn’t you? He only just started and he’s memorized steps and begun dancing already.

Hasekura: If he keeps getting better at this pace, he’ll pass me in no time.

Mukai: That’s not true!

Hasekura: Mukai?

Mukai: Do your best. You can win for sure.

Hasekura: I’m sure you’re just being considerate. Don’t worry about me. I’m the one at fault, not being able to do things a normal person can do.

Mukai: …

Mukai: I’m sick of hearing that!

Hasekura: …Urk?! Mukai...?

Mukai: Whenever anything happens you’re always saying, ‘It’s my fault,’ ‘It’s my fault,’ but what did you ever do that was so wrong?!

Mukai: If you keep saying how much you’re at fault, what do you want me to say?!

Mukai: Would you be satisfied if I told you that you were at fault?!

Hasekura: Mukai, I didn’t mean it like that…

Mukai: Every time you demean yourself like that, it hurts me too!

Hasekura: Mukai…

Mukai: Damn it… Excuse me!

Hasekura: Mukai! Mukai!

Sound of Mukai running off.

Hasekura: Mukai…

Ando: …Hasekura.

Hasekura: Ms. Ando! Ah…

Ando: I’m sorry. I overheard your conversation.

Hasekura: No, it’s my fault… Ah.

Hasekura: …

Hasekura: Mukai’s a new hire who’s always calm and considerate. I should be leading by example, but I only ever cause him trouble… 

Hasekura: he’s such a strong person, I never imagined that he could be hurt by anything. 

Hasekura: No, I never even thought that he might feel that way.

Hasekura: That he would be hurt on my behalf. All because of me….

•Office

People cross paths within the office.

Hasekura is looking around for Mukai

Hasekura: …

Hasekura: How am I supposed to face him now…

Mukai: Good morning.

Hasekura: Mukai…!

Mukai: What’s the matter? let’s get going.

Hasekura: R-Right…

Hasekura: Mukai, about last week…

Mukai: Let’s just call off the competition.

Hasekura: Wha…

Mukai: It’s ridiculous to be forced into some contest because someone else wanted it, when you’re only doing dance as a hobby.

Mukai: I’ll go around and apologize to everyone.

Hasekura: Mukai.

Mukai: I’m just like all the others, trying to push their own ideals on how you should live your life.

Mukai: This was what I wanted, not you. The whole thing is my fault.

Hasekura: No, it’s not!

Mukai: Hasekura…!

Hasekura: I know you said it for my sake.

Hasekura: You should come to the dance party, too.

Hasekura: I’ll win against Louis.

Mukai: …

Hasekura: Er, well, I don’t want to pressure you, so…

Mukai: I’ll come… No, I want to support you.

Mukai: I believe you’ll be able to win, Hasekura.

Hasekura: Mukai… Right!

(6) Chapter 6

•Dance Studio

Louis: Hasekura, I’m glad that I’ll finally get to see your A-game today.

Hasekura: I’m not sure ‘A-game’ is what I would call it, but I am taking this seriously.

Kanna: They’re totally fired up! This is so exciting!

Ando: There’s only a short amount of time, so let’s choose one type of dance for each of you and practice it thoroughly.

Ando: I believe a quick, lively step dance would suit Louis. You’re good at them, right Kanna?

Kanna: Leave all the footwork to me! I’ll be a great partner for you.

Louis: Looking forward to it, Miss Kanna.

Kanna: Wow, he’s so cool!

Ando: Hasekura will learn an elegant waltz. I’ll be your partner.

Hasekura: Thank you very much.

Ando: now then, let’s all work hard for the dance contest! 

Everyone begins practicing.

Louis and Kanna dance with nimble footsteps

Kanna: One, two, three, one, two, three! Wow, you’re really good, Louis!

Louis: Haha, thanks!

Ando: They seem like a good pair.

Mukai: …

Ando: Hasekura?

Hasekura: So that’s what Louis looks like.

Ando: You see him every day at the office, don’t you?

Hasekura: I do, but… I’ve never really looked at his face.

•Outside

Louis: All right, see you next week, Hasekura!

Hasekura: Right.

Hasekura: …I’m not used to seeing coworkers after work like this.

Ando: Hasekura.

Hasekura: Ms. Ando. What is it. 

Ando: Well… I was just thinking about what you said while we were dancing.

Hasekura: Yeah…

Hasekura: Up until now, I’ve always looked down as if to avoid others’ attention. I never tried to look them in the eye.

Hasekura: But now that Louis and I are competing, I’ve looked directly at him for the first time.

Hasekura: He was dancing his best and breaking a sweat… He might actually be a hard worker. 

Hasekura: It was sort of a revelation to me, after only feeling intimidated by him for so long. 

Hasekura: I’m starting to feel like dancing has made me notice things I wasn’t able to before.

Ando: Hasekura…

Kanna: Wow, that’s so amazing!

Hasekura: …?

Ando: Kanna?

Kanna: Louis and Hasekura are steadily getting better and better! My idea was a huge success!

Shiroma: Jeez, getting everyone involved, too…

Hasekura: Shiroma’s with her…

Ando: The two of them are going to dinner, I imagine. 

Hasekura: They’re close, huh…

Kanna: You’re so lucky, Shiroma. I’m jealous two guys are competing over you.

Kanna: Hey, so what are Louis and Hasekura like at work?

Shiroma: Louis is popular within the company and well known in general. He was recently put in charge of a big project. 

Kanna: And Hasekura?

Shiroma: Hasekura is…

Shiroma: Scary.

Hasekura: …?!

Ando: Oh…?

Kanna: Scary? How so?

Shiroma: Hasekura seems somewhat hollow inside… I don’t know what he could be thinking about.

Shiroma: I get scared every time our eyes meet. I’m always smiling awkwardly to brush it off.

Hasekura: …!

Kanna: Ohh, no way! Tell me the details over dinner!

Sounds of the two of them leaving.

Ando: Hasekura…

Hasekura: I-I’m sorry. Haha… I feel bad for eavesdropping on them during such an awkward conversation.

Hasekura: Just when I thought I was starting to be able to see things I couldn’t, who knew I’d also realize I wasn’t actually seeing the things I thought I did. 

Hasekura: I really am no good. It’s not a new problem for me. I’m at fault. I’m… I’m…

Ando: You’re not at fault.

Hasekura: …!

Ando: You’re not at fault Hasekura. You’re not…

Ando: Hasekura. Let’s dance.

Hasekura: But, I just don’t feel like it right now…

Ando: And that’s why you should. Cast off in a stormy night and your boat will simply sink. 

Ando: At times like these, you need to keep warm and wait it out until the sea calms down.

•Dance Studio

A waltz plays.

Hasekura: …

Ando: …

Hasekura: …There’s a part of me that can see why Shiroma would be scared of me.

Hasekura: But… it still made me sad to hear it.

Ando: …

Hasekura: …I’m going to forfeit the competition.

Hasekura: I don’t want to do anything to scare Shiroma any further. 

Hasekura: And I think… I should quit dancing as well.

Hasekura: I’ll just return to my life from before… That’ll be fine. I don’t need anything…

Ando: Are you really all right with that?

Hasekura: I am.

Ando: Then, why do you look so sad?

Hasekura: …

Ando: I know I shouldn’t be talking about this right now, but I don’t think Shiroma was actually afraid of you. 

Hasekura: But she said…

Ando: I know. I heard it too, after all. But, I just can’t believe it…

Ando: She was listening intently about how you were progressing. She was smiling as she said you were amazing.

Hasekura: Then why…

Ando: I don’t know. But if you end things now, you’ll never know the answer.

Ando: Hasekura, do you really want to stand still for the rest of your life?

Hasekura: …

Hasekura: …I don’t want to stand still.

Hasekura: …I guess I was having fun. Dance felt like the first thing I was capable of doing in my life.

Hasekura: Yeah, that’s right. I’m having fun. I may be in pain, but even now, I’m still having fun dancing.

Hasekura: …I don’t want to stop.

Ando: …Ah.

Hasekura: What is it?

Ando: It’s because you smiled, Hasekura.

Hasekura: I did? I didn’t realize… 

Hasekura: It’s hard to believe I could smile when I’m on the verge of tears.

Ando: It’s because of dance.

Hasekura: No, it’s because of you, Ms. Ando…

Ando: Me?

Hasekura: Ah, it’s nothing… Is it okay if we dance a while longer?

Ando: Sure.

(7) Chapter 7

•Dance Studio

Ando: One, two, three, one, two, three… Yes, perfect.

Hasekura: Thank you very much.

Kanna: Louis, you’re so good!

Louis: Thanks!

Hasekura: He’s really improved a lot.

Hasekura: I was just thinking that he might be a hard worker, but now I’m actually a bit frustrated. 

Hasekura: Maybe it’s because I don’t want to lose.

Ando: You have your own strengths, Hasekura.

Ando: I’ll be dancing in a way that highlights those strengths, so don’t you worry.

Hasekura: Thank you…

Hasekura: …

Hasekura: But if that’s the case, won’t you feel held back, Ms. Ando?

Ando: You’re the star here, Hasekura. You don’t need to worry about anything like that. Now then, let’s dance.

Hasekura: Ms. Ando…

Hasekura and Ando dance.

Ando: One, two, three, one, two, three…

Hasekura: …

Hasekura: Do you ever feel like you want to stand out, Ms. Ando?

Ando: Huh? …Well, there was a time in the past when I did.

Hasekura: In the past?

Ando: When I did competitions as a dancer, I would think things like, ‘I’ll be the most dazzling person in this hall!’

Hasekura: That’s normal if you’re in a competition, isn’t it?

Ando: That’s what I thought, too. But…

Ando: At some point, I would only be satisfied by being commended with awards. 

Ando: I danced not because i wanted to dance, but because I wanted to win awards.

Ando: Maybe that’s why dance became less and less fun for me…

Ando: One day, I just quit and turned my back on it. I swore to never enter another competition again. 

Hasekura: I never imagined…

Ando: I didn’t want to use dance as a way to fight.

Ando: But I think my thinking has changed a little.

Hasekura: …?

Ando: Hasekura, your improvement was faster after it was decided you would have this competition, right?

Ando: I feel there are things that can improve when you compete with others.

Ando: I felt perhaps that my days competing were not a waste.

Hasekura: Ms. Ando…

Ando: Well, let’s end here for today. I’ll see you next week, Hasekura.

Hasekura: …

Kanna and Louis are about to head home.

Hasekura: Kanna.

Kanna: Hm? Yeah?

Hasekura: Do you have a moment…?

(8) Chapter 8

•Party Hall

Louis: The day’s finally here, huh, Hasekura?!

Hasekura: Yeah…

Shiroma: …

Hasekura: Shiroma is smiling in her usual way…

Mukai: Hasekura.

Hasekura: Mukai.

Mukai: I know you’ll be great out there.

Ando: I’m the host of this dance party, and my motto is to have fun. You have some freedom here, too. Please dance to your heart’s content.

Louis: I’ll go first. Watch me.

Hasekura: Yeah, all right. Do your best.

Louis: …

Louis: Hey, Hasekura, I envy you, you know?

Hasekura: Huh…?

Louis: No matter what happens, you’re always firmly grounded and work steadily through any sort of boring work. And you do it so well. 

Louis: You’re the exact opposite of me. I respect you for that.

Hasekura: Louis… 

Louis: That’s why I won’t lose. All right, I’m up. Miss Kanna, may I have your hand?

Kanna: Yes!

Mukai: I never knew that’s how Louis felt…

Hasekura: …

Music for a quick step dance plays.

Ando: Louis is much better now than when he’s practicing. I see he’s the type who does his best performing for an audience.

Mukai: He’s so good, even an amateur like me can tell…

Hasekura: He’s our star performer in our group at work, after all.

The music changes to a waltz. 

Mukai: The song has changed. 

Ando: It’s finally time.

Hasekura: I wish I could tell myself from a few months ago that I’d be dancing in a competition here.

Ando: I wonder how you’d respond.

Hasekura: ‘I don’t really know how, but I’m sure they just let me in on a fluke.’ 

Ando: Heh heh. All right then, let’s dance. 

Hasekura: Yes.

Louis: I wonder what sort of moves we’ll see from Hasekura.

Kanna: I’m sure you’ll be surprised.

Kanna: By him AND Ms. Ando!

Ando: Let’s relax and enjoy ourselves.

Hasekura: Right.

Ando: One, two, three, one, two, three…

Hasekura: One, two, three, one, two, three…!

Ando: …?!

Hasekura begins dancing, leading Ando.

Louis: Hasekura’s leading? 

Hasekura dances so that Ando stands out.

Ando: Hasekura, what’s the matter? You won’t stand out at this rate. You won’t be able to win against Louis!

Hasekura: I realized… No, it’s something I knew from the start. I just finally became aware of it.

Ando: Aware? Of what…?

Hasekura: Unlike Louis, I don’t want to stand out.

Ando: Huh…?

Hasekura: I hated myself for being too reserved to step out in front of performative people, but that’s actually a unique part of my personality. 

Hasekura: Rather than stepping forward myself, I like supporting the people who are made for the spotlight. 

Hasekura: And Ms. Ando, there is no one better suited for it than you. No…

Hasekura: It’s that I want more than anything to see you in that spotlight now.

Ando: …! 

Hasekura: That’s why I learned how to dance from Kanna in a way that makes you look beautiful.

Hasekura: If you set sail, head for Acapulco.

Hasekura: That’s our company motto. I don’t know what it means, but it just sort of gives me courage. 

Hasekura: Please dance, Ms. Ando. For your sake. 

Ando: …

Ando: Can I count on you to lead?

Hasekura: Yes.

★Dance

“Compass Line”

Kanna: Ms. Ando looks just as she did when she used to compete…!

Louis: He’s managed to surprise us with a brilliant strategy. No, this is Hasekura showing off his true strength. Mukai, looks like the competition’s decided. 

Mukai: …Yes, it does.

Mukai: Everyone on the floor is watching the two of them dance. 

Shiroma: …How lovely, Hasekura.

The song ends.

Kanna: Yes! Hasekura, it was a huge success! Everyone’s eyes are fixed on Ms. Ando!

Ando: Kanna…

Kanna: This is what I wanted to see! I’m so happy! And now I understand that you can shine even when you’re not competing, Ms. Ando!

Kanna: You can shine whenever it is that you want to!

Ando: Thank you, Kanna…

Kanna: Hey, Hasekura. Shiroma told me she used to be afraid whenever she saw you.

Kanna: She said she could never tell what you were thinking. 

Hasekura: Ah…

Kanna: But after watching you take up social dancing, Shiroma realized… 

Kanna: That you’re a reserved, thoughtful, warm person! She told me how embarrassed she felt that she never saw you for who you were.

Shiroma: Hasekura.

Hasekura: …Shiroma.

Shiroma: You were wonderful today. Ms. Ando was of course beautiful as well, but… To me, you were the most dazzling.

Shiroma: So…

Shiroma: Won’t you please dance with me?

Mukai: Good for you, Hasekura, You did it.

Hasekura: …

Hasekura: Shiroma. It was your smile that saved me. I was able to keep going at work because you were there. 

Hasekura: That’s why I’m happy to hear you say that to me now. I really am happy.

Ando looks away.

Ando: …

Hasekura: But… The person I want to dance with… is Ms. Ando.

Ando: …!

Shiroma: Heh heh… I had a feeling.

Ando: Hasekura…

Hasekura: Ms. Ando. I want to watch you, shining more brightly than anyone else, closer than anyone else. I…

The volume of the music rises.

Fade out.

(9) Chapter 9

•Outside

Employee A: Live through each day until the day you’ve been waiting for has arrived.

Employee B: Yes, the long-awaited Friday! The most sparkling day of the week!

Hasekura: …

Employee A: Oh my, Hasekura! How are you?

Employee B: Do you have any plans tonight?

Hasekura: Plans? …Ah.

Hasekura: Today, I’ll be dancing.

Everyone enters to perform.

The End.

[charlie-pippin-faraday]

V3 TRIAL 2 UPDATE

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH I WAS RIGHT I WAS RIGHT I WAS COMPLETELY FUCKING RIGHT!!!!!!!! SHE DID IT KIRUMI DID IT I WAS 100% RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!! god i'm so smart i'm so fucking smart i caught onto it immediately i knew it and it feels so good to be right about it. and i was like mostly right about how it went down!! i KNEW she handcuffed him and drowned him in the big fucking sink!!! and i knew she moved him window to window into the gym!!! i knew she used the cable and the rope! i didn't predict the rope slide on the inner tube and tbh i thought she would've knocked him out by putting something in his food rather than clocking him on the head, but overall i was still right!!!! AND i was right about him being in the piranha tank!!!!!!!! i totally forgot about the pane of glass so that makes sense why they didn't eat them but i TOTALLY called him being in the piranha tank. i didn't predict the right timing, but i don't think that's my fault, they kind of threw a curveball on me mid-trial with maki revealing she'd talked to ryoma after nighttime had started

the motive/why she did it i was a little less on the mark on. i DID predict it had something to do with her getting her kubs pad, though was not correct on the manner, i really thought kokichi would've given it to her, i did not expect the sheer luck of her getting her own (luck? makoto naegi haunting the narrative once again). and no one requested her to kill him like i'd predicted - though ryoma kind of gave himself up to be killed, which was kind of in the general vein of one of my theories. she didn't do it while everyone was in the bug room like i'd thought, but i'm pretty sure she was running around preparing at that time, and her having access to the stuff she'd helped prep in the gym helped her with the murder, so i'm counting my lines of reasoning here to be right as well.

additional commentary throughout the trial:

lmao kokichi was taking NO fucking prisoners with all those absolutely scathing insults to miu

"my goatee makes me look like a glamorous celebrity" lol

"that's our kaito, right?" aw shuichi

lmao everyone be calling kaito an idiot

"that hopeless idiot may have encouraged me a bit" lol is that just maki and kaito's relationship in a nutshell?

"she's not lying! can't you tell just by looking at her?" i think i'm watching a man actively becoming down bad in real time. during a TRIAL

i relied on the walkthrough much less this time! being razor-focused on what i thought went down and who i thought did it (and also being right about it) certainly helped. multiple choice questions were no problem, and i can do the mass debates pretty well - didn't need help with that part! the shooting is actually alright, i can do that (i also got the laser beam perk or whatever it's called to make it shoot faster which was a HUGE help). now, the other minigames in the trial? uhhhh now those i needed help with lol

was i, shuichi saihara, hitting hookers with my car in that minigame? was that what was happening???

i REALLY hate the lying mechanic. i hate hate hate it. it's difficult, it doesn't make sense, and i'm fundamentally opposed to it. this is a TRIAL, it's about finding the TRUTH, why in the world are you fucking forcing me to LIE?! developers there HAD to be a better way than that

okay i've come to the conclusion that the stuff on the kubs pads is utter fucking bullshit and completely made up. because you CANNOT convince me that kirumi was running the nation, that simply is not possible. like i simply refuse to believe it. and also, i know the lore of these games, the world has already fallen into despair, is there even a government to run? if the dumpling that looks like makoto naegi is "someone i'm pretty sure i've seen before" then this doesn't take place in the past, and this is already a despair-filled world! and i might not remember correctly, weren't the motive videos in the first game fabricated as well? to a point, at least, 'cause didn't it show sayaka's idol group dead, but in reality they were just abducted? idk, i might not be remembering that right. idk, something about this just doesn't pass the smell test. there's no way her kubs pad is real. and i don't care that upon seeing it she "remembered" the memory, they have erased and tampered with the memories of the kids in every single one of these games. it would be easy to implant false memories, especially ones that preyed upon her internal need to serve and help people and even amplified it so that there were millions of people needing her help. like giving her a false memory like that is such an obvious way to potentially make her go off the deep end. there's no way it's real, it's just a manipulation

another reason i do not believe it is real: there is NO FUCKING CHANCE ryoma had NO ONE who cared for him, like i also fucking refuse to believe that. THAT is ALSO a deliberate manipulation of ryoma, a man who was already hanging by a thread searching for something to latch onto and to fight for. like that's nothing but a manipulation into making him give up. there probably IS someone, but of course monokuma wouldn't tell him that, it's just a lie to make him give up and die in the game. and that's absolutely cruel

man kirumi really fucking lost it right at the end there, huh? there's something so fascinating to watch about the most dignified, composed person here losing their composure and rapidly unraveling, fighting to reach an outside world that is probably a complete fabrication. man, what a tragedy.

the maki reveal is...not unexpected, tbh. there was so much shady stuff about her. and like toko in the first game, there is not a CHANCE she is killing a single person in this game lol

keebo watching maki strangling kokichi by the throat like "man, why didn't i think of that?"

and thus concludes my trial commentary! man i almost hit the bullseye on this one, i feel so fucking smart. and i think that's about as high as i'm gonna feel, i don't anticipate i'll be as right on the money with any of the rest of these murders lol

on to chapter 3!

[mariacallous]

Two years ago, if I had been able to peer into the not-too-distant future, I wouldn’t have understood half of what Ukrainians are talking about. The events we describe—Russia’s full-scale invasion, horrific war crimes—would have seemed surreal, as well as the words we use. Expletives are suddenly more acceptable for use by news anchors and even government officials. Abstract terms have specific connotations, such as tryvoha (“anxiety” or “a sense of foreboding”), now shorthand for povitryana tryvoha, or “air raid alert.” “Tired of tryvoha? Why not go for a run?” a billboard ad for a gym reads, seemingly referring to both meanings.

As the Ukrainian language reflects the transformation of a society amid war, the old-fashioned adjective svidomy has changed too, becoming a marker of reinvigorated national identity. Svidomy, which means “aware” or “conscious of something,” traditionally conveys political self-awareness and an acceptance of responsibilities to the homeland. In the recent past it described more fervent patriots, implying an obsession with Ukraine’s past and its struggle against Russian imperialism. When Russia invaded Crimea in 2014, the model citizens fundraising for supplies for Ukraine’s army were called svidomy. Other Ukrainians treated the war as a misunderstanding with Russia. “I’m probably not svidomy enough,” they might admit. “But I’m just tired of politics.”

The word svidomy is of Old East Slavic origin. One of its first recorded usages is in the medieval epic The Tale of Igor’s Campaign, which gives an account of the raid Prince Igor Svyatoslavych attempted against neighboring nomads—and of his defeat and demise. The text describes Igor’s soldiers as “svidomy warriors,” which many modern translations interpret as meaning they were either very loyal to their leader’s cause or generally very motivated to win. For much of its history, svidomy carried a certain drama that made it sound more natural in eulogies or history books than everyday speech.

Since Feb. 24, 2022, Ukrainians across the political spectrum have embraced svidomy, imbuing it with meaning that is both sacred and colloquial. Calling someone a svidomy hromadianyn (“aware citizen”) is high praise, describing volunteers and activists tragically killed on the front lines. People use the term to self-identify on social media; it graces T-shirts worn as a show of defiance in the face of war. In today’s Ukraine, being svidomy still signals caring about the past, but history’s lessons are now self-evident: Ukrainians have long fought for survival and succeeded, despite the odds. Being svidomy is no longer just a character trait—it’s a requisite of the times.

Svidomy’s meaning has evolved over the decades. During the Soviet era, it referred to political dissidents or to those who identified as Ukrainian rather than Soviet. (Curiously, a bastardized version of the word exists in Russian: The derogatory term svidomity describes Ukrainians deemed aggressively patriotic.) In the early years of Ukrainian independence, the activists fighting the systemic corruption left in the wake of the turbulent 1990s were called svidomy. At that time, the descriptor was usually a compliment, if one that suggested someone was overly idealistic or radical. It might also be used sarcastically—say, if someone stubbornly insisted on speaking Ukrainian when surrounded by people who preferred Russian.

The word became more commonplace during the 2014 Revolution of Dignity. What started as a peaceful protest against then-Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych ditching a trade deal with the European Union in favor of closer ties with Russia turned into a nationwide movement, culminating in Yanukovych’s ouster. The words svidomy and svidomist (the state of being svidomy) appeared on protest placards and in slogans in Maidan Square and throughout Ukraine. The Revolution of Dignity started to blur the distinctions between activists across the political spectrum. It showed that in Ukraine, anarchists and radical leftists could find common ground with their right-wing counterparts if the situation called for it.

Yet in 2019, when down-to-earth, Russian-speaking comedian Volodymyr Zelensky defeated conservative Petro Poroshenko to take the Ukrainian presidency in a landslide, Poroshenko’s supporters began describing themselves as svidomy—in contrast to Zelensky voters, who they characterized as apolitical and not invested enough in Ukraine’s future. Poroshenko’s supporters questioned whether Zelensky and his team could stand up to Russian President Vladimir Putin if Putin escalated the conflict in eastern Ukraine. When asked about the issue at the time, Zelensky said he and Putin would “find a common ground” to reach peace.

To Zelensky’s critics, such compromise not only would have been unpatriotic, but also would have proven that the new president hadn’t learned necessary lessons from Ukrainian history: that Russia’s attacks reflected its imperialist ambitions, and that it would see attempts at making peace as a sign of weakness.

Of course, last year, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine that was supposed to last three days and end with Russian tanks leading a victory parade through Kyiv. Zelensky—along with Ukrainians from all backgrounds—turned out to be svidomy enough to stand up Putin’s army, even when much of the world thought they didn’t stand a fighting chance.

If the meaning of svidomy was up for discussion before, those arguments ceased on Feb. 24, 2022. Anyone who considered themselves Ukrainian enough to help their country amid peril—no matter whom they voted for—was svidomy. Even those with little emotional attachment to their homeland became defiantly Ukrainian when foreign soldiers were willing to shoot them in the back. It didn’t matter if someone called themself ethnically Russian, was the world’s biggest Dostoyevsky fan, or didn’t agree with the concept of nation-states.

People from across the political spectrum suddenly shared a higher goal and a set of values they were willing to work together to protect. Anarchists signed up for territorial defense units and volunteered for the Ukrainian army. Ardent Poroshenko supporters declared their support for Zelensky’s government. Political figures who had argued for decades seemed to put that behind them. Not all disagreements were resolved overnight, but full-scale war certainly fostered a feeling of mutual trust, of shared awareness.

Used in the past to mock those considered too radical, or to differentiate oneself from those deemed too careless, the word svidomy now signifies a specific Ukrainian unity. It shows what Ukrainians mean when we say that our homeland is a political state: If one considers themself part of the Ukrainian community, they cannot be insufficiently Ukrainian. Since the war began, any irony about being svidomy has vanished. After all, why would we joke about being aware of our identity when it puts us in the line of fire?

[gunnerfc]

Aitana Bonmatí NSFW Alphabet (18+, minors DNI!)

A: Aftercare

Aitana is very needy after sex and wants to be as close as possible to you but if you get up to get her water or something, she's very grateful

B: Body Part (their favorite body part of themselves and their partner)

Her favorite body part of herself is her arms, she's caught you watching as she works out in the gym and always likes to show off

Her favorite body part of you is your hands, you can bring her so much pleasure with just your hands that she catches herself daydreaming about them often

C: Cum (anything to do with cum)

She loves watching you suck your fingers after making her cum multiple times with just your fingers

D: Dirty Secret

She's open to the idea of having a threesome as long as you both agree on who the third person should be (Ona 🤭)

E: Experience (Are they experienced? Do they know what they are doing?)

Aitana knows what she's doing but she's always open to learning more about what you like and dislike in the bedroom

F: Favorite Position

Riding your strap while you’re making out or marking her neck

G: Goofy (Are they more serious in the moment, or are they humorous?)

Aitana is usually pretty focused on the moment but she can be a little giggly at times

I: Intimacy (How intimate are they during the moment?)

She's very intimate, no matter if she's giving or receiving, she wants you both to enjoy it

J: Jack off (Masturbation HC)

She does it often while away at national team camp because she misses you but gets frustrated it doesn't feel as good as when you fuck her

She will send you videos or photos while she does it to drive you crazy which leads to you calling her right then

K: Kink (One or more of their kinks)

Likes having her hands/wrists tied

Likes being blindfolded

Will call you 'mommy' or 'daddy'

L: Location (Favorite place to have sex)

Literally anywhere in either of your apartments

she's tempted to venture onto your balcony but she knows she has to work on being quieter before you can do that

M: Motivation (What turns them on?)

Seeing you do anything drives her crazy but you after a team work out is hard to resist and she hates having to wait till you get home

N: No (Something they wouldn't do)

While she is open to the idea of having a threesome & sex on your balcony, Aitana wants your sex life to stay behind closed doors away from anyone seeing / hearing

O: Oral (Preference on giving or receiving)

Aitana prefers receiving most times but you two do switch it up sometimes and she'll give

she loves giving oral though, she can and will make you cum multiple times before letting up

P: Pace (Fast & Rough? Slow & Sensual?)

If she's giving, it's slow and sensual so she can take her time

If she's receiving, she likes it faster and rougher and she will beg for you go faster/harder

Q: Quickie (Thoughts on quickies)

Big fan of them when you don't have a lot of time to actually have sex

R: Risk (Are they open to experimenting)

She's open to some things and will bring it up to you and you're always willing to try the things she's brings up

S: Stamina (How many rounds)

Aitana can go for 4-5 long rounds most days but if you have an off day and you've done nothing, she can go for a few more, shorter rounds

T: Toys

Quite a few strap ons and vibrators that she loves using all the time

U: Unfair (Do they like the tease)

Aitana doesn't really tease you but you definitely tease her and it always has her whining and begging for you to let her cum / to touch her etc.

V: Volume (How loud are they? What sounds do they make)

Aitana is very loud, even when she tries to be quiet, she can't

That's why it's so hard to have sex during away Barça games / on your balcony because someone will definitely hear her loud moans

W: Wild Card (Random HC)

Aitana loves sitting on your face while having a tight grip on your hair which goes hand in hand with her enjoying being on the receiving end of things

Y: Yearning (How high is their sex drive?)

She loves having sex with you so whenever you get your hands on each other, sex will definitely follow

Z: ZZZ (… how quickly they fall asleep afterward)

Aitana tries to stay up for a bit after sex but sleep catches up to her fairly quickly

[mega-aulover]

A S. W. A. N. Story

This is for the wonderful @alwayseverlark who is always finding ways for this fandom to unite. I am grateful for your friendship and for your encouragement. Thank you for all that you do!

Special thanks to @lemonluvgirl87 for betaing :)

T rating for some bullying family disputes - family drama-meet cute - elitism - A modern AU of an Everlarked Cinderella....but with out the whole shoe thing.

Summary: Katniss Everdeen is a smart girl. Brilliant, actually. She has more degrees than she has fingers on one hand. But she has never felt beautiful or interesting. When she is asked to be Madge's maid of honor Katniss has serious doubts she'll fit in with her childhood glamorous friend. Will she survive the wedding and find love? Or will she be a total embarrassment.

Katniss sighed as she looked at her image in the mirror. At 24 she wasn't the typical girl in her mid-twenties. For one, she had a masters in the field of botany and another in Environmental Biology, with two minors- one in Paleontology and another in Genetics. She had several papers published in prestigious medical and scientific papers and was one month away from getting her doctoral thesis reviewed.

Though none of her academic success wouldn't have happened had it not been for Mrs. Swanson. At the age of eleven Mrs. Swanson saw that Katniss wasn't interested in what was being taught. Her teacher suggested Katniss take an aptitude test to see if she had any learning difficulties. Her scores for the test showed that Katniss did not have learning difficulties, she was in fact a smart brilliant child.

Katniss was next given the national IQ test to see her acumen. Mrs. Sawanon believed Katniss was smart. Her high scores were surprising. As a result she was skipped from the sixth grade to high school. Katniss qualified to be instantly enrolled to the University of Panem on a scholarship when she turned sixteen.

Because of her genius, Katniss often found it difficult to interact with people. Unless she was truly comfortable, she didn't talk, and she often felt left out in social situations.

The weekend wedding, she was going to be part of, scared the living daylights out of her. It's why it was important this weekend, everything went smoothly.

Critically she examined herself in the mirror. She wore comfortable green cargo pants with the hems rolled up because she was short. Her white t-shirt was clean, her sneakers were new. Katniss slipped on a loose heather gray knit sweater as they were going to take a flight and planes were often cold.

Katniss grimaced at her reflection one more time giving herself a pep talk. "You're going to be alright, Everdeen. If it gets too much you can always take a walk."

Walking helped center her and it would also help her not stuff her face. Food was her drug of choice, when things became bad.

Katniss still had about ten pounds to lose. She'd gained a lot of weight during her undergraduate years. The University of Panem, located in the heart of the Capitol of Panem, was surrounded by an urban concrete jungle and she didn't have the ability to hunt or hike.

During that time Katniss learned she needed the outdoors to help her cope with the stressors of life. The gym wasn't something that motivated her and so she gained a lot of weight on her petite frame.

"Don't forget to pack your contacts," Prim yelled from the guest bedroom. "Madge does not want you to wear your glasses!"

Katniss rolled her eyes pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. Her contacts were packed, as Madge dictated. Anyone who was considered a plane Jane knew that removing their eyeglasses didn't turn them into automatic beautiful swans. She wasn't pretty, she was dull and uninspiring. No one would ever wax poetically about her physical appearance. Though, with a bow and an arrow in her hands, Katniss transformed into something powerful and unstoppable.

She sighed, "Too bad there isn't going to be an archery contest this weekend."

Katniss turned around and walked into her bedroom. She lived alone in the Capitol these past two years. Her sister traveled from the university she attended in District One so that they could travel together to the wedding destination. Katniss hoped that this weekend things would change for her and Prim. She wanted them to somehow grow closer. This wedding could be the jumping point for new horizons. Things had been rough between Prim and Katniss. Katniss hoped being accepted by Madge and her sister's friends, maybe just maybe Prim would see she was worthy.

Katniss sat on the bed briefly and picked up the framed photo of her parents. It was one of the few mementos she had of her fathers. Her father, the late great Jackson Everdeen was a well-respected archaeologist, and he took them on adventures all over the world. He wore a hat and leather jacket like Indiana Jones.

Then he became ill.

When he died, Katniss's entire world turned upside down.

Turning sixteen and losing her father while finishing her last year of school was not easy. Her mother became depressed, and the bills piled up. It was up to her to take the mantle of adulthood. Katniss learned how to budget for money. She sold things on Craig's list to make ends meet. While most girls her age were at the beach, she was preparing dinner and lunches for the week, mowing neighbor's lawns for extra cash, and buying groceries. With the help of a friend of the family, Katniss convinced her mother to get help. Her mother slowly came back but she was never the same.

By the time August came around, Katniss was considering not entering University. Things were just starting to turn around, and her mother's mental health was important. But her mother pushed her to leave. Katniss suspected her mother was relieved when she left to study at the Capitol. Her mother never cried when Katniss left. There wasn't pride that her eldest was going to university. There was a feverish desire to get rid of her.

Katniss supposed that she was a living reminder of her father Jack, and her mother hurt to see her. It was this discovery that caused her to leave her home.

While her mother recovered and blossomed; for Katniss, living in the Capitol was hard. It was a stressful transition from the gentle rolling hills and mountains of her home district to the frenetic energy of a city full of towering buildings made up of glass, steel, and concrete. The only green to be found was in the clothing people wore.

Katniss threw herself into studying and working to maintain herself while in the Capitol. She made sure to put aside any extra money for her sister. Katniss saved a nest egg to fund Prim's education.

"Is that what you're wearing?" Prim asked, frowning. She placed her hand on her hip. Prim was clad in a short bubbly-pink slip dress, and mile high heels.

"It's freezing outside."

"But we're going to a tropical island."

"We're going to be in the air for nearly five hours. And we'll land at like five in the morning. I want to be comfortable."

"You'll look like one of the servants."

Katniss looked down at her outfit and sighed. She wondered where her sweet little sister had gone. When she graduated and came home Prim was all grown up. Her sister had transformed into a great beauty just like their mother. "But I'm comfy…"

"It's horrible," Prim said, her fist curling. "You've got to change, or at least take your hair out of that stupid childish braid."

"There isn't time."

"Just don't embarrass me," Prim huffed.

Katniss looked down at the picture in her hand. "I'll stay out of your way, don't worry."

Prim stomped away. Katniss could hear her sister say, "I don't know why Madge made you a bridesmaid."

Katniss expelled a deep breath before putting her picture back on her bedside table.

Madge had asked both Prim and Katniss to be in her bridal party. Katniss was surprised. She and the Mayor's daughter sat together during lunch back in high school, they didn't talk but they were friendly. Katniss was flattered until she met the other bridesmaids. All of the bridesmaids including her baby sister were tall slender modelesque blondes, with fair complexions and pale blue eyes. In contrast Katniss was short, with dark hair, gray eyes, and olive skin complexion.

Once again, she felt as if she didn't belong. The first time she'd felt this way was the spring she'd graduated from her undergraduate program and returned home for one summer.

Prim and her mother were a team, Prim inherited her mother's looks and bubbly personality. Katniss looked like their father and had his fire and frightening intelligence. Her mother refused to engage with Katniss. Instead, their mother focused on Prim. She showered her baby sister with everything, while Katniss was pushed to the side.

Katniss was a fish looking out of the fishbowl not being able to participate in the life her mother and sister had outside of the bowl.

"Come on Catnip," Prim sang, knowing Katniss hated that nickname. Prim bounded out of the house. "The car is here!"

"I'm coming," Katniss muttered, she loathed being called catnip.

"HURRY!" Prim bellowed from the car.

"Okay, okay," Katniss said. It was so cold outside her breath came out in puffy white clouds. Locking up the door she ran to the car and got in. The warmth stung her cold cheeks.

"I can't wait to get glammed up," Prim said as she put her seat belt on.

The car pulled out of Katniss's driveway.

Katniss smiled thinly, wanting the three-day weekend to go well, as she had hoped.

"I can't believe Madge is getting married tomorrow night," Prim said as she hummed along to the bubbly song. "She was so welcoming to me when I was pledging to her sorority. Took me under her wing, and so did Glimmer and Cashmere who are cousins. I can't wait to see them."

"I'm glad you've made great friends," Katniss quietly said.

"I know you don't care but I can't wait to get into my dress," Prim squealed.

Katniss said nothing, as the car slipped into the highway.

"Madge said that Cinna was hand-making the dresses, it's why he sent his assistants to take the measurements," Prim chirped happily.

Katniss frowned. No assistant came to take her measurements. As per the instructions she received via email she was to take her own measurements and send them to the provided address. She'd made sure that followed all the directions to the letter, she didn't want to make anyone upset with her.

"Can you imagine, me, putting on a couture gown that's worth ten thousand coins?" Prim smiled, her eyes were bright with happiness.

Katniss didn't say anything. She settled back in her seat and tried to relax letting what Prim said go over her head.

When they pulled up to the private airport that was going to take them to the wedding destination.

Katniss's smile faltered as they got out and saw the other women who were giants, one was named Glimmer, and the other Cashmere. These women were always frosty to Katniss, but for the sake of her sister Katniss squared her shoulders and plastered a smile on her face.

Prim squealed when she saw them.

"Have you met any of the groomsmen?" Cashmere asked.

"No, I haven't met any of them," Prim said.

"They're gorgeous," Glimmer said.

No one had met their partner; Madge had gotten engaged less than two months ago. It was a whirlwind romance that led to a quickly planned wedding.

Katniss tried to keep her calm when she was left behind to take care of the luggage. All three women were talking at the same time. Their voices were a cacophony of vain prattle. On the plane, Katniss sat by herself as it took off. Five hours later they landed at the exclusive island Madge was going to get married at.

A car drove them to the house, and Katniss's jaw dropped. The white house was enormous, and it was set amongst lush landscapes. The air smelled sweet with tropical fauna. The botanist in Katniss wanted to investigate what flowers produced such a sweet scent. The elegant front porch with its roof supported by four tall columns was welcoming. The elaborate doorway was made from a native rich wood. The elegant large windows had shutters, which were merely decorative.

There was a woman waiting for them with three frosty fruity drinks.

Katniss was about to reach for one when Glimmer shoved her to the side.

"Oh, my goodness these are delicious," Glimmer said.

"I know," Prim squealed. "I'm legal here I can drink!"

"I really need to relax. I've been so stressed," Cashmere said giggling.

Katniss watched her sister giggle and nod.

Madge came out and she grinned when she saw them. "Hi, I'm glad you're here. We've got to get you guys ready for tonight. Cinna is here with his team. The guys are getting ready as we speak. Helene will take you to Cinna's prep team," Madge said.

Katniss was going to follow when Madge pulled her back.

"Katniss, thank goodness you're here, I need you to help with the flower arrangements, they're a nightmare."

Katniss smiled. "Sure."

While the others were whisked away for mani-pedis, and facials Katniss was put to work. Even though she didn't know much about bridal floral arrangements, Madge was right, the arrangements were a hot mess. Using her phone she looked up wild plants. Katniss found a few species of plants outside that could be used to better the decorations.

When she was finished with her first task, a message was sent down from Madge. Katniss was to assist the staff set up the reception, next she was told she was to help set up the cocktail hour, she was made to help while everyone was getting ready. That is how she found herself hauling chairs down to the patio.

As she was tying the decorations on the chairs that lined the wedding aisle, she heard the distinctive voices of men. She looked up to see four men dressed in tuxedos standing by the backyard entrance of the house.

One was tall with a slight build with sandy brown hair, another had thick meaty fingers, and there was another that was bronzed with green eyes. They were all handsome, but in her opinion, it was the last guy that was the best-looking one.

He had warm blue eyes and was athletic like the other guys, but his movements were graceful. There was something about him that caused her to want to give him a flirty smile. And Katniss did not flirt.

"Hey, Marvel, maybe she can get us some drinks," the one with the meaty fingers said as he pointed to Katniss.

"Cato, I don't think she'd know, she looks like she's here with the vendors," Marvel said.

"I don't think Madge would like for us to get drunk, until after we have taken the pictures," the one with the warm blue eyes said.

"Peeta's right, Madge would have our arse if we looked drunk in those pictures," the bronzed one said.

"Come on, live a little, Finnick," Cato said. Turning to Katniss the one called Cato said, "You wouldn't happen to know where the drinks are would you?"

Katniss shook her head, she was a bundle of nerves, and she couldn't answer their simple question. She brushed by them entering the house, hoping she wouldn't have to speak to them. She took her sweater and tied it around her middle. Her hair was piled up into a messy bun. She was sweaty and tired, and she still needed to take a shower and put on the dress she was sure would not fit her.

Katniss felt like she always looked like a frumpy potato sack, even when she tried her best. To her embarrassment her cousin Gale had taken her to her winter formal dance when she was sixteen. It was her father's last wish. The dress her mother had secured her was a tiered silky pink ruffled dress with high lace collar and long sleeves that were also ruffled. It was one size too big, and the color was supposed to be pink but in the pictures, it looked brown.

"Are you sure you don't know where the drinks are?" Cato pulled out a stack of coins and asked, "I can make it worth your while?"

Katniss took a step back not knowing how to make these men know that she had no idea where they would keep the alcohol.

"See I told you she wouldn't know," Marvel said.

These were the times Katniss wished she had her bow and arrow. These entitled pricks always thought they had the right to objectify women and treat them like crap.

"Leave her alone Cato," Peeta said. "Look she's just trying to earn a living okay? Just leave her alone."

"Peeta's right," Finnick said.

"She probably doesn't speak English." Marvel then proceeded to shout, "HABLA ENGLISH! ENGLISH!"

"Come on, we're wasting our time," Cato said. "We better get back."

Katniss was glad they were leaving, Marvel and Cato were idiots. Money did not buy people class.

Peeta stayed behind, as he watched the guys move on to the other side of the room. They cornered one of the waiters. Peeta turned to Katniss, "I'm sorry about them. They're not even my friends. You did a great job."

"It's okay really," she said.

"They're real jerks. I guess that makes me a jerk too, but I'm sorry. You shouldn't have to deal with guys like me, like us." He slipped his hand in his pocket and he looked full of energy as if uncomfortable.

"Thank you," Katniss said. She smiled politely. He was a nice guy and she wished that someone like him would one day pay attention to her. She knew that it was useless to want something like this. A gorgeous guy like him would never really pay attention to someone like her. She was the help in his eyes.

"So what…"

"There you are," Prim said, looking resplendent in a floor-length chiffon gown with open crisscross back and sweetheart neckline with spaghetti straps in a lovely peach shade. "Why aren't you dressed!"

Katniss was about to respond.

"Prim," Cato exclaimed.

"Cato, I didn't know you'd be one of the groomsmen," Prim said breathily.

Katniss rolled her eyes when she realized this was the guy Prim had saved in her phone contacts as Steak. She hung back.

"So…" Peeta said. "Do you work here or are you with the rental companies?"

Katniss cleared her throat, took a deep breath, and said, "No."

"Will you be at the wedding?"

Katniss nodded, her heart racing in her chest.

He smiled at her and Katniss swore time slowed down, like in the movies.

"Do you think you'll save a dance for me?"

Dumbfounded, Katniss stared into his eyes. She saw that he was a gentle soul. Katniss felt her cheeks heat up. He wanted to dance with her and that itself was a miracle. She gave him a crooked smile, unsure what to say. It figured she'd finally meet a guy when she looked and smelled her worst. He was in a tux, looking like a gift from the gods.

Before she could answer, her sister's head snapped to Katniss. She gave her a venomous look.

"So, I'll see you later?" Cato asked Prim.

Katniss glanced to her side wondering what she had done wrong.

Her sister giggled, before purring, "I've got to go, but I'll see you later." Her sister wrapped her hand around Katniss's arm and then dragged her away.

"Prim, would you mind slowing down," Katniss said as she was dragged to a corner. Katniss could see the guys from where she stood hidden in the shadows.

"You're not supposed to speak to anyone," her sister hissed.

What her sister said didn't make sense."Prim, I was…"

Prim pushed her away and pointed at her chest."Where have you been?"

Her tone denoted more of a demand than a question. "I've been working, while you and the rest of the girls were getting dressed."

"Madge…"

"Madge was the one who sent me down there to work."

"Madge would never do that," Prim huffed.

"You know I don't lie Prim."

"I don't believe you."

"When have I ever lied to you, Primrose? Besides, didn't you notice I wasn't there with you guys?"

"You know what, it doesn't matter. What does matter is the photographer is here to take pictures and here you are ruining Madge's day."

"I was only doing what she asked me to do." Katniss wished her sister would believe her. "Prim…"

"Instead of arguing you should be worried about getting ready. Though I doubt there is anything Cinna and his team can do to make you look better."

Katniss ignored her sister's insult, having an argument would be counterproductive. Her shoulders slumped, as she took a deep sigh. "Just point me to my room so that I can take a shower."

"Fine," Prim huffed.

Katniss followed Prim down a flight of stairs down a long corridor to a room far away from the rest of the guest's rooms. In fact, it wasn't even in the same wing. "Madge didn't want you disturbing everyone's fun this weekend," Prim smirked.

The room was smaller than her college dorm room. But at least it offered privacy. "Where is the bathroom?"

"It's in the hallway." Prim crossed her arms. "You'll be sharing it with the staff."

"Okay," Katniss said. It didn't matter; she was only going to be here a few days. "I can be ready in ten, fifteen max."

"You only have five minutes."

"Okay." Katniss was trying not to get annoyed by her sisters' curt responses. She opened her suitcase and took out her shower kit.

"Don't get upset. It's not my fault you don't have time, because you were wasting time downstairs."

"Prim I wasn't wasting time-"

"You know, Madge didn't even want you to be part of her bridal party. She knew you were going to do something to ruin her day. And she was right."

"Then why am I here?" Katniss asked, shocked and dismayed by her sister's vitriol. Her eyes watered up, but she tempered down her sadness.

"The only reason you're here is because Madge's father was a friend of his…"

"You mean our father, Prim, Jackson Everdeen."

At the mention of their father's name Prim's face became stormy.

That summer Katniss lived at home; Prim never mentioned their father. There were no pictures of their father in the house. In fact, Katniss noticed their mother had taken down any pictures of Katniss as well. Any time Katniss brought up their father, Prim became upset. Katniss tried to broach the subject with their mother, but their mother shut her down.

With rage Prim ground out, "He abandoned us."

"He was sick, Prim, for a long time. He fought to get better to stay alive. I don't know what lie you've told yourself but our father didn't want to die…he loved us."

"He wasn't even a father to me."

Katniss was going to respond but Madge and Glimmer came into the room. Madge was wearing a white robe with the word bride in pink crystals, and she also had a pink sash that said the same thing. Glimmer wore the same dress Prim was wearing except she wasn't wearing heels she was wearing fuzzy slippers. It was such a silly thing for Katniss to notice as she looked into Glimmer's steely eyes.

"Prim," Madge said, looking at Primrose with kindness. Her frosty eyes flickered to Katniss momentarily. "I came to get you. I'm about to put my dress on and I wanted you to be in the picture..." Madge said with compassion, "Primypooh, Are you okay?"

Prim stood there; her face twisted in anger. "No, I'm not! She always does this…like a dog with a bone."

Madge turned to Katniss and then spat, "I don't know why my father idolizes you. You're a freak of nature, you smell like dead things, you're fat, and you're not even that pretty."

Katniss opened her mouth and shut it. She turned to her sister, silently pleading for some sort of benevolence.

She didn't understand why her sister was so mean and caustic with her.

"That man messed up my mother. Fucked her up in the head! He was selfish. He filled mother's head with the life they would have. But in the end, all she did was suffer. Our mother could have married into a reputable family. A family with means, a name, like the Mellarks or the Johnstons. Mother had her choice of men to choose from, but she made one mistake. She got knocked up with her…" Prim pointed at Katniss. "She's just like him, ugly as fuck, and always ruining things!" Prim sneered at her with so much malice, Katniss was taken aback. "My mother regretted her life with that man. Regretted having you. She said she should've gotten rid of you when she had the chance!"

Katniss stood there numb. It was like being pelted in the face with a frozen snowball multiple times.

"I told you that she's a disaster," Glimmer said.

"Ladies," a gentle voice called from the doorway.

Katniss balled her hands trying to displace her pain and hurt into that part of her body so that they wouldn't be witnesses to her tears. Part of her acknowledged she should have stayed home, said no to Madge, and made an excuse. However, the drive to fix her relationship with her sister prompted her to say yes and come.

"Oh, Cinna!" Madge's tone of voice changed, and in an instant, the countenance of all three blondes changed from irate, to ambassadors of light and happiness. "What are you doing here?'

"I'm here to get Miss Everdeen ready," Cinna said calmly.

There was a woman with him, she had aqua-spiked hair and gold tattoos above her eyebrows. Her face did not belay the tension that had to be swirling in the room.

"I'm assuming you're Katniss?" Cinna asked.

Katniss nodded, she didn't expect Cinna to be so young for a man who'd already made a huge mark in the fashion industry. Even though she wasn't a fashionista, Katniss was aware of who Cinna was. He dressed one of her colleagues when their suit was ruined. Unlike the woman who stood next to him the only decoration he had was a thin gold line over his eyelids. He was dressed in an elegant black dress shirt with gold-colored buttons and crisply pleated pants. He glanced at Katniss and his smile was gentle, and his eyes were reassuring.

"Venia, tell the others to get everything ready," Cinna said.

Venia nodded.

"There's no need…I'm afraid plans have changed." Madge smiled thinly, but Venia didn't listen to Madge, she left.

"Oh," Cinna breathed out.

"I just don't have time for…besides you've dressed my cousin who I sent you the measurements for, she looks amazing in the dress. Plus, I'm sure, you don't have anything that will fit her."

"You know, your father was the one who made the request," Cinna said. "Mayor Undersea told me, it was important to him that Jack Everdeen's eldest be present in the wedding because he saved his life."

"My father?" Madge said.

"He did?" Prim questioned harshly.

Katniss had no idea, but it was a balsam to hear that her father was a good kind man, and not the monster Primrose painted him to be to Madge and the rest of the entourage.

"Yes," Cinna said, "He and your mother were excited that Miss Everdeen was the maid of honor."

"He did," Madge squeaked out.

"So, if you do not mind, I have to make sure your father's wishes are taken care of."

"I…" Madge stammered.

Cinna smiled.

"But she has no dress!"

"Do not worry, I will make sure your pictures are wonderful. Also, Caesar Flickerman is here."

"Caesar Flickerman!" Madge squealed.

"Upon my invitation, he came to interview you and your family," Cinna said charmingly. "Your wedding is the event of the season. You are, after all, marrying a Highbottom."

"OMG, Caesar Flickerman," Glimmer exclaimed. "My mother loves him!"

Katniss wasn't sure what was going on.

"You're needed downstairs," Cinna said, winking at Katniss. "Caesar is going to set up his cameras in the bridal suite so that he can have footage of you in your dress."

"Madge, forget about her," Glimmer urged. "You have to be camera perfect."

Madge turned to Prim, "I want you to be there for the interview."

"Of course, you're going to be famous," Prim said.

Madge turned to Cinna, "Thank you so much." She turned to Katniss and her face soured. "There isn't enough magic to make her look good, but if you can do something to make her less embarrassing that would be wonderful."

Madge, Glimmer, and Prim left in a hurry.

Katniss expelled the breath she was holding.

"I'm sorry," Katniss apologized; she never intended to cause problems.

"I heard everything," Cinna said quietly.

"Oh." She was mortified that strangers had heard everything. It was one thing to be known as the black sheep of the family, it was another to have it be known to strangers. Especially important ones.

"I am going to make you look resplendent," Cinna promised.

"You don't have to, I'm not going down there." The words were thick in her throat as it closed up with emotion.

"No, don't let them win," Cinna said. "Don't let your sister treat you like that."

"But, she…" Katniss stammered as the tears she'd been battling slipped from her eyes.

"She's a bratty bitch," Cinna said. "I've met plenty of girls like her, however, I've not met a woman like you…Mayor Undersee told me how you kept your family afloat after your father died. He told me how you are the one who is paying for your sister's education, and still sending your mother a part of your paycheck. The Mayor is very proud of you, he showed me the articles you've written, and the accolades you've received."

Katniss bit the bottom of her lip to keep from balling.

"I also heard the way you worked downstairs, pitching in…" Cinna said. "You're quite admirable."

"How?"

"My friend Portia was supposed to be downstairs doing the decorations. Her plane was late, when she arrived she said she saw you handling things. You're unique, and if they could remove the stick out of their asses they'd be able to see it."

"I'm not…" Katniss was going to say she wasn't worthy, but Cinna spoke over her words.

"You are," Cinna gently smiled.

"Thank you for your kind words," Katniss sighed. She blinked and then taking a tissue from her pocket blew her nose.

"No need," Cinna said. "Just leave that behind, I have everything you need."

Katniss blinked, she believed him and left her shower kit behind. She blindly followed Cinna. Part of her wanted to run and hide. The small hope Katniss held to possibly fix her relationship fizzled. Once more she felt unloved and an outsider.

When she arrived in his suite of rooms, his assistants were all ready for her. "Everyone I'm guessing you heard what this brilliant young lady has been put through."

Venia smiled and her eyes sparkled, as she approached. "We're going to make you look better than the bride. And when this weekend is over, everyone is going to love you!"

Katniss swallowed, the fiercely determined look in the eyes of the group of people, it made her tremble. No one had ever looked at her that way. Even though she was fantastic in her field she never attended social events. Katniss was terrified to be called a phony.

"Trust me?" Cinna said.

Katniss nodded. Instantly she was whisked away to the bathroom that was twice the size of her apartment bedroom. For the rest of the time she was soaked in luxurious scented water, buffed, polished, perfumed, and peeled. The peeling wasn't great but her skin had never been softer.

She sat in a chair, her hair in a towel having lost track of time.

"What do you want to do with her Cinna?" Venia asked.

"With those eyes, smokey and dangerous," Flavius said.

"I think we should keep it basic," Cinna said, tipping her chin up. "Amplify her classic beauty," Cinna said.

Katniss couldn't believe that Cinna was saying she was beautiful. Physically she wasn't pretty but Katniss knew in the woods, she shone like a diamond.

"Oh yes," Octavia breathed. "She's such an exotic beauty, we can play up her eyes, and her skin tone. Ugh…I wish I had your olive skin tone."

"You think I'm pretty?" Katniss blurted.

They laughed.

"You really don't know do you?" Venia said.

"You're a treasure!" Flavius exclaimed. "You are so gorgeous you make all of the girls ripe with jealousy."

Venia added, "And you have a banging bod!"

"I always thought…" Katniss didn't finish her sentence, instead, she peered at her reflection. The pert nose, the weird color of eyes, the extra weight. She was forever comparing her darker skin to her mother's and Prim's fair one.

"Did you bring contacts?" Venia asked.

"Yes, Madge said I should," Katniss said. "It's in my shower kit, but I left it on the bed."

"Kist," Venia said to her assistant. "Go get all of her stuff."

"Sure thing," Kist said.

"Well young lady, it's time to get your hair done," Flavius said.

Katniss watched as Flavius quickly transformed her thick straight dark locks into bouncy waves of perfection. He parted her hair to the side and then explained he was giving her a relaxed finger wave. Her hair looked fantastic.

After putting on her contacts Venia applied her makeup as Octavia finished up her nails. Katniss wasn't allowed to look at herself while they worked on her face. When they finished Cinna held out the dress. It left her speechless.

"What do you think?"

"Cinna's it's your best design to date," Venia breathed.

The dress looked like a soft sunset. It was a floor-length strapless gown with silk organza draped over one shoulder creating a small cape.

"Are those polka dots made from fabric?" Katniss asked.

"Actually, tiny crystals were woven into little pockets throughout the dress so that when it moves," Cinna said, moving the gown. "It glitters."

Katniss gasped as the dress shimmered in the light.

"She's going to look like a Grecian goddess," Flavius whispered.

"Let's get you dressed," Cinna said.

The dress slipped over her head and within moments she was ready. Katniss wondered what she looked like. They didn't have time to do a reveal because Madge was calling.

"Just trust me you look amazing," Cinne said, winking at her. Katniss nodded and stood straighter feeling it. The dress felt amazing, softer than her favorite cotton tee-shirt.

Cinna leaned in close and whispered into her ear, "It might hurt but sometimes you have to cut the toxic people from your life."

Katniss looked at him wide-eyed. She could never cut her sister out of her life. She was so alone and having her sister and her mother even if it was hurtful made her feel part of a family.

"Ready?" Cinna said.

Lifting her chin in the air Katniss nodded and followed them downstairs.

She could hear the women talking and laughing as they were congregated by the doors. None noticed her and for once Katniss didn't care.

"Katniss Everdeen," Mayor Undersea said, coming forward with his wife.

"You look wonderful," Roberta Undersea said.

"Thank you Mrs. Undersea," Katniss said. Roberta was Edward Undersea's second wife. Madge's mother passed away a few years ago due to a botched-up plastic surgery accident. She was smart and it was well known that Madge and her stepmother didn't get along.

"I am so happy Madge had the sense to put you as her maid of honor," Mayor Undersea said. "Come and see me. I want to introduce you to a few people here. They've read your articles and want to meet the young lady who is making our world a better place."

"Thank you, sir," Katniss said.

"Oh Peeta, have you met the young lady you are going to walk down the aisle with?" Roberta said, pulling the blond man from before. Katniss could feel her cheeks warming up at the sight of him.

"Uh hi again," Peeta stammered.

"Again?" Roberta said grinning.

"Well she was helping out before," Peeta said pointing to the outdoors.

"Of course, she was," Mayor Undersea said. "That's the type of lovely young lady she is, Muriel," he called over to someone.

A woman with a dour face and critical blue eyes came over. "This is Jack Everdeen's oldest. This is Katniss."

Muriel's face turned wide with surprise. "Oh, she's the one that saved us all of that money."

"Mom," Peeta said.

"Shut up, boy. This is the type of woman I wanted for one of your brothers, not one of those bottle died blondes with the botox-injected faces. I read your article on how to save money while going green. We saved millions because of that article."

Katniss hid her smile.

"Mom," Peeta said. "She's the girl who I'm supposed to be…"

"Don't lose sight of her, she's a peach," Muriel said. "I shudder to think of you with that Glitter girl."

Mayor Undersea laughed, "Muriel we'll do lunch next week. Catch up on that golf game?"

"Why not? You'll lose," Muriel said. Turning to her son she said, "Now just stand there, give her a compliment Peeta."

"Mom," Peeta looked at her. "She's right…I mean you're gorgeous and I'd like to know if you'd go out with me this weekend?" Peeta said, rushing through his words.

"Really?"

"He's the best of the Mellarks," Roberta whispered to Katniss encouragingly.

"Well you don't have to say yes, but I just thought you should know that I also think you're also amazing. She fixed the decor earlier this afternoon."

"They had you working?" Mayor Undersee asked.

"I was helping out," Katniss said softly.

"You were the only one. I can't even tell you where the other bridesmaids were," Peeta said.

"Father, Father…" Madge called out.

"Madge dear," Mayor Undersea greeted.

Madge's lips were thinned. Despite her unpleasant attitude, Madge looked gorgeous in her princess-cut cathedral-length ball gown. It looked like she had sparkly white coral motifs on her dress. Cinna had done an extraordinary job on her gown. It was masterful, it made her look regal. "You cannot expect me to have…that woman in my wedding party."

"Now Madge," Mayor Undersee began.

"Father, I have to tolerate having her here, but now my pictures will be ruined. I mean have you seen her, she's an unattractive troll."

"Madge," her father said.

"Why can't cousin Mavey take her place, she is after all family?" Madge argued.

Katniss realized Madge didn't recognize her and she decided to keep quiet and see what happened.

"Madge, you will do what your father wants," Roberta said, and winked at Katniss. She too had come to the same conclusion as Katniss. "He is paying for this entire affair after all."

Katniss could see Madge formulating the all too familiar you're not my mother when her father cut her off.

"I told you. I did not agree with you marrying that young man, but you wanted him. So out of love, I have done all of this. However, per our agreement, Highbottom signed an ironclad prenuptial agreement. And you were to have Katniss as your maid of honor and Prim as a bridesmaid."

"But…at least Prim is presentable. My pictures will be fine with her in the back…but Katniss…" Madge looked and finally spotted Katniss.

Katniss was sure Madge would recognize her.

"Ugh, I'd rather have this woman here. She's better looking than Katniss. She will even look good standing next to Peeta."

Muriel snickered.

"Madge," her father opened his mouth and shut it, he gave Katniss an apologetic smile.

"Fine," Madge ground out. She huffed away her gown, nearly knocking down the easel with an image of her and her fiance.

"Just like her mother," Muriel muttered.

Roberta chuckled.

"I am sorry for my daughter's rude behavior." The Mayor rubbed his face. "It's my fault for spoiling her after her mother's death."

"People do funny things while grieving," Katniss replied.

"You know it was me who introduced your father and mother. He was so brilliant, like you. I was lucky to have known him."

"And if not for you, I wouldn't have married Peeta's father," Muriel said.

Gentle music began to play. A sign for all of the guests to go to their seats.

"I think I better grab my seat. Remember Peeta don't let this one out of your sight," Muriel said to Peeta.

"I think I'll join you. Edward honey, you better join Madge I think they're about to start." Roberta left with Muriel. Mayor Undersee walked away to find his daughter.

Peeta glanced around, his face was red. "I'm sorry I thought you were an employee…I didn't know you were that Katniss."

"How many Katniss's do you know?" The cheeky words slipped out of her mouth before she could stop them.

"Not many," Peeta chuckled.

"So how long have you known the groom?"

"To be honest the only guy I know is Finnick. He's in the fraternity that my brother went to. I've known those guys but never really hung out with them. Truthfully I think they picked me because I'll look good in the pictures."

Katniss found herself laughing.

"Honestly I'm glad the pictures are over with. I think after this I'm going to get a ticket and go back home."

"Why?"

"I'm not wanted here. I'm not going to stick around to be around people who don't like me."

"What if one of those people were your sibling?" The question slipped out of Katniss's mouth before she could even stop them.

"I overheard the way your sister spoke to you. You were only trying to help out the bride, not ruin her day. If anything without you the decor wouldn't have been finished."

"You heard all of that," Katniss felt her face become heated. It was embarrassing for her to know others had heard her sister's demeaning words.

"My older brother was that way. I love him but we don't get along. He disapproved of everything I did. I had to walk away."

Peeta's words were like a revelation to her. Her eyes found her sister. She loved her baby sister with every bone in her body but at the moment their relationship was toxic to Katniss. The words Primrose had spoken about their father hurt. The way Prim perceived Katniss hurt. Katniss looked up at Peeta.

"I learned a long time ago that family doesn't have to be blood-related," Peeta said.

Her sister threw her head back and laughed. It was a girlish yet feminine laugh intended to allure Cato. Cinna's words came to her in that instance. Both men were correct. As she watched Prim flirt with a tipsy Cato it dawned on Katniss that her sister was no longer a defenseless little girl. She was an adult.

Her mother was an adult.

They were all adults and her mother and sister didn't need her as much as she needed them. Katniss wanted more out of life. She wanted to feel safe again like when her dad was alive. She wanted that sense of family. Peeta was right she didn't have to be related to someone to call them family.

Prim was able to care for herself. Cato leaned over and whispered something in her sister's ears and her sister gave him a lusty look. Cato grinned and as he leaned back he nearly tripped over Finnick.

"Finn, you're cramping my style…" Cato looked flushed and his eyes were a little watery.

Marvel handed Cato a flask and the man drank from it and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Both of them chuckled. As they took more swigs from the flask. Marvel and Cato were clearly intoxicated.

"Marvel, Cato please find your partners," The wedding planner said. She was a redhead that looked like a fox. She wore sensible low-heeled shoes as she briskly put everyone in order.

She hovered over the group, her eyes quickly darted from looking at the tablet and looking about wildly at the group assembled.

"Peeta, would you happen to know where I can find Katniss Everdeen," the woman asked as soon as she reached them.

"I'm Katniss." Katniss said.

"Oh, I thought you were…well they said you…" The woman stammered.

"You thought I was ugly?" Katniss prompted.

"The way the bride described you…" she stammered then she took a deep breath. "We need you and Peeta to be ready to walk. I'll give you a signal to line up in front of the doors and then you march down the aisle."

Katniss smiled.

"Alright everyone please take your places," the woman shouted.

The procession began and Katniss watched a stately couple make their way through the doors. Katniss hung back as she watched the harried wedding planner try to wrangle the bridal party and the groomsmen. Katniss watched as her sister left with a drunk Cato followed by the other bridesmaids. It was finally her turn.

Katniss put her hand over Peeta's arm before taking a deep breath. There was a brief flicker of recognition as Prim recognized Katniss. Her sister's look was glacial, to say the least. Katniss stood waiting for the bride unaware of the appreciative glances she was getting from the groomsmen.

Madge floated down the aisle and did not pay any attention to Katniss; Madge was too busy hamming it up for the cameras and the audience. When the ceremony was over Katniss was glad that the reception was followed immediately by the cocktail hour and the dinner. They were waiting for the meals and Katniss was starving.

The meals were late and so the dance floor had opened up and people were dancing, and the drinks were flowing. Cato and Marvel were getting progressively louder. Waiters were walking around with small little hors d'oeuvres.

Mr. Undersea had been introducing Katniss around the room. She had more business cards in her hand than there were flowers in Madge's bouquet. Katniss saw a waiter with a silver platter loaded with bacon-wrapped scallops.

"I wouldn't eat those if I were you," Peeta said by her side.

Katniss turned around to ask why not when she saw that he had a slider in his hand. "Unless you're willing to lose some fingers I suggest you move that away from my face."

"Actually this is for you," Peeta offered.

"Oh, you're my hero," Katniss snatched the slider and with two bites it was gone.

"Katniss," Mayor Undersea called her.

"Hide me," Katniss whispered.

"Tell you what, I'll go get you food. Talk to the Mayor then meet me by the ice sculpture of Madge."

"As long as the food doesn't make me sick I'll eat anything," Katniss said.

"I'll take it you're not one of those salad queens."

"Either you cough up a salad or stop talking. I'm about to go outside and munch on the grass."

Peeta laughed. "Point taken."

"Katniss," the Mayor waived her over.

Katniss watched another waiter walk by.

"Trust me I get you the food." He winked and said, "I'll see you soon."

Katniss was headed to the mayor when a waiter got close. She was about to get an hors d'oeuvres when she was pulled back. Prim pulled her into a room where Madge was with the other girls.

"What are you doing wearing that!" Prim whispered furiously.

"Are you trying to upstage the bride?" Glimmer accused.

"Yeah," Cashmere said narrowing her eyes. 

This was a little too reminiscent of every movie where the Cinderella character was confronted by the antagonists. Over the years it could be the evil stepsisters, the mean co-workers, the popular 'it' crowd, or the disappointed family members. Katniss stood straight; she wasn't going to be beaten down.

"I'm not going to justify your behavior by letting you beat up on me. I've done nothing wrong. Madge congratulations on your nuptials. I hope you have a pleasant life and that you will never need the prenuptial agreement your father put in place. Primrose, I think it's time you grow up. I love you but I've been killing myself paying for your expenses and your education and all I seem to get from you is rotten vitriol. It's time for you to grow up. I'm not paying for your education or your lifestyle."

"Doesn't matter, mom will take care of me."

"Our mother. She can't afford it," Katniss "You're such a big fat liar. Mom…"

"Why would I lie? Do the math. Numbers do not lie. Mother hasn't worked in years. Where do you think she gets the money?" Katniss felt no victory at her words but they were truthful and were coming from a place where she put herself first for once.

"From her family. Our grandfather left her a small inheritance."

"Oh Primrose, there is no inheritance. It's been me…" Katniss wondered what lies her mother had put inside Primrose's head. "I've been the one sending money home. The one who has paid for your education, and the one who has spoiled you rotten. It's time that I stopped and let you be an adult."

"I don't believe you," Primrose spat.

"Don't," Made said. "She's only doing this because she's jealous. Jealous of you, of me, of how hot I am."

Katniss smirked, "Right."

"The only reason you're here is because of my father. I think it's time you left. Glimmer, call security. I don't want this riff-raff in my wedding."

It didn't matter at this point. Katniss was ready to leave.

The door to the room opened, and Peeta walked in. The music blasted in, and there was shouting. The room became quiet when Peeta shut the door. "Hey there you are, I was looking for you." Peeta took a look around the room, "Are you alright?"

"Yep." Katniss felt lighter than in years. She smiled at Peeta. "I was about to leave."

Peeta offered her his arm and she gratefully took it.

"Oh Madge, I forgot to tell you. You need to go speak to Cato and Marvel. They're trying to hit on the officiant's wife."

"What?" Madge said.

Peeta opened the door and there was Cato and Marvel grinding against Madge's ice sculpture.

"No!" Madge screeched as she got up and walked out with her group. Prim wouldn't look Katniss in the face.

Katniss felt a stab of pain in her heart. At this moment she wouldn't cry, she'd save that for private time. Peeta put his hand on hers and gently squeezed.

"One day your sister is going to see that her friends are not supportive and she's going to regret this moment."

"I know but it still hurts. I love her so much," Katniss said.

There was a loud yell and both looked out of the door to see Madge falling into her cake. Marvel and Cato were on the table laughing as the only thing that could be seen was her red-bottomed shoes sticking out from a mountain of cake.

"I think this is our cue to leave," Katniss said.

As he walked with her out of the room Peeta turned to her and said. "I know this is going to sound very douchey. But I flew here with my mother. She's got her bags already packed and ready to leave. I wouldn't mind giving you a ride home or having you forever with me. Did I say there was a bounty of food aboard my plane? I have cheese buns."

"That is quite the request?"

"So I take it forever, is off the table?"

"I didn't say it wasn't…" Katniss was contemplating what a cheese bun was.

"Okay, so I got my swan chance?"

"Swan?" Katniss frowned as they walked across the reception to exit. Peeta pulled her into a dance. From the distance, she saw Mayor Undersee nod at her

"You know a story without a name, this is our meet cute…"

Katniss laughed. This was her Swan story.

The End….

Epilogue Sort of…

Katniss sat aboard Peeta's private plane. After the wedding, Katniss and Peeta started dating. They were going out for a few months. Katniss had never been so happy. She missed her sister and mother, but she knew they had to learn to defend themselves and learn to live on their own two feet.

"Are we ready," Peeta's father said, clasping his hands and walking into the cockpit.

Peeta and his father were going to fly his mother and father on a small vacation in another district. She bit into one of the flaky morsels of bread. The fragrance of the melting cheese and herbs made her mouth water as she moaned. This was her third one.

"Good huh," Muriel said.

"I'd marry your son for just these," Katniss said with her mouth full of food.

"I think that can be arranged," Muriel said.

Katniss's eyes widened. "Um…"

"Mom," Peeta said as he walked on board.

"She's a good girl, and smart to boot," Peeta's father yelled from the co-pilot's seat.

"My husband is right, plus, I need some intelligent grandbabies."

"MOM! DAD!" Peeta exclaimed. His face was red.

Muriel smiled and waved the plate in front of her face. "He made them from scratch."

Peeta gave his mother that please-stop-look before saying, "I wanted to have something to eat on the flight. I was nervous about the trip."

"Oh, I'm sorry." Katniss felt guilty. "I'm eating your food."

"No don't worry, I don't mind," Peeta grinned, taking one from her hand. "Just save me one or two."

"Don't worry Everdeen…you can keep your name if you want…I just want a grandbaby, in return."

"MOM!" Peeta exclaimed.

Peeta turned to her his hand rubbing his neck, his face red, "Don't…listen…unless you know… that forever thing…that's still on the table."

Katniss grinned. "If you promised to make me cheese buns, I'll take it into consideration."

Muriel laughed. "I told you she's a keeper from the get-go, I don't know what you're waiting for."

"Mom, please…"

Katniss couldn't help chuckling. Peeta and his family were always this way. His mother was right, though about the women his brothers married. Those women were only interested in the money, that's why they were not invited.

Peeta was going to head for the cockpit when his mother winked at Katniss but addressed Peeta. "Son, why don't I fly with your father? You come back here and get to know this lovely girl, entertained."

"Are you sure?'

"I don't mind, besides this'll be a bonding time for your father and me, and your dad gets a thrill when I fly." His mother saucily said.

"I think I need my ears checked. Do you know if it's possible for that memory to be erased?"

Katniss laughed. As Peeta leaned over and placed a chaste kiss on her lips. "I've been dying to do that all morning."

"Mmmm…" Katniss hummed contentedly.

"Sorry about my mom and her pushing for a wedding and a grandbaby."

"No need, she's just trying to take care of you."

"I just wish they'd let me woo you on my own," Peeta said.

"You're doing just fine, wooing me," Katniss said.

"I am?" He grinned.

"You are, and if you keep me feeding me I won't even notice the wedding."

Peeta laughed. "Alright duly noted. Just remember this moment when I propose. Because forever is on the table for us."

Katniss settled back with her plate, like a dragon hoarding a golden treasure. Her swan story was a beautiful one.