#i almost passed out when my helix got pierced and not from the pain.

[lixbf]

kinda still thinking abt the needles phobia thing bc sometimes in my mind im like. sure i dont like needles but i have a tattoo and multiple piercings so it Could be worse i suppose.... but then i remember.

[choshasan]

I'm scared of piercers...

I've always loved piercings,

I've gotten 9 piercings in my life (only have 3 left), and 2 of those piercings were self-made (don't have them anymore),

And while it was very painful to pierce myself, espetially with the wrong materials,

Nothing neats the pain I've been in

Getting my Helix repierced

And 2. Getting my industrial piercing.

I still have my helix nowdays, cuz the first one cost me 25$ I lost it, never bought new jewlery for it and it closed up, and the 2nd time I got it repierced was on vacation in toronto and it cost me 90$ so.. 115$ later, I ain't taking that bitch out ever unless it's to clean it.

Now, my industrial on the other hand..

I have sliced fingers with a mandoline, knives, I've poured alcohol on wounds, I've almost split my head on a piece of metal as a child, I've puked and passed out from violent period cramps, I've had a car door slammed shut on my finger, I've been slammed into a locker's door, whateber the hell elese has happened to me in my life,

I've never felt as much pain as I did getting that piercing.

I literally lost control over my body and started kicking the chair under me and almost broke whoever was holding my hand at the time's hand, literally, not just to paint a picture, the piercer had to ask my brother to hold me down so I didn't break anything because I couldn't control shit my body was doing in reaction to the pain I was in.

I imediately got a migraine and almsot passed out afterwards.

And all that for the piercing to not only reject, but for me to have a terrible fucking allergic reaction to the metal!

And I know it's a piercing that can be painful, but simply because of that, I am 1. Never going back to that specific piercing place, and 2. Never getting a piercing from anyone but me again.

I'll buy a piercing kit when I'm ready to give myself piercings again.

Cuz that way at least I can take a break, go as fast or as slow as I need, abort mission if it's too painful, and if it's crooked, at least I didn't pay someone almost 100$ for my piercings ✨️

[talk-geek-to-me]

Stolen Kiss

Pairings: Peter Parker x Reader

Warnings: some bullying, fluff, Flash being the dick he is, 

Disclaimer: Reader is going to have features similar to tony’s. Like his hair and eye color. It took me so long to write this because i realized that while i wrote i edited. And i was having some problems with my masterlist. but the mastlist part is fixed -sorta- and i think it’s time to get this baby out.

Tagging: @hollandroos @parkerpuffwrites

Please send feedback!!

----

Flash didn’t expect you -of all people- to walk into his chem class. You’re Tony Stark’s daughter, for God’s sake, he thought he was dreaming. How can someone as beautiful as you go to Midtown? He watched you scan the classroom, your beautiful eyes landed on him, recognition flashing in your eyes,  making him smile and wave at you.

He watched you make your way down the aisle, passed him, and drop your books on the table as you climbed onto the empty stool next to Parker, who greeted you with a smile and moved the sheet of paper to the middle of the table. Your shoulder brushing against Peter’s as a smile grew on your lips. You brushed your hair behind your ear and pulled it onto your other shoulder, revealing multiple ear piercings. Peter caught a glint of the new helix earring. He gently touched it, seeing as it was still red and healing, as if you had just gotten it done. Which, you did. Seeing how you and Peter interacted, made anger spread throughout Flash’s chest.

“I think you got the wrong seat, there’s one opened next to me.” Flash leaned over the table behind him, making you look at him.

“Hmm... No, not I don’t.” Your smile faltered as your eyes raked over him, disappointment crossed over your face.

“How do you even know each other? Peter’s never been in the same room as Tony Stark,” Flash shot back at you, getting up from his seat and sat down in front of you. He leaned over your desk, into your personal space, causing you to sit up straighter. He grabbed your phone that was laying on the table, clicking the home button. His mood dropped more when he saw a picture you and Peter had taken about a week ago as your lock screen. You and Peter were laying on the floor of your room, making funny faces at the camera.

“Actually, he has.” You grabbed Peter’s pencil and jabbed the eraser onto Flash’s forehead a couple times, grabbing your phone in the process.

***

Peter jammed his keys into the apartment door, sending it opened with his foot. 

“Hey May” Peter tossed his bag on the ground as May quickly swallowed her drink.

“Hey, how was school today?”

“It’s ok. There’s this crazy car parked outside,” Peter froze in place when he saw who was sitting on the couch next to May. His eyes tore away from Tony’s to meet your brown ones, his breath hitching in his throat.

“Oh, Mister Parker” Tony looked over at you, seeing how you became Peter’s distraction.

“Umm.. Wha- What’re you doing- hey, I’m-I’m-I’m Peter,” the words finally coming out of his mouth making you stifle a giggle.

“Tony, and this is my daughter Y/N. She’ll be working with us.”

They went on to talk about the fake grant Peter got. Tony then talked to Peter in private, and you made small talk with May.

“Ya know, I’ve never seen Peter look at someone like the way he just looked at you.” She poured you more tea.

“I-I don’t know about that. He’s- yes, he’s very attractive. But I don’t even know him.” You let out a nervous laugh.

“Give it time” She smiled.

“Alright! We’re in business!! Y/N, let’s go. May, it’s ok we take him for a couple days right? For the internship,” Your father looked at May.

“Yea! Of course!!”

After the fight in the airport, Peter was back in his hotel room when a knock came from the door.

“Just a second!” He flipped off the bed and opened the door to reveal you, in sweats, hair in a bun, sporting a busted lip from the fight, and holding two pizza’s.

“I didn’t know what you liked on your pizza but I got you a pepperoni with extra cheese.” You walked into the room, and placed the food on the table.

That night, you and Peter stayed up, eating pizza and bonding over little things. You watched him talk about the fight, finding it very cute how excited he was.

Little did May know, she’d be right. You two had gotten close, the flirting was nonstop. You’d spend as much time as you could together. You eventually begged your dad to let you transfer schools from the one Upstate -which totally wasn’t your style- to Midtown. Something more you.

***

Flash took the pencil and broke it in half, annoyance filling his eyes.

“C’mon Y/N, you don’t need to lie for Peter. Just, come sit by me and I’ll show you how to make real chemistry.” He picked up your hand and went to kiss it, but not before Peter’s fist collided with his nose. A gasp fell from your lips, eyes widening as blood spilled from Flash’s nose.

“Oh my god!” You looked over at Peter, seeing anger was written across his features.

“I-I don’t- I need to get out of here.” Peter grabbed his backpack and your hand, fleeing the classroom with you in tow.

Peter dragged you down a maze of hallways before stopping in front of his locker. He dropped your hand, and began pacing back and forth. His hands running through his hair, breath quickening.

“Peter, you wanna tell me what the hell that was?” You leaned against the wall of lockers.

“I just- I don’t know- I- couldn’t just sit there! Him touching you! I-I-I couldn’t let him touch you, I don’t want him to touch you.” His voice shaky.

“Pete, hey, stop pacing,” You grabbed his hand, pulling him to you. “He’s not going to touch me. Hell, I would’ve done something if you hadn’t.” Your hand smoothed over the wild curls, eventually settling at the base of his neck, making him look at you. 

Peter felt his nerves begin to calm as he stared into your brown orbs. His hands finding their place on your hips, he gently placed his forehead against yours. Both of your eyes closed at the action, soaking in each others presence. A burst of confidence surged through him, his nosed brushed -almost feather like- against yours. You slightly tilted your head up, lips parting.

Your lips brushed together, causing goosebumps to scatter over your skin. Your fingers found their way back into his hair, his grip tightening on your hips. The shrill sound of the bell filled your ears, pulling you two apart. A groan escaped Peter’s lips as his head landed on your shoulder. Your head leaned against the locker as blush dusted your cheeks, heart racing.

Students had started filling the hallway, chatter came along with it. Peter’s arms had slid around your waist, and his face was now in your neck.

“I have to go to Spanish, but I’ll see you at lunch Y/N.” He planted a small kiss on your neck, which made the blush turn a deeper red. His arms disappeared from your waist, hand dipped down to grabs yours and giving it a gentle squeeze.

You watched him walk down the hall towards his Spanish classroom. You turned around, a grin broke out across your face as the memory of your almost kiss played over and over again in your mind. You knew it was going to distract you for the rest of the day. And it did.

By the time lunch rolled around, your were absolutely famished. You were definitely ready for the fries that you knew were going to be on the table by the time you arrived. 

You were sitting at the table with Ned and Peter talking about the latest theory of the new Wonder Woman movie that was coming out. You were dishing out fact, while Ned spews out something he read on the internet.

“Ned, she’s a damn Amazon! Basically a God! She can’t die!” You stood up from the table to throw away the trash that had built up between the three of you. 

“Damn right she’s an Amazon,” A lust filled voice said behind you sending discomfort through you. “Right Penis Parker?”

You turned around, finding Flash standing directly behind you. You took a step back to get as much space as you possibly could. You could see the dried blood on Flash’s nose, a failed attempt to get all the blood off was obviously made.

“You don’t have to pretend to like him Y/N, I know you don’t.” Flash grabbed your hand and began to pull you towards his table.

“Actually,” You ripped your hand out of his grip. “You’re right Flash, I don’t like him.” You walked towards Peter, seeing the pain in his eyes you sent him a wink. You stopped behind his chair, pulled it out -Peter still in it-  far enough for you to take a seat in Peter’s lap, startling him enough to jump and instinctively wrap his arms around your waist to keep you from falling off him. Your arms around his shoulders, your eyes searching his.

Your hand tangling in the hair at the base of his neck, foreheads touching. You were reenacting your almost kiss. Your lips brushed against his, feeling the hesitation, you took a leap of faith. Hoping you didn’t hurt him enough to make him pull away. You lips met his, his grip immediately tightening. Your heart swelling when he cupped your cheek, deepening the kiss. Someone cleared their throat making you pull away. A blush had found its way onto Peter’s cheeks this time. Your foreheads still pressed together, a smile was ever-present on his lips making you smile.

“I’m falling in love with him.”

Part 2

[shibyn]

and the wind sounds like the world’s sigh

persona 4 & 5 | shiho-centric, investigation team Near the end of May, Shiho transfers to a sleepy town called Inaba for a fresh start. However, Inaba isn’t the sleepy town her parents thought would be best for her— its on edge with unsolved mysteries, and Shiho finds that there’s a bit more behind what meets the eye regarding some of her classmates and a TV screen.

chapter 5 | 2.4k

But then she sees Chie and Yukiko and Yosuke and Souji turn to him, taking up the guy's space like it's nothing. Chie heartily slaps his shoulder and Yosuke grins something cheeky and probably says something stupid seeing the reaction it creates. They orbit around him, pulling him into their group until he can't leave. And-- he looks like he doesn't mind. It clicks: Tatsumi Kanji. Ah, she thinks, I really did have a conversation with a kid who was missing for weeks about his earrings. Huh.

From the moment she steps beyond the school gates, she know's something's up. It's in the air, thick and heavy. It's in the way there's more tight groups of people, whispering and murmuring, in the way it looks like everyone's on guard. Shiho can only blink curiously. She barely catches the tail ends of conversations as she switches shoes, but never hears enough to know what's up. It's really weird. For a school where she hears just about every spindly, prying rumor about anything, this... this thing is strangely a topic of reverence. Or maybe it's one not privy to an outsider's ears. She shoulders her bag, trying to clear her mind. It's whatever. She's never really cared about rumors prior to now, so why bother? Then again-- for a rumor to have this much of an impact? Something's either really wrong, or she's overthinking. In the end it's just weird. "Ah! Good morning, Suzui!" She looks up accordingly. Chie stands in front of her shoe locker, waving, with Yukiko by her side. Yukiko smiles politely instead of greeting, a flicker of confusion in her eyes like maybe she doesn't really know why Chie's talking to her, which is understandable. "Good morning," she says awkwardly. Honestly? She's right alongside Yukiko.  She fiddles with the strap of her bag, caught by social obligation not to flee immediately. "Uhm. You seem cheery this morning." And she is-- Chie's basically vibrating in her skin, brimming with energy. She flips open her shoe locker with more motion than necessary, looking up in thought. "I guess I am! Today just feels like a great day, y'know?" Shiho takes a long side-eye down the hall, where people are basically leering at each other, set on edge. "Sure." Chie pulls out her indoor shoes and a plethora of bandages from her locker in such a fluid motion Shiho doesn't initially realize just how many bandaids she pulled out. She glances at Chie's knees nearly instantly-- they're splotched in bruises and scrapes and cuts, some already covered in bandages, some not. Momentarily, she catches the grimace that briefly crosses Yukiko's face at the sight of all the bandages before she refocuses on changing shoes. "Did you-- did you fall or something? Some of those don't look too good," she finds herself saying, the words tumbling out of her mouth. She doesn't know much about karate or taekwando or whatever, but she didn't really think it was possible to get all cut up like that. Chie pauses momentarily. "For the most part, yeah!" Pressing down a bandaid, she motions absently with her free hand. "Most of the bruises were already there, though! This just looks worse than it actually is." It's crazy flippant for someone with shredded knees. Maybe if it were someone else, someone she were closer to, Shiho wouldn't accept that answer. But she doesn't really know Chie-- maybe she did actually take a tumble down some brick stairs, maybe not. The cuts don't look gritty enough to be something as skidding knees on pavement. "Okay," she says instead, "Just be careful, yeah?" The smile on Chie's face is nearly too sunny. "Yeah, no worries!" — Tatsumi Kanji is back. That's the whole fuss. It's a little hysterical. Someone is no longer missing, and everyone acts like Armageddon has dawned. She's got no clue if it's because he's a bad person or not, but-- Chie and Yukiko and Yosuke and Souji seem to like him, or at least think well of him. Surely he can't be that horrible. Even if he's back, she never sees him. She's-- She's not keeping an eye out for him, not really, but there would definitely be some mob behavior to indicate who he is. People would whisper and pass rumors as if he didn't have ears. People would swerve to get out of his way, leaving a open pathway, but only one made of contempt. Maybe he's just not here at all today. Maybe he's just taking the day to stay at home, where he surely would be with his family, making up for all the worry and stress. Or-- would his family even be like that...? Shiho bites the side of her thumb, pulling herself from that strain of thought. Not my business, she thinks, pushing double doors open to the breezeway. It's surprisingly empty out here even though it's lunch. She fiddles with the extra change in her hands, wandering towards where she remembers the vending machine to be. She really only saw it fleetingly-- didn't even check what was in it. She hopes it was worth coming out here for. The vending machine sits not far around the corner. It's sparingly stocked-- quite a sad sight. She shifts on her feet, looking over each can with a growing disinterest. She's never been one to drink soft drinks or coffee, not really-- being around Ann and her crazy diets that will be ruined if she even glances in the direction of a soft drink has made Shiho indifferent, but she had just enough extra change in her bag that what the hell, why not. Plus-- the loose change jangling in her bag was grating her nerves. She just absently slots the coins in, punching for a drink that's actually stocked. It whirs slowly, moving like molasses. She might get her drink before lunch ends. Around the corner, the double doors swing open with a slam, the noise echoing between the buildings. Shiho flinches and glances down the breezeway. Wonder what could've made them so angry to slam the door like that... she thinks. The student rounds the corner, strolling towards the vending machine with a gait that can really only be called a prowl. She nearly bites through her tongue. It's an honest-to-god punk. He's got the piercings, got the bleached hair, got the gakuran over his shoulders, the wide stance, the hands shoved into his pockets deeper than they actually are, the biting glare that makes people give a wide berth around him. Sure, there were delinquents at Shujin, but all they really amounted to were just Akira and Ryuji, and they're about as un-deliquent as it gets. This-- this is something else. This is the absolute pinnacle of the punk stereotype. He nearly seems to bristle, finally noticing that she's standing there. A scowl twists his mouth, nose scrunching up as his glare somehow still manages to get more intense. "What are you looking at?" he grunts, both slouching and straightening up to an intimidating height. The can clunks to the bottom of the vending machine. She doesn't move to get it. Ah, shit. She didn't realize she was staring. Shiho presses her lips together thinly-- how-- how can she get out of this without sounding like a total idiot? 'Oh, hey, I was just thinking about the delinquents at my old school, who were actually my friends and don't really deserve to be called delinquents, but high schoolers, yknow?' Yeah, right. Like that would fly over well. Would-- would he just start throwing punches anyways even if she gave him an answer that shouldn't be provoking? Shit, she really needs to be more aware of when she's staring-- "Uhm," she flounders. "Sorry, if it's, um, insensitive or something, but-- did those piercings hurt?" she blurts. Open mouth, enter foot. Absolutely incredible. The deepening of the crease between his eyebrows probably says she's a fucking idiot and will be going home with a snapped arm or something, so she continues to be stupid and keeps plowing on. "I mean, yeah, they probably did, sorry, that was a stupid question-- but, uhm, was it any worse than getting your lobes pierced?" There's a pause. It's almost achingly long and awkward, and Shiho nearly wants to just run away before it stretches on any longer. But, slowly, the punk's hand moves towards his ears, where he tugs on one of the earrings like he's trying to remember how painful it was. "They're... helix piercings," he says, his voice much less gruff than it was earlier. He speaks slowly, maybe trying to remember. "They go through cartilage, so they... hurt more, I think. They're definitely not the worst piercing, though. Just a little worse than getting your lobes pierced." "Ah, I see," she says. She presses her earlobe between her index finger and thumb, feeling for the holes. She's had her ears pierced for ages, but they're probably on the verge of completely closing up since she slacks on wearing earrings consistently enough for them to stay open. Knowing her luck, getting helixes would be a waste-- they'd close up on her since she's so crummy at keeping earrings in. "Where'd you get them pierced? Is there-- is there a parlor around here?" He scratches his cheek. "I did 'em myself." She blinks. "Wow. They look really good for doing them yourself," she says, tilting her head to see his ear better. They're nearly evenly spaced-- it's a hell of a lot better than whatever she could do. Her hand's not steady enough to even try. He makes a face. "I wouldn't recommend it. Hurt like hell, and one of them got crazy infected. Goin' to a pro would be better." "Gotcha." She stoops down, quickly retrieving the drink she's let sit longer than she should have. Stepping back, she pulls the tab and takes a sip of whatever weird off-brand soda she got. She scrunches her nose. "Sorry for keeping you," she says, trying to decide whether or not the drink is worth finishing or not. Raising a hand as goodbye, she smiles slightly, "Have a good day." He nods back, taking her place in front of the vending machine as she leaves. Taking another sip, she lets it sit in her mouth for a bit-- it's... a bland drink, to say the least. Like carbonated water with the slightest hint of fruit, almost too small to even be considered flavored. No wonder it was the only one fully stocked. She spits it out in a bush before she goes back inside. — After school ends, she sees the delinquent again. He's loitering just outside of the school building, glaring at everybody who so much as glances in his direction. Huh. He didn't seem like that bad of a guy-- er, he didn't threaten her, which really is all it takes to be a good guy in her book-- but he really is the pinnacle of the punk stereotype. Momentarily, she considers doing something-- saying a goodbye, have-a-nice-day, something like that, but who's she kidding? She doesn't have the guts to say anything, even after she had a weirdly stilted conversation about his earrings. Shiho places her indoor shoes into the locker, briefly wondering how weird it would look if she just smashed her head into the locker right now. She doesn't really get to come to an answer, though-- Chie comes sailing past her, followed by Yukiko, Yosuke, and Souji, chirping a peppy, "Hey, Suzui! See ya later!" and she's raising her hand in a belated 'see ya' like some kind of idiot. They all exit the building, wrapped up in the whirl wind of a conversation. They veer dangerously close to the delinquent, and after seeing how hostile he's come off to everyone within a three-meter radius, them approaching in at a one-meter distance makes her think he's going to start throwing hands, but-- But then she sees Chie and Yukiko and Yosuke and Souji turn to him, taking up the guy's space like it's nothing. Chie heartily slaps his shoulder and Yosuke grins something cheeky and probably says something stupid seeing the reaction it creates. They orbit around him, pulling him into their group until he can't leave. And-- he looks like he doesn't mind. It clicks: Tatsumi Kanji. Ah, she thinks, I really did have a conversation with a kid who was missing for weeks about his earrings. Huh. — Shiho wakes up at midnight to the sound of white noise. At first, she's pretty sure it's just the rain-- it's a consistently down pour, but nothing storm-like. The tap-tap-taps against the glass are rhythmic, and she's almost lulled back to sleep until she realizes there's another white noise. It's static. It's... static? It's muffled, yet still distinctly loud. She lays and waits, listening. That's definitely static. Grumbling, she rolls to her side, checking the time-- 12:00 exactly, damn-- and laments rolling out of bed. Her dad must've fallen asleep watching TV or something. He's going to have a cow that he fell asleep and left the TV on-- the electrical bill is going to be astronomical. She sits up, sighs, and stands up. Her knee protests slightly at the sudden movement. She stumbles around her room, absently flicking on her phone's flashlight. The house is quiet, aside from the echo of the rain and the hum of static. The floorboards are cold when she steps on them, careful to not wake up her father as she walks into the living room. The TV's on, the screen completely filled with static. The noise is much louder now that she's out here. Frowning, she shuffles closer to the couch. Her father's not exactly a light sleeper, but surely he would've woken up by now. Except, when she peers over the back of the couch, there's no one there. She blinks. And blinks. Okay. That's... weird. The TV surely wouldn't've been left on, especially once her parents went to bed. They would've heard whatever was playing before the signal got scrambled by the rain, and they would've turned it off. Huh. She rounds about the couch, reaching for the remote. The static is nearly suffocating out here, blaring in her ears. She fumbles with the remote for a second, holding it up. Something appears in the static. Heart stuttering, Shiho halts. There's an image of something faded in the static. It's too hard to tell what it could even be-- a room, maybe?-- before the screen fully returns to static. The static roars, hums, and then fades until there's no noise and Shiho is cast into darkness.

She swallows thickly, the thrum of her pulse in her ears now the loudest thing in the room. She clicks the power button on the remote-- the TV screen flickers on to the food channel, the one her parents always watch. There's no remnants of static on the screen, no stuttering, no delay-- nothing. Even when the wind picks up outside, the signal doesn't falter.

Shiho clicks the TV off.

[marixpedition]

5 Risks That Gave 2019 a 180-Degree Turn

It is almost the end of the year, and here we are trying to look back at what basically happened in the year that is yet to end. I am guessing that it will either be a trip down to memory lane or a flashback of regrets. It is undeniable that we are all rooting for the former though.

2019 embodies a different personality for every person. I have scrolled through Instagram looking at people’s 2019 stories - travel, success, milestones, relationships, reconciliation, breakups, enlightenment, coffee, and more coffee. Some would say it is a year to be thankful for; some would say it is something they have to let go of. I am thinking each year boils down into two options: make or break. 

I have known people who got married this year, had their first child, graduated from college or graduate school, got back with their ex, traveled a lot this year, just got promoted at work. Others I have known of lost a family member, ended a long time relationship, got cheated on, lost an opportunity they have been waiting for so long, was rejected by a person they liked so much or friendzoned, had a friendship gap because of little things that got out of hand.

Disclaimer lang puu: ‘di ako nagbablind item or nangchichismis.

Each year that passes for us is a mathematical problem that just got solved or just left us even more puzzled than we were in this life. If I were to assess my 2019, I choose the latter. There are so many things this year that got me asking myself, “ What the heck was that?” or “What on Earth just happened?”

I am about to share to you 5 personal things that happened in my year and what I learned from them. These are not just 5 personal issues or drama or whatever you would call that, but they are “risks” I took this year that made me tell myself, “Damn, girl! Ano? Rebel ghorl?”

1. Pixie Cut

Christmas of 2018 was when I finally had a short haircut after 3 years of having a long hair, but 2018 was yet to be shaken. It was because I finally decided, middle of this year, to get a pixie after a year of push and pull conflict with myself. I was too excited to get my hair chopped real short that time and also nervous. Why was I nervous? SIZT! I was about to get the shortest length of haircut in my entire life (so far). Who knows I might sport myself a baldy some day? 

Do I consider it a risk? ENTIRELY. It was a huge risk because I was not fully confident that I will be able to pull it off after the magic of the salon blower expires. It turns out to be true. Reactions of the people I know were mixed. “Omg! You cut your hair? I love it!” “It suits you! How I wish I can do the same!” “What happened to your hair?!” “Why did you cut it?” “What are you doing with your life?” (Oo besh may ganun nagtanong, “Ano ginagawa mo sa buhay mo?”)

How did my family react to it? My brother - no comment. My mother - at first she was confused as to why I would cut my hair very short but she eventually accepted my decision. After months of having my pixie, she also got the same hairdo. Idol talaga ako ng nanay ko. ‘Di bale idol ko din naman siya. My father - he did not like it. He thought I looked like a “tomboy” in Filipino context. Jake Zyrus ganorn daw. Even my relatives from the province was not a fan of it especially the titas. I still love them, but I was on the verge of blaming the culture for what it has imposed on women with short hair and glorifying those with long ones. But I said to myself, WHATEVER. 

That is when it hit me. 

That is how it feels when you defy the norms without actually violating any rules. Cliché man pero EMPOWERED tayo mga mamshies. It was following my heart’s desire without compromising my faith and principles nor any relationship. It was a great leap for me - doing something new and beyond my comfort zone.

It reminded me of the day I put my life in the hands of the Lord. Many people would say it is very risky and scientifically unstable based on human calculations, but never in my entire life did I feel like I have done the right-est thing until I have surrendered everything to Him.

But why did I grow my hair again? P350 monthly haircut maintenance at Bench Fix Salon. Mahal, besh. Pulubi na ako.

2. 2nd Pair of Lobe and Helix Piercing

The second thing I will talk about is indeed RISKY. I admit that I have compromised few of my principles and relationships here. Example would be the promise to keep the body pure for it is the temple of the Holy Spirit, which means that having tattoos or cuts/wounds do not make the Lord pleased. Also, because I am an educator who is to be a role model in the academic institution, I must not have gotten a piercing that could push my students to do the same which obviously is not allowed in school.

Second best question is do I regret getting those piercings? Kind of. I am not the type of person who breaks the rules because I detest any form of hassle if it can be avoided. Now, having these piercings is so hassle when I am at work because they have to be removed then put on again at night to make sure the holes do not close.

Hassle talaga, mga besh. Wala eh. Priorities. I love my work more than my nice earrings and piercings.

Kathryn Bernardo made me get the piercings. Haaayy. I still love her though.

Do I recommend piercing? Yes, one pair only for girls. For boys, nah.

But to those who are wondering where I got them (hehe), I’ve had my first pair of lobe since I was a child. I don’t exactly remember where I got them. My second lobe piercings are from Unisilver which used an ear gun. It was more painful compared to needle piercing. My helix piercing was done by Iggy Boy Palma, a professional tattoo and piercing artist, at Whiplash Tattoo in BF Aguirre. Popular question: Which is safer and less painful? Definitely, needle piercing. I give it a 2/10 level of pain.

3. Bleaching my Hair

It was only this December that I finally decided to give my grown pixie a new look. I had the back part trimmed and gave in to the highlights club. At first, I was troubled by how it looked like after having it bleached. IT WAS SUPER LIGHT AND BRIGHT #ManokNaDilaw (yellowish orange). I got nervous because it looked bad on me, and I do not want to be called out again for another violation. So, I had the stylist layer the color with another coating which is gray.

Many people have asked how it was done. Let me share with you how simple it was. First, the stylist tied my hair in half pony tail. The loose part (untied) was the one that got bleached and colored gray. Finally, if you put the pony down, the light dye will be covered but is partially seen which is actually the idea of the style.

Was I happy about it? SUPER. I think this hairstyle is actually cool-subtle kind of rebel. It is not loud obvious, but it shows and stands out. Thank you, Pinterest.

Do I recommend it being done in a salon? Yes! Less hassle, and the stylists know better. However, if you have been coloring your own hair for years now, I guess you could do a DIY not to mention that it will be cheaper.

4. Getting Darker

What is wrong with being dark? NOTHING. But is there something wrong? Yes, many in this country believe that those who are fairer look better. Am I angry? No, but I am sad. Ganda ko kaya, char.

This year, I was blessed to have visited Boracay with my church friend. Despite it being crowded, it was a real paradise (Kala ko nga nasa abroad ako eh puro foreigners legit). The white sand was so fine just like flour. During the trip, I did bring with me sunscreen but not to make myself not get dark but to avoid sunburn. Yes. I was super ready to dive into the sea and just get all that rays on sunshine on my skin. When going on a beach trip, getting a tan is a must. I think tan looks pretty. To cut the long story short, I got darker intentionally lol.

Why is this a risk? I believe I have never been as dark as that in the past four years. After some time, our family went to our province in Quezon. Many of our relatives were like, “Ang itim mo!” “You got dark!” (Ano pa po? Keep it coming!) Well, it’s true, but what is saddening is the facial expressions that accompanied their remarks. Am I mad? Of course, not! It is a risk I do not regret at all. I do not mind getting dark as long as I get dark while on a beach trip and not here in Manila heat.

5. A New Work Responsibility

Now is some serious talk. (Kabado me sa part na ituu) What has changed this academic year for me? First, I got new additional tasks that are more challenging. Second, I am advising both students and teachers already. Third, I’m doing OTs again.

What exactly is this that I am talking about? It’s hard to explain, but let me put it this way. I used to be just an extra in a scene. Now, I am a some sort of a minor character who is tasked to help the protagonist achieve the goal and slay the enemies.

Am I happy about the opportunity? BIG YES. Is it mostly fun doing the job? No (nako nako talaga). There are more emotional heartbreaks, mental breakdowns, and sleepless nights. I have learned things in a not so easy way like how words could mean differently to the company and to the customer and how honest and transparent I must be to our clients. There were moments when I think I knew better, and it was so difficult to submit to authority. In those times, I was able to prove again that only God will remain consistent by my side. He is my constant help and supporter who encouraged me to choose what is right rather than what is convenient.

Did this opportunity put me in a better situation? Triple yes. I admit that the journey is an uphil climb. There is absolutely zero shortcuts (hirap kung hirap mga kapatid). However, God surrounded me with people who helped me mature, be graceful under pressure, control my emotions, laugh despite the hurt, and clearly see the beauty of being a teacher.

To end this post, I would like to just praise the God Almighty for His faithfulness in our lives. Getting through the 365 days is no joke. There were nights I thought of not going to work the next day because I had so many doubts and insecurities. Fortunately, I have only had one absence because I was sick. It was an ironman race to finish 2019. There were several curves and confusing directions which stressed me so much. Even though it was exhausting and tempting to give up, God pushed me to not stop moving until the end of the race (which of course I have not reached yet).

My 2019 is not as extravagant or controversially interesting as others’, but what I can say is that in those motivating experiences that happened in my year, I have earned a bigger faith in Him.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

v. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

v.7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

[namjoonchronicles]

Game Over - [BTS] Namjoon!Au

Prompt: “Times like this I doubt your intelligence.”

Namjoon tries to poke the screw into the USB port. “Where does this go.” He muttered to himself as you watch. At the same time, you were looking around to see if there’s cars passing by, but it’s close to evening and there’s barely any cars or kind people around. Namjoon forgets his phone and drained your battery, playing cooking games on them—and now you’re stuck in a semi-used highway that’s about to be abolished in two weeks’ time because there’s another highway being developed.

“There’s barely any car passing by Namjoon, we’re going to die here. How can you be so relaxed?” You throw your head back and spun around in frustration. “Because, panicking about it won’t solve the problem.” He shot, sitting on the dashboard of the car, cross-legged in the calmest manner any human could afford to be in this alarming situation. “It’s going to get dark really soon, and we don’t bring food.” Pacing left and right wasn’t going to make the situation better. “Besides, being relaxed about it doesn’t solve it either.” You added a tiny shake of your head, disapproving his method of problem solving.

“I shouldn’t have listened to you.” You muttered.

Namjoon hung his head back and lay his back on the windshield, without a care in the world. “What if there’s wolf around? Or worst. Vampires.” Your eyes were as wide as your worries. The sun is disappearing in record time and you have never been so scared in your life when you realized the possibilities of the things you said. With that concern, you inched closer to Namjoon, perceiving that it’s best for you to be with him, rather than any beings out there. “Have you never been out after dark? You’re scared of literally everything.” Namjoon crossed his arm and clenched his eyes shut with a tinge of annoyance in his voice as he say. And you didn’t miss the slight mockery that comes with it. “Of course. I go to clubs. I go to a drive in the middle of the city. I get drunk. But never in the middle of nowhere with no phone and food.” You raised your voice towards the end.

“I’m going inside, there’s mosquitoes and jerks out here.” Eyeing Namjoon’s shoes, you said, yanking the car door open and sat on the driver’s seat. Squinting your eyes at the gas level that goes farther than nil, you couldn’t help hating yourself for not realising that it had run out of fuel before you decide to leave on a spontaneous road trip. Namjoon jumps off the hood of the car and went opposite side of yours. The sky turned orange and birds are flying around at dusk so he figured it’d be better if he joined you. A screw is not a power bank. He dips his head inside at you and said, “I’m going to walk for a bit to see if there’s a diner or power station nearby, I’ll be back once I’m convinced there aren’t any. You’ll be alright, right?”

“What? No. Don’t leave me here alone. I’ll go with you.” You hurried to say and grabbed your bag. “But we can’t leave the car behind.” Namjoon contorted his face in disapproval but you talked him out of it, you always do. “…That’s why they have locks. Look around, there’s no one here.” You climbed out, shut the dashboard and jogged to Namjoon as he waited for you to come. Linking arms with him, he literally judged you for it. “I know we’re nowhere near that kind of relationship but my fear is larger than the fucks I give, so you either walk as if I’ve done nothing or we go our separate ways.” You understood the look he gave and resumed walking while linking arms. With his dead-ass long legs, you had to jog sometime to keep up. “Slow down, I have little legs!” You scolded him and he halted in his step, squaring his shoulders at you.

“Get on me.” He hissed, blowing hot air to his forehead. “Excuse you.” You hugged yourself.

Namjoon gave you an electrifying gaze and exhaled sharp. “Listen, if I walk at your pace, it will day time when we get there so…Either you get on my back or I’m carrying you bridal style.”

That was not a difficult choice to make. Your chest pressed on his back, arms around his neck. He had a nice faint smell of cologne on, and his shampoo… amazing. “You have piercings.” Bringing your fingertips to the specimen, you could witness Namjoon’s helixes becoming red at your touch. “That’s amazing, I never realize this.” You commented. Namjoon smiled brightly, taking all the chances of you never having the ability to watch this proud grin of his. “I wanted to get my helixes pierced but my mom says no.” You unknowingly lean your chin on the left side of his shoulder. “What cologne are you using? They smell nice.”

Namjoon answered lowly, “…I’ll show you the bottle. Someone gave it to me.”

Nodding as a response, you realized that his steps are getting slower. “Are you tired? I can walk faster than this.” Turning your head to him at such a close distance—merely inches from his face. “Let me down, your silence is enough for me to decipher everything you wanted to say.” You said, tapping his wrist and you jumped down from his back. “…I guess you have very strict parents.” Namjoon stretched his arms above his head and groaned to relax himself. “They are. I got a tattoo without them knowing.” Sharing secrets with Namjoon was new to you. But there was something about him that made those secrets roll out of your tongue so effortlessly. Like he was meant to hear them..

When you knew Namjoon, you literally had the guts of him. He was smart, smarter than you. He gets all the attention from lecturers because he’s such a gullible and reliable young adult. He was dependable. And there’s rarely a guy like him. You two were the brightest in your batch and to be honest, you’ve made your classes as a field to showcase your intelligence. Although Namjoon would usually win most of the unprecedented battles of the brains between you two. So you two were commonly known as the arch enemy of the other. Constant grade fights, handing in quizzes almost at the same time, answering the professor’s questions. Namjoon usually let himself lose when the competition gets physical. So you avoided talking to him and being in the same hall as him. But with this road trip, given as an assignment from your professor, you had to spend time with him. And at first, you were against it. But Namjoon convinced you, and you listened.

There was a family gathering you do not wish to attend.

You told your mom that Namjoon’s a girl so she could have peace. She will throw a fit when she knew you lied but that’s for later.

“Isn’t that a diner sign?” Namjoon squeezes his eyes to see. “Am I seeing things or are you seeing it too?” “I think it is. Come let’s go closer to see!” You skipped, waving your hand at him to come faster.

The diner was open and you ordered some good food. While waiting, the waitress gave you a cup of coffee and Namjoon, a cup of tea. “This experience will be something I will remember for the rest of my life.” You gushed, a huge smile on your lips and Namjoon averted his eyes to the tea and grinned. “I would have never thought you were the kind to get tattoos behind your parents’ back if it weren’t for this road trip.” He bit his lips. “And I wouldn’t have thought that you were the kind of guy who would go out at night just for fun.” You passed.

“In college, all we care about is grades. And all we do is compete. But now that I’ve seen you as a girl, you weren’t that bad.” Namjoon smacked his lips together. Namjoon saw you as an alpha female, in campus, someone who is strong and independent. And he was right, but he thought you were the kind that does everything by the book and now he’s proven to be wrong. Because you have tattoos and actually goes to club and aimlessly drive at night. It’s like he has found his soulmate. He’s done all that alone, and now he doesn’t have to.

“I think this is a setup, to be honest. I’ve heard from someone that the professors are so sick of us fighting, so they put this imaginary thesis report with a compulsory road trip that isn’t even THAT important to get us to…get along.” Two spoons of sugar and cream into your coffee, “But we know we aren’t the bests of friends, are we.” Gladly, the waitress came with food so Namjoon didn’t have to answer that. The desire to compete in you is so massive, Namjoon’s heart-eyes goes unnoticed. He was trying to be appealing, and you, you didn’t even realise that. You both talked about your favourite series, favourite movies, songs that made you cry, family events that changed something in both of you, the toughest time in high school, the environment in college that made it all better. Even the habits you have when you’re dealing with something tough.

“A staircase to the rooftop? I thought they closed all access to them.” You exclaimed. Namjoon shakes his head, side to side, grinning, hiking a breath through his teeth and scrunched his face to his right, as you watched, “…Not all. I’ll take you there later. It’s really calming.”

Then you disapproved with a smile, stirring your half-drunk cup of coffee, “…No. You’re showing me your sensitive side, no way. I’m not going to go there. That’s game over right there.” Namjoon’s genuine smile turned to a sad one and even though he tried to hide, he could feel how painful it is. The twitch in his brow, says it all. “…What do you mean by that.” You shrugged and finish up your coffee before telling him to go out because the diner’s closing. The walk back to the car, was quiet. All you hear is the grass rustling underneath your shoes and his soles hitting the pebbles in his steps. He dug his hand in his jeans pocket while watching over you. Your shoulders, your hair in a bun, your tiny feet. A bit of hate in his heart when he remembered you said: Game Over.

How is being in love with him, a game over?

Reaching the car, you unlocked them and realised that you didn’t even call a tow car whilst at the diner. Talking to Namjoon made you forget. Turning your back to the car, Namjoon thumbed your chin in a swift and pulled you in for a deep kiss. He tilts his head to the opposite side, clashing noses in the process and continued to nibble on your lower lips. You stood barely firm against him, and when he collected your waist with one arm, you let out an accidental moan, that made he broke the kiss in a timely manner. “Game over.” He breathed to your mouth, hotly. “But you lose.” You arched an eyebrow, challenging him. “Okay, but why does it feel like I’m winning?” Namjoon carried you to sit up the back of the car and you prayed that the sun comes up soon because it feels like you wouldn’t even make it through the night.

Not with Kim Namjoon.

[extraplanetarystory]

Part 8

Being the first person awake was something new to me. Well, not awake, but I was never the first one skulking around the kitchen in the morning. I say skulking because I took each step as quietly as I could and opened each cupboard with as much careful control as I had. I didn’t want to make a peep. I was never the first one up.

Truth be told, I was up the entire night. I started researching the Cerran war over Creos. (It was a revolutionary war. Creos wanted independence from a government several light years away.) But as the night went on, I seemed to fall down multiple rabbit holes and came away with what felt, at the moment, like a head full of mostly useless facts.

Darebajyk were telekinetics whose origins are still debated. Kjanxe were a successful, but controversial, human-animal experiment created by qicuqop scientists. Plott had its own Broadway. Mansheon had a desert with the same surface area as “upper Plott.” The sport vissure caused the most injuries of any sport in Sa’cra. Bronud had animals almost tall as a man that looked like horned praying mantises. Space coffee is called “fewa.”

I think I watched three parts of a television show about motorcyclists. Well, they’re racers and they’re called mudulel. Motorers. I couldn’t tell if it was fiction or a docuseries.

I had my tablet with me as I went about finding food, having switched at this point to a news program. The volume was so low I could barely hear it, but I caught words here and there. I grabbed a small roll of bread from one cabinet, went around the island to see if there was anything knew inside a small box that preserved fruit. There were a few not-kiwanos. Those would do!

“This is new.”

I shrieked, spun around. Atlyana was leaning in the hallway entrance of the kitchen, smiling like she’d just witnessed a rare event. I guess she did.

“I didn’t mean to startle you.” She stepped forward, crossed her arms on the island.

“I have no idea what you are talking about,” I cleared my throat and shrugged, nonchalantly pulling myself into the table nook behind me. I made myself busy peeling at the spikes of my fruit. It was easy. All I had to do was dig a fingernail and drag.

“I didn’t think it was possible for you to come out of hiding so early.”  She was still grinning as she slid across the kitchen, then into the seat across from me.

“Oh, ha-ha,” I gave her a mock smile, but nodded. “That is why I was trying to be silent. Truth said, I did not sleep. I was studying.”

“Were you? Studying?”

Atlyana seemed too excited, too eager, even for her pleasant nature. Her smile seemed to become even wider and she leaned in, arms crossed again. She looked expectant.

“Mm-hm,” I stopped peeling. “About the war, and some of the planets. Tawyn said I should look into those to help me. I want to know everything I can.”

Her eyes narrowed for a brief moment. Silence. But then she nodded too. “I’m so glad you’re actually going to do it. I didn’t think you would!”

“Neither did I.” I looked out the window, and watched people pass by on the street. Looked like it was starting to get busy. I should run off soon. “But Riche’e convinced me to do it, in a weird way. It will be fun.”

“Speaking of him,” she leaned back, “I didn’t get a chance to see or speak to you at all last night. I did catch a little glimpse, however…” She very slowly and all-too-controlled raised an eyebrow. Oh, that’s what the expectant look was about. “You two were very close.”

I threw my hands up and waved them in front of me. “We were—we were only—” I couldn’t think of any excuse, but neither was I sure that I should tell the actual story. “We were… Nothing happened. I only went with him... like that. It was nothing, really.”

“Alryxe.” Her grin was ear to ear. It was that same rare event smile from just a minute ago. “But if anything does happen, more going out, I want to hear! It’s good to meet people.” She leaned in again, green eyes sparkling. “Anything. Especially him. He is a—”

“I am not going to eat this.” My words ran together as I pushed my bread roll at her. I’m not sure I actually said a couple of the words, but I didn’t care. I jumped up with my fruit. “I should go. I do not want to be late!”

I scuttled across the kitchen to grab my tablet, turn off the still playing news program, and hopped for the door.

“Have a good day,” she sang. “Good luck at Zega!” I was out before that was even finished.

I’m not sure why the conversation she wanted to have made me flee. Maybe it was I was so used to being closed off. Maybe it was the fact that I still couldn’t figure out Richie’s true opinion of me. (Am I an idiot and helpless novelty or an actual person?) Maybe it was the fact that it felt suddenly too domestic. It was too much a normal thing, potentially talking with my new mother about going out and… things… happening.

We could talk about that stuff later. After I get kicked out of this competition. I’ll be normal and domestic and good then. Maybe she’ll teach me space recipes.

The roads were just as crowded today as they were yesterday. The market was out again, just as lively too. I wondered if this would keep up for the duration of the event, or if they’d peter out as the days went on.

I actually got to enjoy it this time around. I wandered back and forth, merchant stall to merchant stall. Some stalls were high tech boxes, some were tents, some were tables, and some were a combination. I enjoyed the music. I really liked the high-pitched throat singing and metal drums. It was a weird mix. It was a melody and beat that was really hard not to move to.

The stand that interested me most, however, was the kjanxe’s. She was there again, without the qi'qop at her side. I just wanted to see her close-up.

I maybe looked a little too conspicuously casual as I sauntered up to her tented table. She gave me a head-tilt that suggested she thought I thought I was going to get away with stealing something. I kept my eyes on the bunches of fabric—scarves?—and twisted bits of metal that seemed like really intricate and potentially painful earrings, only peeking up when she started talking to a couple of other potential patrons.

I didn’t want to overtly stare. Because that was rude. And I didn’t know how she might react.

She was hairy. Not all over, but she had fine hair all along her jaw, and sideburns. Her eyebrows were thick and went all the way to her hair, widening as they went along. Her ears were pointed and folded. Well, twisted may be the better word. And she had a short tail that looked like it might have been cropped, striped black and copper like her hair.

How did a tail work with pants? Were they special made or did she have to just—

“Do you see anything you are interested in?” She turned to me, giving me a smile that did not go to her eyes. “Or are you just looking?” The shrill emphasis on that last word made it obvious she knew exactly what I had been doing.

“Oh, I—” Crap, I had been caught and now I had to pretend I was actually interested in something. I looked back at the bits of jewelry. I cleared my throat. “Actually, how does this work?” I pointed at a coiled ear piece. It probably worked just like I was imaging. It looked like it was supposed to be twisted through the ear like an intense helix piercing.

“Jiaal! It’s Jiaal, right?” Instant relief came from up the market. Panda was standing at the last stall waving at me with wide gestures.

I excused myself and ran to her. “Good morning!” I was never so happy to see someone I’d met only once before.

“Where are your boys?” She looked around, as if they obviously should have been tailing me.

“In the tower,” I guessed and shrugged. “I know Micje is up there. Riche’e should be soon, if he is not now. Where is Kama? And your other partner? Were they at the gathering last night?”

“I didn’t see him,” she shook her head. “Not that it matters. Kama just informed me that he had already been dismissed by then, poor kid.”

Oh, so it was possible to be dismissed on the first day. I’m not sure why, but my hairs raised and I looked around, searching for those invisible cameras Micje so helpfully told me about. I couldn’t find any. But they must have been there.

“What did he do?”

She gave an over-wide shrug, then hooked our arms, pulling us toward the tower. “It doesn’t matter now. Kama and I are doing this alone. But I have an idea. She’s up in the eatery. Let’s find your boys.”

“What is your idea?” I happily followed along. I was sure they would be there as well. It was the most obvious place to meet. I was kicking myself that we hadn’t actually set up a ‘let’s meet here at this time.’ Why? Why did we miss that?

“I want to explain it with your boys. Are they in the eatery?”

“You like calling them ‘my boys.’”

“I can’t remember the tall one’s name.” Her eyebrows went down and her face twisted. “That would be a good team name, though. Jiaal and the Boys.”

I laughed. “I agree. But his name is Riche’e Talon.”

“Riche’e Talon,” she repeated. “Where are you from? I assume you have two names, too?”

Oh, you don’t know the half of it, I thought. “I am from here.” It was about time I put on the act that I was a normal human like Tawyn said I should. “My second name is Foxise.”

Why couldn’t I just go by my real name? I’m Savanna Morgan. Although, that name going through my head at that point actually felt wrong.

“Last night, you made it sound like you were from some strange planet. Animal pandas are on Zi’inra? I’ve never heard of these.”

“I—no…” I coughed, trying to come up with some lie. “I was not in my mind last night. I was saying weird things.”

She smirked and looked at me through the corner of her eye. “Ah, you were drunk. I should've seen that ”

“Yes. You should ignore whatever I said.” Okay, Riche’e, you can pop out of nowhere to save me and change the subject again and any time now.

We rounded the tower, headed toward an elevator that went to the floor just below the cafeteria. That level was strange. There was no lift to the actual cafeteria, but the floor below. Stairways led up, and then there were lifts to the rest of the tower.

The wait for the elevator wasn’t long. Almost as soon as we got to it, the doors open and humans and qi’qop spilled out. We and another small crowd quickly moved in to replace it.

“You will wait.”

One qi’qop was still in the elevator, arms stretched out to block any incomers.

I knew that voice. My heart skipped a beat then beat faster.

“Jiaal,” she said, looking down on me, and only me, unblinking. I felt Panda’s arm snake away as she took a few steps back.

“Liqeor,” I swallowed. I held onto my tablet with both hands now, hoping that hid the fact I was trembling under her gaze. I really didn’t want her to see that.

She took a step back into the elevator, and gestured for me to step in with her. I did. I took slow, deliberate steps, breathing deep to calm myself.

“You will wait,” she said to the crowd again, and pressed a couple of buttons. I saw Panda purse her lips and her eyebrows go up as the doors closed on her.

I took another deep breath.

After a moment, Liqeor pressed another button, stopping the elevator.

Liqeor was one of the qi’qop who did most of the caring, or rather handling, for me at the Orphanage. At first, it was Eddie, but he was too nice. Eddie would sometimes speak to me in English. Liqeor replaced him as my handler about halfway through my stay.

Gone were the days of arguments and reasoning and in were days of food deprivation, yelling, and insults until I had a basic grasp of the Copan language.

“Why are you here?” She turned stiffly to me, clasping her four-digit hands together in front of herself. Her hands were at her stomach, but her arms were so long that her elbows went nearly all the way across the lift.

I couldn’t hold her stare. My eyes went to my feet. “I am here because I am joining Zega.”

“Are you really?” Her deep voice went up and down in an unmistakable tone of incredulity. Her small ears flapped, then both of them went forward. That was aggression... or confidence. I wasn’t an expert. “A slow kuma? You cannot even look at me.”

My heart was pounding, so hard I was sure that she could hear it even with her head a foot and a half above mine. But I bit my lip and looked up. “So? That changes nothing.”

She snorted.

“I am joining Zega,” I said again, a little more confidence in my voice.

She snorted again. “Rudkjurt can’t join Zega.”

“I can.” The confidence was unconvincing. Definitely to me, but I knew she wasn’t buying it either.

“Rudkjurt don’t join Zega.”

“I will.”

Her ears flapped again.

“I want to try, at least! You cannot force me into this life and expect that I do not want to do something with myself.”

She snorted a third time and turned away, punching a button. The elevator softly jolted. “You are not going anywhere. Enjoy your day.”

It was silence after that. We went as far up as the elevator goes, where Panda and I were wanting to go. Liqeor stepped off before me.

I waited until she walked left or right, then walked out in the opposite direction.

What was the point of that? Why did she have to do that? Was she waiting for me? What was her goal?

I hate qicuqop.

I rushed for the cafeteria, up the stairs. The breeze running through the mid-tower walkway was welcome, and just a little bit of an immediate calm. It was nice, paired with the view of the forking river. But it wasn’t enough to calm all the nerves from just thinking about Liqeor.

Riche’e and Micje were at a table near the door, sitting across from each other, both leaning over a paper-sleeve sheet with eyes glued. They were murmuring to each other. I took the seat next Micje and looked over his shoulder.

“What is so interesting?” I looked at the sheet. It was just a wall of text. I don't know what I was expecting.

“Finally,” Riche’e looked up. He pushed the sheet toward me. “We received our assignment.”

Micje turned toward me, but he kept his eyes on the text. “Did they give us this scenario because of you?”

“Oh…?” I didn't like the sound of that. “Eh… Let us see.”

I tapped the text on the sheet and told it to read aloud. They both gave me a weird look, but let it happen.

“The Administration has decided to look into the Copan Orphanage,” a calm, barely computerized voice started. “We want to know where their rudkjurt, their so-called orphans, come from, as the pattern of appearances have caught our attention.”

I couldn't believe this, but I was actually getting tired of hearing about rudkjurt.

The voice continued: “Your team has been selected for the task at hand. By the end of the week, you are to have contacted the qicuqop in charge of the operation, questioned the relevant individuals, and be decided on whether or not a continuation of the investigation is needed. Academy Head Mikjer Dlokku and agent Liqeor Qaja will play the parts of the Orphanage administrators you are to contact.”

My head hit the table. I whined. “Why her? Anyone but her.” This is bullshit!

“You know the agent?” Micje lowered his head in an attempt to make eye contact.

“Yes.” I wrapped my arms around my head so he couldn't. “And I do not want to talk about it.”

So that's why she was there. She was literally there for me.

“Sit up,” Riche'e said after a moment. I did. “I'm not sure how much contact we'll actually have with either of them. This is a real investigation. This is what I talking about yesterday.”

I put my head in a hand, but looked at the sheet as if I could read those stupid glyphs. Copan writing didn't really have paragraphs. The wall of text was one sentence per line. Occasionally there'd be a break between lines, but I didn't know why.

“Why does that mean we might not have a lot of contact?” I looked up at him.

He scrolled through the text. “Along with the scenario, we were sent all the packets from the real investigation. It's actually—”

“There you are!” Panda came running into the cafeteria, sights set on me. She slid into the seat across from me. She actually pushed Riche'e aside a little bit. “What was that about? What did she want?”

“Who?” Both Riche'e and Micje went at the same time.

I swallowed, ignored them. “She and I have a history. I guess you can say she was... a mentor. She was testing my resolve.” I smiled, feeling that was vague yet satisfying enough.

“Shu’shused,” she sighed. “I thought you were being dismissed. That would've been disappointing. You're kind of odd and I want you to last at least the full week.”

“Thank… Thank you?” I didn't quite know how to respond to that.

“Who are you talking about?” Micje prodded.

“A really sharp qi’qop,” Panda answered. “She kicked everyone out of the lift to have a private conversation with Jiaal. She looked kind of harsh.”

“She is harsh,” I quietly added. But that's enough of that. “Where is Kama? You had an idea?”

“Yes! She should be here…” Panda stood and looked around. She spotted Kama across the cafeteria, whistled, and waved.

Kama was quick to make her way through the tables to ours. It was getting crowded.

Panda was grinning when she sat down again. “Arlyxe, Kama and I discussed this at length this morning. We suggest working together on our assignments.”

“Is that allowed?” I went through my brain trying to remember if Pilot mentioned something about that at the orientation.

“It's not not allowed,” Riche'e said.

“Exactly,” Panda nodded. “It's not stated anywhere that we can't. And I think it will help us in…”

A loud whirring came from the cuff on Riche'e’s wrist, drowning Panda out. Then it came from Micje’s. Then my tablet. The shrill screaming sound spread to every device in the hall.

There was a distant whistling, somehow audible over this alarm. There was a boom.

The building shook.

[sophies-earbuds]

i think. i think i need to elaborate with my headcanons if you dont mind

sophies ear piercings:

her parents had her ears pierced when she was a baby

cute lil studs, just those two, until she was thirteen

she never wore extravagant earrings, they always felt too heavy

so she wore pretty much the same studs every day; her birth stone

after the kidnapping, she sorta,,, broke down a little bit and like most teenage girls, decided to get some piercings

biana was all over this idea

sophie, biana, della, and edaline went to atlantis together (of course accompanied by sandor) and visited the cute piercing place owned by an old friend of the ruewen's

this person pierced jolie multiple times

edaline and della went mostly because they felt they needed to be there, what mother wouldnt?

biana went first to show sophie that "really, it doesnt hurt at all!"

it did

biana may or may not have screamed a little

which really only scared sophie but at least she got a little laugh out of the adventure

"seriously, do elves not have a less painful way of piercing things?"

and her fear of needles wasn't helping

so biana held her hand through the whole process

when it came to actually piercing the ear, she asked the piercer to just do it, not to warn her, because she'd psych herself out if she knew it was coming

when the needle finally went through, there was a bit of squealing

it wasnt much different from a bee sting

the second piercing was much easier, since her ear was already pretty numb from the first one

by the end of the trip, both girls went home with matching double helix piercings, and sophie had another piercing in her left lobe

biana's ear piercings:

aside from the double helix she got with sophie, she'd already gotten her lobes done, and a daith on her right ear

she had her lobes pierced when she was little, and always wore something much too dangly to be considered functional

nevertheless, she loved her earring collection

colors to match every outfit, her eyes, her hair, her skintone, her makeup, etc...

earrings took up an entire wall of her walk in closet, plus multiple drawers in her huge jewelry box

she had studs, hoops, bars, spikes, pretty much everything

she's the go to for borrowing

her motto: never buy before you try

marella's ear piercings:

this girl is piercing extraordinaire

she has both lobes double pierced, her left has a double helix and a daith, and her right has a conch, rook, tragus, and industrial

it wasnt hard to get all the piercings; her parents barely pay attention to her

her bathroom is full of antiseptics from elwin that help her treat any infections and heal her piercings

moreso - she has a septum piercing, and an eyebrow piercing

this girl is good when it comes to holes in her face

it's rumored that she has a tongue piercing, but that isnt true

yet

she's the worst influence, especially for linh

linh's ear piercings:

linh is totally fine with needles

nobody would ever think that, but it's true

she's totally comfortable with that whole "pain is only temporary" concept

so she goes and gets her piercings done with marella sometimes

together, they got their tragus and industrials done

tam almost flipped when she came home from that trip

"you realize there are actual holes in your ears, right?"

"ohhh that explains the piece of metal"

the song parents do not approve

the first time they see linh after that piercing trip, quan almost passed out

mai almost looked impressed, then she just stopped acknowledging linh altogether

luckily, their friends had no problem

linh is super into the look

now that she isn't controlled by her parents, or exillium, or her brother (sometimes he's a little overboard with the protective quality), she feels ultimately free to do what she wants

she ends up also getting a backward helix on her right ear, and goes even further with a septum AND a naval

marella clapped for that one

maruca's ear piercings:

piercings are nothing foreign in her family

wylie had his ears pierced at a young age

so did her mother

so when maruca asked her mom to take her to the piercing boutique, they were out the door in five minutes

she didn't have her ears pierced when she was little because her parents were big on letting her make her own decisions

she didn't go too overboard, but she ended up with her lobes pierced, and a single helix on her right

usually her hair was blinged out, so she didn't feel the need to put too much metal in her ears

stina's ear piercings:

she's super into the noble lifestyle

her piercings are modest and respectable

her lobes are done, and she has a flat on her left

she'll sometimes talk herself into getting another one, but ultimately chicken out

she's worried about what her parents would say

and now that she's a regent? forget about it

she has to uphold a certain image

she's the new face of her family

but sometimes she'll still consider it

jolie's ear piercings:

grady was not happy

jolie had her lobes pierced as a kid: no biggie

but when she was fourteen, she went to a sleepover with two piercings, and came home with four

a friend of hers gave her a forward helix on her left and an upper lobe on her right

she was grounded for a month

when she graduated level six, edaline took her to get her helix and daith done on her right ear

again when she was in level seven, she went to atlantis and had the same woman do her septum and eyebrow

once again, grady was not happy

but this time he couldnt really ground her

so he had her do feeding time whenever she was home for weekends

brant was... impressed

"hello everyone!!! my fiance is hot!!"

moral of the story: girls look good with piercings

bonus: dex has a septum piercing, and keefe has an industrial

literally every single girl in the squad has multiple ear piercings no I absolutely do not take constructive criticism

[16bitsquid]

Tagged by @mochishake to do 25 facts about me so thank you!!!! ALSO I DIDN’T FORGET ABOUT THE SELFIE/BIAS TAG EITHER I just want to make sure I do it on a day I actually look decent

Okay yeah I’m gonna do the thing so I hope you find it interesting??? Also these are going to be all out of order 😂😂

1. I am mostly German.

2. I can read Korean phonetically. (I mean really it’s not that hard to learn how to read lel) I can understand basic phrases too.

3. I know basic Japanese and can read it fairly well. (KANJI THOUGH. KANJI IS A BIT OF A PROBLEM RN)

4. I sing everyday.

5. I am an alto.

6. I am (unfortunately) a college student.

7. My major is illustration but I want to change it to vocals. (Too late now though so rip me.)

8. I only have one older sibling, which would be my brother.

9. I can read people easily but I act oblivious on purpose for certain reasons.

10. Aside from kpop, my favorite music genres are Punk/screamo, game music, and dubstep.

11. I love my skinny jeans and ripped skinny jeans. They're so comfortable ahhh.

12. Out of the four relationships I have been in, not once have I dated a male.

13. I’m confused about my sexuality… I think I have to find the right guy if I want to date a guy.

14. I’m so shy when it comes to talking to people!!!!! I want to talk to my mutuals and role play partners more but I don’t know how to start a conversation or keep it going ;-;

15. I get attached easily… I try not to though.

16. I have a lot of piercings. I have snakebites, my eyebrow, three lobe piercings in each ear (but the bottom one is a 0 gauge tunnel in both ears), an industrial, tongue, and daith. I actually used to have my nose, septum and forward helix, but took them out. (Hated the septum, nose piercing basically fell out cause of the hoop, and my forward helix got infected and made me sad :/)

17. I want to get my nips pierced.

18. I have quite a few tattoos. I have two quotes that I got during painful times in my life (one is song lyrics that say “After this night passes, I hope to smile brightly,” and the other is on my chest in Korean that says “Be strong when you are weak.”), an LGBT tattoo that I plan to cover up with a different LGBT tat, the solfege scale because my love for music/singing, then a Touhou project tattoo dedicated to Cirno, and two Pokemon tattoos (though one is unfinished). Other than the one on my chest, the rest are on my arms.

19. One of my favorite dubstep composers is Panda Eyes, and they have inspired me to experiment with composing.

20. I started playing Pokemon when I was 7 and have played every single game from the main series at this point. (Though my love for Pokemon is pretty obvious.)

21. I play a rhythm game called Osu! almost everyday.

22. I sing higher notes in Japanese. (It’s WEIRD.)

23. I am rather flexible.

24. Despite being an illustrator, I don’t draw as much as I used to… I try to, but nothing comes out right in my eyes anymore. It makes me extremely sad…

25. I got my nickname Squid from the show Rocket Power.

I’m not going to tag anyone to do this lmfao