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solalunar-eclipse · 4 years ago

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Scars You Can’t See - Chapter 2

Chapter title: Escape (from the city)

Word count: about 3500

Some small word choice has been edited.

If you’re here from the updated first chapter, please scroll down to the bolded line! The story continues there.

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Rouge looked out the window cautiously, sliding along the wall and peering around the window frame. She snapped the curtain shut a second later, spinning to face the others. Her eyes were wide. “Crap. They’re here. G.U.N. is here. They want the file- and us, probably. Chaos...I wonder if they want to ‘disappear’ us like in those spy movies.”

“Now who isn’t helping?” Omega said snarkily, aware that Shadow seemed to be on the verge of an actual panic attack.

Rouge glowered at him, before ignoring his comment entirely. “Alright, we probably have a few minutes, max, before they break down the door and try to get us. Omega, start packing. We need nonperishable food and water in case we can’t show ourselves in public, and we’ll want money. Hang on to our office supplies, too- we might need those. I am going to talk to Shadow and try to help him out a little. Good? Be ready to go in five.”

She sat Shadow down on the couch. His body was shaking slightly and his breathing was unsteady.

“Okay, hon, what’s got you so stressed?”

He shivered silently, refusing to speak- he could be very stubborn when he wanted to be.

Rouge rubbed his back cautiously. “Talk to me, Shadow. Just talk. We can work on solving everything later, but you’ve got to get it out there so that I can help. Please?”

Shadow gave in. Again. His friends were far too good at getting him to open up- words spilled from his mouth faster than he could say them, crashing into each other. “It- it all started when I had to carry the guns again- they were barely tolerable during the invasion, but now all they do is remind me of that day- I can’t help but remember that it was them who did it all to me…”

His voice was tight, but he fought past it. “It makes me sick thinking about it, and the idea that they could do that again. But- they have the power, I don’t want everyone to hate me...what if- what if they do it, tell the world lies about me to retaliate for outing them, and Tails, Silver, Sonic can’t look at me the same? What if they believe G.U.N.?”

Rouge kept her hand on his shoulder, not sure of what else she could do. The bat knew she had only scratched the surface of his struggles, and it was already painful for her to watch. “They won’t! They would never, I can tell you that. Right now, though, we have to focus on making sure we get the word out about this so that G.U.N. can’t do it again, alright? One step at a time. Then we’ll deal with whatever comes next. And I promise Omega and I will always be here for you, no matter what.”

“If you say so...okay.” Shadow sighed. He could deal with this more later. Right now, the agents were here, ready to hurt his friends. They had to run, and Rouge and Omega would support him through everything. That could hold him together. For now.

Omega appeared in the doorway. “Are you ready to go? I do not wish to be turned into scrap metal.”

“Yes.” Shadow said, his voice slightly stronger. “Let’s get out of here.”

------------------------------ STORY CONTINUES HERE ---------------------------------

The three jumped into the high-tech convertible from earlier- now plus two impressively packed suitcases- and peeled out of the garage at full speed. Rouge was driving, since Shadow still wasn’t at a hundred percent. They could all hear the G.U.N. agents shouting behind them as they drove wildly away, but Rouge forced herself to focus on the road despite them.

The hybrid picked up his phone, knowing what he had to do next. It didn’t make this any better, though.

He dialed the number.

“Hello. This is Shadow.”

“Hi, Shads! What’s up! You busy?” an instantly recognizable voice chirped.

“I am in fact busy at the moment. That is why I am calling.”

“Aw, really?” Sonic sounded disappointed. “I was gonna ask if you could come over and race.”

“I’m afraid I cannot. Rouge, Omega and I are currently trying our best to not be captured by about twenty angry G.U.N. agents, so racing is… not an option right now.”

He heard a gasp from the other end of the line. “What?! Wait, what happened? Is there anything you need?”

Shadow smiled faintly- that was Sonic, always looking out for others. “Omega stole some files on my sister and her death. We spoke to G.U.N. beforehand, and they refused to do anything about their actions or even admit wrongdoing, so. We’re calling them out on it by finding proof of what they did.”

“They wouldn’t apologize? For that?!” Sonic yelled. “Jerks! I can’t believe you work for them!”

“Well, I strongly suspect that we are all fired, so that solves that problem.” Shadow replied dryly.

“Good! But you should’ve quit- show them who’s boss! If you need a place to stay while you’re taking them out, you can come crash with us, y’know.”

“That is a kind offer, Sonic, but I’m afraid I must turn you down. G.U.N. is already going to come in and question both you and Tails, and I don’t want you getting in any more trouble than you need.”

Sonic groaned. “Ugh, this whole thing sounds like one of those overly complicated super-secret missions you guys always go on. Or used to go on, whatever. There isn’t any butt-kicking in any of this- wish there was some dude I could beat up and then it’d be fixed.”

Shadow’s smile grew wider. “If only.” Then it faded. “I hope you understand why I won’t be able to tell you where we’re going or what our plans are from now on. The less you know, the safer you are. Despite this, don’t let G.U.N. take you or anyone else anywhere. You might not come back.”

He heard the skepticism in Sonic’s voice. “Seriously? You think so?”

“I know so. Be careful, Sonic. These people aren’t crazy geniuses- they’re ruthless destroyers. Trust me. And...we’re all going to shut down our phones. We could be tapped or tracked at any time. We’ll only call in from public phones or the like.”

“Oh, chaos….this really is serious, isn’t it?” Sonic’s voice was small. “Hang on, put me on speaker.”

Shadow did. “You’re on now.”

“Guys?” Sonic said. “You’re all awesome- I know you’re gonna make them pay. Just don’t die on me, we need you for movie night.” he said, only half joking.

“We will do our best.” Omega replied.

“Tell Knux I love him, ‘kay?” Rouge shouted.

“Will do!” Sonic replied, giggling.

Shadow took him off speaker and told him so.

“Sonic…stay safe. Please. I know you like to be the one who saves the day, but not this time, alright?”

The hero sounded tense. “Fine. But if I don’t hear from you guys for three days, I’m gonna start freaking out. You hear me?”

Shadow laughed bitterly. “I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen. I’d hate to come back and find your house destroyed.”

“Yeah…” Sonic said weakly.

The hybrid sighed. “I suppose I must go now. Tell everyone else, alright? I’ll confirm what you say via text before I shut down my phone.”

“Okay. Bye, Shads- talk to ya later!” Sonic made an effort to sound cheerful.

“Talk to you soon.” Shadow said, and then he ended the call.

Rouge grinned. “Awww, that’s sweet. Done talking to your boyfriend, Shadow?”

“He is not my boyfriend!” Shadow roared, blushing. “We’re only rivals, Rouge, get that idea out of your head now!”

“Suuure~” Rouge said, laughing at Shadow’s embarrassment.

They became serious again quickly, however. Rouge hadn’t quite managed to lose the agents yet. She drove through two alleyways (“I just cleaned the car yesterday…” Omega complained), ran several red lights, and played one horrible game of chicken with a streetcar before they were able to get away.

Shadow had nearly had multiple heart attacks by the time that was over.

He heard his phone ping with a message while he was in the middle of switching off the other two. Of course Rouge had the latest iCall 11, while Omega had a 10 that Rouge had gifted him.

Shadow himself had a Candystripe (shameful, he knew, but they were easier for him to use), and that was at least partly why the group always messaged through Entropy.

He opened it up to see Sonic’s ten texts.

sanic: hey guys shads just called

he & rouge & omega are running from gun

they stole some important files about maria (sorry about the name drop shadow)

& gun got stupid mad

they wouldn’t say sorry or do anything about what they did to her either

so i really wanna beat someone up for that ୧(๑•̀ᗝ•́)૭

team dark is kinda scared for their lives now bc of gun so we can’t text them for a while or anything cuz they’re turning off their phones

oh and knux rouge says she loves u

i’d make a joke but tbh i’m actually freaking out a little rn

this sounds crazy i kno but it’s true

milesperhour: Wait, what? Are you serious??

andknuckles: Rouge, stay safe, alright

Don’t get hurt

Shadow smirked. “Your boyfriend wants you to stay safe. He’s worried.”

Rouge blushed. “He’s sweet, isn’t he?”

notclairvoyantjustpsychic: WHAT

CHAOS THEY DID NOT

edgehog: Yes, they did. Unfortunately. I’ve passed your message along, Knuckles. Please don’t scream, Silver.

Goodbye for now. We’ll get in touch later.

Shadow shut off his phone after that, but not before he saw one last private text.

sanic: i’m gonna miss u shads…. T-T

Shadow sighed quietly as he and his friends drove out of the city. He and Sonic had grown pretty close, and the blue hero was the only person outside of Team Dark whom he truly trusted.

He would most definitely miss Sonic as well.

...

Once the three had driven for the rest of the day- Omega took over once Rouge got tired- they pulled off into a small motel out in the plains of the United Federation.

A neon “Vacant” sign flickered faintly as the wind rushed through the golden fields. The sign for Cloud 9 Motel was faded and weatherbeaten, and there was only one other car in the parking lot. The sandstone-colored building was shaped like a blocky U, the front desk vaguely visible through clouded windows.

Shadow walked over to the motel doors and pushed them open, pulling out some money to pay for a room. Omega went with him- the robot needed to charge, and Rouge wanted some privacy for a minute.

The bat found an old pay phone off to the side and took a turn calling Knuckles. She stood there quietly, watching the sunset as she waited for him to pick up.

“Hi, sweetie.”

“Rouge?! It’s you?” She heard him shout away from the phone. “Sonic! Tails! It’s Rouge calling!”

She smiled quietly, but couldn’t quite bring herself to laugh. “You’re with your friends, hm?”

“Yeah- we’re figuring out what to do.”

Rouge frowned. “Don’t do anything- didn’t Sonic tell you what Shadow said? This is dangerous!”

Knuckles scoffed. “Dangerous? I led the Resistance against the Eggman Empire! Don’t talk to me about danger!”

Rouge facepalmed. She loved Knuckles so, so much, but he could be such an idiot sometimes.

“Yes, but the difference is, Eggman launched full-scale attacks that you could plan for. G.U.N. will not hesitate to shoot you in the back as you hang out with your friends.”

“People would do that?!” Knuckles shouted. He was still awfully naive about the world, and Rouge tended to forget this occasionally.

“They absolutely would. I need you to promise me that you, Sonic, and Tails will stay out of this.”

“But what about you?” he asked. “And Omega and Shadow?”

“I see you’re even worried about him, hm? Well, don’t worry about us- we’re used to dealing with these guys.” Rouge snickered.

Knuckles groaned. “I don’t hate Shadow, I just don’t really like him either. And he’s in danger too.”

“Thank you, hon.” she said honestly, appreciating that the echidna was starting to care about her friend. At least a little.

“I should probably go soon, but we’re currently at a motel in the middle of nowhere- I can’t tell you which one- and we’ll start planning our next move. Talk to you later, alright?”

“Talk to you later. Love you…” Knuckles said nervously. She could practically hear him blushing on the other end.

“Love you too, Knuckles. Bye!”

She hung up the phone and leaned against the glass wall of the booth, already missing him. He was really such a kind person underneath all that bluster, and that’s what she’d fallen for in the first place.

She looked up, noticing that Shadow left the building. He walked across the parking lot and opened up the door. “You’ll see him again soon, Rouge. All we have to do is get this footage and then we’ll be back home.”

“I know, it’s nothing.” she said softly.

The hybrid stood awkwardly for a moment, before quietly extending his arms. The gesture looked incredibly strange, but Rouge knew what he was trying to do and really appreciated it. She hugged him tightly and smiled. “You’re a good friend, Shadow.”

He held her a little tighter. “Take a look at yourself- you’re willing to go to Chaos-knows-where just to help me find some old video.”

She pulled back and smiled at him. “That’s what friends are for, right? Now let’s go check out that room.”

Shadow scuffed at the ground, sighing loudly. “Before you go in, you should know I used false names for all of us- the woman at the desk didn’t seem to know who any of us were, though she did say I looked like Sonic.” He didn’t seem pleased with that.

“I called Omega ‘Theta’ because it was the first idea I had. I haven’t given you a name yet because I thought you’d want your own…...less lame one.”

“Good...but what’s yours?” Rouge asked, smirking.

“I was on the spot.” Shadow couldn’t meet her eyes. “I used Apophis as my name. The ancient mythical chaos snake. It sounds so formal….”

Rouge grinned but held in her laugh for his sake. Shadow, despite his emo appearance, was definitely a nerd.

“My name should be….Ruby. Like the gem.”

Shadow looked confused. “Why?”

“Because of my name, silly. It means ‘red’ in French, and rubies are red.” Rouge said lightly.

“Oh….I suppose that makes sense.” he muttered, looking a little bewildered.

They went up to the room and discovered that Omega had already plugged himself into the outlet in the wall. He looked up when Rouge and Shadow walked in. “This electricity is subpar, but it will suit my purposes.” he informed them.

Rouge couldn’t help teasing him a little. “What, does it taste bad or something?”

Omega would have rolled his eyes, if he could. “No. It is simply weak and limited so that you organics do not electrocute yourselves.”

The bat surveyed the room critically, noting the lack of certain furniture. “Really, Shadow? You know Knuckles is going to pound you into the ground if he finds out we shared a bed.”

“It was cheaper.” Shadow called flatly from the closet, over the noise of his attempt to put away the suitcases. “We don’t have an endless supply of money, and I can sleep in the desk chair if you have an issue with this.”

“No, no, I’m fine.” Rouge replied. “Besides, he knows that I’ve never been into that kind of thing. Or dating you, no offense.”

“Agreed, and none taken.” The hybrid came back out and sank down onto the bed. “Omega, would you mind pulling up the schematics of the G.U.N. facility we’re trying to break into? I know you were heading in that general direction, but where is it, and how would we get inside?”

“Processing. You know, you are very lucky that I downloaded all schematics early on in our work with G.U.N..”

“Very lucky that you got lost once and then refused to have it happen again, you mean,” Rouge shot back.

“We do not speak of that incident. Ever.”

“Alright, alright, now where are we breaking in?” Shadow snapped, his quills bristling. He looked tense, Rouge noticed. She sat down next to Shadow and gave him a quiet look to try and calm him down. He sighed.

“Schematic loaded. Accessing…”

Suddenly, a three-dimensional map of the facility appeared in the room, along with an address in the lower right corner of the display. Rouge patted Shadow’s back once before getting up to survey the map- as a thief, she was the most experienced and therefore the authority on breaking and entering. And stealing, of course.

“So,” she said after a moment, “we’re definitely going in through the side door. While the vents are more classic, they’re also a greater hazard and Omega wouldn’t fit. Sorry, Omega.”

“That is fine.”

“So, we’ll grab a couple of delivery uniforms- and we will return them, don’t worry-” she added, for Shadow’s benefit. She knew he didn’t like doing anything that would hurt people just trying to get by.

“-and then we can get inside through that door. We’ll navigate the halls and head straight to the video storage rooms, which are here.” Rouge pointed to a specific area of the map, which Omega helpfully enlarged. “We’re going to need to split up and search them quickly. Most likely, the video will be on a VHS tape, so that’s what we’re looking for. G.U.N. is nothing if not organized, so they’ll probably just have a box labeled ‘ARK Files’. Everyone clear?”

“Yes.”

“Affirmative.”

“Now then, there are guards on a rotating schedule that pass by the same area every fifteen minutes. We’ll need to avoid them and move quickly, because we don’t want to be seen. I know we could take out two guards if necessary, but we don’t want any of them radioing in to the security center and setting off an alarm.”

“I will remove any threat before it becomes too big to handle, no matter what.” Omega declared.

“I’m not sure that’s the point of a stealth mission, Omega.” Shadow replied, a small smile on his face.

Rouge noticed that this was the first time he’d smiled properly in a while.

“Alright, now let’s get some rest. We’re going to need it for the next few days.”

“The next few days?” Omega asked. “Why are we not attacking them tomorrow?”

“Because they’ll be expecting us tomorrow, Omega- all of G.U.N. is going to be on high alert.” Rouge said, exasperated. “We have to lie low for a while, make them drop their guard.”

Shadow sighed. “I can’t stand waiting, but if it means we’ll be safer, I suppose we have no choice.”

“Good.” Rouge replied, going into her “team mom” mode. “Now. Rest.”

It was strange for her sometimes, being the leader of the team. Shadow and Omega both acted younger than her, even though their ages were incredibly confusing. Shadow was either five, fifteen, or fifty-five, depending on how you counted, and Omega was essentially ageless. Yet somehow she, at eighteen, was the team leader in most situations.

She certainly didn’t mind it, though.

As she lay in bed at night, her attempts to sleep were quickly foiled by the hedgehog next to her. Shadow could not lie still.

“Are you always like...this, Shadow?” she asked, trying her best to be polite.

“...no…” he mumbled quietly, turning away from her.

“This is a really stressful time for you, isn’t it?” she asked gently.

He lay there for a moment.

“Perhaps.” he said finally, his voice flat.

Rouge thought about what to do next.

“Omega, what’s the length of your charging cable?”

“Twelve feet. Why do you ask?”

“Get in.”

Shadow sat up quickly. “Wait- what?!”

Rouge smirked. “Get in, Omega. It’s time for a team hug session.”

Shadow attempted to protest, but Omega climbed onto the bed anyway and lay down on the hybrid’s other side.

Rouge watched Shadow, feeling relieved when he began to relax. Omega’s computers were whirring away softly, providing a steady background hum that pushed her friend to sleep.

He sighed, murmuring quietly. “Good night, Omega. Sleep well, Rouge.”

“Night, boys.” she said.

“I will keep watch while you both sleep. Just in case.” Omega replied.

Shadow’s eyes began to close. “Heh. Thanks…. Omega……”

Rouge shut her eyes as well, pleased with herself. This was her team, and they were going to kick G.U.N. to the curb. But that could wait for tomorrow- right now, it was late, and she could rest. Finally.

#shadow the hedgehog #rouge the bat #e 123 omega #team dark #scars you can't see #introducing team sonic!#and also silver #shadow likes to pretend he's okay but he's really not #rouge and shadow are 100% ace #also just to clarify sonic and shadow really aren't dating #but they're definitely close to crushing at this point #sol’s fanfiction

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elwenn-dreaming · 4 years ago

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okay sorry I’m gonna rant for a while

It’s not a majo issue and I’m litterally crying over a board game but...

My family and I were playing Time Stories tonight, and I really love this game. My mother doesn’t hate it, but the kind of patience and dedication you have to put in it are really not her thing. My brother was being his usual obnoxious self (though for once he wasn’t doing anything else at the same time like building a box with a 3D pen).

I’m really invested in this game. And I feel like I’m the only one. My mom spent the first half hour complaining it was going too slow, my brother is rather not the main focus but was generally taking my mom’s side and making unhelpful coments for anyone. My dad is quite interested but not very assertive (we’ll leave him out of the argument).

Now throughout our precedent games I’ve made a lot of efforts to change my way of playing. I tend to be slightly authoritarian on the sides, because I like having things done well and efficiently. That does not mean I cannot take suggestions in, and I’ve made a lot of efforts towards trying to push the others to make decisions and accepting differents opinions.

The point is, I’m the only one who’s even trying. I take notes of everything, so that we can remember them from run to run and optimise them. I’ve tried and looked at why we failed before, and taken that into account in my way of taking those notes and analysing elements of the mystery. I try to think about how we can solve it in our limited time, try to think about the best way to do things in order to win time. And then my mom comes in and complains every time I’m asking for a few seconds to finsh taking notes. But god forbid I missed something in my last notes, because then it becomes my responsibility to take them. She complains when I’m trying to reread them and analise what we know, says it’s too long and she’s bored, while she does not even consider helping me or discussing our different options.

I’m both expected to provide the answers and then complained about when I try to give them either because I’m taking too long or not letting the others play.

At the beginning of the game there was a possibility I wanted to explore. When the others suggested we go and explore the whole island before leaving to follow the lead we had, we did. And we did find somethng! (Except we had a way of knowing it faster by looking at what we had previously found but let’s not get into that.) And then we get another possibility, except it reeks of time loss in the worst case and very little gain in the best. I suggest we avoid it, they complain that I cannot accept divergence in opinions (the vote was a tie, we went, of course). It quite obviously ended up in the worst case senario; my mom and brother stuck in quicksand and going to die if not saved very quickly, me stuck fighting a massive crocodile alone and my dad alone free to rescue them, but desesperately useless in a fight, which meant he could not help me nor the other two because there was a snake to fight before we could get to them. So they decide that we would cheat (already a very annyoing option) and say we never explored the two dangerous regions of the isle, and laugh.

Now I had been grumbled at for quite some time, and that was the first tipping point, because they made a mistake i had warned them about and escaped, when they get mad at me when i get them into something that doesn’t work out.

So I begin to cry, because I’m tired, and they’re not even trying to play. Which gets me yelled at, because I’m “taking the game too seriously” and “can’t listen to ppl’s opinions” (bitch what did i do but follow your fucking opinions?) and I don’t care about losing. This whole game is about losing a few times before solving the mystery (or not solving it at all). However I do care about losing stupidly, and most of all i do care about their lack of trying to adapt to each other’s way of playing.

They like bumbing around, not taking any notes, forgetting everything in between runs. We did it once, it doesn’t work, and i was there to save their asses at the last minute before they litterally did the opposite of what our mission was. My mom has no patience for that.

I like solving it. I like strategy, discussing efficiency, interpretations, leads and clues. I also like the fun, it is supposed to partly be a role-play game. But i quickly realised we as a whole were not up to it yet, especially as the rules are not easy in the beginning. This is also my dad’s approach of the game except he’s maybe less involved and lest perfectionnist, more laid-back maybe.

Anyway i’m going to cut this short. We lost, which is normal. my mom loved to make a shox about how we could have not died if we had followed the idea she had at the end of our last run (which was two months ago, cuz school), had not taken in note and the had promptly forgotten. Thanks mom, very helpful, maybe now you’ll actually get involved in the thinking?

Then they got mad at me, and i got mad at them too. Because they say I do not let them play when I spend my time asking them about the situation only to realise they have no idea what’s going on. Because I ask them at the beginning if they want me to briefly summarise my notes, and then hear them complain they have forgotten what we learned last time. Because they say I’m taking too much space so that they can’t get involved when I’m using half my energy trying to get them playing. (The main conflict lies with my mom actually, let’s go back to the singular.) When she says I’m too authoritarian when I am making a lot of efforts in order not to be and also the only one atually keeping track of anything, meaning I’m the only one with any element of the solution.

When she says i cannot accept an other vision of the game when 1- theirs have been tested and doesn’t work 2- I have changed my way of playing after each run and taken into account what was said against me and what worked in the game 3- they have not once tried getting involved, even really focusing on the game.

I could go on. But I have been at it for 40 minutes and the night is getting short.

So I ask her wether she’d rather we play an other game together when we play, we have a lot of board games and i like most of those, playing something that wouldn’t create such a quarrel after each game. She can’t answer. She continues the argument multiple times, even after we’ve decided to go to bed, it’s one am at that time and when I tell her, the second time she comes into my room, (and i’m obviously crying at that time and very upset) that I can’t have this argument tonight anymore, she gets vexed. I can’t even... fuck i don’t have words anymore.

If she hates playing it so much, why can’t she accept thath we play an other game together and I’m just going to solve that game alone or with my dad? I’m not asking her to stop playing with us. I’m not even suggesting we do that when she’s here. It always ends up in tears, and tonight more than ever. She doesn’t have the patience the game requires, nor the memory of both the rules and the story, and she doesn’t try to. She’s not that interested in the actual solution. If the purpose is only good family time and fun, let go of it! We’ll play something else, board games are not lacking here fo fuck’s sake, there are dozens of games we like to play together, and this one is very obviously not one of them!

I don’t know what to do. I’m so tired of it.

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pinktatertots99 · 5 years ago

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so @keiiilalei wasn’t satisfied with the fic and changed more stuf so this is vers 3.

vers 1 with the prompt post it’s from

vers 2

__________________

“IF I COULD DIG MY TEETH INTO YOUR DAMN THROAT, AND PULL OUT YOUR VOCAL CORDS, I WOULD!” Aculeatus exclaimed as Barbata tried to hold him back with all his strength. Acu’s arms were still outstretched trying to get to Aechmea, fighting his exhaustion from the brief but brutal confrontation between them.

“You, sending a barely-experienced child to fulfill our mission on all their own, is this all a game to you!?” he shouted as Aechmea took a couple steps back as precaution.

“And here I thought you’d be grateful. It’s but a small price to pay for freedom. Regardless, the prayer machine will work again, with their help,” he stated firmly.

“All I went through, my sister, everyone...” Acu bit his lip, going limp as Barbata looked to Aechmea desperately.

“Sir, there’s gotta be another way.”

“If there was another way, we would’ve taken it long ago.”

“But what if… we could… There’s still time to-”

“The date has already been arranged. In a few short days, young Phosphophyllite, along with Padparadscha and Yellow Diamond, will activate the prayer machine.” Aechmea looked down to Phos who was sprawled across the floor in pieces, somehow still with a loose grip on their spear. The young gem caught word of the fight and sprinted to the scene as fast as their new legs could carry them. They had leaped into the princes’ crossfire just in time to deflect a potentially fatal blow from Aechmea.

As the twin nurses and the general rushed to gather Phos’ pieces, Barbata could feel his legs shaking as he tried to stay standing enough to walk out of the courtyard. It was hopeless to stop the Moon Prince; once his mind was set, nothing would deter him. Barbata was about to collapse himself when Acu suddenly mustered the strength to stand on his own and grab hold of his wrist.

“I am finished with you,” he hissed, lifting his head to scowl at Aechmea.

“As am I,” Aechmea replied, turning away to head back to his quarters. “And I’m certain King Ventricosus would love to hear about what just transpired.” Acu stiffened for a second before taking another few moments to calm down. After his eyes followed the nurses who were carrying Phos to the infirmary, he then turned his tired face to the scientist, a broken “let’s go” escaping from his blood-smeared lips.

___________________

Wrapping the gauze over a scratch on one of Acu’s arms, both sat on the edge of Barbata’s apartment bed, where no one could do them any more harm, at least for the time being. The room remained uncannily quiet except for the unravelling of tape, until the slug broke the silence.

“I thought… everything was… going well.” Barbata looked up slightly to find the slug looking downwards. “But my selfishness… my persistence keeps getting in the way. I just wanted to fix things.” Barbata chimed in.

“What Aechmea said was… actually right. If there was a better way to send us Lunarians off, we would have found it by now.

“But I could have done something more, maybe earned more trust from the gems, kept Phos safe when they needed it, anything at all. I cannot stand the thought of their family being torn apart…” Barbata wanted to believe a better method of achieving nothingness was still out there, and could release the perpetrators of this cycle of suffering out of the living world for good. He felt great shame at the fact it had taken him this long to realize how ruthless and uncaring Aechmea was at his core.

“With things being set in stone, would those efforts even amount to anything?”

“But we have been TRYING SO HARD!” Acu exclaimed before settling down, hiding his face in his knees as Barbata patted his back.

“At least... you’re not part of the problem, like me.” Acu looked up in confusion at what Barbata just said. The scientist continued, “All this time...I thought I was helping to achieve some big cause… I wanted to move on, I wanted to get out of this cycle of living. But I was so wrapped up in that desire that I didn’t even see the bigger picture.”

“But we can still change things, can we not?”

Barbata chuckled lightly. “I couldn't take leadership. Instead I watched as Aechmea accumulated power ‘cuz I sure as hell didn’t know what to do.” Looking down, he continued. “I knew he was a dick, but man...I’ve never wanted to fade away more than I do right now.” Struck with disbelief at this confession, Acu pivoted over his knee to stand above Barbata, and lifted his face so their eyes would meet.

“Don’t say such things,” Acu stated shakily as he moved to hold his face. “You had no idea he would go this far, you just wanted peace.”

“And that’s gonna excuse all the lives I watched get shredded up? And continue to be destroyed as we speak?!” Barbata refuted, moving his hand to Acu’s hip, tracing the burn mark he received just before bringing Phos to the Moon. “No matter what I do to help, innocent people like you keep getting hurt.” He paused as Acu petted his cheek lightly.

“Show me your scars again.”

Barbata’s face flushed a sunset hue as he moved to take off his coat and unbutton his shirt, showing off the surgical scars on his chest. They’d managed to follow him into his existence as a wandering soul, and were the only part of him that he couldn't alter with his shapeshifting ability, no matter how hard he tried. But Aculeatus had always lovingly admired them, probably because they both had scars of their own, giving them at least one thing in common.

“See? We both have been through quite a lot,” Acu said through a chuckle. “And we can make it through this ordeal, too.” Opening his arms a bit, Barbata let the slug slink down to latch on tightly, resting his head on his chest as Barbata rested his own head on Acu’s.

“I suppose...if there is nothing we can do...we should prepare for the worst, then?” he asked as Barb chuckled in response, cloudy tears falling down his cheeks. “Yeah, I think so, probably,” he mumbled as Acu held him close. “I’ve made up my mind. I’m not leaving your side until the end.”

“And I won’t either, amica mea.”

#hnk #lotl #kingdom of gems #houseki no kuni #land of the lustrous #fanfiction #au #acubarba #acubarb #aculeatus x barbata #barbata x aculeatus #the pink one speaks

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runenc03 · 5 years ago

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Superstar pt. 2

Writing date: November 2018

Genre: fluff

Warnings: none

**********************************************

"Hawaii? Are you being serious?"

Kylie was finally back home. And just as she promised, Kaycee had gotten her 'real' birthday gift, because she had guessed all the records correctly.

Apparently, her sister had managed to book her a trip to Hawaii. For 5 days. And she could take 2 friends.

"You're not kidding me, right?", Kaycee asked, just to be sure.

"Kayc, really, do you think I'd joke about something li-"

But Kaycee had cut her sister off, knocking the air out of Kylie's lungs with the biggest hug possible.

They laid together for some time, just appreciating eachother's presence. But a question was burning on Kaycee's tongue.

"Hey, Kylie?"

"Mh?"

"Did you really talk to Sean about superstar?"

"Of course I did. It was quite the interesting conversation. Really educational."

Kaycee turned her head towards her sister.

"What are you talking about? What did he say? Did he talk about me? Tell me Kylie!"

But she realised that she shouldn't have asked that last question. Kylie had gotten a dangerous gleam in her eyes, and a smirk playing around her lips.

"Well, I asked him what kind of song I had to look for, and at first, he stayed really silent. But then he suddenly got this really determined expression on his face, looked me right in the eyes and told me to pick out a lovesong. I was quite shocked at first, I mean, we all know he's been practically drooling over you since you were 12 or something, but I hadn't expected him to be so open about it to me. So I asked him again to be sure, and he said -and believe me Kayc, I'm litteraly quoting him here- that he wanted me to look for something that screamed "I'm crazily in love with you!'

Now, Kaycee turned her whole body towards Kylie, looking at the older girl with big eyes.

"And you're only telling me this now? Jesus Christ, Kylie, if only I had known this earlier!! I always thought he was just joking, his flirting is so...obvious. I never....I- I need to see him. Now. Do you know where he is?"

"Well, yes, bu-"

"Where is he? Tell me Kylie!"

"He's at the recording studio, but I really don't think it's a g-"

"Thanks Kylie, love you!"

"Kaycee, wai-"

But Kaycee had already shut the door.

Little did she know that Sean too, was preparing his real birthday gift for her.

***

As soon as she arrived at the recording studio, she parked her bike and sprinted towards the door. Upon entering, she noticed a woman sitting behind a desk. The woman had a grim expressing on her face and clearly wasn't in the mood for annoying questions from 16-year olds, but Kaycee didn't register any of that.

She was way too busy getting to Sean.

"Excuse me ma'am, I'm looking for Sean Lew. Do you know in which room he is?"

The woman looked at her with a bored expression.

"He is in record room 8. However, I cannot let you enter without permis-"

But Kaycee had already left the hall, leaving the woman in an even worse mood.

At first, Kaycee ran through the corridor, looking for the door with an artistic looking 8 on it. When she finally found the right door, her first idea was to open that door and throw herself at Sean, but just before she was about to do that, a raspy voice could be heard from the other side of the wall.

"Really good, Sean, really good."

"Thank you. I really want to make this as good as possible. Only the best for Kaycee."

"She must be really special, for you to put so much effort in writing all those tracks..."

"She is, Matt. She's worth every single second of this album. God, I'd give her the moon and the stars if I was able to."

Kaycee was absolutely shocked. There were no other words to describe it. She knew he was planning on recording his debut album, and she knew that he had written a few love songs as well, but she never could've guessed that he had written a complete album for her.

Kaycee was so lost in thoughts that she didn't hear the raspy voice, 'Matt', ask which song they were going to record next, but Sean's deep, smooth one would always get her attention...

"Uhh...more than friends? It's the most important track on the album so I want to take my time on that one. We really have to finish it today."

"Sounds good to me. Let's begin!"

Kaycee knew she shouldn't be eavesdropping, but she couldn't help it. 'Besides,' she reasoned with herself, 'every girl would get curious when their crush was singing a song called more than friends for her'

Carefully, as to not make much noise, she crept even closer to the door and laid her right ear against it.

It feels like we've been friends forever

And we always see eye to eye

Kaycee got a lump in her throat. This was really about them. Only now her shock began slightly fading away, she seemed to realise that this was all real. Sean was really making an album for her on the other side of the door. That album really was about them.

This was all really happening.

The more time we spend together

And the more I wanna say what's on my mind.

Kaycee felt a silent tear escape her eye. It all came crashing down on her so suddenly. This song was beautiful. Everything, from Sean's rich voice to the lyrics that fit the two of them so well. It was perfect.

Take it easy

'Cuz it ain't easy to say

I wanna be more than friends

And suddenly, she couldn't take it anymore. She couldn't just stay there, secretely hidden behind a door.

She couldn't handle the distance between them. She had to be close to him, physically. She needed him.

She had to see him.

Without thinking about any of the consequences that were bound to happen, she threw open the door that separated her from Sean and began marching towards him with big strides.

Sean however, was too engrossed in his song to hear her. The only thing on his mind was the thought that he had to make this perfect for his girl.

He didn't notice her, until she made her presence clear. In a special way.

I wanna tell everyone you're taken

and take your hand until the end

I wanna be mo-MHPF"

Kaycee had done what she did best: cutting people off. However, she hadn't done that by running away like all the previous times.

She had cut Sean off by kissing him.

Square on the lips.

The young girl hadn't really known what she was doing, this being her first kiss. She had just thrown herself at him, showing her feeling through her actions. Her arms had automatically wrapped themselves around Sean's neck, slightly tugging him downwards.

And then, their lips had touched.

She had felt him freeze completely, shocked about what was happening. She'd been about to pull away and apologize to him for scaring him like this, but her brain suddenly hadn't worked anymore.

Because Sean Lew had kissed her back.

She'd felt his hands move to her hair, felt his fingers weave themselves through her curly locks.

Felt his lips respond to hers.

They'd moved together, perfectly in sync. She had been so close to him that she'd been able to smell him, a perfect mix of autumn and steamed milk and something incredibly masculine she couldn't really place, and his lips had felt soft against hers, and a bit wet, but not overly so, and it was all way too much, but not enough.

It was just as she had imagined it would be.

In all truth, she'd wanted to stand there forever, surrounded by his strong arms, tasting him.

Unfortunately, there was something called oxygen, which forced her to pull away from his lips

But she wasn't about to let go of Sean so soon.

Immediately after their lips parted, she burried her head in his chest, slightly embarassed but also feeling euphoric about what just had happened.

She felt his arms tightening around her, one around her back, while the other gently cradled her head. A smile crept it's way to her face. They stood there, together, basking in each others warmth. It felt so right.

You could hear a pin drop, until finally, Sean said something.

"Not that I'm complaining or anything, but what was that?"

Kaycee slightly lifted her head so she could see Sean's face. Her cheeks were still red from being kind of embarrassed, but she felt like she was past the tomato-phase, so she dared to look at him.

"I talked to Kylie."

A look of comprehension dawned on Sean's face.

"Ahh. I guess you finally realised how I feel about you then? I must say, I was getting desperate, Kayc. I thought you really saw me as nothing else than your dance partner, but judging by what you just did...", he trailed off, grinning like crazy.

Kaycee lightly punched him in the chest, but couldn't contain the grin on her own face, either.

"Hey! You can't blame me! I thought you didn't mean any of the flirting, it just seemed way too obvious. I thought you were just teasing me, trying to see how much I would blush at your comments. And, well, I guess I just convinced myself over time that you would never see me as something else than your dance partner..."

She had begun her speech in typical Kaycee Rice style: full of fire, with a light in her eyes. But gradually, she had began spilling out her insecurities, and now, she didn't even want to look at him. Again, she burried her head in Sean's chest, where she felt the safest.

No matter how much Sean loved having 'his' girl in his arms, he was having none of this hiding.

"Love, look at me."

He gently laid 2 fingers under her chin and guided her face upwards.

"I have never, ever seen you as 'just' my dance partner. You've always been so much more than that. You still are. God, Kaycee, you're my everything. I might sound cheesy now, but I've been waiting so long for a chance to tell you how I feel...yes, you are my dance partner, but you're also my best friend, my light, my beauty, my world, my biggest inspiration, my main reason to keep going,...the list is endless, love."

By now, Kaycee's head was spinning. She gazed in Sean's eyes, looking for a something that indicated that he was joking, but all she saw was honesty.

And love. Such raw and pure love that it made her head spin even more.

"Sean, I-I"

But she was distracted by the way his eyes seemed to flicker towards her lips. She understood what he was trying to do, and closed her eyes, longing to feel what she had felt during their first kiss for a second time. Her head slightly tilted, she began leaning in, closer to him...

"Ahem. I'm sorry to interrupt such a pure moment, but the studio is closing in half an hour. Sean, if you want to finish that song today, we really should continue now. And as for you, miss, I think this is supposed to be a surprise, so maybe, you know,..."

Kaycee suppressed the urge to roll her eyes at the lack of tact of the man. He was trying to get her to leave the studio. She wasn't happy with that, but she had to admit that she kind of understood the man, she would be uncomfortable as well if 2 teenagers were shamelessly making out in front of her.

Knowing that she shouldn't stay too long, Kaycee quickly stood on her tiptoes to kiss Sean's cheek and turned around to leave.

She hadn't even taken 2 steps, when she felt a warm hand grasp her wrist.

"Kayc, wait. Do you want to watch friends tonight at mine? As a date, this time?"

Again, Kaycee's eyes filled with tears. She didn't know why, although she suspected that it had something to do with the fact that her long time crush and best friend had just asked her out on a date.

And she was grateful for the fact that he was her best friend as well. He knew her like no-one else did, maybe he knew her even better than she did herself.

He knew that she didn't want to go to a fancy restaurant and dress up for hours to go on a date. He knew that she'd much rather cuddle before the tv with a cup of hot cocoa.

"I'd love to."

She saw a huge smile grow on his face, his dimples showing.

"Great. See you then, Kayc"

"Yeah, bye Shamu"

She walked out of the recording studio, determined to thank Kylie for giving her the final push she needed, but before she was too far away, she heard Sean's voice again.

She really couldn't help but linger.

I'm asking you to be my baby

I'm giving you my heart, don't break it

I'm crushing and I'm going crazy

Either way I know we'll make it

I know, I know, I know we'll make it

And Kaycee knew it, too. They were going to make it. Only this time around, they didn't have to hide their feelings for each other anymore.

They could finally be more than friends.

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surly01 · 4 years ago

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Panic at the Costco

Originally published on the Doomstead Diner on March 15, 2020

“Who needs four horsemen when one will do just fine?”

― Charlotte Hale, Westworld

There are two schools of thought as to the consequences of the current coronavirus pandemic:

1) This is the BIG ONE. The US is still in "no data, no problem" mode. Ten days behind Italy. Watch for a near-vertical spike when testing begins and denial ends.

2) This is NOT the BIG ONE. While the "infectabliity" factor oif the disease is ten times greater than the flu, its lethality is relatively low, aside from the elderly, the sicks, and the poors. Making the disease a gift to the capitalists by way of reducing overhead. "Buy the fucking dip, 'cuz nothing matters."

Most of us who frequents sites like Doomstead Diner would agree that whether you’ve been personally touched by coronavirus or not, one is well-advised to be prepared with essentials to weather an interruption of several weeks in business-as-usual (BAU.) But many people do not, and have neither the interest nor means to prepare for much except tomorrow.. Homeland Security’s emergency and disaster prep site, ready.gov, suggests: “Store a two-week supply of water and food,” Prepper types think in terms of months– two, six, 12 months. The site also advises checks of any prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply and a refill of nonprescription drugs, which is Prepping 101.

So with my son-in-law arriving and our household down to its last sixpack of TP, I decided to make a Costco run– one of the most desperate actions of my life. It was absolutely shithook berserkers. I had no idea I was about to take my life in my hands until an overweight woman on a motorized shopping cart decided that I was an unnecessary obstacle between her and the tinned chicken. I escaped with my skin intact, but a couple of old folks left in my wake may have be hurt.

I didn't look back.

When people fail to develop a plan about what they actually need in advance, a natural response is to snap up things they don’t need and will never use as a hedge against future uncertainty. So there is a great deal of unplanned panic buying. Costco is crowded on weekends, and I had been there amidst crowds, but had never seen it as crowded as March 13. Many cleaning supplies were also completely plundered and not on offer. There is also sheer price gouging opportunism, as you'll see below.

Now I have a better idea why.

After six weeks of denial, dithering and deception, Fat Orange has found that you can't bully, intimidate or gull a novel coronavirus as easily as, say, a US Senator.

In the absence of clear leadership frorm an administration who views the pandemic as a distraction from its re-election marketing message, the states have taken the lead. We've decided to Cancel Everything. The effort is to limit exposures, meaning avoiding crowds and preventing the sort of spike in exposures and sicknesses that overwhelms hospitals and health care systems, as in Italy. "Social distancing" is the new watchword, and it overlays perfectly with my preferred lifestyle, which is heavy on "leave me the fuck alone."

Here's a reasonably complete list of Coronavirus closures: List of events, sports, and more canceled amid COVID-19 fears. Even NASCAR postponed a couple of events, which may sink in with the doorknob-lickers.

Covid-19 is everywhere. It will be everywhere it has not yet reached. As a "novel" virus, we have no built-in "herd immunity." And it will change our lives in ways we cannot predict.

How did it come to this?

The approach of the Trump regime to date has been, "no data, no problem." Trump's approach from jump has been to minimize the problem, mock the sufferers, game the numbers, and blame Obama. (If you'd like to check that assertion, someone already has: A Complete List of Trump’s Attempts to Play Down Coronavirus. You're welcome.) You are quite correct to note that any lead time the US may have had has been squandered in fecklessness. Countries from Singapore to South Korea are managing to test large portions of their populations, but in the US we've administered 11,000+ and turned away God knows how many more.

The other day, I heard the governor of Ohio say they probably had 100,000 active cases working in that state alone. Today, the Ohio Department of Health believes 100,000 Ohioans are carrying coronavirus, confirmeing that. In Virginia, within a week we've gone from two reported cases to 45 reported cases and one death. There is even a case now in RE's Alaska, The Last Great Frontier.

For his part, Trump tells a nation terrified of coronavirus that none of this is his fault. At a news conference last week, Trump lied, insulted reporters, and explicitly refused to take responsibility for his own actions when directly asked.

At one point, Trump was asked about the admission of Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, that our lag in testing was “a failing.” And he was asked if he takes responsibility for this failure.

Trump’s response: “I don’t take responsibility at all.”

The president claimed that “we were given a set of circumstances and we were given rules and regulations and specifications from a different time,” and this existing legal infrastructure “wasn’t meant for this kind of event with the kind of numbers that we’re talking about.”

It’s an astonishing claim, and it’s astonishing because Trump has spent the better part of his term dismantling the federal government’s pandemic fighting infrastructure.

Retail Arbitrage

And why can't you find your bleach, wipes, and cleaning supplies? The Hand Sanitizer You Can't Find Is In This Putz's Garage. Because someone decided to make a market out of your misery. "Retail arbitrage" has created individuals who have found in this global panic a route to becoming real jerks, inspired by news of the potential for over 1 million American deaths to turn a handsome profit.

The current pandemic isn’t one specific person’s fault, but there are individuals who have found in this global panic a route to becoming a real jerk.

Chief among them is Tennessee’s Matt Colvin who, with the aid of his brother Noah, was inspired by news of the potential for over 1 million American deaths to turn a handsome profit.

The retired Air Force technical sergeant is the new face of price gouging, thanks to a profile in Saturday’s New York Times. Beginning March 1st, Colvin, whose primary income is reselling collected goods on sites like Amazon, hit the road and bought as much hand sanitizer as he could find. For a while, the money was rolling in. But when his prices soared, Amazon, eBay and other marketplaces rightly shut him and his fellow panic profiteers down. He estimates he now has 17,700 bottles of the virus-killing ooze, as well as hand wipes and all the other highly sought after materials you can’t find in a store right now. The cleaning products are collecting dust.

This is the kind of behavior you get when so-called "conventional morality" is replaced by worship of the free market. "Retail arbitrage" sounds so much classier than "rapacious price gouging" and "disaster capitalism."

Karma, your table is ready.

#StayTheFuckHome

A Movement to Stop the COVID-19 Pandemic

The absence of Federal leadership and the resultant blamestorming has failed us in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Slow reactions, public appeasement policies, and an urge to stabilize the economy to preserve re-election prospects (to say nothing of the need to impose "message discipline" via Mike Pence on the experts) are keeping them from taking the measures it takes to protect millions from this disease. It is time for us, and up to us, as citizens to take action now and do our part to "flatten the curve" and fight COVID-19.

Putting it bluntly: #Stay The Fuck Home! Wash your hands frequently! And stay away from Costco.

Stay safe.

Surly1 is an administrator and contributing author to Doomstead Diner. He is the author of numerous rants, screeds and spittle-flecked invective here and elsewhere. He lives a quiet domestic existence in Southeastern Virginia with his wife Contrary. Descended from a long line of people to whom one could never tell anything, all opinions are his and his alone, because he paid full retail for everything he has managed to learn.

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amieyhko · 4 years ago

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The Last (for now) Days of Being a Student

29 Oct 2018

Honestly though, my last semester in uni wasn't very studious. I had one course called Sixteenth Century English Literature in which the professor basically mocked all forms of religion and pointed out all the sexy details in Shakespeare's sonnets. For the final exam, which was three essays long, I wrote one very indignant essay about why I needed more women in literature and how all of the supposedly feminist writers in the sixteenth century were full of *$#% (but in a literary chic way). I got an A.

To top off the not-student like behavior, I TA-ed for my advisor's Freshmen English class. I survived a semester before and couldn't be prouder of myself for the job I was doing. It was mostly writing emails to students, making photocopies now and then, and sending reminders to the professor. The most excruciating part probably was correcting their essays' grammar and spelling. My friend said "Why bother? They probably won't read them," to which I retorted "CUZ I LIKE BEING RIGHT!" On the anonymous end-of-the-term survey, I've received many confessions of love to which I awww-ed and laughed. But most of them genuinely thanked me for the effort I put into emailing them, asking them questions, and drumroll correcting their grammar.

But why bother reading about my boring school life when you can read about what I have been doing not in school! Here is what went down in my life from April - June 2018.

The Diary of Anne Frank

The best way to cure jet lag is to go straight into tech week the following week. I have experienced many ailments from traveling and found jet lag from Europe to Asia is quite the worst. Fortunately, I signed myself up to run the lights for the Butterfly Effect Theatre's production of The Diary of Anne Frank. This was our second run but this play just doesn't get old. Fun fact about this play: this show's original Broadway cast had young Natalie Portman playing Anne. The Diary has been adapted into many plays but this version doesn't deify Anne into a hero figure but truthfully illustrates the inner drama of a teenage girl and the struggles of seven people living in a cramped up space. Honest to God, I cry almost every curtain call.

During the production, I read many young people don't believe that the Holocaust happened—this information killed me a little. It's absurd that someone wouldn't believe in a historical event with monuments and memorial sites all over the world with many primary sources and survivors who are still alive to tell their stories. Don't even get me started on how good some great works of fiction are based on WWII, like The Reader, Everything is Illuminated, and The Fiddler on the Roof… Also, there was a group of high school students in Taiwan that dressed up as Nazi soldiers and marched around the school for an event. Ignorance is not bliss, naïve is not cute—history is there for us to reflect and learn. I somehow took these news very personally, maybe because I grew up listening to the same Bible stories as the Jews, maybe because I cannot stand uneducated people, probably a combination of both.

A representative from Israeli cultural office was invited to open the show (we had free falafels, hummus, and pita during the last run of the show but not this time, insert whimpering). The weekend swooshed by. I was just thankful I could be a part of a show that spoke a story that some started to neglect.

That was the last time I worked with this theatre company because 1. they did have one last show August but I was helping another show the exact same time 2. rent issues with the theatre space 3. the artistic director got a new job in Vienna. He moved early September and he basically sold everything from costumes to lighting equipments. It was a hectic process to watch a theatre company that I truly felt at home turn into a goodbye yard sale. I learned a lot about running low budget shows, programming with too-old consoles, but most of all I made connections with people I know I will meet again in this tiny theatre world.

Fashion Revolution Taipei

April was a month where I went crazy juggling all about. I collaborated with Totes & Tees, a small social enterprise that focuses on ethical and zero-waste fashion. I have been following this small company for a while through a mutual friend and was really interested in what they did. The owner was also going to be one of the hosts for Fashion Revolution 2018 in Taipei. The idea was to have a runway showcasing up-cycled items handmade by many different designers. I was to crochet a beanie from a no-longer-used piece of fabric. Sadly, I couldn't participate on the actual day because I went on a family trip to…

Rome & Paris

To say this was a family trip would be a misleading statement. My parents were there to lead the seminars they have been running for 10+ years. As I mentioned in Update 3.0, their heart is for the Chinese speaking people all over the world. The Asians basically took over a whole hotel on the outskirts of Rome to host Fathers' School and Mothers' School simultaneously. This meant, there needed to be a baby sitting club. Slowly raise your hands if you're a pastor kid you basically did everything that was assumed of you! (Did I volunteer? Did I chose to be their child? We'll never know) No, I'm not being bitter, I just simply love poking fun at my stereotype. Besides, I was asked nicely to participate in taking care of the children—a member from the Taiwan side of the team had activities prepared for them, I just had to support. I said "WHY NOT? I JUST DID THIS A MONTH AGO!"

But, this crowd was tough. It wasn't like calming down super rowdy Hungarian-Romani children nor was it like being dragged around by crazy bubbly Filipino kids. These were well-educated, cellphone-hogging Chinese-looking kids who preferred classily sitting on chairs, not the floor, chattering away in Italian. Of course, they were all embedded in their Chinese-ness from their parents, so they still understood most of what we were trying to do. However, whenever the head teacher asked them to do something extremely "Asian", my TCK heart ached, feeling all the "well, they are NOT going to relate to that at all…."

Because the seminar lasted three out of the five days we were at Rome, we only had enough time to look around the Vatican and trot around to sneak peek here and there. One of the free days was taken over by a tour set up by the local church. They took us around historical sites that were related to the early underground churches and Apostle Paul. We visited way too many cathedrals that all of them started to look the same. The most memorable place was the underground tunnels where the early Christians escaped to and hid from the Romans. Going to a Christian school, we would always play Underground Church when we had class sleepovers—even though it was just a game, the danger felt extremely real. But as I stood in the tunnel, I could actually really imagine how real their fear must have been. I was in awe of the way these early Christians kept their faith even in the dark, cold underground.

After eating one too many cones of gelato and faking one too many Italian conversations in Spanish, we arrived in Paris. They were only going to host Fathers' School so umma and I had plenty of free time. However, being the only linguistically competent person in the group (but honestly, my French is basically nonexistent), I had to take everyone around the city. I was annoyed at having no time to myself and just my parents but thankfully, appa had three days free and the crowd let us be for two of those days.

Paris' reputation really proceeds itself, it's a bit dirty, there are more rude strangers than nice people, and they really hate you if you ask "parlez-vous anglais?". Despite all the negative stereotypes, I took my little tour group all around the places I've researched in advance. I was also allowed to go off on my own when I wore them all out by 5 p.m. I'm proud to say I've actually hit all the touristy places I wanted to visit with and without the group. We even visited Versailles kudos to the fact umma is so internet-savvy that she actually researched. She was very intent on visiting a few places like Château de Versailles, the top of the Eiffel, and the Louvre—her excuse always being "I'm never coming here ever again!"

After two-ish weeks of venturing around Western Europe, we emptied out the 99 cents cheese blocks at the local Carrefour market, squished it into our luggage, and sat on a long plane ride. Umma commented that I seem to be the "vacation type", she couldn't understand how I could still be so chipper being gone from home so long. Although her observations were accurate, I wouldn't have wanted to stay longer unless I started taking French classes or something—the language barrier was devastating.

Sharon McGill Memorial Service

My dorm mother passed away from cancer last fall. Her favorite drink at Starbucks, toffee nut latte, just came round again. I received the news via McGill dormie Facebook group while I scrolled through my phone during class, bad idea. My commute back home that day seemed five times longer than usual. Halfway through my walk home from the bus stop, I ran into umma. She asked if I wanted to go to Costco with them, then asked why I don't look so well. I honestly had no clue how to break the news. Appa's car rolled around to pick us up for Costco, I said Sharon died, we cried a little and had a moment of silence. I always thought about how umma and Sharon, appa and Terry are the same age. My mums and dads. They are some of the most important people of my life and one of them was gone.

I'd like to think I had enough time to process through this situation. Then I'd realize that not all valleys in life are empty holes. You don't just get over it. You live with their memories. Some days will pain you more than others but they're there to remind you that you are that much alive. You can still feel. As cheesy as I'm starting to sound, this is something I have been needing to remind myself lately.

After what seemed like too long, the day of Sharon's memorial service came. I hopped on the familiar bus from Taipei to Taichung. Visiting high school wasn't a big deal but I've never thought I'd visit because my dorm mum passed away. The auditorium was filled. Dorm kids had priority seats. Terry gave a bear hug to everyone who made it. The whole thing began with Terry mumbling to the mic "Alright, let's get this over with," to which I definitely chuckled. I didn't even bother holding back my laughter or tears or both as they came and went throughout the service. At the end, I could just feel this was a closure that everyone who knew Sharon deserved. I cannot describe what kid of feeling that was. The feeling of home? Feeling of clear certainty. Maybe everyone's love for Sharon somehow became a tangible atmosphere. I must say it almost felt like a wedding.

During the reception, there was a photo time where Terry was huddled around 30-something out of 120-something of his dorm children. Later on he said that was the highlight of his day. He also said no one was allowed to leave the dorms before midnight, to which most of us complied to. Most of the dorm kids that showed up all graduated around '02 or '03 so I was just a little bit very intimidated, mostly because I forgot the fact that we were all bound by the similar experiences of studying in Morrison while living in a dorm with the same dorm parents. It was a good evening to be a McGill Dormie.

Bye Hair Day

I have been notorious for the way I treat my hair. If you know the song "Grace Kelly" by Mika, well, in the chorus, he is singing about my hair circa 2013-2015. Then I stopped. I hated the way my hair felt dry and crinkly, I wanted my normal long hair back. I also remembered I've always wanted to donate my hair to a cancer foundation. It was just something I wanted to cross off my bucket list. So I've been growing my hair out ever since—it took way longer than I thought. Throughout my hair growth, two significant people in my life died from cancer. It felt like I had way more reason to donate now.

June 16th was the date. My friend also wanted to join in. We found Little Princess Trust, an organization that gives out free wigs to young girls who have lost their hair due to illnesses. Their guidelines said they love receiving longer hair because they're more popular. After some measuring I decided to get a buzz cut so that I could maximize the length of hair I could donate. Besides, I've been wanting to have crazy buzzed hair after a couple of years of freakishly long hair. Fickle me, I know.

My hair stylist washed my hair way thoroughly, dried it for what seemed like an hour, tied it up into sections, and snip, it was in a plastic bag. My buzz cut buddy and I couldn't stop rubbing our heads the following few days.

But my oh my, I did not know that a head of hair was keeping me warm all this time. I was constantly dealing with extremely cold overhead AC on buses and I eventually caught a really bad cough for three plus weeks. I now never leave my house without a hat of some sort.

My hair has become so short that I have been tracking my days with hair length. My best friend, Fanny keeps saying it's like watching a little infant grow every week. I told her to stop being so overly dramatic.

oh dear, this is getting real long

Instead of asking how someone's day was, Sharon would ask us three things: 1. what was the low point of your day? 2. high point? 3. what have you learned today? or what do you think Jesus is teaching you today?

So to boil down my April to June into a few pointers, it sucked that I got really sick for almost a month, but I loved getting to travel and do a lot lot lot of things. I'm learning that well-done goodbyes are possible. Currently, I'm learning to do just that—slowly closing up gaps responsibly, honestly, and kindly. God is also teaching me that I'm allowed to chose and do what I love (but more on that next update).

Thank you for catching up on my life, I promise the next post will be just as long.

#updates #graduatingishhh #taipei

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ventingrelief69287 · 4 years ago

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Entry 002

I woke up one morning a month ago, and I was just vibing. And yeah, thoughts went dark real fast.

It’s like... You know, I read up on this. Roles. There’s family roles, dysfunctional roles when the parent is narcissistic. And I’m not saying Lisa (slip up #2) is a narcissist, nah, too pathetic to be one, to be completely honest. But yeah, we had the roles (circling back, or maybe she is a narcissist and I’m still idolizing her). I’m saying, all three of us were the scape goat at times.

For y’all that don’t know... google it, probably easier than listening to my explanation. Psychcentral is great for this stuff. Okay but roles, as I remember are like Rescuer/Victim/Golden child/Scape goat/Invisible child

Also take my explanations with a grain of salt because #misinformation is not fun

It makes me sick thinking about how unhealthy it all was. I’m around healthy now and... yeah, I see how bad it was. Like when I say sick, I want to point out sick from the grief of it all. We were children. Like heck, we shouldn’t’ve been made to go through that... no child should grow up in an unstable living environment like it’s literal hell on growth ‘n stuff.

Gosh, I’m not even confident to say I’m a survivor cuz I’m literally failing my life right now. I’m too scared to talk to people. I’m too scared to open up. I’m.. taking out my emotions on those around me, because even if I don’t talk my actions are hella loud. Urgh, when did everything get so screwed? The little voice in my head tells me it was always screwed... I’m just aware of it now. Like hyper aware. Too focused on it.

Where was I going with this? Oh, yeah, roles...

I don’t want to think on this. It’s not a fun place for me to reflect on. But what am I saying? I can’t have fun anymore.... so, I shall describe in detail.

Now I’m not a rocket scientist, but I’m pretty sure I was the golden child. (oh god... my brothers are still stuck with her...). Most of the time, anyways. I was also the scapegoat, because ya know, the blaming game was a big thing growing up. And like... it gets passed down. And I’m the youngest so... god, just writing that felt like 50 whiny excuses for my problems.

So yeah the golden child in me and the scapegoat in me are starkly different masks.

I wear so many masks I don’t know which one is mine...

Lisa (slip up 3, not even making an effort) eh. too personal but this is my blog so.... She... I felt like-

So when I was lying there in bed that morning, my revelation was “she carved my personality off until I was like a perfect barbie doll... a perfect shell to make her look better.”

Another revelation was the anger-homicidal energy “I wish I could saw her face off so she knows what it feels to be erased.”

Obviously, I ain’t sawing nobodies face off. Just showing you where it be at.

And yeah... I do feel like a dumb doll. Heh, and like the last month I was with her, she came into my room, talking as normal, and I almost told her “I’m a broken toy Mom, you can’t play with me anymore.”

Shit man, my thought process is 95% anxiety. Let’s not even go into the violent thoughts area. Ugh, just when I think it’s done, it starts all over again...

My mind is my enemy. I cannot break this cycle.

I’m getting sleepy so it’s gibberish. What was I talking about again? Does it matter?

I suffer from internalized shame/blame. I believe it’s my fault. I believe I’m a bad thing, I have been dehumanized, and I believe it. I believe I deserve it. I suppose it’s the way I survived... believing I was bad really served to fulfill my role as a blank smile.

I’m tired of carrying this weight. I wish... I wish I was free and normal, and if that reality has escaped my grasp, I wish I never existed. Please... I can’t end this shame... I can’t stop the

I’m tired of believing “things are going to get better” because how can things get better if I don’t put the effort in? If I don’t put the effort in, it isn’t going to get better... I know how the universe works... and I know when it’s game over..

;) just a small glimpse into my grief, maybe I’ll be able to sort through it, maybe I’ll just die, see ya on next time.

#entry 002 #venting #ranting #depression #shame #explaining but not really #i lack conciseness #god the self loathing #and judgement/criticism

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kaizerinj · 7 years ago

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When ya realize your headcanon went.....waaaaaaay off the beaten path, but it was done so subtly it takes years before you realize how awry it really went.

where I went wrong with Falkner&his dad’s relationship, but like 10+ years later I’m not bringing myself to fixing it. Cuz fuckkit. Seriously, fuck that.

In the beginning, there was GSC!Falkner. He had like five lines. The only mention of his father being immediately after you defeat him.

...Darn! My Dad's cherished bird Pokémon...

It was an effort to give characterization to an otherwise 2D Important Obstacle, which...uh....still doesn’t sit well with me. Guy’s a damn gym leader. Be one on your own merits. But I liked him. He was cute. Attractive. And me just starting my “baby yaoi fan!phase”? Magic in the form of honorshipping.

But oh

the anime happened. And this is where I lost sight of canon.

Ash had participated in the Indigo League. He had just beaten the Orange League. He was stepping into a brand new region full of new pokemon and new challenges. He needed suitable opponents that seemed strong.

So here comes this guy who saves his Pikachu, who bonds with him over Pidgeot, then proceeds to be the guy he’s gotta beat for a badge.

Well, whoops.

This Falkner’s a good guy, who, sure, admits it’s awkward to suddenly have to battle when you weren’t excepting to need to, since Pidgeot!lover, but his game face is stern, serious shit. He’s not going to go easy on you just because you’re friends.

....I fell in love with this version so hard you guys you don’t even know

But this was during the years where episodes were not just easily available on the internet. You had to wait for.....

shudder

repeats on TV.

So. Parts of this episode actually escaped me while I was happily mushing Falkner and Morty’s faces together, and his friendliness kind of fell off my brain as I focused on one fact and one perception: he was a self-made Trainer, and his stern, no-nonsense battle style = anger.

There was one thing the game did try to make clear, too. If Falkner’s using his father’s pokemon...........................................where the hell is his dad?

Which came up as I started writing this fic called Status: Before Elitism, because I really wanted to delve into Falkner, Morty, and Whitney (and Karen, Clair, and Will)’s ascent into the positions they hold in GSC. Kids have parents, right?

So not going the “he’s dead ” route, Daddy became the guy who’s never there. ....#neitherwasmymom ANYWAY. In my mind, the dad was some wandering adventurer type who wasn’t at all content to stay in one place, leaving his son to be groomed by his mom, into the no-nonsense persona Falkner, in my mind’s eye, had grown to be. Mom was strick, traditional, and a hard lady. Not unloving, but she grew colder as the years went on, because the guy she loved was never. Fucking. Home. She had a temple and monks to manage.

Oh, right, religion.

...how’d that happen.

So here we are! Current headcanon: anime-warped Falkner (has a temper) with half a game!Falkner detail (dad is where?) apart of a traditional Japanese sect thing (anime setting).

Side note: Adventures fucking makes up Falkner’s dad during the GSC years! Named Hayate. Dubbed Roy (????!?!?!) by some Serebii rando who can’t be assed to just use the J!names (Coronis [!!!?!?!?!?]). Dubbed Wayne by Chuang Yi (why). Dubbed Wren by me. ....I hate Adventures but man

mAN

Hayate is DIL(not really)F.

Ooowph.

So with this, the man who abandoned his kid and sometimes returns has a face, and that’s what his dad became. And how can you fucking admire a guy like that.

How.

HOW.

So naturally, we have unconsciously reached the point that Falkner cannot, at all, ever be happy with his dad entirely.

Plus note: headcanon’d Corey from Mewtwo Strikes back as Falkner’s younger brother, so Dad has abandoned TWO kids. TWO. What a dick.

Just to note: I held onto, and still have, the canon that Falkner’s original haircolor was green. I held onto it so hard I strangled it and had to justify the discrepancy between the blue and green with the shade changing colors over the course of his life. But the green hair was important.

Because then, the DP anime happened, and Dad’s headcanon became so. Much. Worse.

Dad was, at this point, just a vagabond and a deadbeat. But then, he was an adulterer. In Sinnoh. And suddenly, there was just no reason for Falkner to like him in my head, because Falkner now had two emerald green-haired half siblings across the damn world.

Oops?

I did always kinda maintain my position this was anime!verse though I do tend to bleed anime and game at points, so with no mention of his father in it, I could be comfortable that there was no true canon divergence from the games.

....

"You do? Just as I thought! You know something? I'm sure we'll enjoy talking about my dad! Here is my number! Give me a call Saturday morning if you want to hear about my dad!"

fUCK

I mean this means he’s still alive at least, right??

#neverencountered

"I'll show you the real power of the magnificent bird Pokémon! Dad! I hope you're watching me battle from above!"

GOD DAMMIT.

(It was, at the time, minorly debated if this meant Dad was dead or if....yanno.....flying..... Thanks for that ambiguity.)

(I want to point out that, since FRLG came out, Adventures was quietly toted as being ‘correct’ when it came to eventual canon, given it took the hints of Silver being Giovanni’s son and ran with it like it was true [it was, but this was pre-HGSS], as well as pitting Janine v Falkner during the Johto GLs v Kanto GLs, putting them into connection well before HGSS did. [Then Kusaka’s precognition came crashing down with the Striaton trio = Shadow Triad theory being debunked, when he was setting it up to be a believable reveal. HA..........sobs])

But I wasn’t really bothered, ultimately. Again, I primarily based myself in the anime!verse, but it’s only recently I’ve come to mull a little bit over how Falkner kind of got away from me overall as he self-developed over the course of his existence. And it really does come down to his relationship with his dad, because you can’t really say you’re being canon-compliant, despite not taking place in a universe where it’s unknown what their relationship is. I like being canon-compliant. I like making canon do my bidding.

But I can just not get behind Falkner having a good relationship with his dad, if he’s alive. Nor can I get behind Falkner’s abilities as a Trainer using someone else’s team, unless it’s in his dad’s memory, because the anime showed me something differenct. But the games also don’t layer anything into this, just leaves it bare boned and rather plain, so there’s this nice, gasping hole in Falkner’s game!character that cannot be stitched closed.

......I am legit miffed the father was never easter egg’d into the series. I want his side, if only to have more insight into my fave. Sure, that would just make my headcanon complete garbage in the eyes of overall canon. But I’m so curious.

Bonus fact: VIZ dubbed him Walker and this fit so perfectly into my headcanon, and overall works as a surname.

Because who else’s surname in the anime is Walker?

Someone else with affinity for the Flying type.

#pokemon headcanon #falkner #just...just word vomit everywhere #this is really unimportant but I wanted it off my chest

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smalleststress · 5 years ago

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Hi. I leave for BCT very soon. I will also be at Fort Jackson. How was it? I’m getting extremely nervous as the date approaches. Anything that you can tell me that you wish you knew? Any tips at all would be great.

Hmm, that’s a good question. Keep reading if you want my advice on basic, as someone who completed it recently. In summary, it was rough but worth it.

(Every fort is different so if you are not going to go to Fort Jackson this might differ slightly)

About Basic

+ I didn’t know this when I went, I thought I was going straight to basic but there is a period beforehand before you go to basic that involves very elementary training. How to stand, how to March, all of those things are taught during this time though you definitely get better at them in Basic. The name of it is escaping me now but before basic when you ship off you’ll go there (it’s in the same state, and it will give you a light taste of what basic will be like). Basic is very difficult physically during the beginning.

+ Make sure your hair is in the requirements before you go. Males get their hair buzzed off so it doesn’t really matter but make sure to shave your face or get a profile for it if your face gets super irritated. Females with hair below their collar, yall better have perfected that tight ass bun or have your hair cut the right way above the collar. You can look up the exact requirements online but I cut my hair down so I wouldn’t have to bother with it, waking up is hard enough much less having to put your hair in a bun every single time. Females cant shave their entire head like the guys, so make sure you look up appropriate short hair cuts ( yes, ik its bullshit but its an old regulation)

+ If you don’t know your soldier’s Creed and those types of things ( you can Google search them, they’ll pop right up if you look up BCT requirements) because DS will ask you and you don’t wanna be the person that gets everyone messed up because you don’t know it fully. Know your APFT requirements. I would say make sure you can get close to them but if you have left soon don’t worry about it, they’ll get you there if you do the punishments right and work out. Use those foam rollers!!

+ Drink waaatterr! (You’ll get it after)

This is going to sound stupid but seriously drink water, some DS will be annoying and not want you to drink on the drill floor unless you are told so but usually it’s okay. Don’t be the person that faints because of heatstroke. You’re going around the time I did, which was in August, so the start of BCT will be hot but once you are in AIT it will start getting colder.

+ This sounds like common sense but you’ll be surprised how uncommon it is once you get there, don’t argue with a DS.

Just don’t. Unless it’s something serious that you could get held back for, just let it go. If they call you dumb? Ignore it. Call you slow? Ignore it. Work on that poker face, they are just trying to get a rise out of you or see you break. Accuse you of sleeping in class when you were looking at your fingers? Don’t fight it.

Most of the time, they are just looking for someone to argue with them and if you just agree your punishment is not that bad or you might not get punished at all or just get a lecture.

+ Sunday mornings are for religious times and the DS are not allowed to plan activities during that allowed time or punish you ( they can make you stand outside for hours tho so don’t use it as something to fall back on)

If you don’t want/need to go to church, use this time to write to family and friends, do hygiene ( not showering because you can’t leave quickly from that if y'all get called down), some people shave their legs (tbh I didn’t care no one is trying to impress anyways), some people draw or write. If you are going to try to take a nap, don’t do it on your cot or anywhere where a DS can walk in and immediately see you. No one wants to get in trouble because someone was sleeping, if someone is and you hear a DS coming, wake them the fuck up.

Church wise, I went a couple of times even though I’m not religious, to see a friend of mine who was in a different unit because everyone goes to the same churches for different services, including those it AIT. Don’t be dumb and try to use someone’s phone you will get caught, don’t be dumb and try to give someone your phone to use you will get caught. Other then that, the Spanish Christian church is the best in my opinion. Though I only know a bit of Spanish I had a wonderful time and most in translated into English anyhow. It’s absolutely lovely to see people singing and dancing, waving flags and having a good time after such a stressful previous week.

I can’t tell you where to sleep to not be seen in the barracks but I’m sure you’ll figure that out on your own.

+ If you wear a bra and have to wear one if you are doing physical exercise, wear one to bed. It may be really uncomfortable but if you are woken up in the middle of the night to be punished because someone was sleeping on fireguard, you’ll be happy you aren’t running around without one.

+Help clean your barracks! Don’t be that person that gets everyone fucked up because you don’t know how to hospital fold your bed corners, clean up sand from off the floor or you slacked off during your fireguard shift and everyone gets woken up to be punished. Make sure your uniform is correct and your name tags are on the right side before going out ( I remember it as the Army tag goes over your heart, left side.). Tuck in your shirt if you are in the PT uniform, and make sure your battle buddies aren’t fucked up, because if you don’t check them, a DS will and then no one will be happy cuz you’ll be punished for not looking after one another.

+ If basic is anything, it’s a group effort. No platoon is perfect, and yes your going to have people that you want to smack upside the head, but try as much as you can to help out (especially on obstacle courses, tall people I’m talking to you) and make sure your platoon isn’t the one that DS keep on having to call out for being fucked up.

+ Dear gods, please remember to call the drill floor to stand at attention when a high ranking officer walks up if you see them. You can look up exactly what ranks but please do it for the sake of your platoon. Go to parade rest when you are talking to anyone else or you’ll get punished for it

+ Never go anywhere alone! If you have to discuss something private or sensitive with a DS, still take a battle buddy. The battle buddy system is a real thing and not only helps you create stronger bonds but can really save your ass if you forget something and they remember.

+ DS are going to be the meanest people you’ve ever met for the first phase (red) but you’ll get to know their personalities later on, most stay stern but it isn’t as bad. If you have an issue that could be life-threatening or dangerous, tell them. There is no DS that would want to see their soldier fall because of something that could have been prevented.

+ Only use sick hall if you are really sick! Try not to use it during any training events, especially days where you are going to the shooting range. If you miss even one time at the shooting range, it can really mess you up for any future shooting range events. I missed one and had to get my weapon fixed while everyone else was already qualifying. Clean your damn weapon! Either

+ Not everything is a requirement to pass basic, I don’t want to tell you what isn’t as you should try your best on everything but number one most important thing that you will get held back for if you don’t pass is the last APFT. You’ll know which one it is because it will be right before the forge, a battle buddy of mine was held back because of it and had to go to an entirely different unit (some people weren’t given a second chance because they did so horribly on it but most were) to take it again and had to go to the forge with them.

+ Don’t! Fraternize! I don’t care if you haven’t had someone kiss you since you were a baby, you can wait till your out of basic! I cannot tell you how many people got caught and messed up for that. If you think writing notes to each other is a good idea, don’t. If you think writing in a journal about them is a good idea, don’t. Those people always get caught, and this goes for gay people too. Y'all are a little less obvious but I cannot tell you how stressful it is for someone to be sleeping in someone else bed when you are on fireguard and you see the DS come in. Don’t be that person. You can get thrown out of basic for it, it isn’t worth your military career. Don’t even touch people of the other sex, even if you are gay, don’t give the DS any reason to try and call you out on it.

+Find friends of the same athletic or slightly better caliber as you. Train with them during free time in the later phases (though you won’t want to) run with them on the APFT test, don’t talk in formation on the frill form with them but carry a conversation when you are allowed to. It helps the time go by and you all can vent to one another about how basic sucks. I’m still friends with the people I went with ( not all of them of course, some people are just irritating and you have to learn to ignore them) and I even went to the wedding of one. We send each other mail and sometimes presents if we hear someone is feeling down since some are active army and others are National guard so we are split up everywhere.

+ While the start of basic is difficult mostly physically and a bit of a culture shock, the last couple of weeks are mentally draining to the core. Once you finish the forge, you will want to get out of there like nothing else. Try to be patient, it’s more difficult then it sounds but this is where most people mess up and screw their training even though they only have a matter of days left. It’s temporary and you will be out before you know it, even if it feels like an eternity spent with these people. I can still name the people who pissed me off and it’s been months and months since I left.

After Basic

+ AIT is better, but it’s still going to be training in the military. I can only speak about fort Jackson AIT because I went there for that as well (42 Alpha, yay). Just because you can get coffee at the DFACT doesn’t mean a DS won’t punish you for doing dumb shit.

Don’t miss the fireguard briefing in AIT, the DS come up in different punishments all the time so don’t be the one they experiment on. One time I and my roommates along with other people stood out in the cold for literally hours waiting for the DS because we missed the briefing and he left us there until he felt like we had learned our lesson. Not the worst punishment but damn if I wasn’t shaking like a leaf.

+ It does get better. I can’t speak for active or reserve, but the unit that I am with now, have some of the nicest people I’ve ever met and I could not be happier. It will be more relaxed (I’m sure active and reserve are to different degrees) and far more friendly than training so don’t stress too much when you eventually leave training and go to your unit.

Things to keep in mind.

It doesn’t last forever. Don’t become unmotivated because you know you have a lot of time still, it sucks ass sometimes but keep your chin up and keep going. Stopping only slows down the process ( unless you are really hurt or need help please don’t hesitate. I waited too long on an injury and I have to do physical therapy for it so stay safe friends)

You won’t see these people forever. While that can be sad in some ways, it’s also a relief as well. They are temporarily in your life, so try and manage not lashing out at them even if you believe they deserve it. No one benefits from extra stress in training so don’t be a source of it.

Sometimes letters take a while to send. Don’t become upset because no one has sent you a letter yet, I got mine faster then my friend in that state did and I live in Delaware. Even though the DS will make jokes about it, your family still loves you and are trying to do their best to reach out to you. If you get something serious or awful news do not hesitate to have a private conversation with a DS. They may seem to mean but they care about your well-being and need to be in the know if something is going on that could impair your ability to train as expected.

Keep a journal if you can. If it becomes stressful, don’t. Mine only has entries from some days, and they definitely are sequential, but try it out. If you need to vent by writing,. Use not obvious code words for people, you don’t want a DS reading it and calling you out for it. It’s interesting reading them once it’s all over, good or bad memories included. I have a ton of pages where there are huge inkblots because I fell asleep while writing. Lol

Don’t psych yourself out. Everyone messed up and gets punished at least once even if you fly under the radar. It’s bound to happen and while you shouldn’t try to make it happen, don’t cry over spilled milk.

Don’t cry in front of a DS if they are yelling at you but feel free to just let it out where ever else. Crying can be very therapeutic and even relive stress, don’t feel ashamed of you had a stress cry during lights out from a bad day, you aren’t weak and they are definitely other people doing the same. As someone who used to cry if someone yelled at me, Basic was a learning curve and one hell of one but it’s not impossible to any sense. People completed it before you many times and people will do it after you many times, you can do it.

You will most likely get homesick or at least miss your loved ones. Again, everything is only temporary. Don’t try to end your training early because you want to go home, it won’t happen and it may even prolong your stay. Get it done and over with so you can see your family on family day and go eat some french fries with them.

That’s about all I can think of, I’ll add if I think of anything but once it is over please feel free to shoot me a message saying how it went! We may even have had the same DS or company, who knows. I’ll update this if I think of anything else.

Stay safe future solider and best of luck!

#ds means drill sergeant btw #dont call them that lol call them drill sergeant #i don't know if you are in active army or not so most of my advice isnt as specific but if you need more just send me a message #im national guard so we got training before going to basic and got a taste for what it would be like so its not as much of a culture shock #idk why they don't do that for reserve or active because its super helpful #anyway #best of luck!#i hope all goes well with you and all your future endeavors #emmababbles #askadork #ask #asks #army #military #basic training #bct #advice #i can talk more about 42a if you are one but i dunno about other mos #i can also give more advice about ait but thats not helpful rn #just focus on getting throufg and stay motivated my dude #i'm actually getting a package from one of my battle buddies in washington today #she is a real sweetheart honestly #we send each other stuff all the time #i went to her wedding on winter exodus which is kind of like a holiday break which this anon should get as well if they left the same time #that i did it would land in ait

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k-baii · 7 years ago

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MONSTA X - The X Clan Theory

Key points:

Everyone is dead but Kihyun ?

Kihyun actually symbolizes Monbébés

No one is actually dead, the clan series is teaching us a life lesson and also telling us that Monsta X loves and cares about their fans a lot

*Warning: super long text; some stuff about suicide and abuse (cuz the MVs)

Let’s start with the last oath:

Sad but beautiful youth Inside the repeating time where the end can’t be seen In the space where it’s dangerous and uneasy We walked together We fought together We grew beautifully In front of the new road We put/bet everything we had We swear to protect whatever is next One, find what we have lost One, fill our empty heart One, find the right path and go along that path One, we will not abandon each other Become one and protect the X clan (Credit: Monsta X Subs)

The theme and thoughts expressed in this oath are important to my theory.

Let us begin.

MV #1: 걸어 (All In) - The Clan Part 1: LOST

Lots of symbolism but general idea of “lost” - forced to face difficult matters or the unknown and not knowing how to handle situations or diving into the wrong paths.

Throughout the MV, there are bits and pieces of the members in uniform searching for a path/a way out and kinda seemingly running to find/away from something in this dystopian setting (adds to the unknown and concept of lost, it’s a world we don’t know). If it is running away from something, it’s to depict the idea of being lost when trying to avoid something, and if it’s running to find something, it’s to depict the idea of being lost when trying to search for an answer. At the end of the MV, they find the unknown floating matter thing (i dunno what it actually is?). That’s directly showing the general idea of being lost and encountering the unknown.

Minhyuk (trying to) save Hyungwon at the beginning. Minhyuk symbolizes a person or a factor that is trying to help in the vast setting/situation of being lost. He will be a recurring theme in this manner.

The black and white scenes where the members are having fun and hanging out symbolizes the past before getting lost (they do show signs of reaching a point where they’re wandering). If you include the black and white segments from the greenhouse setting where all the members are gathered, it also represents moments when you don’t feel lost (in the case that you found temporary or permanent solution with the blue flowers).

The scenes with the soldiers represent the start of encountering obstacles. I felt that Jooheon’s mocking gesture of pointing the soldier’s gun to his head is kind of a play on facing problems head on.

Throughout the MV, the different problems that each member faced such as Hyungwon’s abuse and Shownu’s dad being sick where examples of problems that people face in life. The choices they made to solve the problems such as stealing for Shownu’s case and suicide for Hyungwon were also real depictions of solutions that some people choose to rely on for when they’ve become lost and have no other choice.

Minhyuk continues to symbolize someone who cares and wants to help the person who is lost. He can also symbolize the bystander who is unable to help despite wanting to. Other members (i.e. Changkyun and Wonho) are others who are willing to help.

Jooheon symbolizes “god/fate”(?) like he provides a sort of guide or help to the path you choose. For example, he offers physical items that help Shownu with his robbery after Shownu has already decided on doing it. He also stands as while the other members are sitting in the greenhouse, he’s like a higher power that you don’t have control over but he provides and in this context, the blue flowers.(Jooheon’s role will be further explored later)

*Blue is a colour of trust or responsibility or also a colour of peace and tranquility. Blue flowers are a symbol of inspiration, hope, and beauty of things. Metaphysically, they stand for the infinite and the unreachable.

Minhyuk+Wonho+Changkyun suffers the backlash of inhaling the smoke of the flames they set. Shownu’s father’s passing and his stolen money not being of help. Shownu then kills himself (consuming the blue flower liquid stuff). Hyungwon kills himself as he couldn’t handle the suffering anymore. Minhyuk killing himself as he felt guilty (ahah! this will pop up again) that he couldn’t/didn’t help Hyungwon.

Key character: Kihyun. The scene of him limping, then throwing away the crutches, then running on his own again. He showed the process of being crippled and then fighting to run on his own again and succeeding. Note that Kihyun is also the only member who never showed up with the other members aside from the “past” clips.

As a whole, Monsta X members represent the different points in time or different situations where you are lost.

[An addition, All In is the only music video that does not include any “song meaning”. I say this because there are no scenes that show the members singing or dancing. The song isn’t exactly a part of the music video. But some relation of the song to the MV would be Minhyuk and Shownu being representations of those going “all in” for someone which is somewhat consistent with the song’s meaning. Kihyun is a representation of trying to go “all in” for himself and standing on his own.]

MV #2: Fighter - The Clan Part 2: GUILTY

Symbols of fighting to go on, trying to defeat the obstacle: trying to find a way out, trying to solve the puzzle/obstacle, trying to make a solution. Guilty is the adjective for being/feeling responsible for a specified wrongdoing but in the case of this series, I believe it’s more focused on the idea of feeling responsible for things that may be wrong to ourselves but not necessarily truly wrong (this sounds weird but it will make sense eventually). [Starting from this MV, there is incorporation of song meaning as there are scenes of members singing to the song within the setting of the story.]

Shownu punching the wall: fighting the unbeatable obstacle. He doesn’t give up. He is then greeted with a light after a door opens, I’m guessing its a tease of possible escape or something. Moments where he’s dancing in the middle of what may seem like jail bars, may represent how even if you are enclosed, there is always some sort of freedom for you to express and be yourself. You cannot perceive yourself to be completely locked down in your troubles.

Hyungwon and Minhyuk strapped up and restricted. They’re restrained to their “deaths” as continued on from All In but I believe their deaths represent a sort of dead end (like when you’re stuck with a problem and can’t seemingly find a solution) in the big picture. Their in a hospital room as they can still be saved in some sense.

Key character making an appearance: Kihyun hulling what appears to be a body bag as it trails some thing that appears to be blood. The body bag represents the baggage that one carries throughout life, it’s heavy. The reason why it is made to look so “deadly” is that Kihyun feels the responsibility of his life’s baggage, he feels guilty as his baggage is believed to be wrongdoings. [It’s like when you carry everything you feel ashamed of or everything you think you did wrong and you keep it a secret to yourself. In a sense, you feel guilty because you feel responsible for something you perceive to be wrong.] Note that Kihyun is given a sort of pointer then bagged (**blindfolded**) and guided to the X-marked room. In the room, he finds the loads of blue flowers: a symbol of inspiration, hope, and beauty.

Wonho planning some big project to “save” the ones that are lost (Shownu, Hyungwon, and Minhyuk). He plans and creates the big machine that could help find/recover the lost members.

Shownu is back and not alone. Jooheon, a symbol of some higher power, knights Shownu. This is a gesture of recognition. Shownu “died” in All In but in Fighter, he begins by “fighting” a solid wall. He hit a dead end but he continues to fight and strive on and his efforts are recognized. Shownu then bears a Laurel wreath on his head and he stands tall. The Laurel wreath is a symbol of triumph/victory. This is an example of overcoming struggles on your own.

Changkyun and his (awesome) gameboy and the stuffed toys: the symbol of your inner child. Sometimes you shouldn’t suppress your inner child, let it out and it may rescue you. Changkyun rides towards the exit of the tunnel and he also rides towards you with Kihyun and Wonho (who are also on similar bikes so they’re a part of the aid) with a strong light shining behind them. They’re your exit out of the tunnel, they’re your ray of light. [As we grow older, we lose sight of our “true selves” (our pure selves as children) as we are focused on the things that we “must” do or being up to certain standards. We’re masked by things that we should or want to be but not who we really are.]

Hyungwon and Minhyuk regaining consciousness as the bike crew is on their way. There are flashes of drugs which I interpret as there being a dream of drugs. Drugs in dreams can have different meanings and I will only discuss the one that seems most relevant based on how the drugs were shown, it is likely the use of drugs. The use of drugs in dreams suggests feelings of insecurity and regret. I believe that this refers to the insecurity and regret they feel from their suicide.

Jooheon (sassily) enters from a blue-coloured lit doorway. He continues to symbolize this “higher figure”. Reminder that blue* is the colour of trust or responsibility or also a colour of peace and tranquility.

The saviours + Jooheon (here as an extra aid cuz he provides help when needed) approach Wonho’s creation that is a symbol of a solution that requires the “blue* liquid” and your self (represented by Changkyun+Wonho, being the inner child/your true self). Wonho and Changkyun are seen gaming which often is playing to defeat the boss/opponent. This represents a sort of fight.

Jooheon, as the doctor, provides two coloured gummies. He is providing types of paths/options that one can take: a blue and a purple. While blue has already been shown to be a colour of positivity, I am assuming that the purple is shown as a negative colour of the two options. The negative meanings of purple are decadence, conceit, and pomposity while also being a colour of mourning.

Hyungwon takes the purple and Minhyuk takes the blue. Jooheon then gets a solo shot that seemingly looks like he is judging the two as if considering their choices. But they actually didn’t choose nor did they question. I believe in reality, Jooheon flipped the meaning of the candies’ colours to judge their outcomes. So Hyungwon actually “passes” in peace while Minhyuk “mourns” Hyungwon’s death and suffers on his own (this theme comes back during Shine Forever).

The lovely animation of the blue flower blooming. Reminder that blue flowers are a symbol of inspiration, hope, and beauty of things. Metaphysically, they stand for the infinite and the unreachable.

The white hallway. A hallway represents a path or a transition and the doorways represent different choices one can make to open up to other things. A white hallway in dreams can represent being on the right path, making the right life choices. The focus of the main big doors shows that Monsta X is on the right path with the help of Changkyun leading them. I believe that the bright white light that they exit through is a symbol of a new beginning.

The scene where Monsta X escapes, they’re all in white and in uniform. This brings us back to how they were in uniform in All In. They once again represent the different points in time or different situations where we face struggles but as they are escaping, this shows that they have found a way to overcome the struggles, they are no longer lost. (And they’re all smiling and happy as they escape.)

MV #3: Beautiful - The Clan Part 2.5: THE FINAL CHAPTER

Representation of different struggles in one’s life.

The white hallway returns. Still meaning the same thing as previously stated but now we see the details of different rooms. The different rooms represent different types of struggles that one can encounter in life. I’m interpreting the rooms according to what they represent in dreams.

Shownu: room of nature. Struggles of growth, potential, spiritual development.

Minhyuk: room of pendulums. Struggles of rhythm in life (like keeping a consistency of sorts? since the pendulum measures time and energy)

Changkyun: room of money and gold. Struggles of self worth, confidence, or success.

Hyungwon: room of sand and mirrors. Struggles of time and the self. (Sand in association with hourglasses and mirrors with reflection)

Wonho: room of mailboxes. Struggles of communication.

Kihyun: room of swords. Struggles of willpower and strength.

Jooheon maintains the role of the higher power (I guess he’s kinda the symbol of “life”) that monitors the others and provides help by giving each member an item to help them solve their struggle.

Shownu: given a bottle of blue liquid. He pours it on the wilting flower representing the help for the plant to keep growing. This struggle is the quite significant because of the recurring blue and blue flower (I believe that this symbolizes trusts,responsibility, peace and tranquility nurture inspiration, hope, and beauty to an extent).

Minhyuk: given a pocketwatch. He holds onto it and observes it. It serves to tell him that he is unable to see how time is affecting him or that he is not managing his time well.

Changkyun: given matches or a single match. He lights it up and burns the money. This represents how he is removing the obstacle that makes him frustrated to find himself. (it’s like when you’re so focused on making money and working that you don’t have time for yourself so you go on a trip, spending money, but you get a break for yourself)

Hyungwon: given a hand-held mirror. He finally looks at just himself. (he looks at the big mirrors too but there are more than one reflection as there were so many mirrors) He drops the mirror on another mirror with causes a crack (kinda). But breaking a mirror in a dream represents breaking old habits or an old image of yourself.

Wonho: given a pen and ink. He writes a letter which represents him making communication as he has previously opened and read a letter from one of the mailboxes.

Kihyun: given a hammer. A hammer represents having the upper hand/advantage.

The members all escape their rooms meaning that they defeated their struggles. Jooheon leads them down the white hallway, all the doors are closed. They are moving on with life as they walk down the hallway. Maybe there’s another door later on but for now, they’re following “life” (Life = Jooheon) and walking down a path until whatever they encounter next.

MV #4: Shine Forever - The Clan Part 2.5 : THE FINAL CHAPTER (Repackaged)

[I believe that Shine Forever is an alternative to Beautiful. Meaning that they both are the third part to the “story”. But for Shine Forever, the ideas and concepts are more prominent with Beautiful coming before it.]

This MV explores the ideas of lost, guilt, and beauty all in one. It also explores the notion of not keeping to one’s self, finding the self, find help and support. I’m going to develop how this MV is set in something like a heaven.

The driving on the long road in a peaceful landscape: represents something like the white hallway. (On route to a destination.) At this point, they’re all in the car and together. Things to note: Shownu is driving, Kihyun is already blindfolded. Jooheon is in the passenger seat (He is in the seat that is capable of aiding the driver, a form of a guide like he was previously).

Concept of lost is depicted once again with Shownu alone wandering the forest and Wonho alone running in a foggy open space. Both heading for/searching for an exit.

Hyungwon is the one that blindfolds Kihyun. Hyungwon was dead from All In, so the blindfolding of Kihyun is like Kihyun is in limbo, he’s not dead.

Minhyuk is supposed to be the one that crashed the car and caused Kihyun’s “death”. Minhyuk was actually dead too. But his death was a suicide of feeling guilt (refer to All In). Minhyuk is actually a symbol of guilt in Shine Forever. He is the cause of Kihyun’s blindness as he is the guilt that “drove” Kihyun to his (almost) death. This is why the scene is in black and white. It’s actually the abstract aspect of the “story”. [The guilt that drove Kihyun to his death was explored in Fighter, the “baggage” he carried.]

But from Fighter, Hyungwon is at peace with his suicide but Minhyuk continues to mourn Hyungwon (reasons rooting from All In) even in death. [Note that Hyungwon and Minhyuk never actually interact with each other in the MV but they’re always close when they appear together.]

In addition, Shownu was supposedly also dead from All In (why he’s alone and laying down on calm water, meaning he’s at peace). Meaning he hit a dead end. But as in Fighter, he continued to fight on and managed to stand once again. This is also why he doesn’t feel guilt and that he’s with Jooheon. (Also why they’re the two that are in the front of the van at the beginning.)

Kihyun was alone then surrounded by the members which represents that even in struggle, there are people that could help if you need/ask.

Wonho is a wandering, he sees Minhyuk expressing some sort of frustration and chooses to try and keep to himself. I think this links back to how Wonho was trying to help Minhyuk with his plans in All In then how Wonho was trying to rescue Minhyuk and Hyungwon in Fighter and he actually also feels guilty that he was unable.

Jooheon finds out something from Wonho (I have no idea what he actually said so I’m twisting the situation to fit my theory) and heads for Minhyuk with a sort of anger and frustration. I like to think that Jooheon found out something that indicated that Minhyuk continues to feel guilty and is the cause of Kihyun being lost in this limbo.

Jooheon still kinda represents “life”? Like life may get wild but it isn’t the thing that actually throws a punch at you. Shownu, being another factor or struggle in life, throws a punch at Minhyuk. I believe that acts as a sort of wake up call, you can’t linger on one struggle forever as life has more than one struggle.

Kihyun comforting Minhyuk after he was punched by Shownu. This is an act to show that it’s Kihyun is accepting the guilt/the responsibilities while also comforting the mourning and feeling guilty Minhyuk.

The members bring Kihyun to different places as a whole group. The members represent different struggles that you encounter in life when they are all together. The members go to different locations and look into the distance. They’re showing Kihyun that even if struggles surround you, there is still beauty in the world/life (the beautiful scenery depicts beauty in the world). At the same time, when all the members are there leading and accompanying Kihyun, they also represent the people that exists around you that could help you and guide you.

Changkyun can still be representing the “pure self” as he guides Kihyun.

When the members leave Kihyun alone after all the exploring, it represents how one needs to reflect on the self in order to find the self.

The lights that the members find and that circle them towards the end are representations of solutions to the struggles in life. (Like stars in the dark sky) If the members represent different struggles in life, they find lights (solutions) that can bring an end to the struggles. (The lights are like the items that they’re given in Beautiful to break out of the rooms)

Kihyun’s blindfold comes off but he doesn’t actually open his eyes in the same setting (his eyes are still closed in the pretty lights setting but we don’t see where he’s supposed to be when his eyes open). I believe this shows that Kihyun is no longer lost, he’s found “the light” in himself and the world. So he opens his eyes to “reality”.

Conclusions

From all that and returning back to the message in the oath, I believe Kihyun actually symbolizes Monbébés and the X Clan is Monsta X and Monbébés. Monsta X is delivering a message to us that we should shine forever, for ourselves and for them. That even when we’re lost, don’t carry all the weight on yourself and don’t feel guilt for being lost as it is a part of life, and that there is still beauty in life (lolz, like Monsta X). Look for the light in your life, look for ways to overcome the struggles.

[An alternative thought is that Monsta X is telling us that even if they don’t win, they put in their all for us. We should not feel guilty for not getting them 1st place. The beautiful relationship between us fans and Monsta X is all that matters. They’ll shine forever as long as we shine on for them.]

Shine on, Shine forever.

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mimigemrose · 8 years ago

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Cuz I was bored...

...during my traveling into the city, this morning. While car-pooling, I wrote this little ditty to pass the time.

This is an 'untitled' and will be tucked away into the "Unsure. Don't Know about this one" section of my mind. Right now, I am trying to gather my focus and work on the "Eric and Nasira" series.

In regards to this one, it's incomplete (I only had an hour and some minutes to write it). It's a Divergent-themed, one-shot...Short fic. It's a 'Eric/Reader/OFC thingymahjig. Warning: Rough draft. Mentions of smut. NC-17

Enjoy!

"Untitled"

"—eep your voice down, Helena!" you heard your father sharply whisper to your stepmother. Underneath the obvious sign of mild irritation, you also heard the depiction of his concern and of his helplessness.

The heating vent that was in your bedroom carried more than the precious, warm heat that kept your bedroom habitable on this cold, October night. It also helped your parents' voices with their travels to the inside of your bedroom. Within those four walls, the soft volume in their voices were amplified.

"The girls are still..."

"No! You're just afraid of waking up Y/N and having her..." Helena, your stepmother, accused.

Both parents' voice proceeded to entwine with one another. But you were still able to make out the details of their statements.

"...sleeping and I don't..." you heard your father say.

There was Helena's smooth and feminine voice. The usual tone, with its sing-song inflections, was now riddled with barely-contained angst.

"...hear you worry about the mess that she's..."

Then there was your father's natural, baritone. Usually, your 'Da' would speak with a gentility that was usually carried by mothers. But, not now. "...want to wake them up!" your father's voice said softly, but harsh.

"...made!" your step-mother sniped, finishing her statement. There was a short streak of muttering that was performed by her voice. "...H-H-H... We...I-I…We can't—How are we going to be able to do this, Nether?!" she whispered, sounding completely exasperated. “We—

"We can handle this, Helena," your father affirmed. "The Lord only gives us the loads that He knows that we can handle."

"But we shouldn't have to handle this burden!" Helena declared.

Hearing those last three syllables from her voice and knowing who she was referring to, caused you to feel grief. Pressure nudged at your chest and your throat. A fluttering ripped through your extended stomach. Your left hand grasped at the firm swell and you quickly determined that it was a reaction to Helena's apathetic words. Not from your unborn sons' activities.

Despite being denigrated by someone, which you considered to be a respected relative, you continued to listen to her words.

"We have our children and hers to feed already..."

"Hel—

"And now, she's about to bring another mouth into our home! In fact... She's about to bring in two more children into our home, Nether! Two!"

There was sharp-sounding inhale from your father. His exhale was a growl-like thing. "What do you want me to do, Helena? I cannot—I will not—turn my child and my grandchildren out, into the streets and force them to become Factionless!"

"I'm not saying that you should turn them away, Nether! I'm simply saying, 'Think'! Think about some solutions for this problem—

"My daughter and my grandchildren are not problems, Helena!" growled Nether.

You've never heard such a visceral reaction from him. Not even when your mother declared that she was going to forgo treatment for her leukemia, several years ago.

The anger that was inside of your father's voice caused you to physically recoil into a fetal position. Your left hand tried to cover your stomach and your right hand clenched at your pillow.

"I've already told you..."

You heard his footsteps as they walked slow steps across the dining room's floor.

"...We can handle this! Once the council finds out about Y/N, they will increase our monthly food stock. They do it with every expanding family's food supply."

"Okay... And what's gonna happen, when Y/N and her... Her-Her... Love...Lover decides to get together again and she comes back here, with child again? Hmm? What happens, then?"

"That won't happen, Helena," your father told your stepmother. "I know my daughter."

His non-mentioned, unflinching faith and trust in you caused your tears to become free. You pressed your warm lips into the side of your right thumb, as an effort to keep the sounds of your sobs down. You didn't want to take the chance to wake up Aviva from her deep sleep.

"You know her?" Helena groaned. "Nether… Y/N was… Messing around with boys... Right under your nose... She eventually became pregnant four years before she became eligible for her Choosing Ceremony, Nether!"

"Yes," your father huffed. "I am aware of this fact, Helena..." He huffed. "I know that she dealt with some things that a child shouldn't have to deal with. Y/N became a mother before she even became a teenager... Yes, I know this, Helena. But I also know that my daughter wasn't some..." He tried to come up with an inoffensive word. His voice stammered and chopped up, incomprehensible words floated into the room. "...B-B-But, not in the way that you're implying! She... Y/N... My daughter became impregnated by an Abnegation boy, a boy that she loved. A boy, who decided to flee to another faction instead of—

"I heard those rumors, too, Nether," Helena said flippantly.

"They were not rumors, Helena! And if you're going to continue to imply that my daughter has weak morals, then I advise you to hold your tongue and keep those poisonous thoughts to yourself," her father warned.

There was a gasp of shock. You didn't have to see Helena's face to know that it came from her. You imagined that hawkish face of hers as your father snapped at her.

Finally, the house became silent. The terse, low-volume conversation had come to a sudden end. Soon, your bedroom, which you shared with your thirteen-year old daughter, was filled with the sounds of the brusque winds that were on the other side of the windows, Aviva's light snoring and the smothered cries, as well as, your whimpers.��

"You're hiding something from me, my dear husband."

Your attention was drawn to the air vent once more, minutes later, while your eyes stared into the darkness that was surrounding you. You picked up the animosity in your step-mother's voice. She sounded different. She sounded cold and mean.

"I know you, Nether. You're hiding something from me. I can see it..."

You heard the obnoxious sound of one of the benches being dragged across the floor. The noise filled up the room.

Aviva whimpered and shifted in her spot. "Mama," she slurred, milliseconds later.

Your grieving display was disrupted and temporarily forgotten. Aviva's well-being became your priority. Your right, tear-soaked hand reached for her face. You cupped her left cheek. "Shhhh, baby," you whispered while caressing her cheek. "Mama's here," you voice croaked.

It was enough to keep her asleep. The young teen whimpered before shifting in her spot and pulling herself closer to you. Her left arm draped over your waist while her forehead rested against your covered chest. The soft snoring resumed.

There were the sounds of Helena's short, hard-soled footsteps. "...in your eyes, Nether. I know this. So, tell me, what's wrong," Helena asked.

Your father took in a hearty breath. "Nothing, dear. Nothing to worry your head over," he answered.

"Is it about Y/N?"

"No, my dear. Actually… It’s about…” There was a harsh-sounding sigh before he spoke up again. “Just about... Council things," he informed her.

"Oh..." she hummed.

You knew that she didn't believe him. But she wasn't going to press him. Her subtle 'oh' told you.

"...okay." She took a breath. "I think that I have a solution to your prob—

"Helena," your father groaned, warning her.

"Okay! Okay-okay-okay," she swiftly spoke, trying to calm him down. "Not a problem... No problems."

Your father grunted and then asked, "So what's the idea?"

"What... What do you think about the Duffy boy?"

A creaking, soft whimper escaped your mouth. 'What?' Your mind brought forth an image of Braxton Duffy. You thought of the tall, lanky man. A memory from the last time that you had to interact with him, which was yesterday. He saw you while you were taking the clean clothes from off of the line. He came over into the backyard and then proceeded to help you. Then, the young iron mill worker helped you with your basket of laundry by carrying it to the house.

Then you remembered the moments, when you kept catching his eyes peeping at your swollen belly. With each one of his looks, you couldn't decipher his intentions behind the peering. Yesterday, you wore a gray, cotton dress which showcased your bulging stomach. You stopped wearing layers of thick clothes due to your hot flashes and the fact that the news of yours pregnancy was running through Abnegation already.

"He's a nice young man," your father responded with, interrupting your trip through your memory bank. "...He's kind. He's at every council meeting, he volunteers and people like him. Why? Why did you want to know?"

"Well... I think… I think that he has an eye out for your daughter," Helena reported.

"Y/N?"

"Mmm-hmm," she confirmed. "Every time I see him, one of the first things that he asks is about Y/N. If he sees her outside, he comes out of his house to meet up with her. You haven't noticed how he likes to stare at her?" There was a brief bit of silence. "It kind of reminds me of a certain someone, who used to stare at me like that?" teased Helena.

'He's never stared at you like that,' you suddenly groaned in your head.

The reaction was a surprise for you. But then again, your attitude and temperament has been changing. Your doctor, over in Erudite, blamed your hormone levels.

You heard your father chuckle.

"I think Braxton might be interested in marriage," Helena pointed out.

Your heart began to race. Both fear and anxiety ran through your veins. 'I don't want to marry him,' you confessed to yourself. 'Please Da... Don't support this.'

"I don't know about that, Helena... Braxton... He's a nice fellow, but I don't know anything about him..."

"So, we'll just invite him to dinner," she swiftly suggested.

"...I don't know if he's the type to take on the role of 'Father' to a teenager and two babies. Children are a lot of work—

"Mmmph! Don't I know it," quipped Helena before lightly giggling.

"Helena," your father groaned.

"I know... I know, Nether… I think she should pursue him. Just so she could see where his head is. I think she would like him," Helena announced.

You disagreed.

Braxton Duffy was indeed a nice man. But you didn't want him. In fact, you couldn’t even imagine him as a love interest for you. At most, you would want Braxton to be only your neighbor. Like, he currently was at this moment.

"Tomorrow, we are going to help with the new inventory from Amity... Maybe I could talk to her. Maybe... I could convince her to talk to him," Helena suggested.

"Good luck with that one," your father said softly. You heard your father huff again. "Let's go to bed, dear," he suggested. "Tomorrow, you have a long day. You should lay down and get as much rest."

"Alright," you heard Helena murmured.

Then you were met with the familiar sounds of your parents cleaning up, downstairs. Occasionally, you would hear their muttering voices raise in volume as they talked. As you listened to their chatter, you felt relieved that you and your current condition were no longer a topic point.

Finally, after what felt like an hour later, you were graced with the sounds of their feet climbing up the narrow staircase that led to the second floor of the house. There were slow and soft footsteps amongst the old wooden flooring, which traveled to the other end of the hallway. Once you heard the soft click of their bedroom door as it closed, you felt every inch of the tension escape from your body.

You rolled onto your back and you stared straight forward. It was at this moment, when you felt strong fluttering run horizontally on your lower abdomen. Both hands reached past the curve and cupped your lower stomach. The movement stopped as soon as your palms touched your flesh. 'Dagnabit... Almost felt them...' A soft stream of chuckles came from your lips.

"I almost felt them," you muttered before closing your eyes and trying for sleep again.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Seven months prior

"Mama—

"No, Aviva, you can't come with me," you told her, for the ninth time within the past two hours.

You glanced away from your satchel, so you could stare at your daughter. You found her sitting in the old rocking chair that was across from where you were standing. There was a pout on her face and she kept her tanned arms folded across her chest. Her pink-tinged, caramel toes were forcing the chair to rock back and forth.

"Why not?! I want to see them, too!" the adolescent mewled.

"I know you do, baby," you tell her. You glanced at your bag and resumed packing. In a soft tone, you said, "But I am walking over to Dauntless... I'm not getting a ride over there..." You glimpsed over to your daughter again. "...It's a long walk...Plus, it's very hot outside. Close to ninety-four degrees... I think… I don't have any business walking outside, much less you..." You stuffed a cold bottle of water into your bag. "...which is why you and Rosie are going over to the MacArthurs' home and focus on your Clerical Lessons to—

Aviva made her frustration know by unleashing a growl.

You smiled. You understood the feeling well, ever since you were once a student of Mrs. MacArthur's class. 'At least, she will be under air conditioning.' Once your bag was fully-equipped with your supplies, you turned to your daughter. "Where are your grandparents?"

"Outside, talking to Mister Duffy," Aviva informed you as she used her hands to fan herself.

"Good," you muttered. ‘Please stay outside while I grab the stuff from the kitchen,' you silently prayed. You glanced at Aviva, who was trying to beat the heat away. Your eyes took in the sight of her bare shins. "Don't forget to pull your skirt down before you go downstairs," you warned her.

She murmured, "I know, Mama."

"The last thing you need is for your Nana to catch you. I won't be here to..."

"I know, Mama."

"...protect you, if she decides to tan your hide," you informed her.

"I know, Mama."

"Do you remember what I told you, if your grandparents ask about today?"

"Yeah, I remember..."sighed Aviva. “You had gone to Amity with Miss Kathleen and Miss Samantha Marmont, to help them sell their quilts at the Farmers Market."

You released a sigh of relief. 'Good... So, she does remember.'

She unleashed a deep sigh after her palms plopped down on the chair's arms. "Today... Today is one of those days that I miss going to school," she groaned. With a glaze in her orbs, which let you know that she was reflecting about the air-conditioning.

You chuckled as you snatched the long white, scarf the draped over the edge of your bed. You made your way over to your daughter. She noticed the scarf in your hand and she rolled her eyes. You chuckled and continued to do so, as you sat down on the floor, in front of her. You passed the scarf off to her. You heard another scoff from her. You peered behind you. "Thank you," you announced, with a sweetness that conveyed your playfulness.

"Yeah-yeah-yeah," she muttered as she clasped your head. She gave you a gentle nudge. "Turn your head, please," she instructed as you giggled.

After Aviva finished concealing your hair with the scarf, you grabbed your knapsack and wished your daughter well. Once you made it to the first level of the house, you listened out for your parents' voices. You were able to pinpoint their location, which was in front of the house. It was perfect, ever since you were heading to the rear of the house.

You had gone to the kitchen, where you proceeded to scour the refrigerator and then the pantry. You pilfered food that you knew that your brothers loved to eat and would most likely missed. Plus, there was the lunch that you specifically made for them. You knew that you shouldn't have taken the food, as well as, cooked for them. After all, you were sure that Dauntless didn't deprive their initiates of nourishment. And, it was selfish of you to make those lunches, which had gone against your faction's creed, along with your religion.

Strangely enough, you didn't care about breaking the rules that were from both the faction and the Liberon faith.

You gave the kitchen one last glimpse to make sure that you didn't leave anything out of place. Once you were satisfied, you exited the room and head to the front door. You came to a pause once you arrived to the screen door. A silent plea spilled from your lips before you pushed the door open and walked through the threshold. Before your sandals could touch the porch's deck, you felt the full extent of the oppressive heat.

'Oh goodness! I did not… Expect this.'

It clung to you like a spider web and it was just as irritating. The urge to take off your gray duster struck you like a swift punch. Your fingers actually reached for the collar of the covering. You came to a halt, when you realized that you were standing in front of your parents and Braxton Duffy.

You were met with polite greetings from your father, Helena and from Mr. Duffy, of course. You gave one, in return.

"Are you off to meet with the Marmont sisters, dear?" Helena asked, looking away from her hands and the crochet project that she was creating. Her inquisitive, brown eyes landed their gaze on you.

"Yes... M-Mother," you answered with a subtle nod. You tried to ignore the soft spasm that nipped at your stomach.

After five years, it still didn't feel right to refer to your father's wife as your mother. But, you knew that the action made your father happy. So, she was your 'Mother'.

"Well..." you heard Braxton say.

You were about to address him, when your father caught your attention, as well as, interrupted Braxton.

"Y/N?"

You turned to your father and you noticed him standing up from his chair. "Yes, Da?"

"Lemme walk you..."

'Oh no,' you secretly bemoaned. A fringe of fear managed to stab at your spirit. Pressure began to fill up your chest and stomach.

"...over to Marmont's res—

"No, it's okay, Da..."

"Mister Y/L/N, it's alright! I can escort Y/N to..."

"No, dear, sit down. Y/N is capable of..."

Helena, Braxton and you doled out protests to your father's proposal. At the moment, your conscience made you aware that each of you had your own reasons to keep your father on the porch.

Your father met each protest with his own verbal refusal. "No-no-no..." he kindly announced as he stood upright. His hands patted at the air as he spoke. "...I am going to escort my daughter to the Marmonts. It's no trouble..." He walked to your side and placed an affectionate hold on your left shoulder. "...I'm not going to be long. Plus, I have to discuss some business with Jacob—

"What kind of business, Nether?!" Helena crowed.

You found yourself biting the inside of your left cheek and digging your own fingernails into your palms. Helena's need to know about every one of your father's activities, annoyed you.

"Nothing important, dear. Just about some trivial affairs with the Council," your father told her.

You marveled at your father's ability to lie so easily and effortlessly. You wondered how he could do something that was so... Selfish.

"Okay, dear," Helena stated. You could tell that she was miffed. She looked away and resumed with her crocheting.

"Braxton... May you please stay with my wife while I am gone?" your father asked your neighbor.

You glanced at Braxton just as he nodded his head. "Sure. Yes, Mister Y/L/N, I'll stay with her..." His eyes focused on you. "Y/N, I wish you have a good day at the... Uhhh… Market." In his eyes, there was the energy of disappointment.

'Ugghhh, Braxton,' you groaned internally, with annoyance. Externally, you smiled and your head performed a subtle nod. "Thank you, Mister Duffy. I hope for you as well," you told him, in the best neutral tone that you could muster. You didn't want to give your neighbor the notion that you had one iota of interest in him.

Once you saw the toothy and beaming smile on his face, you knew that you wouldn't be able to beat his infatuation off, even with a stick. You gifted the young man with a gentle smile before you glanced at your father. ‘Oh God,’ you groaned.

"Da, are you ready to go?" you asked him, hoping that he was going to change his mind about walking with you.

Your father released a soft confirmation. "Uh-huh," he groaned. "I'm ready, sweetheart."

You gave your stepmother a firm farewell before you stepped off of the porch. Seconds later, you and your father started your trip to the Marmonts' residence. You knew that the family lived not too far away, but they were at a distance. You hoped that there was some form of intervention that was going to keep you from—

"When you see your brothers..."

You initially believed that your mind was playing tricks on you. To confirm that your father was indeed talking, you eyed his profile, as you walked. In particular, any sign of his lips' actions.

"...I would like..."

'Oh Gods... He know... Knows,' you whimpered in your head. The pressure that was in your stomach and chest became harder and weighed you down. A chill, which didn't come from any winds, latched onto you.

"...for you to give them something," your Da informed you. His eyes glimpsed over at you. "Yah look like you're shocked," he said to you with a jovial lilt in his tone. The corners of his lips teased you by displaying a soft smile.

Your lips part so you could speak and state your case. But only stammering had fallen out of your mouth.

Nether lightly chuckled. His right hand performed a flimsy wave through the air. "It's alright, Y/N. It's okay..."

Your Da’s affirmations didn’t deter your fear from coming to the surface. He knew about your intended plans and if he decided to tell the Council leaders, you were going to be in a lot of trouble. ‘Helena could get what she wanted, after all,’ your fear whispered into your ears.

He made a glimpse at the structures that were ahead of him. “…I know about today. I’ve…” He glanced at you again. “…already seen some parents here…” He glimpsed at the ground. “…and I’ve seen some being turned away, this morning.” Your father didn’t say it, but you knew that he missed your brothers.

Due to your culture, he couldn’t state so and he couldn’t refer to the twin boys as ‘his sons’ anymore. Once they left Abnegation for Dauntless, they were considered to be members of that faction, now. They also left and denounced the Liberon faith, when they transferred to Dauntless as well. According to your religion, they were also excommunicated as well. They were restricted from maintaining their relationships with their families. Liberons were taught to treat the excommunicated as if they had passed on.

Just by trekking over to Dauntless to visit them on ‘Visiting Day’, you were committing your own act of denouncement of your faith.

“Um…” He stared straight ahead as his left hand pulled the lapel of his gray cardigan from off of his chest and he shoved his right hand into his jacket. “…I want you to give them this,” he announced with a soft tone. A second later, his right hand produced a small package.

You looked at the contents that were held in his hand. There were two white envelopes and a pair of eyeglass cases.

“I had brought Abraham two pairs of glasses. I… Uh… I bought them a few days before the Choosing Ceremony and… Well… I didn’t give them to him. It-It would be a waste to hold onto them…” He held the items out and aimed them into your direction. “I…I would like for you...”

You reached out with your left hand and you took the package from your father.

“…to give them those things.”

“I will, Da,” you softly declared. You felt the solemnness from your father’s brawny form. Feeling that awkward lump that was wedged in your throat, you turned away from your father, so you could stuff the items into your bag.

“There’s… Letters, there… Too. Their names are on the en-envelopes, s-so… There’s no confusion,” he mumbled.

“Okay, Da, I will tell them,” you reported to him as you noticed that you were about to reach the exit for the Liberon parishioners’ residential area.

You figured that your father must’ve noticed as well because a protective hand landed on your left shoulder and a warning came from his mouth. “I know that you’re walking over to Dauntless and you’re walking back, so I want you to take the main streets to get over there. Don’t take any side streets or cut through people’s properties to get there. You understand?”

You nodded your head. “Yes Da, I understand,” you told him as you stared at the upcoming threshold.

The both of you walked the rest of the way, in silence. As you walked, you scanned the area, making sure that you didn't draw any attention from fellow parishioners. Once at the border that was in between the secular and non-secular, your father turned to you. You glanced at him and was greeted with the face of a man, who was worried for his children.

"Remember what I said, Y/N: only travel on the main streets. Don't take shortcuts through deserted side streets and through alleyways. Go straight there and do the same, when you come back. No detours. Okay?"

You nodded your head and gifted your father with a smile. "I understand, Da."

Nether smiled and then released a breath. "Good... Good girl."

"Aahhhugghh... Mmm! That's it..." His gripping hand provided a tighter hold on the back of your head. The tip of your nose grazed sweating, heated flesh while his hardness continued to push past your lips to become lathered with your mouth's sensual affection. "...That's a good girl. You're a good--

Your eyes snapped open on the moment, where your brain decided to flash that memory, for you. Despite being six months pregnant and in a vulnerable position, you managed to snap upright in your bed. The memory was still there like a stain that was hard to scrub out. Sitting, you stared forward into the darkness that covered your bedroom while you still remembered those blue eyes and his gruff voice.

"--my God--What is this?! I'm..."

"It's an acquired taste."

"...sorry. I've shouldn't have...Reacted that way."

The phantom taste of the... Whiskey... That he gave you on that day, made its way into your mouth. The memory of his presence was still in your mind. You remembered everything about him, from the way he wore his uniform, down to the tattoos that decorated his throat's flesh and to the way that he stared at you, marking every one of your movements.

"Aaahhh..." your lips released. The bed shook and the sounds of its headboard shaking, filled your ears.

Warm lips caressed your left ear, spraying dewy breath against your skin. "Go on... look," he ordered, in a hiss. "Look at my cock while it's fucking you."

You opened your eyes and was greeted by a perspiring, broad and tattooed shoulder. Your bleary vision floated down to the site of your bodies' union. Your channel clenched as you watched his slicked prick piston from you.

"Aaa-ah," you lightly gasped while your awakening arousal caused your cunt to weep and try to desperately grasp onto the memory. Your legs began to move underneath the layers of linen, in an effort to have your thighs close around the source of your heat.

Then, the realization of your current location struck you. Your hands grabbed a hold of your quilts and brushed them aside. You slipped out of bed and carefully, as well as, discreetly made your way out of the room. Your feet made their way down the hallway and into the bathroom.

Once inside, you locked yourself in and then proceeded to strip out of your cotton nightdress. Whether if it was another pregnancy symptom or if it was due to your burgeoning arousal, the heating that was coming from you, made the fabric feel unbearable. After stripping down, you slipped yourself into the dry, bathtub. Before your back could find the moment of relaxation against the tub's interior, your hands found their way onto your body. Fingertips formed trails of pleasure around your nipples while your fingers traced your weeping slit. Slow and heavy sighs slithered out, from parted lips. Your head slowly rolled and lolled against the edge of the tub while the memory from the act of your unborn children's conception played in your mind.

He approached sometime during your reunion with your brothers. His status and rank in Dauntless became swiftly known to you, when you detected the shift in the twins' posture. Abraham, who was now known as "Osiris", and his identical twin Benjamin became silent and their bodies lost every trace of relaxation. The boys leapt from the benches and stood abreast with each other. They stood in front of their seats with straight postures and stoic expressions on their mildly bruised faces. They stared at you, but there weren't any signs of life in their orbs.

You weren't smart like the Erudites, but you knew enough about manners and social cues, so you slipped out of your seat as well. Unlike your brothers, you verbally greeted the new addition to your company. You extended your right hand and proposed for a handshake. Your hand was immediately swallowed up by his large paw. Then he introduced himself.

From his introduction, you learned that his name was Eric and he was one of the faction leaders for Dauntless. He was the authority figure that was overseeing the initiation process. You took upon yourself to thank the faction leader for allowing this function to occur. You didn't have any rhyme or reason for showing your gratitude, except for it just felt right. Dauntless Leader Eric's reaction was one of appreciation and of being flattered, in a professional sort of way. He gave you a subtle compliment and then he told you about the twins' progress during this initiation period. He gave a positive review, much to your relief and delight. Afterwards, he decided to depart from you and your brothers, so you could enjoy the rest of your visit. It was until he released your hand, when you realized that he was still holding onto you. You watched Dauntless Leader Eric walk further away, all the while, missing the warming comfort that came from his hand.

After a few minutes of awkward silence between you three, the joy and the comfort returned to your family reunion. Osiris, Benjamin and you spoke of fond memories that occurred during your childhoods. You gave them progress reports about your other siblings, as well as, about their former friends from Abnegation. During this visit, they also teased you in the typical "little brother" fashion. They asked you about any potential suitors and you told them about Braxton, which caused them to begin another round of light-hearted teasing.

Eventually, the end of 'Visiting Day' arrived. A wave of subtle panic and an abundance of sadness ran through the underground area, where the function was taking place. You caught the sights of people doling out final hugs and kisses to initiates. You did the same for each brother. Plus, you discreetly gave each of them the goodies that you carried along for this trip, including your father's gifts. The twins, upon viewing the small bowls of food and their gifts, desperately stuffed the items in their jackets. You gave your brothers hugs and words of encouragement before you said your farewell. You walked a few feet before turning back and waving to them. Then you began your trekking journey out of the Dauntless territory.

You followed the same path that was set by the other visitors. It did lead you out of the underground community that was known as The Pit and to the exit that led to the outside. You smelt the thick wave of petrichor before your eyes could see the rain. You met up with a small group of visitors, who loitered by the exit and you joined them as they stared out the rain-drenched street. You muttered a curse as you stared at the very thick downpour. You could barely make out the structures that surrounded the area. You heard someone suggested about waiting until the onslaught of rain come to an end. Unfortunately for you, you didn't have that kind of time to spare. You had to make it home by nightfall. So you took a deep breath, excused yourself and made your way out of the building.

You made a shrilled gasp of shock after the initial contact between your skin and the rain. But you quickly adapted to the situation and even found it to be a pleasant sensation. It was a reprieve from the bothersome heat. You raised your knapsack over your head to keep the rain from going into your eyes and you began your travel.

You didn't get too far from your starting point, when your traveling was disrupted. You were at an intersection, when a vehicle approached the curb that was in front of you. It was one of the Dauntless-sanctioned vehicles that you would usually see at the pier, during the food giveaways to the Factionless. You were in the midst of questioning this particular vehicle's motive, when the front passenger window rolled down and the driver was revealed.

It was Dauntless Leader Eric.

He simply told you to get inside. You refused and declined his offer for a ride in his car. He repeated himself. This time, it sounded like a command. Once again, you declined his offer. You knew that you couldn't show up to Abnegation territory, in a Dauntless vehicle. Tongues would be waggling and gossip would've been spread around like butter on bread.

Eric groaned your name, in irritation.

The sound cause a fluttering to erupt in your stomach and your heart to jumpstart into a race.

He gave you a glare and told you to get inside. You were about to politely decline his offer, when the faction leader suddenly accused you of being selfish. The declaration shocked you to the point, where you lost your train of thought. A stuttering inquiry, demanding a reason for his accusation, came from your parted lips. He proceeded to explain that you were willing to put yourself in danger for your own reasons. He was willing to chauffeur you back to Abnegation and keep you for getting sick, due to the poor weather. He concluded his explanation by telling you that all of this could be avoided, if you just accept his offer. Then, he told you that he was going to drop you off a few blocks away from the Abnegation compound's entrance.

A tendril of relief filled you up, when you realized that he knew about the Abnegation's social cues. Looking around the isolated neighborhood, you came to your decision.

Once inside of the vehicle, you apologized for getting the leather chair soiled with water.

As Eric drove the large vehicle, you surveyed the SUV with amazement. You've ridden in vehicles before, but you had never been in an elaborate and modern automobile such as this one. You were easily readable to the Dauntless Leader, who lightly teased you about your reactions. You felt slight embarrassment, but you giggled anyway.

It was a few minutes after that interaction, when you received a heart-racing fright. Eric lost control of the vehicle. The SUV skidded across the street's asphalt and caused the truck to violently rock as it sped down the street. The frightful occurrence lasted for several seconds, but it felt like minutes had gone by.

Eric was able to regain control of his truck and caused the vehicle to come to an abrupt stop. By then, you were so scared that you wanted out of the vehicle. Your hands began a frantic dance with both the passenger door and the seatbelt that kept you strapped down. Your fingers pawed at the thick straps and at the door's handle.

Eric was able to calm you down by doling out a firm "Stop" and with a heavy forearm against your abdomen.

@sparklemichele @dauntlessmetalmom @pathybo @oddsnendsfanfics @feminamortem @feigningintrest @frecklefaceb @beautifulramblingbrains and the other luvvies that I didn't name.

#divergent fanfiction #Eric/OFC #one-shot #untitled #mimigemrose

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weholyperfectioncollectorme-blog · 6 years ago

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I just got promoted at work and now I have to be issued a company truck and i am wondering if my employees insurance would cover -3 driving points.

What can i do if my fmla and insurance is terminated?

Today is my last day for fmla and my insurance benefits, but I can't afford any insurance. Its almost 4 months I've been out of work due to diabetes, high blood pressure, fractured c1, infections on my skull and spine, and excessive migraines. I am unable to bend over, lift heavy objects, push or pull objects, stand, sit, or walk for long periods of time and was recently denied disability benefits. I need other operations done, but I cannot afford health insurance to continue my treatments.""

S Coffeyville Oklahoma Cheap car insurance quotes zip 74072

Car insurance premium went up because of the state?

I noticed that my monthly car insurance bill increased by about $40. When I called my insurance company to ask why my premium went up (since there were no accidents, changes in cars or policy/discount changes), the rep told me that it was because of the state. I knew he meant government and he said it's been happening all across the country but the increases are highest in California, New York, New Jersey and Florida. I live in California. Has anyone else experienced this? Can someone explain to me in specifics what the government may have done that lead to the increase?""

What lawyer is best to sue an insurance company?

kid was killed in car accident and want to sue the drivers insurance because all 3 boys died. the insurance company is only offering a certain amount but i want more. who should i call

Car Insurance in Georgia?

I just bought a new car, and I was wondering what does the state of Georgia consider to be full coverage auto insurance?""

Car insurance?

i'm looking for the name if the company that has that commercial where the lady is telling how to save on car insurance, on the back there is a truck, that i believe said HONK if you want to save or something like that, and as she speaks you also hear the cars going by honking. thanks""

HOW MUCH can my insurance rate rise up after hitting another car? backing up i hit the front right bumper/ligh

I live in California and I have full coverage on my vehicle currently I am 26yrs old and have about 6 yrs with my Dirvers license and NO accidents or tickets on my record. BUT a lot of people mention that my insurance rates will go really high whn an accident happens. I hit the car behind me it donsnt seem to me a a major accident, but a small one. I need help just an advise to know what to expect, please!! maybe in an expert can advise.or other personal experience by someone?""

What is some affordable/ good dental insurance?

""I am renting a car, what kind of insurance do I need?""

I do not currently have car insurance (no car!) but will need to rent a car from Washington state to travel one way 2600 miles away. My question is what insurance, if any, is REQUIRED by law to have while driving this car. Will the car companies know or will they tell me what they can to get me to pay more? Also if you happen to know the best priced one way rental car company that would be helpful too!""

Why wouldn't you call your auto insurance company when you have collision and comprehensive coverage?

My impression is that they're worried about their policy rates going up, or maybe they don't have auto insurance? But why not take advantage of your auto insurance whether you end up pursuing the claim or not?""

How much will insurance cost for a 16 year old kid with a licence.?

how much more will it cost to add him to his parents insurance, and its MERCURY INSURANCE""

What is the best life insurance to get for my parents?

I keep getting the gut feeling that I need to get life insurance for my parents. Is that possible? If so, which company is the best?""

Where can I buy my own health/dental insurance at the cheapest price?

When I turned 19 I was no longer legally able to be on my parents insurance coverage. I need to find out where I can purchase my own insurance at a reasonably cheap price...It's ...show more

Can someone please explain the diff. between term life insurance and regular life?

Also is it better to just by a plot burial and lock in the rates today, my job does not offer life insurance and i would like some type of reassurance for my family if i were to die. I'm in the 25-35 yr range group, can anyone suggest polices or explain them altogether!""

Should I get car insurance in my name or parents?

I'm 16. A lot of people are telling my parents to get my car insurance in their name and not tell them i'm the primary driver because it will be so much cheaper. Does that mean if I get in my first wreck they won't cover it or they'll just raise it after?

Can someone tell me what the cheapest car insurance is for college students?

I got pulled over in someone else's car that doesn't have insurance but I have my own?

Ok so I'm driving one of my friends car and I got pulled over for making an illegal u-turn. The car had no insurance and the cop told me to just show up to court and show them that I have proof of insurance on my own car and the ticket will be dropped? Is this true? Please help me, I don't really wanna pay an $800 for driving without insurance""

Hiring an employee / health insurance?

If I hire an employee in California do I have to pay for their health insurance? Is there some threshold like 40hrs/week where I have to start paying or what?

""If I like a used car say $20k. What is the order of getting a loan, paying with loan, car insurance?""

Do I get aproved for a loan then tell the dealer, then get insurance?""

How much will car insurance cost if I decide to buy a 2000-02 Chevy Corvette?

I have a clean driving record; I have never been in an accident, no tickets, no nothing. I'm not saying its true but I heard from a friend that it cost about $500 a month for car insurance for the vette?""

Insurance to drive another car?

I work on a farm and I have to drive across fields and stuff to get around. Sadly, I currently have to do this in my own car so I was thinking of buying a cheap car so I don't ruin my actual car in the process. I can't leave the car at the farm, so it would need to be road legal (taxed, MOTed and Insured) Is there any insurance you can get where you can be insured on both cars but on one policy? (Sort of like what car traders use where they can drive any car that isn't registered to them)""

How to get best fair settlement from car insurance company for 1996 corolla?

Hi: My 1996 toyota corolla was hit by another car in the rear on the passenger side. My car was in excellent condition, everything worked, nothing broken, no rust (paint in excellent condition as it is always in my garage at home or in a covered parking lot at my workplace), low mileage (130K), never had a problem and I am the original, sole owner and driver of the car. I was planning to keep driving it for years to come. Now the insurance company wants to total my car and what they are offering for my car /their initial proposed settlement of $3500is not nearly enough to buy another car in the same excellent, safe and reliable condition, that is not riddled with hidden problems. This presents a big problem for me as, if I cannot have my car fixed and restored to the same condition as before the crash, I would have to come up with at least $12K to $15K to buy another new safe, reliable economy car. This is an expense that was not in my plans. Also, the insurance company is pushing me to make a hasty decision and is threatening me with not paying for the car rental I needed to get (since my car cannot be driven as the tail light is broken and and rain would get in the car). Is there any way that the insurance company can be prevented from totaling my car and instead pay for properly fixing the car with good OEM parts instead of used (LKQ) parts. I got several estimates, two for around $5K and one for around $7K (this one is from an excellent body shop that has done excellent work on my other previous cars before). The insurance company provided and estimate for $4k using used/LKQ parts. I would appreciate any advice on how to get the best settlement from the insurance company.""

17 years old how to get cheap car insurance?

I found a car i had my lieance for 3 months, the insurance is for 2400 how can i get cheaper insurance the insurance will be on my name or if i put it on my dad name how would i be able to drive the car.""

Looking for a good health insurance?

I am 23 and my husband is 25, we are in great health, and are looking for health insurance. I want an affordable plan, but also one which is widely accepted. I know insurance isn't exactly affordable, but I hope you all can go along with what I am saying. Thanks""

Car insurance canceled my policy. i got in an accident and then paid the money. they accepted the money and?

then refused to cover the accident. i was told since they accepted the money and didn't make me open a new policy with a new down payment. and didn't give me my money back ...show more

Car insurance on a 95-98 toyota supra?

im 16-female..remain a B+ average. it would be full coverage... and i know the color can make a difference..prefreably white..maybe black. anyone know the ball park insurance price it would be for me?

Is auto insurance company required to pay for car rental AND tax?

i got hit by another driver. And, his auto insurance company pay for the damage and car rental. They pay $25/day for car rental. Is insurance company required daily amount PLUS car rental taxes if i choose to take money?""

S Coffeyville Oklahoma Cheap car insurance quotes zip 74072

How long can I not have insurance before my car is repossessed?

This month I am not going to able to pay my car insurance due to other bills coming up. If I cancel my policy this month how long will I have before they repo my car? I live in New Hampshire.

Liability insurance for an online vitamin store. Do I need it? And how can I get it?

Hi yahoo friends, I have a new website. I want to sell vitamin and supplements. One of a whole sellers asked me for copy of liability insurance. What is it? Do I need it since I sell their products, should the liability go to them? How can I get it? Please help me , if you know the answer. Thank you.""

Financing a car and someone els pays for insurance?

If I'm financing a car can someone els buy me full coverage and pay for it? . (Car being under there name for insurance yet under my name for the car payments with the bank)

Car insurance vs the law?

If I was driving at 100 mph in my car and a police officer caught me on radar and i started to pull over and then lost control and flipped and totaled the car would my insurance still cover it? I have the fullest of full coverage also, if I was still making payments and the car got impounded would the car be repossessed FROM the cops? thanks""

Aircraft insurance rates with DUI/DWI?

If one is a partner in a small airplane, what effect would a potential DUI/DWI have on current insurance rates?""

Are there any good temporary car insurance companies in america?

I need help finding a fast cool cheap on insurance car?

my dad has a 322 hp 2007 monte carlo ss. im turning 16 september 15th and i need a car. the car has to be low insurance but also cool and fast. also i want to tune it like the cars on fast n the furious. so it has to be a car i can tune. also not so new. im not rich. thanks

Medical insurance in Belgium?

Is there any medical insurance for short term in Belgium? We need just for 1 month. Funded insurance will be able to cover from May. Thx

Teen Insurance?

I was wondering how much the cost would be for teen insurance for one of the 3 following cars, an '07 Scion tC an '03 Nissan Altima or an '02 Honda Civic LX""

Expensive insurance. why?

I've never been in an accident or recieved a ticket before so why is my insurance so expensive. Yes I am male but I am 25 ... It should have become cheaper a while ago but I'm paying about 50$ more a month than all of my friends and some have the same company.. I have liabillity as well.. how much cheaper should your insurance be if you never been ticketed or been In a crash? Thanks.

How can you avoid paying for expensive car rental insurance?

I drive a rental car, but the insurance is very expensive. I have to pay a daily price. I have non owners insurance, but that does not cover collision. Is there a way to avoid paying these prices as they are so expensive but still have full coverage? I tried to insure the car but I couldn't being that it isn't minds. The non owners policy is legal but it doesn't cover the car. Thanks for any suggestions.""

What Car insurance should i get at 18 years old?

I am an 18 year old who is unemployed. I need car insurance that is cheap and is helpful. I need to know how much insurance is.

What are health insurance claims?

im confused and dont know what health insurance claims are..i need to know its for school i need to know what is it, what is it used for and why...please and thank you!! :)""

Lowest possible car insurance?

I am going on a trip out of the country for 4 months, and my car will be parked in my parent's driveway with a cover over it the entire time. How can I find the LOWEST possible car insurance for these months? I called Progressive and the guy was a total salesman with me, saying, Oh you need vandalism insurance, oh and you can't have vandalism insurance without collision insurance, so before I knew it, my quote was up to $120 a month. That's barely lower than the insurance I have now! How can I just get the bare minimum, state-required insurance? I live in Nevada, by the way, if that helps.""

How does a car insurance work?

So the other day i hit an 06 mustang and it left a 1 inch dent it was very small i exchanged info and all then the lady called me and told me the damages were $1008 my insurance said they are going to go check the car to make sure, i was just wondering the dent seemed like a $250 dent will the insurance give them what they say or what the lady says its supposedly worth?""

Cheapest Car Insurance And Best car to get at 17?

Hello Guys, ive just passed my dirveing Test :D I Got a Pass Plus Witch aprently makes Insurance Alot cheaper. Anways, ive been on all the big sites such as Confused, moneysupermarket ect. And they are offering me around 8Grand for a 0.9l Fiat Cinnequento I dont want that car i just tested to see how much. I really need somewhere cheaper. so could you guys give me best car to try get insured on and where?""

Found a nice place for those who need free auto quotes?

Hey there just wanted to let everyone know i found this great site for free auto insurance quotes, its saved me $32 off of my montly policy. Read some of the auto insurance articles to help you save more. Http://www.free-auto-quote.com""

I was stopped by police for no car insurance which I thought was covered on my other car. What's the fine?

I'm 28 and have been driving for 9 years but have no record against me before. It will go to court but does anyone know a ballpark figure of the fine/points, etc...?""

Car Insurance?

Last year I paid my car insurance in one hit, online. This year, renewal price was higher because I got 50 cash back last year. I saved 120 by searching around and went ahead with the new deal. Unbeknown to me the first company renewed my insurance without my knowledge because they had my credit card details from the year before. I ended up being insured with 2 companies for 3 days and I went 109 over my limit on my credit card. Not only is it illegal to be insured by 2 companies at the same time, they did it without my knowledge! Are they allowed to do this? I have, I hope, resolved it but if any charges are incurred either for cancelling my previous insurance or going over my credit limit are these retrievable?""

Car seat and insurance question?

If your car seat is stolen out of your car, is it replaced because you have car insurance? I have car insurance, but I don't believe it said anywhere they were going to replace personal belongings. I have 'full converge' or whatever you call it, and I'm pretty sure that's only going to fix my car... Am I wrong?""

What 7 seat cars have the lowest insurance group rating?

Looking for a new car for our expanding family and want to find something that's low on insurance. The lowest two I've found so far are the Fiat Doblo (Group 3) and the Nissan Cube (Group 4). Does anyone know of any other low insurance 7 seaters? Thank you! :)

How can I make sure the Insurance company declares my car totaled if it received enough damage?

My boyfriend fell asleep while driving and damaged my car pretty badly. It got towed because it is not drivable at this point. This happened on Friday morning, and today, Monday, I got a call from my insurance asking me to find a mechanic for the repairs. Then he followed by asking if I knew where the car was. Isnt he supposed to get an estimate of the car before he decides if its worth any repairs? Or is that my job? Also, Im afraid that the mechanic will just fix the car to please the insurance company, but Id rather the car just get totaled. I dont want to have future problems because it is my understanding that the transmission got pulled out. Im not sure what to do. Im thinking of just choosing the dealerships collision department for the repairs. How do I make sure that if the car has too much damage, it is declared totaled?""

Need advice on a life insurance policy for my parents.?

My parents are 67 and 57, and despite being the youngest of 6 children, I am somehow viewed as the most responsible. I have power of attorney over their estates. They trust me more than each other or any of their other children, because they know that I don't care about money for myself. I believe my parents have life insurance policies on themselves, but with the way they manage their finances the policies may very well have lapsed. I would like to open policies on both of them myself. I would like to get coverage for not only death but any life-threatening incidents so I can pick up the slack for them if their coverage is insufficient or doesn't kick in. I already have a policy on myself for $500,000, and I pay only $30/month. I'm sure that it'll be much more expensive for my parents, but this responsibility falls to me. My father is in poor health and probably won't make it another 5 years. When that happens I want to be able to pay off his house and any remaining debt, put on a nice funeral, and make sure that my mom has a financial buffer for retirement. Any advice on bringing up the issue of mortality with my parents, and getting their consent? Also, is there anything that I should know about policies for older people?""

Average insurance price?

I am a 19 yr old female. i am married and owm my car not financing it. it is a 4 door autimatic 1994 nissan sentra. 1.6 liter. is there and average ball park guess as to how much my insurance may be? im just now licensed and have never been insured or had a ticket

How much do you pay for auto insurance?

I am currently a 24 year old male and I think my car insurance company is not giving me the best deal. Who do you get insurance from, how much do you pay and if you do not mind me asking, how old are you and what car you drive. Also what factors determine how much my insurance payments will be?""

S Coffeyville Oklahoma Cheap car insurance quotes zip 74072

Can I buy Motorcycle Insurance for 3 months?

Is it possible for Geico to do that?

Insurance on a 2010 Scion Tc?!?

Is there any way to estimate this?? What would be more for Insurance? A Scion TC or a Toyota Camry? I have never been in an accident before and It would be under my fathers name anyway, who has no accidents or violations""

Question about insurance coverage?

Okay today my car was broken into at school and they shattered the drivers side window and stole my $150 radio and my $120 graphing calculator. I have full auto insurance coverage but what coverage does this fall under? Comprehensive coverage? I saw on this website that homeowners insurance would cover this but that didn't make sense to me. Does the car have to be home when the break in happened? WILL CHOOSE BEST ANSWER

How much will insurance pay for month old tires and brakes?

I was in an accident after which the insurance deemed my car to be totaled. I had replaced all four tires and rear brakes on the car less than a month back. The claim adjustor says that they will include 50% value of the tires and brakes in the claim payment. Is this normal practice? I do not expect to be reimbursed the exact dollar amount for the parts but 50% seemed like a random value. I was expecting that they will pro-rate it using some formula.

Insurance quotes and maintenance cost for these cars?

1.Audi rs4 2.audi a8 3.audi r8 4.ferrari 458 italia 5.lamborghini aventador provide legit answers and not bullshit such as if you can afford it why you ask and so on

Can my apartment management include premiums of renters insurance on my rent ?

The complex I live in requires that each tenant have renters insurance because the management suffered losses from damages as a result of the tenants' negligence. I want to have the freedom to choose the company that I buy it from -- but they want to increase my rent in order to cover for the premiums. The management company in turn buys a policy for each unit. Can they do that ? I live in California.

""Should you be allowed to buy car insurance only AFTER you have a car accident, and save your money beforehand?""

Isn't denying car insurance AFTER a car accident denying it for a pre-existing condition ? If this health care bill passes, I don't know why anyone would car insurance on an undamaged car or house insurance on a house that isn't on fire. Save your money until the event happens and then fight them on the legality of coverage denial for pre-existing conditions. This is the lunacy that Obama wants to bring to America.""

Car insurance help needed?

I'm 16 and a male and I need to find out how much insurance would cost on a 2000 Monte Carlo SS. I heard that pod grade help so I have roughly a 3.3 GPA in HS

Whats the cheapest non-owners...?

Car insurance?

What is the cheapest insurance for a 17 year old?

Im planning on moving out soon and want to get started, the kind of car im going to get is either a ford mustang or a dodge charger 05' and i was wonderin if anyone knew the cheapest insurance there is. Thanks much!""

How much does third party insurance cost on average?

Does it depend on the car you buy? How much on average would you pay per year for third party insurance? Thank you

Average cost for home owner insurance ?

Cost of Cancelling multiple 6-month car insurance policies in US?

I am 18 years old, male, clean driving record, good student, going to college. I will only be going home for occasional weekends, and vacations, and I would like to be insured so I can drive my car (saturn 2000 sl) around. I don't want to pay for the high cost of permanent car insurance, but want to be insured when I need it. I looked up ways to get temporary (short term) car insurance and I basically found that if you are under 21, you cannot pay daily or weekly. I also found that US insurance companies generally offer policies that are at least 6 months. Since I want tthen you can only get 6month or 1 year policies. They suggest getting the 6 month policy and paying monthly, and then simply canceling the policy once I am done with it. Therefore if I did this, I would be buying and canceling many policies every year. I would maybe do this a few weekends every semester and also winter, spring, and summer break. So basically I want to save money by foregoing yearly car insurance, but instead would like to do what I stated above. The big question is: IS IT WORTH IT? Ordering, and then cancelling up to six to eight 6-month policies, each paying for the first monthly payment. Note: I currently have MetLife. Thanks!!""

Liable for any outstanding premium? car insurance cancellation?

Car insurance cancellation - If you cancel your insurance more than 14 days after purchasing your policy, you will, depending on when you bought your policy, be entitled to a refund of your premium subject to the scale detailed in the policy booklet. We will also charge a 45 cancellation fee plus Insurance Premium Tax at the rate applicable at that time. A refund will not be given if you have had any claims during the relevant policy period. If you are paying by instalments, you will be liable for any outstanding premium I pay for my insurance in installments of 130 a month, i want to cancel my policy 4 months in. Do i have to pay the rest of the 1,600 for the year or just the cancellation fee of 45?""

Car insurance on car i want to sell?

I am trying to sell my car because my uncle left me his old truck and I don't need two vehicles. Since I don't want to have insurance on both cars, is there a way for me to just have insurance on the car only when it is test driven by someone interested in buying it?""

How much do you think auto insurance will cost me?

I am getting a 1971 vw bus, $8500 was how much I payed, a/b student in a college prep school, all honors classes, 16 year old male, live in florida, have not recieved my license yet and am in 10th grade. How much do you think it will cost me to get insurance at the cheapest rates?""

Is Obamacare's goal to provide healthcare for everyone? or requires everyone to BUY health insurance?

What insurance rates do u all pay?

Just wondered what u all pay as i pay alot so does anyone else. Age -20 Sex -Male Car -Focus 2.0litre No mods Convictions-16 Month ban 3 years ago 1500 Anually

Gettting car insurance for more than one car?

si my big brother has a BMW series 3 and got the insurance done for it through my dad i've not long passed my test and have been ask to buy a MG TF and was wondering would i still be abel to get insurance through my dad as well even though my big brother had insurance through him for his car?

Would my insurance be high?

There is a 1973 Dodge Charger online I found that needs restoration for $1750. What would I do for insurance and would it be high since I'm only 17?

""I am fully comp, and my insurance said i can drive any car i wish to? read the details below!!!!!?""

I am fully comp, and my insurance said i can drive any car i wish to, Can i really drive any car i want, EVEN IF THE OTHER CAR HAS NO ONE INSURED ON IT?""

How much would insurance be on a 2001 convertible mustang for a 16 year old?

hey everyone I was wondering what price range i would be looking at for a 2001 convertible mustang. not looking for a exact answer just a ballpark range. I have a 3.00+ gpa male 16 year old no ABS on car convertible thanks all.

Can anyone suggest a really affordable health insurance program for a family. That covers alot plus maternity?

How will this speeding ticket affect my insurance?

I got a speeding ticket. The insurance is under my fathers name. Will the insurance price go up because of MY speeding ticket?

Health Insurance coverage?

I'm now covered by the employer's health insurance (with dental) plan. After I quit/leave current job, how does this health insurance coverage work? Before I'm hired by other company, what options do I have on the health insurance?""

S Coffeyville Oklahoma Cheap car insurance quotes zip 74072

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/wats-cheapest-car-insurance-company-young-drivers-roger-wade"

0 notes

calavir-fr · 7 years ago

Text

Raise The Alarm by ShadeOfChaos

“It’s a great morning down here in the valley, with the official sunrise at 6:45am, and oh did those colors light up the sky.” Alarm. Ugh. “With your Weather Forecast, we have Chip Endale. Go ahead, Chip.” Where’s the snooze? “Thank you, Gadget! Looks to be another gorgeous day with a high of 75 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. Tonight scattered showers…” Just. A little. Further. Snooooooooooooze button, come here! “…with some continued bouts of rain tomorrow and into the week. And now, Zipper with Sports.” There we go. Five more minutes. “…no sign of Hero yet, and even Villain is seeming to get impatient. What do you think, Officer Muldoon? Is our brave Hero just casing the scene to see what’s going on?” Ugh. Alarm. “That’s right, Monty. Every good case starts with good intel, and I’m sure that’s what’s going on here.” Snooze, where are you? “After getting a good layout of how many people are here, where the exits are, who is in the most danger, only then will he make his presence known.” Why does it hurt so much?? Ugh, I should have just gone to the healer yesterday. Come here little snooze. “Of course, Hero could be biding time to let Villain feel more in his element, let Villain lower his guard a little. This is a very tense and dangerous situation, and one wrong move could mean disaster for those Hero needs to protect.” Gods, my stomach. Wait, did he say Villain? What time is OHMYGOD IT’S TEN-THIRTY??? I’M SO LATE! In his scramble to escape the comforting embrace of bed, Alfie face-planted on the floor with a yelp. His stomach felt like it was holding the Great Furnace itself, on fire and rumbling like an active volcano, and Alfie let out a whimper as he tried to push himself up. No time for frivolities if Villain was already there and set up. Alfie knew that this was a big heist too. The signs had been pointing to it. Hell, Villain himself had dropped hints on where it was supposed to take place, since it was phase one of Operation Save the Hatchlings. Alfie and Daymion were already on rocky ground in their friendship, and Alfie not showing up for something this important would just keep them sliding further apart. Pushing himself up in a hurry, Alfie managed a step before the cramp in his side had him face-planting again. Flamecaller above, please give me the strength to get through this. I feel like I’m dying. It took him three tries to get the scarf holding his tools around his neck correctly, and Alfie must have fallen another four times before he made it to the window. Screw using the door, he was late enough already! Leaping out, a cramp gripped him and the Skydancer plummeted, curling around himself. I have to focus. I’m stronger than this. Forcing his eyes to open, the dragon managed to spread his wings early enough to use his speed to curve back into the air, and started making his way to the scene. Villain resisted the urge to do the most cliché check-the-non-existent-watch-on-his-wrist as the clock chimed eleven. The device in his ear crackled as each of his henchmen checked in. “Fat Cat here. Twenty hostages secure, boss. No hatchlings here, though.” Damn. Well, it’s a start. “Aldrin checking in. The cops are trying to move in to the Northwest. We have eyes on them, nothing too close yet.” Even the police are getting antsy. This has gone on too long. “Desoto. Reporters are starting to question if Hero is even going to show up, boss. We have a free ticket to ride, if needed.” This is not going well. “Negative, Desoto. Keep me posted on what else they report. He’ll be here. He’s just being extra cautious. I need to know if he sees something I overlooked.” “Of course, boss. Desoto out.” Scanning the sky, Villain sneered. If Hero wasn’t going to help them, all he had to do was say so. Either he was trying to get back at Villain for the fiasco from last month, or something was terribly wrong. He honestly hoped that Hero was trying to get back at him. The erratic movement from above the clouds caught his eye, and Villain looked up in time to see Hero freefalling from thousands of feet up. Wings and arms tucked around him, Hero started spiraling down towards a building. It looked like an attempt at a fancy landing, but Hero normally wasn’t one for showboating before he landed. In fact, the way his wings flared at the last second, the obvious miscalculation as he almost crunched into the side of the building, further increased Villain’s wariness of the whole situation. Hero ended up landing, but he stumbled forward and almost fell in doing so. In fact, Hero looked more pale than normal, more green than normal, and not in the right way. Hero managed to get his balance, but it was too late. If he didn’t straighten out, Villain was going to end it. Landing had taken more effort than normal. To be truthful, everything was taking more effort than normal. The pain radiating through him seemed to throb in waves, and Alfie could barely see straight. It took him a few steps to get his balance, and he tried to straighten into his best Hero pose. He knew he failed. Everything hurt, from every feather on top of his head to the nails on his toes even, it all was on fire and working to show him the definition of pain. The brief respites actually made the torture worse, as just when he adjusted to the pain being gone, it was back again with a vengeance. Flamecaller please, I don’t even know what to ask anymore. I need help. Oh by the gods… “Hero, you’ve finally stopped skulking in the dark! I was beginning to think that you had given in to your fate and allowed me full control of the city.” Villain was talking. Villain. If I just focus on him…he’s looking at you, Alfie. Daymion is watching you. Don’t blow this. We can fix everything if you just straighten up and get through this. For Daymie. “Of course, I suppose since I have allowed you the honor of being my rival, it’s only fitting that you try to stop me from winning. I expect nothing less from one trying to be my equal.” I need a witty comeback. The reporters expect it. The cameras are trained on me. I need something. Anything. How about…Oh yeah? Well I’ll never be your equal cuz I’m bett…no, that will never work. I can’t blow this now. Come on brain, think! “Twenty hostages, Hero. Twenty people that I could start killing off, and you would never be able to save them all. How does that make you feel?” Alfie tried to puff out his chest, channeling his Hero-ness as much as he could, trying to push through the pain. It just hurt so much…he’d rather be allowing others to pluck out every feather on him one by one than go through this torture. His legs were shaking, he wasn’t sure how he was keeping himself up. “And you’re not the only lazy one here. It took the cop shop ten minutes to respond. Do you know how many people I could have killed in that time, Hero? How many dead lives would be on your head?” Say something, damnit! You have to stay something, Hero wouldn’t let this pass.Alfie took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. “You and I both know that you would have never gotten that far, Vill…” “Yes yes, boasting. Then the posturing and the yammering, and finally getting around to the fighting. This is pathetic.” Alfie couldn’t believe that Villain had actually interrupted him. They just didn’t do that! But then to have Villain in his face, nose to nose, made Alfie’s eyes widen, and they got as big as saucers with the next sentence to come out of Villain’s mouth. “Hero, go home.” Before Alfie could protest, Villain was turning, raising his voice for the cameras. “This is pathetic. As a self-respecting villain, and with my standing as the one and only Villain, I cannot possibly complete this heist. You have one week. One. Week. If you lot aren’t in top condition, I will make you all suffer. I want fast response times. I want creative thinking. Come on people, make this hard for me!! If you can’t keep me entertained, I start killing.” Villain turned, pointing at Hero with a sneer. “One. Week.” With that, he gave a signal and actually turned to leave. The reporters were all buzzing, the cameras weren’t sure where to focus, and all Alfie could think of was thank the gods. I need to get home. Now. If anyone noticed one of the Hero Fan Club leaders joining Hero for his fly home, they didn’t think anything of it. After all, the Hero Fan Club stalked Hero everywhere, and there was no way any of them would think it was Villain in disguise. Villain banked on that heavily. He needed to make sure Hero got home okay. That was step one. He’d figure out life after that was accomplished.

#stories

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