#i figured that i'll just call her as stacy in regards to step by step stuff

[randomcinematicuniverse]

Just got done listening to Staci's (Stacy's) Step By Step podcast with her co-star and she shared some anecdote(?) about Nicole's wardrobe on M2D. She admits to being a little critical about Nicole's outfits on the show, saying that "they dressed me/Nicole like a ten year old with a zit(?) [as opposed to being a normal 12 year old pre-teen]"

Staci shared how in real life, she had this goth and edgy phase when it came to fashion and Nicole, in total contrast, has a wardrobe full of color and brightness and too much sweaters. She laughed about how teenage fashion back in the late 80s was all about bright colors and bold patterns and all that. It's just cute how a woman now in her 40s reflects on how she dressed back then as a teenager on and off screen.

Just thought I'd share because it's the first time in a while someone from M2D shared any behind the scene stories. And the fact that it came from Staci makes me miss the show more.

[korgbelmont]

Male MC (Nick Taylor) x Stacy Green

Part 1

Having built up a reputation as a Nighthunter, Nick Taylor is a name known in some circles, and one of those circles has some information regarding a very ancient artifact...

Written in the Present Tense

Tagging: @jerzwriter, @choicesficwriterscreations

Warnings: Mentions of pain

Word Count: 1792

Notes: I don’t own these characters, they are the property of Pixelberry Studios.

The Blade created on cooltext.com

This is set a few years after the events of It Lives Beneath

As Stacy sits at her desk working on an article, Nick finishes up on a journal entry from his last case.

Nick - (Right, there we go.)

He closes the book, and just as he goes to get a drink, his phone rings in his pocket. Not wanting to disturb Stacy, he steps out and answers, holding the phone to his ear.

Nick - Hey, Ives.

Ivy - Evening, Nick. You able to meet tomorrow, got something for you.

Nick - I guess I can. What's this about?

Ivy - It's a bit difficult to explain without what I have. I'll be over tomorrow.

Nick - Uh, okay then. I'll see you in the morning then.

Ivy - Have a good night, Nick.

The phone beeps to signal hanging up and Nick heads back in, confused.

Stacy - Everything okay?

Nick - Yeah. That was Ivy. Says she has something for me. Gonna be over in the morning.

He looks over at her now black computer screen.

Nick - Article all finished?

Stacy - Not yet. But I've got to that point where words aren't looking like words anymore. So calling it a night.

Nick - Fair enough. Calling it a night sounds like a good idea.

Nick locks the door and the two switch everything off before heading to bed.

The following morning, Nick makes his morning coffee when someone knocks on the door. Knowing who it is, he goes to unlock it, opening it to Ivy.

Ivy - Morning.

Nick - Come on in.

Nick moves to the side to let Ivy in, closing the door behind her. She sets her bag down and takes a laptop out, opening it up. Stacy steps out, grabbing her own coffee.

Stacy - Morning, Ivy.

Ivy - Hi, Stacy. How you doing?

Stacy - Same as always.

Her computer loaded, Ivy opens up a file and then takes out a manila file from her bag, looking at Nick.

Ivy - So this portrait came into our possession a few days ago, but it's a weird one.

She hands Nick the file. Opening it, he takes out two photos of the portrait, a warrior in armour with a sword. Except in one, the sword blade is pure white with a white aura around it, and in the other, it is fully black and surrounded by shadow.

Nick - Okay... that is weird.

Ivy - Check this.

She opens a video file of her with Krom and Garrus.

THEN

Garrus, Ivy, and Krom look over the portrait, the sword seeming to change every time they blink.

Garrus - I've never seen this kind of magic...

Krom - You me both.

Ivy - Hang on, I'm going to try something.

She uses her hand to cover the camera lens and when she removes it, the sword in the portrait has changed. She does it again. And again the sword has changed.

NOW

Nick and Stacy share a look of confusion and Nick looks over the photos of the portrait again.

Nick - What do we know about the warrior?

Ivy - That's where you come in. I was able to get a meeting with Kamilah Sayeed, but I was hoping you could go in my place. I want to try and learn what I can about the portrait back in New Orleans.

Nick - Right. So you want me to go to New York?

Ivy - Actually, she'll be in Portland tomorrow. I said I would send a Nighthunter in my place. And you're respected enough.

Stacy - We could make a small trip out of it. Been a while since we went away somewhere.

Nick smiles at Stacy and nods.

Nick - Alright, I'll go meet with the Queen of Vampires. Never thought I'd be saying that.

Ivy - Thank you.

After going through a few more details, Ivy takes her leave, opening up a portal to her library in New Orleans and steps through. The portal closes and Nick turns to Stacy.

Nick - Need to figure out how she does that. It would make things so much easier.

Stacy turns back to the file, looking at the two photos of the painting.

Stacy - This is so weird.

Nick - One word for it.

Stacy - You got any theories?

Nick shakes his head.

Nick - Nothing.

Stacy - Must be important though if Kamliah Sayeed's name is in the mix.

Nick - We'll find out tomorrow. Gonna be hard to concentrate for the rest of the day though.

Stacy puts the photos back in the folder before looking over at Nick.

Stacy - How about we pack and head out this evening? Have a day out before meeting with her.

Nick - I can get behind that.

Stacy - Come on.

She holds out her hand and Nick takes it, heading upstairs to pack.

Opening the door to their hotel room, Nick sets his and Stacy's bags down as she looks around the room.

Stacy - Good view.

Nick - Yeah?

Stacy - Yeah.

Ditching his jacket, Nick collapses on one of the chairs in front of the tv, letting his arms hang over the edge. Stacy sets herself down on his lap, looping her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek.

Stacy - You okay?

Nick - Tired. I could actually fall asleep right here.

Stacy - You could, or you could sleep in the bed and be comfier.

Laughing, Nick scoops Stacy up and carries her over to the bed, setting her down. Keeping her arms around him, Stacy pulls Nick down, pressing her lips to his before letting go so he can get back on his feet. They quickly change into pajamas and soon switch off for the night.

The next evening, Nick and Stacy arrive at the hotel address given to them and step in. They're stopped by bodyguards the moment they step into the building, their eyes the giveaway sign of being Vampires.

Guard 1 - You Nick Taylor?

Nick - Yeah. Here to see Kamilah Sayeed.

The guard puts his finger on his earpiece.

Guard 1 - The Nighthunter is here. He also has a girl with him.

There's a moment of silence before the guard nods and then gestures to the couple to follow him to an elevator. After an awkwardly silent elevator ride, the guard steps to the side and they step out to a penthouse suite.

Nick - Damn... This is something.

A door opens and a woman the couple have only seen in photos stands before them. Kamilah Sayeed, Queen of the Vampires.

Kamilah - Mr Taylor. And...

She looks at Stacy.

Stacy - Stacy Green.

Kamilah extends her hand out to Stacy, who shakes it.

Kamilah - I've read some of your articles. You're quite the journalist.

Stacy - Thank you!

Kamilah - Shall we?

She walks over to two sofas facing each other with a table in between and takes a seat on one while Nick and Stacy sit opposite.

Kamilah - I assume you've been made aware of the painting by Ivy.

Nick - The sword changes with each blink.

Nick presents the two photos given to him by Ivy.

Stacy - What's the deal with the sword?

Kamilah - It's the blade of Morella.

Nick - Morella? As in Blades of Light and Shadow Morella? It's real?!

Kamilah - That series is inspired by a story from Morella. Like Lamrian, it's a realm separated from ours. But this sword has found it's way into our realm. And is currently in possession of a collector, who, unironically, calls himself the Collector, is known for having questionable methods of acquisition.

Stacy - So he's a thief?

Kamilah - That's one word for him. Ivy and I would like to see it out of his possession and placed somewhere safe.

Nick - You want me to steal it.

Kamilah - Not alone. You'll be working with two others chosen by me. Another Nighthunter and an Attuned.

Nick mulls the words over, if the television series is anything to go by, then the sword is dangerous. It doesn't take him long to come to a decision.

Nick - I'll take the job.

Kamilah - Just like that?

Stacy - Just like that.

Kamilah - Well then. You'll need these.

Kamilah produces invitations and slides them across the table.

Kamilah - There's a gala tomorrow night. You'll be crashing the party, as they say. Once the sword is secured, return here.

Nick - We will.

Kamilah - The others will meet you at the gala. Miss Green, you'll remain here with me whilst the others are acquiring the blade. I'm interested to learn about some of the details behind your articles.

Stacy - Oh!

Nick smiles to himself as the shock of the sentence hits Stacy.

The next evening, Nick looks around at some of the artefacts on display, looking for any sign of the blade, upstairs, fellow Nighthunter, Katherine watches the guests as Nick walks the floor. Outside, Atlas Ernhardt watches the Collector as he speaks with guests. The three of them remaining in contact through earpieces.

Atlas - Taylor, any luck yet?

Nick - No sign of the sword yet.

Katherine - Nothing on display up here either.

Atlas - So it's not on display, makes it easier to take.

Nick - But harder to find.

Nick looks around, finding a door not being guarded and slips through. He checks each room, opening the doors slightly. And soon he comes across one with more artefacts and wooden boxes.

Katherine - This looks like the room.

Nick - Aaah!

Nick jumps out of his skin from Katherine's voice behind him and flashes his middle finger at her.

Katherine - You wound me.

They enter the room and Nick uses his phone torch to illuminate in front of him. He soon comes across a longer wooden box and pries it open. Removing the fabric wrappings, an Obsidian Sword lie in front of him.

Nick - Got it!

He sets his phone down and takes the sword in hand, but a stinging sensation begins travelling up his hand. Dropping the sword, Nick falls to his knees as the pain spreads.

Katherine - Taylor!

When Katherine reaches him, Nick is no longer how he was. His hair black and his skin grey with black veins along his hands and neck. When he stands, she sees the white's of his eyes are now black and his iris's greyer than before.

Katherine - Oh no...

Atlas - What is it?

Nick takes the sword up again and a swirl of shadows engulfs him. Once they spread, Nick is gone.

Katherine - Atlas, we need to leave...