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commander-diomika · 3 years ago

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Pairing: Azu/Cel Sidebottom

Word Count: 1900

Rating: Mature (for drug references and mild sexual content)

Additional Tags: Drugs, Sort Of, Kissing, drugged kissing, Kinktober, thembofication, Fluff,

Prompt: Bimbofication / Collaring / Cockwarming

Summary: “I don’t know…” Azu said slowly. She wasn’t even sure where Cel had gotten the Rod of Bestow Curse, and their plan to gradually zap their intelligence down sounded… dubious. But then again, Azu wasn’t exactly a science-minded sort.

“Even I’m not silly enough to try this solo, Azu, and don’t you think it would be fun to do together!” Cel brandished the wand with an alarming enthusiasm. “I was just thinking about it, because when I take these off-” Cel tapped their goggles with a crystalline ding, “-for a little while after I feel, inebriated but not quite, until I adjust again, so I’m just curious about what happens if instead of calibrating out of the feeling, I persist with it!”

“Please, Azu. For science.”

It was just like the time with the Mega-joos, Cel explained to Azu. They just wanted to try something out.

“I don’t know…” Azu said slowly. She wasn’t even sure where Cel had gotten the Rod of Bestow Curse, and their plan to zap their intelligence down gradually sounded… dubious. But then again, Azu wasn’t exactly a science-minded sort.

Azu crossed her arms across her unarmoured chest. She did suppose that Cel had a point. The idea had a similar air to when Azu wanted to take a mysterious potion just to see what it did. She didn’t really feel like she could argue against Cel’s logic. (A very familiar feeling.)

“And if it all gets too much, I know, you can just restore me! I won’t be in any danger, and you can keep an eye on me, just like how I observed you last time! And nothing bad happened then except for a bit of broken furniture, and I’m not even big enough to break anything. Unless I somehow beast morph whilst- no, I’ll leave all my gear outside of the room and perhaps it would be good if your first responsibility is just to keep me in the one place so I don’t do anything rash with my potions.”

That sounded… remarkably sensible. But still, doubt niggled in Azu’s chest. “What if you stay that way? Something might go wrong with the restoration.”

“I have every faith in your healing! Besides, I’ve examined the wand carefully, it will definitely do what I want and nothing more, and it’s a basic enough spell to fix this kind of thing! Zolf does it all the time!”

“Why don’t you ask Zolf then?” Grasping, she knew.

Cel pressed their lips together, suddenly looking sheepish. “I don’t- You know that I like Zolf very much, Azu, but he’s not as much- well, to be honest, I just thought it might be something fun for us to do together.” When Cel dropped their chin and a puppy-dog pleading entered their eyes, Azu knew that the battle was lost.

She sighed. “Very well. Allow me to prepare the necessary spells.” Glee spread on Cel’s face, and Azu felt her chest warm with the rewarding light she always felt when helping. “Do not start without me.”

…

Cel took their goggles off and gently placed them on a side table. They closed their eyes and sighed, swaying a little.

“See, this kind of thing feels like we should have some drinks, too, but that would be adding another variable.”

“It’s probably best if I don’t get drunk.” Azu agreed. Cel’s room at the inn was comfortable if not lavishly appointed, a friendly fire in the grate, a bed and several armchairs just big enough for Azu to feel comfortable in.

“Right! Here we go! My research says this curse will affect my mental faculties based on a percentage of the original capacity, that is, not in an exponential but rather linear fashion from the original-”

Azu simply settled into a chair to watch as Cel pontificated. In the several days of downtime the group had been afforded at the inn, Cel had grown a shadow of stubble for a change. It was quite endearing.

“- but I am curious as to whether the-” Cel stopped suddenly, squeezed the wand in one hand, steeling themselves.

“The time for curiosity is done! It is time for answers!” they announced dramatically, then cast the wand in a sweeping motion over their tall frame. A sickly energy throbbed in the room for a breath, then nothing. Cel simply blinked owlishly.

“How… how does it feel?” Azu asked slowly.

“Not sure yet!” Cel said delightedly. “Give me a minute!” They stalked around the room in an energetic lap, once, twice. “I don’t feel any different. I’m going to do it again.”

Before Azu could advise against it, there was another eerie pulse. Standing in front of the fire, Cel’s eyes fluttered shut as they swayed. Azu felt the muscles in her legs coil, ready to spring into action in case Cel toppled, but they quickly steadied and snapped their eyes open.

“Should I take notes? Nothing in my research said that my memory will be affected by this experience but there is every chance that the sensations I feel can only be captured in the moment?” Cel went over to their desk and pulled up a sheaf of paper and started scribbling, muttering to themselves, seemingly having forgotten Azu was even there.

This continued for the next half an hour, cursing themselves twice more. On the third grasp and wave of the wand, they laid their head on their desk and gave a groan.

“Ooft. Dizzy.”

Concerned, Azu came over. She looked over Cel’s notes. The writings were becoming increasingly garbled; not any less legible but written in a confusing mix of languages, and the diagrams were becoming more… well Azu wasn’t sure how to describe it, but there was something abstractly expressive in them.

“Are you alright?” Azu asked.

Cel lifted their head off the desk, a smear of ink on one stubbly cheek. “Yes! I’m just goingsdahfdg-” They raised their eyebrows. “I’m fiweuhadermersh.” They clapped a hand to their mouth, rubbing a little more ink onto their face and jumped to their feet, remarkably spry.

“Do you need healing?” Azu asked, concerned. She wasn’t even sure how they were doing that with their mouth.

Cel walked around the room again, shaking their head. Azu watched them, and slowly settled into Cel’s desk chair. Cel didn’t seem worried or distressed, in fact as they turned and stalked back over, there was something determined in their eyes.

“I’m ok! I just- I think I just had to learn how to speak again.”

Azu frowned as Cel slowly lowered to their knees and laid their head in Azu’s robe-clad lap. “Bit swimmy,” was all they managed, and Azu instinctively petted their hair.

“The experience is not dissim- dissim- that different from some of the psy-psy-psychoa- trippy, you know, the little ground fellows that make you see things that aren’t real.” Cel mumbled into Azu’s lap. Azu continued to stroke Cel’s hair, feeling alarmed and trying not to show it. Azu knew that when people were under the influence of the little ground fellows, you should try your best to be a calming presence.

“It’s kind of nice. I often feel like I have two or three voices, layered inside, you know the talk inside your brain?”

“Internal monologue?” Azu ventured.

“Yes! The inside voices, all talking over each other, saying pros and cons simul- all at once and now it just feels…” They gestured with one hand then brought it up to rest on Azu’s thigh. “Quiet. I think if this happened, some other time, somewhere else…. I would feel afraid. I’m not afraid. I’m safe. And it’s ok to just feel… quiet for a little while. With you.” They nuzzled their nose into Azu’s thigh, their gaze unfocused as though they looked through Azu to something distant.

Azu watched Cel’s face carefully; cheek still smushed into Azu’s lap, their eyes darted up, their pupils blown wide and dark. “Kiss me?”

Azu blinked, petting hands stilling. “No, Cel.” She spoke gently, as one would to a demanding child. “It wouldn’t be right. You’re not in your right mind.”

“No, no no,” Cel went to shake their head but was really just nuzzling more firmly. “It’s still me! Cel! I’m not any less Cel! I’m fully Cel! I’m just, I don’t have the layers of inside-thinky-brain-talk that always talk me out of saying something like ‘I think we should kiss and I think that would be fun and nice!’ I’m pretty much always thinking that kissing would be fun and nice but there are so many reasons why I don’t usu- don’t say it!”

Azu was flummoxed. Cel’s only rule had been “don’t let me mess with my potions.” Cel hadn’t set up a single rule about what happened if the increasingly uninhibited half-elf hit on them.

That felt like a huge oversight on both their parts, really.

But Cel was looking up so earnestly, tall hair mussed from rubbing on her leg, and Azu was inclined to agree that kissing was indeed fun and nice, and very rarely far from her mind, too. Cel was making an awful lot of sense, as they usually did, even in this state.

“Ok.” Azu said softly. “Just one kiss, for us, if you promise you won’t regret it later.”

Cel came to stand. Whatever was happening in their mind, their body was still perfectly coordinated as they loomed over Azu and took her face in their slender hands.

“Azu.”

It’s very nice to be loomed over by them, Azu thought, looking up at Cel’s inky face.

“Kissing is nice. I don’t ever think I should have not-kissed someone.” Cel said, and for all their clunky phrasing, their voice was steady, gaze intent.

Azu tilted up her chin in invitation, and Cel dipped their mouth to Azu’s. The kiss was warm, and easy, Cel’s lips parting, letting their tongue trail and explore Azu’s lips, her tusks. Azu barely opened her mouth and felt Cel’s tongue slip inside, curious and soft. She met it with her own, careful not to push or overwhelm Cel’s narrow mouth, feeling the soft stubble on Cel’s upper lip against her own.

When Cel sighed in pleasure, Azu gently leant back.

“I think that’s enough, Cel.” Azu’s heart was beating fast in her chest. She wanted to surge upwards, plunge her tongue into Cel’s soft mouth, squeeze them and unwrap them and run her hands over every inch of them. But not like this.

Cel pouted, then screwed up their face in a slightly pained expression. “That was very wonde- beauti- nice. Wonderbeautynice.”

“Would you like a hug?” Azu offered. That, Azu felt she could offer without the heat in her veins overwhelming her. She stood, spreading her arms, and Cel wordlessly melted into them.

“I think I’d like my words back now, Azu. My inner words too. It was wonderbeautynice without them with you, though.”

Holding Cel her in arms, Azu let her heart open to Aphrodite’s light and lifted the curses on Cel. They sighed, squeezing their arms even tighter around Azu’s broad frame.

“That was such a kiss, Azu!” Cel leant back from the hug, not taking their arms from around Azu’s shoulder’s. Azu was relieved to see the sparkle in their eyes returned. “But you know, I don’t think I have quite enough data to say what kind of kiss it was, and I was wondering, if you would indulge me just a little further tonight, could we do it again?”

“For science, I take it?” Azu asked through her smile. With the light of Aphrodite and Cel’s bright gaze on her, Azu felt warm from crown to navel, fiery heat below that. She lifted her hand and rubbed tenderly at the smutch of ink on Cel's cheek.

“For science, absolutely.”

#hank writes #kinktober #rqg kinktober #nsft #rqg azu #cel sidebottom #ok so yesterday was ''grizzop fucked until he's facedown in a puddle of his own spit''#and today is tooth rotting fluff #even /I/ am reeling from that tonal shift #rqg #rqg fan fic

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sablelab · 5 years ago

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Covert Operations - Chapter 116

SCENAIRO: Fergus bluffs his way out of a sticky situation when Joe Abernathy finds him and Murtagh in the unrestricted area. Meanwhile Colum’s meeting with Operations and Madeline in Committee does not go well.

Chapter 115 and all other chapters can be found at … https://sablelab.tumblr.com/covertoperations

THANK YOU to all reading and enjoying this story. A lot of what I have written is leading to other things that will impact on the Rising Dragons’ mission and the relationships between the characters in this story. Thanks for coming along on this ride with me.

CHAPTER 116

Joe Abernathy looked at Fergus Claudel who had appeared as if from out of nowhere to stand next to his friend. However, although he had no cause to doubt Fergus’ statement that he had clearance especially given the job he had to do at Section, Joe Abernathy was still a little skeptical as to his reasons for being on Level 5.

It was most irregular that Fergus would be on this level and more so for someone from Munitions. No doubt while his friend went about his business Murtagh had decided to tag along eager to do some researching of his own whilst hoping not to get caught out. The fact that he was on this level was puzzling yet Fitzgibbons was always a little recalcitrant as far as obeying orders went and his excuse seemed a plausible thing. After all he was an excellent operative in his own right and having just returned from a mission that was fraught with danger the man was undoubtedly still running high on adrenalin having been back in the field. Murtagh’s excuse of wanting to compare past missions was not at all out of the realms of possibility for the older operative. Nevertheless, Abernathy eyed each man suspiciously as they stood defiantly before him. He was curious as to Fergus’ presence on this classified level for someone from Systems here with a weapons expert from Munitions. Turning his attention towards Murtagh, Abernathy looked at him knowing he could easily cut him some slack this one time without letting Operations or Madeline know of his breach of protocol. He had always liked and respected Fitzgibbons as he did James Fraser. He was an integral part of why missions were successful. Fergus too was like the little brother who kept them safe and his tactical direction and skill during missions was critical. This should prove most interesting, Joe thought as he began to question Fergus. “How did you get access to this level?” “I’ve already told you … I had clearance.” “From whom?” the operative insisted. Fergus stood his ground gaining more confidence by the moment. “I can't tell you that.” “Why not? … What are you doing here?” The young techie seemed to grow another inch. He stood up straighter then replied with bravado. “I’m tracing a linkage factor.” Abernathy was surprised at his answer. “For whom?” he wanted to know. “Section Four, Northern Europe.” “Why would they use you?” Looking at Abernathy, Fergus gave him a blank expression. “That's all I can tell you.” Murtagh was so proud of his little buddy for having the temerity to stand up to Joe Abernathy’s probing questioning. He was quietly applauding his gumption given that they were here without the clearance the Level 5 operative required. Murtagh only hoped that Fergus wouldn’t have to show any documentation supporting his claim. Never in his wildest dreams would he have thought that his nervy friend was capable of doing such a thing. Standing beside him Murtagh hoped that his presence was giving Fergus extra strength to bluff his way through Abernathy’s little inquisition. His thoughts were answered in spades when he heard what his buddy said next. “If you want to know more, you could ask Operations … If you do, he'll want to know what you were doing down here.” “Which Bureau Op?” Abernathy persisted ignoring his jibe but also knowing that Fergus was unable to answer. “You know I can't tell you that ... so why ask? Now if you will excuse us, we have work to do.” “Okay Fergus … Fine ... I’ll leave you to it then.” The two operatives watched as a perplexed yet placated Joe Abernathy turned and walked away towards the elevator, then moved so that they could see him enter the shaft. Unbeknownst to the two friends, Joe Abernathy had a slight smile on his face as he strode away. The stoic operative knew that the two operatives were up to something they shouldn’t be, but that was not his concern and he wouldn’t report them. If they had the daring to access something on this level … which he knew would be near impossible … then he wished them luck. Murtagh and Fergus would need a lot of it for all files on this level were as secure as could be. Knowing they were watching his every move, Abernathy let the doors close without turning to see the concern in their body language before letting out a raucous laugh which echoed loudly in the confined space of the elevator. Fergus and Murtagh stayed where they were until they saw the doors close behind him, then they breathed a collective sigh of relief. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Meanwhile at Committee two pairs of eyes were raised in the direction of the hastened footfalls as they echoed on the ramp leading down into the room. Madeline watched as the two men stood when she entered in acknowledgement of her arrival. As she came closer, she saw an inquisitive expression cross Operations’ face as to why she had taken so long to get here. She hoped her look was enough to appease his anger and that she would explain why once Colum had left. Her eyes then glanced towards Colum Mackenzie who stood waiting for her to descend to the bottom of the ramp. “Gentlemen! My apologies. Sorry I'm late and that you had to wait before starting our meeting, but I had some pressing business to attend to. I was also waylaid.” Colum waited as she approached them. “No apologies are necessary Madeline. It’s good to see you.” He leaned in and kissed her on both cheeks. “Hello, Colum.” “You look well.” “Thank you.” Walking over to where Operations stood, Madeline held his gaze for a moment before continuing. “Please sit down everyone. Let us begin.” “How are things in Section One?” “We’re maintaining our success rate Colum,” Madeline specified with conviction. “Yes, I’ve seen the numbers.” Irritated with his presence, Operations then stated the obvious. “We weren't expecting you.” Colum Mackenzie turned around slowly and looked him in the face. “No Dougal … I’m sure you weren’t,” he replied with a smugness that grated on Operations’ nerves even more. “But I like to make impromptu visits to keep abreast of how things are going in all the Sections, not just One.” Realising that the two combatants were getting a little testy, Madeline smiled at Colum which averted his attention away from Operations. “Colum … You know we always look forward to your visits to Section. So … what brings you here this time?” “I heard an interesting rumour last night.” “What was that?” Operations asked nonchalantly. “I’m sure you can guess without me having to spell it out brother.” “Oh … What makes you think that?” “You must realize by now that nothing escapes me at Oversight where One is concerned.” “I’m sure you are kept well informed Colum, so what have you heard?” Madeline and Operations shared a look when Colum nodded in a way that suggested that he was just getting wound up and was about to drop a bombshell. “It sounds like things are deteriorating here at One.” Ignoring his preposterous statement Operations replied indignantly. “That doesn't sound right, what's your source?” Colum refused to answer and merely twisted the knife in a little more. “Section has failed to capture Sun Yee Lok or any other triad members of the Rising Dragons despite having the two best operatives on the mission.” “We’re getting closer. We’re doing what we can,” Madeline placated. “That’s not what I’ve heard. We keep tabs on these things.” Colum looked at Operations when he spoke. They both shared an icy look. “Frankly, there’s a feeling at Oversight that you’ve lost some focus on this mission. Am I right?” “Is there an answer that would satisfy you?” Dougal asked giving his brother a deathly stare. “Not really.” “Then why ask?” “I withdraw the question.” An icy resolve filled the room with neither man giving an inch. Perhaps Colum did have an informant in Section after all, Madeline thought then if so this was a matter of urgency then if information was being exchanged unbeknownst to them. She tried to stem the tide of discontent. “You’ve been misinformed Colum … that couldn’t be further from the truth. We're at 93%. Is there any other department that has that kind of efficiency? What you call losing focus, we call creative methodology. If anything, we are closer than ever before to bringing the Rising Dragons’ mission to its end game.” Colum Mackenzie raised an eyebrow at her reply, then cryptically directed his question to Operations. “Are you sure you’ll be able to?” “Of course,” was his terse reply. “Part of competence is knowing when to ask for help brother,” was Colum’s comeback remark. “I didn't think I needed any,” Operations replied glaring at him. He realized that this visit was indeed different from his past ones. “Do you ever think you need any … brother? Don’t bother to answer that,” he gesticulated. “I already know what you’ll say.” The stalemate continued. Neither man was giving the other an inch. Colum then continued with an arrogance that couldn’t be ignored. “On another matter, I heard that Jamie and Claire have returned to Section One.” “Yes that’s true.” Madeline replied wondering where he was heading with this questioning. The Oversight leader then went in for the kill. “I also believe that both are injured and won’t be returning to the Rising Dragons’ mission.” He glanced at Operations again. “What are you going to do about Sun Yee Lok if your best two operatives are incapacitated? Is the mission now in jeopardy? Oversight will view that scenario poorly if all the time and resources have been for naught. Heads could roll.” The look Operations gave Colum was lethal. Their worst-case scenario had just surfaced. He was furious with what he was insinuating … Colum saw their leadership at Section One as incompetent and he alluded to this with his next words. “That’s what I meant earlier about asking for help Dougal. It seems to Oversight that One needs assistance with personnel for the Rising Dragon’s mission because of Jamie and Claire’s injuries. Failure to ask for assistance however, is an error in judgement and it will have to go in your file I’m afraid.” “And what effect will that have?” “That's for Center and Mr. Lambert to decide but my report about Section’s loss of direction concerning the Rising Dragons’ mission has to be completed,” he answered with veiled glee aware that Section’s leader was seething at his response. “I see,” Dougal replied barley hiding his contempt for his superior from Oversight. His dislike for his brother Colum had just increased one hundred-fold. Meanwhile after dodging another bullet … Fergus and Murtagh looked at each other after the elevator doors closed. Raising his hand to his forehead, Fergus could feel a bead of sweat as it trickled down his brow. He was decidedly more nervous than he’d been before. Being caught by Abernathy had been close … far too close for comfort for him. What had initially appeared as a relatively easy endeavour was rapidly developing into a catastrophe. They could be facing abeyance if Madeline and Operations ever found out they had tried to access a restricted area. Fergus wondered what would befall them next if they continued on with their plan. He glanced towards Murtagh and wondered if he was thinking the same thing. “Hey … that was close. I think we should abort. This situation is getting far too dangerous. We’ve had one mishap after another. There have been far too many close shaves.” “What? With Abernathy?” “Yes!” “Ah … that was nothing. I’ve had more close shaves than you’ve had hot dinners and that my friend was a piece of cake.” “Are you serious Murtagh?” “Absolutely … You were magnificent amigo.” “Really?” “Really … I’m proud of you.” “But Murtagh … there may be more obstacles to come that we don’t know about. Joe Abernathy may renege and report us to Operations. What then?” “Nah … he won’t do that. You saw the look on his face.” “How can you be so sure? He terrified me …” “Because he’s not 100% sure. You were very convincing and your explanation was plausible. He won’t report us. Trust me.” “I do, but that doesn’t make me feel any less apprehensive. I still think we should abort this caper before anything else can go wrong.” “Where’s your sense of adventure? Your bravado? Come on …” Murtagh cajoled. Fergus looked at him, knowing that his friend would win. He couldn’t let his bestie take all the blame if he continued on alone and was caught. “Okay …” was his reluctant reply, “… but if there is one more thing that goes wrong … that’s it!” “Deal!” Murtagh reluctantly replied. “Say … that device of yours doesn’t indicate hot spots, does it Fergus? If it does, then you would be wise to use it I think. If there are any here then we’ll abort.” Fergus took the device from his pocket and activated the scanner. The reading was cold. “Good … let’s go then,” Murtagh replied his enthusiasm once again heightened. Back in Committee … Operations was as mad as hell at all of Colum’s statements and Madeline knew it, but they could ill afford for the situation to blow up in their faces. She needed to handle this carefully. Preparing to defend their stance regarding the mission and their handling of it, Section’s head strategist went into damage control mode.

“We have planned from the onset for such a situation should anything happen to Jamie and Claire and we are implementing that as we speak.” She eyed her superior with a coolness indicative of her nature. The leader of Oversight looked at her then Operations. He smiled enigmatically then replied. “Good … I’m pleased to hear that … I would expect nothing less from you.” His answer was perplexing as too was his tone. “Was this some sort of test Colum? Are you just toying with us?” Madeline asked incredulously. “I think it was more a warped game he’s playing,” Operations added steaming with indignation. “How dare you waltz in here with those accusations about our leadership at Section One and insinuate that we are incompetent, then do a complete about face as if it was all a joke.” Colum Mackenzie stood back and watched as his younger brother Dougal, threw daggers at him with his looks. He knew that he had managed to gain the upper hand for once. Pushing Dougal’s buttons had been invigorating but what had made it all the more interesting was seeing Section’s leader’s reaction to his finger pointing. Consequently, Colum ignored Operations’ response when he replied.

“This problem concerning the Rising Dragons’ mission has been resolved then. I trust that all your contingency plans are also in order.” With a ramrod back Operations stated, “There is no problem Colum … you’re very sadly mistaken. There never was nor will there be a problem.” It was particularly satisfying to Colum to note his reaction which pleased him no end. Unfortunately, he also knew that Operations would want the gamesmanship the next time they met but he was up for the challenge. Their little disagreements always were challenging. No doubt future ones would be also, he contemplated wily. “Of course, Dougal … my mistake.” “You seem to make a few of them where Section One is concerned don’t you brother? It would appear that you need to get your facts straight.” Enjoying the banter immensely the head of Oversight stared Operations down. Dougal’s retort was not unexpected. Colum knew he was a hot head at any time, but when he’d threatened the integrity of Section One both he and Madeline were staunch in its defence.

“I wanted to know how you would react under pressure Dougal. Well now I know,” was Colum’s only consent to his statement. Then without looking at either Madeline or Operations again or elaborating further he stood up to leave. “I should be going I have to be in Stockholm. I'm sorry that I can't stay around longer and chat. Things seem to be running satisfactorily here after all. I should be able to convince Oversight to keep their hands off One ... for now.” “Fine,” was the brusque answer from Operations. His fury at being duped was still simmering perhaps even more than before. If looks could kill Colum Mackenzie would have been a dead man. He felt the piercing glances of his adversary stabbing him in the back but he refused to acknowledge or give credence to what had just evolved. Nevertheless, he knew at some time in the future they would lock horns again. Making his way up the ramp he stopped suddenly and turned back to observe the two Section Leaders watching his retreat. “Oh, by the way, there is one last thing,” he announced smugly. “And what’s that Colum?” was Operations’ barbed reply. His next parting words indicated that Oversight was well aware that the Rising Dragons’ mission was reliant on Jamie and Claire’s involvement. “As I’m unable to check on James Fraser and Claire Beauchamp at this time, I’m sure you are doing your utmost to see that your two best operatives get the proper care, attention and the time needed for a full recovery so they can return to the mission. I will expect to hear that has occurred.” Colum Mackenzie noticed their reaction to his statement. Although he was not convinced that what they had said was completely honest about their two operatives and the mission, he would leave them in no doubt of Oversights’ objectives. Dougal and Madeline would be under no allusion that he was well abreast of the Rising Dragons’ mission and would thwart any attempt by the two of them to jeopardize it in any way. “I'm not asking you to do anything, you half-wit Dougal, I am ordering you, but If you have this well in hand then your contingency plans won’t be necessary … will they?” he stated with authority. Then staring down his brother he added, “Do you not even have a nod to acknowledge the orders of your superior?” His words were not open to interpretation and this left Madeline and Operations in no doubt that Oversight expected that Jamie and Claire be given sufficient downtime to recuperate. He had no redress but to agree. Enunciating his words succinctly Operations replied, “Of course.” “I’ll expect Section to have something more concrete to report to Oversight in the future once Jamie and Claire have recovered.”

Watching their body language Colum knew that Section One’s leaders were not at all happy with his visit this time. He’d managed to throw them off kilter, but he deliberately disregarded the tension that had built considerably between the three of them, instead he looked at one and then the other.

“You see to it that he follows my orders Madeline in all matters. And just so that I know that your mind is focused on my wishes I may very well send someone from Oversight to monitor the situation. Goodbye Dougal … Madeline.” “Colum.” Ignoring their acerbic reply he then left without another glance back. Colum Mackenzie was pleased that he had managed to put a cat among the pigeons during this visit although he also knew Madeline and Operations would seek payback the next time he arrived. However, he would wait in anticipation for that encounter for it would no doubt come sooner than later. Flummoxed, Operations and Madeline watched Colum leave then looked at each other each with the same expression on their face. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~to be continued Friday 1st May

#Jamieandclairefanfic #jamieandclairecrossover #LFNoutlander #outlander fanfic #covert operations

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purplesurveys · 4 years ago

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1047

What’s the most historic thing that has happened in your lifetime? I can think of a few things. There’s 9/11 though I was barely conscious then, Osama Bin Laden’s death, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, 2011 Japan earthquake, and the H1N1 and Covid pandemics. In my country, there were typhoons Ondoy and Yolanda, the Manila hostage crisis, and the Hello Garci election corruption scandal. Out of these, though, I’d say the heaviest ones to bear have been 9/11 and Covid.

What happens in your country regularly that people in most countries would find strange or bizarre?

We use a spoon and fork to eat and only really fancy shmancy restaurants give you a knife and a fork. Many eat with their hands as well, though this is way more common in provinces.

Everyone is late to everything and punctuality isn’t a thing, which is a big culture pet peeve of mine and I still like arriving early/on time anywhere.

This applies to Asia in general lmao, but shoes typically aren’t allowed or at least frowned upon if they go beyond the main entrance of houses.

We start Christmas as early as September, and we end it by the last week of January

When families get together, aunts/uncles will usually greet their nieces/nephews by asking if they already have a boy/girlfriend and/or telling them that they got fat. Horror relatives will greet you with both.

People generally like to keep to themselves, so striking a friendly conversation with strangers even if you have the pure, genuine intention to be simply friendly will just lead them to think you’re being a creep lol

What has been blown way out of proportion? The effects of video games and the question of it increasing violence among kids. Sure there’ve been gruesome accounts and no one’s invalidating those, but the overwhelmingly vast amount of people who play video games end up okay. I had so many killing binges on GTA but to this day I can’t even look at a real gun without shuddering, lol. When was a time you acted nonchalant but were going crazy inside? This is me every morning at work. 9 AM-11 AM is always the busiest period and it’s a lot of shit happening at the same time and a lot of morning deadlines to meet, but unlike college I can’t exactly call for a timeout whenever I want and have panic attacks anymore.

What’s about to get much better? I hope my fucking life is next in line. I’m tired of being tired of being tired.

What are some clever examples of misdirection you’ve seen? Probably all the times WWE would mislead viewers on a rumored return or debut of a big name by saying they’re in another city, implying that there’s no way they’d be appearing on a WWE show. This happened with Ronda Rousey and it was so fucking exciting when she finally showed up, haha.

What’s your funniest story involving a car? I don’t know, really...I don’t try to be funny when I’m on the wheel lol. Probably the time I let Angela use my car on campus, and when she needed to make a u-turn she ended up doing an awkward 90º turn and had an SUV nearly crash towards us. She had only driven a handful of times at that point so she was a little clumsy, but neither of us had any idea she’d fuck up a simple u-turn as badly as she ended up doing lmao.

What would be the click-bait titles of some popular movies? I can think of more clickbait posters than titles, but I can’t seem to remember what those films are called right now.

If you built a themed hotel, what would the theme be and what would the rooms look like? Themed hotels generally make me cringe. The most theme-y place we ever stayed at was the lodge in Sagada and it was really just more homey than anything. I’m not into themes when it comes to hotels as I find it a little cheap lol and I’ve always preferred a straightforward experience in the places I stay at for vacations.

What scientific discovery would change the course of humanity overnight if it was discovered? A way to live forever. < This is a good one. Also, maybe a huge asteroid or meteor bound to hit the planet that will make widespread extinction a certainty? I can’t even begin to imagine the panic that will rise from something like that.

Do you think that humans will ever be able to live together in harmony? I doubt it. It sounds difficult especially when you realize we’re 7 billion in total.

What would your perfect bar look like? As long as there aren’t any annoying younger college kids, who are almost always the loudest crowd and not in a good way, I’m okay with any kind of bar.

What’s the scariest non-horror movie? Some shots in 2001: A Space Odyssey are freaky as fuck. There were several scenes that included sudden HAL shots, and I did not enjoy those. How the fuck Kubrick managed to make a computer scary is beyond me. I’ve also always skipped the vortex scene with the creepy face shots after seeing it once.

What’s the most amazing true story you’ve heard? This is a really vague question... a few months ago I watched this video diary of parents who had a child born at like 25 weeks. Just way too early, basically. And they recorded the kid’s weekly progress, how she kept fighting, and her journey of being transported from one machine to another while she still needed them. It was beautiful to see her get bigger and plumper with each week that passed and it was just such a feel-good story to watch. I was so relieved when they showed footage of her as a normal, healthy toddler by the end of the clip.

What’s the grossest food that you just can’t get enough of? I know balut is pretty unpopular in the Western part of the world, but I’ll gladly eat a dozen of them in one sitting. In general Asian street food is usually considered gross - pig intestines, chicken intestines, chicken feet, pig ears, etc., but all are normal in the culture I was raised in.

What brand are you most loyal to? It’s annoying and I can’t help it, but Apple.

What’s the most awkward thing that happens to you on a regular basis? I try not to make it regular, but sometimes a mistake on my end will slip through in an email I’m sending and I have to send another email correcting myself and apologizing for the oversight. One of my least favorite parts about work.

If you had to disappear and start a whole new life, what would you want your new life to look like? I’m not wishing for much. I just wish it was easier to remove any trace of me on social media sites and have it be as if I never existed because I think that would make it easier for me to move on from...well, you know what. I still have trouble verbalizing it and I don’t feel like mentioning it tonight.

But idk, I like staying connected to my family and friends, so idk if I can ever achieve that. And that said, I think I’m bound to always keep seeing her around.

What movie or book do you know the most quotes from? I memorize a pathetic amount of dialogue from Love Actually, Twilight, Titanic, and The Proposal. What was one of the most interesting concerts you’ve been to? I guess Coldplay? They gave assigned lightsticks for each section and the crowd looked amazing when the production crew activated the lights for certain songs. I still have some of the clips because I posted them on Snapchat, so I’m really glad I did that; otherwise I would’ve lost the videos forever.

Where are you not welcome anymore? I’ve felt pretty unwelcome around her. How she could do a 180 and just not be interested in having anything to do with me is really soul-crushing.

What do you think could be done to improve the media? Fact fucking check, please. Also keeping sources balanced, avoiding clickbait headlines, being more objective than neutral, and don’t fucking sensationalize. How timely that this landed on a journalism graduate, hahaha.

What’s the most recent show you’ve binge watched? Start Up but I haven’t continued in the last two weeks :/ I think it’s because I know I’m nearing the finale and I subconsciously just don’t want to run out of Start Up episodes to watch lol but yeah, I still have four episodes left and I have no clue when I’ll watch it again.

What’s a common experience for many people that you’ve never experienced? Being close with their mom and considering them as their rock.

What are some misconceptions about your hobby? I don’t know enough about embroidery to know misconceptions about it.

What did you Google last? 2001: A Space Odyssey because I needed to be sure of the scenes I planned on citing in the question above that made me mention the movie.

What’s the dumbest thing someone has argued with you about? Not being able to find a restaurant to eat at. The backstory is a little complicated but it’s the same fight that led my younger brother to slap me across the face, and what subsequently led me to stop speaking to him.

If money and practicality weren’t a problem, what would be the most interesting way to get around town? Probably a tank.

What’s the longest rabbit hole you’ve been down? It’s always the ones on Wikipedia lol. I find weird and interesting articles on there all the time; there’s always something new to read.

What odd smell do you really enjoy? The rain, though sometimes it can be too overpowering when the humidity has been high. I like it for the most part, though.

What fashion trend makes you cringe or laugh every time you see it? Streetwear is so fucking dull to me. I never saw the appeal.

What’s your best story of you or someone else trying to be sneaky and failing miserably? Hahahaha this happened just a few weeks ago actually. My parents and I were headed out to have some ramen, and I opened the car door to hop onto the backseat. They didn’t prepare beforehand and they left the Christmas gift I asked for - a corkboard - in the backseat, so I was able to see the whole thing, unwrapped and with price tag and all. Their mortified faces knowing that their secret’s been blown were hilarious. They had no choice but to just give it up, and the corkboard has been on my wall since.

If you had a HUD that showed three stats about any person you looked at, what three stats would you want it to show? I guess the stability of our relationship, their general mood for the day, and erm how badly they need a hug because I’m always willing to give some.

What’s the best way you or someone you know has gotten out of a ticket / trouble with the law? My mom fake-cries her way out and it’s always been hilarious to see a grown ass woman do it and pull it off every time.

Tear gas makes people cry and laughing gas makes people giggle, what other kinds of gases do you wish existed? I don’t really want to manipulate people’s action in this way, so pass.

#survey #surveys

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baronessblixen · 5 years ago

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This is for @gladlybeyondanyxperience who wanted a fic for this :) Sorry it took me so long! Thank you for thinking of me for this “prompt”. I also used Fic is Medicine prompt 13 from @xfficchallenges: “I don’t know about you but I need a shower.” Also tagging @today-in-fic

The Waiting Game

All he has to do is wait. The years have taught him as much. Mulder has never been patient, is constantly wired with restless energy, but living with Scully has mellowed him. He likes to think so anyway. Unlike him, Scully is stoically patient. Sometimes, he is certain of it, she slows down deliberately. She makes him wait; she makes him earn it. That’s why he knows he has to wait now. He always has to wait. But it’s worth it; Scully is worth every second of his waiting game.

The first time it happened it was a simple oversight on his part. He returned from an angry run, his mind still reeling from an earlier fight, and grabbed the first thing he could find in the fridge. A jar of pickles. Scully loves them. She puts them on, and in, everything. Mulder himself has never much cared for them, but at that moment, he didn’t care. The jar opened with a pop and Mulder stuffed two of the small, green vegetables into his mouth. When he put the cap back on, screwing it shut tightly, he didn’t put much thought into it. He washed the sour taste down with a glass of water and forgot about it. Until Scully showed up in his small, dimly lit office, the pickle jar in her hands. Can’t open it, she mumbled, her own anger still present, the steam of it, however, long gone. Mulder opened the jar for her, apologized, as did she, and that was that.

Now, whenever they fight, Mulder stomps into the kitchen, tightens the cap on every pickle jar he can find, and waits. Scully needs her time. She always does. Whether she’s getting ready for dinner at her mother’s, in the morning before work, or when they’re going to a ball game. She needs time. After a fight, no matter what it’s about, she needs even more time. And space. Mulder has learned that the hard way. It’s been two hours and 26 minutes now. He's counted. One time they didn’t speak for almost two days. Only then did she appear with the jar, her eyes on the floor, handing it to him like an olive branch. It’s the one fight he remembers vividly. It was about William. One thing is certain, no matter what. Scully will come to him. Always. It might take her a few hours, a day. Mulder, impatient as always, waits for her. If he had to, he’d wait years.

Today’s fight, in comparison, has been trite: Scully wants to paint the nursery for the baby yellow, Mulder suggested green. He remembered too late that there’s no arguing with a pregnant woman. At least not with a pregnant Scully. When he backed down, threw his hands in the air and declared that he didn’t care if the walls looked like stale piss as long as his I Want To Believe poster was up there, Scully threw the sample board at him and ran out.

He’s been hiding in his office ever since, as always. Scully knows where to find him. When he hears her come down the stairs, the floorboards creaking under the additional weight of their baby growing inside her, he sits up straight in his chair. He strains his ears, not unlike Daggoo when he hears a bag of chips being opened and waits. His heart starts pounding when the fridge opens, then closes. Mulder waits. And waits. And waits. No Scully. Did he not close the jar tightly enough? This has never happened before.

The scene that greets him in the kitchen is almost comical. Scully, doubled over, with her tongue peeking out of her mouth in concentration, has both hands on the jar, yanking at the cap, trying her best to open it.

“Do you need help?” Mulder asks, trying to keep the humor out of his voice.

“No,” Scully replies, her face red, her voice strained.

“Let me do it.” She quickly turns away from him, hugging the jar to her chest. “Scully, I’m sorry.”

“You do this every time.”

“I’m not a fan of the yellow but-”

“I mean this,” she points at the jar where the pickles bob around as if mad at him too. “Do you think I didn’t know what you’re doing?” Truth be told, he’s never thought about it. Logically, he knows she must have figured it out. They’ve done this for years. Neither of them has ever mentioned it; they’ve always played along. He shrugs.

“Why the pickles, Mulder? You know how much I love pickles.”

“Give me the jar,” he says in a calm voice and her expression is so full of stubborn defiance that he just wants to kiss her. “Please,” he adds, putting on a smile, pleading with her. She hands it over and Mulder sighs. He twists and turns the cap, expecting it to come loose. Nothing happens.

“Huh,” he says, more to himself.

“Mulder, come on. This isn’t funny.”

“I’m not trying to be,” he twists again, blood shooting into his face, and Scully huffs. “I swear. I just wanted you to talk to me.”

“If you can’t open that jar we’re going with whatever shade of yellow I choose. And you’re going to the store to get a new jar.”

“Scully, did you ever think we’d fight over this? The color of our child’s nursery?” The first time, when she was pregnant with William, the nursery was a plain white. They didn't speak about it then, didn’t even think about it. This time everything is different.

“No,” she admits.

“It’s so stupid,” he says, setting the jar on the counter to catch his breath. “It’s just a color. Why were we fighting about it?” He puts his hand on Scully’s stomach and marvels at the feeling. It’s been months and he still hasn’t fully comprehended it.

“Mulder...”

“Hm?”

“Right now I don’t care what color the nursery is, I just really want a pickle.” She watches him with big eyes. This is on you, they seem to be saying. Mulder picks up the jar and puts all his strength into it. His face turns red and then, finally, the cathartic plop rings through the kitchen. But there’s too much power behind his movement. The cap flies through the air as the pickle brine rains down on him. Scully bites her lip but doesn’t hide her amusement.

“I don’t know about you,” he says, looking at his soaked shirt, scrunching up his nose at the salty, sour scent, “but I need a shower.”

“I’m good,” Scully grins, munching on a pickle.

“Are we?” She glances at him, chewing slowly, considering his question. “Are we... good?” Mulder adds, finishing his thought. Relief floods him as she nods.

“For what it’s worth, I really am sorry. About earlier.”

“I overreacted. We can talk about green.”

“Can I kiss you?”

“Of course you can kiss me.” So he does. Just a soft kiss to remind her how much he loves her. “You smell like pickles.”

“Well, you taste like them,” he counters.

“Go shower, pickle man.”

“As you wish, pickle lady.” She hits him and he smiles. The waiting game is over.

#i wrote a thing #that i sort of like #msr #xf fanfic #my writing #my fic

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omgjasminesimone · 6 years ago

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Domestic

Bryce x MC

Author’s Note: I realized I have yet to write any Bryce x MC smut. That seemed like a major oversight on my part. Takes place in the same universe as Tattoo, and references some things from that.

Summary: Bryce needs Casey’s help to pick out a new bed.

Rating: NSFW

Word Count: 2300

Casey relaxes against Bryce’s bare chest, listening to his strong heartbeat as its tempo decreases to his resting heart rate. He’s had some time to recover from their previous high energy activities. He lazily traces circles on her back, relishing this closeness with her as the pair relaxes in her moonlit room.

He kisses her forehead before affectionately pushing some of her dark curls out of her face. “What are you doing tomorrow Casey?”

She shrugs. “I don’t have any plans. It’s your day off too, right? Do you have something in mind?”

“I bought a house. I’ve started furnishing it. Want to help me pick out a bed tomorrow?” Bryce asks nonchalantly, as if he hasn’t just revealed important information.

Casey pushes herself up onto her elbow, peering down at him in disbelief as he meets her gaze. “You bought a house? Here in Boston? On our salary?”

“The rent on my one bedroom was basically just as much as my mortgage. I’m here for at least five years, it makes more financial sense.” He defends.

Her eyebrows furrow. “But how could you possibly have the down payment? Do you not have a mountain of medical school debt?”

Bryce sits up, running a hand through his hair nervously. “I modeled through med school, that helped me avoid some of the debt.”

Casey glances at his nude physique appreciatively. “Of course you did.” She mutters distractedly. “But some side modeling doesn’t lead to house in Boston down payment money.”

Bryce sighs before responding. “My parents helped.” He admits.

Bryce rarely talks to her about his family. Or his background in general. “So, are you super rich or something?” She questions.

“I’m not. You know how much money I make as an intern at Edenbrook.” Bryce insists.

Casey rolls her eyes. “You know what I meant.”

He shifts uncomfortably, laying back down and tugging her with him. “My parents….they’re comfortable.” He replies.

Casey can tell he clearly doesn’t want to talk about this, so she decides to let it go. “That’s nice of them to give you the down payment.”

Bryce scoffs. “My parents don’t give anyone anything. It’s a loan. Everything has a price with them.”

She sees his jaw tense, and decides to leave that alone. “You want me to come with you to pick out a bed?”

He nods. “I want to get one you like. I assume you’ll be sleeping over a lot.”

Casey turns her gaze away from him before she frowns. Picking out a bed together seems very intimate. Like something you do with someone when you’re officially together, which they aren’t. Her heart tells her that she wants to be Bryce’s girlfriend. But her mind reminds her that they’re in their intern year. That she needs to focus and work hard if she’d going to earn a permanent spot on the Edenbrook diagnostic team. That she can’t afford distractions. Maybe they should keep things casual. It’s easy, comfortable, familiar at this point. Bed shopping, that’s too domestic.

“Are you about to turn me down Valentine? What, you don’t like shopping?” Bryce questions, nudging her so she’ll look at him again.

“I just think it might be nice to have a relaxing day at home.” She finally responds.

“We can have a relaxing day at my new house after we get the bed.” He retorts. She’s silent, looking like she’s coming up with another excuse. “Hey, Casey, let’s play a game. Two truths and a lie. If I win, you come with me tomorrow.”

“What do I get if I win?” Casey questions.

“What do you want?” Bryce responds.

Casey smirks. “You have to let me beat you in the Edenbrook basketball tournament next week.” He’s been practicing obsessively for the last month. He really wants to win.

Bryce pauses, thinking it over. “You drive a tough bargain Valentine. But you’re on. I’m really good at this game.”

“And I’m really good at reading people. It’s part of my job after all. Okay, I’m ready. Lay them on me.”

Bryce absentmindedly rubs her back as he thinks. “Hmm…okay. Number 1, I finished first in my class at Stanford Medical School.” Casey rolls her eyes. He brags about that all the time, so she knows that’s a truth. “Number 2, I once performed with Bruno Mars. And number 3, I’ve streaked through Fenway.”

“You have not performed with Bruno Mars.” Casey states confidently, after taking several moments to think it over.

Bryce smirks. “I have. Of course, he wasn’t famous at the time. Just a local Hawaiian artist. As a kid I was one of his back-up dancers when he did shows at the hotels for the tourists. I win Casey. Again.”

She pouts. One day, she’ll win one of these stupid bets. But in the meanwhile, it looks like she’s going mattress shopping.

…

Bryce intertwines their fingers as they walk into the large mattress warehouse. Rows and rows of mattresses line the room, several customers and salespeople milling about. Casey looks around, amazed at the sheer scale of the place.

“Do you want to talk to a salesperson?” Casey asks.

“Nah, we can figure this out ourselves.” With that said, Bryce grips her waist and tosses her onto a nearby mattress. She flushes when he crawls on top of her, kissing her neck.

“Bryce, what are you doing?”

He pulls away, peering down at her. “Isn’t it obvious? Testing it out.”

He leans down, kissing her lips this time. He tries to deepen the kiss, but she pulls away. “You’re going to get us kicked out of the store.” She warns.

“They won’t kick us out. They’re going to want to sell me a mattress. I’m thinking that I’ll pick out an expensive one.”

He goes in for another kiss, but she turns her head and pushes him off of her, scooting over to the edge of the bed and smoothing out her hair before standing. “Well, if you’re looking for the expensive stuff, we’re in the wrong section.” She points towards the back, where the salespeople are congregating. “That’s where they keep the expensive stuff.” She grips his hand and pulls him to his feet. “Let’s go.”

Casey checks the price tags as they make their way through the aisles. She pauses in front of one with a hefty price tag of $5,000. “How could a mattress possibly be worth $5,000?” She asks, scooting onto the bed. Bryce lays next to her, and they both sink into the soft mattress.

“Wow.” He comments after a moment of stunned silence.

“It’s like lying on a cloud.” Casey theorizes, her eyes starting to close since she’s so comfortable.

Bryce gently pushes her onto her side, spooning her, trying to imagine they’re at home and not in the middle of a store with many people milling about. He throws an arm over her. “This is nice. Nicer than your bed. If I buy this, will you sleep over more?”

She runs her thumb over his knuckles. “I’d probably move in.” She responds with a chuckle.

He kisses the back of her neck. “I’d love that. But unfortunately, this is a little bit out of my price range.”

They reluctantly get up, browsing through more mattresses. Bryce stops in front of one that’s marked $1,500. He falls back onto the bed, making himself comfortable. Casey joins him, burrowing into his side. “This one is nice too. I actually like that it’s a little firmer. Better for your back.” Casey comments.

“Hmm..” Bryce hums contently. “I think this is the one babe.”

Bryce waves a saleswoman over, negotiating the mattress price and managing to get them to throw in the frame at a discount after flashing a few charming smiles. He also gets them to throw in free same day delivery. Casey is very impressed. If she ever buys a car in Boston, she’ll definitely be taking Bryce along.

…

Bryce tips the movers after they finish assembling his new bed. He walks them out, locking the door behind them. With that taken care of, he sets off for the master bathroom, where Casey should still be enjoying her bubble bath.

He opens the door quietly and leans against the doorframe, watching her for a moment as she scrubs at her olive skin, lathers shampoo into the curls that he loves. She spots him, smiling and beckoning him towards her with one finger.

He moves automatically, almost transfixed by the bubbles on her skin obscuring his view of her breasts. He quickly discards his clothes and joins her in the large tub. He wraps her in his arms, her back to his chest. He kisses her shoulder softly, leaning back against the porcelain tub.

“This house is really nice Bryce. I love it. It’s so big though, three bedrooms, three baths. What are you going to do with all those bedrooms?”

“I’m going to get a tenant for the bigger room. I want to pay my parents back as soon as possible. I don’t like owing them anything. I’ll probably leave the other one as a guest room, maybe a home office.”

“Hmmm…” She mumbles, leaning back into his embrace. He helps her rinse the shampoo out of her hair. Then, he grabs the loofah she’s abandoned in the water, slowly scrubbing it down the front of her body. He takes his time at her breasts, before allowing the loofah to trail lower, rubbing a little roughly between her legs.

“Bryce.” She mumbles, allowing her head to fall back against his shoulder. He drops the loofah, slipping two fingers inside of her. Her hands drop down to his thighs, squeezing as he moves his fingers in and out of her. He hooks his fingers, finding the spot she likes. Once she’s writhing over him, he quickly removes his hand from her, scooping her out of the tub and into his arms.

They drip water onto the tile floor before he reaches the towel rack, placing her back on her feet and quickly drying them both off.

“Did you put sheets on the bed?” Casey questions.

“Not yet.” He confesses.

She walks to his hallway linen closet, which he showed her earlier on the house tour, stretching onto her tip toes to reach the light blue sheets on the top shelf. He admires her lithe form as she stretches, eyes following her almost involuntarily as she heads back to the bed, placing the sheets on.

“Thanks for the help.” She says sarcastically when she’s done putting on the last pillowcase, lying back on the bed.

“Sorry, I was distracted.” He mumbles, eyes continuing to scan her nude body. It’s nothing he hasn’t seen before, but now it’s different. Here in his house, a house he hopes will be theirs one day, on the bed they picked out together. He smiles lovingly at her as he joins her, crawling on top of her.

He kisses her, deepening the kiss when she opens her mouth. Their tongues battle for dominance, and he lets her win for once. He pulls away from her tantalizing lips, trailing kisses down her neck. He nudges her legs apart with his knee, kissing down her body until he reaches her core. She grips his hair as he sucks and licks between her legs. Her grip on his hair tightens as he swirls his tongue just so, not needing to guide him, he knows exactly what he’s doing, she just needs something to hold on to.

He wiggles his tongue the way he knows drives her crazy, and she lets out a load moan as she orgasms. He smirks, kissing her wet folds once more before getting onto his knees, throwing her knees over his shoulders.

They’ve stopped using condoms, since she’s on birth control and they’ve both been tested for STIs, so he pushes right in. “Uhh…Bryce” she breathes as he slides all the way in, gripping her hips hard. Her fists clench in his sheets, twisting them as he pulls out slightly and then pushes back in.

“You feel so good Casey.” Bryce mumbles, thrusting faster, harder.

“Come here.” Casey demands.

Casey’s legs fall from his shoulders as he leans down to her, capturing her lips. She wraps her arms around his shoulders, moving her hips in time with his thrusts. He encourages her to wrap her legs around his waist, groaning as he feels her walls tightening around him.

He pushes her into his new, delightfully soft mattress, thrusting erratically as he feels his orgasm coming. But he refuses to come first. He grips her ass, squeezing and angling her so he can hit the right spot.

“Aahh Bryce!” She cries out.

He smiles against her lips, found it. She scratches down his back as she orgasms again, legs falling from his waist. He lets go as soon as she does, collapsing on top of her.

He kisses her one more time before rolling off of her.

“I should head home.” She mumbles, but doesn’t move from her comfortable position in Bryce’s bed.

He wraps his arms around her. “Stay Casey. It’s late. You’re comfortable. My new place is closer to the hospital than your apartment.”

“I don’t have clothes here.” She argues.

“Yeah, you do. I brought your clothes that accumulated at my old apartment. Washed them too. Any more excuses babe?”

Casey laughs. “No. I’m good.”

He kisses the top of her head, starting to drift off to sleep. “Good.”

…

Taglist: @octobereighth @sibella-plays-choices @hazah @akrenich @lovehugsandcandy @professorortegasstudent @regina-and-happiness

#open heart #bryce lahela x mc #choices fanfiction #playchoices #choices #bryce lahela #bryce x mc

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zanesgirlfriend · 6 years ago

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Prom | Vlog Squad

Description: Blurbs of how each vs member would ask the reader to a charity 'influencers prom' (basically just promposals)

DISCLAIMER: I'm doing this as if everyone is single/likes girls. Like Mariah and Heath are obvs dating but they would both prompose so differently.

Requested by @character-development : inspired by David's new Prom ad thing, can u write how each member would ask the reader to prom (or a prom-like event) like cute prom-posal U R GOLD

Most of these are like cheesy prom poster things but it's still cute!

_____

BOYS

David: chipotle

You were going to prompose to David. He was too busy with other things to think of something fun and elaborate, but it was okay, you enjoyed the fun.

"Can you pick me up Chipotle?" He asked you on the phone, just as you knew he would. You happily obliged, already knowing he was gonna ask. You ordered the typical Dobrik Burrito and something for yourself before hopping back in your car. You took out your sharpie and wrote on the foil before putting his burrito back into the bag.

"Let's eat!" You hollered at him as you walked through the door. He smiled and joined you at the kitchen island. "This one's yours." You handed him the burrito upside down, so he wouldn't see the writing quite yet. Then you pulled out your food and the extra guac.

David smiled to himself as he read the foil.

Will you be my BAE-RITTO at prom?

It was the perfect amount of clever and stupid and he burst out into laughter.

"Fuck yeah!" He laughed at you before pulling out his phone to take a picture.

"What are you doing?" You asked between giggles. He started recording and pointed the phone toward you.

"Y/n just promposed to me. I'm her bae-ritto now!" He laughed as he posted the silly Instagram story.

Zane: drunk

You two had spent all night in his house. You had a Domino's feast and watched some movies as you got drunk together. Monopoly had become obsolete, long abandoned to play some simple card games instead. The two of you had crushed and entire case of beer and a bottle of whiskey, and you both felt like time was going in slow motion.

You didn't know when you two had gone to his room, but you didn't really care. You made jokes, talked about random shit, and cuddled for a while.

You felt each other drifting off, and right as you were falling asleep, Zane opened his mouth.

"Y/n?" He asked. You laid your head on his chest and tangled your legs with his.

"Yeah?" You whispered, a little too focused on his every move. All of his little mannerisms made you smile, and you didn't want to miss a single one.

"Will you go to prom with me?" His words were slurred, but you knew they were sincere. You also knew that he would never remember this, and probably try to ask you again in some big elaborate way.

"Why don't you ask me again in the morning?" You smiled as he drifted off to sleep.

Heath: golf

"Do you wanna come to the driving range with me?" Heath asked you during dinner, not wanting to go alone.

"I'm gonna suck, but sure!" You agreed. You spent the night together, putting on stupid golf outfits and driving out to the local driving range. You talked about anything and everything as you golfed.

You were horrible, as predicted, but he didn't really care. It was nice to just spend time with you.

"Are you going to that prom thing next month?" You asked him, genuinely curious. He hit another ball before turning back to you.

"I wasn't going to, are you?" He asked in return. You shook your head no. "Why not?" He walked towards you and you got up to take your turn.

"I don't have anyone to go with." You sounded sad, hoping he would ask you as you gripped the golf club.

"Let's go together." Heath suggested. You smiled to yourself before hitting the ball.

"Okay."

Todd: song

Todd was annoying the fuck out of his piano teacher. Begging him to teach the skills to play a certain chord progression. He practiced it every day for a month before he finally felt confident enough to show you.

And it was impressive. You sat next to him on the bench, listening to the soft love song he played. He belted the bridge, or what you thought was the bridge until your name came up. It echoed through the room sounding beautiful.

"Y/n will you go to prom with me?" He repeated over and over, using the same melody as the original song. You sung along, harmonizing with him.

"Toddy will you go to prom with me?" You sang to the same tune, before both of you reached the end of the song

"Yes." You said in unison, now in a regular voice. You both laughed an smiled as you thought about what you'd just done.

"That was beautiful." You giggled to him.

"Not as beautiful as you." He said in a serious tone before kissing you on the cheek.

Scott: shelter

"Let's go the animal shelter." Scott suggested to you. You were elated at the thought, not even knowing what he had in store. He'd got a custom tag made and attached it to a small collar that he kept in his pocket.

You enjoyed the ride there, but were even happier once you arrived. There were a bunch of cute little puppies and you couldn't wait to pet all of them.

"Can we play with these ones?" Scott asked the lady that was guiding you through their pens. She smiled and nodded before scooping up an armfull of tiny dogs. She led you into a pen outside and released all the little puppies. They all had on tiny colorful collars to distinguish them. They ran around in the grass, jumping on your lap and giving you lots of kisses.

"I think one of their collars came off." Scott pointed to his special collar that he'd dropped on the grass behind you. You spun around and grabbed it before reading the tag.

Prom?

You looked up at Scott and smiled.

"There's no way one of them is named Prom? is there?" You were dumbfounded for a moment before figuring it out. "Oh my God I'm dumb." Realization hit your face. Scott laughed at your stupidity before asking you himself.

"Will you go to prom with me?" He chuckled.

"Yes." You said in a pouty way, embarrassed by your oversight.

Jeff: hike

"Nobody else will go with me." Jeff begged you. He wasn't necessarily lying, but it wasn't the full truth. He told everyone he wanted to hike alone today, just so he could convince you to come with him.

You agreed, knowing he would buy you lunch after and it would be nice quality time with him. The hike was fun. You raced a little bit, and talked about some vlog squad gossip that was going around. Then you made it to the top. Jeff helped you up to the very top of a rock and you two sat there, resting for a bit.

"Isn't this beautiful?" Jeff asked you as he looked out at the view.

"Amazing." You watched a bird fly over the city before glancing at Jeff. He was already looking at you.

"Do you wanna be my date to prom?" He nudged your shoulder lightly as his dimples appeared.

"Yes, I can't wait to see you in a tux." She joked before nudging him back.

Matt: escape room

You two were always doing escape rooms. But this one was your favorite. They'd just added a new room, and you were both ecstatic about it.

"I keep finding letters!" You hollered at Matt as you two felt around the room for clues.

"There's a board thing here, I think we have to put in a message." He pretended to speculate even though he already knew the answer. The hour ticked by fast, finding more and more letters and solving puzzles to find even more. You'd spent the last fifteen minutes trying to find some sort of hint to what the message should be about.

"Matt we only have two minutes left!" You screamed at him.

"I got it!" He ran over to the letters, rearranging them. You read each word until the sentence finally formed.

When we escape, will you go to prom with me?

You looked at him as if he was an idiot. "Matt this is not the time for games we only have a min-" Your voice ceased as a panel popped open in the wall. It had two buttons.

YES NO

"Matt what is going on?" You asked before glancing at the clock again. thirty seconds.

"Quick, yes or no! Will you go to prom with me?!" He screamed at you, pointing towards the buttons.

"Yes!" You screamed as you hit the YES button. The timer stopped and the exit door opened.

"Yay!" Matt hopped up and down, but you stared at him.

"Matt." You said.

"Yeah?" He asked, already knowing your question.

"Was this all and elaborate way to ask me to prom?"

"Yep!"

GIRLS

Natalie: donuts

At first glance, people would think what Natalie did was basic or cheesy, but they don't know the whole story. She'd taken you out to a donut shop twice a week for the past month. It was like your special little thing together. It was almost like she was training you to love donuts, but that wasn't very hard.

By the time the day of the promposal came around, you were the one waking her up to go get donuts. You two crawled out of bed, still in pajamas as you drove to your favorite donut shop. It was early, the sun had barely risen, but the bakers were already preparing your special donuts.

You walked in the shop, hand in hand and sipped some coffee as you watched them fill the donut cases like you usually did.

"They're spelling out something." You told Natalie. She looked up from her phone, trying to act inconspicuous. You two watched carefully as they placed the donuts sporadically. They knew if they placed them in order you would figure it out immediately.

It started with a question mark at the bottom of the case, then a few vowels here and there, and slowly the message started to come together.

W I L L Y O U G O

T O P R O M

W I T H M E ?

You turned to Natalie, but she was already smiling at you.

"Will you?" She asked. You smiled and walked up to the counter. A worker smiled at you.

"Can you rearrange the letters to spell 'yes'?"

Mariah: tumble

Mariah rehearsed the dance number for two weeks, making sure everything was perfect. She had backup dancers and lights and costumes and everything. She told you to come watch the dress rehearsal for some dance recital she was in, and you happily agreed.

You sat in the nearly empty audience, so happy to see what she's been working on. Mariah never seemed to be nervous for past performances, but this one was different. She was jumping up and down, shaking her limbs out over and over, very nervous and excited to ask you to prom.

The lights dimmed and dancers adorned the stage, getting in position. The music started and you knew something was up. It was your favorite song. The dancers started their routine and you were amazed. It was beautiful. Mariah walked out of stage and joined the group, leading them in a floor-work section of mostly tumbling and gymnastics during the bridge of the song.

Just as the song came to a dramatic close, the lighting changed and a backdrop fell behind them.

Y/N, I'D FLIP IF YOU WOULD TUMBLE TO PROM WITH ME!

You started to cry before walking onstage.

"So?" She asked you, slightly out of breath. You smiled and hugged her sweaty body.

"Yes!"

Kristen: waddle

Kristen stayed up all night long making the poster. It was black and white with glitter writing and perfectly aligned letters. She knew you would find it cute and adorable. It wasn't until the next night that she finally slipped away from you long enough to do it.

Her nerves were exploding out of her chest as she got dressed. She could barely hold the poster up she was so nervous. Before she came down the hallway, she took a deep breath.

"Are you ready?" Kristen screamed down the hallway at you.

"Yes!" You hollered back, adjusting the camera. You thought you were just filming an outfit video. Your mouth hung open as she waddled around the corner. She was dressed in a penguin onesie and held a posterboard behind her back.

"Oh my God!" You giggled at her and she made a stupid face at you before flipping the sign around.

Will you make my day and WADDLE to prom with me?

There were cute drawings and stickers of penguins all over. The yellow trimmed black letters popped off of the board and a few flakes of glitter were strewn about. You smiled, tears filling your eyes as you walked over to her.

"Of course!" You embraced her and laughed as you messed with the little beak on her penguin onesie.

Carly: starbucks

You'd gotten coffee with Carly almost every day for a year. So of course she would have to include it in her promposal. She usually picked you up before starting the day, and you went to Starbucks together. Today she asked you to meet her there.

Immediately you were suspicious, but figured she was just out and about and didn't have time to come get you. You drove yourself to the usual location, and found a nice parking spot. You'd barely walked inside when you saw her.

She was standing with a big cardboard cutout of a starbucks drink in her hands. It was decorated with the words:

Prom is a GRANDE event. It would mean a LATTE if you went with me!

You were too excited to speak. You nodded your head yes before bringing her in for a hug. Green confetti fell around you and someone handed you your usual order.

Erin: scar

Another day, just hanging out with Erin on her couch. You two had just ordered food, and were in the middle of binge watching something on Netflix. Erin was excited, but tried as hard as possible to keep her cool.

"Oh! Remember when I got that cyst taken out?" She asked you between episodes.

"Yeah?" You nodded wondering what cool medical fact she was going to tell you.

"The scar doesn't look like a normal scar. Like, I swear it spells something out." She sat up. You became very interested.

"What? Let me see." You turned your whole body towards her, curious to see what she was talking about.

She lifted up her sweatshirt and there, on her scar, was the word Prom? written with a sharpie. She laughed a little too hard, and so did you.

"This is the dumbest promposal, but yes." You laughed between words, almost in tears.

"I know, but yay!" Erin opened her arms up for a hug which you gladly received.

Corinna: tiara

Her best friend helped her make the poster, but Corinna spent most of her time at Tiffany&Co. She spent a week finding a ring that you would love, and another week waiting for it to be engraved. Of course Corinna went all out for you, she always did.

It turned into a big elaborate plan that David filmed for the vlog. Another "lay down blindfolded" type of thing. You were scared shitless, having no idea what was about to unfold.

"Sit in this chair and wear this." David said to you, handing you a shirt to use as a blindfold. You reluctantly agreed and sat down.

"Is it gonna bite me?" You asked as your legs bounced up and down.

"Maybe!" He laughed, his voice getting distant as he walked to the other side of the room. You heard footsteps walk into the room and someone pulled your blindfold off.

Corinna was in front of you. She looked beautiful, and she was holding a big blue posterboard. It said Y/n&Co. across the top, and the question "You know what has a nice RING to it?" You cocked your head to the side, happy but confused. Was she proposing? or something else.

"What?" You asked, perplexed by the smile on her face. You then noticed the small box in her hand. She knelt down in front of you, opening the box towards you. Inside was a beautiful ring, white gold and shaped like a tiara. There were small diamonds adorning the design and you immediately wondered how much it cost.

"Pick it up." She demanded gently. You complied, picking up the beautiful ring. As you inspected it you noticed the engraving on the inside.

Prom?

_____

I hope yall enjoyed this!!! it was really fun to do :) also tell me which one was your favorite :)

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aj-the-satyr · 5 years ago

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All the Questions......

So Tag games...... Used to do ‘em a lot then kinda fell off writing for a while and then it got quiet. Well now I got tagged in 3 of those 11/11/11 things. You know the ones answer 11 questions, ask 11 more to the 11 people you tag. Well I’m not going to tag anyone other than the 3 people asking @writersblockandapotoftea @carrotgirl-1 and @rosewinterborn and say thankyou for doing so. So here goes..... the goat tries to get through all 33 questions.

1) Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?

Hmm.... I suppose that I have a habit of making the names of both things and characters have deeper meanings. Like Grigory Zmeya, his last name means snake and he is a snake shifter type person. So stuff like that.

2) If you could ask one successful author three questions about their writing, writing process or books what would they be?

Not sure about this. I’ve read interviews with many authors where they have dispensed their advice and advice is not a one size fits all thing but I would lie to ask more personal things like favorite characters, Least favorite scene to write and most surprising side character. Stuff like that.

3) Do you have a library membership?

Nope.

4) Ebooks, yay or nay?

Used them and they are fine but I am the old school like to have the physical book in my hands kinda goat.

5) What feeling do you want your readers to get from what you write?

Wow, deep question. Enjoyment? Other than that I’d like them to have feelings for different characters, to pick favorites, to hate some and love some. I suppose I’d like my characters to be memorable but I will settle for the “That was Good” feeling after reading, even if nothing gets carried with them.

6) What time of day are you most productive?

Considering how many times I’ve written my snippets after 10pm and into the wee hours of the morning, I’d say then.

7) What is your writing Kryptonite?

Myself really. There are times I just get conflicted about my writing and rather than just let it flow and let the characters lead I will find myself deleting things and starting over many times. I’m trying to do that less but it’s hard sometimes to just let go and see what happens at the keyboard.

8) Which scenes are your favorite to write?

Huh....... I’m a dialogue heavy writer trying to get more description into my scenes so I favor just talking but am trying to change that a little.

9) What comes first in your development/outlining process plot or characters?

Well considering I don’t outline anymore (Used to waaaaay back) It would have to be characters. Make the characters and pop them in a setting. Plot will happen, hopefully.

10) What is your favorite novel to film/TV adaptadion?

Comic books count right? I love the Constantine TV show. Shame it got cancelled, love the fact they brought the character back for Legends of Tomorrow and the fact he might be getting his own show again is awesome. Love Constantine.

11) Do you think yourself as more of an artist or entertainer?

Neither really. Not something I’ve ever thought about, since you are asking me to think about it...... entertainer??

Right onto the second set of questions gonna add a read more break here to avoid taking up huge chunks of Tumblr real estate and for those people that don’t really care what this old goat has to say

12) Play fuck, marry, kill with Gandalf, Aragon and Arwen.

Er........ Kill Gandalf.... no wait he’ll come back for revenge..... Kill Aragon..... man that would be hard to do..... Kill Arwen then? But I wanted to marry her.......... Man...... Kill Aragon with Gandalf’s help, fuck Gandalf as payment and then go off to marry Arwen. Problem solved.

13) If you had to set fire to a famous building, which one would you set alight?

The Vatican?

14) If you could bring someone back from the dead who would it be?

It would be Sandra, a friend I made for a brief time on the internet who I RP’d with and had a good rapport with. She died of cancer at 20 I think, it’s hard to think about. I do always remember that I talked to her through her brother in her final days and managed to make her smile, something her brother told me she hadn’t done for weeks. Crying typing this. Yeah. Fuck yeah I’d bring her back and let her live her life. Fuck Cancer.

15) Which fictional Universe would you go into?

Star Trek. No need for money, could sit at a cafe and write all day. Great.

16) Where would you go if the world ended?

Hell. Oh wait that’s not what you were asking. Er...... nowhere. No point if it’s all gone is there? I’d stay here and still be a loner. Wow..... fun goat answers.

17) What’s you alignment?

Chaotic Neutral.

18) Lovecraft or Shelly?

Er....... as much as I love Cosmic Horror Mary Shelly was one of the most badass goths there has been. Plus the whole creating the sci-fi genre as a fuck you to Lord Byron. She is amazing and doesn’t get enough respect.

19) What’s the weirdest food you have eaten?

Sea Urchin or deep fried shrimp heads not sure which I think was weirder.

20) How do you want to die?

Die? I’m immortal. Or is that immoral? One of those.

21) Who is your least favorite character to write?

Probably The Professor since he’s a homophobic bigot who killed his own son’s boyfriend (Though he claims that was merely an accidental oversight of his grander plan) since he is not a very nice character at all. Makes my skin crawl.

22) What’s your favourite fairy tale?

Can’t say that I really have one. None of them resonate anymore, neither the grimdark originals or the fluffed up modern takes. I do however enjoy the book Dragon’s Bait by VIvian Vande Velde which is about a 15yr old girl who is put out as a sacrifice to a Dragon and ends up allying with the dragon and seeking revenge.

One more set. Almost there with the goat interrogation.

23) When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Probably in University where I started writing a little something called “Space Gerbils” and was sending it out via email to about a dozen internet friends. They were hooked, I thought it was garbage but voila! The spark ignited. Heavily got into tabletop RPGs at the same time so that probably helped my desire for storytelling.

24) What book/Book series have you always meant to read but have not yet?

The Long Earth series by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter. I have a boxed set of them all but I just haven’t cracked the cover yet.

25) Who’s you favourite writer?

Published? Either Sir Terry Pratchett or Eoin Colfer. But a special shoutout goes to @yuutfa for Caster. They are a wonderful storyteller and got many an emotion from me while I was reading an early draft.

26) What was your favourite book as a child?

It is one that sits on my shelf this very moment. It is called “Science Fantasy Stories” and is a collection of short stories that I read many times over as a child, back when I would consume a book a day almost.

27) Favorite music to work to?

Soundcloud generally has my back but it does sometimes throw up the odd track that makes me question if its algorithm has developed some sort of twisted intelligence Black Mirror style.

28) Hogwarts House?

Ah..... this question. I’ve read the books, saw a couple of the movies (Did not like the movies) and enjoyed every step of the way. I bought my first Harry Potter books when they were selling the first 3 as a set so I jumped in to see what the fuss was about. Never once have I thought about what House I would be in. Never. So Imma gonna say Slytherin.

29) Hobbies?

Writing?? Generally I play vidja games. Current faves being Monster Hunter World (PC), Endless Legend (PC) and Crash team racing nitro fueled (PS4) and I also daydream scenes with my characters in them. Trying to get back into reading regularly again.

30) Where do you draw Inspiration from?

Everywhere I guess. From random conversations to ideas had after playing games, watching TV or reading books. Sometimes I’m not sure where the inspiration comes from but I am just trying to let myself go at those moments, run with it. Who cares if The Simpsons already did it? Truly new ideas aren’t new anyway. (Except maybe for theoretical physics, that shit is bananas) I mean one of my characters basically declared themselves to be a God (At least in my head) after I read an article on Retrocausality. Inspiration can come from anywhere. Use it!

31) What do you consider your aesthetic to be?

Look I can barely spell that word you want me to have one as well?

32) Favorite mythology?

Favorite mythology of AJ the Satyr................

33) What do you think influences your work the most?

My co author?? But seriously working things out with them has been very helpful but also there’s this little writing discord that I’m part of that is really welcoming and a great source of inspiration and ideas. But all in all I think Neil Gaiman influences me the most when he answered a question about how he does it. He told the person asking that you just write everything down that happens in the first draft and then when you go back and rewrite you make it look like you knew what you were doing all along.

Right. One Goat, 33 Questions. And I won! Not tagging anyone else but I want this to get me going on these tag games. I can’t just hide in the dark corners of Tumblr anymore. I must face the light! Has @notanotherhour done this yet??

#Tag game I guess #Not tagging anyone else in this nightmare #Writeblr #About Me #I answered the questions #Yay writing!

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aggresivelyfriendly · 6 years ago

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~Who Names The Colors~

Chapter 29-Willa and the Magic Hour

Hi Lovely People! I broke my laptop yesterday(I swear I’m clumsier than Mr. Styles, yikes) so today’s chapter is late! I hope it’s worth the long wait....

I am so grateful to @dirtystyles for lots of things, the beautiful banners and this week especially the youtube playlist of a live Harry Styles by Harry Styles in HQ.

@nocontrolforlouis makes these bitches comprehensible!

And last, but never least @bleedinglove4h is today’s kween-she knows why(WHO THE FUCK IS KAREN)!

Also-thanks @gucci

"Harry!" She stage whispered. Jo needed enough volume to get him to look up, but was afraid to disturb his visitor.

He was seated on the steps of a country estate that had been converted to some sort of museum. They were both such dorks, that the thought of living out some Austen fantasy appealed to them. Must be why they worked so well. It was why they had chosen to make their way there on day three of Lake Country life.

Zoe had had different ideas. When she had zoomed through the art hall, the official gallery, like a Tasmanian devil, or at least, like a child whose mother had never taken her to a museum, Jo decided they had better try out of doors until she was a little more tuckered out; and that they should take Zoe to a museum. She was a bloody artist for fuck's sake, as was her boyfriend, and her daughter had never been into a museum, gallery, or even her studio very often. Zoe was only 3, but it still seemed a huge oversight. One to be remedied. Once they let her run wild they could try the gallery again. Hopefully she would let Harry carry her.

Outside, Harry had encouraged Zoe to play a game of tag with him, which had turned into hide and seek. From the smoothness of the transition, Jo suspected their outings to the park went similarly. She was behind a pillar when she heard an excited high-pitched squeal.

"Look at the tiny piggies mummy!" The noise might have been the animal, but Jo suspected it was her kid. Not the goats nearby. Zoe was beside herself and had no concept of her own volume. So the piggies in question had quickly scuttled off to their unhappy, grunting mother.

It was funny, or it seemed to be to the man accompanying them, who was bent over at the waist cracking up at Zoe chasing the piglets and then being chased by the mother pig. Zoe found it funny too, and had giggled then about faced and chased down the pig who squealed and ran away. It looked like an innocent version of Benny Hill, without all the misogyny. Jo's smile was unsinkable.

Zoe had set off to find the scuttling pig and babies and Harry had gone the other direction. Since her boyfriend was ostensibly an adult, Jo want after Zoe.

The duo had subsequently found the lambs and spent a good deal of time watching them. Jo then found out how to get Zoe to calm. Holding little ewes on her lap. She held still and whispered. It seemed to have a compounding effect. As Zoe sat with the lamb on her lap trying to be calm for it, she got calmer and calmer.

That seemed to be the effect this little escape to the Lake Country was having on all of them.

Harry certainly looked calm.

He was lounging in baggy trousers on some steps near a fountain. The day was sunny with that cool warmth of early summer, hinting at heat, but only flirting with discomfort. Harry looked like the daydream he was. His head was cast back and his eyes were closed, sun woshipping. This was probably why he didn't seem to notice the kid, the literal baby goat at his elbow. The sun on his face and the kid at his elbow was too bucolic to miss.

Jo had snapped a picture and then immediately tried to quietly get his attention. She imagined the picture would be cute, but that Harry would actually like to experience the magic moment for himself.

He needed it, he had been off since Jo got home on Sunday evening.

When she and Zoe got back from Bath almost a week ago, Jo'd texted Harry to let him know they were nearly home and safe.

He'd been in the kitchen when they got in. The kettle was bubbling and he had a piece of toast out for Zoe. Jo tried not to give her fruit this late in the evening due to the sugar and had recently had to slow down her cheese consumption. Otherwise, her Stilton bill would be ridiculous. Toast it was lately. Harry had adopted the new rule, because he used to have strawberries out for her. Zoe's favorite.

"Hey baby. Tea?" Harry had greeted her with the question. She expected him to hoist the kettle and grin, but instead he walked over to her and wrapped a hand around her and buried his face in her neck.

He breathed her in and held on. "Miss me?" was what she asked. Jo figured she'd get the actual reason for his affection soon. Once they were ready for bed, and wrapped around each other and the few fetters he kept on his tongue were loosed. He loved to whisper in the dark.

He just nodded into her neck and held her tighter. Her arms came up around him in response. Shoe would wait him out. That night though, he hadn't been chatty. The love he'd made to her had been slow, reverent and almost nostalgic, which troubled her. Harry'd insisted they lay on their side, and he'd held her hands the whole time. He'd spoke I love you's against her skin until she couldn't keep her eyes open.

The next day, Harry and Jo hurried about to get the car packed and ready for their trip. The night before, cuddles and a movie on the couch had seemed a wonderful idea, until the morning presented all the things left to do. The small tent, one of Zoe's very own, for the second half of the trip, after Jo had her fill of room service, was easy to pack. Getting the two-person she had stashed in the attic, was not the same. She'd fought the spiders and won though.

It was still one in the afternoon before they got on the road, and stopping for lunch and later, ice cream, meant they had an hour to get in their hotel room, get dressed and deliver Zoe to the in-house babysitters the inn had, to make their reservations. Jo was nervous, but Harry reminded her of all the reviews she'd read. Plus, it was her idea, a date, out in the world, for his graduation.

Harry loved to have her on his arm, and the black dress she'd surprised him with was cut lower than usual, and his eyes lingered and loved the extra inches all night. He'd been more interested in visually devouring her than the French food on his plate.

The lucky thing was that Zoe was asleep when they went to pick her up. And she'd stayed like that on Harry's shoulder up the stairs. The little girl had stirred when she was laid down, "Mummy!" had been called and feet kicked, but Jo only had to lay with her for ten minutes to get her back to dreamland.

His touches had lingered that night too, she was wondering if he should take a picture of her collarbone for all the studying of it he'd done.

"Are you going to paint it?" She'd asked when she couldn't stand his pace any more, was rubbing her thighs together and pulling his hair at the roots.

"I might, but I think I've just decided it's my favorite part of you.

Jo was still deciding her favorite parts of him when they settled in at the lake. It had taken hours to make camp and Zoe was invigorated by the air. She may as well have wings.

It was really late by the time the three year old fell asleep. The moon was full and brilliant overhead, so bright it kept her up. Zoe had been riled beyond belief. Harry had spent much of the day bear hunting with her and Jo found that she just had to sit back and laugh as they re-enacted the song several times over. Zoe delighted in the tunnels they found and that Harry would slither under fallen trees with her, no matter how dirty he got.

They were such a sight, and the facilities so far away, Jo was at a loss.

"You're such messes! How will we ever get you clean?" She picked through Zoe's ever growing hair. It was thick and growing in waves, her baby curls cut, but the texture still gorgeous and thickly wavy. The color has changed too, darkening. It would lighten with the summer sun though. Jo recalled Harry's baby picture from his senior year of college slideshow. He'd once been a blonde too. Jo sighed wistfully at the similarity and then laughed at herself for even considering such a thing.

If they found a surrogate, in a few years, what would their children look like? How long would they stay blonde? Or would genetics surprise them both. Her wandering mind was called back to Harry answering her question.

Harry laughed at her, "That's easy enough to fix!" And he shucked off his t-shirt and Zoe's dress and carried her down to the water. They splashed and Harry threw her over and over.

Zoe's giggles were fitful and loud and carried. They sailed on the air straight to Jo's heart.

Before she could help herself, She took of her own cover up and ran down to meet them.

Zoe swam back and forth between them until Harry declared her proficient in freestyle, backstroke, and improving on her breath stroke.

Then they had had foil packed potatoes and roast. The energy Zoe took out of the s'mores Harry made them had her bouncing for several hours. "Mummy dance with me!" She'd called as she flitted like a nymph around the fire and Jo had got up and ran to her.

They fire danced like lost boys.

Zoe had dropped 20 minutes ago. Talking a mile a minute then not at all. Jo was sure she was just as tired, and she was laying in the sleeping bags Harry had zipped together when she heard him calling her.

"Jo, c'mere, I want to show you something." He sounded like he was near the water, his voice echoed off and bounced like waves.

She realized why when she got outside- he was exactly as she expected him to be, his feet being lapped at by the gentle lake waves. Jo was just in hi cuts and a plaid, so she followed suit and came to him on the shore, she needed his body heat anyway.

"What did you want to show me?"

"The moon, my Eve." He circled behind her, hooking his chin over her shoulder and pointing to it. "Do you feel the pull?" He looked at her sideways.

Jo looked from the alabaster orb in the sky to the pearls of his teeth. "Yes, but not to the moon." Harry was her little bit of Eden.

"Good." He smiled and walked her to where her knees were just covered before sitting at her feet.

He mouthed over the cotton of her underpants until she squirmed before pulling them to the side. It was almost better through the fabric, almost.

"Harry," her neck was already rolling back from the licks he was giving her lingual crease, he'd switched between the two. And despite her words, her feet had widened to accommodate him and her swelling center's attraction.

"What if Zoe comes out?" She found the power to say. Protest was too big a word.

"Let's turn around. You can tell her you were bathing. But she'll sleep."

And he gripped her ass and bathed her with his tongue, and she was baptized by the moon and his love more than the water.

She still bit her palms to stem her cries, even if the woods and water would be the only ones to hear them. He dove deep into her and drew out her happiness. When he told her she gave him a taste of Eden too, she believed it. This was paradise. And it might be where she got to stay. She'd sacrifice to do so. The cost wasn't counted yet.

It was the most carefree he had been since they arrived. The weight he wore cast off into the lake like a net.

The next morning, she woke up to chirping birds and Harry awake and smoothing hair off her forehead. She'd nodded off the night long before she heard the scruff of his feet together. Jo was tired from camping and romancing. From a family vacation; the first she'd ever had like it.

Times were lean when she and Ethan had been alone against the world. They had mostly only gone to London or to the sea if she could scrimp together the funds. Then, she took him to Spain once. To Barcelona and Madrid and finally Mallorca the first summer she was at the university. His eyes liked to bug out of his head at the girls on Spanish beaches. He was in his first flush of manhood.

He was a real man now. Or so she told herself when she had moments of concern about her relationship with Harry. It scared her still that being with her was giving something up. For both of them. We're you o my doing something right if in love if you were scared out of your wits sometimes?

He looked like he thought so too this morning. His tender brow was creased and he had weights on his tongue. But love filled his eyes.

"What's it, lover?" She scrapped together her courage and asked for the first time. She'd been hoping to stay in Nirvana, but avoiding a thing didn't make it go away. The morning light was soft, light and he was beautiful. It wasn't harsh or abrasive. That would have been more fitting.

Jo had been letting herself believe. The fall for him had been undeniable. She hadn't so much let that happened as been unable to stop it, like stemming a tide. Believing in their future though, against all of their obstacles, that she had let happen. As each dominos stacked against them had fallen away instead of on top of them and he had thrust more options into her hands, made more promises, shared more hope, she'd decided they may be able to do it. That people would accept them, even Ethan, if they saw them together. They were at their best when loving each other. Jo liked herself better with him.

Even as she opened herself up and ran into possibility, she'd always been waiting for a stone to fall the other way though, on top of them, or between them to divide.

Harry's face looked like he had the stone to drop. It was especially cruel today. After the week in the Lake District. She knew something was wrong when he had come to her after she got back from Ethan's, but she hadn't pushed and was excited about the trip she had planned for his graduation celebration. She wanted to have the escape with him.

But pretend time looked over.

He waited a long beat to answer and traced her face with his eyes.

"I got into a fight with my mum." He swallowed, "A few hours before you came home on Sunday."

"What about?" Jo asked, though she knew the answer.

He swallowed.

"About me?" She supplied and he nodded.

He sat up and pinched his lip. Jo took it as a good sign that he didn't turn completely away from her. "She asked me flat out. I'd gotten into it with Gemma and was talking about her boyfriend being a wanker when they left. I don't like him. He's not good enough for her. That is so clear to me. It's also why she missed my graduation." He swallowed.

"It hurt your feelings?" She put her hand on his arm.

"Yeah, she didn't want to come without him. So she missed my graduation. And I told her I was disappointed and she told me I was spoilt and didn't know what it was like to be in a relationship, so I couldn't know why she wanted him to come with her. And that she came later." He sighed. "I told her I did know what it was like. And that it would have meant a lot to me." Harry picked up her hand. "They left when I said I didn't like him, in front of him. My mum looked so frustrated at me."

"I'm sorry you fought with your sister, but you said you fought with your mum?" She was a little confused.

He bit his lip. "I was ranting a bit, about Gemma and Kip, stupid name, and how Gemma made horrible choices in men. And my mum said something, under her breath like, about me not having the right to criticize someone's love life." He breathed loud. "So I asked her what that meant, and she point blank asked me if I was sleeping with you."

Jo's breath caught. She knew Anne knew. The way she was, so guarded and watchful, it was clear-plus, mum's intuition.

"And I, well, I'm." He tried to get out.

"You're a terrible liar." Jo admitted.

"I tried, a bit, but she didn't believe me. I didn't want to lie anyway. And then she, well she started in on you. And how she couldn't believe that you'd be so predatory. And I...." he hung his head. "I told her it wasn't like that. That we weren't sleeping together, but in love and that I chased you and you tried really hard to leave the attraction be. Ran like the wind, but that we were like magnets, or the moon and tide or something and she scoffed."

Jo felt miserable for him and her. "How'd you leave it then?" She was wondering how long until he chose his relationship with his mum. Like he should. They were so foolish to think they had a chance if anybody knew about them.

Harry was nothing if not a surprise.

"I told her I didn't want to fight. And that she didn't know about us, but that I was serious about you." He looked at Jo then. "I kissed her head and told her I loved her and respected her but that you were my choice, and she could accept it, or not, but I'd appreciate the chance. And I left."

Jo rubbed his shoulders. He loved his mum. Was a mumma's boy. "Have you, have you spoken to her?"

"No, I wanted to talk to you." He turned to her. "I'm not sure you are ready, but can we please," he blew out a breath. "Can we please go talk to her when we get back?"

"How long have you been waiting to ask me about this?" She squeezed his shoulder. "All week? Love, we're supposed to share things that are heavy, the load is lighter across two backs."

"I, I know, I just thought." He looked down then up. "You had these plans, for us, for me." He bit his lips into his mouth like he was trying to button the truth in. "And you're always so scared, of just this, and it's like you thought. Not like I did. I thought my mum would trust me."

"She does Harry." Jo put her head on his collarbone. "She doesn't trust me."

"She will, when she sees us together. I know it." He was hurt, but always so certain. "On the way home, I'll text to ask if we can have a meal together." He rubbed his hands up and down her back to comfort them both. "Where would be best love? Our place, a restaurant? Neutral ground?"

Jo thought about it, "I want to say in public, so emotions won't get too strong. But, maybe we should give her home pitch?" Jo bit her lip. Harry must have been able to feel it, because he pulled back and looked at her and used a thumb to release the tortured flesh.

"She just needs to see that you're what makes my world spin round and round." Jo gulped. Yeah, he made her twirl madly.

"For how long?" Jo croaked. This was the part that made her heart sink to her belly and beat fast at the same time. When, where, what would be too much?

"What do you mean?" He smoothed her hair back.

"How long until people staring at us, and your mom being mad, or not having a relationship with her, or me wrinkling up, how long until I fall off your axis?" Jo, well, she'd recovered before, but wasn't sure she could this time. Just 17 days felt like torture.

"Jo!" He breathed and wrapped his thumbs around her ears, lifted her head to him. "I love my mother, but you are my choice. And she loves me, and we want a relationship, so she will have to learn to respect us, our future." He looked frustrated but cracked a grin, "and has anybody looked sideways at us this week?"

"No, I guess not." She cocked a glance at him. "Harry, I don't want to ruin your relationship with your mother." Jo shook her head. "I don't want to even change it!"

"Change is..." he rubbed his forehead against hers. "Like time, it's not going away. She and I will be ok. I will be ok if we are." He sighed. "And you act like this is temporary for me, but I've told you. Right, I want your tomorrows. Stop waiting for me to leave and be with me!" It was one of the most brutal tones he had ever taken with her. "Do you want me?"

"Yes, you know I do." Jo closed her eyes and sealed her promise with a breathy kiss.

"Then let's enjoy this day in the sun." They both looked at the muted light through the tent. "Or the mist, and go home."

"Ok. When will you talk to your mum?" Jo untangled herself from him and stood. Zoe was quiet in her tiny tent, but Jo wanted to see her face.

"When we get home. I'll call her." He sighed and then found a well of happiness she supposed. "I'd really like to spend a day with you ladies here, where it's beautiful and not worry about anything." He dimpled at Jo and she loved all of his parts, even the ones he didn't like so much, the ones that needed attention and validation frequently.

"I think that sounds lovely. How do you want to start, graduate?" She scrunched her nose at their inside joke.

"Well, Mrs. Robinson," they both laughed under their breath at the joke she'd started the day they got to the country. "Since there is no pool for me to lounge in, I think I'd like to just lay here with you and stay warm until the nymph comes to find us."

"Done." She lay down and opened her arms to him. His hair lay in curls on her chest and the color was similar enough to her own that could see herself as lady Godiva, hair to cover her revelations. That would be a funny picture, maybe she'd pitch it to Harry when he was stuck next time. The joke painting prompts usually led to something amazing.

"One more serious question?" It was easier with his face buried in her armpit. "How long will you be able to go without talking to your mum?" She wondered how Ethan would fair in this scenario.

"Not long, and she probably won't cut off communication, it's not her style. But she will be quietly disapproving and you'll be uncomfortable when we see her, maybe always." He nuzzled in. "So I'm hoping we win her over. You're charming." It tickled when he talked there. "See, I've got you giggling!" He looked at her and smoothed her hair back while she smiled at him. He just kissed her sweet and lay back on her chest and wrapped his arms around her. They stayed like that until the light brightened.

Jo looked out across the field to where Harry and Zoe were playing tag and finished setting up the drinks they'd gotten from the only grocery store seemingly for 20 miles. She was amazed that Zoe was in such a mood. She'd woken up grumpy, harrumphing into their tent complaining about being hungry and cold. Jo had pulled her into her arms and used her hands to create friction on her miniature biceps.

Then they had gotten up and around and made a store run. Zoe was not excited about hanging nearby her mother and kept taking off for the end of the aisle, the next aisle, the meat counter. Thankfully, the store was small, a collection of seven aisles and Zoe was loud, plus there were two of them to keep track of her. She was constantly afraid of the looks she and Hary may garner. In such a public place, but both here and at the restaurant the first two nights, when they'd stayed in town, there had been none. Harry's 'I told you so' smile could only be kissed off his face.

In any case, she and Harry were able to keep Zoe in eyeline, and get the picnic shopping. Jo had been sad it was their last day, well sad about reality intruding, mostly.

It felt like time though, when Zoe had a fit in the middle of the tiny grocery store because there was no Tesco brand juice. It wasn't Tesco, so of course there wasn't, but that was not a sufficient reason for Zoe. Jo loved her tenacity, but somethings were simply not possible right in the moment. When she was like this, there was no comforting her. In a few minutes, she would pick herself up, fold into Jo and in an hour she'd say sorry. But right now her emotions were too big for her little body and surely her vocabulary.

Her fits had gotten better as she got older once they had rounded the six month mark on three. That stopped Jo cold. Then so had she and Harry. Six months. That was both a tiny amount of time, and a life changing chunk.

She walked over to Harry then. He was a few feet away, and Zoe was not quite finished Jo could tell by the tenor of her cries. He rose his eyebrows at her.

"We've been together six months." Jo looked up at him, in a day old t-shirt because he hadn't packed adequately and his skinny jeans, hair scraped up in a bun.

"I know." Harry looked confused by her outburst, and she glanced round. People were probably staring, the five people in the general store. Maybe at Zoe, maybe at her, usually at Harry.

She didn't care.

Jo planted her mouth against him and kissed him for god and Cumbria to see.

His smiles for the rest of the day shone like a mega watt bulb, Like the ones the photography students used for over exposure. Made sense, that's what he wanted and what they would get, exposure, openness. It was a desire he alluded to or named often. The first dinner they went to her held her hand conspicuously and sat next to her. Mine.

The food was ready, and she was just about to call them to eat the picnic, but when Jo looked up, Harry was looking back at her. The hills around him were bright green, and his eyes were glowing kelly at her. The food would wait.

Jo got her legs under her and the feeling of the wind rushing passed her face, Zoe's fleece slipping through her fingers, and Harry catching her when she thought she'd gotten away was like freedom. Being let out of a gilded cage. One she had put herself in.

It would be alright. They'd make it, she told herself, while she watched him drive them home. Home he called it. She wasn't ready to move him in, but, "Will you keep your place while you're abroad?"

"Haven't 100% decided I'm going abroad." He glanced at her before checking Zoe in the backseat where she colored, and then back to the road.

"What percent are you at?" Jo missed him already, and they had six weeks to fill if he went. He had to go.

"Odds are 85 in favor."

What's the other 15?" She knew the answer.

"The other 15 will miss the creases on your face in the morning so much that I'll get kicked out for painting only them." He reached for her hand. "But I was going to move my stuff to mum's. Figure it out later, might as well save the money, or use it to see Canada, ya know."

"What if you moved it into my place? And we figured it out when you got back, if it and you should stay there." Jo lurched forward. "What are you doing?"

The car pulled onto the slim shoulder and he put the car in park and liked to pull her over the gear shift with his hands on her face.

"Are you asking me to move in with you?" He spoke against her mouth.

"Sort of. In 8 months time." She tried to shrug, but he kissed her again. Fill of emotion, but no tongue until Zoe laughed and a car honked.

"Then yes, I'll shack up with you." He was giddy.

"After Montreal!" She said

"Or Venice."

They were both so excited they were vibrating. The hours until Zoe went down felt long and Jo put lavender oil in the bath and on the soles of her feet to gentle her to sleep.

Harry was waiting at the foot of the stairs. "Harr-" he cut her off with a lip lock that felt like he'd thrown away the key and jumped her onto his hips. He was full of desire, but not the kind she was used to, the charge that made it nearly impossible to stay away from him, or not kiss him, or stop watching him work his hand over his cock.

This felt like a brimming, an effervescence, where champagne spills over the lip of a beautiful piece of glass because someone was too excited to pour carefully.

Her bedding wrapped around her and she sighed at the soft landing. His naked chest rolled her t-shirt against her stomach and his hands pulled it over her head. She'd quit her bra when they got home and he quit working her neck when he got her breasts free. He was moving fast and she expected him to keep at it. But then, he stopped. His hurry evaporated in the warm room and he inched up the temperature by slowing his pace to a snail's crawl. Not an inch of her bust or belly or pelvis went untouched. The soft trials of his fingertips, the touch that made her gasp every time, was enough to set her skin on edge and her pores to open. She was sweaty by the time she was begging.

He started to move lower, pulled her plaid pants from her hips and mouth descending into the v her legs made.

"No, need you inside, Harry!" She'd reached between their damp skins and clutched his velvety cock. Too ansty to please, she stroked once and collected the precum, before notching him into the seam of her body.

"Fuck!" They both gasped and her hand slicked the cum onto his bottom lip to lick off with him a moment later.

The rock and rock roll of him into her was giving her a fever. "I'm burning up, lover." She swore repeatedly.

"I'll cool you down, baby. Just hold on." Harry trailed a hand up her hip to grasp her shoulder underneath. The round roll of his hips had her reeling like a topspun ball.

Jo cast her head back, the first time she had broken eye contact with him since they began it seemed and called his name. "Har-Harry!" He groaned in response and when she opened her eyes again, his green didn't catch her focus, not like it did always, but the yellow light near her door.

There stood her son. And his body was backlit, like he was a ghost.

"Ethan!" Jo startled.

Harry must not have heard her where his head was buried in her neck.

'You're fucking my mum?' she expected Ethan to yell, but instead his voice was wet and thin, it amazed her she could hear it over Harry's groan of completion.

"Har-Harry," his voice hit a familiar hitch, "how could you do this to me?"

#harry styles #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles fanfic #harry styles smut #wntc #who names the colors #one direction #one direction fanfiction #painter fic #harry styles alternative universe #harry styles au

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schtroumpf-a-lunettes · 6 years ago

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Smurf Village Upturned, Chapter Three: Oversight

Ch1 | Ch2

Read on: AO3 | FF.net | This post

Hardly two weeks passed before Sassette saw Roesia again. There was something about her, and that first meeting, that perhaps Sassette should have known she would see her again sometime.

“Goodness, it’s a human,” Vanity exclaimed in warning, stopping Clumsy and the two smurflings tagging along from going any further.

“What’s that lady doing out here in the forest?” Snappy whispered.

When “that lady” turned slightly to the side, it allowed Sassette a better view of her face.

“Oh… That’s not just any human,” Sassette said, and began to venture forward.

“Sassette, no!”

“What are you doing! Papa Smurf wouldn’t approve of you just walking up to a strange human like that!” Snappy scolded her.

Sassette ignored them. “Roesia?”

Roesia was abruptly startled out of her reverie. “Oh, Sassette… What are you doing here?”

Sassette turned back to the other smurfs. “See? Roesia’s no stranger. I met her at Pappy Gargamel’s funeral.”

Roesia smiled. “How have you been doing?”

“I’m feeling a bit better now. And as for your other question – we oughta ask you the same thing! Why are you just sitting here in the forest?”

“I’m new to these parts,” said Roesia, “And I’ve decided to start exploring the surrounding area. It’s beautiful, really… I like nothing better than to sit and observe nature in my spare time.”

“Gosh, are you – were you a – a friend of Gargamel’s?” Clumsy asked nervously, to which Roesia shook her head.

“She never met Pappy Gargamel,” Sassette explained as the others came over, all of them still eyeing Roesia cautiously. “Roesia… goes to a lot of funerals, to help out. She’s a… funeral attender.”

“How morbid,” Vanity remarked distastefully, and Sassette gave him a look.

“I see you have some more friends,” Roesia said, shielding her eyes slightly and looking at all the smurfs standing together.

So the group all met Roesia, and told her about how they had been in the middle of a game and were all versing another team. After chatting for a little bit, they bid her goodbye and returned to their game in search of the opposing team. Roesia had made it quite clear that she would likely be hanging out in the forest for some time to come, and she was right.

Coming across Roesia in the forest became a semi-regular occurrence for the members of smurf village after that. Sometimes, some smurfs sought her out specifically, just to say hello, as she’d largely settled in one specific area of the forest. Naturally, Papa cautioned everyone to be careful, especially about what information they revealed. Everyone did their best to not mention any important information accordingly, just to be safe. Roesia didn’t seem to mind – she seemed to mostly be about small talk anyway. No one gave any indication of where Smurf Village might be, and Roesia never asked.

If we come across her by chance, it seems there’s no harm in talking a little bit or saying hello… To not do so would be rude, was Papa’s line of logic. Although it’s probably best not to specifically seek her out if we can help it. He warned against doing this, although the occasional smurf would still drop by while they were running an errand. It was nice to have a new friend, after all, and Roesia seemed quite lonely there all by herself.

Sometimes, though, Roesia must have been in an off-mood and didn’t seem very interested in chatting. Or she would just seem… disinterested altogether.

“Must have caught her on an off day,” Tracker, and a couple of other smurfs, would say.

Jokey, Hefty, Painter and Dreamy decided to stop by and see Roesia before heading back to the village. They even made sure to approach her from a different direction each time to help further prevent any chances of her finding the village. Jokey and Hefty led the way, as Painter and Dreamy had not been this way to meet Roesia before.

“Hello!” Jokey called.

Roesia’s face lit up when she saw them. “Oh! Hello! And who is this?” she gazed down at Painter amiably.

“My name is Painter,” Painter said in his usual thick accent.

“Oh, that sounds great! Does that mean you like to make beautiful pictures?”

“If I did not, then my name would not be Painter,” he grinned.

Roesia laughed.

Dreamy smiled too. “It’s lovely to meet you Roesia, I’m-“

“I’d love to see one of your paintings. What do you like painting the most?” Roesia asked Painter.

Painter replied, Dreamy going unheard. He tried again.

“Hi Roesia!” he jumped up and down a little bit. “Nice to meet you!”

Roesia finally caught sight of him and she looked genuinely taken by surprise. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t see you there.”

“We thought we’d stop by with some new faces,” Hefty told her. “Everyone’s heard a lot about you.”

“I’m flattered,” Roesia told them, and the conversation went on for a little bit, Roesia getting to know Painter and catching up with Jokey and Hefty.

“It sounds like you’ve all got quite a bit going on,” she said.

“Oh, and me!” Dreamy piped up. “Me too, I have a lot going on.”

Roesia nodded pleasantly, absentmindedly. “Of course.”

They left soon after that, Dreamy feeling rather dejected, although the others hadn’t seemed to notice anything wrong.

“I wouldn’t worry about it too much,” Harmony reassured Dreamy later when he described the meeting. “Like, she was the same with me. Didn’t seem interested in my music at all.”

I think it would be stranger if she was interested in your music, Dreamy thought to himself, but refrained from trampling on Harmony’s feelings.

“To me, it’s like she only seems to care about Sassette and Snappy,” Nat said from nearby. “I guess because they’re the ones who met her first, and maybe because they’re both younger too… Slouchy and I kinda gave up on visiting her.”

“She really is quite lovely,” Smurfette was speaking now. “You probably just caught her on an off day. Or maybe your interests just don’t align with hers. She’s always happy to talk about flowers with me.”

Whatever it was, Dreamy wasn’t inclined to go and see her again.

#smurfs #the smurfs #Sassette #Clumsy Smurf #Dreamy Smurf

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thoughtsofanempath · 2 years ago

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I feel invisible to my friends lately. There's been these subtle vibes I'm picking up on, and some pretty obvious ones that are making me feel like I don't matter. I'm the only girl in the group, and I feel like the masculine energy is a little too much sometimes. I feel like I get pushed into mom roles. I feel like I have to be the oversight, practical thinker, common Sense guru, central hub for things like information resources and references. (Medical stuff for example, because I studied it)

I serve, I provide, I aid, I talk with them, and while I don't mind being helpful, even maternal at times (I do have a child after all) I feel like there's some kind of codependency and then discarding going on. Like they rely on me for certain things. But then when it comes to like common sense or manners, they don't show me consideration.

For example, we went out for sushi the other day, and when it came to the end of the meal I excused myself to the restroom. While I was in there, they all order dessert. Like how rude is that? Shouldn't you wait till everyone is present? I was taken back by that. One of them lied and said that I said I didn't want dessert.

No one asked me first of all, and secondly I talked about getting red bean mochi if they had it.

Then we had an outing over the weekend in which I tagged them in all the photos on Instagram. they completely ignored the tag/shout out

Then I get this bullshit that "oh I just saw it." "Oh I already liked it" You are both on your phone all day long. Like seriously all day long. Your ringtones are loud and your glued to it so I'm not buying that. You straight out ignored me

Then we go to a really nice place on Saturday which had a beach and a lookout point by the Hudson. I'm super excited to bring one of my friends there and he just played pokémon go the whole time. I brought it up a few times how excited I was to show him. But it seemed like the game is more important.

Thank God it wasn't a date. I'd be so insulted.

And that's why I feel invisible. They've been really shitty lately and all I've been trying to do is make sure everyone has a good time.

I'm going to think about my boundaries going forward. I don't think certain individuals are capable of being compassionate understanding or considerate that I would expect from a friendship. I'm going to match energy.

#invisible #rude #difficult friendships #narcissim #complex relationships #friend woes #hurt #thanks a lot

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aion-rsa · 4 years ago

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Returnal’s $70 Price Highlights Gaming’s Difficulty Divide

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

We really need a word or a phrase for when you’re a fan of something but not necessarily a fan of the fans of that thing. It’s a concept that’s impacted Rick and Morty, it’s an idea that has long negatively affected the Star Wars franchise, and it’s something that’s been on my mind lately as I’ve been playing more and more Returnal.

Actually, the problem isn’t really Returnal itself so much as it’s the argument over difficult games. I generally love difficult games and have even recently highlighted some of the most challenging retro games across various generations. At the same time, the release of any new FromSoftware title or any other notably challenging game triggers that same defensive cry that insults just as it shuts down any meaningful conversation: “Git gud.”

In the case of Returnal, though, the conversation about the game’s difficulty feels a little more complicated than usual. Interestingly, many of those complications have something to do with the game’s $70 price tag.

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While some felt the jump from $60 to $70 for a Triple-A new release wouldn’t be that big of a deal in the long run, the fact of the matter is that we’re not in the long run. We’re in the earliest days of the new $70 standard, and the price jump feels significant enough to make people ask more questions about the “true” value of a game. At the moment, it certainly doesn’t help that some are already having to pay inflated prices for a PS5 (if they can find one at all).

In the case of Returnal, many reviewers and early adopters have pointed out that the game is, in many ways, very much worth the price. It’s an incredible blend of bullet-hell shooter action, psychological horror, and storytelling that, much like Hades, brilliantly utilizes the time loop implications of roguelike games to weave a compelling narrative about repetition, consequences, and growth. When viewed from the right angle, it’s hard not to see Returnal as a work of art.

Yet, pretty much every review and impression of the game released so far has highlighted the game’s difficulty. In a way, Returnal is difficult in the way that most roguelikes are difficult. That is to say that the core of its gameplay is built around the idea of dying and dying over and over again in order to earn the upgrades, skills, and items needed to make true progress. Some roguelikes are more forgiving than others, but “failure” is in their DNA.

The element of Returnal‘s roguelike gameplay that’s drawing so much attention is its lack of a traditional save feature. Again, that’s not uncommon in roguelike games (and some progress in Returnal is permanent), but because the average run in Returnal lasts much longer than in the average roguelike game, you really feel those times that you try so hard, get so far, and, in the end, it doesn’t really matter.

Some Returnal reviewers have noted that the lack of a more standard save system (outside of some ways you can “cheat” the system using the PlayStation 5’s sleep mode), made it difficult for them to progress in a way that allowed them to properly experience the game. In some instances, the lack of a save system has been seen as a flaw or even an oversight.

Here’s the thing, though. One of the first screens you see in Returnal informs you that the game doesn’t offer a traditional save system. The lack of a save feature is very much intended to amplify Returnal‘s themes, characters, and gameplay. If you’re tired of the phrase “tough but fair,” then consider that in the case of Returnal, the phrase may be “tough, but aware.”

As difficult as it can be to support an argument that even indirectly supports the “git gud” crowd, I feel the urge to defend Returnal‘s difficulty as an artistic choice that feels vital to the overall experience. Would Returnal be an impressive game if it wasn’t so difficult? In many ways, yes. Could many of its best attributes be appreciated even with an optional save system? I’d argue they could be. Yet, it’s so clear that Returnal is the product of a clear, bold, and fascinating vision that it’s hard not to make the argument that it deserves to at least be tried in its intended format.

The problem is that it’s not exactly easy to try Returnal. As a $70 game released for a roughly $500 console (depending on which version you buy and how you buy it), Returnal isn’t just a strange new IP from a relatively unknown developer that is designed to intimidate from the outset: it’s a considerable investment in the minds of many, even if they already own a PS5. Returnal is also not currently available on any streaming or subscription service, meaning some of the modern ways you might otherwise be able to relatively easily take a chance on something different are currently unavailable.

“Taking a chance” is really what we’re talking about here. When it comes to difficult games released in recent years such as Sekiro, I’ll usually tell people to give it a shot whenever they’re able. After all, sometimes it’s tougher to get past the toxicity of the “git gud” gamers than it is to get through the games themselves and maybe expand your comfort zone and find out something new about the kind of games you like in the process.

The beautiful thing about gaming is that it’s not only a relatively young art form but many gamers are relatively young in terms of their experience with the art form. There’s always something out there to discover that could surprise you with both its quality and the ways that you enjoy it despite your preconceived notions. I think Returnal has the power to be that game for many.

Yet, the game’s $70 price tag is already highlighting a divide over video game difficulty that is making it more difficult for anyone to reach out to the other side even if they are otherwise willing to do so. The conversation about difficult games should be about the craft of difficult games done well and how to foster an environment where more people are able to try those games in order to help them grow and reach wider audiences that could potentially love them as much as so many others clearly do. At the very least, those who don’t like difficult games shouldn’t feel so discouraged to give them a shot if for no other reason than to ensure the conversation about them doesn’t always feel so familiar.

Instead, the increased price of next-gen games feels like another form of gatekeeping in an area of the growth industry that is already suffering as a result of that concept.

The post Returnal’s $70 Price Highlights Gaming’s Difficulty Divide appeared first on Den of Geek.

from Den of Geek https://ift.tt/3tfnH97

#aion-rsa #Den of Geek

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canadian-buckbeaver · 7 years ago

Text

Ink Demon’s Game

- CHAPTER THREE SPOILERS -

Your father, against his better judgement, decided to go meet with Joey after so many years apart. Now he’s missing and many people are reluctant to do anything about it. So you brave the old studio and find evidence of your father being there, but he’s nowhere to be seen. You must travel deeper into the studio, braving the errands of Angel, meet Boris and escape from the grasp of Bendy…

All while trying to find your father.

Good luck. You’ll be needing it.

Just remember - this is where all your dreams come true

Like what I do? Buy me a coffee to support my writing, consider commissioning me or drop a kudos/comment on my tumblr or AO3 account!

You couldn’t help but take a deep sigh of relief as you stepped into the lift for what would be the last time, smiling at Boris.

Angel had you running all over her area of the studio, being her little errand girl for the day, as her last errand boy had mysteriously disappeared. Part of you thought it was just a rouse as her list of to-do’s seemed scattered, random almost. But you had never seen an angel, let alone an angel made of ink, so it was possible that she needed the ink for herself, to keep her decaying body in one piece. The gears and power charges were confusing to you, why would a creature such as her want with them? And those hearts… your hands itched thinking about the feel of them in your hands. The slime and the texture. Perhaps it was your imagination but one had faintly pulsed in your hand when you had picked it up. No, you were glad that that was over with. When you finally got out of here you were going to take the longest, hottest shower you could stand, scrubbing the ink from your pores till not a stain remained. To do that, you needed to get out of this damned place first. As Angel pondered about heaven and how she had always imagined it, you let your mind wander.

Her last errand boy… Angel had mentioned an errand boy before you… one that hadn’t returned to her chambers.

It was no accident that you were in the old, deserted studio. You had come here looking for your father, Henry. He had worked here, once upon a time, about thirty years ago he had said. Before Joey had completely taken it over he had been one of the head animators, in charge of drawing out repetitive drawings for their cartoon, Bendy the Dancing Demon. Thirty years ago, Henry and Joey had a disagreement and Henry had turned his back on the staff and crew, vowing never to set foot in there again. And he hadn’t. He had gotten a new job, married, and then had you. A few days ago Joey had sent him a frantic message, telling him that he needed to show him something and he had left, promising you and your mother that he would be home in time for supper.

Supper had come and gone, and there was no sign of your father.

You had urged your mom to call the cops but she had refused. She had wondered if he and Joey had gotten distracted, catching up over dinner and drinks, and then your father had neglected to call home and let everyone else know of his change in plans. That excuse didn’t excuse the second day, nor did it explain the third…

You had tried calling the police yourself and they had promised to check it out. When they got around to it. Curse this town and it’s small crew of officers. Oversight on the council’s part to cut funding for the officers. ‘Nothing happens here, do we need a full taskforce?’ one had dared ask.

These thoughts were interrupted when the elevator stopped and shuddered. That’s when you heard Angel’s maniacal laughter. You knew that she was unhinged, slightly deranged but that crazy? She was a cartoon character, you chided yourself, anything was possible with them.

Boris looked at you, the pupils of his eyes possibly round with fear, you couldn’t quite tell with him.

The lift dropped like a stone. Boris covered his head, shaking like a leaf. You left to grip to the sides of elevator, praying that the cable would catch, that you would be safe, that you would survive this fall.

But with old style elevators, they just don’t have the same safety mechanisms as modern day ones.

As Angel screamed about taking Boris, you somehow moved closer to him. You wouldn’t allow that monster to take him. Boris had shown you nothing but kindness. He had walked you through the twists and turns of the tunnels, opened the locked doors, and had even shown you the safe rooms. No, he would be protected. Boris would not meet the same fate as those other Borises in her little experimentation and torture room.

Before you could promise Boris anything, the elevator finally crashed. The momentum causing you to hit your head on the metal bars, before falling to the ground. The last vision you saw before the world turned dark was one of your father, smiling down at you.

When you finally came to, Boris was shaking you gently, trying to wake you. Your head throbbed, and your vision swam. Why was it so hard to concentrate? Where were you?

Boris still shook you gently, mutely pleading for you to wake, get up, and continue your journey. That’s when the shadow started to approach the two of you, slowly, stealthy, as if they didn’t want to be seen or heard.

Angel.

You tried to say something, but your traitorous body was too weak to do anything. Your mouth gaped like a fish, no words escaping, and your eyes still swam with darkness and stars.

When you were next aware, Boris was reaching out to you, almost pleadingly, as Angel jerked him back. Down to her cave of horrors… of death.

You tried to rise again but, instead you succumbed to the darkness, completely helpless.

Many hours passed before your eyes opened again. Your body was completely battered and bruised, your clothes coated in ink. Your skull throbbed in tune with your heartbeat and your back was stiff.

Where… where was Boris? He had been in front of you, shaking you. Or was he in the elevator? Waiting for you to finish your errands and return to him?

Piece by piece your memories and anger slowly returned. Angel, heh someone had a cruel sense of humour in naming her that… you remembered seeing the evil angel behind him now, jerking him off his feet and away from you.

No time for rest. Both Boris and your father needed you.

As quick as you could you pulled yourself to your feet, forcing yourself up and preparing to move. You swayed, your injuries still very much affecting you and your sense of balance, causing you to grip the wall and handrail in the search for relief. You pushed onward. Eventually your body became used to the pain and the abuse, and you were able to ignore the stars and impending darkness in your peripheral vision.

In all her glory, Angel had not considered her ‘heavenly’ footprints on the hardwood floor, nor had she thought of the long smears caused by Boris, probably where he had struggled to get free. A perfect trail, waiting for you to follow.

A sense of justice filled you and you started to follow the tracks down to her cavern again. It became a mantra in your mind. “Boris will not end up like them. Boris will not end up like them. BORIS WILL NOT END UP LIKE THEM.” So deep in your thoughts you didn’t realize when the room around you began to darken, the lights dampening, and the living ink began to infiltrate the room. The very wood of the walls and roof, was saturated to the point of ink dripping through the sodden boards, the blackness slowly becoming absolute, but you still didn’t notice, your mind consumed with the thought of your father and Boris.

It wasn’t until you heard the scream behind you that you slowly turned around.

The Demon Bendy, coming straight for you, an ugly snarl on its face, and two arms outstretched to grab.

You screamed before running off, ink splashing up and around your shoes. How could you be so careless? But there was no time for that. “Hide, hide, hide…” you muttered as you ran through endless hallways, cutting corners and running down and up stairs, desperately trying to lose him.

As if someone was looking out for you, there was a safe zone around the next corner.

You almost threw yourself inside the little house, clicking the door shut behind you. There was a narrow slot where you could see through, and luckily all you could see was the expense of the hallway, and one of those Bendy cut outs. You must have managed to get some distance between you and the demon but you already knew that it wasn’t enough… it was never enough. You clamped your hand around your mouth to stifle the sounds of your breathing as you tried to stop your body from shaking so much. Your knees were shaking, teeth were chattering and your spine, had it not been aching from the fall, it too would have been swaying like a reed in a storm.

As you watched the lumbering giant walked slowly up the hallway. You just realized that ink seemed to be flowing into his eyes, blinding him. For a moment you felt a peak of elation – a weak point! – but you already knew that he could hear you, and possibly feel the vibrations of the studio. How else could he had found you so fast so many times before?

Bendy approached the little house, he was whispering something. “Come on out little treat… I know you’re there…. don’t you want to dance with a demon?” A shiver ran up your spine. He sounded exactly like the Bendy on the cartoons. This Bendy was a lot larger, even making Boris look like a lap dog.

He was still speaking, singing. “Don’t you want to play with me? All this chasing… I thought you liked tag!” He laughed, in a low, rumbling tone, reminding you of a truck’s breaks.

“Do you like my cut outs little one? Angel doesn’t, that’s why she had you destroy them. I bet she never told you why though. I’ll let you on a little secret~” he had turned towards the safe house suddenly, the grin becoming wider, the teeth turning from rectangles to jagged triangles.

“She doesn’t like it that I have a set of eyes, everywhere you turn.”

Wait…

WHAT?

The door to the safe house was thrown open and a dark, dripping hand grasped your throat before you had a chance to scream or beg. He lifted you effortlessly from the house, grinning as your hands fruitlessly pounded on his large one. Tears already were dripping down your face…

Was this how you were going to die? At the hands of the cartoon character?

“There you are little treat~ Let’s have some fun, hmm?” he asked you.

#bendy and the ink machine #bendy and the kink machine #bendy x reader #bendy x female reader #boris the wolf #angel (bendy and the ink machine)#poor boris #chapter three spoilers #chases #threats of violence #mentions of non-con

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progeny-of-the-fury · 7 years ago

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The Truancy of Guillemont | Part II

Log date: 11/27/17

OOC Note: The text in these logs are strictly for the reader’s enjoyment. Anyone using the knowledge displayed within this text without the participant’s knowledge risks the potential of blacklisting from future communication and roleplay. Please do not meta-game!

Tags: @darkknightsbread @pom-friend

A moogle is a strange creature. Tiny, plump, round, with a glowing pom up top and wings out its back. Innocent, quirky; a moogle is not good at a great many things. Their size does not lend to physical labor or combat, unless a great deal of aether is expended, and their eye for quality and crafting is but barely tapped into. One thing a moogle excelled at, outside of playing pranks on others, was getting a letter where it needed to go. And this particular letter found its way to Hikari, a woman formerly known as Uyraies, no matter where she was. The language within was rather urgent, only scarcely detailing that the De'bayle House was unable to find where Sir Guillemont was, and that we requested her presence to speak on the matter...

Denz and Adelise took the time away from their perusing of his study to meet with Hikari, while Astrelle continued piecing the parts together.

Standing beside her cousin, Adelise held her typical cold stare. She did not know this woman, nor was she very close to Guillemont. Even still, they were her family and she was here to find him. And they would find him, no matter what it took.

It wasn't all that difficult, moogle or not, to find Hikari if you knew what you were looking for. The persistent glow of her lantern shield gave her away from a malm off, even through the thick haze of the boggy air. With her letter clutched in one hand, Hikari trudged up the steps to the camp overlook. Her hair was shaggy and oily, unwashed and poorly kept. Her eyes were sullen; shy, nervous, and distant, even as they rose to search for a familiar face. Her armor was in poor condition and she was absolutely caked in muck, so thick that you couldn't even tell what color her boots used to be.

In contrast to the woman's tattered look, the two knights stood pristinely beneath the glow of the aetheryte. One of the knights would have a familiar silhouette, Denz's armaments taken after his brother. Perhaps a hopeful attempt to remind everyone why they here, or simply a thoughtless ploy to accidentally confuse Hikari. They stood, waiting for any sign of the woman, before her arrival hailed a small wave from Denz.

Hikari Inamoto freezes like a doe in a clearing when she sees the familiar shape of what she thinks is Guillemont. She stares, trying to decide if it's really him, shuffling forward on one foot until he waved to her. She sprinted towards the two, her face lighting up, until she realized something was amiss and stopped short. Her dark eyes flitted up and down Denz's form before her expression fell. "...You're too tall."

Adelise was almost honoured until she realized the the woman was definitely not referring to her. Sighing out an exhale, she glanced off in some small embarrassment.

A light chuckle rumbles through the helmet, before a hand came up to push up the visor. Blue eyes looked back at the woman, tilting his head. "Aye... I do not think we'd ask you to come out here to meet us if I were otherwise,” Denz says out.

"...Oh..." Hikari laughs, just once, but there's not much enthusiasm behind it.

Denz cleared his throat, gesturing to the woman beside him * "Have you met mine cousin, Adelise? She has joined us but a few months prior, been with us through some trying times."

"S...sorry. From...a distance, you looked just like..." Hikari stammered.

"Most... caused by me..." Denz added flatly.

Reaching hands up to unclasp her helm, Adelise respectfully removed it to expose her face. With it, long umber tresses came pooling out and toward her waist. "A pleasure," she remarked in a frigid tone.

"U...uhm. No." One mud caked hand raises to pull back some of her dirty hair. "...No, I haven't. I don't think." Hikari attempted a meek smile, lifting a hand in an offer to shake, but on a second glance at herself, she retracted it and bowed her head down in greeting instead. This woman was a mess.

"Aye. Our house has taken up new colors and Guillemont's armor was a fine model to take inspiration from." Denz waved a hand for them to follow him beneath a nearby canopy. "Before we turn to the main topic, have you kept well? You were under Father Salem's 'care' last we spoke, yes?"

Dipping her head toward Hikari, Adelise offered her a stone-hard expression. Eyes following the man as he walks off, Adelise glances back toward the woman before turning to walk herself.

Denz pulls off his own helmet as they settle under the cover, placing the plate object on the barrel next to him.

Over the Adelise’s shoulder, her blue wyvern sat perched dutifully. Watching, its deep gaze was nearly as piercing as the woman's he sat on.

"I--" Hikari paused. "...Uhm. I was, for a short time. Before I left for Yanxia. I've..." She pauses, biting her lower lip. "...somehow I felt m...more at home...back here."

"More at home here?" Adelise questions aloud. "Are you perhaps of mixed culture?"

"It's been. Uhm...it's been...a...strange time..." Hikari murmurs.

A plated finger came up to rub the side of Denz’s head, wondering if that was appropriate to ask.

A light of quiet dread lit up Hikari’s eyes for a moment. "...W...well, yes. Uhm. But...that..." She trails off, crossing her arms. Her filthy fingernails pick at the ties on her gauntlets. "B...but. Uhm. You can't...you don't know where Guillemont is? I...I visited him before I left..."

Adelise accepts the woman's hesitance for not wanting to discuss the subject, respecting that and not prying further. "Did you now? It was brought to my attention in the past two sennights that his room was vacant and his fish and plants dead."

"T...two..." She looks to Denz for confirmation.

"Yes..." Adelise’s head dips in some shame, "I knew very little of my cousin, but what I did know of him, he seemed rather disheveled.. So I did not think too much of this, I figured it was normal. That was an oversight of mine, that is unforgivable. But now is not the time for self-pity."

Denz nods his head. "Aye, two weeks, if not more that he has been gone. Beyond myself and our manservant, it is my knowledge you were the only other person who had visited him." Denz set his lips, trying not to sound blaming in his tone. "Do you know where he is?"

"N...No." Hikari shakes her head. "Since...since I came back from Doma, I haven't...I haven't really seen anyone at all… There...there wasn't any sign of where he had gone? And he left...he left his armor? His sword?"

"There are a few leads, musings, directions that we're being pointed in, though none of them are good. And no, he took nothing within when he left,” Denz recounted.

Beneath the dirt on Hikari’s face, the color drained away from her flesh. "Y...you don't...he wouldn't..."

"Wouldn't what?" Denz didn't even lead her on yet with their own clues collected.

“H...he wouldn't disappear someplace to do...uhm...to do something...to...you don't think..." She couldn't even bring herself to finish her thought, huddling into herself. Her chin lowered to her chest, the edge of her palm resting against her forehead. She trembled where she stood for a moment.

"We are unsure. Our recent leads have only shown us that he has taken a rather passionate interest in Kin- Voidsent." Adelise adds.

Hikari lifts her head again and blinks, eyes glistening from the formation of tears that hadn't yet fallen. "Voidsent?"

Denz blinks in surprise. He had always known the woman to be a tad awkward and quiet, but this was clearly something afflicting her emotionally. He gently went to put a hand on her arm, and gesture to the crate next to the name. "Uyra-" He clenched his face for a moment. Wrong name. "High-kari. Do you know -anything- that could help point us in the right direction? Our manservant was hesitant to say, but he saw Guillemont's behavior akin to that of a man possessed."

Hikari Inamoto shakes her head, struggling to keep herself together as she sat. "...No. I mean. He...Guillemont w...was pretty much always interested in...uhm...the darker side of things. At least, uhm...at least he always has been in the time that we've been friends...I don't...I..." Her face contorted, eyes squinting shut. She rested her elbows on her knees and bent forward, putting her head in her hands. "I-I sh...should have n-never have even left. I knew h...he was...having such...such a hard time..."

Denz looked at Adelise, eyebrows furrowing in pity for a moment, before crossing his arms in thought, musing to himself.

"You cannot berate yourself over this, Lady Hikari," Adelise affirms in a stern tone. "It will not fix what has happened, and it is not your fault. It is more his family's responsibility than yours, and we have all failed him. Even more so, it is his responsibility. But thinking on that will not bring him back."

"But I knew he sh...shouldn't have been left alone like that. After...after his arm was injured, he was so..." Hikari pauses, "If he...he didn't know what to even do with himself. Or how to live anymore...if he..."

"Did he tell you this as well?" Adelise asked with a narrow stare toward Denz.

"B...being a soldier was the only life he knew,” Hikari says quietly.

"He was a man bedridden by his wounds. I've been there as well, so I cannot be at fault for not thinking this would be the outcome." Denz shrugged his arms."He was studying history and magic, so he kept himself busy."

Hikari Inamoto sniffs an ugly sounding snort, smearing her face in whatever the cleanest part of her arm was.

"So he had told both of you, that he lost his will for life?" she asked incredulously. Shaking her head, Adelise exhaled through her nostrils akin to a scalekin. "There is nothing that can be done about this now, other than that we look for him. Next time either of you are told a person has lost their will, never leave them in that state without informing someone," she chides.

"H...he didn't...he didn't explicitly say..." Hikari began.

"Going missing, is the most beneficial of these evils. We are lucky to not have walked into his room to find him hanging!"

"I...I tried to..." Hikari flinches, drawing her lips into her mouth.

"Not everyone can help talk someone out of such a mindset, Lady Hikari," Adelise calms her tone, "but it is important those close to him be made more aware of the potentially deteriorating state he is in." Adelise sighs, rubbing her thumb and index to the bridge of her nose. "This is beside the point now though. What is important now is our strides in finding him. Did he not offer you any potential leads to his whereabouts?"

Denz furrows his eyebrows at Adelise. "Cease your chastising. It is getting us nowhere." He looked sidelong at Hikari. "You do not understand Guillemont as we have seen him. This is different, so we could not have foreseen this."

Motioning up a hand, Adelise held a dull expression, "already done, De'bayle," she remarks flatly.

Hikari shakes her head, not seeming at all reassured by anything Adelise had to say to her. When Denz speaks, however, she takes a breath to try to get a hold of herself again. "...No. I don't know where he could have been. I, uhm. I told him that he could still...still fight if he got to be skilled with magic, or he could become a trainer for new soldiers..."

"He was looking to investigate Red mage ruins in Gyr Abania." Denz shook his head. "From where I was taken, he is not there. The last bits of reading he seemed to be dwelling in were rituals and methods of summoning Voidsent."

"...Wh...what...uhm...what was that you said before about...s...someone said he looked like a man possessed?" Hikari asked.

"Our manservant, Gaspard. He was feeding Guillemont books and tomes on various nature to him, something he had taken to in his state. He would go through treatises and books within days and request more." Denz shrugs his arms. "Not exactly like Guillemont, but with nothing better to do..." He shakes his head. "I trust his words that Guillemont was not himself in those days. He was the one closest to him in his handicapped state."

Hikari listened, then adding, "Wh...when he got injured, do you think something else happened to him?"

"He was crippled by a Captain of the Skulls, those conscripted Ala Mhigans fighting for the Garleans. There was nothing but brute force behind the man, and no cursed weaponry involved anywhere. We checked." Denz stated.

Hikari Inamoto squints and wrinkles her nose, trying to think. "Was there...was there anything that he had taken with him when he left? A map, a book, an artifact, anything?"

Denz shook his head. "I don't know." He reached into his back pocket, taking out something he probably shouldn't have taken with him. It was a small silver medallion, a copper inlay of an eye in the center. It looked cheaply made and one of many, yet still seemed... off. He hands it over to her.

Adelise simply stood watching the interaction for the time being.

Hikari Inamoto blinks at the medallion. "Oh. That's..." She takes it in her hands, holding it over her lap. "I helped him dig for this. Early on when we met. He, uhm. He hired me to come along with him."

"It must be something precious to him then, if you two were close. That he would leave it behind..." Adelise taps the side of her fingers to her chin in thought.

Denz looks down at it carefully. "What is it?"

Hikari frowns shaking her head. "It's...an artifact." Clearly. "I don't remember what exactly it does or what it was supposed to do. It's been so long since then." Her thumbs run along the sides of the medallion, and she turns it around a few times in her hands. "I think I remember he had been contracted by someone else to search for it, but he must have...it must have fallen through, or not been the right thing they were looking for, if he still had it after all this time. I don't really remember m...many more details than that."

Denz nods his head as she speaks. Now they were making progress. "I need the name of the contractor, and the location where you two went searching."

"I...I can't remember the name, but if Guillemont keeps all of his letters or...or records of leves he takes...uhm...th...though I don't know why he...well, maybe, uh...tax purposes? I think you're supposed to...I'm not actually sure on that..." Hikari stops to consider. "B...but I remember exactly where we were digging."

Denz nods, holding out his hand for the medallion. "Alright. Adelise." He looked sidelong at his kin.

"It was in the Belah'dian ruins,” Hikari adds.

"Then that is where we will look," Adelise says firmly. "Shall we make haste there now? Or plan for an expedition there?"

Denz takes back up the medallion, pocketing it. "I'm going to question the Adventurer's guild for jobs regarding Belah'dian ruins. Most likely contracted in... Ul'dah." Denz says this with a bit of a sour tone. "I'm not keen to leave her in this state. Could you take her back to the house? Help see her cleaned up? If nothing else, Guillemont would be appalled if we simply left his close friend like this."

"Indeed. You will be coming with me, Lady Hikairi," Adelise remarked in more an order than a request. "I can see you are feeling a bit... lost yourself. Whether my cousin had requested it or not, I would not have left you like this."

"I...I don't remember if the job was one that was contracted through the Guild or not..." Still covered in mud, unwashed and sullen faced, Hikari looked between the both of them. "...Wh...what are you talking about? I'm...uhm. I'm j...just fine. I-I don't want to make...to be any trouble..."

His eyes cut to her harshly, perhaps mimicking Adelise's icy glare. It was not negotiable.

"Not a very convincing argument, my Lady," Adelise adds lamely. "If we thought you were trouble, we would not take you with us."

Hikarl wilts and mumbles out a tepid, "okay."

The knight loses his look quickly, placing a hand on her arm. "We'll find him, Hikari." With that, Denz nods to Adelise and curtly spins about to leave, heading southward... Until he ran back to collect his helmet.

Adelise had securely fastened her helm to her belt, "I will be your escort this evening, my Lady," she offers her an arm, "shall we?"

Hikari carefully extends her arm to Adelise, abashedly wiping some of the grime away from her hand first. She nods wordlessly.

The young woman hardly seemed to mind the Highlanders filth as she simply went about leading them forward.

The rest of the night came with a great deal of conversation. And piqued interest...

#The Dragon & the Hare #Journal #The Truancy of Guillemont

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bountyofbeads · 5 years ago

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/what-you-missed-while-not-watching-day-7-of-the-impeachment-inquiry-drama/2019/09/30/24a38cf0-e38c-11e9-a6e8-8759c5c7f608_story.html

Here’s a guide to standout moments from another newsy day in the impeachment drama engulfing the Trump presidency. This does not include Mike Pompeo flying to Italy with Nazi Sébastian Gorka flying aboard the taxpayer trip:🤢🤬🤬🤬

What you missed while not watching Day 7 of the impeachment inquiry drama

By Michael Scherr | Published September 30 at 8:15 PM | Washington Post | Posted September 30, 2019 |

Here’s a guide to standout moments from another newsy day in the drama engulfing the Trump presidency:

6:08 a.m. Seven days into the impeachment morass, former government officials have begun to speak up without hewing to partisan talking points. On Sunday, the new face was President Trump’s former homeland security adviser Thomas Bossert, who went on ABC News to say he was “deeply disturbed” by Trump’s call to Ukraine. He also said it was “far from proven” that Trump withheld foreign aid as part of an effort to dig up dirt on former vice president Joe Biden. Today the new voice is former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst, a veteran of the George W. Bush administration, who tries to drop some historical context on NPR listeners. “This is highly abnormal,” Herbst says of Trump’s July call with Ukraine.

6:12 a.m. Herbst also contradicts the Trump argument that Biden did something wrong by pushing to fire Viktor Shokin, a Ukrainian prosecutor who once investigated a company that employed Biden's son. Herbst says Shokin was an untrustworthy “corrupt prosecutor,” who the United States, the European Union, the International Monetary Fund and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development all wanted out of the job. Herbst also notes that the Shokin affidavit saying Biden’s concerns over his son’s company caused his firing was written to aid attorneys for Dmytro Firtash, an oligarch U.S. officials are seeking to extradite on a warrant of bribery. “The folks who are pushing this conspiracy theory are citing this as proof,” Herbst says of the affidavit. “And in fact it undermines their position.”

8:32 a.m. Kate Bedingfield, Biden’s deputy campaign manager, is asked a question that will not go away anytime soon. Does the former vice president have any regrets about not keeping son Hunter Biden from working for the Ukrainian firm while Biden oversaw Ukrainian policy at the White House? “No, because he didn’t do anything wrong,” Bedingfield says of the younger Biden on CNN’s “New Day.”

8:46 a.m. Former senator Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), who quit after undermining his reelection hopes by opposing Trump, calls on other Republican senators “to risk your careers in favor of your principles.” In a Washington Post opinion piece, he describes removing Trump from office through impeachment as a tough call, but argues that opposing Trump’s reelection is a moral necessity. “Trust me when I say that you can go elsewhere for a job,” he writes. “But you cannot go elsewhere for a soul.”

9:44 a.m. Attorneys for the whistleblower who launched this process share a letter sent Saturday to the Director of National Intelligence. “The purpose of this letter is to formally notify you of serious concerns we have regarding our client’s personal safety,” it reads. The concerns were created by Trump. “I want to know . . . who’s the person that gave the whistleblower the information, because that’s close to a spy,” the president said Thursday at an event in New York. “You know what we used to do in the old days when we were smart? Right? With spies and treason, right? We used to handle them a little differently than we do now.”

10:36 a.m. The president’s 2016 opponent Hillary Clinton takes a stab at Trump’s Twitter crown with a seven-word tweet devoid of context. “The president is a corrupt human tornado,” it reads. She premiered the meteorological epithet last week with CBS News.

11:07 a.m. Letters have become as hip as tweets. Republican Sens. Charles E. Grassley (Iowa) and Ron Johnson (Wis.), release a new missive, dated Friday. The senators ask Attorney General William P. Barr to reveal any Justice Department investigation into alleged efforts by Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign or her allies to get Ukrainians to help dig up dirt on Trump and his former campaign manager, Paul Manafort. “Ukrainian efforts, abetted by a U.S. political party, to interfere in the 2016 election should not be ignored,” the senators write. Ukrainian officials have denied any effort to help Clinton in the 2016 election.

11:18 a.m. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) goes on CNBC to confirm what his office has previously made clear. If the House impeaches Trump, the Senate must hold a trial under Senate rule and precedent. “I would have no choice but to take it up,” McConnell says. This will come as a disappointment to Diamond and Silk, who call themselves “Trump’s Most Loyal Supporters” on Twitter. A few hours ago, they called on the GOP to “enforce the rules to end the games,” by which they meant McConnell should ignore the rules and not take up impeachment.

11:21 a.m. Ukraine’s former top law enforcement official Yuri Lutsenko, who took over after Shokin was fired, recounts yet again the efforts by Trump to pressure him to investigate the Biden family. In an interview in Kiev with the Los Angeles Times, Lutsenko says he told Trump lawyer Rudolph W. Giuliani there was no evidence that the former vice president or his son had broken Ukrainian laws. “I told him I could not start an investigation just for the interests of an American official,” he said. This restates comments he made to The Post last week. Earlier this year, Lutsenko told a conservative columnist for The Hill newspaper that he would be happy to share what he knew with Barr.

12:36 p.m. Trump’s Twitter tally today stands at 13 so far. He has denounced the “witch hunt,” called the whistleblower “Fake Whistleblower” and declared “the Bidens were corrupt!” He also raised the possibility that Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) should be arrested “for treason” for using words Trump never spoke to dramatize the president’s call to Ukraine. Trump tweets #fakewhistleblower in an effort to get the hashtag trending, but at the moment the top trending tags include #civilwarsignup and #civilwar2, both references to another tweet the president sent Sunday quoting a pastor warning of a “civil warlike fracture” if Trump is ever removed from office. Most of these tweets are not from Team Trump.

12:49 p.m. Another data point from the political twitter wars: Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) has about 25,700 retweets on his reaction to Trump’s civil war tweet, which reads, “@realDonaldTrump I have never imagined such a quote to be repeated by a President. This is beyond repugnant.” Trump’s original tweet, by contrast, only has 17,200 retweets.

2:39 p.m. In an Oval Office pool spray, Trump makes television of his morning tweets. “We’re trying to find out about a whistleblower,” Trump says. This may run counter to the whistleblower protections that are codified in law and rule. “In recognition of the importance of whistleblowing and whistleblowers to the effectiveness and efficiency of government, whistleblowing is protected by Federal laws, policies and regulations,” reads a Web page maintained by the Director of National Intelligence. “These protections ensure that lawful whistleblowers are protected from reprisal as a result of their Protected Disclosure.”

3:05 p.m. A national poll by Quinnipiac University finds that the share of American voters who support impeaching Trump has grown from 37 percent to 47 percent over one week. Among closely watched independents, the share opposing impeachment fell from 58 percent to 50 percent over the same period, while the share supporting impeachment rose from 34 percent to 42 percent. In a separate question, voters support the impeachment inquiry of Trump by a margin of 52 percent to 45 percent. That number closely tracks with Trump’s overall approval in the poll, with 53 percent disapproving of the way he is handling his job and 41 percent approving.

3:30 p.m. Schiff signs a fundraising text for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Rest assured I won’t back down from holding the president accountable, and neither will my Democratic colleagues,” he writes. “That’s why I’m reaching out.” The ask is $5.

3:55 p.m. The House Intelligence, Oversight and Foreign Affairs committees release a subpoena demanding documents from Giuliani and three of his business associates. The documents concern 23 separate items, including communications about potential meetings with Barr or any of his associates.

4 p.m. CNN releases new national polling that closely tracks the Quinnipiac numbers. Young people are particularly drawn to the effort, with 65 percent younger than 35 saying they want to impeach and remove Trump from office, compared with 43 percent who felt that way in May.

4:07 p.m. The afternoon news dump begins. The Wall Street Journal reports that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo took part in the July phone call between Trump and the new president of Ukraine. The source is a senior State Department official.

4:19 p.m. The New York Times reports that Trump pushed Australia’s prime minister to help gather information that he hopes will discredit the investigation by former special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. The sources are two American officials with knowledge of the call. Australian officials tipped off the FBI in 2016 to alleged Russian overtures to a Trump campaign foreign policy adviser. The Russians were said to have boasted about having dirt on Clinton.

5:11 p.m. The Post reports that Barr has held private meetings overseas with foreign intelligence officials seeking their help in a Justice Department inquiry that Trump hopes will discredit U.S. intelligence analysis of Russian interference in the 2016 election. This includes overtures to British, Australian and Italian officials. The sources are people familiar with the matter.

What you missed while not watching Day 3 of President Trump’s impeachment drama

Acting director of national intelligence Joseph Maguire testifies before the House Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill on Thursday. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

By Michael Scherr | Published September 26, 2019 | Washington Post| Posted September 30, 2019 |

This is what you missed if you weren’t watching Day 3 of the impeachment inquiry into President Trump:

6:07 a.m. A weary nation awakens to find its combatants emerging from cable news makeup chairs, ready for battle. It’s been two days since Democrats announced they would pursue the impeachment of President Trump, and one day since the White House released call records showing Trump had urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to help find dirt on a political rival. Today, the acting director of national intelligence will testify, and there are already reports that the whistleblower complaint at the center of the Ukraine scandal has been declassified and will be released shortly. Here we go.

6:33 a.m. Impeachment is legally prescribed by the Constitution, but political in practice and therefore made for TV. The judges and jurors all hold elected office. They answer to the American voters, most of whom have better things to do right now, like make breakfast and get their kids out the door. Morning Joe talks about Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) saying Wednesday that the whistleblower allegations against Trump are “very troubling.” Fox and Friends plays clips of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) opposing President Bill Clinton’s impeachment in 1998. “It doesn’t matter about facts. It doesn’t matter about truth,” says Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) in an appearance on the show. He means that Democrats have no scruples.

8:03 a.m. Starting the day at his Fifth Avenue penthouse, Trump fires off a fusillade of tweets, landing faster than they can be read. He wants people to know what his pundit friends, family and Republican operatives think. All seem to agree it is perfectly fine for Trump to ask Ukraine’s leader to help the Justice Department and his personal attorney investigate a rival candidate for president, as the phone call summary revealed Wednesday. First daughter Ivanka Trump is proud of her president. Vice President Pence thinks Trump “has been completely vindicated.” Former daytime talk show host Geraldo Rivera suggests Trump’s reelection is now more likely. “STICK TOGETHER, PLAY THEIR GAME, AND FIGHT HARD REPUBLICANS. OUR COUNTRY IS AT STAKE!” reads one Trump tweet, which is later deleted.

8:41 a.m. The House Intelligence Committee drops the whistleblower repo rt. The complaint confirms, with detailed notation, the outlines of charges Democrats have leveled against Trump. The central allegation is that the president is “using the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country in the 2020 U.S. election.” In a new disclosure, the document describes a political effort by unnamed senior White House officials to “lock down” all records of the phone call between Trump and Ukraine’s president by moving paper records to a “codeword-level” computer system. It also describes separate alleged efforts by the Trump administration to get Ukraine to “play ball” in the spring. It provides a detailed analysis of the internal Ukrainian politics Trump has allegedly been trying to manipulate for months.

9:13 a.m. As everyone struggles to make sense of the document, Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) opens a hearing of the House Intelligence Committee. The witness is Joseph Maguire, the acting director of national intelligence, who previously decided not to give the whistleblower report to Congress, as the law seemingly requires, after consulting the White House and Justice Department. Schiff wears his serious face. He says the Trump call to Ukraine “read like a classic organized crime shakedown.” Then, instead of reading from the document, he decides to dramatize it with made up words from an imaginary mob boss. “I’m going to say this only seven times, so you better listen good,” Schiff says. “I want you to make up dirt on my political opponent understand.” This is, Schiff says, “the most consequential form of tragedy.”

9:22 a.m. The committee’s ranking Republican, Rep. Devin Nunes (Calif.), congratulates Democrats on the “rollout of their latest information warfare operation against the president.” He talks about the “Democrat’s mania to overturn the 2016 elections,” and uses the words “hoax,” “fake story,” “hysteria,” “frenzy,” “gambit,” “charade,” and “grotesque spectacle.” He also falsely asserts that former vice president Joe Biden “bragged that he extorted the Ukrainians into firing a prosecutor who happened to be investigating Biden’s own son.” Biden did push to fire a prosecutor who had previously investigated a firm on where his son, Hunter Biden, worked. But Biden and other Western officials said the prosecutor was not sufficiently pursuing corruption cases. The investigation into the firm was dormant at the time and Hunter Biden had not been accused of wrongdoing, according to former Ukrainian and U.S. officials.

9:29 a.m. Maguire describes his work history, taking note that he has 11 times sworn an oath to the Constitution. “No one can take an individual’s integrity away,” he says. “It can only be given away.” Then he explains two reasons that he did not give the whistleblower complaint to Congress, after consulting with the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel and the White House. First, he said he was advised by the Justice Department that it could contain privileged information about the internal workings of the executive branch. Second, there was a question of whether the complaint fell inside his purview because it concerned behavior by the president who is “outside the intelligence community.” At the same time, he is pleased that the information is now public. He says the whistleblower has behaved lawfully and “acted in good faith.”

9:44 a.m. For the next several hours, Maguire takes questions from members of Congress, most of which consist of efforts by Republicans or Democrats to score points for their teams.

11:18 a.m. Pelosi takes the stage at the Capitol building to announce that she is sad, prayerful and patriotic. She tries to put a headline on the now-released whistleblower report. “This is a coverup,” she says, in reference to the claim that White House officials tried to move information to a highly classified computer system. She also says the acting director of national intelligence “broke the law” by not immediately turning over the whistleblower complaint. Then she quotes Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine.

11:45 a.m. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) takes the same stage before the same flags with another patriotic message. “America is too great for a vision so small of just impeachment and investigation,” he says. He attacks Pelosi for opening an inquiry before the records of the call to the Ukrainian president were released. “Let’s be very clear — the president did not ask to investigate Joe Biden,” McCarthy says. This is not clear at all. In the call summary released by the White House, Trump tells Ukraine’s president, “There’s a lot of talk about Biden’s son, that Biden stopped the prosecution and a lot of people want to find out about that so whatever you can do with the Attorney General would be great.” When a reporter points this out, McCarthy stands his ground. “What you’re reading and what you’re trying to — my belief is you are misstating,” McCarthy says.

11:50 a.m. The Associated Press moves a story saying Vermont Gov. Phil Scott just declared himself the first Republican chief executive in the nation to support impeachment proceedings against Trump.

12:47 p.m. The Los Angeles Times publishes a story quoting from a private speech Trump gave this morning at a New York hotel. In an audio recording taken from the room, Trump calls reporters “scum” and attacks the unidentified whistleblower, suggesting that he has committed a crime historically punished by death. “I want to know who’s the person, who’s the person who gave the whistleblower the information? Because that’s close to a spy,” Trump says in the recording. “You know what we used to do in the old days when we were smart? Right? The spies and treason, we used to handle it a little differently than we do now.”

12:48 p.m. The cable networks start showing a hallway news conference by Schiff, just as Air Force One, carrying the president back from New York, makes its final approach at Joint Base Andrews. Trump immediately tweets, “Adam B. Schiff has no credibility. Another fantasy to hurt the Republican Party!” On television, Schiff says his team will keep working on Trump’s impeachment over the next two weeks, when the rest of Congress heads home for a recess.

12:52 p.m. A reporter at the Capitol asks Schiff about Trump’s four-minute-old, in-flight insult tweet. “I’m always flattered when I’m attacked by someone of the president’s character,” Schiff says, before ducking into an office.

1 p.m. With Schiff off television, Trump steps off the plane to address reporters. “Adam B. Schiff doesn’t talk about Joe Biden and his son walking away with millions of dollars from Ukraine, and then millions of dollars from China,” Trump says. This is an inaccurate statement. Hunter Biden did collect significant income from a Ukrainian company, but there is no evidence Joe Biden made money from either country, and Hunter Biden’s lawyer denies that he made any money from a China investment deal he advised. Trump says three times that his call with the Ukrainian president was “perfect.” “Absolutely perfect phone call,” he says.

1:54 p.m. The New York Times reports that the whistleblower is a CIA officer who was detailed to the White House.

2:21 p.m. The Washington Post updates its tally of House members who now support the opening of an impeachment inquiry. The new tally notches 219 Democrats and Rep. Justin Amash (I-Mich.), who announced this summer that he had left the Republican Party. A simple majority of 218 members is required to adopt articles of impeachment and prompt a Senate trial of the president.

3:35 p.m. Joe Biden’s presidential campaign releases a statement quoting the former vice president’s appearance the night before on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Biden said then that Trump’s efforts were “18 out of 10” on the outlandish scale. Kate Bedingfield, Biden’s deputy campaign manager, says Biden deserves indirect credit for Trump’s dealings with Ukraine. “It is all borne from his deep, fully substantiated fear that Joe Biden will beat him in November 2020,” she says.

3:44 p.m. CBS News announces that former secretary of state Hillary Clinton called Trump a “corrupt human tornado” in a new interview. She supports an impeachment inquiry.

4:28 p.m. Former director of national intelligence James R. Clapper Jr., a longtime critic of Trump, says on CNN that the president’s morning comments comparing the whistleblower to a treasonous spy is “witness retaliation.” “What’s really bad about it is this is going to have a very chilling effect on any other potential whistleblowers,” Clapper says.

7:02 p.m. The evening spin time begins. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), a candidate for president, appears on MSNBC to throw a bunch of punches. She calls Trump a “lawless president.” She calls the situation “outrageous.” She calls the White House “a racket.” She says there was a “coverup.” After a clip of Trump talking plays, she adds, “He sounds like a criminal.”

8:28 p.m. Former House speaker Newt Gingrich goes on Fox News to say that Democrats are making “a really bad decision” that will ultimately destroy Biden’s presidential campaign. Gingrich is qualified to make this claim because he lost his job running Congress after pushing the impeachment of President Clinton. What went wrong? “What happens is you get in a room, you are surrounded by your partisans, you only listen to yourself,” Gingrich tells Tucker Carlson and the primetime Fox audience.

9:01 p.m. Sean Hannity offers a coda on the day — a “Fox News Alert” — to say that everything that just happened didn’t matter. “The real story. The real corruption,” Hannity announces. “None of it, zero has to do with President Trump.” Stay tuned. He has a special report on Biden. We are just getting started.

What you missed while not watching Day 4 of President Trump’s impeachment drama

By Michael Scherr | Published September 27, 2019 | Washington Post | Posted September 30, 2019 |

Here’s a guide to standout moments from another newsy day in the drama engulfing the Trump presidency:

7:21 a.m. It’s Day 4 of the impeachment effort, and President Trump wants everyone to know he has done nothing wrong. His early tweets contain some typos, including a double preposition. “I had a simple and very nice call with with the new President of Ukraine, it could not have been better or more honorable, and the Fake News Media and Democrats, working as a team, have fraudulently made it look bad,” he writes. A White House spokesman, Hogan Gidley, goes on “Fox & Friends” to deny reporting from multiple news outlets that White House staff were alarmed by the call. “No one I’ve talked to is concerned at all about this,” Gidley says.

7:31 a.m. Trump’s chief adversary, House Speaker Nanci Pelosi (D-Calif.), makes her first public appearance of the day, arriving at an MSNBC set on a rooftop across from the U.S. Capitol. On “Morning Joe,” Day 4 is a special event. Rising sun. Brisk fall breeze. Pelosi has come with a glittery American flag brooch and talking points to hammer like a nail gun: “This is about national security.” “This is a sad time for our country.” “We have to be prayerful.” “He gave us no choice.” Attorney General William P. Barr has “gone rogue.” The bottom line: “The president of the United States used taxpayer dollars to shake down the leader of another country for his own political gain. The rest of it is ancillary.”

8:29 a.m. Trump calls on Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) to resign and “be investigated” for reading a fake transcript of the president’s call with Ukraine at a hearing yesterday. In Trump’s telling, Schiff was “supposedly reading the exact transcribed version” and “GOT CAUGHT.” Schiff, who as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee is emerging as a key point person in the impeachment drama, had actually been a bit more nuanced. He introduced the fabulism by calling it “the essence of what the president communicates.” The moment was nonetheless potentially misleading, especially because sound bites are regularly chopped without context on social media.

9:04 a.m. The White House releases a memo headlined, “The swamp is beyond parody, but the American people aren’t laughing.” The argument is that Democrats are spending their time on a “political circus” instead of “real, pressing concerns” such as strong border security, real gun safety, affordable prescription drug prices and a new North American trade deal. “You can’t make this stuff up,” the memo reads.

10:20 a.m. Not much happening at the moment. A good time to catch up on the stories you might have missed last night. A Washington Post deep dive into former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani’s efforts to cultivate “a bevy” of current and former prosecutors in Ukraine. A Post visual guide to everyone mentioned in the whistleblower report. The Atlantic’s captivating interview with Giuliani, which Elaina Plott conducted from the back of an Uber. “It is impossible that the whistleblower is a hero and I’m not,” Giuliani told Plott. “And I will be the hero! These morons. When this is over, I will be the hero.”

10:37 a.m. Sen. Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.), whose presidential campaign has been struggling to gain traction, calls for an investigation of the State Department’s apparent role in Giuliani’s meetings with Ukranian officials. She cites Giuliani’s appearance the night before on Fox News, in which he showed text messages he claimed to be from State Department officials urging him to reach out. Harris also addresses a tweet to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, telling him to “instruct State Department staff to preserve any communications involving” Giuliani.

10:50 a.m. CNN reports the White House had offered a statement confirming a central allegation of the whistleblower complaint: Records of Trump’s call with Ukraine were moved to a separate server inside the White House. National Security Council lawyers “directed that the classified document be handled appropriately,” the White House statement reads.

11:21 a.m. Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton takes a shot at Trump during an appearance at Georgetown University. “Now we know that in the course of his duties as president, he has endangered us all by putting his personal and political interests ahead of the interests of the American people,” she says.

11:30 a.m. Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law and a senior adviser on his campaign, goes on Fox News to say Democrats are “unfortunately” tarnishing their name and overplaying their hand. “Just because it might not have been something every president would have said doesn’t make it an impeachable offense,” she says of the president’s phone call to Ukraine.

11:40 a.m. The Senate convenes for a pro forma session, which is like opening a store but locking the cash register. Nothing can really happen. Like members of the House, senators began a two-week break today. Schiff has said his staff will continue working during the break.

12:14 p.m. The Post reports that a group of lawmakers in Ukraine are seeking to launch a new probe into Burisma Holdings, the gas company where Joe Biden’s son Hunter served on the board during his father’s time as vice president. The younger Biden has not been accused of wrongdoing.

12:53 p.m. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) becomes the last Democratic candidate for president who has qualified for the October debate to announce that she supports impeachment proceedings against Trump. She had been attacked Thursday night on this point by the primary opponent running for her House seat. “This inquiry must be swift, thorough, and narrowly-focused,” Gabbard says in a statement shared by a campaign adviser. “It cannot be turned into a long, protracted partisan circus that will further divide our country and undermine our democracy.”

2:17 p.m. The House Appropriations and Budget committees announce sending a letter to the White House demanding documents and answers by next week regarding the Trump administration’s “involvement in the withholding of foreign aid, including nearly $400 million in crucial security assistance funding for Ukraine.”

2:30 p.m. The Associated Press alerts that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has previously committed to holding a trial of Trump if the House votes to impeach him. “If the House were to act, the Senate immediately goes into a trial,” McConnell told NPR in March. The regular rules for conducting an impeachment trial in the Senate are spelled out in the United States Senate Manual, and they include lots of specificity: When the House delivers the impeachment articles, the senate sergeant at arms must proclaim the following words, “All persons are commanded to keep silence, on pain of imprisonment, while the House of Representatives is exhibiting to the Senate of the United States articles of impeachment against” whoever is being impeached. The chief justice of the United States “shall preside,” and the doors to the chamber “shall be kept open,” unless directed otherwise for deliberation.

3:41 p.m. Trump previews how he hopes the impeachment fight will play out in the 2020 election if Biden becomes the Democratic nominee. He posts a 30-second campaign ad. “Biden promised Ukraine a billion dollars if they fired the prosecutor investigating his son’s company,” the narrator says, over ominous music. “But when President Trump asks Ukraine to investigate corruption, the Democrats want to impeach him.” Much of this is misleading. Biden threatened to withhold aid that had been promised to Ukraine if it did not fire the prosecutor; he did not promise to give $1 billion for doing so. The Ukranian prosecutor in question did not have an active investigation of the company where Biden’s son worked at the time. Biden’s son was never a subject of the investigation. The Democrat’s current impeachment investigation focuses on Trump’s specific request to the current Ukrainian president for aid in an investigation of Biden, his political rival. Such details might get lost in a war of sound bites and paid advertising.

4:03 p.m. The House Foreign Affairs, Intelligence and Oversight committees announce a new subpoena of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for documents related to the Ukraine investigation that were requested earlier this month and never delivered. The letter concludes by alleging that Pompeo’s continued refusal to provide the documents “impairs Congress’ ability to fulfill its Constitutional responsibilities to protect our national security and the integrity of our democracy.”

4:58 p.m. The Washington Post reports that Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal attorney who has been helping lead Ukraine outreach, is scheduled to make a paid appearance at a Kremlin backed conference in Armenia. Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to attend. Giuliani declined to say how much he will make. “I will try to not knowingly talk to a Russian until this is all over,” he says.

6:09 p.m. Giuliani tells reporters he will no longer attend the conference. “Just found out Putin was going and I don’t need to give the Swamp press more distractions,” he tells The Post in a text message.

6:10 p.m. Kurt Volker, Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, has resigned, reports the State Press, the student newspaper of Arizona State University. Volker is also the director of ASU’s McCain Institute for International Leadership. Giuliani had posted a reputed text message exchange with Volker on Thursday and boasted on television of their communications. House leaders announced Friday that they planned to interview Volker next week.

8:26 p.m. More comes out. The Washington Post reports that Trump told two Russian officials in a 2017 Oval Office meeting that he was unconcerned about Russian interference in the 2016 election. This assertion prompted alarm in the White House, leading officials to limit access to the remarks to an unusually small number of people. The source of this information is three former officials with knowledge of the matter.

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