#i had to take a lot of liberies with this sorry ><

[johannstutt413]

(requested by mathmaticalknight)

Blemishine was in the Engineering Department, hiding from Zofia with her fellow tech-heads as she often did, the day she first encountered the Nian. She’d heard rumors about the meandering meddling metallurgist and her amorphous armaments, but it was only when the Doctor finally gave in and let her work with the Department that the Kuranta came into contact with her.

“Workshop #3 just sent up the results from their latest alloy test,” Passenger reported matter-of-factly. “No progress.”

“I’m definitely starting to see why we haven’t figured this thing out. It’s like the metal is...alive.” Blemishine was watching VODs of Nian’s combat performance to try and get some new data-

-which meant she was the perfect target when the real Nian arrived and glanced over her shoulder. “Well, you look like you’re having fun.”

“She’s incredible, isn’t she?” The knight looked over her shoulder, realized it was THE Nian standing over her, and with a blush said, “You’re incredible.”

“A lot of people don’t trust me, that’s true. I’m gonna borrow her, alright, Elliot?”

The Liberi waved an arm. “Bring her back in one piece.”

“Oh, you know I’d never hurt a hair on her head.” She hooked one of her arms under one of the Kuranta’s and pulled her out of her chair. “Let’s go.”

“Ehh? O-okay! I’ll be back, Passenger!” And without any resistance, Maria was off on an adventure.

At least, she thought that’s what was happening, though the Nian didn’t exactly explain as they walked through the corridors of Rhodes Island in the direction of the shuttle bay. “What’s your name, kid? I haven’t seen you around much.”

“Blemishine’s my codename, but you can call me Maria.” Honestly, she’d prefer the latter. “Is it true you’re not a Rhodes Island employee? I know you spend a lot of time in Engineering, and I mean, you’d have to be a smith to have a weapon as cool as yours, but I’ve never seen you in person before.”

“Closure offered me a job, but that’s not why I’m here. You like shopping? We’re heading into town.” Now wasn’t the time for worrying about the future; she did that plenty on her own, especially with Dusk around now.

The knight shrugged. “Auntie and I go every now and again, and when I needed new parts for my projects I’d go out to get them, but since I started helping out at the Department I don’t have as much time for that.”

“Projects?” Nian smiled to herself. “Like trying to recreate my weapon? I hope y’all figure it out.”

“Oh, that’s for the Workshop, it’s fun but not really the kind of thing I’d do in my free time, you know? I’m a mechanic at heart, and now that I’m working for the Department, maybe they’ll let me supe up one of the shuttles. I used to have a car that could get some real speed going before I became a competition knight...”

Thinking about the past was just as bad, but fortunately they’d reached the shuttles. “So you wanna mess around with one of these?”

“We’re here already? And yeah, that’d be really fun! They don’t run on quite the same intake system I’m used to, and I’d have to make some openings in the hood to fit everything on I’d need to, and then there’s the nitrous canisters- oh, there I go again.” Blemishine didn’t know many people who actually wanted to listen to her talk about this kind of stuff. “Sorry about that!”

“What do you mean? Keep going! I hate when people try to tamp down on their enthusiasm just to make other people happy, and you were really building up steam there.” Plus, she was super cute when she got excited.

Maria blushed again. “Alright, but only because you asked. So obviously we’d have to start with taking one of these babies apart - I think I could get Broca to help out with that, it really takes two people to get a car onto a maintenance lift when you’re trying to keep the engine cool - because they won’t let me look at the schematics yet even though I asked Closure specifically if I could...”

The entire drive into town was essentially like that; the knight went into the blow-by-blow description of what she wanted the shuttle to look like under the hood when she was done, and Nian only occasionally interrupted with an insight or a question to help her along. She was impressed with how much the Kuranta actually knew despite not having much opportunity to act on that knowledge back in Kazimierz (Nearl’s sister, no question about where she was from), but more than that, she was reminded of some of her old acquaintances who used to get the same gleams in their eyes when talking about sword-smithing or armor-forging. This girl wasn’t like her usual kidnappees for sure.

“-Hey, Nian?” Blemishine looked out the window. “I think we drove past town.”

“Did we? Shit, I guess we did.”

They weren’t turning around. “Are we gonna keep going?”

“Just a little bit.” The Nian smiled to herself. “I was going to take you shopping, but since we’ve been talking about cars, there’s a place I wanna show you. Might help out with this plan you’ve got.”

“Oh, it’s not really a plan, just some ide- is that a junkyard? Out here?!”A sign poked out from behind a dune. Looks like her birthday’d come around early this year.

The smith laughed. “You sound like a kid going to the candy store.”

“Candy can’t take you a hundred kilometers away in an hour, though, and that’s much more exciting than some sugar!” Maria giggled. “Not that I’m against sugar.”

“I can take it or leave it. There was one place I visited that had these cinnamon-pepper candies; those were more my style. Speaking of style...” They pulled into the lot, broken-down vehicles already visible from the entrance, and the tour began.

Well, less of a tour and more of a scavenging run; this wasn’t a museum, after all, and Nian never left home without a few tools. The Kuranta popped the hood on the first ground-level car within eyesight, putting on a pair of goggles and pulling a tool roll seemingly out of thin air. “This one’s in great condition; how’d you end up, little guy? Don’t worry, we’ll be gentle. Hey, Nian, could you help me roll this one forward a bit?”

“I’ve gotcha.” She popped open the door on one side, Blemishine did the same on the other, and the two pushed the car to where there was plenty of room on all sides. “Looking for something specific?”

“Just want to double-check a few things. How’d one of RI’s shuttles end up out here, do you think? I mean, if we had the keys, I’m sure we could get this one to run again, no problem...Do you hear that?”

The Nian sighed. “The rustling from over there? I heard.”

“Hands up!” A gruff voice barked as a small gang of bandits mobilized from behind other junk piles, crossbows trained on the pair. “Thanks for the fresh wheels, ladies. Toss us the keys and leave, and we won’t have to get nasty.”

“What kind of gang sets up shop in a junkyard? You can’t possibly make enough stops to survive,” Maria observed, hands still below her head.

The presumed leader, a Sankta with a black halo, spat on the ground. “Don’t change the subject. Hands, up, or your pretty little friend gets it.”

“Which one of us is little?” The other Defender asked casually, a pool of silver forming around her feet. “We’re about the same height, after all.”

“...Well, boys, can’t say I tried.” The Sankta fired at the Kuranta-

-and missed, partially because his target rolled out of the way, and partially because there was now a lump of metal where his Adam’s apple had been. Nian’s malleable murder-metal formed a curtain around her as she started walking forward with a smile. “Well, boys, you picked the wrong couple to rob.”

“Couple?” Blemishine asked as she reemerged from cover, sword and shield at the ready. “A couple of what?”

“A couple of-” At that moment, a bolt detonated against her tectonic armor, blasting shrapnel through and into her shoulder, and the Beast awoke.

A few minutes later, after the junkyard had had a proper bloodbath, the Nian was sitting on the hood of the car they’d rolled out while Maria patched her up. “Exploding bolts? That’s higher grade gear than your average bandit, isn’t it?” The knight asked

“Probably. Not that we’ve got to worry about it now.” She felt the debris-free gashes knitting back together in the Kuranta’s light. “I need a snack after that. Mind if we head back to town?”

“Nah, I don’t mind; there’s an ice cream shop that Surtr recommended I’ve been meaning to try. We can get a milkshake with two straws, like in the movies.”

Nian would have rolled her eyes if that didn’t sound like something she wanted to try. “You’re the first person I’ve dragged out with me who wanted to make a date out of it.”

“You’re the one who called us a couple,” Maria replied with a momentary smirk. Momentary because she wanted her next words to have the proper gravitas. “But I meant what I said earlier. You really are an incredible person, Nian, and now that we’ve gotten a chance to talk, I know it’s not your weapon we should be trying to emulate at the shop, but your spirit.”

“...I haven’t heard praise like that in a long time.” The Nian slid off the car.

Blemishine stepped off to walk back to their shuttle as the other Defender took her hand. “I don’t know if I’d call it ‘praise-’”

“What else do you call complimenting a goddess?” That stopped the knight in her tracks as Nian walked around her. “And praise of that calibre deserves a blessing.”

“You’re seri-” Whatever thought Maria had loaded up crashed to desktop as the ‘blessing’ in question turned out to be a kiss.

It was a good thing the smith’s eyes had closed before their lips connected; she might’ve gone blind from the Kuranta’s flash of light otherwise.

[luna-lime]

The deal that's "13 reasons why" part I

I've been dying to watch season 3 since the last season ended. It ended with a cliffhanger, they left us with the image of Clay Jensen, standing in-front of the gym with a gun in his hands. With Tyler, who was beyond damaged and had his motives. With Jessica and Justin's uncertain future, so Alex's too. They left us wondering about Chloë and her pregnancy with Bryce's baby. I just remember how the last shot faded away, just as Hannah Baker. We let her go, just like Clay did. And to be fair and honest with you, I loved Hannah back and beyond. She grew on me you guys, she really did. I am not saying that every reason what she stated as a reason for her suicide was subjective, but that's the past. Hannah is gone, forever really and the others have to deal with consequences of her death and their part in it, no matter how big or small it is. I thought we would get gun violence in the next season, maybe something about Tyler's motives. But we got a whole bunch of a different story. 

This story is Bryce Walker's story. His redemption story, his arch to finish. When the first announcement came, with the hastag #whokilledbrycewalker I remember feeling, good about him being dead. I know this sounds so bad, even if he is just a fictional character. But people like him do exist, so basically he isn't too fictional, now is he? Everyone wanted Bryce to pay for what he has done to Jessica, Hannah, Chloë and a bunch of other girls. I am saying it right here and right now: TAKING AN ADVANTAGE OF A GIRL/BOY, NO MATTER IF CONCIOUS OR NOT IS NOT OKAY. SHOULDN'T BE TOLERATED AND CAN SCAR ONE FOR LIFE. Or take their life for that matter. We are like the kids from Libery High School. We despise the one named Bryce Walker. For two season, Bryce was the main antagonist of the series, without any sign of change. He was lying on the trial for Hannah Baker about their relationship. He wanted Hannah, genuinely. That was the first time I felt, like maybe Bryce can have a soft side and be actually nice. You all remember that right? He cared for Hannah, he liked Hannah in the beginning. But his ego couldn't take the rejection she gave him, to be just "friends". So he did what he knew best, getting what he wanted the way he wanted. He himself just said it, he is "a privileged and rich white kid". He was used to getting everything in his life, no matter what way he did it. Well and if the girl he wanted, wasn't keen on giving in consensually, he was going to take it without consent and any piece of guilt. But was he really? This whole post will be/is dedicated just to Bryce Walker, since now he apparently got his own season. So I think, you shouldn't read this if you haven't finished the season yet. This is A SPOILER WARNING. From this way forward I will write spoilers so, please come back to this post when you are finished. If you are interested in a random babbling of a random chick on the internet. 

So Bryce Walker wanted to change huh? In this season we got to see Bryce and his actions before his death, just like we got to see Hannah in the flashbacks. What do I say? Where do I start? Maybe with this simple sentence: Bryce didn't deserve to die. Yes, yes now half of you will come at me with the argument: BUT HE RAPED GIRLS AND THAT SHOULDN'T BE FORGOTTEN. I didn't forget, none of it. Can the worst of the worst redeem themselves? Trough the season, Bryce was realizing that the things he has done weren't the right ones and he was taking the responsibility for what he has done. It was there, just like a shadow, following him everywhere, in every hour of the day. In his new school, he was immediately recognized as the "rapist" who should FUCK OFF. He was known as the rapist in his old school and in the whole entire city basically. It was like, he had it written all over his back and forehead. The only one who didn't know about Bryce and his history was Ani. Well Ani... I don't really like Ani, but since she is the only person who narrated this story and from whose point of view we got the most flashbacks, I need to lean on her, no matter how unreliable of a narrator she was. He wanted to start, fresh and clean with her. To work his way back up to the normal society, without people shaming him and putting this rapist label all over him. So in one way, I can understand Ani. She didn't know him as much as the others, she didn't know and he could be very charming indeed. To be honest, I found myself being charmed by Bryce time to time, just to remind myself that no... It's Bryce Walker, he is a rapist and that's no good. I was convinced, for the majority of the season that yes, he definitely does deserve to die. I didn't know who killed him, but whoever did, just made everyone a huge favor. He basically lost everything, the moment he touched Hannah Baker and Jessica Davis. A chain reactions, just like chemistry or the butterfly effect, however you want to call it. This was the consequence of his actions and he had to deal with it. He wanted to redeem himself. I was like: "Bullshit, not possible." I was literally turning my eyes upside down every time he tried to play on my feelings. Bryce Walker crying? Bullshit. Bryce Walker being all lovey-dovey? Aw hell no. Bryce Walker realizing that what he has done was wrong? Not fucking possible boy. Indeed, it is possible. As the story progressed and I was getting closer and closer to the end, it was harder and harder to not feel for Bryce. It was their intention the whole time anyways, maybe they got me. Maybe they didn't, I don't know. But I felt that he really wanted to change and I realized two things then and there. 

Death is like a redemption for him, he leaves behind all his troubles. That is why Bryce Walker didn't deserve to die. And second, the burden he was taking for his actions was huge, that was his punishment. That was supposed to be his punishment, not being able to belong again. Because of what he has done, because everyone knew. He was supposed to be punished this way and not be given the golden ticked to hell. By killing Bryce, he just got rid of every guilt he had, because he was no more. I think living with the realization of what you've done is worse than dying. Knowing that you destroyed lives, taken a life in fact. Just because you are a white, privileged, rich asshole kid who can't keep his dick in his pants. That is why I think, he didn't deserve to die. He is at ease now, with him staying, he wouldn't be. We don't kill people who killed others. We lock them up, leave them with their own thoughts and memories, to suffer it trough until the day they die. And they die, still with the thought of what have they done. I don't know what Bryce Walker was thinking the moment Alex held him above the fence, just the moments he threw him over to the water. I will never know, we won't ever know. It's fiction anyways but... Bryce Walker didn't deserve to die. To suffer because of his memories would have been much much of a worse punishment than death. 

And my last question is: Can the worst of the worst redeem themselves? Yes, everyone can, if there is the willingness. Bryce was willing to change, to accept what he has done. He apologized to Jessica, even if he knew that it wouldn't take back what he has done. He apologized to Mrs. Baker, knowing that it won't bring Hannah back. He knew it very well, but no matter of anything, he tried. And I think he really cared for Ani and his mother. He cared for Hannah, remember?  Bryce Walker was a monster. Bryce Walker was a monster, still willing to change. And yes I know, it won't take back anything he ever did. I think Bryce knew it too, his mother knew it, Ani knew it in the end too. As he said, he is trying but the world is not letting him. Not letting him to take of that label of the rapist, part murdered in Hannah's case. And I know everyone is saying, that Netflix just tried to makes us feel sorry for Bryce. I am not saying, I am sorry. I just see that he tried. He wanted to but he never got the change to finish it. I will miss Bryce's character for that matter, because he was an interesting one and he made a lot of the storylines tied together. 

Kuddos to Justin Prentice for bringing him to life for three whole seasons. I am sure, taking a role of a rapist must be hard, to know how much backslash you will get. Because obviously some people still don't understand that he is not his character. So thank you Justin, for doing the best of yours and giving us Bryce. I just have a soft spot for Justing I guess. Thank you all for reading this, rebbloging it, sending it forward, liking it. It means a lot to me and I am not yet finished. If you are in a need of help, not feeling good, please look for help. In your mom, dad, sister, brother, friends or a school staff. For more, visit 13reasonswhy.info Mental health shouldn't be taken at ease. Your life is important, not just to you but to so many around you.

[fuckthisiwantanothername]

FFVIII remake is a big fucking deception.

I normally don't make rants like this, but I just have to get this off my chest. I'm a huge FFVIII fan, like, I'll buy anything related. Just shut up and take my money, ok? So, I was obviously thrilled when I heard of the remake and bought it as soon as it was announced. I've been waiting eagerly for 2 days to finally play it, looking up that Hyne damned countdown until the notification popped up and I was finally able to switch to the game.

I grinned like an absolute moron as the logo appeared and almost cried when the first cinematic played. Liberi Fatally is as beautiful as I remembered.... But then...

Is this a mother fucking joke? Look at that poor low res backgrounds. They're painful to look at. If they retextured the characters, why not the backgrounds?

You would think that's not all bad, I mean, I can forgive a lot for my favorite game. But what fucking nightmare is this????

Look at that ugly ass background! The PsOne version didn't look like this! Just look at those fugly mountains. Look at them!!!

And WTF is up with the Pause menu?

Why not resize it instead of stretching it all goofy like that? And, I'm sorry, but can someone explain me why there's no vibration option underneath... Or anywhere else?

But that's not all. Oh, no! I'm just an hour in (getting cards and AP because I'm a nerd and want to do everything, of course) and more things pop up. I'm pretty thankful for the options of avoiding encounters, quicker battles/in-game action and power ups during a battle and, while the purist in me squirms inside, they're optional, so that's fine. What is NOT fine is changing making limit breaks a lot easier to appear. In the original, Squall's Rough Divide didn't come up regularly (unless you knew how to manipulate the game).

Ah, Squall... My major reason for purchasing this remake and my most devastating let down. His appearance doesn't match the original AT ALL. Hell, he doesn't even match his menu portrait or the 3D model in the world map! I get that they are using the model from Dissidia and that's ok, go ahead, but at the very least change the portrait and the model to match what you're trying to accomplish, guys!

Like, seriously, the hair color and structure is not even the same in each portrayal of him.

Quistis looks so much better and matches both her portrait and model, so what gives?

Last, but not least (for now, because I'm absolutely sure I'm going to keep rambling about this absolute let down of a remake), can someone please tell if there's going to be a patch to add the voices they promised? Because if I remember correctly, Square was announcing the remake was going to have voices in Japanese and English. So, where are they? Did I dream it? Because I'm pretty sure it was announced at some point.

Seriously Square, you had 20 fucking years to remake my favorite game and this is the best you could accomplish? Low res textures, no vibration, weird design choices, no intuitive remapping of the controls, especially regarding world map navigation (seriously, why not improve them?) and very basic additions that, while optional, defeat the purpose of some GF abilities and junctions? The game was easy as it was, now it's laughable.

In words of the eloquent Headmaster of Balamb Garden: "You money-grubbing sons of a bitches!"

Fuck you, Square Enix. Fuck you.

[empire-of-stories]

Hey :) If you still taking requests could you write 24 + 41 for Semi×Yamagata? Thank you in advance 💙💜

I am absolutely still taking these. I hope you like it; sorry it’s so short xx

24. Soulmate au. 41. First kiss

“I swear to God, Coach is trying to rip my arms off,” Yamagata hissed under his breath as he received yet another spike of Ushijima’s. The ball flew up, and Semi smirked slightly as the libero sent it to him.

“Nice receive!” He set the ball to Goshiki, carrying on the game.

Yamagata rubbed at his wrist idly, frowning a little at the glowing heart on his wrist. It was always red at school, always had been, but it had been glowing much more vibrantly recently, especially at practice. It wasn’t irritating, just a little distracting. When he was at home, it was normally just a black outline of a heart on his arm, but, at school, it glowed a pale pink. In some classes, it was a little red, but, at practice, it was always a vibrant red. 

“Good work.” Their coach complimented relatively coldly. “Take a short break and we’ll work on serves again. Akakura, Yamagata, you’ll be receiving again.”

“Yes sir!” the team chorused before they all but dived for the water bottles, relaxing and sighing as they stretched out and relaxed. Yamagata rubbed his wrist, frowning.

“What’s with that frown?” Yamagata looked up with a soft smile, taking the yellow water bottle offered to him by the other setter. 

“Oh, nothing,” he shrugged, “just, you know, making it through the day. As we do.”

Semi nodded, sitting down on the bench next to him. “Your wrist alright? You were rubbing it a lot during that game? Does it hurt?”

“Sharp as ever.” Yamagata elbowed him lightly with a chuckle. “It’s my soul mark. I’ll live.”

“Has it been flaring up recently? Glowing and everything?” Semi asked, eyes and voice full of concern.

“It’s nothing. It’s been doing that for years you know.”

Semi frowned slightly. “Any idea who it could be?”

“Nope.” the liberi shrugged. “I’ll work it out eventually.”

“No,” Semi rolled his eyes with a chuckle. “No, look.” He held out his own wrist and his heart was glowing bright red too. Yamagata raised an eyebrow at him.

“Do you think…”

“Do you want to find out?”

Yamagata nodded, mouth dry, and Semi took his hand gently. He touched the mark and both hearts glowed before the red faded, revealing names written in cursive inside them.

Eita Semi

Hayato Yamagata

“So…” Semi smiled at him, “so… you’re my soulmate.”

“I-I… Yeah… Wow.” Yamagata grinned. “Semi?”

“Yeah?”

“Can I kiss you?”

Semi’s breath caught in his throat before he nodded slowly. The libero cupped his cheek, pulling him into a light and soft kiss before they both tentatively deepened it. They eventaully had to pull back, and they smiled, resting their foreheads against each other.

“S-so… Do you want to go for coffee?” Yamagata asked. Semi chuckled and kissed his forehead. 

“It’s a date.”

Hope you liked it xx

[starevotranslations]

Oshiete PURA.net (Rin and Chiaki)

Rin: Good evening, tonight PURA. net will be in charge of the "Tell Me Starevo" corner! Chiaki: This time Rin and I will be answering your questions! Rin: To have gotten so many supportive messages... It made me so happy! Chiaki: Haha, Rin you're way too emotional!

Rin: Sorry about that... Now then, I like for us to quickly go onto the questions! P-please take care of me! Chiaki: Ah- come on now take it easy... Alright, here's the question for Rin. "Rin-kun seems like a shy person, is there anything you're doing to overcome your shyness?"

Chiaki: Well y'know Rin isn't as scared as he was before Rin: I still get nervous but I don't think I'm extremely shy anymore? I think it might be because of fan letters I've received. I thought since there were people cheering me on I should try and be more confident...

Rin: That answer might not have been the kind of answer you were expecting but because of everyone's support I was able to overcome my shyness! I really want to thank everyone! Okay the next question is for Chiaki-kun. Chiaki: Bring it on! Rin: "To the cool and fashionable Suzume Chiaki-kun! Please tell us any sweet lines you've learned recently!"

Chiaki: Seriously... Rin: Ah, it's almost time for us to finish! Chiaki-kun hurry! Chiaki: No... Ho- H-hold on! Give me a bit more time! Rin: B-but... Ah, so you'll do it next time? Chiaki: Eh?

Rin: Though it pains me to say it... We'll see everyone next time! Chiaki: W-wait! I'll say it! Umm... Chiaki: B-but don’t you think I could make you way happier than that guy ever could...? Rin: Chiaki-kun that's so cool! Chiaki: Ah! That's the end! See ya! Rin: Ah, Chiaki-kun wait!

[johannstutt413]

(requested by anonymous)

When Lappland woke up that morning, the first thing she noticed was how cold her bed was; the second thing was the Doctor-shaped hole in it; and the third was that it was, in fact, her bed and not his. This series of observations confused her - she’d definitely fallen asleep in his bed last night and had been for the past four months - and so she did what any rational person would do: yell.

“Doctoooor!” The Lupo roamed around her apartment, finding neither hide nor hair of her captive darling...darling captive? He was hers, that was what mattered. “Dooooctooooor! You there, my guy?...No?...Well, shit, where’d he go? I’ll try texting him.”

A rigorous search of her phone told her nothing - or, rather, it told her ALL information related to the Doctor she’d kept on there (contact info, some pictures both safe for work and otherwise, conversations, anything related to him) had been precision-stripped from her device while leaving everything else intact. It was like he’d never existed according to her phone. “Well, fuck. Weird bug, but maybe someone can help me find him. Or fix my phone. One of the two. Seriously, what the fuck happened?”

“Lappland?” A voice at her front door. Since she was wearing pajamas (for some reason), there wasn’t anything to stop her from answering.

“Yeah? Oh, hey, Pipsqueak.” Her ‘affectionate’ name for Sussurro. “What’s up?”

The Vulpo simply gave her a look - not offended, at least not at this hour of the day. “You were calling for a doctor.”

“Huh? No, I was calling for Doctor.”

“The only difference is a definite article in there.” She walked around the Lupo in a tight circle. “Feeling alright?”

Lappland...well, she might as well tell someone what was happening, and Pipsqueak seemed to know something. “You know where The Doctor is?”

“Who are you referring to? Dr. Kal’tsit?” Now Sussurro’s tone was drifting into confusion.

“No, The Doctor.” The Lupo shook her head. “Company hoodie, runs strategy and personal relations, been shacking up with him for the past four months?”

More, deeper confusion. “I’m sorry, Lappland, I don’t know who you’re talking about. Four months, you say?”

“Yeah. Look, he gave me thi- what the fuck?!” There should’ve been a bite mark from the other night on one of her shoulders, but it, too, was gone.

“Calm down, Lappland,” the Vulpo advised. “Would you mind coming with me to my office so we can get this down in writing?”

She certainly did...but she needed her Doctor and she needed him NOW, damnit. At least Pipsqueak wanted to help. “Yeah, sure, whatever brings him back, take me with you.”

“Alright. If you wouldn’t mind stepping in front of me? I’ll tell you when to turn.” With that, the Lupo took the lead, following Sussurro’s directions to Medical, then to a small office near the front.

“Good morning, Dr. Sussurro,” Ptilopsis chirped as they entered the office. “How may we help you?”

The Vulpo gestured to the door. “Close that for us; I’ll be writing a transcript for an exam with Lappland here.”

“An exam? You think I’m lying?”

“Lying, no,” the Medic replied, “but there’s a reason you remember this Doctor person and I don’t- Ptilopsis? Something wrong?”

At the mention of ‘Doctor,’ Tilly had stutter-stepped. “Corrupted database entry found: one file labeled ‘The Doctor.’ Peripheral contamination detected; quarantining affected data...This unit needs to record this infraction.”

“Close the door and record it for the transcript; this is more serious than I thought. Perhaps some kind of cognition hazard...” Sussurro hopped over to where she kept her medical journal, flipped to a fresh page, and began writing furiously.

“You remember him, too, then?” Lappland grabbed the Liberi’s shoulder as she turned away from the now-closed door. “Do you know what happened?! Tell me if you do!”

Ptilopsis shuddered. “This unit apologizes, User Lappland, but this unit’s memory bank has been corrupted. This unit cannot determine the veracity of their data-”

“To hell with that! What. Do. You. Know.” The frenzy was starting to kick in.

“Lappland, control yourself or I will be forced to control you,” Sussurro called from her desk, eyeing her patient with a frown. “Please give us time. We’re working through this together.”

The Lupo growled. “I could throw you across the room and make sure you wouldn’t bounce.”

“I believe that. Ptilopsis, how are you doing?”

“Data recovery complete,” Tilly replied as her eyes changed color. “Assuming direct control.”

Both Vulpo and Vulpo-chucker looked at the Liberi. “Ptilopsis?”

“She realized I was the only one who knew what happened to him, so I’m gonna take over for a minute. Nice to see the outside after all that time cooped up in her head.” She giggled.

“...Ah.” Sussorro reached for her tranquilizer setup. “What happened, then?”

The Other Voice grinned at Lappland. “This is all a dream, lil’ Lappy. Alllll a dream.”

“Then get me the fuck out of it.”

“Oh, I can’t.” ‘Ptilopsis’ opened the door. “Go find Dusk. She’ll get you out.”

The Lupo was gone before the tranq dart landed in the analyst’s neck.

Locating Dusk was actually rather simple: find Saga. “Hey! Saga! Where’s Dusk?”

“Oh! Hail and well met, Miss Lappland!” The Perro gestured to a nearby wall that was curled in on itself - attempted camouflage? Hard to say. “Surely you shall come upon her in here, although she has most graciously asked for a warning-”

“I’ll give her a warning, alright. Thanks.” No further questions; the Lupo charged across the painting’s threshold.

The monk looked on for a moment. “If only I’d spoken more precisely. I meant to give her a warning, not ask her to give one in turn...”

“Ashes to SilverAsh, dust to Dusk!” Lappland called into the inky blackness she’d found waiting for her. “I don’t know why I’m here, but you’d better take me back quickly!”

“Even a facsimile of Saga can’t help but be helpful, it seems. Will you stop shouting so much if I send you back?” The Dusk addressed her without revealing herself.

Her visitor, though, knew exactly where she was. “You’re my world’s Dusk?”

“Obviously.” The artist waited. “So?”

“Take me back, or my shouting will be the least of your problems.” Lappland’s hand was pressed against the back of her neck.

Dusk sighed. “A thousand rivers will dry before a drop of my blood meets the earth. You really think-”

“I don’t.” The Lupo struck the Dusk’s back with her other hand in three very specific places, and her victim fell forward. “I also found the exit while you were replying. You’ll be back on your feet in an hour. The next time you do this, you’re dead.”

“Ah...So this is where she took her?” The Doctor was standing in front of a conspicuous, swirling void made of paint.

Saga nodded. “Verily, I witnessed her in the midst of crossing the threshold. Doctor, thine anger burns brighter than I hath seen.”

“Don’t worry, Saga, I’m not angry.” He cracked his neck. “I’m furious. When I see her-”

“Doctor!!!” Lappland, like a streak of white lightning, bolted across the threshold and sent them both flying into the opposite wall.

Their Perro witness clapped. “Lappland! Thou hast spared Dusk the wrath of thine beloved!”

“Why?” Said beloved’s face was covering her with kisses and secondhand tears at the moment. “Why the fuck did she take you?”

She didn’t have an answer for that, and she didn’t care; much more important was the fact that she was home.

“If I might interject? Lady Dusk oft spoke of Lappland’s cackling having a powerfully distracting effect on her. Mayhaps she found herself incapable of restraining herself and acted out in anger?”

“...Sounds like what she said,” the Lupo muttered in the Doctor’s ear. “Can we go home?”

He squeezed her tightly to his chest before letting her rise to her feet and following suit. “Let’s go home...Saga? Let Dusk know I’ll need to speak with her tomorrow. I see a lot of Orirock in her future, and I’m not talking about her painting a fucking mountain.”

“Um, yes, I shall inform her of thine will post-haste.” Saga took her leave into the ink dimension.

“She’s got another fifty minutes of time-out,” Lappland noted, her entire demeanor muted by relief, both hers and her dearest’s. “Some god...same weak points as a Lung...”

The Doctor squeezed her hand. “Let’s forget about her for the rest of the day, hmm? All that matters right now is that you’re here, and I’m here, and that’s not changing any time soon.”

“Mmm...Yeah. You have my phone on you?”

“Sure do.” He handed it to her, and she opened her photo album. “Everything there?”

The Perro nodded, scrolling until she was satisfactorily reassured that this was the right reality she was in, before putting it away in her pajama pants pocket. Everything was back to the way it should be.

Everything, that is, except for Dusk’s locomotive capabilities, but they’d sort themselves out eventually.

[johannstutt413]

(requested by mathmaticalknight; continuing a series)

“Ya know, I dunno why I thought she mighta been jokin’ ‘bout the tuxes.” Croissant was blushing brightly as she was getting her measurements taken.

Mostima shrugged. “I don’t ever plan on getting married, but one of us was bound to tie the knot sooner or later, and Texas needs to find an officiant who will sign two certificates for her discreetly before it’s even an option for her. Where are your hanger-ons, by the way?”

“With Angelina, doing the same thing we are.” The Lupo had a Pocky stick in her mouth like a cigar, taking it all in. “I wouldn’t marry Sora, though. Exu maybe, but not Sora. She’s a good girl, but the whole ‘idol worship’ is a bit much.”

“She’d really want you to praise her that much?” The Sarkaz smirked.

Texas rolled her eyes. “Funny.”

“If any’n’s worshippin’ any’n, it ain’t Tex.” The Forte chuckled, but had to stop when the tape measure came ‘round again. “Hey, how tight this need ta be? Least gimme a lil’ room ta breathe ‘ere.”

“Don’t question my judgment, ‘less you wan’a punishment. I been wearin’ this look a lot longer than you.” Emperor bit back, making the last few notes he needed.

The three shared a glance. “You wear T-shirts over your feathers, though,” Mostima observed.

“Well, yeah, cuz’ I like the style,” he replied, “but if ya ever see me rockin’ my birthday suit, you’d know I’m just as fuckin’ classy. Got killer shoes to boot.”

“What, yer feet?” Croissant glanced down at the penguin’s openly-visible legs.

He nodded. “Damn straight. The boys will have your suit to ya within a couple days; when’s the big shindig, anyways?”

“Uh...I dunno.” The Forte shrugged. “We’re gonna sign the papers a week from now, but we don’t have money for a ceremony.”

“Well, then, imma have to do it myself.” Emperor opened his notes again and walked away, pen scribbling faster than before.

Texas shook her head. “That’s how you know you’re the Boss’s favorite, Cross.”

“Aw, shucks, I didn’ wan’im to pay fer it.” She sighed. “I’m gonna be payin’im back ferever at this rate.”

“Could be worse - if he died before forever came along, the debt would probably go right back to the company.” And with that, the Sankta left, the other two not too far behind, to meet Bison in the lobby.

Meanwhile, Magallan was moving at a more leisurely pace, listening to Angie recount the proposal story. “That sounds exactly like I imagined. Empy’s was a lot more ostentatious, but I had no idea what was coming, either. WIth him, he could’ve been holding an impromptu concert.”

“That’s the Emperor, alright.” Exusiai sighed. “I can’t imagine what it’d be like to go through something like this. Can you, Sora?”

“Hmm?” The ‘Lupo’ had been doing just that, actually.

Angelina smiled. “Oh, I think she can. I’ve had that look on my face for the past week now...It’s too bad we can’t afford to have a ceremony, though.”

“You can’t?” The Liberi measuring her stopped. “Oh, dear, why didn’t you tell me? I’m sure Empy and I can help you with that; consider it our wedding gift to you both.”

“You’d really do that? But they’re so expensive...” Her fiance’s sense for money was rubbing off on her.

Magallan chirped merrily. “Oh, it’s no big deal; we’re making so much, it’s a drop in the bucket. How does three weeks from today sound?”

“Oh, Magallan, I can’t just blindly agree without talking to my Croissantwich first...buuut that’ll probably be okay.” The Vulpo was about to explode from happiness; luckily, they were done with measurements at this point (because of Liberi efficiency), so she was free to detonate with glee as she burst out of the dressing room. “Croissaaaaaant!”

“Angie?!” The Forte heard her and turned around in time to be slammed by a full-speed makeout machine which managed through sheer enthusiasm to knock her to the floor.

Texas nodded as the other two followed out. “Ceremony?”

“Ceremony,” Exusiai confirmed. “Emp and Maggie paying for the whole thing?”

“That’s what he said...Wonder if he’ll pay for ours.”

Two Penguin Logistics members turned bright red as Bison and Mostima had an intense but muted conversation off to the side...Yep, just another day in Penguin Logistics.

-----------

“Wow. They really did pull out all the stops, didn’t they?” The Doctor and Amiya took back their IDs from the door guard as they walked into the auditorium that’d been taken over. “It’ll be hard to match for ours.”

“Doctor darling, we probably shouldn’t compete with the Emperor like that. He doesn’t like to back down from a fight.” Besides, why would she need a grand ceremony? Just her and the Doctor at the altar, Kal’tsit as the Maid of Honor, Savage and Blaze as bridesmaids-

There was a tap on her shoulder as her date gestured to the seating. “I wonder if they expect to fill the place tonight.”

“Everyone’s sitting so close to the front, it’s hard to tell.” The Cautus shrugged. “Let’s sit back here. It’s a bit crowded there...So many emotions at once might overload me.”

“As you wish~ Oh, they’re about to start, I think. One question: why is Texas on the other side and wearing a suit? And why isn’t Emperor, even though Lappland is in one?”

Amiya shrugged. “Hard to say, Doctor. How did Lappland get to be a groomsman when Bison is- Oh! He’s the officiant.”

“When did he get that certifi-” He stopped as soon as Bison began to read.

“Friends, colleagues, and esteemed leaders of Rhodes Island,” the Forte began. “While I stand before you today acting in a merely ceremonial capacity in this celebration, I cannot begin to tell you how exciting a day this is not just for us at Penguin Logistics, but for Rhodes Island as a whole. Never have I seen a pair more in love than the two who come here today to declare their union in holy matrimony. Will the groom please come forward?”

From a door off to their right, there was a bit of a ruckus, followed by Croissant stepping through with a sheepish smile on her face as Emperor walked her to the altar before taking a front-row seat. Evidently, she’d knocked over a coat rack or something as she’d approached the door, but that wasn’t what grabbed people’s attention.

The Doctor squeezed Amiya’s hand. “Our Croissant is a rather handsome woman, isn’t she?”

“Oh, hush, dear.” She lightly slapped his hand, which was resting atop hers on the chair arm between them. “I think she looks lovely.”

“That’s what I meant, darling, just in a masculine sense. The style matches her perfectly, and the tailoring is also impeccable, honestly.”

She gave him a look. “Have you been studying this sort of thing?”

“It’s important to have a broad knowledge base.” He smiled as the Forte stepped up to the altar, clearly noticed she’d missed her mark, and shuffled a little to get into place. “Oh, Cross...”

“Uh...thank y’all for comin’. Wudn’t sure how many people’d wanna come when we’d already tied the knot on our own, but uh...It means a lot ta both of us, I know. Uh...” She probably had more, but she choked up with tears in her eyes in the face of Rhodes Island’s full support on display. “Th-thank y’all so much...”

As Texas patted her on the shoulder, Bison continued. “Is the bride ready?”

“As ready as she’ll ever be,” Mostima muttered as the opposite door opened to reveal a procession: Greyy with a pair of rings displayed on a pillow walking with Gummy, who was sprinkling the floor behind them with flowers. Behind them, Magallan was arm-in-arm with Angelina, who was wearing a suit of her own.

“Oh my God,” Amiya gasped in wonder. “Doctor-”

He nodded, squeezing her hand. “I see her, too, dear.”

“Hot damn,” Emperor audibly muttered, catching the attendees off-guard and eliciting more than a few laughs.

“Thank you, Emperor.” Angie smiled at him before turning to the crowd as Maggie took a seat. “My parents aren’t here, and I doubt they’d have agreed to attend if I’d told them, but Penguin Logistics is more like my family than anyone. The other day, I finally married into it, and...I just wanna say, to everyone from Rhodes Island who was able to make it, and the folks who had work to do, I appreciate everything you’ve all done for Cross and me since I got here. Even if this probably isn’t what any of you saw coming...Bison?”

He smiled. “Greyy, if you would?” The Perro held out the pillow for the couple to each take a ring. “Excellent. Now, as I wasn’t able to be fully ordained in time for this ceremony, I can’t lead the two in a recital of their vows, but they asked to be able to each say something here today. Angelina, if you will?”

“I think my wifesband should go first,” she teased, grinning at the blush that turn of phrase created.

“Well, ya only get ta do this right once, huh...” The Forte wiped at her eye. “Hoo boy. I was there the night Angie realized her feelin’s fer me, but I’ll a’mit, e’er since the firs’ day I saw ‘er, I ‘ad a pretty good ide-er just ‘ow wun’erful she is. Ain’t a lotta girls in’a world that got both a good ‘ead on ‘er shoulders and a warm ‘eart like she got, but ‘at ain’t e’ry’in ta love ‘bout ‘er either. Not sure if she ‘members this, but first time we met was back when she aksidelly went’n PL lookin’ fer the Doctor. Nothin’ like ‘avin’ some’n so gorjus tell ya ‘Sorry, was lookin’ fer some’n else,’ ya know?”

A bit of laughter from the crowd before she continued. “I reckon I ‘ad the last laugh there, tho’, cuz’ guess ‘oo gets to call ‘erself Mrs. Ajimu now...Angelface, we were friends long ‘fore I thought we ‘ad a chance at bein’ lovers, so you know when I say I’ve seen ya at yer best and yer worst, I ain’t tryin’a diss ya. There ain’t a nuther person in ‘is room as lucky as me t’day, ‘cuz the love of my life loves meh back...Ya prolly shud stop meh, else I’ll just keep ram’lin’.”

“That’s alright; even if these folks have other places to be, I’d listen to every word. You know, darling, if it was a nightmare that inspired you to propose to me when you did, I have to wonder what happens when you have a good dream, but I think I’ve been living in one since the day we had our first date. Between movie nights with the company and waking up to your smile in the mornings, it’s like living in one of the cheesy teen novels I loved reading after floating up to one of my usual spots. Loving you is a flashback and a memory and a dream and a reality all rolled up in knowing that, whatever happens - arguments, deployments that separate us, maybe even one of us getting hurt - there’s nothing in the world that’ll stop me from needing you, wanting you, standing by your side...Meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me...” Having said her piece, tears in her eyes, Angie reached out and slid her ring on Cross’s finger, who did the same in turn.

“I think I’m gonna cry,” the Doctor whispered to his date, who already was. “G-good call on the back sea--” And there went the water works.

Across most of the auditorium, actually, save for those physically incapable, and Bison, who soldiered on regardless. “That said, before we get to the festivities provided by Emperor and Magallan for the evening, it’s my duty to ask: if anyone here has any objection to this union - not that it will matter from a legal standpoint - speak now or forever hold your peace...Good, because I’d punch you myself if you did. Then, by the power invested in me by Rhodes Island and subsidiary company Penguin Logistics-”

“When did that happen?” Amiya asked in a hushed voice. “I thought we were just partners with them?”

“Closure and Emperor came to some kind of understanding. I wasn’t there for the process, I just signed the agreement.”

“-I now announce you to the world as Mrs. and Mrs. Ajimu. You may now kiss your bride.”

You didn’t have to ask them twice.

The celebration afterwards was wild as hell. Emperor had an impromptu concert (as expected); Bison proposed to Mostima, who actually agreed before falling apart in a spectacular show of emotion Exusiai had thought was impossible for her; the Doctor and Amiya tore up the dance competition that broke out, but narrowly lost to Croissantwich and Angelface in the karaoke contest afterwards; Lappland admitted that she wasn’t actually in love with Texas but trying to rile her up into a duel so she could get to Exusiai the entire time, which actually got the Texas family’s most composed to go full Mafia Samurai on her ass as the Sankta and the idol looked on in a mix of horror and “omg I knew it;” and through it all, drink was had, and merry was made.

Terra was a difficult place to live in. Poverty, inequality, terror, bloodshed, fear, hatred, jealousy - they’re no less potent or prominent on its surface than any other world’s, a product of the inevitable confluence of humanity’s imperfections magnified across a barely-numerable and broadly-scattered population. With all that said, though, there was much to live for, and as Angelina and Croissant made it home and threw themselves out of their clothes for the ‘real’ celebration of the evening, none of that mattered. Tomorrow would come, or it wouldn’t, but that night was theirs in a way no other would be...