#ive just been thinkin about em this week

[comfymoth]

Gently sits cross-legged in ur inbox

May I posit the Missa-Phil family, as monsters, in ur AU

And perhaps

Philipza Minecraft as a harpy

see, i was already planning for vampire phil since he’s wilbur’s dad, but harpy phil……….. mannnn that’s kinda tempting

[inkskxtch]

what if the gone series and mortal kombat had a crossover,,,,,

No secret that lately my hyperfixation has been Mortal Kombat 1 and i can’t stop imagining a universe where Gone is a hit tv series and a character gets introduced into MK as a guest fighter (like Omniman, Terminator etc). ive been thinkin about this for like a week straight now and had to write out some of my ideas cause this will literally never happen BUT.imagine if it did .nothing wrong with imagining right?? (im insane🫶)

Gone has a LOT of characters that would make great fighters in the game, but Drake would definitely be the most likely choice since 1) the MK series already includes characters with telekinesis, fire power, gravity etc so his whip hand would be a unique addition to the roster, 2) he’s a Gone fan favourite and 3) Drake’s character fits in perfectly with all the over the top blood & guts of mortal kombat lol. I can’t see a character like Sam or Dekka willingly carrying out the unnecessarily gory kills that happen in the games LMAO

Some stuff to mention before I actually get into the notes ive scribbled down about drake as a fighter: in my mind it’d be Gone/Hunger drake before brittney & their regeneration, just cause it saves things getting too complicated with the bodyswapping etc etc plus MK already has characters like Havik that can regenerate so it makes for fun dialogue lol. I wrote up this stuff based off the gameplay in MK1 so just.visually imagine that in ur brains when reading ok thanks

In MK1 each character has two fatalities - Drake’s first one would feature the coyotes since they were a major part of him as an antagonist near the end of the first book. The second fatality would bring in the wire he tries to slice Brianna up with during Hunger, while referencing ahead to Plague where Brianna splits him through the neck & waist.

I have a rough idea of what Drake’s fatal blow would be like - starting the fatal blow with a basic whip slash, then after the kameo fighter does their hits Drake would move in and whip the opponent again, spinning them around then kicking the back of their legs to knock them down onto their knees. The camera would shift to show the opponent’s hands encased in a cement block (signature coates academy move lol), before Drake grabs the back of their head and smashes it down against the block for the X-ray hit.

Haven’t thought of the actual brutalities for him yet (he’d definitely have a couple with his guns) but I think each character has around 4 or 5 different lines they can say after completing a brutality - i did have ideas for those so i wrote some down :>

Last thing i though up for fun was a bunch of fight intro dialogue against different characters on the roster; these r all so stupid and some of them aren’t thaaat great but yknow what. i had fun thinking them up (if anyone has any more ideas pleaassjsje let me know and ill add em lol)

I know i talk a lot about how much id love to see Gone as a 2D-animated series, but thinking about 3D models of the gone cast in the style of MK1 would be so sick… would also be fun to see other characters carrying out their fatalities on drake LMAO, always love to see that guy getting his ass kicked

[tigerdrop]

Got any Valentines crumbs of Frenrey or Daniel and Jamie thoughts? Valentines dick suck?

sorry for letting this languish for a week LMFAO ive been very bad about "being online". but i have been thinking about it .

the thing about daniel is that hes very bad at, uh, romantic gestures. and hes not really big on most holidays, anyway. a lot of them just translate to him as "the day where hes expected to wear really uncomfortable clothes and has to be around a whole bunch of extended family members instead of hiding in his room". so he doesnt really give a shit about valentines day. (and hes never had a reason to celebrate it, anyway!)

jamie however.......is insufferable about holidays. just loves em. but he also has the intensely neurotypical habit of assuming that everybody else is A) on the same page as him and B) can pick up on his hints that hed like to do something. so hes convinced that theyre on for a Date(tm) while daniels just like...........yeah im gon be out in the garage

so like. idk i think it would be cute if jamie tried to show him whats so fun about it (and also if they got into an argument about daniel wanting to spend valentines day wrist deep in his pickup truck instead of his neurotic boyfriend). i love the conflict btwn a guy who cares Intensely about social mores and a guy for whom they just roll off like water off a duck. its fun : )

fall in love with a autistic redneck who has most definitely killed a man before and baffle the hell out of him by presenting him with chocolates and roses. why not.

(he doesnt even like flowers! but he does like jamie. and hes not used to people thinkin after him.....he probably wouldnt show a lot of open appreciation about it but he would keep them in his room well past their prime.)

and then you know jamie can valentines suck him off under the moonlight or whatever. eveybody fucking clap

[spirituallyunhinged]

so for my days i tend to count 1:30 am tuesday as monday because im still up so ive classified as soon as i wake up id be the next day on my list since it starts when i pass out so had a weird dream last night that im thinkin was meant to count in my tuesday part of the plan for this week so technically it was the first thing that occurred for today

ANYWAYS i went ti bed n was ready to sleep sleep but ended up in a kinda trance ish doze (this doesnt happen too often it was weird) and i had a very vivid dream which i only remember the end which i was looking up at a dark grey almost shadowy figure and i was like chest to chest with it i felt it touching me right but it was talled than me so looking up it looked like a deer for a minute before the shadowy ness shifted into a bear like i could only see the outline of it and its eyes (which we like glowing) n i thought it was growling at me but like idk about that now cuz i think it was just looking at me n it was too much for me so i freaked a bit when i woke up panicked from being overwhelmed but (as with alot of dreams that scare me) i ended up just making sure my room was protected but like i didnt really push anything other than harmful energies out cuz ive kinda conditioned myself to do that after various dream “attacks” like i was barely awake as i was doing it n once thay was done i was like welp im drained n tired n passed tf out n slept normally it was weird

after i woke up i gave my energetic offerings and then grabbed my pendulum for asking about the physical one cuz im chronically ill n have been giving energetic offerings everyday but felt called to give some physical stuff (like specifically on tuesday but it came in last week on thursday when i asked em so this is my first week of that new practice)

but as i was doing my research for today i found THIS

which what yhe fuck wikipedia why was this the set up like this statues pic just like i paused n went uhm wait cuz it gave the same kinda vibes?? n i kinda figured if it was meant to be one of the two it wouldve been artemis because of the vibes yaknow?? but then i found this while just kinda scrollin through wiki cuz i like starting on there n the theoi.com but like i feel kinda crazy but thats the color n the like downwards stare too so idk

[im-smart-i-swear]

heres some doodles of The Funky Guys TM from yesterday!

i havent really had the energy to really finish any larger piece for WEEKS so doodles are all youre gonna get for now.....

you KNOW im rotating that purple fucker(eenek) in my head when i can only draw them sobbing and angry and scared and frustrated over and over again :) 

MAN ive been thinkin about ‘em recently....... uhhh im gonna put some stuff about eeneks’s upbringing under the cut if anyone wants to read it(its a mess of paragraphs i didnt use when answering an ask lol so its propably not very good:/ its just some of my thoughts on een and galra as a whole)

okay so eenek is... how do i put this... fixated on the idea of the galran empire that they grew up surrounded by. they have this idealised view of how the world works and lets just say 'clones of the black paladin helping a galran and being overall nice people' doesnt really fit in there...

(btw for this au's sake lets assume an average galran lifespan is roughly similiar to humans or slightly longer, cause its way more interesting that way imo)

zarkon was the emperor for 10 000 years. ten thousand. thats generations upon generations of galrans raised in a culture of violence and hate and a sense of superiority. like..... thats fucked up right?? thats insane? after so many generations, can you even separate galran culture from the war itself?

so Eenek grew up surrounded by propaganda and war, convinced the galran empire is the best thing to ever happen to the universe. their life was relatively normal(or as close as you could get) until they were the galran equivalent of around eight. death somewhere in space or ‘in the trenches’ was propably a common occurance - sometimes it would be a friend's parent or a distant relative or some other person just distant enough to be bearable... until it wasnt.

i dont know yet if it was a parent or a sibling, but either way - they were gone. Eenek just lost a loved one, and it hit them hard. BUT instead of starting to question if the conquest was really worth all the grief, they just sunk in deeper. beacuse it has to be worth it, right? all the pain and death wasnt, couldnt be for nothing, their loved one didnt die in a pointless conflict right?? right???

and so Eenek decides to dedicate their life to the galran empire(at like. 8 years old..)

 its calm for a couple years after that(though they slowly drift away from their dad(who is actually secretly forging documents and helping escaped prisoners&deserters flee the empire but shhhhh eenek doesnt know that)) and theN QUIZNKING VOLTRON APPEARS and its all downhill from there :)

(damn the more i think about them the more i realise they really ARE like a chihuahua)

[noctordick]

.

[cyberdragoninfinity]

Do Mr Cyber End himself Zane for the ship prompt

*GRABS CHAIR* *PULLS IT OVER AND FLIPS IT AROUND* *SITS IN IT BACKWARDS LIKE A COOL SUBSTITUTE TEACHER* ALRIGHT LETS DO THIS

ok first of all, i Bigly headcanon zane truesdale my beloved as some degree of aromantic because it's my party and i'll project onto my favs if i want to lmao, anyway thats very an ingredient in the way i analyze and interpret his relationships. keeping that in mind,

My NOTP for them: so weird to me they make NOTP first??? anyway, uh, if you ship him with his brother i think i should get to snap you in half like a number two pencil. get the hell outta here.

My BROTP for them: endless sobbing crying etc. over his relationship with syrus i have talked about them a thousand years and i will talk a thousand more i love them SO much!!!!!!! it has hands down become probably my favorite yugioh relationship just... in general. god. theyre special to me. i ALSO do love his relationship with jaden and alexis too--zane genuinely likes and cares about these kids!!!! he has three little siblings actually!!!!!!!

My OTP for them: i literally halfway through gx was like "no ships have grabbed me by the throat with this show lol" and then like a week after i finished it idolshipping rose out of the ocean and broke my ass in two. tag force 3 slammed me into the ground. love love LOVE him and atticus together, wwaahhhh. my beloved zatticus..... very often thinking about my personal brainworld take on this ship with aro zane...something about zane loving his best friend so goddamn much and atticus's turboromantic ass meeting him halfway and loving him romantically enough for the both of them. i could talk on this for ages lol......theyre just good. life partners.

My second choice pairing for them: ok i do think he and aster's dynamic is very, very funny, i like their post-canon potential a lot, though i particularly especially just enjoy them as annoying besties and/or fwb who argue 24/7. this is essentially their relationship in my college AU and it's one of my favs.

My fluffy pairing for them: idol.............love thinkin about them pre-atticus' disappearance, just goofy 15-16 year olds awkwardly figuring things out. something very sweet to me about atticus being the only person whose goofy antics can make zane crack a smile.

My angsty pairing for them: IDOL AS WELL............................ the things ep 89 did to me. stares out to the sea..... ive been listening to let me drown by orville peck a LOT lately and it is giving me ultra absolute zatticus agony, my GOD.

My favorite poly ship for them: do enjoy the obelisk elites as a trio ship..... tfw duel academy's 3 best duelists are all mentally fucked up nonbinary guys like, fuck it, let em cuddle together!!.

My weirdest pairing for them: this isnt a romantic ship but none of yall know the level of college AU madness im on with my roommate wherein zane and a college aged claus from the hit nintendo video game Mother 3 have an extensive tom and jerry-esque....rivalry?? friendship????? static noises??? zane wants to hit him with his car. we are truly going places never before reached with these characters

>send me ygo characters for this meme

[concentrated-mug-of-me]

okay im gonna try ur welcome. one ask. all from memory. if i fuck up i fuck up.

good morning heartsville this is tank comin at ya the voice of reason the voice of the season here at WLUV the student run radio station here at heartsville high the heart of america its 7 am on the dot and a perfect 68 degrees out there to start the school year off right. just a reminder folks heartsvilles annual community picnic is this weekend so guys grab ur guy and girls grab ur girl and head on down to lookout lake. and if u dont have anyone to grab sounds like youve got some extra love on ur hands and i know one magical matchmaker who just aint gonna let you get away with that. so go get em zanna this ones for you!!!!

when the alarm clock rings u know ive got to start to sing thinkin bout the joy the days gonna bring love is all around it just has to be found my job is making sure ig gegs spread around. i knew the day of my birth that i was put on this eartj to make sure no one suffers extra love so you can leave it to me its my responsibility to pass it on to someone without enough. i seek out the truth im a love sleuth im goin undercover for a lover who might not find another and im lookin for clues and they might point to you so come on gimme ur extra love. hey cindy! who do we got on the schedule today? steve buckman a quarterback i dont know him he must be new well im sure he is feelin a bit lonely ill see what i can do.

two by two just like noah had to do the only trick to love is finding who belongs with who so come on lets start the arks about to depart we gotaa pick up some extra love. (mornin mornin hi hi whatever have a good day) whos got wxtra love? i spy (call call me see ya later whatever) mornin officer klotsky! mornin zanna was your date w dr green a success ohh you bet hes the perfect guy for meee yeah i thought he might be my gratitude to you i cant express all in a days work! we walkes thru the park holding hands hntil dark such a guy i jever thought id meet yeah life is so sweet when extra love is complete so now im keepin the beat down on love street.

zanna karla hi roberta zanna hi (ahatever) whos got extra loce? not i because we got some hreat news uh huh you wont believe this uh uh tell em karla yeah! i forget what it is we’ll be govethee forever oh yeah our loves here to stay uh huh i cant believe we met only yesterday ! e just wantes to thank you fof makinv us fall in love zanna! u know karla i cant actyally make two people fall in love. i can merely favikitate! good morning everyone good morning principal cooper. now zanna i trust you wont be meddling in anyones affairs this year now will you? now principal cooper would i ever meddle in anyone elses affairs? yes you would. ur darn right i would!

two by two just like noah had to do the only trick to love is finding who belongs with who oh well i better go my friend is waiting and so ill see uou later later later later shes so great i know. (hi hi hihi bye bye bye whatever) whos got extra love? mike does! i dont but theres this new guy in town perhaps youve seen him around. mike has a crush on him i dont you do he does okay i do but let me make this clear zanna dont interfere oh please no please no please no pleas no PLEASE heres what im gonna do. (please no!) friday ill walk by and say hi next week we’ll start to speak and boah blah blah blah just be a man forget this stupid plan and quit the delay i dont wanna scare him awayyy no ur just a chicken ow chicken ow HEY NEW GUY wuit it oww. come on! good luck on ur chess match today mike!

excuse me olease but ut seems ive lost my way how bout a map ill explain another day hi im zanna im steve new quarterback of the team howd u know a little birdy told me oh i see what brings u to the midwest a mikitary request my two dads r five star generals in the army ooo im impressed. so we move place to place base to base unpack the suitcase try to make a few friends and then pack up and leave again wherever ive been ive never seemed to fit in. well never fear uts clear you fit in here! so keep up that chin. thanks for the encouragemnet ill see u in class!

oh excuse me. no no its my fault. hey hi zanna kate how are you wait i cant im running late. breakfast sure wnat som yeah what a pptatt would be great. thanks! let me uh uh find you pleae dont a girl no thanks im doing fine. it it wont will change will not ur world ive got no time ive got sats acts aps and gpas and college applications w all those tribulations to get to university then a medical degree so i just cant b distracted by loves triviality. no! yiu just havent met the right girl yet u can philosophize and rationalize but theyre just alibis loves all u need just take it from me okay u can set me up great! when im 33! ill get u yet.

hey zanna!! hey mr dj! wont you play this song for meee from the way that ur beamjn i see that ur schemin to turn somebodys dream to realityy you know me so well well its not hard to tell ur always happy making dreams come trhe its what i do! well in spite of ur list theres always one guy u miss i do who? you i know u got dreams too. no time my friend.

hi zanna. hi candi hi buck hey zanna. whats on the clipboard for today well the school board .. well as im sure you know the schoolboard is meeting with the ciry council to discuss whether or not the linrary should be allowed to carry a copy of hearher has one mommy and one daddy. in my opinion .. oh and if you can think of anyone we could sure use another guy for this years musical. come along buck. yes candi.

the schoop musical, huh? i think i have just the right guy! i seek out the truth im a love sleuth im going undercover for a lover who might not find another and im lookin for coues and they might point to you so come on gimme ur extra love. [i almost fucked up here] well u can cocer your tracks thats a fact jack but you aint gonna shake me to fake or make me take a break from chasin you can duck off the trail but im hot on your trail so come on gimme ur extra love now baby dont try to run from the love gun ive got the place surrounded and bounded the hounds r all around it you may be on the lam from the love caravan but u aint getting away w your love!

cause this is heartsville high where i dream of a love that will stay heartsville high where nothings ever gonna get in my way heartsville high where ive a feeling loves about to begin i hope that this time im gonna fit in. HEY you over there dont be shy come iver here i bet you got extra love what you hoarding it for? lifes got so much in store for someone w extra love. dont try to hide you cant keep it inside you migt as well give up ur extra love cause if u want love to stay you gotta give it away you gotta give up give up give up hive uo your ectra looooooove give up your extra love!

this took me over half an hour to type.

dee,,,,,,,other than the typos (and the whatevers) this is accurate as far as i can tell and how did that all fit in one ask i swear there was a character limit

[scribbling-stiks]

AAR - I - Cleaning Up

'Hospital gowns,' Russia decides, 'are not comfortable.'

'America's lap was warm and comfortable though.'

The sun had begun to set, and the surroundings begin to grow dark. America had grown quiet, and Russia assumes he's asleep. But as the car grows dark, Russia notices something a little strange. A light blue glow surrounds him. It's faint. Very faint. He hadn't even noticed it until the sky was full of stars. Russia tries to ignore the fear building in his chest at the appearance of the moon. The glow is gentle, calming, and it makes his skin feel tingly and warm, as warm as it could feel.

'What is that? It looks like America's magic. But America's asleep.'

Russia raises his arm as high as he could, only a few centimeters, and drops it. No one looks. He tries again, and Texas spins around, with an anxious look he tries to hide lighting up his face.

Russia meets his eyes, and Texas relaxes. Then Texas scans over him with a strange look.

"What in tarnation? New Mex, look at Russia," Texas says, grabbing New Mexico by the shoulder.

"What?" New Mexico asks, turning around in her seat.

"Oh," New Mexico mutters, "Dad's magic?"

"I don't know. Could you turn Dixie off of mute?" Texas says, announcing the question to the front seat.

"Sure thing TexMex," Arizona replies.

"Don't call me that," Texas mutters.

"Hey, Dix. I got a question," Texas announces.

There is a short pause before anyone received an answer.

"Does it got something to do with them weird dogs in the trees?"

"No, it's about- wait, DOGS?!"

"Yeah. Listen, y'all shouldn't look, they ain't right."

Texas begins looking around, but Finland moves to block the window. Texas scowls but returns his gaze to Russia. His face softens seeing his father.

"Can Dad use his magic when he's sleepin'?" Texas asks, his eyes focused on Russia's arm.

"Wait, what do mean?" Canada's voice filters through the phone.

"Him and Russia are glowin'. Kinda. It just looks like Dad's using some healing magic or something," Texas explains.

"Dad still has magic to use?" Massachusetts asks.

"Yeah. I'm thinkin' it's cuz Dad is finally getting some sleep," New Mexico comments.

"He's sleeping?" Dixie asks incredulously.

"He's been sleeping for the past several hours. Why?" Finland responds, sounding confused.

"Dad just doesn't sleep much," Kansas explains.

Finland hums but doesn't say anything else.

"Well, that's good. Really good," Canada says, "he'll probably be feeling better as soon as he wakes up."

"What do you mean? How much does his healing magic help? I know countries heal faster than humans, and states," Finland adds as an afterthought, "but he was stabbed."

"He's stubborn," Dixie says, "he won't be able to lift anything, but he'll probably be up and moving around once he wakes up."

"He'll totally call the shower once we stop and get settled in," Arizona says with a laugh.

Dixie chuckles.

"Y'all think he'll insist that he's the once to clean up Russia too?" Texas asks.

Russia feels his mind freeze and embarrassment halts his thoughts.

'I... what?!? Clean...? Like a CHILD?!'

He feels the remains of his pride shrivel and closes his eyes. He can't force himself to meet anyone's eyes. If he could manage, he would have covered his face. He had already felt so flustered needing help with the bathroom, and now.

'This is so much worse.'

But he knew he couldn't really decline, as he couldn't speak. And he tried to slow down his heart rate.

'America doesn't know,' he thinks, trying to defend the sliver of dignity he could keep, 'he doesn't have to know.'

"What? What's going on?" America slurs with sleep.

'Oh no.'

"Oh! Hi Dad," Texas says with a nervous undertone, "how're you feeling?"

"Hey, Tiktac. I'm okay. How're you doing? You sound a little off."

"Oh, yeah. I'm fine. I'm just... nervous. Ya know, waiting to get attacked an all."

"Waiting to get attacked?!" New York shrieks.

"Yeah. It's what happened when we drove through the early morning when we first went through the mountains," Massachusetts explains, his voice sounds muffled through the speakers.

"Colorado!" New York yells.

"On a side note," Arizona loudly interjects, "Dad, how is your back feeling?"

"It's feeling a lot better. Still kinda hurts, but I'll manage."

"Yay! Could you get yourself all washed up?"

"Of course."

"And-"

'Please don't say anything.'

"Could you get Russia washed up too? The rest of us don't feel comfortable doing it. You know, with him being your boyfriend and all."

"I... probably. I wouldn't be able to carry him in there, but if you guys could get him into the bathroom, I can take it from there."

'Oh no.'

Russia knows that he hadn't been cleaned. Not really. He also remembers how Louisiana had New Mexico check for new infections where the IV was just a few hours ago.

'Was that even really a hospital?'

Thinking about it, he concludes that maybe it was, but the people there had other plans. And no training, if California was to be believed.

"Well, can all of you calm your t***s?"New Jersey asks.

"Well, I don't have those, soo," Kansas replies with a smirk.

"Shut the f*** up." New Jersey snaps.

"Anyway, we're about to pull up to the hotel, but whatever the f*** is following us is still pretty close," Massachusetts remarks.

"Sippi and I will go out and protect all y'all while y'all are goin' inside," Alabama volunteers.

"Y'all are NOT goin' by yourselves," Dixie says.

"I'm goin' with 'em," Texas says.

"Me too," New Mexico volunteers.

The car fills with the calls of other states and a few provinces who agreed to go armed to walk the rest of the group inside.

Finland picks Russia up easily, and Russia just feels happy that he's still wrapped up in blankets. The states who weren't watching the shadows were throwing suitcases out of the backs of cars and trucks as fast as they could.

Someone tosses Texas his hat, who hoots wildly with a grin.

"H*** YEAH!" Texas cheers.

Tennessee elbows him harshly, and Texas calms down slightly. Russia internally chuckles.

"You need to get cleaned up," Finland mutters. But her tone is less angered than Russia would expect.

America hobbles into the hotel room's bathroom, and the water tuns on. Finland stands by the door while Kansas, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas settle into one of the beds and the pull-out couch.

Then America pokes his face out of the door.

"You can bring him in here," America says.

Russia closes his eyes in embarrassment.

"Just put him in. We aren't keeping the hospital gown anyway." America says.

Russia sees Finland shrug and he's put into the tub with his back leaned against the side and is blasted with water. He flinches, expecting it to be freezing. He sits there for a moment, his eyes scrunched shut, until his mind registers that the water was warm.

He relaxes slightly.

"Hey, you didn't expect me to blast you with cold water, right?" America asks with a chuckle.

Russia can't meet his eyes.

America sighs, then props Russia up a little further and unties the knot of the gown on the back of his neck.

"Hey, I get it. I honestly kept checking it cuz every time I looked, it looked like it would be freezing and I didn't wanna risk you getting cold," America says, gently removing the gown.

Russia feels exposed and very embarrassed. America seems to ignore the awkwardness of the situation that drowns Russia's rational thinking.

'The only time I wanted you to see me like this is when I could take your clothes off.'

These thoughts did NOT help his already flustered mental state.

America gets back to his feet and grabs some things off the counter.

Russia still couldn't believe that America had to wash him like a small child. He feels mortified but finds a silver lining in the fact that America was the only one doing this.

"Okay," America starts gently, "I'm gonna start at your legs and go up, okay?"

Russia tries his best to nod, and America takes the affirmation as permission to start.

Most of the sensation in his legs is still numb, but America is still gentle. Gently washing out whatever had been ignored for the nurses, though the more Russia thinks about it, the more he doubts that any of those nurses were nurses at all.

He remembered how California had ranted on the car ride through the group call, loud enough to wake him up, about how she had to fix the butchered surgery with New York, and how America only survived because he was a country with how botched it was. How the 'surgical team' left two scalpels and a pair of scissors in the crooked sutures. How nothing was lined up or healing correctly. How Louisiana was the only thing that kept back any infection.

How they had fixed it. How it was a huge emergency and how New York and California had to hurriedly research and redo surgery in secret due to their, not unfounded, suspicions.

How the only reason they stayed was for Russia because they weren't sure if they could move him. How they rushed out so fast because they had wanted to leave for almost a week.

He couldn't help but feel touched that they stayed for him, but his stomach churned at how badly it had gone for America.

'No one in that building had any medical training.'

The realization hits him like a brick to the chest.

Seething fury. The thoughts have him wishing he could move, if only to strangle the 'doctor's who did that and caused more suffering to both America and his children. He takes a deep breath and tries to return his focus to America.

'I can't lash out. Not now. Not at America.'

America had made it up to his chest. Russia hadn't even realized he had been lifted up or that the backs of his legs or lower back had been attended to.

'That might be for the best.'

He knows, had it been possible, his face would have turned beet red.

America gets to his hands and holds them before rinsing them off.

Russia notices how the smell that had clung to him since the dead animals incident began to actually fade. The air was clearing.

"Okay Ruski," America mutters, "you gotta close your eyes, okay?"

Russia complies.

Russia finds himself relaxing, as much as he could, as America tenderly rubs away the grim from his face. It seems to take a few tries to get the dried slime off his cheek.

Gentle, caloused hands begin scrubbing out his hair.

"It's been so long since I've seen your hair actually white," America says with an audible smile. Russia smiles back as well he can.

Russia tries to pay all his attention to the gentle actions. He feels so fuzzy. So loved. So cared for.

America dumps some water over his face, and he holds his breath.

He basks in the affection. Sure, this is still a situation that mortified him to no end, because of his lack of autonomy, but decides, since he can't do anything to stop it, to try to ignore it as best he could.

Eventually, he's dried off and clothed, his hair fluffed up by the towel.

America giggles and kisses him on the forehead.

"Your hair looks so cute," America says between muffled laughter.

Finland carries him out and dumps him onto the bed. America closed the bathroom door behind them and cleans himself off before stumbling back out. With New Mexico and Kansas' help, America makes it onto the bed.

America crawls across it and cuddles into Russia's side. Kansas laughs and helps adjust the blankets to be lying on top of them. America wraps himself up tightly and begins stroking Russia's clothes with an arm poking out of the bundle he had buried himself in.

'He's adorable.'

America shifts around and pulls Russia to his chest. America buries his face into Russia's hair. America breaths in and sighs. He nuzzles Russia's hair.

"It's nice, you know? You smell nice again," America mumbles into his hair. Russia feels a little flustered, but content.

"Y'all are sweet," Texas coos. Russia feels his heart swell at the implied approval. America hums, and falls asleep against Russia.

"I'll keep watch," Finland volunteers. She sits in the uncomfortable hotel chair, facing the hotel door. Russia drifts off, feeling warm and loved.

~

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[foxingpeculiar]

Alright, here's what I'm thinkin' re: Sekiro.

I've been fighting Genichiro for most of the day. I am getting measurably better, I recognize that. And I'm enjoying that experience--when things do go well, I don't think I've ever had a game feel more badass. But it's also very much a progress of inches. I can get him to his third phase (I've done it twice now), but he still kills me in the first way more often than not.

And that's fine. This is a hard game. I kinda talked about it in a previous post, but the sheer, unrelenting speed and precision of it make it a much harder game than even any of its siblings, and I don't think I'm alone in that opinion. (I'm one of those assholes who will argue that Dark Souls isn't really all that hard, it just takes some adjustment--I don't think I can make that argument here.)

But I find myself in a position where, not only are there a lot of other games I want to play, but school is starting in two weeks. Which means I'm going to have a lot less time for gaming, and when I do find some, I'm gonna want to feel like I'm accomplishing more. That progress of inches is going to feel less satisfying when time is a scarcer resource, which it is most definitely about to be.

So I think I'm done with it for now. I'm not giving up on it--I WILL finish this game at some point. I'm not even giving up on this save file--I'll come back and take a crack at 'em once in a while. The advantage here is, while the story is interesting, it's also remote enough that I'm not super invested in it, in a way that will make me feel like starting over completely after a break, the way I would with a more narratively focused game.

I know this justification is basically unnecessary, but I'm finding it interesting to kind of keep track of my own experiences here. Not only am I learning about myself--what's my threshold for enjoyment? How do I solve problems or face challenges?--but also about media design: where is that balance between frustrating and rewarding? What design choices impact that? Etc. That's part of what was interesting to me about thinking about the distinction between the action and RPG elements of this and previous games.

But okay. FromSoft break (until January and/or PS5 time). My copy of Kingdoms of Amalur arrived today, so I'm gonna jump into that next. I understand it's a little old school and the remaster doesn't really streamline it much, but that's fine. I've been playing RPGs since Breath of Fire 3, Phantasy Star IV and FF6--I'll manage.

[spirit-shroud]

Fanfix ask: I N K Q V Z

hewwo! ♥ from this ask

I: How many fandoms have you written in?  Do you have a favorite? technically, i’ve written fanfic for d gay man, h*mestuck, toontown, w*zard101, world of wardumb, undered tale, deltaed runes, hyperlifter, bard game, moonlighter, oneshot, dust: AET, Portal, no.6, and more recently, pokemon. i only have ut/os/swsh up on my ao3 tho because most other stuff is Very Old or just generally incomplete/not the general vibe of the fandom lol

undert*le was fun to write for just because of how rapidly my hits/kudos/comments went up but tbh i really only wrote for it because of the attention my fics got even tho they werent like.... remotely good. half of that is  looking back on my past work and cringing just bc it’s my past work but like. idk. im really hoping that writing swsh stuff will be a similar high but it’s something i feel a lot better taking my time and putting actual effort into my writing for 

N: Any fic ideas brewing that you’d care to share? oh always, heres some upcoming chapters of legendsfor the ones im actively working on/have been adding to lately: Tangled in Glimwood - the usual two end up dangerously lost in the glimwood tangle and have to set up camp for the night, armed with like, half a steel move and a trusty cast iron frying pan between them to make sure they’re safe from all the rude ass fairies. includes fun friendly banter such as ‘hop i swear to god you CANNOT eat the glowing mushrooms they are DEFINITELY SUPER POISONOUS’ and ‘this is why nobody in your family has any taste buds left’ and ‘do you think phantumps remember being alive? do they have any of their memories? if we both became phantumps, do you think we’d recognize each other and keep being friends? is that weird to think about?”  Hopscotch - hop has always been there for reader, so when his spirit gets crushed by bede, you step in and offer emotional support and it’s mushy as all hell. this fic entirely is being written bc i’m pissed there’s no option to hug hop during the game. i cant summarize it either its just ‘hop feels bad so you do something about it like a good friend instead of a Silent Protagonist Bastard Fool’ 

Striped Pajamas - a semi-sequel-but-not-really? a sequel if you squint? to sea vents where marnie, hop, and reader hang out again and have a sleep over and like. play video games together and it’s NICE they have FUN and my girl SMILES FOR REAL BC ITS WHAT SHE DESERVES 

Homecoming - reader + leon have been together for awhile and he’s bringing them home to meet his mom+little bro. it’s mostly uneventful and even awkward, as i’d imagine that kind of thing would be, so reader spends most of their time hanging out w this neglected nine year old child who really wants to show them his craftmine builds and amaze his future sibling-in-law with his intensive knowledge of Weird Science Facts

Pink and Blue - y’kno who’s nice? piers. optimal bro material. a lot of exhausted gay energy in this dude. this one is like. post-championship cup reader + hop just adopt this poor washed up man since they’re sad kids seeking guidance and he’s a sadder adult with too much time on his hands now that he isn’t a gym leader. sort of like, a ‘mentor who’s life is falling apart needs a new son’ sort of trope bc that’s pretty optimal. 

this got kinda lengthy but i do have more bc i have WIP Disease ™

K:  Do you have a guilty pleasures in fic (reading or writing)? idk how to actually define ‘guilty pleasure’ tbh. like. i like what i like and that’s all there is to it. x reader fanfic is a circus and i’m the ringmaster, bitch

Q: Do you like getting prompts from your readers? yes!! always!! i need to update my writing request page on my blog n maybe people will like. send me some dkfjhsgkjdhfg

V: Are there certain comments you’ve received on your stories that have stuck with you? its not a specific comment but ive been thinkin like. daily abt that guy who lovingly commented on 15/17 of my und*rtale fic collection despite it being very clearly abandoned for years. like. i still need to come up w a new chapter to thank em but i just dont have any un*ertale juice in my system rn 

Z: Is there a story you’ve written that doesn’t seem to get much love? not really tbh, like, i think out of the 5 fics i have on ao3 rn (fragmented, speechless, bad dialogue, my burden is light, day to day legends) they all have the expected amount of hits/kudos per their audiences. id really like some comments on ch1 of d2dl before i got ch2 posted but it doesn’t really bother me too much that there isnt any yet. its 1 chapter and it’s been only a week lol 

i also wish mbil had more comments but also the one hot fandom isn’t very large, the x reader one hot community is even smaller, and i havent updated that in like. a year dkfgjdhfg

[doyouevenshipbr0]

gruvia drabble:

author's note: oh hey guys lmaoooo just me stopping in to write something that ive been thinkin ab n then ill prolly go MIA again! lets see! ok this was a cute little idea thats been on my mind for a sec so here it is

*

Juvia's tears streamed down her made up face as she sat in the dressing room that she locked herself in. She knew she was overreacting for crying, but she just couldn't help it. She frequently checked the mirror to make sure the water proof mascara held true and thankfully, it did.

Although she had to check in the mirror, she hated what she saw. There she sat in her dressing room, her beautiful white gown frumped up against the cold hard bench. Her beautifully done eyes (courtesy of Cana) were puffy, but the pigment on her lids remained in tact, and somehow the tears weren't leaving streaks on her face. Regardless of the episode she was having she made sure not to ruin her hair or smudge her makeup.

She looked up at the small window and felt her stomach twist in knots all over again at the sight. More tears fell and she looked down shaking her head back and forth. Every few moments she tried to get it together. She would stand up, wipe off the tears as carefully as possible, straighten her shoulders, and then the crack of thunder would break her spirit all over again. She felt hopeless.

She heard a door open to the room just outside of her dressing room and paused her crying. "Just please give Juvia a few more minutes, Mira-san." She sniffled and started her build up all over again by standing and slapping her cheeks lightly a couple times.

"It's not Mira." The blunt voice was almost as horrible as the cracks of thunder that had been booming in her ears for the past fifteen minutes. Gray was the last person she wanted to see--well hear her like this.

"G-Gray-sama-" Her voice caught in her throat. "E-eh Juvia is sorry for the hold up!" She put herself into overdrive and was drying her tears like never before. "Go back and Juvia will be there in just a moment." She patted down her mermaid gown, getting rid of any imperfections.

"Juvia," Gray began. "Why have you been sitting in the dressing room for 15 minutes? The girls said they tried everything to get you to come out." He walked closer to her room and stood right outside her door.

"J-Juvia's just nervous is all." She lied.

"Nervous?" Gray snorted. "You were practicing your wedding vows three hours after I proposed. You had the venue booked a week later." There was a pause. "Now why don't you really tell me why you've been holding up the wedding?"

Juvia sighed and finally faced the door. She didn't want to say it. She knew just how silly it was, but she couldn't help how she felt.

"W-well," She was interrupted by a rumble of thunder, and her composure was gone once again. Her voice cracked as she let out a sob and felt tears stain her cheeks.

"Juvia!" Gray's voice was worried. He jiggled the handle to get into the room, but the door was locked. "Please let me in."

"No!" Juvia immediately exclaimed. "You can't see the bride before she walks down the aisle! It's bad luck!" She then looked at herself in the mirror. "Plus, Juvia's a mess right now anyway." She grumbled.

"Is this about the rain?" Gray finally said. Then there was a pause. She couldn't deny it. Gray then had his answer.

"I had a feeling that's what this was all about." He sighed.

"It's not just that." Juvia defended. "First, the baker made the wrong flavor cake. Then the band says they're going to be an hour late, and now-" She let our her breath. "This stupid rain."

"You're gonna' let a couple mishaps ruin the most important day of our lives?"

Juvia perked up. "This is the most important day of Gray-sama's life!?"

He groaned. "Really?" He said, referring to her sudden excitedness. "Of course this is the most important day of my life!" He said, blushing.

Juvia giggled. "Juvia's too."

"Then don't let any stupid shit get in the way of that." His voice was soothing.

"Juvia knows it's silly, it's just--" She held her breath for a moment to stop a tear from falling. "Rain was such a big part of who Juvia was growing up. It was horrible, and it followed me everywhere I went. Then Gray-sama came along and finally stopped Juvia's rain." She breathed out, remembering the fond moment when they met. "And now it's our wedding day and this rain just shows up." She sniffed. "It just seems like a bad omen. And today was supposed to be perfect."

"And it still will be perfect. A lightning bolt could strike be down when I say 'I do' and it will still be one of the best moments of my life. It's because I'm with you, Juvia, and this day is for us. It doesn't matter if its rain, shine, hail, or snow. As long as I get to fall asleep tonight with you by my side knowing you're my wife, that's all I need. I don't care how it happens." Gray's voice was as cool as ever, and Juvia's eyes began to well up in happiness.

"Oh, Gray-sama..." Her voice was shaking from the tears that were on the brink.

"Don't go crying again." He grumbled. "Just wipe off your tears and get ready, ok?"

"Yes, Gray-sama." She replied.

There was a pause and Juvia heard a slight ruckus and saw a shine flash over the dressing room. "I'll leave this for you." Gray said. "I don't want your hair or makeup ruined or any shit like that." Juvia wasn't sure what he meant.

"And hey." Gray opened the door but called back to her before fully exiting.

"Yes, darling?"

"Knock em' dead, alright? I know I'm sure as hella gonna' pass out at the sight of ya'." Gray flirted, getting a chuckle from Juvia.

"Of course, Gray-sama." She smiled.

"I love you, Juvia." He faintly said, and Juvia finally heard the door close.

Her cheeks were warm with pink and she finally opened up the dressing room and finally saw what the small ruckus was: it was an ice umbrella. Not any umbrella, but an exact replica of the one she carried around all those days in Phantom Lord and she still pulled out every now and then when it rained.

She felt her heart swell, and she was back in business. She stuck her head out the room and called in Cana, Lucy, Mira, Meredy, Lisannna, and Wendy to help her fix the little things she messed up during her cry fest.

Once she was finally ready again, the girls did the finishing touches and draped Juvia's veil over her face. She reached down and grabbed her ice umbrella, and was ready to head out the door. The pattering of the rain didn't rain bother her in the slightest, and the thunder was music to her ears.

Like Gray said, this day would be perfect.

[your-iron-lung]

No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross 10

aka ‘The House That Dripped Blood’; available to read on AO3 HERE

Story Synopsis:  Some weird low-key occult parties start popping up that Steve can’t in good conscience ignore and takes it upon himself to investigate. Billy gets caught up in the consequences of his meddling, and isn’t it funny? For all the strange things the Upside Down has thrown his way, it’s werewolves that Steve has trouble accepting exist.

Chapter Word Count: 7927

Pairings: Eventual Billy Hargrove/Steve Harrington

Genre: Supernatural/Drama/Horror-ish

Previous Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Next Chapter: 11

Notes: if you follow me you may have noticed i havent posted in a while- this is bc i spend all my time playing ffxiv instead of setting aside determined amounts of time to spend on writing/drawing and i have a bunch of artist alleys coming up that im ill prepared for and im terrible at budgeting UH YEP bad excuse but WHAT CAN YA DO here we are

(ive also set up a ko-fi account if you want to give drop me some tippy tips if u enjoy the word things i do) ((no pressure tho))

"Bigfoot."

Hopper leaned back in his chair; let it creak and groan under his weight until he knew it was at its limit, and then pushed it a little more. He studied the no-nonsense expression on the hunter before him, and intrinsically knew that the man was speaking truth.

"Bigfoot," the old man said again, speaking a little sterner than he had before once he recognized Hopper's amiable expression of disbelief. "I seen't him out in the woods just the other day."

The aging man had lumbered into the police station almost immediately after Hopper came in, bundled in some worn hunting gear that looked almost as old as he was. The deputies had offered to speak with him after hearing his initial claim, but they'd been refused when Callahan couldn't stop smirking. The old hunter had insisted on speaking with Hopper, who leaned forward now, taking the stress off of his chair to take a sip of the coffee Florence had brought in for him. He didn't look at the old man as he drank.

"So let me get this straight," Hopper began, setting his coffee aside to rub at his forehead, "you came in first thing in the morning worried about a missing friend of yours, but now you're telling me you're worried about Bigfoot."

"You know me, Jim," the hunter said, a slight hint of pleading desperation edging out of his voice. "You know I ain't some crazy old coot. I ain't seen Lamm in a long while, and yessir I'm worried 'bout him, but when I went out to his cabin to check on him I seen it: I seen Bigfoot!"

As incredulous as the claim was, Hopper believed him- not about it being Bigfoot, exactly, but he believed that the man had seen something out there in the woods, and it had the possibility of being that something he'd spent the last two weeks fruitlessly searching for.

Regardless, he didn't want to let the old hunter know he was taking him seriously. The last thing he needed was for his community to think he believed in this sort of nonsense, but people in town were going missing, and people he knew were getting hurt: if his only lead should turn up in the form of an old man believing he'd caught sight of an urban legend, then so be it. He'd follow it through, but he'd be subtle about it.

"You sure it wasn't just a trick of the light or something, Wes? You know your eyes aren't what they used to be," Hopper remarked casually, softening his voice to let him down easy. "And this isn't the first time Lamm's gone missing; you know he's one of those types of shut ins. Remember those weeks he was gone hunting 'vampires'? He's the kind of guy who lives in his own head more than he lives out here, he'll turn up again on his own time."

The hunter's lips twitched into a frown. "Alright, maybe Lamm is a little off kilter," he relented, averting his eyes for a second, "and maybe it weren't Bigfoot, but the tracks it left were huge 'n mighty, by God, and I ain't seen nothin' else like it before. If it weren't Bigfoot, then at the very least it had big feet, Jim, and I ain't never seen feet quite like 'em."

Interest piqued, Hopper became more attentive. "How's that?"

"Well, they was stretched out lookin', for one." The hunter paused, tilting his head slightly as he tried to recall the details of what he'd seen out in the woods. He held his hands up, spaced apart in an approximation of how long the prints he'd found had been. "Human lookin', almost, which is what had me thinkin' it coulda been Bigfoot. They weren't the tracks of somethin' native 'round here, and I only caught but the barest glimpse of it, but it was tall, Jim; taller'n you or I."

That sounded right; the prints he'd found and unsuccessfully tracked were, as the hunter said, 'huge 'n mighty' and matched the description of what he'd just been told. It didn't take an expert's opinion (though he had consulted one) to discern that the markings just weren't natural. Hopper set his mug of coffee aside and pulled out a notepad from one of his desk drawers. He uncapped a pen and held it to the page for a moment before writing down a few preliminary notes for himself on the top line.

The hunter cocked his head and leaned forward to look at what he was writing and said, "That don't look official."

"Because it's not; this one's just gonna be between us, alright?" Hopper said, looking up to meet Wesley's blue, watery eyes. He held the stare long enough to get his point across, waiting for a sign of affirmation before looking back to the notepad and pressing the tip of the pen to the paper. "Tell me where and when exactly you saw this 'Bigfoot' of yours."

The day was cold and grey at its start, with harsh, biting winds ushering in thick clouds that blocked out any hope of the sun ever making an appearance. Steve eyed the sky apprehensively as he made his way back to his car, wary of the way the clouds looked as though they might start dropping hail on him at a moment's notice. Billy feigned disinterest as Steve opened the rear passenger door and leaned in to shove the box of things he'd bought at the Hunting & Camping store into the backseat. Even with his vision obscured in part by the sunglasses he'd elected to wear, he didn't miss the strong look of annoyance that graced Steve's features when he came around to the driver's seat and entered the car with a pout.

"That guy give you a hard time or something?" Billy asked as Steve buckled in and put the BMW into reverse, turning in his seat to hastily jerk the car out of the parking lot. "Why do you look like someone shit in your cereal?"

Steve clicked his tongue. "He just kept asking what a 'kid like me' needed with a bunch of chains and rope and shit. My god, he just would not let it go, like he thought I was trying to build my own sex dungeon or something. Fucking annoying."

"You mean that's not what we're doing?" Billy asked, grinning a bit at the way Steve's face pinched up in disgust. "What'd you say?"

"I told him the truth; said it was to tie up a werewolf. 'It's a full moon tonight, y'know? Gotta tie 'em down or they go all crazy on you', I said to him, and you know what he said to me then?" Steve asked, speeding out of the little downtown shopping area Hawkins played host to and sounding every bit as gossipy as Carol did when she caught wind of a scandal.

"How the fuck would I?" Billy drawled, turning away from the conversation to watch the scenery pass by disinterestedly.

"He said, 'Damn fool kids will never learn'," Steve said, ignoring him. "'Damn fool kids will never learn', like, what the hell does that mean?"

Billy shrugged. "Who knows? As long as he accepted daddy's plastic then what does it matter?"

Steve clicked his tongue again in annoyance and rolled his eyes. "Fuck you."

Feeling the beginnings of a headache coming on, Billy declined to retort. They rode on in silence, the chains in the box Steve had bought clinking together softly in the backseat before the radio was finally turned on to mask the sound.

Regardless of whether or not Steve actually believed something was going to happen to Billy that night, he couldn't deny that the whole day leading up to that evening just felt… off. From meeting up with Billy earlier that afternoon to go by the camping store, to grabbing lunch together before heading over to the Henderson's house, it all felt wrong.

It was something Steve had difficulty pinpointing the origins of, but as they began work on clearing out enough space in the cellar for Billy to do whatever it was he thought he was going to do, he soon came to realize that the feeling of wrongness seemed to stem from Billy himself.

Few words could better describe Billy than 'annoying' or 'smart-mouthed', but he'd been uncharacteristically tight-lipped all day. He'd become a remarkably dull version of himself, and Steve wasn't sure quite how to handle that.

Usually one to argue and bite back at everything Steve said, when he'd begun dishing out instructions on how best to clear out some floor space in the cellar, Billy hadn't talked back to him a single time; merely lit a cigarette and blinked at him slowly, silently acknowledging what had been asked of him before getting on with it.

It was unsettling. Steve could almost say that he hated how submissive Billy was because of how used he'd gotten to the back-talk and smart-ass remarks Billy usually had ready for him, and though, yes, there were times he had wished for this kind of attitude from him, the silence and absolute subordination coupled with all of the other behavioral changes Billy was exhibiting were enough to set Steve on edge.

Billy kept tonguing the gaps in his teeth where they'd fallen out over the course of the week, and he never seemed to realize he wasn't alone. Sometimes he'd jump at the sound of Steve's voice, or shake his head and crease his brow in confusion when he turned around to see Steve moving stuff somewhere behind him, but arguably the worst part of it all was that he stank.

He'd tried to mask it with an overabundance of cologne that had nearly suffocated Steve when they began working in closer quarters, but buried beneath that was a hint of something that smelled awfully rotten. If he had to, Steve could liken it to the stench of the monster they'd encountered in the woods, but he chose not to, instead chalking it up to a severe case of nervous b.o. or something. The implications that the scents could be related bothered him too deeply to believe, and even then he wasn't sure he really wanted to know what the source of the smell was.

The stench of decay emanating from Billy's person was worrisome enough on its own, but with so much to do in order to get ready before sunset, Steve had a hard time figuring out where to primarily apply his focus: there were simply too many things going on for him to worry about one thing more than another.

The giant hole in the wall that Dart made to tunnel out of the cellar was his immediate concern, but Dustin had done a good job of hiding it from his mother by placing a tall shelf in front of it, essentially blocking it off. That didn't mean it wasn't entirely inaccessible, but Steve wasn't sure what more he could do about it. In all honesty, he'd forgotten about it until he'd tried to move the shelf aside and then found himself peeking into the eerie tunnel. He'd knocked over several things in his haste to put the shelf back in place, but Billy hadn't seemed to notice it, and if he didn't, maybe he wouldn't think to use it if- or when- he lost himself to whatever supernatural effects he was experiencing.

"Big if, though," Steve muttered aloud to himself. Turning away from the shelf, he looked over to where Billy was inspecting some old power tools, turning a nail gun over in his hands before setting it back in the box he'd pulled it out of. "So, are we good or what? This baby-proofed enough for you?" Steve asked, startling Billy out of whatever ruminations he'd been lost to.

Billy looked at Steve blankly, face impassive and emotionless. He frowned, and then looked around himself as though he'd forgotten where he was. When he spoke, his voice was monotone and devoid of his usual arrogance as he said, "I don't know, Harrington; is it?"

"You tell me, man, this was your idea." Steve watched as Billy returned his focus on the box of tools he'd originally been rummaging through. Picking up a hammer, Billy balanced its weight in his hands before gripping the handle tightly. Steve distrusted the look in Billy's eye as he held it. "What are you, a child? Quit rifling through their shit, put it back," he said.

Billy didn't reply or even acknowledge that he'd heard him. Ignoring Steve's demand, he stepped up to the abandoned work bench to splay his left hand out over the wood and lifted the ballpeen up.

"What the fuck are you doing? Put it down," Steve said again, his voice rising slightly in pitch when he understood what Billy was doing. He started towards him in an effort to stop him, but halted when the hammer was brought crashing down.

It missed his hand, but the force of the impact splintered the wooden table's surface. Steve gaped as Billy turned around, a cocky little smile turning up his lips.

"Someone could get hurt real bad down here if they weren't careful, huh, Harrington?" he said, a fierceness that Steve hated to admit he'd missed charging his voice. "But we've been real careful cleaning this shithole out, haven't we, pally?"

"You sick piece of shit, give me that," Steve snapped, snatching the hammer away from Billy's pliant grip. "Fuck you, Hargrove; you could've just said you wanted to move this shit out of here."

"Had you pegged as being more of a visual learner," Billy sneered as Steve threw the hammer back into the box of tools. "Your concern was touching, though, really."

"You're the one who came asking me for help, fuckface. Begged me, almost, if I'm remembering right. 'Oh, Steve, help me, I'm so scared of fake movie monsters!'"

Steve hadn't meant to rise to the taunt, but Billy's insufferable attitude had him stooping to his level as he hoisted the hefty box of tools in his arms and lugged them over to the stairway. Billy laughed dryly at Steve's mocking tone.

"We both wish that fucking thing had been fake," he said as Steve placed the box on the ground at the foot of the stairs beside the box of supplies he'd bought earlier. They were both quiet for a moment, their attempt at a conversation dying as quickly as it had been brought on.

"Only one thing left to do then," Steve said morosely.

Billy blinked and turned to face the stairway, eyes rising slowly up to where the cellar doors were propped open wide. Steve felt the guilt of having to lock him in prematurely and had to remind himself that he wanted to be locked in.

"Better hop to it then, Harrington," Billy said lowly, lips curling back into a familiar grin, but without all his teeth in place to flesh it out, Steve found the display to be more unsettling than annoying. "Let's get this sex dungeon set up."

Steve grimaced. "Not even in your wildest dreams, Hargrove."

"Nothing's off the table in my dreams, pretty boy." Billy breathed out a small laugh at the disgusted look on Steve's face, but the grin he'd been displaying slowly fell away. "Is it getting dark yet?"

"Uh, kind of, but the sun hasn't set yet," Steve replied, stepping up into the stairwell to check the status of the sky. It was as dull and grey as it had been all day, the overcast weather acting as a harbinger for the snowfall the local meteorologist had foretold was coming. "If you took off those fucking sunglasses you'd be able to tell."

"These are for your benefit as much as mine," Billy snapped, frowning suddenly.

"Yeah, okay, whatever that means," Steve said dismissively as he began to fish out the cords of rope from the box, letting them spool out onto the ground before gathering them into his hands. "How do you uh, how do you want to do this?"

"Aw, is this kitten's first time tying someone up?" Billy purred, not moving from where he stood in the middle of the cellar, directly under the light. "Who knew 'King' Steve's favourite flavor was vanilla."

Steve rolled his eyes as he brought the ropes over, wrinkling his nose at the mixed smell of rot and cologne that got stronger with proximity. "I've dated girls kinkier than you'd know what to do with," he retorted as he gestured for Billy to hold out his hands.

"Oh please," Billy said with a snort, "there are no kinky girls in Hawkins or I would've found them by now."

"You're obviously not looking hard enough," Steve muttered in response, gesturing again for Billy to hold out his hands.

Shrugging out of his leather jacket and tossing it over the work table he'd splintered, Billy held his hands up obediently and watched stoically as Steve wound the rope around his wrists, binding his hands together roughly.

"What's should our safe word be?" Billy teased, smirking as Steve wound another, longer length of rope over the original knot.

"There is no safe word because this isn't a sex thing!" Steve insisted angrily.

Flustered, he sighed irritably as he wound the long part of the rope around Billy's waist, hating how close he had to get in order to make sure the rope was tight enough, though Billy seemed to be enjoying how close he'd gotten. He kept shifting his weight around, trying, it seemed, to get Steve into a more compromising position. Annoyed, but determined to finish, Steve did his best to ignore Billy's constant movement and the disgusting, rotten musk that was wafting off of his person to finish tying him up.

"Why do you fucking stink so goddamn badly?" Steve finally asked with a scowl, repressing the urge to gag as he tied the ropes off into a clumsy knot. He stumbled away from Billy, reaching up to pinch his nostrils shut so he wouldn't have to smell the rot anymore, but the rancid scent seemed to have lodged itself deep into his nose. "You smell like a dead Calvin Klein model or something, holy shit, did you use a whole fucking bottle?"

The amusement Billy had held while taunting Steve left his face. His smirk shrunk into an awkward grimace as he looked away in embarrassment.

"I don't know, alright?" he admitted bitterly. "It doesn't matter how much I bathe, and between that and my eyes I have no idea what the fuck's going on with me."

"What about your eyes?" Steve asked hesitantly, unsure if he really wanted to know the reasoning behind why Billy had insisted on wearing sunglasses all day.

Billy faltered for a moment, hesitating briefly before reaching up and plucking the sunglasses off his face. With both hands bound together, he awkwardly folded the legs against the lenses and tucked them into the collar of his button up. He turned his gaze to Steve, who couldn't help but suck in a slight breath of surprise.

His eyes were so bloodshot they looked ready to start bleeding straight out of the sockets. There were hardly any whites left in the sclera to be seen as Billy winked at him, looking immensely uncomfortable at the way Steve was gaping openly at him.

"Do they- hurt? Or whatever?" Steve asked, unconsciously taking a few steps forward to get a better look. In the dim lighting of the basement, even the blues of Billy's eyes looked reddish.

"What's it to you if they do?" Billy snapped, suddenly irritable. He squared his jaw and looked away, unable to face the amount of concern Steve was showing him.

The worry Steve felt for the both of them in that moment grew stronger as he backed off, letting the matter of the changes in Billy's physicality drop, despite how alarming they were. "If I don't hear anything an hour after the sun goes down, I'll let you out," Steve said abruptly as he walked backwards towards the stairwell, grasping for the hand rail behind him blindly, unsure why he was so reluctant now to let Billy out of his sight. It was what they'd agreed upon earlier, and he said it meaning for it to sound reassuring, but the way Billy's lips twitched made it apparent he didn't interpret it that way.

Billy didn't respond.

"Well, uh, I guess that's it then," Steve said as he bent down, placing his box of chains atop the box of tools Billy had been messing around with before lifting them up together to carry them up and out of their man-made dungeon.

The cellar doors shrieked loudly as they were closed, a high pitched agony that erupted when the metal grinded against itself uncooperatively. Steve didn't mind that so much as he hated the sound the chains made as he wove them through the door handles, reminding him of what he was doing and who he was imprisoning as the steel rattled sharply against the doors. He winced at the commotion, but continued to loop them through the small door handles until no more could be fit between them. He tested their sturdiness by attempting to pull them open, and to his pleasure, they remained shut. The doors were secured; the cellar, as far as he was concerned, was now a suitable prison. All that was left of him now was to play the role of the jailor appropriately.

He stared down at his handiwork for a moment before the cold, blowing winds prompted him to seek shelter. Already a few snowflakes were fluttering out of the sky, flying into his cheeks as he turned away, re-gathering the box of tools in his arms and headed for the door Dustin promised he'd leave a key for.

Searching under the backdoor mat, Steve found the promised key, and true to the rest of Dustin's word, the entire home was empty, save for the cat that chirped a greeting for him from atop the kitchen counter. With a deep intake of breath Steve glanced at his watch, stepped inside, and shut the door behind him, wondering if he really was prepared for the worst. In the trunk of his car his bat waited for him, ready to be put to use just in case shit really did hit the fan, but he found himself questioning if he'd really be able to use it; bludgeoning monsters to death was one thing, but turning it on a boy he knew was only a monster figuratively was something else entirely.

For both his and Billy's sakes, he hoped it wouldn't come to that.

Shrugging out of his thick coat, Steve set it down beside him as he took a seat on the Henderson's couch. He glanced at his watch again, dismayed by the fact that time wasn't progressing as fast as he wished it was and sat in anxious worry about what the rest of the night might have in store.

But at least he was comfortable and warm.

The cellar was not.

It wasn't the cold that Billy minded, so much as it was the anticipation: when would the transformation start? Exactly at sundown? A little before? A little after? Would he actually end up transforming? And why the fuck did the word 'transform' make him so damn uncomfortable? The unknown factors surrounding his circumstances were almost worse than any of the physical symptoms he'd been experiencing as of late, and he'd been experiencing a lot.

Anxiety wasn't something Billy had a lot of experience with, but it was the only thing he could think of that explained why his heart had been beating oddly all day. It was running at a notably higher rate, as though he'd been playing basketball or working out extraneously, and brought on palpitations he wasn't used to dealing with at the elevated speed.

In short he felt terrible. His whole body ached like it was going through puberty again. Both his arms and legs were sore in ways that mimicked the aches that came with growing pains when he'd had them, but he couldn't understand why he would begin to hurt in that way again. He hadn't had the energy to work out in two days despite eating practically anything he could get his hands on, so the soreness in his limbs was unwarranted. Either his body was preparing itself for the coming night, or he was having an incredibly drawn-out heart attack.

Standing at the foot of the stairwell, Billy felt the cold permeating in through the closed opening and moved away to find a better spot to wait. He wanted rub his arms to bring some warmth into them, but couldn't with the way they were bound. Already the ropes were beginning to dig into his wrists, rubbing uncomfortably against his skin as he realized he wasn't actually that cold anyway, despite the frigid weather; his body temperature had been on a steady incline leading up to now, leaving him with a rosy complexion and a near constant fever, the long-term effects of which left him feeling severely disoriented.

He could barely remember meeting up at Steve's house only a few hours ago to carpool to his kid friend's house, riding with the windows down in spite of the severe wind-chill as they went into town to get lunch and buy rope. Even though they'd ridden together, he couldn't remember now if they'd actually talked about anything or not. All he could remember were the low tones of the radio and the resonating throbs of the wind as it swooped in through the open windows, rushing to fill the audial space between them. It was as though his mind had been steeped in a fog, and he couldn't accurately think through it: everything was clouded over, incomprehensible, like waking up the morning after a bender and being unable to remember everything he'd done the night before, but knowing all the same that he'd taken part in some memorable shit.

Would there be pain, he wondered, and would it come on as suddenly as it had to the character in the movie he'd made Steve watch? Even though 'American Werewolf' was just a movie, stories like that had to spawn from some sort of truth, didn't they?

The dim little lightbulb that hung overhead flickered briefly, drawing Billy's attention to it as he took a seat at the work table's bench, wishing his eyes weren't a dry and sore as they were.

Coming from above, he could hear the muffled sounds of a TV show permeating through the cellar's ceiling. He couldn't help but think ill of Steve in that moment, but if their situations had been reversed, he probably would have been doing the same thing; he couldn't fault Harrington for finding a way to pass the time, though he wished he had something similar to do for himself. There was nothing interesting to hold his attention, and time passed at a dreadfully slow rate.

Stretching out on the bench, he laid himself down slowly, mindful of which parts of his back hurt the most, and gazed up at the cement overhead disinterestedly. He listened to the muffled sounds of the distant television, trying to conjure an image in his mind that corresponded with what little dialogue he could hear, but the rapid beating of his heart overpowered the noises coming from the TV. He closed his eyes and focused on his breathing in an attempt to lower his heart rate, but it just kept going, pounding in a determined rhythm that seemed to be quickening with each passing minute. A bead of sweat trickled down from his scalp and over his ear as he wondered if the tingling he felt in the tips of his fingers was because of the cold or from the ropes being tied too tight.

He flexed his fingers, opening and closing his hands into a fist to try and bring sensation back into his fingertips, but to no avail. They remained numb, and the cause of which eluded him.

Frowning, Billy stiffly sat up and began to pinch at his skin, belatedly realizing that the numbness was spreading slowly down the lengths of his fingers, a sensation that sent a chill running down the length of his spine.

"Oh," he said. "Oh shit."

The pain, when he finally did begin to feel it, started in his feet. There were still thirty minutes before the sun went down.

Billy licked his lips nervously as he tried to get his boots off, his numb fingers and bound hands fumbling uselessly with the laces as the pain centralized in his toes and grew in sudden intensity. He was no stranger to pain, but this was unlike anything he'd ever felt before: it was sharp and stabbing, with each throb of pain stemming from the bones in his toes, as though they were growing more pointed in an attempt to pierce their way through his skin as they elongated. He could feel them cracking; each joint slowly popping free of itself as the bones began to push themselves forward.

"Oh, shit," he repeated, and could hear the muffled sounds of a laugh track from whatever sitcom Steve had turned on upstairs roaring in delight as he struggled to finally pull his boots off.

The stabbing sensation didn't relent, even once his shoes lay discarded by his feet. He peeled away his socks with shaking hands and stared down at his toes.

They'd turned a bright, beet red and were bulging like they might burst apart, his skin bubbling up around toenails that were already starting to peel off. He couldn't help the whimper as he tentatively felt them, a pain like touching a freshly popped, skinless blister causing him to draw his fingers back.

It was real. It was happening.

Sweating freely now, he reached away from his feet to brush his dampened hair away from his forehead as sweat rolled down the sides of his face. He paused when he felt his hair pull free from his scalp, clinging to the back of his hand stubbornly. Billy stared at the loose, curly strands with a horrified expression and reached up with a shaking hand to grab more. When he pulled, a handful of his hair came away easily, eliciting another whimper from deep within his throat. Disgusted and frightened, he threw his hair away to the floor.

Breathing quickly, he hastily rubbed his hands free of the loose strands in a panic and tried to calm himself. His whole body trembled as he breathed in deeply through his nose, wondering if he should try to call out to Steve to alert him that the worst case scenario was indeed unfolding. Another laugh track from upstairs came through the ceiling as he felt a sharp, sudden stab of pain in his ribs, prompting him to gasp loudly and curl forward over himself. He could actually feel some part of his ribcage shifting inside his torso as he tucked his arms in to his sides. Any lingering thoughts of trying to remain calm left him as he transitioned from panic to full on fear.

He stood up not knowing what he was going to do, but regretted it instantly: as soon as he put weight on his foot, his ankle collapsed in on itself and brought him to the floor. A shout almost came out with his fall, but he managed to internalize the pain as he was used to doing and grit his teeth as his foot essentially broke itself in half.

The central part of his foot that arched snapped without warning. Billy swore loudly and reached for his foot instinctively, wanting to hold the break in place, but he couldn't bear the agony that came with the contact. Warm tears leaked from his eyes, and when his other lateral arch also split in half, he couldn't help but cry out.

From up above, the noises coming from the television ceased. Steve must have heard him and was listening for him now, trying to gauge whether or not he should intervene. Billy clenched his jaw tighter, determined to keep quiet, but gasped loudly when two of his molars gave out under the pressure, snapping to the side and coming loose of his gumline. The copper taste of blood filled his mouth as he spat the teeth out, shuddering uncontrollably when he felt the vertebrae in his spine begin to pop, one by one, pushing up against his skin that was quickly beginning to feel too tight.

Huffing in great breaths of air, he panted heavily as the bones of his tones finally pierced through his skin, causing most of the flesh surrounding them to burst open like little balloons. Blood splattered across the floor in gruesome, miniature arcs and Billy finally, finally became undone. He shrieked, unable to keep silent any longer as new appendages could be seen inside the flayed bits of bloody skin, slowly growing outward, already a part of him.

Warm tears of pain streaked down his face in thick lines as the skin of his feet continued to be ripped apart, making way for more muscle, new flesh. He wiped at his eyes helplessly and thought he could hear Steve's voice distantly calling out his name, asking if everything was alright.

He blinked, his vision blurred by the tears that would not clear away as he pulled himself over to the stairway.

Shaking wildly all over, Billy stretched out on the floor, realizing belatedly that the waistband of his jeans was growing tighter and tighter. Hissing sharply, he cursed himself for not having the foresight to undress himself as he hastily tried to undo his belt. A pain similar to the initial agony he'd felt in his toes was beginning to manifest itself in his fingers as both of his hands slowly began to turn red, swelling up under the bonds of the rope as he fumbled with the buckle, desperately trying to get it to come free.

"Fuck!" he shouted in frustration, his clothing growing ever tighter as his body continued to bloat. He felt like he was being pinched in half with his belt acting as an unneeded tourniquet. "Fuck! Fuck!"

"Hey! Talk to me Hargrove, what's going on?"

Steve's worried voice trilled down through the cellar doors as he continued vocalizing his frustrations. Billy felt an organ in his abdomen shift out of place before popping, prompting him to groan and curl in on himself before he threw up. His couldn't undo his belt as his vision began to darken.

"Hargrove!" Steve shouted, banging a fist against the steel door. "What the hell's going on? Talk to me!"

"Fuck you!" Billy screamed, unable to articulate anything else as he tried to rub the blackness out of his eyes, but the more he pressed his fingers to them, they more they began to hurt.

A pressure was building up behind them the more he rubbed, and as it increased, his vision grew ever darker. He kept blinking, over and over, feeling his eyes bulge out of their sockets and against his eyelids, trying now to keep his eyeballs in place. He was hyperventilating when he finally went blind, the pressure behind his eyes becoming intolerable eyes before it finally came too much, and his eyes popped free.

He felt them slide out onto over his checks and onto the floor, the slimy, blood-slick nerves leaving tracks of blood on his face as he became totally and completely blind.

"No," he whispered to himself, retching again on the floor as he scrambled across the cement, trying to find the stairs, unable to see. "No, no! This isn't real!"

Beyond the cellar doors, Steve had his ear pressed against the slight crack between the panels, desperately trying to understand what was going on. He wasn't sure what to make of the noises he was hearing, unable to determine if Billy was just trying to mess with him or if he was in actual distress.

"Hargrove," he said impatiently, turning his head to try and peak in through the crack to get a glimpse of what was going on, "you gotta start talking to me, man; what the hell's going on down there?"

"I'm fucking blind," he heard Billy shout, his voice rife with fear. "I can't see anything!"

His voice was shaking as he spoke, and Steve knew then that whatever was happening was legitimate; Billy wasn't one to openly show weakness.

"Okay, stay calm," Steve stammered, but he wasn't sure if that was actually sound advice or not. "It's- it's going to be okay, okay?"

Billy howled, and Steve understood that the pain that carried with his voice must have been terrible to get him to shriek like that. He licked his lips anxiously, not knowing what support he could possibly offer him. He continuously opened and shut his mouth, words of encouragement dying on his tongue before he could manage to speak them.

And then, all at once, the cacophony of agony ceased.

Steve couldn't hear anything over the rapid sound of his breathing for a moment before he finally spoke: "Hargrove? Is… are you okay?"

"Hurts." Billy's voice, quiet, strained, and barely audible over the sounds of things (flesh, fabric) slowly tearing, sounded disconcertingly like he was speaking with a throat full of water. It was gargling and grotesque; completely unlike the smooth, honeyed voice he'd become known for.

"Okay, what, uh, what… what hurts?" Steve whispered in response, fear quieting his previously urgent tone.

"Everything."

"Shit," Steve said to himself, backing away from the cellar door panels as the sounds of something large and heavy being knocked over made him jump. "Just, uh, stay calm," he said, though he wasn't sure if he was saying it to himself or Billy. From down below, he heard Billy groan loudly before going silent again.

Steve's heart was pounding as he hesitated, unsure of what to do. All the details of Billy's haphazardly concocted plan fled his mind as he tried to think back on what they'd agreed to do if something ended up happening, and his first instinct was to open the doors to go down and check on him. He looked at the chains wrapped tightly around the door handles and bit his lip before crouching down and pressing his eye to the crack.

The overhead light wasn't bright enough to reveal much, but at the base of the stairwell there was a small circle of illumination. Steve squinted, ignoring the cold of the steel as he pressed his face against the door, trying to see all that he could.

Blood stains. Torn bits of… something he couldn't quite make out. Dark masses on the stairwell; lots of evidence that pointed towards Billy transforming, but no trace of Billy himself.

"Hargrove," Steve whispered, and then shook his head to clear himself of his cowardice. "Hargrove," he said again, louder and with more emphasis, "dude, you have to talk me through what's happening down there."

He waited, unconsciously holding his breath as he waited for a reply. It was steadily growing darker as the sun slowly sank, making it all the harder to see into the cellar from the tiny slit. Frowning and unable to see anything, Steve turned his head and pressed his ear against the door. From somewhere in the depths of the cellar he could hear something breathing heavily. It was moving, too; he could hear something shuffling, moving around the floor space cautiously.

When he turned his head again to see through the crack, he caught a glimpse of... something large and hulking cross under the light, tall enough to set the lightbulb swinging. He couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath of air, his lungs and throat burning with the sting of the cold weather. The thing- whatever Billy had become- halted just outside the rim of light. Entranced, Steve found he couldn't move as it emitted a low, threatening growl that sounded more like a man impersonating a dog than an actual beast.

From his limited viewpoint, he couldn't see the way the muscles in its legs were tightening, or how it had begun to crouch; he didn't have time to react as it sprang forward, jumping up the stairs in a single leap to ram itself against the doors.

The chains held the doors shut, but the sudden impact smashed the metal against Steve's nose and soon all he could smell was blood as it drained out of his nostrils. He fell backwards, holding his nose as the Billy-creature growled again. Horrified, Steve could only sit in the snow and watch as the doors lurched forward when Billy rammed against them again, trying to escape. The second impact loosened the restraints, and all Steve could do in that moment was watch as they rattled uselessly in place, beginning to slip through the handles as they hadn't been properly locked into place.

Cursing to himself, staggered to his feet and rushed to grab the chains, but as Billy threw his body against the doors again it soon became obvious that even if the doors stayed shut, they were about to pop free of their hinges entirely. Blood dripped down over his lips and onto the metal panels as he tried to think of what he could possibly do to counteract the damage Billy had done. In an act of desperation, he threw himself against the steel and hoped that his added bodyweight would be enough to keep them in place.

If it managed to do anything, he couldn't tell. Almost immediately Billy was throwing himself against the doors again, nearly bucking Steve off.

"Stop!" Steve cried out, grasping for the chains to hold them in place. His fingers scrabbled against the cold steel links even as Billy let out another deep, throaty growl. With the doors as loose as they were, Steve was almost certain the doors wouldn't survive another body-slam. "Give it up, Hargrove!" Steve said again, desperately. "Just- fuck, Billy, stop!"

He braced himself for another impact, but it never came. Eyes closed in anticipation, Steve blinked them open and exhaled shakily, his fingers trembling as he let the chains go. Crystalized air puffed out in front of his face over and over as he rolled off the doors and stood up unsteadily, trying to wipe away the blood that had already frozen over and turned to crust on his upper lip. Somehow, miraculously, his pleading had worked, but before he could take comfort in that fact, other disturbing sounds began to creep back up to him from down below.

Things were being tossed around; the metallic clang of old paint cans being bounced off the floors and walls mixed with the hoarse, angry vocalizations of the creature Billy had become made his blood run colder than the air currently was. The noises Billy was making were at once both animalistic and human, deep and throaty and more akin to the bellows of a moose than a man or wolf.

Steve stood in front of the cellar doors not knowing what to do. Already their plan was falling apart, and he was quickly becoming aware of how vastly unprepared he was to handle the situation. He wanted the security of the bat in his trunk, but didn't trust himself to leave the doors unattended for the length of time it would take him to run back inside and grab his keys to get it, but he felt so weak without it.

Another loud, crashing noise came from within and Steve stilled, listening intently. Faintly, he could hear Billy snuffling about, and after the sun finally completely descended, all was quiet. His nose was throbbing as he stood attentively, but when nothing more could be heard, his stomach sank.

With trembling hands and his mind screaming at him to stop, he knelt by the doors and slowly unwound the chains from the handles. The fact that he couldn't hear anything coming from within didn't sit well with him; he had to make sure Billy was still down there.

He tried to shift the chains as quietly as possible, but with how nervous he was, he had a hard time keeping his hands steady. They rattled noisily against the door, grating on his already frazzled nerves as they slid free. Heart pounding madly, Steve carefully pulled the doors open and took the first step down into the cellar.

It was silent. He couldn't hear anything as he hesitantly took a second step, mentally berating himself over and over for being stupid enough to walk defenseless into the lion's mouth. He had no idea what Billy was capable of now, or if he'd even recognize him enough to (hopefully) have enough sense to not harm him. The lightbulb that dangled freely from the ceiling was swaying, throwing its light around erratically, showing him glimpses of the gore that lined the steps.

Eyes wide, Steve gagged at the sight of the flayed strips of bloodied skin that were splattered near everywhere. He had to avert his eyes as he took another step, making slow progress as he was careful not to step in any of the mess. At the bottom of the stairs he warily peered around the walls, hoping he'd only stuck his head into the lion's mouth figuratively. To his immediate relief, but long-term dismay, there was no trace of Billy to be seen in the space of the cellar.

Exhaling deeply, Steve tried to even out his breathing as he came to stand in the middle of the room, looking around to assess the damage. As the swinging lightbulb steadied, he turned towards where the shelf that was hiding the tunnel had been and found it on the ground, knocked to its side and several feet away from where it had originally been positioned. His shoulders drooped at the realization of Billy's escape.

He went and stood before the opening of the tunnel and felt all hope of remedying the situation vanish. A numbness overtook him as he recognized his responsibilities of keeping Billy captive had changed; he was the only one who knew about Billy's circumstances, and he was the only one who could do anything about it now. Distantly, and much further away then he would've liked, he could hear the muted, labored sounds of Billy's breathing as he escaped confinement through the underground system.

The burden of his responsibilities threatened to overwhelm him in that instant, but instead of letting himself be overtaken by despair, Steve took a deep, steadying breath and rolled his shoulders back. He hesitated for only a minute before he took charge and ran in after him, disregarding his urgent need to turn back and get his bat out of the car. There was no time, he thought; no time to get a weapon, no time to get a flashlight. If Billy was now as the werewolf in the woods was, then he was capable of speeds greater than Steve could muster, and every second mattered. If he lost his trail now, then it would be lost to him entirely. There was no time; he had to go now or he wouldn't go at all.

Alone and unarmed Steve ran, chasing after Billy into the dark, cold tunnel, hoping he would be able to catch him in time, and dreading the repercussions that would come if he couldn't.

[reallyautomaticvoid]

Calling It: Good Intentions Chapter 3: There’s Tim!

Characters (in order of appearance in this chapter): Conner Kent, Bart Allen, Tim Drake, Jason Todd, Dick Grayson

Chapter Summary:

Conner and Bart find Tim.  Or, rather, Tim finds Conner and Bart.

After checking the dozen safe houses that they knew about plus a couple of old ones that Tim had abandoned (shocking an old lady when they burst in through her front door, though they did get pie…) Conner and Bart are out of ideas.

“I’m telling you,” Conner runs to keep up with Bart, “I don’t think he’ll be there.”

“It’s as good as any to regroup,” Bart counters as he punches in the security code.  “Besides, I don’t want to miss Tim’s apartment being this clean.  It might not ever happen again.”

Conner snorts because yeah, Bart has a point.  

Conner follows Bart into the living room.  Conner walks towards the perch’s entrance and stares at it again.  

How bad could the security be?

Conner hesitates for half a second before using his X-ray vision to see through the door into the stare case.  Or trying to use his X-ray vision.  

He couldn’t see anything.  

“Shit, Tim lead lined the goddamn door.”

“Because, of course, he did,” Bart snorts, staring at the door, “that’s our paranoid bird.”

“It’s not paranoia if someone is really after you,” a new, weary voice came from right behind them.  

Jumping, Conner and Bart before turning to see, “Tim!”

It’s something to be said that two of the fastest people in the world couldn’t catch Tim before he collapses onto the couch.  Tattered suit pants and collared, long sleeves hung off of Tim’s frame making him like he’d lost ten pounds.  

Clammy skin?  Check.  At least a half a dozen new scratches, some infected, covering his arms and face?  Check.  Giant fresh gash covering Tim’s forearm?  Check.  

Conner knows there was more but didn't trust himself to use his x-ray vision.  With how shitty Tim looks, literally the last thing Tim needs is for Conner to fuck up and fry him instead of scanning him.  

Instead, Conner gently puts his hand on Tim’s forehead.  

“You look like shit, Tim,” Conner mildly says.  He mouths fever at Bart who nods before running off to get supplies.  “You know, when someone is missing their spleen, normal they do little things like gee, I don’t know, eat.  Sleep.  Take a shower.”

A faint smile twitches on Tim’s face.  “I’ll be sure to let Ra’s know that you’re not interested in his vacation package.  He was so hoping that you'd be going next.”

“You were with Ra?”  Bart reenters the room but freezes at Con’s words.  

The exchange a look; both knew the Demon’s Head has an unhealthy interest (obsession) in Tim.  Tim’s never been keen on sharing the hows and whys of that interest which pisses Conner off to no end.  

“Yup.  Not the best vacation I’ve ever been on but still not the worst.  That still the time that Bruce tried to make us all go on that family retreat when the Demon tried to leave me in the woods to starve.”  Tim’s voice gets higher as he mimics Damian in a dead-on impression.  “But Father, why do we even need Drake here.  I’m here now; you don’t need a cheap replacement.  Grayson, I don’t care if you like him; he’s weak and should be removed.  Fuck, that was a long week.”

Conner and Bart exchange an awshiiiiiit look.  

They know some of the Batfamily drama.  

No, that’s a lie; they knew very, very little about the Batfamily drama.  Tim rarely (if ever) talks about the ins and outs of what actually happened once Damian arrived at the Manner.  All Conner knows for sure was once Damian moved in, Tim had slowly, but surely started spending more time in San Francisco and less and less time in Gotham.  

Fuuuuuuuuck, Tim must really be fuck he’s talking about it so freely.  

Bart grabs the thermometer and gives it to Tim.

Tim makes a face.

Bart arches an eyebrow.  “It’s your mouth, or I’ll find someplace to put it.”  

Tim takes the thermometer, putting it under his tongue.  After thirty seconds, it beeps with a temperature of 101°.  Bart and Conner exchange a knowing look.

“Oh, don’t look at each other like that,” Tim moans.  “I’m fine.  I just need a little sleep.”

Conner snorts.  “No doubt, but let’s get you something to drink first, okay?  When was the last time you ate?”

“Had a salad with Tam,” Tim grunt.  

“Salad doesn’t count.  When was the last time you had real food?”

“Salad does so count.  It had chicken on it and everything.”  Tim whines as he rolls over and shoves his face into the back of the couch. “Sleep.”  

Conner looks at Bart who mouths fuck.

Little known Titan lore: if Tim Drake whines about wanting to sleep, it means some shit has gone down.

“Man, you really gotta learn how to take care of yourself.”  

“I’ll be sure to let Ra’s know you don’t approve of his solitary confinement package.”

Conner files that away for future discussion (which Conner’s sure won’t get him anywhere) before hoisting Tim up bridal style.  “Come on, man.  Let’s get you some food.  Can’t take your antibiotics on an empty stomach.”

Tim hisses.  “I hate those things.  They always make me nausea.”  

Bart shakes his head, muttering, “sure it's not the whole not eating anything for a week things?”

Tim’s head lulls back to glare at Bart.  “Nope.  Defiantly the antibiotic.”

Conner doesn’t say anything, as he’s too busy trying not to laugh.  Or cry.  He isn’t sure which.  

“Here you go,” Conner deposits Tim at the table where Tim slumps, face first, into the table.  “What do you want—uh, what do you have to eat?”

“Coffee.”

Bart snorts.  “One, that’s a drink, not a food.  Two, you know the rules: no caffeine on an empty stomach.”  Bart zips around the kitchen opening cabinets, looking for food.  He finally ends at the empty fridge.  “Power bars, energy drinks, and coffee?  Really Tim?  That’s all you have in your kitchen?  Even I can’t make something out of that.  More importantly, how are you alive if that’s all you eat in Gotham?  How have you not had a heart attack?”

Bart’s— the best chef among the Titans—could do wonders in the kitchen. Conner once saw Bart make a mouthwatering casserole out of an orange, licorice, tofu, and a few other ingredients that Conner missed.  As Bart put it, “if you had to eat twenty thousand calories a day, you’d get good at cooking too.”  

“Coffee,” Tim stubbornly repeats.

Rolling his eyes, Bart says,  “I’ll be back,” before zooming out of the room without another word.  

Conner goes over to the cabinet that holds some of Tim’s emergency shits hit the fan supplies including bags of saline solution and an IV.  Tim eyes Conner as he moves around but doesn’t object when Conner gently put the IV needle into Tim’s arm.  Although, Conner isn’t sure that Tim has the energy to object to anything that the Meta might do to him.  Conner sits down, watching the IV drip.  Tim closes his eyes; head resting on the table.  

“You want to talk about it?”  Conner murmurs.

“No.”  It’s the strongest thing Conner’s heard Tim say since Tim had stumbled back into his apartment, so Conner doesn’t argue.

After about ten minutes, Bart comes charging back in.  “You know, fast food places really aren’t that fast.  It took them FOREVER to get the food done.”

Conner snorts, “I’m surprised you didn’t go behind the counter and make it yourself.”

Bart tosses Conner a burger before handing Tim some plain toast.  “Thought about it.  Decided that it would probably just draw too much attention to myself.” 

“You guys know I’m off of carbs.”  Tim groans.

“Shut up and eat your toast or I’m calling Cassie.”  

Tim flinches but starts nibbling at his toast.  “I still want some coffee.”

After a long talk with Roy, who didn’t believe that Jason was okay which he was, Jason’s suiting up for the night when he feels his phone vibrate.  Fishing it out of his pocket, the new text alert flashes from an unknown number.  Jason opens it and read:

Got Tim.  Heading back to the Tower.

Jason blinks, a knot that he hadn’t known was in his lower gut loosens, before he fumbles with his phone for a minute, trying to figure out what to write (things ranging from where the hell was he to get his ass to the cave now all floated through his head) before finally settled on:

Is he okay? 

Jason had finished zipping up his jacket (contemplating the best way to go and find those ‘heroes’) when his phone went off again.  

He says we’re inhuman because we won’t give him coffee.  See you around. 

Jason punches the front of his locker.  

Luckily, it didn’t dent; otherwise, he’d have to deal with disappointed Alfred sighs for the next month.  He didn’t like being brushed off especially by a couple of pip-squeaks.  

Jason’s Robin Sense went off before he saw anything.  “The fuck you want?”

Dick appears right next to him because fuck him Dick had been goddamn Batman.  

“What happened to your phone?”

Because shit he’s still clutching his cracked screen phone in his hand.  

Jason glares at Dick.  “Nothing.”

 Dick hums. “Okay.  You seemed distracted.  Everything okay?”

Jason slams his locker shut.  “I’m fine.”  

Dick gives Jason a smile that only an older sibling can. 

Fucking hell, why is Jason here again?

Alfred’s food.  

Right. 

Fucking hell, say it already.

“I was just thinkin’ about Babybird.”  

That got Dick’s attention.  

Jason grins to himself.  

“Why were you thinking about him?” Dick nonchalantly asks which he mighta bought if Jason couldn’t see Dick’s back stiffening and his muscles were twitching.

“Just trying to remember the last time I saw ‘em in the cave is all.”  

Jason isn’t one for sublet.  

It takes for fuck ever for someone (cough, cough, Dick…Bruce) ta realize the fucking point you’re trying to make.  

It’s much more satisfying when you could smack someone in the face with their stupidity.  

Preferable with a fist.

The Bats, however, like to believe that they were fucking perfect (especially Dick, especially in the brother department).  They didn’t take it so well when they get caught being stupid.

Dick, for his part, gives Jason a look like Dick clearly question if Jason’s lost his mind.  “What are you talking about, Jay?  He was just here last week.  He ran a virus sweep on the Batcomputer.”  

Jason had to fight the urge to smack Dick.

Repeatedly.

With his fist. 

Instead, he cocks an eyebrow at his brother.  “That was six months ago.”

The reaction is instant.  Dick recoils like Jason had punched him.  He stares at Jason for a full minute before slowly shaking his head.  Though it looked like there're ‘bout a billion thoughts flashing behind Dick’s eyes.

“What?  No, it wasn’t.  It was last week,” Dick insists, his voice rising.  “Do you honestly think that I haven’t seen my brother in more than six months?  I would have noticed not seeing him for that long.”

Jason pauses, giving Dick one of his patented, you’re full of shit but whatever you need to do to let you sleep at night looks before raising his hands.  

“Sure, Big Bird.  Whatever helps you sleep at night.”  

Opening his locker, Jason looks for his rubber bullets.  

Where the fuck are my motherfucking rubber bullets?  

Days like today make him reconsider rejoining the Bats.  Before all Jay had to do was shoot the asshole and move on.  

Now, he has play nice with the Bats.  

Some days, Jason wonders if it was worth it.  

Then Alfred makes Jason’s favorite dessert, or Bruce would give him one of those goddamn almost smiles (which was like a goddamn hug from the old grump), and Jason found himself coming back home.  

Home.  Jason mused to himself.  

It’s weird after all of these years to have a place that he’d consider a home.

“Jason?” Dick's voice sounds off.  

“Yo,” Jason grunts without looking at Dick.  

There was a pause.  

Dick shifted uncomfortably as Jason finally found his bullets.  

Damnit, Damian must have gotten into his locker again and moved shit around just ta fuck with Jason. 

Again.

Maybe it was time for Jason to teach Titus how delicious Damian’s slippers were.

“Has he really not—did I miss—er—never mind.”  

Jason looks up in time to catch a glimpse of Dick disappearance (showoff) before Jason he could say anything.

The next morning in Red Robin’s room at the Tower, Tim’s fever’s back down to normal.  He was still coughing but he fine.  

Really, he doesn’t understand why Bart and Conner are hovering.  He’s in bed just like they want him to be.  

Snug as a goddamn bug.  

It’s Hell.

Tim does, however, have a company to run and needs to catch up.

“Don’t you have school,” Tim coughs.  

“Flex day,” Conner answers while Bart nods along.

Damn.  Tim thinks.  “Why don’t you guys go catch a movie or something?”  

Conner’s lip twitch and Bart gets a glint in his eye.

Shit.

“A movie does sound like fun.”  Bart turns to Conner, “You thinking what I’m thinking?”

“Marathon?”

“Marathon.”

“Good, bad, or terrible movies?”

“Mix, of course.”

“Perfect.”

“Food?”

Bart drums his thumbs Tim’s desk.  “Give me half an hour.”  And Bart dashes off.

Tim looks up at Con.  “Do I get a vote in this?”

“Nope,” Con pop the p.

“Fantastic.  I do have work to get done.”

“You were kidnapped and torched.  You can take the day off.”

“Red Robin, maybe, but Tim Wayne?  Didn’t you hear?  He just got back from a lovely whirlwind vacation.”

Conner rolls his eyes.  “Really now?  Were there any hot models there?”

“Not a one sadly.  There was some lovely time to meditate though.”

“Don’t they call that solitary confinement?”

Tim shrugs, “eh, if life gives you lemons.”

“You say ‘what the hell?  I ordered oranges.’”  Con smirks.

Tim rolls his eyes.  “Well, I did order oranges.”  Tim laughs which was a mistake because it set off another round of coughing.  Before he could ask, Conner was handing him a glass of water.  Tim grimaces.  “Coffee would be better.”

“You know the rules:  No coffee for twenty-four hours after a fever spike.”

Tim hisses.  “It was only 101.  That’s barely a fever.”

Conner looks utterly unmoved by this argument.

Bastard.

“Close enough.”

“I’m a mature twenty.  I can take care of myself.”

“Uhuh.  And what show did you leave as a parting gift to Ra’s?”

“Teletubbies,” Tim grins.  Not his new business-friendly smile but a real grin that let the former Robin shin through.  “I thought he’d enjoy it.  Plus he could use a refresher on how sharing is caring.”

Con laughs at that before sobering.  “You know, I was thinking,” Tim internal winces, but keeps his face smooth.  He knew this was coming but it did make the experience any more enjoyable, “maybe it’s time you move out of Gotham?  You could move to the tower full time or something.”

Tim keeps his expression smooth.  “Aren’t you the one who’s always nagging me to get out of the tower?”

Con glowers at him.  “To see a movie, take a walk in the park, go on a date.  Not to go back to one of the most crime-ridden cities in the world.  Hell, in the universe.”  Con took a deep calming breath.

Tim thinks about it.  He really thinks about it.   He considers moving out of Gotham permanently.  What would the ramification of leaving the city that's rejected him several times over?  And while the idea is tempting, to be free of the Bats (fuck yeah that’s an excellent thought now, isn’t?), of all of the baggage that came with Gotham, but—

“It’s home, Con.  I’m—I’m not ready to leave it yet.”  Tim’s voice sounds young, even to his ears.

Con sighs.  “Yeah, that’s what you always say.  Had to ask though.  I think you should still move though.  Ra’s knowing—” Tim cuts him off with a snort.

“Ra’s make it a point to know what laundry soap I use.  Hell, he makes it a point to know what kind of cough drops I take.  He’ll know if I move.  Might as well stay where I’m at for now.”  

The rest of the argument is cut short by Bart reentering the room carrying way, way too much food.  Bart then speeds back out of the room only to reappear in a blink of an eye with a rather large stack of movies.  

Tim stares at the pile.  

No way they’re getting through that stack in one day.

Bloody hell.

Thanks for reading!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/18106355/chapters/43592294

[getabompaway-blog]

Aug 8 Blurr’s Horror Stream - Cargo

«The good news: boss brought a bunch of loot for us to go through, so I got a nice pile of mixed currency. I’ll have to find out what planets they’re from later.

«The bad news: “Froid” wasn’t actually Froid at all. He was a Soundwave. Lying to me.

«So. So much for that.»

_Whirl here he be, and straight to the Whirl hammock 9:09 pm recuerdaxme 9:09 pm /here he is, arriving in no fashion what so ever. With crates under each arm / _Whirl 9:12 pm Whatcha got there, Teach? recuerdaxme 9:12 pm Bunch of stuff we don't need. We over stocked on some stolen goods. _Whirl 9:13 pm Pfft. A little too into it, eh? So what IS it all? recuerdaxme 9:13 pm Assorted goods. Some weaponry, small weapon accessories. Different types of currency. Some energon. Uh... limbs, bolts, screws... NoodlesAtNight 9:14 pm *Soundwave peers into the room with a feeler before deciding the coast is clear and trudging in to take his seat. Rumble jogs in shortly after and heads right over to where Whirl is with a nod to both him and Blurr.* recuerdaxme 9:14 pm / wiggles claws with the biggest smirk on ever / _Whirl 9:15 pm Hmm. I MIGHT have use for some of that if you need it taken off your hands... *perks up and bobs his head to both Soundwave and Rumble, gesturing grandly to the hammock as he regards the latter* Need a lift up? recuerdaxme 9:16 pm Well, if you want some of it, feel free to look through it. I've got some things here that my new recruit might need /hums and rummages/ found some old texts, too. NoodlesAtNight 9:16 pm //If ya don't mind. Climbin' up my own self ain't awful, but I don't wanna go tippin' out today, heh.// NoodlesAtNight 9:16 pm *Perk.* [[New texts?]] recuerdaxme 9:17 pm Mmhm. Some new texts- or old. They look fairly old to me. New to me. You can have some, if you want. _Whirl 9:18 pm Anytime, mech. *the claw is offered, and Rumble is summarily ferried up* And don't worry about tipping. I've got this hammock thing on lockdown. *tilts his head back at Blurr* I'll go through some of it after the movie, if you don't mind. And as for new recruit, you mean that Getaway that rolled up last week? Getaway 9:19 pm *he's coming in more hesitantly this week than he did last week. he pauses in the doorway a moment.* recuerdaxme 9:19 pm Mmhm. That's the one. Getaway 9:19 pm *and when he hears his name he ducks back outside, whoops.* NoodlesAtNight 9:20 pm *Rumble snorts and gets himself settled in. He might've tried to figure hammocks out while Whirl was gone. It didn't go so well. Of course, it probably would've gone better if he wasn't squabbling with Frenzy over who got to get in it at the time...* *Either way, Soundwave banned them from doing it again.* _Whirl 9:21 pm Well, good luck. Poor fella seems clueless. But if anyone can handle a crash course, you can, Teach. recuerdaxme 9:21 pm ... Thanks /smirks/ I'll take that as a compliment I taught NOS manners. THAT is a challenge. _Whirl 9:23 pm *Whirl streeetches one last time before also settling in, getting comfortably cozy* Now if only you could teach them to Piston... Getaway 9:23 pm ((hearing this in japanese is a trip)) recuerdaxme 9:23 pm ( lemme know when y'all are good. ) Getaway 9:23 pm ((im good)) _Whirl 9:23 pm ((I am! AND ALSO YEAH IT IS)) recuerdaxme 9:23 pm ( i love this song in all languages ;A; ) ( but spanish is still a fAV ) Piston HAS manners. He's been very decent lately. NoodlesAtNight 9:24 pm //Getaway? Y'mean that gold-faced fragger Prowl likes? He ain't comin' /here,/ is he? Last time we met he was thinkin' how to kill me 'n the others, 'n who to knock off first.// *Rumble scowls.* recuerdaxme 9:25 pm Not the same one, I don't think. Could be, but I don't know. ( I gonna start then if we all good. I have to be up at 4am again tomorrow 8( ) NoodlesAtNight 9:25 pm ((i'm good whenever)) Getaway 9:25 pm ((the soonoer the better)) ((soonoer)) _Whirl 9:25 pm ((soonoer)) recuerdaxme 9:25 pm soonerer) Getaway 9:26 pm ((soonoonerer)) NoodlesAtNight 9:26 pm ((soonoerest)) recuerdaxme 9:26 pm omg bgskdfsd ) _Whirl 9:27 pm Nah. This one's from Blurr's neck of the woods, so he's pretty different from our Getaway. *a pause, and Whirl's antenna flattens* And if that other one comes back then I'm going to reach down his throat and turn him inside-out. recuerdaxme 9:27 pm (( is it streaming okay for y'all? )) Getaway 9:28 pm ((there are little static sounds, idk whether it's on my end)) _Whirl 9:28 pm ((ye it's got the little static noises here too)) Getaway 9:28 pm ((oh it's that dude)) recuerdaxme 9:28 pm (( *SIGH* It wasn't there before and now it there )) (( go away mystery sound )) NoodlesAtNight 9:29 pm //Huh. That mean he's real sweetlike, or nastier? Never been good figurin' out how they're gonna bend.// *Shakes his head. And gives Whirl a light punch in thanks for what he perceives as support.* NoodlesAtNight 9:29 pm *A gentle bop, really, with a grin.* recuerdaxme 9:30 pm You can never really guess what they're gonna be like, honestly. It's either they're Autobots or Decepticons, but most Decepticons are too touchy, feely, sweet. _Whirl 9:31 pm *nudges him back. Yes, threatening enemies with grotesque bodily harm is how he shows affection* NoodlesAtNight 9:31 pm *Soundwave perks. The movie doesn't waste any time, does i-- is that the sound of a human larva? Is it that young? Don't they need to eat more often? Oh dear.* Getaway 9:32 pm ((that rock TV is the saddest thing ive ever seen)) _Whirl 9:32 pm As far as he goes, he was really bubbly, but I dunno. My Getaway was kinda like that too. recuerdaxme 9:32 pm /flops on the couch/ Well, you're all free to pick through the spoils we've gathered too much of. recuerdaxme 9:32 pm We didn't have a Getaway where I'm from. _Whirl 9:32 pm Well, now ya do. recuerdaxme 9:33 pm yes i suppose so Getaway 9:34 pm *okay, he's camped out here now. back on the wall, right outside the doorway.* _Whirl 9:34 pm And I'll go through the stuff when we're all wrapped up. If nobody else wants the limbs, I can take 'em home to Killer. recuerdaxme 9:34 pm Sure you can. _Whirl 9:35 pm Ohh, boy. ...wait, never mind. I was sure it was going to be a zombie on the other end of the line. Chaoit 9:35 pm ....? feck, rabbit you ass let me change my muse)) Getaway 9:36 pm ((rabbit's bein rude about that lately)) ((tonight, apparently, i'm a suspiciously prowl-shaped getaway)) Chaoit 9:37 pm ((trying to make it Sides, but nooooo)) NoodlesAtNight 9:37 pm @G: [[He can sense you out there.]] *And it is driving him up the wall. He can't tell why Getaway is hiding. Anxiety-inducing. What if he's up to something? What if he's trying to plan to kill Rumble too?* Chaoit 9:37 pm ((and wow, getaway, your skills at disguise are great _Whirl 9:37 pm ((he's the new Makeshift)) NoodlesAtNight 9:37 pm [[Oh, now this is too much. One of them wandering in alone was unsafe. Now another is.]] recuerdaxme 9:38 pm / leaning over his couch to see where Getaway is at. He can sense the lingering, though not as great as Soundwave. / NoodlesAtNight 9:38 pm [[She isn't even armed.]] recuerdaxme 9:38 pm / But oh the movie is interesting now / NoodlesAtNight 9:38 pm [[Run, human.]] _Whirl 9:38 pm Yeah. Honestly, tying down right by the boat was a bad idea. Getaway 9:38 pm *Getaway starts, then freezes.* NoodlesAtNight 9:38 pm *Shakes his head. Too late.* Chaoit 9:39 pm ((okay, is THIS any better? _Whirl 9:39 pm ((still Chaoit with a Blaster face)) Chaoit 9:40 pm ((MOTHER FUCKER _Whirl 9:40 pm Okay, if they haven't moved away from that wreck by NOW... Chaoit 9:40 pm ((can I give up? Just...go with that I be Sides because I may just put rabbit into a stew soon _Whirl 9:41 pm ((ye dude! Sideswipe, then?)) Getaway 9:42 pm *After a moment, he leans in the doorway.* ... Sorry about that. I heard my name, and... well. And then I heard— *gestures vaguely at Whirl.* The, the whole. inside-out. thing. _Whirl 9:42 pm Well. Don't plot on killing my friends and I won't do that. Getaway 9:42 pm Didn't—want to interrupt. _Whirl 9:42 pm You should have nothing to worry about. recuerdaxme 9:42 pm Hnh? Oh, pits. He won't do anything to you. Not now anyway. You're part of my crew. TEchnically, /I/ would do it. Chaoit 9:42 pm ((yeah, cuz Blaster got into trouble with a demigod Chaoit 9:43 pm -and Sides is here, just curiously looking at the screen- What'd I miss? _Whirl 9:44 pm Point. The honor goes to the Captain. @B: I get dibs on anyone who messes with Rumble, though. Deal?

...not that I expect it, or anything, I mean. Just saying. Getaway 9:44 pm No, n-no, no, not—not threatening anyone's friends. recuerdaxme 9:44 pm @W: I mean, I guess. Chaoit 9:44 pm Like, what'er we watchin'? NoodlesAtNight 9:46 pm ((food came right after she put the watch thing on what did i miss) Getaway 9:46 pm ((zombie symptoms don't show up for 3 hours but she's gonna bleed out in 2 hours so they're taking their chances and going to the hospital.)) ((as long as they don't know whether she's infected yet.)) _Whirl 9:46 pm One of them should REALLY be standing lookout now. Getaway 9:47 pm ((so they got an abandoned car. a zombie almost got them.)) Chaoit 9:47 pm Oh NoodlesAtNight 9:47 pm [[...He hopes she did not bite the bitlet.]] _Whirl 9:47 pm *shudders, despite himself* Getaway too. NoodlesAtNight 9:47 pm [[Greetings, Getaway.]] *Bobs his head. At least the mech's making himself known now.* Chaoit 9:47 pm That...a symptom, ain't it? recuerdaxme 9:47 pm Hello, my new little recruit. _Whirl 9:47 pm Yeah, I'm guessing so. Chaoit 9:48 pm Getaway, huh? Getaway 9:48 pm ... Hey, boss. NoodlesAtNight 9:48 pm //They oughta have somethin' over her mouth. Then she can't bite nobody if she goes all sudden.// Chaoit 9:48 pm She's got a point dude _Whirl 9:49 pm Yeah. If there's a chance to cure her then, yeah, but if not... I mean. He knows what he's gotta do. She knows it, too. recuerdaxme 9:49 pm Well, don't be so... whatever you are! Come in. Look at all this scrap we over collected. See if you want anything. Chaoit 9:49 pm Yeah. Sucks, but... -has plopped himself in a seat- Getaway 9:50 pm ... Yeah, sure. Chaoit 9:50 pm -raises servo- _Whirl 9:50 pm *adopts his Teacher Voice* Yes, Sideswipe? recuerdaxme 9:51 pm ...Wow. Chaoit 9:51 pm Can I say that I think the guy's being stupid fraggin' bit-brain right now? _Whirl 9:51 pm Yes, you may. Proceed. *waves aclaw magnanimously. NoodlesAtNight 9:51 pm //Run, buddy. She's done.// _Whirl 9:52 pm At least put her out of her misery so she can die as HERSELF. Chaoit 9:52 pm Kay. The guy's bein' a stupid fraggin' bit-brain Getaway 9:52 pm *gives Whirl a nervous look; but, moves to the crates.* NoodlesAtNight 9:52 pm [[Oh dear. She'll have gone while he was out, won't she.]] Chaoit 9:52 pm She's turning into a monster......... NoodlesAtNight 9:53 pm [[Did she get to him?]] Chaoit 9:53 pm .......... _Whirl 9:53 pm Looked like it to me. recuerdaxme 9:53 pm Don't worry so much, Getaway. He's not gonna do anything to you. Chaoit 9:53 pm Let's hope not Getaway 9:53 pm ((don't leave the baby behind jfc)) _Whirl 9:53 pm Yeah. I'm a triple sweetie, remember? Should have DONE THAT WHILE SHE WAS ALIVE, IDIOT. Chaoit 9:53 pm Or that sparkling is going to be a snack Getaway 9:54 pm ... Yeah. Triple sweetie. *doesn't sound convinced.* Chaoit 9:55 pm ....oh boy Getaway 9:55 pm *starts hesitantly digging through one of the crates.* Chaoit 9:55 pm He's not a bright one, is he? Uh.... NoodlesAtNight 9:56 pm @G: [[If anyone attempts to harm you, he will intervene as much as he can.]] *Probably to handle it himself, if it's because of the minicons.* [[We still have a meeting to complete.]] recuerdaxme 9:56 pm Getaway . /wiggles claws/ I've got my optic on you. You're fine. Chaoit 9:56 pm What....the.... _Whirl 9:57 pm *is not really terribly concerned. Being feared is a-ok by him* Chaoit 9:57 pm Well THAT can't be good _Whirl 9:58 pm Also, hey. That kid had the same idea. *nudges Rumble* A bit-and-harness, to keep him from biting. Getaway 9:58 pm *glances up between the two of them; after a moment, gives them half-optic smiles.* Thanks, guys. Means a lot to me. NoodlesAtNight 9:58 pm //Kid knows what's up.// _Whirl 9:58 pm *nods* Chaoit 10:00 pm Hmmmm You don't have time dude recuerdaxme 10:01 pm /smirks/ Don't worry. Captains take care of their crew. _Whirl 10:01 pm Am I missing something, there? *peers* Chaoit 10:01 pm The hell was that? NoodlesAtNight 10:01 pm *He nods. Of course.* _Whirl 10:02 pm Why's that scar something he's scared of? Getaway 10:02 pm *back to digging through the crate. He's rummaging straight past all the bigger objects.* Getaway 10:04 pm *once he gets to the bottom, he starts pulling coins out. he makes a pile of them, just outside the crate.* NoodlesAtNight 10:04 pm [[So he is infected.]] //...Whatcha doin' with all them?// *Points at the coins.* Chaoit 10:05 pm Oh...and now he's becoming one too recuerdaxme 10:05 pm Well, he was bit, wasn't he? _Whirl 10:05 pm *also looks over, curiously* recuerdaxme 10:06 pm / is also watching / Getaway 10:06 pm Saving up. Chaoit 10:06 pm -turns to watch the coin-stacking too- recuerdaxme 10:06 pm Are you planning on buying something? Chaoit 10:07 pm -turns back to the movie after a moment- Getaway 10:07 pm Nah. Just preparing for when I've got to move on. Costs a lot to cross the multiverse when you've got no ship of your own and no friends. recuerdaxme 10:07 pm ... /ugly loud laughter / _Whirl 10:07 pm Huh. Second one we've seen doing that. NoodlesAtNight 10:07 pm [[...No friends?]] Chaoit 10:08 pm Hmn.... recuerdaxme 10:08 pm Just because you're leaving doesn't mean you can't call me for assistance. We can remain allies. _Whirl 10:08 pm Take my advice--stick with Teach. He's tough. He's been around a while. Chaoit 10:08 pm Heh, nice shot guy recuerdaxme 10:08 pm Long while. They say I'm a roach. _Whirl 10:09 pm *gravely* It's true. recuerdaxme 10:09 pm Very hard to kill. _Whirl 10:09 pm Looks like that's how they rest. Sticking their heads in the ground. recuerdaxme 10:09 pm Weird way to sleep. Getaway 10:10 pm *a half-optic smile for Froid.* Present company excluded. But you're not MY Froid. Probably. Chaoit 10:10 pm -snickering- Wait, diggers? Oh, like they go digging and bury their head? _Whirl 10:11 pm *at long last, relents just a little bit. His good influences have had SOME impact on him* Hey, Getaway. It's... you're gonna have to get used to that. You might be the only one around from your timeline. Same with me. Just stop thinking about everything as being "not yours." Just roll with it. recuerdaxme 10:12 pm You get used to it after a while. All I've run into are the Decepticons and they irritate my entire core. NoodlesAtNight 10:12 pm [[Perhaps. Perhaps not. He does not know. Though he is curious as to how you would.]] Getaway 10:12 pm ... Yeah. Yeah, I know. I'm—far from home. On purpose. Chaoit 10:13 pm On purpose, hmn? recuerdaxme 10:13 pm Getaway too. NoodlesAtNight 10:13 pm //Maybe they like the taste of dirt or somethin'.// _Whirl 10:13 pm You'll get used to it, mech. You'll probably come to prefer it this way. I did. recuerdaxme 10:13 pm But, so long as you stay on track, you'll outrun them. If it's Rodimus after you, then I can easily kill him. _Whirl 10:13 pm PFFT. recuerdaxme 10:13 pm Oh, shut up. I could. _Whirl 10:14 pm That was for Rumble, not you. recuerdaxme 10:14 pm Oh, good. _Whirl 10:14 pm I've seen you in action--I believe it. recuerdaxme 10:14 pm Then I retract. _Whirl 10:15 pm *nods gravely* Thank you, Teach. NoodlesAtNight 10:15 pm //...Hold up, he's usin' live bait!// recuerdaxme 10:16 pm Huh. I've done that before... _Whirl 10:16 pm Yeah, he... must be some kind of nutcase. Chaoit 10:16 pm Well frack recuerdaxme 10:16 pm Of course, I dropped the bait in the smelting pit. NoodlesAtNight 10:16 pm //I didn't know humans did that.// _Whirl 10:16 pm No wonder that girl back at camp was so nervous all the time. One wrong move and he tosses her in the cage. Getaway 10:16 pm *glances at Froid.* Oh, just—you know. Considering the odds. I ran far and fast on purpose. The odds my Froid had the same thought, and went the same way... Chaoit 10:17 pm Practical...but...messed up Oh. Oh no. DID the kid get bit? _Whirl 10:17 pm I got no respect for that. You should fight 'em head on. recuerdaxme 10:18 pm I mean, either commit or don't hunt them. Honestly. NoodlesAtNight 10:18 pm *He taps a finger to his chin, thinking. That is very good reasoning.* [[He supposes that does make sense. It is a vast multiverse.]] Getaway 10:18 pm *to Blurr* I appreciate that. The—protecting me. From Rodimus. Really. recuerdaxme 10:19 pm Honestly, any chance to slaughter that mech would make me so... /pauses. Thinks/ What's the word? _Whirl 10:19 pm Out of your goddamned mind with glee? NoodlesAtNight 10:19 pm //Hope they didn't. Poor bitlet. 'N this fragger - I mean, he got the blood. How come he don't just leave a bucket in the cage?// recuerdaxme 10:19 pm / glances left and right/ What? That's not the word... which one? Ah, right. / to Getaway/ Content. recuerdaxme 10:19 pm And, what Whirl said. _Whirl 10:20 pm Because he's sadistic. There's always folks like that. You get someone on the other side of some bars and a set of keys and it's just a matter of time. Chaoit 10:20 pm Yeeeeep NoodlesAtNight 10:21 pm //He can't leave her with a fragger like that. He's gonna use the kid for bait too.// _Whirl 10:21 pm Yeah I--yeah. recuerdaxme 10:21 pm ... Huh. I like this one. This... woman. Chaoit 10:21 pm Better than himself, he's gonna be one of them soon. _Whirl 10:22 pm I mean obviously he SHOULD off himself, but not while she's with these people. So here's what you do: Kill that guy in his sleep. Chaoit 10:22 pm ...........or not recuerdaxme 10:22 pm ... Hnh. I knew something was odd. Chaoit 10:22 pm Yikes The man is nuts NoodlesAtNight 10:22 pm [[Indeed. She did not seem to be affectionate in return.]] [[Now we see why.]] _Whirl 10:23 pm Go get the folks in the cage, bring em in. Hopefully some of them won't hold it against you, and then you've got a little squad at the base. THEN you off yourself. Chaoit 10:23 pm Scratch that, he's an afthat NoodlesAtNight 10:23 pm //Aw, Pit. This ain't good.// _Whirl 10:23 pm Especially not for that kid. Chaoit 10:23 pm Nope NoodlesAtNight 10:24 pm [[The clever man?]] [[Does this refer to the older one in the cage?]] _Whirl 10:25 pm The old guy, with the beard. One who talked about the land getting sick. Yep. I'm guessing it's capitalized. Clever Man. A title. NoodlesAtNight 10:26 pm //Primus.// *Flops back on his portion of the hammock.* _Whirl 10:26 pm *looks down, amused* Suspenseful enough for you? Oh, come on, he's asleep, he's a sitting duck. Just SHOOT him. Getaway 10:27 pm *he's got a nice little pile of coins now.* Chaoit 10:27 pm They don't want to attract the things Loud noises do that _Whirl 10:27 pm Then cut his throat. Chaoit 10:27 pm Gunshots are loud noises NoodlesAtNight 10:28 pm //Listen, I did my share of suspensi-- aw, COME ON.// Chaoit 10:28 pm ............ recuerdaxme 10:28 pm /smirk/ do you want more coins? Chaoit 10:28 pm Well slag recuerdaxme 10:28 pm ... huh. that's ironic NoodlesAtNight 10:28 pm //RUN!// _Whirl 10:28 pm Damn. Getaway 10:28 pm If you've got them, yeah. Thanks. Chaoit 10:28 pm You shot her instead Serves you right, afthat _Whirl 10:29 pm Guess he really WAS a clever man. NoodlesAtNight 10:29 pm [[What else will you need? Besides money.]] [[And a ship, and transport.]] _Whirl 10:29 pm *looks over to Getaway* I can hook you up with a loving, beautiful pet. Okay, movie. All his yelling has GOT to have attracted them. Movie, please. You gotta have this guy get eaten. Getaway 10:31 pm *he shrugs.* A—a safe crew to join on the other side, I guess. Chaoit 10:31 pm Smart girl NoodlesAtNight 10:31 pm [[What kind?]] Chaoit 10:32 pm Whooops Getaway 10:33 pm ... The kind that can protect me if Rodimus comes after me. _Whirl 10:33 pm *points to Blurr* Getaway 10:34 pm Yeah—I know, but—boss here is on the wrong side. I've gotta make it to the other half of the multiverse. _Whirl 10:34 pm Well, that's why you kill him, instead of running from him. recuerdaxme 10:34 pm ... Wrong side? Chaoit 10:35 pm That's... recuerdaxme 10:35 pm Mech, you know my ship can travel space at the fastest speeds right? Chaoit 10:35 pm ...depressing. Getaway 10:36 pm Yeah, but you LIVE on this side. You're—FROM this side. recuerdaxme 10:36 pm ... Uhhh. I mean, more or less. I'm not allowed back on my Cybertron Ever. _Whirl 10:37 pm *can't hold back another shudder* NoodlesAtNight 10:37 pm //....WHERE'S THE--oh.// recuerdaxme 10:37 pm Rodimus claimed he pulled off the bounty for my helm, but I don't trust him at all. Huh... now she's gonna take him? Chaoit 10:38 pm -settles- Getaway 10:39 pm Heh. Yeah. I wouldn't trust him either. He's shifty. Chaoit 10:39 pm Roddy? Getaway 10:39 pm And dishonest and power-hungry. _Whirl 10:39 pm And terribly unfashionable. recuerdaxme 10:39 pm Yes, I would know. _Whirl 10:40 pm *holds his claw upside-down and holds it under his eye like it's a goatee* recuerdaxme 10:40 pm He used to be close to me. Ah, but... who needs him. /shrugs pauldrons and relaxes / Getaway 10:40 pm Yeah. I guess you would. recuerdaxme 10:40 pm Not sure how /your/ Blurr handled that mess, but I didn't let him take that ship. My Master trusted me. Not Rodimus. Chaoit 10:40 pm Things don't exactly always work like that Getaway 10:41 pm Your master? recuerdaxme 10:41 pm My Prime. Chaoit 10:41 pm ...someone got munched recuerdaxme 10:41 pm Trusted me with literally everything, down to keeping his armor clean. /flexes claws/ _Whirl 10:41 pm ((I'm liking freeman in this. I've only ever seen him do one type of role, but he's very convincing. Good jearb)) recuerdaxme 10:41 pm ( yeah same!! ) _Whirl 10:41 pm *nudges Rumble* You were saying something, earlier. About having your fair share of something? recuerdaxme 10:42 pm ... That's not foreboding. NoodlesAtNight 10:42 pm [[Oh, no.]] Chaoit 10:43 pm That's... Frag. _Whirl 10:43 pm If he actually cared about his OWN ones he'd end it. recuerdaxme 10:44 pm Nn... _Whirl 10:44 pm ...not what I meant. NoodlesAtNight 10:44 pm //Oh. Uh. Had my fair share of suspensin' from scrap like this. Ain't a good time. Aaaaaan' now they gotta move. Them diggin things is gonna come for 'em.// Chaoit 10:44 pm Hah...haha...holy frag _Whirl 10:45 pm Oh. Pfft. You and me both. recuerdaxme 10:45 pm Look mech, when the rust finally gets to me and I turn into some rusted Empty, I either want Whirl or Drift to off my aft. Or... just chain me up and use me as a quick Empty attack, I guess. That'd be cool. "Release the monster" Bam, there I go _Whirl 10:45 pm Well MAYBE the rust wouldn't GET to you if you'd go to the DOCTOR more often. recuerdaxme 10:46 pm / B( / Well, I DO. Kind of. _Whirl 10:46 pm I'd let you go out in style, Teach. Strap some high-end explosives to you, send you out in the face of someone we'd both enjoy killing. recuerdaxme 10:46 pm ... Good. And then tell Buster he's free from my clutches. _Whirl 10:46 pm ...@B: I'd break it to him gently. Chaoit 10:46 pm Uh... recuerdaxme 10:47 pm @W: ... Well, that's the best I could ask for. Chaoit 10:47 pm Huh.... Getaway 10:47 pm Oh. Yeah, the Prime didn't trust our Rodimus, either. Which makes sense, since he was trying to overthrow him and all. _Whirl 10:47 pm Luckily, I don't think I've got to worry about THIS anymore. Once you've gotten a virus once, you're immune, right? Chaoit 10:47 pm Ooooh That's why they do that recuerdaxme 10:48 pm Well, yes. I've never met a Rodimus that was loyal to anything but himself, really. _Whirl 10:48 pm Oh, this asshole, again. NoodlesAtNight 10:48 pm *Is learning all KINDS of things about the other side of the multiverse tonight* recuerdaxme 10:48 pm Mine is surprisingly still alive, though I've discovered that he's afraid of my denta. _Whirl 10:48 pm As most living things SHOULD be. recuerdaxme 10:48 pm ... Which virus do you mean, Whirl ? Getaway 10:48 pm *... peers at Blurr's mouth.* recuerdaxme 10:48 pm Well, most living things don't live to see them very long /cackle/ _Whirl 10:49 pm The sparkeater one. I went once, so... I mean. That's how viruses USUALLY work. NoodlesAtNight 10:49 pm //...Pit, I wasn't even thinkin' about - mech, I got stuff to tell ya some time. But yeah. Definitely that too.// _Whirl 10:49 pm Hell yeah, SHOOT HIM. recuerdaxme 10:49 pm / he has them nice sharp denta with them energon stains. The flexi-stitches holding his jaw together get nice and wide/ Wanna see? Chaoit 10:49 pm Well then Getaway 10:50 pm ... I can see them from here. recuerdaxme 10:50 pm I dunno. I don't even know if Empties carry a virus. I know drinking their energon is not good for your tanks. Had to cut mine out. Aww, you don't want a close up? I won't bite... much. _Whirl 10:50 pm *tilts his head* Hm? Whatcha mean? *he senses a story... but he can be patient and hear it later. If he has to. But he's nosy* Getaway 10:50 pm I'm good, thanks. Chaoit 10:50 pm Kinda hoping to see that guy eaten now recuerdaxme 10:50 pm / snickers / recuerdaxme 10:51 pm Wait til you see what they can do. You'll see if you work with us _Whirl 10:51 pm Dad goes full zombie and eats the guy to save his bitlet. Chaoit 10:51 pm He'd deserve it recuerdaxme 10:51 pm I'm down to see that. recuerdaxme 10:53 pm (( god i really love him in this )) (( it's a whole different side of him )) Chaoit 10:53 pm ((it's interesting to say the least NoodlesAtNight 10:54 pm //Ah, it's, uh... probably I shouldn't talk about it here. Ain't no prettier'n this scrap.// *Jerks his head at the screen.* _Whirl 10:54 pm *nods* Yeah, I get ya. Some other time. recuerdaxme 10:54 pm You know. If I ever got that sick... I don't think I'd want to get all the way sick. Chaoit 10:54 pm That's...that's not gooooooodon'teatthat recuerdaxme 10:54 pm I don't know. Depends. I mean, the crew would survive without me. _Whirl 10:55 pm Hell yeah, look at em go! Chaoit 10:56 pm Oh no recuerdaxme 10:56 pm (( me: already sobbing )) _Whirl 10:57 pm *just not gonna. Watch this part. Suddenly very interested in Getaway's coin pile* Getaway 10:57 pm *it's grown steadily* _Whirl 10:58 pm *how incredibly impressive* recuerdaxme 10:58 pm Hey, Getaway. Tell you what. You help us get the next few treasures we look for, and I'll give you a ship and some of the fleet members. Chaoit 10:59 pm Is she using him as transportation? recuerdaxme 10:59 pm I mean, I don't need the /entire/ fleet. _Whirl 10:59 pm *returns his attention to the screen* Chaoit 11:00 pm Huh. She is. Getaway 11:00 pm Oh, no—you don't need to give me that much. But—I could use a ship. Thank you. I won't let you down, boss. recuerdaxme 11:00 pm Sure thing. They're all stolen anyway. So, I'd give you one/ *. Chaoit 11:02 pm ((WEH recuerdaxme 11:02 pm (( mOOD )) (( Don't mind me cryin' alone in my home )) NoodlesAtNight 11:02 pm *...Soundwave has an odd urge to check on the protoforms.* Chaoit 11:03 pm ...... recuerdaxme 11:03 pm / internally worries about Oberyn. His best child. / Chaoit 11:03 pm -Sides is going to be squishing his brother later- ((ohmygod ((this ending hurts recuerdaxme 11:04 pm (( yEAH )) Chaoit 11:04 pm ...... _Whirl 11:05 pm Not bad. Chaoit 11:05 pm -raises servo again- recuerdaxme 11:05 pm Not bad at all. Hnh? What is it? Chaoit 11:05 pm Who else here kinda hated the ending because surprise feels recuerdaxme 11:05 pm I mean, if you're into that kind of scrap. / oh he knows what he'll do. / recuerdaxme 11:06 pm / he's gonna have a sleepover with his frames tonight / NoodlesAtNight 11:06 pm //Least the kid survived.// NoodlesAtNight 11:06 pm //'S better 'n most.// _Whirl 11:06 pm Yeah. That's the important bit. recuerdaxme 11:06 pm Yes, I suppose. She wasn't as problematic as I assumed. Very quiet. Chaoit 11:06 pm Family is family And yeah...at least the kids survived _Whirl 11:07 pm Well, you know how little ones are. Unruly. It's part of their charm. recuerdaxme 11:07 pm I suppose. We don't have kids where I'm from, so. Chaoit 11:08 pm ((they have a movie ((called anon _Whirl 11:08 pm I'm not exactly... what you'd call experienced, either. *A LIE* Getaway 11:08 pm ((it's about smokey's life)) ((truly a neverending horror story)) Chaoit 11:08 pm ((YEP recuerdaxme 11:09 pm (( LOL )) Getaway 11:09 pm *just sort of glances between speakers, listening to the conversation about the movie* _Whirl 11:09 pm ((omg)) Chaoit 11:09 pm -huffs, and settles down again- recuerdaxme 11:09 pm /shrugs pauldrons/ I honestly think if kids existed in my universe, they'd keep them away from me. _Whirl 11:10 pm Same. I'm pretty sure if we ever get the hang of propagating, I'm going to be barred from it. Which, honestly, is just as well. NoodlesAtNight 11:10 pm [[Hm. A strange thought, but he has seen plenty of others who have.]] Chaoit 11:11 pm Annnyway I gotta go _Whirl 11:11 pm Huh? recuerdaxme 11:11 pm Heading out? Chaoit 11:11 pm Yup _Whirl 11:11 pm ...to Soundwave, not you, Sideswipe. Seeya. Chaoit 11:11 pm Thanks for the stream, though recuerdaxme 11:11 pm Sure thing. /wiggles claws / NoodlesAtNight 11:11 pm *DAMN IT, WHIRL.* _Whirl 11:11 pm *LOOK HE'S NOT A SPY HE CAN'T BE COUNTED ON FOR THIS STUFF* recuerdaxme 11:12 pm / DID NOT RUIN THE DEAL / _Whirl 11:12 pm *ALSO IF YOU WANT SOMEONE TO PLAY ALONG MAYBE LET THEM IN ON YOUR GAME* recuerdaxme 11:12 pm K-Kyeheheh. Are you *sure* you're completely cleared of that virus there, Whirl? Sounds like you're a little confused. NoodlesAtNight 11:12 pm *Note to himself: never, ever ask Whirl to be a field agent.* Getaway 11:12 pm *... very slowly looks from Whirl to "Froid."* NoodlesAtNight 11:12 pm *Very slowly looks over to Getaway. Yes?* _Whirl 11:13 pm ...huh? Well. I mean, you don't see me waving around tentacles and trying to EAT people, do you? Chaoit 11:13 pm ....annnyway, 'night guys, thanks for the stream, but I'm out now. NoodlesAtNight 11:13 pm //Night, Blaster.// recuerdaxme 11:13 pm See you. No, but that sounds like fun. Can I do that? _Whirl 11:13 pm *i stand by my "tell him the plan if you want him to be a part of it" statement* Getaway 11:13 pm *and then from "Froid" to the small guy who's been cuddled up with Whirl all night.* NoodlesAtNight 11:13 pm *HE THOUGHT WHIRL HAD THE IDEA* _Whirl 11:13 pm *suddenly very serious* It's not, Blurr. Trust me. *no nicknames, so you know he means it* recuerdaxme 11:14 pm / shrugs pauldrons / I wouldn't know. My universe doesn't have oddities like that. recuerdaxme 11:14 pm We have Empties, Zombies and that's it. ... And Rodimus. All are absolute filth., _Whirl 11:14 pm Basically the same principle. ((Getaway right now:))

recuerdaxme 11:15 pm (( lmaooo )) Getaway 11:15 pm ((HAHAHA)) NoodlesAtNight 11:15 pm ((LOL)) _Whirl 11:16 pm ((I'm honestly not sorry this is hilarious)) NoodlesAtNight 11:17 pm *Well, he'll just fold his hands and continue to sit waiting on the couch for whatever hellstorm is about to come his way.* recuerdaxme 11:18 pm /is going to watch, but pretend he's not. This is surprisingly easier with one optic / Getaway 11:19 pm *after a moment glancing between the two of them, focuses on the small guy* Hey. Sorry, I came in kinda late, I never got your name. Let me guess, it's... it's gotta be either Rumble or Frenzy, right? You're both completely different colors where I'm from, I don't wanna guess and be wrong. recuerdaxme 11:19 pm They're both *alive* where you're from? NoodlesAtNight 11:20 pm *Rumble sits up* //Hold on. Y'mean we're dead?// Getaway 11:20 pm ... I... honestly don't know. I'm not a frontliner. I've only seen them in pictures. _Whirl 11:20 pm *still hasn't grasped the full implications of what's going on, but is staring at Getaway while he addresses Rumble. No expression whatsoeve* recuerdaxme 11:21 pm Not "we" Just one of you. At least where I'm from. NoodlesAtNight 11:22 pm *Rumble glances from Blurr to Whirl to the Boss to Getaway. Is he - is he in danger? Should he pop his piledrivers out? He's gonna fidget slightly, already feeling the urge to fight crawl up his spinal strut.* //I'm Rumble. What's it to ya?// NoodlesAtNight 11:23 pm *Don't mind Soundwave, just... watching like a hawk.* Getaway 11:24 pm Rumble! Nice to meet you properly. I'm Getaway. Not—not the one that was plotting to kill you, obviously. _Whirl 11:24 pm Obviously. NoodlesAtNight 11:24 pm *Rumble frowns.* //Heard that, huh?// Getaway 11:25 pm ... Yeah. Kinda. recuerdaxme 11:25 pm Master of surprises. Getaway 11:26 pm *drops his gaze down to his coins.* Everything I hear about my alternate is bad news. I'm kinda used to it, at this point. recuerdaxme 11:26 pm Pits, everything I hear is good news. It's annoying. Why don't you just kill your alternate? Getaway 11:26 pm ... Nah, that's a lie. I'll /get/ used to it. recuerdaxme 11:27 pm I have connections. ... / pauses / Wait a second... This got me in trouble last time. _Whirl 11:27 pm Don't have much experience with that myself, but, yeah. That's another multiverse thing. Getaway 11:27 pm *shocked look at Blurr* I can't do that! recuerdaxme 11:27 pm Well , why not? _Whirl 11:27 pm Shocking dearth of Whirls running around, but apparently not Starscreams, which is a damned crime. Getaway 11:28 pm Because he's— I don't even KNOW him! And he's ME! recuerdaxme 11:28 pm ...No. YOU are you. _Whirl 11:28 pm *dryly, to Getaway* You probably won't have to. recuerdaxme 11:28 pm HE is someone else. NoodlesAtNight 11:28 pm //Well, good. Ya don't hurt us 'n I ain't gotta hurt you.// *Probably. Rumble's breaking out in a smile, but it's not one he's sure he feels yet.* //Y'think that's weird, try bein' me. I got alternates turnin' into -cassettes.-// recuerdaxme 11:28 pm / points at Whirl/ A good point. Getaway 11:28 pm *slowly turns toward Whirl* ... Is he...? _Whirl 11:29 pm I have no clue what he's up to. Vanished. But I mean, obviously things are going to go bad if he shows his face around here, so... recuerdaxme 11:29 pm (( guys the fire in northern CA is now bigger than the city of LA )) (( I'm terrified ahaha )) NoodlesAtNight 11:29 pm ((JESUS)) _Whirl 11:29 pm SPEDDY.....(( recuerdaxme 11:29 pm (( It's out of control )) NoodlesAtNight 11:29 pm ((get packed in case and stay safe)) recuerdaxme 11:29 pm (( Well it's pretty far north but the smoke )) (( It's bad )) recuerdaxme 11:30 pm / leans forward/ Eh, yeah. And if he tries to come here? I'll send him to Whirl's. Getaway 11:32 pm Hm. From what I heard about him, maybe he deserves it. *... starts rummaging through one of the crates again.* _Whirl 11:32 pm *finally relaxes again* recuerdaxme 11:33 pm That's the spirit. Getaway 11:33 pm *doesn't sound very spirited.* NoodlesAtNight 11:33 pm //That's him, though.// *Kicks back again.* //You ain't that mech any more'n our Ravage's some blue 'n white nerd.// Getaway 11:33 pm *at the moment, he is a hollow shell of his previously chipper self.* ... What color nerd IS he? NoodlesAtNight 11:34 pm //PFFF.// recuerdaxme 11:34 pm Kyehehe. NoodlesAtNight 11:35 pm //Black 'n silver, mostly. Li'l bit of yellow 'n purple. 'N if he hears ya called him a nerd I ain't gettin' Frenzy to patch you up.// Getaway 11:35 pm I'll keep that in mind. _Whirl 11:35 pm Mixes a damn good drink, too. Highly recommended. recuerdaxme 11:36 pm /snort / recuerdaxme 11:37 pm I know you're new to the idea of various verses, but you should keep in mind that the only mech with your coding is you. Your experiences are yours. Your fights were and are yours. /shrugs pauldrons/ Same name, same face- doesn't make you them. Didn't do what he did. He doesn't do what you do. It's a complex situation, but you'll get the hang of it. Getaway 11:37 pm Thanks. I'll remember that. recuerdaxme 11:37 pm / this is the wisest thing he has said all year / recuerdaxme 11:37 pm / will give himself a sticker later / NoodlesAtNight 11:37 pm *Soundwave: still quietly observing. Getaway's been rather... off, tonight, compared to before. All the talk about slaughtering his alternate, and now this revelation. Perhaps it can be salvaged somehow? They really don't know who he is, aside from what he's been saying. Soundwave would /like/ to believe he's the protector he says he is. They could use more of them, albeit less focused on the humans.* _Whirl 11:37 pm *decides, again, to show that a little bit of that whole I Know Decent People has rubbed off, maybe* And, mech. As far as places for second chances go... you can't really do better than the multiverse. Take it from someone who knows. recuerdaxme 11:38 pm Look. Let's make this simple. You could be a tool like Rodimus, but you're not. You get to explore the multiverse and make a new... life? Existence ? Job? Getaway 11:39 pm Heh. I try to keep that as my guiding star. Not being like Rodimus. _Whirl 11:39 pm A good policy, honestly. recuerdaxme 11:39 pm That should be everyone's motivation Getaway 11:40 pm ... It's—tricky, though. Isn't it? *he's found a helmet! He pulls it out of the crate.* The first time you—you meet someone who looks like someone who hurt you, and find out they've got nothing in common. *he's using the helmet as a bucket to scoop his coins into. he's focusing very intently on it.* ... Or the first time you're hurt by someone who looks like a person you called a friend. _Whirl 11:41 pm Don't got to be in the multiverse to experience THAT, mech. NoodlesAtNight 11:41 pm [[....He apologizes for the deceit. You seemed so happy to see your companion, and he - well. He doesn't know as much about the ember timelines as he would like, and he enjoys a good story.]]

[[He thought you might manage to go on your way after a while, better than before. It seemed relatively harmless at the time.]] Getaway 11:41 pm No, I guess not. *glances up at Soundwave. then back down.* You really do look exactly like him. NoodlesAtNight 11:43 pm [[That is new to him. He's never seen /anyone/ who looks like him. Perhaps you'd still consider enlightening him some time.]] recuerdaxme 11:43 pm You'll learn to separate the mechs who look the same. I've run into mechs I know are gone, but I know it's not them. You just have to... get used to it, I guess. /flicks finials/ I suppose I'm numb to it because we recycle so much. I don't know if you recycle in your verse, like ours. NoodlesAtNight 11:43 pm [[He would make it something of an even exchange, of course.]] _Whirl 11:44 pm *tilts his head and looks to Soundwave, then to Getaway. ....ohhh.* NoodlesAtNight 11:44 pm *YEAH, WHIRL.* _Whirl 11:44 pm *honestly doesn't seem too bothered* I've never seen it anywhere but your home turf, Teach. recuerdaxme 11:45 pm Huh... wow. Look at us. The only recycling verse. Getaway 11:46 pm ... No offense, but—you've already messed with me once. You know what they say, once bitten... recuerdaxme 11:46 pm (( this fire won't be contained til September lmAO )) recuerdaxme 11:49 pm Mm... just learn to keep your guard up. /suddenly perks up/ I can teach you how to survive! Getaway 11:50 pm *starts when Blurr perks. his helmet-bucket jangles.* Oh—yeah? NoodlesAtNight 11:52 pm [[...Yes, of course.]] *And there goes a fountain of free data. Blast.* [[A pity he'll have to learn about that Rodimus some other way, but an understandable one.]] recuerdaxme 11:52 pm But of course! I'm an experienced lecturer and educator.

recuerdaxme 9:23 pm ( lemme know when y'all are good. ) Getaway 9:23 pm ((im good)) _Whirl 9:23 pm ((I am! AND ALSO YEAH IT IS)) recuerdaxme 9:23 pm ( i love this song in all languages ;A; ) ( but spanish is still a fAV ) Piston HAS manners. He's been very decent lately. NoodlesAtNight 9:24 pm //Getaway? Y'mean that gold-faced fragger Prowl likes? He ain't comin' /here,/ is he? Last time we met he was thinkin' how to kill me 'n the others, 'n who to knock off first.// *Rumble scowls.* recuerdaxme 9:25 pm Not the same one, I don't think. Could be, but I don't know. ( I gonna start then if we all good. I have to be up at 4am again tomorrow 8( ) NoodlesAtNight 9:25 pm ((i'm good whenever)) Getaway 9:25 pm ((the soonoer the better)) ((soonoer)) _Whirl 9:25 pm ((soonoer)) recuerdaxme 9:25 pm soonerer) Getaway 9:26 pm ((soonoonerer)) NoodlesAtNight 9:26 pm ((soonoerest)) recuerdaxme 9:26 pm omg bgskdfsd ) _Whirl 9:27 pm Nah. This one's from Blurr's neck of the woods, so he's pretty different from our Getaway. *a pause, and Whirl's antenna flattens* And if that other one comes back then I'm going to reach down his throat and turn him inside-out. recuerdaxme 9:27 pm (( is it streaming okay for y'all? )) Getaway 9:28 pm ((there are little static sounds, idk whether it's on my end)) _Whirl 9:28 pm ((ye it's got the little static noises here too)) Getaway 9:28 pm ((oh it's that dude)) recuerdaxme 9:28 pm (( *SIGH* It wasn't there before and now it there )) (( go away mystery sound )) NoodlesAtNight 9:29 pm //Huh. That mean he's real sweetlike, or nastier? Never been good figurin' out how they're gonna bend.// *Shakes his head. And gives Whirl a light punch in thanks for what he perceives as support.* NoodlesAtNight 9:29 pm *A gentle bop, really, with a grin.* recuerdaxme 9:30 pm You can never really guess what they're gonna be like, honestly. It's either they're Autobots or Decepticons, but most Decepticons are too touchy, feely, sweet. _Whirl 9:31 pm *nudges him back. Yes, threatening enemies with grotesque bodily harm is how he shows affection* NoodlesAtNight 9:31 pm *Soundwave perks. The movie doesn't waste any time, does i-- is that the sound of a human larva? Is it that young? Don't they need to eat more often? Oh dear.* Getaway 9:32 pm ((that rock TV is the saddest thing ive ever seen)) _Whirl 9:32 pm As far as he goes, he was really bubbly, but I dunno. My Getaway was kinda like that too. recuerdaxme 9:32 pm /flops on the couch/ Well, you're all free to pick through the spoils we've gathered too much of. recuerdaxme 9:32 pm We didn't have a Getaway where I'm from. _Whirl 9:32 pm Well, now ya do. recuerdaxme 9:33 pm yes i suppose so Getaway 9:34 pm *okay, he's camped out here now. back on the wall, right outside the doorway.* _Whirl 9:34 pm And I'll go through the stuff when we're all wrapped up. If nobody else wants the limbs, I can take 'em home to Killer. recuerdaxme 9:34 pm Sure you can. _Whirl 9:35 pm Ohh, boy. ...wait, never mind. I was sure it was going to be a zombie on the other end of the line. Chaoit 9:35 pm ....? feck, rabbit you ass let me change my muse)) Getaway 9:36 pm ((rabbit's bein rude about that lately)) ((tonight, apparently, i'm a suspiciously prowl-shaped getaway)) Chaoit 9:37 pm ((trying to make it Sides, but nooooo)) NoodlesAtNight 9:37 pm @G: [[He can sense you out there.]] *And it is driving him up the wall. He can't tell why Getaway is hiding. Anxiety-inducing. What if he's up to something? What if he's trying to plan to kill Rumble too?* Chaoit 9:37 pm ((and wow, getaway, your skills at disguise are great _Whirl 9:37 pm ((he's the new Makeshift)) NoodlesAtNight 9:37 pm [[Oh, now this is too much. One of them wandering in alone was unsafe. Now another is.]] recuerdaxme 9:38 pm / leaning over his couch to see where Getaway is at. He can sense the lingering, though not as great as Soundwave. / NoodlesAtNight 9:38 pm [[She isn't even armed.]] recuerdaxme 9:38 pm / But oh the movie is interesting now / NoodlesAtNight 9:38 pm [[Run, human.]] _Whirl 9:38 pm Yeah. Honestly, tying down right by the boat was a bad idea. Getaway 9:38 pm *Getaway starts, then freezes.* NoodlesAtNight 9:38 pm *Shakes his head. Too late.* Chaoit 9:39 pm ((okay, is THIS any better? _Whirl 9:39 pm ((still Chaoit with a Blaster face)) Chaoit 9:40 pm ((MOTHER FUCKER _Whirl 9:40 pm Okay, if they haven't moved away from that wreck by NOW... Chaoit 9:40 pm ((can I give up? Just...go with that I be Sides because I may just put rabbit into a stew soon _Whirl 9:41 pm ((ye dude! Sideswipe, then?)) Getaway 9:42 pm *After a moment, he leans in the doorway.* ... Sorry about that. I heard my name, and... well. And then I heard— *gestures vaguely at Whirl.* The, the whole. inside-out. thing. _Whirl 9:42 pm Well. Don't plot on killing my friends and I won't do that. Getaway 9:42 pm Didn't—want to interrupt. _Whirl 9:42 pm You should have nothing to worry about. recuerdaxme 9:42 pm Hnh? Oh, pits. He won't do anything to you. Not now anyway. You're part of my crew. TEchnically, /I/ would do it. Chaoit 9:42 pm ((yeah, cuz Blaster got into trouble with a demigod Chaoit 9:43 pm -and Sides is here, just curiously looking at the screen- What'd I miss? _Whirl 9:44 pm Point. The honor goes to the Captain. @B: I get dibs on anyone who messes with Rumble, though. Deal?

...not that I expect it, or anything, I mean. Just saying. Getaway 9:44 pm No, n-no, no, not—not threatening anyone's friends. recuerdaxme 9:44 pm @W: I mean, I guess. Chaoit 9:44 pm Like, what'er we watchin'? NoodlesAtNight 9:46 pm ((food came right after she put the watch thing on what did i miss) Getaway 9:46 pm ((zombie symptoms don't show up for 3 hours but she's gonna bleed out in 2 hours so they're taking their chances and going to the hospital.)) ((as long as they don't know whether she's infected yet.)) _Whirl 9:46 pm One of them should REALLY be standing lookout now. Getaway 9:47 pm ((so they got an abandoned car. a zombie almost got them.)) Chaoit 9:47 pm Oh NoodlesAtNight 9:47 pm [[...He hopes she did not bite the bitlet.]] _Whirl 9:47 pm *shudders, despite himself* Getaway too. NoodlesAtNight 9:47 pm [[Greetings, Getaway.]] *Bobs his head. At least the mech's making himself known now.* Chaoit 9:47 pm That...a symptom, ain't it? recuerdaxme 9:47 pm Hello, my new little recruit. _Whirl 9:47 pm Yeah, I'm guessing so. Chaoit 9:48 pm Getaway, huh? Getaway 9:48 pm ... Hey, boss. NoodlesAtNight 9:48 pm //They oughta have somethin' over her mouth. Then she can't bite nobody if she goes all sudden.// Chaoit 9:48 pm She's got a point dude _Whirl 9:49 pm Yeah. If there's a chance to cure her then, yeah, but if not... I mean. He knows what he's gotta do. She knows it, too. recuerdaxme 9:49 pm Well, don't be so... whatever you are! Come in. Look at all this scrap we over collected. See if you want anything. Chaoit 9:49 pm Yeah. Sucks, but... -has plopped himself in a seat- Getaway 9:50 pm ... Yeah, sure. Chaoit 9:50 pm -raises servo- _Whirl 9:50 pm *adopts his Teacher Voice* Yes, Sideswipe? recuerdaxme 9:51 pm ...Wow. Chaoit 9:51 pm Can I say that I think the guy's being stupid fraggin' bit-brain right now? _Whirl 9:51 pm Yes, you may. Proceed. *waves aclaw magnanimously. NoodlesAtNight 9:51 pm //Run, buddy. She's done.// _Whirl 9:52 pm At least put her out of her misery so she can die as HERSELF. Chaoit 9:52 pm Kay. The guy's bein' a stupid fraggin' bit-brain Getaway 9:52 pm *gives Whirl a nervous look; but, moves to the crates.* NoodlesAtNight 9:52 pm [[Oh dear. She'll have gone while he was out, won't she.]] Chaoit 9:52 pm She's turning into a monster......... NoodlesAtNight 9:53 pm [[Did she get to him?]] Chaoit 9:53 pm .......... _Whirl 9:53 pm Looked like it to me. recuerdaxme 9:53 pm Don't worry so much, Getaway. He's not gonna do anything to you. Chaoit 9:53 pm Let's hope not Getaway 9:53 pm ((don't leave the baby behind jfc)) _Whirl 9:53 pm Yeah. I'm a triple sweetie, remember? Should have DONE THAT WHILE SHE WAS ALIVE, IDIOT. Chaoit 9:53 pm Or that sparkling is going to be a snack Getaway 9:54 pm ... Yeah. Triple sweetie. *doesn't sound convinced.* Chaoit 9:55 pm ....oh boy Getaway 9:55 pm *starts hesitantly digging through one of the crates.* Chaoit 9:55 pm He's not a bright one, is he? Uh.... NoodlesAtNight 9:56 pm @G: [[If anyone attempts to harm you, he will intervene as much as he can.]] *Probably to handle it himself, if it's because of the minicons.* [[We still have a meeting to complete.]] recuerdaxme 9:56 pm Getaway . /wiggles claws/ I've got my optic on you. You're fine. Chaoit 9:56 pm What....the.... _Whirl 9:57 pm *is not really terribly concerned. Being feared is a-ok by him* Chaoit 9:57 pm Well THAT can't be good _Whirl 9:58 pm Also, hey. That kid had the same idea. *nudges Rumble* A bit-and-harness, to keep him from biting. Getaway 9:58 pm *glances up between the two of them; after a moment, gives them half-optic smiles.* Thanks, guys. Means a lot to me. NoodlesAtNight 9:58 pm //Kid knows what's up.// _Whirl 9:58 pm *nods* Chaoit 10:00 pm Hmmmm You don't have time dude recuerdaxme 10:01 pm /smirks/ Don't worry. Captains take care of their crew. _Whirl 10:01 pm Am I missing something, there? *peers* Chaoit 10:01 pm The hell was that? NoodlesAtNight 10:01 pm *He nods. Of course.* _Whirl 10:02 pm Why's that scar something he's scared of? Getaway 10:02 pm *back to digging through the crate. He's rummaging straight past all the bigger objects.* Getaway 10:04 pm *once he gets to the bottom, he starts pulling coins out. he makes a pile of them, just outside the crate.* NoodlesAtNight 10:04 pm [[So he is infected.]] //...Whatcha doin' with all them?// *Points at the coins.* Chaoit 10:05 pm Oh...and now he's becoming one too recuerdaxme 10:05 pm Well, he was bit, wasn't he? _Whirl 10:05 pm *also looks over, curiously* recuerdaxme 10:06 pm / is also watching / Getaway 10:06 pm Saving up. Chaoit 10:06 pm -turns to watch the coin-stacking too- recuerdaxme 10:06 pm Are you planning on buying something? Chaoit 10:07 pm -turns back to the movie after a moment- Getaway 10:07 pm Nah. Just preparing for when I've got to move on. Costs a lot to cross the multiverse when you've got no ship of your own and no friends. recuerdaxme 10:07 pm ... /ugly loud laughter / _Whirl 10:07 pm Huh. Second one we've seen doing that. NoodlesAtNight 10:07 pm [[...No friends?]] Chaoit 10:08 pm Hmn.... recuerdaxme 10:08 pm Just because you're leaving doesn't mean you can't call me for assistance. We can remain allies. _Whirl 10:08 pm Take my advice--stick with Teach. He's tough. He's been around a while. Chaoit 10:08 pm Heh, nice shot guy recuerdaxme 10:08 pm Long while. They say I'm a roach. _Whirl 10:09 pm *gravely* It's true. recuerdaxme 10:09 pm Very hard to kill. _Whirl 10:09 pm Looks like that's how they rest. Sticking their heads in the ground. recuerdaxme 10:09 pm Weird way to sleep. Getaway 10:10 pm *a half-optic smile for Froid.* Present company excluded. But you're not MY Froid. Probably. Chaoit 10:10 pm -snickering- Wait, diggers? Oh, like they go digging and bury their head? _Whirl 10:11 pm *at long last, relents just a little bit. His good influences have had SOME impact on him* Hey, Getaway. It's... you're gonna have to get used to that. You might be the only one around from your timeline. Same with me. Just stop thinking about everything as being "not yours." Just roll with it. recuerdaxme 10:12 pm You get used to it after a while. All I've run into are the Decepticons and they irritate my entire core. NoodlesAtNight 10:12 pm [[Perhaps. Perhaps not. He does not know. Though he is curious as to how you would.]] Getaway 10:12 pm ... Yeah. Yeah, I know. I'm—far from home. On purpose. Chaoit 10:13 pm On purpose, hmn? recuerdaxme 10:13 pm Getaway too. NoodlesAtNight 10:13 pm //Maybe they like the taste of dirt or somethin'.// _Whirl 10:13 pm You'll get used to it, mech. You'll probably come to prefer it this way. I did. recuerdaxme 10:13 pm But, so long as you stay on track, you'll outrun them. If it's Rodimus after you, then I can easily kill him. _Whirl 10:13 pm PFFT. recuerdaxme 10:13 pm Oh, shut up. I could. _Whirl 10:14 pm That was for Rumble, not you. recuerdaxme 10:14 pm Oh, good. _Whirl 10:14 pm I've seen you in action--I believe it. recuerdaxme 10:14 pm Then I retract. _Whirl 10:15 pm *nods gravely* Thank you, Teach. NoodlesAtNight 10:15 pm //...Hold up, he's usin' live bait!// recuerdaxme 10:16 pm Huh. I've done that before... _Whirl 10:16 pm Yeah, he... must be some kind of nutcase. Chaoit 10:16 pm Well frack recuerdaxme 10:16 pm Of course, I dropped the bait in the smelting pit. NoodlesAtNight 10:16 pm //I didn't know humans did that.// _Whirl 10:16 pm No wonder that girl back at camp was so nervous all the time. One wrong move and he tosses her in the cage. Getaway 10:16 pm *glances at Froid.* Oh, just—you know. Considering the odds. I ran far and fast on purpose. The odds my Froid had the same thought, and went the same way... Chaoit 10:17 pm Practical...but...messed up Oh. Oh no. DID the kid get bit? _Whirl 10:17 pm I got no respect for that. You should fight 'em head on. recuerdaxme 10:18 pm I mean, either commit or don't hunt them. Honestly. NoodlesAtNight 10:18 pm *He taps a finger to his chin, thinking. That is very good reasoning.* [[He supposes that does make sense. It is a vast multiverse.]] Getaway 10:18 pm *to Blurr* I appreciate that. The—protecting me. From Rodimus. Really. recuerdaxme 10:19 pm Honestly, any chance to slaughter that mech would make me so... /pauses. Thinks/ What's the word? _Whirl 10:19 pm Out of your goddamned mind with glee? NoodlesAtNight 10:19 pm //Hope they didn't. Poor bitlet. 'N this fragger - I mean, he got the blood. How come he don't just leave a bucket in the cage?// recuerdaxme 10:19 pm / glances left and right/ What? That's not the word... which one? Ah, right. / to Getaway/ Content. recuerdaxme 10:19 pm And, what Whirl said. _Whirl 10:20 pm Because he's sadistic. There's always folks like that. You get someone on the other side of some bars and a set of keys and it's just a matter of time. Chaoit 10:20 pm Yeeeeep NoodlesAtNight 10:21 pm //He can't leave her with a fragger like that. He's gonna use the kid for bait too.// _Whirl 10:21 pm Yeah I--yeah. recuerdaxme 10:21 pm ... Huh. I like this one. This... woman. Chaoit 10:21 pm Better than himself, he's gonna be one of them soon. _Whirl 10:22 pm I mean obviously he SHOULD off himself, but not while she's with these people. So here's what you do: Kill that guy in his sleep. Chaoit 10:22 pm ...........or not recuerdaxme 10:22 pm ... Hnh. I knew something was odd. Chaoit 10:22 pm Yikes The man is nuts NoodlesAtNight 10:22 pm [[Indeed. She did not seem to be affectionate in return.]] [[Now we see why.]] _Whirl 10:23 pm Go get the folks in the cage, bring em in. Hopefully some of them won't hold it against you, and then you've got a little squad at the base. THEN you off yourself. Chaoit 10:23 pm Scratch that, he's an afthat NoodlesAtNight 10:23 pm //Aw, Pit. This ain't good.// _Whirl 10:23 pm Especially not for that kid. Chaoit 10:23 pm Nope NoodlesAtNight 10:24 pm [[The clever man?]] [[Does this refer to the older one in the cage?]] _Whirl 10:25 pm The old guy, with the beard. One who talked about the land getting sick. Yep. I'm guessing it's capitalized. Clever Man. A title. NoodlesAtNight 10:26 pm //Primus.// *Flops back on his portion of the hammock.* _Whirl 10:26 pm *looks down, amused* Suspenseful enough for you? Oh, come on, he's asleep, he's a sitting duck. Just SHOOT him. Getaway 10:27 pm *he's got a nice little pile of coins now.* Chaoit 10:27 pm They don't want to attract the things Loud noises do that _Whirl 10:27 pm Then cut his throat. Chaoit 10:27 pm Gunshots are loud noises NoodlesAtNight 10:28 pm //Listen, I did my share of suspensi-- aw, COME ON.// Chaoit 10:28 pm ............ recuerdaxme 10:28 pm /smirk/ do you want more coins? Chaoit 10:28 pm Well slag recuerdaxme 10:28 pm ... huh. that's ironic NoodlesAtNight 10:28 pm //RUN!// _Whirl 10:28 pm Damn. Getaway 10:28 pm If you've got them, yeah. Thanks. Chaoit 10:28 pm You shot her instead Serves you right, afthat _Whirl 10:29 pm Guess he really WAS a clever man. NoodlesAtNight 10:29 pm [[What else will you need? Besides money.]] [[And a ship, and transport.]] _Whirl 10:29 pm *looks over to Getaway* I can hook you up with a loving, beautiful pet. Okay, movie. All his yelling has GOT to have attracted them. Movie, please. You gotta have this guy get eaten. Getaway 10:31 pm *he shrugs.* A—a safe crew to join on the other side, I guess. Chaoit 10:31 pm Smart girl NoodlesAtNight 10:31 pm [[What kind?]] Chaoit 10:32 pm Whooops Getaway 10:33 pm ... The kind that can protect me if Rodimus comes after me. _Whirl 10:33 pm *points to Blurr* Getaway 10:34 pm Yeah—I know, but—boss here is on the wrong side. I've gotta make it to the other half of the multiverse. _Whirl 10:34 pm Well, that's why you kill him, instead of running from him. recuerdaxme 10:34 pm ... Wrong side? Chaoit 10:35 pm That's... recuerdaxme 10:35 pm Mech, you know my ship can travel space at the fastest speeds right? Chaoit 10:35 pm ...depressing. Getaway 10:36 pm Yeah, but you LIVE on this side. You're—FROM this side. recuerdaxme 10:36 pm ... Uhhh. I mean, more or less. I'm not allowed back on my Cybertron Ever. _Whirl 10:37 pm *can't hold back another shudder* NoodlesAtNight 10:37 pm //....WHERE'S THE--oh.// recuerdaxme 10:37 pm Rodimus claimed he pulled off the bounty for my helm, but I don't trust him at all. Huh... now she's gonna take him? Chaoit 10:38 pm -settles- Getaway 10:39 pm Heh. Yeah. I wouldn't trust him either. He's shifty. Chaoit 10:39 pm Roddy? Getaway 10:39 pm And dishonest and power-hungry. _Whirl 10:39 pm And terribly unfashionable. recuerdaxme 10:39 pm Yes, I would know. _Whirl 10:40 pm *holds his claw upside-down and holds it under his eye like it's a goatee* recuerdaxme 10:40 pm He used to be close to me. Ah, but... who needs him. /shrugs pauldrons and relaxes / Getaway 10:40 pm Yeah. I guess you would. recuerdaxme 10:40 pm Not sure how /your/ Blurr handled that mess, but I didn't let him take that ship. My Master trusted me. Not Rodimus. Chaoit 10:40 pm Things don't exactly always work like that Getaway 10:41 pm Your master? recuerdaxme 10:41 pm My Prime. Chaoit 10:41 pm ...someone got munched recuerdaxme 10:41 pm Trusted me with literally everything, down to keeping his armor clean. /flexes claws/ _Whirl 10:41 pm ((I'm liking freeman in this. I've only ever seen him do one type of role, but he's very convincing. Good jearb)) recuerdaxme 10:41 pm ( yeah same!! ) _Whirl 10:41 pm *nudges Rumble* You were saying something, earlier. About having your fair share of something? recuerdaxme 10:42 pm ... That's not foreboding. NoodlesAtNight 10:42 pm [[Oh, no.]] Chaoit 10:43 pm That's... Frag. _Whirl 10:43 pm If he actually cared about his OWN ones he'd end it. recuerdaxme 10:44 pm Nn... _Whirl 10:44 pm ...not what I meant. NoodlesAtNight 10:44 pm //Oh. Uh. Had my fair share of suspensin' from scrap like this. Ain't a good time. Aaaaaan' now they gotta move. Them diggin things is gonna come for 'em.// Chaoit 10:44 pm Hah...haha...holy frag _Whirl 10:45 pm Oh. Pfft. You and me both. recuerdaxme 10:45 pm Look mech, when the rust finally gets to me and I turn into some rusted Empty, I either want Whirl or Drift to off my aft. Or... just chain me up and use me as a quick Empty attack, I guess. That'd be cool. "Release the monster" Bam, there I go _Whirl 10:45 pm Well MAYBE the rust wouldn't GET to you if you'd go to the DOCTOR more often. recuerdaxme 10:46 pm / B( / Well, I DO. Kind of. _Whirl 10:46 pm I'd let you go out in style, Teach. Strap some high-end explosives to you, send you out in the face of someone we'd both enjoy killing. recuerdaxme 10:46 pm ... Good. And then tell Buster he's free from my clutches. _Whirl 10:46 pm ...@B: I'd break it to him gently. Chaoit 10:46 pm Uh... recuerdaxme 10:47 pm @W: ... Well, that's the best I could ask for. Chaoit 10:47 pm Huh.... Getaway 10:47 pm Oh. Yeah, the Prime didn't trust our Rodimus, either. Which makes sense, since he was trying to overthrow him and all. _Whirl 10:47 pm Luckily, I don't think I've got to worry about THIS anymore. Once you've gotten a virus once, you're immune, right? Chaoit 10:47 pm Ooooh That's why they do that recuerdaxme 10:48 pm Well, yes. I've never met a Rodimus that was loyal to anything but himself, really. _Whirl 10:48 pm Oh, this asshole, again. NoodlesAtNight 10:48 pm *Is learning all KINDS of things about the other side of the multiverse tonight* recuerdaxme 10:48 pm Mine is surprisingly still alive, though I've discovered that he's afraid of my denta. _Whirl 10:48 pm As most living things SHOULD be. recuerdaxme 10:48 pm ... Which virus do you mean, Whirl ? Getaway 10:48 pm *... peers at Blurr's mouth.* recuerdaxme 10:48 pm Well, most living things don't live to see them very long /cackle/ _Whirl 10:49 pm The sparkeater one. I went once, so... I mean. That's how viruses USUALLY work. NoodlesAtNight 10:49 pm //...Pit, I wasn't even thinkin' about - mech, I got stuff to tell ya some time. But yeah. Definitely that too.// _Whirl 10:49 pm Hell yeah, SHOOT HIM. recuerdaxme 10:49 pm / he has them nice sharp denta with them energon stains. The flexi-stitches holding his jaw together get nice and wide/ Wanna see? Chaoit 10:49 pm Well then Getaway 10:50 pm ... I can see them from here. recuerdaxme 10:50 pm I dunno. I don't even know if Empties carry a virus. I know drinking their energon is not good for your tanks. Had to cut mine out. Aww, you don't want a close up? I won't bite... much. _Whirl 10:50 pm *tilts his head* Hm? Whatcha mean? *he senses a story... but he can be patient and hear it later. If he has to. But he's nosy* Getaway 10:50 pm I'm good, thanks. Chaoit 10:50 pm Kinda hoping to see that guy eaten now recuerdaxme 10:50 pm / snickers / recuerdaxme 10:51 pm Wait til you see what they can do. You'll see if you work with us _Whirl 10:51 pm Dad goes full zombie and eats the guy to save his bitlet. Chaoit 10:51 pm He'd deserve it recuerdaxme 10:51 pm I'm down to see that. recuerdaxme 10:53 pm (( god i really love him in this )) (( it's a whole different side of him )) Chaoit 10:53 pm ((it's interesting to say the least NoodlesAtNight 10:54 pm //Ah, it's, uh... probably I shouldn't talk about it here. Ain't no prettier'n this scrap.// *Jerks his head at the screen.* _Whirl 10:54 pm *nods* Yeah, I get ya. Some other time. recuerdaxme 10:54 pm You know. If I ever got that sick... I don't think I'd want to get all the way sick. Chaoit 10:54 pm That's...that's not gooooooodon'teatthat recuerdaxme 10:54 pm I don't know. Depends. I mean, the crew would survive without me. _Whirl 10:55 pm Hell yeah, look at em go! Chaoit 10:56 pm Oh no recuerdaxme 10:56 pm (( me: already sobbing )) _Whirl 10:57 pm *just not gonna. Watch this part. Suddenly very interested in Getaway's coin pile* Getaway 10:57 pm *it's grown steadily* _Whirl 10:58 pm *how incredibly impressive* recuerdaxme 10:58 pm Hey, Getaway. Tell you what. You help us get the next few treasures we look for, and I'll give you a ship and some of the fleet members. Chaoit 10:59 pm Is she using him as transportation? recuerdaxme 10:59 pm I mean, I don't need the /entire/ fleet. _Whirl 10:59 pm *returns his attention to the screen* Chaoit 11:00 pm Huh. She is. Getaway 11:00 pm Oh, no—you don't need to give me that much. But—I could use a ship. Thank you. I won't let you down, boss. recuerdaxme 11:00 pm Sure thing. They're all stolen anyway. So, I'd give you one/ *. Chaoit 11:02 pm ((WEH recuerdaxme 11:02 pm (( mOOD )) (( Don't mind me cryin' alone in my home )) NoodlesAtNight 11:02 pm *...Soundwave has an odd urge to check on the protoforms.* Chaoit 11:03 pm ...... recuerdaxme 11:03 pm / internally worries about Oberyn. His best child. / Chaoit 11:03 pm -Sides is going to be squishing his brother later- ((ohmygod ((this ending hurts recuerdaxme 11:04 pm (( yEAH )) Chaoit 11:04 pm ...... _Whirl 11:05 pm Not bad. Chaoit 11:05 pm -raises servo again- recuerdaxme 11:05 pm Not bad at all. Hnh? What is it? Chaoit 11:05 pm Who else here kinda hated the ending because surprise feels recuerdaxme 11:05 pm I mean, if you're into that kind of scrap. / oh he knows what he'll do. / recuerdaxme 11:06 pm / he's gonna have a sleepover with his frames tonight / NoodlesAtNight 11:06 pm //Least the kid survived.// NoodlesAtNight 11:06 pm //'S better 'n most.// _Whirl 11:06 pm Yeah. That's the important bit. recuerdaxme 11:06 pm Yes, I suppose. She wasn't as problematic as I assumed. Very quiet. Chaoit 11:06 pm Family is family And yeah...at least the kids survived _Whirl 11:07 pm Well, you know how little ones are. Unruly. It's part of their charm. recuerdaxme 11:07 pm I suppose. We don't have kids where I'm from, so. Chaoit 11:08 pm ((they have a movie ((called anon _Whirl 11:08 pm I'm not exactly... what you'd call experienced, either. *A LIE* Getaway 11:08 pm ((it's about smokey's life)) ((truly a neverending horror story)) Chaoit 11:08 pm ((YEP recuerdaxme 11:09 pm (( LOL )) Getaway 11:09 pm *just sort of glances between speakers, listening to the conversation about the movie* _Whirl 11:09 pm ((omg)) Chaoit 11:09 pm -huffs, and settles down again- recuerdaxme 11:09 pm /shrugs pauldrons/ I honestly think if kids existed in my universe, they'd keep them away from me. _Whirl 11:10 pm Same. I'm pretty sure if we ever get the hang of propagating, I'm going to be barred from it. Which, honestly, is just as well. NoodlesAtNight 11:10 pm [[Hm. A strange thought, but he has seen plenty of others who have.]] Chaoit 11:11 pm Annnyway I gotta go _Whirl 11:11 pm Huh? recuerdaxme 11:11 pm Heading out? Chaoit 11:11 pm Yup _Whirl 11:11 pm ...to Soundwave, not you, Sideswipe. Seeya. Chaoit 11:11 pm Thanks for the stream, though recuerdaxme 11:11 pm Sure thing. /wiggles claws / NoodlesAtNight 11:11 pm *DAMN IT, WHIRL.* _Whirl 11:11 pm *LOOK HE'S NOT A SPY HE CAN'T BE COUNTED ON FOR THIS STUFF* recuerdaxme 11:12 pm / DID NOT RUIN THE DEAL / _Whirl 11:12 pm *ALSO IF YOU WANT SOMEONE TO PLAY ALONG MAYBE LET THEM IN ON YOUR GAME* recuerdaxme 11:12 pm K-Kyeheheh. Are you *sure* you're completely cleared of that virus there, Whirl? Sounds like you're a little confused. NoodlesAtNight 11:12 pm *Note to himself: never, ever ask Whirl to be a field agent.* Getaway 11:12 pm *... very slowly looks from Whirl to "Froid."* NoodlesAtNight 11:12 pm *Very slowly looks over to Getaway. Yes?* _Whirl 11:13 pm ...huh? Well. I mean, you don't see me waving around tentacles and trying to EAT people, do you? Chaoit 11:13 pm ....annnyway, 'night guys, thanks for the stream, but I'm out now. NoodlesAtNight 11:13 pm //Night, Blaster.// recuerdaxme 11:13 pm See you. No, but that sounds like fun. Can I do that? _Whirl 11:13 pm *i stand by my "tell him the plan if you want him to be a part of it" statement* Getaway 11:13 pm *and then from "Froid" to the small guy who's been cuddled up with Whirl all night.* NoodlesAtNight 11:13 pm *HE THOUGHT WHIRL HAD THE IDEA* _Whirl 11:13 pm *suddenly very serious* It's not, Blurr. Trust me. *no nicknames, so you know he means it* recuerdaxme 11:14 pm / shrugs pauldrons / I wouldn't know. My universe doesn't have oddities like that. recuerdaxme 11:14 pm We have Empties, Zombies and that's it. ... And Rodimus. All are absolute filth., _Whirl 11:14 pm Basically the same principle. ((Getaway right now:))

recuerdaxme 11:15 pm (( lmaooo )) Getaway 11:15 pm ((HAHAHA)) NoodlesAtNight 11:15 pm ((LOL)) _Whirl 11:16 pm ((I'm honestly not sorry this is hilarious)) NoodlesAtNight 11:17 pm *Well, he'll just fold his hands and continue to sit waiting on the couch for whatever hellstorm is about to come his way.* recuerdaxme 11:18 pm /is going to watch, but pretend he's not. This is surprisingly easier with one optic / Getaway 11:19 pm *after a moment glancing between the two of them, focuses on the small guy* Hey. Sorry, I came in kinda late, I never got your name. Let me guess, it's... it's gotta be either Rumble or Frenzy, right? You're both completely different colors where I'm from, I don't wanna guess and be wrong. recuerdaxme 11:19 pm They're both *alive* where you're from? NoodlesAtNight 11:20 pm *Rumble sits up* //Hold on. Y'mean we're dead?// Getaway 11:20 pm ... I... honestly don't know. I'm not a frontliner. I've only seen them in pictures. _Whirl 11:20 pm *still hasn't grasped the full implications of what's going on, but is staring at Getaway while he addresses Rumble. No expression whatsoeve* recuerdaxme 11:21 pm Not "we" Just one of you. At least where I'm from. NoodlesAtNight 11:22 pm *Rumble glances from Blurr to Whirl to the Boss to Getaway. Is he - is he in danger? Should he pop his piledrivers out? He's gonna fidget slightly, already feeling the urge to fight crawl up his spinal strut.* //I'm Rumble. What's it to ya?// NoodlesAtNight 11:23 pm *Don't mind Soundwave, just... watching like a hawk.* Getaway 11:24 pm Rumble! Nice to meet you properly. I'm Getaway. Not—not the one that was plotting to kill you, obviously. _Whirl 11:24 pm Obviously. NoodlesAtNight 11:24 pm *Rumble frowns.* //Heard that, huh?// Getaway 11:25 pm ... Yeah. Kinda. recuerdaxme 11:25 pm Master of surprises. Getaway 11:26 pm *drops his gaze down to his coins.* Everything I hear about my alternate is bad news. I'm kinda used to it, at this point. recuerdaxme 11:26 pm Pits, everything I hear is good news. It's annoying. Why don't you just kill your alternate? Getaway 11:26 pm ... Nah, that's a lie. I'll /get/ used to it. recuerdaxme 11:27 pm I have connections. ... / pauses / Wait a second... This got me in trouble last time. _Whirl 11:27 pm Don't have much experience with that myself, but, yeah. That's another multiverse thing. Getaway 11:27 pm *shocked look at Blurr* I can't do that! recuerdaxme 11:27 pm Well , why not? _Whirl 11:27 pm Shocking dearth of Whirls running around, but apparently not Starscreams, which is a damned crime. Getaway 11:28 pm Because he's— I don't even KNOW him! And he's ME! recuerdaxme 11:28 pm ...No. YOU are you. _Whirl 11:28 pm *dryly, to Getaway* You probably won't have to. recuerdaxme 11:28 pm HE is someone else. NoodlesAtNight 11:28 pm //Well, good. Ya don't hurt us 'n I ain't gotta hurt you.// *Probably. Rumble's breaking out in a smile, but it's not one he's sure he feels yet.* //Y'think that's weird, try bein' me. I got alternates turnin' into -cassettes.-// recuerdaxme 11:28 pm / points at Whirl/ A good point. Getaway 11:28 pm *slowly turns toward Whirl* ... Is he...? _Whirl 11:29 pm I have no clue what he's up to. Vanished. But I mean, obviously things are going to go bad if he shows his face around here, so... recuerdaxme 11:29 pm (( guys the fire in northern CA is now bigger than the city of LA )) (( I'm terrified ahaha )) NoodlesAtNight 11:29 pm ((JESUS)) _Whirl 11:29 pm SPEDDY.....(( recuerdaxme 11:29 pm (( It's out of control )) NoodlesAtNight 11:29 pm ((get packed in case and stay safe)) recuerdaxme 11:29 pm (( Well it's pretty far north but the smoke )) (( It's bad )) recuerdaxme 11:30 pm / leans forward/ Eh, yeah. And if he tries to come here? I'll send him to Whirl's. Getaway 11:32 pm Hm. From what I heard about him, maybe he deserves it. *... starts rummaging through one of the crates again.* _Whirl 11:32 pm *finally relaxes again* recuerdaxme 11:33 pm That's the spirit. Getaway 11:33 pm *doesn't sound very spirited.* NoodlesAtNight 11:33 pm //That's him, though.// *Kicks back again.* //You ain't that mech any more'n our Ravage's some blue 'n white nerd.// Getaway 11:33 pm *at the moment, he is a hollow shell of his previously chipper self.* ... What color nerd IS he? NoodlesAtNight 11:34 pm //PFFF.// recuerdaxme 11:34 pm Kyehehe. NoodlesAtNight 11:35 pm //Black 'n silver, mostly. Li'l bit of yellow 'n purple. 'N if he hears ya called him a nerd I ain't gettin' Frenzy to patch you up.// Getaway 11:35 pm I'll keep that in mind. _Whirl 11:35 pm Mixes a damn good drink, too. Highly recommended. recuerdaxme 11:36 pm /snort / recuerdaxme 11:37 pm I know you're new to the idea of various verses, but you should keep in mind that the only mech with your coding is you. Your experiences are yours. Your fights were and are yours. /shrugs pauldrons/ Same name, same face- doesn't make you them. Didn't do what he did. He doesn't do what you do. It's a complex situation, but you'll get the hang of it. Getaway 11:37 pm Thanks. I'll remember that. recuerdaxme 11:37 pm / this is the wisest thing he has said all year / recuerdaxme 11:37 pm / will give himself a sticker later / NoodlesAtNight 11:37 pm *Soundwave: still quietly observing. Getaway's been rather... off, tonight, compared to before. All the talk about slaughtering his alternate, and now this revelation. Perhaps it can be salvaged somehow? They really don't know who he is, aside from what he's been saying. Soundwave would /like/ to believe he's the protector he says he is. They could use more of them, albeit less focused on the humans.* _Whirl 11:37 pm *decides, again, to show that a little bit of that whole I Know Decent People has rubbed off, maybe* And, mech. As far as places for second chances go... you can't really do better than the multiverse. Take it from someone who knows. recuerdaxme 11:38 pm Look. Let's make this simple. You could be a tool like Rodimus, but you're not. You get to explore the multiverse and make a new... life? Existence ? Job? Getaway 11:39 pm Heh. I try to keep that as my guiding star. Not being like Rodimus. _Whirl 11:39 pm A good policy, honestly. recuerdaxme 11:39 pm That should be everyone's motivation Getaway 11:40 pm ... It's—tricky, though. Isn't it? *he's found a helmet! He pulls it out of the crate.* The first time you—you meet someone who looks like someone who hurt you, and find out they've got nothing in common. *he's using the helmet as a bucket to scoop his coins into. he's focusing very intently on it.* ... Or the first time you're hurt by someone who looks like a person you called a friend. _Whirl 11:41 pm Don't got to be in the multiverse to experience THAT, mech. NoodlesAtNight 11:41 pm [[....He apologizes for the deceit. You seemed so happy to see your companion, and he - well. He doesn't know as much about the ember timelines as he would like, and he enjoys a good story.]]

[[He thought you might manage to go on your way after a while, better than before. It seemed relatively harmless at the time.]] Getaway 11:41 pm No, I guess not. *glances up at Soundwave. then back down.* You really do look exactly like him. NoodlesAtNight 11:43 pm [[That is new to him. He's never seen /anyone/ who looks like him. Perhaps you'd still consider enlightening him some time.]] recuerdaxme 11:43 pm You'll learn to separate the mechs who look the same. I've run into mechs I know are gone, but I know it's not them. You just have to... get used to it, I guess. /flicks finials/ I suppose I'm numb to it because we recycle so much. I don't know if you recycle in your verse, like ours. NoodlesAtNight 11:43 pm [[He would make it something of an even exchange, of course.]] _Whirl 11:44 pm *tilts his head and looks to Soundwave, then to Getaway. ....ohhh.* NoodlesAtNight 11:44 pm *YEAH, WHIRL.* _Whirl 11:44 pm *honestly doesn't seem too bothered* I've never seen it anywhere but your home turf, Teach. recuerdaxme 11:45 pm Huh... wow. Look at us. The only recycling verse. Getaway 11:46 pm ... No offense, but—you've already messed with me once. You know what they say, once bitten... recuerdaxme 11:46 pm (( this fire won't be contained til September lmAO )) recuerdaxme 11:49 pm Mm... just learn to keep your guard up. /suddenly perks up/ I can teach you how to survive! Getaway 11:50 pm *starts when Blurr perks. his helmet-bucket jangles.* Oh—yeah? NoodlesAtNight 11:52 pm [[...Yes, of course.]] *And there goes a fountain of free data. Blast.* [[A pity he'll have to learn about that Rodimus some other way, but an understandable one.]] recuerdaxme 11:52 pm But of course! I'm an experienced lecturer and educator. Getaway 11:53 pm Just assume the worst, and you're probably right. *another optic smile for Soundwave; but it's not as bright as his earlier ones.* NoodlesAtNight 11:53 pm *As such, he doesn't believe it for a second.* *Yeah, he lost this one. Not his best work.* _Whirl 11:54 pm *streeetches* Well, I'm headin out, folks. Seeya, losers. *Rumble gets a separate nudge* And you, too. Getaway 11:54 pm See you, Other Whirl. ... Probably Other Whirl. NoodlesAtNight 11:54 pm *Rumble nudges back and grins.* //Seeya soon.// _Whirl 11:55 pm I'm Some Kinda Whirl. That's the best any of us can do. recuerdaxme 11:55 pm The best Whirl, honestly. Getaway 11:55 pm Ha! Yeah. Guess so. _Whirl 11:55 pm Yeah! Soon. *and he will carefully extricate himself--see? He's good at this. No tipping* Aww, Teach. You sap. recuerdaxme 11:55 pm / waves claw / recuerdaxme 11:55 pm Just like I'm the best Blurr, I know. NoodlesAtNight 11:56 pm [[Well. We should be going, Rumble. Our own timeline will not wait forever, and you still have a game table to repair.]] _Whirl 11:56 pm Damn straight! I'll come back later to rummage through the stuff. recuerdaxme 11:56 pm / wiggles claws/ You mechs have fun. Yes, of course, Whirl. K-Kyeheheh. recuerdaxme 11:56 pm We might have more when you do. NoodlesAtNight 11:56 pm //Aw, c'mon. Can't I do it tomorrow? I been cleanin' up games for so long I can't even remember playin' none of 'em no more.// _Whirl 11:57 pm Oh, yeah, uh... if you want my help, with that. Y'know. Repair stuff... just ring me up. NoodlesAtNight 11:57 pm [[Tonight. He'll extend your free shift tomorrow.]] NoodlesAtNight 11:58 pm //Nah. Nah, you focus on doin' you some good. We got this. Probably got, what... a day 'n a half left? Small stuff.// *He grins.* //But ya wanna help me turn Elita One's lunch sour, lemme know.// NoodlesAtNight 11:59 pm [[He didn't hear that. Come.]] _Whirl 11:59 pm Hmm. Sounds intriguing. I'll keep my comm line open. *with that, he salutes one last time, and trots off* Yesterday recuerdaxme 11:59 pm / waves claw / NoodlesAtNight 12:00 am *Rumble waves to Blurr, sort of half-asses a wave to Getaway - he can tell when the Boss messed up just as well as the Boss can - and hops out the hammock to head toward Soundwave. Up on the arm he gets.* *Soundwave flexes the hand to get one of the fiddly joints on his ring finger aligned, nods, and bows.* [[Goodnight, and thank you for hosting us.]] *Off they'll go as well.* Getaway 12:01 am *he waves back at Rumble. It's about 3/4ths-assed.* recuerdaxme 12:02 am / shifts and moves to stand, stretching his limbs out/ ... Hanging in there, mech? Getaway 12:03 am Yeah. I'll be— I'm fine. recuerdaxme 12:03 am / smirks/ Yeah, that's what I always say. Getaway 12:03 am Anyway, I should— *hefts his helmet.* Better get this to my storage room. recuerdaxme 12:04 am / shifts./ Yes, I suppose. /taps chinplate/ Hey, listen. I'm your Captain, but... I don't get to meet many mechs from a verse like mine. recuerdaxme 12:04 am Contrary to what people think, I'm not too damaged in the processor to comprehend things. /shrugs/ If you ever want to just... I don't know. /grumbles/ I AM saying it- talk. We- I... can talk. Getaway 12:05 am ... Are we that rare out here? Thanks, boss. I might just take you up on that sometime. recuerdaxme 12:05 am / smirk/ Yeah, we're rare. recuerdaxme 12:05 am Mechs usually kill us off. But, I've got strong allies and I don't intend on letting my crew go. Anyway, you know where I am. So... you know. / how do make friends ???? Awkward offer of help /

_Whirl 11:57 pm Oh, yeah, uh... if you want my help, with that. Y'know. Repair stuff... just ring me up. NoodlesAtNight 11:57 pm [[Tonight. He'll extend your free shift tomorrow.]] NoodlesAtNight 11:58 pm //Nah. Nah, you focus on doin' you some good. We got this. Probably got, what... a day 'n a half left? Small stuff.// *He grins.* //But ya wanna help me turn Elita One's lunch sour, lemme know.// NoodlesAtNight 11:59 pm [[He didn't hear that. Come.]] _Whirl 11:59 pm Hmm. Sounds intriguing. I'll keep my comm line open. *with that, he salutes one last time, and trots off* Yesterday recuerdaxme 11:59 pm / waves claw / NoodlesAtNight 12:00 am *Rumble waves to Blurr, sort of half-asses a wave to Getaway - he can tell when the Boss messed up just as well as the Boss can - and hops out the hammock to head toward Soundwave. Up on the arm he gets.* *Soundwave flexes the hand to get one of the fiddly joints on his ring finger aligned, nods, and bows.* [[Goodnight, and thank you for hosting us.]] *Off they'll go as well.* Getaway 12:01 am *he waves back at Rumble. It's about 3/4ths-assed.* recuerdaxme 12:02 am / shifts and moves to stand, stretching his limbs out/ ... Hanging in there, mech? Getaway 12:03 am Yeah. I'll be— I'm fine. recuerdaxme 12:03 am / smirks/ Yeah, that's what I always say. Getaway 12:03 am Anyway, I should— *hefts his helmet.* Better get this to my storage room. recuerdaxme 12:04 am / shifts./ Yes, I suppose. /taps chinplate/ Hey, listen. I'm your Captain, but... I don't get to meet many mechs from a verse like mine. recuerdaxme 12:04 am Contrary to what people think, I'm not too damaged in the processor to comprehend things. /shrugs/ If you ever want to just... I don't know. /grumbles/ I AM saying it- talk. We- I... can talk. Getaway 12:05 am ... Are we that rare out here? Thanks, boss. I might just take you up on that sometime. recuerdaxme 12:05 am / smirk/ Yeah, we're rare. recuerdaxme 12:05 am Mechs usually kill us off. But, I've got strong allies and I don't intend on letting my crew go. Anyway, you know where I am. So... you know. / how do make friends ???? Awkward offer of help / Getaway 12:06 am Yeah. And you know where I am—heh, obviously. You put me there. recuerdaxme 12:06 am Kyeheheheh. Now you're getting it. Ah, Dodge is starting to like you. /snort / Well, go on. Before NOS tries to punch you for the coins. He doesn't need them. He's just a bully. Getaway 12:07 am I don't think I've met Dodge yet. Introduce me sometime soon. *waves as he heads out the door* See you later, boss. recuerdaxme 12:08 am /sweats loudly/ Yeah, sure. See you.

[firelxrdazula]

I was tagged by @kataracy to this and she called gio, michelle, & me a fidget spinner. basically we represent the ends of a fidget spinner

🎀 - Are you named after someone? I think I was named after Stevie Wonder’s child. He said “life is Aisha, the meaning of her name” in Isn’t She Lovely, and my dad loves that song and thinks of me whenever that plays. 🎀 - When was the last time you cried? I think earlier this week. There was this test in my bacteriology class, and everyone failed but I was so close to passing. I was just really clumsy when answering and I forgot to put the values of crystal violet to use, so I failed. I was just really disappointed that I couldn’t help it. Ik, really petty, but yeah 🎀 - Do you like your handwriting? Meh, it’s okay. I can read it. But it really isn’t consistent, so sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad so like meh. 🎀 - What is your favourite lunch meat? I really love barbecue. Like, probably, nothing can top barbecue for me. 🎀 - Do you have have kids? No, I’m in my 3rd year uni, and it’d really fuck all that if I had a kid. But in the future, I’d want one but really far back into the future. 🎀 - If you were a different person, would you be friends with you? I think so, because generally, I pick friends who have similar interests with me because that way, things are smoother. Plus, Kataracy’s answer to this was legit. I do it too. I think if I met myself, would I be proud of me? And sometimes, I’m just thinking probably not yet, but soon. 🎀 - Do you use sarcasm? No, only Michelle uses sarcasm. 🎀 - Do you still have your tonsils? Yes, and I won’t let them leave them me. 🎀 - Would you bungee jump? I’m hella afraid of those things, but I’d probably try it out of impulses so… I mean, I tried the fastest rollercoaster in the world on an impulse, I’d do this to. 🎀 - What’s your favorite cereal? Frosties. Michelle says they’re called Frosted Flakes. I’ll come with receipts about how they’re called Frosties here soon 🎀 - Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? No, I also don’t really wear trainers a lot since I’m usually wearing Toms or doll shoes, but knowing me, I definitely do not untie them. 🎀 - Do you think you’re a strong person? Emotionally? No. Physically? No. Mentally? I thought I was then I entered 3rd of medical laboratory science as my major in uni, and realized that I was weak as shit. 🎀 - What’s your favorite ice cream? I’m pretty basic so I just like chocolate and mango. In Gelatos, I really like tiramisu and this like thick chocolate flavor from Baskin Robbins. 🎀 - What’s the first thing you notice about someone? If you mean physically, it’d be their face. But usually, I don’t notice people much that way, I notice the way they’re talking and their intellect. 🎀 - What’s your least favorite physical thing about yourself? Eh, probably my face because I don’t have a clear face anymore. I used to but then, I haven’t been sleeping properly, and I’ve also not been drinking enough water soooooo 🎀 - What color trousers and shoes are you wearing right now? I’m wearing Adidas sweatpants right now with purple socks, so… I just woke up so, this is what I sleep in lol 🎀 - What are you listening to right now? Generally, I’m listening to LANY a lot, but currently, OneRepublic’s album called Oh My My. 🎀 - If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Uhhhh, I’d like to be white because I really don’t wanna be used. Like, I’d also want to be my fav color which is sea grey but like uhhh i cant choose dam 🎀 - Favorite smell? lmao i like the smell of hospitals FOR SOME FUCKIN REASON. i also really like the smell of antiseptics and certain lysols. i like it when things smell “clean” so im always like disinfecting stuff because i love the smell lmao 🎀 - Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? My dad, yesterday. he wanted me to like attend my cousin’s graduation on wednesday and i rly tried to refuse 🎀 - Favorite sport to watch? Azula playing Kuai Ball. (idk i never actually watch sports like when im on tv, im usually just watching documentaries so i never even watch other shows anymore) 🎀 - Hair color? BLACK idk ive been thinkin of coloring em but like, my uni is Hella Strict 🎀 - Eye color? dark brown 🎀 - Do you wear contacts? no i thankfully still have 20/20 (hah) vision and i feel like wearing em would be too tedious 🎀 - Favorite food? TOO MANY. I love shrimp, i love bbq, i love chinese food, i love like a lot of things ok TOO MANY 🎀 - Scary movies or comedy? Comedy is my favorite, really. I watch them quite a lot, but my other fav is sci-fi. yall should watch interstellar 🎀 - Last movie you watched? I rewatched Moana for the nth time lmao i still have consider the coconut in my head 🎀 - What color shirt are you wearing? white im always wearing white 🎀 - Summer or Winter? winter bc i fuckin hate the summer heat 🎀 - Hugs or kisses? hugs i love hugs 🎀 - Book you’re currently reading? Urine and Body Fluid by Susan King Strasinger. I have to study soon because I have exams tomorrow. 🎀 - Who do you miss right now? eh probs my 2 year old brother hes v cute and jolly 🎀 - What’s on your mouse pad? i dont use computer a lot bc i cant be assed but its a v basic mousepad on the table like literally just black 🎀 - What’s the last tv program you watched? Genius on NatGeo. It talks about Einstein’s life story and I love that 🎀 - What is the best sound? The sound of my bacteriology prof telling me “very good” 🎀 - What’s the furthest you’ve ever travelled? I went to Saudi Arabia abd Qatar before it was gr8 🎀 - Do you have a special talent? UHHHHHHH i guess my sheer ability of fucking everything up is amazing 🎀 - Where were you born? Idk what hospital man LIKE I JUST KNOW I WAS BORN IN THE PHILIPPINES IDK

I’m tagging: @senshiofthewild @seyaryminamoto and anybody who wants to do it!!