#la confidential imagine

[extasiswings]

Me; Blah blah it’s fiction so they’re just going to do things for the drama and handwave logistics it’s not that deep don’t overthink it I know I know

Also me: assuming this lasts longer than the summer how is Christopher going to transfer schools to another state without his legal guardian? How frequently does Chris have check-ups or physical therapy or other medical care, and is Eddie’s health insurance going to cover non-emergency care his dependent receives in another state? Helena and Ramon don’t have custody and aren’t Christopher’s parents, they have limited-to-no rights to make certain decisions regarding Christopher’s medical care, education, or welfare, or to even receive confidential information about him—what happens if something comes up? Did they even consider any of these things before taking Christopher to live with them in another state indefinitely? Considering that they were in LA for maybe 48 hours and Eddie was only aware they planned to take Chris for maybe half of that time, I can’t imagine they talked through and put contingencies in place for any/all of these things so like…

[saintmeghanmarkle]

JAN MOIR on fire: Meghans become just another pay-per-view plugger turning her high profile into high profit by u/Von_und_zu_

JAN MOIR on fire: Meghan’s become just another pay-per-view plugger turning her high profile into high profit Between not launching her lifestyle brand, not being invited to A-list events and not visiting the UK with her husband, where does Meghan find the time to be an international businesswoman, that is what I want to know.This week, the Duchess of Sussex interrupted her trade and industry schedule to give an interview to the New York Times. How unlike her, is what you are thinking, and I agree.Meghan breached her ongoing quest for privacy, piercing that pearly shell of seclusion and confidentiality, to talk to one of the few publications in the world — along with People magazine, her trusty in-house trumpet — that she knows will treat her waffly pensées and latest commercial undertakings with respect and deference, rather than openly laugh in her face.And so it came to be.\**Meghan would not tell the newspaper how much she put into the brand, nor what ownership percentage she now has in the company, but Cesta confirmed it was a minority stake.So I am guessing that it was sixpence, a free jar of jam and a signed photograph of the Duke and Duchess being presented with their Golden Grifters of 2024 award.Why are we all here? I've lost my thread. Oh, yes — to salute Meghan's 'ability to move merchandise', a talent which was breathlessly admired by the NYT, as if the Duchess were a shiny fashion truck barrelling down the highway of hip.Which, as it turns out, is exactly how she sees herself.\**However, the exiled Duchess has had to wait until now to fully monetise that regal power and fully invest in herself — while also helping struggling fashion brands establish themselves, of course. Of course.'I support designers that I have really great friendships with, and smaller, up-and-coming brands that haven't gotten the attention that they should be getting,' she said.Unknowns such Oscar de La Renta and Givenchy, along with St Ella of McCartney and an obscure apprentice tailor from Milan called Mr G Armani, are all so grateful for her help. As, indeed, are Cesta.\**The Duchess also told the newspaper that, when it comes to being a businesswoman, she is a dolphin, not a shark.And also that she is better than you, but you knew that already.\**Like all influencers — which is what she has become — Meghan always seems to be invested in the higher purpose of self-valourising while imposing her superior taste on the scabby masses for clicks and cash.Look. Plenty of celebrities and even some royals get clothes and accessories for free — but that is not enough for the Sussexes. I imagine long Montecito nights of the soul when Meghan and Harry just burn with pure fury at the thought of anyone else, from handbag maker to napkin embroiderer to dress designer, making money out of them.So perhaps it should be no surprise to anyone that she seems to be turning herself into just another pay-per-view professional plugger, a walking billboard in a perennial marketing campaign for herself, a duchess who has transmogrified her high profile into a high profit, with a price on everything from her ethical diamond earrings to the soles of her shoes.The problem is that, collectively and individually, Harry and Meghan haven't got any actual talent to monetise — all that is left to milk is the very fact of their celebrity itself.For he is a prince who will never be crowned and she is an actress who will never get a part. And it was always, always coming to this sad point. https://ift.tt/2Yd3cUs post link: https://ift.tt/J8CvZrl author: Von_und_zu_ submitted: August 30, 2024 at 04:27AM via SaintMeghanMarkle on Reddit disclaimer: all views + opinions expressed by the author of this post, as well as any comments and reblogs, are solely the author's own; they do not necessarily reflect the views of the administrator of this Tumblr blog. For entertainment only.

[night-raven-tattler]

Hello there, I recently became a follower and I love your writing so far, keep up the great work and I hope you’re having a wonderful day

I saw that requests are open so if it’s alright, can I get headcannons of the first years (separate) and shows/movies they’d enjoy watching with the reader?

Thought it’ll be pretty fun and an excuse for me to get recommendations lol, thank you!

Hello, Aesthetic! Thank you for your kind words! This was a bit of a challenge for Mx Tattly, since they are not a huge movie person. However she hopes you still enjoy his takes. They also wrote from the perspective of the Prefect/Yuu having access to some movies from their world of origin. Enjoy!

Movie night, otherworldly edition

Characters: Grim, Ace, Deuce, Jack, Epel, Ortho, Sebek and GN!Reader (separate)

Warnings: food mention (Epel's part)

By opening the document, you agree to Mx Tattly's terms of source confidentiality.

-ˋˏ’✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

Grim's preffered genres are: comedy, action, animation, fantasy

Grim trully is a child at heart, and all the colorful characters and scenes from animation have him hooked

He also enjoys a good laugh, especially visual gags

He barely has any attention to spare for a series, so movies are his preffered format

He would never admit it but he's a sucker for found family

Silent movie crier

Loud denier

Some favorites from your world: Home; Bolt; That one Wizard Boy Movie we Don't mention in This Household; he has a weird relationship with Ace Ventura

『••✎••』

Ace's preffered genres are: horror, thriller, action, adventure

He enjoys gorey stuff and being the guy you hide behind of when the scenes get too much, but he needs time to prepare for psychological horror

Ace is the type to look up spoilers before watching something and he tries to trick you into believing his made up version of the plot

He talks a lot during movies but hates when others do it

While he enjoys a good adventure movie, he hates superhero movies and he thinks they're silly

He prefers movies over series because he likes the format more, but he's down for a short series

Some favorites from your world: The Mummy; Jumanji (he loves making fun of it); American Psycho; Scary Movie

『••✎••』

Deuce's preffered genres are: action, adventure, animation, family movies

He is pretty easy to please, he'd watch anything that is entertaining

Definitely a Marvel fan

He also loves animation movies, the animation always leaves him awestruck

He likes movies about families and their bonds

Deuce is also surprisingly into medical dramas... but also cop dramas

He is a crier as well but only when he's just with you

Some favorites from your world: Black Panther; The Rookie; A Goofy movie; Police Academy 2

『••✎••』

Jack's preferred genres are: documentary, adventure, romance, dramas and telenovelas with a bit of nudging

Jack is the type of guy to retain various informations after watching something

He can sometimes memorise entire scenes, and he finds that habit less annoying when he watches documentaries; he likes something informative and motivational

Jack also enjoys some romance movies sometimes, but he is very picky so it's hard for him to find one he actually likes

He does, however, like to point out and comment on the weird courting habits humans have

Jack finds telenovelas and soap operas kind of nonsensical and overly dramatic, but he also gets hooked on the plot pretty quick and soon enough it would become a bit of a guilty pleasure

Some favorites from your world: David Holmes, the boy who lived; the social dilemma; Love, Simon; Yo soy Betty la fea

『••✎••』

Epel's preferred genres are: comedy, action, western, anything he can mock and make fun of

If you think Ace is bad with his mid watch commentary, Epel is 10 times worse

He mocks things in movies so often he's giving Cinema Sins a run for their money

He won't shut up even if you give him all the snacks, he'll talk while eating

He also has the most colourful, boisterous, ridiculous laughter imaginable (and I say that lovingly), so if the comedy movie is not making you laugh then Epel's laughter is

Epel is not a picky watcher so he can get behind anything that isn't too sappy

If you pull out anything with Vil on the poster though he will dematerialise from your couch

Some favorites from your world: Rush Hour; Desperado; Puss in Boots 2; any Fast and Furious movie (unfortunately)

『••✎••』

Ortho's preferred genres are: anything he finds intriguing, family movies

If anything, Ortho has a wide palate and can enjoy almost anything

He also knows how a movie ends before he watches it, but it never ruins his enjoyment

He never spoils anyone unless they try to argue with him about the direction of the plot

Most of his interest in movies came from wanting to understand human behavior better, but now he can just use them as a time killer or sleepover material

He also likes watching your reactions to the movies: how often you laugh, how often you cry, how often you reach for snacks

A favorite from your world: Big Hero 6

『••✎••』

Sebek's preferred genres are: historical films, (period) dramas, musicals with the right nudge

Listen here, musical enjoyers. Here is the most susceptible one to being convinced to join the dark side

One word: Hamilton.

Yes, he'll think the music is nonsensical, BUT he'll also tap his foot to it

AND if you say anything about teaching him something from the soundtrack to surprise Malleus with, he's all ears

He is also very quick to get songs stuck in his head: he's easy prey

All jokes aside, Sebek can be a good watch buddy when his interest is piqued

Not even he can deny when a movie has good plot and characters

He does prefer period dramas, since he has a soft spot for the setting

And historical films: a nerd do be nerding even during movie nights

Some favorites from your world: The Crown, Hamilton, Les Miserables, maybe Oppenheimer but it would be used in his anti-human agenda

『••✎••』

Speaking of Oppenheimer...

Well, let's discuss Barbenheimer.

Everyone went to watch both movies:

Ace went dressed in pink for the both of them

Deuce got confused by the "dresscode" and apologised to you for not knowing about it

Jack and Ortho enjoyed both

Epel insisted he liked Oppenheimer more but he's lying

Sebek cried at the end of Barbie

Grim is the only one who in fully in Oppenheimer's corner

[strniohoeee]

i neeeeeeddd a part two to confidential 🥺🥺 maybe where matt gets in contact with reader to give her tickets to fly her out to the next show and she's his partner in the show. they win and he fucks her good after the show and finally kisses her. he asks her out on a date and shit and it's just so cute and rough and smutty.

Confidential Pt. 2

Pairing: Matt Sturniolo X Female Reader

Synopsis: Matt reaches out to Y/N after almost a year of not seeing each other. He purchases her tour tickets, and well brings her backstage 🤭

Warnings⚠️: This is Smut. There’s some spit and some hair pulling, and uhhh that’s it. It’s just SMUTTY SMUT SMUT🤞🏽

Song for the imagine: Confident- Justin Bieber and Chance the Rapper

⚠️This is an 18+ imagine, so minors do not interact, or do??⚠️

There’s absolutely no way this is real….I have to be dreaming…..is the Matt Sturniolo DMing me on Instagram right now??

I rub my eyes and make sure this is actually him and not some fake account fucking with me.

-Hey Y/N….cant believe it’s been almost year since I last seen you

-Hey Matt….uh yeah it’s crazy. I seen you guys are about to go on tour again

-We are! I uh actually got you pre show small talk, photo op and backstage passes and tickets to fly out to our first show

-YOURE LYING

-never! And you will be my partner this time….I don’t make the rules

-OMFG WHAT THIS IS INSANE YES YES IM THERE

-Good!

That was about three weeks ago, and right now I was in LA getting ready for their first show that Matt paid for…..this is not real life AT ALL.

Pre show meet and greet started at 3:30, so I got there at around 1:30, and was just waiting around honestly so nervous to see Matt again

By the time I was called it was 4:30. I met Chris and Nick first, and immediately got so nervous meeting Matt

“Hiiii” I said giving him a hug

“Hello again! How have you been gorgeous” he said as he signed a poster for me

“I’ve been very good actually” I said

“That’s good. Can’t wait to see you backstage tonight” he said winking

“Oh…yeah I’m so excited too. We’ve been reunited” I said laughing

“God I miss your pretty face” he said smiling at me causing me to blush

“Shhh” I said rolling my eyes

“And the dress…..whew that dress looks so hot on you” he said looking me up and down

“Thanks matt” I said giving him one last hug

We did the photo op and now it was time to wait for the show to start, so like last time I chatted with some people got something to eat and drink, and just chilled

I was Matt’s partner so at some point they brought me backstage to meet the other two girls. The whole time I was competing I felt Matts eyes on me, and it was making me so fucking nervous.

However this gave him some confidence because we won the first show.

“I have to thank my amazing team member because without her I would’ve lost” he said into the mic

“Thank you LA for an amazing first show! While we set up for backstage enjoy our friend Tril!!” Chris said

After the show, and Tril performing it was time to line up for backstage, and I felt like I was going to throw up…we’ve been through this before why the fuck am I about to throw up

I was the last group once again….Im sure Matt did that

Once again I went in and spoke with Chris and Nick, and filmed a tik tok with Matt because even though I’m sure he was going to fuck my brains out….I needed this tik tok with him

“You know the drill, stay in the back, and I’ll come grab you” he said lowly to me

“Got it” I said smiling

I went back over to Chris and Nick, and chatted with them…I wonder if they knew Matt blew my back out last tour….probably but oh well

“Alright guys! Thank you so much for supporting us and coming out here! Hope to see you guys at our next one” Nick said waving bye to everyone

This time the after show photo op was after backstage, so Matt’s security guard brought me back to another room like last tour, and I just sat in there

Me and my thoughts running wild, and I was so fucking anxious

About an hour and a half later I heard the door opening, and Matt came in locking the door behind him

“There’s that beautiful girl” he said winking at me

“You’re too kind” I said waving my hand at him

“Do you know why I brought you back here?” He asked me

“If it’s not to fuck me….then we have some issues” I said running my tongue along my teeth

“Ouu she knows what she wants….I like that” he said winking at me

“Well I assume that’s why you did what you did. You want to fuck again” I said

“Of course I do. Couldn’t get enough of that pussy” he said walking over to me

He ran his fingers along my bottom lip

“Oh Matt” I said sighing

“I need you so bad, you’re all I thought about these past 10 months” he said licking his lips

“Well I’m here, and I need you bad too” I said smirking at him

He leaned down ghosting his lips over mine

“Well come on then baby” he said before pulling pack, and helping me stand up

“I would love for you to suck my dick again, but I want nothing more than to fuck the shit out of you right now” he said leaning me up against the table

“Fuck Matt” I said moaning at his words

Matt started to kiss my neck to my collar bone, and then looked at me

“I hope you know-“ I cut him off

“Yeah yeah no kissing I got it” I said rolling my eyes, he looked at me and laughed. Going back to kissing my neck

“Fuck Matt I need you now” I said running my hands through his hair as he kissed my neck

“I know baby” he said

Matt then pulled away and helped me hike up my dress. Ghosting his hand over my pussy

“Oh” I sighed

He got down and started kissing my stomach all the way to my clothed pussy. He slowly slid my underwear down

“Fuckkkk” he said biting his lip

“So fucking sexy” he said looking up at me

Before I could answer he delved straight into my pussy, attacking my clit, licking sucking….just doing it all

“SHITTTT MATT” I moaned out my hands immediately going to his hair and pulled causing him to moan into my pussy

He was lapping at me, from my entrance backup to my clit. His nose bumping into my clit

“Fuck Matt I’m going to cum if you keep doing this” I said to him biting my lip

He pulled away and looked at me

“You’re cumming on my dick” he said before backing away

Matt brought his hand up and smacked my pussy causing me to shudder and whine out. He rubbed my pussy to soothe the ache, and then spat down onto my pussy

He pulled his dick out slowly stroking it

“You make me so hard” he said looking me up and down

Matt came up to me and started to rub his dick up and down my pussy

“Oh god” I said letting my head fall back

Slowly he started to push the tip in causing us both to gasp at the feeling

“Fuck I missed this” He said running his hands over my body

“Your dick feels so good….none like this back home” I said moaning

“Oh you fuck other guys?” He said as he bottomed out

“One other guy, but that’s it” I said

“I’m not sure that I like that” he said thrusting into me

“Fuckkkk…..I’m sorry baby I was just so horny and chasing after someone who could fuck like you” I said moaning out

“And they couldn't, right?” He asked panting

“They couldn’t” I said throwing my head back

“Good” he responded

And with that his hips snapped into me, pounding into me at such a delicious rate. All that could be heard was our moaning, the table creaking and skin slapping together

“Oh god Matt” I moaned out lifting my head up to look at him

“This pussy was made for me. You just take me so well” he said as he thrusted into me

As he kept pounding into me he looked ahead of him and saw a full length mirror

“Ohh baby I want you to watch me fuck you” he said biting his lip

He flipped us over, so my stomach was against the table, and he was pounding me from the back

“Look at yourself” he said pulling my hair make me look into the mirror

“Fuck” I said as my jaw dropped as I watched Matt watching us fucking in the mirror

He kept looking into the mirror the whole time while pounding into me

I was clenching down on him nearing my orgasm

“You gonna cum baby?” He asked while panting

“Yes yes yes please” I said looking at him through the mirror

“Whenever you want…go ahead and cum” he said while gripping onto my hair and furiously pounding into me

“FUCK MATT IM GOING TO CUM” I screamed out as I clenched down on him

He kept pounding into me, and suddenly I was shuddering, my mouth fell open as I looked into his eyes while I came all over his cock. Brows furrowed as I shook with ecstasy

“Mmm so fucking good to me” he said grunting as he kept thrusting

“I’m gonna cum baby” he said and suddenly pulled out

Stroking his dick a few times before he painted the back of my thighs in his cum. Moaning and staring into my eyes through the mirror…..god this was so fucking hot

After we caught our breaths he pulled his pants back up. Walking over to the counter and grabbing napkins before wiping me down

He helped me up, and picked up my underwear for me handing them to me

“Keep them” I said winking at him as I shimmed my dress down

“I like the way you think” he said before pocketing them

He was looking at me for a moment before he suddenly pulled me in crashing his lips to mine. Sparks and explosions were going off in my stomach

He pulled away

“I thought you didn’t kiss” I said licking my lips

“I didn’t, but you’re different” he said smiling at me

“I’m glad” I said fixing my hair

“Hey, we have two days to kill in LA. Could I maybe take you on a date?” He asked me

“I’d love that” I said

“Good. I’ll pick you up tomorrow at noon. We can do lunch” he said

“Sounds great” I told him

We actually walked out together this time, and went our separate ways when we got to the exit door

“See you tomorrow” he said

“See you tomorrow” I said back winking at him before walking off

The End

Hope yall enjoyed this one, and I can’t believe I’m at 397 followers this is insane 🖤🖤

-J💅🏽

[eleni-cherie]

a thief's origin✨ || bts • kth - chapter 0.3

"you're afraid I won't wait." "I'm afraid you will."

a criminal and a doctor should be as different as the sun and the moon - but unexpected things happened every day. like him finding his safe haven in her.

© 2024 | eleni_cherie

»»»

masterlist: here

— genre: thief au, gangster comedy, adventure, romcom, humour, angst, fluff, sexual tensiON, slowburn, mutual pining, strangers to friends to lovers s2f2l

ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSE. CHARACTERS NOT NECESSARILY LIKE THE REAL PERSONS. ALSO VERY UNREALISTIC PLOT LOL - JUST PRETEND READING A MANGA/COMIC OR WATCHING A FILM, REALLY.

SUGGESTIVE THEMES. MENTIONS OF VIOLENCE & BLOOD (BUT NOTHING TOO GRAPHIC, IT'S STILL A COMEDY!)

»»»

21st April

Barcelona, Spain

"Wished I could travel around again, like when I was a kid.. haven't done that in years."

Cassandra heaved a sigh and sat back at the bench in parc de la Ciutadella. Trying her best to shield her eyes from the sun that still flared from in between the trees. Preventing her from drawing properly.

She needed that little distraction from all the medical things. It had been an intense week once again at the hospital and that was one of her favourite spots.

"Around the world like you do, you know?" Her lips pressed into a thin line as she peeked at Taehyung who was sitting beside her, sunk into his seat and legs widely spread in front of him. Untamed raven hair hanging into his eyes behind round sunglasses. "Okay, maybe not exactly like you do," she laughed under her breath, "But still, I'm quite envious of you for that."

"It's not as much fun as you imagine it though.." he chuckled while mindlessly observing a group of tourists gathering in front of the impressive fountain in the park. The song on the playlist sitting between them faded and a soft piano melody began playing instead.

"Sure, having to be on the run from interpol probably takes the fun out of it but.." She dragged a breath. "It's still better compared to being stuck at one place."

Cassandra often liked to pretend the job didn't phase her too much, especially since not even a full year had passed of her officially practicing it. She tried keeping a professional distance to the patients and even her colleagues, with the exception of Stella. Sometimes it was easier, sometimes not. She wasn't sure which path was the right approach yet. She hoped with practice there would come knowledge.

The only thing she knew was that day hadn't been one of the great ones. Not only because of the tantrum by her assistant colleague Pavlo, a big sleazy jerk who definitely wasn't made for any profession that required contact to sick humans, but even before that. That was why she was thankful for Taehyung randomly showing up that day. Waiting for her at the ER entrance as always. 

She didn't say it out loud, but his random visits were always a welcoming break from the monotony of her daily life. And she appreciated them. Even if they were usually for just one day. It was the one day she looked forward to the most, despite never knowing when it'd come and if it'd ever come again. Because being friends with someone like him had the disadvantage of having little to no contact the rest of the time.

Still, even if not much, the time they got to spend together always reminded her how exciting and fun that city could be. With the right company at least. It reminded her there was a life outside of the hospital.

Taehyung looked at her, pensively. He never realised how hard her job must've been and he gave her an empathetic pout. "Stuck.. that bad, huh?"

She sucked on the little rest of her melon lollipop before throwing the plastic stick into the bin next to her. "Sometimes, yeah."

"Wanna talk about it?"

"There's not really much to talk about.. but thanks." A weak smile graced her lips, not quite reaching her eyes. Truth was she'd have liked talking about it with someone but couldn't because a) medical confidentiality and b) it was a sad story and she didn't want to dump it all onto him. They might be friends, oddly enough for some, but she didn't want to scare him off with all her emotional baggage.

Amyloidosis. Why on earth would a seven-year-old have that?

Her heart clenched just remembering it.

"Well, I know a place that might distract you at least." His cheery voice caused her to perk up with curiosity, watching him pausing the music to shove the phone into his pockets. 

"Really? What place?"

He flashed her a grin filled with mischief and promise before standing up. Motioning for her to follow. "You'll see."

Whenever he'd come to Barcelona before meeting Cassandra it was mainly for a job, a layover or to lay low when interpol was on their tail. However, he'd still got around a fair amount of times and there was a small tapas bar in the basement of a narrow alley that he liked a lot. It wasn't nearby, but she looked like needing good food and a drink right now.

Intrigued, the coppery-haired girl packed her drawing utensils and swung her tote bag over her shoulder before following him out of the park to his parked car. Perhaps she shouldn't be so trusting of a thief she'd not even spent two handful of days together and yet she was. Finding herself heading west in his car when they stopped at a red light.

He let his long fingers absentmindedly drum to the soft beat playing on the radio while waiting. Humming along to it. 

Cassandra got curious to where he was bringing her to and attempted to ask after all, but faltered when she watched him slid off the sunglasses. Using them to push back his hair that was unrulingly covering his vision due to a spring blow coming from the cranked down window. She took in his musing eyes and the soft edges of his features. Skin shining in a warm undertone, much warmer than hers in the city's afternoon glow.

"Traffic's unbearable," he sighed then and turned to her, catching her gaze already resting on him.

Her long eyelashes fluttered and she looked away to the lines of cars in front of them. "I-it's because of roadwork at the ring road. Everyone's detouring."

"Ah," he replied with a bashful smile. Seeing vehicles at the front moving then, much to his relief. And he prepared switching gears when an unexpected whistle made him grow stiff.

"Well, well, well.. who do we have here!"

That seething voice instantly triggered his memory and made the blood in his veins freeze. He internally cursed, glancing to his left. His eyes recognising that sleazy lopsided grin from its source. It was one of the goons he owned his wounded arm last year to.

The man, not much taller than him and surely not smarter, was leaning against a street lamp, a half-lit cigarette hanging loosely from his lips as he pushed himself off. The grin widening in a threatening mannor as he took the butt from between his teeth and tossed it to the ground, glance never leaving his.

Taehyung's jaw clenched and he faced Cassandra with concern. Meeting her already inquiring look. 

"Cas, buckle up and hold tight. Okay?" He expected her to pelt him with questions but instead, she just nodded and sank lower into her seat. Gripping her seatbelt tightly.

"Hey, I think we still got to settle an outstanding score!" the guy sneered then. Preparing to make his way over to them when thankfully the cars in front of them disappeared. And he  instantly shifted gears, flooring the gas. 

The thug shouted after them in anger and Taehyung knew this wasn't over. Catching a glimpse of the man in the rareview mirror, waving over another one before getting into the red car parked besides them.

"I'm sorry, Doc, I think we have to postpone it." His face turned apologetic as he navigated himself through the busy streets. "I'll stop somewhere so you can -" The sentences was left unfinished as a loud pang! echoed and next thing he noticed was the side-mirror, cracked into tiny pieces. "Fck."

Cassandra's eyes grew. Staring at him with bewildered bambi eyes. "Was that a bullet?"

"I fear so."

Quietly, she folded her lips and sunk even lower into her seat. "Damn, so that's what it's really like to hang out with you, huh cool guy?" she joked and he glanced at her, astonished.

There was mild concern on her face, paired with irritation in her eyes. But he realised they lacked fear or panic. She wasn't terrified like most people would be in that situation. It seemed nonsensical, almost comically absurd. And he chuckled under his breath.

"Sometimes, yeah. Keep your head tucked down, okay?" He shot her a smile before sliding out the gun from his waistband underneath his loose-fitted shirt and she nodded vigorously.

Cocking the magnum he glanced over his shoulder, spotting the red car nearing them fast. It was only a couple of vehicles behind them. In that moment, someone leaned out of the passenger window and Taehyung instantly sat back again. Shifting to a higher gear and taking a sharp turn into another street, earning loud honks and curses from two other drivers. With the advantage of the new angle, he fired a couple of shots himself. Each one piercing the red car's front tyres and eventually causing it to come to an abrupt halt in the middle of the street.

He drifted to the next side-street, heading for the exit to the ring rode highway in the north then. There was no time to think themselves safe, though, with the piercing sound of multiple bullets hitting his car's trunk. And he saw two motorbikes following them in the rearview mirrow.

"Would you do me a favour?"

Cassandra arched a brow at his apologetic smile. "W-what favour?"

"Hold the steering wheel for me - just for a few seconds. Can you do that?"

"W-what? Why?"

He sighed. "I might be a great marksman, but I can't shoot behind me while also driving."

"I can't drive though! I don't have a license." Taehyung stifled a laugh, finding it ironic that only now she chose to panic and that over something, in his opinion, minor.

"Just keep the car on the road for five seconds, that's all." He gave her an reassuring smile and Cassandra gulped. Eventually agreeing, not having much of a choice after all when another bullet hit their car. So she leaned over and gripped the steering wheel, holding it tightly. Thankfully not many cars were in front of them on the highway. 

Five seconds. Just five seconds, she kept telling herself as Taehyung turned in his seat and with a deadly precision aimed and hit the motorbikes' tyres. The vehicles along with their passengers stumbling and collapsing to the ground. And he quickly took the steering wheel back.

"Good girl," he grinned at her proudly. Cassandra feeling her cheeks heating up at his affirmation. She peeked at him then as she straightened in her seat, "Your aim is quite impressive." He could've aimed at the passengers - it must have been easier - but he still chose to only shoot the tyres. She noticed that.

He mumbled an embarrassed 'thanks' before clearing his voice. "You know the city well, don't you?"

She nodded.

"Alright, do you know any abandoned area close by?"

Cassandra sat back, thinking hard as she chewed on her lips while trying remembering anything.

There was the forest and mountains, but they couldn't be reached well by car.

"Ah, remember I said one of the main roads is closed due to constructions? It's a big stretch of the road. That part should be pretty abandoned save for the warehouses close by."

He nodded, trusting her words. They didn't have much time to come up with an alternative now anyway as a third bike had appeared in the distance. "Lead the way."

"Take the next exit," she instructed him an they headed east. No vehicles around them as they left the main road segment. Soon encountering the roadblocks in the distance with the construction area behind it. He took a sharp turn, sliding down from the road and towards the block of grey warehouses beside it to park the car behind one.

"Go to the backseat and stay low, got it?" he instructed and before her lips could even part in protest, he had already left.

With a huff Cassandra shuffled and did as she'd been told. Unable to contain her curiosity, however, she dared to peep out a few times. Trying seeing if she could catch a glimpse of anything.

She didn't.

He had probably headed towards the construction area. Keeping the action as far away from her as possible hence why he'd hidden the car there. So she sat back down, bringing her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around her angled legs and waited.

It felt like an eternity passed and she was unable to hear anything, assuming there was indeed no one around. And she began to feel stupid. Wonderung if he had perhaps left her there altogether. He hadn't struck her like such a person, but as she got out of the car and looked around the empty area, her heart sank in disbelief.

Had he really just left her there in the middle of nowhere? No. No way.

Puffing out her breath, she started walking out of the warehouses towards the main road. Determind to walk all the way back to the city if needed when her eyes caught a black car and a motorcircle parked at the construction area in the distance. And she abruptly paused in her tracks, quickly retreating behind the wall of a warehouse to observe. 

There were several people standing around the escavated area. Shouting incoherent words to each other. Then suddenly another person appeared behind one of the construction vehicles and shot at them, hitting one of the men on both shins in the matter of a single second before disappearing again. Two others quickly ran away then to jump behind a pile of gravel next to a hole. Shooting at the vehicle now.

They stood so far away that the gunshots sounded like faint plopping noises.

The other man's head popped up again and that was when she caught a better look on him - it was Taehyung. Clearly. She should've known from his aim. He shot at a cargo net hanging from a crane, causing it to cut in an instant and the cargo dropping right next to the two men. Cracking open and heavy bags falling onto them, burying them.

Cassandra held her breath. Seeing her friend then coming out from his stash to examine his work and she decided to check the situation out herself. There was a guy with clear gunshot wounds wailing on the ground and Taehyung might've also been injured, she had to.

In the meantime, Taehyung dragged out the unconscious guys from underneath the bags. Dropping the last one's arm, he wiped over his forehead with the back of his hand. It was exhausting but he knew he couldn't leave them underneath. Surely the cops would soon be there, taking care of the rest. All that was left for him was to tie them up just in case they decided to come back to their senses earlier than he wished.

He grabbed a rope wrapped around a pipe then, beginning to tie it around their wrists and ankles when a dull noise echoed behind him and he turned around in alert.

He saw one of the men he thought were unconscious, kneeling down on the ground and holding his head, wincing. And above him stood Cassandra with a shovel, panting heavily. She caught Taehyung's surprised glare then, flashing him a grin.

"He was creeping up on you."

His lips parted, ready to scold her for leaving the stash but before he could properly react, a flashing from the direction of the cars caught his attention and he shoved her behind a stack of logs. A shot ringing through the air the second they hit the sandy ground.

Her round eyes stared at him startled as he was towering over her with a stern look. The tips of their noses a breath away from brushing against each other. 

Cassandra had noticed the tiny moles on his face before. The one under his eyelashes, the one on the round tip of his nose, the one at the edge of his full lips. But it was only with the close proximity of it almost touching hers that she really saw them, taking them all in. And her breath hitched when catching his eyes skimming over her features, too.

Taehyung's chest rose and fell against hers. He swallowed, holding her gaze a second longer and almost getting completely lost in the depths of her irises' warm gradient, when another shot rang above them. And he quickly retreated and propped himself back up. The small golden pendant usually hidden underneath his shirts, slipped out and dangled in the air between them.

He grabbed his revolver from where it had fallen next to them, taking the empty capsules out and filling new bullets in before aiming the magnum at the direction of the shortly joined cars. Shooting at the backup the others must've called beforehand. He stroke the shooters with one bullet each despite the long distance, hearing a series of yelps until the last one was down.

And Cassandra silently studied him from where she was still laying on the ground. His usually gentle almond eyes, sharp and hard as they were focusing on their target. Arms flexing with every recoil.

In that moment she indeed believed he looked like the coolest guy she knew.

She didn't notice the ringing in her ears from all the firing. Only when she saw his outstretched hand towards her, she realised it had ended and she grabbed it, heaving herself up.

Brushing off the dirt from her uncovered legs, when the distinctive sound of sirens shrilled in the distance. And the two exchanged an alarmed glance. "To the car!" 

They began running over the uneven construction area, the warehouses in close sight when Cassandra suddenly felt the ground beneath her feet shifting and giving in. She tripped in an unwary moment and the next thing she knew, she tumbled down an excavated hole.

"Cas!" Taehyung yelled out. Not wasting a second before skillfully sliding down himself to check on her.

She groaned in pain as her limbs had tried to absorb the shock, but she still attempted staying up from the gravel. Biting back a hiss then when a piercing ache crossed her senses, forcing her to pause. And she sank back down. The skin on her legs and hands burning.

"Your leg," Taehyung muttered then as he knelt down. Cassandra furrowed her brows, not understanding what he meant only to see her right knee being covered in blood. The graze quite big and deep, burning like hell along with all the other abrasions. And a persistent pain in her ankle.

"Is it serious? Can you move your leg?" Taehyung asked with concern in his voice.

"Sure I can I jus- ouch!"

"So that's a no. Is it broken?"

"No, I can still move it -" She winced at her anew attempt. She could move it indeed, it was just very painful. "It's most likely just sprained."

It was quite ironic. Of course the only way for her to actually get injured was by tripping and falling. Not bullets or anything. How embarrassing. She felt like an utter nuisance. All she wanted was to help and instead she was a burden.

Much to her astonishment, she watched him turn around and scrunch down in front of her then.

"Get on."

"Huh?"

"We got no time to spare, just get on," he commanded and she gulped at his serious tone, making her guilt only grow. She quickly obeyed, wrapping her arms aroung his neck and allowing him to hook his hands around her knees to lift her up. 

The hole thankfully wasn't too deep, but nevertheless steep and walking it back up with another person on his back definitely wasn't an easy task. They didn't have any other option though, the sirens drew nearer. The police probably on the highway parallel to this road, soon reaching the exit and them, so they needed to hurry. And she was clearly not in the state to climb up on her own.

Cassandra was holding onto him tightly. Feeling bad for Taehyung having to carry her back to the car in a piggyback ride. Afraid she was too heavy for him despite the firm grip on her legs so she squeezed them tighter against his waist not to slip out.

Reaching the car in no time, he placed her down onto the passenger seat with a deep set crease between his brows. Rushing to the driver's side then and engaging a gear, he rushed the car out from the warehouses and onto a field road, towards the direction of a side road leading back to the highway.

"How - how bad is it?" His face was guilt-driven as he glanced at her, redirecting his focus onto the road then. "Where's the next hospital? We need to get it treated."

"No, don't worry. It's nothing serious. Just need to bandage and cool it at home." Cassandra only waved him off with a wary smile. Much to Taehyung's growing frustration. He only frowned, brows furrowing with reasonable doubts. "Home? I should bring you to a doctor!"

"I am a doctor," she pointed out, earning an eye-roll from him.

"And you can patch up yourself?"

"Uh, yeah why not?"

"Cas, I'm getting you a doctor. Another doctor."

"No, you won't," she retorted, persisting, "It's honestly nothing severe and they won't be able doing anything but bandage the wound and tell me to cool the ankle and keep it lifted, anyway. Trust me."

Dragging out a breath he gave in. Not thinking he'd be able winning any argument with her persistent stubborness and an attitude comparable to a child's 'so what?' mindset.

"How did this even happen? I just looked away for a second.." he mumbled then, more to himself than her really. He was driving at speedlimit, trying his best not to overdo it as they didn't need the police's attention right now.

Cassandra could only face him with an sheepish grin. "Well, there's a reason I became an internist and not a surgeon. I'm clumsy as hell, if you haven't noticed yet." She tried joking, hoping to lighten the mood.

At least she could laugh about it, he thought. His stern expression mitigating, breathing out a chuckle himself over her self-irony.

Now that she mentioned it, he'd indeed noticed her left-handed behavior at times. Dropping things, hitting her limbs, tripping.. There was always a random bruise adorning some place on her skin.

"Yeah, I surely wouldn't want to get operated by you," he deadpanned then making her audibly gasp before breaking into a fit of giggles. And he exhaled, shaking his head as his lips formed a crooked smile. "You're something.. you know that?"

She huffed, folding her arms. "Something good I hope." 

He smirked, almost missing the right turn. "Always."

Eventually reaching her street with no patrol cars in sight, he parked a bit further away from her building just in case and helped her out of the car. Offering his hand which she gladly accepted. Watching her hobble out since she was still unable to properly bend her right foot.

"Let me help you." His voice was low, almost a whisper and he took her hand, wrapping her arm around his shoulder before hesitatingly placing his hand around her waist.

Cassandra didn't object, putting her pride aside as she undoubtedly needed a little assistance and so he led her down the sparsely illuminated narrow pavement.

It was barely past 9pm, but the sun had set already. The only other additional light being the blue flickening of tv screens coming from behind closed balcony doors. 

Taehyung kept internally cursing while supporting her limping self. His grip around her waist getting firmer as his other hand squeezed her fingers which were hanging from his shoulder. "Cas, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.. I should've paid more attention."

"Seriously, Tae, don't let it get to you," Cassandra countered with an reassuring smile, not wanting him to feel bad for her own mistake.

She had been used to things like this happening. Random cuts and bruises without exactly knowing where they came from. It was normal to her. Though, admittedly, such a large wound along with a strain was a new level she'd reached, but it was still her own doing.

Something Taehyung didn't seem to accept so easily though, as she only earned a mildly irritated huff and scowl from him. 

In his opinion, she was way too laid back for someone with a large open wound on her knee, scratched and bleeding, and a strained if not broken ankle that made her unable to properly walk without flinching. He suspected her to be downplaying it and pretending not being in pain for his sake. However, it was quite evident by the way her jaw clenched and she bit down on her tightly pressed lip whenever she turned her face away, thinking he wouldn't see.

Perhaps she was also just as prideful and stubborn as he was.

He led her out of the elevator, down the hallway towards her apartment's door and after she fiddled with the keys for what felt like a minute, doing so with only one hand proving harder than she thought, she managed pushing it open and he hurried her inside and to where she pointed the bathroom was at.

Taehyung let her take a seat on the small bathtub's edge then. One foot on the blue rug while the injured leg was stretched out along the bathtub so she could inspect the wound better. Good thing that wounds and blood always fascinated her, made that workfield much easier.

The dried blood covering her shin, got cleaned first with the water jet of her shower. It was surely just a flesh wound.

However, it was still rather extensive. If she had been wearing long pants it might've been prevented, but her shorts hadn't provided any kind of cover when she'd stumbled down the gravel and asphalt.

"My emergency kit is under the sink, could you fetch it for me?" she asked, eyes too focused on inspecting the wound to look at him.

He quickly obeyed, handing her over the blue box and watched her opening it like a mechanic would open their toolbox. All kinds of supplies inside. Gauze, rash creams, small brown bottles of oitments and bigger, clear bottles he couldn't really identify.

"Pledget," she suddenly ordered, stretching her hand and Taehyung only eyed her with an amused smile over her unusual bossy tone.

Confused about the lack of acknowledgment, she glanced at him before her eyes widened. Giggling embarrassed at herself when rememering she wasn't in the hospital but her own bathroom. "Sorry, force of habit. Behind the mirror I store pledgets. And in the bottom drawer I have a small wash cloth. Please wet it and give them to me."

He smirked before he picked everything in her list. "Anything else I can assist you with, Doc?"

"No, that's all for now, nurse," she smirked back as she accepted the pledgets and the cloth from him. Beginning cleaning the wound from the dirt and tiny particles and trying her best not to wince with every touch of the wet fabric on her open skin. And Taehyung pitied her. Still feeling like all this was in some way his fault, no matter how much she denied it.

He grabbed the cloth from her then and Cassandra was about to object when she watched him kneel down in front of her. Silently taking over in cleaning the wound. Flustered, her breath halted for a moment when his fingers gently prushed over her shin to keep her leg steady.

"Y-you don't have to."

"I know."

And she folded her lips, leaving him work in silence. When he deamed the wound to be free from any foreign material, he put the cloth away and glanced up at her in anticipation. "What now?"

She swallowed before offering him a smile. Motioning with her chin to the blue box. "There's a disinfectant spray. Spray some on a pledget to disinfect it."

He hummed with a nod and she observed him follow her instructions. Both growing quiet again until she flinched at the disinfectant's cold burning. His hand gently pressed her leg back down, holding it in position. "Almost done," his voice soothed her, quietly demanding for her not to move. And Cassandra bit the inside of her lips, nodding. Not only her wound tingling, but every fibre of skin covering her body was. Like fizzy powder being sprinkled all over it.

"N-next use the cream saying 'dexpanthenol'."

His concentrating brows furrowed while he spread the cream. And Cassandra had to look away.

Dammit, she thought and closed her eyes. Why was it suddenly so warm in there?

She felt like melting into a puddle right into the tub.

Before she even realised, he had began to wrap gauze around her knee. "Tell me if it's too tight." His usually chesty voice hollow now, his mind preocuppied with racing thoughts. Almost missing her cough out a hum as she was still unable to form coherent sentences.

Cassandra had been so used to be the one taking care of others, especially physically, that having someone who wasn't her parents or grandparents, taking care of her felt not only strange and unusual, but also oddly pleasant. And she smiled gently.

"Thank you." Now she just needed to rest and cool the ankle.

Taehyung nodded only, packing everything he had used back into the blue box.

"Least I could do, really," he sighed then, a rueful smile tucked on the corner of his lips, "I'm sorry, Cassandra, I -" He looked down to the blue rug he was sitting on. "I guess it was foolish to make you hang out with someone like me. Should've known it was a bad idea."

A frown nestled onto her features hearing his words and she slid her leg down from the bathtub, sitting properly now. "You didn't 'make' me, Taehyung. I hang out with you because I want to. Because I like hanging out with you."

Glancing up at her briefly with a raised brow, he quickly shook his head. She said it so matter-of-factly, but it felt undeserved.

"Even after today?"

"Especially after today. And besides, you told me to stay in the car and I didn't listen.." She sighed, averting her irises in shame. "So I'm the sorry one."

"Right, but I should've known you wouldn't listen," he shrugged nonchalantly, "It was to be expected really."

She huffed out a puzzled laugh. "Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"

Taehyung grinned, flickering a finger on her forehead with a chuckle. Cassandra flinched at the unexpected gesture, rubbing the spot with a whine.

"It means that you, Cassandra, are curious, impatient and defiant like a child. So of course you wouldn't listen."

His words had the potential to offend or hurt someone, but the tender expression on his features let her know of their affectionate nature. They weren't meant anything but teasingly, he wasn't actually scolding her. Yet, she couldn't help but pout.

"Besides," he said then and lifted himself, standing in front of her now, "If you hadn't knocked off that guy with the shovel, you might've been the one treating me again instead. So if anything, I owe you."

Frankly, it didn't make sense to Taehyung that she was apologising when she'd have had all the right to yell and cuss at him for endangering her.

Why wouldn't she throw him out of her flat already? Why wasn't she terrified or scared?

Now that he thought about it, she hadn't been before either.

When the shooting began, a little, but after that? She had been rather composed. More than most civilians would've been in her position. And it confused him even more, but it also impressed him.

"Weren't you scared at all?" he wondered then, eyes dropping with a pensive look, "You could've been injured more severely than this."

Cassandra was buffled for a moment but seemed to understand what he was hinting at and her doe eyes became even rounder, contemplating his words.

Yeah, she should've been terrified. But she wasn't. And hadn't been. Why?

He watched her pushing herself off the tub, attempting to stay up. Carefully, she eventually managed standing on one foot while the injured one lightly touched the ground for balance. Her brown eyes radiating warmth at her following words.

"I wasn't, no. You were there after all, so I didn't have a reason to. I knew you'd protect me. And you did."

His lips parted, startled. "I, I see.." He coughed in an attempt to mask his flushed smile. He hadn't expected that.

She trusted him. She trusted him enough not to be scared. The thought made him irrationally proud.

"I mean," she chuckled then, trying being casual about it, "You didn't lie, your shooting skills are pretty mad. I'm impressed."

He huffed, scratching the back of his neck as his other hand automatically went to the gun in the back of his waistband. "Ah yeah?" he smirked for a brief moment before his lips pressed into a thin line again. "Cas, seriously now though. Why aren't you mad at me? Why would you.. still want to spend time with me?"

"Told you already."

He sighed in frustration, unsure if she simply didn't get it or pretended not to. "You know what I mean. You're a doctor, a good person. You help others. You literally save lives, while I.. I don't do any of that. I'm a literal criminal. Sure, not as ruthless or devious as most.. but still a criminal. A bad guy."

His bubble, it was bursting. He could feel it. The bubble he kept escaping to that past half a year. The little delusion of feeling normal he had clinged to.

Cassandra remained silent, her stern gaze staying on Taehyung's despite him looking away. Blame written all over his gentle features and in a way, the way he perceived himself ached her more than the strain. Especially since she knew him and his friends weren't ordinary criminals. 

And it also upset her, the way he portrait her. Placing her on a pedestral. As if she was a perfect being who couldn't do any wrong.

"Just because I'm a doctor I'm not a saint, and you ain't a demon for being a thief."

The firmness in her voice made him perk up, eyes keen to prove him wrong.

"Come, I need to show you something," she said then and gently tugged him by the wrist.

Wordlessly, he let her hold onto his forearm as she led him with small steps across the hallway into what turned out to be the living room.

She turned on a lamp in the far corner, illuminating the space.

The room was as organised as Cassandra's thoughts, every piece of furniture and decor at its place neatly. A flat-screen on the wall and in front of it a broad sofa stuffed with soft pillows and colourful plushies, and underneath the dark coffee table, a carpet of bright but soothing colours. The window big beside it, with several smaller to medium-sized plants lining up on the windowsill.

She came to a halt, positioning them both in front of the wall opposite to the window then.

There was a corckboard with all kinds of tickets, photos and postcards from around the world pinned onto it, gracing a small part of the wall, while the majority was occupied with posters. Film posters, to be precise.  

"Some of my favourite films," she plainly stated, peeking at him expectantly. And Taehyung breathed out, allowing his gaze to wander over each one of the posters decorating the space. Then going to the tall shelves in the corner with numerous old dvds. His lips falling slightly agape when taking everything in. "You.."

"Yup."

Crime films, heist films, neo-noir, gangster-comedies. 

That explained some things.

After what felt like minutes of silence, he eventually spoke up again.

"Great films."

"Yeah?" she asked, beaming when seeing him nod in approval.

"Of course." He faced her then with knitted brows. "You know films aren't very realistic though."

At this she only scoffed when seeing an shit-eating grin spreading on his lips. And she nudged his side. "Oh, I know. But some are based on real stories, so close enough I'd say."

They shared another glance before Taehyung eventually broke into a fit of laughter. With her promptly joining him, recognising the absurdity of it all. Both laughing over what felt like their own little inside-joke.

"You really are something, Cas.."

»»»

23rd April

Interpol branch office

Seoul, South Korea

"Agent Kim? I forwarded you the video the colleagues from Spain sent over," Jungkook, the newest and youngest addition to the robbery department explained with an eager tone. Making Seokjin perk up and avert his eyes from the file case on the computer screen. "They said it might be of interest for us."

He hummed, waving Namjoon over who had been walking down the corridor with a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Moving the curser to Jungkook's message then. Sensing the younger agent hovering expectedly over him when Namjoon finally joined them and he opened the file. All threee watching the video intently, processing the scene.

"I'd recognise this gun work anywhere, that's Kim Taehyung," Namjoon stated, excitement evident in his voice. Seokjin agreed with a grin. "Not bad, how many goons were there? Nine?"

"I count eight, but still."

His superiors' steadfast statements astonished Jungkook. After all the video quality of the security camera from the construction area in East Barcelona was quite low and grainy, partially due to the lack of light. It was mainly shapes visible. No details.

"You mean one of Park Jimin's accomplices? Are you sure?"

Seokjin wanted to almost scoff at the doubtful tone in the young agent's voice but remembered he had only arrived there from the academy two months prior, after Hoseok had transferred to organised crime to become the department head there. So of course Jungkook couldn't know everything yet.

"Pretty sure," Namjoon flashed him a dimpled grin then, patting Jungkook's shoulder.

"I know these guys in and out," Seokjin exhaled dramatically then, "Jimin, Taehyung and Yoongi, who joined them five years ago." His brown eyes wandered to the whiteboard across the room where their photographs along with important details greeted him every morning when entering the office. "The only one I don't recognise is this girl."

"She might be connected to Jimin, too, since Taehyung was there," the younger agent suggested.

"Possible," Namjoon stirred his coffee and took a sip, "But the only other woman we know in Park's life is Arabella Valentine and it's surely not her."

Jungkook's brows furrowed in astonishment. "And you're so sure because.."

At this Seokjin laughed out, quite entertained by the youngster's naivity. "Because Jimin's the only one whipped for her, contrary to his partners who'd never trust her. And I can't judge them for that, I wouldn't either," he added, closing the file he faced his younger colleague then. "So I doubt Taehyung would join hands with her if Jimin didn't force him to. But I neither see him nor Yoongi around, so Kim was probably on his own."

Jungkook nodded with a contemplating expression, deep in thoughts. "Maybe she was just a bystander who happened to get involved then?"

Seokjin hummed at Jungkook's reasoning, musing over it for a moment. "Possible. Wouldn't be the first time. Keep an eye on that in the future, though. In case we see her around again."

"Of course," he nodded with a serious tone, about to return to his desk when Seokjin called out for him again.

"Who were those other guys by the way?"

"Oh, according to the case file a gang called Ojitos."

"I see, thanks."

As far as he remembered those were the same guys the three fellas had got into a fight with last summer. So he concluded they'd recognised Taehyung and therefore gone after him.

That girl, however.. whoever she was, it remained a mystery for now.

»»»

25th June

Barcelona, Spain

The day seemed never-ending and Cassandra almost tossed her stethoscope to the ground, slamming her locker close. It was one of those days where pretending not caring didn't work and everything was a bit too overwhelming. Sucking in a breath, she changed into her normal clothes and left the hospital as quickly as possible. Fearing if she looked back, it might just swallow her alive.

It was days like this that made her doubt her choices.

The only thing she looked forward to on the whole way home was food and the ice cream she had stored in the freezer. Hence why she almost forgot to check her mailbox, hurriedly grabbing the few envelopes from it and skimming over them when a postcard that peaked out from among the letters, caught her attention. And she paused.

Eagerly, she tucked it out. Seeing the famous white opera of Sydney surrounded by the sea on its front.

Her brows furrowed. Not recalling knowing anyone who visited or lived there so she flipped it to read the text on the backside for any clues.

"some films shot here:

matrix 1-3, mission impossible 2, two hands, the hard word

thought this might make up for your lack of travel :)

-T"

Her face lit up, instantly recognising the sender. Taehyung.

She hadn't seen him in awhile, the last time he happened to pass by Barcelona being some months ago. And she wondered if that meant he was thinking of her during the months apart, just like she was thinking of him. Always wondering where in the world he had been.

Now she had her answer. Along with two new films for her watchlist.

And she smiled.

»»»

next chapter: 0.4 here

Don't forget to like, reblog & leave feedback!♡ It motivates me to keep writing :)

taglist: @lilanyxta @naoolammao345 @memna234 @tetehion @myblacklilame @nanakamami

[empirearchives]

Description of Pauline Bonaparte

Buste de la princesse Pauline Borghèse, Jean-Baptiste Isabey (Louvre)

“At dinner, I was placed next Paulette, who, remembering that she had met me at Marseilles, knowing me to be in possession of her secrets since I was the confidential friend of her future husband, treated me as an old acquaintance. She was a singular combination of the most perfect physical beauty and the most bizarre moral qualities. If she was the most lovely person one could possibly see, she was also the most unreasonable that one could imagine. She behaved like a schoolgirl, speaking at random, laughing at nothing and at everything, making fun of the most serious persons, putting out her tongue at her sister-in-law when she was not looking, nudging my knee when I did not pay sufficient attention to her pranks, and attracting to herself from time to time those terrible glances with which her brother called the most untractable men to order. But they made hardly any impression on her; the next moment she would begin again, and the authority of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army of Italy fell to pieces before the giddiness of a little girl. Nevertheless, she was a good child by nature rather than from a desire to be such, for she had no principle and was capable of doing good merely from caprice.”

— The poet Arnault

[Italics in original]

*Commander-in-Chief of the Army of Italy is Napoleon.

Source: The Sisters of Napoleon: Elisa, Pauline, and Caroline Bonaparte, After the Testimony of Their Contemporaries, by Joseph Turquan and W. R. H. Trowbridge

From Arnault, Souvenirs d'un Sexagénaire

[sweet-sammy-kisses]

Seven Sentences Sunday

Tagged by @ronordmann in my first ever thjs is so exciting. This is a taste of my 118th big bang. Mentions of torture

"You never washed out did you?" Eddie asked it had been on his mind since he got to know Buck. He wore his heart on his sleeve. He was a golden retriever in human form. His smile was so warm and his blue eyes were as bright as the clearest blue sky or the crystal blue waters. He made Eddie feel safe it wasn't something he had felt in a long time. But there was a sadness about him and the way he carried himself reminded Eddie about himself.

Licking his lips Buck looked at his best friend. "I didn't. I was assigned to a team and we were together for years. I was captured and tortured for almost a month before I was rescued. My commander helped me to leave the service after that. I needed time to heal. After some time I ended up in Peru before I found my calling here in LA as a firefighter."

Eddie knew the weight of active duty could have on something. The others had seen things on this job but it wasn't anything like being the Army or the SEALs. They had blood on their hands, blood of those that they had to kill to protect themselves or their teammates. They had to fight to come back alive when some of those they might have known didn't. It was horrifying how often one their teammates or someone they risked their life to rescue took their last breath in their arms.

Resting his hand on Buck's shoulder Eddie met Buck's gaze, "I know the nightmares you might have to deal with. So anytime you need to talk I am here for you."

Biting his lower lip Buck could feel his eyes welling up, "You have no idea what that means to me Eds. It is hard to open up to others. Not even Maddie knows I served. I can't go into much because of confidentiality but I was held prisoner for a few weeks."

Eddie could only suck in a deep breath, to know that sweet, loving, and caring Buck had been held prisoner made him want to wrap the other man up in a blanket burrito and curl around him even stronger. "Buck, I can't even begin to imagine what that was like." He had treated people who had been rescued and some came back so broken that they never recovered from their experience. "You are so strong. Every day you amaze me Evan."

A shy smile, so much like the one when they made their promise to have each other's back appeared on Buck's face. "You amaze me as well Eds. You have overcome so much and have shown the world what it is like to be an amazing father."

Tagging anyone who hasn't been tagged and wants to do this.

[ejzah]

The Agent and the Fireman, Part 3

***

Marty Deeks sat down on the end of his bed, a business card that wore signs of being held multiple times in one hand and his cell in the other. He’d reached this point half a dozen times before, but been interrupted, or chickened out, every time.

Normally, he wasn’t shy about asking a woman out, but Kensi Blye did something different to him. She was blunt, fearless, funny, and absolutely gorgeous.

He smiled, remembering his initial shock, followed by amusement and finally admiration when she grilled him about calling. Even though her tone had been joking when she called him out, Deeks had a feeling he wouldn’t get another chance if he waited too much longer. Brushing his bangs from his eyes, Deeks thumbed in the number on the card.

***

Kensi got home, kicking off her shoes on the way and leaving a trail of clothes on her way to her bedroom. There, she she rooted around in the pile of clothes next to her bed until she found a reasonably clean shirt and tugged that on. After that, she collected a glass of water, a beer, and the pint of strawberry cheesecake ice cream from the kitchen, settling herself in front of the TV.

It had been an incredibly long, tiring, not to mention frustrating week. They’d finally pinned down the person stealing confidential information from multiple companies, as well as linked him to their two cases of arson. Kensi took his arrest personally after nearly burning to death.

Prying the lid off the tub of ice cream, Kensi settled in for a night of burgeoning supermodels and delicious carbs.

Her phone rang two and a half episodes on, and she picked up without looking.

“Nell, you had better not be interrupting my Tara Banks time with another case.”

“Hi, uh, it’s Deeks actually.”

Kensi’s eyes widened, words for escaping her for a second.

“You know, from LA fire department,” he added, like Kensi could forget the man who had literally carried her out of a burning building in his strong arms, like something out of a romance novel. “Please tell me this is the right number.”

“Yes, it is,” Kensi said quickly. “Sorry, I thought you were a coworker.”

Despite her teasing and pushing, she truly hadn’t expected him to call at this point. As though he could see her across the phone, she shoved the half-eaten carton of ice cream under the coffee table, and straightened her stained t-shirt.

“Thank god. That saves me the trouble of choosing a wrong number story.” He cleared his throat, and something in the background rustled. Kensi immediately pictured him laying down in bed, shifting among the covers.

Ok, get a grip, Kensi, she told herself before her imagination turned more inappropriate.

There was a extended pause, and even with the distance between them, she felt the tension grow.

“So, I believe you owe me a date,” Deeks said softly, the slight drawl sending unexpected warmth to Kensi’s cheeks.

“Um, if anyone owes a date, it’s you,” Kensi objected instinctively.

“I believe I saved your life, Agent Blye.”

“And I had to wait over a week for you to call me.”

Deeks chuckled, a throaty sound that Kensi was already a big fan of. “You make an excellent point. Alright, so Agent Blye, would you go out on a date with me next Saturday? World catastrophes notwithstanding.”

“Yes,” Kensi agreed without hesitation, and for once she didn’t even care. “And just for future reference, I like sushi, Mexican, and Korean food,” she added.

“Noted,” Deeks responded with a soft chuckled. “Alright, I’ll text you with the details.” He paused a beat. “I’ll let you get back to your important Top Model,” he teased.

Al Kensi got out with was a gasp of protest before Deeks signed off with a laugh filled goodbye.

***

A/N: Thanks for everyone who has expressed their enthusiasm for this story. I hope this less action filled chapter is still enjoyable.

[moonlight-tmd]

Did Longarm know about wf!Bee when he was in boot camp, and how do they react to each other? I’m guessing that this version of Bee would probably cover for Longarm if he found out he’s a decepticon, or maybe make him a more inconspicuous transmitter so that even if someone found it, LA can just say it’s a Radio or something.

Also how did the whole Wasp thing pan out?

Hmm, i would assume Bee knew Longarm was a spy since he met Shockwave before and they were sort of friends. So after he got in boot camp Longarm pulled him to some corner and told him. He's been helping Bee with stuff; pranks, hiding evidence, failed escapes. Bee didn't know that side of Shockwave(yet) so he was surprised to see the disguised 'con having actual fun with him.

Wasp- he's been trying to get Bee in stockades for being so-called spy for Decepticons (even tho he wasn't even a 'con). As said in earlier post; everytime he found something that would connect Bee with Decepticons it disappeared thanks to Longarm. Bee would make Longarm's spy equipment more convinient to explain if someone ever found it- A decepticon signal emitter? What are you talking about? That is clearly a statuette. What for? Well, some bots like decor for variety, unlike you plain, uninteresting mechs.

I imagine that Wasp actually got promoted to Elite Guard, i don't think he would be as much of a bully in that AU. He and Ironhide work on some other stuff across the galaxy and never actually show up on Earth.

The only one to know Bee worked with 'cons would be Sentinel, and that information is confidential. After Bee's failed "rehabilitation" he is thrown with Bulkhead to another failure- Optimus, to rot in the repair crew. (Bee has a note in his files to not let him go on missions alone,.. which Optimus doesn't really stick to because Bee is his friend and he trusts him to come back)

In his time in boot camp, Bee got close with Bulkhead enough to tell him about some of his past. What he did, what happened to his home, what the Autobots did to him and that he had Conjunx. Bulkhead understood what he felt; he himself wasn't really keen on joining any of the sides. All he wanted is to be a Spacebridge Technician, both cuz it was a fun job to him and to help his family back on the energon farm. But the application required him to be an Autobot for some reason, so he gave in. They agree to keep it a secret after they join the repair crew.

[louisisalarrie]

I am the anon about the podcast story and it was not the same one as the Cabo story. That one was debunked but the LA one is not debunked yet. The podcast still has the video online too and she says he ghosted her after a while. About how people got his rider info: it was on a article in a Panama news outlet and it is going to keep happening because he is visiting some countries where ndas don't exist unless you are a politician. Same happened with Harry or one direction when they toured.

Ah gotcha. Apologies for the mixup in stories hahaha. It’s just… embarrassing that people have to use his name for clout. And also he’s not an idiot, if he’s hooking up with strangers he’s doing it more carefully than that, I’d imagine.

And yeah you can still get the 1d riders online, I just would assume there would be a confidentiality Agreement between the promoter and louis’ team, as there usually is. Doesn’t mean an official NDA, you can definitely still make private contractual Agreements depending on the subject. But maybe he doesn’t care if people discuss his catering rider, as long as it’s not his hotel rider/fake names for hotels etc.

[the-al-chemist]

Artemis Hexley: The Wilderness Years

Chapter 3: Raising The Stakes

A/N: Artemis uses her connections to her advantage as she takes matters into her own hands. Warnings: A whole lot of awkwardness.

Badeea was talking Artemis through her final design for the Triwizard Maze when the two of them were interrupted by the unwanted presence of Thomasina Thistlethwaite.

“What do you want?” Artemis asked Thomasina, who did not flinch at her impolite tone.

“Mr Bagman would like to speak to you about something in his office,” she replied. “Artemis, that is.”

Artemis shrugged at Badeea and looked straight past Thomasina as she got out of her seat and left the room in search of Ludo, who had his own private office. She made her way straight there and found him sitting at his desk, a cabinet full of trophies on the wall behind him.

“Ah, Hexley! There you are,” he boomed, and held out both his fists to her. “Guess which one the Galleon is in.”

Artemis looked from his hands to his face before answering: “Left.”

“Bingo! Every time. By Jove, you may well have me bankrupt by the end of the year.”

“Is that the only reason you wanted me to come in?” Artemis asked him, taking the Galleon from his hand.

“What? Oh, no. No, I actually have a job for you,” said Ludo. He rifled through a pile of paperwork on his desk and held up a file with the word ‘confidential’ stamped on it in large red letters. “Here. You’re used to dealing with import and export procedures. And, from what I remember from your interview, you’re a dab hand with creatures, too.”

“I guess. Sort of.”

“Excellent. Now, in here is a list of all the creatures we need for the tournament. I’d like you to sort out importing and transporting them.”

He handed the file to Artemis, who opened it and scanned down the list, feeling a small sting of anger as she read each of the creatures listed, more than half of them the ones that Thomasina had suggested after talking to her. Still, she pushed her annoyance aside. Tonks had been right the previous weekend; if she wanted to best Thomasina, she would just have to work harder and do better.

“I reckon I can do the Sphinx, easy. I still have a couple of friends back at Gringotts’ headquarters in Egypt,” she said, making a mental note to write to Bill Weasley later that day. “The rest we don’t even need to transport. There are plenty of Boggarts at Hogwarts, because they keep them for Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons, and there are already Red Caps and Acromantula in the forest, it’s just a case of capturing them. I can talk to Hagrid, the gameskeeper. He’d be able to help, I bet.”

“Top job, Hexley. Say, you wouldn’t be able to speak Mermish at all, would you?”

“I only know one word. Sorry.”

“Shame. I need someone to negotiate with the merpeople for the second challenge. I’ll ask old Barty, they say he was into the old lingual activities in his day, so to speak.” Bagman winked, and Artemis tried her hardest not to pull a face.

“What about the dragons? Or is that sorted already?”

“We’ve scrapped the idea of the dragons. Can’t get any.”

“I have a friend who’s a dragonologist. He might be able to get us some, they’ve got loads on the reserve where he works.”

“It’s not that there aren’t enough,” Bagman told her, shaking his head. “There are plenty of dragons in the world, it’s just that the laws surrounding anything to do with them are so strict. Even with contacts in the field, we can’t bypass that amount of red tape.” He sighed deeply. “It is a shame, though. Imagine, dragons. Now, that would be a real challenge, wouldn’t it?”

“Maybe it still could be.”

“Sadly, Barty says there’s no way, and he would know, what with all the work he did for the Council of Magical Law. Ah, well. C’est la vie, as the French would say. Now, heads or tails?”

He flicked a second Galleon into the air, caught it and placed it on the back of his other hand. He snuck a look and raised his eyebrows at her.

“Fifty-fifty chance, Hexley. What is it?”

“Heads,” said Artemis, and Bagman handed her the gold coin. She took it and frowned. “Say, Ludo. How about we go double or nothing on these Galleons?”

“Raising the stakes, are we? I always knew you were a girl after my own heart. Oh, go on, then. What are we betting on?”

“I bet I can get you your dragons.”

Bagman laughed out loud.

“You might as well give me your money now, doll,” he said. “Didn’t you hear what I said? That’s a bet with almost impossible odds.”

Artemis shrugged and raised her eyebrows.

“Maybe. But then, I’ve always been good at beating the odds.”

The Department of Magical Law Enforcement was all the way up on the second level of the Ministry Headquarters. Having left Bagman’s office, Artemis hurried straight up the stairs, the file and two Galleons he had given her still clutched in her hands. She had a vague idea of where she was going, having spent a two-week-long work experience placement in the department the summer she turned seventeen, but three and a half years had passed since then, and she had not needed to go to every single office in the Department. Still, there was a good chance that either Tonks or her friend Kingsley, who both worked in the Auror office, would know where to find the room she was looking for.

Unfortunately, when she poked her head around the Auror office door, every single one of the Aurors were deep in a very serious looking discussion. Even without the several large ‘wanted’ posters Artemis had walked past on her way there, she could have guessed what - or, more to the point, who - they were talking about. Sirius Black, a Dark Wizard and first ever person to have escaped from Azkaban prison, was still at large and as dangerous as ever.

It was probably better that she left the Aurors to it, so instead, she knocked on a smaller door further along the corridor, on which a plaque read: Arthur Weasley, Head of the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office.

“Come in,” said a voice from behind the door, and Artemis did as it instructed.

On the other side of the door was a room that, judging from its tiny size and dingy atmosphere, may have previously been a cupboard of some description. Now, however, it had been converted into the smallest office she had ever seen, with two desks and several filing cabinets crammed so tightly inside that there was barely room for her to stand among them. A tall wizard with glasses and thinning red hair was sitting there, a collection of assorted Muggle items and photos of children, all at various ages and all red-headed, lining the desk in front of him.

“Artemis!” he said, turning in his chair and smiling at her. “Splendid to see you. How are you?”

“I’m fine, Arthur. I’m just on an errand for Ludo, and I’m not sure exactly where I need to go, so I thought you might be able to help me.”

“Of course. Where is it you need to be?”

“I’m looking for the Council of Magical Law,” she told him. “I need to speak to someone who works for them.”

“Right you are. Turn right out of this office, go all the way along the corridor until it bends to the left, and it’s the last door on the left before the bend.”

“Brilliant. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. And you’re also welcome to come around for tea any time. I’m sure that Molly will send you an invitation as soon as I mention that I saw you today, so I may as well give you a prior warning.”

“I’ll look forward to it,” Artemis grinned, and she turned to leave Mr Weasley’s office. Before she shut the door behind her, his voice called out to her once more.

“Oh, and Artemis,” he said. “If you see Ludo this afternoon, can you let him know that I am interested in the raffle he’s doing for tickets to the World Cup Final? I just need to get some money together to take part. Should have it by the end of next week, if he’s happy to wait that long. Got to wait until payday, you know?”

Artemis made a sympathetic noise and nodded her head in agreement, and Mr Weasley returned to his work. Certain that he wouldn’t see her, she pulled out her wand and pointed it at the two Galleons Ludo had given her. Wordlessly, she levitated them into the air and directed the coins so that they floated through the air and came to rest inside the pocket of the cloak resting on the back of Arthur’s chair.

A small but satisfied smile played on her face as she closed the door of the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office and turned to her right, made her way down the corridor and stopped as it bent around a corner. To her left, a wooden door - far better polished than Mr Weasley’s - was propped slightly open. Beyond it, a large and open room housed several desks, at each of which a witch or wizard was hard at work. Artemis narrowed her eyes and scanned the room until she found the wizard she was looking for.

“Hi,” she said as she approached the desk of Chester Davies, who raised his tired looking eyes from the parchment he was writing on and blinked twice.

“Hello,” he replied. “I wasn’t expecting to see you so soon, if ever. I was under the impression that you didn’t want to see me again.”

“That’s not what I said.”

“Still, this is a surprise. Is there a particular reason you’re here, or…”

Chester’s voice tailed off, and he raised his eyebrows at her. Artemis shrugged and sat on his desk beside him.

“Your law books. I might need to borrow them,” she told him.

“All of them?”

“Not all, just some. Any that will tell me what I can legally do to import a Hungarian Horntail into the country for a sporting event.”

“I’m sorry… A Hungarian Horntail?”

“Yeah. Or three, actually, that would be even better.”

“I’m not certain that there will be anything you can do to legally import a Hungarian Horntail - let alone three Hungarian Horntails - into the country for a sporting event. Laws surrounding anything dragonological tend to be extremely rigid.”

“But surely there would be a way. A loophole you can squabble over, maybe?” Artemis smiled at Chester expectantly, and he began to chuckle.

“Why do you want to know about this?” he asked her. “What sporting event could possibly involve a Hungarian Horntail? Or three, for that matter.”

“Top secret. Classified. If I told you, I would probably have to kill you.”

Chester laughed again, but he nodded his head. “Very well. I expect I’ll have something that’ll be of use to you. I’ll take a look later.”

“Brilliant, thanks,” said Artemis. “I’ll swing by tomorrow lunchtime to get the books.”

“Don’t do that. I have a better idea.”

“What?”

“I’ll look through the books, see what relevant information I can find, and I’ll talk it through with you over dinner.”

Artemis wrinkled her nose. “Dinner?”

“Yes, dinner. Do you not eat dinner?”

“Yeah, I like dinner, I just… Yeah, fine. We can do that.”

“I’ll meet you by the Fountain of Magical Brethren on Friday evening. Say six thirty?”

“Sure.”

Chester smiled. “Excellent. It’s a date.”

Artemis had half-expected Chester to take her to the Leaky Cauldron for dinner; it was where the majority of her co-workers met after work, and given the fact that he played piano for them on Saturday evenings, he was bound to get some sort of discount. However, after the two left the atrium of the Ministry on Friday evening, he walked her not to Diagon Alley, but to a Muggle restaurant in Covent Garden. Their table was upstairs, next to a window through which the sounds of three women playing string instruments in the market below could be heard. Looking around, Artemis quickly realised that she was underdressed for the occasion.

“May I take your coat?” asked the waiter who had shown them to their seats. Artemis recoiled from him slightly, her grip on her jacket tightening.

“Where?”

The waiter chuckled, as did Chester, who handed his own coat and scarf to him. Somewhat reluctantly, Artemis followed suit.

“Okay,” she said, once the waiter had left with their coats. “So, what did you find out?”

“You don’t beat around the bush, do you?” Chester laughed. “Well, it’s not particularly great news, I’m afraid.”

“It’s not?”

“No. Dragon keeping has been regulated for hundreds of years, but ever since they passed the Ilfracombe Amendment in 1933, there’ve been even tighter controls. As it stands, only specialised dragon reserves can authorise the movement of dragons, and there are now only nine such reserves in the world, and only in the United Kingdom.”

“That’s the one with the Hebridean Blacks, isn’t it? I don’t think they have Hungarian Horntails.”

“Well then, if you have your heart set on a Hungarian Horntail, you’ll need to import one. Unfortunately, international movement is even more difficult, because you have the International Federation of Wizards’ regulations and the local laws of the two countries you’re moving the dragons to and from,” said Chester. “Generally speaking, movement only occurs between reserves, and even then, it can only be done for one of three purposes, none of which involve sporting events.”

“So what purposes can they be moved for?”

“Conservation, welfare, and education.”

“Education,” Artemis repeated, an idea forming in her head. “That’s it! That’s our loophole! You know, that actually might work.”

“Glad to hear it, but it still won’t be easy. You’ll need official authorisation and everything you do will need to be overseen and signed off by a qualified dragonologist. I might be able to put you in touch with someone who was in the year above me, if you like. Chap by the name of Rosier, Felix Rosier.”

Artemis shook her head, her smile widening as she did so.

“No need,” she told Chester. “I have my own dragonologist. Thanks, though. And thanks for helping me with this.”

“You’re welcome, though I do prefer knowing the reason why I’m being asked to do a favour before I do it,” Chester said wryly. Artemis remained tight lipped. “Very well, then. Why don’t you tell me how you ended up working on this classified and clandestine project?”

“I won the job in a card game.”

“I’m being serious.”

“So am I. I played poker against Ludo and won a job in his office. That and some tickets for the Quidditch World Cup Final.”

“And are you a seasoned poker player?”

“Um, I don’t think so,” said Artemis, not entirely sure what Chester meant by seasoned. “But it got me the job.”

“I see,” Chester frowned. “Last I heard you were working for Gringotts with Bill.”

“I was.”

“So, was your decision to leave and take a job you won in a card game a spontaneous one, or…”

“I wanted a change,” Artemis said shortly. Chester inclined his head and opened his mouth as if to say something, but she interrupted him before he had the chance to do so. “Have you always wanted to be in the Council of Magical Law?”

“Yes. I started in the Department for Misuse of Magic, worked my way up from there.”

“And the piano playing?”

“It’s extra money, and I enjoy it. It’s good to have a creative outlet,” said Chester. “What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?”

“I dunno. Just stuff, I guess.” In response to her answer, Chester began to laugh again. Artemis frowned. “What?”

“You aren’t particularly forthcoming with information, are you?” he asked her, shaking his head. “You know, I am actually trying to get to know you.”

“Why?”

“Because I think you’re interesting.”

Artemis was not expecting Chester to say that, nor was she expecting the look in his eyes to be as sincere as it was. She shuffled slightly in her seat.

“I don’t think I’m that interesting,” she told him. Chester smiled as if he were amused. “Now what?”

“Well, I dread to think how immeasurably dull I must be if the girl who got her current job by winning a card game and spent her schooldays breaking ancient curses is ‘not that interesting’.” The expression on Chester’s face made Artemis grin, too. “You should smile more. It suits you,” he told her. “Humour me. Tell me more.”

A month previously, Artemis would have done just that; she would have told him about her time at Gringotts, about the time she helped to illegally smuggle a baby dragon across the continent to the dragon reserve in Romania where her friend Charlie lived, or a story about her eventually successful attempts to open the Cursed Vaults when she was at school. But now, she wasn’t sure whether she wanted to tell him, or anyone, about any of that. It might lead to harder questions, ones about Rowan’s death and her relationships with her immediate family members. And besides, that was how she had ended up needing Chester’s help in the first place, wasn’t it? She had opened her mouth and answered all of Thomasina Thistlethwaite’s questions, and it had backfired horribly, and now here she was.

So instead, she told Chester a less personal but also less interesting story about playing Quidditch, and turned the topic to the one thing she knew they had in common: music. This turned out to be a very strategic move on her part, for they were able to talk about that freely until the meal was over and Muggles outside had stopped playing their string instruments.

Chester paid for the meal and the two of them walked through the covered market together until they reached the square outside. The night air was bitterly cold, and Artemis shivered in her jacket, which had been returned safely from the waiter. Chester frowned at her.

“Here,” he said, removing the scarf from his neck and draping it over her shoulders. “Take this.”

“Thanks,” replied Artemis. “For dinner, too. And the legal advice, obviously. That was really good of you to look all that up for me.”

“You’re more than welcome. I’ll never complain about being given an excuse for more reading and research.”

Chester’s words caused something to stir in the recesses of Artemis’ mind, but she wasn’t sure what. Somehow, she got the sense of distant familiarity. It was uncanny and not entirely comfortable, and she shook her head to push it away.

“Still,” she said, “I know you’re busy enough as it is without me asking you for favours.”

“It was only a couple of late evenings, Artemis. That’s what coffee is for,” Chester smiled wryly. “And anyway, I’ve always been a bit of a night owl.”

That feeling of niggling nostalgia came over Artemis again, and this time she found herself unable to ignore it. Perhaps, she did not want to. And, for some reason, that strange sensation was what spurred her not just to allow Chester to lean in and kiss her on the cheek, but to kiss him on the lips in return.

That feeling of niggling nostalgia came over Artemis again, and this time she found herself unable to ignore it. Perhaps, she did not want to. And, for some reason, that strange sensation was what spurred her not just to allow Chester to lean in and kiss her on the cheek, but to kiss him on the lips in return.

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The following listing offers examples of acceptable government-issued picture identification documents from federal, provincial or territorial authorities. You can use any of the 3 strategies described below to verify the id of an entity. While an entity could be a company, a belief, a partnership, a fund, or an unincorporated affiliation or group, corporations are topic to different necessities than different entities . All of the data the agent or mandatary referred to in order to verify the identification of the person, and the knowledge that the agent or mandatary confirmed as being that of the person . The data that the other RE or affiliated foreign entity referred to so as to confirm the identity the particular person.

[jamiebamberdaily]

TV & Satellite Week Article - Issue 25 (24 - 30 June 2023)

Tap/Click ‘Keep Reading’ to view the transcript.

Picture Cannes and you’ll probably imagine an azure ocean, the annual film festival or multimillionaires sunbathing on superyachts - but Acorn TV’s six-part romantic crime drama Cannes Confidential is hoping to make it synonymous with screwball comedy and a ‘will they, won’t the? central pairing.

Detective Camille Delmasse (Lucie Lucas) is having a challenging day when she collides with debonair art collector Harry King (Beyond Paradise’s Jamie Bamber) on the Boulevard de la Croisette, wrecking her beloved classic car in the process. Already irritated by the smooth-talking stranger, Camille’s day goes from bad to worse as she and her colleague Léa Robert (Tamara Marthe) investigate the murder of a street artist known as the Jester, only to find themselves crossing paths with Harry...

He pops us everywhere within the town, infuriating her,’ reveals Bamber. ‘They get off on the wrong foot, and the bickering and badinage, an that energy between two people with sexual chemistry finding each other intolerable was what drew me in.’ It soon becomes clear that there’s much more to Harry than he’s willing to let on to anyone, but as Camille comes close to finding out what he’s really up to, he proposes a mutually-beneficial alliance between the two of them.

PIVOTAL PACT

‘When Harry finds out she’s a policewoman, it’s a problem for him because he’s got something to hide,’ says Bamber, 50. ‘But he also happens to know a lot of the characters involved in the supposed wrongful imprisonment of her dad, the former chief of police, so they each have something that the other needs.

‘They have a quick agreement, a sort of poisoned chalice that they each take a sip from, and from that moment, they become more dependent on each other.’

Bamber likens the show to ‘the love child of Moonlighting, The Persuaders! and Miami Vice’ with its compelling blend of a feuding odd couple at its centre and solving crimes in scenic locations, but Cannes Confidential has a few more twists up its sleeve... ‘Léa, Camille’s police partner has designs on her as well,’ explains Bamber. ‘So you’ve got this odd love triangle at the heart of the show, each angle of the triangle antagonising the other.’

For avowed Francophile Bamber, who speaks fluent French, the lure of filming on location in and around Cannes proved impossible to resist - as was the opportunity to deploy his skills for the show’s French-language version. ‘The language was a big deal, because you’ve got a mostly French cast who are working in English and they were real troopers,’ says Bamber. ‘But they shoe was on the other foot when we dubbed into French - I was allowed to dub my own part, but that was when the French actors really came to the fore!’

Navigating a language barrier wasn’t the only difficulty that Bamber faced during filming for the series last summer - the scorching Mediterranean temperatures left him literally hot under the collar. ‘The most challenging thing I had to deal with was wearing a three-piece suit in the sunshine for three months, and trying not to ruin it with perspiration!’ he laughs. ‘My dresser, did amazing work with portable fans, whipping one shirt off and drying it while I wore the other, because I was wringing wet a lot of the time.’

[titleleaf]

for the fic ask: 1 3 8

1. What's the fic you're most proud of?

forest in the desert (LA Confidential, Ed Exley/Jack Vincennes, 14.3k) has the grim distinction of having been the fic I loved the most riiiiight before all the shit came out about Kevin Spacey (including his actions while making that same fucking movie) so it's in shitty-actor purgatory now.

Technique-wise, I'm really proud of this is the hand (Black Mirror: Bandernsatch, Stefan Butler/Colin Ritman) -- it's a relatively short fic but written in CYOA/branching storyline format to mimic the game itself. It's not a sophisticated set of storylines or a complicated game but I had so much fun working it all out. It's playable in Twine! Imagine how many more of my unhinged projects could be Twine games too!

3. What fic are you emotionally attached to?

deep red bells (The Stand - Stephen King, Nadine Cross, 2.3k) is maybe the completed fic of my own I think about most often. I'd love to expand it but maybe it's fine as it is.

8. Does anyone in your personal life know you write fic? If not, would you tell anyone?

People I know from fandom IRL know I write fic (but generally don't read what I write, lol) and my older sister, who introduced me to fandom, definitely knows. My mother knows that my friends write fanfiction, but she writes original fiction and her opinion of fic is pretty low. She doesn't get why anyone wouldn't just make up something completely wholesale original in plot (she's a big plot-oriented person) and doesn't have much suspension of disbelief for stuff that from a fandom POV seems obvious to me. (Like "how is it possible that all the members of BTS are all gay in this zombie apocalypse RPF AU, that seems statistically unlikely", or "why do people enjoy this danmei if it doesn't accurately represent the experiences of gay and bisexual men in present-day China". Rigorous realism only, hdu.)

[cwarscars-a]

FROM: Kunsel Zantos, SOLDIER OPERATIVE 2C ( @sentmail ) TO: Director Heidegger, HEAD OF PUBLIC SECURITY ( cwarscars ) SUBJECT: Regarding the planned budget cuts...

With all due respect, I would consider against imposing the new haircut policies — just the haircuts, the uniforms ones are fine and I am one hundred percent behind getting everyone else to follow regulation as firmly as I do.

Why do I say this? Multiple reasons.

1) SOLDIER's current individualized fashion sense is a brand of the Shin-Ra corporation, and I can only imagine that you'll be dealing with a lot of pushback from the marketing departments. It is this chance for "individuality" that drives a lot of SOLDIER program registrations.

2) Which leads to the next point: I'm sure someone as detail oriented as you would have noticed the strictness of all other SOLDIER regulations — these are all imposed by the Science Department, and already deal with a considerable ammount of pushback when they are in fact mandated in order to limit possible health complications related to the mako enhancements. You may impose the regulations, but you may also find it hard to actually enforce them if you can't provide good enough reasoning as to why.

3) SOLDIER is a den of monsters, and one such monster currently appeased is vanity. I am not saying that some people would snap at having to cut their hair, but I will also not say that's not a possibility. We are talking about men and women quite literally told they are above mere men, and the more dramatic of us will take it literally and expect special treatment in favor of being Shin-Ra's sword and shield and being subjected to the hands of the Science Department.

3.5) There is a chance of retribution and rebellion, is what I'm saying. Yes, over hair. I could give you a resumed list of past such petty rebellions from having worked with the last Director of SOLDIER.

I'm only stepping in to leave my two cents as someone who's worked in the SOLDIER tutorial program which you have since discontinued, I know a lot of people, and I know how said lot will react to these changes.

Best Regards, Kunsel Reis de la Costa Zantos SOLDIER OPERATIVE SECOND CLASS

This email is confidential!

he glances at the email, a lazy look of eyes crusading through words as if not to read an 'important' document but rather a 'where's wally' book. he searches each paragraph for something that will stick out enough to snatch his interest. unfortunately for heidegger ( and kunsel, though he'd not know it ) the general's interest wanes fairly fast.

a thought crosses his mind regarding the policy - a funny thought of SOLDIERs rebelling after having their annual buzz cuts. a bunch of bald boys running amock of the building. odin, it's enough to make a man smile. the ridiculousness of it. they were SOLDIERs, no?

and though points raised are good enough for the man to have sent an email, heidegger is immediate to dismiss it - a wave of his hand and a flush of his nostrils. a scoff because lords know, he's better things to do. better things to do like catch sight of himself in the reflective surface of a photo near his desk. admire the style of his hair and cut of his beard, brows ( freshly groomed - though that's a secret! ). a smile weaving across his face. well, when he was young he'd donned short hair and a little stubble. can't hurt anyone else that badly can it?

as he preps to write a response, heidegger slips fingers through the well-groomed strands of his beard, admires himself a little more before hands clasp the keyboard of his computer.

FROM: Director Heidegger, HEAD OF PUBLIC SECURITY TO: Kunsel Zantos, SOLDIER OPERATIVE 2C ( //sentmail ) SUBJECT: Regarding the planned budget cuts...

I do not recall sending an email asking for your 'two cents' on the matter.

Do you have any work to do currently? Or would you like me to send you some?

Regarding the matters raised, I will be consulting with Director Lazard later today. While he answers for the number of SOLDIER currently bemoaning their positions and betraying the company, he can also answer the incredibly important question surrounding hair-care. :-)

Kind Regards, 

Director Heidegger, HEAD OF PUBLIC SECURITY. 

he’s close to hitting send before a thought crosses the mind, lips broken by the white of fangs - the smallest chuckle under his breath. why assure ( or deride ) anybody when he could make them sweat instead? he manages his desktop, searches his screen for a familiar email. erases his last and goes again. 

FROM: Director Heidegger, HEAD OF PUBLIC SECURITY TO: Kunsel Zantos, SOLDIER OPERATIVE 2C ( //sentmail ) SUBJECT: Regarding the planned budget cuts...

Thank you for the email; I am currently out of the office, but will have a secretary respond to your email at the soonest possible date. 

If it is urgent, please call [ xxx-xxx-xxxx ]. If it is not urgent, email again in [ 7 days ] time. 

Kind Regards,

Director Heidegger, HEAD OF PUBLIC SECURITY.

of course, the phone number is a dud and the general is sat sipping a coffee at his desk with a wide grin on his lips. 

gosh, fancy sephiroth with a buzz cut ! hilarious stuff! 

[nicklloydnow]

Old World Elegance

“The one-off creation emerged from Bugatti’s Sur Mesure division, which handles the most outlandish and creative customization projects ordered by Bugatti’s ultra-wealthy clientele. This project began when a passionate Bugatti collector approached the company with the idea to honor Bugatti and its W-16 engine, which will end production after the final 2024 Mistral roadster leaves the factory. The process of designing the Golden Era took two years, with the company describing it as “the most challenging bespoke project that Bugatti has ever undertaken.”

The Golden Era uses a Bugatti Chiron Super Sport as its base, which packs an 1578-horsepower version of the quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W-16 and the special long-tailed carbon-fiber bodywork from the 300-mph Super Sport 300+. In our hands, the Super Sport shot to 60 mph in a blistering 2.2 seconds and only needed 14.8 seconds to crest the 200-mph mark.

While the W-16 that has been Bugatti's hallmark only arrived in 2005 with the record-breaking Veyron, the customer wanted his masterpiece to feature important vehicles from throughout the brand’s 100-plus-year history. The images emerge on the front fenders and doors as the paint fades from the metallic Nocturne Black color to a light golden hue called “Doré” that is unique to this vehicle. On the passenger side, the 26 hand-drawn sketches include iconic cars like the Type 41 Royale and Type 57 SC Atlantic. There are also depictions of planes, a train, the company's chateau headquarters in Molsheim, and signatures from Jean and Ettore Bugatti.

The driver's side displays 19 sketches detailing Bugatti's history since its revival by Romano Artioli in 1987 and subsequent purchase by the Volkswagen Group in 1998. Here we see stunning hypercars from the EB110 to the Veyron and Chiron, as well as the side profile of the one-off La Voiture Noire and the W-16 engine. The limited-production Divo, Centodieci, and Mistral, as well as the track-only Bolide, also make appearances.

Bugatti says the drawings were made using the same pens used for sketching designs on paper and were applied directly onto the body by hand. The painstaking process took more than 400 hours, and Bugatti described the procedure of hand-drawing on a one-off bespoke Chiron as "intimidating."

The interior mirrors the look of the body panels, with three legendary Bugattis emblazoned on each leather door panel. The driver's side focuses on the modern Bugatti hypercars—the EB110, Veyron, and Chiron—while the passengers side features iconic pre-war cars, the Type 35, Type 57SC Atlantic, and Type 41 Royale. The hand-painted images are accompanied by stitching reading "Golden Era" on the headrests (with the same phrase appearing on the underside of the rear wing) and a “One-of-One” badge on the center console. The driver's-side doorsill marks the modern era of Bugattis with the dates “1987–2023” while the passenger's side sill reads “1909–1956” for the life span of the original Bugatti company.

The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport already costs nearly $4 million, and while Bugatti didn't detail the price for the Golden Era, we imagine its dedicated owner paid a significant amount more for this special Super Sport. The owner will pick up his unique Chiron at Monterey Car Week, and while we hope the Golden Era gets driven, this is one hypercar that would be just as much at home in a museum as it would on track.”

New World Gauchness

“Unless your name was on a confidential email sent to a smattering of Dodge customers this past June, you were not supposed to know about a very limited run of 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170s being built. In a sequel to Dodge's Jailbreak program, wherein, for a price, customers could special-order Dodge Challenger and Charger models with almost any combination of interior and exterior colors while mixing and matching a variety of special trim treatments and badges, just 40 Dodge Demon 170 customers were sent an invitation to participate in the special-order Demon 170 Jailbreak program, all of whom have confirmed orders for the 1,025-hp 2023 Dodge SRT Demon 170. Want to participate in this program? That's too bad. You're too late.

To get on the list, you either had to be a celebrity (Dodge obliquely refers to these folks as "select individuals" with "Dodge brand affiliation" in the email below) or you had to be a rabid repeat customer of multiple Dodge SRT products over a multiyear period. Rumor is, the list of invitees was drawn up by Dodge president Tim Kuniskis, who has long championed the hardiest of Dodge fans. The shortlist of customers was split between 20 celebs and 20 hardcore new SRT buyers, and the members at Hellcat.org have been able to figure out that purchasing as many as four previous SRT vehicles was not enough to qualify for the list.

We contacted Dodge PR for an official program description and got this short response: "The Jailbreak 170 is a celebration of the ultimate Last Call Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 shared with our most loyal muscle car customers. Select individuals were offered this exclusive paint option based on their new Dodge Charger and Challenger purchase history and Dodge brand affiliation. This one-of-one paint option will add an extra layer of customization and collectability to the record-breaking Challenger SRT Demon 170 and was made available on a limited basis to those who have meant so much to the latest era of Dodge muscle. The option is no longer being offered."

Each of the 40 special Jailbreak Demon 170s will have a unique color, with the quantity split between 20 throwback colors and 20 special one-off colors that were chosen by Dodge's color and style department. The honor of choosing your one-of-one Demon 170 Jailbreak model costs an extra $30K on top of the $96,666 base price. That's a total of $131,961 (including destination and gas guzzler tax)—which represents a unicorn price for a stripped-down Demon 170 (probably not gonna happen) at MSRP (also probably not gonna happen). All jailbreaking aside, the concept of an SRT vehicle selling at MSRP at this point is a pre-COVID fever dream; Dodge message boards have already lit up with dealers and brokers offering their Demon 170 allotment for $100K over sticker, and those aren't even Jailbreak models.

(…)

The Demon 170 Jailbreak program mirrors a similar program that ushered out the 2017 Dodge Viper. Known colloquially as the "1 of 1" program which offered customization of new 2017 Vipers from one of 50 million possible build combinations, Dodge's Demon program utilizes the same company, Prefix Corporation of Auburn Hills, Michigan, to perform the Jailbreak Demon 170's custom paintjobs. After being built in Stellantis's Brampton, Ontario, plant with all the customer's chosen options and black paint, Demon 170s in the Jailbreak program are shipped to Prefix, where they are sprayed-out by hand for their final unique color coat before being shipped in an enclosed car hauler.”