#like. i get you want to check people's critical thinking skills but c'mon

[wickedhawtwexler]

one more interview and then i'm freeeeeee

[angeloncewas]

Stuff I love about the Dream SMP

(I wanted to spread some fluff <3 feel free to add on!)

The writing! It's just so damn good. I don't even like Minecraft, but they managed to hook me with their skills. Yeah, there's flubs and missteps and all, but we're still going back and noticing subtle details and foreshadowing from past arcs. For all the jokes about poor planning and stuff, they've really put a lot of time and effort into this storyline thing. And there's something for everyone. Don't like Tommy's disc saga? Go back and watch L'manberg get built, or check out the supernatural and ominous egg, or watch c!Jack Manifold struggle with being on the sidelines. There is no real main character and so there's plenty to love no matter what

Representation! Say what you will about this or that, gaming is notoriously a cishet, homophobic space. Not only does the SMP have actual people who are LGBT on it (Ant, Niki, Puffy, Eret, Karl) but there are plenty of canon relationships that exist outside of the "girl loves guy haha" of it all. The creators are also willing to learn more about the community, like Jack Manifold asking chat about what it means to be nonbinary (I didn't see what happened, but I heard good things)

The content creators! I know it's a bit of a hot topic right now, but I like Dream a lot. The guy is super passionate about everything he does and he has the sort of confidence that I've always admired in people. Tommy is incredibly charismatic and self-aware, Ranboo is a riot and also so beyond caring (he raised thousands upon thousands for the Trevor Project, c'mon), and there's so many more people who I just feel deserve their success so much

The relationships! The Dream Team are long-time online friends who managed to rise to success together and live out their dreams. Tommy and Wilbur met through something Tommy scammed his way onto and now they're "like brothers" or at least best friends. Ranboo was just a fan and now he's such close friends with Tubbo that he plans to fly across the ocean to meet him as soon as possible. We love them, but they also love each other and it's so cool to see

The way it helps people grow! Tubbo was streaming for a long time before he garnered the level of success he has now, and the dsmp has become a place that can do that for all sorts of people. Hannah and Foolish are both super fun and talented and I probably never would've found them if not for their addition. Heck even Wilbur - he's one of my favorite artists, but I never would've found his music if not for his writing during the first season and its subsequent success

The community! This is one of the most respectful fanbases I've been in - not only do people make an effort to keep track of cc's boundaries, but we by and large abide by their wishes, even when unorthodox. I've met such kind people here and it's amazing how much content comes out of our side of things too, from fic to fanart to music. It feels really feels like being a part of something

Obviously criticisms of the dsmp are welcome and warranted - you can enjoy media and still point out its flaws, you can love a person and still see when they've done something wrong - but I think it's also okay to step back and look at the thing we're all here for and talk about what's great about it. Because it is great. It's so damn cool to be seeing an entire story unfold live and sometimes even have a part in it, big or small.

[aces-to-apples]

I doubt Ahsoka ever had the chance to meet Alpha-17, but I have no doubts whatsoever that she's been subjected to a shocking (to other people) number of stories about him from both Anakin and Obi-Wan. He'd be an honorary member of the family to her, by the time they ever did meet.

Anakin would no doubt stroll through the halls of Kamino like he'd commissioned the army himself, dragging her along in his wake, laughing at him to Slow down, Skyguy, my legs aren't that long! Not yet!

And he'd chuckle and tell her to keep up, c'mon, Snips, we can't let him get away, not this time and if anything he'd speed up.

She'd roll her eyes and grin and wave at all the clones they'd pass in the halls. When Anakin would finally slow down, double-check the data-pad in his pocket, smooth down his tabard in an uncharacteristic show of nerves, Ahsoka would know that whoever she's about to meet, they'd be important.

One of the masters, maybe? Stopping over just like them?

She wouldn't be able to recall any Jedi Master who could inspire such a reaction in Anakin, though. Only Master Obi-Wan. Even Yoda didn't garner that much respect and, if she had to name it, desire to impress from him.

So she'd straighten her own skirt, adjust her headdress, give the hilts of her lightsabers a quick buff, and nod encouragingly at Skyguy when he looked back at her. He'd take a reassuring breath, plaster on that cocky grin and wink, then stroll through the doors like he hadn't practically sprinted across half of Tipoca City.

Ahsoka would be nearly disappointed that the room held only clones.

She'd reprimand herself immediately, of course, then look around curiously.

The clones would be older than most of the ones she'd met at that point, maybe even older than Commander Cody. It would make her feel just as intimidated as a room full of Jedi Masters.

They'd probably be sparring with each other.

Not the same kind of sparring that the 501st, or even 212th, usually dealt in. There was rather a lot more heckling and puppy-scuffling and sometimes even betting going on in those. No, they'd be all ferocity and single-minded determination, unafraid of really injuring each other. A true test of their skills.

She and Anakin would wait politely by a wall and she wouldn't see a single clone pull a single punch. She'd probably revise her opinion and label it even more intimidating than a room full of Jedi Masters.

Standing there, watching them, she might start to suspect the identity of who, precisely, could have this kind of effect on Anakin.

Maybe a flash of blue—a very familiar shade—would catch her attention. And watching one of the clones ruthlessly take down his opponent, she'd understand.

The match would end and Anakin would step forward, puffing up his chest like an Alderaani peacock.

He'd congratulate the victor with a smirk that'd say exactly how unsurprised he is by the outcome. Maybe the clone would say something like What kind of trouble did you get into this time? or maybe he'd just raise an unimpressed eyebrow, content to wait Anakin out.

Either way, Anakin would flush, duck his head, then remember his pride and go right back to being all smiles.

He'd turn and gesture—flourish, really—to Ahsoka and say I thought it was long past time to introduce you to my padawan, Ahsoka Tano. The pride rolling off of him in waves would probably have her blushing down to her toes but she'd meet the clone's gaze head-on.

And the clone would cast a critical eye up and down her person, lingering on the strength in her arms and the lankiness of her legs and the two 'saber hilts on her belt. He might say nothing, again, but he might also turn a devastating smirk on Skyguy and say They let you of all people get your hands on a cadet? The G.A.R.'s doomed.

Rather than get defensive and lash out, though, Anakin might smile tentatively, bracing himself. And maybe he'd reply I was hoping you might put her through some paces. Get a feel for what kind of training she might need.

The words would send Ahsoka's head spinning but she'd be grateful, later, when she learned that Anakin had never seen the clone laugh until right then.

Sure thing, kid he'd say when he was done and then turn to back her. Call me Alpha.

And she'd know, have figured it out before the spar had even finished, but it'd still be a shock. Alpha-17 had trained every Commander in the Army, he'd trained Rex. And Skyguy wanted his advice on how to train her, as well.

Swallowing, she'd push her shoulders back and say It's an honor to meet you, sir and he'd shoot another look at Anakin.

It wouldn't be a very nice look but Anakin wouldn't be rattled at all even when he says What the hell kind of stories have you been telling the cadet about me, Skywalker?

Maybe Ahsoka would be able to hold in the reflexive giggle at his offense, maybe not.

Don't know what you're talking about, Alpha Skyguy would say, unapologetic, and Ahsoka would think back to every story she'd heard from either of her Masters (at least twice each) and would know that they were completely true.

Alpha-17 may or may not roll his eyes, depending on how comfortable he felt flouting Anakin's authority as a Jedi. Then he'd face Ahsoka fully, blocking Anakin out of the conversation, and narrow his eyes.

Hope you haven't taken every one of this particular general's lessons to heart yet, cadet he might say. Or something close to it.

And Ahsoka would probably resist the urge to dart a glance at Anakin before admitting Only the useful ones with a bravado she didn't feel.

He'd smile then, shark-like and full of teeth, and say Good answer, cadet. Now let's what those lessons are.

A shiver would probably work its way down her spine and she'd be sore and aching and frazzled by the time Alpha-17 was done testing her skills.

Just before they leave, Alpha-17 might shoot Anakin a deeply suspicious look and tell him Not bad, kid and Ahsoka would marvel at how Anakin would probably light up at that little piece of almost-validation.

And I have no doubt that he'd treat her to the same expression and say I think I'm gonna like you, cadet with all the resignation that came from knowing the Kenobi lineage at the source.

[fandomrewrites]

Chasing Butterflies: Earth Skills

Hello all! Here is chapter 2 of Chasing Butterflies: The 100 rewrite! I hope you all enjoy this chapter and as always constructive criticism is appreciated. If you have any questions about my stories or want to be added to the tag list please feel free to message me.

Season 1; Episode 2: Earth Skills Pairings: OC x OC best friends, no love interests yet Warnings: Mild Violence Word Count: 2,989

Season 1 Masterlist

Nova, Clarke, Octavia, Finn, and Monty stayed crouching behind a large rock looking out into the trees. When they couldn't find anything after a few moments Nova spoke, "Let's go. Stay low and move fast."

Without waiting for a nod of approval from the others she took off keeping her slightly up to see if she could see anyone hiding in the trees. She only paused when she heard a dull thud indicating someone behind her fell to the forest floor. 

"Monty get up!" Octavia said reaching down to help him. His eyes were locked on something in front of him though, a skull. "Who are they?" Finn asked.

Picking up the skull that looked more like a gorilla skull, Clarke asks, "What are they?"

"We are so screwed." Octavia states, voice shaking slightly.

Right after the words left her mouth a distant scream was heard from where the five delinquents just were. "Jasper. He's alive." Clarke says, then she starts running back to the river.

"Clarke, wait! Wait." Finn calls, running after her. This prompts the other three to run after her too. Nova slides her knife out of her pocket to have some protection against the enemy.

Once they all reach the river they look across to see that Jasper is no longer there, "Where is he?" Monty asks.

"They took him." Clarke says.

"We have to get back. Regroup. We can come back for him later." Nova says, gripping her knife tightly. 

They all nod in agreement, turning back around to head to the drop ship. Finn looks at her clenched hand, "How do you have a knife?"

"My dad gave it to me before I got on the drop ship. Good thing too."

 *_*_*_*_*_*

 Elara and Wells were walking back into the camp from burying the two guys that died when they landed. Wells had the clothes clutched in his arms as delinquents ran around chasing each other. "Hey, where'd you get the clothes?" Atom asked.

"We buried the guys who died during the landing." Elara answered.

"Smart. I'll take it from here. There's always a market for-"

Wells cuts him off, "We share based on need, just like back home."

"You still don't get it, do you Chancellor?" Elara and Wells turned at the sound of another person entering the conversation, "This is home now. Your father's rules no longer apply." Bellamy says, taking a shirt from the pile to put on.

Elara rolls her eyes at the older boy. Wells, annoyed, throws the clothes down. Delinquents that were watching rushed over, fighting others for a clean clothing item. 

"Is this what you want? Chaos?" Wells asks.

"What's wrong with a little chaos?" Before either Elara or Wells can answer, a girl screams from the other side of camp. The two sprint over to see Murphy holding her above the fire. 

"Bellamy. Check it out. We want the Ark to think the ground is killing us, right? Figure it'll look better if we suffer a little bit first."

"Let her go!" Elara yells through clenched teeth.

"You can stop this." Wells addresses Bellamy.

"Stop this? I'm just getting started." Bellamy states, a smirk on his lips.

"You're a monster." Elara spits, glaring at the boy in front of her. As the words leave her mouth Wells rushes over and pushes Murphy away from the girl. As Murphy's grip loosens the girl escapes and runs away. 

"You're dead." Murphy says, standing back up and getting in a fighting position.

Elara chooses to ignore the fight, knowing that she wouldn't be able to aid Wells in any way. Plus she figures he knows how to hold his own and if she had to put money on it, she bets Wells will kick Murphy's ass. 

Instead she rushes over to the girl to check on her and see if she's alright. The girl just nods. "Try to avoid Murphy and his gang. Whatever you do, don't take off that wristband." The girl nods once more.

Elara's attention gets brought back towards the fight as she hears Clarke's voice, "Wells! Let him go."

"I say kill him." Nova deadpans. Wells backs off and Murphy throws a glare at him then Nova.

Bellamy's eyes meet his sister, "Octavia. Are you alright?" He asks as he sees Finn and Monty help her back into camp. She nods in response.

"Where's the food?" Bellamy questions the group.

"And where's Jasper?" Elara asks.

"We didn't make it to Mount Weather." Finn answers.

"We were attacked." Clarke adds.

"Attacked? By what?" Wells asks, eyebrows knitting together in concern.

"More like who." Nova says, "There are others here. Grounders."

"The good news is, that means we can survive. Radiation won't kill us." Clarke continues.

"Yeah, the bad news is the Grounders will." Finn says morbidly.

"And Jasper?" Elara asks once more, concerned for the boy who is no longer with the group.

"The grounders took him." Clarke answers. She then notices Wells' bare wrist, "Where is your wristband?"

"Ask him." He nods his head at Bellamy.

"How many?"

"Twenty-four and counting." Murphy smuggly answers.

Nova laughs, "I said that you're all going to die down here. That just proves my point."

Clarke ignores the comment and starts addressing the group, "Life support on the Ark is failing. That's why they brought us down here. They need to know the ground is survivable again, and we need their help against whoever is out there. If you take off your wristbands, you're not just killing them. You're killing us."

"We're stronger than you think. Don't listen to her. She's one of the privileged. If they come down, she'll have it good. The rest of us, probably not. We are not prisoners anymore. You're fighters, survivors! The grounders should worry about us." Bellamy argues.

Nova shakes her head and rolls her eyes, "Yeah, we're fucked with this dumbass taking over as leader." She says to the group still near her.

 *_*_*_*_*_*

 Elara and Finn enter the drop ship together, "Hey, you ready?" Clarke asks Finn.

"I'm not going anywhere, and neither should any of you. That spear was thrown with pinpoint accuracy from 300 feet."

"So what, we let Jasper die? That's not going to happen." Clarke says.

"I'm coming with you." Elara speaks up, "I can help you with his injury."

As Elara finishes talking Nova steps through the open drop ship door. "You ready?" Clarke asks her.

"I'm not going." She simply states.

"What, why? You're probably our best fighter. If we run into the Grounders we'll need you." Clarke argues.

"I'm sorry Clarke, but I need to stay back for exactly that reason. I want to get everyone to start building a wall. I want to make weapons. And hopefully I can start to teach some people how to properly fight and use said weapons."

Clarke nods at Nova's statement, "Fine. Just stay out of trouble."

Nova rolls her eyes, "Trouble usually finds me." She turns around and heads back out the drop ship, she waits for the rescue group to leave before she addresses the rest of the delinquents. 

Once the group is gone and out of earshot Nova makes a fist and pounds three times on the side of the drop ship. "Alright fuckers, listen up."

Every eye moves to the petite girl standing on the drop ship ramp. "I saw what the grounders can do first hand. We need to be able to protect ourselves. I need everyone to work together to build a wall around the camp. We can use the fallen trees."

"Who made you boss, Kane?" Mbege asks, leaning against a tree.

Nova instantly smirks, she slips her knife out of her pocket, opening it to reveal the blade. In the blink of an eye she launches the blade through the air making it land just an inch from the side of his head.

Mbege's eyes widen in terror, "Anyone else want to try to argue with me?" The group stays silent, "Good. That's what I thought. Now continuing on, I'm going to need some people to start making weapons too. Spears and shit. I probably won't get the chance today but sometime soon I want to start doing fighting lessons, everyone in this camp needs to know how to protect themselves."

She pauses for a minute letting everyone take in her words, "Alright. Let's go. Form groups, most people should be working on the wall. I only want 5 people working on weapons for now."

After picking the five people to start working on weapons, Nova herself follows suit. She remembered reading in a book on the Ark how to build a bow and arrows. She had a feeling Elara would like to learn how to use it, knowing that it was Robin Hood's weapon of choice and that was always Elara's favorite book.

 *_*_*_*_*_*

 Elara walked in the front of the group beside Clarke and Wells. "Hey, hold up. What's the rush? You don't survive a spear through the heart." Bellamy said, taking his gun out and waving it around.

"Put the gun away, Bellamy." Wells says, shaking his head.

"Jasper screamed when they moved him. If the spear struck his heart, he'd have died instantly. It doesn't mean we have time to waste." Clarke responds.

"As soon as you two take those wristbands off, we can go." Bellamy states, gesturing between Clarke and Elara.

"The only way the Ark is gonna think we're dead is if we are dead. Got it?" Clarke snaps, Elara nodding in agreement.

"Brave princess." 

"Hey, why don't you find your own nickname?" Finn asks, stepping through the trees and joining the group. "You call this a rescue party? Got to split up, cover more ground. Clarke, come with me."

Clarke and Finn head off, moving slightly to the left. "Guess we got more in common than meets the eye, huh?" Bellamy says to Wells.

"We have nothing in common." Wells glares at the older boy.

"No? Both came down here to protect someone we love. For you it's worse though. With Finn around, Clarke doesn't even see you."

Elara rolls her eyes and tugs on Wells' hand. "C'mon. We'll search in groups of two." The friends start walking away, Elara turns around to address the last two, "Stay within yelling distance."

 *_*_*_*_*_*

 Once darkness settles Nova allows the delinquents to stop working and have some fun. She finished the bow and made a dozen arrows. She heads into the drop ship to check on Monty.

"Hey, how's communication coming?" Her voice startles the boy.

"Not so good. Octavia gave me her wristband but the lights went out. I think I need to keep it working once it's off, because trying to get it to work again hasn't had good results."

Nova nods her head in thought. It's silent for a moment as both teens let their minds wander. "Do you think you would be able to keep mine working?" Nova finally asks.

Monty looks up, shocked, "Your dad-"

Nova interrupts, "My dad's an ass. He's the reason I'm here in the first place. Hell, he's the reason I was locked up. I don't mind making him think I'm dead for a little bit. Plus if you get the communication to work he'll find out soon enough that I'm perfectly fine."

Monty hesitantly nods, "I'm not 100% sure if it will work, but the more chances I have the better the results."

Nova nods and holds out her wrist, "Then taken it."

 *_*_*_*_*_*

 Finn and Clarke call the group over to a cluster of rocks. Finn is crouched low to the ground, tracking Jasper and his captors. "How do we know this is the right way?" Murphy asks.

"We don't. Spacewalker thinks he's a tracker." Bellamy retorts, causing Elara to roll her eyes.

"It's called cutting sign. Fourth-year earth skills. He's good." Wells replies.

Finn shushes them, "You want to keep it down or should I paint a target on your backs?"

A distant moan stops anyone from replying, "What was that?" Elara whispers, just loud enough for the group to hear.

They all start heading in the direction of the moaning. As they break through the tree line, they come into a clearing. In the center is a large tree, tied to the tree is Jasper.

Clarke quickly runs forward, "Clarke, wait! Be careful!" Finn calls, chasing after her.

The rest follow closely behind. Before they make it to the tree, the ground beneath Clarke falls away. Bellamy instinctively reaches down grabbing her hand before she can fall into the ditch. 

He hesitates for a minute before pulling her up. Once Clarke regains her breath she looks to the group, "We need to get him down."

Finn nods, "I'll climb up there and cut the vines." He nods to Murphy, "You're coming with me."

"There's a poultice on his wound." Elara speaks up for the first time since they found the boy.

"Medicine? Why would they save his life just to string him up as live bait?" Wells questions.

"Maybe what they're trying to catch likes its dinner still breathing." Bellamy suggests.

"That's a delightful thought." Elara mumbles. As Murphy and Finn work on cutting Jasper down, a low growling captures the group's attention. "What was that?"

"Bellamy, gun, now!" Clarke calls out as the group sees something large moving around the grass.

He pulls up his shirt and reaches for the gun only to realize that it is no longer there. Then out of nowhere a large, black panther leaps from the grass. Three gunshots go off and the panther disappears. Everything is silent for about 20 seconds. 

Elara once again sees the grass moving, this time close to Bellamy. Without much thought, she sprints over to him and tackles him to the ground, landing on top of him.

Two more gunshots ring out, the animal finally laying dead on the ground, right where Bellamy was once standing. Elara, realizing that she is still laying on top of Bellamy, blushes and quickly pushes herself off of him, standing up once more. 

Bellamy looks at her in wonderment, clearly shocked that she just saved his life. It's the same look that Clarke has on her face, except she is looking at Wells, who has the now empty gun held tightly in his hand.

 *_*_*_*_*_*

 As night falls the group makes it back to camp. Nova is still with Monty and rushes out when she hears someone yell from outside, "They're back!"

Monty rushes outside too, right behind Nova. The minute his eyes fall onto his best friend he asks, "Is he-"

"He's alive. I need boiled water and strips of cloth for bandage." Clarke says. Though she didn't need to because Elara was already grabbing the things needed to help.

Behind Clarke, Elara, Finn, and Jasper, Bellamy yells to the delinquents, "Who's hungry?"

Nova raises her eyebrows, "Is that a panther?"

Bellamy smirks and nods. Him and Murphy bring it closer to the fire so they can cut it up and cook it. At the same time Elara, Clarke and Finn bring Jasper into the drop ship. They make sure he is on the top floor so he stays as far away from everyone else as possible.

Working together, Clarke and Elara clean the wound and make sure it is no longer bleeding. After about an hour Clarke leaves the room, leaving Jasper with Elara and Monty.

Outside of the drop ship Nova decided that now was the perfect time to practice with the bow and arrow, despite it being dark and hard to see. She was rather far from the group, no longer being able to hear her fellow delinquents. 

After taking a few practice shots, she was quite happy that the weapon worked well but quickly realized that whoever used it was going to need a lot of practice. It was very different from any weapon that was on the Ark.

She started to make her way over to the arrows to collect them and head back to camp, but when she had all of the arrows a glowing animal caught her eye. She tilted her head trying to get a better look. At first she thought it was a small bird but when it flew closer she realized it was a butterfly.

"Well, aren't you beautiful?" She mumbles, holding out her hand for the insect to land on. A small smile starts to form on her lips as she watches it fly away. She begins to follow it but shakes her head deciding that she should head back, not wanting to be out on her own for too long.

Once she makes it back she notices that the food is done and people are lining up to take off their wristbands for it. Rather than wait in the line she marches to the front grabbing three sticks. "Hey, what do you think you're doing?" Murphy angrily questions her.

"Grabbing food?" She raises an eyebrow.

"You need to take your wristband off. And it's only one piece per person."

"Okay, first, look with your eyes," She holds up her bare wrist, "My wristband is already off. Second, the other two sticks are for Elara and Monty. So fuck off."

She turns on her heel and quickly walks into the drop ship. "Food." She calls out to the two sitting with Jasper.

They smile at her, "Thanks."

She nods, "Also, for you Lara." She holds out the bow and arrows.

"You made it?" The girl questions excitedly.

"Mhm, I figured if you were going to use any weapon it would be this. I think I'm going to make one for myself too."

"You remembered that I liked Robin Hood?" 

"Of course, you're my best friend."

[katsukisin]

Running Slanted: Dragons, Cake, and Pizza

Part 1/ ???

"Hey, Jack. That girl is totally checking you out, man."

Jack looked up from his plate of Belgian waffles. Dean was looking at him from across the booth of the diner, his head canted slightly to the right. Jack looked in that direction. A few tables down, a girl with short, curly black hair was staring at him. Her eyes had seemed to be trailing down toward his feet, but when he twisted around, the girls eyes snapped up, locking onto his own. She gave a weird smile.

Jack smiled back, waving and mouthing a hello before turning back to Dean, one of his three fathers. His papa, who was looking at him with an expression of unimpressed disbelief. "That's your game?" He drawled.

"My 'game?'" He and Dean were just supposed to be eating out together. He wasn't aware that he was playing a game as well.

Dean gave out a huff. "Angels and their lack of understanding... Your game." Dean gestured a hand. "Flirting."

Jack fiddled the fork and butter knife on his plate absentmindedly, still looking directly at the hunter. "I wasn't flirting," his voice isn't protesting, more like stating fact.

"Yeah, I can see that," Dean snorts. "Though, I guess that's partly my fault. You never get out of the bunker, interact with anyone."

Jack stayed silent, looking at Dean with his head tilted. He was not exactly sure what Dean was talking about, or why it was relevant.

"Basically, we're gonna have to work on your flirting skills, kid. You need the help. Bad."

"I don't understand why I need flirting skills. Is it relevant to hunting?" His hands left the silverware, instead folding into his lap, and he watched Dean with wide, doe-like eyes.

"Sometimes, yeah. But it's more of a human thing. Going on dates, hooking up with someone, the works. You'll get the hang of it, eventually."

Someone walked by their booth. It was the girl who had smiled at Jack. She walked out the door, making the bell at the top ring, without so much as glancing back at him. Dean didn't seem to notice. The hunter just turned back to his eggs and bacon. Conversation over.

Jack continued cutting the next fourth of his waffle into bite-size pieces. He poured the maple syrup over it, began eating again. The powdered-sugar covered sweetness had an odd taste when considering the uncertainty invading the nephilim's gut. It hadn't tasted like that before.

...

Jack and Sam were continuing their Doctor Who marathon when it happened. They had begun the marathon yesturday, and hadn't gotten very far, but had to postpone when Dean pulled Jack aside for their flirting lessons.

(What Jack had gotten from those lessons was to make who you're talking with feel good and to make yourself look good. Jack didn't understand that, though. Making someone feel good about themselves didn't strike him as something reserved for romantic relationships; it was something you did to be kind. And making yourself look good, depending on how you view it, is either being overly prideful or having good self-esteem. Jack must still have a long way to go in flirting.)

Presently, the ending credits to the Empty Child were rolling. Sam hit the pause button. Jack looked over at his father, to see him staring a bit too intensely at the screen, jaw twitching, like he was working up to saying something. Jack let the hunter take his time.

"So, Jack... what did you think of, uh, Jack?"

The nephilim squinted his eyes at Sam. "Captain Jack Harkness?" His gaze turned to the frozen screen, and he sagged against the back of the couch, not realizing he had been so tense from that cliffhanger. He pondered over his feelings for a minute more. "He lied to Rose and the Doctor, and he wanted to trick the Time Agency in order to steal their money. I think, in a way, the Agency deserved it. I wouldn't be very happy if two years of my memories were stolen. But I don't think Jack deserves to have to... be taken down to that place, morally. Stealing and lying are wrong. But I like Captain Jack," The nephilim grinned. "And we share a name, so that's pretty cool."

Sam gave out a breathy chuckle. "Yeah, yeah, true. But that's-- that's not really what I meant."

The nephilim stared at Sam, lips parted slightly, confusion painting his eyes a dark shade.

"You, you remember how Captain Jack was introduced?"

Yes, he did. The character had been looking at a specific part of Rose Tyler's body. He had patted the rear of a guy he passed on the way to save her from falling off a blimp. Jack remembered the scene because it had confused him, left him wondering why the character seemed so obsessed with... bums.

Jack nodded.

"And you were... okay with that?"

"I was a bit confused by it," Jack admitted. "But I realized what was being implied a few minutes later. I'm not bothered by it. Why would I be?"

"It's just--" Sam let out a frustrated huff. "Not everyone is okay with that kind of thing. Some people believe that- that two guys, or two girls, thinking of each other that way is, is wrong. I just wanted to make sure you..." The hunter gestured vaguely.

"It's alright," Jack reassured softly. "I don't think that way, Sam."

"No, no, I know that. I just wanted-- I wanted you to know that-- ugh, this is way harder than it should be. I wanted you to know that you don't have to hide anything from us, that you're not forced to feel a certain way. Dean... he's not homophobic, no, but he's pretty... what's the word... het... heteronormative? He kind of just assumes, and I know you and him were talking about romance the other day, and Dean probably didn't readily involve anything about... that. About being gay, or bi, or whatever else. So, just. If Dean makes you feel uncomfortable that way, or any other way, just call him out on it. He doesn't mean to act like a jerk, he just doesn't think sometimes, ok?"

Throughout Sam's monologue, Jack sat still, looking at him with curiosity and sincerity. Sam had used a few words the nephilim did not know, but the main idea had not escaped his understanding. Sam was staring, too, and their eyes were locked. "Sam..."

"Yeah?"

"Are you... like Jack? You can feel attraction to both, men and women?"

Sam flinched, looked away, something unreadable in his eyes. "I don't know. I'll need to do more research on it. On everything."

Silence for a few moments, both parties caught up in their own thoughts. Then:

"Jack?"

"Yes, Sam?"

"Don't... don't tell Dean about this, please? I'm still figuring things out, and..."

"I understand," Jack smiled warmly, despite the discomfort starting to shift around inside him. Discomfort at lying to Dean by ommision, but that was only part of it, and a small one at that. There was something else, something that Jack didn't quite know, that was bothering him. Something that was missing.

Sam returned the smile. "C'mon, let's start the next episode. I can't wait for you to see how this ends."

...

(A/N: part one isnt finished just yet. I'm posting for any constructive criticism you have, errors you've noticed, the like. Plz comment if you wish)

[puckermansjake]

who: jake puckerman & lauren zizes.

where: apartment balcony on homecoming night.

what: just like the first party, jake meets lauren outside for a little chat.

warnings: n/a.

I'll be here. Jaw was clenched tight in an attempt to bite back the smile that dared to play wildly on his booze soaked lips. Out of everything exciting that had happened during the night, seeing her seemed to top it all. With a solo cup in hand (filled with straight vodka), Jake bounced between crowds, being greeted and praised with every step he took. Hand after hand fell roughly onto his already sore shoulder, but he powered through every congratulations until he'd reached the balcony door. As assured, she was still there. Swallowing hard, Jake slid back the glass door and stepped out, shutting it behind him with a quiet thud. The night was breezy, much cooler than it'd seemed on the field not even two hours earlier. "Hey you," he greeted quietly, bottom lip snaking between pearly whites as he edged closer to her. "I'm beginning to think you don't even like these things," he pointed out, glancing back toward the party inside before settling against the railing.

While drinking for the night had seemed to lose its luster for Lauren, she was more than happy to indulge in other options. The blunt had been pilfered from her teammate's boyfriend before she'd lost the pair to the pull of the party, and she was glad she didn't have to share it with them. Instead she smoked in the cool silence of the evening, while texting Jake and trying to keep her smile in check. She didn't think he'd be at the party but then suddenly there he was, asking about her and wanting to meet up. If she was at all flustered by his need to seek her out, she wouldn't let it show. Instead savored it like the smoke she held between her lips before pushing out in a thick stream. And then he was there, edging towards her and she, clad in her leather jacket and leaning against the railing offered him a slow smile. "Hey yourself. What gave it away?" The thought made her laugh, and she indulged in that too because they always came easy with smoke...and him. "I usually need a break with parties. Too much noise, too much people. It's nice to be on my own, you know?"

Truth be told, he was more excited about seeing her there than the actual party itself. Sure, it was cool to celebrate the big win, but the icing on the cake had been her attendance in the first place. A single hand found it's way into the pocket of his jeans, the other still wrapped around the solo cup that had fueled his quickly rising blood alcohol level. "Just a guess," he replied smoothly before lifting the cup to his lips, it's contents not so smooth as it warmed his entire being. "Guess you could say I needed the break too." Between the congratulations and the offer of booze, he needed a moment to just... breathe. "Can't believe you're hearing my say this, but I could honestly call it a night right now and be completely fine," he admitted, tongue falling against his bottom lip as he glanced over her way. "Puff, puff, pass," he trailed off, brows rising teasingly as he leaned into her gently. "It was cool that you came tonight. I know football isn't really on your top list of things to watch, but it meant a lot." Even if he couldn't really explain it past that, it meant something. "Wasn't so bad, was it?"

"What, and miss out on all those offers? Crush the dreams of so many Ginsburg co-eds, wanting their chance with the star baller?" Painted lips parted in a grin, because she really enjoyed teasing him. Though, it served another purpose, her inquisitive nature wondering what he'd been up to. Having his attention, with the way it seemed so focused on her wouldn't fluster her as much if she knew he was distracted enough elsewhere. But then here he was, admitting to wanting to end his victory party early. "Calling it a night, does that mean the concussion's kicking in, or..." It was easy to keep her flirting lighthearted, and she took another slow pull before passing him her blunt. "I came out here specifically not to share that, y'know. But you did play a good game..." And he was always surprisingly sweet in that way of his, springing his honesty on her only to dart away, but she figured she'd keep him a little distracted from the get away a little longer. "It wasn't bad at all. Like I said, I don't mind going, when it's something I wanna do. And I wanted to go. Soak in the homecoming vibe. See you play. Without you knowing til later, of course."

“Can’t win ‘em all,” he exhaled, amused by her challenging words. Of course he had options, some more reliable than others, but it was hard wanting anything outside of what he currently had in her presence. It was confusing, yet perfectly satisfying all the same. “What’s your name again?” A quiet chuckle followed the playful question, her name practically etched into his mind at this point. Not that he’d ever admit to such a lame thing. “Well, you shoulda thought of that before you said I could tag along,” he trailed off, pulling his hand out of his pocket to carefully take the blunt between two fingers. As he had many times before, Jake lifted it to his lips, taking in a long inhale before releasing it into the night air. “Got any tips? Y’know, from what you saw?” Jake took another quick hit before passing it back, his curiosity getting the best of him as he smiled down at her, all too caught up in the moment and gentle head high that was slowly settling in. “You look gorgeous,” he complimented lowly, voice a quiet rasp. “Not that you don’t usually look good,” he added, stumbling over his own thoughts as he fought every urge to dip out.

"You're such a jackass," she replied, nudging him with her shoulder. Watching him take that hit, her kneejerk response had been concern. He seemed no worse for wear now, making light of it all, but it didn't change the fact that she had been worried. "I don't think you need any tips from me. You seem liked you knew what you were doing, and did it well." One look at his gameplay and it was easy to see why the program had been so dogged in recruiting him. Lauren might've been over football, but she knew football, and Jake was talented. She inhaled slowly, letting the smoke settle but his compliment, quiet and quick as it was caught her off guard. "Oh." the smoke billowed out behind it and she shook her head, the fuzzy feeling not the only reason her cheeks were flushed. She reached out, fingers brushing the nape of his neck, thumb barely grazing his dark curls as she offered him a smile. "Look at you, being all sweet tonight."

"Keep talking dirty to me," he shot back, taking her shoulder nudge with a quiet chuckle of amusement. Everything between them was easy, but then again, maybe that was just how she was. "C'mon, nothing at all? Alright," he nodded, tongue falling over his bottom lip in an arrogant manner. He knew he was good, but it never hurt to get better. Not that he'd ever ask anyone else for constructive criticism, that shit was reserved. Her short reply made him question if the compliment had been too much, or just enough? Either way, the few moments in between had been long enough to down the two, maybe two shots and a half of vodka he had left. It was her fingers against his skin that chilled him though, despite the booze warming his core. "I always think you're gorgeous," he shrugged, setting his empty cup on the railing in hopes it wouldn't be carried away by the gentle breeze that flowed all around them. "Shotgun me," he challenged, moving around to pin her against the railing, his hand on each of her. "Y'know, if you're up for that," he added, voice low as he smiled down at her.

Lauren rolled her eyes, but still managed to laugh because he had that effect on her. She really enjoyed their back and forth, even in those moments where she couldn't see where the hell his head was. Which was often. There were times when it was easy to read, maybe more than he realized. Like asking for tips on his game. She had no strong criticism of his skill, but found it interesting that he was so interested in knowing her opinion. And his reaction to finding out she'd been at the game and had seen him play. Lauren liked that he was eager for her attention, in that way, even if he was totally cocky about it. "I'll make you a list for later," she promised. Because she was distracted, maybe a little caught off guard by his compliment and the casualness of it all. Lauren watched him down the rest of his drink, his words still hanging between them, and she wondered how he was just able to do that. And it was her initial reaction to shrug it off as regurgitated moves he probably practiced on damn near every girl that crossed his path, but there was the other part that suspected it wasn't the case here. And that made her wonder why. But then he was standing in front of her, their difference in height never more apparent and issuing his request, as if framing it as a challenge would be the only way she'd give in... and Lauren licked her lips, needing to pause before she spoke. "You want something, then say it." Her fingers tightened at his neck, keeping him in place while she took a slow drag from the blunt, holding the smoke until her lips hovered near his, parting just enough to let the thick cloud escape in a steady stream to his mouth.

Even with a wild raging party unfolding inside, there was no other place the male wanted to be but outside with her. It wasn't something he could explain, nor was it something he wanted to. If questioned, he'd dodge it better than he dodged the defensive line of his opponent. "I'm still waiting on that playlist," he pointed out, more so a gentle reminder than anything. He was curious as to what she'd put on it; what she'd assume his musical taste would be. There was no doubt that she'd get it right though, because she was Lauren after all, and she'd proven herself quite resourceful over the month or so she'd been around. A whole month had been spent playing this game with her, not that he labeled it as such. He was genuinely interested in her, but was the feeling even returned? Did it even matter if it was? With his body hovering so close to hers, Jake swallowed hard, feeling incredibly high by the mix of her, the booze, and the blunt between them. Fingers curled around the railing tightly, fighting every urge within to kiss her the way he wanted to. Nodding, Jake leaned forward, forehead falling against hers as he inhaled her exhale of smoke, the smooth burn filling his chest as he lingered against her. After a few short seconds, Jake exhaled to the side, only to return his gaze to her. "What about you? Do you want anything?"

"I didn't forget about your playlist." She'd been distracted lately, by a healthy balance of schoolwork and social things, but in her spare time there'd been some serious effort put in to fulfill the promise she'd made to him in their early interactions. The smoke was heady and she welcomed the familiar fuzzed out feeling; it paired well with the moment they were in. The railing dug into her back, not in an uncomfortable way but a necessary grounding as Jake pressed closer, his forehead meeting hers. The questions, always with the questions. The lack of clarity would never not work her nerves, mostly because in this moment, what she wanted most was to figure out what the hell he wanted. The push and pull never made sense, considering his reputation and the rumors she heard and it was frustrating to feel like there was an extra step involved when it came to just their interactions. Making her work for the attention that he couldn't stop giving her anyway. And maybe part of her knew that wasn't the case, but she didn't really know anything. Because he wouldn't say anything. It was enough to irritate, but not knock her out of the moment. And that was definitely thanks to the smoke. Her grip loosened at his neck, fingers sliding to grip his chin, keeping her gaze level with his. "I want you...to tell me what you want, Jake."

"I didn't think you had." It wasn't like he knew her all too well, but he knew her well enough to know she wouldn't back down from a challenge. It was one of the many things he liked about her, not that he had a list or whatever. She was strong, independent, and seemingly unfazed by his antics, no matter how hard he tried. Then again, it wasn't like he'd put in a ton of effort for something he wasn't even sure she wanted. Knuckles lightened with his tight grip on the railing, an attempt to keep himself from running. He wanted her, wasn't that obvious? By the way his heart pounded against his chest and knees dared to give in, he assumed it to be so, but maybe it wasn't. "I want you," he hummed smoothly, eyes never leaving hers. He was supposed to be the confident jock who could have anyone he wanted, yet he'd never felt so fragile. One breath of rejection would be all it would take to make everything crumble, to burn whatever bridge they'd built in a month's time. He'd spent so long bouncing around the truth that finally uttering the words aloud left him scared for what was to come.

There was some weight in that 'want'. And with a clearer head, maybe she'd break it down. Dissect the details of it all, because it was deceptively concise. What was in that want? Something physical? Something more? It was too damn vague to tell. But it was honest. And the flicker of something in his eyes, something she couldn't exactly place, told Lauren as much that he'd meant it. So she kept it simple, taking his words at face value because it took no manual to interpret. Closing the distance, there was no hesitation in her movements, just a small hitch in her breathing before her lips met his in a bold kiss, fingers brushing at his jawline.

It wasn't much, but it was what she'd asked for, right? She'd asked what he wanted and against all odds, he'd admitted the truth. While most would've brushed it off, it was damn near impossible to water it down. He'd took a leap of faith and to his surprise, she'd matched his eager stride. No words were shared in agreement, but the feeling of her lips against his was all he needed. A single hand moved from the railing to rest against her face, a gentle attempt at keeping her close out of fear it'd end all too quickly. Tongue swiped teasingly against her lips as thumb rubbed gentle circles against her skin. Who needed liquor and weed? The only high he needed was against her lips.

Lauren leaned into his touch, lips parting with a moan when Jake deepened their kiss. It was a heady feeling, feeling her cheeks flush against the warmth of his hand and though the temperature outside was chilly she felt overheated. Her hand fell to his chest, fingers gripping his shirt to keep him close because she wasn't ready for the moment to end just yet. This wasn't her usual, making out with someone in a public place, where anyone could happen upon. But it was late enough, and she was buzzed enough, and he was tempting enough that those thoughts were put on the back burner.

Every part of him burned with a fiery desire for the female against him. The way her fingers lingered over his skin and lips hung against his made him want her that much more. The quiet moan that settled between them forced a hand to her side, fingers curling into the material of her shirt the way she gripped his. She was far more exciting than any house party and offered more of a high than even the win itself had given him. She was everything he needed in that moment and while their lips worked eagerly, he wondered if perhaps that statement extended past the moment. Not that it mattered. They were having fun, right?

A shiver raced down her spine and Lauren rocked against him. The noise of the party had long faded into the background, leaving only the sound of their lips meeting the gasps between them. He was so damn good at this, unfairly so, and Lauren chalked her up her responsiveness as instinct. She liked kissing, and Jake knew what the hell he was doing; she wouldn't overthink it. Instead she indulged, nipping at his bottom lip and soothing the hurt with a swipe of her tongue. The sound of shouts nearby made her jump, the chorus of voices from the passing pedestrians fading quickly, but breaking the moment between them. She leaned away--only slightly--head dipped back to the sky and she took a deep breath, licking her lips as her laughter pierced the quiet. "Shit..."

Was it bad that the football player wanted nothing more than to leave the party? Even with the limitless booze and chicks, all he wanted as to fade away in the safety of her suite, or maybe even his own room. To do what, well, he wasn't quite sure. Hand slid down to her throat, fingers curling into her skin lightly as she teased his bottom lip with her teeth. Just as quickly as it'd all started, it'd all came to an unfortunate end with a quiet laugh that left them both in need of air. "Tell me why we haven't done lately?" Jake grinned, forehead falling to rest against her shoulder as he bit back the wide smile that played on his throbbing lips. Sighing, the male pulled back, only enough to catch a full look at the female he'd yet to fully capture. "I think I could get used to these outside meetups if it means that'll happen every time," he teased, arms now wrapped loosely around her waist. "Even when it drops down to negative thirty out."

"'Cause we have to go to class at some point," she replied, still giggling. It was a good question. Not like she didn't want to. But with classes and all the extracurriculars on her plate, she was still working on getting the balance right for the new semester. Or at least, that was the simplest answer. Since that weird text conversation about homecoming and the situation they'd both misinterpreted, perhaps Lauren, even subconsciously kept her distance, keeping their interactions to online or in the case of the library, someplace neutral. But now was good, in the quiet and cold and her gaze met his. She flicked the remnants of the blunt off the rails as Jake's arms curled around her waist, and she draped hers on his shoulders, careful not to press down too hard on the one where he took the hit. Despite his insistence, she was sure it was still tender. "Think your fan club might miss you dippin' out at every party. And besides, once it hits the 30 degree weather you're not seeing me outside. Better enjoy it while you can."

“Do we? ‘Cause I’m pretty sure I could just wing it,” he teased, fingertips dancing against her back gently. He had football, classes, a tutoring service he wasn’t willing to admit to, and frat stuff that kept him on his toes. It was one reason, he assumed, that they hadn’t hung out as much. “You say that like you aren’t part of my fan club,” he grinned, quiet chuckle following. She was better than the girls who practically drooled over him and maybe that was one of the many reasons he enjoyed her company. Plus, she’d already asked more about him than anyone else had ever bothered to. “Southern girl isn’t built for the winter, huh?” Not that he could blame her, the snow could get wrecked. “You never said what you wanted,” he hummed, eyes flicking down to her lips to avoid her gaze. It was childish, but he was curious.

"You're ridiculous." It was paired with a smile, because everything felt hazy in a really good way and it might've been from the smoke but a tiny part (teensy, really) of it was him. She liked hanging around him, but he didn't need to know that, his ego didn't need anymore stroking. She was sure he'd gotten enough of that from the game. "Fan club? Me? Now I know you must be concussed..." Her fingers grazed the hair at the nape of his neck. "You're alright.   And please, winter is fine but freezing cold? Y'all can keep it." The light talk shifted once more, and Jake's words made her pause, briefly. "I wanted to kiss you" she told him simply, dipping her head to catch his lowered gaze. "So I did."

"Yet you stick around for some reason." For whatever reason that was, Jake couldn't complain too much. She'd put up with his bullshit on numerous occasions and yet, there she stood. Chuckling, Jake's head dropped momentarily, his tanned cheeks glowing a light shade of red (of which he'd blame entirely on the cold) and not because of her, of course. "What's a winter like down south? Does it drop below forty? Do the swamps freeze over? Educate me." If time allowed (and the party did too), he had no problem with staying outside and talking to her until the sun came up and everyone was ready to settle in. It was a good time and quite honestly, he needed a break from the chaos that erupted within the apartment behind them. "Great minds think alike," he joked, words easy as he leaned down, lips pressed against hers once more. This time it was softer and much shorter as he pulled back, smile wide. "You should want that more often."

"Well," she started, attempting to dim her smile because it wouldn't do to laugh in his face just yet. "I didn't say you weren't entertaining with it. I like ridiculous." It was too dark outside to completely make out his expression, but she felt the flush in his cheeks when she leaned in, briefly pressing her cold one to his warm skin. "See? Not used to the cold, but you are. It can hit below forty. It's snowed in New Orleans before. Nothing like up here, that's for sure. The swamps can freeze but ain't thick layers of ice. Wouldn't recommend trying to walk on it." Lauren welcomed the kiss, surprisingly tender as it was and Jake's grin when he pulled back only made her lean in again, cupping his still warm cheek to follow through on his words, letting her lips glide over his once more in a brief press. "Something to look forward to for next time."

“So, you like me?” It was just like Jake Puckerman to pick and choose what he wanted to hear. He smiled down at her eagerly, surprised at how easily she held his attention. Then again, he had no doubt that she had that affect on everyone. “Can’t say I wanna go ice skating with alligators doing their thing under me, waiting for the ice to shatter. Sounds like a death trap waiting to happen. Was last year your first big snow?” Growing up in Ohio, Jake knew all too much about snow and the monster it could be. Still, the north had it far worse than he ever did, but he was still better prepared than she was. Brows furrowed lightly as she pulled him down for another kiss, this one being a surprise as they parted once again. “Next time,” he nodded, thumb brushing against her bottom lip softly. “You tryna kiss me again next party or what? ‘Cause it sounds like it.”

Lauren rolled her eyes. "I don't offer my roommate's twin bed to any old rando frat guy." It was a good answer, the most neutral one her fuzzed out brain wanted to decipher at the moment. Because things were good and chill between them and he smelled nice...and she was definitely higher than she realized. She shook her head at Jake's question of snow, vaguely recalling a vacation with her family years ago. "Nope. Went to Colorado when it snowed, back when I was fourteen. It was so fuckin' cold but really pretty. I remember my thinking I wanted to live someplace where I could feel different seasons." Lauren sighed, feeling the heat on her lip from where Jake had touched her and she smiled at the question. "Guess you'll have to wait and see for the next party. You know where to find me."

"Maybe soon you'll offer up yours," he challenged, head shaking. They'd both expressed their dislike of the twin sized hell-bed, but part of him wondered what it would be like to actually fall asleep by her side. Then again, he shook the thought away before it lingered too long. That was dumb thinking, perhaps to be blamed on the booze and the head high that dared to consume him whole. "Colorado, huh? Shoulda been a cowboy or something." There was a song like that, right? "That's cool though. College was the first time I ever got out of Ohio. West sounds pretty badass though. Might have to fuck around and try it out sometime." Nodding, the body exhaled deeply and stepped back, allowing a bit of space between them as he glanced back at the party. "I hope you have a good night, Lo. Seriously, you deserve it."

Lauren didn't know how to respond to that, but then again, maybe it was better not to. She liked the way the question lingered in the air, the silence feeling less definite. 'Maybe' was a good place to be. Her hand cupped his cheek, thumb smoothing against his skin while listening to Jake reflect on his own travels. "You should get out there. Take a road trip sometime. It's beautiful." It could've been a song, the words he'd rambled, but her mind was blanking and it was just nice to be near him and not think too much. But soon he was stepping back and glancing towards the noise of the party and no doubt the crowds of people probably looking for him. The 'deserve' of it all confused her. She certainly didn't do much for that happen. Didn't play in a game that made all this celebration possible. Still, she nodded. "I'll be alright. Think I'm gonna head out in a little bit. But you get back. Enjoy your victory party."

He had a party to attend, even if part of him wanted to chill with her. He had an appearance to make, more so to celebrate the big win with those who were eager to congratulate him. Nodding, Jake took the words as encouragement. Maybe after he graduated, he'd have the means to see the world for what it was. Until then, he was good with google images. "It was cool you came," he shrugged, head buzz heavy. "I'll see you around." It was half a question, half a statement. Of course he'd be seeing her around, but when and where was the question. With that, Jake turned and headed back inside, only pausing at the sliding glass door for a few short seconds before being swallowed whole by the crowd inside.

[survivor-all-stars-blog]

EP 9: “I'll Be a Fucking Pawn For Y'all If It Saves My Ass" - Carson

FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK WHEN WILL THINGS ACTUALLY GO MY WAY?  NEVER. :/  

This sucks so much, y'all are awesome for getting Kait to her SECOND win.

That could've been cleaner. Yikes.

This vote obviously put me in something of a weird position. I was never going to vote Kait because of our alliance. And yes, I firmly believe she'd side with me over the alleged Malay-cult. She and I have been closer than a lot of allies I've had in these games so far. We're in lockstep, we're keeping each other sane, and we're not even talking exclusively strategy. The best alliances are formed by people who like each other's outlooks and attitudes, right? That's me and Kait right now.

I was also never going to vote Jack or Lydia because of our awesome Thotse quad with Wes. And I was not likely to vote Steffen unless there was a critical mass going his way. That left us with Ruthie (immune,) Carson and Jakey (on Kabru with me.) So, shit.

Anyway, I told MJ I might try to protect Jake if I could because they both want to work together. But the momentum started swinging his way, and it became even more locked in when he started targeting Kait. His best play would've been to target Steffen or Carson, and even then I'm not sure he could've rallied the votes. 

Not wanting to be totally screwed on Kabru after a blindside, I didn't really engage with Jake too much. He came to me asking me to vote with him, almost as a last resort I feel? We hadn't talked since the swap, and he only came to me at 6:30, even though I know for a fact he was talking with others throughout the day. He told me he had Ruthie, Jack and Steffen locked in. I knew the latter two just weren't true. So rather than give him false hope, I checked with the latter two that their votes hadn't changed, then told Jake the votes weren't as locked in as he thought. 

And he, somewhat predictably, lost his shit. He didn't want to accept that, telling me that if I voted for him, he'd stay... that my vote was the difference maker... that I was too far up Kait's ass to see it... that I needed to grow a fucking backbone... that I'm pathetic.... that I'm terrible at the game...

Yeah, I've played enough games by now to know nothing good comes from engaging in someone who's resorting to personal shots. So I disengaged. And I think Jake may have forgotten there's a second game going on, in his blind rage? As a multiple-time pre-juror, I know for a fact that it's so not worth getting upset over. Shit happens, the game doesn't break your way. But attacking people over it accomplishes exactly nothing. From what I hear, it sounds like I got off easy too. Apparently he ripped hard into Carson, Kait, Lydia and Jack too.

I don't like when people are sore losers. I don't like when people go for personal shots in a game that's meant to be fun. But I especially don't like when people do both of the above to my friends. Fuck that noise. Any chance of me wanting to work with Jake on Kabru went out the window with that, and I'm sure he feels likewise based on that vote. If it makes sense, I might vote with him as a matter of necessity, but he's not long for this game if I have my say. Bye Felicia.

Normally I would've been more upset about the vote being delayed a few hours, but between the extenuating circumstances out of the hosts' control and the fact that Jake still would've been in the One World chat anyway, nothing noticeably changed. So, fuck it, what's two hours of waiting?

Anyway I like slither.io. It's not my best game, but I enjoy it. Can't wait to put up a high score and show Jake that he's not God's gift to competitions. "Oh mind you I’m the best competitor on this tribe. Not tooting my own horn, just looking back at past performances."??? Like, fuck you? One unnecessarily long endurance run in an early comp doesn't mean we should all just bow down to your *~clear challenge superiority~*. Different people are skilled at different things. 

I'm so glad nobody responded to his diatribe in the OW chat. The last thing he needed was to be enabled. His perspective is just that – HIS perspective. It's clear he doesn't really have a grasp of how this game is playing out, or else he might not have been the one to go last night.

Gage is super duper cute! But he never responds to my messages, so I am super duper not happy about that! Like, Gage, please. C'mon, Gage. Get it together. C'mon. I sent him what I did in the adventure, and you know the response I got? It was a riveting, rambling silence. Like...? What!? Didn't Gage WIN once or something?? How did he manage that??? Did he sleepwalk there, or were the other people in the final tribal council just that bad? I am completely befuddled.

Oh MJ really just threw me under the bus eh? I can't believe I got the full Olympics experience in one night. Choke.

Oh not me getting one of the highest scores on both my tribes for a flash game!? What a foreign concept. 

safe in both games, so i have time to work on RELATIONSHIPS and read my book on how to win survivor so i can win this!!!!

please help

mj and pat treating me like pawns for the adventure! love it.

ill be a fucking pawn for yall if it saves my ass but an idol or something WOULD be nice.

In other news, Jimmy is the bee's knees. Yes, he is! He is so very cool! Yes, he's hip!

me and kait on call

i think theres an imbalance of trust between mj and i.

i trust him wholeheartedly as hes my only close ally, but he sees me as expendable from what i get from our conversations. he barely responds and i obviously seem to be of lesser priority? but idk maybe im just paranoid, but im holding on for dear life

me pressuring mj into sending his screenshots of his latest chats and seeing almost all of them are about the game! how iconic.

LISTEN I REALLY WANNA KILL THE OA TONIGHT. LIKE I WANT OWEN TO LEAVE. i'm just in this STUPID FUCKENING SPOT in the middle of jenn and jimmy and LOGI-WAN????????? IS LEAKING SHIT TO JENN THAT I WANT JENN OUT ??? OR SOME SHIT LIKE WHAT ARE YOU PLAYING AT SDGJSDKLSD;  GOD. 

i have more to say but i will wait for after class but i'm still like i legit don't know what i wanna do

i'm gonna need a pair of cargo shorts for all the people logi-wan thinks i have in my pockets!!!

Sorry that I've been kinda AWOL but it's because I've been feeling pretty shitty about my position in the game as a whole. I'm very lucky to have Matt in the game who is always willing to have strategic conversations that I know will provide me with a secure outlet that's not going to make my position even worse. I told him I planned on making a fake idol but idk if I'll go ahead with exposing that I have an "idol" to my tribe due to current changes in circumstances that I'll talk about later. Jakey's exposing of the tight Malaysian core alliance has made them change their tune which I'm really happy about because I'm sure I'm the target tonight (thanks Owen, you suck), but thankfully Jimmy exists and wants to work with me to pull off some move because the Malaysian's are going whack and he is thankful I saved him all that time ago back in Easter Island? I- I didn't do that much except kill my own game but thank you for willing to switch shit up! 

It looks like their might be a chance I will stay tonight, however there are several different stories being played out on this tribe. Logan told me flat out it's me. However Jimmy told me Logan approached him and Jenn to vote out Gage? I don't get why when clearly Gage showed him loyalty? I'm not complaining cuz it means the vote would not be on me. But I think it's gonna be on me since Jenn reassured that it probably was. So it would come down to MJ voting with Jenn/Jimmy over Owen/Logan. Alternatively I could be a total bitch and expose a plan if I'm totally unsure what to do, or 10 minutes before tribal I could post my fake messages and idol that I found to hopefully send them into a panic and switch their votes off me and onto someone not me. It's a tough position to be in cuz I don't want to reveal I've an idol and for it to backfire somehow, but also how it may look untrustworthy to my alliance if I "had" an idol and didnt "play" it. So hmm. I'm concerned because Gage seems to be going after Logan now but is trying to get Owen? I fear this is where it could blow up. 4 of these people are going to both tribals so it's a very tricky situation. If the plan falls apart, the votes might just all fall back onto me because I'm the "easy vote". I have to see what happens and make a calculated decision before tribal that will work in my favour.  

It could be game over, or game on. 

So like, I want Gage to go home. He is going to both tribals like Jenn, Jimmy, and Owen. Lydia and Owen are in the minority in Game B, so I'm thinking they're going to be easy boots because Gage is close to Kait. Well, I don't want that to happen, obviously. They're both my allies. But I'm also on good terms with Jenn and Jimmy, so I don't want them to go. Kait isn't an option because Kait isn't going to both tribals, and no one wants an angry, scorned Kait in the game. That's like leaving a provoked bear in the game. No thanks! Plus I'm good with her, too. That leaves Gage, and he made it super easy for me to want him gone by not speaking to me at all, lol. I sent you the receipts of my adventure, the least you can do is respond! Rude!!! Anyways, yeah, Gage should go. Also, he is trying to target me, I guess? Which is also not cool. Good Guy Gage is going down.

please god

WHOA I WON THAT IMMUNITY HUH!!!!!! im honestly not that worried if we lose just bc ik i have mj ruthie and matt on my side no matter what and that would at least tie it. but basically i tried to go on call with owen and kait to smooth over some relationships... i rly intended to work with owen if he would let me but he went and told kait the one piece of information i told him which was that i heard that lydia and kait made a deal to stay.. owen u rly know how to piss me OFF huh

i had a pretty good call with kait and i hope it was enough that if mj did keep me if we lose on tribe b, she wouldn't flip her shit and come after mj. mj is literally the saving grace of my game and ill do anything for him in this game. if that means i gotta be fake with kait and pretend like i wanna smooth things over and work together then ill do that. anyway ruthie is a legend and will win this season bookmark THAT

I've been laying SUPER low.  Like, I apologized to Kait and told her I was close to voting her out because she scares me as a player or whatever, but that I really wanted to work with her because we didn't get a chance to work together in Trashy, and then I also threw in how my good friend Ashley Sarah liked playing with her so much when Kait was catfishing in Canaries and hopefully we bonded a bit.  SHE FREAKING TERRIFIES ME but if working with her keeps me around longer, I'm all for it.  I'm not going to try to make anymore big moves for awhile because as much as I want to, I don't want to piss off the rest of the people in the tribes.  

My goal now is to stay close with Steffen, Steve and keep talking to Pat because he's just so nice.  He's genuinely the nicest person playing in my opinion.  I'm also going to stay close to Jakey, he's my number one, and I'm going to stay close to Carson as well, and just try to stay on his good side and stuff.  I don't want to take Carson to the end, there is no way.  As much as I love Steffen I'd rather not take him to the end either.  Jakey I could see, going all the way with but we both have to stay in order for anything like that to actually happen.  

I don't know if I made the right choice in putting my foot down about voting Jimmy over Gage. Every option seems bad in my opinion, but I think I've made it pretty clear I want Gage around, just to turn my back and vote him next time... I don't know. This will probably bite me in the ass somehow, like maybe Gage is lying to me and Lydia will end up going, or idk god knows what will happen....

Nobody has really talked to me since I went to dinner at 6:30... So part of me just feels like I'm getting clocked on both tribes. Either way, I guess I'll see what happens. 

I don't want this to be the end, really, and I don't know if it's smart to try and take control in a game where everything spreads like fire and is painfully obvious. I just gotta keep crossing my fingers, huH!

Time off???? from this game????? A concept! I don't know what to do with my hands.

gage is leaving????? maybe.... even tho i'd prefer owen leaving but... everything is so risky and shaky at this point im so KJDFHJKDHS NNNNNNNNNNNNNNN 

This may be my last confessional! I decided against playing the fake idol card because I didn't want it to blow up the plan currently in place. If it goes how I hope I should survive but I've still got low expectations. Secondly, I'm a bad explainer of things and I didn't want to get caught out and laughed at because I made a silly idol. It's a card I'll keep in my pocket if I survive. If not, I'll be thankful to those who tried to keep me in the game and I'll wish my allies luck in surviving. But fingers crossed and all the other stereotypical survival things to say. Lets goooooooo

I guess Gage is coming for me, so I had to switch my vote against him. If he knew how much I'd been doing to protect his ass, maybe he'd think differently.

It's a shame when people's stupid decisions prevent others from doing the right thing. Oh well! STUPID.

I had three calls the hour before tribal with Jenn, Lydia, and Owen and they were all concerned with getting Gage out, and then he gets voted out unanimously in both games. I'm glad all that time I spent trying to get him out wasn't wasted. Bye-bye, Gage! Don't target me next time, okay?

Whew I am so happy I survived but extremely sad that it came at Gage's expense. I really would've loved to work with him because he's honest, caring, charming etc. He's just a all round good guy and buddy. I'm also interested that suddenly I'm making a whole pack of new friends? Kait (although drunk) is talking to me for the first time since day 1 and secondly Owen has found his voice to chat to me! So I'm very interested to see what position this could put me in. I'm also shook that Matt thought my idol was real? I told him it was fake before I made it gdfihgkol. Maybe I should pull it out if it's convincing enough! Also I'm surprised Lydia came to me and goes "you're welcome". Um. I'm not sure you swung the vote on my tribe to Gage considering there was talk of it being him at lunchtime today? Like. I'm crediting Jenn and Jimmy for that one so sorry this isn't Port Royal and I'm a different player. Just cuz I'm in a shitty position doesn't mean I'm not beginning around for whatever scraps I can find. I HOPE this tribal is  turning point for me, but you hosts are sending us all to tribal again so I'll probably get taken out as the easy vote, but I trust Jenn/Jimmy to at least tie it for us.