#lyrical error that I missed. damn too late now

[par2geter]

I am very mentally sound…

And that sound is Sufjan Stevens

[maria-akira]

good girls don't get used: michael langdon x fem! reader — PART 2

—♡—

READ PART 1 HERE

summary: michael langdon, your ex, falls into a bet wherein he needs to (fake) date you. if he falls inlove again, he loses, and doesn't get the prize.

warnings: making out, pre-smut???, michael as a tiktok fuckboy, + me not proofreading this hahah sorry

italicized bold words are direct lyrics from the song :)

please excuse any errors. enjoy!

—♡—

It had been a few hours since Y/N arrived at home. She changed into an oversized shirt and a comfy pair of shorts. To be honest, she has never tutored anyone before, except for her baby brother Aaron. With Aaron it was just 1+1 or 2x3, you know? The basics.

"Mom, someone's coming over tonight!" She called out from upstairs,

"Who will?"

Y/N didn't know what to say. Her parents knew about Michael, and how they broke up. She didn't want her mom to know that it was him who would be coming over. Why hide it? She'll see him anyways.

"Michael! Michael Langdon!" Y/N went downstairs to finally face her mom.

"Wait, your ex?"

"Yeah.."

Her mom laughed, "Oh my, looks like something's gonna happen~" She said in a sing-song tone while she prepared dinner.

Y/N rolled her eyes, "Oh my goood mom! That was 2 years ago, he just asked if I could tutor him. Apparently, he's failing."

"He's what? Failing? Isn't he one of the top students in your batch?"

"Yeah, I honestly don't know what happened to hi—"

Ding Dong!

Oh my god, She felt her heart beating fast.

Y/N walked to the front door and opened it, and there he was. Michael Langdon in his grey sweatpants and black hoodie.

"Hey, Y/N." Michael greeted, giving her a smile.

Y/N looked him up and down,

"Hi." She gave him a sarcastic look and stepped out of the way, gesturing him to come in.

Y/N's mom squealed, "Oh my, Michael! Look how you've grown!" She squeezed him into a hug and it made Michael laugh.

Aaron came down the stairs to see what the fuss was about. When he saw Michael, he rushed towards him and hugged his thigh.

"Michaeeeelll!! You're here!" Aaron giggled

Aaron loved Michael a lot. When Y/N and Michael were still together, he would always play with him.

"Hey, slugger! Now you've grown alot too, huh?" Michael kneeled down to his height and ruffled his hair, "Yup! I'm a big boy now." Aaron said proudly with his chin up.

Slugger. That was the nickname Michael gave him.

"Is Michael staying over?" Aaron pouted and gave her puppy eyes.

Y/N panicked. How was she gonna explain?

"Well, he actually came over to study for school, but he—"

"Of course I'll stay over! Anything for you, slugger." Michael cut her off. Y/N widened her eyes, making a 'what the fuck are you doing?!?!' expression at him.

Y/N faked a cough, "Aaron, go stay with mom okay? Michael and I will be studying now."

Aaron whined and crossed his arms. "But I wanna play with Michaaael!!"

"You'll do that later. After all, he said that he'll be staying over." She looked over to Michael and gave him a sarcastic smile.

—

After a few moments of arguing with Aaron, Y/N and Michael finally went upstairs. "Your room changed alot." Michael said as he looked around her room for the first time in 2 years. Once Y/N shut the door, she stormed over to Michael.

"Langdon what the fuck was that down there?!?! I only allowed you to come over, not stay over! Where will you even sleep?!"

"In a bed, duh."

Y/N slapped his forehead, causing Michael to wince at the pain.

"Are you that stupid?! Sleep on the fucking floor!" She hid her face in her hands out of frustration, then lifting her head again. "You know what? Fuck it. I don't care anymore."

—

"So if you move negative four here, what will you get?" Y/N asked, pointing her pencil on the equation. It's now 8PM, Michael and her were studying the last subject for the day, which was Math.

Michael analyzed the problem, then wrote down the answer. "Fifty.. three?" He slid the paper to her direction. While Y/N was checking his solution, he received a message from Duncan.

Dunc 🖕🏻: how's tutoring going?

Michael: its fine ig, lmao im staying over 😴

Dunc 🖕🏻: yooo what?? where you gonna sleep?

Michael: beside her? idk im still gonna play video games with her brother so i guess i'll sleep beside her 😶

Michael: brb shes done checking my solution

"Michael," She called for his attention, He let out a hum in response. "Your solution is correct.. But to avoid confusion, change this into an arrow instead of an equal sign, because it isn't the final answer yet." Y/N pointed out his mistake and circled it with a mechanical pencil.

Michael smiled. despite this 'trying to get her trust back' thing, he thought that Y/N was adorable like this. Focused with academics. He admired her alot.

Y/N looked over at Michael, "Langdon, are you even listening?" She snapped her fingers in attempt to catch Michael's attention.

Michael went back to reality, "Yeah. I get it now, thanks Y/N." Michael got his paper back and saw all the check marks. While Michael was distracted with his paper, Y/N stood up and streched. "They're all correct?" He looked up at her and asked in fake disbelief. Y/N rolled her eyes, "Duh, what are all the check marks for, dimwit?" She furrowed her eye brows and made her way to the door.

She glanced over at the clock beside her mirror, it was already 8:15 PM. "Hey, we have to go down for dinner now." She looked over to him and opened the door. Michael stood up and made his way to the door, stopping by the mirror, "Damn, I'm hot." Michael said as he praised his reflection in the mirror. When Y/N heard this, she furrowed her eyebrows and looked at him.

"Yeah sure, maybe in a different planet." She insulted, playfully hitting his arm.

"Oh c'mon Y/N, you miss me." Michael leaned on the wall with the support of his arm. Y/N shut the door.

"What makes you say that, Langdon?" She crossed her arms and leaned against the door.

"I've seen the way you look at me, baby. Admit it, you miss me, you wanna kiss me, you wanna be mine all over again."

"Don't hit me with your 'say you miss me, say you wanna kiss me.' shit, Langdon. I'm not that stupid," Y/N pulled on the neckline of Michael's hoodie, signalling him to come closer. Now, their faces were a few centimeters apart.

"Let's face the facts here, Langdon. Actually? you want me." She pulled him even closer, her lips ghosting over his. Michael moved closer in attempt to kiss her, yet to no avail. Y/N smirked and pushed him away. "You know, you're better than that." She gave him a little tap on the cheek and left the room, slamming the door in his face.

Michael was speechless. Y/N did change, a lot.

—

"So what brings you here, Michael?" Y/N's father asked, eating a slice of steak that was on his plate. "I'm currently failing some of my classes and I asked Y/N if she could help me. Luckily, she agreed." Michael looked over to Y/N and gave her a smile. She kicks him under the table, causing him to flinch.

"Will you be staying over, Michael? It's getting late." Y/N's mother asked this time, "If that would be okay with you, Mrs. Y/L/N." Michael replied, looking over to Y/N again.

Well, let's say that everyone looked at Y/N after Michael said that.

The silence made Y/N glance at them, "Why are you all looking at me..?" She said in a confused tone, her mom shot her a 'is it okay if he sleeps in your room' look. Y/N sighed, "Fine, he'll sleep in my room." Now, everyone went back to what they were doing.

After dinner, Y/N's mom called up Michael's parents to inform them that he would be staying for the night.

Y/N was washing the dishes tonight, and of course Michael volunteered to help her.

"Why did you even volunteer? You hate washing dishes, Langdon." She said as she cleaned a dirty plate with the soap filled sponge.

"Oh c'mon, Y/N. Can't I change?" He replied, rinsing one of the dishes that Y/N cleaned.

Y/N scoffed, "You? Change?"

Michael elbowed her side, "Hey, I did change!"

"Whatever." She went back to what she was doing cleaned the rest of the dishes, ignoring Michael's statement.

After a few more dishes, her hair started to slip away from the loose ponytail she made earlier. Her hands were slippery and full of soap, if she were to wash her hands and fix her hair, then go back to washing the dishes, her hands would be wet again. Plus, the drying towel was on Michael's side. So she asked for his help.

"Michael," Her voice was soft. Softer than usual. "Yea?" Michael replied, still rinsing the dishes.

"Can you please tie my hair up? It's slipping away."

"Hold on." Michael shook the water off his hands and dried it using the towel beside him, while Y/N turned her back over to his direction. Michael removed the hair tie and bit on it. He started gathering her hair from the top, combing his fingers through her soft, silky hair. He was very gentle. After he gathered her hair, he removed the hair tie from his teeth and tied her hair, careful not to tug too hard.

Y/N turned around to face him, "Hm, maybe you did change," Michael was curious when she paused. "Because you used to be so aggressive when you tied my hair." She joked and finished off the dishes that were left.

—

It's now 11 pm. Michael is in Aaron's room playing video games, and Y/N is alone in her room, doing some extra school work that was due for next week.

Like any other Friday night, girls like Y/N's age would be out partying like there was no tomorrow. After that one time she was really drunk and a guy touched her inappropriately, she never went out partying again.

Once Y/N finished her school work, she decided to take a shower. She wanted to take advantage of Michael's absence and stay in the shower longer than usual. Like a typical teenage girl, she would blast music in the shower, dancing and singing like she had a whole audience to perform for.

Y/N wrapped a towel around her body and left the bathroom to get her clothes from the dresser. Little did she know, Michael was back from her brother's room.

"I see you still have that body, huh?" Michael smirked and looked her up and down. Y/N turned around to see Michael on her bed. Her instincts told her to scream and throw an object at him, so she did.

"What the fuck are you doing here?!"

"Chill, it's not like you haven't sent me your nudes before." Michael dodged whatever she threw at him and laughed.

"Yea, and I regret sending those to your ugly ass. If I could turn back time, I would've sent them to your hot bestfriend, Duncan was it?" She turned around again to get her clothes from the dresser. Michael walked over to her and grabbed her neck from behind,

"What did you fucking say?" He growled in her ear. She smirked and bat her eyelashes innocently at him.

"I said, I would've sent them to Duncan. You should set me up with him, hm?" Y/N knew what she was doing, "Aww, is little Mikey getting jealous?" She mocked in fake sympathy. She removed his hand from her neck, turned around to face him and gave him a pout. 

Michael was furious. What has gotten into him? He doesn't even love her. He just fell into a stupid bet just to fuck some girl's pussy after he fucks with her ex's feelings. But why does he feel like this? Like he needs to have Y/N only for himself?

Before Y/N went back to the bathroom to get dressed, she just had to get on Michael’s nerves again, as if she wasn’t already. At this point, she could literally see fire in his eyes. He was really mad. But why?

"Look at you, Mikey. You can't respond when you react." She giggled and gave him a quick nose boop as the cherry on top for her little act. But she wasn't getting away so fast. When she turned her back on him, Michael aggresively wrapped his hand around her neck and pulled her, securing an arm around her waist.

"Where do you think you're going, you little shit? You aren't getting away easily after that stunt." The grip on Y/N's throat slowly tightened. "W-Wh... Why are you so mah-d.. Huh?" She managed to choke out.

Michael left soft kisses against her neck, while slowly loosening the grip on her throat. "See, Mikey? You're the one who misses me." Y/N whimpered, using her free hand to pull on Michael's hair in hopes of prying him off, but he was stubborn. Y/N whispered in his ear, "Whatever it is you're trying to do, Langdon, I'll never give in." She pushed her elbow into his ribs, causing Michael to groan. Finally, Y/N goes back to her bathroom to get dressed.

Once she leaves, Michael punches the nearest wall in frustration. He hated rejection. The girls that he usually fucked with never turned him down, they always wanted more. Why wouldn't it work on Y/N?

Michael sat on the long side of her bed, still thinking about what happened earlier. He couldn't believe that she could play with him like that. It made him look like he was the desperate one, which he is.

He took out his phone to text Duncan about what happened.

Michael: yo dunc, something happened

Dunc 🖕🏻: what happened? slr i'm at a party

Michael: bro she's a tough little shit. i did the usual thing that i would do to another girl, she didn't give in at all. instead, she's playing with me.

Dunc 🖕🏻: lmao man step up your game, she isn't your usual girl

Michael: dumbass you think i'm not?

Dunc 🖕🏻: duh??? if you were actually stepping up your game then you would've fucked her there and then 🙄

Michael: whatever.

Once he heard her bathroom door open, he immediately hid his phone back in his pocket. He looked over his shoulder to see Y/N already dressed in her pajamas. Michael didn't know what to do. His angelic side says to 'go and say sorry', yet his devilish side says to 'try harder and fuck with her feelings even more.' Of course, it was obvious what is choice was.

Y/N plopped herself on the bed and grabbed her blanket that was near Michael. She then placed the blanket over her and locked eyes with him.

Michael crawled beside her and placed the blanket over him as well. They are a few inches apart. Y/N turned the TV on, clicking on Netflix. Though she tried her best to ignore Michael, she can't help but think about what happened earlier. She liked it. No, she loved it. She loved the fact that she was able to get on Michael's nerves, and how he reacted to it. It was hella attractive to her, and the smell of Michael's perfume wasn't helping her either.

Now, Y/N was watching some cartoon show that she loved. "Are you kidding? You still watch cartoons?" Michael complained, gesturing at the TV. "Yea? What about it? I bet you only watch porn." She shot back and pulled the blanket towards her, leaving Michael without it.

Michael laughed, "I just can't believe a girl like you would watch cartoons. I find it cute." He pulled the blanket towards him, sticking his tongue out to tease her.

A few minutes passed by and Michael was on his phone, scrolling on TikTok. The same sound that kept repeating for almost a minute caught Y/N's attention. Was he watching the same video?

Y/N paused the TV and looked over to Michael's direction, averting her gaze to his phone. She took a good look at the video. a shirtless boy with a gold chain, with LED lights in their room.

"You've been watching that video over and over again, Langdon. Do you like him or something?"

"Yea, I like myself."

Like myself? Oh my god, no.

"What do you mean..?" That can't be him in the video.

"That's me."

Y/N's mouth dropped, "Wha— huh? How? I mean, yeah.. but?"

Michael let out a laugh that he had been holding in, "But what? Look, I'll show you." He handed her his phone, which allowed Y/N to have a closer look of the video.

"So you're telling me you blew up on tiktok by thrusting a phone on your pelvis??" Y/N stared at the amount of likes, a fucking million.

"Uh, yeah? That's how TikTok works? Look at the comments." Michael tapped the comments icon and Y/N scrolled through it.

'yo im down bad 😫'

'can we keep him a secret pls'

'chill i have a bf..'

'break my back 🤪'

Y/N bursted out in laughter, "Oh my god, if only they knew." she gave his phone back and Michael looked at her with a puzzled look.

"Knew what?" He asked, "You couldn't even 'break my back' two years ago, Michael!" She said in between giggles. "That was two years ago, Y/N! Two fucking years. I was a virgin!" Michael defended himself, then immediately realizing what he said.

Y/N wasn't aware that she was Michael's first.

"Wait Y/N, the last part isn't tru—"

She smirked and grabbed her phone from wherever she left it. She opened Twitter and decided to tweet about what Michael said, just for fun.

just wanted to let yall know that @m_langdon admitted that 2 years ago he lost his virginity to me 🤩

"What are you typing and why are you smiling?" Michael asked with a hint of fear in his voice. He feared that Y/N would do something that would tear his reputation down.

Y/N gave him a mischievous grin, "Oh nothing, just tweeted about what you said."

Michael's face fell, and Y/N hit the tweet button.

"Did you twee—"

"Yeah, go check your Twitter. I tagged you too."

Michael shot her a slight glare and went to his Twitter.

Y/N's tweet already had 5 retweets, 14 likes, and 8 replies.

"You did not." Michael said, shocked at how she would do something like this. "Ooh sorry babe, I just did." She faked a pout and formed a letter 'L' with her hand.

Michael felt embarrassment fill him, he wanted to scream at her so bad. He never thought that she would go this far. She was never like this.

He took a deep breath, "Why did you tweet that?"

"And you have the audacity to ask why?"

"Delete that tweet, Y/N." His voice was demanding and dark.

"Or what?"

Michael slowly started to kneel on the bed and hover over her. "You don't want to know."

Y/N smirked and fixed her posture, "Infact, I'd like to know. Care to tell me?” 

Michael clearly wasn’t having any of her shit, he was more than angry. He wanted to release all of his frustrations, and he was gonna do that. 

He trapped her by placing a leg on each side of her left thigh. Surprisingly, Y/N did not shrink against the headboard of the bed. She remained in her place. Their faces are centimeters apart now, 

“Now what, Langdon? Just gonna stare at me? Pathetic shit.” She cupped his face and stroked his cheek mockingly, then dragging her thumb against his bottom lip. 

“Shut the fuck up.” Michael swatted her hand away and crashed his lips again hers. The kiss was so intense, Michael hasn’t kissed any girl like this, it was a foreign feeling for him, and especially for Y/N. Michael’s free hand started roaming throughout her body, tickling her soft flesh. Meanwhile, Y/N was tugging on Michael’s hoodie, “Take this off.” She pulled away from the kiss and gasped for air. Michael took off his hoodie and revealed his naked chest infront of her.

Y/N felt weak. She wanted to fight this feeling so bad, which was lust. But it was too late.

"Fuck me, Michael.." Y/N whimpered, ashamed of her current state. Michael ran his thumb over her bottom lip, "What was that? I didn't catch it." He pouted, teasing her. Y/N couldn't believe herself. She promised herself that she would never fall for any of Michael's antics, yet here she is— completely submitting to him.

Y/N cleared her throat, "Fuck me please.." Michael cocked his head to the side, amused. He was enjoying this. He loved it so much. He finally had Y/N where he wanted her to be, wrapped around his little finger.

Michael's lips ghosted against her cheek, his breath warming up her skin. "Gladly."

And it begins now.

—♡—

this took me like 3 weeks im sorry 😔 nonethelEEEESSSSS i enjoyed writing this despite some breakdowns here and there <3

tags (ily all sm <3): @kitwalker02 @angelicmichael @deademobitch @iheartfrogs101 @tatestripedsweater @mrs-march-ahs @no-mercy-bby @hawtghostgirl @vixemi @antichristwifey @bitchchatter @fallwiththesun @booksandfandomsarelife1 @roseelizabeth666 (im sorry if i missed anyone!!)

—♡—

[wornoutmouse]

Can I request a bakugou x reader quirkless high school au song fic based on the song, " Bad Boy" by Queen Naija (Reader isn't really a 'good girl', but she stays out of problems, keeps to herself, and doesnt like drama. She just has a chill vibe likes listening to R&B shit like that.) please and thank you!💖

Ima tell you this right now. I don’t know how to write a song fic so this is going to be trial and error. Also this song ruined my life, my subconscious learned the lyrics immediately and I only listened to it 4 times. This is not my type of music. I don’t need it in ma brain fam!! 

I never really had a bad boy

You know I've always been a good girl

You lived your life as a master in the art of minding your business. Although you were in the one class in the whole school that couldn’t get a break from excitement, you were able to flawlessly blend into the seams. Of course it wasn't on purpose. You just liked to be in your own bubble. You got good grades and didn’t take part in extra curriculars. An excellent background character.

It wasn’t until you were partnered with the class loud-mouth Katsuki Bakugou, that your life started to take a turn for the better. 

Crazy how it happened so fast boy

The way you rocking my world

Anyone could easily tell you two were opposing forces like oil and water. But as corny as it was, the connection was immediate. Your first plan was to only speak when needed and drown out the white noise with music. Working silently was obviously a struggle for your partner because the next thing you knew, one side of your hearing was exposed to the buzzing excitement of your class.

“What crap are you listening to extra?��� You looked at him blandly, one would be a fool to take offense from anything Bakugou says. You watched his face scrunch together in concentration and you could tell that he liked what he was hearing. For the rest of the class hour, you shared headphones and song interests, and for the first time, Bakugou wasn’t yelling.

Yeah, you're my distraction

Love our connection

He often joined the family for dinner and could even hold fluid conversations with your mother without missing a beat or falling behind. 

It didn’t take long for him to even invite you to his own home as well. While your must tastes were similar, home life and house decor were largely different. You found yourself spending hours with his father, gushing over baby pictures of Bakugou, and dinner was quite the spectacle as you watched him and his mother play ping-pong with insults while you enjoyed new Japanese cuisine.

I see so much when I look at you

You got potential

It became a bit of a routine. He would come over your house, your room would be filled with the warm gooey vibes of soul and r&b and you would day dream your worries away. At some point, Bakugou had become a key item to your way of living. 

When you two were alone, he surprised you by toning down his brash attitude and seemed genuinely interested in your aspirations. “So when you graduate, you’ll still have to take another 8 years of college plus 1 more of residency?!” You nod as you eat a spoonful of Cinnamon Crunch. “Why are you acting so surprised, you want to be the president.” Bakugou shrugged with a small smirk on his face, “Yeah but that’s plan B.”

Time is essential

But I'ma take my time with you

Cause you need it

It was Thursday and at 5am when Bakugou called you. He was drunk and angry, cursing with every sentence. You quickly went to pick him up in your mom’s car as fast as you could. An upset Bakugou was a menace to society and if he felt that he needed to call you this late, it must be serious.

You just need someone to keep it real with you

And I see that

“Fucking bitch!” He slurred, leaning against your car door. “That’s not nice Bakugou, at the end of the day that’s still your mother.” You focused on the road trying to avoid flinching whenever he randomly got loud. “You don’t understand. She won’t fuking listen, ion what to be a damn lawyer.” 

You glance wearily over at him downing the rest of his bottle. “I’m assuming she denied the architect's idea.” “What do you fucking think! Old lady want’s me to “continue the family business” like hell!”

I'ma be the one to plant that seed in you

You don't gotta worry

You sighed and made a sharp turn into a Target parking lot. “What the hell we doin ‘ere?” You park and turn the car off, you knew your mom would kill you if you stayed out too long, but this couldn't wait. 

“Katsuki, I’m going to tell you this right here and now. Sometimes adults think they are doing the best for you but they aren’t and you gotta show em that by doing what you think is the best for you and doing it well.”

I won't judge you from your past

I know you're not my first

Bakugou looked at you with slow blinking eyes before scooting closer in his seat. You allowed him to take hold of your face, and didn't look away as his finger rubbed gently along the curve of your lips.

“If you don’t want this….please...tell me to stop.” His face was red, the air was thick and something that was always there, ignited as your lips met.

With drunken strength, he pulls you onto his lap and feels gently along your body as you tug on his lips with your teeth. The car was filled with hormones and heavy breaths as you got more desperate, but not once did he try to undress you. It was him that pulled away first, “What’s wrong?” you asked, out of breath and concerned, but he only shook his head with a wide grin on his face. 

“Marry me.

But I'll make sure that you're my last

We live two different lifestyles babyBut we can change that

“Huh?” you laugh breathlessly, not believing your ears. “Marry me.” You feel your heart speed up so much so you could almost hear it. “But we’re so young, Bakugou, are you sure?” Bakugou cards his fingers through his hair with a determined look on his face. “Of course not now! But in the future.” You cross your arms and look down at him, “You're not messing with me are you Katsuki?” He scoffed, “Do I look like I’m joking you damn nerd?”

Just promise not to hurt me

Cause you know I told you that

You hold out a pinky, “Promise me then.” Bakugou jokingly pretends to bite your finger, “Are you serious right now?!” You huff indignantly, “Promise me Bakugou.” He rolled his eyes, “Ooo, pulling out my last name like that. Fine, I’ll be weird with you just this once.” 

He holds out his pinky finger and loops it with yours. “I promise that as soon as we graduate, I’ll make you mine.” You share another kiss and watch the sun rise over the large Target building without a care in the world.

I never really had a bad boy

You know I've always been a good girl

Crazy how it happened so fast boy

The way you rocking my world

[thefloatingstone]

Re Samurai Pizza Cats/Kyatto Ninden Teyandee, I have watched it both subbed (original) and English dubbed (basically rewritten) and found I liked the sub MORE because it’s just so gorram ridiculous. XD Both versions are silly and fun but all the English puns and references always get me. You said to ask you about it, what are your facts and opinions?

I need to rewatch SPC because I have not seen it in literally YEARS but I caught it on tv when I was 5 or 6 and it formed a very large basis and foundation for my sense of humour. So I hope that answers that question, KidK XD and also as an adult I think the character designs are GENIUS, and I absolutely love that the style of the show is anthropomorphic animal characters in Edo period Japan but everything is mecha robots. It’s so fucking amazing.

(She’s a teahouse waitress who is a sheep… and her traditional period-accurate hairstyle is actually missle launchers that fire when she gets angry even though most of the time she’s extremely demure and feminine. That’s fucking amazing)

I actually own a cel of this show.

BUT ANYWAY!!!So here’s what’s up with the dub;

So, the original show was called Cat Ninja Legend Teyandee and is a parody comedy show. Making fun of various tropes in anime and Japanese television. Hence the whole mecha/Edo period fusion style it has.

In the early 90s when many anime and Japanese programming were getting bought by American studios to dub, edit and release for American audiences, SABAN (the guys who did the American Power Rangers which is a re-edit of a Japanese Sentai show) got hold of 52 episodes of the 54 episode series. (the 2 episodes left out were clip shows)

Here’s the problem tho… they recieved all the footage and everything…. EXCEPT the scripts. It’s unclear if the scripts were completely missing or if they were too badly translated to use. Either way, SABAN now has a Japanese show in Japanese, which none of the writers could speak, and they need to dub this show.

So…. what did they do to fix this?

They said “FUCK IT!” and wrote their own damn scripts for the show, going off of the visuals and just making it up as they went.

This is why characters like the Shogun who is obviously supposed to be a fox is referred to as a rat in the dub and named “the big cheese”.

The approach to the comedy in the dub was to go for rapid fire jokes thrown in as fast as they could think of them, creating a sort of Animaniacs style comedy show full of pop culture references, making fun of anime cliches which they didn’t even know were anime cliches, pointing out weird continuity errors, and just generally writing as much as they possibly could. Even the titleof the show was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles parody

They even had the voice actor for one of the characters sing the ending theme… which he did while he was pretty drunk.

One of my absolutely favourite fucking lines in the end credits is “We hope you liked the show, it’s the best that we could do.”

The Samurai Pizza Cats dub is considered to be VASTLY superior to the original Japanese version of the show, which plays more like your average late 80s early 90s comedy show, but not one that really stood out or was really THAT special. Despite its cool designs and setting. It was just kinda average in its jokes and writing.

However, due to the complete batshit handling of how the dub was written almost every single moment in the dub is pure gold.

As a result, the dubbed version of the show is how most DVD and Blu Ray distributors tend to release it, simply because it is an objectively better show.

And that’s the story of the SPC dub.

(Below is the first episode if anyone is curious)

Edit: omfg one of the lyrics in the fucking intro is “As soon as someone finds the script we might begin the show”

consider ☕️Buying me a Ko-fi ☕️

[roswelldetails]

RNM 2x10 - American Woman

EPISODE SUMMARY:

SECRETS OF THE PAST — After uncovering a cryptic message from the past, Alex (Tyler Blackburn), Isobel (Lily Cowles), Max (Nathan Dean), Michael (Michael Vlamis) and Maria (Heather Hemmens) set out in search of answers at the reservation where Alex’s mother grew up. Meanwhile, Cameron (guest star Riley Voelkel) encourages Liz (Jeanine Mason) to reach out to someone from her past after Auturo (guest star Carlos Compean) gets detained. Marcus Stokes directed the episode written by Rick Montano & Vincent Ingaro & Jason Gavin (#210). Original airdate 5/18/2020. 

DETAILS:

Tripp brings Louise to the Reservation in a body bag where the Navajo doctors are able to save her life.

"Your message said that you were gonna bring two women that would be no trouble.  This looks like a lot of trouble."

"I must have gotten the codes wrong."

"No, don't give me that Manes man nonsense. Not here in my own home."

"Her name is Louise. I promised her friend Nora I'd protect them. My brother triggered an ambush before I could get them here. And Nora…"

"Wait, what does the Air Force want them for?"

"They're not from around here. They're from...up north."

"Yìiyáh. No. She can't stay here… What if your brother comes here and finds a fugitive.  I can't put my people at risk for a white woman."

"Please. You're the only person I trust. If she doesn't make it, it was all for nothing."

"I'll have you remember that I was the one that saved your ass in Okinawa. I don't owe you anything. I'm only doing this because you're my family. And because I'm a damn fool."

A few notes on this scene:

--I don't know why Tripp pretends he got the codes wrong.  Unless he's spiraling and talking about the timing of the attack.  But it seems like he means the message that he was bringing them to the reservation.  Clearly things didn't go according to plan.  Though, it is always possible that we're still missing bits of the story.

--OG Easter Egg.  "They're not from around here.  They're from up north." For anyone who didn't watch OG, this is almost exactly how the exchange went when Max told Liz he was an alien in the 1999 pilot.

--Yìiyáh - I found nothing on this word.  I'm assuming that it's a curse word or general exclamation of negativity, but literally got zero results on google. It's possible, of course, that it's misspelled in the captions.  There were a lot of errors in the captions in this opening scene.

--While there really isn't any overt statement that Alex is half Navajo and this town is part of Navajo Nation (which has been in the news a lot lately and therefore is a good place in this country to be aware of), there's lots of clues or subtle enough statements that I feel like it can be accepted as fact, since: Harrison is a codetalker, the necklace is Navajo, tsela is a Navajo word. So I did a little peeking and it could work.  The closest Navajo town is about a 4 hour drive from Roswell.

Navajo Nation: 

(side note - Navajo Nation has extreme poverty but also is utterly gorgeous. And the Tribe gets income from tourism. Just a few places there that I'm dying to go? Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Shiprock.  Check it out.)

Liz comments on Max's irregular heartbeat, with literally no acknowledgment of the fact that she's straddling him and has a history of causing his heart to race...and other forms of lack of control (think 1x03).

"I'm excited about this though. You know Alex dug up all that info on our bio Mom. You sure you can't come?"

"Got to take my dad in for his blood tests. I want to check on Jenna too.  Cannot believe she's back in the hospital again."

"She's been in pain for weeks. I have no leads on the mysterious hunting van, and Charlie hasn't made contact."

"Hmm. To be fair, I do hear that phone service is a little spotty in flying saucers."

"Okay, I get that. You think my alien abduction theory is bogus."

"I know you're worried that this has something to do with you, but I don't think this is an alien thing."

"Cam and I had fractal burns on our necks. We had no memory of what happened. That's alien stuff. I just want clarity on something."

--Note that it's past time to abandon all hope of anything resembling a defined timeline for this show...once again we have weeks passing between episodes. This is the second time this season that the time passing has only been generically described as "weeks".  It's been at least a year since Liz came back to Roswell (per her conversation with Diego), but a year would be summer (late May or early June, specifically), and in this episode Isobel mentions that it's winter (which would be a year and a half).

Maria's pitch:

"In conclusion, esteemed members of the Roswell Tourism Board, while the Pony is normally a sanctuary for locals during CrashCon, I think that my plan to turn it into the Contact Cantina Pop-Up Bar will be a hit with alien fans."

"We're talking more money than we first speculated, aren't we now?"

"You know, Mayor Bernhardt, I forgot to tell you about our new morning cocktail… It's coffee, vanilla cream, and our best bourbon. Let me get you a double."

Note: so this is the famous Mayor Bernhardt. Funded by the Long family. Doesn't like immigrants. Had a racist relative who wouldn't give first prize to the black man.

Maria's vision…

Herself, younger, sitting at the Pony bar. 

"You have to let me go! You're just crazy! And I'm trapped!"

And then she runs from the bar crying.

She's not wearing the necklace.

Describing it to Michael:

"I had a vision, but it was more like a memory. Of a fight I had with my mom when I was younger."

Isobel interrupts Michael and Maria to pick them up for the road trip. Just a few relevant excepts from this scene:

"Pack your bags. We're going on a family road trip."

"Is this why Max wanted the day off?"

"In the photo of Max and Isobel's bio Mom, there was a water tower. Alex recognized that water tower from the town where his mom grew up. You should come with us."

Alex and Forrest talk in the Crashdown:

"Hope that limp isn't from a paintball injury."

"Nope. Those bruises have mostly healed. I just got a new prosthetic. Takes a minute to get used to. You working on your book?"

"I write my book on my computer.  However, I write my angsty emo poetry in an angsty emo journal."

"I'm actually working on some poetry myself. Well, song lyrics, technically. It's a lot harder than it was in high school."

"Yeah, writing was easier for me when I was a kid too. Feelings...we bury 'em now. You just got to find that thing inside of you that doesn't have a voice. Lend it yours. You know? Listen, I have like, zero musical talent, but if you need help with the worst part, we could, uh…"

"Actually I'm leaving tomorrow for a few days to go talk to some recruits."

Michael interruptus, and the conversation goes casual.

--What happened to "angsty nerd isn't really my type." Or...was it FORESHADOWING!!!?! 😂

--Oh hi there clear shot of Forrest's clearly Deep Sky logoed ring…

Cam has been having debilitating migraines that have been keeping her bedridden since the abduction.

Nurse Kate is a badass. she tries to keep ICE from getting into a patient's room. Liz hears her and hurries to the waiting room, where there's more ICE activity. Liz panics and tries to get Arturo out of the hospital, but she caught the attention of the ICE officers. However, Liz knows her rights.

"He has applied for his green card. I'm his sponsor, okay? This is his G-1145 right here."

"You can show that to the court."

"It's okay. Call the lawyer."

"No. He is a diabetic. It is illegal to detain a patient."

"Exigent circumstances. Move."

"No. Hey, this is an unconstitutional arrest and the ACLU will be all over you."

"Elizabeth, we respect the law in this family. If you're in trouble, who will take care of the mouse?"

--G-1145 is a request for confirmation that your green card application has been accepted:

--The timing of this all. Liz has been prepared for this moment all her life and would fight it to the point of getting arrested herself, if not for Rosa. Rosa's safety is the only thing that convinces Liz to step aside.

--As an only semi related note, this is a really interesting contrast to how they wrote Jeanine's character out on Grey's Anatomy.  

--Also feel like it would be remiss of me to not point out Liz's reactiveness and fightinf mentality is mirroring how Liz initially reacted to Max pulling her over in the pilot.

"Okay. So the Deputy on call says there's one detention center in the county. Here's the info."

"He doesn't have anything left in Mexico. No one. Nowhere to go."

"You can't think like that right now."

"I think like this always. Rosa and I used to recite our escape plan for if our parents got deported and we got separated in foster care. I begged my parents not to tell Santa where we lived because I was afraid he'd ask for papers. My whole life was built on a fear of this day coming, and it's here. If I'd have kept better track of his health, he wouldn't need these tests. I should have made him move to California. I thought we were safe being outside the hundred-mile zone, but after this election I should have known better. And I should have made him wear a sweater this morning because it's freezing out there. And what if he…?"

"...okay think. Is there someone we can call?"

"Kyle's at a conference, but I can have him call his mom."

"Do you know anyone with some real power? You know, Federal muscle?"

Cam gets dressed to take Liz to the Detention Center and Liz calls Diego for help.

The road trip group arrive at the reservation and meet Gregory Manes.  He says he remembers them all from high school.  He takes Max, Michael, and Isobel to learn about Louise while Alex and Maria go jewelry shopping.

Meanwhile Gregory is taking the Pod Squad to Louise's grave, but pauses for some flirting:

"You're still the Isobel Evans who convinced the basketball captain to pull four different fire alarms to get out of AP Gov, right? Yeah, legend. Here she is."

"Oh my God, it's covered in flowers.  It's winter."

"Rumor is they grow year-round unattended. She was a healer. I'm told she helped with trauma, addiction, that sort of thing. All without speaking."

"This another grave?"

"She was pregnant."

"Louise arrived gravely injured. And the baby didn't survive.

--Louise died the same day the Pod Squad came out of the pods, confirming that she is probably the old woman on the reservation that was described in 1x09.

--Michael found the mysterious purple flowers growing on Louise's grave.

Alex and Maria at the trading post.

"Are you okay? Seem a little off."

"I had a vision during a meeting this morning. It almost cost me a deal that could save the bar. Maybe I should just wear the necklace. Go back to being a social media guru. Slash barkeep. Slash magical trope in our redneck mayor's fantasy."

"So why did you really come today? Your ideal day off isn't fighting for the radio silence with Isobel Evans, so…"

"This is the back of my necklace. The word stamped in the silver says Tsela. The necklace is Navajo, so I thought maybe that was the jeweler, but no one I've asked here seems to know who made it. I just want answers."

"Well, there's a ton of silver jewelry for sale here. So why don't we just keep looking for something with the same stamp?"

Pod Squad sharing a bottle of acetone by Louise's grave.

"Noah said our planet was war-torn. But the hell they found here can't have been worth it."

"Do you think that Louise's baby died from her injuries or do you think maybe it was never going to survive?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I was pregnant. When you died. Obviously I'm not anymore. I just can't help wondering if that was my last chance. Assuming that humans and aliens can't procreate because they're different species. Maybe that little baby wasn't viable."

"You almost died during the abortion, didn't you? I could feel it. Noah almost killed you again, huh? Oh, I need a minute."

After Max leaves Michael offers to be a sperm donor for Isobel if she ever wants to have a kid.

Liz at the Detainment Center

"It's Ortecho. Arturo Ortecho. He's my dad. And he needs gliclazide and beta-blockers. I brought both."

"We can't take contraband here, but there is an infirmary on-site, if he's here."

"You know, out of curiosity, did Nebane Abienwi visit an infirmary before he died of a brain bleed in your custody? What about Johana Medina León? She was 25 years old, okay? People walk through those doors and they die...Who's your supervisor? You need prior approval before conducting enforcement in a hospital. There was a compliance memo."

"Right, a memo, which is just like a law only not. Unless you calm down, I'm gonna arrest you for obstruction."

"Okay, Liz, maybe sit down.  Sir, I'm Deputy Jenna Cameron, and we appreciate your interpretation of your guidelines, but we have an urgent health concern about an inmate here, if you just wouldn't mind checking the system."

Jenna goes with the agent…when she returns...

"Do you have a court case next week for a vandalism charge?"

"What? Yes, but I didn't do it. I'm just gonna plead guilty and pay the fine. It's nothing."

"They denied your dad's green card application because of a misdemeanor on your record. You can't be his sponsor."

Jenna's headaches overtake her. Meanwhile, the ICE agent comes back with news:

"Here just came up. Ortecho is being transferred to El Paso for his deportation hearing. You can see him there around Tuesday."

--Liz's misdemeanor is taking the fall for Rosa's vandalism from when she was arrested by Sheriff Valenti in 2x02.

Gregory takes the Pod Squad to see Harrison who is on his death bed.  Manes boys are always welcome here, the woman tells them. Harrison is the only one Louise ever spoke to on the reservation.

"He met my great uncle Tripp Manes fighting in WWII.  Harry was a code talker."

Michael gets Gregory to leave with him so that Max and Isobel can go inside of Harrison's head. Their conversation:

"You look like her."

"Harrison.  You look different."

"That was a lesson I learned from Louise. How to take your mind to a better time when you're in pain. Come on. I haven't seen the sky in a while. I'll tell you about her...I taught Tripp the codes in the Pacific. That's how we set up the rescue. He was supposed to snuggle Louise and Nora here, but the plan fell apart."

In the past between Harrison and Tripp:

"You've changed. The man I met on that ship obeyed orders."

"Guess I saw what happens when good men fall in line with bad orders. I'm a Christian, Harry. When evil itself tells me to kill a woman with child, I disobey. Even if the evil looks just like my brother."

A nurse rolls Louise into the room in a wheelchair.

"Did you find a family for her?"

"There should be music where you take her. I think she's a dancer."

"You can give her a house full of music, Louise. Nora wanted me to protect you so that you could protect the child."

"No. He's coming for me and I can't even move. No. When the devil comes, I won't be able to fight for her. Please. It is hard to be a woman on your planet.  It's only gonna be harder still for her. Roy Bronson believed in meeting hatred with compassion. And I want her to be like him. A light in the darkness. A little star on the ground. I want that for both my girls."

"Where did he take the baby?"

"Can't say."

"No. Tell us where our sister went."

"She isn't your sister. Louise rarely spoke, but when she did, she spoke of two daughters. Two stars on the ground. She had no sons. You aren't hers. You came from something else...She lived for decades longer than she should have, trapped inside of a body that could no longer dance, waiting for a sign that you would be all right. She loved you."

Jenna wakes up back at the hospital.

"I asked them to run a new test. Your headaches are spinal headaches. Because there was a hole torn into your spinal cord."

"I'm sorry, what? My kidnappers gave me a spinal tap?"

"Do you mind signing off so I can look at your tox screen?"

"Yeah, of course, but, Liz, you don't have to do this, okay? Your dad, and…"

"I need a distraction. I can't leave for El Paso until tomorrow, and they're not letting him have visitors other than his lawyer until Tuesday, so...thank you for being here. You used your privilege to help me. I'm furious that I needed it, but I needed it."

--Reposado is a type of tequila

--Spinal Headaches:

Isobel and Max on what they learned from Harrison:

"You've always been different than me and Michael, okay? Always. You were the leader. From the start. I mean, you're the special one. You're the healer."

"I was. Now I can't even sneeze without my heart skipping a beat. All my life, no matter how weird things got, I never felt alone. Because I was your twin. Maybe I'm different. Maybe I'm a freak...I can't stop thinking about being chained up when I was a kid. It didn't feel like someone bad chained me up. It felt like I was the someone bad."

"Max, you're not dangerous."

"Saving people destroys me. But killing Noah? That felt good. I was high. And whenever I think about what he did to you, I want to chase that high. I wish I could kill him a thousand times. Louise mentioned the devil. Maybe something evil was chasing them. And maybe that something was me."

"Okay. I want to show you something. You see this hand on her shoulder there? See, Michael thought it was just someone who got cropped out of the photo, but no. Any female would recognize that body language. She does not want that hand on her. Louise said the devil would come. I think something evil was after them, but it wasn't you. I want to find out who it was."

Alex and Gregory:

"Hey, I just wanted to say thank you before we go. I also feel like I should congratulate you on getting out."

"Of the Navy?"

"Of the family. Getting out from under Dad."

"You got to break free of him, man."

"Do you feel free?"

"I don't think I get to be free until you are, Alex. You know, you're my brother. I wish that I would've stood up for you more."

"You know, I think he's actually getting a little bit better. It's like the stroke melted away the psycho in his brain or something." 

"If you can forgive him you should. Cast off the stone. Let me hate him for you. I owe you that much."

Back at the trading post with the whole road trip group.

"We scoured the store for jewelry that said Tsela on it, but nada. Although I did manage to spend an entire week's worth of tips anyway."

"Tsela?"

"Yeah it was printed on the back of my grandmother's necklace. I thought I might find some answers here."

"Well, apparently, it is Navajo for star on the ground. So, you guys ready to go?"

"Star on the ground.  Maria? What year was your grandmother born?"

"Uh, '48, I think?"

"Was she adopted?"

"Yeah. Oh my God."

"Your grandmother was my sister."

Note: The direct translation of Tsela is stars lying down. Interestingly, it's often a name in Navajo. When I googled it, the top results were names for Navajo boys.

Diego and Liz's conversation:

"Diego, I never would have reached out if it weren't an emergency. Thank your mom for me."

"The Senator was more than happy to call in a favor. She's always liked you."

"I like her too. We need more people like her."

"Look, we got lucky your dad got out at all, much less without an ankle monitor. And you pissed a few people off back there, so it's not likely that this is the end for you. Who's your lawyer? Or should I make some calls?"

"No, you've done enough. After what I did, I can't even believe you listened to my voicemail...How did you get here so fast?"

"I was at the airport in Phoenix when you called. Just had to reroute real fast."

"And how have you been?"

"Well, my fiancée left me. I'm kidding. No, I'm seeing someone.  It's getting pretty serious, so…"

"Good. Me too."

"Good. We can be friends...And don't take this the wrong way. Please tell me you're not wasting that incredible brain of yours writing alien hamburger puns."

"I am working on a few projects. Nothing I can talk about, but, I'm not wasting anything."

"Well, all the coolest studies make you sign NDAs anyway, so…"

"You know what? There actually is something...Do you know what butyricol is?  Worth a shot. It's this chemical I found in my friend's tox screen. I had never heard of it."

"Maybe you're slacking, Ortecho."

"I am sorry, it has only been a year. Did you literally forget everything about me?"

Note: I'm very pleased to say that when I googled butyricol, half of the top results were RNM related.  Definitely not a real drug.

Malex fight in the bunker:

"We're closed!"

"Hey, that alien console piece that Jim Valenti left me...You still have it?"

"No. I sold it on eBay."

"You didn't attach it to your console."

"I tried. Doesn't fit."

"So, Tripp left this for my dad before he died. My dad thought it was a code, but this is a reference sketch of this exact piece. My dad's been looking for this thing for 30 years and Jim Valenti had it all along...I'm gonna give it to him. I want to see what he does with it once he's got it. Look, if it didn't fit in your console, then it fits somewhere else. My dad could lead us there.""Your dad hunts aliens, Alex. He'll lead my family right off a cliff."

"I've protected you so far. That's not changing. Besides, he's different these days...I don't trust him, Guerin. I just…I'm asking you to trust me.""When we were kids, you believed people were good, despite humanity doing everything to prove you otherwise. And, God, I loved you for it. But what was charming when we were 17, it's just stupid now. How do you not see that? You believe there's some good in your father?"

"Yeah. Yeah I do. God forbid I have faith in people who don't give me a good reason to."

"That's not fair."

"No? Why is your hand covered? You miss your injury because you want to hurt. Your anger made you feel safe. I will always hate my father for what he did to you, but I don't want to live in that toolshed for the rest of my life. I don't want to walk around thinking that people don't change, that one day everyone's just gonna let me down, 'cause I am not building a damn rocket ship in a hidden lair. There's one way for me off this planet. And I need to believe in a reason to stay. I promise I'll keep you safe."

"Can't let you leave with that."

"What are you gonna do? Fight me for it?"

And then Alex leaves and is kidnapped. Hit over the head by an unknown assailant. The note from Tripp blows away.

Max and Liz are talking back at Max's house while Max drinks a lot of bourbon.

"You know, you never told me why your parents immigrated here in the first place."

"My dad wanted a family, but not in Juárez. There was no opportunity, no money. Women were disappearing there all the time. He didn't want my mom to be one of them. So he fled. You're wondering why your family came here."

"If I even had a family. I know so little about my own story. And the parts I thought I understood are just unraveling."

"Max. Family is the one area where I am certain that biology does not matter. Look, when I found out that Rosa was only my half sister that didn't change anything."

"This is different...There are only three of us on this planet, as far as we know. I mean, feeling disconnected from them makes me feel completely alone."

"Completely alone? I'm right here."

"When you needed a rescue today your Mensa society, old money son of a senator ex was there to answer your prayers. I couldn't even answer a call. You didn't need me."

"Oh my God. Okay, so would you prefer that I did need you? Would you prefer to come home to find me crying into my dad's windbreaker so that you can swoop me up and drive me to El Paso for his deportation hearing in the morning?"

"That's not fair. You wanted me to talk about today."

"Yes, okay. I'm sorry. I want you to feel better."

"Well, you think maybe you could go back in time and not meet someone as handsome as Diego? Seriously. He's like if someone mixed a cologne ad with a Kennedy. It's ridiculous. I will never feel adequate again."

"You're wrong. Max, let me be clear. You are objectively better in bed...And I never woke up on a Sunday morning to him singing Hank Williams in the shower...He never snuck unreasonable tips into my dad's checks. Or quoted Henry the Fourth. Coming home to you at the end of my worst days and my best days is the only rescue I need."

I actually found this background on the Ortechos to be fascinating.  In case you don't know Juárez is a pretty big city directly opposite the border from El Paso. It does have some huge crime issues. But it also is one of those border cities where the border is a little thinner. Like San Diego and Tijuana.  People live in Juárez and work in El Paso and vice versa.

If you want to see a really dark & gritty portrayal of Juárez, I'd highly recommend you to check out the American version of the show The Bridge.  Which literally deals with an investigation related to disappearing women.

Isobel and Maria at the Pony:

"She looks so determined."

"Yeah, neither of us would be here if she hadn't been. You know she was paralyzed 50 years and she still managed to use her powers to help ease troubled minds. You know how hard that is? To take on someone else's suffering? I mean, it doesn't just disappear. She would have been carrying all of that."

"She suffered so much loss."

"I don't know how to be worth it."

Michael on the bracelet.

"The beads are made with pollen from the alien flower. I found another plant growing at Louise's grave. Okay my working theory is that they grow from alien remains. There's this UFO lore about that Libyan desert where the flowers have been discovered before. You don't have to wear it if you don't want to. I know better than to think I can save Maria DeLuca. I hope you decide you can save yourself."

Max is still drinking after Liz went to bed.  At 4:04am Diego calls and wakes her up. 

"I made a call, about that toxin in your friend's system. Butyricol. It's a drug. It's a memory eraser. It was developed by a private organization and purchased by the military for weaponization. There's no approved application outside of violent combat."

Liz tries to call Alex, but he's too busy being unconscious in the back of his SUV.  So his kidnapper pockets his phone.

Max has a memory flash. There's fighting, weapons clashing, a woman's voice...all while he's chained down in the cave. Louise appears and kneels down to touch his shoulder.  He looks afraid, but she's trying to comfort him (even though she has blood splattered all over her white clothes). She smiles and nods and then cuts Max free of the chains with her alien weapon. She offers him her hand, but before he can take it a figure in white appears and he and Louise fight. Max cries out and hides his face.

Present day Max is visibly shook by the flash.

MUSIC:

1.  Shelly Fairchild "Worry No More"

2.  Powerslide "Just You And I"

3.  Will Fox "Against The Tide"

4.  Tommee Profitt feat. Sam Tinnesz "Bullet With Butterfly Wings"

[justacasualbtsblog]

Ok so

Map of the soul: 7 dropped today and I am so so late on reporting about it I’m sorry. I haven’t read lyrics or analyzed music videos yet, these are just my views on the album from a musical standpoint. But let’s get into it.

Persona

Like my url says, I am such a casual ARMY I don’t even know if I can call myself that. So I haven’t watched the mv. But I’ve listened to it, oh I’ve listened to it. It starts with an intro I’m nostalgic for even if I’ve never heard it. Then, He begins. Now. I speak one and a half languages and none of them are Korean but I can hear the vibe of the song with no translation error at all. An excellent song and a good way to kick off the best album of 2020. (Update: just read the lyrics and can I just emphasize the last sentence again, The ONLY was to kick off the best album of 2020)

Boy with love

This was released prior to this album but I just get so pumped every time I hear it. I’m not gonna write a super long section for this song, but this song is the most energetic, pure song of this album. Just absolute happiness. 10/10 would bop to again

Make it right

Probably my favorite song of the mini album. Nice vocals and a beat that is soft but there. It didn’t get lost in the rest of the song and for that, I applaud the producer. And Sugas rap verse, backed up with the perfect volume of vocals. Just an all around win

Jamais Vu

I’ll be honest, I never really listened to this song in its entirety. Biiig mistake on my part. This is so soft and calming. Fusing the vocal verse with the rap verse was smooth and so so fitting. The hook is memorable and the song isn’t over produced. *italian chef kiss*

Dionysus

Full 180 off jamais, Dionysus runs in with a base to be remembered, lyrics that mean so much and the bridge is sosososo good, I’ve tried to sing it in broken Korean more times than I can count. Then the rap verse came out of nowhere and wrecked me HOLY DAMN. He sure went awf and I am not complaining.

Interlude : shadow

I am suga biased and that has not changed. I have no words. I have watched the music video and that’s a whole other thing. The way he didn’t start this song by saying suga. He’s speaking as himself and it’s just enough to top this song off with a heaping load of holy fuck this is amazing. I’ll stop while I’m ahead and move on before I write an essay on this song (coming up next)

Black swan

I listened to this song on repeat for an hour when I first heard it. The melody has gotta be my favorite part. Whatever instrument that is, I want to learn it. I swear I’m gonna end up writing a screenwriter for a musical about this song. It’s so... workable. I can imagine this is any setting and that’s always a win in my book

Filter

The guitar. The vocals. The eventual clap-beat. Something that I don’t need to understand to enjoy. That low-key Latin vibe. I’m sorry this review is short but there are almost no words to discribe what I’m feeling right now. Listen to it is the greatest advice I can give

My Time

My friends favorite song out of this album. JK, you did amazing, keep going. I cannot imagine this song playing out any other way. It is exactly as I expected and it surprised me at the same time. The background vocals add a depth that I didn’t know I needed but wanted either way. The ending has gotta be my favorite bit, just the cool down of no words, it feels right.

Louder than bombs

My favorite song on this album. It has a neon lights, city at night, smoke ribbons and heavy based songs vibe that I adoringly refer to as a “murder vibe”. And this song represents that to the fullest. My new yard stick to all the other “murder vibe” songs I encounter. It’s rare that I find a song where I like the vocals more than a rap verse but this song contradicts and violates that rule to the fullest

ON

I don’t know how this song starts, the closest this I relate it to is, throat singing? But whatever it is, it slapps. The bridge is definitely a thing I will remember for awhile. And the beat, Lordy, the marching band-esk feel. And it keeps all through the song without drowning anything else out at any point or getting lost. Probably my favorite bit.

UGH!

On the level of a cypher or ddaeng. The only rap song I needed. It has a hard hitting drum and base pared with a minimalistic melody that is everything it needs to be. The different ways each of the rappers decide to play with their voices, dragging out some vowels, pitch changes, and speed is some of the best vocal play I’ve heard in awhile. Will probably be listening to this for awhile.

00:00 (Zero O’Clock)

I have my phone set to 24 hour time and there has always been something aesthetic about hitting this time. This song has a ballad like vibe with only the finest beat and EDM backup. With the vocals on point, changing tones and emotions to fit the melody and (I assume) the words, This song sounds like the affirmation of a good day.

Inner Child

This song belongs in my “songs for riding around the galaxy” playlist. It plays like a supernova, starting quiet but leading up to something that I will be listening to for awhile. The song doesn’t give me whiplash between the verses and it all blends together into something that is missing if you don’t have it. Quiet, calm, and collected, all the things I like in a song like this one.

Friends

May I be the first to say, Yes! This is the perfect song to go with spending time with your friends and family. It has an up beat vibe, drum and base that mixes well with what I assume is the message of the song. The “you are my soulmate” caught me off guard and hit me with only the best of feels. Peppy and perfect is my final call.

Moon

The first thing I thought of when I heard this song was, adventure. This sounds like something I’d listen to while exploring or going on a road trip. It sounds like a journey. On the topic of melody, drum and base, this did not disappoint, the melody fits well with the vocals and the drum doesn’t reach my soul, but more encircles my heart. Wakes up the part of me that wants to travel more that anything.

Respect

Probably not the first time this has been said but I have major respect for this song. The beginning has an old hiphop record scratch that fits really well with the modern EDM and that’s surprising. If this song is about what I think it’s about (and lets be honest, it never is) respecting the people that have inspired and helped them grow than this is exactly the song for the occasion.

We are bulletproof : the eternal

A real change from the other two WABPs, and a welcomed one too. This has a finale vibe too it, kinda like it was made to be at the end of the album. The orchestra in the bridge is so fitting. The base-turned-melody in the chorus is again, fitting. Over all, this song was made to perfection, nothing is out of place and nothing is missing.

Outro : ego

This song is something to work out to. It shares a vibe with Hope World and it balance out the album, finishing with an upbeat song was and always will be the way to go. I’ve listened to this song so many times and I don’t really have a favorite part, it’s all really good. But I liked the beginning vocals (ready, set, and begin) and the backup vocals at the end.

This album was balanced, very perfected and personable. There’s not much I can say that I haven’t said already but overall, 10/10. I will be raving about this for a couple weeks and never really get over it. On behalf of all ARMYs, Good job boys, we love you.

[ikonct95]

Happy Birthday!

A/N: It’s my birthday! :D

I decided to gift myself with this little one shot. I used a Korean name because I didn’t feel comfortable sharing my name lol. Also, I major in American English Linguistics only but everything else mentioned in this fic are facts. Another thing, I’ve never been to Namsan Tower and only mentioned things I’ve read in blogs and seen in that one NCT ep where the foreigners line went to Namsan.

I hope you enjoy! ^^

Also, please ignore any spelling or grammatical errors! 

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“Sorry! Pardon me! Excuse me!” Hanbin panted as he bypassed the sea of people while rushing towards the subway. He was on his way to Seoul National University to meet up with his best friend at exactly 1 pm. It’s 12:40 pm and it takes about 25 minutes to reach the street across the university.

“Damn it!” Hanbin cursed beneath his mask at the sight of the long line where people scanned their cards to access the metro. Checking his watch, he cursed when he realized he only has 20 minutes left and the bus leaves in 5 minutes. Inhaling deeply, the Korean idol pushed his way through, ignoring the curses and angry shouts of the people.

That all didn’t matter to him. Let them swear or curse at him. Today is a special day and he’d be damned if he missed it this year…again.

You see, Hanbin had met his best friend about four years ago at the Seoul National University library while he was reading through poems to find some inspiration to write the lyrics of iKON’s debut song. He went down isle after isle, hoping to find the right book when he suddenly bumped into someone who let out a loud squeak.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t see where I was go-” His words died on his lips as he watched the person in front of him stand up after picking up her books.

“It’s ok.” The woman said in accented Korean. “I was looking through the nombers.” She replied while holding up a piece of paper that had the number of the book required for class.

“Numbers.” Hanbin instantly closed his eyes. He didn’t mean to correct her mispronunciation but it just sliped.

Luckily, the woman took no offense and smiled up at him, “Right, numbers!”

Hanbin couldn’t help but return her smile while a sense of relief washed over him. “Do you study here?” He asked her and watched as her eyes lightened up as she answered his question.

And since that day, they’ve been best of friends. The woman’s name, Hanbin learned, was Eun Jung. Though, that was not her birth name since she was not Korean but an Arab. She explained that international students were encouraged to adapt Korean names to make things easier. Eun Jung explained that she didn’t mind the Korean name that much but she made sure when introducing her name, she would say both her Arabic and Korean names.

Hanbin also learned that she is currently studying Korean Linguistics with a minor in English Literature. She is also Muslim and that her birthday is on Feb 25th.

Eun Jung was a happy-go-lucky girl who tried as best as she could to be optimistic. She said her teen angst exhausted her and she wanted to move on from that lifestyle. Eun Jung also spoke two languages and can speak conversational Korean. The two couldn’t meet very much in public since Hanbin became so busy with his idol life but he made sure to meet up with Eun Jung at least twice a month to catch up. Eun Jung understood his lifestyle and never judged. She eventually became a fan of iKON despite already being a fan of several other groups. But what’s nice is that she never befriended him for his fame or money. She’s his friend because of he was and Hanbin is thankful for that.

Hanbin checked his phone again and inwardly cursed once he realized that he only had ten minutes to make it to the gates of the university where he had promised to meet her at.

You see, today was Eun Jung’s birthday and every year Hanbin missed it. It was either a recording on her day, a photoshoot or a performance that he absolutely could not miss. Thankfully, Eun Jung never seemed too upset with him missing out on her birthday even though he is her best friend. Still, Hanbin felt very guilty since Eun Jung always made sure to celebrate his birthday with him either on the day of or the day before or after. So this year, Hanbin wanted to make it up for Eun Jung by clearing out his schedule two weeks in advance. He made sure that he had the whole day free just for Eun Jung.

So, he called her up two days before her birthday and told her to wait for him at the gates once she is done with classes. Hanbin had a special day planned out and he was already screwing it up by being late.

“Right on time.” Eun Jung greeted loudly as she watched Hanbin jog up to her by the gates, “Only two minutes late.” She smiled at him. Over the years, Eun Jung’s Korean improved and now she has a native like fluency when speaking the language.

Hanbin’s reply was a big exhale of air, causing Eun Jung to chuckle at him. Her teeth as white as snow.

“Ready to go?” Hanbin asked while holding his arm out for her.

“Oh, my!” Eun Jung said in mock astonishment, “Such a gentleman.”

“Har har.” The Korean idol replied while his best friend linked her arm with his.

“So, where are we going?” Eun Jung asked after a moment of walking and catching up with Hanbin.

“A little birdie told me that you wanted to try this new Indian restaurant that opened uptown.” Hanbin said with a smirk.

“Donghyuk, that snitch!” Eun Jung said playfully with an adorable pout on her lips, “Are we really going there?” she then asked with hope in her voice.

Hanbin tried very hard not to coo at her cute antics. When it comes to Indian food, Eun Jung turned into the cutest thing ever and wished he could put her in his pocket.

“Yes, really.” He chuckled instead.

Fifteen minutes later and the two arrived at the restaurant. It was a cozy restaurant with beige, gold and red decorations. Although it opened recently, there weren’t a lot of people there. Which the both of you were thankful for because then you could eat comfortably without worrying about fans and paparazzi swarming Hanbin and bombarding him with questions about his relationship with you.

“This is nice.” Eun Jung breathed out while they’re being led to their table in the corner by the window.

“Just for you.” Hanbin said in sing-song voice, beaming at the tiny blush on Eun Jung’s cheeks.

The food was amazing. The whole time Eun Jung kept moaning and chewing loudly at the delicious food. She once told Hanbin that Indian food is similar to a lot of Arab foods and she grew up eating both so she’s thankful that there are Indian restaurants when she’s feeling homesick.

“Ahh, that hit the spot!” Eun Jung stated while patting on her tummy, chuckling down at it.

“I’m glad you enjoyed.” Hanbin felt so warm inside. It felt so long since he’d seen Eun Jung happy. She’s been feeling homesick lately and stressing out about school that her personality changed a bit. It was nice seeing her happy again.

“Alright, ready to go?” Hanbin asked after paying the bill.

“Go?” Eun Jung asked in confusion as she watched Hanbin stand up.

Hanbin nodded as he slid on his coat to protect himself from the cold February air, “There’s one more place to go to.”

“Oohh where are we going?” Eun Jung asked this as she put on her own coat and gloves, linking her arms with Hanbin as they excited the restaurant.

“It’s a surprise.”

Hanbin chuckled at Eun Jung’s slight whine, “You know I hate surprises!” She reminded him with a playful annoyance in her tone of voice.

“I know, but this will be worth it.”

They had to take the subway to their next destination and halfway through, Eun Jung quickly realized where they’re going and felt her stomach clenching, “We’re not really going there, are we?” Her voice was shaky and she began to sweat a bit.

“I know that you don’t like heights, Eun Jungie, but you always wanted to go there.” Hanbin replied as they entered the cable carts building and bought their tickets. Once he noticed Eun Jung turning pale, he wrapped his arms around her and rubbed her shoulders.

“I will be here with you all the way through. But if you don’t want to go, we can go somewhere else.” As he said this, Hanbin’s voice grew soft, his breath brushing her ear while he pressed her closer to his side.

“No,” She spoke up minutes later, “I want to go and this is the only chance.” She tried to give a confident smile but Hanbin could tell she was still scared.

“I’ll hold your hand, ok?”

Eun Jung nodded and grasped his hand tightly before entering the cable cart. Her heart began to beat quickly as the cable cart jerked into movement. Hanbin’s hand was clutched in a vice grim while his other arm rubbed up and down her shoulder. At first, Eun Jung didn’t look up from the ground, too scared to see how far up they were and imagine how they wires would snap and they would plummet to their deaths. But once she noticed that the cart was going in a steady pace and nothing happened so far, she risked a glance at the window and became breathless.

Seoul was covered in a blanket of snow and the view was magnificent. It was as if they were gliding through smooth ice cream rather than being in a small box traveling through the sky.

“Wow.” She breathed out, inching closer to the window.

“Yeah.” Hanbin agreed. Though, his eyes weren’t on the window.

When they reached the top, Eun Jung gradually calmed down and her energetic nature took over. She felt giddy and excited. She never had the opportunity to visit Namsan Tower due to her very busy schedule and she felt a bit jealous whenever her friends went there. That’s why she forced herself through her fears and made the journey.

The first thing they did was wear traditional Hanbooks. At first, Eun Jung didn’t want to be a Koreaboo but Hanbin assured her that she wasn’t being one and that she enjoy it like everyone else. After they got dressed, they went to various places: the K-Star Gallery, the LG 3D zone, the LED tunnel, the Hello Kitty Island, the Ssen Toy Museum and the Teddy Bear Museum. Eun Jung’s smile never once faltered and her eyes shone brighter than any star Hanbin has seen. And when they went through the historical areas, Eun Jung shared all of her knowledge on how the Korean language was formed, changed and evolved through the years. It was nice listening to her for hours. Once they were done, Hanbin suggested they changed back into their everyday attire and buy locks to hang outside with all the rest.

“Regroup in 15 minutes?” Hanbin suggested once they stepped into the store. And with Eun Jung’s nod, the two went on their way, looking for perfect lock. And 15 minutes later, they regrouped by the exist, each holding a plastic bag. “Did you write on yours?” Eun Jung asked her best friend. Hanbin nodded then asked her the same question. After that, they went outside and searched for the perfect spot to hang their perfect lock.

“Here’s one!” Eun Jung stated loudly several feet from Hanbin’s right. It was by the corner, on the second row. Satisfied with the location, Hanbin took out his lock. Simultaneously, they leaned forward and hooked the metal onto the bar before locking it shut. Stepping back, they both read each other’s locks.

Celebrating the world’s most lovable person on the planet. I love her so much and I’m thankful she’s in my life – Hanbin

I was blessed to celebrate my birthday with someone dear to my heart. I will always love and support him – Eun Jung

The two were blushing a bright red color once they’ve finished reading each other’s little notes. They glanced at each other with a shy smile playing on their lips.

“Ready to go home?” Hanbin asked quietly as the sun behind him lowered, the sky a mix of dark blue, purple and bits of orange.

“Yeah.” Eun Jung answered just as quietly. Her eyes darted downwards and shyly held Hanbin’s hand and made their way home.

It’s safe to say that this was the best birthday Eun Jung has ever had.

[sofreakinmanyfandoms]

November 14 - We’re Gonna Go Flirt with Superheroes

Some important notes:

1. Thank you to my amazing friend Dean for letting me use their delightful self as a character in this fic. You may all be jealous that I actually know this person.

2. Because Dean does not have the cleanest of language, this fic has significantly more swearing than anything else I've posted here. I still only put half as much language as normally spews from their mouth. Love you, babe.

3. I've never actually been to a hipster bar and it's been years since I've been to Portland. Please forgive me for any obvious errors.

4. I normally shy away from describing the reader too much, but honestly? I needed this. I needed to explore a bit what it's like being straight but looking gay, because while it's nothing compared to what the LGBT+ community goes through, it's something I get a lot of grief for from my conservative Christian extended family. I needed a fic where the main girl has short hair, okay? Okay.

Thanks for letting me vent myself in this fic.

Word count: 2416

Warnings: Language, mentions of cheating, if you’re homophobic you’ll hate this one so go suck an egg

Pairing: Bucky Barnes X short haired!hipster!Reader

“Ah, Portland,” Sam said with a sigh, looking around at the bar that was definitely owned by someone very hipster. “Remind me again why we’re here?”

“It was the closest city with the material Stark needs to fix the jet,” Steve reminded him. “He’ll have it ready by morning and we’ll be on our way back to the compound.”

“Friends,” Thor declared cheerily, throwing his arms around their shoulders, “despite our transport’s destruction, we have won a great victory this day! Let us celebrate, even if your Midgardian drinks are weaker than mother’s milk.”

Bucky followed behind them, feeling out of place as he took in the décor. The floor and ceiling were concrete, but the walls had been coated in what looked like disassembled pallets with wooden booths build out of the walls. The free-standing tables were giant spools and he was pretty sure no two chairs in the whole building matched. Whoever had been in charge of decorating had even taken the chalkboard menu trope to the extreme, making the whole wall behind the bar a blackboard instead of just hanging one up. Everything was decked out in old – sorry, “recycled” – netting and buoys, presumably ones that had seen actual use based on their condition. Also, Bucky had never seen so much flannel in his life.

He settled into a booth with Sam as Steve and Thor went to get their drinks. The other man was looking around, a determined expression on his face.

“Here’s where we get to the hard part,” Sam whispered to him. “Now we’ve gotta figure out which women are gay and which are just fashionable.

Bucky furrowed his eyebrows at his friend. “I don’t understand.”

Sam leaned back and nodded to the bar. “Well, normally you see a woman in skinny jeans, a plaid flannel, and a beanie? She’s a lesbian. But we’re in Portland, where that’s everyone’s style, so it gets harder. Like the chick on the end of the bar? Pixie cut, slouchy beanie, band tee that’s probably for some local group her friend is in under her open flannel, black jeans that look painted on, and totally ignoring the prime male specimens currently ordering our drinks in favor of her cell phone? Definitely gay. But that chick over there,” he subtly pointed to a nearly identically-dressed girl, shorter and with longer hair, who had definitely noticed Steve and Thor’s presence, “is either straight or bi. I can work with either of those.”

Snorting at his friend’s explanation, Bucky flashed a quick look back at the woman at the end of the bar. Sam was probably right. Too bad; she was beautiful, and he wouldn’t have minded getting to know her better.

----------

You sighed at your phone and shifted on your seat at the end of the bar. Your friend was late again; they were always late. According to the text chain you were receiving nearly non-stop, they were also probably already drunk, not that that was surprising anymore.

“Come on, Dean,” you muttered under your breath. “I need you here before he shows up.”

Five minutes later, your friend stumbled through the door, giggling madly at, well, you didn’t want to know what. They stumbled their way over to you and collapsed onto a stool.

“Why are we here?” Dean immediately began complaining. “I stick out like a sore thumb. I’m more goth than hipster, you know that.”

“We’re here because I nanny for the owner part-time so the drinks are free,” you pointed out, rolling your eyes. “You know fully well that any place becomes your scene when you don’t have to pay for alcohol.”

“True,” Dean replied with another giggle. “I didn’t have to pay at the last place either, because I’m fucking hot. Three guys and two girls bought me drinks.”

“Aaand, that’s it, you’re cut off for the night,” you sighed, asking the bartender for a coffee for your definitely drunk friend. “You did kill your makeup tonight, though. It looks great.”

“Damn right it does,” they slurred. “Hey, how come you didn’t tell me? I’d have gotten here a hell of a lot sooner if you’d told me there were Avengers in the building.”

You followed your friend’s line of sight to where there were in fact four members of the Avengers seated in a booth.

“Oh… I didn’t notice them.”

Dean scoffed and gave you that knowing look that you really hated. “You got lost in your phone again, didn’t you? Just in case he showed up.” The blush on your face was enough of an answer. “Damn it, woman, he’s a fucking asshole who never deserved you and I’d have killed him already if you weren’t so fucking concerned with whether or not things are legal.” They downed the rest of their coffee with a grimace and pushed themselves off the bar, grabbing for your hand. “Come on. We’re gonna go flirt with superheroes.”

Your eyes widened in horror. “Oh no. I am not going to talk to the Avengers with you while you’re drunk.”

Dean’s eyes narrowed as they looked at you. “Then you have to promise me you’ll sing karaoke tonight. You haven’t done it since that bastard criticized your voice, and I miss hearing it. You’re fucking good, and you let that fucking moron rob us all of your beautiful songbird-ness.”

“I hope you realize how drunk you sound.”

“Do we have a deal or not? Because if I’m going to give up a shot at fucking Thor, it had better be for a good reason.”

You sighed. Your friend was always stubborn like this. “Fine, we have a deal.”

“Awesome! I get to pick your song.”

“Aw, hell, no…”

----------

Your ex showed up right before karaoke started as he always did.

“Look at the smug asshole,” Dean muttered into the drink they’d somehow managed to get despite your best efforts. They put on a comically feminine voice and mimicked, “I must sing every chance I get, for my voice is God’s gift to mankind and to deprive people of the joy of listening to it would be blasphemy of the highest fucking order!”

“Dean,” you sighed, “please behave. You’ve already gotten me to agree to singing again. You don’t need to start a scene with him, too.”

“I should cut off his fucking dick for cheating on you.”

Because you knew Dean, you were concerned they meant it. “Don’t. He did me a favor, helping me realize he wasn’t worth it. Now, did you sign me up for karaoke already, or do I need to do it?”

The grin they flashed you was even more concerning when paired with how much they’d had to drink. “I signed us both up. After you sing your mystery song – yes, you’ll have enough of an intro to figure out what it is and come in on time, they put the lyrics up anyway, you’ll be fine – I’ll blow your performance out of the water with a spectacular rendition of ‘Bang, Bang.’ Your ex won’t know what hit him.”

“I’m sure he won’t,” you said dryly, only to be horrified when your name was called first as karaoke started.

Dean laughed at the glare you threw them. “Go blow them all away with your magical voice, darling!”

“Y/N,” the bar’s owner said into his mic when you stepped up on stage. “It’s been far too long, m’lady! Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time in a few months, it’s the lovely Y/N singing ‘Shake It Off’!”

“Really, Dean?” you asked, picking up your mic. “All the songs in the world to choose from and that’s the one you picked for me?” The regulars laughed at your teasing as Dean raised their beer in salute. Almost before you had a moment to collect yourself, the music was off and you could feel your ex studying you from his seat near the back with his new woman draped across him. You shut him out of your mind and focus and launched yourself into the song, determined to have fun even if you weren’t really drunk enough to do a Taylor Swift song for karaoke.

----------

Bucky hadn’t been paying attention to much other than his beer until the karaoke started. Their booth was set up at the perfect spot for watching the stage, and he chided himself for the way his heart jumped when you stepped on stage.

“Really, Dean?” you joked, shooting a look at your friend who did not look like – he? She? Bucky couldn’t tell which – would be interested in hanging out in a bar like this. Then you took a deep breath and wow, your whole demeanor changed as you started singing. It was like the song took over you and you had an entirely different energy about you.

“I go on too many dates, but I can’t make ‘em stay,” you sang, and Bucky watched you work the stage, using the mic stand to your theatrical advantage even as you held the mic in your hand. He’d say you were hamming it up for the crowd, but there was something about your performance that said maybe some of the words were hitting a little too close to home for you to be too flippant with them.

“My ex man brought his new girlfriend,” and he didn’t miss the way your eyes flickered to a couple in the back. “And to the fella over there with the hella good hair, why don’t you come on over baby? We can shake, shake, shake.”

He almost choked on his beer, because he could swear that during that last line you had looked over and winked at him in a very “I’m not a lesbian and I want to climb you like a tree” type way. Bucky’s eyes quickly flickered to Sam to see if the other man caught it, but if he had, he wasn’t giving any indication of it.

It had to have been the performance, right? You were just working the audience. When the song ended, he made sure to applaud, and soon your friend (Dean, the announcer called them) was on stage singing like they were, well, as hammered as they looked.

----------

“Come ooooonnnn,” Dean whined, tugging on your sleeve. “Y/N, they’re in town and they’re in this bar and Thor’s so hot I’m surprised I don’t have a sunburn yet. I can’t talk to them alone. Come flirt with me.”

Your friend wasn’t going to give up anytime soon, so you slammed back the rest of your drink and stood.

“Fine,” you said, “but if you look like you’re going to puke on an Avenger at any point I’m dragging you home.”

“Yay!” they cheered, immediately pulling you over to their table and sliding into the booth next to Thor. “Hello, gentlemen of the Avengers. My name is Dean, I’m genderfluid and pansexual and would gladly climb any of you. This is Y/N and she’s a straight prude but if you give her enough alcohol you might be able to get a nice make-out session with her.”

You groaned and rubbed your face with your hand. “Sorry for my friend here. They passed merely being drunk an hour before karaoke started.”

“Pleasure to meet you both,” Captain America (YOU WERE TALKING TO CAPTAIN AMERICA?!?) said. “I’m Steve, and this is Bucky, Sam, and Thor.”

“Hi, Thor.” Dean batted their eyelashes and you choked back a snerk.

Bucky pushed at Sam and the two slid a little further back in the booth, making space for you to sit next to the soldier. He motioned to the seat and you slid next to him hesitantly.

“Sorry for interrupting your evening,” you apologized quietly, although Dean had long since tuned you out in favor of attempting to seduce the god of thunder. “Dean gets an idea their head and I’m basically stuck along for the ride.”

“It’s no problem,” Sam said smoothly. “I do have one question, though. Are you really straight?”

You couldn’t help but laugh, and Bucky thought that might be the nicest sound he’d ever heard. “Yes, I’m really straight. Most people are surprised, but my sense of style wasn’t enough to keep jerks from hitting on me so I got a haircut and fell in love with the style. It’s let me fly under the radar a lot more frequently, which is nice.”

“I can’t imagine how,” Bucky said, a blush creeping up his cheeks. “You’re beautiful.”

Before you could thank him, a voice to your left made you freeze.

“Y/N.”

Dean’s attention was snapped away from Thor and they stared down your ex. “Listen, asshole –”

“Dean.” You held up a finger to stop your friend before they made too much of a scene before entirely turning to your ex. “What do you want, Daniel?”

“It’s free karaoke time,” he crooned, ignoring how unwanted he obviously was. “I thought maybe we could do a duet together, for old time’s sake?”

You affixed him with a glare that would whither a plant. “Why on earth would I want to be reminded of our time together?”

That seemed to shake his confidence a bit. “I’m just being friendly,” he snapped.

“You don’t know how to just be friendly. We’re over, Daniel, so get over it already. If you really wanted me, you wouldn’t have cheated.”

“I believe you heard the lady,” Thor cut in before Daniel could reply. “She wishes for you to leave her alone, and I suggest you abide by her wishes.

For the first time he seemed to notice who you were sitting with, and he sulked off back to his date.

“Well,” Sam broke the silence that had fallen over the table, “I’m guessing that relationship being over is a good thing?”

You nodded. “Thank you,” you told Thor. “I appreciate the support.”

“Anytime, m’lady.”

----------

“Do you want to talk about it?” Bucky asked you softly a few minutes later when you had yet to join the table’s renewed conversation.

You shook your head. “He was a jerk who cheated on me so I got out. It was a long time ago.”

“How could anyone throw away someone like you?”

The earnest way he said it made you blush.

“His loss,” you whispered shyly.

Bucky only paused a moment before asking, “Could I make his loss my gain?”

“I’d like that,” you said with a smile. “I’d like that very much.”

[setepenre-set]

Gravitational Equations For Falling (chapter 6)

How Megamind falls in love with Roxanne Ritchi.

pre-movie, canon-compliant, T rating

AO3 | FFN

chapter 1 | chapter 2 | chapter 3 | chapter 4 | chapter 5

The ball is in full swing; all of the guests are in the main ballroom of Metrocity’s City Hall, talking and laughing and drinking champagne.

Megamind, by contrast, is hiding in a rather cramped janitorial closet.

There’s really nothing quite so sad, Megamind thinks, as music from another room, a room full of people enjoying themselves at a party that you haven’t been invited to.

He makes a face and checks his watch again. Minion and the brainbots should all be in position; he won’t have to wait much longer in this singularly depressing closet.

(he knows how to dance; not just ordinary dancing, but real dancing, ballroom dancing; he’s watched enough old movies to know all the steps, has gone through them by himself, and even if he hasn’t ever actually danced with a partner, he’s pretty sure he’d be able to—)

Ridiculous sentimentality. He’s a supervillain; he’s not—not Cinderella, for fuck’s sake. He shouldn’t want to join this ball; he should want to ruin it, to smash it, and he does, of course he does, yes, obviously, but—

(always been jealous of me, Megamind remembers Wayne saying)

Megamind scowls at the closet door.

Megamind’s always been jealous of me, Wayne had said, dismissive and easy, as if that accounted for everything, and Megamind can’t imagine even trying to explain—what could he say?

‘he tortured me for years when we were growing up’?

‘going to school each day felt like going to war’?

‘sometimes I’d hope to die in my sleep so I wouldn’t have to go to school the next day’?

That’s not a villainous origin story; that’s just—pathetic.

And the thought of telling—

(her)

—of telling anyone the real reason he dislikes Metro Man gives Megamind a hot, sick kind of feeling in the pit of his stomach, as if he’s swallowed poison, makes him want to curl into himself and hide in the dark.

Knowing they all think he’s just childishly jealous of Metro Man is bad enough, feels like a stone in his chest, but that’s all right; it is; he can live with that,

Besides, it’s not as if it’s exactly untrue, now is it, Megamind? Haven’t you always envied Wayne his human appearance? his unquestioned acceptance in society? his ability to be good and to do good; the way he can so easily make people like him?

That horrible hot-and-cold feeling that washed through you when you watched that interview he gave with Miss Ritchi; the sickening twist in your chest when you saw those articles about them dating—if that’s not envy, then what is it?

Megamind glares even harder at the closet door.

Fucking of course it’s envy.

Not that Miss Ritchi dating Wayne precludes Megamind continuing to kidnap her—on the contrary; he now has the perfect reason to continue!

And he very definitely does want to continue; not only has Miss Ritchi already been a positive influence on Metro Man, inspiring him to gain better control over his eye lasers, but also—she’s fun.

Megamind hadn’t realized how very little joy his life had contained until he met Miss Ritchi and suddenly he was having fun.

She’s much more challenging than Metro Man—a statement which Megamind is sure would sound ridiculous if he tried to explain it to anyone else. After all, Metro Man is, thus far, invincible, and Megamind is yet to win a single fight against him.

But Megamind’s battles with Metro Man are really just a matter of trial and error tests searching for any possible weakness, and of aiming Metro Man’s heroics at suitable targets—parts of the city that can use a little destruction, doomsday devices that can be harmlessly destroyed, Megamind, et-cet-era.

Not at all the same kind of intellectual challenge that Miss Ritchi, with her clever mind and her sharp tongue and her maddening lack of fear, offers.

So really, Megamind should be happy that the hero has won her over, that she and Metro Man are dating now! It makes everything so much easier!

But it’s just—

Well.

Miss Ritchi, wanting to make a name for herself in Metrocity, hadn’t tried to gain Metro Man’s approval, but had, instead, chosen to attract Megamind’s attention.

It had been—flattering and—and nice, really, thinking that just for once, just for this one person, he was more important than Metro Man.

Megamind’s lips twist bitterly.

He should have known it wouldn’t last.

In the distant ballroom, the orchestra continues to play and Megamind rubs a hand over his face, realizing a moment too late that—ah, fuck, has he screwed up his eyeliner? Shit—

He looks around the closet for anything with a reflective surface that he could possibly use as a mirror. Finding nothing, he’s forced to take the de-gun from his holster and try to angle it so that he can see his reflection in the glass barrel of it.

Metro Man may have won over Miss Ritchi, but Megamind is damned if he’s going to be shown up completely, and he is doubly damned if he’s going to do this evil plot with smudged eyeliner.

Megamind, regarding his reflection critically, decides, with a sigh of relief that his eyeliner hasn’t smeared. Using the waterproof kind for this particular plot was definitely the right choice. He holsters the gun again, careful not to ruin the lines of his costume.

Minion had been very excited to create a suitably fancy outfit for Megamind to wear during this evil plan, and Megamind is really quite pleased with how it turned out. The black suit, complete with black tie, is as formal and well-tailored as any worn by the guests in the ballroom, although there are spikes on the shoulders of his coat, holding his long black cape in place, the trousers are close-fitted enough to allow him to wear his holster, and the high, flared collars of the shirt, waistcoat, and coat give the whole ensemble a pleasingly elegant, almost regency-era effect.

Through the closet door, he hears the music change and wonders if Miss Ritchi is dancing with Metro Man.

Megamind makes a face. If he has to listen to one more song—

An explosion in the distance makes him jump. The orchestra music falters discordantly into silence.

Megamind grins to himself.

Excellent! The first contingent of brainbots has detonated the bomb he planted for Metro Man’s distraction!

Megamind has always hated that particular public statue near the fountain; not only is it aesthetically distasteful; it was made to commemorate one of the city’s more unpleasant—but rich—historical figures. And, most conveniently, it’s located distant enough from the City Hall building that, with Metro Man lured away to it’s explosion, Megamind will have time to make his entrance here.

He rolls his shoulders, nerves and excitement beginning to twist pleasurably in his stomach. Almost time, now…

The single lightbulb in the little closet abruptly flickers out.

Ah! Minion has successfully taken control of the building’s power!

Megamind bounces a few times on his toes, rolls his shoulders, getting mentally prepared, then pulls on his night vision goggles.

Showtime!

The crowd in the ballroom is confused and agitated, but not in an outright panic; as Megamind makes his way through it, he hears several people speculating that the explosion they heard must have damaged the power lines.

He reaches the stage with the orchestra and hops up on it; the orchestra members, seen through his night vision goggles, are still seated, speaking amongst themselves. Megamind moves to stand a little apart from them, then pulls off his goggles.

In the darkness, he reaches for his watch and presses the button that will send a signal to Minion that he’s in position.

The power comes on, but the bright lights in the ballroom do not. Instead, in the darkness, music begins. Not the music of the orchestra, this time, but the recorded music that Megamind chose especially for this evil plot.

Under cover of the music and darkness, Megamind quickly dehydrates the goggles and shoves the cube in his pocket, then replaces his gun in its holster.

A low red light begins to illuminate the ballroom and, at the same time, smoke begins to roll over the floor, curling around the members of the crowd. The red light tints the smoke red, makes it look like blood in water, billowing and unfurling.

Oh, that is an excellent effect; breaking in last night to slip the red gels into the lights and set up the smoke machines was definitely worth the effort. In the dim illumination, Megamind can see that the crowd is growing steadily more agitated.

The music continues to rise: the backbeat of drums, the electric keyboard in the background giving it a frenetic, floating quality, and the smooth simplicity of the electric guitar—the song’s slower and more slick than the music Megamind normally favors, but the low red lights and the smoke turn the song’s smooth sensuality into something much more sinister, giving it an edge of menace.

A spotlight hits Megamind, perfectly on cue, lighting him up just as the lyrics begin, and a collective gasp, interspersed with a few screams, goes through the room, nearly drowning out the words of the song.

I heat up; I can’t cool down You got me spinning ‘round and ‘round

Megamind throws his arms wide.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” he says. “I’m so pleased you could all join me here tonight!”

He looks out at the crowd, scanning the faces rapidly, searching for—

There she is.

Miss Ritchi, standing near the front of the crowd, wearing a red gown, looks back at him, and Megamind’s heartbeat kicks into a faster tempo.

(perfect; perfect; this is going to be perfect; he won’t allow it to be anything else)

‘Round and ‘round and ‘round it goes Where it stops, nobody knows

“Welcome,” he says, smiling and showing his teeth, “to the show of your lives.” He lets his smile widen. “The last show of your lives—unless you all do exactly as I tell you.”

The agitation of the crowd increases, but Miss Ritchi doesn’t look afraid. Without breaking eye contact with him, she tilts her chin up.

“And why should we do anything you say, Megamind?” she says, voice ringing out above the noise of the crowd.

Another gasp, almost as shocked as the one that greeted Megamind’s appearance, ripples through the crowd, and Megamind barely restrains himself from clapping in glee.

“Ah, Miss Ritchi!” he says. “I was just going to ask for a volunteer from the crowd; so obliging of you to offer!”

Every time you call my name I heat up like a burning flame

From the corner of his eyes, Megamind sees the members of the crowd nearest to Miss Ritchi draw away from her fearfully, but most of his attention is focused on her.

“Why don’t you join me,” he says, “on the stage?”

Miss Ritchi’s lips part, color flying to her cheeks, a look somewhere between outrage and incredulous amusement on her face.

“Wh—no!” she says.

Megamind arches an eyebrow.

“No?” he says. “Not even if I say the magic word?”

“Ha!” she says. “As if you’ve ever said please in your life, Megamind!”

Megamind smiles at her, and then he lifts his hand, a deliberate, theatrical move, timed with the music that’s still playing in the background.

“Please,” he says.

And he snaps his fingers.

The overhead sprinklers turn on at the click of his fingers and just as the chorus kicks in—

Abra-abracadabra I wanna reach out and grab ya

—and all of the brainbots that he and Minion meticulously dehydrated and hid around the room earlier burst into being, apparently from thin air. As the bots rise up into the air, their excited bowging mingling with the shrieks of the crowd, Megamind throws his arms wide and his head back and laughs.

Abra-abracadabra Abracadabra

“Didn’t I tell you all that you were in for a show?” he cries, raising his voice to be heard above the crowd. The sprinklers, having served their purpose, turn off again. “Oh, but what is a magician without his lovely assistant? And what better paragon of beauty could Metrocity offer than Metro Man’s paramour? Miss Ritchi…? Or do my brainbots need to do some more…convincing?”

He pauses expectantly, looking at her. The crowd has drawn together, away from the brainbots that have taken up their posts all along all of the walls, and they all look at her as well.

Miss Ritchi glares up at Megamind, and for a thrilling moment, he thinks she might actually call his bluff and refuse again, in which case he doesn’t know what he’ll do—

But then her gaze flicks around to the people watching the two of them, to the brainbots hovering threateningly along the perimeter of the room. Megamind can almost see the thoughts flickering through her mind.

These people are convinced that Megamind is capable of following through with the worst of his threats, and even if Miss Ritchi isn’t—

They’ll never forgive her if she refuses. Never.

But if she agrees—

Oh, if she agrees? They’re going to love her.

Miss Ritchi’s eyes meet his again, and her chin goes up.

“Fine,” she says. “I’ll play along.”

She lifts the skirt of her wet dress a few inches and walks towards the stage, head up, steps slow and dignified.

Megamind bites his lip against a grin and moves to the steps that lead up to the stage and holds out a hand to her.

To his utter shock, she actually takes it and allows him to help her up the stairs. Megamind is so taken aback that, when she gets to the top of the stage, it takes him a long moment to remember to let go of her hand.

They’re very close, much closer than Megamind anticipated; he hadn’t thought she’d actually take his hand and let him help her, had thought she’d slap it away or turn up her nose or say something cutting, and he’d planned out several very clever things to say in turn, but right now he can’t think of any of them, and they wouldn’t work now anyway—

Miss Ritchi’s hair is wet, clinging in damp strands to her jaw and brow, and as he watches, a droplet of water slides down the curve of her cheek.

Megamind drops her hand and takes a step back from her, turns quickly to the crowd once more.

“Let’s have some applause for Miss Ritchi!” he says, the uncertainty and confusion he still feels lending an edge to his voice.

The people in the crowd must hear it, because they comply, clapping.

Miss Ritchi glances sharply at him; he sees it from the corner of his eyes, but he’s careful not to look at her. She’s already got him off-balance; he can’t afford another clash with her until he’s managed to pull himself together a bit.

Instead, and as the people applaud, he gestures to the nearest brainbot, who bobs in the air in acknowledgement before swiveling their eyestalk to look at the other bots. They bowg sharply, and at this signal, several of the bots separate from the others and fly towards the stage.

Minion really is doing very well with the technical cues tonight, Megamind thinks, as the music unobtrusively fades away under the cover of the applause; all that extra time spent rehearsing is certainly paying off.

Megamind waves an imperious hand at the crowd, and the people obediently stop applauding.

“Well, ladies and gentlemen,” he says, “I promised you a show, didn’t I? Let’s begin.”

He looks over at the bots hovering above the stage with him.

“Now,” he says.

At the command, the onstage bots immediately begin to—

Someone in the audience gives a shriek of horrified shock and Megamind smiles to himself.

Yes, to the audience it no doubt looks as if the bots are disassembling themselves. Really, of course, they’re just removing the completely non-functional extra prosthetics and assorted metal bits that Megamind attached to them for tonight’s show. And once the bots have finished removing the pieces…

“Yes,” he says, “as you can see, my cyborg helpers are busily engaged in constructing the contraption for tonight’s climactic conclusion! Can you guess what it is, Miss Ritchi?”

He looks over at her again; she’s watching the brainbots work, an expression of keen interest on her face, but she looks back at him when he says her name.

“Well, since I see you’ve decided to go full-out with the stage magic this time, Megamind,” she says, raising her voice to match his, so that her words carry throughout the ballroom, “I’m going to guess…sawing the lady in half?”

He grins at her.

“Absolutely correct, Miss Ritchi!” he says. “And I’m sure you can guess who the unlucky lady is. Speaking of which—wrists out, Miss Ritchi.”

Again there’s a moment in which she doesn’t obey and he thinks perhaps she’ll refuse. But instead she gives a little huff of annoyance and holds her wrists out to him.

Megamind’s grin widens. Oh, this is going splendidly! He reaches for the knot of the necktie he’s wearing, tugs it loose, and takes off the tie. Miss Ritchi’s eyes widen a little as he does, and she takes a quick breath—nervous about being tied up? He wouldn’t have guessed so, but then, she’s never been conscious before while he’s been tying her up.

Watching her face, he reaches out and secures the tie around her wrists, tight enough to keep her from freeing herself but loose enough that she won’t be uncomfortable—really, the bindings aren’t for any practical purpose; this is just about the show. Maybe Miss Ritchi realizes this, because she glances down at her wrists when he’s done, then raises her eyes to his and arches an eyebrow.

Megamind turns away and steps back from her again, spinning quickly to make his cape flare. He smiles at the audience and spreads his arms.

“For my next trick—disappearances!”

He waves a hand at another of the bots, and it moves forward with several of its brethren. This group isn’t wearing any extra prosthetics; instead, they each carry a black bag.

“My bots will be going around, making a collection,” he says, letting his hand rest oh-so-casually on the handle of his de-gun. “Wallets and jewelry, which of course includes watches, cufflinks, and tie pins. Hand them over to the brainbots.”

Miss Ritchi makes a quiet noise; he turns to look at her and sees her twist her mouth as if she’s tasted something bitter.

“Robbery?” she says. “Really?”

Megamind narrows his eyes at her, more nettled than he’d like to admit by her expression and tone.

“Let’s call it charity,” he says. “That is, after all, what we’re all here for tonight, isn’t it?”

Miss Ritchi presses her lips together.

“There’s a bit of a difference” she says, “between the Open Hand Foundation collecting donations for the Metro City Children’s Home and you stealing people’s jewelry!”

“Is there?” Megamind asks. He moves towards her, slow, menacing steps, then begins to circle her. “And what if I promise to donate seventeen percent of my ill-gotten gains from tonight to the Metrocity Children’s Home?”

“Seventeen percent?” Miss Ritchi says, turning her head to look at him.

“Hmm, yes; perhaps you’re right,” Megamind says, “It isn’t a very high percentage, is it? Still—” he flashes a thin, hard smile at her. “—I’ve never claimed to be anything but evil. So I’ll be having the jewelry.”

Miss Ritchi shoots him a glare.

“Fine,” she says, and raises her bound hands.

She tugs the pearl stud earrings—the only jewelry she’s wearing—from her ears and holds them out to him.

Megamind, startled, merely looks at her.

He—well, he hadn’t actually meant for her to give him her jewelry. The rest of the people here, yes, but—

“For charity,” she says sarcastically.

When he doesn’t take the pearls from her, she makes a noise of impatience and drops them. Megamind reaches out and catches them before they can fall.

Miss Ritchi looks at him, scorn in her eyes and in the proud arch of her neck.

Megamind closes his fingers over the pearl earrings and turns away from her.

(it doesn’t matter. it doesn’t matter, her looking at him like that. it doesn’t matter. he doesn’t care.)

“Ah! It appears the brainbots have completed the construction of the mechanism!” he says, and jerks his head in Miss Ritchi’s direction.

The bots on the stage fly towards her and herd her towards the deathtrap.

It is—necessarily—a very simple trap, constructed of what metal pieces he could attach to the bots: a very narrow metal table with manacles for Miss Ritchi’s ankles and a hook for her tied hands, and a large circular saw, made of the detachable upper fins from the brainbots all fitted cunningly together, set on a metal stand.

The brainbots secure Miss Ritchi in place and a murmur of horror sweeps through the crowd of people. Megamind glances over at the sound.

Ah, good; it appears as if the bots doing the jewelry and wallets collection have finished. One bot catches his eye and moves its metal hands in a quick series of motions: the signal, radioed to them by Minion, that Metro Man has finally finished with the decoys, and is on his way back to the courthouse.

Megamind slips the earrings into his pocket and steps up to the deathtrap.

“For my final trick!” he cries, and spins the crank on the saw backwards, winding it.

He lets it go.

The saw whirrs to life with a loud buzzing, spinning swiftly, only a foot from Miss Ritchi’s midsection. Someone in the crowd screams and Megamind reaches into his other pocket, stepping back from the deathtrap.

An electric guitar chord rips through the ballroom; the last of Minion’s sound cues, and Megamind throws the smoke bomb on the stage down by his feet and draws his de-gun in the puff of smoke.

The brainbots throw their smoke bombs, too, and in the resulting smoke and chaos, no one really notice when Megamind shoots out one of the nearest ballroom windows. As soon as the glass breaks and he reholsters the gun, the bots scoop him up, flying in a swarm through the broken window and out into the night.

The reports of the incident, which appear on every Metrocity news channel and in each newspaper and magazine, are quite satisfactory. No actual video footage, more’s the pity—Megamind, of course, has the recordings from the brainbots, but it had been necessary to avoid broadcasting during the evil plot, so he’s the only one who does have the footage.

Several enterprising members of the press did take photograph during the robbery, though, and the ones the newspapers and magazines choose to run are all fairly good. There’s one in particular which he very much likes, a photograph of the stage, the brainbots swirling around himself and Miss Ritchi. He’s in the middle of turning, his cape flared and one hand outflank in a theatrical gesture, his other resting on the de-gun at his hip. Miss Ritchi is standing beside him, her hands bound, the black of his tie stark against the red of her dress, her head turned just slightly as she looks at him, the strong line of her jaw displayed perfectly.

Miss Ritchi herself gives a report after Metro Man frees her from the deathtrap in which Megamind left her. Megamind, safely at home in the lair with Minion and the brainbots, watches it. She summarizes the circumstances of the hostage taking and robbery with her usual incisive accuracy.

She’s—less scathing about Megamind himself than he expects, especially considering her the disapproval she so blatantly demonstrated during the proceedings.

“Simple robbery seems a little out of character for Metro City’s self-proclaimed supervillain,” she says, and tilts her head. “One has to wonder if maybe it wasn’t quite so simple after all.”

The words that run along the bottom of the screen during her report read:

Roxanne Ritchi, KCMP investigative reporter.

She smiles at Metro Man when he gives his little speech about his part in her rescue.

Megamind, her pearl earrings held loosely in his hand, feels a strange sort of sharp pain in his chest, as if he’s swallowed a piece of broken glass.

Well done, Miss Ritchi, he thinks.

***

Three months later, KCMP investigative reporter Roxanne Ritchi breaks her first real story.

“Scandal at the Open Hand Charitable Foundation! Evidence has come to light of widespread financial mismanagement by the foundation’s board of directors. Embezzlement? Or merely incompetence? That remains to be seen, but it seems that, of all the funds collected by the Open Hand Foundation in the last year, only seventeen percent actually made its way to the intended recipients. Where did the rest of the money go? This reporter has...”

…to be continued.

Thank you for all of the reblogs and comments!

And thank you for all of the well wishes for me and the cat. Her Majesty actually wasn’t quite as over her illness as we thought; she got sick again. But I have a new medication I’ve been giving her, and she seems to be improving—hopefully for real, this time!

The song Megamind uses during his evil plot in this chapter is Abracadabra, by the Steve Miller Band.

I hope you all enjoyed the new chapter!

[angstchim]

Inscribe | jhs

II. Bucket Hats

➻ I. Biology Test | III. Doll Face

➻ Rating: M

➻ Words: 10140

It was 8:59 in the morning. The room sound and silent. The aura of relaxation coated the air. Soft gentle breaths could be heard as the rise and fall of your chest heaved. You slept soundly on your small couch. That was until the wretched sound of a ducks quacking erupted from your phone. The sound so loud it scared you shitless as it always did. Jumping from sheer fright you fell off the couch and came into harsh contact with the wood floor that adorned your apartment. "Jesus fucking Christ!!" Left your lips as you wearily searched between the cushions of your couch to find your measly phone. Once the item in question was in your hands you were met the familiar sight of an "okay" or "snooze" button. Your thumb smashed the "okay" button. Sighing while running a hand through your greasy hair , you looked around taking in your surroundings. You were in your living room. Not your bedroom which was a little odd. You furrowed your eyebrows a bit , however the memory of last night flooded back to you. Last night you were perched on your couch listening to music at max volume. Just laying there , music blasting in your ears . Eyes closed , relaxation in the air . It was your only escape from the obnoxious sex your neighbors had. Other than leaving your house that is , but you found it absurd that you had to consider leaving your own home because of your neighbors and their bloody loud sex.

You shouldn't ever have to resort to that but sometimes you honestly felt like you had to resort to that because your land lord was a good for nothing son of bitch. However you found out that blasting music into your ears , was the best coping  mechanism you had against your sex addicted neighbors . Honestly sometimes you feel like the government should pass a law saying that certain individuals should be banned from sex . However your unpopular opinion wouldn't never be taken to account and you left it at that. As a result of last night, it seems you fell asleep on your couch . Which wasn't a big deal at all. Just that your couch was really uncomfortable to sleep on. Sitting on it was fine and all . It was a comfy couch. However it was a couch not a bed. It wasn't meant to support your sleeping body the same way a bed would and therefore here you are suffering for it .

You body ached . Sleeping on the couch was never a good idea. Yet last night your common sense had slipped from you. Who could blame you? Lots happened yesterday . Something small like not to sleep on the couch was bound to slip away from you. You shouldn't blame yourself for forgetting not to , however you did curse yourself for it . Because now here you were , with a sore body. You let out a string of curses as you got up from the floor . You checked your phone . It read 9:02. Not only that but you received a new message last night.

213-000-000: Hey y/n it's the guy whose embarrassing notes you've been reading for two years . Would you like to meet up over lunch tomorrow and talk about it ? :)

Hoseok. It was him. Your heart thudded as your face heated . He sent that last night . You mentally facepalmed yourself. Honestly how could not notice that he sent you a message ? You were literally doing nothing other than listening to music on the couch yet somehow you managed to completely miss his message . Hastily you tapped on the message . Your thumbs smashing the keyboard of your phone as you composed a reply.

Sorry I'm replying so late, I fell asleep on the couch yesterday . Anyways I'll take you up on that offer for lunch today . I have lunch at 12:30 today so if you're free at the same time let's head for lunch somewhere.  Hit me up with where you'd like to meet :)

You checked it for any spelling errors. Rereading it in your head a few times before you pressed the send button. It was still pretty early so you didn't expect a reply right away which was fine with you . As your hair was kind of disgusting, it was greasy and you needed to hop into the shower quick before you got dressed for school. Hopping on your phone real quick , you put on Spotify. Your music began to blare through your phones speakers as you trudged your way over to your bathroom. Your stripped yourself of your clothing, looking in the mirror as you did so. You always had to look at yourself in the mirror whenever you undressed yourself . It was odd . You just felt weird when you didn't do it . Strange habit to say the least . However while looking in the mirror you noticed you still had some of your makeup left on from yesterday . Mascara was clumped on your eyelashes . Liquid lipstick stained your lips and your eyeliner was smudged .  'Yikes' was the only thought you had . Your eyes trailed down your body to your arms . For once in a long time they were bare . No chicken scratch on them. Except for your number that was written in your comic sans handwriting that you wrote yourself yesterday at the cafe with Hoseok.

Whenever he wrote on himself, the little notes he wrote would usually disappear the next day, whenever he washed them off you assumed . When he washed them off his body , they disappeared off of yours . However it seems like he didn't wash your number off his arm. Seeing this you smiled to yourself .  He didn't erase your number off his arm. He left it there. It probably doesn't mean much . It hardly meant anything really . But still you felt a sense of warmth blanket your heart as you saw this.  You let your fingers trail over the ink that adorned your arms . Knowing momentarily it'd disappear since you'd have to wash it off while you showered . Taking it in once more , you etched it's memory into your brain as you started the water in your shower. You hummed the lyrics to the song that blared through your phones speakers . Swaying your hips a bit to the beat of the song.  Once the water temperature was to your liking you got inside . The warm water felt soothing as it rolled off your body.

You wiped the water from your eyes as you searched the shelves of your shower rack for the shampoo. Once you located it , your hand grabbed it . It felt a little light. You'd have to buy some more soon. Opening the bottle you squirted copious amounts of shampoo into your hand. Much more than what was necessary for washing your hair that is . That was another bad habit you had . You used way too much shampoo and conditioner. More that what was needed to wash your hair . You didn't know why you did it . It just felt so satisfying to have a large blob of shampoo or conditioner in your hand. Plus it felt nice to lather such large amounts into your hair. However you needed to stop this habit . You were a college student after all. Everyone knows how much of penny pinchers colleges students could be and you were one them to be honest .

You couldn't afford to buy new shampoo and conditioner every week because you had this weird habit of using too much. Of course shampoo and conditioner didn't cost much , the 2,167 won you spent on each individual bottle of shampoo and conditioner did add up overtime . You were a college student . Spending lavishly was not in your vocabulary.You took the ungodly amount of shampoo that was in your hand and began to lather it into your wet hair. This part of a shower always soothed you. Massaging your scalp , making sure you covered every piece of your hair with shampoo, making sure to close your eyes tightly you stood under the shower head that spouted warm water onto you. Hands going to work , washing the soap from your hair. While doing this , your mind began making itself known. Whenever you took a shower, your mind would always run wild . Not in a bad way , but in a psychological way, if that made sense ? Like you'd think abut things you wouldn't normally think about.

Like for example "Maybe the reason Patrick is so dumb , is because he lives under a rock." Odd to say the least . But it's what ran through your head whenever you showered . The least that could be said was that whenever you finished showering you had a whole new way at looking at the world . In a sense your psychologically dumb thinking was therapeutic, almost . While your thoughts were unleashed , no boundaries on them what so ever , you had already finished rinsing out the shampoo from your hair , along with moving onto the next step of conditioner. You moved on to shaving wherever it was necessary. After a few more minutes of going through your daily shower routine you were finally done .

Once you finished you just stood there in your shower. A little zoned out as you looked at your now bare arm. No more writing was there . It made you a little sad to look at it , but you shook it off because you needed to finish getting ready. Wrapping yourself in a towel you dried yourself off before stepping out of the shower . You were the type of person who dried off in the shower , opposed to outside of the shower . You hated when water got everywhere . You never realized you were this type of person , till you let Jackson crash at your place a few months ago. He was shitfaced and called you to come pick him up. You didn't mind, you took him back to your place . Jackson was very familiar with your apartment , he spent lots of time there just hanging out. However that particular day, he was so fucking shit faced that he threw up outside , on your damn cacti. You remember being so fucking annoyed with Jackson. You pushed it aside knowing that he couldn't control it . But still, out of all the damn places to cough his guts onto , it had to be your damn cacti?

This isn't the point though. You let him take a shower and once he finished, you let him wear some of your ex's clothing that you still had . It fit him kind of tight since he had a bigger build . You never threw out the clothing , it was comfortable. It was the only clothing you had for him to wear , you knew damn well he wouldn't fit into your tiny clothing. Moral of the story Jackson dries himself outside of the shower and leaves a puddle on the floor that you begrudgingly had to clean. That's what made you realized a new pet peeve you had . After drying off properly , you walked out and off into your closet to find something to wear today. Keeping in mind that you needed to look nice , you were meeting with Hoseok after all. You settled on a pastel pink crop top that was long sleeved , light washed high wasted jeans and some white sneakers . Simple enough. But it was cute and whoever looked at you was sure to let their gaze linger a little longer than necessary.

You threw on a black velvet choker as a simple accessory. Next you brushed out your semi damp hair , you blow dried it in the bathroom , however it still remained a bit damp. You were on a time crunch though , no time to fuss about something small like that. You brushed out your long locks. Your hair framed your face nicely . You kind of had the 'goddess' style going. Not that you minded, it was cute, and basic . You hated being basic . But sometimes life required for you to be basic . Your whole body was sore and you were not in the mood to do some nice styling today . Next, you moved onto some quick makeup. You did what you did yesterday . Mascara , eyeliner , eye brows , and lipstick. Simple but it did the trick . Made you go from a 7 to a decent 10. Giving a nod of approval to your appearance, you grabbed your bag and the necessities for your phone . Luckily your class schedule rotated everyday so today you were blessed with the fact that you didn't have to suffer in Mr. Chen's dreadful class. Today the first class you had was clothing design.  Which you had with Jackson . You had a good portion of your classes with your buddy ole pal., Jackson which reminded you of the funky message he sent you yesterday.

Jackson had always joked about sleeping with you. It was an on going thing he did , you gradually got used to the joke to the point it didn't have any effect on you. Jackson was a straight male after all and you're sure the thought of banging you came across his mind before . Hell , it crossed your mind before too. It wasn't like you had any feelings for Jackson , but to be honest you're sure every female has thought of sleeping with her male friends before . If not then you might just be odd. That wasn't the point though. You shook your head , you lost the train of thought you had going with this. Grabbing your keys , you headed out to your car. As per usual you plunged the keys into the cars ignition and switched on the radio. A song you recognized was playing. Touch by NCT . Now that was a bop. You hummed the song as you drove to school. There was light traffic and the weather was rather decent. It took about ten minutes to get there .

Once you got there you parked your car in the student parking lot and locked it . Then you made your way inside the building. Your design classroom was a rather small one . Not many people took this class due to the fact that it was fucking murder. It was hard , it was grueling , it was distasteful. However you were willing to put your blood , sweat, and tears into your dream. You got to your classroom a bit early. Not that you minded you always like sitting in an empty classroom. It was calming ? You couldn't describe it but all you knew was that you liked it . That's what mattered. You sat down in your seat . In this class you sat next to Jackson. Actually , you sat next to Jackson in all your classes . It was a strange coincidence, but it was nice . Rather him than one of his deranged groupies . Once you sat down and laid out all your materials for this class you plugged in your earbuds and checked your phone for a reply from Hoseok. Your stomach felt extremely light when you realized he replied . You clicked on his number . You ought to change that.

231-000-000: Want to meet up at that McDonalds between your Uni and Mine ? Do you know the one I'm talking about ? It's by that one preschool . Tiny Minds or something ? Anyways I got a buddy who works there at the McDonalds so we should be okay to stay a bit longer since he works there and he won't chase us out . Also 12:30 works fine for me . See ya then y/n ;)

That winky face . He just had to put a winky face . Such a tease. Your stomach fluttered . Thumbs shaky as you composed your reply.

I know exactly what place you're talking about. I'll see you there @ 12:30 . ;)

You decided to throw a winky face back. Now you finally got around to making him a contact on your phone . You changed his name to "Hoseok". You contemplated added any type of emoji or emojicon to his name . You decided against it . You didn't want him to accidentally see it or something and then get weirded out if he didn't feel the same . Slow and steady wins the race after all right ? While you were setting up Hoseok's contact name in your phone a certain brunette male came up from behind you. Stalking you like a wolf would an unsuspecting rabbit. Fresh prey in other words . Jackson entered the classroom quietly as he saw your familiar silhouette sitting in your seat. You seemed to be preoccupied with whatever was on your phone. His playful side taking over as he quietly made his way through the otherwise empty classroom. Quietly , as quiet as he could. He etched closer and closer to you. Ready to pounce . That was until he's eyes glossed over the screen of your phone .

The name Jung Hoseok was written across the screen. Jackson's eyebrows furrowed . A frown tugged at his plump lips . Who was this guy? You never talked to any guys other than Jackson . He's never seen you hang out with any other guy either . As far as he was concerned he was the only one . However seeing this other guys name across your phone screen was like a wake up call. That you had other guys around you, that you weren't just his . Seeing as he was the only male around you since your horrible past relationship , and your whole Sehun fling. He unknowingly considered you 'his'. You were 'his person' without knowing it . You were under his protection. Under his wing. Of course you two had no romantic relations or anything . Yet he still considered you as someone who was his . It's a hard emotion for him to explain . However he didn't like this wake up call at all. He already didn't like this Jung Hoseok guy. Nor the fact that you just sat there smiling like an idiot at your phone . All you were looking at was a fucking name , smiling like a dork. It pissed Jackson off . He wanted to throw your phone.

The thought of pouncing on you to scare you was completely forgotten. “Who's Jung Hoseok ?" He asked , his voice coming across a little more bitter than he wanted. You jumped in your seat , your phone dropping on the table as you heard Jackson's voice ring throughout the classroom. "JeususfuckingchristJackson!!" You spouted as you tried to regain your calm. He scared the shit out of you. You looked back to see Jackson standing behind your chair , slightly hovering over you as he looked at your phone screen . Eyebrows furrowed a bit. He set his bag on the table and took his seat. He leaned on the table , chin resting in his hand. Eyes still focused on your phone screen.  A slight pout on his face , like there was something disappointing him. He took his eyes off of your phone to look you in the eyes . His brown eyes staring holes into your eyes . His plump lips pursed a bit . "Who's Jung Hoseok?" He asked again , his voice nonchalant, however it held a bit of seriousness to it . You gulped . He seemed a bit off, but he was still Jackson . Your bud. "Oh him, he's a guy I met at a cafe yesterday after school." You explained as you grabbed your phone off the table pressing the "save" button to save Hoseok's contact. Jackson let out a slightly forced chuckle .  You didn't notice that of course as your mind was elsewhere.

"You actually met a guy ? Jesus how long as it been two years ?" He chuckled , his voice light yet his eyes still seemed serious .”Yeah , about two years ." You shrugged , then you remembered the message you received last night from this bastard. Your furrowed your brows , and pursed your lips at him. Jackson took notice of this and raised a brow at your behavior . A small look of confusion adorned his face. "What?" He asked , looking at you still with one brow raised .

“What was with that message you sent last night ?" You asked as you gave his arm a light punch . You weren't mad or anything but Jesus could Jackson be a confusing guy.Jackson chuckled "The message that you so rudely ignored ?" He said being dramatic as hell as he put a hand over his heart . Acting as if you ignoring his message wounded his ego or something. "Yeah that message doofus ." You said playfully hitting his arm again to get him to stop being such a princess. He shrugged, more people were filing into the classroom at this point. "Just wanted to tease you Sweets ." He said this while reaching over letting his big hand perch itself on your head . He ruffled your hair . You let out an annoyed hiss.”Jackson !" You hissed grabbing his hand from atop of your head throwing it back to him. "What?" He asked innocently "you dressing up for someone ?" He mused , leaning back in his chair acting like he couldn't care less. But in reality he cared a fuck ton that it was almost painful.

You clicked your tongue . "As a matter of fact I am. Hard to believe since it's been so long." You weren't looking at Jackson as you said this . You were too busy scrolling around on Tumblr , liking some dumb memes you found about your favorite Kpop groups.

Jackson shifted in his chair . His tongue swiping the inside of his gum as he attempted to keep his cool. "Is that so I hope you have fun . Hope he isn't  a douche like the last couple of guys you've messed around with ." He didn't look at you . He just looked down as he fiddled with his thumbs . “We just met and are going for a casual lunch , nothing too serious just yet . I'm sure he's a good catch." You said as you continued your scrolling . Just as you finished saying this the classroom was now full , and the professor was now in the classroom. For this class you had this old hag of professor . She was a fifty year old cougar . Well you weren't sure if she was a cougar . She just looked like on and had the vibe of one . She always wore clothing for women half her age . She always acted like she wasn't fifty and did her makeup like a twenty year old would. It was kind of gross to look at . The sight of a fifty year old trying to masquerade around as a women thirty years younger was unsettling .

However you've never seen her try hit on any of the guys who attended your college . But you wouldn't put the idea passed her . Especially when she looked the part. Her name was Ms. Kim . Miss. She wasn't even married . However Miss Kim , had a thing about phones in her class so as soon as she entered the class everyone made sure to make their phone as scarce as they could. You and Jackson included . Miss Kim was a very blunt teacher you'd say if you were given a chance to describe her . She came into the class , set her shit down gave the assignment . Explained it a bit , answered any questioned students had . Then let them get to work. She didn't like phones out during her class . If you had your phone out she wouldn't reprimand you or anything. But she would take your grade down a whole 10 points which can hurt. She won't even let you know , she'll just do it and when you see your grade and talk to her about she'll just flat out tell you it was because of your phone. Quite the bitch of a teacher .

That's part of the reason her class has such a reputation to it . No one wants to fucking deal with her . However it was a mandatory class , well for you at least since you seeking a career in the fashion industry. Today the assignment was for you to create a piece of clothing by the end of week. It couldn't be store bought of course and had to portray something personal to you. You spent the rest the class , designing and sketching in your sketchbook the ideas you had . While doing this you felt a familiar tingling sensation on your right arm. Your heart to blunder as it tried to break free from your ribs once more. You cautiously looked around you. Some chick next to you was too busy trying to hide her phone under the table as she frantically sent messages . You could hear the faint sound of her thumbs smashing the keyboard of her phone as she did this. Next you looked over to Jackson whom was seated next to you. He was too engrossed in his sketch to notice you. Jackson always got too concentrated in his designing. Not that it was a bad thing , you actually adorned Jackson quite a bit for that . You slowly pushed the sleeve of your right arm up as you looked to see the familiar sight of chicken scratch on your arm. 'Wyd?' It read . In messy letters . Honestly by now you a pro at deciphering Hoseok's  messy handwriting . It made you wonder how his poor professors managed at Yonsei Uni. His chicken scratch wasn't easy to read at all but you mastered it . You honestly felt like you deserved a medal.

You smiled though . He's such a dork. You grabbed an ink pen from your bag and wrote 'Stuck in design class hbu?' . After that you pulled down your sleeve and continued to work on your sketches . About a good 15 minutes had passed before you felt a familiar tingling sensation on your arm. Class was about half over but the time he wrote back. Your were still doodling , not so much sketching anymore just doodling small drawings onto the margins of your sketchbook. The class you had next was mathematics . Another class you deemed a bit useless for you since you were going into the fashion industry solely due to the fact that they were requiring you to take algebra . You see why something like geometry may be helpful but fucking algebra ?

Once again you cautioned your surroundings making sure no one would see you. Coast was clear. You rolled up your sleeve to see that he replied in his messy cursive . Just finished dance practice , tired as hell' . You forgot he was a dancer. You wonder what kind of dance he did . Would you ever see him dance ? If you did lord knows you wouldn't be able to handle it . That was certain. What kind of dance ?' You wrote in your comic sans handwriting.  Your rolled your sleeve back down and began to pack up your things. Class was about to end in five minutes, you were going to walk  with Jackson to your math class . Coincidentally Jackson got stuck in the same shitty algebra class.

Finally,the bell rang , signaling you were free from the grasp of Miss Kim. You nudged Jackson as he seemed a bit spaced out. He only looked up at you before giving a nod of understanding . You both made you way out of the design classroom , walking to your algebra class. While doing so all of Jackson's groupies began their usual whispering sessions . Each of them killing you with their glares as you walked beside Jackson. Jackson always ignored them and encouraged you to ignore them as well. He didn't control them , he couldn't , it's not like he asked for the little fan base he had . It just happened . He complained to you so much how much he hated girls that were groupies . It just annoyed the fuck out of him to have girls dropping at his feet left and right . For good reason too , it quite unattractive to see someone throw away all their morals for the sake of admiring someone else. Very distasteful. You ignored it , his little fan club loved to find any reason to hate on you. Like you could breathe and they'd be offended . You didn't care. Honestly you couldn't care less. Sometimes you felt like breaking those groupies hearts even more so you'd do something like grab Jackson's hand. You'd watch with satisfied eyes as they all glared back at you with hateful glares. You made your way to class , Jackson at your side . Today you didn't feel like crushing the hearts of groupies . You and Jackson walked together over to your algebra class in a comfortable silence . Entering the class you took your seat next to Jackson.

Class began and ended in the blink of an eye. It was now 12:15 and you couldn't be more excited . You gave Jackson a rushed goodbye as you rushed out of the classroom and halls . You were a bit winded and out of breath by the time you made it to your car which was parked in the student parking lot . Unlocking it swiftly , you hopped inside and threw the keys into the ignition , radio blaring as it turned on. Not that you minded you were too excited and happy to care . You began making your way to the McDonalds that you and Hoseok agreed on. It wasn't too far away from your school . A 15 minute drive couldn't hurt . You had an hour for lunch after all before you returned to school for your last two classes you had today. It was Friday after all and the school didn't give as much classes on Fridays as they did every other day of the week. You nodded your head slightly to the beat of the song that was playing on the radio. Momentarily you arrived at the McDonalds . You just sat at empty table you were a bit early. About five minutes of waiting passed before you saw a familiar form enter though the restaurant's front doors.

There he was in all his glory. Hoseok entered the restaurant. He had on a rather tight fitting black, long sleeved top. The only way you could tell was because he had his black Puma windbreaker unzipped so you could get a good view of the thin fabric as it was stretched along his muscular torso. What a sight. This time he didn't have on any glasses and lord did you love it.You could get the perfect view of his face . His black bangs obscuring his vision yet you could still make out the soft almond shape of his eyes . His long eyelashes shielding his tawny colored orbs. You never knew such a basic color like brown could be so beautiful. Yet Hoseok made you realize lots of things. He just had that effect of you. He wore a black leather bucket hat over his soft black tresses. A look not many could pull off but he did , Hoseok was able to pull off things others couldn't . One of kind, truly. Now you suddenly had a bucket hat kink give or take. He paired it with a rather tight fitting pair of black jeans that were ripped at the knee and it had a few slight tears on his thighs . Lord his thighs . The first time you met him you were able to tell that his thighs were thick and muscular, but now more than ever they were making themselves known. His jeans hugged his thighs in one of the best ways humanly possible. Dancing did him well that was certain.

Time seemed to pass by so slowly as he made his way over to the table you sat at . Once he arrived he flashed you a toothy smile. His pearly whites never failed to make your heart flutter . "Well, well isn't it the guy who's supposed to come early to these things?" He says with a chuckle.

You shift in your seat , realizing that he was right . Usually the guys are supposed to come early, not the girl. However it wasn't like this was a date right ? Did he see this as a date ? God , he's one confusing man. “Ima rule breaker , get used to to it ." You throw back in a flirtatious tone. Motioning for him to take a seat . He just chuckles even louder than before . He takes his seat swiftly. “Hope you didn't wait too long." He said as gave you a friendly smile. Damn him. It should be a crime to be that good looking . Like the man would just  breathe and you'd be in cardiac arrest. However you stayed strong deciding not to give into this devil disguised as an angel.

"Hardly waited at all." As you said this a waiter approached the table you and Hoseok sat at . He was jaw droppingly handsome . He had jet black hair , almost black eyes , and a jawline that could kill. His nose was button shaped . Sadly he was wearing a tacky McDonalds uniform . However he managed to make that McDonalds uniform look runway worthy . The shirt was too small for him so you could get a good view of wonderfully sculpted torso. He was very muscular . He had a broader build than Hoseok. Hoseok was of a leaner build, which was wonderful . But this guy was a straight muscle pig. Nothing extreme like bulging muscles , but there were enough for you to tell he must hit the weight room every week.

He had thicker lips than Hoseok, however he had a bit of a baby face . You'd say he was at least two years younger than you. You eyed this man a bit longer as he walked over to your table . “Well , well would you look at this ? What's a fancy fuck like you doing here ?" He spoke to Hoseok , he had a nice soothing voice , it wasn't too deep but deep enough. While he spoke you noticed he had bunny like features . Especially his teeth . Cute . Hoseok rolled his eyes , "Trying to enjoy lunch, so you gonna take my order Kook or are you gonna sit there and waste perfectly good O2 that I could be breathing in right now ?" Hoseok retorted .

Kook? This is the guy Hoseok stole math notes from ? You would've never imagined this hunk of guy. Honestly if Hoseok was stealing notes from someone you'd expect a nerdy looking guy , not this muscle pig. Kook just shrugged at Hoseok's comment . Eyes widening when he saw you. His jaw opened a bit of slack as you two made eye contact . He shifted a bit as he stood there just making eye contact with you.

You decided to speak to him first . "H-Hello , I'm y/n l/n . I'm an acquaintance of Hoseok's" you said as you gave a polite bow of your head to the bunny looking guy. He quickly bowed back. Eyes never leaving yours . "I'm Jeon Jungkook , I'm a close friend of Hoseok Hyung , nice to meet you y/n Noona ." He said rather formally.

"Noona ?" You questioned out loud . You never really hung out with people younger than you so you've never really been called Noona by anyone . He blinked at you. "You are a Noona, correct ?" He looked at you , eyes still wide . He didn't seem like the smug guy he was just moments ago as he spoke to Hoseok.

"Oh yeah I'm 22, I assume your younger than that right ?" You said . “19 ." He replied . You sat there mouth hung open as you looked at the boy in front of you. This muscle pig of a guy was three years younger than you?! Hoseok laughed loudly as he watched this exchange between you and Jungkook. It never failed to amuse him when people found out Jungkook's age ."She seems star struck . You still there y/n ?" Hoseok huffed between laughs. You blushed as you realized how ridiculous you must've looked just staring at Jungkook with your mouth hung open.

“Yeah I'm here , just a little surprised that's all." You chuckled . “Little ?" Jungkook mused cockily. His smugness evident in him. “Ya! I'm your noona don't speak to me like that ." You said while pointing a finger jokingly at him. Playfulness coated your words . Jungkook and Hoseok laughed loudly at this . Jungkook giving Hoseok a playful nudge on the shoulder. "Hyung , she's great , bring her around more ." He said through laughs . You blushed brightly hearing this . Hoseok's eyes widened, the apples of cheeks red but you couldn't tell if it was blush or just his face was red from laughing too hard just moments before.

“Don't worry Kook , she'll be around more , y/n is a friend of mine after all right y/n?" He said slightly evading Jungkook's comment just moments ago. “Yeah don't worry this isn't the last of me ." You said throwing a smile at Jungkook. He returned it with a toothy smile . He had a beautiful smile . He really resembled a bunny. “Anyways enough of this small talk before my manager chews my ass out , what do you guys want to eat ?" He said picking up his notepad , clicking his pen on with the thumb of his really large , veiny hands . He had beautiful hands . His hands almost rivaled Hoseok's in terms of beauty. Hoseok gave you look . A gesture of 'you ready to order ?' You have him a reassuring smile . "Would you like to order first ?" You asked Hoseok .

"Sure ." He shrugged . Hoseok gave Jungkook his order as he jotted it down . You relayed yours to him as well and then the muscle pig was out of your guys hair .

Once Jungkook left, Hoseok and you were awkwardly silent . It was strange seeing as just moments ago it was lively . Hoseok was the first to speak. “Y/n tell me about yourself , I'd like to know more about you." He said in a soft voice . Giving you a smile smile as he did so.A bit flustered you replied "Well what exactly would you like to know ?" You asked him. Twiddling your thumbs , making eye contact . He put his finger on his chin as he dramatically acted like he was thinking hard on what to ask you. Letting out a "hmmmm" sound as he did so. "How about what's did you think when you started seeing my little scribbles on your arms ?" He asked with a chuckle . Still sounding as if he didn't believe this whole situation was real. “Honestly I was so freaked out ! You have no idea one day I wake up and see some chicken scratch on my arm that wasn't even mine ." You chuckled out "I thought I was going crazy." Hoseok dramatically put a hand over his heart . "Chicken scratch? My handwriting isn't that bad!" He huffed out . "It really is , I couldn't read it till I turned it sideways ." You shot back .

“Lies." He said in denial. “Don't get me started on what I've read over the years ." You chuckled out watching the man get flustered at the mention of what he wrote on his arms in the past . “Lord don't bring it up, I just want to forget about that." He said as he avoided eye contact. You let out a giggle . "Alright , Alright I'll forget about it ... for now" You mused . “Y/n!" He whined . God he just whined . You weren't prepared, honestly a man like him whining just because you're teasing him? He really was something else and you were loving every bit of it . "Anyways my turn to ask questions ." You stated matter of factly. Tapping your finger against the table as you did so. Hoseok resting his chin in the palms of his beautiful hands . “The stage is yours." He said while , blowing a piece of hair out of his face . God that was hot .  He should do that more often . "What kind of dance do you do ?" You asked , leaning in a bit. This was something about Hoseok that really peaked your fancy.

He lit up when you mentioned his dance . Normally people didn't care enough to ask him about it . They'd just brush it off as a hobby he did or pastime . Not something he took seriously as a career . He leaned in a bit more , still a fair distance across the table . His face still rested in his palm . The bucket hat perched atop his head . His bangs slightly hanging in his eyes. His eyes where practically shining when you mentioned the word 'dance'. You could tell dancing was his passion. "I do lots of HipHop dance , along with some contemporary dance ." He said gleefully.

“HipHop dance ?" You inquired. "Like the type of dance boy groups would do ?" Your face lit up as you asked this . He smiled . "Yeah similar to it at least . My contemporary dance is the type of dance you may see watching a play or something ." “Contemporary dance is really beautiful." You spoke without really thinking . "I could never do it , my body can never move that gracefully but I do appreciate it , it's an art ." Hoseok seemed very interested as you spoke . "Not many people consider dance to be an art you know ? They just say it's a hobby or a pastime ." He muttered out a little bitter sounding. 

You empathized with him completely. Not many people considered fashion to be a full fledged career like engineering. It was just discarded as a hobby or silly dream by many. When you told your mother you wanted to go to college for fashion, she laughed thinking it was a joke only to realize you were serious. “I understand what you mean. People don't consider fashion to be a serious career either . They just dish it off as a pastime or hobby." You said nonchalantly looking out the window of the restaurant. Watching people you didn't know pass by as they walked along the streets of Seoul. "It sucks that people think that way. They can be so close minded . By the way what type of fashion do you do ?" He asked as he leaned back into his seat . His arm resting on the back of his chair . As he did this you could get an even better view of the thin fabric of his black shirt . It stretched against his torso nicely. Truly he was sculpted by the gods .

"Yeah,  but that just means we have to prove them wrong. And I think my work is a mix between high fashion and commercial. You said throwing a reassuring glance his way. As you said this Jungkook returned with the cheap food you both ordered . “Two orders of diabetes ?" Jungkook asked jokingly, a little bit of snark in voice . “That'd be for us kind sir ." You said nodding your head to him giving him a sarcastic response . He just sent you and Hoseok a playful smirk before setting down the greasy food making his way back to wherever he came from.

“Bon Appetite!" Hoseok said taking a fry from his tray. You watched as the fry left his lips shiny from the grease . He even looked beautiful eating. Lord this man was inhuman. You both began eating. You tried your best to be as self aware as you could. Making sure to not make any mess, be it on the table or your face. You both continued your talk about how unfair things were for people who majored in any department of dance and fashion . While enjoying the conversation you had with Hoseok , you attention was driven elsewhere when someone entered the front doors of the restaurant. A familiar head of brunette hair dressed in a white sweater , khaki pants and brown dress shoes . Sir Jackson Wang just walked it. You recognized him immediately. You stopped eating , and just started at him. Hoseok took notice of this and glanced behind him to try and peg what had you so distracted . As soon as Hoseok glances behind him , Jackson took notice of your presence .

His face lit up once seeing you, however his gaze darkened when he saw a man sitting across from you. An attractive man at that. Jackson threw a phony smile on his face as he made his way over to your table. Hands stuffed into the pockets of his khaki dress pants . “Well, isn't this a coincidence Sweets?" Jackson added emphasis on 'Sweets' . You didn't really pay too much attention to it . Brushing it off as his usual behavior . However Hoseok took notice of this. When Jackson spoke it was directed at you , however Jackson was looking Hoseok straight in the eye. “Stalking me ?" You asked playfully looking up at Jackson from where he stood next to your seat.  "You wish, sweet cheeks." Jackson said once again directing his words at you , but keeping eye contact with Hoseok.

Hoseok made an awkward coughing noise . Making sure you knew he was still there .  "Y/n , wanna introduce me to your friend  here ?" He said with a light chuckle . An underlying tone of authority laced his voice . You didn't pick up on this . However Jackson did and he didn't like it . Here we was trying to make his presence known to this random guy that you were having lunch with . However this random fuck was sending it right back to him, not backing down. “Oh yes of course! How rude of me ." You said with a light chuckle . "Hoseok , this is Jackson Wang he's my best bud . Jackson this is Jung Hoseok , I met him yesterday, we're becoming quite aquatinted." You introduced both males to each other . Neither of them made a move to shake hands . They just bore holes into each other . A tension in the air that you couldn't quite put your finger on. Hoseok spoke first . "Pleasure meeting you Jackson." He said a fake smile across his attractive features .

Jackson returned it with a phony smile of his own . "Likewise ." Jackson then turned to you.  "Sweets ready for the party tomorrow night ? Meet up at my place @11 , dress to impress ." He said while outstretching his large hand to rest of your head while he ruffled your hair. As he did this muscle pig Jungkook came back to drop the receipt off at your table . "Party?" He jumped into the conversation . "You mean the one being held by this guy named BamBam or something ?" He said his bunny teeth shining through as he spoke . Jackson looked over to the 19 year old .  "Yeah you know BamBam?" He said looking at Kook. “Not really , heard he throws killer parties . Taking my bud Hoseok with me tomorrow night ." He said while nudging  Hoseok on the arm. Hoseok sent him a glare , rolling his eyes . "Since when did you decide that Kook?"

"Since now ." Kook said while clicking his tongue . “Jungkook you can't even drink yet ." You mused . Jungkook just put a finger up his lips letting out a  'shh' , giving you a playful wink before walking off to god knows where . You turned to Hoseok . "You going to the party too?" You asked taking a sip of your soda . Jackson's hand still rested on your head . "Apparently." He said sending you a flirtatious smirk . You felt your insides flutter . This didn't go unnoticed by Jackson .

"Hopefully I see you there ." You said quietly. You'd don't think he heard you , but then you saw him smile widely . “I'd like to see you there too." He said leaning on the table . Chin rested in his hand . "I'll get going, see ya once lunch is over Sweets ." With that Jackson gave one last ruffle to your head. Shooting a glare at Hoseok as he did so . Once again directing his speech to you , but looking Hoseok dead in the eyes as he did it. Hoseok sent him a phony smile back. Hoseok wasn't really fond of this Jackson guy. He was standoffish. Not only that Jackson seemed to be possessive over you which Hoseok didn't really like. Hoseok didn't know why he didn't like it . He hardly knew you as you were nothing more that an acquaintance, yet it rubbed him the wrong way to see Jackson drape himself over your small frame . Calling you Sweets. He almost wanted to ask if he could give you a pet name of his own . Almost.

However Hoseok wasn't going to back off . Especially since you and him were connected in some way, shape , or form because he knew his scribbles didn't just appear on your arms for nothing that's for sure . He needed to know how in the world you were connected to him.  This Jackson guy will not get in the way of that. Hoseok will make sure of it . “Sorry about Jackson , he's can be a little standoffish when meeting new people . That because it's only been the two of us for so long." You explained . “The two of you?" Hoseok inquired .”Yeah , Jackson is pretty popular at school . Amongst the girls , I'm the only girl he lets around him because I'm a genuine friend , however at school it's always been the two of us . Just me and him. He's like a brother ."  Hoseok took a sip of his Sprite. "He has fangirls ?" He asked

“Yeah tons of them. Some of them can be so vicious." You sighed . “Girls can be cruel. Especially over something petty like a man." He said empathetically . "Tell me about it , lord you'd be surprised by all the shit I go though just because I'm Jackson's friend." You'd said tiredly. Thinking back to all the times his groupies would try to trip you in the halls , start childish rumors , and or try to sabotage you in anyway. "The way they act makes you feel like you're in high school and not university." Hoseok chuckled . "Science says girls are more mature than boys but situations like this makes me question it ."

“I'm with you on that one ." You laughed . "Girls can be such nightmares especially jealous ones." Hoseok let out a bellowed laugh . "Say it louder for the people in the back." He remarked putting his hands over his mouth in a shouting motion.That was when you lost it . Hoseok lost it as well . Both of you sat there in the middle of of McDonalds laughing like lunatics . Others around throwing you disapproving looks. It's considered rude to be so loud in public places . But you honestly didn't care as you wiped the tears from your eyes .

After the laughing fit you two had together , you both cleaned up your garbage and disposing of it before walking out together . "How'd you get here ?" You asked him. “Subway." He said , tucking his large hands into the pockets of his Puma windbreaker . You grabbed your car keys from your bag . Dangling them in his face. "Would you like a ride back to Yonsei?" You said with a smile on your face. His eyes lit up. "Like I'd pass up a ride with you."You blushed . You didn't know how you should take that. "F-Follow me ." You stuttered our , leading  the way to your car in the parking lot . Unlocking it you watched him get situated inthe passenger's seat. Once you were situated in the driver's seat you put the keys into the cars ignition. As you did this the cars radio blasted the kpop you were listening to earlier . You quickly rushed to turn  it off. You felt so embarrassed. You really wanted to burry yourself six feet under .

Hoseok just laughed seeing how flustered you were . "Was that Perfect Man by Shinhwa?" He asking throwing up a brow . “Maybe ." You replied. “I love to dance to that song. Put it back on ." He chuckled . You just giggled , turning the radio back on letting the song blare through the car . The ride back to Yonsei was a short once howvever you were able to spend it singing with Hoseok . He honestly was the sweetest thing. When he sung he was so animated . Such a cutie . Honestly one minute he was a hot devil the next minute an angel. It was like God and Satan shared the same body. Once you parked in the Yonsei park lot you unlocked the door for him.

Hoseok sent you a smile . "See you at the party y/n." Giving you once last flirtatious wink , he got out of the car . Closing the door as you watched his form walk further and further away from your car. Entering the fancy university building. You couldn't wait to see him again. You drove back back to your university . The rest of the day just flew by. Once you were out for the day , you stopped at the mall. You were going to a party tomorrow, you knew it was probably gonna be a trashy party , but still you had no clothing . Having not gone out in two years, you got rid of such trashy clothes as they just took  up space in your closet that could be used for storing the very unsexy onesies you wore religiously  at home. You entered the rather dead shopping center . It was still early in the day so of course not many people would be there . You walked into a shop and found a black leather mini skirt . It was a piece you didn't have and it was a statement piece that would be sure to draw attention to you. Smirking as you grabbed it . Next you grabbed some fishnets to pair with it .

You walked to the next store . A black lace brallete caught your attention. You touched the fabric of it . Soft and delicate . Checking the price you nodded . It was a reasonably priced item. You had a sheer black top that you could wear over it . You had some black ankle boots that would work wonderfully as well. You purchased your items. You were a quick shopper . You were a in and out type of person. You didn't like staying around for large amounts of type due to the fact that you had a bad habit of over spending when you didn't quickly leave . You made it back to your car. Tossing the bags into the backseat you drove home listening to music . Last minute shopping done . It took a good fifteen minutes to return home.After a good fifteen minutes of singing to old kpop hits from Shinhwa . You finally came back to your humble abode.  Your lovely white apartment, with your two little green cacti at the front of the door. Next door your shitty neighbors which you hoped would get some sort of std that would cause their rigorous sex life to end. It was a harsh thought. However anyone would understand if they knew how much sleep you lost due to their odd vocal kinks.

Your shopping bag in hand along with your school bag, you punched in your pin code. Entering your house you tossed your sneakers off in the entrance only to look down and see a familiar pair of brown dress shoes . They certainly weren't yours, but you were very familiar with that pair of brown dress shoes . “Jackson ?" You called out as you entered your house . Setting your bags down on a table near the entrance.”You back Sweets ?" A deep voice called back. He poked his head out from your kitchen. You sighed . "What are you doing breaking and entering ?" You asked sarcastically as you marched into your kitchen. Watching with narrowed eyes as a certain brunette rummaged through your refrigerator. He didn't even look back at you. Just continually rummaging through your fridge.

"It's not breaking and entering, just entering as you see nothing in your house is broken Sweets." He stated matter of factly. Still digging in your fridge as if he owned the place. “That's not the point ." You grumbled walking over to the tall brunette. Giving him a harsh slap on the back to add emphasis on your point. “Yah! I'm your Oppa don't hit me!" He said as he quickly turned around grabbing your small wrist with his large hands . You rolled your eyes . "Oppa my ass , you're only two months older than me . Hardly an Oppa ." You said shaking your wrist from his grasp. "Doesn't matter , I'm still your O P P A !" He said putting emphasis on every letter in the word 'oppa'.

You gave him the finger . He just chuckled . Shrugging you off as he went back to rummaging through your fridge .  "Anyways oppa," You mused "what are you doing entering my house unannounced?"  You asked as you leaned against your fridge . As he continued to dig in it . “That's right  Sweets." Jackson mused referring to you addressing him as Oppa before he continued "Haven't got to spend as much time you lately. I'm sure you missed your Oppa." He said finally grabbing whatever he was looking for and closing your fridge . He held a can a of Sprite . This bastard . All that fucking digging for a can of Sprite  that sat in a shelf on the fridge door. This guy was a menace. “You saw me earlier today at McDonalds." You replied smartly . He smacked his lips , letting out a groan. "I didn't get to spend time with you there . You were too busy throwing glances at that Hoseok guy."  He whined . Opening his can of Sprite . "I was not ." You huffed .

"And I don’t have a V.I.P." He said rolling his eyes . “V.I.P?" You questioned he brunette. He replied nonchalantly "Very Impressive Penis" he stared sort of proudly. You choked on your own spit. The cringe filling your entire being. You nodded your head in the direction of the front door . "You see that door Jackson? Walk through it." 

Jackson chuckled . Giving you the finger .  "I do have a V.I.P though." He said throwing you his infamous smirk. “Jackson if you don't stop ." You groaned . “It's not my fault your such a Dildo Baggins ." He teased . It's true you haven't got laid in ages but you were not in a relationship with a dildo. “Whatever Rumpleforeskin." You shout back with a remark just as crude as his. He shrugged off your insults . "Anyways who's the guy you were with today? What's with him, you seeing him or something?" He inquired about Hoseok. “We're getting to know each other ." You replied ."He isn't just a guy you want to peg you?" He asked surprised .

“No. You know Jackson unlike you I don't go looking for hookups all the time ." His dramatic side back as he put a hand over his heart faking pain. " I do no such thing, Sweets." “Fucking liar ." You replied . It was true Jackson wasn't innocent. He may have not fucked his groupies , but that doesn't mean he wasn't in the beds of random girls left and right . None of them stayed around long. He had them for one night before kicking them out the next morning. "Don't be mad I get laid and you don't ." He said

“Just for that I'm getting laid tomorrow." You said giving his arm a rough slap. “I mean that's the purpose of bringing you out tomorrow. It's be a shame if you came out only to not get lucky." He said nonchalantly. “With the outfit I have planned to wear tomorrow, I'll get laid for sure ." You replied irritably “Can't wait to see it Sweet Cheeks ." He said tautly . “Whatever I'm bored of this talk." You said grabbing a banana off the counter . "Want to watch some Netflix ?"  You asked “Sweets are you asking me to a Netflix and Chill session ?" He said wiggling his brows at you as he took another sip of Sprite . "Hardly." You groaned making your way to your living room. Plopping yourself onto your couch . Followed suit by Jackson.

As you were setting up everything for Netflix . Jackson spoke "you know Sweets , I was here for about 30 minutes before you came home. And all I hear is this extremely loud fucking banging and shit. Your neighbor must be drilling his girl hard." He chuckled . “They make me want to shoot myself ." You replied bitterly just thinking about your deranged neighbors. You pulled up your Netflix and sat back on your couch. "You can pick what you want to watch." You said letting him take over your laptop .

Jackson hummed taking it from you. You watched as he put on 'Magic Mike' . “Magic Mike really?" You asked raising your eyebrow at him . “Ehh why not , they don't have Fifty Shades ." He hummed . Sometimes you forgot he read smutty books like Fifty Shades . Magic Mike was the next best thing . You cuddled into Jackson as you normally did when you two watched movies together . You had a calm exterior , however in the midst of watch Channing Tatum do his icon hip thrusts you couldn't help but imagine a certain dancing major preforming those moves instead . Tomorrow's party was bound to be exciting.

[astoldbymercy-blog]

FunkMaster Flex, Radio Interview.

INVOLVED: Mercedes Jones. LOCATION: Hot 97 Radio Station; New York City, New York. TIME FRAME: August 21st, 2018. NOTES: Mercedes has a radio interview with Funkmaster Flex; mentions Samuel Evans and Danielle Harper. AUTHOR NOTES: Trigger Warnings; I am sure there maybe various ones in here for someone - please proceed with caution. 

+ Also this self para was not proof read entirely, due to me posting it late because forgive me for any grammatical errors or confusion. Will edit and reupload later this week. 

“What is the hardest thing about being in the music industry in your opinion? What are some challenges you do face or have faced?” Flex asked Mercedes.

“The hardest?” Mercedes repeated as she looked to the microphone “your imagine, but I think that’s across the board. I don’t think that’s just geared towards music alone” she told him. “I think the biggest challenge has maybe been me hiding some parts of me because of the fear I had of what others thought” she told him  being cut off by him immediately.

“Like the album, which is no sound you’ve ever touched before” he asked her as he shifted in his chair. Flex looked to Mercedes expectantly given how closed-off she usually is in interviews.

Mercedes smirked at Flex and nodded “well yeah. Like I was saying. I didn’t want my body to sell records, but with that I placed my sexuality and my comfort in my sexuality within that same grouping… if that makes sense” she told him. “I never strayed too far away but I wasn’t as vocal either. That doesn’t mean I don’t believe the things wrote and released before… it just means it were more to the story than I was letting on” she said adjusting the headphones on her ear.

“Which only makes sense because you have written music for other artist that totally go against most of your music. Or is in no relation to the vibes you give off” Flex said.

“Well that’s just what makes me truly gifted. But yeah, I’ve written for: Elle Varner, Emeli Sande, Neyo, Usher, Ciara..” Mercedes listed off on her fingers “I have written for movies” she said “I mean the list could go on, I actually song back up for a short time. Then I would open shows, but during that period I made most of the money I have writing for music” she said honestly. “I have featured on a number of stuff as well.”

“Who do you really wish to write for or with right now if you could?” Flex asked her.

“There is this young lady by the name of Danielle Harper, she is a very amazing vocalist and lyricist. I would love to write something for her or even with her. She definitely needs to be put on the map, people are ‘sleeping’ on her” Mercedes said using air quotes. “She has a few songs that I personally have just fallen deeply in love with” she smiled at the thought. “And if I can help to get her noticed or even signed I am down for the cause” she told him.

“Oh yeah. Danielle Harper?” Flex repeated having never heard of the artist himself. He went on to ask “what is your favorite song by her or some of her songs?”

“My favorite is Stone Cold. It’s such a relatable piece of art man” she said with a head shake. “I was in aw the first time I heard it” Mercedes chuckled.

“How does it go?” Flex asked Mercedes.

You could faintly hear the radio manager asking if Mercedes could sing a portion of the song in acapella for them.

Mercedes chuckled “acapella?” she repeated to them licking her lips “stone cold, stone cold. You see me standing, but I'm dying on the floor” she song softly sitting back in her chair. “Stone cold, stone cold. Maybe if I don't cry, I won't feel anymore” she closed her eyes “stone cold, baby. God knows I tried to feel” she belted “happy for you. Know that I am, even if I. Can't understand, I'll take the pain. Give me the truth, me and my heart” she continued to sing sweetly resting her hand over her heart. “We'll make it through. If happy is her, I'm happy for you” she sung, trailing off. “I can’t give you anymore you have to hear it for yourself and give her a try” she said with a chuckle as she leaned back into her chair again.

“I don’t think I have ever gotten you to actually sing” Flex chuckled, excitedly clapping his hand. “Honestly, you have never sung for us but if I can suggest you cover that song. I am. Because your voice was amazing” he emphasized. “I would have thought it were your song honestly, for real” he told her.

“I could consider it” Mercedes said discreetly as she looked to the other interviewer in the room.

“What else do you have going on?” the guy asked “you have Sparkle, we heard…”

“Yeah. Sparkle, I’ll be portraying Sparkle herself. And I am excited. I have the scripts, I have been studying who she is, what she stands for, her overall personality” Mercedes said nodding her head. “Should be a good watch. Has Danielle Brooks, Kelly Rowland, uh some others I can’t name yet” she said with a grin. “It’s going to be great” she told them.

“Are you writing any original songs for that?” Flex asked her curiously.

Nodding her head, “I write one of the final songs Sparkle is set to sing in the movie. But much like Jennifer Hudson in Dreamgirls, I have to portray her throughout the movie first and then I’ll go back to record and write the song. They need that raw emotion and I guess grittiness from me. Which is by the way hard… naturally I have a very soft singing voice. That powerhouse everyone knows about forces it out” Mercedes said chuckling again.

“Which is right because you have this one song, I think it’s called breathe or pause?” the radio manger said in the background. “But your voice is so soft and angelic and, I can never really make out the lyrics I always thought it was sexual but I loved the vibe to it” she laughed softly.

“Oh yes” Mercedes said nodding her head “it’s called Pause off of my second album” she corrected the woman discreetly and she nodded her head listening before she released another laugh. “You’d be amazed the different explanations I get for that song. Everyone thinks it about everything but what it’s really about” she told them. “Hey, it’s me. I’m calling to schedule an event. No make that necessary breakdown” she said reciting the lyrics as she placed her hands on the table. “I won’t be answering anything. I’ll be to busy, with my knees on the ground” she emphasized “and my hands up towards the clouds. Confessing out loud, I’m not too proud to say I’m slipping. So I am calling to schedule a very necessary breakdown. Leave me alone now” she said in full. “It was titled Woman, I was coming into my own kind of. And Pause was something that was previously written when I was going through a rough patch in life to be honest” she shrugged. “I was basically talking about having a actual breakdown, cutting off the World, not answering my phone or anyone, getting on my knees and praying and lifting my hands up to Heaven asking God to help me help myself” she said sighing. “And uh, it’s a interlude so… I think any people miss that message a lot” she said running her hand down the side of her face. “Which is interesting, I thought it was self explanatory when I wrote and recorded it” she said to them.

“Whoa” Flex said.

“I honestly didn’t know that’s what that song was saying, we played that all the time back when the album dropped. ‘Cause she loved it” the another guy in the room said pointing to the radio manager.

“I always thought on my knees implied…” she gestured with wide eyes. “And I thought you were saying with my legs up towards the clouds!”

“Damn that’s wild!” Flex said as the room ruptured into a fit of laughter.

Mercedes chuckled shaking her head “that’s common” she commented grinning. “But no” she said shaking her head again closing her eyes, “it is not” she said truthfully.  

“I’m embarrassed” the woman confessed as she continued to laugh “wow”.

“That’s crazy” Flex responded “what’s something else crazy that has happened to you?” he asked her.

“Recently… I mean the most unexpected thing happened to me. You know when something kind of leaves you speechless?” she asked. “Someone I know kind of hit on me I think and the vibe ever since has been… crazy” Mercedes said. “But I’m taken so you know I’ve had to just kind of fix the situation. But yes, that was crazy” she said. “And I think every time I see my lyrics, song titles, or name tattooed on someone I am just like left speechless” she snorted.

“Really!” Flex exclaimed “I forgot you are in a relationship. Long term right?” he asked her.

“Yeah I am. Since high school practically” she said looking down at her shirt and brushing lint off of it. “His name is Sam. Well we all call him Sam” she said crossing her legs. “And off and on since high school we have been together. He’s the typical southern gentlemen” Mercedes said being cut off again.

“He’s not within your race right?” the other guy asked.

Mercedes looked to the man before looking back to Flex, “he’s caucasian yes” she answered.

“How is that, the two different cultures mixing and mingling? You are very vocal about the wrongful killings of plenty African American males be it men or boys. You even wrote a song with MAJOR expressing that disdain. And you speak a lot about your heritage in your music” Flex said looking to her as she sat back in his chair.

“The color of his skin doesn’t determine my actions and doesn’t sway the way my heart leans” she told them making a gesture with her hands. “If he were out here conducting himself in a manner that would make me question where he stood in correspondence to what I give off and I am about I would see the issue. The color of his skin means nothing. Love is love” she said looking off. “I don’t get into politics” Mercedes said cutting her statement off short. “If I were with him and felt I couldn’t embrace the skin I am in… well see we wouldn’t be together” she told them. “Although to correct you the song MAJOR and I wrote were about a number of things actually….”

“I can dig that, I have always just thought that was interesting. Kind of like Kendrick Lamar and Donald Glover” the other guy replied.

“Mhm” Mercedes replied back simply through closed lips as she turned in the chair from left and right. These were the reason interviews annoyed her so much, because she hated giving personal information and being spoken to in a manner that challenged her or her beliefs.

“We don’t have to talk about politics but we could talk about your album that isn’t even a month old and has sold almost 500,000 copies already!” Flex said into the microphone. “You have literally blow up over night! You were on the charts but 5 songs for 2 week straight? With all these other big artist dropping major albums around the time you have dropped yours?” Flex asked. “That is crazy!” he exclaimed. “It has gone gold in under a month! Were you expecting that man?”

“No, not at all” Mercedes said shaking her head. “I didn’t necessarily have the birthday I intended. It was finished. I called them up. Said drop it. It wasn’t the album I wanted so my attitude was much different. But boy does it feel good to live in the success of it all” she said chuckling. “Couldn’t believe the World loved it. I was in this pinch me please type of mood for like 3 days. And I am so very grateful, so very grateful. Words can’t express it.”

“What was the inspiration, why did you switch up your sound and look?” Flex asked wanting to get the juicy details from her if he could.

“Because it’s what they wanted. I had stuff written and usually I give the permission for me to look through the book of songs I have. And you know… stuff happened from there” Mercedes told him shrugging.

“So SONY did?” Flex asked her with raised brows.

“No!” Mercedes said chuckling “do not put that on SONY, SONY pays me WELL” she chuckled along with everyone else. “I don’t need any blogs or magazines spinning that crazy ass story. My team, or the team I had did” she clarified.

“Had? So you’ve fired your people man?” Flex pressed.

“Your words not mine” Mercedes said shaking her head “hey, I write the songs and record. I don’t handle anything else personally. At the end of the day I will always be in good hands, trust me” she told him seriously.

“Alright, I just want to say congratulations again. You are on the road to 1,000,000 copies, better known as Platinum. And I wish you all the success in the World girl, you have an amazing voice,amazing personality, beauty, brains, all of that and you deserve all the stuff that is coming to you thanks to the album!” Flex said confidently.

[theemperorsfeather]

I got tagged for a thing by @fel-as-in-tumbld​, and since I’m super tired I’m in the right mental space for it.

Rules: write down the next 10 songs on shuffle and choose my favorite lyrics.

So first up, I’m not working off my full collection but a playlist of a bunch of favorite artists, because I am too tired/lazy to switch to the full collection (besides which, the full thing has stuff I don’t much like so I don’t wanna bother with it).

1. VNV Nation - “Airships”

You were the warmth of their hearts, you were the sum of their dreams

2. ATB - “In Love with the DJ [New Vocal Clubb Mix]”

Like a moth in a window pane

Yes, that’s it, I like that phrase best of all. There’s another nice bit but that’s the nicest.

3. Icon of Coil - “Other Half of Me”

You know what. I’m not really that fond of this song. I’m skipping it.

3. Muse - “Revolt”

Okay. Yeah. Much better. This is the stuff. The chorus is good stuff.

You've got strength You've got soul You've felt pain You've felt love You can grow (you can grow) You can grow (you can grow) You can make this world what you want You can revolt You can revolt You can revolt 

Maybe it’s not good to read but it’s great with the music.

4. Royksopp - “Dead to the World”

This is a really lovely song, and I’ve never paid much attention to the lyrics because they’re very quiet.

In the dead of the night you seem closer to me The next day I wake up and know how unreal it is Feeling so tense like I'm caught in a corner You can't speak but I hear you calling I come back for you 

5. The National - “Slipped”

I don't want you to grieve But I want you to sympathize (alright) I can't blame you for losing Your mind for a little while (so did I) I don't want you to change But I want you to recognize (that I)  

6.  Empire of the Sun - “Old Flavours”

Walking on the golden line

I overall don’t particularly care for the lyrics in this one, there isn’t much to them.

7. Enno Chang - “Golden Old Days”

This is mostly in Mandarin, which I don’t understand very well but the part of the song that is in English is magnificent so I wish I could understand the rest.

Hey bastard You know this is how we work No matter how No matter how You’ll always be my love

8. The Killers - “Miss Atomic Bomb”

Oh my GOD I LOVE THIS SONG. It’s hard to pick favorite lyrics it’s really just the whole god damned song but I’ll control myself and pick one of several favorite sets of lines.

I'm standing here Sweat on my skin And this love that I've cradled, is wearing thin

But I'm standing here And you're too late

9. The Killers - “Where the White Boys Dance”

On the other hand I’m just not that into this one.

It’s the calm before another storm

10. VNV Nation - “Legion (Janus)”

Cheers and tribute greet the saviors Reckless thoughts survive Anachronistic and impulsive

Wow okay I’m really tired now and it isn’t even that late. I had to correct so many typing errors in this post I can’t. I’m done.

Do you want to play? Then this is your invite.

[t4194]

GIFT

Kuroko No Basuke — Tadatoshi Fujimaki Gift — t41g4 Please understand, if : Character in this fanfic could be very OOC, my grammar is very bad, errors of writing everywhere, plot is not clear and confusing, and various other mistakes. .. He had never seen that blue-haired man so busy for the rest of him life, even though they had decided to stay together for a rather long time—from the end of high school. But still, for Taiga to have Daiki is everything he needs in this world, because he is his world. Even so, in fact Taiga did not refuse when Daiki give his gift. It is not expensive. But Taiga is sure, he will remember the gift from Daiki for the rest of him life. .. Taiga was’n sure how much time the lazy man spent studying this, he really looked stunning in a tight old cowboy suit and hugged him so tightly, and Taiga would not lie if Daiki looked so hot right now. Him navy's hair was hidden inside a broad brown hat, while the man smelled of wood. Totally burn Taiga from inside. It was like Taiga wanted to wrap his arms around him all night long, and be in the strong arm's sleeves and comfortable thick muscles. Maybe he'll do it while they sleep. Because now Daiki looks very excited, and it seems like it will last for a few hours later. Seeing what is happening now, incomplete if it does not discuss everything from scratch. What else if you see how this morning Daiki is still asleep so soundly on their bed when Taiga went to work. And when Taiga came home he was startled by the outages of all the lights in their small apartment. Taiga thinks it has something to do with the damage and thinks of calling the electrician immediately, if Daiki did not light a candle in the middle of the room. The light shone on his strong face. Afterwards, Daiki lit another candle and made the room filled with candle light. The tantalizing scent came from the center of the table. A rather lavish banquet and many neatly arranged above it—which Taiga believes results Daiki delivery. At that Taiga could only frowned confused with the situation around them. Until Daiki starts turning on his music player. Excerpts of the guitar sounded later. And it feels like Taiga knows the song. Daiki leaned in with a hot, dangerous glance, making Taiga feel the hair on his neck stand up. He approached to close the door of their apartement, before hugging Taiga's waist from behind. They lightly follow the rhythm until Daiki sings the lyrics. — Si sabes que ya llevo un rato mirándote, Tengo que bailar contigo hoy His voice was hoarse and a little awkward, making Taiga unable to laugh at him. That means, Hey ~ it's completely different, Daiki never spoke Spanish before, and Taiga sure, he must be trying hard to do it. Perhaps he took Spanish lessons without Taiga knowing or maybe he studied independently, remembering if Daiki was really smart, his only fault was that he was very lazy. Taiga just know what Daiki wants to say through the lyrics. They rarely spend time together, even just to hug and kiss. Considering how they work. — Vi que tu mirada ya estaba llamándome... Muéstrame el camino que yo voy, oh... And the lyrics are not much better. It made him feel more embarrassed. How can a firefighter who returns with a sweaty body can be included in a calling category? And Taiga thinks it's sweet enough to say to someone who just got home from work. Then the music began to change a little more fun, and their body shake changed. Daiki twisted it until they faced each other, and whispered something to Taiga's ear while blowing his breath while his hand was still on Taiga's hip. — Tú, tú eres el imán y yo soy el metal Me voy acercando y voy armando el plan Sólo con pensarlo se acelera el pulso Oh, yeah... Daiki tapped his shoe on the floor and now his arms wrapped around Taiga's body. The eyes of the deep color of the ocean stared Taiga deep into his soul. And Taiga thinks they are really the right moment. — Ya, ya me está gustando más de lo normal... Todos mis sentidos van pidiendo más... Esto hay que tomarlo sin ningún apuro... Fix it back, until Taiga thinks he will fall. But Daiki caught it appropriately, until their position seemed to do a dance, maybe a tango or maybe a flamenco that Taiga thought. Although in the end not both. — Des-pa-cito Quiero respirar tu cuello despacito Deja que te diga cosas al oído Para que te acuerdes si no estás conmigo — Des-pa-cito Quiero desnudarte a besos despacito.. Firmo en las paredes de tu laberinto Y hacer de tu cuerpo todo un manuscrito Daiki threw a gentle smile at Taiga before kissing his forehead. Daiki thought he needed to praise himself for singing his lyrics appropriately while teasing Taiga. Then Daiki let Taiga out in the middle of the room and circled it while patting his hand on the air. Make Taiga laugh amused. — Quiero ver bailar tu pelo Quiero ser tu ritmo... Que le enseñes a mi boca Tus lugares favoritos Taiga smiled sheepishly before trying to get closer to Daiki, he thought he wanted to hide his face on a man neck. But Daiki just touched their noses, before retreating backward to finish the song. — Déjame sobrepasar tus zonas de peligro Hasta provocar tus gritos Y que olvides tu apellido Taiga saw a small fang sticking out of Daiki's thin lips and it made him furious to pinch his muscular arms. Daiki took a breath before he started singing the hard lyrics—which he practiced until he felt his tongue split open. — Si te pido un beso ven dámelo Yo sé que estás pensándolo Llevo tiempo intentándolo Mami, estoy dando y dándolo Sabes que tu corazón conmigo te hace bom bom Sabes que esa beba está buscando de mi bom bom Daiki signaled Taiga for him to come closer, before pulling the red-haired man to sway with him. — Ven prueba de mi boca para ver como te sabe Quiero, quiero, quiero ver cuánto amor a ti te cabe Yo no tengo prisa, yo me quiero dar el viaje Empecemos lento, después salvaje Taiga laughed a few times while Daiki screeched his forehead as he sang the lyrics. — Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito Cuando tú me besas con esa destreza Veo que eres malicia con delicadeza Daiki makes funny movements by shaking his shoulders—or just Kagami who thinks so. Seeing how her effort to look romantic Taiga could not possibly not give him a short kip in him dark cheek. — Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito Y es que esa belleza es un rompecabezas Pero pa' montarlo aquí tengo la pieza Now Daiki walked forward-backward as he shuffled his shoulders and flicked his hand. While Taiga does what he can. He never really danced before. But Taiga thinks Daiki is just as awkward as him too. — Des-pa-cito Quiero respirar tu cuello despacito Deja que te diga cosas al oído… Para que te acuerdes si no estás conmigo — Des-pa-cito, Quiero desnudarte a besos despacito Firmo en las paredes de tu laberinto Y hacer de tu cuerpo todo un manuscrito   Taiga laughed as Daiki hugged him and whispered the song's lyrics for Taiga to hear it. His warm breath tickled him. And they rocked while hugging tightly. Missed some lyrics that should be sung. Taiga thinks it's because Daiki is tired. That means talking in a language that is not a daily language would be difficult. — Des-pa-cito Vamos a hacerlo en una playa en Puerto Rico Hasta que las olas griten "¡Ay, Bendito!" Para que mi sello se quede contigo And it becomes the last lyrics that Daiki sung before he closes his show by force by stealing a deep and forceful kiss from Taiga. Make Taiga laugh in their kisses. "Why?" He asked with a pout while their music player still rang, buzzing the song quietly. "I just do not think you're going to sing in Spanish," Taiga replied as he kissed him in his dark blue hair. "My friend in the office says giving surprise to your partner who shows your feelings and a candlelight dinner will make your partner feel he is the luckiest person in the world." Taiga smiled "Of course I'm lucky, who else will see Aomine Daiki wearing Maji Burger's mascot in the middle of a basketball court to say its feelings, if not me." His dark cheeks flushed "Did I tell you not to talk about it anymore," he said angrily, while Taiga just laughed amused before kissing him again. "Feliz cumpleaños, querido. Sorry I have more time for work, I hope you will not take me off for that. " Taiga laughed "Even if I'm going to throw you away, I think it's because of your often annoying attitude." Daiki laughs before lifting his waist and turning Taiga in the air. Makes Taiga screaming afraid—just imagine, their weight and height are not much different. "I love you," Daiki said before kissing Taiga slowly. .. Fin .. Song: Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee - Despacito Well ~~ I do not really know this problem or how about the advice of Aomine friends #lol This is probably because I'm not experienced about it #cry I made this fanfic because I saw a video gymnastics on youtube using this song #dontlaugh and I think this song is more pleasant to hear my ears for a long time, it's a matter of taste ok! I hope you took the time to hear it, especially when reading this fanfic. Sorry for a lot of errors that may occur. I can not speak good and true Spanish and for English it's the same too #lol Thanks btw already read Feliz cumpleaños Taiga ~~~ Btw its to damn late~~~ sorry #slap

[survivordivergent]

EPISODE 4 - “I WANT TO REACH MY GOATENTIAL” - GEO

Welcome to Survivor Divergent, where's it's 14 inactive people and 6 people actually playing

I'm pretty damn busy today grading final assignments, and I'm pretty sure my frustration yesterday was enough to paint a target on me going forward, but I don't much care. This tribe's work ethic is for shit. I don't belong here. I can't just sit back and not do things. Ed can't, either, because it's such a deep-seated belief of mine that it permeates through him too. Not submitting things is just not my speed.

What pisses me off more than anything is that so far, I've been the only one to put in any concrete work. Percy got the theme based on a writing prompt. Payton's been offering suggestions. Dani's offered to do both the poster and the write-up. Meanwhile, I did the poster (deliberately at a level below what I know I can do, because I've been saying all along that I'm not good with Photoshop.) I did the write-up. Last time I felt so alone in one of these creative challenges, my tribe lost and I was the one sent packing at the next tribal council.

It's bullshit. I hate it I hate it I hate it. And while I love the people on this tribe based on our limited interactions, Peter can fuck off back to the inactivity pool from whence he came. Lucy can find a clue while she's busy finding a last name. And Geo... man, Geo is the biggest disappointment of all, only because we've SEEN what he can do. And it's like he's choosing not to do it. I get that we all have lives and that we're all super busy. I'm running myself so ragged that I'm going to hibernate clear through the holidays.

But that's the key difference: you make time if it matters to you. And if this game doesn't matter to anyone else, why should it matter to me? More importantly, if I get to jury, where's my motivation to vote for any of these people who couldn't — or wouldn't — step up when they're needed?

This is frustrating. I miss Megara Tribe. I miss Bondoso Tribe. I even miss Drohend Tribe. I like tribes that work hard, like each other and trust each other as a result. And this tribe fits maybe one of those three criteria. It sucks.

Six: The amount of posts in our tribe chat per day. God damn.

I'm pretty sure the hosts hate six. Like.

On 12/18/16, at 12:09 AM, Payton Rodriguez wrote: > also, y’all are rigging this against the 90% inactive tribe

On 12/18/16, at 12:10 AM, Payton Rodriguez wrote: > its not mine and ed’s fault that the rest of them are flops like if we went offline for three days the world would fall apart and you know it

no, i dont think they're actively rigging. i think my tribemates are sabatoging and we're not gonna have fucking numbers going into merge. sluts.

Okay so it's been a while, let's see if I can catch up. Last time I made a confessional I was stuck on trying to find the Erudite idol. I was so frustrated, and then we lost reward. I didn't want there to be a chance that someone from Six would find the idol, since the clues stack, so I panicked and asked Melissa for help. She figured it out in 2 seconds bc stupid me doesn't know the alphabet or how to count. Ugh. So we work through the next few pages, and then we get stuck again. But after looking at it for a few minutes, I realized I needed to use the keypad on a telephone to get the next word, and I figured it out. To show some good faith, I tell Melissa right away, but the next page.... whew. I looked at that page for a good half hour and couldn't figure it out. Then I'm reading what's on the page and it looks like song lyrics? So I decided to google them. I copy and paste it into google, and i noticed in the search bar are words I did not see before. So I go back to the page and highlight everything. Sneaky Jenna hid the link to the next blog in white lettering on the page. Very clever. So I go to the next blog, and I need another password. Crap. Well, I'm hoping that whoever is looking for this idol on the Six tribe gets stuck at the password too, so they wont be ahead of me. I decide to not tell Melissa that I figured it out. I want to see if she comes to me with that information. And she does, the next day. So I know I can actually trust Melissa. Like, I know I'm in an alliance with her, but I wanted to like, test her trust? I guess? So there's where we are on the idol journey...

I've been talking to Jill bc, you know, former Candor, and she brings up starting an alliance with Kyle. Me, already being in an alliance with Kyle, am completely down for this. Jill's plan is to have a former Candor/Amity alliance with me, Kyle, and Will, and bring in Melissa as a 5th so we have majority. Kyle and I, already being in an alliance with Melissa, are completely down for this. We decide to tell Melissa about this alliance, because we want Ugly Fruti to be our core, our majority within the majority, if that makes sense. Melissa seems fine with it.

So then we wind up winning the Battleship Immunity, and I am really enjoying not going to Tribal. If we can keep it this way until merge, that would be fantastic. Things have been really quiet around the tribe lately. I haven't been on much because of things irl, but I'm going to try and be around more. I dont want to be first boot from this tribe for inactivity, even though there are people who are way less active than me. I'm just hoping our movie poster is enough to win reward so we can continue on that Erudite clue...

Every single day, I feel myself slowly becoming someone that I am not. And honestly, I kind of like that.

I think Payton is pretty set on getting to know who I am but I'll keep bouncing that carrot in front of her face because the longer I keep her focused on my identity over the game that I want to play, the better it is for me in the long run. Payton is a threat because shes so talkative (albeit annoying as hell) and has Percy in her back pocket. She even came to me and said,

[10:14 PM] Payton Rodriguez: So I think I kinda decided Percy would be safe if we went to tribal again, at least from my vote? He really did help with making that poster look good

Of course that's a valid excuse but you should be willing to vote off anyone at any given moment in time. I don't care who we're going after, but I kind of think that Peter does need to go next. He's just going to do whatever people tell him to do later and he contributes almost nothing to my game, except acting like a little pawn for the time being.

I still have my Abnegation idol, so I'm going to hold onto it as long as possible. I think this is an idol I need to use on myself only because if I try to use it to make a huge move, like playing it on the target to get rid of a threat, then it could backfire and if my own target ends up getting saved, I could go out on a revote. If I just had the regular old thing, then I'd be more willing to be #dauntless and whip it out to save someone else and *ciera voice* make big movez.

Also I'm being really patient with myself and trying to make a lot of spelling/grammar errors and ignoring most forms of punctuation. I want to, in addition, have perfect grammar, spelling, punctuation on my regular account so that people are somewhat confused about my identity. I'm still going with my "pretty, spoiled girl" image that I'm adopting so that everyone thinks that I'm two completely different people. Maybe its working, maybe its not. But I need to start cutting the bullshit and start being as realistic as possible. No more talking about the unrealistic life I don't have, but being real. I have to adopt true parts of my own personality so I'm not looking like a bullshit artist. I have that tumblr blog, so maybe i should share it with the people so they choose to follow me and understand that maybe this is something i'm committing to. we'll have to see how that works out for me, of course.

ok i know im not supposed to but i cant help but get uncharted flashbacks rn im sure its not but lake is giving me ari vibes

Gosh it's been a long time since I've made one of these.

Nothing has really happened. We've been winning immunity and I haven't really helped at all.

I've been trying to staybtalkative with the most active members of the tribe and I feel like there's at least 2 or 3 people that could be voted out before me.

I feel so bad cause I havent done one of these in a long time. Im usually good with confessionals <.< sorry hosts.

I feel like im wadting time with the amity idol but oh well ill keep chugging along

Dani scares me. Theyre really smart, they know who i am, and i feel like theyre not playing with abnegation (obviously they werent from thay tribe) and theyre gping to use it against me. I want to get her oyt, but i think shes better connected to people, therefore attempting to do so will get me oyt instead, and i want to play with loyalty, i dont want to ve a flipper again and again. Dani is in an alliance with me so that wont be good as the others may be wary of me.

Im concerned as well as people arent actually talking that much to me. They dont message me, only dani and payton. I love payton or logan if it is them and i believe theyre going to be a bigger target ahwad of me in the future.

I want to play a very goat game. Previously my competitors and friends viewed me as someone who cant win and is very well aligned and a flipper. I havemt made ftc, and thats my goal. I dont care about anything else. If im loyal and very nonthreatening, people will want to take me as they view me as a goat and i could potentially use that strategy to win? I want to reach my goatential, and see whether i can lose at the end or not. Hopefully i dont.

Im typing this on my phone and i didnt put the heading, sorry for all my messiness. #Goatential #Geoat #loyalty #noflippers #mystrategy

I want to conspire to vote Dani out. I think that might be too risky right now but I don't trust her.

I'm glad we won tribal! But I really, REALLY want to send Dani home. Like, yesterday.

I'm tired of people outside the game talking to me about this game. Stop.

Um, it's been a confusing past few days. The biggest things to come out of them:

1. Six won immunity! Woo hoo! Payton was trying to argue that they were throwing it, but I refuse to believe that. We cam together as a tribe and we showed how much more effective we are when we work together, and that's that. So I guess another way of saying it would be, I don't care what they did. I care about what we did. And we crushed it. And frankly, as great as Payton has been for moral support and activity, her frequent willingness to couch thoughts with 'if's and 'but's really rubs me the wrong way. That's not the way winners think.

1a. That said, Payton is still my #1 for now. She's got a tremendous grip on the tribe socially and is realistically one of the shot-callers around here. The longer I can stay under the radar and vote with her, the more likely I can make merge. And then we're golden.

2. Danielle approached me with 'evidence' that Payton took the advantage, but it was very... sketchy. Which is not to say I don't believe it. I had my suspicions. But I wonder if Dani is trying to throw Payton under the bus for something. There seems to be some bad blood there for reasons I can't fathom.

3. Payton approached me with 'evidence' that Danielle or Geo are fabricating receipts, but it was very... sketchy. Which is not to say I don't believe it. It seems like something both would do, based on what little I know of them. But I wonder if Payton is trying to throw Dani under the bus for something. There seems to be some bad blood there for reasons I can't fathom.

3a. Déjà-vu is the sensation of seeing something you feel like you've seen before.

4. This Erudite idol is maddening. 'Center from the start?' What the hell is that??? I've tried everything – the letter a, the titles on each of the blogs, the word 'hosts' which is the 'center' block on the 'start' page, every past clue in every single blog... I know the clue points to a page on one of the blogs I've already visited, as opposed to the latest one. But I'm so stuck and it's so frustrating and I can only hope others are as hopelessly irritated as I am. I need that next clue, and hopefully this time it'll be something new rather than something I'd already been trying. Talk about bad luck.

5. Peter has been very quiet, but at least he showed up for the comp.

6. Lucy has been very quiet, but at least she showed up for the comp.

7. Geo has been very quiet, but at least he showed up for the comp.

3a. Déjà-vu is the sensation of seeing something you feel like you've seen before.

I will make a longer confessional if I survive tribal, which honestly, I think I will. Me, Kyle, and Melissa are in alliances with pretty much everyone on the tribe, so I think we are fine. The vote should be for Amanda, which is a relief for more than one reason. One, she's getting on everyone's nerves, and two, its so weird for people to be talking about Amanda and to remember its not me. There's only room for one Amanda in this game, hun! Ahhh anyway, after this tribal, we are supposed to be on a holiday break for a while, but I have a feeling before that happens, we are gonna be split into 3 tribes of 5. I'm really hoping not, but if so, I have Kyle and/or Melissa with me, or that I end up on a tribe with a Four Tribe majority. Ahh okay, I'm out til later