#marsfic

[mariipun]

Adventures of Wally & The Gang (plus their Caretaker)

Keep A Level Head

Warnings: None. Humor. Just more silly antics. Inspired by the anime “ Aggretsuko”.  

Word Count: 834

Brief Description: The Welcome Home cast is alive, living alongside humans. You have been contracted as their Caretaker. Our dear Caretaker has been running around all day, working hard. On top of your daily administrative work, you also have to babysit tend to the colorful ensemble of actors, plus all the other studio employees, who can’t seem to do things on their own.

[Not sure if this constitutes a WH!Muppet AU scenario?? Not sure how to tag it haha] 

“Care! Hey, hey! Care--?! Hey! Caretaker! Heeeeeeeeeey!” Julie wails, following behind as you try to ignore her and focus on the task at hand.

No matter how many times you try to address the blonde, she pulls you away from what needs to be done, to what she wants to do. It’s become a bit of an irritating habit, although you’re convinced it’s her hobby, to distract you from your job so you can entertain her grabs for attention.

“Not now Julie, I have a lot of work to do, but I promise I’ll do whatever it is you’re wanting once I’ve got more time—”

“No, I need you now. The new dress I had ordered still hasn’t arrived and I—”

You drone out her increasing insistence, beginning to pick up the pace as you swerved through the crowd of studio employees and other puppets. Unfortunately, the moment the others sight you, the choir of:

“Hey Care—”

“--need you here—”

“Can you fix—”

“Get me some—”

You stop in your tracks, feeling Julie bump into you from behind. With your binder tucked close to your chest, your hands tighten around it. The overwhelming demands from the maintenance team, stagehands, cameramen, and puppets made you fume. It was obvious from your face how feelings of annoyance had now turned into full-blown anger. You tried steadying your breath, feeling the heat prickle at your cheeks, and reminding yourself to remain professional, you need this job, it pays the bills… it pays the bills…it pays the bills….

“Hold on!” You boom, causing the voices to settle. You stand your ground, steeling yourself as you take a breath. “I am extremely busy right now—” You strain, each word slow, with brows furrowed and jaw tight. “Sooo-- I’d appreciate it if you all stop pestering me for a moment, because if I hear one more per—”

“Hey, Care?” Barnaby interjects, poking his head out of the restroom door.

Your mouth shuts, head snapping around to look at him. “What?!”

“I clogged the toilet,” Barnaby responds monotonously, thumb pointing toward inside the restroom, as water slowly began trickling its way outside.

The grip around your binder tightens even more to the point you felt like you could have ripped it in half. Your eyes narrow into a glare, tight lips twitching up into a menacing grin.

“So uh… could you fix it?” Barnaby probes, moving away from the slow leak of water pooling around his feet.

“Please excuse me for a moment…” You seethe, quickly and silently moving your way toward one of the audio control rooms, knowing the padded walls would shield your outbursts. Upon arrival, you slammed the binder down onto the script stand, causing it to wobble and tilt over.

That was the last straw.

You bring your arms up, flailing them around as you release your rage. “What the actual [redacted]?! I just need to do one [redacted] thing! One thing! But nooooooo--! I can’t catch a [redacted] break around here! And why the [redacted] would Barnaby clog the toilet?! PUPPETS DON’T EVEN NEED TO USE THE [redacted] TOILET?!”

You heaved, palming your forehead for a second before sliding your hand over your eyes. You took a few deep breaths to soothe yourself until you heard an audible click and the sound designer over the two-way speaker.

“You, uh, okay in there?”

You drop your hand down to your mouth, eyes darting open to see not only the sound designer but a few of the puppets and two other employees who followed you to your location, staring at you from behind the glass.

You stared back.

Julie had arched a brow, crossing her arms over her chest in disapproval.

Wally’s half-lidded, unwavering, eyes peered at you. “Those are some naughty words there...” He commented, his voice crackling a bit through the speaker. Though, reading his expression you could tell he was a bit amused.

“Yes dear, you really should watch your language.” Poppy chimes, as everyone else in the sound room nods in agreement.

Standing there for a moment longer, you finally gave up. Picking up your binder and setting the script stand back up in place, you walk through the door into the sound room, staying silent as Barnaby stepped toward you with a plunger in hand.

“I found this if it’ll help with the toilet—”

You didn’t say anything as you walked past him, only extending a hand, and swiping the plunger from his grasp. You moved on through the exit.

[BONUS]

Barnaby and Wally both stood outside the restroom door, peering in and watching as you muttered curses under your breath and violently plunged the toilet to unclog whatever ungodly thing Barnaby stuffed in there.

Wally: “So, uh, Barnaby?”

Barnaby: “Yeah lil’ buddy?”

Wally: “What did you put in there?”

Barnaby: “Just a bunch of leftover doughnuts from the spread table.”

Wally: “…Why?”

Barnaby, shrugging: “Wanted to see what would happen…”

[For scientific inquiry]

[mariipun]

YEEES, this is what I’m trying to go for, but I’m still trying to figure out how I’ll construct it honestly. My mind is just *buzzing* with ideas. Ugh, if you ever wanna bounce ideas around, feel free to message me! 

I've recently jumped on the bandwagon of Welcome Home. But I wanted to say thats awesome you're Filipino! (Me too!) But late night thoughts had me thinking of an AU where "What if The Neighborhood is actually a place where all lost/forgotten things (like old puppet shows that were popular back in the day, or ones that got canceled prematurely) find their way there as a refuge rather than just disappearing forever? Kind of a sad concept (like that scene in Inside Out with Bing Bong slowly disappearing from Riley's memories), but instead find themselves having a second chance". Tbh this concept was probably thought of already, I don't think I've even scraped the surface yet lol.

HELLO WHO ARE YOU I NEED TO FIND YOU THIS CONCEPT IS AMAZING BECAUSE BECAUSE I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THIS--

ALSI HIIII HELLO FELLO PINOY!!

I kinda like that idea becausecim making some new wh ocs that are more or less from a show in the same universe as welcome home that only got a pilot episode but sadly got pulled out bc its characters are kinda representative of the seven princes of Hell which is like a nono at the 70s since religion and demons are bad and stuff

Im kinda still drawing them still but yeah! This AU idea is hella interesting I like it!

[oddcryptidwrites]

Worldbuilding in Five

Thank you to @thetruearchmagos and @theprissythumbelina for tagging me in this! I'm gonna tag @mx-ryder @writeark @annakayy @rhyaxxyn @the-writer-nerd-ro @rmhashauthor and whoever else wants to play!

Recently, I've been rattling around my MarsFic in my head again, called the Cryto Conspiracy (#crycon). So, as a little treat, take some concepts for the Domes

The Martian Domes are Earth's big attempt to colonize the red planet. After small-scale attempts at colonization by various companies, the Marages Cosmos Construction Firm began construction, starting with the Alpha Dome. During the time of Cryto Conspiracy, 300+ earthen years later, the Tau Dome has just been completed.

The beginning of the Cryto Conspiracy takes place in the Gamma Dome, one of the smallest and the third-oldest of the domes. Compared to the large, 10 million or more person domes, the Gamma Dome only hosts a maximum of 75,000 people. It's settled into a large crater near the Echus Chasma and is west of the Lambda Dome. It's very much got this dynamic of the societal elite living higher up, literally, with the non-citizen Extraneous living on the actual Martian surface. There's this interesting societal quirk where the red Martian soil is seen as dirty or cheap, while if you can afford to create Earth-like gardens with rich, dark soil, you're richer than rich.

Generally, the society is pretty high tech, with towering building. The tallest, not just in the Gamma Dome but in all of the Domes, is The Spire. It supports the center of the dome, and is the home of the central government of each Dome.

[teeentyonepilots]

Was prompted by @joshdunfiles to write about Jim and I have posted it! I’ve been writing so many long pieces that I want to switch for a bit and write some short fics. I’ve also got prompts I wrote last year and never published that I may post so keep your eyes out for an influx of new Marsfics.

[nails-in-my-mouth]

Drabbles

Dos historias que pretenden ser narradas por Shannon. Una desde el punto de vista de un adolescente de Louisiana, otra desde el de un proxeneta.

Escritas mientras se escuchaba Claro de Luna. Se sugiere escuchar dicha pieza para obtener la experiencia completa :)

¿Cuánto me quieres?

Me dices, respirando la pregunta en mi cara bajo el cartón que nos cubrió toda la tarde, primero del sol y ahora de la lluvia, mientras seguimos acostados en el pasto marchito del patio. Tu sonrisa burlona se amplía cuando ves que abro los ojos como un pez y cualquier respuesta tonta se desvanece entre los dientes y la colilla vieja del cigarrillo. Sabías que no podría contestarte enseguida.

Porque en ocasiones como esta, la escasa luz me impide leer tus ojos y no sé si estás preguntándolo porque te divierte o porque en el fondo en serio quieres escucharlo de mí. Si digo la respuesta correcta sonríes y me besas; si no, sólo me das la espalda y sigues fingiendo dormir, ajeno a las gotas que humedecen los jeans que no alcanza a cubrir nuestro domo improvisado ¿Cuál sería la respuesta correcta para ti? Justo ahora, justo aquí.

Pienso en tocar tu mandíbula con mis dedos llenos de tierra y pintura, pero creo que tomarías eso como una manera de ignorar tu pregunta, y de alguna forma sé que te ofendería más que darte una respuesta insatisfactoria.

Miro directo a tu rostro, y cuando creo que he tardado demasiado me doy cuenta de que no, porque aún sonríes. Mostrando las perfectas líneas no paralelas de tus dientes.

Y creo que es absurdo que preguntes esto, porque ya lo sabes. Sabes todo de mí, incluso mejor que yo.

Sabes que te amo, con la misma intensidad con la que odio las estúpidas cursilerías que siempre uso para conquistar a una chica. Sabes que para mí la cantidad nunca ha sido tan importante como la cualidad, y que la pregunta que has hecho es incorrecta. Porque lo importante aquí no es cuánto te amo sino cómo te amo.

Te amo todos los días, como puedo. Con todo lo que tengo, incluso si para ti no llega a ser suficiente. Incluso si nunca te has quejado.

Ya lo sabes, idiota.

Sonrío. Y consigo que tu sonrisa se ensanche. Y aunque no sé si es realmente lo que quieres oír en el fondo, sé que es lo adecuado en el momento. Porque cuando estiro la mano y mancho tu barbilla de arcilla, cuando acerco tu rostro al mío, no te niegas.

Porque dejas que te bese sin perder la sonrisa, y entierras con la suavidad perfecta las líneas imperfectas de tus dientes en mis labios.

----------

Suspiro. Continúas con la espalda apoyada contra el muro, esperándome diligentemente mientras tratas de calentar tus manos en los bolsillos del largo suéter negro que alguna vez no tuvo agujeros. Que alguna vez fue radiantemente nuevo, como tu sonrisa.

Tu oscura figura esbelta se reclina, con el trazo blanco de la luna encima. Y todo pareciera en perfecta calma a tu alrededor, flotando como el vaho que sale de tus labios. Tu porte sigue siendo grácil, a pesar de pasar estos últimos años arrodillándote ante los demás.

Cuando escuchas el motor del auto no haces más que voltearte y subir, apenas mirándome. Esforzándote por no darme a notar que tiemblas levemente y no sólo de frío. Tus dedos están helados cuando colocas los billetes en mi mano, tus labios en una línea seca y fina. Sabes qué sigue después de esto. Y que lo mismo te espera mañana, y pasado mañana, y el día siguiente; hasta donde la sombra de tu orgullo pueda resistir sin desvanecerse.

Sabes, pensé que te irías mucho antes. Cada noche, antes de frenar ante el callejón, espero internamente que ya no estés ahí. Y al mismo tiempo, tengo un deseo visceral de que seas mío hasta el resto de los tiempos. De que al final de la noche no tengas otra opción que bajarte del auto y esperarme en el asiento de atrás. De que tus manos me reciban juntas, preparadas para ser atadas, y que tus piernas hagan lo contrario y el que termine atado por ellas sea yo. De que sea tu último cliente de la noche. Y que eso me convierta automáticamente en el mejor.

No sé cómo haces con los demás, pero eres siempre tan callado conmigo, ignorando el obvio impedimento de la mordaza. Como si en serio te desagradara tanto como lo aparentas. Como si yo fuera responsable de tu decisión. Me miras con furia. Te vienes con rabia. Mis noches terminan con el espectáculo que sucede en el fondo de tus ojos. Siempre de un azul chispeante, que irónicamente raya en la pureza.

Porque aún hay fuego en tu alma. Aún hay vida en tus sueños.

¡¿Qué haces aquí?! Pienso. Quiero sacarte a patadas del auto y al mismo tiempo abrazarte hasta que duermas y las profundas ojeras desaparezcan de tu rostro.

Maldigo y agradezco por tu presencia. Me lleno de alivio cada vez que paso la boca por tu cuello y siento el pulso que bombea contra mis labios. Te siento real. Te siento mío, incluso si sólo es por una hora, una vez al día.

Pero me siento tirano. Porque sé lo que haces el resto del día. Porque en mí vive el eterno deseo de acabar con todos los que te tocan, y sin embargo sigo recibiendo los billetes arrugados que colocas en mi mano.

Me siento el maldito más afortunado del mundo. Me gusta estar cerca de ti. Incluso cuando no nos decimos nada. Incluso cuando todo se limita a tocarte sin que la acción sea recíproca. Y sólo sería más feliz si confirmaras que no te desagrado tanto como aparentas.

[missjukebox8bit]

Never forget

Martian Bootleg World of Tanks, Review by Russian Jukebox

Hello everybody my name is Isaac Stroganoff, and today on beautiful channel I review world of tank.

(the floofy youtuber puts world of tanks floppy disk into 90s computer)

You see here is good intro design, many tank on screen yes?

(a gremlin bursts into the room with a similar appearance to jukebox, except that their hair is bright orange and somehow even floofier)

It is I, orange hair man. Am here to teach you how to make real tank, and raise good strong tank that is strong and good.

No, you can not do this. Is my channel. Im teach how to play tank game, and give rating!

You cant even win artillery only challenge, or try not to cry during pvp rwby episode challenge. You have neither skill nor spine.

Um, rude?

Anyway, there is of course the start screen. Here we get to choose the map we want to play on. It greatly effects the difficulty. Now, we have mountains…

(preview of mountains map shows tanks tumbling down a mountain)

Very hard. Is not a good idea to raise tank on mountain.

We also have forests (shows tanks getting stuck in tightly wooded areas, while other tanks get through)

Still kind of difficult, not for beginner. But is less insane than mountains.

Next is Plains. Plains is medium. Not hazardous for tanks, but you still have to put in some efforts to make sure the tanks you have are raise properly.

(the preview of the plains map just shows tanks driving around shooting at random stuff like garbage cans and wells and clown cars that are scattered around the plains.)

And also Beach… (preview of the beach map shows tanks lounging on the sand under umbrellas with drinks while other tanks swim through the water like dolphins)

Beach is easy map, but not easiest. Easiest is Germany, where you play in Berlin. Is basically tank heaven, you cannot mess up there. I would show review but I do not want to be demonitized.

So we play on Beach.

Beach?? You play on Beach?? HA! At least be on Forests. Coward child. Baby. Tank of yours will die and you will cry, yes?

Am not going to cry over video game, orange hair man.

Yes you will, because I love tank and if you fail to take care of tank baby and it die I will personally whoop you until you are in many tears.

Hey, hey, lets keep the Isaac Stroganoff show without violence please. Now, lets begin.

(Isaac starts the beach map)

First things first, we ignore the crazy person and get to raising tank. Tank is very cute, yes? Feed it to make it get stronger. Teach tank to scavenge and later hunt for itself. For starters we take our little tank babies and tell them to find Scrap Metal here on beach. Aw, look at them go!! Such cute tank babies.

Now you can can let them feed in two different ways: sharing mode or survival of fittest mode. In one, you have to make sure that your little tank friends do not rough each other up and steal food. This is good if you want to raise them to be social and kind and only attack when attacked first or when they friends are attacked.

Or you can go survival of fittest mode. This is where you do not interfere with their food gathering, and let them settle it among themselves. This means that if two or more try to eat the same food, they will fight over it instead of splitting it. This is good if you want to raise them to be powerful and aggressive tanks, good for surviving in the real world.

I disagree. There are other methods to make tanks powerful, they just tank more time (lol) and skill to pull off correctly. And being aggressive is not as important as learning to work together, which is what separates a tank division from a bunch of wild armored vehicles.

See I said he was crazy. We are going to make the best tanks, so we are going to train them HARD. No lounging around, half social time, and lots of training and fighting over food! We are going to raise the absolute most strong tanks.

(the Orange Hair Man clenches his fists.)

You are not playing game the way I want you to play game. I kick ass many time. Turn off camera.

(screen goes black, and the outro plays)

(to be continued…?)

[mars-fiction]

There's this thing that happens in the next chapter or the next few and I don't wanna write it.

:(

[winterechelon]

My first attempt to write a fanfiction.. I'd love to have some feedback, positive or negative. ;) ;)

Part 1.

Let the drumroll begin.

I woke up only remembering last night I went to bed and only fell asleep after many restless hours.. My mind was rushing all over my memories again. I broke up with Josh. "This is the end. I never want to see you again.." that was the last thing I told him. But of course he kept calling me ever since I left his house, running. Josh had been my boyfriend for 3 years, but then he cheated on me with some girl he met at the pub. He said this was the first time, but I've found traces of lipstick and noticed a different, sweet perfume on his shirt before. I asked him about this, he said that this was just some accident that happened in the office. "Some girl passed out, and I lifted her onto a chair" he told me. I belived him. What else was I supposed to belive then? I thought of him as truthful and a honest man. Turned out he wasn't.

The second time was almost two months ago. I came home from a business trip on Saturday, although it was supposed to take the whole weekend. When I arrived home, I heard some noises from my house, found my keys quickly and opened the door. I almost bumped into a beautiful girl with a short red dress, standing next to Josh in the hallway. Almost immediately I dropped my suitcase on the floor. The girl backed up from Josh a little bit and then ran out the door with her sky-high heels klicking on the asphalt. Leaving Josh standing there, I rushed to our bedroom and closed the door but didn't lock it. I heard him knocking on the door as if he was asking for premission to come in. I yelled him to leave, he didn't, instead he came in and sat on the bed. I was just standing there, looking out of the window. I remember the feeling of my tears building up and eventually running down my cheecks. He told me to sit. I didn't. Then he told me that this wasn't what it looked like. I belived him, again.. Yesterday, I came home from work an hour earlier than usual, because my boss had to run to his brother's wedding. He was in a great mood and let me leave earlier too. When I opend the front door of our house, I heard a woman screaming in the bedroom, and then Josh roaring "Oh, you slut". Then a slapping noise. I rushed to the bedroom, the door was half open, and found Josh in bed with another woman. Slapping her ass hard again, he said "I can do anything to you. My girlfriend never lets me slap her ass" and then wild giggling from the girl. I opened the door, just to see how he was bangin another woman, in our bed. He saw me a second after I entered the room.

Turning his face to me he said "Let me explain sweetie pie".

He pulled out from the girl, who was obriously horrified. I punched him hard in the face. I turned to the closet and took my suitcase, which was packed for a trip I was supposed to go tomorrow, then left without a single word.

Closing "our" door, I stood on the porch, my back facing the door and threw the key on the lawn. I headed towards my car and heard the house door opening and Josh coming out. Wanting to prevent seeing him, I yelled "This is the end. I never want to see you again!" Okay, whatever, I don't want to think about it anymore, or I'll start crying again. He's a stupid fuck.. At least I didn't sell this place when I moved in his house, I thought. Looking around in my small apartment, which only had two rooms, I felt happy to be back at home. Unfortunately, I had sold almost all my stuff, exept my closet, bed and couch. There was also a huge mirror on my wall. I looked at myself, sitting in bed with messy hair and make up. Thinking I better start acting like a human being and go shopping, I crawled out of bed, wearing only my tiny red thong and a bra. I paddled into the bathroom to take a refreshing shover. After the shover I was all washed up and ready to go.

Shopping done. Sitting in my car, I had this weird feeling that I forgot something. Oh right, I forgot to buy drumsticks. I've been thinking of drumming my whole life, 24 years of thinking, but I never got a chance. First school, then college, now work. But what the hell, I gotta find time for myself too. Jumping out of the car and taking my purse, I ran back to the mall.

When the doors opened I shaked myself, it was raining outside. Quickly walking toward the music store, I saw a bunch of girls gathering in front of it. Maybe there's a new handsome shop assistant in the music store, I thought. Passing the girls, I stepped to the store. It was huge. There were instruments everywhere. I spotted the drum section. I went there and saw a man choosing drumsticks. He was wearing sunglasses and a big hoodie. His head and face were almost covered with his big hood, so I couldn't see anything precise, but he did look cute, that much I could tell. Turning his face to me, he smiled the cutest smile I have ever seen in my life.

"Newby huh?" he asked. His voice was low.

"Aw, haha, yeah, I've never bought drumsticks before in my life, nor have I played drums" I said with a bit embarassed voice.

"I can help, all you gotta do is ask" he grinned behind his hood.

What the hell, I felt like a schoolgirl all again and I don't even know why. "Can you help me please?" I asked awkwardly.

Smiling the biggest smile, he said "Well if you ask so nicely, How can anyone refuse!"

Walking me between the shelves and showing me different drumsticks, we finally found a pair of Vater ones, which he said were "bangin" and that he also used those. I grabbed my BlackBerry from my pocket to check what time it was. Seeing the number of missed calls, I froze at the spot. Remembering that I had to be in the airport two hours ago, I had no idea what to do.

"Are you okay?" he asked, looking at me curiously.

I turned my face away from my phone to look at him "Thank you so, so much for helping me, but I have to go" I mumbled quickly.

I left him standing there eith his mouth open, and ran to pay for my drumsticks. The casheer gave me my change and I felt something poking my back. I almost jumped to the feeling. Turning around and seeing him again, made me smile immediately.

"Where's the fire?" he asked. And all I could say was "I had a business.." and then I heard girls screaming "Shannon! Shannon, over here! Come here Shanimal!"

He took me by the elbow and dragged me between the shelves "What the hell?" I cried out. He was strong. We stopped, but I heard the voices getting louder and closer. He dragged me through the backdoor and then let go of my arm.

"What the hell was that about?" I threw at him.

"You don't recognize me do you?" he whispered, still listening carefully if there was any giggling and yelling by the girls.

"No, should I?" I'm confused now.

"Emm, but you do know I'm a drummer, right?"

"Yeah, I kinda figured it out while you were telling me which drumstick bounces better..."

The dude really is confusing me with all his questions. "I haven't said my name have I? I'm Shannon."

And then it hit me, his face was so familiar, but I couldn't take a closer look because he was hiding behind his sunglasses and hoodie. He was Shannon Leto, his brother was Jared Leto and they were in a band together. 30 Seconds to Mars was awsome, and the man standing in front of me was part of it... To be continued..

[mariipun]

Scene 3, Part 2 (/idk what to title this...)

Motivation: “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” Broadway Musical, created and written by Robert L. Freedman 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtlcEvPDkfM 

Warnings: Slight horror/spooky themes incorporated; horror musical themed 

Word Count: 532

Brief Description: Formatted as a Broadway Musical script, our PROTAGONIST has found themselves within the haunted house of WALLY DARLING. 

Dedication: @kamigui [Haunted House AU created by Kamigui] 

Inspired by Kamigui’s Haunted House AU

.

.

INT. HAUNTED HOUSE - NIGHT

[Scene slowly unfolds, black fading in and out as if pulsing. The darkness stretches into a black void until lights gently begin to fall on the PROTAGONIST. The sound of wood creaks with every uneasy inhale and exhalation made. The soft shuffling of WALLY’S footsteps can be heard from somewhere above.]

[Cue somber music as both characters begin to sing.]

 WALLY

[Pacing the library, conflicted in his resolution.]

You’re stuck in the basement… wondering where you are.

PROTAGONIST

[On their hands and knees, desperately looking for an exit.]

I’m frantically searching…. In the dark.

WALLY

[Stops his pacing as he stares at the library door. Pondering if he should check on you.]

You’re probably scared, and…. It’s all my fault.

PROTAGONIST

[Manages to find the stairs leading up from the basement. Pushing themselves up, they stagger before trying to quietly, but quickly, make their way up.]

How did I get here?

Was I lost?

I don’t remember…. Ha--!

[Finding the door, they quickly open it and stumble out into an outstretched hallway. A loud bang is heard off to the left, startling them and causing them to run right.]

WALLY

[The house groans, notifying him that the PROTAGONIST was on the run. He swiftly leaves the library, mumbling under his breath.]

Sorry, I can’t seem…to let you go.

As you happen to already know.

[The music begins to build, the PROTAGONIST running through the hall of mazes finally finds the front door ajar. They head straight toward it, but the door slams before they can reach it. WALLY comes from behind, only a few paces away. The PROTAGONIST turns in horror, backing up against the door until they were trapped there.]

[Music slows down as the two begin exchanges.]

 WALLY

Good evening dear, how are you?

What’s the rush? Leaving soon?

Why not stay just a little bit longer?

PROTAGONIST

I have to go…

WALLY

Is that so?

PROTAGONIST

I don’t belong here.

WALLY

Are you sure?

PROTAGONIST

Yes, now…. just, open the door.

WALLY

You know I can’t, so why even try?

Please, dear friend, step closer inside.

I promise you it’ll be worth your while.

PROTAGONIST

I highly doubt that.

WALLY

Huh.

[He pauses momentarily]

Well, why don’t I state my vindication?

PROTAGONIST

I politely decline your invitation.

WALLY

Come now, is that how you address a friend?

PROTAGONIST

More like a fiend!

WALLY

[Places a hand over his metaphorical heart, feigning hurt.]

Why, that hurts my self-esteem!

PROTAGONIST

Ha! You’re crazy if you think I’ll stay!

WALLY

I just can’t let you run away.  

PROTAGONIST

Enough with your games!

I’m done with your lies!

You can’t just do this and keep me inside!

WALLY

Darling, you must have hit your dome.

You cannot leave….

This. Is. Home.

[Music abruptly stops.]

[The room is silent, except for the PROTAGONIST’S shallow breathing. Quick flashes of black shadows and red eyes stare menacingly at the PROTAGONIST, causing the PROTAGONIST’S breath to hitch. WALLY begins to slowly move toward them, static beginning to ring in the PROTAGONIST’S ears, distorting WALLY’S voice as he extends a hand toward them.]

WALLY

Don’t you trust me?  

[Scene fades to black.]

[rvndnll]

Crashed and Burned Ch. 19

          Feeling restless, I stood up.  Emma and Shannon’s eyes went directly to me, analyzing my every move.  I defiantly pulled the hood of my jacket over my head, slapped on my sunglasses and strode out of the room.  I didn’t necessarily know where I was going but the room was too crowded, too confining.

          I found myself at a gas station around the corner. Impulse of old habit made me buy a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.  I found a bench, lighting one up, and sat down.  The nicotine gave me an artificial sense of calm.

          “What the fuck are you doing?” I asked myself out loud staring at the lit cigarette in my hand and then around to make sure no one was around to hear me.  I took another drag but it only made me more dissatisfied with myself.  I threw the cigarette down in a pathetic attempt of being angry.  I sat staring at the smoking butt for a while.  Reagan would be so disappointed if she saw this, I thought.   I was exhausted but I didn’t want to sleep.  I just wanted her to be okay.  I still wanted the chance to show her how special she was.  I still wanted the chance to show that to Shannon too. He needed to see how smart and funny she was, how caring and giving she was, how she couldn’t hurt a fly if her life depended on it.  I needed more time with her.

          My phone buzzing in my pocket drew me back to the damp night air around me.  A light breeze was rustling the leaves of the nearby trees and for a moment, I regained my calm.  I pulled it out of my pocket: The name on the display of my phone said Emma and the time was 2AM. How long had I been gone?  I took another deep breath and hit the accept button.

          “Hi Emma.”

          “Hey Jared.  I’m just checking in…” Her pause was deafening.  It screamed Where the hell have you been?! Then she continued, “The doctor just came in and said that Reagan is regaining consciousness.  I figured you’d want to be here when they let us in to see her,” she said quietly.

          “Yes, Emma.  Thank you. I’ll be right there,” I replied.

          “Oh and Jared…” she said, keeping me from quickly hitting the end button and rushing back.  I waited.  “Shannon really feels horribly.  I know you’re really upset with him and I’m not excusing what he’s done but know that he feels lower than low.”

          “Is that all?” I asked quietly but sternly.  I wasn’t going to let him off that easy: he was going to have to make it up to Reagan, no matter how long it took. 

          “No.  Tomo and Vicki are back from their vacation.  They called me when they didn’t find either of you at your house and didn’t answer your phones.  I told them what happened.  I figured you wouldn’t mind, but he was unsure if you wanted them to come to the hospital or if it was better that they didn’t.”

          “Um…they can come if they want to,” I said flatly.

          “Okay, that’s all.  I’ll see you when you get back,” she said with a slight sense of accomplishment.

          “Thank you, Emma.  Bye,” I replied, hitting the red button and standing to go back into that cold hospital and wait.

[on-a-dark-night]

On A Dark Night: Chapter 36

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I couldn't help but admire Aron for doing what she did in spite of her feelings.  I wanted to stay friends with her if she were willing.  Somehow I didn't think anything I'd ever say could prevent her from her plan of leaving.  I wouldn't put it past her to leave without telling us at all and without a hint of a goodbye.  That's what I was afraid would happen. For the time I had spent with Aron, I had grown fond of her and more so since I gained the time to think about how she had helped me even when she knew it would help her none.  I could see now why Jared was so drawn to her and protective of her and I had this instant urge to speak with him about my revelation.  A revelation Jared had acquired long ago.  I envied his quick ability to observe the whole situation with everyone involved and why they would even want to be involved, etc. How strange it must have been for Aron to hear about Shea on a social networking sit or possibly having following Shea's blog for a time only to discover she had become my assistant and could possibly be met through a meet and greet for the band.  She took that chance.  Through that chance, she left on a plane with us that night at my request -- no, my plea -- to help me find the one person we both had intense motivation to find and for two very different reasons. I shook my head to stop my train of thought and found that I had wandered out of the bus and down the street.  I was around midnight.  It was my favorite time of the day as it was the times Shea and I would take out many walks.  It was on a dark night, the darkest, I finally came to the conclusion that I had irrevocably fallen in love with the girl I found sleeping in my bushes.  Our first kiss was perfect and completely harmless . . . or was it?  Was that kiss what started all of this?  I took that leap and acted on my feelings with that incredible feeling that something great would make me impossibly happy.  Could that have been the trigger for all of this?  Would have the things that followed ever happened? She could have jumped.  Was that my fault too?  Was that one selfish act something that caused her to be so unhappy before?  I was the reason she ran away.  I was the reason she almost was successful in her attempt in suicide.  But what brought her back to safety?  Aron.  Who found her?  Aron.  What triggered her memory?  Aron.  She did everything that helped Shea and yet Shea was still with me.  Would everything fall apart once Aron was gone?  Was I the trigger for her outbursts? No.  That was crazy talk.  How could I possibly be the trigger for her behavior lately?  I mean, regardless of this having started since I even expressed my attraction to her, her cousin found her and went batshit crazy.  Threatening to kill me to make her suffer for being the prime witness against his father therefore placing him in jail and as a permanent sexual predator.  As a result, her cousin was dead and Shea was put in the hospital.  If I hadn't kissed her . . . none of this would have happened. "Shannon?" I turned around and saw Shea standing a few feet away.  "Shan, are you okay?" "S-Shea.  How long have you been out here?"  I quickly wiped my hands over my eyes to remove any moisture that managed to build up while I was thinking. "Oh my God, Shannon.  You're crying!"  She held my face in her hands and I forced a smile as I gently touched her shoulders. "I'm fine."  I felt her thumbs running back and forth across my cheeks. "That's a load of bullshit.  Tell me what's bothering you, Shannon."  I couldn't look at her. "Nothing's bothering me."  I tried a short chuckle to make her believe me, but the way her silence felt told me that she was expecting me to be completely honest with her.  I wasn't used to someone caring like this.  It was a weird feeling to have, but it felt right.  "I don't want you to worry.  You have enough to deal with.  You don't need my thoughts to bring you down even more." She frowned.  "Shannon, I want you to let me care about you.  This is how a relationship works.  It's a two-way street."  She turned my face so that I had no other choice but to look at her.  She made it obvious how concerned she was.  "If we want to make this work, you need to let me be for you what you do for me." "But--." "Okay?" "Shea--." "OH-KAY?"  This conversation wasn't going anywhere that I wanted it to go.  It also felt backwards.  She was comforting me.  It was always the other way around.  I didn't really like it.  At least, at this moment I didn't. I took a deep breath and sighed heavily as if it helped relieve some stress.  "I was just thinking." "Oh, that's dangerous."  She teased and I couldn't help but smile, relaxing a bit. "What about?" I carefully pulled her hands away from my face.  "How much do you love me?" A smile spread across her face.  "A whole bunch." "And how much do you love Aron?"  I looked sideways and saw the smile melt from her face. "Shannon, don't--" "What?  Don't what?"  I swallowed.  "Shea, Aron loves you.  A lot." "Well, so do you." "But it wasn't me that triggered your memory again."  I ran a hand through my hair due to nerves. "Are you honestly bothered about that?" "Christ, we slept together." "It shouldn't matter how my memory came back." "I even told you stories about yourself." "Shannon, stop." "All you had to do what look at her and you were back to your old self again." "Shannon!" "Her voice kept you from jumping!  You were so goddamn close to jumping, Shea!" "STOP IT!"  I finally looked at her and she was a mess.  Her eyes were red and her cheeks were stained with her fresh tears.   Her voice was shaky.  She sounded scared of what I was going to say next but not nearly as afraid as I was for knowing that I would say it.  "Don't you dare say it, Shannon Leto." "Shea, you deserve the best." "Yeah and that's you." "You and I both know that's a lie."  She swallowed hard and I could see that even she couldn't deny I wasn't good for her.  "You're still in love with her, Shea.  You fell back in love with her since you've seen her.  It isn't fair to any of us if we try what's expected."  I rubbed my eyes again.  "You better catch her before she leaves.  She's the one that found you." "Shannon . . ." "Finders keepers."  I gave her a half-humored smile. "The last time she left is because she thought I was cheating after I said that someone stole my innocence!"  She was getting more and more upset about arguing with me.  Fighting to keep what we had.  For what purpose?  Didn't she know this was hurting me too? "And she left without waiting for your explanation, Shea.  Do you know what she did when she found that out, though?"  She was silent, but her eyes showed she was listening to my every word.  That only proved how in love with Aron she was.  "She spent her rent and grocery money for the month to buy a meet and greet with us for the off-chance of seeing you again even for a few seconds.  She didn't care about meeting and greeting Jared, Tomo, or me.  She asked for you.  And all these years she's been scouring for the moment to do one thing: apologize for leaving you the way she did.  She came with us and she found you.  She didn't do it for me and she didn't do it for herself.  She did it all to see you happy one more time.  Not once once did she make it about her." She wasn't even trying to keep the tears from falling.  "B-But what about you?  You deserve to be happy too." I reached out and wiped her cheeks with my thumbs.  "I'm happy when you're happy.  Remember?" "Are we still best friends?"  She sobbed out and I just smiled knowing full well that couldn't be. "Go get her."  I told her.  One enormous embrace from the woman I loved so much it hurt and then she was gone without another word. They left that night and it was the last time I ever saw her.

THE END

[missjukebox8bit]

Yuri Gagarin harasses a truck driver and talks about politics with Penny Polendina

Yuri landed on the firm Russian soil in a rural town next to a gas station. Well, not that firm, but firm enough. At least, that is what the 4th panzer Corp thought while they rolled through the area, but that is neither here nor there. "Vodka, nyet kaliningrad luftpanzer kozorvorisc niemcy?" She asked the gas station person politely.

Roughly translated the gas station persons response was "No we do not have plutonium fuel, thats not actually a planet therefore it cannot produce fuel!"

Yuri moped excessively until the gas station person handed her a small lump of uranium. "Look, you can have this okay? Maybe you can turn it into plutonium."

Yuri handed it back and shook her head. "I apologize for wasting your time comrade, please have a nice day in our glorious soviet union."

"Our wha-"

"Penny are you a communist or a filthy cappie?" Yuri asked her robot friend, surprised that she never asked this before.

Penny put two fingers together. "I dont know... I am not really into human politics... Personally I think that the best solution would be a society run by robotics like in New Polendine Mesopotamia. It brought peace and prosperity to an otherwise chaotic and violent region."

Yuri Gagarin rolled her eyes. "That is just a mechanically led puppet state overseen and funded by the United States of America."

"Yes but us Polendinas cannot be corrupted by greed or power lust and we always make calculated and empathetic decisions according to our makers... So..."

"Robots supercede the working class Penny, so a nation run by them is anti-worker by default!"

Penny shrugged, a bit nervous about the conversation and to change the subject she pointed at a Republic of Amazon truck and exclaimed "Hey look Yuri! I did not know they had amazons in Russia!"

Yuri frowned and popped up next to the truck man as he applied gas to his truck. "Hello anti-comrade, what are you shipping through my beautiful motherland?" She asked in Russian.

The truck man looked at her, puzzled. His eyes were bagged, his shoulders sagged, his skin was pale and his limbs seemed frail. The man was in bad shape, but that was to be expected of Amazon workers.

"Ma'am... No hablo Español.." He mumbled and continued with the gassing of his truck.

"What are you shipping in this truck for the foul corporation of the Republic of Amazon?" She asked again, in English. There was a slight threatening tone in her voice.

The man blinked. "Bread, ma'am."

Yuri narrowed her eyes. "Right. Give me your keys."

"Are your robbing me?"

"No. I have authority granted to me by the USSR to search any capitalist vehicle."

"My truck does not have a political idealogy ma'am..."

Yuri powered on her rocket and raised her fist. "Silence. Give me your keys in the name of the Soviet Union."

The man sighed. "The soviet union is dead ma'am."

Yuri was about to strike him, but Penny suddenly grabbed her waist and pulled her back.

Penny moved in front of her. "Sir, I apologize for my friend. She is in much grief about the fall of the USSR."

The trucker put the gas nozzle up. "It's alright babe. I best be going now."

"BABE?!" Yuri Gagarin flared up. Literally. "You FOOL! This Penny belongs to ME!"

Startled, the trucker scampered back. "Wait! Fine, take the keys, I'm sorry!"

Yuri nodded and took them, and used the keys to unlock the back door. "Aha!"

"Oh... Oh my... Um" Yuri didnt know what to say about what she saw. "Where are you taking them?"

"C-China..." The trucker stammered.

Inside the truck were what appeared to be twenty humans wearing the yellow and white Amazon Prime uniforms, except they were lacking mouths and their heads had two colorful blue and pink horns or antenna (Yuri wasnt sure which) that were aerodynamic looking like the tail fins on the back of a plane. They curved up and swooped back. The strangest thing about them however was how they all looked pretty much the same. They all had pale skin and black hair, and the males among them were all tall and muscular. While the women were all small and slim and sleek. Every one of them had striking blue eyes that gleamed in the dark. One male was making hand motions but immediately stopped as Yuri Gagarin opened the door.

"Who... Or what... Are these people?" Yuri Gagarin asked. "How could you ship people packed in like this! Like property!"

"I honestly don't know ma'am please... I am just the driver... Amazon has my son in mandatory daycare and I had to take this job to save up for the fee to see him on weekends..."

"they have him in what?"

Penny explained because the trucker was clearly scared. "When Amazon employees complain about not having the time or money to properly care for their children, the Republic of Amazon files a statuate of neglect against them and takes their child into corporate custody. The parents can still visit their child, but it costs them a fee and the price is measured by the minute spent with them. Sometimes with a government permit the parents can get their child back, but only if they make a lawsuit about it and that is even more expensive."

The trucker started crying. "I miss my boy! Please, I know this transport is wrong but it pays well and I am saving everything to see him again! I havent eaten in three days!"

Yuri Gagarin sighed. "Typical abuse of the working class... We are clearly living in the worst timeline. So what are these people? Aliens?"

"I honestly have no idea..!" The man stammered, continuing to cry.

Penny shook her head. "They seem to have mostly human DNA. I would say they are genetically modified human beings made for servitude."

"Why don't they have mouths? How do they eat? What are those things on their heads?"

"I do not know the answers to the last two questions, Yuri my friend. But their lack of mouths is likely intended to keep in accordance with international law on the property rights on genetically modified life forms. If a creature is intelligent enough to speak like a human, it cannot be made into property. This does not apply to robots like me, because I am not a biological lifeform..." Penny added sadly. While she enjoyed her friendship with Yuri, she could not shake the fact that in her mind she was in servitude to her.

"That is rather disturbing, since they are probably just as sentient as you or me or this malnourished worker here." Yuri Gagarin said, and got up into the truck. "Hello comrades, my name is Yuri Gagarin. I believe that your time as chattel is over. Come with me, and we shall run down any who seek to oppress and exploit you. First we must make it to our secret communist headquarters, alright?"

They seemed scared by this, and backed away the best they could with how crowded it was in there. Amazon officials assigned to train these people were sure to really into the idea that any opportunity to escape was just a test, and that failing the test would result in horrible punishment. So they believed that Yuri Gagarin was just another setup to catch disloyals among them.

"Come on, let's go!" Yuri Gagarin insisted. "It is not often that I am optimistic about anything, but I am optimistic about saving you."

They did not budge.

"They are not the brightest beings in the bulb, are they Penny?"

"I think they are just scared Yuri my friend. But they are already in a big truck, why don't we just drive them there?"

"The truck could have a tracking beacon Penny."

Penny doubted that possibility. "You could be right, but my sensors do not detect one. Perhaps I could try to communicate to them that they are safe now?"

"Go ahead, but I don't know how you could do so better than me..." Yuri Gagarin moped.

Penny made a bunch of ASL hand signals to them, reassuring the people that they were safe and free to go now. She added that she was an EA-built robot unaffiliated with the corporate empire of Amazon, and so they had no reason to be afraid of her. For the most part they seemed unconvinced, because they were never taught sign language as that counted as a form of speech. The hand signals they made to each other was a simple code they made themselves, which was punishable whenever they were caught doing it.

Yuri Gagarins brief optimism about the situation seeped away. "Why does everything have go be so complicated and hard! Oh, woe is us!"

She grabbed Penny and held her for comfort. "Oh, my dear Penny! Do you see now the sins of capitalism?"

"To be fair Yuri my friend, many capitalist nations have placed an embargo on the Republic of Amazon for their treatment of their workers. And some other major companies refuse to do business with them. These genetically modified humans were on their way to a communist country anyway... So it is not merely capitalism at fault, but a few corrupt individuals who have a lot of power, and that is a recurring theme in every system. And I mean no disrepect to you by saying that!"

Yuri Gagarin held Pennys shoulders and looked at her eye to eye. She smiled. "You remind me of Freedom Sayori sometimes."

Penny frowned. "Sorry..."

"No no, I meant that as a compliment! I may dislike her beliefs, but I have... A strange respect for Sayori as a person. She is naive, but she is no hypocrite and practices the freedom and kindness she preaches."

Penny giggled. "Hehehe.. I think you like her Yuri!"

"What? No! Never!"

"We should get these people to safety now Yuri. The driver too. Even if there is a tracker, what can Amazon do against a Polendina and a Rocket Girl?"

Penny's sweet and determined smile brought some optimism back into Yuri. "You are right. I am prepared to fight for what I believe is right. Let us go, Penny, and bring some small justice to the world! Even if it is neglible in the larger picture!"

"That is the spirit Yuri!...I think..."

[nails-in-my-mouth]

You’re just like coffee: Dark, bitter and too hot

By: Amaranthechelon y MafeJeevas

“Friends don’t let friends drink bad coffee”

Afuera en el callejón estaba lo suficientemente frío como para que nevara. Los diminutos puntos blancos bailaban con el viento antes de descansar, muertos al fin, deshaciéndose sobre el cristal de las ventanas de las cafeterías. Si eso no gritaba que la navidad estaba por llegar, las recargadas luces de los techos en dos aguas y las pesadas coronas cubiertas en pintura dorada se encargaban del asunto.

Era un hecho. El café bohemio de la esquina, que tenía más fachada de taberna que de cualquier otra cosa, también había tomado las medidas necesarias para recibir calurosamente a los transeúntes que se aventuraban a bajar las escaleras hasta el oscuro sótano. Incluso la puerta sostenía una sencilla corona con piñas y una bufanda roja enrollada en la parte baja de esta. Dentro, el fuerte olor a café de toda la vida se mezclaba con el del rompope y ponche de frutas, únicos de la temporada, con tal armonía como las líneas del panqué marmoleado que descansaba sobre la barra de madera. Líneas de adornos verdes con bayas falsas ribeteaban los bordes libres de dicha barra y la parte más alta de las ventanas (que fungían mayormente como decoración, ya que casi nunca se abrían) para dar paso a la gruesa tela de cortinas de apariencia antigua. El árbol estaba colocado estratégicamente en una esquina para que descansara cómodamente sobre la pared color bermellón. El pobre pino carecía de varias ramas y se inclinaba notoriamente hacia un lado, pero una vez colocadas las esferas y lucecillas se veía decentemente navideño.

Y en medio de todo ese ambiente navideño, el café debería estar lleno de buena voluntad y felicidad por las fechas. Y en realidad lo estaba, todos reían y bromeaban felices, ya sea porque la ocasión lo ameritara, o porque el licor ya estaba haciendo efecto en el cuerpo de los clientes, aunque fuera temprano. Los empleados del café también estaban contagiados de esa alegría, o bueno, debían estarlo, porque para Jared, el joven camarero que contrataron algunos meses antes, estar vestido como un reno no era parte de ser feliz.

Tampoco era que fuera un traje completo, el uniforme navideño que el dueño había impuesto consistía en pantalones caqui de vestir, camisa blanca y un chaleco verde y rojo a cuadros, era horrible, en adición a una diadema con cuernitos de reno (que no querían que se enredaran con la decoración, tampoco), un pequeño accesorio rojo para la nariz (para que no les molestara al respirar), un collar y muñequeras con cascabeles que llenaban el lugar con su molesto sonido cada que los camareros pasaban volando entre la gente con los pedidos, y, según Jared, lo peor de todo: Una cola de reno adherida a esa parte donde la espalda pierde su honorable nombre… Odiaba el uniforme con cada célula de su cuerpo, y por un momento, estuvo seguro de que preferiría usar el uniforme de las tres únicas mujeres que trabajaban allí. Ellas se veían increíbles, con sus shorts, botas y tirantes, ni los cuernos se veían mal en ellas, y hasta podría decir que las colas eran sexys… ¿Qué tenía de sexy una cola de reno en un pantalón de vestir? Si Terry se había pasado de hijo de puta alguna vez, esta le ganaba con creces… Había pensado que su día, o su vida, no podría empeorar, pero como siempre, sólo estaba albergando falsas ilusiones, porque en esos momentos, mientras fregaba una de las mesas, con todo el odio con que puedes fregar una mesa vestido con el peor traje de reno de la historia acompañado del escandaloso sonido de los cascabeles, al café estaba siendo arrastrada la gota que derramaría su cada vez más pequeño vaso de paciencia.

Por la calle medianamente abarrotada dos jóvenes se apresuraban para resguardarse de la nevada, uno notablemente más emocionado (y alto) que el otro. Este último miraba desinteresadamente su teléfono, ignorando gran parte de la cantaleta que su amigo iba soltando por la calle mientras daba like a un post en Instagram con sus guantes de dedos de puntas grises. Su mal humor no se debía a que no le gustara ese ambiente. Shannon disfrutaba de esta época del año en particular, porque le permitía beber café todo el tiempo (como si no lo hiciera hasta en verano) sin que nadie se quejara con el típico “deberías beber algo más refrescante”.

La verdadera razón residía en que, a pesar de que llevaba un buen tiempo tratando de inculcar el arte del café en Robert, este simplemente seguía insistiendo en llevarlo a las cafeterías de moda. Al principio le había seguido el cuento con optimismo, esperando que al llamarse a sí mismos ‘cafés de especialidad’ le dejarían con un buen sabor de boca. Pero esa esperanza había terminado por transformarse en desilusión cada una de las veces, y sin importar lo brillantes y nuevas que lucieran las máquinas de espresso, las elaboradas figuritas de espuma del latte, el despampanante diseño del local o lo exclusivos que podían llegar a ser, seguían sin pasar de un café amargo y de pobre aroma, que en opinión de Shannon, seguía sin llenar los zapatos de su ideal del buen café por mucho, demasiado espacio de sobra. Apreciaba el esfuerzo de su desgarbado amigo, en verdad. Pero el paladar de un barista era difícil de complacer, y después de sumergirse en ese mundo de texturas, aroma y cuerpo, era impensable poder conformarse con menos de lo que esperaba.

-Shannon, ¿estás escuchándome?- el susodicho volteó con rapidez hacia el sitio en el que su amigo se había detenido, con su cuello siendo forzado en un ángulo un poco incómodo (más que nada, vergonzoso) para poder mirarlo a la cara. Se esforzó en rebuscar en su mente por alguna palabra que hubiese alcanzado a oír inconscientemente, pero ante su total fracaso sólo pudo balbucear un intento de disculpa.

-Perdona, es... tenía que responder un mensaje ¿Decías?

- Ya llegamos- Robert respondió mientras soltaba una risita que se acercaba más a un suspiro. Shannon no creía que se hubiese ofendido, o si lo había hecho, guardaba muy bien las apariencias.

Lo primero que notó fue que esta cafetería no se parecía en nada a las que usualmente visitaban. Esta lucía pequeña por el exterior y bastante más intima y menos ostentosa que las del centro de la ciudad. Un letrero negro y bastante pequeño para su gusto colgaba de un muro, con el nombre de “Sipchat café” en letras blancas. Una vez que bajaron los escalones Robert empujó la puerta de madera, limpiándose las botas húmedas en el tapete que estaba a sus pies. Shannon repitió el gesto, notando la caricatura de una galleta de jengibre bordada en el trozo de tela, con la palabra ‘Bienvenidos’ en letras de bastón de caramelo, lo que le hizo alzar una ceja. ¡En qué sitio le habían metido esta vez! Al entrar, le recibió un ambiente cálido y lleno de música en vivo. Pero por supuesto, antes de notar otra cosa más, se tomó el tiempo para aspirar con fuerza mientras Robert le miraba con una sonrisa de lado. No era un olor particularmente potente (había tenido la suerte de salivar con sólo oler algunos, verdaderos tesoros), sobre todo porque lo minimizaban otros aromas. Ya tendría que probar directamente de la taza.

-¿Y qué te parece?

-Hm, pasable hasta ahora. Aunque debo decir que no es lo que esperaba.

-¿Cómo? ¿Es diferente bueno o diferente malo?- Continuó Robert, colgando su abrigo en uno de los percheros a la entrada.

-Es diferente interesante- Shannon dijo esto mientras retiraba sus guantes y el gorro, dejando que su cabello escurriera hasta rozar sus orejas antes de peinarlo hacia atrás con una de sus manos. Aspiró una vez más, concentrándose mientras cerraba los ojos- Parece ser terroso. Diría que tiene un tinte de aroma a avellanas y algo dulce, como caramelo, aunque…

Pero por supuesto, cuando abrió los ojos Robert ya no estaba a su lado, sino que evaluaba las mesas a su izquierda decidiendo cuál era el mejor lugar. Quizás el hecho de que este se aburriera cada que comenzaba a usar un lenguaje más técnico explicaba por qué seguía siendo arrastrado a cafeterías malas. Sorteó a un par de meseras, dejando que su vista se posara un momento (bastante largo) en las piernas enfundadas en botas marrones que paseaban con prisa entre las mesas. Al mal tiempo buena cara, ¿no?

-Shannon, ¿vienes o qué?- Robert le llamó. Se dirigió entonces a la mesa, haciendo a un lado un par de cojines y dejando que su cuerpo se hundiera en el pequeño sofá antes de cruzar una de sus piernas sobre la otra.

Jared había ido por un momento al baño, sólo un momento, pero aunque cualquiera pensaría que había ido por necesidad biológica o para mirar su patético estado... Sólo estaba parado frente a la pared contraria al espejo, pensando que esta se veía mejor que dicho objeto. Y claro que sí, la había limpiado esa mañana, con el mismo odio con el que había limpiado las mesas hace unos minutos. Empezaba a cuestionar su propia racionalidad al aceptar usar aquel traje cuando un grito al otro lado de la puerta lo sacó de golpe de sus incipientes pensamientos suicidas. Debía dejar de pensar sólo en ese horrible traje que llevaba, o terminaría haciendo algo estúpido y lo despedirían, y no podía darse el lujo de quedarse sin empleo en medio de las fiestas. Sus mesas estaban ocupadas, lo que significaba que debían ser atendidas, eso era lo que habían gritado desde afuera.

Salió del baño en medio de una aparente calma que empezaba a envolverlo, debía permanecer sereno y ajeno a él mismo si quería sobrevivir la noche, eso pensaba mientras se acercaba a la primera de sus mesas, que había sido ocupada por un par de señoras bastante mayores a él, y que sonrieron casi discretamente al verlo, algo le dijo que no era por su belleza... Después de tomar su pedido, fue rápidamente a la segunda mesa y la tercera, donde se encontró con una cara conocida, una que no veía hace algún tiempo, y nuevamente consciente de su penoso estado, no pudo evitar avergonzarse hasta el sonrojo. Sin embargo, debía enfrentar la vida como era: una perra.

 Se acercó a la mesa y saludó a los dos hombres allí sentados, sabiendo que Babu estaría emocionado de verlo, el sentimiento sería debidamente correspondido si... bueno, ya habíamos dicho que debía dejar de pensar en el traje.

-¡Hola, amigo!- Dijo con alegría auténtica, a pesar de todo. - ¿Qué puedo ofrecerles hoy?- Dijo apresuradamente al reparar en el otro sujeto, aún tenía trabajo y debía atenderlo, vagamente se preguntó si era amigo de Babu, porque nunca lo había visto ni había oído de él, no al menos una descripción que le sirviera para reconocerlo.

Shannon, el sujeto en cuestión, estaba de nuevo distraído con su teléfono como para haber visto al mesero mientras se acercaba hasta quedar a su lado. Ni siquiera levantó la vista cuando Babu comenzó a hablar con él, optando por tomar la carta que descansaba entre el porta servilletas y la bola de vidrio con nieve que fungía como centro de mesa, dando un vistazo y descartando rápidamente la mitad del menú.

-¡Jared, tiempo sin verte!- Robert dijo, tocando el brazo del muchacho a modo de saludo- Y… lindo uniforme- comentó mientras sonreía ampliamente- Veo que el espíritu navideño de Terry es fuerte este año.

Optando por el espresso, y con el pequeño bicho de la curiosidad picándole, el ojimiel levantó la vista al fin. Podía aparentar ser un tipo bastante serio, pero no pudo evitar que se le escapara una risita estúpida antes de disimularla con un ataque de tos repentino. La paga debía ser muy buena, porque ese era el disfraz navideño más tonto que hubiese visto jamás. Se cubrió la boca mientras reparaba en cómo la cara del sujeto cambiaba de colores hasta casi igualar el tono de ese intento de nariz que tenía en la cara. Una cosa eran las chicas y ese sexy disfraz de reno, pero eso ni siquiera se acercaba a lo mucho que se estaba divirtiendo ahora. Se reacomodó en el sillón, permitiéndose ojear mejor al chico, reparando en el estampado del chaleco, las pulseritas con cascabeles, y dios… ¿era eso una cola? Volvió a reírse, esta vez de forma menos discreta, porque honestamente, ¿quién podría no hacerlo?

Ardiendo de vergüenza, Jared trató de sonreír a su amigo mientras fingía, sin mucho éxito, ignorar la risa camuflada de tos del acompañante de Babu, el tipo había estado concentrado en su teléfono hasta que lo vio, y hubiese preferido que siguiera así.

- Bueno... No me sorprendería que saliera vestido de Santa anoréxico en algún momento...- Dijo refiriéndose a Terry mientras miraba en dirección de su despacho. Entre tanto, el sujeto del teléfono había optado por reírse más abiertamente de él, incluso se había fijado ya en su cola. No le gustaba sentirse humillado, y ya que las cosas iban tan mal, no le pareció mala idea compartir su frustración con su amigo. - Esto es bastante vergonzoso, la verdad, pero trato de llevarlo lo mejor que pueda... de todas formas, será hasta el 23...- Empezó explicándole a Robert, o Babu, como le decían muchos, antes de mirar de reojo al tipo nuevo y mentalmente quitarle importancia a su presencia. - Yo también me reiría de mi mismo si no estuviera demasiado ocupado odiándome por preferir conservar mi empleo antes que mi dignidad... Sabes que no puedo perder este empleo también.- No tenía fama de paciente, y cuando sus jefes le tocaban las pelotas, no reparaba en defenderse, verbal o físicamente, y eso casi le lleva a ruina; pero Terry era su amigo, y lo había sacado de una situación nada bonita.

Así que cuando se puso frente a él todo sonriente y emocionado por sus horribles uniformes, no pudo hacer más que ceder (luego de hacer un berrinche, claro). Suspiró cansadamente y por fin preguntó por lo que ordenarían los señores, sabía que a Babu le gustaba el café del lugar, así que siempre esperaba que apareciera, aunque llevaba unas semanas sin verlo; sin embargo, el otro sujeto, del que no pidió presentación y tampoco la quería, parecía bastante aburrido hasta que se fijó en su persona, y por cómo se sentaba y movía, anunciaba una pinta de importancia por encima de todos, le fastidiaba, le fastidió desde que lo vio, eso pasaba con mucha gente, pero este continuó fastidiándolo, y no dudaba que lo seguiría haciendo... Él, ingenuamente había pensado que su día no podía empeorar.

- Tranquilo, no es tan malo después de todo. Te ves muy tierno- Robert respondió antes de guiñarle un ojo y comenzar a reír. Shannon perdió la sonrisa que tenía segundos antes, sin saber si el gesto de su amigo era en broma o en serio. Se veían muy cercanos, y estaba seguro que detrás de esa relación existían muchas visitas y tazas de café - Hm, esta vez será un lechero con pana. Ah, y una canilla, por favor. ¿Y tú, Shannon?

El aludido volvió a tomar el menú, prefiriendo releer la lista antes que volver a mirar al chico reno -Un espresso- respondió sin levantar la vista hasta que el sujeto (cuyo nombre ya había olvidado) se retiró, dejándolos solos de nuevo.

-¿Es en serio, Shannon? Podrías haber sido un poco menos grosero- Shannon se revolvió en su asiento, extrañado por la actitud de Robert. ¿Desde cuándo prefería defender a alguien más antes que a él? Era cierto que pudo haberse reído con un poco menos de obviedad, pero igual qué pudo haber sabido él.

-¿Disculpa? - contestó con cierto sarcasmo - Es difícil tomarlo en serio con un atuendo así.

Babu sólo giró los ojos antes de cambiar de tema, sabiendo que era mejor ignorar esa actitud petulante de Shannon cuando comenzaba con esta, prestando atención ahora a suave música que provenía del pequeño escenario al fondo. Un muchacho pelinegro entonaba villancicos con un saxofón dulce y profundo.

Jared arrastró lo que quedaba de su orgullo hasta la parte trasera de la barra, donde colgaba las notas con las órdenes anotadas y luego las recogía. Normalmente tardaba unos minutos, minutos que aprovechó para pensar en las horas que faltaban para que acabara su turno, así se libraría del bar y sus horribles uniformes hasta el siguiente turno, tal vez iría a casa a tomar un largo baño para quitarse la sensación de todas las miradas de burla que había recibido, o tal vez sólo saltaría de un puente en el camino... Aunque en cierto modo, no creía que muchas personas repararan en su atuendo, la mayoría debía tener mejores cosas que hacer... o eran atendidos por otros empleados... las sexys chichas reno, por ejemplo. Cuando la campana a su espalda sonó anunciando que sus pedidos estaban listos, tomó los dos primeros y se apresuró a sortear a las personas hasta las señoras que le miraban divertidas, eran amables, algo extrañas, pero parecían buena gente. Al regreso a la barra tomó los pedidos que quedaban, la segunda mesa sólo había pedido un... Lo que sea que sea un latte… Si algo sabía de café, era nada. Bueno, se preparaba café todas las mañanas, pero era simplemente mezclar agua y café. Era irónico que trabajara en un café, pero así es la vida. Llegó por fin a la mesa de Babu... y ese tipo. Le sonrió a su amigo y le pasó su pedido, y cuando fue el turno del otro sujeto, pasó lo que, hasta ese momento, no le había pasado. El maldito café se había derramado, perfecto, mal comienzo, mal final. Se supone que tu café llegue dentro de la taza, no en el maldito plato, pero bueno... A decir verdad no era tan grave, al parecer la bandeja se inclinó en un mal ángulo y el café cayó fuera de la taza... era sólo un poco, casi ni se veía si... Está bien, para el sujeto fornido sí parecía ser algo grave, algo muy grave, se veía como si estuviera a punto de cometer un crimen; así que se enderezó rápidamente antes de salir herido. Inmediatamente empezó a disculparse, no le gustaba hacer las cosas mal, y mucho menos cuando, mentalmente, ya le había declarado la guerra a aquel sujeto... Si ya se veía ridículo de reno... Se vería peor de reno y balbuceando disculpas idiotas. Ni siquiera creía que debería ser tan dramático, pero vamos, el tipo se veía furioso, lo veía en sus ojos.

Y en efecto, a Shannon no le podía haber molestado más. Una cosa era que prefiriera el café clásico, sin adornos ni presentaciones presuntuosas, pero otra muy diferente era que no pudieran servirle una taza como era debido. Era casi como si el chico se hubiera quitado la franela roja del delantal y le hubiera abofeteado con ella.

-Dios, ¿tan difícil es servir un bendito espresso? Espero que esa diadema que les hacen usar esté demasiado apretada y que no sean así de torpes todo el tiempo- El muchacho había hecho señas de comenzar a hablar, pero una vez que Shannon dijo esto su expresión de pena se volvió una de notable enfado. Pues bien, ya eran dos. Mientras tanto Babu les miraba con los ojos como platos, presenciando el inicio de una catástrofe sin que se le ocurriera alguna forma de intervenir. Y es que Robert conocía a ambos muy bien como para saber los desplantes de prepotencia que tenía Shannon y la cortísima mecha de paciencia de su amigo ojiazul. ¿¡En qué momento se habían empezado a odiar!? -No voy a aceptar esa taza- el barista dijo con suficiencia mientras cruzaba de nuevo las piernas y entrelazaba los dedos sobre su abdomen.

-¡Shannon! – Babu le recriminó, pero no habría forma de hacerlo cambiar de opinión. Aunque las demás personas lo tachasen de loco, para él esto no era un juego. Y no perdía ocasión para dejarlo muy en claro.

Ok... Una cosa era que lo mirara mal, que se burlara, que se creyera mucho y todo lo que quisiera, pero otra muy distinta era que le hablara de esa forma, cualquiera habría sentido compasión y trataría de encontrar una tranquila solución... Pues bien, este no era el caso. Le enojaba la gente altiva, le enojaba la gente incomprensiva, y ahora le enojaba el pequeño niñito que tenía en frente, sí, parecía un niñito todo enojado y haciendo berrinche porque lo que su madre le daba no era el dulce caro que él quería. Había estado nervioso, pero ahora estaba muy molesto y no le importaba que el otro lo hubiese estado primero, le rompería la taza en su jodida nariz. Lo hubiese hecho si la reacción de Robert no hubiese llamado su atención, lo miró por un segundo y volvió su vista al niño, más dispuesto a corregir su error que antes, tampoco quería ser el segundo idiota en la situación, y casi haciendo caso omiso a la actitud de... Shannon, como le había dicho su amigo, se inclinó de nuevo y recogió la taza, y contó hasta tres mentalmente antes de responderle.

- No, la diadema no me aprieta, la hicieron a mi medida, así que no es eso. Sólo un accidente, sólo un mal día... Cualquiera lo tendría, ¿no crees? Mucho más si has estado metido en este ridículo traje todo el día. Y le pediré, por favor, que evite hablar en general, mis compañeros trabajan muy bien; así que si su problema es conmigo... Bueno... Lo puede arreglar conmigo. Con su permiso, corregiré mi error.- Mientras lo decía, dejó que todo su desprecio se reflejara en sus palabras, sin importarle que se ofendiera o lo que sea, incluso porque lo había tratado de tú, tal vez en otra ocasión no le habría importado defender a sus compañeros, pero era este tipo; y a su criterio, el tipo merecía pelea. Tampoco le gustó que hablara de esa forma, era un idiota. Pero en fin, un idiota que era amigo de su amigo. Aunque no entendiera porqué.

De regreso en la barra, tuvo una pequeña discusión con el chico en la cocina sobre el porqué debería cambiar un pedido que se veía perfectamente bien. Para ser sinceros, no le habría importado un carajo, pero... Tenía muchas ganas de cabrear al tipo... Shannon. Maldito nombre de chica. Él estaba enojado ya, y Jared apostaría sus pelotas a que esperaba una bronca por su parte, y había aprendido hace mucho tiempo una buena forma de molestar a la gente como esa: hacer las cosas que no esperan. Si él esperaba molestarlo, entones él sería lo más servicial posible, claro eso no significaba que no fuera hostil, porque tenía muchas ganas de enseñarle su hostilidad. Así que después de convencer al muchacho de la cocina, regresó con una nueva taza de espresso que colocó con extremada delicadeza frente al idiota, ofreciendo su sonrisa más hipócrita. - Le pido disculpas por mi torpeza.- Y sólo por eso... Pensó para sí mismo.

Algo de lo que Shannon se enorgullecía (de entre su larga lista de cosas) era que su fina percepción de las cosas no sólo se estancaba en los sabores y aromas del café. La sonrisa del niño-reno era tan natural como el peluquín del hombre enjuto sentado a tres mesas de ellos. Sonrió con algo de malicia mientras ignoraba la mirada penetrante de Babu. Parecía que el mal humor se le había pasado al conseguir lo que había solicitado, y de paso, crisparle los nervios al muchacho. Si algo disfrutaba Shannon, además de salirse con la suya, era tener la oportunidad de divertirse muy a su manera. Robert terminó de mordisquear su panecillo antes de romper el silencio que había remanecido después de que regresara a la cocina.

-Sé que todo esto del café es importante para ti, y aunque no logro entenderlo por completo, trato de convivir contigo en este ambiente. Pero la manera en que lo trataste no fue la correcta, ¿sabes?

Shannon sorbió otro poco de café, que había resultado un poco plano para su gusto. No era una mala taza, pero tampoco podía calificarla como verdaderamente placentera. Aunque su opinión había sido olvidada por su amigo gracias al incidente. Alzó una de sus ya inclinadas cejas antes de despegar los labios de la taza.

-Y el que sea tu amigo tampoco lo justifica, ¿sabes?

-No puedo creer que actúes tan desagradablemente con él.

-Babu, nos conocemos desde la universidad. Pensé que al ser amigos ya habías aceptado mi carácter.

-Pues sí, pero...a veces desearía que fueras un poco más tolerante.- Shannon estiró un brazo sobre la mesa y picó un pedazo del pan de Robert. No le gustaba el ambiente serio que se había formado, ni mucho menos que Babu continuara defendiendo al otro sujeto.

-No puedo cambiar de un momento a otro- se encogió de hombros sin saber qué más hacer. Internamente se sentía mal, no por molestar al chico reno (siendo honesto consigo mismo, hasta comenzaba a disfrutar la idea de hacerlo), sino porque su amigo se había molestado realmente. Lo veía en sus ojos. Ah, pero este era Shannon Metrejon, cuyo orgullo impresionante y terquedad de mula habían prevalecido toda su vida. Se sacudió los dedos sobre una servilleta y siguió hablando como si nada, para sacarse el remordimiento de encima.

-Al menos hacen un buen pan, ¿eh?- Babu medio sonrió antes de golpear la mano que se acercaba a tomar otro pedazo.

-Consigue el tuyo, bestia.

-Después de todo lo que he hecho por ti- respondió Shannon, sonriendo por los ojos en blanco de Robert. Se volteó para ver al chico cascabeleando hacia el mostrador, y aún sabiendo que esto molestaría de nuevo al menor, le gritó desde su lugar.

-¡Hey, JingleBells!- por el rabillo del ojo pudo ver como Babu se cubría el rostro con una mano, la imagen pura de la resignación.- Trae una canilla, ¿quieres?

Jared se había concentrado en atender a los clientes alrededor de su espacio designado, iba de aquí para allá con cafés y tragos y cosas así, y por fin estaba quieto y sereno cerca de la barra cuando escuchó esa voz desagradable gritar lo que él esperaba no fuera un ridículo apodo que acompañaría su miseria durante la estadía de aquel horrible ser que Babu había llevado al café.

Eso habría querido, y estaba en toda la labor de ignorarlo cuando otra voz chillona sonó a su lado. - Parece que el bombón de tu mesa tres te llama Jay...- Contuvo las ganas de rodar los ojos a la rubia con complejo de vaca rumiante que acababa de hablarle señalando con la cabeza, sin ningún disimulo, al tipo ese.

- Sí, Stacy. Gracias por avisarme... - hizo un amago de sonrisa y se alejó de ella antes de sucumbir a las ganas de hacerle tragar ese molesto chicle, era cierto que estaba buena por donde se mirara, pero era la típica rubia Idiota que trabaja de mesera y recibe mejor propina por tener mejor culo que el resto. Así que a Jared tampoco le caía bien, menos su estupidez.

De camino a la cocina, enfurruñado hasta la médula, pensó en todas las formas posibles de matar y desaparecer personas, aliviando un poco su creciente enojo. Le pidió al chico de la cocina otra canilla y la llevó de vuelta a la mesa de Babu, respirando profundo antes de ponerla frente al idiota, le dijo: - Jared, señor. Mi nombre es Jared. Y la verdad no me importa lo divertido que le parezca, le pediré que me llame por mi nombre, o como una persona normal haría: “mesero" o “camarero"... Como guste.- No esperó una respuesta de su parte, y partió de vuelta a la barra antes de hacer algo estúpido, tal vez si fuera otro cliente no se habría molestado tanto, pero era él, ese tipo ya había demostrado que le gustaba joderle, y lo estaba consiguiendo.  Tomando un nuevo pedido en el camino, se dijo que le vendría bien un trago, y recorrió mentalmente la forma que tenían los empleados de beber algo a escondidas de los clientes y Terry, ya lo haría después de entregar ese café. Su día no estaba mejorando.

Mientras tanto, Shannon tenía que usar lo mejor de su autocontrol para no desternillarse de la risa. “Jared”, o su preferido, JingleBells, parecía un animalito enojado, literalmente. Le habría encantado hacer algo más para molestarle, como jalarle la colita o algo por el estilo, pero hasta él tenía límites. Y de todas formas, JingleBells no se le acercaba ni le hablaba estrictamente más de lo necesario. Era obvio que no le caía bien al chico, y que Shannon había encontrado un gusto en sacarle de sus casillas. Si el café fuera mejor, y si algo le asegurara que iban a usar ese uniforme de reno durante todo el año, Shannon consideraría venir seguido a la cafetería, incluso sin Babu acompañándole.

-Ya casi es hora de irnos, tengo que ir a hacer unas compras y quiero que TÚ me ayudes- dijo Robert al levantarse de su cómodo asiento- sólo pasaré a saludar al dueño del local. Procura no hacer nada grave mientras no estoy.

-¿Nada grave por qué?

-Sabes a qué me refiero- Shannon soltó una risita por la expresión de Robert, pero le restó importancia con un gesto de la mano.

-Tranquilo, no haré nada. Es más, comenzaré a redactar mi reseña. Ve, ve- le empujó levemente para que se diera prisa. Robert se acercó a la puerta de lo que Shannon supuso, era el despacho del jefe. Vio con curiosidad cómo un hombre de camisa roja a cuadros, barba falsa de rizos y gorro de Santa saludaba al menor efusivamente antes de invitarlo a pasar.

Sacó su teléfono y abrió las notas, pensando un momento en cómo iniciar el artículo. Su pequeño blog no era el más conocido, pero tenía lectores fieles que esperaban su opinión sobre los nuevos lugares, fincas, cafeteras y sin fin de herramientas y procesos, y que no dudaban en compartir también sus experiencias. Mantener ese blog en pie era su mayor hobbie junto a la música, y ambas eran su descanso de la agencia fotográfica en la que trabajaba junto a Babu. Después de dos párrafos se detuvo a tomar fotografías del lugar. El escenario, la barra, el pequeño árbol y una toma general del local, para lo cual se puso de pie. Estas, junto a la que había tomado de la taza antes de tocarla, harían un artículo decente. Continuó esbozando un par de ideas, levantando la vista cada que oía el sonido de los cascabeles, sin rastro del niño reno desde que había quedado sólo. ¿Lo estaba evitando?

En una de esas ocasiones, una belleza rubia le sonrió al pasar a su lado, a lo cual respondió con su infaltable mirada seductora. No era su ego, Shannon sabía que era atractivo y no tenía problemas en usarlo a su favor. Ella se acercó, a pesar de que obviamente no le correspondía atenderlo. No fue nada difícil conseguir su número antes de que Robert regresara y pidiera la cuenta. JingleBells regresó con la pequeña bandeja con la misma velocidad con la que se fue. Definitivamente, le estaba evitando por el resto de su visita.

Jared se había escurrido en la cocina y buscando un buen lugar detrás de algunas estanterías. Se había entregado a la tarea de tomar unos buenos tragos de... lo que sea que el chico de la cocina le hubiese dado en esa botella, tampoco estaba para exigir champaña. Sacudió la cabeza un poco al notar que aquel brebaje era algo fuerte, y por eso mismo, dio un trago más y volvió a salir de su escondite, tomó un gran vaso de agua y agradeció al muchacho por el favor. Cuando salió de vuelta al café tenía un par de pedidos que atendió rápidamente antes de fijarse en Babu entrando a la oficina de Terry, quien iba vestido de Santa anoréxico. Sonrió inconscientemente antes de recordar a Shannon, y con un haz de esperanza volteó disimuladamente hacía su mesa, encontrándolo allí aún, suspiró pesadamente y estuvo a punto de desviar la mirada cuando se fijó en que escribía algo en el teléfono con gran concentración y un intento de sonrisa en el rostro, también se fijó en que no era alguien poco agraciado, y eso fue confirmado por Stacy, quien se había colado deliberadamente a su espacio y estaba coqueteando con el idiota, demonios, hasta le dio su número, sería zorra... de repente se dio cuenta de lo que estaba haciendo y regresó su vista a un cliente que le hacía de la mano, llamando su atención. Fue a atenderlo y de regreso vio al tipo sacando fotos del lugar, eso hizo que su curiosidad aumentará a niveles gigantes, pero no quiso hacerse más preguntas sobre él, así que se apresuró a seguir con su trabajo y cuando Babu pidió la cuenta, la llevó y retiró con mucha rapidez, reparando en que estaba tratando de no mirar para nada al amigo de su amigo. Aliviado de saber que ya se iban, volvió a la barra y descansó un poco.

-Voy a dejar esto, si quieres puedes tomar tu abrigo ya- Robert se dirigió a la caja, y Shannon disimuló estar demasiado ocupado rodeándose el cuello con la bufanda como para observar a Robert hablando animadamente con JingleBells mientras este último sonreía.

Cuando Robert fue a despedirse, intercambió algunas palabras amigables con su amigo, después de todo, no había podido decirle nada bueno con la presencia del otro.

Shannon ya veía el último párrafo de su reseña: "Ciertamente, además del pan y la música, lo único que podría rescatar ileso del Sipchat café es el peculiar espíritu navideño. El ambiente agradable y hasta divertido (esto último puede venir desde una perspectiva enteramente personal) parece no deberse únicamente a la época, sino a la excéntrica hospitalidad del encargado y, sobre todo, al personal." Tomó su tiempo para conseguir una foto del tapete y otra de la puerta de entrada, como para recalcar este último punto. Robert tomó su abrigo y salieron juntos. La nieve había cesado.

El tipo seguía sacando fotos, y lo hizo hasta que salió del café, y cuando por fin desapareció; Jared agradeció eso, y esperaba con toda su alma no volverlo a ver, aunque algo le decía que, al ser amigos de Babu, volvería a pasar tarde o temprano.

[bubzvonchubs]

i think it's time i wrote a new chapter of my marsfic :)

http://soirunandhide.tumblr.com/

http://soirunandhide.tumblr.com/

http://soirunandhide.tumblr.com/

http://soirunandhide.tumblr.com/

http://soirunandhide.tumblr.com/

[mariipun]

Adventures of Wally & The Gang (plus their Caretaker)

Adventures of Wally and the Gang (plus their Caretaker)

Associates Meeting (one-shot)

Warnings: None. Just fluff and funsies honestly; silly antics some of the cast members get themselves into. By no means are my interpretations in relation to Clown’s work, and therefore, not canonically based. Consider this an introduction to the whimsical one-shots to come with our dear Caretaker and the gang.

Word Count: 1,970

Brief Description: Set in the modern world, the Welcome Home cast is alive and aware, living alongside humans. And you have been contracted to be their Caretaker. [you are referred to by the puppets as “Caretaker” or “Care” for short.]

Dedication: @nonomives @kandavers

 *blows kiss* Wanted to give you both this as my debut. 

[I am open to constructive criticism, feedback and ideas! Please inbox me if you have any! I’m a bit rusty with writing, so I appreciate any insight]

In a world much like the Muppets, puppets co-exist with humans. Although the colorful ensemble of characters from the beloved children’s TV show portrays themselves as sweet, educational, fun-loving personas-- when they aren’t on the air, they happen to get themselves into quite a lot of mischief. And you, the lucky individual that you are, have been contracted as their Caretaker to ensure these chaotic puppet actors stay on schedule and don’t put themselves in situations that could cause bad publicity.

You walked off set after speaking to one of the producers as the show had wrapped up earlier than expected. This made it easier to schedule the upcoming appointments you had meticulously organized around the otherwise busy puppet’s schedules. With clipboard in hand, you made your way over to the break area, where most of the cast members were chatting with stagehands, makeup artists, or lounging in their deck chairs.

“All right everyone!” You clapped your hands together to garner the attention of the cast, all eyes turning to you except for Barnaby standing over the spread table, hungrily grabbing at the box of doughnuts one of the interns had placed out. You deadpan at him before shouting his name, earning an audible hmph?! as the blue mass turned to look at you, a sprinkled doughnut hanging from his mouth, with two others in hand.

“Okaaaay—now that I have everyone’s attention, we have an early flight to catch tomorrow for our meeting with our studio associates, which will take place later in the afternoon once we’ve arrived.” You scan the break area to ensure they’re still listening, amused by Julie and Sally as they respond with shared squeals, already chatting about plans to sightsee the area and meet their adoring fans. Their bubbly response caused you to grin momentarily, before turning serious.

“That means! You all need to be awake, packed, and ready to go at 6 A.M. sharp.” You say sternly, now earning loud groans from a few of the puppets.

“Okay, okay.” You waved your hand dismissively to the choir of complaints. You didn’t know why they were complaining, considering they usually wake up this early in the morning to start the show. Rolling your eyes, you let out a breath, mentally preparing for whatever shenanigans these puppets will pull on you later. “You guys have the rest of the day to relax since it’s only 2 P.M. right now. Just remember, we need to stick to the schedule. I don’t want to have to explain myself to the Manager if things derail.”

With a resounding “All right” from everyone, you went your parting ways and continued to work out the schedule’s details. “Also! Julie, you better pack light! We are only staying for two days, so don’t bring your whole wardrobe with you—again…” You called after her, ignoring her refusal to do so.

[Next Day: 5:41 A.M.]

You grabbed your duffle bag, slinging it over your shoulder before grabbing the briefcase on your way out of your small apartment. Before descending the stairs of the apartment building, you turn back in to grab your coffee, yawning in the process. “Ugh, gonna be a long day.” You murmur to yourself, the lingering drowsiness from slumber not yet leaving your body. You check the time on your phone as you take a gentle sip. You only lived a 7-minute walk away from the set, which you were grateful for since (1) You didn’t own a car and (2) The Studio provided you with lodging once you agreed to be the cast’s Caretaker. The pay was all right considering the added bonuses of what the Studio provided for you, although, it’s probably due in part to the various applicants that had been hired and then immediately quit due to their lack of ability to actually wrangle the cast from committing any sort of war crimes. (Guess the Studio needed to give some sort of incentive for someone to fill the role). Taking on the task was daunting at first since you quickly learned how eager the members were to push boundaries. You didn’t necessarily blame them for being curious since there was still so much of the world they wanted to learn about. Of course, this made your job more difficult to handle at times.

[5:53 A.M.]

You walked through the studio’s hallways, quietly greeting good mornings to other studio employees as you passed. The meeting location for everyone was in room 2A, usually reserved for auditions, but opened for you to ensure everyone came on time. Arriving at the room, you saw that most of the members had already arrived. Poppy, sitting comically large on one of the chairs and leaning against the wall as she continued to sleep. Barnaby and Wally both lazily tapping on their phones; Frank and Eddie who were both reading; Howdy who had just strolled in with a loud yawn, and…. Julie and Sally? Who weren’t even here yet. Of course, knowing them Sally would come in ‘dramatically’ late, as per usual, and Julie would usually stroll along. You greet those who were already there good morning, earning a few mumbled good mornings in return and a quiet snore from Poppy. You leaned against the wall next to the entrance, taking out your schedule:

6 A.M. - morning roll call

6:10 A.M.- arrive to cars

6:30 A.M. - board private jet

8:30 A.M. (projected arrival time)

9:00 A.M. – early check-in

-

-

-

1:30 P.M. – production meeting

-

-

-

5:30 P.M. – dinner reservation (for self)

-

-

You nod, everything was still on track for the most part… Sally would soon come in beaming and entered the room with a loud, sing-songy “I’m here!”, followed by the same response as the heaving Julie dragged an absurdly stuffed suitcase in tow. The sudden intrusion caused Poppy to jolt awake, everyone else looking over as the pair came in. You glanced at the time, 6:12 A.M.

“You’re late…and I told you to pack light--” You comment, shaking your head gently as the two tried to begin explaining. Raising a hand to stop them, you turned to everyone with a small smile, went over the plans for travel, and ushered them all to the awaiting cars outside.

[8:32 A.M. Landing]

As the jet landed, everyone deplaned and entered the cars that would transport them to the hotel. Once you have all arrived at the hotel, you check everyone in, soon giving them each their own room keys on the same floor. You gave them all a nod of approval as you all entered the elevator and went up to the 14th floor. You all agreed to meet in the lobby after freshening up to discuss any further plans. As you waved to them, you entered your room and took in the welcoming atmosphere. Plush pillows, clean sheets, a stocked mini fridge, a desk, a great window view, and a bathroom full of high-quality amenities you would surely take back home. (No one’s going to miss a few small bottles of shampoo and conditioner anyway). You place your briefcase on the desk, plop the duffle bag on the chair, and throw yourself onto the inviting bed. With arms spread wide, you inhale sharply as you stretch, sighing in contentment for a moment. The temporary silence gave your much-needed overworked mind some peace, before going into the bathroom to get ready. You would soon greet everyone with a much chippier attitude as they had all been waiting for you in the lobby area. You took notice as more guests began to enter the hotel, some with young children excitedly pointing out Wally and the others, pleading to meet them as their tired parents tried to calm their resounding squeaks. It was times like these when you got a break, witnessing the excitement and wonder of fans felt endearing. You were with a group of celebrities after all. Trying to keep a low profile was, unfortunately, not an option in your field of work.

“So, what do you guys want to do?” Eddie inquires. Everyone began throwing out ideas, Julie insisting they go shopping; Frank, who commented on a museum exhibit; Sally wanting to check out the old (presumably haunted) theaters; Howdy and Poppy bouncing ideas about taking a tour downtown; and Barnaby mentioning an all-you-can-eat buffet. The overwhelming chatter droned out your thoughts as everyone turned to you, arguing that they “Should do this!”, “No, this—“, “Care, I want to—“. You tried hushing everyone as their voices became increasingly loud in volume, garnering more attention from the hotel guests as their rambunctious natures were disturbing the ease of the lobby.

“Hold on, hold on. We only really have three more hours before we go to the meeting, so we might not be able to do everything today—” You try to console everyone, your response not satisfying the puppets as they began bickering amongst themselves. You heard a few complaints that you were being too ‘strict’, too ‘uptight’, ‘just relax a bit will ya, we’ve got time’. You huff, knowing you needed them all together since they’d do ‘who knows what’ when apart from you. Maybe you should just ask to be promoted from Caretaker to Glorified Babysitter at this point, the title is more suitable. You attempted to hush them again, only to be met with more insistence that they do “this idea, or that”. You could barely put a word in as your eyes slowly fell on Wally, who in his usual laid-back manner, said nothing. Simply observing the conversations and locking eyes on you.

You could tell by his demeanor, mischievous grin on his face, he was brewing up a plan. Your eyes narrow, squinting at him as you both engaged in a stare-down. “Don’t—” You emphasized, everyone else taking notice and silently watching. “Wally. Do not—”

“Scatter.”

“I said-- Ah!--?!” Before you could protest, you were encased in oversized blue arms, Barnaby coming up to give you a hug from behind, his chuckles booming loudly in your ears. He picked you up slightly, your legs kicking as you tried yelling for them all to “Get back here!”. Both Sally and Julie bolted for the entrance, waving hello and goodbye to those they passed by; Howdy and Poppy scuttled away, continuing to chat; Frank and Eddie looked at each other before heading to the museum, as Wally sneakily exited stage left. You went limp in Barnaby’s arms, cheeks red with frustration as you slowly descended back onto your feet. He chuckled, patting your shoulder (insult to injury).

“You know kid, you should just take it easy. We finally have some downtime, just let ‘em go and have some fun. Same with you, see you in a bit.” He chimed, walking off to the hotel’s restaurant.

You stood there in defeat, running your hands up and down your face before pinching the bridge of your nose. As expected, it was gonna be a long day indeed.

[2:03 P.M. Associates Meeting]

“Shouldn’t they have been here already?”

“Yeah, I tried calling Care, but they hadn’t respo—”

You burst into the meeting room, hair disheveled, breathing heavy with Wally and Julie tucked under your arms while the rest of the members stood behind you with smiles and greetings. You stomped in, some of the associates just staring as you plopped the two in their seats as the others strolled in before settling down themselves. You said nothing, cheeks hot and nostrils flared before clearing your throat and smoothing your hair. You move off to the side, taking refuge in the seat placed against the wall. You finally slump, head tilted back and resting on the wall as the meeting began.

Yeah, you needed a promotion… and a raise.

[areumtaem]

Burning Eyes #4

Sorry, that it took so long for a new part. It took longer than I had expected, sorry.

I was feeling so shitty and I still am, so I'm sorry if this part is... Terrible.

Here you go.

________________

Part four.

  Almost three weeks had passed since I had got beaten and ended up in Jared Leto’s house. It was now the middle of December. I was glad that his house was in California.

  I was pretty much okay at that moment, but there still was a little blue spot on my left leg. Though I didn’t feel it at all. It was good, because I was now able to walk on my own, without using the crutches that Jared’s assistant, Emma, had brought me. Me and Emma were already getting along very well. We were actually very similar. She loved shopping, I loved shopping. We were both blondes too.

  She was also very intelligent, knowing what she wants, easy to talk to, humorous. I immediately got it why Jared had chosen her as his assistant. She was good with paperwork, videos and all.

  -

  I was packing my stuff that Jared and Shannon had brought from my apartment. I was now living in Jared’s house, guest room. There was a little closet at the side of the room and I got to put my stuff there.

  The reason why I was packing was that Jared, Shannon and Tomo had offered to take me with them while they tour. But I had to offer something from myself so I suggested that I could help them with some things.

  When Jared asked if there is any problems with work or something... He was quite surprised over the fact that I was fired a bit more than a month ago. He also offered me some money, but I refused because I still had some of the money that my mom had left me.

  I put my brand new Apple MacBook that Jared had bought me, into a little case for that computer. He and Shannon had done so much for me. Shannon had bought me an iPhone and an azure blue cover for it. Azure was my favorite color. He knew it because he had asked me and I answered in confusion.

I told them that they don’t have to buy me anything. That I can manage with the stuff I already have. Well, of course they didn’t listen.

  “Hey, have you seen my-” I said, rushing into Jared’s room but stopped talking right away. “…diary.” I finished the sentence. Jared was there, sitting on his bed – not shirtless - and reading my journal. I, quite angrily, walked towards him and reached my hand for the diary, but Jared didn’t let me and pulled it closer to him. “Wait, let me read,” he said adorably, his eyes concentrated on my diary. “Jared.” I said, quite pissed off by now. “Give. Me. My. Diary.”

  He smirked and then tapped the bed, like he wants me to sit down. However, I was just standing there angrily, staring at him. “Sit.” he said, obviously thinking that I hadn’t understood what he meant. “Come on, sit down, Elena.” he said and smiled. I sighed and sat on his bed. “How much have you read?” “I’m at the day you threw stuff at your boss and got fired.” he said and tried to remain serious. He really seemed like he’s going to burst into laughter in a moment.

  “It’s not funny,” I said, “he was flirting with me.” Jared laughed. “Yeah, I got that,” he said and tapped the diary with his finger. Then very smoothly, the same finger turned the page and he started reading. I knew what page it was and I blushed shyly. I watched his lip corners lower as he read.

  When he finished reading, he seemed shocked. He looked at me and said one word. “Suicide?”

I nodded. “Life was shit and there’s nothing I could’ve done about it.” I said and I felt my eyes filling with tears. “You, the most amazing person in the whole fucking fucked up world, wanted to commit suicide?” he asked and there was nothing else to do but nod. One tear was now streaming down my face and I closed my eyes. “Aw, come here,” he said and pulled me into a big sweet hug. I wrapped my hands around him and cried. Just cried. “Easy. Let it out, let it out,” he whispered softly. He stroked my head caressingly and gave me a slight brotherly kiss on my cheek.

  “You know, I intended to do it on the day you guys found me,” I said, when I had calmed down a bit. “When you got…?” he said and was looking me seriously. I was pretty much sitting on his lap, without knowing if he’s uncomfortable or not. He didn’t show any signs of being uncomfortable.

I gave him a nod and stared at his eyes. “You know what saved me?” I asked. He made a little move with his head, telling me to go on. “My mom and you.” When he looked at me with a bit confused look, I said “Your family,” because I did mean Constance, Jared, and Shannon by the people who had helped me stay alive. And my own mom, my flesh and blood.

  He was smiling. “Yeah, and how did I help you?” he asked. I pushed my head against his chest and listened to his calm heartbeats. They fastened up as I started talking. “You helped me by being who you are. I remembered the life we had before I grew up and it got me thinking. Life was wonderful back then. When I was with you, Constance and Shannon. It was more than wonderful actually.” I said and a little tear was falling down from my eyes. He felt the tear fall on his shirt and pulled me back a bit and kissed my forehead. “You’re okay now. We’re all back together.” he said. I smiled and lay on his chest again.

  It was amazingly easy to talk to him. He understands me in the way the others don’t. I listened to his heartbeats which were calm and happy; his hands were wrapped around me and he was breathing slowly. I wish I could’ve known what he was thinking at that moment. I peeked up at his face and he was calm, with a slight smile on his face. After a minute I moved away from him.

  “Thank you,” I whispered and gave him a kiss on a cheek. His face lighted up “For what?” I sighed. “For everything. For being here for me” a little smile peeked up my lips. “Always.” he said and gave me a little kiss back, on my forehead. I lay on his chest again and I’m pretty sure we sat there like that at least 15 minutes. Well, then we were interrupted.

  “Whew, what’s going on here?” Shannon entered the room, a big grin on his face. “Oh shut up,” Jared said and I felt how he pressed me even more against him. I smiled slightly. I was really exhausted. Perhaps because of those tears I cried out. I closed my eyes and concentrated on Jared’s heartbeats. I exhaled.

  “You two together now?” Shannon said. I startled and opened my eyes. I felt one of Jared’s hands disappear from my back. I pushed myself away from Jared and looked at Shannon in confusion. How could he say that? Well, not that I wouldn’t want it to be true, but Jared?

  “Whaaat?” he said while looking at me, then Jared. “I suggest you to get out of my room before I-” “Fine, fine! Jeez!” he gestured something with his hands and walked out from the room, closing the door. I stared at the entrance for a while and then turned towards Jared. The expression on his face kind of scared me. He seemed completely angry, out of himself. Also flushed. “Jared?” I said and put my hand on his shoulder. “How dares he,” he said quietly, trying to calm down. “How dares he to come into my room and say such stupid things like that?” Ouch. It shouldn’t have hurt me that much.

  As much as I tried to hide the glimpse of pain, and it helped. He did flash me a curious look, but that was only for a moment. “You okay now?” he asked quietly. I grabbed the diary next to him and nodded. “Gonna go finish my packing,” I said and waved at him. He flashed me a slight smile before I entered his room and tried to answer with the same. Somewhat I succeeded.

  I walked back to the guest room, trying to hold the tears in me. I didn’t know why Jared’s words had affected me that much. Why did Shannon have to enter? God, he knows how to ruin things.

While being stuck with my own thoughts, trying to hold the tears back before making into my room, I bumped into Shannon.

  “Whoa, easy there,” he said and put his hands on my shoulders. I quickly tried to get pass him, but he didn’t let me. “Uh, sorry about that… earlier,” he said and I feel his hazel eyes gaze over my face. “Can you let me pass, please?” I said, looking at my feet. “No, I can’t. I want to apologize,” he said, and his hand raised my head. As much as I tried to avoid looking into his hazel eyes, but I couldn’t help but notice the guilt covering his face. I parted my mouth slightly, like I wanted to say something, but nothing came into my mind.

  “Look, it’s just that the past few weeks I’ve seen you glancing at Jared and I have noticed Jared looking at you differently from the other girls he’s been close with.” I shook my head in disbelieving, knowing where he’s heading with his talk. “I know what you want to say with this, but Jared is like a brother to me, nothing else. Same thing with you,” I lied and kicked his hand off me and rushed past him, but I was forced to turn back because Shannon grabbed my arm. “He’s my brother and I know everything about him,” he said and looked seriously into my eyes. I sighed. “Whatever. This time you’re wrong.” I said and tried to get away from his grip. “I have known you for years and honestly, I have had times where I was jealous of the relationship you and Jared share. I remember how you looked at him 10 years ago, like he was your favorite brother, real brother,” he sighed and I stared at him, raising a brow. “But now, that look in your eyes has changed and I know that look,” he said. I stood there, watching him, wondering if I should tell him the truth. He noticed me battling with my thoughts and sighed again. “Look, I already know the truth. I know you like him in another way you used to.” he said. “But please admit it. It will torture you if you won’t.”

  I thought about telling him for a second. He already knew what was going on, but it was I, I wasn’t ready to admit it. I, in no way was ready to tell Shannon… or anyone that I may have feelings for Jared. I knew I have feelings for him; he was taking over my mind, my dreams… Sooner or later I will be almost like his… servant. Mentally of course.

  I sighed and slipped my hand trough my hair. “You know the truth,” I said quietly and closed my eyes. “Please don’t tell anyone,” I said as I turned around and started walking towards my door. “I won’t,” I heard him say and turned my head towards him. His hazel eyes were impossible for me to read at that moment. It seemed to be a mixture of grief and happiness. I somehow grinned and stepped into my room, locking the door. I shattered on the floor and buried my head in my hands.

  What if Jared had noticed the way I look at him...? Shannon had said that Jared has been looking at me differently. I hadn’t noticed. My head still read it the same way – brotherly love, nothing more. But… was Shannon right?

  “I can’t believe it,” I muttered. “I can’t believe I told Shannon I have feelings-” I stop and think about the sentence I was about to say. Conversation with myself, and I still mess things up.

“I can’t believe Shannon knows the truth,” I said. That seemed to be a better said sentence.

  Pretty sure I was sitting there, crashed on the floor, head buried in my hands for a quite long time. My mind had wondered off different places – I was thinking about the Leto’s again, Emma, the tour I was going on, and what was actually going on between me and Jared.

  There was a slight knock on the door and I heard someone cough slightly. “El, it’s me, open up,” Jared said. I raised my head, hearing his voice… I didn’t know if I wanted to talk to him right now, or not. I sighed. “What is it?” I asked, trying to sound as strong as possible. “Nothing, just want to talk to you,” he said. I swallowed, stood up, took a look in the mirror. Realizing I was looking absolutely exhausted, I sighed and ran my hand trough my hair; at the same time I was unlocking the door with my other.

  “Hey,” he said and parted his mouth for a second, looking at my face. He sighed and walked into my room. “You look so tired,” he said as I closed the door. I rolled my eyes at him and he sat down on my bed, I sat next to him. “I know, I was thinking about some abnormal stuff,” I muttered, looking down at my hands. “For two hours?” he asked and I could sense that he was a little surprised. My eyes wondered to his face and looked at him, shocked. “Two hours?” I whispered and turned my head down at my hands again. “Holy shit, where did all the time go…?” Jared eyed me curiously. “What?” he said clearly and I smiled at him. “Nothing, just… I didn’t notice the time going this fast.” Jared gave me a smile back “What were you thinking about, if I may ask?”

I sighed. “About the tour.” I only said. The other stuff that I was thinking about was too… personal or strange to tell. “Preparing emotionally?” he said and I nod. Yes, preparing emotionally. For tour. For the feelings inside of me and what might come out of them. For everything that might hit me.

_______

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