#maybe franky is keeping watch with the company of brooks music

[capripatch]

break from zs week to draw them..,,..,,

[dxvilmanlev]

Happy Birthday Zoro!! <3

This is a self indulgent, self insert fic

Zoro x self insert

Warnings: its my self insert for this fic, fingering, slight dacryphillia, slight dumbification

N/SFW is under the cut so Minors DNI

Word Count: 1242

Lev woke up early in the morning, smiling at their lover. It was Zoro’s birthday today and they wanted to give him the best day. Turning into a bat, thanks to the bat-bat devil fruit, they were able to escape his grasp. Flying to the edge of the bed and turning back into a human.

Zoro shifted in bed, turning to his side, grumbling softly. Lev stared at him, making sure he stayed asleep, before grabbing some clothes and getting dressed.

They quietly walked out of the bedroom, walking towards the kitchen. As they arrived they saw Sanji getting ready to cook the crew some breakfast.

“Hi, Sanji!” Lev cheerfully greeted him.

“Good morning, Lev~ wonderful morning Isn’t it?” Sanji asked in a sing-song tone.

“It definitely is.” They responded.

“So what brings you here so early?” He asked.

“Could you help me make Zoro a special breakfast? I want today to be special.” You responded.

“Oh that’s right, it’s Marimo's birthday today. I can totally help you, love.” Sanji said, grabbing some ingredients.

“Thank you, Sanji, I owe you one.” You said, grabbing an apron, tying it around your waist.

After cooking the perfect breakfast they ever made, with the help of Sanji, they helped set the table. Some of the crew members piling in after smelling the delicious food.

“I’m going to go wake Zoro.” You told everyone, walking out to your room that you shared with the swordsman.

Entering the bedroom, Lev transformed back into a bat, flying towards zoro and landing on his face, peppering his face with little kisses.

“Hmm?” Zoro grumbled while waking up. “Oh, Hi baby.” Zoro smiled softly, picking up the bat-bat fruit user in his large hands, setting you down on his lap as he sat up. Transforming back, you hugged him, kissing his cheek.

“Happy Birthday, baby.” Lev smiled at the swordsman.

“Thank you.” He mumbled sleepily.

“Alright, let’s go eat!” They giggled, getting up and dragging him out of bed.

Zoro groaned, getting up and dressed, following behind them. Entering the kitchen they were greeted by the crew. They all said their Happy Birthdays to Zoro, going back to chatting and eating.

“Why is my breakfast different than everyone else's?” Zoro asked as he sat down.

“I made it special for you, with the help of Sanji of course.” They respond, staring at their boyfriend lovingly.

“Baby, you didn’t have to.” Zoro told them.

“I know but I want today to be special.” They said, grabbing his hand.

The crew looked at the two lovebirds, some adoring you, others pretending to look sick.

After breakfast everyone went off to do their own thing. Zoro and Lev went to the crowsnest to train together. During their break, they cuddled, talking about plans for later today.

“Have anything else planned for today?” Zoro asked, playing with Lev’s hair.

“Not much, just spend time with you and maybe a little birthday surprise for tonight.” Lev said, giving him a cheeky smile.

“A birthday surprise?” Zoro questioned, raising an eyebrow.

“Mhm. But it’s staying a surprise.” Lev told him, pinching his cheek.

“Okay, okay.” He sighed, kissing their temple.

Zoro went back to training shortly after talking. Lev turned into a bat, landing on Zoro’s head. Staying there, keeping him company as he finished his training.

Later in the evening everyone had gathered together to celebrate Zoro’s Birthday, Sanji, Lev and Chopper had put together a cake, Franky bringing out barrels of booze, while the rest of the crew wished him a happy birthday personally.

Lev was sitting in Zoro’s lap, sipping on some wine, talking with Nami and Robin. Zoro was watching Luffy, Usopp and Chopper play as he talked with Franky, and Brook was playing music.

Everyone had a great time, and the party lasted well into the night. Once the party did die down, everyone headed off to bed.

Zoro and Lev reached their bedroom, going to lay in bed.

“I have one last present for you.” Lev said, giving him a look of lust, climbing on top of him.

“Oh yeah?” He questions, raising an eyebrow, hands setting on their thighs.

“Mhm.” They hummed, leaning down to kiss him.

Zoro’s hands traveled to Lev’s hips, pulling their hips down, to grind against his cock. They moaned, allowing Zoro to slip his tongue into their mouth. While making out, Zoro lifted his shirt that Lev was wearing off. His hands moved to their breasts, pinching their nipples between his fingers. Lev moaned into the kiss, grinding down harder, causing Zoro to groan.

Zoro pulled away, his lips trailing downLev’s jaw to their neck, sucking on the soft skin.

“Zoro..” Lev moaned.

Zoro’s hands moved down to pull off Lev’s panties. His hand going down to rub their clit. They whined, grinding against his hand, laying their head on his shoulder. He could feel their heavy breath against his neck. His fingers rubbed down their folds, pushing two of his fingers into their wet hole. They moaned against his neck, muffling it, not wanting to be too loud.

Thrusting his fingers in and out, preparing them for his cock. His thumb rubbed their clit, as his fingers curled inside them, causing them to reach their high.

“So good for me.” Zoro whispered against their ear. “You ready for my cock?”

They whispered a soft ‘yes’, Zoro then pulled off his boxers and lifted Lev’s hips to line himself up with their entrance, slowly pushing into them. Lev moaned, no matter how many times they had sex, Lev never got used to his size right in the beginning.

Zoro slowly started moving his hips, thrusting up into them. Lev started moving their hips to meet Zoro’s thrusts, speeding up the pace. He let them ride his cock, as he leaned down to suck their nipple, earning a moan out of his lover. Zoro trailed kisses up their collarbone to their neck, marking them more.

“Zoro… more please..” Lev moaned desperately.

He then flipped them over so he was now on top. Pounding into them roughly. They moaned loudly at the new angle and pace, grabbing onto his back and digging their nails into his skin. Lev felt tears of pleasure in the corner of their eyes, slightly drooling as they were being fucked stupid.

“You look so beautiful, all fucked stupid. You love my cock don’t you, baby?” Zoro questioned, even though he knew they couldn’t answer.

Smirking at them, he leaned down to kiss their tears away. He could feel they were close, one of his hands going down to rub his thumb against their clit, causing them to cry out his name.

“You gonna cum all pretty for me, baby?” Zoro groaned.

Lev just nodded, mumbling a small ‘please’. He then lifted one of their legs over his shoulder, hitting deeper as he brought them over the edge. Cumming around his cock, Lev moaned out Zoro’s name, feeling him cum inside them shortly after.

Slowing his thrusts, riding out their highs, Zoro pulled out, laying down next to them and pulling them into his chest.

“Best Birthday present I could ever ask for.” Zoro sighed, catching his breath still.

“You’re welcome, baby.” Lev said, kissing him softly.

“I love you so much.” He says, pulling Lev closer and kissing the top of their head.

“I love you so much, too.” They whisper softly, falling asleep in Zoro’s arms. Zoro following soon after.

[monkeydluffy19920]

Straw Hat pirates in the modern world?

Many of  us have probably pondered that what if Straw Hats were living in a different dimension, wandering in the modern world instead of being pirates. Oda-sensei kind of replied to this question in SBS 76. Those were based on the suggestions and this has been something I’ve been pondering quite often, just for fun so here are some headcanonish thoughts about the Straw Hat gang in the modern AU.

(it’s going to be a (semi)long post so sorry beforehand for covering the half of the dash *laughs*) Anyway feel free to share thoughts!

Luffy: A man who lives and breathes for action? A physical job is definitely something Luffy would require and fire rescuing sounds like a very diverse area and since he has quite irregular sleeping rhythm (he sleeps whenever he feels like) so probably he wouldn’t feel innerly messed after the shifts unlike most of us

I remember reading long time ago in a forum that in someone’s opinion fireman wouldn’t support Luffy’s willing to be free and that he doesn’t want to be seen as a hero but would those details be an obstactle in the long run?

In my opinion the bigger questionmark about that occupation would be that as far as I understood, fire rescuing degree requires medical studies and Luffy doesn’t seem like he’d have patience for such complicated stuff but maybe he’d barely pass the courses and later be focusing more on the other tasks and of course gets help from other colleagues?

Well, the writer in that forum long time ago was right that Luffy also craves for freedom so another choice could be something that requires travelling without limitations. Hmmm? I personally don’t see him as a tourist guide but would it be possible that he only worked half of the year or as in seasons and maybe would spend the rest of the time getting to know new places?

Actually once I pondered that one hobby Luffy could have is being a Youtuber. I know it sounds a bit funny but I think his (and perhaps the rest of the dork Trio’s) pranking and humoristic videos, similar with comedians like nigahiga or doing some other things. Anyway, since he is an entertaining person, those videos would probably get lots of watches.

Zoro: This suggestion probably is based on his past as a bounty hunter which is good indeed but somehow I would see him more as a guard than a police officer. I really don’t know why, maybe (as someone who doesn’t know much about neither of them) could think that guarding would require less paper work (it’s hard to imagine him writing long reports)?

Maybe he could also do some sort of physical work and perhaps at the outdoors.  Zoro could chop woods with hands or with chainsaws or other working machines or work at a mine or maybe digging graves? The chances are unlimited!

Nami:  Based on her personality and what happened in Punk Hazad, nursery school teacher would sound plausible but I kind of have a feeling that she could be something else too because of her skills and interests so this was actually something I asked from my mate @namibean because she has roleplayed Nami and written a modern AU fanfic.

In her response, our thoughts about her working somewhere in the weather field and us (and probably many other fans) think it would be very possible to see her as telling the weather forecast on tv in a modern AU. Why not? She has the skills and good looks!

I think she would do good in modelling too, she seems to enjoy posing for the cameras (her wanted-posters speaks for that) and she loves fashion. Hard to say whether she would become a super model or just modelling for smaller business but she would be famous for sure! (Fashion designer also crossed my mind just a minute ago)

From the dream perspective, perhaps a cartographer? but somehow I’ve always thought this more as a hobby of hers than a vacancy, in modern world. Like namibean said, the technology keeps developing  so maybe this would be more of something she’d do for fun (or just to sell them for some pocket money)

Another thing based on her skills would definitely be in the area of finance like namibean said. Not because of her love to money but because Nami is really good with numbers, knows the values of the currencies (she was the one who noticed how they were almost fooled in Water 7 when they brought the treasures to the bank) so it would be very plausible if she did work with money.

One more thing that popped into my mind was that Nami could be an actress too. This was based on the third TV Special (”Protect! The Last Great Performance”) and the thought of her being a model. Well, why not? She is the Dorobo Neko who has used to costumes and knows the stuff.

Usopp: Graphic designer is really good suggestion and on point because Usopp is very good in arts but maybe even better in storytelling (he used to tell tales to cheer Kaya after all) so maybe he could write books about adventures of Captain Usopp or why not both? like a freelancer author and an artist?

Sanji: This has been always a questionmark since it’s really hard to think out of the box since I just see him as a cook who becomes an owner of a successful restaurant and nothing else *laughs*

I also asked my mate @chefalier what are his thoughts about it since he has roleplayed and mused Sanji a lot. His first thought outside the box was a professional footballer which is good in my opinion, especially if we think about the football tv special where Sanji kicked the winning goal wth a badass shoot. Yes, as a footballer he could be famous for being having feet quicker than the lightning and shooting goals sharply. Even if he wasn’t a professional I could imagine him doing it as a hobby, whenever he’d be able during his busy restaurant or beauty saloon businesses *thumbs up*

Another one chefalier suggested was model and well, he has the looks and the charm. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind seeing Sanji posing for some suit-companies or perhaps also for the charming fragrancies.  *many thumbs up*

Chopper: He would be great with the kids for sure but somehow I’d see him more in a job related to his current vacancy. If doctor wasn’t in the “modern AU-list” then he could be a biologist specialized in biochemistry or researcher. It would at least be linked into his dream of curing all the diseases.

Robin: I would honestly pay anything to hear and see flght attendant Robin dropping some dark jokes in her shifts above the clouds *laughs* but somehow it feels like flying is sort of a far fetch if we think about her interest in history and arceology. It doesn’t mean that she couldn’t do that but I just can’t imagine her there.

If archeologists wasn’t a choice then maybe she could be a historian specialized in cultural history or civilization history. Perhaps she could first do research work and then later work also as a lecturer in an university? Another place where I could see her working would be the library, her devil fruits would be so handy there (although in modern world there probably wouldn’t exists those powers).

Another one based on her interests would be a gardener or the one who makes flower boquets (is it called florist?). She is crafty and enjoys flowers so it’s perhaps a good maybe?

Franky: It wasn’t  specified that would Franky be an aircraft pilot or a maritime plot. Anyway, it’s a very good idea because Franky is good with mechanics and has experience in piloting too but  another choice that popped into my mind was  a youth worker.

Based on chapter 437,  Franky would be excellent in that, after all his unselfish nature and willing to help the people of the backstrees did pay off. He received lots of friends and the members of Franky Family later found their potential for good deeds (shipwrighting) after being treated with respect by Franky.

If shipwrighting wasn’t a choice he could stll fit into the construction world. He could be the guy who owns a company that builds houses or aeroplanes or whatever he desires,  his skills probably would be in good use.

Brook: Hmm this is also th same case as with Sanji, it’s somehow hard to imagine him doing anything else than he is known to be good at. Detective would be good though especially when thinking of his Devil fruit’s skill where he can peek around as a ghost. Well, if Brook lived in the modern world he could also be a music teacher? Or why not a stand up comedian? He is the master of skull jokes, yohohohoh!

[inexchangeforyoursoul]

... remember when I had that good swing on that long self-insert fic going? Yeah, me too. Good times. [ffn] [AO3]

Well... I sat the fuck down and finished up the next one. Joke is... 33 will be the hardest to do lmao I’m so not ready

Anyway, this instalment takes a Definitely Spoopy turn; wanted to publish it at Halloween for a reason, but, uh, as you can see... it’s mid fucking December. Not even the Robin time can rectify that.

32. White noise

“Oh, my, what pretty flowers have sprouted here overnight,” comes the amused voice of Robin from behind them not two seconds later.

Law’s eyes shoot up immediately, and he also sits up post-haste, almost headbutting the railing himself. “Nico-ya…” he starts with a wary drawl; “since when have you been here?” She's the nosy type, too… might have heard fucking everything. Shit.

Kat also turns towards her with open arms. “Ah, Robin!”

“I see you’re in a much better mood than before…. good for you,” she smiles at Kat immediately upon seeing her enthusiastic, flushed little face, and sprouts a hand on her back to give her head a scratching, which she seems to enjoy quite a lot. “As for your question… five minutes, maybe?” she shrugs then at Law as the moaning watering can in her hands is put to work. “Your vivid duet was hard to miss,” she continues with a chuckle. “You shouldn’t lie around in this weather, though, lest you catch Miss Kat a cold for next week.”

He feels blood rush to his face again. For some reason, getting caught laughing by her is as embarrassing as anything else. As is getting talked to like a toddler.

“I wasn’t planning on staying here much longer anyhow,” he grumbles with a huff. “We have business to attend to, not to mention that you being out gardening equals to everything getting wetter and colder, anyway.”

Next thing he knows is that she’s holding the can directly above him for a quick shower; he’s just dumbfounded, and Kat snorts as soon as the action registers.

“You’ll be the one to give me a cold this way, Robin,” she giggles then just as the woman moves on.

“Sorry, couldn’t resist… do you want me to get him one, too?” the archeologist asks then, offering the business end of the object.

“What’s with all of you today, I swear…” Law shakes his head, and the curly hair sprays everyone with the water that’s stuck among the curls. “Are you standing in for Nose-ya, or what?” Him, Carrot and Luffy are the only ones up for this kind of bullshit at any given time. And Chopper, whenever they can rake him into idiocy.

“I suppose someone has to,” she hums, pouring a little of the leftover water on Kat while passing. “It gets mundane without the kids around.” The can sinks into a barrel of water to refill.

“It sure was too peaceful out here to be true,” the man mumbles standing up, then bows down to shake out whatever water is left and willing to drop. “Or inside, for that matter. I’m missing a bunch of my crew for sure, and by the looks of it, so do you,” he says then, straightening up. He’ll need to fetch a towel, goddamn. Also, he’s officially really, really cold.

“Oh… everyone’s being scarce?” asks Kat while wiping the water off her face, then also swishing whatever possible out of her hair. Nami kept her company, but she couldn't help notice the empty seats during breakfast.

The archeologist nods. “Yes… I went ahead and checked the other ship on my way up myself. Nary a soul. And, as you may have noticed already, our wacky musician and sniper, as well as little doctor are yet to be accounted for. Since Franky just left with Sanji and Carrot to shop for odds and ends, this ship is as good as dead,” she states, pulling the filled container out of the barrel. She stops to think for a second. “I am a little worried, though,” she notes then, looking out towards town. “The boys may have gone out together, but Chopper is not one to stay out for an entire night. As an animal, he needs plenty of rest. I doubt he has that luxury out there… the commotion died off early in the morning, and the music is already starting up again.”

“Yeah, it's always pretty noisy on this weekend,” agrees Kat while Law murmurs something that sounds like a ‘thought so,’ likely referring to his crewmates. The ruckus is bad enough that she’s decidedly happy over being able to stay over for these two nights specifically.

“If they don’t get back soon I’ll have to assume they got themselves lynched in a dark alley,” the woman declares as the moaning ghost starts spewing water again.

“… even Brook?” muses the girl two seconds down the line with a raised brow and half a smile.

Hearing that brings back Robin’s, too. “Even though he’s already dead? Yes.”

Law finds the idea less funny. “Don’t jinx it, Nico-ya. I doubt they would have any problems with some ragtag thieves, but we know for a fact that there are some shifty folks out in some alleys,” he informs the woman while pointing towards Kat with a thumb, then starts rubbing himself for some warmth. He could have lived his entire life without having been reminded of that situation, really.

“… oh. Yeah, there was that, too, huh.” She… forgot about that, despite the adventure freaking her out quite a lot at the time. Thinking about this, she also stands up at last, patting the dirt and whatever there is off her dew-soaked thighs.

The tense focus returns. “Oh my… then I better get looking as soon as possible, don’t I.”

“I’m about to send Jean Bart out to collect our entourage, too. Might as well join him.” He’s there for sure, heard him cursing on his way up. Also the only other person to keep people on task on board of the Polar Tang, so there’s noone better to get those sad excuses of pirates moving again.

“Would you be so kind as to ask him to look for our lost ones in my stead, then?” Robin turns to Law after short consideration.

“Huh?” Backing out? Nico-ya, of all people? “Why that?”

She sighs. “I would prefer not to spend more time out with all the bushoo around is all… They make me feel uneasy, even despite the cute costumes.” She still thinks it was silly to miss out on most of the fair on Tuesday because of the minute weakness of being reminded of what happened in the city of water when she was alone with Chopper for a little, but last night, the entire flocks of them really made her nervous for some reason. She constantly felt like being watched by those vacant, painted-on eyes. All in all, soon after Nami and Carrot left, she also excused herself.

“Well, fine by me,” the man sighs then, giving his freezing self one last rub. “I guess you’ll be willing to come practice now, too?” he turns then to Kat while wiping a stray drop of water falling out of his hair.

“Um… yeah.” She’s getting unsure again, and can already see today becoming extremely awkward with the two of them just… being stuck in the same, cluttered room. Alone. Just… don’t think about it. Don’t think about it.

“Thank you,” Robin nods with notable relief, with the once more empty can in her flailing hand. “And you do your best, alright?” she smiles then at Kat, who’s also starting to get cold by the looks of it.

“No need to, Nico-ya,” Law replies while moving back direction hellcave, with Kat tiptoeing backwards in tow with a wave and hum.

Pretty much as soon as they enter the metal staircase, it becomes obvious how few people are around. Not because they are not physically present, but rather… the silence is too big for this to be a ship with twenty plus people on board.

Hearing someone make a racket under these circumstances sticks out like a sore thumb, though. As is the one making it in general.

Law turns a corner Kat has never taken before. She follows him awkwardly after a second of consideration, then takes a quick look around the humid room they arrive at; the showers are about as utilitarian as a place like this can get. There's four stalls, and a metal bench and shelves across them where some people have left some clothing articles and soap lying about. She also notes some pipes on the floor next to Jean Bart, who is standing in the middle in a small puddle and fills half the midspace himself… they must be for that leakage problem from the other day. Explains why he's ripping off half the metal ceiling, if nothing else.

“Jean, sorry to bother you right now, but would you be so kind and, uh, ‘collect’ our idiots from town?” asks Law without beating around the bush.

The burly man sighs. “Did think it right when considering it myself, ey? Will do, capt’n. I’m not the man for the rest of this, anyway.”

“Thanks,” Law waves with a nod, already turning around to trod deeper down into the submarine. “Oh, and… keep an eye out for the other bunch, while at it.”

An unwilling grunt. “… if I must.”

By the time they arrive at the bottom, a total silence sets in. And soon enough Kat has to admit that unfortunately, she cannot concentrate to save her life… exactly as she’s feared, she has difficulty paying attention. Only after five minutes, she becomes sickeningly aware of the fact that she’s all alone with Law, or, occasionally, it’s her imagination that starts tugging her away to other times and places. It’s all bad or embarrassing memories… no matter which happens, however, it’s on the uncomfortable side of nervous. Instead of butterflies, there are barely not cramping muscles on the menu. Not sure whether this is the better of the two worlds…

Just to make things harder, the ambience really seems off today. Like, yeah, the buzzing is still there, but at any other time, there’s the crew up and about every now and then on this floor, not to mention their voices can echo down here all the way up from the dining hall. But today… there’s nothing. Apart from her grumbling stomach, that is. Like in the evening, she couldn't get much food down her throat at breakfast, and it's finally catching up with her…

After an hour or so, the silence itself has grown into just another reason to be on edge, and soon enough, it’s Kat’s main concern. Instead of wanting to be in another room altogether, she gets the feeling that there’s some monster lurking outside in wait, making this room with Law in it the safest place available. Whenever the bells ring outside, it’s like thunder rolling in the dead of the night.

As such, she gets especially nervous upon him leaving said safe bubble after one of these ghastly tolls; if nothing else, it’s extra relieving to see his return in a few minutes. He doesn’t look all that happy with the situation, either.

“This is getting… weird,” he states upon arrival.

“… are they still not back?” That does not sound reassuring. Also, she does need her usual background noise to be somewhat less useless.

The man just hums. “A few of them are, including my three idiots… but something is definitely fishy about this. According to Bepo, they haven’t seen most of the crew since around 2 am when they wobbled back home, not to mention that they have apparently not run into Jean Bart this morning, either.” He sighs with worry, putting up his right to the chin in contemplation. “Maybe they are planning something stupid, since the other crew seems to be involved… but Clione and Uni are not the types who would participate in that, and they’ve been the first to bail.” In their case, it’s been nearly a day by now, too…

Kat also groans. “The submarine is really spooky with nothing but random noises down here… if this is supposed to be a joke, it’s not funny.”

“Same here. Those three just left again, so I asked them to keep an eye out… we’ll see in an hour or two. Until that… might as well have lunch? Or a very belated breakfast… while Fugu is still in.” He’d rather not tempt his luck twice.

As such, the girl gets to be in the dining hall once more. It is a very different experience with only eight people around, counting her, Law and the cook. Latter doesn’t even stay, but packs up to go grocery shopping as soon as they get their servings. Overall, the eerie silence persists. Once three other people leave to go fishing, it becomes nigh unbearable; it’s pure luck that she’s finished up by then. She pours another mug of the tasty, warm tea before descending back into the panic room.

Then the seconds, minutes, then likely multiple hours just pass, and pass in the same vein, until there is quite a racket, first upstairs, then quickly closing in as the staircase is indicating. Almost immediately after, the door bursts open, with three very familiar faces.

“Thank god, you’re still here,” sighs Penguin and nearly collapses from the relief.

“… I’m going to skip the ‘learn knocking’ part, and go straight to questions,” Law insists, his hand nervously grabbing onto the back of the chair. There’s officially a problem, and by god, is he in no position to be of use right now.

“Noone’s here!” cries Shachi; “First it was just weird, then weirder… since we saw literally no friends out in town…!! But then there was one of the fishing rods just lying around outside, and now we didn’t find anyone in the hall, either! I poked my nose into the kitchen while Pengu and Bepo had a look at the bedrooms, but not even Fugu is around! Half of the soup has gone and evaporated already… he should have been back ages ago!” By the time his rant comes to a close, he’s on the verge on tears. Bepo has been at it since the second line, and is sobbing into Penguin’s hat, who’s not even in the mood to scold him for getting it all bear snotty.

Without another word, Law is already outside, busting up door after door.

They open every single one of them, one by one, but there’s no life to be found. Wherever they look, the hallways, Ikkaku’s room, back door of the dining hall, engine, or even the cold room… it's all fallen silent. Not a single soul around apart from Kat, Law, Bepo, Shachi and Penguin. They don’t hear any noise until they enter the showers, where the faulty pipe is still dripping from above through the removed panels. The pulsating darkness gives Kat, who’s been following the boys around in panicked silence, the chills; were she alone, she’d get spooked by her own shadow.

There’s but a ringing in her ears. And it’s deafening.