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chroniccombustion · 6 years ago

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Caught in the Grey (ch 2)

Genre: Trans!AU, hurt/comfort, romance, angst with a happy ending Rated: T Characters: Souji Seta (Yu Narukami), Yosuke Hanamura, Naoto Shirogane, Investigation Team, Izanagi/Shadow!Souji Warnings: depression, dysphoria, disassociation, self-hatred, implied suicide attempt, suicidal thoughts, mentions of homophobia, implied past child abuse and transphobia, canon-typical violence, mild sexual content Status: multi-chapter, incomplete

Playlist: Spotify | Youtube <- previous chapter | next chapter ->

The light has changed from dingy blue-grey to anxious pink by the time he realigns himself, creeping along the wall to spill down across the floor. There is a twisting sensation low in his stomach, a burning in the back of this throat. He runs his leaden tongue across his gums and they tingle in response. The ache is still there in every limb, echoed by a shaky feeling that makes his world feel like it’s slipping in and out of solidity.

He flips open his phone with his thumb. 7:19am the screen now reads, as well as a flashing notice from half an hour ago, proclaiming, 1 new message.

Shirogane-kun: SENPAI PLS CALL ME

Chapter 2: Been a Long Damn Day

“From the beach to the city, I been putting on a face. You’re no stranger to a mask, you ain’t lost or amazed. I been lost in a maze, been a long damn day, I been lost in a maze, been a long damn day…”

- (“Sinking”, Jeremy Zucker)

Shirogane-kun: SOUJI-SENPAI WHERE R U?

Shirogane-kun: R U OK?

Shirogane-kun: PLS RESPOND

Shirogane-kun: SENPAI PLS I AM WORRIED

4 missed calls from Shirogane-kun

Aibo: bro u ok? wtf happened?

Aibo: no srsly wth? what was that?

Aibo: prtnr we cant find u where did u go?

Aibo: shit the girls pageant is starting we cant leave

Aibo: not funny bro

Aibo: call me back man cmon ur freakin me out

Aibo: souji?

7 missed calls from Aibo

14 new messages, 9 missed calls from Kanji-kun, ~*Rise!*~, Amagi Yukiko, Satanaka Chie, TEDDIE

Souji stares down at the phone in his hand, squinting against the brightness of the screen in the pre-dawn gloom. 5:42am, it reads. Fantastic.

He shifts his weight to lean more against the side of the couch rather than the chilly wall and groans involuntarily when his entire body protests. He’s stiff, cold, and his everything is angry with him for sleeping on the floor. His uniform pants are still on from yesterday, though he has no idea just where his shirt and jacket went – or the flesh-colored bit of fabric that he wears underneath. At some point after running home in a blind, dissociative panic he knows he must have pulled them off because he remembers being shirtless before properly passing out, so, theoretically, they must be in the room with him somewhere. He doesn’t have the energy to look.

As long as his pants are still on.

As exhausted as he is, (mentally, physically, emotionally,) he knows he won’t be able to get back to sleep at this rate. He can’t work up the energy to pull out the futon or change into real pajamas, and besides, he’d just have to get right back up for school again soon after. His body aches too much to let him relax anyway.

So Souji sits there, folded over on himself in the corner between the couch and wall, and doesn’t read the slew of missed texts from his worried friends. He can’t; their escalating concern leaves a guilty stone in his stomach on top of the embarrassment he already feels. He knows they’ll be upset with him for not telling them where he is, that he’s okay, and it spikes his anxiety just thinking about it – which just makes it all the more impossible to open the rest of the texts. He’d barely made it through Naoto’s, forced himself to read Yosuke’s, before he’d had to quit.

Something else, though, is the quiet, creeping dread that has nestled into his already-anxious heart. He can’t read the rest, can’t bring himself to respond and ease their worry because he doesn’t know what to say. How can he possibly explain to his friends why he bolted like a frightened cat for seemingly no reason? They’d want to know what set him off, why it had caused such a violent reaction, and every reason Souji can think of just leads his brain deeper and deeper down the winding rabbit hole of Things He Doesn’t Want to Talk About.

How is he supposed to tell them what brought about his soul-shattering panic attack without revealing everything else?

Still. If he stays silent for too much longer then he’ll lose the window of opportunity to try and play this whole thing off as something they shouldn’t worry about. He also potentially runs the risk of one of them reporting him missing, or even just straight up going to his uncle. There is no easy way to go about handling this garbage fire of a situation and trying to think of ways to avoid it is only making everything so much worse inside his head.

Souji lolls his head back and watches the encroaching dawn slither through his windows and play across the wall across from him. It’s the only light in the room aside from his phone. Eventually, that, too, goes dark.

He flips open his phone with his thumb. 7:19am the screen now reads, as well as a flashing notice from half an hour ago, proclaiming, 1 new message.

Shirogane-kun: SENPAI PLS CALL ME

He… wants to. Out of all his friends, Naoto would be the safest one to talk to right now. They know, and he wouldn’t have to think up some excuse as to why he fled from school the way he did. It would be… refreshing, he thinks, to finally be honest about a situation like this. (He also shamefully knows that of everyone he still owes an explanation to, he may have frightened Naoto the most. After all they’ve done for him the past two days, he owes them at least this much.)

His thumb only hesitates over the call button for a moment – just one – before he shakily presses it down. The line picks up on the second ring.

“Senpai! Oh thank god; are you alright? Where are you?’

Souji winces at the desperation in his friend’s voice. “I’m fi—“ He swallows against the dryness in this throat, hesitant to say “fine,” because he really, probably isn’t. He hasn’t been fine for days. “I’m alive,” he finally settles on. “I woke up at home but I don’t remember getting here.” There’s no point in lying, and it feels good – if only a little – to admit even the tiniest bit of weakness to someone he knows won’t use it against him.

There is a pause on the other end of the line. “You… ‘woke up’,” Naoto slowly repeats. “How long have you been there?”

“I don’t know. The whole time, I think.”

Naoto sighs and it sounds like a rush of tension being released. “Alright. Alright, it’s worrying that you do not remember, but at least you’re safe.”

There is another pause, a longer one this time, that Souji doesn’t know how to fill. When Naoto finally speaks again, their voice is tiny, quiet, sounding so very young and sad that it damn near wrenches Souji apart.

“…Senpai, you scared me. I knew something must have happened but...”

There’s no one there to see it in the dark, but Souji instinctively hangs his head, shame and guilt lashing at his chest. “I’m sorry,” he whispers.

Something that sounds suspiciously like a sniffle comes over the line before Naoto vehemently says, “Don’t apologize. I know what panic can do to the mind, and I suspect you were not in complete control at the time. I just wish I could have helped.”

“You’ve already done more than enough,” he says, because it’s true.

Naoto doesn’t seem to agree. “What I have done is paltry compared to what needed to be done. I try not to make deductions about the Team anymore, but I imagine you require a great deal more support right now than a pack of makeup wipes.”

He doesn’t respond to that. He doesn’t exactly know how he can.

Naoto sighs again, this time sounding more frustrated than relieved. “I… That was invasive of me, I apologize.”

“It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not, but your patience with me is appreciated anyway.”

They go quiet for a bit, and Souji can hear faint noises in the background – rustling cloth, the creak of leather. He is reminded that it’s early-o-clock on a school day and that Naoto is probably in the middle of getting ready to leave.

“Souji-senpai?” they finally say, soft and cautious. If Souji were to have any other siblings beyond Nanako, he thinks maybe he wouldn’t mind having Naoto as family.

“I’m still here,” he answers, and it feels like a drop of warmth. He thinks he might smile if he wasn’t so drained still.

“Do you… need to talk about it? Whatever it was that happened, I mean.”

He thinks. Yes, in a way he does, if only to let Naoto in the way they deserve to be. It would be nice to get it off his chest, to have someone understand, but at the same time he doesn’t think he can. Telling Naoto – while safe – would also mean reliving the gut-dropping horror of Teddie’s words. Souji has just barely gotten purchase in the real word again, shaky as it is, and he’d rather not have that tentative stability taken away again. So he takes a breath and lets it out slowly through his nose.

“I… probably,” he says, “but I’d rather not think about it anymore.”

Naoto hums. “I understand. Sometimes it’s better that way.”

There is more shuffling. Then, “I’m terrible at this, aren’t I?”

Souji huffs – a quiet laugh that isn’t exactly a laugh but is closer than he usually gets. “I don’t think so,” he assures them. “You’re trying; that’s more than I’m used to.”

He thinks he probably shouldn’t have said that. He can’t bring himself to dwell on it right now.

A low, displeased sound comes through the earpiece, and Souji can vividly picture the stern furrow of Naoto’s brows, their lips pressed into a thin, stony line. Yeah. He really shouldn’t have said that.

Thankfully they seem to let it go (though he’s pretty sure Naoto never lets anything go and is just filing it away for later,) because the next words he hears from them are, “Did you sleep at all?”

“Uhm. A little. I think so, at least.” It certainly wasn’t long or well, but he isn’t going to mention that.

Another low, wordless sound. “Have you eaten?”

Oh.

He thinks back to the way his stomach had purged itself the day before last, how he’d been too dead inside to eat breakfast or even pack lunch yesterday. No wonder his body feels weak and shaky, his skull tight behind his eyes.

He swallows. “I… no. Not since… no.”

“Senpai.”

“I think… I might need to stay home today,” he whispers sheepishly. He feels like a child facing down the disapproving stare of an older sibling – which throws him a little since Naoto is younger than he is. He can’t tell if it’s comforting or just plain unsettling. Maybe a little bit of both.

“Do you want me to tell the others you have food poisoning?”

He startles. “That…” He clears his throat to try and regain himself. He’s surprised by how easily Naoto is able to handle this, how quickly they volunteer to cover for him. He hates that he’s surprised. He thinks Naoto would hate that he’s surprised as well.

“You’d do that?” he whispers, unable to hide the slight tremble of grateful awe.

Naoto’s voice is kind, gentle like warm water on an aching body when they say, “I’ll tell them whatever you need me to, Senpai, and nothing else.”

Souji makes a sound that he’s pretty sure is wet and mildly hysterical. “Thank you.”

“Anytime, Senpai. I mean that truly.”

He lets out a long, slow breath, careful not to do so directly into the phone, and lets the feeling of something safe and grateful and happy wash over him; like a place to rest when exhaustion peaks, or the warmth of a fire chasing away cold misery. Or, he thinks with a tiny smile, the glowing, sparkling, champagne-fizzy feeling that a bond sends zinging through his veins whenever its rank has risen.

Comfortable quiet reigns as the rank up run its course.

All too soon though, reality returns and through the phone speaker there comes a clock chime from somewhere in the background. Naoto makes a muffled sound as they apparently take their phone away from their ear for a moment.

“Do I need to let you go?” Souji asks when it seems like Naoto can hear him again.

They sigh. “Possibly. Will you be alright?”

He pauses. Aside from how shitty he feels due to lack of proper sleep and no food for two days, he feels… lighter. The anxiety from before has calmed somewhat now that he no longer has to drag his protesting body to school and face down his friends. “Yeah,” he says, and it’s nice to find that he means it. “I’ll be alright. I’ll…” he huffs – the faintest hint of a chuckle, “…spend the day recovering, probably.”

Naoto hums again. “Good, do that.” A beat of silence. Then, “Thank you for calling me, Senpai. If you hadn’t I was planning on coming by your house after school.” They make an odd noise that Souji thinks might be an audible expression of discomfort. “I would have done so yesterday, to be honest, had Kashiwagi-sensei not hauled us all off to change for the beauty pageant.”

Oh hell. He’d forgotten about the second pageant. He winces as he realizes just how awful it must have been for his friends – Naoto especially. “I am so sorry,” he says, his voice a rush of breath. “I shouldn’t have run out on you like that; after everything you did for me, I should have stayed to support you—“

But Naoto cuts him off. “Senpai, it’s alright. Panic and the mind, remember? Don’t apologize.” They make the noise of discomfort again, and Souji thinks he can almost hear the way Naoto’s face scrunches up when they deeply dislike something. “Obviously I survived, though it was… unpleasant,” they say, tone flat and unamused. “I won.”

“Oh my god.”

“Yes, I would like very much for that to never happen again to either of us.”

There is a muffled voice on Naoto’s end of the line and Souji hears what might be a hand covering the receiver. Naoto says something in return, though Souji doesn’t catch it. A few seconds pass before Naoto returns. “I’m afraid I have to leave now, Senpai. Would it be alright for me to text you during lunch to check on you?”

Souji feels the edges of his mouth stretching upwards, just slightly. He can’t remember if he’s ever smiled as much as he has in recent months. “If you want to,” he replies. “I’ll be okay, though; I just need to eat something.”

“Please do.” A sigh. “Take care, Senpai.”

“You, too.”

Naoto makes one last short noise of affirmation before the line disconnects and Souji is left to stare down at the call’s time stamp on his dimly glowing screen. 7:38. He’ll be late if he wants to try and make it to school.

He isn’t going to.

Looking up at the room around him he is surprised to find the morning light has started to fill it properly – more gold now than blue or pink. It’s brighter than yesterday, when it was a pale, sickly yellow reflecting the way his body felt like lead and his head like poison. He stretches his arms upwards, grunting as several things pop. Maybe today will be better, he thinks; maybe his mind got its fill of blackness over the past 48 hours and will leave him alone today.

Deciding that a good place to start would be finally acknowledging how empty his stomach is, Souji pulls himself to his feet and braces himself against the back of the couch as the waves of dizziness roll over him. He lets them pass, then pushes off the couch, shaky and weak. He’s glad it sounds like no one else is home – he’d hate to try and explain why he was hugging the wall on his way down the stairs. He steels himself, plants his weight on the balls of his feet as best he can, and slowly starts to make his way down towards the kitchen.

He only pauses once for breath at the bottom of the stairs, taking the opportunity to change his newest friend’s name in his phone from “Shirogane-kun” to “Naoto”.

He feels along the bond of the Wheel of Fortune arcana and smiles at the newfound strength glowing back at him.

---

Souji expects school the next day to be an awkward affair, and to some degree it is. Thankfully no one outside the IT seemed to really notice his terrified escape two days prior; or, at least, no one outside his friend group says anything. He does, however, catch a few whispers floating around as he passes certain groups of people – whispers that sound suspiciously like they’re about the cross dressing pageant and how “good” he looked on stage, usually from tight clusters of giggling girls or between the odd pair of jittery-looking guys. He does his best not to listen.

The real unease, though, sets in when he slips into his seat in the classroom and Yukiko, Chie, and Yosuke – who is here early for once – all turn to look at him. He tries to give them a reassuring smile but it feels just as forced as it actually is. Yosuke especially seems unconvinced.

Luckily the teacher walks in just as Souji feels the back of his head starting to smoke from how intensely Yosuke is staring, so he’s spared having to face his partner just yet.

Unluckily, this just means that by the time lunch rolls around, Yosuke wastes no time in poking Souji’s shoulder to get him to turn around. Slowly, Souji does so, and fixes his best friend with a shaky half-smile. He’s so tired of his nerves running at full capacity.

“Hey,” he says, a little less steady than he’d like.

Yosuke raises a brow at him. “Hey, yourself. What the hell, man? Why didn’t you text me back?”

Besides them, Yukiko nods in agreement and Chie opens her mouth to join the conversation.

Souji doesn’t wait for her to speak. “Did Naoto tell you what happened?” It’s partially a stalling tactic – something he hates being so good at anymore – and partially to see what they think went down so that he can build a believable story off it. Naoto had messaged him during lunch the day before, as they said they would, and given him a rundown of the excuse they had spun for him, but he doesn’t want to just play off that. Yosuke is too observant for his own good sometimes, and his ego is fragile enough that Souji knows he’ll need to be extra careful when trying to lie his way around his best friend’s suspicion.

It’s Yukiko that answers. “Naoto-kun said you went home because you weren’t feeling well, and that was why you weren’t at school yesterday.” She tilts her head, dark eyes narrowing in concern. “But you disappeared so suddenly! You seemed fine before.”

“Yeah,” Chie exclaims, nodding vigorously. “One minute you were in the classroom with us and the next you were just gone!”

“And tearing down the hallway like the building was on fire. Seriously, bro, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you move that fast.” A flicker of worry passes over Yosuke’s face before it settles back into the oddly pinched look he’s been wearing. He stares at Souji with creased brows and a downturned mouth. “And apparently you just left? You didn’t even stay to see the girls! I woulda thought you’d at least wanna cleanse your eyes after seeing Kanji in a dress.”

Souji feels his face turn stony. When Chie makes a noise of offence and smacks Yosuke in the back of the head, Souji makes no move to intercept.

Instead, he chooses to look at Yukiko when he speaks, as though he’s answering questions in turn. “I was fine for a while.” He has enough to work with, he thinks. Maybe. Naoto has laid the groundwork for him to (hopefully) weasel his way out of this without too many roadblocks. He chooses a middle path between lying (he doesn’t like lying to friends now that he has them) and the truth (because no, no, not in a million years, no) and works the half-truths through a set of carefully constructed loopholes. He’s become far too good at loopholes.

He tugs at his own expression until it resembles something sheepish. His nerves help it look more real. “I made the mistake of not eating anything yesterday because I was nervous.” (Not a lie.) “Naoto actually found me in the bathroom… throwing up stomach acid.” (Also not a lie, as long as he doesn’t tell them when Naoto found him in the bathroom.) He looks away and rubs at a spot just behind his ear. He’s aware that it makes him look embarrassed – which is fine – but it also gives him an excuse not to keep eye contact.

Chie and Yukiko both make sounds of distress, talking at him and over each other in their concern and he thinks he may have managed to fool them. He glances at Yosuke and, yeah, no, that’s not convincement looking back at him.

“So you bolted cuz you had to go throw up?” Yosuke asks, his voice thinly tinted with disbelief.

Lay it thicker, maybe I can shock him into buying it.

Souji nods. “I’m sorry I worried you,” he says to all of them, but directly at Yosuke to make sure his partner feels special here. He stifles a grimace at how manipulative he has to be – how much of a coward he knows he’s being. He hates this. “I screwed up and made myself sick. By the time I got home I was in such bad shape that all I could do was lay down and pass out. I didn’t even wake up until yesterday morning.”

Again, it’s not technically a lie, even if he more disassociated than “passed out,” and he doesn’t actually remember anything from his panic attack. He’s aware that when the story gets around to the kohai, Rise will likely blame herself for insisting he participate in the pageant. A tiny peek over at Yukiko and Chie’s faces tells him that they’re feeling a little guilty, too. He hates this. He hates it.

And he especially hates the tiny little piece of him that whispers, “good.”

Trying to swallow the guilt in his own gut, Souji places his hands on his knees and bows low in his seat. It’s the last card he can play without despising himself entirely, and the final touch to what he hopes is a believable enough story.

Chie says something to him that Souji only barely listens to, while Yukiko puts a hand to her mouth and gives him a look like a sad puppy as he slowly sits up. Yosuke, however, seems unsure. His mouth is open slightly like he wants to say something, and he looks torn between worry and confusion.

Deflect. Distract.

Souji puts on a self-depreciating smile. “I’m really sorry, Partner,” (because he knows Yosuke is weak to the nickname), “I left right after Naoto found me. I would have said something but I was afraid I’d have to answer to Kashiwagi if she caught me trying to leave.” He twists his face into something that might be a non-verbal “yikes.”

And that’s what does the trick.

Yosuke’s expression switches to a more exaggerated version of Souji’s own. “Oh god. Smart thinking, man, she probably would’ve made you stay even if you’d throw up on her.” He shudders. “Her in a swimsuit is gonna haunt my nightmares forever.”

Souji actually balks at that. “Swimsuit?” has asks, genuinely aghast as he looks to Chie for confirmation. Oh. Well hell, now he feels even worse for leaving Naoto to their fate the other day.

Chie nods. “Yeah, we had to go up there in swimsuits and dresses and everything. It was humiliating.”

The way Souji’s face contorts in unbridled, empathetic discomfort is completely real and completely involuntary. “I am so sorry.”

Yukiko looks at him, puzzled. “Why? You didn’t sign us up.” She and Chie both shoot Yosuke a look that could curdle blood.

“Oh come on!” Yosuke sputters in response. “It couldn’t have been that bad.”

Something tightens in Souji’s chest and, not for the first time, he wishes he had the courage to shut Yosuke’s bullshit down. But he doesn’t, so he doesn’t, and the trickle of self hate from earlier drips just a little bit faster.

Souji bites down hard on the inside of his cheek.

“At least everything you wore was meant for girls,” Yosuke is saying, holding his hands up as though trying to placate a snarling dog. It seems to be going about as well as expected.

He turns his head to shoot Souji a look that says ‘back me up’ but Souji simply raises an eyebrow at him. He might not be brave enough to tell his best friend off for being a prick, but he also has no desire to get pulled into the hole Yosuke is digging right now.

Yosuke seems to understand that Souji isn’t going to help him, because his face is distinctly paler when he turns back to the girls and says, “You wanna talk humiliating, us guys had it so much worse in drag!”

Wrong move.

Yosuke lets out a squawk as the girls rightfully begin to tear into him like feral cats; Chie with her fist and Yukiko with words like daggers. Souji lets it happen.

Silently, he digs out his bento and tries very hard not to be bitter. About the way Yosuke’s words leave a weird hot-stinging sensation in Souji’s chest, about how no one seems inclined to apologize for signing him up for the pageant; just… everything.

He squashes the thoughts back down before they can affect his outward expression. It’s fine, it’s okay, everything is okay; he doesn’t feel childishly irritated over the whole damn situation. He just wants the subject dropped.

“I should go apologize to the others,” he says as he stands. No one seems to really hear him, but Yukiko does spare him a nod as he passes. Chie is too busy digging her knuckles into Yosuke’s scalp to notice him leaving.

He heads out the door, bento in hand, and starts in the direction of the stairwell. He really does plan on apologizing to Kanji and Rise at some point today – and Teddie, too, of course, though Souji stills feels shaky at the thought of talking to him just yet – but for now he really just wants to find Naoto. He hopes they like onigiri; out of all his friends, Naoto is the only one he hasn’t yet had a chance to make lunch for, and food will be a good way to start thanking them properly now that the chaos has mostly died down.

It definitely doesn’t have anything to do with Souji finding his own appetite gone for the third time in several days.

---

Lunch with Naoto is a welcome break from the tension of his own classroom. He tries to apologize in person – because it’s more polite than over the phone – but Naoto doesn’t let him. Instead, they wave away his attempt with a light flush on their face and pull down their cap to hide it. It doesn’t quite work. Still, the air between the two of them is surprisingly easy to breathe and Souji feels the last of the jitters drain from his limbs.

They talk a bit. It isn’t for very long, since Souji had spent the first third of the lunch period spinning his not-story for Chie, Yukiko, and Yosuke, but the conversation is easier than he’s used to and he realizes with a kind of happy warmth that it’s because he isn’t having to hide. He doesn’t need to keep his voice in check, keep it purposefully low and quiet, so he’s actually able to talk a little more than he usually does and not worry what will happen if he lets his vocal chords do as they want. He’s practiced for years at this point, anyway, so the danger is minimal, but sometimes, sometimes his throat starts to hurt when he tries for a tone just the wrong side of comfortable.

He’s even managed to regain some of his appetite by the time the end of lunch rolls around and together, he and Naoto make a decent-sized dent in the humble bento. (It turns out that, yes, Naoto does in fact like onigiri, and that the seasoned rice with tuna is their unexpected favorite.) Naoto thanks him but he turns the tables and waves their thanks away in a similar fashion to what they’d done with his apology. They part with plans to spend lunch together again before the week is over and Souji finds he’s wearing the same small, genuine smile that only seems to come out because of Naoto.

He’s almost late getting back because he actually runs into Rise on the way to his classroom and takes the opportunity to apologize to her, too. She does start to blame herself, just like he thought she might, but a well placed smile that he knows makes her blush and a few words of reassurance have her giving him a watery smile in return. He makes it back just in the nick of time with one more friendship smoothed over.

The second half of the day is… interesting. Things seem to have gone back to relatively normal between him and Yukiko and Chie. Chie asks him how it went right before the teacher walks in and Souji flashes her a quick thumbs up. She grins.

No, everything is fine with the girls; it’s Yosuke that appears to still have issues. On any other day his best friend would be poking him in the back with the top of a pencil, tapping him in the side with a note he was passing, whispering snarky commentary about something one of their teachers says, but today…

Souji wants to ask just how badly Chie knuckled him, but he thinks that may be the least of the reasons why Yosuke isn’t interacting like he normally does. A lump forms in Souji throat that refuses to go away no matter how many times he tries to swallow it down.

It takes forever but the final bell eventually rings and, nervous as he is about, well, everything anymore, Souji slides around in his seat to give his partner a smile. He tries to make it as real as he can, calling on all the good things he feels about Yosuke and tucking his earlier frustrations away for the time being. As much of an ass as Yosuke can be, he’s still Souji’s best friend, and Souji would very much like that dynamic back now, if possible. He misses normal.

Just as he opens his mouth to ask if Yosuke wants to walk home together, the other boy stands and slings his bag over his shoulder. Yosuke hurries out of the room, only pausing briefly to turn around and walk backwards while flashing Souji a grin that doesn’t reach his eyes.

“I gotta get ready for work, I’ll see ya later, Partner!” And then he’s dashing out the door with one last, “I’m glad you’re better, dude!”

It hurts a bit, like a bruise he accidentally smacked that now throbs a dull rhythm. But, he supposes he might deserve it after the scare he gave everybody, and it wouldn’t surprise him if Yosuke were still upset about Souji not letting him know he was alright. He also can’t actually say his partner doesn’t have an after-school shift, so in the end Souji resigns himself to that little spark of pain and vows to text Yosuke later before he goes to bed. Maybe he’ll bring another lunch to share tomorrow. Just to be safe.

He stays and talks to Yukiko and Chie for a few minutes before Yukiko remembers that she has to go help set up for a large business dinner being held at the inn that night. Chie offers to walk with her and Souji bids them both farewell.

The biggest surprise of the day, however, is finding Kanji waiting by his shoe locker, looking more than a little trepidatious.

At first Souji thinks it’s about his disappearing act the other day; after all, Kanji is the only schoolmate he still owes an apology to. (Teddie is, again, a different matter altogether.) So Souji puts on the appropriate facial expression and readies himself to repeat the story one more time.

“Kanji, hi,” he says, nodding when his friend looks up at his approach.

Kanji stands up straighter from where he’s been leaning against he side of the lockers, but he keeps his arms across his chest like a shield. “H-hey, Senpai.” He looks away and doesn’t say anything more.

Taking that as his cue to start, Souji politely tilts his head and puts on the familiar sheepish expression. “I should apologize—“

“You busy right now?”

Souji blinks stupidly. He closes his mouth with a quiet ‘click’ and takes a second to recover from being cut off and thrown wildly off-balance.

Kanji flushes. “Sorry, Senpai, I just…” He clears his throat and looks back up, shoulders squaring. “I gotta talk to somebody about somethin’ and you’re kinda the only person I trust with it.”

Souji’s eyes go impossibly wider. He feels his brows somewhere up near his hairline and absently wonders where his perfect control over his own face went. “I…” he starts, still not entirely reoriented. He quickly switches gears and tries to tuck the confusion away to make room for Friend Mode. “O…kay?”

Well. It’s something. He clears his throat and stars again, the smallest of frowns creeping along his mouth. “Is everything alright? You know I’ll help in any way I can.”

Kanji gives him nothing but a stiff nod and poorly concealed nerves.

Souji keeps a tight leash on his expression. “Okay, well, let me get my shoes and we can walk together?” he tries. He not sure if he should be anxious or not but whatever Kanji needs him for, Souji knows that he’ll at least feel more at ease somewhere further away from school.

“Oh!” Kanji startles a little and steps far enough back that Souji can get to his locker. “Right. Sorry.”

Five minutes later sees them passing through the school gates, side by side in silence.

Without a clear destination, Souji simply steers them towards the floodplain. If the little seating area is free then that’s where he plans to take them; it’s a familiar enough place that he feels comfortable talking there, but also has plenty of open air so he can make a hasty – but polite – escape should he need to. He doesn’t like that his first reactions to half his friends these days have been self-debates on whether or not he can outrun them.

Kanji keeps fidgeting as they walk, like his fingers are tracing out knitting patterns to keep his mind busy. Souji doesn’t know if he’s ever seen Kanji so jittery when Naoto wasn’t nearby for his friend to sweat over. Their mutual crush is adorable in how obvious it is to everyone but them and Souji hopes one of them will make a move some day. They would make a good couple.

Matchmaking aside, Souji wonders if maybe he should try his apology once more – if only to break the cacophonous silence. He’s had more than enough silence from his own parents, thanks; he doesn’t like it from his friends.

The thought cuts a deep path through Souji’s chest and he grinds his teeth against it, though the pain is an old one and he’s long since grown accustomed to it. It’s been a while since his mind has turned to that particular dark corner.

(He tramples another thought before it can fully form – one that seems hell-bent on comparing certain old hurts with the newer ache of Yosuke apparently avoiding him.)

“I owe you an apology,” he says suddenly, his voice a bit too loud in his own ears. He turns his head to catch Kanji twitching like he’s been startled before looking over at Souji in confusion.

“Huh? What for?”

Souji keeps his features carefully schooled. “For what happened after the pageant. Running off and not telling anyone where I went.” He tilts his head and does not frown. “Freaking everyone out?”

“Oh, that.” Kanji rubs at the back of his neck. “I appreciate it, but you don’t gotta apologize to me, Senpai. Naoto and Rise both already filled me in.” He pauses to give Souji a long, appraising look. “How’re ya feelin’, by the way?”

That catches Souji off guard. It seems Kanji is just exceptionally good at that today. “I’m alright,” he says honestly. Once more, he avoids the word “fine” because that, to him, would imply more than just physical alright-ness and he just… doesn’t want to think about that anymore.

Kanji seems satisfied with his answer and turns back to watching the world in front of them. “Can’t say I wasn’t worried, ‘specially after seeing you bookin’ it down the hallway like that, but I figured you’d let someone know eventually.” He shrugs. “And if you didn’t me an’ Naoto were gonna go check out your house after school today.”

Souji actually chuckles at that, breath stuttering past his lips to form the sound. “So they told me.” He lets one corner of his mouth tug upward as he catches Kanji’s eye again. “Thank you. And I am sorry.”

Kanji flushes and looks away. “Nah, ‘s nothing.”

The rest of the walk is significantly less tense after that.

Subsequently, it’s also shorter than it had seemed a few minutes ago. They arrive not long after and Souji takes it upon himself to sit down and fold his hands over the tabletop, leaving Kanji to lean his hip against the opposite corner.

Well, here goes.

“Alright,” he says, taking a deep breath to steady himself. “What can I do to help?”

Kanji snorts, but it’s neither derogatory nor mirthful. He doesn’t look at Souji as he crosses his arms back over his chest. “Ain’t really somethin’ I need help with so much as I just need to... get it off my chest, ya know?” He frees one hand and makes a sharp, vague gesture near where his heart is. “I can’t keep it in anymore; I gotta tell somebody or I’m gonna go crazy and… well, I figured you’re the safest bet...”

Souji’s expression melts into something soft, warm, amiable. “Well thank you,” he says, genuinely a little touched, only for Kanji’s entire face to go cinnamon-red.

Kanji makes a noise of frustration, scrubbing furiously at his hair to hide his burning cheeks before just giving up and turning so that Souji is now staring at his back. “Damnit, that wasn’t—! UG.” He takes a moment to gather himself; Souji gives it to him. Eventually Kanji lets out a heavy breath and straightens up once more. He makes no move to turn around.

“Look, Senpai, you… You’ve always accepted me, yeah? You never treated me like I was some kinda delinquent or, or whatever Yosuke-senpai fuckin’ thinks I am—“

“Of course I wouldn’t,” Souji says, low and dark and steely. He feels the bitterness and self-dislike bubbling up from their deep-seated pools. Kanji is a good person – rough around the edges, yes, but still just a kid like the rest of them and a genuinely kind one at that. Souji hates how afraid he’s been of jeopardizing Yosuke’s opinion of him, of how he’s been too much of a coward to stand up for his younger friend and make Yosuke apologize for his homophobia. A team is only as good as its leader and Souji must really be a poor leader if he can’t even stop his own lieutenant from being a jerk.

It’s not just that you’re afraid of losing him as a friend, his mind whispers. You’re afraid of him finding out.

Souji glues his tongue to the roof of his mouth and clamps down on the horrible way his chest constricts.

Luckily Kanji is still facing away from him. “Y-yeah,” he agrees, oblivious to his senpai’s internal self-disgust. “Yeah, you’re cool like that. An’ that’s why you’re kinda my best bud.”

Oh, now that just makes Souji feel even worse. He’d forgotten that Kanji had told him that once, back when Naoto had first officially joined the IT, and hearing it again now is like a fist to the spine. He’s failed Kanji, he really has, he—

“And I mean! I know you an’ Yosuke-senpai are ‘partners’ or whatever, but I just… I guess what I’m tryin’ to say is that I trust you, Senpai.” Kanji sighs, the line of tension in his shoulders giving way. He tucks his hands into his pants pockets and stares at something out over the grey-sapphire shimmer of the river below.

Souji swallows. “Kanji…”

He doesn’t know what to say. What can he say, besides another useless “sorry”?

But Kanji just shakes his head and leans his weight back on his heels. He looks up at the sky, or maybe just lolls his head back in resignation, like a man coming to terms with the thousand-foot-drop that awaits him.

Souji knows the feeling.

“I think,” he says – and it’s so quiet that Souji has to lean forward to try and hear him better. There is a pause as Kanji takes a deep, long breath and lets it out.

“I think I might be bi.”

Souji is floored. Of all the possible things that Kanji could have just said to him, Souji was very much NOT excepting that to be one of them. It comes so far out of left field that it actually shocks all of Souji’s dark and guilty thoughts into absolute silence.

The quiet rings out between them, stretching into an impossibly long handful of seconds. Souji needs to respond, he knows he needs to, can see the way Kanji’s shoulders have started to tighten and hunch, but for the first time in forever Souji’s mind is empty and he cannot remember how to form words with his tongue.

So he just blinks like an owl and breathes out a soft, “…Oh.” Because really, how else can he react?

Something about how he says it has Kanji tentatively turning halfway around to look at him. Kanji’s face is guarded, like he’s ready at any moment to throw up his bravado, his shields, and the vulnerability it exposes is enough to finally, finally snap Souji back into action.

A warm smile spreads over Souji’s features, hardly even bidden, and he leans back to sit more naturally upright. He lets the smile crinkle at the corners of his eyes. “Thank you for telling me, Kanji.” He keeps his voice light, calm, kind; he is completely honest when he glances away and says, “I know how hard it must have been to say it out loud.”

Kanji’s eyes widen in realization. “Senpai… You, too?”

Souji makes a sound somewhere between a cough and a wispy bark of laughter. It’s stifled, but his shoulders jerk with the veiled force of the noise and he matches Kanji’s gaze with a tired, understanding one of his own. “Not bi, no,” he says pointedly, cocking an eyebrow and hoping it’s visible beneath his hair.

Kanji lets out a shaky breath. “Oh,” he echoes. He slides down onto the bench across from Souji, almost like he’s a block of ice melting in the sudden sunlight. “So you’re…?”

“Yeah.”

They sit in companionable silence for a minute, each processing the conversation so far.

After a few beats, Souji tilts his head curiously and asks, “What made you want to tell me?”

Oh, that…

Souji immediately dislikes how that sounded and his face twists minutely at the sour taste the words leave on his tongue. He hastily adds, “I’m honored that you did, don’t get me wrong, but—“

“Why’d I pick now?”

Souji sucks part of his lip between his teeth and nods.

Kanji sighs and leans back on the bench – which looks horribly uncomfortable, considering there’s nothing for his back to rest against. He re-crosses his arms and looks up at a passing cloud. “I started figuring it out a while ago and it’s been buggin’ me ever since. Like, it’s too big a secret to keep by myself, ya know?”

Souji does know. Oh god does he know.

He nods again, even though Kanji can’t see it properly while looking elsewhere. Kanji seems to catch it, though, because he keeps going.

“And after all that shit with my shadow, I just… I dunno. I’m sick of tryin’a hide from myself, so I thought, hey, this is a thing about me, might as well accept it.” He pauses and shifts awkwardly, clearly trying to consider his next words. His eyes flick over to Souji once or twice but he quickly averts them again right after.

Souji waits. He refuses to make this any more difficult for his friend than it already is.

He has a hard time keeping the surprise from his face, though, when Kanji mutters, “Weirdest part is, I knew but it didn’t really hit me until the stupid pageant.”

“The pageant?” Souji blurts. “How?!” Everything in his head scrambles a little, and there is a moment where he’s just gaping at Kanji like a fish with his mouth trying to form shapes and failing miserably.

He not sure how two people could have such wildly different reactions to that living nightmare of a day.

Kanji actually laughs at his outburst – a bit awkwardly, but still a laugh. “Yeah, the whole thing sucked ass, didn’t it?” He scratches at this cheek. “Kinda liked my dress, though…”

“It looked good on you,” Souji mumbles, still not fully recovered.

Kanji flushes and glances away. “Thanks, Senpai. You uh, you looked good, t—“ He trails off as he looks back over at Souji, eyes widening and brows furrowing.

Souji’s making a face; he knows he is, there’s no way he isn’t when there’s a layer of frost creeping its freezing fingers over his heart. He can feel the stretch of his lips over his teeth in a twisting grimace that’s well beyond his own control. Don’t think about it, please don’t think about it...

Kanji coughs into his fist. “Uh, I mean, you always look good, Senpai.” His expression does something funny, like he’s just realized what he’d said, and he apparently just gives up trying to salvage it. Instead, he props his elbows up on the table and drops his face into his hands. “Fuuuuuuuuck! See? That’s my problem! Naoto always looks good and you always look good, and I can’t catch a break!” He ‘thunks’ his forehead down onto the hard wooden tabletop. Souji hopes he hasn’t hurt himself.

Kanji’s voice is muffled when he says, “That ain’t a confession, I swear, I just think you’re handsome, same as everybody else does.”

Oh.

OH!

Souji’s expression does a 180 and he can feel himself beaming. He’d been scared; after what Teddie had said, Souji had been expecting Kanji to say something similar, to say his bisexual realization had come about because of Souji in costume. (He suppresses a shudder at that.) But no. Kanji had called him “handsome” instead, which meant – awkward friendly attraction aside – Kanji had found him attractive as a guy. Not because he’d been dressed as something he wasn’t, Kanji had seen him at face value: a guy in a costume.

If he wasn’t so certain that Naoto would pistol whip him, Souji thinks he could dive across the table towards Kanji right now and kiss him.

He reins it in and settles for chuckling instead. “I’m flattered.” And he really kind of is. His eyes are fond as he adds, “I’m proud of you, too.”

Kanji sits back up again and flashes Souji a sheepish – albeit heavily relieved – grin. “You’re somethin’ else, ya know that, Senpai?”

Souji just beams brighter and gives him a noncommittal shrug.

Kanji exhales, the remaining tension bleeding out into the dirt below their feet. “Damn. It feels good to let all that out.” He laughs again, the sound light and relaxed. “I was gonna tell my ma first, but I think she already knows.”

Souji nods. His mouth turns imperceptibly downward and he says, with just a touch of chill, “A good mother usually does.” He tightens his face against the way it wants to crumple, and if there is a new ball of bitter thorns in his stomach then he chooses to leave it be.

Kanji thankfully doesn’t notice the way Souji’s expression has turned plastic. “Yeah,” he agrees, “and she’s said stuff before about ‘bringing a girl or a boy over for dinner’. I thought she was talkin’ about friends at the time but now I’m not so sure.”

He matches Souji’s gaze right as Souji manages to school his face back into something more natural. “I’m real glad I told you first, though.”

Warmth settles in on top of the thorny clot of pain and soothes the worst of the jagged edges. It’s still there – has been for years – but it’s easier to manage than it was a minute ago. Souji huffs through his nose, his quiet little not-laugh, and looks down at the table. Maybe he’s being selfish, but it makes him feel special in a way he thinks might be just what he’s needed.

“Me, too,” he says, and relishes in the feeling of fizzing, giddy brightness as the Emperor arcana jumps up another rank.

---

Souji goes home in a better mood than he ever expected to be. He makes dinner, watches TV with Nanako, manages to get a head start on the schoolwork he’d missed the day before. The only damper on his happiness is the fact that, despite Souji texting him several times throughout the evening, Yosuke has yet to answer back.

The sting from that afternoon returns and Souji is left frowning at his phone screen as he lies on his futon before sleeping. It’s… fine, he tells himself. I deserve this for scaring him like that. I’m overreacting.

He sets the phone aside and turns over, determined not to let it get to him. He’s asleep in minutes – well before midnight – and so doesn’t notice when the sky starts to open and drizzle gentle rain over top the resting world.

He doesn’t even stir when the clock strikes twelve and his television crackles to white-static life, a faceless monochrome figure peering out into his room with lightning-colored eyes.

#fanfic #fanfiction #persona 4 #p4 #souji seta #yu narukami #trans souji seta #trans male character #yosuke hanamura #kanji tatsumi #naoto shirogane #investigation team #trans!au #scars on my sleeve #caught in the grey #tw past abuse #tw dysphoria #tw self hate

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jonesgirl88 · 7 years ago

Text

This is my submission to the Gunblr Games, original post found here. I’m fairly certain I went overboard on “make things as detailed and as realistic as possible” but whatever. This was fun.

Objective:

Using a 5-man team, rescue two employees (pilot and HVT) and recover a briefcase, attached to HVT; survivors of a small plane crash and taken captive on North Sentinel Island by hostile natives. Leave minimal footprint without disrupting natives.

Knowns:

North Sentinel Island is due east of India in the Bay of Bengal, a part of the Andaman Islands.

It has an area of roughly 60 square kilometers, is surrounded by coral reefs, and lacks natural harbors.

Natural coral reefs surround the island, extending between a 800-1,300 meter radius from the island.

The entire island is encircled by a narrow beach but is mainly comprised of forest

Due to the 2004 earthquake and resulting tsunami, the entire island lifted between 1 and 2 meters causing the Constance Inlet to become part of the mainland Island.

Conclusion: Inspection of the map shows 4 small, natural coves on the east side of the island with the narrowest beach and many breaks in the coral reefs. Entering from the northeast to the second cove will be the most ideal.

The closest town is Wandoor, 36km from N. Sentinel Island and located on South Andaman Island.

Wandoor boasts Karunalaya Hospital, built in 1958, and Noor Institute of Medical Specialities (NIMS), a modern-facility hospital, along with multiple transport services within a 5km radius; state highway SH-73, Manjeri-Wandoor-Kalikavu Road, Vaniyambalam train station, and Wandoor Dock.

Veer Savarkar International Airport is located north of Port Blair, 20 km from Wandoor

Conclusion: Returning to Wandoor with hostages in unknown health status provides the best chance of survival and evacuation after rescue.

Technically under the control of the Indian Government, the island is left alone due to the violent and hostile nature of the natives. Attempts at contact have been made over the past hundred years but are typically met with hostility and violence.

106 shipwreck survivors of the Nineveh (1771) reportedly fended off attacks from natives and eyewitness accounts of shipwreck survivors of the Primrose (1981) tell of natives carrying arrows and spears and building boats.

Arrows and spears carried by natives are accurate up to 350 feet and natives have been seen scavenging previous shipwrecks for iron.

Natives do not appear to be frightened by technology, rather they have attacked ships, planes, and helicopters in previous years using arrows and spears.

Conclusion: All natives will be considered dangerous and met with non-lethal force. Lethal force will be used as a last resort.

The exact population of N. Sentinel Island is unknown, estimates placing population between 40-500.

After moving to higher elevation, due to the 2004 tsunami, it is estimated natives live on the midwest side of the island due to its higher elevation. This will be confirmed with FLIR drone recon.

Natives live in wooden, non-walled dwellings

Villages are shown to be boarding the natural forest of the island, providing sufficient cover for infiltration.

Conclusion: Once hostages are found, extraction from the building should not be too difficult, assuming minimal encounters with natives. Assume population of 500 natives.

Limitations:

Due to a 3 mile exclusion zone around the island, there will be no air or sea support.

Due to the untouched nature of the natives and the island, a minimal footprint is desired: no explosives and limited-to-no contact with natives.

Non-lethal force is desired but not an objective.

Ability to use a 5-man team.

Team Members:

1) Sniper/Sentry - Gregory “Greg” Downs

34 years old and founder of the company hired to retrieve the employees.

Former Navy Seal sniper.

Gear:

Weapons:

SR-25 MK 11 Mod 0 with subsonic 7.26x51mm ammo

5 extra 20-round magazines

AR-15 with subsonic 5.56 ammo

6 extra 30-round magazines

Sig-Sauer P229 with subsonic .40 S&W ammo

6 extra 12-round magazines

Machete with sheath

2 MTech Heavy Duty Tactical Bowie Knives with ankle and belt sheath

S&W 21” heat-treated collapsible baton

8 M84 stun grenades (flashbangs)

4 white/grey smoke bombs

Optics:

Steiner M1050r 10x50 binoculars

Steiner M5Xi Military 1-5x24 scope

ATN NVG7-3P night vision goggles with universal helmet attachment

Climbing Gear:

Bartlettman Hitch Climber Kit

ArbPro Clip ‘N Step Tree Climbing Boots

HAAS Haul Ass Ascent System

Navigation:

Compass

Topography map of North Sentinel Island

Waterproof pen and paper

Signalling mirror

Food & Water:

3 MREs

Power bars/Cliff bars

3-liter hydration pack

1-liter canteen

Water filtration tablets

2) Field Medic/Weapons Expert- Adrian Howe

33 years old and best friend and employee of Gregory Downs.

Former Navy Seal medic.

Gear:

Weapons:

AR-15 with subsonic 5.56 ammo

6 extra 30-round magazines

Colt M1911 with subsonic .45 ACP ammo

8 extra 7-round magazines

Machete with sheath

2 MTech Heavy Duty Tactical Bowie Knifes with ankle and belt sheath

S&W 21” heat-treated collapsible baton

Medical:

Wound Closure kit

Chinook Suture/Syringe Module

Low Profile Insert

Cold and heat packs

Splints and tournequets

Optics:

ATN NVG7-3P night vision goggles with universal helmet attachment

Navigation:

Compass

Topography map of North Sentinel Island

Waterproof pen and paper

Signalling mirror

Food & Water:

3 MREs

Power bars/Cliff bars

3-liter hydration pack

1-liter canteen

Water filtration tablets

3) Chemist/Bio-Weapons Expert - Naoto “Nate” Oshiro

31 years old and employee of Gregory Downs.

PhD in Biochemical Analysis from Johns Hopkins and PhD in Chemical Warfare from Texas A&M.

Childhood friend of Adrian Howe.

Gear:

Weapons:

AR-15 with subsonic 5.56 ammo

6 extra 30-round magazines

Glock 17 with subsonic 9x19mm ammo

6 extra 17-round magazines

Machete with sheath

2 MTech Heavy Duty Tactical Bowie Knives with ankle and belt sheath

S&W 21” heat-treated collapsible baton

3 CS gas canisters

3 Fentanyl canisters

3 Fluothane canisters

3 time-released Fentanyl canisters

3 time-released Fluothane canisters

2 smoke bombs

Optics:

ATN NVG7-3P night vision goggles with universal helmet attachment

Navigation:

Compass

Topography map of North Sentinel Island

Waterproof pen and paper

Signalling mirror

Food & Water:

3 MREs

Power bars/Cliff bars

3-liter hydration pack

1-liter canteen

Water filtration tablets

4) Field Medic/Communications Expert - Jeremy Abrams

30 years old and contract employee of Gregory Downs.

Former Green Beret Communications Sergeant.

Gear:

Weapons:

AR-15 with subsonic 5.56 ammo

6 extra 30-round magazines

S&W Shield with subsonic .40 S&W ammo

8 extra 8-round magazines

Machete with sheath

2 MTech Heavy Duty Tactical Bowie Knives with ankle and belt sheath

S&W 21” heat-treated collapsible baton

Medical:

Wound Closure kit

Chinook Suture/Syringe Module

Low Profile Insert

Cold and heat packs

Splints and tourniquets

Optics:

ATN NVG7-3P night vision goggles with universal helmet attachment

Navigation:

Compass

Topography map of North Sentinel Island

Waterproof pen and paper

Signalling mirror

Food & Water:

3 MREs

Power bars/Cliff bars

3-liter hydration pack

1-liter canteen

Water filtration tablets

5) Combat/Technology Expert - Paul Whitaker

36 years old and contract employee of Gregory Downs.

Current Marine reserve.

Gear:

Weapons:

AR-15 with subsonic 5.56 ammo

7 extra 30-round magazines

Colt M45 with subsonic .45 ACP ammo

9 extra 7-round magazines

Machete with sheath

2 MTech Heavy Duty Tactical Bowie Knives with ankle and belt sheath

S&W 21” heat-treated collapsible baton

7 M83 stun grenades (flashbangs)

7 white/grey smoke bombs

Optics:

ATN NVG7-3P night vision goggles with universal helmet attachment

Navigation:

Compass

Topography map of North Sentinel Island

Waterproof pen and paper

Signalling mirror

Food & Water:

3 MREs

Power bars/Cliff bars

3-liter hydration pack

1-liter canteen

Water filtration tablets

Clothing, personal hygiene items, extra food, and gear bags are up to the discretion of the individual team member.

Other Gear:

Transportation:

2 Futura Mark II C Fastroller Zodiacs each outfitted with a Yamaha 20 hp 4-stroke outboard motor

Video:

FLIR Duo camera (one for each member, will be attached and recording entire mission)

GoPro Hero 4 camera (one for each member, will be attached and recording entire mission)

Incapacitating Agents:

Fluothane (general anesthetic)

Fentanyl (anesthetic and pain management gas)

CS Gas (tear gas)

Time-released aerosol canisters

Gas masks (one for every team member and hostages)

Clothing/Protection:

Comms:

Kenwood NX-410 UHF/VHF radio (one for each member)

X24 Dual Sensor Tactical Throat Mic (one for each member)

Medical: (left in zodiac)

2 Bak-Pak II immobilization unit

2 MAK Advanced

IV Saline and pain management drugs

Food & Water: (left in zodiac)

50 MRE packets

10 gallon water

Other:

Pictures of the pilot and HVT (one of each member)

Hammock with rain tarp (one for each member)

72-Hour Extraction Plan

Goal: Infiltrate the island, rescue the hostages and recover the briefcase, and leave without firing a shot or alerting the natives to the rescue attempt. General anesthetic in aerosol containers will be used to knock out any natives standing guard. If the hostages are dead, their remains will be brought back. If the hostages are alive, the medics will perform basic care before moving out while the other team members keep point. The sentry will continue to keep watch until hostages and team members clear of the area. Sentry, combat expert, one medic, and one hostage will paddle out in one zodiac while chemist, one medic, and one hostage will paddle out in the other zodiac. Once clear of the coral reefs, engines will be turned on and medics will administer further care if needed with supplies in the zodiacs. Dock at Wandoor docks and take hostages to local hospitals and contact company to report successful mission.

Day 0 - Prep

Using FLIR on a small plane, scan the island and locate native village(s) and, if possible, the hostages. Later that evening, assemble at Wandoor Docks, filling the Zodiacs with all necessary supplies and double-checking information. Launch at twilight, heading west/northwest around Alexandra Island and then southwest around Tarmugli Island. Once clear of Tarmugli Island, don night vision goggles for the rest of the journey. Approach the 3 mile exclusion zone and kill engines, paddling the rest of the way to the northeast side of the island (the second cove is ideal). Stop about ⅓ of a mile from the island and confirm no natives in the area before final approach. Approach beach, careful of shallow reefs. Pull zodiacs into forested area close to the beach and cover tracks and zodiacs. Start the clock.

Days 1&2 - Recon & Readiness

Based on gathered intelligence, begin scouting the island for hostages. Sentry takes lead and positions himself in treetops. One medic and one non-medic in a team, they make their way through the island and determine the exact location of hostages, number of natives, and layout of the area. Attempt to gauge the health and wellness of the hostages and any major factors that would limit rescue (such as broken bones, major wounds, etc). Once all information is gathered, prepare for rescue/recovery.

Day 3 - Rescue

Best case scenario: Beginning at twilight on the 3rd day, the sentry will position himself where he has the best visual and tactical advantage of the village and hostages. Once as many natives are asleep as possible, the rescue begins. The sentry will give the word and the two teams (each consisting of a medic and non-medic) will approach the hostages with as much cover as possible. Once hostages are found, gas masks will be worn and the chemist will throw a fentanyl container, gassing everyone in the immediate vicinity and rendering them unconscious. Once the natives are confirmed no longer a threat, the medics will move in and assess the hostages. First, gas masks will be given to make sure the hostages are not unconscious and then basic care will be given to get the hostages in a semi-stable/stable enough state to leave the camp. The sentry and non-medics will take watch, ensuring the area is clear of natives while the medics work. Once the hostages are able to move, the medics will assist the hostages through the forest while the non-medics provide watch and cover. The sentry will stay in position until the hostages and team are clear of the village and then join the non-medics in providing watch and cover as the team makes their way through the jungle. A mile from the zodiacs, one non-medic will break away and go ahead of the unit, getting the zodiacs ready for launch. One hostage, one medic, and one non-medic will enter one zodiac while one hostage, one medic, one non-medic, and the sentry will enter the other zodiac. Once clear of the reefs, the engines can be turned on and the unit will head east towards Wandoor docks.

Likely scenario: Several natives will fight or track the unit during the escape attempt. The medics and hostages will continue for the beach while the non-medics and sentry stay to engage with the natives. Non-lethal method, such as tear gas or flashbangs, will be used to disorient the natives and keep them from following. If engagement is necessary, engage until there is no longer a threat. The non-medics and sentry will catch up to the medics and hostages when natives are no longer fighting or tracking. The plan continues as normal.

Worst case scenario: In a worst case scenario, the natives fail to stay unconscious and/or become agitated and attack. The medics will grab the hostages and make for the beach while the non-medics engage the natives, the sentry provides cover for the escaping medics and hostages. Flashbangs, tear gas, and sleeping gas will all be utilized to create a distraction from the escapees and when the medics and hostages are clear of the village, the sentry will join the non-medics and create chaos until the threat is neutralized. If the medics and hostages reach the beach before the rest of the unit has returned, they will take one zodiac and leave the island. The other 3 members will follow or catch up when the threat of the natives is neutralized, taking the zodiac left and rejoining the rest of the team at Wandoor docks.

@celtic-tactical

(Side note: if you haven’t already, read the Google reviews for North Sentinel Island. They’re great.)

#gunblr games #this was fun

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xblackrosevirusx · 8 years ago

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5 OTP Challenge

Choose 5 OTP’s without looking at the questions first. Trust me, I understand the struggle of only choosing five OTPs.

#1 Nick x Judy (Zootopia)

#2 Genji x Mercy (Overwatch)

#3 Yukio x Shura (Blue Exorcist)

#4 Garrus x Shepard (Mass Effect)

#5 Heine x Naoto (Dogs: Bullets and Carnage)

1. Do you remember the episode/scene/chapter that you first started shipping 5?

Probably the moment they realized that the other was a rival.

2. Have you ever read a fanfiction about 2?

I haven’t yet because it’s fairly new and I’m catching up on old stuff, but I’m looking forward to searching for some good ones.

3. Has a picture of 4 ever been your screen saver/profile picture/tumblr ID?

Yes. It is currently the background for my phone and has been for probably a couple years now. It’s not always that background, but I always tend to come back to the image of Garrus holding Shepard in the rubble because it’s such a beautiful image.

4. If 3 were to suddenly break up today, what would your reaction be?

Holy shit, they were together? Not a canon couple : P And I wouldn’t see them together until a couple years later anyways. I love the ship, but I am aware that Yukio is still a child and the two of them would (will) become a great couple once he’s a bit older.

5. Why is 1 so important?

Zootopia is seriously my favorite movie at the moment. The movie just makes me so happy and I’ll put it on when I’m depressed and just bask in how amazing this film is. Judy and Nick, BROTP/OTP whatever, they’re just so great.

6. Is 4 a funny ship or a serious ship?

Garrus and Shepard lead pretty heavy lives that they really rely on each other for a break from that. They’re both snarky and sarcastic with each other so they’re a funny ship in a seriously fucked up situation.

7. Out of all your ships listed, which ship has the most chemistry?

Yukio and Shura. This is apparent more so in the manga than the anime, but they are very antagonistic to each other while also having the other persons back. Shura reminds Yukio he’s a kid as a way to make him enjoy his youth while Yukio always seems to be just around the corner when Shura is in trouble (even if she can take care of everything herself).

8. Of all the ships, which ship has the strongest bond?

Garrus and Shepard. No question. The two of them are completely in tune with the other needs at all time.

9. How many times have you read/watched 3’s fandom?

Yukio x Shura has a pretty small fandom so I’ve currently read all the fics. I’m not that big into the Blue Exorcist anime since I feel it cuts a lot of the Yukio x Shura chemistry out, but I’m planning to reread the manga very soon.

10. Which ship lasted the longest?

Garrus x Shepard? It spanned two games for me : P

11. How many times, if ever, has 5 broken up?

They’ve never been together, but it has seriously been hinted so I’m hopeful.

12. If the world was suddenly thrust into a zombie apocalypse, which ship would make it out alive, 1 or 2?

Genji and Mercy for sure. They’re literally built for that shit.

13. Did 4 ever have to hide their relationship for any reason?

Sort of. In Mass Effect 2, Shepard captained a pro-human ship. This was done more tactfully to gain a ship, but the crew were mostly human and not that fond of aliens. Garrus, being an alien and nonhuman, wasn’t all the comfortable on the ship and the two sort of had a ‘fling.’ In Mass Effect 3, it was sort of hush hush for a while until things got more ‘serious.’

14. Is 5 still together?

Together in the sense that they’re fighting together. It currently seems that Naoto is the only one that can take down Heine’s kind (and himself) and he seems to be the only one that can snap Naoto back from her trance. So, currently, they need each other.

15. Is 1 canon?

The BROTP is canon and they did say “I love you” at the end of Zootopia, but we still have that whole foxXRabbit thing. So probably not. I’m not sure if Disney is into cross-species relationships.

16. If all five ships were put into a couple’s Hunger Games, which couple would win?

That a super hard question. Nick and Judy would be out. They’re smart, but they lack the combat abilities, unlike the others. Shura would be hindered by Yukio (a lot of his combat abilities is standstill and shoot). Naoto and Heine would probably suffer from lack of teamwork (since they’re both pretty stubborn) and Heine’s gung ho, jump in without a plan, doesn’t matter if he gets shot because he doesn’t die fighting style. This brings it down to Genji and Mercy VS Garrus and Shepard. I think it would be a tough battle, but I think as long as Garrus or Shepard were able to take out Mercy, Genji would be done for. So, of all the couples, I’d say Garrus and Shepard would be reigning champs.

17. Has anyone ever tried to sabotage 5’s relationship?

Not so much sabotage as look out for. Badou, Heine’s BFF, doesn’t trust Naoto at all and constantly tries to pick a fight. Naoto rarely responds to these verbal attacks. Also, Heine and Naoto are constantly almost getting killed. Does that count?

18. Which ship(s) would you defend to the death and beyond?

#3, #4, and #5. They’re just so much fun and I’ve shipped them forever.

19. Have you ever spent hours a day going through 3’s tumblr page?

Fyeahyukioxshura.tumblr.com :P Check it.

20. If an evil witch descended from the sky and told you that you had to pick one of the five ships to break up forever, which ship would you sink?

Genji X Mercy. There’s always Mercy x Pharah.

#otp #gency #mercy #genji #yukio x shura #yukishura #Garrus Vakarian #Mass Effect #Naoto Fuyumine #Heine Rammsteiner #zootopia

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pof203 · 8 years ago

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Persona 5 Arena (what I wish)

After seeing this video on YouTube, I’m inspired to write this. A made up trailer that tells the story of P5A, the gameplay, the features, even mini games and DLC. Well, here it is.

WARNING: May contain spoilers.

The trailer starts with a fade in of the Velvet Prison. The Phantom Thieves of Hearts walk out of a cell to find Lavenza standing near the desk. And sitting at the desk is not Igor, but a young woman who is dressed like Lavenza, but with more of a attendant vibe.

Lavenza: This is my older sister, Elizabeth, who also serves my master.

Elizabeth: A pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Elizabeth shakes Akira’s hand.

Elizabeth: I hear you take requests for heists. Because... I, myself, have a request to give you.

Elizabeth opens the Compendium to show a picture of Sho Minazuki.

The scene cuts to the Thieves in an empty train station. Akira holds up his phone to see the Navigator App. Everyone smiles as Ryuji talks.

Ryuji: This will be our biggest heist yet. So, you guys ready?

But just as Akira turns on the app, Morgana senses someone from behind. Everyone looks back to see... The Investigation Team!

Chie: What the?

Yusuke: No! You have to get out of here!

But they are too late and they enter the Palace.

Akira, as Joker, finds himself in the middle of the Palace version of Tokyo with his comrades nowhere in sight. He takes his mask off to wipe the sweat from his face. But as he looks forward, he sees a slightly shocked Yu staring at him.

Yu: Who are you?

The scene then shows Joker with his Persona, Arsene, getting rid of some Shadows that showed up.

Joker: I’m Joker, Leader of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts. But have seen my face, so I guess I can tell you my true name. I’m Akira Kurusu. And you?

Yu summons his own Persona, Izanagi-no-Okami, which kills a group of Shadows that were sneaking up behind Joker. Joker looks back at Yu in surprise as Yu smiles.

Yu: Yu Narukami. Nice to meet you.

The scene then shows in-game footage of Joker and Yu running through the streets of Palace Tokyo, fighting Shadows with their weapons and Personas.

The next scene shows where the others are. Skull is with Yosuke, Panther is with Chie, Fox is with Yukiko, Queen is with Kanji, Oracle is with Rise, Noir is with Naoto, and Mona is with Teddie.

The next scene shows Skull smirking at Yosuke.

Skull: Ready for this?

The next scene shows Skull fighting Shadow Yosuke when suddenly, Skull leaps off screen and Yosuke jumps in and fights in Skull’s place.

The next scene shows Panther fighting some Shadows and Chie jumps in and they summon their Personas, Carmen and Haraedo-no-Okami, who combine their attacks and shoot a strong stream of water.

Another scene shows a huge stadium in Palace Tokyo. Inside, in the middle of a fighting ring, Show Minazuki is sitting on a throne in the dark, grinning and holding something in his hand, most likely his treasure.

In the next scene, Mitsuru , Fuuka , and Aigis, with their backs turned, are facing Cafe Leblanc in the real world.

An angry Junpei punches Iwai in the face.

A depressed Sojiro is about to hang himself in his cafe, but is stopped by Dojima.

Nanako, with bloodstains on the front of her clothes and tears streaming down her face, is running for her life and a mysterious figure chases her.

Aigis, Labrys, and Marie are standing on a building in front of a red moon.

In game fight, Aigis and Labrys fight Marie.

In game fight, Fox and Yukiko are fighting giant Shadow..

In game fight, Joker and Yu are fighting what appears to be Shadow Joker.

Anime scene, Yuuki is in the arena, pulling on a mask on his face. When it comes off, Tsukuyomi Picaro appears.

In game fight, Yuuki fights Sho.

Anime scene, in the Velvet Room, the Velvet Siblings and Igor are performing what looks like a big fusion with the guillotines. On the side, Yuuki is watching. A bright light appears at the guillotines.

Mini game scene, Ryuji and Kanji are sitting at a table in the cafe about to arm wrestle as Kanami’s voice shouts, “Test your strength!” It changes to Akihiko and Aigis arm wrestling.

Mini game scene, in the Velvet Room, Margret is sitting at the desk with cards on it as she says, “Test your wit.” The cards turn over. The scene changes to one of the cards flipped over. Suddenly, a card flips over and it matches the one that was already flipped.

Mini game scene, in the Shujin Academy track yard, Akira (in his Shujin jersey) and Chie (in her Yasogami jersey) are stretching as they prepare to race on the track as Kanami’s voice shouts, “Test your speed!” The scene changes to show Junpei sprinting against Teddie (also in a Yasogami jersey).

Game feature, inside the Toyo Cinemas theater where you can watch scenes from the game.

Game feature, in an art studio with Yusuke where you can view game art.

Game feature, at Chihaya’s fortune telling table, she gives you your daily fortune and horoscope.

Game feature, in a maid cafe, you can listen to music from the game. New songs included for characters:

Akira Kurusu/Joker - Last Surprise

Ryuji Sakamoto/Skull - Full Sail Athelet

Ann Takamaki/Panther - Red Hot Panther

Morgana/Mona - Cat Bus Speeding

Yusuke Kitagawa/Fox - 9 Tails

Makoto Niijima/Queen - Queen of Spikes

Futaba Sakura/Oracle - All Seeing Saucer

Haru Okumura/Noir - Beauty Theif

Yuuki Mishima - Beneath the Mask

DLC

Characters:

Shinjiro Aragaki with Castor

Female Persona 3 Protagonist with Orpheus Telos

Metis with Psyche

Ryoji Mochizuki with Orpheus

Elizabeth with Thanatos

Theodore with Lilith, Abaddon, and Beelzebub

Margaret with Yoshitsune, Cu Chulainn, Ardha, and Helel

Marie with Kaguya

Tohru Adachi with Magatsu-Izanagi

Goro Akechi/Crow/Black Mask with Robin Hood and Loki

Lavenza with Kelpie, Oni, Rakshasa, Valkyrie, Siegfried, and Zaou-Gogen

Masayoshi Shido with Samael and Yaldabaoth

Zen with Rei

Vincent Brooks with Jonny Ariga, Orlando Haddick, Toby Nebbins, Catherine (Succubus), and Shadow of Vincent

Katherine McBride with Ishtar

Thomas Mutton/Boss with Dumuzid and Astaroth

Game feature, Tanaka’s Online Commodities where you buy things.

The scene then shows in anime, the Phantom Thieves, the Investigation Team, and the Shadow Operatives, smiling and nodding as they walk into the scity as it pans up to show the Gate of Nyx. The scene fades to show the Male Persona 3 Protagonist.

Yu: (voice over during this scene) Mitsuru san, you and the Operatives did a lot for us. Now we can return the favor.

Joker: (voice over) And you can count on us. We also have people to protect. Come, are next target... Nyx.

Persona 5 Arena

Morgana’s voice while the screen is black: I’m... I’m human.

Trailer ends.

Keep in mind, it hasn’t been confermed if there will be a P5A, so don’t get your hopes up.

#persona series

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xaotsuki-blog · 8 years ago

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Top 10 Spring 2k17 Anime

We’ve got a bit of a weird bunch this season but there are no doubt going to be some great ones. Hopefully when the season is done I can look back at this post and reflect a bit. Anyway. Here are, in no particular order, the Top Ten Spring Anime I’ll be paying attention to this season;

1. Boku No Hero Academia

Yes, season two of this popular anime is here, no doubt exciting BNHA fans everywhere, especially those who have read the manga and already know this season is going to rock. Boku No Hero Academia 2 is set to begin airing on April 1st 2017, by once again studio BONES. As far as I can tell, if you liked the first season you’re bound to love this too, though from the looks of the trailer it may take itself a little less seriously than s1 | Trailer

2. Shingeki no Kyojin

I, admitedly, never saw season 1 of SNK, and to be honest I still don’t really have the desire to, so personally I won’t be watching this one, but it’s probably going to be the most popular anime of the season so I can’t really leave it out. So having not seen the first season I don’t have a lot to add to this, but by the looks of the trailer, it’s going to be pretty epic. Also set to come out April 1st, the main thing I’m worried about is having left the series 4 years to come out with a sequel, they’ve completely missed the hype | Trailer

3. Clockwork Planet

The main character, Naoto Miura, is considered a “Machinery nut”. But his life falls into disequilibrium when a clockwork maiden falls from the sky. Clockwork Planet is based off a manga of the same name, which shares creators with the massive 2014 hit, No Game No Life. It’s set to come out on April 7th, and is done by studio Xebec, who are also known for Pandora Hearts. The trailer certainly looks interesting and the character design is appealing, it’s got that old-style Xebec animation, but some people like that. | Trailer

4. Alice to Zouroku

In the world of Alice to Zouroku, there’s a group of young girls who hold a special power. After our main character, Sana, escapes a lab where she was being experimented on as result of this power, she finds an old man named Zouroku. It’s done by studio J.CStaff who have also done anime like; Toradora, Kaicho wa Maid-Sama, Shokugeki no Souma and DanMachi. It is supposed to come out on the 2nd of April. The trailer looks really cute but with genres like Mystery, Adventure and Seinen it might prove a really interesting one to watch- perhaps similar to Madoka Magica. Either way, I’m super excited to see this relationship between a young girl and an old man, how they interact and how they can maybe even learn from each other | Trailer

5. Blame!

SHIT BOIS THIS LOOKS FUCKING EPIC. Based on an 1996-2005 manga series, Blame! is set in a dystopian future where technology has taken over. It’s set to air on May 20th and is done by Polygon Pictures, who also do Ajin and Sidonia no Kishi, so they’re kind of known for their more 3D animation and that may put some people off but honestly. It looks so amazing. Like, if you havent been watching the trailers up until now just. please. at least watch this one | Trailer

6. Sekai no Yami Zukan

Not much is known about this series as of yet, but it is supposed to be a collection of short stories inspired by 60s and 70s horror films, which sounds pretty awesome. All we really know is that it’s done by studio ILCA, who haven’t really done anything else that I’ve heard of, and the director will be Noboru Iguchi, known for The ABCs of Death and Machine Girl. Some concept art has also been released but otherwise this anime is pretty mysterious, but it certainly sounds interesting. | Concept Art

7. Sakurada Reset

Sakurada Reset is set in a dystopian future where almost every character has some sort of special ability. However, with great power comes great responsibility, hence, there is a sort of “police force” that supervises the population. Haruki Misora, able to turn the world back three days, and Asai Kei, able to remember the past, represent that police force in their school. From David Prod., the same studio who did Inu x Boku SS, this anime definetly has some potentional to be done really well. | Teaser

8. Sakura Quest

This thing looks really freaking cute. It basically sounds like New Game but tourist themed. By studio P.A Works, (Nagi no Asukara, Charlotte) and produced by TOHO Animation, (Haikyuu!!, Ao Haru Ride) this anime is set up to be amazing, as long as they can get the writing perfect, which may be difficult for an original series. Sakura Quest is set to air on April 6th | Trailer

9. Renai Boukun

The best way to explain this is that it’s basically like Deathnote but... Kissing. A cupid has a bow an arrow and if she hits a human, the next person they kiss will fall hopelessly in love with them. Produced by AVEX (Noragami Aragoto) and TV Tokyo (Bleach, Naruto, One Punch Man), Renai Boukun might, suprisingly, be fairly popular. | Trailer

10. Love Kome

This is the one I’m looking the most forward to. Apparently translating into, “We Love Rice”, looks like it may be the closest thing to a sports anime this season. To be honest I can’t even describe the synopsis it just sounds so stupid, in the funniest way. Here’s the trailer. Just look it up yourself I can’t even explain this mess.

#anime #spring 2017 #attack on titan #boku no hero academia #like #reblog #follow

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outright-geekery · 8 years ago

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IDW brings the goods this week with so many great titles, and we have your looks. Here’s the IDW Publishing Previews for 3-8-2017.

30 Days of Night 15th Anniversary Edition (Direct Market Exclusive)—CERTIFIED COOL

Writer: Steve Niles Artist: Ben Templesmith Cover Artist: Ben Templesmith

Fifteen years ago Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith burst onto the comic book scene with their explosively fast and violent take on vampires that kick-started a modern horror comics revival. Going on to become a feature-length film from Sony Pictures in 2007 and spawning a full run of comics and graphic novels, the phenomenon is collected here, with the first three volumes of 30 Days of Night!

TPB • FC • $29.99 • 348 pages • ISBN: 978-1-63140-936-3

Bullet points:

The breakout work of Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith!

Celebrating 15 years of blood-sucking chills!

Available ONLY in the Direct Market!

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Angry Birds Comics, Vol. 6: Wing It

Writers: Paul Tobin, Marco Gervasio, Francois Corteggiani Artists: Paco Rodriques, Marco Gervasio, JM Boesch, Giorgio Cavazzano Cover Artist: COVER

The adventures continue in these charming all-ages comics featuring all your favorite characters! Wing It contains eight all-new stories based on the best-selling game!

HC • FC • $12.99 • 80 pages • ISBN: 978-1-63140-851-9

Bullet points:

“If your kids are a fan of the mobile game, than they will love this book.” — comiccrusaders.com

Advance solicited for March release!

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Back to the Future: Biff to the Future #2 (of 6)

Writers: Bob Gale, Derek Fridolfs Artist: Alan Robinson Cover Artist: Alan Robinson

“Biff Goes To Hollywood.” When you’re a famous young man with a bulging wallet and healthy libido, what do you do? You go to Hollywood, of course, and you chase beautiful women, hang out with movie stars… and maybe even buy a studio to produce your life story! But when you’re Biff Tannen, you can be certain things are going to get… messy.

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:

Variant cover by Anthony Marques!

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Comic Book History of Comics #4 (of 6)

Writer: Fred Van Lente Artist: Ryan Dunlavey Cover Artist: Ryan Dunlavey

The inspiring, infuriating, and utterly insane story of comics, graphic novels, and manga continues in four-color glory! This issue, the award-winning Action Philosophers team of Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey bring you HORROR and the SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT!

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

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D4VEocracy #2 (of 4)

Writer: Ryan Ferrier Artist: Valentin Ramon Cover Artist: Valentin Ramon

With the internet now coursing through his circuits, S4M makes his public debut as a presidential candidate. Meanwhile, D4VE’s campaign trail gets rough when scandal rocks his public image, forcing the planet to choose a side. But for app developer bro GL3NN, world domination might be just a click away.

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:

From the acclaimed creative team of D4VE, D4VE2, and HOT DAMN!

“…this book is funny. Not chuckle-quietly-to-yourself funny, but actual laughing-out-loud-in-public funny.” – IGN

“A sardonic satire of modern society that’s as funny as it is true…a series that will continue to delight.” – Multiversity

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Micronauts #10

Writer: Cullen Bunn Artist: Max Dunbar Cover Artist: Max Dunbar

As the Micronauts desperately search for the way back to Microspace, Microspace pays them a visit! A horde of Baron Karza’s forces invade Earth. Their mission: capture the Micronauts at all costs! But Oz and company are already being chased by shadowy agencies on Earth. Sounds like a clash between bad guys–with them ‘Nauts caught in the middle–is on the horizon.

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:

The Micronauts adventures on Earth continue!

The return of Baron Karza!

Variant cover by Marcelo Pereze Dalannays!

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My Little Pony: Deviations—SPOTLIGHT

Writer: Katie Cook Artist: Agnes Garbowska Cover Artists: Agnes Garbowska, Katie Cook

In a world where Prince Blueblood becomes Celestia’s star pupil, not Twilight Sparkle! What will happen when he journeys to Ponyville to get a lesson in friendship?

FC • 40 pages • $4.99

Bullet points:

Check out the Mash-up variant!

Part of IDW’s Deviations five-week event!

Variant cover by Sara Richard!

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Popeye Classics #56

Writer: Bud Sagendorf Artist: Bud Sagendorf Cover Artist: Bud Sagendorf

He’s Popeye the Sailor Man, in a wild adventure with his evil robot twin created by the evil Sea Hag! PLUS! The cult fave, O.G. Wottasnozle, and more! Strong to the finish! Arf! Arf!

FC • 32 pages • $4.99

Bullet points:

Variant cover by Steve Purcell!

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Revolution: Heroes

Writers: Brandon Easton, Cullen Bunn, Chris Ryall, Christos Gage, Aubrey Sitterson, John Barber Artists: Tony Vargas, Chris Panda, Ron Joseph, Giannis Milonogiannis, Paolo Villanelli Cover Artist: Brandon Peterson

The Revolution spreads across the world of M.A.S.K., Micronauts, Rom, G.I. JOE, and Action Man! The origin of M.A.S.K.! The Micronauts make a HUGE discovery that will transform everything! The Dire Wraiths stalk a lone stranger! G.I. JOE is back, led by Scarlett and joining the fray! And, the U.K.’s top field agent tracks down the mystery of ORE-13! Collects the M.A.S.K., Micronauts, Rom, G.I. JOE, and Action Man Revolution One-Shots.

TPB • FC • $19.99 • 120 pages • ISBN: 978-1-63140-841-0

Bullet points:

IDW’S biggest event continues with this collection of heroes tales from REVOLUTION!

#gallery-0-54 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-54 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 14%; } #gallery-0-54 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-54 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Revolution: Transformers—SPOTLIGHT

Writer: Mairghread Scott, James Roberts, John Barber, Nick Roche Artist: Andrew Griffith, Naoto Tsushima, Alex Milne, Corin Howell, Kotteri, Josh Burcham Cover Artist: Marcelo Matere

The Revolution continues in The Transformers! Thundercracker and Buster save the World! A White House under siege by Dire Wraiths! Windblade on Earth! And a date with destiny for Krok, Crankcase, Fulcrum, Spinister, and Misfire! Collects The Transformers, More Than Meets The Eye, and Till All Are One Revolution One-Shots plus the 2015 Holiday Special.

TPB • FC • $17.99 • 104 pages • ISBN: 978-1-63140-842-7

Bullet points:

Don’t miss the REVOLUTION. All TRANSFORMERS stories are collected here!

#gallery-0-55 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-55 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 14%; } #gallery-0-55 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-55 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Rom #7

Writer: Chris Ryall & Christos Gage Artist: Paolo Villanelli Cover Artist: Will Robson

Other Space Knights have arrived on Earth… two warriors with ties to ROM’s past and who are determined to ensure that the DIRE WRAITHS have no future… even if it means destroying the planet along with them!

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:

Part of IDW’s Artist’s Edition Cover Month!

Vairant cover by Tom Kelly!

#gallery-0-56 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-56 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 20%; } #gallery-0-56 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-56 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Star Trek: Waypoint #4 (of 6)

Writers: Vivek Tiwary, Scott Bryan Wilson Artists: Hugo Petrus, Caspar Wijngaard Cover Artist: Zachary Baldus

First, an ENTERPRISE story by Vivek Tiwary and Artist TK. Captain Archer’s pet beagle Porthos takes center stage in a Temporal Cold War tale that sees the beloved pooch traveling back in time in order to save a young Jonathan’s life. Then, a NEXT GENERATION story by Scott Bryan Wilson involving double trouble – quite literally – for an away team when they explore a strange new planet!

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:

Check out the variant covers featuring STAR TREK artists from the last 50 years of Trek comics!

The blockbuster bi-monthly Trek anthology continues with more tales from today’s top talents!

#gallery-0-57 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-57 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 11%; } #gallery-0-57 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-57 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: 100 Project—SPOTLIGHT

Writer: Various Artist: Various Cover Artist: Various

The Turtles take center stage in Hero Initiative’s famous “100 Project” format! IDW created a limited number of blank variant covers for the landmark Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #50, and Hero Initiative sent them to 100+ top artists to create original covers! The results are here for you to see, with great art from Dan Brereton, Dale Keown, Whilce Portacio, Stan Sakai, Bill Sienkiewicz, Walt Simonson and of course, Kevin Eastman!

Proceeds benefit Hero Initiative, the only charity dedicated to helping comic book creators in medical or financial need!

TPB • FC • $14.99 • 128 pages • ISBN: 978-1-63140-945-5

Bullet points:

This book will NEVER be reprinted, and all proceeds go to Hero Initiative and comic book creators in medical and financial need!

#gallery-0-58 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-58 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 14%; } #gallery-0-58 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-58 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #8

Writers: Ryan Ferrier, Brahm Revel Artists: Adam Gorham, Brahm Revel Cover Artists: Freddie Williams, Adam Gorham

“Metalhead 2.0” Part 2! Donatello realizes that Metalhead is now following a new programing protocol and must make a drastic decision before it’s too late! Will the robot end up as an enemy or ally?

FC • 32 pages • $4.99

Bullet points:

Insight into the past and present of Donatello!

Variant cover by Hugo Petrus!

#gallery-0-59 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-59 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 11%; } #gallery-0-59 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-59 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Transformers Annual 2017—SPOTLIGHT

Writer: John Barber Artist: Priscilla Tramontano Cover Artists: Priscilla Tramontano, Andrew Griffith

GHOST STORIES! Optimus Prime returns to Cybertron—only to be confronted by his rival for the Matrix, Pyra Magna! As Pyra’s origin—before she was part of Victorion—is finally revealed, Optimus relives his own past—the first time he met Bumblebee!

FC • 48 pages • $7.99

Bullet points:

Major repercussions for OPTIMUS PRIME—and the whole Hasbro universe!

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via IDW Publishing

IDW Publishing Previews for 3-8-2017 IDW brings the goods this week with so many great titles, and we have your looks. Here's the IDW Publishing Previews for 3-8-2017.

#comic books #comics #IDW Publishing #Preview

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greengargouille · 8 years ago

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AC and Class S relationships : the case of Yada Touka

((Note : as a Westerner, my view on the subject might be misinformed. I would like to present my excuses if that’s the case.))

Assassination Classroom, at its core, is a Japanese story. By no mean it is not enjoyable for a Westerner, and this manga have been quite popular overseas. But the satire of the Asian school system might not feel quite as personal, or the situation with Nagisa and femininity might feel like a comment on transgenderism instead of the deeply separated gender roles taking place in Japan it was supposed to be, a situation not without reminiscence about Chihiro Fujisaki from Dangan Ronpa and Naoto Shirogane from Persona 4. Knowing Japanese culture might change one’s view on the story.

Which is why, today, I would like to talk about Yada Touka and the way she’s paired within the Japanese fandom.

As a minor character from 3-E, Yada never have been the focus of a bit character arc. We know from the Island Arc that she wants to be a diplomat in the future, and we’ve seen her having some actings abilities, whether it’s faking tears on her little brother during the ‘Police and Prisoners’ arc or times she acted with Kurahashi (the two of them being also Irina’s best disciples). The manga readers might even remember chapter 161 (also known as What the heck Matsui she’s 14). But, as all minors characters, some of her relationships are better explored in extra-material.

Like the fact she likes Kataoka.

Now, whether or not it is romantic feeling might be still left to confirm for some, and while some people did say her profile in the rollbook confirmed it, I have yet to see it (and using google translate on her translated profile on baidu is... not really clear). But it is believable. Given how popular publications for younger boys and girls often shy away from mentioning same-sex relationships, it is not that much of a stretch to think Yada could have romantic feelings for a girl, without it being really shown.

On the other hand, a lot of the interactions Yada had with men are either unwanted attention or with an intent of deception from her part.

See ? They’re not shown in a positive light. But then, it’s also part of the “class E vs the world”, right ? And besides, Yada is one of Irina’s disciples, so showing her deceiving men is normal !

So, let’s take a peek at the roll book profiles. On the 24 profiles available, Yada is mentioned in 4 profiles from girls, and only once in the boys (by Kimura, in which it is stated he have no special feelings for her). So, Yada doesn’t have a lot of interactions with the boys of class E either.

Now, let’s look at Pixiv. The tag for Yada (矢田桃花) have 9 pages. On those pages, a ship appear very often.

Kimura/Yada. (Note that the tag for it, 木桃, have 5 pages, but some pictures tagged as it might not have the tags for the individual characters).

Why such popularity ? As stated in Kimura’s profile, they appear a lot together, but he doesn’t have feelings for her.

One answer that I think might be at play is Class-S relationships.

The history of Class-S fiction (The S having been attributed to many words, from ‘shojo’ to ‘sister’) start in the early 20th century, when the majority of girls were educated in all-girls boarding schools, and most of them would end up in arranged marriage by graduation. The situational behavior singular to sex segregated places, mixed with lot of hormonal teenagers, resulted in a lot of friendships turning into romance, only to stop once released to the outside world.

This created a tendencies among stories destined to those girls : representation of schoolgirls in couple whose love is ‘innocent’ and ‘pure’, but only serve as a training for future, “more desirable” heterosexual relationships. Same-sex relationships different from that mould, however, were (and still are) considered taboo. You’re either a lily-white innocent school girl playing pretend, or a savage beast bent on dirtying other ‘normal’ women (a bear, to be specific, according to Yurikuma Arashi). This dichotomy is still pretty strong, and not necessarily confined to girls stories.

So, when middle-schooler Yada have a crush on ‘supposed straight’ Kataoka, making it unrequited besides being not really shown, there’s a plausible deniability. And since she’s shown a lot with Kimura, and of course everyone must be paired together... We get the popularity of that pair.

...Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t ship Kimura/Yada. I mean, personally I think it’s a much inferior ship to YadaMegu, or Yada/Kurahashi, or... well, a lot of possible ships.

Including Yada/Kanzaki. I don’t know who was in charge of this image in the show but I like how they think.

But, well, if you want to ship Kimura/Yada... Do it, we’re all mature people understanding of each others. I mean. Most of the time.

Just don’t forget the origins of why such a pair might be popular.

#assassination classroom #ansatsu kyoushitsu #assclass #Yada Touka #Class S relationships #Class S #long post

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cbilluminati · 8 years ago

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IDW brings the goods this week with so many great titles, and we have your looks. Here’s the IDW Publishing Previews for 3-8-2017.

30 Days of Night 15th Anniversary Edition (Direct Market Exclusive)—CERTIFIED COOL

Writer: Steve Niles Artist: Ben Templesmith Cover Artist: Ben Templesmith

TPB • FC • $29.99 • 348 pages • ISBN: 978-1-63140-936-3

Bullet points:

The breakout work of Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith!

Celebrating 15 years of blood-sucking chills!

Available ONLY in the Direct Market!

Angry Birds Comics, Vol. 6: Wing It

Writers: Paul Tobin, Marco Gervasio, Francois Corteggiani Artists: Paco Rodriques, Marco Gervasio, JM Boesch, Giorgio Cavazzano Cover Artist: COVER

The adventures continue in these charming all-ages comics featuring all your favorite characters! Wing It contains eight all-new stories based on the best-selling game!

HC • FC • $12.99 • 80 pages • ISBN: 978-1-63140-851-9

Bullet points:

“If your kids are a fan of the mobile game, than they will love this book.” — comiccrusaders.com

Advance solicited for March release!

Back to the Future: Biff to the Future #2 (of 6)

Writers: Bob Gale, Derek Fridolfs Artist: Alan Robinson Cover Artist: Alan Robinson

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:

Variant cover by Anthony Marques!

Comic Book History of Comics #4 (of 6)

Writer: Fred Van Lente Artist: Ryan Dunlavey Cover Artist: Ryan Dunlavey

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

D4VEocracy #2 (of 4)

Writer: Ryan Ferrier Artist: Valentin Ramon Cover Artist: Valentin Ramon

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:

From the acclaimed creative team of D4VE, D4VE2, and HOT DAMN!

“…this book is funny. Not chuckle-quietly-to-yourself funny, but actual laughing-out-loud-in-public funny.” – IGN

“A sardonic satire of modern society that’s as funny as it is true…a series that will continue to delight.” – Multiversity

Micronauts #10

Writer: Cullen Bunn Artist: Max Dunbar Cover Artist: Max Dunbar

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:

The Micronauts adventures on Earth continue!

The return of Baron Karza!

Variant cover by Marcelo Pereze Dalannays!

My Little Pony: Deviations—SPOTLIGHT

Writer: Katie Cook Artist: Agnes Garbowska Cover Artists: Agnes Garbowska, Katie Cook

In a world where Prince Blueblood becomes Celestia’s star pupil, not Twilight Sparkle! What will happen when he journeys to Ponyville to get a lesson in friendship?

FC • 40 pages • $4.99

Bullet points:

Check out the Mash-up variant!

Part of IDW’s Deviations five-week event!

Variant cover by Sara Richard!

Popeye Classics #56

Writer: Bud Sagendorf Artist: Bud Sagendorf Cover Artist: Bud Sagendorf

He’s Popeye the Sailor Man, in a wild adventure with his evil robot twin created by the evil Sea Hag! PLUS! The cult fave, O.G. Wottasnozle, and more! Strong to the finish! Arf! Arf!

FC • 32 pages • $4.99

Bullet points:

Variant cover by Steve Purcell!

Revolution: Heroes

TPB • FC • $19.99 • 120 pages • ISBN: 978-1-63140-841-0

Bullet points:

IDW’S biggest event continues with this collection of heroes tales from REVOLUTION!

Revolution: Transformers—SPOTLIGHT

Writer: Mairghread Scott, James Roberts, John Barber, Nick Roche Artist: Andrew Griffith, Naoto Tsushima, Alex Milne, Corin Howell, Kotteri, Josh Burcham Cover Artist: Marcelo Matere

TPB • FC • $17.99 • 104 pages • ISBN: 978-1-63140-842-7

Bullet points:

Don’t miss the REVOLUTION. All TRANSFORMERS stories are collected here!

Rom #7

Writer: Chris Ryall & Christos Gage Artist: Paolo Villanelli Cover Artist: Will Robson

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:

Part of IDW’s Artist’s Edition Cover Month!

Vairant cover by Tom Kelly!

Star Trek: Waypoint #4 (of 6)

Writers: Vivek Tiwary, Scott Bryan Wilson Artists: Hugo Petrus, Caspar Wijngaard Cover Artist: Zachary Baldus

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:

Check out the variant covers featuring STAR TREK artists from the last 50 years of Trek comics!

The blockbuster bi-monthly Trek anthology continues with more tales from today’s top talents!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: 100 Project—SPOTLIGHT

Writer: Various Artist: Various Cover Artist: Various

Proceeds benefit Hero Initiative, the only charity dedicated to helping comic book creators in medical or financial need!

TPB • FC • $14.99 • 128 pages • ISBN: 978-1-63140-945-5

Bullet points:

This book will NEVER be reprinted, and all proceeds go to Hero Initiative and comic book creators in medical and financial need!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #8

Writers: Ryan Ferrier, Brahm Revel Artists: Adam Gorham, Brahm Revel Cover Artists: Freddie Williams, Adam Gorham

FC • 32 pages • $4.99

Bullet points:

Insight into the past and present of Donatello!

Variant cover by Hugo Petrus!

Transformers Annual 2017—SPOTLIGHT

Writer: John Barber Artist: Priscilla Tramontano Cover Artists: Priscilla Tramontano, Andrew Griffith

FC • 48 pages • $7.99

Bullet points:

Major repercussions for OPTIMUS PRIME—and the whole Hasbro universe!

via IDW Publishing

IDW Publishing Previews for 3-8-2017

IDW brings the goods this week with so many great titles, and we have your looks. Here’s the IDW Publishing Previews for 3-8-2017.

IDW Publishing Previews for 3-8-2017 IDW brings the goods this week with so many great titles, and we have your looks. Here's the IDW Publishing Previews for 3-8-2017.

#comic books #comics #IDW Publishing #Preview

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