#no good deed goes unpunished

[izhunny]

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

Tony, not about to be one-upped by a snarky trickster showing up and providing help as he's about to duel it out with a different villain, returns the favor.

All kinds of unforeseen consequences ensue.

(An Enemies to Lovers Frostiron fic, Rated: E, ~56k word count, 8 chapters.)

Chapter 1. You're Welcome

Chapter 2. This Is Life

Chapter 3. No Cave Should Be This Fucking Nice

Chapter 4. An Adorable Little Exhalation

Chapter 5. Out for a Walk

Chapter 6. Know Thy Enemy

Chapter 7: I Thought You’d Never Ask

Chapter 8. ~Epilogue

All links go to AO3. Complete.

[echantedtoon]

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished Ch2 Red Shines Bright Tonight

(Tagging @punks-never-die205 @feiatjjk

@karmadglory @babygurlenthusiast @swampstew @purplesoulsapphire

Remember if you want to be added to the taglist lemme know.

I apologize if I write Kid or his crew OOC in this. I only wrote for Kid like one other time. Also apologies for the inaccuracy of anything. I'll research everything in One Piece as accurately as possible. I'm only planning on this to have four parts so bare with me. The first three chapters are post the two year time skip.

Warnings for spicy things implied or mentioned maybe some innuendos but it will STAY sfw otherwise. Kid's cannon killing streak and violence mentioned. Some cussing and mentioned drinking.)

The measurements of one's own worth weighed heavily upon the beauty of outer looks. Or the wealth from the status you had upon thee either from birth or taken for one's own self through selfish means. 

Wano was no stranger to that way of life.

The crystalized glamor that was painted over the true cruelty of the withering Flower Capital of Wano hid the true meaning underneath. The streets bathed in the battered blood of civilization tainted with selfish desire and covered in a layer of cherry blossom petals and silk robes to distract those from the real monsters underneath. 

Which was exactly why they felt so at home being worse than the monster's already inhabiting the district.

The many hours of sailing had made the residents of the blight known as the Victoria Punk had grown restless in excitement and desire at their Captain's promised reward for their gastly deeds done not a mere day ago. The celebration of their bloodshed would soon be upon them. Morning sunlight shown upon them all as that night slowly slid to a close to make way for the morning light. Many a crew slept the day's voyage away minus those whom had duties to perform or were too excited to sleep. Slowly the day trickled by. The morning sun rising towards the middle of the sky. Winds favored the boat full of sins as they pushed the sails ever faster towards their desired promise. However no greedy pirate would miss the loud voice carried upon the breeze and instantly awoke any slumbering hellions.

"LAND HO!!"

The voice calling down from the crow's nest caused quite a stir up. Men and women crew members alike bursting from below deck charging up towards the deck stampeded out. Some snorting awake and tripping over themselves from beds to rush within the growing board. Some already up top rushing towards the railings. No matter where they came from, all cheered and talked with glee spotting the glittering land so close now on the horizon and having their desires so close to being fulfilled.

The dull thudding of boots against wood under his feet sounded out before he stopped just on the upper deck looking upon the sunlight glistening off the beautiful blue sea and seemingly added an extra shine to the glamoured land. 

"Huh. We got here earlier than expected," the red headed man commented shooting a grin at the right hand man next to him. "Guess today's our lucky day after all, ain't it?"

"The winds were favorable is all," he calmly stated but couldn't hide the happy undertone of his voice. "We got here a couple hours before sundown." A sigh was let out. "I wish you didn't make such a big deal about it. The entire crew's riled up now."

"You would be too if you're promised the night of a lifetime which I did promise you." The blonde didn't respond beyond a sigh as his best friend and captain patted his back. 

"Just don't do anything really crazy like burn half the district down. I heard Kaido's had his eyes on this place and with what happened a day ago, it's best to at least lay semi low."

"Don't worry. If there's a barbecue then you're the first person to get dibs on the food." Killer didn't respond to his joke as he turned grinning eagerly to himself and rubbing his own hands together in his own anticipation. "The district is a walnut and the best way to get the goods inside is to crack it wide open."

The closer to the glittery land they got, the more the excitement and desperation truly grew within greedy heart. It was only a matter of time before they truly were there.  And the horrors of the Victoria Punk brought with it would not be lost on the people who gazed upon it's visage either. For when the danger pulled into the docks only the sounds of sloshing ocean waves and the groans of the ship coming to rest into the docks were the warnings onlookers got before the cheers of the greedy hellions were had again.

Those within earshot or eyesight of them were always the same and upon this land there was no exception. Those who recognized the immediate threat shrieked out in terror, fled, or both. Some of them seeking to hide in the nearby streets and buildings while some could only watch in horror. Those who didn't know looked on in confusion but fear as the bridge connecting the Victoria Punk to the docks lowered until connecting with a resounding thud and then the desperate board descended onto the promised land. Whoops. Bollard. Cheers. All were heard alongside the desperate steps thundering down onto land after hours at sea, and right behind them following slowly behind was the Red Devil himself.

Slowly coming down off his ship with each slow step of those boots until he took a deep inhale of air before slowly letting it all out. The sweet smells of seawater and the distant cherry blossoms were both an enticing and delightful change of the usual smoke and fire from the misdeeds done and the oil and rust from the workshop located right next to his own private courters. 

"Smells nice..Almost makes me sick." Amber eyes darted towards the latest victim of the devil. And a nearby man shouted in fear as he was suddenly in the air, held there by a fist holding the collar of his shirt. A maniac pirate smiling up at his as a crate of fish, no doubt, what he'd been doing at the docks, crashed onto the ground below. "Which way's the Red Light District?"

Terrified a arm shot towards the right, down a stretch of road. Good. His reward was getting to live another day. With a squawk of fright, the man was tossed aside. Flying off the docks only to splash into the seawater below. Earning a round of laughs from some but most were interested in following the thudded footsteps of their Captain as he walked down the street towards the desired night or another night of horror at his own hands.

The streets were as beautiful as the buildings and each were obviously made to show off wealth and status, and yet they looked so breakable! The annoyance in pattern only continued on with each step they took, each street passed, each house going by. Becoming more bigger and tacky looking the more wealthy into the district they marched. Getting stares of disgust, horror, confusion, and in most cases a mixture of all three. Mothers pulled their children inside. Ladies closed windows and doors. Men quickly retreated out of their path and in some instances even diving into nearby buildings to escape his path. 

He reveled in the fear he brought automatically. Yes. Fear him and his decaying death and drear he brought with him. It'll only benefit them all to listen to the warnings. 

Then a soft glow settled amongst the glam and glitter that paves the streets. There was still plenty of light only just beginning to turn sundown, but most of the light came from above. Strings of lanterns hung up over the streets and connecting the buildings within the dazzling glow of red lantern lights. Sparkling like mini stars and giving off the red glow the district was known for. Finally. The heavy scenes of sweet perfumes and food ravaged the air. And the sights before Amber eyes were what they were hoping for.

The streets were full of people crowded yet still more were coming in. Once a buzz like bees murmuring of speech, now slowed down to a full stop as eyes from streets, doorways, and windows looked down to stare wide eyed at the band of murderers and thieves standing loose in the streets. The streets were filled with beautiful women adoring flattering dresses and make up, and working men in loose fitting Hakama shifts showing off their impressive builds, both men and women of the night ripe for the taking for any paying customer. They'd often catcall out to potential customers to entice them out of their money and lure them to an early empty wallet.

However there was nothing but silence as the mere presence of the pirates was noticed. 

Eventually the silence was broken in by the chuckling of a Red Devil. "Well? What the hell are you bastards standing around for?"

That was it.

The straw that broke the camel's last remaining restraint.

The floodgates burst open like a dam of water rapidly pushing a trail of dominos.

A woman's squeal was the first thing heard amongst the domino's effect. First by a man of their group shoving aside a man who might've been talking to said woman moments ago, but was now caught up in the arms of the hellion cackling in pure delight at his catch. A domino effect started on as they descended amongst the crowd and buildings. The sounds of women squealing and maniac laughing filled the air as he just smiled...And then turned hearing a sigh next to him. 

"'Nothing's gonna go wrong', huh?" Killer crossed his arms in a 'i told you so' way as he stared at him.

"Eh, fuck off, Kil. Let 'em get some stress relief in." He waved off the concerns of the blonde, rolling his eyes with a grunt. Before setting his sights up on a establishment he was itching to see. An unmistakable pub. Whoever placed that in the middle of an entertainment district had a smart investment idea. "Speaking of which-"

Killer watched him start walking off. "Where are you going?"

"I've had a long day, so I'm going to drink until I black out or you drag me back to my ship! Whichever one comes first!"

An inwardly sigh left the killer's brain, but the thought of getting a drink was appealing so follow Kid he did. Through the chaos surrounding them all and straight into the pub which was already swarmed in other members of their hellish parade. They passed by Wire who was in the middle of working an honestly eight out of ten barmaid. Whispering something sweet to her mad face before slowly kissing her hand. Ah. Wire always had a thing for charming the ones who caught his eye. A couple more feet away from him was Quincy eyeing the nervous bartender with a list filled smiling face.

Proof in point. Doesn't matter what gender they were, any crew member of his hell scape was fearful. 

The poor bartender quivered more when the stares of both himself and Killer stopping at the bar looked down upon him from their rather taller heights. The pupils in his skull shrinking as the Captain leaned down to give him that satisfied smirk.

"Gimme a beer. Make it strong because I'm planning on not being able to walk come morning."

"Give me a shot of whiskey and leave the bottle..Please," Killer added watching as the trembling man quickly nodded and turned around to scramble around the many bottles visible on the shelf before looking back to Kid. "Let's not loose ourselves too much and act like semi civilized gentlemen at least."

"HA! Since when are we civilized?" A pint of the alcohol he wanted was placed in front of him and he pointed it at Killer snatching it up into his grasp. "We don't fucking pretend to be something we aren't, Kil. If we want something then even Kaido couldn't stand in our way." He made him point by downing the large pint in front of him before slamming down the mug loud enough to be heard above the many voices around him. "Give me another!"

Killer hummed again casually reaching out to poor himself a shot of the whiskey the trembling barman had placed in front of him, plucking a straw from a nearby cup before poking said straw into one of the holes of his helmet. "This is why Heat n' I are the designated babysitters." 

Despite the sigh leaving his lips, anyone could tell Killer was smiling under his mask as he drank the preferred drink tonight. For tonight was about nothing but celebrating the Red Devil's whims.

Step after step through the crowd.

His legs carried him closer and closer towards the destination of the festivities. Music played. Many people celebrated. Lots of guests coming forth to celebrate the creation of hellions' escapades. 

"Almost shameful behavior."

He commented to himself  despite the gleeful smirk on his face watching as one of the men drunkenly pulled his laughing woman of the night onto his lap, giving her a big kiss to her cheek, and holding up a large mug. "TO CAPTAIN KID!! MAY HE BE HALF AS HAPPY AS ME AND MY BEAUTIFUL LITTLE LADY HERE!" The woman busted out laughing high pitched giggles in his lap as he pulled the mug back chugging down the sake.

A loud laughing fit emanated throughout the crowds followed by wolf whistles as the man went back to smothering his wife back with affection as she just laughed. It made his eyes roll and a chuckled huff escape his lips at the sight. Truly degenerate. But he meant it in the best way.~

He heard the sounds of loud laughter a mile before he even stepped back outside and was hit with the reek of alcohol long before he even stepped foot outside and made his way quickly through the throngs of people and towards the center. Back towards the pub. His senses were attacked by the strong smells to the point he was sure he'd get drunk from just smelling it. The crowds were terrible. Pushing against his body uncomfortably so and bumping his arms annoyingly so but he kept going his way towards the pub.

The loud laughter, music, and other blurring noises blending together from the crowds was mixed together in a vile assortment of degeneracy. The only thing to remedy this would be to seek shelter at the ship...But why would he want to do that?~ Finally he managed to get back to the bar and find his way inside. It had been a good three hours now. The sun had finally set and early night had just arrived. Now truly the city was alive but the hellions made no signs of stopping anytime soon. Knowing them, they'd be at this all night only to get dragged back to the Victoria Punk to sleep off angry throbbing hangovers. However he didn't bother with their fun.

Once inside he made his way over towards a small table in the corner where a few of his fellow crewmates were sitting by themselves and just drinking. Those included Killer still sipping on the draw poking out of his mask, Heat, and one other crew member whom was in a conversation with Heat while both drank some form of alcohol but they looked up as he just casually sat down across from the three of them.

"There you are, Wire. I thought you went back to the ship when you left," the pink haired man said before again taking a sip of his drink. Ah. Mosh. By the smell of the drink, it was some kind of margarita but bigger.

"No. I was just simply tending to business."

"Uh huh..And would that business be the pretty lady you were sweet talking a few hours ago?"

A grin was all Mosh got back, head settled in his hands. "I don't kiss and tell.~ But speaking of missing people-" Dark eyes gazed momentarily around the room and rose a brow at the missing red headed Captain. "-where'd Kid go?"

"Compo got drunk and someone dared him to stick his head in a bucket. Kid's outside helping him get it off."

His words got Heat to sigh tiredly but otherwise no one else really made a comment on it. "Hm. Seems about right. Honestly I'm surprised no one's done anything REALLY stupid yet-"

"DON'T jinx it, Wire." Heat narrowed his eyes at him. "I don't want to have a repeat of last time everyone got drunk. Killer still can't find his favorite spatula." At the mention of his name, Killer nodded in agreement with the other man.

"Heh. Well I can't say everyone's not enjoying themselves. Except maybe Kid and Compo at the moment. Surprised it's not one of you two trying to help him out."

"Kid actually volunteered for it."

Well that certainly surprised Wife as both his brows rose at his masked companion. "Really?"

Killer nodded. "Said we did a good job so we deserved to have a break tonight. That and he could probably get Compo out of there easier with those magnetic abilities of his."

That got Sore humming. Not in a 'oh ok' hum but a 'Im thinking of something' him. Head in hand allowing his eyes to gaze around lazily, and the other tapping on the table. "I don't suppose he's gotten any breaks himself yet."

"Whaddya mean by that?"

"Well he's doing the damage control tonight and if he's sober enough to do that then I can conclude he hasn't had a lot of drinks either. That's not enjoying himself."

"Well you know Kid. Once he does something he's too stubborn to let anyone, except sometimes Killer, to talk him outta it."

Wire hummed again still looking around the room until his eyes finally locked onto UK. At the moment he was a blushing mess of a man both no doubt from the booze but also because of the lovely lady cooing at him. That's when his eyes slightly widened and a smile graced his features.

"I know that look. What are you thinking?"

"What if we get the boss a gift?"

"Gift?"

He nodded. "Yeah. He's doing so much he should enjoy himself too." He finally looked back to them. "Let's get him a girl for the night."

"A girl?" Heat tilted his head in question.. before shrugging. "That's doable I guess. There's plenty of girls workin' the establishments so it wouldn't be hard to find one."

"I'm not talking about any regular working girl. There's plenty of them around. I'm talking about getting him something REAL special. Something even Kid's never had before."

"What are you talking about now? You want to get him a working guy instead?"

"What if we got him an oirans?"

There was silence around the table as the three stared at Wire before Heat and Mosh exchanged glances and Killer spoke up.

"You want to get Kid an oirans...Do you know the crazy conditions surrounding Kumorasaki? She takes and takes men of all their money and then raises the prices every second you're with her. She's a dam good digging witch and that's me putting it politely."

"Did you forget what District this is? Just because Kumorasaki is the most popular and well known Oiran in the Flower Capital that doesn't mean she's the only oiran here. C'mon, Killer. You still have the key to that chest right?" Killer slowly nodded. "Then what's the harm in surprising him with a gift?"

A long thoughtful him came from the blonde man. The cup in his hand slowly lowering until it says on the table with a light thud, his head tilted at Wire. Mosh and Heat exchanging unsure but thoughtful looks in turn to Wire's suggestion.

".....Which house do you think would have an oiran?"

-One Hour Later-

Lanterns as heaven's echo play above the street, come to the night as if they are our brightest of dreams and forever lighting our way. Lanterns are the stars we make in salute to the black heavens. The red glow shining down upon the masses as they walked the streets below.

It was then that the red glow matched with the red hair of the man walking through the masses, only to stop short just outside the pub of where he was headed. A curious sight to behold seeing everyone drinking outside the pub instead of in. Even more so seeing tables placed on the street where he saw familiar faces that attracted him towards them. 

A number of faces smiled up at him as he exasperatedly pulled out a chair only to plop himself down into it with a grunt. Sighing as he allowed his muscles to relax for once sinking into the hard oak wood.

"There ya are, Cap'n. Where have ya been?"

"Don't ask!," Kid growled out head leaning towards the lanterns and night sky above, "Killer, take a fucking mental note. Compo is not fuckin' allowed near booze again and NEVER in the same room as fuckin' Bubblegum!"

"Got it. Heh."

Immediately amber eyes shot up and narrowed at the blonde. "What's so dam funny?"

"Nothing really," Killer replied genuinely. "Just drinking my whiskey."

Those eyes narrowed more, brows scrunched up as more Snickers could be heard around him. Slowly tilting his head back down, he was met face to face with chuckling and his men not only at this table but a few surrounding tables snickered. Stealing smiling glances at him to which he felt annoyance bubbling up from his chest.

"Alright. What's the fucking joke?" He demanded slowly looking at Killer whom shook his head no. "I'm fucking serious, Killer! Did someone put something on my chair?!" Wood screeched as he immediately stood up and snapped his head around. "I swear if anyone-"

"Calm down, Kid," Killer held up a hand to calm the angry man, "No one's playing tricks." He gestured to the empty chair as if to prove his point.

Kid still stared suspiciously but slowly sat back down. "Then why is everyone looking at me like I'm the but of someone's dam joke?"

"They're excited and grateful to ya for the reward. Like you said relax and enjoy a little. C'mon. Drink and have some food with us!" He motioned for the barman still inside.

A small chorus joined in agreement with Killer. He didn't loose that suspicious look..but soon turned his attention to the new mug of beer and plate of delicious smelling turkey legs brought out and placed in front of him. Not as good as Killer's cooking but still delicious. He soon mellowed out, loosing himself to the tender taste of seasoned meat and butter taste of alcohol. 

The laughter and music around them continued through as he stuffed his face and laughed at a crude joke Wife told him. Meanwhile excited looks and whispers still glanced up and down the streets in anticipation of what's to come.

Slowly the loud laughs and talking with the occasional scream filled down to a murmuring him until it reached a silence. The new slowed silence wasn't lost to the captain who slowly rose a brow at the sudden change. Noticing the way everyone's faces turned down the street behind him. Still chewing on the food, he turned to see why such a change in direction occured. 

The entire middle of the street had been cleared and what looked to be two giant crowds of men and women lined the street on either side. As if something was blocking them from crossing with each other. What was stopping them? Did something happen just now? He then looked up the street and immediately knew the reason why.

Slowly coming towards you was a parade of people. And smack dab in the middle of them all was a woman.The most BEAUTIFUL woman he had ever seen.

 She glowed under the lantern lights like a beacon of beauty, slow steady steps she took gracefully step after step slowly but surely as if she was dancing, by the way she was doing so he knew she must've done this countless times before. Her makeup and hair done perfectly. Her robes the fanciest he's ever seen yet so beautifully matched perfectly with her complexion. But what struck him the most about her was her smile. Her eyes were the most striking beautiful he'd ever seen. Lips pink in lipstick catching onto the red lantern lights shiny with the lip gloss she used. In a way it she was angelic with the way they shined in the light. 

However her demeanor was... Strange. As she got closer he could see the slightly worried look in her eyes. As if she didn't want to be here, but yet at the same time there was something... Powerful almost scarily heavy about her body despite how graceful she moved. Entranced by the new sight he only stopped and stared as she ever so slowly and gracefully walked, continually up the street with her escorts.

"Huh. She's coming pretty close to us." He made sure to note in his head giving a look around at the awe filled looks from men and women alike. Taking special care to note the tackily dressed men that weren't his crew. "Her customer must be one of the rich snobs close by. Lucky bastard."

The moment of silence was deafening with only the sounds of the oiran's parade coming down the street, the red lanterns being her spotlights for the whole district was her stage and her the one glittery star. The rummage of fabric like flowing wind danced amongst her body as her flesh and bone became flowing water, gracefully dancing each step she took up the long stage of streets. 

Her face was memorizing with each flutter of half lidded lashes, the flashing of those beautiful eyes reflected in the reddened lights, her smile warm as she offered a smile as thanks for the watchers standing there. The gold ornaments shining in her styles silk of hair caught the glitter of moonlight and lantern reds, causing an almost uthereal glow around her body as she danced in her silks.

Beauty. Grace. Elegance.

Like a current in the sparkling blue ocean, she flowed.

Amber eyes were transfixed upon her with everyone else as the party of people in front and behind her came closer, but no one paid any attention to anyone other than the main gleaming star herself because..Well he's never seen such a display before. An oiran's procession was always a sight to behold and he'd be damned if he didn't also want to stop and watch her dance to the sounds of bells and her own graceful steps. 

Closer and closer to the end of the street they came. Angelic face coming closer and closer to his eyes, until they stopped in front of them all. And he realized that he was able to gaze right at those beautiful eyes and smile. The air was tense with silence anticipation and awe from everyone awaiting at the dancer's words. Slowly the hand a hold of the pint brought it up to his lips. If he didn't know better, he could've sworn that she was beautifully directed to him. As if a pirate like him would be given the smile of a woman like this.

"Captain Eustass Kid." The voice so calming and sweet carried with it and aura of grace as those lashes fluttered shut as she bowed.  It struck his veins like an icy ghost's hand dipping into his body and seizing his throat. "I'm so honored to have the pleasure of meeting you."

"PPFFFTT-?!" 

The metaphorical ghost hand entrapping his throat clogged up the alcohol going down forcing him to choke it out of him. Back into the mug of all over the table, whichever one was closest. A loud series of coughs and hacks left his throat disrupting the serenic scene and finally bursting that seed filled bubble.

"Surprise, Captain!", someone shouted from the crowd, "WE GOT YA AN OIRAN!!"

A series of laughs, cheers, whoops, and a few wolf whistles filled the air. Amber eyes widened as his face snapped in shock towards the crowd of cheerers. The mug dropping to the ground with whatever was left inside spilling out all over the ground. He sat there in stunned shock only stiffly looking over when Killer reached out to pat his shoulder grinning under that mask he wore.

"Well, Kid. You said you wanted the night of a lifetime."

[green-eyedfirework]

“Rose,” Dick said very seriously to the girl perched on his hip, “You need to shift.  Now.”

“I can’t,” she said, tightening her grip on him.  Dick cursed under his breath—the sound of footsteps was getting closer, and the blood trail would lead them straight to him.

But that was fine.  He’d be fine.  The merling clinging to him would not, and he just needed her to shift back to fins.

“Rose,” he said as soothingly as he could, and finally gave up and slipped into the water.  It was cold, and it stung badly in his scraped-up feet.  Rose shrieked and clung even tighter to him, nearly strangling him.  “Rose, please, your pod is right past the rocks.  Just shift and swim.  You can do it.”

Rose’s breaths were coming short and fast, and she—she was shaking.  Fuck.  She didn’t even try to deny it again, just tightened her grip with nails that were too hard and sharp to be human.  The footsteps were getting closer, accompanied by shouts.

Dick could try to hide with her, somewhere in and around the pier.  Safe waters.  For a human.  Hide until the poachers went away and he could calm her down and talk her into shifting and swimming out of the bay and towards the coves, where he knew the Wilson pod lurked.  It would be fine.

Or the poachers would find them, and he’d get Rose captured all because he wouldn’t swim out into the waters of a pod that’d nearly killed him once.

“Okay,” Dick swallowed, and tried not to think about dark claws and one icy blue eye and the scars that stretched down his back.  “Okay, I’ll take you home.”

~#~

It wasn’t easy to swim out of the way with a human-shifted merling clinging tightly to his back.  Dick was losing breath faster than he should, though that might’ve also had something to do with the way his heart was pounding.

They’re not going to try to kill you this time, he tried to tell himself.  Last time he and Grant had nearly killed each other, and Slade had been planning on finishing the job before Joey stopped him.  Last time they’d had a reason.  This time, he was returning their lost merling.  He was helping.  They wouldn’t attack him.

“Come near my pod again, and I’ll strip the flesh from your bones.”

They might attack him.

It was slow-going with Dick’s frequent stops to remember how to breathe, and saltwater getting into all his wounds and stinging them badly, but he forced himself on.

Out of the bay, water turning colder when they hit open sea.  And then back towards the rugged shoreline, wild and untamed.

Gods, he hoped they hadn’t moved.

The waves were turning choppy, and Rose whimpered, wrapped around him like an eel.  “Rose,” he murmured, “We’re almost there.”

She didn’t even raise her head from his back.

By the time the shoreline was in reach, Dick was wheezing for breath and barely treading water.  He needed to just—drop off Rose.  And leave.  He was willing to walk through the wilderness with torn-up feet if it meant not having to swim back.

He stilled.

Something crawled unpleasantly down his spine.

“Where are they?” Rose whispered into his ear, eyeing the same, ominous, empty waves.  They were close enough to the coves that someone should’ve greeted him.

Greet him they did.

With a hand around his ankle.

Rose shrieked as they plunged down, and Dick yanked at her arms the same time he kicked at the fingers wrapped around his leg.  He couldn’t protect her, not from a mer, and ripping her arms free meant her nails scored long, stinging gashes on his shoulders, but he managed to break her grip and shove her at the surface.

The fingers around his ankle squeezed, claws biting deep a second before something in his ankle cracked.

Dick’s scream was lost to air bubbles.

The water was dark and roiling, and his eyes were stinging, but he could make out blond hair and orange fins.  An all-too-familiar snarl was below his captive foot, and as Dick watched, the viciousness transformed to something more malicious.

Grant bared long, sharp, serrated teeth, and twisted Dick’s broken ankle.

Pain shot up like a fiery dagger, and Dick didn’t have the momentum to kick out at him.  There was another blond, another set of orange-and-black fins and Dick signed help right before they crashed into him, claws first.

It punched the last of his oxygen out, and Dick wheezed helplessly, stuck underwater, dark spots covering Joey’s angry face and furiously flashing signs.  Dick couldn’t read them, couldn’t understand—they really were going to kill him this time, an unarmed human against even a single mer was no contest.

The darkness covered more and more and—his ankle was free.  Dick kicked frantically at the surface with one working leg, and ended up choking on seawater when he finally broke for air.

No amount was enough, Dick couldn’t draw deep enough a breath to stop coughing, and his treading was beginning to slow as his muscles burned.  Shore was too far away, a blurry smudge in his vision, his path blocked by silver hair and a scarred face.

Rose was clinging to her father, still in human form, so at least Dick had succeeded at getting her home safe.

He just wasn’t going to succeed at getting back alive.  No matter how desperately he clawed at the water, he couldn’t hold himself up forever, not with stinging wounds and a leg radiating fire and his face was wet with more than seawater as he gasped for air.

The only member of the pod who had helped him last time had already attacked him, and Dick didn’t have the breath to beg.

He didn’t have the breath, period.

His nose dipped before the waves, once, twice, thrice before Dick could no longer force it back up.

He blinked, and there was water above him.

His lungs were burning.

His muscles were burning.

Everything went slowly, creepingly, suffocatingly dark.

~#~

“No!” Rose shrieked, directly into his ear, and Slade had to grab her before she launched herself into the water.  “No, he’s drowning!”

Slade made a sharp, irritated sound, and the human was pulled to the surface again.  Completely limp, but still breathing.  Grant’s face was poisonously dark as he supported the human’s face just above the waves, but Rose’s half-garbled explanation had insisted that Dick had saved her and brought her home.

Slade was not inclined to think charitably of a human, especially a human that had once already attacked his pod, but Joey’s expression had gone from furious betrayal to confusion, and Slade knew he had no choice.

“You can’t kill him,” Rose insisted. “He helped me and brought me back.”  She turned to face him, eyes wide.  “Papa, please.”

His daughter had been kidnapped for days, she was still not calm enough to shift back into mer form, and Slade couldn’t even have the pleasure of tearing his claws through human flesh?

“Are you sure he helped?” Grant asked darkly.  “This could be just a trick.  Get close, and destroy all of us.”  His grip tightened on Dick’s throat, and the human’s breathing grew more labored.

“He saved me!  He got hurt protecting me, and you just attacked him!”

Slade had weathered enough tantrums to know when one was starting, and his annoyed click cut through the rising squabble.  “Enough,” he said shortly.  “Take him to the cave.  We can ask our questions when he wakes up.”  He was bleeding as well, Slade could smell it, which meant they had to treat his wounds.

Humans were so annoyingly fragile.

Slade clutched Rose tighter, and let the knot of worry slowly loosen now that his daughter was back in his arms.

~#~

Everything hurt.

From the stiffness in his chest to the brief flickers of stinging pain all over his body, he felt like a wrung-out towel.  He could smell the sea, and hear the sound of waves against stone, and even taste the salt on his lips as he dragged his eyes open, exhausted enough to fall straight back to sleep.

Rose.  The poachers.

No—he’d taken her home.

But then where was he?

Dick pushed himself up on an elbow—cold, hard stone underneath him—and nearly collapsed back down when the world spun dizzyingly around him.  His stomach was gnawing at him, his throat felt ragged and dry and on the verge of a cough, and he had to curl over and put both hands against the ground to shakily push himself up.

He was—in a cave.  On slick, wet stone, shivering and trembling, the water a few feet away.  His shirt was gone, and there was a blue-green paste smeared over his shoulders and his chest, covering slices made by mer claws.

“You’re awake,” a voice said coldly—a voice he recognized, and Dick was scrambling back before he recognized the silver-haired figure pulling himself out of the water.  No long, powerful tail, poisonous orange splotches on black scales, but Slade looked terrifying in human form as well, tall and broad and muscled.

Dick forced himself up, but he didn’t realize just how slick the stone was, and his broken ankle woke up with a vengeance when he accidentally shifted his weight onto it.  He nearly cracked his head open as he crumpled, but he landed half in the water instead of completely on the stone, and, in the jolt of icy shock, he slipped all the way in.

Run, screamed some part of him ancient enough to recognize a predator, and Dick ended up swallowing seawater in his panic.  He was more flailing than swimming, but as long as he got away from Slade—

A flash of orange-and-black scales in front of him, and Dick immediately back-tracked.

Orange-and-black behind him, cutting him off from the mouth of the cave and the grey skies beyond.

A dark, glaring face beside him, teeth bared in threat.

Getting into the water had been a mistake.

Orange-and-black spun around him in whirling flashes, neatly blocking any escape, and all Dick could do was press against the cave wall, trembling all over.  One attack by that powerful tail could break his ribs.  One slash of those sharp claws could gut him.  If they didn’t just pull him down and watch him choke and splutter and drown.

Dick didn’t realize he was clawing at the wall behind him until his fingernails started stinging.

Everything was blurry.  Someone was making a sound like a dying fish, gasping and breathless and frantic.  Dick was slipping into the water again, or maybe the water was rushing up to meet him, his heartbeat deafening in his ears, his lungs burning.

Something slammed into him, hard enough to bruise, and Dick wheezed as bands of iron tightened around him, holding him fast.  “Stop it!” snapped a familiar voice.  “You’re scaring him!”

Dick tilted his gaze until he could see long silver hair.  Below them, an orange-and-black tail flicked idly.  “Rose?” he rasped.

[nerdybookfangirl]

where is my wicked/wizard of oz au for the locked tomb

[finleyforevermore]

"kill them with kindness"? wrong! ELEKA NAHMEN NAHMEN AH TUM AH TUM ELEKA NAHMEN

[cruel-hiraeth]

i thought i was being cute when i made a request for ffg kinktober with a character + kink that aleks wanted to see. but since someone dropped out, he’s fulfilling that exact request LMFAO

[gale-gentlepenguin]

“No Good deed goes unpunished.”

A trope where the hero does something out of kindness or morality that results in a villain being able to perform an action that results in something 100x worse.

The hero maybe spared the villain, because murdering them would have taken it too far. Maybe the hero helped what appeared to be a civillian from danger only for that person to become the threat they are facing.

It rocks the hero to their core, wondering if they are the ones doing more harm than good. It is taken as moment where the hero either learns that mercy can only go so far, or maybe that it’s the price of a hero that you can never know. Being a hero is hard, being good is hard.

[its-time-to-rise-above]

Guess who listened to wicked!!

[jedi-lothwolf]

Whump: The Musical Day 2: Wicked ("No Good Deed Goes Unpunished.")

Fandom: Star Wars (bad batch time zone but not the batch)

Warning: referenced and an attempted suicide of a side character

Summary: Caleb stops a man from killing himself. When some citizens see this they report him to the authorities.

    Why did Caleb have to save that man?

    Roofs were a good place to travel when you didn't want to be found. The ex-padawan learned that pretty fast. Being above everyone had its advantages. Seeing everything that was going on below you made being someone everyone wanted dead at but safer.

    But then he came across a man who was ready to jump. Before Caleb could stop himself he started to talk. "Sir?" he asked. "Are you okay?"

    The man looked panicked as he turned around. "Get going kid. You don't want to see this." Before he could say anything, the twi'lek jumped.

    Running to the side of the six story building, instinct kicked in and Caleb reached for him. Before the man hit the ground, he found himself levitating. There was a look of surprise on his face, as well as the faces of the people nearby.

    The danger the child had put himself in, hadn't made it's way to his fears yet.

    Caleb ran down the stairs. Skipping steps made him reach the bottom quicker. Bursting though the metal doors, the boy ran to find the man who was still sitting on the sidewalk. "Sir?" He started. "Are you okay?"

    Crying, the man tried to smile. "Thank you kid. I'm okay."

    "So, what's been going on?" Caleb said as he sat next to the older man.

    "You're a child."

    "Then let's find someone for you to talk to." He stood again and extended a hand to the man. The Twi'lek nodded and took his hand.

    "Do you have any family or friends?" As he spoke, Caleb started to feel the eyes on him. He realized what had happened. Shoving the thought off to the side, he starts to lead the man away from the crowded street.

    "No."

    "Same" was the first thing that came to Caleb's mind but he figured he probably shouldn't say that.

    "How about I take you to the nearby hospital? They can help you there."

    Despite the look of defeat in his face, the man agreed.

    They took the scenic route. Caleb knew he needed to avoid larger streets. With the empire around and with them knowing he was around, hiding was important.

    As they closed in on the hospital, a voice came from behind them. "There! Get the Jedi!"

    Turning around, Caleb looked at them. Then he turned to the man, "I have to go. Please, take care."

    Then it was time to run. The padawan did a lot of that. It hurt, having to run away from the man. Every part of him wanted to finish taking him to the hospital.

    The imperial presence on the planet was a large one. Hiding, Caleb ducked into a building. Then he started to run for the roof. They seemed to be his only safe place. He always liked sitting in the highest place he could find at the temple.

    The kid made his way to the stairs. Tripping over some stairs on the third floor, slowed him down. His ankle was sore.

    On the stairs of the sixth floor, imperials caught up to him. The door was in sight. Pushing the men down the stairs, Caleb threw open the door to the roof. Without looking back, he jumped to the next building.

    After a while of jumping from building to building, Caleb took a break. Out of breath, he started to curse himself out. Why did he have to save that man? Jedi  instincts were going to get him killed.

    "No good dead goes unpunished I guess" he whispered. It seemed he almost lived by this saying. Every time he helped someone, something bad happened to him. Maybe he should learn to control his companion. Maybe he should have just let the man have his way out.

    Listening to his surroundings, he deemed it was safe to wait a few more minutes. Sitting down, Caleb looked at his ankle. Luckily, he had just twisted it.

    It was time to move. There was a nagging feeling in the kids heart that told him he needed to make sure the man had gotten to the hospital alright. It wasn't too far, even if he had been running in the opposite direction.

    The stairs down the building he had ended up on, creaked as he walked down them. Opening the door, Caleb faced the night. The beautiful sunset that had previously painted the sky, was gone. It was a pretty sight to kill yourself too. The red and orange in the sky would have matched the red on the pavement as well as the orange of the man's skin.

    Caleb snuck around, trying to find a discreet way to the hospital. "Why am I doing this?" He muttered. "This is gonna get me killed."

    After a while of walking and a few close calls with the empire, Caleb found the hospital. Seeing the nurse reach for the phone sent a cold chill down the kid's spine. "Excuse me?" He said, his voice going up a few octaves. "Did a Twi'lek come in earlier to be admitted to the psychiatric ward?"

    "Are you family?" The nurse asked, setting her phone down. She hasn't been calling about him.

    "No, I'm the person who stopped him and brought him most of the way here. I just-" he sighed, trying to keep from crying. "I just wanted to make sure he got here okay."

    The nurse came around from her station. "He came in. He's been admitted." She put her hand on his shoulder. "You're a good kid."

    "Thank you. I'm just doing my job." That probably sounded strange to the poor nurse.

    "Can I call your parents, I'm sure they'll be proud of you for saving that man's life."

    What did he tell her? She was right, Depa would be proud. "My Mom's out of town. I'll just head home."

    "Okay. Stay safe."

    "Can I do me a favor?" He asked quietly.

    "I'm sure I can." The girl kneeled beside him.

    "Can you tell him I got away safely? That I came to check on him, and if the empire asks, can you say I was never here? I'm just trying to survive and every time I do something to help people, it always gets me caught and I'm just so tired." Tears welled in Caleb's eyes and the nurse tightened her grip on his shoulder.

    "Of course I can." She pulled him into a hug and Caleb started to cry. It had been so long. The boy wasn't sure how long he had been there, but by the time he stopped crying, his throat was sore and his eyes hurt.

    The nurse let go of him and walked around the counter. Grabbing soothing she walked back over to him. "Use this to get you something to eat. This is a safe place for you."

    "Thank you. For everything. Hopefully this doesn't hurt you. My Captain, Styles-"

    "You fought in a war?"

    Instead of answering, Caleb continued his sentence. "He used to say that no good deed goes unpunished. Just be careful." Before she could ask any more questions, Caleb made his way to the door.

    The nurse caught up to him, "hey kid." She kneeled down beside to make sure no one else would hear what she had to say. "May the force be with you."

    There was something comforting about hearing that. "Thank you." With that he left the hospital and shortly after that, the planet.

[echantedtoon]

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished Ch3 Kindness Towards Cruelty

(Tagging @punks-never-die205 @feiatjjk

@karmadglory @babygurlenthusiast @swampstew @purplesoulsapphire

Remember if you want to be added to the taglist lemme know.

Warnings for yandere themes, mentioned entertainment district and spicy stuff but it will STAY sfw, Kid's in cannon killing streak and violence, maybe some cussing.

Should've mentioned it before but these first three chapters take place before the two year time skip. I know oirans knew tea ceremonies and I apologize if not everything is accurate. I got the info on tea ceremonies from the first video linked below. If Kid comes off as disrespectful during the ceremony it's because I'd imagine he's never been to a tea ceremony and he's a pirate.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xD7qUfSOGOE&list=LL&index=2&pp=gAQBiAQB )

"Which  house do you think has an oiran?"

Bright lights were everywhere.

It nearly blinded the men by the amount of lanterns and lightly that glowed warmly against the sky, giving just a small amount of light. People were everywhere. Tons of them. Walking around, shouting at one another, talking loudly, and sometimes carrying objects like bags or boxes. The murmuring of voices together was loud enough to be a buzz like that of a bee hive. It rattled their heads in a way that was unpleasant and not too familiar.

The buildings surrounding the people were bigger than any of the ones back where they hailed from. Two or three stories each. At the base of said houses were small stalls and wagons the tons of people warned but you couldn't see what they sold unless you got close to them. There was too many different faces. It was dizzying. Yet that didn't stop Heat from quickly stopping by one stall that it's vendor sold large warm meat packed dumplings, buying one and proceeding to eat it as they walked. The savory taste of soup boiled beef and spice mixing deliciously in his mouth as they walked.

Only now stopping to look at the maze of houses lining the streets and bedazzled in way too much money. The Flower Capital was known for too much flattery and painting everything in the metaphorical gold. It's supposedly a display of wealth but if you asked someone like Killer, it just meant they were egotistical and guady.

"Why don't we just pick the fanciest looking one and try in there? Rich idiots usually keep the good things on display."

That was true. In their experience, the rich weren't too bright and enjoyed showing off WAY too much. Made them easier targets for pirates like them. Eventually masked blue eyes blinked around before settling on one building in particular.

The entire thing was white. Shiny wood painted a pure white, meanwhile golden oak pillars decorated the outside like beams of heavenly light. A golden glow emitted from the front and a few girls in beautiful kimonos happily giggled and waved at passerbys who stopped to gawk in awe at their beauty. Surely a very successful house amongst the others. Seemed like a place only an oiran would reside.

After a moment, the blonde pointed out the rather stunning building. "If I had to guess, It'd be there."

"You think so?"

Killer shrugged his shoulders. "Let's take a look anf find out."

Wire and Heat looked at one another but followed him as Killer made his way towards the large building. Even now people stopped to look at them passing by in shock but most steer clear of the three of quickly scrambled out of their way as they walked past them. The girls even stopped their flirty smiles and stepped back from the entrance as they ascended the stairs and through the entrance. The inside looked as fancy as the outside but much more the large space was not surprisingly filled with more women dressed up in a similar style to all the others they've seen, all stopped and stared widely at the three large men that walked right in. Looking around the place of shiny polished floors, and lit candles, and velvet curtains hanging off the walls.

The murmuring of the ladies quieted down as the three looked around. Hm. Maybe they didn't come to the right place? A shuffling of quick footsteps got their attention and a second later the curtains moved, revealing another man on the other side. He was nothing to look at. Practically the stereotypical man who at first smiled probably expecting customers, however like everyone else was stunned into surprise by the sight of the three large pirates in the middle of the room. More silence passed before he let the curtains drop back into place behind him and gave a more nervous grin.

"Ah. Good evening, Gentlemen," he greeted somewhat nervously clasping his hands together. "Welcome to the Heavens House. How can I help you three tonight?"

"We're looking for a girl," Killer's blunt tone was unchanging despite the flinch it caused who must've been the house master.

"Ah! Well that can be arranged!" He gestured his hands around them. "We have many fine young ladies here for your entertainment tonight."

"Maybe I should've been more specific. You gotta oiran here?"

The man blinked. "Oiran? O-Oh. We-Well that is a very expensive choice. A very high class lady."

"Is that a yes or no?"

Again the nervous look. "We.. I'm afraid we do not house Kumorasaki. I get that very often."

"We don't want Kumorasaki. Just an oiran. Any ordinary oiran will be fine."

"Oh?...Oooooh. Well then yes! Heavens House does host an oira !" He was back to happy within seconds. "But of course..A high class lady such as herself isn't without it's costs-"

"We got the funds. Money is not a problem."

"Then do tell which of you fine gentlemen wishes to be in her company for the night. Or perhaps you were hoping to get a performance from our resident madam?"

"It's not for us. We're getting her as a gift for our Captain."

Again that silence persisted from the room before the man gulped. "O-Oh. I see you're sea fairing men. Wh-Who might be your captain might I ask?"

"Kid."

"Kid?" All at once the color drained from his face at the horrible realization. "As i-in Eustass 'Captain' Ki-Kid?"

"Yeah. That's right." Killer's head tilted at him. "When can she arrive?"

"I-...I-Im afraid I'll have to decline you business." The puny man stuttered out after a gulp. "That man's worth three hundred fifteen million berries! He's a dangerous man. That's ba-bad for business and I can't risk the only oiran here! I'd be a fool to subject the odds to that."

Killer didn't answer at first. Only humming before tilting his head. "Alright then. You're a business man I get it. So-..." The way he slowly crossed his arms had the paler man's eyes widening. "Let's talk business."

"Captain Eustass Kid." The voice so calming and sweet carried with it and aura of grace as those lashes fluttered shut as she bowed. It struck his veins like an icy ghost's hand dipping into his body and seizing his throat. "I'm so honored to have the pleasure of meeting you."

"PPFFFTT-?!"

The metaphorical ghost hand entrapping his throat clogged up the alcohol going down forcing him to choke it out of him. Back into the mug of all over the table, whichever one was closest. A loud series of coughs and hacks left his throat disrupting the serenic scene and finally bursting that seed filled bubble.

"Surprise, Captain!", someone shouted from the crowd, "WE GOT YA AN OIRAN!!"

A series of laughs, cheers, whoops, and a few wolf whistles filled the air. Amber eyes widened as his face snapped in shock towards the crowd of cheerers. The mug dropping to the ground with whatever was left inside spilling out all over the ground. He sat there in stunned shock only stiffly looking over when Killer reached out to pat his shoulder grinning under that mask he wore.

He couldn't speak. Not registering whatever words the killer next to him said in jest.  The rounds of clapping and cheers echoed around him blurring into one at last. Nothing really getting to him through the muffled faraway voices becoming nothing but a hum. A buzz.to his mind for nothing but the mind. Instead the shining lights on the strings above, the golden glow catching onto the heavenly image before amber eyes. The image of a smile on her face as her graceful body bent back up from the bow and smiled at him. The image of beauty shining upon his face.

"Would you like to come back with me? Or perhaps you would prefer to have me come and join where you sit?"

His mouth opened wide- The dryness of the ghost clenching around the wind pipe prevented him from saying a word. The only guiding thing preventing him from choking on a sound was the fact he found nothing to say. But then the serene moment was gone. Replaced and cut through by the sound of a very loud wolf whistle that pierced the air. In an instant the mouth snapped shut and a redness not unlike his red hair spread across his face.

"SHUT UP!!," his voice echoed out but all it got in return was a bout of laughs from the crew. "What the hell is this, Killer?!" He demanded turning to the blonde man for answers.

"We just wanted to get you something after everything you've done. Take a load off and relax, Kid," Killer spoke the same words he used from before giving his friend a couple more pats to his back before retreating his arm. Ice cubes clinked in a glass when his hand grabbed onto his drink once more. "We just wanted to get you something you never had before."

"Huh?! You assholes think I l've never got a girl before?!"

"Have you ever had an oiran before?"

"I DIDN'T ASK ANYONE FOR HELP!! I COULD'VE GOTTEN ANY MAN OR WOMAN I WANTED IN THE ENTIRE CAPITAL AND YOU KNOW IT!!"

"Oh.." Killer pondered something for a moment. "Then you don't want the oiran?"

"If he doesn't want her can I have her?" 

A red haired man bristled. Stiffly snapping his head around to the point Killer was expecting a snap sound to go off from his neck. The face of beauty turned to the right. A dirty stray. A rat. Filthy cockroach of a man. Scuttling about like a filthy tag along whom followed the vision of beauty like a wolf hunting sheep. Skulking closer and closer to the dancer's stage, to take her from the lanterns spotlight into the gastly shadows. The expression on her face was anything but smiling once the threat was slotted within sight. The beady eyes shown in perversion and greed. 

It made an unspoken challenge to the Red Devil's whims and like hellfire he burnt out one hell of an annoyance. Many heads turned as with a rattling of a table and stomp down of boots, the Red Devil stood at his full height and many heads turned to the new annoyed fury. 

"LIKE FUCK YOU ARE!!," the angry voice shot out and everyone else seemed to freeze up within sights of the anger emitting off the amber eyes. "PUT ONE FUCKING HAND ON MY WOMAN AND I'LL GUT YOU LIKE A FISH!!"

"So you do want her?"

The way Kid's teeth clenched and grinded against one another could practically be heard as his fists clenched.. before he deflated with a grunt. "Fine. I'll fucking take her. BUT ONLY BECAUSE YOU USED OUR MONEY TO GET HER NOT BECAUSE I CAN'T GET A GIRL MYSELF!!"

A round of cheers were set off as he grunted with an eye roll. Idiots. All of them. He'd show them. It wasn't anything he needed! It'd just be a waste of money otherwise! So cheers ignored he took his first steps towards the woman who was called to the scene and presented to him like a glittering trophy for his disastrous deeds. The beautiful doll all dressed up and looking at him silently as he approached her. Each heavy thud of his steps coming up to her until he stood right in front of her. In silence she regarded him as amber eyes looked over her, up and down but without the lust of the usual audience. Instead it was more studying rather than anything else really. As if a curious fox was circling the hen house. 

Amber eyes took great care in studying the wrapping of fabric adorned her body. The way those ridiculous shoes made her taller when is reality she couldn't have been taller than half his upper torso. The beautiful hair pins adorned by fake bedazzled roses and tansels that swayed with each tiny tilt of her head, keeping that glossy silky hair nearly tied up in that hairstyle expertly done. The way her face wasn't surprisingly caked in a million layers of make up like the other women here. Instead it was just enough to make her features pop without taking away from the natural beauty of herself. Especially those reddened lips.

He stood there. Amber eyes looked left. Then to the right. "So ..How does this work?"

"Work?" Her head innocently tilted as pretty orbs blinked.

"Do we get a hotel room or do I take you to dinner? Or-..." 

Shit.

What the HELL was he supposed to do in this situation?! It's usually so easy. Pick up a girl, give her a drink or decent meal, flirt a bit, have their fun, and then leave. How the hell was he supposed to know what to do with an oiran? Should he just..pick her up and carry her off? That.. didn't seem like the right thing to do with an oiran but why should he care?! It's HIS woman HIS crew bought HIM for the night and with HIS loot so he could do whatever the hell HE pleased!! And yet-..He couldn't fathom just tossing her over his shoulder and heading to the closest inn for some strange reason. 

That's when he heard a sound. A sound so innocent it made him flinch.

A giggle.

A beautiful giggle that chimed like beautiful little bells as she smiled and held a hand to her pretty face. "You may escort me back to my house if you wish? After all I did come all the way out here to collect my customer. That is if you'd want to."

Hmm. Being paraded through town with a beautiful woman was tempting..but he'd look ridiculous just walking next to her dancing back to whatever house she worked. So he decided on the latter. 

"You start. I'll follow behind you."

No arguments. No complaints. No other suggestions. Just a cute little smile and respectful bow of her head. "If that's what you wish, Mr. Kid."

Mister? Who the hell called him Mister like an old man?

He didn't say anything about it then though, but watched as she simply turned to no doubt start her procession back up and back towards her home. He gave one last look at his crew who all have him either sounds of approval, smiles, or in Killer's case a thumbs up. Idiots. He'd have to have a word about surprises in the future when this entire fiasco was over with. But for now, he'll indulge them.

The walk there was anything but pleasant really. Rather slow and awkward as she gracefully danced her way back into the spotlight and into the awed eyes of many spectators. Smiling in appreciation at them all which made a shift move in his chest in whatever reason. Wasn't she supposed to be his for the night? Pretty sure that smile was only supposed to be his, but he didn't voice any complaints. 

He just stiffly and awkwardly walked behind her like an out of place tag along until they reached the beautiful (tacky) house and followed her inside. The fearful and wary stares followed his form up the steps after her as her dance ended at the door. Pausing her dance in exchange for walking normally but still not loosing that graceful movement. Not when she had to duck to fit within the door front and lift her expensive silks to walk inside as he followed closely behind. Inside women cowered in his wake. One look from him was enough for them to turn their eyes away in fear of Eustass 'Captain' Kid. Heh. Guess his reputation really proceeds him even all the way out here. Made a tiny smirk turn on his face.

"He-Hello, S-S-Sir." An absolute wimp of a man stood before him. Cowardly shaking behind a girl thinner and punier than even he was if that was even possible. Ha! Like that'd help him if he decided to crush his ugly head or tear this dam place apart. "We've been e-e-expecting you. Yo-Yo-You're room has a-already been accom-m-modate." Amber eyes narrowed down to him. "A-A-All on the house!" He shouted ducking down behind the trembling girl. "No-No extra charge! Pl-Please enjoy!"

All the answer the pirate gave was a grunt before his attention was quickly taken back to the beauty. Like a beacon of hope she stood before him, but what had amber eyes widening slightly was the smile on her face still. Not an once of fear. Only a politeness as she stood upright gracefully in a room of cowards. He supposed that should annoy him or make him impressed or both, but all he could say was one thing.

"How the fuck are you able to walk around in those dam things?" His head directed down to those ridiculously high block shoes she still wore.

Despite the rudeness she only smiled. "Years of practice. Would you like me to escort you to your room?"

"Uh...Yeah. Sure. Whatever."

Again she bowed. "Please follow me, Mr. Kid-"

"And don't call me mister. It makes me sound like an old fuck."

"As you wish, Captain Kid." Her politeness kept up with her switch in a formal name for him.

Again it made that weird shift in his chest move but he made no comment as she turned and walked away from the main room allowing him to follow her through the halls of polished floors and doors. Women were there as well. Pressing themselves into the walls or quickly shuffling themselves into one of the many rooms. A few men were there too, no doubt customers, but they also paused as they saw the image of the Red Devil himself walking down the halls after the beautiful oirans. His heavy footfalls echoing throughout the entire halls from the first floor to the second and then the third where a single hall awaited him and one large door. A scrawny servant girl was the only other person there besides them and she trembled while holding some kind of tray in her hands. She smiled at him opening the large sliding door with a bow.

Amber eyes looked at her, then at the room for a few seconds calculating the minor possibility of this night being a trap, before slowly walking inside. The floor was covered in tatami mats other than a small square space in the middle of the room beholding an already boiling black tea kettle. On the far left side was a large cushion presumably for him to sit on and a small table beholding a large gourd he assumed was filled with water or sake. And plates of food were already waiting for him. The expensive stuff too.

O-toro sashimi. Wagyu steak cuts. And the rest he wasn't sure what it was. Some kind of noodles in broth. That was onigiri. Some kind of sushi he thinks?? He only knew the names of some of them because Killer either tried making them once or had spoken about wanting to try out their recipe. Sure went out of their way to accommodate him. Probably out of fear. 

To the fair right of the room was a low standing vanity with a pillow sat in front of it and a wide variety of make up, brushes, and other items were nearly placed upon it. A second door..Closet maybe? Or lead to a bathroom. And a large luxurious futon nearly made. Obviously her accomodations for living. A koto instrument and shamisen was leaned against the side wall on her side, tuned and ready for use at any moment. 

All in all, what he expected and oirans room to look like but he was surprised at how less fancy looking it was considering the district and her high position. 

"Please." He turned to her. Her gentle smile and graceful hand gestured to the large sitting pillow and table of food. "Make yourself comfortable."

Amber eyes still stared at her but slowly did as she asked. Slowly walking to the seat and (after lifting the pillow to make sure nothing was placed under it and feeling a quick hand under the table) slowly sat himself down . His heavy body sinking right into the fluffy weight under him.

"Tch. Too soft," he grunted.

"I can arrange a different one to be brought to you if you'd like."

"Nah. M' fine."

"As you wish, Captain Kid-san. With your permission I'd be honored to perform a tea ceremony for you."

His gaze looked back up to where she still half bowed, eyes closed, and smiling as is pleasantly dreaming away. "A...what?"

"A tea ceremony. It is but only one of the duties I can perform. With your permission, I'd like to perform it for you as a welcome start to your stay here."

He wasn't sure what to think at first watching the still woman. Before he grunted just reaching out to start helping himself to the food. He barely got to eat all night having to help babysit his crew's drunk shenanigans so far, plus he felt too awkward just sitting there doing nothing. 

"Sure. Knock yourself out."

"As you wish."

He just mindlessly stuffed one of those rice balls into his mouth and placed his head in his hands as he watched her. The trembling servant girl quickly handed her the tray before scrambling away, leaving the oiran alone with him. With a smile she turned to him and bowed tray in hand before stepping inside. He noticed that she didn't wear those shoes anymore so her height was where he estimated it to be. She barely reached the middle of his torso. Door sliding behind her she made her way silently to the teapot before him and sat down on her knees in silence.

He just watched as she silently began to place the objects in front of him which included two clothes, a ladle, and a few other things. The silence around them continued on other than the light noises coming from her moving around the objects. Starting with her wiping down the already dry tools, and then pouring water into the decorated.. Cup? Bowl? Before it was quickly discarded. What was the point of pouring water in there if she wasn't going to use it for tea?

A few other motions were performed as he watched her closely until she opened the small container filled with green powder. Immediately his brows shot up and his eyes narrowed.

"What's that?"

"Matcha tea powder." She calmly explained continuing to scoop two spoonfuls into the water inside the bowl. "It's the tea used in the tea ceremonies I perform."

"...Sure that ain't poison?"

"If it was, I'd have less guests."

She still continued to work as she spoke never once breaking her motion as he glanced suspiciously between her and the drink she began to whisk up. Call him suspicious but he couldn't help himself. His body was naturally on guard in unknown environments. She continued until the cup was lifted into her hands before gently presented to him with a small pattern of Sakura blooms painting the cup's front. Amber eyes stared at it for ten seconds before holding out his hand. She placed it in his palm gently and he flinched at how soft her skin was.

He remained sitting there holding this cup as she returned to her objects. Gently placing them back onto the tray again without another look at him. He blinked looking at the green liquid within the cup, and raising a brow at brow at the butter smell wafting out of it. She did not look back up until she heard him suddenly make a loud questioning grunt in distaste. His eyes scrunched shut, mouth in a grimace as his arm held it away from his mouth.

"What's wrong?"

"Tastes bitter!"

She giggled."That's how it's supposed to be served. I suppose it's not everyone's taste."

"And rich fucks actually pay for this?" She continued to silence giggles as he placed the cup on the table, pushing it away from him whilst simultaneously grabbing the gourd and downing the burning sake inside. 

"I do hope you're not too displeased with the ceremony." He brought the gourd down to give a deadpanned look at her. To which she only smiled at him and gestured to the instruments along the wall. "If you prefer, I can play something for you instead."

"Play?"

She nodded. "Yes. I can play both the koto and shamisen. I can also perform traditional dances and sing for you if you'd like."

"Uh...No."

"Then perhaps Captain Kid-san would prefer a more strategical challenge. I can play many board games including go and shogi."

"No."

"Then perhaps you would like to hear a story? I can recite many old stories or poetry for your amusement."

"Do I look like a guy who listens to poetry and stories?!"

Her head tilted once more, smile going a bit smaller but never waning. "Then what shall you prefer me to do?"

"I mean...I was expecting a little more-... Somethin' different from this."

Something a LOT different from this actually. He really didn't come prepared to be sang to or be recited poetry like a romantic. There was silence as she continued to stare at him with that pretty face. The one that made his chest churn with something. Something that he forced himself to distract from by turning to the table and shoving a large sushi into his mouth. 

Her eyes followed his hands eating the food before slowly turning back to his face in a studious manner. "Captain Kid-san, I wonder if you would grant me permission to say something bold?"

"Hm?" He hummed in question chewing on another overpriced steak otherwise. 

"You are tense." Her kind tone but blunt words made him stop entirely. "Your posture, it is stiff and excuse my words but you seem uncomfortable sitting here with me. Is it perhaps you find it unpleasant?"

This unpleasant?

..Maybe. He's not exactly used to this type of treatment. He's a pirate. Whatever he wants he takes dam everyone else. Being served wasn't anything too unusual for him being served by barmaids and waiters of all kinds in bars and sometimes Killer will bring him food when he was extremely busy in his workshop. But this kind of treatment?

There's an air of elegance and art and it feels far too formal for a pirate. Especially one like him. The one with the highest bounty on his head. His bounty and reputation aside, even if he wasn't a pirate his intimidating appearance alone should've warranted some kind of fear in her. But yet he saw nothing like that in her movements or eyes. She's been nothing but sweet, and the whole thing had been so foreign that he felt off about it..Yeah. That's what he was feeling.

Not unpleasant but out of place. And being out of place unsure of what to do naturally put him on edge. 

He exhaled through his nose swallowing down the food in his throat and looked at her. "....Not really. I was expecting more..'action' is all."

That made her give a small huff. "Well that's certainly not out of the question for me to do, but usually I am not summoned for something as simple as that."

"Oh yeah? Then what the hell do you usually do here? Sit around and look pretty?"

"I'm usually asked to perform at galas where I sing and dance or perform ceremonies for important high ranked people who visit the Flower Capital..But that's doesn't happen very often either. You see most people especially men want the company of Kumorasaki above anyone else here." Her pretty face looked off in a small sad smile. "I suppose I shouldn't be worried about the lack of attention but it leaves me just sitting here with nothing to do but perform music outside of the House."

Parties and gigs? So in other words she was a glorified performer. Sounded like a sucky life for someone whom was supposed to be a high ranked noble essentially. Is that why she was so happy to see him? Was she so bored that she completely disregarded any fear of him in order to have something to do? Maybe but even if she wasn't scared she should've been at least weary. Was it possible for her to not know who he was?

"I see...When did you last uh..'perform'?" He decided to keep the conversation light to avoid any awkwardness again.

"You are my first customer in almost an entire year. My last performance was performing a tea ceremony for the House Master's visiting brother," she confessed openly. "Otherwise I have not really done anything for quite some time."

"Is this Kumorasaki really that fuckin' important for business to be that slow?" A small twinge of anger for the woman's behalf bubbled up from his chest although he didn't know why.

She chuckled. "I have seen Kumorasaki in person before. She's actually quite beautiful and her skills as a professional oiran far outdo my own. I don't blame others for wanting her to be in their presence. For that I cannot be mad at anyone. To be jealous would accomplish nothing."

"Huh. Never heard it be out that way before." He leaned closer brows raising and smirk spreading across his face. "But I do wonder about you. You don't seem to be scared of me. Do ya not know who I am?"

Those beautiful orbs did not look away from him despite his towering demeanor. "You are Captain Eustass Kid of the Victoria Punk. They say you're the worst out of the worst generation."

"See my reputation proceeds me. And that doesn't intimidate you a lil bit, Peacock?"

"Of course but as with jealousy towards another, to fear would accomplish nothing."

...His smirk slowly shifted. "Huh. You're either really brave or really fuckin' stupid. I don't know if you've noticed but I can crush you like a big "

"I have noticed that but you have not done anything for me to warrant any fear. If you had wanted to kill me, a man like you would've done so already." The small smile widened. "To fear you would show disrespect to actions you had not done. If you had threatened me or otherwise then fear would be warranted, however you have done nothing to me like that. So to give you fear of something you hadn't done would be like to hate you for breaking my table." Her hand gestured to the fancy table of food. "You have not broken the table therefore it'd make no sense to hate you for it. So why would I fear you if nothing had been done to give me fear?"

He was ... speechless. Very much taken aback by her words. So simply stated yet- Yet it hit him like a good slap across the face. What was this? Lack of fear? He didn't get that from anyone else other than his own crew, powerful enemies, and for some reason Strawhat who seemed to think they were somehow friends. But from a random girl who he could easily destroy without even his devil fruit abilities?  THAT was something he never found before. 

Interesting.

"Hm. Interesting...How is it a working girl has a thinking process like that yet still ends up in a house like this?"

"I wasn't always an oiran. Believe it or not I used to be a servant of a noble lady in a neighbouring district." Those beautiful orbs closed again and she bowed her head. "She was a rare kind woman in these parts but unfortunately she died and I had to find alternative employment unless I wanted to be banished from the Capital."

"And becoming a working girl in a brothel was a better option?"

"It's a living. It's not all bad. I have food, shelter, and a nice title even if it's not quite suitable for me. We all have to scrape by in life, and I'm sure it's not always easy for a pirate on the seas as well yet we have to learn to live with those hardships."

Wise words spoken by someone who shouldn't have been so wise at least in his eyes. She was as somber as a sloth yet as clever as an owl with the allure of a fox and grace of a swan. A strange but beautiful combination.

"....Have you eaten anything today?"

"Not a thing. I'm not allowed to indulge myself in front of guests until they're satisfied or leaves. I discipline myself to hold my hunger."

...The clinking of chopsticks against dishes didn't disturb her until she heard him speak once more. "Eat this."

Glowing eyes and pretty lashes fluttered towards him in surprise that made him feel that tightness in his chest. In front of her was a pair of chopsticks holding up a piece of that wagyu steak towards her. Her gentle gently blinked before gazing to him in question.

"No sense in starvin' yourself."

She hummed. "This is unusual for someone to request of me."

"I'm not requesting. I'm fucking ordering you!" He nudged it towards her frowning. "EAT!"

Her expression did not change when looking in surprise from his hand to him before that sweet smile came back and she bowed her head. "If that is what Captain Kid-san requests of me."

He said nothing but flinched as two soft tiny hands reached out to cup his in them. They were so soft, yet a bit calloused probably from her previous life as a servant but her nails her perfectly manicured in a similar way to his painted ones. However amber eyes didn't notice that. But watched as she simply took the food away from him and ate silently. Gazing at him with that grateful smile. A panging tightness went off in chest that spearheaded warmth to his face and slapped a coat of pink paint onto his cheeks. 

"T-Take what you need from the dam plates!" He eyes turned and hand wrenched his hand away trying not to look at the red lipstick now lining his chopsticks. "Just don't fucking starve yourself in front of me!"

"Of course. You have my gratitude for your mercy."

He grunted but said nothing as she gently slid one of the many plates towards herself. He noticed that it was some dish of meat and rice but said nothing as she proceeded to start eating it. Gods...Even the way she ate was graceful. Skilled in such a way he wasn't entirely sure if he was secretly watching a runaway princess eat by the way she politely ate big by bit. He forced himself to turn away from her with a grunt. Distracting himself by chugging down the sake and popping those tiny annoying little cake deserts into his mouth. Not bothering to look back up. It was a tense ten or so minutes before she bothered to speak again.

"Is there anything else Captain Kid-san would like of me?"

He jolted. Eyes blinking back up to make contact with hers for what must've been the millionth time that night. Nothing but a quaint little smile waiting for him to say anything. To speak a desire of her. Desire...He didn't really desire anything here. Singing and dancing wasn't what he came here for certainly. He was looking for a good time. Drinking, chowing down, and eventually meeting a cute gal to maybe get aquatinted with for his time there. Instead what he got was a surprise he didn't ask for...but a beautiful one he was unsure what to do with. If he wasn't distracted by her beauty, he would've just called it a night there. Thanked her maybe before just leaving and finding his night elsewhere yet- 

"Ever get requests for kissing?"

"Yes believe it or not."

"Can-"

Can I kiss you?

It was on the top of his tongue but that ghost hand was back clenching his throat as she smiled. Silently standing up to her full height and suddenly he felt tiny, intimidated. He didn't like that. Not one but as she slowly walked up to where he was sitting down and nearly choked on his own tongue. Then before he knew it she was before him leaning down and smiling.

From his place, he could see the lantern light reflecting distantly off her eyes making it look almost heavenly. It was beautiful. Her smile widened and eyes lit up immediately reflecting all the pretty lights like stars in a mirror. It made him mesmerized just looking at that beautiful scene in her beautiful eyes- Before he flinched as gently hands cupped his cheeks. 

"Is this alright? You can tell me to stop."

He only nodded yes. She stood in front of the lights shining on her just the right way to give him the impression she was  an angel. A sight he was hesitant to leave when she bent down. Then they were both closer than he remembered. Just a few inches from one another twinkling under the single lantern's lights. Face going a dim pink and a few chuckles from the moment escaping her. They chimed like pretty bells, sounding heavenly. No one was here too. So it was just them two. Alone here with nothing but each other for company. His mind felt completely blank and numb but in a good way, compelling him to reach his hands up and cup a cheek of hers in return something his rational brain wouldn't allow himself to do. Inches away now. She didn't move away.

He stared at the woman in front of him, this strange, strange woman with the beautifully flowing hair and the cute smile. If he was watching this as an outsider, he would've laughed at how they were literally just strangers less than a while ago, but right now it didn't seem any of that or anything else mattered. Not even the topic they had been discussing just a few seconds ago. Maybe it really was a mutual madness they both shared or some form of chaos in their lives, but right now....With them being so close...And so vulnerable. It was only natural of course-.. It's what soulmates do-.. Of course they would since-...

Their lips just pressed for a few wonderful seconds before he suddenly pulled himself away looking at her and breathing heavily. His grip on her tightening and untightening in waves as if restraining himself. His warm breath ghost over her lips and face warming them as he stared half lidded. 

"Captain Kid-san?"

"Kid," his voice deep from the moment said. "No formal shit. Just call me Kid."

Another giggle as a thumb gently rubbed his cheek. "Will there be anymore of me you want tonight?"

WANT.

His body screaming at him WANT, NEED, HIS!! But ..it wasn't out of lust. It was some foreign thing in his chest that he was unsure of what it was, but it wasn't unpleasant this time.

"....Yeah. Your name." He smiled at her. "What's your name, Dove?"

"Y/n. My name is Y/n."

Y/n. Beautiful name that sent his nerves on fire.

"Shall we continue?"

YES!! HE DESPERATELY WANTED TOO-

But yet he stopped himself and frowned. "Is that something YOU want?" Her mouth opened- "I'm not talkin' about your duties. Fuck them. No obligations. Is it what YOU want with me? I ain't gonna do anything if it's done out of 'obligations' or cuz you think you have to. I don't do that bullshit."

Her look changed. Genuinely..shocked. Staring at the pirate she just kissed and was still within his grip. The silence went on for a long moment before her face turned somber.

"I'm not against the idea. You are a very beautiful man, Eustass Kid."

"Yes or no? I hate beating around the dam bush!"

"...If you say it that way, then to be honest yes. But not right now. I like to get to know someone first. How long will you be docked in the Flower Capital?"

"A week. We're gathering supplies, and looking over the ship for damages. The week break is more for my crew to give 'em a well deserved break, then we're leaving."

Her smile was back. "Then I yes, but not tonight."

"Then that's a no." He sat there for a moment letting her continue holding his face. "...You..said you play?"

"Koto and shamisen. I also sing along with certain numbers."

"... What's your favorite song?"

"Apple Blossoms."

"Play it for me?"

"Gladly, Kid."

His heart rate increased by the use of a friendly tone given.

[explorersaremadeofhope]

so eepy my whole body feels like loose rubber bands and yet. i have to eat dinner and stay awake until bedtime. truly god's hardest challenge

[journalofanobody]

Struggling just to keep posting, I become a traitor.

As I've been recovering from surgery these past two weeks, I've been trying hard to keep posting, to give something, however little, to my friends and followers here. Quite frankly, many times while posting I have battled a terrible tiredness while simply trying to post an interesting mix of things for those who have faithfully continued to look at my blog and my poor little poems.

Sometimes the fogginess nearly gets the best of me but, at the end of each evening's posting, I feel pretty good about what I have done here. Not great, just pretty good. And for now, that's plenty.

However, mistakes occur, as I learned this morning. A follower whom I was actually beginning to see as a potential friend, wrote to thank me for all the support and advice I have given her during her persecution by trolls here and then revealed to me that she noticed that I had reblogged something from one of them. This, she concluded, is evidence that I was now one of that group of her "enemies" who were "tightening the noose around her blog." I was shocked.

Often, in my current state, I am completely absorbed in just finding aesthetically pleasing content, and barely notice who the original blogger was, and this, I guess, was my undoing. I was now a "betrayer" of a friend and thus belonged to the enemies and internet trolls she claimed were pursuing her. Needless to say, I was hurt and disappointed that she could not consider the context of my trying very hard to post even while recovering from major surgery.

Funny, even as I was reading it, I was ready to apologize and ask her to point out which post it was so I could remove it but, alas, I found that I had been blocked and her blog deactivated. Judgment had been rendered and no appeal was possible,

Now, sitting here, thinking about this, I recall the small herd of trolls I had to deal with when I first started this blog. Some of my friends here were following and reblogging from some of those people and, when I mentioned it to them, they said it's just reblogging of images, nothing to do with our friendship or "sides" being taken. And I thought it made sense and got over it.

I didn't speak out in defense of her trolls, or even reblog a lot from them. One image got through and, even if I had noticed it's origin, it would have seemed wrong to deny the source of it. And so what?

I'm not up for this sort of nonsense right now. I feel like I'm back in high school with warring cliques, or in Donald Trump's circle being forced to care about whether the boss feels betrayed. But this person I was dealing with was no high school girl, or some prickly fascist, this was a well-educated, cultured, kind person, and this is precisely why I find it more disappointing and sad than all the sorts of people I usually imagine behaving this way.

It's a small bump in the road of my recovery, a wee ding on my spirit, and it makes it all that much harder to trust people on this site, but then, who cares? Society unravels even at its upper reaches, among people from whom we would reasonably expect better.

I think I am just going to take a few days off from posting here. My time might be better spent just reading, sleeping, and trying to get myself fit to work again.

A weary good night from a slightly sadder Nobody,

Michael

[newathens]

talking abt fic at work and just remembered the time i read the most gorgeous beautiful poetic pjo fic and went to the tumblr they linked because i wanted to send them a comment right in their inbox cause i loved it that much. and i was blocked

[beardedmrbean]

A Virginia school suspended one of its students for taking too long to report that a fellow pupil had a bullet.

An 11-year-old sixth-grader was suspended for a day and a half at St John the Apostle Catholic School in Virginia Beach after he waited two hours before reporting that his friend had shown him a bullet, attorney Tim Anderson said, according to The Washington Post.

Anderson represents the student and his mother, Rachel Wigand.

The school faced threats of violence last week after the news of the suspension. St John’s was closed down for two days and a man in North Carolina was arrested.

Officials at the school pointed to the recent school shooting in Winder, Georgia at Apalachee High School, in which four people were killed and nine were injured, when defending their punishment, saying that the delay could have had disastrous consequences.

“The message it sends is, instead of ‘See something, say something,’ the kids are better off not saying anything,” Anderson told the paper.

“It’s creating a more dangerous environment,” he added.

St John’s is part of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, which told The Post that “The school’s culture of safety requires that students and adults alike report potential threats as quickly as they are made aware of them; in a real emergency, gaps in reporting time — especially hours-long gaps — could have major consequences for school safety.”

Wigand’s son was shown a bullet by a classmate on the morning of September 5, adding that the boy had found it in his parent’s coin jar. Her son didn’t see it as a threat.

The mother said her son waited until he could make an anonymous report, taking a math test for an hour and a half before going to an art class alongside the boy who had shown him the bullet.

Anderson said that during a fire drill, the boy went to the school interim principal to report the bullet. The attorney said police eventually found the bullet in the pupil’s bag.

The lawyer said both students were suspended for a day and a half.

“There’s no way somebody would suspend you for reporting something,” Wigand told The Post. “I couldn’t believe it.”

After reviewing the school handbook, she noted to school officials that it stated nothing about reporting anything apart from sexual harassment.

Anderson said that the principal remained “adamant” that the 11-year-old be punished.

Wigand emailed Catholic and school officials threatening legal action if the school didn’t reverse its decision, but a lawyer for the diocese responded that they would not back down.

The lawyer wrote that the sixth-grader placed himself and others in danger by not reporting the bullet earlier.

“Failure to report a safety concern affects the safety of everyone in the school,” diocese attorney Leslie Winneberger wrote, according to The Post.

“The school cannot, and will not, take chances when it comes to student safety, especially true in light of the school shooting in Georgia this past week,” the lawyer added.

The school was closed on Thursday and Friday after getting an email threat because of the punishment of the 11-year-old. A man was arrested in North Carolina on Friday for allegedly making the threats.

Temporary private security has been hired to patrol the school premises, Superintendent Michael Riley told parents on Friday.

Wigand said she has spoken to school officials on several occasions about removing the suspension from her son’s record but that her calls and emails have gone unanswered.

“He’s upset because one of the things he didn’t want was to be bullied and didn’t want to be labeled a ‘snitch,’” Wigand told the paper.

She added: “I told him to stay strong and he did right. Let others know, if you see something that’s unsafe, you need to report it.”

[pinkshiori]

So in Wicked, when Elphaba sings No Good Deed Goes Unpunished, do you feel your whole exhausted soul break with hers, or are you neurotypical ?

[narvaldetierra]

No good deed goes unpunished IV

*Comes out from her cave as if it had been here the whole time*

This was one of the first chapters I wrote for this fic. I'm so excited to finally share it. The GIF I used here, was the inspiration for the events I wrote about.

Just ignore the fact that I published the VIII chapter and I didn't make a post.

I'm so excited about this one that I want to share a few extra things I did while writing, that don't show up in the chapter. It contains spoilers, so look for it later or at your own risk.

First I have to say that I learned A LOT of names from medical stuff in English by doing the translation. That was awesome!

But what I wanted to talk about here was that sometimes I get obsessed with research for my stories, sometimes I even waste all my free time on it without writing anything. And sometimes not even half of it ends up in the story. This said, I did A LOT of research for this one, to try and make it right.

Like, when I decided that Patterson would end up in Port Alberni. The first thing I did was to go around the city with the street view mode of Google Maps, just to get to know how it was and to have a more accurate idea of what Patterson would see from the hospital window.

Then, my goal was to make it unclear where she escaped from, so Patterson is told she walked from Parksville, which is part of Madeline's deception. According to Google Maps, it would take approximately 9hs 54 minutes to walk that distance.

But she wasn't in a city when escaped, but out in the woods. My next steps were to find at least two other places that had a similar distance to walk but weren't cities.

After a few hours, and thinking about changing the city Patterson ends up in, I found two options: Rosewall Creek Provincial Park and Clayoquot Plateau Provincial Park. (Minuto más, minuto menos)

Like, she didn't need to be exactly in those places, but it helped me to picture what she had seen on the road while walking in the snow.

Something that I find curious is that this last distance, which Google stipulates would take 10h 42 minutes of walking, would take only 48 minutes in a car.

Anyway, to finish this self-exposure of how obsessive I can be, another two things I Googled were the date of the first snow in British Columbia, and the sunlight hours there. This is to get a rough idea of the light according to the hours I imagined the different scenes, and the time of the year this is happening. It may be important for future chapters.

I Googled a few more stuff, but it doesn't matter, you get the point.

Thanks for reading 🧡