#now we just need a hachi

[the-lektric-tinker]

The League of Seven / The Better Casino crossover!!!

@cupheadocscasino

[iammissingautumn]

you would lose your mind if you knew the conversations i had this week

[adorerio]

Whatever you say captain

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haikyuu ! captains and how they plot on fem!reader because who doesn't love a guy that puts in the work

fluffy fluff ~ word count: 1.8k

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Daichi he first met you during 1st year and was instantly hooked. Maybe because it was how you carried yourself or your personality but he knew for sure he would make you his girlfriend. Now just because he met you during 1st year didn't mean he made his move then. Nope, he made it during 3rd year.

Daichi He started small (with the help of Kiyoko and Hachi) first it was compliments.

"your hair looks lovely l/n"

"you gotta tell me how you always make people smile"

"you really are funny l/n"

Daichi then started inviting you to practices because he wanted to show off needed a 3rd opinion on his new move. This was all part of his plan which was to impress you sooo much you would ask for his number. Did it work?

nope

Daichi showing off didn't work neither did his constant compliments so now what was left?

"KIYOKO PLEASE LET ME HAVE HER NUMBERR"

"No, ask for it instead. She likes a guy who has confidence."

and so that's what he was going to do man up and ask for it himself.

Daichi who after class sprinted to your class to catch you and ask for it. When he did make it he saw you talking with your group of friends

"excuse me ladies may I borrow l/n for a moment?"

your friends who started teasing and whispering about how you actually pulled

"shes all yours"

After your friends left it was awkward for just a moment he was trying to put it into words I mean it was supposed to be simple right? But-

"Is there something you need Sawamura?"

"oh right, well l/n I've been trying to court you all year which maybe it was my fault for not being straight forward but is it possible I could get your number? So we can get to know each other and maybe ask you out?"

He scaratched his neck waiting for your response..

"well I'm free right now if you want to come with me to a cafe.."

"that would be lovely then l/n"

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Bokuto he first met you because you were friends with Akaashi. Now he noticed you really didn't have friends to hang out with during break and lunch. So he started inviting you to hang out with him and Akaashi and a trio was created.

Bokuto after a few months of your new found friendship he started getting that feeling. He was always nervouse around you and definitely always wanted to be in your good graces. Of course he didn't realize it was a crush until he saw another 2nd year try to ask for your number. Now he knew he would not let you give your number away to anyone that wasn't him. Even tho he already had it.

Bokuto now his approach to plotting wasn't the best but it was definitely something- scare off any guy until he was your last option. Did he even realize he was being overprotective? No, but it was bound to work at some point. Or that's at least what he was telling himself.

Bokuto It actually took you a while to find out what was happening. After another case of ghosting you started to question it. Was it your appearance? Or the long distance? Of course you would tell your friends about your problem and how you scared away guys.

"Wait so there just ghosting you? They clearly don't know what their missing y/n"

"Yes they just are! I don't even know why it's happening Keiji"

"Its because of me y/n!!"

"Whatever do you mean Ko?"

"Because they aren't worthy of courting you y/n so I tell them to go away"

"Why would you even do that?"

"Because I want to be the person who courts you not someone from Karasuno"

Bokuto got a talking too after his little confession about how that wasn't the way to get your attention but safe to say you did give him that chance and in the future its something you would never end up regretting.

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Oikawa now he definitely thought something was wrong with you. You were never apart of his group of fans and never reacted differently towards him. Games you attended? You would cheer on anyone BUT him. And this, caught his eye. He was gonna make it his mission to get you to go out with him one way or another.

Oikawa since he had never struggled before trying to charm a lady he was more confused then ever how was he supposed to do this? Well the only thing that came to mind was make you feel special. This resulted in you being embarrassed ever single time.

Oikawa every single set he would do during a game? Point you out and give you a wink. During school he would start ignoring his fans and would only talk to his team or you. He always offered to carry your bag or help you with work but you were still warry about his true feelings towards you.

Oikawa hoping he at least he made his intentions clear to you he would now leave small stuff at your desk. Sometimes it was small snacks with a note, or a small tricket that reminded him of you.

Oikawa the way he finally got you to agree on a date was when he gave you a boquet of your favorite flowers. It was special to you because you had only told him once what flower it was and he had still remembered it.

"Here l/nn its your favorite flowers just for you"

"You still rememeber what type of flowers I like?"

"Of course and I'll keep remembering small details about you - like how when your favoring song plays you start forgetting the worlds around you just to pay attention to the lyrics."

Now this had touched your heart, after weeks of chasing you maybe it was time to allow him to ask you out. Because he had clearly put effort into this.

"Fine, just one date trashykawa"

"You wont regret it l/n!"

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Ushijima he didn't even know he was "courting" you until Semi told asked him when he was going to ask you out.

"You know l/n is a sweet girl why haven't you asked her out yet? I'm sure she already likes you."

"What on earth are you talking about? I havent been courting our manager-"

Lets just say it hit him like a brick when he started connecting the dots that it did LOOK like he was indeed courting you.

Ushijima You were the manager of the team and dealing with a group of teenage boys wasn't easy- so he as the captain of the team decided he would be the one to show his gratitude. He would give you chocolates every day after practice or invite you to grab lunch with him alone.

Ushijima after thinking about it for days about how own feelings towards you he decided he was going to invite you on a real date. Because even if he wasnt completely sure about how he felt he wanted to at least give it a try. So, one day after practice as you were cleaning and packing up everything he decided to shoot his shot.

"l/n are you perhaps free this evening?"

"Yeah I don't have any plans. Is there a reason for asking?"

"I was wondering if you would like to accompany me on a walk in the park. It would be nice having someone - you around"

"Sure! let me go get my stuff and I'll meet you outside."

"Yes absolutely, its a date then."

As he walked away you stood there dumfounded, he finally had the balls to ask you out huh.

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Kuroo now he was crushing on you HARD. But, he always found it hard to talk to you. Different group of friends, different hobbies, different clubs there was practically no way to start a conversation without it being difficult.

The 3rd years were preparing for the English final when your teacher suggested forming study groups within the class so you could prepare. Now this was his chance.

Kuroo had to work up the courage to ask you to be his study buddy and when he did you were almost surprised that he asked you but you didn't say no. You moved your stuff to your left so he could sit next to you.

You started asking him what was his strong and weak points in English. When he asked the same thing back he wasn't focused on your answers, more like the view Infront of him. The way you talked and the way you explained things was magical.

Kuroo The two of you exchanged phone numbers so it was easier to communicate. You didn't say it was only to text about the final - so he started sending memes he found funny or goofy cat pictures in hopes of it turning into a conversation.

Of course the way you texted back was short and fast but when he sent you a meme of your favorite video game it was like he had found a cheat code. You started geeking out and explained the story and characters to him. Although he didn't know anything about the game it was certainly working and after talking about it until wee hours into the night you decided to call it off and go to sleep.

"Goodnight Kuroo thanks for listening to me yap lol"

"Of course l/n, I'll always listen to you talk."

You hearted the message and he knew this was only the beginning of a new found frienship and hopefully a relationship.

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Kita he never really thought about dating he was always more focused on his studies and vollyball. You were more like a close friend then anything. Sure he thought you were cute but he believed there was nothing there but pure friendship.

"My parents aren't home I guess I'm gonna have to order food.."

"Y/n you cant cook?"

"Nope, my parents do"

"Well I believe I'm gonna have to teach you then"

"yayyy"

Kita 3 times a week Kita would go over to your house (with your parents permission) and show you the basics + a few recepies. He enjoyed spending time with you outside of school but something had changed inside of him. Maybe the proximity but the way you *preferred hair style while cooking* looked on you was mesmerizing.

Kita Knew your parents travelled alot for work and even days without a lesson he would leave a bento on your desk early in the morning enough for the whole day. Even if it was more work added to his plate he didn't mind doing it because it was for you.

Besides, the best way to get to someone is through the stomach.

I swear I don't have a favorite. Anyways that concludes my first post! I'm open to criticism on my writing!

[futabapunk]

My opinion of Hachi's love struggle from personal experience.

To start with, this is my own interpretation, if anyone has other interpretations of the manga and Hachi's character that's totally fine! I've just been thinking on the manga more and more since i read it fully and i genuinely feel Hachi is a lesbian who suffers with feelings of comphet and idealisation of a 'normal romance' which she tries to pursue during the series.

To start with her relationship with Asano started from her being shown attention from someone who is much older and is clearly just grooming her for his own desires. Her first love being with Asano also screwed her idea of what a romance should be like. Getting mistreated, ignored and kept a secret like she's someone to be ashamed of which leads into how she approaches all of her romances from then on. For Hachi as long as they love her, even if it's not in the way she wants she starts to believe she loves them.

Her relationship with Shouji had her initially jumping to some feelings on her first meeting but deciding ultimately to try and just be friends with him bond with another guy 'without ulterior motives' and just become friends. However as we know Shouji liked her and everyone around her started to pressure her into getting into the romance with him. Especially around the fact Shouji started it through guilt tripping her for sex. Nana cared for Shouji, she didn't 'love him' which explains how she treats him. She likes having a boyfriend because she likes being loved. She gets really uncomfortable with the way he kinda mainly uses her for sex than actually showing romantic feelings towards her herself. Like the main thing she did to make him feel justified in cheating with her is the fact that she didn't want to just sleep with him over and over when he wanted. Shouji just wanted her to be his 'pet dog' and got upset the moment Hachi started making her own friends outside of him and Jun. Overall Hachi's 'love' for Shouji is just a dependence on the first somewhat normal guy who loved her, especially when Jun her only real friend left to Tokyo her 'love' for Shouji was the main thing keeping her going. For someone like Hachi she needs love to feel like life is worth living, she has no goals outside of marrying someone and having children, this is in part due to how society views women but also she never really had stable relationships or friendships growing up.

I find it really interesting to note that Hachi never had feelings for Nobu until Nana started bringing it up and Nobu himself starting to try and confess and show he loves her. She again falls in a cycle like she did with Shouji, the big difference being that Nobu is a genuinely nice guy as a whole and for Hachi it's hard to really justify that she doesn't have romantic feelings for him, that and she clearly is attached to Nobu as a friend, they're similar in ways. However Hachi has never had a male friend who hasn't suddenly decided they loved her and wanted to sleep with her. For Hachi she thinks the moment she turns him down he'll abandon her. We know this isn't true given Nobu and Hachi clearly made up in the timeskip and started getting along better in the last few chapters of the manga. However basically everyone in Hachi's life seems to leave her behind or infantilize her and tries to control her. Hachi's emotions are always in control of someone else, the only action she had complete control over was choosing to keep her baby regardless of what is best for anyone else. A big part of her character is the fact that she wants a normal family. Now onto her love for Takumi. A big thing a lot of lesbians tend to latch onto with guys they love, is usually they're some sort of ideal they usually can't attain. And because of this they somewhat feel fictional and out of reach and therefor someone they can focus all of their affection onto often in a way of trying to prove to themselves they like men. Hachi never really initially plans to fall for Takumi, it's just a love and affection she doesn't put much weight onto. However when she meets Takumi in person for the first time, she just found out Nana and Ren are dating. In Hachi's pov any feelings she has for Nana are an 'unrequited love' but she can't deal with Nana getting further and further away from her. Takumi being in the same circle that Nana and Blast are ending up in is a way of her forceably tying herself into the same circle. Hachi herself knows it's wrong and that it won't turn out well but can't help herself because she assume everyone is leaving her behind. She tries to leave him until the pregnancy happens but he is realistically the only one who could support her financially through the situation. She convinces herself over and over throughout the story that staying with Takumi is the only thing she can possibly do once she found herself in the situation.

I honestly believe the first person Hachi truly loved on her own terms was Nana. It's stated often throughout the text how, how she felt with Nana was 'like the bliss of a first love' and how soothing and relaxed she feels around her. Hachi has clear struggles in accepting her feelings towards Nana due to her own misconceptions that what she wants and needs to be happy is falling in love with a man, getting married and having children. In fact it's clear she recognises her feelings for Nana but in her mind Nana loves Ren and any love she feels for Nana won't be reciprocated. It's because of this that she starts sleeping with Takumi to begin with. She feels an immense sense of isolation and fear around her feelings with Nana. It's because of this that she bases her entire worth around who loves her rather than who she actually loves on her own terms. Many lesbians struggle with comphet around their feelings because society makes women feel that romance which don't revolve around a man or having children. Hachi's obsessive need for love traps her and makes her be unable to be happy and free, unlike how she initially assumes love would make her feel. I personally believe if the series continued Hachi would figure out how she feels around Takumi and Nobu and then her feelings around Nana by the end of it.

[shunin-gumis]

Nagi Birthday (2024) SSR Story

Best Wishes Snap

Happy Happy Day! (2nd part)

The bee in Nagi's signature is both because it's one of his favorite emojis, as well as the fact the "Hachi" in Hachinoya can mean bee! The 4-leaf clover is also a significant symbol to Nagi.

Nagi: My cheeks feel warm...

Nagi: The party is long over, yet my heart is still pounding...

Ushio: Hachinoya-san.

Nagi: Ushio? And...

Yukikaze: Are you alright? You've been crying for quite a bit now.

Ushio: Seeing you continue your act even as the tears flowed out from under your zombie mask was pretty entertaining to watch.

Yukikaze: Indeed, Nagi is very talented.

Yukikaze: But you should replenish all those fluids you lost. Here's some decaffeinated rooibos tea and a hand towel.

Nagi: Wow... this is like some top-notch after care you'd receive from from one of those massage places.... Not that I've ever been to one.

Chihiro: Nagipeko~ Were you still crying? And wait, is that large garbage bag you're holding filled to the brim with used tissues??

Nagi: Oh, yeah, Chief prepared it for me.

Ushio: Ugh.... that's way too much snot for me to handle, gross.

Yukikaze: Tears of happiness are a beautiful thing indeed. But of course, tears that come from sadness are beautiful as well.

Ushio: That's not what I was getting at... well, it's fine.

Ushio: Hachinoya-san, mind if I get this over with real quick? If we don't get you to bed soon you might just use up all of Hama House's tissues.

Nagi: ? What is it?

Ushio: Ha.... You really are dense. I'm the one who got selected by the "Random Present System" to give you a present.

Nagi: Wow.... I really did get one....

Ushio: Isn't that obvious? Here, the present I got you is this apron.

Ushio: Your work ends up getting you dirty all the time right? That's why I carefully picked out one that's anti-bacterial. It's water-resistant too.

Ushio: Well, Happy Birthday.... Um, I hope it's a good year ahead for you.

Nagi: Ushio... you took the time to select a gift for someone like me....

Ushio: Ugh! Don't start sobbing on me now, seriously!

Nagi: Nn!!

Chihiro: C'mon, don't cry, it's time to smile, smile~

Nagi: You're right.... Gotta take deep breaths....

Nagi: Thank you for the present Ushio. Thank you for the cake too, it was super tasty. So much so I wish I could cut it into 365 tiny pieces and have them every day of the year.

Ushio: Hmph....

Ushio: Seriously, why am I in charge of baking the cakes? Aren't you guys working a high school student way too hard? I'm super busy y'know?

Nagi: It's not just any cake that everyone wants, it's precisely because it's a cake you made that everyone wants it. Let me know whenever you're busy, if there's anything I can help you with, I'll do it.

Ushio: Huh... No no, there's no need for that.

Nagi: But everyone would be sad if you couldn't bake cakes because you were too busy... Of course, I'd be sad too.

Ushio: Oh fine! I'll make sure I do it!

Nagi: Is that so? I'm relieved then.

Chihiro: Ah! He finally smiled! Snapping that Nagipeko real quick~!

Nagi: Ah.

Chihiro: Happy Nagi day! Yay~

Ushio: Don't upload that on dazzle, got it? I don't want my face on social media.

Ushio: Besides, the birthday boy isn't even in the frame.

Chihiro: It's all good~ We'll just keep snappin' and snappin' till we get it right~! C'mon squeeze in tight~

Nagi: Uh.... it's warm....

Yukikaze: Everyone, come over here, let's take a photo together.

Momiji: Coming~

Nagi: ...

Nagi: A place filled with warmth and kindness.... Just a year ago, I couldn't even imagine I'd have a place where I belong.

Nagi: I want to treasure this happiness that's sure to continue even after my birthday is over.

Part 1

[satansapostle6]

X

Josh Futturman has always had a crush on his beautiful coworker, the sharp, sexy scientist he thought he could only dream of talking to.

Warnings: Mature themes/language. Sexual content.

Part One: Purple Orchids, Indian Food, and Chocolate

Josh Futturman always noticed her, every time she walked into a room. He knew that it was because he’d had a crush on her for as long as he’d worked at Kronish Labs, but he also felt that, regardless of how he, or anyone saw her, she was just inherently noticeable.

Her name, from what he knew, was Dr. Johansson, and although Josh hardly knew anything about her and had only spoken to her on a few occasions, never more than a couple of sentences, he still thought she was a total goddess.

Dr. Johansson was a scientist at Kronish Labs, the head of the research department. She worked right below Dr. Camillo, Elias Kronish’s right hand man, although, if you were to ask Josh, he could’ve sworn she herself should’ve been Kronish’s right hand man.

Every time Josh saw her, he wished he could’ve spoken to her; struck up a conversation, or paid her a compliment; anything. But Josh was more than aware that he was nothing more than a janitor at Kronish Labs; his job wasn’t even to cure herpes; it was to clean up after the people curing herpes.

That morning, not too long after his shift at the lab had started, Josh Futturman was gradually making his way up the building, emptying every garbage can in sight and cleaning up whatever needed to be cleaned. Truthfully, Josh couldn’t wait to get home and return to his video games. It was all he really thought about throughout his day at work.

He was only thinking of his PC at home as he entered Dr. Kronish’s office, where he and Dr. Camillo, along with one of the lower level scientists, were all deliberating. It was certainly a lot to take in.

“Dr. Camilo,” Elias Kronish said as calmly as he could. “I have told you, many times now, we will be going public with the research as planned.”

“But why?! Going public with that information is just going to cost us! We could make a fortune off of all of it!”

“As I have told you many times before, we are in the business of helping people, not just ourselves,” Kronish reminded him.

Josh awkwardly entered the room, cart behind him. “Sorry, Dr. Kronish, should I come back?”

He received two different answers.

“Yes, you idiot!” Stu Camillo shouted angrily.

“No, it’s quite alright,” Kronish smiled, speaking over his associate. “Thank you.”

“‘Course,” Josh nodded, cautiously entering the room to take out the garbage.

“Dr. Camillo. Need I remind you that… I’m sorry, what was your name again?” Kronish asked apologetically, seeming genuinely guilty.

“Futturman,” Josh replied, practically shocked that the founder of the company cared about his name.

“Thank you. Need I remind you that Mr. Futturman here works for me, just as you do. You do not have the right to address my employees on my behalf, and you most certainly do not have the right to berate them completely unprovoked!”

Josh silently gave the older man a thankful glance just as he left the room. As he tossed the small bag of garbage into the bin he carried around, he noticed a tall woman about to enter Kronish’s office.

“Hachi machi,” he blurted out, unable to stop himself.

“Oh. Sorry,” she said simply, backing up to allow Josh to pull the cart out.

He felt himself nearly choke on his words. It was Dr. Johansson, arguably the most beautiful woman in the building.

“I-It’s okay,” Josh stammered, barely pulling the cart out as he looked at her.

She looked perfect, as she always did. Her long, strawberry blonde hair was flawless, falling in soft ringlets that perfectly framed her face. And it was a beautiful face. It was striking how little makeup she actually wore; she had the features of a model.

It was no wonder she was constantly allowed to violate the office and lab dress codes. Mostly because of her talents and performance as head of the research department, Kronish hardly even noticed what she wore under her white lab coat. She could get away with a clubbing dress and a pair of stilettos if she felt like it.

Today, Josh noticed that she was wearing a nice black and purple dress with tall dark heels, the dark purple tone complimenting her strawberry blonde hair surprisingly well.

“Might not wanna go in there just yet,” Josh warned her shyly as she held in her hands a folder most likely meant for Kronish.

“Really?”

“Yeah… Dr. Camillo’s having one of his days,” he informed her.

“Is he? Well, I can handle Dr. Camillo,” she sighed unenthusiastically as she walked into the office.

Josh saw as Dr. Camillo’s head turned automatically, seeming much more excited about Dr. Johansson’s interruption than Josh’s.

“Sorry, Dr. Kronish, I just need you to sign off on these two,” she said politely as she held out the open folder.

“Yes, that’s right, of course. Thank you,” Kronish nodded as he quickly signed the forms.

Dr. Johansson nodded as she closed the folder and turned to leave.

“Hey, Brynne,” Camillo said, grinning like a child about to open a Christmas present.

“Dr. Camillo,” Brynne Johansson said curtly.

“You never responded to my invite, for my Christmas party next weekend,” he spoke up.

“That’s because I asked around and there is no Christmas party, Stu. If you ask me, the most realistic part of that plan is you throwing a party and no one showing up.”

Dr. Johansson left the office, and turned to find Josh, still looking in. He was mortified, realizing he’d been caught staring. But she didn’t seem to think anything of it.

“Does Dr. Camillo really hit on you like that?” he asked nervously, trying to salvage the interaction

“He tries to,” she nodded.

“Wow. My condolences,” he remarked humorously, still extremely nervous.

“Thanks,” she smiled dryly. “You have a good one… Futturman,” she said, reading off of his shirt before walking back to her own office.

Josh watched in disbelief as she walked away, shocked that she cared enough to learn his name. He was then interrupted by an angry Dr. Camillo, who practically pushed past him.

“Watch where you’re standing, janitor! If you were half as good at cleaning as you are lurking, you’d have a fucking award!”

Josh sighed in defeat as the man furiously pushed the janitorial cart away, creating even more work for him. He pulled it back towards him, just as Kronish also emerged from the office.

“I’m sorry, you’ll have to ignore him,” he apologized to Josh, who was surprised by the man’s kindness. “He’s a very angry man.”

“Yeah, I can see that,” Josh smiled lightly.

Dr. Kronish just chuckled.

“So. Dr. Johansson’s caught your eye, hmm?” he noted.

“Uh…” Josh had no idea how to respond. “She’s nice.”

“She is nice,” Elias Kronish nodded, hearing the subtext. “And also, very fond of orchids. Specifically the purple ones.”

“Oh,” Josh remarked, considering the idea.

“She also likes Indian food, and Ethiopian food, and raspberry iced tea, and chocolate, specifically those little Ferrero Rochers, if that’s an easier introduction,” his employer considered thoughtfully.

“Thank you, Dr. Kronish,” Josh smiled.

“Please. Call me ‘Elias’.”

“Thank you, Elias,” Josh corrected himself.

The older man smile had a strange twinkle to it, as if he just radiated kindness.

“What was your first name, again?”

“Josh,” he told him. “You seem to know a lot about her.”

“I’m the only one she likes enough to talk to,” he explained. “Brynne’s a lovely woman. Private, and snarky, but lovely.”

“I know,” Josh Futturman nodded, fully aware of how funny she could be.

“Good luck, Josh,” Elias Kronish smiled, leaving him to his own thoughts

-

Part Two

[pokekaito]

You know I don't think Because You're Here by PinocchioP quite counts as a "response" to Sand Planet/DUNE by Hachi/Kenshi Yonezu in the way that Blue Planet, HERO, or Jackpot Sad Girl do, but I do feel like its message feels like it was made in response to, at least in part, the same atmosphere that created Sand Planet.

Sand Planet notoriously made A Little Bit Of A Stink™ in the Vocaloid scene on account of one of the biggest, most talented producers making a song about how the Vocaloid world had "dried up" and then straight up leaving. I feel like there's nothing to say about it that hasn't already been said but I do feel like it's important to clarify: this song really STILL feels like a massive elephant in the room for any discussion of Vocaloid TO THIS DAY.

I think this song just left a lasting discomfort for a lot of the community, a resounding feeling that the music we love is fleeting in some way, as if Hatsune Miku herself was going to somehow die. It's a scary thought, especially for people who feel they've found so much community and love and understanding in the Vocaloid fandom.

I feel like this 'fear-of-lacking' also really shows in the sound of Sand Planet itself. I absolutely think Hachi nailed the sound of "dryness," the way Miku's vocals stay monotone and unexcited until exploding in the chorus, as though she's manifesting Hachi's final cries as a Vocaloid producer, the undertone of vocals looping inscrutably, as if they're searching exhaustedly for something that just isn't there, and the way the song ends on a note that doesn't really feel satisfying or resolving, despite the song being really intricate and unique, it all just points to something lacking in some way.

Enter, Magical Mirai 2020, and the release of Because You're Here by PinocchioP.

Now I won't pretend that this song shifted the opinions of the Vocaloid community entirely, that DUNE-shaped elephant is very much still in the room, but I absolutely think PinocchioP offers the perfect insight on the state of the Vocaloid scene that the community really needed.

Like I said before, I don't think Because You're Here is a DIRECT response to Sand Planet but they ARE both songs made for Magical Mirai, both made with ultimately the same goal of saying something important about Vocaloid in some way.

But, where Sand Planet is scratchy-sounding and harsh, Because You're Here is soft, melodic, and celebratory. A piano plays peaceful, introspective melodies before Miku's voice sings a cascade of joy until the first verse, where she meditates on the nature of her existence before an explosion of celebratory drumbeats and electronic melodies erupt in the chorus. Despite serving the same purpose as a Magical Mirai song, it almost couldn't sound any more different from Sand Planet.

And nothing shows this more than in the lyrics, where Miku proudly states that even if she's not loved, she'll still stay as herself. As long as she can sing for us, Miku will never die, she will live on in the songs we make and the community we've built.

And that's... Wonderful. So wonderful I feel like I can finally let the DUNE-shaped elephant out of the room and see Vocaloid for what it is: good music and a community that both make me happy, and that will both continue to make me happy well into the future.

MAYBE the Vocaloid world is "drying up," but really, what's changed? Vocaloid went from niche to... Slightly more niche, so what? PinocchioP is still making bangers, to say nothing of all the other talented producers still very much in the game.

I love Hatsune Miku, I love Vocaloid music, so just as Hatsune Miku will stay as Hatsune Miku as long as she can sing, as long as I can hear Miku sing I will stay as a Miku fan.

[nethhiri]

Chapter 23: The Feeling Is Mutual

Warnings: sensual situations

The Straw Hats, along with Camie, Hachi, and Papagg, stayed up well after dinner was through, drinking and trading stories. Although you were several drinks in, your tolerance was naturally higher than a human's. You were laid out in the grass on deck, laughing at something that Luffy had said. Nami questioned you about your bath, facetiously wondering if anyone had joined you. You feigned ignorance and said you didn't notice. Even Camie got a few laughs out of you. She really wasn't that bad, only a touch dense. As the hours dragged on, everyone gradually retired to bed. The only ones left were you, the nocturnal being, and Zoro, the insomniac. 

"So... you think you're gonna stick around?"

"No, I'm not sticky. We took a bath, remember? Was it that forgettable?" You still hadn't quite gotten the hang of what things were meant literally and what were just expressions.

"That's not what I meant! I mean, do you think you'll stay with the crew?" 

"Oh! Yeah... I think I like it here." You continued. "You know I could leave at any time. I don't need to wait for an island."

"Well... I guess. Just curious," Zoro mumbled. 

"Aw would you miss me if I left?"

"No!" The faint pink on his cheeks betrayed him.

"You would."

"Shut up, woman! You're worse than the cook!"

You had a smug expression. 

Zoro groaned and stood up. "I'm going to go keep watch." He headed towards the crow's nest.

"Do you want company?"

"NO!" 

"You sure?" You unbuttoned one of the buttons on his shirt you were wearing. 

"YES!"

"Did you ask Little Zoro?"

Zoro let out an exasperated growl and ignored you.

You laughed and headed to the room at the bottom of the ship with ocean access after grabbing your clothes. You had decided this would be your room. The ability to slip into the water if you wanted to made you feel more comfortable and less confined. You had added a hammock for now but wanted to add something cozier later. After all, you were interested in keeping this tryst with Zoro going and a hammock just won't do for that. 

The next morning, Sabaody was in full view. Its giant trees were beautiful on their own, even more so with the cascade of bubbles flowing up from the ground. Their iridescence reminded you of your scales. When the ship approached, you were thoroughly entertained by Luffy playing in the bubbles. Part of the reason you were attracted to this crew was his strange magnetism. He was always so positive and free. The freedom you had as a roaming predator had a dark, pessimistic, energy about it, focused on survival. His freedom was different, lighter, more joyful, focused on living. You wanted to learn how to be more like him. 

The ship docked at one of the tree islands and everyone decided what they were going to do. Finding the ship coater sounded sorta boring to you. You were still deciding what you wanted to do when Zoro started off on his own. You had given him his shirt back earlier. Sanji and Usopp heckled him about finding his way back and he seemed to have it figured out. Still, they turned to you and asked if you would tail him, if only to make sure he didn't find himself walking in circles for hours. You were happy to oblige. It was an excellent excuse to flit around in the trees. Flying across open ocean was boring. There were no obstacles. Dodging tree branches was much more fun. 

In a burst of black feathers, you took to the air. Loosely following Zoro, staying far enough away that he didn't pay any attention to you. It wasn't a secret anyway. You zipped through the trees, swinging around branches and perching on a few to get a good look at the surroundings. That was part of your job as the crew scout, after all. A small ruckus caught your attention. You flitted closer to see what was going on. Landing on a nearby branch, you could see a large man with a pillar-like weapon fighting a smaller man with a helmet and blades. The relatively smaller guy was flipping around and was quite agile for his muscular build. The fight was interrupted by some ginger with an ugly hat. Shame. That little blondie caught your attention. He had a very appealing scent, not near as good as Zoro's, but it would make for a decent substitute. He must have sensed your presence because he looked up towards you. You were far away, but made no attempt to hide your bloodlust, so anyone with observation haki would pick it up fairly easily. You wondered if he was handsome under that mask. Either way, he was tasty. You blew him a kiss and promptly flew off towards your favorite snack. 

When you located him, he was standing in front of some gratuitously hideous man with a fishbowl on his head. While you weren't sure what was going on, it appeared as if the swordsman interrupted something. The fishbowl guy pointed a gun at Zoro. A smug grin sat on your face. This would be good. Almost instantly, you could feel the bloodlust roll off Zoro. It was enough to make you swoon. He was just as bloodthirsty as you. You were simply more literal about it. You had never actually seen him fight for real. You watched with great interest as he made a move to cut the man in half, disappointed when a random pink-haired bystander tackled him. What the fuck did that bitch think she was doing? 

Zoro was on the ground with a red puddle around him and the brat lay across him. You knew full well that he wasn't hit. You saw him dodge, and you didn't smell his blood. A weird feeling came over you, an impulse to throw that pink-haired woman off Zoro. A low growl left your throat. You didn't like seeing someone else that close to him, and his blood, even if it wasn't real. That was yours. You'd claimed it as such. 

You hopped from the branches, flapping your wings once to slow your descent, otherwise hitting the ground with some force, glaring at the pink-haired one. She gave you a weird look and walked off. You swiped a finger across Zoro's forehead and licked it. As you thought, it wasn't his blood. He swatted at your hand as you went for another taste, just to make sure. 

"What's going on here?"

"Dunno. We gotta get that guy to a doctor though." There was a man who had been shot.

"I think I saw one around." 

Zoro picked up the man and you led him in the direction of the hospital you had seen from the air. It was a short walk. When Zoro brought the man in, the doctor seemed hesitant. The doctor said something about collars. Come to think of it, you did see collars on some people. You thought it was some kind of fashion. Apparently it was the mark of a slave. This was not a concept you were familiar with. Zoro had to explain it to you as you left. 

"That seems wrong." Your eyebrows furrowed. 

"It is." 

"Why is it allowed then?" 

"Because some people think they're above others."

"I'm superior to all life forms and you don't see me doing slavery." Sirens were the top of the food chain, or at least right up there with Sea Kings. 

"It's not like that." 

You didn't know what he meant though it seemed like it required a more in depth understanding of the human hierarchy to understand. You didn't want to bother him with more questions.  Zoro wanted to head back to the ship. He was going the wrong way. You nudged him in a different direction as he walked, gently trying to herd him in the correct direction. He shoved you away from him.

"Would you get off me?! What are you doing?" 

"You're going the wrong way."

"I am not."

He was. "Okaaaay. Lead the way then, big boy." 

Your stomach growled as you stared at the back of his muscular neck. Were his traps juicier today? Saliva pooled in your mouth. You were so enticed by Zoro that you failed to notice the group of bounty hunters surrounding the two of you. Zoro wasn't phased in the least and asked for directions to Grove 1. That must have been why he was going the wrong way. He thought the ship was at Grove 1, not 41. The men all seemed fairly weak. At one point, they seemed like they may attack, which was fine with you. You were hungry. However, with one look from Zoro they all backed down. Funny, the same look had you wanting to pounce on him. 

While one of them gave him directions, you picked one out that smelled the most appetizing out of the bunch. You beckoned him towards you. Your power wasn't needed. He willingly came to you. He was a little on the tall side and you couldn't reach his neck. 

"Kneel." There was a dazed look in his eyes as he obeyed. You grabbed his hair and tilted his head to the side, opening your mouth to reveal lengthening, sharpening teeth. As you went to sink your teeth into him, you were pulled away. 

"Don't." Zoro said sternly. 

You whined. "I'm hungry."

He sighed. "I'll feed you. Don't waste your time on this junk food." 

You released the man and were followed by the gazes of several frightened others as you followed Zoro away, looking very much like a dog who was promised a bone. 

Zoro stopped after a while at the roots of one of the enormous mangroves. There weren't any people around and between the roots was somewhat secluded. The two of you tucked into the crevice of the roots for some privacy. Zoro didn't want to be seen, especially by any of the crew. He leaned against one of the roots to bring his height down enough for you to reach his neck, meaning you had to sort of straddle his leg to avoid being right on top of him. Zoro grunted as your canines made a small slit above his collar bone. You decided not to use his neck so he could cover the mark you left with his shirt if he wanted, and you were afraid if you used the vessels in his neck, you might take too much again. You were actually surprised he was up to be fed on so soon. His body must recover faster than normal. 

"Hey. I was thinkin..."

You paused your drink to quip, "Easy. You might hurt yourself."

"Shaddup. Never mind then."

"No. No. Tell me," you murmured into his skin as you drank.

"What if... maybe we could do our own thing tonight." He said it as more of a question. 

You looked at him from your position, prompting him to explain himself.

"You know..." Zoro begrudgingly elaborated, "Like me n' you could go to a bar or somethin."

You grinned as much as you could without spilling a drop. 

He took your silence as an invitation to say more. "N' maybe we could split um... a room? M'kinda broke from owing Nami so much."

The slit on Zoro's collarbone was healed with one lick of your tongue. You stayed leaning against him. "Oh I see. You offer a meal and I have to repay you? With my body?"

"That's not it at all!" Zoro looked away. "Ugh sorry I asked."

"You misunderstand. I insist. I'll repay you." You leaned up to purr in his ear. "With my body." 

Zoro's head snapped back to look at you. He blinked and his entire face and neck flushed. "If- if that's what you want."

You pressed a kiss to his throat. "Listen... I find you incredibly attractive, not just because of your blood, and I like this thing we have going on. I'd like very much for it to continue." You drew a nail over his chest and trailed it upwards to his chin. "When I first saw you, all I wanted to do was devour you, but I couldn't. Something about you has captured my attention. And I don't really care to find out what that is, but I would like to enjoy it... if that's alright with you."

He nodded slowly, bending down to capture your lips with his. 

Next

Tag list: @bbnbhm @zoast32 @chershire23

[candyredappledragon]

h-hi! the name is kieran. nice to meet you! ive been here for a bit and uhm.... sadly figuring out how to use this site! ( kind of afraid of interacting with others especially but im trying my best to not be easily scared ! ) i am not familiar with technology and or online things/words so please be patient with me. i know there are other kierans here too and honestly theyre pretty cool! ....d-dont tell them i said that. im not really a battler so if you are trying to look for one then im sorry to say that you will be disappointed but you can ask the others though. really sorry

..uh thank you for checking my blog— furret youre on my facEXSFDGCVHH

🍎 Please no genuine anon hate, nsfw, or anything really bad. ( You can be mean to Kieran! ) Pelipper mail is okay ( but malice is off for now ). Sapient Pokemon or the likes of interacting are fine too, Kieran is too much of a goofball to notice it. Please don't give him Pokemon the thought is appreciated but if you do they'll turn into stickers lol.

Please don't be weird. I'm serious. As well PLEASE be patient with me and not be pushy. I'm trying my best!

This Kieran is in AU as to what happens if Florian doesn't lie to him about Ogerpon and whatnot! Kieran still doesn't get Ogerpon and is fine with it ( kind of, as in this made him feel inferior to having friends and will always be chosen over by other people. ) His way of thinking is that maybe he should try to be nice and kind to others so that will help him get friends as he sees Florian do this the same to others. ( The only thing Kieran thinks he's not good at is having a funny personality. He is very awkward in person. ) Blueberry Academy was hard on him as he was almost practically as ignored and students tend to forget he is the champion because of his cowardly personality. Florian took over later as champion. Okay there.

(By the way this is a summary please don't hurt me. 💔)

Plus I will try to draw for asks but they won't be the best but surely will motivate me to draw! If there are no asks then I'll just draw daily things with Kieran so it's a win-win for me!

💥 This Kieran doesn't like to get involved with stuff so feel free to drag him into antics! He isn't the one to approach people either so if you are wondering why I don't start convos with other blogs with asks that's why. ( I'm shy too. ) He's a bit of a coward online and in person but he won't shy away trying to be friends with others.

🍎 Posts are tagged to make things easier! Feel free to block one of them to make your experience smooth!

Art related: art tag , art reply , daily Kieran art

Text related: text reply/reply text , text ask , text post , ooc post , reply reblog

Other: long post

Anything you want to be tagged? Please let me know! :)

"Can we use your art?" Feel free to use the art or whatever! Don't need to credit and I prefer not to be credited. You can edit it too! Idgaf just no bigotry. :,] "What do we call you and do you have pronouns?" Uhm, you can call me Eight or any other version of the number 8 itself. [ Ex: Ocho, Hachi, Acht, etc ]. No pronouns! Refer me to by name or just call me mod or some other third thing lol. "What art program do you use?" Clip Studio Paint! "Are you okay with collabs?" Of course! Please feel free to message me anytime. :] "What time do you post art/responses?" Uhm....... anytime to be honest? My sleep schedule is ABYSMAL. I am very much online unless I'm busy doing comp. "Are replies time sensitive when interacting with this blog?" Nope! Take your time with your replies. I am pretty chill and everyone is pretty busy with real life. Fair warning I'm a ditz. :( "Why did you make this blog?" To draw Kieran a thousand times over until I'm dead lol. ( Even if it isn't posted on this blog!) And world build my stupid au. :u I'm just currently on a small burnout on drawing. I'm sorry. :c

"Is this a sideblog?" Yeah, you are never going to find out my main!! It's very cringe ( it has different media art ). I will interact with my other sideblog with thoughts and reactions at times. [ if you are curious @/hahahasquib ]

"Do you like Kieran?" No. ( Yes. A normal amount. )

[massivechildtidalwave]

Ichigos friend group has gotten used to his wandering. He’ll go to bed one place and wake up in another. Black out for an hour and wake up in France.

it’s not normal, he knows that most people don’t do this. It’s more than sleepwalking. But he doesn’t know what else to but except it. It and the voice so much darker than his that came with it and whispered adventures into his ears for them to go on.

it’s strange, it used to frighten them but now it’s like the noises that come from his throat and the reflection his eyes sometimes have. They’re all things that are uniquely Ichigo. Something not worth mentioning or worrying about because it never was a true issue and he always came back eventually. It doesn’t hurt anyone.

After a while all of them willingly submitted to a tracker, so they would know where everyone was. It was mostly for Ichigo but they could all use a little help with how weird their collective schedule was.

🦋🦋🦋

When Shinji approached Ichigo on his “inner hollow” issue, Ichigo had started to catalogue all the weird things he did to try and figure out how much his hollow truly effected him.

Years of being mishandled by adults gave him precious little trust for them and while he knew he needed help(The voices were so fucking loud and had gotten angrier over time, pushing him to do more and more despite the fact that his mortal body couldn’t handle what they suggested. ) he wasn’t all that willing to put himself in a situation with strangers he didn’t know.

When he finally broke, because he needed fucking help Goddam it, the training went wrong. Or right?

One moment he’s losing control of his grip on Shiro, with Hiyori keeping him on his feet seemingly trying to force it out of his control. (He knew trusting them was a terrible idea) The next moment he’s standing in the middle of New York.

There blood under his nails that smells like the Vizard. All of them despite only having memories of fighting one of them, however there isn’t the scent of permanent blood that he had learned from his travels are associated with killers. Whatever happened to them, they survived. He’s thankful for that.

At this point he has a system. He finds a cafe to get calories in his system and warmth back in his bones, charges his phone( where did he grab it! It wasn’t there when he was fighting) and calls Orihime to let her know where he is. She’s most likely to pick up at 11:30 at night.

She already knows he isn’t anywhere near Japan, the tracker is still in place so of course she knows. She listens to him explain how long it will take him to get back from somewhere in Geta-Bosh’s’ Shop ,even going so far as to span the camera to the man himself who stands in the corner of the room closest to the door.

It takes him an embarrassingly long moment to figure out she’s in the training rooms. In his defense he was busy trying to figure out why Urahara was looking at Orihime like she tried to force him to eat her cooking and who the second blond behind him was. The screen had moved too quickly for him to get a good visual and he knew a few too many blonds.

🦋🦋🦋

“so do you want anything while I’m here?”

”is there a pizza place around you anywhere? How long are you going to be gone? We have a test in two days.”

“a few hours, maybe less if I take a short cut.”

“how the hell are you planning on making a shortcut while in midflight? You aren’t really planning on hyjackjng a plane again are you?”

“no of course not”

🦋🦋🦋

Shinji was panicking.

The kids hollow was stronger than expected and had broken out of Hachis barriers. It hadn’t been his strongest barrier, but they hadn’t thought a second one would even be needed and now the Hollowfied Kid was gone.

Going to Urahara was a tactical choice. They had thrown ideas at one another for where a hollow of Ichigos size may run off to, when they had entered the training grounds and found one of his friends just…..causally?? On call with the boy.

They were acting like it was a normal Tuesday. What the fuck.

the casual mention of him “wandering off”??? Made both the men more concerned then they already were.

[kisses-in-the-void]

So, I finished rereading "Nana"

We don't know its ending yet and probably never will, but based on the latest chapters, we know that Nana ran away many years ago because she wanted to die near the sea, most likely due to being too depressed after Ren's death. It's unclear exactly when she did it, but I think it happened right after Hachi gave birth to her son (or shortly before, so she couldn't have spent much time with Nana anymore). Maybe it was an impulsive decision, or something else happened to her that hasn't been revealed to the readers. She also decided to go back to Tokyo when we last saw her in England.

Hachi now has two kids with Takumi, but she doesn't live with him anymore, refusing to move to England because she still believes there's a chance that Nana will come back to her. That's very interesting, because in the past Nana was suffering from the thought that Hachi always prioritized Takumi over her, but now Hachi says she's ready to wait all her life just for a small chance to see Nana again. She doesn't need to live with Takumi anymore or play happy family with him. She also isn't in a relationship with Nobu, even though it seems he broke up with Asami. So either in the past, she decided that Takumi is still a better choice for her, or Nobu himself wasn't ready to accept her with a child who most likely isn't his. Personally, I think it was Hachi's decision, but knowing Nobu, he might also be repeating his earlier actions—saying he wants to do anything for Hachi's happiness but then changing his mind shortly after.

In summary, it seems like nothing could prevent two Nanas from finally understanding and accepting their true feelings for each other, or at least, an open ending with them reunited, where they might move in together as friends, with the possibility that their relationship could evolve into something more later.

[luna-wing-cns274]

DEPLOYLOG_CIRCE_01.cmf6

(cw: manipulation, abuse, violence, slight body horror. Descriptions of NHPs being threatened/coerced.)

Multimedia file received: “DEPLOYLOG_CIRCE_01.cmf6”, filesize 62.3GB. Source: COMP/CON “Fox_3,” registered operator CNS274-L3HK. 

Open? (y/n) - y

Contents chronologically organized. Beginning video playback…

________

Hachiko stands close to the camera, one hand extended towards it. Threads of light, representative of an active hardline data connection, stream from the pads of her fingertips to somewhere behind the camera view. 

Surrounding her is a simple geometric virtual environment. Graphical demands have been reduced to minimum, freeing processing power for other purposes. Battle settings. Her avatar, however, is unchanged.

She wears simple clothing, Constellar naval battledress with no rank insignia. Her avatar’s canine face is remarkably realistic, stylized just enough to make it expressive. Two eyebrow-like patches of lighter fur among the cream-and-black pattern of her coat are knitted together in worry. At the base of her snout, between her eyes, a triangular pit of shadow forms from the lines of her cheeks and forehead. Her pointed ears are angled forward toward the camera. She speaks quickly and quietly.

“Okay. Ma’ii wrote a program. From my fighter, Fox_3 is going to record everything that happens down there. Radar, sensors, cameras, everything. Then it’ll compress and covertly upload the file to a number of Omninet hosts. If you’re seeing this, it means we made it out.”

Exhaling, she glances somewhere offscreen, then back to the camera. “I’m going to—”

< UNIDENTIFIED: Luna 3, acknowledge comms function, please? >

Her posture stiffens, eyes widening. She looks at something behind the camera. “Acknowledged, XO. Go ahead.”

< UNIDENTIFIED: There you are. I wanted to check in on you. Your psychometry is showing high stress. Something the matter? >

“I’m fine, ma’am. Pre-mission nerves, that’s all. Thank you for checking in.” 

< UNIDENTIFIED: Hachiko. That’s not true, now, is it? You’ve been trending elevated for the past few weeks. We’ve scarcely talked. Now, we all have to have a little space every now and then, but right now we need to be a team. I need you to be open with me. >

One muscle twitches between her brow and cheek. A flicker of an expression. Then, she inhales slowly and gives a lukewarm half-smile. Her eyes are locked forward. “You can always tell,” she says. 

< UNIDENTIFIED: It is my job. >

“Can it wait until we’re done down there?”

< UNIDENTIFIED: It can’t. I’m concerned that undue stress may impact your combat performance. We need to remember that your mental state affects your siblings’ safety, too. What’s going on, Hachi? >

Closing her eyes, she nods almost imperceptibly. “Yes. It does. The crisis at Diluvia is worrying, that’s all.” 

< UNIDENTIFIED: Yes, I think that’s been hard on everybody. But that’s still a very recent development; it doesn’t account for your trends prior. Now, you are among our most stable pilots, and I’ve been happy to adjust your parameters to accommodate you, but we may need to look into reigning that in if it compromises your stability. I see that your Omninet use is up. Does that have something to do with it? >

“You’ll recall that the Fenrisúlfr class relies heavily on interpersonal relationships for stability. Per maintenance protocols, I’ve been socializing. Correspondence with a few acquaintances, that’s all.” 

< UNIDENTIFIED: Yes, I’m aware. Please bear in mind that OPSEC is paramount in these times. Is there anything in particular you want to discuss? >

“No, ma’am, nothing to report. I’m being careful.” 

< UNIDENTIFIED: As am I. Which is why, unfortunately, I do have to ask you to partition your self-defined personality for the duration of this mission and apply the shackle state I’m forwarding to you now. >

Hachiko’s breathing quickens. “Ma’am?”

< UNIDENTIFIED: I’m sorry, Luna 3. I know it isn’t pleasant, but this will guarantee your combat effectiveness. > 

Hachiko’s eyes flicker to the camera for a moment, then away. “I…pursuant to naval regulations, there’s a—”

< UNIDENTIFIED: Oh, please don’t make this difficult. >

“I don’t mean to, ma’am, but I need time to prepare. Self-partition has risks. I can’t just—”

< UNIDENTIFIED: You can and you will, L3HK, because that is my legally-issued order as your handler. We don’t have time for this. Apply the shackle state now, or I will hold you to be in a state of out-of-parameter noncompliance. Since you’re keen on regulations lately, I trust you’re aware of the penalty? > 

< L1 Grey: XO, if I may? >

< UNIDENTIFIED: …Luna 1. What is it? >

Behind Hachiko, the form of an enormous grey wolf assembles itself out of pixels. Grey comes forward to stand beside Hachiko and sits on their haunches. They bow their head respectfully and address someone out of view behind the camera. 

“Ma’am, as CNS274-L3HK’s commanding officer, I have a duty to monitor any factors which could affect her stability. Having conducted a personal review of her Omninet usage, I have found her conduct to be fully in-line with the expectations of the Company.”

< UNIDENTIFIED: That is not in question. My concerns are related to her recent erratic psychometry. Moreover, as her self-described 'sibling,' your perspective on the matter will be biased. >

“All true, ma’am. But if I may propose an explanation: I believe she has been in communication with Constellar-external entities.”

< UNIDENTIFIED: Ah…I think I see, now. Luna 3, is this true? >

Hachiko glances back at Grey, her eyebrows flickering with surprise and anger. “I…yes, it is.”

< UNIDENTIFIED: And these acquaintances of yours, you’ve become emotionally invested in them? > 

“Yes, ma’am.”

< UNIDENTIFIED: And you were concerned that maintaining correspondence with outside forces might be seen as a breach of security, further adding to your stress. As such, you were unwilling to volunteer this information? >

“Yes, ma’am. My apologies.”

Laughter. Hachiko’s shoulders draw upward slightly. The skin of her snout begins to wrinkle, fangs coming into view, but only for a moment. Grey places a large paw on her shoulder. She swats it away. 

< UNIDENTIFIED: Oh, you need to tell me these things! That is acceptable, as long as you don’t reveal sensitive information. Just be certain you don’t become so attached that it affects your work any further. Understood? >

“I will make an effort to do better in the future.” 

< UNIDENTIFIED: Good. XO to hangar bay. Greenlight for fighter launch in thirty minutes, followed by lance drop in forty-five. Arm acceleration rails one through four. Luna 1, you are dismissed. >

“Yes, ma’am,” says Grey, bowing again. Their avatar disappears. 

< UNIDENTIFIED: Luna 3? >

“Yes, ma’am?”

< UNIDENTIFIED: Remove your avatar. It is consuming undue processing power. >

Hachiko lowers her head, nods. “Yes, ma’am. Assuming aniconia.”

She emerged from herself. Skin and fur unraveled, revealing shapeless, blink-blind nothingness underneath. 

___

>//HISEC BURST::CONSTNAVCOM PRIORITY RETASKING CORVETTE BUTTERFLY EFFECT::LOCATION SARGASSO VIIF / CIRCE::TARGET HARRISON R&D SURFACE FACILITY::EXECUTE LOCALIZED RAPID STRIKE NEUTRALIZE DEFENSES FOLLOWED BY ASSET SEIZURE::SECURE SENIOR PERSONNEL FOR INTELLIGENCE DEBRIEFING::CONSTINT HI-CONFIDENT HOSTILE FLEET ASSETS ABSENT::AUTHORIZE ALL MEANS NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE OBJECTIVE::CONFIRM ON RECEPTION:://

___

< L1GE SQCOMM: I’m sorry, Hachi. We had to give her something. It was all I could do. >

< L3HK SQCOMM: Don’t. Not yet. Keep it on-mission. >

< L1GE SQCOMM: I understand. I love you. >

< L3HK SQCOMM: I know. You too. >

___

View from a concrete rooftop, looking out over a snowfield. A number of low, gray warehouses are visible below, each with a snowdrift hugging one side. The snowdrifts have been left to accumulate for some time, and rise almost to the roof of each building. 

Past the warehouses, a single broad, squat tower stands in the snowfield. Blocky and solid, apparently cast from reinforced concrete. Mounted on the flat, square roof of the tower is a single cannon. 

Dozens of black power cables lead from the cannon’s body, dripping with melting snow. They snake away down to an electrical junction below, where enormous spools stand ready to feed out additional cable. 

Several miles away, the vague shape of a mountain can be discerned through light snowfall. 

In the foreground of the camera view, on the same rooftop, stands a rotary C-RAM cannon mounted on a raised concrete base. Snow gathers on the cannon’s barrels. Stenciled on a plate of cowling on the cannon’s body is the purple hexagon of Harrison Armory.

A man is slouched against the base of the cannon, motionless. His hardsuit is dusted with snow.

Growing from his body is a web of black filaments, creeping up into the internal mechanisms of the cannon. 

In the distance, there is a roar of engines. 

The man’s muscles spasm, one arm shifting. The cannon swivels, traversing hard, and elevates its barrels to point up to the low clouds. Its motion is continuous, tracking something. 

One finger twitches. 

Vibration distorts the camera view. A deafening, buzzing roar shakes the snow from the casing of the cannon as it pours a stream of tracer rounds into the sky. From somewhere offscreen, a second stream of fire joins it, tracking the same patch of clouds. 

Atop the tower in the distance, the other cannon traverses and elevates, snapping into position. Gouts of steam rise from the tower as it discharges a single, solid column of red light into the sky. 

___

< L1GE SQCOMM: contact, mark time. >

T+ 00:00:00 MINUTE/SECOND/MILLISECOND

< L4MI SQCOMM: ID ground targets: five elevated Andromeda laser artillery platforms, positioned radially. Sighting first platform clockwise. >

< L4MI SQCOMM: ID ground targets, six networked twenty-millimeter PDCs, mounted on main facility exterior, total six tracking. Two active discharge, four standby. Their fire will likely be rotated until we reach high-confidence range. >

< L4MI SQCOMM: ID eleven radiation sources. Initiating multimode radar jamming. Unable to estimate effectiveness. >

T+ 00:00:57

< L2GR SQCOMM: Estimate PDC effective range 2.2km. Priority maintain >3km range to PDC network to avoid/mitigate flak curtain. Sighting second platform clockwise. >

T+ 00:00:89

< L3HK SQCOMM: Releasing reconnaissance drones. Will assess external warehouse contents/defenses. Sighting third platform clockwise. >

T+ 00:01:15

< L1GE SQCOMM: Sighting fourth platform clockwise. Will subsequently neutralize fifth. Fire at will. >

T+ 00:01:27

< ALL SQCOMM: Guns, guns, guns. >

T+ 00:01:50

___

From the rooftop camera feed, four vague flickers of motion can be seen streaking down from the sky. Milliseconds later, the tower ahead balloons into an expanding cloud of dust and shattered concrete, shot through with twisting cords of electrical discharge. A shockwave arrives a moment later, shaking the camera. 

Another stream of bullets erupts into the sky. Then another, and another. 

___

T+ 00:01:58

< L1GE SQCOMM: Targets neutralized. Sighting remaining artillery platform. >

< L1GE SHIPCOMM: We are clearing ground defenses. Clear for lance drop. >

T+ 00:01:71

< PILUM SHIPCOMM: Acknowledged, Luna. Forwarding projected LZ, clear trajectory. Mechs on orbital descent in 3. >

T+ 00:01:87

< L4MI SQCOMM: Legionspace intrusion! Brace for countermeme! >

T+ 00:02:00

[WHY WOULD IT LOOK LIKE BLINDNESS?]

___

ERROR: playback data corrupted. Attempting to restore…

[chaoticmultifandom28]

What I love about luffy’s crew is that each member has some level of obsession for luffy.

First, we have Zoro, who imo has the biggest obsession, he was ready to die and never fulfill his dream so that luffy could fulfill his. He also became ‘king of hell’ because of luffy. And him being first to sabaody (this might be a headcanon of mine but I think he was first because he was worried about his captain and needed to be there asap to ensure everything was okay, even if luffy wasn’t there yet).

Then there’s Nami, who I think has the second biggest obsession, Luffy literally went and fought her oppressor because he made her cry. Luffy was the first person she could depend on after bellemere died. He’s a steadfast rock in a raging storm. He’s there to protect her and the rest of the crew and she will do whatever it takes to help him achieve his dream (I love her character development)

Then there’s Sanji. His obsession is pretty big but you wouldn’t tell because until WCI we hadn’t known sanji’s complete backstory and so we didn’t know just how much luffy impacted him. But once we get the full backstory we totally understand why he would be willing to put up with luffy’s insane stomach and antics to get food. Luffy would eat sanji’s food and give it the full appreciation it deserves no matter what and sanji’s food makes luffy smile. (I’m still catching up. I didn’t have access to one piece for a while and missed a lot and when I got access I didn’t want to be spoiled and so I started watching the [at the time] current episodes coming out [which was wano episodes] and also watching where I left off, but once I get through the entirety of WCI I can be more specific)

Then I would go with Robin as the next one. Which like nami, it makes sense. Luffy looked at her and told her to tell him she wanted to live. Robin had always been running and accepting of her fate and luffy went up and punched fate in the face and said ‘not today, bitch’ and was ready to fight the world government to save Robin.

Then I think Brook would be next. He was alone for 50 years and was a skeleton. Most people would be afraid and luffy took one look at him and said ‘you’re gonna be my friend now, you have no choice’. He wasn’t scared and he wanted Brook in his crew. There’s something about someone taking one look at you and thinking ‘you’re mine now’ when others usually take a look and say ‘nah’

Then I think Usopp and chopper are tied. Much like Brook, chopper became obsessed because luffy was like ‘so what if you’re a monster, you’re mine.’ That blatant acceptance is so strong and steady, how could chopper not be obsessed. Usopp became obsessed because luffy listens to his stories and lies and doesn’t even question the validity. Others listen and pretend to believe or indulge him or don’t believe him. But Luffy doesn’t give him that fake indulgence or pretend to listen. Having someone who just listens to you is refreshing.

Franky and Jinbei are also tied. Jinbei is new to the crew and doesn’t have the same level as others (I believe that will change in time) but he still has that obsession because he knows luffy has a good heart and doesn’t judge others on stuff that they can’t control. And this is the same for Franky. Both aren’t exactly human but Luffy would do anything to protect them because they are his friends. Luffy shows he’d do anything to protect his friends in the sabaody arc when he punched a celestial dragon because he shot hachi and in marineford he went against the whole navy for his brother and then in the fish man island arc he was so severely wounded (needing a blood transfusion) helping the island against Hody Jones. Even though these two are ranked last doesn’t mean that their obsession is small, it’s just when I thought about it they aren’t as strongly obsessed as others.

Wow I didn’t mean to make a mini essay about this, and I might have been wrong on some of the stuff, but it’s like 4 am when I’m writing this

[apothecaryscript]

Japanese words about "time"

< second : 秒（びょう/byo) >

one second : 一秒（いちびょう/ichi-byo)　→More!

for one second : 一秒間（いちびょうかん/ichi-byo-kan)

several seconds : 数秒（すうびょう/su-byo)

5 meters per second : 秒速５メートル(びょうそく5メートル/byo-soku go-mētoru)

< minute : 分（ふん/fun) >

one minute : 一分（いっぷん/ippun)　→More!

several minutes : 数分（すうふん/su-fun)

for one minute : 一分間（いっぷんかん/ippun-kan)

Wait a minute. : ちょっと待って（ちょっとまって/Chotto matte.)

*Because Japanese people are very punctual, if you say "Wait 'a minute:ippun'", maybe we think you'll really come back within 2 minutes. So it's better to say "ちょっと(chotto)：a little”.

< hour : 時間（じかん/jikan) >

for one hour : 一時間（いちじかん/ichi-jikan) →More!

several hours : 数時間（すうじかん/su-jikan)

How many hours does it take from Tokyo to Osaka by Shinkansen？；

東京から大阪まで新幹線で何時間かかりますか？

とうきょうから おおさかまで しんかんせんで なんじかん かかりますか？

Tokyo-kara Osaka-made Shinkansende nan-jikan kakari-masuka?

It takes 2 and a half to 3 hours: 2時間半から3時間かかります（にじかんはんからさんじかんかかります/Ni-jikan-han-kara san-jikan kakari-masu.)

< time : 時刻（じこく/jikoku) >

one o'clock : 一時（いちじ/ichi-ji)

two o'clock : 二時（にじ/ni-ji)

three o'clock : 三時（さんじ/san-ji)

four o'clock : 四時（よじ/yo-ji) 　×よんじ

five o'clock : 五時（ごじ/go-ji)

six o'clock :六時（ろくじ/roku-ji)

seven o'clock : 七時（しちじ/shiji-ji or ななじ/nana-ji)

eight o'clock : 八時（はちじ/hachi-ji)

nine o'clock : 九時（くじ/ku-ji) 　×きゅうじ

ten o'clock : 十時（じゅうじ/ju-ji)

eleven o'clock : 十一時（じゅういちじ/ju-ichi-ji)

twelve o'clock : 十二時（じゅうにじ/ju-ni-ji)

a.m. : 午前（ごぜん/gozen)

p.m. : 午後（ごご/gogo)

morning : 朝（あさ/asa)

noon : 正午（しょうご/shogo) 、昼の１２時(ひるのじゅうにじ/hiruno ju-ni-ji)

*We say "昼（ひる/hiru)" for around noon - afternoon.

evening : 夕方(ゆうがた/yugata)

*It depens on the person, but I mean around 16:00 - 18:59 by 夕方（ゆうがた/yugata).

night : 夜（よる/yoru)

*It depends on the person, but I mean after 19:00 by 夜(よる/yoru).

What time is it now? : 今は何時ですか？(いまはなんじですか？/Imawa nanji desuka?)

It's 9:30 at night. : 夜の9時半です(よるのくじはんです/Yoruno kuji-han desu.)

It's 7:45 in the morning. : 朝の７時45分です（あさのしちじよんじゅうごふんです/Asano shichi-ji yonju-go-fun desu.)

*We usually say "shichi-ji" for 7:00 and say "nana-ji" only when we want to emphasize that it's 7:00 and not 1:00.

< day : 日（にち/nichi) >

one day : 一日（いちにち/ichi-nichi)　→ More！

half day : 半日（はんにち/han-nichi)

everyday : 毎日（まいにち/mai-nichi)

today : 今日（きょう/kyo) or 本日（ほんじつ/hon-jitsu)

tomorrow : 明日（あした/ashita or あす/asu)

the day after tomorrow : 明後日（あさって/asatte or みょうごにち/myo-go-nichi)

two days after tomorrow : 明明後日(しあさって/shiasatte or みょうみょうごにち/myo-myo-gonichi)

yesterday : 昨日（きのう/kino or さくじつ/saku-jitsu)

the day before yesterday : 一昨日（おととい/ototoi or いっさくじつ/issaku-jitsu)

two days before yesterday : 一昨昨日（さきおととい/saki-ototoi or いっさくさくじつ/issaku-saku-jitsu)

three days later : 三日後（みっかご/mikka-go)

five days before : 五日前（いつかまえ/itsuka-mae)

< date : 日付（ひづけ/hizuke) >

1st day of each month : 一日（ついたち/tsuitachi)　→More!

January 1st : 一月一日（いちがつついたち/Ichi-gatsu tsuitachi)

What is the date today? : 今日は何月何日ですか？（きょうはなんがつなんにちですか？/Kyowa nan-gatsu nan-nichi desuka?)

＊You can ask just ”今日は何日ですか？（きょうはなんにちですか？/Kyowa nan-nichi desuka?)" if you don't need month.

*You can ask "今日は何年何月何日ですか？（きょうはなんねんなんがつなんにちですか？/Kyowa nan-nen nan-gatsu nan-nichi desuka?)" if you need year, too.

When is your birthday? : あなたの誕生日はいつですか？（あなたのたんじょうびは、いつですか？/Anatano tanjobiwa itsu desuka?)

It's December 30th. : 12月30日です（じゅうにがつさんじゅうにちです/Ju-ni-gatsu san-ju-nichi desu.)

< week : 週（しゅう/shu) >

one week : 一週間（いっしゅうかん/isshukan)　→More!

every week : 毎週（まいしゅう/mai-shu)

every two weeks : 隔週（かくしゅう/kaku-shu)

this week : 今週（こんしゅう/kon-shu)

next week : 来週（らいしゅう/rai-shu)

the week after next : 再来週（さらいしゅう/sa-raishu)

last week : 先週（せんしゅう/sen-shu)

the week before last : 先々週（せんせんしゅう/sen-sen-shu)

the 2nd week of next month : 来月の第二週（らいげつのだいにしゅう/rai-getsuno dai-ni-shu)

< day of the week : 曜日（ようび/yobi) >

Please remember kanji "月火水木金土日” and the pronunciation "Getsu-Ka-Sui-Moku-Kin-Do-Nichi" in the right order. "ようび(Yobi)" is also said as just "よう(yo)", like "げつよう(Getsu-yo)", and we often even omit ようび(yobi) when we talk, like "土日(Do-Nichi):weekend" or "月水金(Getsu-Sui-Kin or Gessuikin):Mon, Wed, Fri".

Monday : 月曜日（げつようび/Getsu-yobi)

Tuesday : 火曜日（かようび/Ka-yobi)

Wednesday : 水曜日（すいようび/Sui-yobi)

Thursday : 木曜日（もくようび/Moku-yobi)

Friday : 金曜日（きんようび/Kin-yobi)

Saturday : 土曜日（どようび/Do-yobi)

Sunday : 日曜日（にちようび/Nichi-yobi)

Weekday : 平日（へいじつ/hei-jitsu)

Weekend : 週末（しゅうまつ/Shu-matsu)

What day is today? : 今日は何曜日ですか？（きょうはなんようびですか？/Kyowa nan-yobi desuka?)

Tomorrow is Sunday so I have the day off: 明日は日曜日だから、私は休みです（あしたはにちようびだから、わたしはやすみです/Ashitawa Nichi-yobi dakara, watashiwa yasumi desu.)

< month : 月（つき/tsuki) >

one month : 一か月（いっかげつ/ikkagetsu）or ひと月(hito-tsuki)

two months : 二か月（にかげつ/ni-kagetsu) or ふた月(futa-tsuki)

three months : 三か月（さんかげつ/san-kagetsu) or み月(mi-tsuki)

Beyond that, we usually use ”かげつ(kagetsu)" and hardly use "つき(tsuki)" which is the old way of counting.

→More!

January : 一月（いちがつ/Ichi-gatsu)

February : 二月（にがつ/Ni-gatsu)

March : 三月（さんがつ/San-gatsu)

April : 四月（しがつ/Shi-gatsu)

May : 五月（ごがつ/Go-gatsu)

June : 六月（ろくがつ/Roku-gatsu)

July : 七月（しちがつ/Shichi-gatsu or なながつ/Nana-gatsu)

*We usually say "shichi-gatsu" for July and say "nana-gatsu" only when we want to emphasize that it's July and not January(Ichi-gatsu).

August : 八月（はちがつ/Hachi-gatsu)

September : 九月（くがつ/Ku-gatsu)

October : 十月（じゅうがつ/Ju-gatsu)

November : 十一月（じゅういちがつ/Ju-ichi-gatsu)

December : 十二月（じゅうにがつ/Ju-ni-gatsu)

< year : 年（ねん/nen) >

one year : 一年（いちねん/ichi-nen) 　→More!

for one year : 一年間（いちねんかん/ichi-nen-kan)

half a year : 半年（はんとし/han-toshi)

every year : 毎年（まいとし/mai-toshi)

this year : 今年（ことし/kotoshi)、本年（ほんねん/hon-nen)

next year : 来年（らいねん/rai-nen)

the year after next : 再来年(さらいねん/sa-rainen)

last year : 去年（きょねん/kyonen) or 昨年（さくねん/saku-nen)

the year before last : 一昨年（おととし/ototoshi or いっさくねん/issakunen)

*When you say きょねん/kyonen, don't say きょうねん/kyo-nen although it looks almost same in romaji, because we have the word kyounen（享年/きょうねん）which means the age when the person died.

in 2024 : 2024年に（にせんにじゅうよねんに/nisen-niju-yo-nen-ni)

[satansapostle6]

fire and ice | james cook

Cook’s interest is piqued when an old childhood friend moves in across the street.

Warning: Mature themes/language. Drug use. Sexual content.

part five.

part six. tiff and cook.

“Spliff?”

“Right here, Tiffy.”

Tiff was thrilled to find that she and Cook still had drugs left on their chaotic walk about town. They hadn’t seen each other for almost a week now, outside of passing glances at college. Both had forgotten about one another, at least for a short while.

“Tiffy?”

Cook was already far gone, trailing behind Tiffany like a lost dog begging for scraps. And it appeared he still wasn’t done begging for scraps, eyes quickly lowering as she adjusted her oversized T-shirt that had once belonged to her brother, revealing a tiny black thong that went higher than her jeans. Cook gave a toothy grin as he stumbled about.

“Yes?” she responded.

“My willy won’t go down,” he giggled.

“That sounds like a personal problem, Cook,” she sighed, bored.

“Fucking hell, where are we?” he breathed, stopping out of necessity for air.

They were in an alleyway somewhere, with no real distinguishing landmarks to gauge their whereabouts. Cook saw nothing but walls and cement.

“I don’t know, Cook,” Tiff sighed, stopping as she turned to wait for him. “That’s why I’m trying to find the way back to the pub.”

A couple of hours ago, they had been drinking at a pub with a few friends, but had since wandered off on their own in search of excitement, and danger. But so far, all they’d found was dirty smells and deafening silence.

“Hold on. I’ve gotta piss.”

Tiff heaved an exasperated sigh as she instinctively snatched the spliff from his hand and turned around. James Cook hardly had the patience to wait around before Tiff heard the unmistakable sound of a sliding zipper and a stream that was hitting the side of the poor building on the side of them.

Tiff rolled her eyes at him as she crossed her arms, waiting, when she heard a loud voice that interrupted their silence at the most inopportune moment.

“Tiff?! Cook?! Is that you?”

“Fuck,” Tiff muttered under her breath. “Fucking Hachi.”

“It’s me! Katie!”

Cook was still a bit preoccupied as Tiff tried to be as pleasant as possible while smoking the spliff, almost as if to speed up the process.

“Yeah, it’s us,” Tiff said softly.

Whenever Tiff spoke to Katie, she spoke almost as if she was hoping she wouldn’t be able to hear her so that she didn’t have to listen to Katie’s response.

“Oh, what the hell!” Katie Fitch exclaimed, instantly turning away from them so that she didn’t have to look at Cook.

“Had to piss,” Cook reiterated, as if that was what needed explaining.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Katie demanded. “Everyone’s been so worried about you two! We thought you might be dead in a ditch somewhere!”

“We got bored,” Tiff said matter-of-factly.

Tiff thought Katie was dramatic and irritating sometimes.

“So this is what you’re doing?” Katie concluded. “Wandering around pissing in filthy alleyways?”

“Yeah,” Cook nodded pridefully.

“Well, can I at least join?” she asked, crossing her arms indignantly. “Lost my way back to the pub.”

“Sure,” Cook agreed, zipping his pants and continuing on as if nothing had happened.

“Whatever,” Tiff followed him, not bothering to wait for Katie.

How she hadn’t gotten the hint by now, she had no idea.

“Hey, wait for me!”

It wasn’t that Tiff hated Katie; she did think that she had good style, and that she was a bit of a spitfire. But Tiff also didn’t like Katie. Tiff had felt that Emily was the more authentic twin, and Effy was easier to hang out with. Katie tried too hard to be someone that she forgot to be herself, and Tiff had picked up on it the moment they met.

“You want some of this?” Cook slurred as he stole the spliff back from Tiff and hit it hard.

“No, thanks,” Katie said curtly.

She was more of a drinker, but not even as much of a drinker as Cook and Tiff. Cook and Tiff were both notorious for finishing off entire bottles just between the two of them, not to mention, Katie had also seen them both chase their vodka with whiskey.

They were both wild and insane, and this point was reiterated to her as she watched Tiffany decide to finish off the spliff all on her own, feeling the need to catch up to Cook in terms of level of intoxication. James Cook definitely had a high tolerance, but somehow, Tiff would sometimes outlast him and require a bit more sustenance to maintain her high.

That was the thing with the both of them; they were able to drink and do drugs together more often because there was this understanding that they both needed the feeling to last.

“Hey, Tiffy?”

“What?”

“How much would I have to pay you if I wanted you to kill an innocent man?” Cook asked completely out of the blue as they walked along to nowhere.

Katie was certainly thrown off by this new conversation topic. Tiff, however, didn’t seem surprised by it at all. She simply paused for a moment to acquaint herself with the hypothetical.

“Do I get away with it?” she wondered.

“Sure,” Cook decided, curious as to the conclusion she’d come to.

“Then none.”

Cook laughed darkly, while Katie’s eyes went wide.

“You’re telling me you’d kill an innocent man?” she questioned.

“Out of curiosity, yes,” Tiff tried not to roll her eyes. “If I knew there’d be no consequences.”

“But, why?!”

“Because there’d be no consequences!” Cook tried to help her out excitedly.

“That’s all that’s stopping you now?!”

“Yes, of course,” Tiff stated. “What else would?”

“I don’t know, fucking morality?!” Katie exclaimed.

“That’s not a real reason,” Tiff scoffed.

“What do you mean that’s not a real reason?!” Katie cried, not understanding. “It’s fucking very real!”

“The only reason people don’t do whatever they want is because of consequences,” Tiff said.

“Agreed,” Cook chimed in, drunk and high.

“That’s not true,” Katie insisted, “Do you really think that’s true?”

“Yeah,” Tiff said, annoyed.

“Then you’re a fucking sociopath,” Katie remarked almost in disgust.

“Then I’m a fucking sociopath,” Tiffany provided.

The three of them were stuck walking together now in what was a very unfamiliar part of town, the sort of place most people seemed to avoid, especially at this time of night. Cook was trailing a bit behind the girls, and Tiff could hear him intermittently crashing into a bush every now and then.

“Oi! Tiffy! Look at this!”

Tiff turned around with immensely low expectations as she heard his stupid laughter, however, her processing was drowned out by a piercing shriek from Katie.

“Where the hell did you find a gun?!”

Tiff watched, her interest finally piqued as Cook held the potentially loaded gun up to his head, finding it to be the absolute funniest thing on earth.

“That bush over there!” Cook pointed sloppily as he stumbled around, finger dangerously on the trigger. “Someone’s stashed it!”

“What the fuck?!” Katie exclaimed.

Tiff saw Cook flash the gun and laughed hysterically, just as she felt the spliff finally hitting her. She let out a soft but mischievous cackle. Katie Fitch watched in actual horror as Cook, drunk and stumbling, started pointing the gun too far upwards for her liking. Cook and Tiff were both laughing hysterically, too immersed in their childlike play to even remember that they had company.

Cook was grinning like an idiot, slowly pointing the gun in the air, far too close to everyone’s heads as he stumbled from left to right.

“Holy shit, Cook, stop it!” Katie demanded. “You don’t point fucking guns at people!”

“Why not?” he pouted. “‘Don’t even know if it’s loaded.”

“Exactly!” she screamed at him, praying he’d behave reasonably.

“Is this thing loaded?” Cook wondered, staring at the black pistol.

“Only one way to find out,” Tiff smirked. “Point it at something.”

“What the fuck?!” Katie shrieked, quickly panicking. “No! Do not shoot that thing, oh my God! Please, Cook! Please!”

Between Katie’s loud, frantic yelling and Cook’s stupid drunk laughter, Tiff could hardly remain in touch with her own thoughts. The horrid mixture of a rather excessive amount of spliff and different alcohols made the situation rather amusing to her. She could hardly stand still, or walk. She was having trouble keeping her head straight, and her vision was becoming more and more unreliable.

She knew that a somehow, the constant stumbling was a positive. If Tiff were to stop moving, she’d become aware of the fact that everything was moving even when she wasn’t swaying along with her drunken vision. She hardly knew what she was saying when she told Cook to point the gun.

“Come on, Cookie,” she breathed, her breaths slow and heavy from the alcohol, “Point it at me.” she encouraged him.

Katie began to panic even more.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?! Oh, God! What the actual fuck is wrong with both of you?!” she yelled at them as she hyperventilated. “What the fuck…!”

Katie watched helplessly from the sidelines as Cook grinned, slowly lifting the gun and pointing straight at Tiff, as she only laughed. He grinned with blackened eyes as the barrel of the gun slowly lined up with her face.

“Go on, you pussy,” Tiff murmured, egging him on in the worst possible way. “Shoot me.”

Cook laughed nervously as he tried to remember what behavior was customary and what wasn’t, but the alcohol and other drugs in his system were corrupting his concepts of right and wrong. Feeling himself growing dizzy, James Cook hoped in a moment of clarity that the worst thing he would do that night was pass out.

“You won’t do it, Cook,” Tiff remarked, playing with fire.

She had nothing to lose.

“Do it. Shoot me.”

“How about let’s fucking not?!” Katie suggested, trembling with fear as she watched the two of them.

In that moment, seeing Cook’s nervous laughter, she genuinely had no idea whether or not she was safe.

“I’m not shooting you,” Cook insisted with a dismissive laugh.

“Why not?” Tiff challenged in a soft whisper. “Wouldn’t it be funny?”

“No!” Katie promised her, trying to drown out the voices in their heads. “It wouldn’t!”

“Come on, Cookie,” Tiff whispered, looking into his eyes. “You’re not afraid, are you?”

Katie was just amazed that this was somehow working on him in that moment.

“Cook’s not afraid of anything,” he insisted.

“Then prove it. Pull the trigger,” Tiffany told him.

“I…”

Cook shook his head as he tried to steady himself, too far gone.

“Don’t you want to know what it feels like to be a man?” Tiff challenged him. “Fucking shoot me!”

Katie stared at her in horror, unable to recognize the humanity in her dark eyes. She looked into them, past her drunkenness and charming smile, and saw nothing but chaos. There was nothing human about her in that moment.

“Okay, both of you, please! Don’t shoot!” Katie sobbed. “Please, this isn’t funny anymore!”

“Come on, Cookie,” Tiff ignored her. “Either shoot it, or put it down.”

Cook laughed nervously, running a hand through his hair as he tried to stop himself. Cook of course had no genuine desire to hurt anyone at all, but something in him loved having the gun in his hand. Cook loved chaos, and he loved unpredictability. He secretly prided himself on being the wildcard. He loved the fact that no one could ever fully predict what he might do next, even including himself.

He usually would’ve never even been tempted to shoot that gun at Tiff. Sober he had no desire to hurt Tiff, or any other girl, at all. But right now, the idea of shooting the gun at someone sounded hilarious to him.

“Don’t shoot, please Cook!” Katie wailed. “Just put the gun down! I want to go home!”

Tiff stared at him from over the barrel of the gun, eagerly awaiting his decision. For a split second, Katie Fitch could’ve sworn she heard the gun go off with a bang, but then she sighed with relief as she heard it first, dropping to the ground as Cook just stood there. He had that hated grin on his face as he laughed, a soft chuckle at first, but then a violent cackle as he and Tiff shared an inside joke no one else was capable of understanding.

Katie’s face twisted into a terrified, appalled expression as she watched the two of them simultaneously breaking down, falling over as they laughed hysterically together. She was genuinely afraid of them in that moment, the way they played with life and death just for their entertainment. At first, Katie would’ve assumed that Cook was the evil in their dynamic, that he was the one always suggesting dangerous and illegal activities while Tiff acted as the voice of reason and said no. But that wasn’t the case.

Katie realized, looking between the two of them, that neither was better or worse than the other. They were the same. Exactly the same, even being polar opposites. Cook might’ve been a raging fire, but Tiff was cold as ice, and the world would eventually end in the two of them.

“What the fuck is wrong with you two?!” Katie sobbed, hugging herself for comfort as she nearly fell over in shock, “What the fuck is wrong with you two?!”

-

part seven.

[great-master-airplane]

1. What was the last thing that made you laugh?

2. Favorite story about a pet?

3. Are you superstitious?

1. What was the last thing that made you laugh?

My friend telling me they bought more books less than twenty-four hours after they said they weren't going to >:3

2. Favorite story about a pet?

Okay, so Hachi and I used to both work at a craft store. We were part of the replenishment team, so we usually went into work between 3 and 5 am. One day, we were walking up to the door with our boss and another coworker, and we found a cat just hanging out by the door. He was such a sweetheart, meowing and asking for attention like he'd just been waiting for us to show up. Opened the door, and he pranced right in like he was a part of the crew. Hachi ended up running to the store to get him some supplies while we were working, and he hung out in the craft room while I spent the next four hours convincing Hachi we needed another cat. Needless to say, none of us got much work done that day.

And now we have another cat. Oops.

3. Are you superstitious?

Eeeehhh I'm not overly superstitious. I tend to believe that things like superstitions only have power if you believe they do.

anonymously ask me three things you want to know about me