#pogo squirrel

[wonder-teo]

Entry 2

Date: 4/24/2024 Approx. Time Frame: 8:50am-9:40am Days Since First Contact: 8 Locations Visited: 2 - Lemo Valley - Secret Inlet Creatures Sighted: - Finfin - Snuffy - Pogo Squirrel - Heartbird (With pictures!) - Finfin Jr./Finnina/??? (With pictures!)

Notes and sightings under cut. Notes I deemed important are in pink bold italics.

I decided to do an early Teo-watching session today. I so rarely have time in the morning for leisure activities, so I hardly see Finfin and the planet Teo during the morning hours. I was up early today, so I decided to seize the opportunity.

Lemo Valley - I decided to catch up with Finfin in Lemo Valley - Finfin was deep in the valley, harvesting Lemo fruit - Finfin ate a red Lemo fruit in midair. I believe it's a red Lemo every time he eats Lemo here, but I figure I'd specify just in case - Finfin sat on the left branch and sang a quick tune - Finfin flew over the valley in circles like a vulture. The Lemo bushes better watch out - Finfin sat in the valley near a bush and a song began playing, which Finfin soon began singing along to. Sounds a lot like the vocals in Wonder Teo! - Finfin's Happiness went down when I tried to play along to the song with the drum. lol - Finfin back at left branch and wagged his tail at me - Finfin yawned. Not a morning person? Still sleepy? - Finfin went back to the bush and sang Wonder Teo again. Encore performance! - Finfin left, but that's okay. That just means it's jamming time! - At first, 3 plants joined in: Peach Rain Blossom, Pong Plant, and Cup Tree, alongside the regular Taiko - Quickly, the 3 plants grew bored of my lackluster drumming, but as soon as they did, Snuffy joined in! - It was just Taiko and Snuffy both trying to get me on-beat (I assume) and me not quite getting it exactly correct for everything to come alive - Snuffy left, and at that point, I decided to stop wasting Taiko's time - Pogo Squirrel sighting. At least I have one fan of my music

Secret Inlet - I decided to switch over to Secret Inlet to take some pictures - Snapped the whole scene before anyone showed up. Note the Mid-April flora! Seems to be just the Perna Lotus Flower

[The Perna Lotus Flowers are the pink flowers growing alongside the river] - Wait, the Perna Lotus Flowers... disappeared? Did the game decide that it's no longer Mid-April at ~9:29am? This is likely a glitch, but I'm unsure

[As seen above, the Perna Lotus Flowers have disappeared from the scene] - Heartbird sighting + pics! I took several, so I'll just include the two best ones and post the batch separately

[To me, when Heartbirds are flying and viewed from the back, they look like a heart with wings] - A dolphin-bird that isn't Finfin stuck their head out of the water and sighed

[The dolphin-bird can be seen in the water near the bottom of the screen. Has it been confirmed if this is Finnina, Finfin Jr., or someone else?] - I was still curious about the disappearing lotuses, so I left the inlet and returned. Still gone! What??? - I needed to start getting ready for the day, so I concluded my Teo-watching there

[kevotheamazo]

Here’s my second batch of Valentine’s Day cards “you can us ‘em just mention me”

[scoopypaws]

what’s wrong pogo!

he was alerting the whole area for almost an hour because of a cat. the neighbourhood’s cat owners have started letting their pets out, so they’ve been sneaking into our backyard. i wish cat owners would keep their cats inside or supervised outside! so many animal populations are negatively impacted by outdoor cats — especially around the time babies are being born 😞

✺ do not save or repost | buy a treat for a squirrel!

☽ squirrels are not pets! with the exception of unreleasable squirrels, they should always remain wild. these squirrels are not tame and are cared for with the help of licensed rehabbers. please do not imitate unless you have access to licensed rehabbers in your area. if you find an injured wild animal, contact a rehabber — not a vet or animal hospital. be safe and kind towards nature!

[ukelele-pichu]

My husband and I opened up pogo for the first time in two months just so we could catch a disgustingly regional specific squirrel

[presidentstalkeyes]

While I generally think the Live A Live remake is even better than the original, especially the writing, there are a handful of things I kinda miss from the old Aeon Genesis fan translation. Such as:

The chapter-unique fonts.

Picking up items in the Prehistory chapter being rendered as just one word while Pogo points to the sky, like 'STICK!', 'HARD ROCK!', 'STONE KNIFE!', etc.

The Prehistory cast's moves all being rendered in Caveman-speak, like 'Eeeeh!', 'Baridreen!', 'BlumBlum!'. I know this change was probably made to make it easier to figure out what the moves actually do, but still. :V

Odio's prehistoric incarnation being called 'O-D-O'. Maybe it was too obvious?

The ability to just... equip a whole-ass panda in the Imperial China chapter. It's a funny image, okay? :V

Squirrel Kick. Maybe I'm just too used to the old name since it's Lei's go-to move.

Oboromaru running three times as fast as every other character. Again, I get why this was removed, it looks pretty silly when everyone in his party can somehow keep up with him.

Everyone in the Wild West chapter using bizarre old-timey figures of speech, especially "you are th' Simon pure!"

Odie O'Bright (or Odie Oldbright as he was known) forgetting Moribe Seishi's name in his intro speech. "And the geezer, whatever his name was".

Matsu/Lawless yelling "I'M THE TAIYAKI GUY!" as his fight-opening line.

Pissed Fist. I really don't understand why this was changed, since 'piss' is really low on the cuss-word hierarchy and the much stronger 'shit' wasn't censored.

Matsu having kind of a Stallone-esque accent for no apparent reason in a couple scenes.

The implication that Matsu got drunk off Matango. Hell, just the way Matsu was written in general. Well, except his comment about 'women always getting in the way'. Matsu drinks his respect women juice.

Professor Livingstill's old name, Cindelman. I know it's just a literal translation of his Japanese name, but still.

Kato's initial name for Cube being Rover, as in an exploration vehicle, which is then rejected because it sounds like a dog's name. Though I spose the remake alluded to this with the 'hardly fit for a dog' line, so. *shrug*

Naorigusa. I know it probably means something in Japanese but seeing 'you got Naorigusa' a dozen times in a row is somehow funny to me. :V

[unhingedwomandiaries]

Number twenty-eight on my list of fifty things to do before I'm fifty is to reconnect with an old friend. Sounds simple enough, right? Like something you'd see on one of those insipid Facebook memes your aunt shares between pictures of her cats and thinly veiled QAnon conspiracies. I wasn't expecting to check this particular box so soon, and I sure as hell didn't know who I'd be reconnecting with. Life's funny that way, I guess. One minute you're contemplating the existential dread of your own mortality, the next you're getting a LinkedIn message from a guy you haven't thought about since Obama was president.

So there I am, fresh off the Amtrak from New York City, where I'd just spent a week pretending to give a shit about fashion while secretly wondering if the models ever eat anything more substantial than cigarette smoke and their own self-loathing. I find myself in the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, because apparently that's what passes for excitement in my life between classes and work. I'm about to park my ass at a table when I notice someome left their book behind. Inside, there's a brochure about suicide prevention, which is about as cheerful as finding a used condom in your grandmother's purse.

Now, I've always had this weird savior complex. It's like a superhero origin story, if that superhero's power was an overwhelming urge to stick his nose where it doesn't belong. I once raised a litter of baby squirrels that fell through a vent in my mom's bedroom. Why? Because apparently I thought I was some kind of rodent messiah. Their mother had chewed through the wiring in our attic, probably driven mad by the constant loop of "Bargain Hunt" reruns my mother insisted on watching.

So there I am, suddenly consumed with the need to know who this suicidal bookworm is. I corner some poor intern who looks like she just stepped out of a Tennessee Williams play and start grilling her like she's a suspect on "Law & Order: SVU". Turns out, the book belongs to a guy named X, a microbiology junior with a minor in pharmacology. The intern describes him as "handsome in a bookish way," which I'm pretty sure is Southern Belle code for "wears glasses and probably hasn't seen sunlight in three years."

Now, armed with this utterly useless information and a renewed sense of purpose, I decide to track down X. Because apparently, I've appointed myself the Batman of the depressed Ivy League set. I enlist the help of another microbiology student who leads me to X's dorm room.

X is exactly what you'd expect: pale, fragile, and looking like he's one bad grade away from a total nervous breakdown. I introduce myself with all the subtlety of a hammer to the face, telling him I know he's planning to off himself and that I'm here to stop it. Because nothing says "I care" like accosting a stranger in their own room and accusing them of being suicidal.

X doesn't even put up a fight. He just kind of... acquiesces. Like he's thinking, "Well, I was going to kill myself, but this crazy lady seems pretty adamant about keeping me alive, so I guess I'll go along with it." So I do what any rational person would do: I drag him to the beach and force-feed him fried cod and chips. Because nothing cures suicidal thoughts like arterial blockage, right?

Somewhere between his third and fourth fish, X confesses that he's got 500 ibuprofen tablets waiting for him back in his room. And let me tell you, if you're going to check out, ibuprofen is a hell of a way to do it. It's like deciding to travel across the country by pogo stick - sure, you'll get there eventually, but it's going to be a long, painful journey.

So, naturally, I decide the best course of action is to kidnap X and take him to New York City. Because nothing says "life-affirming experience" like being forcibly removed from your comfort zone by a stranger who's clearly operating on a different plane of reality. We end up at the Paradiso Film Emporium, where I drop $470 on a 16mm copy of "Fantastic Planet." Why? Because apparently I think watching a French animated film about giant blue aliens is the key to unlocking X's will to live.

Back at the Isle of Man, I reveal my piece de resistance: a makeshift movie theater in a car park. We watch the film on the roof of some poor schmuck's BMW, because nothing says "cinematic experience" like potential property damage and trespassing charges.

And you know what? It worked. X didn't kill himself that night. Instead, he fell asleep on a car roof watching a movie about blue aliens. Sometimes, that's all it takes to keep going: a reminder that the world is weird and wonderful and full of surprises.

Fast forward to now, and X just reached out on LinkedIn. Apparently, a freak thundersnow storm took out my old dogwood tree. But you know what? I'm not sad. That tree was never meant to last forever. Neither are we. The point is to bloom where you're planted, even if where you're planted is on the roof of a BMW in a car park, watching French animation with a stranger who's taken an unhealthy interest in your continued existence.

Life's weird like that. Sometimes you set out to reconnect with an old friend, and instead you end up saving a life. Or maybe you just end up watching a movie about giant blue aliens. Either way, it beats the hell out of dying.

[aroorchid-slenderman]

*stares at the ceiling fan in utter fascination* So... swirly...

Swurled muffins!

*A little green bug coughs.* "Er, parson sir, but I was, er, sleeping, you are quite rambunctious, my lad."

*Tears form* N-no... not rambunctious...

*Fades into a quarrel about the pronunciation of 'quarry'*

A MOSQUITO WITH ROLLER SKATES Doing cartwheels around a bottlebrush flower

*Licking driftwood* Yummy algae. It had some pollywogs. Protein.

The scrawny metallic rhino. Like why must they all be pelicans? They look like pitcher plants. Where's the jawbone? Snap their jaw like a popsicle stick.

*A cat walks over*

"Ooh the human isn't petting me there's a leaf LEAF COME HERE GET OVER HERE YOU LEAF HOW DARE YOU YOU HAVE MORTALLY OFFENDED ME ooh hey human can you pet me I want to be petted please pet me NO DON'T TOUCH ME HOW DARE YOU MY FUR IS PRECIOUS AND YOU WILL MAR MY MASTERPIECE uh oh there's that leaf the leaf will kill me we're all doomed"

Dogs have to be annoying. Probably yelling the same thing over and over forty times every time someone walks by.

I'm sorry, I'm just imagining the cacophony of fourty seven flies all politely asking permission to land on you at once and then doing it regardless of the answer.

Mosquitoes are the same with humans. Now I'm imagining them in suits and ties and British accents very politely biting people and then sophisticatedly wiping their stinger things with silk napkins.

"Hello madame, may I please, if you may, have a morsel of sustenance?"

"Kind sir I am in need of your blood so that I may not die"

"Ooh, how very impolite of you to remove my sister from existence. That was an undesirable sight. Now I will do the same exact thing she did."

TAPEWORM SOUP Strawberry sauce Koi fish Graphite *slurpy Noodles*

SQUIRRELS ON POGO STICKS

I'LL SALT MY COLD CHICKEN WITH YOUR TEARS!

I'll use your fear to attract the coyotes.

And I'll grind their teeth on top like pepper.

I'll pour your bile into a waffle machine

"Okay okay, i just ate ease up on the imagery"

The flies but made me chuckle, that is absolutely something that flies would do

[squirrel-holes]

Amazing resource for all aspects of squirrels (reds & grays in the uk). From what the whiskers actually function for and all the unexpected spots they have whiskers, to sharing dreys with unfamiliar squirrels, to scent marking. This is the site I’ve been trying and trying to find. And it includes cited references.

The video with a tree directly in the middle shows a grey squirrel flipping up and down on the ground. Same squirrel, same spot, same acrobatics, for three days. In one of my own videos, I refer to a bunch of different awkward squirrel behaviors right on the first or second day they meet solid, non-bark ground, as “learning to squirrel.” In other words, still figuring out how to be a squirrel. Three behaviors lent themselves to a “learning to squirrel” activity, and in the latter examples, the timing of a young squirrel coming out beyond its home tree onto grass for possibly the first time.

1. Leaping out onto the flimsiest little tips of branches at the highest heights, from which I’ve always thought that they are testing and calibrating whether a given size branch can accommodate their weight. They usually do this in pairs, with one hanging back, like, “Tommy, I’m not sure that’s a good idea, so yeah, and I’m going to watch from back here where it’s safe.” (Projecting, probably.)

2. Slipping off or scrabbling to stay on fallen logs I refer as highways (fallen fully parallel to the ground), and on-ramps/off-ramps (one end fallen to ground, other end caught up higher, thus creating a horizontal from halfway up the tree to the ground). It really looks like they haven’t quite figured out how to balance when running down bark, rather than climbing with their nails hooked into bark.

3. Flipping and tumbling like a demented untrained acrobat. Also jumping high in place like it’s on a pogo stick. I have always assumed that this was the young squirrel’s first day meeting solid ground and needing to get from point a to point b by walking and running, rather than leaps and bounds. To my eyes, it looks like it hasn’t quite figured out how to get both the front legs and the back legs to pay attention to each other, cuz it’s not on a tree, and it’s never had to just walk, trot, or run before. Until it figures out how not to jump with all four legs at the same time, it’s hopping straight up in the air without any forward progress. So on that day there’s tons of flipping and tumbling in place done by that little youngun.

I usually only see #3 for one day each spring. Which always made me think it was a little kid that mom finally kicked him out of the nest and said, “Go learn to squirrel, Tommy, it’s your day! Don’t come back til you’ve figured out how to tell your legs to work together.” Or, “It’s presidential fitness day, Tommy, and you are going to run from there to there without a tree. Without a tree! Let me see you walk, too! Come back when you can do it without flipping, kid! Then run down that off ramp without slipping or dangling in the air. Gimme ten!” Coach blows whistle.

[ven0m0th]

A pic @fromhereto-utopia took of me making friends

[randomness-for-life]

Some of My Favorite Artists/Bands That Need More Apprectiation

(So if you need more music to get into, please check these guys out~) 

~ Björk ~ Electronic, Pop, and Alternative Music ~

My favorite kind of artists can make two or more songs that sound completely different from one another and Björk definitely does that~ And to add to the uniqueness, you can hear her emotions flood through her singing and music - you can hear the story she’s trying to share with the world, which is amazing~ It’s been only about a few months since I’ve gotten into her unique music and I’ve been inspired to write both stories and music based off her powerful emotions~ 

Some Songs I Recommend: “Joga”, “Play Dead”, “Venus As a Boy”, “Cocoon”  

~ Rufus Wainwright ~ Alternative and Pop Music ~

One of my favorite artists I got to see perform live~ He sung about death, love, and politics loudly and beautifully while playing piano or guitar~ Of course, I first found out about this gay boi from Shrek with the iconic song “Hallelujah” and as I explored more of his music, I realized he has a trait I love to hear from musicians: he puts in a lot of energy, passion, and emotions in each of his songs~ 

Some Songs I Recommend: “Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk”, “Foolish Love”, “Evil Angel”, “Poses”

~ Andrew Bird ~ Alternative Music ~

I first heard of this violinist thanks to Jamie Hewlett (co creator of The Gorillaz, who I’ll talk about down below)~ He posted a video of Andrew’s iconic song “Pulaski At Night” on his instagram. As a violinist myself, it was hard not to fall in love with Andrew’s calm and pretty music~ Also, he’s a very good whistler, which just makes his folk and alternative songs all the more better~ I’m always inspired by the beautiful tones Andrew can create and I really hope I can see him perform sometime~ 

Some Songs I Recommend: “Pulaski At Night”, “Scythian Empires”, “Roma Fade” (and “The Cormorants” if you want to listen to something experimental or just the river) 

~ Manu Chao ~ Latin Alternative and World Music ~

The oldest artist on this list, I’ve been singing along to Manu’s songs since I was a toddler~ He sings in Spanish, French, and English and usually changes between languages while singing and playing guitar~ Although most of his songs are Latin-inspired and his songs can sound similar to each other, Manu still creates v e r y catchy rhythms and beats with each song~ Also, Manu repeats words frequently, so you can pick up a bit of Spanish or French just from one of his songs~ 

Some Songs I Recommend: “Bongo Bong”, “Clandestino”, “Trapped By Love”, “Luna y sol” 

~ Gorillaz ~ Honestly Every Genre Ever ~

My absolute favorite band of all time~ It’s been about three years now that I’ve loved 2D, Russel Hobbs, Noodle, Murdoc Niccals, and their music (and of course, the creators of the Gorillaz, Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett) ~ Currently 1/3 of my music are their songs and I’ve written a 95 page story based off them and their music~ I’ve gained friends because of this flawed and unique band and I’ve been constantly inspired by them and their diverse music~ I can’t wait to see what else they hold for the future~ <3  

Some Songs I Recommend: “Hong Kong”. “Dirty Harry”, “Revolving Doors”, “5/4″, “The Apprentice”, “Empire Ants” 

~ Pogo ~ Electronic Music ~

A.K.A Nick Bertke - Honestly, I just recently found out this Australian is not the best person, yet I’m still in love with his passionate music~ How he can take any random sample, whether it’s from Disney or off the streets, and create mesmerizing and catchy music with other random samples will always amaze me~ Most of his songs are always great to listen to alone or in a peaceful area where you can relax~

Some Songs I Recommend: “Forget”, “Undone”(for those who like creepy and experimental music~), “Wave”, “Alice”

~ Beck ~ Honestly Every Genre (again) ~

Another artist I’ve been singing along to since I was a toddler, I believe Beck sparked my love for different music (honestly, he’s the king of odd music and rhyming)~ I’ve always loved how Beck’s music tells a different story for each song and how he can easily create catchy rhythms and odd sounds that sound magnificent together~ This is another artist I would l o v e to see live sometime~ 

Some Songs I Recommend: “Up All Night”, “Que Onda Guero”, “Motorcade”, “Soul Suckin Jerk”, “Broken Train”, “Minus” (I have 30+ Beck songs which is why there’s more than three songs recommended) 

~ Squirrel Nut Zippers ~ Jazz Music ~

More artists I got to see live (and for the first, they actually came to where I live instead of me having to go to them) and might I say they were spectacular~ It wasn’t even Mardi Gras, but it totally felt like it in that small theater~ The guy in the red in the center, Jimbo, wore giant masks and danced as if in a ritual and it looked like he had the time of his life~ The woman next to him, Cella, dressed like a Cougar and sang like Billie Holiday~ And the violinist, Dr.Sick (<3), performed tricks like the splits, minor burlesque with his leg, and he went full on crazy while still playing violin - I was s o impressed~ Anyway, this jazz/blues/New Orleans band is crazy and fun and I absolutely love them~ (also fun fact, before Dr.Sick, Andrew Bird was their violinist~) 

Some Songs I Recommend: “Axman Jazz (Don’t Scare Me Papa)”, “Hell”, “Ghost of Stephen Foster”, “Put a Lid on It” 

~ Adam Hurst ~ Classical Music ~

He is the only one of my favorite artists I got to meet in person, and in no less an airport (and I’m eternally grateful that he agreed to take a picture)~ He performed his gypsy cello, which he crafted with his own two hands, amazingly~ In every song of his, he always plays beautiful cello melodies with another instrument whether it’s accordion, chimes, guitar, or piano~ I would l o v e to meet him and see him perform again in the future~ 

Some Songs I Recommend: “Ritual”, “Midnight Waltz”, “Midnight Sun”, “Sparrow” 

If you have any artists you think deserve more appreciation or recognition, reblog or comment and talk about them~!  

[shurisneakers]

harmless (iv)

Summary: Bucky volunteers to go stop a small time villain, but nothing can prepare him for what exactly he has to deal with. (Bucky x villain!reader, drabble series)

Warnings: cursing, guns, mention of war, frustrated bucky, dramatic reader

Word count: 1.5k

A/N: good evening i’ve never been to any of the places i mention in this series so dont come @ me

if you have any ideas for future inventions/evil plans, lemme know! i might actually end up using them 

here’s my ko-fi if you’d like to support my writing <333

Previous Part || Series Masterlist

He spends the weekend doing nothing. It’s supposed to be relaxing. He finds it nauseatingly boring.

“No mini mission this week?” Steve asks him from across the couch. 

They’re supposed to be catching up on Star Wars but two prequels in and Bucky could feel himself lose his sanity. Anyone could present him with a random assortment of alphabets, call it a Star Wars species and he would have no reason not to believe them.

It’s not like he doesn’t like space. It’s just that he’s had enough of it and everything and everyone who came from it for the foreseeable future.

“No. Someone else is taking care of it.”

“Didn’t you volunteer for this?”

“I pulled myself out of the case.”

“I thought you were having fun.” 

Bucky’s head slowly turns to look at him. “Why would you think that?”

“I don’t know,” Steve shrugged. “Looked like you were.”

Well, he wasn’t. He likes it here at home, glued to the TV. Popcorn beside him, sweatpants on. Refreshing, calming, slow, mundane, and Jesus Christ, so fucking boring-

His spiralling is interrupted by the dinging of the elevator to the common floor. No one was allowed up there unless it was extremely urgent. Guests were barely allowed into the Tower as it was. 

It reveals the receptionist from downstairs, Marie. She’s always a little reserved, a little shy. But Bucky had seen her chew and spit out trespassers or anyone who dared to get on her nerve. He adores her.

“Hey, Marie,” Steve says while Bucky sends her a friendly wave in greeting. “What’s wrong?”

“There’s a hostage situation downtown,” she informs them. 

“Okay...” Steve drawls, waiting for a reason why this was an Avengers level threat.

“They’ve asked for Mr. Barnes by name.” She makes a mention towards him.

Bucky sits up straight. Bits of popcorn fall off his chest. 

“What?”

“They said, and I quote-” she looks down at her notepad. “‘Tell that grumpy motherfucker that I’m waiting for him and that he’s not getting out of this so easily because we have come too far.’ End quote. They’ve also told me to include a kissing emoji. And a skull.”

Steve and he look at each other.

“Well?” Steve prods. 

Bucky sighs and gets up to go get ready.

The entrance of Chuck E. Cheese is more crowded than he’d ever seen. He wasn’t even sure he’d seen people in the store before. If there were, they probably only came up till his waist. 

There are a few journalists, a few policemen standing together outside. Whispers of confusion and curiosity reigned free. 

Bucky gently pushes his way to the front. He gets a nod from a police officer who opens the door for him after a quick briefing. 

The place is darker than it usually would be. A trademark, it seemed. The blinds are drawn shut and most of the light is coming through whatever sneaks in through the crack. 

“Hey, Barnes.” Your voice is muffled by a mask that looks suspiciously like it was made out of classroom craft supplies.

There’s a person in a loose chokehold in your hand with a gun pressed against his head. Once again it looks straight out of a cartoon, purple with round disks lining its barrel. 

“What’s all this now?” He gestures around monotonously. 

“A hostage situation. Didn’t you get the memo?”

“Got that part down, genius,” he bites back. “But why?”

“Fucker kept harassing me when I was walkin’ down the street.” 

The guy’s helpless gaze met Bucky. 

“Catcalling me, stalking me.” You tighten the grip you have on him. “Call me darlin’ one more time, you son of a bitch. I dare you.”

He wasn’t impressed with his pleading eyes. He kinda felt like he deserved it. 

“Why’d you do it here?” The bright colours were starting to give him a heading. “And where are the staff?”

“It’s symbolic, Bucky,” you emphasise, “He deserves to be among other rat bastards.”

Of course.

“The staff?” he asks again. 

“Gave them thirty bucks and told them to leave. I’m not a monster.”

“Right.” He doesn’t bother refuting you. “Why’d you call me here?”

“Dunno.” You shrug. “Thought it’d be fun. You having fun yet?”

You shake the guy you’re holding. He gives a small whimper. 

Bucky doesn’t want to stop you. He had chugged enough Respect Juice in his lifetime to know that this guy probably deserved a threat or two.

Hell, he’d even help but you were more than capable of handling this on your own.

“Listen,” he sighed. “As much as I’m sure he deserves it, this is technically illegal and I’m required to stop you.”

“Sorry sarge, I thought you weren’t interested in playing this stupid game with me,” you mock, voice dropping to imitate him.

“I’m not.” It wasn’t entirely true. One Saturday with Jar Jar Binks had convinced him otherwise.

“Okay, so before you leave, do me a favour and call Hawkeye. I hear he looks mighty fine when he’s annoyed.”

His face involuntarily scrunched up. You were going to replace him with Clint? Clint?

He probably took it more as an insult than he should have.

“I’m not doing that.” Bless his foul mouthed friend, but he was a little shit who was too sarcastic for his own good. At least twice a week he’d say something stupid to Bucky and then take out his hearing aids when he tried to argue back. 

“You’re leavin’ me with no options here,” you groaned, using your thumb to flip a switch. The gun looks like it powered up, lights along the side turning red.

If he let you have this, it’d be a bad look for the Avengers.

New York man dies in Chuck E. Cheese lone hostage situation, unable to be saved by same superhero who tried to fight Thanos with a machine gun.

“Tell ya what,” he says instead, “If you kill him, there won’t even be a slight chance that you’ll see me again.”

Your grip on the gun falters.

“If I let him go...”

“I might consider coming back next week.” He’s trying to spin it, make it look like he’s the one with the upper hand here. “But you gotta let him go.”

You search his face for any signs of dishonesty.

“Let him go or you’ll never see me again.” It sounds too much like Clint’s arguments with his dog who brought a live squirrel into the house. 

“Fine,” you relent, a glint in your eye. “but say goodbye to this fuckface.”

Before Bucky can open his mouth to shout in protest, you pull the trigger. The man clenches his eyes shut, face red.

He expects blood to be splatter across his face.

Nothing happens.

A barrage of bubbles floats into the room.

“I meant it literally,” you say, pushing him off you. “Say goodbye. He’s leaving.”

The man stumbles to the ground and Bucky doesn’t make any attempt to catch him. He scrambles to his knees, picking himself up and scurrying out the door to a hoard of reporters.

The door shuts behind him with the chime of a bell.

“You’re annoying,” Bucky states, giving a small sigh.

“I’m well aware of that.” You pull off the mask, wiping the sweat off your brow.

“Where is the agent assigned to your case?” 

“Dunno. Last I saw he was crying on the driveway of my lair. I just figured he’d pick himself up later so I left him there.”

Bucky’s nose twitches. 

“You weren’t actually going to kill him, were you.” He shrugs with his shoulder towards the door. It wasn’t a question, more a statement. He knew you wouldn’t. 

“I could have.”

“But you weren’t going to,” he repeats. 

“No,” you admit. “I wasn’t. But I’m glad to see you showed up.”

“You held someone hostage as leverage.”

“No, no. I held someone hostage and then asked to see you. They were completely unrelated.”

“You’re evil.”

“You jumped to conclusions,” you point out. “Would you like a trampoline next time? Maybe a pogo stick, you clown?”

He has a very real gun in his holster. His very real metal death arm aches to use it. 

“No one else agreed to come,” he deflects. 

“We both know that’s a lie. You were going to come back anyway.” You stuff the bubble gun back into the bag. “I’m deliciously irresistible.”

“I beg to differ.”

“Then beg.” You give him a smirk and he rolls his eyes. “Don’t worry, you win this round, sarge.”

He doesn’t say anything. He watches you remove your heist gear, revealing normal civilian clothes underneath.

You walk casually to the kitchen, intending to leave through the back door.

“But I can’t say I lost either.” You send him a wink before swiftly pushing open the door and leaving him behind.

He only watches you leave.

It doesn’t hit him until a few seconds later that he let a criminal out of his hands when there were several policemen and journalists outside.

He entertains the idea of chasing you down and handing you over. 

It takes him only a few seconds to decide that if they wanted you, they’d have to try themselves.

Next part 

[comm-caribou]

Chapter Twenty-Six: Unspoken Last Words

Word Count: 3.0k

Warnings: character deaths, coping, heartbreak (let me if I missed any!)

————

Through his tears, Coyote closed Fang’s eyes and held him tight in his arms.

First Pogo, then Howl, Clip, and Grit together, now Fang. Pack squad was gone, and he was the last one barely standing.

A scream worked it’s way out of his chest, coming out in a mangled cry as he cradled his fallen brother in his arms.

All the trauma and healing meant nothing in this moment, because Fang was no longer breathing.

How am I going to tell Juliette?

****

The universe seemed to stop all at once.

Over the battle noise, Juliette swore she heard a anguished filled scream off in the distance.

Hardwire grabbed her shoulder, pulling her back into the trenches as others came falling in after her.

“General Kenobi,” Cody called on his comm, “we’re being overrun! We have to pull back!“

Juliette didn’t hear General Kenobi’s response, but around her troopers with golden yellow and lilac purple rushed past her helping each other.

Hardwire shook her shoulders, “Juliette!”

Boomerang rushed over, “is she having trouble hearing again?”

“General Trix,” Cody lightly touched her shoulder. “Are you alright?”

“I can feel it…” Juliette touched her chest, “something bad just happened… something horrible…”

“Well, we are retreating,” Cooper started herding them, “Squirrel and Max are going after the others, so figure your feelings out later!”

Hardwire shooed him off, and took Juliette for himself to handle.

“It’s okay,” Hardwire hurried her along, “we’re all okay.”

****

After what felt like forever, Trusty came down the embankment on a cable. Even without lifting his gaze, Coyote could tell it was him by his cheerful whistling despite all circumstances.

“We’re in full retreat,” Trusty explained, “we have a gunship, but we need to move before the clankers return. Who’s first?”

Coyote lifted his head from Fang’s cooling forehead, feeling his face was hot and sticky with tears.

A shallow breath escaped Trusty, “I… I didn’t realize… I’m so sorry.”

Coyote took a breath, and wiped his eyes, “do we have comms back?”

“Yeah,” Trusty went to get Fang.

“Leave him,” Coyote put his helmet back on. “We stay where we die.”

“You sure?” Trusty asked, hands still ready to carry Fang’s corpse back to the Stormrider.

Coyote nodded, taking Fang’s ID tag off his armor, “just me.”

Only me.

He hobbled toward Trusty, and the trooper he barely knew held him tight.

“I really am sorry,” Trusty said again, then tugged on the cable.

Coyote couldn’t say anything.

A clone dying was normal. Fang’s death wasn’t out of the ordinary. No clone was that special that they deserved pity for their brother dying in their arms.

Mirage pulled them onto the gunship, “going back down for-“

“No.” Coyote cut him off. “Fang and Jay are dead.”

Mirage’s head whipped around, “what!”

Coyote moved to a corner stiffly, then sunk to the ground taking out his comm.

The blast doors shut, and a silence swept over the three of them.

Taking a breath, Coyote opened the channel, “Cosmos? We need to talk.”

“What’s up?” Cosmos asked, “you okay?“

“No,” Coyote shook off the tears, “Fang didn’t make it, and she doesn’t know yet. I’m going to tell her, but he wanted you to know first, being her best friend and all.”

Cosmos was quiet for a solid minute, before he exhaled, “I’ll be in the hanger.”

****

Cody shook her hand, “stay safe out there, General Trix.”

“You too, Commander Cody,” she answered, and he stepped off their gunship.

The doors shut, and they were being moved back to the Stormrider.

“Still have a bad feeling, Juliette?” Boomerang asked.

She nodded, “it was like all of sudden something felt out of place. The last time I felt something this strong was when…”

Oh no.

“When what?” Boomerang urged, “Juliette, talk to me.”

She covered her heart, gasping.

“Juliette?“ Hardwire steadied her, “what’s wrong? Can you breathe?”

Boomerang took off her helmet, passing it to Cooper to hold.

“Sweetie,” Boomerang softened his voice, “why are you crying?”

“Fang’s dead.” Juliette started to feel the tears spilling over, “I know it.”

“How do you know it?” Cooper said gruffly, “just take a breath.”

“Lay off her,” Shadow defended her. “It was a tough battle.”

Dabbler nudged Boomerang, whispering, “he’s not answering his comm.”

Juliette turned to Hardwire, and he pulled her close, “it’s okay, I have you.”

“He’s probably fine though,” Cooper grumbled.

“Cooper,” Hardwire scolded, “enough.”

****

They arrived first.

Coyote limped off the gunship, to be greeted by Cosmos with Tracks waiting.

“Dabbler contacted me,” Cosmos solemnly squeezed Coyote’s shoulder, “she knows.”

“How?” Coyote blinked.

“She just does,” Cosmos sighed, “call it a gut feeling.”

Coyote took a deep breath, I hope that makes this easier.

The gunships arrived, and Coyote took a deep breath as Cosmos rubbed his back.

The doors opened, and men began coming off slowly removing their helmets.

All eyes on him, then the empty spaces around him.

All looking for Fang.

Cooper came off, pausing when he saw Coyote waiting, “oh kriff…”

Coyote noticed her helmet under his armor, meaning he was going to have to look into those teary, hazel eyes as he confirmed the bad news.

Juliette came off next, hugging on Hardwire’s arm.

Her gaze fell on Coyote, staying locked on him.

“Juliette,” Coyote felt his voice shake, “Fang was shot rescuing me. I told him to leave me behind, but he wouldn’t and-“

She flung her arms around Coyote’s shoulders, and cried on his shoulder.

Coyote wrapped his arms around her, lowering his head, “I’m sorry, Juliette. He wanted you to know he loved you.”

“You lost your little brother,” she whispered.

Hearing her say it broke Coyote all over again, but he had no more tears left to shed. All he could do was hold onto her until Cosmos began moving them along.

****

“Juliette?” Cosmos called though the other side of the refresher door, “I’m coming in.”

The door slid open, and Cosmos came inside shutting the door behind him to keep the others out.

Juliette looked up at him from the shower she had running over her.

“You didn’t even take off your bodysuit,” he said, sitting down on the other side of the shower’s glass.

“It hurts.” Juliette turned her gaze up to the cold water, “will it go away?”

Cosmos frowned, and began taking off his armor plates.

“What are you doing?” Juliette watched him open the door.

“Scoot over,” he said, “I’m not letting you sit alone.”

“You don’t ha-“

“I want to. Now scoot.”

He sat right down, under the cold water in just his black under armor and held her hand.

“How do you feel?“ Cosmos asked. “You haven’t really cried in front of me yet.”

“I don’t know how to explain it,” Juliette turned to him, “I know he’s gone, but I just haven’t fully processed it. It’s like I’m waiting for him to come back, even though I know he never will.”

Cosmos reached up, turning off the water.

Juliette turned to him, “am I in shock?”

“Maybe,” he rubbed her cheek. “Don’t worry, I’m not leaving you alone. Neither is any of the other pilots.”

Juliette sighed, “just a few more minutes? I’m not ready to have them look at me that way yet.”

Cosmos smiled, “okay.”

****

Coyote bent his knee, taking a few steps.

“Better?” Boomerang asked, “you might be off your feet a little while. Not that will affect your Corporal duties.”

“Mirage should’ve got the promotion,” Coyote turned to Mirage under the brain scan, “I still don’t understand what’s happening.”

“He hit his head in the crash,” Boomerang explained, but he wouldn’t meet Coyote’s eye.

That’s not the full reason.

Boomerang turned to Kit, then solemnly nodded his head. The medical droid approached Mirage, turning his unconscious head to the side and firing up a spinning attachment on his hand.

“Boomerang?” Coyote stood up, “that’s not typical procedure.”

“It’s what he wants,” Boomerang turned his head, walking away so he wouldn’t have to watch.

Coyote followed Boomerang to his corner, “vod, I had a horrible day. Please, just give me a crumb. What the heck are you doing to our brother’s head?”

Boomerang groaned, rubbing the spot between his eyes, “Mirage hit his head during ARC training and he has had headaches and dizzy spells ever since. I did a scan on him over a week ago, and he’s got something in his head. It’s been acting up, so he begged us to remove it against my better recommendation.”

Coyote rubbed his head, “it’s in his brain?”

“Done.” Kit announced.

“Yes,” Boomerang walked back over, “why?”

“Is it common in clones?” Coyote asked.

“I never found cases of it,” Boomerang brushed Mirage’s hair back, “he’s not going to like this haircut.”

“Hey, hey,” Coyote snapped his fingers, “do you think it’s a common mutation from Jango? Maybe he had a tumor and we inherited it.”

“No,” Boomerang took the slide from Kit, “I don’t know what this is, but it’s not a tumor.”

Coyote moved closer, looking at the weird mass of pink cells they just sliced out Mirage’s brain.

Ew.

Mirage weakly sat up, rubbing his head, “you butchered my hair…”

Boomerang pat his back, “I’ll fix it.”

Kit took the slide, “should I run a diagnostic?”

“Yes,” Boomerang turned back to Mirage, “feel better, Pretty Boy?”

“Much,” Mirage snickered, “thanks, Doc.”

Coyote placed his hands on his hips, “so, I’m suppose to let this go?”

“Yup,” Mirage answered.

“Pretty much,” Boomerang agreed. “Unless you’re willing to let me scan your head?“

Coyote thought about it, suddenly curious of what it might find. He had an inkling feeling Mirage’s issues were more than just a bad head bump from before the war.

“Scan me,” Coyote ordered.

Mirage turned to Boomerang, and the two exchanged an equally flabbergasted look.

“Okay,” Boomerang said, after a second of processing.

****

While they couldn’t get rid of Dabbler, all the other pilots begrudgingly left Juliette’s room.

The pilot-in-training, took extra blankets and made a nest on the floor, curling up on his side to sleep.

“You sure you don’t want to sleep up here?“ Juliette offered. “It’s got room for three.”

Dabbler snuggled into his floor nest, “I’m content down here. I’m just here as backup.”

“If you say so…” Juliette laid down in her bed.

Just hours before, she woke up in this same bed with Fang. Her sweet boyfriend resting his mechanical arm over her, absentmindedly drumming on her upper abdomen as he held her close to his body all night. When she woke, he was playing with her hands like he always was and giving her light kisses so she’d wake up happy.

She’d never have another good morning kiss from Fang ever again.

A lump filled her throat.

I just said I love you today. For all the days he said it, I only said it this morning.

She rolled over, turning to Cosmos laying beside her on his back. He rolled to his side facing her, and pulled her into his arms already knowing.

She buried her face into the soft fabric of his red fatigues, and cried as Cosmos held her together.

****

Boomerang slid out from under the scanner, holding his head.

“That thing kind of hurts.” Boomerang groaned.

“Well, it has to be on level three,” Mirage stated, “that’s what you said.”

Coyote stared at the scan. Like his, Boomerang also had something strange in his head.

Boomerang came next to him, “that’s three for three. Maybe it’s in all of us? But if it was some sort of unknown ailment to Jango, the Kaminoans would’ve weeded it out of us.”

“Maybe they put it in us?” Mirage suggested.

Boomerang nodded, “maybe they put it in us. I need to start taking notes.”

Coyote turned to Mirage, his hair now buzzed on the sides but still a floppy mess on top. He looked a little bit better than he did before, but whatever this was wasn’t exactly figured out yet.

The medbay doors opened, and Tracks walked in looking perplexed when he saw the three of them standing by the scanner.

“Uh…” Boomerang froze.

“Maintenance test,” Coyote blurted out.

“Yes!” Mirage agreed a little too enthusiastically. “We are making sure all the equipment is working as it should be.”

Tracks crossed his arms, quirking an eyebrow.

“He’s not buying it…” Boomerang gritted through a way to big smile.

Tracks walked over, taking a look at the scan.

“Fine,” Boomerang sighed, “we found the possible source of Mirage’s headaches and removed it, and then curiosity got the better of us, so now we discovered whatever this is is in also in Coyote and I as well.”

Tracks rubbed his chin, then took the datapad from Boomerang quickly typing something up.

Boomerang looked over his shoulder, “yes, only Mirage had his removed.”

Tracks typed more.

“I guess we should study Mirage first before we do anything brash.”

Tracks typed again.

“Kit and I are going to study the specimen.”

Tracks typed one more thing, then handed the pad back.

Boomerang nodded, “alright, the four of us are figuring this out together then.”

“And I’m the test subject,” Mirage sighed, “didn’t think that through.”

Tracks turned to him, smirking, “nice hair.”

“Wait, what?” Coyote felt his mind explode.

Mirage clearly stopped functioning when he heard that scratchy voice croak out those two words.

“Oh,” Boomerang rubbed the back of his head, “I forgot to tell everyone, Tracks is talking a little now.”

Tracks waved his hand from side-to-side, sucking in his teeth.

“I should probably tell everyone,” Boomerang said, then his eyes lit up, “or I don’t…”

Tracks grinned.

Coyote shook his head smiling, “this is going to be fun.”

****

When morning came, there were no gentle kisses on her ear or calloused fingers tracing the lines of her palm.

I wish it was only a dream, she moved closer to Cosmos, a really bad, horrible nightmare that’ll end soon. I’ll open my eyes, and Fang will be walking through that door saying he slept in his own bunk last night. He stayed up late talking to Coyote, discussing what recipes sounded good or what they’re going to do on leave. Figuring out what normal people did on dates so Fang could make our first real date perfect. Anything other than his body was laying in a ditch and going to rot there on a Republic lost battlefield.

Cosmos kissed her forehead, “time to get up, Starlight.”

Juliette took a deep breath, inhaling Cosmos’s scent of GAR issued soap and the tinge of salt from his sweat.

I’ll never wake up to Fang’s ocean scent again.

Then she exhaled, hugging her best friend.

Cosmos rubbed her back, “ready to face the universe?”

“Promise you won’t leave me,” Juliette held up her pinkie.

Cosmos smiled, looping his own with her’s, “I promise I will never leave you.”

They kissed their hands, locking it in.

Cosmos grinned, “now come on, Stickler and the pilots arranged a surprise for you.”

Juliette blinked, “for me?”

Cosmos ushered her out of bed, “let’s go, they’re probably already waiting.”

Juliette got up, looking to the empty spot on the floor now occupied with folded blankets and pillows stacked up.

When did Dabbler leave?

****

Coyote went to Fang’s bunk.

His brother always slept below him, except for the nights he was sleeping over with Juliette. Even then, Coyote always knew his little brother was on the ship.

Coyote stripped the bunk, wondering who might occupy this bunk next, or if everyone will be rearranged when the new recruits finally showed up.

He balled up the fabric, and set it to the side.

Next, he took the notes off the walls of recipes and little love notes and doodles Juliette had given him in the short time they were together. He stacked them neatly, folding the tape, then took out that box from his locker. Besides graduation medals, there was nothing but his fatigues in there.

He took the fatigues, tossing them with the dirty laundry, and then turned to Fang’s most treasured collection.

He flipped the wooden lid, running his hand over the rainbow array of every sized rock in the box.

He picked up a bright blue one that was round and smooth, rolling it in his hand as Fang always did.

Besides that opal he always had on him, this was Fang’s other favorite.

Even though he didn’t see it, he new that shiny, irredentist rainbow stone was with Fang where he rested now.

Coyote looked at the rock in his own hand, it wouldn’t hurt if I kept one.

He paced the doodles and letters in the box, setting them on his bunk to be delivered later, and the smooth blue rock went into an empty pocket on his belt.

He picked up the sheets and clothes, and headed to the chute.

After dumping Fang’s laundry to be recycled to another brother’s bed, he headed out the door.

He had somewhere important to be.

****

The doors slid open, and the sight she saw made Juliette’s eyes weld up in tears.

It wasn’t just Stickler and her pilots waiting for her in that hall from the bridge to the common areas; it was all her boys.

Speckled in dark blues and white paint in their faces and hair, almost every trooper was standing along those long walls under a ceiling of stars.

Hardwire approached her from the lineup extending out his hand to her.

“What is this?” Juliette wiped her eyes.

“A memorial,” Hardwire guided her, “for every fallen trooper in the 952nd. Some of them were before you came along, but we knew you’d want them all represented.”

Juliette covered her mouth, as Hardwire led her down the hall. Her eyes never leaving the sky above her, of all her fallen soldiers and more.

Juliette reached the end of the hall, then turning to her living troops standing before her. With tears running down her face, she managed to squeak out two words.

“Thank you.”

[peikonlainen]

Just a quick question but what often gets you inspired?✨

Oh boy ehhhhhh - here we go to the never ending rabbit hole!!

Sometimes small things gets my attention like e.g. squirrels paws, unique red face of a person at a cold day or seeing chair upside down on icy lake (honestly I am now working on long comic about trolls inspired by that chair).

Comic art and animations inspires me greatly! Lately I have been inspired by animations gems like the thief and the cobbler, treasure island from 1988 (and other Soviet Union animations) and the king and the mocking bird. The animation process fascinates me greatly, how can one make smooth and imaginative animations is wonderful! I can't get enough of it all.

Also concept of kindness inspires me greatly. I have gone throw...lets say a lot. I love stories that show kindness where it is needed, e.g. Tove Jansson's story of invisible child. The child was bullied by their family so much that they turned completely invisible and lost their own voice, eventually they found confidence and selfworth in themselfs thanks to kindness of Moomins. I want my feelings to be seen and heard but sometimes world or people are overwhelming. Kindness is important, otherwise we will fall apart or at least I do. I am still on my way to be kind and understanding of myself and othets but those qualities are more important to me than ever.

Couple weeks ago I started to collect stuff that inspires me or I find interesting. I will list most of them below. If I am not saying anything about certain box, it means I enjoy the show/comic/meme/animal but cannot put my finger on why. Usually those make me smile and give new pespective about life. Somethings might be there twice because I am forgetful baboon!

Junji Ito's horror comics are visually out of this world! But my fav is his humorous comic about his cats. It was so different from his other comics that I fell in love with it.

Emma manga made by Kaoru Mori. Usually I can't stand romantic stories but the characters but the story and the art works perfectly together in her comics.

Comics and animations of @cecameron are gorgeus and fun!

Tove Jansson's books, comics, art and life in general.

Rainbow Road from Muppets is my favourite song and I wish it would be played at my funeral one day. Its hopeful song that fills me with joy.

Entranta from Shera. She never gives up, I wanna be like her! I wanna see failure is part of the process and helps me get further little by little + its nothign to be shamefull of.

Ponyo's fathers frustration is relatable, also the whole movie is wonderful and colorful. Its maybe my favorite ghibli movie.

Scarr my beloved weirdo! The image was in the tarot pack of the grim adventures of Billy and Mandy and he is of course the hermit (which is my personality card)

@deep-dark-fears comics surprise me by giving new ideas to express fear.

Hugo Simberg was Finnish artist at 1900's. Symbolism and sympathetic characters of devils and death has inspired me since I was 8 years old.

Treasure planet is one of my favourite disney movies. The father son relationship between Silver and Jim is great and makes me cry everytime.

Hypnopotamus and Warren Stone from ROTTMNT. Their relationship is wholesome and inspiring + the show itself is fun, full of action and passion! I love it!

Tintin comics are almost religious in my family. It was one of the first comics I saw different from different parts of the world and how tintin could become friends even the most oddest (looking at you captain Haddock) people is marvellous.

The penguin my belowed ❤❤❤

Mörkövahti is Finnish children book that accidentally inspired me greatly. The world of troll like creatures, magical elements in the story and research of the creatures made me fall in love in the world of the books. I often love to read books for kids or teens, they are more interesting and I don't have to fear to be faced with rape, sexism and other nasty stuff.

Stop motion animation and expecially Arman animations have been always part of my life. I have soft spot for the pirates movie thanks to it's humor, naivety and animation style.

Adventure time is one of my favourite series and couple of things stuck with me. Some people are build different, you don't have to understand it but you need to respect them. I love this idea greatly and I try to live by it.

Pinsir is my favourite pokemon and it says a lot.

Mr Pogo and other smart ape characters inspire me greatly. No wonder new planet of the apes trilogy is part pf my movie collection. I am not sure why I love smart apes as characters but it always works.

Wander over yander whole concept is to be kind and help people out, I love it.

Peto was made for me by @elle-eedee at lgbtq trolls discord server. Peto ended up becoming my ultimate comfort character and I love to draw him and make stories for him. I loved the way elle-eedee combined my favorite things to create him ❤ also their colorful art inspires me everyone I see it.

@alioutfit blog is blog of style choices of man named Ali. I want to find my own style like Ali.

The murder she wrote is nostalgic for me and I wanna get into that series again! The fact smart older woman is the main focus inspires me. I love Agatha Christi stories too so it checks out.

Hugs + rottmnt. I love hugs and the show has a lot of good hugs!

Don Rosa's Donald Duck comics are the best! Those who don't know, Donald Duck comics are big in Finland!

Heikko Peikko (meaning Weak Troll) was stop motion animation series in Finland at 70's. Its wonky, basic and charming story of Heikko Peikko's everyday life.

The meme that made me less depressed

@foxing_around had wonderful comic that made me think over my friends over my sad ass.

Squirrels, I like them a lot. They remind me of my grandpa who loved forest and nature.

My sandwich with a face

Monsters petting each others! My friend has a lot of arkham maddness board games that comes with monsters. I like to play with the figurines, they are so lovely monsters!

Concept art of toothless from how to train your dragon. Why toothless couldn't look like this little ugly thing??? I would have loved him from bottom of my ❤

Kingdom of lonely bananas sign was at supermarket. Little imaginative ideas like these are great.

Pasila series is good stuff, it was said to be Finnish South Park.

My photo of snail ❤

WoY faces are glorious

The snow queen movie from 1957 gives me live. Its one of my favourite Soviet Union animation movie.

My photo of my special secret place at summer

I know only these two from Transformers comics and their love is wonderful. Truly I haven't read the comics...I wish I could tho!

Sherlock Holmes books are awesome

New ducktales series had so many characters from the comics I couldn't believe it at first! Finally I had my favourite characters like Fethry on the show!

I love odd looking animals because I am one too

Animal Crossing is a game I thought I would never play. It looked like a baby game when my big bro gave the it to me at the time gamecube was new console. He bought it because it had a memory card and he know nothing about the game. I tried it and never looked back ❤

The ping pong animation is my favourite animation series from Japan. I got the manga even I can't read it since it's straight from Japan. It's more about the lifes of the characters and how they grow as people than the game itself (or at least it feels like it). The story feels real in a way, that the characters are three dimensional and their reactions are natural. Some charachters stop developing as players, some loose interest completely, some work hard to be the best, some forget why they played in the first place and some found new ways to live their lives. The story is good for my soul.

Comic of @catmilks made me realise there are other people like me. The feeling of the comic is relatable and hopeful, things will pass and life goes on + make sure you take care of yourself.

Comics of @ stuffnoonetoldme made me reflect my life and how I see myself.

@diva-humon has good points of life. I realised I have very christian way of thinkin even I am not religious or have ever been part of any religios.

Suomenlinna, I loved it!

[dustedmagazine]

Dusted Mid-Year Exchange, Part 2: Positive No to Yves Tumour

Six Organs got a lot of mid-year love this time

Welcome back to part two of the Dusted Mid-Year Exchange, in which we tackle the second half of the alphabet. If you missed part one, with its lengthy description of what we’re doing here, you can read it here. Or just muddle through. Cheers.  

Positive No — Kyanite (Little Black Cloud)

Kyanite by Positive No

Who recommended it? Tobias Carroll

Did we review it? No.

Tim Clarke’s take:

Positive No braid tight bursts of guitars, bass and drums into upbeat yet agitated shapes. There’s a touch of Blonde Redhead’s Kazu Makino in Tracy Wilson’s vocal delivery, or My Bloody Valentine’s Belinda Butcher, especially on expansive opener “Elevator Up.” At just under half an hour, the urgent economy of Kyanite’s songwriting makes all the more sense when you learn that it’s the band’s final album, released on Valentine’s Day this year. As their parting gesture, nothing is wasted, everything invested. As one of the song titles says, “Get In, Get Out. Don’t Linger. Go On.”

 Raspberry Bulbs — Before the Age of Mirrors

Before The Age Of Mirrors by Raspberry Bulbs

Who picked it? Jonathan Shaw

Did we review it? Yes, Jonathan said, “Even in its heaviest metal moments, on ‘Reclaimed Church’ and excellent closing track ‘Given Over to History,’ the record’s punk vibe cuts and grins. It insists on a deadly aesthetic seriousness, and at the same time, it’s tugging the rug out from under its own feet.”

Jennifer Kelly’s take:

Raspberry Bulbs splices punk’s antic venom with metal’s storm and roar, shifting from one mode to the other inside individual tracks, sometimes measure to measure. Consider “Doggerel” which kicks off in a pogo-ing furor, rattling violently over rapid oi band rhythms, everything clipped and percussive, even the vocals, though hoarse and splintered. Midway through, a sirening guitar riff intercedes and the singing turns ominous and measured; all the sudden it’s metal. “Midnight Line” pulls the opposite trick, beginning in clanging, feedback-morphing guitar and larynx shredding howl, then introducing a punk rock palm-muted chug and anthemry. It’s a volatile mix, at times nearly playful, at others agonizingly heavy, at still others (the “Intervals” mostly) surprisingly lyrical.  I lean towards the punk-er tracks—"They’re After Me” and “Doggerel”— metal fans may feel otherwise.

 Stephen Riley — Friday the 13th (Steeplechase)

Who recommended it? Derek Taylor

Did we review it? Yes. Derek said, “Knuffke and Riley are a directly collaborative pairing now and their partnership politely demands many more dates like this one.”

Justin Cober-Lake's take:

Saxophonist Stephen Riley has put together a quartet with a singular idea of playing these classic tunes on Friday the 13th in relatively straightforward and spacious renditions. Their take on Eddie Vinson's “Four” has Riley and cornetist Kirk Knuffke trading long solos. The rhythm section does its job, but it's a horn players' record. The album comes alive most when Knuffke and Riley interact more immediately. On Oliver Nelson's “Hoe Down,” they reveal how great a partnership they have, initially matching each other on the main melody before spiraling off. “Round Midnight” could have been too obvious a choice, but the combo's personalized take on the standard works out. Everyone sounds at ease enough within the song that they take a few more risks, and the horn players supplement each other nicely with more harmonic considerations. The album ends with a trio of spirited numbers, and in each case Riley and Knuffke play off each other's solos with a sharpness that by now makes sense. Riley's listening to Monk and playing like Rollins (hence the title track) as he and his group find ways to make old bop sound new.

  Gil Scott-Heron and Makaya McCraven—We’re New Again, A Reimagining (XL Recordings)

Who recommended it? Jenny Kelly.

Did we review it? Yes. Arthur Krumins notes, “McCraven lays down a lush musical backdrop that allows Scott-Heron’s words to have emotional impact.”

Jonathan Shaw’s take:

The word “reimagine” has a sexy resonance, and for that reason, it’s often too casually used. But in the case of We’re New Again, the word is warranted. Drummer and producer Makaya McCraven doesn’t just remix Gil Scott-Heron’s final record, I’m New Here (2010); McCraven shuffles the track list, adds some relevant recordings of Scott-Heron’s voice, and creates entirely new arrangements, moods, and musical accompaniment for the earlier album’s songs. It’s ballsy — I’m New Here is justly recognized as a masterpiece, and it’s marked by a stylistic austerity. On that record, Scott-Heron sang and spoke and recited his poetry over minimalist beats, a strummed guitar, or his own piano playing. McCraven attentively reimagines the tunes, working with polyphonic, post-Bop ensembles; busy hip-hop soundscapes; gospel and funk quotations. Remarkably, none of the richness of Scott-Heron’s vocals and none of the complexity of his poetry get obscured. More often, McCraven inventively intensifies the impact of Scott-Heron’s songs. And the reordering and recontextualizing of the tracks reveals a different narrative, grounded in the resilience and the suffering of Scott-Heron’s upbringing and too-short life. You listen and you feel it. It’s a terrific record.

Six Organs of Admittance — Companion Rises (Drag City)

Companion Rises by Six Organs of Admittance

Who recommended it? Jennifer Kelly

Did we review it? Yes. Jenny said it’s “straight-down-the-middle Six Organs, not as loud and abrasive as the first Hexadic disc, not as reticently wisp-y as the older folk-derived records.”

Patrick Masterson’s take:

Back when Dusted was still a dot-com, we talked about making a site-specific canon for our 10th anniversary, a kind of “Dusted 500” field guide. There was a shared spreadsheet and talk of a benefit show and a mixtape comp and so on that never amounted to anything for myriad reasons, but I can promise you Ben Chasny would’ve figured into it somehow — and nearly a decade on from that, my promise stands. The latest (30th? Let’s call it 30th) Six Organs of Admittance record is a beautiful slow burner that shows why, all astral spirits and slow-rolling starlight guitar plucks that is, as Jenny rightly notes, a Six Organs line drive. My belief after numerous spins since early February — mostly in the mornings, for which this music also seems suitable accompaniment — is that, like the rest of Chasny’s oeuvre, it will appeal to anyone who likes guitars or reads this. On the off chance you stumbled in here or haven’t heard this record yet: Welcome. It’s always been this way.

Patrick Masterson

 Spanish Love Songs — Brave Faces Everyone (Pure Noise)

Brave Faces Everyone by Spanish Love Songs

Who recommended it? Ian Mathers

Did we review it? Yes. Ian said, “it’s more a record of solidarity and mutual support than it is anything more prescriptive.”

Patrick Masterson’s take:

L.A. quintet Spanish Love Songs occupy a very specific point on what I like to think of as the Bar Band Spectrum, where one end is a bottom-rung covers-only collective found in just about any weeknight dive pre-COVID playing for beer money out of boredom and modest ambition… and the other end is Bruce Springsteen. This band isn’t as ramshackle as, say, Ladyhawk, nor have they yet hit a glass ceiling à la the Constantines; they sound to me more like Beach Fossils or Single Mothers, where everything from their songwriting to their slightly glossy production suggests they’re as ready as they’ll ever be for arena life. And what a record to make the case, too: Brave Faces Everyone is the sound of Run for Covers Records growing up or early onset Gen Z realizing a glass of wine after everything is, in fact, a coping mechanism for adulthood in a profoundly uncaring world. It’s got a big, young heart to match its big, old sound. It says, loudly, that in the increasingly untethered reality of 2020, we are all losers forever — but there’s still a “best of it” to be made if you wanna and the bravest face is an optimistic one. I’ll rock with that (from the quarantined confines of home and the other side of another lousy livestream, of course).

Patrick Masterson

Squirrel Flower — I Was Born Swimming (Polyvinyl)

I Was Born Swimming by Squirrel Flower

Who picked it? Patrick Masterson

Did we review it? Nope.

Arthur Krumins’ take:

Making the most of a dour mood, Squirrel Flower squeezes disaffection from her vocal delivery. The instrumentation is reminiscent of a less noisy Built to Spill, or maybe Julie Doiron, and is effectively now a retro indie rock sound originally from the late 90s or early 2000s. The jamminess of some of the drawn out riffs feel both pretty and sad, and could be a good soundtrack to a rainy drive. The heaviness is well developed without being bogged down. The lyrics catch your attention with their plainspoken narration of conflict (“You slap me, I’ll slap you right back” she repeats in “Slapback”). A fitting album for looking your troubles head on while still being totally surrounded by them.

 Waterless Hills — The Great Mountain (Cardinal Fuzz)

Waterless Hills - 'The Great Mountain' by Waterless Hills

Who picked it? Bill Meyer

Did we review it? No.

Arthur Krumins’ take:

A dissonant flow that steadily increases in intensity starts this record, which is a live recorded improvisation. The combination of aching, modal violin by dbh with slightly overdriven cascading electric guitar by C Joynes makes for a feel reminiscent of “Venus in Furs” by the Velvet Underground. The percussion by Andrew Cheetham, a drum kit plug some extras like a hung Chinese gong, creates texture and mood. Sometimes there’s just a steady counting of time in the background, at other moments waves of cymbals crash and make a cacophonous emphasis as the music rises and falls. The overall effect of the jams is hypnotic, like getting absorbed in a swirling light show. The players’ sensitivity to the musical interplay of their instruments, combined with a masterful looseness, makes it a trip worth taking.

Well Yells — We Mirror the Dead (Self-released)

Who recommended it? Ian Mathers.

Did we review it? Yes. Ian Mathers notes, “tipping towards the slightly industrial/EBM side of the genre, We Mirror the Dead gains a kind of gloomy propulsion without losing any of the atmosphere or intensity of [the band’s] prior work.”

Jonathan Shaw’s take:

The Gothic is not famous for stylistic restraint, and neither are the various contemporary subgenres that have inherited goth music’s romance of dark interiors, painfully fraught feeling and highly stylized self-fashioning. A few recent acts have cut against the grain of those established maximalist textures: see the grim industrial rancor of Street Sects, and the more experimental, sample-based austerities of Wreck and Reference. Well Yells’ music feels similarly stripped down to a pulsing electronic essence. But the record is more interested in the strobing spaces of Clubland than in decrepit factory ruins, and the darkwave gloss of We Mirror the Dead presents a more conventional relation to goth’s sensations. At its best—as on album opener “Kill the King”—the music of Patrick Holbrook, sole member of Well Yells, snaps and glimmers with compelling dread and arch sophistication. Holbrook’s breathy tenor is a useful counterpoint; his vocals are vaguely reminiscent of the best of those other habitués of Clubland, the British New Romantics (remember Bronski Beat?). It’s good stuff, somehow simultaneously polished and dirty.

  Lucinda Williams—Good Souls Better Angels (Thirty Tigers/Highway 20 Records)

Who recommended it? Justin Cober-Lake

Did we review it? No.

Bill Meyer’s take: I haven’t listened much to Lucinda Williams; the one record I have by her, Sweet Old World, is 28 years old. The first thing that hit me when I listened to Good Souls Better Angels is what’s changed. Williams’ voice is much rougher, and she’s adjusted the music correspondingly, adding Hendrixian guitar flourishes to “Bone of Contention” and coarsening the domestic violence scenario “Wakin’ Up” with bad-trip electronics. The next is how pissed she sounds. Violent boyfriends are bad enough, but having a charmless sociopath for president is even worse. Fortunately, bile hasn’t overwhelmed her writing chops. Big-sounding roots rock isn’t really my thing these days, but if I feel the need to change that, Good Souls Better Angels is a good place to start.  

  Wire — Mind Hive (Pink Flag)

Who picked it? Andrew Forell

Did we review it? Yes, Andrew said, “Mind Hive is concise yet full of restless intelligence, musical ideas and willingness to push boundaries.”  

Derek Taylor’s take:

I tapped Wire late and left early. That truncated exposure lends a narrow vocabulary in describing their music contextually, pre- and post-reunions. This latest missive sounds alternately like what I remember and at least several zip codes removed with a heavy lean into synths. “Be Like Them” and “Primed and Ready” fall in the former category, while “Off the Beach” trades gangly ennui and menace for what almost resembles instrumental optimism until the lyrics stack dutifully into another ode to the disaffected and disconnected. “Oklahoma” feels inscrutably weird. “Hung” drops as the album’s extended, incremental, post-industrial dirge. There’s additional insulation sheathing this Wire, an inevitable adjunct of ascendancy to elder status, but the current foursome is still dependably conducting current.

 Yves Tumour — Heaven to a Tortured Mind (Warp)

Who recommend it? Patrick Masterson

Did we review it? No.

Ian Mathers’ take:

Listen to music for long enough and you might realize that most of the time when you hope any artist goes in any particular direction with their work, you’re bound to be disappointed. But every so often, maybe after a promising album that you just didn’t fully click with, an artist does exactly what you were hoping for and fully manifests all the potential promise you thought you glimpsed. Yves Tumor’s 2018 album Safe in the Hands of Love was admirable in many ways, but it was really only on crucial single “Noid” that all the combustible elements were really brought together into something that properly bangs. Well, Heaven to a Tortured Mind might not have as many showcases for the ambient/noise chops that Tumor definitely has, but it does consistently bang for 36 minutes of should-be alternate universe pop hits, from the brassy “Gospel for a New Century” to the floaty duet “Kerosene!” For anyone who loved “Noid” and then found more to respect than the viscerally love on Tumor’s last record, this is the record you were waiting for, and it is magnificent and ferocious.

[ttvrtledeerr]

describing my oc’s in 5 words or less

autumn’s leaf - schizophobic af

bella - cr0nch cr0nch

babyface - mute hoe

briarleaf - *https://youtu.be/qt2Ht_Tl9Ic*

cecil - closeted gay soldier 1

charlie - wow imagine showing emotions

clover - ✌🤠

clovertail - stepbro wyd with that gun

con - stepbro with the gun

downcast - hooray for abandoning our kids

ellie - albinism 

ezekiel - gay demon

finley - oops my kids died

ginny - mom

heinrich - dad of the year

herstel - clown bear

julian - blind hoe

karkeo - sassy bitch

kestrel - oh hi satan hru

leemit - sister of the year

lola - precious steampunk bb

masseren - probably the most normal one

oliver - protective younger brother

pike - precious british bb

pirate - neigh

pogo - *cymbal monkey sounds*

praise - badass

quin - greedy homophobe (i hate her)

remy - goth bitch 1

ricky - cat bb

ryann - abusive fucker (i hate him)

scavenger - killed his daughter

simon - closeted gay soldier 2 

spring’s flower - kinda basic but nice

squirrel - *gets abandoned cutely*

urlen - ???

verdrehte - transphobic slut (i hate her)

viktor - ftm german bb 

vito - demon cat bb

wendy - goth bitch 2

winter’s howl - god but not rlly

[mummagorgon]

Here is an idea for you! Human giving a Yautja a gift? Anything you can think of. Feed my addiction!

Jesus christ on a pogo-stick what have you done! XD This started as a drabble and then it got LONG I am so sorry! This is about 2k words I WILL do a small headcanon for this idea though which is more of what you meant by the ask ^_^ 

I hopes you likes is though!

---------Thank You Gifts----------

Giftswere not commonplace in the Yautja culture, if a Yautja gave an item to anotherYautja there was no sense of emotion or reciprocity about the exchange usuallyit was a weapon of some kind, a tool to be used in battle. The idea of giving agift for the sake of it was nonsensical. The only item that was given to the Yautjawith an emotional undertone was the beads which each Yautja kept in their hair.Each bead representing a stage in life, from winning battles, to finding a mateand having pups – the beads, along with their weapons were the most importantitems to the Yautja.

However,you were a human. You didn’t know any of this – you were so used to giving andreceiving gifts. It was so common, it was expected! Weddings, birthdays,religious festivals – gifts were bought and shared to everyone. The world ranon the idea of buying things for yourself and others, the human need to collectitems and gift them to others was very distinct to humanity. Humans were essentiallythe squirrels of the galaxy – always collecting and hoarding items.

Youneeded to get your Yautja a gift, they had aided you when you had been so closeto death. They had fought your attackers off, collected you and brought you forhealing. You had not expected the aid of the feared Yautja species, you hadbeen told about them, how they were giant, ferocious beast like creatures thatwould sooner rip your head off than ask you a question.

However,when you saw this Yautja face to face – you were afraid, their appearance wasscary, it was alien, it was ferocious but their eyes, their eyes lookedbeautiful…they looked so full of unspoken emotion, you couldn’t fear thoseeyes.

Whenyou woke from your sleep following your rescue, you expected to find yourselfin an unfamiliar place, but you weren’t…You were back with your people, the Yautjamust have brought your body back to your people at the military base.

Whenyou woke, you searched frantically for them. They had to be near – they couldn’thave left you, you needed to thank them. You had to show your appreciation, youhad to show them that not all humans had to fight the Yautja – that even thoughit could be considered shameful, Yautja and Humans could work together…butmaybe you were getting in over your head.

Ittook, a few days before you found the Yautja you were looking for – you hadmanaged to find your way into the labs on the undersections of the militarybase, you had heard whispers that the Doctors had found ‘another one’ and waskeeping a hold of them for tests.

Yourheart sank, and you overheard all the cruel things that your own people wantedto do to them, to your rescuer, to your new friend. You wanted to show themthat they didn’t have to fight humans – but now this, they would never forgiveyou or your people.

Youheard a deep growl and screech coming from down an empty corridor. The wallsblindingly white, the air tasted dry and bitter – the lights were swingingabove you as you made your way towards the horrific sounds. Banging andscratches echoed out against the walls and the windows as you made it closer tothe noise you could see the dark outline of a huge figure, a part of you wantedit to be them but you knew if it was them behind that wall, they were being treatedso badly.

Asyou made your way in front of the huge glass window, you silently prayed that itwas one  way glass – that the Yautja couldn’tsee you, but they could and it broke your heart. You could see the green bloodwhich has dried up against the Yautja’s skin, they had been stripped of theirarmour and weapons – the room was brightly lit, overpoweringly so, it made yousquint to look in you couldn’t imagine how it felt to be under those lights. Theyhad been severely beaten, but there body remained unbroken due to their enhancedbody.

Yourthoughts came to a quick halt, as the Yautja lunged forward to the glasscrashing its fists against the strong glass, screeching and flaring their teethand they growled and clicked at your from behind the glass.  You looked into their eyes, the kindness wasno longer there – they looked dark, they looked angry, they looked betrayed.

Didthey blame you for their imprisonment? For the torture they had endured?

Ifthey had left you to die, they wouldn’t ever be caged up like a zoo animal.They would be free, they would not have this shame. They did blame you – you werethe human after all, you were the reason they were there in the first place.

“Iam so sorry….” You sniffed, as you stepped back from the glass. The Yautjagrowled deeply at you, no longer banging – just stood there staring at you.Could they hear you?

“Iam so sorry they did this to you, I am so sorry, this is all my fault youshould have left me there!” You sobbed quietly as you bring your hands up tocover your red, weeping face. The Yautja growled lowly, moving away from the glass– they turned their back to you as you tried to move your legs, they had becomeweak as you trembled with tears.

Youhad to run away, you couldn’t stay and see them in that place. You couldn’t doanything to help them or to get them out. You were a mess, you were angry, andyou were vengeful for your new friend.

Youtook a few nights to try and think out your options, after wallowing in self-pityfor a few days you decided to snap out of your farce. You were a solider, you werenot a weak little human as you had come to feel recently. You could dosomething, anything to get your Yautja out.  He had given you the gift of freedom, of life –the least you could do was give him his freedom in return.

So,you made a plan – night after night, you would sneak down the corridors andmake note of the times that the doctor would go into your Yautja, how theywould gas them and restrain them, so they were compliant – how they would torturethem, do their horrific tests. The times were always the same, they would go inafter the gas had taken effect – at least four guards would manhandle the Yautjato shackles on the wall before the tests began. The first night, you cried andas the nights went on having to watch their torture tactics you got angry…

Thathad brought you to tonight, your plan had worked out nicely, you had managed toswap out the sleeping gas tank for a simple fire hydrant mix – the room wouldlook gassed but the Yautja would only be slightly blinded by the smog.  You waited hidden in the shadows of thecorridor, you could hear the team of guards and the two doctors as they madetheir way down to the cell. You followed slowly, you had managed to get your handson a gas mask which you had tightly pinned to your face – the last thing youneeded was a lung full of god knows what.

Youdecided that a knife and two hand guns were probably your best bet during this attemptedrescue mission, you wanted to be as stealthy as possible, but you also knewthat four men had semi- automatic weapons on hand and you knew exactly who wouldcome out on top during that match up.

Theguards were out of sight so you made your advance, as you looked around thecorner you noted that doctors imputed the code of the gas vents and theunlocked the main door, you had seen this routine time before, they would floodthe room with gas, they would unlock the first door and then the second doorwould automatically unlock once the gas had cleared. It was like clockwork, thegas would dissipate and the guards would rush in to pin the sedated Yautja –but today, today it would be a little bit different.

Youmoved up closer, the six men now entered the first chamber, preparing for thefog to clear. With a click – the second doors opened, and they rushed into thesmoke, gas masks on but a rubber mask would not help them against one verypissed Yautja. You winced as you heard the bloody screams of the guards, thefog still thick in the air the white smoke broken by the shots of thick bloodwhich smeared across the glass window.

Thiswas your time, you took out your guns and stood behind the two older doctors.Your gun pressed to the back of their skulls.

“Giveme your authorization!” You barked as the two older men cowered in place, youdoubted it was the threat of your gun, more the half loose rabid alien that wasmaking easy work of their armed guards that caused the two elder men to beincontinent before their time.

“Thetwo men dropped their ID passes onto the floor, you kicked them away to exitdoor which had shut behind you locking you in. “Now get on your knees in thatcorner!” You said as you nudged you gun to their heads in the direction of thefurther corner from the exit.

“W-whyare you helping this monster!” One of the older men, shouts from his corner,the screams of the guards now silencing out.

“Weare all monsters Doctor. Have you not checked yourself lately?” You growl, asyou make your way over to the control panel on the wall – swiping the ID cardacross the screen the second door opens unleashing your Yautja.  Through the smoke, they lunged pinning the twoolder men with a deep growl and a click before they threw them behind them intothe gassed cell before the doors locked on them trapping the doctors inside.

TheYautja turned quickly, they could smell your scent in the air before they sawyou – standing by the control panel, you were panicked, you still had the gasmask on – would they recognize you, you tensed not quite knowing what willhappen to you. The large alien clicked slowly and approached you a low growlrumbling from their chest. You tried to keep your composure but again, you werenervous – did they still blame you? Would they kill and escape without you? Youdidn’t know…you paused for a quick death, but none came.

“Youfelt pressure on your throat, a large hard claw which slowly dragged up towardsyour mask pulling it off to free your face. Not that they needed to see you,they could smell you a mile off.

I’msorry…” You whispered as the Yautja looked down at you, its warm breathradiated on your skin and it clicked slowly, mandibles and teeth slowly grazingover your forehead. You looked up slowly, some form of courage took over as you,you needed to see those eyes, their eyes – even if it was one of the last thingsyou would see.

Lookingdown for a moment, you couldn’t bring yourself to gaze into those disappointed eyesagain. You clutched the two ID badges in your free hand, a gun in the other.You winced slightly as the hulking creature came closer, too close, swallowing hardyou began to feel the familiar feeling of salty tears build up in your eyes.

Asyou looked up, you were taken aback by the pressure of the Yautja’s head on youneck, their hot breath and teeth nuzzling into your neck. Was this a thank you?You swallowed hard as you took in the moment, the feeling of this Yautja’sskin, the gentleness of their fangs that pressed against the bare skin of yourneck. You could feel him vibrate gently as he purred and clicked into youbefore pulling back.

“You’rewelcome…” You say quietly, as you hand over the second ID card before openingthe main door, they looked at you and motioned for you to come with them, whichmade you smile but you slowly shook your head – you couldn’t leave. You had toclear up down here, clean the damage that had been done – get rid of theevidence…that was on you.

Yousighed and untied your knife holder from your belt. This knife had been your pa’swhen he joined the military and now it was yours. You loved the knife, it hashelped you through some tough situations, but you needed to give this Yatuja something,after what they endured for you.

“Heretake it.” You say and you hand over the knife to the Yautja, which in comparisonto their large size looked more like a toothpick than a weapon of any kind. Youchuckled a little as the alien looked it over before tilting its head.

“Callit a thank you gift. For saving my life.”