#reason why biggie isnt here

[vixendoesstuff]

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

ALRIGHT, SO-

World Tour, where (please excuse my language) shit hits the fan, for real. My notes on this saga is hectic and convoluted, so I'll try to make some sense of it for this post. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the askbox or my DM's, whichever you prefer.

I wanted to do bullet points for this, but maybe most Tumblr users prefer to read long paragraphs than bullet points, since my posts not having bullet points do better? IDK, I've only been on Tumblr for like, a year at best so forgive this soul for her cluelessness lol.

And also, depending on how much I've typed, I might have to split this saga into three parts, 'cause I know y'all don't actually want to read a really long post that took up three scrolls wide lol.

Anyway--let's start this crazy train.

So, the story begins the same way as it is in the movie--opening shot with Cloud Guy giving a quick recap about the first movie, and then the next shot panning towards the Techno Trolls (ay, Branch's tribe, let's go!). Unfortunately, the amount of screentime (or appearance in this case) they got here minimal, since we're focusing on Branch and co.

But anyway, same thing happened, King Trollex hosting the rave, Barb barges in demanding his string and destroyed Techno Reef to get him to comply, same old. Poor guy, honestly, he just wanted to vibe.

Next shot pans to Pop Village, same thing there. Everyone is smiling and singing and dancing (with Techno!Branch joining in, look at that! Since he can't extend his hair like everyone else, he relies on acrobatics and just generally hang onto someone ((mostly Poppy)) whenever they swing on the trees with their hair). Branch tries to confess his love to Poppy, but got friendzoned unintentionally by her (ouch). Then Barb's bat pet thing comes in, and King Peppy's history lesson.

They're not the only ones here in this world. There are other trolls out there; Pop, Hard Rock, Classical, Country, Funk, and Techno.

This is where it gets interesting. At this point in time, Branch has all but accepted that he's possibly the only Troll in the village that looks the way he does. That he's the only one that ever existed in the world. It's why he and Cooper has a sort of closer bond with eachother in this AU : different Troll (tribe, but not that they knew this yet) solidarity. Sure, he was curious once, like how come is egg was in the Troll Tree, why does he look different, ect. But now he's more than content with his current predicament. He has friends now, something to look foward to; he was happy, after so long.

But now with the news that there are other Trolls out there, different from the rest, his past yearning came back to life. And while King Peppy hadn't said it outright, his lack of words all but confirmed Branch's suspicions. That he's not the only one out there. And from what he saw in the scrapbook, he can pinpoint which one of the tribes he supposedly belongs to; Techno.

Then we cut to when Poppy packs up to leave and got caught by Branch. The same argument happens, with the addition of Poppy saying that because there are different Trolls out there, then shouldn't Branch be curious about them? Who knows, maybe there's a tribe that looks exactly like him! Branch refuted by saying that, even if there was a tribe just for him, how would he connect to them? He's been living as a "Pop Troll" his whole life, what connection can he form with these hypothetical Trolls (identity issues go brrr)? What if they found out that he's gone Grey for almost all his life? If the Pop Trolls, who has known him since he was born, didn't react well to his whole Grey-ness; what are the chances his own kind would react badly to the news? Or worse, reject him outright.

Before he could go on, boom! Cooper appears from the shadows and said something like, "That's not how you really think, ain't it Branch?". They were surprised he's there, and then they exchange some more dialouge sort of expressing Branch's concern about not fitting in with his hypothetical tribe out there, and shed some light on Coopers concern as well about wanting to find you who you really, and even if you don't fit in atleast you know the truth now, that sort of stuff. IDK, I'm not great at writing angst, lol.

Anyway, after some convincing from Poppy, Branch relented and decides to accompany her (even if he denies it, he wants to know if his people is out there). Cooper also wants to come along, and while Branch refuses for his own safety, Poppy allows it in the condition that he sticks with them at all times. So, the three sets of to explore the entire Troll Kingdom, to "reunite" all the tribes and make one big party at Queen Barb's World Tour.

Little did they know just what kinds of trouble they'll encounter on their journey.

Woah, plot twist, Cooper actually comes along instead of going on a solo journey this time around! He replaces Biggie in this! What a shocker! Shocked emoji!

Admitedly, while it's funny the first time, Cooper's solo adventure is... I don't wanna be too rude about it, but it's sort of unnecessary in the big run? I mean, not entirely unnecessary, but like, if you remove that and just have him go along with Poppy and co., nothing major would change. He'd still be reunited with his family in Vibe City, except this time he'll have a first time reaction to the history of the Strings and see the truth of it, y'know what I mean?

But anyway, Poppy, Branch and Cooper's gonna explore the world of other genres. I don't think much will change with his inclusion, but the reactions will be far more varied, me thinks. Stay tuned for the next part, 'cause wow did not expect this part of the series to be so convoluted lol.

Also I had wanted to include some scene redraws from the movie with new implemented elements for this AU, but artblock is gripping me tight and college is starting soon, so I won't have much time to draw than I do write. So, yeah, hope y'all don't mind lol. I'll definitely do some artwork for this AU in the future though, believe it!

Until next time!

[yesthebatmanme]

Happy Birthday, Allison Mack aka Pain in the Ass Woman!   I don’t condone what she did at that damn awful fucking cult.  I’m glad she’s away from it despite how disappointed i am of her still the way she led her life despite she wasted her talent on a   disgusting asshole pedo like Keith Raniere.  I still believe Allison can turn her life around but given time if she puts more effort into it then she has a chance.  I normally don’t but too faith in anyone but a few people.  Allison’s character on Smallville was the best in opinion and i honestly don’t care too much if anyone disagree’s with me. But she was to me, When i met her the first time in comic con she was very nice to me when i was fresh out of  the hospital being  27, after almost dying. I didn’t have any  direction in my life.  I was so angry after being mistreated as i was shown the true colors of my so-called friends.  I didn’t have any hopes or dreams left in me anymore. I was wrong to throw them away.  I gave up on myself as i was so angry at  society and rebelled.  Then i went a road trip with a friend of mine at the time  at a comic con.  Then i met Allison one day inperson.  She was full of life that inspired me to be better but i made that choice to be better.  She never knew one act of kindness she did getting my stuff i left behind at her booth would effect me. I ask myself would someone like JDF do that for me? No, He can careless if i live or die. He never cared for me only used me but later i used  him. I have no regrets over it maybe if he wasn’t an asshole bully wanting to fight anyone he deems a threat to him and his ego. Maybe i would respect him.  Why can i forgive Allison but not JDF, JDF did worst to me more ways than anyone will ever know.  Allison was a bitch to people i will not sugar coat that. I’m not sorry for using the tough love method seeing what she was becoming under Raniere’s control.  The last time i saw her inperson.  I don’t hate Allison unlike alot of people do. They’re worst people than Allison in the world she alone will have to live with what she did for the rest of her life.    Ill always consider Chloe Sullivan my most favorite n Smallville.  but Allison.....Well thats another issue although i don’t hate Allison as not many brought out the passion in me to be better.   I can  walk on, to start living in the here and now.  

But.....Ill say this that not many will like but  deal with it.

But thats how i feel.   I asked myself for the past four years was it Allison or Chloe that brought that deep depression i felt all these 14 years in my life? The answer was both did in their own way.  I choose not to have a deep grudge on Allison Mack she has enough people having that.  The advice i got from Allison although i don’t know if she’ll ever take hers is  to not focus on what other people think of me is to my thing. It’s what ill continue to do not giving a fuck or seeking anyone’s approval of anything.   I’m just going to be me, thats all i can truly be not someone that i’m not.....I’ve never been a fake person, hell thats one of the reasons why i don’t like people too much due to some of them being so phony. I’m not her hope, she isnt mine neither as i can be my own hope.  I hope she can find hers or she won’t make it in a life away from the cult.  I’m thankful she was nice enough to sign my Batfleck t-shirt with a note and cut her autograph price 10% off on her, It suprised me but i was greatful of it. I wasnt honestly expecting but yeah many will say well of course she don’t have that many fans because what she did, blah, blah, but i honestly like to believe she doesn’t do that to alot of people but i got in the mail during the    private signing three months ago. And no, the note she left me is between me and her, nothing biggie but i prefer that part be kept in private.

I wish her the best. Will i ever see her again? who knows what the future holds but i’d take seeing her over a few people including that asshole JDF except my fist hitting his jaw Batman style for hurting and slandering me, he hurt people who were my friends and among other things.   Allison on the other hand i love and respect.  I was angry at her for four years for what she did but now. It’s time to just move on from it and her for the best.  I don’t want to carry her weight upon my shoulders just loosen the fat and be free from it.  I don’t want to fight Allison but i would fight   JDF in a heartbeat no questions asked.  I can give a shit how many black belts he has fuck them, fuck his martial arts, fuck his hypocrisy bullshit code of the arts. He’s no different than the monsters he made go boom in Power Rangers. He had nothing to do with my development  as the new me that i am now.  In my eyes he’s a punk with ego.  

I believe Allison can get her life back on track, anything I’ve learned reading comics including Batman that some people can be redeemed.  I normally don’t have faith in alot of people but Allison. I do more ways than anyone will ever know.  Even if she’s a pain in the ass to deal with at times.  I don’t regret meeting her inperson the first two times. The last two on the other hand when she wasn’t all there not the best in company. But when i first met her she was full of life and energy. I enjoyed her hugs so much, she was great to talk better than some of the women /celebrities that i’ve met that bored me to tears.  Maybe i am a fool, she maynot care if  someone like me care’s for her or not, but those things don’t mean a damn to me. I like to believe that care for more than certain people in her life who care about is money. Not about lives or anything.   I can go about life and be strong enough to deal with it.  I got my life. She has hers. In a strange way i feel like ill always be linked to her in a strange way.  Whatever we both like it or not, I can’t fight her battles even i wanted to she’s on her own. I believe she’ll do fine but i wish her nothing but the best.

[straynogoddstupid666]

Beauty Realms

---------------

I refused to pick myself up

Off the damn ground

Just like u refused to help

That child to his feet

Stop letting ur guns whisper

Wrds get crisper like ruffles

Listen to ur heart listen

To ur heart listen to ur lover

Don't go out like biggie Tupac?

U dig? macking like combs

No poppa just bringing something proper

Stop poppin start huggin

And she never ever kept me

Warm at night pick up in

Hearses brief like gun be silent

My children Feel the prints on dead mulch

Shook ur folks like her looks

Killer creepin to ur window

Crushin dead leaves as he enters

A person's crib bnn hit in the face

By the coffin lid father thought

It was intentional i took it well

No help meh i come from them

Like mary for her baby the times

They never good to us

trump got me thinking

Biggie got me shaking my head

Tupac got me Reminiscing

Robin Schultz have me forlorn

I wanna think sick dreams to put

The devil to sleep why the fightin?

Stop u cryin ur groaning tha moanin

Caht u see im dying on my death

Bed like Wallace said u wouldn't understand I'll make the phone call brief

Like highschool love u don't wanna love

No more too late for this

Somebody put the pipe to my

Nutshell i want the trigger to

Talk dirty to me so let it squeeze

Young Fools don't wanna help a nigga

Breathe and i don't make enough bread

To set examples Like chances

Making mills givin bills no cheap thrills lovin pll Instead of ur bread ur pills love urself Even tho i tried i cried too much

Am srry too much let's sit

And hold hands with kim

Tell donald he gotta go

Let Steyer Take office i wanna

See smiles on people's faces

I wanna see Liberia and Africa

Dance to no more sickness no more pain

Tell shinzō am srry he won't accept it

But i want to express the thought

That should matter to him and me

Like they and them but no one ever

Spoke of us and we its always i to the am

No she cuz they were too irrelevant

To man as man was too

irrelevant to woman its funny how

That i express this better thnn a

Typical adult would but i was i

I shook my head and asked my

Pistol for help it proceeded to

Shoot meh in the noggin why The jokin?

I wasn't yet laughin stop clowin

This Is serious drink the maggots

Eat ur meal the coffins call us all

They stop ur flower bringing

Ur slow songs  whnn three yrs go by

now ur just dirt

In the hue time its past our time Subliminal like a correspondence

Too dependable Don't overreact

I hate going to the room cover doors

We gonna be here for awhile so two-sided

Living like a hypocrite so wishy-washy

Triggers keep whispering to me

Why call the ems?  U got soul to

Call them urself u pullin my leg

Choking my collar put up

against the furnace Hansel and Gretel

Got away scott free pull ur guns

But pull ur frustrations on ur kids

Why so petty?  I must find a way to die

Getting real tired of people just let

Me die slow slow as sloth

u waste my time wrap me up like

A pharaoh no king no godd just a bad boy

Im choking on wrds as ur friends choke

On high clouds sinking in high tide

Oh no no don't come back and haunt

My lonely soul i ain't got time

For entities gotta my mind

On my goddamn feelings don't Have

Time for weeping gotta

keep my Eyes on goddamn time

Don't carsick me with ur fake affection

I couldn't figure out why the same

Damn cars were parked outside hospitals

Evrynight i couldn't picture my

Lover dying a slow death too

Gone like onfroy and the Nineties

Were terrible with some honorable

Mentions the hospital was a night clinic

Send urself back the crib

dying early dawns suffocating

On life support u test me my heart

Ripped out Rip so sad let die

Wasn't worth a penny a Dime To'em

U didn't wanna be a molester

No killer am in the act of street knowledge Am stray no godd

Wise godd stray i get around i see well

I don't lie well but eat good

Make sour promises look distainful

I keep wrds as if they were

precious stones i sought it out

Like beauty realms but unreachable

Like a pretty woman like a goddess

They saw me ugly and unseasoned

Had a personality i never seen before

More lame thnn the average

So weak thnn the meek so wasteful

Like a bottle not precious as diamonds

Flith as a rug that's me on ur floor dead

Its so real like a beauty realm

i couldn't touch and fantasies and dreams

Remained in my skull but shut them off

With a noose i was so wrong Whnn will

I see a smile on my Face??

Whnn will Japan forgive Us???

Who will feed the needy everyday?

Make ur days worth don't make one

Day good make a hundred more

So high u could be like Jesus

But u weren't my saviour

Stop climbing high u wanted

Clout and fame for ur good deeds

Stop ur boasting be humble

Ur not a modest man with high morals

Not so great now Huh??

U think u better thnn Us yeah???

U misunderstood my lettering

That's why with each paragraph

U get more and more confused

This isnt to teach its to understand

Why we lack so i keep my head low

And except the worser deeds by

The higher man cuz they lie all the same

I look for imperfections in the mirror

Instead i saw the devil mock me

With sick expression ur no Ecstasy

Just a supernatural phenomenon

Caused By my own fabricated Infatuation

Within beauty and splendor so

Grand i shot my heart out

Filled my head With Grandeur

Passed out on my brother's shoulder

But he knock me to the ground

And cussed me being a flower

I was a ugly flower brother saw

Me a burden and our mother troublesome

And our sister worrisome but i

Cut off excuses brother why the frowin?

Have i failed u? I was i not motivated

To keep ur mind at ease

I grieve on ur bed side cuz the way u sleep Looks as if ur in a coffin and i couldn't Bare the sight i sigh cuz we all will be In wood coffins one way or another People shoot me off my feet

Like a realm i was forever lost

To Infinite amount of souls

Crying to themselves rotten

Like the stray the maggots breed on him

I passed the arsenic to my

Darling lover no wonder why

The blue blazer and the yellow tights

Fitted me so well i was going

To start a mass chain affect

So horrendous be like Marylin Monroe

Dial nine no call back just silence

Crack of dawning lead out in a stroller

Beauty's dead and where was judy?

Tell me if i go to a pastor

Will be truthful with Me?

Could he say with a heavy heart

That things happen for a reason?

Could he rlly honestly possibly

Probably hopefully reassure me

That i could die Happy???

Uh huh....didn't think so....

Riddle me this u ppl who think ur above all

U who thinks ur generosity

holds no bounds u women hold signs

For change u need to rlly look

Urselves in the mirror to understand me

Riddle me this can we still love

Once the heart stops beating??

Can u fix a beggar a hot meal

Without think lowly or suspicious

Of him? Can u care for a child

After he lost waht u got??

See ironically u all berates me

Cuz u kno im telling the truth

But ur stuck in denial and me

Taking great pity in u

I sigh and walk into a hwy

My talking was shunned out by

Visco girls and Woman stereotyping

Men without giving urselves a second

Reason whnn we act we act reason

The other 50% were just fools

I turned a Symphony to a sad man crying

Old man dying dead stray a walkin

I stop the talkin cuz am sinking

They murders me softly

I sullied myself to the coffin once more as The birds stop their srry note

Im being for real for real.

And not fake for fake

See where am going with this??

But u don't wanna listen

But u wanna help ppl??

[fuck-customers]

Why I hate "soccer moms"

Cant think of any triggers just dumb people! Smh. Sorry its long tldr at bottom. So I work in one of those order online pickup grocerys at the store places. I'll call it "Click it" because anyone over 50 seems to mix the name up to that- despite the actual one listed on EVERYTHING, uniform included. But I digress. Ive been assaint manager in the department for like 5months, actually working like one for like a year, in the department for 2. I know how shit works. The current (shitty) manager is out on vacation for 2 weeks...despite taking the job like 2 months ago and always having 3 day weekends on the busy days. So I clock in for a closing shift at like 11a. Head back and my opener instantly is asking for an override for this womans order. Obviously I ask why before giving it away. 1 policy. 2 if it breaks the rules and I ok it i could lose my job. She says how her coupon didn't work. Which okay we get that a lot. Sometimes people don't read the fine print on size or quantity or we had to subsitude it. So we're allowed to override them with another co worker (at least my department, manager if over $20). Generally if it makes sense and they're being nice we'll just give it to them. This woman was trying to use a "buy $50 worth through "click it" and save $20" which- great deal imo. Problem is she only ordered snack food and like 1 thing of cheese, pretty much everything she ordered was on a STORE sale for .99 cents. So her total is 27.62 or somthing. I explain to my opener why we can't take it. She wasn't spending $50 we'd lose too much money and have to explain it later. Not to mention we just had a store wide updated policy on coupons- I wasnt losing a job for this lady sorry. So my opener asks if I can go explain it to her. I agree no biggie thats my job. Me: "Hi ma'am my names ___ I'm the assistant manager, I just got her and [coworker] was explaining how this coupon wasn't worki-" Her: "WELL did you fix it??" Me: "...No ma'am see its buy $50 save $20 and your total here is $27 and some odd cents." Her: "But it was all WORTH $50!!" Me: "But it's all on sale see here? Your TOTAL needs to be $50 or more for it to work. You did not spend that much because of the sales. The coupon isnt valid I'm sorry." Shes now huffing and puffing doing the sighing and clutching her head like im so stupid and ruining her whole fucking day. "WELL my friend did this SAME order and it worked for her! So YOU tell ME why it wont work!" I take a min and blink it shouldnt have?? And I tell her as much and try to say maybe it was before the ad change or she got more ordered- Her "NO. IT WAS YESTERDAY. She told me she got this all cheap so I WANT THE SAME PRICE. Why wont your stupid coupons just work??" At this point shes angrly typing on her phone not even giving me eye contact. Most likely this "friend". So again saying how I cannot give it all for $7. So more huffing and reading something on her phone before she says "well then I DON'T WANT IT." Me: "okay well I'll void off your order the money will come back on your account in a few days (we pre get the estimate approved online as pending- not anything i control). And I'll come back with a cart for all the stuff. " Do so and notice shes got kids in the back looking nervous...great way to teach them kindness lady. Later on the assistant manager for the STORE calls me asking me why we denied someones coupons. Guess she left a rude comment or called. So i explained and at least my boss seemed satisfied that it was a reasonable response. and said she'd let the top manager know whats up so we don't get in trouble or anything. TLDR: lady expects me to give her "$50 worth" of food for $7. Because its not her fault it was all on sale and it turned into $27 and so the coupon for buy $50 save $20 didnt work.

[sunnyvaiprion]

Hi! I have a question (two actually) So how do you use Mr Dark Prince in battle? And is there a 4th mysterious member along your Julius/Reinhardt/Child!Azura team? (I love these interactions of them you draw btw~)

Oh, thanks!! 

About the team: yes! Since it’s a primarily AR team, there are two more! One of them is basically defaulted to Eir, but more often than not she stays as far away as she possibly can from any action (she has a nice heal though. Also she can throw Julius into enemies if he cant walk there fast himself). And second is a wildcard that varies from team to team (it was supposed to be a bonus unit, but it seems like Eir will stay for quite a long time), but my “main” now uses Bride Ninian for… no apparent reson besides being a dancer and me liking her. I will most likely change her for someone else/heavily alter her build because it’s actually pretty wacky with this team, but for now she stays (because she can fulfill her main purpose which is assisting trap removal in tight spaces). 

And now, About Julius: Ranged units can be a major pain. Sometimes (more like nearly always) you cant initiate on one and run without the rest of them scattering like dust particles if you blow on them all across the map with their dancers (especially now with Lazura), and to bait them you need someone who can take entire triangle and probably physical damage too, all at once. Use a dragon? Yes… a dragon.

Due to it being a somewhat lenghty text, I am putting it under the cut. 

If someone else thought about using him but was afraid that he isnt ��a good unit” or “not favoured by meta” - I’d recommend you read into this too!

I have my Julius with Loptous, Reposition, Iceberg, Distant Defence, Guard, Attack Ploy, and another Distant Defence. which is - a wall. I place him in a space where he can be targeted by units I want (nearly any ranged, tbh. IF there’s a melee frontiline unit - Reinhardt has a message for them.) so he can kill them or hold them in place, and make sure my team can give him maximum amount of drives without putting anyone in danger. (oftenmost it’s just Azura and that’s it but still). 

Pros:

It’s VERY hard to kill him during EP. Even blue mages and bows/daggers with high attack struggle to deal non-zero damage to him, especially pre-dance. TA blue mage dancers included, as they usually dont break 50 attack mark by much.

No specials. Unless a special is pre-charged on turn 1 (or 2CD with Heavy/Flashing blade after dance), no luck trying to damage him with one either while guard is up and have fun offing it. Glimmer still deals a 0. Moonbow most likely a single digit.

He has high attack but without QR he will unlikely kill a unit coming at him on their first initiation (unless its low res green OR Reinhardt)…. which will waste a dancer’s turn to dance them instead of dancing some out-of-range thing you DONT want to attack, like a melee fast sword in that far-off corner.

On second initiation (if danced, alternatively someone else if the first unit died or didnt get a dance) that unit is guaranteed dead, though, because Iceberg hits like a truck especially with his already nice attack and STUPIDLY HIGH RES especially on EP. If they somehow survive this (Aversa with res wave on comes to mind) - its not a crazy PP unit so their damage is definitely a hard 0, so no biggie. Also works with a fast dazzle staff or if first enemy fails to double, since CD is 3.

With his res he can atk ploy virtually any unit of his choice, making the most dangerous unit to him (usually a physical or Ophelia) less dangerous at least pre-dance (when they have a chance to land more attacks).

His speed is actually not THAT bad. He usually doesnt mind getting doubled, but still. If you throw some speed buffs on him he can deny even some fast units their doubles. This might come in handy when fighting aforementioned units.

He is a lot easier to actually obtain and merge than similar units (Micaiah, Deirdre, Kliff maybe?) due to not being a 5-star locked or even limited unit. Unless you are a whale, and I dont judge, but for me it’s a big plus right there. Skills I have on him are also all widely available (I got DD off Garon).

Ranged anti-dragon weapons are all green (= normal blue for Julius, multiplier-wise). After Nagas got refines I actually started seeing them on defence maps. Guess what, still 0 damage. Daggers are trickier but a lot rarer and still manageable. They added an inheritable one just now but… why would anyone actually use it on heroes except it’s native user (who is also green) ?? Either way you wont see much of that.

See that Surtr? Julius will take care of him for you, too, with his high attack. In a single hit, if you pre-charge his Iceberg on something else. I know that almost any red mage can do it, but I heared some people still struggle. He can take a DC-hit from him too, if he runs one.

He can tank Ophelia, but be careful. For her he needs res buffs, especially the visible one, because of her initial AoE. Atk ploy her. If she can get an attack buff, It’d be great for you to have panic ploy too (right now there’s a lot of options, including Panic Manor). On a positive note, there should be plenty of mages on the same team as her, probably red and green, which wont really bother him afterwards.  

That’s Julius. We love our possessed lord.

Cons:    

While he takes little to no damage from any ranged source, Poison Strike-esque damage will get him good. Pain+ healers arent particulary dangerous because they cant deal any more damage to him no matter what, but units like firesweep bow double poison lyn are not very nice for him to face head-on (yes, I hate her in particular with burning passion), especially if she gets danced, receive a buff and attacks again, while there are other non-zero damage units in the back. But unlike a melee unit in the front line, it’s not always an option to snipe her (or any other unit like her) prior to Julius getting in range. This is, honestly, your worst nightmare. Be very careful with things like that and calculate damage dealt to make sure he wont die. … even though I think it’s not just his problem. But he doesnt easily solve it.  

He is reliant on team support to fight ranged physicals. Not going to lie about it. Def Tactic (or a wave if you’re into them) and 1-2 drive defs (ideally distant guard) should do, which is by no means too much investment, but it should be done.

His player phase leaves a lot to be desired. But like… what’s new? He’s enemy phase per advertisement. He still can Iceberg someone to the ground should he have it ready, or finish off someone previously mangled in EP, though.

He’s likely to deal more than 50% HP in one hit to PP heroes, especially ones that dump res or run LnD, which will activate wings of mercy, and a WoM melee unit can warp to his face and smack him. BUT usually dancers run WoM, and those have lower-end stats, so he should be okay at the very least. The only lancer dancer in the game is OG Azura, but …when was the last time I’ve seen her…  anyway, be careful with WoM.

He’s going to get Chill Res’d. He will get Chill Res’d every time every day of the week cause you wont find any ally with more res than him to “bait” chill res. It’s not like he will die from it though.

He’s infantry, so unfortunately, no easy fortify/wards for him. But if he was any other movtype - it’d bring it’s own problems, so… maybe it’s for the best. Also distant guard is a thing now.

He wants to stay above 80% hp and it’s very easy until he starts taking 5+ damage per hit. If it’s the case - you need to start paying attention to enemy specials again, especially longer CD ones.

Alternatives: While I am happy with how he does his job for now, I am planning make one adjustment, which is - give him Steady Stance 4. (once I get the fodder Surtr, which is not so soon). It will allow him to use his entire HP pool more effectively, and will give him extra survivability against physical threats, even if by a little bit. Additionally, it will protect him againt melee units too (like a WoM dancer teleporting to him) for safety measures and it will open up B slot! Losing 6 res (and 3 Iceberg damage) is not a big deal compared to all those benifits, ESPECIALLY since staying above 80% would be no longer needed.    

I .. dont really have a plan what to put in B slot then, because I intentionally want to avoid QR for a reason I explained above. But hey, I’ll figure something out when the time comes. However QR is also a viable option if you want him to kill everything in one go.

Iceberg is also, in theory, could be replaced by Glacies, if you want more damage. But I personally decided against it, because Iceberg’s cooldown is easier to manage and it’s damage is already enough in most cases. Also Iceberg is a lot better with QR should you want to use him for insta-kills.

And for the love of Loptyr himself, dont try to build him player phase or give him Fury. There are heroes with a lot better stat spreads for PP (yes, I’ve seen a PP Julius), and Fury is a fastest way to turn off Guard/QR and ruin his excellent ability to take zeros from most things. I tried it while I didnt have DD to fodder, and I didnt get much out of it. 

Now, he fits on virtually any map, but here are some examples of AR maps which he absolutely murdered.

I rely on my dragon! I’m very glad I decided to pick him up, even if he’s not that popular of a unit. 

[flower-of-the-desert]

2x10 Thoughts

That should have been the title of the episode tbh. It would have been a really solid good ending to this part of the season if they’d paid a bit more attention and didnt take the easy way out of every tricky situation.

Sidenote: dispite the beginning, this is not a total hate post. In fact, I dont think it’s hate at all but more so discussing the writing issues that I think exist in the show. I’ve also included some more of my thoughts and an explanation of why I’m perhaps being a bit harsher on the show and certain characters (yes, I mean Alec) than might be strictly necessary and where exactly my problems with them stem from. So if you wanna read about silly old me and my thoughts, give it a try.

We need the vampires to attack Clary but Magnus is there too? No problem, just have someone hold his hand because apparently he cant do magic without waving his hands around??????

We need a dramatic reveal of Dot in the cage but Luke just said everyone there was either dead or gone? Lol, what werewolf senses???

Maia needs to confront Luke but she doesnt know where he is? Just have her wait in a random sreet in the hopes he might pass by!

Have Simon knock Valentine unconscious but we still need him to go be the Big Bad Guy? No worries, Jace and Simon are just gonna leave him there on the ground because... reasons.

Then we need someone to steal the soul sword? Pff, Clary can just drop it onto the ground and leave it there, no biggie.

And so on. I think the thing that really gets to me is not exactly that there are plot holes, I mean every story has them but it’s just... because I think the writers are in fact capable of creating good solid storytelling. When they decide to do it right, they do and the result is great! I havent shied away from praising the things that I think were done well. So they proved that they CAN do it but apparently sometimes they just... dont want to? Dont care enough? And that pisses me off. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I think the show has amazing potential, the idea at the core of the worldbuilding is hella interesting, the characters could be well-rounded and appealing, the plots could really suck you in with interesting action scenes and emotional confrontations and just... it could be so much MORE than what it is and I WANT it to be that. Instead I get episodes like this one and I want to flip a table or two.

Anyway, moving on to the rest of the ep. I love Maia continuously calling out Luke for his clear favourism of Clary and shadowhunters in general over his own pack. And I hate how Luke is treating her like some naughty child that needs a time out. Honestly, I’m even surprised he didnt just leave her on the street there.

And Aldertree’s sob story... man, you finally got me. Look at the tears streaming down my face. *sarcasm font* His story was tatal bullshit as much as his claim that he had warned Izzy of the risks. Dont make me laugh, pal. When exactly did you warn her? When you were trying to get her to spy on Clary? Or when you came onto her? Yeah, didnt think so. And frankly, this would have been the PERFECT chance for Alec to stand up for downworders and show he’s slowly but surely changing - have him defend Aldertree’s poor dead girlfriend and say something like it wasnt her nature, you dumb asshole, anyone in her situation would have reacted like that, you just killed the woman you claimed to love to save your own ass (which is true).

This is why I’m harsh on him (and shadowhunters in general). Because yeah, maybe it’s a small thing in the grand scheme of things, maybe it seems like I’m nitpicking. And both the narrative and some fans seems intend on ignoring those small things like they never happen (or are totally acceptable). But they matter to me. Because it’s those small things that make up the bigger picture. It’s those small things that pile up and shape a character who doesnt come across to me as what I’ve been told he is. So here I am being harsh on poor Alec because someone needs to. Someone needs to point out his mistakes, big and small, because otherwise it seems like it’s tots ok for him to an ass and casually racist, it’s only an issue when the “bad” shadowhunters do it.

This is especially true within the canon itself because if someone doesnt sit him down and explain to him what he did/said wrong and WHY it’s wrong, how is he supposed to learn to be better? How am I supposed to believe he really doesnt view DWs (Magnus included) as either soulless demons or children in need of his management when we dont get to see him work though these things and come to the conclusions that he needs to come to in order to improve. And the same goes for Jace and Clary and Izzy and all the others. This is what I want for him. I want him to get better. I want to cheer for him and be ridiculously sappy about his love life. But I need to see him changing and getting better, not just have someone tell me he is from one episode to the next. I dont think he’s some evil bastard that needs to die but he’s not as innocent and “woke” as people think either. His casual racist remarks and actions show that clearly enough and I want that addressed beyond a simple I’m sorry (do you even know why you should be sorry or why you acted like that in the first place?) and I forgive you

And since we are on the subject, the I love you scene was actually... quite nice? I mean I thought I’d have a issue with it but it was really good, all things considered. I liked the display of emotions and affection Alec portrayed and the whole omg, I thought you were dead so now I just need to tell you how I feel is a true and tested romance cliche but damn if I dont fucking love it to bits so yeah. I think the thing that bothers me more is the overall context rather than the scene itself. The last time Magnus and Alec saw each other was when Alec confronted Raphael and was rightfully pissed at Magnus for keeping it a secret. And then they dont interact at all after that (and I dont believe it’s mentioned that they’ve seen each other off screen either) till the love confession scene. So it just feels a bit disjoined. Plus I think there really needed to be some kind of closure on that. I mean Alec beat the crap out of Magnus’s son and Magnus didnt tell Alec his sister was off getting high all this time. I’m pretty sure this classifies as something that needs talking about.

I still feel so bad for Jace. I honestly cannot believe the show has managed to take this character I was so annoyed with at best and couldnt stand at worst in s01 and turn him around so much that I can honestly say I like him now. See what I mean about the writers being capable of good storytelling when they want to? I wish they’d do the same with Simon because as much as I’ve come to enjoy Jace, my annoyance with Simon has been raised to the same level. And this whole daywalker thing isnt helping because I still think it’s stupid as hell. What has Simon deserved to be given his special ability anyway? And why should he not have to deal with any consequences of being a vampire? I wouldnt be surprised if next season he finds a way to stop drinking blood too. If you’re gonna have a vampire character, then why remove all his limitations and characteristics of being one???

[immaculate-benediction-batch]

Queerbaiting and Why BBC Sherlock Isn't "Just a Show"

She gets a few things wrong, but no biggie. John beat the shit out of Sherlock in TLD...

McKinley Catherine Keener..

Okay, I'm so late to the party that the guests have gone home and all that remains is overturned furniture and a bunch of empty Solo cups. But the hosts haven't bothered to clean up the mess yet so my soapbox remains, here in the middle of the room.

To Moffat, Gatiss, and everyone else responsible for the Rise and Fall of the BBC Sherlock Empire: I've got quite a few bones to pick with you.

I watched Sherlock series 4 with the rest of the fandom, the exact second it aired. Because we're in the US, my roommate and I had to take extreme measures to ensure we would get to watch the premiere real time. I'm a Tunnelbear/livestream/backup livestream vet, so January 1st, 8th, and 15th were entire days devoted to streaming each new episode at 4 p.m. EST (and watching "Still Open All Hours" at 3:30, just to be safe). Sherlock fans get a new series only every three years, and everyone was so excited for series 4.

That is, until the series 4 actually aired.

To say it was a letdown would be insulting to letdowns everywhere. The first episode ("The Six Thatchers") had some pretty unexpected, pretty out of character moments (like John literally beating Sherlock to a pulp) but it was acceptable because hey, that's only a third of the whole season. Surely they'll make up for it in the next two episodes, right?

Episode two ("The Lying Detective") was pretty solid. I'm not going to complain about a whole 90 minutes featuring a creepy villain, beautiful production, interesting premise, and great acting. Everyone was much more in character—relative to "The Six Thatchers," that is—but there was still a ways to go before this season rose to the quality of the previous three.

Any "quality" episode two brought to series 4, episode three ("The Final Problem") ruined completely. The episode was so poorly written, scripted, and acted, the entire fandom (myself included) believed it was a prank and the true episode three was out there, still waiting to be released.

Some fans still think that. I've pretty much abandoned hope. At this point I don't even know if the existence of a secret episode matters, because Moffat and Gatiss have let the current last episode sit as official for far too long.

Of all the godawful things that went wrong in Sherlock series 4, the most infuriating is how they completely "no homo"-ed the relationship they had built between Sherlock and John, despite much of it being very not "no homo." That, my friends, is called queerbaiting—one of the worst and most offensive things a creator can do to the LGBTQIA+ community. It offers them a voice then retracts it. It dangles representation in their face and says bite, then pulls away before they can catch it.

So yeah, series 4 made (still makes, apparently) a lot of people pretty angry with the show and the showrunners. And naturally, backlash against it has led to backlash against the backlash. The most frequent argument is that “it’s just a show” and we're all mad because our “ship isn’t canon."

If only it was that simple. The problem here is that the piss-poor writing and horrible queerbaiting of series 4 had detrimental effects beyond the scope of the show itself.

It may be just a show, but it’s a show that gave us a community. It’s a show we put a lot of faith in because it was so good for so long. It’s a show we enjoyed the same way you enjoy hanging out with a friend. And when that friend turns their back on you and starts going back on everything they’ve ever said, you’re going to mourn the death of the person you thought they were and the relationship you two shared.

And give me a break, we’ve dealt with non-canon ships before. That’s why we have fanfic and fanart and headcanons and AUs. This frustration, this outrage, is not about that at all. It’s about the obvious (obvious) queerbaiting, the possibility of representation—of something we deserve, because no one else has created a show with so much potential to have characters naturally be gay, not in a way that’s forced or makes the entire show about them being gay—that was completely rejected.

It’s about Mark Gatiss, an openly gay man, abandoning an entire group of people he should instead be protecting. It’s about every interview when a cast member called it “television history." It's about every other lie, exaggeration, and half-truth they made us believe.

It’s about taking a really wonderful love story (and above that, just a really wonderful story) and screwing it up after six years of beautiful and intelligent writing. It’s about how the hell do you expect us to be proud or happy about all the shots you threw away.

So no, it’s not "just a TV show,” and it’s not about our ship. It’s about something we (not as a fandom but as a collective group of people) deserve and were denied.

Seven months later, I am still mourning the death of the show I thought BBC Sherlock was. I came into the fandom straight after series 1 hit Netflix, so it's been a part of my life since 2011. I gave them those five years happily because I saw them telling a story so many people have gotten wrong, and I thought they were finally going to get it right.

From day zero, Moffat and Gatiss started working towards an endgame Arthur Conan Doyle never could have pursued. Not many people outside of the fandom have seen the unaired pilot, a 60-minute rough draft of the first official episode. It's jokingly called the "gay pilot" for a reason: It laid the groundwork for every lie to come.

In the unaired pilot's most memorable scene, Sherlock is on the top of a building searching for the missing suitcase. He's hyper-focused, paying no attention to the moon behind him or his long coat swaying in the wind. On the sidewalk below, John looks up at the man he met mere hours ago as if he's the most extraordinary thing in the world.

http://mckinleykeener.com/blog/2017/8/9/queerbaiting-and-why-bbc-sherlock-isnt-just-a-show

[lizziebennet]

i want like your complete thoughts on snape aurora lmao

HONEYYOUVEGOTABIGSTORMCOMING.GIF

so id just like to say that when i read the harry potter books first time and the third time and the sixth time  i didn’t hate snape. i never loved him, but i thought he was a super interesting character bc he was like a triple agent and he made for some rly great story. like the #drama of snape killing dumbledore was an Iconic Event in book history. but it was after book 7 came out and i learned that people genuinely liked snape?? like sympathized with him and stuff????? then i started to HATE him because people’s reactions to him after deathly hallows were… ridiculous. 

bc lemme tell u kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! re reading the series with the knowledge of snapes backstory and everything from the prince’s tale doesn’t explain/excuse like. any of snape’s actions in most of the books!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

its just sooooo frustrating to me bc harry potter is a series about shades of grey. it’s not tolkien where the Bad Guy™ is the embodiment of Pure Evil and the other side is Pure Good. i mean here it is in plain text in ootp: 

“We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That’s who we really are.”

so like you have the Spectrum of Darkness with voldemort (p much the #1 spot on that scale), umbridge (also p high up there), fudge (who’s main sin is willful ignorance), and yeah i think even dumbledore would have a place on that scale. what im getting at is this: even though snape indisputably does some good things he can still be a totally shitty person. like, hes not voldemort but that doesnt mean hes a saint either. like the quote said,  maybe hes not Evil To The Core inside but he chose to act like a dick all of the time so that’s what i think he is. a dick. because even if he had this great love for lily inside him the whole time, i can only judge him on his actions. and his actions show that hes THE FUCKING WORST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

its just. inconceivable to me how you can justify snape’s actions like. first of all he willingly joins a genocidal terrorist organization so. theres THAT LITTLE FACT THAT IS DIFFICULT TO OVERLOOK. 

and i’ve read a lot of people “””justify””” that with two things. first is snape’s childhood/him growing up in a slytherin environment. like, almost saying ‘poor baby didnt know any better :((’ which is just like. completely ridiculous. for starters im not sure that anti-muggle ideology was forced on snape as a child. his father was a muggle, and although it’s made clear in the books that snape has a horrible relationship with both his parents, it doesnt really make sense for his mother to preach pureblood/wizard superiority to him if she herself married a muggle man. furthermore, snape grew up in a muggle neighborhood. as a child, he must have interacted with them with some frequency. and yet when he talks to lily as a child he is already sooooo dismissive of petunia because of her lack of magic which is like. pretty sociopathic if you ask me. 

and like!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! he had lily!!!!!! as a friend!!!!!!!!!! for over five years!!!!!!!! he couldve learned from lily like. examples of love and friendship and equality!!!! he apparently LOVED lily!!!!!!!!! AND HE STILL DECIDES TO JOIN A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION WHOSE GOAL IS TO WIPE OUT HER KIND????? W H Y??

and it’s not like he’s draco whose parents were death eaters and voldemort was like “u must become a death eater or ur whole family will be murdered” (not like that i like draco lol). like if anything snape’s half blood status would be a deterrent to joining the death eaters. remember: his mother married a muggle. so he absolutely had a choice and CHOSE to join voldemort. 

the second thing ive often heard people say is “but he changed his mind!!!” referring to when snape becomes a double agent for dumbledore. but like… is that even true????? did voldemort coming after lily make snape have an epiphany like “hold up… maybe … muggleborns dont.. deserve to die?? for being born???” i would like to point out that we NEVER get that confession from snape. EVER. we never hear him say like “i am with the order of the phoenix because i disagree fundamentally with voldemort’s anti-muggle ideology.” 

the ONLY reason snape goes to dumbledore and becomes a double agent is because of his “””love”””” for lily. the only reason he stays a part of the order is to protect harry and maybe like get revenge on voldemort for killing lily. BUT HE COULDVE BEEN A MUGGLE HATER THE WHOLE TIME!!! LIKE FOR THE WHOLE BOOK SERIES!!!!!!!!!!! 

and like what about befoRE snape turned on voldemort. he was part of the death eaters for YEARS. and he was considered part of voldemorts inner circle, his most trusted death eaters and like. you dont get into that circle by doing nothing. so i have to assume that snape did some fucked up shit! like killing muggles and muggleborns and shit! like! reminder that he WILLINGLY joined this organization! 

like he truly did not give a shit about anyone lol. like when he comes to dumbledore to plead with him to save lily and dumbledore is like “what about her baby and her husband do u care about their lives at all” and snape straight up does not give a SHIT about harry and james. snape is totally fine with a BABY dying. 

lemme say that a little louder for the people in the back: SEVERUS SNAPE IS TOTALLY AND 100% OKAY WITH AN INNOCENT BABY BEING SLAUGHTERED. 

and this isnt just any baby. it’s lily’s baby. and if snape knew lily AT ALL (lily who was “uncommonly kind”) he would know that lily would love her child more than anything and prioritize her child’s life above her own. but snape is just like “i dont care if her child and husband are murdered as long as shes fine lol” like…. okay????????? lily would literally hate him if he did manage to save her instead of harry lol. 

its just….. insane that he only gives a shit when voldemort comes after someone he personally cares about. like. he was fine with anyone else dying! thats cool that families are getting slaughtered no biggie! he only cared when it personally affected him which is…. disgusting. like hes morally BAD. 

like contrast that to regulus who joined the death eaters around the same age as snape because of familial pressure but then when he got in and like saw what was going on and what they were doing he was like “this is fucked up i cant do this” and sabotaged voldemort. snape had no such conscience lol. 

and lets say youre willing to overlook all of that (which, if thats the case… um…. how…) but for arguments sake lets say you are. /why/ is snape so mean to harry???????????????? because he looks like james???? thats a reason i gUess but not an excuse like. he bullies a child for YEARS because harry looks like his teenage rival?? oh my goD snape is such a huge baby i cant even desCRIBE. 

and /why/ is he so mean to NEVILLE???? WHAT DID NEVILLE EVER DO TO HIM?? ? ? hes neville’s /worst fear/ !!!!!!!!!!!!! and hes HORRIBLE to hermione like HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its completely inexcusable…. he gets lupin FIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LUPIN WHO STRUGGLES TO HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR FOOD BECAUSE HES A WEREWOLF OH MY GOD I HATE SNAPE SO MUCH. I HATE HIM. I HAAAATEEEE HIM.

tl;dr: snape is a giant man baby who joined a genocidal terrorist organization of his own volition and then only switched sides when it personally affected him and then even when he was “”good””” he continued to act like a total asshole.  

[tumblunni]

Okay, kinda TMI talk here about period problems and Bunni Being Worried And Dysphoric, blablabla I’m just having a huge stupid panic moment right now cos I read some internet medical articles and LIKE USUAL I’m being all ‘oh god i probably have the worst case scenario disease on the list, I’m gonna fuckin die’ even though I literally have never been right about that even ONCE when I’ve done it. Still, it sucks having a stupid anxiety disorder cos you can just feel your body throwing you into panic attack mode even as you are rationally saying to yourself that this worrying thing has a 0% chance of happening. Its impossible to just choose to not be afraid of something... *sigh*... SO YEAH ANYWAY UMM Don’t want to worry anyone, I’m totally gonna be fine and I’m just being irrational mess about something that’s probably gonna be a super easy solution once I see the doctor. I’ll just book an appointment tomorrow or later this week, no biggie. And I’ll write all this stuff down so I can avoid freaking out and crying over how embarassing Vagina Health is when you’re trying to ask your cis male doctor about it and you’re a trans person who just wants to stab themself whenever they think about this goddamn Wrong Organ. like seriously, the biggest comfort I am using right now to come down from this panic attack is ‘hey, if it IS a big horrible cancer tumour, then at least it means they cant stop me from getting a hysterectomy now!’ :P so umm anyway that was probably too TMI already but I’ll put the more TMI stuff under the cut

OKAY! SO! I’ve suffered from REALLY HORRIBLY BAD periods for like.. ever They usually had an issue of being way too short but also WAY TOO POWERFUL. I’d have just a one day absolute burning pain blast where I would literally be unable to walk. LITERALLY BE UNABLE TO WALK! Like, I COULD NOT STAND that my dad was just telling me ‘;you’re lying, you’re exaggerating, its just cramps’ when the pain WASNT EVEN THE GODDAMN CRAMPS. I got fucking stabbing pain in my lower back for no damn reason, was inexplicably constipated and throwing up, got a huge hot-and-cold-flushes fever, complete muscle weakness in my legs which made them fucking shut down, and like.. LABOR SYMPTOMS. Its this weird horrible downward pressure pain in my pelvis and I was just a goddamn kid so i was like.. ‘i cant even tell if this is part of the constipation’, i would be spending five hours on the toilet desperately trying to shit out a shit that didn’t exist, as my body spasmed itself to death forcibly ejecting out way more blood than I ever thought I even had. I It took me so long to find out that that wasnt normal for a period?? That this didnt happen to everyone???? And cos its SO GROSS AND EMBARASSING to talk about these particular symptoms, I didnt tell anyone. Even when i finally was able to get some pain medication from the doctor, I just mentioned the abnormal amount of bleeding and pain, not the weird ‘wtf my bowels just stopped working as if my ovaries are constantly punching them for 24 hours’ part. Seriously just fuckin.. so degrading and disgusting.

And i was a fuckin 13 year old kid, this just abruptly started in my second year of having a period, and my dad was a sick fucker who ‘didnt believe in doctors’ and didnt believe i was telling the truth about my symptoms. So I had to live FROM 13 TO 17 without EVEN KNOWING THAT ASPIRIN AND IBUPROFEN EXISTED! i was going through all of this without even the basic pain medication most people have for normal periods! Once monthly I would BEG GOD TO LET ME DIE Seriously i would spend THE WHOLE 24 HOURS screaming in horrible pain on the floor that gradually got worse until I finally couldnt move my legs and passed out from exhaustion. And all i could do was hope that I’d get weaker each month and pass out faster, cos seriously being able to sleep through it was THE BIGGEST BLESSING EVER like DEAR GOD like ONCE I was able to get to sleep during the point where it was milder pain and then when I woke up it was already over and AAAAAAHHHHH I got to go a full two months without feeling that death madness again and seriously fuckin.. how the fuck could my dad look at this small child screaming and vomiting and sweating like I was in the sahara and gushing blood from every oriface cos i fuckin VOMITED SO HARD I VOMITED BLOOD and somehow still think I was just ‘making it up’

god one of my worst memories was how I had this huge horrible period death attack in the middle of school and my poor teacher was trying to comfort me and trying to call my dad to pick me up, and he just Did Not Give A Shit so the teacher tried to drive me home himself and just.. god I was so happy even as I was dying just cos I got to meet ONE PERSON who had sympathy for me and even actually said ‘hey you should see a doctor’. And all i gave him in return was throwing up in a trash bin for an hour in the back of his car, and then he had to meet my awful father and have a door slammed in his face. And then as soon as he got me inside the house dad just hit me and screamed at me for ‘embarassing him’ and ‘ditching school’ and man the only good side effect of being Fucking Dead On The Floor Already is that I did not feel a thing of it and barely even managed to hear a word he said. I think he just gave up cos seriously i wasnt even fuckin moving, i guess the fun goes out of beating your kid when they’re too fuckin stoned on their own vomit fumes to even be able to cry anymore. Oh and my other Even More Worse memory was when I missed the chance to see Howl’s Moving Castle cos of this shit. I saw like the first twenty minutes of it before my period hit while I was in the middle of the theater and then i had to spend three hours crying and puking and bleeding and laying on the floor in a pool of my own vomit in a cinema bathroom while my dad screamed at me as if i was purposely faking just to embarass him. Like seriously dude?? BASIC LOGIC, PLEASE! he was CONSTANTLY accusing me of doing really horrible manipulative things all the time, as some sort of twisted excuse to hit me and pretend i was an evil fucker causing every problem in his life so he didnt have to feel guilty about doing it. And it NEVER MADE ANY GODDAMN SENSE! Even if i WAS an evil monster, what would that evil monster’s MOTIVE be? Why would i constantly do these evil things that serve no purpose except to get myself half killed by my dad? Why would I ruin a cinema trip that I asked to go to, to see a movie I waited all year to see??? And the most vivid disgusting part of it all was when he walked in and saw me like that and I LITERALLY ASKED TO DIE, and he LITERALLY LAUGHED. I begged him to call a doctor, he laughed and said I was exaggerating. I begged him to call an AMBULANCE, he laughed harder. I told him to his face that I wanted to kill myself just to make the pain stop, and he acted as if it was the funniest thing he ever heard, turned around and left and watched another movie. The poor cinema staff were left taking care of me while he ignored me, he wouldnt even take me home, he was just like... waiting til he finally got bored enough to do it. His biggest concern was ‘eww you made me walk into the girls’s bathroom’... I’m never gonna be able to stop remembering that, I’m never gonna be able to deny how absolutely certain I was that I’d rather end my life right there than live this nightmare for another month and another month for like fuckin 30 or 50 years. God I wanted to kill myself A LOT when i was with my dad, but this one was the worst cos for all I knew I’d be stuck with this pain forever even if I managed to escape him. I was so fucking ignorant! I didnt even know there was easy to acquire pain medication you could buy in any supermarket across the world! I mean, I still have the problem of my period being more severe than expected and all, but the meds at least made it NON SUICIDAL LEVELS OF PAIN. And god I once wanted to kill myself as a young child because I didnt know those existed. And I didnt know that transgender people existed or that there were words to put to my other feelings of disgust about having a period. I may still be depressed in a lot of ways, but I’m living a way better life now!

So umm yeah anyway my current worry today is because my period hasn’t ended for like 2 or 3 months now. I can’t even pinpoint the exact time it happened, cos it started with just light spotting and my period coming a few days late every month for like a year? and then it would last longer, and sometimes I’d get a small bit of bleeding suddenly starting up five days later and ending within a few hours. I sorta didnt think much of any of these symptoms and i cant nail down exactly when it just increased so much that it became this noticeably constant. And its REALLY weird for me, cos also all this stuff came along with my period not hurting as much?? And now for the last month i haven’t felt any pain at all, so I cant even tell which part of all this bleeding was the actual period. And I’m bleeding way less than usual, its just... constant. Its not even enough to be a big problem so I didnt wanna tell anyone and be a bother, its not like I’m losing blood enough to get light headed, its just annoying having so many pairs of underwear ruined and feeling more dysphoric 24/7. And it makes me pretty anxious cos I didnt know what was causing this and whether it was a symptom of some bigger problem- like, it doesnt hurt but maybe its a sign i have fuckin death doom cancer or something and its suddenly gonna start hurting any second now???

So yeah, today I finally stopped being anxious and decided I’m gonna call a doctor next week, and did some internet research to see if this is serious enough to really call the doctor. And cos I’m dumb I panicked thinking of the worst case scenario, but also doing that research kinda cheered me up cos now at least I know an explanation for why the symptoms seemingly got worse on random days, and like.. this isnt an impossible thing. Cos seriously, yeah, raised in a household with No Doctors Ever. i dont know very much about medical health, when this first started happening i freaked out cos i had NEVER HEARD of bleeding outside the regular monthly cycle and from all I knew it was PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE and I’m PROBABLY DYING xD But no, apparantly spotting and mistimed periods and going one or two weeks of constant bleeding are all completely natural variances that just happen, and you dont even need to call a doctor for that. I just need to call a doctor cos its been happening a bit more often than that, they say up to a month is a normal amount. And apparantly the vast, VAST majority of conditions that cause constant period are not remotely life threatening, the worst possible scenario is becoming infertile or just.. having to continue experiencing mildly annoying bleeding a lot. Apparantly a lot of people choose to not have an operation cos they don’t wanna lose the ability to have children, but fuck I’ve been hoping to lose that thing FOREVER, jesus christ! damn docs won’t let you have a hysterectomy ‘without reason’, like seriously why is ‘i dont want to have children’ not a reason?? and why is ‘i have never had sex and never will have sex’ not a reason and also why is ‘i’m nonbinary transgender and would like this surgery even though i don’t want genital surgery’ not an option seriously MAN PLEASE can I at least go on hormones doc. seriously everyone is being all ‘well treating your ptsd and depression is a bigger priority right now’ and i mean ITS NOT LIKE THERE’S A REAL DEADLINE FOR WHEN THAT’S GONNA END and DYSPHORIA KINDA DOESNT MAKE IT ANY EASIER gahhhh god i really REALLY hope they let me have a hysterectomy i am gonna be SO DISSAPPOINTED now if it turns out this ovary failure is not the particular sort of ovary failure that requires removal of ovaries. plz kill them. pliz mr docter. they haf plagued my lyfe 4 too longe. XD god, sorry, like I said I’m just really dysphoric talking about Vagina Health Stuff so i’m getting a bit irrational and ranty. Its just like that ‘please can i skip the middle man and get to the end of the transition already’ feeling. I know it would be stupid to not listen to my doctor’s advice on the subject. Tho I do kinda feel like everyone is just patronizing me and doenst think that nonbinary really exists, i’m still trying to get my support worker to stop calling me a girl... MAN IM GOING OFFTOPIC TO A WHOLE OTHER ANXIETY HERE

Anyway! Researching into possible causes of it! It’s entirely possible i may have Adenomyosis, which would ironically mean I have an excess of estrogen in my system and am like.. Too Female To Female. I’m gonna fuckin cry if its this, that’s like the biggest fuckin sign that your sex doesn’t have to align with your gender! or lol maybe god is trying to compensate, i just imagine its like throwing too much sugar into a cake to try and make up for it tasting like shit. sorry dude, woman machine broke. BUT I don’t seem to have like a huge amount of symptoms for that one, aside from just the excess bleeding outside of my cycle. So I’m leaning more towards the ones that also include back pain and uhh.. gross bowel issues of embarassingness. It might be that I was always showing preemptive signs of one of these conditions!

One other that it could possibly be is Endometriesis which is a really fuckin cool sounding word but impossible to spell, lol. Apparantly its this TERRIFYING CONCEPT where your uterus is like.. a tumour in your gut. For whatever reason there’s uterine tissue growing in your intestines, stomach or other butt related tubes. I dont wanna read more about it cos its already making me terrified and anxious, so I dont even know HOW exactly that works. I mean is it like there’s a big ol hole stabbing through your organs connecting two unconnected things together?? Cos if so, I cant understand why its saying that its an easy operation and a never fatal condition! So I’m assuming maybe its more like everything is still separate but like.. the composure of the cells in your intestines is wrong? There’s like a tiny vestigal lump of uterine lining tissue in your stomach lining instead? i guess maybe they’re somehow vaguely related, so like.. if the human body begins from stem cells that can grow into any other cell to make a full human, it would seem entirely plausable that rather similar organs or skin thingies could accidentally form all vice versa. i guess thats also the reason for mutations like people growing an extra finger? I had a friend who had two extra fingers at birth, actually! I felt really sad when she told me about it, it was like years after we met that she felt comfortable enough to tell me about where her hand scars came from. i just remember i felt SO CONFUSED why she’d even think that like.. she had to be super certain i was a good person who wouldnt make fun of her. Why on earth would you mock someone for something like that?? How many other people must have treated her like shit if she feels this ashamed of her own hands?? And I felt really sad that she had them amputated too, I just find it a bit disturbing and surreal that there’s this societal thing of giving extensive surgery to very young children to ‘correct’ something that’s completely harmless just because it ‘looks wrong’. i’ve read stories about stuff like a child having like a split arm, an extra arm attatched at the elbow. And that particular operation to ‘correct’ it literally made the kid lose all ability to use both arms, just so they could have one ‘normal’ looking nonfunctional one. Thats messed up! Its EVEN WORSE that this happens the most commonly with intersex conditions, its invasive GENITAL surgery on newborn infants and even assigning them a random gender based on whichever form of genitals was easiest to ‘recreate’ with plastic surgery. These poor kids dont even get to know about what happened to them until they grow up and uncover this horrifying pandora’s box of medical files...

Oh, and speaking of intersex conditions, another possibility is that I might have PCOS, which is like being intersex in hormones but not outer genetalia. But I’m not sure about it cos I don’t have a lot of the more visible symptoms of it, aside from adult acne and ‘weight gain' which is.. well im pretty damn sure I gained this weight the normal way instead XD It also says that unusual hair growth might be a symptom, but it doesnt seem I have it in any of the places that’re common for the disease. I’ve had a weird thing of suddenly gaining light spots of hair on my belly and neck in the past few years. Its weird cos it really is just spots for the neck, its only growing in the right side in a little circle. i dunno what’s up with that! It sucks cos I really would like to be able to grow proper facial hair, I’m only able to do a very spotty mustache that just makes me look even more like a woman I think. i just look like an ugly woman, I feel like everyone can instantly tell I’m DFAB and they’re just laughing at me for this one failed attempt to look masculine. Also it fuckin sucks being overweight cos binders don’t work as well! They’ve gotta be wider to fit around a bigger body of course, but that means its hard to find the right size that’re be tight where it counts withough being tight on the shoulders. I think my current one is too baggy, I can’t stand even looking like a normal dude of my weight level, i cant stand even having regular fat guy ‘moobs’. I WANNA DESTROY THEM ENTIRELY!! Also, incidentally, I’m kinda terrified the most of being diagnosed with PCOS just cos it’d make my dysphoria worse. It’d kinda make me worry that maybe my identity is invalid and I only feel this way cos I have this hormone problem, and I’d probably refuse to take any treatment just in case it somehow cures my transness :P

The one that currently seems most likely is ‘uterine fibroids’. Apparantly its a non cancerous form of tumour that’s so small that its not remotely damaging, and surgery is very easy and non scary. The problem is just that you have so many of these small things slowly stacking up over the years, and being hard to spot until its already gotten bad. Plus even a small thing can be very painful when its in a very sensitive organ. I’m thinking its probably this cos they mention specifically lower back pain and constipation/other bowel problems. The endometrisis one would also explain the constipation during periods, but this one has a wider range of very specific symptoms that all seem to match.

Anyway, writing this up has helped distract me so I can calm down a little and wrap my head around all this. I just hope I can have enough courage to talk to the doctor about it and hopefully find out what it actually is. Oh, and a random tip I learned! Eating too much sugar increases menstrual bleeding! That was what was confusing me about my symptoms seeming to worsen out of nowhere on random days. I was super worried!! I guess the change is just more noticeable than it would be on my regular period, cos this one is lasting so long. I tested this out today by chugging one of the super grand milkshakes from that cool midnight milkshake takeaway shop, and I started getting the big ol scary clotty giant bleed within two hours. Waited a while til it stopped, drank another sugary drink, happened again! Definate correlation! I’m kinda relieved cos this definately proves it’s a period related problem, I’m not bleeding from like an exploded organ or something. This is definately specifically the ol menstrual blood, and I dont have some horrifying sudden septic wound in my vag out of nowhere. Tho seriously i dunno why I was worrying that cos its not like I’ve ever had sex, where would a wound even come from?? I guess I was just going nuts back when I was all uneducated and assumed it was Literally Impossible to have a period that lasts too long. Mannnn talking about this is SO GROSS I’m like cringing into the ninth dimension just from saying the word vag... Anyway now I’m actually feeling a bit lightheaded from the Even More So Than Before heavy bleeding, it probably wasnt a smart idea to test out the sugar thing twice in one day. Now I’m bleeding as much as I usually do on my regular period, which is probably not good cos I’ve already been losing a small amount of blood everyday. Apparantly carrots have a vitamin that helps decrease menstrual bleeding, but its late evening now and all the supermarkets are shut :P SOMEONE BEAM CARROTS INTO MY HOME, AAAAA lol i just need to calm down and get out of this panic attack, its probably just this in combination with the blood loss thats giving me lightheadedness. and then it makes me worry even more about the blood loss and enter an eternal death spiral of anxiety yet again... GAHH I HATE YOU DYSPHORIA DAY I WILL TALK TO THE DOCTOR AND SO HELP ME GOD I REALLY WISH THIS LEADS TO A HYSTERECTOMY seriously lol every time I’m doubting if I’m ‘really trans enough’ i should look back on this conversation where i’m wishing my uterus disease is the worst possible option just so i can get rid of the damn uterus.. ANYWAY BUNNI IS GONNA GO TRY AND CALM DOWN NOW COS I CANT CALL THE DOCTOR TIL TOMORROW ANYWAY

[sweetlifetownsville]

Hard Going Getting On Top Of The Hill: The Mayor's Magnificent Mount Louisa Make-Over Might Stumble At The First Jump

And Jenny knows about the problem, but is blithely telling us its all go, when it may well be all stop. The Pie shares a most interesting email. The old bird can reveal that Mayor Jenny Hill IS under investigation by Brisbane authorities for possible misconduct and watching all the fumbling inanities coming over the next 12 months in the run-up to local council elections is going to be more fun than watching a blind man trying to get out of a door knob factory. To that end, The Pie this week introduces a new occasional award, The Codswallop Cup. No shortage of contenders. Also, our new white ele sorry, stadium, has hit more turbulence as it rises from the mud and Lozza Lancini will not be a happy chappy. Bentley has a say on George Pells new lifestyle And our regular gallery from Trumpistan. First, Hot Of The Rumour Mill

The most interesting rumour has just floated into the Nest. Its unverified (well duh, thats why its called a rumour) so well have to wait until the Astonisher plays catchup sometime this week. The Pie hears that the only two tenderers for the new stadiums ultra-lucrative catering contract , one being the incumbent Spotless and one being the Cowboys Leagues Club, have both been excluded for non compliant tenders to do with not paying award wages. So back to square one for the new stadium and where does that leave Spotless in the current stadium? For the answer, check the Astonisher around oh, say, next Friday, by when Lozza Lancini will have told iditor Jenna Cairney what she can say about this. Pell Mell Nothing has been quite as spectacular in the annals of fallen high flyers than that of George Pell, who has swapped his glittering Mardi Gras cardinals robes for prison drab, after being sent to chokey for six years (to serve 3 years and 8 months before eligible for parole) for what only be described as the most brazen, power-deluded child abuse imaginable. Indeed so brazen as to leave lingering doubts among some observers whether such things couldve happened as described, but an appeal will sort that out, after all, the jury knows things that we do not. Now Georgy Boy faces another biased jury his fellow inmates, a class of folk not known for their strict adherence to jurisprudence rules and who exercise their own summary justice according to their own morals and mythology. And Bentley reckons you never know who youre going to bump in in the Yard.

And The Pie says to those who say the term is not enough, rest assured, for a man of Pells pomposity, ego and age, he has been handed a life sentence of one sort or another. One imagines there is one person who will give Judge Peter Kidd the thumbs up.

Shifty Business Delivering on promises is a tricky business, especially when our mayor is in campaign mode. Today, we were offered this little bit of click bait.

But when we went through to the story, what we got was this

Uncanny how this is so ambiguous, like the Castle Hill upgrade itself. Now this is media sleight of hand at its clumsiest, making a highly speculative project sound like solid fact. Interesting because it simply that the TCC will start drawing up plans for what it would like to see at Mt Louisa and crucially for mayor Mullet is the quote: with construction expected by the end of the year. Community engagement started this week and will continue until the end of April. The Pie thought, well thats a nice idea, if conveniently timed to become a re-election boast, but hey, good for the huffnpuff crowd. Then this morning, (Sat) an email fluttered into the Nest. From Angela Sacilotto Councillor Jenny Hills grand plan for Mt Louisa is another political stunt with council elections due in March 2020. TCC do not own all of Mt Louisa. I own a 8 ha block right across the middle of the hill. I have told TCC I do not want to sell. Havent been able to verify Ms Sacilottos information, but she volunteered her contact details and phone number if The Pie wanted a chat about the matter (which for reasons well known to regular readers, is not a viable option since the recent operation.) But The Pie would guess there will be whole lot more to the meaning of community engagement when Mayor Mullet reads this. it is known that Jenny Hill does not like being crossed by people with legal rights who stand in the way of her grand visions, so this community engagement with Ms Sacilotto could involve nipple clamps, a car battery and wet towels . But That May Be The Least Of Her Problems Cant reveal too much at the moment, but our mayor is being officially investigated possible misconduct over her Adani links, particularly arising out of her trip to India. This will not be a revelation on her, because she has been informed of the issue by the Brisbane based investigating body, and what is officially termed overt inquiries are underway. Perhaps no biggy (but then again ) but not a great look for someone who once expressed her admiration for Ipswich Mayor Pisasale. What Dreams May Come, As Willy Shakespeare Once Said All this has led to The Magpie being told that Jenny, a Hitchcock fan, recently watched his classic The Birds, but when she went to bed, she had an horrific dream.

Serves her right for throwing darts at a much loved and protected Australian species. THIS WEEKS CONTENDERS FOR THE CODSWALLOP CUP Its a crowded field. Cmon, Really? Cmon now, seriously Jenna Cairney? Is this all youve got?

Listen, me dear old haggis-head, getting shocked by a menu may apply to a Korean doggy delicacy, a Vietnamese cockroach kebab or the price of a pie at the footy, but because this mob is adding burgers bloody good old Aussie burgers we Aussie snowflakes should be shocked? Do you not understand how insulting this advertorial pap is? One seriously has to question whether the decision makers who publish this clap trap have an IQ above room temperature. A Group Effort Where to start with this one, the inanity is of such magnitude that The Pie is tempted to inaugurate the Clusterfuck Cup as a separate category.

This mind-blowing little corker of an idea is called the Palmer Street Precinct Activation project, and involves wait for it a bit of new lighting along the street, and a new sign saying hang on again Palmer Street.

The plan was obviously to give re-election hopefuls a bit of sorely needed publicity (youd think on recent photographic evidence, Messagebank Walker and Ann-Maree Greaney are going steady). But for other reasons, the story raised both an eyebrow and a guffaw at the same time. Chef/restaurateur Matt Merrin, normally a sensible and successful man, made a right goof of himself when he (reportedly) told the paper the changes would transform Palmer Street into a world class destination. It will be something that visitors to Townsville can Instagram, take photos of and sell the message to the world. Its going to bring new investment back to Palmer Street (question: how does new investment come back?) Weve had many restaurants close over the last 12 months, this will inspire new restaurant owners and people to come back into Palmer Street and be part of the precinct it once was. A world class destination? Matt, a message from The Magpie, mate lay off the cooking sherry and exotic herbs before talking to the Astonisher (FFS, mate, youre even holding your glass crooked.) The story also informs us The dining strip received some upgrades during the preparations for the Commonwealth Games last year. Oh did it? Very similar upgrades in scale to the ones now proposed , as The Pie remembers. So in the year since that spruce up, two Palmer Street nose-baggeries have gone belly-up. But somehow, this one is going to usher in a new era? Hows that? But heres the best bit in the original story, Ann-Maree Greaney said the lighting would keep people, particularly women, safer that apparent admission that the council has allowed Palmer Street to operate without adequately safe lighting for years has now been removed from the story. What fucking planet are you from, you lot? Reporter Chris Lees, have you no dignity? Or sober judgement? Did TCC media gopfer Simpo Templeton have anything to do with this, its about his speed? Well, anyway Anthony, unlike the when at the Astonisher, at least in your TCC role you dont have to put your name to your cock-ups. 3. Off The Rails Then on Thursday, we had this little bit of fluffy irrelevancy.

But no sooner had this flimsy kite taken to the sky, than the Astonisher itself cut the string on Friday with this:

What city rail plan? There wasnt any, the original story was a campaigning thought-fart from the desperate Clr Jacob. Clever though, isnt it write bullshit one day and call it out as bullshit the next. Gotta luv the ol Astonisher. A Miscellaneous Magpie Whinge The Magpie is deliberately not talking about or seeking comment on the massacre in New Zealand, he has no words, certainly none that would contribute positively to this dark deed of pure evil. But coverage does prompt The Pie to vent about a favourite piece of nanny state demeaning idiocy can we please move away from the rubber-faced sign language person standing next to officials who are often making statements about deeply disturbing matters. Often signing involves grotesque and to the uninitiated completely inappropriate comical facial expressions. This presents the twin problems of distraction for the general audience and indignity for the subject of the media conference.The Pie doesnt know what the average deaf audience would be at any given time not many one would guess and yes, there are times like bushfire and flood updates where this information should be conveyed in this manner. But shit folks, heres a newsflash for more 60 years now, real time lower screen captioning has been available, or as all sports directors so slickly employ technology for a smaller, less distracting vision box to one corner. To currently give such a minority a so distracting and undignified presence is not necessary and lacks dignity, and disturbs concentration on what can be vital messages. Of course, nanny staters wont agree. Speaking Of The Nanny State Our evolving language, not always for the better, now features the term woke, as in are you woke to climate change? or any number of other social issues. It means are you alert to, but as so often happens, we too readily adopt the argot of the ill-educated as some sort expression of being cool and identifying with a group one wouldnt normally break bread with. The lovely thing about this nonsensical use of substitute language leaves it wide open for hysterically funny skewering and in this classic piss take Are You Woke? from a fed up Tracey Ullman. The Clock Is A-Ticking The Brexit imbroglio is increasingly hard to follow (or for The Pie, to care much about) but one of the cleverest pictorial comments the predicament of Theresa (dis)May(ed) comes from the Guardians Steve Bell.

And More Of The Same From Trumpistan A lot of attention continues to surround the tumble of democrats eager to take on President Trumpet at the polls next year. And the interest has been heightened by someone not running.

. The ducking, weaving and hilarity of the comments section runs 24/7, so give us of your best, folks. And if you like the blog, you can show your appreciation with some sorely needed financial support, the how to donate button is below. http://www.townsvillemagpie.com.au/hard-going-getting-on-top-of-the-hill-the-mayors-magnificent-mount-louisa-make-over-might-stumble-at-the-first-jump/

[rosekun25]

Fourteen Reasons why.

 April 9th, 2017

Dear Tumblr Diary, 

I’m watching “Thirteen Reasons Why.” 

I haven’t read the books since middle school. But my cousin from my Dad’s side of the family sent me the book I think a year ago.  Life always has a way of foreshadowing. I swear it does.

Anyway I’m reading the book too, putting off getting my food handler’s card because fuck that shit. 

Anyway Im watching this and its kind of triggering. I havent watched the part where she kills herself but I imagine I’ve seen worse. 

There’s a video I’ve seen Here’s a link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_PdYb0EL-Y

Anyway so far that part has hit me the most. 

I mean, It has. After I got out of the hospital nobody asked me if I was okay. I had to lie. I lied about everything so I wouldnt get sent away longer than they needed me to be away. 

I lied and said It was because I missed my great grandma instead of telling them it was because my world had shattered and nobody could hurt me anymore. 

I lied about the pills. I took 96. Well thats now many were in the bottle. I told them I didnt know how many I’d taken. I just lied lied lied lied lied. I didnt tell anybody why I did it. 

aTLEAST Until they couldnt send me away anymore. 

So here are fourteen reasons why I wanted to kill myself 

14. I felt like I’d do it sooner or later. 

I mean it was really weird. I’ve had depression for most of my earlier childhood. I remember not thinking I’d make it to 20. But here I am. I remember wanting to get married and have children but I didn’t actually think I would live long enough to actually do it. I mean I didn’t think I’d finish High School. 

13. I wasn’t beautiful. 

At least I didn’t think I was. I thought pretty girls were 100 pounds, blonde and didn’t have to worry about anything except which husband they wanted.  I guess I was sort of insecure. But not in the sense that I thought I was ugly. Just in the sense that I wasnt  beautiful. 

12. I was starving myself.

Well I don’t really remember this part. I just remember I was really really hungry. The doctors there said I hadn’t eaten for a month. But Im not sure that’s accurate. I mean I must have eaten at some point. I remember I drank tea.  But anyway. I guess i was displaying “Anorexic tenancies” or whatever I was half asleep I didn’t listen.

11. I wanted to die. (duh)

But it wasn’t in the sense of me actually wanting to die.  I mean when you’re young you learn about the circle of life, you watch ‘Lion King.’ Mufasa dies and you learn you wont be around for ever. I guess I just ’ wanted to hurry up and do what I was supposed to. 

10. At the time, my life sucked dick. 

I remember it. I was horribly depressed and doing my best to hide it. I remember I wanted nothing more than to just be held like a baby and told everything was going to be alright. But it wasn’t. There was a point in my life where I kept everything to myself. Everything. Even stupid shit like “Where do you want to eat?” or “Are you hungry?”. I just felt like I had to. Keep everyone safe, dont let anybody know you’re suffering sort of thing. 

Anyway my life sucked dick, because I was always hungry never sleeping and I was overworked. I also was verbally abused at my job. To the point where I would want to cry whenever I walked in the store. But more on that some other time. 

I also hated T or  C. If Im going back there. Im going back in a body bag. 

My Home life also sucked dick. I remember not having hotwater in the bathroom. I remember being cold every night because they refused to pay more money to turn up the thermostat. If I wasnt cold. I was so Hot. There were ants everywhere. On my clothes. In the kitchen. EVERYWHERE. I wasnt allowed to leave my house either. I couldnt just get up and go I wasnt allowed to leave except for school and work. I couldnt leave and it drove me fucking mad.  I didnt have much food to eat, If there was food it was all gobbled up by my fat ass Grandfather who liked to steal my things. I still dont know what he did with most of it. The dryer didnt work either so I’d have to go to school in wet clothes that were freezing. I hated it. Oh and not to mention every morning I’d wake up to screaming. Always screaming. Nobody could ever say “Good Morning Rose, you’ve to wake up now.” No. They were too busy screaming and screaming and screaming and screaming and screaming and screaming and screaming, 

9. I was so tired of everything. 

I was. Really. I still kind of am. Im tired of having to work all the time and having no money. I was tired of waking up every day and going to a school. I feel like I would have liked school better if I didnt have to wake up early and put up with all of that bullshit. 

The bullshit I am tired of here has literally went from 95% to maybe about 15%  Professors are honest with me, My coworkers all do their jobs and I dont get in trouble if they don’t. Really Imagine, getting in trouble because one of your coworkers didnt do their job right. 

The only bullshit I have to deal with is making sure I have enough hours. Which if you ask me isnt a biggie, also I make enough to take care of myself. Which is a lot better than where I was before. 

8. I was going insane. 

Now I know what you’re thinking “Omg, yeah sure whatever Rose. Everybody on Facebook likes to pretend they’re crazy for attention, Change your picture to Joker and Harley just to add edginess. 

But no. It was stuff I dont want to dicuss with you. I had horrible dreams and I wanted to do some horrible things. In a way, I honestly thought if I killed myself I would save everyone.  I still dont remember what I wanted to save them from. 

7. I didnt have any friends. 

Now again I know what you’re thinking, “This bitch is tripping. She won Homecoming Duchess and Princess at the last dance!” (  Side Note: I also went on to win Prom Queen. But Everybody voted for me because I wasn’t allowed to run for homecoming queen because I tried to kill myself in the Bathroom.) 

I didnt have a Best friend. I didnt have somebody who hung out with me or came to my house specifically to play with me. I worked too much or somebody who ate lunch with me because they wanted to and not because I’d integrated into their little group because one of the members felt sorry for me and wanted to be my friend again. 

I knew a lot of people. But I was fiery, Passionate and emotional. People were afraid of that. Either that, or they didnt care enough to try and understand it. 

6. I was suffering from an unDiagnosed Mental illness 

It was Borderline Personality Disorder.  It was making me crazy. 

I still dont understand what it means. 

I know it means. 

But I dont understand it. 

5. I missed my Daddy. 

There. I said it. I FUCKING SAID IT. 

In my family, I was supposed to pretend he didnt exist. We all were. We didnt have Dads. We were just born. You know i didnt accept my Step Dad until My Dad stopped coming to see me. But what does that matter? I mean I wasNT  A BOY. HE DIDNT FUCKING WANT A GIRL. HE PROBABLY HAS 80 BILLION FUCKING DAUGHTERS! HE DOESNT NEED ANOTHER ONE!!!!!!!!!

But how am I going to forget the man who hated it when I cried? The man who bought me all of these presents because he knew he was never going to see me ever again. The man who bought me my first Barbie Car, my Hamtaro doll and my pretty Amethyst Birth Stone Barbie. All because he fucking knew he was never going to see me again. 

I havent seen him since I was two.  But I remember waking up in my hospital bed with Leslie telling him he had to talk to me because the doctors said they didnt know if I’d make it. I heard my auntie tell him in spanish and then he said “I dont talk to anyone who isnt blood.” and I wished I would have died again and again and again. 

4. I wasnt afraid to die. 

I mean honestly who is? Im Catholic now. I understand its the circle of life. Ive seen Lion King. But I honestly wasnt afraid to die. 

Here’s my philosphy on Religion and Death and everything 

If you’re a buddist and you die. You go do Buddist stuff. Buddist heaven, Buddist Hell. 

If you’re Jewish and you die. You go to Jewish Heaven because there isnt a hell. 

I know in church they tell you not to believe in other gods. But God mentions in the Holy Bible several times. So Meh. 

But I wasnt afraid to die. Im pretty sure my life had been clean and the only sins I really had were Hating my parents and Premarital sex. God wouldnt send me to hell for that. So I thought I’d go to heaven and party with Kurt Cobain

Because when a kid with Cancer dies, God doesnt send them to hell for dying of Cancer. So why would he send me to hell for succumbing to my depression? 

I mean atleast even if He was the God I think he is. 

3. By this point I was honestly sure nobody cared. 

The English teacher who carried me to the ambulance cared. I’m sure of that. 

But I mean nobody cared. I remember coming home to no food in the refrigerator and thinking “Oh well they’re making it easier for me now.” I remember nobody ever asking how I was.  I remember feeling numb I remember waking up that morning and deciding I was going to give life one last Chance. I’d missed the bus that morning and I had to call my  Grandmère to give me a ride to school because My Mother wouldnt teach me how to drive because she didnt want me to run off with my boyfriend and be happy. 

Because I guess bragging rights about your kids going to college are more important than your kids actually being happy. I’ll remember that when I have kids. If I live to have kids at least. 

Anyway I remember forgetting to take the pills out of my backpack. Im sure there’s an alternate universe somewhere where I did take them out of my backpack and I just went home early that day instead of killing myself in the bathroom. But hey what about the alternate universe where Hitler cured Cancer?

Nobody cared. Thats the point. Obviously if nobody noticed I was starving myself. If nobody noticed any of the signs that I displayed. 

But of course they all showed up to the hospital and cried crocodile tears. Then they yelled at me again as soon as I woke up. 

2. My life was over. 

“But you were accepted into NMSU! You were graduating Highschool! You had your whole life ahead of you!!!”

Did anybody ever think for just a second that I didnt want any of that? Honestly! Everybody was so proud. Nobody stopped and asked me if thats what I wanted to do. Because it sure as hell wasnt. I didnt want to go to college. Twelve fucking years of a system that made me kill myself in the Bathroom and you wanted me to do  eight more years?!  I wanted to get married and have babies. But I had to. You understand. I had to. I couldnt be like my sister. I couldnt stay in Highschool forever. I had to go to school because Men are useless now and I couldnt just get married out of highschool because as soon as they leave you’re going to need to take care of yourself! But I didnt want that. I wanted to get married. I wanted to have kids. 

1. Chance left.

Honestly this was it. This was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I could see it coming though. Yeah, I made fake accounts to try and talk to him. Yeah I was a thirsty hoe (Symptom of BPD btw). Yeah I kind of texted him until right before I did it. I mean I was 18 of course I was obsessed. He cared. He would kiss me goodnight, He would try to get me to eat but I never would. I wanted to be pretty for him. I wanted him to love me. He did for a moment. You know love is like a drug, A drug that makes you happy every day of your life. Even if all you do is fight. Maybe its because I’d never loved anybody before him. Not even my Mother.  When I lost that happy bubbly warmth. I wanted it back. I was so desperate to get it back. I didnt notice. I didnt notice all the terrible things that happened. I looked over all of the mean words, and abusive flags. None of those mattered, as long as I got that feeling of being warm, loved, safe, and protected. Because it made me want to live. If I couldnt live. I wanted to die. I wanted to die and be with that feeling forever. 

Maybe things would have changed if I had realize what a fucking scum bag he was earlier. 

Am I still Suicidal? Yes.

You cant turn it on/off contrary to the belief of everyone around me. I’ve been suicidal since I was a little girl. But will I do it again? I cant promise I wont.  

 Fourteen Reasons why  I want to live. 

14. I’m happy now. 

I dont know if I could consider this as happy as I want to be, I mean Im still single. I have no children. But I’m happy. I dont have all the money in the world but I can go get Starbucks. I can go out and eat If I want to and that makes me so happy. It makes me so happy to have access to food. 

13. I love my apartment. 

I love my apartment. I love everything about it. I do. Except the rent payment lol. I love that I can literally do whatever I want in this little one bedroom place. I love it. I love keeping it clean, I love putting up whatever I want on the walls and I love love love it so much. Im so warm and happy and there is always food here. 

12. I love where I live. 

I love my town. Its big, its bright and i can get whatever I need to. I can go to walmart again whenever I want and I dont have to beg anybody to take me through the drive through or pay anybody to take me to the mall. I can go see movies and see the world. I love the world. I love the grass and the trees and the warmth of the sun. I can sit on my porch for hours, I can watch the rain, I can go outside. I CAN GO OUTSIDE!!!! 

11. I love being free. My freedom is my most precious possession, I don't want to die if I can be free. 

 10. I don't want to die until I find that person. My whole life I've been told There's a soul mate for everyone. When I think about suicide. I think about being dead, in a way, Death was freedom for me. But part of me doesn't want to leave that person alone. I can't. If He was made for me . Then he's like ME and if he is then I don't want to leave him alone. 

9. I have food. 

I know what you’re thinking “Whatever, I have a frozen Dinner in the fridge. Does that make me not suicidal?”

I have food to eat. Like I do. I dont have to scrounge around my house for a packet of Ramen or hiding a can of soup under my bed and praying it would be there when I woke up. I can wake up and eat whatever I want. I can make dinner and sometimes I just stare at all of the food in my refrigerator and smile. 

Side note, It’s now May 12th, school is over. Im trying really hard to finish this. It’s triggering. Like, Hannah Baker, Everything she does. I can see myself in her.  I could deal with the books. I could deal with the books because I had borrowed my friend’s book and typed the alternate ending and stuck it in my book. I visualized it in my own way. Now seeing it. It’s triggering. Did anybody notice? Did anybody try to? 

What about when I did it? Did anybody think? Did anybody try and look after me. I mean nobody noticed me stop eating so I doubt anybody noticed me writing wills in my psychology class, or me writing my suicide note over and over again. 

The final draft only had a few words by the way and nobody read it. 

They didnt even read the instructions I left for them incase I survived and had to go to the hospital which is why I had to wear the same clothes I wore when i did it. Which absolutely sucked. But i was glad I was getting out of the mental hospital, so there’s that. 

I still dont understand why shit like this cant happen in real life. I dont understand how people can make people suffer so much emotionally that they think suicide is the only answer.

This is really hard to write. I have to think of reasons I want to live instead of reasons I want to die. That’s hard. I want to die. Im so sick of this. But I dont want to die. I want to live.  

In a sense, I really feel like Hannah Baker. Because She wanted to live, she wanted life and happiness but she just dies at the end. I wonder if that will happen to me? 

I’ve had people ask me if Im sure I should even be watching a show like this. But I have to. I have to finish it. 

I read the book I know what happens. But I have to finish it for myself. 

8. Kingdom Hearts III will come out (Eventually) 

I have found joy in video games once again. I mean. Ive always loved video games. But I was playing South Park Stick of Truth again and I liked it. I liked it a lot and I wanted to... I wanted to play it so much. 

I’m sure they have video games in heaven but i wonder do they have midnight release parties? Do they have endings that arent perfect?  

Im sure they do. But being alive for them is different. 

Eventually though. Kingdom Hearts III will come out. Eventually.  Ill get to play it. Maybe Ill get to play it with my grandchildren and teach them about Sora, and Kairi, and Riku. 

7. I want to be a Mother. 

Thats all I’ve ever wanted in life. Really. I just want to hold my baby and raise her/him. I dont want them to have to come home and wonder if there’s food to eat, or if the house is going to be warm or when Mom is going to come home.

I want to have children and teach them and give them love and warmth and make them safe and give them everything I never had in life.  Like love, and chances. Chances to make something of themselves in a way I never could. 

6. I want to live to be an annual passholder at Disney 

I mean I’ve been to Disneyland Nineteen times and this summer it will be 20.  But I want to be able to wake up one day, have the day off from work and ask my kids if they want to go to Disneyland instead of school. I want to go there and have a great time and not have to worry about school or work or depression or anything.

5. I really want to do my bucket list. 

I mean there’s lots of cool stuff on it. But I’m sure they have most of that in heaven. But  I want to do it before I die. Like I want to visit Euro Disney in person and hang out in France. I want to walk up and realize I’m going to see the Little Mermaid on Broadway tonight. I want to be able to tell everybody about what I’ve done and inspire them to do the same thing.

(Update: It’s June now. I have to finish it. I had to stop. It was getting bad again. Really bad. I’m ready now. I really am.)

4. I want to get married.

Honestly thats been my life goal since I was a baby. That and being a ballerina but appertanly my dreams dont matter enough for us to stay in a place I could actually achieve them. I want to have a big fancy wedding which will probably dumb down to me getting married at the court house which I am totally fine with. As long as I am officially married and we honeymoon at Disney. 

Jesus Chirst I cant do this. I really cant. I fucking cant. . .  Why? WHY am I here? Why did I live? It’s fucking impossible did you know that? Am I still alive? Am I dead? I wont fucking know! I’m so much happier now! I really am. But I cant do this. I fucking cant. Why? Why am I alive? Why did I live? SO I could pay bills for the rest of my life? I hate being broke. I hate not having any money. I spent 20 dollars today to go out to lunch and that was a luxury. I couldnt afford that. Especially with all these bills. Why? Why is it so expensive to live in a 3rd world country with Iphones? Why? I dont have a car I have to ride the bus everywhere and spend a billion dollars on fucking everything. WHY? Why? I hate this. I hate this so much. I hate having to be mad at myself for going to the mall and spening 11 dollars. ELEVEN FUCKING DOLLARS! I bought a keychain today. I bought a keychain today and I wasnt supposed to do that!  I love my apartment, I love it, I wont leave it unless I’m in a body bag or leaving with my husband, But i dont understand WHY?! Why? Why do they want everything I have? Everybody just wants money. Everything is just money money money money, do I Have enough? WIll it last? Will I be able to do something with it? Why do you want all of my money? I can barley afford to live and everybody wants to make it fucking harder than it already is!!!!!!!!!! I cant do this. I really want to die. But i really want to live. I really want to live. But i cant live. 

3. I want friends. . .

I want best friends. I want the kind of friends where you all can just hang out together and do stupid shit. I want inside joke kind of friends, I want the sort of friends that make fun of you but you know they dont mean it. I want a specific place for us to hang out and laugh and live. 

2. I want to be infinite. 

I dont mean immortal. I mean I want to do things. I want freedom. People have freedom given to them while others have to fight for it. I want to take a roadtrip. I want to eat at gas stations with somebody and travel and see the world. I’ve always wanted to see the world but i’ve been locked up in this FUCKING TOWER for so long and now i’m afraid to get out of it. I am afraid to live because I’ve never been able to live before! Why are people born free when I could not leave my house to get the mail? 

1. I want to experience love. 

I have never loved anybody. For a moment, I thought I loved Chance. But I realized, you cant love somebody who has never loved you. So i didnt love my Mother, or My sisters and brothers or my grandparents. That wasnt love. It was forced affection. Because when you love somebody you make sure they’re in the car before driving away and asking if they are. If you love someone you dont kick them out of your car. If you love somebody you offer to take them home instead of letting them sit in 32 degrees watching their spit freeze, while you let your family treat them like shit just like you did. 

But I want to experience love. All kinds of love. I want to know why people like it so much and why the feeling is so euphoric. I want to be held and treated like I am a treasure. Like I am worth something. 

Is that love? I will find out one day. I want this. Even if its the only thing I will have. I want it. 

~

I’m on the second to last episode now, 

I wonder if the author wanted us to feel bad for people we’ve slut shamed.  I wonder if we’re supposed to think about it that way. 

I dont know about you but I hate fake people who pretend they’ve killed themselves.  I mean I know its a cry for help. But I wish they would go and talk to somebody instead of insisting they sliced their wrists 80 times and got sent to the ER even though their wrists are scarless and havent look liked they were cut ever. 

My therapist once sent me to the ER because I told her I was feeling suicidial. 

I thought that was utter bullshit. 

Because all I had learned to do was lie. 

Why are you suicidal honey? *Sniff* My greAT Gran died and I miss her so much and I wish I could talk to her and hug her. Oh baby it’s gonna be okay, Derek she’s not suicidal get her out of here. 

See? Then at my next therapy session I had to lie to her and tell her I wasnt suicidal. Which was another lie. 

Anybody who has ever asked me about my Great Grandma Elisa knows I hated going to her house and I didnt like her. I’ve never liked her. She was so mean to me. She really was. 

But i cant say I cried crocodile tears at her funeral. Or when They woke me up and told me she wasnt breathing and I knew she was dead, and I cried in my sleep. Something I didnt do, and didnt start doing until it was getting really bad again. 

Isnt that funny though? How i learned to just lie to everybody instead of telling the truth? 

~

I’m on the last episode now. 

I cant make you believe how many times I had to stop this and step away for a moment. 

It was honestly too realistic. 

Like just the things she said 

“I decided to give life one more chance.” 

I remember thinking the exact same thing. 

and watching it blow it. 

Thats always how my emotions have been. 

Hannah is stealing razors now.

I remember the day I bought the sleeping pills specifically to kill myself.

I didnt tell my Mom that. I told her I was having trouble sleeping which was true. 

I remember telling kids I thought I was taking too much.

I remember pouring handfuls into my own hand and just staring at them. I thought they were really pretty.  

I remember sleeping in class because I’d take too many on purpose. 

I remember hanging up on 911 

I remember calling my ex boyfriend. 

I wondered what would happen if he would have answered. I really do. 

Probably nothing, 

I still would have done it. 

I remember swallowing handful after handful. 

I remember being carried to the office and hearing your voice in my head. 

I remember dying and being at peace.

I remember waking up and screaming and crying.

Because honestly. Suicide doesnt hurt. No. aside from me not being able to eat for a couple weeks without throwing up, or choking up tablets everytime I tried to take a pill. 

What hurt was waiting. I waited for life to get better. 

It didn’t.  

Hannah baker is going to slit her wrists,

I’m mad. This isnt the way it happened in the books. She swallowed pills.

ItsnotrealRosemaryitsnotrealItsnotevenhowithappendinthebooks

This is triggering. 

I reserve the right to skip this part.

I cant breathe. 

Okay, Okay. 

I dont fucking get why people say this show glorifies suicide. We are literally watching a girl die. The worst part is this is how actual people have done it. Oh my god. Oh my god there’s so much blood. 

Her parents, Oh my god. Okay that was so fake.

American Horror story did a better job. 

Which is probably why it kept me from killing myself. I watched Violet do it and it scared me. It scared me so I didnt do it. 

You know when I first read the books I guess I was really confused because I thought Mr Porter raped Hannah. I was like in 8th grade. 

Okay so Hannah Baker is still dead. The episode is over. 

How are they going to do season 2? 

I mean Tyler is Obviously going to shoot up the school and Alex tried to off himself. It’s Obvious Alex isnt going to die.  It’s Obvious Tyler isnt going to kill him. 

~

I liked watching this. 

I mean aside from it taking me two months to finish because,  well it kind of was triggering.

Side note:

I am not contemplating suicide please do not message me or call the cops. 

Also for anybody who is. 

National Suicide Prevention LifelineCall 

1-800-273-8255

[michaeljtraylor]

No, Video Isn’t Dead — It Still Boosts Sales Conversions When You Put It on the Right Pages of Your Site

Every business site has at least one page that could probably be beefed up with a video. Here are the big 5.

November 14, 2018 6 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Despite the brouhaha surrounding Facebook’s metric discrepancies, video isn’t dead, on life support or even headed to urgent care. In fact, it’s very much thriving on corporate websites, where businesses have discovered it belongs more than ever.

Of course, Facebook does owe video a sincere apology. Thanks to its miscalculations overstating social video consumption by up to 80 percent, according to Nieman Journalism Lab’s findings, many marketers believed it was the savior they needed to restore lagging engagement figures.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Using Videos on Your Website

Hence, the giant was slapped with a lawsuit. Yet video remains a strong tool — faulty Facebook analyses aside.

How can this be true? Basically, Facebook’s numbers don’t mean much in the real world. Businesses don’t have to care about the amount of video consumed. As brands, they need to care about what kinds of videos are being watched and what users are doing afterward. Those metrics, which can be accurately measured, are far more valuable.

Therefore, the question shouldn’t be whether to invest in video, but how to determine when an eye-catching, emotion-prompting video makes sense. Most companies might be surprised to realize that the answer to video marketing usually lies within their own websites, starting with the home page.

Enhancing a business website with video

A current big trend on websites, according to Hubspot, is to have a home page featuring a carefully considered video. Typically, the home-page video communicates a specific message to visitors at the top of the funnel. Unfortunately, it’s rare to see video on other pages.

A website peppered with videos allows an organization to increase sales and return on investment by creating a more dynamic experience. No longer are readers forced to wade through written content alone or stock images to understand a product or service. With video, they can rapidly break through the noise and efficiently determine whether the brand is a good fit.

Take the case of a startup restaurant: The home page could feature a 60- to 90-second video of the head chef demonstrating techniques, discussing his or her passion for food artistry and plating mouth-watering meals. This visual tour might continue on a menu page, showcasing behind-the-scenes video of the making of molten lava cake or offering snippets of diners raving about an entree.

The opportunity for video placement exists everywhere on a business’s website. However, there are five “biggies” when it comes to the easiest places to incorporate new videos in addition to the home page:

1. Your “About Us” page

Where does a person go to find out more information about a company’s mission, culture or history? The “About Us” page, of course. Users ordinarily aren’t ready to buy just yet, so it’s fine to make a fun video showing off your brand’s personality. The founder might offer an insider look at his or her day, for instance, as a compelling way to emphasize the company’s creation story.

If you want an example of what I’m talking about, Twitter hits all the must-haves for a solid “About Us” video. Videos play in the background, talking about users’ stories and showing how the social site works in real life. Best of all, the videos work well without sound and don’t break the bank to produce.

2. Your employment page

Talented applicants don’t take branding for granted. They actively search for brands that align with their preferred office environment, right down to their potential co-workers and company benefits. Video messages from warm, inviting internal team members can influence prospective team members to submit cover letters and résumés.

Normally, a full-size, embedded, autoplaying video is a miss, but Spotify’s employment page uses it in a nondistracting way. It offers a job search call to action and a video that rests in the background and showcases the brand’s messaging and thoughtful purpose.

Related: 5 Reasons Businesses Should Focus on Creating Video Content

3. Your product pages

Try to explain with words how to put a box together, and it’ll be clunky and boring. A better solution would be to put together a seconds-long video. The same can be true for many products and services that require research and understanding to get consumers to buy. The only caveat? Product page videos shouldn’t be overly pushy. Yes, they can extol your products’ advantages such as their unique features, but they shouldn’t try to do the salesperson’s job.

They should also be short, a rule that Allbirds follows. The shoe company’s products are augmented by short videos showing what its shoes look like in action. The videos feel seamless and serve the company’s purpose without being in-your-face.

4. Your landing pages

Landing pages are destinations for qualified leads, so videos there will likely get tons of targeted traffic. The faster visitors become engaged, the better. Thus, video serves as a godsend. Generally speaking, landing pages are jam-packed with “stuff,” such as introductions, benefits, product information, lead generation forms and a call to action.

A video that makes the page less messy can encourage a higher conversion rate.

The native advertising platform Taboola has a landing page replete with autoplaying video. It introduces Taboola to viewers without committing the sin of being obnoxious. Plus, it works sans sound, allowing customers to read the captions and take in the content without reaching for their headphones.

5. Your “Getting Started” pages

How does a product work in the real world? A video can offer an initial in-depth introduction and strong impression. Obviously, the key to videos on these pages is to highlight how to use the item or service so people unfamiliar with the brand get a taste of exactly what will happen after they make a purchase (not to mention why they should care in the first place).

Zipcar handles this well: It embedded a video on its “Getting Started” page to introduce customers to the product and process. Unlike other sites’ videos, this one doesn’t auto-play. The user can opt to watch the video and then read more on the web page as needed.

Related: Here’s Why Businesses Should Focus on Video Content

Facebook video debates aside, every business site has at least one page that could probably be beefed up with a video. Best of all, the videos don’t have to be professional quality, and they don’t have to be an all-or-nothing experiment. A few A/B split tests can determine whether video is the right performer for the job on any page, giving marketers deeper insights into how to snag more leads and improve sales.

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[coco-hates-chanel]

and yet again,

and yet again it comes to this, i brush it off, it’s no biggie. i’m used to it. but i miss where i was, and now i come to think of it do i really? or do i miss the thought of it? do i miss having people around me, giving the illusion that its all that i need? i love them all, i do, but is it the same with them? why does it bother me? why does the thought of being alone scare me? im grown, no? im independent and doing the best i can... is that not enough? i dont know whether its enough for me let alone them. i dont want to make it about me, but now i am and thats annoying. cos you know, thats what she does. you dont wanna be like her shanice. but in turn, is it worth trying to neglect yourself to be exactly what you dont want to end up being? whats the result?

this isnt whati wanted it to be, but i guess speaking to myself - or whoever it is that probably wont end up reading this - didnt help either. its not what i wanna do, or ever. people arent there the same way i am for them. i try to ease them into it. give them a reason to inquire. *i really want some cawfee*. are my problems not as important as theirs? why do they have to be played off? ‘dont worry hun, if you ever wanna chat im here’ but it doesnt end up being my chat. sometimes i need what i ‘give’ (i use this term loosely) given to me. i wouldnt know what to say, i doubt they would, but neither do i. make some shit up. i dont care, as long as they care. 

it makes me laugh i took time to write this, i wanted it to be a different rant, i dont like doing this, it seems very self pittiful-for myself. i would love, i do love that other people do this. why cant i accept this for myself?

[elliotthezubat]

DEATH CITY DAYS CHAPTER 42

from vampire rescue missions to asakusa raids

Rin: "Oh...Um, Stocking, maybe put the sword away?" stocking: *she puts it away* Kid: *finished drying the student* "You okay?" ???: ah, there you are. *she smiles* student: ah! c-chiaki. Kid: "???" chiaki: ah. you must be in mr okumura's class. *she extends a hand* Chiaki Sakutaba, from one of the newer classes. Rin: "...Hi." *shakes hand* "I'm Rin...Mr. Okumura's bro." chiaki: ah, a pleasure to meet you then. i'll be sure to contact mr shiratori's parole officer about this incident. girl:.... Rin: "Yeah, good plan." Kid: *keeping an eye on the girl* chiaki: imai? are you ok? 'imai': y-...yes... Rin: "Well, let's hook you up with a new meal!" *looks to Stocking* "Um...may we borrow your card?" -elsewhere- Kepuri: "YOU'RE NOT GETTING AWAY THAT EASILY!" lin: *FLEEING* O-O;;;; Emine: *picks up Lin while running* "Escape escape escape--" nea: ?? Kepuri: *ROAR* *her face is blue* Emine: "I only mixed in a little drainage cleaner into your face cream...Not my fault you're so...blue." akaderu:.....you bastards. *a double appears and PUNCHES EMINE IN THE FACE* Kepuri: *leaps to tackle Emine* Emine: x____x -elsewhere- Gopher: ^W^ "They screamed so loudly." kirika: what a bunch of wimps.... *bandaged in several places* lord death: i understand your reason was noble, but do try to be more careful from now on. kirika: yeah yeah i hear ya... Gopher: "I appreciate you defending me...and I'm sorry for your injuries." kirika: eh, its no biggy. i've had way worse happen to me before. Gopher: *nods* "I do want to repay you...so if you need anything, please, just ask." kirika: *small blush* s-sure. Gopher: *smiles* -elsewhere- Patty: "How does this one look?" *exits dressing room in a new dress* tsubaki: it looks great! liz: nice! Patty: "Hee hee! I'm getting it for graduation! Can't wait!!!" liz: *she smiles* Patty: "What're you gonna wear, sis?' liz: havent decided yet. Patty: "What about you, Tsubaki? Need a new dress? I got Kid's credit card..." -elsewhere- Yohei: "...I'm sorry." chie: its ok....*leans in* Yohei: *holds her* "Our child will be safe." chie: ...... Yohei: "You'll make sure of that, I'll make sure of that..." -elsewhere- Mr. Tsubaki: *in fox form, walking through town* -elsewhere- Spirit: *waiting by his car* izumi: hey! *smiles* Spirit: *smiles, waves* "Hey! How was school?" izumi: it went well. Spirit: "That's good." *opens her door, makes sure she buckles up* "Got your homework from your teachers?" izumi: *nods* Spirit: *gets in the driver's side, buckles up* "That's good. Want to stop anywhere on the way home? Something to eat or anything to pick up?" -elsewhere- Higan: "Feel better?" lavender: yeah...thanks for that. Higan: *nods, rubs her arm* "...I just want to make sure you're doing okay..." lavender: *she smiles* i appreciate that... Higan: "I know you would do the same for me...After all, no one is alone in getting through any of this, right?" lavender: right..... Higan: *stretches a bit* "You know, maybe some art would help...Want to head to the park, do some photography?" lavender: sounds good. Higan: *smiles* "Cool." *pulls out his coat and hers* "Here you go." lavender: thanks. Higan: *picks up his camera, opens the door for her* "Should be good weather out. Bright enough." -elsewhere- Kid: "My...Such a big library." stocking: wow. Rin: "Yeah, plenty of books! And teachers get more options for checking out higher-level texts." Kid: "Like three-star meisters checking out advanced books..." stocking: cool!..... !!! ah hell... -_-; Mr. A: "Demon." stocking: triple a batteries. Rin: *snort* stocking: *offers high fives to kid and rin* Mr. A: "Hmm...Taking a tour? That's nice. Oh, by the way: I will be reviewing your application. And helping to lead your job interview." stocking: is...that.....so now? ^^# Mr. A: "Yes. Because nepotism is not enough to get you here...Isn't that right, Mr. Okumura?" Rin: -3- stocking:.... Kid: "Then Stocking will be one of your most honorable applicants and hired teachers." stocking: *she smiles* Mr. A: "I assure you, I hold all applicants to the strictest of standards. And given Miss Pheles's earlier outbursts--" stocking: *grips fist* i was only protecting a student! Mr. A: "If you read rules, you would know such behavior reflects poorly on the Academy. Perhaps ask your father to remind you--" mephisto: remind her what~? ^^# Rin: "!!!" Mr. A: "...Remind her that the interview process to this academy is not to be taken lightly." mephisto: i understand. i _also_ know my little girl is more than mature enough to take this seriously. stocking: *smiles* Mr. A: "...I hope so. If you excuse me..." mephisto: *gives him the 'im watching you' sign* Mr. A: *walks a bit more quickly* stocking: thanks dad. mephisto: not to worry~ *HUG+cheek paps* what kind of a father would i be if i just stood on the sidelines as my little princess was being tormented by that huge dingus! Kid: *smiles* Rin: "Ha ha...Dingus." stocking: daaaaad..... what did i tell you about PDFA in public?! Kid: *small laugh* mephisto: whoopsie. sorry about that~ stocking: -////-;; Kid: "Sir, were there other locations in the Academy that you recommend we visit?" -elsewhere- Hugh: "Oh, welcome to the onsen! May I help you?" naho: heyyyy there..... ^^; tetsu: oh. hey....naho, i think? misono: yes. lilac: *hiding behind sakuya and naho* g-greed...isnt here....i-i-is he? Hugh: "...No. You have no fear of that." lilac: *tiniest peeeek* kaori: its ok. Hugh: *serious stare* "So, is this a friendly visit, or a business visit?" naho: just here to enjoy the hot springs! ^^;;; Hugh: "Very well. The changing room is down hall..." -later- Sakuya: "Aaaaah...So good." naho: =w= lilac: *almost all the way under, only his head above his nose is visible* Sakuya: "Enjoying it, Lilac?" lilac:...warm.... Sakuya: *smiles* "That's good...How about you, Naho?" *rests a hand on her shoulder* naho: *snuggles* =w= Sakuya: -\\\\- "That's so cute." *snuggle* lilac: *also leans* Sakuya: *hand on Lilac's shoulder* "Aw..." -elsewhere- Tsukiyo: "Darn...Where is it...?" kabuki: oh? Tsukiyo: "I had left one of those impersonation-detector papers in one of my books...but I don't remember which book." kabuki:... *sweatdrop* they're not really meant to be used as bookmarkers. -they did find it eventually- Tsukiyo: "Oh, good! I should have known I left it to mark my spot in the anatomy book..." kabuki: *sweatdrop* Tsukiyo: "Well, I should reward you for your help! Drinks on me?" -elsewhere- Relan: *doing sit-ups* -elsewhere- naho: we're home! lavender: welcome back kiddos. tsubaki: ^^ Higan: *reviewing photographs on digital camera* Sakuya: "Yo. How's your day been, Tsu?" tsubaki: fairly well. otogiri: *repairing clothes* Sakuya: "??? What happened to the clothes?" otogiri: belkia fell out of a tree again. Sakuya: -_-; Belkia: *bandaged* ._o "Can you help me with my eye? It seems smaller than the other one now." naho: maybe if you wore an eyepatch you'd look like...sham.....*worried* Sakuya: ._. Belkia: "...Um...No..." Higan: *sigh* ("Still haven't found him...") tsubaki:............ Sakuya: "...Tsubaki...We need to find him, too." tsubaki: ...*she nods* Belkia: "After that battle, who would have him?" tsubaki:.....C3. Sakuya: "!!!" lavender: !! -tsubaki explains the situation- Sakuya: "...How long have you known?" tsubaki: ever since that meeting with touma... naho: this touma guy sounds like a huge jerk! Sakuya: "...Damn it...So, when we breaking Shamrock out?" otogiri: we're going to need a plan... Belkia: "BLOW IT UP TO THE GROUND!" otogiri: no. Higan: "We'll need a distraction to pull them out. They know Tsubaki..." tsubaki: maybe we could ask the others? Sakuya: "...Worth a shot...if they'd be willing..." naho: *NOD NOD* Higan: "So, a few distract, a few sneak in, a few sneak Sham out, and we'll need more muscle..." lavender: im more then capable of distraction~<3 otogiri: -_-; Higan: ^^ "I know that. May also need a distraction for those inclined to men." -and so- misono: YOU WANT US TO WHAT?! O.O; Lily: "??~" Hugh: -___- Kuro: "...Huh." tsubaki: that's the basic jist of it. Kuro: "...Do I have to leave the house to do this?" mr sendagaya: tetsu, you have some guests. shinoa: good evening~ misono: O////O !! mitsuba:.... !!! hyakuya: *notices higan* oh yeah, you're that pervert on the plane from last year. Higan: -____- lilac:.... !!!!!!! *trembling* licht:.....hey. Lawless: *trying to hide behind Licht* otogiri: *holds onto lilac* its ok. licht: *grabs lawless by the tie* get over here, you shit rat. Lawless: *whispering at Licht* "Why did you even bring me here!" licht: emergency meeting means 'bring everyone.' including you. Lawless: *grumble grumble* lilac: *staring at the floor* Sakuya: "...Mahiru, we're going to need everyone on this." mahiru: right. misono: very well. -after the situation is explained- otogiri: !!!!!!!! Belkia: "..." *shaking his fists* misono: then we'll have to work to free shamrock _and_ miss himawari. mitsuba: im calling in back-up. Kuro: "...Taking on all of C3...This can't go well." mitsuba: unless we have some eyes on the inside.... shinoa: as well as some back up from a 3rd party~ *making a call* hello, is mikuni in? misono: of course... -_-; mitsuba: O///O Mikuni: "Speaking." shinoa: we're planning a rebellion against C3, are you in or out? Mikuni: "...'Bout time! I'm in!" shinoa: alright. come over to the white water hot spring. we'll discuss the plan there. Mikuni: "Awesome! Want me to bring the others over? Even Jeje?" Jeje: "...I have to go with you everywhere, you dunce." shinoa: just you two for now. Johannes: *peeping up behind Jeje* "You need me for something?" Jeje: "No." Johannes: *pouts, slinks away* Mikuni: "Heading over now!" metsu: i'll stay here and make sure the good doctor is on his best behavior. Mikuni: "Thank-ee!" Jeje: *nods* Johannes: "...When am I _not_ on my best behavior?" metsu: -_-;; -and so, when they arrived and the situation is explained in full details- Mikuni: "Huh...You sure you want to pull out more vamps? I mean, if this Sham guy worked for Tsubaki..." Sakuya: -_- tsubaki: i was tasked with protecting them. they're part of our family now. and that means _all_ of them. misono: and the three of you will help, even though it might get you in trouble? mitsuba: its just a risk we're going to have to take. hyakuya:..... Mikuni: "Well, I've been wanting to slap the smirks off some C3 people's faces, so I'm in!" Jeje: "...Tsubaki, just promise me you'll do a better job tending to these subclasses than certain other people..." tsubaki: *she nods* hyakuya: im not looking forwards to helping these bloodsuckers.....but i really want to give that touma prick a good what for... Hugh: "Fine...I'll join." misono: very well. since we know our goal, we now need our plan. mikuni and shinoa squad, since you're more familiar with C3's layout, you can help us locate and access point. shinoa: understood. mitsuba: i know where they're being held. sham is in the lower cells, and himawari, im assuming, is someplace in touma's office. Higan: "We have a distraction--" Belkia: "I want Touma...So I can put his head on a pike." otogiri: *she nods* misono: we'll worry about that when we get to that point. Kuro: "We got enough muscle?" tetsu: yo. Kuro: "We got enough muscle?" tetsu: yo. misono: we'll go in two formations. alpha team will consist of me, lily, lavender, shinoa, tetsu, hugh, licht, and lawless. delta team will be tsubaki, higan, mitsuba, hyakuya, mikuni, jeje, mahiru, and kuro. the rest will be omega team, and will act as intel and back up. shinoa: fortunately, we managed to talk the mad dog team into helping us. at least two of them....as for tsurugi, it's uncertain... Mikuni: "If you need me to shut up Tsurugi, I'm up for that~" mahiru: we'll just need transportation. misono: already on that. lily, call up dodo. hyakuya: why cant you do it? misono:....... Lily: *already calling Dodo* "We need a ride..." -and so- tsubaki: so this is the access point? Jeje: "Sleepy Ash and I can transform to be fit inside..." mahiru: then you'll be able to unlock the door? Kuro: "Right..." *transforms into a cat, leaps up to the access point...and can't reach* -_-; Jeje: *in snake form, nudges Kuro up* mitsuba: i think we can get to the cells from here... *Jeje and Kuro get inside...Jeje holds up Kuro to unlock the door* Kuro: "Tah-dah..." mahiru: alright. mitsuba: awesome. lets go. Kuro: *looks around inside* "...Cold." -upstairs- himawari:...... Touma: *whistling* C3 member: oi touma. we got some ruckus going on out front. Touma: "?!! Define 'ruckus.'" C3 member: we have some wounded claiming they were attacked by a stray subclass... Touma: "Damn it...I'll be right there." *turns off intercom, looks at Hinawari* "Back to your cell..." himawari:.....*she goes back in* Touma: *locks her in, hides the cell, exits for the hallway...* "Time to put a stop to this...Discipline some children." -outside- misono: *has fake blood on him* ahhh! this freakin huuuurts! Hugh: "WAAAAAAAAH! My little hand! My tiny adorable little hand hurts!" tetsu: *absolute monotone* ahhhh. the paaaain. shinoa: its ok misono, they're getting help! *hugs him* misono: O//////////////////O;;; C3 Member #2: "Jeez! Holy crap! Th-There's blood everywhere!" *grows pale in the face* C3 Member #2: "D-Did anyone call Touma?" C3 member: yeah, he's on his way down now. -inside- Jun: "What's all the noise about?" tinker: i think we got some wounded! yumikage: ... Jun: "...Oh, no...Um...Send more people to tend to them. I'll keep an eye on things here." tinker: on it! yumikage: i'm gonna head downstairs. Jun: *nods* "I'll be monitoring security..." -downstairs- Jeje: *looking around* mitsuba: here it is. *she opens the door* Kuro: *looks through the door* "Where next?" mitsuba: *she points to a door* that leads to his cell... hyakuya: who's gonna pick the lock? Jeje: "..." *slides his tail into the lock...* tsubaki: ?? *CLICK* Mikuni: "...Huh. Can't believe that worked." tsubaki: good job. *she smiles and opens the door* Kuro: *prepares himself in case of an attack* Mikuni: *holds up a doll to protect himself* tsubaki: sham? are you in here? Shamrock: "??!!! What?!" tsubaki: *she smiles* hyakuya: hey, bustin you out. not that we want to. Shamrock: "...Why should I trust you?" tsubaki: *she looks at higan* Higan: "Yo, buddy." Shamrock: "..." Q~Q "SAVE ME!" tsubaki: ok. *she slices the lock off with her arm blade* Shamrock: *collapses in front of Tsubaki* "Thank you for saving me, despite stealing him from me!" tsubaki:... eh? owo mitsuba: eh? mahiru: ?? hyakuya:....whatever, lets just get him out of here, then lets get himawari, or whatever her name was, out of here... Shamrock: "...Himawari is here, too?" mitsuba: yeah, in touma's office. Shamrock: "...How are we getting in there?" mitsuba: guess we're just gonna have to solid snake this! hyakuya: what? Jeje: "...Are you suggesting I'm _not_ solid?" Kuro: -____-;;; "Meaning we sneak in and knock some heads..." mitsuba:...right. mahiru: lets try to keep the body-count to a minimum =_=' Mikuni: "Right--kill only the people who have it coming!" Shamrock: x_o;; "...I can't tell whether I agree with him, or am horrified by that plan." mitsuba: ok, me, mikuni, higan, and jeje will go bust out himawari, the rest can escape, lower the chances of getting caught. Shamrock: "...No. I know more about this building than some of you. I recognize patterns, sounds, persons...and I really want to tear out Touma's throat..." mitsuba: you sure about that? tsubaki:...in that case. higan, come with us. i dont want to get you and the others in further trouble. Higan: "Okay--lead the way..." Shamrock: "Just point me in the right direction..." -and so, mitsuba leads her group upstairs towards touma's office- Shamrock: "Do you think he is still in his office?" mitsuba: hopefully, alpha team has him taken care of..... !!! there it is. wait here. *she checks the door....she motions them to come over* Shamrock: *approaches cautiously* -the office is empty- mitsuba:....mikuni, could you keep watch? Mikuni: "Aye-aye!" *holds his doll close, looks out the door* mitsuba: 7///7; *looks around the office* Shamrock: *examining the desk and walls...* "Hmm...What's this?" mitsuba: ?? -one book seems to be stuck....- Shamrock: *tugs* -that seemed to do it- himawari:............... Shamrock: "!!! Oh, God..." -she's covered in various injuries, including cuts, bruises, and cigarette burns, including a mark of two 'T's on her thigh.- Shamrock: "...Himawari...Do you remember me?" himawari: *she looks up, but doesnt say anything* mitsuba: !!!!....that son of a bitch! Shamrock: "Step One, get Himawari to medical treatment, out of here." *offers a hand to her* mitsuba: *removes her restraints* hold on, that magician guy gave me something... *pulls out a box?* now how do we use this?... Shamrock: "??? Is that one of Belkia's teleportation devices?" mitsuba: is that what it is? how do i use it? Shamrock: "I-I don't know...I think you open it and go inside?" mitsuba: *presses a button* ah- -FWOOF- Shamrock: "?!!" otogiri:.... mitsuba: we're back at...where are we? otogiri: tsubaki and black*star's house.....welcome home. Shamrock: "...I'm...not imprisoned any longer?" mitsuba: seems so. ???: aaaaaaAAAAAAM! *TACKLE-HUG* otogiri:... !!!! himawari!.....*picks her up and gets her to 'med bay' Shamrock: "?!!" naho: YOU'RE BACK!! TT~TT Shamrock: x\\\\\o "Y-Yes, I am...Hi?" lilac: w-welcome...h-home... naho: the others are gonna be back shortly! Shamrock: "..." *collapses to his knees* "Thank goodness..." -later- tsubaki: that went much better than i thought it would...*sigh* but you two will have to lay low for a while... Shamrock: *sigh* "Still, if this is to be my prison, it is a significant improvement." lavender: think of it as a safe-haven. Shamrock: "...Very well. At least here I can get a decent shower, privacy, and a meal." himawari:......... Belkia: T_T "I'm so happy you are here, Hima-tan..." lavender:........................*shaking* Higan: *pats Lavender's shoulder* "Let's be grateful that we are here..." lavender:...right.... Belkia: "...Hima-tan? You remember me, right?" naho: lots of stuff happened, i cant wait to tell you all about it! and miss tsubaki is really nice too. she even lets us have our own bedrooms! himawari:....... otogiri:...i think...she's still in shock... Shamrock: "Our own bedrooms? How spacious..." *glances at Himawari* Belkia: Q~Q otogiri:...*pap pap* naho: we even kept hold of your stuff from the other house, so you can have it back now. ^^. *she hands him a briefcase* Shamrock: "...I'm touched. Thank you..." -elsewhere- Touma: "...How?" mitsuba: *banged up* i never meant to let him get out...he just...broke out.... Touma: "A contained vampire DOES NOT JUST BREAK OUT!" mitsuba: i dont know how it happened! Touma: *his hand just over Mitsuba's throat* "You better find out...or you'll be in that cage." shinoa: mr touma, i believe that is quite enough. yumikage: yeah! just lay off her! she's beat up enough as it is! hyakuya: im _this close_ to cutting that hand off! Touma: "..." *pulls back his hand* "Clean her up, then hold her for additional questioning." yumikage: right.........*exits with them* you ok? mitsuba: yeah....thanks for beating me up. yumikage: sorry...had to make it realistic. shinoa: we appreciate you helping us out like this. yumikage: no probs. touma's a dick. Jun: "...Yumikage, we will make this right..." yumikage: *he nods* for that girl...and tsurugi.... Jun: *nods* -elsewhere- Kid: "The tour helped with studying?" stocking: yep. i think i memorized the 5 true cross order branches; knight, tamer, aria, doctor, and dragoon... Kid: *smiles* "Sounds right. And you would be...?" stocking: havent decided yet...i'd have to look into it more. Kid: *nods* "With that sword of yours..." stocking: hmmm....but then i'd be stuck working with triple A batteries. Kid: "True...Could always 'encourage' him to apply his skills elsewhere...like as a circus clown." stocking: hah! Kid: *hug* "You'll be great in whichever branch you enter." -elsewhere- Jacqueline: *brushing her hair* -morning- Shamrock: *tossing in bed* "N-No..." tsubaki: sham? are you awake? Shamrock: *eyes snap open, looks around* "Y-Yes..." tsubaki: we just put the dolls out for hinamatsuri, did you want to see it? Shamrock: "...Okay..." *follows her* naho: hehe~ ^^ *in a kimono* lavender: its cute. Sakuya: -\\\\- Shamrock: *looking around at everyone* lavender: mornin'. *she's in a rather short, off shoulder kimono.* Shamrock: "M-Morning..." himawari:...*bandaged*...... otogiri: its ok. you can say it. himawari:....good......morning.... Shamrock: "..." *nods* "Good morning." tsubaki: what did you want for breakfast? Shamrock: "Oh! Um...I usually prepared my own meal...and meals for everyone else..." tsubaki: you're welcome to help out if you want. Shamrock: "...Very well. Point me to the pans and ingredients..." -elsewhere- Kid: "Good morning..." stocking: mornin' kiddo~<3 *smoooooch* Kid: *smooch* "Sleep well?" stocking: yeah. Kid: "Good...Ready for breakfast?" stocking: yep~ Kid: *smiles* "Waffles, fruit..." -elsewhere- Takehisa: *reviewing files over coffee* -elsewhere- Benimaru: *sipping tea* fang-hua: commander? Benimaru: "??? Oh, Kohana--hello. How are you?" fang-hua: doing well. you? Benimaru: "...Ambivalent, I'm afraid. Just thinking about the last month...and my mistakes." fang-hua:....well, i guess we can only learn from the past and move forwards... Benimaru: "...I have considered contacting the 8th for assistance in locating any remaining dopplegangers." fang-hua: ah, i see. i know you're hesitant after the incident...but i do believe they're telling the truth. Benimaru: "...Agreed. I will make the call." fang-hua: *she nods* Benimaru: "Have some soldiers ready to greet them, and we will conduct one more sweep for impersonators." fang-hua: right. Benimaru: *pulls out a phone...dials...* -elsewhere- Akitaru: *shiny eyes* "WE'RE TRAVELING!" tamaki: eh? shinra: to where? Akitaru: "Back to Asakusa." shinra: OwO;; *remembering benimaru's fury* oh. Arthur: "...You're sending us to die?" maki: oh dont be so pessemistic! Akitaru: "I mean, I don't _think_ the Commander is going to kill us...He said he wanted our help to get rid of the last doppelgangers." shinra: eh? so he believes our story now? Akitaru: "I guess so...But can't be too careful, so keep an eye out for us while we're there, okay, Shinra?" shinra: *salutes* right! Takehisa: "But who will watch the station while we're away?" iris: i volunteer. nozomi: i-i think i'll go with you guys this time. Takehisa: "Will that be enough? Shouldn't we--" *Door smashes open--crushing Takehisa* miwa: !!!!!!???? maki: TAKEHISAAA!! Takehisa: x~x Hibana: *enters through the door* "I can watch your station!" Akitaru: -_-; shinra:....were you outside the door this whole time?! Hibana: "I'M EVERYWHERE..." *creepy smile at Shinra* *then looks behind the door--and cringes* "Oh...Sorry." Takehisa: x____x gabriella: hello all~ Akitaru: "...You two are _not_ sleeping in my room." Hibana: *pout* "Fine. We'll just take Shinra's room." shinra: WHY MINE?! Hibana: "Don't you want us to remodel your room~?" nozomi: y-you can stay in my room, miss hibana. i wont mind. Hibana: *smiles* "Thank you, dear. We will treat your room with the utmost respect." nozomi: thank you. -elsewhere- Jonah: "Now, stand still..." soldier: ..... arrow: ....haran, how is progress coming along? Haran: "Just about ready. Where will the Commander be?" -elsewhere- Joker: *tracing his cigarette smoke in the air* "So close..." scarlet:......that boy.... (thinking: is he really the same as....) Joker: "Yep. We get him on our side. Nice little option when dealing with the Knights." scarlet: ..... Joker: "...What's with you?" scarlet: ?? nothing, just...thinking. ivy: how do we do this then? Joker: "I'm going to send someone to pay the 8th a little visit..." ivy: oh? who're you sending? Joker: "I was thinking Licht." ivy: how are we gonna get some piano player to help us? scarlet: -_-; he means victor. ivy: who? Victor: "...Hi." ivy: !!! fuck! DONT SNEAK UP ON ME LIKE THAT! scarlet:..heh. Victor: "..." *sniff* "Is something burning?" -elsewhere- Shamrock: "..." *shiver* lilac: .....are you....ok? Shamrock: "Yes...Sorry. Just remembering something." lilac: ..... Shamrock: "...I think I'll get back to cleaning up my new room. lilac:..... Shamrock: "...Lilac, are you okay?" lilac: y-yeah.. Shamrock: *nods, goes towards his room* Sakuya: "Yo, Lilac! You hungry?" lilac: s-sure. Sakuya: "Cool..." *whispers* "Maybe we can make something for Sham, too. Kind of help him out." lilac:...*nod nod* Sakuya: "I think at least a good peanut butter sandwich works..." -elsewhere- Tsukiyo: "Which one should I wear--battle-ready uniform, or formal uniform?" fang-hua: for what? Tsukiyo: "You know, for when the 8th comes visit. Should the impression people, 'I am here to impress you!' or 'I WILL KICK YOUR ASS!'?" fang-hua: just something normal, i guess. ^^; Tsukiyo: "Okay, regular uniform then!" *runs out, changes, comes back out in her usual uniform, salutes* "Ready!" -elsewhere- Relan: [be safe on this trip] shinra: [i will. :) ] Relan: [and maybe bring iris and me souvenirs ^^] shinra: [will do!] Relan: *smiles, puts his phone back in his pocket, heads to the exercise field...* -elsewhere- Jacqueline: "All set?" kim: yep Jacqueline: "Excellent. Then we can head out to finish errands." -elsewhere- Johannes: *cleaning his lab* "Wash and dry, polish and shine!" metsu: *sorting files* Jeje: "Need help?" metsu: if you'd like. *she smiles* Jeje: "Always..." *takes a set of files, starts sorting...* Johannes: *opens desk drawer, starts pulling out items: scalpels, paperclips...a jar with an eyeball in it* "Huh--been looking for this." metsu: *sweatdrop* Jeje: -_-;;; "Stop that. It's creepy." Mikuni: "GUYS! COME UP HERE! MY DOLLS ARE GETTING MARRIED!" Jeje: "...Also that." -elsewhere- Kid: "You'll be studying today?" stocking: yep. Kid: *nods* "I'll head out to finish some errands. Want anything?" stocking: tarts please~ Kid: *smiles* "Of course--in many flavors." *kisses her forehead* "None as sweet as you." stocking: hehe~<3 Kid: *takes a cloth bag* "Back shortly. I love you." stocking: love you too~ Kid: *smiles, turns to depart--* Patty: "Kiddo! Pick up snacks, too!" Kid: "!!! Um...Sure..." -elsewhere- Konro: *waves at the 8th at the outskirts* "Hello." shinra: *he nods* nozomi: this is asakusa then? tamaki: yep. Arthur: "At least most of it looks repaired...But why is there a fox on the captain's shoulder?" Mr. Tsubaki: ^^ maki: AWWWWW HOW CUTE! tamaki: adorable. *shiny eyes* nozomi: ^^; Mr. Tsubaki: *hops down, sits before Maki, Tamaki, and Nozomi* maki: *taking pics* so adorbs! shinra: *sweatdrop* Arthur: *mutters* "...Dumb fox, hogging all the attention..." Konro: "We found him--a stray. Rather docile around most people..." maki: whos a fluffy bebeh, whos a fluffuh bubuh! Mr. Tsubaki: *lies before Nozomi* nozomi: *pet pet* hehe... Mr. Tsubaki: ^^ Tsukiyo: "Yo! Arthur!" *glomp* Arthur: *choked* o___O tamaki: O_O fang-hua: *running after her, panting* tsukiyo! w-wait up! Tsukiyo: *waves at Tamaki* "Hello, kitty!" Arthur: *no longer breathing...his soul is coming out of his mouth...* shinra: we should bury him. Konro: -_-; tamaki: *PUNCH* shinra: ow! Mr. Tsubaki: o___o -later- Benimaru: "..." maki: >->;; Akitaru: "...Um, hi, Commander!" Benimaru: "...Commander. Thank you for coming." *looks at the 8th* "And your members." shinra: *nervous smile* nozomi: ^^; Benimaru: "Hmm...Some of you look new." *points at Nozomi* "Your name?" nozomi: ah! nozomi harada. Benimaru: *nods* "Are you strong?" nozomi: well... ummm... tamaki: she's in our research department. Benimaru: "So, strong mentally. We here value those who can demonstrate strength...Have to, given how often we destroy our own buildings in combat." nozomi: eh? O_O Akitaru: "And the buildings look even better than before." ^^;; Takehisa: "So, why did you call us? Where are these doppelgangers?" -paper'd- nozomi: O_O tamaki: ACK! Takehisa: -_- shinra: wha- Akitaru: "???" maki: !! Benimaru: "...Well? Do you feel any pain from the papers?" maki: no...? sister:...they're good to go. Arthur: "I feel a slight tingling on my forehead...but that may be oxygen deprivation from earlier." Akitaru: *removes the papers, looks at them* "These things will spot fakes?" Benimaru: *nods* tamaki: neato. Benimaru: "There are a few more residents to check and double-check. Please take these papers and use them on those suspects." tamaki: ok? Konro: "We checked ourselves, so you will be paired with some members of the 7th." Tsukiyo: *grabs Shinra and Nozomi's wrists* "I call dibs!" shinra: ah- nozomi: eh? owo; Tsukiyo: "Let's go check around the spa!" Arthur: "...Thank goodness--I thought I'd be stuck with that lunatic." -elsewhere- Haran: "All set?" arrow: i believe so. all we need to do now is wait for guruna to give us the signal... Haran: *nods* "Wait, then..." Jonah: "BUT I WANT TO GO NOW!" -potted plant gets tossed at him- misora: SHADDAP! SOME OF US ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF STUFF! Jonah: Q~Q "I just want to be in the middle of stuff!" misora: *glare of rage* Jonah: o___o *hides behind Arrow* arrow: -_-; Hanan: *flat laugh* "Ha." *looks at Misora* "What are you doing to prepare?" -elsewhere- Hibana: "And so things are okay with Shinra and Relan?" iris: *she nods* Hibana: "I don't need to have a talk with them or anything?" iris: it's all doing well. ^^ Hibana: *nods* "That's good...May I ask you a question?" iris: what is it? Hibana: "Would I be a bad mother?" iris: eh? why do you think that? Hibana: "I don't know...Gabriella and I have been considering it. I don't have a lot of confidence I would be good." iris: i think you'd do a good job. you took care of me and the other sisters before, remember? Hibana: "Yes, but I was a lot different then..." *frown* "I think Gabriella wants one..." iris: ah, i see. Hibana: *sigh* "It's a lot to think about, not to mention potential donors." -elsewhere- Akitaru: "Things been alright around here, Kabuki?" kabuki: for the most part, yes. Akitaru: "But some problems? Like with these imposters running around?" kabuki: *he nods* Akitaru: "Jeez...I'm sorry for all of this. I sure as heck did not appreciate them stealing my face like that." kabuki: it has everyone on edge... Akitaru: "I can imagine what it does for morale...I'm sorry if this sounds rude, but does the Commander have friends?" kabuki: well...im not sure if i should say~ Akitaru: "??? Some gossip, then? Well, no worries--I'm not going to press." *smiles, points to some buildings* "I guess that's our destination." kabuki: indeed. -elsewhere- shinra: no way, you're totally making this up! Tsukiyo: "Nah-uh! He was walking out of the shrine, waving to the sister! I know something is up! I mean, he practically has everyone in this village wanting him: the sister, me, Fang-Hua--" nozomi: eh? Tsukiyo: *sigh* "He has the pick of anyone he wants--such the center of attention...Wish I had that." *pokes Shinra's shoulder* "Or what you got." shinra: h-hey now! Tsukiyo: "Hee hee--Just teasing you! But man, it sucks being single around here." nozomi: ^^; Tsukiyo: "What about you, Nozomi? You with anyone?" nozomi: eh? oh heavens no! i dont think anyone would be interested in someone boring like me... Tsukiyo: *eyes her up and down* "I wouldn’t call you 'boring.' Maybe find someone with the same hobbies as you?" nozomi: i-i guess, maybe... Tsukiyo: *smiles* "Tell you what--after we finish getting these imposters found, I'll introduce you to some of the peeps around here." nozomi: ^^; Tsukiyo: "But first, we got to check out the shrine..." *spots the spa* "...Or..." -elsewhere- Benimaru: "That's two more people reviewed..." maki: *she nods* Benimaru: "...May I ask about your Commander?" maki: what did you want to know? Benimaru: "How upset is he with the 7th over our actions to your brigade?" maki: he understands why you were upset, but he's still willing to help. he's rather forgiving. Benimaru: "...Forgiveness can look like weakness." maki:... -elsewhere- Arthur: "...Maybe add another paper to their forehead? Can never be too careful..." fang-hua: *sweatdrop* townsperson: can i go now? Arthur: "I guess..." *removes the paper* -elsewhere- Konro: *smiles, nods* "Thank you for answering our questions--good day." -elsewhere- naho: *snuggling up to sakuya* =w= Sakuya: *smiles* "Comfy?" naho: mmhmm~ Sakuya: *kisses her cheek* "What a cutie..." naho: >w< Sakuya: *soft kiss on her lips* naho: U/////U Sakuya: *kiss on where her jaw meets her neck* naho: >//////< Sakuya: *kisses her neck...his hand lays on her hip* naho: s-sakkun! >/////< Sakuya: *pulls back* "Too much?" naho: ./////. we're....still in the living room... Sakuya: .\\\\\. "...I forgot." lavender: ^^; Higan: “Ah, young love…” Shamrock: x_-;;; Belkia: "Yeah, maybe take the PDA elsewhere." naho:.....*she looks at sakuya* your room or mine? lavender: use protection you two! Sakuya: *whispers* "I think yours. The bed is more comfy." naho: ok. *she walks with him to her room* Sakuya: *closes the door behind them, locks it* naho: *she sits down* should i lay down or... *flustered* Sakuya: "Well...Do you want to lead? Or should I?" naho: c-could you? im not…very experienced....c-could we take it slowly? Sakuya: *nods, as he sits beside her...takes her hand...and kisses it lightly* naho: *leans in and smiles* mmmm... u///u Sakuya: *lightly rests his hands along her back, as he kisses her lips* -elsewhere- Kid: *takes the desserts from the baker* "Thank you! I'm sure she'll love these." -elsewhere- Takehisa: "Where to next?" -at the shrine- kirei: hmm? Benimaru: "Hello." kirei: ah, good evening. maki: hey. *waves* kirei: oh? you're...from the 8th, right? maki: yeah. Benimaru: "Sister, we are here to conduct one more search for imposters." kirei: i see. well, reimi wont be here, since she left to do errands... Benimaru: "...We have to check _everyone_..." kirei: *she nods* i'll let her know. ???: "AAAAH!" maki: ?! what the?? Benimaru: "?!!!" *A human is sweating, as flames emerge from their hands* ???: "N-No! Nooooo!" shinra: !!! *he spots a hooded figure* hey! GET BACK HERE! Tsukiyo: "What the heck?!" nozomi: *too paralyzed to move* ???: *panting, and then--a roar: transformation complete* shinra: *chasing the hooded figure* Hooded Figure: *leaps over fence, trying to put distance between themselves and Shinra* shinra: *tries to give himself a speed boost* Hood Figure: *spots Shinra following* "!!! Crud, crud, crud--" ???: kusakabe? shinra: ?! *he spots reimi* eh? Hood Figure: *runs* ("Run run run run!" Q~Q ) reimi: what are you doing here? shinra: wai- *he lost sight of the hooded figure* dammit! Benimaru: *runs towards the spot* "Kusakabe, where is the Hood?" shinra: he went over that fence! but i lost him... reimi: i saw it happen....i forgot which way the hood went though, sorry... Benimaru: "..." *frowns at Shinra* shinra: ....... -later- Akitaru: "...Another transformation. Damn it." nozomi: *too shook up to even speak* Tsukiyo: *looking concerned at Nozomi* tamaki:....*hugs nozomi* nozomi:....*whimpering* Benimaru: *standing away* "How? How again?" shinra: i saw the hooded figure, and i tried to go after them..... kirei:..... Benimaru: "...You should have demolished an entire building on them." shinra:....... fang-hua: commander, could you go easy on him? he obviously feels bad enough... Benimaru: "...I have to tend to the deceased's survivors." *turns to leave* Akitaru: "..." *pats Shinra's shoulder* shinra:.... -elsewhere- Haran: "That was close." misora: QwQ;;; Haran: "So, what's next?" arrow: for now, we leave that as a warning... -elsewhere- Ponera: *holding her head* "French wine gives major headaches..." shaula: im good though. =w= Medusa: "You've just built up a tolerance..." T_T "I miss drinking..." Ponera: *groan* -elsewhere- Hibana: *looks around Nozomi's room* "Comfy." gabriella: it's nice. *she notices a picture of nozomi and her father* ... Hibana: "Aaaaaw, look at tiny she was!" gabriella: she does take after her father it seems... Hibana: *sad smile* "Yes..." *hugs Gabriella* -elsewhere- Kid: "Yummy?" stocking: =w=~<3 you're the best! Kid: *smiles* "You're better." stocking: dawww. Kid: *pats her hand* stocking: *smooooch* Kid: =w= *smooch* stocking: ^^~<3 Kid: *smiles* "I can taste the dessert on your lips." stocking: hehe~ Kid: "I'll have to make sure to buy more for you again in the future." *rubs her arm* "And for important occasions." stocking: *she smiles and holds his hand* Kid: *holds her hand, cuddles* stocking: hey kid, you got something on the tip of your nose....*she kisses it* it's me~ Kid: "Hee hee...You know what I think is also on me?" stocking: what? Kid: *lightly holds her shoulders, as he lies back, letting her rest on top of him* stocking: well, arent you just clever~? Kid: *smirks* "I try." stocking: *kissing down his neck, down his chest, and to his hips* Kid: "Aaaaah~" *pleased groan* "So good...Stocking..." stocking: *smirks and licks just above the length* Kid: *pouts* "Oh, please~?" stocking: i dunno~ Kid: "I'll do whatever you desire..." stocking: oh~? *rubs his inner thighs* Kid: *bites his lip, nods* stocking: oh i dunno~ *lightly strokes a finger up the shaft* Kid: "A-Aaaaaaah! J-Just keep going...I'll buy you all the sweets you want..." stocking: really now~? *lightly rubbing the tip* Kid: "R-Really...All you want..." stocking: *breathing along the tip* Kid: *leans his head back, sighs* "Yes..." stocking: *light flicks of the tongue against the tip* Kid: *buries his head along his arm, squirming* "So good..." stocking: *she smirks and begins going down on him* Kid: *pants, grunts, as his hands rest along her head, guiding her* -elsewhere- Sakuya: *hug* naho: *already crashed out* Sakuya: "Too much?" naho: zzzzzz..... *she's wearing his jacket* Sakuya: *smiles, pulls the covers over them, hugs her* naho: =w= Sakuya: "Good night..." *sighs* -elsewhere- Benimaru: "..." *punches a fist into the wall* kirei: !!! commander! fang-hua: h-hey! Benimaru: "Again. And again. It keeps happening." fang-hua:.... kirei:....*she hugs him* Benimaru: "..." *pat pat* fang-hua: *she has the med-kit out* jeez.... Benimaru: "..." *looks at his hand* "...Sorry." fang-hua: you should really be more careful... Benimaru: "...Just angry. I'm sorry." fang-hua: still... kirei:.... Benimaru: "...I'm screwing up." kirei: eh? fang-hua: what makes you think that? Benimaru: "Every one of our colleagues made into these monsters...is another one I have not saved." fang-hua:...these things happen....all we can do is try harder. Benimaru: "..." *nods* -elsewhere- Relan: [it's going to be okay] shinra: [thanks rel.] Relan: [ :) come home safe, okay?] shinra: [i will. *hug emoticon*] Relan: [ <3 u ] -early morning- kyouko: *already awake* Shiro: "Morning!" kyouko: mornin. *she looks out the window* the sun still isnt up yet....perfect. *she has a basket set up* Shiro: "??? Going out?" kyouko: yeah. did you want to come with? Shiro: *small stretch* "I better--be good to stretch my legs. I wouldn't slow you down, would I?" kyouko: it's fine. we got plenty of time. Shiro: *smiles* "Lead the way then." -they ended up at a hill with a big tree on it.- kyouko: remember this place? you took me, rin, and yukio here a long time ago to watch the sunrise. Shiro: "Ah, yes. It was so clear that day..." kyouko: *she nods* you even prepared a breakfast picnic and everything! Shiro: "Ha ha! I think I did out-did myself on that food." *smiles at her* "You all seemed to enjoy the meal." kyouko: *she smiles* it really meant a lot...so, today im gonna repay the favor. Shiro: "...Thank you...so much." kyouko: *she smiles, remembering when he brought her and the twins there* Shiro: "..." *looks at the tree* "Sure has grown..." kyouko: yeah. Shiro: "You, and Yukio, and Rin, have matured so much." kyouko: we sure have... Shiro: "You all have such a future ahead of you...and I only hope I can help you be ready for it." kyouko: right. -elsewhere- Hibana: *gentle shake to Gabriella's shoulder* "Wakey-wakey..." gabriella: *yaaaawns* Hibana: "Good morning..." *hugs her* "I wanted to talk about something..." gabriella: eh? Hibana: *hugs her from behind, puts her hand over her stomach* "...Did you sleep well?" -elsewhere- Sakuya: *exits the bedroom, shirtless* Shamrock: "...Hello." Sakuya: "...Morning..." -_- naho: zzzzzz *nyaaaawn* im up....*still in sakuya's jacket.* Sakuya: "Hey." Shamrock: x\\\\\\o naho: *yaaawn* nnnn?....oh....hey sham...*yaaaawn* so tired still... Shamrock: "...Yeah, I'm sure--er, given how early it is..." Sakuya: "???" naho: *leans against sakuya* i got worn out...zzzzz.... Sakuya: -\\\\- "Heh..." *whispers in her ear* "Maybe no so loud in front of Sham..." Shamrock: D:< naho: zzzzzzz.... Sakuya: *holds her, as he guides her back* "Sleep for a few more minutes...I'll make you breakfast." Shamrock: *fuming* lavender: *streeeetch* ah, seems you guys are up already too. mornin' Shamrock: *grunt* "Good morning..." lavender: still in a sour mood, eh? Shamrock: "Quite...I didn't realize Naho and Sakuya were dating." lavender: ah. well, they are. seems you still have a lot to catch up on. Shamrock: x_-;; "Evidently...Darn." lavender: ~? Shamrock: "...Missed opportunities, I'm afraid. I guess I have to get through each day, one at a time." lavender: ah, i see. Shamrock: *looks at her* "And you? How have you adjusted to life in this new residence?" lavender: yeah. higan and i are roomies. Shamrock: "I'm sure that is good for you both." lavender: hell yeah it is. Shamrock: x____-;;;; "And...our 'landlords' are okay with that?" lavender: the room’s soundproof. Shamrock: "..." *small smirk* "No wonder I managed to sleep." lavender: *small punch to the arm* oh shut up. himawari:...... Shamrock: *small laugh at Lavender--then spots Himawari* "Oh...Good morning." himawari:......... Shamrock: "How was your sleep Himawari?" himawari:........ Shamrock: "...I hope it was well. I'm sure if the beds aren't comfortable, Tsubaki and Black Star would get new ones." himawari:....... Shamrock: "...I was going to make breakfast. What would you like?" himawari:.......... lavender: its ok, just tell him what you want. himawari:.....i'll....have eggs.... Shamrock: *nods, smiles, gives a slight bow* "As you wish." *walks to the kitchen* himawari:..... lavender:...*hugs her, trembling slightly* im sorry..... Shamrock: *cooking...trying to steady his own hands as he cracks the eggs...* Sakuya: "..." tsubaki: need any help? Shamrock: "...Yes." tsubaki: *she helps him out* Shamrock: *tries to heat the pan* "This stove is not what I'm used to." tsubaki: oh? Shamrock: "Yes. Sorry. A lot to get used to. This is not like...home." tsubaki: ..... Shamrock: "...A lot of this...is not like home, not when we're without..." tsubaki:...........*sad look on her face* Shamrock: *looks at her* "Where did he go?" tsubaki:.....i wish i knew too....d-dont get me wrong. i'm more than happy with black*star!...but i do worry about him. Shamrock: x_o;; "Um...Why did you mention Black Star?" tsubaki: eh? O.O;; Shamrock: "..." *light bulb* X______O;;;; "Oh my..." tsubaki:....oh.....oh nooooooo! *covers her face blushing* Shamrock: "...Is that why you adopted all of them--us?" tsubaki: w-well, someone had to, and he did ask me personally... .///////.;;;;;; Shamrock: "...And you are attracted to him? I mean, I can't blame you--" tsubaki: it's not that i asked to be! *covers her mouth* Q//////Q Shamrock: X______O "...Holy shit. You got it bad." tsubaki: >///////<;;;; Shamrock: "...Great. Naho is with someone else, now someone else is attracted to Tsubaki. What else can go wrong?" otogiri: -_________- tsubaki: ah-.... O______O belkia...what is that?! Belkia: "What? It was hot in my room last night--" Shamrock: "AAAAAH! I want to be blind in the other eye, too!" naho: could be worse..it could be the old geezer............ AHHHHHHHHH THE MENTAL IMAGE! IT BUUUUURNS!!! lavender: eh, im not too shocked. naho: lav, you got serious nerves of steel! *whispers* tell me your secrets. Higan: *enters* "Don't you have any self respect, Belkia? That color does not suit you." Belkia: "You all just hate my fashion sense!" -elsewhere- Kid: "Ah~" stocking: hehe~<3 Kid: "You were great." stocking: so were you~ Kid: *holds her hand* "How did we get so good at syncing up?" stocking: *smooch* Kid: *smooch* "You know...with graduation coming up, there are a few things we should do before we go into 'really-real adulthood' mode." stocking: oh~? Kid: "Maybe something childish that adults don't do when they get older? Or sow a few more wild oats...?" *kisses behind her ear* stocking: ah- oh? Kid: *kisses along her neck* "What is the wildest thing you can think of?" stocking: eh?.......*she whispers into his ear* Kid: o_______o;;;; "...Okay. Um...Well...I am a Shinigami..." stocking: 7w7~<3 Kid: "..." *holds up his hand...dark energy swirls around it...* stocking: OwO Kid: *the energy swirls into what looks like a tentacle...* stocking: BRING IT ON! OWO -elsewhere- Benimaru: "..." kabuki: commander? Benimaru: "??? Yes, Kabuki?" kabuki: how are you feeling? Benimaru: "..." *holds his hand* "Frustrated." kabuki: i see. Benimaru: *nods* "Another death on my conscience." kabuki:...*pats his shoulder* Benimaru: "..." *nods* "Sorry. I should not look so weak in front of soldiers." kabuki: we're only human. it's normal. Benimaru: "...'Human.' I forget that when I look at my...our abilities." kabuki:...... Benimaru: "...How do you get through each day?" -elsewhere- Lawless: *sitting atop a stack of books, reading* julian: D8 romina: how'd'ya reckon he's able to sit up there without fallin off? Lawless: "BALANCE!" *continues reading* romina: ^^; Lawless: "Hey, where's Licht? I thought he was going to be doing some reading." licht: im right here, shit rat. Lawless: "Oh, hey, buddy! Grab a book and start reading!" licht:....ok. *pulls one from the bottom of lawless' book tower* julian: NOOO THE BOOKS! Lawless: "Oh craaaaAAAAAAAP!" *tumbles down with the tower of books* "...Ow." romina: ya'll alright there? Lawless: *thumbs up* "But when I said I wanted to 'hit the books'..." romina: *snerk* Lawless: *pops up, glares at Licht* "That was just mean." licht: hmm? -elsewhere- kim: see that girl over there? *pointing to sayaka* i bet that hair color would look awesome on you, jackie! Jacqueline: o\\\\o "R-Really? Doesn't it seem a bit much for me? W-Would you want me to do that?" kim: y'never know till you try, right? Jacqueline: "...Maybe...if you wanted..." kim: im not forcing you too. just an idea~ Jacqueline: "But...I would want you to try something..." kim: oh? Jacqueline: "Maybe you get your hair done, too? Or..." kim: ?? Jacqueline: "Or...I don't know. I mean, a piercing or a tattoo is too extreme compared to me just changing my hair color." kim: hmmm. i'll think about it. Jacqueline: "..." *small smile* "A little tanuki tattoo on your ankle?" kim: that would be cute. -elsewhere- Mr. Tsubaki: *in fox form, staring up at Kirei* kirei: hmm? oh, hello there. *warm smile...almost like....* Mr. Tsubaki: "!!!" o\\\\\o *slowly approaches, sits* kirei:....did you want something to eat? Mr. Tsubaki: "..." *slight nod* kirei: *she smiles and goes to the pantry* lets see.... Mr. Tsubaki: *tail wags* "..." ("She is kind, and her smile is like...hers. I miss my blossom...") kirei: here you go. Mr. Tsubaki: *pants as he accepts and gobbles up the food* kirei: *smiles and pats his head* Mr. Tsubaki: -\\\\- -elsewhere- Rin: *thumbing through notes* -elsewhere- tsubaki: that's what happened.....does that...make me a bad girlfriend? *teary eyed* Black Star: *holds her hand, then hugs her* "No...You're the best." tsubaki: ?? *teary eyed* Black Star: *pat pat* "You are so honest--and I can't be angry at you. I'm hella-jealous, but that doesn't change our partnership, or how much I care about you." *beat* "And it's not like I don't admire hot people..." tsubaki: ^^; thanks black*star....that means a lot... Black Star: "..." *kisses her lips lightly* "I love you." tsubaki: i love you too....really, i do.... Black Star: *smiles* "I know...Can we just be honest about this? I mean, you find that vamp sexy, I think Kid is hot--" tsubaki:.......... .///////////////////////////. *head steaming* naho: *this convo now has her complete attention* Black Star: "Hee hee...See? We all got our desires." *small kiss on her cheek* tsubaki: >/////< Black Star: "Oh, come on, like you haven't thought about something like that..." tsubaki: >/////////>;;;;; Black Star: *whispers in her ear* "Maybe you've thought about another woman?" tsubaki: .////////////////. *covers her face* Black Star: *soft chuckle, as he pats her hand* "It's to be expected: so kind, charitable, welcoming..." tsubaki: *she smiles* Black Star: "How about...we take in a film, and just spend some time together tonight?" tsubaki: i would like that. -elsewhere- Tsukiyo: *frowns* "...I can't read this at all. It's like it's in another language." -elsewhere- Kuro: *in cat form, on his back, wiggling on the floor* mahiru: *putting away dishes* you know, it wouldnt kill you to help out. -_-; Kuro: "I shouldn't over-exert myself. I haven't had much blood today..." mahiru:...*siiigh* here, *holds out arm* Kuro: ^^ *small bite...sluuuuuuurp* mahiru: feeling better now? Kuro: *races past Mahiru, already put away remaining dishes* mahiru: O-O Kuro: "That wasn't so bad...What's for dessert?" -elsewhere- Yumi: "Here, hold Shiori for one moment." lord death: *holding her* hey shiorin~ Yumi: "Aaaaaaaaaand," *holds up a box* "Tah-dah! Happy birthday." lord death: awww! *smooch* Yumi: ^^ "I hope you like it...Shiori seemed quite excited about it." shiori: ^o^ -it was a cereal dispenser- lord death: wow, this is great! Yumi: "And..." *holds up a tiny box of cereal that she hands to Shiori* shiori: *claps* Yumi: "And marshmallow-only cereal for you, Death..." *holds up the big box* lord death:....ILOVEYOU!! Yumi: "I know." *glasses glint* -elsewhere- Touma: "..." tsurugi: mr touma? Touma: "What do you want?" tsurugi: did you need me to do something? Touma: "Have you identified those individuals who were 'bleeding' outside the building?" tsurugi: not that i recall, no... Touma: "...Go through security footage, identify them." tsuguri: right... Touma: "..." (stares at where her secret cell was) -elsewhere- himawari:.....*sitting in the shower......she could still feel him touching her*................... Sakuya: *outside in hallway* "Bathroom still ocupado?" lavender:.....hima? you ok? Sakuya: "???" himawari:....... Belkia: "GUYS, I REALLY NEED THE BATHROOM! I got to go--" *reaches for door...and Sakuya slaps his hand Sakuya: "No. Lav?" lavender: *opens the door* hey hima... himawari:................ lavender:....come on, lets get you out of here... Sakuya: "..." -later- Sakuya: "We need someone professional to talk with her..." tsubaki: i know someone who can help her. stocking went to her when she was......*she shakes her head* nevermind... Sakuya: "...You know any doctors or therapists?" tsubaki: yes. Sakuya: "Please...I think Himawari needs this." tsubaki: alright. -a few days later- Sakuya: "We'll be right here, Himawari..." himawari:...... Dr. John: "Good day, Himawari. I am Dr. John." *smiles* himawari:..... *she just looks at her without saying anything* Dr. John: *opens the door for her* "Follow me, please." himawari: *she follows* Dr. John: "Now, I wanted to ask a few questions. How old are you?" himawari:........23.... Dr. John: "Any allergies?" himawari:.....*she shakes her head* Dr. John: "Do you have a history of diabetes?" himawari:....no.... Dr. John: "Now...You understand what today will involve?" himawari:......... Dr. John: "I will be checking for any physical damage to you today. If at any point you want to stop, you don't have to say anything: you can walk away." himawari:.............. Dr. John: "I know this will be uncomfortable. I assure you, I have seen so much here that...I will do my best to help you. Okay?" himawari:....... Dr. John: "Let's start with getting your height, weight, and blood pressure, okay?" himawari:.... -the examination went without any complaints from himawari- Dr. John: "Himawari, I detect...evidence of violence upon you." himawari:............. Dr. John: "The damage does not seem severe. In fact, it looks like it has healed, almost immediately...and I can only assume...I mean, it's not fair for me too, but I...have you spoken with police?" himawari:..................... Dr. John: "Himawari...Please. If I may help--" himawari: please........forgive me....mr touma.... Dr. John: "??? 'Touma'?" himawari:...i wont....disobey you....mr touma.... Dr. John: "...Himawari...There is no one here by that name...Did this 'Touma' do this to you?" himawari:.........will i...be beaten again...mr touma? Dr. John: "...No. Not here. Never here, Himawari." himawari:.... lavender:...*gripping her fist* Dr. John: "...I have found evidence that leads me to conclude you were raped. Tests show no evidence of pregnancy, and with a few more weeks, I think your damage will heal...However, I do want to recommend additional medical treatment..." himawari:...... Dr. John: "Including a therapist." -elsewhere- Konro: *looking through evidence* "Hm...Odd." kabuki: what is it? Konro: *points to fingerprints* "These look familiar..." kabuki: oh? how so? Konro: "There is this distinctive scar on this one finger...I swear, I saw that in one of the residents..." kabuki:.... Konro: *holds his hand to his forehead* "Sorry...Just tired, I guess." -elsewhere- Kid: *birthday hug for Death* lord death: *he smiles* thanks kiddo. Kid: *pat pat* "Can I ask something?" lord death: what is it, son? Kid: "...I am preparing in advance for the moment to ask Stocking..." lord death: ah, i see... Kid: "I have the location in mind, the atmosphere...I would appreciate assistance and advice, though." lord death: what did you want to know, kiddo? Kid: "...How do I do this perfectly?" lord death: well, i guess just be honest on how you feel. let her know how much she means to you. Kid: *nods* "Should I have something pre-written? lord death: if it helps. Kid: *nods, nods* "I can at least practice that...I was thinking of asking her at...graduation?" lord death: you sure about that? Kid: *a bit nervous* "Or...maybe after the graduation? I just can't determine the location..." lord death: maybe out in the garden? there's a nice swinging bench out there, remember? Kid: "..." *smiles widely* "Father, you're a genius." lord death: daw. ^^ Kid: ^\\\^ "I already have the ring..." -elsewhere- Shamrock: "..." himawari:.......... Shamrock: "...Himawari? You have barely touched your meal." himawari:..... naho: come on, eat up. himawari:....*nom* Shamrock: *smiles* "See? Full of nutrients, too." himawari:....*still eating* Shamrock: "Is there anything you want for it? Salt?" -elsewhere- Lily: "You got a crush~" misono: *buried his head under the pillow* shush you! you can't prove anything! Lily: "Are you sure? Such as the love poetry you wrote? Or the gift you received?" misono: !!! i-i-i dunno what you're talking about! Lily: *takes out the poem, reads* " 'Oh dearest light of my life--'" misono: !! *takes it and eats it* Lily: "...Well, that was rude. Good thing I uploaded it to your blog--" misono: DO-...wait, when do i have a blog? isnt that yours? Lily: *claps his hands together* "We can share it~" misono: *sweatdrop*... Lily: "It's not like I put your name on the poem." misono: .......*K-O* fortunately it's on that vampire's site. she will never see it. thank god. Lily: "Can always share it..." misono: PLEASE DO NOT! Lily: *pout* "But your beautiful writing should be shared with the world..." -elsewhere- Tsukiyo: "So, you and Knight Boy still going out?" tamaki: *almost chokes* who told you that!? Tsukiyo: "Well, you almost choking did. And you two seemed real close the last time you were here. And you look like you've gotten some action--" tamaki: oh shush you! Tsukiyo: "Hey, congrats! I'm happy for you two! Not every can find someone they get along with..." -elsewhere- Jacqueline: "...Huh. That's some color." tsugumi: hey kim, hey ja-... O.O Jacqueline: -\\\\\- ao: oh? who's this now? kim: it's jackie! Jacqueline: "Yeah...Just with a more...exotic hair color. Heh." -elsewhere- Gopher: "Cupcakes, cupcakes~" kirika: *nom* these are pretty tasty... Gopher: -w- "Thank you. I think I'm improving at baking." -elsewhere- Shotaro: "Here you go--all paperwork filed!" -elsewhere- Asura: *shudders* mikan: *rubs his back* Asura: "So frightening..." mikan: *kiss* its ok. i'm here. luka: you always say that its frightening. mikan: *GLARE AT LUKA* Asura: "Because it _is_..." mikan: *pulls him closer and hums* Asura: *shaking, holds onto Mikan* -elsewhere- Rin: *passes a bottle of soda* "Here you go!" madoka: thank you. ^^ Rin: "You're welcome." *sips* "How's this upcoming week look for ya?" madoka: pretty decent i think. did you..want to go out maybe? Rin: *smiles* "Sure! Anything you had in mind?" -elsewhere- Hibana: o___o "How many weights does he own?" gabriella: O.O; Hibana: *picks up one of the smaller ones--which is still large* "This is heavier than the ones I usually us! The gorilla must be superhuman!" gabriella: maybe he's actually a quirk human! *shiny eyes* iris: i doubt that ^^; Hibana: "Hmm...Strong, but not the most attractive face..." *thinking* gabriella: hmm? Hibana: "...No...Maybe? I don't know. Maybe he could be the donor..." iris: eh? o.o~? Hibana: "...for a child." iris: .....ehhhhh?? O///O; -elsewhere- maki: commander? you ok? Akitaru: Q~Q "I feel a disturbance in the fire force..." shinra:....what? Akitaru: "All the way down to my lower intestine..." *shudder* Takehisa: "..." *holds up stomach medicine* nozomi: ~? Akitaru: "Thanks, buddy." *takes some* Takehisa: "What would everyone else like for a meal?" -elsewhere- Kid: *hug* stocking: hehe~ Kid: "Have a good day?" stocking: yep~ Kid: "Studying going well?" stocking: yeah. Kid: "That's good. How many more days until your exam?" stocking: there's a sub-exam due this weekend... Kid: *nods* "Anything I can do to help?" -elsewhere- Black Star: *pats Tsubaki's back* tsubaki: thank you... Black Star: "Feeling better?" tsubaki: yeah. Black Star: "That's good...Anything you want to eat?" tsubaki: perhaps some tea... Black Star: "On it!" *goes to the kitchen* Shamrock: "???" *looks at Tsubaki* tsubaki: hmm? Shamrock: "You sure you feel better?" tsubaki: yeah... Shamrock: "Well, good...Tell me, did Tsubaki give any hint where he was going?" tsubaki:....i dont think he did... Shamrock: "Hmm. He had contingency plans, but they always involved the rest of us..." tsubaki: i think...he wanted to protect you... Shamrock: "..." *sad nod* "I miss him." tsubaki:....you...really love him, dont you? Shamrock: "..." *nods* tsubaki: i see... Shamrock: "But...he is devoted to someone else..." tsubaki: eh? Shamrock: "You." tsubaki:....*FLUSTERED* Shamrock: "I will never stop loving Tsubaki...and whenever he returns, you should respond to him--because unless you can say you do not love him, he will keep pursuing you. You had best determine what you feel towards him." tsubaki: ........ Shamrock: "...Well, I hope knowing that helps you. I...have to figure some things out..." tsubaki:...*she nods* Shamrock: *wipes his eye, steadies his breath* tsubaki:....... Black Star: *overhearing this around the corner* "..." -elsewhere- Mr. Tsubaki: *looking under the stairs to the shrine* "???" hinata: *giggles* Mr. Tsubaki: *small fox laugh as he approaches Hinata* hinata: >u< Mr. Tsubaki: *licks Hinata's hand* hinata: ah! you found me! Mr. Tsubaki: *bounces around her, happily* -elsewhere- Wes: "Feeling better?" liz: yeah. *she smiles* Wes: *smiles, holds her hand, rubs it gently* "I love you." liz: i love you too, wes. Wes: *hug* "You are so loving, such a fun, smart, compassionate person." liz: daww... thanks.. you're really smart, talented.....good looking. Wes: *blush* "That means a lot to me..." liz: *she smiles* Wes: *rubs her hand* "I think...you have such amazing eyes...so full of light." liz: *blushing* you have a nice smile. Wes: *smiles* "So do you...and..." *traces his finger along her neck* "A beautiful neck." liz: >/////< Wes: *hugs her* "And a strong back..." *kisses her shoulder* liz: ahhh..... >////< Wes: "Liz..." *rests a hand along her hip* liz: *blush* *kiss* >///< Wes: *kisses back, hugs her* liz: U////U Wes: *lies down with her...* -elsewhere- Relan: *looking around the city* "Huh...Quiet today." mikami: *she nods* ryuuko:... Relan: *sweating a bit* "Heh...Kind of nervous..." -elsewhere- Patty: *bouncing on the bed* -morning- Higan: *sipping coffee* lavender: *streeeetch* ah. mornin' otogiri: good morning. Belkia: "Howdy!" *holding a grapefruit and a spoon* otogiri: do i dare ask? Belkia: "Nothing more dangerous than cutting into the grapefruit--and risking having citric acid go right into your eyeball!" naho: O____O;; lilac:.. Q_Q Shamrock: "...Stop making fun of people like me, you bastard person..." Belkia: *pulls back spoon, ready to dive in* -elsewhere- Jacqueline: *washing her hair* "Hmm...Wonder how long the color will last..." -elsewhere- Kid: "Time to wake up..." stocking: morning kiddo... *yaaawn* Kid: *hug* "Sleep okay?" stocking: yeah. Kid: *nods* "...I did have one dream..." stocking: oh? Kid: *small laugh* "It was kind of silly...we found a full-size gingerbread house..." stocking: *shiny eyes* Kid: "So, of course, we started inside...eating the peppermint stick lamps..." stocking: *drools* Kid: "And the gingerbread sofa..." -elsewhere- Black Star: *snore* tsubaki: black*star, time to wake up. *nudge nudge* Black Star: *turns in bed, wraps his arms around Tsubaki* tsubaki: *blush*.....*hugs back* Black Star: "Mmm..." *kiss* tsubaki: !!... U///U Black Star: *holds her close, his hand sliding down her back...* tsubaki: ahh.... Black Star: *his fingers slide just a bit under the elastic of her pajama pants* tsubaki: b-black*star! >///< Black Star: *opens his eyes* "..." o____o "S-Sorry!" tsubaki: .////. i-i-its fine.. Black Star: "..." .\\\\. *crosses his legs* "Yeah..." tsubaki: *flustered* Black Star: "...I think I'll shower." *holds a pillow over himself as he stands up* -later- Sakuya: "Ready for class?" naho: yep. lilac:..*nod nod* Shamrock: *hands Lilac a brown paper bag* "Your lunch." lilac: t-thanks... Black Star: *walking out the door, moping...* naho: you ok? tsubaki: ?? Black Star: "Y-Yeah, I'm fine..." ("...Am I...not good?") tsubaki:....*she holds his hand* Black Star: "???" *looks up...smiles, small squeeze of her hand* -at school- Lawless: *dressed in a ruffled outfit* mio:...what the heck. licht:..... Lawless: "I wish to be in character: I am cultured as fuck." licht: *sweatdrop* Lawless: *takes out a long quill, begins writing on parchment* "I'm gonna write some love poems...Chicks dig love poems..." licht: *facepalm* Lawless: "My lady's eyes are such a shade of blue; / Roses hardly match her lips’ red; / Narrow around the waist, but damn, her breasts are huge--" -SEVERAL PUNCHES FROM SEVERAL PEOPLE LATER- Lawless: *pixelated mess, collapsed on the floor, twitching, limbs bent in ways not natural* soul:...ouch. Lawless: "A pint of blood, please, Licht?" licht: not in public. Lawless: "Then carry my remains to the bathroom so I may bite upon your neck--" -STOMP STOMP STOMP- -whispers amongst the class- student: bite his neck? student 2: kinky. Student #3: "I knew celebrities were into weird shit, but goddamn..." Lawless: D: ao: oh my. that's quite unfortunate, anya. Anya: "NO ONE WAS TALKING TO YOU!" *crosses her arms, mutters...* "Not like there is anything that means he can't be bi or pan..." ao: perhaps. -elsewhere- Rino: "...So, her highness now wants a kid?" iris: it would seem so. Rino: "...Jeez. I can only imagine how her kid would turn out: tyrannical. And her mood swings would be vicious." iris: ^^; Rino: *laughing* "She'd probably be a mess!" *laughs harder* "Just making unreasonable demands, pushing people out of her way--you know, acting like she always does! Ha ha ha--" Hibana: *serene smile, furious flaming aura* "Oh? What is so funny, Rino~?" Rino: ._______.; -elsewhere- Yohei: *holds Chie's hand* chie: ^^ Yohei: "You're glowing..." chie: >///< Yohei: "So majestic." *kiss on the cheek* chie: hehe~ Yohei: "Ready to head out for a bit?" chie: i'd like that. Yohei: *leads her to the door* ("Should give everyone enough time...") -elsewhere- Shotaro: "Mana! Toss another box of diapers up at the top! I can carry them!" -elsewhere- Mr. Tsubaki: *in fox form, napping* "Zzz..." maki: *snapping pics* hehe~ Mr. Tsubaki: *dreaming happy dreams, running in a meadow...with a certain someone...* *kicks his feet like he is running* Tsukiyo: "Glad you all like the fox. He's kind of had an attitude since biting the sister..." maki: what? reimi:..... Tsukiyo: "Yeah, tell them, Reimi! That fox just bit the heck out of you!" reimi: it was just my hand. Mr. Tsubaki: *grunts in his sleep...* ("Oh, my blossom--these flowers do not compare to you~") Tsukiyo: "And now that I put that mutt through my obedience school, he's been no problem!" *beaming with pride* maki: umm.. OwO; [dream!tsubaki: *laying on her back* hehe~] [Dream!Mr. Tsubaki: "..." *falls along top of her* "Hee hee...So beautiful..." *leans down to kiss her face...*] Mr. Tsubaki: *panting, panting, and...* maki: .... O-O;;; Tsukiyo: o______o "WHY IS THIS MUTT HUMPING MY LEG?!!" Mr. Tsubaki: *eyes break open* .\\\\. reimi: *backs away* Mr. Tsubaki: *looking really ashamed and embarrassed--* Tsukiyo: "I'LL RIP YOUR PELT OFF AND WEAR IT! GET BACK HERE, YOU DUMB FOX!" *chases after Mr. Tsubaki* Mr. Tsubaki: "!!!" *tries to run away* maki: hey! stop that! Mr. Tsubaki: *leaps up onto Maki's shoulders, trying to hide behind her* Tsukiyo: *warrior battle cry, as she leaps up to tackle Mr. Tsubaki...* maki: *dodge* poor baby... Tsukiyo: *face plant into the dirt, butt up in the air* Mr. Tsubaki: *shivers in Maki's arms* maki: its ok little guy... Tsukiyo: *stands up again, her face now bruised* "Hmph. I'm going to the nurses, to go put antiseptic on my leg...Hope it isn't pregnant..." maki: *sweatdrop* i dont think...biology works that way... Tsukiyo: "THAT CRITTER IS NOT THE ONE I WANT GETTING ALL FREAKY WITH ME!" Mr. Tsubaki: -_-; ("You're no prize yourself, you over-sexed rodent.") -elsewhere- Kid: "That was...an eventful class." stocking: ^^; Patty: "I thought it was funny when Anya's face got all red! As bright as Jacqueline's new hair!" liz: ^^; Kid: "Well, let's put that behind us. Any plans?" stocking: how about we go visit one of the cultural districts? Kid: "I'd like that...Any one in mind?" stocking: hmmm. -elsewhere- iris: a chemistry department? well, the closest thing we have to that would be nozomi. ^^; Hibana: "I can help with improving the one you got, but this letter from the Emperor is adamant: they want more than just more equipment in each brigade, they want _new recruits_. And...it looks like the Emperor is _forcing_ one onto you guys." iris: oh dear. i'll be sure to let them know... miwa: we didnt get any letters like that. Hibana: *glaring at Miwa* "Good. For. You." miwa: ^^;; iris: did it mention when they'd be arriving? Hibana: "It's going to be a while. Assuming that gorilla hurries his ass up, he'll probably be here before the newbie arrives." iris: i see. i'll go get a room set up for them then. Hibana: "Don't make it too nice...This is someone from Hijima...Why would some jerk leave there to join a slap-shod organization like the 8th?" iris: *frowns* Hibana: "At least join a better brigade, like the 5th, where everyone is happy and content! Right, Rino?" Rino: *carrying heavy boxes up and down stairs* "I HATE YOU, YOU PAIN IN THE ASS!" iris: im...good. ^^; Hibana: *shrug* "Oh well." *sits atop the box Rino is holding* "Rino, take me upstairs to my room." Rino: -______-;;; "Ouch..." -elsewhere- shinra: *staring up at the ceiling* Arthur: "Zzz..." shinra: .....*drifting off* zzzzz ???: "Shinra...Help..." shinra: mnn? *This space feels warm...but it is dark...* ???: "Listen..." shinra: ???? *looking around* *The voice sounds like...Konro's?* "Konro": "I appreciate what you're doing, but it's fine: we here can handle things on our own. But when the time comes...I'll call for you." shinra: ???? *he notices someone in the distance, their hair almost seems to be made of fire* ??? "Konro": "Oh...And look out..." figure:......*turns.....it's mikami?* shinra: kurai- *eyes jolt open* ???? Arthur: *sniff sniff* *slowly wakes up* "Hey...What's that smell?" shinra: ???? *looking around* Arthur: "!!! Your feet!" shinra: ??!! !!!!! GAAHHH!!! *trying to put them out* AHHHH!!! Arthur: "WATER! FIRE EXTINGUISHER! HELP!" maki: !!!! *goes to get water* nozomi: !!!! tamaki: SHINRA WHAT THE SHIT?! shinra: *screaming* Takehisa: *pulls a fire extinguisher from behind him, blasting Shinra's feet* shinra: *winces* -its out- Akitaru: "...You okay, son?" shinra: *trembling....looking at his feet...they're fine now*....... *whimpering* Akitaru: "..." *pats his shoulder, hugs him* "You're fine...It's fine. They're out." shinra: *crying* Arthur: "..." Takehisa: *awkwardly looking around* maki:.....ok, that's it. we're getting him back to base. Akitaru: "Let it out..." *pats his back* shinra: *hic* *sob* Takehisa: "We'll call...in the morning." maki: takehisa, do you think you can get him back? we'll hold out here. Takehisa: "..." *nods* "I can do so." -and so- Takehisa: "...All packed?" shinra:...y-yeah.... -upon arriving- Akitaru: "We'll see you back home: hold the fort down for us, okay?" iris: *knock* shinra? are you ok? shinra:.... iris: ....well, let us know when you're ready to talk, ok? Relan: "We love you, Shinra." shinra:...i love you guys too. Relan: "..." *pats Iris's shoulder* gabriella:...poor kid....mr...koizumi, was it? you said your friend mikami is sick too? Relan: *nods* "It was...frightening. She was so scared..." gabriella: i could only imagine... iris:....... Relan: "It's not fair...after what Shinra and Mikami have been through..." gabriella: this world...it's a pretty scary place....*she puts a hand to her cheek* Relan: "..." *nods* "It is...Thank you for your concern, ma'am..." iris:.....*remembering what shinra told her and relan about the dream*...say, i have an idea. once shinra's feeling a little better, maybe we could pay mikami a visit? Relan: *nods* "I think she'd appreciate that." iris: *she smiles* Relan: *smiles at Iris* "Hey...Maybe we could make some food for Shinra? At least something that can be refrigerated when he's ready?" iris: sounds good. Relan: "Something comforting...Mac and cheese, maybe?" iris: *she nods* Relan: "Let's get started, then!" *already in an apron, posing like a superhero* -elsewhere- Yohei: "Let me just unlock..." chie: ok. *Yohei unlocks the door, and...* -SURPRISE!- chie: ah! Emine: "...Maybe not a good idea to surprise a pregnant woman." Shotaro: *holding up a giant teddy bear doll* chie: awww, you guys! *wiping away tears* Yohei: *smiles, pats her shoulder* Kepuri: "We got eats!" *finishes setting food out* chie: *she smiles* -elsewhere- Sakuya: *hug* naho: UwU Sakuya: "Happy to be out of class?" *kiss on the cheek* naho: yeah. Sakuya: "...You notice anything weird with Sham, Tsubaki, and Black Star?" naho: not really...i hope they're ok..... tsubaki:....maybe we can take a trip after this? Black Star: "...Yeah. Have a place in mind?" tsubaki: maybe visit asakusa? naho: sounds good! Sakuya: "What's around there?" naho: it's kind of like a traditional japanese village. i heard the 7th fire brigade's base is there too! Sakuya: "Oh, sweet. Wanted to see some flame people who weren't dorky like Higan." naho: *excalibur face* Higan: *shouting from the kitchen* “Hey, come on now. This old man has feelings, you know…” -and so- Black Star: "Wow--really traditional here..." tsubaki: it's nice. very nostalgic. naho: wow! Sakuya: "Should be fun--kimonos, green tea ice cream..." Higan: "Plenty of spots for painting..." naho: KYAA!! tsubaki: oh. Black Star: "??? What's up?" naho: WHO INVITED YOU OLD MAN?! Higan: "I'm here to chaperone--so just make sure you don't have too much fun out here." naho: |=c tsubaki: ^^; Sakuya: "Maybe we should kick back for a bit...Something to eat? Or the baths? Or talk with the locals?" naho: *checks her phone* hmm, there's supposed to be a shrine up ahead. want to check it out? tsubaki: that sounds lovely. Black Star: "Cool...Wonder what it'll be like compared to the one at home." *points to the shrine* ???: im sure he'll be ok... tsubaki: ?? Tsukiyo: "You seem pretty confident about that. I just...I don't know." fang-hua: well....hmm? oh, seems we got visitors. what brings you guys over this way? tsubaki: just visiting. ^^ Black Star: *nods* "This looks really impressive. How old is this building?" fang-hua: it's been around a few years. i think it was built around the same time the 7th brigade was formed. naho: wow! Sakuya: "??? What?" fang-hua: it's a long story to explain. naho: its a pretty big building! Black Star: "How many rooms you got here? People live here, too?" fang-hua: actually, the 7th's base isnt here, it's down that road a bit. tsubaki: i see. Black Star: "But do priestesses and sisters live here?" *Eyes are watching the group from the shadows...* fang-hua: yeah. there's sister kirei, sister reimi, sister- tsubaki: ?? *looks* Mr. Tsubaki: *lowers his head to hide from Tsubaki...* ("Why are they here? Why now...?") naho:.....hey, where did the old geezer go? fang-hua: ???....!!! TSUKIYO! D8< naho: GRAMPS! D8< Higan: "You know, I really appreciate spirituality. Tell me, you ever have a religious experience?" Tsukiyo: *side glance* "Yeah. With a bottle of holy water." Higan: ._. "..." *steps back* fang-hua: *aHEM* Higan: "..." *waves* "Hey, cutie." naho: DONT BE GROSS, OLD MAN! >n< Tsukiyo: -_-; "I may be horny all the time, but I'm not _that_ desperate." Higan: *shrugs* "Can't blame a guy for trying..." Sakuya: *pulls Higan away by the ear* "Come on, gramps..." fang-hua: *tugs tsukiyo by the ear* sorry about this guys. see ya around. tsubaki: ^^; Tsukiyo: Q~Q "What did I do?!" Black Star: "??? Jeez, weirdos..." hinata: what a gross old man. hikage: *hisssss* kirei: ^^; Higan: "Jeez, even kids are cruel..." naho: they arent too far off. Mr. Tsubaki: "..." *smiles despite himself, watching his subclasses* kirei: ^^; -elsewhere- Meme: "Up for another game?" mio: yeah. Meme: *mischievous glint* "Want to make it interesting? Perhaps a prize for the winner?" -elsewhere- Mikuni: *holds up a doll that looks like Metsu* metsu:....... *sweatdrop* Mikuni: "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery~" metsu: um....thank you...i think. Mikuni: "Now to dress you up!" *holds up the ugliest dress imaginable for the doll* metsu: ...... Jeje: *slithers around Mikuni...'s neck* Mikuni: "GURK!" *trying to pull back Jeje* "Wh-What?! Just want to make her pretty!" Jeje: "Stop." Johannes: -_-; "Jeez, what a weirdo." *he's in the same outfit as the Metsu Doll* metsu: ^^; i think he gets the message now, je-.. O_O Jeje: "Okay." *pulls back...stares confused at both Metsu and Johannes* "...What?" Mikuni: "I'm seeing double...and Johannes has a lovely outfit." -elsewhere- Yohei: "Thank you all for the gifts..." mana: no problem. saki: anything for my dear sister~ chie: TTwTT Shinoda: *passing out plates of apple pie for dessert* "How much longer before you have the child?" chie: toru's gonna be here sometime early next month! Yohei: TwT "So happy..." Tool: "Io will get a new friend, too." io: ^o^ saki: that's right, sweetie~ you're gonna have a cousin to play with~ Yohei: "Just about done with the new children's playroom, too." -elsewhere- himawari:...... Shamrock: "..." *brings out glasses of water* himawari:.....*she just looks at him* Shamrock: "Would you like something to drink? Rehydrate?" himawari:.... lavender: ....come on, drink up. himawari:....*she takes a sip* Shamrock: *sips from his glass as well* "...Is it cold enough? Did you want ice?" himawari:....... naho: we're home~! tsubaki: we brought back souvenirs. lavender: ah. Higan: *holds up kimono to Lavender* lavender: oh, nice. Sakuya: "Here you go, Lilac!" *holds up a small toy* lilac: ah....t-thank you... Sakuya: "We also got one for Himawari..." himawari:.....*holding the doll* naho: i even got everyone hair pins! Belkia: "Yay! I can make my hair all pretty again!" otogiri: thank you. tsubaki: ^^ Black Star: *holding a jar of food* "Can't wait to add this to some meals. Heard it's spicy." -elsewhere- kirei: do you think we should take him to a vet? Mr. Tsubaki: *moping on the floor, curled up* Benimaru: "How long has he been like this?" kirei: since earlier today when those visitors came by... Benimaru: "Outsiders...Do you think they hurt him?" kirei: *she shakes her head* they were nowhere near him... reimi: he seems more sad than anything...almost melancholy... Mr. Tsubaki: *whimpers, curls up* kirei:...*reaches a hand out* Mr. Tsubaki: *doesn't move, his eyes looking up sadly at Kirei* kirei:.....*soft pat* Mr. Tsubaki: *calms down, shuts his eyes...huddles against her hand* kirei:.... Mr. Tsubaki: ("I am alone...I miss my family...I miss her...I miss what I have lost...I yearn for what I cannot get back...") *whimpers again* kirei:...*picks him up* you poor thing..... Benimaru: "..." *pats his head* Mr. Tsubaki: *huddles against Kirei, letting Benimaru pet him* ("This isn't bad...I just miss...what I had in the past.") hinata: poor mr fox... Benimaru: "...When we finish this investigation, we'll pick up the pace to locate his owners, and try to get him the help he needs. If only someone in forensics would finish going over files." -elsewhere- Anya: *tending to plants* tsugumi: *humming* Anya: "I can't wait for spring: these flowers will look lovely." ao: *she smiles* Anya: *looking at rose bulbs* "What are you growing, Ao?" ao: some petunias. Anya: *smirk* "Hardly as regal as roses..." ao: ^^ tsugumi: OwO;;; Anya: "Once these bloom, I will be able to put them in our room and give them to--" *stops herself* ao: hmm~? Anya: -\\\\- "...Give them to people. You know, yellow roses mean friendship..." ao: which ones are these? Anya: "...Red." ao: 7w7 Anya: *glares* "Thorny roses..." -elsewhere- Lawless: "I'm still aching from where you kicked me..." licht: 7.7 Lawless: "How would you like it if someone kicked your behind every day?" -elsewhere- Rin: "Feeling okay?" madoka: *she nods* Rin: "That's good...What you want to do?" -elsewhere- Ponera: -___-;;; "What did your sibling rivalry make you two do now?" shaula: alright....but you cant get mad at me, since technically it was medusa's idea. Medusa: "Like hell it was--!" Ponera: "Quiet, Medusa! Shaula, explain." shaula: WE STOLE A KICK ASS PRAM! -elsewhere- Jacqueline: *stretching* "Ready to run?" kim: ready Jacqueline: "Here we go!" *starts off at a good pace* ("Jeez, with this hair and my speed, I'll really look like I'm on fire...") -elsewhere- Tsukiyo: "So they left for the 8th?" fang-hua: hmm? Tsukiyo: "I thought I heard something about two in the 8th leaving to go back home." fang-hua: actually, it was just shinra heading back to the 8ths base to recover. Tsukiyo: "Everything okay?" fang-hua: i think so...i heard he just got sick all the sudden.... Tsukiyo: *sad eyes* "That's too bad. I hope he feels better soon." -elsewhere- Hibana: "How is he?" gabriella: doing better. just drinking water for now. Hibana: "Rehydrating is important...Maybe we can pick up some soda for him, too." iris: *nod* Rino: *making soup...and looking worn out* shinra: ....... Hibana: "Shinra? You're up?" shinra: *glances at the door* im awake.... Hibana: "If you want any soup or food, or anything...like to talk...feel free to ask." shinra:...ok... Hibana: "...We love you, okay?" shinra:...thanks... iris: *worried* Hibana: *looks at Iris...pats her shoulder* -elsewhere- Emine: "Why do humans procreate?" lin: *ALMOST CHOKES* um....w-well..... err....shinoda you tell him! please? Shinoda: "...Well, a person feels a lack in their life, and sometimes a child fills that lack. Or it happens unexpectedly--" nea: *elbows him* medea: or it is a way to ensure their family line lives on for future generations. Shinoda: "Ow!" nea: 737 *whistling* Emine: "...Of the reasons I was born, I think 'mistake' is more likely." lin:... Q_Q *HUG* Emine: "..." *tiny hug* -elsewhere- Sakuya: "Wish we went on more trips more often." naho: that was fun today. =w= Sakuya: "Yeah, it was...Really cool atmosphere there. Kinda reminds me of Amish or something." naho: huh? Sakuya: "Kinda old fashioned, I mean." naho: ah, i see. kinda like edo period then? Sakuya: "I guess. I forget some of the dates." ^^; tsubaki: ^^; Black Star: "I hear that--history's not my best subject, either." Shamrock: *beaming with pride* "It was one of my outstanding subjects!" otogiri: *sweatdrop* naho: *lightbulb* oh right! you attended a really fancy boarding school in london, right? Shamrock: *beaming* "I am glad that you remember...Yes! I was educated in some of the best schools, learning about history, arts, battle, all to prepare me for this moment--" naho: ^^; Shamrock: "A soldier! Out on the frontlines of battle! In defense of our home against all enemies, within and without!" lavender: O_O wait was he- otogiri: in the british army, yes. Shamrock: "And in combat, I had to learn much: how to rationalize the inhumanity of war..." naho: do you really keep a hunting knife on you? sakuya told me that you almost stabbed him once! lilac:....come to...think of it...i saw him....take down a deer....singlehandedly.....back at the old house... Shamrock: -_o;;; "I-I was startled by Sakuya--" Sakuya: "You're blaming me? Really?" Shamrock: "AND HOW DID YOU SEE ME DO THAT, LILAC?!" lilac: uhhhhhh..... ._.; Sakuya: "...That poor deer." Shamrock: *pouts* "It was a fierce opponent..." -elsewhere- Akitaru: *looking at the buildings* "The repairs from earlier have still held up..." maki: yeah. Akitaru: "That's good...But still no sign of these impostors." reimi: ......*watching from a distance, smiles* Jonah: *hanging upside down behind her with an Impostor* Impostor: "See something good?" reimi: i believe....it's time to start the festival. we begin tonight. Jonah: *claps his hands* "Yay! I can whip up some new actors..." hikage: ?? reimi-nee, who are these clowns? reimi:...!! owo; Jonah: "..." *waves* "Hello! Do you like balloon animals?" hikage:....reimi who's this ugly clown? reimi: >w> -WHACK- hikage: *knocked out* ururururuuuu X-X Jonah: "..." *smiles* "I know what to do~" Impostor: "Hmmm...I guess I can borrow her kimono..." misora: dont do anything creepy you filthy worm! -elsewhere- Relan: "Any improvement?" iris: he's napping. shinra:....*dreaming* Relan: *nods, whispers* "Is he eating again?" iris: yeah. -shinra is dreaming of asakusa in flames, and of kirei and benimaru being killed by a horned devil- shinra: GAAAH!! *panting* Benimaru: "Why...didn't you save us, you bastard demon..." *SLICED* shinra: *bolts awake* GAH!!! hah....hahh....... Relan: "??!!" iris: SHINRA! *she opens the door* shinra: *shuddering* w...wha....? Relan: "You were screaming..." shinra:....another nightmare...... -he tells them about the nightmares he's been having- Relan: "Shinra...I'm so sorry." iris: that does sound frightening... shinra: what does it all mean....and what does kurai have to do with it? Relan: *looks a little nervous* "...She has not felt well either." shinra:.....i get the feeling something really bad is going to happen in asakusa, and soon. so here's the plan. iris: plan? Relan: "???" shinra: iris, rel, i'm going to head back to asakusa. the two of you, i want you to head to kurai mansion and try to talk to mikami. maybe she knows something, maybe she doesnt... but we have to try! iris:...right. Relan: *nods* "On it." shinra: hmm... iris, do you think you can get the CPR dummy from storage? iris: yes....any reason? shinra: decoy. iris:.... i see... ^^; Relan: *snort* "At least you're in better spirits..." *worried look* shinra: *he nods* -evening, shinra has snuck out and is flying over to asakusa- shinra:...... -in asakusa- -BOOOOM- fang-hua: ?!?! maki: what the heck? Tsukiyo: "An attack?!" hinata: GIVE HIKAGE BACK YOU MONSTER! -they head out...chaos in the streets- kabuki: what on earth...? tamaki: this is bad... resident: im telling you! it wasnt me! Resident #2: "Bullshit!" *swings their fist at the Resident* fang-hua: everyone calm down! *has a pot flung at her* ACK! 'hikage': RETURN MY SISTER YOU SHIT! hinata: NO YOU! kabuki: now the two of you....behave yourselves! *talisman'd* hinata: ah! >.< 'hikage': eh-... *the symbol on the paper glows and ignites hikage, melting away the facade* Tsukiyo: o_o;;; "...Um..." *rushes at 'Hikage'* "Contain them! Don't let them escape!" hinata: BEAT HIM UP! maki: what the heck? fang-hua: you guys at the 8th! find the commanders! tamaki: right! commander oubi, orders? Akitaru: "I-I don't know! We're supposed to be keeping the peace, but without information to figure out who is who--" *BOOM* maki: !!!! kabuki: this is bad....fang-hua, tsukiyo, hold out here, im going to the shrine! fang-hua: right! Konro: "Where the hell is Beni?!" *looking around* -at the shrine- kirei:...this is horrible.... reimi: its horrendous......but i dont want you to be burdened with this so...... *pulls out a knife* i'll make this quick~ Mr. Tsubaki: *looking out the windows at the flames* ("...I can't just sit by...") kirei: rei-....!!! Mr. Tsubaki: *notices Reimi* "!!!" reimi: *CHARGES AT HER* Mr. Tsubaki: *glares* kirei: *wince* reimi: *notices something* eh- *paper'd* Benimaru: "Back away..." kirei: !!! commander? reimi: *bursts....revealing a girl with silver hair and spiral eyes* guruna: kurukurukuru...hey that wasnt fair now~....that reeeeally made me angry~! kirei: w-what? guruna: tell you what benimaruru, let me kill the sister, and i wont cause trouble, alriiiight~? Benimaru: "..." *the flame already surrounds his hand* "Monster...Be gone--" *tosses the flame at Guruna* guruna: *summons fire tornado as a shield* KURUKURUKURUKURU~ kabuki: *SMACKS GURUNA AWAY WITH A FIRE TAIL* commander! i'll hold things out here. Benimaru: *nods* "Don't let your guard down!" *picks up Kirei bridal-style and kicks a hole through a wall to the outside* "Hang on!" kirei: ah... kabuki: (thinking: please succeed...asakusa needs you...) Benimaru: *leaps high and away from the shrine* Mr. Tsubaki: o___o;;; -elsewhere in town- tamaki: *looking around* ah! there! fang-hua: ?? Tsukiyo: "You find the real Hikage?" hinata: she's up ahead! -BOOM- maki: !!! fang-hua: a sniper?! arrow: *attempts to escape* tamaki: *chases after her* OH NO YOU DONT!! Tsukiyo: *looking at Arrow and Tamaki, looking at the direction of Hinata* "Um...Which way do I go?" fang-hua: shit!.... tsukiyo, arthur, go after tamaki and the sniper! me and maki will follow hinata! maki: right! hinata: she's up ahead! i just know it! Tsukiyo: "Right!" *picks up Arthur--and leaps high into the sky, higher than Tamaki but at a shorter distance than her* Arthur: o_____o;; *clutches Tsukiyo tightly* Tsukiyo: *serious* "It'll take me longer to get there than your girlfriend--and watch where you keep your hands!" Arthur: "R-Right!" tamaki: *still in pursuit* (thinking: this sniper....they killed rekka...and possibly amber as well...i wont...LET THEM ESCAPE!!!) Tsukiyo: "Damn, she's fast...and I'm better at close-up combat and dodging than someone with projectiles..." Arthur: "Get me close enough, and I can slice her to bits..." arrow: *reaching an allyway* tamaki: OH NO YOU DONT!!! Tsukiyo: "Almost there..." tamaki: HYAAAAH!!! Haran: "Nope." *slams his fist towards Tamaki's head* tamaki: GAH! Arthur: "!!! Tamaki! Look out!" -someone goomba stomps him- tamaki: eh- shinra: NOT TODAY BUDDY! tamaki: s-shinra?! shinra: hey tamaki. tamaki: OH NO! WE ARE NOT DOING THIS GAG AGAIN! Haran: *slammed against a wall--leaving a huge dent in it* Tsukiyo: *lands, dropping a startled Arthur down* Arthur: o___o;; "T-Too high..." Tsukiyo: "??? 'Gag'?" shinra: so then these are the guys responsible. arrow: haran! are you alright? Haran: "Headache--to put it mildly." *looks around* "What hit me? Who hit me?" shinra: yo. arrow: ah... Haran: "...Tiny man." tamaki: you...you're the one who killed rekka, arent you?! Tsukiyo: "!!!" arrow:....rekka was no longer needed. Arthur: "..." *remembers...* ("They...were the ones who...kidnapped me?") tamaki: *grips fist* even if he was a traitor... he...HE WAS STILL OUR FRIEND! Haran: "...He was our friend, too. He was a martyr to the cause, as we all are." shinra: *grips fist* Arthur: *unsheathes Excalibur* arrow:.....seems we're outnumbered, 2 against 4.... Haran: "...Shall I proceed with the power-up?" arrow:...yes. tamaki: power up? Haran: *pulls from his sleeve...the vial with a bug inside* shinra: t-thats.... !!!! tamaki: !!!!! Haran: "Arrow...when I ascend, please share the stories of my battle to our followers." *slips the bug into his mouth...smiles* "Praise the Sun..." *he then doubles-over in pain, as his skin hardens...and he is engulfed in flames until it looks like bones are growing from his forehead...demon horns* shinra: !!!!!! *remembering what had happened back then* n...no....no way.... Haran/Demon: *ROAR* Tsukiyo: "...Oh my God..." tamaki: w-w-WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT THING?! -elsewhere in town- misora: ahhh....so much fire....it's glowing so bright.... Jonah: "Ha ha ha! So many new faces to craft! New personas to embrace! And this fire! It is...art!" misora: burn burn burn~ heheheheheheh~ hood: *a bit creeped out* i think...i'll just go now... misora: OH NO YOU DONT! *burns them with neon to the eyes* hood: *SCREAMS* Jonah: .w. "So beautiful~" misora: I DIDNT ASK YOU WORM! GO DIE IN A HOLE! Jonah: "But such art deserves to be captured! I shall make the most beautiful display of this victory today, with you leading the Hoods to its greatest victory!" -in town- hikage: HOW DARE YOU! THIS TASTES LIKE SHIT! hinata: !!! THERE! maki: *follows* Man #1: "Ow! We gave you the best treats we could find!" -BOOM- fang-hua: HIKAGE! hinata: HIKAGE! some gross man pretended to be you. we beat him up. hikage: these lolicon bastards are annoying. lets kick their ass! Man #2: o____o Man #1: "..." *uses Man #2 as a human shield* -kitsune form- -the twins burn them- maki: O_O fang-hua: yikes....?? REIMI! Man #1: "AAAAAH! MY HAIR!" reimi: *the real one* m-miss huo! Man #2: *burnt* "Hey! You can't leave!" *tries to reach for Reimi* fang-hua: hold on, we got you! maki: *PUNCHES HIM SMACK IN THE GUT* Man #2: o_______o fang-hua: are you ok? reimi: w-we have to get to the shrine! sister kirei is in danger! -at the watch tower- kirei: t-thank you, commander... Benimaru: *looking over here* "Are you hurt?" kirei: n-no....i'm alright........*teary eyed* this is horrible.... Benimaru: "...We have faced battles in this city...None like this...But if we are to make this city survive, we have to face this challenge..." *hugs her* kirei:.....!!!........ *puts a talisman to his head...nothing happened....* Benimaru: -_-;;;;; kirei:.. ^^; i didnt...want to repeat my mistakes.... Benimaru: "..." *nods* "I...have to save our home." kirei:...please. for everyone's sakes....*kiss* but please come back alive... Benimaru: .\\\\\\. "..." *nods silently...starts to take off to run* kirei: *she smiles* Konro: "Well, congratulations~" Benimaru: *face-plant* Akitaru: "Hey!" kirei: c-c-commander konro! Konro: "Oh, Sister! I was wondering why Kabuki was beating up someone who looked like you..." Benimaru: *stands up again, embarrassed* -\\\\- "We have other tasks. Such as eliminating these fakes." kirei: reimi! she- reimi: sister yanase! fang-hua: guys! we found hikage! hikage: hi. kirei: reimi! are you alright? reimi: y-yes... fang-hua: ....!! the talismans! all the villagers were given those! kirei: ah! right...but no one is listening.... Takehisa: "How can you eliminate these fakes when they all look the same? At this rate, the entire city will be demolished--" Benimaru: *shouting* "ASAKUSA, HEAR ME!" resident: ?! Soldier: "Commander?" Resident #2: "Beni?" nozomi:....*snaps back to reality* eh? toshio: mr commander? sister: ah! sister kirei! sister 2: thank goodness... Benimaru: "Outsiders have infiltrated our home! We will not let them take that away from us!" kirei: everyone please! the talismans will reveal the truth! resident 3:....*slaps a talisman onto one resident...revealing the imposter* .....*PUNCHES THE IMPOSTER IN THE FACE* Resident #4: "...Hey! We can just punch our way through!" *punches a soldier in the face...but their face does not change* "...Oh." sister:....*talismans at the ready* resident 5: !!! *runs* OH NO! Benimaru: "PUNCH YOUR WAY THROUGH! TALISMAN THEIR FACES! LET NOT ONE IMPOSTOR LEAVES THIS CITY!" -on the hill- misora: oh. Jonah: " 'Oh' good or 'oh' bad?" misora: look. hood: well then....this isnt good for us. Jonah: "I suggest a tactical retreat: we can chalk this up to a first draft..." hood: something's coming this way! Jonah: "...Is it a bird?" -guruna landed a few feet aways, with a fire drill at her feet to give her a better landing....it didnt work too much- guruna: kururuuuu.... @-@ misora: HA! hood: guruna! status? guruna:....ASAKUSA IS INFESTED WITH KITSUNE! Jonah: "...Little fox creatures?" -back at the shrine- kabuki: ah...what...are you? Mr. Tsubaki: "Just someone passing through..." ^^; -elsewhere- soldier: beni! we got reports of a demon appearing! Benimaru: "!!! I'm heading that way now!" *launches himself on a matou towards the Demon* ("This is my chance...to redeem myself for Konro...") Konro: "...Be careful..." -an arrow is shot at the watch tower- kirei:... !!! ah- reimi: *she took the hit* kirei:...r...REIMI!! Konro: "!!! Medical!" *pointing to Reimi* arrow:....hmm..... *follows after benimaru* Benimaru: *pursuing the Demon, not even noticing the arrows...* *leaps and descends upon the Demon, who is attacking Tamaki, Shinra, Arthur, and Tsukiyo* tamaki: ah! shinra: commander shinmon? Demon: *ROAR!* Benimaru: "Greetings..." *lands at the Demon, smashing it with his matou* Demon: *knocked back into a wall* tamaki: !! woah! Benimaru: "Tsukiyo, get this amateurs to safety..." shinra: !! Arthur: "?!!! Amateurs?! Your little matous won't do anything against that hard beast! Excalibur couldn't!" Tsukiyo: "Beni-Hottie can do anything! You take that back!" shinra:....this isnt just any kind of flame human.... Benimaru: "A Demon..." *aims a matou* ("I have to earn this...") arrow: .....*taking aim* Demon: *stomps its feet, stampeding at Benimaru and the others* tamaki: !!!

[anoldwound]

And My Wasted Heart Will Love You - Kurt/Finn [Glee]

Title:

And My Wasted Heart Will Love You

Characters/Pairings:

Kurt/Finn

Rating:

PG-13

Spoilers/Warnings:

Some slight sexual content

Word Count:

~3000

Summary:

I'm supposed to be trying to get over him, and instead I invite him over to my house for an imaginary party. Oh, God... what am I going to

wear

?!

A/N:

I have no clue if I got these characters right, but I gave it a shot. Kurt was absolutely, positively certain that he was going to be alone for the rest of his life. Call it Drama Queen Syndrome if you want, but it was still true, and he was in the mood for sitting around his room moping and feeling sorry for himself. He absently stabbed his desk with the pencil he was supposed to be doing his Algebra homework with as Joni Mitchell played in the background, and he thought about Finn's smile and his eyes and the way they would look at him sometimes, inspiring a small germ of hope inside his chest, only to be quashed the instant he remembered that Finn loved Quinn and not him – and would never love him, ever. Unless he was secretly bisexual. He could at least be a little bi-curious, right? Right?

No, he isn't,

Kurt angrily told himself, focusing his attention back to the imaginary numbers equation he was supposed to be doing. Imaginary numbers. Imaginary, like the entire fantasy world he had constructed around –

STOP IT.

Oh, God. He was so, so pathetic. His forehead hit his desk with a light thud. How was he supposed to concentrate on anything when his life was so... so

sad

? “Kurt?” The door cracked open slightly. Kurt looked up to see his dad peeking through the doorway at him. “Dinner's ready.” He gave a heavy sigh. “I'll be right out...” “Why is your room so dark? Is everything all right?” “No. But I don't want to talk about it.” A pause. “Okay.” The slit of light from the hallway disappeared, and Kurt sighed again. He switched off the lone desk lamp that illuminated his stupid homework that was utterly pointless, just like his pointless life and his pointless love for Finn. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to breathe in anything he could from the air around him, like some kind of courage, courage to get over Finn, courage to find something else to occupy his thoughts with, instead of this ceaseless aching in his heart. He remembered one time at football practice, as he forced himself to stare at his feet in the locker room instead of the men in various states of undress around him. He curled his toes and tapped his feet together three times. You could see some of the veins around his ankles. His eyes flicked over to the feet next to his, Finn's feet, pale like his but bigger. You could see the veins around his ankles as well, only they were not as delicate as his own. He idly wondered if he ought to suggest he and Finn go to a tanning booth together as Finn grabbed a dirty white sock and yanked it on. “Finn,” he said, jerking his head up. Finn looked over. “Yeah, what's up?”

Oh God, he's not wearing a shirt.

He felt a blush creep up his neck, which he began scratching nervously. “We're really pale.” He stared. “Um... yeah, I guess so.” “I hear there's a new tanning salon in the town center... do you wanna go there with me sometime?”

Oh my God, why am I asking him this, why in the world would he want to go to a tanning booth, what is wrong with me, oh my God why is he still not wearing a shirt?!

“Well... I mean, I guess it sounds... uh... well, you have fun.” He patted him on the shoulder and stood up, drying his hair with the towel as he walked away. Kurt gazed forlornly after him and wished that there was a way to travel back in time so you could kick your own ass before you said idiotic things to the man you were desperately in love with. Presently, Kurt picked his head up off of his desk and splayed his hands on top of his worksheet. Perfectly manicured nails, soft, white skin, the black cuffs of his new Calvin Klein top perfectly folded into neat triangles. Always impeccably dressed, with flawlessly coiffed hair, the height of fashion and fabulousness – why did nobody love him the way he wanted to be loved? He wasn't ever going to find anyone. He was always going to fall for the unattainable straight guy, and that was that. “Kurt! Your dinner's gonna get cold!” “I'm coming, I'm coming!” he yelled back. The smell of Chinese food wafted through the air as he opened the door, and it reminded him of Finn for no reason other than everything reminded him of Finn. *** The bell rang for second period and Kurt's feet were taking him to the hallway where Finn's locker was located, even though it was nowhere near his next class. Finn always went to his locker before second period to get his science textbook, and normally Kurt would feel like a stalker for knowing this but he had found that out completely by accident one day, so whatever. His heels clacked against the linoleum, and his heart began racing when he saw Finn coming down the opposite end of the hallway. Finn looked distracted, and headed immediately to his locker, hands fumbling at the lock. Kurt's heart was practically thumping in his stomach as he got closer (why did he always have this reaction, he saw Finn almost every single day, God he was such a mess), and he took a shuddering breath before he said, “Hello, Finn.” “Hey,” Finn mumbled, not looking at him. He finally got his locker open and grabbed his textbook. “How's it hanging?” “Fine, thank you.” Kurt gripped the strap of his satchel tightly. “Yourself?” “Not great.” He slammed his locker shut. “Quinn's acting weird again.” He hesitated, then turned to face him. “You wouldn't happen to know more about this pregnancy hormone stuff than I do, would you?” “Sorry. Can't help you there.” He smiled. “Maybe you should look it up on Google or something. The World Wide Webs.”

The World Wide Webs? What?

“I did. I still don't really get it, though,” Finn said, breaking eye contact. They stood there in silence for a few more seconds, Kurt drinking in Finn's face while Finn stood there uncomfortably. Finally Finn said, “Well, I should head to class now, I guess.” “Yeah. Have fun.” Kurt stood rooted to the spot as Finn brushed past him. He felt his chest constrict with pain and the smile faded from his face. On an impulse, he spun around and cried, “Wait!” Finn stopped in his tracks and turned around. “Yeah?” “Um – ”

crap gotta think of something

" – there's gonna be a little get-together at my house tonight. For Glee. Pump us up before sectionals. Do you wanna come?” Finn grinned. “Yeah, sure! Sounds awesome.” “Great! I'll see you at five tonight.” “See ya!” He waved and continued along his way. Kurt's grin froze like his teeth were simply clenching.

Oh Dear Lord.

There were, of course, no actual plans for a get-together. What on earth was he going to

do

?

I'm supposed to be trying to get over him

, he lectured himself in Algebra a few minutes later, as the teacher went over the homework he had never managed to finish.

And instead I invite him over to my house for an imaginary party. Oh, God... what am I going to

wear

?!

Kurt waited until the teacher's back was turned, then discreetly pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and began to text Mercedes.

Mercedes u need to come ovr 2 my house 2night wat y bcuz I told finn there was gonna b a prty but there isnt boi wat iz tha matta wit u idk but u have to come or im screwd cant i have planz but lemme txt tina k thnx

He flipped his phone closed and exhaled slowly. It was going to be okay.

Somebody

had to be free tonight, right? *** Nobody was free that night. Kurt laid down on his bed at 4:45 pm, his face smothered with the silk shirts and black pants spread out across his duvet. What was he going to

do

? It was going to look like he set this up on purpose. He was even wishing that Finn was bringing Quinn, although he probably wasn't, since she had left rehearsal early because she wasn't feeling well.

Oh, God. Okay, do NOT have a panic attack.

He sat up straight and smoothed his hair.

This is completely manageable. Just tell him the truth – that everyone was busy and that it's just me and him, and he can leave if he wants. Okay? Okay.

First, though, there was the urgent matter of his ensemble. After selecting the appropriate outfit (his Alexander McQueen sweater and some nice, form-fitting tuxedo pants by Oscar de la Renta), the doorbell rang. “I'll get it!” he yelled, and ran upstairs to answer the door. Just before opening it he took a deep breath and pulled down his shirt. “Hello,” he said, smiling up at Finn, who was alone. “Hey.” He looked inside. “Where is everybody?” “They were all busy,” Kurt said, tucking his hair behind his ear. “Jerks, the lot of them!” He chuckled faintly. “So... it's just you and me?” He looked wary. “Yeah. But you can just leave if you want; it's fine,” Kurt said hastily. “I'll reschedule. No biggie.” He waved his hand around like a buffoon and promptly wanted to commit suicide. “Eh...” Finn shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked his feet back and forth. “I guess I can stay for a little while. I don't have anything else to do.” Kurt's heart leaped. “Well... okay, then!” He stepped aside. “C'mon in!” “That sucks that everyone just canceled on you,” Finn said as he entered. “Well, to be fair, I only came up with the idea last night.” Kurt shut the door closed. “I shouldn't have expected that everyone could make it on such short notice.” “Ah.” Suddenly, Kurt's dad came out from his bedroom. “Hey Kurt, what's – ” He froze as he caught sight of Finn. “...Hello.” “Dad! This is Finn Hudson. You remember him?” He stared at Finn almost suspiciously. “Yeah. You're the quarterback, right?” Finn nodded. “He's also in Glee, Dad.” His dad's eyes slipped over to his. “What's he doing here?” “T-there was gonna be a party. For Glee. But no one else could come.” Kurt gave him as much of a “BACK OFF” look as he could without Finn noticing. “Huh.” He looked back at Finn. “You're the guy with the pregnant girlfriend?” “...Yes?” “Hmmph.” He looked him up and down, then said to Kurt, “Keep the door open, okay?” “

Dad!

”

Oh my God I am going to KILL HIM.

“It's not

like that

.” “Yeah, well...” He scratched his head and turned back in the direction of his room. “I'm gonna... go now...” He took one last look at Finn, then at Kurt, before he went back in his room and closed the door. “Oh my God, I am

so

sorry,” Kurt immediately apologized. Finn put a hand up. “Don't be. It's all right. Parents are weird and embarrassing. It's like a law of nature.” “Thanks.” He tucked his hair behind his ear again. “So, what do you wanna do?” He thought for a few seconds, then exclaimed, “Oh, dude! There's this hilarious YouTube video you have to check out! C'mon!” Finn grabbed Kurt's arm and started heading down the hallway. Kurt felt his skin go prickly and warm and cold all at the same time. “Wait... where's your room?” “You're heading in the right direction, don't worry.”

He's going to be in my room. Where my bed is. Fffffff –

“Oh, okay.” He let go of Kurt's arm and they went downstairs. Finn sat at Kurt's desk and clicked on Firefox. “I saw this yesterday and I just about died laughing. I think you'll like it.” “I can't wait.” Kurt dragged another chair over and crossed his legs. He was so close to Finn he could smell his aftershave. Finn eagerly went onto YouTube and found the video. “Here it is. You're gonna laugh, I promise.” Finn was right; Kurt was laughing so hard his stomach hurt. Finn was laughing as well, and they collided into each other several times as they rocked back and forth in their chairs and sang along, and Kurt would've sworn that Finn was doing it on purpose if he didn't know any better. Once the video was over, Kurt said, “I think we have an inside joke for life now – 'I'm a little man, and I'm also evil, also into cats'.” Finn chortled. “Nobody's gonna get it. It'll be awesome.” They both giggled, but the laughter faded away until they were simply staring at each other. For once, Finn didn't look away. “What should we do now?” Finn asked. “Well... any more absurdly funny YouTube videos?” He felt his heart go

thump thump thump

. “None that I can think of.” He finally averted his gaze. “Have any good movies? Or maybe I should leave.” “Why?” he asked quietly. “I dunno. Maybe I'm intruding.” “You're not intruding,” Kurt whispered.

What am I doing? This can't possibly end well. Snap out of it, Kurt Hummel.

“Um...” Finn shifted in his seat. “Okay. S-so... what movies do you have?” He abruptly stood up and inched away. “I have lots of movies. Depends on what you're in the mood for. Drama, comedy... romance...”

Seriously, what am I doing?! Stop making sad attempts to flirt! Jesus Christ.

“A comedy sounds good.” He looked decidedly nervous. Kurt tried to compose himself. “Great! The DVD rack is over there.” He pointed at the rack next to his TV. Finn picked up one of the DVDs and smirked. “Spider-Man.” “I don't believe that falls into the realm of 'comedy', but feel free to put it in anyway.” Kurt propped his feet up on Finn's vacated seat. His feet tingled. “I wouldn't think you'd like this kind of movie.” “Spider-Man is Spider-Man. Also, James Franco is ridiculously hot.” Finn laughed and put the DVD in, then sat awkwardly on the edge of Kurt's bed. Kurt felt himself begin to get... well,

excited

, so he took his feet off the chair and crossed his legs again.

The Holocaust. The time you found Dad's porn stash in the linen closet. Maggots. Lots and lots of maggots.

After a minute or so of that he calmed down and watched the movie with Finn, valiantly fighting the strong urge to jump on his bed and pin Finn down and start making out with him. They were about twenty minutes into the movie when Finn said, “Listen, Kurt – ” His breath caught in his throat. “Yes?” “We're... we're friends, right?” “I like to think so.” “Then – can I be honest with you?”

Oh, boy. Here it comes. Rejection City.

“Absolutely.” He braced himself. Finn cleared his throat. “I'm sure I'm gonna seem completely full of myself when I say this, but – I keep getting the feeling lately that, like, you have this... this thing for me? Or something? I'm probably just reading too much into it. I don't want to sound like one of those guys who thinks all gay dudes are in love with him or something, I just – yeah.” Kurt found himself almost unable to form coherent syllables. “Yeah – well – sure, I could understand where you, uh, may have gotten that, um, impression.” “Really? So there's nothing to it, then?” This was it. The moment of truth. Was he going to chicken out and say no, or was he going to admit it? Finn looked at him expectantly. “Well...?” Kurt took a deep breath. “It's... true.” He blinked. “Oh.” “Yes. I do sort of... have a... thing for you.” He felt like he was going to throw up. Every inch of him was trembling. “I'm sorry.” “Don't apologize, Kurt,” Finn said. He looked sad. “

I'm

the one who should be sorry. You deserve better than to be into

me

.” “You shouldn't sell yourself short like that, Finn.” “That's not what I meant. What I meant was...” He walked over and sat in the chair next to Kurt. “You deserve to like someone who can, you know... feel the same way towards you.” Kurt said nothing. Every molecule in his body felt like it was just dowsed in ice cold water. “I'm really sorry, man.” Finn bit his lip. “We're still friends though, right? I still think you're really awesome. And you're gonna find a... a great guy someday, and you're gonna be happy.” Kurt half-smiled. “I hope so, at least.” He smiled back. “You will.” He looked down at the floor and rubbed his neck. “Do you want me to leave now?” Kurt was silent for a moment, then said, “No. It's fine. Let's keep watching the movie.” “Okay. Cool.” Finn patted him on the knee and turned to face the television. Kurt bit back the screams of humiliation in his head and turned to the TV as well, feeling his heart break into a million tiny pieces.

What are you so upset about? You knew this was coming,

he thought.

Yes, but that doesn't make it hurt any less.

He stared numbly at the television, his hand resting where Finn's hand had just touched him, and they watched Spider-Man together, and that was that. And that was all it was ever going to be.

[sweetlifetownsville]

Hard Going Getting On Top Of The Hill: The Mayor's Magnificent Mount Louisa Make-Over Might Stumble At The First Jump

And Jenny knows about the problem, but is blithely telling us its all go, when it may well be all stop. The Pie shares a most interesting email. The old bird can reveal that Mayor Jenny Hill IS under investigation by Brisbane authorities for possible misconduct and watching all the fumbling inanities coming over the next 12 months in the run-up to local council elections is going to be more fun than watching a blind man trying to get out of a door knob factory. To that end, The Pie this week introduces a new occasional award, The Codswallop Cup. No shortage of contenders. Also, our new white ele sorry, stadium, has hit more turbulence as it rises from the mud and Lozza Lancini will not be a happy chappy. Bentley has a say on George Pells new lifestyle And our regular gallery from Trumpistan. First, Hot Of The Rumour Mill

The most interesting rumour has just floated into the Nest. Its unverified (well duh, thats why its called a rumour) so well have to wait until the Astonisher plays catchup sometime this week. The Pie hears that the only two tenderers for the new stadiums ultra-lucrative catering contract , one being the incumbent Spotless and one being the Cowboys Leagues Club, have both been excluded for non compliant tenders to do with not paying award wages. So back to square one for the new stadium and where does that leave Spotless in the current stadium? For the answer, check the Astonisher around oh, say, next Friday, by when Lozza Lancini will have told iditor Jenna Cairney what she can say about this. Pell Mell Nothing has been quite as spectacular in the annals of fallen high flyers than that of George Pell, who has swapped his glittering Mardi Gras cardinals robes for prison drab, after being sent to chokey for six years (to serve 3 years and 8 months before eligible for parole) for what only be described as the most brazen, power-deluded child abuse imaginable. Indeed so brazen as to leave lingering doubts among some observers whether such things couldve happened as described, but an appeal will sort that out, after all, the jury knows things that we do not. Now Georgy Boy faces another biased jury his fellow inmates, a class of folk not known for their strict adherence to jurisprudence rules and who exercise their own summary justice according to their own morals and mythology. And Bentley reckons you never know who youre going to bump in in the Yard.

And The Pie says to those who say the term is not enough, rest assured, for a man of Pells pomposity, ego and age, he has been handed a life sentence of one sort or another. One imagines there is one person who will give Judge Peter Kidd the thumbs up.

Shifty Business Delivering on promises is a tricky business, especially when our mayor is in campaign mode. Today, we were offered this little bit of click bait.

But when we went through to the story, what we got was this

Uncanny how this is so ambiguous, like the Castle Hill upgrade itself. Now this is media sleight of hand at its clumsiest, making a highly speculative project sound like solid fact. Interesting because it simply that the TCC will start drawing up plans for what it would like to see at Mt Louisa and crucially for mayor Mullet is the quote: with construction expected by the end of the year. Community engagement started this week and will continue until the end of April. The Pie thought, well thats a nice idea, if conveniently timed to become a re-election boast, but hey, good for the huffnpuff crowd. Then this morning, (Sat) an email fluttered into the Nest. From Angela Sacilotto Councillor Jenny Hills grand plan for Mt Louisa is another political stunt with council elections due in March 2020. TCC do not own all of Mt Louisa. I own a 8 ha block right across the middle of the hill. I have told TCC I do not want to sell. Havent been able to verify Ms Sacilottos information, but she volunteered her contact details and phone number if The Pie wanted a chat about the matter (which for reasons well known to regular readers, is not a viable option since the recent operation.) But The Pie would guess there will be whole lot more to the meaning of community engagement when Mayor Mullet reads this. it is known that Jenny Hill does not like being crossed by people with legal rights who stand in the way of her grand visions, so this community engagement with Ms Sacilotto could involve nipple clamps, a car battery and wet towels . But That May Be The Least Of Her Problems Cant reveal too much at the moment, but our mayor is being officially investigated possible misconduct over her Adani links, particularly arising out of her trip to India. This will not be a revelation on her, because she has been informed of the issue by the Brisbane based investigating body, and what is officially termed overt inquiries are underway. Perhaps no biggy (but then again ) but not a great look for someone who once expressed her admiration for Ipswich Mayor Pisasale. What Dreams May Come, As Willy Shakespeare Once Said All this has led to The Magpie being told that Jenny, a Hitchcock fan, recently watched his classic The Birds, but when she went to bed, she had an horrific dream.

Serves her right for throwing darts at a much loved and protected Australian species. THIS WEEKS CONTENDERS FOR THE CODSWALLOP CUP Its a crowded field. Cmon, Really? Cmon now, seriously Jenna Cairney? Is this all youve got?

Listen, me dear old haggis-head, getting shocked by a menu may apply to a Korean doggy delicacy, a Vietnamese cockroach kebab or the price of a pie at the footy, but because this mob is adding burgers bloody good old Aussie burgers we Aussie snowflakes should be shocked? Do you not understand how insulting this advertorial pap is? One seriously has to question whether the decision makers who publish this clap trap have an IQ above room temperature. A Group Effort Where to start with this one, the inanity is of such magnitude that The Pie is tempted to inaugurate the Clusterfuck Cup as a separate category.

This mind-blowing little corker of an idea is called the Palmer Street Precinct Activation project, and involves wait for it a bit of new lighting along the street, and a new sign saying hang on again Palmer Street.

The plan was obviously to give re-election hopefuls a bit of sorely needed publicity (youd think on recent photographic evidence, Messagebank Walker and Ann-Maree Greaney are going steady). But for other reasons, the story raised both an eyebrow and a guffaw at the same time. Chef/restaurateur Matt Merrin, normally a sensible and successful man, made a right goof of himself when he (reportedly) told the paper the changes would transform Palmer Street into a world class destination. It will be something that visitors to Townsville can Instagram, take photos of and sell the message to the world. Its going to bring new investment back to Palmer Street (question: how does new investment come back?) Weve had many restaurants close over the last 12 months, this will inspire new restaurant owners and people to come back into Palmer Street and be part of the precinct it once was. A world class destination? Matt, a message from The Magpie, mate lay off the cooking sherry and exotic herbs before talking to the Astonisher (FFS, mate, youre even holding your glass crooked.) The story also informs us The dining strip received some upgrades during the preparations for the Commonwealth Games last year. Oh did it? Very similar upgrades in scale to the ones now proposed , as The Pie remembers. So in the year since that spruce up, two Palmer Street nose-baggeries have gone belly-up. But somehow, this one is going to usher in a new era? Hows that? But heres the best bit in the original story, Ann-Maree Greaney said the lighting would keep people, particularly women, safer that apparent admission that the council has allowed Palmer Street to operate without adequately safe lighting for years has now been removed from the story. What fucking planet are you from, you lot? Reporter Chris Lees, have you no dignity? Or sober judgement? Did TCC media gopfer Simpo Templeton have anything to do with this, its about his speed? Well, anyway Anthony, unlike the when at the Astonisher, at least in your TCC role you dont have to put your name to your cock-ups. 3. Off The Rails Then on Thursday, we had this little bit of fluffy irrelevancy.

But no sooner had this flimsy kite taken to the sky, than the Astonisher itself cut the string on Friday with this:

What city rail plan? There wasnt any, the original story was a campaigning thought-fart from the desperate Clr Jacob. Clever though, isnt it write bullshit one day and call it out as bullshit the next. Gotta luv the ol Astonisher. A Miscellaneous Magpie Whinge The Magpie is deliberately not talking about or seeking comment on the massacre in New Zealand, he has no words, certainly none that would contribute positively to this dark deed of pure evil. But coverage does prompt The Pie to vent about a favourite piece of nanny state demeaning idiocy can we please move away from the rubber-faced sign language person standing next to officials who are often making statements about deeply disturbing matters. Often signing involves grotesque and to the uninitiated completely inappropriate comical facial expressions. This presents the twin problems of distraction for the general audience and indignity for the subject of the media conference.The Pie doesnt know what the average deaf audience would be at any given time not many one would guess and yes, there are times like bushfire and flood updates where this information should be conveyed in this manner. But shit folks, heres a newsflash for more 60 years now, real time lower screen captioning has been available, or as all sports directors so slickly employ technology for a smaller, less distracting vision box to one corner. To currently give such a minority a so distracting and undignified presence is not necessary and lacks dignity, and disturbs concentration on what can be vital messages. Of course, nanny staters wont agree. Speaking Of The Nanny State Our evolving language, not always for the better, now features the term woke, as in are you woke to climate change? or any number of other social issues. It means are you alert to, but as so often happens, we too readily adopt the argot of the ill-educated as some sort expression of being cool and identifying with a group one wouldnt normally break bread with. The lovely thing about this nonsensical use of substitute language leaves it wide open for hysterically funny skewering and in this classic piss take Are You Woke? from a fed up Tracey Ullman. The Clock Is A-Ticking The Brexit imbroglio is increasingly hard to follow (or for The Pie, to care much about) but one of the cleverest pictorial comments the predicament of Theresa (dis)May(ed) comes from the Guardians Steve Bell.

And More Of The Same From Trumpistan A lot of attention continues to surround the tumble of democrats eager to take on President Trumpet at the polls next year. And the interest has been heightened by someone not running.

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