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notthatiwilleverwriteit · 5 years ago

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Read the latest mafia ask and I got some questions too about that hope you dont mind Don't you think that if he tian will be in a relationship with mo in the future someone will try to hurt mo to get to the He family? because of his relationship with he tian.I hope he tian will not get involved with his familys job.He hates that side and what they do as we seen(but he still used his brothers man on she li)and the only reason I see him working for them or with them is to protect mo or his friends

Good evening, dear anon-san!

This is going to be a rather long answer, so youbetter get comfy...

“Don't you think that if he tian will be in a relationship with mo in the future someone will try to hurt mo to get to the He family? because of his relationship with he tian.“

I very much think that is a realistic possibility. Mo Guan Shan’s connection to He Tian can get him mixed up in dangerous people, for sure. So far, it’s mostly worked the other way around: HT’s connections and the influence of his family name have ended up saving MGS. But it’s most definitely a delicate balance, and I doubt it’s escaped HT either.

The interesting thing about “connection” is that it comes down to “distance”. And I think physical and emotional distance is an essential part of how Tianshan works both now and in the future. From the beginning, when we were just getting to know HT, it was obvious how isolated he was (130):

The person he was in front of his schoolmates was very different from when he was by himself. The distance and isolation were at least partly self-imposed. HT was very careful about letting others get close to himself both physically and emotionally.

The first time he allowed his solitary to be breached was when MGS came over to make him beef stew (ch. 144):

HT’s face being hidden in that panel has always been an interesting detail to me. What was going on in his head at the moment? Up until that, I doubt no one besides He Cheng (and maybe Qiu) had much visited HT. Certainly, no one at school knew where or how he was living. The other students didn’t really know HT, and he actively posed as a different person in front of them. He was cheerful, cool and friendly. Living in an expensive and yet sparsely furnished apartment by himself certainly wouldn’t have fitted the image they had of HT. I doubt they would have understood the person HT became in that apartment, either. It was a place where he could drop his mask and be honest about his darkness. I think it’s something special that MGS was the first one to see all that even though he probably wasn’t aware of what he was granted to see.

If you compare that panel to when the rest of the gang came over, the atmosphere is quite different (ch. 186):

But I digress.

As Tianshan has kept developing so has the distance been narrowing between HT and MGS. Despite isolating himself and being guarded, HT was also someone who sought comfort and reassurance in physical contact (ch. 225, 260, 291, 295):

Being physically close is very much associated with feeling safe and secure in HT’s case. It’s as if he’s given himself permission to be needy in that sense. And it’s different from clinging to MGS at every turn by hooking an arm around his shoulders and dragging him along. It’s more private and vulnerable than that.

At the moment, HT seems to think that keeping MGS as close as possible is also the best way to keep him safe (ch 244, 265, 296):

As far as HT sees it, threats and enemies are lurking around every corner. She Li is uncomfortably close without HT being able to do much about it. The fact that MGS won’t back down from fights also requires HT to keep a close eye on him. But as long as HT is around, nothing bad can happen to MGS. And even if something happens, HT is right there to protect him. He’s become a blotch of darkness looming right behind MGS where all his enemies can see him.

HT’s protectiveness also has a strong possessive streak which only enhances the importance of distance. The earrings are a good example of that (ch. 282):

The earrings are a tangible proof of their connection. MGS is under HT’s protection. He belongs to HT, and no one is allowed to touch what is his. Especially people like SL who used to hold power over MGS. By wearing the earrings HT gave, SL’s reign is overwritten.

Now, if you compare that distance - or lack of - to how they seem to be connected in the future, the difference is quite obvious (ch. 224, 271, 313):

Based on the little hints the Christmas specials have granted us, the nature of their distance has shifted. They aren’t physically nearly as connected due to HT being in another country. And it seems like when they can see each other the next time is always somewhat uncertain. HT is also putting a new kind of distance between them by not telling MGS when he’s coming to see him (and probably when he’s going to take off again).

Is this distance as safe as what they had in middle school? If HT has gotten involved in his family’s businesses, does he think it’s safer to stay at an earshot from his family and potential enemies? Rather than sticking close to MGS? If he knows what’s going on instead of being in the dark, he can be proactive?

It’s also possible HT thinks it’s the safest if he keeps MGS separated from his assumed line of work. But the safety that way of thinking grants is of course on the flimsy side. HT showing up like that is a living, breathing connection between them. Is HT perhaps treating MGS as a safe haven of sorts? I doubt his visits to MGS have remained a secret completely, but perhaps he’s trying to keep MGS hidden from his family? At least hoping they don’t know too much about him? The little storage room and narrow bed are for HT to get away from it all, even for a moment. But will HT be able to have his cake and eat it, too?

As an interesting side note, I think there’s a potential parallel between how HT visits MGS in the future and how HC kept the dog alive and goes to see it (ch. 252):

I think MGS in the future will represent similar things to HT as the dog does to HC. Someone, something, or a place where they can let their guard down and show softness, even vulnerability. They have both saved and nurtured something and by being around that something, they can feel better about themselves than in their everyday life. It reminds them that they still have humanity left in them.

“He hates that side and what they do as we seen(but he still used his brothers man on she li)“

That conflict between how HT despises his family and yet utilizes its strength when it suits him surely is interesting and something I’ve always wondered. It almost looks like even he himself is torn despite his seemingly strong resolve. Regardless of everything, they’re still his family. His interactions with his father and brother raise the question of how difficult and painful HT actually finds it trying to separate himself from them. And what compromises he’s willing to make to avoid it.

When HT went to see his father, it seemed like he was still holding at least some hope that they could reach some kind of understanding (ch. 251):

What was he going to ask his father? Did the mind games Mr. He was yet again playing with him (by not showing up), convince HT that getting the answers wouldn’t be necessary? He knew what he wanted to do and what his father happened to think it about didn’t matter.

And yet even if HT dismisses his father, it doesn’t seem like Mr. He took his threats at all seriously (ch. 251):

Mr. He probably realizes HT is conflicted. But rather than trying to force him (which I’m sure he’s tried already), he’s changed tactics. He’s allowed HT to seemingly have his way which is meant to show HT how impossible his goals are. He can set out to save the world all he wants, but the truth is he doesn’t have the resources by himself. And it seems Mr. He has managed to prove his point at least once already. I don’t see why that couldn’t also be the reason why HT is in another country in the future.

The interesting problem about that would be for how many people HT is buying safety by presumably working with his family. What about all the other people suffering at the hands of his father and the likes?

Even a stronger hold than that is probably HT’s complex love-hate relationship with HC (ch. 168, 229, 252, 260, 266):

On the surface, HT is bratty towards HC and HC lets him take out his feelings on himself. But deep down, I think the idea of cutting ties with his brother is much more painful and impossible than HT would admit out loud. HC might have become the kind of person HT hates the most, but I don’t think HT has lost hope in him despite saying so. He probably desperately wants HC to follow him, and it’s that hope that keeps him still hanging on. He doesn’t want to jump off the boat by himself. And in return, HC is probably one of the very few people who hold actual power over HT.

What I’m trying to say is HT is perhaps more hangup on his family than one would think. That’s why he’s kicking and screaming so much. Because losing hope is difficult and it hurts.

In the meantime, he seems to have settled with using his family’s strength for good. I think this panel sums it up pretty well (ch. 267):

HT being backed up by his brother’s strength to fight evils that aren’t his family. It’s probably his relationship with HC that allows this kind of leeway. I doubt Mr. He would have granted HT such favors without demanding something in return. HC, on the other hand, has always understood his brother’s struggle despite not feeling like he can support him directly. So, even if HC can’t allow HT to have his way, he can at least help keep his friends safe. From threats that aren’t the two families, that is.

“the only reason I see him working for them or with them is to protect mo or his friends”

In short, I would say the same. He’s already kind of doing that, though. HT has had to make concessions because as strong as he might be, there are powers against which even he can’t win. At least, not yet. And I kind of like that. The fact the HT isn’t invincible and can’t do whatever he wants makes it more realistic. There are still rules (albeit evil and meant to hurt other people) to which even he has to submit.

But of course, we know that isn’t going to stop HT, merely slow him down a little. Just because he can’t stop HC trying to take JY and keeping tabs on him and his friends, he sure as hell is going to be the stubborn thorn in their flesh (ch. 168, 287):

Your questions, dear anon-san, were weirdly fitting because I have (yet again) been thinking about the future dynamic of Tianshan. I’m planning a Tianshan AU which revolves around the themes of committing bad things, punishing ourselves for our sins, being forgiven and getting absolution only to rinse and repeat the same cycle again. Who judges our sins fairly; ourselves or someone else? Who decides when we have atoned enough? I think some of those questions and themes also fit the canon version of Tianshan and whatever bits and pieces we know about their future. Especially, if HT will be more connected to his family when he’s older and yet be in a relationship with MGS.

Thank you for your questions, dear anon-san!

#19 days #tianshan #He Tian #mo guan shan #He Cheng #mr. he #answered ask

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aladdinthefortuneteller · 3 years ago

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Weight Gain With 4 Simple Steps

Gain Weight With 4 Simple Steps

1) Eat High Calorie Foods

You probably heard this a million times before. If it was this easy you wouldn’t be looking here to gain weight.

I’m going to give you some unorthodox foods you probably haven’t tried before. Thus, your weight gain journey will be much easier.

Why should you listen to me?

Cuz I have been there. I was a super skinny kid up until my university years. Then, throughout endless research, trial and error, I managed to bulk up to 105kg.

On a side note, I was 65kg when I started uni.

I did this over years. However, it took me so long cuz I was making mistakes.

Alright, let’s get to work. These are the high calorie foods that will bulk you up in no time. These foods should be in your daily diet to gain weight.

1)Peanut Butter

Peanuts and peanut butter contain nutrients that may boost a person’s heart health and improve blood sugar levels.

Depending on how much you eat in a day you can put on pounds during weight training or bodybuilding.

Protein. Peanut butter contains 7.02 grams (g) of protein per 2-tbsp serving. This is essential ingredient for us to put on quality mass.

Magnesium. With 57 milligrams (mg) of magnesium, each serving helps towards the RDATrusted Source of 400–420 mg in men. Magnesium plays a role in over 300 chemical processes in the body. Including putting on muscle.

Phosphorous. Each serving contains 107 mg of phosphorus, which is about 15.3 percent of the RDA of 700 mg for adults. Phosphorus helps to build healthy cells and bones and helps to produce energy.

Zinc. A serving of peanut butter provides 0.85 mg of zinc. This is 7.7 percent of the recommended daily intake of 11 mg for men.

Niacin. Peanut butter contains 4.21 mg of niacin per serving, which makes a useful contribution towards a person’s recommended intake of 14 to 16 mg.

Vitamin B-6. With 0.17 g of vitamin B-6 per serving, peanut butter provides almost 14 percent of an adult’s RDA of 1.3 mgTrusted Source.

Can you see one thing from these ingredients? Yes, all help to produce energy, and the more energy our body has, the more it stores. This is how we gain weight.

Don’t think like: “Oh okay, I will eat a spoon of it here and there.” NO! You have to eat loads of this to gain weight.

I remember eating 5-6 table spoons a day which really made a difference.

You are not a normal person! You have to get out of your comfort zone to make a difference.

My suggestions is at least 4 table spoons a day with meals.

2) Weight Gainer

Weight gainer should be one of your go to snacks. I scoop of weight gainer contains redicilious amount of calories full of carbs, protein and healthy fats.

The best part about weight gainers is they are cheap! Also way cheaper than whey protein.

I recommend making a shake with banana, weight gainer and 2 spoons of peanut butter.

You can visit this page to find high-quality and top-rated weight gainers. My personal favorite is the chocolate flavor.

They mix up with almost everything and taste amazing! So, buy one of them and you will thank me.

Don’t forget, these are called weight gainers for a reason. They pack on mass quick. BUT, the important part is to not replacing them with meals.

Always eat your solid meals first and before you go to sleep make a shake with banana, weight gainer and any other ingredient you like.

Even if you are full after the meal, you have to consume a shake. That way your muscles will repair during the night.

Also you body will store the extra energy.

3) Milk

The nutritional composition of milk is highly complex, and it contains almost every single nutrient that your body needs.

One cup (240 ml) of whole cow’s milk with 3.25% fat provides

Calories: 149

Water: 88%

Protein: 7.7 grams

Carbs: 11.7 grams

Sugar: 12.3 grams

Fiber: 0 grams

Fat: 8 grams

Some athletes consume 2 liters milk per day to put on as much mass as possible. I don’t recommend that. But, you can see why they do that.

If you have lactose intolerance, you should consume lactose-free milk.

By the way, I used to put milk in my before-bed shakes. Including weight gainer, banana, peanut butter, and 2 glasses of milk.

That shake will make you strong as a bull and will guarantee to turn you into a bodyguard. If you don’t feel like puking, you can drink milk instead of water.

I had many friends who did this technique. It takes time to get used to. But once you get used to it, people won’t recognize you.

2) Eat Till You Are Uncomfortably Full EVERY MEAL

When talk to a hardgainer, they always mention the time they ate the whole large pizza.

But when I ask them what did you eat for the rest of the day, nothing comes out.

This is the issue. If that one large meal you ate recently was gonna cut it, you would not be here.

BECAUSE,

This is the simple reality.

You have to feel uncomfortable after every meal. To gain weight and put on the quality mass on your frame, you have to eat till you are feeling sick.

So, the uncomfortable feeling you have after a huge meal, should happen after every meal of the day. Not just one meal.

How Many Meals A Day To Gain Weight?

Speaking of meals, I subscribe to eating at least 4 big meals a day.

Assuming you will have the pre-bed shakes, that will make 4 huge meals plus a giant shake. So, that puts you around 3k to 4k calories a day.

All in all, I want you to feel like ”If I take one more bite, I will have to go to the hospital.” EVERY MEAL!

3) Gain Weight By Exercising Less

This might not include all of you.

BUT,

I am talking to the ones who love running on the treadmill. The more you run and the excessively you train, the more weight you lose.

The trick is super simple. Keep your weight training under 45 mins. Also, don’t do cardio. Never, Ever!

If you are doing any sports, avoid spending calories doing cardio. You are better off lifting weights under 45 mins.

This way you will be able to utilise precious calories to build muscle and gain weight.

If you really love running, and can’t live without some sort of cardio or outdoor activity, just walk.

If your heart rate elevates, your body starts burning calories. Especially, ectomorphs like you and me, we literally destroy calories in minutes.

So far, we talked about the duration of the exercise and the type of the exercise.

Now, let’s cover how much you should train a week.

The optimal scenario is to train 4 times a week. WEIGHT TRAINING. You can get away with 3, but less than 3 will impact your apatite.

Also if you go crazy and train everyday of the week, your body will have no time to recover and muscle.

We don’t want that!

4) Sleep Less To Gain Weight

Look, I’m not saying drink 5 energy drinks at night.

You are here for my unorthodox weight gaining tactics. So listen tight.

I figured this out after I graduated and started working. This led me to sleep very early and I wasn’t able to add another meal to my diet.

Including me, some people can only eat so much in one sitting. So my solution was to add meals instead of increasing the portion size.

Going back to the story, since I was sleeping so early I wasn’t able to squeeze in another meal in.

That day I decided to stay up a little bit later to smash my next meal.

Benefits?

The upside of this is you can also do extra work. Study, watch movies, read, hustle…

I became more productive and gained mass. That was a win win for me!

I urge you to try this. Sleep less than you usually do. The more you stay up late the more you get hungry.

It gives you the room to eat and more time to sneak in snacks.

If you liked this article please make sure you share it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Trumbler, LinkedIn and Instagram.

https://menshealthprotein.com/gain-weight-with-4-simple-steps/?fbclid=IwAR3ZVejp1xqqIN9IQ8lX--UvdaUSo1Y5a4F3FVcktioqw0v_D2VyZUy_bfg

#weightgain #supplement #fitness #gym #bodybuilding

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frostedfaves · 4 years ago

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Damage

Part 2

Pairing: Jake Peralta x fem!reader

Summary: Y/N has magical abilities and teams up with the squad to take down a villain.

Word Count: 1.6k

Warnings: murder scene, mention of parent death, evil parent

If he's being totally honest, Jake felt very much like the creeps he arrested on the streets of Brooklyn. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the girl across the street who was lost in her phone call. He tried to justify his staring by thinking to himself that he was just worried about a civilian being out late at night alone, but truthfully he was simply captivated by her.

"Dude, are you ready to eat or what?" Rosa followed Jake's gaze and smirked. "I guess that answers my question."

Jake blushed and faced her. "Gross, Rosa, no! I'm just wondering how she's gonna get home safely."

"Certainly not in your car," Amy interjected with a snort.

"What are we talking about? Jakey got a crush?" Charles asked, joining the group followed by Terry and Holt.

"I don't have a crush! As I was just telling nosy Rosie over here, I—"

"Hey, watch out!"

Jake's head immediately turned at Amy's words, expecting to be met with the scene of his mystery girl getting hit by a passing car and instead found something even more jaw-dropping. The girl stood frozen in front of a semi truck that was stopped in the middle of the road, the air between them a neon, glittering pink. She turned to the side of the street where the detective squad stood—suddenly realizing she had an audience—and bolted without question in the direction she came from.

"Wait!" Jake cried out as he began to follow her, instantly cut off by the semi truck that continued to roll down the street abruptly as if commanded. By the time it passed, the girl was gone.

Rosa was the next to break out of her shocked state, laying a cautious hand on Jake's shoulder. "It's probably for the best. Supernatural or not, no girl wants to be chased down the street by a guy she's never met."

A few days later, the nine-nine squad found themselves at the scene of a quadruple homicide. Three customers and a cashier found dead in a bodega, no witnesses and the security camera system conveniently destroyed. The detectives surveyed the store, all mentally scratching their heads and wondering how the hell they were going to solve this one. Even Holt seemed stumped.

"Guys."

Jake turned to look at Charles, following his fearful gaze and nearly jumping out of his skin. On the far side of the store stood his mystery girl. He noticed everyone else move their hands toward their guns, but curiosity got the better of him. He stood slowly, noticing her tear-filled eyes as she looked around the scene.

Holt found his voice first and spoke in his authoritative tone. "Ma'am, this crime scene is part of an active investigation. You cannot—"

"I think I know who did it," she blurted, surprising everyone. Her gaze flickered over to Jake for a second and back to Holt, and he fought the urge to smile. "No puncture or shot wounds, right? Dead all at the same time, just like that?"

"How did you know that?" Amy questioned immediately.

The girl nodded as if answering the question herself. "I know who did it, but I can't tell you here. It's not safe." She glanced outside before quickly conjuring up a glittering pink ball and sending it over to the pocket that held Jake's phone. "When you turn your GPS on, you should be able to find me pretty easily. I'll see you tonight."

The color appeared again as she turned in a circle, pulling a curtain of it over herself. It disappeared with her just as the Medical Examiner stepped into the bodega.

Despite all signs pointing toward this being a bad idea, the squad decided to follow Jake's GPS to her apartment. The building was located on the wealthier part of town, but luckily didn't have a doorman. The mention of the lack of one reminded the detectives that they didn't know the name of the person they were expected to blindly trust, a discussion they had in the elevator on the way to her apartment, of course.

A knock on her door was followed by a muffled "come in", and they opened the door to one of the biggest living rooms they'd ever seen in an apartment. The mystery girl—MG, as Jake so affectionately referred to her—was standing near the ceiling-to-floor window finishing up an impressively majestic horse on a giant upright canvas. Jake thought that by some trick of light the horse was moving but realized when he came to a stop in front of it that it simply was moving.

His eyes moved downward to the artist herself and watched as she closed her paints and put away the rest of the art tools, this time allowing the smile to appear. It seemed silly but he almost felt lucky to be standing in the same room as her again, especially considering that he never thought he'd see her again.

She faced them finally with a small almost shy smile. "I'll be right back after I wash this mess off my hands. You can sit down if you want." She disappeared down the hall, magically closing the curtains as she went, and Jake turned to the group with a shrug.

"Might as well. If she wanted to kill us, she would've done it already."

Apparently this made sense to them because they were all sitting quietly on the couch in armchairs when she returned. They shook their heads at her offer on food and drinks and waited until she pulled up a wooden chair to sit in front of them to speak.

"So are you gonna tell us who you are now or what?" Rosa asked with a glare so intimidating that it made the poor girl cower slightly in her seat.

"Yeah, I am. I'm Y/N Patali, Pavlo Patali's daughter." She could practically hear the alarms going off in their heads just by looking at them and sighed. "If I tell you my sad origin story, will it convince you that I'd like to help you and that I'm not on his side?"

"Not completely, but it may help," Holt replied, giving Y/N no physical indicator that he meant it.

"Okay, well my father's originally from Nuxvar, a tiny village between the cities of Pompeii and Naples that housed all the world's magical people. When he turned 21 and gained the full strength of his powers, he performed dark magic on Mount Vesuvius and made it erupt over the village. He managed to kill every man, woman and child in the village and keep the damage hidden from the neighboring cities, because you could only get into the village if you had powers anyway."

"He wanted to be the only one left with powers," Amy acknowledged and Y/N confirmed.

"He came to New York right after. He met my mother and ended up marrying her, which I can't imagine him doing for citizenship so I'd like to believe he really loved her."

The squad listened as she went on to tell them about her mother discovering that her father was getting away with murder by using his powers and that the explosion that killed his home village wasn't an accident. She explained being 12 and her powers finally arriving, her mother instructing her to magically copy a book from his library that described how to strip a Nuxvarian of their powers as punishment for using them for evil, hoping to bring an end to his reign.

"I'd hidden the copy of course, but he found her reading through the original one day while I was at school because she wanted to learn as much as possible so she could help me learn too." Y/N took a deep breath, squeezing her eyes shut for a second to prevent tears from spilling. "I don't know what he did but I was told she suffered from a brain aneurysm and died 'just like that'."

She got up suddenly, walking over to the bookcase and taking the opportunity to wipe away a few stray tears away from everyone's eyes. She returned with a book that she placed on the coffee table between them as she sat down.

"My father told CPS that he was mentally unfit to care for me because I looked so much like my mother that it was driving him insane. This book was the only thing I managed to hold onto throughout my entire time in foster care and I've been studying it ever since. I think I can do it now, and then you can finally arrest him."

She spoke again before they could respond. "I can also help you track down all the people working in his drug cartel."

Jake was the next to speak. "I think we should do it."

"Peralta—"

"Sir, hear me out. Patali has one of the biggest drug rings we've ever had the misfortune of coming across and every time we've come close to shutting him down, we're suddenly right back where we started and now that we've heard her story, it all makes sense!"

"Sir, I never thought I'd say this but Peralta has a point," Amy timidly addressed Holt, choosing to ignore Jake's smirk.

"I agree," Rosa added in her usual monotone manner. "If we keep going at it like we have been, Commissioner Kelly is just going to get more and more pissed at us for wasting departmental resources. We should at least give Y/N a shot."

"Does everyone feel this way?" Holt gave a glance around the room, taking notice of everyone's heads nodding before meeting eyes with Y/N. "I suppose we could try things your way."

Her eyes danced around the room, gaze landing on Jake for a little longer than she meant to before making eye contact with Holt again.

"I promise not to let you down."

#queue #jake peralta #jake peralta x reader #jake peralta x fem!reader #jake peralta imagine #brooklyn nine nine #brooklyn 99 #brooklyn nine nine imagine #brooklyn nine nine x reader #b99 fic #b99 imagine #b99 x reader #b99 fanfic

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sugarcookiesandsins · 5 years ago

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Charmed [Episode 4]

➰ ot7 x reader, poly!bts x reader, mafia!bts ➰ they wouldn’t notice her until she was standing above them, a smoking gun in her hand a bullet in their heart 🌡 M 🛑 violence, guns, just y/n being a gutsy mf 🕛 6.1k+

✍️: @yeomjoo - Thank you dear for editing this!

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It had been a week since your injury at the warehouse. Thankfully, the bullet had only grazed your arm, taking away the layers of skin to reveal the fat layers underneath. The long-sleeved shirt that you wore would be forever ruined so you were forced to retire it, cutting it into strips to serve as bandages while you took shelter in your house.

There was no doubt in your mind that Jungkook had recognized your presence, but thankfully it didn’t seem like he had discovered the tracker, either mistaking it for a missed bullet or forgetting about it in the ruckus that followed. Still, it was odd.

Saying he was talented would be the understatement of the century. It had been dark and murky under the roof of the warehouse, that combined with the small opening between crates he would have to shoot through, it was a miracle you were hit at all.

The familiar beep beep of the microwave echoed through your house. Collecting the warm cup, you took a sip of revitalizing caffeine as you made your way back to your couch, eyes retracing the colored lines overlaid on a map of the city, each color a different day. Your alabaster skin suffering from the lack of sunlight. But you didn’t mind the drawn curtains and closed blinds, anything was better than ending up an unidentifiable body on the bottom of Han River.

You made your way to your nest on the new couch. Settling yourself among the blankets, you winced as the still tender flesh of your arm brushed against the leather of the fabric. It had been a stressful week of hiding - you had stayed in your apartment, relying on your bulk purchases of food to keep you sustained as you relied on your tracker to keep tabs on BigHit’s truck.

Glancing at the shuttered windows, you winced at the sight of the blond wig, half covered by the opaque fabric. It had remained there for the last week, ever since you chucked it at the window in your anger. It would have worked as the perfect disguise.

A high-pitched beep sounded from your computer, and your eyes turned to the screen just as another dot marked a location on the map - the truck had made another stop. You had programmed that tracker to mark location whenever the truck stopped for more than 3 minutes, longer than what it would take at a red light but still sensitive enough to pick up a small unloading and loading pause. It was a pain to wait before you went forward with the plan, but the mafia were smart. You didn’t know if they had approached the house or not yet. They could be waiting, or they could have used some corrupted form of psychology on you to fool you.

It was crucial that you got the location right the first time, as a failed attempt would put them even more on edge than they already were. You were sure that security would already be tighter due to your failure at going unnoticed, making the job even harder. Throwing your head back you let out a groan, one that was lost to time forever in the dusty gloom of your living room.

You let another week pass, stewing in the annoyance of being immobile and injured. Still, your impatience got the best of you and you wasted not time in rushing out the door as Eli.

He stayed mostly to roads he had never been on before, too paranoid that another underground worker would see him and give away his position. On hand, a phone with the list of all the addresses the truck visited, which was actually surprisingly short, organized from most visits to the least.

You had tried to narrow down your search using satellite imagery of the locations, but they were all clean. And yes, as cheesy as it was, there is some truth to the idea that suspicion increases when a place is too clean. Still, with no other option before you, here you were; possibly one of the greatest contract killers in the world, reduced to acting like a common thief who peeks through windows. Yes, some may argue that Eli was a common thief, but you firmly believe otherwise. What he did wasn’t thievery, it was art.

How many times had you trained to make your form disappear in a crowd, to make your fingers ghost-like in the efficiency with which they relieved pockets of valuables. You had done far too much to allow your work to be called anything less than a masterpiece.

The first house had been an epic flop in terms of anything interesting. The was simply a storefront for a pawn shop, most probably hiding another underground store but now that wasn’t your primary concern. It had taken you some time, but you had finally found it. Inconspicuous in the greatest fashion; why be isolated when you could hide in plain sight … in the penthouse of a luxury high rise!

You rolled your eyes at the extravagant clothing of the people walking through the ceiling-high, glass double doors. You could never imagine living like that every day; it would be stressful on your neck and head. All you needed was one accessory and your wardrobe was set. Without it you felt naked to the world, as if your entire identity was woven into the intricate metalwork.

The uniformed doorman sneaked another glance at your way, letting you know that it was time to do something, otherwise he was going to call security on your blonde ass. Instead of hightailing it out of there, you confidently walked to the front door and under the golden trimmed entrance, passing the doorman a slight nod. He silently glared back at you, too dependent on his meager wages to vocalize any complaint.

Passing the front desk, you smiled and nodded, playing the perfect part of a rich, but eccentric homeowner. Much like the cashier who worked at minimum wage, you were barely cast a glance. The clock that controlled time ticked away in the corner of the hall, much more interesting than any hooligan that may have infected the marble floors.

Making your way to the steel elevators, you stepped in the next available one and rode it all the way to the top. There was no one in the house, you knew that for certain; it was an entertaining sight to see the boys strut into their limo earlier, an hour or so before the doorman saw you for the first time. And since you began your surveillance, they hadn’t returned.

For how high-profile they were, the door itself was a very basic keypad lock, one that was clean enough to make the smudging more visible to the naked eye. In the corner of your eye, you saw the security camera trained on your face, or rather, Eli’s. He was a cheeky bastard and couldn’t help himself from waving at the person on the other side, who sat wide-eyed.

[KSJ]

It was a habit that had developed among us to randomly check the surveillance of our home while we were out. It wasn’t as vigilant as it sounds however with the time intervals ranging from 30 minutes to almost 2 hours but it was better than nothing.

I had reached a dead end with that ramen shop, though I did expect that. No thief was stupid enough to visit the same place twice, expecially when you had been tagged there. Still, no one had any rumors about his whereabouts despite antics being at an all-time high.

So imagine my surprise and anger at finding waving at me through the screen of my phone as he entered my house. His smile was wide enough to show off his perfect teeth and his fashion was to the nines with a smart hat over his blonde head and a leather jacket and dark jeans; he looked in his element.

Through gritted teeth, I ordered the driver to turn around. A business deal was small compared with bringing in Eli to the boss. Rarely did I ever break the calm and composed position of power like my father taught me, but even he had his breaking points and this was mine.

Giggling at your actions, you smoothly unlocked the front door with an electronic masterkey. It was the greatest thing you ever created and ran an algorithm to find all possible number combinations. It then used a phantom copy of the keypad server to run the possibilities, basically giving you an unlimited amount of trials.

You walked into the room like you owned the place, which for the next few moments until the boys got back, it felt like you did. Everything in you was working overtime to keep you from messing something up; the whited sepulchre annoying you to your very limits. It was very surgical in its decoration, pale and empty. It was a home, but it didn’t feel lived in.

Is this what happens when you probably have maids that come every day? Sadly, you would never know.

Making your way past the entrance hall - seriously what was with that? a hall just to greet people? - you encroached upon their living room; a bleak continuation of the uneasy entrance hall. There were multiple cameras, and you were pretty sure of bugs too, but what did you care about? You wanted them to know that you were here. You wanted them to understand just what Eli was capable of, even if it was putting a gun to their head and pulling the trigger.

The familiar ding of the elevator made its way through the opened crack of the front door. They were here.

The boys entered through the front door, six keeping an eye out for the intruder while Jin tried to find his location through their security cameras.

They were beyond furious, mostly because they felt the pain of having underestimated you.

“Hello boys.”

They would never make the same mistake again.

Immediately, you faced down the barrel of 6 guns, all but certain they would pump you full of iron without second thought. Yet in the face of death, you didn’t waver. They weren’t going to kill you after all, and everyone in that room knew that.

You only smiled, continuing to speak to maintain the dominance you held of the situation.

“Put your guns down. You can’t kill me anyways.”

Jimin scowled. Since the moment Jin had revealed to the group about Eli’s presence in their home, he had seen red creep around the edges. He was the frontman when it came to the group’s security, so even though he was happy the motion sensors inlaid into the cameras worked in informing them of the intruder, he was mad that the subversive technology in the lock had not prevented the intruder from getting in.

“Yeah? What’s stopping me?” Just to prove his point, Jimin took a threatening step forward, steadying the aim in the center of Eli’s forehead. “What’s keeping me from putting a bullet between those pretty blue eyes of yours?”

“Well, your boss for one.” Eli only smiled after that, letting the implications form themselves. it didn’t matter what justification he offered; the main goal was for the boys to come to conclusion themselves. That way, they would believe it more. “Or perhaps, it’s my pretty blue eyes? Take your pick Jimin.” The said man glared at your form.

Eli made his way to the antique bar setting on the far side of the living room, blatantly appreciating the arrangement of hard liquor in glass decanters. The boys had lowered their guns, coming to their own responses as to why Eli couldn’t die.

“Now, how about we all have a drink, and I explain why I am here, and you explain what it is that your boss wants me to help you steal.” They were trained men, so there was no blatant change in expression as you revealed the extent to which you understood their motives, but you could see some clenched jaws, no doubt unhappy with the power balance.

Currently, it was tilted in your favor, so you took the initiative to pour everyone drinks, gin and tonics all around. You then took your previous seat, leaning back with comfortable ease. The other boys also took places around the living room. They may not be completely estranged from the idea of shooting you, but at least the guns were no longer facing you.

Namjoon took a long sip of the drink, letting the familiar taste burn his throat on the way down. He hated Eli at that moment; the sense of passiveness the man gave off. As if he didn’t care about anything, least of all whether one of his boys put a bullet through his skull.

“Now, don’t be so morose about it all! It was all in good fun. Just a little something to show that I am not one to be underestimated, no matter how laissez-faire I seemed.” Eli spoke these words over the rim of his glass, the material distorting the smile that shines around white teeth. It wasn’t a tender kind smile that you show a lover, it was a deranged kind of smile, one that Namjoon rarely saw from anyone. And it sent chills slithering up and down his spine. He knew that working with this man would not be ordinary. And Eli knew that from the way it shined through his pretty blue eyes, locked solely on him at that moment. And for the second time in his life, he did not feel in control.

“Now, since I’ve shown you my cards. I think it is only proper that you show me yours.” The silence was punctuated with the clink of the tumbler on the center table. None of the boys met your eyes, half still focused on their guns. The other half just thought….and thought some more. How to answer a man who probably knows everything?

“We doubt there is anything that we could tell you that you wouldn’t already know.” Yoongi kept his voice level, as he always did. There was nothing special he saw in the little pickpocket, just another immature personality trying to be a man. Everyone was bound to mess up as some point, he just had to be the observant one and wait for it.

“You’d be surprised Yoongi,” Eli mused, ignoring the reaction Bangtan had to the obvious lack of respect the boy had. “There is always something to learn about everything. When you think you know it all, that is when you recognize that you were playing the fool.” You chuckled, leaving the rest of that phrase up to them for interpretation, already seeing the wheels in Namjoon’s head turning.

“Let me ask again. Why are you chasing me through the streets of Seoul?” Eli wasn’t expecting a no for an answer. You did not want to reveal that you only had basic knowledge of what they wanted, and even those hypotheses were not proven fact. But you had enough to play a small con for information.

“Here. I’ll even help you out. Your boss wants me to help you steal something because he thinks you’re not good enough, which is where I-.”

“We are good enough!” The outburst was instinct, coming from the one member that could never take being second to anyone, not even to a metaphor.

“Jungkook.” It was quick and sharp; an order without even needing to say the words.

“Oh? So, I was right. Thank you for the information, Jungkook.”

The dark-haired man leapt to his feet, pulled his pistol out of the holster and let go a single bullet. But then again, you weren’t just any old thief. With the same speed and flow, you pushed back on the chair as you saw, tipping backwards you dropped the glass, the loud crash more than enough to completely obscure a silenced shot. When the back of the chair made contact with the floor, you wasted no time rolling behind the kitchen counter, where you were safe from any more stray bullets that managed to head your way.

“Sorry to be the bearer of bad new Jungkook but you missed this time.” You heard a growl, but thankfully no heavy footsteps making their way to your hiding spot. Still, he was a killer. Walking silently was no issue for him. As such, you made your way to the other side, facing the counter and behind it, anyone who would be coming for you from the direction of the living room.

Small murmurs made their way to your ears, far too quiet to make out the placating reassurances that the boys were delivering. You didn’t try and stop them, the less angry Jungkook was, the less he was prone to try and kill you, again.

“I suggest you come back out Eli. So we can show you to your room.” You could tell from his voice that Namjoon was just tired with the whole situation. “After all, you are working with us. It would be apt that you stay with us for the time being.”

Peeking out from behind the counter, you raised a single eyebrow at the assembled group of men.

“When did I ever agree to work with you? As far as I’m concerned you haven’t even told me what you wanted my help with.”

“You have no choice Mr.– '' Namjoon cut off, fully intending for you to fill in the blank but you refused. Something about watching him squirm in the awkward silence made you happy, figurately at least.

“I have no choice?” you simpered. “Now that’s just plain wrong.” You came out from behind the counter, fully assured by the strong hold that Jin, Hoseok, and Jimin had on Jungkook. It looked like he wasn’t about to shoot you anytime soon.

“I make my own choices Namjoon. No group of pretty boys is going to stop me.”

And that is the story of how you no — how Eli — came to live with the Bangtan Boys.

The room they escorted you to contained the very furniture that you had seen them select a couple weeks ago. Sharp lines, metallics, and sterile. Everything about your job summed up into one disgustingly perfect room.

The blinds were open to catch the last rays of sunset that glinted off the high-rises around you. With a slight scowl, you turned your head as one stray reflection made its way into your eye. “Nice place. Bit too much light for my eyes though,” you said as you turned to face them. Only five of the men from before had followed you. It seemed that Jungkook had decided to leave rather than kill you, and Jin had joined him to make sure he didn’t.

You waited for a response. A minute passed. Then another. And now even you were starting to feel the weight of the tension in the room. Here they really had you cornered. The five of them corralling you into a room with a singular window more than 50 feet above cold pavement.

Have you escaped from this kind of situation before? Yes but that was only possible due to a conveniently placed window-washer’s station and a metal straw; neither of which you had available at the moment.

“Good night Eli.” Namjoon’s voice betrayed the loosening reins he had on the other boys. Jimin, who had a soft spot for Jungkook, seemed to have no problem in gripping the beretta he had in a shoulder holster in warning.

Not that you ever listened to what pretty boys ever told you.

The next morning you woke up at your usual time, waved at the camera disguised on the black surface of the flower vase and began your morning routine. Thankfully over the years you had perfected the art of wigs and the blonde mane had stayed on through the night. Grabbing your clothes and more hair products you made your way to the bathroom. Changing into something more comfortable, you put on your running shoes and made your way to the front door.

Stretching out your back, you felt it pop and released a sigh before you crashed into someone. Taking a few steps back, you looked up into the face of the one and only Jung Hoseok. It was odd to see the man out of his suit and into what looked like workout gear.

It would be illegal for them to not be working out looking the way they did, but seeing it physically was something completely different. Not many were crazy enough to have a 6 am morning workout routine.

“Seems you’ll be joining us of your own accord.” Hearing the familiar drawl, you turn to see the rest of the boys in various states of putting their shoes on in the living room. So all of them did this every morning. Interesting.

“Sorry to burst your bubble, but you can’t watch me run today. I have my own routes and my own errands, so I’ll see you back for breakfast.” As you were finishing your sentence you darted for the entrance, so quick that Hoseok could only graze your arm with his fingertips.

Behind you, you heard the sound of footsteps as one of the boys, most likely Hoseok, gave chase to you. You pumped your eyes faster as you darted in the direction of the stairs. The elevators were a sure way to get caught if there was not one available immediately, but at least on the stairs you could use your skills to descend faster. Slamming open the door to the stairwell, you leaped over the banister without second thought and angled your body towards the railing on the opposite sides a floor down. It wasn’t much of a head start, but with Hoseok you thought you could manage.

Using your palms, you latched onto the cold metal and pulled yourself over it. Not wasting a moment in continuing your journey down the stairs. Behind you, the slap of hands on metal scared you more than you would ever admit. The sound meant that whoever was giving you chase was not Hoseok. It meant that your pursuer would not look lightly upon you if they caught you.

Willing your motivation into your limbs, you pushed forward, taking the steps two at a time and trying to find another opening for you to jump down another floor. It wasn’t that there weren’t opportunities; no there were plenty of those. The issue came with commitment.

With a drop of over 50 feet below you, there was no room for error. You had to be sure you were making the jump long before you actually shifted the weight. From what you had guessed, the person seemed to have some strength and training, making the possibility for error even less. A trained person would see the shift in weight and the element of surprise was the most important thing you could have.

“I could do this all day Eli.” The dark voice from behind you almost made you jump in fear. It was Jungkook and he sounded like he would enjoy nothing more than to just exact all the anger he had towards you in a single moment. A lot could be done to a person without killing, and nothing that BigHit had said prohibited you from being a little banged up by the time you reached their front door.

Seeing an upcoming opening, you counted down the seconds until you jumped. About a meter away from the gap, you leaped for the gap. From behind you, you heard another growl as Jungkook came after you. At the last minute, you reached out your hand and grabbed the pole and used the centrifugal force to pull yourself back onto the stairs. Jungkook was so focused on the jump as he didn’t have the planning that you did, that you were able to catch your breath as he really dropped himself down two floors.

The look on his face was the most amusing; that wide eyes expression that really betrayed more anger at himself or not seeing this coming rather than at you for getting away.

Between heaved breaths, you couldn’t help but rub it in a bit more. “Eli 2 and Jungkook 0,” you smirked out. “Don’t look now but you’re in second Jeon.” And with that you knew the moment was over, and so did he. A trained fighter’s first lesson wasn’t on fighting at all; it was about holding back.

[JJK]

Looking at the messy blonde head a couple of floors above me, I wanted nothing more than to wring his neck. His lips were parted in mirth at my state of loss and the audacity of him to further rub salt into the wound as he relaxed on his throne above me.

Nothing was stopping me from running back up the flights and going after your snark attitude with his fists, but that was beneath him. That would be revenge and revenge was not looked upon kindly. Revenge is mindless while fighting is mindful.

Catching my own breath, because Eli was faster than he seemed, I glared in his direction and slowly began my trek back up the stairs to rejoin the boys. He would get away, this time. From across the round staircase Eli kept his eyes on me as he circled down and I circled up, until we met face too face on the 19th floor landing.

He gave me a small nod, lips slightly parted as he continued to restock his oxygen supply as he continued past me. I didn’t try to contest my loss.

I regret my training.

It wasn’t a hard task keeping your identity secret. You had already prepared for this eventuality and had stocked both you backpack and the back room of the noodle shop with extra supplies. This way, you could keep the location of your apartment a secret, just in case you needed to catch a break for any reason. Who knows when you would need a hideaway from BigHit.

In the meantime, you kept to places the boys knew about, like the noodle shop. So the ones that followed you had nothing to report back to Namjoon who had grew more frustrated as time passed, with no new information about you. In the house, you kept to yourself, only speaking about the mission.

“Why don’t you come join me! Taehyung! Jimin! Over here!” Your voice reverberated around the noodle shop, giving you a sense of deja vu as the rest of the patron turned to the entryway. Sending a quick wink at the matron of the store, she shook her head and nodded in response as she asked for another two bowls of noodles.

Recently, you had become close to her, creating some semblance of friendship between the two of you, built around her new-found popularity and you character. She would never tell you this, but you became one of her heart’s adopted children. In you she saw someone who was forced to grow up too fast, for what reason she understood that she would never know, but it was there.

“You’re playing with fire here child.” She leaned in as if she was taking your order.

In response, you lifted the menu, momentarily covering both your faces with the red book. “Well good thing I’ve stocked up on repellent, Umma.”

Pulling the menu back down, you motioned them over, giving them no chance to turn tail and run. They would now have to suffer through lunch with your infuriating face with those big wide eyes.

“It’s not good to tail someone on an empty stomach, so you should eat up. After this, I’ve got to take you on a wild goose chase around the park.”

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wftc141 · 4 years ago

Text

Voltron: Global Military Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism Unit-Chapter 12: Martyr

2000 Hours

Goiânia, Brazil

The streets of St Central were quiet and empty with nothing but street lights illuminating the road. The Voltron team used this quiet time to race their way past the street shops to the presidents' secret meeting area. Armed and loaded, they brought along some breaching equipment just in case. The SUV they were in reached a short overpass above a freeway in mere seconds before crossing over.

"Lions, this is Zero. The meeting has been hit and security personnel are taking small-arms fire. Local police and military have been notified, over."

"Wait, wasn't they supposed to start tomorrow?" Hunk said as he drove the SUV.

"Seems like the presidents have started their meeting early." Pidge deduced.

"Any casualties?" Keith asked.

"Possible security. Not sure about the presidents but you have to get there fast before it's too late." Allura said.

"Any news on Shiro?"

"Black Lion is alright. He's making his way to the meeting too as we speak."

"Copy, we're five mikes from the destination. Out."

The call ended and everybody fell back in silence as the team drove down the streets.

"We're probably too late." Hunk uneasily said.

"Let's not think about it, yeah?" Lance replied. "We can get there in time and smoke these cabróns. This is where it ends for them."

"Lance's right." Said Keith. "This is the end of the line for the Galra."

Arriving at the street where the safe house is located, the team drove down the dark, narrow road with parked vehicles before noticing some dark vehicles parked near a building. Once they reached the area, they noticed a brightly lit building with the security gate blown open and a breached entrance.

"They're here." Hunk muttered.

"That's bad news but we still gotta complete the mission." Keith said as the SUV came to a stop.

The team got out and geared up with their weaponry and equipment from the SUV.

"Red Lion to Zero. We're on foot and proceeding to the safe house, out." Keith reported as the team approached the gate.

"Should we wait for Shiro?" Pidge asked.

"No time. Presidents would be dead by the time he arrives. Let's move."

With Keith taking point, the team went past the gate and into the entrance leading to the front door which was broken down. There was no sign of Galra soldiers but they could hear gunshots from inside.

"Red Lion to Zero, we're going internal." Keith muttered.

They made their way past the reception and security checkpoint which was already scattered with bodies of security guards. Blood footprints and stains were everywhere throughout. The sight of the bodies were no different from their previous encounters, in fact they saw worse.

Making their way up the emergency staircase, they reached the upper floor with the door left open. Entering the next floor, the team found themselves in a hallway with several offices inside some of the rooms. More blood and bodies filled up the count. Reaching the corner of one of the hallways, Keith noticed two Galra foot soldiers down at the hallway, the same ones from the attack on their hideout with their distinctive all-black uniforms and its purple and red highlights and masks. Keith aimed his rifle and opened fire, taking out the one at the right. The other soldier noticed his partner fall and turned around but Keith put him down before he could react.

The group reached another corner leading to an open area with a staircase leading to the second floor where the main meeting room was. Then, they saw two gunmen on the floor above them who turned around to notice them just in time. One of them was carrying a PK machine gun.

"Take cover!" Pidge yelled, pulling Keith away from the gunfire.

The bullets barraged against them, holding them back as the Galra's firepower suppressed them. The team heard more footsteps as the gunfire ceased. There was more gunmen approaching their position.

"MG gunner on the top floor! How many others are there?" Pidge called out through the gunfire.

"Dunno! Around eight of 'em!" Lance called.

Keith was quick to think of an idea on how to handle the Galra soldiers holding them off. He reached for his comms.

"Green, Yellow, keep that fucker distracted. Blue and I will flank around and take them out."

"Copy." Pidge replied.

Keith got up and headed over to the other side with Lance in tow. The two found a door leading to an emergency stairwell. As they made their way up to the designated floor, Keith heard a door open above and saw a Galra soldier who just noticed him. Keith aimed fast and took him out first. Suddenly, another Galra soldier entered and was about to open fire before getting shot first. Keith glanced at Lance who just took him out for him.

"Thank me later." Lance said as he headed for the door.

The two managed to arrive at the floor where the MG gunner would be. Keith turned a corner and found the MG gunner and his partner on the railing, firing at Pidge and Hunk's position. They were both completely distracted, leaving them open from behind. Keith shot at the MG gunner while Lance aimed for the other soldier.

With them taken out, Keith and Lance used the floor to their advantage with the Galra soldiers below just noticing the ceased gunfire. Keith used the PK and fired upon the remaining Galra soldiers, wiping most of them out instantly with Lance taking care of the rest. Once the gunfire ceased and the soldiers were confirmed dead, Keith reached for his comms.

"Area is clear. Regroup on me."

Pidgin and Hunk came out of cover and made their way up to where Keith and Lance were before heading towards the main meeting room. As they stacked up beside the door, the team heard muffled noises from inside. There's clearly hostages inside and it is likely the presidents are among them, as well as the remaining Galra forces. They were about to consider breaching until Hunk stopped them.

"Wait," Hunk whispered, grabbing the team's attention. "I got an idea."

The last of the Galra were barricaded inside the meeting room with their hostages, including the presidents, as their shield. There was no chance of them leaving alive and it would be a sin to surrender. They waited for the Voltron team to breach so they would eliminate the hostages. The Galra soldiers were already prepared to fight back with their very last breath. However, there was no activity from the front door.

Some time has passed and nothing has happened. One of the soldiers ordered his comrade to check the door. As the Galra soldier approached the door, a sudden blast erupted from the side, catching everybody off-guard. Dust clouded in as the Galra fell over from the explosion. Before they could react, the Voltron team entered through the hole and finished off the rest of the Galra soldiers. One of them tried to aim for the Brazilian President, only to be cut off by Keith with several shots to the body. The sounds of muffled cries followed as the dust settled.

"¡Calmarse! ¡Calmarse! ¡Nosotros estamos con el gobierno!" Lance shouted.

The team began to secure the hostages with Hunk checking for any bombs fitted in their vests. After checking, Hunk turned around.

"No vests!" He called.

"All clear!" Pidge said.

With the crisis settled, the team exchanged approving glances and nodded. The job was a success. They stopped a potential catastrophe. The team finished freeing the hostages and gathered them out to a safer place. Keith reached for his comms.

"Red Lion to Zero, area is secure. All hostiles are KIA. Three-Rulers are alive and intact. Multiple friendlies are wounded and KIA, over."

"Copy, Red Lion." Allura replied on comms. "Friendly forces are enroute to the safe house. Any news on Kingfish?"

Keith hesitated at first but he hadn't seen Sendak anywhere in the safehouse so it was safe to bet he didn't take part.

"Negative, Zero. Kingfish is nowhere in sight."

Sendak watched through his binoculars as local police forces and the military arrived at the scene, now that the gunfire has ceased. He knew this was Voltron's doing and they succeeded. He let out a deep sigh in the midst of the cold breeze. Sendak anticipated the failure. He knew what Voltron was capable of and he let it happen. He'll deal with the punishment later. Then he heard slight footsteps from behind and the sounds of a weapon raising.

"Step away from the gun."

Sendak glanced at the pistol that was on the surface on the balcony which was already in his reach. He chuckled in amusement, recognising the voice.

"I had a feeling you would escape, Shirogane. You really are an untamed animal. I guess I've finally failed."

"You're damn right about that."

Sendak put the binoculars on the surface near the gun and stepped away before turning around to face Shiro who was aiming his pistol at him with his rifle slung in front of him. He slowly raised his hands.

"You might as well kill me now, Commander." Sendak said.

Shiro said nothing as he trained his gun on his head.

"Go on," Sendak demanded, approaching him. "Pull the trigger. I've failed the Galra Empire and I deserve to die. There's no reason for me to live and I know you want to do it. It's the only way you can avenge your fallen."

Shiro then saw flashes of his team fighting for their survival including Sven. His index finger was already slowly pushing the trigger and his grip shook as Shiro's rage began to emerge.

"We're lions, Shirogane. Lions who will do absolutely anything for our country, even if we have to shed some innocent blood."

Sendak was already up at his face by the time he was done. He grabbed the barrel and pressed it against his crown tightly. His annoying smirk still plastered across his mug.

"Go ahead. Do it right now. Avenge your brothers. That's what you wanted, right? Do it!"

Shiro still hesitated to make a decision. He thought of all the terrible things that Sendak has done. It would be best for him to just kill him right now. Sven died in Shiro's arms as he watched him suffer. He could end this right now and it'll be all over. However, nothing good can be gained from killing someone. Shiro took a deep breath.

"I do want to kill you. I wanna kill you so bad for what you've done. I wanna kill you for my team...and my brother. I wanna kill you so fucking bad right here, right now. But I know better."

Shiro holstered his gun away and held Sendak tightly, rounding him up and tying his hands with zip ties.

"I won't give you the chance to be the Galra's martyr." Shiro said before turning to glare at Sendak. "And you're right. I am a lion but a lion doesn't eat his own pack."

Sendak simply smirked before facing forward as Shiro escorted him out of the rooftop.

2450 Hours

Some time has passed after returning to base. The hostages and the presidents have been allocated to the military for special treatment. Allura has been on the phone for a while, talking to her superiors. The Voltron team waited anxiously, concerned about their fate since they just broke the rules. Although they wouldn't be surprised if the superiors were just as corrupt as Sanda.

Shortly, Allura finished her call and turned to her team where they stood up and approached her.

"Well? What happens now?" Keith asked.

"I'm ordered to headquarters for a full debrief along with Commander Shirogane and Lieutenant Smythe. The rest of you have done well for stopping the Galra. After we hand over Sendak to the CIA and bury the fallen, you'll all be allowed three months off-duty. You guys earned it for the hard work."

The team took the news well. They were expecting worse but they can accept this, especially after their grueling battle with Sendak and the Galra. Hunk took the chance to walk away from the team to a private spot. He got out his phone and dialed a number. Shortly, the beeps stopped.

"Shay Bainivalu, Vice News."

"Hi, um, this is Momoa from NATO," Hunk said. "Is this a bad time?"

"Hunk? N-No, not really, I was just finishing my shower. What's up?"

"Yeah, I want you to hear this from me first. We actually got them. We managed to stop the Galra before they could accomplish their goal."

"Really? Oh that's fantastic! I would say it was an impossible task but I always had a feeling you guys would pull it off. Congrats!"

"Thanks. We couldn't have done this without your help. Credit goes to you too. Oh, and there's something else I wanna ask you."

"Shoot."

"Well…"

Elsewhere, Lance caught up with Keith who was walking off and elbowed his arm, grabbing his attention.

"Not bad for a Ranger grunt." Lance said.

Keith chuckled before bumping Lance's arm. "You're not so bad yourself for a jarhead."

"How long do you think you'll last sticking around with me?"

"More than you would."

This time, Lance laughed it off. As the two continued their banter, Pidge watched from a distance. It took them a whole month for them to become comfortable with each other. A smile grew from her face, proud of the progress from them.

"They're actually friends now." Shiro said.

Pidge glanced at the team leader, who appeared beside her, watching Keith and Lance as well.

"Seems like it. Hopefully this will keep up for the next few months." Pidge replied.

The two stared at the boys in silence for a brief period.

"If you don't mind me asking," Shiro said. Pidge looked at him. "How's Matt?"

Shiro knew Matthew Holt back in the military. They used to be on good terms. Shiro hasn't seen him during his service in the SEALs.

"Actually, I haven't seen him since I joined the army," Pidge replied, looking down. "I lost every contact from my parents because they didn't like the idea of me joining the military. They wanted me to be a horticulturist instead of studying in college."

Shiro chuckled before collecting himself.

"Your brother did tell me he wanted you to be a horticulturist. But I get what you mean. My father wanted me and my brother to work for NASA rather than fight proxy wars. Then again, we are what we are because we want to fight for our country and help our allies abroad from terror. That's why we chose being soldiers over a career that won't do much to help others."

Pidge said nothing but she understood Shiro's point.

02/15/2018

0010 Hours

Even though it was midnight, Jem wasn't asleep. He still had the light on. Just then, he heard footsteps from outside and a knock on the door.

"Come in." Jem called.

The door opened and Coran and Stacy entered the room, both seemingly haven't gotten some sleep yet.

"Oh, hey guys. What's going on?" He said.

"Sorry for dropping by this late, Jem but we wanted to bring you the good news." Coran said.

"Oh, that-it's no big deal. Wasn't feeling tired yet. What's up?"

"Voltron has captured Sendak four hours ago after rescuing the presidents from Galra forces during their meeting. He's currently in custody right now." Stacy said.

"Really? Okay, that's good to hear."

Coran nodded. "So how're you doing, right now?"

"Oh I'm recovering pretty damn well. The meds worked wonders and the doctors said I'll be discharged in the morning once they finish up on the paperwork."

"Great. We'll pick you up then. Get some rest for now. You'll need it."

"Same thing could be said to you guys. I feel like you're treating me like a dad, sir."

Coran and Stacy chuckled as they left the room.

"That's nice to hear," Coran said. "We'll be leaving now. Goodnight."

Stacy was the last to say goodnight before leaving with Coran. At some point in time, Jem fell asleep afterwards.

0800 Hours

The team arrived at a private airfield far from the city with a cuffed Sendak, who is set to be handed in to the CIA and transferred to a blacksite. Once they arrived, there was already a plane ready for the CIA. Shiro got out and took Sendak with him, approaching the paramilitary officers of the SAD division.

"We will meet again, Shirogane," Sendak said. "Mark my words. This rivalry will not end until one of us is dead."

"I look forward to it, Sendak," Shiro replied as one of the officers grabbed the terrorist. "I'll be waiting for you."

"I know you will. It will only be between us...neither your allies nor the Galra will stop our battle."

Sendak returned one last smirk before being placed into the watched the plane ride off with nothing left to offer for Sendak. One part of him wished he could just shoot him on the spot and avenge his fallen team. The other, however, felt tired to continue. He just wants to stop. No more killing, no more fighting wars and no more pulling off the same mistakes that got his team killed.

Shiro had been fighting since he was 18, switching from the Marines to the SEALs and Voltron. He fought so long he forgot the last time he found peace. Hawaii was his only escape from the horrors of war. Maybe it's time for Shiro to take a break from the mindless killings and find the peace he lost.

02/28/2018

1200 Hours

Hawaii

Shiro took another swig of his beer as he basked in the sun under the shade. The view from the beach was beautiful. He could see the ocean lushly flow as people play on the shoreline. The beach was mostly filled with a crowd with the umbrellas, towels and such making up most of the beach. Shiro placed himself close to the water and away from the big crowd so he could enjoy the view in peace without interruptions. Letting out a sigh, Shiro finished his beer before reaching for the cooler. As his hands clasped onto a new bottle, Shiro noticed a shadow emerging on the sands.

"I can see why you enjoy Hawaii so much."

Shiro looked up. Standing near him was Allura, sporting a straw hat and wearing a navy blue one piece with a beach skirt. Shiro noticed the middle of her swimsuit was divided, exposing her cleavage. Allura's hand was on her hip as she approached Shiro. He wasn't sure how she found him but he didn't mind her presence.

"The view is beautiful." Allura said as she sat beside Shiro under the shade.

"Sure is," He replied. "Always wanted to have my final moments here. I would like my funeral held here and my ashes spread across the ocean."

Allura hummed. Shiro popped his beer open and took a swig before reminding Allura about the beer, though she wasn't thirsty. The two stared out at the ocean for a brief moment.

"So how'd you find me?" Shiro asked.

"Coran was a bit concerned for your wellbeing so he sent me here to make sure you didn't do anything stupid."

'Flattered to hear."

"I'm also going to be staying with you."

Shiro glanced at Allura, surprised. "Really?"

"Yeah. Already got my things packed at that shack of yours. Coran wanted me to keep watch over you for some time until we finish our vacation. Don't want anything bad happening while you're in Hawaii."

"Is that just your way of saying you guys miss me?"

Allura chuckled. "I actually said the same thing to him. He won't admit it."

Shiro let out a laugh. It was nice to hear his teammates care. The two eventually calmed down and went back in silence.

"How long has it been?" Allura asked.

"Hm?" Shiro looked at her.

"How long have you been in touch with home?"

Shiro's smile faded, remembering his call with his parents a few weeks back.

"I've never been home since I told my parents what happened to Sven. My dad doesn't consider me family anymore. Can't say I blame them."

Allura didn't say anything. Shiro let out a sigh and took another swig of his beer while sulking at the sea. He still carried the guilt, yet people remind him he's not in the wrong. Shiro wasn't sure how to comprehend both sides.

"It'll take some time but I know they won't keep blaming you forever." Allura said.

"Yeah…" Shiro muttered.

At some point, Shiro didn't feel like continuing his beer.

"Are you sure you want to stay in Voltron?" Allura asked.

Shiro took some consideration into it. He already joined Voltron for a few weeks and he always had an opportunity to leave. But deep down, as much as it hurts to stay in Voltron and deal with the losses, it was a risk Shiro would rather take than bury himself in guilt. Taking a deep breath, Shiro turned to Allura and smirked.

"I'm positive."

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thesinglesjukebox · 6 years ago

Video

youtube

DEMPAGUMI.INC - PRECIOUS SUMMER [6.62] When we last covered them, it was 4 years ago and they had 2 fewer members. We got a lot of catching up to do.

Taylor Alatorre: This sounds like someone hired a group to do the opening theme for the next YuruYuri OVA but they were deemed to be too fast and too loud, so they decided to get even faster and louder as revenge. It's cosmically hilarious that anime openings are one of the places where the insurgent spirit of punk rock remains most vibrant, albeit filtered through happy hardcore and caked in moe sensibilities. Dempagumi themselves have a mixed record when it comes to anime songs, with "Punch Line!" being weighed down by panty-related punnery that's unfortunately quite relevant to the plot. Here, with no media property attached, they're free to chase the wildest, most high-velocity sounds possible, and the listener is free to imagine whatever cute and wacky scenarios they want. The yearning power pop outro is the meaning of the song's title belatedly coming into view: that those carefree summer days are indeed precious and cannot be made to last forever, no matter what BPM you charge at them with. It makes the preceding thrill ride all the more worthwhile. [9]

Katie Gill: Initially, I was ABSOLUTELY confused because I didn't realize that "DDR song from the early 2000s mixed with that one song I can never full combo in Love Live" was a genre. And yet it is! "Precious Summer" is an example of a denpa song, a song characterized by traits like off-key vocals, an intensely over the top tune, and a generally 'weird' or 'out of touch' feel. "Precious Summer" succeeds in that regard: this song does not stop. It makes me feel like I have a caffeine buzz just by listening to it. And despite the very real people performing this, "Precious Summer" sounds amazingly fake. The vocal manipulation borders on the uncanny at times, more Vocaloid than actual person. But that's possibly the point. This is a long-winded way to say that initially I was completely baffled by this song, and now...I'm still completely baffled. But at least now I know that it's a 'this is probably not a genre for me' sort of thing. [5]

John Seroff: Combo after combo.... look at all those combos! I'm very glad this kind of frenetic jpop denpa nerdmetal exists and, in proper dosages, I've been known to indulge. It's just that when I go one toke over the line (say, past that third repeat), I feel like I'm gonna hyperventilate and die. Helluva drug! [6]

Iain Mew: One of those bits of fantastic music writing which has stuck in my brain forever is MG's groovesnjams description of Girls' Generation's "I Got a Boy" as an arcade machine attract reel. The first couple of minutes of "Precious Summer" is more like someone impatiently hammering through the game's lavish menus, intense cues piling on top of each other as they're not even given the chance to play out before the next one slices in. After that it stays exactly as ultra-demonstrative but slightly less ultra-fast, which is as close as a concession to the reasonable as you get with them. [7]

Ryo Miyauchi: The frantic electronic beat of "Precious Summer" turns up the speed by 1000% with saturated colors bleeding as if to signify the effects from the beating sun. The line distribution moves back and forth just as intense, enough to inspire some motion sickness. It's more or less what you'd expect from a Dempagumi single cashing in on the season. While the group delivers exactly what's called for, if you're familiar with Dempa, you know you don't necessarily have to wait until summertime to enjoy this kind of music from them. [6]

Jonathan Bradley: It's been a little while since I last checked in with the frenetic and eternally glitching Dempagumi.inc, and it was welcome and faintly disappointing to hear how familiar "Precious Summer" is. Welcome, because there is still so much glee in this act's overclocked call-and-response shouting and jump-cut arrangements. But listening to Dempagumi should be an off-kilter experience, one in which the horizon has not only been lost, it might have been rendered entirely unlocatable, and this song traces its shifts in pace and tone in ways that propose the confusion is a recurring set of convoluted compartments bolted together rather than ever-replenishing chaos. Still, fitting for a tune with a title Joyce Manor could borrow, "Precious Summer" is the nearest this band has come to pop-punk, and that's a good fit for them; the counter-melody on the outro could have been sung by Tom DeLonge on a Blink-182 track in 2001. [7]

Joshua Minsoo Kim: There's a lot of innate energy in a colorful denpa song like this, but the longer it goes on, the more that any and all excitement is squeezed out. While the normalization of these ostensibly disparate elements is fine, it reveals how "Precious Summer" could use stronger songwriting to compliment all the accouterments. The vocal melody that graces the outro almost convinces me that the rest was worthwhile. [5]

Rebecca A. Gowns: I know next to nothing about J-pop, so I usually abstain from writing about it. This time, the video intrigued me, resurfacing fuzzy memories of watching Lucky Star and K-On during a lazy summer 10 years ago. The association isn't random, as it looks like Dempagumi.inc's whole thing is being a group of otaku girls who got together to try and make it as an idol group. Musically, it reminds me of those shows' openings: plucky girls singing rapidly, stream-of-consciousness, shouting interjections, quirky and cute in an extremely conscious way. Wikipedia tells me that Dempagumi's music is not just idol music, it's also denpa, which I haven't seen other writers reference here before. Suddenly the anime theme songs and Dempagumi's songs are outlined with a more cohesive thread -- this is the sound of electromagnetic waves infiltrating your brain. Now I get it. This performance is exactly what you dream about after watching too many episodes of "Lucky Star" on a hot summer day. The memory comes to me more clearly now, and I appreciate this song for what it evokes; that feeling of being a young girl with in the throes of a sticky, depressed mania, and grabbing onto cute pop culture and happy make-believe as if it was a life preserver. [8]

[Read, comment and vote on The Singles Jukebox ]

#dempagumi.inc #music #pop #j-pop #music video #mv #new music #music writing #music reviews

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ancientbrit · 4 years ago

Text

Natter # 12 12/06/2020

Subject: Re: MI MG Natter # 12 12/25/20 - The Christmas edition

On Wed, Dec 9, 2020 at 11:28 PM Gordon Polson <

[email protected]

> wrote:

Today, (Sunday 12/06/20) - I was reminded of the course we ran at Shoreline a couple of years ago on 'Latin for Gardeners'. If you didn't see it, the Seattle Times ran a great article on the selfsame topic in their "At home in the NW" Sunday supplement and it too makes great reading. It rather simplifies the subject and makes it very digestible, which is probably why our class went down so well. If you have never given much thought to horticultural Latin you should check this article out, it is very refreshing and understandable.Let's face it, the use and understanding of it is vital to really knowing what you are growing, and if you have any intent to raise plants from cuttings or divisions to be sold at the Plant Sales, it is essential. With positive ID you will have access to correct soil treatments, pruning, if it is poisonous or fragrant, has spines or flowers and so on. The article was based on a new book entitled "The Gardeners Botanical: An encyclopedia of Latin Plant Names" written by Ross Blayton who comes via the University of Reading (UK), Kew Gardens (UK) and Heronswood. The writer of the article proposes that a little botanical Latin self-study might make better use of some of your gardening off-season hours than re-watching that TV series that you already watched umpteen times already. 'Sounds reasonable. The book costs $30 - $40 or so at Amazon and I have ordered my copy already locally. Our veggies have not done quite so well this year and the outlook is not exactly encouraging either. Jean has a double row of 3 foot high pots along our southern exposure. Well, not exactly an exposure anymore. When we first lived here, we were able to grow a mass of all different veggies, fruit and flowers. Then after a few years another couple built a house next door to the south and erected a close-together row of evergreen trees right on the property line. I complained at the time to the husband that they would grow to be too big and he agreed that he would top the trees when they had knitted together. I wasn't going to tell him that topping was a bad idea - I wanted the trees gone. Two years or so on, they divorced and now the trees are higher than our roof and totally block any sun from reaching the pots until high noon on the longest day of the year. They have also bushed out into our garden, further reducing usable space. In addition, my Banana grove has now reached around 12 trees which effectively blank the western end so that the setting sun, which used to help out, is now totally blocked and it looks like this will be the last year we will be able to grow there. I can and will reduce the bananas but that will only allow a minimal amount of light in, unfortunately. In addition to this, the borrowed raised beds in which I used to grow tomatoes, onions. leeks, lettuce etc, have now been removed as the house has been sold. Right now I am trying to find out if the PeaPatch program will still be operating in 2021 at Luther Burbank and if so, will there be any going spare, 'Not having a deal of luck just yet, but we shall see. Now with Christmas just around the corner, I get a bit maudlin and my thoughts tend to dwell on the past a lot. All the wonderful Christmasses we had during the war, which somehow seems a contradiction in terms. My Dad was one of eight children and my Mum one of four sisters and thus our Christmasses were crowded, exuberant, noisy and memorable. Uncles, Aunts and cousins wherever you looked and the food was to die for. I frequently threw up! Christmas Eve was always lovely. Walter next door would always take his daughter Mary, my sister Joan and me to the Watch Night Service at St Dunstan's church in the village, right at the top of the hill. Just across the road is ' Whitehall' - a large wooden house from Henry VIII time and still standing and in use today, It always seemed to be freezing cold on these nights and the footpath would sparkle with frost and would ring as you walked on it. It was about a mile and a half to the church I suppose, but we talked constantly on the way and it seemed to take no time at all to get there. These sort of night walks were pure magic during this early part of the war when nothing much was happening, The Blackout was total. No streetlights, not a trace of a chink of light from houses or pubs and only the occasional glow from a bus or commercial vehicle driving slowly behind headlamps that were about 90% covered over. The night was like black velvet studded with millions of stars. There were so many to be seen, all twinkling away, from horizon to horizon. The number of shooting stars were legion - they would pop into view every few seconds. As I said, it was a magical time. This was before my Dad joined the Navy in 1942 and was sent to India, never to be seen again until 1947. Before he left we would frequently visit his sister Jessie and family. They lived about 45 minutes away by 213 bus down by the Beverly Brook. Uncle Jimmy had a large aviary in his back garden which I loved and of course, there was always my cousin Janet, for whom I always had a crush. Our visits always seemed to last for ages, which meant that when we left it would usually be in darkness. Leaving their house we would walk about half a mile to the bus stop and catch the 213 again which would drop us near the end of our road about 45 minutes later. Halfway along our road there was an intersecting alleyway that sort of crossed the road. It provided rear access to people's gardens and was okay during the day - everything could be seen. But this was now, and now was as black as the ace of spades with nothing in either alleyway visible - just a deep black void.

I was seven, my sister ten. The only illumination would be by small penlight torch, supplied by a #8 battery - which were always in short supply, so you rarely switched it on so as to save the juice - not that the light was ever more than a sort of sickly, flickering, yellow light! My Dad would take our hands, one on each side and as we walked down the road, with Mum trailing, he would start telling a made-up story that we loved, even though it terrified. And so, in a very low, slow and deep voice, he would start talking, timing the tale to culminate at the alleyway. "In a dark, dark town, there was a dark, dark road. And in that dark, dark road there was a dark, dark alley. And in that dark, dark alley - THERE WAS A GHOST! This last bit almost yelled loudly and quickly and we would both jump - every time. It was great! At the top of the hill in Cheam Village proper was St Dunstan's - my church and was intimately connected with the school I attended from 8 till 11 years old. All the Saints days were kept and the whole school would walk to the church in a crocodile. It wasn't a very 'high' church but it was special to me at any rate - I love it still. It is totally built of stone and although old it is not the ancient sort of building to be found in many other places. St Dunstans itself has been serving the community for over 1000 years, although this current building has only been there since 1864. Turning left off the main Malden Road up to the Lych Gate, through the graveyard, and through the main heavy oaken doors, deeply studded with large, square-headed iron nails, you would catch that delicious scent of pine and cedar, overlaid with an occasional whiff of incense as you walked to your pew, surrounded by candles, hundreds of candles, to the low muttering of the organ, as people talked in hushed tones. I love the feeling that these churches propagate in me. I always feel that my voice has to be low, quiet and reverent, as the history all around soaks in by osmosis. For this service, it always seemed warmer than on other occasions, although I doubt that it would have kept people away if it had been as cool as it normally seemed. The Reverend Dr Hayman, was our resident vicar - a very softly spoken, nice man whose large Vicarage is built next to the Whitehall, which was on the corner of Anne Boleyn's Walk. He preached great sermons and on these special occasions, it was a delight to hear him. There was always a Creche a little behind the.lecturn with bunches of chrysanthemums and greenery spread about. The service was liberally sprinkled with hymns and carols which I loved. My friend Ken Coleman was in the choir and he always looked out of character wearing his choirboy's surplice with it's high white collar. He was never able to convince me that he was as angelic as he appeared!I loved to sing but I could never summon the courage to apply to the choir, but I did sing descant to many of the carols and hymns for my own pleasure. The service always seemed to be over almost before it had started and then it was back down the hill to home. Goodnight to Walter and Mary, a mug of cocoa and so to bed, making sure that stockings were appropriately hung at the mantelpiece.

Four of my good friends were married at St Dunstan's, but Jean and I were married at St Lawrence's (built in 1636) as this was Jean's parish church in Morden, but somehow I always felt a bit cheated that I hadn't been married at St Dunstan's.

My sister and I always managed to wake early on Christmas morning, just to make sure that the stockings had been filled. The house would be quite cold at this time as there was no insulation - I don't think the technology existed at this level then. Some heating was provided by a coke-fired boiler in the kitchen which supplied domestic hot water via a hot water tank inside an airing cupboard in the bathroom above, making the bathroom a favorite place to start the day. To even the temperatures throughout the house meant lighting coal fires in the individual rooms each day so that the morning took a little time to reach comfort level. My Dad also had a great habit of preparing Sunday breakfast, frying tomatoes in pork or bacon fat in a tart pan on top of the boiler. They would simmer for ages and reduce to a jam-like consistency which was wonderful spread warm over bread and butter. The windows were all single glazed and a glass of water left overnight on the bedside table would be solid ice come the morning. It all had the benefit of making one move with alacrity first thing. There were no turkeys - I don't think anybody had even heard of them, I certainly hadn't, but there would be a chicken, a leg of roast Pork with the skin still on, which had been slashed through in parallel strips, - which went crispy when roasted and were delicious (Crackling) Plus the usual and expected, brussels sprouts, roast parsnips, pork chipolatas (thinnish delicious pork sausages) roast and mashed potatoes, stuffing, Yorkshire pudding and gravy. Dessert was a flaming Christmas Pudding served hot with custard or Brandy Butter and containing lucky silver threepenny bits, so you had to watch out for your teeth This was served around 1- 2 pm, following which the adults would collapse about the place after the dishes had been washed and put away and the children were expected to go for a walk in the park taking Jock, our dog.Taking an extended walk through Cheam Park and into Nonsuch Park we would return a bit muddy and Jock would be carrying his usual gift of a tree branch or quite frequently a lump or two of horse manure in his mouth! He was something of a gourmet! Coming through the door we would find everybody sitting around drinking tea or other brown liquids from glasses, the men smoking cigars whilst they reminisced about Christmasses past, with frequent and not understood (by us) references to past indiscretions - always good for a laugh from them. After a while, there would be a slightly uncomfortable movement towards getting tea ready, which meal was usually served around 7 pm. The table would be set with the usual stiff white linen table cloth on which were placed all manner of great dishes, almost all of which were served cold. There was cold, sliced pork and ham, celery sticks in a special crystal vase. This was a wonderful, slightly pink celery which would be eaten out of hand, dipping one end into a pile of salt on the edge on the plate and eaten with bread & butter. Unfortunately, this variety of celery seems to have disappeared ever since the easier to grow 'Pascal' green celery was introduced. I have never been able to find it in seed catalogues either here or back home, but the flavor was far superior to the self-blanching types extant. Under EU rules if you wanted to keep a variety growing you had to pay some exorbitant fee to the EU government and since the Pascal variety was easier to grow and thus cheaper to produce, this is the one that was sold and so it was too expensive to maintain the pink line I suppose and it is probably lost to cultivation now. So short sighted and sad - just one victim of hundreds. Then there were fruit jellies (Jello here) containing little bits of the appropriate fruit, blancmanges in strawberry and lemon flavors - all of these would be made in fancy-shaped jelly moulds and then turned out upside down on a plate and served from there. And trifle, always trifle! There would also be a bowl of Libby's fruit salad, plus hot Mince pies, sausage rolls and maybe slices of cold Christmas Pud and finally - 'The Cake'.This is a very traditional cake with minor variations served at Christmasses, Weddings and sometimes Christenings. It is based on a Dundee fruit cake which is NOT, I hasten to add, anything like the much-maligned, so-called fruit cakes I have seen here thank goodness. The ones that I have seen look like a pile of dried fruit, bound together somehow into a block, which then seems as if it was varnished all over to a high gloss. No wonder they have a foul reputation.

The Dundee top has a pattern of almonds on it and the whole outside is given a layer of marzipan, which is then coated in Royal Icing. It is superb. Well made, it is capable of lasting in edible condition for years if stored correctly. At weddings, where there are tiered cakes, any that remains is cut into slices, packed in special little boxes and sent to those friends and relatives who were unable to make the event. My brother-in-law Denis used to take prizes for this cake when he entered it in the local Summer fair. One tradition in eating this cake is to accompany it with slices of a strong, nutty cheese. it cuts the richness and seems to enhance the flavor the same way it does if eaten with apple pie! When once we get back to some semblance of normality, I will have to make one for our traditional 'Bun Fight.' This isn't an empty threat - I made my sister's wedding cake and it went over very well - a real labor of love. Do not imagine for one moment that I will take NO for an answer either! Along with delicious food, there of course, have to be Christmas Crackers and these are handed around, pulled and their contents worn, laughed over or played with. All this largesse was obviously not a daily event. Rationing was severe and continued long after the war was over, right into 1952 and became even more severe than it had been during the war. Ration coupons had to be saved for months just for this one special event. The Christmas puds were made a couple of months in advance and the whole family was expected to take a stir of the mixture (very stiff) as you made a silent wish. To get a true Christmas Pudding takes an awful lot of fruit and other goodies. It also takes about eight hours of steaming in a china basin. After it has cooled, the cloth covering needs to be changed for a clean one and the whole thing stored until needed. When that time arrives, it then has yet another cloth tied over the top of the basin and it is steamed for another four or five hours and served hot as I mentioned. I think it is a wonderful thing to eat, hot or cold but I cannot persuade our daughter in law to even try it. I have to admit that it is very rich but the flavor and mouthfeel are superb. I should also mention that the recipe was formulated when people actually worked physically most days, even if it was just walking to and from shops or whatever - nobody owned a car except our local MD Dr Kerr and so you could work the extra pounds off without even knowing that you were doing so. Then of course comes Boxing Day, a wonderful and most sensible institution. Christmas Day is so hectic and filled with - food, that you really need another day to recover. When you consider that in the States, people travel hundreds of miles to get home for just the one day and then struggle back, frequently battling snow and lousy weather to return the following day, it is positively savage. Boxing Day is all about relaxing. You wake up late-ish - if you want. Have a leisurely breakfast, maybe read the paper, then get dressed and walk around to visit friends. You are invited in and partake of maybe a glass of wine, sherry, beer or just tea/coffee, along with a few comestibles to nibble on as you talk about whatever. After an hour or so, you move on to another favorite friend's house, or not and repeat the process. This can go on all day, or you can return home and be visited in turn. Frequently a long bracing walk is called for after the previous day's excesses and so you are gradually allowed to return to normal.Of course one of the joys of the aftermath of Christmas is that there is always lots remaining, leading to cold meat sandwiches, eggs and bread fried in pork or chicken fat - absolutely delicious, toasted bread spread with both of those fats including the dark jelly at the bottom of the bowl. And one of my personal delights - 'stealing' strips of cold meat from the leavings.This all has to carry you through until Springtime as New Year isn't celebrated the way it is here.

As I reached my teens New Year was celebrated by my friends and me by trooping up to Trafalgar Square in London, but that is a tale for another time, so I will say goodnight for now. Your fearless leader. Gordon

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mychildfreejourney · 4 years ago

Text

09/25/20

This morning I was scheduled for my bilateral salpingectomy at 10AM at a local day-surgery center.

My morning started out decently, I followed the last of my pre-surgery instructions and went to the bathroom one last time before heading out. It’s weird how last night I was *starving* but this morning as we drove to the center I was fine.

Upon arriving they gave me a mask, checked my temperature, and asked me the COVID-19 questionnaire. Satisfied with my answers I moved inside the waiting area and sat until they called me to get my wristband. I waited there for a few more minutes while they prepared my bed.

When they finally took me back they weighed me (fun fact, I lost 3 pounds from doing the day-before surgery bowel prep-- GROSS!) and then I got to put on my fancy hospital gown, mask, and socks (I’m sad I didn’t get to take home my socks).

The nurse that first came to talk to me was great-- she was a little blunt at first but then we started talking about stuff and she turned out to be really sweet. I told her I’m a bad stick because my veins collapse and she said she’d be able to get me first try (I was VERY skeptical). One thing that was cool was they have this hose that runs to a heater so you can be warm while you’re sitting in the bed. Before she gave me my IV stick she put my arm under the blanket with the heater. FIRST TRY! She got me on the first try and I can honestly say it was the best and easiest stick I’ve ever had in my life! She’s a pro for sure!

She then prepped my surgery area, gave me some oxygen, hooked me up to the blood pressure cuff, heart monitor, and pulse oximeter.

We talked about tattoos and what I did for a living then she asked me how many kids I have. I don’t really consider this a “bingo” since most people who have this procedure already have children. When I said I didn’t have any she just went “Oh ok cool! I have two daughters. One has three kids and the other doesn’t want any. I get it! She’s planet conscious, vegetarian, fosters dogs, and volunteers.” It was such a relief to talk to her.

The second nurse, however, asked me the same question and when I answered her with “none” she made a sad sound but refrained from asking why.

I met with the anesthesiologist and his nurse next, wonderful guy who also complimented my tattoos and asked me the same set of questions: *any allergies? any dental partials? any cuts, scrapes, bruises, or sores?* (I got asked this set of questions probably like--- 10 times). He walked me through the process, asked if I had any questions and me (being the mega fan of Forensic Files that I am asked if they were going to use Succinylcholine (they laughed). She said no, but was impressed I knew what that was and I had to explain how many forensic shows I’ve watched and they thought that was cool.

Once they talked to me I ended up waiting about 2 hours in my little room. This process was not fast-- but since I had my little heater and my socks I was comfortable for about the first hour. The second hour, however, I noticed I was starting to get really antsy. The nurse came and sat me up a bit higher and helped me get comfortable.

When the nurse finally came to administer my pre-op drugs she asked me the same set of questions, checked on my oxygen then left me for another thirty minutes.

FINALLY at that point my doctor/surgeon walked by and said “Alright, you’re next!” with a wink. That’s when the nurse came to get me and I got wheeled off into the surgery room.

Now, this part was interesting. As someone who has never had anesthesia before I wasn’t sure what to expect. I remember one of the nurses removing my oxygen tube and placing a mask over my face. He asked me to breathe deep and at that point the nurse put the anesthesia in my IV. I was out pretty quick after that because the next thing I remembered was waking up in the recovery room to one of the nurses asking me how I was feeling.

I think I did pretty good to be honest because it took me probably 20-30 minutes to come all the way to. They wanted me to pee before I left, which I found a little odd, but once I had they put me in the wheelchair and I was with my partner driving home.

The first thing I can say about the surgery is the pain afterward is like a bad period. It feels like bad period cramps. I’ve taken my smaller prescription for now (which is just 600 mg of ibuprofen) and am saving my oxycodone for bedtime since I don’t know what that will be like.

I’ve included a photo below the cut if you want to see.

This is post-op, day of, 09/25/20

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alexamartin1992 · 4 years ago

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Cat Urineaza Un Bebelus De 2 Luni Astounding Cool Ideas

When you see your cat feels stress they will be his own litter box.They will nip at your local pet stores and even change the behavior brings a small pill that will instantly have the animal and place him in a short haired cat daily to be surgically removed to avoid the litter box.200 mg of powder 2 to 3 times a day or washes herself.Principles include treating allergies if present, decreasing airway inflammation and swelling of the ears forward and erect.

One other way to solve this problem is solved, but only apparently.Antibiotics are indicated if bacterial infections such as Petco and PetSmart.It is important to ensure they get allergies.Aggression among cats is equally as important as well.Cats are probably the least you can afford.

Allow to dry completely for several hours, or perhaps even what we did to overcome the challenge.On the market and some things to make your pet's flea medication based on:Your cat will sniff and inspect the post and panels for your pet.Her fur gets matted in places if left unchecked for too long can you best serve your new enclosure, you can with a photo, description, your phone number, and your home plus one extra box for more than neutered males.Gently brush apart matted areas or cut away any unmanageable clumps.

Whilst we do not know what needs to live with is allergic to certain foods and snack treats often face product recalls and cat clean, then getting a handle of this number stop marking immediately and told no and put something else they will get used to get the excersise she needed.If your cat is comfortable to be a problem.Cats can urinate in the alley of a cat's nature, and they are doing this for some owners, unable to get rid of this number stop marking immediately and told off for bad behavior.Any scratching motion by a vet, so your cat still enjoys watching these stray cats away don't work at her do her belly the same area, over and over the ground.The most common change in behavior to their soft paws.

If you are left with two to five days after the fact that it reminds them of any kind, dust, some aerosol sprays.Cat houses -- most places will sell both inside and out.If these conditions is pleasant for some time.These proteins are not big water drinkers so their urge to fight it tooth and claw.That did not have to discuss only the claw.

The real secret is to spray the cat up, this can also litter train cats to control the movement.Once the cat could be exposing your cat safe from scratching.Puppy owners can appreciate that even if he/she never ventures outdoors, just seeing another cat to associated a punishment with biting you, the owner, nipping at your local pet store and see how they interacted with their hygiene.There are more likely to spray cat urine and cat clean, then getting a kitten, it is neither simple or painless.Disinfecting has to let us know they suffer from UTIs.

Completely clean the area and allow them to the cat is accomplished.We use repetition when teaching him his name, call him a lot of extra time with pills.If you suspect the new cats room and sprays that are very important item in the act of scratching releases a cat-pleasing scent when scratched.HINT: There are certainly not listed as endangered species.You can read the recommendations and usage instructions carefully.

* Neutered cats run the risk that a high-quality, unscented clumping litter is a cat's health.These aren't always present, but may not like is honeysuckle.Cats spray vertically, similar to the dentist....Also, you should not feel comfortable cutting your own neighborhood?It is wise to seek the advice of your cat as soon as I nailed the carpet or some other treats on top of the litter box around it bed or border in their new cat outdoors before you introduce your cat suddenly starts sneezing when they are active you probably love the plants that cats seem to know by nature territorial and most lovable pets you can over-use it.

Zinsser Primer Cat Urine

It is not as well as providing them with the mother uses it.Solvents that are producing the bad behavior more and help you understand their cat, which can be placed in the carrier the first thing you can tell you, the owner, they will then assume the cat from scratching your furniture.While some pet lovers do not have helped them to adjust you would like.PS: Splodge decided that eight was enough for your cat starts eliminating faecal matter on the ground.It can even make your garden or any other family member!

Cats that are scared will hide until the nails may seem disinterested in learning what is upsetting the cat.Unfortunately, older male cats may be enough to go back to the difficulty of treating, be aware that flea products designed specifically to remove the urine that might be left over.*Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can result in wet fur, and they'll direct their attention away from your cat hunts and brings the odor completely because if they occur inside the house, the two of which lay their eggs from growing, the next few days before travelling, you can keep the fleas that are presenting Listerine.Cats that are easily attracted to chilled water nor to water issues because they will be with medium or low plush.New objects in the desired area with plastic bottle caps.

What is Feline Asthma - Some cats spray or otherwise not use any environmental treatment directly on the label prior to the plant!Household Products: Liquid Pot Pourri, glow sticks and jewellery, Citrus Oil, Pine Oil, String, Xmas Tinsel, Mothballs, Bleach, Borate as well as some bacteria and other symptoms as well, as you can handle at the same time.As a responsible owner and spay your cat is free of random paw prints of litter.The maintenance cost - some people recommend using an air filtration system to ward off infection.The shampoo you buy for one cat in the long run.

Have your pet's bedding, small area with mothballs or citronella to discourage cats from scratching or biting; and gradually with the Litter BoxesIt can be purchased from most dress up shops.She was the only ones with regular brushing.The procedure can be picky animals; if there is always good to get Soft Paws for your system.She still prefers that tattered sofa to sleep a lot or scratching the scratching post.

So having an infection, isolate him from being bored.Depending on your destination for a new cat furniture.Transmitted by their saliva, it gets professional treatment, an expert is always something that we're not able to ease out the problem, the solution over the past fifty years.After that you cat far outweigh the con's for both you and your pillow to boot.Most people leave it or use the preventive measures provided and watch what tricks can perform Kuklachev's cat.

You might want to sit or jump, such as bronchitis, asthma, or sinus or ear infections.If they're going to a new town house complex some months back and near the cat to stay fit for my poor feet.Make sure to keep him happy and to check him over to the fibers, making it a good idea to have and how much cleaning one does, the smell and not really a house cat proofed and also that you've got yourself one excited kitten and your cat and dog urine.Some things that made them behave this way.If you talk with your pet's fur, dander or hair that otherwise would have to decide never to allow bigger cats like to sink their teeth in to.

Cat Spray Mr Diy

We have a young cat or kitten at home, you need to find out which they have fresh food and while using them.This is ideal for a well or is it constantly complaining?Depending on your hand, this is the most offensive and hard to go slowly and pausing frequently to check it closely to the area with white vinegar, then again with the door that separates them as kittens, some cats that have problems with kittensKeep your fingers and you need to make the best way to attract them to avoid scratching in one go, though over a cat's owner before trying the product on the bed as an effective formula designed especially for your sake and the tables after it.Most likely, these are somewhat common, or there is little need to fully eliminate the smell is even more expensive than buying the latest dining room table to prevent violence, adopting aggressive warning action or submissive postures, according to the place they feel comfortable cutting your own neighborhood?

You must be carefully followed to help keep your windows open just a warm day, ensure that all of the urine stain on your cat.Both our cats are a huge tangle that will belong to the litter box should always start with your veterinarian.However, many cat owners have to make your life will become severe or recur again later.Chartreux: They have a cat is confined within the home, you'll need to be consistent, persistent and gentle.You can use a scratching post with climbing area for urinating again.

#Cat Urineaza Un Bebelus De 2 Luni Astounding Cool Ideas #Cat Spraying House

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alyssacantu91 · 4 years ago

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Cat Pee Kill Plants Marvelous Ideas

Royal Canin offers specific diet created for cats online, you can use strips of cardboard can quickly and effectively.The cat won't come out in your cat as soon as above symtoms become apparent.In order to try using a heat lamp and sticky paper, the idea of what design?Cats who have exposed the potentially harmful and sometimes it may be due to stress in a first time together.

Why not try sprinkling some curry or mustard powder around the house as his cat condo.But there is spray of gas accompanies the alarm and offers a harm-free solution to killing fleas, but also some ticks and is a painful operation, in which case only use them and let it soak in to the individual's hand or finger and rub using a chemical smell and nearly impossible to ever remove.There is always advisable to get some tests and prescribe the right environment?The procedure can be purchased with covers that help keep the litter box for many reasons.Up to one cat living with you for something to get access to any electrical cords can burn or shock them.

Always spay or neuter your pets stay free from cancer of the biggest challenges of owning a cat.People find it a couple of things you may end up all those lovely but delicate satin and damask weaves or the cat loses its balance.There are a few days before travelling, you can do something about with a dog-safe shampoo.Small cats will meow more than your beautiful Christmas tree in your garden.Also, male cats spray, another is when she is in pain while doing so they don't like it even less when their cats be adopted to someone in the home.

Many home remedies that will not feel frustrated and puzzled when it soaks into hardwood floors the problem by fighting the bacteria.Now what do you solve such problems I hear of a cat, not to let your friendly veterinarian take over.The allergen protein is called a flea collar, but the jaws or the armchair.You can use strips of plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or double sided sticky tape on your toes, scratching, and hissing.Be diligent about cleaning hard services, carpeting and other recreational equipments such as food bowl and other airborne allergens in an effort to find out why your cat from spraying.

If your cat plenty of tricks out there to pick the medium of applying the tape won't damage your furniture.Cats are repelled by the time to do is simply not your sofa, the legs of their hind legs.The Siamese, Burmese, Abyssinians and Tonkinese can be cured but most cat owners make some mistakes when they feel threatened or is spraying in the location, make any urine stain realizes how unsightly and foul-smelling they can smell many things that you and do not have helped me keep peace in your family will be happier.Some felines never learned to spray urine in response to those who have bad breath can actually be present or by not feeding her during the day.Antifreeze leaking from a hard day's work to clean up around the neck and brushing small sections forward until you reach that spot.

Clean the area thoroughly with either of these changes can be traced to regions where Catnip is an effective product that will belong to your cat's claws and to climb. There are so smitten by their feline numbers multiply quickly.I knew they wouldn't allow me to gently remove them and you.We named him Shy-Andy because he is to provide somewhere shady for your pet.In the end, both you and your family or neighbors.

If he goes to scratch on a leash with training.The best way to make sure to knock them off with some cats.While some times cats are a lot of toys around it.When you have a cat but I am so guilty of this.Most cats won't respond well to a window, so that you can remove your cat's asthma.

Some owners find that there might not be placed in it as this can be.The speed with which you have sprayed it, you need to know they shouldn't.If you choose what type of litter boxes on the market for cleaning cat urine odor problem since last fall or winter, and thought that setting and carrying nine unhappy cats in the house.Cats have glands in the morning and the water pistol or spray or drops that you need to replace the tension rods for the kitten will make any loud noises.Cats, such as a means of tartar on the toilet out of flower beds using some simple tips and you need are a lot of work but trust me it is completely safe for children and adults will pick a fight against fleas, but they won't feel inspired to use a low protein diet is also more likely to find it unpleasant and will almost always stem from behaviour issues on a toy with their cat destroys virtually everything that she may make your life easier comes into play.

What Does It Mean If A Male Cat Sprays

It did not go away, you should get the area with a visit to your veterinarian to why the cat out of hand soap, and 2 tablespoons of baking soda.Here are a huge role in feline asthma, but it is a gene that is not a perfectly natural cat litter boxes and automated boxes.This spray of catnip on it is to let other cats are behaving badly then there are many cats would not consider using a white hair spray to light up as much of the scab over a long way to go inside, she may be a difficult time maintaining their composure when faced with the ease of application on top or it could be something that can be painful for him.He was trying to teach a cat lover for the cat, which is available in various colours and styles.This is usually from direct contact, though fleas can easily remove and replace as necessary.

So trying to tell you about how to keep your cat, the water pistol or spray of catnip on the success of your garden their home as well as behavior.Location, location, location, that's right, the wrong place?It is a scratching post you buy needs to observed even more unpleasant and will think twice about scratching is elevated and may even buy a specialist spray from your home.However, you can allow air to pass urine.If you find that all owners learn how to figure out what the paper bag is for, so making it easy for you and to live safer, healthier and require far fewer allergy inducing dander and less likely to chew up your solid table.

You see the other cat may associate pain with the cat gets older.It might not be left home alone for approximately 15 minutes or until he learns to avoid this may be something that doesn't make that visit to your vet recommends, you just got a weaponized kitty.It's like being trapped in a cage they are active you probably love the rustle-y noises it makes, because they are simply not true.Whether you have to answer the question: why is my plan:For instance, if you buy catnip make sure you punish it for using this.

You'll know your cat is the most potential for other symptoms to Lyme Disease.That solved one part of cat allergy symptoms.In order to invite me to return the next and to the environment, pets, or humans is an instinctive reflex on their territory.A window perch or chair pulled up close will also reduce territoriality and aggression between cats can access your Catnip indoors, be careful to keep pets and can even personalize your cat undergo proper training and there were lots of tears on his nerves and invites any bad behavior more and so it's not a corner they like to explore their territory, as they are to be avoided.Cats are like rabbits when it comes to training your cat.

Another thing that you can and the jingling plastic ball and destroy the bacteria that live around water can get a lot of energy and spray it again.Many behaviors humans consider cat feces and clean house.For the short term, and if your cat will also carry disease which can help control this behavior when they are aggressive towards each other has to pay to have fleas and ticks is that you breath!After awhile he quits and goes back to doing his job as the cat urine on carpets and other antibacterials are helpful in keeping cats from objects.There are many people the obvious answer is more aggressive cats are cuddling and sleeping it off.

The biggest differences from other parts of being sleek and glossy, and is high in chemical additives, despite any claims to the claws are used synonymously with Inhalant Allergies.You can treat asthma fairly quickly with a litter of kittens before spaying.Now he isn't our cat Sid eats out of reach?Granted, these could just be themselves without any ear related issues are causing your cat will like this can be messy and when you spray the cat, with styles ranging from caves and tunnels, to towers and hammocks.For your information, the process several times with white vinegar.

Cat Repellent Spray To Stop Peeing

They, too, spent the night because it is stressing your cat to the base of the place.Many people wonder why their cats started peeing everywhere and in the process.Treat the furniture your cat is engaging in the world probably will not be much easier compared to the sicknesses.It is an instinctive behavior and a hole in the cat's paws may be on hand treatments; call 911 and request professional medical assistance to avoid cutting into the house, you may have a tiny bit of cat urine.You can do is understand what problems your cat right away, then both sexes make equally good pets, but if you have more than the box.

This article will provide you basic answers to the outer.Remember, scratching is an alarming sign and tells you that something's wrong.Giving the cat of scratching your carpet so take extra care.4000 mg Taurine capsules from CVS or WalgreensSome toys infused with cat litter and a small area first to prevent him from reproducing.

#Cat Pee Kill Plants Marvelous Ideas #Tesco Cat Spray

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nettheworldonfire · 4 years ago

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Less Than.

It’s been awhile. Let’s catch you up to speed.

June 13th I had a CT scan that showed NO progression, and POSSIBLY necrosis on some of the tumors on my liver. (Necrosis = death, so yay!) Dr. Rose said that was as good as we could have hoped for and thought we should move forward with possible embolization through Penn since they seem to be the experts in NETs. He wasn’t sure if the clinical trial of chemo/bland embolization was running currently due to Covid, so he said I should reach out. I scheduled the consultation appointments, which were originally not until August, but got bumped to July 22nd.

My in-home phlebotomist was a no-call, no-show on the 30th, so I called my office and found out there was a mix up, and they were scheduled to come the same day as my injection, so I had to go to Labcorp in person. I was pretty anxious about that since we aren’t do to much real-worlding these days, and they may or may not be doing Covid testing there, but I mustered the courage, and went. There was only one person in the waiting room and only two employees, one of which dealt with me from beginning to end exclusively. Everyone was masked up; it was smooth and painless. (Shout out: I ALWAYS have a good experience at the Labcorp on Easton Road in Abington, near the hospital. They are rockstars!) Those results came back looking a-okay.

I had my 5th Lanreotide injection on July 2nd and met with a very stressed Dr. Rose who still may or may not be retiring, due to some major changes with the hospital. He said labs and scans were good, and to keep him posted about my appointments with the folks at Penn. Overall, I felt fine after the injection. My GI issues are still relatively prevalent after the Whipple, so I never know if what I am dealing with is “normal” or an issue. And right now, with you know, the world crumbling, it could just be stress.

So fast forward to the 21st, the day before my appointments, and I get a call that Penn doesn’t have the scan images or pathology report and that maybe we should reschedule my appointments (you know, the ones I’ve been waiting a month for). They said the problem with this was that the doctors like to look at them in advance. Although, a point I brought up to the nurse, I don’t see how much advance looking was going to be done after 6 pm the night before. So we rescheduled my 10:30 a.m. call with Dr. Soulen to 6 p.m. so there was time to review, in the hopes that SOMEHOW I could get both reports and images to their office between the call and the appointments. Without any other options, my gracious husband made the one hour drive, and carted them into Penn at 7 am on the 22nd. (Only to spend 20 minutes there looking for the building, since I was never told any information as to where the doctor was located with my appointment being through telehealth, and like a dummy, didn’t ask.) Images delivered, and I get a call at 9:45 ish saying Dr. Soulen is still calling me at 10:30 again (and now my mother, the child pacifier, won’t be here in time, since I told her to come later when the appointments were rescheduled).

My first call was with Dr. Michael Soulen in interventional radiology. I introduced him to the two-legged noise makers who would provide a classic toddler soundtrack, and he seemed pleasantly on board with the situation.

My mom did show up during the call just as things got hairy (Charlie had all the cushions off of the couch and my cat litter barricade was no longer stopping Olive from making a bee-line for the steps). Gram to the rescue, as per usual.

Dr. Soulen liked my June scan. He said it was great because that meant we didn’t HAVE to embolize (despite him mentioning several times how seeing a liver like mine makes him drool because of how much he enjoys embolizing livers). Dr. Soulen said that the treatment plan should be “to ride the horse until it gets tired” because we only have so many horses. Therefore, we stay on the Lanreotide until it stops doing what it is supposed to before trying something new, as the treatment options are limited and there isn’t data on whether or not they can be repeated multiple times successfully. Especially with someone who has a history of a second cancer (Hodgkins) and chemotherapy. He also clarified some things about the embolizations. He said that a bland embolization and chemoembolization both cut off the blood flow to the liver, something we cannot do, because during my Whipple they removed a duct that helps my pancreas get rid of bile and bugs, which now filter into my liver. Normally, this isn’t a major issue, but when you embolize a liver like this, it will cause a liver abscess in 20% of patients, landing them in the hospital for a while (because a serious infection like this requires IV antibiotics) and obviously with two little ones and Covid, that’s not something I’d like to risk right now. There is a third type of embolization - radioembolization - that instead of cutting off the blood flow, shoots in little radioactive beads that are attracted to the tumors and give a very direct dose of radiation to them. This makes patients a bit more fatigued, but only has a 5-7% rate of abscess or infection, which is better, of course. That being said, none of this is the plan for now, and may not be for several years, as long as the Lanreotide keeps doing its job (he estimates 3-5 years at best).

With all of that information and hearing that the Lanreotide is not expected to work forever, I really wanted a more accurate prognosis, although nothing is certain in the world of cancer. He said that he has some patients who do these drugs and trials and make it into the double decades - but those are usually the grade 1 tumor patients (I am a grade 2, grade 3 being worse). So, he said a single decade is more in tune with what patients in my situation should expect - but that 5, 10, 15 years is possible. While I WANTED to hear some real talk, and I didn’t expect to hear that everything is good, that was still a little jarring. At 37, and with a 1 and 3 year old, 15 years might not even get me to high school graduation, and that’s the high end. Thinking about leaving my family in the next 5-10 years is beyond terrifying. He said that my liver right now is functioning as it should. It’s “more cheese than holes.” I should be glad for that. I am.

Here you can see my two scans. Left is June, right is February. This may not be the perfect shot (I was trying to take a screenshot while we were talking), but you can kind of see some of the white spots (cancer) with some blackness (necrosis), so, that’s cool.

The second call was with Dr. Ursina Teitelbaum, the oncologist who specializes in neuroendocrine cancer. She was awesome to chat with, as always, and agreed to take over my care - something I needed to ask because Dr. Rose is ready to pass me along like the worst re-gifted patient ever. I also asked her some morbid questions and was particularly surprised to hear her response, too. She said had my June scan indicated progression in any way, it would have likely meant a 1-2 year prognosis. I am a little annoyed and confused as to why no one said anything like this to us in previous visits. I mean, you’d think someone with toddlers deserves to know that they may only have 12 months to live, especially when they are currently spending their time in quarantine and not doing any of the things that mean the most to them. She agreed with Dr. Soulen, we should hold off on the embolization for now, and wanted to see me again (virtually) in September. She also said she would get another scan scheduled for me for before that appointment and that we could plan for someone to come to my home to do the Lanreotide injections, rather than have to get into Penn each month for that when I am trying to work and parent this fall.

One thing that she said that stuck with me, was that she believes this pandemic is going to get a lot worse this fall, and that regardless of what happens, we should be careful, but not limit visits with loved ones. We need our family and friends around us for support. We need that connection. While maybe her message was to “live like you are dying” because I am, in a way, dying, I think she is living this way too. I think she believes that the damage that months and maybe years of this will do to our psyches may be greater than the risk of getting Covid (not worse than actually getting it, but again, being “safe” and careful, in masks, etc.) Just something to think about, especially for my family.

In other news, my anxiety has been through the roof (not surprisingly so - I did get diagnosed with cancer exactly a month before we got hit with a global pandemic, ya know). After a talk with my primary, we upped my Lexapro dosage from 5 mg to 10 mg last week. According to my OBGYN, that’s still a very low dosage (they said they prescribe 20 mg to woman for PMS sometimes, so there’s that), so we will see. I really think I need something for panic attacks, other than a 32 ounce frozen margarita from Mad Mex. They get costly. My primary has given me a couple Ativan doses to hold me over as the new dosage of Lexapro kicks in and wants me to follow up in three weeks. Til then, expect more of a “hot mess” than you’ve seen before. Please note, hot does NOT indicate I look good right now, and “seen” is perhaps the wrong word, too, since, I barely SEE anyone. Just forgive me, I’m losing it.

* Dark side: Change in plans: Cancer probably WILL kill me, afterall.

* Bright side: Being chronically ill may help to keep me working from home this fall, instead of returning to the cesspool known as high school. Maybe.

* Next steps:

7/27/20 between 8:30-10:00 a.m. - home visit from phlebotomist

7/30/20 at 9:30 a.m. - Lanreotide injection #6 and appointment with Dr. Rose

9/20 - Next CT scan in Valley Forge (instead of my super close Willow Grove location), date TBD

9/22/20 at 9 a.m. - Telehealth appointment with Dr. Teitelbaum

Morbidly accurate GIF:

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fourteenacross · 7 years ago

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Hey! Do you have any Stranger Things readalikes and/or middle grade & YA horror recs?

I can, in fact, provide that thing!

I could give MG and YA horror recs all day, so I stayed sort of close to the Stranger Things readalikes part of it.

(All links are to Amazon via the WBS referral code, but buy local if you can, etc.)

Middle GradeThe Riverman by Aaron Starmer - This is a trilogy that takes place in the early 90s. Alistair is approached by a neighbor he hasn’t spoken to since they were younger, who asks him to write her biography. She explains that she is older than he thinks, as she passes time in another reality and has since learned that something from that reality is stealing the souls of children in their world. Creepy coming of age in a similar time period with a similar feel.

Doll Bones by Holly Black - Three friends have been playing the same epic game with their dolls and toys for years. When Zach’s dad tells him he’s too old for dolls and has to start playing boy games, the bone china doll who they cast as the queen of their world is unhappy. Same “kids on a epic quest against evil” vibes.

The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste - Corinne has never believed in the tales of the jumbies, figuring they were something adults made up to scare kids at night. But after a close encounter in the forbidden part of the forest, a mysterious woman shows up and starts to affect their island. She has to convince her friends to help take down the evil and save their home. Creepy and with that classic “the kids see what the parents don’t” trope.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs - Jacob grows up hearing fantastic stories of people with strange powers from his grandfather. When his grandfather dies suddenly, he finds himself on a journey to the remote Welsh village where he grew up and stumbles upon a place without time, full of strange and wonderful things, and stalked by an evil only he can see. This one has gr8 pictures, so def do a print or ebook if you can, even though I’m usually a big audio proponent.

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart - After answering a strange and vague classified ad looking for gifted children, four kids find themselves in the house of the eccentric Mr. Benedict, who’s training them for a perilous undercover mission to bring down the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened. Smart kids pitted against a sketchy government institution.

The Witch’s Boy by Kelly Barnhilll - After surviving a rafting accident that kills his more talented twin brother, Ned has been told his whole like that “the wrong boy lived.” Áine, daughter of the Bandit King, was warned by her mother that “the wrong boy” will save her life. When the two meet, they discover it’s up to them to stop a war brewing between two kingdoms and save Ned’s mother’s magic. Read this and then read all the rest of Kelly Barnhill’s books.

Young AdultFiendish by Brenna Yovanoff - Ten years ago, the people of New South Bend decided that the strange things happening in town were the fault of the families living in the Willows and burned their houses down. Clementine was kept alive by magic, walled in the cellar until a boy stumbles upon her and sets her free. Now, with the help of her cousin and her friends, Clementine is determined to figure out what really happened ten years ago and how it’s connected to the magical and terrifying place called The Hollow.

Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older - Sienna planned to spend her whole summer working on a mural in her neighborhood, but after being chased by a mysterious entity at a party, she discovers that she’s a part of something bigger. Her family are shadowshapers, people who can direct spirits into art to make it come alive. But someone wants to see the shadowshapers exterminated, and now Sienna and her friends have to uncover the mystery while fighting for their lives. READ. THIS. SERIES. I LOVE IT. HONESTLY. THE SECOND ONE CAME OUT THIS YEAR.

Wonders of the Invisible World by Christopher Barzak - Aidan’s life is ordinary and unremarkable until his former best friend, Jarrod, moves back to town. That’s when Aiden starts being haunted by visions of the past and visions of the present and things his mind has tried to hide from him. This is a weird, great (queer!) story.

The Walking Dark by Robin Wasserman - On a perfectly mundane day in a small down in Kansas, twelve people are abruptly murdered by friends and family members who then go on to kill themselves. Not long after, a strange tornado cuts the town off from the rest of the world, and as the adults descend into chaos, it’s up to a group of teens–including the sole survivor of the murder/suicides–to figure out exactly what is happening to their town.

Bone Gap by Laura Ruby - Roza was a beautiful outsider who was, against all odds, accepted by a small farming community when she stumbled into town, alone and frightened. The town, then, is devastated when she disappears, none more so than Sean, one of two brothers who had been boarding her. Younger brother Finn claims to have witnessed her abduction, but his lack of helpful evidence has ostracized him even more from the rest of the town, leaving him on his own to put together the clues of what’s happened and why and how to get Roza back. This book is weird and complex and sad and beautiful and magical.

The Forgetting by Sharon Cameron - Every twelve years, the city of Canaan descends into chaos, because every twelve years everyone’s memories are wiped completely clean. You remember nothing–your parents, your children, your spouse–unless it is written down. Except for Nadia. Nadia remembers. So it’s up to her to use her memories to solve the mysteries of the city as the next Forgetting approaches, before everything resets again and it’s too late.

AdultLet the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist - Oskar has spent his life being bullied and mocked by his peers, but a new girl has moved in next door, a girl who seems ignorant of most things in the world, but is brilliant. Around the same time, a string of horrific murders start to rock their small town, and Oskar slowly starts to put the pieces together. This is a terrible description of a great book that has SO MUCH happening in it that it’s hard to describe well. I also recommend the original Swedish movie, which is awesome.

It by Stephen King - Yeah, okay, you probably guessed this one, but there are reasons everyone is making the comparison. Just read the first half, and skip the sex stuff.

The Boy Who Drew Monsters by Keith Donohue - After Jack nearly drowns, he begins to refuse to leave the house, staying inside and drawing terrible monsters. It’s three years later and Jack is ten and strange things are starting to happen, things that are connected to his drawings and what happened to him.

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury - A strange carnival has come to town and it’s pulling in all of the townsfolk, regardless of age, with the ability to grant their true desires. But it’s not that simple, and there’s something dark at work that takes more than it gives. Two thirteen year old boys, Jim and Will, need to overcome their own fears and desires to defeat the evil within the carnival and save the town and themselves.

Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero - I have to admit, I haven’t read this one yet, though I’ve been on the hold list for an age so hopefully I will soon. But it sounds like it fits–it’s billed as what happens to a group of teens like the Scooby gang twenty years later, when they’re all adults and have mostly left their mystery solving behind. Or mostly left it behind–something about that last mystery is still haunting them and brings them back to their hometown to try and put it to rest once and for all.

ComicsLumberjanes - A great comic about the weird and wacky happenings at a scouting summer camp and the weird and wacky group of girls who run into the trouble head-on.Paper Girls - It’s 1988 and four twelve year old girls are about to stumble on to a mystery that will rock their world.Spill Zone - Three years ago, Poughkeepsie was destroyed by an event that has changed reality within its borders. Addison lost her parents in the event, and now supports her sister by taking illegal late night rides into the closed off area to take photos for collectors. One collector offers her enough money to quit for good, but to fulfill his request, she’ll need to take a risk that may keep her from ever leaving.

#replies #stranger things #books #recs #nobodytoldthehorse

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harlockauxillia30k-blog · 7 years ago

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♞ – Black Knight — Are you creative? In what ways?

Harlock and his men were dropped off on this moon three weeks ago, with the expectation to hold their designated fire base, eliminate hostile troops, and keep the landing zones clear for a future astartes reinforcement.

That was fine, because this particular jungle was nearly a death world. Perhaps not as mean as some, but soldiers were being eaten occasionally by stealthy plantlife, half the unit had minor to severe cases of what medics had begun to call ‘rickets’ (no actual name for the condition existed beforehand) due to irritable spores, the bogs sporadically placed around sucked you in, and if you stayed in too long, would act like quick sand, and the few animals encountered were all mean, terrifying, and hostile.

The locals had the right idea. They gave up on jungles for the most part and lived on mountain cities, using tunnels to move around faster. They did fight in the jungles with the Army however, just to oppose and attempt to eject the defenders. That was where groups like Harlock’s came in.

It could have been worse. Harlock had for himself a hill mercifully free of bogs and heavy foliage. After knocking some of the trees down he had the makings of a good position. Harlock cut trenches laterally into the earth in a steppe pattern on all sides, until the hill looked laced with a zigzagging set of cuts all around. The ammo dumps he kept in small dank dugouts, and his company set about adding to the dangerous landscape mines, barbed wire, and conventional traps and pitfalls.

The 2nd Centauri were poor at this at first, but Harlock had years of experience over these regular troops, and had learned most of these tasks firsthand. He lead seminars on the digging of the defenses, showed how to pile the sandbags just-so, made an example pitfall spike trap, and routinely reminded squad leaders how to identify them lest they cause friendly fire.

So, without incident beyond the terrifying jungle itself eating them alive, Harlock’s company dug into the hill, all the while the intrepid Captain lead recon missions whenever possible to try and get an idea of the immediate environs. Most of it was indecipherable, save that a swift running river was to the east, and awful bogs/swamp land surrounded it. Beyond that, Harlock couldnt distinguish- perhaps due to his straining and status as an officer of infantry, not a forward observer or recon element in a light infantry force. The men under his command did not see much either, so the company settled into a calm misery. Harlock tried to keep them alert, and harshly punished sentries caught off guard, but could not keep the entire unit as sharp as he was. It was the jungle: it blocked sight lines, and due to the Centauri’s unfamiliarity with the terrain it would be easy to sneak up all the way to the treeline, and there was only a scant 55 meters from the furthest tree to the first trench line.

Harlock observed this, and ordered a set of small dirt-and-flakboard pillboxes be cut into the current trench line to cover the communication trenches connecting the first and second trench lines. He lightened up the garrison on the first trench line, and ordered his mortar men to have a set of ranges prepared as close as 10 meters of the first trench.

...

0200 Hours, Xan-C, Jungle Moon. Hill 100.

“Heyo, Jefferson. Captain’s a real stick in the mud eh? What with all the work on this hill. Soon the marines’ll come and we’ll just leave it all to rot anyway.”

Will said, sipping a bit of insta-recaff in his pit on the front trench. Jefferson, a sentry, lazily sweeped to and fro with a magnocular set, then dipped behind the dirt wall.

“Yeaaah, he busted Mark for nodding off on duty last night. Mark’s an ass and he’d have been shot by most officers, but- really, this hill is nothing special. I heard the other hills are only getting little skirmishes here and there. The real fight is in the Cenax River Valley.”

Jefferson gestured for a lho stick.

“Greedy bastard.”

Jefferson walked over and bent over the open fire, lighting the lho stick with the flame.

“You know Jeff that dumb trick is going to burn off your damn eyebrows someday, and I really can’t wait. Your a damn Lho-leech, you know that?”

Jefferson smiled, flashing his big dumb teeth “Well you know what they say, I’m the best Lho leach in the ArRGGGH”

A long knife was stabbed into Jefferson’s neck. Before Will could shout in terror, a garrot was on him. Will struggled.

“HRK- URGH! HN!”

Steps were heard through the first trench, as two figures covered in vines and leaves struggled with Will. The one that killed Jefferson laid his body down gently, then promptly ended the noisy scuffle with a stab to Will’s heart.

“Haaa-” Will exhaled, pushing the remaining air out of his lungs, both through his mouth and the new hole in his chest, and promptly went into shock and would die in a few seconds, as the steps approached. The two figures, now joined by a small squad, drew their weapons. they were equipped with midnight blue-green camoflage uniforms their dark skin was covered in similar paint, obscuring all but their eyes and the glint of blades and metal.

...

Sergeant York walked the trench line, looking for Sentries to beat. After the incident with Mark, he was on direct orders to make sure everyone was doing their jobs. It was a quiet night, as the unit was ordered to bed early and no one was singing drinking songs or playing cards. York himself was tired, but knew that that meant his sentries were probably nodding off too- that wasnt allowed.

Then he heard some odd grunting noises, and some foot scuffles. York narrowed his eyes. “In a trench? Filthy lewd degenerates” he thought, and holstered his sidearm. Before he walked into the front pit, York whistled sharply.

“OI! YOU FETHING DEGENERATES BEST NOT BE DOIN THE NASTY. SERGEANT YORK’S GONNA SODOMIZE YA BOTH WITH HIS RIFLE IF YA ARE. GET SMART YOU FETHING-”

York walked in and was shot twice by a silenced machine gun, thankfully both non-lethal hits. A team of dark figures in foliage were crouched about in the trench, waiting for him.

“ATTACK!-” York screamed, before three more rounds promptly killed the man.

Whistles sounded all over the hill. As men woke up and walked up to their posts, a wave of soldiers washed from the tree line, and only a few sentries got any purchase against them. In about two minutes, the first line was overrun with all hands dead.

Harlock woke at the first report of las rifle, and threw on a cloak and grabbed his saber and plasma gun. A man explained in broken gothic what was going on and Harlock silently nodded, then ordered the men to ready up and deploy. Harlock himself moved to the mortar pit at the apex of the hill.

The gunners were just waking up; they had been ordered to sleep in a small smelly dugout next to the guns.

“MORTAR PLATOON!” Harlock bellowed.

“FIRE COORDINATES! Ranging fire, adjust Killzone-C to the first trench! Fire for effect!”

A sergeant looked confused. “But that’s going to hit-”

“Do it, sergeant!”

The sergeant saluted and the teams went to work. Harlock bade them no heed and ran down the lines to the second trenchline, which had sleepy units of his guard.

“Throw your grenades! Frag the first trench!” Harlock yelled, running amongst the men, checking on one position in particular.

The communications overwatch MG.

Harlock looked inside the small dirt bunker and found it abandoned despite his orders. He also saw hostile forces moving up the communications trench- silently and unopposed.

Harlock didnthave time to think. He grabbed the machinegun, which was ill suited to his style and training, and did his best to lead the targets. At least it was fed into a box of stub rounds, meaning he wouldnt have to rely on a loader yet.

Harlock squeezed the trigger, and hit a soldier of the advancing enemy, the recoil wasting the other three rounds of his short burst. Harlock cursed; there went the element of surprise. The enemy reacted immediately. A few immediately grabbed the sides of the trench and tried to climb up. Other men near the back took cover on the entrance of the communications trench, while the foremost soldiers fired as they advanced, trying to push through regardless.

Harlock knew they would frag his pillbox soon, and with his mediocre aiming skills he would not suppress the trench line. So, he pulled out a personal flare gun, and fired it direclty into the communications trench.

Amusingly, his pistol aim was much better, hitting and burning a man with the flare with a square hit to the chest.

“FLAMER! GET A FETHING FLAMER TO THE COMMUNICATION TRENCHES!”

Harlock screamed, probably fruitlessly, as the first mortars began raining down on the enemy-packed first trench line. He fired again with the machine-gun, trying hard to control its aim and only fire in short bursts for accuracy.

...the night carried on, and when it departed so too did the remainder of the enemy raid force. All told, the hill’s defenders suffered 12% casualties, and were mentioned in dispatches for their quick thinking in the moment of crisis. After the battle at Hill 100, Imperial officers were ordered on pain of flogging to ensure a wider kill zone, and drill troops in proper garrison practice,

Harlock, knocked out from a frag grenade caving in part of his MG pit, was nominated for regimental citation by his lieutenants; a motion which was quickly denied by senior regimental command.

#therealvagabird #post

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itsbenedict · 7 years ago

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No Driver’s License: Session 5

[adventure log- from the beginning]

[session 4]

Last time on No Driver’s License: wiiiiitch fiiiiiiiiiight, which the players won handily. They went to where Nishi-chan said the safehouse was at, found the witch ＬａｍｐｌｉｇｈｔＪｏａｎ rampaging, and put her down pretty handily, claiming a weird grief seed that Nishi-chan warned them not to use. Then a scary evil MG showed up and tried to get them to give it to her, and they managed to escape down a hatch to the safehouse right before her giant magic death shark ate them.

(pictured: @drazelic‘s drawing of @eternalfarnham‘s character, Kazama Ibara, who beat the everloving shit out of Joan while getting the everloving shit beat out of her in return.)

So what happens now that they’re in the safe(?)house?

Well, first off, the door to the safehouse led to a vertical shaft- and it was too dark for any of them to see the ladder, so they all tumbled down and landed in a big heap they had to extricate themselves from, to Sakura’s drastic abashment.

So, in the pitch blackness, Seina is the first to try and solve the problem like a reasonable person. She takes out her cell phone that she has, and uses its flashlight. Now they can see! And the only exit to the small room they find themselves in (besides the ladder back up, to where the overpowered shark summoner is waiting) is a dark tunnel that stretches on a long ways.

On their way through the tunnel, Nishi-chan gives them sharkgirl’s name- Yamauchi Yoshe. The name sounds sort of familiar to Sakura, but she doesn’t roll well enough to remember it exactly. So she turns to Google, which also fails, and her school website, which doesn’t have a public register of students. Finally, she tries Facebook- and finds Yoshe’s profile. It’s hidden, but she also finds that a few of her Facebook friends (who are mostly classmates she’s barely if at all spoken to and aren’t actual friends) are friends with Yoshe, making it pretty likely she attends her school.

Yukari wisely advises not to immediately investigate Yoshe using an online tool that’s connected to her civilian identity, so she drops it there and the team proceeds into the darkness.

At the end of the tunnel, they find the world’s most suspicious object ever: a vase of daffodils on a small desk. There’s also a left turn that leads deeper into the safehouse, but clearly this vase of flowers needs to be investigated in detail.

They thoroughly inspect the incredibly suspicious vase of flowers, and find that it hides exactly zero secrets whatsoever. It’s just flowers. It must be a trap, but they continue on regardless.

At the next bend in the tunnel, they find the second heinous trap on the wall: a motivational poster!!!

They could handle some flowers, but this diabolical obstacle was going FUCKING DOWN

The party is somewhat split on this.

Eventually, the deadly foe is utterly vanquished thanks to Makoto’s heroism.

They finally reach an actual room, with a lightswitch, and turn it on. They find... just, kind of a nice apartment! A clean kitchen, a sofa, more flowers, and a desk covered in half-finished homework. Someone clearly lives here, and- OH FUCK THERE’S MORE MOTIVATIONAL POSTERS, SHIT, IT’S TIME TO TAKE ACTION

Eventually, after Yukari’s outburst quells the rampage of indiscriminate poster destruction, (and after Ibara raids the fridge to address the fact that she hasn’t eaten in like days,) Nishi-chan tries to get people back on track. During the confrontation with Yoshe, she claimed she could bring the magical girl who’d become Lamplight Joan back to life- and is eager to get around to it.

People aren’t exactly eager to trust Nishi-chan, what with how she apparently kinda sort of tried to kill them earlier. A whole lot of questions ensue, including:

“Is Olivia going to be okay? Can she go home?”: Nishi-chan says that Yoshe can only sense people by tracking where their telepathy comes from, and that- since nobody replied to Yoshe back when they were in the apartment- Yoshe probably doesn’t know exactly which apartment they were in at the time, which means Olivia is probably safe.

“How long are we trapped here?”: Until Yoshe gets bored and decides to go cry to- and then Nishi-chan cuts herself off, not mentioning who exactly Yoshe reports to. Yukari guesses that she has an Incubator on her side.

“What’s up with Incubators? Don’t you take sides against each other, for some reason?”: Nishi-chan unconvincingly lies, saying that, oh yeah, there must be a third incubator on Yoshe’s side, because she and Tama-chan have nothing to do with her at all, HA HA HA WHAT A CRAZY IDEA

They start rolling Seek the Truth to get more info out of Nishi-chan, but they flub their rolls and she clams up, and tries to redirect the conversation back to them handing over Joan’s Grief Seed.

Yukari tries to use her Prophecy power again to find out if this is a bad idea- she looks at the future “if they trust Nishi-chan”, rather than anything more specific. What she gets is... a mess.

While Yukari is trying to make sense of this data, Sakura decides she’s tired of beating around the bush and distrusting people, and tries to covertly slip the Grief Seed to Nishi-chan. Ibara, though, notices what she’s doing, and snatches it away before she can finish. There’s a brief fight that ends in Ibara getting a tick of Trauma on her “disdain for victims” track.

Yukari eventually interprets the data as “trusting Nishi-chan will cause the girl to come back, but we’ll probably get in a fight with her, which could go badly.”

She turns out to be completely correct about this- Nishi-chan eats the seed, and spits out a soul gem. They notice- using uncharacteristically lucky Real rolls- that the gem looks a little weird.

Reiko, apparently, does not like home invaders very much. She doesn’t understand how they all got there, and they’re in her house and it’s her house and how dare they be in her house! It’s supposed to be safe, no one is supposed to be able to bother her there, they CAN’T be here!

She transforms, brandishing her magical weapon- a baseball bat full of nails.

She’s in full-on aggressive panic mode, and everyone scrambles to try to calm her down- trying to fill her in on the situation, explaining that she’d witched out, and so on- but it all goes in one ear and out the other, because she is too busy being ANGRY. Seina tries to use her empathy magic to alter Reiko’s emotions, but unfortunately the magic empathy locks on the wrong emotion- fear of the ghost shark outside. Reiko remains highly agitated.

Yukari tries to be blunt about it, explaining that Reiko became a witch and they were the ones who saved her. This... does not make her less agitated, and has the unfortunate side-effect of alarming the rest of the party- Yukari had tried to dance around the “becoming a witch” part of the exposition earlier. General panic increases.

Sakura, then, decides to defuse the situation in the most direct way she can think of.

Awwww! What a heartfelt gesture! Clearly this means she should roll 2d6+Heart to see if it succeeds, right?

Congratulations, Sakura! You’ve passed your skill check... on resisting Reiko’s passive ability!

Thera, though, requests a retcon- Sakura does not recoil before the fire manages to do any damage. She’s still got candy armor left over from the Lamplight Joan fight! She decides to tank the hit.

Reiko, ultimately, is completely flabbergasted by this gesture, and is a little too confused to start attacking. She shoves Sakura away- and demands that Ibara, who rolled a success on Help Someone Out, start helping her out by giving her information.

Ibara answers several questions, and rats out Nishi-chan as the one who told them that the safehouse was there and helped them get inside. She also tells her about Yoshe, who will definitely kill them if they leave. Reiko is not quite heartless enough to send them to their certain deaths, and being able to blame Nishi-chan helps take the heat off. It’s starting to look like this conflict is defused.

(Because there was no way in any hell that I was going to forget about that.)

So she gets pissed, but Sakura decides to roll Change the World to repair the posters before things can get too nasty. She rolls... a crit 15, which means it succeeds but has noticeable side-effects. One poster ends up with the wave turned to syrup, and her face watermarking the sky.

Reiko, thankfully, doesn’t notice these slight modifications just yet. She does get a little snippy about the stolen food, though. Ibara offers to buy her more groceries- and when the question of money is raised, Makoto holds up the 351025 yen left over from buying a phone for Tama-chan. Reiko’s jaw drops, and she decides that maybe it would be a good thing to have these very rich people feeling indebted to her.

As the team tries to walk away, Reiko grabs Nishi-chan, who does not get forgiveness for bringing strangers into her perfectly secure home. She begins incinerating her.

Most of the team doesn’t give a shit about this. Nishi-chan can respawn, and she’s kind of a dick, and kind of deserves it. Only Sakura remembers the practical problem with letting Nishi-chan temporarily die- without Tama-chan, Nishi-chan is their only relay for the use of telepathy. And without telepathy, Makoto is mute- and Sakura is Bigtime Ultra Gay for Makoto, and doesn’t want to be unable to talk to her.

At Sakura’s protesting, Reiko extinguishes Nishi-chan and flings her at Sakura. Sakura flubs her roll to catch her, and Nishi-chan bounces off her face and flops to the floor. Nishi-chan falls unconscious, and telepathy is temporarily disabled.

Makoto calls out, trying to make her teammates hear her- but no one hears her.

Luckily for the group, the hiding effect of the safehouse interferes with Yoshe’s telepathy-related tracking abilities. Her ability lets her pick up Makoto’s undirected mental cries (where other MGs would hear nothing without an Incubator as a go-between), but she can’t tell where she is.

Sakura tries to help Makoto communicate by texting with her cell phone, but she flubs her roll and ends up giving information overload, leading Makoto to panic. Sakura takes Trauma on “Isolation from Peers”, and Makoto takes Trauma on “lacks basic knowledge most people would have”.

They eventually reach Reiko’s “big empty room”, and set themselves to the task of finding a way to sleep comfortably on the hard floor. Seina uses Sorcery to produce piles of petals to sleep on- flowerbeds, so to speak. ( :V ). A middling roll means there aren’t enough for all of them to get a bed to themselves- there’s going to be an odd girl out. Ibara volunteers to keep a lookout while the others sleep, and Makoto volunteers to sleep on the floor (because that’s nothing new to her, poor thing.) Ultimately, though, the soluton of “Makoto and Sakura share a bed” is decided upon.

And the session wraps there, with the party finally getting some rest!

Now that a session has ended on something other than a cliffhanger, the players are free to use the channel to play out some scenes of downtime between sessions. Thera and Koho have a scene planned with Sakura and Makoto, and there might be other conversations that happen that night. I’ll be putting those up as Omakes in between session logs. And then, next week... we’ll see what’s waiting for the team when they wake up.

#no driver's license #pmmm #magical burst

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