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blue-bird17 · 2 years ago

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Forest Run - Chapter 5

A/n: Hello everyone, thank you so much for reading my series. If you do enjoy, please consider leaving a like and follow me! A chapter comes out every Wednesday at 7:30!

Enjoy :)

“Sister!” Nevaeh exclaimed, “How are you my sister!”

“We’re both Solace. Well, in this timeline. We were born sisters from the start of the colored wings, and when black wings were born siblings, they always stay siblings.”

“Damn. Is there a way for me to remember my other life, before?” Nevaeh asked.

“Yes there is a way, but before that,” Adele poured the rest of the water on her own wings and they turned into the solid black color, but there were still some streaks of white in there, “I have the steaks too, no need to feel lonely.” Adele said joyously.

Jay busted through the door, yelling, “Lets go, we need to go, now! Don’t ask questions, just follow, we need to go!”

Adele turned her wings back to the white color before she and Nevaeh followed Jay out of the building and took off from the ground, and up to the skies with him. They reached the cloud level where Nevaeh used her magic to make an ice platform. Jay complained it was too cold so Nevaeh again used her magic to make a layer of the greenest grass you’ll ever see, and a tree at one corner of the platform. “I’m still cold y’know.” Jay complained. Nevaeh brought out a thick, warm cloak. The cloak was a crimson red color and it went down to Jay’s knees.

“Is that better for you prince?” Nevaeh asked sweetly.

“Yeah, it’s better, but how do you know how to do all this?”

“I honestly don’t know, it just takes half a thought, and it comes out, but I have to like, summon it, I guess. I have to think about going down into my core and bring out the magic. The magic then combines with my thoughts and it comes out, or, at least that’s what I think.” Nevaeh explained. “Now, mind explaining what happened down there, or are we just going to live up here for the rest of your life?”

“Huh? What about you—”

“Don’t question, just answer.” Nevaeh commanded.

“Hunters, now there’s a bounty on us.” Jay gasped.

“How much?”

Now it was time for Adele to question, “What do you mean, ‘how much?’”

“I’ll explain later, but now I need to know how much, Jay.”

“Seven million, nine hundred forty-seven thousand.” Jay said quietly.

“Well, it’s not that bad, but,” Nevaeh looked Jay in the eyes and then looked at Adele, “we’ll always stick together, I promise I’ll take care of you, Adele, I promise.”

“Hey! What about me?” Jay asked angrily.

“You’re old enough to take care of yourself, plus, you’re worthy now.” Nevaeh said calmly.

“I am!” Jay said excitedly.

“He’s fifteen years old, and yet he still acts like a three year old.” Nevaeh murmured to Adele.

“Agreed.” Adele said.

“Hey! I heard that!” Jay said while pointing at them.

“Too bad,” Adele whispered to Nevaeh, “But umm, what were your questions again? Aha ha…” Adele trailed away. She put one hand behind her head and closed one eye.

“What is your last name? And are your wings actually black?” Jay questioned Adele.

“My last name is the same as the girl next to me, as you see, we have the same amulet. We have been sisters since The Beginning of the Wing Age. And, to your other question,” Adele took out her wings, letting them turn the black color with the white streaks throughout. “neither, our wings are the one in only. Never found before.”

“That’s most likely why there’s a big bounty on us, Jay.” Nevaeh said. She took out her wings, too. She let the gold streaks go throughout the pure blackness of the wings. “And, before you ask, I don’t know how many powers we have in total yet.”

“Damn, you two.” Jay said thoughtfully, “But my father—I’m sorry, Jett—said that you had to pry your mother’s hand open to get the necklace.”

“To keep me safe,” Nevaeh started, “she brainwashed me—most likely so my memories of all the other lives I’ve been through are gone until I get them back—and she took this necklace from me, for what reason? I don’t know.”

“So what are we going to do now?” Adele peeped up.

“Yeah, commander, what are we doing?”

“Shut up, Jay.”

“Yeah, shut up, Jay.” Adele squeaked.

“Hey, don’t go to her side. No no, tell her to shut up.” Jay said in a baby tone.

“Shut up, Jay!” Adele was now yelling at him, her head tilted up to look him in the eyes.

“Oh, damn. Looks like I got a minion, now someone will always have my side.” Nevaeh stuck her tongue out at Jay. Somehow Adele knew—probably one of her powers—and stuck her tongue out at Jay, too. “Now come on, Adele, let’s go on a quick flight before we leave.”

“Hey! What about me?” Jay exclaimed.

“You’re too cold. Plus, you’ll get too tired after we just started. You see, your wings are too weak to keep up with us.”

“My wings are a lot stronger than Adele’s, I bet you.” Jay challenged.

“Bet!” Nevaeh and Adele said in unison, “Plus,” Adele continued, “you’ll have to pay both of us if you lose. You sure you want to do this?” Adele asked.

“If you think I’m that weak then you’ve got a surprise coming for you.” Jay said.

“How much?” Nevaeh asked.

“What do you mean?”

“How much for this bet?” Nevaeh asked again.

“Oh. Umm, twenty-five dollars, or are you that broke?” Jay teased.

“Well, I hope you got fifty dollars in your pocket.” Nevaeh said right back. “Anyway, everybody follows me, got it?”

“Why, why do we have to follow you?” Jay asked sourly.

“Because, sour puss, I’m not in this bet.”

“Well I might have to pay you, how does that work?” Jay exclaimed.

“It just does, now, follow me!” Nevaeh pushed off the platform, Jay and Adele following. Five minutes have passed and Jay is panting like he just ran a two thousand mile race. Adele was up next to Nevaeh going along like she was just standing there.

The sisters turned around and teased Jay, he started catching up a bit then slowing down again. Nevaeh was turning around to tease Jay again when she saw him falling. “Jay!” Nevaeh screamed.

⸻

Jay was trying to catch up with Nevaeh and Adele, but it was just so hard. He was panting so hard and for a second he felt like giving up. Let them take the fifty dollars they want. No, what am I thinking, I must keep going. I will keep strong. But it’s so hard. His eyes were trying to quit, but he was forcing them open. This has to end soon, right? His wings were failing him, even though his thoughts were somewhat holding him upright, he was slowly going downwards toward the dense forest below. One flap; two flaps; three flaps; four flaps; up; down; up; down; up… Hello green leaves, animals beyond, and beautiful plants.

“Jay!” Nevaeh screamed as she dove toward him, Adele in tow. The streaks in their black wings glowing; Nevaeh’s gold streaks looking like the sunlight in the blackness. Her wings wrapped around her body as she got faster and faster toward Jay. Adele seemed to be holding back, as if she didn’t really care… Or she had all her trust in Nevaeh to rescue him.

Nevaeh’s gigantic wings shot outward, next thing Jay knew she was gliding down. Jay tried to do the same, but he was just so worn out. Nevaeh simply just looked down at him, like he was just some bug that she didn’t care about. Then he felt it. And saw it. He felt the magic wrap around him, the invisible air saving him from all the branches scrapping him from all sides. He saw Nevaeh’s eyes start glowing as the magic was now lifting him up, up, up. Now he was up by Adele, Nevaeh shooting up to be with them.

“Now, that we have all regrouped again, where’s—”

“Nuh uh,” Jay interrupted, “Get on the ground first.” Jay panted. “I need to get out of the atmosphere. Now!” He demanded. It was true, he really needed to get his feet back on the ground, again. He needed to make himself feel steady again.

“Alrighty, down we go.” Nevaeh said. Adele cheered and took all efforts off her wings and dove down, face first, screaming in thrill. Nevaeh copied her and released Jay in the process.

“Wait!” Jay shrieked, “Bring me down slowly, I’ve had enough of this falling today, don’t you think?”

“Nah, I don’t think so. Plus, isn’t it fun falling and then catching yourself at the very last second? I think it’s pretty fun.”

“It sure is!” Adele peeped up, “I totally think that you should loosen up a little, Jay. You’re too tense.”

“Yeah.” Nevaeh agreed.

“You two are like one connected soul, y’know.” Jay said, holding back his retort just in case none of the one soul would catch him once they start gliding down to a safe landing.

⸻

Adele threw out her black wings with the white streaks in them. She and Nevaeh glided down to the forest floor. As she landed, Nevaeh put Jay safely back on his feet. Now that she was back on the floor, she changed her wings to the white color her white streaks were.

“Now,” Her sister started, “let me see that moolah.” Nevaeh started to rub her hands together in anticipation. To be honest, Adele was excited to get her share of the fifty dollars. She still couldn’t believe that Jay thought he would be a stronger flier than her. After all, Adele and her sister, Nevaeh, were—are—the strongest known alive. All the while, Adele does have some pity for him. Not very much, obviously, but just enough to not snap at him for saying some of the most craziest things.

But when they get back on the road, Adele is going to make sure Nevaeh remembers all of the lives they’ve gone through together. Make sure she knows that they can go through anything and everything together without this annoying brat, Jay. It is so hard to pretend like I don’t know anything at all, like I’m still that little ten year old. HA! As if, I’m like, centuries older than him, but still two years younger than Nevaeh. Once I get all the stones from all around Earth, I’ll possess it into Nevaeh, I think, then she should get all her memory back, hopefully. “Let’s see,” Adele murmured, “We need to go to Annothe to get to all the Goddesses’ temples, like Cydea’s, Aenta’s, and Tearis’s, yeah we should go there first, because their are all in the same temple, maybe we could go to Mula’s and Zetris’s temple. After that we should definitely go to Itix’s and Iva’s temple, good luck and miracles are what we need. Maybe that would be enough, if not then I guess we’ll have to go to all of the Goddesses’ temples. Hopefully after that, it would be enough, if not then we would have to go to—”

“Adele?” Nevaeh interrupted, “What are you saying?”

“Huh?” Adele looked up from the embers she was playing with, “I was saying that out loud?”

“Yeah, you were, are you okay?” Nevaeh asked worriedly.

“Yeah I’m fine.” Adele said, dazed. She has to keep this journey a secret, only steering them in the right direction a few times here and there to get them going. “Where are we going to go now?” She asked, “And where is my share?”

“Ugh, here.” Jay said, handing her the twenty-five dollars.

“We are going through the forest to get to Philadelphia, then we’re getting on a plane.” Nevaeh announced.

“Where are we going? Are we going to a different country? Ooh, are we going to Japan?” Adele blinked her eyes affectionately at Nevaeh, “Come on, Japan is a great place to be. Out of all the lives I’ve been in I think Japan is the coolest place to be.”

“No, we’re going to go to Oakland, California and we’re getting on the special plane there, we’ll have to get checked over and stuff. And don’t ask about the price, we need to get on that plane. We need to get to Annothe.” Nevaeh said, marching right ahead.

“Do you even know where you’re going?” Jay asked, Adele could see the unsureness in his eyes.

“Of course I do. Now, what are we waiting for?” And just like that, she shot off, Adele took off after her sister, Jay in tow.

“So that was your plan,” Adele said once she was next to Nevaeh, “to try and spot it from above, huh?”

“It’s not really a plan,” Nevaeh explained, “more like a technique.”

“Maybe, but what are we going to do if they follow us into another world—another dimension—are we just going to run for our lives, I mean, it doesn’t really matter to us, but to him… That would be his one and only life, no turning back, no undoing that.” But Adele has something that could change Jay’s life, only if it turned out well, hopefully nobody would guess that when they’re running for their life, she’s helping her sister get not only her memory back, but something far more important.

They landed and Nevaeh sent Jay off to get some wood or sticks, along with a few rocks so that way they could start a fire.

Nevaeh looked down to her hand, playing with the embers coming out of her hands, some white light shown at the tips of Nevaeh’s index fingers. She said, “You have some idea in mind, don’t lie to me, I see the plan forming together in your head.” That voice, it didn’t sound like Nevaeh’s voice at all, she looked at Adele and her eyes, it wasn’t that grayish like before, no, it changed to a deep blue, the spark from her eyes gone. Her gold glittered pupils changed to a dull black. It’s like Nevaeh opened up a door, let another spirit in, and left entirely.

“Uhm,” Adele said, her voice shaking, “I was thinking we could go to the other world, Annothe, but it was for a different reason. I thought maybe we could get your—I mean—Nevaeh’s memory back, somehow. But we need to try, so umm, Aenta?” Adele straightened her back to make her seem taller, “What are you doing in my sister’s body?”

“I’m helping her get the knowledge she needs to know, duh.”

“Then why isn’t Estelle there instead?”

“Because,” The Moon Goddess started, “She is a little bit busy being someone else. Or I guess pushing aside their spirit for a bit, I should say.” Aenta checked out her nails, “Plus, it’s been a while since I saw you last, and I wanted to hang out with you.”

“What?!” Adele yelled, “No! Let Nevaeh back in, Jay will be here soon—”

“What about me?” Jay said while coming out of the bushes lining the clearing where they were staying for the night.

“Uhh, hey Jay, ha ha…” Adele laughed nervously, “What’s up? What are you doing here so early?”

“I got the food supplies, so I’m back.” Jay said, Adele could see the confused expression on his face.

“Do you think you would be faster going to get the camping supplies we need for tonight, like, do you think you could get to Doylestown faster than me right now? Are you feeling up to it?” Adele challenged, “Or are you too much of a wimp at the moment?”

“I’ll beat you no matter what! I’ll be back in like, I’d say, twenty-five minutes.” Jay took out his wings and took to the skies, “See ya later.” He called.

Adele turned back to supposedly Aenta, “You need to go back to your world you thrive in, and next time, turn into someone more useless to me, please.”

“No one is just useless.” Aenta said formally.

“I didn’t say that. I said someone that is useless to me, did you hear me. Someone who’s useless to me!” Adele said, losing her patience.

“Alright, alright, I hear ya. I guess I’ll see you later, Adele.”

“Bye, I want Nevaeh back now.” Adele said stubbornly.

Aenta stalked to the line of bushes and trees. Adele tapped her foot while waiting, after about five minutes Adele was annoyed and went to go see what was taking so long. She heard people talking, it seems like both of them are females, one a little bit ghostly, as if she was dead.

“Will you actually come to me when I command?” One of them asked.

“Of course, darling. You can trust in all of us, even the Gods have agreed. You are the promised one, you are the one all of us have been waiting for, so we will come to you in your command and your command only.” What are these people talking about, who are them, where did Aenta go? I’m still waiting for Nevaeh. Adele found that that conversation was none of her business, and she went back to the clearing to wait.

⸻

Nevaeh was fighting the Moon Goddess inside of her, trying to kick her out. It was useless. She saw Adele talking this spirit, calling her Aenta, telling her to get out of me. I’m still here Adele, and I thank you for looking out for me. I thank you for trying, but I think—what’s her name, Aenta?—prefers my body, prefers this world. Aneta made her walk out of the clearing, into the dense forest of bushes and trees.

It seemed she was making Nevaeh walk for an eternity before they finally stopped. Aenta finally got out of Nevaeh, her spirit coming out of her mouth and going into a form of a white winged beautiful female—no wonder why the Moon Goddess and Adele get along so well, they both like to hide their powerful wings with the color white, unbelievable though.

“Alrighty, now let’s talk about some matters.” Aenta started. “First, let’s start off with my name, my name’s—”

“Shut up, I know your name, Aenta right?”

“U-uh, yeah—” Aenta stuttered.

“Okay,” Nevaeh interrupted again, “now that’s done with, what do you want with us?”

“Okay, back to what I was about to say—”

“Spit it out, stop fooling around, I need your answers. Now!” Nevaeh demanded.

“If you’d let me talk I would. You are the chosen one, okay? You are the one to command us. If you want us by your side, we would be there. You are the promised one.”

“How do I know if you’re not lying? How—why should I trust somebody like you!” Nevaeh exclaimed, “How am I supposed to believe you when you used my body as a puppet? Please do tell, I would love to know.”

“The Goddess of Knowledge sent me, I don’t know why I have to inform an annoying little youngster.” Aenta taunted, “Ow!” A few drops of white blood hit the ground.

“This future queen will not like you y’know, she could rise against you, or summon you and gut you.” A ghostly woman—sort of like Aenta—appeared beside her.

“Well, thanks for the idea, stranger.” Nevaeh remarked, “Because she is annoying me out—a gigantic pain in my ass.”

“Name’s Estelle, Goddess of Knowledge, and I am truly sorry I couldn’t make it earlier, Majesty.”

It was like a dagger hit her in the back. Majesty, is this serious, Nevaeh would never be a princess or a queen her entire life—or lives. “Majesty,” Nevaeh choked, “But how? Why?”

“Everything will make sense to you later.” And that was it, Estelle vanished, her words echoing through the forest.

“How?” Nevaeh whispered.

“Any questions?”

“Yes, many.” Nevaeh replied.

“Any I can answer at the moment. I mean without having to seek for Estelle for the answers.”

“Umm, yes, there is…”

“Well, what are you waiting for, get on with it.” Aenta demanded.

“Will you actually come to me when I command?” Nevaeh asked.

And that was that, Nevaeh got her answers she apparently needed for right now, hopefully more will come on the way.

a/n (again) I will be doing a Q&A for the next chapter, so feel free to ask me questions about me or some of the characters! Sorry - no spoilers for the upcoming chapters though!

3425 words :P

#fiction #adventure #story #fantasyfiction #weeklyposting #Forest #Jungle #temples #otherworlds #gods #goddesses #fictioncharacters #fyp #foryoupage

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happys-crazy-queen22 · 4 years ago

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Hometown Hero

Gif credit @marcusfeniix

Requested by @nocturnalherb16. I hope you like it. Thanks for the request.

Taglist @nocturnalherb16 @jesseswartzwelder. @writerwithasoul

"Everything's going to be okay. I'm here now". You put pressure on the womans head waiting for an ambulance to arrive. This wasn't something you immediately wanted to walk into when coming home from deployment. But you were glad to help.

"Is my husband okay"? The woman asked, you looked around and saw that he had been thrown from the vehicle. He wasn't moving. She was bleeding badly and you didnt know what she had hurt so you didnt want to give her bad news.

"I think someone is helping him". You didn't lie, there was someone checking his pulse.

"What's your name"? She asked weakly.

"Sergeant First Class Y/N Y/L/N". You said with a smile. The sirens started to fill your ears as they got closer.

"Glad to meet you". She held onto your hand as the paramedics took over.

"Glad to meet you as well". You squeezed her hand to let her know you were right there.

While the paramedics took over the cops decided to show up. Clearing the way so the ambulance can get out as a crowd was forming.

"Hey, are you a witness? Did you see what happened"? A younger man, about your age came up to you with his note pad.

"Yeah, I was walking past when a truck hit them".

"Can you talk with my Sergeant on what happened"?

"Sure". He led you to a man that was giving orders to every cop there.

"This is Sergeant Hank Voight. She's a witness and she helped the victims". The young guy told him.

"Nice to me you". Sergeant Hank Voight stuck out his hand for you to shake. You gladly took it.

"Nice to meet you as well. I'm Sergeant First Class Y/N Y/L/N".

"Can you tell me what happened"?

"I just got off the plane and started walking down the road. Got to the stop sign and bam. A truck plowed into the car. The husband was projected out of the car. The truck backed up and left".

"What kind of truck was it"?

"A newer model. Had a logo on the back of the window. License plate was A7X BATC. It was a black and silver truck. Male driving. No passengers".

"You got all of that"? Voight seemed impressed.

"In my job sir, I have to remember a lot of things. So I got pretty good at remembering numbers".

"If you had to could you remember what the guy or truck looked like"?

"Yes, probably".

"Okay, give me your information and we'll call if we have anymore questions".

"Yes, sir". You smiled taking his pen and paper.

"Welcome home, soldier". Hank smiled widely.

"Thank you, sir. It's good to be home".

After filling out your information, you got released to head home. By this time you were really tired and jet lagged.

Entering your place, nothing had changed. Just the pile of dust that had formed. But this was home and you were happy to be home. Even if it was a short period.

Forget about unpacking, you threw off the bed spread and jumped into bed. Moaning into the soft sheets. Slowly drifting off to sleep.

Ring ring. Ring ring.

"Hello"?

"Miss Y/L/N"?

"Sergeant First Class Y/N Y/L/N, speaking". You corrected him.

"This is detective Jay Halstead, we spoke yesterday. We have a few more questions and a possible ID of the suspect. Could you come in and verify"?

"Sure. I'm be happy too".

"Thank you. See you soon".

Hanging up the phone, you groaned getting out of bed. This was the longest you slept in forever. It was 0700 hours. So you headed for the shower and jumped in. Quickly getting dressed. Heading out to the police station.

"Excuse me, I was a witness yesterday in a accident. Detective Jay Halstead called and told me to come in". You told the woman at the desk.

"I'll call him down for you". She said and got on the phone. Hearing boots coming down the stairs you turned to find Sergeant Voight in Detective Halsteads place.

"Sergeant Voight".

"Sergeant First Class Y/N Y/L/N, glad to see you again. Come with me and I'll show you some people that may have done this". He nodded to the stairs and you followed.

"I hope I can be of help. How are the couple"?

"The wife made it. But her husband passed on impact".

"That's awful. Hopefully you catch this guy".

"With your help. We can". He said leading you into a room with a two way mirror. "Do you recognize anyone that could be the driver"?

Looking over the men, some were short and some were tall. Some had hair and some were bald. But as you got to number three he looked awfully familiar.

"Number three. He's the driver of the truck. He had a red baseball cap on but that's him".

"You're a hundred percent sure"?

"A thousand percent sure. I'll bet my rank on it".

"Okay. Thank you. Now will you look at some pictures of trucks to see if you recognize any of them"?

"Sure". You followed him out of the room and to his office. He pointed to the chair and you sat down.

"Here's a few trucks see if any look familiar". He handed you a black book.

"So how long are you on leave"? Hank asked clearing his throat as he sat down.

"Six months. I just got back from an assignment. Then I stupidly signed up for a one year mission".

"Oh. Stupidly you say"?

"Yeah, my friend is in my unit and she said let's join the mission. Theres cute boys. I'm far from looking for boys. I dont have time for them". You chuckled.

"Oh yeah. That's understandable. You know, with your job and everything". Hank nervously chuckled.

"Yeah, plus the boys I'm with are totally mamas boys. They just joined to get chicks and kill things. I like men that know that not everything is fun and games. They know how to take charge and take care of business". You grinned, looking up at Hank. Who blushed.

"This truck right here. I remember the logo on the back". You pointed to the picture, handing Hank the book.

"Great. Thank you". He cleared his throat and got up, walking to his door. He called for one of his coworkers and gave them the book.

"So was that the guy"?

"Yeah". He said coming back to sit down.

"He's going away for awhile, right"?

"Oh yeah. He's not going unpunished for this. You did good".

"Thank you, sir. We should celebrate". You offered.

"We? Um, yeah". He twitched around in his seat.

"Great. I know a great restaurant that makes killer tacos and drinks".

"Sounds wonderful. Pick you up around seven"?

"Perfect. See you later, Sergeant Voight". You smiled and went o walk out.

"Call me, Hank". He said.

"Okay. Hank". You bit your lip and walked out. Hank sat back into his chair his arms over his head and a smile on his face.

#hank voight x reader #hank voight imagines #hank voight chicago pd #hank voight fanfiction #hank voight #happys-crazy-queen22 #chicago pd fanfiction #chicago pd #chicago pd imagine #chicago pd drabble #chicago pd fic

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andiandyandee · 4 years ago

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Chicanery Ch. 2

Ayyyeee, Look who’s finally fucking posting lmaoo For the RECORD This has been Written for like 4 months and is on my ao3, and I’m a MORON

Preface Ch1 Ch2 (You are Here) Ch3

Remus and Roman were… weird. That was probably unfair to say since Janus had really only known them for a few days and had spent even less time than that actually around them, but they had a dynamic that he couldn’t figure out. They either hated or loved each other, he was sure, but it seemed to vary from moment to moment. Case in point, they were currently arguing, insults flying, but they were still sitting across from each other at the kitchen table, working in tandem on their homework. Neither Logan nor Patton seemed phased by this in the slightest, but Janus was. There were constant disagreements that seemed totally nonsensical, but they also occasionally came off as a two-bodied single-cell organism. One would start laughing, and the other would know why, despite it having nothing to do with the topic at hand, or they would be humming the same song in different rooms, or they would sit together, quietly, not acknowledging each other at all but their legs would be pressed together or they’d be back to back or one would be laying across the other in a way that any other kids in the homes would have lost their minds over. Janus did not understand. But even beyond that, fake arguments were what always set Janus on edge. Case in point, The colors of English.

“Look, Prince Pudwhacker-”

“Oh, that’s a new one, nice.”

“-Thanks, I read it somewhere- You can NOT tell me that English is red. That is the most imbecilic, idiotic, incongruous… Nah, that one doesn’t really make sense, does it? I’ll ask Logan about it later. But anyway. English is YELLOW.”

“It’s red and you’re wrong.”

“A compelling argument.”

“It is, isn’t it?” Roman smirked, and Remus dove over the table, snatching his English book on the way. Not only was their homework scattered across the dining room, but Remus was also somehow now sitting on top of Roman, textbook raised. Janus wanted to stop him, but panic cemented him in place, and all he could do is watch in horror as Remus… gently hit Roman in the chest with it.

“English,” Thwack, “is,” Thwack, “YELLOW,” Thwack, “you,” Thwack, “monster,” Thwack. They were both giggling. Remus seemed to notice Janus then, and clearly mistook the horror and panic for general confusion and anxiety because he grinned dopily and said, “Don’t worry, we’ll clean it up! As soon as Ro admits English is yellow!”

“It’s red, Remus!”

“You only think that because red is your favorite color and English is your favorite subject! You know objectively that it SHOULD be yellow!”

“Objectively? Oh my god, we’ve been back four days and you sound like Specks squared again! You make ONE pun, and I will hide glitter in your beanies.”

“I’ll sew your socks shut again. Bet.”

“Jay! Tiebreaker! What color is English?” Both twins looked at him expectantly. He thought back to his English book, which had a brown paper cover on it. What color even was it? Purple?

“I think my English textbook might be purple.” He said, timidly.

“Nooooooo” Remus groaned. “Not the book, the subject! If you had to pick a folder and notebook for your English Class, what color would you use?” Janus felt like this was a test he was about to fail, but… he actually did agree with Remus.

“Probably yellow? I guess? I think Math would be red.” Roman groaned dramatically while Remus cheered.

“Jay is my new favorite, you’ve been replaced,” Remus smirked at Roman.

“I can’t believe you betrayed me! In my own home! You wound me, sir!” Roman cried dramatically, gesturing at Janus. The front door opened then, and all three teenagers were met with a look of exasperation from Logan.

“Anyone care to explain, or?” Janus tried to apologize, but he was cut off with a continuation of the conversation.

“Nerdy Wolverine! What color is English?”

“Yellow, obviously” And then, hell broke loose. Again. Because Remus began laughing, and Roman flipped them over, and somewhere between him grabbing a cushion from the closest chair and hitting Remus, Janus lunged forward.

He had no idea what his plan was, because Remus had clearly not hurt Roman with a textbook, and a pillow wasn’t going to do damage, anyway, but he had jerked himself forward just enough to be noticeable. He hadn’t even made it across the room before he stopped himself. At most, he had moved three steps, but Remus, Roman, and Logan were all staring at him. But then Remus snorted.

“He grabbed the cushion, not the chair, Jan. Take a deep breath.” And Janus did. Did he think Roman was going to grab the chair? Probably not. But that was a good excuse, and so he nodded.

“Sorry, I…”

“Don’t worry, Duke Doomwatcher always assumes the worst too.” He waves his hand vaguely “It’s a... What, panic response? Right? No worries. I solemnly swear I am not actually going to bash his head in for miscoloring his English folder.”

“Wouldn’t that be fun though?” Remus grinned wickedly, “Grey matter everywhere.” He swung his hands out in a sweeping gesture. “Maybe that’s the correct color for English.”

“No brain goo on the dining room floor, I’m not cleaning that up.” Logan rolled his eyes, placing a hand on Janus’ shoulder and guiding him into the kitchen with him. “And besides, that’d clearly be the Anatomy Folder color. Now clean this mess up.” He added over his shoulder. He shook his head at Janus, guiding him to a seat at the breakfast table. “I will never stop apologizing for those two, I’m sure. I promise, they’re great kids.” Janus actually laughed

“I can’t tell if they like each other”

“Oh, they’re best friends.” Logan shrugged, “Insofar as I can tell, the insults and fighting are signs of affection and bonding? It’s apparently quite common amongst most biological siblings. According to my parents, my brother and I behaved similarly as children, though we had outgrown it by our late teens.” Logan sat tea in front of Janus. “Are you alright? You seemed a bit panicked.”

“I.. I’m not sure. Their dynamic stresses me out.” Logan nodded, not looking surprised.

“You will unfortunately get used to it. I just hope they don’t pull you into it, too. The last thing this household needs is three of you having a good time, however will we cope?” Logan said with a deadpan expression, sipping his own tea.

“Ha, ha. You’re hilarious Mr. Sanders.” Janus snarked, rolling his eyes. “Is the subject argument a common one, or?”

“Oh, once every five to seven months it comes back up in conversation. I haven’t the faintest idea why.” Logan shrugged. “They usually have it in class though, so I’m at least grateful I don’t have to pretend to give them detention this time.”

“Pretend?”

“Well I’m not really going to punish teenagers for acting like teenagers, but I do typically like to let the class think they’re getting in trouble so they're less inclined to misbehave in general,” Logan explained with a shrug. “It’s not really necessary, these kids are as a rule well behaved, but it’s good practice and makes the board happy anyway.”

“I’m pretty sure a kid once set one of our science teachers on fire and didn’t even get like, chastised,” Janus said mostly conversationally, but Logan looked mostly horrified. “I mean, the teacher was fine. But the detention room has mold in it so they really can only suspend you, expel you, or pretend like it didn’t happen, so usually, we just act like it doesn’t happen.”

“Can I ask you a question, Janus?” Logan had an ‘about to make an offer that gave Janus anxiety’ look on his face again.

“I.. guess?”

“Is there any particular fondness you hold for your current school that keeps you there? Would you be opposed to transferring?” Janus’ brain was short-circuiting again.

“Like, to the school where you teach? Where the twins go?”

“Presumably. There is also the Vocational School, if that’s more your route, though you don’t seem to be much for physical labor.”

“I mean.. I guess? That would be fine? I don’t mind staying at my current school, either, though.”

“Transferring will mean you will get to sleep in slightly on weekdays, as you’ll be able to ride with the twins and me, or if you so desire you could ride the bus I suppose, plus you would be in a better-funded school with more extracurriculars, more specialized classes, and plenty of opportunities for you to find peers that partake in your interests. You don’t seem to enjoy any of your current classmates and frankly, your school's ratings are abysmal. And beyond that, we need more students for the debate team and I think you will make an excellent candidate” He said that last sentence very quickly.

“You want me to transfer schools so your debate team will... Be better?” But Janus could see the humor in Logan’s eyes, and realized he was being teased.

“And also so you will have a better education!” Logan insisted with a grin, trying and failing to maintain the charade.

“Well, I have always wanted to be a professional arguer.” Janus shrugged. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

#sanders sides #Janus Sanders #logan sanders #patton sanders #roman sanders #remus sanders #Adoption AU #Teen Janus #Foster AU #teen remus #teen roman #Brothers analogical #parent logicality #ask to tag #ask to be tagged //

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pirceu-blog · 4 years ago

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wyntertimes-blog · 5 years ago

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>> Strange times <<The poll winners' party

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>> Big Questions <<Who's asking what this week?

What could have caused the Mail to pull a recent exclusive of theirs about a French masseuse meeting with Prince Andrew at Buckingham Palace back in 2000? The story made the paper's front page at the end of November but, save for a report of the Mail's report in the New York Post, there's no trace of it online now.If you subscribe to Popbitch, chances are your internet search history is something you'd rather was kept private. Protect yourself online (plus bypass digital censorship) by using a VPN. CyberGhost is currently offering Popbitch readers a 79% discount on its 18 month plan, which protects up to seven devices, for just £2.15 a month.

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Ivanka's choice of music, every single time? Jamiroquai. Which she would then sing along to.

Peanut from the Kaiser Chiefs is preparing to run his 100th park run over the Christmas holidays.

>> Bah humbug <<More drama at the BBC

The BBC is going heavy on trailing their version of A Christmas Carol this year, making a big song and dance out of the fact it stars Guy Pearce, is written by Peaky Blinders' Steven Knight and has been exec produced by Tom Hardy. One person who's been a little left out in the cold though is director Nick Murphy.

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>> Shaky casting <<Merry Christmas everyone!

This year's bleak seasonal murder drama, Responsible Child (based on the real life story of a 14 year-old killer who was tried as an adult and jailed) has been getting rave reviews.

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REO Speedwagon's original of Can't Fight This Feeling has been streamed more than Bastille's John Lewis ad cover since its release in mid-November.

>> Electile dysfunction <<Another cock up on the Beeb

On election day, there are very strict rules in the UK which forbid news organisations from discussing politics until polling is closed. Which means that news teams have to ignore the biggest story of the day and compile their news bulletins from whatever innocuous filler they can drum up instead.

As part of their non-political Six O'Clock News broadcast last Thursday, BBC1 chose to air an item about the postal service and people sending tiny items in oversized parcels. Alas, it seems there was a very good reason that the Six O'Clock News hadn't touched that story previously.

One of the parcels that was prominently displayed as part of the pre-watershed segment clearly showed a cock ring.Nominative Determinism of the Week: The Senior doorkeeper of the House of Commons... Phil Howse!

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lady-hammerlock · 5 years ago

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Through the Looking Glass - Chapter Seven (Telltale Batjokes & DC Comics Crossover)

AN: Hi everyone! The next couple of chapters are going to be a little bit different. You may notice that this chapter only deals with what's happening in the comic book universe. Similarly, the next chapter is only going to cover events in the Telltale universe. It was just an easier way to break things up for this particular section.

Also, I didn't intend for this to be JayDick but feel free to read it as such, or as completely platonic/brotherly if you prefer. Its up to you guys. :)

Thank you all for continued support, and all of your kind comments! I'm terrible at replying to them, but they make my day, and they make writing this sort of thing absolutely worth it.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Jason and Dick were already waiting in the Batcave when Bruce and John arrived. Dick was in civilian gear; jeans and a dark blue t-shirt, which probably meant he wasn’t taking any of this too seriously and didn’t consider John a threat. It was harder to tell with Jason. He wasn’t wearing his helmet, but that was pretty much the only difference between what he was currently wearing and what he would wear if he was ‘working’.

It was hard for Bruce to tell how much he and John should be on their guard. He was hoping that things would go relatively smoothly, but he was still fully prepared for the eventuality that he would have to physically defend John from his two allies.

Bruce indicated for John to stay in the Batmobile, stepping out first to meet his two protégés.

“Hey Bruce,” Dick said, immediately taking up a place leaning against the Batmobile’s hood.

“Sup old man,” Jason added, his hands shoved in his pockets and his eyes not meeting Bruce’s own.

“So,” Dick said, drawing the word out far longer than he needed to. “We heard a rumor…”

“Where the hell is he?” Jason snapped, interrupting Dick.

Bruce looked to Dick, who at least had the decency to look embarrassed on Jason’s behalf.

“Who?” Bruce replied, trying to gauge the level of Jason’s anger as much as stall for time, while he tried to think of a way to stop this all from going to hell.

“The Joker,” Jason said, spitting out the name as though it was poison in his mouth.

Bruce couldn’t blame him. If anyone had a reason to hate the Joker then it was Jason. Still, all of this would be so much easier if Jason could just keep that hatred in check for a short while.

“I’m assuming Oracle told you?” Bruce asked.

“Of course,” Jason replied. “Babs isn’t in the habit of hiding important shit like this from her friends. Unlike someone I could name.”

Jason pointed an accusing finger into Bruce’s chest. Bruce did not flinch or back down at all.

He glanced over at Dick, who was being almost suspiciously quiet. The younger man’s eyes had gone to the passenger side of the Batmobile. Clearly he was just waiting for John to emerge.

“It’s not true though right?” Jason said, approaching Bruce with his hands balled into fists at his side. “You’re not helping him, are you Bruce?”

“Things are more complicated than you might think,” Bruce began.

Jason wasn’t willing to give Bruce time to finish explaining though.

“Damn it Bruce!” he screamed. “All of those times you let him live or saved his life or chose to go easy on him? I looked the other way then, but actually helping him? What the hell are you playing at?”

“John needs our help!” Bruce snapped back before he could stop himself.

Within seconds Dick was insinuating himself between the two of them, his hands reaching out to land on either of their chests. Bruce hadn’t realized how close he and Jason had gotten to each other in their anger until Dick was pushing the two of them apart.

“Okay, let’s just talk this through for a moment,” Dick said. “Remember what Babs said Jay?”

“He’s not…” Bruce said, meaning to explain to Dick and Jason that John was a far cry from the Joker that they were used to; kinder, more vulnerable and in desperate need of their help, but he didn’t get very far, because at that moment he heard the door of the Batmobile opening, and the next thing he knew John was approaching the three of them with a wide smile that was so obviously forced it was painful.

Bruce took a step back, away from Jason and away from Dick’s hand.

“John, this is Jason and Dick,” he said. “Dick, Jason, this is John Doe.”

Bruce saw Jason mouth the name at Dick, as though he didn’t quite believe it was really the other man’s name, or perhaps found it, for whatever reason, at least a little amusing. Dick wasn’t watching Jason though. He was just looking over at John with wide eyes.

“How much has Alfred told you?” Bruce asked.

“Only that he doesn’t approve of any of it and that he thinks the entire endeavor is absolutely ridiculous,” Dick replied, grinning as he did. “But that at least John is polite and hasn’t threatened to kill anyone yet, so that’s a plus. Al said that it was probably better if you explained the rest of it to us. I get the feeling he isn’t buying into whatever’s going on quite as much as you are Bruce.”

“John’s from a parallel universe and managed to accidentally switch places with our own version of the Joker,” Bruce said. “He hasn’t been any threat at all so far, and just wants our help to get home. I see no reason why I shouldn’t give it.”

“Maybe because then we’d be bringing that arsehole of a clown back to our… Hey!” Jason went silent as Dick elbowed him none too gently in the ribs.

“It’s okay,” John said. “From what Bruce has told me the other me was absolutely awful. Don’t worry. I’m not like him at all. I promise.”

“And as much as I’m sure you’d all like to keep John here rather than go back to our version of the Joker, we are going to help him get back to his own world, whether you like it or not,” Bruce said.

Jason continued to cross his arms and frown in Bruce’s direction, but Bruce had a feeling that no matter what he did, Jason wouldn’t be warming up to John any time soon.

Dick however was now openly smiling, and he approached John with that smile still on its face.

“So it is true huh?” he said, grabbing hold of John’s hand and shaking it enthusiastically. “A version of the Joker that isn’t totally evil. That’s crazy.”

Bruce wasn’t sure what was more worrying; Jason’s anger or Dick’s enthusiasm.

John had to assume that the two men in front of him were good guys. After all, they wouldn’t have been allowed in the Batcave unless Batman trusted them.

“Hi,” the newcomer said, sticking out a hand for John to shake. “I’m Richard Grayson but my friends call me Dick.”

“I’m John,” John replied, shaking Dick’s hand somewhat cautiously. At least this guy seemed friendly. “John Doe.”

“Really?” Dick exclaimed. “Not even any snarky comments about my name. Although, that probably makes sense considering people are probably making fun of yours all the time. Which I promise I won’t do, by the way. Oh my god!”

The younger man turned around to face Bruce again. Dick seemed overjoyed to meet John, for reasons that John hadn’t quite worked out yet.

“Bruce, this is incredible!” Dick exclaimed.

Bruce shrugged, and Dick, whose hand was still holding John’s own, turned back to face him once more.

“So then, is Batman evil in your universe?” he asked.

“What?” John replied. “What!? No. Batman is amazing, and the best person ever. There’s no way he could ever be evil.”

“Am I evil then?” Dick asked, still sounding incredibly excited.

“I… I don’t know,” John replied honestly. “I don’t think we’ve ever met.”

It was at that moment that Bruce’s hand descended on Dick’s shoulder, pulling him a few feet back from John and giving him a little more personal space.

“John’s been through a lot over the past few days,” Bruce said. “Give him room to breathe.”

“No, it’s all right,” John tried to argue. Honestly he was just glad to finally meet someone in this universe who was friendly, and who hadn’t freaked out as soon as he had seen John. “He seems nice. And he’s your…?”

Brother? Son? Crime-fighting partner? Lover?

John wasn’t sure which one he was expecting, or which one he wanted this version of Bruce to say. They all seemed equally likely to him, although really, Bruce didn’t look nearly old enough to have a pair of fully grown sons.

“Why the hell would you be evil in John’s universe?” Jason interjected, looking at Dick as though he thought he was being an absolute idiot.

“It sounds like John is Batman’s ally in his own world,” Dick said. “So if the Joker is his sidekick then maybe his sidekicks, aka us, are evil.”

“That’s fucking stupid,” Jason said.

It sounded like Jason was calming down at least. And well, maybe Bruce hadn’t answered the question, but John had an answer now at least. Sidekicks. Dick and Jason were his sidekicks, or allies, or… something like that. Only a teensy, tiny reason for him to be jealous and not a ridiculously big one. He was sure that he could get along with these two well enough. Assuming at least that Jason wasn’t going to try and kill him.

Batman had already left the three of them behind, and had walked over to the Batcomputer. They’d left the Looking Glass by it while they had visited Tetch in Arkham, and Batman sat down, roughly tugging the cowl off before picking up the Looking Glass and inspecting it.

John was torn between continuing to talk to Jason and Dick or running over to help Bruce out with whatever it was he was doing.

“Be careful with that,” John said. The last thing that they needed was for the two Batmans to change place as well.

Although honestly, now that he thought about it, John would be completely okay if that happened. He wouldn’t even care about getting back home if he had his Bruce here. It would be like an adventure, and as long as they had each other they would find a way to get through it all. That was how it always worked with the two of them after all.

For a moment he found himself entertaining the idea of making sure this version of Bruce ‘accidentally’ activated the Looking Glass. That wasn’t a nice thought though; not one that he should have been thinking, and so he quickly banished it.

“Don’t worry,” Bruce said, suddenly sounding even more tired than John felt. “I kept the Batcomputer monitoring the radiation levels of the Looking Glass while we were out.”

Bruce let out a long sigh and fell back into his chair.

“At this rate it’s going to approximately two weeks before it can be activated again,” Bruce said.

Two weeks suddenly felt like the longest time in the world.

“That thing will send him home?” Jason asked. He glared at the Looking Glass. John wondered if Jason spent all of his time glaring at things. It certainly seemed like he did. He could only hope that Jason wouldn’t attempt to destroy it; at least not before John could be reunited with Bruce.

“In theory,” Bruce replied.

“You see?” Dick said, and John jumped a little when he felt the other man’s hand land on his shoulder. “It’s just a matter of time and then you’ll be able to get back home. In the meantime…”

“Whatever it is you’re about to suggest,” Bruce replied. “Don’t.”

He hadn’t even been looking at the three of them, so there was no way that he could have seen the devilish grin that had appeared on Dick’s face just then, but apparently he hadn’t needed to.

“Aww,” Dick said. Jason just rolled his eyes at the other man.

“I don’t intend for John to be here that long,” Bruce replied. “Can you imagine the amount of destruction that the Joker could wreak on an unsuspecting and unprepared Gotham in two weeks?”

Bruce stood up, a look of fierce determination on his face, one that made John’s stomach do interesting little flip-flops, despite the fact that this was a different Bruce to the one that he loved. Bruce clutched the Batsuit’s cowl in one hand and the Looking Glass in the other as he continued.

“In the meantime, I’m going to pay the Justice League a visit,” he said. “Can I trust the two of you to look after John while I’m gone?”

“What, seriously?” Dick asked. “Of course you can.”

Bruce had put the cowl on while Dick had been speaking, and he turned to glare at Jason.

“What?” Jason said, frowning and folding his arms in front of his chest. “I’m not going to try anything, okay? This clearly isn’t the guy that I have a beef with. I mean, I was worried for a second, but fuck, Bruce; this guy didn’t even recognize either of us.”

“Besides,” Dick added. “If Jason does try anything I’ll be there to stop him.”

Jason scoffed.

“Like you could stop me from doing anything if I really wanted to,” Jason said.

“If I come back and find out that the two of you have harmed John in any way…” Batman said, trailing off and leaving an unspoken threat hanging in the air, and ooh boy, that certainly wasn’t doing anything to help the butterflies in John’s stomach, especially when he was threatening the two of them on John’s behalf.

“Don’t worry,” Jason said. “We’re not going to hurt him.”

Batman continued to glare at him.

“Promise,” Jason added.

That seemed to be enough to satisfy Bruce. He stalked back over to the Batmobile and threw the Looking Glass into the passenger seat. Within moments he was taking off, leaving John alone with Jason and Dick.

The three of them stood there waving goodbye to Bruce for a few moments; or rather, Dick and John waved goodbye while Jason stood there with his arms folded in front of his chest.

Once the roar of the Batmobile had faded however, Dick and Jason both turned and smiled at John.

John wasn’t sure which smile he should be more afraid of.

“What are the two of you even going to use these for?” John asked, pausing to smile for the camera. He was wearing… well, he wasn’t even sure what it was supposed to be, except that it was green and yellow and red. He assumed it was a crime-fighting outfit of some sort, but it didn’t seem particularly practical and showed a lot of skin, although maybe that was just because it was a bit too small for him.

“Taunting the real Joker when he gets back,” Jason said.

“Taunting Bruce,” Dick added.

“Taunting Tim,” Jason said. “Serves him right for being so sensible and choosing not to come along with us. You know, maybe we should have used his old Robin suit instead of mine.”

“We still could, you know,” Dick said, before taking another photo. John made sure to smile extra wide for this one.

Things had started simply enough. Dick had said that he wanted to take some selfies, which John was absolutely all for, and even though Jason had complained the two of them had eventually roped Jason into a few photos as well.

At first the photos had just been innocent enough and relatively goofy, but then Jason had suggested getting photos of John wearing the costume for… some reason, that John still didn’t fully understand. Still, if taking photos and playing dress-up was the worst that the three of them were going to get up to then John was going to count himself lucky.

“So, you still called the Joker back in your world?” Dick asked a few minutes later, as John was getting changed back into his normal clothes. Dick and Jason thoughtfully had their backs turned, although John wasn’t sure why they bothered when they had all seen pretty much all of his leg just a few moments ago.

Their photo session had come to an abrupt halt when Dick had jokingly (or at least, John had assumed it was jokingly considered how much Dick had been giggling about it) suggested that he and Jason should dress up in their old crime-fighting outfits as well.

“I was for a while,” John confessed. “But that was ages ago.”

“Did you have a costume?” Dick asked.

“Of course,” John replied. “I made it myself and everything! It had this cool purple jacket and a friend helped me make a grappling gun and I had Jokerangs and… well… huh, it was pretty cool. At least, I thought it was pretty cool, and Bruce said he thought it was cool too. I don’t wear it so much these days though.”

“Why not?” Dick asked.

John adjusted his vest as he stepped back out to join Dick and Jason properly once more.

“Well, since I got out of Arkham I’ve spent my time helping Batman here in the Batcave instead,” John explained. “It’s safer that way.”

He caught Jason eyeing him strangely as soon as he mentioned Arkham, but tried not to think about it too much. Jason might have agreed that he wasn’t going to hurt John, but John had a feeling that Jason still didn’t trust him.

“God, this is weird,” Jason eventually said, making an exaggerated stretch and leaning back against a nearby desk. “And I don’t think it’s going to stop being weird any time soon, no matter how much time we spend playing dress-up.”

“You think it’s weird for us?” Dick commented. “Imagine how hard this has to be for John. Finding out that everyone hates him in this universe has to suck.”

John appreciated the sympathy, if not the fact that Dick was talking about him like he wasn’t even there.

Jason just rolled his eyes in response to the sentiment.

“You know what?” he said, pushing himself up from the desk he had been leaning against. “I need a drink.”

‘A drink’ ended up only being alcoholic for Jason. Dick had tea, and John joined him, if only because he didn’t want to be rude, and Alfred was brewing the tea anyway, and John really didn’t like the way his brain worked when he had been drinking. It always went to dark places, and he could never think straight.

Tea, or, in Jason’s case, something golden that smelled a little too strong and chemically for John, was consumed in the kitchen, where Dick kept trying to get Alfred to join in the conversation. Alfred kept his distance, and John at least noticed the outline of a pistol tucked into the butler’s jacket.

“Bruce wouldn’t like you having that,” John said, pointing towards the gun.

“I’m quite aware,” Alfred said. “But in this instance I don’t really care about Master Bruce’s opinion on the matter.”

Jason had guns sitting on his belt as well, but that was different. Jason didn’t live at the manor, as far as John could tell, and John already knew that he fought crime. Alfred didn’t. Alfred was supposed to be a butler, and more importantly, Bruce’s butler, and John had learned the hard way how much Bruce didn’t like guns. Boy, John had really messed up with that one, hadn’t he?

He tried to bring up the matter with Alfred; knew that getting rid of the gun would make Bruce happier, no matter what universe they were in, but he didn’t get very far. Conversation in the kitchen after that was stilted and awkward, and Alfred remained distant, no matter how hard Dick tried to include him in the conversation.

The three of them moved to the living room, which was much larger and more obviously lived in than the one that John was used to. It was cozy though, and the three of them lit the fireplace and Dick pulled a pack of cards from somewhere.

They played a few rounds of ‘go fish’, while Jason nursed another glass of whatever it was he had been drinking and complained that weren’t playing poker instead.

There was something about the two men, Dick especially, that put John at ease, and before long he found himself relaxing more than he had since he had been transported to this strange world.

“So you and Bruce huh?” Dick began, grinning at John as he shuffled the deck of cards. “How the hell did that happen?”

“You mean how did we meet?” John asked. “Or the rest of it? Us becoming partners and me moving into the manor and stuff?”

“Holy shit,” Jason cursed. “You and Bruce are a couple in your universe?”

“Jason!” Dick hissed, clamping his hand down on top of Jason’s own and stopping him from getting to his feet any more than he already had. “He didn’t say that! And even if they are a couple would that really be so weird?”

“No, I gotta hear this story now,” Jason said. “Your world is even more fucked up than I first thought if that’s the case.”

“No!” John finally objected. He could feel himself growing hot and embarrassed, and knew that he would be blushing if it wasn’t for his unusual skin. “It isn’t like that. I mean, we’re not… not yet anyway.”

“Not yet?” Jason said.

Ooh boy. John could tell that there were definitely going to be more questions, at least from Jason. He wasn’t sure how much he should say, or rather, how much he wanted to say. He and Bruce had both used the word ‘love’ in regard to their relationship, and there had been the occasional kiss on the forehead or hug that lasted a little bit too long, and John at least knew that he was madly in love with Bruce and wanted to spend the rest of his life with him. When Bruce was ready for the two of them to take the next move then John would be ready as well.

He just wished that he knew when Bruce was going to finally make that next move. Or, for that matter, that he was definitely going to make it.

“No way,” Jason said, still looking at John as though he had said or done something really, really weird. Why did this guy find it so difficult to believe that he and Bruce might be more than friends? Was it because John looked so weird? Was that it?

John wasn’t crazy or delusional, or at least not when it came to his relationship with Bruce. He knew that Bruce was way more handsome than he would ever be, and he was just so darned cool and smart and he had all of that money.

Perhaps that wasn’t it though. Perhaps it was just the fact that this universe’s version of Bruce and the Joker were the worst of enemies that had Jason so shocked.

“You and Bruce are seriously… what? Friends? Kind of a couple?” Jason continued to ask. “Come on John. Give me something to work with here, and please don’t say ‘in love’ or I think I might vomit a little.”

“Knock it off Jason,” Dick said, elbowing the other man in the ribs.

Dick glanced over at John and offered him a gentle smile; one that said ‘sorry’ just as well as any words might have.

Jason rolled his eyes.

“Come on Dick,” he said. “You don’t find this whole situation just a little far-fetched? I mean, John might be ‘good’ and all, but he’s not that different from our Joker right? Just a little less homicidal. And you know how the fucking clown likes to go on about how he ‘loves’ Bruce and how they’re supposed to be together and everything right? How do we know that this asshole’s any different? He could just be making all of this up. For all we know he could have the same, fucked-up, one-sided bullshit going on in his universe that we’re used to with our Batman and Joker.”

Jason was talking as though John wasn’t even in the room anymore. John didn’t like it at all. They had all been getting along so well too.

“’One-sided,’” Dick repeated. “You really believe that?”

“Of course,” Jason said, before taking a long drink from his glass. “And don’t you dare suggest otherwise.”

“Bruce’s relationship with the Joker is… complicated,” Dick said gently. “You know that as well as any of us.”

Jason downed the rest of the drink in one go.

“I wish I didn’t,” he concluded, before slamming the now empty glass back down on the table between them. “And no matter what you say, the thought of Bruce actually having a relationship with that clown is fucking ridiculous, and if you dare suggest otherwise Dick I’m going to throw this glass at your head, you understand?”

Dick shrugged and held up his hands in an almost comically over-exaggerated manner, before flopping back into his chair.

John almost felt like the other two men had forgotten he existed. The conversation wasn’t even really about him anymore, he knew, or not about him in any way that really mattered.

“So, you guys want to hear about how Bruce and I met or not?” John asked, eager to break the weird tension that had settled over the three of them.

Dick didn’t reply; just raised an eyebrow in Jason’s direction.

“Sure,” Jason said, although he didn’t sound sure; more resigned than anything else. “Why the hell not?”

The Watchtower was, mercifully quiet and relatively empty when Bruce arrived. Superman was noticeably absent for a start, which was a blessing in and of itself. Batman had already had to defend his keeping the Joker alive and on Earth to Clark more times than he would have liked.

By this stage Bruce had gotten explaining the situation with John down to a fine art. This time there weren’t even any questions. Compared to what the Justice League usually dealt with this must have seemed like a very small problem in comparison. Bruce wished he could feel the same way.

“You know…” Green Lantern eventually suggested. “You could just… not do any of that.”

Bruce groaned softly.

“I mean, this new version of the Joker sounds a lot nicer and like he’s going to be a lot less trouble than the old one,” Hal continued. “I vote we keep him.”

“Why does everyone keep suggesting that?” Bruce snapped.

“Maybe because there’s something to it?” Hal replied, apparently not realizing that Batman had intended the question as rhetorical and really hadn’t wanted an answer, especially from Hal. Damn it all, he sometimes found himself wanting to punch Hal even on a good day.

“The matter isn’t up for a vote,” Batman replied, trying not to sound, or to feel too much, like he was having to explain advanced moral issues to a toddler. “It’s not fair to John, or to the universe that he came from.”

“Batman is right,” Martian Manhunter said. At least one person here was able to see the light. “It is our duty to restore order, no matter how much we may dislike it.”

“Come on though,” Hal complained. “How many people has that guy killed? Surely displacing one person is an acceptable loss if it saves people’s lives?”

Batman glared at Hal. If Hal was at all bothered by the glare then he didn’t show it.

“You have the object with you?” J’onn asked. “May I see it?”

“I do,” Bruce said, pulling the Looking Glass out from under his cloak and passing it to Martian Manhunter, making sure to glare at Hal again as he passed.

Martian Manhunter took the object in both of his hands and held it still. He was very careful with the object, holding it almost reverentially as he studied it. He did not turn it this way and that as a human might when studying it. Rather he seemed to be observing it in some way that would have been completely impossible for Bruce.

“Curious,” Martian Manhunter said. “Very curious. This object is… it’s very odd. I can’t even tell what its purpose is, or where it came from originally, but I suspect that it was meant to do something far grander than simply transport people between parallel universes.”

“You think that’s just a side effect?” Bruce asked.

“I think it may be broken,” Martian Manhunter replied.

“Can I have a look at it?” Hal asked.

The words had barely left Hal’s mouth when Bruce snapped ‘no’ in response.

“Broken?” he asked Martian Manhunter.

“Well, not completely,” J’onn said, and once again Bruce got the distinct impression that he was observing the object on some level that would be impossible for the rest of them. “But I don’t think it’s working as its creators originally intended.”

“Do you think you could fix it?” Bruce asked. Even as the words left his mouth he found himself wondering whether fixing the object would really be the best idea. They didn’t even know what it would do when fixed, after all.

“Possibly,” J’onn said, finally turning the object this way and that in his hands. “Even if I can’t fix it completely I am sure that I can readjust the energy flow inside of it so that it charges at a normal speed.”

“It’s supposed to charge faster than it has been?” Bruce asked.

“Yes,” J’onn said, closing his eyes and doing something that made his hands and the object within them glow a bright green. “Much faster.”

Bruce had been hoping that was the case.

J’onn kept his eyes closed as the Looking Glass glowed brighter and brighter; so bright that Bruce couldn’t stand to look at it any more. Bruce winced and turned away as a flash of bright light flooded the room. When he turned back Martian Manhunter was holding the Looking Glass between both hands and smiling softly.

The strange artefact didn’t look any different, but the serene look on J’onn’s face told Bruce that something had changed.

Martian Manhunter passed the object back to Bruce very slowly and cautiously.

“Be careful,” he said. “It is fully charged now, and as far as I can tell it should continue to charge at a more normal rate. You don’t want to set it off accidentally.”

“Don’t worry,” Batman said. “I’ll be careful. The last thing we need is for this situation to get even more complicated than it already is.”

Bruce had heard John tell his story once already; to Poison Ivy and Harley Quin, but that had been quick and factual for the most part, although John certainly had a rather colorful way of telling stories, full of random observations and small sidetracks.

What he overheard when he arrived back at the manor was something different; something more vulnerable and intimate. John sounded relaxed as he talked to Dick and Jason, and Bruce found himself lurking near the doorway to the sitting room and just listening to the other man talk rather than announcing his presence.

“And Doctor Leland, at least at the beginning, she would tell me not to get my hopes up; that I was probably going to be in Arkham for a long time, and that Bruce Wayne was a very important person with a lot of responsibilities,” John said, pausing for a moment to chuckle to himself.

“If only she knew all of his responsibilities, am I right?” John continued. “Well, anyway, she would tell me that Bruce might not… that even though he kept visiting me, that he might not have the patience to wait until I got better and could leave the asylum. But he did. He came to visit me every week, except for a couple of times when there were really bad cases that he was working on, and he was always so patient and kind and understanding; way more than anyone else ever was.”

“How long were you in Arkham in the end?” Dick asked.

Jason wasn’t saying anything. If Bruce knew him well enough then Jason was probably doing a very good job of pretending that he didn’t care. But he’d still be listening.

“Five years,” John said. “And at the end of it Bruce was still there, and I didn’t know it but he’d been talking to Doctor Leland and she’d agreed that I could stay with him as long as we both checked in with her, and when I left Arkham Bruce was right there, waiting for me at the front gate, and smiling so handsomely and… and…”

John’s voice began to break, and he trailed off. Bruce found his heart clenching in a way that was more than a little uncomfortable as he listened to John’s soft sniffles and Dick’s gentle attempts to comfort him.

He had known that John and the other universe’s version of himself had been close, or at least, John had tried to tell him that they were, but it was one thing to be told it, and another to hear the affection and desperation in the other man’s voice.

Bruce closed his eyes and tried to imagine it; tried to imagine waiting five years for someone to get out of Arkham, and then being so damned happy when they were finally able to leave and come and stay with him in the manor. There were people he would wait that long for; Dick and Jason and Tim and Barbara and Alfred, but it certainly wouldn’t have been easy, and it was hard for him to imagine any reason why any of them would be committed for that long in the first place.

He tried to imagine himself waiting that long for the Joker, and if he had felt uncomfortable before then that particular thought had him feeling like his stomach and his heart had just tied themselves in knots.

He listened for a moment longer, as Dick continued to comfort John as best as he could.

Bruce waited for the right moment to enter the room, and tried to ignore the part of him that insisted that the ‘right moment’ had already passed; that if it existed then it had been when Bruce had first arrived back at the manor and before he had decided to eavesdrop.

Eventually he took a deep breath and stepped into the room, trying to pretend that he hadn’t heard anything and that his guts didn’t still feel as though they were trying to strangle themselves inside his torso.

“Good news,” he said, causing all three other men in the room to turn and look at him. John at least no longer looked as though he had been crying, and Bruce noticed for the first time that playing cards were spread all over the sitting room table, and that there was the vague scent of bourbon lingering in the air.

He held the Looking Glass up in one hand, and saw John’s eyes light up as he did.

“It’s time to send you home,” Bruce announced.

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#my fic #batman telltale #batjokes #batman the enemy within #bruce wayne #john doe

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changarroo · 6 years ago

Text

XO Mistletoe // Changbin - Holiday AU

a/n: last holiday au :((( I hope you enjoy this one everyone <3

genre: Fluffy

Word Count: 2.3k

Type of AU: Holiday AU, High School Party AU

Y/N/N = your nickname

Dear Loyal Readers,

Well, it’s that time of the year again when everyone around us is getting into the holiday spirit. Stores are going crazy as people are trying to get the perfect gift for family and friends. Plus let's not forget everyone here at Glow High, whoever is in a relationship is dying to figure out what there significant other is getting them. Yet everyone here is just love and gifts. I’m not complaining at all everyone but don’t you just imagine what Christmas would be like minus the gifts? Just a bunch of people coming together celebration the end of a year and a beginning of a new.

Oh well, this will be my last blog post for the year unless anything interesting happens to me. Which I highly doubt it will. Goodbye 2018 and hello New Year. I’ll see you guys in the New Year.

XOXO Y/N/N

As you hit the post button you looked at your blog, looking at all of the new comments rolling in as soon as you posted it. Your blog wasn’t anything special to the public eye, just for people who go to your high school. Your blog was a way to express your thoughts that other people could relate to anonymously. You constantly got questions about relationships and what to expect as far as boyfriend/girlfriend. You found it very interesting to hear about people’s problems. Throughout the school years, your blog has become quite popular especially to a member who’s username was pizza_face you always found his asks interesting because the female he was talking about reminded you of yourself.

Before logging out of your laptop you notice that your ask bell rang. Looking at it you saw that it was your lovely internet friend pizza_face.

Pizza_face: hey Y/N/N, so there this holiday party coming up and I’m in total need of advice. I would ask my friends but I know that they will just mess with me. Well all of them minus two. Anyways there is this holiday party coming up and I know like half of the school is going. I think my crush is going to but I’m not sure. If they are,,, how do I approach them?

You: Well first you kinda have to man up and you know actually talk to them… but in all honesty just be yourself and talk to them. What is the worst that going to happen? Like them can reject you but also see you differently and warm-hearted that you care about them. I wish you the best of luck pizza_face with everything. I’ll talk to you in the new year.

And with that, you officially logged off of your blog for the year.

The next day you were getting ready for school. Putting on your uniform, making sure your hair wasn’t a bird’s nest, and makeup was acceptable. You finally grab your bag and headed out the door.

“Y/N! Finally, it took you long enough,” Bambam said leaning on his car door. “You know if you’re going to treat me like this I can just walk to school”. You opened the passenger side door and enter his car as Bambam did the same on his side. “Are you going to the huge Christmas party that happening at Jay’s house?” Bambam asked starting his car. “No, why would I? There just going to be a bunch of people partying and getting wasted”. “Come on Y/N!” Bambam said turning into the school parking lot “Okay let’s make a deal, this party is going to be the last huge party of the year and you never been to a Jay Park party before. If you go with me I’ll never ask you to go with me to another party again”.

Thinking about the offer at the table it was very easy to turn down on the spot. But thinking about it you thought about how nice it would be never hearing about another crazy party ever again.

“Okay fine, send me the details. I’ll go,” you said leaning further back into the car seat. With that Bambam did a little happy dance in his seat. “Yes, finally you're going to a party where there will be people to socialize with! This Friday will be the best! Oh, you have to cover it fro your blog”. “Bam that's a fat no, I don’t want people to know that I went beside it’s not my ideal subject”. “Then what is your ideal subject? Cause your legit the Dan Humphrey of our high school.” Bambam said turning off his car.

“I do not like to write myself into the high life of our school social status! I mainly just write about what I observe at our school,” lowering yourself further in your seat. “Just admit it, you like writing about all of the students who have a high social status”.

“You know the song Crush Culture by Conan Gray, that basically my eternal mood about couples and social status”. “You are legit the Scrooge of holiday romance aren’t you excited for the holiday?” Bambam shook his head and crossed his arms “I take back what I said, your the Grinch and Scrooge combine into one. Come on we have to get to school”.

Entering school it felt like you were walking into a high school movie, cliques were separated into there simple groups. With your headphones in you avoided the student to get to your class.

“Hey Y/N,” your friend Changbin said setting his bag next to you “did you finish the reading for bio?” he said sitting down in the seat next to you. “Hey, Changbin, umm yeah everything is set and ready for the lab today” you continued to read your textbook. “Oh before I forget, I made you this,” he handed you a flash drive. “What is this?” you questioned the flash drive. “I notice that you always have you earbud in when you enter and leave the room so I made you a mixtape. But instead of having it on a CD or a tape I made it on put it on a flash drive. Kinda like an early Christmas gift, I guess” he said rubbing the back of his head. “Wow thank you Changbin,” you smiled back at him and processed to put your lab goggles on.

“Okay so looking at the animal cell we can find the cell wall and all of that fun stuff” you looked into your microscope. “Hey Y/N are you going to Jay’s party this Friday?” Changbin asked as he dropped his pencil on his textbook. “Yeah, I actually am shocking, why?” you lifted your head from the microscope. “I was wondering if you wanted to go with me? As friends, you know cause we are sorta friends? Right” Changbin looked up and made eye contact with you. “Of course we are friends Changbin and yes we can go to the party together it sounds fun.”.

Going back to looking down at the cell you didn’t notice that the little smile that was one on Changbin face turn into a huge grin as he looked at you. “Okay everyone that will conclude today lab,” your teacher said once the bell rang indicating the end of class “I’ll see you all after the break;. Stay safe and enjoy the holiday”. Collecting your books and grabbing your bag you and walked out of the classroom.

Before you put your earbuds in you felt a hand on your shoulder. You were faced with a friendly smile again. “So what time should I pick you up,” Changbin said movingWalking closer to your locker you opened it thinking of a time for Changbin to pick you up at. “Hmm, how about seven? Will, that work?” You asked setting your science books into your locker. “Yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow then Y/N,” Changbin winked at you before walking to his next class.

Soon Friday came, and you were getting ready for the party. Since it was a holiday party you have no clue what to wear, like was it supposed to be a fancy dressy situation or an ugly Christmas sweater type of party? The world will never know.

[you 16:57] help

[bam 17:01] what's up?

[you 17:02] I need help picking an outfit :)

[bam 17:02] why do you need help picking out an outfit?

[bam 17:03] we are going to a high school party,,, just think of what Jennie would wear.

[you 17:04] ugh your no help I’ll think of something.

[you 17:04] thx bam I’ll see you at the party

[bam 17:05] wait don't you need a ride?

[you 17:07] no I'm going with Changbin so I’ll just meet you there.

[bam 17:09] ooohhh Changbin okay I see you ;)

[you 17:11] stop it bambam were just friends,,, I’ll just see you at the party.

[bam 17:13] or will you ;)))))

Set your phone you questioned why you were friends with someone like Bambam. They think about it some more you couldn’t imagine your high school life without him in it. So then your final proceeded to pick an outfit that you felt fit the holiday high school party. The doorbell rang and that was your indication that Changbin was here,

Opening the door you were met with a handsome looking Changbin, hair pushed back so you can see a section of his forehead. “Hey, wow you look amazing Y/N,” Changbin said looking at you. You lower your head due to your shyness, a piece of your hair move in front of your face. As the kind gentleman that Changbin was, he moved it behind your ear. “What is this feeling that I’m feeling inside of me,” you said to yourself.

“Are you ready to go?” Changbin asked extending his hand out and you softly grabbed it. He opened to car door for you and the two of you were on your way. The ride there was surprisingly very enjoyable, you never really hung out with Changbin unless it was for study reason. But actually being with him made you find his charming point you found very interesting.

“We’re here” Changbin turned off his car and ran over to open the door for you. Walking into the party it was already lively, you didn’t expect most of the student body to be here but again who do expect when this party is hosted by one of the most popular and richest people in your class. “Do you want something to drink?” Changbin asked yelling over the loud music. “Water is fine for now,” you replied but to him “hey I’m going to go find one of my friend really quick.” you started to let go of his hand. You gave a soft smile telling him to come to find you when he got the drinks.

“Y/N!” Bambam yelled once he saw your face “I can’t believe that you're actually here where Changbin?”. “He went to go get us some drinks,” you pointed towards the kitchen. “Well,,, how do you like hanging out with him?” Bambam crossed his arms and looked at you. “He not who I expected to be like I only know his as my Biology partner but on the drive here I got to know a whole different side of him and I kinda like it”. “Wait, Y/N the person who hates the whole relationships thing maybe falling for someone?”. “Shut up Bam” you throw a napkin in his face before walking off to find Changbin.

It wasn’t long before the two of you were united again. “Here you go one water and a coke for myself,” Changbin handed you a red solo cup meep it's me. “Thanks, Changbin,” you smiled and grab the cup from his hand. You took a sip and started choking immediately due to that fact that the DJ started to play your favorite song. “Woah Y/N are you okay?” Changbin asked while grabbing some napkins from behind you. “I’m fine, it's just this is my favorite songs,” you dabbed the napkin on your mouth before throwing it away. “Well then, do you want to dance?” he smiled at you and right then and there you felt your heart fly away into space.

You danced the night away Lalalalalalala lalalalalalala that you didn’t realize how much time had past. Soon the party started to die down and everyone was getting ready to return back to reality. Your feet your legit KILLING you so again the gentleman that Changbin was piggyback you all the to his car and then as your front door once you got home.

“Thank you for going to the party with me Y/N, I had a lot of fun,” Changbin rubbed the back of his neck “maybe we can hang out like this again? But not like every party maybe food and listening to music?”. Smiling at the ground you thought Changbin was cute and took him off on his offer but giving him a little kiss in his cheek. Once the kiss was over you quickly turned around in shyness nothing knowing how it would react. “Um Y/N I hate to break it to you,” he slowly reached for your hand and turned you back over to face him “but we are standing under the mistletoe”. Looking up you saw a piece of mistletoe that was never hanging at your doorway before. “Huh look like we are,” you looked at him right in his kind eyes before taking a small step forward.

The two of you closed the gap that was between you. You felt his soft lips on you and they felt amazing. You wrapped your hand around his neck and he did to same but with the waist. The kiss lasted a solid six seconds but when you kissed Changbin the whole world just stops.

“I’ll text you tomorrow okay Y/N,” Changbin said before kissing you one last time before leaving. You watched as the kind biology partner of your left your house. Once you were inside you rushed quickly to your room and opened your laptop.

Dear Loyal Reader,

I love mistletoe so much right now

XOXO Y/N/N

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gothambatsnews · 6 years ago

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[Podcast Ep 2.1: Wayne Halloween Party Information]

[“Spoiler Alert Podcast” theme song plays. There are three taps of the mic before Steph clears her throat.]

[Stephanie:] “Hello students of Gotham High School, and welcome to Spoiler Alert! I'm your host, Stephanie Brown, and I'm with my partner in crime...”

[Dick:] “Dick Grayson! I hope you’ve all had a lovely day, I know I always do. Steph? Did you have a nice day?”

[Stephanie:] “Ahh, I got a D on my math test?”

[Dick:] “Aw, I’m sorry to hear that.”

[Stephanie:] “No no, that was more than I thought I’d get, today’s a fantastic day!”

[Dick:] [A chuckle] “I’m certainly glad to hear that then. So, today we'll talk a bit about the next event to take place in Gotham, that you probably all already know about.”

[Stephanie:] “Indeed, I mean, it’s always the buzz around here, we’ve got ten days left for it after all. But for those who don’t know, the annual Wayne Halloween party is an event that occurs every year on every Halloween and everyone is invited.”

[Dick:] “Yep, it always takes place at the manor, 1007 Mountain Drive, Gotham. Dress code is always in costume, there’s no theme this year so you’re welcome to wear whatever costume you want. There are a few new rules to be followed this year, unlike the three previous ones. It’s very new, but Alfred insisted to set those. It’s really meant to make sure that no one will get hurt and to ensure that everyone has fun. Seriously, please don’t break these, they are ALFRED’S.”

[Stephanie:] “I mean if anything, you still got the Black List, right? It’s easy to add new people on it.”

[Dick:] “Not really fun though, I hate excluding people from events. But sometimes it’s necessary. At the moment, there’s like 12 people on it, I’m sure they all know who they are.”

[Stephanie:] “Dick, care to tell us a little bit more about that list?”

[Dick:] “Right, but firstly it’s available on the public board at the entrance of the library. Please, if you’re not quite sure or if you’re paranoid that you might be on it you can always check that out.”

[Stephanie:] “Wait so, there’s already twelve people up on the list and it’s literally only been the fourth year you’re doing this. So, what does it take for your name to be added on it?”

[Dick:] “Well, the very first person to be put on the list tried to steal from the manor, so that was already a big no. But I mean, it’s general common sense, right? Don’t swipe things when you’re in someone’s house. That’s absolutely rude and very much so illegal and yes, we will not hesitate to call the cops.”

[Stephanie:] “Yeesh. And there’s the stalkers too, right? And we aaaaaall know who were talking about.”

[Dick:] “Yeeeeeeep. Anyway, getting onto the actual new rules, but for those who don’t know the current rules, I’d be happy to refresh everyone’s memories.” [Sound of paper being tapped on the desk] “Originally, there were a few rules, set and made sure it was enforced, but because of the events of last year’s party, a couple more have been added. But we’ll go down the list. Numero uno, do not take off your shoes.”

[Stephanie:] “Oh god, yes please, don’t take them off. Last time was…” [gagging noise] “Yep, don’t, otherwise you’ll be thrown out barefoot in the street.”

[Dick:] “Steph… I don’t think we’d actually keep the shoes. But.. erm, yeah no. Number two, please avoid spilling blood on the carpets and the curtains. Obviously it goes for both real and fake blood. Heck, just avoid spilling anything on the carpets and curtains in general.”

[Stephanie:] “Except if you’d like to get a very pissed off Alfred and in that case, have fun. I’ll make sure to bring flowers for your funeral.”

[Dick:] “Aaaactually, the third rule, we, the children of Bruce Wayne, have added by ourselves this time, is do not, I repeat, DO NOT piss off Alfred. He’s already doing a huge job to make sure we’ll have a very cool party and this year he’s making cookies. A lot of cookies. That plus making sure the party is running smoothly, we don’t want him to work even more than he needs to.”

[Stephanie:] “Bless Alfred, that man is a saint.”

[Dick:] “I know. We love you Alfred. Fourth rule is don’t throw up anywhere but the toilets. At worst, the sink. Sometimes things get a little crazy and yes, you feel the need to throw up, but please, do so in the toilet. Spare Alfred.”

[Stephanie:] “Bleh, gross? But it’s totally better than on the floor or walls I guess. You told me something about sweets?”

[Dick:] “Yeah, we got a bunch of specific sweets for vegans or other people following specific diets or who have allergies, like peanuts for example. It’s all in different containers, labeled and everything, so if you can eat regular sweets, please don’t take any of those. That is rule five, don’t take the vegan sweets. Otherwise you’ll probably be stabbed by Damian, that kid always has a sharp pencil somewhere. So this is already a forewarning and know that if you do take the risk, we’re not responsible for anything he does.”

[Stephanie:] “Yeah, please be cautious. He’s a bit extreme sometimes but it’s for the best in this specific case. Everyone wants to enjoy the party, that includes food and avoiding to call 911 for a stab wound.”

[Dick:] “Moving on to number six. As for those who went to previous parties, you may already know that we’ve got a cow at the manor - well, not in the manor, but she’s got a barn in the garden. Rule six is DON’T TIP OVER THE COW. LEAVE HER ALONE!”

[Stephanie:] “That animal deserves to have a quiet evening. What’d you guys name her? Batcow?”

[Dick:] “Yes, Damian named her Batcow. Don’t laugh.”

[Stephanie:] [Laughs] “Is that rule number seven? Don’t laugh at Batcow?”

[Dick:] [Some laughing] “It may as well be. But moving on, the next rule… There’s a few designated party areas, which by the way doesn’t include the barn, so for everyone’s safety and for the comfort of the Wayne Family, please do not leave those areas. Surveillance and booby traps, courtesy of Jason, will be set up. Seriously, we don’t want any of our rooms to be snooped in and messed up. That’s our private quarters, have some decency people.”

[Stephanie:] “Unlike last year.”

[Dick:] “Correct, unlike last year. That’s one instant way to lead yourself on the Black List. Rule number eight, please make sure you’ve got parent permission, or at least leave a note at your place to tell your folks where you’re at. Every year we always get cops showing up at our door because your parents can’t find you, so please make sure tell them where you’re going. Leading to number nine, if you think you might crash at the manor for the night, take a bag of fresh clothes. There’s a designated room to keep everyone’s stuff safe, so don’t worry about theft.”

[Stephanie:] “Yeah, no one wants to get breakfast with someone smelling like sweat and booze, that’s disgusting. Bring fresh shirts and pants, guys. Hey, didn’t you mention something about booze?”

[Dick:] “M hm, yep. It’s right here.” [sound of paper being shuffled again] “Number ten, do not, I repeat this with an utmost urge, do NOT bring booze. No booze, don’t bring any, we don’t want cops rolling up on our doors again because they catch intoxicated kids in the streets and tell them they’ve got it at our party.”

[Stephanie:] “But we aaaall know Jay’s gonna bring some anyway.”

[Dick:] “I can neither agree or disagree with that statement, but what I will say is, he can’t get any from the manor supply anymore. But yes, he does find booze from god knows where.”

[Stephanie:] “Sometimes I really wonder where he finds it. But he’s a tomb, he doesn’t spill anything. It’s really annoying, I can’t even get him to spill tea at any time.”

[Dick:] “...Steph he can most likely hear you.”

[Stephanie:] “AH! I mean… It’s really nice to know someone doesn’t spread rumors in the school, yep, really refreshing.”

[Dick:] “Suuuuuure, we all believe you. Totally. There’s a last rule, newly added too. As per the events of last year, do NOT climb on the chandelier and use it to swing-”

[Stephanie:] “As we all know who did.”

[Three seconds of silence followed by Dick, clearing his throat, and Steph chuckling.]

[Dick:] “...Moving on, do not climb onto the roof and jump into the pool. Do not climb on anything that isn’t meant to be climbed on as a matter of fact, because if this continues, we’re literally about to pass out forms and disclaimers to get you and your guardians to sign just so we can get angry parents out of our butts.”

[Stephanie:] “God, seriously??”

[Dick:] “Seriously.”

[Stephanie:] “Forms are the tickets to get in?”

[Dick:] “EXACTLY!”

[Some laughing from Stephanie.]

[Stephanie:] “That’s ridiculous!”

[Dick:] “I know! So please abide by the rules and I know some of ya’ll are gonna be ‘Aaaahh screw the rules.’ Don’t bother coming then.”

[Stephanie:] [Unintelligible sound coming from her, she sounds far away] “FUCK THE RULES!”

[Dick:] “Oh my god Steph please sit down, don’t let Alfred hear you say that.”

[More unintelligible sounds coming from Stephanie’s end and she clears her throat.]

[Stephanie:] “Hello.”

[Dick:] “Got that out of your system?”

[Stephanie:] “...Yep.”

[Dick:] “...Okay. Well, we’ve got a couple questions we’ve received from all our lovely listeners out there.”

[Stephanie:] “Aaand we will answer those questions, riiiight after our break.” [Increases the speed of talking] “This podcast was brought to you by the DramaClub,weneedmorepeopletojoinpleasejoinusOKAYIGOTTAGOUSETHEBATHROOM-”

[End of Episode 2.1. There’s elevator music being played.]

#batfam #batfamily #spoiler alert podcast #sap #stephanie brown #dick grayson #damian wayne #alfred pennyworth #season 1 #richard grayson

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kaileah-kat · 6 years ago

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There’s more, here’s part four.

I’m avoiding fluffy and shippy headcanons :D Plus I’m just really bored. Have some things that have happened to the gang while working! And these totally aren’t based on real events. That would be ridiculous. There’s fictional events in here too, don’t worry!

Patton once forgot to scan a large stack of a woman's coupons. She also works at Rainbow Mart. Sorry Kathy. :(

In the produce department, a cart of bagged salad fell and buried an old lady.

Virgil finished scanning a woman's groceries and at the end, she gave him a dollar. Before he could say/do anything she was gone.

Logan didn’t hear part of a customers question. He asked the man to repeat it and the man just walked away annoyed, leaving Logan equally as frustrated.

When Roman was a cashier, a man left his cart in Romans lane. The man left angerly, using all sorts of profanity. Emile was there, so was Belial. (The man also yelled at Belial) Roman just stood there, staring at the cart with at least $300 worth of groceries. Everyone was confused.

A can of corn fell on Virgils foot from an about 3 foot high shelf... He nearly screamed “fuck” in front of a four year old.

There are about four shopping carts in the grocery back room that don’t belong to Rainbow Mart. No one knows how they got there, they all just accept it.

Emile had a surgery and was out of work for a bit and whenever anyone saw Logan all they did was ask when he was coming back because they missed him. :’)

Roman once dropped a watermelon and it exploded. Immediately after he spilled a container of blueberries. He never felt so defeated.

The only time Virgil ever wanted to smack someone was when whoever was in charge of the soap and bleach cart last left seven broken containers of comet for him to be surprised with. The shit was everywhere!

Registers # 1,8 & 13 are the worst registers you could ever be placed at. Belial somehow manages to make sure Virgil was at one of them for at least half of his shift.

Once a child said he wanted to marry Patton because he was handsome. It was the highlight of Pattons day and it was only the beginning of his shift.

Remember Kyle? Well, once he showed up for his shift and immediately ran up to Virgil and said something along the lines of “the snake is sleeping”

Virgil was so confused until he later walked past the front end managers office and saw Belial passed out on the desk because holy shit, Kyle got a hold of some Narcotic and put it in his coffee. Virgil still doesn’t know how.

On the good side, Belial didn’t bother them until the next day.

Logan once caught Remy sleeping a closet in the supply room (probably because he was raving the night before). Logan just shook his head and went “You’re a disgrace to the uniform” and shut the closet door.

“Virgil want to cause chaos?” “How?” “Well I say we reorganize everything and confuse everyone-” “Kyle, let’s not.”

Emile nearly lost his mind when he gave an employee one really important task and it never got done.

Once Roman lost a bet and he had to get acrylic nails. He hit them against something, one of them broke and he’s never experienced that intense level of pain.

I think I’m going to end here. I’m running out of ideas, oops.

HERE’S PART ONE

HERE’S PART TWO

HERE’S PART THREE

HERE’S A FLOOR PLAN

Tagging of the peeps: @time-capsule-for-the-future @leesbiaq @bunny222 @unknownsandersfan @confinesofpersonalknowledge @thequeensqueer @spectacled-renegade @roman-is-a-gay @fearfilledvirgil @tisithelittleelephant @altruistic-skittles @kittyinthemoon @virgilcrofters @arnyanimaltrash156 @wildheart49 @an-ace-up-my-sleeves @cyberpunkjinx @phlying-squirrel @jay-son-toddler @romanthroughthestars @samathekittycat @rockypond101

#sanders sides #sanders sides au #virgil sanders #logan sanders #patton sanders #roman sanders #deceit sanders #thomas sanders #supermarket!au #tis mine

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i-am-very-very-tired · 3 years ago

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Feb 11, 2021,11:28am EST|22,597 views Why Rihanna’s Fenty Clothing Line Has Been Put To An End 📷 Roxanne RobinsonContributor Retail I am a Paris-based journalist covering the luxury and fashion industry. 📷 📷📷 Rihanna arrives at The Fashion Awards 2019 wearing[+]SAMIR HUSSEINWIREIMAGEThe pandemic proved to be good for panties and not so good for pants. At least that is the case for Rihanna’s Fenty clothing line, the LVMH-owned brand and only the second start-up brand the French luxury conglomerate has backed. In a mutual agreement, the parties have decided to cease the line launched less than two years ago. The pressure to make it or break it has never been higher in luxury. Meanwhile, Savage X Fenty, the disruptive lingerie line launched in 2018, secured $115 million in Series B funding led by L Catterton’s Growth Fund. Clearly expressing opposite paths begs the question of what led to Savage X Fenty succeeding over Fenty?Fenty Maison’s Unique Beginnings It’s important to look at the stakes involved launching a ground-up brand by LVMH. The luxury behemoth is known mainly for acquiring and reviving existing luxury brands. The last time they launched a new brand was Christian Lacroix in 1987. It also marked the first female of color to lead a brand for the French group. Beyond adding to her beauty and lingerie enterprises, the concept was to build upon Rihanna’s creative director and guest designing gigs at Puma and Manolo Blahnik, both commercial successes. In these cases, the singer harnessed an existing aesthetic with production support built in. The debut collection for Fenty, in May of 2019, represented the “greatest hits” of the singer’s wardrobe and was executed with Fenty’s number 2 creative Jahleel Weaver, her longtime stylist. In a video press conference at the time, Rihanna, aka Robyn Fenty, the CEO and Creative Director of Fenty, noted the experience by saying, ”It’s a meticulous process. You don’t get bored when deciding what a new collection can be. LVMH is a monster of a machine; you can only expect the best.”The aim was to eschew typical four times yearly collections by adding drops when the inspiration and mojo to churn the machine for merch beckoned. Fenty rolled out in tandem with events with several retail partners versus costly fashion shows. The collection priced in the entry designer category: Jogger pants cost $280, T-shirts started at $180, hoodies at $300, an oversized padded denim jacket for $940 and dresses between $600-700. Initially, the drops were averaging every six to eight weeks, with seven deliveries in 2019 and six in 2020. The philosophy was to build on essential wardrobe items to be evergreen in the line. Unforeseeable Challenges Aside from the fact that a global pandemic put many fashion brands in peril, Fenty didn’t gain the traction its initial hype promised. Signs of its trouble were evident in the fall of 2020, when a new managing director Bastien Renard was appointed to replace ready-to-wear executive Veronique Gebel. Next, LVMH chief financial officer Jean-Jacques Guiony said the line was a “work in progress,” to WWD. As Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin, also LVMH owned, are performing exceptionally, it’s clear the singer is bankable. PARIS, FRANCE – MAY 22: Bernard Arnault and[+]GETTY IMAGES FOR FENTYBut designing clothing collections is entirely different. Especially when Covid-19 made traveling to Europe for design meetings and production visits difficult. The singer and her stylist and (company brass) may have been overly ambitious about just how much unique merch could be pumped out in a year. Accessories such as sunglasses and fashion jewelry performed better overall, often selling out or having waitlists. But most styles remained the same since the May 2019 launch. Aside from signature hip-cut out on skirts, dresses and even hoodies, the merch wasn’t that distinctive. The shoe offering didn’t appear to evolve.An effort to remedy that, perhaps, was the collaborators joining forces with buzzy cobbler Amina Muaddi. The collaboration added a covered toe elastic vamp

style slingback stiletto and garnered them a footwear award. But the shoes offered in drop 11-20 were the last. Some industry voices on Twitter, such as Pierre M’ Pele of Perfect Magazine, proclaimed the line was simply not good. The Industry View Luxury brand consultant Robert Burke, of Robert Burke and Associates, surmises that the clothing line positioned at collection prices wasn’t the best place to reach her customer. He noted luxury buyers stuck with tried-and-true names like Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Hermes.Burke also felt that for the launch’s fanfare, the drop method was not the right approach. “They left out the fashion show hype which would have reached millions more online, but her power is in her notoriety,” said Burke.The lingerie and beauty lines, on the other hand, appeal to her demographic with their body positivity outlook and accessible price points. Plus, they have garnered a bigger social media following. While Fenty has just 1 million followers, Savage X Fenty has 3.9 million and Fenty Beauty has a whopping 10.5 million followers.There is also a lower threshold in luxury today to weather loss and unprofitability. “I don’t know if there are five and ten-year plans anymore; there is so much at stake. And investors look to brands that grow organically,” said Burke. Sucharita Kodali, VP, Principal Analyst with Forrester, agreed. “I think like any smart business decision, this is about investing in what is working–i.e., beauty and undergarments–and failing fast at anything that isn’t,” she said. “In this case, Fenty fashion clothing wasn’t working, so it’s not a priority now.”A Lust for Lingerie Like Rihanna’s beauty brands, Savage X Fenty lingerie is experiencing great success, thanks largely to its ability to attract Gen Z and Millennial customers. Relative to the clothing line, Fenty lingerie is quite affordable, with skimpy thongs selling for less than $10, bras selling for $17 to $22, and full-body teddies under $30.It has also promoted the inclusivity factor. Sizes range from XS to 3X and Savage X Fenty promoted all shapes, colors and sizes in their branding campaigns, website and social media. It checks all boxes for authenticity, which is vital to the demographic. The line was extra buzzy for its ever-present influencer stable with names such as Aeysha Perry-Iqbal (489K followers), Corie Rayvon (974K followers), Denise Bidot (794K followers), Jazzmyne Jay (586K followers) and Symphani Soto (434K followers) among others. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – Rihanna onstage during[+]GETTY IMAGES FOR SAVAGE X FENTY SHOW VOL. 2 PRESENTED BY AMAZON PRIME VIDEO Marie Driscoll, CFA and Managing Director, Luxury & Fashion at Coresight Research Inc. notes the surge of demand for intimates, casual and comfort apparel benefitted from the same trend that stymied fashion apparel during Covid-19, the lack of anywhere to wear tailored and dressy RTW. “To pivot to intimates is a wise move and does leverage Rihanna’s brand DNA of inclusivity, which is a value consumers seek when choosing brands, along with demand for comfort clothing in a Covid-19 environment, “ said Driscoll noting the longer-term secular trend of casualization to benefit a focus on intimates and sports apparel.Market Standing In a press release about the new injection of funding into Savage X Fenty, co-Presidents Natalie Guzman and Christiane Pendarvis said: “As we continue to grow the brand at a remarkable pace, it is imperative we move forward with partners who not only have a deep understanding of our business and customer base but share our ambitious vision for Savage X Fenty and have the operational know-how to work with us to achieve it.”That ambitious vision includes retail. Branded brick and mortar stores are important to this brand that destigmatized racy lingerie. Many of the styles are reminiscent of intimate apparel previously only sold in adult entertainment stores—another visible aspect of Rihanna’s overall acceptance and inclusion M-O.According to the press release, the Series B financing follows “an exceptional year for Savage X

Fenty in which it experienced explosive revenue growth of over 200%, while increasing its active VIP member base by over 150%.” Stats shared by a representative for L. Catterton noted that Savage By Fenty holds a 3-5% market share in intimates. A notable stat for a brand that is only in the market for two years and hasn’t entered retail yet. Its core demo – women ages 18-35 — is expected to gain a much higher market share. By comparison, Aerie, which launched 14 years ago, report intimates make up just 31% of their total revenue which is estimated at $1 billion. “The brand strikes a unique balance between affordability, fashion, and comfort, stands deeply for inclusivity and diversity, and has differentiated itself by building an extraordinary level of affinity and unmatched customer loyalty,” said Jon Owsley, co-Managing Partner of L Catterton’s Growth Fund in the release. “We believe the opportunities ahead for Savage X Fenty are enormous.” LVMH partnered with the investment firm in 2016, thus rebranding at L Catterton. So, what’s good for L Catterton is good for Bernard Arnault’s luxury group.Move Over Victoria’s Secret Additionally, Savage X Fenty is hitting its stride when sector leader Victoria’s Secret succumbed to its woes that began even pre-pandemic. In May of 2020, they announced they would be closing 250 stores in the US. According to Euromonitor’s research firm, Victoria’s Secret share of the women’s underwear market has declined from 34% in 2016 to 25.7% in 2019.The intimates playing field has been heating up due to consumers trends as well. “We have seen the blurring of categories as intimates expands beyond underwear to outerwear (loungewear and casual wear), giving rise to a lifestyle intimates category, as we can see with American Eagles’ AEO aerie and Kim Kardashian West’s SKIMS. Rihanna and Savage X Fenty is better positioned to capitalize on market and consumer trends than Fenty RTW,” observes Driscoll.LVMH has their eye on the prize in this regard. “They are looking at where the customer and opportunity are now,” said Burke, “Rihanna is a great brand and spokesperson for it. I think this is a process of taping into how to use her talent best to reach the younger, forward-thinking audience that knows her best.” Get the best of Forbes to your inbox with the latest insights from experts across the globe. Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Roxanne Robinson …Read More I am an award-winning Paris-based American journalist covering luxury and fashion industries with over 25 years of experience. I spent over 18 years at the industryCorrectionsReprints & Permissions Loading ... More From Forbes Are Vaccines A Shot In The Arm For Retail Recovery? What To Expect From Onboard Shopping Now That Cruise Trips Are Back Growth Of Online Luxury Marketplaces Continues In 2021 Legendary Retailer Mervin Morris' Business Faded Long Before He Died StockX Optimizes Customer Experience With Help From Quantum Metric Will There Be Enough Toys For Holiday Gifts? Humanising Digital: Yahoo Kicks Off NYFW By Hurling Holograms Into Fans’ Homes Feel-Good Deal: Zesty Paws $610M Sale Shows Potential Of Pet Wellness Market

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mrtroy · 4 years ago

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The Scores Have Changed, My Childhood Is Over, and I Think I Might Understand How Other People Look At Sports

Originally from December 5th, 2010

To say that the last twenty plus years of my life have been completely and hopelessly consumed by sports may be the grossest understatement I have ever put into print, yet until just recently, I don't think I had a grasp on what a more "normal" sports following could be like. I'm still not sure I am willing to accept this concept of "social sports fan-dom" as I'll call it, but it might be worth a prolonged look.

Let me explain.

I suppose that to best understand where I'm at now, it might be best to understand where I am coming from. I think I need to blame my mom for setting me off on this crazed obsession, or maybe the blame should go the Oakland A's for the utterly disappointing display they put on in the 1990 World Series. As I had really started to get into baseball in the Summer of '90, Mom had the great idea of taping the World Series. While other 5 year-olds were perfectly content watching Mr. Rogers zip up his cardigan every morning, Mom knew that if she was lucky a good World Series could provide my baseball fiending mind with seven games of pure VHS-driven bliss. At roughly 3 hours a game, played back ten times each, Mom would have 200 hours of fodder to answer the question, "Mom, when are they going to start playing new games again."

And then, Jose Rijo, Barry Larkin, Chris Sabo and the Don't Stand A Chance Reds had to ruin everything. It wasn't so much the fact that they won the series as it was that they did it in such decisive fashion that added insult to injury. Four games, and it was over. The minimum. The very least. And worse, Game 1 was a 7-0 blanking, and Game 3 was a convincing 8-3 rout in which the Reds put up 7 in the third, and the rest of the game was a mere formality. Translation: My to-be friends of 18 years later, Nathan Clinkenbeard, and Nate Kohrs, rejoiced as their Reds won it all, but more relevant to the situation at the time, I was left without much good winter baseball to tide me over until April.

I watched the tape, and all I wanted to do was to be able to break a bat on my back the way I had seen Reds journeymen outfielder Glenn Braggs do it. I emulated the overly pronounced batting crouch of Rickey Henderson, and began to wonder how Harold Baines could hit a ball so far, despite never looking like he was even swinging hard enough to hit the ball as far as I did in T-Ball.

In '91 things worsened. For some reason I got the Pittsburgh Pirates lineup in my head, and every day in the back yard I would throw the ball up to myself, hit the ball, run around imaginary bases, take a break to become an imaginary outfielder to retrieve the ball, and then switch back to being the base runner to continue running. Every day, it was Cubs and Pirates. I can remember getting mad at myself, and actually sitting down and pouting for extended periods of time because when it came time for Sid Bream's at-bat I ran too fast. Sid was a notoriously slow runner in real life, and I wanted to maintain a certain level of realism in my one-man re-enactments. Apparently in my excitement I had forgotten who I was supposed to be impersonating, and run too fast. In my six-year old world, this was enough to ruin my day.

The Fall came, and with it a Fall Classic for the ages. Why Mom didn't tape this one, I'll never know. Although, if she had, I may still be watching it. The Braves and Twins treated me to seven games of pure ecstasy. Although, all I cared about was the sweet headstand that Greg Olsen went into after a collision at the plate. Sports Illustrated put Olsen on the cover, and I spent all winter trying to duplicate the feat in my basement. Here's a look at the photo; it's a miracle I didn't break my neck. ( http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/cover/featured/9301/index.htm )

It was also in '91 that I first realized there were other sports other than baseball, as the Bulls were on their way to capturing their first title. I don't remember much of the season, other than laying on the floor with a basketball in my hand trying to mimic the Michael Jordan poster in my room.

History seemed to repeat itself over the next few years. The Bulls won another title and the Braves were in the World Series again in '92. I was incredulous to the fact that Otis Nixon would try and bunt his way on while representing the Atlanta's last shot to extend the series. I was mad about that until about March of '93 until Mom and Dad packed my brother and I into a conversion van and we set our sites on Mesa, Arizona for Cubs spring training. We ran into Cubs' pitcher Mike Morgan in the parking lot, he gave my mom his hat, and sent me into a swoon of idol-worshiping that would last even longer than Morgan managed to bounce around the big leagues.

**Side Tangent** I remember being in a bar in the Phoenix area eating dinner, and everyone was going crazy about the Phoenix Suns as they were on their way to meeting the Bulls in the Finals. And yet, all I cared about was that Steve

Buechele, Cubs third baseman was sitting a few tables away. I remember my French fries getting cold because I was too mesmerized to eat.

Later in '93 the Toronto Blue Jays won another World Series, and I began to understand for the first time what it was like to feel compassion. Mitch Williams gave up the famous home run to Joe Carter that sent Canada into a a frenzy, and while everyone was celebrating, all I could think about was how mad people were going to be at Mitch Williams for blowing it.

1994, my life almost came to a screeching halt. The day before I turned 9, the Major League Baseball Players strike started, and eventually culminated with the cancellation of the World Series. You may as well have cancelled my birthday, Christmas, New Years, Easter and any other meaningful holiday. We're talking total devastation.

Luckily in '95 baseball came back with a new playoff system, and I had spent the entire off season reading. It was about this time in school that we had to do free reading every day, and we had to write about it. Our school library had a seven or eight book series highlighting the different aspects of baseball that someone could be good at. The books were entitled, "Speed," "Power," "Pitching" etc. I read these books over and over. They were large format books that I think I would consider to be rotating coffee table material if I came across them today. Little matter, I read them cover to cover, and they had these charts that listed the all-time leaders in many of baseball's statistical categories. After a while, I'd just read the charts. Time, and time again. For some reason, knowing who was the best at certain things excited me. Even if this person had been dead for 60 years. The pages came alive in my mind, and even though I had never seen Ty Cobb play, never known anyone who had, or had any rooting interest for his team, the Detroit Tigers, I was fascinated by what the numerical data next to his name could teach me about him. I would later go on to read that Tyrus Raymond Cobb (I developed a penchant for knowing players full names) was not so much of a good guy, but actually was a mean spirited bigot. It was at this time that I remember being glad that many of his most hallowed records had been broken.

Around this time I also discovered that each morning the glorious, glorious sports editors at The Chicago Tribune published box scores for all the major sports action from the night before. It was an unbelievable development. Now I had happened upon a way to read new and evolving history, every morning. League leaders in all the statistical categories, short recaps of what had happened, and overall numbers galore; every day was better than the last. Ken Griffey Jr. was tearing up the American League with home runs on what seemed to be a daily basis. On the other side of the page in the paper, Greg Maddux was shutting down the National League, and further cementing himself as the best pitcher of his generation, (in my mind at least) and elevating himself to Greek God-like status in the mind of my father.

It was at this time that the foundation for my current sports revelation first planted its seeds. Although, I didn't know it at the time. I was too busy counting home runs to realize what was going on, but inside there was also this great love of Maddux developing as well. This really had nothing to do with Maddux himself, as he had moved on from the Cubs to the Braves a few years earlier, and I could no longer watch him on a day to day basis. This had all to do with Pops. Seeing my father get such enjoyment out of simply reading that Maddux shutout another opponent was very cool to me. And, as is the case with many father-son duos, I loved Maddux because Pops loved Maddux.

These trends continued. I read as much baseball statistical data as I could get my hands on, and I looked to Pops to find new interests to follow in the paper each morning.

Lots of guys rose to prominence at this time. But it wasn't necessarily the guys that were established that caught my eye. It was the young guys. Despite the fact that Maddux would go on to play for more than twenty years, he was old news by the time I really got into following this sort of thing. He was Pops' guy. Pops didn't much care for the new-age stars like a Ken Griffey Jr., but we could agree on a guy like Chipper Jones, the all-American can't miss kid, or Derek Jeter the emerging star of the Yankees. We weren't fans of their teams, but they were in the post season every year, and it was easy to watch them progress.

Then came the star of stars for Pops and I. Tiger Woods. Pops had been reading up on him for years, and by the time he burst onto the scene in '96, Pops had already drank about six quarts of the Tiger Koolaid. Every week our love grew, with every major championship, it wasn't just that Tiger had won, it was as if Pops and I had won. We won because we had followed him, we had read about him, and along with millions of others, we knew he was going to be good. And, every time he won, he elevated himself further into this land of unthinkable admiration. Never before had there been an athlete of whom I had come to expect so much from that had actually been able to deliver. Not only had he been able to deliver, but each time he delivered, he seemed to do it in such a way that I couldn't help but just think, man, I love this guy.

Time continued on, and my enthrallment with the games that these men played continued to grow. '96 marked the beginning of the Yankees run of dominance, and with it much reading of Yankee lore. Also I remember teaching Mom how to keep a proper score book for a baseball game. We'd watch the World Series, and while she didn't know Mariano Duncan from Duncan Hines, she came to learn that if there was a ground ball to Mariano at second, she would enter a 4-3 in the score book as soon as he recorded the out at first base.

As the numerical world inside my head expanded further, It may not shock you to learn that my abilities on the field experienced an inverse reaction. Once in possession of an above average fastball and an hefty appetite for shagging fly balls, by the time freshmen year of high school rolled around, my role on the high school baseball team had been reduced to pencil pushing scorekeeper, infield practice facilitator, and blowout mop-up inning specialist. This didn't so much bother me, as I recall an instance where I rushed out of an early season practice so my mom could drop me off at a fantasy baseball draft where I was the youngest guy in the room by about 30 years. (I picked up Mike Sweeney late in that draft, and was smiling cheek to cheek all season as he hit well over .300) My uncle Tony was nice enough to let me tag along in his fantasy league for years, and I remember the best day of the week being when the old stat packets would show up in the mail, and I'd spend all afternoon breaking down what the other team owners were doing, and what we could do to improve on our perpetual 7th place standing. This was before all of the fantasy sports had moved to the Internet, and while I have come to appreciate the ease in which I can stay connected to fantasy sports nowadays, there was something magical about tearing open that envelope to find out that we'd moved up a half a point, and were now only a point and a half out of 6th place!!

Eventually the Internet won out for statistical tracking, and while I was sad, this transition gave me access to entire portals of data that were completely dedicated to my passions. Living with my buddy Ed Liss my freshmen year of college, he must have thought I owned a partial stake in www.basketball-reference.com. While I wasn't much of an NBA fan at this point, the historical standings, all-time leader boards, and player searching capabilities kept me occupied for hours on end. In fact, my choice of the University of Illinois to go to college in the first place was a choice that I made in large part due to the Big Ten sporting atmosphere that I knew I'd experience while I was there.

Jeff Renfro and I lived and died along with every play of the Illini's historic run to the Final Four in 2004-05, and I'll never forget going to games in the years following with Melissa Colgan, Suzan Balch, Gregg Conn, and countless others. I wore my Luther Head # 4 shirt to every game, and for something like 41 times in a row, if I wore the shirt, the team didn't lose. It was unbelievable.

In 2008, the Illini football team made a rare appearance in the Rose Bowl, and took on the heavily favored Trojans of USC. The family made the trek out to Pasadena for the game, only to watch our team get thoroughly trounced. Walking out of the stadium, if I would have had a tail, it would have been tightly tucked away between my legs as if I were a puppy who had just ruined a garden full of freshly planted petunias. The Illini had been humiliated, and so too had I.

I'm not sure if my transformation really started because the teams I rooted for never won, or if it was just gaining a new perspective that can only come with growing up, but I started to realize, maybe the keys to the games didn't so much lie in the encrypted world of statistics.

Time passed and one by one, the sports heroes of my childhood faded away. Maddux retired after the '08 season, and watching Ken Griffey Jr. limp through his final days in Seattle early in the 2010 season really put the nail in the coffin of my childhood. Sure, I was 25 years old at this point, and far from actually being a child, but here was the guy whose jersey I had, baseball cleats I had, video games I played, baseball cards I collected, and the guy who I had simply first known as "The Kid." And here he was, 40 years old and unable to keep his legs healthy enough to play every day. I may not have been a kid anymore, but Ken Griffey Jr. was my childhood.

And so I thought, "This is what it was like for Yankee fans as they watched Mickey Mantle hobble around the bases in 1968? This was the anguish of watching Johnny Unitas try and hang on with the Chargers, or Willie Mays with the Mets?" The unmistakable ending of an era, right before your eyes.

It was awful.

No amount of statistical data could save me, either. On the stat sheet, Griffey Jr. may have hit 630 career home runs, but that was just it, at this point, those were just stats. They were history. The guy who could never get old, got old. And just like that, he was gone. Next thing I knew, Chipper Jones tore his ACL, and there is a good chance his career could be coming to an end shortly. Somehow Derek Jeter is 36 now and has just negotiated the final contract of his career. All of these guys that I associated with my childhood, they're old. Sure, there are always new players, and there will always be guys to make assaults on the record books, but unfortunately for me, for every new young star that comes along, I'm no longer going to be that little boy who doesn't know any better than to worship the ground on which he stands. The innocence it takes to one day envision yourself running the bases at Wrigley Field or Yankee Stadium, these thoughts can only be conjured up by the mind of a pre-pubescent teen. I'm sure a new young star will enter the game in the coming years, and there's a good chance I'll admire the level at which he's honed his skills, but there's no way he'll turn me into a major leaguer, the way I thought Ken Griffey Jr. could.

Maybe that's why golf, despite being what most would call a boring game, has endured over time and remained relevant. In no other sport can a guy like Jack Nicklaus win major championships 24 years apart, or a guy like Tom Watson compete a few months shy of his 60th birthday for an Open Championship. For any average 50 year-old watching Watson toil at Turnberry, an opportunity arose for them to remember back to when the same guy did they same thing at the same course- when they were in high school. Just think of that.

All of this leads me back to Tiger Woods. My sports equivalent to a Lord and Savior. Mine and Pops guy. The same guy who prompted Pops to call me in June of 2008 when I was at the College Baseball World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, just so Pops could channel his inner Dan Hicks and give me the play by play of Tiger's famous putt.

"He's lining it up. Now he's walking around it. You know, looking at it from every angle, like he always does. He really seems to be taking longer than he usually does on this one..."

At this point, the baseball game I'm watching is in between innings, and not much was going on, but Pops continued.

"Alright, I think he's finally ready. I think it's about 18 feet or so. He putts it. And....Ohhh my gosh Matt, HE MADE IT. HE MADE IT. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. HE MADE IT!!"

At this point, I let out a loud cheer 450 miles away in Omaha. I'm sure the people around me were looking at me like I was crazy, but at this point, I didn't care. Tiger had done it! The guy was playing with a torn ACL, and a broken leg, and the next day he would go on to with the U.S. Open. This is the kind of legend that Mark Twain couldn't write, and Steven Spielberg couldn't make any more sensational.

A year and a half later when the world came to find out that Tiger wasn't exactly the guy everyone thought he was, I was crushed. While his feats on the golf course should not be diminished in light of the details that came out of his personal life, the mystique and the aura that he carried with him could never be the same. Steroids rocked baseball, the NBA after Michael Jordan lacked the luster that it once had, the NFL, while great, had never had quite standing in my sports universe, but this was more than those combined. This was fifteen years of bonding between my father and I that all the sudden seemed hollow. Sure, those events that we cheered about still happened, but the big part of what made it so special was the fact that it was Tiger, and up to that point, he had represented all of the things that my parents had tried to teach me to be. A hard worker, a fierce competitor, and a well-rounded individual away from sports. I should be clear in emphasizing that my parents never told me to emulate Tiger, or any athlete for that matter, yet his case just so happened to be one was easily relate-able. With the deeper meaning of what Tiger meant to my father and I now in question, I was sent searching.

This all helped me realize that being a sports fan is not about the people who play them, or the stats they accumulate.

You can say that I'm going "soft," or that in this moment in time I must be feeling overly sentimental, but, I think I'm ready to come to grips with the fact that being a sports fan is about sharing your rooting interest with those around you.

Really? You had to spend thousands of words to figure that out, genius?

I never thought I'd say it, but being able to share these moments with others means more than a box score ever could. Sure winning helps, but the jubilation I watched my friends experience when the White Sox won the World Series in 2005, or the way people partied when the Bears advanced to the Super Bowl after the 2006 season, none of that would have existed in a vacuum. Sure, you'd be excited if a team you'd rooted for your whole life finally achieved their goal and won something, but being able to call up your dad, or party with your buddies, or text your uncle, those are the things you remember.

I look back fondly on that U.S. Open, not for how it turned out, but for the memories I have with my father. I think back to the Final Four with Renfro reduced to tears as we watched players from North Carolina cut down the nets. I remember an Illini basketball game where it appeared as though Rich McBride had hit a last second shot to beat Penn State. The shot was later overturned, but my memory of clutching the arm of my friend Jessica Young, hoping against hope that somehow they'd overrule the call can't be taken from me. The Rose Bowl from '08, my most indelible memories are of my friends Tim and Meghan Michaels having a comical battle with their GPS as we drove around LA. To this day I don't watch an Illini fooball game without thinking of Steve Contorno and his detest for my old E.B. Halsey Illini football jersey. Halsey has moved on, and the jersey is gathering dust in my closet, but that one little morsel of a fact has been enough for Steve and I to remain friends five years after the fact.

The fantasy sports I play today, I no longer have rabid tendencies to devour stats, or prove to anyone that I'm smarter than they are. In fact, the playful ribbing of a Steve Hild, or the incessant banter of Jeff Lizzo, Kevin Barry and Drew Stiling mean more to me than winning a fantasy league title ever could.

I often wondered as people sat in the stands at games, or watched on TV, how they could fully enjoy the experience without knowing that the last time there had been a statistical oddity like this or that was in 1974, and before that 1921, and so on and so on. Rather, I've moved on. Beyond all the statistics, and all the analysis lies the significance of human emotion. And while I may never be able to quantify it, and it may have taken me longer than most to come to this conclusion, it really is what sports are all about.

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sportsleague365 · 4 years ago

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Training camp primer: NFC East NFC East (listed in predicted order of finish) Dallas Cowboys Projected 2020 record: 11-5 2019 record: 8-8 2019 summary: The offense clicked as well as anyone could have hoped under new coordinator Kellen Moore, but untimely hiccups and defensive inconsistency led to a pair of three-game losing streaks. After a finish outside the playoffs, longtime head coach Jason Garrett was not retained. Key additions: WR CeeDee Lamb, DT Gerald McCoy, DT Dontari Poe, S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, QB Andy Dalton, CB Trevon Diggs, DT Neville Gallimore, K Greg Zuerlein Noteworthy losses: C Travis Frederick, CB Byron Jones, DE Robert Quinn, WR Randall Cobb, DE Michael Bennett, DT Maliek Collins, TE Jason Witten, S Jeff Heath, G Xavier Su’a-Filo Cause for concern: Quinn looked rejuvenated in 2019, landing him a big contract in Chicago, and other talented defenders in Jones, Bennett and Collins are all gone. There’s enough depth to survive at cornerback, but the pass rush opposite DeMarcus Lawrence might need a boost. Position battle worth watching: Frederick wasn’t quite himself in 2019, but his retirement was nonetheless a blow. Who will replace him? Connor McGovern, a 2019 third-rounder who missed his rookie campaign due to injury, will try to unseat veteran Joe Looney, while fourth-round rookie Tyler Biadasz could factor. Over-Under win total from PointsBet: 9.5 The Cowboys are a classic candidate to improve, as their 8-8 record last season belied a terrific plus-113 point differential. There are several questions still to answer, but they have the talent to hit double-digit wins with ease. 2020 forecast: It’s unclear how much new head coach Mike McCarthy will influence the offense, but a loaded unit should continue to thrive with CeeDee Lamb’s arrival. Dak Prescott is still playing for a payday, and Ezekiel Elliott should be in better shape. Dallas’ ceiling depends on new coordinator Mike Nolan’s defense, but the Cowboys should battle the Eagles for the division title. Philadelphia Eagles Projected 2020 record: 10-6 2019 record: 9-7 2019 summary: An offense ravaged by injuries struggled to move the ball, but Carson Wentz & Co. won four straight to close the season and claim the NFC East. Wentz, however, was concussed early in what would be a season-ending playoff loss to the Seahawks. Key additions: CB Darius Slay, DT Javon Hargrave, WR Jalen Reagor, CB Nickell Robey-Coleman, S Will Parks, QB Jalen Hurts, LB Jatavis Brown Noteworthy losses: S Malcolm Jenkins, RB Jordan Howard, DE Vinny Curry, CB Ronald Darby, OL Halapoulivaati Vaitai, DT Tim Jernigan, WR Nelson Agholor, LB Nigel Bradham, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill Cause for concern: Once one of the league’s best, the offensive line is showing cracks. Pro Bowl guard Brandon Brooks (Achilles) is out for the year, and the contingency plan — veteran left tackle Jason Peters re-signed to switch to right guard — is risky. Peters’ replacement, Andre Dillard, was shaky as a first-round rookie last season, and center Jason Kelce will turn 33 in November. Position battle worth watching: After scraping the bottom of the barrel last season, the Eagles have options at wideout, but Alshon Jeffery’s health (foot) leaves a few roles up for grabs. First-round rookie Jalen Reagor should start, but he fits best in the slot or as the Z receiver, which is DeSean Jackson’s nominal spot. JJ Arcega-Whiteside is built to play the X but underwhelmed as a rookie. Greg Ward and rookie John Hightower could also factor in. Over-Under win total from PointsBet: 9.5 A decimated roster made it to nine wins a year ago, and the Eagles are clearly improved, so we feel good about the over. That said, Brooks’ injury was a big blow, and several other key players have a history of getting hurt, so it’s not without risk. 2020 forecast: Wentz got much-needed weapons, and the defense added difference makers up front (Hargrave) and on the back end (Slay). If the reconfigured O-line clicks, Wentz could return to a Pro Bowl level and Philadelphia could be a Super Bowl contender. Still, the Eagles’ variance is high, as Wentz and Jackson have worrisome injury histories, and Fletcher Cox showed signs of decline in 2019. New York Giants Projected 2020 record: 6-10 2019 record: 4-12 2019 summary: The Giants benched Eli Manning early in favor of rookie Daniel Jones, who showed bright spots amid a turnover-heavy rookie campaign. New York did win two of its last three, though that likely cost it top college pass-rusher Chase Young, who Washington took No. 2 overall. Key additions: CB James Bradberry, OT Andrew Thomas, LB Blake Martinez, S Xavier McKinney, OLB Kyler Fackrell, OT Cameron Fleming, RB Dion Lewis, OT Matt Peart Noteworthy losses: LT Nate Solder (opt-out), QB Eli Manning, LB Alec Ogletree, RT Mike Remmers, S Antoine Bethea, C Jon Halapio, LB Deone Bucannon, K Aldrick Rosas Cause for concern: The Giants had only one player with more than 4.5 sacks or 13 QB hits (Markus Golden, 10 and 27) in 2019, but they didn’t add much and brought back Golden only after he had few suitors in free agency. They must hope Lorenzo Carter or Oshane Ximines develops, as Fackrell is hardly dynamic off the edge. Position battle worth watching: Solder has been a poor performer and a massive overpay at left tackle, but his opt-out leaves a major hole. Thomas will very likely fill it, but then who steps in at right tackle? The veteran Fleming should have the edge over Peart, an athletic third-round rookie who must get stronger. Over-Under win total from PointsBet: 6.5 Good quarterbacks tend to make a leap in Year 2, so if you’re a believer in Jones, we don’t blame you for taking the over. But we see a few too many concerns on both sides of the ball to have high expectations in Joe Judge’s first season as head coach. 2020 forecast: Judge and his Patriots-influenced staff aren’t under pressure to win early, so Jones’ development should be the top priority. The Giants will hope the QB returns with better ball security and awareness for pressure, but that’s asking a lot behind an unsettled O-line, even if Thomas’ transition is smooth. Jones does have a nice set of weapons, but the defense has significant question marks. Washington Football Team Projected 2020 record: 6-10 2019 record: 3-13 2019 summary: A tire fire from the start, Washington opened 0-5, leading to Jay Gruden’s firing. Rookie QB Dwayne Haskins took longer to acclimate to the NFL than hoped, but he did show flashes before a Week 16 injury ended his season. Key additions: DE Chase Young, DB Kendall Fuller, CB Ronald Darby, LB Thomas Davis, G Wes Schweitzer, OT Cornelius Lucas, S Sean Davis, QB Kyle Allen, RB/WR Antonio Gibson, OT Saahdiq Charles, WR Antonio Gandy Golden Noteworthy losses: LT Trent Williams, TE Jordan Reed, CB Quinton Dunbar, CB Josh Norman, LT Donald Penn, TE Vernon Davis, G Ereck Flowers, WR Paul Richardson, RB Chris Thompson, QB Case Keenum Cause for concern: Haskins made progress as a rookie, but he didn’t get much help, and that doesn’t seem to be changing. There’s no remotely appealing option at left tackle, and Washington didn’t add much of note at either wideout or tight end, apparently counting on development from Kelvin Harmon and Steven Sims behind Terry McLaurin. Gibson could be a slot/gadget weapon, but the team plans to start him at running back. Position battle worth watching: With Williams traded and Penn unsigned, the left tackle job is wide open. The veteran Lucas, 2018 third-rounder Geron Christian and rookie fourth-rounder Charles — a talented but inconsistent prospect who slipped in the draft due to character concerns — are the primary competitors, but signing another veteran might be wise. Over-Under win total from PointsBet: 5.5 New head coach Ron Rivera brings a strong track record from Carolina, but he’s got his work cut out for him as Washington tries to fix issues both on and off the field. There’s certainly a path to seven or eight wins, but another three-win season seems just as likely. We’d pass on this one. 2020 forecast: Young’s arrival could ignite the defense, which is loaded with talent up front and also has an intriguing set of playmakers in the secondary. But can that unit compensate if the offense is dead weight? Haskins flashes high-level processing and arm talent, but unless his slimmer self proves more mobile, he needs protection and weapons to produce. Washington doesn’t have much of either at the moment. –Field Level Media The post Training camp primer: NFC East appeared first on National Football Post.

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paulbenedictblog · 5 years ago

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Fox news State of the Franchise: Tom Brady's Bucs have sights set on Lombardi - NFL.com

Fox news

Where does your franchise stand heading into 2020? Adam Low sets the table by providing a Convey of the Franchise explore at all 32 groups, zeroing in on essentially the most important figures to explore and atmosphere the stakes for the season to reach abet.

Contributors of the Buccaneers group, Bucs followers across the enviornment and these of you who will henceforth know Tampa Bay as Tompa Bay:

It has been a notorious offseason in Tampa, and no longer correct due to the the recent uniforms that pay homage to essentially the most productive length in franchise history. Bringing in a quarterback many imagine to be essentially the most productive in NFL history modified into all over again or much less a giant deal. Tom Brady comes to a team that has lengthy been starved for a franchise signal-caller. The history of the Buccaneers' group is stuffed with quarterbacks who own tried -- and failed -- to bring a Orderly Bowl.

Smartly, no longer you, Brad Johnson.

But briefly, here is a historic time for the Buccaneers. Let's dig in.

How the Buccaneers purchased here

Let's fetch a posthaste explore at the usaand downs of 2019.

The highs:

Jameis Winston threw for 5,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. Winston grew to turn into the eighth quarterback in NFL history to top 5,000 passing yards in a season.

The lows:

Jameis Winston also threw 30 interceptions. He modified into as soon as the fundamental player in NFL history to own each and each 30 touchdown passes and 30 interceptions in a season. Winston also had essentially the most salvage-sixes (seven) in a season since at least 1950.

Realizing, for many groups on this sequence, we exhaust more time on this portion, having a explore abet at what transpired closing one year. But you added Tom Brady. No one truly cares about the previous posthaste-witted now.

Head coach: Bruce Arians. Steal Gronkowski referred to Arians as a "football master" when he talked about his recent coach, and that fits. Arians is one among essentially the most productive coaches in the enviornment posthaste-witted now, and any team would be fortunate to own him. (I am no longer shifting into the Bears passing on him, although.) Or no longer it's humorous to own these closing couple of years practically eluded Arians, who may perhaps presumably no longer own ever gotten a head-teaching gig if the suppose did no longer hottest itself in Indianapolis about a years abet. Now he's a form of comely tales of a man who finished his most intriguing success later in his profession. Love the Bryan Cranston of the NFL. (If we're casting actors to play NFL coaches, we correct nailed it.) But I will affirm this about Arians (because that it's possible you'll presumably presumably fetch my discover for it): Brady is in Tampa Bay due to the Arians. Maybe no longer 100 p.c due to the Arians. However the coach modified into as soon as indubitably a signal in the professionals column, if TB12 stuffed out a pro-con checklist. Love Ted Mosby customary to function on How I Met Your Mom. And naturally, one among the actors to play Ted's boss in the sequence? Bryan Cranston. Sing. The Bucs are winning the Orderly Bowl. Alright, perhaps I am getting a chunk of sooner than myself.

However the Buccaneers performed successfully in some unspecified time in the future of Arians' first one year in Tampa Bay. The Bucs won 6,366 entire yards, which modified into as soon as the second-most sensible entire in club history. So, that it's possible you'll presumably presumably explore at Winston's season and acknowledge that it modified into as soon as a mixed fetch. The Bucs were third in entire offense and scoring offense. And likewise you favor to own or no longer it'd be a chunk of bit better in 2020 due to the ...

Quarterback: Tom Freaking Brady. I will be factual. I did no longer own this may occasionally ever happen. Although letting chase of essentially the most intriguing quarterback in history is so on save for Invoice Belichick. The man has the sentimentality of Thanos. He snaps his fingers and or no longer it's take care of half of of his roster disappears. The total gargantuan Patriots of the previous 20 years own moved on and completed their careers in some different blueprint, and Brady grew to turn into essentially the hottest to apply that trend, despite the truth that it looked take care of Brady and Belichick would be there forever. This occurs to many of the gargantuan quarterbacks, going abet over the span of NFL history. Joe Montana completed with the Chiefs. Peyton Manning ended up in Denver. Jay Cutler played for the Dolphins. Absolute legends finishing their careers in uncommon uniforms. It occurs.

The establish a question to is, which model of Tom Brady are we getting at 43 (what his age shall be in the starting up of the season)? Due to getting Brady at 43 would be a chunk of bit take care of exhibiting up to a occasion a jiffy sooner than it shuts down, when persons are all, "It's most sensible to quiet were here about a hours previously." Dave Grohl confirmed up and did an acoustic residing. Gordon Ramsay modified into as soon as making minute plates. Now that it's possible you'll presumably presumably be there, and there may be correct three dudes placing out in the corner, and essentially the most productive drink left is White Claw. Now, that's no longer to insist you can not own a appetizing time. And perhaps your presence is ample to accumulate the occasion going all over again. Due to at least one among the closing times we seen Brady, he modified into as soon as shedding at dwelling to Miami (which mark the team a first-round bye). And that playoff loss to Titans modified into as soon as painful to explore. Love Muhammad Ali in about a of his later fights.

But that it's possible you'll presumably also witness this knowing successfully for Brady, because there may be nothing take care of a new originate to reinvigorate you. Getting out and taking half in in the Florida sunshine later in the one year as an more than just some of the dreary chilly of New England has to relief. Plus, explore at the receiving corps. Or no longer it's miles basically the most productive Brady has had since 2007. And Gronk is joining the enjoyable. To me, it'd be a lot take care of relationship Rachel Hunter. It may perhaps perhaps well presumably no longer be Rachel Hunter when she modified into as soon as the SI swimsuit duvet lady in 1994, nonetheless or no longer it's quiet Rachel Hunter. Right here goes to be amazing.

Projected 2020 MVP: Brady. I point out, can or no longer or no longer it's any individual nonetheless Brady at this point? I will no longer even halfheartedly try to accumulate any individual else. Even supposing or no longer it's presumably going to be more crucial for the defense to reach abet thru here, nonetheless we can focus on about that in a minute.

2020 breakout giant name: Jamel Dean, cornerback. He made his upright debut later in the season against the Seattle Seahawks, when he started for the injured Carlton Davis III. It did no longer chase successfully. He gave up three touchdown passes -- and yeah, that modified into as soon as the correct section. But he did play successfully down the stretch, as the Bucs' defense truly began to excel in the secondary. He may perhaps presumably fetch one more giant step this season.

One other recent face to perceive: Steal Freaking Gronkowski. I don't ever take note in my existence seeing a rumor by surprise surface and straight away reach upright in the manner that Gronk is inviting about returning to football and taking half in with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay did. I point out, dudes were quiet tweeting "Imagine it after I witness it" when the deal modified into as soon as finalized, giving Frigid Takes Uncovered some instantaneous fabric. Or no longer it's mighty. I wish all trades may perhaps presumably happen that rapidly.

And sure, Arians has never had a prolific tight end in some unspecified time in the future of his teaching profession. He also has never had a player take care of Gronk who can upward thrust up the seam take care of essentially the most productive large receivers. What I am inflamed to explore is how Arians uses Gronk as a blocker, because that has lengthy been the more underappreciated section of the tight end's game.

The aggressive urgency index is: OFF THE CHARTS. You do no longer pull strikes take care of this to take the NFC South. You accomplish it to take the Orderly Bowl. Bruce Arians did no longer reach abet to teaching because he likes the pressed Cuban sandwiches in Ybor City. The premise is to take now. Love straight away.

Week 1 at New Orleans. We are losing no timing shifting into one among essentially the most anticipated games of 2020. Brady and Brees in the fundamental of (at least) two.

Week 7 at Las Vegas. Or no longer it has been 20 years. Jon Gruden quiet would no longer witness the humor in the Tuck Rule. And please don't bring this up to Amy Trask, either.

Week 12 vs. Kansas City. Correct to explore the Tom Brady-Patrick Mahomes contention goes to accumulate one more chance. On the very least. Maybe this may occasionally be a Orderly Bowl preview. Though even the Jags and Bearsmay perhaps presumably be a Orderly Bowl matchup. But we're being more realistic here.

Will the Bucs be ready to ...

Match the offense to Brady's hottest means residing? Each person is conscious of Arians loves to throw the ball downfield. "No possibility it, no biscuit," as the asserting goes. But this is no longer truly 2007 Tom Brady. Basically the hottest incarnation has relied on a sturdy operating game whereas throwing shorter passes. Per Subsequent Gen Stats, Brady averaged 7.6 air yards per try closing one year. Nonetheless better than quarterbacks take care of Drew Brees and Jimmy Garoppolo. But quiet successfully in the abet of Jameis Winston, who modified into as soon as second in the NFL (among these with out a longer no longer up to 200 trot attempts) with 10.7 air yards per try. The article is, Arians is no longer any dummy. He's no longer going to drive Brady to function something he's no longer cosy doing. I dwell up for the coach and quarterback working successfully together. Arians has worked successfully with different strong personalities take care of Ben Roethlisberger, Andrew Luck and Carson Palmer in recent years.

A immediate story display cover: Brady's affinity for shorter passes need to quiet accumulate Chris Godwin your first receiver off the board. Godwin had a profession-excessive 86 receptions closing one year, nonetheless I would fetch into consideration him a lock for 100 if he performs all 16 games this one year. That that it's possible you'll presumably presumably thank me later.

Cease far from the destiny of more than just a few "mountainous groups" of the previous? Quite loads of the fetch haters favor to display cover what came about in Cleveland closing one year. And whenever you happen to can own got adopted this sequence, you know the Cardinals are a better comparison to what came about with the Browns closing one year. The Bucs own essentially the most intriguing quarterback of all time. Basically the most intriguing tight end of all time. They've a venerable Coach of the Year who has won Orderly Bowls in the previous (as an assistant). That's no longer to insist there couldn't be injuries or about a of the plenty of unexpected turns that derail groups. But whenever you happen to may perhaps presumably presumably be thinking there goes to be the dysfunction that riddled the Browns closing one year, yeah, that's no longer going down in Tampa Bay. Decide up some recent fabric, trolls.

Repair the offensive line? If there may be one blueprint the establish a Browns comparison would be exact, it's on the offensive line. One among the excellent complications the Browns had modified into as soon as on the offensive line, so it'll be predominant to address these wants. Drafting Tristan Wirfs will no doubt relief offset the loss of Demar Dotson. The road may perhaps also be predominant because or no longer it's miles crucial to speed the football. And each and each the Bucs and Tom Brady will favor to utilize play-action as indispensable as imaginable. That does no longer work whenever you happen to can no longer speed the ball, or at least accumulate groups truly feel take care of that it's possible you'll presumably presumably speed the ball. That's the establish Wirfs goes to be ample.

Trudge the ball? All of us thought the Bucs were going to fetch a range of more than just a few RB possibilities early in the draft. Jonathan Taylor. Cam Akers. J.K. Dobbins. D'Andre Swift. As an more than just a few, Tampa waited till Round 3 and went with Ke'Shawn Vaughn. He may perhaps presumably find yourself shifting previous Ronald Jones II, the Bucs' lead abet closing one year, after they completed 24th in dashing. But also preserve an peer out for Dare Ogunbowale.

... persons are overlooking: The defense is more or much less correct. Clear, the Bucs completed 15th in entire defense closing one year. But they were first against the speed. And despite the truth that their final ranking modified into as soon as 30th against the trot, they were severely better at the end of the season. The Bucs' defense did no longer allow a quarterback to throw for better than 300 yards in a game from Week 11 on. This came after allowing quarterbacks to top 300 passing yards in six of the fundamental 10 games. A giant motive modified into as soon as the trot urge. The team's 47 sacks were the second-most sensible entire in club history. Shaquil Barrett had 19.5 sacks, a club story. Vita Vea has been a drive in the center. Lavonte David is a stud. And the cornerback trio of Jamel Dean (our breakout candidate), Carlton Davis and Sean Murphy-Bunting would be very correct. Silly, the uniforms don't seem like essentially the most productive thing that's starting up to resemble the Tony Dungy/Jon Gruden period.

... persons are overthinking: Conserving all people happy. I know, or no longer it's superior whereas you accumulate a quarterback take care of Brady, nonetheless he's presumably no longer going to throw for 5K take care of Jameis did. Or no longer it's gargantuan that Gronk is aboard. Who goes to accumulate the total red-zone appears to be? And I know here is mostly coming from a selfish, story-stat blueprint, nonetheless we now own viewed cases the establish gamers own complained about no longer receiving ample appears to be. I accumulate all of that. I truly accomplish. But whereas that it's possible you'll presumably presumably be taking half in with essentially the most productive quarterback of all time, that it's possible you'll presumably presumably be going to explore take care of an absolute clown whenever you happen to may perhaps presumably presumably be whining about touches whereas your team is winning games. The first complaints will seemingly reach from story managers and never more from the guys on the sphere. Due to here is a team that's no longer residing up to endure BS, nonetheless relatively to take games.

... persons are forgetting: Jameis famously threw 30 interceptions closing one year. Brady has 29 interceptions in his closing four seasons mixed.

For 2020 to be a successful season, the Bucs MUST:

Rob the Orderly Bowl. That's essentially the most productive draw that matters. Tom Brady is attempting to display cover the enviornment that he can take without Invoice Belichick. Bruce Arians would favor to take a title of his own, as a head coach. And Gronk ... Yeah, I am no longer particular what Gronk wants. But he may be the fundamental particular person to take the Orderly Bowl and the WWE 24/7 title within a one-one year length. Smartly, unless Mike Evans takes that WWE belt from him. (And I know precisely what I correct did by calling it a belt, the item Vince McMahon fully hates. Smartly, that and CM Punk.)

These are thrilling times to apply this team. It's most sensible to quiet experience it. I am partial to the Lakers, and it modified into as soon as amazing staring at LeBron James this season. Each person hottest to faux that he modified into as soon as washed, nonetheless he came out and modified into as soon as dazzling amazing even at 35. I am no longer expecting Brady to throw 50 touchdown passes, nonetheless I would no longer be surprised if he has a Peyton Manning-take care of affect and takes this team to the Orderly Bowl. These Bucs are ready to rock.

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