#suu's scribbles

[m0mmat0rtle]

FANCY FNAF MOVIE ➵ Ch. 2

Fancy sat at a lone table in the diner, secluded by herself in the corner as rain pelted the window.

She wore her bulky over ear headphones as she played back the recorded interview between her and Mike from the night before, or well earlier that morning actually. She took notes in her notebook with Lisa Frank stickers and rhinestones on the cover.

Just slightly, she could hear the sound of someone clearing their throat over the lulling sound of Mike's relaxed voice from her tape recorder. She looked up as a waiter looked down at her, notepad ready to take her order. She quickly removed her headphones.

"Sorry."

She apologized. "Just a coffee, thanks."

"That's it?" The waiter asked, brow quirked in surprise.

"Yeah." She said simply. "But food is so important, miss. You should eat something." "Too busy." She said with a wave of her hand, dismissing the idea.

"Even more the reason to eat, give your brain some energy to work. You know scientists say that you can't face the day without a good breakfast." Fancy looked up at him. She read his name tag. "Are you one of these scientists, Ness?" He smiled at the mention of his name. "No, but I can be somewhat of a theorist." "Aren't we all." She said.

"Tell you what, I'll do whatever you recommend for breakfast." "Excellent choice." He scribbled something down on his notepad. "Hope you like french toast." He added before taking the menu and hurrying back to the kitchen.

Fancy looked back down at her notes. Her interview with Mike had been a dud, but hopefully not a total dud. He spoke of someone who would be able to help her. Hopefully Mike was right. But Fancy had thought for sure if he was a local in the area he would know more. A small town like Hurricane Utah- well people are bound to talk.

Just like they had in Bear Forest Tennessee. People talk, and nothing brings a community together more than mass child abduction.

Perhaps she was thinking too narrow, she had to widen her sights, her targets. She didn't need to just interview people whose names were attached to the Freddy Fazbear Company, but locals of Hurricane Utah in general. People who have lived here their whole life.

"Your coffee, miss." Ness interrupted her thinking session as he sat a mug down in front of her. "Your food will be out shortly."

It clicked.

"Hey- uh Ness?" She called and he turned. "Um.. yes?" He replied. "How long have you lived here, in Hurricane?" "My whole life."

Perfect.

"Do you mind if I... Can I interview you?" Ness cocked his head to the side. "About-?" "Those children who went missing almost twenty years ago at Freddy's." Ness' face almost lit up. "I would but I'm working." "I'll pay you." She held a wad of twenties in her hand. "Done."

˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗

"State your full name please." "Nelson Patrick."

Fancy flinched.

"Ness, you don't have to lean down to the mike to speak." "Oh, Sorry." He leaned back.

"Nelson Patrick." He said again, this time not so loudly into the mike.

"But most people just call me Ness." He said as he gestured down to his name tag.

"Tell me about your job." "I'm a waiter at sparky's diner. There's not much to that. But I do hear a lot, whispers and gossip from customers. I know just about everything about everyone just from working here. A lot of people will gossip over food and not even think about their waiter." "And how long have you been working here, Mr. Patrick." "Please, Mr. Patrick is my father. Just call me Ness." "Alright, Ness, how long have you been working here?" "Oh a while. I started working here while attending SUU." "What?" "Southern Utah University." Ness explained.

"I got a degree in journalism. But i've been stuck working here since, and publishing articles on the side." "What sort of articles do you publish?" "My theories." "On what?" "On this town. The missing children, the sudden closing of all Freddy Fazbear's Pizza Franchises, The rise and fall of the local Afton Robotics." Ness explained. "Anything that had to do with those missing children, I have written and published articles on." "Where do you publish these articles?" "My blog." "Which is?" "I'll write it down for you incase you want to take a look." He grabbed a napkin and a pen from his pocket with a chicken head pencil topper that stared blankly at Fancy while he wrote.

"Here." He handed it to her. "NESSTHEORY.NET" She read aloud and Ness nodded proudly.

"You can read all about my findings there." He said. "I'll certainly take a look at this, thank you." She replied as she tucked the napkin away in her pocket.

"Now one more thing, who do you think is responsible for the missing children?" "Oh the owner, without a doubt. He may not be the man behind it all but at the end of the day he is liable for any accidents within his business. So he would be at fault. There's never been enough evidence to convict him of... well anything... which is shocking. Not even a child endangerment charge. William Afton was always able to dance his way out of charges."

˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗

Once again, Fancy packed up her things. Ness stood from where he sat across from her at the booth.

"Ness, hey, thank you again for your time I really appreciate it. I'll leave your money with your tip." She said. "Not a problem." Ness replied with a grin. "Just happy to help get the truth out there one way or another. By the way, what's got you so interested in a small town cold case? You obviously aren't a local, I would recognise you." Fancy gave a dry chuckle. One that said she was complicated, there were levels to her, layers. Like an onion.

"I forgot to introduce myself." She said as she shook her head. "That's so rude of me, I'm sorry." She added.

"I'm Francine, my friends call me Fancy. I'm a student at Yale studying pre law and criminal justice. I'm working on my internship with Hurricane PD for my senior thesis." "Which is?" "To reinvestigate a cold case. I got assigned with this one." She said. "And you came all the way from Yale?" He asked and she nodded.

"You must be pretty smart." "I would say smart enough. Not pretty smart. If I was pretty smart I would have figured out who the zodiac killer was by now." she said with another dry laugh.

"Well, I'm not sure if I can be of much use to you but I'm more than happy to help you with your thesis. As long as it's not during my shift. Not again at least." He offered and Fancy smiled. "I would love all the help I can get. Besides, this is your home. You'll know more about it than I do. That automatically gives you and your knowledge an advantage over mine." Ness smiled at her. "Well if you need me you know where to find me."

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[whizzinpast]

[Nigeh voice] My favorite pet-human? Haha, why, how can you ask that? I love all my pet-humans equally, especially— (quickly looks at scribbles on their arm) S— Suu— aaaah

[urak voice] yes. I have raised the next ALNST winner. look at him in his ratty white t shirt and bare feet. look at his permanent eyebags. didn't even have to train him on the song or anything he literally just made a new one. go boy go...

[elwynten]

Chapter 24

Mothers show up

Miia's mother

Miia, Papi and Cerea all received letters from their mothers. Each of their mothers decided to come visit their daughters. Although the letter from Papi's mother no one could tell what she wants because no one can read her writing. Papi's letter includes a picture.

The first Mother scheduled to arrive is Miia's mother. Because Kim won't get hurt and it doesn't really affect me or my girls, I'm going to let Kim deal with Miia's mother. Although Ceria, Suu, Papi and I will help Kim, Miia, Rachnera, Lala and Mero clean up Kim's house. It won't take much work with all of us chipping in to clean his house.

===================

Papi's Mother

Right after the letter to Papi from her mother arrives, I ask Papi if I can read it.

"Master, I don't think you should read mother's letter." Papi tells me.

"Why not?"

"Because I've forgotten something. And it's not good." Papi tells me almost in tears.

I put my arms around Papi and give her a big hug. I rub my hand up and down her back to try to comfort her. "It's alright Papi, Every things going to work out just fine." I assure Papi.

"Papi loves Master. Papi wants to stay with Master." Papi says in a whisper.

"I love Papi, and I want Papi to stay with me, too. Now let me see the letter, please."

Reluctantly, Papi hands the envelope with the letter in it to me. She pushes herself deeper into my body and arms as if she is trying to hide from something.

I open the letter while keeping my arms around Papi and I look at the letter over Papi's shoulder. Cerea is beside me looking at the letter as well.

"I can't read what it says. It's just a bunch of scribbles." Cerea says. "Why would Papi be worried about something she can't read?" Cerea asked.

With that I pull out the picture of a Harpy that looks like Papi and an older man. "That's probably why." I tell Cerea. Then I talk to Papi.

"Papi, this is a picture of your mother and your father. It isn't you in the picture." I assure Papi.

Papi pulls back from me a little so she can look into my face. "Are you sure? It looks like Papi." Papi sobs.

"Are you sure Master?" Cerea asks me as she looks at the picture in my hand. "It does look like Papi."

I nod my head in understanding. "Yes, it looks like Papi but it's your mother. You, your mother, your aunts, sisters and cousins all look alike. If you ask your mother, she'll tell you that she changed her hair color and got a tan because her husband, your father likes that look. If fact we might want to do something to change your looks, just a little bit so you look different then all of your relatives. Although with your Extra Arms, that makes you look different already." I told Papi.

"It's not Papi?" Papi and Cerea ask at the same time.

I nod my head in agreement. "It's not Papi, it's Papi's mother. Although it is kind of funny because I know who Papi's father is." I told the both of them.

"You know Papi's father?" Cerea asks.

"No, I don't know Papi's father personally, but I know who he is, and that is the part that is funny or ironic depending on how you look at it." I tell them.

"Who is Papi's father?" Papi asks, and Cerea looks at me expectantly.

"Papi's father is Smith's boss. Ha-ha-ha-ha." I tell them and start laughing.

Cerea looks at me with a shocked and surprised expression on her face.

"But Smith doesn't know anything about it though." I add.

With that being said. I pull out my camera, I place the picture of Papi's mother and father on the table so I can take a picture of it.

===================

Cerea's Mother

Help Cerea out by firming up her breasts so they don't bounce around so much. That will help her when she jousts against her mother.

I set up a jousting course a little way from the house because Cerea wanted to practice because her mother will be showing up shortly. I'm out with her keeping her company and encouraging her, when Papi flies to where we are.

"Master! Someone is banging on the front door and yelling to be let in!" Papi tells me with some fear on her face and in her voice.

I put my arms about Papi and held her. "It's alright, it's Cerea's mother." I told Papi.

I turned to Cerea. "We might as well let her in." I said and leaving one arm around Papi I started walking to the portal to Kim's house.

"I have been informed that my daughter, Centorea is in residence here, hence my presence!" Cerea's mother yells through the door.

Since no one else is willing to even come close to the front door. I walk up to the door and open it. Cerea's mother is standing outside looking at me. "You're going to wake the dead yelling like that, woman." I tell her.

Cerea's mother takes a step back and blinks her eyes. "I must thank thee for thy ceaseless efforts to support my daughter!" she exclaims. "Good work!"

I cock my head as I look at her. "You do know that you do NOT need to YELL! no one here is DEAF." I tell her.

Not being used to someone talking to her like this. Cerea's mother stops talking for a few moments. That gives the girls time to figure out no one is going to hurt them, and they go to the door.

"She's Centorea's mom?" Miia asks.

"I thought it was some new kind of door-to-door salesman…" Mero added.

"Oh, you must be Centorea's friends. What a welcome sight, to see her bonding so strongly." She says more calmly.

Cerea slowly walks towards the front door. "Mother…"

Seeing Centorea. "It has been too long, Centorea. How great to see you in fine health." Cerea's mother tells her.

"Well then. Where is this teaser of yours?" Cerea's mother asks her.

I cross my arms in front of my chest. "I'm Cerea's fiancé." I tell her.

"This is the Master I have sworn fealty to." Cerea adds.

Cerea's mother's expression and stance changes from calm to anger. Her face starts turning red and she takes a more aggressive posture. "Centorea… I sent you abroad to find yourself a teaser. A handsome one, at that."

Cerea become more aggressive towards her mother. "I… I told you I would do no such thing, mother! I instead searched for a Master that I might…"

Cerea' mother cut her off. "I have no deed for excuses! Nothing might excuse the deviation from the centaur customs we have abided by for generations!" She exclaims. "Though I may have excused such pretentiousness if thy Master were winsome… But not this unremarkably average man!"

"What?! You know…" Ceria started, but I cut her off.

I grin at Cerea's mother. You mean like you deviated from Centaur custom by mating with a human?" I ask Her.

Bothe Cerea and her mother stare at me. "Ya, I know the truth." I turned to Cerea. "Sorry you had to find out this way, but your mother is trying to provoke you into jousting her so she can prove that a child of a centaur and human is just as good as the child of two centaurs." I explain.

"H-how did you know that!?" Cerea's mother asks me surprised.

I chuckle. "I know a lot more than most people want me to know." I reply.

I turn to Cerea. "You need to go ahead and except the challenge so you can prove you can hold your own against your mother in physical combat. That way the Centaur race will start to accept Centaur, human parentage." I told her.

Smith slowly walks up out of breath. "Hello Smith." I tell her.

"My father is a human, not a centaur." Cerea said more to herself than to me or anyone else.

"I was coming along with Centorea's mother… But she's fast… I should have just taken a car." Smith tells me.

Cerea give me a blank look. "You want me to fight my mother?" She asks me.

I shrug my shoulders. "Why not? That's what she wants so she can prove you are just as strong as she is." I tell Cerea.

Cerea straightened up and threw her shoulders back. "Then I Centorea Shianus will accept the challenge and joust my mother." Cerea told us.

"I'll have to talk to Smith about this. You should be able to get us a venue we can use." I said more Smith than to anyone else.

It took a couple days, but Smith did find us a place for the joust. It's the 'Kobold Stadium'. And of course, Polt the Kobold is with Smith in the announcer's box.

Miia, Suu, Mero and Papi are in the announcer's box as well. Mero is trying to use the Special Effects controls, but she's not helping any.

The MON Squad, Tio, Zombina, Dopple and Monaco are in the stands waiting for the jousting competition to start.

Cerea is concerned because when she practiced her jousting, she was always hitting off center of the target. Her problem is her breasts. Because of their size every time she runs, her breasts bounce around so much they throw her aim off.

To help Cerea out, I used Transformation magic on her to firm up and support Cerea's breasts. By doing that Cerea's breasts shouldn't bounce around much at all when she runs in the joust.

"To the thirty million Centaurs watching around the country. Welcome to the match of the century! Today we bear witness to the jousting duel between Centorea and her mother!" Polt announced over the intercom. "I'm your announcer Polt! With me today is Ms. Smith!!"

"LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!" Polt announced to the few people in the stadium and those watching the competition on TV.

"The contestants are taking the field." Polt says as Cerea and her mother start running towards each other.

"They're right out of the gates at a frightening speed!"

Their lances and shields make contact with a ringing clang.

"I bet the folds at home heard that one! Did her fierce attack shatter Centorea's stance?! I can understand if it did. Care to explain, Ms. Smith?!"

Looking at a clipboard with several sheets of paper on it. "According to the information I have here… Centorea's family is known amongst centaurs to be the strongest there is! And her mother is undefeated in jousting! She's been called the "goddess of jousting"!! This doesn't look good for Centorea!" Smith said over the intercom what information she had and her opinion of the outcome of the joust.

"And they're off again! But why aren't they wearing armor? Ms. Smith can you explain?"

"According to centaur law, duels must take place without armor. They place their very lives on the line in these duels." Smith informed the audience.

Cerea and her mother reverse course and start running towards each other again. Lance and shield striking with great force. both hitting their target on center.

"That's the way to go Cerea!" I yelled to encourage her. Keep it up! You can do it Cerea!"

Cerea and her mother turned and faced each other for the third and last time. the dirt flies as they gain speed running towards each other. with the final blow landing center for both of the contestants.

"It's a draw! Ladies and gentlemen, a round of applause for the exciting Match!"

I run out onto the field to Cerea.

"You sure have matured my daughter! Though you have a way to go still, thou did well. You sure showed me that!" Cerea's mother told Cerea.

"Mother… why did you pick a fight with me?" Cerea asked her mother confused.

"I, too, was dissatisfied with our race's tradition of being forced to bear only the strongest children. However, I could not silence those steadfast supporters of said tradition without presenting persuasive evidence." Cerea's Mother told her.

"Persuasive evidence?" Cerea asked.

"I was born a child of a man who was strong, and nothing else. Yet you were born of mixed blood, and your strength remains the same. This outdated tradition of ours no longer holds any meaning." Cerea's Mother explains to Cerea.

"Centorea, marry a man of your choosing. forget about tradition." Cerea's Mother finished.

"Mother…!"

With that Cerea's Mother gave us her blessing to be married.

[archaneanscribe]

Heart in Two Places at Once

“Thinking hard, my friend?" 

After his...let us say, dramatic reveal, Anos had taken to calling him some variation of my friend regularly. 

It made his heart soar. 

It tore his heart in two. 

"I am. I'd hate to admit what about," he replied, sheepishly scratching at his cheek, "I fear it will make me look rather foolish for someone my internal age." 

Anos crossed his arms, "It's more foolish to work yourself up over nothing when you could let it all out to someone willing to listen." 

Aaah, Anos's unshakable confidence. Words spoken with unmatched conviction.

He'd always loved that. 

"You're right, as you always are," sighing, he gripped the edges of the window ledge he sat on, "My heart is in two places at once." 

Anos sat beside him. He was always amazed at how someone brimming with such power could have such an approachable aura, sit in a position that assured you it was fine to bear your very soul, "You are in love with two people?" 

It was a question, but Anos likely had known from the start. Damn his intellect, both analytic and emotional. 

He fisted the cloth covering his heart, "I am. You reside in the deepest parts of me, millennia spent just trying to grant you the peace you so wished for. The burning desire for your happiness propelling me forward. Even at the time, even as enemies, I had always wanted...those eyes...for you to smile" he leaned back, head thumping against the window glass, "But Misa... grants me peace. I don't feel the desire to chase, there is no burning. I simply wish to bask in her presence. I look at this necklace and feel as though I might cry." 

"That is quite the dilemma." 

Anos's tone wasn't unsympathetic, but it was distant. Unreachable. Like he always was. 

"I can't tell you how to move forward, my friend. I suppose the advice someone born in this era would give would be to move on, but I understand better than most how long two thousand years truly is. There are some things I would suggest you determine for yourself, though." 

Rather abruptly, Anos's hand reached out to grab his friend's chin, forcing their gazes to meet. His Ruin eyes weren't active, but they felt as though they might as well been. 

"Are you Kanon? Or are you Lay? Does it change depending on who you speak to? Is it Kanon who loves me, or is it Lay? Does Lay love Misa, or is it Kanon? Are they of the same opinion? Are they even the same man?" 

Anos released his chin, smiling confidently as he always did, but the expression was warm. 

It was the smile he gave the Hero as he ran a holy blade through his chest. A smile reserved for a friend, "Ponder those, and your answer will come." 

And after that, the Demon King walked away. 

And the man who watched him go, his name was...•

[chororine]

tired: reading @suudonym​‘s Time and Time Again for the nuanced, relatable and in-character Karamatsu angst wired: reading Time and Time Again for Totoko’s cute-as-hell outfits

[dreambigdreamz]

Thankie for the tag @meluiloth !

Three Ships: Ossë x Uinen (yes our water divinely beingss you remember the mermaid maiar thingie i told you before? i am putting in a lot of exploration on this healthy ship because the oc is their child!!) Faramir x Éowyn (this is the one that holds out hope and remains undimmed. the grand stories may turn one’s head; but this one will warm a heart.) Aegnor x Andreth (sobbing in the distant corner goodbye world thou art so beautiful and pain) I have a lot more I cannot choose, like Denethor x Finduilas and Turin x Finduilas of course but other factors deciding whether it is a happy ship to indulge in or not 🙄 and also Dior x Nimloth please ahh also putting in Benophie 💗

First Ship: Éomer x Lothíriel (of course. of course. see the funny thing is, i had been in fandoms for a loong time but until this pair i never knew what a shipping really is— i suppose? like, how do i say, i was never actively in any ship before them)

Last Song: The Black Dog by Taylor Swift

Last Movie: Moana, which was like seven weeks ago

Currently Reading: Freedom from Fear by Aung San Suu Kyi Jo’s Boys and How They Turned Out by Louisa May Alcott Emma by Jane Austen Part Of Your World by Liz Braswell

Currently Watching: The Cook and The Kitchen Hand ASMR by Moonlight Cottage

Currently Eating: Nothing, but feeling stuffed up after a particularly good lunch

Currently Craving: Some ricecakes and fishcakes and tteokbbokki

Tagging : @manawari @oldfashionedidiot @ikano-no @palacesofmontezuma @fellowship-go-brrrr @twistedhistory @lanthanum12 @elysian-scribbles @hualianeternalfaith + open tag! i rlly don’t know which one of you lovelies are still active, keep in touch by the way. the same old crowd lol <3

9 people you want to know better

Thanks for the tag @cuarthol 🥰

----

Three ships: Russingon (now and always!) Turleg (I have a thing for angst, is it obvious?) Celrond (they fill all the emptiness left behind by the angst of the aforementioned ships)

First ship: Caranthir/Haleth

Last song: Beautiful Crime - Tamer

Last movie: And Then We Danced (a gorgeous movie from Georgia)

Currently reading: He Who Drowned the World

Currently watching: Cidade Invisível (a Brazilian show to brush up on my Portuguese)

Currently eating: Quinoa cakes and rooibos tea

Currently craving: A holiday, a very long holiday. I'll take a croissant in the meantime

If you'd like to share, summoning @shrikeseams @meredithshayne @grey-gazania @dreamingthroughthenoise @meluiloth @camille-lachenille @latithehinthial @lakehelevorn @creativity-of-death

[yuseirra]

ahhh i’m in a rush so i could only draw this quick messy doodle i’m sry;; but!! happy birthday yuu! it rly is a coincidence that u have the same bd as naegi haha ^^ hope u like this genderbend noremma i managed to scribble in the middle of my classes >.> have a great birthday and i hope u can eat plenty of sweets!

I’m sobbing suu...;v;!!! thank you thank you so much!! I vowed myself that I’d get to messages after I take care of some stuff and I JUST DID so I can reply to you when I have a peace of mind and I am now, this deserves all my attention and love. I love it!! It’s so cute??? your drawings are getting prettier every year and I SWEAR you’re better at drawing poses than me now. This makes me want to draw genderbent noremma as well, how is it that they are adorable even like this too (of course, they always have been adorable but they look really cute like this, more than I expected!!) Thank you very much suu, I will save this on my phone and make it my wallpaper. I like the sepia color scheme of your photo as well! It gives the drawing a nostalgic mood and it works well with the sketch.

It’s just a coincidence, but I had strawberry cake yesterday and it’s great to see emma dreaming about it..!

I really love this, thank you suu! I appreciate you drawing my favorite ship (you always drew me the things I love and care for and that’s very sweet and caring of you) and for remembering my birthday even while I had ZERO mentions about it. I’m a very lucky person.

since my birthday is at one of the earliest months of the year, I find that as a nice opportunity to wish people a good rest of the year. Hope 2021 goes well for you! I will do my best in my place, I hope you achieve great things while enjoying yourself and finding happiness with things you love! See you again soon!

[kristallioness]

Since you asked for asks for use your language day. How are you?

How are you? (English) - Kuidas sa ennast tunned? (Estonian)

Katara stood in the hallway on one foot, the other one bent to the back, her arms crossed and back supported against the wall. The fingers on her right hand drummed against the white fur of her sleeve. She was waiting for her name to be called. Soon enough, the 4-year-old joined her.

"Good morning, patient mommy! How are you?"

The elder waterbender let her baby girl take a hold of her hand and guide her into her 'office'.

"Morning, healer Kya! I'm fine, thank you for asking. A bit nervous, but I feel fine."

"That's okay. Have a seat here and I'll take a look at you."

She beckoned her mother to sit down on a pillow in the middle of her bedroom. Katara followed her orders and sat down cross-legged, resting her hands on her knees. She was eager to see what her daughter would do to her this time, given that her toy instruments were scattered on the rug, right next to the small bed on her right.

Kya also had a few genuine items she borrowed from her mother to make the play more realistic. As she stood up, the huge healer's hat tipped forward and covered her eyes. Her mother let out a short giggle and helped her out by adjusting it back on the top of her head. The little waterbender didn't let the tiny mishap bother her and she continued with her role play.

"Open wide!"

Katara leaned forward a bit and stuck out her tongue, pronouncing the vowel 'A' for a couple of seconds while Kya inspected her throat with a wooden stick.

"Very good, mommy! Your throat looks okay."

She patted her mommy's head, then scampered back to her toy collection to pick up something else. Katara watched as she sat on her knees, trying to pull the headset of the stethoscope apart so she could put it in her ears. She grabbed the metal chestpiece and walked over to her mother.

"Take off your coat, please. I wanna listen to your heartbeat and breathing."

"Sure thing, my little healer. Just give me a sec.." the elder waterbender said as she began pulling the short-sleeved parka over her head. She folded it together nicely and placed it on the rug, then sat up straight to let her baby girl press the stethoscope on her navy tunic, directly above her heart.

Kya moved it around a little bit in that area, trying to remember the five auscultation points her mother had repetitively pointed out to her. Katara laughed, then gently nudged her tiny hand downwards under her left breast. She was listening from a spot where she couldn't hear anything.

"I'm gonna listen from your back now, okay, mommy?"

"Alright, sweetie."

Kya ran behind her and began brushing her mother's long loose hair off to the side. Katara pulled the whole bunch on her chest with one hand, then hunched forward a bit. She felt how her daughter pressed the chestpiece high above her shoulder blades.

"Take deep breaths, please."

As the elder waterbender began breathing nice and slow, she could sense the pattern her daughter followed on her back. Good girl, Katara would've wanted to praise out loud. She still rushed through it, but at least she remembered to compare both sides on her way down.

"Good job, mommy! Your breathing sounds okay."

The young healer placed her mother's real stethoscope on the carpet and hurried back with a toy syringe in her hands.

"You need a shot now."

"Oh, will it hurt?" Katara asked in a worried tone as she rolled up the non-existent sleeve covering her left arm.

"No. It'll be just a pinch," Kya assured her, the same way her mother usually tried to comfort her. She held onto her mommy's arm and gave her a quick pretend injection.

"There. All done," Kya declared. She ran her hand over the spot she'd poked with the round tip of the syringe, stroking her mommy's boo-boo ever so tenderly.

"Thanks, sweetie. You were right. It didn't hurt a bit."

Katara brushed her fingers through her baby girl's hair and pulled her closer to plant a kiss on her temple.

"One more thing!"

Kya reached for an empty cardboard box in her toy pile. The miniature rectangle had a white cross with a handful of green tea leaves drawn on it.

"Here, take 3 of these vitamins. They'll help you become healthy and strong."

Katara took the small box of vitamins in her own hands and pretended to drop a couple of invisible pills onto her palm, then swallow them in one go.

"You've been a very good patient, mommy. Now all I gotta do is write how well you did during your check-up."

"Well, why don't you come here and I'll help you fill in the form."

Katara patted her thighs to invite Kya into her lap. She grabbed her toy clipboard and a pencil with a slightly blunt tip before hopping between her mother's legs. She read out the first field.

"Okay, patient's name is.. mommy."

Her answer made Katara chuckle.

"No-no, sweetie! That's not accurate enough. There are hundreds of mommies in Republic City. What if they all happen to be your patients? How are you gonna tell the difference?"

The little waterbender put a finger on her bottom lip and remained pondering until her mother helped her out.

"How about writing my name there instead? That's K.. A.."

She spelled her own name out letter by letter, teaching Kya how to write it down correctly.

"T.. A.. R-A."

Once she'd finished scribbling the last two letters, she started going through the list of vital signs she'd checked.

"Got it! Next, I have to say if everything was okay with you. Your heartbeat was normal," she said, ticking the empty square after the word 'heart'. She did the same with the terms 'lungs', 'mouth' and 'vaccinations'.

"But what about your temperature? I forgot to check."

Katara smiled and reached for the toy thermometer among her healer stuff.

"Here you go. You can measure it now."

She lifted her right arm as Kya snatched the toy and put it under there. The young healer stood up for a moment to place her palm against her mother's forehead.

"You're not hot. I don't think you have a fever, mommy. But let's check to be sure."

Without even giving it a minute or two, she pulled the thermometer out and scrutinized the sticker with the readings in the middle.

"Nope, all good."

"So, according to your diagnosis, I'm completely healthy?" Katara wondered, seeing as though 'temperature' was the last line on the chart.

"That's right!" Kya stated proudly, beaming back at her with a wide smile. Her mommy rubbed their noses together fondly, which prompted the baby girl to squeal with joy. She finished the pretend check-up by signing the document on the clipboard with her own name.

----------x----------

Katara seisis koridoris ühel jalal, teine selja taha kõverdatud, käed ristis ja selg vastu seina toetatud. Tema parema käe sõrmed trummeldasid varruka valge karva vastu. Ta ootas oma nime välja hüüdmist. Peagi liitus temaga 4-aastane.

"Tere hommikust, patsient emme! Kuidas sa ennast tunned?"

Vanem veetaltsutaja laskis oma tüdrukutirtsul tal käest kinni võtta ning suunata ta oma 'kabinetti'.

"Hommikust, ravitseja Kya! Mul on kõik korras, tänan küsimast. Olen natuke närvis, aga tunnen end hästi."

"Pole hullu. Võta siin istet ja ma vaatan su läbi."

Ta kutsus ema magamistoa keskel asuvale padjale istuma. Katara järgis tema korraldusi ja istus jalad ristis maha, toetades käed põlvedele. Ta tahtis innukalt näha, mida tema tütar seekord temaga teeb, arvestades, et viimase mänguriistad olid vaibale laiali laotatud, kohe temast paremal asuva väikese voodi kõrval.

Kya'l oli ka paar ehtsat eset, mille ta oma emalt laenas, et mäng realistlikumaks muuta. Püsti tõustes kaldus suur ravitseja müts ettepoole ja kattis tema silmad. Ta ema itsitas lühikest aega ning aitas ta hädast välja, sättides selle tema pea otsa tagasi. Väike veetaltsutaja ei lasknud pisikesel äpardusel end häirida ning ta jätkas oma rollimänguga.

"Tee suu lahti!"

Katara nõjatus veidi ettepoole ja ajas oma keele välja, hääldades paar sekundit 'A' vokaali, kuni Kya kontrollis tema kõri puust pulgaga.

"Väga hea, emme! Su kurk tundub korras olevat."

Ta patsutas oma emme pead, seejärel lippas oma mänguasjade kollektsiooni juurde tagasi, et midagi muud kaasa haarata. Katara jälgis, kuidas ta põlvili istus, üritades stetoskoobi peakomplekti laiali tõmmata, et ta saaks selle kõrvu panna. Ta haaras metallist otsiku ja kõndis oma ema juurde.

"Palun võta oma kasukas seljast ära. Ma tahan su südamelööke ja hingamist kuulata."

"Muidugi, mu väike ravitseja. Anna mulle lihtsalt üks sekund.." ütles vanem veetaltsutaja, kui ta hakkas lühikeste varrukatega parkat üle pea tõmbama. Ta voltis selle kenasti kokku ja asetas vaibale, istus siis sirgelt püsti, lastes oma tüdrukutirtsul stetoskoobi oma meresinise tuunika peale vajutada, otse südame kohale.

Kya liigutas seda selles piirkonnas pisut ringi, püüdes meeles pidada viit kuulatluspunkti, millele ema talle korduvalt oli osutanud. Katara naeris, nihutades siis õrnalt tema pisikest kätt allapoole oma vasaku rinna alla. Ta kuulas kohast, kust ta ei kuulnud mitte midagi.

"Ma kuulan nüüd su selja pealt, kas sobib, emme?"

"Hüva, kullake."

Kya jooksis tema selja taha ja hakkas ema pikki lahtisi juukseid külje peale harjama. Katara tõmbas ühe käega terve hunniku oma rinnale, küürutades siis veidi ettepoole. Ta tundis, kuidas tema tütar vajutas otsiku kõrgele abaluude kohale.

"Hinga sügavalt, palun."

Kui vanem veetaltsutaja hakkas ilusti ja aeglaselt hingama, tunnetas ta seda mustrit, mida tema tütar tema selja peal järgis. Tubli tüdruk, oleks Katara tahtnud valjult kiita. Ta ikkagi kiirustas sellest üle, aga vähemalt oli tal allapoole liikudes meeles mõlemaid pooli võrrelda.

"Tubli töö, emme! Su hingamine kõlab hästi."

Noor ravitseja asetas oma ema päris stetoskoobi vaibale ja kiirustas tagasi, käes mängusüstal.

"Sul on nüüd süsti vaja."

"Ahsoo, kas see teeb haiget?" küsis Katara murelikul toonil, kui ta vasakut kätt katva olematu varruka üles rullis.

"Ei. See on lihtsalt üks näpistus," kinnitas Kya talle, samamoodi nagu ema tavaliselt teda üritas lohutada. Ta hoidis oma emme käest kinni ning tegi talle ühe kiire mängusüsti.

"Nii. Kõik tehtud," kuulutas Kya. Ta libistas oma kämmalt üle selle koha, mida ta oli süstla ümara otsaga torganud, silitades emme aiat nõnda hellalt.

"Aitäh, kullake. Sul oli õigus. See ei teinud üldse haiget."

Katara kammis sõrmed läbi oma pisitüdruku juuste ja tõmbas ta lähemale, et istutada tema oimukohale üks musi.

"Üks asi veel!"

Kya haaras oma mänguasjade hunnikust tühja pappkarbi. Miniatuursel ristkülikul oli valge rist, millele oli joonistatud peotäis rohelisi teelehti.

"Näe, võta kolm neist vitamiinidest. Need aitavad sul saada terveks ja tugevaks."

Katara võttis väikese karbi vitamiine enda kätte ja teeskles, et poetas paar nähtamatut tabletti oma peopessa, neelates need siis ühe korraga alla.

"Sa oled olnud väga hea patsient, emme. Nüüd ma pean ainult kirjutama, kui hästi sul läbivaatuse ajal läks."

"Noh, äkki sa tuled siia ja ma aitan sul seda blanketti täita."

Katara patsutas oma reisi, et Kya enda sülle kutsuda. Viimane haaras oma mängukirjutusaluse ja kergelt nüri otsaga pliiatsi enne ema jalgade vahele hüppamist. Ta luges ette esimese välja.

"Okei, patsiendi nimi on.. emme."

Tema vastus pani Katara muigama.

"Ei-ei, kullake! See pole piisavalt täpne. Vabariigi Linnas on sadu emmesid. Mis siis saab, kui nad kõik juhtuvad olema sinu patsiendid? Kuidas sa vahet teed?"

Väike veetaltsutaja pani sõrme alumisele huulele ja jäi mõtisklema, kuni ema ta välja aitas.

"Kuidas oleks, kui kirjutaks minu nime sinna selle asemele? See on K.. A.."

Ta luges oma nime tähthaaval välja, õpetades Kya'le, kuidas seda õigesti kirjutada.

"T.. A.. R-A."

Kui ta oli viimase kahe tähe kritseldamise lõpetanud, hakkas ta läbi vaatama nimekirja elutähtsatest tunnustest, mida ta oli kontrollinud.

"Sain kirja! Järgmisena ma pean ütlema, kas sinuga oli kõik korras. Su südamelöögid olid normaalsed," ütles tüdruk, märkides linnukese sõna 'süda' järel asuvasse tühja ruutu. Ta tegi sama terminitega 'kopsud', 'suu' ja 'vaktsineerimised'.

"Aga kuidas su temperatuuriga on? Ma unustasin kontrollida."

Katara naeratas ning ulatus mängukraadiklaasi poole tema ravitseja asjade hulgas.

"Ole lahke. Sa võid seda nüüd kraadida."

Ta tõstis oma parema käe, kui Kya mänguasja enda kätte krabas ja selle sinna alla pani. Noor ravitseja tõusis korraks püsti, et asetada oma peopesa ema laubale.

"Sa pole kuum. Ma ei usu, et sul on palavik, emme. Aga kontrollime, et kindel olla."

Andmata sellele isegi minutit või kaks, tõmbas ta kraadiklaasi välja ja uuris hoolikalt selle keskel olevat näitudega kleepsu.

"Eip, kõik on hästi."

"Nii et sinu diagnoosi järgi olen ma täiesti terve?" tahtis Katara teada, nähes, et 'temperatuur' oli kaardil viimane rida.

"Täpselt nii!" teatas Kya uhkelt, särades talle laia naeratusega vastu. Tema emme hõõrus nende ninasid hellalt kokku, mis ajendas tüdrukutirtsu rõõmust kiljuma. Viimane lõpetas oma mänguläbivaatuse, allkirjastades kirjutusalusel oleva dokumendi oma enda nimega.

Author's note: Depending on the context, this phrase can either mean how are you 'doing' (like what's happening in your life in general, is everything okay) or 'feeling' (like what's your emotional or physical state, do you feel happy and healthy). Obviously, I went with the 2nd option for this one. More adorable role play between my favourite mother and daughter pairing (oh, you have no idea how flipping cute it sounds in Estonian, especially the dialogue when I first proofread the whole translation!).

[steveraffle]

Suu Scribble

Got an itch to draw another monster girl, so decided to do the aggressive goop. She’s just looking for hugs.

[sonicbelligeranza]

Økapi & Aldo Kapi's Orchestra - Love Him Vol. 1 Recent (1927-1952) Økapi Plays The Music Of Aldo Kapi (-Belligeranza 05, 2009) Aldo Kapi (Kyzyl-Suu 12 September 1896 - Cholpon-Ata 11 May 1952) Kyrgyz composer. Son of Iranian industrialist Agha Mirza Kapi and the Italian Elena Bottero, Kapi was initially destined for a career as a schoolteacher, and completed his studies in the Orthodox abbey of Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. "I dreamt I drowned in the lake": Kapi scribbled that early vision on a piece of paper at the age of 19. Unknowingly, he was describing his eventual fate, the life he would lead in Central Asia, and also his attempted suicide in Issyk-Kul. Kapi was unable to realize his dream of becoming a great pianist, owing to the unwise experiments he undertook to perfect his technique during the winter of 1910-11, which caused the loss of the use of his right ring-finger. He decided to dedicate himself, instead, to composition. Introverse but often extravagant, his first works were an attempt to break away from formal traditions and classical structures that he considered too restrictive.  During the decade spent in Bishkek, Kapi produced his first noteworthy compositions, such as Sguadrezzi da pe' (1914) and Pignottimi d'approsi (1917). <To Be Continued...> @okapi23 #instamusic #vinyl #records #180g #12inch #plunderphonics #illegalartrecords #SonicBelligeranza https://www.instagram.com/p/BIM0qjqgfCw/?igshid=dnllfn2q1ovu

[melancholic-cloud]

Poetry in Motion || Nao || Trial 1.1 || RE: Suu, Francois || ATTN: All, especially Shinri

After having a brief conversation with Barako in the hub, the two teleported into the trial room, and claimed their stands. Nao leaned forward, listening in on the ongoing conversation.

The evidence brought up was mostly stuff that Nao was already aware of, however, and the others seemed to be contributing just fine, so he kept silent in the meantime. However, whilst the others spoke, he pulled his notebook and pen out from his back pocket, and began scribbling onto some of the once-blank pages inside. After he was finished writing, he pocketed his pen, and began tearing the pages up uniformly. Once finished, he left the scraps of paper on his podium, and pocketed his notebook, waiting for a break in the current conversation before he contributed. He remained largely impassive to the words that were said.

Once an opportunity for him to interject arose, Nao spoke up. “If I may…” He began, with a tired yet firm voice. “Firstly, in regards to new evidence to offer, I did find a cellphone in the Debunker Room. I’m not sure if it’s related to the case, but I thought it was worth mentioning.” He shrugged. “And, to contribute to things that have already been said, I have to agree with Suu here. This is definitely a murder we’re dealing with, and a locked room murder at that. After having thought about it, I couldn’t think of a way for the culprit to bypass the lock, but maybe it’s possible. Perhaps Kenmeina-san could offer further insight, with the room essentially belonging to her.”

Nao cleared his throat, and continued speaking. “I don’t think the killer stayed in the room, though. If they did, they wouldn’t have had the opportunity to clean the blood off of themselves, and we surely would’ve noticed the blood on them when we arrived. And, considering the nature of the murder being a stab wound, it’s very unlikely that the killer managed to avoided getting blood splatter on them. I didn’t find anything that would’ve been used to shield the killer from blood splatter, either.” While developing his thought process, those beside him could probably notice an almost invisible paling of his skin. He retained his cool, however. “So, I believe that the killer somehow managed to make it out of the room after the murder. Unless there are any objections, that should satisfy Dupuis-san.”

Once he finished, he held up the slips of paper previously left on his podium. “Now, I would like to offer everyone the chance to provide any evidence that you don’t feel comfortable sharing for whatever reason. I’ll walk up to everyone’s podiums, and quietly request any relevant information you feel like sharing. Don’t feel obligated to share, though.”

With that, Nao, like he said he would, set out to gather information from everyone.

[When Nao gets to your character, he will ask if there’s anything they want to share. If there is, Nao will lean in so that the information can be whispered, and then Nao will note it down himself. If your character would share anything, please PM Legulus on Skype.]

[henrik-mikaelson]

brass knuckles vs brazen bitches

Perhaps entering the room with Hazels preserved yet lifeless body was a bad idea. Hell, it was certainly a bad idea, but impulse had taken over. The need to see her soft face, the desire to see her eyes open, the nausea that came from knowing she was in the ancestors grasp sparked an emotion so far beyond grief, that he didn’t even understand his own thoughts. His hands clasped at his head as he tried to soothe his mind, to take back control before it was lost. Henrik couldn’t afford to crack, he’d been through much worse to let this get the better of him, especially when he knew he would save her. With his pride clawing its way to the surface, Henrik scribbled down a note to Freya, in-case she came home and found his body before he awoke. It was a bold move, one he hadn’t thought through all that well. but he knew what do to, so, what could possibly go wrong? The spell would stop his heart, and bring him to the other-side where Hazel was. The only trouble was, whatever happened to his astral body would happen to his physical body. He knew the risks, but still, he laid himself on the floor and began the spell. 

“Phasmatos Tribam, Mihan Veras Ractas, Mas Anima Mal Vita Caturam Hors. Suus Phasmatos Oproctum, E Tiamis Mihan Ractas, Somus Suster Gana. Phasmatos Tribam, Mihan Veras Ractas, Mas Anima Mal Vita, Caturam Hors. Somos Suster Gana, Phasmatos Tribam,” he paused as the pressure in his head grew harder to ignore. Balling his fists, he squeezed his eyes shut and continued. “ Mihan Veras Ractas. Mas Anima Mal Vita, Caturam Hors. Revertas Phasmatis Ut Victas, Revertas Phasmatis Ut Victas, Phasmatos Tribum, Mihan Veras Ractas. Mas Anima Mal Vita, Caturam Hors.” The spell was complete and when he opened his eyes, the familiar darkness and lack of air was unmistakable. Aware he was probably standing in a place surrounded by witches that hated him just as much as they did Hazel, he finally saw the reality of what he had just done to himself. Willingly, he stopped his own heart to return to the one place he had vowed never to go back to, all in the name of a woman. Henrik didn’t want to make noise, but he could sense Hazel was just behind him, but he was frozen in fear of the damage he would see when he turned around.

@littlexmissbadass

[lurkch]

Scribblings brought to you by the letter S

"Stay on your side of the bed. I know suus mahna."

"What the Hell is sooss mama," he mumbled sleepily.

"It's Vulcan for I can kick your ass."

Sometime later:

“Hey, Spock. Suus mahna.”

Spock just quirks his eyebrow at Leonard like he’s lost his mind.

“I thought you said that meant ‘I can kick your ass,’” Leonard mutters to Jules under his breath.

“No, I said it meant *I* can kick your ass. It’s a martial art.”

Leonard turns to Spock, looking somewhat sheepish. “Uh, never mind.”

“Indeed.” Spock does the Vulcan equivalent of roll his eyes and walks away.

[archaneanscribe]

Finally Taking the Trip to Jupiter

Vague spoilers for MGS4. Also xtremely fucking sad fair warning lol

“Snake... Dave?” Hal immediately corrected himself upon entering the room. The veteran’s (finally they could use that term, with there truly being no fights left to fight) request to drop the codenames they had maintained for nearly a decade had been a little sudden, but entirely understandable, “We think we’ve found a place to stay, for the moment. A nice house, close enough to a town that Sunny can go to school in, but far enough ouy most folks will leave us alone.”

David simply nodded- taking a deep breath that would normally be an intake of smoke into his lungs, but he was sincere in his declaration of quitting. Even if it wasn’t for very long, he could do that much for Sunny and Hal, after all this time. The tech wiz stood awkwardly in the doorframe, posture so closed in on himself David would see the gangly nerd he once was before he had started spending more time eating and moving around than seated in front of a computer.

He still did plenty of that, but years on the run had shifted the ratio considerably until just recently.

“Out with it, Hal,” he croaked out in a voice that was becoming increasingly unfamiliar to both of them. This seemed to shock his companion out of his own thoughts, and he finally moved closer.

“Ah, well, you see- what do you want for your last name, Dave? You know I’ll be formalizing Sunny’s adoption, which means we’ll finally be obtaining,” emphasis was put on the word, because in reality it meant forging, “papers for her, and I thought you’d probably be in need of some too. We can use whatever is on your birth certificate, but if you want to pick something out yourself...”

A smile formed under Dave’s mustache.

“I already know what I’m using.”

Hal perked up, “You do? What is it?”

With the same simple, to the point gruffness he would never quite be rid of, the one legendary soldier answered in a single word.

“Emmerich.”

All sounds except the Nomad’s machinery working overtime on her last voyage and David’s unfortunately heavy breathing ceased for an eternally long moment, Hal’s face journeying between every emotion he possessed. Tears pooled at the corners of his eyes, and his attempt to stifle his sniffles failed.

He probably wouldn’t have admitted it at the beginning, but something David had always loved about Hal was his ability to keep crying. No matter the hardships he faced, the traumas, the evils and cruelties he bore witness too, he didn’t run out of tears. His compassion was a well that ran deep, and those tears were just a result of it overflowing.

“Dave...of, of course,” his expression betrayed some amusement past the waterworks, “Do you want me to list you as my brother, or-”

“You know exactly what it’s going to say, Hal.”

They both laughed now, such different sounds than it was just a year ago even. David had been sitting on the edge of the bed, and Hal had been across the room, but that distance closed as Hal kneeled on the floor, placing his hands on David’s knees. It was a gesture that David had previously classified as pitying, but he knew better, now. 

It wasn’t for his comfort at all.

“Thank you, David.”

David had half a mind to ask what it was like to kiss an old man with a mustache, but they didn’t have the time for jokes like that anymore, so he just closed his eyes and enjoyed it.

---

The eyeroll David had given when Hal told him the name of the town they’d be living in was named Jupiter was so legendary it surpassed his previous exploits with ease. But, despite how silly it was, he couldn’t deny the warmth in his chest. 

They’d gotten their trip to Jupiter, just a little late.

Jupiter, Washington, was as small as a small mountain town got. It didn’t even have an elementary school for Sunny to attend (she was bussed to the neighboring, larger town). Most residents were the descendants of the people who had first lived there, so their new faces stuck out for awhile, but they eventually concluded what was essentially the truth, albeit missing some key details, and moved on- they were just two retirees, hoping to live out what was left of the older one’s life in peace with their orphaned granddaughter, nothing exciting.

Hal laughed at how huffy David had gotten at the granddaughter comments.

For the first month, their time there was peaceful. Content. Happy.

The second month, David starting being able to spend less and less time out of bed.

In the third month, he took Hal aside.

“You should stop sleeping in the same bed as me.”

His husband was a genius, he knew exactly why, but he still asked anyway.

“Don’t make me say it.” 

That he didn’t want Hal to wake up one sunny spring morning cuddling a corpse.

Tears were shed, as they always were, but he complied nonetheless. All of David’s belongings were transferred to the guest bedroom (Hal had tried to convince him to stay in the master bedroom, it was more comfortable, but David was adamant- that was where Hal would be staying in the future, and he didn’t want his ghost lingering in the air whenever he slept).

On the first day of the fourth month, right after sending Sunny off to school, Hal told him they were getting a dog for her.

“She loves those chickens, and I thought she might like another pet.”

“Or is it to replace me?” he asked, morbid mirth nearly buried under the pure gravel that had become his voice, “Seems to fit perfectly.”

Hal’s eyes, sad and weary, seemed to want nothing to do with this conversation, but he participated for his partner’s sake, “How so?”

“It’ll bark at strangers, bite the hand that feeds, and just generally be a pain in your ass.”

Despite himself Hal did laugh, not entirely bitter, “We’ll train it better than that.”

“Don’t train it too well. Won’t remind you enough of me.”

Fifth month, they had a dog. Rex, a joke on two layers- a name so common it was funny, and a reminder of one man’s shame that he’d never quite shake off. Not a husky, because while that would please David, they’d be keeping it long term and that level of energy just wouldn’t suit their needs. Rex was an adolescent Golden Retriever. 

The dog of the American dream.

Almost like he could tell David wouldn’t be around long enough to justify getting attached, Rex mostly ignored him. The feeling was mutual. 

Sunny loved them both dearly, and that was enough.

---

They had been there half a year, and Sunny made them breakfast. Her specialty, eggs fried to methodical perfection, toast just a little browner than anyone would like, maple sausage microwaved for ten seconds more than the instructions said just to make sure they were thoroughly cooked, and a glass of pulpless orange juice tucked precariously into the crook of her arm as she carried the meal to Uncle Dave’s bedroom.

It was two minutes after Hal watched Sunny depart from the kitchen that he heard a loud crash, glass and ceramic shattering, followed by Rex’s insistent barking and whining. He was on his feet and rushed to the scene, fearing the worst and finding exactly that.

“Oh, Sunny... Sunny...”

“U-Uncle H-Hal,” she barely managed through her cries. Rex, to his credit, ignored the food on the ground and nuzzled at her face, whining, confused and upset by the noises of unparalleled distress his beloved human was emitting. Stifling his own grief, Hal went over to the young girl and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.

He didn’t do a great job at holding that grief in after all.

“Sunny, Sunny, Sunny... I’m so sorry... I should have checked up on him when I woke up... It’s okay, Sunny...”

“H-He’s d-d-dead. J-Just,” her stutter was exacerbated by her choking sobs, “J-Just l-like my m-mother.”

The downside of having such a bright child was that you couldn’t shield them from life’s harsh realities that easily. There was no convincing Sunny that Uncle Dave was with the birds in the clouds, or any other such comforting tale. 

He was dead and gone, and she knew that.

---

The gravestone read:

               David Emmerich

       Beloved father and husband.

All three of those titles were ones he had only worn for six months, but he had worn them with honor.•

[archaneanscribe]

Birthday Cakes

Peeta makes them birthday cakes every year.

He decorates them with little flowers made of frosting, and big swooping letters that say “Happy Birthday!”. Sugar is still hard to come by, but they make an exception, just for us. They owe us, they say.

I don’t care that much, but Peeta, he cares.

I think he makes them to make up for all the birthdays his brothers, and Prim, never got to have. In the day's leading up to their birthday, he gets sad. Not the nightmares, not the flashbacks- though those do still come sometimes, but we never can really prepare for those. On the day of, he wakes up before me, before the children, before the sun, and starts preparing everything he needs for the cake. 

So I don’t care about the sugar, but I do care about the cakes. Because Peeta does.

When it’s Lily’s (we didn’t name her until she was three. People looked at us like we grew extra heads, but we just wanted to be sure to not be too attached. Just in case,) tenth birthday, I wake up with him. 

“Can I help?”

“You want to bake?” he asks me. In a way, he means it. I have always left the kitchen things up to him. But he’s also joking with me- we’ve gotten better at joking over time, now that he’s more certain that when I say something to him, I mean it.

“Yeah.”

He doesn’t argue.

We don’t live in a very big house, because we discovered that big houses bring back memories we both spend most of our time running from, so the walk to the kitchen is short. Like every time, he prepared everything over the course of the last week, so he just pulls down each item from the cabinet one at a time. Cake flour, sugar, leavening, and vanilla. He asks me to get the milk, butter, (we use goat’s) and eggs from the refrigerator, so I do, placing it next to everything else. 

It took awhile to get used to the fridge, but less time than other things- being able to keep things cold year round is nice. We had one when we lived in the Victor’s Village, but that’s another time we like to forget about. I barely ate at home then, anyways.

“We have to let the eggs, milk, and butter sit for an hour. We can make the frosting in the meantime.”

Baking is a lot like making medicine with Mom and Prim. Lots of waiting and a test of my patience. 

Peeta looks peaceful as he mixes the sugar, milk, and vanilla to make the frosting, so baking isn’t so bad.

Next we preheat the oven, we get the pans out, and butter them up. After that, we mix the ingredients. Saying “we” at this point is generous, really. Peeta does it, and I just stand there awkwardly. I mostly wanted to see him do it, not help, and I think he knows that, because he explains each step like he was talking to Lily or Benjamin.

“Bring the pans over here and hold one of them steady for me.”

“Got it.”

He tips the bowl and the batter slowly drips inside, filling it up to just before it gets full. We repeat this four more times, then put them in the oven. Now it’s time to wait again. By now, the sun has started to rise, filling the kitchen with much warmer light than the lamps had been doing. I lean into his side and he puts his hand on my waist and we’re quiet for a while.

“Peeta?”

“Yeah?”

Before following up on my question, I kiss him, quick and soft, and very much real.

“Would you make me a cake for my birthday?”

He kisses me too.

“I can do that.”•

[archaneanscribe]

Name

"Helana, behind you."

"It's alright, Helena."

"Helena."  

"Helena-"

"Ya know, Q," Helena began, easily ducking away from a punch thrown by a third rate goon, "You're pretty cavalier with my real name, for a paranoid guy like you."

The thug seemed enraged by her nonchalance, but that barely pinged on her radar as her boyfriend responded, "I'll make sure no one finds out your identity," his voice was distracted as he downloaded the file, like her concern was not a concern at all, "So it doesn't matter."

"Constantly making sure it stays secret seems like a waste of time and effort," she retorted, growing tired of playing with her adversary and delivering a hook right under his jaw that knocked him flat. Now that all the hired muscle was out of her way, she cracked her knuckles as she approached Question.

He pulled the drive out of the computer, slipping it into his pocket. Before he spoke, he paused thoughtfully, and lifted his leg to kick the computer screen in.

"It's a trifle for me."

"Q, you're really-"

Wait. Q didn't brag about stuff like that. And he had better things to focus on than constantly monitoring his, uh, network(?) to make sure her true identity didn't reach the wrong ears. He must have a reason... oh. 

Oh, baby doll.

Quick as a flash, she fired a bolt from his crossbow that whizzed past his head to catch his attention.

"Any reason for the failed assassination attempt? You normally don't miss."

She hooked the weapon back on her belt, approaching her boyfriend with the kind of conviction in her eye that led to men being dead in every sense but the legal one, and he was smart enough to back up. Eventually, the back of his knees hit the office chair that he had risen from earlier, and he fell into sitting in it with a soft thump.

"I have a theory, Q. Humor me for a minute."

He swallowed thickly at her low tone, and nodded, clearly thankful for the impassivity of expression inherent to his mask.

She reached his spot and boxed him in by putting both hands on each arm of the chair, "I was wondering why you'd go through all the trouble of tempting fate with my identity. You don't take unnecessary risks, right? Except you do. In one circumstance."

Leaning in, her black hair framed her face like a dark halo, the effect accentuated by the flickering overhead light that had been broken by a stray bullet in the earlier brawl. His avenging angel. His heart rate increased at a concerning pace, "When you want to impress me, you can get a little reckless, huh baby doll? You get off on the thrill of protecting me. That's why you do it- you make a situation where you create and solve the problem."

She pulled his tie loose from his vest, yanking it forward so her unmasked nose bumped into his masked one, "I unraveled one of your little mysteries. How's that make you feel, baby?"

"Do you want the long answer or the short one?"

She laughed, nearly low purr, "Let's make it quick."

"Good. Very."

She let go of his tie, but not before hooking a finger under the knot and loosening it just a bit, "As much as I like putting on a show, let's head back before these idiots wake up so you can do whatever it is you need to with that data, and then I can give you your reward for being honest," her smirk grew as she whispered, "Vic."

For the first time, he found that being bested at his own game wasn't so bad at all.•