#swerve did it because he had to climb a lot more hurdles than other people

[powderflower]

honestly at this point hangman has done more harm than swerve has….

[shiny-procrastinates]

(re)Watching Magia Record S1 - part 3

part 2 here

Hello everyone and welcome back to our watch-through of the first season of Magia Record! Last time, we met a trio of Kamihama magical girls, Momoko, Rena and Kaede, and, after Rena and Kaede fighting, Kaede is kidnapped by the “chain monster”, a part of the rumor of the Staircase of Severance. Now, it’s up to Iroha, Momoko and Rena to find and take her back. Will they succeed, or will someone lose their heads? The only way to know is by watching, so let’s get right to it.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story: Magia Record Episode 3

Rather than going back to the plot right away, we are given a flashback of Iroha’s younger sister and two other girls. The brown haired girl has apparently created an eternal motion machine in the form of a toy train, saying something about how adults must be stupid if they never thought of that before, and that toy train proceeds to crash into a pile of books and set fire on them. Good job. 

I don’t want to hear this from a gacha game character. Your original work is even more fragile than this!

The megane girl, Nemu, compares the brown haired girl, Touka’s actions to the burning of the Library of Alexandria (dramatic much?) and the two start fighting, with Ui trying to stop them. They’re just like Momoko’s trio on the previous episode, breaking their friendship up and everything.

Once again, it was Iroha’s dream. You know the erasure really went in on it when even the rug is cut in half.

Iroha’s sister had friends at the hospital, so she could get some new clues if only she could find them.

Floof Momoko.

Before going looking for Kaede, Momoko and co. drop by Kamihama Mirena-za, aka. the Coordinator’s. I tried searching if Milena constellation was actually a thing, but the only thing I could find was that there’s a Galileo satellite named Milena. Huh.

The Coordinator had a client, but she’s done right away. We learn that the Coordinator’s name is Mitama Yakumo, but still have no idea what she actually does.

Besides not having a sense of personal space.

Momoko explains that Iroha’s not there to get adjusted, whatever that means, and asks if Yachiyo is there yet. Who’s this Yachiyo though?

Aaawkward.

To no one’s surprise, I guess, since I already said it, but this girl is Yachiyo. And she absolutely ignores Iroha. Rude.

Yachiyo and Momoko start talking between themselves about Kaede’s case. (and MItama’s fixing Momoko’s hair. Cute). It seems Yachiyo is well aware of the rumor of the Staircase of Severance. She pulls out a notebook, and Momoko notes that she’s knowledgeable about these things.

Momoko asks Yachiyo to lend them her help, and Yachiyo agrees to do it, since Kaede is in danger, but adds that she won’t work with people who will only be a burden, looking at Iroha.

...not that she’s wrong, but still rude.

Well, I mean, that might make sense when you’re so op, but you don’t have to say it outright!

Still, Yachiyo has a point: it’d be too dangerous to bring along a weak magical girl to a fight with an unknown enemy. So Mitama offers a solution: why don’t they just adjust Iroha’s Soul Gem?

Mitama does a very short explanation of what “adjusting a Soul Gem” actually entails, and this one short screen tells us the rest. It’s basically what let Momoko and Rena do that joint attack earlier. I wonder if this was even long enough on the screen for the people who watched this on tv to read it. 

Momoko says that Yachiyo should have no complaints as long as they do that and Yachiyo is like “yeah, whatever”.

...now that I think about it, what is Mitama doing here?

Continue? Iroha hasn’t sacrificed anyone tho.

...oh, I forgot we don’t get to see Iroha getting adjusted.

So, our girls are now at the rumored stairs at Kamihama University Affiliated School. Leaving aside Momoko and Rena, since they are students there, one has to wonder how exactly did Iroha and Yachiyo manage to get up there without being found. This school’s security is lacking!

While the girls run up to the rumored Staircase of Severance (this is so annoying to write) we see some messages on screen of what I assume are Rena’s classmates, and get pushed some ideas of what friends should be like, all while Momoko tries to cheer Rena up.

Okay, that’s a really narrow staircase. Who decided to put this creepy thing here?

Momoko writes her and Yachiyo’s name on the staircase (and we sneakily learn Yachiyo’s surname is Nanami). The two are reenacting the rumor, so now they’ll make up to draw the Chain Witch out. That is, after they give us their transformation scenes!

While Yachiyo’s themes are water and stars(?), and she has gracious movements, Momoko’s literally burning up and kicking things. Their transformations parallel one another, and yet they are completely opposites. I love it! (but Momoko kicking the sword still takes the cake for me).

Now that I think about it, for all that fire theme she has going, Momoko's not that hot-blooded. Don’t judge a book by it’s cover, I guess.

Rena’s transformation focuses on her shapeshifting powers, throwing her through mirrors and with lots of expression changes. It’s not because she’s tsundere, the transformation seems to tell us Rena has lots of faces.

...I also like her DDR routine right at the start, it’s cute.

The theme of Iroha’s transformation is birbs. Rather than telling us something about who she is like the others, I see hers as basically about what she’s doing right now: much like she did by coming to Kamihama, Iroha takes the courage and jumps into the unknown, chasing after a mirage.

I’m always a little bothered with how she falls straight down despite taking impulse when she jumps, but hey, what can you do lol

One of the (many) cool things about this whole sequence is how the bgm is continuous throughout the transformations, only changing a bit to match each of the girls.

That’s not very convincing acting, Momoko. Yachiyo’s is not much better, either. They theorize it only works if they’re really fighting, and Rena says she’ll do it.

Rena starts apologizing, but nothing happens. Iroha says it might be because she’s not saying it from her heart and Rena’s gets upset.

Rena can’t just feel like making up right away, but it’s not like she doesn’t want Kaede to come back. These two seem to have a complicated relationship, but in the end, it’s clear that Rena does like her. Rena starts crying and apologizes for making Kaede be friends with someone like her all this time. Then, the Chain Witch appears.

We get a flashback to Rena flashbacking (confusing, I know) about all the times Kaede apologized to her, while watching an idol show.

Don’t we all?

So, yeah… Rena is a complicated character. (and a Sayuki stan)

Iroha wakes up in Rena’s room for some reason. Clearly-not-Momoko starts a monologue of how no one could ever like Rena.

Rena hates herself, so she wanted to change. She wanted to become someone else, so her wish gave her shapeshifting powers, but didn’t change her, so she still hates herself (considering the implications when this type of wish does work, see Oriko’s Kirika, she might have gotten the better end of the deal.

Kaede calls out to Rena and Iroha and Rena break out of the strange television-exposition-vision-thingy. So the first thing they start doing, naturally, is start bickering again. Great friends! 

Oh look, the weird Kyuubei is back! Like the nice mascot character he is, he’s showing Iroha the way to the main Witch.

Rena and Kaede start to have a heart-to-heart while fighting (the familiars now, not each other).

Familiar: hahaha, that tickles

Rena says their friendship is over once they get out of there, since they were never real friends to begin with, but Kaede doesn’t want that. Kaede says that if Rena’s problem is that she never apologizes, she just did earlier and Rena says that didn’t count, so Kaede replies that then they breaking up doesn’t count either. Nice, Kaede!

Kaede basically says that, yeah, Rena can be terrible, but she likes her that way anyway, so they can continue being friends.

Rena says that Kaede needs to listen to her, she needs to let her apologize too and tells her she’ll do it once they get out.

While they’re doing that, Yachiyo and Momoko climb to the top and knock down the witches’ main body. Momoko then calls for Kaede and Rena to finish it off. Nice VFX there btw.

Rena and Kaede join hands and using both their magic they pinball the witch into the air with Rena's mirrors. Rena launches plant-enchanted copy spears at it and the witch bursts into leaves and dries... Kaede's magic is kind of scary like this.

Oh, how adorable. Aaaand he's gone. 

The witch is defeated and Rena now has to make good on her promise to apologize. But, seems like honestly apologizing is still too much of a hurdle for her so after some struggle she swerves to another thing. Thankfully, Kaede knows Rena well enough and she's fine with this.

Look at them, so precious.

While Momoko and Iroha catch their breath, Yachiyo approaches them and informs them the Witch didn't drop a Grief Seed. In fact, she says that might've not even been a Witch at all. Yachiyo points out it's weird to have a Witch that comes out anywhere whenever the conditions of a rumor are met, in particular since they didn't even feel it's magic beforehand. She warns them that something weird is going on in Kamihama, then leaves in the most dramatic way possible.

Sometime later, our group is back at Satomi Medical Center. Seems Rena has given in and decided to help after all.

Going by the original plan, Rena transformed into a nurse and investigated the hospital. It's pretty cool how her voice is slightly distorted in this little sequence with her undoing her transformation.

No one in the hospital remembered Iroha's sister, but they did remember Touka and Nemu. That means Iroha's memories aren't entirely wrong.

With that, Iroha goes back to Takarazaki for the day, with some new friends and a very small but important step closer to finding her beloved younger sister.

"Sorry for making you my friend."

That's it folks, this was the third episode of Magia Record('s first season)! No one lost their heads... well except that not-witch if we count the bell as it's head, but I think that's just fine for this series, because--

OH WAIT THERE'S MORE

Talking about lost heads, look who's here! I totally forgot this episode had a stinger. My bad.

Kyuubei can't enter Kamihama now for some reason, so he needed someone to investigate the cause for him and contacted Mami as a strong veteran Magical Girl. There are rumors about that someone in Kamihama is gathering all the Witches around to monopolize Grief Seeds, which would explain why the city is infested with them and they being stronger than normal. Mami says she doesn't want trouble with the Magical Girls of another territory, but will investigate whether the current events are due to a Witch or Magical Girl. I like the short cut that shows her from beneath the grating, it's neat. Just have no idea what it's supposed to mean.

!--rant incoming--! (I say, as if this whole post isn't one)

Anyways, like I was saying... writing? Before the stinger disrupted my thoughts, I think it's just fine that Magia Record's ep3 doesn't have any big twists like Madoka. The original had that maybe for the shock factor, yes, but also because it needed it to make clear what kind of story they were actually going for, and that worked great for that show and the time when it came out. But Magia Record is more of a mystery. We don't need it to push the point of magical girl suffering because the original already did that, we need it to give us things to puzzle about, and that it already did with the weird witch of this episode. Could it have made that better? Maybe, but Magia Record also has the problem that it's cast is significantly bigger, so they have to fit those introductions somewhere. So while it introduces Momoko's trio and a bit Yachiyo, it also tries it's best to situate us (and Iroha by extension) as to how Kamihama's magical girl's world is like and what's going on there. It's a lot to juggle and the anime doesn't get the benefit like the game of being able to just put the character's backstory on a separate chapter. I really like character focused things, so I don't mind the anime trying to fit as much as it can in, but I can see how that might turn other people off. That's one of the things that's really a matter of taste I guess.

!--ok, you can come back now--!

One of the visual things I really like in this episode is the effect with the floating kana and kanji on the Labyrinth. I wonder how that was done. It's animated, so I don't think it's part of the background, but then I'm also not sure at which stage of production that'd be put in. It's really neat.

Well, with this, we are done with episode 3 of Magia Record! What will we do next? Who knows! It doesn't seem like Iroha noticed it, but just knowing that Touka and Nemu existed, not even getting their surnames, does not give her any new clues to go with. She barely started and already is at a dead-end, poor girl.

Before jumping off the building, Yachiyo also added another question to our already filled question bucket: what was up with that weird witch? What is this strange thing that is going on in Kamihama? Why are you looking like that at Momoko's team?

As viewers, however, there is only one way of answering all this: by watching. So I'll be looking forward to having you guys join me tomorrow for episode 4! Have a good morning/afternoon/evening!

PS.: The last two episodes had about 30 screenshots, this one has about 40, at this rate by the time I get to episode 13 I'll be taking screenshots of the whole episode...

[yikesharringrove]

Billy gets turned into a cat because he pissed someone off. Max brings this stray to Steve's house because of Neil. Billy doing all the terrible cat things at first and not letting Steve touch him but warming up to him. Just follows Steve around, learns about them. Then he jsut does the dick cat hing to other people. Keeps sneaking into family video. The curse only breaks when Billy admits to himself how much he cares about Steve.

No monster au I guess? I honestly don’t know anymore but Billy never got possessed.

-

“Hey little dude.”

Steve picked up the little cat. It’s fur was thick and a light color, with big bright blue eyes.

He had found it screaming in the backyard.

It was squirming in his arms as he brought it inside.

“Where’s your home? You have no collar. You’re naked.” He put the cat down in the kitchen, opened a can of tuna for him. The cat sniffed at the tuna, tucking in to it slowly. “Naked cat, what should I name you?” Steve sang at the cat.

It turned it’s big blue eyes on him, looking at him judgmentally.

“Wow. You’re a rude naked cat.” The cat hissed at him. Steve pretended to clutch at a set of pearls, gasping dramatically. “Mind you language in my home, young man.” The cat seemed to roll his eyes at him.

He spent the night playing with the little cat, learning he was kind of an asshole, didn’t really like to play much, and would knock shit off any surface it could get to. (Which was all of them. All surfaces).

But it was nice having something to take care of, and he woke up with the little thing curled into his neck.

-

Billy doesn’t know what the fuck had happened.

He was standing by the Camaro, having a cigarette as Amy Whatever-her-name-is was sucking him off. He had closed her eyes, pretending the soft lips around him belonged to one Steve Harrington when she pulled off him, started yelling at him for not being into her. He had driven her home mad and told her she was a slut.

She had pointed a finger in his face, told him until he got his head out of his ass and admitted how he felt he would be stuck. He didn’t know what the fuck she was on about and told her she was a crazy bitch before peeling outta her driveway.

It was not his finest moment, and he was seething while he drove around.

He decided to take a walk, was chain smoking through Loch Nora when his vision whited out. He felt like he was hurdling through space for hours or maybe seconds before he came to his senses.

As a fucking cat.

He was outside of Steve’s house, and needed help, only to find that Steve was useless, gave him some fucking tuna and said weird shit to him.

The next day he went out for some time, coming home with cat toys, food, and a fucking litter box.

Billy was goddamn appalled.

He was expected to shit in a box and Steve was gonna clean it up.

That is not fucking happening.

-

He had been spending the week with Steve, had so far he had learned Steve Harrington is an adorable fucking weirdo.

He likes to sing at Billy, likes to pick him up, watch tv with the little cat curled on his chest.

He talks a lot, fills up the empty house around with sound, plays music and leaves tvs in different rooms on as he moved through them.

He would laugh at the asshole things Billy did, like pawing at the record player until it turned off when he played music Billy didn’t like.

And Billy learned that Steve didn’t sleep much. He would stay up late, lights flicked on around the house.

The first time Steve had a nightmare, Billy pawed at him, meowing as loud as he could, trying to get Steve back from whatever nightmare he was having.

Steve woke up, looking at Billy before bursting into tears, pulling the little cat close.

Billy purred loudly, trying to help, absolutely hated the way he his chest heaved, the way he curled into himself.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Billy purred louder, didn’t want Steve apologizing.

-

Steve had named the little cat Diablo.

The first few days were spent with the cat hissing and swiping at him, not letting Steve touch him and pushing expensive vases to the floor.

But the little cat seemed to warm up to him, had stopped doing little asshole things and spent most of it’s time following Steve around.

Robin came over after work one Saturday to meet the little fur ball Steve had been cooing about for weeks.

“He’s really cute, Steve.” Diablo did not like Robin, was curled in Steve’s lap, glaring at her. “Even if he hates me.”

“He doesn’t hate you. It took him a few days to trust me.” He scratched the little cat behind it’s ears.

“Billy hasn’t been in Family Video in a few weeks.” The cat perked up at her sentence. Steve shifted it over to rub at it’s belly.

“Yeah. I know.” Diablo purred. “I don’t know what to tell you, Rob. I don’t think he feels like that about me.” Diablo twisted around, curling back into Steve’s lap, looking at him intensely, pawing at his chest.

“He flirted with you all summer at Scoops, Dingus.”

“I think he was just being an ass.”

“I know a closet case when I see one, Popeye. Hence why we’re friends.” Diablo stopped pawing at Steve, trotted to sniff at Robin’s knee, looking at her with big eyes.

“I’m not a closet case.”

“You were when we met.” Diablo swatted at her shin, staring at her. “He’s like a little person. He’s so expressive.” Diablo headbutted her knee. She smiled at him before looking back to Steve. “I mean, when I met you, you were fully lying to yourself.”

“I wasn’t really, I mean I always knew I like guys, I just never really acted on it.” Diablo came zooming back to him, batting at him, making little yowling noises.

“You didn’t let yourself act on it.”

“It just didn’t really matter. I like girls and don’t wanna get fucking killed for being a queer.” He picked up the screeching cat, holding him up to eye level. “What’s up with you? Do you hate me because you know I’m queer?” Diablo licked his nose. Steve smiled at him. “I’ll take that as a no.”

-

Steve Harrington liked guys, and by the sounds of it, he liked Billy.

Billy had tried to get as much info outta the two, but it was hard when he couldn’t use actual words.

He had thought Steve and Robin had been dating, had scratched at her a few times, only feeling bad when she waxed poetic about Heather Holloway, and Steve called her a useless lesbian.

But Steve was an option, if he ever figured out how in the fuck he was gonna get back to himself.

He ended up sneaking into Steve’s car when he went to work the next day, screaming at him from the backseat, making Steve jump and swerve a little, swearing as he pulled Billy into his lap.

He brought Billy into work with him, placing him in a cardboard box under the counter so he could reach down and scratch his ears.

“Why’d you bring the little demon?” Robin’s hand was rubbing at his neck.

“He snuck into my car at started fucking screaming at me.” Robin laughed.

“What a little hellbeast.”

Billy sat curled in the box, quiet as he listened to Steve work. He was asleep when the box started shifting.

“What the fuck is this cat doing here?” Billy blinked up to see Keith, Steve’s jackass boss.

“Shit, sorry Keith, He’s mine. He followed me to work today.”

“Jesus, Harrington. You can’t bring your pets in here.” He went to get Billy out of the box. Billy swiped at him, scratching his wrist. “Fuck,  get your asshole cat outta here.” Steve reached in with gentle hands, picking up Billy, hissing and spitting.

“I’m sorry, Keith-”

“Just get out, Harrington. I am so fucking close to firing you.” Billy went still.

Steve rushed out to his car, placing Billy in the passenger seat as he pulled out. Billy made a little noise at him, trying to get in his lap. Steve pushed him away.

“I am hanging on by a fucking thread with Keith. You can’t do that shit.” Billy made a sad sound. Steve sniffed.

“I just, I’m so shit at everything. Robin got me that job, and I almost ruin it all the goddamn time. It’s pretty much the best I can fucking get.” Steve let Billy slowly climb into his lap.

“And just, if I lose this job my dad’ll kick me out, and then I’m really fucked.” Billy pressed his head into Steve’s stomach, nuzzling into him. “Thanks for that. You’re kinda sweet sometimes.” Billy meowed back at him.

-

Steve had another nightmare that night, had curled around Billy and cried into his fur.

Billy had licked softly at his cheeks. The tears there. He wanted Steve to feel safe and happy.

These few weeks living with him, he had learned so much about Steve Harrington, learned that he was weird and sweet and lonely and sad and loud and so much more than Billy ever thought he’d be.

He had come to really care about Steve, maybe even, maybe even love him-

His vision went out again. He couldn’t feel his body anymore as his mind shorted out. His ears were buzzing when he came back to himself, breathing heavily.

“Um, what?” He turned over, saw Steve looking at him with huge eyes. “What the fuck.”

“Hey, Pretty Boy. I was the cat.” Steve shot outta bed.

“What the fuck is going on? What do you mean you were the cat? Why are you naked?” Billy looked down, putting a pillow over his dick.

“I was an asshole to this girl, and she apparently, apparently like cursed me or something, to be a cat. So I was the cat. I was Diablo.”

“And you, were you like, aware of everything that happened while you were a cat?” His face was red, no doubt thinking about all the little things he had shared about himself in the time.

“Oh yeah, Stevie. I know you pretty well now.” Steve flushed even more. “Know you have a crush on me.”

“I, I do not have a, a crush on you.” Billy raised an eyebrow.

“Would you quit lying to me if I told you I had a crush on you?” Steve opened and closed his mouth a few times.

“Uh, maybe. If you, if you said it again.”

Billy stood up, slinking towards Steve, smirking As Steve looked panicked, eyes darting anywhere that wasn’t Billy.

He pulled Steve’s hips, bringing their bodies flush together. He pressed a wet, open-mouthed kiss to his jaw.

“I’ve got a big fucking crush on you, Pretty Boy.”

Steve lunged, connecting their lips together.

“God, me too. I’m, I like you a lot.” He sighed into their kiss, his arms around Billy’s shoulders.

[monotonemanday]

Our Days Divided - Mystic Messenger University AU - Chapter 7 The S Team

It’s back! Sorry it hasn’t been out for awhile! I have been working on several things lately!! And also I’ve been a little sick. (My eyeballs are always in pain lololol) Tagging you ladies because I know Helena is mad at me lol and the loml likes this series and I appreciate her! @zennyshoneybunch @glitterybitchwitch

The gang was all gathered together and Kaeli was enjoying all the lighthearted chatting that was going on amongst her peers. She decided that they wouldn't have to get down to business. They could start talking serious logistics and planning next time they all would meet. There was no lull or shortage of laughter in the conversation going around the room. The Untouchables and the tuition kids were thriving and lively mixed together. Even though there was a bit too much teasing of Jumin from the scholarship kids, even he seemed to be having a pleasant time.

Seven was getting in his daily dose of driving Yoosung insane when his watch started to set off a rapid beeping noise. At the same time, a small pager type device in Samantha's back pocket began to do the same. Her head whipped in Sevens direction and the sternness in her face made Seven wince. His face scrunched and a look in his narrowed eyes saying “please please don't kill me.”

“You told him I wasn't going to training the other night, right?”

“Well here's the thing, Sam. I uh, didn't goooo.” Seven rubbed the back of his neck and shot a smile at her trying to diffuse the situation. “And not only did I not go, I didn't tell him that I wasn't going.”

“WHAT?!” Samantha turned her body in a sharp motion starting a sprint but fumbling. Using her hands to slap the floor and keep going so she didn't fall completely, Seven made his way bolting out of the doors with her. “IDIOT!! HE'S GOING TO KILL US!”

“I KNOW, I KNOW I'M SORRY! T_T” Seven and Sam were running down the halls out to the fresh open air of the campus, darting across the grounds of Cypress. Maneuvering their way in between passerby’s and vaulting over shrubbery and half walls.

“I swear if he takes away our garage privileges, I'll kill you Saeyoung Choi!

“Sam if you don't stop nagging me and pick up the pace we're already dead!”

They had made it into one of the large athletic buildings on campus and were now sprinting to the escalators that led down to the areas only accessible to certified personnel. Running down the steps of the escalator, swerving through the few people patiently riding the escalator in the proper fashion. They reached the card readers and ran their ID badges in front of them. Not patient enough for the gate to open, Sam hurdled it and Seven slipped through the small crack it had opened already. A few more hallways and the two made it to their assigned training facility. Both hunched over, hands resting on their knees and catching their breath, they began to apologize profusely to the tall and sturdy man before them.

He was built. In jogger sweatpants and a v-neck tee that hugged his biceps. He stood there in his signature purple, arms crossed and hair tied back.

“Ah, so some form of communication IS working for the two of you. I was worried since I hadn't heard from anyone.”

“Vanderwood we're so sorry, we-Hmmphh!” As seven tried to reply he was hit in the gut my a heavy medicine ball. Sam had kept quiet. She had known better. Any apology or excuse would just piss their boss off further.

“Shut up. Your running here in a panic warmed you up. Good. Tactical obstacle course...now.”

Saeyoung and Sam hustled to the locker room to change. They both immediately began to strip off their everyday clothes. There was no hesitation or embarrassment. They were both used to this. They had been partners for 2 years now. Samantha was always a little bit faster at changing. Maybe it was a girl thing. She already was ready down to her shoes. All black. A plain black baseball cap, a black sports bra, black running pants, and all black converse sneakers. Standing with her arms crossed and her right hip popped out, she watched seven with an arched brow. Biting her bottom lip.

He was sweating from the running they had just done. He was only in black sweatpants. The redhead didn't look like much in civilian clothes but underneath the loose fabric he had always hid behind, he was trim and fit. The v shape leading to his nether region was very defined and his set of abs were toned and clearly sculpted. His biceps weren't as big as Vanderwoods. He wasn't busting out of his shirts, but you could tell he was a hacker. He used the muscles in his arms a lot. From the shoulder down to his fingertips. He ran his hands through his hair, pushing his bangs back and caught wind of Samantha's gaze.

“What pervert?”

“Nothing,” Samantha said, a smirk on her lips. “It's just a real shame you have that mouth on you. Plus, You kind of smell.” She tossed him his t-shirt and made her way out of the locker room.

“Brat.” Seven mumbled under his breath.

“Saeran? Saeran? SAERAN!” Liz slapped her hands on the counter.

“What!” He stood up from where he had been leaning on the counter in the flower shop. Stretching his arms above his head and letting out a yawn.

“You were being creepy. Just staring like that.” They heard giggling coming from the far corner of the shop. “But apparently it didn't shoo the girls away.” Liz rolled her eyes and hopped up on the counter, taking a seat.

“Liz, you know you're not supposed to sit up there.”

“Yes, I just don't care. Where is your brother? He isn't answering his phone?”

“Aahh. That's actually why I was in that deadpan stare. I was thinking. What the hell are they keeping from us?”

Liz had pulled out an apple from her backpack and took a monstrous bite. She spoke through a full mouth. “What? Who? Saeyoung and Samantha? Keeping what?”

“I know they go to training for athletics but it's more than that. Like they've been gone ever since they ran out of the room earlier today. It's been hours.”

“Oh calm down rebel boy. Afraid they're having some secret affair?”

“Gross. No.” “Yeah. You're right. Ahahahahaha. That would be something else. Anyway, I just came by to see if you had heard from them. I want to go get a milkshake. And since you're still working and also wouldn't give me a piggyback ride like Saeyong would, I'm not inviting you.” Saeran rolled his eyes and Liz jumped from the counter and the bell to the flower shop chimed lightly.

“Good evening you two. It is nice to see you again.”

“Oh, Hi there, Jumin!! You are looking very handsome! Have you come to whisk me away and show me how the rich live?” Liz was lively and clearly joking but it had gone over his head.

“Why thank you, Miss Paradise. And unfortunately I don't exactly know what you mean but I am actually here to speak with Saeran.” Jumin spoke very calmly. You wouldn't even guess his inner monologue was shouting “Oh God I don't know what that means but it might be her making advances. What do I do? Jihyun is not here!”

Saeran could tell that Liz had confused the poor guy so he gave her a gentle nudge to the side. “Looking for me? What can I do for you, Jumin?”

“Ah well, the arrangement of flowers you had brought to us the other day. It was remarkable. I am holding another event soon and I would like to commission you and this small shop. I will pay any extra amount necessary to get this establishment all the things it will require for such a tall order.”

“Oh man, that's pretty decent of you, Jumin. But I should check with the owner first. She is elderly and I wouldn't want to overwhelm her.”

“Saeran, hush. It will be fine. HE'LL DO IT!” Liz jumped out in front of Saeran who irritatedly pushed her back out of the way.

“Liz, knock it off!”

“I understand. Please discuss with the owner. Also, I would like to extend an invitation to this event to all of you that are apart of this new group we have formed.”

Liz's eyes lit up with excitement and Saeran shot her a classic, calm your ass, look. Jumin spent a little more time than he had intended in the flower shop chatting with Liz and Saeran, and the girls who normally came to ogle and the boy with the white hair were now overwhelmed with the black haired eye candy they were now receiving as well.

Samantha climbed the ladder and made quick of hopping over the ledge and beginning to run when she heard someone shout her name. It was Vanderwood. If looks could kill. His glare was icy and as soon as he knew she felt it he flicked his eyes toward Saeyoung. Samantha knew what it meant. She was going to fast and not thinking of her partner. She ran back and leaned over the edge reaching down to her partner who was climbing the ladder. He took her hand and she hoisted him up over the ledge. The two began to run. Jumping, hurdling, sliding, flipping. Doing whatever they needed to in order to get from point A to point B. The simulation was a bit harder today since Vanderwood was clearly pissed at them. Saeyoung was never as fast as Samantha but if he really wanted to he was sure he could at least keep pace with her, but he always hung back just a bit so he could focus on hacking doors or locks for her. Basically clearing a path for them. Sam was always amazed at how quick he was when it came to hacking. Even though Samantha didn't like to wait for her partner, the two were still always so in tune. When Seven got tripped up and found himself caught in the arms of a bot, Samantha made quick work of turning around and throwing a small tranquilizer at the bought precisely where in between the eyes would be on an actual human. Saeyoung was always quick to shoot or disarm enemies that came in from the sides if Samantha was occupied on whatever was in front of them. They had each other's backs.

They finally finished their tactical run of the course and approached Vanderwood, laughing and high fiving. Quite pleased with themselves. Vanderwood, however, was not so amused.

“That was rookie. Too many mistakes. Sloppy. So miss training again and the consequences will be severe.”

Samantha and Saeyoung stood in silence. Normally the two would bicker with each other or say something just to be a smart ass, but they knew Vanderwood was not in the mood. Less than he usually was even.

“Now listen. You guys are getting an assignment.”

“YaHHOOO!” Seven jumped up and exclaimed. “ow!” And then immediately found Sam's fist in the side of his bicep.

“What kind of assignment, Vandy?” Samantha was met with cold cold eyes. “Vanderwood. Sorry.”

“There is going to be an event for elitists. There are rumors of it being targeted. We are flagging this one because there's a bit of an unusual circumstance. Two parties are holding events. The big corporate hot shot they should be after isn't their target. It's his son.” Vanderwood handed Seven a picture and Samantha didn't even need to look.

“You're going to watch over the event. Behind the scenes and protect your mark. Got it?”

“Got it.” The two partners responded abruptly.

“Alright, we'll have an official briefing soon. Go clean up.” Vanderwood left without a second glance and Samantha took her baseball cap off, chucking it to the side.

“Shit. Is it?” She tilted her head back in exasperation.

“Yup.” Seven pinned the picture against Sam's chest and began to make his way to the locker room. “The Trust Fund Kid.”