#there's also the time I had to call a contractor and be like hey! why does the customer's box truck have a big hole in the side???

[tj-crochets]

Hey y'all! Work's been more stressful than usual (I'm covering for a coworker's vacation) and I'd love to hear some funny work stories if y'all have any you'd like to share. I'll start it off with some of the weirdest contractor interactions I've ever had: - the contractor who never went anywhere without his cat carrier full of live ferrets - the contractor who, every single time he called me, said "aren't you proud of me? You're proud of me, right? I'm your best contractor?" (he was not) - another time I was covering for a coworker and so handling paperwork for contractors I usually don't work with, and one of them spent a long time on the phone trying to persuade me to move into his cabin in the woods. His methods of persuasion were twofold: he explained how cool his truck is in intense detail (I do not care about trucks) and he bragged about how many laws he was breaking while contracting with the company I work for. I, of course, told my boss, because a lot of the laws he was breaking were basic safety things???? But him trying to brag about breaking laws to the person who handles the paperwork he just admitted to falsifying was hilarious to me

[missmarveledsblog]

Flumpy part one ( jake seresin x reader )

SUMMARY: The dagger squad all were wondering who the mysterious figure was in one of the rooms in the base only to discover to bradley's explaining it was pete maverick mitchell's  kid  with out seeing them fully before leaving jake makes a comment he will in future regret .  y/n doesn't let the man off light with the comment either . 

warning : enemies to lovers kinda , straight up self indulgent writing so soz slight comedic feel although that just my opinion ( sorry) 

They gather in a curious bundle , looking in a the figure Head down on table large hood covering everything from head up as they tried to figure who it was that was well they hope was a sleep since the said figure hasn't moved .

" you sure they're alive they literally haven't moved in what ten minutes or more" one whispered.

" they allowed to be in here i mean what if its a civilian" another gulped.

" i mean they could be a bum" the tall blonde mused.

" hey what you standing around for" roosters head tilted looking at his squad members.

" there's a possible dead bum or civilian in there or dead civilian bum" fanboy looked into the room eye widening at such a possibility. Only bradley knew , his lips twitched in amusement at his friends assumption .

" nah that just mavs kid , must of fell asleep waiting" he explained as they looked more.

" jesus who would of thought mavs offspring would be flumpy there" jake grimaced .

" flumpy what are you twelve" phoenix rolled her eyes only for the figure to scoff.

" cyclone is looking for you bagman" rooster cleared his throat remembering why he was there in first place .

"Course he is needs a real man's help huh , see yall , bye flumpy" he called loudly as the figure head started to rise .

A quick nod to Pete as he passed yet their eyes all focused as the figure yawned and stretched out . Pulling the hood down to reveal the figure was a woman , a beautiful woman at that.

" hey kiddo sorry I got held up you ready" Mav smiled as she stood stretching aching muscle .

" ready as i'll ever be plus don't worry about it i got some z's"she smiled only seeing a group of new faces well not exactly new but in person new. " oh shit did you guys need the room , bradshaw you told me it was free" she glared at the man a comical sight giving their size difference.

" pretty girl you should of just went back to my place if you were tired... not like that you filthy people she like a sister to me" .

" i wouldn't be so tired if i had slept on way here but no someone a singing driver , i wanted to kick you in your great balls of fire" she grumbled.

" stop being so mean i gave you my hoody when you were cold little shit" he shot back .

" do i need to put you kids in time out" mav asked.

" you going hard deck tonight" bradley rolled his eyes.

" nah i need to unpack and sleep more" .

" she coming beach tomorrow since she's our new mechanic get to know you all" mav spoke up ignoring the glare she sent his way.

" beach tomorrow apparently also hi i'm Y/N" She turned holding her hand out to the group as the boys started pushing each other to be the one shake her hand only in their antic phoenix got in there .

" natasha trace but you can call me nat or phoenix" she smiled proudly getting their first.

"Well nice to meet you i already know who you all are from the glowing reviews i got from the two old men there" she chuckled shaking their hands.

" so where were stationed before here?" fanboy bashful spoke up goofy grin as she looked at him.

" oh i'm not in any form of military i got clearance and a civilian contract life of a navy nepo baby" . " come on we show her around the hangar" mav called all following behind .

She didn't need to see the hangar not when she been in it a billion times before during her childhood . following in the footstep of her mom charlie blackwood being a civilian contractor was a little surreal maybe because rooster was also there it was like they were the new generation . both legendary parents but she couldn't take the extra steps trying to be in her dad's shadow,that would of never worked although it seemed anything that could fly was a great love must of been genetics in this case.

" well as i live and breathe y/n it good to have you on board" she turned to see admiral beau simpson sauntering over towards her .

" admiral nice to see you again" she nodded politely not little how the man was looking at her .

" pleasure is all mine sweetheart if i'd known you'd be here i would of gave you the private tour" he almost purred as her own face scrunched up.

" i got her plus i need her check out phoenix jet for the test runs on monday so she's a little busy at the moment admiral" pete mitchell stood in front of her easily also not liking the way the older man was looking at his daughter.

" phoenix could you show me the way please oh admiral tell that darling wife of yours i say hi" she walked of linking arms with the female aviator .

" would that be all sir" rooster asked . " yes erm i forgot i got a meeting , rooster i got hangman in the end" he said making a slightly quicker exit.

" so what's the problem or did my dad make it up" she asked looking at the jet itching to get working .

" sort of shaky on the landing and steering is a bit stiff it can wait til monday really i think your dad just used.. And she gone" she watched the new woman in the hanger climbing up to assess everything out.

" i shouldn't of said anything" mav laughed knowing what his daughter was like.

" roo here" she called pulling the hoodie off only to hear metal clanging . " oh this place never changes" she shook her head seeing the men looking at her in awe.

It seemed as though everyone in the base had a reason to be in the hanger that morning , some excuses were almost believable others not so much when a recruit handed rooster a stapler insisting they needed it for any reason .

" nice to have a fellow female in her really was being a meat fest and don't even getting started on the pissing contest some of these guys can have"nat called .

" definitely hasn't change" y/n shook her head . " i mean between rooster and hangmans ego's then moment their on the ground best friends it's whiplash at best" .

" hangman? Blonde guy wonder if he's the one that called me flumpy" she mused with a giggle .

" you heard that huh?" .

" loud and clear what an asshole" she checking thing over before moving on to next part.

" i'm sure he'll take it back when he see's you" nat whispered almost reveling to see hangman's reaction to it all .

" hey need help" the guys called.

" nope it's all good i'm actually finished but thank you" she climbed down covered in grease and oil but she didn't mind .

" please come the hard deck so i can get you drink fixing my baby" nat smiled hopefully.

" no can do i need a shower , nap and unpack but i will see you all at beach tomorrow right" she asked all nodding away eagerly.

" you ever play dogfight football" bob asked slightly surprised at his own bravery to talk to the pretty lady .

" oh i'm not even attempting to play that i got a book with my name on it while you guys get all sweaty also stealing nat so i'm not on my own" she smirked .

" i'm fine with that" nat high fived her whilst sticking her tongue out at the others .

"come on you we get you home" maverick lead her out.

" no one tell hangman" was all nat said once they were gone all silently agreeing wanting to see hangman's reaction to the real flumpy .

The moment he stepped on base all he heard was his fellow officers gossiping like little girls usually he would of rolled his eyes and scoffed at the immaturity but jake seresin was always a sucker for pretty face and now he was full fledged curious .

" i think she'll be at hard deck i hope she is" he heard passing by yale . smiling like cat got the cream knowing it was no contest to who was going to get the girl .

" well look who finally showed his face , mav just left that long ago needing to drop his kid home" nat said almost too sweetly although his mind was elsewhere.

" great flumpy's gone anyways you guys heard or seen the smoke show , how true to the scale is she hot" he asked .

" lava like burn through anything hot" Javy spilled out as rooster tried not to react .

" well i guess i'll know later when i'm buying her a drink tonight i'll let you know how hot she is tomorrow though" he winked heading into the locker rooms.

" who's gonna break it to him" payback asked.

" no one dare say a word think of it as my christmas present" nat rubbed her hands together all heading to get changed and ready to have a few drinks after long day .

It was safe to say jake was annoyed the next morning , the mysterious hotty never showed at the bar so he couldn't brag like he wanted which in turn had the gang busting his balls for the forward assumption . it didn't help they were doing it all way to the beach or when he was helping set up the table for the food that was coming but he also had to listen to hear how cool mavericks offspring was maybe he was wrong about the dude or whatever then he start thinking flumpy was why the hot girl was there since they both showed up on same day which irritated him a little more then he cared to think . when he saw the hottest girl he'd ever seen like show stopping hot walk on the beach maybe he could get over the whole thing by getting her. He wasn't going to just go over no he pretend to throw rooster the ball only for it to land right near the woman . " don't worry i'll get it" he winked and strolled over so cocky and confident . sunglasses hid how his eyes raked over her the sundress that hugged her body like a damn glove , like it was made for her and her only . how her hair flowed messily down her back or how it fell to the front as she picked up the ball . " sorry ma'am my friend there can't seem to catch a ball" he stood a little taller , tensed his muscle a little knowing the ladies loved it. She looked over at rooster eyebrows raised before throwing the ball to him.

" looks like he's not so bad at all" she said walking with her towel under her arms ready to set it up .

" or maybe he wanted to impress you" jake followed .

" or you got a shit throw" she said placing her things down placing the towel on the warm sand before pulling the sundress over her head to reveal the red bikini that sat under it .

" hey kid you wanna help penny carry down the food before you get all comfortable" mav called

. " sure thing old man" she walked off leaving jake coming to a horrible realisation.

" was that?" he asked his fellow squad members.

" flumpy" the all called back" with shit eating grins .

"oh and hangman she heard you say it" nat cackled as his face completely dropped .

With the bragging right now and truly down the toilet giving as she wouldn't even look so much as his direction although . hell it seemed baby on board was in with more of a shot then he was. He was also now a fan of don't judge the book without fully seen cover that was his first mistake. Damn the cover was just his style that was for sure.

" just give up hangman , she not into you , you've ruined your chance" payback smirked as they began loading their plates .

" oh don't you worry boys i will have her eating out palm of hand and sweating for more" he laughed only they we're not laughing .

" man shh" javy whispered eyes darting behind the texan.

" what you know it i will have her riding me like a bull at a rodeo by the nights end" only instead of continuing a clearing of a throat .

" excuse me" she pushed past loading her own plate.

" darling how much of that did you hear" he winced .

" enough you tell you that i'd rather starve then eat from palm of your hand and walk to china the ride in your rodeo cowboy" she scoffed walking off sitting down on her towel picking up her book and completely ignoring the fact that jake seresin existed . which only to his torture while he was playing pool she was chatting away to some of the guys at the bar. He watched as the fawned and flirted with her , dropping their best lines while she let them think she was lapping it up , oh she was good he would give her that.

" your not gonna give up are you" coyote asked .

" not by long shot" jake smirked potting his winning ball . 

Part two

[timkontheunsure]

The clocks back theory

Something in this zanny one is plot relevance. (Probably relevant to this season's finale, Sinsmas)

It could be a couple of things, or both. 🙂

Emberlynn's amulet

It could be the Dhorks and cherubs related. But would be funnier if the people writing akuma no otto, the devil' husband, were just using a lot of religious stuff as backstory. (Like Hazbin hotel does. Hey offbrand Charlie).

If Stolas' seal is all that's to summon him, I can see merchants for a show accidentally making holly protection. 😆

Dumb fanfic

Ok, so gist is a someone who previously had a wife stands up against satan to protect their lover.

And Satan is turning up soon, probably in Sinsmas.

Blitz and IMP look to be in trouble in the trailer.

What if they get caught?

We know Andrealphus is plotting something to get all of Stolas' wealth, legions and title. And 'technically' doing this for Stella, Stolas' wife, so she'll get more in the divorce. (Actually doing it so he gets it).

Emberlynn also calls Blitz a demon prince.

Wich makes me think it's foreshadowing Stolas being the one taking a stand for his man. Not Blitz (this time).

There's been a theme this season of Stolas learning to choose, and stand up for what he wants. After failing to do so before last

Like going through with the divorce,

Makeing sure Blitz can manage his business without him,

And setting a boundary of needing space when he's hurt. Something that's really hard do with loved ones.

These are all pieces of rebuilding you have to do after abuse.

This part with the ars goeita, Andy and Vassago, Mammon and Satan all looks to be in the same place.

I'm assuming this meeting is about IMP's illegal use of the grimoire. To show Stolas is too incompetent and unfit for his job.

While Blitz now has a legal method and is under Asmodeus jurisdiction, how much will that help when Ozzie's also very publicly dating an imp?

That might make him seem to biased to help, when Blitz originally was lent the grimoire for sleeping with Stolas.

But why would Mammon be helping here?

Blitz burned down Loo loo land, while IMP were being bodyguards for Stolas. Wonder if hell has a law about being liable for any damage that contractors do?

But I can see Stolas standing up against Satan in the ars goeita council, to keep Blitz and IMP safe.

So why do I think the amulet might come back in?

A lot of people at assuming Andy is going to win this. (Couldn't be arsed to keep putting the full name anymore. And I get a laugh thinking it'd piss the pompous bugger off).

That he'll take everything from Stolas. Money, home, job, grimoire, and probably even Via. 🙁 (Don't think that'll stick as Via is a real daddy's girl).

Stolas without his grimoire would probably be vulnerable to Andy, especially if he's just been dragged by the council.

Thinking this is going to get a call back.

A lot of us have been wondering how Blitz is defending a vulnerable Stolas.

Maybe the strangle looking knife is merchant from the akuma no otto show lol?

(NB I had to do so many double check that I didn't put Santa instead of Satan in this thing. 😅 Heh dyslexic kiddies write Christmas lists to hell lol).

[ghouldtime]

Let me pick your brain, if I may. A bit self indulgent but yknow. What if someone breaks in to neighbors home and she calls König.

My first instinct for some reason was to call my boyfriend rather than the police? I don't know why lol. It wasn't anything dramatic, just a guy shimmied my door open whole I was cooking dinner, looked at me said "wrong place" and left. Turns out he was looking for my literal next door neighbor. We live in an apartment building.

I feel like it could go one way, he'd grab a gun and calmly make his way over. Make sure everything is fine then ask why they didn't call the police. If it's like the situation I was in. But what if it was the real deal dangerous situation?

If he were to go in ready to fight then his neighbor might question how he can fight like that or shoot like that( doubt it would get to that point but I'm leaving it up to you). They'd only ever seen fighting like that in the movies. I like to picture him getting a little flustered (kind of like the name situation) and just saying like oh I learned it in fight club or something.

I don't know that he'd immediately call the cops for them, would he immediately go in to protection mode and let instinct take over? What would his instinct be? I definitely don't feel like he'd kick the door down and go guns blazing, i think he'd be too calm and collected for that. Being a colonel he's gotta be good about keeping his head straight and clear, otherwise he wouldn't be here, surely. It's not a terrorist organization he's gotta take down, just a neighborhood thug that got a little lost and confused, so to speak. He'll help them find their way.

Also, picturing your König just absolutely crushing a bad guy in his usual civilian clothing rather than his gear and hood just does something to me. Being like "i am on vacation dammit" (insert the frustrated Ben Afflect cigarette meme here)

Also, petition to change the phrase "that wasn't very cash money of you" and changing it to "that wasn't very KevinKönig of you." Or "Ghoul's König would NEVER-"

��💚💚💚Hey, anon! Hope you're doing well :D Oh geez, that must've been a bit perplexing and scary in the moment. I'm glad nothing bad happened and that you're safe! But damn that would've given me a heart attack and a half if that happened to me. The closest I had was my brother would invite his friends over without saying anything to me, so some dudes just walk into my house, not even knocking or ringing the bell. And I'm like, well, either they're the worlds worst robbers or they know my brother. This happened MULTIPLE times, I'm not even phased if someone walks in anymore (Word of the somewhat wise, don't be like me. Probably immediately question why someone is there and don't just be like 'sup') It reallllly depends on the severity and what happened. Anything like that is something that does need to be taken seriously! Seeing in the neighbor Au that they live in the suburbs, it's something that's significantly less likely to happen or to be a mistake there. He's a touch paranoid about things like that, and would even take something minor like that as cause for concern.

He's a seasoned private military contractor, he knows very well that people can do things like that or feign innocence to scope out the layout of a house or even to test the door to see if it's locked for a future break in. He's paranoid of that sort of thing even if it doesn't seem like much.

The second ANYTHING of that sort is mentioned to him, he's going to be concerned, even if it's brought up casually. Because not only does that mean you and your house are unsafe, but there may be someone in the area potentially looking around for him. So naturally, he's already going on high alert for himself - and he's increasingly concerned for you too.

Since he knows that if any bad guys or terrorists or enemies alike had any inkling that he was friends with you and you meant something to him, he's going to ramp up security for you because he knows associating with him alone is enough to out you in danger. Seeing what they do, he knows their methods, he knows how they use hostages and people close to others as sickening pawns.

He's going to be installing a security system for you if you don't have one already, he's making sure you're armed and ready to defend, he's offering his own tips on how to stay safe and to prevent home invaders.

Ideally, he would do all of that BEFORE a break in or anything could occur, even though the area is safe. Prevention and protection is better than going into damage control. Truth be told, he'd be ramping up those security measures the moment he got close to you - especially if he knew he would be deployed soon. He sleeps better knowing you're safe.

I'm just assuming either that wouldn't have happened yet or something went wrong - he never keeps his phone on silent, especially during the night in case he's needed. So the second he's getting a call, even if he's half asleep, the ice-cold adrenaline is kicking in. That's all he needs to get up and head on over.

He's grabbing his handgun, he's going to be scoping the perimeter and trying to pinpoint any vehicles or anything out of the ordinary that can be a crucial detail as he makes his way over. If it's minor and a "false alarm", he'll breathe a sigh of relief, but it's still something to be taken seriously. He'd much rather have you call him and it's a nothing than have you afraid to call him in the event of a possible emergency. That stuff is VERY serious and he stresses personal safety like it's his job (technically, it's part of it).

Anyone can go in ready to fight, which is his explanation! Adrenaline is one hell of a hormone. When it takes over, people can do absolutely insane things. At that point, it's protective instinct and survival being on the line. Very unlikely it would end in a shoot out or movie level fight, but his ability to clear rooms effectively and scan the house are uncanny. He'll tell you he's trained in self defense (not a lie) and he would ideally rather you be too. They have classes for it and being able to protect and defend one's self is a valuable skill - it's those things that can save you.

He won't fluster because he IS confident in that part of him and having confidence in those things can help motivate dear reader to protect themselves and can help give them a piece of mind. Plus, he'll be happy to help! He knows it better than many and it's very much worth it to reassure you and to give you that extra level of safety at all times. The world is crazy and so are the people in it, its better to always be prepared! As much as he wants to be there for you all the time, its physically impossible, so helping you help yourself is another way he's trying to make sure you're safe.

He understands why you might not call the police immediately in any sort of break in situation. Police response times can vary vastly and if he's right there, he's trained with a firearm and knows what he's doing - he can be the faster and is your safer bet. Those few minutes can mean the difference between survival and the terrible alternative. Yeah, call him. He'd much rather have that than wait around when he KNOWS he can do something. Not to mention, he'll tell you when you get close you can always call him for things like that.

Hell, if he's around, you can also just call him if you want someone else in the home when there's repairmen dropping by. The world is scary, he's seen the worst of it. Being there and nothing happening is significantly better than assuming nothing will happen and the worst does. It gives him a piece of mind for your safety and his alike if you involve him in those sorts of things.

OKAY ANYWAYS BACK ON TOPIC, IF IT WAS a serious, active invasion. He's calling the cops as he readies himself and scopes things out. Alerting them and having backup or SOMEONE else, someone aware, is vital. Manpower is needed, especially if it's a group. Not to mention, it's for legal reasons too. Courts don't play around and it's something that needs to be documented.

At that point, everything is muscle memory and adrenaline blending together. It's just putting him putting his mind back onto the field. He's trained in urban warfare and while this isn't the same, it's still fighting in a house setting. He's checking out the perimeter, he's trying to figure out how many there are, he's trying to get it all together in his mind as he enters. His goal, at that point, is protecting YOU. No amount of valuables or items are worth your life. Getting YOU out of there or keeping you in a safe place until police are able to get there is what is most important.

He'd rather not engage unless absolutely necessary because of the fact that off the battlefield, shooting someone is VERY very different. He'd rather all parties live and he doesn't want to jeopardize himself unnecessarily and certainly doesn't want to do the same to you. He's not going to try and find them to fight, that's the police's job. He doesn't have a big head and isn't some wannabe try hard who has to prove a point. No, he's focused on living and safety. Ideally, he's getting you out of there ASAP and safely far away.

If they want to put up a fight though, if they so much as try to raise a gun of any type, they're going to be eating bullets. Shoot first, ask questions later, he's not going to negotiate when there's HIS life and YOUR life on the line. He's not taking that chance. Talking things over and having a reasonable conversation went out the window when they decided they valued your things more than their life. It shouldn't get to that but he WILL pull the trigger if needed, no hesitation. Hesitation is what gets you killed.

He'll be in his oversized forest green sweater with teddy bear patches sewn on, with the ugliest flamingo print pj shorts on, but make no mistake, he's as ready to put up a fight as ever and is making it known why he's a colonel. In or out of armor, he earned that title.

Afterwards, when things are actually wrapped up and those guys are apprehended, he'll have you staying over at his house for a while - or a hotel, if you still feel unsafe seeing as you are neighbors. You can stay in his house as long as you'd like, he's got a guest room for a reason. Such an experience can be extremely traumatic and he's there to help you through it as much as he can. You want the TV on when you go to bed? Sure. Want him to stay in the room? He doesn't have anywhere to be in the morning, why wouldn't he?

He's absolutely committed to making sure you're feeling alright. He's not the best with his words but he'll always be a shoulder to cry on and will offer his unwavering support. He'll check your house whenever you feel like going back to it and will personally see to making sure any security measures are tripled and you have the best of the best there. Testing it, quadruple checking, and SHOWING you everything to help quell any fears and worries is just another part of what he'll do to make sure you feel comfortable.

If you need him to attend any therapy sessions with you or just want him around as much as you can, he'll be there and will be as present as possible. He'll always be checking in on you, making sure you're feeling alright, and will be clear you're welcomed at his house anytime and can call or text him whenever. He's honored to be a trusted individual in your life and someone you feel safe with, so much so that you referred to him for help in such a terrible situation. So he'll do what he can to protect that trust and cherish it, trying to make the most out of an awful situation.

[xximpressions]

Hope (Chapter 2)

Kelly Severide x reader

Series Summary: Sometimes, we all need a little hope.

Chapter Summary: First day on the job does not goes as expected.

Word Count: 1,110

A/N: The response fro the last chapter inspired me to turn this into a series 😊 Hope you guys like it! 💜

Previous | Next

Chicago Fire Masterlist

_____________________________________________________________

By the time Kelly had pulled himself together, most of second shift had transitioned into the common room and were sitting down to breakfast.

And today, that included you.

Seeing you sat at the table answering Herrman’s questions, Kelly decided to get himself some coffee in order to hear the answers you were giving while his back was turned.

“So wait a minute,” Herrman began, “You’re telling us that you’re a firefighter too?!”

Giving a chuckle at his obvious incredulousness, you smiled as you said in correction,

“Well, I used to be. Back when I lived in New York.”

“Why were you living in New York?” asked Matt Casey as he joined the table.

“I was there for college and volunteered as a firefighter for a while. Then I graduated and started working with Engine 52 for a few years before moving back here.”

By this point, Kelly had made his way to the couch across the room. His eyes were glued to the TV playing the news, but his ears were still tuned into your conversation.

“If you were working as a firefighter in New York, how did you get to become a contractor with the CFD?”

Was Joe Cruz’s curious question from his leaned position against the wall.

“I also worked on a few TV sets after I graduated to help pay the bills and found my love for creating. So when a job came up here in Chicago that combined my passion with my desire to make a difference in the CFD? Well, I just had to try for it. And now, I’m here.”

While Kelly was just as impressed by your story, it was Brian, or Otis as he preferred to be called, that voiced his admiration to the room.

“Wooow,” he drew out in amazement. “So, you like, met celebrities and stuff?”

You responded with obvious amusement on your face.

“Yeah, I’ve met one or two.”

“Why give that up to come live in Chicago?” was Mouch’s question after he looked up from his newspaper.

Giving a shrug, you easily replied.

“My family is originally from Chicago. My dad was a firefighter with the CFD and he worked with Chief Boden here at 51. So I guess you could say I just decided to come home.”

As everyone smiled at your answer, Herrman, who had noticed Kelly sitting a little too quietly, thought it was a good time to ask you,

“If your dad was a firefighter here at 51, does that mean you know the name ‘Severide’?”

After thinking about it for a moment—in which no one noticed the miniscule way Kelly had tensed—you answered once you’d recalled the face,

“Yes, actually! Benny Severide, right? I remember him from the CFD barbecues.”

Snapping his finger in agreement with you, Herrman continued talking and said by way of introduction, 

“Well our Squad Lieutenant over there is his kid. Hey Severide! Come say hello.” 

Turning his head as he heard his name called, the man in question first locked eyes with Herrman, and then, with you before standing to make his way to the table. Holding his hand out to you, he introduced himself by simply saying,

“Kelly.”

You gave your name after a firm shake, then said with a smile, 

“Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.”

Was at first all Severide could muster up. But soon feeling the eyes on them, Kelly quickly dropped your hand and asked by way of a distraction,

“So, you’re gonna be riding out with us today?” he asked before taking a casual sip of his coffee.

It worked as you confidently responded, 

“Yup! I’ll be riding along with the Chief.” 

And thankfully, you seemed oblivious to the tension he felt.

Gesturing to the expensive looking camera hanging from around your neck, you followed up by saying, 

“This takes photos and videos, so I’m hoping to get some good shots of you guys in action.”

Kelly was about to respond when he was interrupted by the alarm that went off overhead.

“Truck 81, Squad 3, Battalion 25, Ambulance 61, house fire at…”

As the automated voice continued by listing the address, Severide, along with everyone else in the breakroom, rushed to get into their vehicles and out the door.

By the time they had pulled up to the scene, it was clear even through the smoke and flames that this house was abandoned and in bad shape.

While everyone exited their vehicles, Chief Boden was doing a brief assessment of the situation when one of the neighbors, watching the destruction safely from the opposite side walk, called out.

“That place has squatters! I’ve seen them on my walks!”

Taking in that piece of information, Chief started giving orders.

 “Truck, send some men to vent the roofs. Squad, mask up and do a preliminary search, someone could be inside. Sixty-one, be on standby to receive any burn victims.”

Turning till his gaze fell your way, Boden said,

“And you? Be careful and stay back.”

Nodding in understanding, you backed up until you were almost against Battalion 25. Then you began taking pictures of the men masking up prior to their attempt to breach the house.

You recorded video of those on Truck as they got the aerial working so they could get on the roof to begin venting.

And you switched your focus to Ambo 61 when someone from Squad 3 exited the burning house with a victim in his arms.

It was a woman and she was laid down on a gurney as Gabby and Sylvie tried to treat her.

“Ma’am, calm down! We’re just trying to help you.” said Brett as she attempted to put on the oxygen mask.

But the victim was frantic as she pushed it away and gasped out,

“No, you don’t understand! It was my boyfriend! He set the fire because of some fire-cleanses-the-soul nonsense. He’s tweaking hard and I don’t know where he went!”

The two paramedics shared a look of concern before Dawson grabbed her radio and said,

“Hey Chief? Be advised, we have a potentially dangerous male unaccounted for.”

Boden was about to respond when he heard the sound of your gasp from several feet away.

Turning, he, and everyone else, saw the unaccounted for male using one hand to hold your body in front of his, and the other to hold a knife to your throat.

Quickly taking his mask off on the other side of the scene, Kelly revealed himself as the one to have brought out the female victim. And now he, along with the rest of the crowd standing nearby, realized they were now dealing with a hostage situation.

Previous | Next

____________________________________________________________

TAG POLICY: If you wish to be tagged in this story, you will be required to leave a comment for each chapter you are tagged in. A comment is considered to be any kind of feedback you can give about my story (a detail you noticed, a conversation you liked, a scene you enjoyed, etc.). Please do not ask to be tagged if you are unwilling to follow this rule. If you do ask to be tagged, and fail to follow this rule, you will lose access to my story. Please note: Comments that are made up entirely of emojis or key smashes do not count. Leave a thumbs up (👍) in your tag request to let me know you have read and agree to this policy in order to be added.

*TAG REQUESTS THAT DO NOT FOLLOW THIS POLICY MAY BE IGNORED*

[cod-dump]

So I don't have anyone to talk about my CoD OCs. I have two, Sunny a 5'5" trans man and a former Combat medic and his best friend and partner in crime Vamp a 6'3" recon specialist. Sunny got his nickname because his Unit called him their little ball of sunshine. Vamp claims he got his nickname because of his inhuman proficiency with a knife and would be covered in blood more often then not after a successful mission. in reality it's because of incident involving a late night cranberry drink run gone bad in which some new guys startled him covering him in red juice making him looking a bit monstrous. every holiday/birthday Sunny gifts him novelty juice packs that look like blood bags, because how else do you feed the vampire? a major side effect that it has started the rumor that Vamp is an actual vampire and Sunny is his handler in company's they've worked with in the past. is it that good or bad? who knows, it makes them memorable at least.

Sunny left the military due to his father getting ill and his mother needed someone to help run the florist shop and given that his sibling's jobs are "actual life long careers", according to his mom, he finishes out the end of his contract and goes home accepting his fate. However Vamp one day shows up to the shop and is like, "hey b!tch! Guess who's gone into the private sector and wants to take your ass with them?" Basically kidnaps him because Sunny deserves to do be doing something he wants to do not what his family expects of him. So they kind of bounce between company to company mostly doing temp work.

Over time they've added new skills to their resumes like Sunny gets good at undercover work using his florist background to send hidden messages. Vamp learns coding and gains a particular knack at making EMPs with limited resources.on the field Sunny is confident and can command a room and is unusually strong being able to carry people two or three times his weight off the battle field. out of the field he is a stuttering shy mess who gets embarrassed easily. even then he always makes sure to greet everyone with a smile even when he's freaking out.

Vamp on the field is cold and calculating. he moves fast and prefers close combat in the dark. off the field he's light hearted, cracking jokes, and giving shit to people he considers close especially Sunny. Vamp is also a bit of a nerd but don't call him that he takes great offense to that.

I'd like to think that Sunny's friendly demeanor and much smaller size would make him at least approachable to Moose, but I'm pretty sure Moose would also come off as intimidating to the shorter man, especially if he finds out that moose is one of the favorite children in shadow company without knowing why, if Sunny has learned anything from jumping from company to company is that you don't mess with the favorite. not that he'd want to mess with Moose he just wouldn't want to risk miscommunication, something he sadly excels at when out of the field.

I think if Moose met Vamp on the battlefield he'd stay away from the man, but if Sunny and Vamp got hired on as temp contractors to shadow company. Vamp would try and talk to him especially since he always wants to learn from any of the tech specialist's in each company they work with. Sorry this ran rather long.

- 🌻 🦇

Moose has had some bad experiences with mercenaries who are temporarily brought into Shadow Company’s ranks so he tries to keep his distance. Whether or not he comes around depends on what the other Shadows have to say about them.

Moose is normally very work oriented on the field (and usually very far away from active combat). Graves places him somewhere with a team of Shadows and Moose won’t move unless Graves tells him to. But, if possible, Graves won’t have Moose on the field at all and he would be support from a much safer and controlled location.

Off the field and not during a mission, if Vamp approaches him to ask him about tech, Moose may agree to show him some things depending on what the other Shadows have said about him. Same goes for Sunny on whether Moose approaches him or lets himself be approached.

The whole vampire rumor would definitely take off in Shadow Company considering they love shit like that, and next thing you know Vamp is being addressed as “Count Fang” in a email. Moose didn’t actually mean to send it with that name and now he’s dying because he’s embarrassed and partially terrified of what Vamp would do. All the other Shadows are laughing their asses off and Moose is just losing his mind over how he addressed the guy who is very good at stabbing.

[nscafe-firehose]

Story time...

During the start of COVID-time, I decided to I wanted to re-collect some comics I had in the early 1990s. I didn't want reprints, I wanted originals.

I wanted to go through Todd McFarlane's Marvel work, starting with Daredevil #241 thru Spider-Man #16 (and then Image's Spawn #1-#25 plus the Violator 3-issue series)... and if you know about his run there, well... there were some pricy titles to collect. However, I wanted to do it, so I did it...

Also, due to COVID-time and my disability, I haven't left the apartment aside from medical appointments, voting and a few random times going out for food and eating outdoors [for the vast majority of the time]. We're both take it quite seriously because I really don't need to get any more sick than I am already. Yes, we're always masking when not in the apartment (and sometimes in the apartment when we have contractors coming in to do work). And we're diligent about as well. We haven't gotten sick yet.

(tldr; I basically haven't left the house unless I had to since Nov. 2020)

Fast forward to 2023 and after some life altering events, we decided to order VIP passes for Calgary Comics+Entertainment Expo, all 4 days. We figured with the early access our odds of not "getting sick" were okay. And also to save my leg from too much stress, we planned to rent a wheelchair.

Fast forward to 2024 and we have our VIP passes to the Calgary Comics+Entertainment Expo... and then McFarlane was announced as a late guest. I thought to myself, sure... I'll get an autograph. I can do that.

But as time ticked on, I felt like naaaah... there are bigger fans who could use waiting in line more than myself. An autograph would be nice but I didn't need one.

Then Fan Expo runs a VIP only context to win free autographs from him. Well then! That I could sign up for. My beloved partner, also a big comics book fan (more on the X-Men side of things [and she was able to get all of the X-Men '97 guests who were here, along with the original animated series Producer and Director autographs... and a selfie with Beast!]), also entered.

We both won (of course I'd get ticket 23... she got 24).

Now I needed to pull some "cool covers" so that we could make some choices (picture 1, above).

She chose Spider-Man #12 (and diligently read that 5-book series to get prepared for the day). I wanted to do Spider-Man #8 (for the very local tie-in) but we didn't exactly need two books signed from that series. So... what to choose, what to choose...

Amazing Spider-Man #311 (and it didn't even make the short list... not in the 1st pic) got the pick. It is a cool cover to be sure but I chose it for the nod to late 1980s Cowboy/Western fashion... and since I've grown up in Calgary, I was very aware of that reference (annual cowboy cosplay celebrations tend to do that... yay Calgary Stampede! [hey, if the comic+entertainment fandom has cosplay for CCEE, why not call the say the same sort of thing for the Stampede... this isn't a negative thing]).

When I told McFarlane why I chose the book I did, I got a chuckle and an "Oh wow!".

The only downside is that due to my disability I'm unable to attend day 4 but my beloved partner gets enjoy a day without pushing me around in a wheelchair (averaging over 9000 steps each of the 3 days)... give her arms and legs a big of a break.

But we did get quite lucky in our timings for things and we appreciated the experiences.

So long as we don't "get sick" and recovery time for this body o'mine doesn't take too long, then I think we can plan to attend again next year.

[lifesver]

alright hold on here are The Thoughts

i think growing up it was very like... leland trying to fit himself into a box, or an image that people had for him. which started with his dad and literally just trying to get the 'i'm proud of u' one singular time. dad was tough on him, only son, 70s, a little more sensitive than most boys his age etc. truly the root cause of why he can so easily get caught in cycles of people-pleasing, and is so easy to manipulate, and so easy to knock down a peg. bc he already has those preconceptions of himself, and when those things get confirmed, he just goes oh. yeah i guess so. you peaked in highschool? sure did man. you're not good enough for your friends? true!

leland who pushed himself into a golden boy status in his tiny little town. who made that his entire Thing for a while. he pushed himself in athletics and he pushed himself in academics so he could make it into that ivy school. and then getting to university where just about everything ripped a stripe off him. a lot of it was good humbling (from his friends), that made him loosen up and stop trying to exist in that box. but it was also just a wake up call of like, not being the best, and in fact being mostly average. which there's 0 things wrong with but when you have the ex golden boy complex it's so over for the mental.

i think about how after he had to drop out of school it was like. extra tough. going back to your small town after you were supposed to make something of yourself in college. seeing the people you knew from highschool, some of them having never left, some of them looking at you with judgement like haha how did you mess that up golden boy omg??? having to be there while his friends finished up their schooling, and then moved away. nothing like coming back to your childhood room after you've outgrown it and remembering being just a little younger than you are now, and all the things you thought you would be and get to do. spending basically a year rotting at home with zero motivation and just a completely gutting fear of being out in public until it's like. well i can't just do this huh.

and then having to go work for/with his dad so he doesn't put too much of a burden on his mother who's helping april with her kids now. just contractor work stuff and having to listen to his dad yap about whatever all day. having that oppressive influence on his shoulders again cutting down any personal growth he had made toward things like... self expression in the realms of his appearance or sexuality or identity and even just embracing silly interests or whatever. it all just went back in the box, bc he knew he wasn't going to be able to get out from under his dad's roof until he could save enough money to pay off school (lol rip the scholarship) and then move out. and generally just being like oh thats cool. i'm going to never leave this town. just like him (: cool cool cool!!

and he doesn't!!! he doesn't leave for twenty years. he gets a house and a dog and lives his quiet life. losing contact with most of the friend group after everything sort of cemented something in him that said hey don't bother letting anyone know you like that again, they'll leave you and it'll be your own fault. you don't want to trap anyone with you, you don't want to get your heart broken over and over, either. he never gets married, just has some messy short relationships, messy one night stands with people he can't bring himself to call back. he's the kind of person that's still like... warm and friendly for the most part, so people think they're his friend, that they know him, when he doesn't rly talk about anything real about himself anymore. i love 2 laugh

[terminaltimeline]

Wait, I thought he left the military because he couldn’t bring himself to kill? Or is that just mistaken?

I think he has killed, but to be fair, the phrasing around his military service is usually kinda vague about it. Like, "fought terrorism while in the military" could reasonably be interpreted as "has killed people" but also has room for "had the opportunity to kill but couldn't". This feels like it's because Capcom realised that "has killed people" might be a bad look for their new Street Fighter poster boy. Do not ask why they decided to make him a PMC contractor if that's the case. I don't know. Hey did you know that an older concept sheet of Luke literally calls him a mercenary?

Anyway.

Strongest argument for "has killed" is SFV Luke's winquote against Juri:

I'm over the whole "fight to the death" thing. Had enough of that in my last job.

Additionally, the way the Japanese version of this quote is phrased implies more strongly that he has killed.

Strongest argument for "has not killed" is this quote from the Udon SF6 comics #0:

But killing people... I didn't have it in me, and I decided to leave the military in the end.

This is kinda tangential but he then says that his father would "kick [him] in the rear for throwing in the towel" if he was still alive, which is a painful reminder that Luke's perception of his father is forever stuck at 11-year-old Luke's memories of him.

The issue is that both of these quotes have enough room for the other interpretation to also be applicable.

Anyway Street Fighter is mad inconsistent with lore (SF6 shows a pic of PMC Luke while he's talking about being conflicted over being in the military hhhhhh I will never stop complaining about this) so like, I wouldn't really worry about it. Though this vagueness does muddle his characterisation a little bit because the implications of "killed, found it repulsive, refused to continue" and "finds killing repulsive, refuses to kill" are completely different.

Personally I think that the son of a military doctor attempting to follow in his father's footsteps but not realising the doctor part until after he's joined the military and has ended up killing people is a horrifically ironic narrative, and since I like horrifying irony I choose to believe that he's killed. Also, given that he had no compunctions about joining the military in the first place, I find it hard to believe he initially had misgivings about what they do. And he hasn't even ended up at "killing is a bad thing to do", he's at "personally didn't like to kill, this is a personal thing though, dad would be disappointed in me aha, the military was totally fine, great even, really enjoyed my time there fighting terrorism"

Have I ever mentioned that I hate Luke Sullivan?

[kuma829]

Decorate♥Crimson Chocolat Festival Chapter Eleven (Ver. Two)

CONTENT WARNING: TRANSPHOBIA for an alternative version click Here

…That vampire bastard fell asleep and made a mistake with the number of chocolates we needed. I was busy makin’ chocolates until late last night, it was a real pain in the ass, yeah?

Cast: Adonis, Mitsuru, Arashi, Koga

Author: Yuuki Yoshino

Season: Winter

Adonis: (Anzu, there you go keeping your head down. She ended up refusing my help… I suppose, after all, she said she wants to give us our costumes directly)

(well, I can’t force myself to help her when she says there are also adjustments to be made. I suppose I’ll hurry to my own destination as well)

Mitsuru: Dashyuu, Dashyuu!! Let’s turn at the corner with another dashyuu—

Adonis: …?

(Just now, was that Tenma’s voice I heard?)

Arashi: Koga-chan, Adonis-chan~ Hey, hey, if you don’t mind, why don’t we practise together?

Koga: Hmph? Why do I gotta practise with this ok*ma bastard? Yer a Knights, so why don’t ya practise with Knights, huh?*

Arashi: Because they’re all gone now… I’ve been practising by myself for a while, and I’m getting pretty lonely, y’kno?

Plus, since you don’t have all your members either, isn’t it fine?

Koga: Hey, Knight’s is gonna be on stage before us UNDEAD, so how could you be so sure it’s fine practising together like this?

The fans would be disappointed if they didn’t see Knights come together, hmph

Arashi: Ara, are you worried about us? Aww, Koga-chan, aren’t you kind.

Someone who looks devious at first glance, but is a real sweetheart underneath that rough exterior~

Ufufu, if I didn’t already know you didn’t have special someone in your life, I’d be shocked finding out ♪

Koga: It’s fine. Hmph, and anyway yer better suited to that situation than me. Even the chocolates ya guys give out are all made by yer own hand.

Arashi: Of course, we packed it with a lot of love, y’know? I heard UNDEAD left it for a contractor, but I don’t think that was a bad decision at all.

Everyone is still hard at work in the kitchen making sweets, right?

I would help too, but it’s almost time for Knights to perform, so I might be called up soon, hm?

I mean, the units performing in the morning should be over by now, so I thought I wouldn’t have to stand here any longer.

After all, there must be someone on stage. If someone is called up and is absent because they weren’t available at the time, what a disaster that would be.

I made these sweets by hand and practised a ton for this day, so I don’t want it all to go to waste too, y’kno?

Koga: Ah, so that’s why yer the only one here. I guess I get it too, since even with UNDEAD using contractors, we had our fair share of work put in too.

Arashi: Is that so?

Koga: …That vampire bastard fell asleep and made a mistake with the number of chocolates we needed. I was busy makin’ chocolates until late last night, it was a real pain in the ass, yeah?

Well, I was workin’ through this mornin’ too, so I guess I’m gettin’ tired too.

Arashi: It’s hard work to make sweets on top of practising, isn’t it?

Making treats is hard work, but I wonder if those who don’t have any experience with it think it’s easy.

It’s just food for thought, I suppose. Hey, Adonis-chan, what’s wrong with you?

You don’t look like you're concentrating on practice, perhaps you're feeling sick?

Koga: Eh, it’s Valentine's Day today, that’s probably why he’s like that.

Arashi: Huh? What do you mean by that? Is there something wrong with Valentine's Day, Adonis-chan?

Adonis: …You surprised me, Narukami. How long have you been here?

Arashi: Hm? Adonis-chan, you’re quite absent-minded. Or maybe it’s a love problem?

If that’s the issue, then maybe I can lend you my expertise ♪

Adonis: Right. Narukami, if you’ve seen Tenma recently, please let me know if you’ve noticed something off about him.

Arashi: Huh, Mitsuru-chan?

Adonis: Aah, yeah, Tenma.

Arashi: If you ask me about what’s different, I’d say…

Recently, I’ve been teaching Mitsuru-chan—or rather everyone in Ra*bits—how to make chocolates, but there wasn’t anything strange about it.

At first, Mitsuru-chan was horrible at making chocolates, but after receiving some help from Anzu-chan, he was able to do it flawlessly, so he seemed pretty happy because of that.

Aah, come to think of it… Mitsuru-chan and Anzu-chan were secretly plotting something together.

I was going in and out of the kitchen a lot, and even the other members were curious about it.

Ara? The afternoon unit’s have been called. Does that mean the last of the Ra*bits performances are done now?

Adonis: …

Arashi: Adonis-chan? Hey, wait a minute! Where are you going? UNDEAD starts in the afternoon, so you’ll be called soon, won’t you?

Adonis: Sorry, I just remembered something I had to do. I’ll be back before you know it.

Koga: Hey! Ugh, come on Adonis…! What’s going on with ya?

Arashi: Koga-chan, leave it to me I’ll chase him down for you. If it’s me, I know I can keep up pace with Adonis-chan’s running.

But for Adonis-chan to panic so much… What type of situation must he have landed himself into?

/

オカマ is a slur used against feminine gay effeminate men, unfortunately this was written into the games script.

/

All Chapters

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

[boozuru]

Ghostic - Exorcism 4

⇠  chapter select  ⇢

(NOT JP PROOFED)

Season: Autumn

Yuzuru: Strange... Why was everyone gone from the practice room?

I thought for sure that they would continue practice, but clearly that is not the case. Was there a change in plans while I was resting?

I cannot contact anyone either, I’m worried.

Maybe they are unable to use their phones - like for example if they were in a different practice room… even though I checked and they weren’t.

…

Could it be that something is happening at the haunted house...?

No, surely not… But that is the only reasoning I can come up with.

I hope everyone is well…

This sound...

...A call from Young Master?

I’m so glad. Young Master, where are you right now? I checked the practice room, but saw no one, so I’ve just been wandering around ES.

???: "..."

Yuzuru: Young Master, can you hear me? Young Master?

???: "..."

Yuzuru: The call... ended...?

Oh goodness… Did something happen to him…!?

I'll come over right away... Please stay safe!

<Return to present time>

Tori: ...

Yuzuru: Young Master! Young Master....! Please, stay with me!

Oh, what is happening... If I had been more cautious about the haunted house, this wouldn't have happened...!

Eichi: So you're here too now, Yuzuru.

Yuzuru: Eichi-sama... Something is wrong with Young master. Please call an ambulance!

Eichi: Actually, I would like you to calm down and listen to what happened.

Yuzuru: …?

Eichi: While you were resting, we were doing our last rehearsal for the haunted house -- AKA, "ceremonial groundbreaking".

Something strange happened in the middle of it, you see. The staff here also reported strange things happening.

Yuzuru: Strange things...?

Eichi: Yeah. I was starting to suspect something, and asked the construction contractor to look into the cause.

And when they did, some scary facts came up.

Just like you said, there was something yet unknown lurking in the haunted house.

I only now learned of this. Please, listen to me carefully.

Yuzuru: Y-yes...

Eichi: The truth is-

Wataru: -Amazing! Who would have expected that the building materials in the ES Haunted House had properties that disrupt radio waves!

Yuzuru: ....What?

H-Hibiki-sama, where were you hiding?

And what do you mean by disrupting radio waves, I don't...

Eichi: It's true. I, the supervisor, will explain it to you.

Just like I've told you guys before, the haunted house is using eco-friendly building materials, but...

It doesn't allow radio waves to go through itself.

After using our poltergeist mechanic, it seems like for a while it caused special electromagnetic interference because of crosstalk.

The contractor said that there had been tests on how the building materials affect human bodies, but they didn't realise to look into how it would affect electronics.

As a result, there were disturbances in smartphone calls, along with silent calls and seemingly private number calls.

Wataru: And now, since we had some spare time during the contractor's research, we wanted to practice our expressions for Ghostic Treat House, resulting in our current “dead eye pratice” just now.

This is a theatre technique called Greek chorus ♪ Mr. Butler, was this your first time seeing it in practice? (As the loanword for Greek chorus is コロス, korosu, which is a homophone with the verb "to kill", Wataru might be making a distasteful pun, but that's just a theory rather than something outright confirmed. It's in-character for him to talk about theatre though, and the chorus in this scenario means him and Eichi.)

Yuzuru: …Erm, in all honesty, I have not digested all this information yet.

But, does this mean that Young Master losing his consciousness was just…

Tori: ...Ehehe.

Hey, did I scare you? Up till now, I’ve just been acting!

You really fell for it, didn’t you Yuzuru~? If you get scared by the haunted house cast too, then it might get so bad for you that you can’t sleep tonight~?

Yuzuru: …

Tori: Yuzuru? Wait, did I actually worry you…?

Yuzuru: I’m fine. Now it feels like all of my concerns have been answered. I’ve had to do some light pondering to figure out things.

The truth is, when I went to retrieve Young Master’s phone last night, there were many calls from a private number.

When I tried to call back, no one picked up. I thought it was highly unusual.

Tori: So that’s what happened… I’m sorry, it must have scared you.

I think it was Hibiki-senpai calling to try and make it easier to find, but due to radio wave interference things got weird on your end.

Yuzuru: Don’t apologize. The fault lies with me for the misunderstanding. If anything, I’m perfectly calm now that all questions have been answered.

I can now wholeheartedly believe that ghosts and psychic phenomena don’t exist in this world… That is enough to make me incredibly happy ♪

Tori: Okay…?

But seriously, I’m glad. That you feel better now.

We should be able to restart practice soon, right? ♪

Yuzuru: Yes. The humble Fushimi Yuzuru shall guide everyone into the world of ghosts.

I believe that there’s a good expression I can now make precisely because I know fear on a personal level… ♪

[california-112]

TLG: E01 'Live'blog

This got long, so the bullet points are under the cut :)

TL;DR - Unfortunately given that I'm watching this in 2024, the last half just hits a bit TOO close to the '''realism''' mark. But in terms of characterisations, excellent! I will be continuing to watch this show, despite the wacked out start.

Electric guitar soundtrack hell yeah

They're on the roof!!!

Hasn't she been in Stargate somewhere? [Post-watch: Yes! Katie Brown in Stargate Atlantis!]

You tell 'em Langly!

They're literally in the vents lmao

YASSS the break in in STYLE

Oh wait sh*t no

Who is this dude

AOGUHGAOUGHOAUG KISSING??? WHAT??? KISSING???

I actually choked on a seed there what the F*CK

Live Byers reaction 💀

Gents we are less than five minutes in and this is already INSANE

She???

Title 'sequence' :I

I like how they still take cues from TXF e.g. location cards

11 years of TLG in 2001...so they started it in 1990...maybe Mulder was a driving force...

"Trust me, no guy kisses like that. I mean uh..." BI FROHIKE TRUTH

"That's twice today I've been violated" bruuuh. You didn't need to say it like that

Wait what

Byers :(

A MISSILE??? WHAT

WHAT IN THE F*CK you CANNOT do that with human remains

"You got...soup." Bro just take the fall

"Next time leave the crack pipe at home" unnecessary 💀

These camera angles go hard

Leaps to a su*cide conclusion. Noted

The way the other two take the protective stance around Byers when he doesn't reply 🥺

Bro you just have this stuff on you? Really???

Not the conclusion I personally would have jumped to but sure why not

All that was just the first third lol.

Aww boor VW Beetle :(

Frohike nooo

I'm sorry but gun safety WHO? NEVER stand in front of someone on a firing range??? Langly I had more faith in you

"Hey! Never touch a man with a gun in his hand!" Tell him more, random shooting guy

Two oozis on a range? That's uh. Not a thing. Also you're not in the booth please get in the booth.

She's British?

The Dad Frohike headcanons only get stronger

Wait. Him???

We're just now thinking to check the blood DNA. Wake up guys you're smarter than this

THE ASSASSIN SHOT HIMSELF BAHAHAHAHA

"Sounds like some 'professional'." / "Hey. Government contractor." surely not 💀

Wait. Wait. Airline terrorism. March 2001. Wait

The government guy's password is just 'overlord'? Security much, I coulda hacked that

Byers' dad was a Lone Gunman subscriber 🥺

WELL MANICURED MAN???

Oh wait no that was just the bad quality hahahahaha

LEAVE BYERS ALONE

A 727 into New York City...WHAT

Wait I'm joining dots. My friend sent me a post a few years ago about a failed TXF spinoff which was hushed because it predicted 9/11. THIS IS IT??? How is it so on the nose???

I'm still only two thirds in by the way. More madness to come

No security on the door?

Byers going all 'we can't trust anyone in the FBI' Mulder is right there. Mulder and Scully are right there. Of the lone gunmen's list of 'things to deal with by ourselves' I don't think 'extremely real bomb threat on passenger airliner' should be one of them...!

Nobody on board is calling in their extremely suspicious behaviour???

"Going to headsets" B)

LITERALLY THE WORLD TRADE CENTRE. WHAT

THIS IS INSANE

Me thinking 'wow this is definitely pre-9/11' and then realising.

Does this girl spend her entire life firing oozis on the range?

Lee Harvey Oswald reference???

Oh god not the establishing shot with the twin towers. I see now why this was silenced what the f*ck

Oh god

You're just now declaring an emergency??? Youre at less than a thousand feet over New York. I feel like the ship has not only sailed, but is almost at its destination

Ok so this is horriffic

The cockpit view...

I can't stress how much I hate this

Ok so there IS a theme. It's just extremely mid

The 'these events are ficticious' card hits a bit harder than usual...!

[thryth-gaming]

Modern Monsters for Modern Problems

In the last 10-15 years we've seen the rise of what has been called the gig economy. This came along with the promise of being a new way to fix your financial problems by just doing some small gigs on the side now and again. Or, hey, if you worked at it you might even be able to replace your full time job.

In truth, while I'm sure a few of the gig-based companies were founded by people that at least believed they had good intentions, in truth this has created a host of new problems. The people doing the job are classed as independent contractors and thus are responsible for handling their own taxes and insurance. They often use this to avoid workman's comp as well. The freelancers are not well vetted and the company does not take responsibility for crimes performed by the freelancers. Likewise, they will not take responsibility when crimes are committed against their freelancers.

I'm not the first person to make a game out of this new brand of faceless corporate abuse of the population. iHunt is already a TTRPG that handles this subject and one I've been meaning to pick up. Likewise, Phasmophobia and a small host of games based on its model have also used the gig-economy as a framing device for how they do things.

For Swipe-to-Slay, I decided to actually make the App itself part of the mystery. Perhaps it is well-intentioned, but it's definitely out-of-touch and there's some reason why the people running it don't want to meet their freelancers face-to-face.

Toward this end, I decided to have a mix of common people that have felt a bit forced into the monster hunting life due to the daily pressures of bills and survival alongside a professional monster-hunter who's a bit down on their luck and is monetizing their normal hunting. Alongside an oblivious fool and thinks this is all awesome.

MON$TER APP - Swipe to Slay

Style: Can't Escape

The App

Where did each hunter learn about the app?

Courtney Mendez and her grandfather received a spam email and were desperate.

Grady Simmons thought it was an ARG.

Mariketh's heard rumors about the app from other hunters.

Willy Siegrich had it recommended by his husband and sister-in-law.

Why did they start?

Courtney and her grandfather need the money.

Grady thinks it's amazing fun and is a way to protect his neighborhood.

Mariketh was asked to investigate by her sect.

Willy Siegrich hasn't been able to get the app to stop sending jobs.

What are the clients like?

Skeptical and Disbelieving

Often Dead

Grateful and Appreciative

Two Good things about the App:

Good Pay

Strong Communication

Two Bad things about the App:

Intrusive job requests

Uncaring "support" staff

Who do you suspect is behind the app?

Greedy tech-bro

Odin

Core Traits

Team Enemy: Saunders Enterprises, a corporation seeking to collect and control the supernatural.

Team Ally: Frank Keep, a computer security specialist who has been digging into the app and has concerns.

Team Move: Thanks for the Rating

Team Assets

Never Offline: Smartphones or other devices can always connect to the app even when your phone has no bars or internet. This includes the community forum and support line.

Inventory: A big stockpile of mundane gear that might come in handy during a hunt.

Courtney Mendez - The Covenant

Look: A professionally dressed hispanic woman with green-highlights in her hair and mild gothic make-up. She's often seen working along side her grandfather Thomas Raleigh, a bald white man who dresses in rural work-clothes.

Charm -1

Cool +1

Sharp +2

Tough +1

Weird +0

Covenant

Watson

Her grandfather, a 65 year old farmer named Thomas Raleigh

Moves

Basic Weird Move: Tradecraft

Moves: Smash Cut, Who said I was alone?

Gear

Smartphone

Plentiful wardrobe of socially appropriate clothes

Shotgun (3-harm close messy loud)

History

Grady was there the first time Courtney encountered a monster. Neither of them were veterans at the time and they only barely survived the job.

She and her grandfather are related to Mariketh by blood, being his grand-niece and her second cousin.

When Willy approached her about the App, she reluctantly took him on a job with her and Grady.

Courtney was never a wildly successful lawyer. She lacked the charisma and social confidence to be an effective litigator and thus mostly worked in contract law. Among other things, she could get away with some goth-touches to her look here and there. She found herself disbarred recently over an apparent mistake with on of Grady's problems. She honestly doesn't remember making the mistake she was accused of. Courtney and her grandfather have taken to the app to try to keep his farm going against the creditors.

Grady Simmons - The Crooked

Look: A flashy young-man with too-blonde hair and rippling muscles. He dresses with an eye for looking impressive and doesn't think much about whether his look is practical or not.

Charm +2

Cool +2

Sharp +1

Tough +1

Weird -1

Heat

Grady pissed off a well-connected chop-shop owner by robbing his shop and taking one of the cars on a joyride that got it tracked down by the police.

He discovered the supernatural when he clicked through on the spam email that informed him about the App.

Moves

Basic Weird Move: Trust Your Gut

Background: Pickpocket

Moves: Driver, Deal with the Devil: Skill (1 year countdown)

Gear

9mm (2-harm close loud)

Baseball Bat (1-harm hand)

Submachine Gun (2-harm close area reload)

History

Mariketh is Grady's moral compass. She's never been afraid to call him out when he steps over the line. He deliberately sabotaged the relationship with her due to his issue with the devil deal. He suspects that if he comes clean about why he pushed her away, he'll ruin the remains of their friendship as well. Especially since she's a professional mystic.

Courtney used to help Grady with some legal advice, including recommending a litigator for his frequent court cases. He blames himself for her getting dis-barred. He tries to get her anything she and her grandfather need within his skills ability to grab.

Grady is finding himself repeating mistakes with regards to Willy. He's powerfully attracted to the man and like Mariketh, Willy is a deeply moral and kind person. Instead of going through the bother of sabotaging the relationship, he's just trying to keep it from getting started.

Grady is a trouble-maker that has a long history of ruining relationships and stirring up trouble with the cops and local criminals. It's amazing that he's not dead yet. This might have something to do with the deal he made that he's given up on solving. He didn't know what he was getting the problem fixed and instead just is doing what he can to be a problem for the worst people while keeping the best people at arms length.

Willy Seigrich - The Wronged

Look: A burly looking, bearded man who looks perpetually tired. He is generally calm and soft-spoken which makes his capacity for violence that much more disturbing.

Charm +1

Cool +0

Sharp +1

Tough +2

Weird -1

Loss

My Prey: Rilligan, a demon that his husband and sister-in-law took on a job to deal with.

At fault because he was in denial. He didn't think the app was serious.

Moves

Basic Weird Move: Warding

Moves: I Know My Prey, NEVER AGAIN, Safety First

Gear

Protective Gear (2-armour due to Safety First)

Rune enscribed Shovel (4-harm hand against Demons, 1-harm hand against other enemies, innocuous, useful)

Hunting Rifle (2-harm far loud)

9mm (2-harm close loud)

Birthday cards from his dead husband and sister-in-law.

History

He saved Grady's life when Grady was first getting into monster-hunting on the MON$TER App. A necromancer had set a trap and one of Grady's wards blocked the spell from taking hold.

Mariketh is younger than him, but helped him get started learning the ropes on fighting and magic. He's surpassed her in battle but is still lagging as a beginner on magic. The fact that she's partially not-human was surprising, but he's dealt with that.

Courtney used to handle his and his husband's legal issues until she got dis-barred. He respects her knowledge and expertise.

When he originally heard about the app, it sounded like a goofy video game thing. So, when his husband went off to try it out with his sister-in-law, he didn't really have any interest in the whole thing. It was the last time he saw them alive... or in a single piece. He's now looking into the app in hopes of figuring out who's putting this in the hands of unwitting people and maybe find the demon that killed his family along the way.

Mariketh - The Initiate

Look: A pale young woman with a serious expression often concealed behind a jet-black badger mask. She carries several talismans and golden spear.

Charm -1

Cool +1

Sharp +0

Tough +1

Weird +2

The Sect

Those Who Seek Peace

Good Traditions: Non-Human Integration, Like Family

Bad Traditions: Poor

Those Who Seek Peace are a group of inter-related humans and various spirits who make an effort to address the root causes of conflict between the human and inhuman. They've found that many of the root causes are down to socio-economic issues leaving them handling the symptoms and having difficulty gaining the traction they need to actually solve anything. They're a collection of old families, sure, but none of them have much money.

Moves

Basic Weird Move: Use Magic

Moves: Sect Move, That Old Black Magic, Ancient Fighting Arts, Mystic

Gear

Old-Fashioned Armour (1-armour)

Spear (2-harm hand close)

Silver Knife (1-harm hand silver)

Sniper Rifle (3-harm far)

History

Courtney Mendez is a lay member of her sect. Her mother has retired from hunting due to health reasons, but did pass on the information to the Sect. Courtney and Mariketh view each other as cousins.

Mariketh and Willy met while Willy was looking into magic. She helped him with the runes to permanently enchant his shovel for killing demons.

Grady is her ex-boyfriend. His recklessness and obliviousness eventually ruined the relationship. They still care about each other's well-being but the romance is truly dead. She is still mystified about how much he changed so suddenly. Like he just decided to be a jerk one day.

Mariketh is a mystic warrior from a long line of mystic warriors. There's never really many of them in any particular place, most of the family tends to go off to live mild and normal lives. But she's one of the set that sees it as a duty to try and protect good people, mortal and supernatural both, from the evils of the world. She was the last to join the app of the group, but after hearing about the others getting involved, she was already thinking about it. Being officially told by her sect to investigate the matter finished the matter.

Back the new books here:

[toolboxwidgetuk]

Neat and Accessible: A Guide to organize sockets

Introduction

Hey fellow builders and construction enthusiasts! As a seasoned contractor in sustainable construction, I've learned that keeping your sockets organized isn't just a matter of tidiness – it's about efficiency and safety on the job site. In this guide, I'll share some practical tips and personal anecdotes to help you master the art of organize sockets.

The Benefits of Socket Organization

Let's kick things off by discussing why having an organized socket collection is a game-changer in construction work.

Time-saving advantages for on-site tasks

Picture this: you're on a tight deadline, and you need a specific socket size to complete a crucial task. With a well-organized socket set, you'll find it in seconds, keeping your workflow smooth and efficient.

Reduced waste and environmental impact through organization

Being in the sustainable construction field, I'm always looking for ways to minimize waste. By keeping sockets organized, you avoid duplicate purchases and ensure they're well-maintained, which extends their lifespan.

Enhanced safety and reduced risk of accidents

A cluttered toolbox can be a hazard waiting to happen. I've had my fair share of close calls, and it was a wake-up call to invest time in proper organization. Knowing where each socket is placed reduces the risk of accidents, keeping both you and your team safe.

Evaluating Your Socket Storage Needs

Now, let's get practical. Before you go hunting for socket organizers, take a moment to assess your socket collection and the challenges you face on-site.

Assessing the variety and quantity of sockets

When I first started out, I underestimated just how many different sizes and types of sockets I'd accumulate. It's essential to take stock and plan your organization accordingly.

Identifying specific organizational challenges faced on construction sites

Whether it's a dusty environment or limited workspace, each job site presents unique challenges. Consider factors like portability and ease of access when choosing a socket organizer.

Sustainable Material Choices for Socket Storage

Being in the sustainable construction field, I'm always on the lookout for eco-friendly solutions. When it comes to socket organizers, there are some fantastic options out there.

Introduction to eco-friendly materials suitable for socket organizers

Bamboo, recycled plastics, and metal alloys are excellent choices for sustainable socket organizers. They're durable, environmentally friendly, and readily available.

Benefits of using recycled and reclaimed materials

I've personally seen the difference using recycled materials can make. Not only do they reduce the demand for new resources, but they also add character to your toolbox.

Evaluating durability and longevity for sustainable options

Sustainability isn't just about materials; it's also about longevity. Look for organizers that can stand the test of time, so you won't have to replace them frequently.

Top Socket Organization Solutions

Alright, let's get down to the fun part – exploring the best socket organizer options. These solutions have proven to be game-changers for me and my team.

Modular socket trays for customized organization

One of my personal favorites, modular trays allow you to arrange your sockets in a way that makes sense to you. It's like creating a custom puzzle that fits perfectly in your toolbox.

Magnetic socket holders for easy access and visibility

Magnetic holders have been a game-changer for me. Not only do they keep everything in plain sight, but they also prevent sockets from rolling around and getting lost in the depths of the toolbox.

Portable socket cases with dedicated compartments

When I'm on the move, a well-organized socket case is a lifesaver. Look for options with dedicated compartments for sockets, so you can grab what you need without rummaging through a jumble of tools.

Wall-mounted socket organizers for space efficiency

If you're short on space, consider utilizing vertical storage. Wall-mounted systems keep your sockets accessible while freeing up valuable workspace.

DIY vs. Ready-made Socket Organizers

Now, you might be wondering whether to go the DIY route or opt for off-the-shelf solutions. Both have their merits, and it ultimately depends on your preferences and specific needs.

Pros and cons of creating custom socket organizers

DIY organizers allow for complete customization, but they do require some time and effort. If you enjoy crafting or have unique organizational needs, this might be the perfect option for you.

Recommended DIY solutions for sustainable construction specialists

For the crafty builders out there, consider repurposing materials from your construction projects to create unique and sustainable organizers. It's a great way to showcase your skills while staying organized.

Advantages of off-the-shelf socket organizers for convenience and accessibility

Off-the-shelf organizers are a convenient solution, especially if you're looking for a quick and hassle-free fix. There are plenty of sustainable options available, so you can still align with your eco-friendly values.

Maintaining an Organized Socket Collection for Long-term Sustainability

Once you've got your organizer in place, it's important to maintain it for the long haul. A little upkeep goes a long way in ensuring your sockets stay in top-notch condition.

Implementing a routine for cleaning and organizing sockets

Set aside some time regularly to clean and reorganize your sockets. It's a small investment that pays off in the long run.

Reassessing and adjusting socket storage solutions as tool collections grow

As your tool collection expands, you might need to tweak your organization system. Don't be afraid to adapt and evolve as needed.

Promoting a culture of organization and sustainability within the team

Encourage your team members to prioritize organization. Share tips and tricks, and lead by example. A well-organized team is a more efficient and sustainable team.

Case Studies: Sustainable Contractors and Their Organized Sockets

Let's take a look at some real-life examples of successful sustainable construction projects. These contractors have mastered the art of socket organization, and their stories offer valuable insights.

Real-life examples of successful sustainable construction projects

I had the privilege of working alongside some incredibly talented contractors who prioritize sustainability. Their projects serve as inspiring examples of what can be achieved with the right tools and organization.

Insights into how organized socket storage contributed to project success

In each case study, you'll see how organized socket storage played a pivotal role in the project's success. It's not just about the sockets themselves, but how efficiently they're utilized.

Lessons learned and key takeaways from each case study

We'll wrap up each case study with key takeaways and lessons learned. These insights can be applied to your own projects, helping you achieve similar levels of success.

Conclusion

There you have it, folks! Organizing your sockets isn't just about tidying up your toolbox—it's about streamlining your workflow, reducing waste, and promoting safety. Whether you opt for off-the-shelf solutions or get crafty with DIY organizers, the goal is to make your job easier and more sustainable.

[dysfunctionalmaki]

To Realize

Main Masterlist

Pairings: Natasha Romanoff x Fem!Stark!Reader

Summary: Natasha's been connecting all the dots about how she feels about you, it's up to her to how she'll handle the situation.

A/N: This was supposed to be a oneshot until... I wanted to base it on the whole Black Widow movie :"))

Warnings: none, let me know if there's any.

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆

Your last interaction with your father didn't go well, he simply told you that Secretary Ross is now after you and Natasha after helping Steve, and Bucky to get in the Quinjet while T'challa was after them.

Quickly tackling the king of Wakanda on the ground, while Natasha shot something at him to give Rogers and his friend time to take off, as soon as the jet flew away, you removed your arms that are restraining him.

"Your father will hear about this, and you too Miss Romanoff." The exact words that came out of T'challa, and now you're on the run with Natasha, considered as a global fugitive.

Your father looked at you with disappointment when he mentioned that Ross will be chasing you and the latter, you looked at Natasha before she took your hand and leading you out, taking you to who knows where.

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆

"You miss your daddy?" Natasha spoke while driving, you chuckle at her words then resting your head against the car window. "Hmm, kinda, so what are we doing here in Norway?" You ask the latter.

"Well, you've noticed that Ross is after our asses after assaulting the King of Wakanda, and helping Steve and Barnes escape the airport, I believe we should lay low, right?" She propped her elbow by the window, resting her head on her knuckle as she drives with one hand. "Oh? I didn't know that." You replied sarcastically, making Natasha roll her eyes.

"What I mean is, why Norway of all places?" Now you're kindly asking, arms crossed over your chest and slowly drifting off to sleep, exhausted after hours of traveling, without Daddy's private planes, sports car, and Quinjet also.

Natasha noticed how your voice softens, a long yawn coming out of your mouth, and quickly glancing at you. "Ross has no jurisdiction here, his boys would stay away from here for the time being." She answered, you softly nodded and replied with an 'okay' almost a whisper with how silent it was.

In a split second, you're already fast asleep at the passenger seat, both arms hugging yourself and your head resting against the window. Nat maintained her eyes on the road as she attempts to reach for a blanket she stashed in the backseat, after few shifts in her place, the Russian managed to grab the cloth.

She gently placed the soft blanket over you, and now focusing herself on driving, for some reason, she has always felt this warm feeling in her heart when she's alone with you, adoration maybe?

Your peaceful state while you're in deep slumber, and hearing your soft snores as she admires the view of the landscape, she would offer everything she has just to stay like this most of the time.

The thought caught her off-guard, why would she want to spend all of her time with her friend's daughter? She shrugged the thought off from her mind, she knows what love feels like, she felt it with Bruce until Hulk decided to drive off somewhere they won't find him.

She did get sad because of it, but she chose to move forward and move on, successfully removing any romantic feelings for Banner, focusing on her work as an Agent and an Avenger.

But why is she feeling this way with you? Her heart melts when she sees you getting all excited when you've successfully upgraded your techs, how she would automatically smile when her eyes would catch you smiling, and how she feels warm when you're there to ease her mind when a mission didn't go as planned.

She's now connecting the dots, using the silence and peace surrounding her, she got time to think about herself and her feelings towards Tony Stark's daughter.

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆

After half an hour of the drive, you slowly wake up from your nap, looking around the surroundings you're in the middle of the woods, Natasha's still driving. "Good uhh... Evening?" You greeted Nat with your groggy voice.

Natasha stopped the car beside the safehouse, which is a caravan and you don't mind, you can't really call your father to get you a 5-star hotel to stay in. "Did you manage to replenish your energy?" She asked, unbuckling her seat belt and you did the same.

Getting out of the car, she has her gun out and you also have one on your hand, staying alert until both of you heard a loud snore in the room. Natasha immediately returned to her relaxed posture before heading into where the sound belongs, and she found her contractor sleeping.

Kicking his foot that is off the bed, the man immediately woke up. "You're sleeping in my bed." Natasha commented, "I'm not even under the covers." He replied, then his eyes trail at you, awkwardly looking away noticing that the two seemed close.

"I've got what you asked for, fake IDs, drivers licenses, and some VISAs, also for Miss Stark too, just like what you've told me to do." He says as he handed out the fake identifications to Natasha, while reading, the Russian frowned upon what she just read. "Really? Fanny Longbottom?"

"That is a legitimate name." He defended himself, them Natasha handed your fake IDs, taking a good look at them and you're amazed about how real they seem to be. "Thank you...?" You softly spoke.

"Rick, Rick Mason." He introduced himself, and you shook his hand also introducing yourself, with little chit-chat soon after the man left leaving you and Natasha alone.

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆

An hour has passed it's already dark out, you're currently sitting by the front door, knees up to your chest, and you already felt homesick, Natasha's company is nice honestly, but the feeling of being far away from your father and home sucks.

Natasha looks at you while you're way too busy gazing at the woods, she knows you aren't used to this type of setup, running away from authorities, and far from home, she felt bad for you.

She walks up behind you, making sure you're aware of her presence before placing a hand on your shoulder. "I'm going to watch a movie on my laptop, feel free to join me, I'm also eating the ice cream we bought at the convenience store earlier." She softly spoke before leaving you alone.

Minutes after, you finally stood up from where you are sitting and closing the front door, almost dragging your way to Natasha. Two bowls of ice cream in front of her, and her laptop already on, she was waiting for you.

You placed yourself beside her, head resting on her shoulder then she plays the movie on the screen, lazily taking a spoonful of the cold treat in your mouth, and eyes glued on the screen, but you weren't paying attention to the movie, you're spacing out.

"Hey, Y/N? Are you okay?" Of course, not, Natasha knows damn well you aren't okay, she thought that it's a dumb question. "Of course, why wouldn't I be?" You answered just like your father, she paused the film and causing you to look at her. "No, you're not okay, and that's okay." She says before taking you into her arms.

You're surprised actually, Natasha isn't usually the one who initiates physical contact but here she is, her arms wrapped around your body. You needed this, you needed to feel home and somehow being hugged by Natasha feels like it.

Burying your face at her shoulders then you knew you're melting in her arms, it almost brought the tears out of you, as if her touch is enough the lift the burden you've been feeling.

Natasha feels like home.

You try not to think anything about the affection she just gave, but damn, you think you'd go batshit crazy if you won't get to experience this again.

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆

Let's be clear here, you've had a crush on Natasha while she's still Natalie, then as soon as Fury revealed that she is some secret agent, you were so amazed that you started liking her, though she didn't contact after that.

You weren't part of the Avengers initiative, but you did join them in the battle of Sokovia, but she and Banner have a thing going on, so you've decided to set those feelings aside. Which you successfully did for a few months, and after Bruce flying who knows where maybe you can make a move?

So you did, you would jokingly flirt around Natasha, and your father would give a questioning look then you slowly back away, but you were also a great friend to Nat, it's just that you can't seem to get all romantic with Natasha.

Just as much of a playboy your father is, that's all his, you suck at this type of thing, so Nat probably thought you're just a caring and affectionate person.

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆

You gently pull away from Natasha's grasp, and she looks at you with her emerald eyes. "Better?" She asked, placing a hand on your cheek softly caressing your skin. "Much better, thank you." She smiled with your answer, the next thing you know is that you're way too close to her, and you're looking at her plump lips.

This would be a perfect time to make a move.

You hold the back of her hand that is on your cheek, slowly closing in, and Natasha is leaning closer, so near that you could feel each other breathing, just when your lips were about to touch hers... the power died.

Nat cleared her throat and awkwardly moving away, removing her hand away from you and she stood up. "I'm just going to check the power generator." She says before going outside.

Her face turned red as soon as she was out of your sight, she got way too vulnerable with you, she almost kissed you but she sure knows she's going to like it but no, not at a time like this.

She tried to get the power back on, only to find that there's no more fuel in the generator, she came back inside finding you eating ice cream in the corner, and probably waiting for her to come back.

"I'm going to a gas station, do you want to come with me?" She asked, you nodded before getting off your ass and bringing yourself into her car, there's this awkward tension between the two of you, and as soon as she started driving, the silence swallowed the two of you.

"Can I turn the radio on?" You asked her, she simply nodded while eyes fixated on the road, you played the radio, and Sia's Cheap Thrills came on. "Damn, even here? When is this song going to die?" You commented.

Natasha taps her fingers on the steering wheel according to the beats, despite hearing the song over and over whenever you would turn on the radio, you still liked it.

Midway through the song, you felt chills on your body, and as soon as you look at the window beside you, suddenly you see an RPG heading towards the car.

"Nat—" Before she could react it has already hit the car causing an explosion, now the vehicle is hanging on the edge of the bridge, and with one wrong move it'll head straight down to the water. "Ooh, fuck that hurts." Hissing as you try to collect yourself and trying to fight the headache it caused.

Natasha on the other hand is in pain and boy, she's mad. "I'm pretty sure Ross has no jurisdiction here, and you should know that I'm a better shot when I'm pissed off," Nat spoke before firing few bullets at the person, you look at her and biting your lip, finding her hot.

"Wow, that's hot..." You spoke under your breath but Natasha heard, glaring at you. "Really? At a time like this?" She says, before heading out of the car when you tried to get out Nat stopped you. "How long can you hold your breath?" She asked. "Last time I beat Sam it was a good 4 minutes and a half."

"As soon as this psycho comes close enough, I'll push you into the water, it's not after us." She says you look at her as if she's speaking lies. "Nat, I'm not leaving you here–" before you could protest, you felt her lips against yours it was quick but you know damn well, that Natasha kissed you.

"I'll meet you down there, I promise." She says before a shield comes charging towards her, and managed to avoid it, yet it hit the car, now you're falling off the bridge and you suddenly noticed a small case on her hand.

You quickly got out of the car before it could hit the water, then you swam heading to safety where the one who ambushed wouldn't see you.

Closing your eyes hoping that Nat would come back to you in one piece, there's no way you'll let her die after kissing you, of course, you wanted to fight but your body just wouldn't.

You can't risk losing Natasha now.

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆

Next Part: To Remember

[starsfic]

Idea 3: Pizzaplex is an engineering disaster waiting to happen.

An idea that I don't see brought up at all, is the idea that the Pizzaplex is not constructed well.

Remember in FNAF 6 when the tutorial unit said this?

"There may be times when you purchase something of questionable quality, and we don't blame you. Cutting corners is just good business."

Keep this statement in mind while I bring up my next point. As someone who's taken an engineering class, when you are constructing a building, there are a VERY large number of codes (rules) that you need to follow for every conceivable part of it.

Fazbear Entertainment would probably find it a lot cheaper just to pay off the people inspecting the plex than to actually put money into making sure everything is up to code.

They would also try to construct the building as cheaply as possible, trying to "cut corners" wherever they could. They use substandard materials and contractors that don't double-check their work. They built the mall itself over the subterranean remains of their old restaurant, despite this making the ground very unstable.

This all works in my mind because Fazbear Entertainment has been proven to follow the "be as cheap as possible" and "maximize profits by any means necessary" approaches many times in the past.

Here is just one example of a code being violated, according to Section 1006.2.1.1 of Utah Building Codes, "Three exits or exit access doorways shall be provided from any space with an occupant load of 501 to 1,000. Four exits or exit access doorways shall be provided from any space with an occupant load greater than 1,000." We only see 2 public exits in the game, and the Pizzaplex likely holds well over a thousand people at any one time. What's worse is that one of the exits, the only one designated for emergencies, requires a VIP pass in order to be used.

If Fazbear Entertainment is willing to do this to cut costs, who knows what else they have done?

It's why, in my mind, I don't have Gregory live at the pizzaplex after the 3-star ending. Freddy would calculate that it is statistically safer for Gregory to live in his box than at the plex. He instead lives with Vanessa, creating opportunities for them to grow closer.

BTW This has happened in real life, even down to the shoddy construction and profit maximization. It was the Sampoong Department store collapse. Link

“Hello?”

“Hey, Jack, I had some questions about the budget for the Pizzaplex building.”

“Ugh, are you doubting me? Again? Look, don’t worry about it.”

Vanessa collapsed behind the CEO's desk. The secretary knew better by now to ask her questions, but there were clues. Based on the background noise, the dusty office, and how slurred his voice was, Jack was out on vacation. Again. “I wouldn’t be worrying about it if I didn’t know, for a fact, that it should’ve taken longer to get the safety certificates for the site.” She glanced down at the budget and the weird charge. “And doesn’t require an extra ten thousand dollar charge out of nowhere.”

Jack didn’t answer for a hot minute, allowing her to listen to what sounded like tango music. Vanessa pulled away the phone to sigh and massage her temples, feeling the beginnings of a stress headache to take hold. She wished she had enough of Jack’s carefree nature to waste money on vacations every month. “Look, I know as Daddy’s good girl-” Her hand clenched at the words. “You doubt me. But, hey! The company hasn’t fallen apart yet!”

“That’s because you have me do everything.” Vanessa paused before she could dissolve into the ancient scolding. He didn’t care and never would. “Look, you told me to focus on the game, right? I can’t do that if I’m cleaning up your messes.”

“Look, I have to go. A hot girl’s calling my name-”

“Wait-!”

“Bye~!”

The phone went silent, and Vanessa pulled it away from her ear with a groan. She moved to retype Jack’s number in but a text popped up.

It was her manager. Beta-testing on Help Wanted about to start. Are you coming into work?

Yes. I’m coming, sorry.

Vanessa got up, pushing in the chair, before marching out of the office. Honestly, she should just leave Fazber Ent. to crumble apart.

It would be more than anyone else did.